Abstract:
Suspended ceilings of buildings incorporate a T-bar component which is used to provide an integral lighting system. The T-bar component serves as the backbone or a housing member of the lighting fixture as well as an integral part of the suspended ceiling framework.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    (1) Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The invention relates to the use of a T-bar which is an integral part of the lighting fixture as well as an integral part of the suspended ceiling system for a building or the like.  
           [0003]    (2) Brief Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    A suspended ceiling is one which is not directly fixed to the floor or roof structure above it, but, as its name implies, is suspended by means of metal rods and channels which, in turn, are secured to the roof structure by means of a plurality of guide wires. This type of system is most commonly used in commercial/industrial buildings and is sometimes also found in residential construction. Generally speaking, there are three types of suspended ceilings: jointless or flush-finish; modular panel; and strip panel.  
           [0005]    A jointless system is simply the suspended ceiling frame with plaster board or gyp rock secured into the furring channels which are connected and supported by top-cross rails, or T-bars. This system can be altered depending on how many layers of sheeting are provided. The more layers that are placed, the more fire-resistant the system will become.  
           [0006]    The modular panel system has the suspension clips and main runners that are spaced at intervals with cross-runners or T-bars at the same level to provide a grid that modular tiles may be laid into. Most common materials for this system are gypsum board panels, mineral fiber boards, and plastic acoustic tiles.  
           [0007]    The strip panel system consists of narrow strips of pre-formed metal fixed to horizontal carrier rails or T-bars. These panels are then clipped onto the carrier rail and finished with insulation over the top.  
           [0008]    The present invention contemplates use in these, as well as other known suspended ceilings commonly in commercial use.  
           [0009]    Applicant is aware of the following prior references developed in a pre-filing search:  
                                   U.S. Pat. No.   Inventor(s)                   2,888,113   Schwartz, et al.       3,001,001   Bibb       3,504,172   Lieberman       4,230,297   Comer, et al.       4,414,617   Galindo       5,085,392   Perna                  
 
           [0010]    None of the prior art references cited above discloses the incorporation component of a suspended ceiling as an integral component of a lighting fixture system. For example, the &#39;392 patent discloses an apparatus for securing an electrical appliance through the ceiling board itself which is disposed between crossing T-bar members.  
           [0011]    The &#39;297 patent provides a securing system whereby the upper face of a T-bar can be used to attach a device protruding through the lighting fixture housing for securement thereof. The securement device does not form part of the housing, which is only inserted therethrough.  
           [0012]    The &#39;113 patent discloses a fluorescent light tube system formed by a channel member, referred to as “13”, which is traversed at spaced integrals by a series of T-bars 12.  
           [0013]    The &#39;172 patent is a similar disclosure with a ceiling wiring channel for a series of lights  15 .  
           [0014]    The &#39;001 patent discloses a light fixture for suspended grid ceiling which is suspended on one side of a channel member above a T-bar component. The housing, including member  62 , is suspended below the lower face of the T-bar member.  
           [0015]    The &#39;617 patent incorporates the use of a T-bar, such as 36, as part of the housing for a wire system for a track lighting system. The T-bar 36 is not an integral part of the housing for the track light and only serves to carry the electrical conduits in association with the light.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0016]    The present invention provides a lighting fixture incorporating a T-bar component for a suspended ceiling lighting system. The lighting fixture comprises a housing including a T-bar component. Electric light emitting bulb means, such as incandescent, fluorescent, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and the like, are carried within the housing. Reflector and/or refractor means may be provided which are carried by the housing, for redirecting light emitted by the bulb means in at least one direction away from the lighting fixture.  
           [0017]    As used in the specification and in the claims, “reflector” means: a device used to redirect the light from a lamp or luminaire by the process of reflection. “Refractor” means: a device used to redirect the light flow from a source, primarily by bending the waves of light. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical suspended ceiling of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 taken just above a suspended ceiling system for incorporating the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3A is an exterior illustration of one embodiment of the present invention prior to incorporation within a suspended ceiling system.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3B is a perspective illustration of the lighting fixture of the present invention incorporated within a typical suspended ceiling system.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3C is a detailed perspective view of the components the lighting fixture system of  3 A.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view along lines D-D of FIG. 3C.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional, end-perspective view of another embodiment of the lighting fixture of the present invention mounted in the suspended ceiling system.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4B is an enlarged, detailed view of a lighting fixture and system of FIG. 4A.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4C is an isometric view of a lighting fixture of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5A is a schematic illustration of a lighting fixture of the present invention incorporating light-emitting diodes.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 B- 5 B of FIG. 5A.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 6A is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of the lighting fixture of the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along line  6 B- 6 B of FIG. 6A.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6C is a bottom, isometric view, looking upwardly, of the lighting fixture embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration incorporating track lighting into the suspended-ceiling lighting system of the present invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8A is an alternative embodiment of the present invention incorporating light-emitting diodes.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along line  8 B- 8 B of FIG. 8A.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 9A is yet another illustration of an alternate, light-emitting diode design fixture incorporating the present invention.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line  9 B- 9 B of FIG. 9A.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the component parts of yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention incorporating light-emitting diodes.  
         [0038]    [0038]Figure 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line  10 B- 10 B of Figure 10A.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 11A is a perspective illustration of yet another embodiment of the present invention incorporating both a light reflector and a light refractor.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 11A, taken along line  11 B- 11 B of FIG. 11A.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0041]    First referring to FIG. 1, there is shown, in general, a suspended ceiling system (SCS), having a series of light fixtures (LF) incorporated therein.  
         [0042]    The suspended ceiling system (SCS) is shown in more detail in FIG. 2, in which a series of T-bars  10  shown cross-positioned at 90-degree intervals form the system SCS which is suspended from the lower face a permanent ceiling (not shown) by means of metal or other wires ore suspending means W. Typically, each of the T-bars  10  will have a vertical member  10 A which has an upper face  10 B and a lower face  10 C. Positioned at a 90-degree offset relative to the vertical member  10 A and secured to the face  10 C is a vertically similar T-bar member  10 D having upwardly-facing surfaces  10 E and  10 F.  
         [0043]    Now referring to FIG. 3A, the typical apparatus  100  of the present invention will include T-Bar  10  as an integral component of the housing  11  which in the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and  3 C consists of T-bar  10  a refractor or shielding  10 A carried by the T-bar  10  along upper shoulders or faces  10  E and  10  F. (FIG. 2). Channel member  12  is secured on the upper face  10 B (FIG. 2) of the T-bar member  10  for carriage of ballast, wires, and the like, utilized in the particular lighting fixture  100 .  
         [0044]    As shown in FIG. 3B, the suspended ceiling lighting system (SCS) is carried on the T-bar  10  such that the louver shielding and housing components below the T-bar number  10  project below ceiling tiles (CT) which may also be carried within the system SCS from the shoulders or surfaces  10 E and  10 F (FIG. 2) of the T-bars  10 .  
         [0045]    As shown in FIG. 3C, the housing  11  of the suspended ceiling system (SCS) consists of a T-bar  10  to which is mounted a fluorescent or other bulb means  12 C therein having sockets  12 A and  12 B of known design and configuration at each end thereof. Housing  11  also includes a shielding louvered system  10 A having angled side or other walls  10 G and  10 H a series of elongated cross-louvers  101  at various lengths along the members  10 G and  10 H for directing light generated by the fluorescent or other bulb means  12 C away from the suspended ceiling system (SCS).  
         [0046]    Now referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B and  4 C, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the T-bar member  10  actually serves as the upper housing member in the suspended ceiling system (SCS). In this configuration, a fluorescent light bulb  20  is disposed within a lamp socket  21  with end members T 2  forming part of the housing secured to the lower face  10 D of the T-bar  10 . A ballast compartment  23  a selectively openable by a cover or flat  24  which may be carried on the upper-most surface  10 B of T-bar  10 . The suspended ceiling system (SCS) also includes ceiling tiles (CT) which have a bevel CT-1, such as that shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C and which functions as an indirect lighting reflector for light emitted from the bulb  20 . A primary reflective fuser shielding  40  is also carried by ends  12  such that light first directed toward surfaces CT1 of the tiles CT is then secondarily fused or directed to and toward a floor or wall in the room.  
         [0047]    Now referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the suspended ceiling system (SCS) of the present invention may incorporate a series of light-emitting diodes  30  which are carried on lower face  10 C of the T-bar number  10  within a refractor assembly  31 . A driver compartment  32 , a LED driver  33 , of known construction, and cover  34  may be positioned on the upper surface  10 B of the T-bar  10 .  
         [0048]    It will be appreciated that the invention herein is not limited to the use of incandescent, fluorescent or other “bulbs”, but may also be used with any electro-luminescent materials, solar enabled panels or the like, all referred to herein collectively as simply “bulbs”.  
         [0049]    Now referring to FIGS. 6A and 6C, there is shown in FIG. 6A a suspended ceiling system SCS which also includes luminous panels CT which may be made from transparent material with either prismatic facets or a reflective top layer or which may be silk screened to reflect light downward into the room.  
         [0050]    Now referring to FIG. 7, the present invention may incorporate a series of track light elements  50  having a head  51  carrying an extension  42 , and a pivotable light housing assembly  43  at lower-most end thereof. A lighting track  52  having side walls  52 A and  52 B secures track lights  50  as prongs  51 A are compressed slightly into place to snap in or other known positioning means. The prongs  51 Atypically will be spring-biased to urge them to an outwardly-extended position, but may be selectively compressed, just slightly, to be received within the track walls  52 A and  52 B. The walls  52 A and  52 B are joined at their top center or otherwise configured or welded or otherwise joined to the lower face  10 C of the T-bar member  10 .  
         [0051]    Now referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, yet another suspended ceiling system SCS illustrated with light-emitting diodes  30  and shielding system  60  with side shields  61  and  62  (FIG. 8B). Each of the shields  61  and  62  having an end  61 A and  62 A joining the outer housing  63  of the light-emitting diode components  30 . The diodes  30  are carried within their housing  63  which has an upper surface  63 A which, in effect at the horizontal lower T-member face  10 C.  
         [0052]    Now referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, there is shown a similar system as that shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B with a petal-like light refractor  63  to guide and control the light instead of the refractor elements previously described. Such a configuration works in the manner of a headlight or eyeglasses to control the light direction and intensity. As shown, the refractor is intended to direct the light onto adjacent ceiling tiles for an indirect lighting effect by use of petal members  63 A and  63 B.  
         [0053]    Yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures  10 A and  10 B, in which the light refractor  63  has outer walls  63 B- 1  and  63 B- 1  offset a straight 45-degree angle for reflective purposes. It will be appreciated that the angle of surfaces  63 B- 1 ,  63 B- 1  or contour or configuration is a matter of design choice. This is a refractor that is intended to direct the light downwardly.  
         [0054]    Now turning to FIGS. 11A and 11B, there is shown yet another embodiment of the present invention in which suspended ceiling system SCS takes the form of a T-bar member  10 . The lighting fixture  100  has a reflector  70  having reflector members  70 A and  70 B to direct light to a refractor  80  which has oppositely angled surfaces  81  and  82  disposed to direct lighting downward into the room. The refractor is housed along a circular internal shoulder  70 C of the reflector  70  which, in turn, is secured at its upper end to the upwardly facing shoulders or surfaces  10 C and  10 D of T-bar member  10 .  
         [0055]    Although the invention has been described in terms of specified embodiments which are set forth in detail, it should be understood that this is by illustration only that the invention is not necessarily limited thereto, since alternative embodiments and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the disclosure. Accordingly, modifications are contemplated which can be made without departing from the spirit of the described invention.