Patent ID: 6471388
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: G02B,G09F,Y10S

Abstract:
An optical module for use with a miniature tube-shaped fluorescent lamp having first and second flexible electrical leads attached to first and second ends of the lamp, comprising:a) an optical chassis having a first support surface and a second support surface; b) a first resilient socket with a receptacle shaped to receive the first end of the lamp and having a passageway for threading the first lead through said first socket; and c) a first clamp coupled to said optical chassis, said first clamp shaped to engage the outer surface of said first socket; d) a second resilient socket with a receptacle shaped to receive the second end of the lamp and having a passageway for threading the second lead through said second socket; e) a second clamp coupled to said optical chassis, said second clamp shaped to engage the outer surface of said second socket; and f) an optical reflector disposed on the first surface of said optical chassis; wherein said sockets are configured to resiliently support the lamp above the surface of said optical reflector in the assembled optical module with the leads of the lamp extending through the passageways of said sockets, and wherein said sockets are configured to support the lamp above the surface of said reflector with a separation distance greater than the diameter of the lamp.