US3783435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light socket device
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
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Filing: 1971-12-23
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Granted: 1974-01-01
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Expires: 1991-12-23
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates generally to improvements in light sockets of the type adapted for accommodating the metallic threaded base of a conventional electric light bulb and more particularly to a novel molded plastic light socket device adapted for use in refrigerator interiors. The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein comprises a molded plastic light bulb accommodating housing formed of two symmetrical abutting half sections having electrical terminal members projecting therethrough, one for contacting the entering end of a light bulb base and the other for contacting the base periperhy. A section of the housing is adapted to interlock with the margin of the supporting panel and an oppositely disposed section is provided with flexible prong means for yieldably engaging said panel.
Inventors
- 👤 J Fisher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:06
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V19/00; H; H01; H01R; H01R33/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
293 words
An electrical receptacle adapted to be mounted on a support member comprising a housing of electrically insulating material, a light Bulb socket secured in said housing for receiving an externally threaded light bulb, a pair of conductors mounted in said housing for supplying electricity to said light bulb socket and said light bulb, said conductors having terminal ends which extend from one side of said receptacle and said aperture when said receptacle is mounted on the support member, a mounting flange disposed on the side of the aperture opposite to the side of the receptacle from which said terminals extend, said flange being constructed to abut the associated surface of the peripheral portion of said aperture in sealing engagement, a relatively rigid protuberance integral with said housing and extending from the same side of said receptacle from which said terminal ends extend, said protuberance being constructed to abut a first area of the associated surface of the peripheral portion along a minor portion of the circumference of the aperture so as to cooperate with said flange along this minor portion to form an interlocking notch for securing said housing to said support member, a relatively resilient prong integral with said housing and extending from the same side of said receptacle as said protuberance, said prong being constructed to abut a second area of the associated surface of the peripheral portion of the circumference of the aperture along a minor portion of the circumference of the aperture and to resistently yield, said first and second areas of the peripheral portion of the circumference of the aperture being aligned along a line on spaced apart portions of said housing and means positioned adjacent said resilient prong for preventing rotation of said housing in the aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
293 words
An electrical receptacle adapted to be mounted on a support member comprising a housing of electrically insulating material, a light Bulb socket secured in said housing for receiving an externally threaded light bulb, a pair of conductors mounted in said housing for supplying electricity to said light bulb socket and said light bulb, said conductors having terminal ends which extend from one side of said receptacle and said aperture when said receptacle is mounted on the support member, a mounting flange disposed on the side of the aperture opposite to the side of the receptacle from which said terminals extend, said flange being constructed to abut the associated surface of the peripheral portion of said aperture in sealing engagement, a relatively rigid protuberance integral with said housing and extending from the same side of said receptacle from which said terminal ends extend, said protuberance being constructed to abut a first area of the associated surface of the peripheral portion along a minor portion of the circumference of the aperture so as to cooperate with said flange along this minor portion to form an interlocking notch for securing said housing to said support member, a relatively resilient prong integral with said housing and extending from the same side of said receptacle as said protuberance, said prong being constructed to abut a second area of the associated surface of the peripheral portion of the circumference of the aperture along a minor portion of the circumference of the aperture and to resistently yield, said first and second areas of the peripheral portion of the circumference of the aperture being aligned along a line on spaced apart portions of said housing and means positioned adjacent said resilient prong for preventing rotation of said housing in the aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
An electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for preventing rotation of said housing in the aperture comprises a pair of protuberances that are positioned on opposite sides of said prong adjacent the inner edge of the aperture in the support member in the vicinity of said prong.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
An electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for preventing rotation of said housing in the aperture comprises a wall integral with said housing and having a flat surface positioned adjacent the inner edge of the aperture in the support member in the vicinity of said prong, said prong and said protuberance being formed integral with said wall, said wall being constructed to partially enclose said terminal ends of said conductors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said terminal ends extend through said housing proximate to said line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
An electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for preventing rotation of said housing in the aperture comprises a pair of protuberances that are positioned on opposite sides of said prong adjacent the inner edge of the aperture in the support member in the vicinity of said prong.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
An electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for preventing rotation of said housing in the aperture comprises a wall integral with said housing and having a flat surface positioned adjacent the inner edge of the aperture in the support member in the vicinity of said prong, said prong and said protuberance being formed integral with said wall, said wall being constructed to partially enclose said terminal ends of said conductors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
An electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 4 wherein said terminal ends are substantially flat and rectangular in shape and said terminal ends are located intermediate said prong and said protuberance with the rectangular sides of said terminal ends being aligned substantially parallel along said line between said first and second surface areas on the surface of the peripheral portion of the circumference of said aperture so that said line approximately bisects said prong, said protuberance and said terminal ends.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
An electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means for preventing rotation of said housing in the aperture comprises a pair of protUberances that are positioned on opposite sides of said prong adjacent the inner edge of the aperture in the support member in the vicinity of said prong.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
An electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means for preventing rotation of said housing in the aperture comprises a wall integral with said housing and having a flat surface positioned adjacent the inner edge of the aperture in the support member in the vicinity of said prong, said prong and said protuberance being formed integral with said wall, said wall being constructed to partially enclose said terminal ends of said conductors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |