Discharge tube supporting structure, supporting member, discharge tube, ferrule, lighting device, display device and television receiver

A discharge tube to be supported by a supporting member provided on a chassis, the discharge tube comprising:

• a glass tube;
• an outer lead axially projecting from an end portion of said glass tube;
• and
• a ferrule that has a substantially cylindrical shape and a conductive portion extending from an end edge of said ferrule toward said outer lead is connected to said outer lead, said ferrule being fitted to at least one end portion of said glass tube;
• wherein
• said ferrule is arranged such that an end edge thereof on an opposite side of said conductive portion is to be engaged with a stopper provided on said supporting member such that axial movement of the glass tube is restricted.

A ferrule having a substantially cylindrical shape and arranged to be fitted to an end portion of a glass tube in order to define a discharge tube that includes an outer lead axially projecting from an end portion of said glass tube and is to be supported by a supporting member provided on a chassis, said ferrule comprising:

• a body having a cylindrical shape and arranged to be fitted to said glass tube;
• and
• a conductive portion that extends from an end edge of said body so as to be connected to an outer lead axially projecting from an end portion of said glass tube, wherein
• an end edge of said body on an opposite side of said conductive portion is to be engaged with a stopper that is provided on said supporting member so as to restrict axial movement of said discharge tube by locking said ferrule.

A lighting device comprising:

• a discharge tube having a glass tube, an outer lead axially projecting from an end portion of said glass tube and a ferrule that has a substantially cylindrical shape and a conductive portion extending from an end edge of said ferrule toward said outer lead is connected to said outer lead, said ferrule is fitted to at least one end portion of said glass tube;
• a chassis having at least one supporting member to support said discharge tube;
• and
• a stopper arranged to lock an end edge of said ferrule on an opposite side of said conductive portion and to restrict axial movement of said discharge tube.