US 7,063,575 B2Granted

Terminal alignment features for bulb sockets

AssigneeGuide Corporation

InventorsChristopher R. Powers, Paul D. Van Duyn, Ismael Garcia, David R. McMahan, Carey D. Marks

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

The subject invention relates to terminals that are utilized in bulb sockets for automotive lamp assemblies. The embodiments of the bulb sockets disclosed provide for superior alignment and stabilization of the bulb in the bulb socket so that proper contact is made between the terminals and the bulb without damaging the bulb or the terminals during insertion. The terminal may comprise, among other things, at least one alignment feature, which may include partial spheres, that allows for easy insertion into the bulb socket and substantially ensures proper alignment and positioning within the bulb socket so that a proper connection can be maintained with the bulb and terminal Sealing material may be used to cover wire attachment portions of the terminals and plate portions of the terminals may be used to prevent the sealing material from entering a bulb accepting portion of the socket.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A terminal for insertion into a receiver slot of a bulb socket assembly,

wherein the terminal comprises:
a. a lamp bulb connecting blade with at least one prong;
b. a first terminal surface of the blade and a second terminal surface of the blade that are opposed from each other and connected to and integral with a base that is perpendicular to the first and second terminal surfaces, wherein at least one of the first or second terminal surfaces is integral with the at least one prong;
c. a side wall that is integral with and connects the first terminal surface to the second terminal surface, the side wall being perpendicular to the base;
and
d. at least three alignment features located on and extending outward from the first and second terminal surfaces, so that each of the first and second terminal surfaces has at least one alignment feature extending therefrom, with each of the alignment features being positioned on a portion of the first and second terminal surfaces that is in close proximity to the side wall and with each of the alignment features being positioned relative to one another on the first and second terminal surfaces to stabilize the at least one terminal once inserted into the receiver slot.

3 more elements

A bulb socket assembly comprising:

a. a bulb accepting body portion with at least one receiver slot that has a first wall and a second wall opposed from each other;
b. a terminal accepting body portion connected to the bulb connecting body portion;
and
c. at least one terminal positioned in the bulb socket, the at least one terminal having
(i) a blade with at least one prong extending into the bulb accepting body portion through the at least one receiver slot, the blade having a first terminal surface positioned and located next to the first wall of the receiver slot,
(ii) a second terminal surface opposed to the first terminal surface and that is positioned and located next to the second wall of the at least one receiver slot,
(iii) a side wall that is integral with and connects the first terminal surface to the second terminal surface,
(iv) a base connected to and integral with the first and second terminal surfaces, the base being perpendicular to the terminal surfaces and side wall, and
(v) at least three alignment features positioned on and extending outward from the first and second terminal surfaces, so that each of the first and second terminal surfaces has at least one alignment feature extending therefrom, with each of the alignment features being positioned on a portion of the first and second terminal surfaces that is in close proximity to the side wall and with each of the alignment features being positioned relative to one another on the first and second terminal surfaces to stabilize the at least one terminal in the at least one receiver slot and so that each of the alignment features make contact with one of the first or second walls of the at least one receiver slot.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/725,213Filed 1 Dec 2003 · continuation in part
Priority: 4 Oct 2001
Published: US 2004/0132336 A18 Jul 2004
Granted: 20 Jun 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

H01R 13/113
Resilient sockets: co-operating with pins or blades having a rectangular transverse section
H01R 13/5216
Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases: characterised by the sealing material, e.g. gels or resins
H01R 33/09
With two current-carrying pins, blades or analogous contacts, having their axes parallel to each other: for baseless lamp bulb
Y10S 439/936
Special insulation: potting material or coating, e.g. grease, insulative coating, sealant or, adhesive

Family

Application60/326,936Us provisional application · filed 4 Oct 2001
Application10/264,221Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 3 Oct 2002
US 2004/0132336 A1Pre-grant publication · published 8 Jul 2004
US 2003/0068929 A1Published application
US 7,014,510 B2Related patent
US 7,063,575 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.