Device for replacing fluorescent lamps

A fluorescent lamp can be installed in or detached from a high installation position by a device comprising: a lamp supporting member having a trough-like interior for accommodating the lamp; an elongatable rod connected to the lamp supporting member and being held at its lower part by hand for raising or lowering the lamp to or from the installation position; bag members disposed in the trough-like interior of the lamp supporting member on one lateral side thereof and being expanded and contracted by a fluid supplied thereinto and discharged therefrom thereby to gently but firmly holding the lamp against a support member on the other lateral side and releasing the lamp; and a controllable pump mechanism for thus supplying and discharging the fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a device for replacing a fluorescent lamp. 
There have been devised and demonstrated various devices for replacing an 
old fluorescent lamp installed at a high position such as a ceiling with a 
new fluorescent lamp in a safe and simple manner. In general, these 
devices each comprise a supporting member adapted to support a fluorescent 
lamp in the axial direction thereof, a supporting rod having a length 
sufficient for raising the supporting member to an elevated position at 
which a fluorescent lamp is installed, and a mechanism for causing the 
supporting member to clamp and support the fluorescent lamp. 
In the conventional devices of the type described, springs are used to 
produce the force required for clamping and supporting the fluorescent 
lamp. As a result, there arise some problems such as the difficulty of 
producing an optimum force for clamping and supporting the fluorescent 
lamp and complicated nature of the mechanism for causing the supporting 
member to clamp and support the fluorescent lamp. Furthermore, because of 
the construction of the operating mechanism, it is difficult to design and 
construct a supporting rod which can be extended or retracted so that a 
fluorescent lamp installed at a high or low position can be removed or a 
fluorescent lamp can be installed at a high or low position. In general, 
the supporting rods have a fixed length and even in the case of a 
heightadjustable supporting rod, the adjustable range is limited within 
one meter. Moreover, the supporting member and the operating mechanism are 
relatively large in size so that the device for replacing a fluorescent 
lamp cannot be moved and handled in a convenient manner. In addition, 
there arises the problem of the difficulty of manipulating the device for 
replacing a fluorescent lamp because the upper portion (head) thereof is 
heavy. 
As described above, the conventional devices for replacing a fluorescent 
lamp have the problems of difficult manipulation; inconvenience in moving 
or handling; and difficulty in replacing a fluorescent lamp installed at a 
high position (for instance, in excess of four meters). 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention was made to overcome the above and other problems 
encountered in the conventional devices for replacing a fluorescent lamp. 
One of its objects is to provide a device which can be manipulated in a 
simple yet highly reliable manner so that a fluorescent lamp installed at 
a high position can be removed or a fluorescent lamp can be installed at a 
high position. 
Briefly stated, the present invention provides a device for replacing a 
fluorescent lamp comprising a fluorescent lamp supporting member having a 
substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape, an elongatable supporting 
rod connected to the fluorescent lamp supporting member, expandable and 
retractable bag members disposed in the fluorescent lamp supporting 
member, a pump mechanism for supplying a fluid to the bag members, and a 
fluid supply line for intercommunicating between the bag members and the 
pump mechanism. The pump mechanism is driven to supply a fluid to the bag 
members so that the bag members are inflated, thereby clamping a 
fluorescent lamp while the supporting rod is manipulated so as to remove 
or install the fluorescent lamp. 
The above and other objects, further features, and advantages of the 
present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed 
description of some preferred embodiments thereof when read in conjunction 
with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
First Embodiment, FIGS. 1 and 2 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the present invention 
will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view, in longitudinal section, of the 
first embodiment while FIG. 2 is a side view thereof. A fluorescent lamp 
supporting frame 11 having a longitudinal length sufficient to support a 
fluorescent lamp and having a substantially U-shaped or channelshaped 
cross-sectional profile is provided at the top of the device. The upper 
end of a supporting rod generally indicated by the reference numeral 12 is 
securely fixed to the bottom of the supporting frame 11 at its middle 
part. The supporting rod 12 comprises a plurality of hollow tubes 12a and 
12b of different diameters, the tube 12a being telescopically inserted 
into the tube 12b. The supporting rod 12 has such a length that when an 
operator holds the supporting rod 12 in his hands and raises it, the 
supporting frame 11 can reach a position where a fluorescent lamp is to be 
replaced. 
Bag members 15 which are made of rubber and are expandable and contractable 
are disposed on one inner side wall of the supporting frame 11 of the 
channelshaped cross-sectional profile, and supporting member 16 with a 
V-shaped recess is disposed on the other inner side wall of the supporting 
frame 11 in opposed relationship to the bag members 15. 
The channel-shaped supporting frame 11 comprises two L-shaped or angle 
members 11a and 11b with their bottom or horizontal portions overlapped 
and joined to each other by means of adjusting screws and nuts 17. A 
rubber seal 16a is disposed over the top surface of the horizontal portion 
of one L-shaped member 11b. 
A pump mechanism 20 which is adapted to supply a fluid such as air to the 
bag members 15 is mounted at the lower portion of the supporting rod 12 
and comprises, in general, a hollow cylinder 21 which is disposed in the 
supporting rod 12 at the lower end portion thereof in such a way that the 
open end of the hollow cylinder 21 is directed downward and a piston 22 
which is reciprocably inserted into the hollow cylinder 21. The upper end 
of the piston 22 terminates in an enlarged head 22a which is connected to 
a base portion 22b of the piston 22 by an elongated rod. An outer cylinder 
23 of the pump 22 which has an inner diameter greater than the outer 
diameter of the lower end portion of the supporting rod 12 and which has 
an open upper end is securely fitted around the base portion 22b of the 
piston 22. The outer cylinder 23 is slidably fitted around the lower end 
portion of the supporting rod 12. 
An annular member or a short cylindrical member 24 is fixedly interposed 
between the hollow cylinder 21 and the supporting rod 12 so that the 
hollow cylinder 21 is securely held in position relative to the cylinder 
21. The annular member 24 is formed near the upper end thereof with an air 
vent hole 25, which is communicated with the interior of the hollow 
cylinder 21 and a stop 26 is extended through the annular member 24 near 
the lower end thereof and into the hollow cylinder 21. 
The hollow cylinder 21 and the bag members 15 are communicated with each 
other through a fluid supply pipe 27 which is extended through the 
supporting rod 12 in the form of a coil. The fluid supply pipe 27 is 
connected at its lower end to the hollow cylinder 21 by a rotary or swivel 
connector 28 so that the fluid supply pipe 27 is prevented from being 
twisted. 
A radial pin 29 is extended through the base portion 22b of the piston 22 
in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis of the piston 22 and is in 
engagement with an L-shaped groove (not shown) of the annular member 24 so 
that the end of the upward stroke of the piston 22 is limited. 
Next the mode of operation of the device 10 for replacing a fluorescent 
lamp of the above described construction will be described. (a) Removal of 
a fluorescent lamp 
First the adjusting nuts 17 are loosened and then the two L-shaped members 
11a and 11b are caused to slide toward or away from each other so as to 
determine the width l of the supporting frame 11 depending upon the outer 
diameter of a fluorescent lamp L to be replaced. Thereafter the supporting 
rod 12 is extended to a suitable length so that the supporting frame 11 
can engage with the fluorescent lamp L. Next the outer cylinder 23 of the 
pump is moved downward so that the piston 22 is withdrawn from the hollow 
cylinder 21 until the head 22a of the piston 22 engages with the stop 26. 
As a result, the air in the bag members 15 is evacuated so that the bag 
members 15 are contracted, and the hollow cylinder 21 is communicated with 
the surrounding atmosphere through the air vent hole 25. 
Under these conditions, the supporting frame 11 is raised so that the 
fluorescent lamp L is clamped between the bag members 15 and the 
supporting member 16 as best shown in FIG. 2. Next the outer cylinder 23 
is moved upward so that the piston 22 is forced into the hollow cylinder 
21. Then the air flows through the fluid supply pipe 27 into the bag 
members 15 so that the bag members 15 are inflated. When the outer 
cylinder 23 is rotated after it has been moved upward, the radial pin 29 
engages with the L-shaped groove (not shown) of the annular member 24 so 
that the piston 22 is maintained at the end of its upward stroke. Since 
the bag members 15 are inflated, the fluorescent lamp L is securely 
clamped between the bag members 15 and the supporting member 16. 
Then the supporting rod 12 is so operated that the supporting frame 11 is 
moved in the axial direction of the fluorescent lamp L, whereupon one of 
the sockets which support the ends of the fluorescent lamp L is pushed by 
one end of the fluorescent lamp L, whereby the other end of the 
fluorescent lamp L is separated from the other socket. After the 
fluorescent lamp L has been removed in this manner and securely held in 
the hands of an operator, the outer cylinder 23 is so operated as to 
withdraw the piston 22 from the hollow cylinder 21. Then the air in the 
bag members 15 is evacuated so that the bag members 15 are contracted and 
consequently the fluorescent lamp L is released. 
(b) Attachment of a fluorescent lamp 
In order to attach a fluorescent lamp, the above-described steps for 
removing a fluorescent lamp are reversed. That is, a new fluorescent lamp 
is inserted between the bag members 15 and the supporting member 16 of the 
supporting frame 11 and firmly clamped between them when the bag members 
15 are inflated in a manner substantially similar to that described above. 
Thereafter the operator raises the supporting rod 12 so that the 
fluorescent lamp is attached between a pair of sockets. Thereafter the 
outer cylinder 23 is so operated as to withdraw the piston 22 from the 
hollow cylinder 21, whereby the fluorescent lamp is released from the bag 
members 15 and the supporting member 16. 
After an old fluorescent lamp has been removed and then a new fluorescent 
lamp is attached in the manner described above, the supporting rod 12 is 
shortened and the device for replacing a fluorescent lamp may be brought 
to the next replacement position or put into a storage space. 
As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present 
invention, a fluorescent lamp can be securely clamped with a uniform 
pressure by inflating the bag members 15, the clamping mechanism 
comprising the bag members 15 filled with a fluid (air). Therefore the 
device for replacing a fluorescent lamp in accordance with the present 
invention is simple in construction and light in weight. Furthermore, the 
supporting rod 12 is also simple in construction and light in weight 
because only the pump mechanism 20 and the flexible fluid supply pipe 27 
are disposed within the supporting rod 12. Moreover, the ratio between the 
length of the fully extended supporting rod 12 and the length of the 
shortened supporting rod 12 can be made higher. Thus the present invention 
can provide a device for replacing a fluorescent lamp which can be 
manipulated in a simple yet reliable manner and is compact in size, light 
in weight, and inexpensive to manufacture. The device for replacing a 
fluorescent lamp in accordance with the present invention is advantageous 
especially when it is used to replace a fluorescent lamp installed at a 
high place. So far the supporting rod 12 has been described as comprising 
two telescopic hollow pipes, but it is to be understood that it may 
comprise more than two telescopic hollow pipes. 
Only one pump mechanism 20 is disposed at the lower end portion of the 
supporting rod 12 so that the construction can be made simple, and the 
supporting rod 12 can be amply shortened. Furthermore, the pump mechanism 
20 can be operated by reciprocating the outer cylinder 23 so that it can 
be operated by one hand. As a result, the replacement of an old 
fluorescent lamp with a new one can be accomplished in a very simple 
manner. 
Second Embodiment, FIGS. 3 through 6 
A second embodiment of this invention is substantially similar in 
construction to the first embodiment thereof described above with 
reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 except that an auxiliary rod is further 
provided in order to facilitate the replacement of a fluorescent lamp. 
Referring to FIGS. 3 through 6, a disk-shaped knob 31 is rotatably attached 
with a pin 32 to the upper portion of the supporting rod 12, and the lower 
end of an auxiliary rod 33 is securely attached to the disk-shaped knob 31 
in such a way that the axis of the auxiliary rod 33 is perpendicular to 
the axis of the pin 32. The length of the auxiliary rod 33 is so selected 
that the upper end of the auxiliary rod 33 can reach the position of a 
socket which receives the pins of a fluorescent lamp. As best shown in 
FIG. 4, a push member 34 is securely attached to the outer or distal end 
of the auxiliary rod 33 in such a way that the axis of the push member 34 
is perpendicular to the axis of the auxiliary rod 33. A rubber cover 35 is 
fitted over the push member 34. A section of the auxiliary rod 33 near its 
inner or proximal end consists of a coiled spring 33a so that when a force 
is exerted on the auxiliary rod 33 in the transverse direction thereof, 
the auxiliary rod 33 can bend at the spring section 33a and consequently 
the engagement between the upper end of the auxiliary rod 33 and a socket 
for receiving the pins of a fluorescent lamp can be always maintained at a 
specific point. 
A positioning pin 37 is extended from the inner major surface (in opposed 
relationship with the supporting rod 12) of the disk-shaped knob 31, and 
the supporting rod 12 is provided with two positioning holes 36a and 36b. 
A compression coil spring 38 is fitted around the pin 32 between one end 
thereof and the supporting rod 12 as best shown in FIG. 5 so that 
disk-shaped knob 31 is normally pressed against the supporting rod 12. 
In this embodiment of the invention, the supporting frame 11 is pivotably 
supported with coaxial pins 39 by a channel-shaped yoke member 11a which 
in turn is securely joined to the upper end of the supporting rod 12. 
Next, the mode of operation of this second embodiment of the invention of 
the above described construction will be described. 
FIG. 6 shows the operation for replacing a fluorescent lamp L by using this 
second embodiment of the present invention. Sockets S which support the 
ends of the fluorescent lamp L and are adapted to supply the power thereto 
are suspended from a ceiling C. 
In order to remove the fluorescent lamp L attached to the ceiling C, the 
operator first rotates the diskshaped knob 31 to insert the positioning 
pin 37 into the upper positioning hole 36a so that, as best shown in FIG. 
3, the auxiliary rod 33 can be securely maintained in a raised position. 
Thereafter the operator raises the supporting rod 12 so that the 
supporting frame 11 engages with the fluorescent lamp L, and the push 
member 34 at the distal end of the auxiliary rod 33 engages with the inner 
surface of one of the sockets S. Next the operator swings the supporting 
rod 12 in the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 6, so that the 
fluorescent lamp L is caused to move in the direction indicated by Y in 
FIG. 6 because the push member 34 is kept in engagement with the inner 
surface of the socket S. As a result, the left end (as viewed in FIG. 6) 
of the fluorescent lamp L is separated from the left socket S, and the 
fluorescent lamp L can now be removed easily. 
Next the steps for attaching a new fluorescent lamp will be described. 
First the operator clamps a new fluorescent lamp between the bag members 
15 and the supporting member 16 in a manner substantially similar to that 
described above in such a way that the upper end of the auxiliary rod 33, 
which is maintained in the raised position as shown in FIG. 3 or 6, is 
spaced apart from the corresponding end of the fluorescent lamp L by a 
specific distance and that the pins of the fluorescent lamp L are aligned 
with the corresponding pin holes of the socket S. Next the operator raises 
the supporting rod 12 so that the fluorescent lamp L is brought almost to 
its installation position, and the push member 34 at the upper end of the 
auxiliary rod 33 is placed in engagement with the inner surface of the 
left socket S. Under these conditions, the operator inserts the pins 
extending from the right end (as viewed in FIG. 6) of the fluorescent lamp 
L into the corresponding pin holes of the right socket S. Thereafter the 
operator swings the supporting rod 12 in the direction X in FIG. 6 so that 
the fluorescent lamp L is caused to move in the direction Y. Then the gap 
between the left socket S and the left end of the fluorescent lamp L is 
increased so that the fluorescent lamp L can be easily interposed between 
the sockets S. After the left end of the fluorescent lamp L has been 
correctly aligned with the left socket S, the operator returns the 
supporting rod 12 to its initial position so that the fluorescent lamp L 
is securely held between the sockets. 
As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present 
invention, a fluorescent lamp can be easily removed from or attached to 
the sockets extended from a flat stationary surface such as a ceiling C. 
Especially, the higher the ceiling is, the less the displacement of the 
supporting rod 12 becomes, and the removal or attachment of a fluorescent 
lamp can be accomplished in a simple manner with less force. Even when a 
fluorescent lamp is of the suspended type; that is, even when the sockets 
for a fluorescent lamp are attached to a movable surface, one of the 
sockets can be used as a fixed point for producing a force causing the 
movement of a fluorescent lamp in the axial direction thereof. As a 
result, the removal or attachment of a fluorescent lamp can also be 
accomplished easily. Furthermore, the second embodiment of the present 
invention may be equally used even when a plurality of fluorescent lamps 
are arranged in parallel with each other, or even if their sockets are 
embedded in a ceiling. 
Moreover, when the disk-shaped knob 31 is so rotated as to insert the 
positioning pin 37 into the lower positioning hole 36b, the auxiliary rod 
33 can be brought to a position substantially in parallel with the 
supporting rod 12. It is therefore easy to carry the device for replacing 
a fluorescent lamp or to put it into a storage place. 
Third Embodiment, FIGS. 7 through 9 
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with 
reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. This third embodiment of the invention is 
so designed and constructed that it is effective when the sockets for 
fluorescent lamps are embedded in a ceiling and that it can prevent a 
fluorescent lamp being removed or attached from falling off. 
The lower end of each of a pair of auxiliary rods 43 is swingably attached 
to the supporting rod 12 in a manner substantially similar to that 
described in the second embodiment of the invention. That is, a knob 41 is 
rotatably supported on the supporting rod 12, and the proximal end of the 
auxiliary rod 43 is securely attached to the knob 41. As in the case of 
the second embodiment of the invention, the knob 41 is provided with an 
upper positioning pin (not shown) used to maintain the auxiliary rods 43 
in a raised position as shown in FIG. 7 and a lower positioning pin (not 
shown) used to maintain the auxiliary rods 43 in a position in parallel 
with the supporting rod 12. A rubber slippage preventive member 42 is 
fitted on the upper end of each of the auxiliary rods 43. The auxiliary 
rods 43 are interconnected to each other by a U-shaped connecting member 
44 (as shown in FIG. 7A) near the distal ends thereof so that the 
auxiliary rods 43 are maintained in parallel with each other. This 
U-shaped connecting member 44 also serves to hold one end of a fluorescent 
lamp being removed or attached so that the fluorescent lamp is prevented 
from falling off the supporting frame 11. 
Next the mode of operation of the third embodiment of the invention of the 
above described construction will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 
and 9. In the case of removal of a fluorescent lamp, the operator inflates 
the bag members 15 in the manner described above, thereby clamping the 
fluorescent lamp. Thereafter, the operator engages the outer distal ends 
of the auxiliary rods 43 with the side wall of a ceiling C in which is 
embedded a left socket S as shown in FIG. 8. Next the operator moves the 
supporting rod 12 in the direction indicated by an arrow X so that the 
fluorescent lamp L is caused to move in the direction indicated by an 
arrow Y. As a result, a gap is produced between the left socket S and the 
left end of the fluorescent lamp L as shown in FIG. 8, and, when the 
operator lowers the supporting rod 12 under these conditions, the 
fluorescent lamp L can be easily removed. 
Next the steps for attaching a fluorescent lamp will be described. First 
the operator clamps the fluorescent lamp in a manner substantially similar 
to that described above in such a way that, as shown in FIG. 9, the left 
end of a fluorescent lamp L is spaced apart from the outer ends of the 
auxiliary rods 43 by a specific distance and that the pins extending from 
the right end of the fluorescent lamp L are aligned with their 
corresponding pin receiving holes of the right socket S. Thereafter the 
operator inserts the pins of the fluorescent lamp L into the right socket 
S. Next the operator engages the outer ends of the auxiliary rods 43 with 
the left side wall of the ceiling C as shown in FIG. 9 and moves the 
supporting rod 12 in the direction X while raising it. Then the left 
portion of the fluorescent lamp L is raised by the connecting member 44 
and is moved in the direction Y. When the operator returns the supporting 
rod 12 to its initial position after the left end of the fluorescent lamp 
L has been brought to a position in alignment with the left socket S, the 
fluorescent lamp L is securely held between the sockets S. 
As described above, this third embodiment of the invention can remove an 
old fluorescent lamp from a high position or attach a new fluorescent lamp 
to a high position in a simple and easy manner with a small force. The 
removal or attachment of a fluorescent lamp can be equally accomplished 
even when the sockets for fluorecent lamps are embedded. 
Fourth Embodiment, FIGS. 10 and 11 
Referring next to FIGS. 10 and 11, a fourth embodiment of the present 
invention will be described. The inner or proximal ends of a pair of 
parallel auxiliary rods 53 are securely attached to a knob 51 which in 
turn is rotatably connected to the supporting rod 12, and a spacer 52 with 
a rubber plate 52a bonded thereto is interposed between the parallel 
auxiliary rods 53 at their outer or distal ends (FIG. 10A). 
This fourth embodiment of the present invention is used mainly when the 
sockets S for a fluorescent lamp are suspended from the ceiling C. 
For removing a fluorescent lamp L, the operator first raises the auxiliary 
rods 53 and securely holds them in a raised position. Next the operator 
raises the supporting rod 12 in such a way that the fluorescent lamp L is 
clamped by the supporting frame 11 in a manner substantially similar to 
that described above and at the same time the spacer 52 at the outer ends 
of the auxiliary rods 53 is brought into engagement with the outer or back 
surface of the left socket S. Thereafter the operator moves the supporting 
rod 12 in the direction indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 11 so that the 
fluorescent lamp L is caused to move in the direction indicated by an 
arrow Y because the spacer 52 is engaged with the left socket S. As a 
result, the right end of the fluorescent lamp L is separated from the 
right socket S, whereby the fluorescent lamp L can be easily removed. 
For attaching a new fluorescent lamp, the operator first inserts the pins 
extending from the left end of the fluorescent lamp L into the pin 
receiving holes of the left socket S and engages the spacer 52 of the 
auxiliary rods 53 with the outer face of the left socket S as shown in 
FIG. 11. Next the operator moves the supporting rod 12 in the direction X 
so that a gap is produced between the right end of the fluorescent lamp L 
and the right socket S, whereupon the fluorescent lamp L can be easily 
inserted between the sockets S. 
Fifth Embodiment, FIG. 12 
Referring next to FIG. 12, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will 
be described. The fifth embodiment is substantially similar in 
construction to the first embodiment except that an auxiliary lever is 
further provided in order to facilitate the removal or attachment of a 
fluorescent lamp. 
In this device, an auxiliary lever 61 is pivotably supported on the 
supporting rod 12 near the upper end thereof. The auxiliary lever 61 is 
connected to the supporting rod 12 in such a way that the auxiliary lever 
61 clamps the supporting rod 12, and the outer or distal end 61a of the 
auxiliary lever 61 is bent in the form of the letter Z and is extended to 
a height almost equal to that of the supporting frame 11. The auxiliary 
lever 61 is pivoted at a point intermediate its ends on the supporting rod 
12 by a pin 62, and, as best shown in FIG. 12A, an expandable and 
contractable bag member 63 is interposed between the supporting rod 12 and 
the lower portion of the auxiliary lever 61. The bag member 63 is 
communicated through a fluid (for instance, air) supply pipe 64 with a 
pump mechanism 65 disposed at the lower end portion of the supporting rod 
12. The pump mechanism 65 comprises a piston 65a and a cylinder 65b and is 
manually operated, but it is to be understood that the pump mechanism 65 
may be an electrically driven pump. Instead of the bag member 63, a 
piston-and-cylinder mechanism which extends and retracts itself may be 
used. 
A supporting bar 66 is supported at its proximal end on the upper portion 
of the supporting rod 12 and extends in the direction opposite to the 
direction in which the auxiliary lever 61 extends. The supporting bar 66 
is adapted to support the center portion of a fluorescent lamp L via a 
fluorescent lamp receiving member 67 pivoted by a pin 68 to the distal end 
of the supporting bar 66. As best shown in FIG. 12B, the receiving member 
67 has an arcuate cross-section with an open top and is made of a flexible 
material so that the fluorescent lamp L can be inserted into the receiving 
member 67. 
Next the mode of operation of this device of the above described 
construction will be described. First, for removing a fluorescent lamp, 
the operator engages the distal end 61a of the auxiliary lever 61 with the 
outer or back surface of the left socket S and clamps one end portion of 
the fluorescent lamp L with the bag members 15 while engaging the 
receiving member 67 with the other end portion of the fluorescent lamp L. 
Thereafter the operator drives the pump mechanism 65 so that the bag 
member 63 is inflated. The lower portion of the auxiliary lever 61 tends 
to move in the direction indicated by an arrow X, but the outer distal end 
61a of the auxiliary lever 61 is in engagement with the left socket S. As 
a result of the reaction, the supporting rod 12 is caused to move in the 
direction opposite to the direction X. As a result, the fluorescent lamp L 
is caused to move in the direction indicated by an arrow Y, whereby the 
right end (not shown) of the fluorescent lamp L is separated from the 
right socket (not shown). Therefore, when the operator lowers the 
supporting rod 12, the fluorescent lamp L is easily removed from the 
sockets S. 
For attaching a new fluorescent lamp, the operator first sets the distance 
between one end of the fluorescent lamp L and the auxiliary lever 61 and 
clamps the fluorescent lamp L by means of the bag members 15 and the 
receiving member 67 in such a way that the pins of the fluorescent lamp 
will be aligned with the pin receiving holes of the sockets S. Next the 
operator raises the supporting rod 12 so as to engage the distal end 61a 
of the auxiliary lever 61 with the outer back surface of the socket S. If 
a pilot lamp 69 is mounted on, for instance, near the distal end 61a of 
the auxiliary lever 61, the operator can readily determine whether or not 
the distal end 61a of the auxiliary lever 61 is in engagement with the 
socket S even when the socket S is located at a high position. The distal 
end 61a of the auxiliary lever 61, which is now in engagement with the 
socket S, serves to guide the fluorescent lamp L with respect to the 
socket S so that the pins of the fluorescent lamp can be correctly 
inserted into the pin receiving holes of the socket S. 
Thereafter the operator drives the pump mechanism 65 while the distal end 
61a of the auxiliary lever 61 is maintained in engagement with the socket 
S thereby to inflate the bag member 63. Then, as described before, the 
pins of the fluorescent lamp L are inserted into the pin receiving holes 
of the left socket S, and a gap is produced between the right end of the 
fluorescent lamp L and the left socket S. Therefore the operator can 
easily insert the fluorescent lamp L between the sockets S. Then, when the 
operator deflates the bag member 63, the fluorescent lamp L is securely 
held between the two sockets. 
As described above, the removal or attachment of a fluorescent lamp can be 
accomplished in a simple and easy manner with this device of the fifth 
embodiment of the invention even when the conditions in a room do not 
permit a wide movement of the supporting rod and even if it is difficult 
to align a fluorescent lamp with its sockets because the fluorescent lamp 
is installed on an extremely high ceiling. 
It has been described above that this device is used when the sockets S are 
suspended from the ceiling C, but it is to be understood that this device 
can be used with equal effectiveness even when the sockets S are embedded 
in a ceiling. In the latter case, the distal end 61a of the auxiliary 
lever 61 is so designed and constructed as to engage with the inner front 
surface of a socket S and the bag member 63 is located at a position 
opposite to that shown in FIG. 12 (on the right side of the supporting rod 
12) so that the auxiliary lever 61 will be caused to move in the opposite 
direction. 
Adapters for Positioning Fluorescent Lamp, FIGS. 13 through 19 
FIGS. 13 through 19 show some adapters which may be used with the 
above-described devices for replacing a fluorescent lamp in order to 
determine the position of a fluorescent lamp. 
In the case of removal or attachment of a fluorescent lamp with a device of 
any of the types described above, the pins extending from the ends of a 
fluorescent lamp must be correctly aligned with and inserted into the pin 
receiving holes of the sockets. However, when a fluorescent lamp is to be 
installed at a high position, it is very difficult for an operator to 
observe the positions of the pins of a fluorescent lamp with respect to 
the pin receiving holes of sockets and consequently to align the pins with 
the pin receiving holes. 
An adapter in accordance with the present invention is used to facilitate 
the alignment of the pins of a fluorescent lamp with the corresponding pin 
receiving holes of a socket when the fluorescent lamp must be attached at 
a relatively high position. In general, this adapter comprises a 
fluorescent lamp holding member which is made of a flexible material and 
has an arcuate cross section and an engaging member which is adapted to be 
fitted over a socket for supporting a fluorescent lamp. 
FIGS. 13 and 14 show a first example of an adapter in accordance with the 
present invention. Reference numeral 71 designates a socket engaging 
member adapted to be fitted over a socket for supporting a fluorescent 
lamp. It has an inner wall surface 71a which has a substantially 
semicircular cross section by which it can be brought into intimate 
contact with the outer periphery of the socket. The socket engaging member 
71 is made of a material which has a relatively great thickness and can 
resist deformation. The engaging member 71 has a plurality of 
equiangularly-spaced fine adjusting screws 72 which extend radially 
through the cylindrical wall of the engaging member 71, whereby, depending 
upon the shape (diameter) of a socket, the inner contact diameter of the 
socket engaging member 71 can be varied. 
Disposed backwardly of the socket engaging member 71 is a thin-wall, 
fluorescent lamp holding member 73 which is made of a flexible material 
and has an arcuate cross section. The holding member 73 has a rib 74 by 
which the holding member 73 is connected to the socket engaging member 71. 
The rib 74 serves also to hold the holding member 73 in a specific 
position with respect to the interior of the socket engaging member 71 
(FIG. 15). The center of the lamp holding member 73 with respect to the 
center of the socket engaging member 71 is determined according to the 
positions of pin receiving holes of a movable member attached to a socket 
with respect to the center thereof. A ball 77 which is used when the 
adapter is removed is suspended by a thread 78 from the lower portion of 
the socket engaging member 71 or the rib 74. 
FIG. 16 shows how a fluorescent lamp L is attached to its sockets S by 
using the adapters 70 in accordance with the present invention. The 
adapters 70 are attached to the ends of the fluorescent lamp L in such a 
way that the fluorescent lamp L is clamped and held in position by the 
lamp holding members 73. In this case, the directions of the pins P of the 
fluorescent lamp L are adjusted according to the positions of the pin 
receiving holes of the socket S. More particularly, when the socket S has 
a pair of pin receiving holes arranged in one horizontal row, the 
fluorescent lamp L is inserted into and clamped by the lamp holding member 
73 in such a way that the pins P of the fluorescent lamp L are also 
arranged in one horizontal row. When the socket S has a pair of pin 
receiving holes arranged in one vertical row, the fluorescent lamp L is 
inserted into and clamped by the lamp holding member 73 in such a way that 
the pins P of the fluorescent lamp L are arrayed in one vertical row. 
After the adapters 70 have been attached to the fluorescent lamp L in the 
manner described, the fluorescent lamp L is clamped by the device 10 for 
replacing a fluorescent lamp. Thereafter an operator raises the 
fluorescent lamp L to the position between the sockets S attached to the 
ceiling C and fits the socket engaging member 71 of the adapter 70 over 
the socket S. As a result, the adapter 70 is aligned with the socket S so 
that the pins P of the fluorescent lamp L are aligned with the pin 
receiving holes of the socket S. Thereafter the operator so moves the 
supporting rod 12 that one end of the fluorescent lamp L is pressed 
against one socket S. Then the movable member Sm of one socket S is 
retracted and a gap is produced between the other end of the fluorescent 
lamp L and the other socket S, whereupon the other end of the fluorescent 
lamp L can be easily engaged with the other socket. In this case, the 
socket engaging member 71 of the adapter 70 fits over the other socket, 
whereby the pins P of the fluorescent lamp can be automatically aligned 
with the pin receiving holes of the other socket S. Thus the fluorescent 
lamp L can be easily attached to the sockets as best shown in FIG. 17. 
After the fluorescent lamp L has been attached in the manner described 
above, the operator pulls down the ball 77 so that the adapter 70 is 
separated from the socket S and the fluorescent lamp L. Means for engaging 
with the ball 77 and pulling it downward may be an elongated rod with a 
hook at the upper end thereof. Alternatively, a hook may be attached to 
the upper portion 10a of the device 10 for replacing a fluorescent lamp so 
that, after a fluorescent lamp has been installed, the adapters 70 are 
removed by engaging the hook with the ball 77. FIG. 16 shows a long 
L-shaped hook 79a and a short L-shaped hook 79b attached to the upper 
portion 10a in such a way that they can rotate through 90.degree. . In 
operation, these L-shaped hooks 79a and 79b are rotated through 90.degree. 
so that they are held parallelly relative to each other. 
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another example of an adapter in 
accordance with the present invention. The adapter designated generally by 
the reference numeral 80 is substantially similar in construction to the 
adapter described above with reference to FIGS. 13 through 17 except that 
the adapter 80 is further provided with a pin retaining plate 85. The pin 
retaining plate 85 consists of a thin semicircular plate about 0.5 mm in 
thickness and is disposed at the rear end of the socket engaging member 
71. As best shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the pin retaining plate 85 is 
formed with a central slot 86a which is cut relatively deep from the 
center of the chord of the pin retaining plate 85 in the radial direction 
thereof and right and left slots 86b which are cut with relatively shallow 
depth in parallel with the central slot 86a and are symmetrical about the 
central slot 86a. The length (depth) of the central slot 86a and the 
distance between the right and left slots 86b are determined according to 
the distance of a pair of pins extending from each end of a fluorescent 
lamp. 
When the adapters 80 are fitted over the ends of a fluorescent lamp L, the 
lamp L is fitted into and held by the lamp holding members 83 and the pins 
P of the fluorescent lamp L are inserted into the central slot 86a or the 
right and left slots 86b of the pin retaining plates 85 as shown in FIG. 
18B or 18A depending on the arrangement of the pin receiving holes of the 
sockets. That is, when the socket S has a pair of pin receiving holes 
arranged in one horizontal row, the pins P of the fluorescent lamp are 
inserted into the right and left slots 86b, respectively, as shown in FIG. 
18A. On the other hand, when the socket S has a pair of pin receiving 
holes arranged in one vertical row, the pins P are inserted into the 
central slot 86a as shown in FIG. 18B. 
After the adapters 80 have been attached to the ends of a fluorescent lamp 
L in the manner described above, the device for replacing a fluorescent 
lamp is used to mount the fluorescent lamp between the sockets S in the 
manner described above. Since the pins P are securely held in position by 
the pin retaining plates 85, they can be correctly inserted into the pin 
receiving holes of the sockets S. 
So far the pin retaining plate 85 has been described as having the central 
slot 86a and the right and left slots 86b, but it is to be understood that 
the pin retaining plate may be formed only with the right and left slots 
86b because almost all sockets for installing fluorescent lamps at high 
positions have a pair of pin receiving holes arranged in one horizontal 
row. 
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a further example of an adapter in 
accordance with the present invention. The adapter 90 is substantially 
similar in construction to the adapter 70 described before with reference 
to FIGS. 13 through 17 except that the adapter 80 is further provided with 
a pin retaining plate 95 having a recess of a special shape. The pin 
retaining plate 95 is adapted to install a fluorescent lamp with 
elliptical bases at its ends. That is, the conventional fluorescent lamps 
have bases circular in cross section, but large-sized fluorescent lamps 
emitting a large quantity of light have bases M substantially elliptical 
in cross section as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, and a pair of pins P 
extend from the center of the base M. 
The pin retaining plate 95 is therefore formed with a recess 96 whose shape 
is adapted to retain a base M substantially elliptical in cross section. 
As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the recess 96 comprises a vertical or 
central semi-elliptical recess 96a whose major axis (long diameter) 
coincides with the vertical diameter of the semicircular pin retaining 
plate 95 and a horizontal semi-elliptical recess 96b whose major axis 
(long diameter) coincides with the chord of the semicircular pin retaining 
plate 95. 
When a socket has a pair of pin receiving holes arranged in one horizontal 
row, the adapter 90 is attached to each end of a fluorescent lamp in such 
a way that the base M is fitted into the horizontal recess 96b as shown in 
FIG. 19A. On the other hand, when a socket has a pair of pin receiving 
holes arranged in one vertical row, the adapter 90 is attached in such a 
way that the base M is fitted into the vertical or central recess 96a as 
shown in FIG. 19B. 
After the adapters 90 have been attached to the ends of a fluorescent lamp, 
an operator can easily and correctly install the fluorescent lamp between 
the sockets by using the device for replacing a fluorescent lamp in a 
manner substantially similar to that described above. 
The adapters 90 of the type described above may be equally used for 
installing a fluorescent lamp with circular bases. 
As described above, according to the present invention, an old fluorescent 
lamp can be replaced with a new fluorescent lamp in a simple and easy 
manner. Furthermore, it becomes possible to remove a fluorescent lamp from 
a high position or install a fluorescent lamp at a high position in a 
simple yet reliable manner. In the above description the pump mechanism 
has been described as being manually operated, but it is to be understood 
that a pump driven by a small electric motor can be used in the present 
invention.