Illumination – Elongated source light unit or support – With light modifier
Reexamination Certificate
1995-03-09
2001-06-19
Sember, Thomas M (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Elongated source light unit or support
With light modifier
C362S225000, C362S290000, C362S362000, C362S354000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247828
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to linear lighting fixtures having extruded housings, and more particularly relates to a direct-indirect linear lighting fixture having a top opening for providing indirect lighting and bottom openings for providing a direct lighting component. The type of lighting fixtures to which the invention relates will typically be used in institutional settings as well as commercial settings where the fixtures are subject to periodic cleaning and maintenance.
Extruded housings for a linear direct-indirect lighting fixture have heretofore been fabricated in separate extruded, co-linear aluminum parts held together by cross braces to provide a linear lighting fixture of a desired length. The cross braces hold the extruded elements of the housing in parallel-spaced relation such that parallel openings run the length of the housing over which elongated light screens having a desired perforation or aperture pattern can be placed to prevent the viewer from looking directly into the interior of the fixture. Typically, such screens are made in perforated sections of sheet metal or plastic typically having a length of eight feet, and are attached to adjacent co-linear housing elements by means of spring clips. Such a multi-part construction is relatively cumbersome to assemble and requires a relatively large inventory of different parts. Unsightly seams can also appear along the edges and between the ends of abutting light screens which leak light in unintended places. In addition, plastic baffles tend to discolor and disintegrate in time, and sheet metal baffles are easily dented or bent during periodic maintenance and clearing.
The present invention provides an extruded housing for a direct-indirect linear lighting fixture which reduces the number of parts associated with the housing and which simplifies the assembly and installation of the fixture. The extruded housing of the invention also increases the structural integrity of the fixture, and eliminates unsightly seams between housing parts for long fixture runs. At the same time, the housing provides a pattern of apertures for down light which can be easily cleaned, such as with an air blower, without the need for separate light screens which can be dislodged or damaged. Additionally, the invention provides for a fixture housing which eliminates parts which often have uneven surfaces and edges that can detract from the overall appearance of the fixture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the invention is a housing for a linear direct-indirect lighting fixture which, including the down light aperture portions of the housing, is the unitary part fabricated from a single extrusion, preferably an aluminum extrusion. The housing includes an opaque elongated sidewall portion having a top edge defining a top opening for providing indirect lighting, a corresponding elongated opaque central housing structure extending in co-linear relationship with the sidewall portion, and an elongated light baffle plate interconnecting the sidewall portion and the central housing structure. The light baffle plate of the housing has a pattern of apertures or light openings for providing a down light component from the bottom of the fixture. Preferably, the apertures of the baffle plate are provided using a punching process on an extrusion that is cut to a desired length.
The illustrated version of unitary extruded housing of the invention is symmetrical housing which includes symmetrically opposed sidewall portions and two co-linear baffle plates, one interspersed between the central housing structure and each of the sidewall portions. It is understood, however, that an asymmetrical housing can be fabricated in accordance with the invention with a single or multiple baffle plates, for example, for providing a wall-mounted fixture. Other symmetrical versions of the housing of the invention are also possible which provide for more than two co-linear baffle plates.
Therefore, a primary object of the invention is to provide an extruded housing for a direct-indirect lighting fixture that reduces manufacturing and assembly time and cost, and that is relatively easy to assemble. It is another object of the invention to reduce the number of total parts necessary to assemble a linear direct-indirect lighting fixture, and eliminate tolerance problems associated with multiple parts. It is a further object of the invention to provide a direct-indirect lighting fixture of greater structural integrity, and a direct-indirect lighting fixture having apertured portions which cannot become dislodged or which cannot be easily dented, bent or otherwise damaged. It is still another object of the invention to eliminate shadow areas produced by cross braces used in multi-part housings. Other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 33471 (1990-12-01), Herst
patent: 2824216 (1958-02-01), Brennan
patent: 2874271 (1959-02-01), Lipscomb
patent: 2951611 (1960-09-01), Tillson et al.
patent: 3334542 (1967-08-01), Wenthe et al.
patent: 4625267 (1986-11-01), Mikalonis
patent: 4698733 (1987-10-01), Griffin
patent: 4866581 (1989-09-01), Targetti
patent: 5207504 (1993-05-01), Swift et al.
Beeson Donald L.
NSI Enterprises Inc.
Sember Thomas M
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