Locking Means For Single Pin Fluorescent Lamps

Abstract

Locking means for so-called single-pin fluorescent lamps which will serve to prevent a lamp from becoming disengaged in service from the cooperating electrical contact means of the lamp holder means, which holder means include; adjacent to at least one end of the lamp, a spring-pressed plunger for engaging the pin at that end of the lamp and serving to resiliently force the pin at the other end of the lamp into operative engagement with the electrical contact means of the lamp holder at such other end, said locking means comprising an inherently pliable jaw-like member for removable snap-engagement with the protruding, pin-engaging, end of the said plunger, and having a dimension axially of the lamp to substantially fill the space between the end of the lamp and the adjacent face of the plunger-carrying lamp holder, whereby to prevent retraction of the plunger and possible release of the lamp pin ends from operative engagement with the lamp holders.

Description

The invention relates, therefore, to a locking device for single pin fluorescent lamps which will insure the proper mounting and retention of such lamps in their mounting holders and will adequately serve to insure the proper electrical connection of the terminals (end pins) of the lamps with the contact elements of the respective holders. The said locking device is preferably formed of a dielectric or insulating material such as "Nylon," or equivalent, and substantially similar, moldable synthetic plastic material.

The primary object of the invention is to provide means for locking single pin fluorescent lamps in their customary lamp holders at their opposite ends in such a manner that they will be mounted with such security in their said holders as to insure that they will not become dislodged, or electrically inoperative, in the presence of vibration and shock and thus also to guard against their falling from overhead installations with possible danger of injury to workmen operating below them.

Another object of the invention is to provide a locking device for use in the installation of single-pin fluorescent lamps which may be readily installed in, and removed from, locking position with respect to the lamp holder means by a simple push or pull, respectively, of the locking device at substantially right angles to the axis of the lamp.

A still further object of the invention is to so form the locking device that it will tenaciously grip the plunger of the indicated lamp holder and will remain in operative position thereon between the end of the lamp and the face of the lamp holder proper so that undesired axial movement of the lamp with respect to the lamp holders at its opposite ends will be impossible and escape of the lamp end pins from the lamp holders will also be impossible.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention, in the several figures of which like parts are similarly designated,

FIG. 1 shows, in side elevation, with parts broken away and in section, a single pin fluorescent lamp in its position of installation between the lamp holders at its respective ends, and the lamp lock of the invention in a position for its installation upon the lamp holder plunger between the end of the lamp and the adjacent face of the lamp holder.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the left-hand end of FIG. 1 with the lamp lock installed in operative position.

FIG. 3 shows in transverse sectional elevation, upon the line 3--3, FIG. 2, the parts shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional side elevation of a modification of the parts shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of the lamp lock of the invention in one preferred form.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are face (axial) views of modifications of the lamp lock shown in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, two lamp holders 1 and 2, respectively, are mounted upon a longitudinally rigid supporting member (not shown) in such relatively spaced securement as to accommodate between them a single-pin fluorescent lamp 3 of a chosen length, one of such holders (1 as shown) having an axially movable plunger 4 backed up by a compression spring 5 seated at its respective ends against a conductor plate 6 seated in the holder 1 and against an axially movable conductor washer 7 (FIG. 1) for yieldable conducting contact with the single pin 8 at one end of the lamp 3, the single pin 8 at the other end of the lamp being engaged by a pair of conducting spring fingers 10 in the holder 2 at the other end of the lamp.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the lamp lock member 11 is of an axial thickness such that when it is snap-inserted in the space between the face of the lamp holder 1 and the adjacent end of the lamp 3, and in frictional engagement with the periphery of the plunger 4, it will prevent any such axial movement of the lamp as will enable either of its pin ends 8 to so shift axially as to break the electrical connection of its said pins and the respective two contact elements 7 and 10 of the lamp holders 1 and 2, respectively.

Although the washer 7, FIG. 1, is shown, FIG. 4 shows that the outer terminal coil 5' of the spring 5 may be of such a restricted diameter as to seat against the adjacent surface of the pin 8, and the washer 4 may therefore be dispensed with if desired, the number of parts used for contact with the pin 8 thus being reduced by one; the lamp holder simplified and its cost lessened.

Having reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, particularly, it will be seen that in its preferred form the lamp lock member 11 has a substantially cylindrical central portion 12 for embracing engagement, frictionally, with the operatively exposed median portion of the plunger 4 of the lamp holder 1, and the inner circumference of this cylindrical central portion has its wall slotted, as indicated at 13, to provide a relatively tenacious grip upon the plunger 4, and to provide such ventilation in service as will dissipate heat generated by the lamp, thus guarding against distortion of the lamp lock member and its possible release of locating pressure against the surface of the plunger 4.

Also, the peripheral portion of the lock member is provided with a radially offstanding stiffening lug slotted at 9 to give it some resiliency and to augment the heat dissipating function of the slots 13.

The termini of the jaws 14 of the lock member are so contoured in curved surfaces as to facilitate the snap engagement of the lock member with the cylindrical exterior of the plunger 4, and the said jaws are also provided adjacent to their termini with exterior grooves 15 (FIGS. 3 and 5) to lend desired resiliency for such snap engagement.

At its opposite axial faces the lock member is preferably provided with radially offstanding stiffening and reinforcing flange members 16, at least one of which carries, diametrically opposite to the jaws 14, with tang means 17 which serve as a gripping element for facilitating insertion of the locking member in, and removing it from, locking position, and these flange members, or at least one of them, will be provided with slots 18 flanking the tang means 17 and serving to lend circumferential resiliency to the lock member, and it will be noted that, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the tang means 17 may be provided with an aperture to receive the complemental end of an appropriate tool (not shown) for use, particularly in overhead locations, in the installation and removal of the locking member in relation to the plunger of the lamp holder.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show modifications of the flange members 16a and 16b, respectively, to adapt them to the conformation of the jaws 14a and 14b of the respective lock members and to properly distribute their effect, and one of the flange members may, as shown, be provided with tang means 17a or 17b, respectively.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. Lamp locking means for assembly of single pin fluorescent lamps with a protruding plunger carried by the lamp holder means therefor, including a locking member having a body portion for insertion between an axial end of the lamp and the adjacent face of at least one of the lamp holder means, said body portion comprising an inherently pliable jaw-like member for removable snap engagement with the protruding, pin engaging end of the said plunger and having a dimension axially of the lamp to substantially fill the space between the end of the lamp and the adjacent face of the plunger carrying lamp holder.

2. Lamp locking means as defined in claim 1, in which the body portion includes a substantially cylindrical central portion for embracing frictional engagement with the operatively exposed median portion of the plunger.

3. Lamp locking means as defined in claim 2, in which the central portion of the body portion has an inner circumferential wall that is slotted to enhance dissipation of heat generated by the lamp.

4. Lamp locking means as defined in claim 3, in which the circumferential wall communicates with a radially offstanding stiffening lug which further enhances dissipation of heat generated by the lamp.

5. Lamp locking means as defined in claim 1, in which the body portion further includes reinforcing flange means.

6. Lamp locking means as defined in claim 5, in which at least one of the flange means has an integral tang lying in a plane therewith for facilitating insertion of the locking member in, and removing it from locking position with said plunger.

7. Lamp locking means as defined in claim 6, in which the tang is flanked by slot means thereby spacing it from the respective flange and serving to lend circumferential resiliency to the lock member.

8. Lamp locking means as defined in claim 1, in which the termini of the jaw-like members have curved surfaces.

9. Lamp locking means as defined in claim 8, in which the jaw-like members are provided adjacent to their termini with exterior grooves to lend resiliency for said snap engegement.

10. Lamp locking means as defined in claim 1, in which the said protruding plunger is spring operated.