Patent ID: 6652305
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A socket for receiving a light bulb and electrically powering the bulb using power from an electric power source having a positive and a negative, the light bulb having a threaded base as a negative electrical contact, and a tip as positive electrical contact, the socket comprising:an outer housing, an inner housing within the outer housing, and a pair of arcuate contact members within the inner housing, the inner housing being movable from a stationary upper position to a stationary lower position, the arcuate contact members at least partially encompassing and contacting the light bulb threaded base when the threaded base is inserted into the inner housing, at least one of the contact members being in electrical communication with the electric power source negative when the inner housing is in the lower position; a positive contact member in electrical communication with the electrical power source positive, the positive contact member being positioned in the inner housing for contact with the inserted light bulb tip when the inner housing is in the lower position; a retaining member for retaining the inner housing in the lower position, the retaining member releasing the inner housing in response to removal of the threaded base from the inner housing; and a biasing member for biasing the inner housing to the upper position member when the retaining member releases the inner housing from the lower position; and further wherein the outer housing comprises an interior, the interior forming an interior wall, the interior wall having an upwardly facing shoulder, the upwardly facing shoulder being inwardly beveled, and each of the arcuate contact members has an outwardly extending wing, the wings having a beveled lower surface for substantially flush abutment against the outer housing interior wall upwardly facing shoulder when the inner housing is moving toward the lower position, and for sliding inwardly on such shoulder as said movement continues, said sliding forcing the arcuate contact members against the light bulb threaded base.