CA1088999A - Fluorescent lamp unit for multiple installation - Google Patents
Fluorescent lamp unit for multiple installationInfo
- Publication number
- CA1088999A CA1088999A CA258,152A CA258152A CA1088999A CA 1088999 A CA1088999 A CA 1088999A CA 258152 A CA258152 A CA 258152A CA 1088999 A CA1088999 A CA 1088999A
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- lamp
- lamp unit
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- input power
- terminals
- Prior art date
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A compact integral permanently assembled lamp unit consists of a fluorescent lamp assembled with a resistor ballast, a starter and end connectors for connecting a plurality of such lamp units together.
A compact integral permanently assembled lamp unit consists of a fluorescent lamp assembled with a resistor ballast, a starter and end connectors for connecting a plurality of such lamp units together.
Description
m e invention is in the field o~ gas discharge lamps, such as fluorescent lamps, having an elongated bulb which usually is either straight or arcuate. The invention also is in the field of complete lamp units comprising a lamp, ballast means, and starting means.
There are numerous application~ for elongated lamps, such as fluorescent lamps, where it i5 desired to arrange a plurality o~ lamps close togather, such as in a long straight line configuration, and/or angled or curved con-figurations. Such configurations are useful ~or lighting shelves, countertops, mirrors, etc. U.S. Patent No.
There are numerous application~ for elongated lamps, such as fluorescent lamps, where it i5 desired to arrange a plurality o~ lamps close togather, such as in a long straight line configuration, and/or angled or curved con-figurations. Such configurations are useful ~or lighting shelves, countertops, mirrors, etc. U.S. Patent No.
2,344,935 dated March 21, 1944 to Whittaker describes an arrangement of elongated lamp fixtures, each comprising a channel member containing a starter and control unit and provided with a pair of spaced apart sockets, at the ends of the channel me~ber, for receivin~ a replaceable fluorescent lamp. The two sockets are respectively provided with male and female cOnneCtQrS~ so that one fixture can be plugged into another to form a straight line of fixtures.
Also, angle-blocks are described for connecting the fixtures together at different angles. U.S. Patent No. 2,652,483 dated September 15, 1953 to Laidig et al describes arrange_ ments of semicircular fluorescent lamps connected together in various conigurations by means of connector blocks.
U.S. Patent ~o. ~,814,787 dated November 26, 1957 to Jessup describes a conn0ctor socket for coupling together in series ~luorescent lamps having filaments which have deteriorated so as to cease functioning Objects of the invantion are to provide a conven~ent, compact, and slender elongated gas discharye lamp unit which can be conneoted to other lamp units to provide a multiple lamp installation.
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~8~3~39 LD-5833 The invention comprises, briefly and in a pre~erred embodiment~ a compact integral permanently assembled lamp unit comprising an elongated gas discharge lamp containing electrodes therein near the ends thereof, first and ~econd connector means permanently attached to ~irst and second ends, respectively, of the discharge lamp9 the first con-nector means being adapted to receive operating electrical power for the lamp unit and the second connector means being adapted to supply operating electrical power to another lamp, an elongated resistor ballast arranged along-side the gas discharge lamp and connected to ballast the lamp when operating~ starter means positioned in a housing of one of the connector means and connected to cause starting of the lamp, and electrical connections between said first and second connector means to supply operating electrical power at said second connector means for operating another lamp~ said electrical connectios and resistor ballast being positioned alongside the discharge lamp to function as a starting aid and to provide a slender con-figuration for the lamp unit.
FIG. 1 is a view of a plurality o fluore~cent lamps connected together in accordance with the inventio~.
FIG 2 is a bottom view of a fluorescent lamp in accordance with this invention.
FIG 3 is an electrical ~chematic diagram o~ an em-bodiment of the invention FIG. 4 is a bottom view, partly broken away; of two lamps connectecl together in accordance with the invention.
FIG 5 is a perspective view of two lamp~ having end connectors in accordance with an-alternative embodiment of the invention.
FIG 6 i~ an electrical schematic diagram of circuit _ 2 --~ 9 LD-5833 wiring in the end caps of FIG. 5.
In ~IG. 1, a plurality of lamp units 11, 12, and 13 are connected together end to end, the lamp units 11 and 12 being arranged in a straight line and the lamp unit 13 being at an angle with respect to lamp unit le. Each of the lamp unit~ 11, 12, and 13 comprises an elongated lamp 14, such as a fluorescent lamp, having permanently attached to the ends thereof an input power connector 15 and an output electrical power connector 16. An electrical power cord 17 is attached by means of a cord connector 18 to the input power connector 15 of the first lamp unit 11. Each of the lamps 14 is provided with a pair of electrodes 21 and 22 located respectively near the ends of the elongated -lamp and connected across lead-in wires 21a~ 21b, and 22a, 22b, as shown schematically in FIG. 3, Each lamp also is provided with means for providing a gaseous vapor, such as mercury vapor, in conventional manner, As shown in FIG. 2, the power input connector 15 i5 provided with a pair o~ male electrical terminal prongs 23 and 24g and tha power output connector 16 is provided with a pair of female electrical receptacles 26 and 27. Each of the power connectors 15 and 16 may be provided with a keyhole opening 28~ for attaching the lamp unit at its ~onnectors to a sur~ace by mean~ of screws, nail~, or -slotted studs~ The surfaces 2~ of the connectors to which the mounting means 28 is applied pref~rably is flat a~
more clearly shown in FIG, 5, ~he connectors 15 and 16 : preferably comprise cupshaped hollow plastic members which are permanently attached to the ends of the lamp 14 by means of suitable adhesive.
Extending adjacent to and le~gthwise alongside the ; lamp 14 are a starting conductor 31, a ballast resis~or 32, ; _ 3 _ ~0~8.~ 3 LD_5833 and a pair of electrical power conduckors 33, 34. Pre-ferably, the elongated member~ 31_34 extend alongside the lamp 14 at a region thereof in alignment with and between the mounting surfaces 29 of the end connectors, so that they will be substantially unnoticed and will not sub-stantially interfere with use~ul output light from the :~
lamp 14. The elongated me~bers 31-34 may be attached to the surface of the glas~ bulb of the lamp 14, such as by means of an adhesive, or by plating or otherwise for-min~ them directly on the glass surface Alternatively~
the elongated members 31-34 may be carried on or in an elongated hou~ing member, preferably of plastic materialJ
extending alongside or attached to the lamp 14 such as by means of an adhesive material. It is preferred that ths elongated members 31-34 be at or close to the lamp 14, preferably no further than one-fourth of an inch, so as to aid in starting of the discharge in the lamp and also to provide a slender compact size of the unit~
As shown in FIG. 3, the input terminal 23 is elec-trically connected via a fuse 36 to an end of the ballast resistor 32) the other end o~ which is connected to and end i of the electrode 22 The input terminal 23 is also elec-trically connected via the fuse 36 to an end of the elec-trical power conductor 34, the other end of which is elec-trically connected to the output terminal 26. Alternatively a fuse 36 of suitable rating can be connected in series with the conductor 33 or 34. The input terminal 24 is electrically connected to an end of the electrode 21, the other end of which is connected to an end of the starting conductor 31. The other end of the starting conductor 31 is connected to the remaining end o~ the electrode 22S via starting switch 37 which may be conventional well-known 10~8~3~9 LD_5833 glow_starter switch, shunted by the usual capacitor 38.
The input terminal 2~ al50 iS electrically connected to an end o~ the electrical power conductor 33, the other end of which is electrically connected t:o the output electrical terminal 27 The ballast resistor 32 may have a value of between 100 ohms to 2000 ohms, for example, if the lamp 14 is a conventional 20-watt fluorescent lamp3 and may be made in the form of a wire arranged in a zig-zag shape or wound around a ~lat support ribbon of suitable plastic material or in the form of a stripe of resi~tance material such as can be fired on the glas~ bulb or by metalic vapor de-position. The exact optimum value of resistance for the ballast 32 depends in part on the par~icular gas and fill pres~ure in the lamp 14, and must, o course, have sufficient wattage dissipation rating ~or the intended operating con-ditions The circuit of ~IG. 3 operates in conventional well- -known manner, as follows. When electrical power is applied to the input terminals 23, 24, the starter switch 37 closes, applying current through both electrodes 21 and 22 (w~ich electrodes are coated with electron emissive material), via the ballast resistor 32, thereby heating the electrodes 21 .
and 22 to a temperature whereby they can emit electrons without destroying the emissive material. Thereupon, after a few second~, the starter switch 37 opens, whereby an electrical discharge occurs in the lamp 14 between the el-ectrodes 21 and 22, the electrode 21 now being connected to input terminal 24 and the electrode 22 being connected :
to input terminal 23 via the ballast resistor 32 which re-gulates the current flow to a safe and desired value. me same starting and operating procedure also occurs for sub- ~ :sequent lamps connected to the output terminals 26 and 27 ~ 5 ~
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~8~99~9 LD-5833 The fuse 36 is for preventing overloading of the electrical input power circuit if more than a safe number of lamps are connected together in tandem. For example, twelve 20-watt lamp units connected in tandem would draw-- a total current of approximately four amperes from a 120-volt power source9 and i~ this were deemed the maximum total safe number of such lamps to operate simultaneou~ly from a single power outlet, the fuse 36 could be a five-ampere fuse. If the circuit is overloaded by too many lamp~ being connected to it, only the fuse 36 in the ~irst lamp unit (closest to the power source) would "blow", and the fuses in the remaining lamp units would be unaffected. The starting conductor 31, switch 37, and capacitor 38 can be omitted if the lamp 14 is an instant start type.
FIG 4 shows details of the end connectors lS and 16.
For electrical safety, the end connector 15 is provided with a recess or well 41 in which the connector terminals 23 and 24 are positioned, and the end connector 16 is provided with a projection 42 in which the connector rs_ ceptacles 26 and 27 are located. Metal tabs 43 are soldered or otherwise electrically connected to the starting con-ductor 31, the ballast resistor 32, and the power conductors 33 and 34, a~ the end of the lamp 14 which i5 attached to the connector 16. Within the hollow end connector 16, the fuse 36 is electrically connected between the tab 43 of conductor 349 and the receptacle 26 a wire ~6 i~ electrically connected between the tab 43 of conductor 33 and the re-ceptacle 27; an individual lamp fuse 36' i5 electrically connected between the tab 43 of the ballst resi~tor 32, and a lead-in wire or the lamp electrode 22; and the tab 43 of conductor 31 is connected electrically by a wire 47 to the starting device 37, the other terminal of which is ~0889'~9 LD_5833 connected by wiring 48 to the remaining lead-in wire of . .
the lamp electrode 22, Metal tabs 51 are soldered or otherwise electrically connected to the starting conductor 31, the ballast re-sistor 32, and the power conductors 33, 34 at the end of the lamp 14 which is attached to the input power ~onnector 15. A wire 52 is electricall connected from the tab 51 which is attached to tha power conductor 34, to the con-nector terminal 23, and also to the tab on the resistor 32 a wire 53 is electrically connected between the tab 51 at the power conductor 33, and the connector terminal 24 and also is electrically connected to a lead-in wire 54 of the lamp electrode 21; and the lead-in wire 56 ~or the lamp electrode 21 is connected to tab 51 at the starting conductor 31. Since the connector projection 42 fits into the connector recess 41 when lamps are being plugged or unplugged into or ~ro~ each other, and since the terminals 23 a~d 24 do not project ~eyond the end .
surface of the connector member 153 it is impos~ible for an object to come into contact with the terminals ~3 7' or 24 and cause shorting of these terminals~ or electrical shock to a person, when these terminals are el~ctrically energized by baing in contact with the receptacla members 26, 27.
In the modification of FIG. 5, the input power con-nector 15 i~ provided with a recess 41 for the terminals 23 and 24, as shown in FIG, 4, and t~e output power con-nector 16 is provided with a projection 42 for the re-ceptacles 26 and 27, as shown in FIG. 4. ~he input power connector 15 also is provided with recesses 41a and 41b at the sides thereof~ containing additional input power ter-minals J and the output power connector 16 is pxovided with , . . .
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~ 939 LD-5833 additional projections 42a and 42b containing additional pairs of power receptacles. Thu~;, the two lamp units 12 and 13 can be connected together by plugging any of the projections 42, 42a, and 42b into any one of the recesses 41, 41a, or 41b of the lamp unit 13. This achieves the versatility of connecting the tws~ lamps together in a straight line linear configuration, or at a right angle configuration with a side o~ the connector 15 against the end of the connector 16, or with a side of the connector 16 against the end of the connector 15. The electrical schematic diagram of FIG. 6 shows how the receptacles are wired in the connector 16 of lamp unit 12 in FIG. 5, the end receptacle 26 being electrically connected to the side receptacle 26a and the ~ide receptacle 26b, and the end receptacle 27 being electrically connected to the side receptacles 27a and 27b. The end terminals 23 and 24 in the connector 15 of lamp unit 13 in FIG. 5 are similarly respectively electrically connected to the side terminals 23a, 23b and 24a, 24b.
The invention achieves its objects of providing lamp units which are integral and permanently assembled units having compact and slender shapes and w~ich can be connected together in a variety of conigurations without the need for providing the customary heavy9 clumsy, and space-consuming and expensive ~ixture member as has been required i~ prior art lamp units~
While pre:Eerred embodiments and modifications of the invention have be~n shown and described, various other embodiments and modifications thereof will become apparent to persons skilled in the art and will fall within the scope oE the invention as de~ined in the ~ollowing claims.
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Also, angle-blocks are described for connecting the fixtures together at different angles. U.S. Patent No. 2,652,483 dated September 15, 1953 to Laidig et al describes arrange_ ments of semicircular fluorescent lamps connected together in various conigurations by means of connector blocks.
U.S. Patent ~o. ~,814,787 dated November 26, 1957 to Jessup describes a conn0ctor socket for coupling together in series ~luorescent lamps having filaments which have deteriorated so as to cease functioning Objects of the invantion are to provide a conven~ent, compact, and slender elongated gas discharye lamp unit which can be conneoted to other lamp units to provide a multiple lamp installation.
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~8~3~39 LD-5833 The invention comprises, briefly and in a pre~erred embodiment~ a compact integral permanently assembled lamp unit comprising an elongated gas discharge lamp containing electrodes therein near the ends thereof, first and ~econd connector means permanently attached to ~irst and second ends, respectively, of the discharge lamp9 the first con-nector means being adapted to receive operating electrical power for the lamp unit and the second connector means being adapted to supply operating electrical power to another lamp, an elongated resistor ballast arranged along-side the gas discharge lamp and connected to ballast the lamp when operating~ starter means positioned in a housing of one of the connector means and connected to cause starting of the lamp, and electrical connections between said first and second connector means to supply operating electrical power at said second connector means for operating another lamp~ said electrical connectios and resistor ballast being positioned alongside the discharge lamp to function as a starting aid and to provide a slender con-figuration for the lamp unit.
FIG. 1 is a view of a plurality o fluore~cent lamps connected together in accordance with the inventio~.
FIG 2 is a bottom view of a fluorescent lamp in accordance with this invention.
FIG 3 is an electrical ~chematic diagram o~ an em-bodiment of the invention FIG. 4 is a bottom view, partly broken away; of two lamps connectecl together in accordance with the invention.
FIG 5 is a perspective view of two lamp~ having end connectors in accordance with an-alternative embodiment of the invention.
FIG 6 i~ an electrical schematic diagram of circuit _ 2 --~ 9 LD-5833 wiring in the end caps of FIG. 5.
In ~IG. 1, a plurality of lamp units 11, 12, and 13 are connected together end to end, the lamp units 11 and 12 being arranged in a straight line and the lamp unit 13 being at an angle with respect to lamp unit le. Each of the lamp unit~ 11, 12, and 13 comprises an elongated lamp 14, such as a fluorescent lamp, having permanently attached to the ends thereof an input power connector 15 and an output electrical power connector 16. An electrical power cord 17 is attached by means of a cord connector 18 to the input power connector 15 of the first lamp unit 11. Each of the lamps 14 is provided with a pair of electrodes 21 and 22 located respectively near the ends of the elongated -lamp and connected across lead-in wires 21a~ 21b, and 22a, 22b, as shown schematically in FIG. 3, Each lamp also is provided with means for providing a gaseous vapor, such as mercury vapor, in conventional manner, As shown in FIG. 2, the power input connector 15 i5 provided with a pair o~ male electrical terminal prongs 23 and 24g and tha power output connector 16 is provided with a pair of female electrical receptacles 26 and 27. Each of the power connectors 15 and 16 may be provided with a keyhole opening 28~ for attaching the lamp unit at its ~onnectors to a sur~ace by mean~ of screws, nail~, or -slotted studs~ The surfaces 2~ of the connectors to which the mounting means 28 is applied pref~rably is flat a~
more clearly shown in FIG, 5, ~he connectors 15 and 16 : preferably comprise cupshaped hollow plastic members which are permanently attached to the ends of the lamp 14 by means of suitable adhesive.
Extending adjacent to and le~gthwise alongside the ; lamp 14 are a starting conductor 31, a ballast resis~or 32, ; _ 3 _ ~0~8.~ 3 LD_5833 and a pair of electrical power conduckors 33, 34. Pre-ferably, the elongated member~ 31_34 extend alongside the lamp 14 at a region thereof in alignment with and between the mounting surfaces 29 of the end connectors, so that they will be substantially unnoticed and will not sub-stantially interfere with use~ul output light from the :~
lamp 14. The elongated me~bers 31-34 may be attached to the surface of the glas~ bulb of the lamp 14, such as by means of an adhesive, or by plating or otherwise for-min~ them directly on the glass surface Alternatively~
the elongated members 31-34 may be carried on or in an elongated hou~ing member, preferably of plastic materialJ
extending alongside or attached to the lamp 14 such as by means of an adhesive material. It is preferred that ths elongated members 31-34 be at or close to the lamp 14, preferably no further than one-fourth of an inch, so as to aid in starting of the discharge in the lamp and also to provide a slender compact size of the unit~
As shown in FIG. 3, the input terminal 23 is elec-trically connected via a fuse 36 to an end of the ballast resistor 32) the other end o~ which is connected to and end i of the electrode 22 The input terminal 23 is also elec-trically connected via the fuse 36 to an end of the elec-trical power conductor 34, the other end of which is elec-trically connected to the output terminal 26. Alternatively a fuse 36 of suitable rating can be connected in series with the conductor 33 or 34. The input terminal 24 is electrically connected to an end of the electrode 21, the other end of which is connected to an end of the starting conductor 31. The other end of the starting conductor 31 is connected to the remaining end o~ the electrode 22S via starting switch 37 which may be conventional well-known 10~8~3~9 LD_5833 glow_starter switch, shunted by the usual capacitor 38.
The input terminal 2~ al50 iS electrically connected to an end o~ the electrical power conductor 33, the other end of which is electrically connected t:o the output electrical terminal 27 The ballast resistor 32 may have a value of between 100 ohms to 2000 ohms, for example, if the lamp 14 is a conventional 20-watt fluorescent lamp3 and may be made in the form of a wire arranged in a zig-zag shape or wound around a ~lat support ribbon of suitable plastic material or in the form of a stripe of resi~tance material such as can be fired on the glas~ bulb or by metalic vapor de-position. The exact optimum value of resistance for the ballast 32 depends in part on the par~icular gas and fill pres~ure in the lamp 14, and must, o course, have sufficient wattage dissipation rating ~or the intended operating con-ditions The circuit of ~IG. 3 operates in conventional well- -known manner, as follows. When electrical power is applied to the input terminals 23, 24, the starter switch 37 closes, applying current through both electrodes 21 and 22 (w~ich electrodes are coated with electron emissive material), via the ballast resistor 32, thereby heating the electrodes 21 .
and 22 to a temperature whereby they can emit electrons without destroying the emissive material. Thereupon, after a few second~, the starter switch 37 opens, whereby an electrical discharge occurs in the lamp 14 between the el-ectrodes 21 and 22, the electrode 21 now being connected to input terminal 24 and the electrode 22 being connected :
to input terminal 23 via the ballast resistor 32 which re-gulates the current flow to a safe and desired value. me same starting and operating procedure also occurs for sub- ~ :sequent lamps connected to the output terminals 26 and 27 ~ 5 ~
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~8~99~9 LD-5833 The fuse 36 is for preventing overloading of the electrical input power circuit if more than a safe number of lamps are connected together in tandem. For example, twelve 20-watt lamp units connected in tandem would draw-- a total current of approximately four amperes from a 120-volt power source9 and i~ this were deemed the maximum total safe number of such lamps to operate simultaneou~ly from a single power outlet, the fuse 36 could be a five-ampere fuse. If the circuit is overloaded by too many lamp~ being connected to it, only the fuse 36 in the ~irst lamp unit (closest to the power source) would "blow", and the fuses in the remaining lamp units would be unaffected. The starting conductor 31, switch 37, and capacitor 38 can be omitted if the lamp 14 is an instant start type.
FIG 4 shows details of the end connectors lS and 16.
For electrical safety, the end connector 15 is provided with a recess or well 41 in which the connector terminals 23 and 24 are positioned, and the end connector 16 is provided with a projection 42 in which the connector rs_ ceptacles 26 and 27 are located. Metal tabs 43 are soldered or otherwise electrically connected to the starting con-ductor 31, the ballast resistor 32, and the power conductors 33 and 34, a~ the end of the lamp 14 which i5 attached to the connector 16. Within the hollow end connector 16, the fuse 36 is electrically connected between the tab 43 of conductor 349 and the receptacle 26 a wire ~6 i~ electrically connected between the tab 43 of conductor 33 and the re-ceptacle 27; an individual lamp fuse 36' i5 electrically connected between the tab 43 of the ballst resi~tor 32, and a lead-in wire or the lamp electrode 22; and the tab 43 of conductor 31 is connected electrically by a wire 47 to the starting device 37, the other terminal of which is ~0889'~9 LD_5833 connected by wiring 48 to the remaining lead-in wire of . .
the lamp electrode 22, Metal tabs 51 are soldered or otherwise electrically connected to the starting conductor 31, the ballast re-sistor 32, and the power conductors 33, 34 at the end of the lamp 14 which is attached to the input power ~onnector 15. A wire 52 is electricall connected from the tab 51 which is attached to tha power conductor 34, to the con-nector terminal 23, and also to the tab on the resistor 32 a wire 53 is electrically connected between the tab 51 at the power conductor 33, and the connector terminal 24 and also is electrically connected to a lead-in wire 54 of the lamp electrode 21; and the lead-in wire 56 ~or the lamp electrode 21 is connected to tab 51 at the starting conductor 31. Since the connector projection 42 fits into the connector recess 41 when lamps are being plugged or unplugged into or ~ro~ each other, and since the terminals 23 a~d 24 do not project ~eyond the end .
surface of the connector member 153 it is impos~ible for an object to come into contact with the terminals ~3 7' or 24 and cause shorting of these terminals~ or electrical shock to a person, when these terminals are el~ctrically energized by baing in contact with the receptacla members 26, 27.
In the modification of FIG. 5, the input power con-nector 15 i~ provided with a recess 41 for the terminals 23 and 24, as shown in FIG, 4, and t~e output power con-nector 16 is provided with a projection 42 for the re-ceptacles 26 and 27, as shown in FIG. 4. ~he input power connector 15 also is provided with recesses 41a and 41b at the sides thereof~ containing additional input power ter-minals J and the output power connector 16 is pxovided with , . . .
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~ 939 LD-5833 additional projections 42a and 42b containing additional pairs of power receptacles. Thu~;, the two lamp units 12 and 13 can be connected together by plugging any of the projections 42, 42a, and 42b into any one of the recesses 41, 41a, or 41b of the lamp unit 13. This achieves the versatility of connecting the tws~ lamps together in a straight line linear configuration, or at a right angle configuration with a side o~ the connector 15 against the end of the connector 16, or with a side of the connector 16 against the end of the connector 15. The electrical schematic diagram of FIG. 6 shows how the receptacles are wired in the connector 16 of lamp unit 12 in FIG. 5, the end receptacle 26 being electrically connected to the side receptacle 26a and the ~ide receptacle 26b, and the end receptacle 27 being electrically connected to the side receptacles 27a and 27b. The end terminals 23 and 24 in the connector 15 of lamp unit 13 in FIG. 5 are similarly respectively electrically connected to the side terminals 23a, 23b and 24a, 24b.
The invention achieves its objects of providing lamp units which are integral and permanently assembled units having compact and slender shapes and w~ich can be connected together in a variety of conigurations without the need for providing the customary heavy9 clumsy, and space-consuming and expensive ~ixture member as has been required i~ prior art lamp units~
While pre:Eerred embodiments and modifications of the invention have be~n shown and described, various other embodiments and modifications thereof will become apparent to persons skilled in the art and will fall within the scope oE the invention as de~ined in the ~ollowing claims.
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Claims (23)
1. An integral lamp unit comprising an elongated gas discharge lamp containing first and second electrodes therein respectively near first and second ends thereof, an input power connector attached to said first end of the lamp and provided with first and second input power terminals, an output power connector attached to said second end of the lamp and provided with first and second output power terminals, a first elongated power conductor positioned alongside and adjacent to said lamp and connected electrically between said first input power terminal and said first output power terminal, a second elongated power conductor positioned alongside and adjacent to said lamp and connected electrically between said second input power terminal and said second output power terminal, ballast means connected electrically between said first input power terminal and said second electrode, and means electrically connecting said second input power terminal to said first electrode, said terminals of the input power connector being adapted to mate with the terminals-of an output power connector of another similar lamp unit and said terminals of the output power connector being adapted to mate with the terminals of an input power connector of another similar lamp unit.
2. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 1, including a fuse connected in electrical series with one of said power conductors.
3. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 1, in which each of said power connectors is provided with mounting means at a side thereof and in alignment with each other along a line parallel to the axis of said lamp.
4. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 3, in which each of said mounting means comprises a slot through a flat surface area of the respective power connectors.
5. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 1, in which said ballast means comprises an elongated ballast resistor positioned alongside and adjacent to said lamp, and in which said first and second power conductors and said ballast resistor are substantially parallel with each other and are substantially in alignment with said mounting means of the power connectors.
6. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 1, in which said first and second input power terminals are at the end of said input power connector and in which said first and second output power terminals are at the end of said output power connector.
7. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 6, in which said input power connector is provided with two additional pairs of input power terminals respectively at the sides thereof.
8. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 6, in which said output power connector is provided with two additional pairs of output power terminals respectively at the sides thereof.
9. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 1, in which said input power connector is provided with a recess in the surface thereof, said input power terminals being positioned in said recess, and in which said output power connector is provided with a projection adapted to fit into said recess of another lamp, said output power terminals being positioned in said projection.
10. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 1, in which each of said first and second electrodes comprises a filament coated with electron-emitting material, said means connecting the second input power terminal to the first electrode being connected to a first end of said filament of the first electrode, said ballast means being connected to a first end of said filament of the second electrode, said lamp unit further comprising an elongated starting conductor positioned along-side and adjacent to said lamp, and a starting switch connected in electrical series combination with said starting conductor, and means connecting said series combination electrically between the remaining ends of said filaments.
11. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 10, in which said starting switch is positioned in one of said power connectors.
12. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 10, in which each of said power connectors is provided with mounting means at a side thereof and in alignment with each other along a line parallel to the axis of said lamp, in which said power conductors and said starting conductor are substantially parallel with each other and are substantially in alignment with said mounting means of the power connectors.
13. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 1, in which said power conductors are carried on said lamp.
14. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 1, in which said ballast means comprises a ballast resistor carried on said lamp.
15. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 14, in which said ballast resistor comprises a resistive material adhered directly to the surface of said lamp.
16. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 1, including a fuse interposed in the current path of one of said power conductors.
17. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 16, in which said fuse is designed to open-circuit at a current value substantially greater than the safe operating current of said lamp, said current value being a predetermined value of current that a given plurality of said lamps connected together would draw from a current source.
18. An integral lamp unit comprising an elongated gas discharge lamp containing first and second electrodes therein respectively near first and second ends thereof, an input power connector attached to said first end of the lamp and provided with first and second input power terminals, an output power connector attached to said second end of the lamp and provided with first and second output power terminals, a first elongated power conductor positioned alongside and adjacent to said lamp and connected electrically between said first input power terminal and said first output power terminal, a second elongated power conductor positioned alongside and adjacent to said lamp and connected electrically between said second input power terminal and said second output power terminal, ballast means connected electrically between said first input power terminal and said second electrode, and means electrically connecting said second input power terminal to said first electrode, said terminals of the output power connector being arranged in the form of a socket for connection thereto of input power terminals of another lamp unit.
19. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 18, in which said ballast means comprises an elongated ballast resistor positioned alongside and adjacent to said lamp.
20. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 18, in which each of said power connectors is provided with mounting means at a side thereof and in alignment with each other along a line parallel to the axis of said lamp.
21. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 18, including a fuse connected in electrical series with one of said power conductors.
22. An integral lamp unit comprising an elongated gas discharge lamp containing first and second electrodes therein respectively near first and second ends thereof, said integral lamp unit further comprising circuitry including ballast means and electrical connection means for connecting said circuitry to a source of electric power, and first and second end caps respectively attached to said first and second ends of the lamp, each of said first and second end caps being provided with substantially flat surface area mounting means at a side thereof and in alignment with each other along a line parallel to the axis of said lamp, said mounting means being independent from said electrical connection means.
23. A lamp unit as claimed in claim 22, in which each of said flat surface areas of the end caps is provided with a mounting opening therethrough.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA258,152A CA1088999A (en) | 1976-07-30 | 1976-07-30 | Fluorescent lamp unit for multiple installation |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA258,152A CA1088999A (en) | 1976-07-30 | 1976-07-30 | Fluorescent lamp unit for multiple installation |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1088999A true CA1088999A (en) | 1980-11-04 |
Family
ID=4106542
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA258,152A Expired CA1088999A (en) | 1976-07-30 | 1976-07-30 | Fluorescent lamp unit for multiple installation |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1088999A (en) |
-
1976
- 1976-07-30 CA CA258,152A patent/CA1088999A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |