ADAPTOR FOR FLUORESCENT LUMINAIRE

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adaptor (1) for arrangement in a fluorescent lamp luminaire, comprising a connector member (10) shaped to fit into an electrical connector of a fluorescent lamp luminaire, wherein the connector member is electrically insulated, and an interface member (20) arranged to support a replacement light source to replace a fluorescent lamp in the luminaire. The invention further relates to a system comprising at least two such adaptors (1) and a bridge member (30) for supporting a replacement light source.

Claims

1. Adaptor for arrangement in a fluorescent lamp luminaire, comprising a first wall member, a second wall member, an intermediate member, a connector member shaped to fit into an electrical connector of a fluorescent lamp luminaire, and an interface member arranged to support a replacement light source to replace a fluorescent lamp in the luminaire, wherein the intermediate member connects the first wall member to the second wall member, the connector member is formed as at least one protrusion from the second wall member and is electrically insulated, and wherein the adapter encloses the lamp foot of the fluorescent lamp luminaire.

2. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the interface member is provided with fastening means to lock a replacement light source thereto.

3. The adaptor according to claim 2, wherein the fastening means are screws, holes, clips, lock pin or the like.

4. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the interface member comprises an extending flat member that, when the adaptor is arranged in a horizontally arranged luminaire, extends in a substantially horizontal plane, such that a replacement light source arranged thereto would abut an underside or an upper side of the extending flat member.

5. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the interface member comprises an opening adapted to receive a replacement light source.

6. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the replacement light source is a LED light source.

7. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescent lamp luminaire is a fluorescent tube luminaire and the interface member is arranged to support a replacement light source to replace a fluorescent tube in the luminaire.

8. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the entire adaptor is electrically insulated.

9. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor is made of a plastics material.

10. A fluorescent lamp replacement system comprising at least two adaptors according to claim 1, and a bridge member adapted to be arranged to the at least two interface members and to support a replacement light source.

11. A lighting device comprising at least one adaptor according to claim 1, a fluorescent lamp luminaire and a replacement light source.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a fluorescent lamp luminaire in which two adaptors according to an embodiment of the invention are arranged with a replacement light source.

[0018] FIGS. 3a-c shows top views of different embodiments of the invention.

[0019] FIGS. 4a-c shows perspective views of embodiments with different interface members.

[0020] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a replacement system according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person. Like reference characters refer to like elements throughout.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an adaptor 1 according an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 further illustrates two such adaptors 1 arranged in a fluorescent lamp luminaire 2 with a replacement light source 40 in the form of a LED bar arranged between the two adaptors 1.

[0023] The adaptor 1 comprises a connector member 10. The connector member 10 is shaped to fit into an electrical connector of a fluorescent tube luminaire. The electrical connector of a fluorescent tube luminaire is arranged in a lamp foot and formed as a pin opening. A fluorescent tube is arranged in such electrical connector by being pushed into the pin opening and rotated 90 to be locked to the lamp foot. In the same way may the connector member 10 of the adaptor 1 be pushed into such pin opening and the adaptor may be rotated 90 to be locked in place. The connector member 10 is illustrated as a single protruding piece, but may as well be formed as two pin shaped pieces, arranged similar to connector pins on a fluorescent tube. The adaptor 1, or at least the connector member 10, is electrically insulated in order to eliminate a safety risk for a user arranging the adaptor 1 and any replacement light source 40 in the luminaire 2.

[0024] The connector member 10 is arranged in an enclosure comprising a first wall member 12, a second wall member 14 and an intermediate member 16 connecting the first wall member 12 to the second wall member 14. The connector member 10 protrudes from the second wall member 14. The enclosure is adapted to enclose the lamp foot of a luminaire in which the adaptor is arranged. The term enclose can mean fully or partially enclosed. That is to say the adaptor may completely enclose the lamp foot in order to prevent a user from touching the lamp foot or to provide mechanical stability to the adapter. The adapter may also only partially enclose the lamp foot, it may, for example only enclose the front and rear faces of the lamp foot or it may enclose the side faces of the lamp foot.

[0025] The adapter may also fully enclose a portion of the lamp foot, for example, the tip portion of the lamp foot down to the lamp socket or it may enclose the lamp foot all the way to the fixture base. As illustrated in FIGS. 3a-c, the intermediate member 16 may have different shapes in order to fit to different type of lamp feet in luminaires. The different top views of the adaptor 1 in FIGS. 3a-c illustrated intermediate members 16 arranged in the centre, to the left or to the right respectively.

[0026] On the second wall member 14 is an interface member 20 arranged. The interface member 20 has the purpose of supporting the replacement light source 40 to be arranged in the luminaire 2, such as a LED bar. The interface member 20 may have different shapes in order to be suitable for different types of light sources. FIG. 1 illustrates an interface member 20 shaped as an extending flat member. The extending flat member 20 extends perpendicular to the second wall member 14. Such orientation of the extending flat member 20 will provide that, when the adaptor 1 is arranged in a horizontally arranged luminaire 2, the extending flat member 20 extends in a horizontal direction, i.e. the replacement light source 40 will be horizontally arranged thereon. The extending flat member 20 has an upper side 22 and an underside 24. The replacement light source 40 may be attached to and abut the underside 24 of the extending flat member 20. In one embodiment, the extending flat member 20 comprises holes 21 which may be used for attaching the replacement light source 40 thereto, for instance by means of screws. The placement of the holes 21 may be selected to suit a specific type of light source. Other types of fastening means may be used for attaching the light source to the extending flat member 20.

[0027] FIG. 4a illustrates an embodiment wherein the interface member 20 is shaped as a hollow cylinder 20a. The cylinder 20a has an open interior 26 adapted to receive a replacement light source. Such embodiment may be used for light sources with a corresponding shape to fit into the interior 26 of the cylinder 20a. The cylinder 20a is attached to the second wall member 14 and extends perpendicular to a flat surface of the second wall member 14.

[0028] FIG. 4b illustrates an embodiment wherein the interface member 20 is shaped as an open hollow box 20b. The box 20b has an open interior 28 and an open side. The interior 28 is adapted to receive a replacement light source 40, such as a LED bar. The light source can be pushed into the box 20b through the open end to be fit into the interior 28. The box 20b may be provided with fastening means in order to lock the light source to the box 20b.

[0029] FIG. 4c illustrates an embodiment wherein the interface member 20 comprises an extending flat member 20c similar to the extending flat member in FIG. 1, but arranged at a lower portion of the second wall member 14. A light source 40 to be arranged to the extending flat member 20c is thereby to be supported on the upper side 22 of the extending flat member 20c. The light source 40 may rest thereon, and may in one embodiment be fastened to the flat member 20c. The extending flat member 20c may be provided with holes 21 which may be used for fastening the light source 40 thereto. Fastening means such as screws, lock pins, clips or the like may be used.

[0030] The adaptor 1 according to the invention may be used in fluorescent luminaires which is adapted for a double set of fluorescent tubes. In each end of the luminaire, two lamp feet are arranged. Such double tube arrangement may be replaced by a single LED bar 40. According to the invention and as illustrated in FIG. 5, a replacement system 100 comprises two adaptors 1 and a bridge member 30. The bridge member 30 is attached to the interface members 20 of the two adaptors 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the adaptors 1 comprises interface members in the shape of extending flat members 20 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The bridge member 30 may be attached to the extending flat members 20 in similar way as earlier described for attachment of a light source thereto.

[0031] On the bridge member 30, a light source 40, such as a LED bar, is arranged. The bridge member 30 may be provided with fastening means as earlier described for the interface members 20 in order to attach the light source 40 thereto.

[0032] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the shape of the interface member may be varied to suit different types of light sources, and different fastening means may be provided on the adaptor to attach a light source to the adaptor.

[0033] Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfil the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.