Waterproof socket structure for LED light bulbs

This invention relates to a socket structure for holding light bulbs, such as, LED decorative light bulbs, and is particularly related to a water proof socket structure for such light bulbs.

Decorative light bulbs are frequently used for outdoor decoration. The light bulbs are often miniature bulbs strung on a string, in-series, and used outdoors on Christmas trees, plants and other structures. Outdoor exposure exposes the light bulbs to rain which penetrates inside the socket, damaging the conductors and shorts out the light bulbs.

A variety of socket structures have been disclosed in the prior art for protecting outdoor decorative light bulbs from damage due to water penetration into the socket. Representative recent patents and patent publications includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,343 issued Apr. 15, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,077 issued Sep. 20, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,544 issued Feb. 24, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,860 issued Mar. 3, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,161 B1 issued Apr. 9, 2002 and Publication No. US 2007/0230168 A1 published Oct. 4, 2007; Publication No. US 2004/0150998 A1 published Aug. 5, 2004 and Publication No. US 2003/0202354 A1 published Oct. 30, 2003.

A waterproof socket is provided for outdoor electrical light bulbs such as the types used for Christmas and outdoor decorations, and specifically for LED light bulbs. The socket structure comprises a bulb cover housing a light bulb, the bulb cover having a neck portion for receiving the light bulb, internally threaded cylindrical member around the neck portion, with the neck portion of the light bulb cover being snug fitted into tight engagement with the cylindrical member, and an externally threaded cylindrical plastic base is provided at the other end which threadedly engages with the threaded portion of said internally threaded member. The bulb holder is integrally formed onto a seat member, said seat member having a rectangular member projecting therefrom. The projecting rectangular member has a bottom surface with two spaced holes and an electrical contact passing through each hole. The rectangular member is constructed to snugly fit into a cavity formed in the threaded member of said base. External electrical wires are passed through said base and make contact with said electrical contacts.

In the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the bulb cover and socket of this invention showing electrical wires protruding from the base of the socket;

FIG. 2 is an exploded schematic side view of the components of the bulb and socket shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the bulb covering and bulb cover of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 in FIG. 3 viewed in the direction of the arrows 4 , 4 ;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the bulb assembly, LED and the electrical contacts;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the base structure of the socket shown in FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 7 is a side view looking into the base shown in FIG. 6 , in the direction of the arrow 7 .

Referring to the drawings, there are shown a bulb covering 11 having a lower integral base 13 , a neck portion 15 adapted to receive a light bulb 21 , and a generally cylindrical internally threaded plastic portion 16 into which said neck portion 13 is snugly filled. The internally threaded plastic base portion 16 is adapted to be threadedly engaged with the threaded portion 17 of the plastic base 19 shown in FIG. 6 . The bulb cover 11 may be made of a clear or translucent plastic to transmit the light from the light bulb 21 , such as an LED, and is secured within the light bulb holder 23 which is integrally attached to one surface of the seat 25 . Projecting from the opposed surface of the seat 25 is a plastic generally rectangular member 27 , having a bottom surface 29 which is shaped for ready insertion into a shaped cavity 31 formed at the top surface 33 of the base 19 . The bottom surface of the projecting plastic member 27 has two spaced apart holes 35 and 37 for passage of the electrical contacts 39 and 41 , respectively. An elongated ridge 43 in the member 27 facilitates insertion of the member 27 into the shaped cavity 31 through the notched groove 45 formed on one side of cavity 31 . The notched groove 45 in the shaped cavity 31 is sized to matingly engage the ridge 43 to provide a leak proof structure. The electrical contacts 39 and 41 contact the respective electrical contacts 47 and 49 inside each end of the shaped cavity 31 . The outer end 51 surface of the base 19 is snugly fitted onto the electrical wires 57 , 59 as at 53 , 55 . The wires 57 and 59 are sized and shaped so as to permit the passage of the wires 57 and 59 through the base 19 tightly so as to prevent water from penetrating therethrough. The inside ends of the wires 57 and 59 contact the electrical contacts 47 and 49 and also establish electrical contacts with the contacts 39 and 41 thus illuminating the LED 21 when the wires 57 and 59 are connected to an external electrical source (not shown).

The foregoing socket structure provides assurance that when the light bulbs are exposed to rain and snow water will not penetrate through the socket structure. While the socket structure has been described with certain degree of particularity, obvious modification in said structure may be made which are suggested by the disclosure herein.

For example, the base 19 may be molded onto the wires 57 and 59 so as to form an integral structure on the end of the base 19 may be squeeze fitted, e.g., clamped onto the wires 57 and 59 in order to prevent any possibility of water passing through the base.