US2572813A - Lamp socket assembly and apertured support - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 23, 1951 H. J. MURPHY 2,572,813

LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY AND APERTURED SUPPORT Filed April 25, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet l lNVENTOR: HOWARD J. MURPHY,

BY P 2 21K C. PM

TTDRNEY- Oct. 23, 1951 H. J. MURPHY 2,572,813

LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY AND APERTURED SUPPORT Filed April 25, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvENToR: HOWARD J. MURPHY,

T TO R NE-Y.

Oct. 23, 1951 H. MURPHY 2,572,813

LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY AND APERTURED SUPPORT Filed April 25, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 \NvENToR: HOWARD J. MURPHY,

PW 6. PM!

ATTORNEY.

Oct. 23, 1951 H. J. MURPHY 2,572,813

LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY AND APERTURED SUPPORT Filed April 25, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. I8.

l N VENT'OR HowAR J. MURPHY,

ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. '23, 1951 'UNiTED STATES PATENT oer-ice LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY AND APERTURED SUPPORT :Howard-J. -Murphy, Lynnfield, -Mass assignor to United-CarrFastener Corporation, Cambridge, Mass, .a corporation of Massac'huse'tts Application April 25, 1949, Serial 'No. 893127 ';provement otfilamprsocketassembliesiof the turniinitype'wherein the socket-marrying member may be readily mounted ran apertured supporting :member by :a-simple manipulative procedure and releasably locked therein iby :a resilient locking member designed to yieldablyshold the socketcarrying member firmly positioned against the apertured supporting :member so @as to be substantially unafiiecited v by vibration.

A further object .of the invention is the .provision of a lampsocketiassemblyhaving a resilient locking :m'ember provided with portions thereon adapted to engage 'theunder surface of an aperturedsupport'to yiel'dably hold the socket assembly firmly ithereagainst and provided with .other'portions adapted to seat in notches in the apertured support "to :releasably lock the socket assembly thereto.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of ialamp'socket assembly of the turnvin type provided with aisocketmarrying member and a resilientilocking member wherein the resilient locking 'member is held in assembled relationship with the socket-carrying member by an apertured ring member provided with in'turned spring fingers adapted to position the assembly in an 'apertured support.

Another object-of the invention is the improvement of lamp socket :assemblies of the turn-in type having a socket-carrying member wherein the socket-carrying member is provided with a wingnut construction to facilitate mounting the assembly in an apertured support.

Still another object of the invention is -the provisionof a lamp socket assembly having outwardly extendinginturn'ed spring fingersadapted to position the assembly in an-apertured support and a resilient lockingringhaving portions thereof yieldably engagingopposite sides of the flanged support to releasably secure '.the socket assembly :thereto.

A further object of the invention is the provision of :a supporting isleeve membera'dapted to :be attached to an apertured supportrand carrying a "lamp socket :assembly of the turn-in type releasably locked in one end thereof.

"The above :and other objects 'and -advantages of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates from :aconsideration of the accompanying drawings and annexed 'specification illustrating and describing a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings? Fig. 1 is a side view 10f -the=uni-tary socket -assembly according to the present invention =mounted in a supporting base .member;

Fig. '2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2-2 .of Fig. 1;

Fig. '3 is an end "-view of the supporting -base member;

s ip;

Fig. -9 is zagplan view of the fastening-and positioning member;

Fig. 10 is a side view of the fastening and ,ipositioning member looking from the :left in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is arside view of the fastening and positioning 'member looking from the top in Fig. -9;

Fig. 12 is a plan-view of the tensioning and ring;

Fig. 13 is a side view of the tensioning and. locking ring looking from --the .left .in Fig. 12;

:Fig. 1.4 :is a side view of the tension-mg and "locking rring looking from the top in :Fig. 12;

the body portion 9 of the carrier prises a ring portion 22 provided 1 engage the inner edge of 3 19, showing the unitary socket assembly in position for insertion into the aperture of the support;

Fig. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view taken on line 2 |-2| of Fig. 19;

Fig. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 19;

Fig. 23 is a partial cross-sectional on line 23-23 of Fig. 20;

Fig. 24 is a partial cross-sectional view taken on line 24--24 of Fig. 20; and

Fig. 25 is a partial cross-sectional view taken on line 25-25 of Fig. 20.

Referring now to the drawings, the improved socket assembly of the present invention comprises a unitary socket assembly I adapted to be releasably locked in a supporting base member 2 having a flanged portion 3 for attachment to an apertured support S or the like as by the studs 4. The supporting base member 2 may desirably be formed with a supporting sleeve 5 adated to receive the socket assembly I, and having an inturned flange 5 provided with radial recesses or notches 1 adapted to releasably receive and hold the socket assembly in locked position in the sleeve. It will be apparent that the assembled device may readily be installed on the dash or instrument panel or other panel or support of an automobile or other machine to provide a protected lamp socket assembly substantially unaifected by vibration.

The unitary socket assembly comprises a carrier or manipulative handling part 8 provided with a substantially cylindrical body portion 9 adapted to snugly receive a lamp socket l9 and a base portion adapted to seat a resilient tensioning and locking ring l2 and a carrier fastening and positioning member |3, and having an upturned flange adapted to be turned inwardly and downwardly over the outer edges of the member l3 to securely hold it in place. The substantially cylindrical portion 9 of the carrier 8 has laterally extending flattened portions l5 and I6 providing a wing nut effect to facilitate manual manipulation of the socket assembly I when mounting it in the supporting base member 2.

The lamp socket view taken l0 may have a press fit with 8 and is adapted to support therein a contact-carrying plug of insulating material such as Bakelite or the like (not shown) with the portion thereof carrying the lead wires projecting through the opening l8 in the end of the body portion 9. Indentations H! in the socket H! assist in retaining the Bakelite plug in position therein. The portion of the socket l0 projecting from the carrier 8 is adapted to receive an electric light bulb or lamp of well known construction and may be provided with the usual outwardly grooved portions and 2| for cooperation with the usual pins on the lamp base to releasably lock it in position.

The fastening and positioning member |3 comwith laterally extending inturned spring fingers 23 adapted to the opening defined by the flanged portion 6 and thus position the unitary socket assembly I in the supportin base member 2. The ring portion 22 is adapted to be seated on the base portion H of the carrier 8, as pointed out above, and to be clamped therea on by the flange I4 being turned inwardly thereover. The member I3 is further provided with openings 24, 25, 26 and 21,,which extend outopenings wardly into the ring portion 22 and upwardly into the spring fingers 23 for receiving the ears 29, 30, 3| and 32 of the resilient tensioning and locking ring I2.

The openings 26 and 21 extend upwardly into the sprin fingers 23 to a depth suflicient to permit the ears 3| and 32 of the ring |2 to be sprung outwardly from the base into sliding engagement with the inner surface of the flange 6 of the supporting base member 2.v The ears 29 and 30 are confined rather closely to the base member by the more shallow openings 24 and 25 in the spring fingers 23 and are placed under tension when the ears 3| and 32 are sprung outwardly as aforesaid. This urges and hence the members 8 and I3 into firm engagement with the outer surface of the flange 6 and securely holds the parts in assembled relationship substantially unaffected by any vibration to which it may be subjected.

The tensioning and positioning ring l2 may desirably be made of resilient material such as spring metal or the like and is preferably bent or otherwise deformed so that the ears 3| and 32 are ofiset laterally with respect to the cars 29 and 30. Thus when the ring I2 is assembled with the carrier 8 and member l3 with the ring portion 28 thereof positioned inwardly of the member IS, the ears 3| and 32 will be spaced normally outwardly somewhat from the base portion II. This construction plus the outwardly curved shape of the edges 33 of the ears 3| and 32 facilitates engagement of the ears 3| and 32 with the inner surface of the flange 6 when the unitary lamp socket assembly is mounted on the supporting base member 2.

The ears 29 and may desirably be offset slightly from the ring portion 28 by bending or the like so that the outer surfaces thereof will project beyond the inturned flange I4 and have a resilient bearing contact with the outer surface of the flange 6. The ears 2!! and 30 may further desirably have one edge thereof turned inwardly toward and then outwardly in the plane of the ring portion 28, as shown at 34 and 35, to facilitate removal of the unitary socket assembly 1 from looking engagement with the supporting base member 2 as will be apparent hereinafter.

In assembling the device of Figs. 1 to 14, the lamp socket ID, with or without a suitable contact plug mounted therein, is forced into the cylindrical body portion 9 to form a press flt therewith. The positioning member l3 and locking ring l2 are then mounted on the base portion H with the ears 23 and 3|] positioned in the 24 and 25, and the ears 3| and 32 positioned in the openings 25 and 21. The flange I4 is then turned inwardly over the ring portion 22 to hold the members l2 and I3 in assembled relationship. When so assembled, the ears 29 and 3|] are held closely adjacent the base with the offset body portion thereof slightly spaced from the base and projecting slightly beyond the flange [4 to form a bearing surface with the outer edge of the flange B and with the inturned edges 34 and 35 thereof in contact with the base i! to facilitate the unlocking operation. The ears 3| and 32 are spaced outwardly from the base portion sufficiently so that the curved edges 33 thereof may engage the edges of the notches l to spring the ears 3| and 32 outwardly into engagement with the inner surface of the flange 6 when the socket is rotated.

In mounting the unitary socket assembly I on the supporting base member 2, as shown in dethe ears 29 and amers tail in Figs. 18 through '25, the assembly :I :is

lgraspedibyuthe wing nut portions 1:5 and ..!B,'rand -.in a clock-wise direction .until ithe ears 3i and .32 :are positioned beneath itheiflange 6, see Eigs. 19 .and .21, this operation .being facilitated as "hereinbefore stated, by the curved edges .33 of the ears 3] and 32 striking ithe-edgesrof notches 1 when the'assembly is ..''rotated, lthus :iorcing the ears 3| and .32 outwardly in -theopeningsfls and "2! and away-from the base portion l against :the spring action of the .ring portion 28 so that they may slide :into position behind .the flange 6. When so assembled, the inherent resiliency of the locking ring 12 .urges the ears 29 and -3B towards the ears'3l and :32 so that the flange 45 .of the supporting :base :member '2 is firmly gripped therebetween to securely hold the parts in assembled relationship with the lamp receiving socket I-O positioned within the sleeve 5. At the same time the:carrier;8and-member 1 3 are firmly held-againstthe flange by v-irtue o'f the .coaction between :the cars "29 and iii) and the shallow openings 24 and '25 in the spring fingers '23. The socket assembly 'I may be quickly and easily-removed from the supporting base member 2 merely by rotating it in a "left-hand or counterclockwise"direction until the ears '3! and :32 enter the notches and then pulling outwardly.

A further -feature of this invention resides in a releasable looking action which is obtained by mounting the socketassembly l :on the support- .ing base member 2, as aforesaid, and then rotating it clockwise through a quarter turn or until the cars 29 and 30 are positioned opposite "the notches "I. When this happens, -the -='irrheren.t resiliency of the ring .I'2 and the pull exerted by the ears 3] and 32 causes "the ears 29 and 3i] .to snap into the notches 1 thereby to lock releasably the assembly imposition. 'W'hen itisdesired to :release the socket assembly from locked position, it is merely necessary to turn it counterclockwise through a quarter turn and then remove it as before. counterclockwise rotation from locked position is facilitated by the inwardly turned edges 34 and 35-01 the. ears "29 and 30 whichrideoutwardly over thee'dges of notches 1 to position a ainst the cars 29 and 3t] on the outersurface of the fiangeifi. JZt-Wiil be apparent that in the locked positionojf the assembly just described the positioning of :the ears 3;! and 32 of the resilient ring I2 on ,the inner sideiofxfl-ange [4 serves to draw the assembly into close contact with the supporting base member and to securely hold it there.

In a modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 15 to 1'7, the carrier 40 has a substantially cylindrical portion 4| adapted to snugly receive the socket 42 and a flanged portion 43 adapted to seat the fastening and positioning member 44 and the tensioning and locking ring 45. A lip 46 on the flanged portion 43 is adapted to be turned inwardly over the rim of the member 44 to clamp the parts in assembled relationship. The carrier 40 further has an end portion 46 which may be removable if desired, for receiving a plug of Bakelite or the like containing the lead-in wires and contacts for the lamp-receiving socket 42.

"The fastening .:and :positioning member 144 "has airing portion 41, inwardly turned spring fingers 48, 49, 53 and 35.1, and openings 52, '53, :54 and .55 similar to the member i3 hereinbefore ,described. Member :4 is additionally provided with .outwardlyextending ears 56 fandilgl having :downturned flaps 258 .and e59. When -:the device .is assembled, the cars 56 and 57 :araturned downwardly, has shown Ein Fig. 15, 5130 form fingerengaging ,grips adapted to facilitate manipulative handling of the device during .assemblywith or .disassembly :from an apertu-red support.

The tensioning and locking ring 45 functions similarly to .theiring .12 hereinbefore described *but differs therefrom structurally in that theea-rs .50 and BI are bent elaterally-outof the plancofthe ring portiontfiZ to-form cam surfaces ,63 and 614, and the ears .65 .and :53 are provided with upturned locking slugs t6? and :68 having tapered edges 69 and The device of Figs. -15ito I7 is assembled similarly ;to the device of Figs. :1 to 14 with :the ears .60 and 6 :positioned iil the-openings5'3 and55 and :the ears 65 and 1% positioned in the openings 1'52 and .54.

In mountingthe device .on a supporting base member such as that previously described, the earsrefl and iii! arepositionecl in thenotches and the assembly rotated by means of the ;-fing er-engaging portions :56 and 5t. Ibis-causes the-cam surfacese 3 and 164 1:0 contact the edges 1 of 11101301168 2 so that the tears .60 and .lil ride outwardly thereover and iil'ltOilOCklIlg'pQSitlOll on theinner surface of'ithe flange 6. At the same time. the locking lugs 61 and .68 .are'in contact w th the outer surface :of the flange '6, thereby ;securing the assembly to the flange. Rotation of the socket assembly through a quarter-turn positions the locking lugs .61 and :68 in the notches 7 to leasably lock the assembly LOn'EthesuppOrting base member as before. Removal of the-socket assembly is readily accomplished by rotating it .;one quarter turn in a left-hand or :counterolock rise direction, the tapered edges B9 and I8 actin as camsto facilitate removal of :the locking lugsfi'i and 68 from the notches 1.

It will thus be seen "that :this invention ,provides improved :socket assemblies :for automobile lighting and the like =whicha-re simple :in *construction, easy to assemble and install :and :are

securely heldin place substantially .unaiieotedrby vibration.

Although I have illustrated and described a preferred construction, it do not intend'to be limited :to the precise details thereof as the scope of the :invention is best sdefin'ed =i-n the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A socket assembly adapted :to be "mounted in an apertured support comprising 52. canrier member provided with a socket-receiving portion, a positioning member secured to said carrier member and having a positioning element extending outwardly therefrom providing surfaces for radially and circumferentially spaced relationship about a socket disposed in said socketreceiving portion for engaging the edges of an aperture in a support during the mounting of the socket assembly in such an apertured support, said positioning element having apertures extending through said surfaces, and a ring member associated with said carrier member having projections extending radially outward therefrom through said apertures.-

2. A socket assembly adapted to be mounted in an apertured support comprising a carrier 7 member provided with a socket-receiving portion and an outwardly extending annular flange, a flange member secured to said annular flange and having positioning elements extending outwardly therefrom providing surfaces for radially and circumferentially spaced relationship about a socket disposed in said socket-receiving portion for engaging the edges of an aperture in a support during the mounting of the socket assembly upon such an apertured support, said positioning elements having apertures extending through said surfaces, and a ring member associated with said carrier member having projections extending radially outward therefrom through said apertures.

3. A socket assembly adapted to be mounted in an apertured support comprising a carrier member provided with a socket-receiving portion, a fastening and positioning member secured to said carrier member and comprising a flat ring portion provided with inturned spring fingers extending outwardly from the inner edge of said ring portion and providing surfaces for radially and circumferentially spaced relationship about a socket disposed in said socket-receiving por-i; tion for engaging the edge of an aperture in a support during the mounting of the socket assembly upon such an apertured support, said spring fingers having apertures therethrough communicating with spaced apertures in said ring portion, and a resilient ring member having ears thereon extending radially outward through the apertures in said spring fingers into the apertures in said ring portion.

4. A socket assembly in accordance with claim 3 having lateral extensions on the socket-receiving portion of said carrier member giving a wing nut effect to facilitate mounting the assembly in an apertured support.

5. A unitary socket assembly as set forth in claim 3 in which the resilient ring member is laterally bent to offset some of the ears with respect to other ears, the offset ears having at least one edge thereof curved to facilitate mounting on an apertured support.

6. A unitary socket assembly as set forth in claim 5 in which the ears which are not offset have portions thereof bent outwardly from the plane of the ring for locking engagement with an apertured support and other portions thereof 1 curved to facilitate disengagement from said apertured support.

7. A unitary socket assembly as set forth in claim 3 in which some of the said ears and the adjoining ring portions are laterally bent out of. the plane of the ring to form cam surfaces adapted to facilitate mounting the assembly on an apertured support.

8. A unitary socket assembly as set forth in claim 6 in which some of the ears are provided with laterally extending locking lugs adapted for locking engagement with an apertured support, said locking lugs having tapered edges to facilitate removal of the assembly from the apertured support.

9. A socket assembly adapted to be mounted on an apertured support comprising a carrier member provided with a socket-receiving portion having a socket mounted therein, a flanged member secured to said carrier member and carrying inturned spring fingers provided with apertures, a resilient ring member mounted within said flanged member and having ears thereon extending through said apertures, said ring member having a permanent set therein whereby some of said ears are offset with respect to other ears, a supporting base member having an inturned flange provided with radial notches, said ofiset ears being adapted to be positioned in said radial notches and then rotated into clamping engagement with the inner side of said flange, to thereby secure the socket assembly to said supporting member.

10. A socket assembly adapted to be mounted on an apertured support comprising a socketcarrying member, a flanged member secured to said socket-carrying member and having inturned spring fingers extending outwardly therefrom for positioning the assembly in an apertured support, said inturned spring fingers having openings therethrough, a resilient ring member mounted on said socket-carrying member and having ears thereon extending through said apertures, certain of said aperture being relatively deep to permit movement of the ears therein away from said socket-carrying member for locking engagement with an apertured support, others of said apertures being relatively shallow to confine the ears therein closely adjacent the socket-carrying member, whereby movement of the ears in such relatively deep apertures into locking engagement with an apertured support places the ears in said shallow' apertures under tension to firmly hold the assembly against the apertured support.

HOWARD J. MURPHY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,540,112 Douglas June 2', 1925 1,803,709 Johnson May 5, 1931 2,278,385 Watts Mar. 31, 1942 2,357,955 Johnson Sept. 12, 1944 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,572,813 October 23, 1951 HOWARD J. MURPHY It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 2, line 35, after and insert locking; column 8, line 1, for the claim reference numeral 6 read 7 and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of February, A. D. 1952.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Oommz'ssioner of Patents.

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