Signal apparatus

• US 6,632,003 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2001
• Issued: 10/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: WERMA Holding GmbH + Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Werma Signaltechnik GmbH & Co. KG.
• Inventors: Mordau, Reinhard, Rudischhauser, Steffen, Marquardt, Erich
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRUONG, BAO Q
• Application Number:
  US09/833,060
• Publication Number:
  US 20020006042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 362/267, 362/436, 362/226, 362/363, 362/441, 362/383, 362/288, 362/268, 340/332, 116/202, 116/280, 116/137.R, 315/58
• US Class Current: 362/267
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/00 Lighting devices intended for fixed installation F21S9/00, F21S10/00 take precedence; using a string or strip of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/001 the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/00 Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/403 for machines
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/465 secured to structure or printed circuit board

Abstract

A signal apparatus is disclosed which permits flexible use of the individual signal apparatus components. According to the invention, a holder and a signal generator for the connection to the holder are provided. The signal generator includes a base housing made of plastic and penetrated by at least two contact elements, and the function elements of the signal apparatus.

Claims

1. A signal apparatus, comprising:

a holder having a receiving cylinder, the receiving cylinder having at least one lateral slot;

a signal generator connectable to the holder, the receiving cylinder receiving at least one part of the signal generator;

wherein the signal generator comprises a plastic material base housing having penetrations for at least two contact elements and signal apparatus functional elements; and

wherein a further contact element of the holder is a contact spring and projects through the lateral slot into an interior of the receiving cylinder.

2. The signal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base housing includes a bottom plate, said at least two contact elements penetrating the bottom plate.

3. The signal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base housing of the signal generator is constructed as an adapter piece for differently shaped signal apparatuses, which adapter piece fits onto the holder.

4. The signal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of cutting and detent elements operatively arranged to fix the at least two contact elements in the base housing.

5. The signal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising electronic components arranged in the base housing.

6. The signal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board which is connected with the at least two contact elements.

7. The signal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising fastening elements for additional components, said fastening elements being molded into the base housing of the signal generator.

8. The signal apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the fastening elements are constructed as detent elements.

9. The signal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a spherical cap provided for the signal generator.

10. The signal apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a seal is provided between the spherical cap and the signal generator.

11. The signal apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the spherical cap is firmly connected in a dust-tight and water-tight manner with the signal generator.

12. The signal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a seal is provided between the holder and the signal generator.

13. The signal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holder comprises a holder housing which is molded of an insulated material and has at least two further contact springs.

14. The signal apparatus according to claim 13, wherein at least two self-locking cable clamps are provided, each being equipped with a respective one of the further contact springs for contacting the signal generator.

15. The signal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal generator comprises at least one of an illuminant and a sound generator.

16. The signal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact spring is operatively arranged in the interior of the receiving cylinder to engage the signal generator when the signal generator is connected to the holder.