A Lamp Assembly
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Europäisches Patentamt *EP001176363A2* (19) European Patent Office Office européen des brevets (11) EP 1 176 363 A2 (12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION (43) Date of publication: (51) Int Cl.7: F21V 19/00 30.01.2002 Bulletin 2002/05 (21) Application number: 01306081.9 (22) Date of filing: 13.07.2001 (84) Designated Contracting States: (71) Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, Inc. AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU Sparks, Nevada 89434 (US) MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: (72) Inventor: McKenna, John AL LT LV MK RO SI Lidcombe, New South Wales 2141 (AU) (30) Priority: 14.07.2000 AU PP879200 (74) Representative: Denmark, James Bailey, Walsh & Co. 5 York Place Leeds LS1 2SD Yorkshire (GB) (54) A lamp assembly (57) A lamp assembly for providing a safer means cathode fluorescent lamp is placed; and (iii) at least one for handling of cold cathode fluorescent lamps wherein end cap (3). In particular the present invention provides said lamp assembly comprises: (i) a cold cathode fluo- a lamp assembly for use with "EXIT" signage manufac- rescent lamp (1); (ii) a housing (2) into which said cold tured in accordance with recognised international codes or standards. EP 1 176 363 A2 Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR) 1 EP 1 176 363 A2 2 Description (i) a Cold Cathode fluorescent lamp; (ii) a housing into which the Cold Cathode fluores- [0001] The present invention relates to a lamp assem- cent lamp is placed; and bly and in particular to Cold Cathode fluorescent lamps (iii) an end cap or caps. and their use in a lamp assembly. The lamp assembly 5 of the present invention provides a safer means for han- [0009] The end caps seal the housing and provide for dling of Cold Cathode fluorescent lamps. a means of connection of the lamp to the control gear. [0002] Cold Cathode fluorescent lamps have been [0010] The Cold Cathode fluorescent lamp is most available for many years. Neon signs are one example preferably of a substantially elongated tubular configu- of the early implementation of Cold Cathode fluorescent 10 ration having a diameter of 1.8 mm to 6 mm. Most pref- lamps. Smaller diameter Cold Cathode fluorescent erably the Cold Cathode fluorescent lamp is 2 to 3 mm lamps, down to 2.5 mm diameter, have been developed in diameter. to provide a light source, for example as back lighting [0011] The housing is most preferably glass tubing, for laptop computers, document scanners, photocopiers but may also be tubing of a suitable plastic material, and and the like. 15 is also of a substantially elongated tubular configuration. [0003] Cold Cathode fluorescent lamps have a single The housing should be of sufficient diameter to house connection at each end and generally do not require the Cold Cathode fluorescent lamp comfortably within heating above ambient temperature to produce light. the housing. Preferably, the housing may have a diam- Cold Cathode fluorescent lamps may be custom made eter of from 5 mm to 38 mm, and most preferably about and can be contoured to almost any shape. Although 20 6 to 10 mm in diameter. widely used, the use of Cold Cathode fluorescent lamps [0012] Generally, the diameter of the housing may be has been restricted in its usage due largely to difficulties of such a diameter as to conform with standard lamp in handling smaller diameter lamps. For example, in EX- classification. For example, the housing may have a T2 IT signage, use of Cold Cathode fluorescent lamps is classification which indicates a diameter of two eighths generally limited to edge lit diffuser panels in much the 25 of an inch. A T5 classification indicates the diameter is same way as laptops, although a 6 mm diameter Cold five eighths of an inch, and so on. The housing may con- Cathode fluorescent lamp held in place with clips has form to any standard size in accordance with standard been used in a "back lit" EXIT sign. In this case, the lamp classification. has semi-exposed end connections. [0013] The end cap or caps may be made of any [0004] The difficulty with utilising Cold Cathode fluo- 30 standard material such as moulded plastic. Most pref- rescent lamps in a medium such as an EXIT sign is that erably it is made of a one piece moulded plastic. difficulties may exist with respect to safety, lamp han- [0014] The end caps provide a means of holding the dling and replacement. An EXIT sign utilizing a Cold Cold Cathode fluorescent lamp within the housing and Cathode fluorescent lamp would usually operate the to provide a connection interface for the lamp with a lamp on approximately 600 volts AC therefore, safety 35 lamp holder. and handling difficulties arise due to the semi-exposed [0015] The Cold Cathode fluorescent lamp generally lamp end connection, and the potential to break smaller fits into the end caps via a recess in each end cap that diameter lamps. is tailored with respect to the Cold Cathode fluorescent [0005] For an EXIT sign, the relative dimensions, in- lamp diameter. This recess is preferably in the form of cluding size and spacing for each letter, size of the sign, 40 four diametrically opposed longitudinal finger sections colour and intensity of the light including the intensity of that support the Cold Cathode fluorescent lamp concen- each of the letters, and the ratio of intensity between the trically within each end cap. The housing of the lamp illumination of each letter as opposed to the illumination assembly is also supported, preferably concentrically of the background is generally regulated. In Australia with each end cap by this finger detail. A Ultra Violet and New Zealand the applicable standard is regulated 45 cure acrylic glue is preferably used and introduced via by Australian/New Zealand standard AS/NZS 2293. a filling hole in the end cap which provides the securing [0006] The discussion of the background to the inven- mechanism between the end cap and the housing. The tion herein is included to explain the context of the in- Cold Cathode fluorescent lamp is free to move within vention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any the constraints of the finger recesses to allow for expan- of the material referred to was published, known or part 50 sion/contraction of the lamp assembly during operation of the common general knowledge in Australia as at the and to provide further shock protection during handling priority date of this application. and transport. The connection wire from each end of the [0007] It is a desirable feature of the present invention Cold Cathode fluorescent lamp is fed through a hole in to provide a Cold Cathode fluorescent lamp that over- the end of the end cap during this assembly process, comes one or more of the difficulties associated with the 55 and is formed back along the end cap towards the centre prior art. of the lamp assembly into a recess in the end cap, where [0008] The present invention relates to a lamp assem- it is then heat staked to the end cap. bly including: [0016] A further embodiment is to assemble the Cold 2 3 EP 1 176 363 A2 4 Cathode fluorescent lamp into housing of different diam- application. eter from 4mm diameter up to and including a T12 [0024] The purpose of the diffusive variant is to (38mm) style, utilising either a standard type single or achieve a more dispersed light source in its simplest two pin fluorescent end caps, or purpose designed end form, and to provide a radially gradiated intensity from caps. 5 the lamp assembly in its most complex form. This has [0017] Generally, the length of the lamp and the hous- application in reducing the centre luminance of the dif- ing is such to enable the lamp to fit within an EXIT sign fuser panel that carries the signage information when in accordance with the applicable code or standard. this panel is in close proximity to the lamp assembly. Cold Cathode lamps in accordance with this invention This is important particularly in regard to EXIT signage are suitable for mounting either as a "back lit" light 10 where the ratio of the background luminance across the source for an EXIT sign, or as an "edge lit" light source face of the sign has to meet relevant standards, and having a diffuser panel to transmit the light source within would allow for EXIT signs to be reduced in depth. the EXIT sign. [0025] A further extension of the present invention in- [0018] Preferably, the effective light length of the lamp volves the mounting of a cold cathode fluorescent lamp assembly is from 80 to 380mm, most preferably 297 15 (s) within an assembly that will connect to either com- mm. The overall length of the lamp assembly including mercially available or purpose built lamphoiders, but dif- end caps is 126 to 426 mm, most preferably 343 mm. fers in that there is electronic control gear also fitted [0019] The lamp assembly preferably fits within an within the assembly that allows the assembly to operate Exit Sign by engaging into lampholders that are usually "stand alone" from either normal mains voltage, or from attached to the housing or other part that attaches to the 20 a mains derived voltage that would be available at the housing of the Exit Sign. In a preferred embodiment, the lamp holder connections of an existing luminaire. Lamp Assembly engages into a commercially available [0026] The purpose of this extension is to provide a lampholder that is designed to accommodate a "T2" replacement lamp for the mains operated lamp in sus- style conventional fluorescent lamp.