Illumination – Housing – With closure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-01
2001-07-24
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Housing
With closure
C362S374000, C362S260000, C362S311040, C362S223000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264348
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to mounting mechanisms and specifically to mechanisms for mounting diffusers to fluorescent lighting fixtures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fluorescent lighting fixtures typically have a plastic diffuser (i.e., lens) attached to the fixture housing so as to enclose the fluorescent lighting tubes and to diffuse the light in the most advantageous manner. When the diffuser is in place, the fluorescent lighting tubes, ballast, fixture wires as well as any starter units, are entirely enclosed within the fixture. These fixtures are normally provided with mounting mechanisms for mounting the diffuser to the housing. Typically a mounting mechanism is attached at each end of the diffuser. A mounting mechanism consists of a pair hinges pivotally mounted in a spaced apart relationship at an end of the diffuser. The bottoms of the hinges are coupled to each other via a spring. A hook extends from the top portions of the hinges.
The problem with current hooked hinges is that they sometimes “hook” onto wires located in the housing making disengagement of the hooks from the housing difficult. Moreover, sometimes the fixture wires block the upward movement of the hooks preventing them from disengaging from the openings. Furthermore, hooks hook onto the socket plate and as consequence require that the diffuser is lifted during dismounting to free the hooks from the socket plate. As such, a mechanism is desired that would allow for easy mounting and dismounting of the diffuser from the fixture housing, preclude the hooking of any wires in the housing and eliminate the requirement of lifting of the diffuser for complete dismounting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides a mounting apparatus for attaching a diffuser to a fluorescent lighting fixture so that the diffuser may be easily removed entirely from the housing or may be hinged along a longitudinal axis of the housing providing access to the enclosed components. When hinged, the present invention provides means for preventing the diffuser from being accidentally disengaged from the housing when in the open position.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a combination latch and hinge mounting mechanism which is simple in operation and economical in construction. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention provides a latch and latch mechanism. The latches in this mechanism engage the socket plates of a fixture without hooking on to them. Consequently, lifting of the diffuser is not required for disengaging the latches.
These and other attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3525544 (1970-08-01), Jacobs
Alavi Ali
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
O'Shea Sandra
Prudential Lighting Corporation
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