The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 18, 1997
Filed:
Oct. 30, 1996
Bruce Shanks, Gaithersburg, MD (US);
Fusion Lighting, Inc., Rockville, MD (US);
Abstract
An inexpensive and reliable method and apparatus for selectively coupling the bulb stem of an electrodeless lamp to a rotatable drive shaft does not require side access to a set screw or an RF sealing arrangement. The coupler accommodates angular and eccentric misalignment of threadedly engageable members at relatively low manufacturing costs. A cylindrical coupler connected to the bulb stem is provided with a cylindrical cross-hole extending diametrically through and exposing the proximal end of the bulb stem in the longitudinal bore. A seating lock nut of generally rectangular configuration, and having a pair of opposite compressible turned out comers or 'wings', is insertable through the cross-hole and is loosely retained at the intersection of the bore and cross-hole. The seating lock nut is sized, relative to the cross-hole and longitudinal bore, such that, upon being released within the cross-hole, the lock nut is loosely retained. The distal tip of the drive shaft is pointed to facilitate its entry into threaded aperture formed by bendable tongue members of the loosely retained seating lock nut. Rearwardly of its pointed end, the drive shaft is threaded to engage the nut threaded aperture. The resilient metal seating lock nut tends to deform at its bent tongues when the shaft threaded segment 'bottoms out' during insertion. This deformation provides a locking function, causing the motor shaft to pull on the tongues of the lock nut, resulting in the elimination of any clearance between the two threaded members and thus creating a compressive pre-stress on the overall joint.