Seamed pin for crimping and welding as used in a fluorescent lamp

• US 7,329,159 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2006
• Issued: 02/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Wilson, Carolyn E., Kozel, Frank, Brenton, Keith D., Brenton, David D., Szabo, Attila
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Tulsidas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUONGCHI T
• Application Number:
  US11/343,580
• Publication Number:
  US 20060199446A1
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 439/884, 439/612, 439/617, 439/618, 439/874, 439/236
• US Class Current: 439/884
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 5/62 Connection of wires protruding from the vessel to connectors carried by the separate part
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/0827 characterised by the contacts

Abstract

A universal pin includes a seam along its length. A necked-down region or small, constant diameter portion includes a wall of increased thickness that is conducive to both welding and crimping operations used to secure the lead wire to a pin in a fluorescent lamp assembly.

Claims

1. A pin for use in a fluorescent lamp comprising:

an elongated, linear hollow body having a seam extending along a longitudinal length thereof, a first end portion having a first diameter and including a first opening along the longitudinal extent thereof and dimensioned to receive a lead wire therethrough, and a second end portion having a second diameter and including a second opening along the longitudinal extent thereof axially aligned with the first opening, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter; and

said hollow body defining a wall thickness along the longitudinal length thereof, the wall thickness along the second end portion being substantially greater than along the first end portion allowing the pin to be one of crimped and welded to an associated lead wire received therethrough, and wherein the transition between the lesser wall thickness and the greater wall thickness occurs abruptly at the transition from the first end portion to the second end portion.

2. The pin of claim 1 wherein the wall thickness along the first end portion is substantially constant.

3. The pin of claim 1 further including a circumferentially continuous radial shoulder on an external surface of the pin along the first end portion.

4. A pin for use in a fluorescent lamp comprising:

an elongated, linear hollow body having a seam extending along a longitudinal length thereof, a first end including a first opening dimensioned to receive a lead wire therethrough, and a second end axially spaced from the first end having a reduced dimension relative to the first end and having a reduced dimension, second opening relative to and communicating with the first end along an internal passage;

the body including an interconnecting portion, the interconnecting portion axially disposed between the first and second ends, the interconnecting portion having an external surface that transitions abruptly between a first portion having a generally constant cross-sectional first dimension adjacent the first end and a second portion having a generally constant second cross-sectional second dimension adjacent the second end; and

a wall thickness of the body being greater at the second end than the first end allowing the pin to be one of crimped and welded to an associated lead wire received therethrough.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the interconnecting portion includes an inner surface transitioning between the first and second openings.

6. The invention of claim 4 wherein the cross sectional first dimension is larger than the cross sectional second dimension.

7. The invention of claim 4 wherein the transition from the first portion to the second portion being achieved through a generally constant wall thickness.

8. The invention of claim 4 further comprising a circumferentially continuous radial shoulder on an external surface of the pin between the first and second ends.