Abstract:
A fluorescent lamp tube catcher formed of bent wire can be detachably engaged with a light fixture, with the central portion of the lamp tube catcher positioned below fluorescent tubes in the light fixture during use. In the event that a fluorescent lamp tube inadvertently becomes loose in the light fixture, the fluorescent lamp tube catcher can stop the loose fluorescent lamp tube from falling. The fluorescent lamp tube catcher can be loosely retained on the light fixture, for example while replacing a fluorescent lamp tube that has failed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority to design patent application no. 29/210,513, filed Aug. 2, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to the field of fluorescent lighting, and more specifically to safety devices for fluorescent lighting. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Fluorescent light fixtures, for example of the sort described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,396, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference, include one or more fluorescent lamps formed as elongated tubes. For a variety of reasons, these elongated fluorescent lamp tubes can become loose and drop out of the light fixture. This can present a hazard to persons and property below. 
   What is needed is an elegant and cost-effective device to catch a fluorescent lamp which becomes loose before it falls out of a light fixture. What is further needed is such a device to catch a fluorescent lamp, where the device can be applied to or removed from the light fixture without the use of tools. What is further needed is such a device to catch a fluorescent lamp, where the device can be unmounted from the light fixture while still loosely retained by the light fixture, for example to prevent the device from falling when replacing the fluorescent lamp tube. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A first embodiment of a fluorescent lamp tube catcher according to the invention includes an elongated central portion between two lateral portions that include loops that are adapted to be secured to bolts on a light fixture. 
   A second embodiment of a fluorescent lamp tube catcher according to the invention includes an elongated central portion between two lateral portions that include hooks that are adapted to be clipped to reflector rims on a light fixture. 
   A third embodiment of a fluorescent lamp tube catcher according to the invention includes an elongated central portion between two lateral portions that include hooks that are adapted to be clipped to reflector rims on a light fixture, where one of the lateral portions also includes a retainer portion that is adapted to be loosely retained on a bolt on a light fixture. 
   Other aspects of the invention relate to kits that include at least a fluorescent light fixture and a fluorescent lamp catcher, and also to methods that use a fluorescent lamp catcher, such as a method of changing a fluorescent lamp. Further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective front view of a first embodiment of a fluorescent lamp catcher according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a rear view of the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an end view of a fluorescent light fixture, with a rear view of the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 1  positioned for mounting on the light fixture; 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of a fluorescent light fixture, with end views of two fluorescent lamp catchers of  FIG. 1  positioned for mounting on the light fixture; 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom view of a fluorescent light fixture, with a bottom view of two fluorescent lamp catchers of  FIG. 1  mounted on the light fixture; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective front view of a second embodiment of a fluorescent lamp catcher according to the invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a top view of the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a front view of the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 13  is an end view of a fluorescent light fixture, with the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 9  positioned for mounting on the light fixture; 
       FIG. 14  is a side view of a fluorescent light fixture, with two fluorescent lamp catchers of  FIG. 9  positioned for mounting on the light fixture; 
       FIG. 15  is a bottom perspective view of one end of a fluorescent light fixture, with the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 9  mounted on the light fixture; 
       FIG. 16(   a ) is an end view of a fluorescent light fixture with the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 9  mounted on the light fixture, and  FIG. 16(   b ) is the same view but with one fluorescent lamp loosened from the light fixture and caught by the lamp catcher; 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective front view of a third embodiment of a fluorescent lamp catcher according to the invention; 
       FIG. 18  is a top view of the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 17 ; 
       FIG. 19  is a front view of the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 17 ; 
       FIG. 20  is a rear view of the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 17 ; 
       FIG. 21  is a side view of the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 17 ; 
       FIG. 22  is an end view of a fluorescent light fixture, with the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 17  positioned for mounting on the light fixture; 
       FIG. 23  is a side view of a fluorescent light fixture, with two fluorescent lamp catchers of  FIG. 17  positioned for mounting on the light fixture; 
       FIG. 24  is a bottom perspective view of one end of a fluorescent light fixture, with the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 17  mounted on the light fixture; and 
       FIG. 25(   a ) is an end view of a fluorescent light fixture with the fluorescent lamp catcher of  FIG. 17  mounted on the light fixture, and  FIG. 25(   b ) is the same view but with one fluorescent lamp loosened from the light fixture and caught by the lamp catcher. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1-5  provide various views of a first embodiment of a fluorescent lamp catcher (also known as a fluorescent tube catcher or light tube catcher) according to the invention, indicated generally at  10 . The light tube catcher  10  includes a central portion  12  between two lateral portions  14 . In the light tube catcher  10 , each lateral portion  14  includes a first bend  16 , a vertical portion  18 , a second bend  19 , a lengthwise portion  20 , and a mounting portion  22  formed as a loop. This particular structure is not required, and different structures could be used with different light fixture structures. It is not necessary that the mounting portion  22  forms an entire loop, a portion of a loop could be used at one or both ends. 
   The light tube catcher  10  is preferably formed by bending a unitary piece of metal wire of appropriate length into the desired shape, as this can be a particularly cost-effective method. However, this is not required and other materials and methods of construction could be used. For example, a molded plastic or other synthetic part could be used, or a part formed of multiple pieces could be used. 
     FIGS. 6-7  show the fluorescent lamp tube catcher  10  positioned for mounting on an exemplary light fixture  30 . The light fixture  30  can have a so-called “I-beam” construction, which includes fluorescent lamp sockets  32 , reflectors  34 , and wiring (not shown) supported by a frame that can include two lateral frame members  38  at each end of a longitudinal frame member  40 . The light fixture  30  can be suspended using suspension cables  42 , and electrical power can be delivered to the fixture using a power supply cable  44 . However, this particular structure is not required and other light fixture structures could be used. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , the fluorescent lamp tube catcher  10  is positioned for mounting to the light fixture  30  by aligning the mounting portions  22  of the lamp tube catcher  10  with bolts  46  on the light fixture  30 . After positioning the lamp tube catcher  10  on the bolts  46 , a wrench can be used to tighten nuts  48  to secure the lamp tube catcher  10  on the bolts  46  and light fixture  30 . The bolts  46  can be long enough that when the nuts  48  are loosened to near the end of the bolts  46 , but not removed, this gives the tube catcher  10  enough freedom of movement to provide sufficient clearance to allow replacement of fluorescent lamps in the fixture without completely disengaging the tube catcher  10  from the fixture  30 . 
     FIG. 8  shows two fluorescent lamp tube catchers  10  positioned with their mounting portions  22  on the bolts  48  of a light fixture  30 . The nuts  48  are not shown in  FIG. 8  to avoid obscuring the mounting portions  22 . As best shown in  FIG. 8 , the central portions  12  of the fluorescent lamp tube catchers  10  extend across the light fixture  30  between the reflector rims  36 , whereby the lamp tube catchers are positioned to catch any lamp that may become loose. 
     FIGS. 9-12  provide various views of a second embodiment of a fluorescent lamp tube catcher according to the invention, indicated generally at  110 . The light tube catcher  110  includes a substantially straight central portion  112  between two lateral portions  114 . Each lateral portion  114  includes a mounting portion  122  that can be formed as a mounting hook  124 . As best shown in  FIG. 12 , the mounting hook  124  can be formed with a mounting hook angle  126  of about 20 degrees. This particular structure is not required, and different structures could be used with different light fixture structures. 
   The light tube catcher  110  is preferably formed by bending a unitary piece of metal wire into the desired shape, as this can be a particularly cost-effective method. However, this is not required and other materials and methods of construction could be used. For example, a molded plastic or other synthetic part could be used, or a part formed of multiple pieces could be used. 
     FIGS. 13-14  show the fluorescent lamp tube catcher  110  positioned for mounting on an exemplary light fixture  130 . The light fixture  130  can have a so-called “I-beam” construction, which includes fluorescent lamp sockets  132 , reflectors  134 , and wiring (not shown) supported by a frame that can include two lateral frame members  138  at each end of a longitudinal frame member  140 . However, this particular structure is not required and other light fixture structures could be used. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 13-14 , the fluorescent lamp tube catcher  110  is positioned for mounting to the light fixture  130  by aligning the mounting portions  122  and mounting hooks  124  of the lamp tube catcher  110  above the lateral reflector rims  136  on the light fixture  130 . After positioning the lamp tube catcher  110  above the lateral reflector rims  136 , the mounting hooks  124  are clipped on a lateral structure on the light fixture, such as the reflector rims  136 , to secure the lamp tube catcher  110  on the light fixture  130  as shown in  FIG. 15 . Importantly, this embodiment of a lamp tube catcher  110  can be clipped on and off the light fixture  130  without the use of tools, for example when it is necessary to replace a failed fluorescent lamp. 
     FIG. 15  shows one end of a fluorescent light fixture  130 , with a fluorescent lamp tube catcher  110  secured to the light fixture  130  with the mounting hooks  124  of the lamp tube catcher  110  clipped on the lateral reflector rims  136  of the light fixture  130 . As best shown in  FIG. 15 , the central portion  112  of the fluorescent lamp tube catcher  110  extends across the light fixture  130  between the reflector rims  136 , whereby the lamp tube catcher  110  is positioned to catch any fluorescent lamp tube  150  which may become loose. 
     FIGS. 16(   a ) and  16 ( b ) show how a fluorescent lamp tube catcher according to the invention, such as the fluorescent lamp tube catcher  110 , can prevent a loosened fluorescent tube from falling.  FIG. 16(   a ) is an end view of a fluorescent light fixture  130  with the fluorescent lamp tube catcher  110  mounted on the light fixture, and  FIG. 16(   b ) is the same view but with one fluorescent lamp  152  loosened from the light fixture  130  and caught by the lamp catcher  110 . 
     FIGS. 17-21  provide various views of a third embodiment of a fluorescent lamp tube catcher according to the invention, indicated generally at  210 . The light tube catcher  210  includes a central portion  212  between lateral portions  214 . The first lateral portion  214  includes a first mounting portion  215  with a first mounting hook  216  that has a first mounting hook angle  217  that is preferably about 20 degrees. In that regard, the first lateral portion  214  is similar to the lateral portions  114  of the light tube catcher  110 . 
   The second lateral portion  214  of the lamp tube catcher  210  also includes a second mounting portion  220  with a second mounting hook  221  that has a second mounting hook angle  222  that is preferably about 20 degrees. In the lamp tube catcher  210 , the second lateral portion  214  is connected to a retainer offset portion  223  to a retainer portion  224 . The retainer portion  224  can have a retainer proximal portion  225 , a retainer portion bend  226 , and a retainer distal portion  227 . This particular structure is not required, and different structures could be used with different light fixture structures. 
   The light tube catcher  210  is preferably formed by bending a unitary piece of metal wire into the desired shape, as this can be a particularly cost-effective method. However, this is not required and other materials and methods of construction could be used. For example, a molded plastic or other synthetic part could be used, or a part formed of multiple pieces could be used. 
     FIGS. 22-23  show the fluorescent lamp tube catcher  210  positioned for mounting on a light fixture  230 . The light fixture  230  can have a so-called “I-beam” construction, which includes a plurality of fluorescent lamp sockets  232 , one or more reflectors  234 , and wiring (not shown) supported by a frame that includes two lateral frame members  238  at each end of a longitudinal frame member  240 . However, this particular structure is not required and other light fixture structures could be used. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 22-23 , the fluorescent lamp tube catcher  210  is positioned for mounting to the light fixture  230  by aligning the retainer portion  224  above a bolt  246  on the light fixture  230 . Once aligned, the retainer portion  224  can be moved onto the bolt  246 , with the bolt  246  through the retainer portion  224 . Once the retainer portion  224  is on the bolt  246 , a nut  247  can be loosely tightened on the bolt  246  to loosely retain the lamp tube catcher  210  on the bolt  246 . 
   Once the lamp tube catcher  210  is loosely retained on the light fixture  230  in this fashion, the lamp tube catcher  210  can be positioned above the lateral reflector rims  236 . Next, the first mounting portion  215  and first mounting hook  216  can be clipped on the far reflector rim  236  to secure that free end of the lamp tube catcher  210  to the light fixture  230 . Finally, the second mounting portion  220  and second mounting hook  216  can be clipped on the near reflector rim  236  to finish securing the lamp tube catcher  210  to the light fixture  230 . 
   Importantly, this embodiment of a lamp tube catcher  210  can be clipped on and off the light fixture  230  without the use of tools, for example when it is necessary to replace a failed fluorescent lamp, while loosely retaining the lamp tube catcher  210  on the light fixture  230 . Because the lamp tube catcher  210  is loosely retained at only one end, the bolt  246  forms a pivot point so the tube catcher  210  can be rotated well away from the light fixture  230  to provide excellent clearance while replacing a fluorescent lamp. Because the tube catcher  210  is loosely retained on the light fixture  230 , there is no risk that the tube catcher  210  will fall to the ground, or any need to find a place to put the tube catcher  210 , while at the top of a ladder replacing a fluorescent lamp. Because the retainer portion  224  can freely travel along the shaft of the bolt  246  while loosely retained by the nut  247 , the lamp tube catcher  210  has excellent freedom of movement about the pivot point of the bolt  246 . 
     FIG. 24  shows one end of a fluorescent light fixture  230 , with a fluorescent lamp tube catcher  210  clipped on the lateral reflector rims  236  of the light fixture  230  and with the lamp tube catcher  210  loosely retained on the light fixture  230 . As best shown in  FIG. 24 , the central portion  212  of the fluorescent lamp tube catcher  210  extends across the light fixture  230  between the reflector rims  236 , whereby the lamp tube catcher  210  is positioned to catch any fluorescent lamp tube  250  which may become loose. 
     FIGS. 25(   a ) and  25 ( b ) show how a fluorescent lamp tube catcher according to the invention, such as the fluorescent lamp tube catcher  210 , can prevent a loosened fluorescent tube from falling.  FIG. 25(   a ) is an end view of a fluorescent light fixture with the fluorescent lamp tube catcher  210  mounted on the light fixture, and  FIG. 25(   b ) is the same view but with one fluorescent lamp  252  loosened from the light fixture  230  and caught by the lamp catcher  210 . 
   There are various possibilities with regard to alternative embodiments and methods including a fluorescent lamp tube catcher according to the invention. 
   Although the preferred embodiments according to the invention disclosed herein are formed by bending a unitary piece of wire into the desired shape, other constructions could be used. For example, a flat strap of material could be bent into the desired shape and used instead of a wire. Also, it is not required that the device be formed by bending—any suitable process known in the art such as molding, thermoforming, stamping, or extruding could be used. 
   Similarly, although the preferred embodiments disclosed herein include mounting portions that are formed as bent loops that engage bolts on a light fixture or hooks of wire that engage lateral reflector rims, other mounting portion structures could be used. The phrase “at least a portion of a loop” means either an entire loop, a portion of a loop, or a hook. For example, a slot could be formed in a flat strap of material, with the slot positioned to be clipped on a lateral reflector rim or other structure. Alternatively, the mounting portion could be a straight wire or strap end that could be inserted into a hole or slot in a portion of the light fixture. 
   It is not necessary that there be exactly two mounting portions or that the mounting portion or portions be secured to the light fixture at or near the lateral edges of the light fixture. If a retainer portion is provided on the lamp tube catcher, a retainer offset portion is not required. If a retainer offset portion is provided, it can be a unitary part of the lamp tube catcher, or it can be a cord, chain, or cable that connects the retainer portion to the remainder of the lamp tube catcher. 
   It is understood that the invention is not confined to the embodiments set forth herein as illustrative, but embraces all such forms thereof that come within the scope of the following claims.