Retrofit recessed fluorescent strip fixture and method

Details Retrofit recessed fluorescent strip fixture and method Retrofit recessed fluorescent strip fixture and method

2001-05-25

2004-06-22

Cariaso, Alan (Department: 2875)

Illumination

With static structure

Wall or ceiling

C362S148000, C362S217060, C362S446000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06752513

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to recessed fluorescent strip lighting fixtures. More particularly, this invention relates to a retrofit recessed fluorescent strip fixture which is easily installable from below the plane of the ceiling into existing recessed fluorescent strip lighting fixtures to enable the use of smaller, more efficient, brighter fluorescent light tubes with better color rendering.
2. Description of Prior Art
Higher efficiency, brighter fluorescent light tubes with better color rendering are the results of recent development in fluorescent lighting technology. Particularly, these developments have resulted in the availability of T-8 technology tubes with the performance described above. These developments have been of particular interest to large users of recessed strip fluorescent fixtures, such as department, grocery and other retail stores.
Strip fluorescent fixtures are commonly utilized in continuous rows to provide economical uniform lighting of large indoor spaces, such as retail stores. Recessing the fixtures above the plane of the ceiling provides for a ‘cleaner’ look and more visual comfort than ‘open’ strip fixtures. In the past, these fixtures typically utilized T-12 sized tubes in 8 foot lengths. The fixtures themselves typically measured 1 foot by 8 foot and were installed into inverted “T” (NEMA “G”) ceiling systems.
Retail stores desire the ability to more efficiently and effectively illuminate their merchandise and their stores by utilizing the newer technology fluorescent light tubes. However, the newer technology tubes cannot be installed into existing strip fixtures as they require different lamp sockets and ballasts.
Replacement of existing fixtures would be very costly, requiring the purchase of completely new fixtures, wiring and construction costs of removing the old fixtures and installing the new fixtures, and, most importantly, the inconvenience and cost of closing down sections of the store as the construction proceeds creating a “hard hat area”.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an economical retrofit recessed fluorescent strip fixture using T-8 technology tubes installable from below the plane of the ceiling into and utilizing the housing of older strip fixtures using T-12 sized tubes.
It is also an object of the present invention that the retrofit fixture utilize the wiring from the old fixture.
It is another object of the present invention that the retrofit fixture be easily installable by one person in a relatively short period of time without the use of fasteners or tools.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fixture that may be shipped and installed with lamps already in their sockets to further reduce installation time.
These and other objects are achieved through the use of a retrofit fixture which is installable into an existing recessed fluorescent strip fixture in an inverted T-bar grid ceiling. The retrofit fixture has a reflector sized to fit within the existing fixture and within a grid opening in the ceiling. Flanges are located along the longitudinal edges of the retrofit fixture, with one flange further having hangar tabs extending from its ends.
By making the reflector flexible about its longitudinal axis, the width of the reflector and the flanges may be reduced to an amount less than the width of the ceiling opening for installation, but return to a width where the flanges cooperate with the ceiling members to support the retrofit fixture within the existing fixture.
Lamp holders may be in a staggered arrangement on the reflector to support lamps having a combined length greater than the length of the ceiling opening.


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