Abstract:
An electrical contact modifier is configured to allow the use of a “single-element” medium base light bulb in a three-way lamp holder/switch. The device allows the three-way switch to replicate the “OFF-ON” functionality of a standard one-way light switch.

Description:
This application claims priority from provisional application 60/859,316 filed Nov. 15, 2006. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to electric light fixtures, and more particularly to three way bulbs and sockets. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   There is a desire on the part of many consumers to use a “single-element” bulb in a three-way light fixture. For example, many ecologically-minded persons prefer to use the more efficient compact fluorescent bulbs in place of traditional wire filament incandescent bulbs. Three-way versions of compact fluorescent bulbs are difficult to find and expensive. In other cases, a consumer may wish to have only a single level of illumination from a lamp fitted with a three-way light socket. 
   A three-way socket has a common connection, usually all or part of the threaded portion of the base receptacle. Additionally, there are two connections in the bottom of the base designed to connect, respectively, a tip connection and a ring connection on the three-way bulb. In the off (or first) position of the power switch, no power is sent to any connection. In the second position, power is sent to the ring, thus making a powered connection through the lighting element to the common connection. In the third position, power is provided to the tip connection, and not to the ring, thus lighting a second element typically of higher power. In the fourth position, power is provided to both the ring and the tip, thus giving the combined light output of both the bulb-lighting elements. 
   A “single-element” (or one-way) bulb has no ring connection. A problem with using a single-way (one level of illumination) bulb in a three-way socket is that as the power switch is turned, the illumination pattern will be off-off-on-on rather than the desired off-on. This can be a nuisance. 
   What is needed is a simple, consumer-friendly device that will adapt a three-way light socket to operate a “single-element” bulb in the desired of-on configuration. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a means of modifying a three-way lamp holder/switch to accommodate a “single-element” compact fluorescent or other type of medium-base light bulb, using a simple, durable device that can fit within the confines of a typical three-way household lamp without compromising utility or safety, while at the same time duplicating the functionality of an “OFF-ON” type of switching system. 
   A disc shaped button adapter for insertion into a three-way lamp socket is made from a disc of non-conductive material with a notch in the disc designed to fit over the ring connection of a three-way bulb socket. The disk has a connector means which connects the three-way bulb ring connector to a tip connector on a one-way bulb when the disc adapter is inserted into a three-way bulb socket and a one-way bulb is then inserted into the same socket. The disc adapter electrically isolates the tip connector of the three-way lamp socket. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a three-way to one-way bulb button adapter. 
       FIG. 2  is a top-down view of a three-way to one-way bulb button adapter. 
       FIG. 2A  is a top-down view of a standard three-way bulb socket (prior art). 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of a one-way bulb positioned above a button adapter. 
       FIG. 3A  is a top-down view of a three-way to one-way bulb button adapter in place in a standard three-way bulb socket. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   A “single-element” light bulb, for the purposes of this document, refers to one which is capable of a single level of illumination when energized. Any type of medium-base light bulb could be used. However, a need exists to utilize compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and LED bulbs. 
   A three-way lamp holder/switch is often found in many table and floor lamps. When combined with what is typically an incandescent three-way light bulb, three levels of illumination are produced by the lamp. The standard three-way lamp holder has four switch positions: off, low, medium, and high. By utilizing the outside of the light bulb&#39;s screw-in base as a common electrical ground, with two concentric electrical contacts (called, respectively, tip and ring) on the bulb&#39;s male base, the three-way lamp holder enables independent or simultaneous activation of the two separate filaments within the incandescent bulb. 
   A commonly used three-way incandescent bulb is rated at 50-100-150 watts of electrical consumption and proportional illumination. With the increasing costs of excessive electrical power consumption, more attention is being paid to the benefits of replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient ones. The major advantage of the compact fluorescent bulb over its incandescent equivalent is that it typically uses approximately 25% of the electricity consumed by the incandescent bulb for the same amount of light output. 
   It is possible, if not always easy, to find three-way compact fluorescent light bulbs. Anecdotal evidence suggests that there may be technical issues with the current generation of these bulbs, which would account for the difficulty sometimes encountered with finding them. The high cost of these bulbs may also tend to depress demand, and their subsequent availability. 
   When a “single-element” compact fluorescent or incandescent type of light bulb is used in a three-way lamp holder/switch, the sequence of illumination when rotating the switch&#39;s activating knob is “OFF-OFF-ON-ON,” which can be annoying to a consumer. This invention modifies that sequence to the more conventional “OFF-ON-OFF-ON”. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a side view of a button adapter  150  is shown. The adapter  150  is of a circumference designed to fit snugly into a standard three-way lamp socket. It has a body  190  made of a non-conductive stiff insulating material, such as high-temperature plastic or cardboard. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the adapter  150  has an index slot  165  to hold it in position over the ring connector  160  of a bulb base as shown in  FIG. 2A . 
   Referring to  FIG. 1A , an adapter connector means  180  part of the button adapter is shown disassembled from the button adapter. The adapter connector means  180  is made from a strip of conductive material bent into a roughly “J” shape, having a tip contact portion  181 , a ring contact portion  182  and a neck portion  183 . As shown in cutaway  FIG. 1B , when assembled the neck portion  183  is sandwiched between the bottom  190 A and top  190 B of the body  190 . The body may be made of two pieces as shown, or it may simply be of a material such as cardboard which is split so as to receive the neck portion  183  of the adapter connector means  180 . 
   Thus, as shown in  FIG. 2 , on the top of the button adapter  150  the adapter connector means  180  is an electrically conductive contact designed to mate at the ring contact portion  181  with a ring connection  160  of a three-way lamp base  187  shown in top view in  FIG. 2A  (prior art) and with the tip contact  185  of a bulb  180  (prior art). Thus, as shown in  FIG. 3A , when the button adapter  150  is inserted into a three-way lamp base  187  the adapter connector means  180  electrically connects through the ring contact portion  182  a ring contact  160  of a three-way lamp base  187 , then through the tip contact portion  181  to a tip contact  185  of a one-way light bulb  80 . The tip contact of the lamp base  188  is electrically isolated. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the tip contact portion  181  of the adapter connector means  180  is in position so as to connect to a bulb tip contact  185  on a bulb  80 . Fig  3 A shows a top view of a lamp base  187  showing the adapter  150  in place. As may be seen, the index notch  165  seats over the lamp base ring connector  160  electrically contacting the adapter ring contact portion  182  to the lamp base ring connector  160 . 
   Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.