AU8300998A - Improvements in light fittings - Google Patents

Description

DHRef: 924-1AU

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: ENERGY MANAGEMENT LIMITED of 192 Middleton Road, Churton Park, Wellington, New Zealand.

TREVOR JAMES MURRAY Don Hopkins Associates Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33, St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia IMPROVEMENTS IN LIGHT FITTINGS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 2 This invention relates to improvements in light fittings.

More particularly the invention is concerned with a recessed light fitting of the type which can be mounted by the standard T-rails of a suspended ceiling. Such light fittings typically comprise a housing or box in which one or more fluorescent tubes are located. An open side of the box is covered by a diffuser through which light can be emitted from fluorescent tubes mounted in the housing.

An object of the present invention is to provide a light S fitting for recessed mounting which is of a simpler *construction than known fittings yet provides high efficiency and preferably at reduced costs.

:Broadly in one aspect of the invention there is provided a light fitting comprising a pair of end elements, a reflector having a pair of opposite ends, a said end element being mounted to each end of the reflector and lamp holder means 20 engaged with said end elements for mounting at least one lamp adjacent the reflector and means for mounting a diffuser through which, in use, light from said one lamp can be emitted.

In the preferred form of the invention the reflector is optically shaped and formed of high efficiency reflective material. According to preferred forms, the reflector material can be silver, polished aluminium or other similar and suitable optical reflectors.

In a preferred form of the invention, the reflector includes a recess for the mounting of ballast gear said recess being covered by a press fit cover which is preferably of reflective material of the type from which the reflector is formed. According to a preferred form the recess extends longitudinally of the reflector.

In the following more detailed description of the invention according to one preferred form reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective end view of the light fitting according to the invention but with one end element removed in the interests of clarity, Figure 2 is a partial end elevation of the reflector showing the recess with removable cover, and Figure 3 is an end elevation view of the fitting as shown in Figure 1.

The light fitting 10 according to the present invention comprises a pair of end elements 11 (or "end bells") which are pressed from metal. Each end bell 11 comprises a main panel of substantially rectangular shape with side walls 12 and 13 and end walls 14 projecting therefrom. Side wall 12 and end walls 14 project perpendicularly to the plane of the panel in one direction while the other side wall 13 projects perpendicularly to the panel but in an opposite direction; A reflector 15 is formed of a high efficiency reflective material and is optically shaped to perform the function of photometric control of light emitting from lamps such as 10 fluorescent tubes F. The reflector 15 is shown in the drawings as being shaped for a fitting having a pair of lamps however, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the reflector can equally be shaped to accommodate say four lamps F.

Extending longitudinally through the full length of the reflector 15 is a central recess or channel 16. In this channel 16 ballast gear B can be mounted.

A substantially V shaped cover 17 which is preferably also made of the same or a similar high efficiency reflective material covers the channel 16. This cover 17 is so formed that it can fit in the channel 16 in a push fit fashion.

For example in the preferred form as illustrated, the sides 18 of the channel 16 can be inwardly inclined. The shape of the cover 17 is such that in its relaxed state the angle of and distance between the ends of the sides 19 of the cover 17 is greater than that of the sides 18 of the channel 16.

Accordingly the cover can be located in place by simply forcing the sides 19 slightly together so that they can fit within the confines of the channel 16 and then released so as to engage with the sides 18 of the channel 16 and hold the cover 17 in place.

Cover 17 thus not only provides an effective and simple means 10 of covering the ballast gear B located in the channel 16 but also blends neatly into the appearance of the reflector. It e can also be used to enhance the optical shape of the "reflector to provide the required photometric control. As can be seen from the end elevation of Figure 3, the sides of 15 the cover 17 can to an extent, match the downwardly projecting sides 20 of the reflector These downwardly and outwardly projecting sides 20 of the reflector 15 terminate in a substantially L cross section shaped edge 21 with a return or lip 22. The opposing lips 22 of the reflector 15 thus provide a ledge for supporting the side edge portions of a diffuser (not shown). They also provide a support surface for engagement with a flange 23 of a standard T-rail 24 as shown in Figure 3.

The end bells 11 are simply fastened to the vertical wall of the L shaped edge 21 by mechanical fasteners 26. In a preferred form the mechanical fastener can simply be a rivet.

The end bells 11 also have cut-outs into which plastic lamp holder means 28 can be engaged.

One of the end pieces 11 has an elongate slot 29 with a substantially L shaped downwardly depending slot 30 for 10 engagement of a locating stud or pin of a diffuser. The o. ther end bell 11 has a shorter slot or simply a circular opening for receiving a stud or pin at the other end of the "diffuser. The long slot permits the diffuser to be presented -at an angle to the fitting 10 such that the pin or stud can 15 be inserted therein whereby the diffuser can then be bought into a correct orientation for location in the fitting. Such mounting of the diffuser is in accordance with conventional mounting of a diffuser in a recessed light fitting.

The light fitting according to the present invention provides a number of benefits. Due to its simple construction and by not requiring a housing or box, material costs are reduced.

Also assembly of the fitting is more straight forward and hence a reduction in assembly costs is realised. Furthermore the fitting is of lighter weight due to the reduced material content.

By providing an optically shaped reflector which also exhibits goods rigidity characteristics, a high efficiency light fitting is achieved.

The "snap fit" cover of the ballast gear also leads to reduced costs, does away with the need for fixings and is a reliable yet simple means of covering the otherwise unsightly electrical fittings. The cover can also add to the high efficiency of the reflector by being formed as part of the optically desirable shape of the reflector.

ee Se e e e ee Se •e e Se

Claims (9)

1. A light fitting comprising a pair of end elements, a reflector having a pair of opposite ends, a said end element being mounted to each end of the reflector and lamp holder means engaged with said end elements for mounting at least one lamp adjacent the reflector and means for mounting a diffuser through which, in use, light from said one lamp can be emitted.

2. A light fitting as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reflector is optically shaped and formed of high efficiency reflective material.

3. A light fitting as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the reflector material can be silver, polished aluminium or other similar and suitable optical reflector.

4. A light fitting as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the reflector includes a recess for the mounting of ballast gear.

A light fitting as claimed in claim 4 wherein the recess is covered by a removable cover.

6. A light fitting as claimed in claim 5 wherein the removable cover is of reflective material. 9

7. A light fitting as claimed in claim 6 wherein the reflective material is of the type from which the reflector is formed.

8. A light fitting as claimed in any of claims 4 to 7 wherein the recess extends longitudinally of reflector.

9. A light fitting substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this Twenty Eighth day of August 1998 Energy Management Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person DON HOPKINS ASSOCIATES