GB2394534A

GB2394534A - Light fitting for low energy bulb

Info

Publication number: GB2394534A
Application number: GB0224624A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Ticehurst
Original assignee: LARKIN INSTALLATIONS Ltd
Current assignee: LARKIN INSTALLATIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2002-10-23
Filing date: 2002-10-23
Publication date: 2004-04-28
Also published as: GB0224624D0

Abstract

A low energy integral ballast light fitting comprising a ceiling rose housing 10 containing control circuitry for driving and controlling operation of a low energy light bulb 16 and a cable 12 depending from the ceiling rose housing 10, secured to a socket 14 for connection to the low energy light bulb 16.

Description

LIGHT FITTING

This invention relates to a light fitting, and in particular to a light tiffing intended for use with low energy light bulbs.

The use of low energy light bulbs (sometimes referred to as compact 5 fluorescent lighting (CFL)) of the type capable of being fitted into a standard bayonet type or screw-fitting type light tiffing as an alternative to a standard tungsten filament light bulb has become increasingly common. Low energy light bulbs of this type include a number of electrical and electronic components located with the connector part of the bulb to drive and control operation of the bulb.

10 Although usage of low energy lighting is increasing, in an attempt to further increase usage of low energy lighting, building regulations now insist that the light fittings used in certain rooms of new buildings must be suitable only for use with low energy light bulbs. This has lead to an increase in the usage of low energy light bulbs of a design which cannot be fitted into a standard light fitting of the bayonet 15 or screw- fit type, and to the design of a limited range of light fittings intended for use only with light bulbs of this type. Light fittings of this type are sometimes referred to an integral ballast light fittings.

Currently available light fittings suitable for use with this type of light bulb typically comprise a housing, at least part of which is constructed of a material

through which light can be transmitted, a socket for receiving a plug part ofthe light bulb, and appropriate control circuitry for operating the light bulb, the control circuitry and the socket being located within the housing. The dimensions of the housing are quite large to permit the bulb to be received therein.

5 It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative style of light fitting suitable for use with bulbs of this type.

According to the present invention there is provided a low energy integral ballast light fitting comprising a ceiling rose housing containing control circuitry for driving and controlling operation of a low energy light bulb, a cable depending from 10 the ceiling rose housing, and a socket for connection to the low energy light bulb, the socket being secured to and carried by the cable.

It will be appreciated that such a light fitting visually resembles a traditional pendant light fitting, and that it may therefore be possible to use a range of existing, standard accessories, for example lamp shades, with the light fitting.

15 The control circuitry is conveniently mounted upon a circuit board located within the ceiling rose housing. The circuit board further preferably includes a cable grip whereby the cable is mechanically secured thereto. The circuit board conveniently further includes terminals whereby the control circuitry can be electrically connected to a wiring circuit of a building.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a light fitting in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 5 Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view of part of the light fitting of Figure 1.

The light fitting illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a ceiling rose housing 10 from which a length of cable 12 depends, a socket 14 being secured to the lower end of the cable 12 as shown in Figure 1. The socket 14 is of the type 10 intended to receive a plug of the type now commonly used on low energy light bulbs, sometimes known as compact flourescent lighting bulbs, ofthe type in which the drive circuitry and ballast required for operation of the lightbulb is not contained within the lightbulb, but rather is contained within the light fitting.

As shown in Figure 2, the ceiling rose housing 10 is of two-part form 15 comprising an inner part 18 to which an outer part 20 is secured, in use. The inner part 18 includes a generally circular wall 22 from which depends an outer peripheral, cylindrical wall 24, the outer surface of which is provided with screw threads. The outer part 20 again includes a generally circular wall 26 from the outer periphery of which upstands a generally cylindrical wall 28, the inner surface of

which is provided with threads arranged to co-operate with the threads provided on the wall 24 to permit the outer part 20 to be secured to the inner part 18 to form a closed housing.

The wall 26 of the outer part 20 is provided at its centre with an opening 30 5 through which the cable 12 extends, in use.

Located within the housing 10 is a circuit board 32 upon which is provided a number of components 34 used in controlling the operation of the lightbulb 16.

It will be appreciated that the nature ofthe components 34 will vary depending upon the specific nature ofthe lightbulb 16, for example depending upon the power output 10 of the lightbulb 16. In addition to the components 34, the circuit board 32 carries a cable grip 36 to which an end ofthe cable 12 is secured, the conductors 38 of the cable 12 being soldered or otherwise electrically connected to the circuit board 32.

In order to allow the housing 10 to be secured to, for example, the ceiling of a room in which the light fitting is to be used, the circular wall 22 of the inner part 15 18 is provided with one or more openings 40 through which a suitable fixing device, for example a screw 42 can extend to permit the housing 10 to be secured in position. In the arrangement illustrated, in order to provide access to the screws 42, the circuit board 32 is provided with appropriately positioned openings 44. It will be appreciated, however, that this need not be the case, and instead the circuit board

32 could be designed to be removable from the housing during installation of the light fitting. One or more further openings 46 are also provided in the inner part 18 to allow the entry of cables into the housing 10 from the lighting circuit of the building in which the light fitting is to be used to allow the light fitting to be 5 electrically connected to the lighting circuit of the building, the circuit board conveniently being provided with terminals to allow the electrical connection ofthe conductors of the cables to the control circuitry.

As with conventional light fittings, the wall 22 of the inner part 18 of the housing 10 may be provided, initially, with localised, relatively weak areas which 10 can be snapped out to provide a fitter with a choice as to where the openings 46 are to be provided, rather than providing openings in the wall 22.

The socket 14 is designed to permit a bulb of the type having, for example, a four pin connector to be electrically connected thereto, and to carry the bulb. It will be appreciated, however, that other types of socket may be used, the type of 15 connector depending upon the design ofthe bulb with which the fitting is to be used.

The socket 14 is of generally cylindrical form, and may be designed to include a clamping part 48 in screw threaded engagement with the remainder ofthe socket 14 and movable to permit a mounting part of, for example, a lampshade to be clamped between the clamping part 48 and the remainder of the socket 14 in the manner of

a traditional bayonet type light fitting to allow the light fitting to carry a lampshade or the like.

It will be appreciated that by the use of a light fitting of this type, building regulations requiring the fitting of an integral ballast light fitting can be met without 5 detracting from the visual appearance of a room, and allowing a user to choose from a relatively wide selection of light fittings and accessories for use in the room.

It will be appreciated that the design described hereinbefore is only one example of the invention, and that it may be modified within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A low energy integral ballast light fitting comprising a ceiling rose housing containing control circuitry for driving and controlling operation of a low energy 5 light bulb, a cable depending from the ceiling rose housing, and a socket for connection to the low energy light bulb, the socket being secured to and carried by the cable.

2. A light fitting according to Claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is mounted

10 upon a circuit board located within the ceiling rose housing.

3. A light fitting according to Claim 2, wherein the circuit board further includes a cable grip whereby the cable is mechanically secured thereto.

15

4. A light fitting according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the circuit board further includes terminals whereby the control circuitry can be electrically connected to a wiling circuit of a building.

5. A light fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

- ceiling rose housing includes an inner part and an outer part securable to one another to form a housing of generally cylindrical form, the outer part including an opening through which the cable extends.

5

6. A light fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the socket is adapted to permit a lampshade or the like to be carried thereby.

7. A light fitting according to Claim 6, wherein the socket includes a clamping region moveable relative to the remainder of the socket to allow a lampshade or the 10 like to be secured thereto.

8. A low energy integral ballast light fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings