Abstract:
A recessed lighting fixture which utilizes a fluorescent light source. The fluorescent lights are shrouded by a diffuser lens basket so that light from the fluorescent bulbs shining through the diffuser is dispersed to reduce glare and visibility of the source of light. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluorescent recessed lighting fixture which has the illumination from the fluorescent bulbs shining through a diffuser. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a single driver or ballast within the body of the fixture where access can only be gained from below the fixture.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of recessed lighting systems which utilize fluorescent lighting to provide non-glaring interior lighting. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     In general, the concept of utilizing fluorescent lights in recessed lighting fixtures has been known. However, the source of illumination is frequently visible, making for an unattractive source of lighting. 
     In the prior art, there have been various lighting fixtures which provide direct lighting. However, in most of these cases, the source of illumination is frequently visible to the individuals in the room in which the light is being used. Another embodiment includes a fluorescent lamp and a lens having prismatic elements for distributing the light. There are also some light fixtures which include parabolic fixtures in the light. 
     The most common source of indoor lighting, especially for business uses, has been a fluorescent lighting fixture. One problem with fluorescent lighting fixtures is sometimes they emit light which is too bright for the area. 
     Another disadvantage that is found in traditional parabolic and prismatic troffers is the presence of distracting dynamic changes in brightness level and patterns as seen by a moving observer in the architectural space. 
     There have been various sources of solutions to resolve the problems with the prior art. One example is found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,229,192 issued to Mayfield, III et al. on Jun. 12, 2007, for “LIGHT FIXTURE AND LENS ASSEMBLY FOR SAME”. In that patent, the disadvantages of light fixtures using brighter light sources by providing a configuration that appears to the viewer as though it has a source of lower brightness, but which otherwise permits the light fixture to advantageously and efficiently distribute the light generated by the selected lamp such as T5 lamp was allegedly resolved. The light fixture of that invention reduces directing direct light glare associated with high brightness light sources used in direct or indirect light fixtures. While the advantages of this patent are certainly of benefit, there is still significant room for improvement to improve the ability to reduce brightness and glare of sources of illumination from fluorescent bulbs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a recessed lighting fixture which utilizes a fluorescent light source. The fluorescent lights are shrouded by a diffuser lens basket so that light from the fluorescent bulbs shining through the diffuser is dispersed to reduce glare and visibility of the source of light. 
     The present invention relates to a light fixture for efficiently distributing light emitted by a light source into an area to be illuminated. The invention includes a light reflector assembly that supports the light source. A significant innovation of the present invention is that the light reflector assembly is straight and is neither concave nor convex but instead, provides a straight angular reflector which serves to improve the light source emission from fluorescent bulbs. 
     The light fixture also includes a lens assembly positioned with respect to the source of illumination, which lens assembly is removably affixed in the manner as will be described hereinafter. In the preferred embodiment, the fixture includes two parallel lenses which are spaced apart and cover separate fluorescent tubes. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the reflector assembly of the light fixture includes a base member that extends longitudinally between spaced edges along a longitudinal access. At least a portion of the base member can form a reflective surface which is preferably a straight non-curved reflecting surface. The light fixtures is typically higher up in the structure so that the illumination can be dimmed by the reflector assembly and lens as set forth hereinafter. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluorescent recessed lighting fixture which has the illumination from the fluorescent bulbs shining through a diffuser which can be made of frosted acrylic material or perforated metal so that the illumination appears to come from a fluorescent light. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an access door in the top of the fixture so that access to a driver or ballast retained within the fixtures can be provided from the top of the fixture. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluorescent recessed lighting fixture which has the illumination from the fluorescent bulbs shining through a diffuser. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a single driver or ballast within the body of the fixture where access can only be gained from below the fixture. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a second emergency ballast in line with the main ballast. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to incorporate the above novel features into a fixture which utilizes fluorescent light bulbs as the source of illumination. 
     Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the present invention 2×4 dawn light volumetric fixture which is generally rectangular in shape; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the present invention 2×4 dawn light volumetric fixture illustrating the diffuser lenses and lens supporting structure in place; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the 2×4 dawn light volumetric fixture; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the 2×4 dawn light volumetric fixture; 
         FIG. 5  is a left side elevational view of the 2×4 dawn light volumetric fixture; 
         FIG. 6  is a right side elevational view of the 2×4 dawn light volumetric fixture; 
         FIG. 7A  is an exploded view illustrating some of the component parts of the body of the 2×4 dawn light volumetric fixture; 
         FIG. 7B  is an exploded view illustrating additional component parts of the 2×4 dawn light volumetric fixture; 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the 2×4 dawn light volumetric fixture with section line  9 - 9 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 9A  is an enlarged view of the lower right hand corner illustrated in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 9B  is an enlarged view of the lower left hand corner illustrated in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 10A  is an enlarged view illustrating the fluorescent bulbs and the first diffuser and attachment members; 
         FIG. 10B  is an enlarged view illustrating the fluorescent bulbs and the second diffuser and attachment members; 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom plan view of the fixture with the diffuser lenses removed, illustrating the fluorescent bulbs; 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the 2×4 dawn light fixture with section lines  13 - 13  and  14 - 14 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional vie take along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 12 ; and 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the 2×4 dawn light volumetric fixture attached to bar hangers. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. 
     The present invention is a fluorescent lightbulb lighting fixture for indoor lighting which includes a pair of diffuser lens baskets and reflectors. The fixture can be in various sizes. The preferred embodiment for the present invention has a generally rectangular shape with a given length “L” and width “W” which by way of example can be 4 feet by 2 feet. 
     The present invention fluorescent light lighting fixture is shrouded in a frosted acrylic or perforated metal diffuser to defuse the light emitted from the fluorescent light bulbs. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-15 , there is illustrated the embodiments of the present invention which are generally rectangular shape in length and width and can be approximately 4 feet long by 2 feet wide. The fluorescent light direct recessed lighting fixture  10  has a first widthwise sidewall  12 , a second parallel oppositely disposed widthwise sidewall  14 . A portion of the main housing  100  covers the front and rear of the fixture and also the top of the fixture. There is no separate front wall, back wall, or top. 
     One key innovation of the present invention is that fixture  10  is illuminated exclusively by fluorescent bulbs. Referring to  FIGS. 7A through 11 , the invention contains two spaced apart fluorescent bulbs  700  and  710 . The sockets which retain the fluorescent light bulbs are affixed to interior wall  86  of main housing  100 . Both fluorescent bulbs  700  and  710  are horizontally oriented and spaced apart so that the two fluorescent bulbs extend for approximately the entire length “L” of the fixture  10 . 
     One of the unique innovations of the present invention is that each fluorescent bulb  700  and  710  are respectively shrouded in a frosted acrylic or perforated metal diffuser lens  200  or  200 A which is in the shape of a longitudinal basket extending the entire interior length of the fixture  10  and which serves to diffuse the light from the fluorescent bulbs. 
     The key physical components of the 2×4 dawn light shadow fixture  10  are illustrated in the perspective view of  FIG. 1  and the exploded views of  FIGS. 7A and 7B . The main body  100  comprises a top surface  80  and interior surface  86  of top surface  80 . Top surface  80  extends to a first vertical transition wall  90  which in turn extends to a first angled wall  92  which extends at an angle relative to top wall  80  and terminates in a lower grooved wall  94  having a gap  96  between wall  94  and angled wall  92 . The first vertical transition wall  90  and first angled wall  92  also function as the front wall of the fixture  10 . Top surface  80  also extends to a second transition wall  102  which in turn extends to a second angled wall  104  which extends at an angle relative to top wall  80  and terminates in a lower grooved wall  106  having a gap  108  between wall  106  and second angled wall  104 . Second transition wall  102  and second angled wall  104  also function as the rear wall of the fixture. First angled wall  92  and second angled wall  104  are mirror images of each other. As best illustrated in  FIG. 11 , first angled wall  92  has pair of spaced apart first channel receiving or gripping members  91  and  93 . Second angled wall  104  has a pair of spaced apart second channel receiving or gripping members  105  and  107 . 
     A primary ballast  42  is affixed to interior wall  86 . An emergency ballast or battery  72  is also affixed to interior wall  86  and is aligned with ballast  42 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7B , the fixture  10  further comprises a V-shaped ballast cover  120  having a first angled wall  122  extending to a first vertical transition wall  124 . A pair of spaced apart second channel receiving or gripping members  126  and  128  are located at the junction where the first angled wall  122  contacts the first vertical interior transition wall  124 . The V-shaped ballast cover  120  also has a second angled wall  130  extending to a second vertical transition wall  132 . A pair of spaced apart first channel receiving or gripping members  134  and  136  (see  FIG. 11 ) are located at the junction where the second angled wall  130  contacts the second vertical transition wall  132 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 ,  9 A and  9 B, the straight first angled wall  92  extends at a downward approximately 45 degree angle and terminates in a bottom end  92 A having a lower horizontal section  92 B extending to a first vertical section  92 C which extends to a second upper horizontal section  92 D which extends to a second upper vertical section  92 E. The bottom of each respective widthwise sidewall  12  and  14  rests on upper horizontal section  92 D and against upper vertical section  92 E. 
     Similarly the straight second angled wall  104  extends at a downward approximately 45 degree angle and terminates in a bottom end  104 A having a lower horizontal section  104 E extending to a first horizontal section  104 C which extends to a second upper horizontal section  104 D which extends to a second upper vertical section  104 E. The bottom of each respective widthwise section within sidewalls  12  and  14  rests on upper horizontal section  104 C and against upper vertical section  104 E. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10A , the light from the fluorescent bulb  700  is transmitted through the diffuser lens  200 . An additional improvement is the incorporation of a wavy interior surface  202  on the interior of the diffuser lens  200 . The wavy interior surface causes the lights from the fluorescent bulbs to bounce off the wavy surface and provide a smooth warm illumination glow. The wavy surface also serves to hide the locations where illumination from the fluorescent bulbs are emitted. 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 10A , the diffuser lens  200  is arc shaped having a first arcuate sidewall  210  which terminates in a bent hook end  220  having a channel or gap  230  within the hook end  220 . The diffuser lens  200  also has a parallel second arcuate sidewall  240  which terminates in a bent hook end  250  having a channel  260  within the hook end  250 . A first reflector support assembly  300  includes first channel receiving or gripping members  91  and  93  inserted into channel  230  of diffuser lens  200  and first gripping members  126  and  128  from first angled wall  122  of V-shaped ballast cover  120  are inserted into channel  260 . The first angled wall  92  is supported by transition wall  90  affixed to interior surface  86  of top cover  80 . V-shaped ballast cover  120  is affixed to interior surface  86  of top cover  80  by screws such as screws  120 A,  120 B,  120 C,  120 D,  120 E and  120 F illustrated in  FIG. 7B . To remove diffuser lens  200 , an inward force is applied to remove channel  230  from gripping members  91  and  93  or channel  260  is removed from first gripping members  126  and  128 . The diffuser lens  200  covers fluorescent light bulb numbered  700  in  FIG. 10A . Alternatively, the fluorescent lightbulb is numbered  430  in  FIG. 7B , having bulb retainers  430 A and  430 B at opposite ends. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10B , parallel diffuser lens  200 A covers fluorescent light bulb  710 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 10B , the diffuser lens  200 A is arc shaped having a first arcuate sidewall  210 A which terminates in a bent hook end  220 A having a channel or gap  230 A within the hook end  220 A. The diffuser lens  200 A also has a parallel second arcuate sidewall  240 A which terminates in a bent hook end  250 A having a channel or gap  260 A within the hook end  250 A. A second reflector support assembly  310  includes second channel receiving or gripping members  134  and  136  from second angled wall  130  of V-shaped ballast cover  120  inserted into channel  230 A of diffuser lens  200 A and second gripping members  105  and  107  from second angled wall  104  are inserted into channel  260 A. The second angled wall  104  is supported by interior transition wall  102  affixed to interior surface  86  of top cover  80 . V-shaped ballast cover  120  is affixed to interior surface  86  of top cover  80  by screws such as screws  120 A,  120 B,  120 C,  120 D,  120 E and  120 F illustrated in  FIG. 7B . To remove diffuser lens  200 A having ends  210 A and  210 B, an inward force is applied to remove channel  230 A from gripping members  134  and  136  or channel  260 A is removed from gripping members  105  and  107  of second angled wall  104 . The diffuser lens  200 A covers fluorescent bulb numbered  710  in  FIG. 100A . Alternatively, the fluorescent bulb is numbered  450  in  FIG. 7B  having bulb retainers  450 A and  450 B at opposite ends. 
     Since the fluorescent bulbs  700  and  710  are horizontally oriented, light will shine through the respective diffusers  200  and  200 A and give a glowing effect to the fixture  10 . In addition, the wavy interior surface  202  on the diffuser lens (and  200 B on diffuser lens  200 A) provides the added advantages previously discussed. 
     The purpose of the emergency battery pack or emergency ballast  72  is to light at least one fluorescent bulb in the event power goes out so that an individual will have lighting to escape from a building should power go out. 
     The pair of diffusers  200  and  200 A are unique to the present invention. 
     The ballast or driver  42  can be a dimming driver. Alternatively, it is possible to have a dual level switch where two hot leads are brought in each switch independently that can turn on and off a subgroup of one of the fluorescent bulbs. By way of example, a dimming switch can have a dimming driver which can have a rotating switch wherein the amounts of light emitted from each fluorescent bulb  700  and  710  can be varied and can be brighter or dimmer. Alternatively, the fixture can have dual level switching where the fluorescent bulb  700  can be turned on with one switch and the fluorescent bulb  710  can be turned on with a separate switch. Therefore, it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention to have at least one fluorescent light turned on with a switch. Therefore, one could go full power mode or could go dimming mode on the driver. The present invention can also utilize a sliding dimmer switch 
     The diffusers  200  and  200 A are each primarily frosted acrylic although it can be perforated metal. For the fluorescent bulbs  700  and  710 , there are different shades of white. There is a warm white, a cool white and daylight. Therefore, the fluorescent bulbs can be warm white, cool white, and daylight. 
     In the case of the emergency battery pack or emergency diffuser  72 , it will go on if the power goes out and at least a certain subset of the fluorescent bulbs will be lit. The special circuit design will be a nickel cadmium battery for the emergency battery pack  72  so it will last at least 90 minutes, The idea is to preserve battery life so that the emergency battery will only be lighting one fluorescent bulb to provide light in order to allow someone to exit the building in case there is an emergency. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the top wall  80  has an access door  80 D to gain access to the junction box for wiring. The top wall  80  also has at least one knockout  80 A, for wiring access. 
     First angled wall  92  and second angled wall  104  are straight—that means that they are neither convex or concave. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , sockets  720  and  730  are on opposite locations on the interior of sidewall  14  to retain fluorescent bulbs  700  and  710 . Diffuser  200  covers fluorescent bulb  700  and diffuser  200 A covers bulb  710 . Similarly, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , sockets  740  and  750  are on opposite locations on the interior of sidewall  12  to retain fluorescent bulbs  700  and  710 . Diffuser  200 A covers fluorescent bulb  710 . 
     Since the fluorescent bulbs  700  and  710  are horizontally oriented, light will shine through the respective diffusers  200  and  200 A and give a glowing effect to the fixture  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , the fixture  10  is affixed to a ceiling structure by parallel oppositely disposed fine hanger bars  800  and  830 . First hanger bar  800  has an upper rail  810  which fits against lower horizontal section  104 B and first vertical section  104 C of first reflector support assembly  300  and is affixed to sidewall  12  by a pair of attachment clips  900  and  910  which is affixed to hanger bar  800  by screws at one end and to sidewall  12  at its opposite end. Track  800  has a lower rail  810 A. Similarly, second hanger bar  830  has as upper rail  840  which fits against lower horizontal section  92 B and first vertical wall  92 C of second reflector assembly  310  and is affixed to sidewall  14  by a second pair of attachment clips  920  and  930  comparable to attachment clips  900  and  910 . Track  830  has a lower rail  840 A. 
     Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated.