Abstract: Miniature bulbs are secured in their holders against twisting by first forming holders with tapered cavities smaller at their bottoms than the bulb, then heating the holders to soften them prior to insertion of the bulb. When the bulb is fully seated and the holder has cooled and firmed up, the holder will conform to the exterior shape of the bulb including the irregularities in its surface caused by the bulb formation process. The snug fit of the holder to the irregularities in the bulb resist the twisting of the bulb.

Abstract: A shunt for use in a socket of a string of lights resides in an otherwise typical lamp of a string of lights. The present shunt is a conductive spring held in position by a shunt housing between the two conductive terminals so that both of its curved lateral ends contact the terminals when the bulb holder is removed. When the bulb holder is inserted, a pushrod on the flat central portion of the conductive spring presses the spring down into a well in the shunt housing so that the curved lateral ends of the conductive spring are drawn away from the electrical terminals, thereby allowing current to flow through the Dumet wires to the filament.

Abstract: A mechanical shunt for use in a socket of a string of lights resides in an otherwise typical lamp of a string of lights. The present shunt is a coiled spring shunt inserted in part into a hole formed in one of the electrical terminals in the socket so that it is cantilevered toward the opposing electrical terminal. The bulb holder carries a projection or a “tooth” on its bottom corner that is interposed between the first, cantilevered end of the spring terminal and the first electrical terminal when the holder is inserted into the socket. When the bulb and holder are removed, the spring shunt resiliently returns to engagement with the first electrical terminal.

Abstract: A mechanical shunt for use in a socket of a string of lights resides in an otherwise typical lamp of a string of lights. The present shunt is a coiled spring shunt held by one of the electrical terminals in the socket so that it is cantilevered toward and in electrical contact with the other electrical terminal. The central portion of the spring shunt has a larger diameter. The lamp holder has bottom that, upon insertion of the holder into the socket, presses down on the central portion of the spring shunt so that its first end is moved out of electrical contact with the first electrical terminal, thereby allowing electrical current to pass through the filament in the bulb.

Abstract: A mechanical shunt for use in a socket of a string of lights resides in an otherwise typical lamp of a string of lights. The present shunt is a pair of cantilevered portions from the electrical terminals inside the socket of a lamp in a string of lights. The portions touch and conduct electrical current when no lamp holder is in the socket but are separated by a button on the bottom of the lamp holder when the lamp holder is not in the socket. The cantilevered portions are formed in such a way that they rub together when opening, closing or when the socket undergoes expansion and contraction with changing temperature in order to prevent the buildup of corrosion on the teeth on the end of the cantilevered portion that would preclude their ability to make good electrical contact when needed.

Abstract: An asymmetrical shunt switch for use in a socket of a string of lights resides in an otherwise typical lamp of a string of lights. The present switch is a shaped spring held in position between the two conducting terminals by a holder so that both of its lateral sides contact the terminals when the base is removed. When the base is inserted, a depending prong on the bottom corner of the base presses one side of the shaped spring away from its terminal and thereby allows current to flow through the Dumet wires to the filament.

Abstract: A lamp for a light string has a mechanical shunt to allow current to pass to the next light in the event of a missing bulb. A resilient shunt is held in a generally lateral orientation by a shunt holder within the socket. When the hollow base with its bottom opening is inserted into the socket, the walls of the base cam the ends of the shunt away from the electrical contacts on the walls of the socket. Likewise, when the base is removed, the resilient lateral ends of the shunt return to engage the electrical contacts. The timing of the contact by the shunt with the electrical contacts avoids arcing. Additionally, slits formed in the wall of the base allows the Dumet wires to exit the sides of the base in the correct location for engaging the electrical contacts, thus reducing the instances of misaligned Dumet wires.