Flattenable luminaire

• US 6,439,736 B1
• Filed: 12/23/1999
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Beacon Point Capital LLC
• Original Assignee: Ole K Nilssen
• Inventors: Fiene, Dale E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DELGIZZI, RONALD ERNEST
• Application Number:
  US09/471,567
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 362/147, 362/263, 362/265, 362/354, 362/290
• US Class Current: 362/147
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 9/32 Translucent ceilings, i.e. permitting both the transmission and diffusion of light E04B9/303 and E04B9/34 takes precedence; lighting F21
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/00 Systems of lighting devices, not provided for in main groups F21S4/00 - F21S10/00 or F21S19/00, e.g. of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/06 by suspension
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/007 with provision for shipment or storage
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/06 the fastening being onto or by the lampholder
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/101 permanently, e.g. welding, gluing or riveting
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0075 of tubular light sources, e.g. ring-shaped fluorescent light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/008 of straight tubular light sources, e.g. straight fluorescent tubes, soffit lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0095 of U-shaped tubular light sources, e.g. compact fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/04 with provision for changing light source, e.g. turret auxiliary devices for cleaning, placing, or removing incandescent lamps H01K3/32, fluorescent lamps H01J9/006
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/026 Fastening of transformers or ballasts
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/00 Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses with refracting properties F21V5/00; with reflecting properties F21V7/00; characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/506
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/10 Construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/24 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/30 curved
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/37 U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources

Abstract

A luminaire for suspended ceilings, which permits improved packing density for warehousing and shipping. The reflector of the luminaire is designed to permit it to be shipped in a flattened state. This increases the packing density and eliminates shipping and warehousing boxes whose volume is 95% air. The reflector is typically a single sheet including a top plane with hinged side panels that snap together with interlocking tabs. An assembled luminaire comprises three or four parts: the reflector, a ballasted-socket, a lamp, and an optional diffuser or lens. The reflector, ballasted-socket, lamp, and optional diffuser or lens are either shipped separately in bulk packs or shipped in kits containing the one or more sets of components to build the luminaire. When the luminaires are installed at the job site, the sides of the reflector are folded inward and snapped together; a ballasted-socket is clipped into a mounting aperture in the reflector; a lamp is inserted into the ballasted-socket; this assembly is placed into the ceiling grid; and the ballasted-socket is connected to a power source. If a diffuser or lens is desired, it is merely placed in the ceiling grid before the rest of the assembly.

Claims

1. A structural element for installation into a suspended ceiling;

the structural element having a reflector;

said reflector having four hinged panels,

each of the hinged panels being connected to a different edge of a common rectangular panel via a hinge;

the structural element being further characterized by;

(i) being operable as a reflector for a light source providing illumination for the space below said suspended ceiling, (ii) having an aperture to permit the mounting of a receptacle operable to receive, provide electrical connection to and hold an electric lamp, (iii) having a certain height immediately prior to being mounted in said suspended ceiling, and (iv) being of such construction as to permit the height during shipment to be substantially less than said certain height.

2. The structural element recited in claim 1, wherein a non-hinged lens is placed between the suspended ceiling grid and said structural element.

3. The structural element recited in claim 1, wherein the height during shipment is less than 25% of said certain height immediately prior to being mounted in said suspended ceiling.

4. The structural element recited in claim 1, wherein said electric lamp is replaceable;

said electric lamp is fluorescent; and

the structural element is provided with a lens that is permanently affixed to the structural element during field assembly.

5. The structural element recited in claim 1, wherein said receptacle is a separate self-contained assembly that is removable from said structural element.

6. The structural element recited in claim 1, wherein said hinged panels are substantially rectangular in shape.

7. The structural element recited in claim 1, wherein two of the hinged panels are rectangular and two of the hinged panels are trapezoidal.

8. The structural element recited in claim 1, wherein the structural element has adjoining edges;

said adjoining edges having a gap separating one from the other at some time prior to installation; and

said gap being substantially reduced prior to installation into the suspended ceiling.

9. The structural element recited in claim 1, wherein said hinged panels are substantially trapezoidal in shape.

10. A luminaire for a suspended ceiling comprising:

a reflector having at least one aperture for the attachment of a ballasted-socket assembly;

said reflector having four hinged panels;

each of the hinged panels being connected to a different edge of a common rectangular panel via a hinge;

said reflector having a certain height immediately prior to being installed into the suspended ceiling;

said certain height being substantially greater than the height of the reflector during shipment;

a ballasted-socket assembly comprising;

a power input connection, ballasting circuitry to properly power a gas-discharge lamp, a gas-discharge lamp socket, and an enclosure that contains and completely encloses;

said ballasting circuitry, the connections to said gas-discharge lamp socket, and the interconnection between the output of said ballasting circuitry and said gas-discharge lamp socket; and

a gas-discharge lamp.

11. The luminaire recited in claim 10, wherein said hinged panels are substantially rectangular in shape.

12. The luminaire recited in claim 10, wherein a non-hinged lens is placed between the suspended ceiling grid and the reflector.

13. The luminaire recited in claim 12, wherein said gas-discharge lamp is replaceable;

and

the luminaire is provided with a lens that is permanently affixed to the luminaire during field assembly.

14. The luminaire recited in claim 10, wherein said certain height immediately prior to being mounted into the suspended ceiling is 25%, or more, greater than the height of the reflector during shipment.

15. The luminaire recited in claim 10, wherein said hinged panels are substantially trapezoidal in shape.

16. A field assembled luminaire for a suspended ceiling comprising:

a ballasted-socket assembly for a gas-discharge lamp;

said ballasted-socket assembly including;

a power input connection, ballasting circuitry to properly power a gas-discharge lamp, a lamp socket adapted to receive and hold such a lamp, and an enclosure that contains and completely encloses;

said ballasting circuitry, the connections to said lamp socket, and the interconnection between the output of said ballasting circuitry and said lamp socket;

a reflector which is supported by a suspended ceiling grid system;

said reflector having four hinged panels;

each of the hinged panels being connected to a different edge of a common rectangular panel via a hinge;

said reflector having a certain height immediately prior to installation into the ceiling grid system;

said reflector having a height during shipment substantially less than said certain height;

said reflector capable of receiving said ballasted-socket assembly;

a gas-discharge lamp; and

said enclosure included in the ballasted-socket assembly not enclosing the gas-discharge lamp.

17. The luminaire recited in claim 16, wherein said hinged panels are substantially rectangular in shape.

18. The luminaire recited in claim 16, wherein two of the hinged panels are rectangular and two of the hinged panels are trapezoidal.

19. The luminaire recited in claim 16, wherein height reduction during shipment is greater than 50%.

20. A suspended ceiling system including:

a grid system having rectangular grid openings;

a plurality of ceiling panels;

a plurality of luminaires;

said luminaires suitable for placement into the rectangular grid opening of said grid system;

said luminaire having a reflector;

said reflector having four hinged panels;

each of the hinged panels being connected to a different edge of a common rectangular panel via a hinge;

said reflector having a certain height immediately prior to installation into the rectangular grid opening; and

said reflector having a height during shipment substantially less than said certain height.