US3720826A - Tubular electric discharge lamp with integral protective-insulating sleeve - Google Patents

Tubular electric discharge lamp with integral protective-insulating sleeve Download PDF

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Publication number
US3720826A
US3720826A US00034806A US3720826DA US3720826A US 3720826 A US3720826 A US 3720826A US 00034806 A US00034806 A US 00034806A US 3720826D A US3720826D A US 3720826DA US 3720826 A US3720826 A US 3720826A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
envelope
lamp
sleeve
spaced
members
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00034806A
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English (en)
Inventor
J Gilmore
R Epting
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Philips North America LLC
Original Assignee
Westinghouse Electric Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Westinghouse Electric Corp filed Critical Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Publication of US3720826A publication Critical patent/US3720826A/en
Assigned to NORTH AMERICAN PHILIPS ELECTRIC CORP. reassignment NORTH AMERICAN PHILIPS ELECTRIC CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V29/00—Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V17/00—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages
    • F21V17/04—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages the fastening being onto or by the light source

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT insulating jacket which permits the lamp to operate efficiently at low ambient temperatures (-18C for example).
  • the sleeve can be fabricated from colored plastic or glass to provide a low-cost fluorescent lighting unit that emits light of a selected colorand is thus especially adapted for use in outdoor decorative lighting applications.
  • This invention relates to electric lamps and has particular reference to an improved fluorescent lamp assembly that is adapted for use in lighting applications where protection against accidental lamp breakage is desired and/or low ambient temperatures prevail.
  • Fluorescent lighting units having integral protective and thermal-insulating shields or jackets are well known in the art.
  • the jacket was held in spaced-apart enclosing relationship with the lamp envelope by a pair of resilient caps or gaskets that were slipped over the based end portions of the lamp and engaged the adjacent ends of the sleeve thereby providing a sealed air space around the entire lamp envelope.
  • a fluorescent lighting unit constructed in this manner is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,124,307 issued Mar. 10, 1964 to T. E. Hoskins et al.
  • the open ends of the sleeve are not restricted or constrained in any manner and the sleeve is thus, suspended in telescoped and shielding relationship with the lamp envelope.
  • the sleeve is accordingly free to expand and contract relative to the envelope without slipping off of the lamp and can thus be made of plastic, even though the lamp is intended for use in low-temperature environments.
  • the resulting lamp assembly is light in weight, easy to assemble and requires inexpensive sleeve and sleeveretaining components.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a fluorescent lighting unit incorporating the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an end view of the lighting unit.
  • the improved lighting unit 10 consists of an elongated fluorescent lamp L that has a cylindrical glass envelope 12 which is protectively disposed within an open-ended tubular sleeve 14 of rigid light-transmitting material.
  • the sleeve 14 is suspended in spaced-apart telescoped relationship with the envelope 12 by a pair of resilient brand-like members such as narrow rubber grommets 15 and 16 that are compressively sandwiched between the sleeve and the ends of the lamp envelope, as shown.
  • the sleeve 14 is shorter than the overall length of the lamp L but is of substantially the same length as the lamp envelope l2 and is also cylindrical but slightly larger in diameter so that an annular air space S is provided which surrounds and extends along almost the entire length of the envelope.
  • the sleeve 14 can be fabricated from any suitable light-transmitting material, such as glass, but is preferably made of plastic in order to reduce the weight and cost of the lighting unit 10.
  • the rubber grommets 15 and 16 have an inside diameter of about 38 mm. and are spaced a predetermined distance X inwardly from the respective open ends of the sleeve 14 and from the base members 17 that are attached to the sealed ends of the envelope 12. For a lamp of the size described, this spacing is approximately 6 mm. and allows the sleeve 14 to move relative to the lamp L (as the ambient temperature changes) without becoming disengaged from the envelope 12.
  • the fluorescent lamp L is of conventional construction and contains an ionizable medium consisting of a suitable starting gas, such as neon or a mixture of neon and argon at low pressure, and a predetermined amount of mercury.
  • a suitable starting gas such as neon or a mixture of neon and argon at low pressure
  • a pair of spaced electrodes are sealed into the envelope 12 and are electrically connected to pin terminals 18 anchored in each of the respective base members 17.
  • the energized electrodes in conjunction with the mercury and gas fill, initiate and sustain an electric discharge within the lamp L which excites a layer of phosphor (not shown) coated on the inner surfaces of the envelope 12 in the well known manner.
  • Polycarbonate resin sleeves are available in a variety of tubular sizes, wall thicknesses and colors (red, pink, gold, blue, green, etc.).
  • three grommets are preferably used and are spaced apart distances equal to about one-third of the lamp length. If a plastic sleeve is used, the inward-spacing dimension X will also be increased to accommodate the larger increments of Iongitudinal expansion and contraction which will occur under varying ambient temperatures due to the longer length of the sleeve.
  • the invention provides an inexpensive lighting unit that is light in weight and can be easily and efficiently assembled by simply placing the grommets on the finished lamp and forcibly slipping the sleeve over the grommets.
  • the invention permits the units to be safely used in applications where accidental bulb breakage would be hazardous and also provides efficient colored light sources that can be used in outdoor decorative lighting applications, such as amusement parks and the like.
  • a lighting unit comprising, in combination;
  • a protective shield for said envelope consisting of a rigid tubular open-ended sleeve of light-transmitting plastic that (a) is larger than and is suspended in spaced-apart telescoped relationship with said envelope, (b) is shorter than said lamp, and (c) expands and contracts to a greater degree than said glass envelope under varying ambient temperature conditions, and
  • said plastic sleeve on the lamp in the aforesaid relationship with said envelope comprising a plurality of narrow band-like members of resilient material that encircle the envelope at spaced points along its length and are located between said envelope and sleeve, said retaining members being of such size that they compressively grip the encircled parts of the envelope and are in tight frictional engagement with the overlying encircling portions of said sleeve so that the sleeve is securely anchored in place on the lamp solely by said retaining members,
  • the retaining members that are located at the ends of said lamp being disposed inwardly a predetermined distance from the respective ends of both the sieeve and envelope such that the plastic sleeve is free and able to expand and contract relative to the glass envelope un er varying ambient temperature conditions without forcing the outermost retaining members off of said lamp.
  • said electric lamp comprises a fluorescent lamp that contains an ionizable medium and a pair of spaced electrodes which are connected to terminals that are located at and protrude beyond the respective ends of the lamp envelope and are anchored in base members fastened to the ends of said envelope,
  • said open-ended plastic sleeve is of substantially the same length as the envelope and is so positioned that said base members and terminals are exposed
  • said retaining members comprise rubber grommets that are spaced inwardly from the respective base members, and
  • the distance the outermost grommets are spaced inwardly from the respective ends of the sleeve and base members is correlated with the length of the lamp and increases as the lamp length increases.
  • said open-ended sleeve is composed of polycarbonate resin
  • said rubber grommets are of substantially uniform wall thickness.
  • said fluorescent lamp has a nominal length of approximately 122 centimeters
  • the grommets located at the ends of said lamp are disposed approximately 6 mm. inwardly from the respective ends of the sleeve and base members.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Securing Globes, Refractors, Reflectors Or The Like (AREA)
  • Discharge Lamps And Accessories Thereof (AREA)
  • Vessels And Coating Films For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
US00034806A 1970-05-05 1970-05-05 Tubular electric discharge lamp with integral protective-insulating sleeve Expired - Lifetime US3720826A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US3480670A 1970-05-05 1970-05-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3720826A true US3720826A (en) 1973-03-13

Family

ID=21878725

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00034806A Expired - Lifetime US3720826A (en) 1970-05-05 1970-05-05 Tubular electric discharge lamp with integral protective-insulating sleeve

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US3720826A (pt)
JP (1) JPS5111915Y2 (pt)
CA (1) CA941433A (pt)

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4048537A (en) * 1976-06-04 1977-09-13 Gte Sylvania Incorporated Protective ultraviolet-transmitting sleeve for fluorescent lamp
DE2942995A1 (de) * 1979-10-24 1981-05-07 Bayer Ag, 5090 Leverkusen Explosionsgeschuetzte lampenabdeckung
DE2951546A1 (de) * 1979-12-21 1981-07-02 Hermann 8500 Nürnberg Leber Gekapselte langfeldleuchte
DE3112962A1 (de) * 1981-04-01 1982-10-14 Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-Gmbh, 6000 Frankfurt "leuchte fuer leuchtstofflampen mit einem schutzrohr"
DE3225768A1 (de) * 1982-07-09 1984-01-12 CEAG Licht- und Stromversorgungstechnik GmbH, 6800 Mannheim Explosionsgeschuetzte leuchte
US5182490A (en) * 1989-08-08 1993-01-26 Thorn Emi Plc Light sources
US5188451A (en) * 1992-04-01 1993-02-23 General Electric Company One-piece spacer end cap for an elongated jacketed discharge lamp
WO1993024788A1 (en) * 1992-05-29 1993-12-09 Anthony's Manufacturing Company, Inc. Insulator for fluorescent lamp
US5440467A (en) * 1994-04-22 1995-08-08 Steelcase Inc. Task light
US5536998A (en) * 1994-11-28 1996-07-16 Royal Lite Manufacturing And Supply Corp. Fluorescent lamp with a protective assembly
US5729085A (en) * 1996-03-22 1998-03-17 Royal Lite Manufacturing And Supply Corp. Fluorescent lamp with a protective assembly
WO1999012185A1 (en) * 1997-09-02 1999-03-11 Sica Michael F Shatter-resistant lamp assembly and method
US6078136A (en) * 1998-11-06 2000-06-20 Royal Lite Manufacturing And Supply Corp. Fluorescent lamp with a protective assembly having vent holes
US6246167B1 (en) 1999-06-29 2001-06-12 Michael F. Sica U-shaped fluorescent lamp with protective assembly
US6254318B1 (en) 1998-12-16 2001-07-03 Michael F. Sica Apparatus for making numerous holes in a tube
US6422721B1 (en) 2000-05-22 2002-07-23 Genlyte Thomas Group Llc Tube guard system
US6452324B1 (en) * 2000-08-30 2002-09-17 General Electric Company Fluorescent lamp for grocery lighting
AT410992B (de) * 2001-12-19 2003-09-25 Ae Austria Aussenleuchten Und Leuchte für den aussenbereich sowie ein thermoschutzrohr für diese leuchte
US6632100B1 (en) 1997-04-23 2003-10-14 Anthony, Inc. Lighting system method and apparatus socket assembly lamp insulator assembly and components thereof
US20060034087A1 (en) * 2004-08-16 2006-02-16 A.L.P. Lighting & Ceiling Products, Inc. End cap for illumination tube guards
US20080048541A1 (en) * 2004-12-20 2008-02-28 Sumrall Ernest N Polymer-thermal shield for ultra-violet lamp
GB2453929A (en) * 2007-10-15 2009-04-29 Anytronics Ltd A coaxial spacer for a fluorescent lamp tube

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS56404Y2 (pt) * 1973-11-15 1981-01-08
JPS5227707U (pt) * 1975-08-18 1977-02-26
JPS6138157Y2 (pt) * 1976-08-16 1986-11-04
JPS62140797U (pt) * 1986-02-28 1987-09-05
JPH066554Y2 (ja) * 1990-09-10 1994-02-16 キョーラク株式会社 ハウジングパネル

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2363109A (en) * 1942-04-01 1944-11-21 Gen Electric Vapor lamp jacket
US2761959A (en) * 1951-09-06 1956-09-04 Kunins Morris Kamm Variable color light source
US3112886A (en) * 1960-02-01 1963-12-03 Leonard H Kushner Color control
US3124307A (en) * 1964-03-10 Vapor lamp units
US3136489A (en) * 1962-01-24 1964-06-09 Oharenko Vladimir Safety work light
US3179792A (en) * 1962-09-06 1965-04-20 Weiss Harry Fluorescent lamp
US3358167A (en) * 1965-10-18 1967-12-12 Gen Electric Jacketed discharge lamp

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS44843Y1 (pt) * 1966-02-15 1969-01-14

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3124307A (en) * 1964-03-10 Vapor lamp units
US2363109A (en) * 1942-04-01 1944-11-21 Gen Electric Vapor lamp jacket
US2761959A (en) * 1951-09-06 1956-09-04 Kunins Morris Kamm Variable color light source
US3112886A (en) * 1960-02-01 1963-12-03 Leonard H Kushner Color control
US3136489A (en) * 1962-01-24 1964-06-09 Oharenko Vladimir Safety work light
US3179792A (en) * 1962-09-06 1965-04-20 Weiss Harry Fluorescent lamp
US3358167A (en) * 1965-10-18 1967-12-12 Gen Electric Jacketed discharge lamp

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4048537A (en) * 1976-06-04 1977-09-13 Gte Sylvania Incorporated Protective ultraviolet-transmitting sleeve for fluorescent lamp
DE2942995A1 (de) * 1979-10-24 1981-05-07 Bayer Ag, 5090 Leverkusen Explosionsgeschuetzte lampenabdeckung
DE2951546A1 (de) * 1979-12-21 1981-07-02 Hermann 8500 Nürnberg Leber Gekapselte langfeldleuchte
DE3112962A1 (de) * 1981-04-01 1982-10-14 Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-Gmbh, 6000 Frankfurt "leuchte fuer leuchtstofflampen mit einem schutzrohr"
DE3225768A1 (de) * 1982-07-09 1984-01-12 CEAG Licht- und Stromversorgungstechnik GmbH, 6800 Mannheim Explosionsgeschuetzte leuchte
US5182490A (en) * 1989-08-08 1993-01-26 Thorn Emi Plc Light sources
US5188451A (en) * 1992-04-01 1993-02-23 General Electric Company One-piece spacer end cap for an elongated jacketed discharge lamp
WO1993024788A1 (en) * 1992-05-29 1993-12-09 Anthony's Manufacturing Company, Inc. Insulator for fluorescent lamp
US5315211A (en) * 1992-05-29 1994-05-24 Anthony's Manufacturing Company, Inc. Insulator for fluorescent lamp
US5440467A (en) * 1994-04-22 1995-08-08 Steelcase Inc. Task light
US5536998A (en) * 1994-11-28 1996-07-16 Royal Lite Manufacturing And Supply Corp. Fluorescent lamp with a protective assembly
US5729085A (en) * 1996-03-22 1998-03-17 Royal Lite Manufacturing And Supply Corp. Fluorescent lamp with a protective assembly
US6632100B1 (en) 1997-04-23 2003-10-14 Anthony, Inc. Lighting system method and apparatus socket assembly lamp insulator assembly and components thereof
WO1999012185A1 (en) * 1997-09-02 1999-03-11 Sica Michael F Shatter-resistant lamp assembly and method
US6078136A (en) * 1998-11-06 2000-06-20 Royal Lite Manufacturing And Supply Corp. Fluorescent lamp with a protective assembly having vent holes
US6254318B1 (en) 1998-12-16 2001-07-03 Michael F. Sica Apparatus for making numerous holes in a tube
US6246167B1 (en) 1999-06-29 2001-06-12 Michael F. Sica U-shaped fluorescent lamp with protective assembly
US6422721B1 (en) 2000-05-22 2002-07-23 Genlyte Thomas Group Llc Tube guard system
US6452324B1 (en) * 2000-08-30 2002-09-17 General Electric Company Fluorescent lamp for grocery lighting
AT410992B (de) * 2001-12-19 2003-09-25 Ae Austria Aussenleuchten Und Leuchte für den aussenbereich sowie ein thermoschutzrohr für diese leuchte
US20060034087A1 (en) * 2004-08-16 2006-02-16 A.L.P. Lighting & Ceiling Products, Inc. End cap for illumination tube guards
US20080048541A1 (en) * 2004-12-20 2008-02-28 Sumrall Ernest N Polymer-thermal shield for ultra-violet lamp
GB2453929A (en) * 2007-10-15 2009-04-29 Anytronics Ltd A coaxial spacer for a fluorescent lamp tube

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA941433A (en) 1974-02-05
JPS5111915Y2 (pt) 1976-03-31
JPS46133U (pt) 1971-12-07

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: NORTH AMERICAN PHILIPS ELECTRIC CORP.

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004113/0393

Effective date: 19830316