Patent ID: 9276360
Filing Date: 2016-03-01
CPC Classification: F21S,F21W,H01R

Claim Text:
1. A light string socket having at least two leads through which electrical power is delivered to said socket, said socket configured to receive a bulb assembly having two bulb leads, said two bulb leads being in electrical contact with said at least two socket leads when said bulb assembly is seated in said socket, said electrical power flowing through said bulb across said two bulb leads when said bulb assembly is seated in said socket, said socket comprising: an electrically conductive shunt within said socket, said shunt bridging said at least two leads within said socket when said bulb assembly is not seated in said socket, said bulb assembly disengaging said bridging when said bulb assembly is seated in said socket and a resistive element coupled in electrical series between said electrically conductive shunt and said socket leads such that said electrical power flows through said series-connected resistive element and said shunt when said bulb is not seated in said socket, said resistive element being matched to a resistive characteristic of said bulb assembly, said electrical power provided to said socket being substantially similar when either said electrical power is provided to said bulb when said bulb assembly is seated in said socket or said electrical power is provided to said resistive element when said bulb is not seated in said socket.