Coupling Part Comprising Lamp Or Electron Tube Socket Patents (Class 439/356)
  • Patent number: 11274798
    Abstract: A light bulb apparatus has a plurality of LED modules, a substrate, a driver circuit board, a plastic piece, a radiator and a lamp cap. The substrate has aluminum material for mounting the plurality of LED modules, a first connection end and a second connection end. The first connection end and the second connection end are electrically connected to the plurality of LED modules. The plastic piece with a guiding groove is used for inserting the driver circuit board. The radiator has a top plate and a side wall. The substrate is fixed on the top plate, and the side wall are connected to the plastic piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: XIAMEN ECO LIGHTING CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Qiyuan Wang, Yunnan Lin, Liping Lin
  • Patent number: 8831503
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a sheet path, an creasing member positioned on a first side of the sheet path, and a base positioned on a second side of the sheet path opposite the creasing member. The base is positioned relative to the creasing member so that a sheet of print media passes along a processing plane between the creasing member and the base when traveling in a processing direction along the media path. The processing plane is parallel to flat sides of the sheet of print media as the sheet of print media passes between the creasing member and the base. The base comprises a surface positioned parallel to the processing plane. The surface of the base has a recess having a shape corresponding to the creasing member. The surface of the base rotates in the processing plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Linn C. Hoover, Robert A. Clark, William J. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20120034806
    Abstract: An apparatus for easily connecting the wires of a fixture or appliance to the wires carrying the electrical current of a building or structure comprised of a first piece that secures to an outlet box in a ceiling or wall and a second piece that fits over the first piece. The wires carrying the electrical current are affixed to electrical conductors of the first piece. When the second piece, already a part of the fixture or appliance to be installed, is fitted over the first piece, the electric connections are completed and the electrical current travels to the fixture or appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Nathan Dean Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 7784993
    Abstract: Disclosed is a three-piece light emitting diode lamp. The lamp comprises a lamp holder that encapsulates and seals various connectors and connections. A removable light emitting diode is inserted into contact sockets so that the light emitting diode can be easily replaced. Various techniques are used to provide proper polarity for placement of the light emitting diode in the contact sockets. A lens cover is engaged in a ring cavity between an inner annular wall and an outer annular wall that seal and hold the lens cover to the lamp holder and provide a watertight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: 1 Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Jing Jing Yu
  • Patent number: 7618288
    Abstract: A socket for a light bulb having a socket housing to provide wired connection and an interior spring-clamp socket manufactured of a resilient material and having a notched separation extending longitudinally therethrough. The notch permits the deformation of the spring-clamp socket and expands when a light bulb is inserted and grasps it once therein. Removal of the bulb simply requires pulling the bulb straight out. Additionally the present invention is adaptable and replaceable for most existing lighting fixtures or applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventor: Frank DiFusco
  • Patent number: 7602112
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly of a capped high-pressure discharge lamp (1) and a lamp holder (50). The discharge lamp comprises an outer envelope (10) in which a discharge vessel (11) is arranged. The outer envelope has a pinched portion (20) provided with a clamping member (25). A lamp cap comprises a substantially circular-cylindrical cup shaped portion for receiving the clamping member and is provided with a protruding collar (36). The lamp holder (50) comprises a substantially circular-cylindrical flange (55) for receiving the cup-shaped portion such that the flange engages the protruding collar. An inner diameter of the flange (55) has a tolerance of less than or equal to ?0.2 mm. An outer diameter of the cup-shaped portion (33) has a tolerance of less than or equal to +0.2 mm. The respective tolerances extend over a length of at least 2.5 mm, measured with respect to the protruding collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., BJB GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Nicholas Gerardus Antonius Peeters, Johannes Antonius Theresia Schellen, Karl-Wilhelm Vogt, Erwin Norbert Lingemann
  • Publication number: 20090068877
    Abstract: An apparatus for making electrical contact with luminous means in spotlights, which contain a glass vessel, a luminous means base and contact pins for the power supply is provided. The apparatus comprising a luminous means holder with at least two socket pairs for accommodating the contact pins of different luminous means. The socket pairs are arranged in clamping pieces, whose mutually opposite connecting faces can be removed from one another in order to accommodate the contact pins of the luminous means and can be guided towards one another in order to make electrical contact with the contact pins of the luminous means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Erwin Melzner
  • Patent number: 7497719
    Abstract: A safety lamp connector assembly for use with at least one of more lamps which may include: an end cap for the lamp and having end cap clips; an intermediate snap action socket body for receiving the end cap; a socket base comprising: resilient clip arms with clip section on their ends which snap clips to the end cap clips with the intermediate snap action socket body located between the end cap and the socket base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: LightSources Inc.
    Inventors: Gino J. Ciancanelli, Betty Jean Zayas
  • Patent number: 7413456
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical socket for a standard light bulb. The socket is configured to allow the bulb to be pushed into and pulled from the socket. The sockets are provided with spring members where the spring members have ridges thereon to engage the threaded end of the light bulb. The spring members are unevenly spaced about the circumference of the socket and the spring members are provided with an upper end that can move vertically away from the bottom of the socket. When a bulb is pushed into the socket, the force of the bulb on ridges on the spring members cause the spring members to elongate and allow the bulb to slide into the socket. When the bulb is pulled from the socket the spring members elongate allowing the bulb to slide from the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Frank DiFusco
  • Patent number: 7360922
    Abstract: A light tube assembly includes a light tube and a stabilizer which includes a tubular body with copper members that are slidably engaged with curved slots in a base. A core with terminal plates is received in the tubular body and two locking pin 51s extend through grooves in the tubular body and are removably inserted into the base. An end cap is rotatably connected to the core and is positioned at three positions. The three positions allow the user to replace the base, to replace the light tube and to secure the light tube respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Weico (Asia) Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Jerry Yeh
  • Patent number: 7291029
    Abstract: An adapter for fluorescent lamp fixtures that retrofits a T-8 lamp fixture for a T-5 fluorescent lamp that is simple and inexpensive is disclosed herein. The lampholder adapter includes a rotatable locking disk member set in a base assembly for receiving the end-prongs of a fluorescent lamp. The lampholders adapters of at least two different lengths, placed at either end of the fixture may be a T-5 fluorescent lamp of variable lengths. These lampholder adapters are connected to retrofit existing T-8 fixtures, allowing the use of T5 lamps by compensating for the lamp length difference and, thereby, saving the manufacturers substantial money in retooling costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Scot J. Hale, Anthony Tufano
  • Patent number: 7222987
    Abstract: A connector for connecting a plurality of light strings mainly includes a female socket and a male socket with a plurality of terminal receivers and conductive pieces respectively. The terminal receivers and the conductive pieces are connected with the light-string conducting wires or the control lines of the light strings. Thereby when the male/female sockets are joined together, the light string can be extended or a working module controller for the light string can control more light-strings. The female socket includes a waterproof stopper inside to stabilize the conducting wires going through the female socket and also to provide a waterproof function. A joint nut is set outside of the male socket to reciprocally join with the female socket, so that the male/female sockets will not separate from each other arbitrarily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Wei-Jen Tseng
  • Patent number: 7097327
    Abstract: A lever pivot safety stop socket for fluorescent lamps. The device consists of a molded plastic housing which includes electrical contact strips, attached to power leads; and a plastic, levered and slotted rotor. The rotor fits into an opening in the housing face, leaving its lever portion outside, and able to turn the rotor. Both housing top and lever portion include a wide slot, and when the lever is pointing towards the housing top, the slots line up. This is the lamp installation position, allowing lamp terminal end pins to be easily dropped into the housing slot and into the rotor slots. The lamp can then be rotated a quarter turn in either direction by the lever, to make a full connection with the power contacts in the housing. Provision is made so that no more than a quarter turn can be made from the installation position in either direction, avoiding “opens”, arcing and possible damage. A mounting bracket is attached to the housing for mounting the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Daniel W Barton
  • Patent number: 7019220
    Abstract: A supporting device (21) for a discrete electric component is so designed as to include a supporting part (22), and this supporting part includes a main body (26), and a pair of first flange portions (27a, 27b) and a pair of second flange portions (28a, 28b) which are respectively provided on both sides of this main body. A first recess (29) is defined by the main body and a pair of the first flange portions, and a second recess (30) is defined by the main body and a pair of the second flange portions. These flange portions of the supporting part (22) have slanting portions at their upper end parts, and these flange portions are interrupted at a base end of the supporting part. The terminals (19, 20) of an LED (17) are inserted into the recesses of the supporting part, enabling the LED to be supported and held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Atsushi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6905225
    Abstract: A lamp adapter comprising a housing with a reflective coating on the inside thereof, a lens, a means for attaching the lens to the housing, a waterproof grommet, and a converter having a female socket and a male plug, wherein the female socket and the male plug have insulated electrical contacts to provide bipolar electrical connection between the female socket and the male plug, such that a light bulb can be inserted into the female socket, and the male plug of the adapter installed in a standard light bulb socket, thereby allowing a variety of different light bulbs to be installed in a weatherproof housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventor: George S. Pearl
  • Patent number: 6875042
    Abstract: A holder for a lamp with a glass vessel and a lamp base includes at least one spring element and at least one connecting part which can move relative to the spring element between two positions. In the first position the locking part thereby enters into contact with the spring element to that this is blocked and pressed against the lamp base of a lamp inserted in the bushing of the holder. In the second position the locking part exerts no or only reduced pressure on the spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG
    Inventors: Erwin Melzner, Joachim Köll
  • Patent number: 6830473
    Abstract: An improved lamp socket assembly having a modified common metal screw shell riveted to an insulated base, connected to the screw shell is an elongated conductive strip that extends down the side of the insulated bas. A pair of contact screws being arranged oppositely vertically and horizontally offset from each other via a center of the insulated base so as not to interfere with each other when making electrical contact with conductor of lamp wires. The contact screws both penetrate an insulated layer of the wires without piercing through whereby causing the wire to bend and bulge for providing an electrical contact quickly and safely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Jerry Salvatore Trainello
  • Patent number: 6774549
    Abstract: A lamp includes a bulb having conductive terminals and a retainer including a cylinder having a top opening for receiving the bulb and a U-shaped support having a bottom with two arms extended towards and connected to lower side of the cylinder for supporting and retaining the bulb in the retainer whereby opposite openings are formed between the support. Projections extend from opposite sides of the support and extend in opposite directions. A partition extends from the bottom of the support and having opposite side faces that are inclined and converge to each other. A socket includes a circumferential wall forming an upper space for receiving the retainer therein and a lower space having a lower opening for extension of the wires. A securing structure is formed on an inside surface of the circumferential wall and corresponds to each of the openings between the support and the cylinder of the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventors: Ching-Yen Tsai, Tsuan-Min Wu
  • Patent number: 6743041
    Abstract: The invention pertains to an adaptor for inserting lamps with pin bases into screw bases, the task of which is to make it impossible to screw out the adaptor without special tools after it has been inserted into the screw base. This task is achieved by the invention by arranging the thread of the adaptor on a loosely rotating threaded bushing which can be rigidly connected with the adaptor body by means of a key before screwing in the adaptor. After the adaptor has been screwed in and the key has been removed, the threaded bushing cannot be removed from the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Provera GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Holzer, Boyd Berends
  • Patent number: 6692309
    Abstract: A connector includes a tubular wall on a first body containing a lamp envelope, coaxially receiving an insulating tube mounted on a second body having a cavity that receives the first body, spring metal strip terminals on the outside of the tubular wall in resilient contact with spring metal strip terminals on the inside of the cavity, and microprocessor controlled heated and cooled air delivered to the lamp envelope by way of the insulating tube in response to a sensor that monitors at least one of lamp amalgam temperature and lamp radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Light Sources, Inc.
    Inventor: George Kovacs
  • Patent number: 6692308
    Abstract: A lampholder has a socket having an inner end, formed with seats adapted to hold contacts, and forming an outwardly open hole defining an axis and adapted to fit with a base of a high-voltage lamp and a base fittable against the inner end and having a floor formed with an axially throughgoing hole. A clip is formed with a bight engaged in the hole, a pair of arms extending from respective ends of the bight axially outward into the socket, outer tabs on the arms bearing axially inward on the socket, and inner tabs at the bight bearing axially outward on the floor of the base so that the clip holds the socket and base together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: BJB GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Henrici, Herbert Beleke
  • Publication number: 20030181089
    Abstract: A decorative light has a lamp holder, a socket inserted into the lamp holder and a bulb mounted in the socket. The lamp holder has two upper protrusions and two lower protrusions formed on opposite sides of the inner periphery of the lamp holder. The socket has two locking segments formed on an outer periphery of the socket, wherein each locking segment is defined with an opening to clamp the upper protrusion on the lamp holder. By such an arrangement, the locking device between the lamp holder and socket is an inner structure. The socket will not be dislodged from the lamp holder by an inadvertent force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: George Tsai
  • Patent number: 6623291
    Abstract: A decorative light has a lamp holder, a socket inserted into the lamp holder and a bulb mounted in the socket. The lamp holder has two upper protrusions and two lower protrusions formed on opposite sides of the inner periphery of the lamp holder. The socket has two locking segments formed on an outer periphery of the socket, wherein each locking segment is defined with an opening to clamp the upper protrusion on the lamp holder. By such an arrangement, the locking device between the lamp holder and socket is an inner structure. The socket will not be dislodged from the lamp holder by an inadvertent force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: George Tsai
  • Patent number: 6616474
    Abstract: A bulb socket for retaining, for instance, an automobile wedge-base bulb that is comprised of a glass bulb that encloses a filament and a flat sealing element provided at the bottom of the glass bulb and having a lead wire on its flat surface, the bulb socket including a bulb retention portion and a conducting terminal provided inside the bulb retention portion. The conducting terminal that retains the flat sealing element of the bulb and is in contact the lead wire is formed with an engagement piece that engages with an engagement step formed in the cylindrical bulb retention portion, thus keeping the conducting terminal inside the bulb retention portion; and a window is opened in the bulb retention portion so that the engagement piece of the conducting terminal and the engagement step of the bulb retention portion can be seen through the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yosiaki Aiso
  • Publication number: 20030104718
    Abstract: The invention pertains to an adaptor for inserting lamps with pin bases into screw bases, the task of which is to make it impossible to screw out the adaptor without special tools after it has been inserted into the screw base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Walter Holzer, Boyd Berends
  • Patent number: 6361368
    Abstract: A Christmas bulb socket has a bulb seat and a bulb holder with a corresponding bulb. The socket is made from a resilient material and the bulb holder is designed to accommodate similar types of bulbs whereby two filament feet of the bulb are tightly retained in the seat and holder by a notch defined in a bottom face of the bulb holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Jeou-Nan Tseng
  • Patent number: 6332796
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved structure of a fluorescent light-tube seat comprising a base seat, a panel, an axle, an engaging peg, a spring, a hole covering an “Π”-shaped member, two conducting copper plates, wherein two fluorescent light-tube seats are used as one module to facilitate the installation of the fluorescent light-tube by vertically repeating pushing dismantling action of the fluorescent light-tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Inventor: Chuan-Ying Chen
  • Patent number: 6250947
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for the easier inserting of pin bases into sockets, by means of closed-form guide profiles which are used simultaneously for coding, in order to prevent the installing of lamps into sockets unsuited therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Inventor: Walter Holzer
  • Patent number: 6224415
    Abstract: An improved friction-fitted light and light socket where the base of the light has a resilient, beveled flange that deforms on insertion of the base into the light socket, thus resisting removal. To facilitate removal, the wall of the socket has a cutout portion dimensioned to receive a small tool, such as the end of the flathead screw driver, and thereby provide access to the base just below the flange so that the light can be pried free of the light socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: James W Gibboney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6213816
    Abstract: A lamp socket for multipin lamps with spring-biased contacts for contacting the contact pins of a lamp, and a housing which in the final assembly state at least partially surrounds the lamp base of the lamp. The housing is composed of an upper housing part which supports a device for aligning and securing the lamp, and a bottom hosing part which supports at least indirectly receiving means for the contacts. The spring-biased contacts provided for contacting the various contact pins are arranged in individual electrically insulating and housing-like contact cages which are moveable independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Bender & Wirth GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Manfred Meichsner, Dirk Böhme
  • Patent number: 6193540
    Abstract: A socket lock for ornament bulbs between the bulb base and socket includes a T-shaped latch and two attachment blocks. The T-shaped latch includes a tongue and a tapered lock. When the bulb base is inserted into the socket, the lock of the latch slides over the attachment block and fills the gap to lock the bulb base and the socket together. Particularly, the socket lock is easily released by breaking the T-shaped latch from the attachment blocks and pulling the bulb base out of the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Jeou-Nan Tseng
  • Patent number: 6120312
    Abstract: A light emitted diode (LED) light bulb holder used for LED type Christmas light bulb strings comprise specially designed terminals that are used in conjunction with an insertion element to effectively hold leads of a light emitted diode and to firmly connect the LED light bulb with the holder. Thus the insertion element, the terminals and electrical wires seated in a holder body can provide an excellent effect of connecting LED light bulbs with electrical wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Kuo Fen Shu
  • Patent number: 6099144
    Abstract: A ballasted socket which removably accepts PL type fluorescent bulbs is provided for use with lighting fixture bases. The socket includes a socket housing having a side wall, a first end wall, and a second end wall to define a chamber in which the ballast for the bulb is housed. At least one spring arm is provided to engage a slot extending from an opening in the end wall of the fixture base to snappingly mount the socket to the fixture base. In one embodiment, the socket is twist locked into the fixture base and in another embodiment, the socket is push-locked in to the fixture base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Dal Partnership
    Inventor: Dale A. Klaus
  • Patent number: 6033249
    Abstract: A new safe-to-touch plug-in socket system for light bulbs is described to replace the previous systems with Edison or bayonet sockets, which are not safe to touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Walter Holzer
  • Patent number: 5971814
    Abstract: A lamp socket is provided that includes slidably engaging body and housing components. Resilient retention members are attached within the body component to grasp the base of a wedge base lamp to attach the lamp to the body component. Contacts extend into the body component to engage lead wires of the lamp. Such contacts extend out of the body component and through respective apertures in the housing component for electrical and mechanical attachment to a mating connector. The contacts are held in place relative to the body component by being inserted into body openings within the body component structured and arranged to hold the contacts in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Boyd, Michael J. Bonavita, Ronald E. Thomas, Richard P. Walker
  • Patent number: 5951318
    Abstract: The bulb sockets including a socket main body (10) formed of synthetic resin and having a bulb insertion opening (12) which is opened forwardly and into which a wedge base bulb (50) can be inserted. On the outside surface of the socket main body (10), there are provided securing projections (20) which can be respectively engaged with a socket mounting hole (62) formed in a socket mounting member (60) to thereby restrain the socket main body (10) against removal, and a flange (30) cooperarable with the securing projections (20) in holding the peripheral edge portion of the socket mounting hole (62) between them. Within the bulb insertion opening (12), elastic hooks (13) for holding the outside surface of a flat base (52) of a bulb (50) inserted into the bulb insertion opening (12) to thereby prevent the flat base (52) against removal are arranged in parallel along the forming walls (11a) of the bulb insertion opening (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Harada
  • Patent number: 5830007
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for mounting a microphone of the disc type which has opposite flat faces joined by a cylindrical periphery. The connector includes a dielectric housing having a cylindrical microphone insertion cavity defined by a rigid arcuate wall portion at one side of the cavity and a flexible wall portion at an opposite side of the cavity. The distance between the rigid arcuate wall portion and the flexible wall portion is less than the diameter of the disc shaped microphone so that the flexible wall portion resiliently engages the cylindrical periphery of the microphone to establish an interference fit therewith. Terminals project into the cavity for engaging appropriate mating terminals on the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Rupert J. Fry, Keith Samuel Maranto
  • Patent number: 5803591
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved fastening mechanism used in a decorative light bulb series. The improvement according to the invention includes a light bulb socket with two opposite lugs formed on the peripheral rim of the top end thereof and a housing provided on the side surface thereof with a locating post having tapered cross sections. When the light bulb socket is placed into the housing, the locating post extends into the passageway defined by two lugs to form a firm engagement between the socket and the housing. To detach the light bulb socket from the housing, just apply a force large enough on the bottom surface of the locating post. The socket can easily get out of the constraints exerted by the lugs without any damages to either the socket itself or the housing. Hence the assemblage and detachment can be repeatedly conducted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Francis Lin
  • Patent number: 5752842
    Abstract: The push-in/push-out lampholder has a guide track for an unlocking member which is permanently coupled to a fixation member. The guide track may be heart-shaped and be partly traversed by the unlocking member when a lamp cap is pressed into the lampholder. The lamp cap must be released if it is to reach an operational position under the influence of a spring. The fixation member permanently coupled to the unlocking member is then in engagement with a profile of the lamp cap and retains the lamp, pressed against contact members. It is not until a second, separate push is given that the unlocking member continues its path through the guide track. In a special embodiment, the fixation member and the unlocking member are combined into an integrated member, which may be a ball which is enclosed in inwardly narrowing bores of a cylindrical ball holder and in the guide track. The lampholder can be slim and can be manufactured mainly from metal or from synthetic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Winand H.A.M. Friederichs, Hans Wedding
  • Patent number: 5685638
    Abstract: A decorative light consists of a sleeve defining a lower rectangular opening and an upper socket, a base received in the sleeve and defining two bottom holes and an upper socket, a bulb having a lower portion received in the socket of the base and two leads extending through the bottom holes of the base to be in contact with two contacts fixedly attached on an inside of the sleeve defining the lower rectangular opening, and a waterproof ring having an upper portion hermetically engaging with the bulb and a lower portion hermetically engaging with the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Inventor: Chin-wang Huang
  • Patent number: 5669703
    Abstract: A push-in bulb base for use in a bayonet-type bulb socket. The push-in base does not require turning of the bulb base to engage the retaining bayonets of the bulb base in the L-shaped retaining slot of the bulb socket. The push-in bulb base has integrally formed flexible retainers which flex inward during installation and then flex back to their normal position to engage the L-shaped retaining slots of the bulb socket. An integrally formed alignment rib prevents the bulb base from being inserted into the bulb socket in a position that would prohibit the engagement of the retainer with the L-shaped retaining slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Keith D. Wheeler, Robert Sehmer
  • Patent number: 5647759
    Abstract: A Christmas lamp bulb fixing socket is provided that comprises a connecting socket provided to hold a bulb and an outer socket provided to hold the connecting socket. The connecting socket is connected with the outer socket by means of a protrusion extending therefrom for engagement with an affixing unit of the outer socket. Circumferential openings formed through the connecting socket are provided for engagement by corresponding convexly shaped protrusions of the outer socket that pass therethrough to firmly hold the bulb in the connecting socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Chen Yu Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tzung-Min Lien
  • Patent number: 5643011
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved structure of a decorative light bulb socket, mainly comprising a light bulb holder having a slot and a vertical gap on its base and two lips beside the gap and a socket having a projection with an inner channel on its side. When a light bulb is fitted in the holder as well as the holder is put into the socket, the gap will be closed and the lips are inserted into the channel of the projection which will achieve a firm connection among the light bulb, the holder, and the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Inventor: Chin-Sung Tsai
  • Patent number: 5588863
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved light bulb socket structure that uses a medium-sized bulb housing mounted on the top of the socket shell to house a small bulb to form a decorative light set. On the top of the socket shell there is provided with a resilient engaging rim for convenience of connecting the bulb housing. The bottom of the socket shell is configured to be partially closed, with an opening for receiving a latch of the socket cap, to avoid conductor copper plates loosening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: Hsin-Weih Wu
  • Patent number: 5580159
    Abstract: A miniature light fixture includes a miniature light bulb, an elongated folding element having a recess that receives a base portion of the light, and a socket bounding an internal passage for partially receiving the holding element in an assembled condition of the fixture. At least one hook-shaped projection to be used to effect extraction of the holding element out of the passage of the socket extends axially beyond an end portion of the holding element that is situated outside the passage in the assembled condition and includes an outwardly extending engageable nose on its free end. At least one protuberance and at least one associated depression are disposed on respective zones of the holding element and of a circumferential wall of the socket that are juxtaposed with one another in the assembled condition in which the depression receives the protuberance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Noma, Inc.
    Inventor: Ivan Liu
  • Patent number: 5547402
    Abstract: A bulb socket for holding a wedge base bulb which has a bulb portion, a base portion and power terminals, the bulb socket comprising a socket body, supplying terminals and holder members. The socket body is provided for receiving the base portion of the wedge base bulb. The supplying terminals are electrically connecting with the respective power terminals of the wedge base bulb under a predetermined pressure, and are held by the socket body. The holder members are holding the base portion of the wedge base bulb therebetween under a predetermined pressure. And the holder members are separate from the supplying terminals, and are attached to the socket body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Ogawa
  • Patent number: 5531610
    Abstract: An improved connecting mechanism for a bulb holder and a socket includes a latch member which is one part of the bulb holder and a securing seat which is one part of the socket. The latch member includes a boss which extends horizontally from the outer wall of the flange of the tubular body of the bulb holder. A hooking rod extends from the underside of the boss to a preset length. A slightly enlarged bead is provided at the end of the hooking rod. The securing seat includes a projected portion extended from the top of the outer wall of the tubular body of the socket. The projected portion further includes a securing channel for receiving the hooking rod. The inner diameter of the securing channel is slightly smaller than the hooking rod in such a manner that an interference fit is reached therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Chen Y. Chen
  • Patent number: 5435741
    Abstract: A bulb fastening structure for christmas light strings is disclosed. The structure includes a cap, a bulb, and a socket. It is characterized by that the cap includes an inner groove formed thereon to receive a flange formed on the bulb so as to retain the bulb and a pair of inner L-shaped projections formed thereon to serve with a pair of external inverse L-shaped projections formed on the socket so that the cap securely engages the socket and fastens the bulb between the cap and the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventor: Jen-Sheng Wang
  • Patent number: 5376025
    Abstract: A fitting for halogen lamps of the type having plural contact pins has an insulating socket with a recess for each contact pin. Each recess confines a pivotable and reciprocable plate-like contact which is connected to a conductor and is biased by a coil spring to engage an abutment of the socket and to define therewith a wedge-like path for insertion of a contact pin. The contacts are hinged to the socket adjacent the inlets of the respective recesses, and the insertion of a contact pin into its recess results in a composite pivotal and translatory movement of the respective contact away from the adjacent abutment. The major part of the inserted contact pin is clamped between the contact and the abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Bender & Wirth GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Helmut Willnat, Hans D. Held
  • Patent number: 5368503
    Abstract: An apparatus to connect an LED 10 to a printed circuit board, the LED having terminals, comprising first terminal connectors 20 having first ends 20a connectible to the LED terminals, and second ends 20b; second terminal connectors 23 having first ends 23a connectible to circuit board posts 13a, and second ends 23b; a printed circuit board connector unit 21 to telescopically receive the second terminal connectors; the first and second terminal connectors being alike; and cable 26 having opposite ends to which the second ends of the first and second terminal connectors are connectible. A panel connector 30 is also provided to telescopically receive the first terminal connectors, and to stably attach the first terminal connectors 20, the LED 10, and an LED lens unit 16 to a mounting panel 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Inventor: John M. Savage, Jr.