Abstract: An improved contact element on a 3-way bulb that inhibits the bulb from loosening is disclosed. A special annular washer replaced the standard annular washer commonly used to connect the electrical source to the low wattage element. Rather than being a smooth washer it has a surface designed to allow the contact to move easily over the surface of the socket contact with being screwed into the socket but will provide greater friction when unscrewing the light bulbs. This will permit the user to use the light bulb until its element(s) are burned out without having to re-tighten or discard it early, mistakenly believing the low wattage element to have burned out. The new design annular contact will also create adequate friction on the socket contact's small area to clean this surface of non conductive oxides that may form over time, thereby extending the useful life of the socket switch unit.

Abstract: A GU24 3-way dimmer knob-type switch lamp holder is disclosed, where the body of the lamp holder is provided with three contact plates at the two sides of its interior and on its bottom. And an insulating rotor and a rotor conducting plate therein is driven by a knob. The rotor conducting plate is shaped into four portions along its rim, where three of them come with a shaped contact plate, while the fourth is void. The insulating rotor and the rotor conducting plate are driven to rotate by turning the knob, which enables three contact plates in the body and three contact plates of the rotor conducting plate to form no conduction or different conduction modes that enable various levels of illumination: dim, moderate and high brightness after power ON and feature power OFF as well.

Abstract: Automotive headlight lamps of different kinds have identical burners and upper base parts, but lower base parts of different structures. The upper base part has reference elements, for example, a securing ring, for positioning the lamp at a headlight. The lower base parts vary from one kind of lamp to another, having, for example, different connection devices for electrical contacts. In the lamp manufacturing process, a burner is inserted into an upper base part and, preferably, after having been oriented with respect to a reference element, is fixed in position. Lower base parts including the electrical connection device and having a desired shape are connected with the upper base parts. A two-piece embodiment of the lower base part is also possible, enabling electrical contact elements to be readily accommodated.

Abstract: Improvements to a 3-way light bulb socket are shown. The major improvement is to replace or complement the rigid middle contact element of the socket with an elastic/flexible contact spring. The 3-way light bulb has a solder blob on its middle contact ring, where said blob usually has a rough, uneven surface, and frequently does protrude beyond the general surface of the bulb middle contact ring. The solder blob interferes with the conventional socket middle contact element, which is rigid, and prevents the system from creating a good, permanent and reliable electrical connection between the socket and the bulb. Potential flicker and discomfort to the user can occur as a result. Also, the operating life of the bulb as well as the power consumption can be affected. The proposed flexible middle contact spring can alleviate most of these problems.

Abstract: Improvements to 3-way light bulbs and to their electrical sockets are shown. The major improvement is to replace the rigid middle contact element of the socket by an elastic contact spring. Other improvements are described, which can be applied to the bulbs as well. These include flattening and smoothing the solder joint that is located on the bulb middle contact ring. Also, some new add-ons inserts or adapters are described, which can be used together with the bulbs and sockets, to improve the performance of such bulbs.

Abstract: A connector for connecting a plurality of wires to a sub-miniature switch and lamp socket assembly having tabs and a ground pin includes a molded, one-piece housing and a plurality of terminals for joining the plurality of wires to the tabs and ground pin. A plurality of openings are formed within the housing, accepting both the plurality of terminals and the tabs and ground pin of the assembly, and allowing the terminals to connect with the tabs and ground pin. The plurality of openings are formed within the bottom, front, and back faces of the housing. A method of connecting a sub-miniature switch and lamp socket assembly having tabs and a ground pin to a plurality of wires is also disclosed.

Abstract: A connector for connecting a plurality of wires to a sub-miniature switch and lamp socket assembly having tabs and a ground pin includes a molded, one-piece housing and a plurality of terminals for joining the plurality of wires to the tabs and ground pin. A plurality of openings are formed within the housing, accepting both the plurality of terminals and the tabs and ground pin of the assembly, and allowing the terminals to connect with the tabs and ground pin. The plurality of openings are formed within the bottom, front, and back faces of the housing. A method of connecting a sub-miniature switch and lamp socket assembly having tabs and a ground pin to a plurality of wires is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved electrically conductive light bulb base for use with common threaded light bulb sockets currently widely used. The improvement combines a substantial reduction in the amount of thread required, by employing a shorter thread that enlarges or increases in size, in radius, or both. This type of thread is in place of the standard thread in securing the bulb in the socket. Optionally, short portions of thread may be provided on one side of a generally cylindrical, smooth base. The particular advantage is that the bulb inserted by hand can be inserted and secured or released and removed with a minimum number of turns of the wrist.

Abstract: A modified lamp includes first and second filaments contained in an envelope to which power is selectively provided individually or conjunctively to obtain three distinct light levels. A contact member in the lamp base is modified to include a planar surface over a major portion of its radial width. Additionally, a lead wire opening that receives one of the lead wires extending from one of the filaments, is spaced from the planar surface to limit the potential for electrical contact with a tang of an associated socket. In one preferred embodiment, the lead wire opening is disposed in a recess that has a maximum circumferential dimension less than the cross-section of the tang to preclude advancement of the tang into the recess. A flat is provided along the outer periphery of the contact member to provide accurate orientation of the contact member during lamp assembly.

Abstract: A rotating-telescoping base structure for lamps or light bulbs is described. The structure may be rotated up to 320.degree. and may be telescoped outwardly from the base structure. This enables use in applications where a longer neck dimension is needed or alignment of the fixture without unscrewing it from a socket is to be carried out.

Abstract: A plug in lamp with spring side contacts having bulb, holder, lugs, and a seal is disclosed. The lugs have outwardly arced spring sections that are compressed during lamp insertion, thereby forming a latching mechanism to hold the lugs and lamp in place, while simultaneously providing electric power through the lugs. Sealing structures are disclosed that protect the welds, and others electrical features from environmental degradation.

Abstract: The capped high-pressure discharge lamp has a lamp cap of insulating material provided with a centrally disposed contact member and with a metal sleeve concentrical thereto. A first end of a discharge vessel is mounted within said metal sleeve and a current supply conductor is attached to said metal sleeve. The rotationally symmetrical geometry of the cap allows insertion of the lamp into a holder in any rotational position.

Abstract: A light socket having a standard contact and switch arrangement for standard operation with three-way incandescent light bulbs. In addition to the standard main switch, the socket also includes a secondary mode switch operatively connected to the appropriate terminals such that placing the mode switch in a first position will provide proper operational sequence with a three-way light bulb, while placing the mode switch in a second position will provide the proper operational sequence for a one-way light bulb. This mode switch may also be provided in an adapter which is formed to be received within the receptacle of a standard three-way light socket, and which also includes a standard receptacle for the receipt of the light bulb.

Abstract: A base for three-way lamps in which it is easier to feed lead wires through and a method of making such bases.