Decorative lighting fixture and lighting string
First Claim
1. A waterproof lighting fixture, comprising:
- a socket having a first receiving bore for telescopically receiving the male end of a light bulb;
said socket having a retaining ring convexly disposed along an inner surface of the first receiving bore for engaging an outer surface of a light bulb telescopically inserted into the first receiving bore of the socket for holding the light bulb in position within the socket;
said socket having a wedge-shaped annular skirt disposed convexly around an outer surface of a lower end of said socket;
a socket base having a second receiving bore for receiving a male end of the socket;
said socket base having a wedge-shaped recess disposed circumferentially about an inner surface of the second receiving bore; and
whereby when said socket is inserted into the second receiving bore of said socket based, said wedge-shaped skirt engages said wedge-shaped recess to form a waterproof seal to prevent entry of moisture into the second receiving bore of said socket base.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved lighting fixture for adaptation to an improved decorative lighting string is provided. A light bulb is inserted into the socket and the combined light bulb/socket assembly is combined with a socket base having a pair of electrical wires disposed therein. Use of a sealing and retaining ring provides for a snug and secure fit between the bulb and the socket. Engagement of complimentary slots of the socket base and alignment projections of the socket provide for improved orientation between the socket and the socket base and provide for an improved and more secure fit between the socket and the socket base. Engagement between a wedge-shaped skirt of the socket and a wedge-shaped recess of the socket base provides for a friction or snap fit between the socket and the socket base and prevents the introduction of moisture into the socket base. An end closure plug biases the electrical wires into a fixed position and closes a bottom end of the socket base to prevent the introduction of moisture or other foreign matter. Improved electrical contacts provide better conductivity though engagement with the leads of the bulb and are manufactured from an improved manufacturing process.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A waterproof lighting fixture, comprising:
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a socket having a first receiving bore for telescopically receiving the male end of a light bulb;
said socket having a retaining ring convexly disposed along an inner surface of the first receiving bore for engaging an outer surface of a light bulb telescopically inserted into the first receiving bore of the socket for holding the light bulb in position within the socket;
said socket having a wedge-shaped annular skirt disposed convexly around an outer surface of a lower end of said socket;
a socket base having a second receiving bore for receiving a male end of the socket;
said socket base having a wedge-shaped recess disposed circumferentially about an inner surface of the second receiving bore; and
whereby when said socket is inserted into the second receiving bore of said socket based, said wedge-shaped skirt engages said wedge-shaped recess to form a waterproof seal to prevent entry of moisture into the second receiving bore of said socket base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A waterproof lighting fixture, comprising:
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a socket having a first receiving bore for telescopically receiving the male end of a light bulb;
said socket having a retaining ring convexly disposed along an inner surface of the first receiving bore for engaging an outer surface of a light bulb telescopically inserted into the first receiving bore of the socket for holding the light bulb in position within the socket;
said socket having a pair of alignment projections disposed along opposite sides of said socket in opposite spaced-apart orientation;
said socket having a wedge-shaped annular skirt disposed convexly around an outer surface of a lower end of said socket;
a socket base having, a second receiving bore for receiving a male end of the socket;
said socket base having a wedge-shaped recess disposed circumferentially about an inner surface of the second receiving bore;
said socket base having a pair of alignment slots disposed along an upper edge of said socket base in opposite spaced-apart orientation;
whereby said pair of alignment projections of said socket engage said alignment slots of said socket base when said socket is combined with said socket base such that engagement of said alignment projections with said alignment slots properly orients said socket to said socket base and secures said socket to said socket base; and
whereby when said socket is inserted into the second receiving bore of said socket based, said wedge-shaped skirt engages said wedge-shaped recess to form a waterproof seal to prevent entry of moisture into the second receiving bore of said socket base. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A waterproof lighting fixture, comprising:
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a socket having a first receiving bore for telescopically receiving the male end of a light bulb;
said socket having a retaining ring convexly disposed along an inner surface of the first receiving bore for engaging an outer surface of a light bulb telescopically inserted into the first receiving bore of the socket for holding the light bulb in position within the socket;
said socket having a wedge-shaped annular skirt disposed convexly around an outer surface of a lower end of said socket;
a socket base having a second receiving bore for receiving a male end of the socket;
said socket base having a wedge-shaped recess disposed circumferentially about an inner surface of the second receiving bore;
said socket base having a hingedly connected closure plug disposed at a bottom end of said socket base for closing the bottom end of said socket base and for positioning a pair of electrical wires inserted through the bottom end of said socket base for providing electricity to said light bulb; and
whereby when said socket is inserted into the second receiving bore of said socket based, said wedge-shaped skirt engages said wedge-shaped recess to form a waterproof seal to prevent entry of moisture into the second receiving bore of said socket base. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification