US4302697A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure relief hole seal for a sealed-beam headlamp
Assignee: Wagner Electric Corp
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Filing: 1979-11-19
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Granted: 1981-11-24
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Expires: 1999-11-19
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to automobile sealed-beam headlamps in which a reflector and lens assembly are hermetically sealed by an epoxy resin. A pressure relief hole in the reflector eliminates the problem of excessive expansion and contraction of the atmosphere within the lamp such as would prevent forming a hermetic seal between the reflector and lens during the epoxy resin curing cycle. A deformable metal pellet forms a hermetic seal in the pressure relief hole. An epoxy resin is applied over the deformable metal seal and cured to produce a final permanent seal.
Inventors
- 👤 Nickolas P. Demas
- 👤 James E. Bair
- 👤 Robert A. Grunder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:32
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01K; H01K1/00; H01K1/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
In a sealed beam headlamp assembly of the type having a tungsten-halogen bulb, a reflector, and lens, said reflector and lens having rims joined together by a hermetic seal the improvement comprising: (a) a pressure relief hole positioned in said reflector; (b) a deformable metal pellet deformably-press fitted into said pressure relief hole whereby a temporary hermetic seal is formed; and (c) a heat cured epoxy resin seal in said pressure relief hole over said pellet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a sealed beam headlamp assembly of the type having a tungsten-halogen bulb, a reflector, and lens, said reflector and lens having rims joined together by a hermetic seal the improvement comprising: (a) a pressure relief hole positioned in said reflector; (b) a deformable metal pellet deformably-press fitted into said pressure relief hole whereby a temporary hermetic seal is formed; and (c) a heat cured epoxy resin seal in said pressure relief hole over said pellet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sealed beam headlamp assembly of claim 1 wherein said deformable metal is selected from the group of lead, tin and combinations of lead and tin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
135 words
In the method of assembling a sealed beam headlamp of the type having a lens, a tungsten-halogen bulb and a reflector with a pressure relief hole therein which comprises the steps of bonding the periphery of the lens and reflector together by applying epoxy resin in a continuous layer to the periphery between the lens and reflector, heating the assembled lens and reflector to heat cure the epoxy resin, the improvement comprising thereafter positioning over the pressure relief hole a metal pellet having at least one dimension larger than the smallest dimension of said pressure relief hole and applying force to said metal pellet to deform it and force it into said pressure relief hole and applying an epoxy resin cap over the metal pellet in said pressure relief hole and heat-curing the epoxy resin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
135 words
In the method of assembling a sealed beam headlamp of the type having a lens, a tungsten-halogen bulb and a reflector with a pressure relief hole therein which comprises the steps of bonding the periphery of the lens and reflector together by applying epoxy resin in a continuous layer to the periphery between the lens and reflector, heating the assembled lens and reflector to heat cure the epoxy resin, the improvement comprising thereafter positioning over the pressure relief hole a metal pellet having at least one dimension larger than the smallest dimension of said pressure relief hole and applying force to said metal pellet to deform it and force it into said pressure relief hole and applying an epoxy resin cap over the metal pellet in said pressure relief hole and heat-curing the epoxy resin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4146812A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-11-23 | 1985-05-25 | 1985-11-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-11-23 | 1989-05-25 | 1989-11-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-11-23 | 1993-05-25 | 1993-11-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |