Lighting system method and apparatus socket assembly lamp insulator assembly and components thereof

A socket and lamp assembly for a lighting assembly, the socket comprising:

• a socket body with a base wall and a second, housing wall extending a first distance from the base wall for defining an enclosure for receiving an end of a lighting element and a rim at an end of the enclosure such that a lighting element having a pin contact can extend past the rim into the enclosure;
• at least one cylindrical electrical connector spaced from the second wall and extending into the enclosure from the base wall only part way to the rim of the enclosure for contacting a pin contact on a lighting element wherein the second wall extends past the end of the cylindrical connector, wherein the at least one cylindrical connector includes two cylindrical connectors spaced apart from each other and extending from the base wall of the socket, wherein the second wall defines an interior surface which is substantially circular to accept the lighting element and the second wall extends from the base wall a distance at least twice the first distance and further including a lighting element in the form of a lamp having a lamp body, a lamp end at an end of the body having a base and two pin contacts extending away from the lamp base and wherein the lighting element extends into the socket such that the pin contacts electrically contact the cylindrical connectors and wherein the second wall extends around the pin contacts on the lamp and past the base of the lamp to enclose the base and at least part of the lamp body.

A socket for a lighting assembly, the socket comprising:

• a socket body with a base wall and a second, housing wall extending a first distance, from the base wall for defining an enclosure for receiving an end of a lighting element and a rim at an end of the enclosure such that a lighting element having a pin contact can extend past the rim into the enclosure;
• at least one cylindrical electrical connector spaced from the second wall and extending into the enclosure from the base wall only part way to the rim of the enclosure for contacting a pin contact on a lighting element wherein the second wall extends past the end of the cylindrical connector;
• and
• wherein the second wall includes a seal element for sealing between the second wall and a lighting element.

A socket and holder assembly for a lighting assembly, the socket comprising:

• a socket body with a base wall and a second wall extending a first distance from the base wall for defining an enclosure and a rim at an end of the enclosure such that a lighting element with a pin contact can extend past the rim into the enclosure and the socket further includes a groove extending about a circumference of the second wall for accepting the holder;
• at least one cylindrical electrical connector spaced from the second wall for contacting a connector on a lighting element;
• a holder for the socket body and wherein the holder and the socket body are movable at least one of rotatably and slidably relative to each other and the holder further including a mounting element for mounting the holder to a mounting surface;
• and
• further comprising a second groove spaced from the first groove for accepting a holder.

A socket and lamp, the socket and lamp comprising:

• a socket body including a base and at least one electrical connector for contacting a contact on a lamp;
• a lamp having an end and a pin contact on the end and a body for passing light out of the lamp, and wherein the lamp includes an insulator on the end of the lamp separable from the socket body for protecting the pin contact on the end of the lamp;
• wherein the pin contact is engaged with the connector and wherein the connector includes a projection engaging the insulator;
• and
• wherein the projection includes a barb on the connector, the barb being biased outwardly.

A socket and lamp and insulator combination, the combination comprising:

• a lamp having a body and at least one end with a pin contact having a first diameter on the end of the lamp;
• an insulator covering the end of the lamp and the pin contact and the insulator having a wall defining an opening in at least one surface of the insulator having a diameter less than the diameter of the pin to provide an interference fit;
• and
• a socket having a socket body and including at least one electrical connector extending longitudinally of the socket for contacting the pin contact on the lamp, and wherein the socket body extends over the lamp such that the electrical connector engages the pin contact and the insulator and wherein the socket encloses a portion of the lamp body.

A socket assembly for a lighting assembly, the socket comprising:

• a rigid socket body with a base wall and a unitary second wall formed integral with and extending a first distance from the base wall for defining an enclosure and a rim at an end of the second wall such that a lighting element with a pin contact can extend past the rim into the enclosure, wherein the second wall includes a seal element for sealing between the second wall and a lighting element and wherein the second wall includes an outer surface and wherein the outer surface includes at least one engagement surface for accepting the support for supporting the socket and the engagement surface is at least two grooves spaced longitudinally relative to each other;
• a support engaging the socket body;
• and
• at least one cylindrical electrical connector spaced from the second wall and wherein the connector is shaped so as to contact a pin contact on a lighting element over a substantial portion of the length of the pin.
• wherein the engagement surface is at least two grooves spaced longitudinally relative to each other.

A light assembly, the assembly comprising:

• a first socket body having a base wall and a second wall extending a first distance from the base wall for defining an enclosure and having a rim at an end of the enclosure such that a lamp with a pin contact can extend past the rim into the enclosure;
• and
• at least one cylindrical electrical connector spaced from the second wall and extending a second distance less than the first distance from the base wall for contacting a contact on a lighting element wherein the second wall extends past the end of the cylindrical connector;
• a second socket having a second socket body;
• a holder for the first socket body wherein the holder is movable at least one of rotatably and longitudinally relative to the socket body and the holder further including a mounting element for mounting the holder to a mounting surface;
• a holder for the second socket body;
• a lamp having first and second ends and respective electrical contacts on the first and second ends, the first end inserted into the first socket and having contacts connected to the contacts in the socket and the second end inserted into the second socket and having contacts connected to contacts in the second socket and wherein the sockets are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the lamp.