Electrical Adapter

This invention relates to electric lamp adapters for converting an electrical lamp socket of one size to a larger socket size, particularly for converting a 250 watt halogen lamp socket having an inner diameter of 7/16" to a 75 watt elipsical reflector lamp or flood socket having a diameter of 1".

In the past there have been many electric lamp adapters described in the art which accomplish one or more specific objectives such as heat dissipation, extending the space between the receptacle and light center, changing the angle of the socket or for converting one socket size to another size.

The present invention provides an electrical adapter for converting one socket size to a larger socket size which is safe, efficient and compact in design and construction.

The present invention provides an adapter for converting an electrical lamp socket of one size to a larger socket size. The adapter comprises a top and a bottom ceramic section, each being hollow. The top section consists of a hollow base member adhesively mated to a top member through upwardly extending protrusions on the bottom section and corresponding notches on the top member. The top member has mounted thereon a male screw shell and a center electrical contact fitable into a socket of standard size, e.g. 7/16"-250 watt halogen lamp socket. The bottom ceramic section contains an internally threaded female screw shell and a bottom central contact. A standard size lamp e.g. a flood lamp may be threaded into the female screw shell. A connecting member is bonded to the hollow base member of the top section. The connecting member is equipped with a central internally threaded collar to which is threaded a tubular neck. The connecting member also has downwardly extending internally-threaded tubular sections for receiving screws therein. An insulating sealing member is nested between the bottom ceramic section and connecting member. The sections are fastened by screws passing through the bottom section, sealing member and threaded into the internally threaded tubular sections of the connecting member. An insulated wire connects the top and bottom center contacts and passes through the neck and collar and an insulated wire connects the top male screw shell and bottom female screw shell.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective side view of the adapter of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the adapter showing the assembly of all major components.

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of an assembled adapter.

Referring to the figures, a lamp adapter is shown for coverting a socket of one given size to a larger size socket, and particularly for converting a 250 watt halogen lamp socket having a diameter of 7/16" to a 75 watt elipsical reflector lamp or flood socket having a diameter of 1".

The adapter is indicated generally by 11 and comprises a top section 12 and bottom section 13, each comprised of a ceramic material such as porcelain or the like. The upper ceramic section 12 consists of a hollow bell-shaped base member 12a and a hollow top member 14. The hollow top member 14 contains a pair of opposed rectangular notches 15 (only one shown) which mate with upwardly extending rectangular protrusions 16 on base member 12a. Adhesive is applied to the joints of these notches and extensions to bond the top and base members together. The top member has located thereon male screw shell 17 and top center contact 18 which are fitable into a socket having a female screw shell corresponding in size to the male screw shell 17. Pin 19 extends downwardly from contact 18 into the larger, hollow space of the top member. Adhesively mounted at the lower end of the base member 12a is connecting member 20 consisting of transverse section 21 having extending downwardly therefrom and integral therewith internally threaded tubular sections 22. Centrally on the top surface of the transverse section 21 is internally threaded collar 24. Threaded partially into said collar 24 inside the hollow portion of ceramic base member 12a is externally threaded neck member 25 having a tubular aperture 26 extending therethrough. The neck 25 is restricted from being threaded too far into the collar by set screw 27.

A spacer 29 made of an insulating material having end holes 30 and central hole 31 abuts against the lower surface of transverse member 21, end holes 30 accomodating the passing through of tubular sections 22. Hollow lower section 13 has recessed in its top portion, large end recesses 28, washer recesses 32 and screw holes 33. The hollow lower section 13 contains a central support section 34 having a central bore 35 through which metal sleeve 36 extends. An upper central recess 36a is located at the top of the support section. The sleeve 36 has upper collar 37 which rests on the support section and terminates at the lower surface of the central support section with lower collar 38 having tabular contact 39 resiliently extending therefrom. Female threaded screw shell 40 extends from the lower portion of central support section 34. Screw 41 is threaded into sleeve 36 in the central bore 35. Washers 42 fit into washer recesses 32. A screw 45 extends through the connecting member 20, spacer 29 and central support section 34 into the top section of the metal screw shell. A pair of wires 44 and 44a are connected at each one of their ends to top contact pin 19 and male screw shell 17, respectively, wire 44 is fed through neck 25, collar 24, central hole 31 and then connected to screw 41 which in turn is connected with sleeve 36 and center tab contact 39. Wire 44a is connected with screw 45. When bottom section 13 containing washers 42 is raised up into section 12a, connecting member 22 and spacer 29, end recesses 28 accomodate tubular extensions 22 and recess 31 registers with central bore 36a. Screws 43 are placed in screw holes 32, through washers 42 and into the threaded apertures of the tubular extensions 22.