Abstract: A lamp base assembly and a method for making such an assembly having a first end adapted to receive a lamp housing and a second end adapted to receive electrical contact means for connecting the internal filament of the lamp to an external source of electrical current. The lamp base assembly includes a metal sleeve in which the lamp housing and electrical contact means are mounted. The lamp housing is received at a first end of the sleeve and the electrical contact means are mounted at a second end. A non-conductive insulator is mounted at the second end of the sleeve and isolates the contact means from the sleeve. Stop means are provided to hold the insulator against axial movement through the second end of the sleeve. A cup-shaped retainer means is provided within the sleeve with its bottom in contact with the insulator and urging the insulator against said stop means.

Abstract: A leg brace for a U-shaped fluorescent lamp is provided for supporting the legs to reduce destructive forces on the bend during shipment and installation. The brace comprises a support-spacer member having enclosed openings on opposite ends with the openings being spaced with the separation between the legs of the lamp. The diameter and shape of the openings provide a non-slipping friction fit for the lamp legs when the support-spacer member has the legs of the inserted therein, and which supports and maintains the leg separation by an amount corresponding with the leg alignment for insertion into a pair of electrical connecting sockets which receive mating electrical contacts on the ends of both legs. A U-shaped slot is located centrally between the holes for receipt of a support rod having a spring loaded hook assembly which may be used for holding the lamp and contacts in the sockets during use and to prevent the lamp from leaving the sockets in the mount.

Abstract: A packaging arrangement for housing a plurality of U-shaped fluorescent lamps in a corrugated container is provided having a plurality of first and second corrugated inserts each having a plurality of aligned, spaced slots extending inward a predetermined distance from a first edge of each thereof. The inserts are mounted on one another by sliding one insert in the slots of the other, the slots being aligned and the inserts being positioned orthogonally with respect to each other and as assembled extending between the four sides of the container. The firt and second inserts when so mounted form a plurality of rectangular compartments therein which conform generally with and are adapted to house U-shaped fluorescent bulbs therein.