Traffic signal lamp assembly and method of replacing same

Abstract

A method and apparatus for installing an LED lamp module into a light such as a traffic signal light. The LED lamp module includes a plurality of LEDs for producing light. The traffic signal light includes a housing, a door assembly removably or movably attached to the housing and having an aperture for passing the light, and a securing bracket having a first end secured to the door assembly and a second end secured to the LED lamp module, for maintaining an alignment between the door assembly and the LED lamp module.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side cross-sectional view of a conventional traffic signal lamp.

FIG. 1B is a back view of a front door from a conventional traffic signal lamp.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a conventional traffic signal lamp containing a conventional LED lamp module.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a traffic signal lamp assembly with a secured LED lamp module, with the front door open.

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the traffic signal lamp assembly with the secured LED lamp module, with the front door closed.

FIG. 5A is a back view of the LED lamp module secured by the securing bracket utilizing a solid conical shaped member.

FIG. 5B is a back view of the LED lamp module secured by the securing bracket utilizing a plurality of support arms.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a first alternate embodiment of the traffic signal lamp assembly with the secured LED lamp module.

FIG. 7 is a back view of the first alternate embodiment of the LED lamp module secured by the securing bracket.

FIG. 8A is a side cross-sectional view of a second alternate embodiment of the traffic signal lamp assembly with the secured LED lamp module.

FIG. 8B is a side cross-sectional view of a third alternate embodiment of the traffic signal lamp assembly with the secured LED lamp module.

FIG. 8C is a side cross-sectional view of a fourth alternate embodiment of the traffic signal lamp assembly with the secured LED lamp module.

FIG. 8D is a side cross-sectional view of a fifth alternate embodiment of the traffic signal lamp assembly with the secured LED lamp module.

FIG. 8E is a rear view of the fifth alternate embodiment of the traffic signal lamp assembly with the secured LED lamp module.

FIG. 8F is a side cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 8E, of the fifth alternate embodiment of the traffic signal lamp assembly with the secured LED lamp module.

FIG. 8G is a side cross-sectional view of a sixth alternate embodiment of the traffic signal lamp assembly with the secured LED lamp module.

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of a seventh alternate embodiment of the traffic signal lamp assembly with the secured LED lamp module.

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of an eighth alternate embodiment of the traffic signal lamp assembly with the secured LED lamp module.

Claims

1. A lamp assembly, comprising a housing;an LED lamp module disposed in the housing and including a plurality of LEDs for producing light;a door assembly removably or movably attached to the housing and having an aperture for passing the light; anda securing bracket having a first end secured to the door assembly and a second end secured to the LED lamp module for maintaining an alignment between the door assembly and the LED lamp module.

2. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the LED lamp module is secured to the securing bracket second end in a removable manner.

3. The lamp assembly of claim 2, wherein the securing bracket is configured to: engage with the LED lamp module as the door assembly is positioned in a closed position relative to the housing, anddisengage with the LED lamp module as the door assembly is positioned in an opened position relative to the housing.

4. The lamp assembly of claim 2, further comprising: one or more retaining members that removably secure the LED lamp module to the securing bracket second end.

5. The lamp assembly of claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of tabs extending from the LED lamp module; anda plurality of slot members extending from the securing bracket for receiving the plurality of tabs by rotation thereof to removably secure the LED lamp module to the securing bracket.

6. The lamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a seal member engaged between the LED lamp module and the securing bracket second end.

7. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein: the securing bracket second end engages with a side surface of the LED lamp module.

8. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein: the securing bracket second end engages with a flange extending from a side surface of the LED lamp module.

9. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the securing bracket second end is ring shaped and removably engages with an annular side surface of the LED lamp module.

10. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the securing bracket second end is ring shaped and removably engages with a flange extending from an annular side surface of the LED lamp module.

11. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein a plurality of support arms extend between the first and second ends of the securing bracket.

12. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein a cone shaped member extends between the first and second ends of the securing bracket.

13. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the door assembly further comprises at least one lens disposed in the aperture.

14. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the LED lamp module includes a electrical connector, and wherein the lamp assembly further comprises: a socket electrical connector disposed in the housing and engageable with the electrical connector of the LED lamp module.

15. The lamp assembly of claim 14, wherein the LED lamp module electrical connector is a threaded electrical connector, and the socket electrical connector is a threaded socket electrical connector.

16. The lamp assembly of claim 14, wherein the socket electrical connector is rigidly mounted within the housing.

17. The lamp assembly of claim 16, further comprising: a reflector disposed around the socket electrical connector.

18. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the LED lamp module further comprises: a lens disposed over the LEDs.

19. The lamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a power supply for supplying power to the LEDs.

20. The lamp assembly of claim 17, wherein the power supply is disposed inside the LED lamp module.

21. The lamp assembly of claim 17, wherein the power supply is disposed on the securing bracket.

22. The lamp assembly of claim 21, further comprising: wires connecting the power supply to the LED module; anda quick disconnect electrical connector disposed along or at one end of the wires.

23. The lamp assembly of claim 17, further comprising: a power supply housing that removably attaches to the LED lamp module, wherein the power supply is disposed in the power supply housing.

24. The lamp assembly of claim 23, further comprising: a plurality of tabs extending from the power supply housing; anda plurality of slot members extending from the LED lamp module for receiving the plurality of tabs by rotation thereof to removably secure the power supply housing to the LED lamp module.

25. The lamp assembly of claim 23, further comprising: a seal member engaged between the power supply housing and the LED lamp module.

26. A method of retrofitting a traffic signal lamp with an LED lamp, where the traffic signal lamp has a housing, a door assembly attached to the housing, a lens attached to the door assembly, a reflector in the housing, a threaded electrical socket connector in the housing, and a threaded light source connected into the socket connector, the method comprising: removing the threaded light source from the threaded socket connector;connecting a threaded LED lamp module into the threaded socket connector, wherein the LED lamp module includes a plurality of LEDs;securing a first end of a securing bracket to the door assembly and securing a second end of the securing bracket to the LED lamp module for maintaining an alignment between the door assembly and the LED lamp module.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the securing of the securing bracket second end to the LED lamp module is performed in a removable manner.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the securing of the securing bracket second end to the LED lamp module includes: engaging the securing bracket second end to the LED lamp module by positioning the door assembly in a closed position relative to the housing.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising: disengaging the securing bracket second end to the LED lamp module by positioning the door assembly in an opened position relative to the housing.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the securing of the securing bracket second end to the LED lamp module includes engaging the securing bracket second end with a side surface of the LED lamp module.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein the securing of the securing bracket second end to the LED lamp module includes engaging the securing bracket second end with a flange extending from a side surface of the LED lamp module.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the securing of the securing bracket second end to the LED lamp module includes engaging a plurality of tabs of the LED lamp module with a plurality of slot members of the securing bracket second end by relative rotation thereof.

33. A method of retrofitting a traffic signal lamp with an LED lamp, where the traffic signal lamp has a housing, a door assembly attached to the housing, a lens attached to the door assembly, an electrical connector in the housing, and a light source connected to the electrical connector, the method comprising: disconnecting the light source from the electrical connector;connecting an LED lamp module to the electrical connector, wherein the LED lamp module includes a plurality of LEDs;securing a first end of a securing bracket to the door assembly and securing a second end of the securing bracket to the LED lamp module for maintaining an alignment between the door assembly and the LED lamp module.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the securing of the securing bracket second end to the LED lamp module is performed in a removable manner.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the securing of the securing bracket second end to the LED lamp module includes: engaging the securing bracket second end to the LED lamp module by positioning the door assembly in a closed position relative to the housing.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising: disengaging the securing bracket second end to the LED lamp module by positioning the door assembly in an opened position relative to the housing.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the securing of the securing bracket second end to the LED lamp module includes: affixing the securing bracket second end to the LED lamp module using one or more retaining members.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the securing of the securing bracket second end to the LED lamp module includes engaging a plurality of tabs of the LED lamp module with a plurality of slot members of the securing bracket second end by relative rotation thereof.