Locking light socket and light

Details Locking light socket and light Locking light socket and light

2000-02-11

2001-05-01

Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...

Retaining means

C439S923000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06224415

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to lights and their corresponding light sockets. More particularly, the present invention relates to the way in which lights are secured within light sockets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In general, light bulbs have threaded bases that screw into threaded sockets. The threads hold the bulb in the socket. However, some lights are held in their sockets simply by friction. For example, Christmas light strings, which may include up to 200 lights, use friction fitted bulbs because it simplifies manufacture.
One problem with using friction to hold lights in light sockets of Christmas light strings is that if one of the lights comes out of the socket in a string where the bulbs are arranged electrically in series, the whole string will fail.
Thus, there remains a need for a way to secure friction-fitted lights in their light sockets more securely than is obtained with traditional friction fitting of lights. Moreover, if friction fitting can be done in such a way that the light will not readily be removable from its socket, such a way of securing lights in light sockets may replace the more traditional socket and lamp base threads.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to its major aspects and briefly recited, the present invention is an improved light and its corresponding light socket. The light includes a bulb secured to a base which is formed to fit into the light socket. The base has a flange that deforms against the wall of the socket as the base is inserted into the socket. Furthermore, the flange, when deformed, locks against the inside surface of the socket wall in a way that it resists removal of the light in order to hold the light in the light socket more securely. To remove the light, a tool such as a screw driver is inserted into a key-way formed in the socket wall to allow the light to be pried from the socket.
An important feature of the present invention is the deformable flange. By deforming on insertion into the socket, the flange adds a spring force to the normal frictional force thereby increasing holding power.
Another important feature of the present invention is the cooperation between the deformable flange and the inside wall of the socket. The flange and wall are shaped so that the upper edge of the flange “digs” into the surface of the wall when the light is being pulled from the socket, thus resisting removal of the light from the socket.
Still another important feature of the present invention is the key-way in the socket that allows the light to be pried free easily with, for example, a flat heat screw driver.
Other features and their advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art of lamp design from a careful reading of a Detailed Description Of Preferred Embodiments accompanied by the following drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1724592 (1929-08-01), hudson
patent: 4573754 (1986-03-01), Hill
patent: 4601528 (1986-07-01), Spier
patent: 5137465 (1992-08-01), Chwang
patent: 5278741 (1994-01-01), Ehrman
patent: 5562468 (1996-10-01), Sakai et al.

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