GB2157898A

GB2157898A - Improvements in or relating to light holders

Info

Publication number: GB2157898A
Application number: GB08409912A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chi-Wing Fok
Original assignee: On Tat Bakelite Electric Works Ltd
Current assignee: On Tat Bakelite Electric Works Ltd
Priority date: 1984-04-17
Filing date: 1984-04-17
Publication date: 1985-10-30
Also published as: GB8409912D0

Abstract

A light holder comprises a body 10 which can receive a light in a socket 12. The holder has terminals 22, 24 to which can be connected the leads of an electric cable 34 so that electrical energy can be supplied to the light via a switch 28. The cable is clamped against a post 26 on the body 10 by a clamping member 38 to minimise the effect of forces tending to pull the leads from their connection with the terminals 22, 24. The post 26 is formed with a cable-accommodating groove 30. The member 38 has a U-shaped part 40,41,42 to straddle the post 26 and an integral part 44 carrying a clamping screw 46. The portion 42 of the member 38 is located in a groove 32 of the post 26. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to light holders This invention relates to light holders.

Light holders for holding electric light bulbs usually comprise a generally cylindrical body, one end of which is arranged to receive the neck of an electric light bulb. The other end of the body carries terminals to which the leads of an electric cable can be attached. A switch may be located between the terminals and the light bulb receiving portion for electrically connecting and disconnecting the light bulb with the cable. The arrangement is usually such that the connection between the terminals and the leads of the cable provide the means by which the light holder is supported e.g. from a ceiling. This arrangement is not entirely satisfactory since the leads may become detached from its terminal which could lead to a short circuit condition.

According to the present invention there is provided a holder for a light bulb which comprises a body having a portion for receiving a light bulb, terminals for connection with an electrical cable, and clamping means for clamping the cable to a portion of said body.

By clamping the cable to a portion of the body any force acting on the cable e.g. due to the weight of the holder and its light bulb is effectively prevented from being transmitted to the connection of the cable leads with the terminals. Thus, the possibility of the lead being disconnected from the terminal is considerably reduced thereby making a much safer holder.

The body may be formed with an upstanding post adjacent said terminals, said clamping means being arranged to clamp the cable against the post. The post may be formed with a groove for accommodating said cable.

The clamping means may comprise a member having a generally U-shaped part arranged to stradle the post, the arms of the U terminating in an integrally formed part which carries a clamping member. The clamping member may be a screw.

The invention will be described now by way of example only with particular reference to the accompanying drawing. in the drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a light holder in accordance with the present invention from one end thereof, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the holder from the other end.

A light holder comprises a generally cylindrical body 10 formed from electrically insulating material. One end of the body is recessed to define a tubular portion 1 2 which can receive the neck of an electric light bulb in a conventional way so that electrical contacts on the bulb engage correspondingly located spring loaded contacts 14 within the tubular portion 12. The holder shown is designed to receive a bulb of the bayonet type, the tubular portion being formed with two slots 1 6 of conventional shape for receiving radially projecting pins on a bulb. A screw thread is formed on the outer surface of the tubular portion 1 2 so that a tubular cover member 20 can be screwed thereon.

The other end of the body carries electrical terminals 22, 24 which are disposed one on each side of a post 26 which is formed integrally with the body. The terminals 22, 24 extend into the body and can be connected electrically with the contacts 14 by means of a switch housed within the body. The switch can be operated by means of a radially movable pin 28 in a known manner.

The lateral dimension of the post 26 extends diametrically of the body 10 from substantially the centre of the body to its edge.

The post is formed on its inner edge surface with an axially extending groove 30, and on its outer surface with a cordially extending groove 32. The groove 30 is provided to receive an electric cable or flex 34 and the groove 32 receives one limb of a clamping member 38 which clamps or grips the cable within the groove 30. The clamping member comprises a generally U-shaped part having limbs 40, 41 which extend on either side of the post, a base 42 which locates in the groove 32, and a cylindrical head portion 44 which is formed integrally with the U-shaped part and carries the screw 46. The screw can be operated to clamp the cable in the groove 30 and against the post.

The leads 48, 49 which project from the cable are connected to the terminals 22, 24 in a conventional manner.

It will be appreciated that by clamping the cable 34 against the post 26 by means of the clamping member 38 little or no force is exerted on the leads 48, 49 tending to pull them from their connection with the terminals 22, 24. Thus, the danger of the leads becoming detached from the terminals is considerably reduced.

It will be appreciated that the terminals and the post are normally covered by a conical cover 50 which can be screwed onto a threaded portion 52 of the body.

1. A holder for a light bulb which comprises a body having a portion for receiving a light bulb, terminals for connection with an electrical cable, and clamping means for clamping the cable to a portion of said body.

2. A holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is formed with an upstanding post adjacent said terminals, said clamping means being arranged to clamp the cable against the post.

3. A holder as claimed in claim 2 wherein the post is formed with a groove for accommodating said cable.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to light holders This invention relates to light holders. Light holders for holding electric light bulbs usually comprise a generally cylindrical body, one end of which is arranged to receive the neck of an electric light bulb. The other end of the body carries terminals to which the leads of an electric cable can be attached. A switch may be located between the terminals and the light bulb receiving portion for electrically connecting and disconnecting the light bulb with the cable. The arrangement is usually such that the connection between the terminals and the leads of the cable provide the means by which the light holder is supported e.g. from a ceiling. This arrangement is not entirely satisfactory since the leads may become detached from its terminal which could lead to a short circuit condition. According to the present invention there is provided a holder for a light bulb which comprises a body having a portion for receiving a light bulb, terminals for connection with an electrical cable, and clamping means for clamping the cable to a portion of said body. By clamping the cable to a portion of the body any force acting on the cable e.g. due to the weight of the holder and its light bulb is effectively prevented from being transmitted to the connection of the cable leads with the terminals. Thus, the possibility of the lead being disconnected from the terminal is considerably reduced thereby making a much safer holder. The body may be formed with an upstanding post adjacent said terminals, said clamping means being arranged to clamp the cable against the post. The post may be formed with a groove for accommodating said cable. The clamping means may comprise a member having a generally U-shaped part arranged to stradle the post, the arms of the U terminating in an integrally formed part which carries a clamping member. The clamping member may be a screw. The invention will be described now by way of example only with particular reference to the accompanying drawing. in the drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a light holder in accordance with the present invention from one end thereof, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the holder from the other end. A light holder comprises a generally cylindrical body 10 formed from electrically insulating material. One end of the body is recessed to define a tubular portion 1 2 which can receive the neck of an electric light bulb in a conventional way so that electrical contacts on the bulb engage correspondingly located spring loaded contacts 14 within the tubular portion 12. The holder shown is designed to receive a bulb of the bayonet type, the tubular portion being formed with two slots 1 6 of conventional shape for receiving radially projecting pins on a bulb. A screw thread is formed on the outer surface of the tubular portion 1 2 so that a tubular cover member 20 can be screwed thereon. The other end of the body carries electrical terminals 22, 24 which are disposed one on each side of a post 26 which is formed integrally with the body. The terminals 22, 24 extend into the body and can be connected electrically with the contacts 14 by means of a switch housed within the body. The switch can be operated by means of a radially movable pin 28 in a known manner. The lateral dimension of the post 26 extends diametrically of the body 10 from substantially the centre of the body to its edge. The post is formed on its inner edge surface with an axially extending groove 30, and on its outer surface with a cordially extending groove 32. The groove 30 is provided to receive an electric cable or flex 34 and the groove 32 receives one limb of a clamping member 38 which clamps or grips the cable within the groove 30. The clamping member comprises a generally U-shaped part having limbs 40, 41 which extend on either side of the post, a base 42 which locates in the groove 32, and a cylindrical head portion 44 which is formed integrally with the U-shaped part and carries the screw 46. The screw can be operated to clamp the cable in the groove 30 and against the post. The leads 48, 49 which project from the cable are connected to the terminals 22, 24 in a conventional manner. It will be appreciated that by clamping the cable 34 against the post 26 by means of the clamping member 38 little or no force is exerted on the leads 48, 49 tending to pull them from their connection with the terminals 22, 24. Thus, the danger of the leads becoming detached from the terminals is considerably reduced. It will be appreciated that the terminals and the post are normally covered by a conical cover 50 which can be screwed onto a threaded portion 52 of the body. CLAIMS

4. A holder as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the clamping means comprises a member having a generally U-shaped part arranged to stradle the post, the arms of the U terminating in an integrally formed part which carries a clamping member.

5. A holder as claimed in claim 4 wherein the clamping member may be a screw.

6. A holder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.