Light fixture and lens assembly for same

• US 7,229,192 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2004
• Issued: 06/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
• Inventors: Trott, Gary D., Gould, Carl T., Sharp, Christopher L., Mayfield, John T. III, Leadford, Kevin, Lydecker, Stephen H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke; Renee
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee; Gunyoung T.
• Application Number:
  US10/970,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20050281024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 362/223, 362/224, 362/225, 362/260, 362/328, 362/330, 362/335, 362/338, 362/347, 362/29, 362/327, 362/340, 362/217
• US Class Current: 362/223
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/04 intended only for mounting on a ceiling or the like overhead structures F21S8/02 takes precedence; details of ceiling bases F21V21/03
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/04 the elements being reflectors and refractors for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/164 the parts being subjected to bending, e.g. snap joints
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/026 Fastening of transformers or ballasts
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/02 of prismatic shape F21V5/04 takes precedence
• 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 light fixture or troffer for directing light emitted from a light source toward an area to be illuminated, including a reflector assembly within which the light source is positioned and a lens assembly detachably secured to a portion of the reflector assembly such that a lens of the lens assembly overlies the light source and such that substantially all of the light emitted from the light source passes through the lens assembly. In one example, the lens includes a curved prismatic surface that can be oriented toward or away from the underlying light source.

Claims

1. A light fixture, comprising:

a reflector assembly extending along a base longitudinal axis, wherein the reflector assembly comprises;

a first end face and an opposed second end face, each end face forming an obtuse angle with respect to the base longitudinal axis of the reflector assembly; and

an elongated base member having a first end edge, a spaced second end edge, and a base surface, the base longitudinal axis extending between the first and second end edges, wherein the base member has a first longitudinally extending side edge and an opposed second longitudinally extending side edge, a portion of the base surface of the base member defining at least one longitudinally extending hollow, each hollow having a longitudinally extending first hollow edge and a longitudinally extending second hollow edge, wherein at least a portion of a section of the hollow is normal to the base longitudinal axis and has a generally curved shape, wherein each hollow extends inwardly toward a central portion defined between the respective first and second hollow edges, and wherein the central portion of the hollow defines a longitudinally extending trough;

a linear light source mounted within the trough of the base member; and

a lens assembly comprising an elongate lens having a first end edge, an opposed second end edge, and a central lens portion that extends between the first and second end edges, the central lens portion defining a concave face positioned with respect to the light source, wherein the lens is constructed and arranged being for detachably secured to a portion of the trough of the base member.

2. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the linear light source has at least one end, and wherein the at least one end face of the reflector assembly defines an opening constructed and arranged for receiving at least a portion of the at least one end of the linear light source.

3. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein each of the respective first and second end faces has a top edge, the opposed first and second end faces each being positioned with respect to the base member such that a portion of the top edge of the respective end face is positioned in substantially overlying registration with a portion of the base surface.

4. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein each of the respective first and second end faces has a face longitudinal axis that forms the obtuse angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base member.

5. The light fixture of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the top edge of the respective end faces is spaced from at least a portion of the respective first and second end edges of the base member.

6. The light fixture of claim 4, wherein the respective obtuse angles formed between the face longitudinal axis of the first end face and the base longitudinal axis and between the face longitudinal axis of the second end face and the base longitudinal axis are substantially equal.

7. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second end faces is substantially planar.

8. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein portions of each of the first and second end faces are non-planar.

9. The light fixture of claim 8, wherein portions of each of the first and second end faces are curved.

10. The light fixture of claim 9, wherein portions of the first and second end faces are substantially concave.

11. The light fixture of claim 9, wherein portions of the first and second end faces are substantially convex.

12. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the obtuse angle is in the range of from about 95°

to about 160°

.

13. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the obtuse angle is in the range of from about 100°

to about 150°

.

14. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the obtuse angle is in the range of from about 100°

to about 135°

.

15. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the obtuse angle is about 120°

.

16. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the linear light source comprises a first end operatively connected to the base member adjacent the first end face and a second end operatively connected to the base member adjacent the second end face, and wherein the first and second end faces, respectively, each defines an opening therein configured to receive at least a portion of a selected end of the light source therethrough.

17. The light fixture of claim 16, further comprising a housing having a first end wall and an opposed second end wall, wherein the first end wall is connected to a portion of the first end edge of the base member and the second end wall is connected to a portion of the second end edge of the base member.

18. The light fixture of claim 17, wherein a portion of a bottom edge of the first end face is connected to a bottom portion of the first end wall of the housing and a portion of a bottom edge of the second end face is connected to a bottom portion of the second end wall.

19. The light fixture of claim 17, wherein the first end wall is substantially perpendicular to the base member adjacent the first end edge and the second end wall is substantially perpendicular to the base member adjacent the second end edge.

20. The light fixture of claim 17, wherein portions of the respective first and second end faces, the respective first and second end walls, and the base member each define a chamber adjacent the respective top edges of the first and second faces that is in operative communication with the opening in the respective first and second faces.

21. The light fixture of claim 20, wherein each of the respective chambers is constructed and arranged to receive at least a portion of a selected end of the linear light source therein.

22. The light fixture of claim 21, wherein each chamber is constructed and arranged to mount an electrical contact for detachably securing a selected end of the linear light source thereto.

23. The light fixture of claim 22, wherein the electrical contact is mounted onto a portion of the base surface of the base member.

24. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the base member comprises a single piece of material.

25. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the central portion is generally symmetrically positioned with respect to the first and second hollow edges.

26. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the lens assembly further comprises a diffuser inlay positioned between the linear light source and the concave face of the central lens portion.

27. The light fixture of claim 26, wherein the diffuser inlay is positioned in substantial overlying registration with the concave face of the central lens portion.

28. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the lens is positioned with respect to the trough such that substantially all of the light emitted by the linear light source passes through the lens.

29. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the linear light source comprises a T5 lamp.

30. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the reflector assembly is coated with a substantially flat reflective material.

31. A light fixture, comprising:

a reflector assembly extending along a longitudinal axis, the reflector assembly comprising an elongated base member having a first end edge, a spaced second end edge, a first longitudinally extending side edge, an opposed second longitudinally extending side edge, and a base surface, the longitudinal axis of the reflector assembly extending between the first end edge and the second end edge, wherein a portion of the base surface of the base member defines at least one longitudinally extending hollow, each hollow having a longitudinally extending first hollow edge and a longitudinally extending second hollow edge, at least a portion of a section of the hollow normal to the base longitudinal axis having a generally curved, concave shape, wherein each hollow extends inwardly toward a central portion between the respective first and second hollow edges, the central portion of the hollow defining a longitudinally extending trough, which extends inwardly of the hollow, wherein the trough has a top surface that adjoins each of a first side trough surface and an opposed second side trough surface, wherein each respective first and second side trough surface has a lower edge that is integral with a portion of the adjoined hollow, and wherein each of the first side trough surface and the second side trough surface has a trough surface axis that extends in a plane normal to the base longitudinal axis;

a linear light source operatively mounted within a portion of the trough of the reflector assembly; and

a lens assembly comprising an elongated lens mounted to a portion of the reflector assembly,

wherein the reflector assembly controls high angle glare in a transverse direction by blocking high angle rays from the lens, and wherein the lens controls high angle glare in the longitudinal direction optically.

32. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein the portions of the hollow extending between the central portion and the respective first and second hollow edges forms a curved reflective surface.

33. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein the elongated lens has a lens longitudinal axis that is generally parallel to the linear light source and a central lens portion that is curved in a plane that is transverse to the lens longitudinal axis, the lens being constructed and arranged for detachable connection to a portion of the trough of the base member, the central lens portion of the lens having a prismatic surface that defines a face oriented toward and spaced from the light source.

34. The light fixture of claim 33, wherein the lens of said lens assembly is positioned with respect to the trough of the reflector assembly such that substantially all of the light emitted by the light source passes through the lens.

35. The light fixture of claim 33, wherein at least a portion of the face of the central lens portion is concave.

36. The light fixture of claim 33, wherein at least a portion of the face of the central lens portion is convex.

37. The light fixture of claim 33, wherein the lens is positioned in overlying registration with the trough, and wherein the central lens portion of the lens is symmetric about a plane that extends through the linear light source.

38. The light fixture of claim 33, wherein the central portion of the lens is generally symmetrically positioned with respect to the first and second hollow edges.

39. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein the respective first and second hollow edges extend to the respective first and second longitudinally extending side edges of the base member.

40. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein the base member defines a pair of adjoining, parallel hollows, a first hollow edge of a first hollow of the pair of hollows extending to the first side edge of the base member, a second hollow edge of a second hollow of the pair of hollows extending to the second side edge of the base member, and the second hollow edge of the first hollow and the first hollow edge of the second hollow being positioned proximate each other.

41. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein the trough surface axis of each of the first and second trough surfaces respectively forms an angle in the range of from about 90°

to about 140°

with respect to the top surface of the trough.

42. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein the trough surface axis of each of the first and second trough surfaces respectively forms an angle in the range of from about 95°

to about 135°

with respect to the top surface of the trough.

43. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein the trough surface axis of each of the first and second trough surfaces respectively forms an angle in the range of from about 100°

to about 130°

with respect to the top surface of the trough.

44. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein the light source is positioned in the trough such that a longitudinal axis of the light source is positioned above a plane extending between the lower edges of the respective first and second side trough surfaces.

45. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein the light source is positioned therein the trough such that a longitudinal axis of the light source is positioned substantially about or above an arcuate section extending between the lower edges of the respective first and second side trough surfaces, wherein the arcuate section has substantially the same radius as the concave hollow.

46. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein at least a portion of the base surface of the base member has a series of spaced male ridges formed thereon extending longitudinally between the first and the second end edges of the base member.

47. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein at least a portion of the base surface of the base member has a series of spaced female grooves formed therein extending longitudinally between the first and the second end edges of the base member.

48. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein the light source is positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reflector assembly.

49. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein the elongated lens has a first arm that is connected to a first lens edge of a central lens portion and a second arm that is connected to a second lens edge of the central lens portion, a portion of the first arm constructed and arranged for being detachably secured to a portion of the first side trough surface and a portion of the second arm constructed and arranged for being detachable secured to a portion of the second side trough surface.

50. The light fixture of claim 49, wherein each of the respective first and second arms has a bottom portion connected to the respective first and second lens edges, the bottom portion extending substantially from a first end edge of the lens to an opposed second end edge of the lens.

51. The light fixture of claim 50, wherein a portion of the bottom portion of each of the respective first and second arms of the lens is detachably positioned adjacent a portion of the respective lower edges of the first and second side trough surfaces.

52. The light fixture of claim 51, wherein a portion of the bottom portion of each of the respective first and second arm of the lens is positioned at an acute angle with and overlies a portion of the curved reflective surface of the hollow adjacent to the respective lower edges of the first and second side trough surfaces.

53. The light fixture of claim 52, wherein the distance between the respective first and second lens edges of the lens is greater than the distance between the respective lower edges of the first and second side trough surfaces.

54. The light fixture of claim 53, wherein each of the respective first and second lens edges is spaced from and overlies a portion of the curved reflective surface of the hollow.

55. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein the respective first and second lens edges are positioned adjacent a portion of the respective lower edges of the respective first and second side trough surfaces.

56. The light fixture of claim 49, wherein each of the respective first and second side trough surfaces have at least one male protrusion extending inwardly into the trough, and wherein each of the first and second arms of the lens has an end portion having a hook shape that is configured for detachable engagement with the at least one male protrusion of the respective first and second trough surfaces.

57. The light fixture of claim 49, wherein each of the respective first and second side trough surfaces defines at least one slot, and wherein each of the first and second arms of the lens has an end portion having a male protrusion that is constructed and arranged for detachable engagement with the at least one slot in a selected one of the respective first and second trough surfaces.

58. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein the lens assembly further comprises a diffuser inlay positioned between the central lens portion and the light source.

59. The light fixture of claim 58, wherein the diffuser inlay is positioned in substantial overlying registration with the prismatic surface of the central lens portion.

60. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein the reflector assembly further includes a first end face and an opposed second end face, each of the respective first and second end faces having a top edge, the opposed first and second end faces each being positioned with respect to the base member such that a portion of the top edge of each respective end face is positioned in substantially overlying registration with a portion of the base surface, and wherein each of the respective first and second end faces has a face longitudinal axis that forms an obtuse angle with respect to the base longitudinal axis of the base member.

61. The light fixture of claim 60, wherein at least a portion of the top edge of the respective end faces is spaced from at least a portion of the respective proximal and distal edges of the base member.

62. The light fixture of claim 60, wherein the respective obtuse angles formed between the face longitudinal axis of the first end face and the base longitudinal axis and between the face longitudinal axis of the second end face and the base longitudinal axis are substantially equal.

63. The light fixture of claim 60, wherein each of the respective first and second end faces is substantially planar.

64. The light fixture of claim 60, wherein the respective first and second faces each define an opening therein configured to receive at least a portion of an end of the light source therein.

65. The light fixture of claim 60, wherein the first end edge of the elongated lens is in overlying registration with a portion of the first end face and wherein the second end edge of the elongated lens is in overlying registration with a portion of the second side surface.

66. The light fixture of claim 32, wherein at least a portion of the reflective surface of the hollow has a plurality of male ridges formed thereon that extend longitudinally between the proximal and distal ends of the base member.

67. The light fixture of claim 32, wherein at least a portion of the reflective surface of the hollow has a plurality of female grooves formed therein that extend longitudinally between the respective first and second end edges of the base member.

68. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein the linear light source comprises a T5 lamp.

69. The light fixture of claim 31, wherein the lens assembly is positioned within the reflector assembly such that the lens assembly is recessed above a substantially horizontal plane extending between the first and the second longitudinal side edges of the base member and such that the lens assembly is not visible at high viewing angles in a vertical plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the reflector assembly.

70. The light fixture of claim 69, wherein the lens assembly is recessed within the reflector assembly such that a plane bisecting one of the respective first and second longitudinal side edges and a tangential portion of the lens is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the substantially horizontal plane extending between the first and the second longitudinal side edges of the base member.

71. The light fixture of claim 70, wherein the acute angle is in the range of from 3°

to about 30°

.

72. The light fixture of claim 70, wherein the acute angle is in the range of from 5°

to about 20°

.

73. The light fixture of claim 70, wherein the acute angle is in the range of from 10°

to about 15°

.

74. The light fixture of claim 49, wherein the lens assembly is positioned within the reflector assembly such that the light source is positioned below a plane bisecting one of the respective first or second longitudinally extending side edges and the adjacent respective first or second lens edges of the lens.

75. A light fixture, comprising:

a reflector assembly defining a longitudinally extending trough, wherein the reflector assembly further comprises an elongate base member having a base surface with a first end edge, a spaced second end edge, a first longitudinally extending side edge, an opposed second longitudinally extending side edge connected to the base surface along their common edges, and a base longitudinal axis extending between the first and second end edges of the base member, a portion of the base surface of the base member defining at least one longitudinally extending hollow, each hollow having a longitudinally extending first hollow edge and a longitudinally extending second hollow edge, at least a portion of a section of the hollow normal to the base longitudinal axis having a generally curved, concave shape, each hollow extending inwardly toward a central portion defined by and between the respective first and second hollow edges, wherein the central portion of the hollow defines the longitudinally extending trough extending inwardly and upwardly away from the surface of the hollow, wherein the portions of the hollow extending between the central portion and the respective first and second hollow edges form a generally curved reflective surface, and wherein the central portion is generally symmetrically positioned with respect to the first and second hollow edges;

a linear light source releasably supported in the trough of the reflector assembly; and

a lens assembly comprising an elongate lens having a central lens portion that is curved in a plane transverse to the trough and a lens longitudinal axis that is generally parallel to a light source longitudinal axis, the lens being constructed and arranged for detachable connection to a portion of the trough, the central lens portion having a prismatic surface that defines a face oriented toward and spaced from the light source,

wherein the lens of said lens assembly is positioned with respect to the trough of the reflector assembly such that substantially all of the light emitted by the light source passes through the lens, and wherein the reflector assembly controls high angle glare in the transverse direction by blocking high angle rays from the lens and the lens assembly controls high angle glare in the longitudinal direction optically.

76. The light fixture of claim 75, wherein at least a portion of the face of the central lens portion is concave.

77. The light fixture of claim 75, wherein at least a portion of the face of the central lens portion is convex.

78. The light fixture of claim 75, wherein the lens is positioned in overlying registration with the trough, and wherein the central lens portion of the lens is symmetric about a plane that extends through the light source longitudinal axis.

79. The light fixture of claim 75, wherein the respective first and second hollow edges extend to the respective first and second longitudinally extending side edges of the base member.

80. The light fixture of claim 75, wherein the base member defines a pair of adjoining, parallel hollows, a first hollow edge of a first hollow of the pair of hollows extending to the first side edge of the base member, a second hollow edge of a second hollow of the pair of hollows extending to the second side edge of the base member, and the second hollow edge of the first hollow and the first hollow edge of the second hollow being adjoined.

81. The light fixture of claim 75, wherein the trough has a top surface that adjoins each of a first side trough surface and an opposed second side trough surface, wherein each of the respective first and second side trough surfaces has an lower edge that is integral with a portion of the adjoined hollow, and wherein each of the first side trough surface and the second side trough surface has a trough surface axis that extends in a plane normal to the base longitudinal axis.

82. The light fixture of claim 81, wherein the trough surface axis of each of the first and second trough surfaces respectively forms an angle in a range of from about 90°

to about 140°

with respect to the top surface of the trough.

83. The light fixture of claim 81, wherein the trough surface axis of each of the first and second trough surfaces respectively forms an angle in a range of from about 95°

to about 135°

with respect to the top surface of the trough.

84. The light fixture of claim 81, wherein the trough surface axis of each of the first and second trough surfaces respectively forms an angle in a range of from about 100°

to about 130°

with respect to the top surface of the trough.

85. The light fixture of claim 81, wherein the light source is positioned the trough such that the light source longitudinal axis is positioned above a plane extending between the lower edges of the respective first and second side trough surfaces.

86. The light fixture of claim 81, wherein the light source is positioned the trough such that the light source longitudinal axis is positioned substantially about or above an arcuate section extending between the lower edges of the respective first and second side trough surfaces, wherein the arcuate section has substantially the same radius as the concave hollow.

87. The light fixture of claim 75, wherein the light source is positioned so that the light source longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the base longitudinal axis of the base member.

88. A light fixture, comprising:

a reflector assembly comprising an elongated base member having a first end edge, and a spaced second end edge, a first longitudinally extending side edge, an opposed second longitudinally extending side edge connected to toe base member along their respective common edges, a base surface, and a base longitudinal axis extending between the first end edge and the second end edge of the base member, a portion of the base surface of the base member defining at least one longitudinally extending hollow, each hollow having a longitudinally extending first hollow edge and a longitudinally extending second hollow edge, at least a portion of a section of the at least one hollow being normal to the base longitudinal axis and having a generally curved shape, said at least one hollow extending inwardly toward a central portion of the hollow defined by and between the respective first and second hollow edges, the central portion of the hollow defining a longitudinally extending trough that extends inwardly away from the surface of the hollow, the portions of the hollow extending between the central portion and the respective first and second hollow edges forming a generally curved reflective surface;

a linear light source housed substantially within the trough of the reflector assembly and having a light source longitudinal axis; and

a lens assembly comprising an elongated lens that has a lens longitudinal axis that is generally parallel to the light longitudinal axis and a central lens portion that is curved in a plane that is transverse to the lens longitudinal axis, the lens being constructed and arranged for detachable connection to a portion of the trough of the reflector assembly, the central lens portion having a prismatic surface that defines a face oriented toward and spaced from the light source,

wherein the lens of said lens assembly is positioned with respect to the trough of the reflector assembly such that substantially all of the light emitted by the light source passes through the lens, and wherein the reflector assembly controls high angle glare in the transverse direction with respect to the base longitudinal axis by blocking high angle rays from the lens and the lens assembly controls high angle glare in a longitudinal direction that extends along the base longitudinal axis optically.

89. A light fixture, comprising:

a reflector assembly extending along a longitudinal axis, the reflector assembly comprising an elongated base member having a first end edge, a spaced second end edge, a first longitudinally extending side edge, an opposed second longitudinally extending side edge, and a base surface, the longitudinal axis of the reflector assembly extending between the first end edge and the second end edge, wherein a portion of the base surface of the base member defines at least one longitudinally extending hollow, each hollow having a longitudinally extending first hollow edge and a longitudinally extending second hollow edge, at least a portion of a section of the hollow normal to the base longitudinal axis having a generally curved, concave shape, wherein each hollow extends inwardly toward a central portion between the respective first and second hollow edges, the central portion of the hollow defining a longitudinally extending trough, which extends inwardly of the hollow, wherein the trough has a top surface that adjoins each of a first side trough surface and an opposed second side trough surface, wherein each respective first and second side trough surface has a lower edge that is integral with a portion of the adjoined hollow, and wherein each of the first side trough surface and the second side trough surface has a trough surface axis that extends in a plane normal to the base longitudinal axis;

a linear light source operatively mounted within a portion of the trough of the reflector assembly such that a longitudinal axis of the light source is positioned above a plane extending between the lower edges of the respective first and second side trough surfaces; and

a lens assembly comprising an elongated lens mounted to a portion of the reflector assembly,

wherein the reflector assembly controls high angle glare in a transverse direction by blocking high angle rays from the lens, and wherein the lens controls high angle glare in the longitudinal direction optically.

90. A light fixture, comprising:

a reflector assembly extending along a longitudinal axis and defining a trough, the reflector assembly comprising;

an elongated base member having a first end edge, a spaced second end edge, a first longitudinally extending side edge, an opposed second longitudinally extending side edge, and a base surface, the longitudinal axis of the reflector assembly extending between the first end edge and the second end edge; and

a first end face and an opposed second end face, each of the respective first and second end faces having a top edge, the opposed first and second end faces each being positioned with respect to the base member such that a portion of the top edge of each respective end face is positioned in substantially overlying registration with a portion of the base surface, and wherein each of the respective first and second end faces has a face longitudinal axis that forms an obtuse angle with respect to the base longitudinal axis of the base member;

a linear light source operatively mounted within a portion of the trough of the reflector assembly; and

a lens assembly comprising an elongated lens mounted to a portion of the reflector assembly,

wherein the reflector assembly controls high angle glare in a transverse direction by blocking high angle rays from the lens, and wherein the lens controls high angle glare in the longitudinal direction optically.