Patent ID: 6946782

Claim:
A connection device for a rod-shaped two-ended discharge lamp ( 12 ), in particular a mercury high pressure lamp or mercury medium pressure lamp, with two lamp bases ( 20 ) provided at the connector ends ( 16 ) of the discharge lamp ( 12 ) and two insert sockets ( 22 ) for receiving the lamp bases ( 20 ) mounted spaced apart from each other in a lamp housing ( 14 ), wherein the lamp bases ( 20 ) respectively exhibit one contact pin ( 26 ) extending in the longitudinal direction ( 24 ) from the connector end ( 16 ) of the lamp, electrically connected with a lamp electrode ( 36 ), as well as an insulating cylinder ( 28 ) completely surrounding the contact pin ( 26 ) on all sides with the exception of a lateral connection opening ( 46 ), and wherein the insert sockets ( 22 ) respectively exhibit a contact element ( 58 ) extending through the connection opening ( 46 ) of the associated lamp base ( 20 ) which is adapted to be brought into releasable engagement with its contact pin ( 26 ), which contact element ( 58 ) is energizable with high voltage via a connection line ( 56 ), as well as an insulation body ( 60 ) for carrying the contact element ( 58 ) and covering the connection opening ( 46 ) when in the connected condition.