US3896334A - Multiple level lamp adapter - Google Patents
Multiple level lamp adapter Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3896334A US3896334A US388459A US38845973A US3896334A US 3896334 A US3896334 A US 3896334A US 388459 A US388459 A US 388459A US 38845973 A US38845973 A US 38845973A US 3896334 A US3896334 A US 3896334A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- base
- lamp
- cavity
- shell
- housing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R33/00—Coupling devices specially adapted for supporting apparatus and having one part acting as a holder providing support and electrical connection via a counterpart which is structurally associated with the apparatus, e.g. lamp holders; Separate parts thereof
- H01R33/94—Holders formed as intermediate parts for linking a counter-part to a coupling part
Definitions
- My lamp dimmer is in the form of an extension of the conventional light bulb socket. It has a base that screws into the socket and at the other end it has a socket into which the bulb can be screwed.
- the dimmer circuitry is entirely contained within this adapter and a control knob on the side permits the user to regulate the intensity of the light bulb. It will be seen that the adapter is quite short and thus unobtrusive, since it has the appearance of only a short extension of the original socket. Moreover, it is easily adjusted, since the control knob is in proximity to the conventional on-off switch incorporated in pre-existing sockets.
- the dimmer is also characterized by both reliability and low cost, these features as well as the small size, largely resulting from construction specifically described below.
- it includes a novel heat sink arrangement for the solid state switch.
- the switch is mounted on a metallic disk positioned against the base of the adapter. There it is substantially separated from the light bulb, which is the primary source of heat, and further it is ideally positioned for conduction of heat out of the adapter and into the lamp socket.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view, of a dimmer-adapter embodying the invention
- FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the dimmer-adapter
- FIG. 3 is a cut-away view of the dimmer-adapter.
- a dimmer-adapter incorporating the present invention preferably has a onepiece molded housing of electrical insulating material, on which the various parts are mounted.
- the housing 10 has a lower cylindrical extension 12 over which a conventional lamp base 14 is fitted.
- a cavity 16 in the upper part of the housing is separated from a cavity 17 in the extension 12 by an integral plate 19.
- the cavity 16 contains a lamp socket shell 18.
- the lamp base 14 is screwed into a light socket and a bulb in turn is screwed into the shell 18.
- An electronic assembly generally indicated at 20, disposed near the bottom of the base 14, regulates the current through the light bulb under the control of a control assembly, generally indicated at 22, fastened to the side of the housing 10.
- the control assembly 22 largely fits within a horizontal extension 23 that protrudes from a generally flat outer side wall 24 of the housing 10.
- a small rheostat 26 of the type used on printed circuit boards has a pair of tabs 260 that fit corresponding slots 24a in the side wall 24.
- the tabs 260 which are sufficiently short so as to not to extend all the way through the wall 24, position the rheostat 26 within the extension 23 and thereby prevent rotation of the rheostat stator after the unit is assembled.
- the rheostat 26 also has a pair of leads 28 and 30 soldered to terminals thereon.
- the control assembly 22 also includes a coupler 32, a cover plate 34 and a control knob 36.
- the coupler 32 is preferably a metal stamping having an end 32a sized to fit a conventional slot (not shown) in the rotor of the rheostat 26.
- the assembly 22 is assembled together by first inserting the rheostat 26 into the extension 23, with the tabs 26a in the slots 24a and with the leads 28 and 30 extending through a hole 38 into the lower housing cavity 17.
- the coupler end 320 is then inserted into the rheostat rotor slot and the cover plate 34 is then fitted on over the coupler 32 so that an end 32b of the coupler protrudes through a hole 34a in the cover.
- the plate 34 is fastened in place by a pair of drive screws 40 pushed into blind holes 42 in the housing extension 23.
- the cover plate 34 loosely bears against ears 32c on the coupler to retain the coupler within the rheostat rotor slot.
- the control knob 36 is pushed onto the coupler end 32b. The knob 36 is retained in place by virtue of a force fit with the coupler. Should the knob loosen or be removed by the user, the securely fastened plate 34 will prevent contact with the live electrical components within the extension 23.
- the electronic assembly 20 includes a disk 44 of brass or other highly thermally conducting material.
- a triac 46 is thermally and electrically connected to the disk 44 by soldering the flat anode of the triac to the disk.
- a trigger diode 48 is connected to the triac gate lead 46a by means of a crimp connector 50, with the other lead of the diode 48 passing through a second crimp connector 52.
- the triac cathode lead 46b passes through a crimp connector 54 along with one lead of a timing capacitor 56 and a lead 58. The other lead from the capacitor 56 passes through the connector 52.
- the lamp base 14 is a conventional lamp base having a base shell 59 whose bottom is filled with an insulating layer 60, generally of lime glass.
- the base is further prepared by adding a pair of tabs 62, which are fastened to the top rim of the shell 59 by soldering or welding.
- a push nut 66 is pushed down over the upper protruding end of the rivet 64 to secure the disk against the lime glass layer 60 and also to provide an electrical connection between the head of the rivet 44 and the anode of the triac 46 by way of the disk 44.
- the lead 28 from the rheostat 26 is passed into the connector 52 and the connector is crimped; the rheostat lead 30 is soldered into a hole 44b in the disk 44', and the lead 58 is soldered to the socket center contact tab 680.
- the base 14 is pushed up over the lower part of the housing extension 12 so as to seat against a shoulder 12a.
- the tabs 62 which now extend up through holes 71 into the upper cavity 16, are bent over so that their holes 62a are aligned with holes 72 in the plate 19.
- the shell 18, which is a conventional lamp socket shell, is then inserted into the cavity 16 with its holes 180 in alignment with the holes 620 and 72. Assembly is then completed by forcing drive screws 70 through the holes 180 and 62a and into the holes 72.
- the last step locks in place both the base 14 and shell 18 without the use of an adhesive and yet securely enough to meet rigorous torque and pull-apart specifications. lt also ensures electrical contact between the shells l8 and 59.
- the other electrical path, from the rivet 64 to the upper center contact 68, extends through the disk 44, the anode and cathode terminals of the triac 46 and the lead 58. Overall conductivity of the latter path governs the brightness of a lamp (not shown) screwed into the shell 18. This conductivity is varied by rotating the control knob 36 to adjust the conduction angle of the triac 46.
- the dimmer-adapter described above is characterized by a number of important features. It is compact, unobtrusive and easy to adjust. The intimate contact between the triac 46 and the disk 44 provides efficient heat transfer out of the triac; and contact between the disk 44 and insulating layer 60 similarly removes heat from the disk. Also, the electronic assembly is relatively isolated, thermally, from the light bulb in the shell 18. Indeed it is rather closely associated with the relatively cool socket (not shown) surrounding, and in contact with, the base 14. This promotes reliability for the electronic components in dimmer-adapter.
- control section comprising 1. lateral extension of said housing having a third cavity therein,
- variable circuit element disposed in said third cavity
- J. means connecting said variable circuit element to said electronic assembly for control of the conduction of said solid state switching means by means of said variable circuit element.
- a dimmer-adapter defined in claim 1 A. including an electrically insulating member in the bottom of said base,
- said control section comprises 1. a mechanically variable circuit element disposed in said third cavity,
- a lamp adapter comprising A. a generally cylindrical housing having l. first and second cavities at opposite ends and 2. a partition between said cavities,
- fastening means for fastening said socket shell and said tabs to said partition with said socket shell in contact with said tabs to provide electrical connection between said base and socket shells and to secure said socket shell and said base to said housing
- G a base center contact extending from the exterior of said base into the interior thereof
- control section including an element disposed on a side of said housing
- J. means connecting said control section to said electronic assembly for control of the conduction of said solid state switching means.
Abstract
Description
Claims (16)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US388459A US3896334A (en) | 1973-08-15 | 1973-08-15 | Multiple level lamp adapter |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US388459A US3896334A (en) | 1973-08-15 | 1973-08-15 | Multiple level lamp adapter |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3896334A true US3896334A (en) | 1975-07-22 |
Family
ID=23534198
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US388459A Expired - Lifetime US3896334A (en) | 1973-08-15 | 1973-08-15 | Multiple level lamp adapter |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US3896334A (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2155708A (en) * | 1984-02-24 | 1985-09-25 | Colin Robert Francis | Electrical devices |
US4654541A (en) * | 1986-02-07 | 1987-03-31 | Clifford G. Dimmitt | Lamp dimmer casing |
US4764708A (en) * | 1986-12-08 | 1988-08-16 | Roudeski Charles A | Touch control lamp socket interior |
US5793300A (en) * | 1993-03-15 | 1998-08-11 | Prince Corporation | Trainable RF receiver for remotely controlling household appliances |
US6242872B1 (en) | 2000-04-24 | 2001-06-05 | Nguyen Hu Ha | Programmable gradual illumination lighting device |
US20040029448A1 (en) * | 2002-08-09 | 2004-02-12 | Melia Thomas Gavin | Adapter |
US20040219814A1 (en) * | 2003-04-29 | 2004-11-04 | Bjb Gmbh & Co. Kg | Bipin lamp socket |
US20060022611A1 (en) * | 2004-07-28 | 2006-02-02 | Rodriguez Edward T | Incandescent light power controller with predetermined off-state impedance |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3300711A (en) * | 1963-02-13 | 1967-01-24 | Product Res Associates Inc | Lamp dimmer |
US3331013A (en) * | 1964-04-13 | 1967-07-11 | Cunningham Rouald James | Electrical power outlet control |
US3401265A (en) * | 1964-07-06 | 1968-09-10 | Mallory & Co Inc P R | Current control circuit with silicon controlled rectifiers and a phase shifting circuit |
US3496451A (en) * | 1966-12-09 | 1970-02-17 | Product Research Associates In | Heat dissipating lamp dimmer of the screw-in type |
US3573543A (en) * | 1969-02-10 | 1971-04-06 | Melvyn B Grindstaff | Variable light intensity lamp socket having semiconductor mounted on heat sink thermally isolated from lamp base |
-
1973
- 1973-08-15 US US388459A patent/US3896334A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3300711A (en) * | 1963-02-13 | 1967-01-24 | Product Res Associates Inc | Lamp dimmer |
US3331013A (en) * | 1964-04-13 | 1967-07-11 | Cunningham Rouald James | Electrical power outlet control |
US3401265A (en) * | 1964-07-06 | 1968-09-10 | Mallory & Co Inc P R | Current control circuit with silicon controlled rectifiers and a phase shifting circuit |
US3496451A (en) * | 1966-12-09 | 1970-02-17 | Product Research Associates In | Heat dissipating lamp dimmer of the screw-in type |
US3573543A (en) * | 1969-02-10 | 1971-04-06 | Melvyn B Grindstaff | Variable light intensity lamp socket having semiconductor mounted on heat sink thermally isolated from lamp base |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2155708A (en) * | 1984-02-24 | 1985-09-25 | Colin Robert Francis | Electrical devices |
US4654541A (en) * | 1986-02-07 | 1987-03-31 | Clifford G. Dimmitt | Lamp dimmer casing |
US4764708A (en) * | 1986-12-08 | 1988-08-16 | Roudeski Charles A | Touch control lamp socket interior |
US5793300A (en) * | 1993-03-15 | 1998-08-11 | Prince Corporation | Trainable RF receiver for remotely controlling household appliances |
US5903226A (en) * | 1993-03-15 | 1999-05-11 | Prince Corporation | Trainable RF system for remotely controlling household appliances |
US6242872B1 (en) | 2000-04-24 | 2001-06-05 | Nguyen Hu Ha | Programmable gradual illumination lighting device |
US20040029448A1 (en) * | 2002-08-09 | 2004-02-12 | Melia Thomas Gavin | Adapter |
US20040219814A1 (en) * | 2003-04-29 | 2004-11-04 | Bjb Gmbh & Co. Kg | Bipin lamp socket |
US6890199B2 (en) * | 2003-04-29 | 2005-05-10 | Bjb Gmbh & Co. Kg | Bipin lamp socket |
US20060022611A1 (en) * | 2004-07-28 | 2006-02-02 | Rodriguez Edward T | Incandescent light power controller with predetermined off-state impedance |
US7098610B2 (en) | 2004-07-28 | 2006-08-29 | Longlite, Llc | Incandescent light power controller with predetermined off-state impedance |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED FILE - (OLD CASE ADDED FOR FILE TRACKING PURPOSES) |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CARLON COMPANY, THE, 25701 SCIENCE PARK DR., BEACH Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:LAMSON & SESSIONS CO. AN OH. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004688/0618 Effective date: 19861203 Owner name: CARLON COMPANY, THE,OHIO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LAMSON & SESSIONS CO. AN OH. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004688/0618 Effective date: 19861203 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION (CENTRAL), 1133 AVE Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LAMSON & SESSION CO., A OH. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004686/0817 Effective date: 19861126 Owner name: CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION (CENTRAL),NEW YORK Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LAMSON & SESSION CO., A OH. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004686/0817 Effective date: 19861126 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LAMSON & SESSIONS CO., THE, 1300 EAST NINTH ST., C Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:TBG INC., A CORP. OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004687/0212 Effective date: 19861126 Owner name: LAMSON & SESSIONS CO., THE,OHIO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TBG INC., A CORP. OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004687/0212 Effective date: 19861126 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION (CENTRAL), 1133 AVE Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:THYROCON CONTROLS CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004661/0538 Effective date: 19861126 Owner name: CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION (CENTRAL), A ILLINO Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:THYROCON CONTROLS CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004661/0538 Effective date: 19861126 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LAMSON & SESSIONS, THE, OHIO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004789/0368 Effective date: 19871105 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: THYROCON CONTROLS CORPORATION, AN OH CORP., PENNSY Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION (CENTRAL);REEL/FRAME:005377/0162 Effective date: 19890307 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LAMSON & SESSIONS CO., THE, AN OH CORP., OHIO Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CONTRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION (CENTRAL);REEL/FRAME:005626/0976 Effective date: 19890307 |