Energy efficient recessed lighting fixture
First Claim
1. A recessed lighting fixture for use in an overhead downlight housing, comprising,a socket-and-ballast sub-assembly wherein an electronic ballast is fixed to a fluorescent lamp socket comprising an integrated lamp socket and ballast;
- a reflector sub-assembly including a reflector associated with the socket-and-ballast sub-assembly and having a parabolic section with a central axis, a focal point and a flat top defining a circular opening with slots for mounting the socket-and-ballast subassembly;
means for attaching the reflector to the socket-and-ballast sub-assembly comprising said socket having a housing that includes locking tabs for insertion in said slots of the reflector opening, for detachable attachment of the socket-and-ballast subassembly to the reflector by a one-step procedure; and
, a fluorescent light source insertable in the socket within the reflector.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A novel energy efficient recessed downlighted lighting fixture, using a compact laterally twisted, fluorescent lamp, and electronic ballast, provides an easy to install procedure for retrofit installations. Using an integrated socket-and-ballast subassembly, the overall height is reduced so that it can find use with existing metal housings. This recessed fixture uses a newly designed energy efficient compact fluorescent lamp as the primary lighting source. This fluorescent lamp, which is a laterally twisted tube commonly referred to as a “springlamp” allows the shortest lamp known to the fluorescent lamp industry. It provides for minimal light trapping, thereby creating the maximum concentrated lighting output, and lighting distribution that is closest to the illumination supplied by an incandescent bulb. The laterally twisted “SpringLamp” is centrally positioned at the focal point of the parabolically shaped portion of the reflector to produce a collimated-like downlighted column of concentrated light that enhances the illumination efficiency when measured at the central portion of the beam.
-
Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A recessed lighting fixture for use in an overhead downlight housing, comprising,
a socket-and-ballast sub-assembly wherein an electronic ballast is fixed to a fluorescent lamp socket comprising an integrated lamp socket and ballast; -
a reflector sub-assembly including a reflector associated with the socket-and-ballast sub-assembly and having a parabolic section with a central axis, a focal point and a flat top defining a circular opening with slots for mounting the socket-and-ballast subassembly;
means for attaching the reflector to the socket-and-ballast sub-assembly comprising said socket having a housing that includes locking tabs for insertion in said slots of the reflector opening, for detachable attachment of the socket-and-ballast subassembly to the reflector by a one-step procedure; and
,a fluorescent light source insertable in the socket within the reflector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
wherein the support arms captivate a pair of reflector mounting springs, each having a pair of spring arms with looped ends and pivotally mounted on a blind pan-head rivet.
-
-
13. The recessed lighting fixture according to claim 12, a pair ā
- Cā
shaped brackets positioned on opposite sides of the housing, each bracket of the pair having two notches to receive the retaining springs and secure the fixture in an upward position in the housing.
- Cā
-
14. The recessed lighting fixture according to claim 13, wherein the ballast-and-socket assembly is mounted on the central axis.
-
15. The recessed lighting fixture according to claim 13, wherein the socket is on the central axis and the ballast is connected to the socket in a cantilever position to further reduce overall height of the recessed lighting fixture.
-
16. The recessed lighting fixture of claim 13, said fixture further comprising a universal design that is suitable for either new construction or in retrofitting installations.
-
17. The recessed lighting fixture of claim 16, further comprising a lower power input than conventional downlighting assemblies, for an improved operating efficiency.
-
18. The recessed lighting fixture of claim 17, further comprising a diminished thermal output that obviates the need for a thermal protective device within the housing due to the substantially reduced operating temperature.
-
19. The recessed lighting fixture of claim 18, wherein the fixture has a total height and, wherein said height of an integrated assembly is less than 7 inches.
-
20. A lighting installation for use with a compact fluorescent springlamp and a standard housing having a pair of clamps extending inward on a housing cavity, comprising:
an electronic ballast fixed to a fluorescent light socket having receptacles and locking tabs, the socket detachably attached to a reflector having a parabolic body with a focal point, a first opening with notched slots and a second opening, and a pair of spring biased arms pivotally fixed on opposite sides of a reflector surface, said installation formed by the steps of snap locking the socket in the reflector first opening with placement of the locking tabs in the notched slots, inserting a compact laterally twisted fluorescent springlamp having two tubular ends mated to a lamp base with retaining tabs and pins through the second opening and into the socket to mate the retaining tabs with said locking tabs, insert said pins in respective receptacles, and position the springlamp at the focal point, inserting each pair of spring arms into each of the housing clamps and pushing the reflector upward into the housing cavity, whereby energizing the springlamp produces a columnar light beam of maximum intensity per energy unit consumed. - View Dependent Claims (21)
-
22. A method for using a recessed lighting fixture to maximize light output, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a socket and ballast assembly comprising an electronic ballast fixed to a fluorescent lamp socket having locking tabs;
suspending a compact fluorescent springlamp at a focal point of a parabolic reflector having a flat top defining a circular opening with slots for mounting the socket and ballast assembly;
the springlamp communicating with the ballast through a fluorescent plug;
snap locking the socket and ballast assembly to the reflector with said locking tabs inserted into the slots for detachable attachment of the socket-and-ballast assembly to the reflector by a one-step procedure; and
,energizing the springlamp for a concentrated light output, and an efficient, lowered temperature, long-lasting lamp operation. - View Dependent Claims (23)
-
Specification