Abstract: An incandescent lamp having a plurality of filaments which can effectively negate disadvantages of unpredictable operation and complete darkness after failure when operated similar to a conventional single filament lamp. In a preferred embodiment of the invention two filaments enclosed within an a suitable envelope are electrically connected to incandesce simultaneously. The embodiment having two filaments enclosed within an envelope of the lamp has three states: one, both filaments energize simultaneously and the lamp radiates maximum visible energy; two, first filament fails but the second filament remains energized and the lamp radiates relatively less visible energy; and three, second filament fails and the lamp is completely dark. In state one, the lamp operates similar to a conventional single filament lamp. In state two, the lamp is radiating less visible energy indicating to the user the need to be replaced before occurrence of state three, complete failure of the lamp.

Abstract: A connector for connecting the filaments of a dual filament halogen lamp to a common ground lead includes two provisions for clamping the connector to ends of the first and second filament and a central portion for connection to the common ground in a dual filament halogen lamp.

Abstract: The incandescent lamp includes a glass bulb having a longitudinal axis and two filaments formed of a coil within the bulb supported with their longitudinal axes oriented parallel to the bulb's longitudinal axis. For supporting the filaments, three support wires are provided, each with an outer portion fixed to the bulb and extending parallel to the bulb longitudinal axis and an inner portion extending substantially perpendicular to the outer portion. The inner and outer portions of all three support wires are located in a single reference plane extending parallel to the bulb longitudinal axis. The filaments are joined to the support wires by four welded joints that can be applied in the single reference plane. The inner portions of the second and third support wires extend toward each other and are substantially aligned. The bulb has a glass seal portion through which the outer portion of the support wires extend and by which the outer support wire are fixed in a laterally spaced apart relation.

Abstract: To support a filament, or filament structure, in a halogen incandescent l, which may have a V or U filament, a straight filament, or be of the lumiline type, support ribs are placed within the lamp, which support ribs are formed from the lamp bulb material itself, by deforming the lamp bulb after local softening, for example by punches or by applying a vacuum, to provide interiorly extending, essentially tubular ribs. The tubular ribs may have circular or oval cross section, and can be placed to engage the filament to, for example, pinch the filament therebetween. In the pinching regions, the filament preferably is straight or only single-coiled and may be supported by a core pin.

Abstract: An electric incandescent lamp includes a lamp vessel having an axis and a reflective coating. Within the lamp vessel two filaments are arranged in a disc-shaped space transverse to the axis and which are electrically connected in series, the second end portion of the first filament being electrically connected to the first end portion of the second filament. Mains voltage is applied between the first end portion of the first filament and the second end portion of the second filament. The filaments are arranged opposite each other so as to substantially surround the axis of the lamp vessel, and are closest to each other at the corresponding end portions thereof. Such end portions are separated by a gap in either or both the axial and transverse directions. The lamp produces a symmetrical light beam of high intensity at its center.

Abstract: A Christmas tree light consisting of a bulb with two leads extending from its lower end, a hollow seat, and a separation wedge. The hollow seat has an upper seat portion and a lower seat portion. A slot runs lengthwise along the lower end of the lower seat portion for receiving and frictionally engaging with the separation wedge.

Abstract: A snap-in light bulb having a bulb through which light may be transmitted, a base connected to the bulb, and at least one arm resiliently connected to the base. The arm has a conductor element disposed for contact with a conductive light bulb socket and a plurality of spaced lobes that engage the socket threads. A system including a pole for light bulb insertion is also described.

Abstract: A temperature protection circuit includes a band gap circuit furnishing a first reference voltage being temperature independent. An amplifier circuit connected to the band gap circuit for receiving and amplifying the first reference voltage and supplying a second reference voltage. A negative feedback network is connected to the amplifier circuit for feeding back the second reference voltage to the amplifier circuit, a sensor circuit is connected between the amplifier circuit and the negative feedback network, temperature-determining circuit parts are thermally coupled to the sensor circuit and supply a temperature dependent voltage to the sensor circuit. The sensor circuit compares the second reference voltage with the temperature dependent voltage according to a given comparison criterion, and a control circuit is activated by the sensor circuit if the comparison criterion is fulfilled for controlling the temperature-determining circuit parts.

Abstract: An electric lamp including an insulative (e.g., plastic) base, an envelope located within the base and having a filament therein and a pair of conductors (e.g., nickel-iron alloy wires) projecting externally from the envelope, passing through the base and extending therefrom. Each conductor includes means (e.g., knurls) formed therein for removing undesirable surface material (e.g., oxide) from a respective contact located within a socket in which the lamp is positioned. Such removal, achieved during lamp insertion and eventual withdrawal, thus assures a sound electrical connection between the "cleaned" contact and a second lamp designed to replace the original. These features are particularly advantageous in the automotive field, especially that portion of the field involving taillight and similar assemblies.

Abstract: An improved lamp base having an eyelet with prongs and a base and apertures between the prongs and the base into which part of the glass insulator hardens to interlock the insulator with the eyelet.

Abstract: A two-filament incandescent lamp and operating circuit well suited to lighting applications requiring high service reliability. In the lamp, the rated operating voltage of the second filament is greater than that of the first filament. In the operating circuit, there is an inductive reactance in series with the lamp and, in one aspect of the invention, an electrical connection across the lamp terminals for measuring the operating voltage of the lamp. After the power and rated wattage of both lamp filaments have been selected, matched values of inductive reactance and open circuit voltage of the operating circuit can be uniquely determined such that the following advantages are obtained. When the first lamp filament fails, the second filament comes into full brilliance. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there will be no significant change in the luminous output of the lamp before and after failure of the first filament.

Abstract: There is provided a luminaire primarily for use with exit signs and other emergency-type lighting comprising a series string of low-voltage, extremely long-life filaments positioned within a sealed enclosure for protection and electrically connected to a standard base whereby luminaires having lives of 10 to 30 years may replace standard bulbs without the requirement of retrofitting.

Abstract: A tubular incandescent lamp for use in heating applications where multiple levels of infrared energy are available from one source while providing for compactness in size and ease in manufacturing. The primary use for such a lamp is in the fusing system of a photocopy machine where speed in attaining the desired operating temperature greatly determines the machine's rating. In one embodiment of the lamp, quartz envelope is provided with dual chambers extending longitudinally therethrough. A filament extends longitudinally through each of the chambers and is hermetically sealed within press-sealed ends at the opposed ends of the lamp. The filaments are capable of being selectively or simultaneously activated.

Abstract: An incandescent lamp bulb assembly having three or four lead wires led out of the bottom of a pinched sealing neck of an envelope or bulb containing two filaments (double filament structure), said lead wires are disposed in line longitudinally of the pinched sealing neck. Each of three supports connected to these lead wires comprises a connecting arm section extending parallelly with a plane defined by the line of lead wires and lead-out direction of them and also in a direction intersecting the lead-out direction, and a stem section extending from the connecting arm section and having one end thereof fixed. Since the connecting arm section of each support is so formed as to be welded to a corresponding lead wire from a direction perpendicular to said plane, all the supports are welded to the lead wires from a same direction.

Abstract: An improved structure for mounting minor and major filaments of a three-way incandescent lamp is disclosed. The improved mounting structure orients the major filament in either an axial or transverse manner and the minor filament in a transverse manner. The transverse mounting of the major and minor filaments is established by the selection of the respective parameters of the inner lead wires connected to the minor and major filaments so as to improve the ability of each transverse mounted filament to withstand mechanical shock.

Abstract: An electric incandescent lamp having a bead mount and a filament which extends transversely to the lamp axis. Current supply wires in the pinch seal lie in a plane which encloses an angle of at least 45.degree. with the axis of the filament.

Abstract: The filaments for high beam and low beam are in respectively parallel planes, and the axis of the low beam filament forms an angle .alpha. which is less than 90.degree. with the lamp axis, or seal beam headlamp axis, respectively, the angle being suitably between about 30.degree. and 60.degree., and preferably about 45.degree., upon projection of the lamp axis, in parallel, in the plane which includes the axis of the filament. The inclination of the low beam filament facilitates adjustment of the headlamp to provide, reliably, glare-free road illumination in accordance with SAE standards.

Abstract: An electrically insulative base for an incandescent lamp is disclosed having a three-part construction with all of the individual base parts being joined together in butt-seal engagement along a pair of horizontal planes parallel to each other and transverse to the longitudinal lamp axis. Said base construction is especially useful in the tungsten halogen cycle lamps of the high wattage type requiring that a ceramic material be used and whereby the ceramic base parts are joined together before lamp assembly with a ceramic sealing material.

Abstract: Pools and spas formed with lamp house accommodating wall conformations below normal water level are fitted with a flexible tubing lamp house containing special lamps having a safety conductor ending unconnected in the interior of the lamp envelope. The lamp energizing circuits and a grounding circuit connected to the safety conductors of the lamps are disposed in the lamp house with a water insoluable, light transmitting electrical insulating material which serves to insulate the circuits and exclude water.

Abstract: A tubular incandescent lamp for use in a fusing type lamp in a photocopy machine in which the lamp filament means is capable of operation at two different lengths on a selective basis as a function of the different lengths of paper that are to be reproduced by the copier. In one embodiment the filament means comprises a single linear filament with the contacts being taken at opposite ends of the filament for full length reproduction and along a predetermined length of the filament or shorter length of reproduction. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, two different length filaments are employed, each one selectively and mutually exclusively operated.

Abstract: An electric light source for use in a vehicle headlight unit capable of emitting dipped light beams, especially a sealed-beam headlight unit. The light source has a single filament or two-filament halogen lamp and an inner or outer screen element preventing the incidence of light from the dipping filament on the reflector. The shape of the rim of the screen element is a specially developed three-dimensional curve, whereby a distribution of the projected light is achieved which does not blind the drivers of oncoming vehicles. The shape of the three-dimensional curve forming the rim of the screen element can be determined point-by-point from the light distribution required, taking into consideration prescribed geometrical interrelations.

Abstract: The lamp bulb (1) has two filaments (4, 5) positioned within the bulb and rallel to the longitudinal axis (L) thereof, for example located at an axis of symmetry passing through the longitudinal axis, or in two respective planes of symmetry (E4, E5) which are, respectively, parallel to the axis of symmetry (S) of the lamp, the two filaments being preferably symmetrically positioned with respect to the axis of symmetry of the lamp (L). When located in a sealed-beam headlight, one of the filaments forms a depressed beam and the other the high beam, the high beam being preferably positioned along the axis of the reflector, at or close to the focal point thereof, for example by an off-center positioning of the bulb within the reflector.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an incandescent lamp having tungsten filaments and halogen gas in the lamp enclosure wherein an inoperative surrogate tungsten filament is incorporated to reduce the tendency for active halogen gas to attack the filament and other metal parts within the lamp enclosure.

Abstract: Tungsten halogen incandescent lamps comprise tungsten filaments having different tungsten evaporation rates during normal operation. The filaments are supported on lead-in wires made of an alloy including tantalum.

Abstract: A multiple filament incandescent lightbulb automatically places an unused alternate filament in a closed electric circuit upon rupture of an active filament. The alternate filament is placed in a closed circuit by release of an elastically deformed switching member originally held in place by the active filament.

Abstract: A tubular incandescent lamp which comprises an elongate transparent envelope; and a plurality of small lamps linearly arranged and extending lengthwise through the envelope, each of said small lamps containing a helically coiled filament and wherein the difference between the inner diameter of the envelope and the outer diameter of the respective lamps is chosen to be 2 mm or less.

Abstract: An electric lamp construction is described having a pair of conductive inlead wires of dispersion-strengthened copper alloy to serve as the sole means of physical support for a resistive incandescent filament electrically connected thereto, wherein said inlead wires have a surface metallurgical structure of fibrous dispersion-strengthened copper alloy. Said metallurgical surface of the inlead wires can further serve to enhance bonding of other materials thereto including metals such as nickel and aluminum as well as nonmetallic gettering materials such as phosphorous compounds.

Abstract: A sealed beam lamp for an automobile which is provided with a halogen bulb having a plurality of filaments. The filaments are arranged in a vertical direction to a rotary axis of a reflector of the sealed beam lamp.

Abstract: A tubular incandescent lamp comprises an elongated tubular envelope and a filament assembly disposed longitudinally extending in the tubular envelope by means of ring-like anchors. The filament assembly comprises a plurality of coil-shaped filaments, subcoils coupled with the filaments and connectors formed by strand wires. The ends of the connector are fitted into the subcoils and fixed therein.

Abstract: An incandescent light bulb is provided with a plurality of filaments, the first of which is mounted between a first and a second current supply member to emit light upon passage of current therethrough. The remainder of the filaments comprise reserve filaments and are mounted between the first and the second current supply members with electrical connection being established only between the first current supply member and the reserve filaments. Biasing means are provided for urging the second current supply member in the direction of a longitudinal axis defined by the filaments, a biasing force generated by the biasing means being counteracted by the first filament and in later stages of the life of the light bulb by one of the reserve filaments. As a filament burns out and partially disintegrates the biasing force creates electrical contact between a reserve filament and the second current supply member and thereby renders operative a successive reserve filament.

Abstract: The improvement in a filament system in a lamp for use in a drum lens of a navigational light in which a plurality of vertically positioned similar filaments are spaced about but away from a vertical axis adapted to be placed at the focal point of the lens. The filaments are positioned in a horizontal plane relative to each other whereby no more than two filaments are aligned in any horizontal direction. In using four filaments, three of the filaments are positioned at the corners of a horizontal square and the fourth filament is positioned outside of tne unoccupied corner of the square and in line with the diagonal of the square through the unoccupied corner thereby minimizing shadowing of one filament by other filaments in any horizontal direction.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a capsule for a sealed beam lamp or vehicle headlight, two coiled filaments on lead-in wires are supported in a holder with sufficient rigidity to accurately maintain a predetermined spacing between the filaments during a subsequent press sealing operation. The filaments are then inserted into an open-ended glass tube and the open end is press sealed onto the filament lead-in wires at the same time that wire supports are embedded in the press seal. The wire supports are then connected to mounting rods in the finished capsule.

Abstract: A tungsten-halogen lamp for use in motor vehicle headlights comprises a tubular sealed glass capsule containing two coiled tungsten filaments, parallel to each other and disposed substantially orthogonally to the axis of the capsule. The two filaments are offset laterally from each other and one of the filaments is a coiled coil, in order to reduce the lateral traverse of both filaments.

Abstract: A multiple filament lamp has one set of ends of all filaments connected to a common conductor and the end of another set individually connected to separate conductors. The conductors are mounted in a non-conducting lamp base with the common conductor projecting centrally beyond the bottom of the base, and the separate conductors recessed into the side of the base and equally spaced around its circumference. The base is slidable into a socket-adapter having an outer conducting shell defining standard electric socket screw threads fixed to an inner non-conducting cylinder that is recessed interiorly at the top to receive a retainer ring for engaging a similar recess around the top of the lamp base, and recessed exteriorly to receive a conductor contact spring for biasing a spring end extending through the non-conducting cylinder inwardly into separate engagement with the respective conductors recessed in the lamp base as the lamp and its base are turned in the socket-adapter.

Abstract: A lighting system provided with a plurality of filaments, the wattage ratings of which differ in a predetermined relationship. The filaments are selectively energized so that the light intensity of the lamp may be varied in steps, without a change in color temperature which otherwise results when the intensity is varied in response to a varying voltage applied to a single filament.

Abstract: A glass incandescent display lamp is provided which includes a glass container and a glass faceplate forming a sealed glass envelope enclosing an evacuated space. A plurality of electrically-conductive filament posts having first and second ends is provided with the filament posts extending through a wall of the glass envelope so that the first ends terminate in the evacuated space, and the second ends terminate outside of the sealed glass envelope. A set of incandescent filaments is secured to the first ends of the filament posts for the passage of current and for producing a display. In addition, a plurality of conductor pins for connecting the filaments to an external source of power is provided with each of the conductor pins having one end embedded in the wall of the glass envelope and the other end extending to the exterior of the sealed glass envelope.

Abstract: Coiled incandescible filament which principally comprises tantalum carbide has coiled end portions thereof overfitting relatively thick tantalum carbide members, with the inner surfaces of the overfitting coils welded to the relatively thick members. Electrical connection and support for the filament is made to the relatively thick, overfitted members, rather than the fine, brittle filament. In order to effect the weld between the overfitting coils and the relatively thick members, the coils and relatively thick members are first overfitted as metals and then carbided, with diffusion welds therebetween formed during the carbiding process.

Abstract: A switch, and a dual lamp and switch combination comprising two conductive strips spaced from each other and each having a contact point adjacent an upper end. The conductive strips contacting filament wires of the lamp or electrical conductors of a power line. A handle including a base is pivotably mounted relative to the contact points, and a conductive member operated by the handle, selectively contacts at least one of the contact points. The conductive member is integral with at least a portion of the conductive member and engages a metallic screw-on section of the lamp or electrical conductors of the power line.