US3729700A - A universal female receiver for miniature lamp bases - Google Patents

Abstract

A universal female receiver having a flexible body and including a slotted internal surface. The receiver thus is adapted to receive miniature lamp bases without regard to their configuration.

Description

{mite taies atet Johnson et al.

A UNIVERSAL FEMALE RECEIVER FOR MINIATURE LAMP BASES Inventors: Wallace F. Johnson, 7560-A North Charles; William H. Tilson, 1287 West Shaw, both of Fresno, Calif.

Filed: Oct. 26, 1970 Appl. No.: 84,241

Related US. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 763,148, Sept. 27, 1968, Pat. No. 3,576,990.

11.5. C1 .339/59 L, 339/220 L Int. Cl. ..H01r 13/12 Field of Search 339/59-61,l53,154,177,182,183,199,

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 804,519 11/1958 Great Britain ..339/183 830,694 3/1960 Great Britain ..339/59 L Primary Examiner-Joseph H. McGlynn Att0rney-Huebnet & Worrel [57] ABSTRACT A universal female receiver having a flexible body and including a slotted internal surface. The receiver thus is adapted to receive miniature lamp bases without regard to their configuration.

1 Claim, 9 Drawing Figures Patented April 24, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented April 24, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to lighting systems and more particularly to a universal female receiver adapted for use in a lighting system for use in providing decorative lighting for walls, center pieces, floral arrays, and the like.

The prior art includes a myriad of electrical lighting systems employed in ornamental schemes and decorative devices. Many of these systems are of a portable nature, and are employed to provide a desired lighting effect under given conditions. However, one of the existing problems encountered in decorative lighting is a lack of systems which are totally portable and yet do not require open flames or extended electrical connections.

Systems which employ open flames are not suited for use in certain areas, particularly where an open flame is considered a fire hazard.

By the same token, lighting systems which employ electrical energy as a means for simulating a live or open flame have not met existing needs, simply because a plurality of extended electrical leads are normally required. Further, where batteries have been employed as a source of electrical energy for imparting the preferred portability, miniature lamps have been required as the source of light. In the use of miniature lamps, with batteries of a given voltage, consideration must be given to the expected life span of the lamp, due to the life factor of the filament employed, and to the output desired for achieving a given asthetic effect. For example, assuming that with a normally fixed power source of 2.5 volts, an output of 0.12 candle power is desired for a continuous period of 14 hours, a selected lamp, for convenience designated X-48, characterized by 0.06 amps-screw thread base may be employed. However, assuming that a new system requirement of 0.300 candle power for a life of 7 hours is imposed, a new lamp must be employed. As a practical matter, only a relatively few combinations of life spans and output factors are possible for commercially available lamps having a standardized base configuration, that is, any one of the types commonly referred to as the flanged, screw-threaded and bayonet types. However, when given the total number of types, presently commercially available, with the possible combinations for each type, an economic supply of readily available lamps exists. Therefore, as the operative requirements are varied for systems heretofore employed, different sockets or receivers, have been required, as each miniature lamp employed required a receiver which accommodated a change to the type of lamp being employed. This requirement, of course, is undesired.

The same lack of versatility is present in existing lamp enclosures normally employed as decorative caps, since the size and shape of the globes normally vary with each type of miniature lamp employed. Consequently, a complexity factor exists for those systems which heretofore utilized miniature lamps as the source of light. Furthermore, where the lights are employed in center pieces or floral arrays, it has been found ditficult to provide means for connecting a power source at selected locations within the circuit in order to protect the asthetic properties of the display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention overcomes the aforementioned difficulties through the use of an improved system including a plurality of novel circuit components which serve to impart universatility to the system, whereby the system may be readily employed in numerous types of decorative lighting schemes requiring universatility and interchangeability, in order to provide the desired lighting effect.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved lighting system.

Another object is to provide an improved completely portable lighting system for use in ornamental lighting.

Another object is to provide a lighting circuit including a plurality of universal circuit components imparting a high degree of versatility to an ornamental lighting system.

Another object is to provide simplified electrical connectors.

Another object is to provide a power pack capable of being readily inserted into a circuit.

Another object is to provide a highly versatile circuit which includes a plurality of circuit components and interchangeable members, the versatility of which serves I to enhance decorative lighting.

These together with other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent by reference to the following description and claims in light of the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned, exploded perspective view of a system, including female receivers, embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned view of the system shown in FIG. 1, with the components thereof assembled in an operative relationship.

FIG. 3 is a sectioned view of one of the system components shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view taken on line 4- 4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view taken on line 5- 5 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a sectional perspective of a female receiver illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the assembly shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section taken on line 8-8 in FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 9 is a partially sectioned view of the male connector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A system employing the principles of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 having a portable voltage source or power pack 10 and a plurality of candles 12 interconnected through a parallel circuit 14, which serves to direct electrical current from the power pack 10 to the individual candles l2.

The power pack includes an insulated casing 16 which is of a tubular configuration and receives therein a plurality of nickel-cadmium or other suitable batteries 17. The batteries are disposed in concentric relationship with respect to the housing 16 and are sealed therein by means of a suitable screw-threaded cap 18. The batteries 17 are of the type which, for the sake of convenience, can be described as having a coaxially disposed positive pole 19.

Mounted on the casing l6, in coaxial alignment with the positive pole 19 is a male connector 20 which, in operation, is operatively disposed within one of a plurality of universal, cup-shaped female connectors or receivers 22. These receivers are connected with the circuit 14 and are adapted to receive the connector 20, in order that the batteries 17 may be electrically connected with the circuit. As better shown to FIG. 9, each connector 20 includes positive terminal or contact 26 supported in a body of insulating material 28. The contact is substantially circumscribed by a negative or tubular contact 30 which terminates in a laterally extended, annular flange 31. The positive contact 26 also includes an elongated body or post 32 extending through the material 28 and retained in operative disposition therein by means of any suitable connector, such as a simple nut and washer 34. In practice, the nut and washer also serve as a contact for electrically engaging the positive pole of an associated battery 17.

In order that the male connector 20 may serve to complete a circuit to opposite sides of the batteries 17, a conductor 26, formed of a copper strip, is soldered to the flange 31 of contact 30 and extends into engagement with a negative pole or contact 37, as normally provided for the batteries 17. While the strip 36 could be so arranged as to engage a negative contact provided at the opposite end of each battery 17, the batteries presently employed are such as to provide a negative contact in radial disposition with respect to the positive terminal.

Various means may be employed for seating the male connector 20 within the end of the casing 16. However, it is preferred that a shoulder 38 be included within the casing against which the flange 31 of the contact 30 is operatively seated. In order that the male connector 20 may be retained in a position against the shoulder 38, a suitable compression spring 40, FIG. 8, is employed to force the flange 31 against the shoulder 38. This spring is electrically conductive and serves to couple the contract 34 with the battery 17 at its positive terminal 19.

It is to be particularly noted that all of the female receivers 22 are of a common design, and in addition to serving as a connector for the power pack it) serve as receivers or lamp sockets for receiving miniature lamps 42, FIG. 3. Each of the female receivers is of a cupshaped configuration and is fabricated from a flexible polyethylene, or like material, which has non-conductive properties and which accommodates a radial expansion and contraction of the receiver. The resiliency of the material employed is preferably sutficient for permitting a lamp base of a lamp 42 to be received therein through its open top.

Bases of a general cylindrical configuration, including the screw-threaded bases, can be slidingly received in engagement with the internal surfaces of the receiver or connector 22. Each base is gripped or frictionally engaged in a manner sufficient to retain the base in its operative position. Insertion of a lamp base including bayonets, or laterally extended pins, is accommodated through the use of diametrically opposed, elongated slots 46 which are cut into the internal surfaces of the connector and parallel its longitudinal axis. Since the base for miniature lamps normally employed are of approximately the same diameter, and since the material from which the receiver 22 is fabricated is of a resilient nature, the base of each of the employed lamps may be readily inserted Within the receiver, regardless of its configuration, and is readily interchangeable with bases having a different configuration.

In order that the male connector 20 be permitted to be electrically coupled wiflr the receivers 22, the connector is provided with an outside diameter approximately equal to the outside diameter of a base of a miniature lamp 42. Hence, it should be readily apparent that the male connector 20 may be inserted at any appropriate point within the circuit 14.

Each receiver or female connector 22 further includes a conductor strip 48 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the receiver 22, for completing a circuit to the negative terminal 37 of batteries 17. In practice, the strip 48 is of a generally flexible material, however, in order to seat the strip within the connector, it is crirnped to provide a crimped protrusion 50 which operatively seats against a bottom wall portion 51, as is normally provided for the female connector. An additional protrusion 52 is formed in the strip which serves to engage the external surfaces of the bottom wall 51. Hence, the strip 48 is retained in an operative disposition within the connector 22 through a cooperative effect of the protrusions 50 and 52. In order that the strip 48 may be properly retained in its operative disposition at its opposite end, an additional locking crimp 54 is provided for engaging the opposed internal an external surfaces of the receiver near its open end.

Mounted in coaxial alignment within the receiver 22,

there is a positive terminal 56 which is supported by the wall 51. The post 56 includes a radially extended flange or shoulder 58 disposed in operative supporting engagementwith the internal surface of the wall 51 and further includes an elongated coaxially aligned post portion 60 extending through the wall. In practice, a spring 62 is seated in coaxial alignment with the flange and is provided to engage a positive pole of a lamp base or male connector inserted therewithin in order to complete the circuit between the post 60 and the inserted positive terminal.

Each receiver 22 is, in turn, seated in concentric relationship within a cap 24, as hereinbefore mentioned. Each cap includes a tubular internal surface 64, FIG. 8, and an external terminal portion having a truncated frusto-conical surface 66 terminating in an annular base or supporting shoulder 68. The shoulder 68 defines the supporting end terminal surface of the terminal portion. In order that the cap 24 may be mounted in a suitable support, a mounting portion having a surface 70 is extended away from the shoulder 68, in a portion of each of the caps 24 further includes, at its truncated surface, an annular lip 74 which serves as a retainer for engaging an end surface of the wall of the female connectors 22 for retaining them therein, while allowing the base of a lamp or a male connector to be inserted concentrically therethrough. Furthermore, each of the caps 24 is provided with an elongated slotted key-way 76. The key-way serves to receive the crimped portion 54 of the conductor strip 48 as the connector is seated against the lip 74. Hence, it will be appreciated that once the receiver 22 is inserted within the cap 24, any relative rotation therebetween is impeded through engagement of the surfaces of the keyway 76 with the crimped portion 54 of the conductor strip 48. in practice, a locking ring 78 is provided for maintaining the required engagement of the receiver with the lip 74.

As a practical matter, the opening 72 may be formed in any suitable structure for operatively supporting the caps 24. However, for purposes of illustration, a supporting structure 80 is provided as a mounting member for supporting the components of the herein described lighting system. Hence, the assembled cap 24 and receiver 22 may be readily mounted, simply by inserting the mounting portion within a suitable opening 72 formed within the supporting structure 80.0nce the caps 24 are inserted within the supporting structure 80, it is preferred that the receivers 22 be electrically connected in circuit parallel. However, should it be deemed advisable, the circuit could be wired as a series circuit.

As better illustrated in FIG. 2, the support 80 further includes an additional or auxiliary support 81 upon which there is mounted a plurality of male connectors 82. Each connector 82 includes a positive post $4 which terminates in a contact 86. The post is secured in place by means of a suitable screw-threaded extension 88, threaded nut or connector 90, which also serves to connect the post 84 with the circuit. The connector 82 further includes a negative strip 92 which extends electrically to engage the negative strip 48 for completing the return side of the circuit. As each of the male connectors 82 are of similar design and construction, only a single connector is described in the interest of brevity.

In order that each of the connectors 82 may be connected in parallel, a pair of connector leads 94 are extended therebetween. As a practical matter, the male connectors may be connected at their negative strips by any suitable means, such as by soldering the leads 941 thereto, while the lead 94 which connects the positive post $4 may be provided with suitable connectors which permit the nut to be screw-threaded and seated in an electrical connection of well-known design.

Since the connectors 82 are connected in parallel it will be appreciated that the power pack may be plugged into any one of the receivers 22, while the remaining receivers may be provided with miniature lamps. Therefore, it should be fully appreciated that the circuit may be energized from any one of the receivers 22 connected thereto.

It should be understood that the circuit herein described has utility separate and apart from an omamental lighting system. However, in practice, the system is particularly suited for use in ornamental lighting for reasons hereinbefore discussed. In order to achieve the desired eflect, it is often necessary to provide each lamp 42 with a miniature cover 96. The cover 96 preferably is formed of a flexible polyethylene material and is pigmented to the extent necessary to achieve the desired color when applied over the globe of a given lamp. Since it is intended that globes of the miniature lamps employed be of difierent sizes and different configurations, it is necessary that each of the covers or tips 96 be of such desigi as to accommodate its use with any one of the miniature lamps having globes of mutually exclusive size and configuration. Therefore, the material from which the tip 96 is fabricated is preferably such as to be capable of withstanding elevated temperatures while retaining a desired degree of resiliency. A flexible polyethylene material has been found to be quite suitable for this purpose. Since it is intended that the lamp 42, in its assembled state, represent a lighted candle, the tip 96 is preferably acurninate to simulate the tip of a flame when rendered incandescent by an energization of the filament of the lamp 42.

As can readily be appreciated, each tip 96, particularly the portions thereof which extends above the top of an associated globe, when the tip is mounted, contains a limited quantity of air. Since a lamp tends to give up heat as it is energized, the air entrapped above the lamp expands as it is heated. This expansion has a tendency to cause the tips to pop off the top of the globes. To overcome this, a plurality of flutes 98 have been incorporated along the internal surfaces of the tips. These flutes extends longitudinally from the base of the tip to its apex and serve as means for dispelling the air as it is heated so that the pressure can be relieved and the tip 96 be permitted to remain in place. Furthermore, the flutes are sufficiently pronounced as to enhance the universatility of the tip. In other words, the flutes are deep enough and are sufficient in number as to permit the material that is included in the lands between the grooves to be deformed into the grooves for thus increasing the effective diameter of the base as a globe is forceably inserted into the tip.

Conversely, should the globe be sufiiciently small in diameter as not to require a deformation of the lands, the material of the tip has a memory sufficient to permit the lands to remain erect and thus engage the surfaces of the globe about which the tip is seated.

Where total flexibility is preferred, the supporting structure t -l may be readily eliminated, so that the wires or leads 94 are permitted to serve as supports for the male connectors 82 as the candles are strung into a desired and coupled relationship. While not shown, it is entirely feasible, to connect the post of each of the receivers 22 with one of the leads 94, while the other lead is connected with the strip 48. This connection may be made in any suitable manner, such as by soldering, for example. If the leads 94 are employed without the male connectors 82, increased flexibility may be realized. Therefore, while the male connectors 82 have been illustrated, it is entirely feasible to connect the circuit components without requiring any rigid construction as may be the case in the trimming of Christmas trees, floral wreaths and the like.

While not a part of the present invention it should be readily appreciated that each of the power packs l0,

with the male connectors fixed thereto, may be inserted into an electrical battery charging circuit having a plurality of receivers 22 connected therein. In this manner, each of the power packs 10 may be readily stored when not in use and thus prepared or recharged for the next use at a later date, all without requiring a removal of the batteries and while achieving the recharging of batteries while they are retained within the casing 10.

in operation, it may be assumed that a plurality of the components have been assembled into a plurality of structures each including a truncated frusto-conical cap 2%, having mounted therein a receiver 22 into which has been seated a miniature lamp 42 encased in a flame-shaped tip 96. The structures are positioned in a manner dictated by decorators. Each of the candle-like structures are supported in any suitable means such as the rigid support 78 into which the caps 24 have been inserted. However, should it be desired, a simple clip can be applied to each of the structures in order to support the candle-like member or component in operative position. The components are then connected, through leads 94, in a parallel circuit arrangement. Into one of the receivers supported by cap 24 is inserted the power pack 10. The male connector of the power pack engages the contact 62, while the negative contact of the power pack engages the strip 48, so that a circuit is completed to the candle-like components. Once the circuit has been completed, the battery 17 applies the necessary voltage across each of the receivers 22 in order to cause a miniature lamp 42 retained therein to become energized and be rendered incandescent. Should it be desired to interchange any of the miniature lamps 42 with different lamps having different bases, such is readily facilitated through the employment of the universal connectors or receivers 22 without requiring a change of the particular receiver employed for receiving the lamp.

In view of the foregoing, it should be readily apparent that a simplified circuit, having a plurality of interchangeable circuit and system components, has been provided which serve to enhance decorative operation and involved in creating displays having certain asthetic value.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A universal female receiver adapted to receive a lamp base therein of a type selected from a plurality of mutually exclusive types of lamp bases comprising:

a. a resilient body including a cylindrical wall defining a tubular base receiving portion into which the base of a miniature lamp is operatively inserted;

. a transversally aligned closure portion closing one end of said tubular portion;

. a conductor strip extending along the wall of the base receiving portion of the receiver through the closure portion and including a first curved segment ex ending outwardly and into clamping engagement with the opposing elongated surfaces of said wall and having a deformed segment in engagement with the internal surface of the closure portion and a deformed segment in engagement with the exterior surface of said closure portion;

. an externally directed elongated electrical contact extending concentrically through the closure portion of the connector and having fixed thereto a supporting shoulder for engaging the internal surface of the closure portion and an inwardly directed spring member adapted to receivingly engage an electrical terminal inserted into said connector, whereby a circuit may be completed through the terminal between the conductor strip and the contact; and

. means defining elongated diametrically disposed slots extending along theinternal surfaces of said wall.

Claims (1)

1. A universal female receiver adapted to receive a lamp base therein of a type selected from a plurality of mutually exclusive types of lamp bases comprising: a. a resilient body including a cylindrical wall defining a tubular base receiving portion into which the base of a miniature lamp is operatively inserted; b. a transversally aligned closure portion closing one end of said tubular portion; c. a conductor strip extending along the wall of the base receiving portion of the receiver through the closure portion and including a first curved segment extEnding outwardly and into clamping engagement with the opposing elongated surfaces of said wall and having a deformed segment in engagement with the internal surface of the closure portion and a deformed segment in engagement with the exterior surface of said closure portion; d. an externally directed elongated electrical contact extending concentrically through the closure portion of the connector and having fixed thereto a supporting shoulder for engaging the internal surface of the closure portion and an inwardly directed spring member adapted to receivingly engage an electrical terminal inserted into said connector, whereby a circuit may be completed through the terminal between the conductor strip and the contact; and e. means defining elongated diametrically disposed slots extending along the internal surfaces of said wall.

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