US5860730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hand-held fluorescent light including a shock-absorbing bulb socket
Assignee: JAMESON LLC
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Filing: 1998-04-14
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Granted: 1999-01-19
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Expires: 2018-04-14
Abstract
Abstract A portable light assembly includes a ballast, a bulb having a base and at least one electrode for being connected to the ballast, and an elongate light-transmitting protective shield surrounding the bulb. A shock-absorbing bulb socket is located adjacent to the base of the bulb to protect the bulb against impact damage. The bulb socket includes a top and bottom, and integrally formed side walls engaging an inside wall of the protective shield. A plurality of openings extend longitudinally through the socket from the top to the bottom for receiving from the bottom a plurality of electrical wires connected to the ballast, and for receiving from the top a plurality of external pins connected to the electrode and extending outwardly from the base of the bulb. The top of the bulb socket defines a contoured recess adapted for receiving and holding the base of the bulb.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald N. Hesprich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:57
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V19/00; F21V19/04; F21L; F21L14/00; F21L14/02; F21L14/026; F21V15/00; F21V15/04; F21V23/00; F21V23/02; F21Y; F21Y2103/00; F21Y2103/30; F21Y2103/37
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
In combination with a portable light assembly including a ballast, a bulb having a base and at least one electrode for being connected to the ballast, and an elongate light-transmitting protective shield surrounding the bulb, the improvement comprising a shock-absorbing bulb socket located adjacent to the base of the bulb to protect the bulb against impact damage, said bulb socket comprising: (a) a top and bottom, and integrally formed side walls engaging an inside wall of the protective shield; and (b) a plurality of openings extending longitudinally through the socket from the top to the bottom thereof for receiving from the bottom a plurality of electrical wires connected to the ballast, and for receiving from the top a plurality of external pins connected to the electrode and extending outwardly from the base of the bulb; and (c) the top of said bulb socket defining a contoured recess adapted for receiving and holding the base of the bulb therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
In combination with a portable light assembly including a ballast, a bulb having a base and at least one electrode for being connected to the ballast, and an elongate light-transmitting protective shield surrounding the bulb, the improvement comprising a shock-absorbing bulb socket located adjacent to the base of the bulb to protect the bulb against impact damage, said bulb socket comprising: (a) a top and bottom, and integrally formed side walls engaging an inside wall of the protective shield; and (b) a plurality of openings extending longitudinally through the socket from the top to the bottom thereof for receiving from the bottom a plurality of electrical wires connected to the ballast, and for receiving from the top a plurality of external pins connected to the electrode and extending outwardly from the base of the bulb; and (c) the top of said bulb socket defining a contoured recess adapted for receiving and holding the base of the bulb therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A combination according to claim 1, wherein said contoured recess comprises a relatively small arcuate contour and a relatively large arcuate contour, each of said contours being adapted for receiving and holding the base of a different bulb.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A combination according to claim 1, wherein the top of the bulb socket includes opposing, inwardly tapered guide walls for guiding the electrode pins of the bulb into the respective openings of the socket for engagement with the electrical wires of the ballast.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination according to claim 1, wherein the side walls define a cylindrical outer surface of the bulb socket adapted for being frictionally secured to the bulb shield.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A combination according to claim 1, wherein said bulb socket includes an annular flange located adjacent to an annular peripheral edge the bulb shield for providing increased shock absorption to protect the bulb from impact damage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A combination according to claim 5, wherein said annular flange is integrally formed with said bulb socket.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A combination according to claim 1, wherein said bulb socket is constructed of a thermoplastic elastomer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A combination according to claim 7, wherein said thermoplastic elastomer comprises PVC nitrile.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
A resilient shock-absorbing bulb socket for being located adjacent to a base of a bulb to protect the bulb against impact damage, said bulb socket comprising: (a) a top and bottom, and integrally formed side walls; (b) the top of said bulb socket defining a contoured recess, said contoured recess comprising a relatively small arcuate contour and a relatively large arcuate contour, each of said contours being adapted for receiving and holding the base of a different bulb.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
A resilient shock-absorbing bulb socket for being located adjacent to a base of a bulb to protect the bulb against impact damage, said bulb socket comprising: (a) a top and bottom, and integrally formed side walls; (b) the top of said bulb socket defining a contoured recess, said contoured recess comprising a relatively small arcuate contour and a relatively large arcuate contour, each of said contours being adapted for receiving and holding the base of a different bulb.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
A bulb socket according to claim 9, and comprising a plurality of openings extending longitudinally through the socket from the top to the bottom thereof for receiving from the bottom a plurality of electrical wires connected to a ballast, and for receiving from the top a plurality of external pins connected to an electrode and extending outwardly from the base of the bulb.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A bulb socket according to claim 10, wherein the top of the bulb socket includes opposing, inwardly tapered guide walls for guiding the electrode pins of the bulb into the respective openings of the socket for engagement with the electrical wires of the ballast.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A bulb socket according to claim 9, wherein the side walls define a cylindrical outer surface of the bulb socket adapted for being frictionally secured to a bulb shield surrounding the bulb.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
A bulb socket according to claim 12, and including an annular flange formed with the bottom of the bulb socket, and adapted for being located adjacent to an annular peripheral edge the bulb shield for providing increased shock absorption to protect the bulb from impact damage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A bulb socket according to claim 13, wherein said annular flange is integrally formed with said bulb socket.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A bulb socket according to claim 9, wherein said bulb socket is constructed of a thermoplastic elastomer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A bulb socket according to claim 15, wherein said thermoplastic elastomer comprises PVC nitrile.
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) | 2002-01-18 | 2002-07-20 | 2003-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-18 | 2006-07-20 | 2007-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-18 | 2010-07-20 | 2011-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |