Patent ID: 7994722

Claim:
A fluorescent light control for retrofitting into a existing merchandising machine which includes a fluorescent light for illuminating products located in the merchandising machine, a ballast having an input and an output connected to the fluorescent light to supply power to the fluorescent light, the input of the ballast being connected to a source of power through a two-piece first connector having a first male member and a first female member which is adapted to receive and connect with the first male member when the first male member is received in the first female member and power is conducted from the source of power through the two-piece first connector, to the ballast to energize the fluorescent light, said fluorescent light control comprising a controller for controlling the flow of power from the source of power to the ballast to energize and deenergize the fluorescent light and the ballast, a two-piece second connector having a second male member and a second female member, said second male member being connectable to said first female member of said first connector after said first male member is disconnected from said first female member of said first connector and a second female member being connectable to said first male member of said first connector after said first male member is disconnected from said first female member of said first connector, said control being connectable to one of said first male and first female members of said two-piece first connector to direct power from said source of power to said control, said control being connected to the other of said first male and first female members of said two-piece first connector to direct power from said control to the ballast and the fluorescent light, and a detector connected to said controller for sensing the presence of a human in proximity to the merchandising machine and providing a signal to said controller indicative of the presence of a human said controller effecting energization of the ballast and fluorescent lights in response to said detector sensing a human in proximity to the merchandising machine and effecting deenergization of the ballast and fluorescent light in response to said detector not sensing the presence of a human in the vicinity of the merchandising machine.