Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application
Serial Number 08/725,516, filed October 4, 1996, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial Number
08/l03,591, filed August 9, 1993, now U.S. Patent No.
5,564,818, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent
Application Serial Number 07/879,878, filed May 7, 1992. The
entire disclosures of U.S. Patent Applications Serial Numbers
08/725,516, 08/103,591 and 07/879,878 are incorporated herein
by reference.
Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to lighting systems, such
as architectural and environmental lighting systems. The
invention especially relates to cove lighting systems for
residential, as well as commercial, applications.
In a typical cove lighting system, lighting elements are
located in an architectural recess and gently illuminate the
wall and/or ceiling space adjacent the recess. Light coves
are most frequently located near junctions between walls and
ceilings. However, light coves may be placed in other
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locations, and may be provided in many orientations,
including horizontal and vertical.
Cove lighting systems have many applications. For
example, cove lighting systems may be used to illuminate book
cases, wine and glass racks, furniture, and display cases.
Cove lighting systems may be employed anywhere that the
introduction of a soft halo of light is desired.
Examples of lighting elements that have been used for
cove lighting systems include incandescent bulbs, PL lamps,
and standard fluorescent hot cathode lamps. As explained
below, all such lighting elements have significant drawbacks
for certain uses.
Incandescent bulbs are energy inefficient. Incandescent
bulbs also have a short lifetime. The lifetime of a standard
incandescent bulb may be only two thousand hours. Therefore,
incandescent bulbs must be replaced frequently. Moreover,
incandescent bulbs do not produce uniform illumination. A
row of incandescent bulbs produces uneven bright and dark
areas of illumination.
A PL lamp is a small diameter U-shaped gas discharge
fluorescent lamp. PL lamps, like incandescent bulbs, produce
uneven bright and dark areas of illumination. Moreover, PL
lamps cannot be dimmed without specialized auxiliary power
supplies. Another disadvantage associated with PL lamps is
that they are not commercially available in colors other than
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white. The lifetime of a standard PL lamp is approximately
ten thousand hours.
Standard fluorescent (hot cathode gas discharge) lamps
are not commercially available in curved configurations
suitable for cove lighting applications. Moreover,
fluorescent lamps are not commercially available in colors
other than white, and are not dimmable without special
equipment. The rated lives of commercially available
fluorescent lamps are from ten thousand to fifteen thousand
hours.
Low voltage cold cathode lamps, in contrast to the lamps
discussed above, are especially well suited for cove lighting
applications. Cold.cathode lamps are dimmable and can be
relatively easily fabricated to follow a curved architectural
recess without loss of light. Moreover, cold cathode lamps
can be ordered in almost any color imaginable, from whites to
hot pinks, vibrant blues, purples, and aquas. However, most
cold cathode lamps fabricated for low voltage applications
are fabricated exactly like standard hot cathode lamps. That
is, the electrodes are at the ends of a straight tubular
lamp, meaning that the lamp ends are dark.
The dark regions have been overcome in the past by
overlapping the unilluminated end portions of the lamps in
the fixture. Unfortunately, that involves longer and more
expensive lamps and sometimes resulted in bright spots if the
lamps overlapped too far, placing two illuminated portions
side by side in the fixture. Moreover, a dark region still
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existed where two fixtures were placed adjacent to each
other.
A cold cathode lamp is a gas discharge lamp whose
electrodes are not heated to the point of thermionic
emission. A hot cathode lamp is a gas discharge lamp whose
electrodes are heated to the point of thermionic emission.
Because of this difference, cold cathode lamps may last much
longer than hot cathode lamps. A well manufactured cold
cathode~lamp may last fifty thousand hours. Unlike regular
hot cathode fluorescent lamps, a cold cathode lamp does not
lose three hours of its rated lifetime each time it is turned
on.
Examples of cold cathode gas discharge lamps are
disclosed in U.S. Patents Nos. 5,l55,668 (Tanner) and
4,004,185 (Edmondson et al.), the entire disclosures of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
High voltage cold cathode lamps (including conventional
neon lamps) have been used for some cove lighting
applications with some success. However, high voltage lamps
cannot be used in residences. According to the National
Electric Code, NEC 410-75A, voltages over one thousand volts
are not suitable for residential applications. Standard high
voltage cold cathode lamps are particularly hazardous for
residential applications. The high voltage operation of such
lamps can also cause humming and buzzing noises which are
unacceptable for many applications, particularly residential
applications.
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Another disadvantage with high voltage lamps is that the
ends of such lamps electrostatically attract and incinerate
dust. The resulting soot accumulates on the ceiling. The
higher the voltage, the worse the problem. Eventually, the
ceiling has to be repainted to cover the accumulated soot.
It may be necessary to repaint the ceiling every year. To
avoid the problem of soot accumulation, coves with high
voltage lamps may be spaced farther away from the ceiling.
However', for architectural and aesthetic reasons, it is
generally advantageous to locate a cove as close to the
ceiling as possible.
The present invention overcomes the proalems of the prior
art by providing a modular system of low voltage, cold
cathode lighting fixtures connected together in parallel,
with each fixture having a self-contained ballast, and with
eacr~ ~:ixture operating at a voltage of no more than about one
thousand volts. The modular system may advantageously
include a plurality of straight lamps and at least one curved
lamp. Some of the straight lamps may be longer than the
others. The modular system may be easy to install.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a modular
system for generating light comprises a plurality of
fixtures. Each fixture includes a casing, a cold cathode
lamp supported by said casing, and a ballast for providing
power to said lamp. The lamp includes a first tube, a second
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tube connected to and in fluid communication with the first
tube, and a third tube connected to and in fluid
communication with the second tube. Preferred embodiments of
the invention include a first tube, a second tube formed at
90~ from the first tube at each end of the first tube and a
third tube attached to each second tube and extending
parallel to the first tube. Each third tube includes a lamp
electrode and is disposed between the first tube and a bottom
wall of the fixture. Preferably, the fixtures are
electrically connected together in parallel, with each
fixture being arranged to operate at a voltage of no more
than about one thousand volts.
A lamp base is provided that includes a first portion
configured to surround an end of the third tube and a pair of
orifices for receiving electrical leads from the electrode.
The lamp base includes a second portion configured to receive
and to be adhered to a portion of the first tube and protect
the third tube from any torque stress or breakage when the
electric lamp is snapped into the lampholder.
In a preferred embodiment, the fixtures operate at
voltages of no more than about one thousand volts.
Advantageous results are achieved when the fixtures are
operated at about six hundred volts. Low voltage operation
may be achieved by connecting the fixtures together in
parallel and by making the diameters of the cold cathode
lamps about three-quarters of an inch or greater. These
larger diameters are desired so that the ballast voltage will
be significant enough to strike an arc within the lamp.
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Smaller diameter lamps (sometimes referred to as "neon
lamps," with diameters of about five-eighths of an inch and
smaller) are far higher in impedance and require voltages far
in excess of one thousand volts to strike the arc in a lamp
of the same length.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the modular
system is available as a kit. Modularized, standard lengths
of straight fixtures with integral ballasts are provided,
along with similarly configured curved, angled or hinged
fixtures. Each fixture is wired for easy interconnection,
one to another. To install the system, the end user simply
places the fixtures along the cove or other recess, connects
the fixtures to each other and then connects the system to a
suitable line voltage power supply.
The present invention also relates to a cold cathode cove
lighting system for residential use. The system includes a
cove connected to a wall. In this aspect of the invention,
the lighting system is made up of a plurality of differently
configured low voltage lamps supported within the cove. The
lamps preferably include a first tube that is illuminated
completely from end to end, including end surfaces. Thus,
the lamps can be disposed adjacent each other in an end to
end configuration without dark regions.
In one embodiment of the invention, the ballasts for the
lamps are located within the fixtures, such that the modular
system is very easy to install.
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In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the ballasts
are located outside the cove to make ballast replacement or
service convenient when fixtures are installed in difficult
to access areas, or to produce a cove lighting system with a
very narrow profile.
The casings for the fixtures may be light weight, easy to
handle extruded elements. The ends of the casings may be
enclosed by vertical plates. In one aspect of the invention,
the casings are provided with side openings for aligning the
lamps in the desired staggered relationship.
The present invention also relates to a cover for
protecting the fixture from the environment. The cover is
secured to the casing and sealed against high wind and water
entry. The cover can be secured to the casing by mechanical
fasteners, such as screws, bolts, rivets or the like,
adhesives or any other suitable method. As described in more
detail below, the cover may be removably connectable to a
casing with a snap fit.
The present invention also relates to a multi-color gas
discharge lamp having a plurality of pre-colored tubular
sections spliced together to simultaneously produce different
colors.
The present invention also relates to a system having a
plurality of different color lamps that can be selectively
dimmed to provide different resultant colors.
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An object of the invention is to provide a safe,
attractive, long lasting, and efficient linear continuous
line-of-light lighting system.
Another object of the invention is to provide a supply of
differently configured light fixtures from which fixtures of
different lengths, shapes and configurations can be selected
and used to create a uniform illumination cove lighting
system regardless of the linear dimensions of a straight
cove, and regardless of the locations of the cove's corners.
Hinged and straight fixtures can be combined to illuminate
circular or free form radii cove designs.
Another object of the invention is to provide a modular
package of linear and non-linear light fixtures, including
low voltage cold cathode light fixtures, that can be easily
connected together in parallel.
Arz:~ther object of the invention is to provide a dimmable
lighting system with an infinitely variable light output
capability.
Another object of the invention is to provide a light
fixture system that dims uniformly from fixture to fixture,
regardless of the lengths and shapes of the lamps.
Another object of the invention is to provide a lighting
system with lamps that have long lives. The system is ideal
for use in hard-to-service locations, and will reduce or even
eliminate lamp replacement and associated labor costs.
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Another object of the invention is to provide a lighting
system that easily transitions around angles, corners and
radius curves and the like, as found in residential and
commercial applications. An object of the invention is to
provide a lighting system that avoids the formation of dark
spaces between fixtures and in the corners and curves of
coves and that can be easily assembled with other lighting
fixtures.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description and drawings
which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a broken away perspective partial view of a
lighting system constructed in accordance with a preferred
embod~,Tnent of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional plan view of another portion
of the lighting system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view taken along
the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a side view of a short lighting fixture for the
system illustrated in FIG. 2.
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FIG. 5 is a side view of a medium lighting fixture for
the system illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a side view of a long lighting fixture for the
system illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a lighting system
constructed in accordance with another preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a lighting system
constructed in accordance with another preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a lighting system constructed in
accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
F~~. 10 is a broken away cross sectional view of the
cover and overlapped lamp portion of FIG. 9, taken along the
line 10-10 of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the cover and
overlapped lamp portion of FIG. 10, in an assembled
condition.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of a multi-color light fixture
constructed in accordance with another preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
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FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a valance constructed in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view showing an end
cover.
FIG. 15 is a cross sectional side view of the light
fixture of FIGS. 13 and 14 installed within a wall.
FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view taken along the line
16-16 of FIG. 15.
FIG. 17 is a side view of another lighting fixture for
use in the system illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 18 is a cross sectional plan view of another
lighting system constructed in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 19 is a side view of a lighting fixture for the
system shown in FIG. 18.
FIG. 20 is a side view of a lamp for the lighting system
illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19.
FIG. 21 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of a
lighting system constructed in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
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FIG. 22 is a side view of one end of a casing and lamp of
the lighting system of FIG. 21.
FIG. 23 is a side view of one end of the lamp of FIG. 22.
FIG. 24 is a section view taken along line 24-24 of FIG.
23.
FIG. 25 is a side view of a lampholder for use with the
lighting system of FIG. 21.
FIG. 26 is a front view of the lampholder of FIG. 25.
FIG. 27 is a section view taken along line 27-27 of FIG.
22.
FIG. 28 is a section view taken along line 28-28 of FIG.
21.
FIG. 29 is a plan view of a cover plate for use with the
lighting system of FIG. 21.
FIG. 30 is partial transverse section taken through the
casing showing the bottom wall of the casing and the cover
retaining member.
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of two lighting systems
according to the invention disposed in an end to end
relation, with a remote ballast.
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DET,gTr,_ F~ D,E,SCRIPTION OF~,~tEFERRED EMBODr_MENTS
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIGS. 1-3
a modular lighting system 10 constructed in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. The lighting
system 10 includes a plurality of straight and curved light
fixtures 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. The system 10 is located within
a cove 22 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and is arranged to illuminate a
ceiling 24 (FIG. 3).
Each light fixture 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 has a casing 26,
28, 30, 32, 34 and a cold cathode lamp 36, 38, 40, 42, 44.
Each lamp 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 has a tubular light transmitting
body 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 and opposite opaque ends 60, 62, 64,
66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
fixtures 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 are staggered such that the
tubular light transmitting bodies 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 are
slightly overlapped. Thus, the lamps 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 work
together to uniformly illuminate the ceiling 24 along the
entire length of the cove 22, with no bright spots and no
dark spots.
Each casing 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 has an aluminum extruded
main portion 78, 80 with an upper opening 82, inwardly
directed, longitudinally extending lower flanges 84, 86, and
inwardly directed, longitudinally extending top hooks 88, 90.
A vertical, rectangular end plate 92 covers each of the ends
94, 96, 98 of the casings 26, 28, 30, 32, 34. For clarity of
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illustration, only one of the end plates 92 is shown in
FIG. 1. The end plates 92 each have a lower flange (not
illustrated? snugly received under the flanges 84, 86 of the
extruded main portions 78, 80 to hold the end plates 92 in
position.
Each casing opening 82 is closed by a cover 100, 102,
104, 106, 108. Each cover 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 has
downwardly directed, longitudinally extending hooks 110, 112
that snap-fit into the top hooks 88, 90 to releasably connect
the covers 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 to the respective main
casing portions 78, 80.
Each of the casings 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 may be extruded of
lightweight aluminum in accordance with Norbert Belfer
Lighting Specification No. 2801, a copy of which a.s contained
in U.S. Disclosure Document No. 297,167, filed December 23,
l991. The entire disclosure of U.S. Disclosure Document No.
297,167 is incorporated herein by reference.
The covers 102, 106 for the curved fixtures 14, 18 may
each be formed of two separate cover elements 111, 113 with
angled adjoining ends 114, 116. Support elements 118, 120
may be located adjacent the corner formed by the angled ends
114, 116 for supporting the middle portions of the curved
tubular light transmitting bodies 48, 52. Further, each
curved casing 28, 32 may be formed of two separate extruded
elements connected together at the corner by a suitable
connecting means 122.
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Bi-pin electrical sockets 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134,
136, 138, l40 (or single pin sockets, not shown) extend
upwardly from the ends of the casings 26, 28, 30, 32, 34.
The sockets 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138) 140 are
used to supply electrical power through the bi-pin electrical
contacts 142, 144 for the lamps 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and to
support the lamps 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 above the covers 100,
102, 104, 106, 108.
Suitable ballasts 150, 152, 154, 156, 158 (FIGS. 4 and 5)
are provided for controlling the electrical power supplied to
the lamps 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, particularly for limiting
current through the respective lamps 36, 38, 40, 42, 44
and/or for providing starting voltages for the respective
lamps 36, 38, 40, 42, 44. The ballasts 150, 152, 154, 156,
158 may be located within the casings 26, 28, 30, 32, 34.
This way, each fixture 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 is a fully
self-contained unit, which makes the system easy to install.
Prewired leads (not illustrated) for the ballasts 150, 152,
154g 156, 158 are electrically connected to the sockets l24,
126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140 by suitable electrical
wires (not illustrated). The ballasts 1S0, 152, 154, 156,
1S8 are connected together in parallel to a common source of
electrical power (not illustrated) by suitable electrical
wires 160, 162.
A preferred ballast for use with the modular lighting
system 10 is a highly reliable, cool running magnetic ballast
produced by Magnatek/Jefferson of Elk Grove Village,
Illinois. The preferred ballast can be used for most of the
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differently sized and shaped fixtures 12, 14, 16, 18, 20.
The preferred ballast can be tapped at any one of three
different places as desired to match its lamp. In a
preferred embodiment of the invention, the ballasts 150, 152,
154, 156, 158 and lamps 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 are arranged to
operate at approximately six hundred volts. A seventy two
inch fixture (not shown) will operate off a separate one
thousand volt ballast.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the cove 22 is located adjacent
a wall 164 and includes a molding with a base portion 166 and
a front portion 168. The base portion 166 extends inwardly
from the wall 164 and is substantially parallel to the
ceiling 24. The fixtures 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 are supported by
the base portion 166. The front portion 168 extends upwardly
from the base portion 166 so that the fixtures 12, 14, 16,
18, 20 are not visible to people within the residential
space, and so that light from the fixtures 12, 14, 16, 18, 20
reaches the room only indirectly by reflection off the
ceiling 24.
As illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, openings 180, 182, 184, 186,
188, 190 are provided through the casing sidewal k . The
openings 180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190 are used to align the
casings 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 with respect to each other in the
staggered format shown in FIGS. 1-3. The openings 180, 182,
184, 186, 188, 190 also provide passageways for the
electrical conduits which connect the ballasts 150, 152, 154,
156, 158 together in parallel. Dashed lines 192, 194, 196 in
FIG. 2 schematically designate the locations of the
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passageways formed by the alignment openings 180, Z82, 184,
Z86, 188, 190.
As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the medium and long
fixtures 16, 20 may be provided with additional alignment
holes 198, 200, 202, 204 to accommodate cove lengths that are
not divisible by the lengths of the illustrated straight and
curved fixtures 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. Of course, when the
additional holes 198, 200, 202, 204 are used to align the
fixtures 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, a substantial overlap between
adjacent light transmitting bodies will occur. The length of
the overlap will be equal to the distance L between the
primary alignment openings 184, Z86, 188, 190 and the
additional alignment openings 198, 200, 202) 204 (or two
times the distance L). A light shield (FIGS. 9-11) may be
used to eliminate the bright spot that would otherwise result
from the use of the additional alignment openings 198, 200,
202, 204, as explained in more detail below.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention,
illustrated in FIG. 17, the fixtures 12, 16, 20 may be
provided with drill guides 205, each guide being in the form
of a small groove running the length of the outside long axis
of the respective extrusion. With the embodiment illustrated
in FIG. 17, the ideal amount of stagger is achieved by
aligning the fixtures according to the preformed openings
180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190. If an installer needs to
increase the amount of stagger, to reduce the overall length
of the installation, for example to accommodate a shorter
than anticipated "as built" cove length, he simply increases
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the amount of stagger between the last two fixtures, marks
where the wires will enter the last fixture (the overly
staggered fixture) and drills a hole through the side wall of
the last fixture at the point of alignment with the preformed
opening of the next-to-last fixture. The drill guide 205 is
used to ensure that the opening drilled through the side wall
of the last fixture is vertically aligned with the preformed
opening of the next-to-last fixture. To eliminate the bright
spot that would otherwise result from the over staggered
arrangement described above, a light shield (FIGS. 9-I1) may
be used, as explained in more detail below.
The fixtures 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 preferably have a very
small width 210 (FIG. 3). For example, the fixture width 210
may be no more than about one and three-quarters inches, such
that the staggered width 212 of the lighting system 10 is no
more than about three and one-half inches. Advantageously,
the staggered width 212 of the lighting system 10 may be
significantly smaller than the staggered width of cove
lighting systems formed of conventional fluorescent fixtures,
which is typically in excess of six inches.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fixtures
12, 14, 16, 18, 20 would each be produced in relatively large
quantities and in different colors. A lighting installer
would then measure the cove within which the cove lighting
system is to be installed, and then select the types and
numbers of modular fixtures needed to fit the cove. The
fixtures would not have to be specially manufactured for the
cove.
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The installation process for the system 10 may be as
follows: First, the casing main portions 78, 80 are placed
on the main portion 166 of the cove 22, and are staggered
such that the openings 180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, 198,
200, 202, 204 of adjacent fixtures are aligned. The prewired
leads of the ballasts 150, 152, 154, 156, 158 are then
threaded through the aligned openings 180, 182, 184, 186,
188, 190, 198, 200, 202, 204 to connect the ballasts 150,
152, 15'4, l56, 158 together in parallel. The ballasts 150,
152, 154, 1S6, 158 are then connected to a common source of
electrical power. The ballasts l50, l52, l54, l56, 158 may
also be connected to one or more dimmers, as explained in
more detail below. The electrical connections between the
ballasts 150, 152, 154, 156, l58 and the sockets 124, l26,
128, 130, 132, 134, 136, l38, 140 are preferably factory
installed. Preferably, the installer only has to make the
connections between the ballasts 150, 152, 154, 156, 158 and
the common connection to the source of electrical power. The
extruded covers 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 are then snapped onto
the main portions 78, 80 to cover the openings 82, and then
the ends of the lamps 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 are located within
the sockets 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, l36, 138, 140.
A suitable dimming system 214 (FIG. 3) may be provided
for controlling the electrical power supply to the light
fixtures 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. The dimming system 214 is
connected to the light fixtures 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 by
suitable electrical conduits 160, 162 extending through a
suitable opening 218 in the wall l64. In a preferred
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embodiment of the invention, the lamps 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 can
be uniformly and simultaneously dimmed from full brightness
to a faint glow.
The fixtures 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 can be made to dim
uniformly together by providing each lamp 36, 38, 40, 42, 44
with a matched ballast and gas composition. A two step
process may be employed to ensure that the fixtures 12, 14,
16, 18, 20 are uniformly dimmable: First, a ballast is
selected for each lamp. Second, the composition of the gas
contained within the lamp (including the make-up and pressure
of the gas) is adjusted so that a11 of the gas discharge
lamps dim evenly together.
A testing system (not illustrated) may be provided for
testing the ballast selection and gas adjustment. The
testing system includes a dimmable power source and a
milliamp meter. To test a fixture, the fixture is connected
to the dimmable power source and the power source is operated
according to a predetermined dimming pattern. Light output
is measured in terms of the lamp's operating current. Lamp
current or current density is proportional to brightness.
The higher the lamp current, the brighter the lamp. Thus,
the decreasing intensity of light produced by the fixture is
indirectly measured by the milliamp meter and compared to a
predetermined desired operating current milliamp pattern.
If the fixture does not provide the desired pattern, the
ballast may be exchanged for another ballast and/or the
composition of the gas may be adjusted and then the fixture
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may be re-tested. This process may be repeated as many times
as necessary until the dimming of the fixture by the power
source matches the desired pattern. Preferably, the dimmer
should be able to increase or decrease the operating current
of the lamps from approximately one hundred milliamps to
approximately 5 milliamps evenly with no more than a plus or
minus ten percent variation between different fixtures.
FIG. 7 illustrates another modular lighting system 300
constructed in accordance with the present invention. The
system 300 illustrated in FIG. 7 is similar to the system 10
illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, except that the ballasts 302, 304
for the FIG. 7 embodiment are located outside the cove 22.
Locating the ballasts 302, 304 outside the cove 22 may be
helpful in reducing.the dimensions of the lighting system
300. The ballasts 302, 304 may be identical to the ballasts
150, 152, 154, 156, 158 for the FIGS. 1-6 embodiment.
Suitable means 306 may be provided for connecting the
ballasts 302, 304 to a single source of electrical power (not
illustrated). Suitable electrical conduits 308, 310 for
connecting the ballasts 302, 304 to the lighting system 300
may extend through a suitable opening 218 in the wall 164. A
housing 312 for enclosing the ballasts 302, 304 may also be
provided.
Referring now to FIG. 8, in another embodiment of the
invention, several lighting systems 10, 350, 352 are
installed next to each other within a light cove 22. The
systems 10, 350, 352 are essentially identical to each other
except that they produce different colors. The light systems
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10, 350, 352 may produce blue, pink and white component
colors, respectively. Each lighting system 10, 350, 352 has
its own dimming system 214, 354, 356. The dimming systems
214, 354, 356 are connected to the respective lighting
systems 10, 350, 352 by suitable electrical conduits 162,
355, 357. By controlling the intensity of the component
colors generated by the systems 10, 350, 352, by selectively
operating one or more of the dimming systems 214, 354, 356, a
practically infinite range of resultant colors may be
produced.
Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, there may be times when the
modular fixtures 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 do not fit within the
cove 22 without a substantial overlap 362 between adjacent
light transmitting bodies. As discussed above in connection
with FIGS. 4-6, the length of the overlap 362 may be equal to
a multiple of the distance L between the primary openings
180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190 and the additional openings 198,
200, 202, 204. As discussed above in connection with FIG.
17, the length of the overlap 362 may be equal to the
distance between the opening drilled through the drill guide
205 during installation and the adjacent preformed opening of
the same fixture.
A C-shaped shield 364 (FIGS. 9-11) may be used to cover
the overlapped lamp portion 362. The shield 364 may be
formed of plastic so as to be lightweight and inexpensive.
The shield 364 may have a constant cross section. The shield
364 may be extruded and then field cut down to the length of
the overlapped portion 362.
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As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the shield 364 has a
C-shaped cross section with radially outwardly turned edges
366, 368. The inner diameter of the shield 364 is
substantially equal to the outer diameter of the light
transmitting portion 362. Assembly is accomplished by simply
pushing the shield 364 down onto the overlapped lamp portion
362. The edges 366, 368 resiliently separate and then return
to their original positions to hold the shield 364 in place.
FIG. 12 illustrates a multicolor gas discharge light
fixture 370. The fixture 370 includes a casing 26 and a cold
cathode lamp 372. The light fixture 370 is essentially like
the straight light fixtures illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, except
that the tubular light transmitting body for the multicolor
fixture 370 consists of three or more different tubular
sections 374, 376, 378 spliced together. Each of the
sections 374, 376, 378 produces a different color. The
sections 374, 376, 378 may be formed of different colored
transparent glass and/or may be lined with different
phosphorescent materials. Thus, the fixture 370 produces
linear illumination with more than one color.
FIGS. 13-16 illustrate a system for recessing a gas
discharge light fixture 12 into a wall, ceiling or the like.
The illustrated system includes a valance 380 arranged to fit
over a light fixture casing 26. The valance 380 has an
opening 382 for receiving the light fixture lamp 36. The
dimensions of the opening 382 are equal to the outer
dimensions of the casing 26. A flange structure extends
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around the periphery of the opening 382. The flange
structure includes parallel side flanges 386, 388 and
parallel end flanges 390, 392. Holes 384 extend through the
side flanges 386, 388 to receive screws (not illustrated) for
attaching the valance 380 to the sides of the casing 26. The
flanges 386, 388, 390, 392 are integrally connected to a
planar skirt portion 394. As illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16,
the casing 26 may be located within a suitable opening in a
wall 396 with the planar skirt portion 394 flush with the
interior of the wall 396.
As illustrated in detail in FIG. 14, covers 400 may be
provided for concealing the ends of the recessed light
fixture 12. Each cover 400 has an open front (not
illustrated), a closed back end 402, opposite side walls 404,
406 and a top 408. Identical teeth 410 may be provided at
the bottom edge of each of the side walls 404, 406 for
engaging respective openings 412 in the top of the casing 26.
The Meth 410 snap fit into the openings 412 to removably
connect the cover 400 to the casing 26.
The valance 380 and the covers 400 may be used together
to provide a safe and attractive recessed light fixture.
FIGS. 18-20 illustrate a modular cove lighting system 450
for use within a curved and/or multi-angled cove 452. The
system 450 has hinged light fixtures 454, 456, 458 that can
be used by themselves or in combination with straight and/or
curved light fixtures 12, 18, 20 of the types described
above. Each hinged fixture 454, 456, 458 has first and
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second hinged casing portions 466, 468. The casing portions
466, 468 are hinged together at their respective inner ends
470, 472. The inner ends 470, 472 are angled or rounded to
permit the casing portions 466, 468 to rotate with respect to
each other through angles of at least approximately 340~.
The casing portions 466, 468 each support an L-shaped (or
elbow-shaped) lamp 474 (FIG. 19) having a standard
fluorescent end 476 and a butt-seal end 478. The lamps 474
may be identical to each other to reduce manufacturing costs.
The butt-seal ends 478 are located close to each other at the
inner ends 470, 472 of the hinged casing portions 466, 468.
As shown in FIG. ~9, the standard fluorescent ends 476 are
supported by bi-pin or single pin electrical sockets 130 and
the inner ends 478 are supported by electrical connectors 480
located within the inner end portions 470, 472 of the
fixtures 454, 456, 458. The butt-seal end connectors 480 may
be electrically connected together by suitable electrical
connectors 482 or powered as individual elements.
In the illustrated embodiment, a ballast 484 is located
within each hinged light fixture 454, 456, 458. The ballast
484 is electrically connected to the respective lamps 474 by
suitable means illustrated schematically by dashed lines 486,
488. Thus, the hinged lighting fixtures 454, 456, 458 can be
sold separately for use in series with straight, bent and
other hinged lighting fixtures of the types described above.
In operation, the ballasts for a11 the lamps located within
the cove 452 are electrically connected together in parallel.
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Advantageously, the system 450 illustrated in FIGS. 18-20
can be used to provide a substantially continuous line of
light on the ceiling over the hinged end portions 470, 472 of
the fixtures 454, 456, 4S8. Thus, a continuous line of light
can be provided along the entire length of a curved or angled
cove. There is no dark space created between the lamps 474
because of the L-shaped configurations of the lamps 474. The
elbow portions 490 of the lamps 474 are preferably located as
close together as possible to provide a substantially uniform
illumination on the ceiling. The standard fluorescent ends
476 may be overlapped with other lamp ends to provide uniform
illumination.
The illustrated lamps 474 can be low voltage cold cathode
lamps of the types described above. In another embodiment,
the lamps 474 may be hot cathode fluorescent lamps.
Further, the features of the system 450 illustrated in
FIGS. 18-20 can be used, as desired, with the features
described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-17. For example,
the hinged casing portions 466, 468 may be constructed of
extruded aluminum with casing covers and end plates.
Moreover, the ballast 484 may be remotely located behind the
wall 492 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7. The lamps 474,
38, 42 may be constructed to dim uniformly, and/or they may
be used with lamps of different colors in the manner
illustrated in FIG. 8. In addition, the lamps 474 may have
sections of different colors as shown in FIG. 12.
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Likewise, the casing portions 466, 468 may have alignment
holes and/or drill guides of the types described above,
Preferably, the width of the fixtures 454, 456, 458 is such
that the casing portions 466, 468 can be located
substantially in the center of a narrow curved or angled
cove. Also, the C-shaped shield 364, the valance 380 and the
end covers 400 may be used in combination with the hinged
fixtures 454, 456, 458.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated
in FIGS. 21-31, a lighting fixture 610 includes a casing 6l2
with an end-to-end illuminated cold cathode lamp 616, ballast
618, a lamp base 620 positioned at each end of the lamp 616,
and an insertion lampholder 624 adjacent each lamp base 620.
The casing 612 includes a bottom wall 630, a plurality of
sidewalls 632a-d, and a cover plate 636 which cooperate to
define an interior region 640. The ballast 618, lamp bases
620, and lampholders 624 are disposed within the interior
region 640. A cover 642 is provided for outdoor situations
requiring a fixture sealed against the environment, i.e.,
water-tight. Thus the fixture is particularly suitable for
use in wet locations.
The fixtures 610 can be placed end-to-end, as illustrated
in FIG. 31 and wired in parallel. The embodiment illustrated
in FIG. 31 includes a remote power supply 611 coupled to
fixtures 610 by cabling 613. The fixtures 610 include
concealed wire ways for running the wiring from one fixture
610 to the next. The casings 612 includes holes (not shown)
in sidewalls 632a, 632c for passage of wiring from one
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fixture 610 to the next. Alternatively, an electrical plug
and socket arrangement can be provided in the sidewalls 632a,
632c to electrically connect adjacent fixtures 610.
As illustrated in FIG. 22, a preferred lamp 616 includes
a first tube 650 that is illuminated along its entire length,
including flat end surfaces 616a, 616b. A pair of second
tubes 652 are attached to the first tube 650 adjacent the end
surfaces 616a, 616b, and a pair of third tubes 654 are
attached to the second tubes 652 and disposed in parallel
spaced-apart relation with the first tube 650.
In preferred embodiments, the first, second, and third
tubes are formed as a single continuous tube. For example,
the first and third tubes can each be formed to include a
small orifice. The tubes are heated in the vicinity of the
orifices until the glass flows, whereupon the tubes are
brought together to align and join the orifices. As heat is
contir~ued to be applied, a worker pulls the first and third
tubes apart and simultaneously blows into an end of the third
tube to force the plastic glass to flow outwardly to form the
second tube.
The second and third tubes 652, 654 are disposed relative
to the first tube 650 so that they lie between the planes of
the flat end surfaces 616a, 616b. The third tube 6S4
encloses an electrode 658 and includes a pair of passages for
passing electrode leads 664 out of the third tube 654.
Although commercially available electrodes that fit in the
third tube 654 are acceptable, another preferred electrode is
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the Hi-Slimr"" electrode manufactured by Oldham Lighting, Ltd.
The first, second and third tubes 650, 652, 654 are in fluid
communication with each other.
The lamp bases 620, illustrated in FIGS. 22-24, include a
first portion 668 forming a longitudinally extending
semi-circular channel 669 configured to adhere to and to
cradle the first tube 650, and a second portion 670 having an
elongated circular shaped channel 672 configured to receive
and protect the third tube 654, allowing it to "float" and
not receive any torque stress when the lamp is installed or
removed from the lampholder. An end wall 674 closes the
channel 672 at one end and includes a pair of orifices 678
extending therethrough for receiving the electrode leads 664.
The orifices 678 are fitted with hollow copper or brass
electrical connectors 682 (FIG. 23) such that the electrode
leads 664 can be inserted into the connectors 682 and
soldered in place. The connectors 682 extend from the end
wall 6,74 away from the third tube 654 and generally parallel
to the longitudinal axis of the third tube 654.
Previous end-to-end illuminated cold cathode lamps were
configured with 90~ lamp electrodes. That is, the lamp
electrodes were sealed on at the lamp ends, and extended at
right angles away from the lamp. This tubular glass element
containing the lamp electrode would extend anywhere from
three, to four and one half inches away from the lamp. Each
lamp end would have an integral brass ferrule base for making
electrical contact into specialized lampholders. Pressing
the lamps into, or removing them from the lampholders creates
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no stress or breakage hazard on the lamp electrode because no
bending moment exists. This system works well but creates an
undesirable high fixture height. These fixtures with long
electrodes on the lamps can reach dimensions of six inches in
overall height.
Tucking the lamp electrode underneath the lamp, and
utilizing the specialized lamp base as in the preferred
embodiment of this invention allows a greatly reduced fixture
height while still allowing the top insertion and removal
feature of the lamp into the fixture. Without the
specialized lamp base which transfers a11 the stress of lamp
insertion and removal to the sturdy body of the lamp, any
effort to insert or remove the lamp from any type of
lampholder would create a tremendous torque on the bending
moment of the lamp electrode and would cause it to instantly
crack or shatter.
Previous methods utilized to electrically connect lamps
made in the above fashion consisted of hand wiring an
electrical lead to each lamp end. Removal of lamps required
the same removal of the wiring by hand. This allowed lamps
to be installed with little or no stress of torquing of the
lamp electrode. Lamp installation in this manner is
successful but extremely labor intensive and subject to
miswiring or wiring coming undone over time creating a fire
hazard. This type of electrical connection of fluorescent
lamps is not recognized by Underwriter's Laboratories.
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The lamp bases 620 advantageously provide a unique way to
use conventional lampholders 624 to electrically connect a
uniquely manufactured end-to-end illuminated lamp in a
lighting fixture that is illuminated completely from
end-to-end. Additionally, the lamp bases 620 allow the use
of end-to-end lighted fixtures without the necessity of hard
wiring the lamp into the casing.
The lampholders 624, illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 25-28,
are mechanically affixed to the bottom wall 630 of the
casing. The lampholders 624 are of conventional design and
include a pair of slots 626 for receiving the connectors 682.
The slots 626 are electrically connected to orifices 627 in
the base of the lampholder 624. The orifices 627 receive
electrical leads 629 (FIG. 22) from the ballast 18. These
circuit interrupt lampholders 624 are commercially available
from numerous suppliers.
As illustrated in FIG. 27, the bottom wall 630 of the
casing 612 includes a bottom surface 686 and a pair of
opposing first L-shaped rails 690. The first L-shaped rails
690 extend longitudinally along the length of the casing 612
and project downwardly and inwardly from the surface 686 to
form opposing inwardly opening channels 692.
The cover 642 includes a canopy 694 with a retaining lip
695 (FIG. 28), and a canopy-retaining member 696 (FIG. 30).
A preferred canopy 694 is an inverted U-shaped member, either
transparent or translucent, that extends longitudinally along
the length of the casing 6l2 and around three sides and both
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ends of the casing 612. The retaining lip 695 extends
outwardly from each end of the inverted U-shaped member to
engage the canopy-retaining member 696 along the lengths of
sidewalls 632b and 632d. The canopy is mechanically secured
to the casing and retaining lip and rendered weather-tight
via retaining screws, brackets and gasketing.
The canopy-retaining member 696 (FIG. 30) includes a base
plate 698 having a pair of opposing second L-shaped rails 700
extending longitudinally along the length of the member 696
and projecting upwardly and outwardly from the upper surface
706 of the base plate 698. A pair of longitudinally
extending lower plates 708 project outwardly from the bottom
surface 712 of the base plate 698 and parallel thereto. The
second L-shaped rails 700 cooperate with the lower plate 708
to form outwardly opening channels 704 configured to receive
the first L-shaped rails 690. The second L-shaped rails 700
interfit with the first L-shaped rails 690, as illustrated in
FIG. 30, to attach the canopy-retaining member 696 to the
casing 612.
Each lower plate 708 includes a retaining wall 718
extending upwardly from the outermost edge 720 of the lower
plate 708. A cover-retaining bead 722 extends inwardly from
the upper edge of each retaining wall 718. The lower plate
708, retaining wall 718 and retaining bead 722 are configured
to receive the retaining lip 695, as illustrated in FIG. 28.
Preferably, the cover 642 is configured to resiliently urge
the lip 69S into contact with the retaining wall 718 and
retaining bead 722.
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The sidewalls 632b, 623d include a bead 726 (FIG. 28)
extending longitudinally along the upper edge 730 of the
sidewalls 632b, 632d and projecting inwardly therefrom. The
cover plate 636 includes a pair of longitudinally extending
L-shaped rails 734 projecting downwardly and outwardly from
the lower surface 738 of the cover plate 636. The L-shaped
rails 734 interfit with the bead 726 to attach the cover
plate 636 to the sidewalls 632b, 632d. The cover plate 636
also includes a pair of openings 742 (FIG. 29) extending
longitudinally from the ends of the plate 636 for allowing
passage of the third tubes 654 and lamp bases 620 into the
interior region 640 while the cover plate 636 is in position.
Advantageously, the lamp bases 620 permit insertion of
the lamp 616 into the lampholder while protecting the
electrode leads 668 and preventing damage to the lamp 616.
The lamp base 620 spreads the insertion force necessary to
push or remove the connectors 682 into or out of~the
receiving slots 626 over a wide area of the first tube 650
and prevents any force or torque from being applied to the
second and third tubes 652, 654. It will be appreciated that
other configurations can be used that retain the connectors
682 in a predetermined position relative to the first tube
650. An advantageous feature of the lamp base 620 is its
ability to use a rigid coupling between the first tube and
the connectors to eliminate stress at the second tube-first
tube joint and at the third tube-second tube joint.
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Another advantage of the present invention is the use of
cold cathode lamps that illuminate completely from end to
end. This feature allows the lamps to be placed end to end
to provide the illusion of a single continuous lamp by
eliminating dark regions from between adjacent lamps. By
retaining the second and third tubes 652, 654 between the
planes of the end surfaces 616a, 616b, adjacent lamps 616 can
be placed to minimize the gap between them and enhance the
illusion of a single lamp.
The above description and drawings are only illustrative
of preferred embodiments which can achieve the objects,
features, and advantages of the present invention. It is not
intended that the invention be limited to the embodiments
shown and described herein. For example, the invention has
been described with respect to cold cathode lamps, but it is
equally desirable for use with other fluorescent lamps.
Moreover, the lamps indicated in the various embodiments were
shown with the same design on both ends. The lamps can be
manufactured with different designs on opposing ends. For
example, the three tube design of FIGS. 21-31 can be used on
one end of a lamp while another design, such as the one
illustrated in FIGS. 1-17, can be used on the opposing end.
Likewise, one end can include the design illustrated in FIGS.
18-20 while the opposing end of the lamp can include one of
the other illustrated designs. Modifications of the
invention coming within the spirit and scope of the following
claims are to be considered part of the present invention.
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What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by
Letters Patent of the United States is:
