Abstract: A connector for Christmas light strings includes a wire-holding portion for receiving and holding two conducting wires and a socket-engaging portion for engaging with a conventional socket. The wire-holding portion includes two half casings each having two slots separated by a wall formed therebetween. The two half casing are formed together at one edge thereof such that the two half casings are pivotable with respect to each other. The socket-engaging portion includes an annular hollow receiving portion, a first annular protrusion, and a second annular protrusion. The annular hollow receiving portion has a compartment for receiving the wire-receiving portion.

Abstract: A socket assembly comprising a number of sliding plates spaced from one another and arranged in a row between a base and a cover fixedly mounted to the base. Each sliding plate has a pair of slots thereon which is operable by an insertion of an ordinary plug to move the sliding plate directly in a lateral direction perpendicular to the row alignment. The sliding plate is able to return to an original position where communication between the slots on the cover and the channels on the base is blocked. Various types of springs are mountable on the cover, the sliding plate, or an additional securing plate disposed between the base and the sliding plate, or to be integral to the sliding plate. In a further embodiment, the pair of slots on each sliding plate is operable to move separately and independently.