Display lighting system

• US 6,431,721 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2001
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sylvan R Shemitz Designs Incorporated (Sylvan R. Shemitz Designs)
• Original Assignee: Sylvan R Shemitz Designs Incorporated (Sylvan R. Shemitz Designs)
• Inventors: Ford, Paul R., Shemitz, Sylvan R.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): WARD, JOHN A
• Application Number:
  US09/922,957
• Publication Number:
  US 20020018342A1
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 362/221, 362/236, 362/260, 362/125, 362/127, 362/132, 362/133
• US Class Current: 362/125
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 11/10 Arrangements of light sources

Abstract

A display lighting system is provided that assembles and installs easily and provides a wireway for luminaire and other types of wiring. Luminaires of the system each include a lamp housing attached to the ends of a pair of arms that can hold the housing sufficiently out beyond a displayed object to provide more complete illumination of the object'"'"'s vertical face. Each luminaire includes a wireway enclosure dimensioned to enclose electrical wiring and at least one electrical component, such as a ballast or transformer. The enclosure is positioned between the arms at the ends opposite the lamp housing. Wiring between the lamp housing and enclosure is carried inconspicuously in a trough along the inside of one or both arms. Wiring between adjacent luminaires runs conveniently through nipple connectors connecting adjacent enclosures. Optional uplighting and accent lighting is also provided.

Claims

1. A display lighting system comprising at least one luminaire, said luminaire comprising:

a lamp housing comprising;

first and second endplates,

a reflector attached to said first and second endplates, and

at least one lampholder attached to said reflector;

first and second arms each having first and second ends, each said arm attached at said first end to a respective one of said first and second endplates; and

an enclosure positioned between said first and second arms adjacent said second ends, said enclosure dimensioned to enclose therein electrical wiring and at least one electrical component selected from the group consisting of a ballast and a transformer.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said second end of at least one of said first and second arms comprises at least one notched-tab that can be inserted and secured within an elongated hole.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said enclosure has first and second longitudinal ends, said first longitudinal end adjacent said second end of said first arm and said second longitudinal end adjacent said second end of said second arm; and

said first and second arms are each attached at said second end to said respective adjacent longitudinal end.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said first and second arms each has at least one hole at said second end through which electrical wiring can pass; and

said enclosure has first and second sides, said first side adjacent said second end of said first arm and said second side adjacent said second end of said second arm, each said side having at least one hole through which electrical wiring can pass, each said side hole aligned with said hole in said adjacent arm.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said first and second arms each includes a knockout at said second end; and

said enclosure has first and second sides, said first side adjacent said second end of said first arm and said second side adjacent said second end of said second arm, each said side including a knockout that is aligned with said knockout of said adjacent arm.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said enclosure has a removable cover to permit access to interior of said enclosure.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said housing further includes a fluorescent lamp.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said housing further includes at least one incandescent lamp.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said first and second arms are brackets.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said first and second arms are tubular members.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said luminaire is mounted to display shelving; and

said first and second arms extend beyond shelves of said display shelving.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein:

one of said first and second endplates of said lamp housing comprises a self-clinching nut; and

one of said first and second arms attaches to said lamp housing via a fastener screwed into a respective said nut.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said first and second endplates and said reflector are integrally formed as a single reflector unit.

14. The system of claim 1 further comprising an accent lighting unit comprising:

a bracket clip attached to said lamp housing; and

an accent lamp housing that can hold a lamp, said accent lamp housing attached to said bracket clip.

15. The system of claim 14 further comprising a gimbal-ring mechanism attached to said accent lamp housing, said gimbal-ring mechanism permitting said lamp to pivot.

16. A display lighting system comprising two luminaires, each said luminaire comprising:

a lamp housing comprising;

first and second endplates,

a reflector attached to said first and second endplates, and

at least one lampholder attached to said reflector;

first and second arms each having first and second ends, each said arm attached at said first end to a respective one of said first and second endplates and having a hole at said second end through which electrical wiring can pass; and

an enclosure positioned between said is first and second arms adjacent said second ends, said enclosure dimensioned to enclose therein electrical wiring;

said system further comprising;

a connector installed between said two luminaires at adjacent said arm holes, said connector allowing electrical wiring to pass between said two luminaires.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said connector installation aligns said enclosures of said two luminaires.

18. A display lighting system comprising at least one luminaire, said luminaire comprising:

a lamp housing comprising;

first and second endplates,

a reflector attached to said first and second endplates, and

at least one lampholder attached to said reflector;

first and second arms each having first and second ends, each said arm attached at said first end to a respective one of said first and second endplates; and

an enclosure positioned between said first and second arms adjacent said second ends, said enclosure dimensioned to enclose therein electrical wiring and having a removable cover to permit access to interior of said enclosure.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising a lighting unit mounted on said enclosure to provide uplighting, said lighting unit comprising:

at least one lampholder; and

a reflector.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said lighting unit further includes a fluorescent lamp.