# US 5,702,254 A · Combination receptacle for interchangeable lamps in circuit boards > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,702,254 A - Document ID: US5702254A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/783,839 - Filed: 1997-01-13 - Granted: 1997-12-30 - Earliest claimed: 1997-01-13 - Assignees: Delco Electronics Corporation - Inventors: Duane Eugene Whitson; Michael Joseph O'Connor; Curtis Allen Stapert - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5702254A ## CPC - H05K 1/116: {Lands, clearance holes or other lay-out details concerning the surrounding of a via} - H01R 33/465: {secured to structure or printed circuit board} - H05K 1/0293: {Individual printed conductors which are adapted for modification, e.g. fusable or breakable conductors, printed switches} - H05K 1/0295: {adapted for choosing between different types or different locations of mounted components} - H05K 2201/09063: Holes or slots in insulating substrate not used for electrical connections - H05K 2201/0909: Preformed cutting or breaking line - H05K 2201/09127: PCB or component having an integral separable or breakable part - H05K 2201/09954: More mounting possibilities, e.g. on same place of PCB, or by using different sets of edge pads - H05K 2201/10113: Lamp - H05K 2203/175: Configurations of connections suitable for easy deletion, e.g. modifiable circuits or temporary conductors for electroplating; Processes for deleting connections - H05K 2203/176: Removing, replacing or disconnecting component; Easily removable component - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A circuit board has a socket opening for a twist-in lamp bordered by a pair of arcuate conductors. The circuit board is configured to define a socket for a bi-pin lamp located concentrically within the opening and supported by bridges across the opening. The bridges carry conductors for the bi-pin lamp. The bridges are frangible to allow the socket for the bi-pin lamp to be removed. When a bi-pin lamp fails in service it is removed along with its socket and a twist-in lamp is installed in the remaining socket. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A combination lamp receptacle which permits initial installation of a first type of lamp and replacement by another type of lamp in a circuit board comprising: a first receptacle concentrically positioned within a second receptacle so that the first receptacle interferes with the second receptacle until the first receptacle is removed; the first receptacle being supported within the second receptacle by circuit board bridge means, the bridge means being subject to breaking for removal of the first receptacle; each receptacle having conductive contacts coupled to conductors on the circuit board. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein: the first receptacle comprises means for receiving a bi-pin lamp; and the second receptacle comprises means for receiving a twist-in lamp. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the first receptacle contains a pair of holes associated with the conductive contacts for receiving terminals of a bi-pin lamp. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The invention as defined in claim 1 including circuit paths extending across the bridge means for supplying power to the conductive contacts of first lamp receptacle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein: the second receptacle comprises an opening defined by arcuate edges to receive a base of a twist-in lamp and by two opposed keyways for receiving ears of the twist-in lamp; and the conductive contacts of the second receptacle comprises arcuate conductors bordering the arcuate edges for engaging contact pads on the twist-in lamp. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein: the second receptacle comprises an opening for receiving a twist-in lamp; the conductive contacts of the second receptacle comprises arcuate conductors bordering the opening; and the bridge means is aligned with the arcuate conductors, and the conductive contacts of the first receptacle are connected to the arcuate conductors by circuit paths over the bridge means. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein: the second receptacle comprises an opening defined by arcuate edges to receive a base of a twist-in lamp and by two opposed keyways for receiving ears of the twist-in lamp; the conductive contacts of the second receptacle comprises arcuate conductors bordering the arcuate edges for engaging contact pads on the twist-in lamp; and the bridge means connects to the arcuate edges at sites adjacent the keyways, and the conductive contacts of the first receptacle are connected to the arcuate conductors by circuit paths over the bridge means. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein: the second receptacle comprises an opening defined by arcuate edges to receive a base of a twist-in lamp and by two opposed keyways for receiving ears of the twist-in lamp; the conductive contacts of the second receptacle comprises arcuate conductors bordering the arcuate edges for engaging contact pads on the twist-in lamp; and the bridge means connects to the circuit board at the keyways and between the arcuate edges, and the conductive contacts of the first receptacle are connected to the arcuate conductors by circuit paths over the bridge means .