Abstract:
A housing for a light fixture comprising a body having a sidewall with a plurality of fin-engaging elements and at least one fin removably engaged with at least one of the fin-engaging elements, thereby providing great design adaptability at modest cost. Preferably, one fin differs from another fin in character such as in shape, color, material or indicia displayed on the surface of the fin. A method is also provided for fabricating a light fixture with selective and exchangeable fins whereby selected placement of the fins around the sidewall is possible.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is related generally to housing assemblies for industrial light fixtures. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Light fixtures found in indoor industrial, commercial, and retail settings typically consist of a housing and a lamp assembly. The housing holds within it the power components needed by the fixture to operate such as the ballast and the capacitor. The lamp assembly often may consist of a lamp socket, a lamp or light source mounted to the socket, and a reflector or refractor to distribute the light from the lamp in a useful and desirable manner. 
   In the past, light fixtures of this nature were mounted high above the ground by securing the housing to a ceiling or ceiling supports. Such fixtures were usually out of sight and valued primarily on how well they provided illumination. As a consequence, the design of the housing drew upon functional requirements such as the spacing of the components and their need for ventilation rather than upon style. 
   Today&#39;s lighting fixtures, however, are expected to meet the needs of the purchaser that are not just limited to their use as a source of lighting. More and more often light fixtures are seen as one of the elements to be drawn upon by interior decorators to create a desired atmosphere in a given indoor setting. These fixtures are no longer hidden by high ceilings but are suspended from the ceiling to be closer to workers and customers. Many fixtures are even found being mounted to the surrounding walls. As a result, light fixtures are quite often being chosen to match or contrast with the room or building&#39;s decor. They may also be called upon to assist in establishing or projecting a certain corporate image for the purchaser such as by their choice of color or by their display of specific icons or logos. 
   Even many light fixtures that could be considered stylish have their shortcomings. Customers of lighting fixtures, like those of any product, demand timely delivery of the goods they order. Keeping the time needed, therefore, to fill and deliver a customer&#39;s order to a minimum is critical. This has meant limited choices for the customer since any customization of the light fixture has to be performed at the time of assembly. Moreover, any such customization can oftentimes be quite time consuming, increasing the cost to both the manufacturer and customer. This has naturally been a source of some dissatisfaction to many customers who have grown accustomed over the years to being able to choose from a wide selection for nearly any other product they buy. 
   Another shortcoming with the more stylish lighting fixtures is the fact that their appearance after purchase is fixed. If the room or area around the fixture is later remodeled or redesigned, its particular look may no longer be desirable. On the other hand, replacement of the fixture would be in most cases cost prohibitive. A lighting fixture then that can be customized at any time, to meet the needs of the purchaser for the particular setting where it is being used, would be highly desirable. 
   A lighting fixture is therefore needed having features that can be easily customized or changed to reflect the tastes or decorative sensibilities of the purchaser. A lighting fixture is also needed where such customization can be done inexpensively so that individual lines of light fixtures targeting different but select customer groups can be developed economically. In particular, there are significant benefits in having a light fixture that can be manufactured at a low cost and yet includes features that allow one model to reflect the colors of a local school or sports team in a specific part of the country while a different unit can be made to display the logo of a certain corporation. This invention meets these needs and overcomes other problems and shortcomings in the prior art. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved lighting fixture that overcomes some of the problems and shortcomings of the prior art. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide an improved lighting fixture allowing for great versatility in appearance in a very economic manner. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide a novel lighting fixture where the appearance of the lighting fixture can be easily customized at any time. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide an exceptional lighting fixture that can be easily fabricated to achieve a variety of ornamental designs using selective and exchangeable fins. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide an excellent lighting fixture having a plurality of fins selectively placed around its housing, using fins differing from one another in shape, color, material, or surface indicia. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a desirable light fixture that permits a level of customization that meets the particular decorative needs of the purchaser and yet is simple to construct, easy to maintain, and highly reliable to operate. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is an improvement in housings for lighting fixtures. The light fixture housing of this invention comprises a body having a sidewall where the sidewall has a plurality of fin-engaging elements and at least one fin, preferably a plurality of fins, removably engaged with at least one of the fin-engaging elements. It is desirable that the body be formed by an extrusion process. 
   In certain desired embodiments, the number of fins is equal to the number of fin-engaging elements. In more preferred embodiments, there are fewer fins than fin-engaging elements, the fins being selectively placed around the sidewall. For example, the number of fins may be half of the number of fin-engaging elements with the fins engaged with every other fin-engaging element. 
   In some highly preferred embodiments, at least one fin differs from another fin in shape, color, or material. In other desirable cases, one or more fins have a surface that displays indicia, such as a decorative feature or corporate logo. 
   Certain preferred embodiments find the fin-engaging elements to be slots formed in the sidewall. More preferred is where the sidewall is radially symmetrical about a central axis. In some desirable cases, the sidewall is substantially cylindrical. Highly preferred embodiments find the slots being placed equidistantly around the circumference of a radially symmetrical sidewall. 
   In a most desirable embodiment, the sidewall has an interior surface and each slot is formed to slideably receive and engage a fin having at least one stop extending from a rear edge. Each stop engages the interior surface and holds a fin in place when the fin is inserted into one of the slots. With these embodiments, it is preferred that each slot have a catch attached to the interior surface where the catch is sized to receive and hold the stop. Moreover, it is desirable that each slot run substantially the length of the sidewall and that the stop be a pair of flanges and the catch be a channel running the length of the slot whereby the flanges are slidably received and engaged by the channel. Highly preferred is where each channel has two ends and a set screw is inserted in at least one of the ends between the channel and one of the flanges so that each fin is secured firmly in position in the channel. 
   In certain embodiments, the body has a body top-edge and a body bottom-edge. A top cap is fastened to the body top-edge and a bottom cap is fastened to the body bottom-edge. Power-related components such as a ballast and a capacitor are secured within the enclosed space of the housing defined by the sidewall, top cap, and bottom cap. 
   In another preferred embodiment, at least one fin is made from translucent material and a strip that includes a series of LED elements is secured between that fin and the channel. In this manner, light from the strip is received and captured by the fin. 
   Certain desired embodiments find the sidewall, preferably one that is substantially cylindrical, having an outer surface where the fin-engaging elements are grooves extending along that outer surface. Most desirable is when the grooves are coplanar with the central axis of the body. 
   A highly preferred embodiment is where the grooves are formed to slideably receive and engage the fins and each fin has first and second tabs extending from opposite ends of a rear edge. A cap-rim fastened to the top-edge of the body is sized to receive and capture each of the first tabs. Likewise, a collar-rim fastened to the bottom-edge of the body is sized to hold each of the second tabs. In this manner, the fins are held in place by the cap-rim and the collar-rim. Most desirable is where the cap-rim has a number of cap-apertures and the collar-rim has a plurality of collar-apertures. In these embodiments, each cap-aperture is in registry with one of the grooves and one of the collar-apertures and each aperture is formed to receive and engage one of the tabs. 
   A method is also provided by this invention for fabricating a light fixture with selective and exchangeable fins. The method comprises providing a body having a sidewall where the sidewall has a plurality of fin-engaging elements and engaging at least one fin with at least one of the fin-engaging elements. Most preferred is when the method further includes the step of choosing the at least one fin from a group of fins of differing character. For example, the fins in this group may differ in shape or color, they could be made from different materials, or they could have different indicia on their surfaces. Highly preferred is where the number of fins is less than the number of fin-engaging elements so that selected placement of the fins around the sidewall is possible. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred light fixture in accordance with this invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a schematic representation of a light fixture housing in accordance with this invention taken substantially along the plane of line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of another preferred light fixture housing in accordance with this invention taken substantially along the plane of line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1  having an LED-strip adjacent to each fin. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of an other preferred light fixture housing in accordance with this invention having fins with outwardly extending tabs. 
       FIG. 5A  is a schematic representation of a light fixture housing in accordance with this invention in cross-section, showing selective placement of fins in only three of the available eight fin-engaging slots. 
       FIG. 5B  is a schematic representation of a light fixture housing in accordance with this invention in cross-section, showing selective placement of fins in only four of the available eight fin-engaging slots. 
       FIG. 5C  is a schematic representation of a light fixture housing in accordance with this invention in cross-section, showing selective placement of fins in each of the available eight fin-engaging slots. 
       FIG. 6A  is a schematic representation of a fin in accordance with this invention showing a choice of shape for the fin. 
       FIG. 6B  is a schematic representation of a fin in accordance with this invention showing another choice of shape for the fin. 
       FIG. 6C  is a schematic representation of a fin in accordance with this invention showing an alternative shape for the fin. 
       FIG. 6D  is a schematic representation of a fin in accordance with this invention showing indicia on the surface of the fin. 
       FIG. 6E  is a schematic representation of a fin in accordance with this invention showing an alternative form of indicia on the surface of the fin. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of a light fixture housing  10  in accordance with this invention. 
   As seen in  FIG. 1 , housing  10  has a body  12 , a top cap  14 , and a bottom collar  15 . Body  12  includes sidewall  16  and bottom  19 . Reflector  17  is securely mounted to bottom collar  15  beneath housing  10  to comprise light fixture  20 . A plurality of fins  18  are removably engaged to sidewall  16 . 
   In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each fin  18  has a pair of flanges  22 A,  22 B extending orthogonally from opposite fin-surfaces  32  adjacent to the rear edge  24  of fin  18 . In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , each fin  18  has two tabs  26 ,  28  extending outwardly from opposite ends of rear edge  24 . 
   In either embodiment, fins  18  can differ from each other in character such as in color or material.  FIGS. 6A–6C  show how fins  18  may also differ from one another in shape. Likewise,  FIGS. 6D–6E  illustrate how certain other fins  18  may differ by the indicia  30  displayed on fin-surfaces  32 . It is understood that indicia  30  can be displayed on either or both fin-surfaces  32 . It is further understood that fins  18  can differ from one another based upon the variety of available combinations arrived at by permutations of color, space, material, and indicia. 
   In  FIG. 2 , it will be seen that sidewall  16  is substantially cylindrical. Sidewall  16  defines a plurality of substantially identical fin-engaging slots  34 . Slots  34  are spaced equidistantly around the circumference of sidewall  16 . 
   Each slot  34  opens into a channel  36  rigidly attached to the interior surface  37  of sidewall  16  and running the length of sidewall  16 . Slot  34  and channel  36  are sized to slideably receive fin  18 . It will be appreciated that the cross-sectional dimensions of channel  36  are sized so as to permit fitted engagement of flanges  22 A,  22 B within channel  36 . Likewise, slot  34  is sized to frictionally hold fin  18  between slot-walls  40 . 
   At one end of each channel  36  is a screw-receiving aperture  42 . A set screw  44  is threaded into screw-receiving aperture  42  at slots  34  holding a fin  18 . Set screw  44  secures fin  18  firmly in position within slot  34  by tightening the contact between channel  36  with flanges  22 A,  22 B. 
   Top cap  14 , bottom  19  and sidewall  16  define a substantially enclosed interior  46  within housing  10 .  FIG. 2  represents how power components, shown generally as  48 , are secured with respect to sidewall  16  and bottom  19  within interior  46 . Power components include ballasts, capacitors, ignitors and other devices needed to create the proper electrical power for the high-intensity discharge lamps that are standard in most commercial and industrial light fixtures. Fins  18  may be made from metals that facilitate the dissipation of the heat generated by power components  48 . 
   The bottom  19  of body  12  defines socket-window  52 . Lamp-mounting socket  56  is received by socket-window  52  and secured to bottom  19  by means of socket-bracket  54 . The lamp (not shown) for light fixture  20  is mounted to socket  56  which is electrically connected to power components  48 . 
   In an alternative embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , channel  36  includes LED-chamber  38 . LED-chamber  38  preferably runs the length of housing  10 . An LED-strip  50  of light emitting diode (LED) elements  58  is secured within LED-chamber  38 . (An LED element  58  shown in  FIG. 3  masks other elements on LED-strip  50  that are beneath it.) LED-strip  50  is used in combination with a fin  18  made from a translucent material. It can be appreciated that light from LED-strip  50  will illuminate translucent fins from within housing  10  in a manner such that the fins are given a distinct glowing appearance. 
   Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is seen in  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment, fin-engaging grooves  62  are defined by the exterior surface  64  of sidewall  16 . Grooves  62  are sized to slidably receive and firmly grip fins  18  between groove-walls  60 . 
   Sidewall  16  is substantially cylindrical about central axis  66 . Each groove  62  is coplanar with central axis  66 . Grooves  62  are substantially identical and spaced equidistantly about the circumference of sidewall  16 . 
   Body  12  is provided with a top-edge  68  and a bottom-edge  70 . Top cap  14  is in fitted engagement to sidewall  16  along top-edge  68 . Top cap  14  covers cap-rim  72 . Cap-rim  72  is provided with a plurality of cap-apertures  74  and a plurality of fastener-apertures  76 . The number of fastener-apertures  76  may, but need not be, equivalent to the number of cap-apertures  74 . 
   Cap-rim  72  is fastened to top-edge  68  by inserting a fastener (not shown) through each fastener-aperture  76  and into threaded engagement with aligned fastener-receptors  78  on top-edge  68 . It is seen that cap-apertures  74  are located on cap-rim  72  so that when cap-rim  72  is secured to sidewall  16 , each cap-aperture  74  is in registry with a different groove  62 . In this manner, first tab  26  on any fin  18  mounted within a groove  62  is received and held in place by the corresponding cap-aperture  74 . 
   Bottom collar  15  is fastened with collar-rim  80  to sidewall  16  along bottom-edge  70 . Collar-rim  80  is provided with a plurality of collar-apertures  82  and a plurality of fastener-apertures  76 . As with cap-rim  72 , the number of fastener-apertures  76  need not be the same as the number of collar-apertures  82 . Bottom collar  15  has a plurality of fastener-apertures  76  that correspond in number to those on collar-rim  80 . 
   Bottom collar  15  along with collar-rim  80  are secured to sidewall  16  by inserting a fastener (not shown) through each fastener-aperture  76  on bottom collar  15 , through an aligned fastener-aperture  76  on collar-rim  80 , and then into threaded engagement with aligned fastener-receptors  78  on bottom-edge  70 . As with cap-rim  72 , collar-apertures  82  are positioned on collar-rim  80  to be in registry with each groove  62  when collar-rim  80  is fastened to bottom-edge  70 . In this manner, second tab  28  on each fin  18  placed in grooves  62  is received and captured by a corresponding collar-aperture  82 . 
     FIGS. 5A–5C  demonstrate how selected placement of fins  18  around sidewall  16  is possible. Where sidewall  16  is provided with eight fin-engaging grooves  62  as shown, fins  18  (that can differ from one another in shape, color, material or surface indicia) may be inserted in three ( FIG. 5A ), four ( FIG. 5B ) or all eight ( FIG. 5C ) of the available grooves. 
   If the configuration seen in  FIG. 5A  should be selected, the manner in which each fin  18  is removably mounted within grooves  62  of housing  10  easily permits a different configuration (such as the one seen in  FIG. 5C ) to be selected at some later date. In addition, the user is free to select different types of fins  18  as well. In this fashion, a novel light fixture with a varying number and pattern of exchangeable and differing fins is achieved. 
   The various parts of housing  10  shown in the drawings and described above are preferably formed by an extrusion process. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the housing may be fabricated using a variety of materials and a variety of production procedures. Moreover, while weights, shapes and sizes of all parts can vary greatly depending upon the particular application being made of the housing, such changes may be fully accommodated by a housing assembly configuration in accordance with this invention. 
   While the principles of the invention have been shown and described in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that such embodiments are by way of example and are not limiting.