초록 ▼

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

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.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. 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 co

We claim: 1. 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. 2. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the at least two alignment features are bumps extending outward from the terminal surfaces of the blade. 3. The terminal of claim 2, wherein the bumps are partial spheres. 4. The terminal of claim 1, wherein at least two alignment features are located on the first terminal surface. 5. The terminal of claim 1, wherein at least two alignment features are located on the second terminal surface. 6. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the at least one prong comprises a first prong and a second prong. 7. The terminal of claim 6, wherein the first terminal surface is integral with the first prong and the second terminal surface is integral with the second prong. 8. The terminal of claim 1, wherein at least two alignment features are located on each of the first and second terminal surfaces. 9. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a cover plate. 10. The terminal of claim 9, further comprising a terminal lead end that is integral with the cover plate. 11. The terminal of claim 10, wherein the terminal lead end is substantially perpendicular to the blade and substantially parallel to the cover plate. 12. 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. 13. The terminal of claim 12, wherein the alignment features properly align the terminal in the bulb socket during insertion into the receiver slot. 14. The bulb socket assembly of claim 12, wherein the base of the terminal comprises a cover plate. 15. The bulb socket assembly of claim 14, wherein the cover plate is integral with a lead end of the terminal. 16. The bulb socket assembly of claim 15, wherein the terminal lead end is substantially perpendicular to the blade and substantially parallel to the cover plate. 17. The bulb socket assembly of claim 16, further comprising at least one wire connected to the lead end of the at least one terminal. 18. The bulb socket assembly of claim 17, further comprising a sealing material positioned in the terminal accepting body portion, the sealing material substantially covering the cover plate and the lead end with the wire connected thereto of the at least one terminal, wherein the sealing material seals the at least one wire to the terminal lead end and wherein the cover plate prevents the sealing material from entering into the bulb accepting portion. 19. The bulb socket assembly of claim 12, wherein at least two alignment features are located on the first terminal surface. 20. The bulb socket assembly of claim 12, wherein at least two alignment features are located on the second terminal surface. 21. The bulb socket assembly of claim 12, wherein at least two alignment features are located on each of the first and second terminal surfaces. 22. The bulb socket assembly of claim 12, wherein the alignment features are bumps. 23. The bulb socket assembly of claim 12, wherein the alignment features are partial spheres. 24. A method of assembling a socket assembly, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a. providing at least one terminal having (i) a lamp bulb connecting blade with at least one prong, (ii) 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, wherein at least one of the first or second terminal surfaces is integral with the at least one prong, (iii) a side wall that is integral with and connects the first terminal surface to the second terminal surface, the side wall, first terminal surface and second terminal surface all being perpendicular to the base, (iv) 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; b. providing a bulb socket with at least one receiver slot, wherein the receiver slot has a first wall and a second wall opposed from each other; and c. inserting the at least one terminal into the receiver slot so that each of the at least three alignment features contact either the first wall or second wall of the receiver slot. 25. The method of assembling a socket assembly of claim 24, wherein the base of the terminal comprises a cover plate. 26. The method of assembling a socket assembly of claim 25, further comprising the step of substantially covering the receiver slot with the cover plate. 27. The method of assembling a socket assembly of claim 26, further comprising the step of substantially covering the cover plate with a sealing material.