US3251023A

US3251023A - Directly attachable light socket

Info

Publication number: US3251023A
Application number: US333533A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry W Schick
Original assignee: GILBERT Manufacturing CO Inc
Current assignee: GILBERT Manufacturing CO Inc
Priority date: 1963-12-26
Filing date: 1963-12-26
Publication date: 1966-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 1983-05-10

Description

y 0, 1966 H. w. SCHICK 3,251 ,023

DIRECTLY ATTACHABLE LIGHT SOCKET Filed Dec. 26, 1963 VEN R. HEN W. 5 CK ATTORNEYS United States Patent Office 3,251,023 Patented May 10, 1966 3,251 023 DIRECTLY A'ITACHAlSLE LIGHT SGCKET Henry W. Schick, Mastic Beach, Long Island, N.Y., as-

signor to Gilbert Manufacturing Company, Inc., Long Island City, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 26, 1963, Ser. No. 333,533 7 Claims. (Cl. 339-99) This invention relates to light socket assemblies and more particularly to a light socket which is directly attachable at any desired point along a pair of current carrying wires.

There are many instances in which it is desirable to be able to attach a light socket to a pair of current carrying wires at a selected point so that a light bulb may be placed in the socket to produce light at the point of socket attachment. For example, in making decorative arrangements of lights for trees or for outdoor purposes it is sometimes desired to place the light sockets where needed from an aesthetic point of view, rather than to use the sockets of a string of lights having fixed distances, either too great or too small, between adjacent sockets. An additional application is in'the general field of lighting where it may be desired to place a socket at a given point along a pair of current carrying wires.

The present invention is directed to a light socket which may be directly attached to any point along a pair of current carrying wires. In accordance with the invention the socket is of relatively simple two piece molded plastic construction which eliminates the necessity for any additional external screw-type, cap or sliding member to hold the socket to the wires. The elimination of this external piece is highly advantageous since in many cases the piece getslost, is dropped during assembly of the socket to the wires, and/or gets broken. present invention has particular application in its ability to be directly attached at any place, it can also be used in assembling regular strings of sockets.

The socket of the present invention comprises a base member having means such as threads to receive and hold the light bulb. The base also holds the current carrying wires. The base is shaped to receive a shell member carrying the electrical contacts for the bulb. These contacts are preferably of the type for piercing the insulating cover of the current carrying wires to make contact with the current carrying conductors. As the bulb is screwed into the threads. on the base member, the shell and the base are drawn together so that the contact members pierce the respective wires. The socket assembly to the wires is therefore made in a simple manner using only two pieces, one of which contains the contact members and the other of which has the screw threads to hold the bulb. The socket assembly is simple, compact and is relatively inexpensive since it can be molded fairly easily. Due to its construction, the socket also has desirable water proof characteristics.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a light socket for attachment to any desired point along a pair of current carrying wires.

A further object is to provide a directly attachable socket formed of only two pieces, one of which carries the electrical contact members and the other of which has the screw threads for holding the bulb.

Another object is to provide a light bulb socket which is attached to the current carrying wires as the bulb is screwed into the socket.

Still a further object is to provide a light socket having electrical contact members with prongs for making con- While the socket of the the socket has mating shell and base pieces to form a tight enclosure.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the following specification and annexed drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of the socket having portions thereof partially broken away;

FIGURES 2 and 3 are elevational views of the assembled socket of- FIGURE 1 taken in section and turned from each other;

FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view of the socket of FIGURE 3 taken partially in section; and

FIGURE 5 is a bottom plan view of another embodiment of the light socket made in accordance with the present invention.

Referring first to FIGURES 13, the light socket as-' sembly is formed by a shell member 10 which mates with a base member 30. The shell 10 and the base 30 are both preferably integrally molded of any suitable plastic insulating material of the thermoplastic or thermosetting type. Such molding processes and materials are conventional and, in themselves, form no part of the present invention.

The shell 10 has a generally cylindrical barrel. 11 to which is preferably integrally molded a plastic clip member 12 used for attaching the completed socket assembly to a wire, tree branch, etc. It should be understood that a separate clip-12, for example of metal, may be attached to the barrel if desired instead of using the molded clip 12. The inner surface of the barrel 11 is formed with two

recessed channels

14 and 16 preferably opposite each other on the inner wall of the barrel for holding a respective

electrical contact member

15 and 17. It should be understood that instead of using

recessed channels

14 and 16, that two L-shaped walls can be-placed on opposite sides of the interior of the barrel to form respective channels to hold the electrical contact members.

Contact

members

15 and 17 are formed with pointed prongs or pins 18 on the bottom thereof for piercing the insulating cover of a respective one of the current carrying

wires

41 and 42. These wires, when connected to' a suitable power supply (not shown), supply the electrical current to a light bulb 1 which is to be placed in the socket. Contact member 15 has an outwardly bent tab 20 punched out to contact the screw-threaded side 3 of the bulb while contact 17 has a punched out tab 21 bent at substantially right angles to themajor portion of the member at a point to contact the bottom electrical button contact 4 of the bulb.

The shell 10 is also provided with a pair of mechanical stops 22, which are preferably molded to the internal 7 wall of the barrel. These stops 22 limit the downward travel of the bulb as it is screwed into the socket. The barrel 11 also has a cut out portion 24 under each

channel

14 and 16 to accommodate the current carrying wires. As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, the prongs 18 of the two

contact members

15 and 17 extend into this cut out portion. The upper, part of the barrel 11 also has an opening 26 to accommodate the entrance of the light-bulb;

This opening has a chamfered lip 25.

The base member 30 includes a base piece 31 and illustratively, four spaced upstanding generally circular walls 32-1, 32-2, 32-3 and 32-4 thereon spaced from the I periphery of piece 31 to form a ledge 36. The spacing be-' suitable type thread may be used to accommodate a corresponding type of bulb, for example a bayonet thread to hold a bayonet bulb base, etc.

As illustratively shown in FIGURE 1, walls 32-1 and 32-2 are bigger than walls 32-3 and 3.2-4, that is, they occupy a larger angular segment on the circle on which the walls are located. Also, the spaces or slots 34 between walls 32-1 and 32-3, and 32-2 and 32-4 are larger than the slots 35 between the corresponding walls 32-1 and 32-4, and 32-2 and 32-3, The spaces or slots 34 are wide enough to accept the stop members 22 while the spaces 33 can accommodate the current carrying

wires

41 and 42.

In assembling the light socket, the

contact member

15 and 17 are placed into their

respective channels

14 and 16 and held therein, preferably by a force fit, so that the prong portions 18 of both

contact members

15 and 17 extend into the respective openings 24 at the lower part of the barrel. The Wires 41 and 42 are then laid across the base piece 31 through the two slots 34. Next, the shell 10 is placed over the walls 32 of the base member with the two stops 22 aligned in the two openings 35. The outer diameter of the walls 32 and the inner diameter of the barrel 11 are preferably selected to produce an engaging fit so that some pressure is needed to force the shell 10 over the walls 32. If desired, a number of longitudinal ribs (not shown) may be formed on either the outer surface of the walls 32 or the inner surface of the barrel 11, or both. This will enhance sliding of the

pieces

10 and 30 with respect to each other since it reduces the friction therebetween while still providing the engaging fit. While the two members 11 and 30 can have a loose fit, this is not preferred, although the principles of the invention will still apply to such an arrangement.

After the shell 10 has been pushed part way over the base 30, the bulb 1 is inserted into the opening 26 in the shell. As the bulb is turned, its threaded base 3 engages the threads 33 of the walls 32 and the bulbs glass envelope engages the chamfered portion 25 of the barrel. Continued threading of the bulb 1 into the socket moves the shell downwardly by drawing upon the base 30. This causes the prongs 18 of the contact members and 17 to pierce through the insulation of the

respective wires

41 and 42. This action continues until the bottom of the light bulb base 3 engages the stops 22 at which time the bottom of the shell 10 is resting on the ledge 36 of base piece 31. At the same time the prongs 18 pierce through the insulation of the

wires

41 and 42 to make electrical contact with the current carrying conductors thereof. Thus, electrical control with the wires is made and the socket is assembled by screwing in the bulb. It should be understood, of course, that snfficient pressure can be exerted between the shell and base to complete the assembly without screwing in the bulb,

To remove the socket assembly from the

wires

41 and 42 at the point of attachment, it is only necessary to unscrew the bulb and then pull the shell 10 off the base piece 30. The base member 30 may then be removed from the wires and attached at another place as desired. Replacement of burnt-out bulb presents no problems since the shell and base members hold together when the bulb is removed due to the engaging fit between the two and the holding action of prongs 18 in the wires.

It should be understood that modifications of the present invention are contemplated. For example, in FIG- URE 1 the

slots

34 and 35 are shown as being of unequal size as are the various wall pieces 32. This permits the stops 22 to key into the narrower slots 35. It should be understood that one of the slots 35 may be omitted and -a single stop 22 used. This will increase the strength of Wall 32 and the one slot 35 will serve as a polarizing key for the

contacts

15 and 17. Also, both slots 35 may be omitted if the stops 22 are not to be used.

It is also possible to make the walls 32 of equal, size and also to make the slots of equal spacing. This is shown in FIGURE 5 wherein it can be seen that each wall piece 52 occupies a substantially equi-angular segment while the slots 53 are also equal.

As shown best in FIGURES 2 and 3, the tab member 21 of contact 17 is not supported at its lowermost point in the assembled socket. A support is usually unnecessary since the downward travel limit of the light bulb 1, and therefore of tab 21 also, is set by the stops 22. In cases where the stops 22 are not provided or where an additional support is desired, a supporting member 55 (FIGURE 5) is provided. This member 55 is preferably molded on the bottom of the base piece 31 at approximately the center thereof. The member 55 may be circular, or any other shape. Preferably, it is of an eliptical or tapered shape so that the

wires

41 and 42 may readily pass on each side thereof. The height of the member 55 is selected to provide a specified clearance between the tab 21 of contact member 17 and the

wires

41 and 42 carrying the current.

Due to the engagement of the bottom of the barrel 11 with the ledge 36 of the base piece 31., the bottom of the socket is made relatively water-proof. To further enhance this desired feature, a washer (not shown) may be provided for the base member 30 on the ledge 36 of the base piece 31 around the walls 32. Thus, when the shell 10 is assembled to the base the washer serves as an additional shield against Water or the other elements. Additionally, a small lip may be molded around the periphery of the base piece 31 so that the bottom of the barrel will fit on the ledge 36 between the wall 32 and this lip. This would also give some protection against weather. Due to the chamfered edge 26 of barrel 11, which corresponds to the shape of the bulb wall 5, the upper end of the socket is substantially water-tight when the bulb is screwed into the socket. If desired, a washer (not shown) may also be provided in the chamfered opening 26 to further weatherproof the top of the socket assembly. A fairly weatherproof structure is provided without one or both of these washers at the base or top opening but the socket is made more water-proof by their use.

While the barrel 11 has been shown as being of a continuous, generally cylindrical construction, it should be understood that portions thereof may be omitted. For example, sections of the shell which are to be opposite the walls 32-1 and 32-2 may be omitted so that the shell would have a circular upper end with two downwardly extending arms to hold the

channels

14 and 16 for the contact members. When the downwardly extending arms overlap portions of walls 32-1 and 32-2, the structure is still fully insulated.

. Therefore, it can be seen that a light socket assembly has been provided which is relatively simple to manufacture and use and also substantially flexible in its range of applications since it may be readily moved from place to place on a pair of current carrying wires.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be understood that these are illustrative only, and the invention is limited solely by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A light socket assembly for holding a light bulb and adapted for attachment to a pair of insulated current carrying wires comprising:

a hollow shell member having means engageable with said light bulb when the latter is advanced into the shell from one end thereof,

a pair of electrical contacts each having ends thereon adapted for piercing the insulation of a respective current carrying wire and for making electrical contact with the conductor portion of said wire, said contacts also having means thereon adapted for making electrical contact with respective conductor portions of the light bulb,

means on said shell member for holding said electrical contact members,

a base member having a bottom base piece with segmented wall sections extending upwardly therefrom, said wall sections defining slots therebetween adapted for passing the current carrying-wires therethrough, said wall sections also fitting within the other end of said hollow shell member,

mating means on said base and shell members for aligning said'two members with said electrical contacts positioned adjacent said slots and the wires to pass therethrough,

and means on said wall sections adapted for receiving and holding said light bulb, and responsive to rotation of said light bulb for bringing the same into engagement with said engageable means and thereafter drawing said base and shell members together and moving the ends of said contact members to positions where they are adapted to pierce the insulated portions of the current carrying wires.

2. A light socket assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shell member is of molded plastic and is also provided with a molded plastic clip for attaching the socket assembly to another object.

3. A light socket assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein means are provided on said base piece for limiting the downward travel of the means on one of said contact members for making electrical contact with the light bulb.

4. A light socket assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one opening adapted. for receiving the light bulb is chamfered to the same general shape as the envelope of the bulb.

5. A light socket assembly for holding a light bulb and adapted for attachment to a pair of insulated current 6 means on said shell member for holding said electrica contact members,

at least one mechanical aligning means on said shell member,

a base member having a bottom .base piece with segmented wall sections extending upwardly therefrom for fitting within the other end of said shell member, said wall sections defining at least one first slot therebetween for receiving a corresponding aligning means to locate the ends of said electrical contact members adjacent a pair of second slots formed between said wall sections through which the pair of current carrying wires is adapted to pass,

and means on said wall sections adapted for receiving and holding said light bulb, and responsive to the rotation of said light bulb for bringing the same into engagement with said engageable means and thereafter drawing said base and shell members together and moving the ends of said contact members to positions where they are adapted to pierce the insulated portions of the current carrying wires.

6. A light socket assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said mechanical aligning means is located on the inside of said shell member and also limits the downward travel of the light bulb within the socket.

7. A light socket assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first and second slots are of respectively different sizes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,786,598 12/1930 Broer 339-l76 X 2,802,195 8/1957 Martines 33997 X 2,869,097 1/1959 Stuart 339-69 3,104,924 9/1963 Capel 339-174 FOREIGN PATENTS 748,802 4/ 1933 France.

PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Primary Examiner.-

W. D. MILLER, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A LIGHT SOCKET ASSEMBLY FOR HOLDING A LIGHT BULB AND ADAPTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO A PAIR OF INSULATED CURRENT CARRYING WIRES COMPRISING: A HOLLOW SHELL MEMBER HAVING MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID LIGHT BULB WHEN THE LATTER IS ADVANCED INTO THE SHELL FROM ONE END THEREOF, A PAIR OF ELECTRICAL CONTACTS EACH HAVING ENDS THEREON ADAPTED FOR PIERCING THE INSULATION OF A RESPECTIVE CURRENT CARRYING WIRE AND FOR MAKING ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH THE CONDUCTOR PORTION OF SAID WIRE, SAID CONTACTS ALSO HAVING MEANS THEREON ADAPTED FOR MAKING ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH RESPECTIVE CONDUCTOR PORTIONS OF THE LIGHT BULB, MEANS ON SAID SHELL MEMBER FOR HOLDING SAID ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEMBERS, A BASE MEMBER HAVING A BOTTOM BASE PIECE WITH SEGMENTED WALL SECTIONS EXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM, SAID WALL SECTIONS DEFINING SLOTS THEREBETWEEN ADAPTED FOR PASSING THE CURRENT CARRYING WIRES THERETHROUGH, SAID WALL SECTIONS ALSO FITTING WITHIN THE OTHER END OF SAID HOLLOW SHELL MEMBER, MATING MEANS ON SAID BASE AND SHELL MEMBERS FOR ALIGNING SAID TWO MEMBERS WITH SAID ELECTRICAL CONTACTS POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID SLOTS AND THE WIRES TO PASS THERETHROUGH, AND MEANS ON SAID WALL SECTIONS ADAPTED FOR RECEIVING AND HOLDING SAID LIGHT BULB, AND RESPONSIVE TO ROTATION OF SAID LIGHT BULB FOR BRINGING THE SAME INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID ENGAGEABLE MEANS AND THEREAFTER DRAWING SAID BASE AND SHELL MEMBERS TOGETHER AND MOVING THE ENDS OF SAID CONTACT MEMBERS TO POSITIONS WHERE THEY ARE ADAPTED TO PIERCE THE INSULATED PORTIONS OF THE CURRENT CARRYING WIRES.