US1927293A - Electric socket - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 19, 1933. H. B. PARSON ET AL ELECTRIC SOCKET Filed Oct. 13, 1930 mism Y l I i i E g i Patented Sept. 19, 1933 NETE@ STATES ELECTRIC SOCKET Howard B. Pearson and Franz R. Culver, i

San Francisco, Calif.

Application October 13, 1930. Serial No. 488,393

7 Claims.

This invention relates to electric sockets.

This application is a continuation in part of our co-pendingapplication for Sockets and separable electrical connections, Serial No. 463,338, led

June 23,1930.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an electric socket which is adapted to hold a plug, or the ferrule of an electric bulb, by engaging a groove or indentation on the ferrule, whereby the ferrule can be easily and quickly inserted into the socket; means being provided to establish firm and positive contact between the ferrule or the like and the electrical conductors of the socket. Particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide an electric socket to hold a ferrule or the like element of an electrical connecting element, by means of a plurality of retaining elements adapted to resiliently, but rmly, engage a groove or indentation in the outer periphery of said ferrule, a conductor strip being arranged in the socket, a portion of which is disposed between one of the retaining elements and the said ferrule, thereby to establish positive electrical contact thereat.

20 Other objects and advantages are to provide an electric socket that will be superior in point of simplicity, inexpensiveness of construction, positiveness of operation, and facility and convenience in use and general eiliciency.

In this specification and the annexed drawing, the invention is illustrated in the form considered t0 be the best, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such form. because it may be embodied in other forms; and it is also to be understood that in and by the claims following the description, it is desired to cover the invention in whatsoever form it may be embodied.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a socket with a threaded inner shell, constructed in accordance with our invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of our socket, incorporating a smooth inner shell.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental view of the socket showing a retaining ball in the socket.

Fig. 4 is a fragmental sectional View, showing the mounting of a retaining ball on the socket wall, the section being taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental view of the socket showlng the retaining ball secured over the conductor strip or finger. r Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 5 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a sectional view of a socket constructed in accordance with our invention, with resilient iingers to hold the ferrule and also the conductor strip.

Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of a disc with the 60 resilient retaining elements or fingers shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a detail view of a conductor strip used in our socket.

Fig. 10 is a detail side View of a single, separate 65 resilient retaining linger.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a modified embodiment of our invention.

In carrying out our invention we make use of an outer socket shell 6, which is extended over an insulating base 7 in the usual manner. On the end 8 of the base 7 is secured the bottom of an inner shell 9 by means of screws 11. The inner shell may be threaded as in Fig. 1 so as to receive the usual threaded ferrule of a plug or electric bulb, or it may be smooth, as the inner shell 12 in Fig. 2.

In the inner shell 9 is inserted the ferrule 13 of a separable, electrical connecting element. The ferrule preferably used in connection with the socket or our construction, is the type described in our afore-mentioned co-pending application. The ferrule 13 has an annular groove 14 in its outer periphery adjacent the end thereof, whereby the ferrule may be gripped by suitable retaining instrumentalities in the socket.

The embodiment of our invention shown in Fig.

1 includes a plurality of globes or balls 16, each being disposed in a flared aperture 1'? ln the wall of the inner shell 9. An annular spring wire 18 extends around the outer periphery of the shell 9 and extends through the balls 16. The ends of the wire 18 overlap each other. Each end of the wire 18 is bent into a triangular loop 19, between the loops 19 is a coil spring 21, dis- 95 posed around the overlapping end portions of the wire 18, so as to force the loops 19 apart from each other, thereby to tighten the ring formed by the wire 18 and urge the balls 16 inwardly of the shell 9. In this manner the balls 16 are 100 resiliently held in position so thata portion of each ball 16 protrudes beyond the inner periph: ery of the shell and into engagement with the groove 14 of the ferrule 13.

Alongside the outer periphery of the shell 9 w55 is disposed a conductor strip or finger 22, an end 'of which is bent at right angles and is secured between the bottom of the shell 9 and the end of the base 7 by one of the screws 11. Adjacent the free end of the strip 22 is formed a concavo- 110 convex socket 23, the convex side of which protrudes toward the interior of the shell 9, and into the concaveside of which fits one of the balls i6. Thus the conductor socket 23 is interposed between the respective ball 16 and the groove 14 of the ferrule 13. The ball 1S, therefore, not only retains the ferrule 13 in the shell 9, but also presses the conductor strip socket 23 against the wall oi the .ierrule 13, thereby to accomplish positive and perfect electrical contact between the conductor strip 22 and the said ferrule 13.

In the embodiment of our invention shown in Fig. 7, the inner shell 24 of the socket is smooth and cylindrical. Between the bottom of the shell 24 and the end of the base 7 is disposed a conductor disc 25 from the edge of which extend resilient conductor lingers 27 alongside the outer periphery oi the shell 24, so that the iree ends of the fingers 27 bear toward 'the interior of the shell 24. Adjacent the free end of each finger 2'? is formed a socket `28, similar to the afore-de- .scribed socket 23. A. plurality of apertures 29 provided in the wall of the shell 24, permit the protrusion of the convex sides of the sockets 28 into the shell 24 for engagement with the ferrule 13. Adjacent the inside face of one of the lingers 2'7 a conductor linger 31 is secured. The iinger 31 is similar to the afore-described conductor strip 22. A socket 32 formed adjacent the free end of the, conductor finger 3i is of such size as to receive the convex side of the socket 28 of the adjacent finger 2'1 therein to be urged thereby into contact withy the groove 14 of the i'errule 13. Thus the respective fingers not only retain the ferrule 13 in the shell 24, but also establish perfect electrical contact between the conductor finger 31 and the ferrule 13.

It is to be noted that the holes 33 in the disc 23 are in registry'with the screw holes in the bottom of the shell 24, so that the disc 26 is tightly held in place between the bottom of the shell 24 and the base 7.

Il' desired separate spring fingers 34 may be employed in place of the disc arrangement, especially in cases where a socket of the standard type heretofore used, is altered to receive ferrules of the type herein shown.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 1l, utilizes a plurality of double strips 37 disposed around the inner shell 9' of the socket. At least three such strips 3'1 are required, equally spaced around the shell circumference to hold the ferrule 13 in place. Each strip -37 is bent to form two separate fingers 38 and 39. The folded or doubled end 41 of the strip 37 is at an angle to the fingers 38 and 39 and is secured between the bottom of the shell 9' and the end of the base of the socket. A securing screw 11 extends through the said doubled end 41. Each inner finger 39 has a cup 42 formed adjacent the free end thereof, Athe convex side of which protrudes beyond the inner face oi the .nger 39 and extends through an aperture 43 into the interior of the shell 9'. The outer finger 38 has av portion 44 thereof recessed opposite the cup 42. The outer side of the portion 44 lays against the usual insulating lining inside of the outer shell/not shown. A tapered coil spring 46 is disposed between the recessed portion 44 and the cup 42. The smaller end 0i the spring 46 is within the cup 42, and the wider end thereof bears outwardly against the recess of portion 44. Inasmuch as the portion 44 bears against the lining of the outer shell of the socket, the force of the spring 46 is utilized to urge the cup 42 into the inner shell 9. It is to be noted that the free end of the linger 38 is bent at an ,angle toward the end of the inner finger 39 thereby to facilitate assembly of the socket, One or more of the inner fingers 39 is lined with a conductor lining or finger to conduct negative electricity to the ferrule 13. l

In all of the embodiments of our invention the resilient retaining elements act also as contacting elements whereby the respective conductor fingers are held in Contact with the respective ferrules. The electrical conducting ngers, or linings are made of good conductor metal. The lingers, discs and other resilient retaining elements are made of high grade steel material, such as clock spring material.

It isto be noted that in the center ci the cud o the insulating base is a positive contact, with which the corresponding central Contact of the ferrule is held in engagement. The conductor strips, fingers. and linings on the retaining elc nient are used as negative contacts to the respective ferrules, the ferrules being, of course, insulated from the central positive contacts.

The insertion and removal of the .ferrules into and from the inner shell of the socket i s performed in the manner described in our aforementioned copending application.

Having thus described this invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination with a ferrule oi an electric connecting element said ferrule having an indentation on its outer periphery; of an electric socket, an inner shell adapted to receive the said ferrule therein, a conductor disposed alongside the inner shell. a concavo-convex cup formed a`djacent the free end of the conductor, the convex side of said cup being disposed in operative relation to said indentation, and'resilient means exertingV a pressure on the concave side of said cup to urge the said convex side into operative engagement with the ferrule indentation.

2. The combination with a conductor ferrule of an electric connecting element, said ierrule having an annular groove in its outer periphery adjacent an end thereof; of a socket, an inner shell in the socket adapted to receive said ferrule therein; a conductor strip extended alongside the inner shell having a concave-convex protrusion formed adjacent the free end thereof in operative relation to the ferrule, said shell having an aperture therethrough in alignment with the groove in the ferrule when assembled, the convex side of said protrusion being in alignment with said aperture, and resilient means adjacent the inner shell to urge the said protrusion through the said aperture into contacting engagement with the said groove.

3. The combination with a conductor ferrule of an electric connecting element, said ferrule having an annular groove in its outer periphery adjacent an end thereof; of a socket, an inner shell in the socket adapted to receive said ferrule therein: a conductor strip extended alongside the inner shell having a concavo-convex protrusion formed adjacent the free end thereof in operative relation to the ferrule, said shell having an aperture therethrough in alignment -with the groove in the fer rule when assembled, the convex side of said protrusion being in alignment with said aperture. resilient means adjacent the inner shell to urge the said protrusion through the said aperture into contacting engagement with the said groove; a plurality of retaining elements adjacent the shell adapted to engage the said ferrule groove directly,

and resilient means to urge said retaining element into engagement with the groove.

4. An electric socket for an electric connecting element comprising an outer shell, an. insulating base in an end of the shell,.an inner shell in the outer shell mounted on the base being adapted to receive the said element therein, a conductor strip extended alongside the inner shell, a projection adjacent the end of the strip adapted to be extended beyond the inner surface of the inner shell into engagement with said element. a resilient retaining element between the inner and outer shell to urge said strip and projection toward the interior of the inner shell, and a concave socket formed on the side of the strip opposite the projection, said retaining element being adapted to extend into said socket.

5. An electric socket for an electric connecting element comprising an outer shell, an insulating base in an end of the shell, an inner shell in the outer shell mounted on the base being adapted to receive the said element therein, a conductor strip extended alongside the inner shell, a projection adjacent the end of the strip adapted to be extended beyond the inner surface of the inner shell into engagement with said element, a resilient retaining element between the inner and outer shell to urge said strip and projection toward the interior of the inner shell, andl a concave socket formed on the side of the strip opposite the projection, said retaining element being adapted to extend into said socket, said retaining element comprising a spring nger having a bent end thereoLsecured between the end of the inner shell and the base, and being so formed adjacent its free end as to t into said socket to urge the strip inwardly.v

6. An electric socket for an electric connecting element comprising an outer shell, an insulating base in an end of the shell, an inner shell in the outer shell mounted on the base being adapted to receive the said element therein, a conductor strip extended alongside the inner shell, a projection adjacent the end of the strip adapted to be extended beyond the inner surface of the inner shell into engagement with said element; a disc secured between the base and the inner shell,k a plurality of spring fingers extended from said disc alongside the inner shell, the end of each finger being formed with a projection adapted to extend beyond the inner periphery of the inner shell to engage said element, said shell being adapted to allow the extension of said projections beyond its inner periphery, one of said fingers being in alignment with said strip so as to urge the latter and the projection of the strip therewith against the said element inside of the inner shell. '1. An electric socket for an electric connecting element comprising an outer shell, an insulating base at an end of the shell, an inner shell in the outer shell related to the base being adapted to receive the said element therein, a conductor strip extended alongside the inner shell, a projec-V tion adjacent the end of the strip adapted to be extended beyond the inner surface of the inner shell into engagement with said element, a. plurality of apertures through the periphery of the inner shell, a retaining element disposed in each aperture, resilient means to hold the retaining element in position so that the said elements are extended into said shell to engage said element, said conductor strip having a projected socket formed therein in alignment with one of said retaining elements to be disposed between said retaining element, thereby to be pressed into contact with the said connecting element.

HOWARD B. PEARSON. F. R. CULVER'

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