Vertically adjustable overhead lighting system

• US 6,312,139 B1
• Filed: 11/23/1999
• Issued: 11/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International (Corteva, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International (Corteva, Inc.)
• Inventors: Peterman, Carla, Gosselink, Dick, Baker, Britt W., OʼBrien, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US09/448,385
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 362/253, 362/234, 362/145, 362/147, 362/249, 362/386, 362/250, 362/286, 362/404, 47/17, 47/581
• US Class Current: 362/145
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/249 Lighting means with special arrangements for promoting growth A01G7/045
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/25 Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor

Abstract

An apparatus used to deliver light from overhead to stimulate plant growth in a controlled environment. The distance between tops of the plants and the lights can be adjusted to correlate with plant growth by a motorized assembly for raising and lowering a bar suspended from an upper support and upon which are mounted growth lights. Horizontal sway of the bar upon which the growth lights are mounted is minimized by a guiding structure for one end of the bar. When florescent growth lights are used, bulk and heat produced by their ballasts are eliminated by locating all ballasts remotely from the apparatus.

Claims

1. Overhead lighting apparatus located in a room in a building structure for stimulating plant growth with means for vertical adjustment according to plant height comprising:

a) a light assembly having;

1) an elongated bar substantially horizontally aligned; and

2) a plurality of growth lights mounted on said elongated bar;

b) an upper support structure not integral to said building structure and having means for supporting said light assembly in a position above said plants and for vertically adjusting the position of said light assembly;

c) said upper support structure further comprising;

1) a support beam supported in an elevated position above the floor of said room by vertically oriented side members;

2) a winding shaft;

3) means to rotatably attach and support said winding shaft to said support beam; and

4) a plurality of cables with means to attach one end of each of said plurality of cables to said winding shaft and the other end to said elongated bar; and

d) means for securing said upper support structure in a position above said light assembly; and

e) said means for adjusting the position of said bar further comprising a motor operatively connected to said winding shaft, and fixedly attached to said support beam.

2. Overhead lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means to eliminate horizontal swing of said elongated bar comprising:

1) a fixed vertical guide; and

2) means to slidably attach one end of said elongated bar to said vertical guide in a manner to allow vertical movement therebetween.

3. Overhead lighting apparatus for stimulating plant growth with means for vertical adjustment according to plant height comprising:

a) a light assembly having;

1) an elongated bar substantially horizontally aligned; and

2) a plurality of growth lights mounted on said elongated bar;

b) a plurality of ballasts located remotely from said plurality of growth lights;

c) means to move power from said plurality of ballasts to said plurality of growth lights;

d) an upper support structure having means for supporting said light assembly in a position above said plants and for vertically adjusting the position of said light assembly further comprising a winding shaft and a motor operatively connected to said winding shaft and fixedly attached to said upper support structure;

e) means to actuate said motor mounted in a fixed location;

f) means for securing said upper support structure in a position above said light assembly; and

g) means to eliminate horizontal swing of said elongated bar comprising;

1) a fixed vertical guide; and

2) means to slidably attach one end of said elongated bar to said vertical guide to allow only vertical movement.

4. Overhead lighting apparatus for stimulating plant growth as claimed in claim 3 wherein vertical range of movement of said elongated bar is governed by limiting switches mounted on said fixed vertical guide.

5. Overhead lighting apparatus for stimulating plant growth as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means to slidably attach one end of said elongated bar comprises a loop attached to one end of said elongated bar of same shape and slightly larger and fitted around said vertical guide.

6. Overhead lighting apparatus in a building structure for stimulating plant growth with means for vertical adjustment according to plant height comprising:

a) a light assembly having;

1) an elongated bar substantially horizontally aligned; and

2) a plurality of growth lights mounted on said elongated bar;

b) an upper support structure not integral to said building structure and having means for supporting said light assembly in a position above said plants;

c) means associated with said upper support structure for vertically adjusting the position of said light assembly and comprising a winding shaft, a plurality of cables attached to said winding shaft and to said light assembly, and a motor;

d) means for securing said upper support structure in a position above said light assembly comprising vertical supports; and

e) a guide element mounted on and parallel with said vertical supports and further associated with said light assembly so as to minimize horizontal swing.