US3473016A - Lighting fixtures - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 14, 1969 s. E. RoBlNsoN LIGHTING FIXTURES Filed Jan. 1s, 1967 7 Sheets-Sheet l 4 T TOP/iff Oct. 14, 1969 S. E. ROBINSON LIGHTING FIXTURES 7 Sheets-Sheet Filed Jan. 18, 1967 Oct. 14, 1969 s. E. ROBINSON 3,473,016

LIGHTING FIXTURES Filerd Jan. 18. 1967 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 s. E. ROBINSON LIGHTING FIXTURES Oct. 14, 1969 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed..l Jan. 18, 1967 Oct. 14, 1969 s. E. ROBINSON LIGHTING FIXTURES 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 18. 1967 4 rraeA/EX Oct. 14, 1969 s. E. RoBINsoN 3,473v015 LIGHTING FIXTURES.

Filed Jan. 18, 1967 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 oct. 14,1969 s. E. RcBlNSQN 3,473wo16 LIGHTING FIXTURES Filed Jan. 18, 1967 7 Sheets-Sheet 256 Zik; :M 232%/ 2504 69;# 60:/ f f l 254 if# /5-4 24a FIG. I7

FIG. I8

BY f6 United States Patent O 3,473,016 LIGHTING FIXTURES Stuart E. Robinson, Baldwin, N.Y., assignor to Kenbert Lighting Industries, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 18, 1967, Ser. No. 610,122 Int. Cl. Hb 33/02 U.S. Cl. 24U-51.11 28 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A lighting fixture having an upper section for mount-ing the fluorescent lamps and a lower section for mounting the light diffusing panel. The lower section is releasably hinged to the underside of the upper section and a releasable latch is provided to retain the sections in closed condition, Upon release of the latch, the lower section may be swung down relative to the upper section and upon release of the releasable hinge, the lower section may be entirely separated from the upper section.

This invention relates to lighting fixtures.

An object of this invention is to provide a ceiling lighting fixture of the character described comprising a top section carrying lamps, to which a lower section carrying light diffusing means is removably hinged adjacent tho ceiling line, said lower sect-ion being held in closed position against the top housing section by a releasable latch which when released allows said lower section to be swung down to allow easy access to the interior of both sections.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lighting fixture of the character described in which the lower section can be easily removed, from the top housing section, once the lower section has been unlatched and swung down with respect to the top section.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a :fixture of the character described in which the hinge for the lower section is so constructed as to provide removability of the lower section at the hinge.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a fixture of the character described in which the lower section can be easily removed and another one snapped in its place.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fixture of the character described in which the top section comprises a pair of end members, interconnected by top cover plates for the lamps, and in which the lower housing section comprises interconnected end members, and said end members of the lower section carrying decorative panel means or light diifusers.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a fixture of the character described in which said decorative panel and diffuser means may comprise interchangeable bottom and side panels on the lower section.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a fixture of the character described in which the end members of said top and lower housing sections, intent, and in 4which each pair of end members may be identical so that either one of the pair may be used at either end.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a strong and durable lighting fixture of the character described which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble and mount and which shall yet be attractive in appearance and practical and eflicient to a high degree.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement 3,473,016 Patented Oct. 14, 1969 ICC of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention -will be ind-icated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which are shown various illustrative embodiments of this: invention,

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a light-ing fixture embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2 2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view take-n on line 3--3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the fixture of FIG. 1, with the lower casing section partially swung open;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6 6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional `view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional -view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 9*-9 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10a is a cross-sectional view taken on line 10a- 10a of FIG. 10;

FIG. 1l is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating a three lamp construction with modified casing construction;

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view taken on line 12--12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating a further modified construction of the casing;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken on yline 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational View of a lighting fixture embodying -a still further modified construction;

FIG 16 is a top view in the plane of lines 16-16 of FIG. 15, with parts rbroken away and in cross-section;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 17-17 of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 18-18 of FIG. 17.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, 10 designates a ceiling lighting fixture embodying the invention iattached to a ceiling `11. Said fixture 10 comprises a to-p section 12 to which a lower section 13 is removably hinged by means hereinafter described.

The top section 12 comprises a pair of end plates or members 14 which may be cast or Imolded from the same die or mold. End plates 14 each comprises a fiat end wall 15 having a top horizontal edge 16 contacting the ceiling 11 and end edges 17 from which extend downwardly converging edges `18 meeting at a central apex 18a. Integrally formed with each side wall 15 are four spaced horizontal inwardly extending lugs `19 each lformed with a slot 20 to provide a pair of lingers 21. The four lugs 19 are arranged symmetrically relative to a vertical plane through the apex 18 and at right angles to wall 15. Each end plate 14 is symmetrical relative to such a plane, so that vthe plates can Ibe used lfor either end of the fixture.

Extending inwardly from wall 15 is a horizontal ledge .23 -disposed just above lugs 19 and at tcp edge 16, and formed with a pair of inner notches 24 and a pair of outer notches `24, to expose slots 20 and fingers 21 of lugs 19.

Resting on 4the inner lugs 19, is a -longitudinal ballast cover member 26 having a top wall 27 `from which project downwardly zig-zag shaped walls 28 including downwardly converging flanges 29 reclined between downwardly converging pairs of lugs 30, 31 projecting inwardly from wall 15. Top wall 27 is formed with openings 27a through which extend headed screws 32, the shanks of which cut screw grooves at the inner sides of fingers 21, to attach cover 26 to 'the end plates 14 and thereby interconnect said plates.

Cover plates 33 for fluorescent lamps 34, have top wa-ll portions 35 resting on the outer lugs 19 and `formed with openings 35a to receive screw shanks of headed screws 36 which cut screw grooves in the inner sides of fingers 21 of said lugs.

Extending down `from top wall portions 35 are intermediate Wall portions 37 from the lower ends of which extend inwardly, wall portions 38 projecting to the zig-zag shaped walls 28 of cover 26. Said covers 33 -thus also serve to interconnect the end plates 14.

Integrally formed with each plate 14 adjacent each end edge 17 and close to top edge 16, is a cylindrical socket or bearing 40 for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Also projecting inwardly `from each wall 15 on the outer side of each pair of lugs 30, 31, are four pins 41 arranged in corners of a rectangle and a pin 42 spaced centrally therebelow. Centrally of the pins 41 is a socketed tube 43.

The fluorescent lamps 34 are mounted on and between pins 41, 42, 43 in the usual manner.

Side knock outs 44 are cast with plates 14, as well as a central knock out 45. The knock outs 44 may be knocked out for use in continuous run mounting for alignment by insertion of screws and nuts. The knock ou-t 45 may be knocked out for electrical connection with nipple protective device.

Also integrally formed with each wall 15 are keeper ribs 46 located parallel to edges y18 and spaced therefrom. Each rib 46 has an upturned keeper lip 47 at its `outer end. Integrally formed with ribs 46 are downwardly extending tongues 48 parallelly spaced from wall 15 and extending below edges 18.

The usual ballast 50 is attached to the underside of wall 27 of cover 26 by means of bolts 51 extend-ing through ears 52 on the ballast.

Wiring 52a lfrom the ballast and adaptors or end sockets 53 for the llamps 34 may be held against wall 27 by spring strips 54, the ends of which catch in zig-Zag wall portions 28. Members 53 may be attached to end plates 14 by screws 53a passing through tubes 43 integrally formed with said end plates.

The bottom section 13 of the casing comprises -a pair of end members 60 interconnected to each other and interfitting with end members 14, in the manner hereinafter appearing. Said members 60 are yalso identical, being made from the same die or mold and are symmetrical about a vertical plane at right angles therethrough at the middle thereof. With such construction each member 60 may be used for either end of the lower section 13 of the fixture I10.

Each member 60 comprises an outer vertical wa-ll 61 from the lower end of which extends inwardly a bottom ange 62 and from the sides of which extend inwardly, side flanges 63. When members 14, 60 are closed together, walls 15 are in the plane of walls l61. Wall 61 is formed with outer Idownwardly converging shoulder-s 64 against which edges 18 rest `when the fixture is closed. Extending inwardly and upwardly from wall 61 is a flange or lip 65 engaging the inner side of the lower ledge portions of wall 15. Said anges 65 have downwardly converging upper edges 66 parallel to shoulders 64.

Integrally -formed with wall 61 are a pair of ribs 67 extending inwardly of said wal-l in spaced parallel relationship to flanges 63.

Integrally formed with flange 65 and offset somewhat inwardly therefrom are vertical walls 68 extending to flanges 63 which rise above wall 61. Offset inwardly from each wall 68 is a vertical wall 69 which projects down below lian-ge 65 and has 'at its lower end a socket 70. Extending inwardly lfrom the upper end of each wall 69 are a pair of opposed, similar, part-circular portions 71 forming diame-tr-ically opposed slots 72 therebetween. Strengthening ribs 71a may extend from said partcircular portions 71. Extending inwardly `from each wall 68 is a rib 73 parallel to `flange 63 and in alignment with rib 67.

Wall 61 is also provided with integral sockets 75 disposed below sockets 70 |and yspaced `inwardly therefrom, vand with pins 76 disposed below flange 65 and inwardly of sockets 75, in a direction toward t-he middle of member 60. Integnally formed with wall l60 are a pair of spacing boses 77 extending up from bottom flange 62.

Integrally -formed with flange 65 is a central upwardly extending wall 80 offset inwardly from said flange and projecting above said flange.

Wall 80 has a curved upper edge 81. At the end of the curved edge 81 are thickened bosses 82 from which project inwardly a pair of spaced lugs 83, 84 and another lug 85 spaced from lug 84 and aligned therewith on an inclined line. Strengthening ribs 80a may extend from the inner surface of wall 80 to the bosses 82.

An undercover 83a for the ballast, of curved transverse cross-section has upwardly inclined sides 84 passing between spaced lugs 83, 84 and resting on lugs 85. Bosses 82 are hollow at their outer sides, as shown at 82a. Said bosses are formed with openings 87. Screws 88 have heads 89 within the hollow bosses, and Shanks passing through openings 87. The shanks of said screws engage alternately oppositely pressed, semi-circular portions 90, 91 of plate 83a and cut threaded grooves therein for attaching said plate to said members 60 to interconnect said members.

Said plate underlies the ballast 50 as shown in the drawing.

Means is provided to releasably hinge plates 14 to members 60. To this end there is assembled with one of the pair of opposed curved walls 71, a releasable hinge member 95 (FIGS. l0, 10a). Member 95 comprises a hub portion 96 disposed between said curved walls 71. Extending from hub 96 is a rib 97 slidable in one slot 72, and a rib 98 slidable in the other slot 72. Hub 96 rests in wall 69. Extending from the inner ends of ribs 97, 98 are radial handles 97a, 98a. Extending from rib 98 is an arm 99 from which extends outwardly a horizontal pin 100 projecting into socket 40 of member 14. Fitted over the outer edges of curved walls 71 is a Tinnerman fitting 103 which has a top wall 103e parallel to hub 96, and from which top wall there extends part cylindrical walls 104 extending down over the outer surfaces of said curved walls 71. Walls 104 carry prongs which dig into the walls 71 to hold the fitting 103 in place. Between hub 96 and top wall 103e is placed a coil compression spring 105.

Thus member 60 may be swung down to pivot about the axis of pin 100. However, by engaging handles 97a, 98a and moving members 95 simultaneously away from walls 69 (or inwardly toward each other), pins 100 will come out of sockets 40 so as to disconnect and separate the upper and lower sections of the fixture.

Means is provided to releasably latch said sections 12, 13 in closed condition.

It will be noted that hinges 95 are applied only to the sides of the fixture where the hinge is to be located. Screwed into sockets 75 at opposite sides of the fixture, are screws (FIG. 8). The sockets 75 each comprises a base hub 75a having an outer annular shoulder 75b and from which hub 75e` extends. A washer 111 is held against hub 75C by the head of screw 110. Rotatably mounted on hub 75C is a latch 112. Latch 112 projects up above edge 66 and has a hooked upper end 112:1 adapted to engage over keeper lip 47 on rib 46. On hub 75 is a coil portion 114 of a torsion spring 115.1 Said spring has an arm 116 engaging the inner side of thickened rib 69, and a second arm 117 having a finger 118 passing into a hole 119 in said latch. Spring 115 thus tends to urge the latch into latching engagement with lip 47.

Pin 76 contacts one edge of latch 112 to limit its rotation by spring 115 in one direction. Latch 112 may be retracted to release lip 47 by means of a rod 120 hinged to latch 112 at a side thereof opposite the side which latches, as at 121. Thus latch 112 is a lever with a latching arm on one side of its rotary axis and a releasable arm on the other side of said axis. Rod 128 passes through an opening 123 in flange 63. By pressing on both rods 120 simultaneously, both the latches are released at the same time, and the lower fixture section 13 will swing down. Thereafter members 95 may be retracted to entirely remove the lower section 13 from the upper section 12.

Side panels 130 may be mounted on the members 68 of the lower section 12. Panel 130 may be made of aluminum -or plastic. Each comprises a side wall 131 from the lower end of which extends a flange 132. The ends of -wall 131 fit between ribs 67, 73 and side flanges 63. Flanges 132 rest on the ends of flange 62. Extending from each side wall 131 is a flange 135 disposed parallel to and above flange 132 and forming a channel 136 therewith. At the inner edges of flanges 135 are downwardly extending lips 135a. At the upper end of each side wall 131 is an inwardly curved lip 131:1 disposed about socket 40.

A bottom diffusing and/or decorative panel 150 rests on flanges 62 and has upwardly recessed side flanges 151 projecting into channels 136. Flanges 151 have upwardly turned end beads 152 engaging lips 135e of flanges 135. The ends of panel 150 contact the spacing hubs 77. It Iwill now be understood that the side plates 13) and diffuser panel 150 may be replaced and interchanged to suit decorative requirements.

When the casing `is closed, tongues 48 engage the inner surfaces of flanges 65 to help align sections 12, 13.

The top cover members 25, 26 are attached to the ceiling in any suitable manner (not shown).

In FIGS. 1l and 12 there is shown a lighting fixture a similar to the fixture 1f), except for differences hereinafter noted. Fixture 18a has three fluorescent lamps 34a instead of two lamps 34, as in fixture 16. Hence the pins 41, 42 are repeated at the middle of the end plates 14a for the upper fixture section 12a. End members or plates 14a, 68a of sections 12a, 13a, are similar to end plates 14, 60 of sections 12, 13 except as described hereinafter.

The releasable hinge means and the latch means for both fixtures 10 and 10a are identical. In fixture 18a,

however, the lower cover plate 83a is not used so that light from the center lamp 34a may go down. Also, in fixture 10a, the ballast 160 is placed above the upper section, in a casing 161 that has upwardly and inwardly inclined wall portions 162 and a center top wall portion 163. Attached to the underside of top wall 163 as by bolts 164 is a center casing section 165 having a top wall 166 from the sides of which extend downwardly, side walls 167. Extending outwardly from the lower ends of side walls 167 are horizontal walls 168 located substantially in the plane of the tops of end plates 14a. Flanges 169 converge downwardly from the outer ends of Walls 168.

Attached to a pair of center lugs 19 by screws 170, is a top cover plate 171 to the underside of which is fixed a cover 172 for the center lamp 34a.

A pair of cover plates 173 are attached to the outer lugs 19, by screws and these cover the outer two lamps 34a.

End plates or members 60a of the lower section 13a of fixture 10a, have triangular shaped thickened inwardly extending portions 180. Said portions 180 have angular edges 181, 182. -End plates 60a have ribs 183 parallel to edges 181. The lower ends of triangular thickened portions 180 merge with a bottom flange 184 similar to flange 62. End plates 60a also are formed with ribs 185 parallel to edges 182. A bottom diffusing plate 186,

6 which may be similar to diffusing plate 150, rests on flanges 184.

Mounted between end plates 60a, at the sides of the fixture, are decorative and/or diffusing panels or plates 190. The ends of plates are received between ribs 183 and edges 181. At the lower ends of plates 190 are flanges 191 resting on flanges 184. Extending from plates 190 are flanges 192 extending inwardly, above plate 186.

Side plates 195 have their ends received between ribs 155 and edges 182. Plates 195 (as well as plates 190) may be made of plastic or metal or other suitable material and may have decorative as well as light diffusing properties.

Plates 195 have inwardly opening channels 196 receiving a lip 197 on plate 190. Also plate 195 may have lips 199, 200 forming part-circular openings to receive horizontal screws 201 for attaching the end. plates 60a together.

In FIGS. 13, 14 there is shown a lighting fixture 10b similar to fixtures 10, 10a, except as hereinafter described. Fixture 10b may be a two lamp fixture, same as fixture 10, with similar releasable hinge and latching means. Fixture 10b differs in the design of its sides, as shown in FIGS. 13, 14. In fixture 10b, the lower section has end plates 60b which differ from end plates 60a of fixture 10a in that the triangular raised portitons 180 are replaced by raised portions 210 having intermediate vertical inner edges 211 from the upper ends of which extend horizontal under-edges 212. From the ends of edges 212 extend outwardly and upwardly inclined edges 213. Extending from the lower ends of edges 211 are horizontal edges 214, from the outer ends of which extend downwardly and outwardly, inclined edges 215.

At the sides of the fixture 10b are side panels 220 having vertical wall portions 221 contacting inner edges 211. Extending from wall portions 221 are portions 222, 223 contacting edges 212, 214, respectively. .At the ends of wall portions 222, 223 are bent back inwardly opening channel portions 222e, 223a respectively. Panel 220 may be made of plastic, metal or other suitable decorative `and/ or diffusing material.

A second panel 30 is inserted between end plates 60h. Panels 230 each has a wall 231 located at the inner side of edges 215 and a flange extending therefrom contacting the ends of bottom flanges 232 on the end plates, similar to flange 184 of end plates 60a. Extending inwardly from each wall 231 is a flange 233 overlying a bottom diffusing plate 234 similar to diffusing plate 186 of fixture 10a. At the upper end of wall 231 is a channel 235 interfilled or telescoped with channel 223a.

A third side panel 240 extends between. end plates 6017. Panel 240 has a wall 241 lying against inner edges 213. At the lower end of wall 241 is a channel 242 interfitting or telescoping with channel 222a. At the upper end of wall 241 is a rolled over flange 245 disposed about pin sockets 40b which correspond to sockets 40` of fixture 10. The end plates 6019 are interconnected by the undercover 83a, same as in fixture 10; and the plates 14b which correspond to plates 14 of fixture 10, are interconnected by the top covers 25, 27.

In FIGS. 15, 16, 17, 18 there is shown a fixture 10c embodying a still further modified form of the invention. The releasing hinge means and latch means of this fixture are same as in the others described herein.

The end plates 60e` have bottom flanges 240 and side fla-nges 241 which extend from vertical walls 242 (which corresponds to walls 61 of end plate 60). End plates 60C have portions 69a similar to portions 69 of plates 60'. Attached to said portions 69a are adapter members 243. Said members 243 each comprises a flat Wall 244 lying flat against portion 69a and is formed with an opening 245 receiving a screw 246 extending through portion 69e corresponding to portion 69 of fixture 10. Said flat wall 244 is also formed with an opening 247 through which passes tube 248 corresponding to tube 75e of fixture 10.

Extending outwardly from wall 244 are ilanges 250, 251 located above and below wall 244, respectively, and disposed at right angles to said wall. Extending from said anges 250, 251 are wings 25051, 251a, respectively disposed above and below wall 244, for the purpose hereinafter appearing. End plates 60e are interconnected by a pair of lower connecting members 254, and a pair of upper connecting members 255.

Lower connecting members 254 each has a wall 254:1 contacting the lower end of flange 241. Extending from the lower end of wall 254a is a flange 254b lying on ange 240. Extending from wall 254a is a ange 254C overlying a bottom diffusing panel 256 resting on anges 240 and between walls 254:1. Extending up from tlange 254C is a web 254d from which extends upwardly, an upwardly opening channel 254e receiving the wing 2510. The side walls of channel 254e are pinched together as at 257 to grip said wing.

Member 254 may `be made of metal. Its connection to members 243 interconnects the end plates 66C.

Members 255 each has a wall 255:1 contacting the inner surface or side of flange 241. It is provided with a downwardly opening channel 25517 receiving Wing M and is pinched thereto as at 258. Member 255 has a ledge 255d extending outwardly from channel 255b. Member 254 has a ledge 254]c extending outwardly from channel 254e.

Side panels 260 are intertted between members 254, 255 at the sides of the fixture. Panels 260 may be of plastic or metal, and may be decorative and/ or diffusing in character. Panel 260 has an inwardly extending upper lip 260g resting on ledge or lip 255:1, and an inwardly extending lower lip 260'b resting on iiange 254C or disposed below ledge 254f.

Plate 60C has ribs 261, 262 parallel to and spaced from flanges 241. Panels 260 are disposed between said ribs and said flanges 241.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an apparatus, and article in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

'I claim:

1. A lighting xture comprising an upper section, lamp means mounted therein, a lower section, releasable hinge means to hinge the lower section to the underside of the upper section, and releasable latch means to retain said sections in closed condition, whereby upon release of said latch means, the lower section may be swung down relative to the upper section, and upon release of said releasable hinge means, said lower section may be entirely separated from said upper section, said upper section comprising end members, means interconnecting said end members, said lower section comprising end members complementary to and intertting with said end members of said upper section, and means to interconnect said end members of said lower section, said means to interconnect the end members of said upper section comprising a longitudinal plate, said end members of said upper section being provided with lugs, said plate resting on said lugs, and means to attach said lugs to the ends of said longitudinal plate.

2. The combination of claim 1, said means interconnecting said end members of said upper section comprising means to cover said lamp means.

3. The combination of claim 2, a ballast mounted in said upper section, and said means interconnecting said end members of said lower section, comprising means on said lower section to undercover said ballast when said sections are closed.

4. The combination of claim 1, said longitudinal plate having inclined flanges, and said end members of said upper section having pairs of integral spaced pins receiving said flanges therebetween.

5. The combination of claim 2, said lamp means comprising side lamps and a center lamp extending longitudinally between said end members of said upper section, cover means over said lamps, and a ballast mounted on said upper section and above said cover means, and means on said upper section to enclose said ballast.

6. The combination of claim 1, said releasable hinge means being located adjacent the ends of the upper section and adjacent the top of said upper section.

7. A lighting fixture comprising an upper section, lamp means mounted therein, a lower section, releasable hinge means to hinge the lower section to the underside of the upper section, and releasable latch means to retain said sections in closed condition, Iwhereby upon release of said latch means, the lower section may be swung down relative to the upper section, and upon release of said releasable hinge means, said lower section may be entirely separated from said upper section, said upper section comprising end members, means interconnecting said end members, said lower section comprising end members complementary to and intertting with said end members of said upper section, and means to interconnect said end members of said lower section, said means interconnecting said end members of said upper section comprising means to cover said lamp means, a ballast mounted in said upper section, and said means interconnecting said end members of said lower section, comprising means on said lower section to undercover said ballast when said sections are closed, said undercover means comprising a longitudinal plate, and pairs of spaced pins on said end members of said lower section receiving end portions of said undercover plate therebetween.

8. The combination of claim '7, said undercover plate having at each end, longitudinally aligned, alternating oppositely extending semicircular portions, and screw means extending through said end members of said lower section and passing axially through said semicircular portions, to interconnect said undercover plate to said end members of said lower section.

9. A lighting xture comprising an upper section, lamp means mounted therein, a lower section, releasable hinge means to hinge the lower section to the underside of the upper section, and releasable latch means to retain said sections in closed condition, whereby upon release of said latch means, the lower section may be swung down relative to the upper section, and `upon release of said releasable hinge means, said lower section may be entirely separated from said upper section, said upper section comprising end members, means interconnecting said end members, said lower section comprising end members complementary to and intertting with said end members of said upper section, and means to interconnect said end members of said lower section, said releasable hinge means comprising aligned sockets in said end members of said upper section, and spring pressed members slidably mounted on said end members of said lower section and having pins rotatably received in said sockets, and said spring pressed members being slidably movable to withdraw said pins thereon from said sockets.

10. The combination of claim 9, said latch means comprising latches p-ivoted to said lower section, means on said latches to engage keeper means on said end members of said upper section, spring means to keep said latches in keeper means engaging positions, and manually actuable means extending to the outside of said lower section, to retract said latches from said keeper means.

11. A lighting fixture comprising an upper section, lamp means mounted therein, a lower section, releasable hinge means to hinge the lower section to the underside of the upper section, and releasable latch means to retain said sections in closed condition, whereby upon release of said latch means, the lower section may be swung down relative to the upper section, and upon release of said releaslable hinge means, said lower section may be entirely separated from said upper section, said upper section comprising end members, means interconnecting said end members, said lower section comprising end members complementary to and intertting with said end members of said upper section, and means to interconnect said end members of said lower section, said interconnecting means for the end members of said lower section comprising longitudinal `members interconnecting the upper and lower ends of said end members and enclosing means comprising side and bottom panels supported by said longitudinal members.

12. The combination of claim 11, said longitudinal members having channels, and means attached to said end members and having portions received in said channels, and affixed to said longitudinal members within said channels.

13. A lighting fixture comprising an upper section, lamp means mounted therein, a lower section, hinge means to hinge the lower section to the undesired of the upper sec tion, and releasable latch means to retain said sections in closed condition, whereby -upon release of said latch means, the lower section may be swung open about said hinge means relative to said upper section, said upper section comprising end members, means interconnecting said end members, said lower section comprising end members complementary to and intertting with said end members of said upper section, and means to interconnect said end members of said lower section, said means to interconnect the end members of said section comprising a longitudinal plate, said end members of said upper section being provided with lugs, said plate resting on said lugs, and means to attach said lugs to the ends of said longitudinal plate, and light diffusing means at the bottom and sides of the lower section enclosing the bottom and sides of the fixture.

14. The combination of claim 13, said enclosing means being mounted on and between said end members of said lower section.

15. The combination of claim 14, said end members of said lower section having integral bottom and side anges to support said enclosing means.

16. The combination of claim 13, the end members of said upper and lower sections having abutting portions, and the end members of one of said sections having means overlapping the end members of said other section.

17. The combination of claim 13, said end members of each section being identical to each other and each of said end members being symmetrical about a plane at right angles to said member and passing through the middle of said member.

18. The combination of claim 13, said enclosing means comprising light diusing side panels, a light diiusing bottom panel, and said side and bottom panels having longitudinal interengaging means.

19. The combination of claim 18, and the end members of said lower section having means engaging the outer surfaces of said end panels and means engaging the underside of said bottom panel.

20. The combination of claim 13, said enclosing means being removably and replaceably mounted on said lower section.

21. The combination of claim 13, said enclosing means comprising `a light diffusing bottom panel and one or more light diffusing side panels.

22. The combination of claim 13, said enclosing means including a plurality of pairs of light diffusing side panels, each pair having interengaging edge portions.

23. The combination of claim 22, and a bottom panel having edge portions interengaging with one of each of said pairs of side panels.

24. The combination of claim 13, said longitudinal plate interconnecting the end members of said upper section, overlying said lamp means.

25. The combination of claim 24, a ballast mounted in said upper section, and said means interconnecting said end `members of said lower section, comprising means on said lower section to undercover said ballast when said sections are closed.

26. The combination of claim 13, said end members of said upper section being provided with inwardly extending lugs.

27. A lighting xture comprising an upper section, lamp means mounted therein, a lower section, releasable hinge means to hinge the lower section to the underside of the upper section, and releasable latch means to retain said sections in closed condition, whereby upon release of said latch means, the lower section may be swung down relative to the upper section, and upon release of said releasable hinge means, said lower section may be entirely separated from said upper section, said] releasable hinge means comprising aligned first bearing elements on one section, and spring pressed members slidably mounted on the other section and having second bearing elements rotatably and slidably engaging said first bearing elements, said spring pressed members being slidably movable to disengage said first bearing elements from said second bearing elements.

28. The combination of claim 27, said latch means comprising latches pivoted to one section, keeper means on the other section, said latches having means to engage said keeper means, and manually actuable means on said one section and extending to the outside of said section to disengage said latches from said keeper means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,567,779 9/ 1951 Mitchell 240-51.l l 2,606,998 8/1952 Winkler et al. 24U-51.11 2,616,027 10/ 1952 Wilman et al. 24U-51.11 2,833,916 5/1958 Foulds 24U-51.11 2,913,575 ll/l959 Lipscomb 24U-51.11 2,926,237 2/ 1960 Sorenson 240--5l.11 3,078,366 2/1963 Winkler 24U-51.11 3,185,835 5/1965 Muller et al. 240-51.l1 3,211,905 10/1965 Picha et al. 240-51.l1

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner R. M. SHEER, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. XR.

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