Fluorescent lamp catcher

• US 7,563,006 B1
• Filed: 11/01/2006
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Verfuerth, Neal R., Wetenkamp, Kenneth J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US11/555,680
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 362/217, 362/225, 362376-378, 362/396, 362/391, 362/457, 248/50
• US Class Current: 362/376
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/04 intended only for mounting on a ceiling or the like overhead structures F21S8/02 takes precedence; details of ceiling bases F21V21/03
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 25/02 coming into action when lighting device is disturbed, dismounted, or broken
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources

Abstract

A fluorescent lamp tube catcher formed of bent wire can be detachably engaged with a light fixture, with the central portion of the lamp tube catcher positioned below fluorescent tubes in the light fixture during use. In the event that a fluorescent lamp tube inadvertently becomes loose in the light fixture, the fluorescent lamp tube catcher can stop the loose fluorescent lamp tube from falling. The fluorescent lamp tube catcher can be loosely retained on the light fixture, for example while replacing a fluorescent lamp tube that has failed.

Claims

1. A fluorescent lamp tube catcher for use with a light fixture having a frame supporting a reflector and one or more lamp tubes, the lamp catcher comprising:

a unitary member having a first leg and a second leg arranged substantially in an L shape, the first leg terminating at a first end having a first hook portion configured to directly and releasably engage an edge of the reflector, and the second leg terminating at a second end having a loop portion configured to be pivotally coupled to the frame.

2. The fluorescent lamp tube catcher of claim 1 wherein the loop portion is configured to be pivotally retained on a bolt extending from the frame.

3. The fluorescent lamp tube catcher of claim 2 wherein the first leg is configured to extend substantially across and perpendicular to an axis of the lamp tubes.

4. The fluorescent lamp tube catcher of claim 3 wherein the second leg is configured to extend substantially parallel to the axis of the lamp tubes.

5. The fluorescent lamp tube catcher of claim 1 wherein the unitary member is formed by bending a unitary piece of wire.

6. The fluorescent lamp tube catcher of claim 4 wherein the first leg comprises a second hook portion disposed proximate the second leg and configured to releasable engage an opposite side of the reflector.

7. The fluorescent lamp tube catcher of claim 6 wherein at least one of the first and second hook portions comprises a hook angle of about 20 degrees.

8. The fluorescent lamp tube catcher of claim 4 wherein the first and second legs are pivotally movable about an axis of the bolt between a first position and a second position to permit replacement of one or more of the lamp tubes without disconnecting the second leg from the frame and without the use of tools.

9. A kit comprising:

a light fixture having a frame supporting a reflector and at least one pair of lamp sockets positioned to receive a lamp tube adjacent to the reflector between a first mounting point and a second mounting point; and

a lamp tube catcher comprising a unitary member having a first leg and a second leg arranged substantially in an L shape, the first leg terminating at a first end having a hook portion configured to directly and releasably engage an edge of the reflector, and the second leg terminating at a second end having a loop portion configured to be pivotally coupled to the frame;

whereby a lamp tube received in the lamp sockets that becomes loose will drop onto the first leg of the lamp tube catcher.

10. The kit of claim 9 wherein the unitary member of the lamp tube catcher is formed by bending a unitary piece of wire.

11. The kit of claim 10 wherein the lamp tube comprises a plurality of tubes and the reflector comprises a plurality of arched segments, where an outermost segment of the reflector further comprises an outwardly extending rim configured to releasably receive the hook portion.

12. The kit of claim 11 wherein the hook portion comprise a hook angle of about 20 degrees.

13. The kit of claim 11 further comprising another hook portion proximate the second leg and configured to engage another rim of the reflector.

14. The kit of claim 9 wherein the lamp tube catcher comprises a plurality of fluorescent lamp tube catchers independently movable and releasably relative to one another.

15. A method of replacing a fluorescent lamp, comprising:

(a) providing a light fixture having a frame supporting a reflector and at least one pair of fluorescent lamp sockets positioned to receive a fluorescent lamp tube adjacent to the reflector;

(b) inserting a fluorescent lamp tube into the fluorescent lamp sockets adjacent the reflector;

(c) providing a fluorescent lamp tube catcher comprising a first leg and a second leg arranged substantially in an L shape, the first leg terminating at a first end having a hook portion configured to directly and releasably engage an edge of the reflector, and the second leg terminating at a second end having a loop portion configured to be pivotally coupled to the frame;

(d) coupling the loop portion to the frame and detachably engaging the hook portion with a rim extending along an edge of the reflector, so that the first leg is positioned beneath the fluorescent lamp tube and substantially perpendicular to an axis of the fluorescent lamp tube.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the fluorescent lamp tube comprises a plurality of tubes and the reflector comprises a plurality of arched segments, where an outermost segment on at least one side of the reflector further comprises an outwardly extending rim configured to releasably receive the hook portion.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the fluorescent lamp tube catcher is formed by bending a unitary piece of wire.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the fluorescent lamp tube catcher comprises a plurality of fluorescent lamp tube catchers independently movable and releasably relative to one another.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the hook portion comprises a hook angle of about 20 degrees.