Abstract:
A Lighting fixture having a luminaire body which supports the lamps, preferably fluorescent lamps, and has a transparent panel mounted on its light outlet side by means of a panel frame, wherein the panel frame is attached to the luminaire body such that it can be removed and replaced.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from German Patent Application Serial No. 20 2008 014 799.9, filed Nov. 7, 2009, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated fully by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a light fixture with a light chassis which supports the lamps, preferably fluorescent lamps. More specifically, the present invention relates to a light fixture with a light chassis which supports the lamps, and on the light exit side of which a transparent shade is affixed by means of a shade frame. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The related art involves lighting fixtures having a light head. A light head can be part of a floor standard lamp, but also of a ceiling, wall, or table lamp. In order to cater the various preferences of customers in terms of designs, manufacturers are required to hold a large inventory of different design light fixtures. 
         [0006]    What is not appreciated by the prior art is the cost and inconvenience of holding a large inventory of different design light fixtures. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved means to simplify the manufacture of the different designs of light fixtures; and, thus make them less costly. 
         [0007]    One aspect of the present invention, therefore, is to simplify the manufacture of the different designs of light fixtures and thus make them less costly. The design of such a light head is especially characterized by the design of the light fixture frame. 
       ASPECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In order to cater to the various preferences of customers in terms of designs, manufacturers are required to hold a large inventory of different design light fixtures. Therefore, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a means to simplify the manufacture of the different designs of light fixtures; and, thus make them less costly. 
         [0009]    This problem is solved by a light fixture with a light chassis which supports the lamps, and on the light exit side of which a transparent shade is affixed by means of a shade frame. The shade frame of the light fixture is attached to the light chassis so that it can be easily removed and replaced by means of a detent mechanism. 
         [0010]    The detent mechanism can have deflectable locking levers arranged on the light chassis that engage into the shade frame from below by means of latch lugs to fix it into its position of use. Such locking levers can either be pivoted on the light chassis, or can consist of an elastic ductile material themselves, so that they can be firmly attached to the light chassis. 
         [0011]    In addition to the latches that fix the shade frame into its position of use, intermediate latches are proposed, which keep the shade frame in an intermediate position, so that it cannot be dropped accidentally and damaged as a result. 
         [0012]    The intermediate latches can be provided in addition to the previously mentioned latch lugs on the locking lever. Additional locking levers are provided to which the intermediate latches are attached. These locking levers are also arranged on the light chassis so that they can be deflected, preferably by pivoting. Such locking levers can be provided at least on one side or, in the alternative, be provided on opposite sides of the light chassis. 
         [0013]    The shade frame is suspended on one side with locking levers, and on the side of the light chassis that is opposite the locking levers is suspended, so it can be pivoted and is also detachable. 
         [0014]    The locking levers are provided with actuators that are accessible from the outside for easy operation. 
         [0015]    In order to latch the shade frame, it is provided with latches on the side facing the locking levers that are assigned to the latch lugs of the locking levers. Such latches can preferably consist of a cross member that protrudes to the inside and has an edge lip. 
         [0016]    The above, and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of a floor standard lamp designed as taught by the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective illustration of the floor standard lamp according to  FIG. 1  with a hinged-out shade frame. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged sectional detail view of the light head with the shade frame in the engaged position in the vicinity of the locking lever  11 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view according to  FIG. 3  in the vicinity of the locking lever  16  with the shade frame in the disengaged position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view according to  FIG. 4  with the hinged-out shade frame. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view according to  FIG. 3  with a varied shade frame. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, up, down, over, above, and below may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The words “connect,” “couple,” and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but also include connections through mediate elements or devices. 
         [0024]    The solution as taught by the invention is explained by means of the floor standard lamp that is completely illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , which, as is known, consists of a light head  1  that is supported by a pillar stand  30  which for its part rests with a base  32  on the floor. 
         [0025]    The light head  1  consists essentially of a light chassis  10 , on which fluorescent lamps  33  are attached by means of lamp sockets  34 . The fluorescent lamps  33  can be switched on and off with a switch  31  that is fitted at half of the height of the pillar stand  30 . 
         [0026]    The light chassis  10  is surrounded by a shade frame  20 , which, as is shown in the subsequent Figures, has a transparent shade  21  that covers the lower side of the light head  1 . 
         [0027]    The shade frame  20  can be hinged out into the position illustrated in  FIG. 2  after loosening the locking levers  11  that are holding the frame and can after shifting it a little in the direction of the arrow C, be removed completely. As a result, the owner can then replace this shade frame  20  with differently shaped frames if so desired, for instance with a frame that has rounded edges such as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0028]    The detent mechanism for fixing the shade frame  20  is illustrated and explained in detail in the enlarged sectional views pursuant to  FIGS. 4-6 . 
         [0029]    This detent mechanism consists of locking levers  11  that are attached on one front face of the light chassis  10 , on the latch lugs  12  of which the shade frame  20  rests with an edge lip  24  that is facing down and is arranged on the upper cross member  23 . In the embodiment that is illustrated here, the locking lever  11  that is made of an elastic plastic is attached on the chassis  10  with a support arm  14 . Its upper free end projects with an actuator  13  slightly from the upper side of the light chassis  10 . The locking lever can be deflected in the direction of the arrow “A” by means of this actuator  13  against the chassis  10 , so that its latch lug  12  is disengaged with the edge lip  24  of the shade frame  20 . In this manner, the shade frame  20 , on the lower cross members of which the transparent shade  21  is attached with a seal  22  inserted between, can be swung out towards the bottom. 
         [0030]    In order to make it easier to replace the shade frame  20  with the shade  21  and keep it in an intermediate position, further locking levers  16  are provided laterally offset to the locking levers  11  on the light chassis, on which the shade frame  20  rests with its edge lip  24  in the direction of the protruding latch lugs  17  of the shade frame  20 . These locking ribs  16  also consist of elastically flexible plastic and on their upper ends are fixed with support arms  18  on the light chassis  10 , while their lower ends can be pivoted in the direction of the arrow B when the locking lever  16  is pressed, so that their latch lugs  17  are disengaged with the edge lip  24  of the shade frame  20 . 
         [0031]    In order to secure the position of the locking lever  16 , it is fitted with a guide arm  19  that is guided in a guide slot  19   a  of the light chassis  10 . The locking levers  11  are also fitted in a corresponding manner with guide arms  15 . 
         [0032]    Above the latch lug  17 , the locking lever  16  is provided with a recess  16   a  which serves as a finger seat. 
         [0033]    After pushing the locking lever  16  in the direction of the arrow “B”, the shade frame  20  can be completely swung out towards the bottom, and as already mentioned in context with  FIG. 2 , be replaced with a differently shaped shade frame  20 ′ that is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0034]    In the claims, means or step-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described or suggested herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, for example, although a nail, a screw, and a bolt may not be structural equivalents in that a nail relies on friction between a wooden part and a cylindrical surface, a screw&#39;s helical surface positively engages the wooden part, and a bolt&#39;s head and nut compress opposite sides of a wooden part, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail, a screw, and a bolt may be readily understood by those skilled in the art as equivalent structures. 
         [0035]    Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes, modifications, and adaptations may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.