Electric lamp and discharge devices – With envelope – Having base and connector
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-16
2001-05-15
Patel, Nimeshkumar D. (Department: 2879)
Electric lamp and discharge devices
With envelope
Having base and connector
C313S318090, C313S318100, C362S229000, C362S211000, C362S249070, C439S611000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06232707
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to the art of lamps, and more particularly, to lamps having a press seal. The invention is particularly applicable to an automotive or miniature type incandescent lamp and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it will be appreciated that the invention may be advantageously employed in related lamp environments and applications where it is important to hold the press seal within a base cavity without using a bonding material such as an adhesive or cement.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,603,278; 4,752,710; and 4,979,082 generally relate to electric lamps of the type at issue here where a press seal is formed at one end of the envelope and is received in a cavity of a molded plastic base member. A pair of lamp leads extend outwardly from the press seal and through an opening in the base. The leads are typically bent back along an external wall of the base for establishing electrical connection with contacts of an associated fixture.
Although the noted patents provide proposed solutions to relieve stress in the press seal of the lamp in the plastic base, there is still a problem of holding the press seal securely within the base cavity without using any adhesive. This goal must be accomplished in an inexpensive, practical manner that is easily repeatable and easy to manufacture. It must also be highly reliable, i.e., maintain the lamp in the base.
Stable positioning of the lamp relative to the base maintains the individual components in the desired positions. This, in turn, leads to precise electrical contact, durability, and longer lamp life. Accordingly, the need exists to achieve these various objectives in a lamp assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention contemplates a new and improved lamp base adapted to receive a press sealed lamp that overcomes the noted problems and yet provides a simple, economical structure that is highly reliable.
According to the invention, the base includes a wall having a cavity open at one end for receiving a press seal portion of the lamp. Facing walls of the cavity each include a curvilinear recess that accommodates an exhaust tube portion of the lamp. The cavity is dimensioned to substantially conform to the peripheral dimensions of the press seal. In addition, at least one raised bead extends inwardly into the cavity from the facing walls and is dimensioned for friction fit with the periphery of the lamp.
According to another aspect of the invention, the beads extend in a substantially continuous fashion from the open end to a closed end of the cavity.
According to another aspect of the invention, the raised beads are disposed in the curvilinear recess to restrain the lamp against movement in both the thickness and width directions.
According to another aspect of the invention, the beads are disposed closely adjacent the recesses and restrain the press seal of the lamp against movement in the thickness direction.
A principal advantage of the invention is found in the simple manner of securing the press seal of the lamp base.
Yet another advantage of the invention resides in the ease with which the components may be manufactured.
Still other advantages and benefits of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4603278 (1986-07-01), Devir et al.
patent: 4752710 (1988-06-01), Devir et al.
patent: 4979082 (1990-12-01), Devir
patent: 5278741 (1994-01-01), Ehrman
patent: 5418698 (1995-05-01), Wu
patent: 5669701 (1997-09-01), Lin
patent: 5785412 (1998-07-01), Wu et al.
patent: 5988830 (1999-11-01), Huang
patent: 6079848 (2000-06-01), Ahroni
Hetzel Frederick
McFeely Robert S.
Ranish Joseph M.
Fay Sharpe Fagan Minnich & McKee LLP
General Electric Company
Patel Nimeshkumar D.
Williams Joseph
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