Threadless light bulb socket

A threadless light socket assembly allows a light bulb to be changed by pushing or pulling the light bulb into or out of the socket provides an outer insulator housing and an insulator cap which carrying a ground socket in a medial channel that grounds a light bulb base to a power supply. Plural spring biased thread locks protrude into center of the ground socket and are staggered in height to align with threads defined in a light bulb base. A positive contact is in the socket assembly supplies positive power from a power supply to the light bulb base. The threadless light socket has interchangeable components to allow installation in new and existing light fixtures.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to light bulb sockets, and more specifically to a threadless light bulb socket allowing installation and removal of a common threaded light bulb by pushing or pulling the light bulb in or out of the light socket without a need to axially rotate the light bulb or the socket.

2. Background of the Invention and Description of the Prior Art

Light Bulb Sockets for receiving and powering threaded screw-in light bulbs are known. The purpose and object of a light bulb socket is to secure a light bulb into a light fixture and to conduct electric current through a positive terminal and a ground terminal of the bulb to cause illumination of the bulb.

Over the years, a variety of means and methods have been developed to make it easier to install/remove a threaded light bulb in/from a light socket. Some such means and methods have used a socket formed from a flexible conductive material that flexes to allow a threaded light bulb to slide into or out of the socket with sufficient resistance so the bulb will not fall out of the socket and will still conduct electricity to the bulb.

Although such sockets have made it easier to install and replace a light bulb, these sockets have remained ineffective because they cannot be altered to accommodate various types of light bulbs or light fixtures.

The many different sizes, shapes, and weights of light bulbs cannot be accommodated in known threadless sockets. For example, a large flood lamp in a ceiling light fixture requires more pressure to secure than a standard 60 watt light bulb in a table lamp. Further, when the bulb is inverted, the weight of the light bulb becomes a factor because the pressure supplied by the socket must be sufficient to securely retain the light bulb while concurrently maintaining electrical contact with the positive terminal and of the negative terminal of the bulb Maintaining a sufficient holding force on the light bulb is especially important when the fixture and bulb therein are inverted and suspended above people's heads or anything else that could be damaged if the light bulb were to fall out of socket and/or fixture.

Known threadless sockets are also larger than common light sockets, which makes it impossible for the user to install such known threadless sockets into light fixtures without the need to modify the light fixtures to accommodate a larger socket.

Another problem with known threadless sockets is the inability to change the retaining pressure exerted in a light bulb to positionally maintain the light bulb. As noted previously, known threadless sockets use plural flexible fingers formed of electrically conductive material. As such, to accommodate a different light bulb, or an entirely different weight of light bulb, a different bulb socket is needed. Unfortunately, with hundreds of different sizes, shapes, and weights of light bulbs available and in use, one would need to manufacture a threadless socket for nearly every light bulb size and weight.

My threadless light bulb socket overcomes various of the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a threadless socket that is standard socket size, can securely retain and power a wide variety of bulbs and can be modified to accommodate many different sizes and styles of light bulbs. Insulator housings are also interchangeable to install my threadless sockets in all different types and styles of light fixtures, without the need to modify the fixture.

Some or all of the drawbacks and problems explained above, and other drawbacks and problems, may be helped or solved by my invention shown and described herein. My invention may also be used to address other problems not set out herein or which become apparent at a later time. The future may also bring to light unknown benefits which may be in the future appreciated from the novel invention shown and described herein.

My invention does not reside in any one of the identified features individually, but rather in the synergistic combination of all of its structures, which give rise to the functions necessarily flowing therefrom as hereinafter specified and claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

My threadless light socket provides an insulator housing axially carrying a ground socket, defining plural spacedly arranged radial holes carrying thread locks and biasing springs for holding and grounding a light bulb in the socket. An insulation cap secures the ground socket in the insulation housing and carries a positive terminal contact for electrical contact with the light bulb. A socket retainer positionally maintains the socket in a light fixture.

In providing such a threadless light socket assembly:a principal object to provide a threadless light socket assembly that allows a threaded light bulb to be installed into and removed from the socket, without axially rotating the socket or the light bulb.a further object to provide such an assembly that allows a light bulb to be removed from the socket by axially pulling the light bulb out of the socket and to be installed into the socket by axially pushing the light bulb into the socket.a further object to provide such an assembly which can be modified for receiving and retaining standard screw-in light bulbs of various sizes, shapes, weights and types.a further object to provide such an assembly that can be installed in a variety of light fixtures.a further object to provide such an assembly that may be used to retro-fit old light fixtures.a further object to provide such an assembly that may be installed in vertical, horizontal, overhead, and recessed light fixtures.a further object to provide such an assembly that maintains continuous electrical contact with the light bulb positive terminal and ground terminal.a further object to provide such an assembly that may be modified to change the amount of force that positionally retains the light bulb in the socket, and the amount of force it takes to install and remove the light bulb.a further object to provide such an assembly that uses thread locks, applying a radial inward force to a light bulb's threaded base to secure the bulb in the socket and to provide a ground contact.a further object to provide such an assembly wherein the pressure supplied by the thread locks may be easily changed by changing the biasing springs.a further object to provide such an assembly wherein the thread lock housings defined in the ground socket are staggered in position so the thread locks engage in the deepest concave position of the bulb base threads.a further object to provide such an assembly that ensures that the light bulb is held securely and safely in the socket.a further object to provide such an assembly that has interchangeable insulator housings so the socket can be adapted into different styles and types of light fixtures, including recessed ceiling light fixtures, horizontal fixtures and table and floor lamps.a further object to provide such an assembly that is adaptable to different applications and/or building codes without the need to manufacture a completely different socket.a further object to provide such an assembly that complies with federal, state and local electrical and building codes and regulations.a further object to provide such an assembly having interchangeable components.a further object to provide such an assembly wherein the ground socket may be manufactured from a variety of conductive materials.a further object to provide such an assembly that may be disassembled and reassembled with minimal tools and apparatus.a further object to provide such an assembly that makes it easier to change a light bulb, even in recessed light fixtures in high ceilings.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following specification and accompanying drawings which form a part hereof. In carrying out the objects of my invention it is to be understood that its structures and features and steps are susceptible to change in design and arrangement and order with only one preferred and practical embodiment of the best known mode being illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specified as is required.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The readers of this document should understand that the embodiments described herein may rely on terminology used in any section of this document and other terms readily apparent from the drawings and the language common therefore as may be known in a particular art and such as known or indicated and provided by dictionaries. Dictionaries were used in the preparation of this document. Widely known and used in the preparation hereof areWebster's Third New International Dictionary(©1993),The Oxford English Dictionary(Second Edition, ©1989),The New Century Dictionary(©2001-2005) and theAmerican Heritage Dictionary of the English Language(4thEdition©2000) all of which are hereby incorporated by reference for interpretation of terms used herein and for application and use of words defined in such references to more adequately or aptly describe various features, aspects and concepts shown or otherwise described herein using more appropriate words having meanings applicable to such features, aspects and concepts.

This document is premised upon using one or more terms or features shown in one embodiment that may also apply to or be combined with other embodiments for similar structures, functions, features and aspects of the invention and provides additional embodiments of the invention. Wording used in the claims is also descriptive of the invention and the text of both claims and abstract are incorporated by reference into the description entirely. Terminology used with one, some or all embodiments may be used for describing and defining the technology and exclusive rights associated herewith.

The readers of this document should further understand that the embodiments described herein may rely on terminology and features used in any section or embodiment shown in this document and other terms readily apparent from the drawings and language common or proper therefore.

My threadless light socket assembly4generally provides an insulator housing5, a ground socket30, an insulator cap68and a socket retainer95and is designed to work with and install into a variety of lighting fixtures. The insulator housing5is formed of a non-conductive material, such as, but not limited to, polycarbonate, Plexiglas®, Lexan®, glass, ceramic, acrylic or plastic. The insulator housing5has a top6which has a beveled edge7around a top opening11. The beveled edge7helps align screw-in light bulbs with the top opening11. A mounting flange8and a mounting surface9are also defined on the top6to assist in seating and aligning the assembly4in a recessed lighting fixture (not shown). Retainer reliefs10defined in the mounting surface9provide clearance for retainer locks99(FIG. 3), carried by socket retainer95. Retainer locks99of the socket retainer95slide over outer circumferential surface12of the insulator housing5. Bottom15of insulator housing5defines plural mounting holes16for an insulator cap68and has a beveled edge17extending around bottom inside edge of the insulator housing5.

Alignment boss24aligns the ground socket30(and a second embodiment of ground socket31) with alignment relief34defined in the ground socket30,31. Alignment of the boss24and relief34causes spring housings37to align with spring seats18which responsively aligns biasing springs56so a first end of each biasing spring56seats against spring seat18. Opposing end of each biasing spring18seats against and applies pressure against thread locks55.

FIG. 9shows top32and flange surface35of a second embodiment of the ground socket31. The top32seats against an inside seat22(FIG. 5) and the flange surface35seats against an inside flange20of the insulator housing5.

FIGS. 7 and 8show the ground socket30formed from thin electrically conductive material, such as but not limited to, copper and which defines a medial chamber43.FIGS. 9 and 10show a second embodiment of the ground socket31that is cast or formed from thicker conductive material, such as, but not limited to, aluminum.

Ground sockets30,31each carry plural spacedly arranged spring housings37, each of which defines a medial channel38and a thread lock seat39at an end portion adjacent inside surface42. Spring housings37are staggered in height relative to the top6and bottom15so the thread locks55align with thread grooves defined in light bulb base2. Thread locks55are carried in the medial channel38defined by each thread lock housing37and protrude partially through thread lock seats39adjacent the inside surface42of the ground socket30,31, so that the thread locks55engage in the concave portions of threads of a light bulb base2. The thread lock seats39defined in the inside surface42have a radius (not shown) that is slightly smaller than the radius (not shown) of thread lock55so that the thread locks55cannot pass therethrough. Biasing springs56apply inward radial pressure to the thread locks55to force the thread locks55frictionally against the thread lock seats39. When a light bulb is pushed into the assembly4, the biasing springs56allow the thread locks55to retract into the medial channels38defined by spring housings37as the threads of a light bulb base2slide past the thread locks55until the light bulb base2is secured within the ground socket30. The biasing springs56bias the thread locks55into the deepest portions of the threads on the light bulb base2which responsively secure the light bulb and simultaneously maintain electrical contact with the ground sockets30,31.

Bottom mounting flange44(FIG. 9) of ground socket30,31defines mounting holes45for securement of an insulator cap68(FIGS. 13,14) that defines a socket mounting surface72for seating the ground socket30,31. Ground sockets30,31also define a positive terminal cut out47(FIGS. 9,10) that accommodates positive conductor mounting surface74(FIG. 13) in the insulator cap68.

The ground socket30,31has an outer circumferential surface49and is axially carried within a housing channel28defined by the insulator housing5,26. In the first embodiment (FIG. 8), bottom50of the ground socket30,31mates with socket mounting surface72of the insulator cap68. In the second embodiment (FIG. 10) outer circumferential surface49of ground socket31extends radially outwardly of the socket mounting surface72to an outside edge of the insulator cap68. The first embodiment30and the second embodiment31of the ground socket30,31fit axially into the channel28defined by the insulator housing5,26and are able to use different insulator caps68,69depending upon the type of light fixture into which the assembly4is being installed.

FIGS. 13 and 14show the insulator cap68defining a positive contact mounting hole75and plural spacedly arranged ground socket mounting holes77which align with mounting holes45defined in the ground socket30,31. Insulator cap mounting holes83are also defined in the insulator cap68which align with mounting holes16defined in the bottom15of the insulator housing5,26. Alignment reliefs79align with bosses24in the insulator housing5,26.

Mounting surface81of insulator cap68seats against the bottom15of the insulator housing5,26and outer circumferential surface12of the insulator housing5,26aligns with outer circumferential surface84of the insulator cap68, enclosing the ground socket30,31within the insulator housing5and forming an aesthetically appealing assembly4.FIG. 14shows bottom92of the insulator cap68and wire mounting locations86which carry positive and negative wire leads110. (FIG. 16). Counter-sunk fastener seat87carries a ground socket fastener106. Socket retainer mounting recess90is defined in bottom92, so when the socket retainer95is fastened to the insulator cap68, the socket retainer95is flush with the bottom92of the insulator cap68, allowing additional bottom clearance and creating an aesthetically appealing appearance.

FIGS. 11 and 12show first and second embodiments of positive contact assemblies59,65which have a positive contact60to conduct electrical energy to a light bulb within the assembly4. The positive contact60communicates with a positive contact spring61which communicates with positive contact mounting flange62. The components of the positive contact assembly59,65are constructed from an electrically conductive material such as, but not limited to, copper. The contact spring61applies upwardly biasing force to the contact60so that electrical contact with a positive terminal of a light bulb is achieved and maintained. The positive contact mounting flange62defines a mounting hole63for a fastener106to positionally secure the positive contact mounting flange62in electrical contact with mounting surface74in the insulator cap68,69.

FIG. 12shows a second embodiment of the positive contact assembly65which is similarly formed of electrically conductive material such as, but not limited to, copper and has a contact60, a spring steel arm66that flexes to provide continuous contact with a light bulb positive terminal and a contact mounting flange62defining a mounting hole63for a fastener106. Both embodiments59,65of the positive contacts59,65fit against the contact mounting surface74in the insulator caps68,69.

Assembly of my threadless light socket assembly4begins with the positive terminal contact59,65, the insulator cap68, a fastener106, and the positive wire lead110. One takes the insulator cap68and installs the positive terminal contact59,65onto the contact mounting surface74. The positive wire lead110is attached to the positive wire mounting location86with fastener106, extending through a known electrical fitting carried by the positive wire lead110through the positive conductor mounting hole75and into the mounting hole63defined in the positive terminal contact59,65. The ground socket30,31is then installed onto the ground mounting surface72of the insulator cap68,69by attaching the ground wire lead110into the ground wire mounting location86with a fastener106extending through a known electrical fitting on the ground wire lead110into the ground socket mounting hole77and into the mounting hole45defined in the ground socket30,31. A fastener106is also placed in the fastener seat87to extend into and through the mounting hole77and into the mounting hole45defined in the ground socket30or31. The assembled insulator cap68assembly is then installed into the channel28of the insulator housing5. When the assembled ground socket30,31is installed on the insulator cap68,69alignment relief79will align with the alignment relief34of the ground socket30,31. The alignment of the reliefs34,79insures the components fit together correctly.

After aligning the assembled ground socket30,31assembly with the bottom15of the insulator housing5, the ground socket30,31is inserted axially into the channel28of the insulation housing5only far enough so the spring housings37remain outside the insulator housing5. A thread lock55first and then a biasing spring56are inserted into the channel38of each spring housing37. After a thread lock55and a biasing spring56is inserted into each spring housing37channel38and the biasing springs56are compressed flush to outside edge of the spring housing37, the ground socket30,31is “pushed” the “rest of the way” into the channel28defined by the insulator housing5. Beveled edge17helps the biasing springs56slide onto the spring seat18. The top32of the ground socket30,31will seat frictionally against the inside seat22in the insulator housing5. Mounting surface81of the insulator cap68seats frictionally against the bottom15of the insulator housing5.

To fasten the insulator cap68to the insulator housing5, first install the socket retainer95with the spring arms97and the retainer locks99going around the insulator housing5. The retainer locks99align with the retainer reliefs10. The socket retainer95fits into the retainer mounting recess90so the bottom103seats flush to the bottom92of the insulator cap68. Fasteners108extend through the mounting holes101in the socket retainer95through the insulator cap mounting holes83and into the insulator housing5. The completed assembly4may now be installed into a recessed lighting fixture (not shown). The assembly4clips into a recessed light fixture (not shown) by compressing the spring arms97together radially toward the insulator housing5so that the retainer locks99snap into the spring retainer reliefs10, the assembly4is installed into a light fixture socket hole (not shown) and the spring arms97thereafter flex back outwardly, securing the threadless light socket assembly4into the recessed light fixture (not shown).

Other light fixtures (not shown) are designed for light socket assemblies to be mounted in a vertical position. For such fixtures, my second embodiment of the insulator housing26is used. My second embodiment26has an outside beveled edge27to provide an improved aesthetic appearance but all the components of the first and second embodiments5,26respectively are interchangeable.FIG. 17shows the second embodiment of the insulator cap69which has the same top70as insulator cap68. The bottom92channels the positive and negative wire leads110to wire mounting locations86around a fastener seat87toward a center portion where the wire leads110pass through center mounting hole115of lamp style bottom cap112. (FIG. 18). Bottom cap112fastens to the bottom92of the insulator cap69with fasteners108that extend through bottom cap mounting holes113and seat against fastener seats114through the insulator cap69mounting holes83and into the insulator housing mounting holes16defined in the insulator housing26. Bottom cap112also has a beveled edge117around the outside of the bottom119. Outer circumferential surface118of bottom cap112aligns with the outer circumferential surface84of the insulator cap69. A threaded mounting hole115is defined in a center portion of the bottom cap112though which the wire leads110pass making it possible to install my threadless light socket assembly4onto a threaded light fixture tube (not shown) and have the wire leads110pass through the tube (not shown).

Other light fixtures (not shown) are designed for the light socket assemblies to be mounted in the horizontal orientation (not shown). For such horizontal mounting light fixtures, my threadless light socket assembly4may use the lamp style insulator housing26(FIG. 6), and bottom cap123shown inFIG. 19. Bottom cap123has a hole126defined in a center portion and defines a bracket relief129for a 90 degree mounting bracket130. The bracket relief129is a recess defined in the bottom128of the bottom cap123so when the 90 degree mounting bracket130is installed thereon the mounting bracket130is flush with the bottom128. Beveled edge127extends about the bottom128outer circumferential surface124and the outer circumferential surface124is the same size as the outer circumferential surface84of the insulator cap69so that the two pieces align with an aesthetically appealing seam. The 90 degree mounting bracket130defines mounting holes132to mount the threadless light socket assembly4to the fixture (not shown).FIG. 20shows a spring type 90 degree mounting bracket134that may be used in light fixtures that define a rectangular “cut out” that retainer locks136clip into and hold the assembly4horizontal in the light fixture (not shown).

My threadless light socket assembly4and all its interchangeable components can be adapted for use with various light fixtures in use or on the market today.

The above description of my invention has set out various features, functions, methods and other aspects of the invention. This has been done with regard to the currently preferred embodiments thereof. Time and further development may change the manner in which the various aspects are implemented. Such aspects may further be added to by the language of the claims which are incorporated by reference hereinto as originally filed. The scope of protection accorded the invention, as defined by the claims, is not intended to be necessarily limited to the specific sizes, shapes, features or other aspects of the currently preferred embodiment shown and described. The claimed invention may be implemented or embodied in other forms still being within the concepts shown, described and claimed herein. Also included are equivalents of the invention which can be made without departing from the scope or concepts properly protected hereby.

The foregoing description of my invention is necessarily of a detailed nature so that a specific embodiment of a best mode may be set forth as is required, but it is to be understood that various modifications of details, sizes, and rearrangement, substitution and multiplication of the parts may be resorted to without departing from its spirit, essence or scope.

Having thusly described my invention, what I desire to protect by Utility Letters Patent and