US2485133A

US2485133A - Fluorescent light screen

Info

Publication number: US2485133A
Application number: US645436A
Authority: US
Inventors: Behnke August Adolph
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-02-04
Filing date: 1946-02-04
Publication date: 1949-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 1966-10-18

Description

ct. 18, 1949. A, A BEHNKE 2,485,133

FLUORESCENT LIGHT S CREEN 0d 18, 1949. A. A. BEHNKE 2,485,133

FLUoEscENT LIGHT SCREEN Filed Feb. 4, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 18, 1949 UNITED sTATss TsNT OFFICE FLUORESCENT LIGHT SCREEN' August Adolph Behnke, Chicago, Ill.

Application February 4, 1946, Serial No. 645,436

8 Claims.

In the use of fluorescent lights, the light tubes are usually exposed so that when they are lighted they produce a considerable glare accompanied by intermittent light flckerings, which are not only annoying, but which also have a bad effect on the eyes of certain individuals so that they cannot comfortably work or read by means of the ordinary exposed types of fluorescent light tubes in xtures or lamps.

The present invention has been devised to provide Suitable and efficient Wire mesh or apertured light screens, constructed of a Wire screening or the like which may be either accordion pleated, scalloped, or in some cases plain. The screen forming material may be suitably painted or enameled to assist in the dissemination and filtering of light through the screen with a minimum loss of luminosity when the wire mesh screens are supported directly on the fluorescent tubes of a light fixture or lamp. With the use of the improved wire mesh screens supported directly on the fluorescent light tubes, the effect of the quivering or fiickering motions occurring in fiuorescent light tubes, and the direct glare from said tubes is substantially eliminated, with very little loss of light so that persons who usually are affected by the fiickering and glare produced when fluorescent light tubes are used may work or read by means of fluorescent lighting without being subjected to objectionable disturbances and light glare such g as encountered by the use of exposed fluorescent light tubes.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved and simplified form of a wire mesh or perforated fluorescent fixture or light screen, and more particularly provide a mesh screen which may be quickly and conveniently supported directly on the fiuorescent light tubes of fixtures or lamps without necessitating any alternations in or attachments to the fixtures or lamps.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved and simplified form of a fluorescent light screen constructed of a wire mesh material and provided with means whereby the screen may be readily attached to or removed from supporting engagement with fiuorescent tubes of light fixtures or lamps. l

A further object of the invention is the provision of an effective and inexpensive type of an apertured light disseminating shade of either predetermined scalloped or plain construction and having means whereby the shade may be easily and quickly supported in position without requiring any alternations in or attachments to the fixtures or lamps carrying the fluorescent tubes.

(Cl. 24U-51.11)

It is furthermore an object of this invention to provide a corrugated Wire mesh screen adapted for securement directly on the fiuorescent light tubes of fluorescent fixtures or lamps.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of pleated or scalloped finely apertured light screens equipped with means for readily supporting or hanging the screens directly on the fluorescent tubes of light fixtures and lamps.

The invention also includes the object of providing a transversely or longitudinally pleated or scalloped Wire mesh light screen adapted to be conveniently supported and carried beneath the uorescent tubes of fluorescent light fixtures or lamps whereby a person using the screened fluorescent lights is not subjected to tube glareV or fiickerings( It is an important object of this invention to provide an efcient type of wire mesh accordion pleated screen adapted for direct support on fluorescent light tubes by manually accessible means independent of contact with the fixtures in which the tubes are supported.

Other objects and features of the invention will be more fully apparent from the-disclosures in the specification and accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of a uorescent light ceiling fixture having a light screen, embodying the principles of this invention, removably supported on the tubes of the fixture;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary isometric view of the light screen removed from the fixture and illustrating the supporting and reinforcing means for the light screen;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view of the light screen taken on line III-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of one of the screen supporting mechanisms connected with a screen brace member;

Figure 5 isa fragmentary isometric view of the upper or inner side of a modified form of fluorescent light screen in which the pleats run longitudinally of the screen;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary isometric view of the upper or inner side of another modified form of fiuorescent light screen constructed of flat wire mesh;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary isometric view of the inner side of another modified form of a scalloped fiuorescent fixture light screen;

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view of a kthree-tube fluorescent light fixture having a loni gitudinal pleated light screen provided with modiiied supporting members for engaging certain of the light tubes to support the screen in position;

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view of a four-tube fluorescent light fixture having a Scalloped or sinuous type of wire mesh or apertured light screen supported on the tubes by another modified type of support.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral I indicates a uorescent light ceiling fixture including a downwardly directed reflector 2. The fixture has two uorescent light tubes 3 tudinally therein. For the purposerofl reducing the glare and the vibratory impulses frequently produced in fluorescent light tubes,an improved fiuorescent fixture light screen isthe primary object of this invention. The improved screen is of a light weight and effective construction and isV adapted to be easily and quickly supported on the fluorescent light tubes of the fixture without requiring any modifications or changes in the fixture.

The improved fluorescent light screen comprisesa.. screen body 4- constructed out: of light weight wire mesh or of a'material which is closely perforated'. The wire meshbody il corrugated or accordion pleated, transversely of the body, and the two ends of the screen body are bent upwardly to provide walls or end shields 5. The wire screen or perforated screen body is coated with a selected type of luminous paint or enamel, preferably of a light color. The pleated wire screen has the marginal edges thereof bent over and formed into finishing hems. If preferred, l

the edges may be covered in any suitable manner to provide a finished construction.

1 For the purpose of reinforcing the Wire mesh pleated screen, a pair of reinforcing rods or bars 6 are spaced longitudinally on the inner side of the Wire mesh screen and are secured to the transverse ridges of the pleats so that the. pleats and the reinforcing rods forma rigid structure. The ends of the reinforcing rods 6 project through and are rigidly secured to the, end shields 5 of the screen, as illustrated in Figure 2.

Quick attachable and demountable mechanisms are provided on the pleated screenfor'the purpose of easily associating a wire mesh pleated screen with the fluorescent light fixture I without necesi sitating any modification or changesin the iiX- ture. The supporting mechanisms forr the screen are spaced at desired intervals along the length of the screen and each of said mechanisms comprises a transverse bar l, the ends of which are "1"' split or bifurcated to provide hooked prongs or iingers 8 which are rigidly clampedaround the parallel reinforcing bars 6 to secure the supporting mechanism in place. Rotatably projecting through an opening in the middle portion ofthe transverse supportingv bar 'I is an upper reduced shaft section 9 which is integrally formed on one end of enlarged lower shaft section II) of an operating shaft. The shaft includes a supporting shoulder II` where the two shaft sections 9 and I0 join one another. Securely'engaged diametrically through the lower portion of the lower shaft section i I! is the handle I2 by means of which the shaft ofthe supporting mechanism may be rotated. Rigidly secured on the upper end of the upper shaft section 9 is a head or cross bar i3 which together with thev operating shaft forms a T-member which is rotatable .by means of the handle I2- so` that the cross bar I3 may be rotated from the bottom or exposed` side. of the removably supported longi-V wire mesh screen to permit the T-head to be positioned parallel to the iiuorescent fixture light tubes 3 to permit the cross bar to be projected upwardly between the tubes. After the cross bar i3 has been projected upwardly between the tubes, the shaft is rotated to rotate the cross bar i3 so that the ends of the bar will be engaged transversely across the top portions of the parallel fluorescent tube 3 to rest thereon. The wire mesh screen is-thus supported in position to close the lower portion of the xture reflector .2 Without any direct contact with the iiuorescent light fixture I or the reector 2 forming a part thereof.

Whenthe supporting units are engaged in posiltion as described to support a wire mesh screen onlthe fluorescent tubes, the body portion of the screen is permitted to seat on the shoulders II of the lower sections ID of the shafts. Two or more: supporting units may be connected with the pleated wire mesh screen, depending upon the length of they fixture and the screen which is to be supported on the xture tubes 3. When a pleated wire mesh screen is engaged in a fluorescent light fixture as illustrated in Figure 1,.the end shields 5 project upwardly into the reflector 2 to the outside of the ends of the'iiuorescent` tubes 3 to enclose the ends of said tubes.`

When it is desired to remove the wire mesh screen from a fluorescent light.- fixture for the purpose of either cleaning the screen or for the purpose of removing the fluorescent light. .tubes from the fixture, it is only necessary to rotate the shafts of the supportingunits by means of the handles l2 to permit the supporting cross bars i3 to be positioned parallel to the tubes thereby permitting the cross bars to. be drawn downwardly between the tubes, The corrugated or pleated screen may be easily remounted by merely projecting the cross heads I3 upwardly between the tubes and then rotating the shafts to permit the cross bars I3 to rest on the tubes and thereby support the screenin position.

Figure 5 illustratesv a modified form of wire mesh or apertured fluorescent: light fixture screen consisting of a screen body I4 which may be constructed outI of wire mesh or `apertured material. The screen body I4 is accordion pleated or corrugatedto providea fluorescent fixture shadeor; screen in which the pleats run longitudinally of the fixture instead of transversely. Rigidly'secured to the ridges on the; inner side of the screen body I4 are a plurality of spaced supporting units each of which comprises a supporting bar I5- having an apertured bracket piece I6 molded or otherwise rigidly secured to one side thereof. The bracket piece I6 has integral deflected end pieces which are secured to two of the inclined wallsV forming the body pleats. A.rotatable1handle operated supporting mechanism is associatedwith each of the supporting bracket pieces I6 and is constructed similar to the arrangement illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. It will thus be noted that the modified form of longitudinally pleated wire mesh screen may be easily and quickly engaged for support on the iiuorescent light tubes of a fixture.

Figure 6 illustrates a fragmentary portion ofing the modified form of fluorescent light screen on the fluorescent tubes of a fluorescent light xture, the body |1 is provided with a plurality of spaced supporting units each of which consists of a transverse bar 26, the ends of which are curled or hook-shaped and are rigidly engaged around the rolled beads or sleeves I8 forming the longitudinal edges of the screen body l1. Rotatably :projecting through the transverse bar is a rotatable supporting means similar to that illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive and comprising members Q to I3 inclusive. Itwill thus be noted that the modied form of light screen shown in Figure 6 may be easily and quickly mounted in position within a fluorescent light xture suspended from the fluorescent tubes.

Figure 7 illustrates a fragmentary portion of another modified form of fluorescent fixture light screen comprising a body 2| constructed of wire screening or closely perforated material which is scalloped or waved to produce a sinuous or corrugated elect. The ends of the body portion 2| are turned upwardly to provide end Walls 22. Rigidly secured at spaced intervals to the inner side of the body section 2|, by spot welding or other suitable means, are a pair of reinforcing bars or rods 23, the ends of which are rigidly secured in the end walls 22 of the Alight screen. Secured transversely upon the reinforcing bars 23 are a plurality of spaced supporting units of the type illustrated in Figure 6, thereby providing an arrangement whereby the scalloped wire screen may be quickly and easily mounted to be suspended from the tubes of an electric light fixture.

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view illustrating still another modified form of fluorescent light screen for use in connection with a threetube fluorescent light fixture or with fluorescent light fixtures of more than three light tubes.

This modified form of light fixture is shown astrated in Figure 6. Pivotally supported at spaced.

intervals on each longitudinal margin of the screen body 26 are a plurality of supporting hooks 21 which are adapted to be engaged transversely across the two outermost tubes to hold the screen supported in position free from contact with the fluorescent light fixture.

Figure 9 illustrates another modified form of uorescent light screen shown supported in a uorescent light fixture 28 equipped with four fluorescent light tubes 29. The fluorescent light screen shown in Figure 9 may be used in connection with fixtures carrying more or less than the four tubes illustrated. This modified form of fluorescent light screen consists of a longitudinally scalloped or waved wire mesh body 30 which may be readily curved or shaped to engage beneath the tubes 29. Thelongitudinal margins of the body 30 are rolled or hemmed to enclose reinforcing rods or lbars.

For the purpose of supporting the scalloped type of fluorescent light screen on a 'fixture of the type shown in Figure 9, one margin of the screen body 30 has pivotally supported at spaced intervals thereon a plurality of supporting bars or brackets 3|. The Opposite ends of the Supporting bars 3| are curved or hook-shaped to permit the same to be removably engaged or latched around the bead on the opposite side of the light screen, after the supporting -bars have been engaged over the two uppermost tubes as illustrated in Figure 9. If desired the latching ends of the supporting bars 3| may be equipped with any suitable type of cam latch members in place of the hooks.

From the foregoing description it will be noted that the present invention provides an improved ty-pe of light screen for use in connection with fluorescent light fixtures, and that `provision is made whereby the wire mesh screen may be quickly and simply supported in place suspended from the fluorescent light tubes out of direct contact with the uorescent light fixture. The improved arrangement permits the screen to be readily removed so that the light screen may be cleaned or refinished. rihe easy mounting and removal of the screen permits access to be had to the fluorescent light tubes.

The improved fluorescent light screens are preferably constructed out of wire mesh or if preferred a light weight closely perforated material may be used in the construction. The perforations in the screen and the pleats or scallops provide an arrangement whereby the light from the fluorescent light tubes is evenly distributed and disseminated thereby eliminating glare and also providing an arrangement whereby the agitations or iekerings which frequently occur Within fluoroescent light tubes is obscured so that fluorescent light fixtures can be used with a greater degree of ease and comfort, and without the ordinary objections which have been encountered in the use of fluorescent light xtures in which. the lighttubes are exposed.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon oth.- erwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1.`The combination with a fluorescent light fixture and the fluorescent light tubes thereof, of a light disseminating screen comprising a corrugated wire mesh body section, and means for removably supporting the body section on the fluorescent light tubes.

2. In combination with a fluorescent light xture including fluorescent light tubes, a light disseminating unit comprising an accordion pleated v/ire mesh screen, means secured thereto for reinforcing the screen, and supporting members for engagement with the fluorescent light tubes to hold the screen suspended in position.

3. In a fluorescent light fixture wherein fluorescent light tubes are removably supported, a light disseminating unit adapted to be suspended from the fluorescent light tubes and comprising a corrugated screen body section, reinforcing members secured thereto, and supporting units connected with the reinforcing members for engaging the fluorescent light tubes to hold the screen suspended in position in the fixture and free from contact therewith.

4. A fluorescent light iixture screen mechanism comprising a corrugated screen body section, reinforcing members secured thereto, cross bars connected to the reinforcing members, shafts proon saiclfshaitswadapted^to@bexprojectedupwardly betweenA the fluorescent iight tubes .and rotated by meanstof'- the handlesfintorpositionrto engage the .iinorescent' light tubes to support thefscreen i111 place-.1

5; A `light .disseminatingscreen.mechanism for use. withzfiuorescent light fixtures and the light tnbes:.--.thereof,V said.' mechanism: comprising.V a transversely pleated wire mesh. body sectiomzend wal'srintegral therewith, yie'firrnforcing bars secured toe-the'.y bodyrv sectionV and: .toV` the end. Walls, and rotatable supporting units supported onthe rein forcing-members' and operable forengagement with? the fluorescent light 'tubes to support the body'sectiorx; in: the fluorescent light Xture to4 encloszethe uorescient light tubes.

6i Ai. light `disseInitiatingscreen. mechanism -foruse in connection' withziiuorescent lightY fixtures: and: the fluorescent light tubes therein', said mechanismV comprising av pleatedwire" mesh integrallyformed. thereon,` reinforcing bars securedon. the inner side of the body section and tothe end'walls to reinforcethe screen mechanism, bracketA bars vattacl'red to the reinforcing bars, and,i a supportingunit carried by each. of

the'bracket bars and comprisingr a lower shaft section and an upper shaft section of less diameter than the lower shaft section and provid- 8i ing ai' shouidem 'at the junction of.i fsaid sections for engagement againstfthe. bodysectiontohoid the :samevin place, a.;crossf.headlrigidly secured diametricallylacrossthe free endof the upper shaft section; and-.arhandl'e connected-Withthelower -shaft sectionfor rotating the lower and uppeshaftsectionsand the cross vhead forv moving `.the cross-.headfinto supporting engagement with; thenuoresc'entiighti tubes` andout 'ofl engagement. therewith." to permittrelease: of the screernimeohanism'.;

8;; Ar. light disseminating 1 screen mechanism adaptedV to' be suspended; from: :the fluorescenti light tubes oauoescent `light fixture, said.

^ mechanism comprising afperforatedcorrugated body.section,means: for reinforcing the same, bracketV means. connected. for support on the reinfor-'cmg means, T-head units carried by the bracket means. and 'means for rotating the T- hea-dl units for suspending the screen section on the. ftuorescent lightf'tubes to' disseminate rthe lighty from theA tubes and obscure the Wave fiick cringe-.when the :same occur* inthe norescent light. tubes.

AUGUSTADOLPH BEHNKEr..

REFERENCES CITED The-following-references1 are-of record in the nie-'of this patent:

UNI'IED STATES, PATENTS Number Nanne` Date 721,70@r HilI Mar. 3, 1903 1,354,695 Schil-'ra` Oct. 5, 19201 1,589,013' Ludwig June I5, 1926 2,221,954 Schepmoes Nov. 19, 1940 2,277,4331 Cutliv Mar.Y 24, 19412' 21,299,276` Kirlin Oct. 20, 1942 2,331,774* Guth Oct. 12, 1943 2,358,811 Kl'oner Sept. 26,v 1944 2,366,216 Roberts Jan. 2, 1945