US2472597A - Fluorescent lamp and assembly therefor - Google Patents

Description

June 7, 1949. M. c. LEVY 2,472,597

` FLUORESCENT LAMB AND ASSEMBLY THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 10, 1945 June 7, 1949. M. c. LEVY FLUORESCENT LAMP AND ASSEMBLY TI'IEREFORl 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 10, 1945 Patented June 7, 1949 FLUORESCENT LAMP AND ASSEMBLY THEREFOR Milton C. Levy, Chicago. Ill.

V"Application February 10, 1945, Serial No. 577,197

4 Claims. (Cl. 24o-51.12)

This invention relates to improvements in illumination and more particularly, to that character of illumination now generally referred to as fluorescent lighting, wherein envelopes or tubes constructed from vitreous or kindred matters, of circular. partially circular, polygonal or other closed or substantially closed configurations, are utilized as light source housings.4

The principal object of the invention is to provide a fluorescent type of lamp which may be most advantageously used as a light source 4unit for electric lighting fixtures, portable electric lamps, etc., as well as for decorative or display usage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fluorescent lamp of circular. partially circular, polygonal, or other closed or substantially closed configuration in which the terminals of the en velope of such lamp are constructed and arranged in a manner to eliminate black or dark spots in that light source resulting with operation of the.

lamp, hence, ensuring a maximum of lighting eiliciency, in sharp contra-distinction to the character and manner of operation of heretofore prevaient and kindred types of lamps, wherein a deflnitely inactive or dark and shadow casting area or space occurs between the opposite though adjacent ends of the lamp envelopes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fluorescent lamp envelope ofthe herein indicated character of such construction and formation as will facilitate its convenient and practical installation in a, receiving fixture and also, its removal therefrom, as and when desired or required.

The invention also aims to provide a fluorescent type of lamp of configuration as above stated, with a novel form of means for mounting and/or supporting the same.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fluorescent lamp with a casing or supporting assembly whereby it can and will be advantageously supported, such assembly being so constructed and designed that the lamp received and v supported thereby may be advantageously adapted `to and operatively associated with lighting fixtures, portable lamps or other devices, especially in those instances of adaptation and usage where compactness and space conservation is of essence.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fluorescent lamp and mounting, of`such construction and assembly as to render its use lin preselected multiple or "gang units, entirely practical and highly advantageous. whereby a light of desired or required lumen output may be produced and arranged to occupy a minimum of space, as

- 2 'j well as eect important and desirable over-all economies. g

The foregoing. as well as other objects. advantages and meritorious teachings of the invention,

will be ln part obvious and in part pointed out in the following detailed disclosures thereof, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it being understood that the particular forms of theV invention presented herein are precise and what is now considered to be the best modes of embodying its principles, but that modications and changes maybe made in specific embodiments. without departing from its essential features.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation' of my improved fluorescent lamp and one form of housing therefor.

Figure 2 is a top plan viwof the same.

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse section taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction in which the arrows point.

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse section taken at right angles to that of Figure 3 and along the line 4--4 of said Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of another form of the invention, wherein a different type of housing is provided to thecircular luminescent lamp and moreover, wherein the lamp housing units are shown in multiple suberposed relation.

Figure 6 is a. top plan view of the construction shown in Figure 5. and..

Figure 'I is an emerged transverse section taken through the lower portion of Figure 5, showing the construction and relative arrangement of the circular fluorescent lamp receiving and supporting housings and their relative interconnection, when such housings are used in multiple.

Referring in detail to the 'accompanying drawings, and particularly, to that form of fluorescent lamp illustrated by the Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, the numeral l designates a tubular lamp body or envelope of generally circular formation, made of glass or other suitable light permeable material. The opposite and relatively closely spaced ends of the envelope I (see Figures 2 and 4) are laterally and inwardlyl extended in substantial parallelism to provide cathode housing portions 2 and 3, whose cross-sectional areas may be and preferably are somewhat' less than that of the envelope. If desired, grooves or ways 4 may be formed in and about the extensions 2 and 3 adjacent their points of jointure with the envelope body. for a purpose hereinafter more fully `disclosed.

The lamp envelope I and its extensions 2 and 3 are provided with an internal coating of phospose weil understood by workers skilled in this art.

Contact terminal bases or caps 5 are tightly engaged with and over the open ends of the extensions 2 and 3 and carry outwardly disposed .appropriate terminals 6; also, suitable cathodes 'l extending centrally and longitudinally through said extensions into adjacent portions of the envelope chamber, as shown in Figures 2 and 4.

Connector devices 8 are detachably provided to each of the caps 5 and carry suitable guide pins 9, which are selectively receivable in sockets formed in said ca-ps, whereby to insure proper relative arrangement and electrical connection.

Electric wiring, hereinafter more fully described, is connected to the connector devices 8. At this point, attention is directed to the fact that whereas I have. with some degree of particularity, illustrated and described the lamp envelope I as being generally circular in shape, it may, nevertheless, be made in various outlines. i. e., oval, polygonal, or in fact, any other substantially closed configuration, such as conditions or preference may dictate. It is also of importance to here note that the opposite ends of the envelope I and the extensions 2 and 3 are arranged in opposed, spaced and substantially parallel relation, especially as concerns said extensions; furthermore, that said opposite envelope ends and extensions are, by reason of the character of the coating applied thereto. made luminous throughout their entire respective areas. The relative opposed spacing of the envelope ends and their extensions 2 and 3 is of importance, in that it permits the convenient and practical installation and/or removal of the lamp in or from a receiving and supporting fixture, due

to the fact that it can be moved sidewise or` laterally, allowing iixture equipped or provided elements to pass freely through the way between said spaced envelope portions and extensions. And notwithstanding the fact that the opposite ends of the extensions 2 and 3 of the envelope I are relatively spaced, their over-all luminous characteristics will prevent the occurrence or the presence of a dark or "blacked-out area therebetween when the lamp envelope is electrically energized and illuminated. Consequently, it is manifest that my improved fluorescent lamp, when operated, will function to provide a maximum of luminosity without the existence of any black spots, viz., dark spots or blacked-out areas, throughout its entire configuration or body area.'

With a view towards effecting rm and secure support of the lamp envelope I upon a housing or xture appliance, hereinafter described, I form or otherwise provide a fixed laterally and relatively right-angularly disposed lip III upon and along the medial portion of the inner side wall of said envelope, having its opposite ends terminating inwardly of the cathode housing extensions 2 and 3 to avoid interference therewith. The gauge or thickness of the lip I0 is ample to provide thereto those required properties of ruggedness and stability necessary to ensure its dependability and satisfactory supporting from the aforesaid housing.

The lamp envelope I may be produced by various methods or procedures of manufacture, as for example, by blowing, bending, casting or molding, though for the attainment of cost economies, standardization of size and accurate article reproduction, I have established to my satisfaction, that fabrication by casting or molding methods are mostemcient and hence, are preferable.

In order that my improved lamp may be eiIectually supported for use in either a lighting xture, portable lamp, etc., an advantageous form of housing, such as shown in the Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, may be employed. This housing comprises a cup-like lower section II and a domed upper section I2, each of complemental outline and size and each constructed of sheet-like material, suitably fabricated. In the instant embodiment of said` housing, it will be seen that the companionate sections constituting the same, are of circular outline. substantially conforming in shape and outside diameter to the inside diameter of the generally circular lamp envelope I so that the former, as an assembly, may be engaged within the latter.

Concentrically of the nat bottom of the section I I is an opening adapted to receive therethrough one end portion of a connecting device of hicky coupling I3, while in one side of the peripheral Wall of said section, a pair of upwardly opening semi-circularly shaped recesses are formed. The lower portions of the cathode housing extensions 2 and 3. grooved as at 4, are received in and through said recesses into the interior of the cup-like section I I, as indicated in Figure 4. An upstanding lip I4 is formed on that portion of the peripheral wall between the recesses, for a purpose which will be subsequently apparent.

To cushionly receive and engage the adjacent side of the envelope carried lip III, a channeled strip I5 is -engaged over and along the upper edge of the peripheral wall of the section II, terminating at points just short of the opposite sides of the above described semi-circularly shaped recess. as will be seen upon reference to Figure 4 of the drawings.

The domed top or outer side of the cup-like section I2 has an opening formed in and concentrically of the same to receive the opposite end portion of the hick y" coupling I3 therethrough. A pair of downwardly opening semicircularly shaped recesses are formed in a portion of the peripheral wall of the section I2 adjacent the aforesaid recessed portions of the peripheral wall of the section II and register therewith, thus engaging about and receiving the upper portions of the cathode extensions 2 and 3, grooved at 4, therethrough. A lip I4', similar to the lip Il, extends downwardly from that part of section I2 peripheral wall between said pair of recesses therein and, in engaging the edge of the latter, effects a complete encircling engagement about the adjacent grooved portions I of the cross-sectionally circular extensions 2 and 3.

A channeled cushioning strip I5', of a length corresponding to that of the strip I5, is engaged over and'along the lower or free edge of the peripheral wall of the section I2 and has bearing engagement upon the near or normally upper side of the lip I0.

Vent openings. generally indicated by the nuposed and engaged cup-like sections Il and I2, the usual transformer or ballast I1, starting switcli I8 and control switch I9, commonly eniployed in connection with the operation of fluorescent lamps, are arranged and suitably secured. Electric wiring indicated by the numeral 20, is provided to these devices and is electrically connected to the connectors 8 engaging the terminals 6 of the caps 5 whereby to permit selective energization of the cathodes 1.

In assembling and adapting the form of my improved lamp and housing, shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive of the accompanying drawings, vthe cuplike sections II and I2 supporting and retaining the lamp envelope I by engagement of its lip I therebetween, are positioned adjacent a supporting standard or pipe 2|. A securing nut 22 is turned onto the screw-threaded portion of the lucky coupling I3 extending from the section II, into binding contact therewith. Thereupon, ie remainder of said portion of the coupling I3 is turned into the screw-threaded adjacent end of the standard 2|. The remaining screwthreaded nipple end of the hicky coupling I3, extending through and beyond the section I2, has a clamping nut 23 turned thereonto into flrm binding contact with the adjacent side of said section I2, hence, exerting sufficient pressure upon the same to bring its cushioned (cushioning strip I5') peripheral wall edge and the cushioned (cushioning strip I5) peripheral wall edge of the section II into securing contact with the adjacent sides of the lamp envelope lip I0 and so, clampingly secure it therebetween. The lamp envelope I will, thus, be effectually and securely supported from the sectional housing.

If desired, a lock-nut (cap or finial) 24 may be turned onto the screw-threaded upper portion of the hicky" coupling I3, as shown in Figures l and 3.

The lamp assembly constituted by the envelope I and the housing sections Il and I2, it is to be understood, provides a single lighting unit. Such a unit can be used as the light source of an elec-- tric lighting iixture, a portable electric lamp, etc. If desired, a plurality of such units can be assembled and interconnected in superposed or other relation, through the use of suitable hicky couplings or like devices, in order to produce an increased or desired lumen output. Also, should it be so desired, a single electric control switch I9 can be employed to collectively energize the multiplicity of fluorescent lamps.

In the Figures 5 to '7 inclusive of the accompanying drawings, I have shown a modied form of housing and housing assembly, for receivingA and supporting my improved iluorescent lamp. This modii'led type of housing is capable of use as a single light-source unit or as a multiple unit light-source, the latter adaptation being eected by that relative arrangement and assembly of individual housings in the manner well shown in Figure 5.

Since the construction of each of the lamp envelope receiving and supporting housings, illustrated by the modiiie'd form, issubstantially the same, the disclosure thereof, hereinafter set forth, will be directed to but one. Such disclosure, it will be understood, will suce for all of the illustrated housings and their respective lamps. l

The housing includes a cup-like lower section 25 having a hicky coupling receiving opening formed concentrically of its bottom and a pair A second section 28 is provided and is companionate to the section 25. It comprises an annular body of sheet material of bottom outline and cross-sectional area corresponding to that of the peripheral wall of section 25, whereby it can be superimposed thereupon in the manner shown in Figure 7. Said section 28 is preferably composed of two vor more semi-circular parts, which when assembled, constitute the annulus. One of these parts has a pair of downwardly opening semi-circularly shaped recesses therein adapted to register with theupwardly opening recesses in the peripheral wall of the section 25. A downwardly extending lip 26' is tormed upon that portion of said semi-circular partedge between the pair of recesses formed therein, and when abuttingly engaged with the adjacent edge of lip 26 of section 25 peripheral wall, effects a complete circular outlining of the opposed and registered pairs of recesses.'

A channeled cushioning strip 21', similar to the strip 21, is engaged over and along the lower or inner edges of the multi-part section 28 and has its ends terminated short of the outer sides of the downwardly opening recesses in said section.

The multi-part section 28, as will be noted upon reference to Figure 7, is of greater depth than the peripheral wall of the section 25. Its depth also exceeds the sectional diameter of the tubular lamp envelope I', presently described, for a purpose hereinafter explained.

The cross-sectional shape of the section 28 is outwardly curving or daring, as shown in Figure '1, and provides an emcient light ray reflecting area and surface.

To complete the housing, a circular cover plate or top 29, having a flanged peripheral portion 30, is snugly received in the hanged upper portions 3I of the multi-part section 28. Screws 32 or other suitable fastening means, are passed through adjacent portions of the flanged portions 3| into securing engagement with the plate ange 30. Thus, the parts of the section 28 and the cover plate 29 are removably retained in assembly relation.

' Vent openings 32' may be and preferably are formed in portions of the section 28 to eiect heat dissipation.

A lamp envelope I', corresponding in its overall construction and design to the hereinbefore described lamp envelope I, is received by the housing. It is received or arranged about the lower portion of the housing in the manner shown in Figures 5 and 7. The iixed laterally and right-` angularly disposed lip I8' thereof is engaged between the peripheral wall edge carried cushioning strips 21 and 21 of the sections 25 and 28, respectively. In this manner, it will be understood that the lamp envelope I' will be supported by and upon the housing. Y

The relatively spaced laterally and inwardly extended cathode housing extensions 2 and 3' of the envelope I are snugly received in and through 7 the registering semi-circularly shaped recesses in the housing sections 25 and 28, hereinbefore described, thus eiecting the arrangement of the inner ends of said extensions within the housing, as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Contact terminal bases or caps 33 are tightly engaged with and over the open ends of the extensions 2' and 3' and carry appropriate terminais as well as suitable cathodes (not shown).

Connector devices 34 are detachably provided to each of the caps 33, whereby to permit the conduction of electrical. energy thereto and to their respective cathodes.

The internal chamber of the housing receives therein the usual transformer or ballast 35, starting switch 36 and control switch 31, employed in connection with the operation of iiuorescent lamps, all of' which devices are operatively interconnected by electrical conductors, generally indicated by the numeral 38, which conductors also electrically include or are connected to the connector devices 34, for an obvious purpose.

In assembling or adapting this modified form of my improved lamp and housing, the housing sections 25 and 28 and the circularly shaped lamp envelope i' are arranged in that relationship shown in Figure 7. lamp is to be used as a lighting source for an electrical lighting iixture, portable electric lamp, etc., a hicky coupling 39 is arranged within the housing and has its opposite screw-threaded nipple-like portions passed or extended throughv the openings in the bottom of the section 25 and the circular cover plate 29. Electric wiring for conducting current to the lamp, etc. is passed through one of the nipple-like portions oi the hicky coupling. Thereupon, a locking nut, such as indicated by the numeral 40, is turned into engagement with one of the screw-threaded extended ends of the hicky coupling, and the extended portion of its opposite side is connected or engaged with a suitable supporting means, as for example, a portable electric lamp standard, an electric lighting fixture supporting pipe 39" or the like.

Because the housing section 28 is of greater depth than the peripheral wall of the section 25; also, greater than the sectional diameter of the tubular lamp envelope i', it will be seen that by removal of the semi-circula;` parts of the section 28, sumcient clearance space will be provided to permit a lateral removal or withdrawal of the lamp envelope from the housing, without disturbing the cover plate 29 or housings such as may be arranged upon or above the same.

If a number or gang of lamps i', and their housings are to be utilized for constituting a light source capable of effecting a desired or required lumen output, the unit assemblies, hereinbefore described, are arranged in superposed or juxtaposed relation, in the mannei` illustrated by Figures and 7. To eect secure jointure between such a "gang assembly, connection between the adjacent housings is effected by an arrangement of interconnectable hicky couplings which are provided with relatively opposed nipple and socket portions, as shown by the hicky coupling identiiied by the numeral 39'. In this manner, any desired or required number of units may be assembled in multiple form.

At this point, it is to be understood that multiple assemblies such as described immediately above, 'are practicably and satisfactorily adaptable for usage in connection with any form or character of electric lighting appliances, i. e.,

If but a single housing and terconnecting said sections.

8 electric lighting fixtures, portable electric lamps, etc., merely by their mechanical adaptation and connection to or mounting to and upon the particularly equipped devices.

It is manifest that certain changes and/or further modiilcations of the arrangements and constructions herein disclosed are within the province of the teachings of the invention just disclosed. I, therefore, do not intend that such disclosures shall or should be construed as limiting the ambit of my invention to any extent, save that as is within the scope of and the inventive spirit expressed by the hereto appended claims.

I claim:

l. A lamp assembly, comprising relatively juxtaposed sections, portions of said sections having registering recesses formed therein, a tubular lamp envelope of substantially closed configuration engaged about said sections of the housing, the opposite ends of the envelope being angularly extended therefrom and relatively spaced, and arranged in substantially co-planar relation to the envelope said angularly extended opposite ends engaging through the registering recesses in the housing sections, electric connecting means on said angularly extended ends, support engaging means xed to one side of said envelope clampingly engaged between the adjacent edges of said housing sections, and means engaging the housing sections for interconnecting the same.

2. A lamp assembly, comprising relatively uxtaposed and edgewise engaged sections, a tubular lamp envelope of substantially closed configuration engaged about said sections. a continuous lip on and disposed longitudinally of a portion of the inner side of said envelope extending inwardly from and beyond the same and engaged between the adjacent and edgewise engaged portions of said sections, and means for in- 3. A lamp assembly, comprising relatively juxtaposed and edgewise engaged sections, portions of which have registering recesses formed therein, a tubular lamp envelope of substantially closed configuration received about and arranged adjacent said sections, the opposite ends of said envelope being angularly extended therefrom in closely spaced relation and in substantially coplanar relation to the envelope, said angularly extended opposite ends entered into the sections through said registering recesses therein, and a lip on a substantially longitudinal medial portion of the inner side of the lamp envelope extended laterally from and beyond the same having its opposite ends spaced inwardly from the angularly extended opposite ends of the envelope, said lip being received and clampingly engaged between the adjacent edgewise engaged portions of said sections, and means interconnecting said sections.

4. An envelope for an electric lamp, comprising a light permeable tubular body of substantially closed configuration, tubular extensions of light permeable material integral with the opposite ends of said body, each of said extensions being disposed inwardly of the body at substantially right angles thereto and arranged in juxtaposed relation, said extensions and body being in substantally co-planar relation, and a continuous lip fixed to and extending from the inner side of said body having its ends terminating inwardly ot said tubular extensions.

MILTON C. LEVY.

(References on following page) 9 REFERENCES CITED Number Name l Date The following references are of record inl the wam ""f`" g'e 11 le of this patent:

2,255,431 Mrdgn et al. Sept. 9, 1941 l UNITED STATES `PA'rENfrs f5 2,304,594 Pennypacker Dec. s, 1942 Numberl Name Date 2,309,676 Feb. 2, 1943 2,350,462 vJohns June 6, 1944 1,786,420 Braly Dee. 30. 1930 1799 941 Wiegand Apr. 'z 1991 364339 Bmx De@ 13 1944 2,365,812 Friend Dec. 26, 1944 l 1,800,037 Wiegand Aprf'l, 1931 v

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