Fluorescent lamp with spring-loaded terminal pins

• US 5,600,199 A
• Filed: 09/15/1994
• Issued: 02/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kelly, Kevin M., Steve E. Martin Sr
• Original Assignee: Kelly, Kevin M., Steve E. Martin Sr
• Inventors: Kelly, Kevin M., Martin, Steve E. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Ashok
• Application Number:
  US08/306,398
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 313/491, 313/574, 313/567, 313/577, 313/583, 313/623, 313/626, 313/631, 313/292, 313/318.01, 313/318.02, 313/318.05, 313/51, 313/318.03, 439/337, 439/338, 439/546, 439/602, 439/605, 439/611, 439/612, 439/613, 439/617, 439/232, 439/239, 439/241, 439/244, 439/234, 439/824, 439/700
• US Class Current: 313/318.02
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 5/50 Means forming part of the tube or lamps for the purpose of providing electrical connection to it
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/18 End pieces terminating in a probe
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/15 Pins, blades or sockets having separate spring member for producing or increasing contact pressure

Abstract

A fluorescent lamp with spring-loaded terminal pins includes a tube having an inner surface and an outer surface; an amount of electrically excitable gas disposed in the tube; a fluorescent chemical coat disposed on the inner surface of the tube; a pair of electrodes with each electrode positioned within the tube near each end thereof; a pair of base caps each sealed to a separate end of the tube such that the length of the tube including base caps is about four feet; and a pair of spring-loaded terminal pins extended through each base cap and coupled to the nearest electrode for delivering electrical energy thereto.

Claims

1. A fluorescent lamp comprising:

(a) a tube having an inner surface and an outer surface and first and second ends;

(b) a first base cap mounted to said first end;

(c) a second base cap mounted to said second end;

(d) a first terminal pin moveably mounted to said first base cap, said first terminal pin comprising an inner stem member secured to said first base cap, an outer stem member slidably engaged with said inner stem, a spring member engaged with said inner stem member and said outer stem member, and a sleeve member surrounding said inner stem member, said outer stem, and said spring member; and

(e) a second terminal pin moveably mounted to said second base cap.