US2401635A

US2401635A - Lighting fixture

Info

Publication number: US2401635A
Application number: US524017A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edwin F Guth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1944-02-26
Filing date: 1944-02-26
Publication date: 1946-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 1963-06-04

Description

June 4, 1946. m 2,401,635

LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Feb. 26, 1944 Patented June 4,1946

Edwin F. Guth, Florlssant, Mo. Application February 26, 1944, Serial No. 524,017

This invention relates to lighting fixtures and more particularly to lighting fixtures for fiuorescent lamps.

Among the objects of this invention are the provision of an improved lighting fixture; the provision of a lighting fixture which, through the location of the clifiu-sing panels, is easier to maintain and to clean; the provision of a lighting fixture which i resistant to breakage in transportation; the provision of a lighting fixture of attractive appearance and the provision of a lighting fixture which is of simple construction and is inexpensive to manufacture. Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claim.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated one embodiment of the invention,

Fig. l is a perspective view of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view partially in section of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 i a section on an enlarged scale taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1; and, I

Fig. 4 is a perspective of the diffusing element of Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawing. A

Referring now to the drawing, numeral 25 represents an outer case, channel or top housing which supports the usual electrical apparatus indicated generally at 21. The case 25 has end plates or walls 29 at either end and sockets 3| to support lamps 33. The end walls29 are joined by side Walls 53. Diffusing members 35 are sup ported by bent-over flanges or angles 31 on the end plates or walls 29. These flanges slope downwardly toward a median line at $3. A metal channel 39 is cemented to each diifusing member 35 on one edge thereof. The diifusers 35 may be made of any suitable material such as glass .or plastic, and may be treated to render them translucent to light. Brackets 8| are formed from end plates 29 by bending up the metal, which would otherwise occupy the area 43. The difiusing panels 35 are slid into position against these end brackets M in the installation of the fixture.

- At 5| are shown angle irons at the lower ends of the flanges 31 and suitably spaced from the 1 Claim. (Cl. 240-78) latter, slidably to receive the lower protected edges of the diffusers 35. These form retainers for the diifusers so that the latter may not be inadvertently raised inside of the case 25 by depressing their outer edges. The outer edges may not be raised by reason of side walls 53 of the housing 25.

The end plates or walls 29 may be formed with any desired decorative stampings and/or openings indicated generally by 45 and 41. The supporting angles 31 and end brackets 4| leave a small opening 43 down the length of the fixture. This provides a small amount of direct light immediately beneath the fixture and obviates any dark line down the length of the fixture due to the channels 39.

The present fixtures are easily installed and cleaned and the diffusing panels are easily removed for cleaning. Moreover, removing the diffusing panels permits easy access to the interior of the fixture for cleaning or repair.

The metal channels 39 hold the glass diffusing panels rigid and protect them in transit and during washing, besides preventing nicking by the brackets or stops 4!. Inasmuch as fluorescent light fixtures of the type disclosed are long and relatively narrow these are important factors because the diffuser panels would otherwise be subject to damage during shipping, washing or use.

Likewise the present fixtures are attractive in appearance and avoid a substantial manufacturin cost since only one edge of the diffuser II is bonded to metal or analogous protective material. The use of a protective channel along only one side of each difiusing panel improves the appearance of the fixture over a construction in which material is used as a binding around all the diffuser edges. In addition, it is less costly than an all-around binding.

Whore the diifuser panels 35 are composed of glass, any suitable metal-to-glass cement such as a liquid porcelain may be used in cementing the channels 39.

The fixtures of the present invention may be shipped without undue breakage in transit because the difiusing panels 35 can be shipped separately from the remainder of the fixture. The panels 35 are easily removed after the fixture has been in use, for cleaning or washing them and/or the remainder of the fixture.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope edges, stops located at the lower ends of said flanges and near said median line, brackets on the insides of said end walls, said brackets being spaced above said flanges and having portions located near said stops, light-diffusing panels, reinforcing channels embracing the lower edges of said diffusing panels, said panels with their reinforcing channels being insertable and removable along said flanges and into the space between said flanges and'the brackets; said rein- 10 forcements "bein-g engageable with said stops.

EDWIN F. GUTH.