EP0555572A1

EP0555572A1 - A light assembly

Info

Publication number: EP0555572A1
Application number: EP92301135A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ching-Pai Wu
Original assignee: WU CHING PAI
Current assignee: WU CHING PAI
Priority date: 1992-02-11
Filing date: 1992-02-11
Publication date: 1993-08-18

Abstract

A decorative light assembly includes a bulb (3) with a flattened portion (31) at its lower end which is non-rotatably received in a rectangular recess (41) in a receptacle (4). The side walls of the flattened portion are provided with concavities (32, 33) which engage with corresponding convexities (42, 43) on the inner walls of the recess, to retain the bulb in the receptacle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past, decorative light bulbs have been widely available, especially in the case of Christmas and holiday lighting. However, conventional light sets have several distinct drawbacks. As shown in figure 1, a typical prior light bulb assembly contains a bulb 1 and a receptacle 2. This type is connected by simple engagement, while the conductive wires 11 and the same end of the bulb 1 are inserted into the hole 21 of the receptacle 2. Under the situation, the bulb 1 is rotatable in the receptacle 2, that might cause shorting of the conductive wires 11 therein. Further, the engagement between the bulb 1 and the receptacle 2 is not tight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the purpose of this invention, therefore, to mitigate and/or obviate the abovementioned drawbacks in the manner set forth in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
A primary objective of the present invention is to a decorative light bulb assembly, the bulb of which is not rotatable in the receptacle.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a light assembly, the bulb of which is connected with the receptacle more tightly.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a stationary decorative light bulb assembly which has its elastic recess of the receptacle slightly smaller than the end portion of the bulb for tight engagement.
Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a prior light bulb assembly;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a preferred light bulb assembly in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a partly cross-sectional view of figure 2 in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a modified embodiment of the light bulb assembly in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 5 is a partly cross-sectional view of figure 4 in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to figures 2 and 3, a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a bulb 3 and a receptacle 4. One end of the bulb 3 is formed to be a flattened portion 31, both sides of which are provided with related concaves 32 and 33. A rectangular recess 41 is provided in the receptacle 4, and the two inner walls of the recess 41 are provided with related convexes 42 and 43. The bulb 3 is capable of being engaged with the receptacle 4, as the flattened portion 31 is inserted into the recess 41 and the two convexes 42, 43 will engages with the two corresponding concaves 32, 33. It is to be understood that the engagemnet between the flattened portion 31 and the rectangular recess 41 will prevent the bulb 3 from rotating in the receptacle 4 and the engagement between the convexes and the concaves may stop separating therefrom. This reaches the main purpose of the present invention.
In figures 4 and 5, it shows a modified embodiment of this invention. In this modification, the two sides of the flattened portion 31 are provided with related grooves 34 and 35. And the two inner walls of the recess 4 are provided with corresponding ribs 44 and 45. When the bulb 3 is engaged with the receptacle 4, the two ribs 44, 45 are engaged with the two grooves 34, 35, that may obtain a better connection therebetween.
In the above embodiment, since the bulb is made of glass, it is easy to form a concave or a groove on the flattened portion. And the receptacle is made of non-conductive or resilient material and in this case the recess 41 may be slightly smaller than the flattened portion 31 of the bulb 3 so as to firmly grip the flattened portion 31 when the latter is inserted into the recess 41.
Although this invention has been described in connection with specific forms and embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus it will be appreciated that the drawings are exemplary of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended Claims.

Claims

A light assembly comprising the combination of:
(a) a bulb (3) including a flattened portion (31) at its bottom end, each side of said flattened portion being provided with a concavity (32, 33) thereon; and

(b) a receptacle (4) having a rectangular recess (41) for non-rotatably receiving said flattened portion (31) therein; two inner walls of said recess being each provided with a convexity (42, 43) thereon to engage with a corresponding one of said concavities (32, 33) on the flattened portion of the bulb to avoid separation of the bulb from the receptacle.
A light assembly according to Claim 1, wherein each side of said flattened portion (31) of the bulb (3) is provided with a groove (34, 35) thereon, and both inner walls of said recess of the receptacle (4) are each provided with a rib (44, 45) to engage with a corresponding one of said grooves (34, 35).
A light assembly comprising, in combination, a bulb (3) including a flattened portion (31) at its bottom end, and a receptacle (4) having a recess (41) for non-rotatably receiving said flattened portion (31) therein, two inner walls of the recess being engageable with opposite side walls respectively of said flattened portion of the bulb, and at least one pair of said engageable walls being provided with an interengaging convexity (42, 43), and concavity (32, 33) respectively, to retain the bulb in the receptacle.