US2631225A - Lamp reflector - Google Patents

Description

March 10, 1953 P, GADOMSK] 2,631,225

LAMP REFLECTOR Filed Aug. 27, 1948 INVENTOR. PTB A. fiAooms/rl.

NTTOEHFTS.

Patented Mar. 10, 1953 macs-E152;-

' LAMP REFLECTOR Peter A. Gadomski, South Bend, Ind.-

Application August 27, 1948, Serial No. 46,537

2 Claims. 1

reflectors, and particularly to a reflector for use with a fluorescent lighting fixture. Many devices intended for use with fluorescent light fixtures have been designed for the purpose of diffusing and softening the light emitted from a fluorescent lamp. These have usually been limited to some extent or have failed to satisfy all conditions desired. Thus many have been bulky or cumbersome; others have been objectionably expensive; others have failed to provide uniform dispersion of light in all directions; and others have been difi'icult to mount or clean. Therefore, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a reflector which is of sturdy, simple and inexpensive construction, which is applicable to and removable from operative position with respect to a fluorescent lamp by a simple manipulation and which is adapted for application to or mounting upon fluorescent fixtures of different designs and constructions.

A further object is to provide a reflector of this character which will distribute light emitted by a fluorescent lamp uniformly without producing shadows, which reduces to a minimum the surface which will collect dust and require cleaning, and which may be cleaned easily and rapidly.

A further object is to provide a reflector of this character having a translucent light diffusing member and means for attaching the member to a light fixture which is carried by the member and cooperates therewith to form a unitary structure adapted for attachment to a fluorescent lamp fixture by simple manipulation and without requiring the use of tools or securing members.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specification.

In the drawing: I

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the application of one embodiment of the invention to a lamp fixture.

Fig. 2 is an inner face view of the reflector illustrating in dotted lines a fluorescent lamp and a lamp-mounting fixture bracket.

Fig. 3 is an end view of a lamp fixture having my improved reflector applied thereto and illustrated in section, taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary modified construction.

Referring to the drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral l9 designates the base of a fluorescent lighting fixture. As shown, this base includes awall portion 12 offset from a wall or other building structure to which the fixture is-to be secured, as by meansoffianefis I 4., The fixture. l0 mounts 2 brackets l6 projecting from the wall surface l2 and of the type providing sockets into which terminal bars projecting from the end of a -fluorescent lamp l8 may fit and be secured. The base of the lamp fixture preferably mounts asuitable control switch 20. Fixtures of this character are well known onthe market-and are manufactured in many diife'rent sizes, shapes, and different designs and configurations; The construction here shown is illustrative only of the general type, it being understood that my improved reflector may be mounted upon fixtures of other design than that here shown. The reflector comprises a unit having atranslucent side wall 22, preferably of arcuatel crosssection, and a pair ofend walls 24. 'It will be understood that the shape or configuration of the side Wall 22 may be of any form desired and preferably constitutes a segment of a tube whose edge portions M3 extend longitudinally and are spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of the fluorescent lamp [8 and of the fixture brackets l5. Thus the tubular portion 24' may be of polygonal shape, oval shape, or any other shape found desirable. Theend walls 24 have a peripheral shape corresponding to the shape of thetube 22 and preferably provided withflat edges 28 extending between and in .the' same plane as the edges ormargin 26 of thetubular portion 22. Thetubular portion 22 and the end walls are preferably formed of plastic mate'- rial and are cemented or bonded together to form a rigid unitary structure. Any plastic material found suitable may be employed, either a thermoplastic or a thermosetting plastic material, which will not be subject to softening or deform ing incident to the heat of the lamp. While I prefer to form theend members 24 of a plastic material, it will be understood that other mate? rials may be used. Also it will be understood that theend members 24 need not be translucent. Thus theend members 24 may be made of opaque material, such as metal, wood or plastic. While I prefer to use a plastic material for the tubular part-22, any type of translucent material may be employed, such as frosted glass. In the form shown, I utilizemetal trim bands 30 applied at the opposite ends of the tubular portion 22'fand serving to conceal the bonded joint between theend members 24 and thetubular parts 22.'1 Such bands can be omitted, as in instances whe're'themembers 24 are molded toform a cap flange inter grally with the end walls in a positiontoembrace the ends of the tubular 22. Wheremetal ltrimtbands 30 are 'employed,"* the ends thereof at the portion inward from theend walls 24 are bent around theedges 26 of the tubular part at 32 to anchor the same to the reflector, or other means may be used to anchor the bands.

The inner faces of theend walls 24 of the reflector are spaced apart a distance greater than the spacing between the outer surfaces of the opposed lamp-mounting brackets [6 of the lamp fixture. In this connection, fluorescent lamps are made in standard sizes, and the brackets which mount the'saine are usually of substantially standard dimensions as supplied by most manufacturers, so that the reflector can be man-- ufactured in sizes corresponding to and adapted to fit fixtures and lamps of these standard sizes.

Theend walls 24 of the reflector have fixedly secured thereto resilient clamping brackets which are adapted to fit around and to clamp upon said brackets I6. As here illustrated, these clamps comprise abase portion 34 which bears flat against the inner surface of theadjacent end wall 24 and -is secured thereto in any suitable manner as by the use of securing members. such as bolts or rivets, or by the use of cements or other agents for bonding the clamps to the end walls. In the event theend walls 24 are formed of metal, the clamps may be secured thereto by welding, soldering or brazing. Alternatively, if

formedof metal, the clamps may be an integral part of the end walls. I prefer, however, to have .the" clamps formed separately and to employ 'in'etal of high resilience or springing properties in its formation. The opposite ends of the clamps extend substantially perpendicularly from the end walls to provideclamping plates 36 which are substantially parallel to each other and which are of substantial area. Thus as viewed in Fig. 3, it will be observed that theflanges 36 are of substantial width so that they are adapted to engage asubstantial portion or area of each of two opposite surfaces of the lampmoiinting bracket IS. The margins of theseflanges 36 adjacent to the opening of the reflector are preferably outwardly flared at 38 to facilitate the application of the clamps over the fixture brackets l6.

" It will be observed, therefore, that a single unit comprising a reflector and clamps is provided which can be applied to a fluorescent lighting fixtime by. a simple application of pressure to force theclamping flanges 36 into clamping engageinentwith the lamp brackets IS. The spacing of theedges 26 around the opening at the rear of the reflector permits the reflector to fit over the lamp, and the length of the opening is large enough to permit the reflector to pass around the brackets I 6; Thus when the reflector is grasped and positioned for register of the brackets and lamp with the opening in the back ofth'e reflector, all that is necessary then is to push the reflector bodily toward the face plate I2 'ofth'e lamp fixture until theedges 26 and 28 engage said lamp fixture surface plate [2. Relnoval of the reflector is accomplished by simply pulling outwardly upon the same to disengage theclamps 34 and 36 from the lamp-mounting bra'cket I6. .Thus no tools are required either to mount or to remove the reflector, and the lamp is r'eadily accessible for purposes of replacement thereof when necessary.

It'will be observed that in addition to its simplicity and ease of use and application, the reflector possesses the advantage of uniform dispersion or diffusion of light. Light from the ,ja wilipass uniformly in allradial directions through thetubular wall portion 22. Any light from the lamp directed against thesurface plate 12 of the fixture is limited substantially to that portion of the plate which is concealed by the reflector. Consequently, such reflection is likewise diffused. No shadows, as occur where grating is used, occur in this construction. End lighting is not a factor in this instance because of the peculiarities of construction of a fluorescent light which'make light emission in a direction longitudinally thereof impossible. In view of this situation, the opacity of the end walls and thetrim members 30 is not a limiting factor and does not restrict or reduce the amount of light emitted through the reflector.

The modified embodiment/of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4 constitutes atranslucent body portion 50 of arcuate or U-shaped cross-sectional shape whoseedge portions 52 are spaced apart sufficiently to fit freely around a fluorescenl light bulb [8.Caps 54 are mounted on the opposite ends of thebody member 50, each thereof being preferably formed of plastic material molded to shape to provide aflange 56 fitting around the end portion of thebody member 50, anend wall portion 58 projecting inwardly from said flange, offsetside wall portions 66 and a configured centralend wall portion 62. Thecap 54 is preferably formed, at least at theportions 60 thereof, of comparatively thin cross-section so as to provide at least a limited amount of resilience. TheWall portions 60 preferably converge inwardly at a slight angle as shown, and the spacing thereof at their inner ends orshoulders 64 is preferably slightly less than the dimension of the brackets l6 of the fixture which is to be received therebetween. Consequently, the plastic end cap includes anintegral socket portion 66, 62 which is adapted to be applied over the bracket l 6 and to grip the same effectively. Theflange portions 56 in this construction may be cemented, bonded or glued directly to the ends of thebody members 50. In the event it is desired to apply a metal trim band to this form of the device, the outer surface of theflange 56 may be provided with agroove 66 in which such ametal band 68 will seat. The ends of thisband may be bent around the edge'sof theflange 56, and theedges 52 of thebody 50 at 70 terminate in portions engaging the inner surface of themember 52.

This construction has the advantage that, except for a trim strip. 68, no metal is required, and also utilizessocket portions 66, 62 for the function of clamping the reflector upon the light fixtureand the additional function through shape and configuration of providing a decorative or ornamental appearance at the ends of the unit.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein, it will be understood that changes in the construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A reflector adapted to be mounted on a fluorescent light fixture, said fixture comprising a base, spaced brackets carried by the base for supporting the ends of an elongated fluorescent lamp, said reflector comprising an elongated translucent body member of substan tially-U-shape in cross section, flexible end walls carried by said body member, said end walls being of an area greater than the outside face area of the brackets, said end walls having: in

tegral outwardly oflf-set chambered portions of less transverse area than the end walls and forming bracket receiving chambers on the inside of the end walls, said chambers having opposed side walls forming flanges positioned whereby said flanges will be flexed outwardly from opposite sides of the brackets when the chambered portions of the reflector are forced over the brackets.

22. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the opposed flanges of said chambered portions converge inwardly towards the brackets, therebl forming bracket gripping shoulders for frictionally engaging opposite sides of the brackets.

PETER A. GADOMSKI.

6 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,997,687 Hoegger Apr. 16, 1935 2,190,364 Liston Feb. 13, 1940 2,239,343 Rumbaugh Apr. 22, 1941 2,277,433 Guth Mar. 24, 1942 2,293,562 Bookman, Jr. Aug. 18, 1942 2,304,445 Deane Dec. 8, 1942 2,323,002 Baker June 29, 1943 2,334,005 Hoeveler Nov. 9, 1943 2,336,599 Dunbar Dec. 13, 1943 2,345,982 Manchan Apr. 4, 1944

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