Fluorescent lamp with replaceable light element

• US 6,307,316 B1
• Filed: 12/03/1998
• Issued: 10/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Walter Holzer
• Original Assignee: Walter Holzer
• Inventors: Holzer, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ashok
• Application Number:
  US09/125,753
• Time in Patent Office: 1,055 Days
• Field of Search: 313/493, 313/331, 313/623, 313/634, 315/58, 315/57, 315/63, 315/56, 315/50, 315/71, 315/61, 315/62, 315/53
• US Class Current: 313/493
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/00 Systems of lighting devices, not provided for in main groups F21S4/00 - F21S10/00 or F21S19/00, e.g. of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/033 the surface being a wall or like vertical structure, e.g. building facade
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/37 U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/327 "Compact"-lamps, i.e. lamps having a folded discharge path

Abstract

The invention concerns a construction kit system for fluorescent lamps (1) with separate choke unit. Standard low-power modules which are cheap and easy to manufacture can in particular be plugged in any combinations into choke units fitted as compact lights or in lamp housings. A number of examples are given to show the new possibilities for constructing lighting systems. These fluorescent lamps each have a replaceable light element comprising at least one gas discharge vessel (1) with a base at one end as the light element and at least one choke unit (6) in the form of a separate unit fitted in a housing and capable of electrical connection via plug connectors (2) to the light element. The light element is designed as a standard low-power module with a glass tube diameter of the gas discharge vessel of no more than 13 mm, thus allowing it to be plugged into different housings individually or in groups.

Claims

1. A lighting system comprising:

first and second gas discharge vessels, each of said discharge vessels having at least one electrical contact pin extending vertically from each end thereof;

a holder for said gas discharge vessels, said holder containing a first socket for removably mounting said first gas discharge vessel, and a second socket for removably mounting said second gas discharge vessel;

a plurality of recessed electrical contacts in each of said sockets, said recessed contacts adapted to mate with the electrical contact pins of said gas discharge vessels;

first and second current limiting devices in said holder, an output side of said first current limiting device electrically connected to a recessed electrical contact in said first socket, and an output side of said second current limiting device electrically connected to a recessed electrical contact in said second socket;

a common power supply, said power supply having an input portion which is connected to a source of mains power, and an output portion having a plurality of electrical outlets;

a first supply line connecting a first outlet of said power supply to said first current limiting device, and a second supply line connecting a second outlet of said power supply to said second current limiting device; and

a common electrical outlet line connecting said power supply output portion with a recessed electrical contact in said first socket and a recessed electrical contact in said second socket.

2. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said common power supply is mounted in said holder.

3. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said holder includes a base portion comprising a screw-type Edison winding E27.

4. The lighting system of claim 1 further including:

a third gas discharge vessel having at least one vertically-extending contact pin at each end of the vessel;

a third socket mounted in said holder for removably mounting said third discharge vessel;

a third current limiting device in said holder, said third device having its output side electrically connected to a recessed pin in said third socket;

a third supply line connecting a third outlet of said power supply to said third current limiting device; and

said common electrical outlet line of the power supply electrically connected to a recessed pin in said third socket.