US2852663A - Luminaires - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 16, 1958 N. STUFFER ET AL 2, 52,6

LUMINAIRES Filed April 14, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESSES: INVENTORS' Nick tuffer 0nd I lgoncrd H. Seeleyn WYM.

ATTORNEY p 1958 N. STUFFER ET-AL 2,852,663

LUMINAIRES Filed April 14. 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 R& 4// g INVENTORS Nick ,Stuffer and Leonard H. Seeley. BY

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ATTORNEY Sept. 16, 1958 N, STUFFER A I 2,852,663

g$onard H.Seeley. 462M m m ATTORNEY Sept. 16, 1958 N. STUFFER ETAL 2,852,663

LUMINAIRES Filed April 14, 1955 Fig.5.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I |94 I93 1 I |99 I98 7 468" I INVENTORS Nick S'ruffer and l eonurd H. Seeley.

MZM

ATTORNEY Sept. 16, 1958 N. STUFFER ET AL 2,852,663

LUMINAIRES Filed April 14, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 WITNESSES: INVENTORS wfi Nick Stuffer and Leona d H. Seele j m BY y MM /RW ATTORNEY United States Patent LUMINAIRES Application April 14, 1953, Serial No. 348,666

4 Claims. (Cl. Mil-51.11)

Our invention relates, generally, tov luminaires and, more particularly, to fluorescent luminaires which are adapted primarily for overhead lighting in a variety of ceiling patterns.

As can readily be appreciated in keeping with the present day esthetic values, it is highly desirable that a lighting system for large areas provide a high degree of lighting efficiency, and at the same time provide a uniform and harmonious appearance. This is particularly nec essary in large commercial establishments, such as department stores where the lighting requirements may vary with reference to the goods being merchandised or the particular decor that may be desired. Although these features are desirable, it is obvious that the price of such features will, to a large extent, determine the success of a particular lighting system. Accordingly, it is the primary object of our invention to provide a lighting system of the type described at a reasonable commercial price.

Another more general object of our invention is to provide improved shields with novel means of support from the luminaires.

A more specific object of our invention is to provide a shielding device for luminaires which may be pivotally secured to either side of such a luminaire and may be securely latched to such a luminaire at its other side.

In many luminaire installations, it is also desirable that a translucent member, such as glass, plastic or other materials, be used to cover the luminaire in order to prevent objectionable glare from lamps. In the past, considerable difiiculty has been encountered in shipping luminaire shielding devices having the glass member positioned therein due to breakage. Accordingly, another object of our invention is to provide a luminaire shielding device which may be shipped in separate component parts and which may quickly and easily be assembled with a glass or plastic panel or group of panels.

A more specific object of our invention is to provide a luminaire shielding device adapted to receive a glass or plastic member which includes end frame members with integral locking clips which at time of assembly positions all frame members and securely locks in place by wedging entire frame assembly. 7

These and other objects of our invention will become more apparent when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view, partially exploded and partially in section, of one type of luminaire constructed in accordance with the principles of our invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, partially in section and partially broken away, of a type of luminaire different from the type shown in Fig. 1, showing one shielding device in an open position;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a shielding device constructed in accordance with the principles of our invention, which is adapted to be used in either type of luminaire shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Patented Sept. 16, 1958 ing device shown in Fig. 5 taken substantially along the line VI-VI of Fig. 5; r

Fig. 7 is a partial exploded perspective view of-the means employed to pivotally secure a shielding device to the body member of a luminaire;

Fig. 8 is a partial perspective detail view ofthe means employed to removably latch a shielding device to the body memberof a luminaire; Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a hanger bracket combination consisting of a U-shaped bracket and an L-shaped bracket utilized to support body members of luminaires constructed in accordance with the principles of our invention when arranged in ceiling patterns.

As can readily be appreciated in laying out a lighting system utilizing one or more recessed luminaires, the method of supporting the luminaires is a matter of choice dependent, to a degree, on the type of ceiling opening construction involved. Over a period of time the method of supporting such luminaires in various ceiling opening constructions has also, to a degree, become standardized. One generally adopted method of mounting such luminaires in fabricated types of ceiling such as metal ceiling pans 1 is illustrated in Fig. 1 and employs a snap-in locking member which may also be of various standard designs. In general, however, all such snap-in locking members are designed so that a standard form of locking flange on the luminaire, which is more fully described hereinafter, may be secured simply by snapping the luminaire upwardly into place, thereby captively retaining the luminaire.

In Fig. 1, two different snap-in locking members are shown, one a standard T-bar 2, the other an inverted heart-shaped snap bar 4. T-bars 2 may be secured in place by suitable means (not shown) and cross-braced, if desired, by any suitable structural members such as channels 6. Snap bar 4, as illustrated, is adapted to be supported by an adjustable hanger 8 which may be suitably suspended from an upper cross-framing or ceiling structure (not shown). A standard flange form may be secured by either T-bars 2 or snap bars 4, ordinarily however, two T-bars 2 or two snap bars 4 would be utilized rather than one of each as shown. The particular method of mounting either a T-bar 2 or a snap bar 4 is well known in the art and does not form any part of this invention. It will be noted however that although T-bar 2 and snap-bar 4 diifer in form, that both are provided with a longitudinal central bottom opening. T-bar 2 has downwardly extending arms 10, each having an outward bead 12, therein, which are adapted to be engaged by a standard flange shape inserted in the opening 14 between'arms 10'. Snap-bar 4 is provided with downward and outwardly sloping side members 15, each '7 of which is terminated in an inwardly rounded reversely bent end 16. The bent ends 16 are adapted to be engaged by both the hanger 8 and by a standard flange shape inserted in the opening 18 between bent ends 16.

As shown in Fig.- 1, one form of luminaire incorporating the features of our invention comprises a troughshaped body member 20 having downwardly extending side walls 22 each of which has at its lower edge an irregular shaped light trap 21 which in turn terminates in 3 outwardly and upwardly extending flanges 24 having an integral inwardly rounded longitudinal bead 26 therein. It will be noted that head 26 is one particular standard flange form which is adapted to be inserted in either opening 14 between arms of T-bar'2, or in opening 18 between ends 16 of snap bar 4. Thus, it will be observed that there is no left or right to body member 20 since opposite sides are of identical form, so that body member 20 may be secured in place merely by snapping the luminaire upwardly into place until the engagement of beads 26 with a head 12 or 16 occurs thus captively retaining the luminaire. It will also be noted that by such construction, various luminaires of different lengths may be installed end to end and that the luminaires may be slidably moved longitudinally in the support members, and that such luminaires are supported on each side for their entire length. At any time the metal pan 1 type of ceiling construction may be snapped into either T-bar 2 orsnap-bar 4, depending upon which type is employed, and such ceiling material is provided with flanges similar to flanges 24 to engage the head 12 or 16 and utilized by flanges 24 of the luminaire, in order to provide a ceiling flush with the bottom edge of the luminaire.

Another well known and generally adopted method of installing luminaires is illustrated in Fig. 2. In this case a luminaire with a wide finishing flange must be used. In order to support the luminaire finishing flange flush against the ceiling surface in a dry type or plaster type ceiling 19, light traps 21 of body member 20 terminate in flat flanges 30 rather than an upwardly extending flange 24, as previously discussed. The ceiling may be sup ported by a number of structural cross members which may be secured in position in any suitable manner, and as before, the particular supporting members and their method of being secured in plan do not form a part of our invention. As shown, for the purpose of illustration only, two difterent types of support members are arranged in parallel lines. One such support member comprises channel 32, and the other comprises an approximately T-shaped plaster frame side member 34. If desired, all the lines of such support members may be cross-braced by means of suitable cross members such as channels 36 secured to channels 32 in any suitable manner, such as by wire lashing 38. Similar cross bracing may be used with members 34 suitably secured thereto. If desired a non snap-in type of dry ceiling construction may be utilized in place of plastered ceiling 19.

A U-shaped hanger 40, which is more clearly shown in Fig. 9, is channel shaped in section and comprises two downward extending arms 42 which terminate in a centrally outwardly curved portion 44. Each arm 42 is provided with a series of spaced vertical holes 43 through which by any suitable means, such as a bolt and nut assembly, a variety of tie clips may be secured. The selection of the particular tie clip is dependent upon the particular structural support member employed. When a channel support member such as channel 32 is employed, an L-shaped tie clip 33 is used which is provided on one arm with two holes 50 which may be aligned with holes 43 in either arm 42 of hanger 40 and secured thereto by any suitable means, as previously indicated. The other arm of L-shaped tie clip 33 is provided with an elongated slot 52 which makes provision for wire lashing to channel 32. The selection of the particular mating holes 43 in arm 42 with holes 50 in clip 33 is dependent upon the size and position of channel 32 used as a support member. As the size of such structural channel members is well known, the spacing of holes 43 in arm 42 is such that various commonly used channels may be employed.

With the type of structural support members such as side members 34, an irregular-shaped tie clip 56 is used. Curved portion 44 of arm 42 is positioned against the underside of the cross portion 68 of side member 34 at one side of the member 34, with the other side of cross bar portion 68 of the side member 34 engaged by the 4 curved portion 66 of clip 56. As the back portion 58 of clip 56 is provided with holes 60, the hanger 40 may be clamped to the side member 34 by any suitable means such as bolt and nut assembly 62 extending through holes and mating holes 43 in arm 42 of hanger .40.

The bight portion of hanger 40 is provided with two threaded holes 72 through which machine screws 74 extend, which are utilized in conjunction with slotted barrel nuts 76 for supporting a luminaire assembly. Bight portion 78 of the body member 20 is provided with slots 89 (only one of which is shown) so that the body member 20 may be simply placed in position from the underside of hanger 40 with the machine screws 74 extending through slots 80 and captively held in place by barrel nuts 76. As machine screws 74 cannot extend through barrel nuts 76, body member 20 may be raised to its proper height by turning barrel nuts 76 by means of a screwdriver inserted into slot 77 so that machine screws 74 may be backed outwardly from threaded slots 72 in hanger 40 until the flanges 30 of body member 20 engage the lower surface of the ceiling 19. Thus, it will be noted that a body member 28, having flanges 30, may be positioned in hanger 40 so that flanges 30 rest flush against the underside of ceiling 19 regardless of the thickness variations inherent in a plastered ceiling or dry type of ceiling or any combination thereof.

It will be noted that each side wall 22 of body member 20 comprises an upper member 82 which is at approximately a right angle with the bight portion 78 of body member 20, and an outward flared portion 84 which is connected to either flanges 24 or 30 by integral irregular shaped light trap 21. A U-shaped bracket 88, which may be formed from any suitable material such as sheet metal is mounted in body member 20 at each end of the body member, by any suitable means such as sheet metal screws 89 extending through upwardly extending arms 90 of bracket 88 and engaging upper members 82 of body member 20. Each bracket 88 is positioned at approximately the point where each portion 84 of each side wall starts to flare outward and is provided with irregular offsets 92 in which downwardly extending lamp holders 94 are positioned which may be suitably secured to bracket 88. As a general rule, the lamp holders 94 are positioned in oflisets 92 and Secured to bracket 88 at the factory, and may be later installed in the body member 20 as a sub-assembly. If desired as shown in both Figs. 1 and 2, lamp holders 94 are adapted to support a fluorescent tube type of lamp 95, however, other types of light sources may be used if desired with the construction of the body member 20. Also, body member 20 can be of various lengths and the position of brackets 88 and lamp holders 94 may be varied in order that various standard fluorescent tube lengths may be utilized.

As shown in Fig. 1, a ballast unit 96 is installed by any suitable means such as a plurality of machine screw and nut assemblies 98 upon the bight portion 78 of body member 20. Once ballast 96 is installed, the requisite wiring of the luminaire may be done in the chamber formed by the brackets 88 and the upper portions 82 of side walls 22. A number of standard knockouts (not shown) may be provided both in the upper portions 82 of side walls 22 and the bight portion 78 of body member 20 as may be needed and determined by general electrical wiring practices. Once the requisite wiring has been accomplished, a reflector 100 may be suitably secured to each bracket 88 by any suitable means, such as a downwardly extending machine screw 102 threadedly engaged in each bracket 88. Reflector 100 is provided with slots 104 at each of its ends which are slightly greater in width than the diameter of machine screws 102 so that either slot 104 of reflector member 100 may be initially placed around the machine screw 102 at either end and a nut 105 placed thereon to hold one end of reflector 100 loosely in position. By positioning reflector in this manner so that one screw 102 engages the bottom of one slot 104, the other end of reflector 100 will clear the other screw 102 and nut 105 extending downward from the bracket 88 at the other end of body member 20. Then by moving reflector 100 toward the other screw 102, reflector 100 may be positioned so that it may be secured to each bracket 88 by each nut 105.

Although two different types of support members are shown in Fig. 2 for use with the wet type of ceiling, such as a plastered ceiling 19, this is merely illustrative of two different types of support members with which luminaires constructed in accordance with our invention may be utilized. As a general rule, however, only one type of support member is utilized on each side of body member 20. The method of supporting body member 20 by channel members such as channel 32 is well known and such type of, support does not constitute a part of our invention. In many instances such channel members have presented serious mounting difliculties when used in any manner except in nonintersecting lines due to the work necessary to join and support channels together. In order to circumvent such mounting difliculties, we prefer to employ the side member 34, which may be used in conjunction with other members in a wide variety of arrangements, thereby permitting a higher degree of flexibility in the arrangement of luminaires. Side member 34 is also designed and constructed so that such flexibility may be obtained at a nominal installation cost, and is readily adaptable to provide the requisite openings in wet ceilings, regardless of the manner it is desired to mount the luminaires.

Due to the impracticability of mounting and wiring a complete lighting system before a ceiling in which such a system is to be installed is plastered, it is necessary that a plaster frame be provided. Such a frame must provide not only the requisite openings for the luminaires but also must provide a grounding surface to which the plasterer may work when plastering the ceiling. Side members 34 are arranged in parallel rows spaced at a suificient dis tance apart to permit a body member 20 to be inserted between the members 34 to be supported by hangers 40, as previously discussed herein. Side members 34 are fabricated from a single piece of suitable material such as sheet metal to provide both an upper crossbar 68 for mounting purposes heretofore discussed, and an outwardly extending bottom flange 86 to provide a grounding strip for the plasterer.

Referring to Fig. 9, it will be noted that we have provided an additional hanger 121 which is similar to the hanger 40 previously discussed except that only one downward extending arm 42 is provided. Since hanger 121 is substantially identical to hanger 40, identical parts have been given identical reference numerals. It will be noted that hanger 121 is provided. with a clip 56 which may be secured to the outer side member 34 of a closed corner in the same manner previously discussed, and that cross portion 122 of hanger 121 may be secured to body member 20 in the same manner as bight portion 70 of hanger 40 is secured to a body member 20. as has also been previously discussed. A tapered flat plate 123 which may be formed from any suitable material, such as sheet steel, is secured to inner end of hanger 121 by any suitable means, such as spot welding, and is secured flush against the underside of hanger 40 by means of bolt and nut assemblies 127 extending through holes in the bight portion 70 of hanger 40 and mating holes in plate 123. By this means it will be noted that a secure supporting means is provided for a body member 20 when assembled at right angles to another body member 20.

It should also be noted that both hangers 40 and 121 are provided with slots 130 in the bight portion 70 and cross portion 122, respectively, in order that such hanger members may be supported from an upper latticework of support members in any suitable manner (not shown), Although such a consruction is not shown, it is quite common to provide a so-called false ceiling and, therefore, in

i 173 are provided at each of its ends.

6 order to obtain additional flexibility of our improved luminaires, slots have been provided for such types of construction. Plate 123 is provided with an identical slot 129 so as to provide a similar opening through the hanger 40 to which it is attached.

Referring again to Figs. 1, 2, 7 and 8, each light trap 21, which joins either flange 24 or 30 with the lower portions 84 of sidewalls 22 of body member 20, comprises starting from flange 24 or 30, an integral upwardly extending portion and a cross portion 161 which is sloped downwardly at its inner end adjoining lower portion 84 of body member 20. Each upwardly extending portion 160 is provided with a side slot 162 having a downwardly extending stem portion 163 in alignment with a rectangular slot 169 or 164 in flange 24 or 30, respectively. Slots 162, 163, 164; 162, 163, 169; are provided so that if desired a shielding device may be removably positioned in body member 20. in order to provide necessary shielding of lamps.

Under present day conditions there are two generally accepted types of shielding devices for luminaires, and it is a purpose of our invention to require only one type of shielding device supporting means regardless of the type of shielding devices that may be employed. Accordingly, Fig. 1 illustrates a lighting installation in which door assembly 165 has a glass panel 166 positioned below lamps 95; and Fig. 2 illustrates a lighting installation in which shielding device. 167 has a louver construction comprising a plurality of spaced parallel rows of intersecting plates 168 positioned below lamps 95.

As can readily be appreciated under present day transportation conditions, considerable difficulty has been encountered in shipping the glass for the glass shielding device assembled in its frame such as glass 166 without entailing considerable breakage. Also it is found to be quite diflicult to satisfactorily package a completed shielding device 165 and that in general it is far preferable from a breakage standpoint to ship glass 166 as a separately wrapped item or in bulk. Accordingly a shielding device 165 constructed in accordance with the principles of our invention permits glass panels 166 to be separately wrapped or in bulk and shipped. Since the frames are shipped independently, it is the purpose of our invention in order to minimize shipping and handling costs to provide a collapsible frame which may readily be assembled in the, field. As more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the frame for a door 165 comprises two side members 175 each adapted to be secured at each of its ends to channel-shaped end members 170, which have an upwardly extending outer flange 171 and a shorter upwardly extending inner flange 172. End members170 are formed so that angularly extending arm portions In order to provide an edge against which glass 166 may be positioned within end members 170, an Lashaped support 174 is longitudinally positioned between flanges 171 and 172 and arms 173 so that its upwardly extending arm engages the end edge of glass 166 and which is secured to the bottom portion of end members 170 by any suitable means such as spot welding. Side members 175 are positioned with respect to each end member 170 and suitably secured thereto by positioning means comprising l..- shaped clips 176 which are secured to each arm 173 of each end member 170 by any suitable means such as spot welding. Each clip 176 has integral with its upwardly extending arm at each of its sides bendable end tabs 177 which may be bent with respect to the sides of the upwardly extending arm of clip 176. Side members 175 are irregularly shaped and are provided with a slot 179 at each of their ends which are adapted to closely slidably fit over clips 176 and tabs 177 which are initially formed to be at right angles to the upwardly extending portions of clips 176. The side members 175 then can rest against the bottom portion of each arm 173. of each end member 170. Having placed side members 175 Within arms 173 7 of end members 170 thereby forming a rectangular frame, tabs 177 may be bent outwardly to extend over and intimately engage side members 175 to securely fasten them to the end members 170. It will be noted that each side member 175 is also provided with an outer upwardly extending flange 181 which rests in juxtaposition with outer flange 171 of end members 170, thereby positioning the side members175 in end members 170. Side members 175 are also provided with a longitudinal inwardly facing integral U-shaped portion 181 in which glass panel 166 is positioned at each of its sides along its entire length. When necessary, an approximately I-shaped cross brace 182 having the same cross section as end members 170 at its outer arms 1533, and with a channel shaped central cross portion 184 may be provided beneath the glass panel 166 to obtain additional central bracing for the luminaire door frame in long luminaire shielding devices and to cover the mating edges of glass panels 166 when arranged in tandem Within the frame. Cross brace 182 is also provided with a clip 213 similar to clips 176, and tabs 214 similar to tabs 177 which extend through additional slots 179 in side members 175 and may be secured to side members 175 in the manner heretofore discussed. It will be noted that by this construction a luminaire shielding device frame may be easily assembled in the field without any loose parts or hardware. It is of course obvious that the glass panel 166 must be first positioned within U-shaped portions 181 of side members 175 before the assembly of the luminaire shielding device 165 is completed.

It will be noted that a shielding device frame constructed as heretofore explained is quite rigid. Side members 175 are rolled to feasible commercial tolerances so that they are securely positioned between flanges 171 and 172 of extending arms 173 of end members 170. Also as clips 176 are rectangular and slots 179 closely fit over clips 176 the side members 175 are prevented from rocking with relationship to end members 170. Finally in order to obtain a rigid frame, tabs 177 are frictionally engaged with side members 175 which forces side members 175 into engagement with the central portion of arms 173 of end members 170. As tabs 177 are fabricated from a relatively light gauge sheet metal it will be realized that the tabs 177 will tend to toe-in when bent thereby obtaining additional engagement with side members 175. In order to facilitate the movement of tabs 177 over side members 175, tabs 177 are tapered toward their bight portion.

As has been indicated, one of the purposes of our invention is to provide novel means for positioning and latching both glass and louver type of luminaire shielding devices to various types of body members 20. Figs. p

and 6 illustrate a louver type of shielding device 167 which comprises a frame having a latticework of sheet metal plates 168 arranged therein. vided at their outermost edges with a projection 187 having a notch 188 therein which is adapted to be positioned over an upwardly extending inner flange of a channel shaped side member 190 or a channel shaped end member 189. The louvered type of shielding device construction is usually prefabricated at the factory and joined together to form a rigid shielding device by any satisfactory means such as resistance welding. As more clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7, side members 190 are provided with slots 191 through which an offset stem 192 of an extending T bar 193 may be inserted and secured to side members 190 in any suitable manner, such as spot welding. T bars 193 are positioned on the side members 190 in a spaced relationship to conform with the spaced relationship of the T slots 162 in the upwardly extending portion 160 of light traps 21 of body members 20 and are adapted to enter the cross portions of slots 162. After T bars 193 have been inserted in T Plates 168 are pro- M slots 162 the entire door 167 may be lowered so that tions 163 of T slots 162 when the luminaire shielding device 167 is in the closed position, or in the slot 164 in the flange 3b of body member 20 when the shielding device 167 is in the open position. It will be observed that the cross bar of T bar 193 engages the upper surface of flange 30 adjacent rectangular slot 164 pivotally to support one side of the luminaire door 167. It will also be noted that the luminaire shielding device 167 may be freely rotatedin the slots 162, 164. When a snap-in type of flange 24 is utilized in body member 20 the shielding device 167 may similarly be positioned and rotated in rectangular slot 169 in flange 24 and T slot 162 in upright portion 169 of body member 20. Since T slots 162 and rectangular slots 164 are located directly opposite each other in opposite light traps 21 of body members 20, and as T bars 193 may be utilized with either shielding device or shielding device 167, either type of shielding device may be 'removably pivotally secured to either side of body member 20.

The other side member of the shielding device 167 is provided with a T-shaped latch 194 which engages the T slot 162 on the other upright portion 160 of light trap 21 of body member 20. Although the latch is better shown in Fig. 8, it should be noted that Fig. 8 illustrates a snap-in type of flange 24 rather than a wide flange 30. However, as side members 175 of door 165 have a flat portion 195 similar to thatin side members 191), the same pivotal and latching means may be utilized.

Referring then to Fig. 8, flat portion 195 of shielding device 165 is provided with an integral lance 196 through which the stem portion of a T bar latch 198 may be movably positioned and then bent downward to form a grip 199, whereby the T bar 198 is permanently and slidably positioned in lance 196. Thereafter either shielding device 167 or 165 may be pivoted around its other edge with the latches 198 retracted until the T bar latches 198 are located opposite adjacent slots 162, whereupon they can be manually pushed into slots 162. After T bar latches 198 have been so inserted, the luminaire shielding device may be dropped to permit the stem portion of each T bar 198 to be positioned in the stem portion 163 of its slot 162 to secure the door in closed position. Due to this construction the luminaire shielding device cannot be accidentially removed without first pushing the luminaire door upward until T bar latches 198 clear stem portion 163 of T slots 162 and thereafter retractingthem.

As has been indicated, luminaires constructed in accordance with the principles of our invention may be mounted in parallel or various type intersecting rows or as separate units. Regardless of what particular arrangement or length of luminaires is employed, each body member 20 of such luminaires is provided with means whereby any end of any luminaire may be closed. In order to close such open ends, flared portion 84 of each Wall 22 of body members 20 is provided at each end at its outer edge with a notch 201, with a slot 200 and a hole in juxtaposition with slot 200. A slot 202 is also provided in the bight portion 78 of a body member 20. Slots 200 and 202 and hole juxtaposed with slot 290 are adapted to receive either an and cover, a heat shield (not shown) or a connector 205.

As has also been previously mentioned, it is highly desirable that in any such luminaire installations that such luminaires can be assembled in end to end relationship whereby a continuous row of lighting fixtures can be attained. The lower portion of each luminaire is fixedly positioned with reference to each other by means of a channel shaped connector 205 which is provided at each of its ends with upwardly extending plates having at each of its sides outwardly extending tabs 208 to engage slots 20% of adjacent body members 20 at each of its sides. Connector 205 may then be secured to each bgdy member by any suitable means such as sheet metal screws extending through slots 209 therein in and engaging holes 201 in adjacent body members 20.

The particular construction of some of the members described herein and the method they may be supported by do not constitute a part of our invention. Such features have been more particularly described and claimed in the copending application Serial No. 348,674 entitled Luminaire, filed concurrently herewith, of Nick Stufier and F. C. Winkler, which has been assigned to the same assignee as our invention. Accordingly for a more complete description of such features the above-identified application should be referred to.

Although we have shown and described one particular line of luminaires which incorporate the various features of our invention, in accordance with the patent statutes, we are aware that other modifications may asily be made without departing from the scope of our L invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. A luminaire comprising, an inverted trough-shaped body member having downwardly extending side walls, said side walls being formed along their entire length at their lower edge with an approximately vertical portion with each having at least a pair of spaced T-shaped openings therethrough, a shielding device having at least a pair of projecting correspondingly spaced T-shaped members at one side having the outer cross portions thereof of a size to be insertable through the cross por tions of said T-shaped openings on either of said side walls and having the stem portions of said T-shaped members extending through the stem portions of said T-shaped openings in one of said side walls, whereby said shielding device is pivotally supported by one of said side walls, and latching means mounted on said shielding device at the other side thereof for movement in the plane of said shielding device to and from projecting positions with respect to said one side of the shielding device for engagement and disengagement in the T-shaped openings on the other of said side walls, whereby said shielding device may be releasably secured between said side walls in the closed position.

2. A luminaire comprising, an inverted trough-shaped body member having downwardly extending side walls, said side walls being formed along their entire length with an approximately vertical portion with each having at least a pair of spaced T-shaped openings therethrough, a shielding device having at least a pair of projecting correspondingly spaced T-shapcd members at one side thereof having the outer cross portions of a size to be insertable into the T-shaped openings on either of said side walls and having the stem portions of said T-shaped members extending through the stem portions of said T- shaped openings, whereby said shielding device is pivotally supported by one of said side walls, T-shaped latching means slidably mounted on the other side of said shielding device for movement to and from a projecting position and having outer cross portions of a size to be insertable into the cross portion of said T-shaped openings on the other of said side walls so that the stem portions of said latching means extends through the stem portions of said T-shaped openings, whereby said shielding device may be releasably secured between said side walls in the closed position.

3. A luminaire comprising an inverted trough-shaped body member having downwardly extending side walls, each of said side walls having at least a pair of longitudinally spaced formed openings therein adjacent their lower edge, each of said openings comprising an upper enlarged portion and a downwardly extending narrower portion, a shielding device including a frame formed of side and end members which are channel-shaped in cross section, one of said side members having at least a pair of correspondingly spaced support members having their inner ends secured to said one side member within its channel and extending through openings in said one side member with their outer ends projecting therefrom and each terminating in an enlarged outer end, said enlarged outer ends being of a size to be insertable within said enlarged portions of said openings, respectively, in either of said side walls with said outwardly projecting arms extending through said narrower portions, whereby said shielding device is pivotally supported by one of said side walls, the other side member of said shielding device frame having its bight portion lanced outwardly at corresponding longitudinally spaced points, latch members slidably mounted in said lances for movement to and from a projecting position relative to said other side members for selective engagement with the openings in the other of said side walls.

4. A luminaire comprising, an inverted trough-shaped body member having downwardly extending side walls, said side walls being formed along their entire length at their lower edge with a longitudinal approximately vertical portion with each having at least a pair of spaced T-shaped openings therethrough, a shielding device located between said portions of the aforesaid side walls and having at one side thereof a pair of rigid outwardly projecting correspondingly spaced T-shaped members rigidly secured to said one side and having the stem portions thereof extending into the stern portions of said openings, respectively, from the inner side of one of said side walls with the outer cross portions thereof located at the outer side of said one side wall and of a size to be removable and insertable through the cross portions of said T-shaped openings from the inner side thereof by lifting said one side of the shielding device at a partially open position thereof to bring the cross portions of said T-shaped members into alignment with the cross portions of the openings in which they are located and thereafter moving the shielding device sideways away from said one side wall to move the cross portions of said T-shaped members through the cross portions of said T-shaped openings, whereby said shielding device is removably pivotally supported by one of said side walls, and means mounted on the other side of said shielding device for movement into and out of the openings in the other of said side walls for releasably securing said shielding device to the other side wall of said body member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 782,495 Eichfeld Feb. 14, 1905 1,265,990 Benner May 14, 1918 1,799,304 Logan Apr. 7, 1931 1,869,823 Reader Aug. 2, 1932 1,928,009 Dornier Sept. 26, 1933 2,157,104 Anderson May 9, 1939 2,189,216 Mathias Feb. 6, 1940 2,234,043 Dworetz Mar. 4, 1941 2,291,494 Lorenz July 28, 1942 2,305,015 Langer Dec. 15, 1942 2,327,552 Poehling Aug. 24, 1943 2,516,660 Versen July 25, 1950 2,555,204 Sorrell May 29, 1951 2,564,373 Potter Aug. 14, 1951 2,638,640 Ballard May 19, 1953 2,646,498 Marchisio July 21, 1953 2,680,805 Macdonald June 8, 1954 2,712,594 Zingone July 5, 1955, 2,724,047 Zurawski No 15, 1955

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