US3828183A

US3828183A - Indirect lighting fixture

Info

Publication number: US3828183A
Application number: US00179310A
Authority: US
Inventors: K Arenhold
Original assignee: MELUDE
Current assignee: MELUDE
Priority date: 1968-03-29
Filing date: 1971-09-10
Publication date: 1974-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 1991-08-06
Also published as: FR95832E; GB1270396A; CH496208A; DK131393C; IE33490L; CA921007A; DK131393B; NL6904833A; OA03029A; BE730436A; IL31869A0; DE1914848A1; IL31869A; IE33490B1

Abstract

A lighting fixture comprises a chassis and a cover. The chassis comprises an inner support member having a generally rectangular central portion and end portions extending angularly from the central portions. Provisions are made for mounting one or more fluorescent light tubes on the side of the central portion opposite that from which said end portions extend. The cover which similarly has a central portion and inclined end portions fits over the chassis with the light tubes between the cover and the inner support member. The cover has side flanges extending in the direction of the chassis and the inner supporting member has angular side flanges received between the side flanges of the cover.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Arenhold 111'] 3,828,183 [451 Aug. 6, 1974 Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 808,954, March 20,

1969, abandoned.

[75] Inventor:

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 29, 1968 France 68.146435 July 8, 1968 France 68.158328 Sept. 17, 1968 France 68.166411 Nov. 22, 1968 France 68.174995 [52] US. Cl. 240/5l.ll R, 240/4, 240/1 1.4 R, 240/4l.l [51] Int. Cl. H05b 33/02 [58] Field of Search 240/5l.1l R, 2 D, 2 B, 240/2 SL, 4, 52 R, 11.4 R, 81 BS, 41.1, 4, 2 EV [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,587,469 6/1926 Campagna 240/2 SL 2,564,865 8/1951 Turner et al. 240/2 BV 2,662,163 12/1953 Mollner 240/2 BV Dempsey 240/4 3,007,037 10/1961 Klemmel 240/4 3,057,991 10/1962 Grenadier.... 240/51.11 R 3,131,871 5/1964 Foulds 240/51.11 R 3,544,782 12/1970 Hahn 240/2 B FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 34,999 1/1965 Germany 240/4 531,441 11/1957 Belgium 240/2 1) Primary ExaminerRobert P. Greiner Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert E. Burns; Emmanuel J. Lobato; Bruce L. Adams [57] ABSTRACT A lighting fixture comprises a chassis and a cover. The chassis comprises an inner support member having a generally rectangular central portion and end portions extending angularly from the central portions. Provisions are made for mounting one or more fluorescent light tubes on the side of the central portion opposite that from which said end portions extend. The cover which similarly has a central portion and inclined end portions fits over the chassis with the light tubes between the cover and the inner support member. The cover has side flanges extending in the direction of the chassis and the inner supporting member has angular side flanges received between the side flanges of the cover.

10 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDAus 61914 3.828.183

SHEEI 1 0P8 mamznww 1 3,828,183.

SHEUZDFB PAIENTEnmn sum sum 30F a FIG. 7

FIG. 11 FIG. 12

minimum man SHEET 7 OF 8 PAYENTED SHEET 8 BF 8 INDIRECT LIGHTING FIXTURE This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 808,954, filed Mar. 20, 1969, now abandoned.

The invention relates to a particularly attractive and advantageous construction of a fixture for the glare free mounting of a light source such as an incandescent lamp or flourescent lamp, in particular to produce indirect lighting while at the same time being usable as milti-purpose furniture.

Lighting units and in particular hanging lamps, floor lamps, table lamps, desk lamps and other lamps of different forms are well known and have particular properties adapting them for their practical use. For example, a floor lamp has, in general, a base and a vertical support whereby satisfactory lighting without glare can be obtained in a limited area and the lamp can be made to harmonize with its surroundings. However, the latter feature is to a large extent dependent on the personal taste of the user of a particular lamp design.

Known lamps of this kind are of quite diverse design but they do not, however, meet all of the aforementioned requirements. The manner of practical use of a lamp is predetermined and the user of such a lamp does not have the possibility of changing the lamp to any extent, either in its arrangement or in its function. In case any such alteration of the lighting is required, it is necessary to procure a new lamp which is designed for the new use. Moreover, the taste of the purchasing public with respect to the design of lamps is known to be very diversified so that lamps of a particular kind and for a particular purpose can be produced only in relatively limited numbers which naturally mitigates against economical mass production.

An object of the present invention is to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages and to provide a fixture for the glare free arrangement of a light source which, by reason of its particular design, can be used in the most diverse ways and can be readily modified to enable the holder to provide in particular for the production of indirect lighting and, by suitable dimensioning and design, can at the same time be used as various articles of furniture, for example, as a table, a bench, a television stand, or the like.

A fixture in accordance with the invention is characterized by a base part or shell having a central portion and inclined end portions disposed at an angle of more than 90 and preferably approximately 1 10 to the central portion. The central portion and the end portions are of channel cross-section so as to provide a space for receiving one or more tubular lamps between the end portions and between the opposite side flanges of the central portion.

Preferably the fixture in accordance with the invention comprises a chassis which is separable from the base part or shell and which carries the light source, current supplying conductors and accessories such as ballast and starter. The chassis fits inside the base part or shell which thereby serves as a cover. The chassis thus serves to reinforce and stiffen the cover so that the latter can be formed of thin material.

The lighting fixture in accordance with the invention is formed of thin, strong, stable material, for example, iron or aluminium sheet metal, or strong heat-resisting plastic material, for example, fiber glass. In the latter case it is advantageous to provide inner stiffening and strengthening ribs which are molded or pressed into the plastic material and at the same time serve as carriers for the light source. A

In order to provide the greatest possible versatility and possibility of variations, the fixture in accordance with the invention may be provided with suitable facilities such as threaded holes, insert bushings or the like for securing feet, plates, connecting rodsbetween several fixtures, or the like. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the fixture is formed of metal or is provided with metal inserts so that different magnetic accessories can be removably secured to the fixture in a convenient and simple manner. The metal inserts can be eitherindividual small plates or elongated strips. Through such an arrangement a screen or reflector for directing the light rays to a desired position can be readily secured to the fixture.

The nature and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which FIGS. 1 to 3 are schematic side views of lighting fixtures in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 4 to 6 are schematic perspective views of other embodiments.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic plan views of fixtures in accordance with the invention installed in a wall.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are views from the inside of the fixture provided with a light shield above or below the fixture.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic plan views showing three light fixtures arranged parallel to one another.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a fixture having magnetic accessories.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are plan views of two modifications.

FIG. 15 is a section taken on the line XV-XV in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a schematic side view of an unsymmetrical embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a side view partially in a longitudinal section of a light fixture in accordance with the invention.

' FIG. 18 is a plan view of the fixture shown in FIG. 17 with a portion broken away to show the interior.

FIG. 19 is an end view of the fixture shown in FIG. 17, a portion of the outer shell broken away.

FIG. 20 is'a cross-section taken approximately on line XX-XX in FIG. 17.

In FIG. 1 there is shown a fixture 21 comprising a rigid shell or housing 22 having a flat central portion 22a and inclined end portions 22b which join the central portion in rounded corners 22c. As seen in FIG. 1, the end portions 22b are inclined at an angle of approximately [10 to the central portion 22a. Inwardly extending side flanges 22d extend along opposite sides of the central portion 22a and in the end portions 22b. The housing is desirably formed with stiffening or strengthening ribs. A light source comprising one or more tubes 23 is mounted in the fixture between the side flanges 22d.

The housing 22 shown in FIG. 1 is formed of opaque material such as sheet metal or translucent material such as plastic which is desirably reinforced with glass fibers. Alternatively, the housing may be formed partly of translucent or transparent material and partly of opaque material. If the housing is formed of transparent or translucent material, selected portions'may be opaqued by means of an opaque layer or a coating.

The fixture shown in FIG. 2 likewise comprises a rigid housing 22 inside of which the light source 23, for example in the form of flourescentlight tubes, is arranged. The housing 22 has a straight middle portion 27 and two inclined end portions 24, and 24 which are of equal length. In this manner the fixture may be supported on the floor or on a piece of furniture or on other suitable supportable surface 25, with the inclined end portions 24, and 24, serving as legs. A glass plate 26 supported on the housing 22 by strips or feet 26a can be used for supporting books, ash trays or other objects. When made of a suitable size, the fixture of FIG. 2 is suitable for use as a table, for example a coffee table or end table.

FIG. 3 shows a particularly useful and original application of fixtures in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment two housings 35, and 35 are superimposed with their inner sides facing one another. The upper housing 35, is provided with a light source in the form of a light tube 36 which provides a light of constant or variable intensity. A plate 37 of glass or other material is mounted on top of the upper housing 31, as in FIG. 2. The straight middle portion 38 on the under side of the lower housing 35 serves as a supporting surface of the fixture. When made of a suitable size, the fixture shown in FIG. 3 may be utilized as a table, side board or other piece of furniture. Alternatively, it can be made smaller and used as a desk or table lamp, in which event the plate 37 serves as a useful support for vases, books and other objects. Moreover a plate 39, which may be of opaque or transparent material, may be placed between the upper and lower housings 35, and 35 A light source may if desired also be pro vided in the lower housing 35 or alternatively may be omitted. The inside of the lower housing 35 may be used for other devices such as radio apparatus, loud speakers or the like which can be controlled by control knobs 32 on the side of the upper'housing 35,. This embodiment of the invention is particularly suitable for use as a night table, or the like. The fixture may be made of a wide variety of transparent or translucent material.

If a lighting fixture in accordance with the present invention is to be used for illuminating an object, for example a statue, it can be inverted as shown in FIG. 4 and carry a glass plate 26 on which such object is placed. The straight central portion 27 of the housing rests on the floor or other support while the glass plate 26 is supported by the upwardly projecting end portions 24, and 24 FIG. 5 shows a vertical arrangement of the lighting fixture for lighting an object from the side. The lighting fixture is suitably supported on a wall or other support.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 6 a lighting fixture in accordance with the invention is supported by one end in a vertical position on a

rotatable base

28, 29. With this arrangement the lighting fixture can be turned in any direction or it can be set in constant rotation driven, for example, by a small electric motor. Through suitable variable switch means it is possible to obtain different lighting effects as the fixture rotates.

In FIG. 7 a lighting fixture in accordance with the present invention is shown mounted on a wall by means of its end portions 49, and 49 with the straight central portion of the housing parallel to and spaced from the wall. This arrangement is useful for example for a wall light which is provided with a single light source. If de- 52 as shown in FIG. 10. In this manner it is possible in a simple way to direct the light rays either upwardly or downwardly. When the screen 53 is magnetized or provided with permanent magnets it can be held in place on a metallic housing without special fastening devices.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show further examples using a plurality of fixtures in accordance with the invention arranged parallel to one another.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 of which FIG. 13 is a side view of afixture, FIGS. 14A and 14B are alternative partial plan views and FIG. 15 is a section taken on a line XV-XV in FIG. 13. In this embodiment, the housing 41 -is formed either wholly of ferrous metal or is provided with a plurality of metal inserts 42,, 42 and 42 These metal inserts are secured in suitable manner and can be provided on the inner side 44 of the base part of the housing as well as on the side flanges 43, and 43 The inserts can be of any desired shape, such as small plates 42,, 42 and 42 or elongated strips 45, and 45 With this construction, magnetic accessories such as a seat cushion 46 or decorative molding 47 can be quickly and easily fixed in desired position on the housing and can be easily removed so that different accessories are easily and quickly interchangeable. If the seat cushion 46 were to be simply placed on the upper side 48 of the housing 41, it could slide off the smooth upper surface. Through the use of the abovementioned magnetic parts in combination with the metal inserts 42 or 45, the cushion 46 is held securely on the housing. It will be understood that the metallic inserts 42 and 45 are not necessary when the housing itself is formed of ferrous metal so that the magnetic accessories are held thereon.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 the lighting fixture 61 is unsymmetrical and consists of two

sections

62 and 63 of unequal length, the section 62 being longer than section 63. The two sections are arranged at an angle to one another so that the outer surfaces meet in a rounded comer 64. The angle between the two unequal sections is shown as being approximately 90 but can be greater or smaller. As in other embodiments of the invention, the

sections

62 and 63 are provided with side flanges at opposite sides. A light source comprising one or more tubular or other lamps is disposed between the side flanges. The free ends of the

sections

62 and 63 rest on or are secured to a wall, ceiling, floor or other supporting surface.

A lighting fixture in accordance with the present invention is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 17 to 20. The fixture comprises a chassis having an inner support member 71 which may be formed as a sheet metal stamping or as a molding of transparent, translucent or opaque plastic material. If formed of opaque material, the support may have windows or cutouts to permit light to be transmitted through it. The support 71 has a slightly curved central portion 71a and inclined end portions 71b. In cross-section, the central portion is straight as seen in FIG. 20 with angularly disposed side flanges 71c which are bifurcated so as to form channels 71d. Tubular lamps 72, which are preferably flourescent, are disposed on the inner side of the support 71 and mounted at their ends in sockets 73 supported by brackets 74. A starter 75 for the lights is also mounted on the bracket 74.

Current for the lamps is supplied by a cable (not shown) which is secured by a cable clamp 76 and is connected through a junction box 77 to conductors 78 leading to the starter 75 and the lamp sockets 73. Conductors leading to the sockets at the far ends of the light tubes extend through the channels 71d of the support 71 and are held in place by suitable clips 79. A cross piece 80 disposed parallel to the bracket 74 at opposite ends of the central portion of the support 71 carries a ballast 81 and a junction block 77. The chassis is grounded by means of a ground wire (not shown) connected by screws 82 to the bracket 74 and cross piece 80.

The outer ends of the support member 71 are provided with cross strips 83 having cross shaped openings 84 to receive hooks, screws or other securing means for attaching the chassis to a wall, ceiling or other support. The cross strips 83 are also provided with hooks 85 for securing in place a shell or cover 86 in which the chassis is received. The cover 86 has a straight central portion 860 and inclined integral end portions 86b disposed at an angle of approximately l05 to the central portion 86a. As seen in FIG. 20, the cover is of channel shape with integral inwardly extended side flanges 86c which extend along the central portion and also along the end portions of the cover. As seen in FIG. 17, the free edges of the central portions of the side flanges corresponding to the central portion of the cover are slightly curved so that the flanges are somewhat deeper near the ends of the central portion 86a than at the middle. The side flanges of the central portion merge into the side flanges of the end portions which taper so that they are not as deep at the ends. When the inner support member 71 is formed of metal or other opaque material the cover 86 is formed of molded transparent or translucent plastic material. Alternatively, the inner support may be formed with cutouts or windows to permit the passage of light through it. When the inner support member 71 is formed of transparent or translucent material the cover 86 may be formed either of metal or other opaque material or of transparent or translucent material as desired. Thus by suitable selection of the material, the light from the lamp tubes 72 may be transmitted either outwardly through the cover 86, inwardly through the inner support 71 or both inwardly and outwardly.

It will be understood that the various characteristics and features of the several embodiments illustrated by way of example in the drawings are interchangeable in sofar as they are compatible. Thus for example the chassis illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 20 may be used in the fixtures illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 15 and byeliminating one end portionin the fixture of FIG. 16. It will be understood that the embodiments illustrated in the drawings are shown only by way of example and that various modifications may be made.

What is claimed is:

1. A lighting fixture comprising a shell and a chassis, said shell having an elongated generally rectangular straight central portion and like opposite end portions inclined at an obtuse angle of the order to said central portion, said central portion having like opposite side flanges and said end portions having like opposite side flanges merging into the side flanges of said central portion, said chassis being translucent and having an elongated generally rectangular central portion nested between said side flanges of the central portion of said shell and like inclined end portions nested between said side flanges of the inclined end portions of said shell with a space between the central portion of said chassis and the central portion of said shell, means for mounting at least one light tube in said space, and means for releasably securing said shell to said chassis whereby light is diffused through said central portion and said end portions of said chassis.

2. A lighting fixture according to claim 1, in which said end portions of said shell join said central portion in smooth curves.

3. A lighting fixture according to claim 2, in which free edges of said opposite side flanges of said central portion of the shell are concavely curved so that said side flanges have a greater width at their ends than at a central portion.

4. A lighting fixture according to claim 3, in which free edges of said opposite side flange portions of said end portions of the shell join respective free edge portions of said opposite side flange portions of said central portion of the shell in smooth curves.

5. A lighting fixture according to claim 1, in which said shell is of molded translucent material.

6. A lighting fixture according to claim 1, in which said chassis has angular side flanges extending in a direction toward said shell and received between said side flanges of said shell.

7. A lighting fixture according to claim 6, in which edges of said side flanges of said chassis are formed with channels to receive electrical conductors for said light tube.

8. A lighting fixture according to claim 1, in which said shell is opaque.

9. A lighting fixture according to claim 8, in which said shell is of sheet metal.

10. A lighting fixture according to claim 1, in which said light tube extends approximately the full length of said central portion of said chassis.

Claims

1. A lighting fixture comprising a shell and a chassis, said shell having an elongated generally rectangular straight central portion and like opposite end portions inclined at an obtuse angle of the order 105* to said central portion, said central portion having like opposite side flanges and said end portions having like opposite side flanges merging into the side flanges of said central portion, said chassis being translucent and having an elongated generally rectangular central portion nested between said side flanges of the central portion of said shell and like inclined end portions nested between said side flanges of the inclined end portions of said shell with a space between the central portion of said chassis and the central portion of said shell, means for mounting at least one light tube in said space, and means for releasably securing said shell to said chassis whereby light is diffused through said central portion and said end portiOns of said chassis.

8. A lighting fixture according to claim 1, in which said shell is opaque.