Snap-lock connector
AssigneeLight Sources, Inc.
InventorsBetty Jean Zayas, Christian L. Sauska
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An end cap may include an end cap body that is tubular in shape, an end cap face provided at a first end of the end cap body, a plurality of end cap terminals provided on the end cap face, and a clip notch provided on an exterior side of the end cap body. The second end of the end cap body may be open and structured to receive the lamp therein. A socket may include a socket body that is generally tubular in shape, a socket face provided at a first end of the socket body, a receiving wall extending from an outer periphery of the socket face and extending in a direction away from the socket body, a plurality of socket terminals provided on the socket, and a resilient clip provided on an inner side of the receiving wall.
Claims22
A end cap and socket system for use with a lamp, comprising:
- an end cap comprising:
- an end cap body that is tubular in shape and has a first end and a second end;
- an end cap face provided at the first end of the end cap body;
- a plurality of end cap terminals provided on the end cap face;
- and
- a clip notch provided on an exterior side of the end cap body;
- wherein the second end of the end cap body is open and structured to receive the lamp therein;
- a socket comprising:
- a socket body that is generally tubular in shape;
- a socket face provided at a first end of the socket body;
- a receiving wall extending from an outer periphery of the socket face and extending in a direction away from the socket body, the receiving wall having a circumference larger than a circumference of the end cap body such that the end cap body can be received within the receiving wall;
- a plurality of socket terminals provided on the socket face and structured to couple with the plurality of end cap terminals;
- and
- a resilient clip provided on an inner side of the receiving wall, the resilient clip being structured to snap into and interlock with the clip notch to retain the end cap in the socket.
An end cap for use with a lamp, comprising:
- an end cap body that is tubular in shape and has a first end and a second end;
- an end cap face provided at a first end of the end cap body;
- a step portion extending from the end cap face
- a plurality of end cap terminals;
- and
- a clip notch provided on an exterior side of the end cap body;
- wherein the second end of the end cap body is open and structured to receive the lamp therein;
- at least one of the plurality of end cap terminals is provided on the end cap face;
- and
- at least one of the plurality of end cap terminals is provided on the step portion.
A socket structured to receive an end cap for a lamp, the socket comprising:
- a socket body that is generally tubular in shape;
- a socket face provided at a first end of the socket body;
- a receiving wall extending from an outer periphery of the socket face and extending in a direction away from the socket body, the receiving wall having a circumference larger than a circumference of the end cap such that the end cap can be received within the receiving wall;
- a plurality of socket terminals provided on the socket face;
- and
- a resilient clip provided on an inner side of the receiving wall, wherein the socket face comprise a recess portion;
- and at least one of the plurality of socket terminals is provided on the recess portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.