GB2456557A

GB2456557A - Light cap conversion unit

Info

Publication number: GB2456557A
Application number: GB0800953A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Talbot-Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-01-21
Filing date: 2008-01-21
Publication date: 2009-07-22
Also published as: GB0800953D0

Abstract

A self contained unit that converts an industry standard light fitting 1 to an alternative light fitting standard, which will support a different type of industry standard light bulb technology, enabling a more modern light bulb fixture 5 such as a push fit capsule style bulb to be utilised without compromising the electrical safety of the existing appliance. This allows single piece mains voltage halogen bulbs to be used with standard light fittings such as large bayonet and Edison screw. The unit may include a threaded ring 8 to hold a lamp shade 9.

Description

1

2456557

Light Cap Conversion Unit

1 Description

1.1 Background

This invention relates to a device enabling an industry standard mains voltage light fitting to be easily converted to utilise a more modern light bulb fixture (for example halogen capsule lamps).

This invention would enable existing lighting fixtures and fittings to be simply converted to a different light cap fitment without compromising the electrical safety of the appliance.

This invention provides an alternative to the currently available one piece mains voltage halogen bulbs which are available for standard light fittings such as large bayonet and Edison screw.

1.2 Statement of Invention

This invention converts an industry standard light fitting to an alternative light fitting standard which will support a different type of bulb technology (e.g. allow the use of push fit halogen capsule bulbs within a standard unit that only has bayonet connectors).

Standard incandescent light bulbs are due to be retired from the UK market place, forcing consumers to adopt either low energy fluorescent bulbs, or, 'standard' shaped bulbs which utilise halogen technology (these typically utilise the current Edison Screw, Small Edison Screw and Large Bayonet connectors as an appliance interface and are a single piece unit) which may not be visually appropriate for the fixture.

With the addition of a standard off the shelf bulb this invention provides a compact, two piece (conversion unit & separate standard off the shelf bulb) alternative to single piece products already within the market place.

This invention is a self contained unit that is a simple Plug in / Screw in unit; no electrical knowledge required is required to install this invention within a standard light fixture.

This invention is a self contained unit that will be manufactured to meet current electrical legislation & certification. As it is be a plug in / screw in unit the overall certification of the existing electrical appliance will remain intact. No electrical modifications will be required to the existing unit.

Preferably the outside of the conversion unit will be threaded to allow connection of a lamp shade to the unit.

Preferably the conversion unit will support bayonet mounts and Edison screw fitments in all standard fitment sizes by means of the conversion unit being manufactured with the appropriate primary fitment.

This invention is not a reducer (i.e. conversion of a two similar technologies e.g. large Edison Screw fitment to a Small Edison Screw fitment).

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1.3 Detailed Description

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -

Figure

Description of Figure

Figure 1

Side view of a conversion unit with a bayonet style light cap fitting.

Figure 2

Top view of a conversion unit showing optional capsule lamp light fitting conversion.

Figure 3

Side view of a conversion unit showing optional capsule style halogen bulb fitting.

Figure 4

Cross section view of a conversion unit showing optional capsule style halogen bulb fitting showing inner working principles.

Figure 5

Side view of a conversion unit showing optional capsule style halogen bulb fitting and optional shade ring and lamp shade.

Figure 6

Side view of a conversion unit showing large Edison screw style fitment.

Figure 7

Side view of a conversion unit showing small Edison screw style fitment.

With the addition of a standard off the shelf bulb this invention provides a compact, two piece (conversion unit & separate standard off the shelf bulb) alternative to single piece products already within the market place by enabling newer technology mains voltage bulbs to be utilised within existing light fittings with no electrical modifications to the existing unit. This is achieved by creating a conversion unit that converts the existing lamp connecting method to an alternative connecting method, enabling a different range of mains voltage light bulbs to be utilised.

Figure 1 details a side view of the self contained lamp conversion unit, showing in this instance a standard bayonet cap fitting (Ref #1) with mains power connectors (Ref #2) that interface with the existing contacts within the lamp fitment being converted. The alternate lamp fitment unit (Ref #3) forms an integral part of the unit; in this instance the external body of the alternate lamp fitment unit (Ref #3) has been threaded to facilitate the fitting of a lamp shade if required.

Figure 2 shows a plan / top view of the conversion unit configured for a push fit capsule style of alternate lamp fitment (Ref #4), though this could be any mains lamp fitment subject to available space.

The conversion unit is to allow an industry standard light fitting to be converted to an alternative light fitting standard which will support a different type of bulb technology (e.g. allow the use of halogen capsule bulbs within a standard unit that only has bayonet connectors). This is demonstrated by Figure 3 where a capsule style bulb (Ref #5) has been inserted into the alternate lamp fitment unit (Ref #3) which is housing the capsule bulb connectors (Figure 2 - Ref #4 and Figure 4 - Ref #6).

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Figure 4 shows a cross section of Figure 3 detailing the power connections (Ref #7) from the original light fitment power connectors (Ref #2) to the alternative lamp fitment connectors (Ref #6) located within the alternative lamp fitment (Ref #4).

Figure 5 shows the conversion unit fitted with an optional lamp shade (Ref #9). The lamp shade (Ref #9) will be fixed directly to the conversion unit by means of a threaded shade ring (Ref #8) which will enable a shade (Ref #9)to be supported.

Preferably the conversion unit will support bayonet mounts and Edison screw fitments in all standard fitment sizes by means of the conversion unit being manufactured with the appropriate primary fitment as Edison Screw (Figure 6), small Edison screw (Figure 7) and bayonet type connectors (Figure 1).

For the purposes of the 'description' and 'claims' sections; 'mains voltage' is described as standard household voltage as supplied via the utility company, which is supplied to a lighting appliance without the use of a voltage transformer.

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Claims

2 Claims

A light fixture conversion unit that converts a primary industry standard mains voltage lamp fitment to a secondary industry standard mains voltage lamp fitment which is of a different fitment to the primary lamp fitment.

A light fixture conversion unit according to claim 1, in which the alternative lamp module is not an integral part of the conversion unit.

A light fixture conversion unit according to claim 1, in which no electrical knowledge is required to convert an existing appliance to a new lamp fitment.

A light fixture conversion unit according to any of the preceding claims that maintains the electrical certification of the existing appliance.