Fluorescent task lamp with optimized bulb alignment and ballast

A fluorescent task lamp, comprising:

• a housing assembly, comprising:
• a housing configured as a hollow tubular handle, having a recess within an open first end of the housing for supporting a lens body and having first and second receptacles disposed within the first end of the housing for supporting first and second CFL bulbs;
• a generally tubular lens body molded of a substantially clear plastic material, seated in the recess within the open first end of the housing and enclosing the first and second CFL bulbs;
• an elongated tubular spine member extending from a rearward side of the open first end of the housing and inclined by a predetermined inclination angle forward of a longitudinal axis of the housing and configured for slidingly supporting the lens body along at least one rail formed along a rearward portion of the lens body or along the elongated tubular spine;
• and
• a bulkhead formed of a resilient material having a relatively soft durometer and disposed within a distal portion of the lens body and configured for supporting and cushioning a distal end of each first and second CFL bulb;
• and
• an electronic ballast circuit within the housing, comprising:
• a power supply providing an output;
• a self starting electronic driver circuit coupled to the output of the power supply and operable to start and run at least first and second CFL bulbs each having first and second terminals, wherein the output of the driver circuit is coupled respectively to a first terminal of the first and second CFL bulbs;
• and
• a bulb accommodation circuit in the electronic driver circuit that enables operation of the electronic ballast circuit with either starter type or non-starter type and regardless whether one or both CFL bulbs are connected to the driver circuit;
• and
• an illumination assembly, wherein
• the first and second CFL bulbs are configured as standard twin tube CFL bulbs and oriented by the first and second receptacles in a side by side position at a predetermined forward angle with respect to each other such that an enhanced forward emission field is provided.

A fluorescent task lamp, comprising:

• a housing having an open first end for supporting a lens body and first and second CFL bulb receptacles wherein the housing includes a strain relief for an AC power cord that is disposed at a second end of the housing opposite the first open end which strain relief pivots between an orientation approximately normal to a centerline of the housing and approximately parallel to the centerline of the housing;
• a tubular lens body, seated in a recess within the open first end of the housing and enclosing first and second CFL bulbs installed in the first and second receptacles;
• an elongated tubular spine member extending from the open first end of the housing and configured for slidingly supporting the lens body along the elongated tubular spine;
• and
• a resilient bulkhead disposed within a distal portion of the lens body and configured for supporting and cushioning a distal end of each first and second CFL bulb;
• a self starting electronic ballast circuit within the housing operable to start and run at least first and second CFL bulbs;
• and
• a bulb accommodation circuit in the electronic driver circuit that enables operation of the electronic ballast circuit with either starter type or non-starter type and regardless whether one or both CFL bulbs are connected to the driver circuit;
• wherein
• the first and second CFL bulbs are oriented by the first and second receptacles in a side by side position at a predetermined forward angle with respect to each other such that an enhanced forward emission field is provided.