US4782429A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Long-life luminaires
Assignee: Standard Enterprises Inc
•
Filing: 1987-04-10
•
Granted: 1988-11-01
•
Expires: 2007-04-10
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a luminaire primarily for use with exit signs and other emergency-type lighting comprising a series string of low-voltage, extremely long-life filaments positioned within a sealed enclosure for protection and electrically connected to a standard base whereby luminaires having lives of 10 to 30 years may replace standard bulbs without the requirement of retrofitting.
Inventors
- 👤 John F. Walton
- 👤 Al R. Roshdieh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:04
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01K; H01K1/00; H01K1/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A long-life luminaire comprising: a string of long-life, low-voltage filaments; said filaments becoming incandescent when heated; means adapted to connect said filaments in series across a source of electrical energy; a long-lived resistor connected in series with said string; said resistor having a resistance at least equal to that of one of said filaments when incandescent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
A long-life luminaire comprising: a string of long-life, low-voltage filaments; said filaments becoming incandescent when heated; means adapted to connect said filaments in series across a source of electrical energy; a long-lived resistor connected in series with said string; said resistor having a resistance at least equal to that of one of said filaments when incandescent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The long-life luminaire of claim 1 wherein a number of filaments are included in said string to maintain the voltage across each filament at approximately 12 volts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The long-life luminaire of claim 1 wherein a number of filaments are included in said string to maintain the voltage across each filament to 14 volts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The long-life luminaire of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 further comprising: a sealed evacuated tube; said string of filaments located in said evacuated tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The long-life luminaire of claim 4 wherein said tube is filled with an inert gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The long-life luminaire of claim 4 wherein said tube is filled with a halogen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The long-life luminaire of claim 4 further comprising: a second string of filaments in parallel with said first-mentioned string of filaments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The long-life luminaire of claim 7 further comprising: means for initially energizing one of said strings of filaments and responsive to failure of said one of said strings to energize the other of said strings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The long-life luminaire of claim 1 further comprising: a varistor connected in parallel with across said string.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
A long-life luminaire comprising: a string of long-life, low-voltage filaments; said filaments becoming incandescent when heated; means adapted to connect said filaments in series across a source of electrical energy; a sealed envelope within which said filaments are located, a second string of filaments in parallel with said first-mentioned string of filaments, and relay means included in said sealed envelope for initially energizing one of said strings of filaments and responsive to failure of said one of said strings to energize the other of said strings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
86 words
A long-life luminaire comprising: a string of long-life, low-voltage filaments; said filaments becoming incandescent when heated; means adapted to connect said filaments in series across a source of electrical energy; a sealed envelope within which said filaments are located, a second string of filaments in parallel with said first-mentioned string of filaments, and relay means included in said sealed envelope for initially energizing one of said strings of filaments and responsive to failure of said one of said strings to energize the other of said strings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE237105C
Cited
US1313857A
Cited
GB235191A
Cited
US1720311A
Cited
US1760667A
Cited
US1839479A
Cited
US2042963A
Cited
US2161443A
Cited
FR1364872A
Cited
US3295007A
Cited
DE2605888A1
Cited
JPS523284A
Cited
US4023060A
Cited
US4096405A
Cited
US4185219A
Cited
US4285032A
Cited
US4272698A
Cited
US4287452A
Cited
US4461974A
Cited
US4596944A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-01 | 1992-05-02 | 1992-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-01 | 1996-05-02 | 1996-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-01 | 2000-05-02 | 2000-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |