US3781593A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Full range light dimmer adaptor
Assignee: FOXMAR INDUSTRIES Inc
•
Filing: 1972-09-13
•
Granted: 1973-12-25
•
Expires: 1992-09-13
Abstract
Abstract A lamp dimmer adaptor is disclosed for insertion in a conventional lamp fixture to enable the illumination provided by an incandescent electric lamp to be controlled over a large range from dim to full intensity. The body of the adaptor has a socket for accepting the base of the electric lamp. Secured to the body is a hollow base formed by a metallic shell in which is housed a triac and all the other elements of the lamp dimmer circuitry with the exception of the variable resistor. The case of the triac is soldered to the shell to provide a thermal path for dissipation by the shell of heat generated in the triac. The body has a dependent collar which protrudes into the base and a recess in the collar receives the triac case whereby rotation of the base relative to the body is prevented. Above the base, the body has an external flat face which is substantially covered by a large hollow knob housing the variable resistor which controls the level of illumination.
Inventors
- 👤 E Rodriguez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:13
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R33/00; H01R33/94; H05; H05B; H05B39/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
264 words
A lamp dimmer adaptor for controlling the illumination provided by an electric lamp of the type having an incandescent filament, the adaptor comprising a body having a cylindrical socket adapted to accept the base of the electric lamp, means in the socket for providing electrical connections to the filament of the lamp, the body having an external flat face, a variable resistor secured to the flat face, the variable resistor having a rotatable shaft for varying the resistance of the resistor, a hollow knob secured to the rotatable shaft and covering the variable resistor, the variable resistor being housed principally within the hollow knob, the body having a dependent cylindrical collar below the cylindrical socket, a hollow conductive shell having its rim engaging the dependent cylindrical collar, the hollow conductive shell forming the base of the adaptor and being threaded to be received by a conventional lamp socket, a semiconductor device for regulating current flow through the filament of the electric lamp, the semiconductor device being disposed within the shell, the semiconductor device having its case bonded to the shell whereby a thermal path is established to the shell for the dissipation of heat generated in the semiconductor device, the dependent cylindrical collar protruding into the shell and having a recess receiving the case of the semiconductor device, a capacitor within the shell, the capacitor being electrically connected to the variable resistor to form a charging circuit therewith, and a triggering device within the shell, the triggering device being controlled by the charging circuit and being adapted to trigger the semiconductor device into conduction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
264 words
A lamp dimmer adaptor for controlling the illumination provided by an electric lamp of the type having an incandescent filament, the adaptor comprising a body having a cylindrical socket adapted to accept the base of the electric lamp, means in the socket for providing electrical connections to the filament of the lamp, the body having an external flat face, a variable resistor secured to the flat face, the variable resistor having a rotatable shaft for varying the resistance of the resistor, a hollow knob secured to the rotatable shaft and covering the variable resistor, the variable resistor being housed principally within the hollow knob, the body having a dependent cylindrical collar below the cylindrical socket, a hollow conductive shell having its rim engaging the dependent cylindrical collar, the hollow conductive shell forming the base of the adaptor and being threaded to be received by a conventional lamp socket, a semiconductor device for regulating current flow through the filament of the electric lamp, the semiconductor device being disposed within the shell, the semiconductor device having its case bonded to the shell whereby a thermal path is established to the shell for the dissipation of heat generated in the semiconductor device, the dependent cylindrical collar protruding into the shell and having a recess receiving the case of the semiconductor device, a capacitor within the shell, the capacitor being electrically connected to the variable resistor to form a charging circuit therewith, and a triggering device within the shell, the triggering device being controlled by the charging circuit and being adapted to trigger the semiconductor device into conduction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A lamp dimmer adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the external flat face of the body has a shallow depression therein in which a portion of the variable resistor is situated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |