The invention provides an advantageous shape of discharge tube and a discharge lamp including such a tube which is particularly beneficial for use in dimensions intended to replace general lighting service lamps but can readily be adapted to other sizes. The discharge tube is shaped to define a substantial part of the boundary of a substantially planar zone. The part of the tube defining the boundary includes at least one straight portion. In one embodiment it defines three sides of a square with the ends of the tube being re-entrant into the fourth side. In a preferred embodiment a support housing central to the zone holds the ends of the tube thereby supporting it. Preferably one or more arms extending from the support housing grip the tube between its ends for further support. The support housing may include some circuit elements and provides electrical connection to the lamp as well as providing a convenient point to handle the lamp.
An adapter (1) for a discharge lamp which comprises a socket portion (3) and a plug portion (5). The socket portion is suitable for receiving electrical contacts of a first discharge lamp which includes a discharge tube disposed substantially in a planar zone having a principal plane. The socket portion has an associated socket contacting plane where the socket contacting plane is defined as the principal plane of the discharge tube of the first discharge lamp when the latter is inserted into the socket portion. The plug portion is insertable into an external female socket which is suitable for receiving a second discharge lamp including a planar tube configuration. The plug portion also has an associated plug contacting plane. This plug contacting plane is defined as the principal plane of the tube configuration of the second discharge lamp when this latter is inserted into the external female socket. The adapter further comprises a connecting portion for connecting the socket portion and the plug portion. The connecting portion provides a substantially rigid connection between the socket portion and the plug portion so that the socket contacting plane substantially coincides with the plug contacting plane.
A light source mounted in a scanner adjacent to a platform thereof, including a lamp tube, the lamp tube having a straight middle section across the width of the scanner area within the platform, and two curved end sections respectively extended from both ends of the straight middle section at a contained angle, permitting light from the curved end sections and light from the straight middle section to overlap.
A mounting base assembly is adapted to mount a specific commercially available fluorescent lamp. The unit is characterized by the design of the ballast housing to fit inside the space defined by the fluorescent lamp internally of the surrounding, somewhat annular fluorescent tube so that the light fixture can be made as compact as possible. The base assembly is also constructed to minimize the possibility of mounting under- or over-wattage fluorescent lamps.
A lamp assembly mount is adapted to receive a specific commercially available fluorescent lamp known as the "2D" lamp, which is commercially produced in several different sizes and commensurate wattage ratings. By taking advantage of certain structure in the design of the 2D lamp that is specific to its wattage rating, the lamp assembly mount will only receive the correct lamp, eliminating the possibility of mounting under-or over-wattage fluorescent lamps of different base configurations.
A method for forming a cold spot region on a discharge tube of a discharge lamp is disclosed. In the method, a discharge tube is formed, and a tubular extension is formed on at least one end of the discharge tube. The tubular extension has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the discharge tube end. The tubular extension is formed so that a free end of the tubular extension extends away from the end of the discharge tube. A reduced thickness portion is formed on the tubular extension. The reduced thickness portion is formed as a membrane.A discharge lamp is also disclosed, which comprises a discharge tube with a tubular extension located at an end of the discharge tube. The tubular extension has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the discharge tube end, and the tubular extension comprises a reduced thickness portion. The reduced thickness portion is a membrane, preferably formed of the material of the tubular extension.
