Push handle switch lampholder

A push handle switch lampholder pushes a lower conductive plate to move like a see-saw by pushing a push handle to move back and forth and determines whether or not to pass a current to an upper conductive plate, so as to control the ON or Off of a light emitting element. In addition, a set of hooks is provided for connecting a power cable for an electric connection without the need of tying an UL knot to expedite the wire connection conveniently and securely. The invention can reduce the number of components and the volume while achieving the effects of lowering the manufacturing, storage and transportation costs, and improving the overall service life of the lampholder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a push handle switch lampholder, and more particularly to the push handle switch lampholder that pushes a lower conductive plate to move like a see-saw by pushing a push handle to move back and forth and determines whether or not to pass a current to an upper conductive plate, so as to control the ON or Off of a light emitting element. In the meantime, a set of hooks is provided for connecting a power cable for an electric connection without the need of tying an UL knot.

2. Description of the Related Art

With reference toFIG. 1for a conventional push handle switch lampholder1, the push handle switch lampholder1comprises a cylindrical shell11, an insulating plate12, an insulating base13and a push handle switch14, wherein the cylindrical shell11is electrically conductive and provided for screwing and connecting a light emitting element such as a light bulb (not shown in the figure), and a first electrode of the light emitting element is contacted with cylindrical shell11to electrically couple to a negative electrode of the power supply such as a utility power supply (not shown in the figure). The insulating plate12is installed at the bottom of the cylindrical shell11, and a connecting groove120is formed thereon. The insulating base13is installed under the insulating plate12and includes a containing groove130concavely formed on the insulating base13for embedding a negative electrode plate131and a positive electrode plate132, and an end of the negative electrode plate131is extended to the top of the insulating base13and abutted against the bottom of the insulating plate12, and ends of the cylindrical shell11, the insulating plate12, the negative electrode plate131and the insulating base13are pivotally coupled, so that the negative electrode plate131and the cylindrical shell11are electrically connected. The positive electrode plate132includes a lower conductive plate132a, at least two conductive plates132band an upper conductive plate132c, and the lower conductive plate132ais embedded into the insulating base131. The conductive plates132bare contained in both sides of the containing groove130respectively, and one of the conductive plates132bproximate to the lower conductive plate132ais electrically coupled to the lower conductive plate132a, and the other of the conductive plates132bis electrically coupled to the upper conductive plate132c, and the upper conductive plate132cis passed out of the connecting groove120and contacted with the second electrode of the light emitting element. A set of plug slots133is formed on an external surface of the insulating base13and their interior is corresponding to the negative electrode plate131and lower conductive plate132aseparately.

The switch14includes a push handle141, a spring142and a metal plate143, and the push handle141is contained in containing groove130for performing a pushing action reciprocally in the containing groove130, and a middle section of the push handle141is hooked to an end of the spring142. The metal plate143is substantially C-shaped, and an internal edge of the lower section is latched to the middle section of the push handle141, and an internal edge of the upper section is hooked to the other end of the spring142, so that when the push handle is pushed, the push handle is driven by an elastic force of the spring142to tilt towards one of the ends of the push handle141, and the metal plate143is contacted with the conductive plates132bon both sides respectively (as shown inFIG. 2). When the push handle141drives the spring142to link and move the metal plate143to tilt towards another end of the push handle141, the metal plate143is released from the contact of the conductive plates on both sides.

InFIG. 3, both bare ends of the power cable15are plugged into two plug slots133respectively, so that the two bare ends of the power cable15push the negative electrode plate131and the lower conductive plate132ato connect with each other for an electric connection. Therefore, the push handle141can push the metal plate143to contact the conductive plate132bon both sides the same time to achieve an ON state, so as to electrically conduct the positive terminal of the power source to light up the light emitting element. On the other hand, the push handle141can push the metal plate143to disconnect the conductive plate132bon both sides to achieve an OFF state, so as to turn off the light emitting element.

The connection between the push handle switch lampholder1and the power cable15relies on the negative electrode plate131and the lower conductive plate132ato connect both bare ends of the power cable15only, so that when the power cable15is pulled accidentally or intentionally, the bare ends of the power cable15may be separated from the negative electrode plate131and/or the lower conductive plate132ato result in a circuit disconnection. In the use of the conventional push handle switch lampholder1, an UL knot151is tied at a position near the bare end of the power cable15, and then both bare ends are plugged into two plug slots133respectively to achieve the effect of connecting the negative electrode plate131and the lower conductive plate132afor an electric connection, and the UL knot151is intended for increasing the tensile resistance between the switch lampholder1and the power cable15.

The conventional push handle switch lampholder1has the following drawbacks:

(1) Difficult Assembly: Since the lampholder1uses a number of conductive plates for conducting current to the light emitting element, therefore the overall assembling operation is complicated and tedious, and the position may be shift easily by an external force to affect the effect of the lampholder1, so that the conventional lampholder1incurs a complicated assembling operation and the assembly may be loosened easily by external pushing or squeezing forces to affect the effect of use.

(2) Large Volume: Since the whole switch14must be accommodated into the containing groove130, therefore the insulating base13is limited and its volume cannot be reduced effectively. As a result, the cost for the molding process of the insulating base13is high, and the large volume will also affect the storage and transportation costs.

(3) Unsmooth Pushing Operation: When a user pushes the push handle141, a force greater than the elastic force of the spring must be applied to the push handle141before the metal plate143can be driven to contact with or separate from the positive electrode plates132on both sides. If the elastic force of the spring142is too large, then the user has to push the push handle141inconveniently. If the elastic force of the spring142is too small, then the push handle141will be too loose to cause a wrong movement. In addition, the spring142may become elastically fatigue after a long time of use, so as to affect the operation and effect of the lampholder1.

(4) Short Service Life: Since the metal plate143and the conductive plates132bon both sides are contacted to allow a current flow, and the contact position is a point or a line, the metal plate143produces a high temperature and becomes deteriorated or broken after a long time of use, so as to shorten the service life of the lampholder1.

(5) Complicated Tie of UL Knot: The process of tying an UL knot151at a position proximate to a bare end of the power cable15is troublesome, not only increasing the manufacturing time and cost, but also increasing the storage and transportation costs since the UL knot151has a relatively large volume and it is difficult to reduce the total volume of the switch lampholder1. Particularly, the UL knot increases the tensile resistance between the switch lampholder1and the power cable15, but fails to assure a secured connection between the switch lampholder1and the power cable15when a strong force is applied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned drawbacks of the conventional push handle switch lampholder, the inventor of the present invention based on years of experience in the related industry to conduct extensive researches and experiments, and finally invented the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

Therefore, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a push handle switch lampholder capable of simplifying components, reducing volume, controlling the ON and OFF of a light emitting element easily, facilitating the fixation of the power cable for an electric connection, lowering the manufacturing, storage and transportation costs, and improving the service life.

To achieve the aforementioned objective, the present invention provides a push handle switch lampholder comprising: a cylindrical shell, formed by a conductive plate into a substantially cylindrical shape, and having a threaded mouth, and a containing space separately formed at the top and the bottom of the interior of the cylindrical shell, for screwing and connecting a light emitting element, such that a first electrode of the light emitting element is attached to the cylindrical shell for an electric conduction; an insulating plate, installed at the bottom of the cylindrical shell, and having a connecting groove for passing and embedding an upper conductive plate, and the top of the insulating plate being exposed from the top end of the upper conductive plate and extended into the containing space of the cylindrical shell, and contacted with a second electrode of the light emitting element for an electric conduction, and the other end of the upper conductive plate being extended to the bottom of the insulating plate; an insulating base, installed at the bottom of the insulating plate, and having a containing grove concavely formed at the top of the insulating plate and transversally penetrating through the top of the insulating plate, a set of plug slots formed on an external surface opposite to the containing groove for plugging and connecting a power cable; and a set of hooks disposed proximate to the corresponding plug slots respectively for connecting the power cable; a push handle, installed in the containing groove, and capable of performing a reciprocating push movement along the containing groove, and having a protruding portion protruded from the push handle; and a lower conductive plate, being substantially in a curved shape matched with the top edge of the containing groove, for being movably fixed at a position of the containing groove corresponding to the protruding portion; thereby, in the process of performing the reciprocating push movement by the push handle, the protruding portion of the push handle abuts a position proximate to an end of the lower conductive plate, such that an end of the upper conductive plate is moved in a direction towards the upper conductive plate and contacted with the upper conductive plate to electrically connect and light up the light emitting element, and when the protruding portion abuts a position proximate to the other end of the lower conductive plate, an end of the lower conductive plate is moved in a direction away from the upper conductive plate and separated from the upper conductive plate to electrically disconnect and turns off the light emitting element.

In the push handle switch lampholder, the insulating base includes a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate embedded into both sides of the containing groove respectively, and an end of the positive electrode plate is exposed from the top of the insulating base and extended to a position of the top of the containing groove proximate to the lower conductive plate, and the other end of the positive electrode plate is extended downwardly inside the insulating base33and corresponding to one of the plug slots, and an end of the negative electrode plate is extended out from the top of the insulating base, and the other end of the negative electrode plate is extended downwardly inside the insulating base and corresponding to another plug slot, so that when the power cable is plugged into the corresponding plug slots, the power cable is connected with terminals of the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate for an electric connection.

The push handle switch lampholder further comprises a connecting element, and at least one hole formed at corresponding position of the cylindrical shell, the insulating plate and the insulating base for passing the connecting element to secure the cylindrical shell, the insulating plate and the insulating base.

In the push handle switch lampholder, the negative electrode plate is extended from a terminal at the top of the insulating base to a hole formed on the insulating base and proximate to the negative electrode plate, such that after the connecting element is passed through the hole, a terminal of the negative electrode plate is electrically coupled to the connecting element.

In the push handle switch lampholder, each hook includes a vertical column integrally formed with the insulating base, and the top edge of the vertical column is extended outwardly to form a hook portion, and the rear end is protruded downwardly to form an assisting hook end; and when the power cable is pushed across the assisting hook end to enter into the hook portion, the power cable and the hook portion are connected securely with each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The objectives, technical characteristics, measures, effects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with the detailed description of preferred embodiment accompanied with the illustration of related drawings as follows.

With reference toFIGS. 4 and 5for a push handle switch lampholder3of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the push handle switch lampholder3comprises a cylindrical shell31, an insulating plate32, an insulating base33, a push handle34, a lower conductive plate35, a connecting element36and a set of hooks37, wherein the cylindrical shell31is formed by a conductive plate into a substantially cylindrical shape with a threaded mouth and a containing space formed at the top and the bottom of the cylindrical shell31separately and provided for screwing and connecting a light emitting element such as a light bulb (not shown in the figure), so that a first electrode of the light emitting element is attached and contacted with the cylindrical shell31to define an ON state.

The insulating plate32is installed at the bottom of the cylindrical shell31, and a connecting groove320is formed for passing and embedding an upper conductive plate321, and the top end of the upper conductive plate321is exposed from the top of the insulating plate32and extended into the containing space of the cylindrical shell31and contacted with and electrically coupled to the second electrode of the light emitting element, and the other end of the upper conductive plate321is extended to the bottom of the insulating plate32.

The insulating base33is installed at the bottom of the insulating plate32, and includes a containing groove330concavely formed at the top and bottom of the insulating plate32penetrated through the insulating plate32.

The push handle34is in a shape matched with the containing groove330to facilitate its installation in the containing groove330, and a reciprocating push movement can be performed along the containing groove330, and the push handle34includes a protruding portion341protruded from the push handle34.

The lower conductive plate35is substantially in a curved shape matched with the top edge of the containing groove330, so that the conductive plate35can be movably fixed at the top edge of the containing groove330and at a position proximate to the protruding portion341.

The insulating base33includes a positive electrode plate33aand a negative electrode plate33bembedded into both sides of the containing groove330respectively, and an end of the positive electrode plate33ais exposed from the top of the insulating base33and extended to the top of the containing groove330and at a position proximate to the lower conductive plate35, and the other end of the positive electrode plate33bis extended downwardly inside the insulating base33. An end of the negative electrode plate33bis extended out from the top of the insulating base33, and the other end is also extended downwardly inside the insulating base33. The insulating base33has a set of plug slots331formed at positions opposite to an external surface of the containing groove3301and an interior corresponding to terminals of the positive electrode plate33aand the negative electrode plate33b(as shown inFIG. 5). The connecting element36is a rivet, a screw, or an electrically conductive object used for connection, but the present invention is not limited to these arrangements only. At least one hole H is formed separately at corresponding positions of the cylindrical shell31, the insulating plate32and the insulating base33, and the holes H are provided for passing the connecting element36to secure the cylindrical shell31, the insulating plate32and the insulating base33. A terminal of the negative electrode plate33bextended from an end of the top of the insulating base33is extended into the hole H of the insulating base33proximate to the negative electrode plate33b. After the connecting element36is passed through the hole H, a terminal of the negative electrode plate33bcan be electrically coupled to the connecting element36.

With reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, a set of hooks37is formed on an external surface of the insulating base33and disposed near the positions of the corresponding to plug slots331respectively, and each hook37has a vertical column371integrally formed with the insulating base33to assure the required tensile resistance, and the vertical column371has a hook portion372extended outwardly from the top edge of the vertical column371, and a rear end protruded downwardly to form an assisting hook end373, so as to define a first interval between the hook portion372and the external surface of the insulating base33and a second interval b between the assisting hook end373and the external surface of the insulating base33, wherein both of the first interval and the second interval are preferably smaller than the diameter of the power cable38, and the second interval is preferably smaller than the first interval.

InFIG. 6, after the push handle switch lampholder3of the present invention is assembled, both bare ends of the power cable38are plugged into the plug slots331, such that both bare ends of the power cable38in the plug slots331push the terminals of the positive electrode plate33aand the negative electrode plate33brespectively for an electric connection. Further, a rear end of the power cable38near the bare end of the power cable38is plugged into the corresponding hook37, such that the power cable38can be pushed across the assisting hook end373and entered into the hook portion372. Now, the power cable38and the hook portion372are situated at a pushed state to achieve the effect of securely connecting the power cable38and the hook portion372, so as to complete the wire connection between the switch lampholder3and the power cable38and prevent the power cable38from being separated from the switch lampholder3easily.

After the push handle switch lampholder3of the present invention is assembled as shown inFIG. 6, an external insulating casing can be sheathed on the external surface to become a push handle switch lampholder, or the switch lampholder3is assembled together with a whole lamp for its application, but such arrangement is not the main point of the invention, and thus will not be described in details. When the push handle switch lampholder3of the present invention is assembled and connected, and the light emitting element is screwed and positioned in the cylindrical shell31, a user can push the push handle34to move towards a side of the containing groove330as shown inFIG. 7, so that the protruding portion341of the push handle34abuts a position near an end of the lower conductive plate35and drives the lower conductive plate35to swing by using the top edge of the containing groove330as a fulcrum and move an end of the lower conductive plate35towards the upper conductive plate321to contact and conduct with the upper conductive plate321. Now, the power cable38is electrically coupled to the second electrode of the light emitting element through the positive electrode plate33a, the lower conductive plate35and the upper conductive plate321to define the ON state, and another power cable38is electrically coupled to the first electrode of the light emitting element through the negative electrode plate33b, the connecting element36and the cylindrical shell31, so that the light emitting element is turned on by the circuit connection.

InFIG. 8, when a user pushes the push handle34to move towards another side of the containing groove330, the protruding portion341abuts a position at the other end near the lower conductive plate35, so that the lower conductive plate35is swung by using the top edge of the containing groove330as a fulcrum, so as to move in a direction away from the upper conductive plate321and separate from the attachment with the upper conductive plate32, and electrically disconnect the power cable38from the second electrode of the light emitting element to achieve the OFF state. In other words, the light emitting element is turned off by the circuit disconnection, so that the push handle34can be pushed reciprocally in order to turn on or off the light emitting element conveniently.

In the push handle switch lampholder of the present invention, the lower conductive plate35is simply disposed at the top edge of the containing groove330without the need of being contained in the containing groove330, so that the total volume of the insulating base33can be minimized for a light and compact design to lower the manufacturing cost of the molding process as well as the storage and transportation costs. In addition, the present invention adopts the lower conductive plate35and the upper conductive plate321attached with each other to produce a circuit conduction, so that current can be passed through easily without producing much heat or deteriorating and embrittling the lower conductive plate35to achieve the effect of improving the overall service life of the lampholder3. Particularly, the present invention adopts the hooks37to connect the power cable38securely and prevent the power cable38from being separated from the switch lampholder3effectively.

In summation, the push handle of the present invention is pushed to move reciprocally, so as to drive the lower conductive plate to move like a see-saw, and determine whether or not to electrically conduct the upper conductive plate. Therefore, the invention can achieve the effects of simplifying components, reducing the volume, controlling the light emitting element emit light, lowering the storage and transportation costs, and improving the service life of the lampholder effectively. Meanwhile, the hooks are provided for securely connecting the power cable for an electric connection without the need of tying an UL knot to provide a quicker, more convenient and secured wire connection.

In summation of the description above, the present invention achieves the expected objectives and effects and complies with the patent application requirements, and thus is duly filed for patent application. While the invention has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.