MXPA97009612A - Lighting system for more transport vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A lighting system for illuminating preferably the area (38) of seats of a mass transport vehicle (22) includes a light device (42) with an elongated lamp grating (52) arranged longitudinally by lift of the seating area 38. The electrically energized light sources (74) are mounted to each end of the light device (42). Three semi-rigid solid-light tubes (76, 78, 80) extend end-to-end between the light sources (74) and transmit it along their lengths and in the central tube (78). The three tubes (76, 78, 80) emit light laterally in the passenger compartment (24). The tubes (76, 78, 80) run parallel to the lamp housing (52) between the lamp housing (52) and the seating area (38) in such a way that the lamp housing (52) can laterally direct the light emitted from the tubes (76, 78, 80) in the area (38) of seats. The couplers (100) with rubber seals (108) allow the tubes to expand and contract longitudinally while preventing dust and insects from entering the couplings and inhibiting transmission

Description

LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR MASS TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This is a continuation of part of the application of the United States No. 08 / 471,395 filed on June 6, 1995. This invention relates to lighting systems of transit vehicle massive; more particularly, it relates to a lighting system for the passenger compartment of a bus using light tubes. Lighting systems for passenger seating areas in mass transit vehicles often include a plurality of fluorescent lamps arranged in rows. Each row of lamps is commonly enclosed within an elongated channel that is part of an elongated lamp housing. The elongated channel may be connected to or integrally formed with an elongated display panel for holding advertising cards. A lamp housing of this type will also typically include a translucent or transparent translucent light cover through the open side of the channel to help control the distribution of light emitted from the lamps. Together, the lamp housing and the display panel form an elongated light device. Such lighting devices are typically manufactured in long sections that are mounted end to end in the cornice areas above the passenger seating areas and above the vehicle side windows in the mass transit vehicles. U.S. Patent No. 4,574,336 issued March 4, 1986 to Mikalonis and U.S. Patent No. 4,387,415 issued June 7, 1983 to Domas disclose lighting systems of this type. Fluorescent vehicle lighting systems present inherent service difficulties and require a considerable amount of maintenance. Fluorescent lamps often melt and require replacement. When lighting systems use a large number of lamps, the chances of one of the lamps fusing for a given period of time increases. Therefore, the greater the number of lamps used by a lighting system, the more often this system will require the replacement of bulbs. Lighting systems that use multiple lamps also require multiple lamp receptacles and complex wiring equipment. Wiring equipment for multiple lamp lighting systems must connect each lamp receptacle to a power supply. In addition, the lighting devices that house the lamps must be designed to allow easy access for the purpose of removing the cast lamps and installing new ones. Systems that use multiple lamps inherently leave "dark spots" between the lamps. The rows of fluorescent lamps oriented end to end leave dark spots where the ends of each lamp are connected in a receptacle. The dark areas between the lamps are difficult to minimize without extending the lengths of the lamps. When faced with applications that require linear light supplies, designers have sometimes switched to fiber optics. Advances in fiber optic technology have made it possible to manufacture linear light supplies that can efficiently distribute light both laterally from their circumferences as well as longitudinally from their ends. This type of product is known as a "side-light" or "side-lit" optical fiber or a "side-on" light tube. Lumenyte International Corporation manufactures a "side-on" light tube that includes a solid acrylic core with either a circular or oval-shaped cross section. The diameter of the center is approximately half of 2.54 centimeters (one inch). A Teflon® coating surrounds the center and has a refractive index that causes the light tube to emit light laterally. An empty shirt surrounds the lining to reflect a certain amount of light that returns to the center. Also available from Lumenyte International Corporation is the LUMENYTER STARBURSTMR OPTIC - a side-lit light tube with small angled cuts along its length. The cuts create optical discontinuities along the length of the light tube that increase the amount of light emitted laterally. The depth, the angle and separation of these cuts can be varied to build a distribution of light that suits a particular application. The prior art also includes fiber optic lighting systems that have been proposed for use in vehicle applications. An example of a proposed vehicle application of fiber optic technology is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,947,293 issued to Johnson et al. The patent of Johnson et al. discloses a free-space lighting system for a semi-trailer cargo container body. The system includes a light supply that illuminates elongated light strips at the ends. The strips are supported along both sides of a container body and emit light both longitudinally and laterally. Another Johnson Patent, U.S. Patent No. 5,122,933, discloses a similar optical fiber lighting system that includes a message panel. However, the lighting systems described in these two patents are not adapted to preferentially distribute light to the passenger seating area of a mass transit vehicle. Another example of a vehicle application for fiber optic technology is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,740,870 issued to Moore et al. The Moore et al. Patent. describes a fiber optic lighting system for boats. The system includes a plurality of "end-lit" fiber optic cables that each receive light at one end from a central light source.The wires conduct light longitudinally to the light devices located at remote locations within. Two other examples are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,811,172 to Davenport et al., and U.S. Patent No. 5,184,883 to Finch et al. Each of these patents describes a system of fiber optic lighting for motor vehicles The systems include a light supply that illuminates a plurality of fiber optic filaments at the end.The filaments conduct the light longitudinally to the front and rear lamp devices of the vehicle. of lighting that can supply lighting systems that can supply sufficient lighting to meet lighting requirements. n in the areas of passenger seats mass transit vehicles while reducing the number of lamps, wiring and maintenance required by the current systems. In accordance with this invention, an improved lighting system is provided for illuminating a passenger seating area in a mass transit vehicle. The improved system replaces the fluorescent tubes with one or more optically coupled light tubes. The light tubes, preferably distribute light in the passenger seating area while reducing the number of lamps and the maintenance required. The light tubes can be formed in much longer segments than a fluorescent tube whereby the number of "dark spots" along the length of a light device is minimized. Because they conduct light, several light tubes can be arranged end to end, in series, to extend from a single light source. As a result, with the exception of the light supply, there are no lamps that melt and require replacement. Such a system does not need complex wiring equipment since there are fewer lamps and therefore fewer lamp receptacles that require electrical power. In addition, the light supplies for illuminating the light tubes can be selected such that they do not require the heavy inverter resistors required by the fluorescent lamps. According to a fifth embodiment of this invention, a lighting system is provided that can be used with either light tubes or fluorescent lamps. The system includes a plurality of light devices, each having a pair of end caps disposed at either end of an elongated lamp housing. Each end cap may include either a D-shaped through hole to receive a fluorescent bulb receptacle or a circular hole to receive a light tube. To better understand and appreciate the invention, refer to the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the interior of a vehicle having light devices according to the invention; FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle schematically showing the pattern of illumination from the devices according to the invention; FIGURE 3 is a partially cut away top view of the vehicle shown in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 4 is an end view in cross section of a light device constructed in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 5 is an end view in cross section of a second embodiment of the light device constructed in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the light device constructed in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional end view of a fourth embodiment of the light device constructed in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional bottom view of an alternative coupling means constructed in accordance with this invention, - FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary bottom cross-sectional view of a coupling means constructed in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 10 is a detailed view of a light tube extending between two light supplies; FIGURE 11 is an end view in cross section of a lamp housing, a light tube and an alternative indexing plate; FIGURE 12 is a side view in partial cross section of the alternative lamp housing, light tube and indexing plate; FIGURE 13 is a detailed view of the pin and the mounting receptacle and the light device; FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of the mounting contact clip; FIGURE 15 is a front view of the light machine shown in Figure 4; FIGURE 16 is an end view in cross section of a fifth embodiment of the light device constructed in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 17 is an end view in cross section of an alternative front panel; FIGURE 18 is an end view in cross section of another alternative front panel; and FIGURE 19 is an end view in cross section of yet another alternative front panel. Figure 20 is an end view in cross section with its parts detached from the arrangement of the lens connector that is shown in FIGURE 16. A first embodiment of a lighting system for mass transport vehicles is generally indicated as 20 and 20"in Figures 1-4, the lighting system 20, 20" is installed in a mass transport vehicle 22 that includes a passenger compartment, generally indicated 24 in Figures 1-3. The passenger compartment 24 is defined by two side walls 26, a front bulkhead 28 and a rear bulkhead 30, a floor 32 and a roof 40. The front bulkhead 28 is located at the forward end of the passenger compartment and the rear bulkhead 30 It is located at the rear end. The passenger compartment 24 includes the side windows 34 located on the side walls 26. The floor 32 includes a passageway 36 extending along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 22 between two areas 38 of passenger seats. The roof 40 extends between the side walls 26 from the forward bulkhead 28 to the rear bulkhead 30. The passenger compartment 24 includes two cornice areas defined as the regions where the two side walls 26 are joined to the roof 40. The portion 20 of the lighting system is supported on a cornice area and the portion 20 'is supported on the opposite cornice area. A cable duct panel 70 of the elongated vehicle can also be fixed in the cornice area. Because the portions 20, 20 'of the lighting system have the same general construction, only the lighting system 20 will be described in detail. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the lighting system 20 includes a device 42 of elongated light longitudinally installed in one of the cornice areas in the passenger compartment 24 of the vehicle 22. A light supply 74 is mounted at each end of the light device 42 adjacent a bulkhead 28, 30. Three tubes 76, 78, 80 of elongated light optically coupled end to end and extend between the two light supplies 74. (Other modalities may, of course, include a greater or lesser number of light tubes.) The light tubes 76, 78, 80 receive light from the light supplies 74, transmitting it along their lengths and laterally emitting it throughout their lengths. lengths in passenger compartment 24. The light device 42 also includes an elongated segmented lamp housing 52 which runs parallel to the light tubes 76, 78, 80 and preferably directs light to the seating area 38 from the light tubes 76, 78, 80. Two coupling means 100 are supported at spaced locations along the lamp housing 52 for slidably supporting the optically coupled ends 84, 86, 88 of the light tubes 76, 78, 80. As shown in Figure 3, the light device 42 includes five end panels 44, 46, 48, 50, 50"arranged end to end and longitudinally extending above the seating area 38 from the bulkhead 30 to the front bulkhead 28 The five panels include a front panel 44 feet long (12 feet long) arranged at the front end of the passenger compartment 24, a central front panel 48 disposed between the front panels 44 and rear panel 46, a panel 50. front access front that abuts the front bulkhead 28, and a rear access front panel 50 'abutting the rear bulkhead 30. The length of the front front panel 48 varies according to the length of the passenger compartment 24. The panels 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'have generally identical cross sections as seen longitudinally down the length of the passenger compartment 24. As best shown in Figures 1 and 2, the segmented lamp housing 52 is longitudinally disposed in the light device 42. The segmented lamp housing 42 is constituted by three interconnected lamp housing segments 52A, 52B, 52C, each configured and intended to preferably direct light to the seating area 38 below and to minimize the illumination of the aisle 36 and the lights. 34 side windows. The segments of the lamp housing are aligned end-to-end to form the segmented lamp housing. Each segment 52A, 52B, 52C of the lamp housing 52 is positioned in one of the front panels 44, 46, 48. A front lamp housing housing 52A is disposed in the front front panel 44, a segment 52B of the rear lamp housing is disposed in the rear front panel 46, a central lamp housing segment 52C is disposed in the central front panel 4 . Each segment 52A, 52B, 52C of the lamp housing has the shape of a concave channel with a parabolic cross section. The cross sectional shape of each segment 52A, 52B, 52C of the lamp housing can also be elliptical, semicircular or any other suitable shape. The curved inner surface of each segment 52A, 52B, 52C of the panel may include a surface that reflects, refracts, diffuses or absorbs light, depending on the amount of illumination desired for a given application. Each front panel 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'includes a slightly curved display panel 54 and the upper and lower ribbed edges 56 for attaching advertising cards. The lower edges of each front panel 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'include an elongated curved roll-down hook 73 for mounting panels 44, 46, 48, 50, 50' in another embodiment. In the first embodiment, the hooks 73 have no purpose. Each front panel 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'is made as an extrusion by stretching opaque resin and glass fibers so as to have an elongated shape of a uniform cross section along its length. Each segment of the lamp housing 52 is made integrally with one of the front panels 44, 467 48, 50, 50 'to form a unitary piece. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, each segment 52A, 52B, 52C of the lamp housing is disposed below the lower edge of the display panel 54 in its respective front panel 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 '. The light device 42 encloses and defines an elongated air duct as shown at 68 in Figures 1, 2 and 4. The front panels 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'serve as the internal walls of the duct 68. The rest of the conduit 68 is defined by the panel 70 of the vehicle conduit. Each front panel 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'is adjusted along its upper and lower edges to the panel 70 of the vehicle conduit. As shown in Figure 4, the spacers 72 are included between the front panels 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'and the panel 70 of the vehicle conduit to allow air conditioning, either hot or cold, to pass from the conduit 68 to passenger compartment 24. In other embodiments, the front panels 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'may be fastened directly to the side wall 26 of the passenger compartment 24 in a cornice area instead of being fastened to a panel 70 of the vehicle conduit.

Two light sources, shown at 74 in Figures 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 and 15, are mounted on the vehicle 22 adjacent to the passenger compartment 24. More specifically, a light source 74 is mounted at each end of the device 42 with each light source 74 disposed behind one of the two front access panels 50, 50 'adjacent to the front and rear 30 bulkheads. The light sources 74 are mounted behind the front access panels 50, 50 'to allow easy access for maintenance and replacement of light source components, such as fused spotlights. In other embodiments there may be more or fewer light sources 74 and may be mounted at any location within the vehicle 22. As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 7, the light sources 74 are disposed within the air duct 68 which runs through the device 42. During operation, the flow of cold air through the air duct 68 can assist the light sources 74 to reject heat by convection. The light sources 74, commonly known as "light engines", are electrically energized and include halogen illuminators. The illuminators may be quartz-halogen or may utilize a metal halide illuminator such as that described in United States Patent 4,704,660 issued November 3, 1987 to Robbins et al. Such light sources 74 are available from General Electric Company and Lumenyte International Corporation. The lighting system 20 includes a vehicle mounted switch 22 and an electrical energizing circuit extending from the switch to each source 74. The switch can be of any suitable type known in the art. The lighting system 20 includes three elongated light tubes, generally indicated at 76, 78 and 80 in Figures 1-12 and 15. The light tubes 76, 78, 80 are coupled end to end in a series. The series extends longitudinally above the seating area 38 and between two light sources 74 and runs adjacent and parallel to the segmented lamp housing 52. As shown in Figure 3, the three elongated light tubes include a front tube 76 supported within the front front panel 44, a central tube 78 supported within the central front panel 48 and a rear tube 80 supported within the rear front panel 46 . The front and rear 80 tubes 76 receive light at one end, transmit light along their lengths and emit it longitudinally from their other ends while emitting it laterally from the full length of their lengths in the passenger compartment 24. The central tube 78 receives light at both ends from the front and rear tubes 76 and laterally emits it from its entire length in the passenger compartment 24. When the lighting system 20 is installed the light sources 74 are installed before the light tubes 76, 78, 80. Because the front and rear 80 tubes 76 must be inserted into the cylindrical receptacles 89 in the light sources 74, the light sources 74 must be removed from the path when the front and rear 80 pipes 76 are installed. To facilitate movement of the light source 74, each light source 74 is supported within the air duct 68 by a mounting bracket 69 which includes the elongated mounting holes 71. As shown in Figure 15, the elongated mounting holes 71 allow the light sources 74 to be slid away from the light tubes 76, 80. After the light tubes 76, 78, 80 are installed, the light sources 74 slide back inwardly to engage and optically engage the front and rear tubes 76. Alternatively, the light sources 74 can be mounted before the light tubes and fastened in place after the light tubes 76, 78, 80 have been installed. As shown in Figure 3, the front light tubes 76 and the rear light tubes 80 each have an inlet end 82 and an outlet end 84. The center light tube 78 has a front inlet end 86 and a rear inlet end 88. Each of the inlet ends 82 of the front and rear 80 light tubes 76 is optically coupled to one of the two light sources 74. The cylindrical receptacles 89 in the light sources 74 receive the inlet ends 82. As shown in Figure 15, heat shrink tubing 91 can be used to secure the inlet ends 82 in the receptacles 89. The outlet ends 84 of the front and back light tubes 76 are optically coupled to the tubes. front entrance 86 ends and rear 88 of the central light tube 78, respectively. The optical couplings between the light tubes 76, 78, 80 allow the front and rear light tubes 76 to transmit the light from the light sources 74 in the central light tube 78. Each elongated light tube 76, 78, 80 is a semi-rigid center-solid optical fiber. The center section of each tube 76, 78, 80 is made of a soft acrylic. However, other modalities may use other light transmitting materials instead of the soft center semi-rigid optical fiber.; for example, Dupont Lucite® bars having circular cross sections and diameters of approximately 1/8 inch.

The center of each tube 76, 78, 80 of light is housed in a coating having a refractive index that causes the coating to emit light laterally. The coating is made of Teflon®. However, in other embodiments, the coating can make other materials with similar light scattering characteristics. A semi-rigid free space jacket surrounds the liner to reflect a predetermined portion of the light emitted laterally back towards the center. As best shown in Figure 11, each tube 76, 78, 80 has an oval cross-section oriented to optimally concentrate the lateral emission of light. A light tube of the type described above is commonly referred to as an "optical tube". Optical tubes that include coating to scatter light laterally are commonly referred to as "side-light" or "side-on" optical tubes. This type of optical tube is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,957,347 issued September 18, 1990 to Zarain, incorporated herein by reference. Optical sidelight tubes are available from Lumenyte Corporation. To provide a controlled distribution of light, each tube 76, 78, 80 also includes cuts 90 at angles disposed along its length as shown in Figure 10. The cuts 90 create discontinuities in the tubes 76, 78, 80 that increase the amount of light emitted laterally. The 9O cuts have optimized depths, angles and spacing for uniform light distribution from the entire length of each tube 76, 78, 80. The side light optical tubes with cuts or interruptions manufactured in the optical tubes are available from Lumenyte Corporation under the registered trademark LUMENYTER STARBURSTMR OPTIC. A plurality of mounting contact clips, shown at 92 in Figures 5, 5, 6, 7 and 14, extend from the lamp housing 52 to support the light tubes 76, 78, 80 at separate locations along the length of the lamp housing. its lengths and to hold the tubes 76, 78, 80 at a predetermined distance from the internal reflecting concave surface of the lamp housing 52. As best shown in Figure 14, the mounting contact clips are snap engagement, snap-fit, split ring contact clips. Other embodiments may use other means to support light tubes 76, 78, 80 such as cable or plastic slings. The light device 42 also includes an elongated translucent segmented ribbed lens, shown at 98 in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Each of the five lens segments 98A, 98B, 98C, 98D, 98D ' The groove is formed as a U-shaped channel. The lens segments 98A, 98B, 98C, 98D, 98D, 98D are each supported on one of the front panels 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'between a tube 76, 78, 80 light and 38 seating area. Each lens segment 98A, 98B, 98C, 98D, 98D 'is adjusted by bracket and covers a segment 52A, 52B, 52C of the U-shaped lamp housing to form an enclosed elongated light tube housing segment with open ends . As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the end fittings 102 are installed at the open ends of each segment of the tube housing. The end fittings 102 include holes to allow passage of the light tube as described in more detail below. A front lens segment 98A covers the segment 52A of the front lamp housing, a segment 98B of the central lens segment covers the segment 52B of the central lamp housing, a rear lens segment 98C covers the segment 52C of the rear lamp housing, a front access lens segment 98D covers the segment 52 of the front access lamp housing and a rear access lens segment 98D 'covers the segment 52D' of the rear access lamp housing. When the panels 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'are installed and connected together, the segments of the tube housing are aligned and assembled in a single housing of light-resistant tube that runs along the length of the compartment 24 of passenger. Two coupling means, generally indicated at 100 in FIGS. 8 and 9, are supported at spaced locations along the lamp housing 52 and within the segmented tube housing to slideably support the optically coupled ends 84, 86, 88 of the tubes. 76, 78, 80 of light. A coupler means 100 is provided at each location where two light tube ends 84, 86, 88 are optically coupled. Therefore, each coupler means 100 slidably supports two optically coupled light tube ends 84, 86, 88 and maintains them in longitudinal optical alignment. Each coupler means 100 facilitates the transmission of optical light between the light tubes 76, 78, 80 while allowing the light tubes 76, 78, 80 to expand and contract longitudinally. As shown in Figure 9, each coupler means includes two end fittings 102 of the front panel. Each end fitting 102 of the front panel is fixed at the end of a tube housing section between a segment 52A, 52B, 52C, of the lamp housing and its fixed lens segment 98A, 98B, 98C. The end fittings 102 are configured to fit in the cross-sectional area between the lamp housing 52 and the ribbed lens 98. The end fittings 102 can be fixed in place by glue or any other suitable fastening means. A tubular receptacle 104 extends longitudinally through each end fitting 102 of the front panel. The tubular receptacles 104 are configured to receive the ends 84, 86, 88 of the light tubes 76, 78, 80. As shown in Figure 9, each end fitting 102 includes either a male or female tubular receptacle 104 to allow the segments 52A, 52B, 52C of the adjacent lamp housing to slide together and interconnect telescopically. An o-ring seal 108 sits within each tubular receptacle 104. Each o-shaped ring seal 108 circumferentially slides and sealing one of the optically coupled light tube ends 84, 86, 88. The seals 108 maintain the space between the optically coupled light tubes 76, 78, 80 free of dust, insects or other contaminants that otherwise inhibit the transmission of light. The second, third, fourth and fifth embodiments of the lighting system are generally indicated at 20a, 20b, 20c and 20f in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 16 respectively. The reference numbers with the suffix "a" in Figure 5, "b" in Figure 6, "c" in Figure 7 and "f" in Figure 16 designate alternate configurations of each element common to the first mode before described. Unless otherwise indicated, the description of the elements in the first modality is intended to apply equally to the elements in the second, third, fourth and fifth modalities that bear the same reference numbers, but with the suffixes " a "," b "," c "or" f ". The second embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of elongated air duct extension panels, generally indicated at 114 in Figure 5. The extension panels 114 separate the front honeycombs 44a, 46a, 48a, 50a, 50a 'away from the side walls 26a of the passenger compartment to increase the cross-sectional area of the enclosing air duct 68a. As with the front panels, each extension panel 114 is made as an extrusion by stretching opaque resin and glass fibers so as to obtain an elongated shape of a uniform cross section along its length. Each extension panel 114 has an elongated notch 118 extending along its outer edge. Where, as in Figure 5, a panel 70 of the vehicle conduit is installed in the cornice area of the vehicle 22, the elongated notch 118 of each extension panel 114 engages a receptacle 116 of the elongated conduit formed along the bottom edge of the panel 70 of the vehicle conduit. In applications where the panel 70 of the vehicle conduit is not installed, the outer edge fits or latches into a side wall receptacle located just above the side windows 34. An elongated upward curved hook 120 is formed along the inner edge of each extension panel 114. An elongated vertical fin 122 extends upwardly from the entire length of the inner edge of each extension panel 114 adjacent the hook 120. A support strap 124 is connected to each vertical fin 122 and extends upward to connect to the panel 70 of the vehicle conduit or roof 40 of the vehicle. A fin 126 at an elongated angle extends upwardly and outwardly from the entire length of the inner edge of each extension panel 114 adjacent to the hook 120. Each angled fin 126 runs parallel to each corresponding vertical fin 122 defining a channel for the wiring equipment 128. The panels 44a, 46a, 48a, 50a, 50 'to front panels in the second embodiment are identical to those in the first embodiment, but are installed differently. To install each front panel 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'according to the second embodiment, an installer first installs the air duct extension panels 114. The installer then engages the curved roll hook 73 downwardly of each front panel 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'on the curved hook 120 upwardly of each duct extension panel 114. In this form, each front panel is pivotally coupled to the inner edge of a conduit extension panel 114. The installer then rotates each front panel 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'upwardly until its top edge makes contact with the top edge of the panel 70 of the vehicle conduit. As shown in Figures 5 and 14, the cylindrical receptacles 112 are fixed along the upper edge of the panel 70 of the vehicle duct. As also shown in Figures 5 and 13, at least one latch in the form of a mounting pin 110 is fixed to the upper edge of each panel 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'such that it is axially aligned. with the cylindrical receptacles 112 when each panel 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'moves pivotally upwardly in contact with the vehicle duct panel 70. After pivotally moving each individual panel upward, the installer slides each panel 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'laterally such that each of the mounting pins 110 slides in one of the cylindrical receptacles 112. The latch does not need to be in the form of a mounting pin 110, but can be of any configuration that allows the installer to laterally slide each panel 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'in engagement with the panel 70 of the vehicle conduit.

The third embodiment of the lighting system 20 shown at 20b in Figure 6 includes a segmented lamp housing 52b disposed along the top edge of each display panel 54b. The fourth embodiment of the lighting system 20 shown at 20c in Figure 7 includes the segments 52Ac, 52Bc, 52Cc, 52Dc, 52Dc 'of the lamp housing disposed along both the upper and lower edges of each display panel 54c. The fourth embodiment shown in Figure 7 uses four light sources 74c instead of two. In this embodiment, two of the four light sources 74c are mounted adjacent the forward bulkhead 28 and the other two light sources 74c are mounted adjacent the rear bulkhead 30. Figures 11 and 12 show an alternative embodiment of the front panels 44, 46, 48, 50, 50 'and the segmented lamp housing 52 representatively shown at 44e, respectively. The reference numbers suffixed "e" in Figures 11 and 12 designate the alternative configuration of each element common to the first modality. Unless otherwise indicated, where reference numerals appear in the description of the first embodiment without a suffix, it is intended that the description equally apply to elements in Figures 11 and 12 indicated by the same reference numerals, but with the suffix "e".

Figures 11 and 12 show an alternative segmented lamp housing 52e with three lamp housing segments representatively indicated at 52Ae. The segments 52Ae of the lamp housing that are formed separately and are fixed to the corresponding front panels 44, 46, 48. Figures 11 and 12 show one end of an individual exemplary lamp housing segment 52Ae. Each segment of the lamp housing 52e is supported on a front panel 44e to move pivotally about a longitudinal axis. An indexing means 57 is operatively connected between each lamp housing segment 52Ae and the front panel 44e is mounted thereon. The indexing means 57 allows the installer to adjust in an increased manner the direction that each lamp segment 52e will reflect light towards the passenger compartment 24. The indexing means 57 includes an indexing plate 58 which is fixed to one or both ends of each lamp housing segment 52Ae and pivotally moves with each lamp housing segment 52Ae on a pivot pin 60. The pivot pin 60 extends into the front panel 44e. The indexing plate 58 includes a plurality of plate holes 62 and the front panel 44e includes an individual indexing hole 64 radially aligned with the plate holes 62 around the pivot pin 60. A pin 66 or indexing pin is insertable through the indexer hole 64 and any of the plate holes 62. To change the pivotal position of a lamp housing segment 52Ae the installer only needs to remove the indexing pin 66, rotate the lamp housing segment 52Ae and the indexing plate 58 until a different plate hole 62 is aligned with the hole 64 indexer, then inserts the indexer pin 66 to lock the indexer plate 58 and the lamp housing segment 52Ae against pivotal movement relative to its associated front panel 44e. Also shown in Figure 11 is an alternative structure for supporting the light tubes 76e in the segmented lamp housing 52e. Instead of using the split ring contact clips for the support, the light tubes 76e in this embodiment can each include an elongated mounting fin 94 with a T-shaped cross section extending integrally from the entire length of their lengths The T-shaped mounting flaps 94 are adapted to slide in a T-shaped channel 96 formed in the concave inner surface of each lamp housing segment 52Ae. An alternative coupler means is shown in 100d in Figure 8. The reference numbers with the suffix "d" in Figure 8 designate the alternative configuration of each element common to the first mode ^ Unless otherwise indicatedWhen the description of the first embodiment refers to an element with a reference number that does not have a suffix, the description is intended to apply equally to the elements in Figure 8 indicated by the same reference numbers, but with the suffix "d". In the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 8, the lOOd coupler means includes a cylindrical jaw member 106. The jaw member 106 surrounds the tubureceptacles 104d of the adjacent end fittings 102d and links them end to end. In this alternative embodiment, the end fittings 102d are identical to each other and the tubureceptacles 104d are er than in the first embodiment. The fifth embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of light devices of simiconstruction which are representatively illustrated by the individual light device generally indicated at 20f in Figure 16. The lighting device 20f of the fifth embodiment is simiin almost all respects to that of the second embodiment described in the foregoing with several exceptions, for example, the fifth embodiment is adapted to accommodate either fluorescent lamps or fiber optic light tubes.

The representative lighting device 20f is mounted on the cornice area of the vehicle above the seating area 38 and includes a front panel, generally indicated at 44f in Figure 16. The front panel 44f includes an upper edge 130 adapted to be connected to the roof 40 of the vehicle. As with the second embodiment, the light device 20f encloses and defines a portion of an elongated air duct 68 f and includes an air duct extension panel, generally indicated at 114f in Figure 16. The panel 114f of The extension of the air duct is adapted to be mounted between the side wall 26f of the vehicle and the front panel 44f to separate the front panel 44f from the side wall 26f. The air duct extension panel 114f has an internal edge 132 adapted to be connected to a lower edge 136 of the front panel 44f, and an outer edge 134 adapted to be connected to the side wall 26f of the vehicle. The front panel 44f and the duct extension panel 114f are integrally formed as unitary members from resin and glass fibers so that they have elongated shapes with uniform cross sections along their respective lengths. A lamp housing, generally indicated at 52f in Figure 16, is integrally formed as a unitary piece with the front panel 44f and disposed adjacent and generally parallel to the lower edge 136 of the front panel. The lamp housing 52f includes an elongated concave portion 138 that opens in the direction in which the device will provide light to the seating area 38. The lamp housing 52f is disposed adjacent and generally parallel to the lower edge 136 of the front panel and the inner edge 132 of the duct extension panel. This allows the lamp housing 52f to project light from a laterally spaced position from the windows 34f laterally and vertically from the ceiling 40. Because the lamp housing 52f is spaced from the windows 34f, its position minimizes illumination of the window. the side window and the reflection shine. Because the lamp housing 52f is separated from the roof 40, its position is closer to the seat area 38 thereby minimizing the illumination of the seating area and reducing the amount of light scattered in the passageway 36 and other portions of the compartment. 24 passengers. A male pivotal connector member 73f is disposed along the lower edge 136 of the front panel. The male pivotal connector member 73f pivotally connects the front panel 44f to the air duct extension panel 114f. A female pivotal connector member 12Of is disposed along the inner edge 132 of the conduit extension panel. The female pivotal connector member 120f receives the male pivotal connector member 73f in a "coil" type coupling. A suspension member 124f provides support for the duct extension panel 114f from the roof 40 of the vehicle or other structures that are overhead. The suspension member 124f has a lower edge that connects to the extension panel 114f of the conduit adjacent the inner edge 132, and an upper end that connects to the roof 40 of the vehicle or other structures fixed to the roof 40. An elongated lens, generally indicated at 98f in Figure 16, it is supported between the lamp housing 52f and the seating area 38. The lens 98f is formed as a U-shaped channel with first and second edges of laterally opposed lenses. The first lens edge includes a "coil" type male lens connector member 140. The male lens connector member 140 pivotally mounts the lens 98f to the front panel 44f adjacent the first of two laterally opposed lamp housing edges bordering the elongated concave portion 138 of the lamp housing 52f. A female lens connector member, shown at 142 in FIGS. 16-20, is formed integrally in the front panel 44f adjacent the first edge of the lamp housing. The female pivotal lens connector member 142 includes a receptacle 144 that receives the male lens connector member 140 in a "coil" type coupling. A retainer 146 is disposed along the second lens edge and has the shape of a laterally elongated tip. A corresponding ratchet 148 is formed integrally in the front panel 44f adjacent the second edge of the housing and receives the retainer 146 in a "snap fit" type coupling. This allows the lens 98f to be adjusted by jumping in a closed position on the concave portion 138 of the lamp housing. The arrangement of the members 140, 142"winding" lens connectors and the "snap-fit" retainer 146 and the pawl 148 helps to prevent dust from entering the lamp housing 52f. The male lens connector member 140 is in the form of a laterally elongated hook. In addition, the jump connection between the detent 146 and the ratchet 148 is dust resistant. The arrangement of the "winding" lens connector members 140, 142 and the "snap-fit" retainer 146 and the pawl 148 helps to prevent dust from entering the lamp housing 52f along any of the edges. of laterally opposite lens. An in-line contact can be formed between the members 140, 142 lens connectors to further reduce the ingress of dust. The line contact can be provided along a line where the rim of the member 142 of the female pivotal lens connector makes contact with the male connector member 140. Alternatively, the line contact can be provided along a line where the flange of member 140 of the male connector makes contact with the female connector member 142. An upper ribbed edge 152 extends integrally outward from the front panel 44f. The upper ribbed edge 152 lies adjacent and parallel to the upper edge 130 of the front panel. A lower grooved edge 154 lies in a similar manner adjacent and parallel to the lower edge 136 of the front panel and opposite the upper ribbed edge 152. The ribbed top and bottom edges are positioned to hold an advertising card between them. An upper mounting flange 156 is formed adjacent the upper edge 130 of the front panel. The mounting flange 156 includes fastening openings that receive the fasteners to connect the front panel 44f to the roof 40. The fastening openings are located between the upper and lower edges 152 grooved in such a way that a card installed between the ribbed edges will cover the gripping openings 158 and will provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. As shown in Figure 16, the mounting flange 156 is formed into a channel shape with a triangular cross section. The mounting flange 156, or "mounting" channel, has a lower channel wall 160 lying flush with the front panel 44 f and an upper channel wall 162 designed to make contact with the roof 40 of the vehicle. The mounting channel 156 includes two types of fastening openings: a series of spaced-apart interior fastening holes 164 and an access groove 166 of the outer fastener. The access slot 166 of the fastener extends through the lower wall 160 of the mounting channel and provides access to tools and the fastener into the mounting channel. The inner retaining holes 164 extend through the upper wall 162 of the mounting channel and receive and engage the fasteners as they are installed through the mounting channel 156 and the roof 40 of the vehicle. For vehicle applications that do not use advertising cards, a filler strip may be provided to fill the notch 166 of the fastener. The fillet strip 168 can be adjusted by jump, stuck in place or fastened by any other suitable method. The front panel 44f has a honeycomb rear surface and the lamp housing 52f has a rear housing surface each facing up and forward the roof 40 of the vehicle following the installation. A first elongated ratchet tab 170 extends integrally longitudinally along the entire length of the lamp housing 52f and laterally from the rear surface of the housing to the rear surface of the panel. A second elongated ratchet tab 172 extends integrally and longitudinally along the entire length of the panel 44f frontally and laterally from the rear surface of the panel to the first ratchet tab 170. The first tab 170 and second ratchet tab 172 cooperate with the rear surfaces of the lamp housing 52f and the front panel 44f to enclose and partially define a conduit 174 for the electrical wiring equipment. The ratchet tongues 170, 172 extend laterally towards each other leaving a longitudinal groove running between them along their entire length. The slot provides an elongated access opening for an installer to push the cables or cable assemblies through and into the cable conduit as shown at 180 in Figure 16. The device includes at least one end cap, generally indicated at 176 in Figure 16, mounted within the concave portion 138 of the lamp housing. The end cap 176 has peripheral edges which engage the concave portion 138 of the lamp housing and the light cover. The end cap 176 also includes a through hole 178 configured to receive a fluorescent focus receptacle. Possible variations on the fifth embodiment of the present invention include that the lamp housing 52f is integrally formed as a unitary piece with the duct extension panel 114f in place of the front panel 44f. In addition, a female lens winding connector member 142 can be formed integrally in a portion of the lamp housing 52f in place of the front panel 44f such that the male lens connector member 140 can be mounted to a portion of the adjacent lamp housing 52f. and parallel to the first edge of the lamp housing in place of the front panel 44f. In addition, the "snap-fit" lens fixing latch 148 can be integrally formed in or fixed to the lamp housing 52f in place of the front panel 44f. In another possible variation of the fifth embodiment, the end cap 176 may include a through hole configured to receive a light tube instead of a fluorescent focus receptacle. When the light tubes optically engage each other and are supported end-to-end through a series of adjacent lighting devices, the end cap 176 may also comprise a portion of a coupler adapted to slidably support the optically coupled ends of two. adjacent light tubes. Examples of couplers of this type are shown at 100 and 100 in Figures 8 and 9, respectively. To support the light tube at separate locations along its length, a plurality of contact clips or mounting holes may be included in the lamp housing 52f to receive the mounting contact clips. An example of such a mounting contact clip is shown at 92 in Figure 14. The front panel 44f of the fifth embodiment can be modified for use without the duct extension panel 114f. To attach directly to a side wall 26f of the vehicle or other associated structures, the front panel 44f may be modified at its lower edge as shown at 136g, 136h, and 136i in Figures 17, 18 and 19, respectively. The upper edge 130 can also be modified as shown in Figure 18. Figures 17, 18 and 19 show different configurations of upper edge 130 and lower 136 suitable for particular applications in the vehicle. Other combinations of the upper 130 and lower edges 136 shown in Figures 16, 17, 18, 19 can be used to adapt a front panel 42 to adjust various configurations inside the vehicle. For example, the upper edge 130h shown in Figure 18 can be included on the front panel 44f of Figure 16. The reference numbers with the suffix "g" in Figure 17, "h" in Figure 18 and "i" in Figure 19, they designate alternative configurations of each element common to the fifth embodiment described above. Unless indicated otherwise, the description of the elements in the fifth embodiment is intended to apply equally to the elements shown in Figures 17, 18 and 19 which bear the same reference numbers, but as suffixes "g" , "h" or II i II This is an illustrative description of the invention using words of description rather than limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of this invention are possible in light of the teachings described above. Within the scope of the claims, the invention can not be put into practice except as described in the foregoing.

Claims (40)

1. CLAIMS 1. In a mass transit vehicle that has a passenger compartment with side windows, a corridor that extends along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a passenger seating area on one side of the aisle, a lighting system for preferably illuminating the seating area and minimizing the illumination of the aisle and the side windows, such lighting system comprising: a lighting device that includes an elongated light directing panel arranged longitudinally in the passenger compartment above the area of seats to preferably direct light towards the seating area; a light source mounted on the vehicle adjacent to such a passenger compartment; an elongated light tube having an input end optically coupled to such a light source for receiving light therefrom, such a light tube extends from such a light source towards the passenger compartment and longitudinally extends above the area of light. seats adjacent to such a light steering panel, the light tube is adapted to conduct light along its length while emitting light laterally from its entire length towards the passenger compartment.
2. 2. The lighting system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the elongated light tube comprises semi-rigid lateral light optical fiber of solid center.
3. 3. The lighting system, according to claim 2, characterized in that the light device has a lower edge and wherein the light directing panel is arranged adjacent to the lower edge.
4. The lighting system, according to claim 3, characterized in that the light device has an upper edge and wherein the light device includes a second light directing panel disposed adjacent to the upper edge.
5. The lighting system, according to claim 2, characterized in that the light device has a lower edge and wherein the light directing panel is arranged adjacent to the upper edge.
6. The lighting system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the device includes a plurality of mounting contact clips extending from the light directing panel to support the light tube at separate locations along its length. length.
7. The lighting system, according to claim 2, characterized in that the tube includes angled cuts arranged along its length and where the cuts have depths, angles and separations optimized for uniform light distribution from all along of its length.
8. The lighting system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the light device includes an elongated lens supported between the light tube and the seating area.
9. The lighting system, according to claim 8, characterized in that the light device encloses and defines an elongated air duct.
10. The lighting system, according to claim 9, characterized in that the light source is placed inside the air duct and where a mounting bracket is connected to the light device and supports the light source inside the duct.
11. The lighting system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the light source comprises a halogen illuminator.
12. 12. In a mass transit vehicle that has a passenger compartment with walls and side windows, a passageway that runs along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a passenger seating area on one side of the aisle, a lighting system to illuminate preferably the seating area and minimize the illumination of the aisle and side windows, such lighting system is characterized in that it comprises: a light device that includes an elongated light director panel disposed longitudinally in the passenger compartment by above the seating area to preferably direct light to the seating area; a light source mounted on the vehicle adjacent to the passenger compartment; a plurality of elongated light tubes each having two opposite ends, the light tubes coupled end to end and extending from the light source to the passenger compartment and longitudinally extending above the seating area adjacent to the light directing panel, each light tube being adapted to receive light at one of said ends and to transmit it along its length and emit longitudinally the light from the other end while emitting it laterally from the full length of its length in the passenger compartment; one end of at least one of the light tubes is optically coupled to one end of another of the light tubes to receive light therefrom; coupling means supported at the spaced apart locations along the light directing panel for slidably supporting the optically coupled ends to facilitate the transmission of optical light between the light tubes while allowing the light tubes to expand and contract longitudinally .
13. The lighting system, according to claim 12, characterized in that the device includes a plurality of elongated end panels arranged end-to-end and extending longitudinally in the passenger compartment and above the seating area.
14. The lighting system, according to claim 13, characterized in that the device includes an upper edge and a lower edge and where the device includes a plurality of spacers positioned in spaced locations adjacent the upper and lower edges.
15. The lighting system, according to claim 13, characterized in that each front panel includes a lower edge and wherein each panel includes pivotal connecting means disposed along the lower edge to pivotally mount each panel to the wall of the compartment. passengers 16.
16. The lighting system, according to claim 15, characterized in that the pivotal connector means includes an extension panel of the elongated air duct disposed between each front panel and the side wall of the vehicle.
17. The lighting system, according to claim 15, characterized in that each front panel includes an upper edge and wherein each panel includes a latch disposed adjacent the upper edge.
18. The lighting system, according to claim 13, characterized in that each front panel is made of an extrusion by stretching resin and glass fibers in such a way that it has an elongated shape of a uniform cross section along the length of its longitude.
19. The lighting system, according to claim 13, characterized in that the light directing panel includes a plurality of elongated light guide panel sections aligned end-to-end and wherein each section of the light directing panel is integrally formed with one of the front panels to form a unitary piece
20. 20. The lighting system, according to claim 19, characterized in that each section of the light directing panel is supported on one of the front panels to move pivotally about an axis. longitudinally and wherein the device includes indexing means operatively connected between the light directing panel section and the front panel to change in an increased manner the direction in which the light directing panel section reflects light from the light pipe towards the passenger compartment
21. 21. The lighting system, in accordance with claim 13, character bristled because the front panel includes two ends of the front panel and wherein the coupler means include end fittings of the front panel fixed to the ends of the front panel.
22. 22. The lighting system, according to claim 21, characterized in that the coupling means include a tubular receptacle extending longitudinally through each end fitting of the front panel.
23. The lighting system, according to claim 22, characterized in that the coupling means includes a ring seal in the form of or fixed inside each tubular receptacle and wherein each ring seal in the form of or encircles a sealable and slidable one from the ends of the optically coupled light tube.
24. 24. In a mass transit vehicle having a passenger compartment with a roof, side walls, cornice areas, side windows, a passageway extending along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a passenger seating area on a side of the aisle, a lighting system to preferably illuminate the seating area and minimize the illumination of the aisle and side windows, such lighting system is characterized in that it comprises: a lighting device mounted in the cornice area above of the seating area, the device comprising an elongated lamp housing with an elongated concave portion that opens in the direction in which the device will provide light; the device further comprising an air duct extension panel having an external edge adapted to be connected to the side wall of the vehicle, the lamp housing supported adjacent and generally parallel to an inner edge of such an extension panel of the duct opposite to the outer edge of the duct extension panel for separating the lamp housing laterally inward from the wall and the side windows to minimize illumination of the side window; the device further comprising a front panel having an upper edge adapted to be connected to the vehicle roof, and a lower edge adapted to be connected to the inner edge of such an extension panel of the conduit adjacent to the lamp housing to separate the lamp housing down from the roof and next to the seating area to minimize lighting of the seating area; the elongated lamp housing integrally formed as a unitary piece with one of the front panel and the duct extension panel to make the light device stronger while reducing the requirements of fixing equipment and simplifying the assembly and installation .
25. 25. The lighting system, according to claim 24, characterized in that the front panel and the extension panel of the duct are each integrally formed as unitary members in such a way that they have elongated shapes with uniform cross sections along the length of their respective lengths.
26. 26. The lighting system, according to claim 25, characterized in that the lamp housing is integrally formed as a unitary piece with the front panel and arranged adjacent and generally parallel to the lower edge of the front panel.
27. The lighting system, according to claim 25, characterized in that the front panel includes a male pivotal connecting flange disposed along the lower edge, such a male pivotal connecting flange adapted to pivotally connect the front panel to the extension panel of the air duct; and wherein the conduit extension panel includes a female pivotal connector flange disposed along the inner edge, said female pivotal connector flange adapted to receive the male pivotal connector flange in a "coil" type coupling.
28. The lighting system, according to claim 25, characterized in that the device includes a suspension member having a lower edge connected to the extension panel of the conduit adjacent to the inner edge, the suspension member having an upper end adapted to connect to the roof of the vehicle.
29. 29. The lighting system, according to claim 25, characterized in that the light device includes an elongated lens supported between the lamp housing and the seating area.
30. 30. The lighting system, according to claim 28, characterized in that the lamp housing has first and second laterally opposed receiving edges bordering the elongated concave portion and the lens has first and second laterally opposite lens edges, and in wherein such a lens includes a male pivotal connector flange disposed along the first lens edge, the male pivotal connector flange adapted to pivotally mount the lens to one of the front panel and the lamp housing adjacent and parallel to the first edge of the lamp housing.; and wherein the device includes a female pivotal connector flange formed integrally on one of the front panel and the lamp housing adjacent to the first edge of the lamp housing, the female pivotal connector flange adapted to receive the male pivotal connector flange in a coupling of the type of "winding"; and wherein the lens includes a retainer disposed along the second lens edge, the retainer adapted to fit by leap to the lens in a closed position on the concave portion of the lamp housing.; and wherein the device includes a pawl integrally formed in one of the front panel and the lamp housing adjacent the second housing edge, the pawl adapted to receive the detent in a "snap fit" type coupling.
31. The lighting system, according to claim 25, characterized in that the male pivotal connecting flange comprises a hook flange having a front side and a rear side and wherein the front and rear sides of the hook flange include each one a line contact.
32. The lighting system, according to claim 25, characterized in that the front panel includes an upper fluted edge adjacent and parallel to the upper edge and a lower fluted edge adjacent and parallel to the lower edge, the ribbed upper and lower edges adapted to hold an advertising card between them.
33. The lighting system, according to claim 32, characterized in that the front panel includes an upper mounting flange formed adjacent the upper edge, the mounting flange including fastening openings adapted to receive the fasteners for connecting the front panel to the roof, the fastening openings arranged between the upper and lower ribbed edges.
34. 34. The lighting system, according to claim 25, characterized in that the front panel has a rear panel surface and wherein the lamp housing has a rear surface of the housing, and wherein the device includes first and second tabs of elongate ratchet, the first ratchet tongue extends integrally from the rear surface of the housing towards the rear surface of the panel and the second ratchet tongue extends integrally from the rear surface of the panel towards the first ratchet tongue, the first and second tabs Ratchets comprise and partially define a conduit for the electrical wiring equipment with such rear surfaces of the housing and the panel.
35. 35. The lighting system, according to claim 25, characterized in that the device includes at least one end cap mounted within the concave portion of the lamp housing, such end cap having peripheral edges that engage the housing and the light cover .
36. 36. The lighting system, according to claim 35, characterized in that the end cap includes a through hole adapted to receive a fluorescent focus receptacle.
37. 37. The lighting system, according to claim 35, characterized in that the end cap includes a through hole adapted to receive a light tube.
38. 38. The lighting system, according to claim 37, characterized in that the device includes a plurality of mounting contact clips extending from the lamp housing, the plurality of mounting contact clips adapted to support a tube of light in separate locations along its length.
39. 39. The lighting system, according to claim 37, characterized in that the end cap comprises a coupler adapted to slideably support one end of the light tube.
40. 40. The lighting system, according to claim 25, characterized in that the light device encloses and defines an elongated air duct.