Gravity actuated light socket and switch means
First Claim
1. A gravity actuated light socket and switch means including a dielectric light socket having a horizontal axis, means adapted for retaining said socket in mounted relation to an apertured panel fixed on a support member angularly moveable about a horizontal axis, multiple socket contact means for connection to and conveying a source of power to and from said socket, moveable switch contact means teeter-totter fashion intermediate its extremities on a horizontal shaft connected to one of said socket contact means, moveable weight means shiftable along said contact means in response to angular movement of said support member, stop means for controlling the angular shifting of said moveable switch contact means between a first angular disposition of said light socket and a second angular disposition, the second one of said stop means being a fixed contact connected to a power source and adapted to be touched by said moveable switch contact means when said light socket is placed in said second disposition by shifting of said moveable weight means, whereby power is supplied to said socket contacts.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A combined gravity operated light socket and switch including a base, fastening means extending from one side thereof and a dielectric housing extending from the other side, the housing being divided into two adjacent chambers. The first chamber is open-ended forming a light socket and the second chamber houses a switching mechanism. The switch includes a headed co-axial shaft extending between the chambers with the head acting as a contact in the base of the socket and the opposite end carrying a flat centrally flanged teeter-totter element supporting a rolling ball and arranged for predetermined angular movement upon angular shifting of the housing. The angular movement of the flat element is limited by stop means, one of which is a contact, thereby producing an on-off status depending on the angular placement of the unit.
13 Citations
11 Claims
- 1. A gravity actuated light socket and switch means including a dielectric light socket having a horizontal axis, means adapted for retaining said socket in mounted relation to an apertured panel fixed on a support member angularly moveable about a horizontal axis, multiple socket contact means for connection to and conveying a source of power to and from said socket, moveable switch contact means teeter-totter fashion intermediate its extremities on a horizontal shaft connected to one of said socket contact means, moveable weight means shiftable along said contact means in response to angular movement of said support member, stop means for controlling the angular shifting of said moveable switch contact means between a first angular disposition of said light socket and a second angular disposition, the second one of said stop means being a fixed contact connected to a power source and adapted to be touched by said moveable switch contact means when said light socket is placed in said second disposition by shifting of said moveable weight means, whereby power is supplied to said socket contacts.
- 9. A light socket and gravity operated switch member combination including a dielectric housing having a base, resilient snap fastening means extending outwardly from said base in one direction and a pair of adjacent horizontally disposed chambers extending outwardly in the opposite direction from said base, one of said chambers being an open ended socket and adapted to accept a light bulb base therein through said open end, fixed first and second socket contact means being disposed in the side wall and co-axially with the base of said socket chamber respectively, said second base socket contact means including a head conductive shaft extending between said first and second chambers with the head portion thereof being located in said socket chamber, a substantially flat teeter-totter type conductive member mounted on said shaft in said second chamber and carrying contact means at one end thereof, limit stops positioned within said second chamber for limiting the rotation of said flat member about said shaft, one of said limit stops being a fixed switch contact connected to one lead of a power source, a metallic ball riding on said flat member within said second switch chamber to ensure rotational movement of said member about said shaft during angular movement of said entire socket-switch combination to move the contact carried by said flat member into engagement with said fixed switch contact to supply power to said second base contact means, and a second lead of said power source connected to said first side wall socket contact means.
Specification