US3361900A - Adapter for low voltage lamps - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 2, 1968 H. L. BERG E AL ,90

ADAPTER FOR LOW VOLTAGE LAMPS Filed Aug. 11, 1965 x v /3 /0 P 9 //\/I//VTORS haro/o Lfiery, And

C/ayzon 5. Lyons" 3,351,888 Patented Jan. 2, 1968 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An adapter for the use of low voltage sealed beam electric lamps with standard high voltage sockets, which positions a transformer between the lamp and socket.

This invention relates to adapters to make possible the use of low cost standard, low voltage, high intensity and highly efiicient electric lamps conventionally used as automobile headlights and signal lamps where a low voltage power source is not available.

Modern home owners and business managers frequently desire a high intensity of light for decorative purposes, to illuminate buildings and signs, for protection from criminals, and for the enjoyment of their properties after dark. Photographers need high intensity lighting in spite of improvements in lenses and films.

Many specialized lights are available for particular purposes, but such lights are always expensive to purchase, often are relatively fragile, and frequently are relatively short-lived. Conventional 110 volt spot or flood lamps consume 150 watts and produce a light intensity comparable to automobile type lamps which consume substantially less watts.

This invention provides a low cost adapter which makes it possible to utilize a standard 110 volt light socket to provide the current to operate a standard six or twelve volt automobile type lamp.

The chief object of this invention is to provide a low cost source of high intensity illumination, utilizing readily available power sources and lamps.

Another object is to provide an adapter which will permit the use of standard 110 volt light sockets in the utilization of automobile type lamps.

A still further object is to provide a source of high intensity illumination which has a long operating life, can Withstand mechanical shocks and exposure to rain, snow and great extremes of ambient temperatures.

Another object is to enable consumers to substantially reduce the cost of power necessary to produce a desired level of illumination.

Other objects will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from a study of the following description and the drawing which represents a cross section view of the preferred embodiment.

In the drawing which is a cross-section through the axis of the device, the numeral 1 represents generally an adapter shell which is provided with a standard male connector 2 adapted for insertion into a standard 110 volt lamp socket.

Adapter 1 has an enlarged portion 3 which encloses a transformer 4. Leads 5, 6 join connector 2 to the primary of transformer 4. Leads 7, 8 connect the secondary of transformer 4 to deliver 6 or 12 volt current to the filament terminals 9, 10 of a standard automobile headlamp 11.

Such lamps conventionally comprise a filament 12 and a reflector 13 enclosed in a sturdy, sealed glass bulb 14.

Adapter 1 is of a generally conical shape which permits lamp 11 to be inserted into the large open end and moved down until it encounters a portion of the cone which is the same size as the outside diameter of lamp 11.

A rubber ring 15 is next pressed down over three or more depressed bosses 16 to resiliently fill the space between the bosses and the lamp, and to lock the lamp in position.

Adapter 1 is preferably made of sheet aluminum or other material which has insufiicient strength to injure lamp 11 by unequal thermal expansion of adapter and lamp.

At an upper portion of adapter 1 are another series of depressed bosses 17 which are provided for the mounting of colored lenses or sheets as may be desired under certain circumstances. Bosses 16 and 17 are preferably formed by piercing inwardly the side walls of adapter 1, which operation provides drain holes 18 to permit the escape of rain water or melted snow which may collect above rubber ring 15'. j

The rubber ring 15' effectively prevents the flow of rain water or melted snow from above lamp 11 into the enclosure portion 3 and transformer 4.

Transformer 4 is designed for the particular ratio of input to output voltages which is appropriate. The particular form of the transformer or the means for attaching it to adapter 1 are not essential elements of this invention. In areas providing a 220 volt power source instead of volt, appropriate transformers can easily be substituted, by one skilled in the art.

Many automobile headlight lamps are provided with two filaments for high and low beam adjustment. Such headlight lamps may be used Within the purview of this invention alternately by providing a selecteor switch mounted on the adapter 1 at the enlarged portion 3 adjacent the transformer 4, or by simply connecting the transformer secondary leads 7, 8 to either pair of the filament terminals and leaving the other pair unused.

Although we have described a preferred embodiment of our invention, We do not intend to be limited except within the purview of the following claim.

We claim as our invention:

1. In an electric lamp adapter a conical shell having at its small end a male 110 volt electric connector, a standard low voltage automobile headlamp fitted into the large end of said conical shell, a transformer inside said shell between said connector and said headlamp, means for electrically connecting said connector, said transformer and said headlamp, a resilient ring surrounding said headlamp and pressing the outer periphery of said headlamp against the inner wall of said shell, projections pierced from said shell retaining said resilient ring in position, and means axially spaced from said projections for mounting within said conical shell a lamp having a different outside diameter.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,469,187 9/1923 Kuen 240-41.5 1,781,865 11/1930 Aniol 240-41.5 2,894,693 7/1959 Howarth 240.41 3,201,581 8/1965 Hirsch 24051.5 3,270,192 8/ 1966 Watson 2403.1

FOREIGN PATENTS 210,162 8/1955 Australia. 741,243 11/ 1943 Austria.

NORTON ANSI-1BR, Primary Examiner.

W. M. FRYE, Assistant Examiner.

Images