Mechanical bypass light unit

摘要

A light unit includes a bulb having a light source with lead wires and a separator, a switch member that includes a support member and a pair of spring terminals, and a socket having two or more conductive terminals and adapted to receive the bulb and the switch member. The switch member is adapted to cause the pair of spring terminals to contact one another to form an electrical short circuit across the pair of conductive terminals and the light source when the bulb is completely or partially removed from the socket. The lead wires form an electrical connection across the conductive terminals and the separator breaks contact between the pair of spring terminals when the bulb is seated in the socket.

主权项

1. A light unit for use in a light string, comprising:
a bulb having a light source with lead wires and a separator; a switch member; a pair of spring terminals; and a socket having an inner sidewall, two or more conductive terminals and adapted to receive the bulb and the switch member, wherein the switch member is adapted to cause the pair of spring terminals to contact one another to form an electrical short circuit across the pair of conductive terminals on the inner side wall of the socket and the light source when the bulb is completely or partially removed from the socket, and the separator breaks contact between the pair of spring terminals when the bulb is seated in the socket and wherein the bulb and socket have a longitudinal center axis defining generally a center line between right and left portions of each, and wherein said separator is positioned off center of the center line, and wherein said spring terminals comprise a conductive body, the conductive body extending from said conductive terminal to a point spaced from said inner side wall and said center line, the conductive body extending from the other conductive terminal and extending across said center line to engage a portion of said first body, said separator being positioned to engage only one of said conductive terminals when said bulb is placed in the socket.