Compact fluorescent lamp combination, and method of making it

Abstract

In the present apparatus and method, there is first selected a compact fluorescent lamp having a small fluorescent tube and also having a base, there being two contact pins on the base, there also being on such base a starter housing which projects from the base on the side thereof remote from the tube. There is also selected a screw plug having a metal screw portion adapted to screw into a socket for an incandescent lamp bulb, and also having a contact button, the screw portion and contact button being mounted on a hollow insulating body which has a flange at its end remote from the contact button, the flange being recessed and having diametrally opposed boss portions on opposite sides of the body. There is then mounted, on the flange portion, a thin, insulating socket having conductive pin sockets therein adapted to receive the contact pins of the fluorescent lamp. The insulating socket also has an opening adapted to receive the starter housing. The socket is sufficiently thin that the starter housing projects downwardly, far into the body. The insulation socket is so mounted on the flange that, when the fluorescent lamp is assembled with the socket, the pins and pin sockets are disposed laterally of the boss portions instead of being registered therewith. A 'ballast' coil and electrical connectors complete the apparatus, the ballast being caused to be in series-circuit relationship relative to the fluorescent lamp.