Patent Application
20080085623
The single FIGURE is an elevational view, partially in section, of an embodiment of the invention.
For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following disclosure and appended claims taken in conjunction with the above-described drawings.
Referring now to the drawing with greater particularity, there is shown a socket 10 for a double-ended lamp (not shown) that comprises a housing 12 having a compression spring 14 within the housing 12. The housing 12 can be constructed of a suitable metal.
A lamp connector 16 has a body 18 of a suitable electrically insulating material, such as a ceramic, is fitted within the housing 12. A first portion 20 of the body 18 is contained entirely within the housing 12 and a second portion 22 extends beyond the housing 12 and has a given length L. The lamp connector 16 is subjected to an axial movement (see arrow 11) whenever a lamp is inserted or withdrawn. The axial movement has a maximum distance AL that is less than the given length L, thus preventing the leading edge 30 of the second portion 22 from being constrained within the housing.
The first portion 20 of the body 18 includes a flange 24 that is in contact with a first end 26 of the compression spring 14. The other end 26a of the compression spring 14 is held against a housing flange 27.
An electrically conductive lamp contact 28 is fixed in the body 18, as is known.
For mounting purposes a mounting bracket 32 is provided affixed to the housing 12.
Thus there is provided a new and improved socket for double-ended lamps. The socket is smaller and less cumbersome than those of the prior art and additionally makes jamming of the lamp-receiving portion of the connector body within the housing an impossibility.
While there have been shown and described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
