CA1058690A - Fluorescent lamp insert with conductive rod support - Google Patents

Abstract

In re application of Robert R. Abernethy For "FLUORESCENT LAMP INSERT WITH CONDUCTIVE ROD SUPPORT"

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A non-light emitting insert for a fluorescent lighting fixture is used in place of a fluorescent lamp to complete a plural lamp ballast circuit so that the ballast is effective to illuminate properly any remaining fluorescent lamp coupled therein. The insert appears externally as a conventional fluorescent lamp including end electrical terminations that fit in the sockets of a fluorescent lighting fixture, and to an extent the insert duplicates the electrical effect of a lamp in a two lamp ballast cir-cuit. Using the insert a reduction in the light output and a substantially corresponding reduction in consumed electrical power are achieved for a plural lamp fluorescent lighting fixture arrangement while at the same time the components of the ballast circuit are operated at reason-ably normal electrical and temperature levels. Moreover, an electrically conductive rod extending between the ends of the tubular portion of the insert may be employed both to support the insert at least partially relieving the tubular portion of that function and to effect the sub-stantial completion of the ballast circuit.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a non-light emitting insert for fluorescent lighting fixtures, and more particularly is directed to such an insert used in place of a removed fluorescent lamp from a plural lamp fluorescent lighting apparatus to effect electrical com-pletion of the plural-lamp ballast-type electrical circuit.
With the increased importance being placed on energy conservation, steps have been taken to reduce the lighting levels in many commercial and industrial build-ings so as to effect a reduction in the electric power consumed for lighting purposes. Illumination and power levels can be reduced in an incandescent fixture simply by removing alternate incandescent lamps, or by replacing them with lamps of reduced wattage.
On the other hand, for energizing the fluorescent lamps of fluorescent lighting fixtures or other electric discharge lamps in respective lighting fixtures, one or more ballast circuits are necessary to create the re-quired high starting voltages and to limit current after the arc is struck. Moreover, removal of one of the plural lamps from a plural lamp ballast circuit usually will have a detrimental effect on operation of any re-maining fluorescent lamps, the operation of the ballast-type electric circuit, or the longevity of any remaining fluorescent lamps and/or the components of the ballast circuit. For example, the remaining lamp may only glow and will not start or the ballast may heat to an unde-sirably high temperature and/or may over drive the re-maining lamp. One reason for such usually encountered detrimental effect is the normally required electrical balance for proper operation of a ballast circuit, which may include transformers, chokes, capacitors, or other electrical components, and such circuits will not operate properly if the electrical balance thereof is radically distorted.
To avoid the above-mentioned and other detrimental effects, one practice that has been followed to reduce light levels and consumed power in commercial and indus-trial buildings using fluorescent lighting has been com-pletely to extinguish the fixture or at least all the lamps in a respective ballast circuit thereof by removal of those lamps or to deenergize the fixture by rewiring alternate fluorescent lighting fixtures located, for ex-ample, along a corridor, in a work area, and so on. One problem experienced when alternate lighting fixtures are extinguished or deenergized is the large unbalanced light-ing effect, whereby areas located rather proximate to energized fixtures will be relatively bright but those areas located between energized fixtures and especially located proximate an extinguished fixture will be quite dark. Another drawback to extinguishing alternate fixtures is that the ballast circuit may still draw electric power even though the fluorescent lamps may have been removed from that circuit, therefore unnecessarily wasting electric power, and any rewiring to avoid this waste would be very expensive.

~058690 Several types of fluorescent lighting fixtures most commonly used today are the instant start type and rapid start type, and each usually includes a two lamp series sequence ballast circuit. The two lamps operated by one ballast may be in a single plural lamp fixture or in plural single lamp strip lights, for example. An instant start lamp has two single pin electrical termina- !
tions or bases and a rapid start lamp has a pair of pins coupled across a cathode heater at each of its bases.
Various types of high output fluorescent lamps have special recessed double contact bases or terminations. The electrical properties of a fluorescent lamp are such that it exhibits a high resistance or impedance at starting and a much lower resistance or impedance after the arc is struck and current flows through the lamp, and the ener-gizing ballast circuits are designed with respect to those propertie~. A principal difference between a conventional two lamp instant start ballast circuit and a two lamp rapid start ballast circuit is that the former does not provide for cathode heating after`the arc is st Nck but the latter includes circuitry for continuous heating of the lamp cathodes.
SUMMARY OF ~IE INVENTION
The fluorescent light simulator or insert of the present invention completes or at least substantially completes the ballast circuit of a fluorescent lighting fixture from which one of the normally two, for example, fluorescent lamps operated in that ballast circuit has ~ been removed. ~he insert, to an extent, duplicates th`e electrical characteristics of the removed lamp in the ballast connection so that the ballast circuit will operate under approximately normal conditions to effect approxi-mately normal operation of the remaining lamp. Using the present invention a fluorescent lamp can be removed from a fixture for downward adjustment of the lighting level with a substantially proportional saving of electric power.
Such downward adjustment of the lighting level is possible without damage to existing fluorescent lighting system ballasts and, particularly, permits one lamp in a standard two lamp fluorescent circuit to remain energized to pro-duce a full light output.
Moreover, the insert may employ an electrically conductive, relatively rigid rod within the tubular body of the insert to provide the main supportive capacity of the latter while reducing mechanical stress on the body and to provide the ballast circuit completing function of the insert. The rod may be coupled to the body by resilient members to form a structure having external characteristics similar to those of the fluorescent lamp being replaced. This construction may be more expeditious and less expensive than manufacture employing typical bases of a fluorescent tube.
According to the invention, there is provided for use in a lighting apparatus including a ballast circuit normally operable to effect energization of plural electric discharge lamps, the improvement comprising a lamp simu-lator for substantially completing the ballast circuit when one of the lamps has been removed therefrom thereby to enable the ballast circuit effectively to energize at least one remaining lamp in circuit connection therewith, the lamp ~ _4_ simulator including an elongate body, respective end termi-nations, and electrical means for connecting the end termi-nations. Moreover, the electrical means for connecting the end terminations may include a relatively rigid, electri-cally conductive rod-like means for connecting a contact in one socket-type connector to a contact in another socket-type connector in the lighting apparatus, with the respec-tive end terminations being formed by the respective ends of the rod-like means.
With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the invention to conserve electrical energy and, more particularly, to effect such conservation by replace-ment in a fluorescent lighting arrangement of a fluorescent lamp with the insert of the present invention.
Another object of the invention is to provide for substantially normal operation of a plural lamp fluorescent ballast circuit from which one of such lamps has been removed.

-4a-An additional object of the invention is to complete a plural lamp ballast circuit from which at least one lamp has been removed so as to maintain effective operation of such ballast circuit to energize any remain-ing lamps.
A further object of the invention is to reduce electric power consumption in lighting fixtures by reduc-ing the light output therefrom while maintaining a reason-ably balanced lighting effect.
Still another object of the invention is to maintain even lighting levels in an area illuminated by a plurality of fluorescent lighting fixtures while reduc-ing the average illumination and consumed electric power.
Still an additional object is to facilitate the construction of a fluorescent lamp simulator insert.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent as the follow-ing des¢ription proceedq.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and re-lated ends the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawin~ setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, how-ever, of but a few of the various ways in which the prin-ciples of the invention may be employed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS
In the annexed drawings:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a fluorescent lamp insert for use as a replace-ment for a conventional instant start fluorescent lamp;

Figs. 2, 2A and 2~ are perspective views, par-tially broken away, of fluorescent lamp inserts for use, respectively, as a replacement for a conventional rapid start fluorescent lamp;
Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a fluorescent lamp insert in accordance with the invention and including a phosphorescent indicator on the body of the insert;
Fig. 4 is a conventional series-sequence ballast circuit for energizing two conventional instant start fluorescent lamps;
Fig. 5 is a conventional series-sequence ballast circuit for energizing two conventional rapid start fluorescent lamps;
Fig. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view, partly broken away, of a single pin base fluorescent lamp insert with an electrically conductive rod support;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a bi-pin base fluorescent lamp insert with an electric-ally conductive rod support; and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a bi-pin base, U-shape fluorescent lamp insert with an electrically con-ductive rod support.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMRODIMENTS
Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals may be used to designate like parts in the several figures, a fluorescent lamp simulator insert, which simulates in shape and, to an extent, in electrical characteristics a conventional in-stant start fluorescent lamp, is generally indicated at 1 in Fig. 1. The fluorescent lamp insert 1 has a tubular body 2, which may be formed, for example, of glass, plastic or other preferably electrically non-conductive, fragile or non-fragile material, and, although shown in a cylin-drical configuration, the tubular body may be shaped as a toroid or in another configuration, as desired. At the ends of the tubular body 2 are respective end terminations, such as end caps 3, 4, which may be electrically conductive or non-conductive, and opposed electrically conductive pins or terminals 5, 6 pass through the respective end caps 3, 4, to provide for electrically coupling of a wire 7, such as bell wire, located inside the tubular body 2 to the typical connections found in the lamp receiving sockets of a conventional fluorescent lighting fixture.
Although the fluorescent lamp insert 1 has an external appearance similar to that of a conventional in-stant start fluore~cent lamp, the hollow tubular body 2 may be air filled, and there is no need for any air-tight seals between the tubular body and the respective end terminations. The pins 5, 6 may be electrically insu-latively supported in the respective end caps, if desired, and the tubular body 2 may be either transparent, trans-lucent, or opaque, as desired. The wire 7 provides a direct electrical connection between the pins 5, 6 prefer-ably without any appreciable electrical resistance to avoid unnecessary energy dissipation.
Preferably the insert 1 is designed to simulate the appearance of a conventional instant start fluorescent lamp, and it is, more importantly, intended to simulate the electrical properties of such a conventional fluor-escent lamp with respect to the fluorescent ballast circuit used to energize the latter. The wire 7 in the ~058690 insert 1 provides the electrical property of low elec-trical resistance between the pins 5, 6, thus simulating the steady state or on electrical characteristic of a conventional fluorescent lamp without any appreciable energy dissipation.
A fluorescent lamp insert in accordance with the invention has been satisfactorily tested in a conventional plural lamp series-sequence fluorescent ballast circuit, such as the circuit shown in Fig. 4, which will be dis-cussed in more detail below. In the course of the men-tioned testing, one of the two conventional fluoreQcent lamps coupled in the ballast circuit was replaced by the insert of the invention, and it was found that the ballast circuit was successfully operable to effect proper ener-gization of the remaining fluorescent lamp. Moreover, the electric power consumed by the ballast circuit includ-ing one fluorescent lamp and one fluorescent lamp insert was reduced by slightly leQs than fifty percent of the electrical energy consumed when two fluorescent lamps were connected ~n the ballast circuit. ~reover, during such testing the above-described possible detrimental effects to the ballast circuit or the remaining fluor-escent lamp were not encountered, and the temperature of the ballast did not experience any apprçciable variation from the normal ballast temperatures.
Although in the preferred embodiment the wire connection 7 of the insert 1 is substantially electrically conductive, it may be desirable in some circumstances to increase the resistivity thereof to maintain a reasonable electrical balance in the ballast circuit, and such in-crease may be effected by adding resistance in the wire connection between the pins 5, 6 or the wire itself may be formed of an electrically resistive material such as, for example, Nichrome wire. The simulation of the steady state operative electrical property of a fluorescent lamp by a relatively conductive wire 7 between the pins 5, 6 has been found satisfactory for the intended purpose of the invention; however, it may be desired to add between the pins 5, 6 additional electrical circuitry that would briefly provide a high resistance when the ballast circuit is turned on so as more exactly to simulate the effect of a fluorescent lamp. Such additional circuitry may auto- ¦
matically cut itaelf out and reinstate the direct connec- --tion of the wire 7 between the pin~ 5, 6 at a time equi-valent to that required for the arc to be struck in a conventional instant start fluorescent la~mp. I
Turning now more particularly to Fig. 2, a fluorescent lamp simulator insert, which i8 substantially in the external configuration of a conventional rapid start fluorescent lamp, is generally indicated at 11. The insert 11 includes a generally tu~ular body 12 and a pair of end termination caps 13, 14 therefor, all of which may be similar to the elements de~cribed above with reference to the fluorescent lamp insert 1 of Fig. 1. A first pair of electrically conductive pins 15a, 15b pass through the end cap 13, and a second pair of electrically conductive pins 16a, 16b pass through the end cap 14; and to each pair of pins is connected a respective resistor 17, 18 to simulate the resistive effect of the cathode heaters in a conventional rapid start fluorescent lamp. In the preferred embodiment each of the resistors 17, 18 is formed of electrically resistive material, such as Nichrome wire, " 1058690 which is preferably selected to have a resistance approxi-mately equivalent to the cathode heaters of a conventional rapid start fluorescent lamp, although conventional carbon-type or other types of resistors may be used. [Nichrome is a trademark owned and used by the Driver-Harris Wire Co., Harrison, New Jersey, 07029, in conjunction with nickel-chromium alloy wires; U.S. Registration Number 70,205, dated August 11, 1908.] Since in operation of insert 11 there normally would be a voltage drop across the two pins of each pair, the pins would require electrical isolation either by non-conductive end caps 13, 14 or by respective insulators, not shown, in the end caps. A wire 19 coupled between the approximate linear centers of the two Nichrome wire resistors 17, 18 has an effect similar to the wire 7 described above to simulate the relatively low electrical resistance between the two cathode heaters of a conventional rapid start fluorescent lamp in which the arc has already been struck. As also mentioned above, some resistance may be added in the wire connection 19.
A modified rapid start fluorescent lamp insert is shown at 11' in Fig. 2A, wherein primed reference numerals designate parts that correspond to those shown in the fluorescent lamp insert 11 of Fig. 2. The modified insert 11' includes a pair of elongated resistors 17', 18', which may be of Nichrome wire or the like, each being of a resistance approximately equal to the resistance of the respective cathode heaters in a conventional rapid start fluorescent lamp. The two resistance wires 17', 18' are joined, for example, by soldering, welding, or the ~5 -10-~058690 like, approximately midway along the respective lengths as shown at 20. Resistance wires form a balanced bridged network by joining in the center such that the primary lamp current is allowed to seek its own path when flowing through the simulator to prevent its flow through the -lOa-cathode heater windings in the ballast. Also, if desired, an electrically non-conductive spacer 20a may be inserted within the tubular body 12' to reduce vibrations in the wires 17', 18' during shipment to avoid breakage of the wires and/or to facilitate electrical isolation between oppositely located respective halves of each of the re-sistive wires 17', 18'.
operation of the fluorescent lamp insert 11 or 11' is similar to operation of the fluorescent lamp in-sert 1 described above. During operation of the fluor-escent lamp insert 11 or 11' the respective resistors 17, 18 or 17', 18' are, of course, coupled across the re-spective cathode heater energizing windings in the ballast circuit, as shown, for example, in Fig. 5, so as to limit current flow through those windings to avoid their burning out. If desired, the wire 19 of the insert 11, which may be bell wire, may be modified to include a resistive characteristic, for example, by substitution of Nichrome wire in its place, as described above, and may be used with a time delay circuit briefly to break the connection of the wire 19 in the manner described above w~th reference to Fig. 1 so as to simulate the relatively large starting impedance between the two cathode heaters of a convention-al rapid start fluorescent lamp.
Another modified form of fluorescent lamp in-sert that was successfully tested is generally indicated at 11~ in Fig. 2B, wherein double primed reference numerals are used to indicate elements that correspond to those shown in Fig. 2. In the fluorescent lamp in-~ sert 11l' a capacitor l9a, which is preferably a relatively large electrolytic capacitor, is coupled in the line 19"
between the two resistors 17" and 18". To an extent the fluorescent lamp insert 11" operates in a manner similar to the fluorescent lamp inserts 11 and 11', as described above; however, during such operation the capacitor l9a has an effect on the power factor operation of the ballast circuit in which the rapid start fluorescent lamp insert 11" is used, such as the ballast circuit shown in Fig. 5, further to reduce energy consumption thereby and the light output of any remaining rapid start fluorescent lamp in the ballast circuit. Although the fluorescent lamp insert 11" was successfully tested, such inse~t has a number of disadvantages, and the more preferred forms of the invention are shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 2A. Several of the drawbacks to using the insert 11" including the capacitor l9a include the added expense of the capacitor, the undesirable heat generated in and emanating from the capacitor, a reduced light output level of any remaining fluorescent lamp coupled in the ballast circuit, possible detrimental effects on the remaining components of the ballast circuit, and a possible reduction in life of any such remaining fluorescent lamps.
The tubular bodies 2, 12, 12', 12", of the respective fluorescent lamp inserts may be transparent or somewhat opaque and in the latter case preferably would exhibit an appearance similar to that of a deenergized fluorescent lamp, which is an advantage for the sake of appearance when the fluorescent lighting fixture for which it is used is often not energized. On the other hand, it has been found that the mentioned opaque tubular body will have a relatively dark appearance when located proximats a normally energized fluorescent lamp. There-fore, for use, for example, in a normally energized plural lamp fluorescent lighting fixture it has been found more desirable to use a transparent tubular body insert for the sake of both appearance and maximum utilization of the reflective background of the lighting fixture.
Referring to Fig. 3, a further fluorescent lamp insert of the instant start type is generally indicated at 21. The fluorescent lamp insert 21 is similar to the insert 1 of Fig. 1 and has a tubular body 22, end termina-tion6 23, 24, electrically conductive pins 25, 26, and an internal wire, not shown but connected in the manner of the wire 7 as shown in Fig. 1. On or in the tubular body 22 is a phosphorescent material, which may be applied over the entire length of the body or, as illustrated, may be selectively applied to indicate an emergency exit with a directing arrow, as is shown generally in Fig. 3 at 27. The fluorescent lamp insert 21 will operate in the same manner as the fluorescent lamp insert 1 described above; however, in the event of a power failure, for ex-ample, eliminating all or substantially all of the light in a corridor, the phosphorescent indicator 27 will glow for a sufficient period of time to indicate the general direction that the corridor runs and to indicate the location of a most proximate exit. Although the phos-phorescent material 27 is shown in Fig. 3 on an instant start type of fluorescent lamp insert, it, of course, may be used also with the rapid start fluorescent lamp in-serts 11, 11', 11" as shown and described above with reference to Figs. 2, 2A, 2B.

In Fig. 4 a series-sequence ballast circuit 30, which receives AC line voltage at input terminals 31, 32, i8 effective to start two conventional instant start ; fluorescent lamps 33, 34 in sequence a few thousandths of a second apart and then to operate the lamps in series.
The conventional circuit 30 is shown and described on page 14 of an Engineering Bulletin 0-341, issued by GTE
Sylvania Inc., Endicott Street, Danvers, Massachusetts.
As described in the mentioned publication, the primary winding 35, auxiliary winding 36, and capacitor 37 coop-erate to supply a high starting voltage initially to the lamp 33, and before the lamp 33 lights, the auxiliary winding voltage subtracts from the primary voltage and the voltage of the secondary winding 38 so that there i8 in-sufficient voltage to start the lamp 34. After the lamp 33 has lit, however, current flowing through the capacitor 37 shifts the phase relationship between the auxiliary and secondary windings 36, 38 such that the voltages add and are sufficient to start the lamp 34. After starting, the two lamps 33, 34 are operated in ~eries without any contribution by the auxiliary winding 36.
It should be clear that if one of the lamps 33, 34 were removed from connection in the ballast circuit 30, there could be no series energization of the remaining lamp without improper current flow through the ballast circuit 30. However, by substituting the insert 1 of Fig. 1, for example, for the fluorescent lamp 33 in the ballast circuit 30 of Fig. 4, the low impedance character-istic of an energized fluorescent lamp is presented to the ballast circuit, and the remaining lamp 34 will be properly energized by the then properly operated ballast circuit.

In Fig. 5 a conventional series-sequenee ballast circuit 40, which reeeives AC line voltage at respeetive terminals 41, 42, is intended to energize a pair of rapid start fluoreseent lamps 43, 44, each of which has a pair of cathode heaters 45, 46. The conventional ballast eir-euit 40 is also shown and described in the above-mentioned GTE Sylvania Engineering Bulletin 0-341. When the ballast eireuit 40 is first turned on, the eathode heaters are heated at least in part by the transformer secondary heater windings 47, 48 so as to reduce the starting voltage requirements of the lamps. Approximately at the same time the capacitor 49 briefly cause~ nearly all of the ballast seeondary voltage to be applied aeross the lamp 43 to start the same. After the lamp 43 i5 started, it~
resistance drops appreeiably, and a large voltage i~ then available to start the lamp 44; and thereafter the lamps are operated in series in the eonventional cireuit 40.
Moreover, for proper starting and safe operation of high output or very high output fluoreseent lamps, eonventional grounded strips 50, 51 may be required proximate the reæpeetive lamps, and a grounding eonneetion 52 may be necessary for the ballast cireuit.
In the event that one of the lamps 43, 44 were removed from eonneetion in the ballast eireuit 40, it would be clear that the ballast cireuit then would not be balaneed and would not operate in its designed conven-tional manner for energization of the remaining fluor-eseent lamps. However, by substituting a fluoreseent lamp insert 11, 11', or 11", for example, for the rapid start fluorescent lamp 43 in the ballast circuit 40, a resistance always will be coupled across the respective heater windings 47, 48 limiting current therein to preclude their otherwise burning out, and the low impe-dance characteristic of an energized fluorescent lamp will be reflected in the circuit to ensure proper starting of the remaining fluorescent lamp 44, proper resistance across the heater windings 47, 48, and otherwise proper current flow through the various components of the ballast circuit 40.
Turning now to Fig. 6, there is illustrated a modified fluorescent lamp simulator insert 61 of the single pin base type, for example, for replacement of an instant start fluorescent lamp. The insert 61 has a tubu-lar body 62 of glass, plastic or the like, which may be clear, frosted, etc., as described above, and a pair of opposite bases or terminations 63, 64 with respective protruding pins or pin-like portions 65, 66 for mechanical and electrical connection with the contacts in the sockets of a conventional fluorescent lighting fixture. The pin-like portions 65, 66 are the opposite ends of an elec-trically conductive, relatively rigid, elongate rod 67, for example of metal, and a pair of resilient plugs 68, 69, for example of rubber-like material, fit in cylin-drically necked down portions 62a, 62b of the body for mechanically coupling the latter and the rod in a sub-stantially integral structure. Preferably the rod 67 fits relatively snugly in plug holes 68', 69' and the plugs themselves fit rèlatively snugly in the tubular body 62, as is shown. The body portions 62a, 62b spread out the forces between the plugs and the body. The rod 67 provides the ballast circuit completing function of the insert 61, as described a~ove, and when the insert is operatively placed in a fluorescent lighting fixture the rod effectively supports the body 62 via the plugs 68, 69. This insert construction eliminates the commonly used relatively expensive end caps and facilitates manufacturing of the insert whereby the rod 67 may be placed in the body 62 and the plugs 68, 69 may be somewhat forcibly slid over the ends of the rod into place snugly in the body generally as illustrated.
Although the insert 61 would be used generally in the manner described above, for example with reference to the insert 1 of Fig. 1, in an instant start type fix-ture and circuit, it, as well as the insert 1, may also be satisfactorily employed as a replacement for a bi-pin type rapid start fluorescent lamp substantially to complete the ballast circuit of a rapid start fixture. In the latter case it has been found that the rod 67 may elec-trically connect either one of the two contacts in the socket at one end of the fixture to either one of the two contacts at the opposite end to obtain effective operation of the plural lamp rapid start ballast circuit to énergize the remaining lamp or lamps substantially to produce full lumen output without experiencing any significant detri-ment to the ballast circuit and, of course, with energy conservation as described above.
In Figs. 7 and 8 are illustrated two similar fluorescent lamp simulator inserts 71, 71U with tubular bodies 72, 72U, the suffix "U" indicating a U-shape con-figuration, that are modified from the insert 61 of Fig. 6 37 shifts the phase relationship between the auxiliary and secondary windings 36, 38 such that the voltages add and are sufficient to start the lamp 34. After starting, the two lamps 33, 34 are operated in series without any contribution by the auxiliary winding 36.
It should be clear that if one of the lamps 33, 34 were removed from connection in the ballast circuit 30, there could be no series energization of the remaining lamp without improper current flow through the ballast circuit 30. However, by substituting the insert 1 of Fig. 1, for example, for the fluorescent lamp 33 in the ballast circuit 30 of Fig. 4, the low impedance character-istic of an energized fluorescent lamp is presented to the ballast circuit, and the remaining lamp 34 will be properly energized by the then properly operated ballast circuit.

of respective lamps, and the invention also may be used in conjunction with a plural lamp ballast circuit that is wired, for example, to effect energization of plural fluorescent lamps located, respectively, in separate fluorescent lighting fixtures, such as in a plurality of single lamp strip lights. Also, while the invention has been described with reference to use in a two lamp ballast circuit, the fluorescent lamp inserts also may be used in ballast circuits that energize more than t~o lamps so as to increase the efficient use of such a ballast circuit when operated to energize less than the full complement of fluorescent lamps of which it is capable.
Although the invention has been shown and de-- scribed with respect to a preferred embodiment, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The present inven-tion includes all such equivalent alterations and modi-fications, and is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Claims (22)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. For use in a lighting apparatus including a ballast circuit normally operable to effect energization of plural electric discharge lamps to produce respective normal lumen outputs and respective pairs of socket-type connectors in which the terminals of respective lamps may be located for electrical connection in said ballast circuit and for mechanical support of said lamps, the improvement comprising means for nonreactively completing at least a portion of said ballast circuit when one of said lamps has been removed therefrom thereby to enable said ballast circuit effectively to energize at least one remaining lamp in circuit connection therewith to produce its normal lumen output, said means for substantially completing said ballast circuit being insertable into a pair of socket-type connectors from which a lamp has been removed for mechanical support by said pair of socket-type connectors and to electrically couple the same.

2. The improvement of claim 1, wherein said means for substantially completing said ballast circuit comprises direct conductor means for directly electrically coupling said connectors.

3. The improvement of claim 1, wherein said means for substantially completing said ballast circuit comprises a lamp simulator including a generally tubular body, respective end terminations, and direct conductor means for connecting said end terminations internally of said tubular body.

4. The improvement of claim 3, wherein said end terminations comprise respective electrically conductive pins adapted to fit in respective socket-type lamp connectors in such lighting apparatus, and said direct conductor means comprises a direct wire connection connected between said pins.

5. The improvement of claim 3, wherein said body comprises transparent material.

6. The improvement of claim 3, wherein said generally tubular body comprises an elongated tubular body.

7. The improvement of claim 3, further comprising phosphorescent material on said body.

8. The improvement of claim 7, wherein said phosphorescent material comprises means for indicating a direction.

9. For use in a lighting apparatus including a ballast circuit normally operable to effect energization of plural electric discharge lamps and respective pairs of socket-type connectors in which the terminals of respective lamps may be located for electrical connection in said ballast circuit and for mechanical support of said lamp, the improvement comprising means for substantially completing at least a portion of said ballast circuit when one of said lamps has been removed therefrom thereby to enable said ballast circuit to energize at least one remaining lamp in circuit connection therewith, said means for substantially completing said ballast circuit being insertable into a pair of socket-type connectors from which a lamp has been removed for mechanical support by said pair of socket-type connectors and including direct conductor means for electrically coupling one contact in one of said connectors to one contact in the other said connectors.

10. For use in a lighting apparatus including a ballast circuit normally operable to effect energization of plural electric discharge lamps and respective pairs of socket-type connectors in which the terminals of respective lamps may be located for electrical connection in said ballast circuit and for mechanical support of said lamp, the improvement comprising means for substantially completing at least a portion of said ballast circuit when one of said lamps has been removed therefrom thereby to enable said ballast circuit to energize at least one remaining lamp in circuit connection therewith, said means for substantially completing said ballast circuit being insertable into a pair of socket-type connectors from which a lamp has been removed for mechanical support by said pair of socket-type connectors and including resistive means for electrically coupling one contact in one of said connectors to one contact in the other of said connectors.

11. The improvement of claim 10, wherein said means for substantially completing comprises a generally tubular body and respective end terminations including a pair of electrically conductive pins, and wherein said resistive means comprises means for resistively coupling the two pins of each said pair and means for electrically connecting both said resistive means.

12. The improvement of claim 11, wherein said means for electrically connecting both said resistive means comprises a wire connection between said resistive means.

13. The improvement of claim 11, wherein said means for electrically connecting both said resistive means comprises a common mechanical connection of said resistive means.

14. For use in a lighting apparatus including a ballast circuit normally operable to effect energization of plural electric discharge lamps and socket-type connectors in which the respective terminals of such a lamp may be connected in said ballast circuit, the improvement comprising a lamp simulator for substantially completing said ballast circuit when one of said lamps has been removed therefrom thereby to enable said ballast circuit effectively to energize at least one remaining lamp in circuit connection therewith, said lamp simulator including an elongate body, respective end terminations, said end terminations being adapted to fit in respective socket-type lamp connectors in such lighting apparatus, and electrical means for providing an electrical connection between said end terminations, said electrical means comprising means for directly electrically coupling said connectors.

15. For use in a lighting apparatus including a ballast circuit normally operable to effect energization of plural electric discharge lamps, the improvement comprising a lamp simulator for substantially completing said ballast circuit when one of said lamps has been removed therefrom thereby to enable said ballast circuit effectively to energize at least one remaining lamp in circuit connection therewith, said lamp simulator including an elongate body, respective end terminations, and electrical means for providing an electrical connection between said end terminations, said electrical means comprising a relatively rigid, electrically conductive rod-like means for connecting a contact in one socket-type connector to a contact in another socket-type connector in such lighting apparatus, and wherein said respective end terminations are the respective ends of said rod-like means.

16. The improvement of claim 15, further comprising a tubular body substantially coextensive with said rod-like means, and coupling means for coupling said tubular body and said rod-like means substantially as an integral structure.

17. The improvement of claim 16, wherein said tubular body and said rod-like means are generally U-shape.

18. The improvement of claim 16, wherein said coupling means comprise resilient plug-like members that fit relatively snugly in said tubular body and have respective openings through which respective ends of said rod-like means extend for connection with respective contacts of the socket-type connectors of such lighting apparatus.

19. The improvement of claim 18, wherein said tubular body comprises generally cylindrical portions for receiving said plug-like members.

20. The improvement of claim 18, further comprising pin means held by said plug-like members and mechanically connectable with respective contacts of the socket-type connectors for further supporting said tubular body.

21. The improvement of claim 20, wherein said rod-like means comprises a metal rod.

22. The improvement of claim 21, wherein said metal rod is U-shape.