US4570105A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical adapter for use in connection with fluorescent lamps
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-09-20
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Granted: 1986-02-11
•
Expires: 2003-09-20
Abstract
Abstract An electrical adapter assembly for enabling use of a fluorescent lamp in connection with an incandescent lighting fixture comprises a hollow and cylindrical housing, an Edison-type base extending from one end of the housing and a cover enclosing the end of the housing opposing the base. A toroidal ballast is located within the housing and is capable of receiving portions of the fluorescent lamp within hollow central portions of the ballast to enhance spacial efficiency. The base is either affixed to the housing, or alternatively, is rotatingly associated with the housing to provide a security feature.
Inventors
- 👤 Herman J. Engel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R33/00; H01R33/94; H01R33/942; H01R33/05; H01R33/06; H01R33/08; H01R33/945; H01R33/97
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A fluorescent lamp adapter assembly for an incandescent lighting fixture means, comprising: (a) a hollow housing; (b) a base member associated with and extending from an end of the housing, and including means for establishing electrical interconnection with the incandescent lighting fixture means, said base member comprising a socket member including a movable center contact means, a biasing means and a fixed outer contact means associated with a non-conducting core, said biasing means engaging the center contact means and the fixed outer contact means; (c) a cover member associated with and extending from another end of the housing, and including retaining means adapted to retain the fluorescent lamp within the adapter assembly; and (d) an essentially toroidally shaped ballast means located within the housing and between the base member and cover member, and electrically associated in series with the electrical interconnection establishing means of the base member, thereby permitting use of a fluorescent lamp in place of an incandescent light source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A fluorescent lamp adapter assembly for an incandescent lighting fixture means, comprising: (a) a hollow housing; (b) a base member associated with and extending from an end of the housing, and including means for establishing electrical interconnection with the incandescent lighting fixture means, said base member comprising a socket member including a movable center contact means, a biasing means and a fixed outer contact means associated with a non-conducting core, said biasing means engaging the center contact means and the fixed outer contact means; (c) a cover member associated with and extending from another end of the housing, and including retaining means adapted to retain the fluorescent lamp within the adapter assembly; and (d) an essentially toroidally shaped ballast means located within the housing and between the base member and cover member, and electrically associated in series with the electrical interconnection establishing means of the base member, thereby permitting use of a fluorescent lamp in place of an incandescent light source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein central portions of the ballast means define a cavity, and wherein portions of the fluorescent lamp are capable of being received within said cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein the ballast means comprises: (a) a core formed of a series of spiral, wound tape laminations; (b) a longitudinal gap developed in the core; and (c) a plurality of windings toroidally applied to the core.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein the housing is generally cylindrical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The adapter assembly of claim 4 wherein the cylindrical housing is configured to snugly receive the toroidally shaped ballast means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein the cover member includes face portions having a truncated, generally conical shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The adapter assembly of claim 6 wherein terminal portions of the cover member include a flange for engaging terminal portions of the housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The adapter assembly of claim 7 wherein attachment screws secure the cover member to the housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The adapter assembly of claim 7 wherein interference fit means secure the cover member to the housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein top portions of the cover member comprise the fluorescent lamp retaining means, and wherein said top portions include an aperture for receiving protruding portions of the fluorescent lamp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
The adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein the fluorescent lamp retaining means comprises: (a) side portions depending from top portions of the cover member; (b) bottom portions depending from and connecting the side portions, to define a cavity for receiving base portions of the fluorescent lamp; and (c) a retaining member capable of engaging the top portions of the cover member and adapted to retain the base portions of the fluorescent lamp within the receiving cavity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein the electrical interconnection establishing means is an Edison-type socket member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein the movable center contact means comprises a pair of contact members located within a cavity axially disposed within the nonconducting core, and a spring engaging and separating the contact members from one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein the base member is fixedly associated with the housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein the base member is capable of rotation relative to the housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
The adapter assembly of claim 15 wherein: (a) the housing has a flanged aperture for receiving the base member; (b) the base member has a circumferential groove located in the vicinity of the flange of the aperture; and (c) the flange of the aperture has retaining means associated therewith which slidingly engage the groove of the base member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
79 words
The adapter assembly of claim 16 wherein a retaining pin associated with the flange of the aperture is capable of selectively engaging an aperture in the base member so that when the retaining pin engages the aperture in the base member, rotation of the base member relative to the housing is prevented, and so that when the retaining pin does not engage the aperture in the base member, rotation of the base member relative to the housing is enabled.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
102 words
The adapter assembly of claim 16 further comprising means for establishing electrical interconnection between the base member and the housing comprising: (a) a plurality of contact members associated with portions of the housing; (b) a centrally disposed contact member associated with the base member and adapted for engagement with a corresponding one of the contact members associated with the housing; and (c) a ring member associated with the base member, spaced from and surrounding the centrally disposed contact member associated with the base member, and adapted for engagement with at least one other of the corresponding contact members associated with the housing.
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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) | 1989-02-10 | 1989-08-12 | 1990-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-10 | 1993-08-12 | 1994-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-10 | 1997-08-12 | 1998-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |