Patent ID: 8308497

Claim:
An end cap and socket system for use with a lamp bulb, the system comprising: an end cap comprising: a cylindrical portion; an end face formed at a first end of the cylindrical portion; a key disk provided on the end face and having a key groove cut into the key disk; and a plurality of contact pins extending from the key disk; wherein the plurality of contact pins is structured to provide electrical to the lamp bulb; and a socket having a front face, a pin-receiving end, and a base end, the socket comprising: an insertion groove structured to receive the contact pins therein, wherein the insertion groove begins at the pin-receiving end and extends in a direction toward the base end; a rotation groove cut into the front face of the socket, wherein the rotation groove intersects with the insertion groove; a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within the rotation groove; and a key piece inserted into the rotation groove and being rotatable within the rotation groove, the key piece being provided with a key rib; wherein the key groove and the key rib are configured such that when the end cap is inserted into the socket, the key groove and the key rib are aligned so that the key rib can slide into the key groove.