Patent ID: 6078439
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: G02B,G09F

Abstract:
Optics unit for signaling, traffic and display equipment, preferably for mounting in matrix plates of signaling, display and traffic equipment, in particular, alternating traffic signs, consisting at least of a housing (1) of yielding material, preferably a tough plastic and the lens element (2) of solid material, wherein first the tubular housing (1) is pressed into a specially shaped hole (3) of the matrix plate (4) manufactured of solid material and then the lens element (2) is pressed into the housing (1), characterized in that, on the outside, the housing (1) has a cylindrical periphery (5) adapted to the hole geometry in the area of the matrix plate (4) with preferably adjacent insertion slope (5a) and a collar (6) serving as a contact surface and, internally, preferably at least one cylindrical area (7) in the area of the collar (6) and the adjacent periphery (5) as well as a stop surface (8) for the lens element (2), in that the lens element (2) features at least one cylindrical area (9) with adjacent insertion slope (9a) and a stop surface (10) in a geometry harmonizing with surfaces (7) and (8) of the housing (1), as well as in that the hole (3) has a recess (11) preferably produced by stamping with an edge (12) narrowing the hole cross section, in that, furthermore, the collar (6) lies against the stamping (11) upon installation of the housing (1) in the hole (3) and in the process the edge (12) preferably also constricts the collar (6) and the periphery (5) and in that, in the subsequent pressing of the lens element (2) into the housing (1), the surface (10) comes to rest against the surface (8), wherein, by an appropriate press-fit between the peripheral surfaces (7+9), the edge (12) of the hole (3) presses into the housing periphery (5), preferably by plastic deformation of the housing material, and thereby holds the optics unit in a form fit in the hole (3), positions it and seals it.