Electrical connectors – Coupling part to receive fluorescent or neon lamp
Patent
1986-11-14
1988-06-28
Pirlot, David
Electrical connectors
Coupling part to receive fluorescent or neon lamp
439235, 439243, 439375, 439541, H01R 3302
Patent
active
047536039
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a wholly enclosed armature arrangement for fluorescent tubes. More particularly, this invention relates to a fluorescent tube armature for outdoor use.
Heretofore, various types of fluorescent tube armatures have been known for the mounting of fluorescent tubes. Generally, these armatures have been constructed with a transparent or translucent tubular cover member which can be supported at one end in a coupling housing and at the other end in the detachable end cover. In some cases, suitable electrical coupling means have also been provided in the coupling housing. As is known, in those armatures designed for outdoor use, there is a need to be able to replace the fluorescent tubes in a ready manner, as required, and also during relatively unfavourable weather conditions, if this is necessary, without thereby allowing moisture to gain access to a substantial degree to the electrical coupling means. In many instances it may be necessary to have to exchange fluorescent tubes in the dark and if necessary during work on a ladder or under similarly complicated working conditions.
There is also a need to produce a double-insulated armature which is convenient to manufacture and at the same time is simple to use, that is to say which has a simple construction and which at the same time is sufficiently tight and reliable on use and which is readily accessible for replacement of fluorescent tubes and remaining parts, without the danger of coming into contact with current-conducting leads.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a fluorescent tube armature of simple construction in which replacement of fluorescent tubes can be readily performed.
It is another object of the invention to permit replacement of fluorescent tubes in an outdoor armature without the risk of contacting current-conducting leads.
It is another object of the invention to simplify the task of exchanging spent fluorescent tubes in an outdoor armature.
Briefly, the invention provides a fluorescent tube armature which is comprised of a tubular cover member, a coupling housing secured to one end of the cover member for connection to an electrical lead, an end cover which is detachably connected to an opposite end of the cover member and a support arrangement for at least one fluorescent tube slidably mounted in the cover member.
The arrangement according to the invention is characterised in that the inner end of the support arrangement is equipped with one or more eccentrically arranged, axially extending first type guide members which cooperate with one (or more) equivalent, eccentrically arranged axially extending second type guide members on the coupling housing. In addition, the support arrangement and the coupling housing are provided with a pair or a set of equivalent electrical contact members which form a current connection between the coupling housing and the support arrangement and which are relatively moveable inwardly into and outwardly from engagement with each other over an axial distance of movement which is defined within the guide-engagement-forming movement zone of the guide members of the support arrangement and the coupling member.
According to the invention, the support arrangement with associated fluorescent tubes and other fittings can be drawn out from the cover member as a coherent unit and after replacing the fluorescent tubes or other fittings can be placed back in position in a ready manner by a simple axial displacement of the support arrangement relative to the cover member. By means of the guide members of the support arrangement and the coupling member it is possible to ensure a correct angular adjustment of the support arrangement relative to the cover member before the electrical contact members are pushed axially together during simultaneous axial pushing in of the support arrangement into the cover member. By this one ensures that the contact members are brought without the danger of being damaged into precise engagement with each other and are guided in a controll
REFERENCES:
patent: 2337745 (1943-12-01), Garstang
patent: 3278886 (1968-10-01), Blumenberg
patent: 3426234 (1969-02-01), Hayasaka et al.
patent: 4084873 (1978-04-01), Grate
patent: 4275325 (1981-06-01), Guim
patent: 4298918 (1981-11-01), Metcalf
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