US3585380A

US3585380A - Modular lighting fixture

Info

Publication number: US3585380A
Application number: US769783A
Authority: US
Inventors: Julius Friedman; Carl Wellhofer
Original assignee: Walter Kidde and Co Inc
Current assignee: Kidde Inc; Progress Lighting LLC
Priority date: 1968-10-23
Filing date: 1968-10-23
Publication date: 1971-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-15

Abstract

A modular lighting fixture having a polygonal mounting pan whereby two or more such fixtures may be easily joined together to form an array of fixtures. In any such array, only one fixture is secured to the outlet box on ceiling or wall with all other fixtures being physically coupled to it and electrically coupled through it.

Description

United States Patent [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,625,646 l/1953 Goebel 240/9 3,218,446 11/1965 Langer 240/9 (X) Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Richard L. Moses Attorney-Seidel and Gonda ABSTRACT: A modular lighting fixture having a polygonal mounting pan whereby two or more such fixtures may be easily joined together to form an array of fixtures. In any such array, only one fixture is securedto the outlet box on ceiling or wall with all other fixtures being physically coupled to it and electrically coupled through it.

Inventors Julius Friedman Levittown; Carl WellhofenGlenside, both of, Pa. Appl. No. 769,783 Filed Oct. 23, 1968 Patented June 15, 1971 Assignee Lighting Corporation of America Philadelphia, Pa.

MODULAR LIGHTING FIXTURE 9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 240/78, 240/9, 240/128 Int. Cl F2ls 1/06, F 2 ls l/ l 4 Field of Search 240/78, 143,10, 9, 128, 126, 78 CF, 78 D, 78 F, 78 G, 78 LD PATENIED JUN 1 5 ISYI SHEET 1 0F 2 INVENTORS JUL/US FRIEDMAN CARL WELLHOFER ATTORNEYS PATENIED Jun. 5 I971 SHEET 2 OF 2 MODULAR LIGHTING FIXTURE This invention is directed to a modular lighting fixture. The fixture has a polygonal-shaped mounting pan having an upstanding rim. Two or more such fixtures may be easily joined together to form an array of fixtures. In any such array, only one fixture is secured to the outlet box on the ceiling or wall. All other fixtures in the array are satellite fixtures physically connected to the rim of the pan of said one fixture. Also, all satellite fixtures are electrically coupled through the pan of the main fixture and secured to supporting surface by a toggle bolt or wood screw. In this manner, any combination of fixtures may be butt-mounted in different locations to form a pleasing multiple light ceiling or wall pattern.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel modular lighting fixture.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an array of modular lighting fixtures which are easily coupled together while being simple, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to assemble.

Other objects will appear hereinafter. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. I is a sectional view ofa lighting fixture in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an array of lighting fixtures of the type illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a lighting fixture designated generally as 10. Fixture includes a polygonal pan 12. For purposes of illustration, pan 12 is octagonal. Pan I2 is provided with an upstanding rim 14 around its entire periphery.

Pan 12 is provided with a centrally disposed opening 16 through which extends the body of a socket 18. A socket sleeve 20 is disposed below the pan I2 and is threadedly coupled to the outer periphery of body 18. Body 18 is provided with a flange 22 which overlies a portion ofthe pan 12.

A bowl support member 24 is provided with a radially inwardly extending flange 26. Flange 26 is maintained in position by being clamped between pan 12 and the sleeve 20. Pan 12 is provided with a depression 27 surrounding the hole I6. Depression 27 centers the member 24 with respect to the socket body 18.

Member 24 supports a bowl 32. Bowl 32 may be translucent or transparent and is generally made from a vitreous material such as glass. Bowl 32 is provided with an opening at one end so that it may circumscribe the bulb supported by the socket body 18. To facilitate supporting the bowl from the member 24, bowl 32 is provided with an outwardly directed lip 34. A plurality of thumb screws 36 are threadedly coupled to member 24 and have their innermost end positioned so as to be beneath the lip 34 and thereby support the bowl 32 from member 24.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the rim 14 of

fixture 10includes walls

40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54. At least two of the walls and preferably every other wall is provided with a hole. Thus,

walls

40, 44, 48 and 52 are provided with a hole 56 therethrough.

As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of fixtures 60, 62, and 64 are provided identical with fixture 10. All of the fixtures may be interconnected to form an array. Only fixture 10 will be connected to an outlet box ofa wall or ceiling supporting surface. Plate 38 facilitates such mounting of the fixture 10 to the outlet box. Means are provided for physically coupling the fix tures 6064 to the fixture 10. As shown more clearly in FIG. 3,

fixtures

10 and 60 are physically interconnected by means of the hollow bolt 68 which extends through the hole 56 in the mating walls of fixtures l0 and 60. A lock nut 70 is threadedly coupled to the shank of bolt 68.

Jumper wires 72 may be extended from the outlet box through the hollow bolt 68 to the wires of each of the fixtures 6064. Thus, each of the satellite fixtures 6064 is electrically coupled to the outlet box through the central fixture 10. If desired, fixture 10 could be physically and electrically coupled to the fixtures 60 and 64 so as to form a simulated rectangle with the fixtures. A greater or lesser number of fixtures may be interconnected in an array as desired.

The pan 12 is provided with apair of holes through which the

bolts

28 and 30 extend to secure the fixture to an outlet box. 0n fixtures 6064, a toggle bolt 66 extends through one of these holes to also secure these fixtures on the ceiling or wall. It will be apparent that each pan in plan view is a regular octagon wherein all sides are of the same size. Hereinafter, bolt 66 may be referred to as a screw means.

As shown in FIG. 1, the rim is provided with knockout slugs 75 which are removable to define the holes 56. On fixtures 6064, only one of the slugs 75 need be removed to enable assembly of the array shown in FIG. 2.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

We claim:

I. A modular lighting fixture array comprising a main fixture and at least one satellite fixture, each fixture including a polygonal pan having an upstanding rim, a light socket supported by the pan, a bowl support member depending from the pan in surrounding relation to the socket, a bowl supported by said bowl support member, bolt means rigidly interconnecting one wall of the upstanding rim of each fixture, said bolt means being hollow so that jumper wires from an outlet box may extend through the main fixture and said bolt means to the satellite fixture.

2. An array in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said fixtures includes a pan which is octagonal in plan view and of the same size.

3. An array in accordance with claim 1 wherein each pan rim is defined by eight walls extending in a direction away from its respective bowl, and every other wall of the rim having a hole through which a bolt means may extend.

4. An array in accordance with claim 1 including a screw means on each satellite fixture for securing the same to a supporting surface, and a threaded member on said main fixture for securing the same to an outlet box on the supporting fixture.

5. A modular lighting fixture array in accordance with claim 1, wherein said bolt means comprises a single hollow bolt extending through central portions of the interconnected walls.

6. A modular lighting fixture array comprising a main fixture and at least one satellite fixture, each fixture including a polygonal pan having an upstanding rim, a light socket supported by the pan, a bowl support member depending from the pan in surrounding relation to the socket, a locating means for centering the bowl support member with respect to the socket, a bowl supported by said bowl support member, one wall of the upstanding rim of each fixture being rigidly interconnected by bolt means, said bolt means being hollow so that jumper wires from an outlet box may extend through the main fixture and said bolt means to the satellite fixture.

7. An array of fixtures in accordance with claim 6, wherein each of said fixtures includes a pan which is octagonal in plan view and of the same size.

8. A modular lighting fixture array comprising a main fixture and at least one satellite fixture, each fixture including a polygonal pan having an upstanding rim, a light socket supported by the pan, said socket being secured to the pan by means clamping the pan and the bowl support member between a surface of the socket and an annular sleeve threaded to the socket, a bowl supported by said bowl support member, one wall of the upstanding rim of each fixture being rigidly interconnected by bolt means, said bolt means being 9. An array of fixtures in accordance with claim 8, wherein each of said fixtures includes a pan which is octagonal in plan view and of the same size.

Claims

1. A modular lighting fixture array comprising a main fixture and at least one satellite fixture, each fixture including a polygonal pan having an upstanding rim, a light socket supported by the pan, a bowl support member depending from the pan in surrounding relation to the socket, a bowl supported by said bowl support member, bolt means rigidly interconnecting one wall of the upstanding rim of each fixture, said bolt means being hollow so that jumper wires from an outlet box may extend through the main fixture and said bolt means to the satellite fixture.

8. A modular lighting fixture array comprising a main fixture and at least one satellite fixture, each fixture including a polygonal pan having an upstanding rim, a light socket supported by the pan, said socket being secured to the pan by means clamping the pan and the bowl support member between a surface of the socket and an annular sleeve threaded to the socket, a bowl supported by said bowl support member, one wall of the upstanding rim of each fixture being rigidly interconnected by bolt means, said bolt means being hollow so that jumper wires from an outlet box may extend through the main fixture and said bolt means to the satellite fixture.

9. An array of fixtures in accordance with claim 8, wherein each of said fixtures includes a pan which is octagonal in plan view and of the same size.