Abstract: An electrical contact (10) for receiving an incandescent bulb (12) having a glass body (14) enclosing a filament (16), a necked-down portion (18) and a glass base (20) having two lead-ins (22, 24) projecting from an end (26) thereof, each of the lead-ins (22, 24) having a looped, electrically conducting wire that is formed at a 180° angle to lay against the glass base (20), one of the lead-ins laying on one side of the glass base and the other of the lead-ins laying on the other side of the base. The contact (10) has oppositely disposed, spaced apart arms (30, 32) formed to receive and hold the bulb. One of the arms also makes electrical contact with one of the lead-ins. A lead-in straightener (33) is formed on the arm formed to make electrical contact with the lead-in, whereby misaligned lead-ins are straightened when the bulb is inserted into a socket (40).

Abstract: An improved retaining mechanism for a lamp socket employs a retaining spring with a torsion relief coil to prevent permanent deformation during the assembly of the spring to the socket.

Abstract: A lamp socket adapted to receive a bayonet base lamp bulb for illumination uses on an automotive vehicle. The socket is essentially cup-shaped and of one-piece plastic construction. The bulb contacting terminal members and grounding ring are all adapted to be inserted from the bulb end of the socket. The terminal members snap into designated slots in the bulb receiving wall of the socket. The grounding ring is a unitary, formed member with terminals at both opposed ends. The grounding ring forms the wall into which the bulb base is inserted. With the terminal members and grounding ring in place, terminals are provided for the engagement with conductors of a printed circuit board. The terminals have spring contactors spaced in an annulus insulated and spaced from the bulb. The bulb imposes a locking pressure on the bulb terminals by pushing the terminals further into the assembly.

Abstract: A lamp socket assembly adapted for use with a printed circuit. The lamp socket assembly of the invention includes a tubular socket portion which receives and retains the lamp and which also is attached to a base member in a conventional manner. The tubular socket portion also includes a plurality of longitudinal flanges which cooperate with corresponding notches in an aperture in the printed circuit board to allow the socket to be locked onto the printed circuit board by inserting it and twisting it. The novel feature of a lamp socket in accordance with the invention lies in the inclusion of a resilient ring around the tubular socket portion which provides a biasing force to urge the socket away from the printed circuit board so that the frictional engagement of the flanges and the printed circuit holds it in place.

Abstract: A receptacle electrical terminal is mounted on a printed circuit board making a solderless electrical connection to one of the conductive strips thereon. The receptacle terminal includes a pair of mounting lugs which serve to lock it on the printed circuit board and a pressure contact surface which completes the electrical circuit from the conductor on the printed circuit board to the receptacle terminal when it is locked onto the circuit board.