US2309059A - Lighting fixture - Google Patents

Description

Jam 19 1943. I v E. FZRIENVD 2,399,059-

LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Aug. 23, 1941' (It tornegs "Patented Jan. 19, 1943 UNITED STATES {PATENT ()FFICE' LIGHTING FIXTURE Robert E. Friend, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Nordberg Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application August 23, 1941, Serial No. 408,079 2 Claims. (01.240-78) This invention relates to lighting fixtures, particularly fixtures for enclosing horizontal tube lights, such as fluorescent tube lights now coming into extensive use. Since the tubes a e Op q and will cast a shadow, the full utilization of the light from a horizontal tube requires either the use of a special form of reflector or some arrangement which will avail of indirect lighting as well as direct. The invention takes account of this fact and also meets the requirement char,- acteristic of tube lights, that the light tubes must extend substantially continuously across the lighted space, because they do not afford good dispersion of light far beyond the ends of the tubes.

The invention provides a fixture of attractive appearance, which conforms to the principles of functional design, and which may be used as a single unit or may be assembled end to end with similar units to produce diffused lighting fixtures extending the entire length or width of a space to be lighted. The invention so arranges the tube lights with reference to a diffusing reflector and an enclosing light transmitting case that good diifused direct lighting and good indirect lighting are both afforded by the fixture.

The invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the complete fixture;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal axial section taken on a vertical plane;

Fig. 3 is a. section on the line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

The end plates of the fixture comprise the rectangular panel ll sustained by a narrow web l2 which is flanged as indicated at l3 and notched at M to engage fixture studs or other means for connecting the fixture to the ceiling. Thereotangular panel II is flanged along its vertical edges and across its lower edge as indicated at l5, and the two end panels are connected by longitudinally extending angle bars [6 which are welded to both end panels. The panels II are further tied together and braced by a sheet metal reflector element H which is coated on its outer surf-ace with white enamel to give it a combined light reflecting and diffusing characteristic. The

two faces of the triangular portion which are indicated by the numbers l8 and I9 in Fig. 3 are preferably at approximately 90 to each other.

The reflector structure generally indicated by the numeral I 1 has end portions which, in Figure 2, are generally indicated by the reference'numerals 2|, 22. These end portions are preferably formed with five sides as indicated in Figure 4, one purpose of so forming the end portions being to form convenient points for attachment of the brackets 23 which carry tube sockets 24 of any suitable form. No attempt is here made to illustrate the tube sockets in detail.

Brackets are provided for three tubes. The upper tubes 25 are parallel with and near the upper margin of the faces l8, IQ of the central or main reflecting portion of the reflector. The third tube 26 is a short distance below the angle between the surfaces l8, l9. This third tube may be omitted. In some cases, it will be found desirable to provide a separate control for the tube 28 so that it may or may not be lighted at the same time that the tubes 25 are lighted. A cover member 21 formed with ventilating louvers 28 cl0ses the top of the reflector element. It will be understood that the reflector element may be used to house transformers or other accessory apparatus used with tube lights. No attempt to illustrate such apparatus in the drawing has been made. It is not a part of the invention and would be conventional, in any event.

The cover member 21 is provided with flanged seats 29 on its opposite sides to receive the cover glass hereinafter described. Resting on the bottom flanges l5 of the end panels and on the angle bars I6 is a panel of translucent light diffusing material. Various transparent or translucent plastics might be used, but I prefer glass having rounded ribs, the ribs running longitudinally so that they are parallel with the tubes and afford diffusion in directions transverse to the tubes. However, sanded glass or glass having some diffusing pattern on one or both surfaces may be used. This bottom panel is indicated at 32, 33, the panel being made in two approximately equal separate portions so that one may be lifted and slid over the other, permitting access to either or simultaneously to both ends of the reflector. This is a desirable way of permitting access to the tubes and tube receptacles for adjustment or replacement.

The side panels 34 of similar light diffusing translucent material are mounted as shown and are retained by the clips 35 which are welded to portions of the end plates I I. Where the glass is ribbed I prefer that the ribs run longitudinally, that is, parallel with the lighting tubes. Seated on the upper edges of the side panels 34 and upon the seats 29 formed in the cover 21 are two panes of transparent material. Any transparent plastic might be used. Clear glass is preferred. The

panels are indicated at 36. It is contemplated that the fixture will be hung beneath a ceiling which is white or some light color, and as a consequence is a good light diffusing reflector. It follows that the light from the bottom and outer side of the tubes 25 will afford direct lighting which is diffused by the action of the panels 32, 33 and 34. Light passing from the inner side of the tubes 25 and from the top of tube 26 will be diffused and reflected by the surfaces [8, I9. Light from the bottom of tube 26 will afford direct illumination with diflusion by the panels 32, 33. Light leaving the top of the tubes 25 and possibly also some of the light from upper portions of the tube 26 will pass through the panels 36 without diffusion and will be diffusely reflected from the ceiling.

It will be observed that the tubes are so arranged that all direct lighting will be evenly dispersed. The light reflected from the surfaces l8, l9 will not be seriously obstructed by the tubes themselves. All light passing upward to the ceiling will be subject to diflusing reflection from the ceiling, the effect being to afford a satisfactory supplemental indirect illumination.

The advantages of the arrangement are good appearance, a good combination of direct and indirect illumination, complete enclosure of the lighting units in a fire proof enclosure, and ready accessibility of the lighting tubes for any necessary purpose. The various light transmitting panels can be removed readily from the fixture for cleaning or replacement. The frame work of this fixture obstructs the light in a minimum degree.

While the one embodiment of the invention has been described in considerable detail, this is for purpose of explanation and not with the intention of implying a limitation to the specific form shown. Changes within the scope of the appended claims are contemplated.

I claim:

1. In a tube lighting fixture, the combination of supporting end panels having upward extensions for connection with a ceiling; corner bars connecting the lower corners of said end panels; a bottom and two side panels of light transmitting and diffusing material, all removably supported at least in part by said corner bars, the bottom panel comprising two sections one of which may be lifted and slid over the other; a reflector V-shaped in cross-section extending horizontally between said end panels and rigidly connected to each; a removable cover for said reflector element, having lateral seats; panels of light transmitting material supported on said seats and on the upper edges of the side panels; and at least two tube lights, one mounted at each side of said reflector and near the upper margin thereof.

2. In a tube lighting fixture, the combination of supporting end panels having upward extensions for connection with a ceiling; corner bars connecting the lower corners of said end panels; a bottom and two side panels of light transmitting and diffusing material, all supported at least in part by said corner bars, the bottom panel comprising two sections resting in the corner bars, whereby they are rendered removable through the bottom by sliding one over the other and tilting them to clear the corner bars; a reflector V shaped in cross-section extending horizontally between said end panels and rigidly connected to each; a removable cover for said reflector element, having lateral seats; panels of light transmitting material supported on said seats and on the upper edges of the side panels; and tube lights mounted to extend lengthwise of said reflector, at the sides and near the upper margin thereof.

ROBERT E. FRIEND.

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