X-ray shield for fluorescent light tube

Claim 1

In a fluorescent light tube having opposed ends, electrical contact means at each of said opposed ends by which the tube can be supportedly mounted in a light fixture, a cathode located within each marginal end of the tube in electrical contact with said contact means; the combination with said fluorescent tube of an external and removable X-ray shield; said shield being generally cylindrical in geometrical configuration; said shield includes a layer of metal having a thickness which substantially prevents X-rays from passing therethrough; said shield being of a size to be telescopingly received in a removable manner about the exterior of the tube so that said shield is supported on the exterior wall surface of the tube and at the marginal end portions of the tube in radially spaced relationship respective to the cathode thereof; said shield has an inside diameter which is substantially greater than the outside diameter of said tube so that the shield is loosely and slidably received by the marginal end portions of the tube; said shield is of sandwiched construction and includes a generally cylindrical support means which supports said layer of metal thereon; said layer of metal is a sheet of lead which is coextensive with and bonded to said cylindrical support means; said cylindrical support means comprises a continuous piece of material, the circumference being made discontinuous by the provision of only one longitudinal slot which provides adjacent longitudinally extending edge portions; the slot being smaller than the diameter of the tube so that the edge portions can be sprung apart to enable the tube to be received through the slot so that the cylindrical support means can be placed about the tube while the tube is mounted in the fixture; and X-rays are therefore substantially intercepted by the shield and cannot be emitted from the fixture; said cylindrical support means of said shield includes a cylindrical self-supporting cardboard support means which supports said layer of sheet lead thereon; the length of said cardboard support means is substantially twice the diameter of the tube; said layer of sheet lead is bonded to the exterior of said cardboard support means.