US3372363A - Light bulb construction - Google Patents

Description

March 1968 R. BUSTAMANTE 3,372,363

LIGHT BULB CONSTRUCTION Filed oci. 5, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR fla /era jfiasizwmwrs BY 4 MM ATTORNEYS R. L. BUSTAMANTE LIGHT BULB CONSTRUCTION March 5, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct.

United States Patent 3,372,363 LIGHT BULB CONSTRUCTION Roberto L. Bustamante, 4a. C.P. #40, Santa Ana, El Salvador Filed Oct. 5, 1964, Ser. No. 401,619 9 Claims. (Cl. 339-145) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The socket assembly comprises a body made of electrical insulating material with a cylindrical aperture passing therethrough from end face to end face. The sockets also have a first slot extending outwardly from the cylindrical aperture and from end face to end face for receiving contact tines on electrical energy dissipating devices which are inserted in the socket. One or more lateral slots, provided with electrically conductive contacts for engaging tines of the electrical energy dissipating devices, extend from the first slot and are located intermediate the end faces of the socket. In addition, a pair of spaced-apart apertures with contacts mounted therein are located on one end face of the socket on either side of the cylindrical aperture. Electrical energy dissipating devices such as plugs and bulb assemblies are also provided. These devices are provided with radially and longitudinally extending tines which are adapted to be received in the lateral slots and the pair of slots, respectively.

The present invention relates to light bulb and socket constructions and more particularly relates to improved light bulb constructions and socket assemblies therefor, as well as to greatly improved electrical outlet construe tions for receiving novel electrical plug constructions.

The present application discloses subject matter related to the inventions disclosed in my application Ser. No. 294,701, filed July 12, 1963, and now Patent No. 3,278,- 787, dated Oct. 11, 1966, which is in turn a continuationin-part of my application Ser. No. 524,129, filed July 25, 1955, and now Patent No. 3,114,509, dated Dec. 17, 1963, and the subject matter of both such parent applications is incorporated herein by reference.

A great variety of light bulb constructions are known in the art, the principal of these being those provided with a threaded metal sleeve which is adapted to be received in a threaded socket. Also known are bayonet slot-type bulb and socket arrangements as well as substantially cylindrical shaped bulbs which are adapted to be received in spring fittings, such as in the case of fluorescent light fixtures.

A great variety of electrical plug and electrical constructions are also known in the art, the principal ones being those outlets which are adapted to receive a plug having two or more tines. Also known are outlets and sockets that are one or more cylindrical tines in the case of a telephone jack, and various radio tubes.

As commercially produced, these known light bulb, socket and plug constructions are reasonably satisfactory and find a moderate degree of acceptance, but they are commonly replaced by more complicated and expensive constructions where reliability, precision and/or rapidity of connection are important factors.

The operation of screwing a bulb into a socket is in itself not exceedingly objectionable unless time is an important factor, but as with many mass-produced items, the fit between bulb and socket leaves much to be desired, and elaborate care frequently must be employed to provide a satisfactory fit between the several electrical con tacts, if in fact it is possible to achieve one at all. In remote areas, and in many foreign countries, this problem becomes even more acute as sizes and parts frequently are not standard as in the United States.

The problem is much the same with bayonet type bulb and socket assemblies, spring loaded fittings for fluorescent lamps, and with tine or jack type electrical plugs such that these other constructions are often the subject of precision lacking fits and time consuming efforts to achieve an acceptable electrical contact. The problem becomes more aggravated however, since in massproduced fittings, metal parts are made as thin as possible in the interest of economy and therefore are frequently bent or crushed out of shape with the application of very little pressure. In the case of electrical plugs, it is a common occurrence to find a socket wherein the electrical contacts are bent out of reach of the plug tines. In the case of screw threaded bulbs, it is common to find a slightly bent or distorted socket that will substantially completely resist any and all efforts to screw the bulb home.

The art has thus demonstrated a need for improvements in bulb, socket and electrical plug configurations that will permit mass production and economies in design, but yet will provide increased reliability. The art is also desirous of improved light bulb, socket and plug constructions that will provide greater speed and facility in use, and desirably alleviate the problem of standardization of sizes.

It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide improvements in light bulb, socket and electrical plug constructions, hereinafter broadly described as electrical contact assemblies.

It is another object of this invention to provide improved electrical contact assemblies that will not be subject to defects that have in some instances plagued prior art electrical contact constructions.

It is a further object of this invention to provide electrical contact assemblies in the form of a novel annular disk contact assembly.

Ancillary to the preceding object, it is an object of this invention to provide annular disk electrical contact assemblies wherein annular disks, or tab shaped portions representing segments of annular disks, may be used.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will become increasingly apparent as this description proceeds.

As indicated in my Patent No. 3,278,787, dated Oct. 11, 1966, and Patent No. 3,114,509, dated Dec. 17, 1963, I have evolved a new light bulb construction that is greatly simplified and is adapted to be received by relatively simple socket means, permitting ease and accuracy in placement, and always insuring positive contact. In present light bulb and socket constructions, for example, due to inaccuracies of mass production, it is often not possible to get a completely satisfactory contact between bulb and socket, or between plug and socket, such that unnecessary repairs must be made, or such that the unit must be replaced with a new and hopefully more accurate product regarding precision. As a result of the continued development of my invention through the above parent applications, I have now evolved improved socket assemblies for receiving my improved light bulb constructions, as well as having developed improvements in the light bulb construction itself, and in providing an improved electrical plug assembly.

Broadly described therefore, the objectives of this invention are achieved by providing a bulb assembly having at least one glass envelope portion coextensive with a pressure footing portion, wherein the bulb assembly is provided with first and second outwardly extending annulus contact plates or annular disks. These annular contact elements are disposed on each side of an insulating member that may be annularly shaped. As with usual bulb constructions, there may be provided first and second electrode lead wires which are connected at one end to a filament disposed within the glass envelope, the other one end of one lead wire being connected to one of the annular contact elements and the other end of the other lead wire being connected to the other annular contact element. According to this invention, two annular contact elements are usual, but three or more may be employed, depending on the number of electrodes, etc. in the glass envelope. Radio and the like tubes are known having a plurality of electrodes and this invention is applicable thereto.

As another feature of this invention, the insulating member between the outwardly extending annular contact members may be integral with and comprise an extension of the pressure footing portion. It is preferred that the electrode lead wires be connected to the annular contact elements by passage through the pressure footing portion and the insulating member.

According to the invention and as described in my above-mentioned parent applications, my novel annular disk or annular contact plate is adapted to be received between two disk like contact elements, or between a disk or washer and a coil spring, or between any two members of any desired shape that will provide the desired electrical contact, the simplest possible configurations being preferred.

With the annular disk shaped contact member that I have developed, it will become apparent that the prior art objections and defects mentioned above will be overcome. For example, with the greatly simplified annular disk contact element construction of this invention, very rapid and reliable electrical connections are assured since threading and the other reasonably precise prior known placement operations are eliminated. Also, the annular disk contact assembly of this invention will guarantee an electrical connection even when the bulb and/or socket contacts are bent or otherwise largely distorted. An important advantage of the present construction also arises through the elimination of wear caused by friction and rubbing of parts that normally occurs with prior known constructions as the electrical contact is most simply achieved by means of a simple placement. In some instances, this will eliminate moving parts, and where desirable, will provide for substantial elimination of noise in the assembling of parts.

Other features of this invention that will become increasingly apparent involve the use of an annular tab shaped contact element which represents a segment of the annular disk above described. The development of the tab contact member as a feature of my basic invention has also brought about other improvements in contact and socket assemblies that permit my basic invention to be used in conjunction with, and sometimes interchangeably with, already existing electrical contact assemblies.

Thus, the present invention principally comprises a bulb assembly having at least one glass envelope portion. In the case of a single bulb assembly, there may be a coextensive pressure footing portion; whereas in the case of a pair of glass envelopes, the same are connected end-toend by means of an insulating pressure footing. The bulb assemblies according to the present invention are provided with outwardly extending contact members which may be annular shaped, ring shaped, or simply tab shaped, at least first and second such members being provided to accommodate the number of filaments employed in the lamp. The contact members are separated from each other, and electrode lead wires are connected from the contact members to the filaments disposed within the respective glass envelopes.

In the case of my multiple electrical socket assembly, it is only necessary that a receiving member be provided to coact with each contact member of the bulb. As developed according to my copending applications, the contact member usually comprises a slot assembly adapted to slidingly engage the bulb contacts.

The understanding of this invention will now be greatly facilitated by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein the same or like reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar parts.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a pillow block type multiple combination socket developed according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view, partly in section and taken along lines 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a track type or endless socket for the double bulb assembly shown in phantom lines which is like the bulb of FIGURE 9 in my copending application Ser. No. 294,701;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a gimbal type rotatable socket according to the invention, and shows in phantom lines a suitable bulb assembly modified according to the invention, being inserted therein.

FIGURE 5 is freely mounted C-shaped socket structure embodiment illustrated as being adapted to receive a two contact bulb or plug assembly according to the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 66 of FIGURE 5 to illustrate a suitable wiring pattern;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a suitable plug embodiment that has been developed according to the present invention;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a single end bulb assembly which is a modification of the bulb assembly shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 9-9 of FIGURE 8, and with a portion of the insulating material removed as an alternative embodiment and showing a greatly simplified wiring diagram according to the present invention;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of another modification of a bulb assembly which may be in either single or double ended forms and may have a spring catch or tab employed therewith, all according to the invention;

FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 1111 of FIGURE 10 to show the wiring and constructional features of the embodiment of FIGURE 10',

FIGURE 12 is another embodiment of the bulb assembly according to the present invention, having opposed contact flanges or tabs;

FIGURE 13 is a cross sectional view showing a proposed multi-contact double ended bulb assembly that may be used with the contact shown in FIGURES 1 and 4 of the present invention; and

FIGURE 14 is another embodiment of a bulb assembly that is adapted to be used with the multiple combination socket of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, there is shown a pillow block-type multiple combination electrical socket, which is provided with a suitable multiple component lead-in wire 18, the separate wires 19 of which go to the respective electrical contact receiving openings as will be more fully appreciated with reference to FIG- URES 2 and 6. On one side of the pillow block socket assembly 20, two such contact receiving members 21 are provided to receive a two-contact element bulb or socket assembly; whereas three such contact receiving members 25 are provided on the opposite side to accommodate a three-contact element bulb or socket assembly. More such contact receiving members may obviously be employed as desired. Since the body of socket assembly 20 is preferably composed of an insulating material such as hard rubber, phenolformaldehyde resin, varnish, ceramic material or a plastic material, electrical contact is provided in each contact receiving member 21 by means of a conductive metal insert 22 whereas electrical contact is provided to each contact receiving member 25 by means of electrically conductive metal inserts 26. Each of the contact receiving members 21 and 25 are separated by means of the flanges or ridges 23. As the material of construction of the pillow block is a plastic or another insulating material known in the art, the members 23 comprise insulating flanges for separating the contact receiving members. Also provided are two tine-type contact receiving slots 27 which may receive a conventional household electrical plug, as well as the novel bulb construction shown in FIGURE 14 and described hereinafter. Electrical contact to the members 27 is provided by means of the electrically conductive metal inserts 2,8. Suitable holes are also provided to permit securing of the pillow block to any surface, as with screws or other fastening members.

As is shown more clearly in FIGURE 2, each contact receiving member 21, 25, etc., of the pillow block of FIGURE 1 is provided with an electrically conductive metal or contact member 26 adapted to provide electrical connection from the individual component wires 19 of the lead-in wire 18.

In FIGURE 3, there is provided a longitudinal bulb receiving socket assembly generally indicated at 30 which is similar in principal to longitudinal or substantially continuous socket assemblies known in the art. The socket assembly of FIGURE 3 is adapted to receive a double or single ended bulb generally indicated at 31 which is substantially the same as those of FIGURES 9 and 10 of my copending application Ser. No. 294,701, and also is substantially similar to the single ended bulb configuration of FIGURES 8 and 9 in the present application. As shown, the bulb assembly 31 is dropped through the opening 32 or 34 having substantially circular segment shapes to be slidingly received in the opposing channel or rail-like members 35. The members 35 coact with the bulb by simple frictional resistance, or if desired, in a spring-like restraining fashion with the pressure footing of the bulb assembly. As is apparent, the members 35 are fixedly secured together by means of the clamping assembly generally shown at 37. Similar to longitudinal socket assemblies known in the art, the members 35 are each provided with upper and lower electrically conductive strips 36, the lower strips providing electrical connection to the lower annular electrical contact disc of the bulb, and the upper strips 36 providing electrical connection to the upper annular contact disc. Thus, the top openings 34 are wide enough so that a single or double bulb can be dropped in and slid sideways a sufiicient amount to permit the making of an electrical connection. The envelope portion of a single bulb can face up or down as desired. Further, the tracks 35 may be connected together by a substantially continuous bottom member, if desired, and having suitable openings therein to accommodate downward facing glass envelopes.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 4, the gimbal type rotatable socket generally indicated at 50 has a substantially U-shaped bracket assembly generally comprising the opposed members 4242. Rotation in one direction may be provided through turning about the axis indicated by the bolt or securing member 43, while rotation of the socket assembly 40 is provided by the axes 44. A suitable lead-in wire 18, having components 19, is received within the lefthand axis 44 of the rotatable socket assembly, the wiring diagram therefore being essentially the same as that provided for the pillow block assembly of FIGURE 1. As with the embodiment of FIGURE 1, tine receiving slots 47 are also provided, having electrically conductive metal inserts 48. A suitable double ended bulb assembly 51 according to the present invention, shown in phantom lines, is being inserted into the socket member. It will be apparent that the tines 55-55 of the bulb will be rotated to the right and received into the slots 4fi--4I, whereupon electrical contact will immediately take place.

In FIGURES and 6 there is depicted a horseshoe type or substantially C-shaped multiple component socket assembly 66, which is adapted to receive 2-contact element type bulbs and plugs according to the invention. The contact element receiving slot member 61 is provided with electrically conductive inserts 62 and 63, the same 'velopments of the basic light bulb being denoted respectively by plus and minus signs to indicate polarity for purposes of explanation and illustration only, since it is common knowledge that in both AC and DC. systems, both electrically conductive inserts may be suitable for either polarity. The contact receiving member 61 is adapted to receive single or double ended bulb constructions similar to that shown in FIGURE 8 having a solid insulaing tab 82 separating the electrical contacts to be described more fully hereinafter. In such case, the electrically conductive insert 62 will provide electrical connection to one of the tabs 85, and the insert 63 will similarly coact with the other tab. The slot member 61 is equally well adapted to receive bulbs and plugs having the construction shown in FIGURE 9, although the slot members 65 are preferred for receiving such separate, tine-type tab constructions to assure better locking of the bulb or plug Within the socket assembly. Tine re ceiving slots 67 with electrically conductive inserts 68 are also provided wlu'ch function in much the same menner as described above regarding slots 27 and 47 in FIG- URES 1 and 4.

As is best shown in FIGURE 6, electrical connection to all the electrically conductive inserts 62, 63, 66 and 68, is provided by means of the insulated wire 18 and individual component wires 19. For convenience, wires denoted by a minus polarity (for illustrative purposes only) are shown in solid lines, while wires denoted by a plus polarity are shown in dotted lines so that the circuits may be traced. The circuits shown are only for purposes of illustration as more elaborate configurations may be desired, for example, if the socket assembly 60 is adapted to receive a fluorescent starter indicated at 69, so that the socket 60 may be modified to receive greatly improved fluorescent bulb constructions that are visualized according to the present invention. It is also clear that one or more on-olf switches may be combined into the socket assembly 60, as well as with the other socket assemblies illustrated. Similarly, simpler wiring diagrams are visualized, such as in the case of printed circuitry wherein the socket assembly shown may be assembled from a number of circuit containing stampings, by fusing, riveting or other common fastening operations. As indicated, suitable holes may also be provided to permit securing of the socket 60 to any surfaces, by means of screws or the like securing members.

In FIGURE 7 there is illustrated one embodiment of a novel electrical plug 70 that has been developed for use with the socket assemblies of the present invention. The plug 79 comprises a handle or body portion 71 of a suitable insulating material, and tines or electrical contact tabs 75 separated by disk-shaped insulating washers 74, which are secured to the handle 71, along with the tines 75, by means of a suitable insulating and/or securing means not shown.

It is to be understood that the plug 70 may have any number of tines 75, such as two or more, although three such tines are shown. It will be readily apparent that the plug assembly 70, with three tines 75, can be inserted into the lefthand contact element receiving slots 25 and 45 shown in the sockets of both FIGURES 1 and 4, or into slots similar to 27, 47 and 67 when utilizing two tines 75. The plug assembly 70 is otherwise of usual construction, having an insulated lead-in wire 18, with component wires 19, and having the body portion 71 preferably prepared from an insulating material as is known in the art, portions of the same or different insulating materials providing the separating washers 74.

In FIGURES 3, 4 and 8-14, there are shown light bulb constructions that are directly related to, and deconstructions shown in my parent applications. The wiring construction of the present bulbs is generally identical to that first developed according to my parent applications and will be broadly described herein with reference to FIGURES 11 and 14, which are shown in cross-sectional detail and comprise upper and lower glass envelope portions and internal electrode lead wires. The lead wires pass through and are supported by means of embedment in a pressure footing, glass bead, glass pearl, or other centrally disposed insulating material -and are connected at their upper ends by means of small filaments. Secondary electrode wires may be provided to connect each electrode lead wire with the exterior upper and lower annular metal disk, contact plate or contact tab for electrical connection to a suitable source of electrical ower or with ground in the case of direct current appliances. As with the modification shown in my parent applications, the secondary electrode connection from the right hand lead wire may be bent and attached to the upper annular contact on the upper surface of the insulating annulus. The secondary electrode connection to the left hand electrode lead may be similarly bent and connected to the corresponding lower annular contact. As shown in my copending applications, the insulating annulus may be of greater width within the glass envelope of the bulb than on the outside thereof for strengthening purposes, and may be as wide as the glass envelope, or as wide as the annular disks.

Broadly referring to FIGURES 8, 9 and 12 and to FIGURE in my application, Ser. No. 294,701, new Patent No. 3,278,787, dated Oct. 11, 1966, there are shown modifications which employ a single bulb assembly provided with a single glass envelope and if desired, a large pressure footing which may act as a support for the bulb. In the single bulb modification, the lead wires may be bent and connected to lower annular disks in the same manner as employed with the double bulb constructions. As will be appreciated with regard to these figures, both the lower annular contact and the upper annular contact are adapted to be in contact with a source of electrical power, and/ or ground.

It will be appreciated at this time that the several light bulb modifications shown in the present invention offer advantages in simplicity, ease of manufacture, quick replacement and the elimination of screw threads, projecting lugs and similar means presently employed to secure bulbs in sockets. In so doing, the present invention permits light bulb constructions wherein a greater portion of the dimensions can be devoted to the glass envelope and filament assembly, resulting where desired in the production of miniature bulbs with a materially greater amount of illumination per unit of over-all dimensions. This feature is heightened with the use of the present double bulb assembly.

It is to be understood, that the dimensions shown for the several parts of the present invention, for the purposes of clarity, are not drawn to scale. Thus, the several parts, such as the insulating annulus of the bulbs and annular contact disks may be of minimal thickness to insure miniature size of the assembly when desired.

Turning now to FIGURE 8 and the cross-sectional detail view of FIGURE 9, there is shown a modification of the single bulb construction wherein the annular contact disks are largely eliminated to leave the tab portions 8585. The bulb indicated generally at 80 is otherwise similar to the basic bulb construction described above and has a glass envelope 81, filament lead wires 83 and 86, the former being connected directly to the upper contact element, while lead wire 86 passes through opening 84 and through the insulating portion 82 to the lower contact element.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment of FIG- URE 9 is adapted to be used with a socket like that shown in FIGURES 1, 4 and S, as well as with presently known tine receiving electrical outlets. On the other hand, the FIGURE 8 embodiment is best suited for use with sockets like those shown in FIGURES 3 and 5. It is obvious that the tines 85 of the FIGURE 9 embodiment permit the advantageous features of the invention to be made applicable to and adaptable with presently known mass produced electrical contact assemblies since such tines may also be received in the slots 27, 47 and 67.

In FIGURES 10 and 11 there is shown a modification of the basic double bulb construction. The bulb indicated generally at has upper and lower glass envelope portions 101-101, an annular insulating and pressure footing portion 102 and filament lead wires 103 and 106 providing electrical contact to both filaments 108-408 mounted in parallel. Although the filaments can be connected in series, the parallel connection is to be preferred since light is still available from one filament in case the other burns out. As shown, the respective lead wires pass through, and are insulated from the annular contact element of opposite polarity, and are connected to the desired annular contact element. Insulation may be provided, in addition to the spacing shown, by means of insulating glass, ceramic, rubber or plastic materials known in the art.

According to the modification of FIGURES 10 and 11, there is provided a series of protrusions or spring catches or tabs 107. Four such tabs are shown on each annulus although more or fewer may be provided as desired. These spring tabs will provide a desirable frictional locking feature in the case of the contact tracks shown in FIGURE 3, or whenever a frictional lock is desired according to this invention.

The embodiment of FIGURE 12 is similar to the embodiment of FIGURE 9, and comprises a glass envelope 121, a filament and lead wires 123 and 126, with lead wire 126 passing through aperture 124 in the upper annular member to make contact wtih the lower annular member while lead 123 is in contact with the upper annular member. In this embodiment however, the tabs 125-125 which are separated by insulator 122, unlike tabs 85-85, are not in registration, but are disposed at an angle, for example about 180", although any desired angular displacement may obviously be employed.

The advantage offered by the angularly displaced tabs of this modification is in the facility of making an electrical connection. That is, like the principal annular disk contact embodiment, electrical connections may be completed simply by dropping the bulb into a suitable socket, although the same may be modified with slots to receive the tabs in a locking connection when desired. Thus, the embodiment of FIGURE 12 may be preferable to some other embodiments that are insertable into existing tine receiving socket constructions and may be subject to the objectionable defects already noted.

In FIGURE 13, there is shown an embodiment similar to FIGURE 9, but having three annular disks provided with tab contacts 135, although more such annular disks with tabs may be employed as desired, the number of tabs being directly proportional to, and providing electrical contact for the several electrode lead wires 133, 136 and 139. The annular disks, which are separated by insulators 132, are also provided with apertures 134. The apertures 134 permit leads 133, 136 and 139, which each contact only one disk, to pass through the other annular disks without making contact. The construction illustrated, showing three leads connected to each filament, is only provided for purposes of illustration and description since it will be understood that many changes are susceptible of electrode configuration in radio tubes and the like.

In FIGURE 14, there is shown still another modification of the invention wherein the double bulb assembly, generally indicated at 140, is provided with tab contact portions having angularly disposed tines 147. The tines 147 may be integral with the tabs 145 and provided by bending the tab through an angle of, for example 90, or the tines may be separate elements joined to the tabs by welding, brazing, or soldering, although the bending procedure is to be preferred. The bulb 140 has the advantage of being useful for sockets that will accommodate the bulb embodiment 120 of FIGURE 12, as well as being useful with the tine receiving portions 27,

9 4'7, and 67 of the socket assemblies 20, 40 and 60 shown in FIGURES l, 4 and 5. The bulb 140 would be inserted into the socket 40 in much the same way as the bulb indicated in phantom lines in FIGURE 4, except that the tines 147 would be aligned to engage with the tine receiving portions 47 of such socket.

It will therefore be seen that the invention provides an improvement over known electrical contact assemblies for providing a connection between a source of electric power and a light producing electrical filament or electrical energy dissipating element wherein the energy dissipating element is contained within a sealed glass envelope and is connected to electrical contacts on the exterior of the envelope by means of lead wires, and wherein the electrical contacts are adapted to removably contact with corresponding electrical contact receiving elements connected to wires leading to and from the source of electric power, and according to the invention, electrical contacts on the exterior of the glass envelope comprise substantially parallel annular members lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the glass envelope, the electrical contact members being insulated from one another, and wherein the electrical contact receiving elements comprise substantially parallel annular members lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the glass envelope, the electrical contact receiving members slidingly engaging the planar surface of the corresponding electrical contact member.

The invention is thus an improvement over many conventional electrical elements, such as the screw thread type contact of conventional incandescent bulbs, as in such bulbs, the screw threaded contact portion often breaks loose from the pressure footing of the glass envelope, causing the envelope and contact to separate and often leaving the contact frozen in a socket. This defect is apparently a result of high frictional forces occurring between the unnecessarily large surface area of the conventional threaded contact, and between the equally unnecessarily large surface area of the conventional threaded socket, a fact that is emphasized by the relatively small surface area of the contact button on the bottom of conventional bulbs. Instead of such large mechanical resistance forces, the present invention combines the desirable feature of large electrical contact areas with the hitherto unexpected feature of having substantially no mechanical resistance or friction in the making of an electrical con tact. This feature is carried over into the multiple electrical sockets according to the invention which provide in a single, simple and compact unit, both an electrical plug and bulb socket for plugs and bulbs modified according to the invention. It is also a feature of the invention that the present sockets and bulbs or plugs are advantageously locked together as they cannot be disconnected by pulling in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the contact elements, but yet can be easily disconnected by sliding out in a parallel fashion. If desired, it is apparent that some resistance to parallel movement can also be provided with the use of known spring and frictional forces.

It should therefore be understood that the several bulb, socket and plug embodiments shown and described herein, are only presented for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of this invention and are not to be considered as limiting the basic invention as the same is susceptible to various changes and modifications.

For example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the inventive principles herein are applicable to incandescent filament bulbs, fluorescent lights, various gas vapor lights and tubes, radio tubes, and the like, and to socket devices therefor. It will also be apparent that the structures shown in the drawings are susceptible to some structural modifications that are susceptible to the basic principles of this invention. Thus, the annular contact elements herein may take various forms, and

may be separated from one another by great insulating distances, such as by placement at opposite ends of a fluorescent tube, or at any intermediate location. Further, it will be appreciated that the several electrical circuits illustrated may be susceptible to either series or parallel connection, as well as to other modifications known to those skilled in the art that will permit longer circuit life, or greater power concentration, etc.

Accordingly, this invention should only be limited to the extent shown by the following claims.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A socket assembly comprising:

a body composed of an electrical insulating material and having first and second end faces;

a cylindrical aperture passing through said body from said first end face to said second end face for receiving a base portion of an electrical energy dissipating device;

a first slot in said body for receiving contact tines of said electrical energy dissipating device, when said device is inserted in said socket assembly, said first slot extending outwardly from said cylindrical aperture, and said first slot extending from said first end face to said second end face;

at least one lateral slot intermediate said end faces, said at least one lateral slot extending from said cylindrical aperture and said first slot, said at least one lateral slot having at least one electrically conductive contact mounted therein for engaging a contact tine of said device when said electrical energy dissipating device is in position, and said at least one electrically conductive contact being connected to an electrically conductive lead wire.

2. In the socket assembly of claim 1:

a plurality of lateral slots intermediate the end faces of the body, said lateral slots extending from either side of the first slot.

3. In the socket assembly of claim 2:

side walls of each of the lateral slots extending perpendicular to side walls of the first slot and perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of the cylindrical aperture.

4. In the socket assembly of claim 1:

a pair of spaced-apart apertures in the body, said apertures extending inwardly from said first end face of said body, the cylindrical aperture being intermediate said pair of apertures and said pair of apertures being provided with contacts which are connected to electrically conductive lead wires.

5. In the socket assembly of claim 4:

the body being substantially C-shaped in cross section,

a plurality of lateral slots intermediate the end faces of said body, said lateral slots extending from either side of the first slot, and side walls of each of said lateral slots extending perpendicular to side walls of said first slot and perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of the cylindrical aperture.

6. In the socket assembly of claim 5:

the number of lateral slots extending from one side of the first slot differing from the number of lateral slots extending from the other side of said first slot.

7. A socket and bulb assembly comprising:

a socket body composed of an electrical insulating material and having first and second end faces;

a cylindrical aperture passing through said body from said first end face to said second end face fg r receiving a glass envelope of a bulb;

a pair of spaced-apart apertures in said body, said apertures extending inwardly from said first end face of said body, said cylindrical aperture being intermediate said pair of apertures and said apertures being provided with electrically conductive contacts which are connected to electrically conductive lead wires;

a bulb assembly comprising a pair of glass envelopes symmetrical about the longitudinal center line of said bulb assembly, said bulb assembly having a pair of electrically conductive elements, said elements having diametrically opposed tabs extending radially outwardly beyond said envelopes and terminal portions extending in the same direction from said tabs parallel to said longitudinal center line of said bulb assembly, filaments within said envelopes connected to said elements; and

one of said envelopes of said bulb assembly extending through said central aperture of said socket body with said terminal portions of said electrically conductive elements extending into said pair of apertures in said socket body and making electrical contact with said electrically conductive contacts mounted within said pair of apertures.

8. A bulb assembly comprising:

a pair of glass envelopes symmetrical about a longitudinal center line of said bulb assembly;

an electrical insulating disk between said envelopes;

a pair of electrically conductive elements, one element being on each side of said insulating disk and joined to said insulating disk and one of said envelopes,

said electrically conductive elements having tabs 25 extending radially outwardly beyond said envelopes,

aperture ments to pass therethrough s therein to allow lead wires from bulb filawithout touching said electrically conductive elements.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bahls et al 339-182 X Dominick 339-20 Dunham 339-127 Hubbell 339-20 Noel 339-144 X Eitel et al 339-182 X McCullough et al.

Bustamante.

Gelles 339-20 Williams et al. 339-182 X Bustamante 313-204 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Examiner.

Images