Fluorescent lamp with globe activated dimmer switch

A compact dimmable fluorescent lamp fixture, generally comparable in size with an incandescent bulb of equivalent light output and having a screw-in socket compatible with the socket of such incandescent lamp so that the fixture can be substituted for an incandescent lamp comprising:

• a generally hollow shell attached to said screw-in socket;
• a ballast circuit connecting to the power line, said ballast circuit including a rotatable dimmer control element enclosed within said shell;
• a fluorescent lamp tube attached to said hollow shell and connected to the output of said ballast circuit;
• a globe substantially covering said fluorescent lamp tube rotatable mounted with respect to said hollow shell for rotation around the longitudinal axis of said globe, said globe being coupled to said rotatable dimmer control element enclosed within said shell;
• and
• a globe support member rotatably mounted with respect to said hollow shell, said member being coupled to said rotatable dimmer control element and to said shell, wherein said globe support member comprises a rod which is coupled at one end to said rotatable dimmer control element and at the other end to substantially the apex of the inner wall of said globe.