WO2001084044A2

WO2001084044A2 - Base assembly for an electric lamp

Info

Publication number: WO2001084044A2
Application number: PCT/US2001/009708
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edward Eugene Hammer; Alvin Ardell Bush; Erwin Gale Steinbrenner
Original assignee: General Electric Company
Priority date: 2000-04-28
Filing date: 2001-03-27
Publication date: 2001-11-08
Also published as: WO2001084044A3

Abstract

Reliable contact between fluorescent lamp leads and fluorescent lamp base contacts is achieved by passing the leads through a conductive hollow pin mounted in a base assembly, bending the leads back against the pin and press-fitting a conductive sleeve over the pin and bent lead.

Description

BASE ASSEMBLY FOR AN ELECTRIC LAMP

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

5 This invention relates to electric lamps in general and, more particularly, to a base assembly for a fluorescent lamp.

A fluorescent lamp conventionally includes a tubular glass envelope having opposing ends fitted with base assemblies. The fluorescent lamp is supported by a pair of lamp holders or sockets into which the base assemblies 0 extend for connection to an electrical source. Generally, there are two different types of base assemblies: bi-pin base assemblies and recessed double-contact base assemblies.

A bi-pin base assembly typically includes a pair of outwardly-extending hollow pins staked to insulating disks. Electrode lead wires are secured inside 5 the pins by welding or crimping.

A recessed double-contact base assembly typically includes a plate having an elliptical opening formed therein. An outwardly-extending collar is joined to the plate and surrounds the opening. A pair of contacts are secured to the plate and extend into the collar. Electrode lead wires are secured to outer o ends of the contacts in the collar by welding or crimping.

In conventional bi-pin and recessed double-contact assemblies, it is not uncommon for the electrical connection between an electrode lead wire and a pin or terminal to be compromised due to a faulty weld or crimp. With new end of life ballast circuits being developed, however, it has become increasingly important 5 to provide secure electrical connections between the electrode lead wires and the bi-pins or coHtacts.

Based on the foregoing it would be desirable to provide a base assembly for an electrical lamp that provides secure electrical connections between electrode lead wires and pins or contacts. The present invention is directed to o such a base assembly. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a side view of a base assembly according to the invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recessed double-contact base adapter assembly.

FIG. 3 is an interior plan view of the adapter according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A base assembly for an electric lamp having at least one wire-like lead includes a support member having an interior and an exterior side, at least one hollow conducting pin having an interior and exterior end, and a conducting sleeve. The pin extends through and is supported by the member. The exterior end extends beyond the exterior side. The lead extends through the pin and out the exterior end and is bent back along the exterior end and the sleeve conductively retains the lead between the pin and the sleeve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 a lamp portion 10 includes a pair of wire-like leads 12 for conducting electricity from a source to the lamp. In the case of bi-pin fluorescent lamps, there are two leads 12 at each end of the lamp. The base assembly 14 is a conventional bi-pin base assembly except that the hollow conducting pins 16 are shorter and of a smaller diameter than those of a conventional bi-pin base assembly. The base assembly 14 includes a support member 17 that 'supports the pins 16. The leads 12 extend through the hollows of respective pins 16. and are bent back along the pins 16.

Conducting sleeves 18 are press-fitted over the pins 16 and the bent leads 12. The lead 12 is squeezed between the pin 16 and the sleeve 18. The sleeves 18 may be composed of brass, copper or other suitable conductor. The outside diameter of the sleeves 18 matches that of conventional bi-pin base assembly pins. The hollow interior of the sleeves 18 is sized to provide for squeezing conductive contact between the pins 16, the leads 12 and the sleeves 18. The length of the sleeves 18 is chosen to match that of a conventional bi-pin assembly. 5 The capture of the lead 12 between the pin 16 and the sleeve 18 provides a positive physical contact that in turn provides a reliable and secure electrical contact between the lead 12 and the sleeve 18.

In the preferred embodiment, the sleeves 18 are secured to the pins 16 by, for example, crimping, welding, or soldering. 0 Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, another embodiment of the invention is used to provide a recessed double-contact base assembly for a fluorescent lamp. Two sleeves 18' are supported in an adapter 20. The adapter 20 has an exterior side having two conventional recessed double-contact base type contacts 22. The interior side of the adapter 20 has cavities 24 to receive the sleeves 18' in 5 electrical contact with the contacts 22. Similar to the previous embodiment, the sleeves 18' are press-fit over two pins 16 and bent leads 12 to provide a recessed double-contact fluorescent lamp base assembly. In this embodiment, the outside diameter of the sleeves 18' need not match the standard for bi-pin base assemblies because the sleeves 18' do not need to fit a standard bi-pin 0 socket. This then also allows additional freedom for sizing the pins 16 and the corresponding hollow interior of the sleeves 18'.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without 5 departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the o invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. A base assembly for an electric lamp having at least one wire-like lead, said assembly comprising: a support member having an interior and an exterior side; at least one hollow pin having an interior and exterior end, said pin extending through and being supported by said member, said exterior end extending beyond said exterior side; and a conducting sleeve, wherein said lead extends through said pin and out said exterior end and is bent back along said exterior, end, and said sleeve conductively retains said lead between said pin and said sleeve.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said sleeve is crimped to said pin.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said sleeve is soldered to said pin.

4. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said sleeve is welded to said pin.

5. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said assembly provides a bi-pin fluorescent lamp base assembly.

6. An assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising: an adapter, said adapter having an interior side and an exterior side; and at least one recessed double-contact style electric lamp contact, said contact being supported by said adapter in an operable position at said adapter exterior side and said conducting sleeve being supported by said adapter in an operable position at said adapter interior side, said sleeve and said contact being in electrical communication.

7. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein said adapter provides a recessed double-contact fluorescent lamp base assembly.