US3569694A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lighting fixture with detachable ballast
Assignee: Metalux Corp
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Filing: 1968-08-01
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Granted: 1971-03-09
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Expires: 1988-08-01
Abstract
Abstract A fluorescent lighting fixture incorporating a receptacle provided with a readily replaceable ballast unit that may be safely connected to and disconnected from the circuit of the fixture while it is energized. A two-part electrical connector unit is provided in the circuit, one part being fixed to the receptacle and the other part mounted together with the ballast as a replaceable component arranged to engage and disengage the connector unit parts as an incident of installation and removal of the replaceable component. Preferably, the connector unit parts comprise a male plug and complemental female socket specially arranged to cause the respective high voltage contacts thereof to become engaged prior to, and disengaged subsequent to, engagement of the respective low voltage contacts thereof during installation and removal of the replaceable component.
Inventors
- 👤 Oscar Lawrence Comer
- 👤 Wyndell G Muse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:24
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V23/00; F21V23/06; F21V23/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
In a fluorescent lighting fixture incorporating a receptacle fitted with a fluorescent lamp means and having electrical line connector means provided therefor including a ballast for operating said lamp means, the improvement comprising a disengageable two-part electrical connector unit interposed in said electrical line connector means with one connector unit part fixed in relation to said receptacle and the associated connector unit part associated with said ballast, said electrical line connector means including a high voltage circuit and a low voltage circuit for imposing high and low voltages on said lamp means, each of said connector unit parts including at least one pair of contacts, one contact of each of said pairs being interposed in said high voltage circuit and the other contact of each of said pairs being interposed in said low voltage circuit, said respective high voltage contacts being arranged to become engaged prior to said low voltage contacts during said installation of the ballast, and to become disengaged subsequent to disengagement of said respective low voltage contacts during said removal of the ballast.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
In a fluorescent lighting fixture incorporating a receptacle fitted with a fluorescent lamp means and having electrical line connector means provided therefor including a ballast for operating said lamp means, the improvement comprising a disengageable two-part electrical connector unit interposed in said electrical line connector means with one connector unit part fixed in relation to said receptacle and the associated connector unit part associated with said ballast, said electrical line connector means including a high voltage circuit and a low voltage circuit for imposing high and low voltages on said lamp means, each of said connector unit parts including at least one pair of contacts, one contact of each of said pairs being interposed in said high voltage circuit and the other contact of each of said pairs being interposed in said low voltage circuit, said respective high voltage contacts being arranged to become engaged prior to said low voltage contacts during said installation of the ballast, and to become disengaged subsequent to disengagement of said respective low voltage contacts during said removal of the ballast.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a fluorescent lighting fixture, the improvement defined in claim 1 and further characterized in that said connector unit parts consist of a male plug and a complemental female socket, said male plug having two blades of substantially equal length forming one of said pairs of electrical contacts, and said female socket having two blade-receiving slots containing the other of said pairs of electrical contacts with the low voltage contact thereof having a spacing from the blade-receiving end of its slot which exceeds a corresponding spacing of the high voltage contact thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
In a fluorescent lighting fixture, the improvement defined in claim 2 and further characterized in that said male plug connector blades have different configurations, and in that each of said female plug slots is shaped to receive only the male plug blade which will connect, respectively, the high voltage contacts and low voltage contacts of said pairs of electrical contacts.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-08 | 1974-09-07 | 1975-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-09-07 | 1979-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-08 | 1982-09-07 | 1983-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |