Electrical connectors – Coupling part to receive fluorescent or neon lamp – With contact for starting switch
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-02
2001-11-27
Vu, Hien (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Coupling part to receive fluorescent or neon lamp
With contact for starting switch
C434S188000, C315S187000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322381
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a new and improved lampholder to be used with cold cathode lamps.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cold cathode lighting is used as an architectural lighting tool due to its great flexibility. Cold cathode lamps are generally in the form of elongated glass tubes filled with a luminescent gas which, when energized, emits a light of a particular color dependent upon the composition of the coating of the tube. Each end of the tube is provided with an electrode to allow the bulb to be connected into a lighting circuit by connection through bulb receptacles.
Such lamps may be arrayed either in a series or parallel ;circuit configuration. The series configuration requires a high voltage, typically in excess of
1000
volts, to be employed. The utilization of such a voltage level effectively prevents the use of a series lamp arrangement in certain locations. The National Electrical Code (NEC) prohibits the use of high voltage circuits in residential dwellings. In addition, the NEC prohibits the use of such high voltage circuits in an installation below 8′6″ from ground or floor level.
A parallel circuit configuration for cold cathode lighting can operate at voltages below 1000 volts, and thus can be incorporated in locations where a series arrangement is prohibited. Particularly in residential dwellings, however, precautions must be taken to isolate or disable the still substantial (typically 990 volt) voltages to lessen the risk of contact with energized elements, particularly when a lamp is removed from a fixture and the electrical contacts are thus more fully exposed.
It is thus a purpose of the present invention to provide a new and improved lampholder for cold cathode lamps which may be utilized in connection with low voltage, parallel configuration lighting circuits, and which can be utilized as both a single and dual lampholder, allowing a variety of circuit configurations to be utilized.
It is a further purpose of the present invention to provide such a lampholder which incorporates a high voltage cutout which operates automatically upon removal of a lamp from the lampholder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the purposes and principles of the present invention, a cold cathode lamp lampholder is provided in the form of an outer conductive housing adapted to be interconnected with other housing and support elements in a manner by which a continuous ground may be provided for the lamp circuit. Mounted and electrically isolated within the conductive housing is an insulating lamp end receptacle having an internal recess dimensioned to accept a pair of cold cathode lamp electrode ends. The combination of the outer conductive housing and insulated lamp end receptacle create an internal wiring compartment therebetween which is sealed to prevent moisture entry. Split lamp electrode contacts are provided for at least one of the lamps within the insulated receptacle whereby each such contact consists of two conductive portions separated from each other and supported by an insulator. The contacts are further arranged in a manner which allows, as expressed through alternative embodiments of the invention, either independent or common electrical contact to be established with the electrodes by the lamp ends inserted therein, and which further permit a portion of the receptacle recess to be closed off when the receptacle is used with a single lamp, allowing the lampholder to be used with both single and dual lamp arrangements.
The split contacts of an electrode are wired in a series manner between power and a lamp ballast, power to the ballast and the creation of the high voltage occurring only when a lamp is inserted into the electrode, the conducting lamp end forming a series path between the electrode portions.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2301238 (1942-11-01), Alm
patent: 2303630 (1942-12-01), Goddark
patent: 4643504 (1987-02-01), Knifer
National Cathode Corp.
Schweitzer Cornman Gross & Bondell LLP
Vu Hien
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