Abstract:
A horticulture light fixture having a secure glass aperture and glass retention frame that is swingably hinged to provide easy and safe maintenance of the fixture and helps facilitate cleaning of the glass. The hinge portion is constructed from sheet metal that is formed during the fabrication of the fixture. The method of construction eliminates the need to install a separate hinge saving manufacturing time and expense. In a preferred embodiment, the glass retention frame is constructed from a single continuous sheet of metal, that is punched or cut into desired dimension and shape, formed or folded to hold a flat piece of glass, and installed using common pins that provide rotational motion for swingably opening and closing of the glass simplifying maintenance of the horticulture light fixture.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to a horticulture light fixture constructed from sheet metal having a hinged glass retention frame. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The use of artificial light to grow plants is well known in the art and many different types of grow lamps and horticulture light fixtures are utilized by the private and commercial gardener. A key problem in designing horticulture light fixtures is integrating user friendly maintenance features. The glass portion isolating the grow lamp from the plants gets dirty and needs to be cleaned. The grow lamp itself requires periodic replacement. The easiest and simplest way to perform maintenance is with the fixture hanging. Having a hinged assembly that swings open to provide access to the glass and grow lamp is necessary. Constructing the hinged assembly from inexpensive sheet metal during the forming process of the horticulture light fixture is advantageous and economical. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a horticulture light fixture having a secure glass aperture that is swingably hinged to facilitate easy and safe maintenance of the fixture and cleaning of the glass. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a sheet metal alternative to a piano type hinge. 
   A more specific object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive sheet metal alternative to more common and expensive hinging techniques. 
   A further specific object of the invention is to provide a method of constructing a glass retention frame including a hinge mechanism out of a continuous sheet of metal, thus reducing cost and expense of manufacture. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention rather than limiting in that the drawings depict one possible configuration, the true scope of the invention being defined by the claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Having described the invention in general terms and description, reference will be made to the accompanying figure drawings illustrating embodiments, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment wherein the horticulture light fixture  1  is illustrated having the glass retention frame  40  swung open from the housing  10  and second endplate  30 ; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , wherein the horticulture light fixture  1  is illustrated having the glass retention frame  40  swung open; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the glass retention frame  40  punched out of sheet metal, as a blank only, before breaking along desired fold lines; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the glass retention frame  40  punched out of sheet metal, and broke or bent along desired fold lines; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the glass retention frame  40  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , including a glass portion  50  that fittingly inserts into the glass retention frame  40 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a cut away perspective view of the first end plate  20 ; and 
       FIG. 7  is a cut away perspective view of the glass retention frame  40 , first end plate  20 , first hinge pin  60 , illustrating assembly of the components. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 TABLE OF COMPONENTS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 Horticulture Light Fixture 
               
               
                 10 
                 Housing 
               
               
                 12 
                 First Cylindrical Vent 
               
               
                 14 
                 Second Cylindrical Vent 
               
               
                 20 
                 First End Plate 
               
               
                 21 
                 Lip 
               
               
                 25 
                 First Tab 
               
               
                 26 
                 Second Tab 
               
               
                 27 
                 First Fulcrum Hole 
               
               
                 28 
                 Second Fulcrum Hole 
               
               
                 30 
                 Second End Plate 
               
               
                 40 
                 Glass Retention Frame 
               
               
                 42 
                 Extending Tabs 
               
               
                 43 
                 Corner Rivet 
               
               
                 45 
                 First Edge 
               
               
                 46 
                 Second Edge 
               
               
                 47 
                 Third Edge 
               
               
                 48 
                 Fourth Edge 
               
               
                 50 
                 Glass Portion 
               
               
                 60 
                 First Hinge Pin 
               
               
                 65 
                 First Pin Nut 
               
               
                 70 
                 Second Hinge Pin 
               
               
                 80 
                 Securing Means 
               
               
                 82 
                 First Vertical Tab 
               
               
                 83 
                 Second Vertical Tab 
               
               
                 84 
                 Securing Hole 
               
               
                 86 
                 Barrel Fastener 
               
               
                 88 
                 Barrel Receiver 
               
               
                 90 
                 Hanger Means 
               
               
                 100 
                 First Flange 
               
               
                 101 
                 First Pivot Hole 
               
               
                 110 
                 Second Flange 
               
               
                 112 
                 Second Pivot Hole 
               
               
                 143 
                 Corner Hole 
               
               
                 160 
                 Folded Edge 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 : 
     FIG. 1  illustrates the one preferred embodiment of the horticulture light fixture  1  having a housing  10 , a first endplate  20 , a second endplate  30 , and a glass retention frame  40 . In practice, the glass retention frame  40  is opened to clean the glass, and closed when the horticulture lights fixture  1  is in use. 
   The housing  10  is bounded on each end by a first endplate  20  and second endplate  30 . The glass retention frame  40  hingedly swings, the fulcrum being at the first endplate  20 , and when the glass retention frame  40  swings closed, it fittingly matches the rectangular bottom edge formed by the housing  10 , first endplate  20 , and second endplate  30 , securing at the second end plate  30  with barrel fasteners  86 . 
   In other embodiments the glass retention frame  40  hingedly swings with the fulcrum being at the second endplate  30 , or the fulcrum being located at both first endplate  20  and second endplate  30 . 
   The horticulture light fixture  1  in practice hangs above the plants, said hanger means  90  shown attaching to top of housing  10 . The first cylindrical vent  12  provides cooling atmosphere to the fixture, and is shown centered in the second end plate  30 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, the glass retention frame  40  is constructed from a single and continuous sheet of metal being punched out or cut, folded or broke, and formed. The glass retention frame  40  has a first edge  45 , second edge  46 , third edge,  47 , and fourth edge  48 . The dimension and size of the glass retention frame  40  matches the rectangular bottom defined by the housing  10 , first endplate  20 , and second endplate  30 . The bottom of the housing  10  doesn&#39;t have to be rectangular, it could be square, the preferred embodiment is shown rectangular as most fixtures have rectangular aperture for the light to pass through and on to the growing plants beneath. 
   On the first edge  45 , a first flange  100  is located on the end adjacent to the second edge  46 . The first flange  100  is formed vertically from the glass retention frame  40 , matching the first tab  25  of the first endplate  20 . As shown, the first hinge pin  60  initially passes through the first flange  100  and secondarily into the first tab  25 , forming one side of the hinge structure, the fulcrum being defined by the location of the first hinge pin  60  relative to the glass retention frame  40  and first endplate  20 . The hinge pin  60  may be cylindrical, or some other shape that provides rotation of the first flange  100  about the first hinge pin  60 . The first hinge pin  60  may also be threaded on one end providing a threaded securing method. In the preferred embodiment, the location of the first hinge pin  60  is higher than the folded edge  160  of the glass retention frame  40 . 
   The glass retention frame  40  along the fourth edge  48  has a first vertical tab  82  and second vertical tab  83 , each having a securing hole  84 . When the glass retention frame  40  is closed, the securing holes  84  align with the barrel receivers  88  located in the second end plate  30 . Barrel fasteners  86  pass through the securing holes  84  and fasten into the barrel receivers  88 . 
   Extending tabs  42  may be constructed from the same continuous sheet of metal that the glass retention frame  40  is constructed from. The extending tabs  42  are shown folded over as if they were retaining a piece of glass. A first corner rivet  43  may be used to secure the corners when a stronger glass retention frame  40  is desired. 
     FIG. 2 : 
     FIG. 2  is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , wherein the horticulture light fixture  1  is illustrated having the glass retention frame  40  swung open. As described in FIG.  1 ., the horticulture light fixture  1  in practice hangs above the plants, said hanger means  90  shown from the side, and attaching to top of housing  10 . A first cylindrical vent  12  and second cylindrical vent  14  provides cooling atmosphere to the fixture. The glass retention frame  40  has a third edge  47  approximately matching the dimension of the housing  10 . 
   On the fourth edge  48 , a second vertical tab  83  extending perpendicular from the folded edge  160  of the glass retention frame  40 , to provide a securing means for the glass retention frame  40  when in the closed position. 
   On the third edge  47 , a second flange  110  is located on the end adjacent to the second edge  46 . The second flange  110  is formed vertically from the glass retention frame  40 , matching the second tab  26  of the second endplate  30 . As shown, the second hinge pin  70  initially passes through the second flange  110  and secondarily into the second tab  26 , forming second side of the hinge structure shown in  FIG. 1 , the fulcrum being defined by the location of the second hinge pin  70  relative to the glass retention frame  40  and second endplate  30 . The second hinge pin  70  may be cylindrical, or some other shape that provides rotation of the second flange  110  about the second hinge pin  70 . The second hinge pin  70  may also be threaded on one end providing a threaded securing method. 
   The first hinge pin  60  shown in  FIG. 1  and the second hinge pin  70  shown in  FIG. 2 , must be axially aligned to provide smooth rotational movement. In the preferred embodiment, the location of the first hinge pin  60  and second hinge pin  70  are higher than the folded edge  160  of the glass retention frame  40 . 
   Extending tabs  42  may be constructed from the same continuous sheet of metal that the glass retention frame  40  is constructed from. The extending tabs  42  are shown folded over as if they were retaining a piece of glass. A first corner rivet  43  may be used to secure the corners when a stronger glass retention frame  40  is desired. 
     FIG. 3 : 
     FIG. 3  is a top side view of the glass retention frame  40  illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , wherein the glass retention frame  40  has been punched or cut out from a continuous sheet of metal, but has not been folded, broke, or bent into shape. The glass retention frame  40  has a first edge  45 , second edge  46 , third edge,  47 , and fourth edge  48 . The dimension and size of the glass retention frame  40  matches the rectangular bottom defined by the housing  10 , first endplate  20 , and second endplate  30  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . As discussed above, the bottom of the housing  10  doesn&#39;t have to be rectangular, it could be square as depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
   On the first edge  45 , a first flange  100  is located on the end adjacent to the second edge  46 . The first flange  100  is punched or cut out with the glass retention frame  40  from a continuous sheet of metal. The first flange  100  also has a punched or cut first pivot hole  101 . The first pivot hole  101  being of matching size and dimension as the first hinge pin  60  as shown in  FIG. 1 . and  FIG. 2 . The first edge  45  has two corner holes  143 , that after bending, breaking or forming of the glass retention frame  40 , may be riveted through or secured by other means to the second edge  46  and or fourth edge  48  for added strength and rigidity. The first edge  45  is shown with two extending tabs  42 , each extending tabs  42  may be used to secure a piece of glass within the glass retention frame  40  by bending the extending tabs  42  over against the glass. 
   The second edge  46  has two corner holes  143 , that after bending, breaking or forming of the glass retention frame  40 , may be riveted through or secured by other means to the first edge  45  and or third edge  47  for added strength and rigidity. The second edge  46  is shown with three extending tabs  42 , each extending tabs  42  may be used to secure a piece of glass within the glass retention frame  40  by bending the extending tabs  42  over and or against the glass. 
   On the third edge  47 , a second flange  110  is located on the end adjacent to the second edge  46 . The second flange  110  is punched or cut out with the glass retention frame  40 . The second flange  110  also has a punched or cut second pivot hole  112 . The second pivot hole  112  being of matching size and dimension as the second hinge pin  70  as shown in  FIG. 1 . and  FIG. 2 . The third edge  47  has two corner holes  143 , that after bending, breaking or forming of the glass retention frame  40 , may be riveted through or secured by other means to the second edge  46  and or fourth edge  48  for added strength and rigidity. The third edge  47  is shown with two extending tabs  42 , each extending tabs  42  may be used to secure a piece of glass within the glass retention frame  40  by bending the extending tabs  42  over against the glass. 
   During bending, breaking or shaping, the first pivot hole  101  and second pivot hole  112  are axially aligned. 
   On the fourth edge  48 , a first vertical tab  82  and second vertical tab  83  and securing holes  84  are punched and or cut from a continuous sheet of metal with the glass retention frame  40 . The fourth edge  48  is shown with two extending tabs  42 , each extending tabs  42  may be used to secure a piece of glass within the glass retention frame  40  by bending the extending tabs  42  over against the glass. The fourth edge  48  has two corner holes  143 , that after bending, breaking or forming of the glass retention frame  40 , the two corner holes  143  may be riveted through or secured together to the third edge  47  and or first edge  45  for added strength and rigidity. 
   The glass retention frame  40  is shown as being constructed from a single sheet of metal, however, the glass retention frame  40  may be constructed from multiple sheets of metal. 
     FIG. 4 : 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the glass retention frame  40  illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , wherein the glass retention frame  40  has been punched or cut out from a continuous sheet of metal, and folded, broke, or bent into shape. The glass retention frame  40  has a first edge  45 , second edge  46 , third edge,  47 , and fourth edge  48 . The dimension and size of the glass retention frame  40  matches the rectangular bottom defined by the housing  10 , first endplate  20 , and second endplate  30  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 3 . glass retention frame  40  blank, unfolded, broke or shaped sheet metal was illustrated, and in  FIG. 4 . the folded, broke, or shaped sheet metal is illustrated. The folded edge  160  creates a general L shape on the first edge  45 , second edge  46 , third edge  47  and fourth edge  48 . 
   On the first edge  45 , a first flange  100  is located on the end adjacent to the second edge  46 . The first flange  100  is punched or cut out with the glass retention frame  40 , and shaped with the glass retention frame  40 . The first flange  100  also has a punched or cut first pivot hole  101 . The first pivot hole  101  being of matching size and dimension as the first hinge pin  60  as shown in  FIG. 1 . and  FIG. 2 . The first edge  45  has two corner holes  143  shown in FIG.  3 ., that after bending, breaking or forming of the glass retention frame  40 , have been secured by corner rivets  43 . The first edge  45  is shown with two extending tabs  42 , each extending tabs  42  may be used to secure a piece of glass within the glass retention frame  40  by bending the extending tabs  42  over against the glass. 
   The second edge  46  has two corner holes  143  shown in FIG.  3 ., that after bending, breaking or forming of the glass retention frame  40 , have been secured by corner rivets  43 . The second edge  46  is shown with three extending tabs  42 , each extending tabs  42  may be used to secure a piece of glass within the glass retention frame  40  by bending the extending tabs  42  over and or against the glass. 
   On the third edge  47 , a second flange  110  is located on the end adjacent to the second edge  46 . The second flange  110  is punched or cut out with the glass retention frame  40 . The second flange  110  also has a punched or cut second pivot hole  112 . The second pivot hole  112  being of matching size and dimension as the second hinge pin  70  as shown in  FIG. 1 . and  FIG. 2 . The third edge  47  has two corner holes  143  shown in FIG.  3 ., that after bending, breaking or forming of the glass retention frame  40 , have been secured by corner rivets  43 . The third edge  47  is shown with two extending tabs  42 , each extending tabs  42  may be used to secure a piece of glass within the glass retention frame  40  by bending the extending tabs  42  over against the glass. 
   During bending, breaking or shaping, the first pivot hole  101  and second pivot hole  112  are axially aligned. 
   On the fourth edge  48 , a first vertical tab  82  and second vertical tab  83  and securing holes  84  are punched and or cut from a continuous sheet of metal with the glass retention frame  40 . The fourth edge  48  is shown with two extending tabs  42 , each extending tabs  42  may be used to secure a piece of glass within the glass retention frame  40  by bending the extending tabs  42  over against the glass. The fourth edge  48  has two corner holes  143 , that after bending, breaking or forming of the glass retention frame  40 , the two corner holes  143  have been riveted through with corner rivets  43 , to the third edge  47  and or first edge  45  for added strength and rigidity. 
     FIG. 5 : 
     FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the glass retention frame  40  illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 4  wherein the glass retention frame  40  has been punched or cut out from a continuous sheet of metal, and folded, broke, or bent into shape. The glass retention frame  40  has a first edge  45 , second edge  46 , third edge,  47 , and fourth edge  48 . The dimension and size of the glass retention frame  40  matches the rectangular bottom defined by the housing  10 , first endplate  20 , and second endplate  30  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The glass portion  50  is dimensioned to fit within the glass retention frame  40 , and under the extending tabs  42 . The folded edge  160  creates a general L shape on the first edge  45 , second edge  46 , third edge  47  and fourth edge  48 . 
     FIG. 6 : 
     FIG. 6  is a cut away perspective view of the first end plate  20  having the second cylindrical vent  14  approximately centered. A lip  21  is folded at the bottom of the first endplate  20  to provide a stronger more rigid fixture. 
   First tab  25  and second tab  26  extend generally perpendicular from the first endplate  20 . The first tab  25  has a punched or cut first fulcrum hole  27  and the second tab  26  and a second fulcrum hole  28 . The first fulcrum hole  27  and second fulcrum hole  28  are axially aligned, and of lesser distance apart than the first flange  100  and second flange  110  shown in previous figures. 
     FIG. 7 : 
     FIG. 7  is a cut away perspective view of the glass retention frame  40 , first end plate  20 , first hinge pin  60 , further illustrating assembly of the components. The first flange  100  being approximately parallel to the first tab  25 , and the first pivot hole  101  axially aligned with the first fulcrum hole  27 , the first hinge pin  60  inserts through the first pivot hole  101  and through the first fulcrum hole  27 , forming an axis wherein the glass retention frame  40  rotates. The first hinge pin  60  is secured with a first pin nut  65 . In the preferred embodiment, the first hinge pin  60  and or second hinge pin  70  are threaded, but one skilled in the art may use any of a variety of securing methods to ensure fixation. 
   One skilled in the art will understand that the above described embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and that alterations in the shape, changes in materials, and modifications in configuration may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.