Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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UNIV~RS~ CIRCULAR ENCLOSURE FOR STANDARD STRIP PLUORESCENT
FIxruRE
BACXGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A recent important application of fluorescent lighting has
been the use in retail establishments, and the like, of strip
lighting, particularly those having a high truss roof and rows
upon rows of shelving approximately six foot in height. In
the past, it has been customary that ceiling suspended banks
of fluorescent lighting have fairly well saturated the
interior of the retail establishment from a distance well
above the shelves.
With the advent of increased consumer awareness as to the
labeling and content of the packages, particularly food
packages, the ceiIing suspended lighting, even though it
involves a large number of fi~tures, often fails to provide
adequate illumination for the purchaser at chest height to
read ~ine print on labels. As a result a relatively new type
of lighting in the form of continuous tubular fixtures which
is located at approximately the seven foot height above the
floor and extending along the lenyth of the shelves providing
~trip lighting has found broad acceptance.
The tubular cross section fixture allows a single or double
strip fluorescent lighting ixture assembly to be enclosed
within the tubular enclosure with a window and lens directed
downward and in certain cases angled inwa~dly toward the
shelf. Typically, the enclosures are six inches in diameter
with appro~imately 120 degr~es of a circle in the form of a
curved linear fresnel lens to provide the desired lighting
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pattern.
Typically, tubular fixtures of this type have'the
fluorescent lamp and electrical lamp components integrated into
the enclosure and the assemblies come in preassembled lengths
usually slightly more than 8 feet in length to enclose a standard
8 foot fluorescent lamp assembly. The enclosure itself is usually ,~
extruded aluminum in the form of generally 240 degrees oE circular
cross section with internal bosses designed to provide support
points for 120 degrees of lens and additional support points for
the fluorescent lamp assembly. Examples of lighting fixtures of
the type discussed above may be found in the following U.S.
Patents:
4,390,930 Douglas J. Herst June 28, 1983
4,420r798 Douglas J. Herst December 13, 1983
4,274~657 Douglas J. Herst July 10, 1984
4,573,111 Douglas J. Herst February 25, 1986
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVEN1'ION
In one aspect, the invention provides an enclosure for
lighting Eixtures comprising: a elongated open ended hollow member
having an elongated light em,itting opening therein; said elongated
hollow member includes at least one integral track therein for
capturing a spline within said track; a plurality of rigid splines
dirnensioned to enter the end and move within said track and engage
the track walls at various positions along said track;
longitudinally spaced means for securing said splines wi-thin said
tracks whereby said splines may engage end reyions of adjacent
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lengths of said elongated enclosure to loclc said lengths into a
continuous elongated s-tructure; and additional means engaging said
splines for securing a lamp fixture thereto.
A further aspect of the invention provides a spline for
securing objects to an enclosure in an internal track within said
enclosure by employing fasteners having heads and a body
comprising: an elongated bar having one surface generally
conforming to the interior of said enclosure; said spline having a
second surface generally conforming to portions of said internal
tracks; said spline including a recess dimensioned to receive the
head of a fastener therein and an opening therethrough for passage
of the body of the fastener.
I have found that significantly greater versatility for
the tubular lighting fixtures may be obtained in which the
enclosure is an extrusion of as great a length as is practical for
extrusion and transportation purposes and not in any fixed
standard lengths such as approximately ~ feet. If the rows of
shelves are 30 feet in length, and extrusion and transportation
capability of 30 foot enclosure is available then the enclosure
length itself should be 30 feet.
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Where, in certain cases, it is desirable to have the perimet2r
of a room served by the tubular lighting fixture, it can be
accomplished with extrusions made to the full dimension of the
room and beveled to match the corner angle, usually 90
degrees, and the extrusion joined together by ~elding for
installation in the room without regard to the standard
lengths of fluorescent fixtures. This is not to say that
custom light fluorescent strip fixtures are required however,
standard strip fixtures are available in le~gths having
multiples which give combinations down to one foot
differences.
In accordance with this invention, the extrusiGn constitutes
an enclosure/ and, in fact, may be installed, and is
recommended to be installed, prior to and separate from the
fixture installation. Standard lighting fixtures are cecured
within the enclosures by simple splines and captured screws~
If joints are required in the enclosure to extend to the full
length of shelves or room size, these joints are secured by
employing the same spline which holds the standard lighting
fixture in position.
In one embodiment o~ this invention, the internal bosses are
positioned to suppoxt a reflector. In another embodiment of
this invention, additional side lighting is obtained by reason
of the presence of spaced, aligned openings in the side wall
of ~e extrusion.
A novel spline is configured to fit within a palr of integral
bosses in the enclosure extrusion, one pair of splines are
located directly opposite the lens opening and therefore
provide a support for standard fixtuxes at any place alony the
length of the extrusion where the fixture requires or allows
support. A number of these splines with captured screws are
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inserted from one end of the extrusion, there being at least
two such splines for each fixture to be installed. The
splines each include a pair of locking or set screws which
when tightened engage the inner wall of the extrusion. These
two sets of screws allow the spline to be used to join ends of
adjacent lengths of extrusion with one or more set screws
engaging each extrusion lengthO When the spline is used to
support a fixture, the two set screws add to the stability of
the fixture mounting. This use of a number of leng~hs of
longitudinally movable splines, each lockable along any
position, means that standard lighting fixtures of any
available length can be placed and in tandem to provide the
required length of illumination. Standard lengths readily
available are: two feet, three feet, four feet, and eight
feet. When used in combination virtually any length of
enclosure greater than two feet ~y be used.
Employing this invention, one additional unforeseen advantage
occurs. That is, continuous strip lights may be placed end to
end with only the sockets for the fluorescent lamps separating
the ends of the fluorescent lamps. A virtually continuous
illuminated strip is provided. Hardly any shadow is
noticeable.
When this invention is used in a corner, one standard lighting
fixture with its first fluorescent lamp is extended into the
li~hted corner nearly in contact with the side wall section
and a second member nearly butting against the first
fluorescent lamp providing a fully illuminated corner.
We have found that it is possible to employ this invention for
ceiling lighting as well as inverting the fixture holderO
This can be done simply employing almost invisible support
with the use of a cable secured by the spline of this
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ir.vention in the longitudinal recess which is now located at
the bottom and by passing the-cable through an openiny in the
lens or between the ends of the adjacent lens section. An
internal stabilizer cross bar is used which is likewise locked
in the track.
In a further embodiment of this invention, a pair of external
longitudinal grooves are located mioway in the outside body.
A channel with inward extending legs can be secured to rigid
support from the ceiling to allow the enclosure to be
installed after the support structure is in place and allows
greater freedom in location of the wiring inner connection to
the fixture and greater freedom in locating hanging devices.
Alternate forms of this embodiment include an ovoid shape
which is particularly suitable for receiving a pair of
fluorescent lamps and a generally rectangular shape fixture
also is within the contemplation of this invention~ This
invention is further adaptable as a hand rail for a stairway
to provide down lighting for the steps in an extremely
attractive form. Each of these alternate embodiments employ
the longitudinal groove and spline to support the fiY.tuEes as
in the previous embodiments.
A11 together employing our invention, a significantly more
effective tubular lighting syste~ is obtained at substantially
lower cost than heretofore possible. Likewise the enclosure
of the invention allows the lighting fixture to be adaptive to
the needs within one foot on length using only standa,d
fixtures and in the case of peripheral room lighting, the
enclosure can e~pand wall to wall, corner to corner. Also,
employing this invention, a criss-cross lighting system may be
produced with virtual illumination throughout the entire
criss-cross areas.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWING
This inventian may be more clearly understood from the
following detailed descripkion and by reference to the drawing
in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an installation of this
invention;
Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through a lighting
enclosure in accordance with thiS invention taken along the
line 2-2 of Fig. l;
Fig. 2A is a perspective view of a typical spline forming a
part of this invention;
Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through a lighting
enclosure in accordance with this invention taken along the
line 3-3 of Fig~ l;
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a joint between
sections o the enclosures of Fig. 1-2
Fig. S is a room layout employing this invention;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view o~ an alternative form o~ this
invention providing side lighting;
Fig. 7 is an end view of an alternate form of mounting of this
invention;
Fig. 8 i~ a fragmentary phantom view of a lamp arrangement
yiving virtually 100% illumination coverage;
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Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view through an enclosure of
this invention in an inverted suspension form;
Fig. 10 is a ~erspective view of a stabilizer bar used in the
embodiment o~ Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view of the enclvsure of this
invention including an external longitudinal groove for
mounting;
Fig. 12 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of the
mounting bracket used in Fig. 11;
Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of an oviod shape
enclosure incorporating this invention;
Fig. 14 is a fragmentary Ferspective view of a rounded corner,
square cross-section, embodiment of this invention;
Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of this invention
applied to a building stairway handrail.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Now referring to Fig. 1, a supermarket installation of this
invention is illustrated, located in front of a bank of
shelves 10, extendingr for example, from 30~100 feet in length
and having height in the order of 6 feet.
The lighting system of this invention generally designated 11,
employs an extrusion having an overall length matching that of
the shelf array and supported by a variety of means, two of
which ar~ illustrated in Fig. 1. First t an arched tube 13
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extends from the rear of the shelves 10 to the floor and
supplies oFerating current for the lighting fixture ll ~rom
the floor. A second, and more common form of installation is
by a down tube 14, e2tending from the ceiling or roof of the
supermarket to support the assembly and to supply operating
power from overhead. The arched tube 13 typically has a
diameter of 3/4 to three inches; can be used for this purpose.
The down tubes 14 may be of similar size and piping or
electrical conduit of that size may be used. Typically one or
the other types of installation is used.
Now referring to Fig. 1 in combination with Fig. 2, the
illumination function of this invention may be more clearly
understood.
Enclosure or body 12 is typically fabricated of e~truded
aluminum having an outside di2meter in the order ranging from
3-8 inches or ovoid in shapeO The term extrusion is used
because at the present time extruding is the most practical
method of fabricating the enclosure kody 12 to provide each of
the required internal fittings and the suitable retainer for a
lens 15, best seen in Fig. ~. The use of the term extrusion
is not intended to limit the enclosure 12 to products produced
by that process in as much as laid up fiberglass or roll
formed sheet metal may well be used to form the enclosure 12.
To this day, I find the extrusion process to be most effective
and it is recommended as the best mode to carry out this
invention.
The lens 15 includes edge hooks 16 and 17 which engage in the
inner wall 20 of the body 12. The lens 15 is likewise
preferred e~truded in continuous strips from transparent
material and includes on its inner or outer surface fresnel
lens sections to provide the desired beam pattern from the
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light energy supplied ~y one or two strip fluorescent lamps
21, 22 located within the body 12 and secured, as is di~closed
belcw in connection with Fig. 3, to an integral track 23.
standard lighting fixture, generally designated 24, is
suspended within the enclosure 12 by a series of machine
screws captured within a ~number of splines of the type
identical with joint splines 25 and 26 which appear in Figv 2
which provide different functions'. A typical spline 26 is
illustrated in perspective view in Fig. 2A. The spline 26
shown therein is an aluminum extrusion of generally pyramid
cross section having a slightly curved base 30 with a bolt
head receiving recess 31 and a screw recess 32. The pyramid
or angled walls of the spline 26 are shaped to conform with
the inner surface of all of the standard tracks similar to
track 23 of Fig. 2. A pair of such tracks 33 and 34 are shown
in Fig. 2 each located toward the open lower side of extrusion
12~ These tracks 33 and 34 are desi~ned to receive splines 25
and 26 to join adjacent sections together.
THE SPLINES
The splines, such as spline 26, are typically two inches or
greater in length and include thread~d openings 40 and 41,
adjacent at each end, as well as a drilled unthreaded openi~g
42 towards ~he center. The threaded openings 40 and 41 are
designed to receive set screws for locking the spline 26 into
position as shown in Fig. 2. Set screws 43 and 44 engaging
the inner wall of the egtrusion 12, as may be seen in Fig. 2.
A captured machine screw 50 as best seen in Figs. 2A and 3
extends through machine screw opening 42, out of the track 23
and into a lamp base or canister 51 of Fig. 3 which is held in
place by machine screw 50~ The splines 26 holding the
fixtures 24may be moved freely lonyitudinally to align the
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r,acbine screw 50 with its matching opening in the base of the
fixture 51 where upon tighteniny of lts own locking nut 52 of
Fig. 3 locks the spline 26 longitudinally from an~ further
movement.
It may therefore be seen that the single shape of the spline
26 provides both the function supporting the lighting fixture
as well as joining sections of the enclosure. The spline 26
employing its end screw groove 32 also provides a recess for
receiving a screw 19 from an end plate 18 of Figs. 1 and 2A to
hold the end plate 18 in place at the end of each section as
illustrated in Fig. 1. Therefore, it may be seen that the
simple spline 26 actually provides no less than four func~ions
in this system.
When making an installation, the installer need only slide
into the track 23, enough splines 26 for each joint in the
length plus two or possibly three splines 26 for each fixture
to be mounted. They can be left loose in track 23, for the
present, to be tightened as required. An extra spline 26 or
two resting in the track 23 presents no interference and may
be used at a later date if any modi~ication of the lighting
system is required.
The splines 25 and 27 loca~ed adjacent to the open lower side
o~ the extrusion 12 may be inserted as each section is added
or slid in from the end after the enclosure 12 has been
suspended.
The support of the lighting fixture in the track 23 is best
illustrated in Fig. 3, in which the machine screw 50 extends
downward through the rear face of fixture canister 51.
Suitable spacers such as washers 53 may be used to position
the fluorescent lamp 21 at the appropriate depth into the
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extrusion 12.
Fig. 3 also illustrated that the support 13 or feed conduit
may extend through the enclosure 12, through a knock~out in
the fixture body Sl and is secured the fixture as by outer and
inner nuts in conventional manner.
The lens 15 may be seen as engaging inwardly protruding lips
60 and 61 of the extrusion 12. Integral hooks 16 and 17 of
the lens lS employ the resiliency of the body of the lens 15
to allow the lens lS to be snapped out over the protruding
lips 60 and 61 of extrusion 12. The lens 15 ~ay be easily
removed and by pressing one edge toward the other edge to
unhook one side of the lens 15 allowing it to drop down. This
allows free a_s s_ to _nange fluorescent lamps 21 when
required.
An illustration of the use of the spline 26 to join a pair of
sections 12A and 12B, is presented in Fig. 4. The spline 26
rests within the track 33 and employs its two set screws 43
and 44, at opposite ends to bear against the inner wall 20 of
extrusion 12B. A similar set screw 44, is in engagement with
the inner wall of section 12A. The cooperation o~ the
extruded tracks 33, the spline 26 and set scr~ws ~3 and 44
provide a reliable joint~ Access to the ~oints is freely
available when the lens 15 is removed.
Now referring to Fig. 6, an alternative embodiment of this
invention is illustrated there in which elongated openings,
for example~ 8 inches in length by one inch wide separated by
4 inches have pierced the extrusion 12 providing openings 62
and 63. These openings 62 and 63 will allow a lateral light
pattern where desired, to provide more general room
illumination as well as directed illumination. An ideal
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location for the side openings is in the tracks 33 and 34
which may be used to hold lens in the side opening 62 and 63.
Mow referring to Fig. 5, in conjunction with Fig. 8, another
advantage o~ this invention may be seen. Fig. 5~ shows this
invention for peripheral lighting to a room having an
arbitrary dimension of 20 feet by 13 feet. Any single foot
increment size room can be adapted in this same manner. The
example of Fig. 5 employs a large nu~ber of different size of
fixtures, using namely standard three ~oot~ four foot, and
eight foot 12mps; however by selection of a combination of
lamp sizes from these plus two foot length~ peripheral
lighting in which the extrl~sions 12 extend all the way to the
corner may be achieved. In the case of Fig. 5, the extrusions
12 may be single lengths, two at 20 foot length and two at 13
foot length cut at a 45 degree bevel and then welded or
otherwise joined together to provide right angle corners~
When the enclosures 12 themselves are installed, -the light
~ixtures with their lamps may be installed afterward in the
arrangement shown.
In Fig. 5, a grid lighting pattern is illustrated by the
dashed lines employing eight foot and ~our Eoot lamps, same as
in the peripheral lighting of Fig. 5. Near continuous
illumination is achieved in this manner.
Near continuous lighting is accomplished employing this
invention since the only discontinuity need be at the corners
or ends o~ lamps or where the two sockets are placed back to
back as would occur in straight line portions of Fig~ 5. At
corners such as the 120 degree corner illustrated in Fig. 8,
one lamp can be run nearly to the end and the other lamp
brought in near contact with the end of the socket to provide
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a nearly lO0~ illuminat,~d surface. This has not been
achievable in the past.
In each of the embodiments so far, the lens and illumination
has been directed downward. There is no such limitation on
this invention. Fig. 7, illustrates the tipping of the
fixture by approximately 45 degrees. The only change required
is that a drilled hole ~or receiving the down tube l d iS no
longer located in the track 23, but in the uninterrupted body
12. The only change required is the location of the drill
hole.
INTERNAL REFLEcrOR VER5ION
Another feature of this invention is illustrated in Fig. 7, in
that reflectors for the fixture ma~ be placed in the housing
in no less than three different locations. The solid line 70
illustrates a reflector with its ends captured in the corner
defined by the inner extending protruding lips 60 and 61. The
reflector 70 is captured behind fixture 24 by the same machine
screw and nut which locate and secure the fixture.
An alternate position for the reflector 70 shown by dash lines
70A representing reflector 70A using the track 33, to secure
its ends. The third position for the reflector is illustrated
by the dash outline 70B, captured by the corller of the planes
60 and 61 and resting against the inner face of the fixture
24.
In each of the above embodiments standard lighting fixtures
are used and the customizing is limited to the enclosure
l~ngth and shape of the room or installation requirements
merely a drill and a metal cut-off saw is required to
customize the enclosure in the field.
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INVERTED INSTALLATION
This invention may be applied to installations calling for
ceiling or indirect lighting. This ~eature is ilIustrated in
Fig. 9 in which the same enclosure of Figs. 2, 3, or 6 is used
employing the splines 26 of Fig. 2A.
When inverted, the enclosure 10 i5 preferably supported by a
cable 90 from the overhead, unshown in the drawing and
attached to the enclosure 10 by a spline ~5 of the type shown
in Fig. 6. The cable 90 ends in a threaded fastener 91 held
by a captured nut 92 in spline 25. The cable 90 passes
through an opening in an integral tab 93 of stabilizer bar 94,
best seen in Fig. 10. End tabs 95 and 96 of stabilizer bar 94
rest in the tracks 33 and 34 respectively of Fig. 9.
Cable 90 passes through an opening 100 in lens 15 or may pass
between ~he ends adjacent lens sections. The use of a cable
and stabilizer bar is preferred in order to minimize the
visibility of t~e support structure although conduit or pipe
s~pports similar to those disclosed ln FigO 1 may be used. In
such case, the conduit or pipe must pass through thP lens 15
and between the end of adjacent ~ixture 24 or an J shaped
support si~ilar to support 13 of Fig. 1 is to be used.
UNIVERSAL SUSPENSION
In certain cases it is desirable to install the support
structure for the lighting in advance of the actual enclosure
and simply slide ~he enclosure in place, secure it and
thereafter install the fixtures and lamps. In the embodiments
described above, the enclosures are lifted into position from
below. Thus, my invention is subject to installation prior to
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mounting of the actual fixture and lamps and by either of two
methods:
a) raising the enclosures from below with predrilled
openings for ~he hangers as supports; or
b) sliding from an accessible end the enclosure onto
a horizontal track followed by drilling the enclosure to match
the locations of conduits.
The latter method is accomplished employing the assembly of
Fig. 11. The enclosure 120, is a modified form of the
enclosure of 12 of Figs~ 1-3.
In this embodiment, the enclosure 120 includes an external
track comprising a pair of longitudinal grooves 121 and 122 in
place of the internal tracks 23 of Fig. 2. A channe~ member
123, best seen in Fig. 12, includes inward extending feet 124
and 125 which slide into grooves 121 and 122 of Fig. 11 to
provide s~pport for the enclosure 120. A hole drilled through
both the channel member 123 and the wall of the enclosure 120
between the grooves 121 and 122 allows a support tube 14 to
enter the enclosure 120 and be secured by a nut 126 which is
held captive by the adjacent walls of the enclosure 120
defining the grooves 121 and 122. The tube 14 provides a
conduit for ~he power feed wires 130 for the ixture 24 which
ma~ be supported in several ways including by a reflector
unshown, similar to Fig. 7.
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OTHER ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS
Figs. 13 and 14 illu5trate two other embodiments of this
invention which are structurally similar to the embodiment of
Figs. 21 3, and 7. In Fig. 13, the enclosure is in the form
of an oviod with the lens 115 on a major face. This shape of
enclosure is particularly adaptable to enclosing a multi lamp
fixtures such as fixture 124 of Fig. 13. The arrangement for
supp~rt and powering as used in Figs. 1-3 is used with the
embodiment of Fig. 13. One spline 25 is shown in its full
length, extending beyond the end of enclosure extrusion 130
while the other two splines 25 are shown sectioned at the
joint. The fixture of Fig. 13 provides a beam spread angle
somewhat greater than the embodiment of Figs. 2 and 3,
improved efficiency in addition to its attractive ovoid shape.
Fig. 14 illustrates a rounded corner square or rectangular
shape enclosure 140 carrying either a single lamp fixture 24,
as illustrated, or a dual lamp fixture similar to fixt~re 124
of Fig. 13. The embodiment of Fig. 14 may be expanded in size
laterally to provide a rectangular cross section with the lens
145 constituting a major face of the rectangle.
HANDRAIL EMBODIMENT
Another particularly useful application of this invention is
illustrated in Fig. 15. It is a downward beam lighted
handrail 150 with a plurality of internal tracks 151, 152 and
153r the first of which mounts fixture 154 with its lamp 155
protected within the handrail enclosure 150 but illuminating
the area belcw the handrail enclosure 150. The fixture 154,
preferably has its internal ballast positioned on edge as
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compared with the normal flat positioning. This allows the
lamp 160 to be located on the edge of the enclosure 154 and
direct its illumination toward the stairs below. The two
tracks 152 and 153 on the side walls of enclosure are
available for use with splines 25 of Fig. 2A as reinforcemenks
for the side wall of enclosure 150 in attaching a wall
mounting bracket ~unshown) to the handrail enclosure 150.
S~RY
Altogether, I ha~e produced an efficient low cost enclosure
for fluorescent lighting fixtures which is customized ~o each
individual location yet uses standard fixtures throughou~.
The enclosure is limited in length only by practical e~trusion
and handling re~uirements resulting in minimum number of
joints. It also allows near 100% linear light co~erage. The
enclosures and their lens snap fit together and are configured
for effective nesting during shipping and storage.
simple spline structure provides the multiple functions of:
a) joining sections together;
b) provides a physical mount for the
enclosure;
c) provides a physical mount for the lighting
fixture;
d) provides a securemen~ for end plates;
e) provides reinforcement for the enclosure at
points of stress.
The enclosure may be installed prior to in~tallation of the
actual fix~ures thereby significantly reducing ~he weight,
time and cost of installation. A single ~orker can easily
install a 16 foot section of this enclosure and then install
regular fixture and deal with less weight at any one time.
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Likewise this invention may be adapted on site to discrete
length installation, inverted or side lighting, side augmented
lighting~ perimeter lighting, grid or strip lighting and
handrail lighting, - - all employed basically the same basic
elements. The enclosure extrusiQn may be cut to length and
assembled on site with a minimum of joints. A simple
universal spline acts as a joint connector, fixture mount, end
plate mount and support mount.
This invention shall not be limited to the illustrative
embodiments but rather to the claims as set forth below which
constitute definitions of this invention including the
protection afforded by the doctrine of equivalents.
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