CA2094161C - Lampholder and mounting means therefor - Google Patents
Lampholder and mounting means thereforInfo
- Publication number
- CA2094161C CA2094161C CA002094161A CA2094161A CA2094161C CA 2094161 C CA2094161 C CA 2094161C CA 002094161 A CA002094161 A CA 002094161A CA 2094161 A CA2094161 A CA 2094161A CA 2094161 C CA2094161 C CA 2094161C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- lampholder
- jaws
- recess
- body portion
- major surface
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 239000012634 fragment Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000276498 Pollachius virens Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012777 electrically insulating material Substances 0.000 description 1
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V21/00—Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips
- F21V21/08—Devices for easy attachment to any desired place, e.g. clip, clamp, magnet
- F21V21/088—Clips; Clamps
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21S4/00—Lighting devices or systems using a string or strip of light sources
- F21S4/20—Lighting devices or systems using a string or strip of light sources with light sources held by or within elongate supports
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V19/00—Fastening of light sources or lamp holders
- F21V19/0005—Fastening of light sources or lamp holders of sources having contact pins, wires or blades, e.g. pinch sealed lamp
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Connection Of Plates (AREA)
- Mirrors, Picture Frames, Photograph Stands, And Related Fastening Devices (AREA)
- Clamps And Clips (AREA)
Abstract
A lampholder for use with e.g. a string of outdoor Christmas decorative lamps includes a pair of jaws forming a clip for supporting the lampholder from an elongated support frame to create a decorative display. At least one of the jaws is provided with a recess in medial portions to adapt the clip for gripping the head of a screw from which the lampholder may alternatively be supported.
Description
~ ~ ~ 4 ~ 6 ~ J
LAMPHOLDER AND MOUNTING MEANS THERE~OR
This invention relates to improvements to lampholders that may form part of decorative light strings such as are commonly used for festive occasions.
It particularly relates to improvements for supporting the lampholders from support elements which may in their turn be supported from a basic support structure such as a building facade.
Decorative li~ln strings, as this term is used herein, comprise a plurality of lampholders connected together by electrical conductors in a flexible string. The lampholders include an insulating body portion having a socket opening defining an axial direction for receiving a lamp therein. One such exemplary lampholder and light string is disclosed in US 4,778,409 (Maddock).~
Various means are known or have been proposed for retaining the lampholders in detachable position on support elements. Where the support element is thin and elongated in a direction generally orthogonal to the axis of the lampholder, clip means is used. The clip means typically includes a pair of stiffly resilient, mutually opposed jaws which are rooted to the body of the lampholder, B
LAMPHOLDER AND MOUNTING MEANS THERE~OR
This invention relates to improvements to lampholders that may form part of decorative light strings such as are commonly used for festive occasions.
It particularly relates to improvements for supporting the lampholders from support elements which may in their turn be supported from a basic support structure such as a building facade.
Decorative li~ln strings, as this term is used herein, comprise a plurality of lampholders connected together by electrical conductors in a flexible string. The lampholders include an insulating body portion having a socket opening defining an axial direction for receiving a lamp therein. One such exemplary lampholder and light string is disclosed in US 4,778,409 (Maddock).~
Various means are known or have been proposed for retaining the lampholders in detachable position on support elements. Where the support element is thin and elongated in a direction generally orthogonal to the axis of the lampholder, clip means is used. The clip means typically includes a pair of stiffly resilient, mutually opposed jaws which are rooted to the body of the lampholder, B
-2- 2 0 9 a~ 27-213 CA
to permit the lflmpholder to be attached anywhere along the support element.
Lampholders incorporating this type of clip means are described in U.S. Patent
to permit the lflmpholder to be attached anywhere along the support element.
Lampholders incorporating this type of clip means are described in U.S. Patent
3,678,443 to ~oehler, commonly assigned herewith.
In accordance with a second method, as exemplified by U.S. Patent 2,889,451 to Longo, the lampholders are ~tt~ch~ble to support elements located at predetermined spots on a support structure. This method of ~tt~chment necessitates the use of a two part snap connector, the one part (a base) being permflnently secured to the support structure at the predetermined spot, the other part beingsecured to the lampholder, normally being integrally formed therewith.
The clip means described in the first of the above mentioned methods is not amenable for use with the spot attachment method, and vice versa.
There is no interchangeability with the various two part connectors used in the spot ~tt~chment method; accordingly, the lampholders of one m~nllf~turer are unlikely to be of use with the base connectors of another mflnnfflcturer.
It is an object of this invention to provide improved lampholders and festive light strings incorporating such lampholders which may be attached to elongated support element~ or spot support elements as desired.
It is another object of this invention to provide improved lflmpholders of the foregoing nature which are adapted for use with spot support base elements which are of a ubiquitous, non-proprietary nature.
In accordance with the invention, a lampholder for a festive light includes an insulated body portion having an axis along which the lamp is received in the lampholder, and a pair of stiffly resilient jaws rooted to the body to extend outwardly thererlolll with major surface portions thereof in mutual opposition to form a passageway within which an elongated support element exten~ling in a first direction generally orthogonal to the axis of the body is receivable for gripping by the jaws. The l~mpholder is characterized wherein at least one of the jaws, in amedial portion of the major surface portion thereof forming a part of the passageway, is provided with a small recess, thereby adapting the jaws to grip aspot support element, which may be in the nature of the head of a simple screw secured to the basic support structure, and to resist lateral forces that would otherwise tend to disengage the jaws from their gripping relationship with the screw head.
Suitably, at least for the purposes of facilitating the m~nllfacture of the lampholder, the recess will comm~micate with opposed major surfaces of the jaw in which it is disposed.
These foregoing objects and aspects of the invention, together with other objects, aspects and advantages thereof will be more apparent from the following description of a plerelled embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows in perspective view a pair of lampholders in accordance with the invention coupled together with an electrical cord to form part of a string of decorative lig~tS;
FIG. 2 is a scction through 2-2 of a lampholder of Fig. l;
together with a lamp, on enlarged scale;
In accordance with a second method, as exemplified by U.S. Patent 2,889,451 to Longo, the lampholders are ~tt~ch~ble to support elements located at predetermined spots on a support structure. This method of ~tt~chment necessitates the use of a two part snap connector, the one part (a base) being permflnently secured to the support structure at the predetermined spot, the other part beingsecured to the lampholder, normally being integrally formed therewith.
The clip means described in the first of the above mentioned methods is not amenable for use with the spot attachment method, and vice versa.
There is no interchangeability with the various two part connectors used in the spot ~tt~chment method; accordingly, the lampholders of one m~nllf~turer are unlikely to be of use with the base connectors of another mflnnfflcturer.
It is an object of this invention to provide improved lampholders and festive light strings incorporating such lampholders which may be attached to elongated support element~ or spot support elements as desired.
It is another object of this invention to provide improved lflmpholders of the foregoing nature which are adapted for use with spot support base elements which are of a ubiquitous, non-proprietary nature.
In accordance with the invention, a lampholder for a festive light includes an insulated body portion having an axis along which the lamp is received in the lampholder, and a pair of stiffly resilient jaws rooted to the body to extend outwardly thererlolll with major surface portions thereof in mutual opposition to form a passageway within which an elongated support element exten~ling in a first direction generally orthogonal to the axis of the body is receivable for gripping by the jaws. The l~mpholder is characterized wherein at least one of the jaws, in amedial portion of the major surface portion thereof forming a part of the passageway, is provided with a small recess, thereby adapting the jaws to grip aspot support element, which may be in the nature of the head of a simple screw secured to the basic support structure, and to resist lateral forces that would otherwise tend to disengage the jaws from their gripping relationship with the screw head.
Suitably, at least for the purposes of facilitating the m~nllfacture of the lampholder, the recess will comm~micate with opposed major surfaces of the jaw in which it is disposed.
These foregoing objects and aspects of the invention, together with other objects, aspects and advantages thereof will be more apparent from the following description of a plerelled embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows in perspective view a pair of lampholders in accordance with the invention coupled together with an electrical cord to form part of a string of decorative lig~tS;
FIG. 2 is a scction through 2-2 of a lampholder of Fig. l;
together with a lamp, on enlarged scale;
-4- P 127-213 CA
FIG. 3 shows a lampholder of Fig. 1 in front elevation, attached to a fragment of an elongated support element shown together with lmderl~ying support structure;
FIG. 4 is similar to Fig. 3, but shows the l~mphQlder in an alternative position of attaçhment to the support element, and FIG. S shows the l~mpholder of Fig. 1 in side elevation, in pc,sition to attach to a screw head secured to a fragment of a support structure.
Referring to the drawings in detail, a l~mphol~er in accordance with the invention is identified generally therein by the numeral 10. Lampholder 10 comprises a hollow insulated hody 12 having a socket opening 14 at one axial end16 thereof into which a decorative lamp D is receivable, and a base 18 (lefining the other axial end of the lampholder. A flexible electrical cord C connects lampholders 10 together to form part of a string of lights L in a m~nn~r well known in the art. A clip means 20 comprises a pair of jaws 22,24 rooted to body 12 adjacent base 18 to project radially outwardly from the body in mlltu~lly opposed, axially spaced conrlol~ lg relationship. Jaws 22,24 have a distal end, respectively identified as 22d,24d, distal end 22d having a lip portion 221 which restricts the entrance 26 to a passageway 28 between the jaws. The jaws 22,24 are radially outwardly coextensive whereby distal ends 22d, 24d termin~te in a planeP-P parallel to the axis of body 12. Generally speaking body 12 and jaws 22,24
FIG. 3 shows a lampholder of Fig. 1 in front elevation, attached to a fragment of an elongated support element shown together with lmderl~ying support structure;
FIG. 4 is similar to Fig. 3, but shows the l~mphQlder in an alternative position of attaçhment to the support element, and FIG. S shows the l~mpholder of Fig. 1 in side elevation, in pc,sition to attach to a screw head secured to a fragment of a support structure.
Referring to the drawings in detail, a l~mphol~er in accordance with the invention is identified generally therein by the numeral 10. Lampholder 10 comprises a hollow insulated hody 12 having a socket opening 14 at one axial end16 thereof into which a decorative lamp D is receivable, and a base 18 (lefining the other axial end of the lampholder. A flexible electrical cord C connects lampholders 10 together to form part of a string of lights L in a m~nn~r well known in the art. A clip means 20 comprises a pair of jaws 22,24 rooted to body 12 adjacent base 18 to project radially outwardly from the body in mlltu~lly opposed, axially spaced conrlol~ lg relationship. Jaws 22,24 have a distal end, respectively identified as 22d,24d, distal end 22d having a lip portion 221 which restricts the entrance 26 to a passageway 28 between the jaws. The jaws 22,24 are radially outwardly coextensive whereby distal ends 22d, 24d termin~te in a planeP-P parallel to the axis of body 12. Generally speaking body 12 and jaws 22,24
5 2094161 P 127-213 CA
will be unitarily moulded from a stiffly resilient, electrically insulating material such as polypropylene.
Jaws 22,24 each have a major surface 22m,24m, to define walls of passageway 28, which surfaces are in mutual opposition; one of the opposed S surfaces, in this instance 24m, is provided with a small rectangular recess 24r in a medial portion thereof, which recess connects to a bore 24b having a similar ~limeM~ion to that of the associated recess so as to form a contin~ m thereof, which bore passes completely through the jaw 24 transversely to major surface 24m thereof.
The string of lights L of the invention may be used in traditional m~nners for example by draping about the branches of a tree, or with the electrical cord secured to a support structure by stapling or the like in a semi-perm~nent arrangement. In using th~ 7,ght string L to form an easily attachable and detachable display in accordan~ ~. with the manner set forth in the aforementioned Koehler patent, elongated support elements E are first erected from a support structure S such as a building facade in the m~nner set forth in the patent, and jaws 22,24 serve to clip lampholders 10 thereto. Suitably the support elements will be held in spaced apart relationship from support structure S, which will permit the clip means 20 to engage with a support element with the axis of the lampholder 10 being downwardly directed, as suggested by Fig. 3, (or equally upwardly directed) or outwardly directed, as suggested by Fig. 4.
An alternative method of ~tt~ching light string L (or individual lampholders 10 thereof~ to a support structure S in accordance with the invention is shown in Fig. 5 wherein a simple round or flat headed wood screw W forming
will be unitarily moulded from a stiffly resilient, electrically insulating material such as polypropylene.
Jaws 22,24 each have a major surface 22m,24m, to define walls of passageway 28, which surfaces are in mutual opposition; one of the opposed S surfaces, in this instance 24m, is provided with a small rectangular recess 24r in a medial portion thereof, which recess connects to a bore 24b having a similar ~limeM~ion to that of the associated recess so as to form a contin~ m thereof, which bore passes completely through the jaw 24 transversely to major surface 24m thereof.
The string of lights L of the invention may be used in traditional m~nners for example by draping about the branches of a tree, or with the electrical cord secured to a support structure by stapling or the like in a semi-perm~nent arrangement. In using th~ 7,ght string L to form an easily attachable and detachable display in accordan~ ~. with the manner set forth in the aforementioned Koehler patent, elongated support elements E are first erected from a support structure S such as a building facade in the m~nner set forth in the patent, and jaws 22,24 serve to clip lampholders 10 thereto. Suitably the support elements will be held in spaced apart relationship from support structure S, which will permit the clip means 20 to engage with a support element with the axis of the lampholder 10 being downwardly directed, as suggested by Fig. 3, (or equally upwardly directed) or outwardly directed, as suggested by Fig. 4.
An alternative method of ~tt~ching light string L (or individual lampholders 10 thereof~ to a support structure S in accordance with the invention is shown in Fig. 5 wherein a simple round or flat headed wood screw W forming
-6- 209~161 P 127-213 CA
a base B is partly screwed into the support structure, the head of the screw being receivable in recess 24r in gripping relationship.
It will be appar~lt that many changes may be made to the illustrative embodiment while falling within the scope of the invention, and it is intended that all such changes be covered by the claims appended hereto.
a base B is partly screwed into the support structure, the head of the screw being receivable in recess 24r in gripping relationship.
It will be appar~lt that many changes may be made to the illustrative embodiment while falling within the scope of the invention, and it is intended that all such changes be covered by the claims appended hereto.
Claims (13)
1. A lampholder for a festive string of lights, said lampholder comprising:
an insulated body portion into which a lamp forming a part of said festive string of lights may be inserted, and clip means comprising a pair of stiffly resilient jaws rooted to said insulated body portion to extend outwardly therefrom along an axis;
said jaws having major surface portions in spaced apart, mutually confronting relationship to form a passageway therebetween;
at least one of said jaws having a small recess disposed in medial portions of said major surface portion thereof; said major surface portion in which said recess is disposed being devoid of any spur-like projection into said passageway associated with said recess;
said clip means thereby being adapted to grip either of a rod-like support element of indefinite length or the head of a screw support element received between said jaws.
an insulated body portion into which a lamp forming a part of said festive string of lights may be inserted, and clip means comprising a pair of stiffly resilient jaws rooted to said insulated body portion to extend outwardly therefrom along an axis;
said jaws having major surface portions in spaced apart, mutually confronting relationship to form a passageway therebetween;
at least one of said jaws having a small recess disposed in medial portions of said major surface portion thereof; said major surface portion in which said recess is disposed being devoid of any spur-like projection into said passageway associated with said recess;
said clip means thereby being adapted to grip either of a rod-like support element of indefinite length or the head of a screw support element received between said jaws.
2. A lampholder as defined in claim 1, wherein said recess connects to a bore extending through the jaw in which said recess is disposed transversely to the major surface thereof to provide a continuous opening through said jaw.
3. A lampholder as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein said jaws extend radially outwardly from said body portion.
4. A lampholder as defined in claim 3, wherein said jaws are radially outwardly coextensive.
5. A lampholder as defined in claim 4, wherein the distal end of at least one of said jaws is provided with a lip to restrict the entrance to said passageway.
6. A lampholder as defined in claim 4, wherein the distal end of one of said jaws opposed to said jaw in which said recess is disposed is provided with a lip to restrict the entrance to said passageway.
7. A lampholder as defined in any of claims 1-6, wherein said jaws are rooted to said body portion remote from a said lamp when inserted into said lampholder.
8. A lampholder as defined in claim 1, wherein said recess connects to a bore extending through the jaw in which said recess is disposed transversely to the major surface thereof to provide a continuous opening through said jaw.
9. A lampholder as defined in any of claims 1-8, wherein said jaws are unitarily formed with said body portion by molding.
10. A lampholder for a festive light string, said lampholder comprising;
an insulated body portion defining a socket including an opening into which a lamp forming a part of said decorative light string is insertable, and clip means unitarily formed with said body portion;
said clip means comprising a pair of jaws extending radially outwardly from said body portion remote from said opening;
each said jaw having a major surface, with said major surfaces being in spaced apart mutually confronting relationship to define a passageway between said jaws;
at least one said jaw having a recess in a medial portion of the major surface associated therewith;
said recess having a perimeter therearound contained entirely within said major surface;
said clip means thereby being adapted to grip either of a rod-like support element of indefinite length or the head of a screen support element received between said jaws.
said clip means thereby being adapted to grip either of a rod-like support element of indefinite length or the head of a screen support element received between said jaws.
an insulated body portion defining a socket including an opening into which a lamp forming a part of said decorative light string is insertable, and clip means unitarily formed with said body portion;
said clip means comprising a pair of jaws extending radially outwardly from said body portion remote from said opening;
each said jaw having a major surface, with said major surfaces being in spaced apart mutually confronting relationship to define a passageway between said jaws;
at least one said jaw having a recess in a medial portion of the major surface associated therewith;
said recess having a perimeter therearound contained entirely within said major surface;
said clip means thereby being adapted to grip either of a rod-like support element of indefinite length or the head of a screen support element received between said jaws.
said clip means thereby being adapted to grip either of a rod-like support element of indefinite length or the head of a screen support element received between said jaws.
11. A lampholder as defined in claim 10, wherein said jaws are radially outwardly coextensive.
12. A lampholder as defined in claims 10 or 11, wherein the distal end of at least one of said jaws is provided with a lip to restrict the entrance to said passageway.
13. A lampholder as defined in claims 10, 11 or 12, wherein said clip means is unitarily formed with said body portion by molding.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002094161A CA2094161C (en) | 1993-04-16 | 1993-04-16 | Lampholder and mounting means therefor |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002094161A CA2094161C (en) | 1993-04-16 | 1993-04-16 | Lampholder and mounting means therefor |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2094161A1 CA2094161A1 (en) | 1994-10-17 |
| CA2094161C true CA2094161C (en) | 1998-12-08 |
Family
ID=4151471
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002094161A Expired - Fee Related CA2094161C (en) | 1993-04-16 | 1993-04-16 | Lampholder and mounting means therefor |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2094161C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN116819420B (en) * | 2023-07-03 | 2025-07-29 | 杭州华春科技有限公司 | Series user identification method for judging abnormal power connection |
-
1993
- 1993-04-16 CA CA002094161A patent/CA2094161C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2094161A1 (en) | 1994-10-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |