Patent ID: 6488388
Filing Date: 2002-12-03
Classification: F21V,H01R,H05B,Y10S

Abstract:
A light socket utilizing a photocell and three-way switch for allowing a light bulb to be activated by a number of different mechanisms comprising, in combination:a common messenger wire couplable with a power source, the messenger wire extending horizontally and including a plurality of pairs of power wire feeds along a length thereof; a cylindrical housing having an upper end, a lower end, and a cylindrical side wall therebetween, the upper end having a pair of wires extending outwardly thereof for coupling with a pair of the power wire feeds of the common messenger wire and for suspending the cyclindrical housing from the common messenger wire, the lower end having a light receiving socket disposed therein in communication with the pair of wires, the light receiving socket being adapted for receiving the light bulb therein; a frustoconical shield secured to the cylindrical housing, the shield having a narrow open upper end and a wide open lower end, the narrow open upper end being secured to the lower end of the cylindrical housing, the wide open lower end being dimensioned to prevent the light bulb from directing light upwardly toward the cylindrical housing; a light activated switch disposed within the cylindrical side wall of the cylindrical housing, the light activated switch being in communication with the light receiving socket whereby detection of ambient light will allow the light receiving socket to power the light bulb positioned therein; and a three-way switch disposed within the cylindrical side wall of the cylindrical housing, the three-way switch being in communication with the light receiving socket and the light activated switch, the three-way switch having a first position allowing power from the power source to be directed to the light receiving socket, the three-way switch having a second position preventing power from being directed to the light receiving socket, the three-way switch having a third position enabling the light activated switch.