Patent ID: RE40022

Claim:
A germicidal lamp for harsh environments adapted to be mounted on a wall, the wall having an insertion opening, the germicidal lamp comprising: a low pressure germicidal tube which when energized emits UVC without substantial ozone and can withstand skin-effect cooling, the tube including an envelope and a stem, and a fixture comprising a cover, a base and a tube holder, wherein the base has an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface of the base seals against the wall to thereby prevent splashing water, hose-directed water, ice formations, wind, dirt, rain and environmental corrosion to pass there through, the cover is at least partially detachable from the base so that the cover can be moved from a first position wherein the cover covers the upper surface to a second position wherein the cover is at least partially separated from the base to at least partially expose the upper surface of the base, the cover and the upper surface of the base define an interior space within the fixture, the cover seals tightly to the base to thereby prevent splashing water, hose-directed water, ice formations, wind, rain and environmental corrosion from entering the interior space of the fixture, the base includes an opening through which the envelope of the tube is passed for installation of the tube in the fixture and removal of the tube from the fixture, installation of the tube causes a flange on the tube stem to sealingly engage the base which seals the opening in the base of the fixture from air flow into the fixture, the tube-holder, including an engaging surface adapted to engage and secure the stem of the tube, after the envelope has been inserted through the opening in the base of the fixture, the cover and the base include exterior surfaces which are resistant to splashing water, hose-directed water, ice formations, wind, rain and environmental corrosion.