Mechanical bypass light unit

• US 20080130284A1
• Filed: 10/25/2007
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seasonal Specialties LLC (Seasonal Specialties)
• Original Assignee: Seasonal Specialties LLC (Seasonal Specialties)
• Inventors: Wang, Dennis, Altamura, Steven J., Neuman, Robert C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,819,552 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/251
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/00 Lighting devices or systems using a string or strip of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0005 of sources having contact pins, wires or blades, e.g. pinch sealed lamp F21V19/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0055 by screwing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0457 the sensor sensing the operating status of the lighting device, e.g. to detect failure of a light source or to provide feedback to the device
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 characterised by the shape
• 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: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7033 making use of elastic extensions of the terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7177 filament or neon bulb
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/08 Short-circuiting members for bridging contacts in a counterpart
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/09 for baseless lamp bulb
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/96 with switch operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A light unit includes a bulb having a light source with lead wires and a separator, a switch member that includes a support member and a pair of spring terminals, and a socket having two or more conductive terminals and adapted to receive the bulb and the switch member. The switch member is adapted to cause the pair of spring terminals to contact one another to form an electrical short circuit across the pair of conductive terminals and the light source when the bulb is completely or partially removed from the socket. The lead wires form an electrical connection across the conductive terminals and the separator breaks contact between the pair of spring terminals when the bulb is seated in the socket.

Claims

1. A light unit for use in a light string, comprising:

a bulb having a light source with lead wires and a separator;

a switch member including a support member and a pair of spring terminals; and

a socket having two or more conductive terminals and adapted to receive the bulb and the switch member,

wherein the switch member is adapted to cause the pair of spring terminals to contact one another to form an electrical short circuit across the pair of conductive terminals and the light source when the bulb is completely or partially removed from the socket, and wherein the lead wires form an electrical connection across the conductive terminals, and the separator breaks contact between the pair of spring terminals when the bulb is seated in the socket.

2. A light unit for use in a light string, comprising:

a bulb having a light source with a first lead wire and a second lead wire, and a separator;

a switch member including a support member and a conductive contact having a first and a second free end; and

a socket having a first and a second conductive terminal, and adapted to receive the bulb and the switch member, and

wherein the switch member is adapted to cause the first free end to contact the first conductive terminal and the second free end to contact the second conductive terminal, thereby forming an electrical short circuit across the first and second conductive terminals and the light source when the bulb is completely or partially removed from the socket,

wherein when the bulb is seated in the socket, the first lead wire contacts the first conductive terminal, the second lead wire contacts the second conductive terminal and the separator causes at least one of the free ends of the contact to move in a direction away from one of the conductive terminals.

3. A light unit for use in a light string, comprising:

a bulb having a light source and lead wires;

a rotating switch member including a support member and at least one conductor affixed to the support member; and

a socket having two or more conducting terminals and adapted to receive the bulb and the switch member,

wherein the rotating switch member is adapted to rotate when the bulb is completely or partially removed from the socket, thereby causing the at least one conductor to form an electrical short circuit across the pair of conductive terminals.

4. A method of maintaining electrical continuity throughout a light string, comprising:

providing a light string that includes a plurality of series-connected light units, wherein each light unit includes a bulb, socket, and rotating switch member;

providing a set of instruction steps for using the light string, including the steps of;

inserting the bulb into the socket; and

rotating the bulb in the socket.