Compact lamp assembly with tubular portions arranged in V-shaped configuration

A compact low pressure discharge lamp assembly for use in a lighting fixture comprising:

• a base terminating in a fitting defining a central axis of symmetry normal to the base;
• a discharge tube including six elongated tubular portions, said six elongated tubular portions having proximal ends terminating towards the base and opposed distal ends, said six elongated tubular portions beings arranged such that;
• the first of said tubular portions has a cathode end joined to the base and is disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to a second of said tubular portions so as to define a first pair of tubular portions joined towards their distal ends and being angled outwardly relative to the central axis;
• a third of said tubular portions is disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to a fourth of said tubular portions to define a second pair of tubular portions joined towards their distal ends and being angled outwardly relative to the central axis;
• a fifth of said tubular portions is disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to a sixth of said tubular portions to define a third pair of tubular portions joined towards their distal ends and being angled outwardly relative to the central axis, with the sixth of said tubular portions having an anode end joined to the base adjacent the cathode end of the first of said tubular portions;
• said first, second and third pairs of tubular portions being mutually splayed away from one another such that a V-shaped configuration exists;
• between said first pair of tubular portions and said second pair of tubular portions, with the second of said tubular portions being joined to the third of said tubular portions towards the proximal ends thereof;
• between said second pair of tubular portions and said third pair of tubular portions, with the fourth of said tubular portions being joined to the fifth of said tubular portions towards the proximal ends thereof;
• and
• between said third pair of tubular portions and said first pair of said tubular portions;
• and
• a control circuit housing mountable to the base opposite the fitting, the control circuit housing having a wedge-shaped profile for allowing it to next symmetrically between the first, second and third pairs of tubular portions, said discharge lamp assembly having a maximum width dimension determined by the distance between outermost surfaces of the distal ends of the discharge tubes.