Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FLUORESCENT LAMP SUPPORT
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[001] This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/144,612, filed January 14, 2009,
entitled "Integrated Lamp Holder and Ballast Apparatus and
Method," and U.S. Nonprovisional Application No. 12/173,171,
filed July 15, 2008, entitled "Fluorescent Lamp Support," which
are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[002] This application relates to apparatus and methods for
supporting and powering fluorescent lamps. In particular, the
application relates to apparatus and methods for distributing
power from a ballast to a lamp holder.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[003] Fluorescent lamp holders are typically installed in a
sheet metal fixture with a ballast and associated wiring. The
manufacturer will generally assemble the lamp holders to the
sheet metal fixture, attach the ballast to the fixture, and run
wires between the ballast and lamp holders. This process can be
labor intensive and may lead to wiring errors and an unappealing
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installation.
[004] In addition, lamp holders that are assembled in this
manner may require features that are designed for a
predetermined width-wise placement of the lamps. For example,
the installation of lamps at 2-inch center-to-center distances
would require a crossbar configured to engage lamp holders, and
provide power, at those locations. This assembly may preclude
the possibility of adjusting the center-to-center distances of
the lamps once the lamp holder is assembled, requiring different
manufacturing protocols for each center-to-center distance.
[005] FIG. 1 shows typical light fixture 100. Light fixture
100 may include enclosure 102. Enclosure 102 may be a fixture
housing. Surface 103 of enclosure 102 may be a reflector.
Surface 103 may have breaks in slope 105 to direct light in
selected directions. Light fixture 100 may include lamp holders
104, 106 and 108. Lamp holders 104, 106 and 108 may each hold
one end of a tube-type fluorescent lamp. The other end of each
lamp may be held by lamp holders 110, 112 and 114, respectively.
Arrows A, B and C show where fluorescent tubes would be placed
between corresponding lamp holders. The lamp holders are fixed
directly to enclosure 102.
[006] FIG. 2 shows typical lamp holder 200. Lamp holder 200
may includes base 202, body 204, lamp pin guide 206 and pin slot
208. Paired contact pins from a fluorescent lamp may be
inserted into slot 208 until the pins occupy positions 210 and
212. The pins may then be rotated in direction A about
rotational axis X until the pins contact power terminals 214 and
216 (shown in broken line) inside body 204 of lamp holder 200.
[007] Long wiring leads that may be required to provide
power to typical lamp holder 200 in typical light fixture 100
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may promote errors during assembly, transport or installation
and may make lamp fixture assembly expensive with respect to
both labor and materials. In addition, lamp holder 200 is
typically soldered to enclosure 102, making future adjustments
of its position impossible.
[008] It would be desirable, therefore, to provide apparatus
and methods that improve the process of assembling lamp fixture
components.
[009] It would be further desirable, therefore, to provide
apparatus and methods that reduce the likelihood of
manufacturing errors.
[0010] It also would be desirable, therefore, to provide
apparatus and methods that reduce the requirement for fixture
components having different center-to-center distances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus
and methods that reduce the likelihood of errors in the
manufacture of lamp fixtures. It is a further object of the
invention to provide apparatus and methods that reduce the
requirement for different fixture components having different
center-to-center distances.
[0012] Accordingly, apparatus and methods for supporting and
energizing a lamp are provided. The lamp may be a fluorescent
lamp or any other suitable lamp. The apparatus may include a
ballast module. The ballast module may include a ballast. The
ballast may be removed from the ballast module for replacement
and/or reconfiguration. This may provide a lamp fixture that is
modular in nature and a more efficient manufacturing process.
[0013] A lamp holder may be removably coupled to the ballast
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module. The lamp holder may be in electrical communication with
the ballast contained in the ballast module such that when the
ballast module supports a lamp, it is configured to provide
power from the ballast to the lamp.
[0014] The ballast may include a rigid power distribution
unit. The rigid power distribution unit may transfer power from
the ballast to the lamp. Some embodiments, therefore, may not
require the use of wires to transmit power from the ballast to
the lamp holder. In other embodiments, wires may be used to
transmit power from the ballast to the lamp holder. The lamp
may be any suitable lamp, including the T5, T8 and T12 lamps.
[0015] In some embodiments of the systems and methods of the
invention, the rigid power distribution unit may include a track
that has conducting rails for supplying power to the lamp
holders. The track may be used to position lamp holders at any
desired spacing. In this embodiment, the track may be used in
connection with fixture designs requiring different center-to-
center lamp spacing.
[0016] In some embodiments, the rigid power distribution unit
may include a printed circuit board. The lamp holder may clamp
onto or be otherwise electrically connected to the printed
circuit board and draw power from it. The printed circuit board
may have traces for each lamp holder. In some embodiments,
conductive buses may be used either as traces on the printed
circuit board or separate from the printed circuit board.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The objects and advantages of the invention will be
apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
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drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts
throughout, and in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a top view of a typical light fixture;
[0019] FIG. 2 is an elevational view taken along lines 2-2
shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an apparatus in
accordance with the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of other apparatus in
accordance with the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of additional apparatus
in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of additional apparatus
in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 6A-6C show perspective, top, and frontal views,
respectively, of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6 with a cover
removed;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an apparatus in
accordance with the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 7;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of additional apparatus
in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of other apparatus in
accordance with the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along
line 11-11 shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 11A is a perspective view of
apparatus shown in accordance with the present disclosure;
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[0030] FIGS. 12A and 12B are sectional views taken along line
12-12 shown in FIG. 11A;
[0031] FIGS. 13 and 13A are exploded perspective views of
additional apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0032] FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14D are cross sectional views of
apparatus in accordance with the invention. FIG. 14C is a
partial cross-sectional view of apparatus in accordance with the
present disclosure. FIG. 14E is a frontal view of additional
apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0033] FIGS. 15A and 15B are frontal and side views,
respectively, of a lamp holder that may be incorporated into any
of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-6;
[0034] FIGS. 16A-16C show top, front, and side views,
respectively, of a cover which may be used with any of the
embodiments of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus in
accordance with the present disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of other apparatus in
accordance with the present disclosure;
[0037] FIG. 19 is a different perspective view of the
apparatus shown in FIG. 18;
[0038] FIG. 20 is a side view, corresponding to the view
along line A-A shown in FIG. 17, of apparatus in accordance with
the present disclosure;
[0039] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of other apparatus in
accordance with the present disclosure;
[0040] FIG. 22 is a top view of the apparatus shown in FIG.
21;
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[0041] FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along
line 23-23 shown in FIG. 22; and
[0042] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of still other apparatus
in accordance with the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] Apparatus and methods of manufacture for a ballast
module for a fluorescent lamp fixture are provided. The
apparatus may include a ballast housing. The apparatus may also
include a lamp holder configured to be coupled to the ballast
housing. A ballast may be at least partially enclosed within
the ballast housing.
[0044] The lamp holder may be configured to hold one end of a
tube-shaped lamp. In some embodiments of the invention, the lamp
holder may be in electrical communication with a conductor such
that when the lamp holder supports a lamp, the lamp holder is
able to provide power from the conductor to the lamp.
[0045] When long tubes are used, two opposing lamp holders
(one at each end of the lamp) are generally required-one to
support and excite each end of the lamp. In embodiments in
which a short or "single-ended" fluorescent lamp is used, one
lamp holder for the lamp may be sufficient. It should be noted
that the lamp holder may be configure to support any suitable
lamp, including the T5, T8 and T12 lamps.
[0046] Some embodiments of the invention may include modules
that may be fastened to a lamp fixture enclosure. The lamp
fixture enclosure may be referred to alternately throughout the
disclosure as a fixture housing. The ballast module may be
fasted to the lamp fixture enclosure. A lamp holder module
containing at least one lamp holder may also be fastened to the
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lamp fixture enclosure.
[0047] The ballast module may be arranged at one end of the
lamp fixture enclosure. The lamp holder module may be arranged
opposite the ballast module at the other end of the lamp fixture
enclosure. Because the ballast module includes at least one
lamp holder, the need for wiring between the ballast enclosed in
the ballast module and the lamp holder may be reduced or
eliminated. Some embodiments of the invention may include a
ballast and lamp holder with a wireless connection therebetween.
For example, the wiring that is present in a typical lamp
fixture may be replaced by a conductor that is integrated into a
structural element of the ballast. The lamp holder may be in
electrical connection with the conductor integral on the ballast
to create a wireless electrical connection. In other
embodiments, one or more wires may be used to transmit power
from the ballast to the lamp holder.
[0048] The lamp holder may be removably coupled to the
ballast module and/or the lamp holder module. In some
embodiments of the invention, the lamp holder may be removably
coupled to the wires that transmit power from the ballast module
to the lamp holder. In addition, the ballast module and/or the
lamp holder module may be removable from the lamp fixture
enclosure. Removable modules may facilitate repair, replacement
and/or reconfiguration of the fluorescent tube pattern. In some
embodiments, the repair, replacement and/or reconfiguration may
take place at the point of manufacture. In other embodiments,
the repair, replacement and/or reconfiguration may take place in
the field.
[0049] The ballast enclosed in the ballast housing may
receive power from a standard power line, such as a 110VAC power
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line or any other suitable power line. The ballast may include
a reactive coil and a power conditioner for providing
appropriate current to the lamp.
[0050] A conductor that is configured to transmit electrical
power from the ballast to the lamp holder may be enclosed within
the ballast housing as well. The conductor may be part of a
rigid power distribution unit. In this embodiment, the
conductor may be rigidly supported substantially continuously
along its length.
[0051] In some embodiments of the invention, the conductor
may be part of a continuous bus. The continuous bus may be
configured such that one or more lamp holders may be placed at
any location along the bus. A lamp holder electrical connector
may mate with the continuous bus through clamping, press fit,
mating, or any other suitable means. The lamp holder may be
removably connected to the continuous bus.
[0052] The conductor may be included in a printed circuit
board ("PCB"). The rigid power distribution unit may include
the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may have
traces from each lamp holder to be plugged into it. The printed
circuit board may be part of a ballast printed circuit board
assembly.
[0053] The lamp holder printed circuit board may be connected
to the ballast by any suitable connectors, such as male/female
connectors. The ballast may be located either inside or outside
a housing that may enclose the rigid power distribution unit.
[0054] The lamp holder may clamp or be otherwise mechanically
and electrically secured to the printed circuit board and draw
power from it. The printed circuit board may be in electrical
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communication with the lamp holder via flat cable and
male/female connectors. In some embodiments, the lamp holder
may be connected to the PCB by soldering. The lamp holder may
be removably connected to the PCB via male/female connectors,
pin and sleeve connectors, or any other suitable connectors.
Lamp holder electrical connectors may mate with the PCB through
clamping, press fit, mating, or any other suitable means.
[0055] In some embodiments, the lamp holder may be slidably
connected to the PCB via a slidable contact brush, a leaf spring
or any other suitable slidable contact. In these embodiments,
one or more detents may be provided to position the lamp holder
at one of a series of positions. The series of positions may be
regular intervals. The regular intervals may be spaced apart by
any suitable distance, such as 0.25 inch.
[0056] In some embodiments, the rigid power distribution unit
may include a track that has conducting rails for supplying
power to lamp holders. The rigid power distribution unit may
include a housing. The housing may be made of plastic, metal or
other suitable enclosure material.
[0057] The rails may be made of any suitable conducting metal
such as copper, silver, brass or the like. For example, the
conducting metal may be an abrasion-resistant metal, such as
brass.
[0058] The track may be open on one or both ends for
insertion of a lamp holder. An open end of the track may be
blocked by a skirt after insertion of one or more lamp holders.
The skirt may include any suitable material, such as a polymer
or elastomer such as ethylene acrylic elastomer ("AEM") such as
that available under the trademark "VAMAC" from E. I. DuPont and
Co., located in Wilmington, Delaware. The material may be an
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elastomer, such as neoprene. It should be noted that skirt may
be removably connected to the open end of the track, allowing
for the removal and/or addition of lamp holders during
manufacture and/or in the field.
[00591 The rails may run along a portion of the track so that
lamp holders engaging a portion of the track may receive power
from the rails. The track may include a slot or edge along which
the lamp holders may slide. The track may include one or more
detents to maintain a lamp holder in a position along the track.
In manufacturing, the track may be used to position lamp holders
at any desired spacing so the track may be used in connection
with fixture designs requiring different center-to-center lamp
spacing. The spacing may optionally be standardized to
accommodate one or more of the various industry standards.
[00601 Upon completion of the positioning of the lamp holder,
the lamp holder may be permanently fixed in position after
assembly. The lamp holder may be fixed in position by welding,
soldering, crimping, buttressing or by any other suitable
approach. Alternatively, the lamp holder may be held in place
by the one or more detents or by any other suitable means. In
this embodiment, the position of the lamp holder may be adjusted
at a later point in time.
[00611 The aforementioned embodiments taught by the
disclosure allow for one or more lamp holders to be adjustably
positioned on the ballast module. This may provide a
manufacturer with the ability to use a single fixture type for
more than one fluorescent tube configuration or any other
desirable lamp configuration. Different configurations may be
based on the different sizes and numbers of lamps such as T5, T8
and T12 style fluorescent lamps, which are commonly used in the
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electrical industry, in addition to any other suitable lamps.
[0062] A fixture may be fitted with one or more of several
different modules having different ballasts or different lamp
holder configurations.
[0063] The ballast housing may include a slotted opening that
is configured to receive a portion of the lamp holder. One or
more contacts or traces may be disposed inside the slotted
opening to electrically communicate with the lamp holder. The
contacts or traces may be in electrical communication with the
ballast. The contacts or traces may be in electrical
communication with the ballast via the PCB or any other suitable
means. The electrical communication may involve the use of a
male/female connector, a pin and sleeve connector, and/or
soldering to the PCB.
[0064] The ballast housing may also include a top cover. The
top cover may include one or more openings to provide various
lamp holder numbers and configurations. For example, the
openings may accommodate any number of lamp holders, such as 2-6
lamp holders.
[0065] The lamp holder may snap and lock into place on the
top cover of the unit in such a manner as to allow for quick and
easy replacement. In some embodiments, the lamp holder may be
mounted on a different aspect of the ballast housing, such as a
front, back or end of the ballast housing.
[0066] FIGS. 3-24 show illustrative embodiments and features
of the invention.
[0067] FIG. 3 shows illustrative body 308. Three lamp
holders 302 are attached to body 308. Body 308 may be a ballast
module. Body 308 may be a unitary structure and may be made of
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a non-conductive material. Alternatively, body 308 made be made
from an assembly of parts. In the present embodiment, body 308
is assembled onto a PCB and includes apertures configured to
receive and support lamp holders 302. Enclosure 310 encloses
the PCB which may be constructed of sheet metal. Body 308 is
dimensioned such that, when assembled, the lamp holders 302 are
supported and enclosed with no access to live parts.
[0068] Lamp holders 302 may include one or more electrical
contacts configured to conduct electricity from lamp holder 302
to one or more lamps installed in lamp holder 302. Each lamp
holder may include slots 304 which allow for pins of fluorescent
lamps to engage with the electrical contacts. It should be
noted that the systems and methods of the invention include lamp
holders of any suitable configuration (including, for example,
the rotary lamp holders shown in FIG. 9).
[0069] Body 308 may at least partially contain a conductive
bus, a ballast, wiring, or any combination of one or more of
these elements. Lamp holders 302 may be removable from body 308
for replacement, repair, or reconfiguration during manufacture
and/or in the field.
[0070] FIG. 4 shows illustrative body 404. Body 404 may
include one or more depressions 406. Depressions 406 may be
adjacent to one or more lamp holders 402. Depressions 406 may
allow for shorter lamp holders 402 to be inserted into body 404
resulting in a thinner overall profile of the fixture. This is
advantageous in certain installations when space is limited.
[0071] FIG. 5 shows illustrative body 504. Lamp holders 502
are attached to body 504, wherein the attachment provides an
electrical connection therebetween.
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[0072] FIG. 6 shows illustrative body 604. Slot 606 in body
604 allows for one or more lamp holders 602 to be installed in
body 604 at any point along slot 606. An electrical bus may run
along the length of body 604, allowing the lamp holders to be
placed at any point along slot 606.
[0073] In some embodiments of the invention, slot 606 may
include fixed points (not shown) in which lamp holders 602 may
be installed. The fixed points may be located at any suitable
interval along slot 606, such as 0.25 inch along the length of
slot 606.
[0074] FIG. 6A shows that PCB 608 may be located below body
604. The bus may take the form of a trace along PCB 608.
Contact points may be located below slot 606 to connect to lamp
holders 602. In addition, optional detents may be included in
the housing, on the PCB, or on any other suitable member in
order to positively locate the lamp holders at regular intervals
along the bus.
[0075] FIG. 6B shows a top view of body 604 without lamp
holders 602 and with the cover of body 604 removed. FIG. 6C
shows a side view of body 604 without lamp holders 602 and with
the cover of body 604 removed.
[0076] FIG. 7 shows illustrative body 704. Each lamp holder
702 includes a leg 708 which is disposed perpendicularly to the
main lamp holder body 710. In this embodiment, the lamp holder
exits along side face 706 of the body instead of along top face
704.
[0077] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of FIG. 7.
[0078] FIGS. 9 and 10 show illustrative PCB 910 with a
portion of housing 912 removed to show internal components. PCB
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910 is at least partially enclosed within housing 912. PCB 910
may support a ballast. PCB 910 may include one or more PCB tabs
908 which are disposed to engage opening 906 of leg 904 of lamp
holder 902. A contact may be located on PCB tab 908. The
contact may be a trace on PCB 910. The contact may provide
power to lamp holder 902.
[0079] FIG. 11 illustrates a partial cross sectional view
along line 11-11 shown in FIG. 10 of illustrative lamp holder
902 with leg 904 and opening 906. FIG. 11 further illustrates
sleeve 1102 that is configured to make electrical contact with a
PCB, as further illustrated in FIG. 11A.
[0080] FIG. 11A illustrates a detailed view of a contact 1104
that is contained in illustrative lamp holder 902. Contact 1104
may include one or more tines 1106 that are disposed to connect
to pins of a lamp. Contact 1104 may additionally include sleeve
1102. Sleeve 1102 may be disposed to slide over PCB tab 908 and
make electrical contact with conductor 1108. Conductor 1108 may
be a trace on PCB 910.
[0081] FIGS. 12A and 12B show sections taken along line 12-12
shown in FIG. 11A. FIG. 12A illustrates a cross sectional view
of sleeve 1102 and a cross sectional view of conductor 1108
disposed along the top and bottom surfaces of PCB 910. FIG. 12B
illustrates an alternate contact geometry of the contact
geometry illustrated in FIG. 12A that is included in some
embodiments of the invention.
[0082] FIG. 13 shows illustrative body 1310. Lamp holder 1302
may be removably attached to body 1310. Lamp holder 1302 may be
easily assembled and removed from body 1310 for replacement,
repair and/or reconfiguration. In some embodiments of the
invention, lamp holder 1302 may be a lamp holder that has a
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locking feature (not shown). The locking feature of lamp holder
1302 may be a snap hook arm. The locking feature, when
depressed, may unhook the lamp holder from body 1310 without the
need of a special tool.
[0083] Body 1310 may include apertures 1304 to receive one or
more lamp holders 1302. PCB 1314 may be at least partially
disposed within body 1310. In some embodiments of the
invention, a ballast and/or additional electrical components may
be disposed in body 1310 as well. PCB 1314 may include pin
1308. Pin 1308 may engage sleeve 1306 of lamp holder 1302. The
engagement of pin 1308 with sleeve 1306 may provide power from
PCB 1314 to lamp holder 1302. Pins 1308 may be spaced at
regular intervals such as 0.25 inches and may have a cross-
section of any suitable shape and size such as 0.062 inch round
pins. Sleeves 1306 may be of any suitable shape and size such
as having a gap in the sleeve of 0.030 inches. In addition, the
PCB may be of any suitable shape or size such as having a
thickness of 0.062 inches.
[0084] While the pins and sleeves shown in FIG. 13 provide
power from PCB 1314 to lamp holders 1302, any suitable mating
electrical connectors may be used. In some embodiments of the
invention, lamp holders 1302 may include pins and the PCB may
include sleeves, wherein the mating of the pins to the sleeves
provides electrical power from PCB 1314 to lamp holder 1302.
[0085] FIG. 13A shows a cross sectional view of sleeve 1306
of illustrative lamp holder 1302 when mated to pin 1308 of PCB
1314. The mating of sleeve 1306 to pin 1308 may create an
electrical connection therebetween.
[0086] FIGS. 14A-14D show illustrative tang 1406 that may be
located on contact 1402 of a lamp holder taught by the
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invention. Contact 1402 may contain one or more tines 1404
configured to contact pins 1408 of a lamp. Contact 1402 may
additionally contain conductive tang 1406.
[0087] FIG. 14E shows illustrative PCB 1412. Conductive tang
1406 may be configured to connect to PCB 1412. PCB 1412 may
have one or more openings 1410 configured to receive tang 1406.
Tang 1406 may include tab 1416. Tab 1416 may be configured such
that, when tang 1406 is inserted into opening 1410, tang 1406
latches in place. Tang 1406 may then be electrically connected
to PCB 1412. In some embodiments of the invention, Tang 1406
may be soldered to trace 1414 of PCB 1412.
[0088] FIGS. 15A and 15B show an illustrative rotary lamp
holder with its associated contact and tang that may be used in
some embodiments of the invention. FIG. 15A illustrates a
frontal elevational view of the rotary lamp holder. FIG. 15B
illustrates a side view of the rotary lamp holder. The rotary
lamp holder illustrated in FIG. 15 may be used to snap onto a
PCB such as PCB 1412 illustrated in FIG. 14.
[0089] FIG. 16A shows illustrative cover 1602 which may be
used to encase any of the apparatus taught by the systems and
methods of the invention. FIG. 16B shows illustrative wall 1604
of cover 1602. Wall 1604 may include latching tabs 1606 which
are disposed to secure the cover 1602 to other parts of the
device housing. Tabs 1606 may be in the form of barbs. FIG.
16C illustrates a side view of the housing illustrated in FIGS.
16A and 16B.
[0090] FIG. 17 shows schematically lamp support 1700. Lamp
support 1700 includes power input leads 1702, ballast 1704,
rigid power distribution unit 1706 and lamp holders 1708. Lamp
support 1700 also includes rigid power distribution unit 1710
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and lamp holders 1712. Each of lamp holders 1708 has a facing
lamp holder 1712. Together, a pair of lamp holders-one 1708 and
a corresponding 1712-hold a fluorescent lamp or tube at its
ends. Lines L1 represent the center lines of lamps that may be
installed between corresponding lamp holders. Adjacent lines L1
may be separated, for example, by center-to-center distance Cl.
[0091] Rigid power distribution units 1706 and 1710 may be
affixed to an enclosure (not shown). Ballast 1704 receive power
via leads 1702 and provide the power to lamp holders 1708 via
rigid power distribution unit 1706. Rigid power distribution
unit 1706 may be connected to ballast 1704 by connector 1714.
Connector 1714 may be a pin connector or any other suitable
connector. Rigid power distribution unit 1710 may receive power
from ballast 1704 via leads 1716.
[0092] One or both of rigid power distribution units 1706 and
1710 may include a printed circuit board for delivering power
along traces or conductors to lamp holders 1708 and 1712,
respectively. Positive and negative conductors, each
corresponding to one of leads 1702 and one of leads 1716, may be
provided along edges 1718 and 1720, respectively, of rigid power
distribution units 1706 and 1710. The positive and negative
conductors may match corresponding positive and negative
terminals of lamp holders 1708 and 1712. The positive and
negative conductors may be arranged in any suitable
configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the positive
and negative conductors may be, respectively, on top and bottom
of edges 1718 and 1720. In some embodiments, both the positive
and negative conductors both may on one side (top or bottom) of
edges 1718 and 1720. The positive and negative conductors may
be routed through their respective rigid power distribution
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units in any suitable manner to deliver power to positions on
edges 1718 and 1720 where power is or may be desired. In some
embodiments, power may be routed to points on edges 1718 and
1720. In some embodiments, power may be routed to elongated
segments of edges 1718 and 1720. The segments may allow lamp
holders 1708 and 1712 to be positioned with greater flexibility.
[0093] In some embodiments the segments may be sufficiently
elongated that the lamp holder may be attached subject to an
appropriate mechanical tolerance, but sufficiently restricted
such that a properly installed lamp holder will shield the
segment from contact with other objects. In some embodiments,
the traces may be below the surface of the rigid power
distribution unit. In those embodiments, the lamp holders may
be provided with crimps or fasteners to make electrical contact
with the traces. Rigid power distribution units 1706 and 1710
should be sufficiently rigid to mechanically support lamp
holders 1708 and 1712 such that corresponding lamp holders can
support and power a lamp.
[0094] FIG. 18 shows in perspective, from below (in an
operational orientation), illustrative lamp support 1800. Lamp
support 1800 includes ballast 1802. Ballast 1802 connects via
connector 1804 to rigid power distribution unit 1806. Rigid
power distribution unit 1806 may mechanically support lamp
holders 1808 via a press fit of lamp holders 1808 onto edge
1812. Edge 1812 includes conductors to provide power to
electrical terminals (not shown) of lamp holders 1808. Rigid
power distribution unit 1806 may be a printed circuit board that
has traces that deliver power to lamp holders 1808. Lamp
holders 1808 may include pin slots 1810 for receiving pins of
fluorescent lamps.
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[0095] FIG. 19 shows lamp support 1800, in perspective, from
above (in an operational orientation). Slots 1814 in lamp
holders 1808 may be press fit onto edge 1812. Slots 1814 may
include electrical terminals for transmitting power from edge
1812 to lamps, when lamps are installed in lamp holders 1808.
[0096] FIG. 20 shows illustrative lamp support 2000 in side
view. The view shown in FIG. 20 may correspond to a side view
along direction A-A, shown in FIG. 17. Lamp support 2000
includes ballast 2002. Lamp support 2000 include rigid power
distribution unit 2004. Ballast 2002 and rigid power
distribution unit 2004 may be electrically joined by connector
2006. Lamp holder 2008 may have groove 2010 for mating with edge
2012 of rigid power distribution unit 2004. Groove 2010 may
include terminals 2014 and 2016 for contacting traces 2018 and
2020, respectively, on edge 2012. Slot 2022 may be provided for
testing circuit continuity via lamp holder 2008.
[0097] FIG. 21 shows illustrative lamp support 2100.
Illustrative lamp support 2100 includes ballast 2102 and rigid
power distribution unit 2104. Lamp holders 2106 are slidably
mounted in track 2108 of rigid power distribution 2104. Detents,
such as detents 2110, or any other suitable detents, may be
present in or about track 2108 to provide determined locations
at which lamp holders 2106 may be maintained. Ballast 2102 may
receive power via leads (not shown). Ballast 2102 may provide
power to rigid power distribution unit 2104 via a connector (not
shown). Ballast 2102 may provide power to a distal power
distribution unit (not shown) via leads (not shown). The distal
power distribution unit may support a distal end of one or more
lamps. (Rigid power distribution unit 2104 may be referred to as
a "proximal" power distribution unit, because it is adjacent
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ballast 2102.)
[0098] Rigid power distribution unit 2104 may be mounted to
plate 2112. Plate 2112 may have any suitable features for
attaching lamp support 2100 to a lamp enclosure (not shown) or
any other suitable structure.
[0099] FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of lamp support 2100.
Lamp holders 2106 may include slots 2116 for receiving terminal
pins from a lamp. (It will be appreciated that there are
different arrangements by which lamp holders may mechanically
and electrically engage lamps. Any suitable lamp holder may be
used in conjunction with the lamp supports shown and described
herein.) Test holes 2118 may optionally be present in lamp
holders 2106 to receive continuity test probes.
[00100] FIG. 22 also shows lamp center lines L2, which
correspond to lamps that may be installed in lamp support 2100.
Distance C2 between adjacent lines L2 may be adjusted by sliding
lamp holders 2152 and 2154. By adjusting C2 during a
manufacturing or assembly process, lamp support 2100 may be used
for different luminaires having different center-to-center lamp
distances.
[00101] FIG. 23 shows additional detail of the lamp holders
2106 and their mechanical and electrical interface with rigid
power distribution unit 2104. Slots 2116 may open up to a cavity
(not shown) for receiving the end of a lamp. Contact pin guide
2117 may guide pins at the end of the lamp during installation
of the lamp in lamp holder 2106. Lamp holder 2106 may include
groove 2123, which may be defined at least in part by bosses
2120 and 2122. Groove 2123 may receive tongue 2121 of rigid
power distribution unit 2104. Knee 2125 at the base of lamp
holder 2106 may occupy groove 2108. Any suitable adjacent
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surfaces between lamp holder 2106 and rigid power distribution
unit 2104 may be used for transferring electrical power between
the two. For example, interfacial surfaces 2124 and 2126 may
include electrical contacts for transferring the power. In
general, positive and negative contact will be present on lamp
holder 2106 and rigid power distribution unit 2104. In some
embodiments, the positive and negative contacts may be in
opposite sides of a structure, such as tongue 2121. In some
embodiments, the positive and negative contacts may be separated
from each other, but on the same interfacial surface.
[00102] FIG. 24 shows illustrative lamp support 2400. Lamp
support 2400 includes ballast 2402 in a perpendicular
orientation with respect to rigid power distribution unit 2404
and plate 2412. Lamp holders 2406 are slidably mounted in track
2408. It will be appreciated that the ballasts shown and
described herein may be mounted in any suitable orientation with
respect to a corresponding rigid power distribution unit.
[00103] Thus, apparatus and methods for supporting and
energizing a lamp have been provided. Persons skilled in the
art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced
by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for
purposes of illustration rather than of limitation, and the
present invention is limited only by the claims which follow.
