Lighting tile clamp

Abstract

A clamp for a light bulb includes a clamp base and a separately formed socket. The clamp base includes a base plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and a clamp arm extending above the top surface of the base plate. The socket includes a socket base having a socket base upper side and a socket base lower side and a plurality of fingers on the socket base upper side. An accommodation is formed between the plurality of fingers and the socket base upper side, the accommodation being sized and shaped to receive a light bulb. A connecting flange protrudes from the socket base lower side, and a hole is formed in the base plate, the hole being sized and shaped to accommodate the connecting flange and rotatably couple the socket to the clamp base.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to a roof tile clamp, and more specifically, to a clamp for securely fixing the lights of a decorative light string to a roof tile. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, homeowners and businesses enjoy installing decorative lights outdoors during special seasons such as Christmas, creating light patterns in their yards, gardens, or other residential outdoor areas. For example, some homeowners construct light outlines to delineate their front yards, providing joy and entertainment for visitors and other passersby. However, installing decorative string lights can be tedious and tedious in terms of achieving a straight and / or safe arrangement of light. Furthermore, given the high probability of inclement weather, installing lights can be a frustrating process when the strings cannot be properly supported. Additionally, attempting to orient a string of lights in a uniform way, such as ensuring all lights are aligned straight and vertically relative to the ground, can also be frustrating. The time cost of decorating each year is extremely high, from homeowners and businesses to government entities.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for a device and method to improve the above-mentioned and other problems, such as keeping the light in a simple and safe manner. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a fixture for a light bulb includes a fixture base and a separately formed socket. The fixture base includes a substrate and a fixture arm. The substrate has a first end portion, a second end portion, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The fixture arm has a first end portion and a second end portion, extending above the top surface of the substrate, wherein the first end portion protrudes from the top surface and the second end portion extends toward the second end portion. The socket includes a socket base having an upper side and a bottom side, and a plurality of fingers located on the upper side of the socket base. A receiving portion is formed between the plurality of fingers and the upper side of the socket base, the size and shape of which are determined to receive a light bulb. The socket is rotatably connected to the fixture base.

[0005] In another embodiment, the clamp includes a connecting flange projecting from the bottom side of the socket base and a hole formed in the substrate. The hole is sized and shaped to receive the connecting flange and rotatably connect the socket to the clamp base. In yet another embodiment, the connecting flange includes a head spaced apart from the bottom side of the socket base by a shaft, and the hole is sized and shaped to rotatably receive the shaft. The hole has a hole width, and the head has a head width greater than the hole width. When the shaft is received in the hole, the substrate is clamped between the bottom side of the socket base and the head. In yet another embodiment, the substrate has a substrate periphery and further includes a slot having a first slot end and a second slot end, the first slot end having a first slot opening to the hole, and the second slot end having a second slot opening to the substrate periphery.

[0006] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a fixture for a light bulb includes a fixture base and a separately formed socket. The fixture base includes a substrate and a fixture arm. The substrate has a first end portion, a second end portion, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The fixture arm has a first end portion and a second end portion, extending above the top surface of the substrate, wherein the first end portion protrudes from the top surface and the second end portion extends toward the second end portion. The socket includes a socket base having an upper side and a bottom side, and a plurality of fingers located on the upper side of the socket base. A receiving portion is formed between the plurality of fingers and the upper side of the socket base, the size and shape of which are adapted to accommodate a light bulb. The socket is rotatably connected to the fixture base. A connecting flange protrudes from the top surface of the substrate. A hole is formed in the socket base, the size and shape of which are determined to accommodate the connecting flange and rotatably connect the socket to the fixture base.

[0007] In another embodiment, the socket has a rotation axis and a socket base with a socket base periphery. A connecting flange includes a head spaced apart from the bottom side of the socket base by the shaft, and the size and shape of the hole are determined to rotatably receive the shaft. The socket base includes a slot with a first slot opening end and a second slot opening end, the first slot opening end having a first slot opening to the hole, and the second slot opening end having a second slot opening to the outer periphery of the socket base. The shaft is engaged and received in the hole through the first slot opening.

[0008] Other aspects of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of various embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, a brief description of which follows. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a fixture for a light bulb according to one embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Left view of the fixture.

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Top view of the fixture.

[0012] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A bottom view of the fixture.

[0013] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Right view of the base of the fixture.

[0014] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A top view of the base of the fixture.

[0015] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A side view of a socket.

[0016] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A top view of the socket.

[0017] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of another embodiment of a clamp for a light bulb.

[0018] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 Left view of the fixture.

[0019] Figure 11 for Figure 9 Left view of the base of the fixture.

[0020] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A top view of the base of the fixture.

[0021] Figure 13 yes Figure 9 A 3D diagram of the socket.

[0022] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 A top view of the socket.

[0023] While this application is readily adaptable to various modifications and substitutions, specific embodiments are illustrated by way of examples in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that this application is not limited to the specific forms disclosed. Rather, this application covers all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of this application as defined by the appended claims. Detailed Implementation

[0024] For example, elements and limitations disclosed in the abstract, summary, and detailed description but not expressly set forth in the claims should not be incorporated into the claims, individually or collectively, by implication, inference, or otherwise. For the purposes of this detailed description, unless expressly excluded otherwise, the singular form encompasses the plural meaning, and the plural form encompasses the singular meaning. “Comprising” means “including but not limited to.” Furthermore, approximate terms, such as “about,” “almost,” “substantially,” “roughly,” “approximately,” etc., may be used herein to mean “in,” “near,” or “in the vicinity of,” or “within 3-5% of,” or “within acceptable manufacturing tolerances,” or any logical combination thereof.

[0025] refer to Figures 1 to 8 The figure shows a lamp clamp 10 for securing and mounting a light bulb to a building structure or architectural component. In one embodiment, the lamp clamp 10 is configured to clamp onto a shingle to mount and hold a light bulb fixed to the shingle, such as a conventional C7 or C9 bulb mounted on a 10-inch or 12-inch shingle. Multiple lamp clamps can be installed on the roof to secure a series of light bulbs in a desired light pattern, such as a series of bulbs on a string of lights (e.g., Christmas string lights) that outlines the roof or the edge of the roof.

[0026] The lamp clamp 10 includes a clamp base 100 and a socket 200 coupled to the clamp base. Preferably, the clamp base 100 and the socket 200 are formed and coupled together. In one embodiment, the clamp base 100 and the socket 200 are coupled by a connecting flange, which may be a separate element or may be connected to either the clamp base 100 or the socket 200. The socket 200 is preferably rotatably coupled to the clamp base 100 and may be detachably coupled to the clamp base.

[0027] The clamp base 100 includes a substrate 102 and a clamp arm 104. The substrate 102 has a generally flat shape and has two opposing ends 102a and 102b, a top surface 102c, and a bottom surface 102d. In one embodiment, the top surface 102c and / or the bottom surface 102d of the substrate are generally planar. The clamp arm 104 extends above the top surface 102c of the substrate and has opposing ends 104a and 104b. The clamp arm end 104a engages with and protrudes from the top surface 102c of the substrate, which is opposite to the bottom surface 102d of the substrate. The clamp arm end 104b extends toward the substrate end 102b. In one embodiment, the clamp arm 104 has a bent portion between the ends 104a and 104b, which bends toward the top surface 102c of the substrate. The end 104b of the clamp arm extends from the bent portion 104c toward the end 102b of the substrate, preferably extending substantially parallel to the plane of the top surface 102c of the substrate.

[0028] The clamp base 100 is configured to mount the lamp clamp 10 by receiving a structural or architectural component of the building. In one embodiment, the clamp base 100 is adapted to receive a roofing tile or shingle between the clamp arm 104 and the substrate 102. Commercially available roofing tiles are typically about 0.125 inches to about 0.5 inches thick (about 3 mm to 13 mm). In a preferred embodiment, the clamp arm end 104b is spaced about 3 mm apart from the top surface 102c of the substrate by a height A to receive the shingle.

[0029] In one embodiment, the clamp arm 104 is made of an elastic material that can be elastically bent (e.g., 3 mm) from a rest position to reversibly increase the gap between the clamp arm end 104b and the top surface 102c of the substrate, and to accommodate shingles of varying thicknesses. Similar to a leaf spring, the bent portion 104c of the clamp arm helps to improve the elastic flexibility of the clamp arm 104. In yet another preferred embodiment, the clamp arm 104 has sufficient flexibility to allow the gap between the clamp arm end 104b and the top surface 102c of the substrate to reversibly increase to a height of at least about 0.5 inches.

[0030] When the clamping arm 104 bends from its default position (stationary or undeflected) to increase the gap between the clamping arm end 104b and the top surface 102c of the substrate and to receive the shingle, the clamping arm is subjected to an elastic force toward the substrate 102, causing it to return to the default position. The elastic force applied by the clamping arm 104 clamps the shingle between the clamping arm end 104b and the top surface 102c of the substrate. Preferably, the clamping arm end 104b is configured to increase the clamping force and / or holding of the clamping arm end on the shingle inserted between the clamping arm 104 and the substrate 102. For example, the clamping arm end 104b may have a surface 104d facing the substrate 102, which is textured or patterned to increase friction and resist the shingle from falling off the clamping point of the clamping arm 104.

[0031] In one embodiment, a flange 106 projecting from the clamp arm surface 104d toward the substrate 102 improves retention of the shingle in the lamp clamp and is positioned to contact the shingle inserted between the clamp arm and the substrate. The flange 106 increases the pressure exerted by the clamp arm 104 on the shingle by reducing the surface area in contact with it. In a preferred embodiment, the flange 106 has a generally serrated shape, narrowed to the edge positioned to contact the shingle. The flange 106 has a front side 106a facing the clamp arm end 104a and clamp end 102a, and a rear side 106b facing the clamp arm end 104b and clamp end 102b. The front side 106a is shorter and steeper than the rear side 106b. In one embodiment, the clamp arm 104 has a default position at an angle of approximately 90° between the outer surface of the front side 106a and the plane of the top surface 102c of the substrate. The angle between the outer surface of the rear side 106b of the flange and the plane of the top surface 102c of the substrate is less than 90°, preferably less than 45°, and more preferably about 25°. The shingle inserted between the substrate 102 and the clamping arm 104 contacts the flange 106, and the shallow angle of the rear side 106b deflects the clamping arm away from the substrate, thereby facilitating shingle insertion. Preferably, the clamping arm 104 is flexible to allow the gap between the flange 106 and the top surface 102c of the substrate to reversibly increase to a height of at least about 0.5 inches to receive the shingle. Once the shingle is inserted, the steep angle of the front side 106a of the flange resists shingle retraction and improves retention of the shingle between the substrate 102 and the clamping arm 104.

[0032] In one embodiment, a flange 106 projects from a clamp arm surface 104d and extends below a substrate top surface 102c. The substrate 102 has an opening 108 positioned corresponding to the clamp arm flange 106. When the clamp arm 104 is in its default position, the flange 106 protrudes into the opening 108 and extends through the plane of the substrate top surface 102c. In a preferred embodiment, the opening 108 is a slot formed in the substrate 102 having a length extending from a clamp arm end 104a beyond a clamp arm end 104b and a width greater than the width of the clamp arm 104.

[0033] The substrate 102 can be configured to facilitate mounting the lamp clamp 10 onto the roof shingles. In one embodiment, an angled tip 110 extends from the substrate end 102b to give the substrate end a wedge profile that facilitates insertion of the clamp base 100 between the layered shingles or between the shingles and the deck or underlayment. The tip 110 preferably extends from the substrate end 102b at an angle toward the substrate bottom surface 102d, and more preferably extends from the substrate top surface 102c plane at an angle of approximately 15°.

[0034] The substrate 102 can also be configured to increase retention of the mounted lamp clamp 10. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the bottom surface 102d of the substrate is patterned to increase frictional resistance to removing the mounted lamp clamp. For example, a series of parallel ridges or ribs 112 can be formed on the bottom surface 102d of the substrate. The ribs 112 preferably extend transversely to the insertion direction (i.e., transversely to the length of the clamp base 100 extending between the ends 102a and 102b). When the lamp clamp 10 is mounted on the roof shingles, the pattern 112 contacts the underlying shingles, underlayment, or roofing sheet and increases frictional resistance to removing the lamp clamp 10.

[0035] In one embodiment, the socket 200 includes a socket base 202 having an upper side 202a and a bottom side 202b, a plurality of finger-like portions 204 protruding from the upper side of the socket base, and a connecting flange 206 protruding from the bottom side 202b of the socket base. The socket 200 is preferably coupled to the clamp base 100 at the base plate 102. Figures 1 to 4 In the embodiment shown, the socket 200 is located at the end 102a of the substrate opposite to the end 104b of the clamp arm for receiving the shingles, wherein the bottom side 202b of the socket base is located on the top surface 102c of the substrate.

[0036] The connecting flange 206 includes a head 206a spaced from a bottom side 202b by a shaft 206b. The width of the head 206a is greater than the width of the shaft 206b. The substrate 102 is configured to receive the connecting flange 206 and to engage the socket 200 to the clamp base 100. In one embodiment, the substrate 102 has a hole 114 at a substrate end 102a, the size and shape of which are determined to accommodate the connecting flange shaft 206b. The connecting flange shaft 206b has an axial length at least equal to the thickness of the substrate 102 at the hole 114, such that the connecting flange 206 can extend through the hole, wherein the connecting flange head 206a protrudes beyond the bottom surface 102d of the substrate. The width of the connecting flange head 206a is greater than the width of the hole 114, such that the substrate 102 is clamped between the connecting flange head and the bottom side 202b of the socket base to engage the socket 200 and the clamp base 100.

[0037] The socket 200 is preferably rotatably connected to the fixture base 100. In one embodiment, the connecting flange shaft 206b is cylindrical and the hole 114 is circular to allow the shaft and socket 200 to rotate relative to the fixture base 100 within the hole. The socket rotation axis B is the longitudinal axis of the connecting flange shaft 206b and the axis of the hole 114, transverse to the plane of the top surface 102c of the substrate, and preferably substantially perpendicular to the plane of the top surface 102c of the substrate. In one embodiment, the socket 200 is freely rotatable (i.e., 360 degrees) relative to the fixture base 100.

[0038] In one embodiment, the socket 200 is coupled to the clamp base 100 by axially inserting a connecting flange 206 through a hole 114. For example, the connecting flange head 206a may be configured to snap-fit ​​insertion by forcing the connecting flange head through the hole 114. The connecting flange 206 and / or the substrate 102 may comprise an elastic material or may otherwise elastically deform to facilitate clamp snap-fit ​​insertion. In another embodiment, the socket 200 may be coupled to the clamp base 100 by laterally (radially) inserting the connecting flange 206 into the hole 114. Figures 1 to 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the substrate 102 has a slot 116 extending between the hole 114 and the periphery 102e of the substrate 102. One end of the slot 116 has an opening 116a to the hole 114, and the other end has an opening 116b at the periphery 102e of the substrate 102. In a preferred embodiment, the width of the slot opening 116a to the hole 114 is smaller than the width of the connecting flange shaft 206b. The connecting flange shaft 206b is laterally inserted into the hole 114 through the slot 116 and forced through the slot 116a, thus being inserted into the hole by engaging. Although Figures 1 to 6 The embodiment shown depicts a socket 200 connected to the top surface 102c of the substrate, but those skilled in the art will understand that, alternatively, the socket may also be connected to the fixture base 100 at the bottom surface 102d of the substrate in the same manner.

[0039] In one embodiment, the width of the slot opening 116b is greater than the width of the connecting flange shaft 206b, such that the width of the slot 116 decreases (narrows) from the slot opening 116b to the slot opening 116a. The larger slot opening 116b and the gradually narrowing shape of the slot 116 facilitate the insertion and alignment of the connecting flange shaft 206b into the slot for engagement through the slot opening 116a. In another embodiment, the connecting flange head 206a may be disc-shaped, with a diameter greater than the diameter of the connecting flange shaft 206b and greater than the width of the slot 116 (or at least a portion of the slot 116 forming the slot opening 116a). The larger diameter of the connecting flange head 206a restricts the axial movement of the connecting flange 206 within the slot 116, aiding in guiding the insertion of the connecting flange shaft 206b into the slot.

[0040] Finger 204 protrudes from the upper side 202a of the socket base, such that both finger 204 and clamping arm 104 extend above the top surface 102c of the substrate. Finger 204 is spaced apart on the upper side 202a of the socket base and is preferably positioned around the periphery of the upper side of the socket base. A receiving portion 208 is defined between the spaced-apart fingers 204 and the socket base 202a, the receiving portion 208 being sized and shaped to receive a conventional light bulb including a bulb and a base (not shown). The receiving portion 208 is preferably configured to receive the base of the bulb, wherein the bulb protrudes outside the receiving portion. An example of a conventional light bulb received in a receiving portion of a socket is shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 11,879,619 to Kennedy, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0041] Finger portions 204 extend from the socket base 202, transverse to the plane of the top surface 102c of the substrate, and preferably extend substantially parallel to each other and parallel to the socket rotation axis B. In one embodiment, the top surface 102c of the substrate is substantially planar, and the finger portions 204 and the socket rotation axis B extend substantially perpendicular to the plane of the top surface of the substrate. In another embodiment, the socket 200 includes three finger portions 204 spaced apart at a point approximately defining an isosceles triangle at the outer periphery of the socket base 202, i.e., having a vertex finger portion and two finger portions mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane passing through the vertex finger portion and the rotation axis B.

[0042] The finger portion 204 has opposing ends 204a and 204b. The finger end 204a is coupled to and fixed relative to the socket base 202. In one embodiment, one or more finger ends 204a include a strengthening fillet 210 formed at the intersection between the end 204a and the socket base 202. The strengthening fillet 206 increases the local thickness of the fixed finger end 204a and the socket base 204 to improve the rigidity of the fixed end. In a preferred embodiment, each finger portion 204 is formed with a strengthening fillet 210.

[0043] Finger-like ends 204b extend from the socket base 204 and define the inner periphery of the opening 212 of the receiving portion 208. In one embodiment, one or more finger-like ends 204b are resiliently flexible to be positioned away from the socket axis B and to allow the inner periphery of the opening 212 to expand for insertion or removal of a light bulb in the socket 200. Each resiliently movable end 204b preferably bends independently of the other movable ends 204b. In one embodiment, the finger 204 is made of a partially flexible material, such as plastic, which has sufficient rigidity to securely hold the light bulb in place but also sufficient flexibility to allow insertion or removal of the light bulb.

[0044] In one embodiment, one or more finger-like ends 204b include retaining tabs 214 that improve retention of the bulb in the receiving portion 208. The retaining tabs 214 project from the finger-like ends 204b and extend radially toward the axis of rotation B, substantially perpendicular to the finger-like ends 204 and preferably parallel to the plane of the top surface 102c of the substrate. Each retaining tab has a terminal end or edge 214a opposite to the finger 204, defining the inner periphery of the opening 212. When the finger-like ends 204b are in an unbent or resting position, the width or diameter of the inner periphery of the opening 212 is preferably smaller than the width or diameter of the bulb base. The bulb is mounted in the socket 200 by inserting the bulb base through the opening 212 and into the receiving portion 208. The finger-like ends 204b are bent from their resting position to widen the inner periphery of the opening 212 to receive a larger bulb base in the receiving portion 208. Once the bulb base is fully inserted into the receiving portion 208, the finger-shaped end 204b elastically returns to its rest position to reduce the inner circumference of the opening 212 and clamp the bulb base in the receiving portion.

[0045] In one embodiment, the size and shape of the retaining tab 214 are determined to increase contact and improve retention of the bulb base in the insertion receiving portion 208. For example, the retaining tab 214 may have a wedge shape that narrows to facilitate insertion between the bulb base and the terminal edge 214a of the bulb. The terminal edge 214a may also be formed as a concave curve or arc that complements the circular profile of the base and the bulb. In one embodiment, the sum of the arc lengths of the terminal edges 214a in the socket 200 includes at least about 32% of the inner perimeter of the opening 212. For example, the inner perimeter of the socket opening 212 may be 1.73 inches, while the sum of the arc lengths of the terminal edges 214a is 0.73 inches.

[0046] The fingers 204 of the socket 200 preferably have terminal edges 214a with an arc length of at least approximately 0.07 inches, and may have arc lengths of the same or different lengths. In one embodiment, one finger 204 may have an arc length greater than the sum of the arc lengths of the other fingers. In a preferred embodiment, the fingers 204 are disposed on the socket base 202 to generally form an isosceles triangle, the fingers at the vertices of the isosceles triangle having an arc length of 0.41 inches, and the two fingers at the base of the isosceles triangle each having an arc length of 0.16 inches.

[0047] One or more fingers 204 may include wire clips 216 configured for routing wires (not shown) connected to the bulb 102, such as wires connecting and powering a series of bulbs in a light string. The wire clips 216 project from the fingers 204 between the finger ends 204a and 204b, extend generally perpendicular to the fingers, and preferably extend circumferentially around the receiving portion 208. In one embodiment, the wire clips 216 have an upper surface 216a and a lower surface 216b. The lower surface 216b extends generally perpendicular to the fingers 204 and preferably parallel to the plane of the top surface 102c of the substrate. In operation, the lower surface 216b contacts the bulb wire to capture and hold the wire in place.

[0048] The wire clip 216 may have a triangular profile to increase rigidity while maintaining a low profile. In one embodiment, the wire clip 216 has a triangular profile where the upper surface 216a and lower surface 216b converge to form an acute interior angle, preferably about 45°. In another embodiment, the wire clip 216 has a triangular profile where the exterior angle between the upper surface 216a and the finger 204 is about 132°, and the interior angle between the upper surface 216a and the lower surface 216b is about 48°. In yet another embodiment, the wire clip 216 has a triangular profile with a lower surface 216b projecting vertically from the finger 204, the lower surface 216b being about 0.30 inches long, and the distance along the finger between the upper surface 216a and the lower surface 216b being about 0.38 inches.

[0049] Preferably, two or more wire clips 216 are arranged symmetrically around the circumference of the receiving portion 108. In one embodiment, the socket 200 includes three finger portions 204 disposed on the socket base 202 to generally form an isosceles triangle. The two finger portions 204 at the base of the triangle have wire clips 16 that extend tangentially or circumferentially from the finger portions around the receiving portion 108 and are mirror-symmetrical with respect to the plane of the finger portion 204 passing through the socket axis B and at the vertex of the triangle.

[0050] refer to Figures 9 to 14The figure shows an alternative embodiment of a lamp clamp 20 having a configuration similar to that of lamp clamp 10. Lamp clamp 20 includes a separately formed clamp base 300 and a socket 400. Clamp base 300 has a configuration substantially the same as clamp base 100, including a base plate 302 and clamp arms 304. Base plate 302, similar to base plate 102, is generally planar in shape and has opposing ends 302a, 302b, a top surface 302c, and a bottom surface 302d. Clamp arms 304, similar to the curved clamp arm 104, extend above the top surface 302c of the base plate and have opposing ends 304a and 304b. Clamp arm ends 304a are engaged with and protrude from the top surface 302c of the base plate. The clamp arm end 304b extends generally parallel to the top surface 302c of the substrate toward the substrate end 302b and is spaced apart from the top surface 302c of the substrate to accommodate the roof tile between the clamp arm 304 and the substrate 302. The socket 400 has a configuration substantially the same as the socket 200, including a socket base 402 and a plurality of fingers 404. The socket base 402 has an upper side 402a and a bottom side 402b. The fingers 404 protrude from the upper side 402a of the socket base.

[0051] Unlike the lamp clamp, the lamp holder 20 has a substrate 302 without corresponding holes 114 and slots 116, and a socket base 402 without corresponding connecting flanges 206. The substrate 302 has a connecting flange 306 located at the substrate end 302a and projecting from the substrate top surface 302c. The connecting flange 306 has a similar configuration to the connecting flange 206, with its head 306a spaced apart from the substrate top surface 302c by a shaft 306b. The socket base 402 has a hole 406 passing through it, with a similar configuration to the hole 114. The hole 406 is sized and shaped to accommodate the connecting flange shaft 306b and to connect the substrate top surface 302c to the socket bottom side 402b.

[0052] The connecting flange shaft 306b has an axial length at least equal to the thickness of the socket base 402 at the hole 406, such that the connecting flange 306 extends through the hole 406, with the connecting flange head 306a protruding beyond the upper side 402a of the socket base. The width of the connecting flange head 306a is greater than the width of the connecting flange shaft 306b and the hole 406. The socket base 402 is clamped between the connecting flange head 306a and the top surface 302c of the substrate to connect the socket 400 and the clamp base 300.

[0053] The socket 400 is preferably rotatably connected to the fixture base 300. In one embodiment, the connecting flange shaft 306b is cylindrical and the hole 406 is circular to allow the shaft and socket 400 to rotate relative to the fixture base 300 within the hole. The socket rotation axis C is the longitudinal axis of the connecting flange shaft 306b and the axis of the hole 406, transverse to the plane of the top surface 302c of the substrate, and preferably substantially perpendicular to the plane of the top surface 302c of the substrate. In one embodiment, the socket 400 is freely rotatable (i.e., 360 degrees) relative to the fixture base 300.

[0054] In one embodiment, the socket base 402 includes a slot 408 similar to slot 116. Slot 408 extends between hole 406 and the outer periphery 402c of socket base 402 for laterally inserting flange shaft 306b into hole 406. One end of slot 408 has an opening 408a to hole 406, and the other opposite end has an opening 408b on the periphery of socket base 402. The width of slot opening 408a is smaller than the width of connecting flange shaft 306b.

[0055] In one embodiment, similar to the connecting flange 206 and the hole 114, the clamp base 300 and the socket 400 are connected by engaging the connecting flange 306 into the hole 406. For example, the connecting flange 306 can be inserted axially through the hole 406. Alternatively, the connecting flange shaft 306b can be inserted laterally into the hole 406 through a slot 408 and forced through the slot 408a into the hole. In one embodiment, the width of the slot opening 408b is greater than the width of the connecting flange shaft 306b, such that the width of the slot 408 gradually decreases from the slot opening 408b to the slot opening 408a, to facilitate the alignment and engagement of the connecting flange shaft 306b into the slot 408.

[0056] In one embodiment, the clamp base 300 may include a second (or alternative) connecting flange 307 located at the substrate end 302a and projecting from the substrate bottom surface 302d. The connecting flange 307 has a similar configuration to the connecting flange 306, with its head 307a spaced apart from the substrate bottom surface 302d by a shaft 307b. The connecting flange shaft 307b has the same width and axial length as the connecting flange shaft 306b to allow the socket 400 to be similarly engaged to the clamp base 300 at the substrate bottom surface 302d. The connecting flange 307 is preferably positioned on the substrate bottom surface 102d, directly opposite the connecting flange 306, wherein the connecting flange shaft 306b and the connecting flange shaft 307b have the same longitudinal axis and the same axis of rotation C when the socket 400 is positioned on the substrate top or bottom surface.

[0057] While various embodiments of this application have been described above, it should be understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Numerous modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, the breadth and scope of this application should not be limited to any of the embodiments described above. Rather, the scope of this application should be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A clamp for a light bulb, comprising: The fixture base includes: A substrate having a first end portion, a second end portion, a top surface, and a bottom surface; and A clamping arm having a first end and a second end, the clamping arm extending above a top surface of a substrate, wherein the first end of the clamping arm protrudes from the top surface of the substrate, and the second end of the clamping arm extends toward a second end of the substrate; and A separately formed socket includes: The socket base has an upper side and a bottom side. Multiple finger-like portions are located on the upper side of the base of the socket; A receiving portion is formed between the plurality of finger portions and the upper side of the socket base, the size and shape of the receiving portion being determined to receive the light bulb; The bottom side of the socket base is rotatably connected to the clamp base at the top surface of the substrate.

2. A clamp for a light bulb, comprising: The fixture base includes: A substrate having a first end portion, a second end portion, a top surface, and a bottom surface; and A clamping arm having a first end and a second end, the clamping arm extending above the top surface of the substrate, wherein the first end of the clamping arm protrudes from the top surface of the substrate, and the second end of the clamping arm extends toward the second end of the substrate; A separately formed socket includes: The socket base has an upper side and a bottom side. Multiple finger-like portions are located on the upper side of the base of the socket; and A receiving portion is formed between the plurality of finger-like portions and the upper side of the socket base, the size and shape of the receiving portion being determined to receive the light bulb; and A connecting flange protrudes from the bottom side of the base of the socket; and A hole is formed in the substrate, the size and shape of which are determined to accommodate the connecting flange and rotatably connect the socket to the base of the clamp.

3. The clamp according to claim 2, wherein, The connecting flange includes a head spaced apart from the bottom side of the socket base by a shaft, and the size and shape of the hole are determined to rotatably accommodate the shaft; Wherein, the hole has a hole width, and the head has a head width greater than the hole width; and When the shaft is received in the hole, the substrate is held between the bottom side of the socket base and the head.

4. The clamp according to claim 3, wherein, The substrate has an outer periphery and also includes a slot, the slot having a first slot end and a second slot end, the first slot end having a first slot opening to the hole, and the second slot end having a second slot opening to the outer periphery of the substrate.

5. The clamp according to claim 4, wherein, The shaft is received in the hole by engaging insertion through the opening of the first slot.

6. The clamp according to claim 4, wherein, The first slot opening has a first opening width, the second slot opening has a second opening width greater than the first opening width, and the slot has a slot width that narrows from the end of the second slot to the end of the first slot.

7. A clamp for a light bulb, comprising: The fixture base includes: A substrate having a first end portion, a second end portion, a top surface, and a bottom surface; and A clamping arm having a first end and a second end, the clamping arm extending above a top surface of a substrate, wherein the first end of the clamping arm protrudes from the top surface of the substrate, and the second end of the clamping arm extends toward a second end of the substrate; and A separately formed socket includes: The socket base has an upper side and a bottom side. Multiple finger-like portions are located on the upper side of the base of the socket; An opening in at least one of the plurality of finger-like portions; and A receiving portion is formed between the plurality of finger portions and the upper side of the socket base, the size and shape of the receiving portion being determined to receive the light bulb; The socket is rotatably connected to the base of the clamp.

8. The clamp according to claim 7, wherein, The opening is a narrow groove extending longitudinally along the finger-like portion.

9. A clamp for a light bulb, comprising: The fixture base includes: A substrate having a first end portion, a second end portion, a top surface, and a bottom surface; and A clamping arm having a first end and a second end, the clamping arm extending above a top surface of a substrate, wherein the first end of the clamping arm protrudes from the top surface of the substrate, and the second end of the clamping arm extends toward a second end of the substrate; and A separately formed socket includes: The socket base has an upper side and a bottom side. Multiple finger-like portions are located on the upper side of the base of the socket; A receiving portion is formed between the plurality of finger portions and the upper side of the socket base, the size and shape of the receiving portion being determined to receive the light bulb; The socket is rotatably connected to the base of the clamp and has a rotation axis; and The plurality of finger portions include a first finger portion, a second finger portion, and a third finger portion. The first finger portion and the rotation axis define a plane, and the second finger portion and the third finger portion are positioned on the upper side of the socket base in a mirror-symmetrical manner relative to the plane.

10. The clamp according to claim 9, wherein the first finger has a slot extending longitudinally along the first finger.

11. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein, The socket has a rotation axis; and The plurality of finger-shaped portions include a first finger-shaped portion, the first finger-shaped portion having a first finger-shaped portion end and a second finger-shaped portion end, the first finger-shaped portion end being located on the upper side of the socket base, and the second finger-shaped portion end extending away from the socket base and being elastically movable away from the rotation axis.

12. The clamp according to claim 11, wherein, The first finger has a rounded corner between the end of the first finger and the upper side of the base of the socket.

13. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein, The socket has a rotation axis; and Wherein, at least one of the plurality of finger-like portions has: The first finger-shaped end is located above the base of the socket, and the second finger-shaped end extends away from the base of the socket; and A tab is located at the end of the second finger and extends perpendicularly from the second finger toward the axis of rotation.

14. A clamp for a light bulb, comprising: The fixture base includes: A substrate having a first end portion, a second end portion, a top surface, and a bottom surface; and A clamping arm having a first end and a second end, the clamping arm extending above a top surface of a substrate, wherein the first end of the clamping arm protrudes from the top surface of the substrate, and the second end of the clamping arm extends toward a second end of the substrate; and A separately formed socket includes: A socket base having an upper socket base side and a bottom socket base side, wherein the socket is rotatably connected to the clamp base and has a rotation axis; A plurality of finger-shaped portions are located on the upper side of the socket base, wherein each of the plurality of finger-shaped portions has a first finger-shaped portion end and a second finger-shaped portion end, the first finger-shaped portion end being located on the upper side of the socket base, and the second finger-shaped portion end extending away from the socket base; A tab is located at the end of each second finger of the plurality of fingers and extends perpendicularly from the second finger toward the axis of rotation, the tab having a tab edge; A receiving portion is formed between the plurality of finger-like portions and the upper side of the socket base, the size and shape of the receiving portion being determined to receive the light bulb; and The opening of the receiving portion has a circumference defined by the tab edge of each of the plurality of fingers, wherein the sum of the tab edges includes at least about 32% of the circumference.

15. The clamp of claim 1, further comprising a receiving portion defined between the plurality of fingers and the upper side of the socket base, the receiving portion being sized and shaped to receive the light bulb; in, Each of the plurality of finger portions has a first finger portion end and a second finger portion end, the first finger portion end being located on the upper side of the socket base, and the second finger portion end extending away from the socket base; as well as The second finger portion of the plurality of finger portions is defined to the opening of the receiving portion.

16. The clamp according to claim 15, wherein, The plurality of fingers includes a first finger having a snap-fit ​​flange that protrudes from the first finger between the ends of the first finger and the ends of the second finger, and extends from the first finger around the opening to the receiving portion.

17. A clamp for a light bulb, comprising: The fixture base includes: A substrate having a first end portion, a second end portion, a top surface, and a bottom surface; and A clamping arm having a first end and a second end, the clamping arm extending above a top surface of a substrate, wherein the first end of the clamping arm protrudes from the top surface of the substrate, and the second end of the clamping arm extends toward a second end of the substrate; and A separately formed socket includes: The socket base has an upper side and a bottom side. Multiple finger-like portions are located on the upper side of the base of the socket; and A receiving portion is formed between the plurality of finger portions and the upper side of the socket base, the size and shape of the receiving portion being determined to receive the light bulb; A connecting flange protruding from the top surface of the substrate; and A hole is formed in the base of the socket, the size and shape of which are determined to accommodate the connecting flange and rotatably connect the socket to the base of the clamp.

18. The clamp according to claim 17, wherein, The socket has a rotation axis, and the socket base has a socket base outer periphery; as well as The connecting flange includes a head spaced apart from the bottom side of the socket base by a shaft, and the size and shape of the hole are determined to rotatably accommodate the shaft; The socket base includes a slot having a first slot end and a second slot end. The first slot end has a first slot opening to the hole, and the second slot end has a second slot opening to the socket base. The shaft is received in the hole by engaging insertion through the opening of the first slot.

19. The clamp according to claim 18, wherein, The plurality of finger portions include a first finger portion, a second finger portion, and a third finger portion, wherein the first finger portion and the rotation axis define a plane, and the second finger portion and the third finger portion are positioned on the upper side of the socket base in a mirror-symmetrical manner relative to the plane. as well as The slot extends along the plane.

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