Power source mounted to a fluorescent light

• US 7,514,876 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2005
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nxsteps Communication Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nxsteps Communication Incorporated
• Inventors: Roach, Peter O. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens; Douglas W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu; Jimmy T
• Application Number:
  US11/195,480
• Publication Number:
  US 20050264220A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,344 Days
• Field of Search: 315/149, 315/155, 315/158, 315/160, 315/291, 362/183, 362/184, 362/228, 362/221, 362/230, 362/234
• US Class Current: 315/155
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/00 Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps structurally associated with the discharge lamps H01J61/54, H01J61/56
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/36 Controlling
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

The invention provides a power source that can be configured for being mounted to a fluorescent light. The internal electronics of the power source are contained within a housing. Attachment means are used to attach the housing to a fluorescent lamp. The attachment means may comprise a support tube attached to the housing. The support tube fits over the fluorescent lamp and attaches to the housing to secure the power source to the fluorescent lamp. Alternatively, the housing may include power coupling pins on one side and fluorescent lamp pin connectors on the opposite side. The power coupling pins fit into one receptacle of the fluorescent light fixture and the pins of the fluorescent lamp are inserted into the fluorescent lamp pin connectors of the housing such that the power source is mounted between the fluorescent lamp and the fluorescent light fixture.

Claims

1. A power source configured for being mounted to a fluorescent light comprising:

a housing containing a power port to which an external device may be electrically connected;

one or more power coupling pin protruding from one side of the housing and configured to be inserted into a receptacle within a fluorescent light fixture that would otherwise receive one or more pin of a fluorescent lamp; and

one or more fluorescent lamp pin connector located on an opposite side of the housing and electrically connected to the one or more power coupling pin, wherein the one or more fluorescent lamp pin connector is configured to receive the one or more pin of the fluorescent lamp.

2. The power source of claim 1, wherein the one or more fluorescent lamp pin connector is electrically connected to the one or more power coupling pin via a power converter internal to the housing.

3. The power source of claim 2, wherein the power converter receives power from power source of the fluorescent light via the one or more power coupling pin;

and

wherein the power converter supplies the power to the internal electronics of the wireless network component and to the fluorescent lamp pin connector.

4. The power source of claim 1, wherein the one or more power coupling pin and the one or more fluorescent lamp pin connector are vertically offset relative to each other, such that the fluorescent lamp is installed at an angle relative to its intended axis within the fluorescent light fixture.

5. The power source of claim 1, wherein the one or more power coupling pin and the one or more fluorescent lamp pin connector are horizontally offset from each other, such that the fluorescent lamp is installed at an angle relative to its intended axis within the fluorescent light fixture.

6. The power source of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the housing is at least partially transparent so that light from the fluorescent lamp can pass through the housing.

7. The power source of claim 1, wherein the housing includes means for dissipating heat generated by the fluorescent light.

8. The power source of claim 1, further comprising attachment means for attaching the housing to the fluorescent lamp.

9. The power source of claim 8, wherein the attachment means comprises a support tube configured to be attached to at least a portion of the housing;

and

wherein the support tube fits over the fluorescent lamp and attaches to the housing so as to attach the housing to the fluorescent lamp.