Patent ID: 6099336
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A lampholder for cold cathode lamps each lamp having an electrode at each opposite end of the lamp, said lampholder comprising:a conductive shell having a cover plate supporting a ceramic housing having an aperture to accept the electrode at one end of a first lamp and the electrode at one end of a second lamp;a first electrical contact for engaging the electrode of the first lamp and a second electrical contact for engaging the electrode of the second lamp, said first and second electrical contacts being attached to an insulating base, said first and second electrical contacts and said base being mounted within the ceramic housing, said first and second electrical contacts each comprising a first and a second section, said first and second sections being electrically isolated from each other and located to contact separate conductive portions of the respective electrode;at least one of said first sections being connected to a neutral side of an input line, said corresponding second section electrically connected to a ballast for the lamps, said first section connected to the neutral side and the corresponding second section forming primary side switch contacts for the ballast which are electrically joined and the ballast energized when the respective electrode is engaged with the first section connected to the neutral side and the corresponding second section.