US2984813A - Lamp socket electrical connection - Google Patents

Description

May 16, 1961 F. BOSS! LAMP SOCKET ELECTRICAL CONNECTION Filed July 14, 1960 FIG. 4-.

' JNVENTOR. 4 3 BY -rron ers Patented May 16, 1961 LAMP SOCKET ELECTRICAL CONNECTION Fulvio Bossi, Cinisello, Italy, assign'or to Frankel Associates, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New This invention relates generally to electrical devices and is especially concerned with a unique electrical connection.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an electrical connection which is extremely simple in construction, so as to be highly economical in manufacture.

The instant invention further provides an electrical connection which is entirely safe in use, and may be quickly and easily disconnected, disassembled and reassembled, if desired, without special skill or tools, and which is adapted to be produced in very small or miniature sizes for use in a wide variety of applications.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electrical connection having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, which is of the plug-and-socket type and adapted for use with illuminating lamps, say of the small incandescent 1 e.

While the electrical connection of the present invention has been primarily developed for use in illuminated decorations, as for Christmas trees and the like, and will be shown and illustrated hereinafter with particular reference thereto, it is understood that the concept and structure of the device is capable of many varied applications, all of which are intended to be comprehended herein.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal exploded view showing the elements of an electrical connection constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, certain elements being shown in section and lead wires being omitted for clarity of understanding;

Figure 2 is a sectional elevational view similar to Figure 1, with certain of the elements assembled, prior to the final assembly step;

Figure 3 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2, showing the fully assembled electrical connection of the pres ent invention; and

Figure 4 is a lower-end View of either Figure 2 or 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to Figures 13, a socket is there generally designated 10, and includes an elongate body 11 having on one end thereof an axially extending annular wall or sleeve 12.

The body 11 may be of an axially tapering external configuration, as by its external surface 13, and terminates at a smaller-end surface 14 extending generally normal to the axis of the body 11. The body 11 terminates at its other end in a longitudinally outwardly facing wall 15 which is formed with a generally concave or dished recess 16; and the wall or sleeve 12 extends circumferentially about the recess 16, projecting from the end 15 of the body 11. The body 11 is further formed with a pair of generally parallel bores 17, extending longitudinally of the body inward through the end wall 14 and opening into the recess 16 for communication through the body end 15.

The socket 10, including the body 11 and sleeve 12, is preferably integrally fabricated, as by injection molding or other suitable method. If desired, a peripherally extending, outstanding flange 18 may be integrally provided on the sleeve 12 extending about its end remote from the body 11.

A pair of rod-like elements or tines 20 are fabricated of any suitable electrically conductive material, and are sized for frictional engagement in the bores 17. The lower and upper ends 21 and 22 of each tine 20 are preferably tapered to a point.

An additional body or plug, generally designated 24, may also be integrally fabricated of suitably resilient, insulating material, such as polyethylene or the like. The body 24 may be of a generally cylindrical external configuration, having opposite end walls 25 and 26 disposed generally normal to the axis of the body. The body 24, adjacent to its end 26 may be provided with a peripherally extending enlargement or shoulder 27; and the body is sized for removable engagement in the socket 10. Specifically, the body 24 is removably engageable within the sleeve 12 of the socket 10.

A generally semispherical or dish-shaped recess 28 is formed in the end wall 26 of the body 24, preferably coaxial therewith. Extending inward through the end wall 25 of the body 24 are a pair of generally parallel, longitudinal bores or passageways 29 which open into the recess 28 for communication outward beyond the body end wall 26. The bores or passageways 29 may be of the same internal configuration or diameter as that of the bores or passageways 17; and, the lateral spacing between the bores 29 may be the same as that between the bores 17. Hence, upon engagement of the body 24 within the sleeve 12, the bores 29 may be caused to align, respectively, with the bores 17.

An electrically actuated device is generally designated 34!, and for purposes of illustration shown as an incandescent lamp including a glass envelope 3 1 and a pair of wires 32 extending from the envelope.

In the condition of Figure 2v it will be observed that the envelope 31 of the lamp 30 has one end seated in the recess 28 of the body 24 and its wires 32 extending from the recess into respective bores 29. Further, each conducting wire 32 extends entirely through its respective receiving bore 219 beyond the body end wall 25, where the wires are each reversely bent, as at 33 to extend along the exterior surface of the body 24 toward and terminating short of the shoulder 27. This construction, as by the sharp reverse bends 33, serves to effectively maintain the lamp 30 with its envelope 31 seated in the recess 28.

Also shown in the condition of Figure 2 are the tines 20 respectively received in the bores 17 of the body 11. In particular, each tine 20 has its end region 21 engaged in a respective bore 17, and the end regions 22 of the tines extend out of the bores beyond the end wall 15. However, the end portions 22 of the tines 20 are preferably located within the sleeve 12 of the socket 10.

A pair of electrical conductors or wires 35 extend respectively into the bores 17, through the body end wall 14, and are each wedged or frictionally secured in position between a tine 20 and the internal surface of the receiving bore 17. Thus, firm electrical and mechanical connection is obtained between each wire 35 and its respective adjacent tine 20. An additional electrical conductor is shown at 36, representative of a series circuit. Of course, the electrical-connection structure of the instant invention may be applied with equal advantage in any type of circuit.

In the fully assembled condition of Figure 3, the plug or body 24 has been inserted into the open upper end of the sleeve 12, with the bores 29 of the plug 24 in respective alignment with the bores 17 of the socket 10. Thus, the ends 22 of the tines 2t) engage, respectively, in the bores 29 of the plug 24. By this assembly a firm frictional engagement is obtained between each tine 20 and the respective adjacent wire '32, to insure completion of an electrical circuit upon insertion of the plug 24 into the socket 10.

If it is desired to disassemble the connection of Figure 3, as for replacement of the lamp 30, or otherwise, it is only necessary to withdraw the lamp and plug 24, whereupon the lamp may be separated from the plug by mere bending of the wires 32. The socket 10 may also be disconnected from the wires 35, if desired, by merely removing the tines 20, or applying sufficient force to the Wires 35 to overcome the frictional engagement therewith of the tines. However, normal and even conditions of abuse are ineffective to cause inadvertent disassembly.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides an electrical connection which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is Well-adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, assembly and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical connection comprising a first body having a pair of generally parallel bores extending inward through one end of said first body and opening 4 through the other end thereof, a first pair of conductive wires respectively received in said bores extending inward through said one end of said first body, a pair of conductive tines each having one end frictionally engaged in a respective bore of said first body and extending therefrom, said tines each frictionally securing in position a respective one of said first pair of wires, a second body having a pair of generally parallel through bores and arranged with one end of said second body adjacent to said other end of said first body with the bores of said second body respectively frictionally receiving the other ends of said tines, and a second pair of wires located within the bores of said second body, respectively, and frictionally secured therein by said tines, whereby said tines each effect electrical connection between the wires of said first and second pairs of wires.

2. An electrical connection according to claim 1, in combination with a sleeve on said first body extending closely about said second body, said sleeve combining with said first body to define a socket receiving said second body.

3. An electrical connection according to claim 2, said additional pair of wires extending outward from the bores of said second body beyond said one end thereof and being reversely bent to lie along the exterior of said second body within said sleeve.

4. An electrical connection according to claim 3, in combination with an incandescent lamp on said other end of said second body connected to said second pair of wires and secured thereby to said second body.

5. An electrical connection according to claim 4, said second body being formed in the other end thereof with a recess receiving said incandescent lamp.

6. An electrical connection according to claim 4, said first and second bodies being fabricated of resilient material.

Shewmaker June 26, 1956 Kirk Feb. 19, 1957

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