LAMP MOUNT WITH A LAMP MOUNTING TUBE

Abstract: A lamp mount (10) for mounting a lignt emitting tube (12) to a lamp base (14) is disclosed that comprises a tube (16) having first and second ends (18, 20). The first tube end (18) includes first and second tube engagement wall portions (22a, 22b) spaced apart bz interconnecting wall portions (24). The interconnecting wall portions (24) are configured such that an application of pressure to the interconnecting wall portions (24) causes the first and second tube engagement wall portions (22a, 22b) to move with respect to one another. The relative movement of the first and second tube engagement wall portions facilitates connection of the light emitting tube to the first end of the lamp mount. The second end (20) of the tube is adapted for connection to the lamp base (14).

Description: LAMP MOUNT WITH A LAMP MOUNTING TUBE Technical Field The present invention relates generally to lamps and, in particular, to a deep draw mount for securing a filament tube or arc tube in a lamp. Background Art Prior art mounts for halogen lamps use sheet metal straps and formed wire to attach light emitting tubes, such as filament tubes and arc tubes, to the base of a lamp. The prior art mounts are constructed from several pieces that hold a light emitting tube in place in the bulb. A sheet metal strap having two ends that are welded together is placed around an end portion of the light emitting tube. Once in place, the sheet metal strap is crimped around the end of the light emitting tube to secure the sheet metal strap to the tube. A wire post is welded to the sheet metal strap. One of the leads of the light emitting tube is welded to the wire post. A wire frame is secured to the wire post by welding. The wire frame is a single piece of wire that is bent at multiple locations to form a frame-like structure. The wire frame includes two legs that allow attachment of the light emitting tube to the base of the lamp. The wire frame positions the light emitting tube in the bulb of the lamp. A stiffener is welded to each of the legs of the wire frame to stiffen the legs of the wire frame and, thereby, reduce the amount of vibration transmitted to the light emitting tube. The second lead of the light emitting tube is welded to a fuse. The sheet metal strap of the wire frame mount engages all four sides of the end of the light emitting tube when it is crimped onto the tube. The sheet metal strap exerts undesirable stress and strain on the light emitting tube when it is crimped onto the tube. Stress and strain applied to the elongated sides of filament tubes and arc tubes is especially harmful, since a small amount of stress applied to the elongated sides of the end portion results in breakage of the tube. Additionally, the sheet metal strap crimped to the end of the light emitting tube causes the end of the arc tube to become very hot during operation, due to the tight engagement of the elongated sides of the end of the tube by the sheet metal strap. Tight engagement of the end of the light emitting tube by the metal strap reduces the amount of airflow that comes in contact with the tube end, resulting in poor heat transfer away from the end of the light emitting tube in the area of the sheet metal strap. Increased temperature of the tube end reduces the life of the tube. Sheet metal strap and wire frame mounts are very costly to produce. Assembly of the metal strap and wire frame mount is extremely labor intensive. The welding of the wire post to the sheet metal strap and the wire frame, the welding of the first lead of the light emitting tube or arc tube, and the welding of the stiffeners to the legs of the wire frame are all manual operations. Manual labor greatly increases the cost of halogen bulbs. Additionally, the quality of the mount is reduced by the labor intensive nature of the mount, since tight tolerances are not easily maintained. The pieces used to construct the sheet metal strap and wire frame mount are also expensive. In particular, the wire frame is expensive due to the multiple bends required to make the frame. The multiple bends of the wire frame results in wire frames being produced in a serial operation that increases the cost of the wire frames. Disclosure of Invention The present invention concerns a lamp mount for mounting a light emitting tube to a lamp base. The lamp mount is constructed from a metal tube that is open at first and second ends. The first end includes first and second tube engagement wall portions that are spaced apart by interconnecting wall portions. In one embodiment of the invention the interconnecting wall portions are configured such that an application of pressure to the interconnecting wall portions causes the first and second tube engagement wall portions to move toward one another, bringing the first and second tube engagement wall portions into engagement with the light emitting tube. In accordance with an alternate embodiment, the interconnecting wall portions are configured such that an application of pressure to the interconnecting wall portion causes the first and second tube engagement wall portions to move apart, allowing insertion of the light emitting tube into the first end of the metal tube. In this alternate embodiment, removal of the pressure applied to the interconnecting wall portions causes the first and second tube engagement wall portions to move toward one another, bringing the first and second tube wall portions into engagement with the light emitting tube. In both embodiments, a second end of the metal tube is adapted to connect the lamp mount to the base of the lamp. In one embodiment, the second end includes a screw-in mounting portion. The screw-in mounting portion is defined by a helix that extends radially outward from the second end of the metal tube. The helix is sized to engage internal threads of a lamp base shell. In a second embodiment the second end of the metal tube includes a crimp on mounting portion. The crimp on mounting portion extends radially outward from the second metal tube end and includes a circumferential lip that extends toward the first metal tube end. In a third embodiment, the second end of the metal tube is resiliently deformable, allowing tight engagement with an opening in a neck of the bulb. The mount of the present invention is used to construct a lamp. The lamp includes a hollow translucent body that terminates at a neck. A light emitting tube having first and second leads is disposed in the hollow translucent body. An elongated metal tube secures the light emitting tube in the metal tube's first open end. A second end of the metal tube is secured to the neck portion of the lamp. A lamp base shell is connected to the neck portion of the lamp. The lamp base shell includes a first conductive portion that is electrically connected to a first lead and a second electrically conductive portion that is connected to a second lead. The first lead may be electrically coupled to the elongated metal tube and the elongated metal tube may be electrically coupled to the first conductive portion of the lamp base shell. A light emitting tube is mounted to a lamp mounting tube by inserting the light emitting tube into the first end of the lamp mounting tube. Pressure is applied to the interconnecting wall portions of the lamp mounting tube to move the first and second tube engagement wall portions with respect to one another. The light emitting tube is engaged by the first and second tube engagement wall portions to connect the light emitting tube to the lamp mounting tube. The application of pressure to the interconnecting wall portions may cause the first and second tube engagement wall portions to move toward one another to bring the first and second tube wall portions into engagement with the end of the light emitting tube. Alternatively, the application of pressure to the interconnecting wall portions may cause the first and second tube engagement wall portions to move apart, allowing insertion of the light emitting tube into the first end of the lamp mounting tube. The pressure may then be removed from the interconnecting wall portions to allow the first and second tube engagement wall portions to move toward one another, bringing the first and second tube wall portions into engagement with the light emitting tube. A lamp mount produced in accordance with the present invention is much less costly to produce than metal strap and wire frame mounts of the prior art. The mount of the present invention may be a single drawn piece that is produced by a single operation. The lamp mount of the present invention eliminates undesirable stress and strain applied to the elongated sides of the end of the light emitting tube. The mount engages two shorter sides of the end of the light emitting tube. The mount allows air to flow past the end of the light emitting tube, resulting in good heat transfer away from the end of the light emitting tube. The good heat transfer characteristics between the light emitting tube and surrounding air that result from use of the mount of the present invention reduces the operating temperature of the end of the light emitting tube, increasing the life of the light emitting tube. Additional features of the invention will become apparent and a fuller understanding obtained by reading the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1A is a perspective view of a crimp on type lamp mount; Figure IB is a front elevational view of a crimp on lamp mount; Figure 1C is a top plan view of a crimp on type lamp mount; Figure ID is a cross-section of a tube engagement portion of a lamp mount of one embodiment; Figure 2A is an exploded perspective view of a light emitting tube being mounted in a lamp with a crimp on type lamp mount; Figure 2B is a sectional view of a light emitting tube mounted in a lamp with the crimp on type lamp mount; Figure 3 A is a perspective view of a screw-in type lamp mount; Figure 3B is a front elevational view of a screw-in type lamp mount; Figure 3C is a top plan view of a screw-in type lamp mount; Figure 4 is a sectional view of a light emitting tube secured in a lamp by a screw-in type lamp mount; Figure 5 A is a perspective view of a fluted lamp mount; Figure 5B is a front elevational view of a fluted lamp mount; Figure 5C is top plan view of a fluted lamp mount; Figure 6 is a sectional view of a light emitting tube secured to a lamp by a fluted lamp mount; Figure 7A is a perspective view of a tube engagement portion of a second embodiment; and, Figure 7B is a top plan view of a tube engagement portion of a second embodiment. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention The present invention is directed to a lamp mount 10 for mounting a light emitting tube 12 to a lamp base 14. The lamp mount includes a metal tube 16 made up of a plurality of wall portions 11 that is open at a light emitting tube engagement end 18 and a base securing end 20. The tube engagement end 18 includes first and second tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b that are spaced apart by interconnecting wall portions 24. The interconnecting wall portions 24 are configured such that application of pressure to the interconnecting wall portions 24 causes the first and second tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b to move with respect to one another. In the embodiment shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the application of pressure to the interconnecting wall portions 24 causes the first and second tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b to move toward one another, bringing the first and second tube wall portions into engagement with the light emitting tube 12. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1-6, the application of pressure to the interconnecting wall portions 24 causes the first and second tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b to move apart, allowing insertion of the light emitting tube 12 into the lamp mounting tube. In the embodiment of Figures 1-6, when pressure is removed from the interconnecting wall portions 24, causing the first and second tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b to move toward one another, brining the first and second tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b into engagement with the light emitting tube 12. The base securing end 20 of the metal tube 16 is adapted to connect the lamp mount 10 and light emitting tube 12 to the base 14 of a lamp 26. Referring to Figure ID, one end of the metal tube 16 of the lamp mount 10 of one embodiment is comprised of a plurality of rounded convex wall portions 40 that are interconnected by a plurality of rounded concave wall portions 42 that together form a symmetrical metal tube 16. In this embodiment, there are six rounded convex wall portions 40 that are interconnected by six rounded concave wall portions 42. Any pair 44 of diametrically opposed rounded convex portions 40 can serve as the tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b, with the remaining wall portions serving as the interconnecting wall portions 24. Each pair 44 of diametrically opposed rounded convex segments 40 defines a cavity 46 having a width 48. The wall portions 11 of the lamp mount 10 are thin and are made from a resilient material, such as 0.004 to 0.010 inch thick 1018 cold rolled, nickel plated steel or unplated stainless steel, resulting in a resilient metal tube 16. Application of pressure to the interconnecting wall portions 24 causes the pair 44 of rounded convex segments 40, being used as tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b to move apart, increasing the width 48 of the cavity 46 defined between the pair 44 of rounded convex segments 40. When pressure is removed from the interconnecting wall portions 22, the pair 44 of rounded convex segments 40 move back together, decreasing the width of the cavity 46 defined between the pair 44 of rounded convex segments 40. An end portion of a metal tube 16' of a second embodiment is depicted in Figures 7A and 7B. Referring to Figure 7B, tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b of the metal tube 16' are diametrically opposed semi-circular wall portions that are spaced apart by pluralities of straight interconnecting wall portions 24'. The straight interconnecting wall portions 24' include two pairs of side wall portions 54 that are connected to the semi-circular wall portions 22a', 22b' to define a slot 56 between the two semi-circular wall portions. The side wall portions 54 are connected together by two crimping wall portions 60. The two crimping wall portions 60 connect the two pairs of opposing side wall portions 54 together. Ends 62 of the crimping wall portions 60 are connected together to complete the metal tube 16. The intersection of each pair of crimping wall portions 60 forms an edge 64a, 64b having a small radius. In the exemplary embodiment, the radius of the edges 64a, 64b formed by the intersection of crimping wall portions 60 is approximately 0.010 inches. The width of the slot 56 defined between the semi-circular tube engagement portions 22a', 22b' is large enough to accommodate an end portion 66 (Figure 2) of a light emitting tube 12. Application of pressure to the crimping segment 60 permanently deforms the crimping segments and moves the semi-circular tube engagement portions 22a',22b' towards one another. In this embodiment, the semi-circular tube engagement wall portions 22a', 22b' engage the end of the light emitting tube. Referring to Figure 5B, the metal tube 16 is elongated. In one embodiment, a cross-section 68 (Figure ID) 60 defined by tube engagement wall portions 11 is continuous from the tube engagement end 18 to the base securing end 20. The continuous perimeter 68 is slightly tapered from the base securing end 20 to the tube engagement end 18 to facilitate drawing of the metal tube 16 and insertion into the base 14 of the lamp. When the tube engagement end 18 shown in Figure 5 is used, the tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b and interconnecting wall portions 24 may extend the length 70 of the metal tube 16. If the type of mount shown in Figures 7A and 7B is used, it is not desirable for the tube engagement wall portions 22a', 22b' and interconnecting wall portions 24' to extend the entire length 70 of the tube in the exemplary embodiment. Instead, the tube engagement wall portions 22a', 22b' and interconnecting wall portions 24 extend from the tube engagement end 18 and transition into a round tubular portion (not shown). This arrangement is advantageous because drawing a substantial length of the end portion is difficult due to edges 64a, 64b defined by the crimping wall portions 60. Reducing the length of the crimping wall portions 60 that define the edges 64a, 64b makes the drawing process easier. Referring to Figure IB, one or more holes 74 may be included in the metal tube 16. The holes 74 in the tube 16 enhance airflow through the metal tube 16, enhancing heat transfer from the light emitting tube 12 to surrounding air. A threaded mount 27, a crimp mount 30 or a fluted mount 31 may be employed at the base securing end 20 to secure the metal tube 16 to the lamp. Referring to Figures IB and 1C, the crimp mount 30 includes a ferrule 31 defined by a circular end wall 76 that extends radially from the base securing end 20 of the metal tube 16, and a circumferential lip 32 that extends from the circumference of the circular end wall 76 toward the tube engagement end 18 of the mount 10. In the exemplary embodiment, the circular end wall 76 of the ferrule 31 includes a plurality of holes 78 that increase airflow inside the lamp 26. Figures 2 A and 2B show an assembly of a lamp 26 in which a mount 10 having a crimp mount 30 at its base securing end 20 is used to secure the light emitting .tube 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the light emitting tube 12 is a halogen arc tube or a filament tube. When a lamp mount 10 has a tube engagement end 18, as shown in Figure ID, the interconnecting wall portions 24 of the lamp mount 10 are compressed causing the tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b to move apart. An end 66 of the light emitting tube 12 is inserted between the tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b. The interconnecting wall portions 24 are then released, allowing the tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b to spring back against the end portion 66 of the light emitting tube 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the end portion 66 of the light emitting tube 12 includes two narrow sides 80a, 80b and two elongated sides 82. In the exemplary embodiment, the tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b engage the narrow sides 80a, 80b of the end portion 66 of the light emitting tube 12 and do not substantially engage the elongated sides 82a, 82b of the end portion 66. When the light emitting tube is installed in the tube engagement end 18 of the mount shown in Figure 1A, an open area exists around the end portion 66 of the light emitting tube, facilitating good heat transfer from the end portion 66 of the light emitting tube to surrounding air. In another embodiment, the mount includes a tube engagement end as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, and a crimp type base securing end 20. In this embodiment, the end portion 66 of the light emitting tube 12 is inserted into the slot 56 defined between the semi-circular tube engagement portions 22a', 22b'. Pressure is applied to the crimping wall portions 60 to permanently "squeeze" the crimping wall portions 60 together. The "squeezing" of the crimping wall portions 60 together moves the semicircular tube engagement wall portions 22a', 22b' toward one another and brings them into engagement with the narrow sides 80a, 80b of the end portion 66 of the light emitting tube 12. In either of the exemplary crimp type mounts, first and second wire leads 84a, 84b of the light emitting tube 12 extend from the end portion 66 into the interior 86 of the metal tube 16. The first lead 84a is welded to the interior 86 of the metal tube 16. A fuse wire 90 is welded to the second lead 84b. The crimp mount 30 that is attached to and supports to the light emitting tube 12 is inserted into a hollow base shell 88. The fuse wire 90 is inserted through an eyelet 92 in a hollow base shell 88. Tension is applied to the fuse wire 90 and second lead 84b and the fuse wire is welded or soldered to a conductor 93 at the end 94 of the hollow base shell 88. A neck portion 102 of a bulb 38 includes an indentation for crimping a lamp base shell 88 and crimp mount 30 to the bulb 38. The bulb 38 is placed around the assembly of the light emitting tube 12 and crimp type lamp mount 30 and both the lamp base shell 88 and the ferrule 31 of the crimp mount 30 are crimped into the indentation of the bulb 38. The crimping of the hollow base shell 88 and crimp mount 30 to the bulb makes the electrical connection between a second conductor 96 of the hollow base shell 88 and the lead 84a that is welded to the tube 16. The conductor 93 that forms the end of the of the base shell 88 and the second conductor 96 are spaced apart by an insulator 97. Referring to Figures 3A, 3B and 3C, a threaded mount 27 is constructed by forming a helix portion 28 at the base securing end 20 of the lamp mount 10. The helix portion 28 is sized to fit within the hollow base shell 88 and has a pitch that corresponds to a pitch of threads 100 in the hollow base shell 88. The helix portion 28 can be formed in any shape. For example, the helix portion 28 may be circular in shape, corresponding to the circular shape of the hollow base shell 88. In the exemplary embodiment, the helix portion 28 is generally triangular in shape, reducing the amount of material that is needed to form the lamp mount 10. The ends 102a, 102b, 102c of the triangular-shaped helix portion 28 are cut-off. In the exemplary embodiment, the ends 102a, 102b, 102c are rounded off to correspond with the circular shape of the hollow base shell 88. Figure 4 shows a lamp assembly 26 in which a metal tube 16 has a threaded mount 27 at its base securing end. In the embodiment where the lamp mount 10 has a threaded mount 27 and a tube engagement end 18 as shown in Figure 3 A, the interconnecting wall portions 24 of the lamp mount 10 are compressed causing the tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b to move apart. An end 66 of the light emitting tube 12 is inserted between the tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b. The interconnecting wall portions 24 are released, allowing the tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b to spring back against the end portion 66 of the light emitting tube 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b engage the narrow sides 80a, 80b of the end portion 66 of the light emitting tube 12 and do not substantially engage the elongated sides 82a, 82b of the end portion 66. When the light emitting tube is installed in the tube engagement end 18 of the mount shown in Figure 3 A, an open area exists around the end portion 66 of the light emitting tube facilitating good heat transfer from the end 66 of the light emitting tube to surrounding air. In an alternate embodiment, a threaded type mount includes a tube engagement end as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, and a threaded type base securing end 20. In this embodiment, the end portion 66 of the light emitting tube 12 is inserted into the slot 56 defined between the semi-circular tube engagement wall portions 22a', 22b'. Pressure is applied to the crimping wall portions 60 to permanently "squeeze" the crimping wall portion 60 together. The "squeezing" of the crimping wall portions 60 together moves the semi-circular tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b toward one another and brings them into engagement with the narrow sides 80a, 80b of the end portion 66 of the light emitting tube 12. Referring to Figure 4, in either of the exemplary threaded type mounts, the first and second leads 84a, 84b of the light emitting tube 12 extend from the end portion 66 into the interior 86 of the metal tube 16. The first lead 84a is welded to the interior 86 of the metal tube 16. A fuse wire is welded to the second lead 84b. The threaded mount 27 is threaded into a hollow base shell 88. The fuse wire 90 is inserted through an eyelet 92 in the hollow base shell 88. Tension is applied to the fuse wire 90 and the second lead 94b and the fuse wire is welded or soldered to a conductor 93 at the end 94 of the hollow base shell 88. The hollow base shell 88 is threaded or crimped onto a neck portion 108 of the bulb 38 to position the light emitting tube 12 and lamp mount 10 within the bulb 38. The lamp base shell 88 is crimped to an indentation in the neck of the bulb 38 to secure the lamp base shell 88 to the neck portion 102 and maintain the position of the lamp mount 10 and light emitting tube 12 within the bulb. The threaded connection between the helix portion 28 of the mount 10 and the internal threads 100 makes the electrical connection from the lead 84a to the second conductor 96 of the hollow base shell 88. Referring to Figures 5 A, 5B, and 5C, a fluted mount 31 is formed by ending the metal tube 16 of the type shown in Figure 5 A at the base securing end. Figure 6 shows a lamp assembly 26 in which a metal tube 16 has a fluted mount 31 at its base securing end 20. When a lamp mount 10 having a tube engagement end 18 shown in Figure 5 A is used, the interconnecting wall portions 24 of the lamp mount 10 are compressed causing the tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b to move apart. An end 66 of the light emitting tube 12 is inserted between the tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b. Pressure is removed from the interconnecting wall portions 24, allowing the tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b to spring back against the end portion 66 of the light emitting tube 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b engage the narrow sides 80a, 80b of the end portion 66 of the light emitting tube 12 and do not substantially engage the elongated sides 82a, 82b of the end portion 66. When the light emitting tube is installed in the mount shown in Figure 5 A, an open area exists around the end portion 66 of the light emitting tube facilitating good heat transfer from the end 66 of the light emitting tube to surrounding air. The fluted type mount may include the tube engagement end of the embodiment shown in Figures 7A and 7B. In this embodiment, the tube mounting end 18' shown in Figures 7A and 7B transitions into the fluted profile shown in Figure 10. In this embodiment, the end portion 66 of the light emitting tube 12 is inserted into the slot 56 defined between the semi-circular tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b. Pressure is applied to the crimping wall portions 60 to permanently "squeeze" the crimping wall portions 60 together. The "squeezing" of the crimping wall portions 60 together moves the semi-circular wall portions 22a',22b' towards one another and brings them into engagement with the narrow sides 80a, 80b of the end portion 66 of the light emitting tube 12. In either exemplary fluted type mount, the first and second leads 84a, 84b of the light emitting tube 12 extend into the interior 86 of the metal tube 16. A fuse wire is welded to the second lead 84b. The assembly of the light emitting tube, a fluted lamp mount is inserted into an opening 111 in the neck of the bulb. The fluted mount 31 is normally larger than the opening 111 in the neck of the bulb. Insertion of the fluted mount 31 resiliently deforms the fluted mount, to form an interference fit that holds the fluted mount 31 and light emitting tube 12 securely in the bulb. The fuse wire 90 is inserted through an eyelet 92 in the hollow base shell 88 and is welded or soldered to a conductor at the end 94 of the hollow base shell 88. The first lead 84a is welded to the second conductor 96 of the lamp base shell 88. The lamp base shell 88 is secured to the bulb 38. Lamp mounts constructed in accordance with the present invention are drawn. A die is constructed that generally conforms to the desired outer shape of the lamp mount 10. A properly sized piece of feed stock is disposed on the die. The properly sized feed stock is progressively punched into the die to form a part with the desired outer and inner shape. The final steps of punching conform the feed stock to the die and create the opening in the tube engagement end 18 of the metal tube 16. Although the present invention has been described with a degree of particularity, it is the intent that the invention include all modifications and alterations falling within the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A method of connecting a light emitting tube 12 to a lamp mounting tube 12, comprising: a) inserting a light emitting tube 12 into a first end of a lamp mounting tube 10, said first mounting tube end 18 comprising first and second tube engagement wall portions 22a,22b spaced apart by interconnecting wall portions 24; b) applying pressure to said interconnecting wall portions of the lamp mounting tube to move said first and second tube engagement wall portions with respect to one another; c) engaging said light emitting tube with said first and second tube engagement wall portions to connect said light emitting tube to said lamp mounting tube 10. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the application of pressure to said interconnecting wall portions causes said first and second tube engagement wall portions to move toward one another, bringing said first and second tube wall portions into engagement with said light emitting tube. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the application of pressure to said interconnecting wall portions causes said first and second tube engagement wall portions to move apart, allowing insertion of said light emitting tube into said first end of said lamp mounting tube and further comprising the step of removing the pressure from the interconnecting wall portions to allow said first and second tube engagement wall portions to move toward one another, bringing said first and second tube wall portions into engagement with said light emitting tube. 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of electrically connecting a lead 84a, 84b of said light emitting tube to said lamp mounting tube. 5. A lamp mount 10 for mounting a light emitting tube 12 to a lamp base 14 comprising: a metal tube 16 open at first and second tube ends 18, 20, said first end including first and second tube engagement wall portions22a, 22b spaced apart by interconnecting wall portions 24, said interconnecting wall portions are configured such that application of pressure to said interconnecting wall portions causes said first and second tube engagement wall portions to move toward one another bringing said first and second tube engagement wall portions into engagement with said light emitting tube 12, said second metal tube end being adapted for connection to the base of the lamp. 6. The lamp mount of claim 5 further comprising a helix portion 28 extending radially outward from said second metal tube end, said helix being sized to engage internal threads of a lamp base shell. 7. The lamp mount of claim 5 further comprising a mounting portion 30 that extends radially outward from said second metal tube end 20, said mounting portion including a circumferential lip 32 extending toward said first metal tube end 18. 8. The lamp mount of claim 5 wherein said second end is resiliently deformable. 9. A lamp mount 10 for mounting a light emitting tube 12 to a lamp base 14 comprising: a metal tube 16 open at first and second ends 18, 20, said first end 18 including first and second tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b spaced apart by interconnecting wall portions 24, said interconnecting wall portions are configured such that application of pressure to said interconnecting wall portions causes said first and second tube engagement wall portions to move apart, allowing insertion of said light emitting tube into said first end of said metal tube and removal of said pressure causes said first and second tube engagement wall portions to move toward one another, bringing said first and second tube wall portions into engagement with said light emitting tube 12, said second metal tube end being adapted for connection to the base of the lamp. 10. The lamp mount of claim 9 further comprising a helix portion 28 extending radially outward from said second metal tube end, said helix being sized to engage internal threads of a lamp base shell. 11. The lamp mount of claim 9 further comprising a mounting portion 30 that extends radially outward from said second metal tube end 20, said mounting portion including a circumferential lip 32 extending toward said first metal tube end. 12. The lamp mount of claim 9 wherein said second end is resiliently deformable. 13. A lamp, comprising: a) a hollow translucent body 38 terminating at a neck portion; b) a light emitting tube 12 disposed in said hollow translucent body, said light emitting tube having first and second leads 84a, 84b; c) an elongated metal tube 16 open at first and second ends 18, 20, said light emitting tube being secured to said first metal tube end, said second metal tube end being secured to said neck portion; and d) a lamp base shell 88 connected to said neck portion, said lamp base shell including a first conductive portion 86 electrically connected to said first lead 84a and a second conductive portion 93 electrically connected to said second lead 84b. 14. The lamp of claim 13 wherein said first metal tube end includes first and second tube engagement wall portions 22a, 22b spaced apart by interconnecting wall portions 24, said light emitting tube being connected to said first metal tube end by applying pressure to said interconnecting wall portions. 15. The lamp of claim 13 wherein said first lead is electrically coupled to said elongated metal tube. 16. The lamp of claim 13 wherein said elongated metal tube is electrically coupled to said first conductive portion of said lamp base shell. 17. The lamp of claim 13 wherein said second metal tube end includes a helix portion 28 that engages internal threads 100 of said lamp base shell to connect said metal tube to said neck. 18. The lamp of claim 13 wherein said second metal tube end is connected to said neck by a mounting portion 30 that extends radially outward from said second metal tube, said mounting portion including a circumferential lip 32 extending toward said first metal tube end. 19. The lamp claim 13 wherein said metal tube end is connected to said neck by an interference fit between said metal tube and a passage 111 in said neck.

Inventors: WALTERS WILLIAM R, WALTERS, WILLIAM, R.
Applicants: GEN ELECTRIC, GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Application year: 2001
Main classification: H01J5
IPC codes: H01J5, H01J61