US3737654A

US3737654A - Modular luminaire

Info

Publication number: US3737654A
Application number: US00224516A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Hawley
Original assignee: Powerlite Devices Ltd
Current assignee: Powerlite Devices Ltd
Priority date: 1972-02-08
Filing date: 1972-02-08
Publication date: 1973-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-05

Abstract

A modular luminaire assembly consisting of a longitudinal beam member, preferably generally U-shaped, and a plurality of lamp housings of a predetermined modular length mounted on and projecting outwardly from at least one side of the beam member. Lamp mounting means is located in each of the lamp housings and the beam has a length which is substantially equal to a whole number multiple of the modular length of the luminaire. Preferably the U-shaped beam member is in the form of an extrusion having a plurality of longitudinally extending mounting slots formed therein to provide a means for supporting the lamp housing and a means for mounting the beam on a suitable support.

Description

United States Patent [191 Hawley [54] MODULAR LUMINAIRE [75] Inventor: William L. Hawley, Rexdale, On-

tario, Canada [73] Assignee: Powerlite Devices Limited, Toronto,

Ontario, Canada [22] Filed: Feb. 8, 1972 [21] Appl. No. 224,516

t mulljm Stockwell ..240/3 Langer ..240/3 Primary ExaminerRichard L. Moses Attorney-Roy Harold Saffrey [57] ABSTRACT A modular luminaire assembly consisting of a longitudinal beam member, preferably generally U-shaped, and a plurality of lamp housings of a predetermined modular length mounted on and projecting outwardly from at least one side of the beam member. Lamp mounting means is located in each of the lamp housings and the beam has a length which is substantially equal to a whole number multiple of the modular length of the luminaire. Preferably the U-shaped beam member is in the form of an extrusion having a plurality of longitudinally extending mounting slots formed therein to provide a means for supporting the lamp housing and a means for mounting the beam on a suitable support,

15 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEU JUN 5 73 SHEET 1 OF 3 MODULAR LUMINAIRE This invention relates to modular luminaire assemblies In particular, this invention relates to an improved modular luminaire assembly including a support beam which is adapted to support a plurality of lamp housmgs.

PRIOR ART The luminaires which are presently available and which employ more than one lamp are generally custom-made to suit a particular installation and they are not readily adaptable to different requirements.

The modular luminaire assembly of the present invention is readily adaptable to provide a unit which includes a plurality of lamp housings by simply increasing the length of the support beam on which the housings are mounted by multiples of the unit length of the housmg.

SUMMARY According to an embodiment of the present invention, a modular lumanaire assembly comprises a longitudinally extending beam member and a plurality of lamp housings of a predetermined modular length mounted on and projecting outwardlyfrom at least one side of the beam. Lamp mounting means is located in each of the housings and the beam has a length which is substantially equal to a whole number multiple of the modular length of the luminaire.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a modular lumainaire assembly includes a longitudinally extending U-shaped extruded beam member and a plurality of lamp housings mounted on and projecting laterally from at least one side face of the beam member and lamp mounting means projecting into each of said housings.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The invention will be more clearly understood with reference to the following detailed specification read in conjunction with the drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a partially assembled modular luminaire;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the support beam of the luminaire;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partially sectioned view of the underside of an assembled modular luminaire according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed view of the portion identified as FIG. 5 in FIG. 4.

With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral refers generally to a modular luminaire assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. The assembly includes a plurality of lamp housings 12, a longitudinally extending support beam 14 and a pair of vertical support pillars 16. As shown in FIG. 1 ofthe drawings, each of the lamp housings 12 consists ofa canopy l8 and a bowl 20. The bowl is open at its upper end and provided with four V- shaped spring clips 22 which are adapted to fit within slots 24 formed in the lip 26 which extends about the open lower end of the canopy 18 as shown in FIG. 3. The inner wall 28 of the canopy is formed from an outer panel 28a which is an extension of the upper wall and an inner panel 28b which is an extension of the lower wall. A passageway 30 is formed in the wall 28 and extends therethrough to provide access for a lamp mounting socket to the enclosure of the canopy.

An important feature of the present invention is the fact that each of the lamp housings may have the same modular length and the support beam 14 may have a length which is an exact number multiple of the modular length of the housings so that the total length of the support beam will be substantially equal to the total length of the number of modular units to be mounted thereon.

The structure of the support beam 14 is shown in enlarged detail in FIG. 2. The beam 14 is substantially U- shaped in section and includes a pair of oppositely disposed side wall members 32 and a transverse top wall 34. The side walls 32 are formed with two parallel ridge portions 36, each of which are formed with T-shaped slots 38 which are parallel to one another and which extend longitudinally of the side walls 36. The portion of the wall identified by the reference numeral 40 which extends between the ridges 36 is inwardly and downwardly inclined. A pair of shoulders 42 are located at the intersections of the transverse wall and each side wall and each shoulder 42 is formed with a T-shaped slot 44 which extends parallel to one another and longitudinally of the beam 14.

Flanges

46 and 48 project inwardly from the inner face of the side walls 32adjacent the free end thereof. The

flanges

46 and 48 extend longitudinally of the side walls in a spaced parallel relationship. A ridge 50 projects outwardly from the outer face of each of the side walls 32 and extends longitudinally thereof adjacent to and in spaced parallel relationship to the free edges of the side walls 32. It will be noted that the cross-section illustrated and described above may be manufactured by an extrusion process and preferably the beam 14 is formed from extruded aluminum or the like so that it may be cut into lengths corresponding to an exact number multiple of the modular length of the housing assemblies which are to be mounted thereon in use.

The manner in which the lamp housings are mounted on the support beam is illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The canopies 18 each have a lower edge portion 52' which rests on the ridge 50. The canopies 18 are secured to the side walls 32 by means of bolts 54 which are retainably mounted in the T-shaped slots 38' and which pass through the passages 29 (FIG. 1) which extend through the wall 28 of the canopy and lock nuts 39.

It will be apparent that a modular lamp housing 12 may be locatedat anypoint along the length of the support beam 14 merely by moving the bolts 54 longitudinally of the slots 38. Once the position of the modular housing has been determined, a lamp socket 60 is secured to the angularly inclined portion 40 of the side walls 32 by means of screw 62 so as to project into the canopy through the passageway 30. It will be noted that by mounting the socket 60 on the angularly inclined portion 40, the socket will be downwardly and inwardly inclined with respect to the canopy. This arrangement facilitates the mounting of a bulb and it provides clearance for the bulb within the canopy. The side walls 32 are further provided with suitable passages to permit electrical wiring to extend therethrough to form an electrical connection between the socket terminals and the usual lamp ballast.

The beam 14 is supported by a pair of vertical support pillars 16 as previously described. The pillars 16 each have flanges 70 which project from opposite side edges. The flanges 46 rest on the pillars l6 and flanges 70. A narrow clamping plate 72 is disposed above the flanges 70 and secured to the flanges by bolts 74 so as to clamp the flange 46 between the flanges 70 and the I clamping plate 72 to secure the beam 14 to the support pillars 16. Again it will'be seen that in view of the fact that the

flanges

46 and 48 extend longitudinally of the beam, the support pillars 16 may be located at any position along the length of the support beam. In use, the lower end of the support beam may be closed over a substantial portion of its length by inserting a closure plate in the slot formed between the

flanges

46 and 48, as will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings. The support pillar 16 may also have flanges 71 (FIG. 1) at the lower end thereof for mounting the supports on a suitable base.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, it will be seen that the usual ballast required for the operation of a luminaire is generally identified by the reference numeral 80 and is located within the channel formed in the U-shaped beam 14. The T-shaped slots 44 cooperate with transverse support bars 82, bolts 84 and nuts 86 to clamp the various components of the ballast in a predetermined position relative to the support beam. Again, it will be seen that the various elements of the ballast 80 may be positioned in any required position along the length of the beam by moving the bolts 84 longitudinally within the slots 44.

The lower end of the U-shaped channelis closed by means of closure panels 90 which fit within the slots formed between the lugs 46 and'48 and are held in position by means of lock pin 92.

A feature of the luminaire of the present invention is that the modular lamp housings and the support beam are particularly suitable for use in association with mercury vapour lamps 96. By employing a bowl 20 made from a light diffusing white acrylic material, it is possible to provide a modular luminaire consisting of a plurality of lamps mounted on the support beam which is inexpensive to manufacture and simple to maintain. By forming the support beam 14 from extruded aluminum or the like, it is possible to make the beam of a substantial length and to cut the beam to any required size appropriate to the number of lamp housings which are to be mounted thereon. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the beam 14 may have a length equal to a whole number multiple of the modular length of one of the lamp housings. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4,

the beam 14 has a length equal to the length of five 7 Various modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, For example, while the luminaire illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown as including two; 1

vertical support pillars 16, it will be understood that the beam may be supported by one or more vertical support pillars as required in any particular installation or,

alternatively, it may be suspended from a ceiling mounting or the like.

What I claim as my invention is:

'1. A modular luminaire assembly comprising a. a longitudinally extending beam member,

blfa plurality of lamp housings of a predetermined modular length mounted on and projecting outwardly from at least one side of said beam,

c. lamp mounting means located in each of said houslngs,

d. said beam having a length substantially equal to a whole number multiple of the modular length of said lamp housing,

e. said beam having at least one longitudinally extending mounting face formed with a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel slots for use in securing said lamp housing to said beam member.

2. A modular luminaire assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said beam has a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinally extending mounting faces, each formed with a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel slots for use in securing said lamp housing to said beam member.

3. A modular luminaire assembly as claimed in claim 1 including at least one lamp housing canopy projecting laterally from opposite sides of said beam member.

4. A modular luminaire assembly as claimed in claim 1 including a plurality of lamp housings projecting laterally from opposite sides of said beam member.

5. A modular luminaire assembly comprising a. a longitudinally extending U-shaped extruded beam member having a pair of oppositely disposed side walls and a transverse wall extending therebetween, said side and transverse walls having inner and outer faces,

b. lamp mounting means projecting laterally from at least one of said side faces of said beam,

c. lamp housing mounting means formed in said outer surface of said beam to mount said housing means thereon,

d. lamp mounting means projecting into said housing means to provide a support for a lamp in each housing.

6. A modular luminaire assembly as claimed in claim 5 including ballast mounting means formed on the inner face of said transverse wall whereby lamp ballast may be mounted within the channel formed in the U- shaped beam.

7. A modular luminaire assembly as claimed in claim 6 including flange means mounted adjacent the free ends of said side walls and adapted to provide a support for mounting said U-shaped beam member in a position with the channel formed therein opening downwardly.

8. A modular luminaire assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said lamp housing mounting means is formed in said outer faces of said side walls and consists of at least two longitudinally extending T-shaped channels.

9. A modular luminaire assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the inner face of said transverse wall is formed to provide two parallel T-shaped channel recesses extending longitudinally thereof.

I0.- A modular luminaire assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the outer surface of each side wall is formed to provide a longitudinally extending surface which is inwardly and downwardly inclined with respect to said transverse wall to form an angularly disposed support surface adapted to abut the end of said lamp support means to retain the lamp support means in an angularly inclined plane with respect to said transverse wall.

11. A modular luminaire assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the outer face of each side wall is formed to provide a pair of spaced parallel ridges which extend longitudinally thereof, and a portion of said outer face disposed between said ridges is angularly inclined in a direction downwardly and inwardly with respect to said transverse wall to provide a pair of angularly disposed support surfaces for a lamp in use.

12. A modular luminaire assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein each of said side walls is formed to provide a first and a second flange projecting inwardly from the inner face thereof, said first flange being spaced from the free edge of the side wall to cooperate with the portion of the side wall disposed between the first flange and the free edge to form a ledge for supporting said beam, said second flange being disposed in a spaced parallel relationship with respect to said first flange to form a channel extending longitudinally of each arm.

13. A modular luminaire assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein each of said housings includes a canopy and a bowl, each of said canopies comprising a substantially rectangular enclosure having a pair of oppositely disposed side walls, a front wall and a back wall, each having an upper end and a lower end, a top wall extending between the upper ends of said walls and closing the upper ends of the enclosure, and a flange projecting inwardly from said lower ends to define the open lower end of the enclosure, said lamp mounting means consisting of a mounting panel disposed in an overlying relationship with respect to said back wall.

14. A modular luminaire assembly as claimed in claim 13 further including lamp socket means mounted on said angularly inclined portion of said outer face of said side wall of said beam and projecting into said canopy.

15. A modular luminaire assembly comprising,

a. an extruded beam member which has an inverted U-shaped cross-section forming a channel housing, an upper transverse wall and a pair of downwardly directed side "walls, each of said walls having an inner face and an outer face, each side wall having an upper edge integrally connected to said transverse wall and a downwardly directed free edge,

b. flange means formed adjacent said free edge of said side walls for mounting said beam in an operative position,

c. at least one vertical support pillar adapted to be secured to said beam by means of said flange means to dispose said beam in a generally horizontal plane,

d. longitudinally extending recess means formed on each outer face of said channel,

e. a plurality of lamp canopies each having an inner wall, an outer wall, a pair of side walls and a top wall,

f. canopy mounting means engaging said recesses of said side walls of said beam and said inner wall of said canopies to locate said canopies in a position projecting laterally from said side walls of said beam,

g. longitudinally extending recess means formed on the inner surface of said beam,

h. lamp ballast means located in said channel of said beam and mounting means operably engaging said recess means of said inner surface of said beam to retain said ballast means thereon,

i. a plurality of bowl members each having a peripheral edge adapted to fit in a close fitting relationship within the open end of a canopy, and

j. a lamp mounting socket mounted on said inner surface of said side walls of said beam and projecting into each canopy.

Claims

1. A modular luminaire assembly comprising a. a longitudinally extending beam member, b. a plurality of lamp housings of a predetermined modular length mounted on and projecting outwardly from at least one side of said beam, c. lamp mounting means located in each of said housings, d. said beam having a length substantially equal to a whole number multiple of the modular length of said lamp housing, e. said beam having at least one longitudinally extending mounting face formed with a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel slots for use in securing said lamp housing to said beam member.

5. A modular luminaire assembly comprising a. a longitudinally extending U-shaped extruded beam member having a pair of oppositely disposed side walls and a transverse wall extending therebetween, said side and transverse walls having inner and outer faces, b. lamp mounting means projecting laterally from at least one of said side faces of said beam, c. lamp housing mounting means formed in said outer surface of said beam to mount said housing means thereon, d. lamp mounting means projecting into said housing means to provide a support for a lamp in each housing.

6. A modular luminaire assembly as claimed in claim 5 including ballast mounting means formed on the inner face of said transverse wall whereby lamp ballast may be mounted within the channel formed in the U-shaped beam.

10. A modular luminaire assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the outer surface of each side wall is formed to provide a longitudinally extending surface which is inwardly and downwardly inclined with respect to said transverse wall to form an angularly disposed support surface adapted to abut the end of said lamp support means to retain the lamp support means in an angularly inclined plane with respect to said transverse wall.

15. A modular luminaire assembly comprising, a. an extruded beam member which has an inverted U-shaped cross-section forming a channel housing, an upper transverse wall and a pair of downwardly directed side walls, each of said walls having an inner face and an outer face, each side wall having an upper edge integrally connected to said transverse wall and a downwardly directed free edge, b. flange means formed adjacent said free edge of said side walls for mounting said beam in an operative position, c. at least one vertical support pillar adapted to be secured to said beam by means of said flange means to dispose said beam in a generally horizontal plane, d. longitudinally extending recess means formed on each outer face of said channel, e. a plurality of lamp canopies each having an inner wall, an outer wall, a pair of side walls and a top wall, f. canopy mounting means engaging said recesses of said side walls of said beam and said inner wall of said canopies to locate said canopies in a position projecting laterally from said side walls of said beam, g. longitudinally extending recess means formed on the inner surface of said beam, h. lamp ballast means located in said channel of said beam and mounting means operably engaging said recess means of said inner surface of said beam to retain said ballast means thereon, i. a plurality of bowl members each having a peripheral edge adapted to fit in a close fitting relationship within the open end of a canopy, and j. a lamp mounting socket mounted on said inner surface of said side walls of said beam and projecting into each canopy.