AU652462B2 - Lightweight, plug-in fluorescent lamp assembly - Google Patents

Description

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I PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

ORIGINAL

FOR OFFICE USE 652462 Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: o Priority: 080e e *0 *00 00 Related Art: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT 0 e *ooe 0* 0 o o e o a *D *0 0000 «0 Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: ULTRALITE INTERNATIONAL PTY. LTD.

Suite 201, 35-37 Railway Parade ENGADINE NSW 2233 Actual Inventor: Thien Siung Yang Gin Pang So Address for Service: Complete Specification ANDERSON-TAYLOR ASSOCIATES, Registered Patent Attorneys of 10 Harrison Avenue BONNET BAY N.S.W. 2226 for the invention entitled: LIGHTWEIGHT, PLUG-IN FLUORESCENT LAMP ASSEMBLY The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: -i i i 2 3 1i. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 4 This invention relates to a lightweight, plug-in fluorescent 6 lamp assembly by which a fluorescent tube and electronic ballast 7 may be easily connected to or removed from an electrical 8 receptacle at a light box to facilitate the installation ind 9 repair of the lamp assembly.

II 2. BACKGROUND

ART

12 13 Conventional fluorescent lamp assemblies that are located 14 within a false ceiling commonly include an electronic ballast and starter by which to power an associated fluorescent lamp. In 16 the event of a failure, it may be difficult to access, remove and o. 17 replace a defective ballast and/or starter. Moreover, 0 0 18 specialized skill and equipment may be required to complete the

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19 task of removing and replacing the ballast or starter because of 0 the wiring that is common to most conventional fluorescent lamp 21 assemblies.

22 0 23 What Is more, conventional fluorescent lamp assemblies are 24 typically housed within a metallic light box that is usually 0 characterized as cumbersome, heavy and difficult to transport.

26 Consequently, installation of the conventional fluorescent lamp 27 assembly may prove to be difficult. In addition, it may be 28 necessary to attach support wires, or the like, from, the metal 29 light box to the roof so as to adequately compensate for the weight of the assembly.

31 32 2 SWhat is still more, the fact that the light box is metal 2 requires relatively complex electrical wiring to provide both 3 power and safe electrical grounding, whereby the conversion from 4 incandescent lighting to fluorescent lighting may be both time consuming and potentially hazardous or, otherwise, require the 6 presence of one having the special technical skill needed for 7 making such conversions.

8 9 It would be more desirable to have available a plug-in fluorescent lamp assembly that is formed from a lightweight, non- II conductive plastic) material so as to be easily and 12 inexpensively installed, without requiring special skill on the 13 part of the installer while permitting easy access to and removal 14 of the assembly electronics for replacement in the event of failure.

16 oose a o 6o 18 19 21 0 00 22 S 23 24 oo 26 0 26 27 28 29 31 32 3 a. It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly a detachable lighting assembly for at least one fluorescent tube is disclosed, said assembly comprising an electronic ballast having electrical terminal means to receive power supplied from a source thereof and an electrical receptacle having a socket in which to detachably receive the pins of said fluorescent tube, first electrical terminal means to be detachably connected to the terminal means of said electronic ballast, a first set of electrical conductors extending between said first terminal means and said socket to complete an electrical path from said ballast to the fluorescent tube to drive said tube, second terminal means detachably connected to the source of power by way of power lines and a second set of electrical conductors extending between said first and second terminal means to complete an eleutrical path from said source to said ballast and thereby energise said ballast, the second terminal means of said electrical receptacle including contact means to which said second set of electrical conductors are fixedly connected, said contact means having pivotable gripping jaws at whi.h the power lines from the power source are detachably connected such that said receptacle can be disconnected fti from said source when the power lines are detached from the contact means of said second terminal means and a light box within which said electriucal receptacle, said electronic ballast and the fluorescent tube are received, said receptacle being fixedly attached to said light box, and said ballast and fluorescent tube being detachable from said receptacle and removable from said light box.

The currently preferred form of this invention will now be described with referece to the attached drawings.

S-4- 0" 0 C' 1 BRIEF DESCRIP'i.-' OF THE DRAWINGS 2 3 FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of the fluorescent lamp 4 assembly which forms the present invention; 6 FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the fluorescent lamp 7 assembly of FIG. 1; 8 9 FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the fluorescent lamp assembly of FIG. 1;

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12 FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a light box which forms the 13 fluorescent lamp assembly of FIG. 1; 14 FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3; 4040 16 17 FIG. 6 is a partially exploded view of the fluorescent lamp S a18 assembly and a frame which surrounds the assembly in a surface 19 mounted configuration; 21 FIG. 7 shows the fluorescent lamp assembly surrounded by the 22 frame of FIG. 6 in the surface mounted configuration; o 23 S 24 FIGs. 8a and 8b illustrate means by which the frame of FIGs.

25 6 and 7 is detachably connected to the light box of the lamp i a 26 assembly in the surface mounted configuration; 27 28 FIG. 9 illustrates the detachable, modular connection of an 29 electronic ballast to an electrical receptacle which form the fluorescent lamp assembly; 31 32 C) I FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the electrical receptacle of 2 FIG. 9; '3 4 FIG. 11 shows a slide-out terminal plate received within a at the bottom of the electrical receptacle; 6 7 FIG. 12 is a front view of the slide-out terminal plate of 8 FIG. 11; 9 FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the slide-out terminal 11 plate showing a pair of contacts received therein; 12 13 FIG. 14 is a cross-section taken along lines 14-14 of FIG.

14 13; and *16 FIG. .15 is a bottom view showing the electrical receptacle 17 and electronic ballast connected together with power wires 18 detachably connected at the slide-out terminal plate of said 19 receptacle.

21 22 23, 24 26 2 7 28 29 32 0 I DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 2 3 The lightweight, plug-in fluorescent lamp assembly 1 which S4 forms the present invention is best described while referring to the drawings and to FIGs. 1-5 thereof where the efficient, 6 modular characteristics of the invention are illustrated. The 7 plug-in assembly 1 includes a generally rectangular, open-faced 8 housing or light box 2 which is sized to fit within a 9 conventional false ceiling. By way of example, light box 2 may have a length of 595mm and a width of 200mm. Located at one end II of light box 2 is a lamp platform 4, above which a commercially !2 available biaxial fluorescent lamp 58 is located. At the 13 opposite end of light box 2 is a power platform 6, at which an 14 electrical receptacle 8 and an electronic ballast 10 are s1 located. The lamp platform 4 of light box 2 is preferably 9 16 coated with a reflective surface chrome plating) which is 17 applied vacuum deposited) by any suitable process. As will o n 18 be described in greater detail hereinafter, the ballast 10 and 19 fluorescent lamp 50 are detachably connected with plugged into) receptacle 8 at the power platform 6 to facilitate the 21 installation or relocation of plug-in assembly 1 and permit an ao a 22 easy replacement of either the ballast 10 and/or lamp 50 in the 23 event of failure.

24 25 As is best shown in FIG. 2, the electrical receptacle 8 S; 26 includes a pair of laterally extending ears 12, and power 27 platform 6 of light box 2 includes a corresponding pair of holes 28 13 through which respective fasteners (not shown) may extend for 29 securing the ears of receptacle 8 to light box 2. Since it is unlikely that the electrical receptacle 8 will need to be 31 replaced, I: is desirable to anchor said receptacle b at the :2 power platform 6 of light box 2 so as to provide support for both I I the fluorescent lamp 50 at one end of the receptacle and the 2 ballast 10 at the opposite end thereof. However, in the event 3 that either the ballast 10 or lamp 50 need be replaced, said 4 ballast or lamp may be quickly and easily removed (i.e.

unplugged) from the receptacle 8 without any particular level of 6 engineering skill or additional assistance.

7 8 It is preferable that the outer casings of light box 2, 9 receptacle 8 and ballast 10 be manufactured injection molded) from a lightweight, non-conductive material such as 11 polycarbonate or similar plastic. As an advantage of the non- 12 conductive characteristic of plug-in lamp assembly 1, only hot 13 AC) and neutral power lines will be needed to energize 14 electronic ballast 10. Therefore, the plug-in lamp assembly 1 of is this invention can be advantageously used to easily and reliably 15 convert a standard incandescent lighting fixture to a fluorescent 17 lighting fixture without requiring rewiring to accommodate such 18 conversion. To this end, an opening.14 (best shown in FIGs. 2 *19 and 4) is formed through the power platform 6 of light box 2 through which existing hot and neutral power lines may be fed for a21 connection to the receptacle 8 (in a manner that will be 22 described when referring to FIGs. 10-15).

23 a 24 As an advantage of the lightweight characteristic of the plug-in lamp assembly 1, the light box 2 thereof is adapted to be 26 received within a false ceiling without any support cables or 27 attachments to the roof, as would otherwise be required to 28 support heavier metallic) fluorescent lamp assemblies.

29 That is to say, the light box 2 cao be mounted flush with the ceiling so as to res:. .Iproi standard T-shaped webs that commonly 31 form a grid to support, the acoustic tiles of a conventional false 32 ceili1ng of course, it may be necessary to cut a tile to 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 Is 17 18 1S19 aa 21 22 23 V 26 27 28 29 31 .32 A C accommodate the light within the cef-ding. However, a plurality of lightweight, plug-in lamp assemblies of this invention may be conveniently located and easily installed within a false ceiling without disturbing the existing support grid or requiring complex and time-consuming attachments to the roof A semi-transparent diffuser plate (not shown) is used to cover the light box 2 and thereby close the open face thereof.

In the case where the light box 2 is flush mounted, as described above, the diffuser plate rests upon the T-shaped webbing of the cetling suIpport grid so as to extend across the face of light box 2.

As an alternative to the flush mounted lamp assembly described above, the plug-.ln assembly I of this Invention is also advantageously adapted to be surface mounted for use in the home or in a similar structure where flush mounting Is not practical or desired. More particularly, and referring concurrently to FIGs. 1-8 of the drawings, a rectangular, open ended frame 16 (best shown In FIGs. 6 and 7) is sized to surround pl.ug-in lamp assembly 1. The frame 16 is slightly Jonger than light box 2 for a purpose that will soon be-explained. Projecting inwardly in spaced axial alignment with one another from opposite sides of he frame 16 is a plurality of wedge shaped teeth 18. A corresponding plurality of axially spaced notches 20 are formed in opposite sides of the light box 2 of lamp assembly 1.

Coextensively formed with light box 2 and projecting upwz -rdly therefrom adjacent respective notches 20 are a plurality of ramps 22.

Drawing number recommended to accompany the abstract DATED THIS 30th DAY OF July, 1992 -Ultralite International Pty. Ltd.

By its P7pet Attorney S FEE: $285.00

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CH AE

AMERSON-TAYLOR

FEE $285.00 ~i I In order to surface mount the plug-in lamp assembly 1, the 2 light box 2 is first connected to the ceiling. The foregoing is 3 accomplished by inserting fastening means (not shown) into the 4 ceiling via suitably located mounting holes 24 formed through the lamp and power platforms 4 and 6 of light box 2. With light box 6 2 securely attached to the ceiling (and receptacle 8, ballast 7 and fluorescent lamp 50 installed therein), the frame 16 is 8 positioned around the light box 2, such that the inwardly 9 projecting teeth 18 of frame 16 are received through the notches 20 and located above the ramps 22 of light box 2 (best shown in II FIG. 8a). By applying a pushing force to frame 16, and inasmuch 12 as the frame is slightly longer than light box 2, as previously S13 disclosed, the frame will be displaced axially relative to light 14 box 2 (as indicated by the reference arrow 26 of FIG. 8a), such that the teeth 18 of frame 16 are moved towards and into contact 16 with respective ramps 22 of light box 2 (best shown in FIG. 8b).

S 17 By virtue of the friction fit that is established between the 4 S 18 wedge shaped teeth 18 and ramps 22, the housing 16 will be 19 reliably and releasably mated to light box 2 (best shown in 2o FIG. 7).

21 22 Should it be desirable to gain access to the plug-in lamp o 23 assembly for purposes of repair, the frame 16 can be easily 24 removed from the light box 2 by applying another pushing force to frame 16, whereby to displace the frame in a direction opposite 26 that indicated by reference arrow 26 of FIG. 8a and thereby 27 separate the teeth 18 from the ramps 22. Frame 16 is then 28 detached from light box 2 by withdrawing the teeth 18 of frame 16 29 through notches 20 of said light box.

31 As shown in FIG. 7, the frame 16 completely surrounds the 32 plug-in lamp assembly 1 to enhance the aesthetic appearance toi r *O 414f I I I tit 4 *4 44,, o 4 44 4 44 4 4*4*4 4 4, 44 44 4 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 31 32 (depending upon the color of frame 16) and isolate the otherwise exposed components 8, 10 and 50 thereof when the lamp assembly is surface mounted, What is more, the bottom of frame 16 is provided with an inwardly projecting peripheral lip 28. Like the flush mounted lamp assembly of FIGs. 1-5, the surface mounted assembly includes a semi- transparent diffuser plate (not shown).

Such a diffuser plate will rest upon and be supported by the peripheral lip 28 of frame 16 so as to extend across the open face of light box 2.

FIG. 9 of the drawings shows details of the plug-in electrical receptacle 8 and electronic ballast 10 which form the fluorescent lamp assembly of FIGs. 1-8. More particularly, the receptacle 8 has a generally hollow rectangular housing. A socket 30 is molded into the front of receptacle 8 so as to receive the contact pins of an associated fluorescent lamp (designated 50 in FIGs. Inasmuch as the fluorescent lamp described herein is of the biaxial type, the socket 30 of receptacle 8 is provided with a total of four pin holes 31 to receive respective contact pins from the tubes of such lamp.

However, it is to be expressly understood that the type of lamp and number of fluorescent tubes that 3re plugged into receptacle 8 at socket 30 are not to be regarded as a limitation of the present invention. Connected at the interior of receptacle 8 and extending into the socket 30 thereof is a support bracket 70 which is adapted to releasably engage and retain the fluorescent lamp and prevent the inadvertent removal of the lamp contact pins from pin holes 31.

As is best shown in FIG. 10, the back of electrical receptacle 8 is closed by a removable cover plate 32. Projecting outwardly from cover plate 32 is a terminal block 34. Terminal A4J 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 12 13 14 t 4 16 17 19 ~4 20 021 22 23 24 .4* :1 26 27 28 29 31 32 <fi block 34 is sized to be removably received within a suitably sized terminal cavity 33 of electronic ballast 10 (best shown in FIG. whereby said ballast is detachably and electrically connected to receptacle 8. The terminal block 34 of receptacle E is provided with a total of nine electrical contacts, although, for purposes of this invention, only six of such contacts are used. More particularly, four contacts of terminal block 34 at the back of receptacle 8 are electrically connected, by means of a set of four wires 60, to respective snap-in contacts (not shown) that are located at inwardly projecting terminals Terminals 35 communicate with respective pin holes 31 in the socket 30 (of FIG. 9) at the front of receptacle 8 to complete an electrical path between said socket and the ballast 10 for driving the fluo,:escent lamp. An additional two terminals of terminal block 34 are electrically connected, by means of a set of two wires 62, to respective'electrical contacts 36 which are received at a slide~out terminal plate 38 that is located at the bottom of electrical receptacle 8.

More particularly, and as Is best shown in FIGs. 10 and 11, the slide-out terminal plate 38 is generally T-shaped and includes a vertical base 39 and a pair of laterally extending wings 48. A slot 42 is formed through the bottom of receptacle 8. A pair of oppositely aligned guide members 44 project from the bottom of receptacle 8 and extend above the slot 42 therein so that a narrow channel 46 is established between guide members and the receptacle 8. In the assembled configuration shown in FIG. 11, the wings 48 of terminal plate 38 are slidably recei1ved within the channel 46 at the bottom of receptacle 8. Hence, the terminal plate 38 can be displaced through slot 42 so as to be removed from receptacle 8 to thereby electrical receptacle, said electronic ballast and the fluorescent tube are received, said receptacle being fixedly attached to said light box, and said ballast and fluorescent kl .G 1 1 permit easy access to said terminal plate and to the electrical 2 contacts 36 thereof.

3 4 Referring concurrently to FIGs. 10-14 of the drawings, the electrical contacts 36 of slide-out terminal plate 38 are shown 6 connected to the wires 62 (of FIG. 10). The terminal plate 38 is 7 provided with a pair of contacts 36, inasmuch as the lamp 8 assembly of this invention need only be interconnected with hot 9 and neutral power wires from an AC source (as previously disclosed). Each contact 36 is of conventional design ind has a II flat tab 52 within which are formed a pair of pivotable gripping 12 jaws 54-1 and 54-2. The hot and neutral wires 64) from 13 the AC source are detachably connected to first gripping jaws 14 54-1) of each contact 36. That is to say, the hot and 15 neutral wires (only one of which 64 being shown in FIG. 13) 16 extend through the opening (designated 14 in FIGs. 2 and 4) in o 17 the power platform 6 of light box 2 for connection to respective aC,, 18 contacts 36 of terminal plate 38. The other gripping jaws 54-2 19 of each contact 36 are provided to receive jumper wires (not i.°o 20 shown) in the event that it Is desirable to Interconnect a Q e o 21 plurality of lamp assemblies in electrical parallel.

22 23 Each contact 36 also has a sleeve 56 which is coextensively 24 connected to and perpendicularly aligned with base 39. The pair e, 25 of wires 62 (of FIG. 10) are fixedly connected between terminal 26 block 34 at the back of receptacle 8 to the sleeves 56 of 27 respective contacts 36 of terminal plate 38 at the bottom of said 28 receptacle to complete an electrical path from the AC source to 29 the terminal block 34 so as to energize the electronic ballast when the terminal cavity 33 of ballast 10 and the terminal r block 34 of receptacle 8 are detachably connected together.

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j32 As is best shown in FIGs. 12-14 the terminal plate 38 is formed with a pair of openings 58 which communicate with respective cradles 59. In the assembled configuration, contacts 36 are attached to and carried by the terminal plate 38, such that the tab 52 of each contact is received through an opening 58, and the perpendicularly aligned sleeve 56 of each contact is supported upon a cradle 59. Accordingly, and as best shown in FIG. 14, each tab 52 'i'h which a pair of gripping jaws 54-1 and 54-2 is formed is located adjacent an upper and lower row of holes 66 and 68 formed through the laterally extending wings 40 of terminal plate 38. One hole 66, 68 from each row is in spaced alignment with a respective jaw 54-1 or 54-2 from the contacts 36.

The advantage of holes 66 and 68 is now described while referring to FIG. 15. With the slide-out terminal plate 38 received within the slot 42 at the bottom of electrical receptacle 8, each pair of holes 66, 68 through terminal plate 38 is, as previously disclosed, in spaced alignment with a respective gripping jaw (54-1 and 54-2 In FIG. 13) from the contacts 36 of said terminal plate. Therefore, by inserting the power hot and neutral) wires 64 through respective holes 66, said wires will be automatically and detachably connected to contacts 36 at the gripping jaws thereof. should it be desirable to detach power wires 64 from contacts 36 and receptacle 8, then a pin (not shown) or other suitably sized article is inserted through the other holes 68 to cause the gripping jaws of contacts 36 to rotate out of engagemenL with and thereby release such wires 64. Hence, the electr ical receptacle may be easily and quickly connected to or detached from an AC power source without special tools or skill by simply plugging power wires 64 into holes 66 or inserting releasing-pins into holes 68. The unusei f1- I. holes 66, 68 formed through the slide-out terminal plate 38 at 2 the bottom of receptacle 8 are to receive (or remove) jumper 3 wires for a purpose that was earlier described.

4 It will be apparent that while a preferred embodiment of the 6 invention has been shown and described, various modifications and 7 changes may be made without departing from the true spirit and 8 scope of the invention. For example, the electrical receptacle 8 9 of the plug-in lamp assembly 1 could be sized to include more than one socket 30 by which to accommodate any number of 11 fluorescent tubes. Moreover, such receptacle could also be 12 detachably interconnected with either a single or twin ballast 13 according to the teachings of this invention.

Claims (2)

1. A detachable lighting assembly for at least one fluorescent tube comprising a ballast having electrical terminal means to receive power supplied from a source thereof; and an electrical receptacle having a socket in which to detachably receive the pins of the fluorescent tube, first electrical terminal means to be detachably connected to the terminal means of said electronic ballast, a first set of electrical conductors extending between said first terminal means and said socket to complete an electrical path from said ballast to the :fluorescent tube to drive said tube, second terminal means detachably connected to the source of power by way of o 0 900 power lines, and a second set of electrical conductors 0 9 extending between said first and second terminal means to complete an electrical path from said source to s'aid ballast and thereby energise said ballast, the second 0 o0 -terminal means of said electrical receptacle including contact means to which said second set of electrical conductors are fixedly connected, said contact means having pivotable gripping jaws at which the power lines from the power source are d.etachably connected, such that said receptacle can be disconnected from said source when the power lines are detached from the contact means of said second terminal means and a light box within which said electrical receptacle, said electronic ballast and the fluorescent tube are received, said receptacle being fixedly attached to said light box, and said ballast and fluorescent

16- ^c^ Iv. tube being detachable from said receptacle and removable from said light box. 2. The detachable lighting assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrical receptacle and said electronic ballast have outer casings that are formed from non- conductive material 3. The detachable lighting assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said light box is manufactured from a non-conductive material. 4. The detachable lighting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 and further comprising a frame to surround said light box, and means by which to detachably connect 9 0 said frame to said light box. The detachable lighting assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means to detRchablv connect said frame to said light box includes a first plurality of locking members around the periphery of said frame and a second plurality of locking members around the periphery of said light box, said first and second pluralities of locking members being movable into interlocking engagement with one another when said frame surrounds said light box. with referece to the attached drawings. A -4- 6. The detachable lighting assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein a plurality of openings are formed around the periphery of said light box to receive therethrough respective ones of the first plurality of locking members of said frame to permit said first locking members to be located above and moved into contact with corresponding ones of the second plurality of locking members of said light box. 7. The detachable lighting assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of said first plurality of locking members is wedge-shaped and each of said second plurality of locking members is ramp-shaped, such that said wedge-shaped and ramp-shaped locking members frictionally engage one another to o0 0 detachably connect said frame to said lighc box. o 0 o* 8. The detachable lighting-assembly as claimed in any one of Sclaims 1 to 7 wherein said electrical receptacle has a slot formed therein, said second terminal means being received in ou: and slidable through said slot to be removed from said receptacle. o 0 9. A detachable lighting assembly for a fluorescent lamp S;substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings Dated this :lst day of June, 1994 Ultralite International Pty. Ltd. By Our Patent Attorney MICHAEL ANDERSON-TAYLOR -18- s 1 r