Reflector lamp assembly utilizing lens that snaps into reflector

• US 5,119,282 A
• Filed: 12/19/1990
• Issued: 06/02/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
• Original Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
• Inventors: Meyer, Kevin L., Beschle, Mark D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cox, D. M.
• Application Number:
  US07/630,403
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 362/61, 362/80, 362/267, 362/308, 362/310, 362/328, 362/329, 362/374, 362/375, 362/457, 362/455, 362/306, 362/226
• US Class Current: 362/306
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/168 the parts being resilient rings acting substantially isotropically, e.g. split rings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0005 of sources having contact pins, wires or blades, e.g. pinch sealed lamp F21V19/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/24 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/28 characterised by coatings

Abstract

A lamp assembly includes a lamp capsule, a reflector, an electrical connector and a lens. The lamp capsule includes a lamp envelope having a base portion, and the reflector includes an opening for receiving the base portion of the lamp envelope. The reflector is fabricated of a resilient material such as a high temperature thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic. The base portion of the lamp capsule and the reflector include lamp interlocking elements which mechanically lock the lamp capsule in the reflector. The lamp interlocking elements preferably position the center of light output of the lamp capsule at the focal point of the reflector. The connector and a neck portion of the reflector include connector interlocking elements which mechanically lock the connector to the reflector. The lens and the outer rim of the reflector include integral lens interconnecting elements which mechanically lock and position the lens on the reflector.

Claims

1. A reflector lamp assembly comprising:

a reflector including a front, a rear, and an outer rim, said reflector being fabricated of a high temperature, resilient thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic and being deformable near said outer rim, said reflector having an interior surface and a groove embedded in said interior surface, said groove being substantially parallel to said outer rim and extending continuously and circumferentially around said interior surface of said reflector near said outer rim;

a lamp capsule mounted on the front of said reflector;

means for connection of said lamp capsule to a source of electrical energy; and

a lens having an outer edge extending peripherally around said lens without protrusions thereon, said outer edge of said lens being snapped into said groove of said reflector such that said lens is securely mounted on said reflector without an adhesive.

2. A reflector lamp assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said lens is shaped substantially as a portion of the surface of a sphere.

3. A reflector lamp assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said lens is formed from glass.

4. A reflector lamp assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said lens is formed from a substantially rigid material.