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US4982131A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Reflector lamp assembly utilizing lamp capsule that snaps directly into reflector

Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc
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Filing: 1989-08-01
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Granted: 1991-01-01
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Expires: 2009-08-01
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Abstract

Abstract A lamp assembly includes a lamp capsule, a reflector, an electrical connector and a lens. The lamp capsule includes a lamp envelope having a base portion, and the reflector includes an opening for receiving the base portion of the lamp envelope. The reflector is fabricated of a resilient material such as a high temperature thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic. The base portion of the lamp capsule and the reflector include lamp interlocking elements which mechanically lock the lamp capsule in the reflector. The lamp interlocking elements preferably position the center of light output of the lamp capsule at the focal point of the reflector. The connector and a neck portion of the reflector include connector interlocking elements which mechanically lock the connector to the reflector. The lens and the outer rim of the reflector include integral lens interlocking elements which mechanically lock and position the lens on the reflector.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kevin L. Meyer
  • 👤 Mark D. Beschle

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 09:13
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J5/00; H01J5/50; H01J5/52; F; F21; F21S; F21S41/00; F21S41/10; F21S41/19; F21V; F21V17/00; F21V17/06; F21V19/00; F21V19/0005

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 155 words
A reflector lamp assembly comprising: a lamp capsule including a lamp envelope of a relatively rigid material, said lamp envelope including a base portion having a press seal therein; a reflector including an opening for receiving said base portion of said lamp envelope, said reflector, at least in a region surrounding said opening, being fabricated of a high temperature thermoplastic material, said base portion and said reflector including lamp interlocking elements which mechanically lock and position said lamp capsule in said opening and in said reflector; and said interlocking elements including at least one projection integrally formed on said press seal and at least one recess in said reflector for engaging said projection, at least one of said interlocking elements being temporarily deformed as said lamp capsule is snapped into said opening, said projection and said recess each having intersecting segments to limit movement of said lamp capsule relative to said reflector in two directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 155 words
A reflector lamp assembly comprising: a lamp capsule including a lamp envelope of a relatively rigid material, said lamp envelope including a base portion having a press seal therein; a reflector including an opening for receiving said base portion of said lamp envelope, said reflector, at least in a region surrounding said opening, being fabricated of a high temperature thermoplastic material, said base portion and said reflector including lamp interlocking elements which mechanically lock and position said lamp capsule in said opening and in said reflector; and said interlocking elements including at least one projection integrally formed on said press seal and at least one recess in said reflector for engaging said projection, at least one of said interlocking elements being temporarily deformed as said lamp capsule is snapped into said opening, said projection and said recess each having intersecting segments to limit movement of said lamp capsule relative to said reflector in two directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
A lamp assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said projection and said recess are cross shaped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 17 words
A lamp assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said lamp capsule comprises a tungsten halogen lamp.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 64 words
A lamp assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said lamp capsule includes a center of light output, wherein said reflector includes a focal point and wherein said interlocking elements are positioned on said lamp envelope and said reflector such that the center of light output substantially coincides with said focal point when said lamp capsule is locked into the opening in said reflector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 30 words
A lamp assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflector comprises a high temperature thermoplastic coated at least in part with a reflecting material to define a reflecting surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 33 words
A lamp assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said lamp capsule includes a pair of electrical leads extending from said base portion and wherein said reflector includes openings for receiving said leads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
A lamp assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said lamp envelope is formed from quartz glass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 17 words
A lamp assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said lamp envelope is formed from hard glass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 55 words
A lamp assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said lamp capsule includes a filament having a center point and said filament is positioned after said lamp capsule has been locked into said opening in said reflector such that said center point of said filament is substantially coincident with said focal point of said reflector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 156 words
A reflector lamp assembly comprising: a lamp capsule including a lamp envelope of a relatively rigid material, said lamp envelope including a base portion having a press seal therein; a reflector including an opening for receiving said base portion of said lamp envelope, said reflector, at least in a region surrounding said opening, being fabricated of a resilient high temperature thermosetting plastic material, said base portion and said reflector including lamp interlocking elements which mechanically lock and position said lamp capsule in said opening in said reflector; and said interlocking elements including at least one projection integrally formed on said press seal and at least one recess in said reflector for engaging said projection, at least one of said interlocking elements being temporarily deformed as said lamp capsule is snapped into said opening, said projection and said recess each having intersecting segments to limit movement of said lamp capsule relative to said reflector in two directions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 156 words
A reflector lamp assembly comprising: a lamp capsule including a lamp envelope of a relatively rigid material, said lamp envelope including a base portion having a press seal therein; a reflector including an opening for receiving said base portion of said lamp envelope, said reflector, at least in a region surrounding said opening, being fabricated of a resilient high temperature thermosetting plastic material, said base portion and said reflector including lamp interlocking elements which mechanically lock and position said lamp capsule in said opening in said reflector; and said interlocking elements including at least one projection integrally formed on said press seal and at least one recess in said reflector for engaging said projection, at least one of said interlocking elements being temporarily deformed as said lamp capsule is snapped into said opening, said projection and said recess each having intersecting segments to limit movement of said lamp capsule relative to said reflector in two directions.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4370587A Cited
US4569005A Cited
US4883434A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-12-31 1994-07-02 1995-01-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-12-31 1998-07-02 1999-01-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-12-31 2002-07-02 2003-01-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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