US3325762A - Resistance attachment for use with incandescent light bulbs - Google Patents

Description

June 13, 1967 F. J. RosENBLAT-r 3,325,762 RESISTANCE ATTACHMENT FOR USE WITH INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULBS Filed July 20, 1964 INVENTOR. /QAA/z .//Fafffwaw'r United States Patent C 3,325,762 RESHS'IANCE ATTACHMENT FOR USE WITH INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULBS Frank I. Rosenblatt, 1945 Vyse Ave., Bronx, NSY. 19460 Filed July 2f), 1964, Ser. No. 383,779 9 Claims. (Cl. 338-219) The present invention relates generally to incandescent light bulbs and in particular to an attachment for use with standard incandescent bulbs in order to materially extend their operating life.

The conventional incandescent light bulb pl-aces a given voltage, for example, the standard 115 volts of a normal alternating current house power line, across a tungsten filament which is encased within an air tight glass bulb. The filament, under the influence of the current flowing therethrough resulting from the 115 volt potential drop across it, glows to a white hot state and gives off light.

It has been found that a reduction of the voltage impressed across the filament of a standard electric light bulb materially increases its operating life; specifically, a voltage reduction of approximately ten percent (10%) produces an increased life of approximately fourfold. Such a voltage reduction may be easily obtained simply by placing .a resistance element in series with the filament f the incandescent lamp. The present invention concerns itself with the provision of an easily and conveniently used attachment to provide this general purpose.

It has also been found that the operating life of standard incandescent light bulbs may be significantly increased by limiting the initial voltage impressed across the filament and thereafter gradually increasing that voltage to the desired operating level. Such a procedure allows the tungsten filament to reach its operating temperature at a gradual rate, thereby avoiding the deleterious effect of the severe thermal shock which is normally associated with the instantaneous turning on of a light. The present invention is also concerned with the provision of a simple and convenient attachment for use with conventional incandescent light bulbs which will provide the advantageous features of such a controlled low voltage initial operating period.

In addition to the provision of various electrical elements necessary to -achieve the advantageous results described above, it is necessary to mount those elements in an attachment device which may be simply and easily utilized by consumers. Specifically, it is required that such an attachment device include means to accurately locate its various contacts in alignment with the respective contacts of the light bulb and the light bulb socket such that -a person, without the exercise of any skill and without even any understanding of the workings of the attachment, may place same in operation. In situations where the attachment device is to be used with light bulbs which are operated with their bases facing upwardly, i.e., where the openings of the respective light bulb sockets face downwardly, it is desirable to provide locating means complementary to the shape of the base ofthe light -bulb for engagement with the same such that the attachment may be placed on the tip of the lbase of the light bulb and the light bulb screwed into the light bulb socket in a normal manner with the attachment automatically achieving its proper orientation. To this end, the constructions in accordance with the present invention provide locating means which will enable the user simply to place the attachment device on the end of the light bulb, screw same upwardly into the light bulb socket, and automatically bring the device into operation.

In my copending application, Ser. No. 298,767, now Patent No. 3,142,031, entitled Resistance Element For Incandescent Lamps, which was filed on July 30, 1963,

3,325,762 Patented June 13, 1967 ICC there were proposed a number or general constructions for a light bulb attachment of this type. In accordance with the present invention, there are provided specific constructions which are particularly well suited for the intended purpose, are relatively low priced from the point of view of manufacturing cost, are extremely easy to use in a proper manner and which provide a high degree of reliability in operation.

Generally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved resistance attachment for use in connection with incandescent light bulbs which will increase their operating life. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved light bulb attachment for use in conjunction with incandescent bulbs which provides a resistance in series with the filament of an incandescent bulb to make the same operate at less than its rated voltage, thereby to increase its life.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a resistance attachment with locating means on the portion thereof which faces the light bulb to reliably orient the attachment both with respect to the base of the light bulb and the light bulb socket. Such a construction enables the attachment to be placed upon the upturned end of a light bulb which may then be inserted into the standard light bulb socket by the normal action of screwing the light `bulb into the socket. When the light bulb wears out, the attachment will drop out of the socket as soon as the light bulb is removed. The attachment may then be reused with a new light bulb in the same manner as described above.

It is further within the contemplation of the present invention to provide such a device which uses lowcost components, which is inexpensive to manufacture, which operates efficiently and reliably and which is easy for the consumer to use.

In accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an attachment for operating an incandescent light bulb at less than its rated Ivoltage comprising a preformed body constructed of electrically insulative material which is generally disc-like in external configuration and which has an external diameter less than the minor diameter of the threads of a standard light bulb socket. The body is formed with a first opening in one face of the body which defines a componentareceiving cavity and a second opening in the opposite face of the body which defines a clearance cavity sized to receive the protruding insulator of the base of a standard light bulb, Light bulb engagement and locating means are formed in said body and at said clearance cavity to engage a light bulb at its base and to locate the attachment in a predetermined orientation with respect thereto. A light bulb base-engaging contact of sheet metal is secured within the component-receiving cavity and accessible through the clearance cavity for operative electrical contact with the central contact of the light bulb base. A resistance element is also mounted within the component-receiving -cavity and is superimposed upon the base-engaging contact with a wire conductor electrically connecting the resistance element with a wire terminal lug formed on the base-engaging contact. A light bulb socket-engaging contact of sheet metal is secured in said component-receiving cavity and across the first opening, is superimposed upon said resistance element and is electrically connected to the resistance element by a second wire conductor which is connected at one end to a portion of the resistance element removed from the location of the wire conductor and is connected at its other end to a wire terminal lug on the socket-engaging contact. Insulated means are positioned between the socket-engaging contact and the base-engaging Contact and the entire subassembly of the socket-engaging contact, resistance element and base-engaging contact is bonded securely together in an integral sandwich assembly. The said sandwich assembly is secured within the component-receiving cavity by insulative bonding means. The defined locating means are adapted to position the attachment with respect to the base of the light bulb such that when the base-engaging contact is in electrical communication with the central contact of a light bulb base, the attachment resistance element between the central contact of a light bulb and the central contact of a light bulb socket.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of several presently preferred embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of an attachment device in accordance with the present invention shown in engagement within a light bulb socket (shown in phantom) and with a light bulb (shown in full line elevation);

FIG. 2 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 1 illustrating a somewhat different embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating further two embodiments of the present invention with FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B on opposite sides of the center line showing two variations;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 1 illustrating further two embodiments of the present invention with FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B on opposite sides of the center line showing two variations;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 1 illustrating further two embodiments of the present invention with FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B showing two variations on opposite sides of the center line;

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of `one of the contacts employed in the attachments illustrated herein showing the specific construction of a wire terminal lug formed there- FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view illustrating the construction of a base-engaging contact which may be employed in the embodiments of FIGS. 3B, 4Brand 5B;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view illustrating the construction of a socket-engaging contact which may be empolyed in the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional View of an alternative construction for a base-engaging contact which may be employed in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 and is employed in the embodiments of FIGS. 3A, 4A, and 5A;

FIG. l0 is a schematic view of an attachment in accordance with the present invention in series connection with an incandescent light bulb.

Referring to the drawings, and specifically to the schematic illustration of FIG. 10, there is depicted a resistance attachment in ac-cordance with the present invention, generally designated by the numeral 30, which includes a resistance element R which has a lirst contact C-1 at one end and a second contact C-2 at its other end. The resistance attachment 30 is connected in series to the filament F of an incandescent light bulb LB by means of electrical engagement `of the contact C-2 with the central contact C-3 of the light bulb LB. It will be appreciated that a resilient engagement is provided between the contacts C-Z and C-3 for ease of assembly and reliability of operation. The other -contact of the light bulb LB is schematically illustrated by the electrical contact between the light bulb base threads BT and the light bulb socket threads ST. In the normal fashion the light bulb socket ST is connected to one leg L-1 of a power line and the central contact CC of the light bulb socket, shown in engagement with the contact C-1 of the resistance attachment 30, is connected to the second leg L-Z of the power line. It will be appreciated that the arrangements schematically illustrated in FIG. 10 provide a voltage drop across the resistance R, thereby decreasing the voltage drop across the filament F which would exist absent the resistance attachment 30.

house Electric Company. The bases include standard threads 13 and a frusto-conical protruding axial insulator 14 which terminates at a metal central contact 16. As is well known, the threaded portion 13 is part of a metallic cup which forms one contact while the central contact 16 forms the other electrical contact of the light bulb. The base 19 has a frusto-conical corner portion 1'7 while the base 10A has a rounded corner construction 17A. The socket 12 which is shown in phantom in FIG. 1 consists of a metallic threaded cup 18, complementary to the cup of the base 10, which terminates at its lower end in a body portion 20 which has axially a central contact 22. Normally, the contact 16 of the light bulb base 10 engages the socket contact 22. In accordance with the present invention, an attachment, generally designated by the numeral 30, is provided for insertion between the base 10 and the bottom of the socket 12. The attachment includes contacts for respective engagement with the base contact 16 and the light bulb s-ocket contact 22 and provides a resistance element positioned therebetween.

The resistance attachment 30 includes a preformed body 32 of an electrically non-conductive material, preferably a ceramic or plastic material having good heat resistance characteristics such that its shape and mechanical properties are maintained at elevated temperatures. The body 32 is generally `disc-shaped in configuration having an outer diameter which is slightly smaller than the minor diameter of the threads of the socket 12, thus providing a suiiicient clearance for the insertion of the attachment 30 into the socket. The body 32 is formed with a iirst opening 34 and a second opening 36 on the bottom and top of the body 32 respectively, as shown in the orientation of the drawings. The first opening 34V forms an internal frusto-conical clearance cavity 38 adapted to receive the frusto-conical protruding insulator 14 of the light bulb base 10. The second opening 36 delines a generally circular component-receiving cavity 40 which at its central area is in communication with the clearance cavity 38. An annular frusto-conical locating surface 42 is formed in the body 32 immediately within the upper opening 34 and is complementary in size and shape to the frustoconical corner Shape 17 on the base 10. It will thus be appreciated that when the body 32 of the attachment 30 is moved into engagement with the lamp base 10, the body 32 will be accurately located and aligned with the light bulb base 10.

Mounted within the component-receiving cavity 40 of the body 32 are the functional elements which provide the electrical contacts and the electrical resistivity in accordance with the present invention. Specifically, a generally disc-shaped light bulb base-engaging contact 48 is positioned at the uppermost portion of the componentreceiving cavity 40. The base-engaging contact 48 has a solid Contact area 50 formed at the center. In addition, and as -may be seen in FIG. 6, a terminal llug 52 is struck from a portion of the periphery of the base-engaging contact 48 and forms a convenient terminal for the electrical attachment to the base-engaging contact 48 of the resistance element incorporated within the attachment 30. A lug clearance cavity 54 is provided in the preformed body 32 along the upper portion of the cavity 40, providing an appropriate seat for the terminal lug 52.

Positioned as the next layer adjacent the base-engaging contact 43 and contained annularly about the raised central portion 50 thereof is the resistance element, generally designated herein by the numeral 56. The resistance element 56 as incorporated within the attachment may be formed of either a conventional wire wound resistance or a composition material. Furthermore, whatever form the resistance takes, it may be advantageously Of the negative temperature coefficient type. Specifically, the electrical resistivity of the element may decrease with increasing temperatures such that when the device is cool, as-when no current is flowing therethrough, the resistance would be relatively high, thus producing a large voltage drop across the same and a corresponding greatly reduced voltage drop across the filament of the light bulb; however, when the resistance element heats up under the influence of current fiow, the resistance decreases, thus the voltage drop thereacross and thereby increasing the voltage drop across the filament of the light bulb. Accordingly, if the resistance element 56 is formed of a negative temperature coefficient material, the attachment 30 will provide an initially low operating voltage for the light bulb, which voltage will gradually increase after the initial surge of current through the device. It is known that the operating life of an incandescent light bulb will be materially enhanced by providing such operating characteristics. Furthermore, it is known that operating virtually any light bulb at a voltage rating less than its rated voltage will material-ly increase its life. Accordingly, although it is desirable to provide a resistance element of the negative temperature coefficient type, any resistance element is sufficient to provi-de a significant portion of the advantages of devices constructed in accordance with the present invention. As clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the resistance element S6 is secured at one of its ends to the terminal lug 52 of the base-engaging Contact 48 by means of a first wire conductor 58. The first conductor 58 is secured at one of its ends to one end of the resistance element S6 and, at its other end, is crimped labout the terminal lug 52.

Located on the side of the resistance element 56 opposite from the base contact 48 is a disc-shaped metal so-cket-engaging contact, generally designated herein by the numeral 60 which is similar to the base-engaging contact 48 in that it is formed from a piece of sheet metal and is generally disc-like in configuration. The particular socket-engaging contact 60 illustrated in FIG. 1 is not formed with a' resilient central portion, although it may be provided with such a construction as will be described in connection with FIG. 8. The contact 60 is formed with a terminal lug 62 which is identical to the terminal lug 52 on the base-engaging contact 48. A second wire conductor 64 is interconnected between the resistance element 56 and the socket-engaging 4contact 60, and specifically one end of the second wire conductor 64 is connected to the resistance element 56 at a point opposite its connection to the first conductor 58 and, at its other end, the

second conductor is crimped about the wire terminal lug 64. T-he base-engaging contact 48, the socket-engaging contact 60 and the resistance element 56 are secured to each other by means `of a layer of bonding material 66. A'These elements are also held within the component-receiving cavity by means of an appropriate electrically non-conductive adhesive bonding agent or cement filler 67 which may be best seen in FIG. 1 forming an annular ring vabout the named elements. In addition, electrical separation of the respective contacts 48, 60 is maintained by the provision of a layer of varnish or other insulator 68 which may be conveniently applied to the internal surface of the shock-engaging contact 60 during initial fabrication. It

Will be seen that the base-engaging contact 48, the re- Sistance element 56 and the socket-engaging contact 60 form an integral sandwich assembly which may be sep- 'arately fabricated and thereafter bonded within the component-receiving cavity 40.

In FIG. 2 there is illustrated an -attachment in accord- .ance with -the present invention generally designated by the numeral 30A which is basically similar to the at-tachment 30 but which varies therefrom in one respect. Whereas the preformed body 32 of the attachment 30 was designed wit-h locating means to engage the truncated conical corner 17 of the General Electric base 10, the body 32A of the attachment 30A is provided with locating means to engage the particular shape of the Westinghouse base 10A. Specifically, the body 32A of the attachment 30A is provided with a fiat annular clearance rim or ridge 42A which is adapted to provide a clearance space between the body 32A and the relatively fiat area designated by the numeral 44 on the base `10A between the rounded corner 17A and the base lof the fru-sto-conical insulator 14A. The loc-ating means of the attachment 30A are provided by the frusto-conical internal walls 70 of the clearance cavity 38A which are adapted to both give clearance for the protruding insulator 14A and t0 provide a locating 4surface with lrespect thereto. Specifically, When the conta-ct 16A of the lamp base |10A is engaged with the base-engaging contact 48A, any rocking movement of the attachment 30A on the lamp base 10 will be limited by engagement of the locating conical walls 70 with the protruding insulator 14A of the lamp base 10A, thereby limiting such rocking movement and maintaining the attachment in proper orientation, in order to assure positive electrical contact between the contact 16A of the light bulb and the base-engaging contact 48A as well as to insure positive contact between the socket-engaging con-tact 60A and the 4socket contact 22.

The -remaining portions of the attachment 30A are identical to the corresponding portions of the attachment 30 described above and illust-rated in FIG. 1 and therefore that description is not repeated here -nor are the numbers of the various other elements applied to FIG. 2 of the drawings. However, the description of those various elements is repeated herein by reference for purposes `of completeness.

A still further embodiment of the present invention, the resistance attachments generally designated by the numerals 30B and 30B1, is illustrated in FIG. 3 and i-s also generally similar to the resistance attachments 30 and 30A described above. In FIG. 3, attachment 30B, 30H1 is shown in two variations on either -side 3A and 3B of the center liner of the figure; these two variations will be `described specifically below. The principal difference between the attachment 30B and the attachments 30, 30A resides in the utilization in the attachment 30B of a resilient base-engaging contact 48B which has struck from its central portion a resilient contact member 50B. The resilient member 50B is an integral part of the sheet metal which forms the base-engaging contact 48B and provides a degree of resiliency between the attachment device 30B and the contact 16 of the light bulb base 10 to assure firm electrical contact even if there be some slight movement between the two units. Since the resilient contact 50B enables small variations in the over-all orientation between the attachment device 30 and the light bulb base 10 without loss of the required electrical interconnection, the body 32B of the attachment is formed with a frusto-conical locating surface 42B which exactly mates with the frusto-conical surface 14 of the protruding insulator of the lamp base 10. Thus, when the 'attachment 30B is placed on the end of the base 10, the locating surface 42B of the body 32B exactly engages the complementary frusto-conical surface |14 of the lamp base to accurately locate the attachment 30B with respect to the base 10 with the base-engaging contact 48B making electrical connection with the light bulb con-tact 16 through the resilient member 50B. A variation of the attachment 30B is labeled 30B1 and is shown on the right-hand side of FIG. 3 and labelled FIG. 3B as distinct from the left-hand side which is labelled 3A and illustrates the provision of resilient locating means for engagement with the frusto-conical surface 14. Specitically, the body 32B1 is forme-d with a Ifrusto-conical surface 42B1, of a diameter greater than the diameter of the surface 42B described above, upon which is positioned an `annular ring 0f heat resistant, Iresilient material 72, having a contact surface at the same location as the locating surface 42B. The ring 72 is Secured to the surface 42B1 by a layer of bonding material 74. With the variation shown in FIG. 3B it will be appreciated that some degree of relative movement may be provided between the attachment 30B1 and the light bulb base 10.

The remaining portions `of the attachment ldevices 30B and 30B1 in both the variations shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are identical to the elements described above. Accordingly, a repetition of the description of those va-rious elements will not be repeated nor will the numbers of the individual pieces be repeated in the drawings. However, -for purposes of completeness, the description of those elements are incorporated herein by reference.

In FIG. 4, still further embodiments of the present invention are illustrated, generally designated by the numerals 30C and 30C1, which are shown in one variation labeled 30C on one side of FIG. 4 labeled 4A and in another variation labeled 30C1 -on the other side of FIG. 4 labeled 4B. The attachment illustrated in FIG. 4A is of the same concept as that illustrated in FIG. 3A and it incorporates the same resilient base-engaging contact 48B having a resilient member 50B as was described Iabove in -connection with the attachment 30B. However, the attachment 30C is particularly designed for engagement With a lamp base 10A of the type manufactured by Westinghouse Electric Company and, in that respect, the body 32C differs somewhat from the body 32B. Specifically, an annular ledge 42C is formed about the edge of the tirst opening 34 and is designed to lprovide `a locating and engagement surface for cooperation with the flat annular surface 44 of the lamp base 10A in the area immediately adjacent the will be readily appreciated by inspecting FIG. 4A, engagement of the ledge 42C with the surf-ace 44 and at the intersection of the surface 44 with the `trusto-conical insulator 14A will provide accurate and positive location and alignment of the attachment 30C with respect to the lamp b-ase 10A and electrical contact will be assured between t-he base-engaging contact 48B and the lamp contact 16A as a result of the resilient qualities lof the resilient member 50B. In FIG. 4B a variation of this design labeled 30C1 is illustrated wherein a ledge port-ion 42C1 is shown of lesser height than the ledge 42C with the remaining space iilled by a resilient annular ring 72C, of the same shape as the ledge 42C, which resilient ring is secured to the ledge 42C1 by appropriate layer of bonding material 74C. It will be appreciated that the annular resilient member 72C will provide resilient locating means to accurately and resiliently position the attachment 30C1 with respect to the lamp base 10A.

The remaining elements of the attachment 30C, 30C1 are identical to those described above and, accordingly, a repetition of those descriptions will not be made here. However, for purposes of completeness, they are incorporated herein by reference.

In FIG. 5, still further embodiments of the present invention, generally designated by the numerals 30D and 30D1, are illustrated with one variation shown in FIG. A and a second variation shown in FIG. 5B. The at tachment 30D is basically similar to the attachment 30C except that the locating point of the body 32D on the base A is spaced slightly outwardly of the respective locating area used in the attachment 30C illustrated in FIG. 4A. Specifically, a .generally curved annular ridge 42D is provided on the body 32D having a rst portion which is adapted to engage the flat annular area 44 of the light bulb 10A and a curved or cupped portion continuous with the at portion which is adapted to engage the curved corner 17A of the light bulb base 10A. The interengagement of the annular ledge 42D with the base 10A is of the same general type as that of the ledge 42C with the base 10A shown in FIG. 4, except that lateral location is provided by the mating curved sections rather than by engagement with the corner of the protruding insulator frusto-conical insulator 114A. AsV

8 14A. In FIG. 5B a variation is shown and labeled MDI which comprises a resilient annular member 72D, of the' same shape as the ridge 42D, applied by means of a bonding agent '74D to an annular ridge 42D1 of reduced height such that the overall shape ot the combined ridge 42D1 and the resilient ring 72D is the same as the outside sha-pe of the solid ridge 42D. As is the case with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3B and 4B, the embodiment of attachment 30D1 shown in FIG. 5B provides both positive and resilient orientation of the attachment 30 D1 with respect to the light bulb base.

In FIG. 7 there is shown in detail the construction of a base-engaging contact labelled herein 48, which is identical to the base-engaging contact 48 described above in connection with the attachment 30 ot FIG. 1. The baseengaging contact 48 may be employed in the embodiment 30Bi1, SOCI, 30D1 as shown respectively in FIGS. 3B, 4B and 5B since the respective resilient annular members 72, 72C and 72D each provide suicient resilient locating means to assure positive contact between the central contact of the light bulb and the base-engaging contact 48 when a light bulb is screwed into the respective light bulb socket With the respective attachments positioned therebetween.

In FIG. 8 there is illustrated a socket-engaging contact 60A which incorporates a struck-out central resilient member 76 integrally formed of the same material as the remainder of the contact 68A which, in manner generally similar to the resilient member 50B of the base-engaging contact 48B, provides a resilient interengagement between the attachments according to the present invention and the central contact 22 of a light bulb socket 12. The socket-engaging contact 60A of FIG. 8 may be employed in any one of the embodiments illustrated herein.

In FIG. 9 there is shown a detailed view of the baseengaging contact 48B including its resilient central struckout member 50B as was described in detail above in connection with the description of the attachment 30B. The base-engaging contact 48B is shown in FIG. 9 to demonstrate that it may be alternatively employed within the attachments 30 and 30A illustrated in FIGS. l and 2 and attachments of FIGS. 3B, 4B and 5B.

It will be appreciated that the several constructions ydescribed above provide a lamp attachment which may be conveniently and easily used in combination with a standard incandescent light bulb and a standard light bulb socket wherein the user may simply and reliably, without any special knowledge or understanding of the operation of the device, place the same on the upturned base of a light bulb, screw the bulb into a downwardly facing socket and thereby incorporate the resistance attachment as a functional -part of the operating combination. Furthermore, because of the constructions employed herein, the resistance attachment is positively oriented with respect to both the light bulb and the socket, and may be removed simply by the standard procedure of unscrewing the light bulb from the socket. The attachment may then be reused on a further light bulb. Furthermore, the specic constructions described provide an extremely advantageous form of the general concept of the invention insofar as ease of manufacture and economy of cost of materials is concerned whilerat the same time providing astructure of a high degree of reliability.

The descriptions given above and the drawings presented herewith do not present all conceivable specific designs and variations which may be incorporated in the resistance attachment in accordance with the present invention, it being clear that design election can be made without departing from the basic concepts of the invention. Accordingly, the appended claims should be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I cla-im is:

1. An attachment for operating a light bulb at less than its rated voltage comprising a body formed of electrically insulative material being generally disc-like in external configuration and having an external d-iameter less than the minor diameter of the threads ot' a standard light bulb socket, a iirst opening formed in one of the faces of said body defining a component-receivingcavity and a second opening formed in the opposite face of said body defining a clearance cavity to receive the protruding insulator of the base of a light bulb, light bulb engagement and locating means in said body sized to engage a light bulb at its base and locate said attachment in a predetermined orientation with respect thereto, a light bulb base-engaging metal contact secured Within said component-receiving cavity and accessible through said clearance cavity and positioned for contact with the central contact of a light bulb base, .an annularly positioned resistance element contained about a central portion of said base-engaging contact within said component-receiving cavity, a first conductor electrically interconnecting said base-engaging contact and said resistance element, a light bulb socket-engaging metal contact secu-red across said first opening, a second conductor electrically interconnect-ing said socket-engaging contact and said resistance element, insulative means positioned between said socket-engaging contact and said base-engaging contact, bonding means securing said base-engaging contact and said socket-engaging contact into a sandwich assembly at their central portions, said resistance element being contained annularly about the secured central portions of said base-engaging contact and said socket-engaging contact, insulative bonding means Within said componentreceiving cavity securing said base-engaging contact, said annularly positioned resistance element and said socketengaging contact therein, said locating means positioning said attachment with respect to the base of a light bulb such that said base-engaging contact is in electrical communication with the central contact of 'a light bulb base and said socket-engaging contact is in electrical communication with the central contact of a light bulb socket When said attachment is inserted into a light bulb socket with a light bulb, said attachment providing an electrical interconnection through said resistance unit between the central contact of a light bulb socket and the central contact of a light bulb.

2,. An attachment for operating a light bulb at less than its rated voltage comprising a body formed of electrically insulative heat resistant material being generally disc-like in external configuration and having an external diameter lass than the minor diameter of the threads of a standard light bulb socket, a lirst opening formed in one of the faces of said body defining a component-receiving cavity and a second opening formed in the opposite face of said body defining a clearance cavity to receive the prortuding insulator of the base of a light bulb, resilient and non-adhesive light bulb engagement and locating means in -said body sized to engage a light bulb at its base and locate said attachment in a lpredetermined orientation with respect thereto, a light bulb base-engaging metal contact secured within said component-receiving cavity and accessible through extending said clearance cavity and positioned for Contact with the central contact of a light bulb base, an annular resistance element contained about a central portion of said base-engaging contact within said component-receiving cavity, a first conductor electrically interconnecting said base-engaging contact and said resistance element, a light bulb socketengaging metal contact of sheet metal secured across said first opening, a second conductor electrically interconnecting said socket-engaging contact and said resistance element, insulative means positioned between said socketengaging contact and said base-engaging contact, bonding means securing said base-engaging contcat and said socket-engaging contact into a sandwich assembly at the central portions thereof, said annular resistance element being contained around said secured contrai portions, insulative bonding means within said component-receiving cavity securing said base-engaging contact, said resistance element and said socket-engaging contact therein, said locating means positioning said attachment with respect to the base of a light bulb such that said base-engaging contact is in electrical communication with the central contact of a light bulb base and said socket-engaging contact is in electrical communication with the central contact of a light bulb socket when said attachment is inserted into a light bulb socket with a light bulb, said attachment providing an electrical interconnection through said resistance unit between the central contact of a light bulb socket and the central contact of a light bulb.

3. An attachment for operating a light bulb at less than its rated voltage comprising a body formed of electrically insulative heat resistant material being generally disclike in external configuration and having an external diameter less than the minor diameter of the threads of a standard light bulb socket a rst opening formed in one of the faces of said body defining a componentreceiving cavity anld a second opening formed in the opposite face of said body defining a clearance cavity to receive the protruding insulator of the base of a light bulb, non-adhesive light bulb engagement and locating means in said body sized to engage a light bulb at its base and locate said attachment in a predetermined orientation with respect thereto, a light bulb base-engaging metal contact secured within said component-receiving cavity, a resilient metal contact member struck from the center of said base-engaging contact and accessible extending through said clearance cavity and positioned for resilient contact with the central contact of a light bulb base, a resistance element mounted within said componentreceiving cavity, a first conductor electrically interconnecting said base-engaging contact and said resistance element, a light bulb socket-engaging metal contact secured across said first opening, a second conductor electrically interconnecting said socket-engaging contact and said resistance element, insulative means positioned between said socket-engaging contact and said base-engaging contact, bonding means securing said base-engaging contact and said socket-engaging contact at the central portions thereof, said resistance element being contained between said base-engaging contact and said socket-engaging contact a sandwich assembly, insulative bonding means Within said component-receiving cavity securing said base-engaging contact, said resistance element and said socket-engaging contact therein, said locating means positioning said attachment with respect to the base of a light bulb such that said base-engaging contact is in electrical communication with the central contact of a light bulb base and said socket-engaging contact is in electrical communication with the central contact of a light bulb socket when said attachment is inserted into a light bulb socket with a light bulb, said attachment providing an electrical interconnection through said Iresistance unit between the central contact of a light bulb socket and the central contact of a light bulb.

4. An attachment inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second conductors electrically interconnecting said base-engaging contact and said resistance element and said socket-engaging contact comprise rst and second conducting wires, and wire terminal lugs formed integrally in said base-engaging contact and said socketengaging contact about which are secured said tirst and second conducting wires respectively.

5. An attachment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said engagement .and locating -means comprise a locating surface of rotation formed on said body and coaxial with the central axis thereof, said locating surface being complementary in size and shape to a portion of the base of a light bulb for locating said attachment with respect thereto, and wherein said base-engaging contact includes a resilient contact member accessible through said clear- 1-1 ance cavity for making resilient electrical contact with the central contact of a light bulb.

6. An `attachment in accordance with claim 3 wherein said engagement and locating means comprise a frustoconical locating surface formed on said body and coaxial with the central axis thereof, said locating surface being complementary in size and shape to the frusto-conical shape of a portion of the base of a light bulb for locating said atachment with respect thereto.

7. An attachment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said engagement and locating means comprise an annular member of resilient material bonded to said body and having an engagement surface coaxial to the central axis of said attachment and complementary in size and shape to a portion of the base of a light bulb for resiliently locating said attachment with respect thereto.

8. An attachment in accordance with claim 6 wherein 112 said locating surface is complementary to the frustoconical protruding insulator on the base of a light bulb. 9. An attachment in accordance with `claim 7 wherein said annular resilient member 1s complementary in size 5 and shape to the frusto-conical protruding insulator of the base of a light bulb.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1954 McMahan 338-20 FOREIGN PATENTS 575,213 4/1933 Germany.

15 RICHARD M. WOOD, Primary Examiner.

I. G. SMITH, `Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. AN ATTACHMENT FOR OPERATING A LIGHT BULB AT LESS THAN ITS RATED VOLTAGE COMPRISING A BODY FORMED OF ELECTRICALLY INSULATIVE MATERIAL BEING GENERALLY DISC-LIKE IN EXTERNAL CONFIGURATION AND HAVING AN EXTERNAL DIAMETER LESS THAN THE MINOR DIAMETER OF THE THREADS OF A STANDARD LIGHT BULB SOCKET, A FIRST OPENING FORMED IN ONE OF THE FACES OF SAID BODY DEFINING A COMPONENT-RECEIVING CAVITY AND A SECOND OPENING FORMED IN THE OPPOSITE FACE OF SAID BODY DEFINING A CLEARANCE CAVITY TO RECEIVE THE PROTRUDING INSULATOR OF THE BASE OF A LIGHT BULB, LIGHT BULB ENGAGEMENT AND LOCATING MEANS IN SAID BODY SIZED TO ENGAGE A LIGHT BULB AT ITS BASE AND LOCATE SAID ATTACHMENT IN A PREDETERMINED ORIENTATION WITH RESPECT THERETO, A LIGHT BULB BASE-ENGAGING METAL CONTACT SECURED WITHIN SAID COMPONENT-RECEIVING CAVITY AND ACCESSIBLE THROUGH SAID CLEARANCE CAVITY AND POSITIONED FOR CONTACT WITH THE CENTRAL CONTACT OF A LIGHT BULB BASE, AN ANNULARLY POSITIONED RESISTANCE ELEMENT CONTAINED ABOUT A CENTRAL PORTION OF SAID BASE-ENGAGING CONTACT WITHIN SAID COMPONENT-RECEIVING CAVITY, A FIRST CONDUCTOR ELECTRICALLY INTERCONNECTING SAID BASE-ENGAGING CONTACT AND SAID RESISTANCE ELEMENT, A LIGHT BULB SOCKET-ENGAGING METAL CONTACT SECURED ACROSS SAID FIRST OPENING, A SECOND CONDUCTOR ELECTRICALLY INTERCONNECTING SAID SOCKET-ENGAGING CONTACT AND SAID RESISTANCE ELEMENT, INSULATIVE MEANS POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID SOCKET-ENGAGING CONTACT AND SAID BASE-ENGAGING CONTACT, BONDING MEANS SECURING AND SAID BASE-ENGAGING CONTACT AND SAID SOCKET-ENGAGING CONTACT INTO A SANDWICH ASSEMBLY AT THEIR CENTRAL PORTIONS, SAID RESISTANCE ELEMENT BEING CONTAINED ANNULARLY ABOUT THE SECURED CENTRAL PORTIONS OF SAID BASE-ENGAGING CONTACT AND SAID SOCKET-ENGAGING CONTACT, INSULATIVE BONDING MEANS WITHIN SAID COMPONENTRECEIVING CAVITY SECURING SAID BASE-ENGAGING CONTACT, SAID ANNULARLY POSITIONED RESISTANCE ELEMENT AND SAID SOCKETENGAGING CONTACT THEREIN, SAID LOCATING MEANS POSITIONING SAID ATTACHMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE BASE OF A LIGHT BULB SUCH THAT SAID BASE-ENGAGING CONTACT IS IN ELECTRICAL COMMUNICATION WITH THE CENTRAL CONTACT OF A LIGHT BULB BASE AND SAID SOCKET-ENGAGING CONTACT IS IN ELECTRICAL COMMUNICATION WITH THE CENTRAL CONTACT OF A LIGHT BULB SOCKET WHEN SAID ATTACHMENT IS INSERTED INTO A LIGHT BULB SOCKET WITH A LIGHT BULB, SAID ATTACHMENT PROVIDING AN ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION THROUGH SAID RESISTANCE UNIT BETWEEN THE CENTRAL CONTACT OF A LIGHT SOCKET AND THE CENTRAL CONTACT OF A LIGHT BULB.

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