US3510641A - Light base and light-conducting member attached thereto - Google Patents

Description

May 5, i Y 3,510,641

LIGHT BASE AND LIGHT-CONDCTING MEMBER ATTACHE) THERETO Filed March 27. 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 5, 1970 c. E. REYNOLDS LIGHT BASE AND LIGHT-CONDUCTING MEMBER ATTACHED THERETO I5 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed March 27, 1967 May 5, 1970 c. E. ARl-:YNQLDS LIGHC| BASE AND LIGHT-CONDUCTING MEMBER ATTACHED THERETO 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 27. 1967 "United States Patent O 3,510,641 LIGHT BASE AND LIGHT-CONDUCTING MEMBER ATTACHED THERETO Charles Edward Reynolds, Harrisburg, Pa., assigner to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa. Filed Mar. 27, 1967, Ser. No. 626,251 Int. Clo G02b 5/16 U.S. Cl. 240--1 7 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A light base in which a light-emitting source is disposed for electrical energization A light conductor is mounted on the light base so as to receive light from a reflection area provided by the light base when the light-emitting source is energized to thereby indicate the condition of the light-emitting source. A terminating device is con=l trollably fastened on an end of the light conductor to removably mount the terminated end of the light conducl tor in position to receive light emitted by the light-emitting source.

This invention relates to a light base and more particularly to a light base having a light-conducting member attached thereto.

It is important in lighting systems to know the condition of each light. In the case of the lights of a vehicle, the fact that one of the headlights, one or both of the taillights or brakelights, or one of the front or rear turn indicator lights will not work creates driving hazards that are extremely dangerous. The condition of running lights on ships and airplanes is equally important. In a number of cases, the condition of lights of a lighting system can not be determined because of the location of the lights with respect to an operator, therefore monitoring of the lights of a lighting system is highly desirable and in some cases essential.

An object of the invention is to provide light means having a light-monitoring means to indicate the condition of the light means.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a lamp base having light-monitoring means mounted thereonu A further object of the invention is to provide lightmonitoring means removably mounted in a lamp base and being positioned to receive light emanating from a light source.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a light-monitoring means having one end secured on a lamp base in a position to receive light emitted by the lighting means.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a splash-proof light-monitoring means to prevent water from entering the lampcarrying means.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a. reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which there are shown and described illustrative embodiments of theinvention; it is to be understood, however, that these embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the in venton but are given for purposes of illustration in order that others skilled in the art may fully understand the invention and the principles thereof and the manner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify it in various forms, each as may -be best suited to the condi= tions of a particular use.

The foregoing and other objects are achieved by a vpreferred embodiment of a termination mem-ber securable on an end of a light-conducting means comprising a fer- 3,5 l @,bdll Patented May 5, l 9?@ ICC rule member for engagement with the light-conducting means under controlled conditions to secure the ferrule member on the end of the light-conducting means with a minimum of reduction of the light-transmitting characn teristics of the light-conducting means, and means on the ferrule member for securing the ferrule member in an opening of a light carrying means with the end ofthe lightconducting means being directed toward a light source in the light carrying means.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of a lamp -base in which one terminated end of a light-conducting member is disu posed;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along lines 2--2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along lines 3 3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partially-sectioned view of a reflector carrying a light means and a terminated end of a light-conductE ing member defining a light pick-up device; f

FIG. 5 is a top plan `view of the light pick-up device of FIG. 4; r

FIG. 6 is a View taken along lines 6-6 of FIG., 5;

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the light pick-up device of FIGS. 4 6; .t

FIG. 8 is a perspective and exploded view of a display housing and terminated ends of a light-conducting member with one of the terminated ends being an alternative embodiment of FIGS. 4-6- and 7; J

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the display housing with a terminated end of the light-conducting member in position therein;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 4 of the alternative light pick-up device;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the light pick-up device of FIG. l0;

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a lamp 'base having a socket for receiving a termination member terminated to an end of a light conducting member; and

FIG. 13 is a side view of the termination member insertable in the socket of FIG. 12. i

Turning now to the drawings and especially FIGS. l through 3, light-carrying member LCM comprises a di-= electric body 1 molded from any suitable dielectric material in accordance with conventional molding techniques. Body 1 has an annular internal surface 2 which merges into a conical surface 3, both of these surfaces merges into a conical surface 3, both of these surfaces being coated with a light reflective material. Conical surface 3 communcates with opening 4 which in turn communicates with opening S of less diameter thereby providing an interface 6 at the junction between openings 4 and 5. A lens member 7 is disposed in an annular recess 8 at the entrance to opening 4. A termination member 9 is secured to an end of a light-conducting member 10 and includes stop projections 11 at one end for engagement with body l to limit movement of the'termination member within opening 5 and spring lances 12 engage interface 6 to maintain termination member 9 within openings 4 and 5 and to properly position the end of light-conducting member 10 relative to lens member 7. Termination member 9 is completely disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 569,-

`726, liled Aug. 2, 1966. Light-conducting member 10 is with flange of body 1 to hold ring 13 in position on body 1. A concentric ring 16 is connected to ring 13 by sections 17 and ring 16 includes a socket 18 into which base 19 of light bulb 20 is electrically connected by means of axially-spaced lugs 21 (only one being shown) which mate with L-shaped openings (not shown) in socket 18 to provide a conventional `bayonet connection, the stag gered location of lugs 21 in mateable engagement with the staggered short legs of the L-shaped openings thereby polarizing light bulb in socket 1S.

Body 1 includes extensions 22 having channels 23 disposed therein and these channels merge into openings 24 in the part of body 1 containing annular surface 2. Recesses 25 are located in each side of channels 23 and in communication therewith.

Projections 26 extend outwardly from conical surface 3 and in alignment With channels 23 and openings 24. Projections 26 include extensions 27 which extend out= wardly from surface 2 on each side of channels 23 and extensions 27 include guide surfaces 28 in alignment with recesses 25. Slightly arcuate surfaces 29 which merge with. inclined surfaces 30 are in alignment with openings 24 between extensions 27. Channels 23 have stepped suie faces 31 disposed therein.

Electrical terminals ET comprise ferrule sections 32, securing sections 33 and contact-engaging sections 34. Ferrule sections 32 are crimped onto the conductive porn tions and insulation of electrical wires 35. Securing sec-1 tions 33 have the edges thereof disposed in recesses 25 and struck-outlances 36 in engagement with stepped surfaces 31 to maintain electrical terminals in position within channels 23 in an insulated manner.

Contact-engaging sections 34 are disposed in engage= ment with arcuate surfaces 29 so that contacts 37 on light bulb 20 engage respective ones thereof. Arcuate surfaces 29 have this configuration so that contact-engaging sections 34 are not over-stressed upon light bulb 20 being disposed in socket 18.

Sections 34 of the electrical terminals in engagement with arcuate surfaces 29, the edges of securing sections 33 within recesses 25 and lances 36 in engagement with stepped surfaces 31 maintain the electrical terminals in position within channels 23 and the electrical terminals can be removed therefrom by moving lances 36 out of engagement with surfaces 31.

Guide surfaces 28 guide the edges of securing sections 33 within recesses 25 and the dimensions between exten= sions 27 are such that contactengaging sections 34 t snugly therebetween to maintain the sections in proper alignment for engagement by contacts 37 of the light bulb.

When light bulb 20 is energized, light emanating therefrom is reflected from surfaces 2 and 3 into lens member 7 to collect the rehected light rays into light-conducting member 10 so that light can be transmitted therealong to a remote location to indicate the condition of light bulb 20. Lens member 7 and the light-conducting member in the light-carrying member constitute a light pickup device.

Some of the advantages of the light-carrying member of FIGS. l through 3 are: Tolerance control is excellent from the filament means to the end of the light-conducting member adjacent lens members 7, the bulb is easy to replace, the reliecting surfaces are protected within the body, the electrical terminals are snapped in place and they are readily replaceable, coil spring contacts are elimi nated and the leaf spring contact-engaging sections func-s tion to provide an excellent electrical connection, light= reflection areas and pick up is symmetrical about the light bulb, the light-reflection area is only slightly larger than the bulb diameter, and a large amount of light flux is available.

FIG. 4 through 6 illustrate an embodiment of a light pick-up device. In this embodiment there is illustrated a light-reflection member 38 having a light socket 39 in which light bulb 40 is disposed via a conventional bayonet connection. A depression 41 is formed in member 38 and has an opening 42 therein whose axis is in alignment with filaments in light bulb 40. A light pick-up device 43 is removably mounted in opening 42 and. includes a bellshaped ferrule 44 and a holding member 45. Ferrule 44 has a bell-mouth 46 to facilitate the insertion of lightconducting member 47 within pickup-device 43. Ferrule 44 is crimped along portion 48 to form a corrugated crimp by crimping dies completely disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,639,754. The crimp is performed in accordance with the teaching in the above-mentioned patent application Ser. No. 557,.797 to effect good mechanical connection on the covering member of the light-conducting member while maintaining the light-conducting characteristics of the light-conducting member at close to its maximum light-conducting condition.

Section 49 of ferrule 44 acts as a stop against which legs 5l)l of holding member 45 engage and section 49 iS bent into engagement with legs 50 to secure the legs in position therein. Holding member 45 is preferably triangular in cross section and each side has a spring memn ber 51 stamped outwardly therefrom and the spring memn bers springably engage opening 42 in depression 41 to maintain pick-up device 43 in position therein, Washer 52 is located adjacent section 49 to provide a seal. The outer end of holding member 45 is formed to provide an aperture 52 to that the end of light-conducting member 47 extends therethrough and is held in position therein.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of FIGS. 4-6 of a light pick-up device 43a which comprises a plastic housing 53 and holding member 45a. Housing 53 has a tapered passageway 54 extending therethrough and in which lightconducting member 47a is disposed. The narrow part of passageway 54 is ultrasonically welded to the covering member of light-conducting member 47a in order to secure housing 53 and the covering together; however, light-conducting member 47a and housing 53 can be thermally or chemically secured together or in any other suitable manner.

Holding member 45 is preferably round in cross section and the nose thereof is necked-down to form aperture 52a in which the end of light-conducting member 47a is positioned. Holding member 45a includes spring members 51a which are disposed at 90 intervals. Holding member 45a is disposed in ay channel 55 in body 53. Struckout lugs 56 in holding member 45a cooperate with depressions 57 in channel 55 to lock holding member 45a and housing 53 together, depressions 57 being formed in channel 55 when holding member 45a is disposed in channel 5S of body 53. Housing 53 abuts against one side of mounting panel 58 While holding member 45 is disposed through an opening 59 and spring members 51a maintain the pick-up device in position within the opening. A sealing gasket 60 is disposed in recess 61 in body 53 to pro- 'vide a sealo Turning now to FIGS. 8 through 1l, a light pick-up device 62, which is a further embodiment of the previous light pick-up devices, comprises a tubular member 63 into which light-conducting member 64 is disposed. The outer end of tubular member 63 is crimpable on the lightconducting member in the manner of termination member 9 of FIGS. l through 3, and the crimped end of tubular member 63 is bent at an angle so as to be directed toward light bulb 65 whose base 66 is mounted in light-reflection member 67, the angular disposition of the end of tubular member 63 being such so as to receive the optimum amount of light flux emanated from light bulb 65. A mounting member 68 is secured onto tubular member 63 and includes spring fingers 69 for frictionally engaging aperture 70 in light-reflection member 67 to maintain light pick-up device 62 in position. A sealing gasket 71 is disposed on spring fingers 69 for sealing engagement with member 67.

The other end of light-conducting member 64 is termispitten nated by termination member 9 which is secured in a pas= sageway 72 of a termination carrying member 73 by means of projections 11 and spring lances 12. A lens plate 74 having lens member 75 in alignment which each of pasn sageways 72 is disposed against surface 76 within display housing 77 and termination carrying member 73 is secured against lens plate 74 via screw means 78. The front of display housing 77 has openings 79 in alignment with corresponding lens members 75 to display the light being transmitted via the terminated light-conducting members therebehind. Termination members 9 properly position the ends of the light-conducting members relative to lens memn bers 75 for optimum light transmission therethrough. Such. a display arrangement as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 can be fused in conjunction with the previously described embodiments.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate an additional embodiment of the invention. This embodiment illustrates a light base 80 having a light bulb 81 connected therein via a conven= tional bayonet connection; Contact members 82 of light bulb 81 are in electrical engagement with electrical ter= minals 83 which are mounted in a dielectric member 84 which is spring-biased by a coil spring 85 to maintain electrical terminals 83 in electrical engagement with contact members 82. Terminals 83 are connected to electrical wires 86 and they like light-conducting member 87 extend through light base 80 and out through a hole 88 therein so that'the terminated end of light-conducting member 87 is disposed in a socket 89 which is preferably formed as part of "light base 80 to properly align the end of the light conducting member for receiving light emanating from light bulb 81. I

Heat shrinkable plastic 90 is shrunk onto electrical wire 86 and light-conducting member 87 and the end of light base 80. A mounting member 91 similar to mounting member 68 in FIGS. 8 through 11 is used to mount light base 80 within an aperture 92 of mounting means 93 and a sealing gasket is disposed on the spring lingers of the mounting member to form a seal.

FIG. 13 illustrates a termination member 94 for termi nating the end of light-conducting member 87 and for en= gagement with socket 89. Termination member 94 has a projection 95 to limit the movement of termination member 94 within socket 89. Openings 96 are formed in ter`= mination member 94 and, around each opening on the inside surface of termination member 94 a truste-conical projection or serrations are formed to penetrate the cover= ing member of light-conducting member 87 when termina= tion member 94 is crimped thereon in accordance with the teaching of the above-mentioned co-pending application. Ser.l No. 569,726, to provide' tensile and anti-torque char= acteristics, the crimping being effected in the same manm ner as the teaching of application Ser. No. 557.797.

Diamond-shaped openings 97 are formed in termina= tion member 94 to provide therebetween arcuate-shaped spring members 98 which frictionally engage socket 89 to frictionally maintain the terminated end of light: conducta ing member 87 in position therein. Termination member 94 could be used in the passageways of termination carry= ing member 73 of FIGS. 8 and 9, if desired. Termination member 94 has a U-shape prior to crimping and crimping is eected by split die means on each side of spring mem bers 98.

Monitoring with light-conducting assemblies ofthe type disclosed hereinabove provides reliability to indicate the status of light-producing devices because the light-conduct ing members sense the light output and routeI it to a readily visable area.

It will, therefore, be appreciated. that the aforemen= tioned and other desirable objects have been achieved;

however. it should be emphasized that the particular ern- 6 bodirnents of the inventions which are shown and dea scribed herein, are intended as merely illustrative and not as restrictive of the invention.

The invention is claimed in accordance with the follown 1. A termination member secura'ble on an end of a light-conducting member comprising a U-shaped ferrule member having a first section provided with apertures and a second section provided with diamond-shaped openings dening spring means therebetween, said apertures having inwardly-directed means therearound, said ferrule member9 upon controllable crimping pressure being applied thereto. being crimped onto said light-conducting member without impairing the light transmitting characteristics thereof, said. inwardly-directed means biting into said light-conducting means thereby providing tensile and anti-torque characteristics.

2. A termination member according to claim 1 wherein projection means extend outwardly from said ferrule member.

3. A lamp base for an electric light bulb comprising, a body member having a cavity directed inwardly from one end thereof and having an internally reflective wall9 a lamp socket, means adjacent the rim of the cavity for supporting the socket therewithin with the socket opening facing outwardly of said end of the body member to retain a bulb therein having its light emitting portion outwardly of the cavity. said means and socket being dimensioned relative to the cavity to allow light rays from the bulb to pass into the cavity. and light conducting means having one end disposed in the body member and eX- posed to the interior of the cavity to receive the light rays from the bulb that are reflected from the cavity wall.

4. A lamp base according to claim 3 in which the Ibottom of the cavity terminates in. a conical portion having its small end remote from the rim of the cavity, the one end of the light conducting means being disposed in the small end of said conical portion.

5. A lamp base according to claim 4 including a lens in the small end. of the conical portion between the open end of the cavity and said one end of the light conductmg means.

6. A lamp base according to claim 3. in which the body member is of dielectric material and is provided with an elongated slot in the outer surface thereof and an opening leading from the slot into the cavity, and a subn stantially L-shaped electrical conducting. member having one leg thereof disposed in the slot and the other leg disposed in the cavity to provide electrical contact means for a bulb terminal.

7. A lamp base according to claim 6 in which the leg of the conductive member within the cavity is resilient for making pressure contact with a. bulb terminal.

References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,286.0l4 tia/i942 'Rowe n S50-96 3.1l0l.4lll 8/1963 Richards mmmmmmm ...n 350-96 XR 3.358.136 .l2/1967 Greasley n.. '24o-52.1 XR. 3.423.58l. fil/i969 Baer.

2 l98y443 4/1940) Paul et al. u 24W-84 XR. 2.2103 l2 8/1940 Wood t,... 24U-152 XR (2.510.873 6/1950 Early ...museum 24U-152 .XR 3l3l.690 5/1964 Innis et al. l

NORTN ANSI-IER. Primary Examiner R. P. GREiNER. Assistant Examiner

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