Shock Absorbing Patents (Class 362/369)
  • Patent number: 4422136
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel device for shock mounting a lamp within housing means for a lamp that is particularly intended for use with motorized vehicles, such as farm tractors and other vehicles designed for cross-country travel, as well as over-the-road trucks and the like. Basically, the novel device of the present invention comprises a hollow generally frustoconical resilient member having a long-central axis extending between centers of its opposite ends, with one of the opposite ends of that member including means for retaining, supporting and locating a lamp in a predetermined position, and the other of the opposite ends of that member including means for fastening that member to the lamp housing means, and that member including plural segments positioned around the long-central axis and extending between the opposite ends of that member, with each of the plural segments being generally serpentine in its longitudinal extension with respect to that axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: The Grote Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Newman, Joseph T. Hodges
  • Patent number: 4420803
    Abstract: A housing for forming a vehicle light assembly comprising a body for a light having the general shape of the rounded nose of a bullet on the back end as viewed from the side and top, a generally rectangular front end as viewed from the front and a generally arcuate lens on the front end, and a mounting base integrally formed with and on the bottom of said body whereby said body and mounting base form a housing of unitary construction which may be mounted on a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Assignee: Drag Specialties, Inc.
    Inventors: Alwin J. Stahel, James M. Preisler
  • Patent number: 4414613
    Abstract: A rectangular seal beam lamp unit with a high intensity halogen bulb, particularly adapted for utility vehicles, that is self-supporting without requiring any special mounting fixtures on the vehicle, and includes an entirely plastic reflector having an integral forwardly projecting hood that defines in part a recess that receives a rectangular lens sealed by an epoxy material. The halogen bulb has two rearwardly extending lead wires that are embedded in a synthetic rubber material in a recess in the rear of the reflector to assist in shock mounting the bulb. The bulb is primarily supported by a pair of curved resilient connector rods that are welded to the bulb lead wires at one end and curve downwardly to a connector and terminal assembly at the lower rear of the reflector. A strap surrounds the halogen bulb and is fixed to one of the resilient connector rods to support and shock mount the bulb in the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: Stewart-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Mayer
  • Patent number: 4394715
    Abstract: A protective device for a ground-deposited light is disclosed. Such a light, e.g. a guide-light for airfield use, generally includes a housing (2) having a cover (3) provided with an opening (5) for letting out light rays from a lamp (4) within the housing. To protect the lamp from rain, snow and dirt the opening is sealed by a translucent material. To protect the translucent material from mechanical influence grains of a harder material than the translucent material are partly embedded therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: Tatis Plasttatnigar AB
    Inventor: Anders Dahlberg
  • Patent number: 4390936
    Abstract: A suspension mount is provided for suspending a light bulb in a lamp housing for use on vehicles, which mount inhibits the transmission of vibrations to the filaments in the light bulb. The mount is molded of a resilient material and comprises a light bulb receiving cup integrally formed with and suspended between two arms which support the mount on an associated housing. The arms are generally trapezoidal in plan view and have triangular recesses formed therein. Tubular members, having apertures therein, are formed in free ends of each arm. The tubular members fit over pegs extending outwardly from a surface of the lamp housing such that the mount is retained spaced apart from the housing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: Peterson Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Charles A. Slater, Jr., Spencer A. Darby
  • Patent number: 4387417
    Abstract: A retaining means for a lamp within a luminaire provides structural support and positive positioning. It comprises a resilient wire formed to a four-sided parallelogram shape with four outboard reverting projections between segments. One pair of diametrically opposed projections encircle bolts which hold the retainer transversely to the lamp axis at the rim of the socket compartment. Another pair of projections are unrestrained and provide extra flexibility in accommodating to variations in lamp diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1983
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jerry R. Plemmons, Tommy R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4380793
    Abstract: A submersible vehicular lamp assembly comprises a base plate, an elastomeric lens base and a lens body. A lip member extends from lens body side walls and is snugly received within a groove formed in a surface of the elastomeric lens base to form a sealed, watertight inner cavity. A light bulb is resiliently mounted in the inner cavity to dampen the bulb from road induced vibrations, shocks and the like. Associated wiring for the lamp assembly passes through apertures in the lens base which are smaller than the thickness of the individual wires to prevent entry of water, dust, and other damaging elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1983
    Assignee: Peterson Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Virgil W. Potts
  • Patent number: 4369487
    Abstract: A utility lamp has a tubular handle for containing a bulb receptacle connected to a cord extending out of the handle and terminated by a connector. A bulb cage or guard is removably clamped to the handle to protectively enclose a bulb inserted in the receptacle. Formed integrally with the bulb guard is a cord storage section about which the length of cord extending from the handle can be wound. A stand is formed at the free end of the bulb guard permitting the utility lamp to be stood on end on a horizontal surface. Also, a hook is swively mounted to the top of the bulb guard so that the lamp can be hung from an elevated projection and a magnet is mounted to the cord storage section enabling lamp to be suspended from a ferromagnetic object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Assignee: Carico Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur J. Carlow
  • Patent number: 4360861
    Abstract: The invention relates to a socket for a baseless cartridge lamp, particularly a two-filament cartridge lamp or a cartridge halogen lamp with contacts at opposite ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: Edison International
    Inventor: James J. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 4360859
    Abstract: A boat light includes a shield recessed within the hull of a vessel. A conventional sealed beam head-lamp unit seats in an exteriorly spherically shaped lamp unit retaining member formed of a resiliently flexible soft material such as rubber. The retaining member and shield have mating spherically shaped surfaces so that the retaining member can be angularly adjusted, within a pre-determined, limited range, to any of various selected positions within the shield, thus to correspondingly adjust and hence correctly aim, the head-lamp unit. The retaining member is quickly and firmly secured, in each position to which it is adjusted, through the provision of a soft rubber mounting ring, which fits over the inner end of the shield, and is spherically shaped interiorly thereof, to form a ball-and-socket mounting cooperating with the shield and the retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Inventor: Theodore Ziaylek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4357651
    Abstract: A rectangular seal beam lamp and single-point universal support assembly for vehicles that is replaceable as a unit and that has high shock-absorbing characteristics. The lamp includes a rectangular plastic paraboloidal reflector having an integral single polygonal support post that carries a slotted rubber ball member which forms part of the mount for the lamp. The ball is compressed and clamped against the post by a pair of mating semi-spherical cooperating fastener elements that support the lamp unit and permit adjustment of the lamp beam in any direction by a single adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: Stewart-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Mayer
  • Patent number: 4352148
    Abstract: An angle iron forms two sides of a right isosceles triangular housing. These sides are each apertured and the apertures are provided with metal-framed lens plates which bolt onto the housing sides. Preferably, in one instance the lens material is mounted in the plate for ease of access to the interior of the housing and in the other instance the lens is mounted in the aperture and retained by the frame plate. A fluorescent lamp tube assembly is received inside the housing for providing illumination through both lenses. Access thereto is via removal of a metal-framed lens plate. The housing has mounting elements which permit a user to flush mount the housed light source, e.g. on a mining machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Assignee: McJunkin Corporation
    Inventors: Howard P. McJunkin, Jr., Larry W. Rowley
  • Patent number: 4345307
    Abstract: A retainer assembly for a rectangular vehicle headlamp consisting basically of a one-piece rubber molding having an outer base member and a rectangular lamp support pivotally supported on the base member by an integral web portion extending horizontally between the base to the top of the rectangular lamp support approximately midway along its axial length. This arrangement permits pivotal movement of the lamp support portion with respect to the base about a horizontal axis for adjusting the angular position of the headlamp and also providing an excellent vibration and shock mount for the lamp with respect to the associated vehicle. An adjusting assembly at the lower part of the lamp support portion provides the necessary headlamp adjustment. A metal frame is connected to the base portion and provides the rigidity necessary to fasten the retainer assembly and headlamp therein onto the vehicle body.In one embodiment the base member is rectangular in configuration and has a metal insert molded frame for support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Inventors: William R. Mayer, Alton E. Runion
  • Patent number: 4345306
    Abstract: Wall mounted luminaire of hazardous duty type has mounting arm designed to protect luminaire parts from excessive pressure of explosive gases. The mounting arm is formed with an elongated wire passage of relatively small diameter wherein the gases are cooled and reduced in pressure before entering the luminaire housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Samuel T. Summey
  • Patent number: 4312028
    Abstract: A light fixture has a support formed with a recess having an inner wall. An at least partially transparent lens covers the recess. A fluorescent tube in this recess is surrounded by a transparent and elastomeric cushion sleeve that is in turn covered by a rigid and transparent jacket, both made of synthetic-resin material. Elastomeric holding blocks are engaged between the jacket and the inner wall of the recess so as to support the tube via the cushion sleeve and the jacket in the recess of the housing. Thus the tube is effectively protected against shocks of large and small amplitude over a wide frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Inventor: Martin Hamacher
  • Patent number: 4282566
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel bracket for shock mounting a bulb within a housing for a lamp that is particularly intended for use with motorized vehicles, such as over-the-road trucks and the like. Basically, the novel bracket of the present invention comprises: a serpentine strip having polygonal apertures provided at its opposite ends and a bulb-receiving socket generally centrally located therein, the radial center of which socket is offset from the long central axis that extends between the apertures in the strip. Preferably, the strip is connected to the lamp housing by fastener means, portions of which are respectively passed through the polygonal apertures in the strip and prohibit pivotal movement of the apertures thereabout. It is also desirable that the fastener means portions comprise a pair of studs projecting from the lamp housing and being complementary in size and shape to the polygonal apertures in the strip through which they are respectively passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: The Grote Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles J. Newman
  • Patent number: 4231081
    Abstract: A lamp having a bulb secured in a flexible bulb support is resiliently mounted in the lamp to reduce the shocks and vibrations transmitted in any direction from the lamp to the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1980
    Assignee: Abex Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph V. Borruso
  • Patent number: 4212051
    Abstract: An anti-rotational lamp assembly for a vehicle including a grommet and cooperating lamp housing. The assembly includes an elastomeric grommet formed with radial ribs for compressive mounting in a wall opening and a lamp housing formed with a plurality of radial ribs for compressive engagement between the lamp housing and the inner surface of the grommet for preventing rotation of a mounted assembly due to road shock and vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1980
    Assignee: Abex Corporation
    Inventor: George J. Kulik
  • Patent number: 4198027
    Abstract: A lamp comprising socket mounting assembly which includes a retainer engaging the interior of said hollow portion of said housing. The retainer has an opening therein and a shock absorbing mount member extends through the opening. The member is made of resilient material and has spaced annular flanges extending along opposite sides of the retainer. One of the flanges has circumferentially spaced integral protuberances extending axially and engaging one surface of the retainer for holding the opposite surface of the retainer against the opposite flange. The shock mounting member has an axially extending opening therein. A socket retainer has a planar surface engaging the end of the shock mounting member. The socket retainer has portions thereof crimped into engagement with the periphery of the shock mounting member. A socket member has an end with a reduced diameter extending through the opening in the socket retainer and the end is crimped outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Assignee: Dominion Auto Accessories Limited
    Inventor: Karel Urbanek
  • Patent number: 4176391
    Abstract: A shock isolating lamp assembly for a vehicle lamp including an improved shock isolating mounting is provided. The assembly includes a lamp housing for receiving a lens and a shock isolating mount of a resilient material including a central body portion formed with a vertical opening for receiving a lamp socket and two opposed pairs of parallel arms symmetrical to the center line extending outwardly from the body in a plane. The arms are spaced apart a distance approximately the diameter of the lamp socket. Each pair of arms is joined to a perpendicular mounting bar of the same resilient material which cooperates with a pair of opposed mounting tracks extending into the lamp housing. The lamp socket is substantially tubular, open at the top and bottom end and formed with a pair of opposed barbs for engagement by a pair of opposed recesses formed in the inner wall of the mount body portion for retaining the socket therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Assignee: Abex Corporation
    Inventors: George J. Kulik, Michael C. Meslink, James P. Mulder
  • Patent number: 4173037
    Abstract: Luminaire lamp support device for vertical and angular adjustment of vertically-mounted lamp. The device includes a pair of spaced L-shaped plates secured at their bottom to the luminaire reflector in which the lamp is positioned and secured at their upwardly extending legs to an inverted U-shaped hinge bracket to which the lamp socket is secured. The hinge bracket is adjustably secured to the L-shaped plates for pivoting thereon about a horizontal axis. The socket is adjustably mounted on another U-shaped bracket secured to the hinge bracket for adjustment of the socket along a substantially vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1979
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alfred J. Henderson, Jr., Thomas A. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 4150422
    Abstract: An armored light projector is provided, having a linear light source arranged at the focal axis of a reflector unit capable of projecting a light beam of parallel rays having a substantially rectangular cross-section, the light source being mounted in a rear bottom recess of the reflector unit such as not to be directly visible from the front of the projector. The recess within which the light source is mounted is shielded by an armor assembly against direct impact of a projectile aimed at the front or at the sides of the projector. The projector has shock-absorbing suspension means capable of supporting the linear light source and affording means allowing its connection to a suitable external electric power supply. Means may be provided for protecting the rear and the top of the reflector unit against shocks and or blows, and means may be also provided for improving the cooling of the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1979
    Inventors: Enrique B. Peralta, Julio A. Benes
  • Patent number: 4128865
    Abstract: A sealed beam lamp shock suppressing retainer ring grommet for quadruplicating lamp life.The dual shocking suppression takes place as a result of the ductile rubberlike material and the cantilever load effect of the lamp on the free end of the grommet.Additional features include weatherproof lamp electrodes, retainer ring and lamp grommet combined as one unit, external ease of changing the sealed beam lamps and a long retainer ring life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1978
    Assignee: Betts Machine Company
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4118764
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a lens, a housing assembly including a bottom wall and a resilient mounting member fixed on the bottom wall. The resilient mounting member has a central portion spaced from said bottom wall and having a centrally located opening therein. A socket base is provided which has a centrally located projection that extends through the opening in the resilient mounting member. A grounding strap is fastened to the projection of the socket base and extends beneath the resilient mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1978
    Assignee: Dominion Auto Accessories Limited
    Inventors: Arthur F. Bleiweiss, Kenneth J. Crompton, Karel Urbanek
  • Patent number: 4112485
    Abstract: A lamp comprises one or more light sources encapsulated as by casting in an inner relatively soft impact absorbing transparent material, such as polymerized silicone rubber, and in an outer relatively hard impact resistant transparent material, such as acrylic or glass. The lamp which may be used alone, or in combination with other protective housing components for specialized purposes, such as runway or highway lighting, is impact resistant, pressure resistant, completely sealed, waterproof, electrically insulated, and explosion proof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1978
    Inventor: Aldo Sutter
  • Patent number: 4103323
    Abstract: A lamp comprising socket mounting assembly which includes a retainer engaging the interior of said hollow portion of said housing. The retainer has an opening therein and a shock absorbing mount member extends through the opening. The member is made of resilient material and has spaced annular flanges extending along opposite sides of the retainer. One of the flanges has circumferentially spaced integral protuberances extending axially and engaging one surface of the retainer for holding the opposite surface of the retainer against the opposite flange. The shock mounting member has an axially extending opening therein. A socket retainer has a planar surface engaging the end of the shock mounting member. The socket retainer has portions thereof crimped into engagement with the periphery of the shock mounting member. A socket member has an end with a reduced diameter extending through the opening in the socket retainer and the end is crimped outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: Dominion Auto Accessories Limited
    Inventor: Karel Urbanek
  • Patent number: 4092706
    Abstract: A portable fluorescent light utilizing a fluorescent tube mounted in an elongated transparent tubular plastic housing with protective end caps. A power cord with associated ballast is used to connect the unit to a power source. Sockets for the fluorescent lamp are mounted on special socket supports inserted in each end of the housing. The socket supports are each in the form of an elongated metal strip bent into a four-legged generally rectangular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Inventor: Gary W. Vest
  • Patent number: 4091442
    Abstract: A trailer light assembly for use on boat trailers, which assembly is capable of maintaining a light fixture component of the assembly at such a height that the light fixture is not brought into contact with the water when the trailer is being used to launch or retrieve a boat. Maintenance of the desirable height is achieved by having the light fixture move upward or away from the water in response to a flotation device which is attached to the light fixture. The trailer light assembly may also feature a double-acting pivot point which will allow the flotation device to survive lateral forces thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1978
    Inventor: John Webb Markey
  • Patent number: 4070566
    Abstract: A lamp assembly comprising a lens, a housing assembly including a base, and a resilient mounting member fixed on the base. The resilient mounting has a central portion spaced from said base and having a centrally located opening therein. The opening having at least a portion thereof extending away from the center. A socket base is provided which has a planar surface and a centrally located projection with at least one laterally extending portion spaced from said planar surface of the base such that said base is mounted on the resilient mounting member by inserting the projection through said opening and rotating the base relative to the shock mount to bring the laterally extending portion thereof beneath the central portion of the resilient mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1978
    Assignee: Dominion Auto Accessories Limited
    Inventors: Roel C. Buck, Peter E. Brudy