US2972699A - Electric lamp and socket - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 21, 1961 F, MICHAEL r 2,972,699

ELECTRIC LAMP AND SOCKET Filed Feb. 12, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIMHW FHA/E 1961 J. F. MICHAEL EI'AL 2,97

ELECTRIC LAMP AND SOCKET Filed Feb. 12, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2,972,699 ELECTRIC LAMP AND SOCKET Jacob F. Michael, Cresskill, George W. Caplis, Preakness, and Harry A. Holden, Caldwell, N.J., and George C. Lennox, Southbury, (Bonn, assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Feb. 12, 1958, Ser. No. 714,730

14 Claims. (Cl. 313318) This invention relates generally to lighting apparatus and, more particularly, to an improved prefocus type electric lamp and socket for equipment that requires a precisely oriented source of light such as picture pro,- jectors and the like.

As is well-known, the light source used in picture projection equipment must not only be concentrated and of uniform brightness but must be precisely located With respect to the focal axis of the optical system in order to achieve maximum illumination of the screen and picture brightness. Heretofore, positioning of the light source was generally accomplished by means of a springbiased socket and a flanged prefocus type base adapted to resiliently interlock one with the other and thus anchor the lamp in the desired location within the projector. More recently, a plug-in or radio type base and socket combination has been marketed which facilitates tosorne extent the orientation of the light source during lamp manufacture. In both these arrangements, however, ,considerable pressure or torque had to be applied to the lamp to positively seat it within the socket. Due to the recessed position of the lamp in the projector housing, only the top portion of the lamp bulb can be grasped thereby making the seemingly simple manipulation required to insert and properly seat lamps of this type rather diflicult to accomplish. Even this inconvenience, however, was considered tolerable compared to the patience and dexterity required on the part of the lamp user to remove the lamp from such a fixture, particularly in those instances where the lamp failed while in operation and the bulb was still hot. In addition, the prior art base and socket structures relied on surface or line contact between their respective mating elements to effect the desired indexing and prefocusing actions and on the strength and acumen of the lamp user to insure that the members were positively seated one against the other.

It is accordingly the general object of the present invention to obviate the foregoing deficiencies of the prior art structures.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved coupling arrangement for positioningland maintaining an electrical device in precise predetermined spatial and operative relation with the fixture in which it is used.

Another object of the invention is to provide an proved prefocus type lamp and socket for devices such as projectors or thelike that require accurately-positiqned light sources.

Still another and more specific object of ,theinvention is the provision of means for conveniently locking a projection lamp or similarlight source in precise positive alignment with the focal axis of an optical system and then releasing it for easy withdrawal from its position of use.

A further object ofthe "invention is to provide a socket for a projection type electric lamp which will precisely United States Patent F 2,972,699 Patented Feb. 21, 1961 and positively index the lamp into its position of use and also facilitate its replacement.

' Another object of this invention is the provision of a projection type lamp and socket combination which can be simply and permanently locked in precise prefocused alignment and when thus assembled have a shorter overall length than conventional type structures heretofore used.

The foregoing objects, and others which will become obvious to those skilled in the art as the description proceeds, are achieved by providing a base and socket of such construction that the lamp or similar device may be freely inserted into the socket and then by means of a rotatable locking member forcibly and permanently coupled in precisely spaced and operative relation with said socket. In the case of an incandescent projection lamp, the light source or filament plane is initially oriented angularly with respect to the optical axis of the projector and the lamp terminals aligned with the socket contacts by means of a depending plug or post on the base which registers with and is received by a suitably contoured aperture provided at the bottom of the socket. The locking member when actuated is designed to engage a plurality of pin-like extensions provided on the basal portion of the lamp, which extensions register with and are received by suitable recesses in the socket,

and in cooperation therewith produce a cam-like action that firmly seats the lamp within the socket at a predetermined reference plane and pressures the lamp terminals into positive mating engagement with the socket contacts. In addition, one of the aforementioned recesses is so oriented as to provide a forward stop which, in

cooperation with a selected oneof th'e base pins, serves to positively and precisely index the lamp angularly into its position of use relative to the focal axis of the projectors optical system when the locking member is actuated. The base and socket are also contoured to seat one against the other in point contact rather than surface or line contact as in the prior art structures thereby obviating any possibility of the lamp being tilted or otherwise forced from its aligned position by irregularities or other defects in those portions of the socket heretofore utilized as the contacting surface. Thus, Vertical and angular registration of the lamp with the socket is not only conveniently and automatically effected by means of the locking member but is accomplished with a degree of accuracy and reliability heretofore unattainable.

A better understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of an incandescent projection lamp incorporating this invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the basal end portion of the lamp shown in Fig. 1 illustrating the angular relationship between the filament plane, base pins, center post, and

the lamp terminals;

'Fig. 3 is an exploded view in perspective and on an enlarged scale of'the sealed-in end portion of the lamp, the terminal caps and thebase member according to the invention; v

Fig. 4 is an enlargedsectional view through the basal end portion ofthe lamp along the line lV-IV of Fig. 2, in the direction of the arrows;

,Fig. 5 is an elevational fragmentary view of the lamp shown in Fig. 1 locked in assembled relation with the socket member of'this invention, the recessed part of the lamp .being shown in dotted outline'to illustrate the pressure contact effected between the lamp and socket terminals; h

I Fig. 6 is a sectional View th rough the basal end portion of the socke ted lamp along the line VI-Vlof Fig. 5,

inthe direction of the arrows,"illustr atingithe spatal reia;

Pa :3 tionship of the base and socket elements when the locking member is in its closed position;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the socket member shown in Fig. and corresponds to the view shown in Fig. 6, except that the locking member is disposed in its open or lamp-receiving position to illustrate the manner in which it registers with the recesses in the body portion of the socket;

Fig. 8 is a side view in elevation of the socket member shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view through the socket along the line IX--IX of Fig. 8, in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the bottom of the socket shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view through the socket member along the line XI-XI of Fig. 8, in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 12 is a view of the socket member corresponding to Fig. 7 but on an enlarged scale and shows the lamp in its position of use therein, the locking member being omitted except for the handle portion thereof and parts of the lamp being broken away to more clearly illustrate the disposition of and the interaction between the various base and socket elements when the lamp and socket are locked in operative relation; and

Fig. 13 is an exploded view of the socket assembly in perspective illustrating in greater detail the structural fea tures of the various elements according to this invention, particularly the interior of the insulating body portion.

While the base and socket members and manner of indexing and locking them together in prefocused alignment in accordance With the principles of this invention may be advantageously employed to precisely orient and couple various types of devices or components, the invention is especially adapted for use in conjunction with an'electric lamp'of the prefocus type used in picture projectors and hence has been so illustrated and will be so described.

Turning now to the drawing, in Fig. 1 there is shown an incandescent projection lamp 14 which embodies the base structure of this invention. The lamp 14 comprises, in general, a tubular light-transmitting envelope 16 having a constricted basal end portion 18 which is terminated on a plane transverse and preferably substantially perpendicular to the lamp axis by means of an end wall 19 (see Figs. 3 and 4) and provided with a base member 40. A pair of spaced main leads 22 and 26 sealed through the end wall 19 support a suitable concentrated light source such as a sectionally-coiled planar filament 32 (of either the well-known monoplane or biplane type, for example) in parallel relation with the lamp axis and at a predetermined distance f from the outer peripheral edge of the base member 40. The closed or domed end of the envelope 16 may be provided with an opaque coating 17 of suitable high temperature material such as ceramic paint or the like to prevent the emission of stray light, as is known in the art. Lamps of this character may be designed either for vertical or horizontal burning by properly positioning and supporting the filament, the lamp 14 here illustrated being of the latter type as evidenced by the location of the well-known collector and heat-deflecting screen 23 above the filament 32, as viewed in Fig. 1.

As illustrated more particularly in Fig. 4, the out-er surface of the end wall 19 is preferablyof such character as to define a plane which is substantially normal to the lamp and filament axes and spaced a predetermined distance f from the center of the filament 32. In accordance with standard lamp-making practice, the envelope 16 is evacuated through an exhaust tubulation which is subsequently tipped off to form the usual protruding seal tip 21.

In addition to the main leads 22 and 26, a pair of clipped or auxiliary leads 24 and 28 are also sealed through the end wall 19 radially equidistant from said main leads, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6. The first of 4 said auxiliary leads is interiorly connected to the main lead 26 through a fuse lead 30 (Fig. 3) having the usual tubular glass shield 31 slipped thereover to prevent sputtering and safely extinguish the are generated when the lamp fails. The remaining auxiliary lead 28 is left unconnected and serves as a dummy lead to equalize the thermal stresses imparted to the glass during sealing thereby minimizing the danger of cracks and generally facilitating the fabrication of the lamp. Thus, the filament 32 is connected across the main lead 22 and the auxiliary lead 24 which leads may be termed currentcarrying leads and in accordance with the invention have their outer ends inserted into and secured to rivetlike contact caps 36 and 38 respectively to provide a pair of lamp terminals having enlarged and substantially flat end surfaces. The base member 40 is provided with an axially depending center post 46 and is adapted to be received by and coupled to a socket member 50 in the manner illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 12, which socket member is hereinafter described in more detail.

The essence of this invention resides in the construction of the base and socket members 40 and 5t respectively and in the manner with which they cooperate to position and lock the lamp 14 in precise prefocused alignment and facilitate its replacement.

For example, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5 and more particularly in Fig. 3, the base member 40 comprises a cylindrically hollow metal shell or cup-like member having a V tance from the bottom wall 41 (see Fig. 4).

bottom wall 41 provided with an appendage or plug such as an axially depending center post 46 which may be noncircular in cross-section or keyed as by means of a longitudinally-extending rib 47. The bottom wall 41 of the base member 40 is substantially normal to the center post 46 and is suitably embossed to provide radiallyextending strengthening ribs 42 and a protruding peripheral lip or bead 44 which defines a plane that is substantially parallel to and spaced a predetermined dis- The base member 40 is provided with a plurality of laterally-extending elements such as pins 48a, 48b, and 480 which may be formed by extruding the shell material or fabricated separately and staked or otherwise fastened thereto, as shown in Fig. 4, so as to be radially spaced therearound at predetermined distances. Preferably, the pins are spaced at approximately equal distances from each other and disposed in a common plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the filament 32, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6.

The bottom wall 41 of the base shell is provided with circular apertures 43 appropriately spaced and dimensioned to accommodate and register with correspondingly shaped lead bosses 20 formed from the glass of the end 7; wall 19 around the main leads 22 and 26 and auxiliary leads 24 and 28. Thus, by properly aligning the base member 40 with the sealed-in lamp during the biasing operation, the pins 48a, 48b and 48c may be conveniently and accurately located angularly with respect to the plane containing the filament 32 so as to elfect the relationship illustrated in the drawing and hereinafter described. This arrangement also serves to more positively insulate the base member 40 from the leads thus obviating the possibility of a short circuit occurring during operation of the lamp 14.

' particularly in Fig. 12. The base member 40 when thus disposed is in telescope relation with the constricted end portion 18 and is secured thereto as' by means of suitable basing cement 45 in the usual manner. As far as the contact caps .36 and 38 are concerned, they may be mounted on the said current-carrying leads either before or after the base member 40 has been attached to the envelope 16, as desired, so that their fiat end surfaces are disposed transverse and preferably substantially normal to the axis of the lamp 14, as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5. Thus, by virtue of the positive seating engagement effected between the bottom wall 41 of the base member 40 and the end wall 19 of the lamp envelope 16, the plane defined by the bead 44 is located a predetermined distance 1 (see Figs. 1, 4 and 5) from the center of the filament 32 and disposed substantially perpendicular to the plane thereof. In addition, both the key-rib 47 of the center post 46 and the pin 48a-are so oriented as to be displaced a predetermined angle from the plane containing the filament 32, as for example 45 from a line normal to said plane as shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 12. By virtue of its precise predetermined angular relation with respect to the filament plane, the pin 48a may be defined as a reference pin and will be so designated in the description which follows.

The present invention also provides a novel socket construction and mode of indexing the lamp into its' position of use and retaining it in such position, which features will now be described. As shown in Figs. 7 through 11 and more particularly in Fig. 13, the socket member 50 according to this invention comprises an insulating body 52 of cylindrical configuration having a locking member 72 rotatably secured to its upper face 70 by suitable retaining means such as an annular collar 82. The insulating body 52, as viewed in Fig. 13, is exteriorly contoured to provide a central section 53 terminated by a top portion 54 and a bottom portion 55 of reduced diameter. 54 is defined by a peripheral shoulder 56 which is substantially parallel to the upper face 70 of said insulating body, as viewed in Fig. 13, and spaced a predetermined distance therefrom so as to provide a seat for the annular collar 82. The annular collar 82 may be fabricated from a sleeve 84 of suitable metal and is of such width longitudinally that when firmly seated against the shoulder 56 the clearance between a set of integral radially-spaced cleat-like elements or tongues 86, which tongues protrude radially inward from the upper edge of said sleeve, and the upper face 79 of'the insulating body 52 is slightly greater than the thickness of the material from which the locking member 72 is fabricated. Thus, when the sleeve 84 is secured to the projector housing, as by a pair of integrally-formed and apertured lugs 88, it is pressed against the shoulder 56 thereby firmly clamping the socket assembly 50 in its position of use within the projector but providing sufficient clearance between the tongues 8'6 and upper face 70 to permit the locking member 72 interposed therebetween to be rotated.

As shown in Figs. 7 to 11 and 13, the central section 53 and the bottom portionSS of the insulating body 52 are divided interiorly along a diametric plane by a partition 64 into a pair of symmetrical chambers or cavities 65 of arcuate configuration which serve to receive a pair of laterally-extending leaf-like contact elements 68 of resilient conductive material embedded in the central section 53 and to provide means for ventilating and cooling the socket member 50. The end portions of said contact elements 68 within the cavities 65 are enlarged and generally circular, as shown in Figs. 7 and to 12, whereas the opposite ends thereof project beyond the walls of the insulating body 52 thus providing a cantilever contact assembly and rigidly anchored socket terminals69. The enlarged end portions of the socket contact elements 68 are, accordingly, resiliently depressible with;.respect to the insulating body 52 which construction permits the lamp terminals '36 and Y38 to be pressured into eint-im-ate surfaceengagement with said socket;.con-

'tacts-whenthelamp l s-is locked in its position of use The inward edged the top portion 1 6 within the socket member 50 as hereinafter described.

The central portion of the partition 64 is enlarged to provide sufficient material to define a cylindrical aperture 66 .and a key-way dimensioned to freely receive the keyed =cente-r post 46 of the base member 40. The central section 53 of the insulating body 52 is terminated interiorly to provide an annular platform 60 from which three radially-spaced convex knobs or ribs 62 protrude (:see Fig, 5 and more particularly Figs. 7, 9 and 11 through 1.3)., the :tops of said ribs being disposed to define a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the socket member 50 and spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom face of the insulating body 52, as viewed in Figs. 5, 9 and 13. The partition 64 is also terminated "in the same plane. asv the said central section 53 of the insulating body 52so as not to interfere with the free entry and seating of the lamp '14. Insofar as thesocket member 50 is mounted and positioned in the projector by clamping the insulating body 52 to the projector housing with the retaining collar 82, the aforementioned plane defined by the ribs 62 determines the spatial relation of the filament 32 (when the lamp 14 is disposed in its position of use ,in said socket member) with the optical system of the projector in a vertical direction, or in a horizontal direction if the lamp is thus oriented within the projector.

The upper portion 54 of the insulating body 52 is interiorly contoured to provide axially-extending rectangular recesses 58 disposed to register with and freely accommodate the pins 48a, 48b and 480 when the lamp -14 .is properly oriented and is of such diameter that it will freely but snugly receive the base member '40 so that when said lamp is inserted intothe socket member 50 ashereinafter described, the bead 44 at the peripheral edge of said base member will abut against theribs 62 thereby positively seating the lamp at the aforementioned plane defined by;,said ribs. The ribs 62 thus provide a reference plane for the lamp 14 and accurately position the filament 32 a predetermined distance f from such plane (see Figs. 5 and 9) thereby automatically effecting the vertical (or horizontal) alignment of the filament with respect to the focal axis of the projector optical system. An axially-extending edge of the recess 58 that receives the reference pin 48a is precisely oriented angularly to provide a shoulder 59 which functions as a forward stop for the aforesaid reference pin 48a during the socketing operation as hereinafter described.

The locking member 72, as here shown (particularly in Fig. 13), may comprise a lever-like element having a ring portion 74 and a handle portion 76 fabricated as by stamping from suitable sheet metal of relatively high stiffness, as for example nickel-plated iron or the like. Such ring portion 74 is of the same diameter and width as the top face of the insulating body 52 and is slit and sprung upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 13, at selected points along its inner periphery to provide three radiallyspaced arcuate leaves or fingers 80. The free endsof said fingers are bent sharply away from the ring portion 74 and clipped leaving three inner peripheral slots 78 spaced to register with the base pins 48a, 48b and 48c. The top face 70 ofthe insulating body 52 is substantially parallel to and spaced from the aforementioned freference plane a distance approximately equal to the distance separating said pins from the bead 44 at the periphery of the base member 40. Thus, when the locking member 72 is assembled with the insulating body 52 and retaining collar 82 as above-described, the ring portion 74 is held inslidable relation with the top face 70 (see Figs. 8 and 9 permitting. the inner peripheral slots 78'to be aligned with or displaced from the recesses 58 in the said insulating body' by rotatably shiftingthe protruding handle portion 72 andyin turn, saidlocking memher in the' proper direction. The locking mernber 72.,as assembled is oriented toabut against a selected one of the tongues 86rand when so disposedhaveits peripheral Y I slots 78 in registry with the recesses 58 in the insulating body 52 thus permitting the free insertion of the lamp 14. The locking member 72 is thus shiftable through a predetermined angle between closed and lamp-receiving or opened positions as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 respectively.

In assembling the lamp 14 with the socket member 50, the locking member 72 is first shifted to its open or lamp-receiving position shown in Fig. 7 thereby aligning the inner peripheral slots 78 with rectangular recesses 58 in the insulating body 52 as stated above. The basal end portion of the lamp 14 is then inserted into the socket member 50 and the lamp rotated until the keyed center post 46 registers with the aperture inthe partition 64, said center post being purposely made longer than the protruding portions of the leads (see Figs. 1 and 4) and the rib 47 to rotatably engage the aperture 66 before the pins 48a, 48b and 48c contact the locking member 72 and thus serve as aguide plug. In order to prevent the center post 46 from accidently contacting a part of the projector during or after lamp insertion, the bottom portion 55 of the insulating body 52 is of sufiicient depth to enable the partition 64 to enclose said center post in its entirety.

With the lamp 14 thus oriented, the base pins 48a, 48b and 48c will automatically be aligned with the inner peripheral slots 78 in the locking member 72 and with the recesses 58 in the insulating body 52 thereby roughly orienting the filament 32 with respect to the optical axis of the projector. The lamp 14 is then freely inserted into said insulating body until the bead 44 of the base member 40 abuts against the ribs 62. The locking member 72 is then shifted toward its closed position shown in Fig. 6 whereupon the fingers 80 engage and ride over the pins 48a, 48b and 480 effecting a cam-like action therewith and simultaneously imparting a downward axial thrust and torque to the lamp 14. The lamp 14 is thus forced axially into the socket member 50 and seated firmly against the ribs 62 and is simultaneously rotated within said socket until the reference pin 48a strikes and seats against the above-mentioned forward shoulder or stop 59 defined by the correspondingly located recess 58, as illustrated in Fig, 12. The fingers 80 are so designed that this condition is reached before the locking member 72 is shifted through an angular distance greater than the length of said fingers thus permitting sufficient pressure to be applied to the handle portion 76 to produce a binding action between said pins and the locking member 72 capable of permanently clamping the lamp 14 and socket member 50 in operative relation.

As shown in Fig. 5, the resultant axial pressure produced by the cam-like action of the fingers 80 on the pins 48a, 48b and 480 firmly seats the bead 44 of the base member 40 in point contact with the ribs 62 thus positively indexing the lamp 14 at the reference plane in the socket member 50 and precisely locating the filament 32 a predetermined distance 1; therefrom. The axial thrust also forces the enlarged end surfaces of the lamp terminal caps 36 and 38 into mating and wiping engagement with the enlarged end portions of the socket contact elements 68 thereby not only insuring positive electrical connection but resiliently depressing said elements and effecting a pressure contact between the lamp 14 and socket 50 over a considerable area. Insofar as the primary purpose of the center post 46 is to coaxially align the lamp 14 with the projectors optical system and with the socket member 56 during the initial phase of insertion and roughly orient, so to speak, the filament plane with respect to the optical axis, it is proportioned to be slightly undersize with respect to the aperture 66 provided in the partition 64 to insure free insertion of the lamp into the socket. The resultant play between the center post 46 and the partition 64 and the pins 48a, 48b and 48c within their respective recesses 58 permits the lamp 14 and said pins to move angularly with respect to the socket member 50 so that when the lamp is forcibly rotated upon actuation of the locking member 72 as above-described, only the reference pin 48a seats against the forward stop 59 defined by the correspondingly located recess 58. Thus, the lamp 14 and socket member 50 are not only accurately oriented axially and longitudinally with respect to each other and the projec'tors optical system, but are angularly indexed and aligned one with the other by positive means and with a degree of precision heretofore unattainable.

Removal of the lamp 14 from the socket member 50 is achieved according to the invention by shifting the handle portion 76 of the locking member 72 in the reverse direction until it strikes the edge of the tongue 86 and is disposed in its open position shown in Fig. 7. As a result of the binding interaction between the fingers 80 and the base pins 48a, 48b and 48c, the lamp 14 is rotated within the socket member 50 unseating the reference pin 4811 from the stop 59 whereupon the upward thrust of the heretofore depressed socket contact elements 68 resiliently eject the lamp 14 partially out of the socket member 50 thereby automatically conditioning it for withdrawal and enabling it merely to be lifted out of the socket member 50 and the projector.

One of the significant advantages afforded by the base and socket construction of this invention over the prior art structures is the substantial reduction in the overall length of the lamp and socket combination achieved by the telescopic relationship, so to speak, of the constricted basal end portion 18 of the envelope 16, the base member 40 and the socket member 50 when the aforesaid components are assembled and coupled in operative relation. For example, the overall length of a 500 watt projection lamp having a bulb 1 /2 inches in diameter when fabricated and locked in its position of use within its socket according to this invention is about 4 inches whereas conventional type lamps with standard bases and sockets measure about 7 inches in overall length. This reduction in the bulk of the lamp and socket unit enables the projectors to be proportionately reduced in size and weight without sacrificing either lightgenerating capacity or efificiency of operation.

' It will be apparent from the foregoing that the objects of the invention have been achieved insofar. as a lamp and socket combination has been provided which is not only very compact but capable of being simply and conveniently assembled in precise prefocused alignment and positive electrical contact. In addition, the socket member is so designed that replacement of the lamp can be very conveniently and easily accomplished regardless of its condition or location within the projector.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding in accordance with the patent statutes, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A socket for a projection type lamp or the like comprising, a body member open and interiorl-y contoured at one end to freely receive the basal end portion of said lamp, and locking means movably secured to said body member and rotatable about the axis thereof dis? posed when actuated and said lamp is inserted into said body member, to engage and apply an axial thrust to said lamp of suflicient magnitude to forcibly depress the basal end portion thereof into and against said body member and lock said lamp in operative relation with said socket.

2. A socket for a projection type lamp or the like comprising, a body member open end interiorly contoured at one end to freely but registerably receive the basal end portion of said lamp and define a reference plane therefor, and locking means movably secured to saidbody member and rotatable about the axis thereof enemas '9 disposed, when actuated and said lamp is insertedinto said body member, to engage and continuously apply an axial thrust 'to said lamp of "sufficient magnitude to forcibly depress said'lamp intosaid body member against'the part thereof that defines the aforesaid reference plane and lock-it in such position.

3. .A socket fora projection type electric lamp or the like having a basal end portion with-at least one laterallyextending element, said socket comprising a'body member open and interiorly contoured "at one end to freely and registerably receive the basal end portion of said lamp and laterally-extendingelement thereat, -and locking means carried by said body member, said locking means comprising a movable member that is "rotatable about the axis of said body'memb'er and disposed,when actuated and said lamp is placed into said body member, to engage the aforesaid "laterally-extending element and eifect a .camdike action therewithsuch that said'lamp is axially thrust into and against said body member and locked in operative relationwith said'isocket. j

4. Asocket for a projection type electric lamp or the like having a base at one end provided with:a laterallyextending element, said socket "comprising a body of insulating material interiorly contoured at one end to freely receive said .base and laterally-extendingelement and define a reference plane for. said lamp, and locking means carried by said insulating body, said locking means comprising a movable locking member secured to the lamp'receiving end of said insulating body and rotatable about the axis thereof between open and closed positions, said locking member when in its open position being disposed topermit the free insertion of said base and laterally-extending element into said insulating body and, upon displacement toward its closed position, being adapted by virtue of its configuration and rotational movement to engage said laterally-extending element and effect a cam like action therewith'thatimpants an axial thrust .to said lamp of sufficient magnitude to forcibly depress it into said insulating body against'thepant thereof that defines the aforesaid reference plane and lock it in-su-chposition and in operative relation withsaid socket.

5. A socket for a projection type electric lamp or the like having a basal end portion from which one terminal extends, said socket comprising a body member interiorly contoured at one end to freely receive the basal end portion of said lamp and terminal thereat, insulated contact means .in said body member disposed to register and electrically connect with said terminal when said lamp is operatively disposed in said socket, and a locking member movably secured .to .theJamp-receiVin'g end of said body memberand.rotatablelabout the axis thereof between open and closed positions, isaid locking member whenin'its .openposition beingdisposed to permit the free insertion of the basal .end and terminal portionsof said lamp into said body member and, upon displacement toward its closed position,-being adapted by virtueof its configuration and rotational movement to engage the basal end portionof said .lampand in cooperation therewith effecta cam-like action that applies an axial "thrust to said lamp of sufiicient magnitude-to forcibly depress it into and against said body member and simultaneously press said" lamp terminalagainst said contact means, and then lock said lamp and terminal in such position.

6. A socket for a projection type electric lamp or the like having a basal end portion from which two terminals axially extend, each of said terminals having enlarged substantially fiat end surfaces disposed in a plane transverse to the lamp axis, said socket comprising a body of insulating material interiorly contoured at one end to freely receive the basal end portion of said lamp and terminals thereat, a pair of resiliently depressible con tact elements in said insulating body disposed to engage the enlarged flat end surfaces of the aforesaid lamp termiv,

nals when said lamp is disposed in operative relation in said socket, and an annular locking member slidably secured to thelamp receiving end of said insulating'body and rotatable about the axis thereof between open and closed positions, said locking member when in itsopen position being disposed to permitfree passage of the basal end'portionofsaid lamp and terminals thereat into said insulatingbody, and upon displacement toward :its closed-position, being adapted by virtue of its configuration and rotational movement to engage and apply an axial thrust to said lamp of sufficient magnitude to forcibly depress it into and against said insulating body and simultaneouslypress the fiat ends-of the lamp terminals against said =contactelement-sand then look said lamp and terminals in such position.

"7. A socket "for aprojection type electric lamp or the like having agenerally'cylindrical base at one end provided'with a plurality of radially-spacedlaterally-extendingpinsfarrdfan axially-extending plug member of noncircul'ar 'cross section, said socket comprising a body of insulating materialopen'and interiorly contoured at one end to freely 'receivesaid base and having recesses at and extendingaxially inward 'from its inner peripheral edge disposed to registerablybut freely receive said pins, means infsaid' insulating body for registerably but freely receivingsaid'plug member, an axially-extending edge of a selectedone 'ofttherecessesin said insulating body being precisely located angularly and adapted thereby to con stiute a stopfor a correspondingly-located reference pin 'onsaid'baseand controllably limit the'rotative movement between said insulating body and lamp in a predetermined direction, and a locking member slidably secured to'the lamp -receivingend of said insulating body and rotatable about the axis thereof between open and closed positions,

. said locking member having a ring portion and a handle portion, said ring portion having substantially the same diameter as and being aligned with the lamp-receiving end'ofsaid insulating body, a pluralityof paired finger like'elements and slots in the inner periphery of-saidring portion spaced so that said slots are aligned with the recesses in saidirrsulating body, when said locking member is in its open position, and are'rotatably displaced through a predetermined angle in the aforesaid predetermined direction when said locking member is shifted to its closed position, said finger-like elements being located to engage the pins on the base of said lamp, when the latter is placed intothe socket and said locking member is shifted from open to closed position, and slidably cooperate therewith to produce a cam-like action that simultaneously imparts a torque and an axial thrust to said lamp that forcibly depresses it into and against said insulating body and seats the aforesaid reference pin against the the stop defined 'bythe-edge of the preselected one of said recesses.

8. In combination, a projection type lamp or similar device having a basal end portion provided with gr'ippable means, .anda socket comprising a body member interiorly contouredat one end to freely receive the basal end por tion of. said'lamp and having a movable locking member thereat that isrotatable about the axis of said body member and disposed when actuated to engage said grippable means in cam-like fashion, saidlamp being inserted in said body member, and said locking member being actuated and engaging said grippable means, whereby said lamp by virtue of the axial pressure exerted thereon by saidlockingmember is forcibly depressed into and simultaneously seated against said body member and locked in operative relation with said socket.

9. In combination, a projection type electric lamp or similar device having a basal end portion with a grippable element, and a socket comprising a body member interiorly contoured at one end to freely receive the basal end portion of said lamp and grippable element and define a reference plane for said lamp, the basal end portion of said lamp being inserted into said body member and said grippable, element being engaged in cam-like fashion by a movable locking member carried by said body member, said locking member being rotatable about the axis of said body member and, in conjunction with said engaged grippable element, applying an axial thrust to said lamp that seats it against said body member at the afore said reference plane and looks it in predetermined relation axially with said socket. 10. In combination, a projection type electric lamp or similar device having a basal end portion with at least one grippable element, and a socket comprising a body of insulating material contoured at one end to freely and regi-sterably receive said basal end portion and grippable element and having a movable locking member that is rotatable about the axis of said insulating body anddisposed when actuated to engage said grippable element in cam-like fashion and thereby apply an axial thrust to said lamp, platform means in said insulating body defining a seat and an axial reference plane for said lamp, said lamp being inserted into said socket and said locking member being actuated and in engagement with said grippable element, whereby said lamp is forcibly depressed into said insulating body and simultaneously seated against said platform means and locked in predetermined relation axially with said socket. 7 11. In combination, a projection type electric lamp or similar device having a generally cylindrical base provided with at least one laterally-extending element, and a socket comprising a body of insulating material open and contoured at one end to freely receive said base and having a recess in its inner peripheral wall extending axially from its lamp-receiving end and disposed to freely and registerably receive said laterally-extending element, a rotatable locking member fastened to the lamp-receiving end of said insulating body and adapted when actuated to engage said laterally-extending element in cam like fashion and thereby impart an axial thrust to said lamp, a platform in said insulating body conformed and disposed respectively to engage and define a reference plane for said lamp, said lamp being inserted into said insulating body and said locking member being actuated and in engagement With said laterally-extending element, whereby said lamp is forcibly depressed into said insulating body and simultaneously seated against said platform and locked in predetermined relation axially with said socket. 12. In combination, a projection type electric lamp or similar device having a basal end portion provided with at least one axially-extending terminal and at least one laterally-extending pin, and a socket comprising a body of insulating material open and interiorly contoured at one end to freely accommodate the basal end portion of said lamp and terminal and registerably receive said pin, said lamp being inserted into said socket and said pin being engaged in carn-like fashion by a movable locking member that is carried by said insulating body and is rotatable about the axis thereof, whereby said lamp is forcibly depressed axially into said insulating body and locked in seated engagementtherewith, and said lamp terminal simultaneously pressed into positive electrical engagement with a resiliently depressible contact element carried by and disposed in said insulating body.

13. In combination, a prefocus type projection lamp or similar device having a generally cylindrical base provided with an axially-extending plug member of non-circular cross-section and a plurality of radially-spaced laterally-extending pins, and a socket comprising a body of insulating material open and contoured at one end to 12 freely accommodate said base and registerably and freely receive said plug member and pins and define a reference plane for said lamp, and a rotatable locking member secured to the open end of said insulating body and movable between open and closed positions about the axis thereof, said locking member having a handle portion and a ring portion, said ring portion having substantially the same diameter as and being coaxially aligned with the open end of said insulating body and adapted thereby to permit the passage of said base, a plurality of paired finger-like elements and slots 'in the inner periphery of said ring portion and radially-spaced therealong to permit the passage of said pins when said locking member is in its open position and to engage said pins in cam-like fashion when said locking member is subsequently shifted to its closed position, said lamp being inserted into said insulating body and said locking member being disposed in its closed position, whereby said lamp is forcibly depressed axially into said insulating body and simultaneously seated thereagainst and locked in predetermined relation axially with said socket.

14. In combination, a projection type electric lamp or similar device containing a concentrated light source and having a basal end portion provided with a grippable element that is disposed in predetermined angular relation with respect to said concentrated light source, and a socket comprising a body member interiorly contoured at one end to freely receive the basal end portion of said lamp and define a reference plane therefor, said body member having a recess in its inner peripheral wall extending axially inward from its lamp-receiving end and adapted to freely and registerably receive said grippable element and define a stop therefor that is located at a predetermined point on the periphery of the lamp-receiving end of said body member, a movable locking member carried by said body member that is rotatable about the axis thereof and disposed when actuated to engage said grippable element in cam-like fashion and thereby simultaneously apply a torque and an axial thrust to said lamp, said lamp being inserted into said body member and said locking member being actuated and in cam engagement with said grippable element, whereby the basal end portion of said lamp and grippable element thereat are forcibly'seated, respectively, against the portions of said body member that define the aforesaid reference plane and stop, and said lamp is releasably locked in predetermined relation both axially and angularly with said socket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain June 27, 1949

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