Patent ID: 6875036
Filing Date: 2005-04-05
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
1. A multi-purpose plug-in lamp socket for selectively mounting and connecting lamps of different types, characteristic of PAR36 or AR111 lamps, having a reflecting body, and a pair of relatively rigid, spaced-apart, strip-like contact elements mounted at a back portion of the reflecting body and having first portions extending generally laterally outward relative to a central axis of said reflecting body and second portions, positioned laterally outward of said first portions relative to said axis, extending at a substantial angle with respect to said first portions, wherein the lamp socket comprises (a) a socket body formed of insulating material, (b) laterally spaced apart contact clips mounted by said socket body, (c) said contact clips being formed of conductive metal having resilient characteristics, and being of generally u-shaped configuration defined by spaced apart contact side walls and a wall connecting said contact side walls, (d) said contact clips being mounted on said socket body and being positioned to receive and resiliently grip respective ones of said strip-like contact elements, with said strip-like contact elements disposed such that principal planar portions of strip-like material of which said contact elements are formed are disposed generally at right angles to the side walls of said contact clips, (e) each of said contact clips having, on opposed side walls thereof, opposed inwardly protuberant retention elements positioned to lie closely above and closely below planar portions of each of said strip-like contact elements after plug-in insertion of a lamp into said socket for resiliently retaining said lamp in a generally fixed position in said socket by engagement of said strip-like contact elements by said contact clips.