Light bulb retaining device for a vehicular lamp reflector unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10125939-B2
Application number	US-201515528240-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 20, 2015
Priority date	Nov 21, 2014
Publication date	Nov 13, 2018
Grant date	Nov 13, 2018

Abstract

A vehicular light bulb locking device includes a resilient retainer clip with a clamp portion for connecting to a lamp reflector unit, a substantially cylindrical portion, and a beveled lip formed at a free end of the clamp portion; and a bracket body for engaging a light bulb in the lamp reflector unit, the bracket body having a hinge pin pivotally received in the cylindrical portion of the retainer clip, and at least one click finger. The bracket body is pivotable between an open position enabling a light bulb to be replaced, and a locked position in which the at least one click finger engages the beveled lip, and a light bulb is firmly held with respect to the lamp reflector unit.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. Light bulb locking device for mounting on a lamp reflector unit having a mounting aperture for receiving a replaceable light bulb, the locking device includes:
a resilient retainer clip having a clamp portion for connecting to a lamp reflector unit, and a substantially cylindrical portion; and
a bracket body for engaging a light bulb received in the lamp reflector unit the bracket body having a hinge pin pivotally embraced by the substantially cylindrical portion of the retainer clip,
wherein the bracket body is pivotable between an open position enabling a light bulb to be replaced, when mounted to a lamp reflector unit, and a locked position in which a light bulb is firmly held with respect to a lamp reflector unit to which it is mounted,
wherein the clamp portion of the retainer clip has a beveled lip at a free end opposite the substantially cylindrical portion, and
wherein the bracket body has at least one click finger for engaging the beveled lip when in the locked position.

2. Light bulb locking device as in claim 1 , wherein the bracket body is provided with a handle.

3. Light bulb locking device as in claim 1 , wherein the substantially cylindrical portion of the resilient retainer clip has a lateral opening.

4. Light bulb locking device as in claim 3 , wherein the lateral opening is defined between the clamp portion and a beveled free end, to coextend axially of the substantially cylindrical portion.

5. Light bulb locking device as in claim 1 , wherein the bracket body has first and second lateral wall portions.

6. Light bulb locking device as in claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second lateral wall portions has a respective end stop portion extending therefrom in a perpendicular direction.

7. Light bulb locking device as in claim 1 , wherein the bracket body has first and second arcuate sections.

8. Light bulb locking device as in claim 7 , wherein a plurality of ribs extend radially outwardly from each of the first and second arcuate sections.

9. Light bulb locking device as in claim 1 , wherein the bracket body has a central platform from which the at least one click finger extends.

10. Light bulb locking device as in claim 9 , wherein a pair of click fingers extends from the central platform.

11. Light bulb locking device as in claim 9 , wherein a support protrusion extends from the central platform.

12. Lamp reflector unit provided with the light bulb locking device of claim 1 , and having a mounting aperture for receiving a replaceable light bulb.

13. Lamp reflector unit as in claim 12 , having a canopy extending about a top portion of the mounting aperture, and wherein the clamp portion of the resilient retaining clip is connected to the canopy.

14. Lamp reflector unit as in claim 12 , forming part of a bumper headlight of a truck.

Assignees

• Daf Trucks Nv

Inventors

• Asghari Kurosch Hossein
• Leijssen Henricus Johannes

Classifications

• F21S41/19

  Attachment of light sources or lamp holders (achieving variable light distribution by movable light sources F21S41/657) · CPC title

• F21S43/37

  Attachment thereof · CPC title

• B60Q1/0064

  with provision for maintenance, e.g. changing the light bulb (swivel arrangements  B60Q1/0425) · CPC title

• B60Q1/0408

  built into the vehicle body, e.g. details concerning the mounting of the headlamps on the vehicle body (B60Q1/0491, B60Q1/05 take precedence, integrated front ends B62D25/00) · CPC title

• F21V19/04

  with provision for changing light source, e.g. turret {(auxiliary devices for cleaning, placing, or removing incandescent lamps H01K3/32, fluorescent lamps H01J9/006)} · CPC title