Abstract: A connector system for a rod-shaped two-ended gas discharge lamp (12) with bases (20) disposed on the connector ends (16) of the discharge lamp (12) and with insert sockets (22) for receiving the bases (20) in a lamp housing (14). Each base (20) is provided with a contact pin (26) linked with a lamp electrode (36) with an insulating cylinder (28) surrounding the contact pin (26) while leaving a lateral connector opening (46) free. Each insert socket (22) is provided with a contact element (58) that can be detachably engaged with the corresponding contact pin (26) through the connector opening (46) of the pertaining base (20) and can be impinged upon with a high voltage. The insert socket is further provided with an insulating body (60) that carries the contact element (58) and covers the connector opening (46) in the connected state.

Abstract: A sensitive lighting fixture, adapted for incorporating with the construction junction box built on wall, ceiling or floor to form a utility lighting device, includes a base seat including a front plate and a recessed case rearwardly extended from the front plate, a light source disposed in the light source socket, a light shade detachably attached to the front plate of base seat and sized to cover the light source opening, a control sensor provided on the front plate of the base seat and exposed to outside, and a control device for electrically connecting the light source with the electric wires extended inside the construction junction box and electrically connecting the control sensor and the light source in such a manner that the control sensor turns the light source off when the visible light detector detects ambient light and on when the control sensor does not detect ambient light.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a lamp tube having a back-bend electrode section, a lamp support structure supporting the lamp tube, and a pair of electrical contacts. The contacts include a contact member and a contact clip configured to snap into electrical connection with each other upon forceful engagement of the contact member with the contact clip against a spring force of the contact clip. One of the contacts is electrically connected with the electrode section of the lamp tube. That contact is supported by the lamp support structure in a load bearing relationship separate from the lamp tube so as to transmit the spring force from the contact clip to the support structure separately from the lamp tube upon forceful engagement of the contact member with the contact clip. This helps to avoid breakage of the lamp tube.

Abstract: A capacitor with improved reliability is disclosed. The capacitor includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode, and an intermediate layer therebetween. A contact, which is electrically coupled to the top electrode, is provided. At least a portion of the contact is offset from the capacitor. By offsetting the contact from the top electrode, the etch damage to the top electrode is reduced, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for the anneal to repair the etch damage.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for forming a storage capacitor for a memory device, by the steps of: forming a bottom electrode of the storage capacitor over a BoroPhosphoSilicate Glass (BPSG) layer; forming a storage capacitor dielectric layer over the bottom electrode, the storage capacitor dielectric layer consisting of a nitride layer that is 50Å or less in thickness; exposing the nitride dielectric layer to heat during a first stage rapid thermal oxidation step at a first temperature range that is equal to or greater than a reflow temperature required to reflow the BPSG layer; exposing the nitride dielectric layer to wet oxidation during a second stage rapid thermal oxidation step, the second stage rapid thermal oxidation step is performed at a second temperature ranging from 810° C. to 1040° C.

Abstract: A rectangular frame having side and end and side walls defining a downwardly opening receiving cavity for receipt upwardly therein of a pan having a laterally outwardly turned marginal flanges which overlie corresponding flanges in the frame and has mated mounting bores for receipt of mounting screws. Retains mounted on the opposite ends of the frame releasably engage the pan to hold it in position in the frame during shipping and storage and prior to mounting thereof.

Abstract: A fluorescent-lamp socket has a hollow dielectric housing, and a pair of identical conductive contact elements in the housing, each contact element is unitarily formed with an outer lamp-contacting end adapted to engage a respective pin of the lamp, an inner wiring end formed as a wire-engaging clip, a center part extending between the respective inner and outer ends, and an elastic tongue unitarily formed with the respective center part and projecting transversely toward the other contact element. The contact elements are formed of resilient sheet metal. The housing can include a web projecting between and holding apart the elastic tongues. Alternately it can be constructed such that either the tongues bear on each other and electrically interconnect the contact elements or each tongue bears on the center part of the other contact element to electrically interconnect the contact elements.

Abstract: A fluorescent-lamp socket has a hollow dielectric housing, and a pair of identical conductive contact elements in the housing, each contact element is unitarily formed with an outer lamp-contacting end adapted to engage a respective pin of the lamp, an inner wiring end formed as a wire-engaging clip, a center part extending between the respective inner and outer ends, and an elastic tongue unitarily formed with the respective center part and projecting transversely toward the other contact element. The contact elements are formed of resilient sheet metal. The housing can include a web projecting between and holding apart the elastic tongues. Alternately it can be constructed such that either the tongues bear on each other and electrically interconnect the contact elements or each tongue bears on the center part of the other contact element to electrically interconnect the contact elements.

Abstract: A lamp holder is provided comprising a housing, a contact pin retainer arranged within the housing, a rotary member rotatably mounted in the housing and a fastener for fastening the rotary member to the housing. The contact pin retainer is adapted to receive a lamp contact pin. The rotary member comprises an insertion slot, a front shield, and a slotted pivot section extending away from the front shield and into the housing The fastener includes a retaining pin fixed to the housing and penetrates a bearing opening provided in an end section of the slotted pivot section.

Abstract: A holder provided, in particular, for fluorescent lamps with a two-pin base has a branching insertion slot which preferably has a circular section and, intersecting the latter, a section of rectilinear construction. Arranged on both sides of the bifurcation, which is next to the mouth of the insertion slot and at which the rectilinear part of the insertion slot intersects the circular part of the insertion slot, are latching members which require a force of at least 10 N to be overridden. The latching members act directly on the contact pins of the fluorescent lamp. The result of this is to avoid one contact pin coming into contact with a live contact before the other contact pin has actually been inserted into the holder in a shockproof fashion. Fluorescent lamps are inserted in a conventional way by inserting the contact pins into the rectilinear region of the insertion slot and by rotating the fluorescent lamp by 90°. The fluorescent lamp is withdrawn in the opposite way.

Abstract: A connector assembly, in particular for making contact with gas discharge lamps, is specified which is safe in operation even with the lamp not having been introduced. The assembly has a housing made of a dielectric material, having a central contact and having an outer contact. A rotatable sleeve made of a dielectric material is situated in the housing. The sleeve can be rotated by means of at least one lug fitted on the outer periphery of the base of the gas discharge lamp. A tongue which moves from a first position to a second position when the gas discharge lamp is screwed in is fitted on the rotatable sleeve. The tongue opens or closes an electrical circuit, or actuates a switch.

Abstract: A fluorescent lampholder connector (50, 150) for use in a fluorescent lighting assembly (2) includes a molded lampholder connector housing having spaced-apart molded lampholders (51, 150) extending upwardly from a lampholder connector base. Each of the lampholders includes a pair of terminal cavities (52, 152) opening on a lower surface of the connector housing. Fluorescent lamp terminals (17) are disposed in respective ones of the terminal cavities. In one embodiment, the connector (50) has two lampholders (51), and lead wires (57) connect the terminals in one lampholder to the terminals in the other lampholder. In another embodiment, the connector (151) has three lampholders, a bus wire (157) extends along the lower surface of the connector housing, and lead wires (161) connect the terminals to the bus wire.

Abstract: A capacitor and electrode structure comprising a PZT ferroelectric layer 17 with a primary component (Pb) and secondary component (Ti), a lower electrode layer 16 formed on the underside of the ferroelectric layer and made up of a special element (Pt) and Ti, and compounds thereof, and a diffusion barrier layer 18 which is formed on the underside of the lower electrode layer and which functions as a diffusion barrier with respect to Pb. The capacitor and the electrode structure, which may be a component of a semiconductor memory device, suppress fluctuations in the composition of the ferroelectric layer in PZT, etc., so as to maintain the intended performance of the PZT ferroelectric layer, thereby simplifying and stabilizing film fabrication, and preventing the degradation of electrical characteristics and adverse effects on lower layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved system of interconnecting ballasts and fluorescent lights; more specifically, for a ballast whose circuit is duly insulated and housed in a casing, is fitted with prongs which are connected to the coil and capacitor by means of wires. One or more receptacles are provided into which the prongs are inserted. A protective cover over the receptacle(s) has a catch at one end into which is inserted a retaining clip to secure the cover in place. The ballast circuit has cable wires running from the receptacles,firmly mounted inside the casing , to the fluorescent lights.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a lamp holder for carrying a fluorescent lamp, including two contact pins, with each contact pin having a diameter. A socket includes an inner hub, two slots and a conductor. The two slots are disposed on opposite sides of the inner hub. A spring biases the contact pins out of the slots. The conductor is associated with each slot, and is configured to engage each contact pin of the fluorescent lamp. The conductor and the inner hub define a clearance distance therebetween in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of each slot, with the clearance distance at all times being greater than the diameter of the contact pins. The clearance distance allows the contact pins to be moved away from the conductor by the spring, to thereby prevent electrical arcing when one of the contact pins is not fully engaged with the conductor.

Abstract: A backlight device for a liquid crystal display has a lamp and a lamp holder surrounding the lamp. The lamp holder is made of a conductive material to play the role of a cable and has one end thereof implemented as a socket capable of mating with a base provided on the lamp. The lamp can be replaced easily without resorting to troublesome manipulation.

Abstract: A support 11 for an elongate fluorescent light tube 12 having at each end a pair of projecting electrical contact pins 13, comprises an elongate casing 14 and first and second holders 15 and 16 depending from the frame at respective ends thereof. Each holder has a holding structure 18 which defines upwardly facing openings 19 and 20 for receiving the contact pins 13 of the light tube, to contact electrical terminals 21 and 22 located in the openings. Each holder is shaped to define an entry space 60 between the entrance to the openings 19 and 20 and the casing 14, whereby the light tube can be installed in the support by sideways movement of the pins 13 into the entry space, followed by downward movement of the pins into the respective openings 19 and 20. Support surfaces 26 are formed on the holding structure 18 to support the light tube temporarily by the pins thereof during installation before contact is made by the pins with the electrical terminals.

Abstract: An electrical connection assembly for a baseless cartridge bulb includes two electrical connectors attached to a housing. The housing includes tabs which snap onto a channel partially surrounding a pair of insulated electrical cables. One end of each of the connectors includes a spring tab for accepting a loop contact pin of a cartridge bulb. The other end includes a spiked prong for piercing the cable insulation and becoming embedded therein.

Abstract: The luminaire has a base wall (1) bearing contact elements (2, 3). These elements are bent from metal sheet to have a base (20) and opposite arms (2, 3) extending therefrom each having a contact portion (23, 24) to contact a lamp terminal (43). The arms (2, 3) cross one another between the contact portions (23, 24) and the base (20). The construction allows for a low height and a free choice of sheet material.

Abstract: A fluorescent tube is provided with markings at each end aligned with the base contacts and readily viewed from below allowing the pin contacts to be readily aligned with a fixture socket and thereby to facilitate installation of the tube into the fixture.

Abstract: This invention concerns sockets for a discharge lamp ideal for use in a low-temperature atmosphere, particularly to sockets for a discharge lamp which allow easy replacement of an exhausted discharge lamp with a new supply. In each of the sockets, the socket proper is made to be retained on the discharge lamp by base pins being inserted into insertion holes having a diameter equal to or smaller than the diameter of the base pins. The base pins are then made to be connected to an external power source through the medium of power supply electrodes by an electrification adapter being inserted into an electrification adapter retaining part formed in the socket proper. Owing to the construction described above, the replacement of an exhausted discharge lamp with a new supply can be effected easily by one hand.

Abstract: An elongated strip light for use with low voltage, tubular lamps having conical end contacts. The lighting unit has an angle strip made of an insulating material to which a pair of electrically conductive tracks are mounted on the outside of the strip. A series of U-shaped, spaced-apart lamp holders are riveted to the inside of the angle strip. The rivets and the holders are arranged so that the holders are alternatingly electrically connected to one or the other electrically conductive track so that each pair of proximate holders mounted to the angle strip is of a different polarity. The holders further define resilient arms, each provided with a hole for receiving, holding and electrically connecting conical contact ends of the lamps with the holders to thereby energize the lamps when the conductive strips are connected to a source of electric power.

Abstract: A lampholder for receiving one end of a fluorescent lamp and the associated pair of electrical contact pins is disclosed. The lampholder has a base member with slots for receiving the fluorescent lamp pins and a contact or terminal carrying plunger is disposed within the base member so as to be unilaterally movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The base member includes a pair of lead wire accepting openings remote from the pin receiving slots and the electrical contacts each include a lead wire accepting aperture. The apertures are in alignment with the openings only when the plunger is in the extended position. The lead wires fit snugly in the openings so that any subsequent flexing of the a lead wire occurs away from the region of contact between the wire and its corresponding terminal. When a lead wire is passed through an opening and corresponding aperture and the plunger is moved from the extended to the retracted position, the wire is deformed and securely gripped.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp device comprises an oblate section type fluorescent lamp having an oblate cross section and provided with a luminous surface illuminating in one direction and with a back plate and a lighting circuit means attached to the back plate and adapted to light the fluorescent lamp. The fluorescent lamp is electrically connected to and integrally assembled with the lighting means including the lighting circuit board by the bendable leads and the terminal pieces capable of having various shapes. In addition, a fluorescent lamp device comprises a fluorescent lamp body which includes a front plate, a back plate and a spacer which is provided between the front plate and the back plate and which defines the oblate sectioned bulb of the fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: A light fixture suitable for supporting and illuminating a parallel string of lamps with contacts on opposite ends permits light to be emitted from those lamps over a wide area, with little obstruction by the leaf fixture itself. The fixture may comprise a flat support, two conductive strips attached to the lower side of the flat support, and a plurality of U-shaped conductive conductors attached to the upper side of the flat support. The conductive strips are positioned parallel to the flat support, and parallel to each other, with an area of separation between them. A plurality of first U-shaped conductive connectors are attached directly above one of the conductive strips, in contact with it, while a plurality of second U-shaped conductive connectors are attached directly above the other conductive strip, in contact with it.

Abstract: A combination socket assembly and D.C. lamp apparatus. The lamp apparatus has first and second electric pin conductors protruding therefrom. The first pin conductor has a transverse configuration distinct from a transverse configuration of the second pin conductor. The socket assembly comprises a frame, a socket member, and a pair of metal contact clips. The socket element is mounted to the frame and receives the first and the second pin conductors of the lamp apparatus. The socket element contains first and second receptacles. The first receptacle is configured and dimensioned to mate with the first pin conductor and to prevent mating with the second pin conductor. The second receptacle is configured and dimensioned to mate with the second conductor. The metal contact clips are contained within the first and the second receptacles of the socket element.

Abstract: A pair of terminals are each provided with snap dentents for engaging the contact pins extending from the opposite ends of a baseless cartridge bulb. The terminals are mounted to a support and are spaced a distance D which is substantially exactly the same as the spacing between the contact pins at their points of intended engagement with the terminals. This minimizes the loading on the contact pins relative to their seals with the body of the cartridge bulb, and also provides the support for the bulb. The terminals are of a configuration which facilitates relative entry and removal of the bulb's contact pins, yet also releasably retains those pins in good conducting relation therewith.

Abstract: Terminals for electrically contacting wire loops disposed on each end of a cartridge type bulb are formed from resilient electrically conducting sheet metal. Each terminal consists of an elongated member having a relatively narrow contact portion joined to a wider base portion at a shoulder. The contact portion has a outwardly projection tab acting to retain the wire loop of a cartridge type bulb, while the base portion has a downwardly projecting tab for securing the terminal in a lamp housing or socket assembly. A means for electrically connecting a wire to end of the base of the terminal is provided by arcuate shaped projecting tabs which can be crimped over the wire core and insulating jacket.

Abstract: A low-pressure discharge lamp includes a bulb and a pair of bases attached to the end portions of the bulb, respectively. Each base has a base body fixed to the end of the bulb and a pair of terminals attached to the periphery of the base body. The terminals have contact portions which project from the periphery of the base body and include contact surfaces extending parallel to the axis of the bulb and facing the same direction. The contact surfaces are located so as to contact a common plane.

Abstract: A light rail system for supporting light fixtures which is flexible so as to conform to curved and irregular surfaces. The light rail has two strips, fabricated from a single piece of conductive material, surrounded by upper and lower tracks of thermoplastic material. Extensions from the strips form contact tabs which are folded perpendicular to the strips, and extend through slits in the upper track. Source plugs integral with the conductive strips mate with a feed plug providing external electricity. A special coupler allows several rails to be joined together.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a pair of opposed torsion blades that are twisted toward each other that provides double torsional contact action when a contact pin is inserted therein for reliably maintaining the contact pin between the blades. An electrical socket for a bi-pin fluorescent lamp is provided having a pair of contact chambers and a double torsion blade connector mounted in each chamber.