US5281158A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light socket and socket adapter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-01-11
•
Granted: 1994-01-25
•
Expires: 2013-01-11
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a light socket and socket adapter including a socket adapter inserted in a light socket of a decorative light string to electrically connect an electric ornament to the electric circuit of the decorative light string. The two opposite contacts of the light socket are short-circuited by a conductive spring as the socket adapter was disconnected, and therefore the integrity of the electric circuit of the decorative light string is maintained.
Inventors
- 👤 Wen-Hsiung Lin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:12
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R33/00; H01R33/05; H01R33/18; F; F21; F21S; F21S4/00; F21S4/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A socket adapter for a light socket of the type having two opposite contacts on the inside connected to the two opposite ends of an electric circuit of a decorative light string and a conductive spring stopped by said contacts in an inside hole thereof, the socket adapter comprising a solid body made from a plastic material through the process of injection molding having having a tip at one end, two electric wires inserted through two longitudinal through holes on said solid body, the electric wires of said socket adapter being each coupled with a respective terminal, whereby inserting said socket adapter into said light socket causes the tip of said socket adapter to disconnect said conductive spring from said contacts for permitting said contacts to be respectively connected to the terminal on either electric wire of said socket adapter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A socket adapter for a light socket of the type having two opposite contacts on the inside connected to the two opposite ends of an electric circuit of a decorative light string and a conductive spring stopped by said contacts in an inside hole thereof, the socket adapter comprising a solid body made from a plastic material through the process of injection molding having having a tip at one end, two electric wires inserted through two longitudinal through holes on said solid body, the electric wires of said socket adapter being each coupled with a respective terminal, whereby inserting said socket adapter into said light socket causes the tip of said socket adapter to disconnect said conductive spring from said contacts for permitting said contacts to be respectively connected to the terminal on either electric wire of said socket adapter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The socket adapter of claim 1 wherein an electric ornament is electrically connected to the electric wires of said light socket by said socket adapter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3915536A
Cited
US3936122A
Cited
US4047167A
Cited
EP0077046A1
Cited
US4513182A
Cited
US4768966A
Cited
US5069632A
Cited
US5030124A
Cited
US5145391A
Cited
US5201853A
Cited
US5139343A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-24 | 1997-07-26 | 1998-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-24 | 2001-07-26 | 2002-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-24 | 2005-07-26 | 2006-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |