Apparatus and method for keying lamp and lamp fixture

• US 20040141332A1
• Filed: 01/09/2004
• Published: 07/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ultraviolet Devices Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ultraviolet Devices Incorporated
• Inventors: Pedersen, Michael A., Witham, David L., Arance, Roberto E., Crawford, Keith M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,137,728 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/548
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/008 of straight tubular light sources, e.g. straight fluorescent tubes, soffit lamps

Abstract

Provided are exemplary embodiments of a system and method for allowing predetermined and/or preconfigured lamp assemblies to be utilized with lamp fixtures. The exemplary embodiments may include a fixture assembly, a key configured to couple to the lamp fixture, and a lamp assembly including a base with a receiving structure, wherein the receiving structure is configured to engage the key, such that only predetermined lamp assemblies may couple to the fixture assembly.

Claims

1. A system for allowing predetermined lamps to be utilized with lamp fixtures, comprising:

a fixture assembly;

a key configured to couple to said fixture assembly; and

a lamp assembly comprising;

a base with a receiving structure,

said receiving structure configured to engage said key, such that predetermined lamp assemblies to operatively couple to said fixture assembly.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said fixture assembly comprises:

a receptacle portion configured to receive said lamp assembly; and

a coupling structure configured to couple to said key.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said key comprises:

a fixture coupling portion configure to couple to said fixture assembly; and

a base engaging portion configured to engage said receiving structure, such that predetermined lamp assemblies couple to said fixture assembly.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said key further comprises an extending portion configured to extend into a receptacle portion of said base.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said lamp assembly further comprises:

an electromagnetic energy source; and

electrical contacts configured to electrically couple said lamp assembly to said fixture assembly.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said electromagnetic energy source is an ultraviolet energy source.

7. A system for allowing for predetermined lamps to be utilized with lamp fixtures, comprising:

a fixture including a key configured to couple to said fixture; and

a lamp assembly comprising;

a base with a recess,

said recess configured to engage said key, such that predetermined lamp assemblies may operatively couple to said fixture.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said fixture comprises:

a receptacle portion configured to receive said lamp assembly; and

a coupling structure configured to couple to said key.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said lamp assembly further comprises:

an electromagnetic energy source; and

electrical contacts configured to electrically couple said lamp assembly to said fixture assembly.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said electromagnetic energy source is an ultraviolet energy source.

11. A method of customizing a lamp base and a lamp fixture to allow preconfigured lamp assemblies to operatively couple to a lamp fixture, comprising:

providing a lamp fixture;

configuring a key to couple to said lamp fixture;

providing a lamp assembly including a receiving structure configured to engage said key; and

operatively coupling said lamp assembly to said lamp fixture via said key and said receiving structure.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said lamp fixture includes a coupling structure, configured to couple to said key.

13. A method of retrofitting and existing lighting system such that predetermined lamp assemblies may couple to a fixture, comprising:

providing a fixture;

coupling a key to said fixture;

forming a receiving structure adjacent a lamp assembly; and

operatively coupling said lamp assembly to said fixture,

wherein said receiving structure is configured to engage said key to allow said lamp assembly to operatively couple to said fixture.

14. A keying device for allowing predetermined or preconfigured lamp assemblies to operatively couple to lamp fixtures, comprising:

a fixture coupling portion configured to couple to a fixture; and

a base engaging portion configured to engage a lamp base;

wherein said base engaging portion is configured to engage a corresponding receiving structure to allow said lamp base to operatively couple to said fixture.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said device further includes an extending portion configured to extend into a receptacle portion of said fixture.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein said device is a key.

17. A system for allowing for predetermined lamps to be utilized with lamp fixtures, comprising:

a fixture assembly including one or more keys configured to couple to said fixture; and

a lamp assembly comprising;

a base with one or more receiving structures,

said one or more receiving structures configured to engage said one or more keys, such that predetermined lamp assemblies may operatively couple to said fixture assembly.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said one or more keys, comprise:

a fixture coupling portion configure to couple to said fixture assembly; and

a base engaging portion configured to engage said one or more receiving structures, such that predetermined lamp assemblies couple to said fixture assembly.