Circuit tester for christmas tree light sets

Claim 1

A light circuit and bulb tester specially designed and adapted to be used with a Christmas tree light set, and incorporating components similar to those of a Christmas tree light set comprising, in combination, a plug having a pair of prongs; a single electrical lead extending into said plug and connected to only one of said prongs, said single lead comprising the only connection to said plug; a probe having a pointed probe tip in electrical connection with said plug, said probe having a single electrical lead extending therefrom comprising the only electrical connection to said probe; a Christmas tree light socket assembly interposed in the electric line between said plug and said probe, said socket assembly being connected in series between the plug and the probe by said single electric leads extending from the probe and the plug, each of said probe, said plug, and said socket assembly comprising separate and distinct units spaced apart from each other and connected to each other only by a single electrical lead; said socket assembly comprising a Christmas tree light socket having a substantially cylindrical plastic body formed with a central passage in which a Christmas tree light bulb is positioned, said socket body having a transverse channel formed adjacent to the bottom thereof, and a pair of pin tap connectors fixed within the socket body and each having a connector pin protruding into the channel in spaced positions, each of said pin tap connectors being connected to said bulb to connect the bulb into the circuit; said single electrical leads being positioned in said channel and being electrically connected to the pin tap connectors, and being discontinuous between the pin tap connectors so as to connect the bulb in series in the circuit; and a closure at the base of the socket assembly closing off the bottom of the socket body, and retaining the leads iN position in the channel and in the electrical connection with the pin tap connectors.