Snap-lock base for annular fluorescent lamps

Claim 1

A base for an annular fluorescent lamp having an envelope with a protruding exhaust tube, said base comprising; a pair of generally semicylindrical-shaped components of resilient insulating material having integral interfitting portions operable to lock said component together in closed abutting relationship solely by means of a snap-fit, one of said base components having an inwardly-recessed segment which carries a plurality of contact pins, each of said base components having walls of such thickness and being of such configuration that they define, when snap-fitted together in assembled relation, a chamber of sufficient size to accommodate the ends of the lamp envelope and exhaust tube despite variations in the length and alignment of said exhaust tube, said interfitting portions comprising a pair of covering flaps that laterally project beyond the longitudinal edges of one of said base components and a pair of mating recessed flaps that laterally project beyond the longitudinal edges of the other of said base components and define recesses in the exterior wall thereof which are shaped and dimensioned to receive and accommodate said covering flaps, one of said covering flaps having a notch-like opening in its longitudinal edge through which the base components can be mechanically separated from snap-fitted relationship with one another, and said covering flaps being of such configuration that they form a substantially smooth exterior surface with the base component having the recessed flaps, when said base components are snapfitted together and said covering flaps are seated in said recesses.