Removable lamp device

A removable lamp device for use on a vehicle such as a boat trailer. The device includes a base mountable on the vehicle and having a first planar surface having three first substantially planar resilient slide contacts thereon each connected to one conductor from the vehicle lamp circuit. A lamp holder has a lamp mounting assembly thereon and a second planar surface on which three second substantially planar resilient slides contacts are mounted for sliding engagement with the first slide contacts and which are connected to the lamp wires from the lamp assembly. The base and the holder are releasably connected to each other upon engagement of the first and second sliding contacts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a removable lamp device for use on a 
vehicle. 
Removable lamp devices are known in the prior art for use on vehicles such 
as boat trailers so that a lamp can be removed before getting wet when the 
boat is being put into the water. These devices have the disadvantage of 
not providing a simple construction for effecting both the engagement of 
the contacts and the mounting and dismounting of lamp holder to the 
vehicle. 
Among the known prior art devices that have this above disadvantage are 
those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,785,292; 3,046,388; 3,089,951; 
3,106,349; 3,788,502; 3,863,999; 3,885,146; and 3,900,725. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is the principle object of this invention to provide a removable lamp 
device that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. 
These and other objects are achieved by the preferred embodiment in which a 
plurality of resilient and rectangular slide contacts are mounted to 
surfaces of a pair of block defining a base and lamp holder. Each contact 
on the base is connected at one end to its proper circuit wire and is 
parallel to and aligned with an adjacent contact. The contacts are 
parallel and spaced apart from the base surface with access between the 
contact and the block from the top. Each contact of the lamp holder is 
associated with one contact of the base and is similarly mounted with 
access from the bottom. 
When sliding the blocks together, the contacts are slid into engagement to 
complete the electrical circuitry. 
Clamping members are affixed to each block to retain the proper engagement. 
Having in mind the above and other objects that will be obvious from an 
understanding of the disclosure, the present invention comprises a 
combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the presently 
preferred emoboiments of the invention which are hereinafter set forth in 
sufficient detail to enable those persons skilled in the art to clearly 
understand the function, operation, construction and advantages of it when 
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring in detail to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawing and in accordance with the 
principles of the invention, a removable lamp device for use on a vehicle 
having a lamp circuit such as a boat trailer or the like is shown. The 
device comprises a base 10 having a substantially rectangular cross 
section and a first planar surface 12. The base 10 is mountable to a 
vehicle by means of a bracket 14 affixed to a second surface 16 opposie 
the first planar surface. Mounting holes 18 in the bracket 14 receive 
mounting screws, now shown, for attachment to the vehicle. 
A plurality of first resilient slide contacts 20, each substantially planar 
and rectangular are each identically mounted parallel to and spaced apart 
from, the first planar surface 12. Each contact 20 is connected to the 
base 10 by a post 22 affixed at one end to one end 23 of the contact 20 
and passing through the base 10 and connected to one or more vehicle lamp 
circuit cinductors 24. A spacing member 26 maintains each contact 20 apart 
from the planar surface 12. 
A lamp holder 30 having a first surface 31 for mounting a plurality of lamp 
assemblies 33 and a planar surface 32 has a plurality of second resilient 
slide contacts 34, each substantially planar and rectangularly connected 
thereto. These contacts 34 are affixed at one end 36 to posts 38 with 
spacing member 41 to maintain the contact 34 parallel and spaced apart 
from passing through the holder and for connecting the lamp wires 40. The 
lamp contacts 34 are arced outwardly from the surface 32 and the other end 
39. 
A lamp holder 30 having a rectangular cross section and a first surface 31 
and a second planar surface 32 further includes a plurality of second 
resilient slide contacts 34, each substantially planar and rectangularly 
mounted parallel and spaced apart therefrom. These contacts 34 are each 
affixed at one end 36 to a post 38 including spacing member 41, the post 
38 passing through the holder 30 and conntected to the lamp wires 40. The 
lamp contacts 34 are also arced outwardly from the second planar surface 
32 at their other end 39. The lamp assembly 33 includes a plurality of 
lamp sockets 42 and lamps 44 each associated with one contact 34 and a 
protective cover 46. 
Means for releasably connecting the base 10 to the lamp holder 30 upon the 
engagement of the first slide contact 20 with an associated second slide 
contact 34. These means include a first L-shaped member 48 connected to 
the bottom portion 50 of the base 10 with the leg 52 of the L-shaped 
member 54 connected to the top portion 56 of the lamp holder 30 with the 
leg 58 of the L-shaped member 54 extending downwardly. The device is 
clamped together by having the leg 52, 58 of each L-shaped member engaging 
with the surfaces 31, 16 opposite the planar surfaces 32, 12 and holding 
the planar surfaces 32, 12 aligned and in contact. In this position, the 
first contacts 20 have slid into contact with an associated second contact 
34 to complete a circuit from the circuit conductors 24 to the lamps 44. 
To facilitate this engagement, a first indented surface 60 is provided in 
the base 10 aligned with the contacts 20 and a second indented surface 62 
is similarly provided in the lamp holder 30. 
While preferred and other exemplary embodiments of the invention are 
illustrated and/or described, it will be understood that the invention is 
in no way limited to these embodiments.