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`Ex. 1012
`Ex. 1012
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`

`United States Patent
`US 6,296,375 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`(12)
`Sung et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Oct. 2, 2001
`
`
`US006296375B1
`
`(54) COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMP HAVING
`A DETACHABLE TRANSLUCENT COVER
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Yon W. Sung, Franklin Lakes, NJ (US);
`*
`.
`Fumin Guan, Shanghai (CN)
`(73) Assignee: (os) America, Inc., Totowa, NJ
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`
`2/1993 Peshak ....cecsessescsecneeeeees 362/216
`5,189,339 *
`8/1996 Simes.
`5,546,291
`5,580,158 * 12/1996 Aubrey et al. oo 362/260
`aeons * 1/900 Reary oesesesesseeeeseseoneseses 362/226
`3961,
`artich
`et al.
`.
`5,971,564 * 10/1999 Wang. vcesccsssssssssssssnsseessien 362/221
`* cited by examiner
`.
`Primary Examiner—Y. Quach
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Harris Beach LLP
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/478,289
`:
`Filed:
`(22)
`Jan. 5, 2000
`CSL) Tt C0 eeeccccceeeecccsssssssnnnsecceessnnnnseecceesnnnnees F21V 3/00
`(52) US. Cle cesssscsessensee 362/255; 362/216; 362/260
`58)
`Field of S
`h
`,
`362216. 226
`(58)
`Field
`o
`oe62/SS,DE,260.383,368 437, 455,
`394: 313/318 9 318 1
`;
`;
`;
`”
`.
`:
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(56)
`
`4,074,165 *
`4,763,233
`4,787,018
`5,015,917 *
`
`2/1978 Moriyama oo... ecco 313/112
`8/1988 Poyer.
`11/1988 Poyer.
`5/1991 Nigg wees ceseseseeneee 362/260
`
`Acompact fluorescent lamp including a housing for enclos-
`ing a ballast and, optionally,a starter; a fluorescent light tube
`attached to the housing and electrically connected to the
`ballast; and a baseelectrically connectedto the ballast and
`Physically attached to the housing for connecting the lamp
`to an electrical receptacle. The housing is provided at an
`upper edge thereofwith male or female mating elements, for
`example, threads, tabs, or slots. The lamp further includes a
`translucent cover or shroud for surrounding the fluorescent
`tube,
`having a closed
`form and
`being open at an end
`thereof,
`be,
`havi
`losed f
`d bei
`d thereof
`and being provided at the open end with male or female
`mating elements cooperative with the mating elements on
`the housing to directly, positively, and detachably attach the
`cover to the housing.
`
`6 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`12a
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`US 6,296,375 B1
`
`Oct. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`
`FIG.1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
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`US 6,296,375 B1
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`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
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`US 6,296,375 B1
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 6,296,375 B1
`
`N
`
`54TTT pgta
`
` [FPF= aT FIG.4b
`
`FIG.4c
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`©Nei
`
`Oct. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
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`
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`US 6,296,375 B1
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`62
`
`FIG.5
`
`

`

`US 6,296,375 B1
`
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`15
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`1
`COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMP HAVING
`A DETACHABLE TRANSLUCENT COVER
`
`2
`as desired for light diffusion or without its cover as desired
`for maximum radiance.
`It
`is a principal object of the invention to provide a
`compact fluorescent lamp and a cover therefor wherein the
`The present invention relates to apparatus for general
`cover is easily attachable and detachable by the user.
`illumination, more specifically to compact fluorescent light-
`It is a further object of the invention to provide a cover
`ing apparatus, and most specifically to a compactfluorescent
`for removable attachment to a compact fluorescent lamp
`lamp having a detachable translucent cover preferably in the
`housing which employs a positive attaching mechanism.
`shape of an incandescent light bulb.
`It is a still further object of the invention to provide a
`Fluorescent lamps having a standard “Edison” base for
`compact fluorescent lamp and a cover therefor wherein the
`insertion into a standard threaded light bulb socket are well
`coveris detachably connectable directly to the lamp housing
`known. Such a lamp consists typically of one or more coiled,
`without resort to an intermediate adapter.
`U-shaped, or otherwise folded fluorescent tubes fixedly and
`Briefly described, a compact fluorescent lamp embody-
`electrically attached to a bulbous housing. The housing
`ing the invention includes a lamp housing for enclosing a
`contains a fluorescent electrical ballast and, optionally, a
`ballast and, optionally, a starter; a fluorescent tube attached
`starter, and is attached to a standard male threaded Edison
`to the housing and electrically connected to the ballast; and
`lamp base.
`a base electrically connected to the ballast and physically
`The brilliant light given off by a compact fluorescent
`attached to the housing for connecting the lamp to an
`lamp can be harsh and therefore unpleasant to a viewer, as
`electrical receptacle. The housing is provided at an upper
`the radiating surface is relatively small and the unit radiance
`edge thereof with male or female mating elements, for
`example, threads, tabs, or slots. The lamp further includes a
`is quite high. Thus, various covers have been proposed for
`translucent shroud for surrounding the fluorescent
`tube,
`diffusing and/or reflectively directing the radiated light.
`For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,018 discloses a fluo-
`having a closed form and being open at an end thereof, and
`
`rescent lamp mounted onaflat circular base and having a being provided at the open end with male or female mating
`cylindrical frosted cover or lens and a domed end cap, the
`elements cooperative with the elements on the housing to
`cover being retained on the base by friction and gravity.
`directly, positively, and detachably attach the cover to the
`US. Pat. No. 5,961,204 discloses an assembly compris-
`housing. As used herein, “positively” means mechanical
`ing a compact fluorescent lamp having a bayonet base which
`locking means requiring counter rotation of the housing and
`the cover to effect connection and disconnection therebe-
`plugs into a housing having a dimmer therein,
`the lamp
`tween.
`being surrounded by an external translucent globe.
`The foregoing and other objects, features, and advan-
`US. Pat. No. 4,763,233 discloses a floodlamp wherein a
`dished reflector in a housing surrounds the lower end of a
`tages of the invention,as well as presently preferred embodi-
`
`compact fluorescent lamp andaflat, circular, transparent ments thereof, will become more apparent from a reading of
`lens is bonded to the upper end of the housing.
`the following description in connection with the accompa-
`A compactfluorescent bulb having a cylindrical frosted
`nying drawings in which:
`translucent cover surrounding the lamp and bonded at a
`FIG. 1 is an exploded elevational view of a compact
`lowerend thereof to a ballast housing is available under the
`fluorescent lamp in accordance with the invention;
`registered trade name “Earthlight” from Philips Lighting
`FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the lamp shownin FIG.
`1 after assembly;
`Company, Somerset, N.J., USA.
`US. Pat. No. 5,546,291 discloses a floodlamp-shaped
`FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lamp
`shown in FIG. 2;
`cover for a compact fluorescent lamp which is attachable
`thereto via an intermediate spring-clip adapter.
`FIGS. 4a-c are sequential drawings shoving three steps
`Acompactfluorescent bulb having a frosted translucent
`in the progressive assembly of the cover to the housing in a
`second embodiment of the invention; and
`cover in the general shape of an incandescent light bulb
`bondedto a ballast housing is available under the registered
`FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a compact fluorescent
`trade name “Ultratech” from General Electric Company,
`lamp having a “flame” shaped cover and a candelabra base.
`Schenectady, N.Y., USA.
`Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4¢, a first embodiment 10
`For some purposes, an incandescentlight bulb shape for
`of a compact fluorescent
`lamp in accordance with the
`a fluorescent lamp cover is very desirable. This shape is
`invention has a conventional housing 12 having an upper
`traditional and thus can enhance consumer acceptance of
`surface 14 and contiguous shell wall 16. Upper surface 14
`compact fluorescent lamps for conventional uses such as in
`fixedly supports one or more folded fluorescent tubes 18,
`table lamps, floor lamps, and overhead and wall-mounted
`preferably T3 tubes according to industry standards, the
`fixtures in dwellings and offices. Further, the incandescent
`positive and negative electrical leads 20,22 from the tubes
`shape permits attachment of a conventional clip-on
`extending through surface 14 and being in electrical contact
`with load terminals (not shown) on fluorescent ballast 24
`lampshade, a benefit not afforded by cylindrical covers.
`Further, when used in public places, compact fluorescent
`disposed within housing 12. Housing 12 also supports an
`bulbs are known to be vulnerable to theft, and an
`electrical base 26 having threads 28 on the outer surface
`incandescent-shaped cover can reduce the incidenceof theft
`thereof for connecting lamp 10 into a conventional electric
`light socket
`(not shown). Of course, base 26 can be
`by disguising the lamp as an ordinary incandescent bulb.
`A drawback of compact fluorescent lamps in general is a
`alternatively, a bayonet base or any other electrical connect-
`somewhat lower radiance output than from incandescent
`ing base convenientto a particular use. Positive and negative
`bulbs of comparable size. An additional and substantial
`powerleads 30,32, respectively, extend from power termi-
`nals (not shown) on ballast 24 to a central lamp terminal 34
`drawback of covered bulbs is that the radiance output is
`further reduced by the cover. A cover, and especially a
`and grounding shell 36 in base 26.
`diffusing or frosted cover, can absorb 15% or more of the
`Whatis described thus far is substantially a conventional
`lamp output. Thus, what is needed for some applications is
`compact fluorescent light bulb.
`a compact fluorescent lamp having an easily detachable
`Atthe juncture of wall 16 and upper surface 14, the outer
`cover such that the lamp may be used with its cover attached
`surface of wall 16 is provided with first mating elements 38,
`
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`

`

`US 6,296,375 B1
`
`3
`preferably male threads 40 as shownin FIG. 1. For neatness
`of the assembled lamp, the threads are preferably disposed
`in a shallow annular step 42, although obviously thefirst
`mating elements may be provided flush on the surface of
`wall 16 or even on a raised portion thereof within the scope
`of the invention. Alternatively to threads, first mating ele-
`ments 38 may comprise any other mechanical shape capable
`of cooperating to form a positive and detachable attaching,
`for example, a circumferentially-disposed plurality of first
`interlockable tabs 44 disposed on wall 16 as shown in FIG.
`4a.
`
`Lamp10 further comprises a translucent cover 46 formed
`of any suitable translucent material, preferably of glass for
`heat stability. Cover 46 may be transparent or, preferably,
`frosted or clouded to diffuse the radiance emanating from
`tubes 18. Cover 46 is a closed form having a single opening
`48 and is preferably formed in the general shape of an
`incandescent light bulb, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Of course,
`cover 46 may be formed in any desired shape, for example,
`as a reflector floodlight, cylinder, cone, sphere, flame, or
`other shape, within the scope of the invention.
`Cover 46 is provided with a second mating element 50
`surrounding opening 48. Preferably, opening 48is fitted with
`a cylindrical collar 51 extending beyond the open end of
`cover 46 and, preferably, being provided with female threads
`52 on the inner surface thereof for matably engaging with
`male threads 40 on housing 12 to positively connect and
`disconnect cover 46 and housing 12, as shown in FIGS. 2
`and 3. Such connection is less prone to failure than the
`simple gravitational or frictional removable connections
`disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,564,890; 4,787,018; and 5,961,
`204; and provides the option of cover removal which the
`permanent, non-detachable connections disclosed in U'S.
`Pat. Nos. 4,363,083 and 4,763,233 do not. Such direct
`connection between the cover and housing is also simpler
`than the connection disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,291,
`which requires an intermediate adapter therebetween.
`Alternatively, collar 50 may be provided with a
`circumferentially-disposed plurality of second interlockable
`tabs 54 which may beaxially and rotationally engaged with
`tabs 44 on housing 12 to effect the positive attachable and
`detachable connection of cover 46 to housing 12, as shown
`in FIGS. 4a through 4c.
`Referring to FIG. 5, a compact fluorescent lamp 56 has
`a housing 12a substantially smaller than housing 12. Lamp
`56 further includes a “flame” shaped cover 58 and “cande-
`labra” standard base 60. Incandescent
`lamps having the
`same base and similar cover shape are readily available for
`use in, for example, chandelier fixtures. Cover 58 may be
`fixed to or removable from housing 12a. As shown in FIG.
`5, ballast 24 may be disposed,
`if so desired, outside of
`housing 12 on upper surface 14 and within cover 58 at any
`convenient location, for example, between the limbs of the
`folded tube 18, without significantly reducing the total
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`radiance of the lamp. Locating the ballast outside the hous-
`ing and within the cover can be advantageousin permitting
`asmaller height 62 and outer diameter 64 of the housing, and
`also in providing a higher rate of ballast heat dissipation
`which can be an important advantage, especially in base-up
`installations. For example, height 62 may be 20 mm orless
`and diameter 64 may be 40 mm orless. Of course, such
`locating of the ballast is not confined to candelabra-base
`compact fluorescent lamps but may be applied within the
`scope of the invention to any compact fluorescent lamp.
`From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that
`there has been provided an improved compact fluorescent
`lamp, wherein a translucent coveris positively and detach-
`ably attached to a lamp housing byrotationally matable male
`and female elements. Variations and modifications of the
`herein described compact fluorescent lamp, in accordance
`with the invention, will undoubtedly suggest themselves to
`those skilled in this art. Accordingly, the foregoing descrip-
`tion should be taken as illustrative and not in a limiting
`sense.
`Whatis claimedis:
`
`1. Acompact fluorescent lamp, comprising:
`a) a housing;
`b) at least one fluorescent tube mounted on said housing;
`c) a candelabra lamp base mounted on said housing for
`connecting said fluorescent tube to a source of elec-
`tricity; and
`d) a flame-shape cover mounted on said housing for
`surrounding said fluorescent tube.
`2. A lamp in accordance with claim 1 further comprising
`a fluorescent ballast within the housing.
`3. A lamp in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
`housing is less than about 20 mm in length.
`4. A lamp in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
`housing has an outer diameter less than about 40 mm.
`5. A lamp in accordance with claim 1 further comprising
`a fluorescent ballast within the housing.
`6. A compact fluorescent lamp, comprising:
`a) a housing having first mating elements disposed on a
`surface thereof;
`b) at least one fluorescent tube mounted on said housing;
`c) a lamp base mounted on said housing for connecting
`said lamp to a source of electricity; and
`tube and
`d) a cover for surrounding said fluorescent
`having second mating elements disposed thereon mat-
`able with said first mating elements to positively and
`detachably connect said cover directly to said housing
`without connection to an intermediate adapter, said
`cover having the shape of an incandescent light bulb,
`and further comprising a fluorescent ballast disposed
`outside said housing within said cover.
`*
`*
`*
`*
`*
`
`