Patent Abstract:
A lighting assembly utilizing a reflective body for use with a light source to uniformly disperse the light from the light source. The reflective body includes a lower array of first reflectors arranged about a central axis. Each of the first reflectors form an obtuse angle with the next adjacent first reflector. The reflective body also includes an upper array of second reflectors arranged about the central axis. Each of said second reflectors include a left face and a right face. The upper array defines obtuse angles between next adjacent second reflectors. Additionally, reflex angles are defined between the left and right faces of the second reflectors. The combination of angles evenly disperse the light supplied from the light source to provide a pleasant glow for illuminating an area below the lighting assembly without causing hot spots.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to an indirect lighting assembly, and more specifically, to a reflective body for dispersing light out of the lighting assembly and to a surface above the lighting assembly and reflected to an area below the lighting assembly to produce uniform indirect illumination to the area below. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Various lighting assemblies utilizing reflectors are well known in the prior art. Many on the lighting assemblies of the prior art include reflectors in an attempt to optimize the amount of light output. One such assembly, used for industrial lighting, utilizes a dome-shaped reflector formed of vertically oriented faces arranged around an axis. Each of the faces extend from the top to the bottom of the dome and are symmetrically arranged side-by-side for defining a plurality of vertically oriented ridges and grooves to provide overlapping areas of light to the area below the light assembly. Additionally, each of the faces have a convex configuration with respect to the lamp. 
         [0003]    Another prior art patent, for use with outdoor field lighting discloses a reflector having a dome-shaped base structure with a plurality of reflective panels flexed to conform to the dome-shaped of the base structure and fastened therein, about a lamp. Each of the sections defines a face having a surface treatment, such as a hammer-toned finish or a corrugated finish. 
         [0004]    Other prior art patents disclose lighting assemblies having a housing including a reflector disposed therein. An electrical system, including a ballast for regulating electricity, is coupled to the housing or is mounted to an area near the lighting system. These types of assemblies require extensive wiring to be done by a professional such as an electrician to properly connect the ballast to the electricity source and to the lighting assembly. Typically there are multiple lights required to light the area, therefore installation can be very time consuming and the associated costs can be substantial. 
         [0005]    These patents fail to disclose a housing that is configured to accept all of the electrical components within the housing. As stated above, the lighting assemblies disclosed in the prior art typically require an electrician or other type of specialized technician to properly install and wire these assemblies which can prove to be difficult near the ceiling, so far off the ground. Typically, lighting assemblies are less than 90% efficient, i.e. the assemblies emit less than 90% of the light output from the light source. 
         [0006]    Although the prior art lighting assemblies attempt to improve efficiency of light output and extend the life of the lighting source within the assembly, there remains a need for a lighting assembly that is relatively simple to install and that efficiently disperses uniform lighting output. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a lighting assembly utilizing a reflective body for use with a light source to disperse light from the light source. The reflective body includes a lower array of first reflectors arranged about a central axis. Each of the first reflectors form an obtuse angle with the next adjacent first reflector. The reflective body also includes an upper array of second reflectors arranged about the central axis. Each of said second reflectors include a left face and a right face. The upper array defines obtuse angles between next adjacent second reflectors. Additionally, reflex angles are defined between the left and right faces of the second reflectors. The combination of angles evenly disperse the light supplied from the light source to provide a improved glow. The lighting assembly of the present invention also provides for ease of installation, since typical facilities require numerous assemblies. Additionally, the lighting assemblies of the present invention do not require any specialized wiring to be done by the end user, i.e. saving the cost of an electrician or a specialized technician. The lighting assembly of the present invention need only be plugged into a standard electrical outlet. Further the lighting assembly of the present invention emits light more efficiently than the lighting assemblies currently known in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a plurality of lighting assemblies, suspended from a ceiling, of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a lighting assembly of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of the lighting assembly. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a partially exploded view of the lighting assembly. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an end view of the lighting assembly. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a reflective body of the lighting assembly. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is planar view of a first reflector. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a planar view of an upper panel. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the first reflector. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the upper panel. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a fragmented perspective view of the reflective body. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a top view of the reflective body. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a fragmented enlarged top view of the reflective body. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a fragmented perspective view of the second reflector illustrating a smooth surface finish. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a fragmented perspective view of the second reflector illustrating a first surface treatment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a fragmented perspective view of the second reflector illustrating a second surface treatment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Referring to the Figures wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a lighting assembly is generally shown at  20 . 
         [0026]    As best shown in  FIG. 1 , the lighting assembly  20  provides light for indoor facilities, such as sporting arenas and pool areas. Each lighting assembly  20  is suspended from a ceiling  22  of the indoor facilities and illuminates the ceiling  22  thereby providing indirect light to an area (not shown) below the lighting assembly  20 . Hence, such assemblies are typically referred to as indirect-light assemblies. For illustrative purposes, light rays are shown with dashed lines in  FIG. 1 . Typically, a plurality of cables  24  are used to suspend the lighting assembly  20  from the ceiling  22 . However it should be appreciated that any suitable method of coupling the lighting assembly  20  to the ceiling  22  may be employed without deviating from the subject invention. 
         [0027]    Referring additionally to  FIGS. 2-5 , the lighting assembly  20  includes a housing  26 . The housing  26  comprises a pair of end walls  28  spaced from and substantially parallel to one another. The housing  26  further includes a pair of side walls  30  disposed between and substantially perpendicular to the end walls  28 . The side walls  30  and the end walls  28  define a cavity  32 . A top wall  34  and a bottom wall  36  bound the end walls  28  and the side walls  30  and enclose the cavity  32 . The top wall  34  defines an aperture  38  for allowing access into the cavity  32 . Each of the end walls  28  define at least one vent for allowing air to enter into and exit out of the cavity  32  for ventilating the cavity  32 . 
         [0028]    As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the lighting assembly  20  includes an electrical system  42  disposed within the cavity  32 . The electrical system  42  includes a light source  44  and a ballast  46  coupled to the light source  44  for regulating electricity supplied to the light source  44 . In the embodiment shown throughout the Figures, the light source  44  is a metal halide lamp. For such types of lamps, a pulse-start ballast is used. However, it should be appreciated that the other types of light sources may be utilized without deviating from the subject invention, such as high-pressure sodium, mercury vapor, plasma light, light emitting diode (LED), gas-discharge lamp, or any other light source known in the art. Additionally, it should be appreciated that alternative types of ballasts or power supplies or AC/DC converters will be required based on the type of light source chosen and will not deviate from the subject invention. A power cable  48  is disposed through the housing  26  for coupling the electrical system  42  to an electric power source  50  and supplying electricity thereto. Typically the electric power source  50  is a standard electrical outlet. However, any appropriate electric power source  50  may be used, such as those previously performed by electricians. 
         [0029]    The prior art lighting assemblies require a ballast assembly, separate from the lighting assembly, to regulate the electricity supplied to the assembly. These additional ballasts as well as the lighting assemblies themselves require an electrician or someone with specialized training to ensure proper installation. This can be costly since most facilities require multiple lighting assemblies. It is an object of the present invention to alleviate some of the costs and time requirements associated with installation by pre-wiring the ballast  46  within the housing  26 . An end user of the lighting assembly merely needs to plug the power cable  48  into a standard electrical outlet. 
         [0030]    A lamp stand  52  is secured within the cavity  32  and includes a socket  54 . The socket  54  accepts the light source  44  and electrically couples the light source  44  to the ballast  46 . Any heat generated from the electrical system  42  may be dissipated through the aperture  38 . The vents  40  defined by the end walls  28  draw in air to keep the light source  44  cool thereby extending the life of the light source  44 . 
         [0031]    The lighting assembly  20  further includes a reflective body  56  disposed within the aperture  38  defined by the top wall  34 . The light source  44  extends through the reflective body  56  and defines a central axis C. The lamp stand  52  positions the light source  44  relative to the reflective body  56  for directing the light. In the preferred embodiment the metal halide lamp includes an arc tube (not shown) that emits light from the lamp. The location of arc tube relative to the reflective body  56  determines the output from the lighting assembly  20 . In practice, the light output from the lighting assembly  20  can vary by up to 40% based on the location of the lamp stand  52 . It is to be appreciated that the optimal location of the light source  44  will dictated by the type of light source  44  used with the lighting assembly  20 . The light emitted from the light source  44  is reflected off of the reflective body  56  and uniformly dispersed out of the lighting assembly  20  for providing uniform illumination to an area below the lighting assembly  20 . The lighting assembly  20  of the present invention is able to emit up to 93% of the light provided by the light source  44 . The reflective body  56  defines a dome-shaped configuration and is secured to the housing  26 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 7  shows a first reflector  60  in a planar view prior to being formed.  FIG. 9  illustrates the first reflector  60  in a prospective view after the first reflector  60  has been formed. The first reflector  60  includes a first side  62  and a second side  64 . A plurality of first attachment elements  66  extend from the first side  62 . The first attachment elements  66  are further defined as tabs  66 . A plurality of second attachment elements  68  extend from the second side  64  and define a slot  70 . The first reflector  60  is further defined as a plurality of first reflectors  60  and will be referred to in the plural form henceforth. Each slot  70  is adapted to accept one of the tabs  66  extending from the next adjacent first reflectors  60  for securing the first reflectors  60  in the first array. Each of the first reflectors  60  are in an obtuse angular relationship with the next adjacent first reflectors  60 . The first reflectors  60  form a lower array  58  of the reflective body  56  as best shown in  FIG. 11 . For illustrative purposes only, this obtuse angular relationship is illustrated as β. Typically β is of from about 110° to about 170°, more typically from about 120° to about 150°. It is to be appreciated that other methods of attaching the first reflectors  60  together in the first array may be employed without deviating from the subject invention. 
         [0033]    As best shown in  FIG. 6 , a lower ring  72  is disposed about the central axis C. The first reflectors  60  further include a first upper end  74  and a lower end  76  spaced from the first upper end  74 . A first flange  78  extends from the first upper end  74  for attaching to the lower ring  72  and securing the first reflectors  60  in the lower array  58 . When in the lower array  58 , the lower end of each of the first reflectors  60  define a hole  80  for allowing the light source  44  to pass through into the reflective body  56 . 
         [0034]    Each of the first reflectors  60  comprise a plurality of planar surfaces  82  defined by a plurality of horizontal bends  84 . Each of the planar surfaces  82  are in an obtuse angular relationship with each of the next adjacent planar surfaces  82 . For illustrative purposes only, this obtuse angular relationship is illustrated as α in  FIG. 11 . It is to be appreciated that the obtuse angular relationship a between each of the planar surfaces  82  may vary along the first reflector  60 . Said differently, each of the planar surfaces  82  are at different obtuse angles relative to one another. The obtuse angles between the planar surfaces  82  progressively get steeper moving from the lower end toward the first upper end along each of the first reflectors  60 , such that an arcuate configuration is formed, as best shown in  FIG. 10 . Additionally, each of the planar surfaces  82  increase in size moving from the lower end toward the first upper end. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 11-13 , the reflective body  56  further includes an upper array  86  of second reflectors  88  disposed about the central axis C. The second reflectors  88  are coupled to the first reflectors  60 , forming the dome-shaped configuration. Each of the second reflectors  88  include a left face  90  and a right face  92  defining a reflex angle θ therebetween. Typically θ is greater than 180°, more typically of from about 181° to about 270°, even more typically from about 181° to about 220°. The reflex angle θ terminates in a vertex  96  forming a triangular protrusion extending toward the central axis C. The vertex  96  is centrally disposed on planar surface of the first reflectors  60  nearest each of the second reflectors  88 . The left face  90  and the right face  92  each include an upper portion  98  and a lower portion  100  and define an obtuse angular relationship between the upper portion  98  and the lower portion  100  of each of the left  90  and right  92  faces such that the upper portion  98  is at a steeper incline than the lower portion  100 . For illustrative purposes only, this obtuse angular relationship is illustrated as γ in  FIG. 10 . Additionally, the upper array  86  defines an obtuse angular relationship between next adjacent second reflectors  88 , illustrated as β as described above. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  shows an upper panel  102  in a planar view prior to being formed.  FIG. 10  illustrates the upper panel  102  in a prospective view after the upper panel  102  has been formed. The upper panel  102  is further defined as a plurality of upper panels  102  and will be referred to in the plural form henceforth. Each of the second reflectors  88  are formed by a pair of next adjacent upper panels  102 . The upper panels  102  include a primary side  104  and a secondary side  106 . The primary side  104  forms the right face  92  of one of the second reflectors  88  and the secondary side  106  forms the left face  90  of the next adjacent second reflectors  88 . The upper panels  102  include the upper portion  98  of the second reflectors  88  described above. Additionally, the upper panels  102  include a pair of legs  108  extending from the upper portion  98  and define a slit  110  therebetween for allowing the upper panels  102  to bend forming the second reflectors  88 . The legs  108  form the lower portion  100  of the second reflectors  88 . Each of the legs  108  includes a projection  112  extending therefrom for fastening to the first reflectors  60 . Each of the primary side  104  and the secondary side  106  further include a second upper end  114  each having a second flange  116  extending therefrom. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 11 , an upper ring  118  is disposed about the central axis C and spaced from the lower ring  72 . Each second flange  116  attaches to the upper ring  118  for securing the upper panels  102  in the upper array  86 . In the preferred embodiment, the slit  110  is aligned with the second side  64  of one of first reflectors  60  and the first side  62  of the next adjacent first reflectors  60 , such that one of the legs  108  of the upper panels  102  is coupled to one of the first reflectors  60  and the other one of the legs  108  is coupled to the next adjacent first reflectors  60 . 
         [0038]    In the primary embodiment the first  60  and second  88  reflectors are typically fabricated from Micro-4® aluminum, manufactured by Alanod®. A variety of finishing treatments may be applied to the surface of the first  60  and second  88  reflectors. Varying sized dimples may be applied to the surface to achieve the desired light output of the lighting assembly  20 . This dimpling is commonly referred to as hammer-tone finishing as illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . Typically the dimpling has a diameter of ½ inch or less, more typically ⅜ inch or less, even more typically ¼ inch or less. Alternatively, the surface can be left smooth resulting in a minor-like finish as shown in  FIG. 14 . The first  60  and second  88  reflectors may have the same type of finishing treatments applied or each may have a different type of finishing treatments depending on the application of the lighting assembly  20 . It is to be appreciated that any other appropriate finishing treatments may be applied to the first  60  and second  88  reflectors without deviating from the subject invention. 
         [0039]    The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which as been used in intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5