Front or rear loading socket system

A front or rear loading lamp socket, said socket comprising:

• a longitudinal axis and first and second planar surfaces, respectively, spaced apart along said longitudinal axis and orthogonal thereto;
• a central, lamp receiving opening coaxially aligned with said longitudinal axis and extending through said first and second planar surfaces;
• mounting means formed with said first planar surface for accepting, and electrically connecting a lamp, and maintenance means formed with said second planar surface for maintaining said lamp within said socket, said mounting means comprising:
• a first pair of lamp contacts positioned in a first pair of cavities formed in said first planar surface;
• each of said lamp contacts comprising:
• a U-shaped member having legs and a bight;
• a first tab extending from said bight in a direction parallel to said bight;
• and
• a second tab extending from said bight in a direction orthogonal to said bight;
• a wire connector formed with said second tab;
• and
• first lamp base receivers and second lamp base receivers formed in said second planar surface;
• and
• first and second lamp base retainers associated with said second planar surface.