Patent Publication Number: US-2021190305-A1

Title: Grow light with shields

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/952,825, filed Dec. 23, 2019. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention pertains to a grow light with shields. More particularly, this invention pertains to fire protection shields and electrical protection shields for a lamp assembly with light emitting diodes protruding therefrom. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Grow lights provide artificial light to help plants grow. Grow lights are typically used to mimic outdoor conditions by providing the intensity and light spectrum necessary for specific plants to grow. Grow lights allow for growing plants in specialized structures without having to tolerate the vagaries of the weather and the inefficiency of having only one level to grow plants. 
     In order to mimic sunlight, grow lights provide high intensity. Various types of grow lights use incandescent bulbs, florescent lights, high-intensity discharge lamps (HID), metal halide lights, and light emitting diodes (LED). Grow lights, because of their high intensity illumination, generate large amounts of heat and often use lots of power. The heat must be handled in a safe manner to avoid the grow light being a fire hazard. The power must be contained against electrical faults. 
     Grow lights are subject to fire protection standards. Also, because grow lights are electrically powered, they are subject to electrical standards. These standards vary based on the use of the grow light, that is, consumer or commercial/industrial use. Grow lights are used in industrial settings and are also used in consumer or home type environments. Generally, consumer level grow lights have the most strict standards for fire and electrical safety due to their potential use in close proximity to residential spaces. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, circuit shields and conductor shields are provided. The circuit shields are proximate the light emitting diodes of a grow light and the conductor shields are proximate point-to-point wiring between LED panels. The shields offer fire protection and electrical protection for the circuits associated with the grow light. The grow light has an array of light emitting diodes (LED) positioned to direct light away from the bottom of the grow light. The mounting board for the LEDs includes a circuit, or fire protection, shield that is a flame barrier. The flame barrier, or circuit shield, is flame retardant material that covers the mounting board with openings for the LEDs to protrude so that the circuit shield does not block the light. The circuit shield also provides another layer of electrical protection for the circuit traces between the LEDs. In one embodiment, the circuit shield also has an outer surface that aids in reflecting the light from the LEDs, thereby ensuring that as much light as possible is directed downward, away from the mounting board. 
     The conductor, or electrical protection, shields are wire covers that enclose and protect the exposed point-to-point wiring on the surface of the lamp portion of the grow light. Point-to-point wiring is wiring, typically insulated conductors, but sometimes bare conductors, that provide electrical connections between components or connections on printed circuit boards. The wire covers are electrically insulating so as to prevent unintentional contact with the point-to-point wiring connecting individual LED circuit boards. 
     The conductor shields also provide fire protection by being a fire barrier between the electrical conductors contained by the conductor shields and the environment outside the conductor shields. The wire covers extend beyond the outer face of the LEDs and the circuit shield, away from the lamp portion of the grow light. In this way, the wire covers provide support and provide mechanical shielding of the LEDs when the grow light is resting on a surface, such as may occur during installation and maintenance. 
     The combination of the circuit shields and the wire covers provide an enclosure for the electrical traces and wiring of the lamp portion of the grow light. That enclosure protects against electrical hazards and fire hazards. 
     In one embodiment the grow light includes a light assembly including a plurality of light emitting diodes on one surface of said light assembly, said light assembly including a first conductor connected to said plurality of light emitting diodes, said light assembly including a second conductor electrically connected to said first conductor, said second conductor providing a power connection to said plurality of light emitting diodes; a circuit shield configured to attach to said one surface of said light assembly, said circuit shield dimensioned to cover said first conductor, and said circuit shield being a fire barrier; and a wire shield configured to attach to said one surface of said light assembly, said wire shield enclosing said second conductor, and said wire shield is an electrical and fire barrier. 
     In one embodiment the grow light includes: a light assembly including a plurality of light emitting diodes on one surface of said light assembly, said light assembly including a first conductor connected to said plurality of light emitting diodes, said light assembly including a second conductor electrically connected to said first conductor, said second conductor providing a power connection to said plurality of light emitting diodes; and a circuit shield configured to attach to said one surface of said light assembly, said circuit shield dimensioned to cover said first conductor, and said circuit shield being a fire barrier. 
     In one such embodiment, the circuit shield is a planar sheet, and said circuit shield includes a plurality of openings spaced to correspond to said plurality of light emitting diodes whereas said light emitting diodes project light through said plurality of openings when said plurality of light emitting diodes are energized. In various such embodiments, the circuit shield is an electrical insulator and the circuit shield is attached to said light assembly with an adhesive or with a plurality of fasteners. 
     In one embodiment the grow light includes a light assembly including a plurality of light emitting diodes on one surface of said light assembly, said light assembly including a first conductor connected to said plurality of light emitting diodes, said light assembly including a second conductor electrically connected to said first conductor, said second conductor providing a power connection to said plurality of light emitting diodes; and a wire shield configured to attach to said one surface of said light assembly, said wire shield enclosing said second conductor. 
     In one embodiment, the wire shield includes a bottom and four sides forming a box-shape with an open side, said bottom and said four sides defining a cavity dimensioned to receive a portion of said second conductor, and said open side configured to engage said circuit shield and said light assembly when positioned to cover said second conductor. In one such embodiment, the wire shield is an electrical insulator. In another such embodiment, the wire shield is a fire barrier. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned features will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description read together with the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a bottom view of one embodiment of a grow light with shields in place. 
         FIG. 2  is an upside-down side view of the grow light of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded upside-down side view of one embodiment of the grow light. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial exploded view of the grow light. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the lamp portion of the base plate of the grow light. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of a circuit shield. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the open side of one embodiment of a wire shield. 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of the open side of the wire shield shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the wire shield shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is an end view of the wire shield shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view of a second embodiment of a grow light with shields in place. 
         FIG. 12  is a upside-down side view of the grow light of  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS 
     Apparatus for fire protection shields  116  and electrical protection shields  106  for a light emitting diode (LED) grow light  100  are disclosed. The grow light is generally indicated as  100 , with particular embodiments and variations shown in the figures and described below having an alphabetic suffix, for example,  100 -A,  100 -B. Various components are illustrated both generically and specifically in the figures and in the following description. For example, the conductors  302 -A,  302 -B are discussed individually and separately to ensure clarity when describing the configuration of each type of conductor  302 -A,  302 -B. The conductors  302 , when referred to generically, are referenced without the alphanumeric suffix. 
     The positions, for example, bottom and top, are relative to the grow light  100  in its installed position, with the light  100  above the plants to be illuminated. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a bottom view of one embodiment of a grow light  100 -A with shields  106 -A,  116  in place.  FIG. 2  illustrates an upside-down side view of the grow light  100 -A of  FIG. 1 . The illustrated embodiment of the grow light  100 -A includes a lamp portion  122 -A with four each circuit shields  116  and four each conductor shields, or wire covers,  106 -A. The circuit shields  116  are primarily fire protection shields and are referred herein as circuit shields  116 , fire shields  116 , and fire protection shields  116  interchangeably. The conductor shields  106  are primarily electrical protection shields and are referred herein as wire covers  106 , covers  106 , wire shields  106 , and conductor shields  106 , interchangeably. Both types of shields  116 ,  106 -A provide fire protection and electrical protection functions to varying degrees. 
     The base plate  102 -A includes a lamp portion  122 -A, multiple light assemblies  104 -A on the bottom side  212 , and a power supply  202  on the top side  214 . In one embodiment, the base plate  102 -A is an aluminum plate or panel that serves as a heat sink for dissipating heat generated by the lamp portion  122 -A. In one such embodiment, the plate  102 -A is surface treated to have high thermal emissivity, which aids in dissipating heat generated by the lamp portion  122 -A. For example, the plate  102 -A is powder coated or anodized. The base plate  102 -A includes spaced holes  112  configured for supporting the grow light  100 -A. In various embodiments, the holes  112  receive eye-bolts or hooks that are attached to chains, straps, or cables suspended from an overhead structure, such as a ceiling. In this way the grow light  100 -A is supported above the plants to be illuminated with the bottom  212  of the grow light  100 -A facing the plants to be illuminated. 
     The lamp portion  122 -A is the part or portion of the base plate  102 -A that includes the light assemblies  104 -A. In the illustrated embodiment, the lamp portion  122 -A supports four light assemblies  104 -A arranged in an array of two pairs of adjacent light assemblies  104 -A. The lamp portion  122 -A also provides a heat sink for the heat generated by the light assemblies  104 -A. 
     The bottom side or surface  212  of the base plate  102 -A includes an array of four light assemblies  104 -A, with each light assembly  104 -A having an array of multiple rows of light emitting diodes (LEDs)  114 . In one such embodiment, the LEDs  114  are surface mount devices with the light emitting portion directed away from the planar surface of the light assembly  104 -A. In such an embodiment, the surface of the light assembly  104 -A includes circuit traces  402  that provide electrical connections to the LEDs  114 . In one such embodiment, the circuit traces  402  have an insulating coating over the traces. 
     Each of the light assemblies  104 -A has a corresponding circuit, or fire protection, shield  116 . Adjacent pairs of light assemblies  104 -A have wire covers, or conductor shields,  106 -A extending therebetween. The bottom surface  216  of the wire covers  106 -A extends beyond the LEDs  114  protruding from the light assemblies  104 -A and past the circuit shields  116 . In this way, the wire covers  106 -A support the grow light  100 -A and protect the light assemblies  104 -A when the grow light  100 -A is positioned on a flat surface, such as during installation or maintenance. 
     The top side  214  of the base plate  102 -A includes a power supply  202  that is attached to the plate  102 -A. Extending from the power supply  202  is a power cable  204 . The power cable  204  is configured to connect to a power source for providing power to the grow light  100 -A. Also extending from the power supply  202  is a ground wire  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the ground wire  110  extends through a pass-through fitting  108  and is terminated at a ground screw  120  on the bottom side  212  of the plate  102 -A. In another embodiment, the ground wire  110  is terminated at the top side  214  of the plate  102 -A. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the grow light  100 -A includes multiple fasteners  124 ,  126 . The circuit shields  116  and the light assemblies  104 -A are attached and secured to the base plate  102 -A with multiple fasteners  124  spaced apart with the fasteners  124  engaging openings  324 . The wire covers  106 -A are attached and secured to the light assemblies  104 -A and the base plate  102 -A with multiple fasteners  126 . In various embodiments, the fasteners  124 ,  126  are rivets or threaded screws or bolts. In another embodiment, the circuit shields  116  are attached to the light assemblies  104 -A with an adhesive. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded upside-down side view of one embodiment of the grow light  100 -A.  FIG. 4  illustrates a partial exploded view of the grow light  100 -A.  FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom view of the lamp portion  122 -A of the base plate  102 -A of the grow light  100 -A without the shields  106 ,  116 .  FIG. 6  illustrates a plan view of a circuit shield  116 . 
     The light assemblies  104 -A are shown proximate the bottom side  212  of the base plate  102 -A. The circuit shields  116  are shown above the light assemblies  104 -A with the fasteners  124  poised to secure the circuit shields  116  to the light assemblies  104 -A and the base plate  102 -A. In the illustrated embodiment, the fasteners  124  secure both the circuit shields  116  and the light assemblies  104 -A to the base plate  102 -A. In another embodiment, the circuit shields  116  are attached to the light assemblies  104 -A with fasteners separate from the fasteners securing the light assemblies  104 -A to the base plate  102 -A. 
     The wire covers  106 -A are shown with the circuit shields  116  between the wire covers  106  and the light assemblies  104 -A. The fasteners  126  for the wire shields  106 -A have a length sufficient to extend through the wire covers  106 -A, the circuit shield  116 , the light assemblies  104 -A, and into the base plate  102 . Power supply conductors  302 -A extend from the power supply pass-through fittings  308  to the light assemblies  104 -A. Interconnect conductors  302 -B extend between adjacent pairs of light assemblies  104 -A in order to electrically connect the adjacent light assemblies  104 -A. The wire covers  106 -A, when attached to the lamp portion  122 -A, cover the conductors  302 -A,  302 -B. The conductors  302 -A,  302 -B, the circuit traces  402  on the light assemblies  104 -A, and the LEDs  114  form an electrical circuit powered by the power supply  202 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of the light assemblies  104 -A with circuit traces  402  that connect the LEDs  114 . The circuit traces  402  provide the electrical connections necessary to connect the LEDs  114  to the power supply conductors  302 -A from the output of the power supply  202 . A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the topology of the circuit traces  402  will vary depending upon the voltage and power requirements of the LEDs  114 . 
     The circuit traces  402 , in one embodiment, are electrical conductors covered with an insulated coating. The circuit traces  402  on each light assembly  104 -A are also covered with the circuit shield  116 . Two light assemblies  104 -A are electrically connected in series with conductor  302 -B. The pair of series connected light assemblies  104 -A are powered by two conductors  302 -A from the power supply  202 . In other embodiments, the light assemblies  104 -A are connected with other topologies in order to provide power to illuminate the associated LEDs  114 . The wire covers  106 -A enclose the conductors  302  that would otherwise be exposed, providing an electrical, insulated cover. 
     In one embodiment, the light assemblies  104 -A are integral with the base plate  102 -A. That is, the base plate  102 -A has a surface  212  that includes circuit traces  402  and surface mount LEDs  114 . In one such embodiment, the LEDs  114  are arranged in multiple arrays that correspond to multiple light assemblies  104 -A. In another embodiment, the LEDs  114  are arranged in a single array that corresponds to a single light assembly  104 -A that extends over most of the surface area of the base plate  102 -A. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of the circuit shield  116 . The circuit shield  116  is a planar sheet of flame retardant material with a dielectric strength sufficient for the voltages applied by the power supply  202  and/or seen by the circuit on the light assembly  104 . The circuit shield  116  includes holes  602  that are sized and spaced so as to receive the LEDs  114  on the light assembly  104 . That is, location of the holes  602  correspond to the location of the LEDs  114 . In one such embodiment, the holes  602  are punched in the shield  116 . Each hole  602  is sized to fit closely around the protruding portion of the LED in order to minimize the space between the circuit shield  116  and each LED  114 . In this way the fire protection function of the circuit shield  116  is maximized. 
     In one embodiment, the circuit shield  116  is attached to the light assembly  104  with fasteners  124 , such as rivets or screws. In another embodiment, the circuit shield  116  is attached to the light assembly  104  with an adhesive. In one such embodiment, the adhesive is a pressure sensitive, adhesive backing fixed to a surface of the circuit shield  116 . The adhesive backing is covered with a release liner or removable sheet that allows for the circuit shield  116  to be pressed against the surface of the LED circuit on the light assembly  104 . The adhesive backing has high temperature resistance so that the circuit shield  116  remains in position under all expected conditions. 
     In one embodiment, the circuit shield  116  is formed from a product such as 3M Flame Barrier FRB series sheet. The sheet of material is die cut to have the openings  602  positioned to receive the LEDs  114 . For the embodiment that uses fasteners  124 ,  126 , the fastener openings  604  are also die cut. In an embodiment in which fasteners  124  are not used, the circuit shield  116  has an adhesive backing. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view showing the open side  712  of one embodiment of a wire shield  106 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a plan view of the open side of the wire shield  106  shown in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of the wire shield  106  shown in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 10  illustrates an end view of the wire shield  106  shown in  FIG. 7 . The bottom  216  of the cover  106  is referenced relative to the position of the cover  106  when installed on the lamp portion  122  of the grow light  100 . That is, the bottom  216  of the cover  106  is the side that faces in the same direction as the bottom surface  212  of the base plate  102 . In other words, bottom  216  of the cover  106  is the side that is closest to the plants to be illuminated by the light  100 . When attached to the lamp portion  122 , the open side, or opening,  712  of the wire cover  106  is adjacent the lamp portion  122  and the bottom side  216  of the wire cover  106  is the side distal to the lamp portion  122 . 
     The wire cover  106  is a box  702  that is substantially rectangular and has five sides  216 ,  706 ,  708 ,  804  with an open side  712 . The wire cover  106  has a bottom side or surface  216  opposite the one open side, or opening,  712 . The bottom surface  216  includes a pair of openings  802  that receive the fasteners  126  that secure the wire shield  106  to the plate  102 . The open side  712  is configured to be placed against the bottom side  212  and the fire protection shield  116 . The inside of the wire cover  106  is a cavity  704  defined by the bottom  216 , the outer side  706 , the inner side  708 , and the ends  804 . The cavity  704  is sized to receive and enclose the conductors  302 -A,  302 -B that protrude above the surface of the lamp assemblies  104  and circuit shields  116 . The wire cover  106  contains and protects the conductors  302 -A,  302 -B. 
     The outer side  706  of the wire cover  106  extends between the two ends  804 . The outer side  706  is relative to the light assembly  104 , that is, the outer side  706  is the side that is outermost or furthest away from the light assembly  104 . The outer side  706  is the side of the cover  106  that is closest to or proximate the edge of the base plate  102 . The outer side  706  is configured to engage the bottom surface  212  of the base plate  102  with a portion of the light assembly  104  extending under the wire cover  106  proximate the open side  712 . 
     The inner side  708  of the wire cover  106  extends between the two ends  804  opposite the outer side  706 . The inner side  708  is relative to the light assembly  104 , that is, the inner side  708  is the side that is closest or proximate to the light assembly  104 . The inner side  708  is the side that is furthest away from or distal to the edge of the base plate  102 . The inner side  708  includes a pair of nubs  714  with a recess  710  therebetween and a cutout  716  outboard of the nubs  714 . 
     The inner side  708  is configured to engage the light shields  116  on adjacent light assemblies  104  and the bottom surface  212  of the base plate  102  between the adjacent light assemblies  104 . The inner side  708  has a recess  710  sized and configured to receive a portion of the pass-through fittings  308  that carry the conductors  302 -A between the power supply  202  and the light assemblies  104 . The outboard cutouts  716  on the inner side  708  have a surface configured to engage the circuit shields  116  that butt against the protruding nubs  714 . Each nub  714  fills the gap between a light assembly  104  and the pass-through fitting  308 . The nubs  714  protrude and extend to the bottom  212  of the plate  102 . In this way, the opening  712  at the top of the wire cover  106  is proximate the base plate  102 , the light assemblies  104 , and the fitting  308 , thereby ensuring that the conductor  302 -A is enclosed. 
     The conductor  302 -B that electrically connects two adjacent light assemblies  104  does not have an associated pass-through connector  308 . When the wire cover  106  is positioned over the conductor  302 -B the recess  710  on the inner side  708  of the cover  106  is open. In another embodiment of the wire cover  106 , the inner side  708  does not include a recess  710  between a pair of nubs  714 . Instead, the top surface  712  of the inner side  708  engages the bottom surface  212  of the base plate  102  between the adjacent light assemblies  104 . In such an embodiment, a single nub  714  extends between the adjacent light assemblies  104 , filling the space between the two assemblies  104 . 
     The wire cover  106  provides electrical protection for the conductors  302  under the cover  106 . In one embodiment, the wire cover  106  is sized to provide an air space in the cavity  704  with the air space being a gap between the conductors  302  and the inside surface of the wire cover  106 . In one embodiment, the wire cover  106  is an electrical insulator, that is, the wire cover  106  is made of or is coated with a non-electrically conducting material. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a bottom view of a second embodiment of a grow light  100 -B with shields  106 -B,  116 ′ in place.  FIG. 12  illustrates an upside-down side view of the grow light  100 -B of  FIG. 11 . The illustrated embodiment of the grow light  100 -B includes three opposing pairs of lamp portions  122 -B, each one with a circuit shield  116 ′ and a pair of conductor shields, or wire covers,  106 -B between each opposing pair of lamp portions  122 -B. 
     The grow light  100 -B includes a base plate  102 -B, multiple light assemblies  104 -B on the bottom side  212 , a power supply  202  on the top side  214 , and hinges  1202  joining the bridge sections  1122  between adjacent pairs of lamp portions  122 -B. In one embodiment, the base plate  102 -B is an aluminum plate that serves as a heat sink for dissipating heat generated by the lamp portions  122 -B. In one such embodiment, the plate  102 -B is surface treated to have high thermal emissivity, which aids in dissipating heat generated by the light assemblies  104 -B. For example, the plate  102 -B is powder coated or anodized. The base plate  102 -B includes spaced, elongated openings  1106  that allow air flow between the top and bottom surfaces  212 ,  214 . 
     The base plate  102 -B has a double-H configuration divided into sections that include three pairs of opposing lamp portions  122 -B. Each lamp portion  122 -B is the part or portion of the base plate  102 -B that supports a light assembly  104 -B and provides a heat sink for the heat generated by that light assembly  104 -B. Each pair of opposing lamp portions  122 -B is separated by a base portion  1124 . The adjacent base portions  1124  are joined with a bridge member  1122 -B. The bridge members, or bar sections,  1122 -B form the bar of the H-shape and adjacent pairs of opposing lamp portions  122 -B and the associated base portions  1124  form the two stems of the H-shape. The center opposing lamp portions  122 -B form the shared stem for the double H-shape of the illustrated embodiment of the base plate  102 -B. 
     The illustrated embodiment shows three parallel, elongated openings  1106  in the two outermost base portions  1124 . The openings  1106  are slots that allow air to flow through the base plate  102 -B, thereby aiding the cooling of the grow light  100 -B. The central base portion  1124  does not have slots  1106  because the power supply  202  is mounted on the top side  214  of the base plate  102 -B. 
     The bridge members  1122 -B have a split  1102  that separates each bridge member  1122 -B into two bridge member halves  1122 -B 1 ,  1122 -B 2  that are connected with a pair of hinges  1202 . The hinges  1202  are secured to the top surface  214  of the base plate  102 -B with multiple fasteners  1104 . The outermost bridge member half  1122 -B 2  and the outermost pair of lamp portions  122 -B 2  pivot around the hinges  1202 . In this way, the light assemblies  104 -B on the pair of opposing lamp portions  122 -B 2  are movable between a first position  1200 - 1  and a selected second position  1200 - 2  relative to the central portion of the base plate  102 -B. 
     The first position  1200 - 1  has the base plate  102 -B planar with the two half members  1122 -B 1 ,  1122 -B 2  butted together such that the base plate  102 -B is flat. The second position  1200 - 2  is where the base plate  102 -B is not planar, that is, the two half members  1122 -B 1 ,  1122 -B 2  are rotated about the hinges  1202 . In the second position  1200 - 2 , the light from one pair of opposing lamp portions  122 -B 2  is directed at an angle relative to the central pair of lamp assemblies  122 -B. In one embodiment, the angle formed by the pair of opposing lamp portions  122 -B 2  relative to the central pair of lamp assemblies  122 -B is selectable to accommodate the configuration and arrangement of the plants to be illuminated. For example, the pair of opposing lamp portions  122 -B 2  is positioned at a right angle to the central pair of lamp assemblies  122 -B to illuminate a section of vertical plant growth. The folding base plate  102 -B also provides for a compact arrangement, such as for shipping, with the outermost bridge member half  1122 -B 2  and the outermost pair of lamp portions  122 -B 2  rotated relative to the central pair of lamp assemblies  122 -B. 
     In various embodiments, the outermost bridge member half  1122 -B 2  and the outermost pair of lamp portions  122 -B 2  are secured in position by a locking pin engaging the hinge  1202  or by a support member  1204 , such as illustrated. The support member  1204 , such as illustrated, is a telescoping beam that locks the outermost pair of lamp portions  122 -B 2  in a selected position. In another embodiment, the support member  1204  is a cable or chain in tension that holds the outermost pair of lamp portions  122 -B 2  in position. In another embodiment, the base plate  102 -B is a single plate that does not include the hinges  1202  or the split  1102  in the bridge members  1122 -B. 
     The base plate  102 -B includes holes  112 ′ for suspending or supporting the grow light  100 -B. The holes  112 ′ are positioned on opposite sides of the central lamp portions  122 -B. In various embodiments, the holes  112 ′ receive eye-bolts or hooks that are attached to chains, straps, or cables suspended from an overhead structure, such as a ceiling. In this way the grow light  100 -B is supported above the plants to be illuminated with the bottom  212  of the grow light  100 -B facing the plants to be illuminated. 
     The bottom side  212  of the base plate  102 -B includes three pairs of opposing light assemblies  104 -B, with each light assembly  104 -B having multiple rows of light emitting diodes (LEDs)  114 . The light assemblies  104 -B are similar to those as described above with respect to the first embodiment of the grow light  100 -A. 
     Each of the light assemblies  104 -B has a corresponding circuit shield  116 ′. The circuit shields  116 ′ have holes or openings  602  sized and spaced to receive the LEDs  114  on the light assemblies  104 -B. The circuit shields  116 ′ are similar to those  116  described above with respect to the first embodiment of the grow light  100 -A. The circuit shields  116 ′ primarily differ in the location of the various holes or openings  602 ,  604  as those holes  602 ,  604  are positioned to match the positions of the LEDs  114  and any mounting fasteners. 
     Each of the pair of opposing light assemblies  104 -B have wire covers  106 -B extending therebetween. The illustrated wire covers  106 -B are longer than the covers  106 -A shown in  FIG. 1  because the light assemblies  104 -B are further apart. Other than the length and the open end  712  conforming to the configuration on the bottom surface  212  of the base plate  102 , the wire covers  106 -B are similar to those  106 -A described above with respect to the first embodiment of the grow light  100 -A. The bottom surface  216  of the wire covers  106 -B extends beyond the LEDs  114  protruding from the light assemblies  104 -B and past the circuit shields  116 ′. In this way, the wire covers  106 -B support the grow light  100  and protect the light assemblies  104 -B when the grow light  100 -B is positioned on a flat surface, such as during installation or maintenance. The nubs  714  and the recess  710 , if one, extend to fill the gap between the light assemblies  104 -B. 
     The top side  214  of the base plate  102 -B includes a power supply  202  that is attached to the plate  102 -B. Extending from the power supply  202  is a power cable  204 . The power cable  204  is configured to connect to a power source for providing power to the grow light  100 -A. 
     The shields  106 ,  116  include various functions. The function of providing an electrical enclosure for conductors  302 -A,  302 -B connected to the light assemblies  104  is implemented, in one embodiment, by a wire cover  106 . 
     The function of providing a stand-off support for the light assemblies  104  on the lamp portion  122  is implemented, in one embodiment, by the wire covers  106  being sized such that the bottom  216  of each cover  106  extends beyond the light assemblies  104  with the protruding LEDs  114 . In this way the grow light  100  is configured to have its bottom side placed on a planar surface with the light assemblies  104  protected from contacting the planar surface. 
     The function of minimizing the size of the grow light  100  is implemented, in one embodiment, by the wire covers  106  being dimensioned to have a cavity  704  that encloses the conductors  302  with only enough space between the cover  106  and the conductors  302  to provide an insulating gap. 
     The function of providing a fire barrier for the light assemblies  104  is implemented, in one embodiment, by the circuit shields  116  that are positioned on the bottom surface of the light assemblies  104 . 
     The function of maximizing light transmission of the light assemblies  104  through a circuit shield  116  is implemented, in one embodiment, by the circuit shields  116  covering the light assemblies  104  while having openings  602  through which a portion of the LEDs  114  pass through the circuit shields  116  without impeding the light emission of the LEDs  114 . 
     The function of maximizing light transmission of the light assemblies  104  is implemented, in one embodiment, by the circuit shields  116  having a reflective outer surface. In one such embodiment, the outer surface of the circuit shields  116  is white. 
     The function of dissipating heat generated by the grow light  100  is implemented, in one embodiment, by the base plate  102  being surface treated to have high thermal emissivity. In various such embodiments, the base plate  102  is powder coated or anodized such that heat is readily radiated from exposed portions of the base plate  102 . 
     The function of dissipating heat generated by the grow light  100  is implemented, in one embodiment, by slots  1106  in the base plate  102 -B. The slots  1106  allow for air flow between the bottom side  212  and the top side  214  of the base plate  102 -B. 
     A fire barrier is defined as a structure that is resistant to fire and prevents or inhibits the movement of a fire from one side of the fire barrier to the other. The wire cover  106  is a fire barrier because it prevents or inhibits the movement of a fire from inside the cavity  704  to outside the cover  106 . The wire cover  106  has the functions of preventing, inhibiting, and containing any fire caused by the conductors  302  enclosed in the cavity  704  of the wire cover  106 . 
     The circuit shield  116  is a fire barrier because it prevents or inhibits the movement of a fire from the electrical circuit traces  402  on the light assembly  104  from the opposite, exposed side of the circuit shield  116 . The circuit shield  116  has the functions of preventing, inhibiting, and containing any fire caused by the electrical connections to the LEDs  114  on the light assembly  104 . Those electrical connections to the LEDs  114  include the conductors forming the circuit traces  402  on the surface of the light assembly  104 . The wire covers  106  and circuit shields  116  are fire barriers that protect against a fault of the conductors  302  and/or the circuit traces  402  or LEDs  114  on the light assembly  104 , respectively. 
     An electrical barrier is defined as a structure that is an electrical insulator, that is, it is not electrically conductive and has sufficient dielectric strength to prevent and/or inhibit the voltage on one side of the electrical barrier from passing to the other side. The wire cover  106  is an electrical barrier because it is not electrically conductive and has sufficient dielectric strength to prevent and/or inhibit the voltage from the conductors  302  inside the cavity  704  from passing to outside the cover  106 . The wire cover  106  has the function to electrically insulate the conductors  302  inside the cavity  704  of the wire cover  106 . 
     The circuit shield  116  is an electrical barrier because it is not electrically conductive and has sufficient dielectric strength to prevent and/or inhibit the voltage from the electrical circuit on the light assembly  104  from passing to the opposite, exposed side of the circuit shield  116 . The circuit shield  116  has the function of electrically insulating the electrical connections to the LEDs  114 . Those electrical connections to the LEDs  114  include the conductors forming the circuit traces  402  on the surface of the light assembly  104 . The wire covers  106  and circuit shields  116  are electrical barriers that protect against a fault of the conductors  302  and/or the circuit traces  402  or LEDs  114  on the light assembly  104 , respectively. 
     From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that protective shields  106 ,  116  for both fire protection and electrical protection of a grow light  100  have been provided. The fire protection shields  116 ,  116 ′ are positioned over the light assemblies  104  and the shields  116 ,  116 ′ have openings  602  through which a portion of each LED  114  is exposed. The electrical protection shields  106 -A,  106 -B are wire covers or enclosures that are positioned over the conductors  302  that are electrically connected to the light assemblies  104 -A,  104 -B. 
     In one embodiment, the base plate  102 -A is a rectangular structure that supports multiple light assemblies  104 -A. In another embodiment, the base plate  102 -B has a double-H shape with multiple pairs of light assemblies  104 -B. In one such embodiment, the base plate  102 -B is a solid structure that is planar. In another such embodiment, the base plate  102 -B has splits  1102  in the bridge sections  1122 -B that allow the outermost pairs  122 -B 2  of the lamp portions  122 -B to pivot upward. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated by several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants&#39; general inventive concept.