Shock Resistant Lamp Support

This invention relates to lamp or bulb supports and particularly to shock resistant lamp supports.

In the use of electric lamps or bulbs on automotive vehicles for clearance lights, taillights and the like, an important and serious problem is damage to the bulb caused by the vibrations and shocks incident to the movement of the automotive vehicle along the ground. It has heretofore been suggested that resilient mounts be provided in the form of rubber blocks, cushions and the like. However, such mounts are expensive to manufacture, require complex assembly procedures and usually must be designed for each environment.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide a shock resistant lamp support which is low cost, simple, has a minimum number of parts, and is easily assembled and mounted.

The shock resistant lamp support embodying the invention comprises a plastic lamp receiving socket having interengaging means thereon for receiving and holding a bulb in position, integral flexible portions extending from said socket portion, and having a sufficiently thin cross section to provide relative resiliency with respect to the socket, and an integral base portion having a relatively rigid cross section connected to said flexible portion.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lamp support embodying the invention before assembly.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lamp assembly embodying the invention.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the assembly embodying the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of lamp support before assembly.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a lamp assembly embodying the invention.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further modified form of lamp support before assembly.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a lamp assembly embodying the invention.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 8.

Referring to the drawings, the lamp support embodying the invention is made preferably by injection molding in a single piece from a plastic material such as low density linear polyethylene. As shown in FIG. 1, the blank which is molded comprises substantially identical parts 11a, 11b. Each of the parts comprises a semi-cylindrical socket forming portion 12a, 12 b which includes a transverse wall 13a, 13b, an intermediate flexible portion 14a, 14b, and a base forming portion 15a, 15b. The intermediate portions 14a, 14b are generally semi-circular in transverse cross section and sinuous or corrugated in longitudinal cross section and are sufficiently thin so that they are flexible to provide the desired shock resistance. The parts 11a, 11b are joined by integral hinges 16, 17, 18 so that when the parts 11a, 11b are brought into abutting relationship, the socket forming portions 12a, 12b will define a socket for receiving a bulb or lamp, the flexible portions 14a, 14b will form a generally cylindrical shock resistant mounting while the base portions 15a, 15b will form a base.

Part 11a is formed with projections 19, 20 that are adapted to extend into frictional engagement with openings 21, 22, respectively in part 11b to hold the parts in assembled relation. When the parts are swung into assembled relation, the openings 23 in the base are in position for supporting the lamp support on the vehicle by means of screws. Semi-circular grooves 24, 25 cooperate when the base portions are brought into engagement to define an additional opening for a mounting screw.

The socket forming portions 12a, 12b are formed with bayonet openings 26, 27 for receiving the prongs of a bulb. An electrical connection 28 is formed by a contact in the wall of portion 12b.

The other electrical connection to the bulb is formed by an insulating disc 29 that supports a contact 30 in the base of the socket with a wire 31 extending through openings 32, 33 in the base wall 13a and base to complete the circuit. A spring 34 yieldingly urges the disc 29 upwardly and, in turn, the contact 30 against the bulb.

It can thus be seen that there has been provided a simple and inexpensive support for the bulb which through the intermediate portions 14a, 14b provides shock resistance in a plurality of directions so that the support can be used in various environments with the bulb vertically, horizontally or at other angles. The support involves a minimum number of parts and is easily assembled and mounted in position.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 4-6, the opening 32a in the molded blank is made larger than in the form shown in FIGS. 1-3, the openings 26, 27 and electrical connection are eliminated. The interengagement with the bulb is provided by an insert 35 made of conductive material such as copper which is tubular and has a reduced diameter portion 36 which extends through opening 32a and is crimped over as at 36a to hold the insert on the transverse wall. Insert 35 is formed with bayonet openings 37, 38 for receiving the prongs of a bulb. All the other parts of the assembly are identical to the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3 and for purposes of clarity have been given identical reference numerals.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 7-9, the assembly is identical to that shown in FIGS. 4-6 except that the portions 12a, 12b are eliminated leaving insert unsurrounded and supported by the transverse wall.