Lamp socket locking insert in combination with a medium screw lamp base

A method for reducing theft of compact fluorescent lamps by preventing replacement of a compact fluorescent lamp with a standard incandescent bulb, comprising the steps of:

• (a) installing a mechanically locking lamp socket insert into a conventional lamp socket;
• (b) mechanically locking said mechanically locking lamp socket insert to prevent its removal from the lamp socket;
• and
• (c) insulating center contact of the lamp socket from a center of contact of an incandescent bulb to prevent lighting an incandescent bulb inserted in the lamp socket.

An apparatus to impair removal of a compact fluorescent lamp and its replacement with a standard incandescent bulb, said apparatus comprising an elongated medium screw lamp base and a mechanically locking lamp socket device, where the combination of said elongated medium screw lamp base and said mechanically locking lamp socket device permits the operation of the compact fluorescent lamp;

• (a) said elongated medium screw lamp base having an elongated cylindrical shell fabricated from a nonconductive material and said threaded screw portion comprising an electrically conductive material which extends axially below a bottom of the compact fluorescent lamp, said threaded screw portion is connected to the base member by a first rivet, said base member having a protruding insulated boss surrounding a center of contact that extends through a center of said mechanically locking lamp socket device to a leaf spring center contact in a standard lamp socket, said center of contact being connected to an electronic ballast circuit board, and a second rivet of the base member for connecting said electronic ballast circuit board with said threaded screw portion;
• and
• (b) said mechanically locking lamp socket device having a flat disk shape, and being fabricated from a nonconductive insulating material, and including two pieces, a circular ring and a tri-vaned center member, said tri-vaned center member having three cantilever spring tines which have an arcuate beveled edge following the curvature of the arc forming said cantilever spring tines, and at the distal end is a beveled edge angle, wherein said cantilever spring tines are spaced apart, said tri-vane center member is joined with the circular ring, and a circular step including a clearance distance between the tri-vaned center member and said circular ring, whereby said mechanically locking lamp socket device prevents a center of contact of a standard incandescent bulb from electrically communicating with the conductive leaf spring center contact and prevents lighting of the standard incandescent bulb.