The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 21, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 30, 1997
Murray Lawrence, Kings Park, NY (US);
Aerospace Lighting Corporation, Holbrook, NY (US);
Abstract
A fluorescent lamp connector for releasable axial engagement with a bi-pin fluorescent lamp is disclosed. The connector comprises a first housing section, a second housing section adapted to be connected to at least a portion of the first housing section, a locking spring, and a release member adapted for axial movement within the first housing section. The locking spring comprises a plurality of pin-receiving apertures adapted to axially receive and grip the pins of the fluorescent lamp. A preferred embodiment has a wedge-shaped release member having at least two rails which guide the release member through channels in the first housing section and into the locking spring upon flexing of the second housing section. In operation, the second housing section is pressed radially to drive the release member axially against the locking spring and flex it. The change in the effective diameter or slot of the pin-receiving apertures of the locking spring upon flexing of the spring releases the pins from the locking spring simultaneously to allow the fluorescent lamp to be separated from the connector.