Abstract:
An air-handling luminaire comprises a recessed troffer housing having a first pair of opposed walls and a second pair of opposed walls, the housing having a light output opening and a lens extending across the light output opening, at least one of the walls of the first pair of opposed walls and the second pair of opposed walls being substantially vertical and having at least one flow through opening for fluid communication from a volume beneath the recessed troffer housing to a plenum above the recessed troffer housing and, a rail extending from near a lower edge of the recessed troffer housing upwardly within the recessed troffer housing and adjacent the at least one flow through and concealing the at least one flow through opening.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This continuation applications claims priority to and benefit from, currently pending, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/265,794, filed on Nov. 6, 2008. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    None. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENTIAL LISTING, ETC 
       [0003]    None. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention pertains to an air-handling luminaire. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an air-handling luminaire having hidden air flow through apertures. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    Air-handling luminaries are known to function as air registers in buildings wherein the space between floors may be utilized as an airflow plenum, in whole or in part, in combination with the HVAC system. 
         [0008]    It is also known in the prior art to remove heat developed by the lighting fixture in order to remove the exhaust air from the illuminated room or use exhaust heat to warm a room on a floor above the subject lighting fixture. Additionally, removal of luminaire heat also helps to increase the efficiency of the light by allowing operation within a preselected temperature range to maximize the efficiency. In these types of arrangements, inverted T-grid or inverted slotted grid members are typically utilized to form a dropped ceiling wherein a plurality of acoustic insulating tiles are positioned in the openings of the grid. Some of the openings define positions wherein light fixtures such as fluorescent recessed luminaries are positioned. These luminaires are in fluid communication with the plenum through the air registers in the luminaire structure. 
         [0009]    However, in these various types of luminaries, the air return slots in the luminaire are typically visible to a user standing in the room being illuminated. The slots or apertures may appear as dark holes in an otherwise smooth surface, which is undesirable. For example, the slots may be positioned in lower horizontal surfaces of the fixture and therefore easily seen by a viewer. It is desirable to conceal the air slots to improve the appearance of the luminaire to the person standing in the room being illuminated while inhibiting any degradation of the air flow through the luminaire and into the ceiling plenum. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    An air-handling luminaire comprises a recessed troffer housing having a first pair of opposed walls and a second pair of opposed walls, the housing having a light output opening and a lens extending across the light output opening, at least one of the walls of the first pair of opposed walls and the second pair of opposed walls having at least one flow through opening for fluid communication from a volume beneath the recessed troffer housing to a plenum above the recessed troffer housing and, a rail extending from near a lower edge of the recessed troffer housing upwardly within the recessed troffer housing and adjacent the at least one flow through and concealing the at least one flow through opening. The air-handling luminaire wherein the at least one flow through opening being disposed in a vertical surface of the recessed troffer housing. The air-handling luminaire further comprising lens holders extending from one of the first and second pair of opposed walls. The air-handling luminaire wherein the lens is supported by the lens holders. The air-handling luminaire further comprising a lamp holder positioned above the lens. The air-handling luminaire further comprising feet extending from lower edges of the recessed troffer housing. The air handling luminaire further comprising a slot. 
         [0011]    An air-handling luminaire comprises a troffer housing having a lower edge defining a lower light output opening, the troffer housing having a first pair of substantially vertical opposed walls and a second pair of opposed walls, a lens extending between at least one of the first pair and the second pair of opposed walls, at least one flow through passage extending through at least one wall of the first pair of substantially vertical opposed walls and the second pair of opposed walls in said troffer housing, a rail extending from adjacent the lower edge of the troffer housing upwardly adjacent the at least one flow through aperture defining a slot between the rail and the first pair of substantially vertical opposed walls so that the at least one flow through passage is concealed when viewed from beneath the troffer housing, the lens disposed above the at least one flow through passage. The air-handling luminaire further comprising feet disposed about a lowermost edge of the troffer housing. The air-handling luminaire further comprising lens holders supporting said lens, said lens holders extending from at least one pair of said opposed walls. The air-handling luminaire wherein the rail is integrally formed with the troffer housing. The air-handling luminaire further comprising a spacer disposed on the rail adjacent the housing preventing the rail from closing the flow through passage. The air-handling luminaire wherein the rail extending from the lower edge upwardly at an angle. The air-handling luminaire further comprising a connector plate connected to the housing and the rail. The air-handling luminaire wherein the rail has first and second opposed rails. 
         [0012]    An air-handling luminaire having air passages hidden from view comprises a troffer housing for positioning in an air plenum, the housing having first and second sidewalls and first and second end caps, the housing having an opening at a lower end thereof for light output and fluid communication between a plenum at least partially above the housing and a space beneath the air-handling luminaire, at least one air passage in each of the first and second sidewalls, a rail extending upwardly from a lower area of the troffer housing and inhibiting viewing of the at least one air passage, a slot between an upper edge of the rail and a lens positioned within the housing allowing air flow through the slot to the at least one air passage, a lens disposed over the opening and allowing fluid communication between the slot and the plenum. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an air-handling luminaire; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  depicts an exploded perspective view of the air-handling luminaire of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of an end plate used with the air-handling luminaire of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  depicts a sectional view of the air-handling luminaire of  FIG. 1  along line 4-4; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of a rail member of the air-handling luminaire of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  depicts an end perspective view of the air-handling luminaire of  FIG. 1  and further depicts the ventilation path through the luminaire; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  depicts a first lower perspective view of the luminaire with the flow through apertures hidden from view; and, 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  depicts a second lower perspective view of the luminaire with the flow through apertures hidden from view. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
         [0023]    Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific mechanical configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the invention and that other alternative mechanical configurations are possible. 
         [0024]    Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, there are shown in  FIGS. 1-8  various aspects of an air-handling luminaire. The air-handling luminaire utilizes flow through apertures hidden from view from beneath the air-handling luminaire to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance without inhibiting air flow. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of an air-handling luminaire  10  is depicted. The luminaire  10  comprises a housing  12  defined by first and second sidewalls  14 ,  16  and first and second end caps  20 ,  22 . In each of the sidewalls  14 ,  16  at least one ventilation passage or aperture  24  is positioned along the length of the sidewalls  14 ,  16 . When the air-handling luminaire  10  is positioned within a suspended or dropped ceiling, the passages  24  allow air flow through the first and second sidewalls  14 ,  16  from beneath the luminaire  10  into a plenum which is defined above the lower most edge of the luminaire  10 . 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an exploded perspective view of the air-handling luminaire  10  is depicted. The housing  12  is substantially U-shaped in cross-section and extends in a third, longitudinal dimension. The housing  12  is defined by the first sidewall  14 , the second sidewall  16  and an interposed top wall  18  defining the inverted U-shape. The housing  12  may be formed of various materials such as aluminum, polycarbonates or other lightweight rigid materials which may be foldable from a flat piece to the substantially U-shaped design shown in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, the material may be formable by molding or other known manufacturing procedures. Near ends of the first and second sidewalls  14 ,  16  is at least one fastening aperture  19 . The exemplary embodiment utilizes multiple apertures  19 . 
         [0027]    As previously described, the housing  12  comprises end caps  20 ,  22  which are connected to the housing  12  by fasteners through the at least one aperture  19 . The housing end caps  20 ,  22  are formed separately and fastened through the apertures  19 , previously described. Each of the end caps  20 ,  22  comprises a tab  27  extending about at least one edge. According to the exemplary embodiment, the tabs  27  extend from three of the four edges. The tabs  27  include apertures  28  for alignment with the housing apertures  19  to provide connecting alignment between the housing  12  and end caps  20 ,  22 . However such design is merely illustrative as the end caps  20 ,  22  may alternatively be integrally formed with the housing  12  if desired. The end caps  20 ,  22  each further comprise at least one knockout which is utilized to connect adjacent air-handling luminaires  10  with conduit and wiring. The housing top wall  18  may also comprise a knockout for ease of electrical connection of adjacent luminaires  10 . 
         [0028]    At ends of the sidewalls  14 ,  16  near lower portions of the vertical edges are notches  30 . Received within the notches  30  are housing end plates  32 ,  34  which are positioned beneath the end caps  20 ,  22  and closed the remaining portion of the housing  12  beneath the end caps  20 ,  22 . According to an alternative embodiment, the end caps  20 , 22  and end plates  32 , 34  could be integrally formed. 
         [0029]    Referring still to  FIG. 2 , the exploded view depicts lamp holder arms  40 . The arms  40  are substantially U-shaped and provide at least two functions. First, the lamp holder arms  40  provide lateral stability for the housing  12  along the planer direction of top wall  18 , which does not include a lower wall between the first and second side walls  14 ,  16 . Additionally, the arms  40  provide a seat for connecting lamp holders  42  to which a lamp tube L may be connected. The lamp holder arm  40  comprises first and second vertical portions  42 ,  44  and a horizontal connecting portion  46  extending between portions  42 ,  44 . The vertical portions  42 ,  44  are positioned along the inside surfaces of side walls  14 ,  16  respectively. A fastener F may be utilized to attach the lamp holder arms  40  to the side walls  14 ,  16 . Various types of fasteners may be used and the screw type fasteners depicted should not be considered limiting. For example, as an alternative, the lamp holder arm  40  may be integrally formed with the housing  12  or may be tack welded or joined by alternate fastening means. Connected to each holder arm  40  is a lamp holder  48 . The lamp holder  48  of the exemplary embodiment is a bi-pin tube lamp which is common with fluorescent tubes however alternative lamp types may be used. 
         [0030]    Beneath the lamping structures are lens holders  50 ,  52 . Each of the lens holders of the exemplary embodiment are substantially L-shaped having a vertical leg portion and a horizontal foot portion. The vertical portion of each lens holder  50 ,  52  is positioned against the inner surface of the sidewalls  14 ,  16  and may be fastened, tack welded or integrally formed therewith. The horizontal foot portion provides a seat for a lens  54  wherein the lens may be positioned. The lens may be formed of glass, polycarbonate or other translucent material. Additionally, the lens  54  may be clear or may be diffusive of light passing there through. The lens  54  has a horizontal dimension which is greater than the distance between the horizontal lip portions of the lens holders  50 ,  52  so that the lens  54  may be seated there between. The lens  54  is seated in a position which is vertically disposed above the apertures  24  so that air flow through the luminaire  24  is not impeded. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the end plate  32  is shown in a perspective view. Each end plate  32 ,  34  is positioned beneath an end cap  20 ,  22  respectively to control air into the luminaire  10 . In other words, air is pulled into the luminaire  10  from beneath the ceiling level. The end plates  32 ,  34  and the end caps  20 ,  22  define walls of the housing  12  extending between the sidewalls  14 ,  16 . The end plate  32  has a lower footing  36  which may be seated on a T-grid member wherein the air-handling luminaire  10  is positioned. Extending upwardly from the footing  36  is a plate member  38  having first and second apertures  39  which connects to opposed rails  60 . Extending upwardly from the member  38  is a diagonally positioned flap that extends to the lower edge of the end caps  20 ,  22 . At a junction between the member  38  and flap  35  is a screw channel  37 . The channel  37  receives a fastener extending through the housing  12  and into the end plate  32  at two ends to hold the plate in position. Fasteners also extend through apertures  39  to hold the end plate  32  in a perpendicular direction to channel  37 . The end plate  32  closes the lower opening portion of the housing  12  beneath the end caps  20 ,  22  so that the air flow is substantially limited and must pass through the ventilation passages  24  when moving from a room or volume beneath the luminaire  10  upwardly through the luminaire  10  into a plenum above a ceiling level. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a sectional view of the air-handling luminaire  10  is depicted. The end plate  22  is shown positioned at an end of the housing  12  and is positioned over the sidewalls  14 ,  16  and top wall  18 . The lamp holder arm  40  is also depicted sandwiching the sidewalls  14 ,  16  between the arm  40  and tabs  27  of the end plate  22 . Beneath the lens holders  50 ,  52  and the lens  54  are the side rails  60  which conceal the flow through air passages  24  from viewing when standing beneath the air-handling luminaire  10 . Accordingly, contrary to prior art devices, the flow through air passages  24  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ) are not seen when standing beneath the air-handling luminaire  10  and may be positioned in the vertical sidewall portions  14 ,  16  of housing  12 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of side rail  60  is depicted. The side rail  60  comprises a lower foot portion  62  which functions to seat the air-handling luminaire on a T-grid member G ( FIGS. 4 ,  6 ). Extending upwardly from the foot portion  62  is a wall  64  which extends at an angle upwardly from the foot  62 . A short vertical wall  66  extends upwardly from the foot  62  and defines a gap between the wall  64  and short wall  66 . Between the long wall  64  and short wall  66 , the lower edge of the side walls  14 ,  16  may be seated as depicted in  FIG. 4 . The long wall  64  further comprises a fastening channel  68  which receives a fastener extending through endplates  32 ,  34 . The fastening channel  68  also acts as a spacer between the flow through passages  24  and the wall  64 , so that air flow may continuously move through the sidewalls  14 ,  16  ( FIG. 1 ) and so that the passages or apertures  24  do not become blocked by the wall  64 . 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the air-handling luminaire  10  is shown in a perspective view so that the air passages  24  may be seen adjacent the side rails  60  and positioned on the inverted T-grid members G. Arrows are shown indicating air flow from the room beneath the luminaire  10  through the passages  24  and into the plenum above the ceiling area. The lens  54  inhibits air flow from b-passing the passages  24 , instead forcing air upwardly through the passages  24 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a perspective view is depicted of the air-handling luminaire from below the ceiling level. When the air-handling luminaire  10  is viewed from below, the side rails  60  are visible extending between the endplates  32 ,  34 . Above the side rails  60  and the endplates  32 ,  34  is the lens  54 . Between the side rails  60  and the lens  54  are slots  70  through which airflow passes around the side rail  60  and to the airflow passages  24 . Accordingly, when viewed from below, a user sees the illumination from the lens and the endplates  32 ,  34  and the side rails  60 . The user also a sees the slot  70  defined between the lens  54  and the side rail  60 . However, the user does not see the passages  24  into the plenum level which is typically aesthetically unpleasing. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the air-handling luminaire  10  is again shown from below. The angle of the view as measured from the ceiling surface is less than that of  FIG. 7 . This allows for a better view of the slot  70 . As depicted, the endplate  34  is depicted and extending between the endplate  34  and the opposite end of the luminaire  10  one of the side rails  60  is visible. The lens  54  is shown above and the slot  70  is also depicted between the side rail  60  and the lens  54 . From this angle, air passages  24  are also not visible. Thus, the air-handling luminaire  10 , when viewed from directly below or from an angle, hides the air passages  24  through which air passes to the plenum above the ceiling. 
         [0037]    The foregoing description of structures and methods has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.