Portable fluorescent work light

• US 5,528,477 A
• Filed: 09/16/1994
• Issued: 06/18/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Pacific Electricord Co. (Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: Carmo, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Raab, Sara Sachie
• Application Number:
  US08/307,994
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 362/260, 362/396, 362/285, 362/362, 362/225, 362/390, 362/369, 362/255, 362/376, 362/377
• US Class Current: 362/260
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 14/026 having a linear light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/02 Cages
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/04 Resilient mountings, e.g. shock absorbers shock absorbing devices of vehicle headlamp housings B60Q1/0491; in general F16F15/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0095 of U-shaped tubular light sources, e.g. compact fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/08 Devices for easy attachment to any desired place, e.g. clip, clamp, magnet
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/00 Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/508
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 25/12 Flameproof or explosion-proof arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 27/02 Cable inlets
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/00 Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/88

Abstract

A fluorescent work light assembly employing a twin tube fluorescent bulb which is interconnected at a second end and has one contact for each tube at a first end to place the bulb in series with a source of AC power. The bulb is mounted in a protective envelope tube with supports adjacent both ends to position and support the bulb. And end cap at the second end permits the light member to be suspended adjacent a work area. An end cap at the first end permits a power source to be connected via a two position switch to the bulb pins. Both end caps are assembled to the protective envelope stop members and have members which also permit the end caps to be assembled. A ballast device is placed in the work light assembly itself.

Claims

1. A fluorescent work light assembly comprising:

a) a twin tube fluorescent bulb having two parallel tubes each having a first end and a second end and a first predetermined length between said first and second ends;

said tubes joined to one another mechanically and electrically at said second ends and supported by a first insulating support member adjacent said first ends of said tubes and supported by a second insulating support member adjacent said second ends of said tubes;

b) a transparent, substantially cylindrical protective envelope having a passageway therethrough from a first end to a second end and a second predetermined length, longer than said first predetermined length to provide a first extension beyond said first ends of said tubes terminating in a first free end and a second extension beyond said second ends of said tubes terminating in a second free end;

a first diametrical bore perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tubes, and extending through the walls of said first extension and a second diametrical bore perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tubes and extending through the walls of said second extension;

c) said first support member, positioned within said protective envelope adjacent said first end, said first support member having a first aperture therethrough to receive and hold said first ends of said bulb;

d) said second support member positioned within said envelope adjacent said second end, said second support member having a second aperture therethrough to receive and hold said second ends of said bulb;

e) first opaque end cap means comprising two first semi-cylindrical mating sections, each having an open first end and a substantially closed second end, said first sections when mated encircle, at said first sections first ends, said protective envelope adjacent said first free end and at said first sections second end forming a substantially complete first end cap end wall preventing access, through said first end cap, to said passageway of said protective envelope, said first end cap end wall separated from said first free end of said envelope along said longitudinal axis of said tubes and first assembly means coupled to each of said two first sections to hold said first end cap means in assembly about said protective envelope, said first assembly means extending between said two first sections at a location intermediate said first and second ends of said first end cap means sections;

f) second opaque end cap means comprising two second semi-cylindrical mating sections, each having an open third end and a substantially closed fourth end, said second sections when mated encircle, at said second sections third ends, said protective envelope adjacent said second free end and at said second sections fourth ends forming a substantially complete second end cap end wall preventing access, through said second end cap, to said passageway of said protective envelope, said second end cap end wall separated from said second free end of said envelope said longitudinal axis of said tubes and second assembly means coupled to each of said two second sections to hold said second end cap means in assembly about said protective envelope, said second assembly means extending between said two second sections at a location intermediate said third and fourth ends of said second end cap sections;

g) a single contact pin for each tube located at said first end of said tubes, said contact pins extending beyond said first support member and adapted to be connected to a source of power to light said fluorescent bulb; and

h) power supply means connected to said contact pins to selectively apply electrical power to said contact pins to cause said fluorescent bulb to light.

2. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a) an opaque semi-cylindrical body member having an interior surface and adapted to be positioned adjacent said protective envelope in line with one of said two first semi-cylindrical sections and one of said two second semi-cylindrical sections to form a continuous opaque housing member from said first end cap to said second end cap with said body member therebetween to occlude a portion of said transparent envelope;

b) a reflective means positioned on said interior surface of said semi-cylindrical body member and aligned with said opaque housing member to direct, focus and concentrate the light given off by said twin tube fluorescent bulb through a non-occluded portion of said protective envelope.

3. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said reflective means extends along said envelope for a distance substantially equal to said first predetermined length.

4. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein said reflective means is curved to substantially match the curve of said envelope.

5. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein said reflective means is comprised of a reflective film placed on a backing member.

6. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said reflective means is curved to substantially match the curve of said cylindrical envelope.

7. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said reflective means is comprised of reflective film placed on a backing member.

8. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said reflective means is comprised of a reflective film placed on a backing member.

9. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein substantially half of said interior surface of said housing member for the entire length thereof is coated with a reflective material.

10. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said reflective material is a paint.

11. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said substantially cylindrical protective envelope has an outer cylindrical surface and substantially half of said outer cylindrical surface of said protective envelope from said first end to said second end is adjacent reflective material.

12. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein said reflective material is a paint.

13. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein said reflective material is a metal foil.

14. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein said reflective material is a metal foil.

15. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said power supply means comprises:

a two position switch in series with a source of AC current to permit the flow of current to said contact pins of said bulb when said switch is in a second position.

16. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined claim 15, wherein said power supply means further comprises ballast means.

17. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said power supply means comprises:

a two position switch in series with a source of AC current to permit the flow of current to said contact pins of said bulb when said switch is in a second position.

18. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined claim 17, wherein said power supply means further comprises ballast means.

19. A fluorescent work light assembly comprising:

a) a twin tube fluorescent bulb having two parallel tubes each having a first end and a second end and a first predetermined length between said first and second ends;

said tubes joined to one another mechanically and electrically at said second ends and supported by an insulating support member adjacent said first ends;

each of said two tubes having an electrical contact pin at said first end, said contact pin extending beyond said support member for engagement with an electrical conductor,

b) a protective envelope having a passageway therethrough from a first end to a second end and having a second predetermined length longer than said first predetermined length;

c) additional support member positionable within said protective envelope adjacent said second ends of said bulb, said additional support member having an additional aperture therethrough to receive and hold said second ends of said bulb;

d) said second support means positionable within said protective envelope adjacent said first end, said support means having an second aperture therethrough to receive and hold said support member and permitting access to said contact pins;

e) power supply means connected to said contact pins to selectively apply electrical power to said contact pins to cause said fluorescent bulb to light;

f) first end cap means comprising;

g) first and second mating sections which when mated encircle a portion of said protective envelope adjacent said envelope second end and substantially close said passageway at said second end;

h) said second mating section having a second assembly member terminating in a socket and having a bore therethrough;

i) said first mating section having a first assembly member terminating in a cylindrical portion dimensioned to enter said socket of said second assembly member and having a bore therethrough;

j) said second mating section positioned adjacent said second end of said envelope with said second assembly member in a location beyond said second free end of said envelope and said first mating section positioned adjacent said second end of said envelope with said first assembly member in a location beyond said second free end of said envelope with said cylindrical portion entering said socket of said second assembly member; and

k) fastening means in said bore of said first and second assembly members to hold in assembly said first and second mating sections.

20. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 19, wherein said first and second mating sections of said second end cap means have a stop means therein which limits the insertion of said second end of said envelope into said second end cap means.

21. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 19, wherein said first end cap means comprises:

an end wall to substantially close said passageway;

an aperture through said end wall; and

suspension means extending through said aperture through said end wall whereby said fluorescent work light assembly can be suspended adjacent a work area.

22. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 21, wherein said suspension means is free to rotate 360°

with respect to its longitudinal axis to permit the work light assembly to be correctly positioned with respect to a work area.

23. A fluorescent work light assembly comprising:

a) a twin tube fluorescent bulb having two parallel tubes each having a first end and a second end and a first predetermined length between said first and second ends;

said tubes joined to one another mechanically and electrically at said second ends and supported by a first insulating support member adjacent said first ends of said tubes;

each of said two tubes having an electrical contact pin at said first end of said tubes, said contact pin extending beyond said first support member for engagement with an electrical conductor;

b) a transparent, substantially cylindrical protective envelope having a passageway therethrough from a first end to a second end and having a second predetermined length longer than said first predetermined length, to provide a first extension beyond said first ends of said tubes terminating in a first free end and a second extension beyond said second ends of said tubes terminating in a second free end;

a first diametrical bore perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tubes, and extending through the walls of said first extension and a second diametrical bore perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tubes and extending through the walls of said second extension;

c) a second support member positionable within said protective envelope adjacent said second end of said envelope, said second support member having a first aperture therethrough to receive and hold said second ends of said tubes;

d) said first support member positionable within said protective envelope adjacent said first end of said envelope, said first support member having a second aperture therethrough to receive and hold said first ends of said tubes and permitting access to said contact pins;

e) power supply means connected to said contact pins to selectively apply electrical power to said contact pins to cause said fluorescent bulb to light;

f) first end cap means comprising;

g) first and second mating sections, each having an open first end and a substantially closed second end, said first and second mating sections when mated encircle, at said first ends of said first and second mating sections, said protective envelope adjacent said envelope first free end and at said second ends of said first and second mating sections forming a substantially complete first end cap end wall preventing access through said first end cap means, to said passageway at said first free end;

h) said second mating section having at least one second assembly member, each of said at least one second assembly member terminating in a socket and having a bore therein;

i) said first mating section having at least one first assembly member, each of said at least one first assembly member terminating in a cylindrical portion dimensioned and positioned to enter said socket of said associated one of said at least one second assembly member and having a bore therethrough, said at least one of said first assembly member extending towards said second mating section in the space between said first free end of said envelope and said first end cap end wall;

j) said second mating section having at least one of said second assembly member extending towards said first mating section in the space between said first free end of said envelope and said first end cap end wall said cylindrical portion of said at least one of said first assembly member entering said socket of said associated one of said at least one second assembly member, when said first and second mating sections are mated; and

k) fastening means in said bores of said at least one first and associated at least one second assembly members to hold in assembly said first and second mating sections.

24. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 23, wherein said first and second mating sections have a stop means therein which limits the insertion of said first end of said envelope into said first end cap means.

25. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 23, wherein said first end cap means comprises:

an aperture through said first end cap end wall dimensioned to grip an electrical cord passing through said aperture into said first end cap means.

26. A fluorescent work light assembly comprising:

a) a twin tube fluorescent bulb having two parallel tubes each having a first end and a second end and a first predetermined length between said first and second ends;

said tubes joined to one another mechanically and electrically at said second ends and supported by a first insulating support member adjacent said first ends of said tubes;

each of said two tubes having an electrical contact pin at said first end of said tubes, said contact pin extending beyond said first support member for engagement with an electrical conductor;

b) a transparent, substantially cylindrical protective envelope having a passageway therethrough from a first end to a second end and having a second predetermined length longer than said first predetermined length, to provide a first extension beyond said first ends of said tubes terminating in a first free end and a second extension beyond said second ends of said tubes terminating in a second free end;

a first diametrical bore perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tubes and extending through the walls of said first extension and a second diametrical bore perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tubes and extending through the walls of said second extension;

c) a second support member positionable within said protective envelope adjacent said second end of said envelope, said second support member having a first aperture therethrough to receive and hold said second ends of said tubes;

d) said first support member positionable within said protective envelope adjacent said first end of said envelope, said first support member having a second aperture therethrough to receive and hold said first ends of said tubes and permitting access to said contact pins;

e) power supply means connected to said contact pins to selectively apply electrical power to said contact pins to cause said fluorescent bulb to light;

f) first end cap means comprising;

g) first and second mating sections, each having an open first end and a substantially closed second end, said first and second mating sections when mated encircle, at said first ends of said first and second mating sections, said protective envelope adjacent said envelope first free end and at said second ends of said first and second mating sections forming a substantially complete first end cap end wall preventing access, through said first end cap means, to said passageway at said first free end;

h) said second mating section having at least one second assembly member, each of said at least one second assembly member terminating in a socket and having a bore therein;

i) said first mating section having at least one first assembly member, each of said at least one first assembly member terminating in a cylindrical portion dimensioned and positioned to enter said socket of said associated second assembly member and having a bore therethrough, said at least one of said first assembly member extending towards said second mating section in the space between said first free end of said envelope and said first end cap end wall;

j) said second mating section having at least one of said second assembly member, extending towards said first mating section in the space between said first free end of said envelope and said first end cap end wall said cylindrical portion of said at least one of said first assembly member entering said socket of said associated one of said at least one second assembly member, when said first and second mating sections are mated;

k) first fastening means in said bores of each of said at least one first and associated at least one second assembly member to hold in assembly said first and second mating sections;

l) second end cap means comprising;

m) third and fourth mating sections, each having an open third end and a substantially closed fourth end, said third and fourth mating sections when mated encircle, at said third ends of said third and fourth mating sections, said protective envelope adjacent said envelope second free end and at said fourth ends of said third and fourth mating sections forming a substantially complete second end cap end wall preventing access, through said second end cap means, to said passageway at said second free end;

n) said fourth mating section having at least one fourth assembly member, each of said at least one fourth assembly member terminating in a socket and having a bore therein;

o) said third mating section having at least one third assembly member, each of said at least one third assembly member terminating in a cylindrical portion dimensioned and positioned to enter said socket of said associated one of said at least one fourth assembly member and having a bore therethrough, said at least one of said third assembly member extending towards said fourth mating section in the space between said second free end of said envelope and said second end cap wall;

p) said fourth mating section having at least one of said fourth assembly member extending towards said third mating section in the space between said second free end of said envelope and said second end cap end wall said cylindrical portion of said at least one of said third assembly member entering said socket of said associated one of said at least one fourth assembly member; and

q) second fastening means in said bores of each of said at least one said third and fourth assembly means to hold in assembly said third and fourth mating sections.

27. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 26, wherein said first and second mating sections have a first stop means therein which limits the insertion of said first end of said envelope within said first end cap means, and said third and fourth mating members have a second stop means therein which limits the insertion of said second end of said envelope within said second end cap means.

28. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 27, wherein said power supply means comprises a two position switch in series with a source of AC current to permit the flow of current to said contact pins of said bulb when said switch is in a first position and prevents the flowing of current to said contact pins of said bulb when said switch is in a second position.

29. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 28, wherein said power supply means further comprises a ballast means.

30. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 26, wherein said second end cap means comprises:

a) an aperture through said second end cap end wall; and

b) suspension means extending through said aperture through said second end cap end wall to permit said fluorescent work light assembly to be suspended adjacent a work area.

31. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 30, wherein said suspension means is free to rotate 360°

with respect to its longitudinal axis to permit the work light assembly to be correctly positioned with respect to a work area.

32. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 26, wherein said first end cap means comprises:

an aperture through said first end cap end wall dimensioned to grip an electrical cord passing through said aperture into said first end cap means.

33. A fluorescent work light assembly comprising:

a) a twin tube fluorescent bulb having two parallel tubes each having a first end and a second end and a first predetermined length between said first and second ends;

said tubes joined to one another mechanically and electrically at said second ends and supported by a first insulating support member adjacent said first ends and supported by a second insulating support member adjacent said second end;

each of said two tubes having an electrical contact pin at said first end, said contact pin extending beyond said first support member for engagement with an electrical conductor for applying electric power to said contact pins to cause said fluorescent bulb to operate and produce visible light;

b) a transparent, substantially cylindrical protective envelope having a passageway therethrough from a first end to a second end and a second predetermined length longer than said first predetermined length whereby when said bulb is centered along said envelope length, both of said first and second insulating supports are in said envelope, and a first extension of said envelope extends beyond said first ends of said bulb while a second extension of said envelope extends beyond said second ends of said bulb, said envelope has an outer cylindrical surface and an inner cylindrical surface;

c) a first set of apertures in said first extension, said first apertures arranged along a radial axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said envelope;

d) a second set of apertures in said second extension, said second apertures arranged along a radial axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said envelope;

e) a first substantially hollow, semi-circular mating housing member having a third predetermined length longer than said second predetermined length and when positioned on said envelope covers approximately fifty percent of the outer surface of said envelope along the length of said envelope, said first housing member having a curved interior surface and an exterior surface;

f) a second, substantially hollow, semi-circular mating housing member having an interior surface which when mated to said first housing member adjacent said first extension and said first end of said envelope completely encircles said first extension and said first end of said envelope;

g) a third, substantially hollow, semi-circular mating housing member having an interior surface which when mated to said first housing member adjacent said second extension and said second end of said envelope completely encircles said second extension and said second end of said envelope;

the portion of said outer surface of said envelope not covered by said first, said second and said third housing members defines a window having an area equal to approximately fifty percent of said envelope outer surface for the transmission of light from said bulb to the area about said assembly;

h) reflective means applied in the interior surface of said first housing member aligned with said window to direct, focus and concentrate light given off by said bulb at said window; and

i) means to prevent rotation of said protective envelope with respect to said reflective means which can alter the amount of light available at said window.

34. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 33, wherein said means to prevent rotation of said protective envelope with respect to said reflective means is a plurality of pins on at least one of said first, second and third housing members which enter at least one of said first and at least one of said second sets of apertures in said envelope.

35. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 34, wherein said reflective means is comprised of a reflective film placed on a backing member.

36. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 33, wherein said means to prevent rotation of said protective envelope with respect to said reflective means comprises:

two pins on the interior surface of said first housing member, each pin entering an associated one of said first and second pairs of apertures in said envelope.

37. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 36 further comprising:

a) a first pin on said interior surface of said second housing member to enter the second of said first pair of apertures in said envelope; and

b) a second pin on said interior surface of said third housing member to enter the second of said second pairs of apertures in said envelope.

38. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 37, wherein said reflective means is curved to substantially match the curve of interior surface of said housing member.

39. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 37, wherein said reflective means is comprised of reflective film placed on a backing member.

40. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 33, wherein said reflective means extends along the interior surface of said first housing member for a distance substantially equal to said first predetermined length.

41. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 33, wherein said reflective means is curved to substantially match the curve of said interior surface of said first housing member.

42. A fluorescent work light assembly as defined in claim 33, wherein said reflective means is comprised of a reflective film placed on a backing member.