US2296326A - Socket for high voltage gaseous discharge tubes - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 22, 1942. R. E. BARCLAY SOCKET FOR HIGH VOLTAGE GASEOUS DISCHARGE TUBES Filed June 7, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 'III fiberi S. a ATTORNEY-5" Sept 1942- R. BARCLAY 2,296,326

SOCKET FOR HIGH VOLTAGE GASEOUS DISCHARGE TUBES Filed June 7, 1940 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i/cffl.

I N VE N TOR.

jfaber'i I lid/7 01f; 7 f"@e M Patented Sept. 22, 1942.

OFFICE sooxmf ron man VOLTAGE GASEOUS i x mscmmca TUBES Robert E. Barclay, Chicago, Ill. Application June 7, 1940, Seriail No. 339,287

11 Claims. '(Cl. 173-328) This invention relates to a connectorbox; or

socket for high voltagegaseous discharge. tubes.

An object of the invention is to provide, a connector box or socket for high voltage gaseous discharge tubes which shall be simple and inexpensive from the manufacturer's standpoint; which shall be capable of ready mounting in anyplace where such tubes may be used and of such construction thatit may be used in exposed places without detraction from the appearance of the tube installation.

Another impdrtant object of the invention is' of parts readily separable for the-simple insertion and automatic connection; of the discharge tube, and which separable parts are automatically normal assembled relation, and wherein the separable latching means maybe released or .unlatched only by means of a special tool thereby preventing access except by those familiar with the construction of the connector box or socket. Applicant's invention also contemplates the provision of connector boxes or sockets for receiving and connecting in series adjacent lengths of tubing arranged in linear succession or angular succession.

A further object to applicants invention is to, provide connector boxes or sockets for gaseous discharge tubes by which tube sections may be connected in seriesor by which power connections may be made to a tube or tube sections.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a .connector box or socket for adjacent tube sections and in which means is provided for shielding the tubes against accumulation of static charges on adjacent or abutting end portions and thereby eliminating radio interference currents 'in, tube installations and also eliminating the possibility of electrical shock of aperson intentionally or inadvertently contacting one or both of abutting end portions ofadiacent tube sections.

It is also an object of applicant's invention to latched against detachment when brought into voltage discharge tubes means for eliminating dangerous "skin currents along the tube envelopes, and also thereby increasing the life of the tubes; i The invention further contemplates the provision, in a connector box or socket of the above stated character, of spring clips for receiving and establishing electrical connection with the terminal tips of the discharge tube and wherein means is provided for insuring the maintenance of electrical connection regardless of all mechanical vibration of the tube or socket relative to each other.

A further and important object of the invention is toprovide a connectorbox or socket of the Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a connector box or socket constructed in accordance with. the

invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of a special tool for unlatching parts of the box to permit removal or insertion of the tubes.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

'Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse vertical section taken' along the line l,! of Fig. 3.

. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing the box parts in separated relation and the manner of effecting their separation.

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of a connector box or socket constructed in accordance with the invention forconnecting adjacent tube sections at a corner or in angular succession.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical section illustrating the operation of the special tool in releasing the latching members.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal vertical'section similar to Fig. 3 and illustrating a construction of the box or socket by which adjacent tube sections are electrically connected in series upon insertion into the box or socket. v

Fig. 9 is a view in perspective of a connector provide in a connector box or socket for high box or socket embodying the invention for supplying power to a single tube or to the desired one of a series of tubes.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal vertical section taken substantially along the line l-I0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a view in perspective of a connector box embodying the invention and for use as in input box.

Fig. 12 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially along the line |2--|2 of Fig. 11.

Fig, 13 is a view in perspective of a modified form of connector box particularly adapted for use where the length of the mounting space is relatively small.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary plan view of the box shown in Fig. 13 with the cover removed.

It is common practise to electrically connect the ends of adjacent tube sections of a high voltage gaseous discharge tube installation by a short lead and to slip a glass'bottle over this lead and the abutting ends of the adjacent tube sections. This bottle is merely slipped over the tube sections and may be readily slipped off either intentionally or inadvertently while dusting or cleaning the tubes and is also frequently displaced by the mechanical vibration of the tubes so that the adjacent terminal tips and the connecting lead are left exposed and unprotected. A great many serious accidents have been caused bypersons inadvertently, and sometimes intentionally, contacting an exposed terminal tip of a tube section connected in this fashion. The extreme likelihood of these occurrences is evident from the fact that in many installations the tube is exposed in a cove or channel near the ceiling and that in climbing a ladder or stepping upon some other support, a person will place his hands over the edge of the cove or channel for assistance or support. In so doing, his fingers come in contact with the tube and if it happens to be an exposed terminal tip of a tube section,

he receives a tremendous shock, knocking him to the floor and seriously injuring or even killing him.

Electrical repair men are prone to slip the bottle off the abutting ends of the adjacent tube section where one section has failed for the purpose of testing or removing a tube section and, in so doing, their hands contact the connecting lead, or a live terminal tip, resulting in serious or fatal injury to the repair men.

The tubes are frequently mounted on a sign surface, mounting panel or window which requires cleaning more or less frequently. Persons who do this cleaning usually have no knowledge of the dangers incident to a contact with a live terminal tip of a tube section and therefor make no effort to avoid such'a contact. In

fact, in many cases, it has been found that such workmen will slip the bottle off the tip in order to clean the ends of the tube or the bottle. It can be seen, therefore, that the customary practise or manner of mounting and connecting high voltage gaseous discharge tubes is very unsafe. A connector box or socket constructed in accordance with applicants invention eliminates these dangers and at the same time retains the advantages inherent in the use of the glass bottle, chief among which is that it permits connection of the tube sections without the formation of a dark spot between the sections.

As shown in Fig. l of the drawings, a general form of connector box or socket, in accordance with the invention, may comprise an open top box member 2, preferably of insulating material and preferably a one piece molding of Bakelite or suitable ceramic material. The open top box member 2 comprises a base plate 4 formed integrally with side walls 6 and 8, end walls l0 and I2, and mounting projections l4 and I6 extending outwardly from the opposed end walls l0 and I2.

The base 4 is relatively thin throughout the major portion of its length and is thickened as at l8 and 20 somewhat adjacent the opposite end walls to provide a mounting base for the generally U-shaped spring clips or terminals 22 and 24, which may be secured to the portions l8 and 20 of the base by headed screws or studs 26 and 28 that are preferably held to the base by being molded thereinybut may be received in internally threaded sleeves molded in the base as shown in Fig. 8.

Coil springs 30, Fig. 4, secured between the head of each screw 26 or 28 and the base of the terminal clip 22 or 24 projects outwardly between the arms of the clip and provides means for establishing electrical connection with the terminal tip 32 of tube section 34 or with terminal tip 36 of the adjacent tube section 38.

The side walls 6 and 8 of the box member 2 have centrally thereof upwardly extending portions 40 and 42 each defined by oppositely extending edges 44 and 46 to facilitate ready and rigid interlocking of the cover member 48 with the box member 2. Flanges 50 extend inwardly from the upper edges of the portions 40 and 42 topartially close the open top of the box member 2 centrally thereof, but leaving a space therebetween sufficient to accommodate the tube sections. The upper edges 52 of the end walls 10 and I2, the upper edges 54 of the side walls 6 and 8, the edges 44 and 46 of the central side wall portions 40 and 42, and the end edges 56 of the flanges 50 are bevelled inwardly for mating relation with the similar but oppositely bevelled or tapered edges 58, 68, 62 and 64 of the cover members 48 to insure accurate positioning of the cover member on the box member 2 and to facilitate the ready positioning of the cover members on'the box member in rigid interlocking relation; As additional means for insuring rigid interlocking of the cover members with the box member, the box member at the four corners formed by the junction of the side and end walls is cut away or recessed as at 66 to receive similarly shaped projections 68 formed on the cover member, and at the junction of the flanges 50 with the side wall portions 40 and 42 recesses ID are formed to receive similarly shaped projections 12 formed on the cover members 48.

Each cover member 48 comprises a top wall portion 14, side wall portions 16 and 18, and an end wall portion shaped to conform to the portion of the box member 2 with which the cover member interfits as previously described.

Means for latching the cover members to the box members comprises sets of latching members 82 and 84 of suitable resilient material or metal strip, preferably generally of inverted J-shape in elevation. The latch members 82 and 84 are preferably formed as the furcations of a bifurcated plate 86, molded in the thickened end portion 88 or 90 of the base 4 and anchored therein as by the laterally bent bottom portion 92. The latch members 82 and 84 of each set engage the latching shoulder or keeper 94 formed in the inner surface of the end walls 80 of the cover members. Spaced openings 96 are formed in the end wall 58 of each cover member in alignment with the latch members 82 and 84, the openings 96 2,296,326 being less in width than the latch members 82 and 84 so that the latch members may at the sides of the openings engage the latching shoul- I that the prongs 98 when inserted through the openings 96 will engage the spaced latch members 82 and 84 as shown in Fig. 7 and move these resilient latch members inwardly out of engagement with the latch shoulder or keeper 94 so that the outer end of the cover member may belifted by means of the tool from an outer end of the box member 2 and the cover member then moved outwardly slightly longitudinally of the box member to release the bevelled edge 64 and the projections "I2 of the cover member from the overlying flange 50 and the recess 10.

One of the members of the. connector box, preferably the box member 2, is formed with integral flanges or partitions I02 and I04 so'spaced from the end of the member as to form with the end and side walls of the cover member a housing or chamber for the latching members which housing or chamber is separate from the housing portion or chamber for the tube sections. Thus the flanges or partitions I02 and I04. prevent anything inserted in the Openingor openings 86 from being projected into the housing orchamher for the tube sections and prevents the engagement of any such inserted articles or the prongs of the special tool from being brought into contact with the terminal tips of the tube sections or the terminal clips. Also the flanges or partitions I02 and I04 prevent the occurrence of any electrical discharge between the terminal tips of the tube sections or the terminal clips and the metallic latch members 82 and 84 as will be evident.

Further to insure efficient electrical contact between the terminal tips of thetube sections and the terminal clips whenever the cover members are in box-closing position, the cover members may be provided with downwardly extendingprojections or lugs I05 formed integrally withthe cover members in positions to overlie and engage theterminal tips 32 and 36 of the tube sections 34 and 38, thereby forcing the terminal tips downwardly into eflicient electrical contact with the terminal clips and the springs 30 and preventing release of the terminal tips from. the terminal clips due to vibration or any other cause.

ln installations of such high voltagev gaseous I discharge tubes, it is found that electrical charges accumulate upon the proximate ends of adjacent tube sections causing radio interference currents between the tube sections, which being sired manner as, for example, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. J

. In Fig. 6 is shown a similar connector. box for mounting and electrically connecting adjacent tube sections at a corner of the room or other space. As shown in this figure, the box member I08 is formed of wings H0 and H2 disposedfat the desired relative angle and connectedby the opposite curved side walls H4 and H6 between which along their common radius extends theshielding plate or screen I I8 similar to the screen or plate I06.

The box member I08 may otherwise be identical in construction with the box member 2 and be closed by the detachably latched cover members I20 identical in construction to the cover members 48,

preferably is mounted or molded 'in the base or bottom wall I 24 of the open top box member I26. The connector strip I22 may be preassembled with internally threaded sleeves I28 which re-- ceive the mounting screws 26 and 28 for the terminal clips 22 and 24. It will be seen that by the mere act of inserting the adjacent tube sections, such sections are electrically connected in series.

In Figs. 9 and 10 there is shown a form of the connector box or socket for use in mounting one end of a single tube installation or the end tube section of a multi-section installation in which the sections do not form a closed geometrical conv figuration. As shown in these figures, the conwhen the tube sections are inserted in the box,

between the proximate ends of the tube sections. This shielding plate may be grounded in a denector box or socket comprises a single cover member 48 received upon and enclosing a box member I30. The box member. I30 has a bottom plate or wall portion I32, side walls I34 and I36, and opposed end walls I38 and I40. The end wall I38 is formed similarly to the end wall I0, but the end wall I40 extends from the base I32 to the upper edge of the, connector box and in the plane of the flanges I42 which extend inwardly from the opposed wall portions I44 and I46 which are defined by the end wall I40 and the inclined edges I48. The single cover member 48 is interlocked with and latched to the box member 30 in the same manner as each of the cover members 48 in the form shown in Figs. 1

- to 8 is interlocked with and latched to the box member 2, I08, or I26. The box member I30 is also provided with oppositely extending mounting portions or lugs I50 similar to the mount- The elec-' ing means or projections. and I6. tric current may be supplied to the terminal clip I52 which is similar to the terminal clip 22 and 24 by means of an inputnlead I54 more particularly hereinafter described with reference to the input connector box shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

Figs. 11 and 12 shows the connector box as formed for use as an input box by which the leads from the source of electricity may be connected through the ends of adjacent tube sections. -As shown in these figures, the input leads I54 and I56 extend into the box member 2 through the side wall 8 and the bottom wall portion 4 in openings I58 for connection to themounting screws 26 or 28 for the terminal clips 22 or 24 to which the leads are fastened in any suitable manner as by nuts I60 which may be manipulated, to fasten or release the lead through an opening I62 in the bottom wall portion 4, The

opening I62 may be closed by a plug I64 threaded directly into the base or into an internally threaded sleeve molded in the'base. The lead I54 or I 56 which may be housed within the usual pipe or BX armor by a BX connector I66 molded .nector box similar to that shown'in Figs. 9 and 10.is formed of an open top box member I14 of double width with a longitudinal partition I16 extending from a transverse partition I18. The partition I16 extends partially or entirely the length of the box member I14 to form spaced chambers I80 and I82 for receiving the adjacent tube sections I84 and I86 in laterally spaced relation. The terminal clips I88 and I90 similar to the terminal clips 22 and 24, are similarly mounted in the chambers I80 and I82 and may be connected by a conducting strip I92 molded into the box member I" beneath the clips. In this form the adjacent tube sections I84 and I86 extend in longitudinally overlapping relation as shown in Fig. 13 so that the line of light from I the tubes appears, even when looked at directly, as

continuous. In order to permit this longitudinal overlapping of the adjacent tube sections, with a connector box of the minimum length, the cover member I92 which is similar to the cover member 48, but ofdouble width, is inwardly from its open end slotted as at I94 for reception of the downwardly curved end portion of the tube section I86. In this form of connector box, the resilient latch members I96 and I98, which are similar to the latch members 82 and. 84, are spaced apart a greater distance to securely latch the double width cover member I 92. The openings 200 through the end wall 202 of the cover member I92 are similarly spaced apart a greater distance to receive the similarly spaced latch receiving prongs of the special box opening tool. The connector box shown in Figs. 13 and 14 may otherwise be formed identically with the connector box as shown in Figs. 1 to 12.

When such a box as shown in Figs. 13 and 14 is to be used as a power input box, the connecting strap I92 will be eliminated and input means such as shown in Figs. 11 and 12 may be provided for connection to the terminal clips, but such input means would of course be disposed on opposite sides of the connector box shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

It will therefore be seen that applicant has provided a connector box or socket for high voltage gaseous discharge tubes which is simple and inexpensive from the manufacturers standpoint; which is capable of ready mounting in any place where such tubes may be used, and of such construction that it may be used in exposed places without detraction from the appearance of the tube installation.

The invention also provides a connector box offering the maximum of protection against possi-. bility of any article inadvertently or intentionally being brought into contact with the tube supplying terminals or connecting leads, and precluding the possibility of any unauthorized person incontacting one or both of abutting end portionsadvertently or intentionally contacting such terminals or connecting leads.

Applicant has further provided a connector box or socket for the gaseous discharge tubes, which box or socket is comprised of parts readily separable for the simple insertion and automatic connection of .the discharge tube, and which separable parts are automatically latched against detachment when brought into normal assembled relation, and wherein the separable latching means may be released or unlatched only by means of a special tool thereby preventing access except by those familiar with the construction of the connector box or socket.

Applicants invention also provides connector boxes or sockets for receiving and connecting in series adjacent lengths of tubing arranged in linear succession or in angular succession.

The invention herein further provides connector boxes or sockets for gaseous discharge tubes by which tube sections may be connected in series or by which power connections may be made to a tube or tube sections.

Applicant has further provided a connector box or socket for adjacent tube sections and in which means is provided for shielding the tubes against accumulation of static charges on adjacent or abutting end portions and thereby eliminating radio interference currents in tube installations and also eliminating the possibility of electrical shock of a person intentionally or inadvertently of adjacent tube sections.

The invention further provides in a connector box or socket for high voltage discharge tubes means for eliminating dangerous "skin currents along .the tube envelopes, and also thereby increases the life of the tubes.

Applicant has further provided in a connector box or socket of the above stated character, spring clips for receiving and establishing electrical connection with the terminal tips of the discharge tube and wherein means is provided for insuring the maintenance of electrical connection regardless of all mechanical vibration of the tube 0! socket relative to each other.

The invention. further provides a connector box or socket of the above stated character which is comprised of relatively separable parts which, when brought into assembled relation, are automatically latched against detachment by a multiplicity of latching members so that operation of one of the latching members will not permit separation of the parts, but all latching members must be simultaneously operated.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific embodiments of the invention set forth for purposes of illustration without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described but only as indicated in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A socket for gaseous discharge tubes comprising an elongated box member having relatively long bottom and side wall portions and relatively restricted end walls adapted to receive the elongated extremity of'a discharge tube in coaxial relationship with the longitudinal axis of said box, the top wall of the box comprising a detachable cover adapted to interfit with the box member and to extend over the end of the tube, said cover having one longitudinal extremity cut away and providing an opening in the top of the box when the cover is in operaoflsaida box; *thextopa wally a detachable cover adapted atio mt'ernt with :the box; member and to extends overathe; send: :ofrthe ztube -zsaid" cover having; one. longitudinal. ex-

egeeeyeae tive position whereby lthe cover partiallyclosestheopen wall of thezbox memberzandi provides v Jan opening. for a laterallyextendin -portion: Of the discharge tuberandpermitting npassagex'coutawardly of the (box, and a resilient ielectricali ter-- 'minal clip mounted: in the boxtrmember below said cover .toxreceivewand resiliently clamp: the; tube terminal.

2; A socket for gaseous-discharge-tub'es;;-comprising ran. 'elongated aboxr :m'ember. "havingirelativelylonggibottom andside-waHiporiiionsrand,rel

ativel'y restrictedv end-inwallsa adapted .to receive.

longitudinal taxis,

tremity' cut? away' andgproviding; opening in thetopvoftha box wherritheacoverii noperative hei'box comprising 1 v the'elongatedxextremityeoi azidischargetubez inl -coaxi'a'l .relationship withr he sends-f theadjacent t1ibe sections; said base member being tofxgreater length than said cover.

comprisingan' elongated box-like base member ahavingtan'open wallto receive through the open open wall :of' the abox member wand; provides an site the :clip-andh constructed :and; :arranged- 'rcto engagextheend or said; tube when in operative position-11in ithe clip; whereby to klockingl'y 7 hold the tubeaagainst fmovem'en't.

:3. A socketfor gaseous discharge -=tub.es comiprising elongatedtbox member having. .relatively :long :bottom: an (1325166? wall portions and? relatively restricted end *swalls adapted? 'to I re-,- ceive theaelongatedsextremity 'Ofzlfl': discharge :tube

in; coaxial relationship:withiithe [longitudinal axis:

of saidlbox, the ltopi wall; f ft'hetboxr'comprising adetachable cover: adapted totinterflt with the'. box

'memberandwto extendviovenather end of the tube,

said cover'having "one dongitudinal: extremity cut away and providing-ansopening'limtheitop of the box "when. the cover is in operative position whereby the :cover "partially: closesrtheopen :wall:

of the box member-zandzprovides an ropening ,for

a laterally extending ""portion a of the. discharge tube andpermitting:passage 'outwardly of the box, and a resilient.- electrical terminal clip mounted in the boxwmember: belowsai'd. cover to i receive and a resiliently clamp ."the tube terminal, means projecting from the inner surface of said gage theend. or said stube for-holding the tube against movement, said; :clip' including; resilient means engageable 4 with the underpor.tion of the tube terminal and operative to urge the tube,

opening Ifor allaterally extending;portion: oflxthe.

:discharge tube iandi permittingqpassagexoutward -ly-oi."the tbox, and-3a resilient ielectricaIiItermi- I \nal. clip *mounted in the lboxem'ember. below; said?" cover to I receive vandrresiliently iclamp: the tube:

terminal, agprojectingr means on-isaid cover :oppo-- i wall: terminahcarryinga ends otiladjacentrtube sec- :tionsbin longitudinally spacedrelation, longitudinallyspaced electric terminals "mounted in said base member to receive the terminals of the: tube :sections, and separate individually detachable rcovermembers adapted tointerfit with thezbase member in longitudinally spaced relation and: tow extend over the ends of the tube sections:- and :partiallyrclose the open wall of said base member,-,= said' base member having central side' wall portions extending between said cover members \with .theupper edges of said portions substan-- tiallyilush with the surface of said cover mam-- bers' whereby to permit passage of the tubesec tions out of the socket between the central' side wall portions of said base member when the cover members areinterfitted with the base "member;

:6. Asocket for gaseous discharge tubes as del I fined in 1claim,1 .having a second cover longicover opposite said cIip-and adaptedtotinterenterminal toward thecover'ion-resiliently gripping I the terminallagainstxsaid tcover projection;

4. A socket for adjacent tube sections of a gaseous discharge tube :v installation, 'saidr socket comprising :.an elongated boxe-like base member having relatively elongated? bottom; and side :wall

an opentop wallportion to'receive through the open top wall theterminal carrying ends of adjacent tube sections,. spaced electric terminalsw mounted insaid base member adjacent opposite ends thereof and projecting from the bottom wall of the base member to :receive the terminalsof thetube sections disposed longitudinally portions andrelativelycrestricted" end walls and i tudinall-yrspaced on saidboxxmemberaand providing at "its longitudinal extremity a second aperture in said cover for ajl'aterally-extendingi portion of a secondidischarge, tube member, a

second longitudinallyvspaced electrical terminal beneath said second: cover and electrostatic shielding-means disposed therebetween.

'7. A socket for adjacent tube sectionsoofa gaseous dischargetube installation, .said socketcomprising a box-.likei base' member (having an open wall to receive through theopen wallsthe "terminal carrying endsvof adjacent tube sections, spaced 'electricterminals mounted in' said base member to receiveithe terminals ofi'thetube' sections, detachable cover" means -'adapted.to interfit with the base member over the ends of the adjacent tube sections and partially close the open wall of said base member to permit passageof the tubes out of 'thebase memberthrough 'theunclosed'portion of said wall, and anelec- 1: trostatic shield formed of conducting material mounted in the base member and disposedtoiproject between adjacent tube sectionscomprising .means for connecting saidshield to ground.

8. Aninput socket for gaseous discharge tubes comprising a box-like base member having an 1 open wall to receive through the open wall the terminal carrying end of the tube, an electric terminal mounted'in said base member' to re-- ceive the tube terminal, a detachable covermember adapted to interfit with the boxtmember and extend over the end of the tube and partially close the open wall of said box member to permitpassage of the tube out of the box member within the basemember, and adetachable-cover having a topwall and depending side and end walls adaptedto interfit with the side and end wallsof thebase member "andto extend over the:

through the unclosed portion of said wall, means within the base member for fastening an input power lead to said electric terminal, and. said base -member having angularly related openings to receive'the input lead and to permit manipulation of the fastening means to secure said means to the electric terminal.

9. A socket for adjacent tube sections of a gaseous discharge tube' installation, said socket comprising a box-like base member having a longitudinally extending open wall to receive through the open wall the laterally spaced terminal carrying ends of adjacent tube sections, laterally spaced electric terminals mounted in said base member to receive the laterally spaced terminal ends of adjacent tube sections, and a common detachable cover member interfitting with the base member and extending over the laterally spaced ends of the adjacent tube sections, said cover member partially closing the open wall of said base member to permit passage of the tube sec tions out of the member through the unclosed portion of said wall and in laterally spaced longitudinally overlapping relation.

10. A socket for gaseous discharge tubes comprising a box-like base member "having opposed side and opposed end walls, portions of said opposed side walls being of less height than the remaining portions of said side walls and one end wall being of less height than the opposite end wall, terminal means mounted in and projecting from said base member to detachably receive the terminal end of a gaseous discharge tube and establish electric connection therewith, a cover less in length than said base member, said cover having a top wall, opposed side walls and one end wall, said opposed side walls and said end wall interfitting with the side wall portions of less height of said base member and with the end wall portion of less height of said base member to extend in planes flush with the opposed side walls and said end wall of less height and with the top wall of the cover flush with the upper edges of the side wall portions of greater height of the base member, said cover member terminating short of the end wall of greater height of the base member to provide an opening to permit passage of the tube out of the socket.

11. A socket for gaseous discharge tubes comprising a box-like base member having opposed side and opposed end walls, portions of said opposed side walls'being of less height than the remaining portions of said side walls and one end wall being of less height than the opposite end wall, terminal means mounted in and projecting from the base member adjacent the end wall portion of less height, to detachably receive the terminal end of a gaseous discharge tube and establish electrical connection therewith, a cover less in length than said base member, said cover having a top wall, opposed side walls and one end wall, said opposed side walls and 'said end wall lnterfitting with the side wall portions of less height of said base member and ROBERT E. BARCLAY.

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