Decorative light socket extension

• US 5,327,332 A
• Filed: 04/29/1993
• Issued: 07/05/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Beverly J. Hafemeister
• Original Assignee: Beverly J. Hafemeister
• Inventors: Hafemeister, Beverly J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yeung, James C.
• Application Number:
  US08/053,667
• Time in Patent Office: 432 Days
• Field of Search: 362/392, 362/810, 362/806, 362/405, 362/406, 362/447, 362/393
• US Class Current: 362/392
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/0836 comprising means for attaching to a lamp or candle holder, e.g. reflectors, lamp shades
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0065 at least one conductive element acting as a support means, e.g. spring-mounted contact plate in a bayonet base
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/002 making direct electrical contact, e.g. by piercing F21V21/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/81 Imitation candle

Abstract

An extension for installation in an existing incandescent electric light socket has an appearance resembling that of a candlestick, and is particularly adaptable to use with incandescent bulbs having a flame-like appearance. The extension includes a base portion formed to cooperate with a light bulb socket, and an electrical socket in the upper end formed to cooperate with a light bulb having a base of the same size and configuration as that of the base of the extension. Thus, a light bulb may be removed from a socket and installed in the socket of the extension, and the extension installed directly into the socket from which the bulb was removed. The wider outside dimension of the upper socket relative to the lower base is camouflaged by a wider upper portion of the body of the extension, having an appearance resembling that of melted wax from a partially burned candle. The extension is adaptable to various sizes and configurations of light bulbs and sockets, including threaded sockets and bases and "plug-in" type sockets and bases as used with miniature "cool light" type bulbs, and the body portion may be formed of various materials, including new or recycled plastics in various colors.

Claims

1. A decorative extension simulating the appearance of a candlestick, comprising:

a hollow, generally cylindrical body portion having a lower end and an upper end;

said lower end fitting over and enveloping an end portion of an electrical base having first and second electrically conductive contacts, with said electrical base extending from said lower end of said body portion and being of a size and configuration to removably fit within and make electrical contact with an electrical socket for an incandescent electric light bulb;

said upper end of said body portion having a larger diameter than said lower end of said body portion and fitting over and completely enveloping the outer surface of an electrical socket therein with said electrical socket having first and second electrically conductive contacts therein, and said electrical socket being of a size and configuration to make electrical contact with an incandescent electric light bulb having a base of equal size and configuration to said electrical base of said lower end of said body portion; and

a first electrically conductive connector electrically connected between said first electrically conductive contact of said electrical base and said first electrically conductive contact of said electrical socket, and a second electrically conductive connector electrically connected between said second electrically conductive contact of said electrical base and said second electrically conductive contact of said electrical socket, whereby;

said extension is installed in a cooperating socket for an incandescent electric light bulb by means of said electrical base and an incandescent electric light bulb having a base of like size and configuration to said electrical base of said extension is installed within said electrical socket within said upper end of said extension.

2. The extension of claim 1 wherein:

said electrical base of said extension includes thread means providing for the threadable installation of said electrical base within a cooperating electrical socket with said thread means having a diameter substantially equal to that of said body portion; and

said electrical socket within said upper end of said extension includes thread means of identical size and configuration to that of the cooperating electrical socket.

3. The extension of claim 1 wherein:

said electrical base of said extension includes at least two parallel, spaced apart electrical contacts providing for the insertion of said electrical base within a cooperating electrical socket; and

said electrical socket within said upper end of said extension includes at least two parallel, spaced apart electrical contacts and is of identical size and configuration to that of the cooperating electrical socket.

4. The extension of claim 1 wherein:

said larger diameter of said upper end of said body portion includes an irregular surface simulating a buildup of melted wax.

5. The extension of claim 1 wherein:

at least said body portion is formed of plastic.

6. The extension of claim 5 wherein:

at least said body portion is formed of new plastic.

7. The extension of claim 5 wherein:

at least said body portion is formed of recycled plastic.

8. In combination with an incandescent electric light bulb including an electrical base having first and second electrically conductive contacts, a decorative extension simulating the appearance of a candlestick, comprising:

a hollow, generally cylindrical body portion having a lower end and an upper end;

said lower end of said extension fitting over and enveloping an end portion of an electrical base having first and second electrically conductive contacts, with said electrical base of said lower end of said extension extending from said lower end of said body portion and being of identical size and configuration to said electrical base of said incandescent electric light bulb;

said upper end of said body portion of said extension having a larger diameter than said lower end of said body portion of said extension and fitting over and completely enveloping the outer surface of an electrical socket therein with said electrical socket having first and second electrically conductive contacts therein, and said electrical socket being of a size and configuration to electrically cooperate with said electrical base of said incandescent electric light bulb; and

a first electrically conductive connector electrically connected between said first electrically conductive contact, of said electrical base of said extension and said first electrically conductive contact of said electrical socket of said extension, and a second electrically conductive connector electrically connected between said second electrically conductive contact of said electrical base of said extension and said second electrically conductive contact of said electrical socket of said extension, whereby;

said extension is installed in a cooperating incandescent electric light socket by means of said electrical base of said extension and said incandescent electric light bulb including said base of like size and configuration to said electrical base of said extension is installed within said electrical socket within said upper end of said extension.

9. The extension of claim 8 wherein:

said incandescent bulb is formed with a wide central portion which tapers upwardly to a thin and pointed upper tip, whereby;

the appearance of a rising flame is simulated.

10. The extension of claim 8 wherein:

said electrical base of said extension includes thread means providing for the threadable installation of said electrical base within a cooperating electrical socket with said thread means having a diameter substantially equal to that of said body portion; and

said electrical socket within said upper end of said extension includes thread means of identical size and configuration to that of the cooperating electrical socket.

11. The extension of claim 8 wherein:

said electrical base of said extension includes at least two parallel, spaced apart electrical contacts providing for the insertion of said electrical base within a cooperating electrical socket; and

said electrical socket within said upper end of said extension includes at least two parallel, spaced apart electrical contacts and is of identical size and configuration to that of the cooperating electrical socket.

12. The extension of claim 8 wherein:

said larger diameter of said upper end of said body portion includes an irregular surface simulating a buildup of melted wax.

13. The extension of claim 8 wherein:

at least said body portion is formed of plastic.

14. The extension of claim 13 wherein:

at least said body portion is formed of new plastic.

15. The extension of claim 13 wherein:

at least said body portion is formed of recycled plastic.