Patent Publication Number: US-2006012981-A1

Title: Fluorescent lighting fixtures

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to fluorescent lighting fixtures, and more particularly, to fluorescent lighting fixtures, which are aligned in series at regular intervals, which are more easily connected to one another, and which prevent discontinuation of illumination occurring between fluorescent lamps.  
      In addition, the present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp socket having an improved socket structure, which allows for an easy mounting of the fluorescent lamp, and which can restrict rotation of the fluorescent lamp after the mounting to prevent separation of the fluorescent lamp from the socket, thereby preventing an unexpected accident and reducing damage of the fluorescent lamp.  
      2. Background of the Related Art  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , a fluorescent lamp  20 , which has been used till now, has terminal pins  21  mounted at both ends thereof, and the fluorescent lamp  20  is mounted to a fluorescent lighting fixture  1  to provide illumination.  
      Recently, the fluorescent lamp  20  has an ornamental effect for providing a visual effect by being mounted in a display room or a show room of a shop as well as an effect for simply emitting light. Therefore, compact and slim fluorescent lamps  20  of the smallest sectional area have been widely used in order to occupy the smallest area.  
      Furthermore, the plural slim fluorescent lamps  20  are connected with one another in series and used.  
      The structure and the connected form of the slim fluorescent lamps  20  will not be described in the present invention because they are described in detail in Korean Patent No. 221195 (entitled “fluorescent lamp”), which was filed by the same applicant of the present invention.  
      Moreover, recently, such fluorescent lamps  20 , each of which has a small diameter, are used for indirect illumination or ornamental illumination as well as the direct illumination.  
      Such a fluorescent lamp  20  requires a body  2  of a fluorescent lighting fixture, which has sockets  10  mounted at both ends thereof for assembling the fluorescent lamp  20 , and the body  2  includes a circuit board or other necessary parts and a stabilizer (not shown) for lighting the fluorescent lamp  20 .  
      The fluorescent lamp  20  is assembled to the body  2  in such a way that the terminal pins  21  of the fluorescent lamp  20  are simply inserted into the sockets  10 .  
      However, in the case where the plurality of the fluorescent lighting fixtures  1  are used according to the use purpose, in a process of connecting and mounting the fluorescent lighting fixtures  1  in series, there are formed regular intervals between the neighboring fluorescent lamps  20  due to the sockets  10  for fixing the terminal pins  21  of the fluorescent lamps  20 .  
      As described above, when the fluorescent lighting fixtures  1  are connected with one another in series, there are formed the regular intervals between the fluorescent lamps  20 , and it causes discontinuation of illumination, and hence, the conventional fluorescent lighting fixtures cannot provide the perfect illumination effect.  
      Meanwhile, to solve the above problem, there has been used an easy method of aligning the fluorescent lighting fixtures  1  in a little zigzag by overlapping the connected portions. But, in this case, the conventional method has a problem in that illumination is distorted since the fluorescent lamps  20  are not aligned in a line.  
      Furthermore, the socket  10  includes a socket body  11  fixed to the body  2  of the fluorescent lighting fixture  1 , an insertion hole  12  formed at a side of the socket body  11 , and a receiving slit  13  formed at the lower end of the insertion hole  12  for allowing the terminal pin  21  of the fluorescent lamp  20  to be inserted into the insertion hole  12 .  
      The socket body  11  includes a pair of contact terminals  14  mounted therein at a fixed interval for electrically connecting the socket  10  with the stabilizer (not shown) so as to supply power source to the fluorescent lamp  20 , and the contact terminals  14  have elasticity.  
      The contact terminal  14  has a receiving slot  14   a  for receiving the terminal pin  21  of the fluorescent lamp  20 .  
      Therefore, the fluorescent lamp  20  is assembled between the sockets  10  coupled to both ends of the body  2  of the fluorescent lighting fixture. At this time, after the terminal pins  21  of the fluorescent lamp  20  are inserted into the insertion holes  12  through the receiving slits  13  of the socket bodies  11 , the fluorescent lamp  20  is rotated at an angle of about 90? and fixed to the sockets  10 .  
      That is, when the fluorescent lamp  20  is rotated at the angle of 90?, the terminal pins  21  spread the contact terminals  14  to both sides, and at the same time, the terminal pins  21  are inserted into the receiving slots  14   a  of the contact terminals  14 , so that the fluorescent lamp  20  is completely assembled.  
      However, because the bottom end of the socket body  11  is always opened by the receiving slit  13 , if the fluorescent lamp  20  is assembled errorneously or elasticity of the contact terminal  14  is deteriorated due to a long-term use, the terminal pins  21  of the fluorescent lamp  20  may be separated from the socket  10  through the receiving slit  13 .  
      Moreover, when the fluorescent lamp  20  is separated from the socket  10 , it may cause an unexpected accident as well as damage of the fluorescent lamp  20 .  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention is to provide fluorescent lighting fixtures, which can be aligned regularly and in series, and prevent any intervals from being formed between fluorescent lamps, thereby providing beautiful outward appearance, increasing the illumination effect, and improving an connection structure more firmly.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide fluorescent lighting fixtures, which can provide easy assembly and disassembly of the fluorescent lamps and maintain a stably fixed condition of the fluorescent lamps after the assembly, thereby preventing an unexpected accident and reducing damage of the fluorescent lamps by preventing separation of the fluorescent lamps.  
      To achieve the above objects, according to the present invention, there is provided a fluorescent lighting fixture including: a fluorescent lamp having a tube type lamp body, auxiliary tubes mounted at the tops of both ends of the lamp body, and terminal pins formed at an end of each auxiliary tube inwardly; a body having a stabilizer mounted therein for lighting the fluorescent lamp, connection terminals located at both ends thereof at a predetermined interval and electrically connected with the stabilizer; and sockets mounted at both ends of the body, each of the sockets having a support slit formed in the outer surface thereof for fixing and supporting the terminal pins of the fluorescent lamp, and a receiving slit for allowing the terminal pins to be inserted into the support slit.  
      In another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a fluorescent lamp socket including: a main body; first bodies connected with a stabilizer by electric wires;, second bodies fixed to both ends of the main body in a state where each second body contains each first body therein, the second body having a support slit formed at a side thereof for fixing and supporting the terminal pins of a fluorescent lamp, and a receiving slit inclinedly formed at a side of the support slit for allowing the terminal pins of the fluorescent lamp to be inserted into the support slit; and contact means mounted in a mounting hole formed in the first body in a state where the contact means is connected with the electric wires, and elastically connected with the terminal pins.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional fluorescent lighting fixture;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a fluorescent lighting fixture according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the fluorescent lighting fixture according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a modification of a connector according to the present invention;  
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective views of modifications of a fluorescent lamp according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a modification of a socket of the fluorescent lighting fixture according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view showing an exploded state of the socket of  FIG. 7 ;  
       FIGS. 9   a  to  9   c  are assembly diagrams showing a state where the fluorescent lamp is assembled to the socket of  FIG. 7 ; and  
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another modification of the socket, showing a state where the socket is mounted to the fluorescent lighting fixture in such a way that a support slit and a receiving slit are directed inwardly. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a fluorescent lighting fixture according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the fluorescent lighting fixture according to the present invention,  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a modification of a connector according to the present invention, and  FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective views of modifications of a fluorescent lamp according to the present invention.  
      As shown in the drawings, the fluorescent lighting fixture  100  according to the present invention includes a fluorescent lamp  110 , a body  120  bent in a predetermined shape and serving as a reflection plate, and sockets  130  connected and fixed at both ends of the body  120  for supplying power source to the fluorescent lamp  110 .  
      First, the fluorescent lamp  110  includes a tube type lamp body  111 , auxiliary tubes  112  mounted at the tops of both ends of the lamp body  111 , and terminal pins  113  formed at an end of each auxiliary tube  112  inwardly.  
      The detailed description of the fluorescent lamp  110  will be omitted as the fluorescent lamp  110  is disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2003-0085196 (filed on Nov. 27, 2003, and entitled “fluorescent lamp”), which was filed by the same applicant of the present invention.  
      That is, the plurality of the fluorescent lamps  110  can be closely aligned with no intervals between the fluorescent lamps  110  even though the fluorescent lighting fixtures  100  are aligned in series.  
      Meanwhile, a reinforcing bracket  115  is mounted between the lamp body  111  and the auxiliary tube  112  in order to maintain an interval between the lamp body  111  and the auxiliary tube  112  and to prevent damage of the auxiliary tube  112  by supporting the auxiliary tube  112 .  
      Next, the body  120  of the fluorescent lighting fixture includes a reflection plate  121 , and a cover  122  for covering the opened upper end portion of the reflection plate  121 . A typical stabilizer  101  is mounted inside the body  120  for lighting the fluorescent lamp  110  by receiving the external power source.  
      In addition, the body  120  further includes connection terminals  125  mounted at both ends thereof and separated from each other at a predetermined interval so as to be electrically connected with the stabilizer  101  by an electric wire  102 .  
      The socket  130  includes a contact terminal (not shown) mounted therein and connected with the stabilizer  101  by the electric wire  102 , a support slit  131  formed in the outer surface thereof for fixing and supporting the terminal pins  113  of the fluorescent lamp  110 , and a receiving slit  132  inclinedly formed at a side of the support slit  131  for allowing the terminal pins  113  to be inserted into the support slit  131 .  
      Here, it is preferable that the support slit  131  is formed vertically, and the receiving slit  132  communicates with the support slit  131  and inclined downwardly at a predetermined angle.  
      Furthermore, it is preferable that the receiving slit  132  is formed from the bottom of the support slit  131  to a predetermined height, and has a recess portion  133  formed between the receiving slit  132  and the lower end of the support slit  131 .  
      That is, after the terminal pins  113  of the fluorescent lamp  110  are assembled to the support slits  131  of the sockets  130 , rotation of the fluorescent lamp  110  is prevented by the recess portions  133  of the sockets  130 , so that the fluorescent lamp  110  cannot be easily separated from the sockets  130  to prevent an unexpected accident and damage of the fluorescent lamp  110 .  
      The contact terminal is not shown in the drawings, but includes the upper terminal and the lower terminal. When the terminal pins  113  of the fluorescent lamp  110  are inserted and seated into the support slits  131  of the sockets  130 , the contact terminals are resiliently connected with the terminal pins  113  and supply power source from the stabilizer  101  to the fluorescent lamp  110 .  
      Various connectors  140 ,  150  and  160  can be coupled with the connection terminals  125  of the fluorescent lighting fixture  100  so as to receive the external power source or to continuously connect the plural fluorescent lighting fixtures  100 .  
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show the connectors  140 ,  150  and  160 , and they will be described in detail as follows.  
      First, the connector  140  for supplying the external power source to the stabilizer  101  of the fluorescent lighting fixture  100  includes a connector body  141 , a coupling terminal  142  protruding downwardly from an end of the body  141  to be coupled with the connection terminal  125 , and a power cord  143  of a predetermined length mounted at the other end of the body  141 .  
      In the case where the plurality of the fluorescent lighting fixtures  100  are continuously connected one another, the connector  150  for supplying power source by connecting neighboring connection terminals  125  with each other is used. The connector  150  includes a connector body  151  of a predetermined length, and coupling terminals  152  protruding downwardly from both ends of the body  151 .  
      Moreover,  FIG. 4  shows the connector  160 , which is used for continuously connecting the fluorescent lighting fixtures  100  but formed differently from the connector  150 . The connector  160  includes a pair of separate bodies  161  for connecting the neighboring connection terminals  125  with each other and supplying power source, coupling terminals  162  respectively protruding from ends of the bodies  161  in the downward direction, and an electric wire  163  of a predetermined length for connecting the other ends of the bodies to each other.  
      Meanwhile, since the connection terminals  125  are mounted on the inner bottoms of the sockets  130  mounted at both ends of the body  120  without exposure to the outside and the body  120  can be disassembled vertically from the connector, the body  120  of the fluorescent lighting fixture can be easily assembled and disassembled.  
      That is, the body  120  can be easily replaced in such a way that the connection terminals  125  are simply coupled with the coupling terminals  142 ,  152  or  162  of the connectors  140 ,  150  or  160  in the vertical direction fixed on the ceiling.  
      In order to combine the connection terminals  125  of the body  120  with the connector  140 ,  150  or  160  without separation, combining means  170  is provided.  
      The combining means  170  includes support jaws  135  protruding outwardly from a side of the socket  130 , and combining parts  171  slidably coupled with the connector body  141 ,  151  or  161  of the connector  140 ,  150  or  160  and respectively having locking jaws  172 . The locking jaw  172  is formed at a side of the combining part  171  and matched with the support jaw  135 .  
      The connector body  141 ,  151  or  161  of the connector  140 ,  150  or  160  further includes a fixing hole  145 ,  155  or  165  for fixing the fluorescent lighting fixture  100  on the ceiling.  
      Meanwhile, besides the connector  140 ,  150  or  160 , an electric wire can be connected between the bodies  120  of the fluorescent lighting fixtures for supplying power source. At this time, each of the sockets  130  mounted at both ends of the body  120  has a path (not shown) for the connection of the electric wire.  
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective views showing a modification of the fluorescent lamp  110  according to the present invention. As shown in the drawings, the lamp body  111  is bent at both ends in such a way that the terminal pins  113  are directed inwardly. At this time, it is preferable that the lamp body  111  and the auxiliary tube  112  are arranged horizontally.  
      The fluorescent lamp  110  is shown as an example, and can be modified in various forms.  
      Hereinafter, the function of the fluorescent lighting fixture  110  according to the present invention will be described.  
      First, the fluorescent lamp  110  is simply assembled with the sockets  130  by locating the terminal pins  113  inside the support slits  131  of the sockets  130  after inserting the terminal pins  113  of the fluorescent lamp  110  along the inclined receiving slits  132  of the sockets  130 .  
      That is, when the terminal pins  113  of the fluorescent lamp  110  are inserted into the support slit  131  along the receiving slit  132 , the stabilizer  101  and the fluorescent lamp  110  are electrically connected with each other while the terminal pins  113  are in elastic contact with the contact terminals of the sockets  130 , so that the fluorescent lamp  110  can receive power source from the stabilizer  101 .  
      Moreover, the terminal pins  113  of the fluorescent lamp  110  are stably seated on the bottoms of the support slits  131 , and then, rotation of the terminal pins  113  is prevented by the recess portions  133  of the sockets  130 .  
      In order to disassemble the fluorescent lamp  110  from the sockets  130 , after the fluorescent lamp  110  is lifted upwardly in such a way that the terminal pins  113  are located on the upper portion of the inside of the support slits  131 , the fluorescent lamp  110  is rotated at a predetermined angle, and the terminal pins  113  are drawn out through the receiving slits  132 , so that the fluorescent lamp  110  can be easily disassembled from the sockets  130 .  
      Furthermore, in order to continuously connect the fluorescent lighting fixtures  100  in series, the connection terminals  125  formed at both ends of the body  120  of each fluorescent lighting fixture  100  are simply connected to the connector  140 ,  150  or  160 . After the connection, the combining members  171  are slid toward the sockets  130  so as to match the locking jaws  172  of the combining members  171  with the support jaws  135  of the sockets  130 . As a result, the body  120  of the fluorescent lighting fixture is firmly fixed to the connector  140 ,  150  or  160 , and thereby, the fluorescent lighting fixtures  100  connected in series are connected and fixed more firmly.  
      Referring to the drawings, the socket used in the fluorescent lighting fixture of the present invention or used in the conventional fluorescent lighting fixture will be described in detail.  
      First, as shown in  FIG. 7 , a fluorescent lighting fixture  200 , which is a basic form of the present invention, includes a body  210  bent in a predetermined form and serving as a reflection plate, sockets  220  fixed to both ends of the body  210  for supplying power source, and a fluorescent lamp  201  having both ends fixed to the sockets  220  and lighted by receiving power source from the sockets  220 .  
      Here, the body  210  of the fluorescent lighting fixture  200  includes a reflection plate  211 , a cover  212  for covering the opened top of the reflection plate  211 , and a stabilizer  205  mounted therein for receiving the external power source.  
      Moreover, the fluorescent lamp  201  has a pair of terminal pins  202  mounted at each side thereof for receiving power source through the sockets  220 .  
      In the fluorescent lighting fixture  200 , the socket  220  includes: a main body  210 ; first bodies  230  connected with a stabilizer  205  by electric wires  206 ; second bodies  250  fixed to both ends of the main body  210  in a state where each second body  250  contains each first body  230  therein; and contact means  240  mounted in a mounting hole  231  formed in the first body  230  in a state where the contact means  240  is connected with the electric wires  206 , and elastically connected with the terminal pins  202 .  
      The second body  250  includes a support slit  251  formed at a side thereof for fixing and supporting the terminal pins  202  of the fluorescent lamp  201 , and a receiving slit  252  inclinedly formed at a side of the support slit  251  for allowing the terminal pins  202  of the fluorescent lamp  201  to be inserted into the support slit  251 .  
      Here, it is preferable that the support slit  251  is formed vertically, and the receiving slit  252  communicates with the support slit  251  and is inclined downwardly at a predetermined angle.  
      Moreover, the receiving slit  252  is formed from the bottom of the support slit  251  to a predetermined height, and a recess portion  253  is formed between the receiving slit  252  and the lower end of the support slit  251 .  
      That is, after the terminal pins  202  of the fluorescent lamp  201  are inserted and seated into the support slit  251 , rotation of the fluorescent lamp  201  is prevented by the recess portion  253 .  
      In addition, the second body  250  has a coupling hole  254  formed in the other side thereof for receiving the first body  230 .  
      Meanwhile, it is preferable that the maximum length of the support slit  251  is larger than a distance between the pairs of the terminal pins  202 .  
      The contact means  240  includes a lower terminal  245  fixed to the lower end of the mounting hole  231 , and an upper terminal  241  separated from the lower terminal  245  at a predetermined interval and vertically moving by means of an elastic member  247  mounted on the upper end of the mounting hole  231 .  
      Here, the lower and upper terminals  245  and  241  are electrically connected with the electric wires  206  connected with the stabilizer  205 . At this time, the upper terminal  241  is bent in a predetermined form in such a way to electrically the elastic member  247  with one of the electric wires  206 , and electrically connected with the stabilizer  205  by means of a connection plate  248  fixed to the first body  230 .  
      Furthermore, the mounting hole  231  has support jaws  233  formed at both sides thereof, and the upper terminal  241  has locking jaws  243  formed at both ends thereof to be caught by the support jaws  233  and to maintain the predetermined interval from the lower terminal  245 .  
      The lower terminal  245  and the upper terminal  241  respectively have receiving recesses  246  and  242  formed on the corresponding surfaces thereof for receiving the terminal pins  202  of the fluorescent lamp  201 .  
      Furthermore, the first body  230  has a receiving slit  232  formed at the corresponding position of the receiving slit  252  of the second body  250  for receiving the terminal pins  202  of the fluorescent lamp  201  between the lower terminal  245  and the upper terminal  241  mounted in the mounting hole  231 .  
      It is preferable that the support slit  251  and the receiving slit  252  are directed outwardly, when the second bodies  250  containing the first bodies  230  are coupled with the both ends of the main body  210 .  
      Meanwhile, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the structure of the socket  220  can be modified in such a way that the support, slit  251  and the receiving slit  252  are directed inwardly, and in this case, a typical fluorescent lamp  201 a can be assembled to the socket  220 .  
      As described above, because the support slit  251  and the receiving slit  252  of the second body  250  can be directed inwardly or outwardly according to the direction of the terminal pins  202  of the fluorescent lamp  201 , fluorescent lamps  201  and  201   a  of various forms can be assembled.  
      Meanwhile, it is preferable that the elastic member  247  is a spring.  
      Hereinafter, the function of the socket according to the present invention will be described.  
      First, the contact means  240  is mounted in the mounting hole  231  of the first body  230 , and at this time, the contact means  240  is electrically connected with the stabilizer  205  by the electric wires  206 . The first body  230  in which the contact means  240  is mounted is inserted and contained in the coupling hole  254  of the second body  250 .  
      At this time, the receiving slit  232  of the first body  230  and the receiving slit  252  of the second body  250  are in correspondence with each other, and the terminal pins  202  of the fluorescent lamp  201  are inserted into the support slit  251 .  
      After the first body  230  is contained in the second body  250 , the socket  220  is completely assembled by coupling the second bodies  250  to both ends of the main body  210 .  
      After that, the fluorescent lamp  201  is assembled to the socket  220 . The terminal pins  202  of the fluorescent lamp  201  are pushed along the inclined receiving slit  252  of the second body  250 , and the terminal pins  202  are located inside the support slit  251 , so that the fluorescent lamp  201  is completely assembled.  
      That is, when the terminal pins  202  of the fluorescent lamp  201  are inserted into the support slit  251  along the receiving slit  252 , the terminal pins  202  are in contact with the upper terminal  241 , and at the same time, inserted into the support slit  251  while moving the upper terminal  241  upwardly to a predetermined distance. As described above, when the terminal pins  202  are inserted into the support slit  251 , the terminal pins  202  are in close contact with the lower end of the support slit  251  while the upper terminal  241  is lowered by elastically restoring force of the elastic member  247 . At this time, the terminal pins  202  are in contact with the upper terminal  241  and the lower terminal  245 .  
      Moreover, the upper terminal  241  continuously presses the terminal pins  202  in the downward direction by the elastic force, and thereby, the terminal pins  202  of the fluorescent lamp  201  can be safely seated on the lower end of the support slit  251 . After that, the rotation of the terminal pins  202  is prevented by the recess portion  253 .  
      To disassemble the fluorescent lamp  201  from the socket  220 , when the fluorescent lamp  201  is lifted upwardly, the terminal pins  202  move the upper terminal  241  in the upward direction to a predetermined distance, and at this time, the terminal pins  202  are separated from the lower end of the support slit  251 . After the terminal pins  202  are separated from the lower end of the support slit  251 , when a user rotates the fluorescent lamp  201  at a predetermined angle and draws out the terminal pins  202  through the receiving slit  252 , the fluorescent lamp  201  can be easily disassembled from the socket  220 .  
      As described above, the socket according to the present invention can be applied to fluorescent lighting fixtures of all kinds using fluorescent lamps.  
      As described above, the present invention can prevent discontinuation of illumination of connected portions even though the fluorescent lighting fixtures are aligned in series, thereby providing beautiful outward appearance and improved illumination effect.  
      Furthermore, the present invention provides excellent durability, because the fluorescent lighting fixtures are simply connected one another by means of the connector and firmly connected one another by means of the combining means.  
      Moreover, according to the improved socket structure, the fluorescent lamp can be easily assembled and disassembled.  
      In addition, because the fluorescent lamp is not rotated and not easily separated from the socket, the present invention can prevent an unexpected accident and damage of the fluorescent lamp due to drop of the fluorescent lamp.  
      While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.