Means For End-to-end Assembly Of Elongated Fluorescent Lamp Ceiling Fixtures

Abstract

This invention covers latch means for interlocking and aligning of sectional elongated fluorescent lamp fixtures into an assembled long row of ceiling lights. Adjoining fixture sections are aligned and latched together by slight lateral movement of juxtaposed flush endplates which are provided with interengaging projecting loop members and recessed locking tabs.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fluorescent light fixtures are frequently suspended from or mounted on ceilings in long rows, the several sectional fixtures being assembled in end-to-end relation as each one is mounted on the ceiling structure. Difficulty is encountered in manually holding the sections in alignment while they are being attached to the ceiling and to the abutting end of an already mounted section. This invention provides at the adjoining end of each sectional fixture a closure plate having readily manipulated means for locking it to the opposed similar end plate of the contiguous sectional fixture, and thereby providing alignment of the two sectional fixtures prior to permanent mounting on the ceiling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The broad object of the invention is to provide easily manipulated means to hold together the end plates of fixture sections while an elongated fixture assembly is being mounted on a ceiling, which means also aligns the sections.

Specifically, the invention provides closure plates on the adjoining ends of fixture sections which are to be assembled in a line on a ceiling, which closure plates are each provided with a recessed locking tab and a projecting loop member, both of which are disposed to engage a similar tab and a similar loop member of a juxtaposed like closure plate of the adjoining sectional fixture when said closure plates are brought together in face-to-face relation and then are moved laterally for a short distance to align the fixture sections and firmly engage the respective tabs in the loops.

The closure plates may also be provided with means for mounting the fluorescent lamp sockets within the fixture sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section showing the joint between the closure plates of adjoining two-lamp fixture sections as indicated by the line 1-1 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a two-lamp fixture looking toward a joint from the position indicated at the line 2-2 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two closure plates in spaced apart face-to-face relation showing their structure and positions prior to actual joining; and

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of a closure plate having mounting tabs for holding four lamp sockets.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, two fixture sections 11 and 12 which are joined through the respective end closure plates 13 and 14, with top plates 15 and enclosing sidewalls 16 indicated, these fixture parts being fastened together by screws 17, or by other assembling means such as welding.

The end closure plates for the sectional fixtures are preferably, but not necessarily, also provided with punched-out tabs 19 for holding fluorescent lamp sockets 20, the tubular lamps being indicated at 21, sockets for two lamps being shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and for four lamps in FIG. 4.

End closure plates 13 and 14 for sectional fixtures, arranged in face-to-face relation but spaced apart to show the interrelation of parts, are shown in FIG. 3. Each closure plate consists of the sheeted body portion 22, which is bordered by a rim 23 on the upper edge and parts of the ends, the enclosing walls of the fixture being attached to said rim by screws 17 in screw holes 24 or alternatively by other attachment means such as welding. The end plates may be provided with other openings, for example a central hole 25 for electric wiring, and punched-out tabs 19 for the mounting of lamp sockets 20.

Adjacent one outer edge of each end plate there is provided a punched-out loop member 27, protruding from the outer or contacting face thereof; and adjacent the opposite edge of the end plate there is provided an opening or cavity 28 for a locking tab 29 which protrudes laterally parallel to the surface of the end plate into the cavity or opening therein. When similar end plates are superimposed on each other in face-to-face relation, the punched-out loop member 27 of each plate may enter the opening or cavity 28 of the other plate, the plates being slightly offset laterally. When one plate is then shifted laterally into edge alignment, the locking tabs 29 respectively enter the loop members 27, thus when the end plates are in edge alignment, they are locked together. When the end plates are in assembly with the other parts of the fixture sections (as shown in FIG. 1) the two sections of the fixture are aligned and ready for attachment to the ceiling or to the fixture-supporting members (not shown).

It will be understood that this joining of the two fixture sections can be readily performed without tools even where, as is usually the case, the work is done from a ladder or scaffolding beneath a high ceiling. This greatly facilitates the installation of long lines of ceiling lights.

Claims

I claim:

1. An elongated multisectional fluorescent lamp fixture comprising fixture sections each having top and sidewalls, and end closure plates, said end closure plates being flush with the sectional fixture walls, and each being provided with a recessed locking tab near one side, and a projecting loop member near the other side, the projecting loop member of a first section being disposed to enter the recess around the locking tab of an adjoining second section, and said projecting loop member of said second section being disposed to enter the recess around the locking tab of said first section when two closure plates are brought into face-to-face relation, said locking tabs being adapted to enter corresponding loops when the two juxtaposed fixture sections are moved laterally into alignment.

2. The sectional fixture defined in claim 1, in which the end closure plates are provided with integral bosses for holding sockets for fluorescent lamps supported in said fixture sections.

3. A closure plate for an inverted troughlike fluorescent lamp fixture section comprising a metal sheet conforming in shape to the cross-sectional outline of said fixture section, said sheet having a flange directed inwardly of said fixture section, said flange being adapted for attachment to the troughlike portion of said fixture section, the said metal sheet being provided near one edge with a locking tab directed into a cutout recess in said plate, and near the opposite edge with a punched-out loop member protruding at right angles outwardly from said sheet, said tab and said loop member being adapted to engage similar but oppositely disposed tab and loop members formed in a closure plate of an adjoining fixture section when disposed in aligned face-to-face relation.

4. The closure plate defined in claim 3 in which integral bosses are provided for holding sockets for fluorescent lamps.