FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates to the field of bulb sockets. Particularly, the present invention relates to a bulb socket assembly to eliminate unwanted disengagement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

Generally, Bulb Sockets are of two types, viz., Edison type and Bayonet
type.
[003] Edison type bulb sockets involves a threading arrangement between a bulb
and the socket whereas Bayonet type bulb sockets involves a push fit arrangement
between the bulb and the socket.
[004] Figure 1(a) illustrates a perspective view of a conventional bayonet type
bulb socket.
Figure 1(b) illustrates an exploded view of the conventional bayonet type bulb
socket of figure 1.
[005] Figure 1(c) illustrates a cross-sectional view of the conventional bayonet
type bulb socket of figure 1.
[006] According to the prior art, a bayonet type bulb socket 100 comprises a
base 12, a ring 14, a holder 16 and a plurality of micro components 18.
[007] The plurality of micro components 18 includes a pin 182, a spring 184, a
terminal 186 and a clip 188.
[008] The base 12 comprises an annular ring of conical shape provided with a
plurality of holes HI on its circumference to facilitate in locking.
[009] The holder 16 comprises an annular ring of cylindrical shape provided
with a plurality of seamlessly moulded slots SI and S2 to accommodate a plurality
of micro components 18 and a bulb in position. The holder 16 is provided with a
plurality of threads TH1 and a projection PI on its external surface. The holder 16
is inverted upside down followed by the insertion of the pin 182, the spring 184
and the terminal 186 in sequence into the slot SI and finally a clip 188 snap fitted

into the holder 16 arrests the fall back of the plurality of micro components 18,
when the holder 16 is in its original position.
[0010] The ring 14 is of divergent cone shape provided with a plurality of threads
TH2 on its internal surface complementary to the plurality of threads TH1 of the
holder 16.
[0011] Typically, the ring 14 acts as an enclosure for a plurality locking pins
extending out of the bulb.
[0012] Typically, the ring 14 is of divergent cone shape to facilitate in clear vision
to the person while inserting the bulb into the holder 16.
Typically, the ring 14 is of divergent cone shape for providing sufficient gap
between the locking pins of the bulb and the ring 14.
[0013] Typically, the ring 14 is of divergent cone shape to facilitate in clear vision
and in free rotation while locking the ring 14 to the holder 16
The configuration of a conventional bayonet type bulb socket 100 is as follows:
The holder 16 is inserted into the base 12 from its bottom in such a way that the
projection PI is adapted to mate with the inner edge of the base 16. The ring 14 is
passed over the holder 16 and rotated clockwise around the holder 16 to form an
interlocking arrangement between the plurality of threads TH2 of the ring 14 and
the plurality of threads TH1 of the holder 16. The ring 14 in locked condition with
the holder 16 rests on the base 12.
[0014] Typically, the locking of the holder 16 to the ring 14 and the resting of the
ring 14 above the base 12 arrests the movement of the holder 16 in the direction of
'B'.
Typically, the mating of the holder 16 with the base 12 arrests the movement of
the holder 16 in the direction of 'A'.
[0015] The conventional bayonet type bulb socket 100 disclosed above has the
problem of unwanted disengagement due to the moment produced during the
removal of a bulb from the holder 16.
Several techniques have been disclosed in the prior art for elimination of
unwanted disengagement during the removal of a bulb from a bulb holder.

[0016] US Patent no. 9608394 filed on February 24th, 2015 titled "Light Bulb Socket Assembly" discloses a light bulb socket assembly including an inner socket member having an interior chamber sized to receive a threaded end of a light bulb, and having a threaded member configured to screw into a conventional light bulb socket, a spring positioned between the inner socket member and an outer sleeve, locking tabs positioned extending through openings in an outer wall surrounding the interior chamber, where in a first secured position the locking tabs are in engagement with the threaded end of light bulb, and in a second unsecured position when the outer sleeve is refracted, the locking tabs are no longer in secured engagement with the threaded end of the light bulb, such that the light bulb may be removed by pulling the light bulb out of the inner socket member. The granted patent teaches about a method of pulling out the bulb from the socket without it being rotated and thereby arresting the unwanted disengagement but the granted patent is silent on integrated bulb socket assembly, reduction of parts involved, ease of manufacturing, ease of assembly, reducing the assembly time, reducing the cycle time and minimizing the assembly and manufacturing cost. [0017] US Patent no. 9478929 filed on August 20th, 2014 titled "Light Bulb Receptacles and Light Bulb Sockets" discloses a light bulb receptacle including a housing which defines a housing chamber, a light bulb socket within the housing chamber and which comprises a first end and a second end about a light bulb chamber which is configured to receive a base of a light bulb, wherein the light bulb socket further comprises a plurality of fingers which extend outwardly from the first end toward the second end and define an opening to the light bulb chamber at the second end, wherein the fingers are individually configured to move outwardly from the light bulb chamber during insertion and removal of the light bulb via the opening to the light bulb chamber, and wherein the fingers individually comprise an engagement member configured to engage a base of the light bulb received within the light bulb chamber and to retain the light bulb received within the light bulb chamber. The granted patent teaches about a method of pulling out the bulb from the socket without it being rotated and thereby arresting the unwanted disengagement but the granted patent is silent on

integrated bulb socket assembly, reduction of parts involved, ease of manufacturing, ease of assembly, reducing the assembly time, reducing the cycle time and minimizing the assembly and manufacturing cost.
[0018] US Patent no. 8668504 filed on July 2nd, 2012 titled "Threadless Light Bulb Socket" discloses a threadless light bulb socket for releasable non-rotational engagement with a threaded base of a light bulb comprising an insulator housing of electrically insulative material having a top portion defining an opening, a bottom portion, an outer circumferential surface and defining a housing channel communicating between the top portion and the bottom portion; an electrically conductive ground socket carried within the housing channel of the insulator housing and defining a medial chamber communicating with the opening defined in the insulator housing and having an outer circumferential Surface, an inner circumferential surface, and communicating with a ground lead wire; a ground socket spring housing having an outer end proximate the outer circumferential surface of the ground socket, a thread lock seat proximate the inner circumferential surface of the ground socket and defining a medial channel communicating between the outer end and the thread lock seat; a thread lock and a biasing spring carried in the medial channel of the spring housing to bias the thread lock toward the thread lock seat and partially into the medial chamber of the ground socket to communicate with an electric terminal of the threaded base of the light bulb and a cap fastened to the bottom portion of the insulator housing to enclose the ground Socket within the medial chamber, the cap carrying a positive terminal contact to electrically communicate with the threaded base of the light bulb and a positive lead wire. The granted patent teaches about a method of pulling out the bulb from the socket without it being rotated and thereby arresting the unwanted disengagement but the granted patent is silent on integrated bulb socket assembly, reduction of parts involved, ease of manufacturing, ease of assembly, reducing the assembly time, reducing the cycle time and minimizing the assembly and manufacturing cost.
[0019] Therefore, there is felt a need for development of an integrated bulb holder assembly to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and thereby eliminate

unwanted disengagement while removal of the bulb from the integrated bulb holder assembly and reduce cost and time involved in manufacturing of the integrated bulb holder assembly.
5 OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[0020] An object of the present invention is to provide a simple integrated bulb
holder assembly.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide an easy to
10 manufacture bulb holder assembly.
[0022] One more object of the present invention is to minimize cycle time
involved in manufacturing of a bulb holder assembly.
[0023] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an easy to
assemble bulb holder assembly.
15 [0024] Further another object of the present invention is to minimize assembly
time involved in manufacturing of a bulb holder assembly.
[0025] Yet another object of the present invention is to manufacture a bulb holder
assembly at economical cost.
[0026] Still one more object of the present invention is to eliminate unwanted
20 disengagement involved in the removal of a bulb from a bulb holder assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0027] In accordance with the present invention, an integrated bulb holder
25 assembly (200) for eliminating unwanted disengagement is provided. The
integrated bulb holder assembly comprises of an integrally formed socket unit
which includes a base (204) and a socket. The base and the socket are seamlessly
molded together with a plurality of predefined slots to accommodate a plurality of
micro components. The socket is further provided with a groove which is
30 integrally formed around its periphery proximal to the base. The assembly further
comprises of a ring having a flexible projection on its inner periphery which is
6

complementary to the groove of the socket, the ring passed over the integrally formed socket unit and is adapted to push against it such that the flexible projection of the ring compresses and sits into the groove of the socket thereby achieving a snap fit between the ring and the integrally formed socket unit. 5
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
[0028] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:
10 [0029] Figure 1(a) illustrates a perspective view of a conventional bayonet type
bulb socket according to the prior art;
[0030] Figure 1(b) illustrates an exploded view of the conventional bayonet type
bulb socket of figure 1;
[0031] Figure 1(c) illustrates a cross-sectional view of the conventional bayonet
15 type bulb socket of figure 1;
[0032] Figure 2(a) illustrates a perspective view of an integrated bulb holder
assembly in accordance with the present invention;
[0033] Figure 2(b) illustrates a cross sectional view of the integrated bulb holder
assembly of figure 2(a); and
20 [0034] Figure 2(c) illustrates an enlarged view of portion ‘C’ of figure 2(a).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0035] A preferred embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to
25 accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope and
ambit of the invention. The description provided is purely by way of example and
illustration.
[0036] Figure 2(a) illustrates a perspective view of an integrated bulb holder
assembly.
30 Figure 2(b) illustrates a cross sectional view of the integrated bulb holder
assembly.
7

[0037] Figure 2(c) illustrates an enlarged view of portion ‘C’ of figure 2(b).
[0038] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an integrated
bulb holder assembly 200 comprising an integrally formed socket unit 202, a ring
208 and a plurality of micro components 212.
5 [0039] The integrally formed socket unit 202 includes a base 204 and a socket
206 seamlessly molded together. A plurality of predefined slots 210 are integrally formed inside the socket 206 to accommodate the plurality of micro components 212 and a bulb (not shown in the figure). The integrally formed socket unit 202 is provided with a groove 214 integrally formed around the periphery of the socket
10 206 at the interface of the base 204 and the socket 206.
[0040] The ring 208 is of conical shape provided with a flexible projection P2 on its inner periphery therein.
[0041] The plurality of micro components 212 comprises a pin 216, a spring 218, a terminal 220 and a clip 222.
15 [0042] The integrally formed socket unit 202 is inverted upside down followed by
the insertion of the pin 216, the spring 218 and the terminal 220 in sequence into the slot 210 and finally a clip 222 snap fitted into the integrally formed socket unit 202 arrests the fall back of the plurality of micro components 212, when the integrally formed socket unit 202 is in its original position.
20 [0043] Typically, the integrally formed socket unit 202 and the ring 208 are
manufactured through a process of injection moulding.
[0044] Typically, the integrally formed socket unit 202 and the ring 208 are made of thermoplastic material. [0045] The configuration of the integrated bulb holder assembly 200 is as follows:
25 The ring 208 is passed over the integrally formed socket unit 202 having a
plurality of micro components 212 in position and adapted to push against it such that the flexible projection P2 of the ring 208 compresses and sits in the groove 214 of the integrally formed socket unit 202 thereby achieving a snap fit. [0046] Typically, the snap fit between the ring 208 and the integrally formed
30 socket unit 202 eliminates the risk of unwanted disengagement due to the moment
8

produced during the removal of the bulb from the integrally formed socket unit
202.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS:
[0047] An integrated bulb holder assembly has several technical advantages including but not limited to the realization of:
• a simple integrated bulb holder assembly;
• an easy to manufacture bulb holder assembly;
• a bulb holder assembly that minimizes the cycle time involved in its production;
• an easy to assemble bulb holder assembly;
• a bulb holder assembly that minimizes the assembly time involved in its production;
• a bulb holder assembly that can be manufactured at economical cost; and
• a bulb holder assembly that eliminates unwanted disengagement during the removal of a bulb.
[0048] Although the invention has been described herein above with reference to the embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein above. It is to be understood that modifications and variations of the embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

WE CLAIM

An integrated bulb holder assembly (200) to eliminate unwanted disengagement, said integrated bulb holder assembly (200) comprising:
a) an integrally formed socket unit (202) including a base (204) and a socket (206) seamlessly moulded together with a plurality of predefined slots (210) provided therein to accommodate a plurality of micro components (212), said socket (206) provided with a groove (214) integrally formed around its periphery proximal to said base (204); and
b) a ring (214) having a flexible projection (P2) on its inner periphery complementary to said groove (214) of said socket (206), said ring (214) passed over said integrally formed socket unit (202) and adapted to push against it such that said flexible projection (P2) of said ring (214) compresses and sits into said groove (214) of said socket (206) thereby achieving a snap fit between said ring (214) and said integrally formed socket unit (202).
An integrated bulb holder assembly (200) to eliminate unwanted disengagement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the snap fit achieved between said ring (214) and said integrally formed socket unit (202) eliminates the risk of unwanted disengagement due to the moment created during the removal of a bulb from said socket (206).
An integrated bulb holder assembly (200) to eliminate unwanted disengagement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said integrally formed socket unit (202) and said ring (214) are typically made of thermoplastic material.
An integrated bulb holder assembly (200) to eliminate unwanted disengagement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said integrally formed socket unit (202) and said ring (214) are manufactured through a process of injection molding.