US3660713A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lamp assembly having terminal pins for engaging external circuit connectors
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1970-07-13
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Granted: 1972-05-02
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Expires: 1990-07-13
Abstract
Abstract An assembly for mounting a plurality of lamps in readout devices, illuminated switches, indicators, and the like. In one embodiment, each lamp is electrically connected to a flanged base and to a terminal pin insulated from and projecting from the base. The lamps are positioned in openings through a conductor carrying lamp mounting plate. The lamp terminal pins, and a common terminal connected to the conductor on the mounting plate, project through openings in a base plate which is releasably attached to the mounting plate for changing the lamps. In a second embodiment, lamps having conventional flanged bases are positioned in openings in the mounting plate and headed terminal pins are mounted in the base plate such that the pin heads contact the lamps. In both embodiments, a plurality of elastomeric rings, one placed on each terminal pin, are compressed between the lamps, or the terminal pin heads, and the base plate to urge the lamp base flanges into electrical contact with the conductor on the lamp mounting plate. The terminal pin openings in the base plate are slightly enlarged so that the terminal pins can move to a small extent to align with an external circuit connector.
Inventors
- 👤 Warren A Leslie
- 👤 Rudolf Weinhart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:23
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A lamp assembly comprising, in combination, a plurality of lamps, each having electrical connections to a flanged base and to a terminal pin projecting from said base, said terminal pin being electrically insulated from said lamp base, a common terminal, a lamp mounting plate having a plurality of openings for receiving and supporting said plurality of lamp bases, means electrically connecting said lamp bases to said common terminal, a plurality of springs, at least one spring positioned on each lamp terminal pin, an electrically nonconducting base plate having a plurality of openings for passing said lamp terminal pins whereby each of said lamp terminal pins is in position to engage an external circuit connector, and means for releasably connecting said base plate to said lamp mounting plate, said springs being compressed between said base plate and said lamps when said base plate is connected to said lamp mounting plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A lamp assembly comprising, in combination, a plurality of lamps, each having electrical connections to a flanged base and to a terminal pin projecting from said base, said terminal pin being electrically insulated from said lamp base, a common terminal, a lamp mounting plate having a plurality of openings for receiving and supporting said plurality of lamp bases, means electrically connecting said lamp bases to said common terminal, a plurality of springs, at least one spring positioned on each lamp terminal pin, an electrically nonconducting base plate having a plurality of openings for passing said lamp terminal pins whereby each of said lamp terminal pins is in position to engage an external circuit connector, and means for releasably connecting said base plate to said lamp mounting plate, said springs being compressed between said base plate and said lamps when said base plate is connected to said lamp mounting plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A lamp assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein said means connecting said lamp bases to said common terminal comprises an electrically conductive layer attached to said lamp mounting plate, said springs urging said flanged lamp bases into electrical contact with said layer on said mounting plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A lamp assembly, as defined in claim 2, wherein said springs are elastomeric O-rings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A lamp assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein said springs are elastomeric O-rings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A lamp assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein said springs are elastomeric rings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A lamp assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for releasably connecting said base plate to said lamp mounting plate includes at least two retaining screws.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A lamp assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for releasably connecting said base plate to said laMp mounting plate includes snap means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A lamp assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein the terminal pin openings in said base plate are larger than the diameters of said terminal pins, whereby said terminal pins can move to align with an external circuit connector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
166 words
A lamp assembly comprising, in combination, a plurality of lamps, each lamp having electrical connections to a flanged base and to a terminal insulated from said base, a common terminal, a lamp mounting plate having a plurality of openings for receiving and supporting said plurality of lamp bases, means electrically connecting said lamp bases to said common terminal, an electrically nonconducting base plate, means for releasably connecting said base plate to said mounting plate, a plurality of headed terminal pins, said terminal pins being positioned in openings through said base plate with the head of each pin in electrical contact with a lamp terminal and wherein the other end of each of said terminal pins is in position to engage an external circuit connector, and a plurality of elastomeric rings, at least one elastomeric ring positioned on each terminal pin, each elastomeric ring being compressed between the terminal pin head and said base plate to urge such pin head into electrical contact with a lamp terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
166 words
A lamp assembly comprising, in combination, a plurality of lamps, each lamp having electrical connections to a flanged base and to a terminal insulated from said base, a common terminal, a lamp mounting plate having a plurality of openings for receiving and supporting said plurality of lamp bases, means electrically connecting said lamp bases to said common terminal, an electrically nonconducting base plate, means for releasably connecting said base plate to said mounting plate, a plurality of headed terminal pins, said terminal pins being positioned in openings through said base plate with the head of each pin in electrical contact with a lamp terminal and wherein the other end of each of said terminal pins is in position to engage an external circuit connector, and a plurality of elastomeric rings, at least one elastomeric ring positioned on each terminal pin, each elastomeric ring being compressed between the terminal pin head and said base plate to urge such pin head into electrical contact with a lamp terminal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A lamp assembly, as defined in claim 9, wherein said elastomeric rings are O-rings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A lamp assembly, as defined in claim 9, wherein said means connecting said lamp bases to said common terminal comprises an electrically conductive layer attached to said lamp mounting plate, said elastomeric rings urging said flanged lamp bases into electrical contact with said layer on said mounting plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A lamp assembly, as defined in claim 11, wherein the terminal pin openings in said base plate are larger than the diameters of said terminal pins, whereby said terminal pins can move to align with an external circuit connector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
A lamp assembly, as defined in claim 12, wherein two elastomeric rings are mounted on each terminal pin, one of said two rings on each terminal pin engaging a recess on said base plate to retain said terminal pins when said base plate is released from said mounting plate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
134 words
A lamp assembly comprising, in combination, a lamp having electrical connections to a flanged base and to a terminal pin projecting from said base, said terminal pin being electrically insulated from said lamp base, a common terminal, a lamp mounting plate having an opening for receiving and supporting said lamp base, means electrically connecting said lamp base to said common terminal, a spring, said spring being positioned on said lamp terminal pin, a base plate having an opening for passing said lamp terminal pin whereby an end of said lamp terminal pin is in position to engage an external circuit connector, and means for releasably connecting said base plate to said mounting plate, said spring being compressed between said base plate and said lamp when said base plate is connected to said mounting plate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
134 words
A lamp assembly comprising, in combination, a lamp having electrical connections to a flanged base and to a terminal pin projecting from said base, said terminal pin being electrically insulated from said lamp base, a common terminal, a lamp mounting plate having an opening for receiving and supporting said lamp base, means electrically connecting said lamp base to said common terminal, a spring, said spring being positioned on said lamp terminal pin, a base plate having an opening for passing said lamp terminal pin whereby an end of said lamp terminal pin is in position to engage an external circuit connector, and means for releasably connecting said base plate to said mounting plate, said spring being compressed between said base plate and said lamp when said base plate is connected to said mounting plate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A lamp assembly, as defined in claim 12, wherein said spring is an elastomeric O-ring.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
145 words
A lamp assembly comprising, in combination, a lamp having electrical connections to a flanged base and to a terminal insulated from said base, a common terminal, a lamp mounting plate having an opening for receiving and supporting said lamp base, means electrically connecting said lamp base to said common terminal, a base plate, means for releasably connecting said base plate to said mounting plate, a headed terminal pin, said terminal pin being positioned in an opening through said base plate with said pin head in electrical contact with said lamp terminal and wherein an end of said terminal pin is in position to engage an external circuit connector, and at least one elastomeric ring positioned on said terminal pin, said elastomeric ring being compressed between said terminal pin head and said base plate to urge said pin head into electrical contact with saiD lamp terminal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
145 words
A lamp assembly comprising, in combination, a lamp having electrical connections to a flanged base and to a terminal insulated from said base, a common terminal, a lamp mounting plate having an opening for receiving and supporting said lamp base, means electrically connecting said lamp base to said common terminal, a base plate, means for releasably connecting said base plate to said mounting plate, a headed terminal pin, said terminal pin being positioned in an opening through said base plate with said pin head in electrical contact with said lamp terminal and wherein an end of said terminal pin is in position to engage an external circuit connector, and at least one elastomeric ring positioned on said terminal pin, said elastomeric ring being compressed between said terminal pin head and said base plate to urge said pin head into electrical contact with saiD lamp terminal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
A lamp assembly, as defined in claim 16, wherein said elastomeric ring is an O-ring.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-02 | 1975-11-01 | 1976-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-02 | 1979-11-01 | 1980-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-02 | 1983-11-01 | 1984-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |