Patent ID: 6609814
Filing Date: 2003-08-26
Classification: F21S,F21V,Y10S

Abstract:
A light unit for use with a cord and other such light units to form a light string, the light unit comprising:a bulb assembly having first and second leads and a rigid protuberance projecting therefrom; a socket assembly configured to engage the cord and to releasably receive the first and second leads and a portion of the bulb assembly therein, the socket assembly having first and second conductive elements therein corresponding to the respective first and second leads and configured to complete a circuit between the cord and the bulb assembly when the bulb assembly is positioned in the socket assembly; a switch positioned within the socket assembly, the switch incorporating a conductive strip, the conductive strip having an elongated body with a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end being physically and electrically coupled to one of the first and second conductive elements to form a permanent electrical contact therewith, and the conductive strip being deflectable between a closed position in which the free end is electrically coupled with the other of the first and second conductive elements to create a short circuit across the bulb assembly between the first and second conductive elements, and an open position in which the free end is spaced apart from the closed position and the short circuit is broken; and wherein the protuberance projecting from the bulb assembly is aligned to deflect the conductive strip from the closed position to the open position when the bulb assembly is inserted into the socket assembly, and the conductive strip is sufficiently resilient to move from the open position to the closed position when the bulb assembly is removed from the socket assembly.