US3631477A

US3631477A - Pilot lampholder and dial assembly

Info

Publication number: US3631477A
Application number: US857082A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ryoya Matsushima
Original assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corp
Current assignee: Pioneer Corp
Priority date: 1969-09-11
Filing date: 1969-09-11
Publication date: 1971-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 1988-12-28

Abstract

A dial plate for a stereo amplifier carries one or more small diameter holes which receive an axially projecting lightconducting pin which extends from a light-transmitting bracket at the end of a cylindrical lampholder with the pin mechanically coupling the lampholder to the dial.

Description

United States Patent [7 2] Inventor Ryoya Matsushima 56] References Cited 21 A N ggs g g UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 P 2,804,607 8/1957 Nalle,Jr. 340/381 [22] Sept 1969 2 830 172 4/1958 5 340/381 [45] Patented Dec. 28, 1971 tetson [73] Assignee Pioneer Electric Corporation Primary Examiner-Richard Murray Tokyo, Japan Attorney-Sughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn & Macpeak [54] PILOT LAMPHOLDER AND DIAL ASSEMBLY ABSTRACT: A dial plate for a stereo amplifier carries one or 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs. more small diameter holes which receive an axially projecting light-conducting pin which extends from a light-transmitting U. [52] S 340/381 bracket at the end of a cylindrical lampholder with the pm [51] 608D 5/36 mechanical co fin the lam holder to the dial 501 340/381 y p g p la-g i E A L 5 i i AK I y c N l I I I I Patented Dec. 28, 1971 3,631,477

5 1 A W I 3 I l /5b 4 2 l4 9 3 E ([Sd [18a INVENTOR RYOYA MATSUSHIMA W, mw ww ATTORNEY 5'.

PILOT LAMPI-IOLDER AND DIAL ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to lampholders for pilot lamps providing an illuminated spot on a stereo amplifier dial or the like and more particularly to a simplified lampholder to facilitate this end.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is conventional to illuminate one or more localized areas of a stereo amplifier dial plate or provide lighted indicators indicating the mode of operation of the stereo amplifier, that is, whether the stereo is operating in phonograph mode, FM mode, AM mode, or the like. It is conventional to selectively illuminate a plurality of pilot lamps to provide a light on the dial or the like indicative of operation of a particular mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a stereo amplifier having a fixed dial plate or other planar surface on the amplifier casing, which planar surface carries a plurality of spaced, small diameter holes. A pilot lampholder of cylindrical form is provided with a light-transmitting end and has an axially protected pin or nose of a like diameter to the opening on the stereo amplifier planar member and projects therein. The projecting pin is illuminated to indicate the mode of operation and readily supports the lampholder, since it operates as a support bracket. Preferably, the lampholder comprises a cylindrical casing whose light-transmitting end constitutes a disclike bracket of colored plastic or the like, formed with an axially projecting pin or nose. Further, the cylindrical casing may carry a longitudinal slot parallel to its axis and an L-shaped auxiliary mounting bracket may be coupled to the rear of the planar member with one arm of the L-shaped auxiliary mounting bracket received within the longitudinal slot of the casing to assist the light-transmitting projecting pin in supporting the lampholder on the rear of the planar member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the improved pilot lampholder in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, in section, of the pilot lampholder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the disc-shaped bracketforming part of the lampholder of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a stereo amplifier employing the improved pilot lampholder of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the pilot lamp mounting plate of the amplifier of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the amplifier mounting plate with the improved pilot lampholder of the present invention coupled thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, a casing 1 is formed of opaque, heat-resisting synthetic resin and is cylindrical in form. Within the cylindrical casing 1, and specifically bore 3, a pilot lamp 2 is positioned while bore 3 is counterbored at 6 at the forward end and receives a cup-shaped bracket 5 with its inner end abutting shoulder or step 4 just in front of bore 3. The roots of

tenninals

7 and 7 are embedded in the rear wall of easing 1 and the rear wall is provided with holes and 10' through which extend lead wires 9 and 9', respectively, of pilot lamp 2. The

lead wires

9 and 9 are separated by a tapering separating wall 8 located between terminals 7 and 7'. Preferably, the lead wires 9 and 9' pierce the holes 10 and 10' such that the pilot lamp 2 is positioned within the casing prior to embedding the roots of terminals 7 and 7' into the rear end thereof. Thus, the head end of the lamp may be set perfectly with respect to the casing 1 before the lead wires 9 and 9' are soldered to respective terminals 7 and 7' as shown.

The cup-shaped bracket 5 isformed of synthetic resin of generally transparent material such that the space 5b is surrounded by an environmental wall 5a extending rearwardly and a pilot nose 50 or pin extends forwardly at the front thereof. A stereo amplifier 16 or the like is provided with an indicating window 17 such that an indicating plate 11 is visible from the front of the stereo amplifier. The cylindrical casing l is modified to form a holder portion 14 carrying a longitudinally extending mounting hole 13, the holder portion being integral with the cylindrical casing. The holder portion facilitates mounting of the casing 1 to the indicating plate 11. As viewed in FIG. 6, L-shaped mounting members or auxiliary brackets 12 project from the rear of indicating plate 11 with the rearwardly projecting arms of these auxiliary mounting brackets being received within the longitudinally extending opening 13 formed within the casing holder portion 14.

Thus, the pilot nose or pin 5c is inserted into the pilot holes 15 provided at spaced transverse locations within the indicating plate 11. Casing l is tightly coupled to the indicator plate 11 at two locations, one involving the mounting hole or opening 13 which receives the arm of the L-shaped mounting member or bracket 12, and the coupling existing between a given pilot hole 15 and the bracket nose or pin 5:. The brackets 5 may be transparent or variously colored or tinted appropriately with a combination of variously colored brackets being employed in accordance with indicating objects. Light emitted from the pilot lamp 2 is therefore visible at the end of the pilot nose or pin 5c. Hence, it is possible to obtain a desired color by merely changing the cup-shaped bracket 5 Referring to FIG. 4, only the tips of the pilot noses or pins 50 extending through the holes 18 are visible at the various locations identified in FIG. 4 as 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, and 18a, which may indicate, in colors, modes phono, FM, AM, SW,, and SW by red, green, blue, purple, and bitter orange, respectively, from left to right, insofar as indicating window 17 is concemed.

As described above, the present invention is characterized by forming integrally, three elements, that is, a socket, an auxiliary support or holder, and the opaque member used to mount the customary pilot light. Hence, it is possible to make the same as a miniature with ease in manufacturing and at low cost. Moreover, mounting of the pilot lampholder, maintenance and inspection, is achieved easily and it is readily possible to change the tone or color of the individual pilot lamp assembly by merely changing the bracket 5 with its lightconducting projecting pin 50. During mounting of the lampholder to the apertured planar support plate, there is no necessity to employ screws or the like to couple the holder to the plate. Further, a fixed condition is maintained since the casing is held onto the plate in two locations through the employment of the L-shaped auxiliary brackets 12 and the pilot nose of the light-conducting bracket 5.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved pilot lampholder adapted to be mounted on one side of a planar support in the form of an indicating plate having an opening therein which extends through said plate, said lampholder comprising a hollow casing supporting a pilot lamp, a cup-shaped bracket formed of light-transmitting material removably mounted within and closing one end of said casing, and a light-transmitting pin formed integrally with said bracket and projecting outwardly therefrom, said pin being adapted to be received within said opening in said planar support when said holder is mounted thereon, whereby illumination by said lamp may be readily indicated by the face of said projecting pin on the side of said indicating plate opposite to said one side on which said lampholder casing is adapted to be mounted.

2. The improved pilot lampholder of claim I wherein said casing includes a longitudinal slot projecting rearwardly from the forward end thereof, said slot being adapted to receive a rearwardly projecting member of an auxiliary mounting bracket on said planar support for coupling said lampholder and casing to said planar support along with said projecting pin.

3. An indicator assembly comprising:

a. an indicating plate having at least one small diameter opening extending therethrough and an L-shaped bracket with one leg secured to said plate and the other leg projecting from the rear thereof,

b. a pilot lampholder including an apertured portion adapted to receive said other leg of said L-shaped bracket to support said lampholder on the rear side of said indicating plate,

c. a pilot lamp carried by said pilot lampholder, and

d. a cup-shaped bracket made of transparent material removably mounted in the forward end of said pilot lampholder, said cup-shaped bracket having an outwardly projecting small diameter transparent pin portion adapted to extend into said small diameter opening in said indicating plate so as to be visible from the front side thereof.

4. The indicator assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein said pilot lampholder includes an inwardly tapered separating wall at the rear end thereof for guiding lead wires of the pilot lamp to terminals mountedon said holder.

5. The indicator assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein said pilot lampholder is cylindrical.

6. The indicator assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said apertured holder portion comprises a slot at the forward end of said pilot lampholder adapted to slidably receive said othe leg of said L-shaped bracket.

7. The indicator assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said pilot lampholder is integrally formed of opaque material, and said bracket and pin are integrally formed of plastic material.

* t t t

Claims

2. The improved pilot lampholder of claim 1 wherein said casing includes a longitudinal slot projecting rearwardly from the forward end thereof, said slot being adapted to receive a rearwardly projecting member of an auxiliary mounting bracket on said planar support for coupling said lampholder and casing to said planar support along with said projecting pin.

3. An indicator assembly comprising: a. an indicating plate having at least one small diameter opening extending therethrough and an L-shaped bracket with one leg secured to said plate and the other leg projecting from the rear thereof, b. a pilot lampholder including an apertured portion adapted to receive said other leg of said L-shaped bracket to support said lampholder on the rear side of said indicating plate, c. a pilot lamp carried by said pilot lampholder, and d. a cup-shaped bracket made of transparent material removably mounted in the forward end of said pilot lampholder, said cup-shaped bracket having an outwardly projecting small diameter transparent pin portion adapted to extend into said small diameter opening in said indicating plate so as to be visible from the front side thereof.

4. The indicator assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said pilot lampholder includes an inwardly tapered separating wall at the rear end thereof for guiding lead wires of the pilot lamp to terminals mounted on said holder.

5. The indicator assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said pilot lampholder is cylindrical.

6. The indicator assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said apertured holder portion comprises a slot at the forward end of said pilot lampholder adapted to slidably receive said other leg of said L-shaped bracket.