Fluorescent lamp with replaceable lamp part

• US 6,020,682 A
• Filed: 01/08/1997
• Issued: 02/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Walter Holzer
• Original Assignee: Walter Holzer
• Inventors: Holzer, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ashok
• Application Number:
  US08/780,735
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 313/485, 313/493, 313/318.01, 313/318.02, 313/318.05, 313/318.12, 313/331, 313/623, 313/634, 313/51
• US Class Current: 313/493
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 5/52 directly applied to or forming part of the vessel
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/327 "Compact"-lamps, i.e. lamps having a folded discharge path
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/56 One or more circuit elements structurally associated with the lamp
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/70 Lamps with low-pressure unconstricted discharge having a cold pressure < 400 Torr
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/78 with cold cathode; with cathode heated only by discharge, e.g. high-tension lamp for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/942 for tubular fluorescent lamps

Abstract

A fluorescent lamp wherein the replaceable gas discharge bulb assembly is equipped with parallel pins which are formed directly in the bulb assembly. Due to this modular construction, the bulbs can be used in a variety of applications.

Claims

1. A fluorescent lamp comprising:

a) a replaceable gas discharge vessel comprising a single bent glass tube having parallel plug pins at first and second ends thereof;

b) the first end of the glass tube base-mounted to the fluorescent lamp by parallel pins;

c) the second end of the glass tube having the parallel pins melted directly thereto; and

d) a current limiter and a ballast mounted as a separate unit for electrical connection to said gas discharge vehicle.

2. The fluorescent lamp of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism on said plug pins, said locking mechanism comprising a thickening on at least of one of said plug pins.

3. The fluorescent lamp of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism on said plug pins, said locking mechanism comprising a reduction in the cross section of at least one of said plug pins.

4. The fluorescent lamp of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism on said plug pins, said locking mechanism comprising a head on the end of at least one of said plug pins.