Fluorescent lamp adapter with shell form ballast
First Claim
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1. A device, comprising:
- (a) a ballast, comprising;
a center segment;
an electrically conducting coil wound about said center segment capable of conducting an electrical current therethrough;
a perimeter portion substantially surrounding said center segment, said perimeter portion having four side members, each side member having opposing distal ends wherein each of said side members'"'"' distal ends meets with one of an adjacent side members'"'"' distal ends, said meeting ends together forming a rounded corner with a curved peripheral contour, and wherein said perimeter portion includes at least one air gap having a predetermined thickness, said air gap being capable of enlargement when an electrical current is applied to said electrically conducting coil; and
(b) a lamp adapter assembly which is adapted for use in an incandescent lighting socket, including electrical connection elements which interconnect said electrically conducting coil with said incandescent lighting socket and a lamp positionable within said lamp adapter assembly and wherein said lamp adapter assembly is configured to tightly position said perimeter portion of said ballast device therein in a manner which avoids said enlargement of said air gap to maintain said air gap at said predetermined thickness.
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Abstract
A shell form ballast has rounded corners for positioning inside a ballast housing for use with a fluorescent light bulb adapter. The ballast has rounded outer corners to meet both long-term life and power requirements, and spatial design constraints of a fluorescent lamp adapter assembly for use in an incandescent lighting fixture, and particularly for use in a recessed incandescent lighting fixture. The rounded outer corners of the ballast provide the ability for the shell form ballast to fit into a hollow housing for use in the recessed lighting fixture while simultaneously providing the shell form ballast a snug fit in the hollow housing, thereby minimizing gap growth.
5 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A device, comprising:
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(a) a ballast, comprising; a center segment; an electrically conducting coil wound about said center segment capable of conducting an electrical current therethrough; a perimeter portion substantially surrounding said center segment, said perimeter portion having four side members, each side member having opposing distal ends wherein each of said side members'"'"' distal ends meets with one of an adjacent side members'"'"' distal ends, said meeting ends together forming a rounded corner with a curved peripheral contour, and wherein said perimeter portion includes at least one air gap having a predetermined thickness, said air gap being capable of enlargement when an electrical current is applied to said electrically conducting coil; and (b) a lamp adapter assembly which is adapted for use in an incandescent lighting socket, including electrical connection elements which interconnect said electrically conducting coil with said incandescent lighting socket and a lamp positionable within said lamp adapter assembly and wherein said lamp adapter assembly is configured to tightly position said perimeter portion of said ballast device therein in a manner which avoids said enlargement of said air gap to maintain said air gap at said predetermined thickness. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A device for use with a compact fluorescent lamp, comprising:
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(a) a ballast, comprising; a rectangular periphery portion having interior and exterior surfaces and having rounded exterior corners and at least one air gap having a predetermined thickness; a center segment portion emanating inward from one of said interior surfaces of said rectangular periphery, said center segment portion thereby substantially surrounded by said rectangular periphery portion; at least one electrically conducting coil wound around said center segment portion, said coil and said rectangular periphery portion having sufficient combined surface area such that when an electrical current passes through said coil, the output current generated therefrom is controlled to power said compact fluorescent lamp; and wherein said air gap is capable of growth when said electrical current passes through said coil; (b) a fluorescent lamp adapter assembly which is adapted for use in an incandescent lighting socket and which houses said ballast to tightly position said rectangular periphery portion therein and in a manner which avoids said growth of said air gap to maintain said air gap at said predetermined thickness; and (c) electrical interconnection elements for establishing interconnections with said incandescent lighting socket and with said compact fluorescent lamp positioned in said fluorescent lamp adapter assembly. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A fluorescent lamp adapter assembly for adapting a fluorescent lamp to an incandescent lighting fixture, comprising:
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(a) a housing; (b) a ballast including a center segment having wrapped thereon at least one coil, said center segment substantially surrounded by a peripheral portion having exterior corners which are rounded, said peripheral portion including at least one air gap having a predetermined thickness, said air gap being capable of growth during use of said ballast, said ballast tightly positionable within said housing in a manner which avoids said growth of said air gap to maintain said air gap at said predetermined thickness; (c) first connector means in communication with said at least one coil for establishing electrical interconnection between said ballast and said incandescent lighting fixture; and (d) second connector means in communication with said coil for establishing electrical interconnection between said ballast and said fluorescent lamp. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An adapter for adapting a fluorescent lamp to an incandescent lighting fixture, comprising:
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(a) a housing; (b) a ballast positioned within the housing, wherein the ballast has a configuration which includes at least one air gap of a predetermined thickness, said air gap being capable of growth during the use of said ballast, and has a shape such that one or more surfaces of the ballast contact the housing to hold the ballast in a fixed relationship to the housing and in a manner which avoids said growth of said air gap to maintain said air gap at said predetermined thickness; and (c) an electrically conducting coil, the coil being held within the ballast in a fixed relationship to the ballast. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification