Indirect lighting modifiers for use with fluorescent fixtures

• US 5,097,401 A
• Filed: 07/09/1990
• Issued: 03/17/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ross Eppler
• Original Assignee: Ross Eppler
• Inventors: Eppler, Ross
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hagarman, Sue
• Application Number:
  US07/550,715
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 362/359, 362/360, 362/361, 362/346, 362/217, 362/222, 362/223, 362/260, 362/298, 362/224, 362/300, 362/347
• US Class Current: 362/298
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/033 the surface being a wall or like vertical structure, e.g. building facade
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0025 Combination of two or more reflectors for a single light source array of reflectors for a cluster of light sources F21V7/0083
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/005 with an elongated shape to cooperate with linear light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources

Abstract

A luminaire providing indirect light from a tubular lamp-fixture assembly (55) which is mounted on a wall (65) and covered by a shield (25) which reflects light (3,4,7) upwardly toward a spreader (15) which substantially spreads light (2-7) out from a square corner and broadly over a ceiling (75) mounted under. The spreader and the shield both have quarter-cylindrically-shaped middle portions (10,20) over most of their lengths. The spreader has quarter-trumpet-shaped end-portions (14,16). The shield has quarter-bowl-shaped end-portions (24,26). The combination of the shield and the spreader also disperses light (8,9) substantially away from the sides of the luminaire. Both the shield and the spreader are made light-weight, flexible, and durable. A bracket (83) supports the shield away from the wall (65) mounted over, allowing an accenting strip of light (1) to surround the sides and lower edge of the shield. An adjustable bracket assembly (33,43,130) permits the parallel alignment of the shield with the wall.

Claims

1. A luminaire comprising:

a light spreader comprising an member having an elongated, concave light-reflective surface, said elongated concave surface having lower and upper sides when said spreader is mounted so that said elongated concave surface is horizontal, each end of said elongated concave surface flaring upwardly to form a concave curve which extends from said lower side to said upper side such that said concave curve flares away from said spreader and said upper side portion of said concave curve extends in a generally horizontal direction, said spreader having a generally quarter-round cross-sectional shape.

a light shield comprising and elongated member of generally the same length as said spreader, said shield being arranged to cover a light source, said shield having a convex, elongated surface having lower and upper sides when said shield is mounted so that said elongated convex surface is horizontal, each end of said convex surface curves downwardly to form a convex curve which extends from said upper side to said lower side such that said convex curve has a lower side portion which extends into said shield having a generally quarter-round cross-sectional shape, said shield having an upwardly facing, light-transmitting side such that light from said source will shine onto said concave surface of said spreader when said shield is mounted below said spreader and said spreader and said shield are substantially parrallel, and said spreader is mounted at the top of a wall adjacent to a ceiling, and said shield is mounted on a wall below said spreader.

2. The luminaire of claim 1 wherein said upwardly facing light-transmitting side of said shield is open.

3. The luminaire of claim 1 wherein said spreader has a matte white finish.

4. The luminaire of claim 1 wherein said shield has one linear source of light mounted therein.

5. The luminaire of claim 1 wherein said shield has two linear sources of light mounted therein, one of said linear sources being mounted under the other.

6. The luminaire of claim 1 wherein the upper edge of said shield is horizontally aligned with the lower edge of said spreader.

7. A luminaire comprising:

a light spreader comprising an member having an elongated, concave light-reflective surface, said elongated concave surface having lower and upper sides when said spreader is mounted so that said elongated concave surface is horizontal, each end of said elongated concave surface flaring upwardly to form a concave curve which extends from said lower side to said upper side such that said concave curve flares away from said spreader and said upper side portion of said concave curve extends in a generally horizontal direction, said spreader having a generally quarter-round cross-sectional shape,

a light shield comprising and elongated member of generally the same length as said spreader, said shield being arranged to cover a light source, said shield having a convex, elongated surface having lower and upper sides when said shield is mounted so that said elongated convex surface is horizontal, each end of said convex surface curves downwardly to form a convex curve which extends from said upper side to said lower side such that said convex curve has a lower side portion which extends into said shield having a generally quarter-round cross-sectional shape, said shield having an upwardly facing, light-transmitting side such that light from said source will shine onto said concave surface of said spreader when said shield is mounted below said spreader and said spreader and said shield are substantially parrallel, and wherein said shield is partially reflective and partially transluscent.