Lampholder lead wire connector

Abstract

A lampholder for receiving one end of a fluorescent lamp and the associated pair of electrical contact pins is disclosed. The lampholder has a base member with slots for receiving the fluorescent lamp pins and a contact or terminal carrying plunger is disposed within the base member so as to be unilaterally movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The base member includes a pair of lead wire accepting openings remote from the pin receiving slots and the electrical contacts each include a lead wire accepting aperture. The apertures are in alignment with the openings only when the plunger is in the extended position. The lead wires fit snugly in the openings so that any subsequent flexing of the a lead wire occurs away from the region of contact between the wire and its corresponding terminal. When a lead wire is passed through an opening and corresponding aperture and the plunger is moved from the extended to the retracted position, the wire is deformed and securely gripped. The electrical contacts move into a position to make electrical connection with the lamp pins when the plunger moves into the retracted position.