With Additional Retaining Or Locking Means For Coupled Connector And Lamp Patents (Class 439/232)
  • 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: 7097508
    Abstract: A compact fluorescent lampholder includes a fundamental base and a holder body combined together. The fundamental base is provided with a female thread post inside. Electric current is transmitted to two conducting members beside the female threaded post. The holder body is fixed with a center male-threaded post on the topside to be combined with the female threaded post and two conducting posts beside the center threaded post. The conducting posts contacts with the conducting members for receiving electric current after the center male-threaded post is combined with the female threaded post. The conducting posts transmits electric current to a circuit board in the socket body and then to the conducting posts of a CFL under the holder body for starting the CFL to give out light. The holder body and the fundamental base can be separated for facilitating installing of CFLs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Sun-Lite Sockets Industry Inc.
    Inventor: Wen-Ho Yang
  • Patent number: 6896528
    Abstract: In a stationary member adapted to be electrically connected with at least one connecting member, a first connecting member is attached to a first connecting part. A cover member is slidable between a first position to lock the first connecting member at the first connecting part and a second position to enable an attachment of the first connecting member to the first connecting part. The cover member is provided with a first engagement member. A second engagement member engages with the first engagement member in a case where the cover member is located at the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Kubota, Keisuke Ozawa
  • Patent number: 6869300
    Abstract: The invention relates to a supply connector (10) for a discharge lamp (12) of the type which includes an insulating housing (18) in which an opening (56) is provided for the axial introduction of a free end (26) of the glass body (28) of the discharge lamp (12) including a longitudinal electrode (30) formed by a front section (32) which extends to the exterior of the body (28) and a rear section (34) which extends inside a front section (36) of the free end of the body (28) and which is designed to be supplied with a direct current, and of the type in which a contact blade (20) is formed, which blade cooperates with the front section (32) of the electrode (30) for connecting the lamp (12) to an electrical supply member, characterized in that it includes an electrically conducting ring (22) which is connected to ground, which is axially traversed by the front section (36) of the free end of the glass body (28), and which is designed to be at least partly in contact with a portion (150) of the outer wall of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Karim Malek Tewfik Lefki, Philippe De Montureux, Ahmed Mokhtari
  • Patent number: 6869298
    Abstract: A socket unit for fluorescent lamps and especially cold cathode fluorescent lamps has a movable top cover which includes an integral support limb. When in the open position, a lamp is supported by the limb. When in the closed position, the lamp is cammed into engagement with a conductive socket that supplies power to the lamp. As the cover is rotated toward the open configuration, the support limb engages the lamp and pushes it out of engagement with the socket and lifts the lamp to a location where it can easily be removed. In alternative embodiments, the socket can accept a cold cathode fluorescent lamp by engaging a conductive lamp end cap or the socket can accept a conventional, two-pin fluorescent lamp with a pair of conductive clips, one for each pin. Orienting means may be provided to position the lamp for insertion into the socket clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: T-1 Lighting, a division of BJI Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Petros Latsis
  • Patent number: 6769789
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lamp-holder for fluorescent lamp of detachably holding a lamp with ease and of reliably and firmly holding the lamp under the condition of being subjected to vibration or shock is disclosed. The lamp-holder body comprises a holder having a pair of resilient arms, and holding the fluorescent lamp by pushing the lamp between the arms, and a guide bar positioned between the pair of arms and extended downward, the guide bar having an arcuate guide surface for guiding insertion of the fluorescent lamp at its lower end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventors: Young-sun Won, Sang-joon Won
  • Patent number: 6733316
    Abstract: A lamp socket for holding lamp tube is disclosed. The socket comprises a base seat with a front face having a cavity slot with an open end and the lateral walls of the cavity slot being an arch-shaped portion and a top end disposed with a sliding slot in communication therewith. Two conductive pegs are provided to the bottom edge of the arch-shaped portion and two wire securing conductive plates are connected to the conductive pegs. A panel is sued to cover the front face of the base seat and the body of the panel is provided with a guiding slot to parallel guide the sliding of the pins of the lamp tube. A lamp pin engaging device including an urging element, and having two lateral sides is provided with conductive copper plates. The center region of the engaging device is disposed with an interlining shaft which can be extended up and down. The urging motion of the interlinkig shaft will shift the urging plate to be at high or low position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Chuan-Ying Chen
  • Patent number: 6676425
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a lamp length compensation system includes a lamp socket, a retention clip, and a flexible member. The retention clip has a movement stop and is mounted to a wall to slideably retain the lamp socket between the wall and the movement stop. The flexible member also is mounted to the wall and flexedly contacts the lamp socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Randy Kent Lewis
  • Patent number: 6582253
    Abstract: A lock-in compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) adaptor that would be screwed into the socket of a conventional incandescent lamp assembly. It has an adaptor casing whose respective top wall, bottom wall and outer side walls form an electrical components chamber for a ballast, a printed circuit board, and electrical wiring. A CFL post member socket is formed in the top wall of the adaptor casing. An electrical contact base is connected to the bottom wall of the adaptor casing and it has a conventional externally threaded outer electrical contact surface that would be received into a conventional incandescent lamp socket. The adaptor has structure to prevent unauthorized removal of the compact fluorescent lamp from the adaptor. The adaptor casing also has a pair of vertically oriented slots for receiving and capturing the bottom legs of a harp used with a lamp assembly. One alternative embodiment of the adaptor has a removable electrical contact base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth Lau
  • Patent number: 6494730
    Abstract: An apparatus that prevents the interchange or replacement of an expensive compact fluorescent lamp with a standard inexpensive incandescent bulb to diminish thefts of the more expensive lamp, by using a locking lamp socket insert in combination with newly designed screw lamp base that permits the operation of the compact fluorescent lamp. Should the compact fluorescent lamp be substituted with a standard inexpensive incandescent bulb, the center contact in the base of the incandescent bulb cannot touch the centrally located leaf-spring contact of the lamp socket, thereby preventing the incandescent bulb from operating. The lamp socket insert is a rigid plastic material such as nylon, shaped as a flat disk with three tangential cantilever, spaced apart vanes. A pointed end of each tine permits the insert to rotate upon insertion, but a counterclockwise rotation causes the tines to bite into the interior socket sidewalls preventing its counter-rotation and removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Technical Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ellis Yan
  • Patent number: 6413107
    Abstract: A lamp has a lamp body having a first socket and a second socket configured to receive matching bases of a tubular fluorescent light. At least the first socket has a housing that is of such a design that the housing, with a base of the fluorescent tube received and electrically contacted in the first socket, is detachably connected to the lamp body. The detachable connection is a snap connection having a bore and a matching pin that can be secured in the bore by a snap element engaging a locking recess on the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Spectral Gesellschaft für Lichttechnik mit beschränkter Haftung
    Inventors: Paul Heinrich Neuhorst, Clemens Meyer
  • Patent number: 6325651
    Abstract: A light emitting device (1) includes a tubular light emitter (11) and a pair of caps (14) disposed at both ends of the tubular light emitter. Each cap (14) includes a contact (24) and a pair of catching arms (27) both which of which project from the cap body (22) at approximately a right angle to the tube axis of the cap body (22). During assembly, catching arms (27) serve to protect contact (24) from damage and securely attach each cap (14) to the tubular light emitter. Each cap (14) includes a partition wall with a hole (30) connecting a conductive element (21) to contacts (24). The light emitter (11) may include a tube (12) containing one or more light elements (15) joined by wires (16) additionally operating as positioning elements (20). The socket (2) may include one or more groves for gaskets (42) providing a waterproof light emitter (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Moriyama Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Nishihara, Katsunori Sato, Masayuki Katougi, Kazuaki Murata
  • Patent number: 6280215
    Abstract: An apparatus for an insulator tube in which a high-voltage conductor and an electrode of a high-voltage tube are connected. The insulator tube has a first end receiving the electrode, and the insulator tube is received by an open first end of a housing. The insulator tube and housing are connectable to mount the insulator tube and the housing to a structure. The apparatus is a plug having a tubular body adapted to extend through the opposite end of the insulator tube, and the plug has an inner ring within the tubular body adapted to receive and sealingly engage the high-voltage conductor. The plug also has outer rings extending from the tubular body that sealingly engage the insulator tube, thereby preventing moisture from exiting the insulator tube and causing a short circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: France/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventor: Daniel W. Rice
  • Patent number: 6229257
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp includes a glass bulb whose inner surface is coated with a fluorescent substance, a glass bead attached to an end of the glass bulb so as to seal the glass bulb, an exhaust tube provided in the glass bead and sealed, a filament coil arranged in an internal portion of the glass bulb, and an electrode terminal member electrically connected to the filament coil. The glass bead controls a position of the electrode terminal member. The glass bulb preferably contains 5 to 10 wt % of Na2O. The glass bulb, the glass bead and the exhaust tube preferably have a lead-free composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Kondoh, Yutaka Koyamada, Hisatoshi Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 6100638
    Abstract: A kit for converting a fluorescent lighting unit from inductive operation to electronic operation (using a high frequency ballast). The kit comprises a pair of sleeve-like adaptors which are adapted to be mounted at the ends of a straight fluorescent lighting tube, and a wiring assembly for electrically connecting the adapters. The components forming the electronic ballast can be mounted in one or both of the adapters, or can be mounted in the wiring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Asian Electronics Limited
    Inventor: Suresh H. Shah
  • 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: 5855487
    Abstract: A lamp socket is adapted for receiving a fluorescent lamp of the type which has a pair of parallel contact pins extending axially from opposite ends thereof. The lamp is adapted to be moved at a right angle to its longitudinal axis into the socket. A socket housing has a pair of generally parallel slots for receiving the contact pins as the pins are moved into the slots in a direction generally perpendicular to the axes of the pins. A pair of terminals are mounted in the socket housing respectively exposed in the slots for engagement by the contact pins. A lever is pivotally mounted on the socket housing and includes blocking portions aligned with the slots. The lever is pivotable between a first position wherein the blocking portions are removed from the slots to allow movement of the contact pins into the slots and a second position wherein the blocking portions block the slots to prevent movement of the contact pins out of the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Shinsuke Kunishi
  • Patent number: 5762509
    Abstract: A stabilizer casing for a fluorescent light fixture includes an open lower case, a printed circuit board mounted in the open lower case, a connector connected to a portion of the printed circuit board and having connection terminals, and a cap connected to the open lower case so that the connection terminals of the connector are exposed externally at one end of the cap. The stabilizer can be easily automated and cost reduction can be accomplished accordingly due to the simplified production steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: LG Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bog Youn Kang
  • Patent number: 5684355
    Abstract: A lamp is provided with a mounting arrangement for achieving a precise alignment. The lamp includes a double-ended light source, a metal strap clamping one end of the light source at two locations, and a plastic base having an internal opening wherein the metal strap is engaged. The metal strap includes two clamping members between which the light source is clamped and a cap member attached to the clamping members. The cap member has tabs adapted for engaging the internal opening of the plastic base and gimbaling the light source to align the light source with respect to the plastic base. The clamping members are joined together at a point between the to clamping locations such that a spring force clamps the light source. The clamping members are also oriented at an angle of about 45 degrees from vertical to better withstand both vertical and horizontal loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas G. Seredich, Thomas R. Norris, Gino Savarino, Thomas H. Yu, John J. Stewart
  • Patent number: 5510964
    Abstract: This luminaire employs as its light source a double-ended lamp comprising a tubular light-transmitting envelope having a central longitudinal axis, conductive terminals at opposite ends of the envelope, and a light-generating filament connected between the terminals. The lamp, when installed in the luminaire, is connected between a pair of spaced contacts respectively engaging its conductive terminals. The luminaire is constructed in such a manner that an installer engaged in relamping it is blocked from accidentally touching one terminal of the lamp while the other terminal is engaged with its mating contact, thereby protecting the installer from such electric shock as could result from touching one lamp terminal while the other is engaged with a live contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Regent Lighting Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Spitler, Suleyman O. Sumer
  • Patent number: 5320547
    Abstract: To permit easy insertion and removal of a compact fluorescent lamp (2) in and from a socket, the socket is formed with a body (3) having an engagement surface wall (5) from which a shelf (4) projects bounded by side walls (22, 23) to define a base reception cavity (25). The engagement wall (5) is formed with slits (11) to permit terminal pins (13) from the lamp to pass therethrough, for engagement with electrical terminal contacts (T). The lamp is held in position by a resilient catch or latch or snap-over element (14) movably mounted on the engagement wall (5), for example by being molded on a separated strip portion (15) forming a resilient holder, and projecting from the engagement wall (5), to snap over the end portion of a base (35) of the lamp, when inserted. To release the lamp, the catch can be bent backwardly. Holding projections (30) on the shelf lock the lamp in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Vossloh-Schwabe GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Mews, Peter Morlinghaus
  • Patent number: 5282755
    Abstract: A lamp lock for assembly of a fluorescent lamp with a lamp fixture is provided. A wafer-like body portion is made of electrically insulating material capable of use in the temperature range experienced by bi-pins of the fluorescent lamp. In use, the body portion is inserted between an axial end of the lamp and an adjacent face of the lamp fixture. The body portion has a leading edge and is provided with a slot extending through the leading edge for reception of the bi-pins. The lock further has a first lateral edge for sliding proximal engagement with a planar surface proximate to the lamp fixture for preventing the lock and the lamp from rotating, thereby securing the lamp to the lamp fixture. Preferably, the slot extends between, and in parallel alignment with, the first lateral edge and a second lateral edge of the body portion, such that the distance between the first lateral edge and the slot is greater than the distance between the second lateral edge and the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Vemco Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur G. Ahlstone
  • Patent number: 5261831
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp socket disclosed is designed for use in environments subject to substantial vibration or shock. A fluorescent lamp is supported by its ferrule or end cap to firmly couple the lamp to the socket. The socket is provided with a retainer element for ready insertion or removal of the lamp. While the lamp is being inserted into the socket, the retainer element engages an edge of the lamp ferrule which impinges on a camming surface of the retainer element and forces the retainer element into a cavity of the socket body. At the same time, contact pins of the lamp are received in slots formed in the socket body having contacts disposed therein. The lamp contact pins cause the contacts to bow, thereby forming a reliable pressure contact between them. As the lamp ferrule continues to be inserted, the lamp ferrule will pass beyond the retainer element and the retainer element will be freed to be urged by a spring toward an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Gulton Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammed J. Vendal, Labon B. Ruth, III
  • Patent number: 5227690
    Abstract: The lamp has a lamp cap (10) with a metal shell (20), in which an insulator body (30) with a circumferential outer surface (31) between a first and a second end face (32, 33) is locked. Recesses (34) occur at the outer surface (31) at a cross-section (II--II). Between these recesses (34) the outer surface (31) has flattened portions (35), which enable the metal shell (20) to be deformed when the insulator body (30) and the shell (20) are assembled together, and to widen temporarily near the recesses (34). As a result projections (23) in the metal shell (20) can be depressed more deeply than in the case of an outer surface (31) without flattened portions (35). Consequently, the projections (23) press clampingly in the recesses (34) of the outer surface (31), when the metal shell (20) is released, thereby tightly securing the insulator body (30) in the metal shell (20 ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Nicasius G. T. Van Gennip
  • Patent number: 5169331
    Abstract: A lampholder for receiving one end of a fluorescent lamp and the associated pair of electrical contact pins is disclosed. The lampholder has a base member with slots for receiving the fluorescent lamp pins and a contact or terminal carrying plunger is disposed within the base member so as to be unilaterally movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The base member includes a pair of lead wire accepting openings remote from the pin receiving slots and the electrical contacts each include a lead wire accepting aperture. The apertures are in alignment with the openings only when the plunger is in the extended position. The lead wires fit snugly in the openings so that any subsequent flexing of the a lead wire occurs away from the region of contact between the wire and its corresponding terminal. When a lead wire is passed through an opening and corresponding aperture and the plunger is moved from the extended to the retracted position, the wire is deformed and securely gripped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Group Dekko International
    Inventors: Andrew B. Caldwell, Alan R. Hass
  • Patent number: 5145392
    Abstract: A holder for one end of a bi-pin fluorescent lamp has slots for slidably receiving the pins. The pins abut and then move electrical contacts against spring bias thereon as the received pins move in the slots. After sufficient movement of the pins and contacts, a slide is moved by a spring to block reverse movement of the pins and contacts. Rotation of a lever on the holder reversely moves the slide to permit the contacts to eject the pins from the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: F. L. Aerospace Corp.
    Inventor: Richard R. Kemp
  • Patent number: 5132885
    Abstract: A portable fluorescent lighting system comprises an extremely lightweight corrugated plastic panel made into five subpanels by removing two flutes of the corrugation out to provide for hinging. At each end of each subpanel an oval shape channel is attached such that a deformable and form retaining shaft may be inserted for the purpose of preventing the subpanels to revert back to their original positions and remain in the desired configuration. Each oval channel is fixed to the subpanels to allow for a gap equal to no less than the hinge area created by removal of the flutes. The oval channel is larger than the form retaining wire to allow for a floating fit and for easy replacement in the event of shaft breaking. At least one elongate fluorescent light source is placed on the center subpanel and other four subpanels are used to control the direction of or limit the output of the fluorescent light as well as act as an enclosure box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Kino Flo, Inc.
    Inventors: Frieder K. Hocheim, Gary H. Swirk
  • Patent number: 4994710
    Abstract: The low-pressure discharge lamp has a tubular lamp vessel provided at its both ends with a lamp cap having a pair of contact pins. Each lamp cap is fixed in an adapter having one central contact pin electrically connected to at least one of the pair of contact pins of the lamp cap. A lamp of ordinary construction when provided with the adaptor is thus suitable for use in a space containing explosive gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Bauke J. Roelevink, Frans J. Traksel, Johannes A. A. M. Van Heeswijk
  • Patent number: 4992915
    Abstract: A lighting fixture is disclosed with a U-shaped channel member having a first end and a second end including a web and first and second upstanding side walls with a first end joined to said web and a second end, and preferably including a pair of spaced-apart unitary socket members mounted at the first and second ends of the channel member for removably mounting a lamp therebetween, each of the unitary socket members including a base member between the first and second upstanding side walls of the channel member and normally located at a position spanning the second ends of the first and second upstanding side walls of the channel member, the base members including mounting means for mounting a lamp receptacle above the upstanding side walls, a pair of downturned side walls extending from the base member along the upstanding side walls of the channel member within the channel member, an end wall extending from the base member and located between the upstanding side walls at the first and second ends of the ch
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Steelcraft Fluorescent Company
    Inventor: Barry J. Meister
  • Patent number: 4982132
    Abstract: A lamp assembly includes a lamp capsule, a reflector, an electrical connector and a lens. The lamp capsule includes a lamp envelope having a base portion, and the reflector includes an opening for receiving the base portion of the lamp envelope. The reflector is fabricated of a resilient material such as a high temperature thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic. The base portion of the lamp capsule and the reflector include lamp introducing elements which mechanically lock the lamp capsule in the reflector. The lamp interlocking elements preferably position the center of light output of the lamp capsule at the focal point of the reflector. The connector and a neck portion of the reflector include connector interlocking elements which mechanically lock the connector to the reflector. The lens and the outer rim of the reflector include integral lens interlocking elements which mechanically lock and position the lens on the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Meyer, Mark D. Beschle
  • Patent number: 4936789
    Abstract: An adaptor (12) includes a threaded portion (14) intended to be screwed into a conventional lamp socket (18) to replace a standard incandescent light bulb. The adaptor includes spring clips (38) that are operative to prevent removal of terminal pins (36) on the base of a fluorescent lamp (30). A table lamp (20) in which the adapter is installed is connected through a male polarized electrical plug (62) to a remote power supply (68). The power supply is plugged into a conventional AC wall outlet (74). A tamper-proof fastener (78) attaches the power supply to the outlet, preventing it from being removed by a user who does not have access to a special driver required to turn the fastener. Spring clips within the power supply prevent removal of the male plug, so that the table lamp cannot be stolen without cutting the power cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Inventor: Joseph Ugalde
  • Patent number: 4933819
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a bulb in a reflector opening of a headlight includes tongues which are cut-out and bent-out of a portion of the reflector from which an opening is formed through which a bulb to be mounted thereat is inserted. These tongues engage notches in an edge of a base flange of the bulb in a radial direction to prevent rotation thereof. A holding spring which spans over the flange of the bulb base lies under tension against the flange and urges it against an opening frame of the reflector. The holding spring is attached to the reflector at cut outs in edges of the mounting tongues on opposite sides of the opening. Spring tongues from a middle portion of the holding spring impinge on the bulb base flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Klaus Mohsakowski, Reinhold Brummel
  • Patent number: 4875866
    Abstract: An improved light socket for use with light bulbs of conventional design and threaded base, has a frame and a cup adapted to accept the light bulb base mounted for longitudinal motion within the frame between a first extended position and a second retracted position. Electrical contacts are provided for establishing electrical continuity with the bulb, the contacts being engaged with the bulb when the cup is in the second, retracted position and disengaged from the bulb when the cup is in the first, extended position. An engagement finger engages the bulb thread when the cup is in the retracted position to retain the bulb in the cup, and releases the bulb when the cup returns to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Inventor: Arnold F. Winant
  • Patent number: 4842535
    Abstract: A connector for discharge electrodes of luminous gas tubes includes an insulative barrel receiving a power cable at one end for attachment to a fixed end of a resilient contact member. The opposite end of the barrel is open and threaded, to receive the crimped and headed tip of a gas tube having electrode conductors projecting therefrom. A lock element is applied to the crimped portion of the gas tube end and is axially captured thereon so that following insertion of the tube tip and lock element into the barrel open end, a cap surrounding the gas tube engages the threads of the barrel to radially and axially retain the tube tip within the barrel interior with its electrode conductors firmly biased against a displaceable end of the resilient contact member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Inventors: David C. Velke, Sr., George P. Marsden, Burton C. Leffingwell
  • Patent number: 4799896
    Abstract: A socket for a compact fluorescent lamp which includes two or more parallel tubes that share a common base, said base including at least two terminal pins and retaining means for engagement with the socket, has a housing including a back wall, a front wall, with top and bottom walls and two side walls extending from said back wall and forward of said front wall, thereby defining a front opening for receiving said lamp base. Channels are formed in said housing enclosing conductive terminals for receiving each of said terminal pins in electrically conductive engagement. Said front wall defines openings through which the terminal pins project for engagement with said conductive terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: Edwin Gaynor Co.
    Inventors: Edwin Gaynor, John C. Dinsdale
  • Patent number: 4795357
    Abstract: A lamp holder for fluorescent lamps, which incorporates a latching arrangement, especially for utilization in the passenger cabin of airplanes. The lamp holder includes two adjacently located inserting slots for the lateral or end-projecting contact pins of the fluorescent lamp, into which inserting slots there project retaining pins, which are displaceable opposite a spring force, for effecting the latching of the contact pins; wherein an unlatching knob or pushbutton is adapted to act on the retaining pins, and wherein there is present a guiding channel extending in parallel with the inserting slots for the guidance of the fluoescent lamp. In the area of the guiding channel, there may also be arranged resilient elements extending in parallel with the inserting slots for the retention of the fluorescent lamp in its ejected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Joachim Kosmol, Thomas Krummer
  • Patent number: 4758173
    Abstract: An adaptor for extending tombstone style lamp sockets, as used with fluorescent lamps to permit the use of shorter lamps. The adaptors include pins which are rotated into the standard tombstone style socket and then further include contact openings in a plunger plate movable in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the fluorescent lamp to permit insertion of a fluorescent lamp without the need for rotating it into the tombstone socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Duro-Test Corporation
    Inventor: Donald Northrop
  • Patent number: 4713019
    Abstract: A socket for fluorescent lamps includes in a side wall, at least one integral resilient flange having an inward facing hook shaped for establishing reversible locking engagement with a retaining hook on the lamp's base. At least two such inward facing resilient flange hooks are preferred. An access opening at the bottom of the socket is provided for molding each hook integral with the socket and for air circulation to the lamp's base. Lips on external walls are provided to protect the lamp pins from contact by foreign bodies when the lamp base is installed in the socket. A key slot on a socket wall for mating with a key protrusion on the lamp base assures that the desired specific wattage lamp is installed in the socket. Snap-in-lock flanges are alternatively provided for base, side and top mounting of the sockets. Flange mounting is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Inventor: Edwin Gaynor