Base for cartridge lamp

A mounting base for cartridge style electrical lamps includes a base member and a lead housing. The base member positions the mounting base with respect to the source of electrical power and the lead housing positions the cartridge lamp leads for engagement with a source of electrical power.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention pertains to cartridge style lamps, more particularly this 
invention pertains to a mounting base usable with a cartridge style lamp. 
Presently, cartridge lamps are held in place by compression spring clips. 
These compression spring clips either do not hold the lamps securely or 
crush the lead wires. Cartridge style lamps having two filaments are 
presently welded into their sockets because there are no satisfactory 
sockets available. 
There is therefore a need in the art to provide a cartridge lamp system 
whereby cartridge lamps may be easily and quickly mounted with respect to 
a source of electrical power. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
There is provided by the cartridge lamp mounting system of the present 
invention an easy and quick way for a cartridge lamp to be mechanically 
engaged with a source of electrical power. 
The cartridge lamp mounting system includes a base member which 
mechanically and frictionally engages the source of electrical power 
provided for the cartridge lamp. Formed integrally with or attached to the 
base member is a lead housing. The lead housing engages and positions the 
leads coming from the cartridge lamp. The cartridge lamp mounting system 
of the present invention may be used with either single or multi-filament 
cartridge style lamps.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
It may be seen by reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 which depict the cartridge 
lamp mounting system 10 of the present invention that the mounting base 
has two portions. The first portion, the base member 12, provides 
mechanical and frictional engagement with a circuit board or a similar 
source of electrical power. Base member 12 is shaped for interfitment in 
notches, holes, openings, key ways 102 or whatever positioning and holding 
system is used for interconnection with the cartridge lamp 200. Shown in 
the preferred embodiment is protrusion 14 emanating from the top 22 of 
base member 12. As may be seen in FIG. 1 protrusion 14 engages opening or 
slot 102 in circuit board 100. 
Formed integrally with or attached to base member 12 is lead housing 20. 
Contained within lead housing 20 are openings 30 and 32 through which the 
leads 202 and 204 to the filament(s) 206 in the electrical cartridge lamp 
200 are placed. Leads 202 and 204 may be folded back on lead housing 20 to 
secure lamp mounting system 10 to cartridge lamp 200. This provides a 
mechanical and frictional engagement. 
The mounting base 12 of the present invention may be used on single or 
multi-filament lamps. For single filament lamps or the common end of a two 
filament lamp the base is retained on the lamp by center protrusion 22. 
For two filament lamps the base is retained on the lamp by projections 24 
and 26. Center protrusion 22 acts as a separator for the outer lead wires 
202 and 204. Surface 28 rests on lead wires 202 and 204 and prevents them 
from bending. 
According to the present invention an electrical cartridge lamp 200 may be 
quickly and easily positioned with respect to a source of electrical power 
by use of the mechanical and frictional engagement of base member 12 with 
a power source such as circuit board. Specifically, a housing 20 for 
electrical leads is affixed formed integrally with a base member 12. 
Electrical leads 202 and 204 from a cartridge style lamp 200 are then 
inserted through the lead housing 20. To retain the mounting base 10 in 
place on the lamp 200, the leads 202 and 204 are bent so as to 
mechanically engage the lead housing 20. The cartridge lamp 200 with 
mounting system 10 affixed to its ends is then placed in position for 
mechanical and frictional engagement with a source of electrical power. 
Other embodiments of the present invention will be understood by those of 
ordinary skill in the art. Such other embodiments may have a variety of 
shapes. Such other shapes will not depart from the scope of the present 
invention. Additionally, a plurality of holes may be provided in lead 
housing 20 when it is desired to mount multi-filament lamps. Such other 
embodiments shall be included within the scope of the appended claims.