Abstract: A double-ended socket system for safely and easily seating a double-ended lamp is disclosed. The system has two socket assemblies spaced a distance corresponding to the length of a double-ended lamp. Each socket assembly has a housing with a recess that houses a cylindrical socket for receiving a lamp end that rotates between a disengaged orientation and an engaged orientation. The housing has an attached electrical connector connected to a power source. The socket has another attached electrical connector that contacts the electrical connector of the housing only when the socket is rotated to the engaged orientation, thus eliminating the electrical shock hazard of conventional double-ended socket systems. The lamp may be removed only while in the disengaged orientation. A user may install a double-ended lamp into the socket system by use of only one hand. A method of use of a double-ended socket system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A double-ended socket system for safely and easily seating a double-ended lamp is disclosed. The system has two socket assemblies spaced a distance corresponding to the length of a double-ended lamp. Each socket assembly has a housing with a recess that houses a cylindrical socket for receiving a lamp end that rotates between a disengaged orientation and an engaged orientation. The housing has an attached electrical connector connected to a power source. The socket has another attached electrical connector that contacts the electrical connector of the housing only when the socket is rotated to the engaged orientation, thus eliminating the electrical shock hazard of conventional double-ended socket systems. The lamp may be removed only while in the disengaged orientation. A user may install a double-ended lamp into the socket system by use of only one hand. A method of use of a double-ended socket system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Described are embodiments of driver brackets having dividers that separate low voltage wires from high voltage wires within a driver enclosure so as to reduce the risk of high and low voltage wires coming into contact within the driver enclosure. Also described are embodiments of driver brackets that support a driver entirely on one side of the driver bracket.

Abstract: A discharge tube of the present invention includes a glass bulb in which noble gas is enclosed, a pair of electrodes protruding from both ends of the glass bulb in the longitudinal direction of the glass bulb, and a connector connected to each of the electrodes. Each of the electrodes includes at least an axis section and a large-diameter section with a step section and a circumferential face. The step section has a first latching section for latching onto the connector. The circumferential face has a contact section with which the connector comes in contact. The connector includes a connector body into which the electrode is inserted, a second latching section for latching onto the first latching section of the electrode, and a connecting section connected to the contact section of the electrode. This achieves a discharge tube with high connection reliability and high heat radiation efficiency, and a light-emitting apparatus provided with this discharge tube.

Abstract: A socket assembly includes a rotor, a housing, and first and second conductors. The rotor includes a channel formed therein and defines an axis of rotation. The channel has a length about perpendicular to the axis of rotation and defines first and second ends. The housing receives the rotor such that the rotor is rotatable about its axis of rotation between first and second positions when secured therein. The housing includes a notch. The channel of the rotor aligns with the notch of the housing when in the first position such that first and second lamp pins can be received through the notch of the housing and into the channel of the rotor. The first conductor has first and second ends each disposed on opposite sides of the rotor. The first end of the conductor contacts the first lamp pin when the rotor is in the second position and the second end of the conductor contacts the second lamp pin when the rotor is in the second position.

Abstract: A lamp socket includes a body receiving a lamp, and a power supplying member disposed inside the body, the power supplying member a conductive elastomer, the power supplying member electrically interconnecting the lamp and an inverter substrate on which an inverter is mounted. The power supplying member includes a lamp connector receiving a lead wire of the lamp, and an inverter connector formed integrally with the lamp connector, wherein the inverter connector receives a protrusion of the inverter substrate to encircle the protrusion.

Abstract: A socket assembly includes a rotor assembly, a housing, and at least one electrical contact. The rotor assembly has an axis of rotation and defines a channel. The rotor assembly is adapted to receive at least one lamp pin within the channel from an edge of the rotor assembly. The housing is adapted to receive the rotor assembly such that the rotor assembly is rotatable along its axis of rotation therein. The housing defines a notch adapted to receive each of the at least one lamp pin when each of the axis of each of the at least one pin is about parallel to the axis of rotation. A least one electrical contact is disposed within the housing and an electrical contact of the at least one electrical contact is adapted for operative engagement with a lamp pin of the at least one lamp pin.

Abstract: A lamp socket has a mover and a supporter. At an open position, the supporter supports the mover so that the mover does not prevent a lamp from being moved to or from a mounting position along a specified direction. When the lamp can be moved from the mounting position along the specified direction, the supporter supports the mover so that the contacts do not make contact with lamp pins, respectively. At the close position, the supporter supports the mover so that the mover prevents the lamp from being moved from or to the mounting position along the specified direction. If the mover is at the close position, and the lamp is in a posture by which it can be moved from the mounting position along the specified direction in case of the open position, the supporter supports the mover so that the contacts make contact with the pins, respectively.

Abstract: A fluorescent lampholder with a top portion for supporting a fluorescent lamp and a base portion with a wire opening located on the bottom surface of the base that receives wires without exposing the wires to the exterior surface of a fixture. The lampholder is capable of supporting various types and/or sizes of fluorescent lamps such as “tall”, “medium” and “small” T-8 fluorescent lamps as well as other types and/or sizes of fluorescent lamps.

Abstract: A fluorescent lampholder with a top portion for supporting a fluorescent lamp and a base portion with a wire opening located on the bottom surface of the base that receives wires without exposing the wires to the exterior surface of a fixture. The lampholder is capable of supporting various types and/or sizes of fluorescent lamps such as “tall”, “medium” and “small” T-8 fluorescent lamps as well as other types and/or sizes of fluorescent lamps.

Abstract: A fluorescent lampholder with a top portion for supporting a fluorescent lamp and a base portion with a wire opening located on the bottom surface of the base that receives wires without exposing the wires to the exterior surface of a fixture. The lampholder is capable of supporting various types and/or sizes of fluorescent lamps such as “tall”, “medium” and “small” T-8 fluorescent lamps as well as other types and/or sizes of fluorescent lamps.

Abstract: The lamp socket according to the invention demonstrates a housing (2) with a rotor (26). Contacts (15, 16), which demonstrate contact tags (17) that are resilient in the swivel direction, are mounted in the housing (2). The open ends (18) of the contact tags can support themselves on stopping means (31 to 34), which are moved by the rotor (26). In the support position, they are positioned on the ends (18) of the contacts (15, 16). When the lamp is rotated from its insertion position into its connected position, the support means (31 to 34) are distant from the ends (18) of the contacts (15, 16), however, so that the lamp can be rotated relatively freely without current. Only near the end of this rotational movement do cams provided on the support means (31 to 34) bump against the ends (18) of the contacts (15, 16) and force them radially inwards and clamp the contacts (15, 16) against the pins (45, 46) of the lamp.

Abstract: A sealing component includes an elastomeric material. An exterior side surface of the elastomeric material is to define at least a first seal with a first external mating member into which the sealing component is insertable. An interior surface of the elastomeric material is to define a second seal and a third seal with a second external mating member insertable into the sealing component.

Abstract: A composite contact includes a main body part, a first elastic piece which extends from the main body part and elastically contacts with a terminal disposed at an end part of a fluorescent tube and a second elastic piece which extends from the main body part and aims at elastically contacts with a conductive pattern which is formed on at least one of a front surface and a back surface of a circuit board, and the main body part, the first elastic piece and the second elastic piece are formed as one integrated part by a single member.

Abstract: A fluorescent bulb retaining spring (6) comprises a one piece, sheet-metal stamped and bent part, entirely and seamlessly comprised of one material. The retaining spring (6) can be produced especially simply from one rectangular piece of sheet metal of substantially uniform thickness, with all functional parts and functional regions created by cutting out spring tongues and bending them outwardly from the sheet. Connecting legs between a bulb retainer portion (9) and a fastening portion (8) form an annular region which is closed in force-locking fashion by a crimped connection (29, 31, 32), which can be produced in automated fashion as part of the stamping and bending operation.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a switch lamp holder, which comprises: a core, having a switch control element stretched from its lateral and a set of penetrating orifices which are residing at the oblique areas of the core, and joining a hollow chamber at its one end; a cover, having a through hole at its top and a hollow chamber at its bottom to conceal the core with an joint, and having a slot at its lateral to allow the passage of the switch control element; and a positioning plate, offering a set of posts at its top, capable of joining the penetrating orifices, and a set of positioning grooves, for accommodating a set of conducting spring slices, and the conducting spring slices is provided with a connecting cord to extend upward to join said core.

Abstract: An electrical contact modifier is configured to allow the use of a “single-element” medium base light bulb in a three-way lamp holder/switch. The device allows the three-way switch to replicate the “OFF-ON” functionality of a standard one-way light switch.

Abstract: A socket (10) for a lamp (12) having a projecting electrical contact (14) at least at one end, the socket (10) comprising: an electrically insulating housing (16) having a bottom surface (18) for attachment to a base (20) and an upper surface (22), the upper surface (22) having a wire-receiving groove (24) formed therein; an electrical contact receiving position (26) formed with the upper surface (22) adjacent the wire receiving groove (24); an electrical contact (28) fixed at the electrical contact receiving position (26), the electrical contact (28) having a tail (30) extending into the wire receiving groove (24); a cover receiving position (32) formed with the upper surface (22) and spaced from the electrical contact receiving position, the cover receiving position (32) including a depression (34); an electrically insulating cover (36) fixed to the cover receiving position, the cover (36) including a wire engaging portion (38) projecting into the wire receiving groove (24) and a boss (40) fitted into the d

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: A wire connector (10) has an electrically insulating housing (12) with a bottom surface (14) for attachment to a base (16) and an upper surface (18) having a wire-receiving groove (20) formed therein. An electrical contact receiving position (22) is formed with the upper surface (18) adjacent the wire receiving groove (20) and an electrical contact (24) is fixed at the electrical contact receiving position (22). The electrical contact (24) has a tail (26) extending into the wire-receiving groove (20). A cover receiving position (28) is formed with the upper surface (18) and spaced from the electrical contact receiving position (22); and an electrically insulating cover (30) is fixed at the cover receiving position (28), the cover including a wire engaging portion (32) projecting into the wire receiving groove (20).

Abstract: A socket (5) for a double-ended lamp (12) comprises a pair of opposed connectors (10) including single-piece ceramic housings (14) each having a top surface (16) and a bottom surface (18) and including a contact receiving area (20) formed in the top surface (16). An electrical contact (22) is positioned in the contact receiving area (20) and secured by any suitable means. The electrical contact (22) has a rectangular base (24) with two sides (26, 28) and two ends (30, 32). Opposed, upright walls (34, 36) extend from the sides (26, 28) of the base (24), and an upright clip (38) extends from one end of the base, for example, end (30). The upright walls (34, 36) and the upright clip (38) have portions projecting beyond the top surface (16) of the ceramic housing (14) to receive an end (40) of the lamp (12) therein. The electrical contact (22) is further mounted within a supplemental spring (50) having opposed legs (54, 56) which are adjacent to the upright walls (34, 36) of the contact.

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 electrical connector system comprising a plug assembly and a socket assembly. The plug assembly includes a plurality of conductive pads. The socket assembly includes a first set of spring contacts and a second set of spring contacts. The first set of spring contacts are oriented in a direction opposing an orientation of the second set of spring contacts. Each spring contact within the first and second sets of spring contacts contact one of the plurality of conductive pads.

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.

Abstract: A first pair of axially extending terminals on a high voltage insulation plug designed to mount on an end of a gas discharge lamp are separated from each other by a wall that carries a second pair of axially extending terminals mounted on the wall spaced axially from the first pair, the four terminals are adapted for electrical connection to the gas discharge lamp; and a high voltage insulation socket having four axial passageways each containing an axially movable contact spring biased toward the plug, the terminals and passageways so configured that when the plug is rotated on the socket about a common axis with each terminal axially depressing one of the contacts, protrusions on the second pair can be rotated under shoulders in the socket adjacent to the passageways.

Abstract: A fluorescent tube base comprises a body and a cover detachably attached to the body. The body is provided with two conductive pieces and a bridging or shorting piece connecting the two conductive pieces. The conductive pieces are provided with a through hole. The bridging piece is provided with two connection ends. The two conductive pieces are connected by the bridging piece such that the two connection ends of the bridging piece are inserted into the through holes of the two conductive pieces. With such assembly, a conventional tube base may be used for joining florescent tubes in parallel.

Abstract: A holder provided, in particular, for fluorescent lamps with a two-pin base has a branching insertion slot which preferably has a circular section and, intersecting the latter, a section of rectilinear construction. Arranged on both sides of the bifurcation, which is next to the mouth of the insertion slot and at which the rectilinear part of the insertion slot intersects the circular part of the insertion slot, are latching members which require a force of at least 10 N to be overridden. The latching members act directly on the contact pins of the fluorescent lamp. The result of this is to avoid one contact pin coming into contact with a live contact before the other contact pin has actually been inserted into the holder in a shockproof fashion. Fluorescent lamps are inserted in a conventional way by inserting the contact pins into the rectilinear region of the insertion slot and by rotating the fluorescent lamp by 90°. The fluorescent lamp is withdrawn in the opposite way.

Abstract: Lampholders to be used with cold cathode fluorescent lamps of the type that do not require heated internal filaments. A lamp pin contact to engage one of the two lamp pins at each end of the lamp provides the electrical circuit between a high voltage ballast and the gas within the lamp. A lamp retainer device engages one of the lamp pins and cooperates with one lamp pin contact to support the lamp. The device may take the form of one or more cantilever mounted insulating or conductive arms, a flat or spring wire form or may be made of compressible material. A further form of lampholder uses a spring loaded contact to engage the lamp pins of a fluorescent lamp and to make contact with a single power conductor.

Abstract: A lamp holder carries a fluorescent lamp which includes first and second contact pins, with each contact pin having a diameter. The lamp holder includes a socket having a pair of walls defining a clearance distance therebetween which is at all times greater than the diameter of the contact pins. The walls define a slot therebetween, the slot configured for receiving the contact pins therein. At least one of the walls has a first notch for receiving the first contact pin therein. The lamp holder also includes an electrically conductive terminal associated with the slot for providing power to the second contact pin. The terminal is configured for melting when being an electrode of an electric arc discharge, thereby discontinuing the electric arc discharge.

Abstract: A socket for two-pin lamps, wherein the socket has a housing defining chambers for receiving contacts for the lamp pins and the housing has insertion openings for the lamp pins, and wherein the ends of the pins have heads which contact the contacts in the chambers in a resilient manner when the pins are inserted in the insertion openings and the pins project into the chambers. The insertion openings extend arc-shaped on the housing, wherein the width of a first portion of each insertion opening is greater than the width of the pin head, while a second portion of each insertion opening has a width which is smaller than the width of the pin head but greater than the width of the pin itself. When the lamp is turned in the insertion openings, the lamp surface supporting the pins is pulled against a support surface of the housing.

Abstract: A fluorescent-lamp socket assembly has a socket, a standard base, and a starter base. The socket has a nonconductive housing having an open end and a pair of conductors in the housing engageable with contact pins of a lamp fitted to the housing and exposed in the open housing end. The standard base is shaped to fit complementarily into and close the open housing end and is formed with throughgoing holes through which wires can be engaged with the conductors. The starter base has a one-piece nonconductive housing having a plug end shaped to fit complementarily into and close the open housing end and an opposite end adapted to hold a starter and a conductor inside the starter-base housing for connecting a starter in the opposite end with one of the conductors in the socket.

Abstract: A lamp assembly comprises a lamp having a plurality of terminal pins projecting from a base, and a lamp holder having terminal contacts for engaging the pins. The lamp is first located in the holder by inserting the pins into respective openings in a base of the holder, and the lamp is then rotated relative to the holder to bring a portion of each pin into contact with a respective terminal contact of the holder.