Fluorescent bulb cover

• US 20110242823A1
• Filed: 03/30/2010
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lisa Tracy, William Tracy
• Original Assignee: Lisa Tracy, William Tracy
• Inventors: Tracy, William, Tracy, Lisa
• Granted Patent: US 8,317,365 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/351
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/06 the fastening being onto or by the lampholder
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/506 of globes, bowls or cover glasses
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/06 for filtering out ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/30 curved
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/26 Signs formed by electric discharge tubes by selective lighting G09F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/025 Associated optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/302 characterised by the material of the vessel
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/327 "Compact"-lamps, i.e. lamps having a folded discharge path
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/34 Double-wall vessels or containers
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 9/247 specially adapted for gas-discharge lamps

Abstract

Disclosed is a cover for a compact fluorescent light employing a two piece clamshell shape assimilating a conventional incandescent light bulb. The cover is formed from two clamshells hingedly secured along a top end having inter-engaging means for securing one clamshell to a second clamshell tightly securing the cover to the base of a compact fluorescent light. In the preferred embodiment, the housing is made of material to reduce or eliminate ultraviolet light produced from a gas discharge lamp and provide a cover that can be decorative through the emulation of a conventional incandescent light bulb or decorated with colors and materials wherein the fluorescent light provides back lighting or where images are placed upon the housing so as to allow the back lighting to operate as a projection surface placing images on a wall separate from the light bulb.

Claims

1. A cover for a compact fluorescent light comprising:

a housing having an upper section defined by a generally hemispherical shape defining an interior sized to permit a spatial distance between a light emitting portion of a compact fluorescent light bulb and a lower section having a generally circular boundary securable to a base of the compact fluorescent light bulb, said housing formed from a first clamshell shaped section having a first thickness and a second clamshell shaped section having a second thickness;

hinge means pivotally coupling said first clamshell shaped section to said second clamshell shaped section;

an interengaging means projecting from said first clamshell shaped section recesses for complementary positioning within recesses in said second clamshell shaped section;

further interengaging means projecting from said second clamshell shaped section recesses for complementary positioning within recesses in said first clamshell shaped section; and

a peripheral resealable lip conforming to the outer perimeter of a lamp fixture and attached to said generally circular outer boundary of said lamp fixture body;

wherein said housing is positioned around said compact fluorescent light with said interengaging means coupling said first clamshell shaped section to said second clamshell shaped second providing a cover that assimilates a conventional incandescent light bulb.

2. The cover for a compact fluorescent light according to claim 1 wherein said lip is a continuous resilient seal for frictionally engaging the base of the compact fluorescent light bulb.

3. The cover for a compact fluorescent light according to claim 1 wherein each said clamshell is formed from a polycarbonate material.

4. The cover for a compact fluorescent light according to claim 3 wherein said polycarbonate material includes a UV inhibitor to reduce the passage of UV light.

5. The cover for a compact fluorescent light according to claim 1 wherein said housing includes a prismatic film for even distribution of light.

6. The cover for a compact fluorescent light according to claim 1 wherein an outer surface of said housing includes a textured surface for receipt of indicia.

7. The cover for a compact fluorescent light according to claim 1 wherein said housing is translucent.

8. The cover for a compact fluorescent light according to claim 1 wherein one of said clamshells is opaque.

9. The cover for a compact fluorescent light according to claim 8 wherein said opaque clamshell includes an inner surface having a reflective material.

10. The cover for a compact fluorescent light according to claim 1 wherein each said clamshell is formed from perfluoroethylene-propylene copolymer.

11. The cover for a compact fluorescent light according to claim 10 wherein said perfluoroethylene-propylene copolymer includes a UV inhibitor to reduce the passage of UV light and has a predetermined thickness to moderate light passage.

12. The cover for a compact fluorescent light according to claim 1 wherein each said clamshell is formed from perfluoroakoxy copolymer.

13. The cover for a compact fluorescent light according to claim 10 wherein said perfluoroakoxy copolymer includes a UV inhibitor to reduce the passage of UV light and has a predetermined thickness to moderate light passage.

14. The cover for a compact fluorescent light according to claim 1 wherein said housing is constructed and arranged to allow a predetermined amount of light to pass through.