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US5722758A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Vehicle light fixture with a quick detachable socket

Assignee: Grand General Accessories Manufacturing Inc
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Filing: 1996-04-05
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Granted: 1998-03-03
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Expires: 2016-04-05
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Abstract

Abstract The present invention vehicle light fixture comprises a hollow lens and a quick detachable socket. The hollow lens has a base permanently affixed at the bottom. The base has an opening thereto. A light bulb is installed in the quick detachable socket such that the detachable socket can be partially inserted into the opening and interlocks itself within the opening, thereby maintaining the light bulb within the hollow dome lens. To replace a malfunctioned light bulb, the detachable socket can be unlocked by rotating the socket which loosens itself from the opening at the base, and removed from the base so that the malfunctioned light bulb can be replaced with a new light bulb without the entire light fixture being replaced.

Inventors

  • 👤 Nan Huang

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 12:50
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21S; F21S43/00; F21S43/20; F21S43/26; F21S43/10; F21S43/19

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 331 words
A vehicle light fixture apparatus, comprising: a. a generally hollow dome shaped lens and a bottom plate attached to the lens, the bottom plate having a central cross shaped aperture with two pairs of opposite slots; b. a quick detachable socket having a cylindrical shaped proximal portion with a proximal end, a wide circular middle portion, and a rectangular shaped distal portion with a distal end, the proximal end having a cavity for receiving a light bulb; c. four equally spaced apart flange tabs integrally formed on and protruding away from said proximal portion of said quick detachable socket and spaced from said wide circular middle portion of said socket; d. two opposite edge legs integrally formed with two of said four flange tabs respectively such that the two opposite edge legs extend downwardly to form with an upper surface of said wide circular middle portion of said quick detachable socket; and e. said quick detachable socket installed to said hollow dome shaped lens by inserting said proximal portion into said central cross shaped aperture of said bottom plate such that a respective two of said four flange tabs respectively pass through said two pairs of opposite slots of said cross shaped aperture and rotating said distal portion which interlocks said proximal portion to said bottom plate, where said two opposite edge legs engage protruding bosses located within said central cross shaped aperture, thereby securing said quick detachable socket thereto, said bottom plate of said lens located between said multiplicity of spaced apart flange tabs and said wide circular middle portion of said quick detachable socket; f. whereby when the light bulb malfunctions, said quick detachable socket can be unlocked by rotating said distal portion of said quick detachable socket which loosens itself from said central cross shaped aperture of said bottom plate, and be removed therefrom such that the malfunctioned light bulb can be replaced with a new light bulb without replacing said dome shaped lens and said bottom plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 331 words
A vehicle light fixture apparatus, comprising: a. a generally hollow dome shaped lens and a bottom plate attached to the lens, the bottom plate having a central cross shaped aperture with two pairs of opposite slots; b. a quick detachable socket having a cylindrical shaped proximal portion with a proximal end, a wide circular middle portion, and a rectangular shaped distal portion with a distal end, the proximal end having a cavity for receiving a light bulb; c. four equally spaced apart flange tabs integrally formed on and protruding away from said proximal portion of said quick detachable socket and spaced from said wide circular middle portion of said socket; d. two opposite edge legs integrally formed with two of said four flange tabs respectively such that the two opposite edge legs extend downwardly to form with an upper surface of said wide circular middle portion of said quick detachable socket; and e. said quick detachable socket installed to said hollow dome shaped lens by inserting said proximal portion into said central cross shaped aperture of said bottom plate such that a respective two of said four flange tabs respectively pass through said two pairs of opposite slots of said cross shaped aperture and rotating said distal portion which interlocks said proximal portion to said bottom plate, where said two opposite edge legs engage protruding bosses located within said central cross shaped aperture, thereby securing said quick detachable socket thereto, said bottom plate of said lens located between said multiplicity of spaced apart flange tabs and said wide circular middle portion of said quick detachable socket; f. whereby when the light bulb malfunctions, said quick detachable socket can be unlocked by rotating said distal portion of said quick detachable socket which loosens itself from said central cross shaped aperture of said bottom plate, and be removed therefrom such that the malfunctioned light bulb can be replaced with a new light bulb without replacing said dome shaped lens and said bottom plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
The vehicle light fixture apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means for installing said vehicle light fixture apparatus to a vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 30 words
The vehicle light fixture apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said distal end of said quick detachable socket has electrical wires protruding outwardly for connecting to a power source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 34 words
The vehicle light fixture apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising terminal connections installed within said cavity at said proximal end of said quick detachable socket for providing continuity to the light bulb.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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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) 2001-03-02 2001-09-01 2002-03-03 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-03-02 2005-09-01 2006-03-03 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-03-02 2009-09-01 2010-03-03 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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