US 6,206,545 B1 · Enhanced safety retrofit and manufacturing system for luminaria

Abstract

An enhanced safety system for the conversion of luminaria that uses halogen lighting technology to a safe and efficient fluorescent lighting system. Quartz halogen bulbs operate at elevated temperatures and pressures. Fires have been known to have been started when a lighting fixture is accidentally toppled where some combustible material is in close proximity. This novel retrofit system provides for the safe and efficient operation of torchiere uplighted lighting systems. By retrofitting a lighting fixture to a fluorescent lamp using this adapter, there is an immediate benefit in reduced operating cost. For the equivalent light output, there can be a cost savings reduction by a factor of six or seven to one. In addition, the retrofit components can be used in the fabrication and assembly of newly designed and manufactured torchiere uplighted lighting systems.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A light adapter apparatus to replace a halogen lamp in an uplighting reflector bracket of a torchiere fixture with fluorescent lighting, comprising:

a ballast assembly including a plurality of ballasts, each having a housing wherein each successive housing of the plurality is positioned above and supported by a prior housing of the plurality with a fluorescent lamp respective to each ballast clamped near the housing by a removable lamp retainer including a downward batwing retainer for suspending the fluorescent lamps below a radial height of a circumferential rim of the torchiere, an initial, lowest ballast housing of the assembly removably interconnected to the bracket by an adapter base secured on the bracket, and each ballast wired to a torchiere power-cord through a switch providing levels of illumination for substitution of fluorescent lighting having a light intensity of the halogen lamp replaced in the torchiere fixture that is safer, more durable and economical in manufacture and use.

A retrofit safety system for installation in a torchiere floor lamp of the type that includes an uplight reflector attached to a support column, the reflector having a pair of halogen lamp sockets that are fixed on a reflector mounting bracket for engaging a halogen lamp powered from a lamp power cord, the retrofit system effective for conversion and dedication of a torchiere lamp that uses a halogen quartz bulb, to a safe operating fluorescent lamp, comprising:

an adapter base, having outward projecting tabs, removably connected to the bracket;
an adapter assembly including a pair of ballast housings each housing holding a ballast and having upper and lower portions, wherein the initial, lower housing of the pair includes a pair of holes near the lower portion that form an interlocking aperture to receive corresponding tabs of the adapter base, and having an associated inner circular fluorescent lamp;
the second, upper ballast housing of the pair communicating with an outer circular fluorescent lamp;
and, wherein a 3-way switch provides three levels of illumination, the first being illumination of the inner fluorescent, the second being illumination of the outer fluorescent and the third level being both lamps simultaneously illuminated;
wherein each ballast housing includes a retaining bar removably secured on and radiating from the housing;
wherein the retaining bar projection includes first and second terminal ends each end having an upward oriented U-shaped configuration;
wherein the U-shaped terminal ends comprises a flexible bulb snap retainer for retention of a circular fluorescent lamp mounted in the snap retainer by finger pressure.

4 more elements

A method for installing a fluorescent light adapter apparatus in substitution for a halogen lamp in an uplighting reflector bracket of a torchiere fixture, for converting the torchiere to a safe operating fluorescent lighting system, comprising the steps of:

removing the halogen lamp;
providing a fluorescent light adapter apparatus having a ballast assembly including a 3-way switch forward of a pair of ballasts, each having a housing and a respective fluorescent lamp clamped near the housing by a removable lamp retainer, and an adapter base with base tabs and interlocking tabs;
mounting the apparatus on the bracket and,
adding ballasts in the ballast assembly and fluorescent lamps for additional safe lighting as required.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Enhanced safety retrofit and manufacturing system for luminaria

Life of this patent

Enhanced safety retrofit and manufacturing system for luminaria

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22