Subminiature incandescent bulb with lateral contact elements

Claim 2

A subminiature incandescent bulb comprising, in combination, a plastic shell holder having opposite internal vertical grooves and window openings in said grooves, a bulb member inserted into said holder, current-carrying wires connected to said bulb member and bent back on said bulb member, lateral contact elements inserted in said grooves and window openings for forming electric contacts with said current-carrying connecting wires of the bulb, each of said contact elements having a generally U-shaped configuration and having a bent-out center section disposed in said window openings and adapted to form external contacts, the ends of said bent-out center section abutting clampingly against said connecting wires, whereby the latter are clamped between said ends of said bent-out center section and said bulb.

Claim 3

The incandescent bulb as defined in claim 1 wherein said plastic shell holder has a thin-walled bottom for abutting against said bulb member.

Claim 4

The incandescent bulb as defined in claim 1 wherein said grooves of said holder extend substantially the length of the central portion of said bulb member.

Claim 5

The incandescent bulb as defined in claim 1 wherein said grooves of said holder terminate at the upper frontal rim of said holder.

Claim 6

The incandescent bulb as defined in claim 1 wherein the ends of each contact element connect with one another through an angle of substantially 180.degree. .

Claim 7

The incandescent bulb as defined in claim 1 wherein the ends of each contact element are serrated for guiding said connecting wires.

Claim 8

The incandescent bulb as defined in claim 1 wherein said bulb member is cemented into said holder.

Claim 9

A subminiature incandescent bulb according to claim 1 wherein said bulb is elongated, said connecting wires extend in one direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elongated bulb.

Claim 10

A subminiature incandescent bulb comprising, in combination, a cylindrically shaped plastic shell holder having opposite vertical grooves and window openings, such cylindrical wall of said holder being pressed outwardly for forming said grooves, a bulb member inserted into said holder, current-carrying connecting wires to said bulb member and bent back on said bulb member, lateral contact elements inserted in said grooves and window openings for forming electric contacts with said current-carrying connecting wires of the bulb, each of said contact elements having a generally U-shaped configuration and having a bent-out center section extending into said window openings, the ends of said bent-out center section abutting clampingly against said connecting wires.

Claim 11

A subminiature incandescent bulb comprising, in combination, a cylindrically shaped plastic shell holder having opposite vertical grooves and window openings, such cylindrical wall of said holder being pressed outwardly for forming said grooves, a bulb member inserted into said holder, current-carrying connecting wires to said bulb member and bent back on said bulb member, lateral contact elements inserted in said grooves and window openings for forming electric contacts with said current-carrying connecting wires of the bulb, each of said contact elements having a generally U-shaped configuration and having a bent-out center section extending into said window openings, the ends of said bent-out center section abutting clampingly against said connecting wires.

Claim 12

A subminiature incandescent bulb comprising, in combination, a plastic shell holder having opposite vertical grooves and window openings, a bulb member inserted into said holder, current-carrying connecting wires to said bulb member and bent back on said bulb member, lateral contact elements inserted in said grooves and window openings for forming electric contacts with said current-carrying connecting wires of the bulb, each of said contact elements having a generally U-shaped configuration and having a bent-out center section extending into said window openings, the ends of said contact elements being bent transversely to the longitudinal direction of said elements to correspond to the general peripheral curvature of said bulb member, the ends of said bent-out center section abutting clampingly against said connecting wires.

Claim 13

A subminiature incandescent bulb comprising, in combination, a plastic shell holder having opposite vertical grooves and window openings, a bulb member inserted into said holder, current-carrying connecting wires to said bulb member and bent back on said bulb member, lateral contact elements inserted in said grooves and window openings for forming electric contacts with said current-carrying connecting wires of the bulb, each of said contact elements having a generally U-shaped configuration and having a bent-out center section extending into said window openings, the ends of said contact elements being bent transversely to the longitudinal direction of said elements to correspond to the general peripheral curvature of said bulb member, the ends of said bent-out center section abutting clampingly against said connecting wires.

Claim 14

A subminiature incandescent bulb comprising, in combination, a plastic shell holder having opposite vertical grooves and window openings, a bulb member inserted into said holder, current-carrying connecting wires to said bulb member and bent back on said bulb member, lateral contact elements inserted in said grooves and window openings for forming electric contacts with said current-carrying connecting wires of the bulb, each of said contact elements having a generally U-shaped configuration and having a bent-out center section extending into said window openings, said center section extending into said window openings and protruding beyond the outer wall of said holder, the ends of said bent-out center section abutting clampingly against said connecting wires.

Claim 15

A subminiature incandescent bulb comprising, in combination, a plastic shell holder having opposite vertical grooves and window openings, a bulb member inserted into said holder, current-carrying connecting wires to said bulb member and bent back on said bulb member, lateral contact elements inserted in said grooves and window openings for forming electric contacts with said current-carrying connecting wires of the bulb, each of said contact elements having a generally U-shaped configuration and having a bent-out center section extending into said window openings, said center section extending into said window openings and protruding beyond the outer wall of said holder, the ends of said bent-out center section abutting clampingly against said connecting wires.