GB1604538A

GB1604538A - Electric lamp holders

Info

Publication number: GB1604538A
Application number: GB2463478A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-05-30
Filing date: 1978-05-30
Publication date: 1981-12-09

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO ELECTRIC LAMP HOLDERS (71) I, ERIC WOOD of 1, Windle Royd Lane, Burnley Road, Halifax in the County of York, a British Subject, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The conventional electric lamp holder has certain draw-backs, which become par ticularly apparent, whenever it is required to remove the lampshade, for cleaning or replacement, especially, if the lampholder is used in a position where it is not accessible to a person standing on the ground. The reason for this is that it is generally necessary to insert the hand inside the lampshade, to unscrew a gripping ring, which supports the lampshade. Some lampshades only have relatively narrow openings, through which the hand can be inserted, sometimes the gripping ring becomes jammed on the screw-thread of the lampholder, partly due to the heat generated by the lamp itself, and the removal process is obviously complicated, if the person carrying out the operation has to stand on a stool. It is the object of the present invention to provide an electric lampholder, principally intended for domestic use, which presents the advantage, that it is easier to fit and remove a lampshade than the conventional lampholder previously referred to.

According to this invention an electric lampholder comprises a lamp receiving part having electrical contacts for engagement with the terminal pads on a bayonet cap type lamp, the lamp receiving part being adapted to receive and hold a lampshade, and a terminal part having terminals to receive the cables through which current passes to the lamp, the lamp receiving and terminal parts being adapted for releaseable interconnection, and the connection including electrical connecting means whereby the electrical contacts are electrically connected with the terminals.

By virtue of the arrangement, it will be appreciated that it is possible to remove the lamp-receiving part with a lamp attached to it, without disconnecting the cables from the terminals of the terminal part. This is effected simply by disconnecting the lampreceiving part from the terminal part as permitted by the releasable interconnection leaving the terminal part attached to the cables by its terminals.

Preferably the lamp-receiving part of the lampholder includes a shoulder for engagement by a lampshade, and a gripping member is provided for nipping the lampshade on to the shoulder. In the preferred arrangement the shoulder faces in the opposite direction to the electrical contacts of the lamp-receiving part, so that when a lampshade is fitted on to the lampholder the gripping member is on the terminal side of the lampshade. This is the opposite of the conventional arrangement, and is only practicable because of the facilities for disconnecting the lamp-receiving part of the holder from the terminal part. With such an arrangement it is possible to remove the lamp-receiving part from the terminal part, together with the lampshade and the lamp, and then the lamp-receiving part can be taken to some convenient position, where the lampshade can be removed, by first removing the gripping member, and then withdrawing the lamp-receiving part from the lampshade.

It is also obviously much easier to remove the lamp itself, if the lamp-receiving part is completely disconnected from the terminal part.

Preferably the electrical connecting means includes a pair of pin-and-socket devices.

There may be a pair of pins on one of the lamp-receiving and terminal parts and a pair of co-operating sockets on the other part.

The sockets may be split, part way along their length, after the fashion of the sockets of an electrical wall mounted socket, so that they are adapted to firmly grip the pins, when the connection is effected.

The releasable interconnection preferably comprises a screw cap engageable on the terminal part and having a screw connection with the lamp-receiving part. Preferably the screw cap has an internal end face engaging an external end face on the terminal part and an internal screw-thread for engagement on an external screw-threaded portion of the lamp-receiving part.

One construction of a lampholder in accordance with the invention, will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the lampholder, Figure 2 is an end view of a lamp-receiving part, looking in the direction of arrow II in Figure 1, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a terminal part, looking from the opposite end to Figure 1, and Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a lamp-receiving part looking from the opposite end to Figure 1.

The various components which make up the lampholder, may be moulded in plastics material such as nylon, or alternatively may be formed in metal either by machining, or by, for example, die casting.

One of the important components in the lampholder, is a terminal member 10, shown assembled in Figure 1 and dismantled in Figure 3 which as is apparent from the drawings, is substantially a cylindrical member having a body 12 moulded in plastics material, a brass cover 14, and a retaining ring 16 also made in brass. The body 12 has a narrow collar 18 at one end, and a diagonal key-piece 20 which projects from the collar end of the body, but is integral therewith.

The cover 14 is open at one end (not visible in Figure 3) but closed at its other end, except for the screw-threaded bore 22 of a boss 24. The boss 24 is adapted to be secured on to a chandelier or other ceiling or wall fitting for a lamp. The open end of the cover 14 is adapted to abut the collar end of the body 12, and is slightly larger in outside diameter than the collar. A pair of diametrically opposed cut-outs 26 are formed in the open end of the cover to receive the key-piece 20, and when the key piece is received in these cut-outs, the cover is prevented from rotating relatively to the body. The open end of the cover is also screw-threaded externally at 30.

The retaining ring 16 is of such internal diameter that it can pass over the collar 18 on the body 12, and it is screw-threaded internally at 28 for engagement on the threaded portion 30 of the cover. At one end there is an internal lip 32 adapted to pass over the main cylindrical portion of the body 12, but to engage with the end face of the collar 18 facing the ring end of the body.

Externally, the ring 16 is knurled.

A pair of brass sockets 34 is fitted into the body 12 of the terminal portion (see Figure 1) and each of these sockets is substantially in the form of a small diameter tube, split diametrically along part of its length, in similar fashion to the sockets used in wall mounted electrical sockets. Towards the collar end of the body 12, each of the sockets 34 is formed with a reduced internal diameter portion to receive the bared end of an electrical lead, such as the leads 36 shown in Figure 1, which pass through small holes 42 in the collar end of the body 12. This reduced diameter portion of the socket has a radially directed brass screw 38 received in a recess 40 formed in the body 12, so that the screw 38 can be used to clamp the bared end of the lead in the socket. It will be appreciated therefore that the sockets 34 provide the usual terminals for the electrical leads 36, but in addition they each provide a socket open at the ring end of the terminal port, and each socket is in direct electrical connection with a respective one of the terminals.

Leads 36 are threaded through the boss 24 of the cover 14, and assembly of the terminal part 10 is then merely a matter of pressing the cover against the end of the body 12 (taking care to engage the keypiece 20 in the cut-outs 26) and then threading the ring 16 over the other end of the body and screwing it on to the threaded portion 30 of the body until the collar 18 is nipped between the end of the cover and the lip 32.

The terminal part is then a relatively short cylindrical member as shown in Figure 1.

Another major element of the lampholder, is a lamp-receiving part 50 (Figures 1 and 4), which is another substantially cylindrical member. A body part 52 made in plastics material is provided at one end with a lamp socket 54 made in metal and large enough to receive the bayonet end of a bayonet cap type electric lamp (not shown), the socket 54 having L-shaped bayonet slots 56, to receive the pins on the lamp itself.

The socket 54 is also provided with the usual pair of spring-loaded electrical contacts 58 for engagement with the terminal pads on the lamp itself. However, whereas in the conventional lampholder, the spring-loaded contacts 58 form part of the terminals of the lampholder, in this case, they are simply connected in the body 52 directly to a pair of brass pins 60 (see Figures 2 and 4) projecting in the opposite direction to the contacts 58 and located within a hollow cylindrical part 62 of the body 52. The pins 60 are disposed so that they are adapted to engage in the sockets 34 of the terminal member 10 and the bore of the hollow part 62 is adapted to fit over the body 12 of the terminal part. Hence, it is possible to make a pair of electrical connections, between the leads 36 and the spring-loaded contacts 58, through the terminals/sockets 34 and the pins 60, and when the pins 60 are fitted into the sockets 34, the body 12 of the terminal part is partially received in the body of the lamp-receiving part. Clearly, it is also pos sizzle to disconnect the electrical connections, merely by removing the terminal part 10.

from the lamp-receiving part 50.

The body 52 of the lamp-receiving part is formed with a collar 64 which provides shoulders facing opposite ends of the body.

There is an externally screw-threaded portion 66 on one side of the collar 64 and a similar screw-threaded portion 68 on the other side of the collar. A sleeve-like shroud 70 screws on to the lamp end of the body 52 and can be tightened up to the collar 64. This shroud protects the socket 54 and the bayonet fitting of the lamp itself. The shroud could be made integral with the body of the lampreceiving part, but it is more convenient to intake it as a separate item and the ability to remove it is useful as it permits easier access to the socket 54 when required.

A gripping ring 72 is also provided, and this is screw-threaded internally to fit on the threaded portion 66. When a lampshade is fitted on to the lampholder, the two main parts 10 and 50 are separated and the gripping ring is removed from the lamp-receiving part 50. The mounting ring of the shade is then threaded on to the screw-threaded portion 66 (it will be a clearance fit over the threads) from the terminal end of that portion. The gripping ring is then screwed on to the portion 66 until the shade mounting ring is nipped between the shoulder on the collar 64 and the ring 72. This fitting of the lampshade can be done before the lampreceiving part 50 is offered up to the terminal part in any convenient location. The lamp itself can be fitted at the same time.

Finally, there is a cap 74, (see Figure 1), which comprises a cylindrical sleeve open at the lamp end and closed at the terminal end except for a central hole (not visible in Figure 1) which is a clearance fit on the boss 24 of the terminal part 10. The cap is screw-threaded internally at its open end as indicated at 76 to fit on the screw-threaded portion 66 of the lamp-receiving part 50.

When the lampholder is to be fitted to a chandelier, the cap 74 is threaded over the leads to the lampholder and the leads themselves are threaded through the boss and secured to the terminals in the body 12 of the terminal member 10. The leads may be knotted inside the cover 14, and the three parts of the terminal member 10 are then assembled as previously described. The cap 74 is then suspended on the terminal part, and the latter is screwed on to the lamp fitting or chandelier-the cap 74 does not rotate during screwing of the terminal part on to the fitting. The terminal part of the lampholder is then ready. The lampshade is fitted over the screw-threaded portion 66 of the lamp-receiving part and the gripping ring 72 is then fitted to secure the lampshade to the lamp-receiving part. At this stage, the lamp itself can be fitted into the bayonet socket 54. The lamp-receiving assembly is also then ready for use.

Final assembly is then simply a question of fitting the lamp-receiving part 50 to the terminal part 10, so that an electric connection is completed between the pins 60 and the sockets 34, and secu-ring the two parts of the lampholder together by screwing the cap 74 on to the lamp-receiving part. it will be appreciated that the terminal part cannot rotate relatively to the lamp-receiving part because of the pin-and-socket connection, but the cap 74 is free to turn on the boss 24. When the pins 60 are fully engaged in the sockets 34, the cap 74 has not engaged with the gripping ring 72 and it is thereby ensured that the pin-and-socket connection is firmly established.

If it is required to remove the lampshade, it is only necessary to unscrew the cap 74 from the lamp-receiving part 50 and then that part together with the lampshade and the lamp can be completely detached from the terminal part of the lampholder, and taken to a convenient position where the ring 72 can be removed, to release the lampshade. Unscrewing of the cap 74 is a simple matter because it is above the lampshade.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. An electric lampholder comprising a lamp-receiving part having electrical contacts for engagement with the terminal pads on a bayonet cap type lamp, the receiving part being adapted to receive and hold a lampshade, and a terminal part having terminals to receive the cables through which current passes to the lamp, the lamp-receiving and terminal parts being adapted for releaseable interconnection, and the connection including electrical connecting means whereby the electrical contacts are electrically connected with the terminals.

2. An electric lampholder as claimed in Claim 1 in which the lamp-receiving part includes a shoulder for engagement by a lampshade, and a gripping member is provided for nipping the lampshade on to the shoulder.

3. An electric lampholder as claimed in Claim 2, in which the shoulder faces in the opposite direction to the electrical contacts of the lamp-receiving part, so that when a lampshade is fitted on to the lampholder the gripping member is on the terminal side of the lampshade.

4. An electric lampholder as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 in which the electrical connecting means includes a pair of pin-and-socket devices.

5. An electric lampholder as claimed in Claim 4, in which there is a pair of pins on one of the lamp-receiving and terminal

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

sizzle to disconnect the electrical connections, merely by removing the terminal part 10.

from the lamp-receiving part 50.

The body 52 of the lamp-receiving part is formed with a collar 64 which provides shoulders facing opposite ends of the body.

There is an externally screw-threaded portion 66 on one side of the collar 64 and a similar screw-threaded portion 68 on the other side of the collar. A sleeve-like shroud 70 screws on to the lamp end of the body 52 and can be tightened up to the collar 64. This shroud protects the socket 54 and the bayonet fitting of the lamp itself. The shroud could be made integral with the body of the lampreceiving part, but it is more convenient to intake it as a separate item and the ability to remove it is useful as it permits easier access to the socket 54 when required.

A gripping ring 72 is also provided, and this is screw-threaded internally to fit on the threaded portion 66. When a lampshade is fitted on to the lampholder, the two main parts 10 and 50 are separated and the gripping ring is removed from the lamp-receiving part 50. The mounting ring of the shade is then threaded on to the screw-threaded portion 66 (it will be a clearance fit over the threads) from the terminal end of that portion. The gripping ring is then screwed on to the portion 66 until the shade mounting ring is nipped between the shoulder on the collar 64 and the ring 72. This fitting of the lampshade can be done before the lampreceiving part 50 is offered up to the terminal part in any convenient location. The lamp itself can be fitted at the same time.

Finally, there is a cap 74, (see Figure 1), which comprises a cylindrical sleeve open at the lamp end and closed at the terminal end except for a central hole (not visible in Figure 1) which is a clearance fit on the boss 24 of the terminal part 10. The cap is screw-threaded internally at its open end as indicated at 76 to fit on the screw-threaded portion 66 of the lamp-receiving part 50.

When the lampholder is to be fitted to a chandelier, the cap 74 is threaded over the leads to the lampholder and the leads themselves are threaded through the boss and secured to the terminals in the body

12 of the terminal member 10. The leads may be knotted inside the cover 14, and the three parts of the terminal member 10 are then assembled as previously described. The cap 74 is then suspended on the terminal part, and the latter is screwed on to the lamp fitting or chandelier-the cap 74 does not rotate during screwing of the terminal part on to the fitting. The terminal part of the lampholder is then ready. The lampshade is fitted over the screw-threaded portion 66 of the lamp-receiving part and the gripping ring 72 is then fitted to secure the lampshade to the lamp-receiving part. At this stage, the lamp itself can be fitted into the bayonet socket 54. The lamp-receiving assembly is also then ready for use.

Final assembly is then simply a question of fitting the lamp-receiving part 50 to the terminal part 10, so that an electric connection is completed between the pins 60 and the sockets 34, and secu-ring the two parts of the lampholder together by screwing the cap 74 on to the lamp-receiving part. it will be appreciated that the terminal part cannot rotate relatively to the lamp-receiving part because of the pin-and-socket connection, but the cap 74 is free to turn on the boss 24. When the pins 60 are fully engaged in the sockets 34, the cap 74 has not engaged with the gripping ring 72 and it is thereby ensured that the pin-and-socket connection is firmly established.

If it is required to remove the lampshade, it is only necessary to unscrew the cap 74 from the lamp-receiving part 50 and then that part together with the lampshade and the lamp can be completely detached from the terminal part of the lampholder, and taken to a convenient position where the ring 72 can be removed, to release the lampshade. Unscrewing of the cap 74 is a simple matter because it is above the lampshade.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. An electric lampholder comprising a lamp-receiving part having electrical contacts for engagement with the terminal pads on a bayonet cap type lamp, the receiving part being adapted to receive and hold a lampshade, and a terminal part having terminals to receive the cables through which current passes to the lamp, the lamp-receiving and terminal parts being adapted for releaseable interconnection, and the connection including electrical connecting means whereby the electrical contacts are electrically connected with the terminals.
2. An electric lampholder as claimed in Claim 1 in which the lamp-receiving part includes a shoulder for engagement by a lampshade, and a gripping member is provided for nipping the lampshade on to the shoulder.
3. An electric lampholder as claimed in Claim 2, in which the shoulder faces in the opposite direction to the electrical contacts of the lamp-receiving part, so that when a lampshade is fitted on to the lampholder the gripping member is on the terminal side of the lampshade.
4. An electric lampholder as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 in which the electrical connecting means includes a pair of pin-and-socket devices.
5. An electric lampholder as claimed in Claim 4, in which there is a pair of pins on one of the lamp-receiving and terminal

parts and a pair of co-operating sockets on the other part.
6. An electric lampholder as claimed in Claim 5, in which the sockets are split part way along their length, after the the fashion of the sockets of an electrical wall mounted socket so that they are adapted to firmly grip the pins, when the connection is effected.
7. An electric lampholder as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the release- able interconnection comprises a screw cap engageable on the terminal part and having a screw connection with the lamp-receiving part.
8. An electric lampholder as claimed in Claim 7, in which the screw cap has an internal end face engaging an external end face on the terminal part and an internal screw-thread for engagement on an external screw-threaded portion of the lamp-receiving part.
9. An electric lampholder as claimed in Claim 5 or any one of Claims 6 to 8 so far as they depend from Claim 5, in which the pins are protected by a hollow cylindrical shroud.
10. An electric lampholder as claimed in either of Claims 7 and 8 or Claim 9 so far as it depends from Claim 7, in which the terminal part has a screw-threaded connection for attaching the lampholder to a chandelier or other fitting and the cap is rotatable on the terminal part.
11. An electric lampholder constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.