Patent Publication Number: US-5632644-A

Title: Decorative light bulb socket

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a light bulb socket. More particularly, the invention relates to a decorative light bulb socket which is adapted to receive a decorative light bulb on a Christmas tree. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a conventional lamp socket 10 has a longitudinal recess 11, a bottom slot 12 communicating with the longitudinal recess 11, a rectangular hole 13 communicating with the bottom slot 12, a flange 17 disposed on top of the rectangular hole 13, and a step-shaped block 14 adjacent to the hole 13. The first conductor 15 inserts in the longitudinal recess 11. The second conductor 16 inserts in the rectangular hole 13. A base covers the bottom of the socket 10. The second conductor 16 has the first and second turning points 162 and 163, a distal end 161, and a tip 164 at the other end. It is very difficult to insert the second conductor 16 in the rectangular hole 13. Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the generally L-shaped conductor 16 is inserted in the narrow interior of the hole 13. The end 161 may be blocked by the step-shaped block 14 (as shown in FIG. 2). The second turning point 163 may be blocked by the wall of the hole 13 (as shown in FIG. 3). It is very difficult to position the second conductor 16 in the predetermined position (as shown in FIG. 4). If the user applies strong force on the second conductor 16, it will be deformed easily. Referring to FIG. 5, another lamp socket 20 receives a conductor 21. The conductor 21 has a rounded head 211 and a taper-pointed end 212. The conductor 21 is not easily positioned on the predetermined position before the bulb is inserted. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to provide a light bulb socket which can position the conductors steadily. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a light bulb socket which can be assembled easily. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a lamp socket of the prior art; 
     FIGS. 2 to 4 are the schematic view illustrating the assembly of the conductors and the lamp socket; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective assembly view of another lamp socket with a lamp of the prior art; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a decorative light bulb socket of a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
     FIGS. 7 to 9 are the schematic view illustrating the assembly of the conductors and the decorative light bulb socket; and 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective assembly view of the decorative light bulb socket with a light bulb thereon. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIG. 6, a decorative light bulb socket has a main body 30 comprising a large number of inner threads 32, a longitudinal recess 33, a bottom plate 31, a through hole 34 formed on the bottom plate 31, and a flange which is disposed on top of the bottom plate 31 surrounding the top edge of the through hole 34. Referring to FIG. 10, the bulb 50 is screwed into the socket along the threads 32. The first conductor 36 is inserted in the longitudinal recess 33. The second conductor 37 is inserted in the through hole 34. Two grooves 341 are formed in the periphery of the through hole 34. The groove 341 is a recess groove. The second conductor 37 has a round top 371, a neck 372 beneath the round top 371, two slant fins 373 extending from the neck 372 outward, a transverse bar 374 disposed at the bottom of the second conductor 37, and an end tip 375 disposed at the distal end of the second conductor 37. A gap 3711 is defined by the round top 371. The second conductor 37 is inserted in the through hole 34 beneath the flange 35. 
     Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, a washer 38 is inserted in the interior of the socket. The walls of the groove 341 restrain the round top 371 in the through hole 34. The slant fins 373 block the periphery of the groove 341. The transverse bar 374 is blocked by the bottom of the bottom plate 31. The bulb end 51 touches the round top 371. Thus the conductor 37 can be easily inserted in the hole 34, but it cannot be pulled out of the hole 34. 
     The invention is not limited to the above embodiment but various modification thereof may be made. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.