Abstract:
The present invention provides a side-entry lamping fixture and cartridge, comprising a fixture having an upper fixture wall and a lower fixture wall, first and second sidewalls joining said upper and lower fixture walls and, at least one of the first and second sidewalls having a re-lamping aperture. The apparatus further comprises a lamping cartridge having a cover including a socket attached to the cover, a lamp in electrical communication with the socket and a fastening portion extending from the cover. The fixture and cartridge provide for a removable lamp which may be replaced without interfering with the fixture walls or a reflector therein, yet remain properly oriented when installed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   None. 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPLMENT 
   None. 
   REFERENCE TO SEQUENTIAL LISTINGS, ETC. 
   None 
   BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention comprises a high intensity discharge fixture for a track lighting system. More specifically, the present invention provides a high intensity discharge lamp and fixture having a side-entry lamping cartridge for a track lighting system. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Applicant&#39;s present invention is related to a fixture for a track lighting system. Applicant&#39;s present invention is derived from an attempt to develop a fixture having a side-mounted lamp installation which is utilized with a track lighting system. 
   During development, applicant&#39;s side-mounted lamp exhibited two problems. First, the lamp or arc tube was prone to breakage during installation and removal of old lamps. Applicant&#39;s initial fixture was sized only slightly larger in length than an high intensity discharge arc tube or lamp. Otherwise stated the fixture did not provide for enough linear clearance between the socket and the reflector opposite the socket for the length of the arc tube and pins. As a result, when the lamp was initially installed in the fixture, the lamp had to be angled for installation into the socket and the lamp pins were often broken during installation into the socket. In addition, the lamp often struck the reflector which scratched the reflector and/or broke the lamp glass resulting in injury to the installer. On the other hand, when an expired lamp was removed from the socket the lack of linear clearance for the lamp and pin between the socket and opposed reflector wall also resulted in the lamp being removed at an angle and either breakage of the lamp pins or interference between the lamp and the reflector. This also resulted in scratches on the reflector and/or broken lamp glass. 
   Although Applicant could have enlarged the fixture size, Applicant did not desire to change the fixture in order to provide the added clearance for installation and removal of new and old lamps. Thus Applicant invented a novel structure to alleviate the above mentioned difficulties associated with a side mounted lamp and socket in a track lighting fixture. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   With regard to the foregoing, the present invention eliminates the oversights, difficulties, and disadvantages of the prior art by providing a side-entry lamping fixture. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a track lighting fixture. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fixture having side mounted socket for a high intensity discharge arc tube or lamp. 
   It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a track lighting fixture having a lamping cartridge. 
   It is still an even further object of the present invention to a track lighting fixture having a lamping cartridge which is removable from a side of the fixture and allows for linear installation and removal of a lamp from a socket without interference with the reflector and fixture. 
   More specifically, the present invention provides a side-entry lamping fixture and cartridge, comprising a fixture having an upper fixture wall and a lower fixture wall, first and second sidewalls joining said upper and lower fixture walls and, at least one of the first and second sidewalls having a re-lamping aperture. The apparatus further comprises a lamping cartridge having a cover including a socket attached to the cover, a lamp in electrical communication with the socket and a fastening portion extending from the cover. The fixture and cartridge provide for a removable unit containing a fixture lamp which may be replaced without interfering with the fixture walls or a reflector therein, yet remain properly oriented when installed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the side-entry lamping fixture of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the side-entry lamping fixture of  FIG. 1  with a lamping cartridge removed; 
       FIG. 3  a front view of the side-entry lamping fixture of the present invention; and, 
       FIG. 4  is an inside perspective view of one sidewall of the fixture of  FIG. 1  including a re-lamping aperture. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Given the foregoing deficiencies, it will be appreciated that a side-entry lamping cartridge is needed for use with a track lighting fixture which allows for removal of the lamp without damaging the lamp, fixture, or reflector therein. 
   Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements through out the several views, there is shown in  FIGS. 1–4  various aspects of a side-entry lamping fixture of the present invention. The side-entry lamping fixture of the present invention overcomes problems associated with the prior designs by utilizing a lamping cartridge which may be removed from a fixture sidewall in order to change lamps and precludes the need for a larger fixture for the preselected lamp size. 
   Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a side-entry lamping fixture  10  is shown in a perspective view. The illustrative side-entry lamping fixture  10  of the present invention may be utilized on a tracklight system in order to provide a wall wash for a room or other habitable structure. The fixture  10  comprises an upper curvilinear wall  12  and a lower curvilinear wall  14  which are joined at the rear of fixture  10  by a substantially vertical wall  15 . The side-entry lamping fixture  10  further comprises a first side wall  16  and a second side wall  18  which enclose the fixture  10  along side edges of the upper curvilinear wall  12  and lower curvilinear wall  14  and in combination therewith define the fixture  10  having an interior cavity as well as an opening in a front portion of the fixture  10  for positioning of a lens  25 . 
   With reference now to  FIGS. 1–3 , within the interior portion of the side-entry lamping fixture  10  is a reflector  60  comprising an upper reflector  62 , a lower reflector  64  and substantially opposed sidewall reflectors  66 ,  68 . In order to obtain optimal wall wash optics, the upper reflector  62  is curved or concave limiting the upward direction or casting of light. The lower reflector  64  is substantially flat and angled from a vertical reflector surface  65  connecting the upper and lower reflector  62 ,  64  in order to provide a broader casting of light than the concave reflector which provides the wall wash. Further, the sidewall reflectors  66 ,  68  are not parallel as side walls  16 ,  18 , but instead, are slightly angled outward from rear to front in order to provide a wide cast of light and optimal optics for the wall wash function. While a wall wash reflector is shown and described, the reflector  60  may be adjusted to provide a desired or optimal optics for double wall wash, corner wash or other configuration know to one of ordinary skill. Although the present design utilizes a reflector system  60 , it is well within the scope of the present invention that the inner fixture walls  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  could be painted or otherwise coated with a reflective surface to provide the optimal optics obtained with a reflector system. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the second side wall  18  comprises a re-lamping aperture  20  allowing passage of the lamping cartridge  30  there-through in order to position the lamp or arc tube  42  at the focal point of the reflector  60 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , along the inner surface of the re-lamping aperture  20  are opposed cartridge latches  21  which function to guide and retain a lamping cartridge  30  into position within the fixture  10 . The cartridge latches  21  also function to properly align and orient the lamping cartridge  30  during insertion and removal from the fixture  10 . The cartridge latches  21  extend inwardly to the fixture  10  from and substantially perpendicular to the second side wall  18 . According to the present illustrative body, each cartridge latch  21  comprises two alignment bosses  22  spaced apart a preselected distance and defining a path of ingress and egress. As seen in  FIG. 2 , the front edge of each cartridge latch  21  may have a tapered surface to ease entry of a spring or fastening portion  38  into the cartridge latch  21  and between the alignment bosses  22 . 
   As best depicted in  FIG. 4 , the cartridge latches  21  each comprise an engagement flange  24  extending from the inner surface of the second sidewall  18  and forming a sliding surface between the alignment bosses  22 . As depicted, the inner most portion of each engagement flange  24  may include a beveled edge  25  in order to aid in removal of the lamping cartridge  30  from the fixture  10 . The beveled edge  25  may also aid in the engagement between the spring  38  and the engagement flange  24  as the lamping cartridge  30  is positioned within the fixture  10 . 
   As previously discussed, side mount lamp fixtures are limited by insufficient space for removal and installation of lamps due to lack of linear clearance for a lamp and pin between the lamp socket and opposite reflector or fixture sidewall. This results in broken lamp socket pins during installation and re-lamping. Further, the lamps can strike the fixture wall or reflector scratching the reflective surface or breaking the lamp. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1–2 , the lamping cartridge  30  is shown in both an installed position and an uninstalled or removed position, respectively. The lamping cartridge  30  functions to allow a means for removal and installation of a lamp or arc tube outside the fixture  10  in order to ease installation or reinstallation of the lamp  42  as well as inhibiting breakage of the lamp or contact between the lamp and the reflector during removal or installation of the lamp  42  from a socket  40 . The lamp cartridge  30  comprises a cover  32  which encloses the fixture by covering the re-lamping aperture  20 . The cover  32  is substantially circular in shape having an outer surface and an inner surface. The cover  32  is slightly larger in diameter than the re-lamping aperture  20  in order to completely cover the re-lamping aperture  20  inhibiting contaminants from entering the fixture  10 . The cover  32  includes opposed finger tabs  34  for gripping by a user during installation and removal of the lamping cartridge  30 . The finger tabs  34  are slightly raised from the outer surface of the cover  32  in order to provide a space between the tabs  34  and the second sidewall  18  for positioning of fingers during removal or installation of the lamping cartridge  30 . Extending inwardly from the inner surface of the cover  32  is a collar  36  which comprises a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the re-lamping aperture  20  so as to extend inwardly through the re-lamping aperture  2  into the fixture  10 . The collar  36  further comprises slots  35  which are in a spaced relationship so as so receive each of the alignment bosses  22 . Spaced between the slots  35  and extending from the inner surface of the cover  32  are latching springs  38 , are diametrically opposed on the cover  32  and positioned between the slots  35  in order to be aligned with each cartridge latch  21 . The springs  38  each have a bent portion  38   a  spaced apart a distance greater than the distance between the opposed engagement flanges  24 , shown in  FIG. 4 . The latching springs  38  are formed of a thin metal so as to flex radially inward relative to the re-lamping aperture  20  upon engagement of the cartridge latches  21  and flex radially outwardly upon reaching the beveled edge  25  during installation. 
   Extending from the inner surface of the cover  32  is a socket  40  for providing electrical communication to the lamp or arc tube  42 . The lamp or arc-tube may be a high intensity discharge such as a T4 or a T6 metal halide lamp having at least one pin extending from the lamp for connection with the socket. More specifically, the at least one pin may be two pins which are inserted into lamp pin apertures in a socket base  46 . However, other light sources may be utilized within the scope of the present invention having alternative connections. The socket  40  comprises the base  46  and an upper pin shroud  44  integral with the base  46 . The pin shroud  44  inhibits electrical contact with the pins of the lamp  42  during removal or installation and thereby inhibits shock. The reflector  68  positioned along the second sidewall  18  has a cut-away portion allowing the socket  60  to pass there through. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the side-entry lamping fixture  10  further comprises an electrical cable  70  providing electrical communication between a ballast (not shown) and the socket  40 . The ballast provides power for the lamp and may be mounted on or adjacent the track system from which the track lighting fixture  10  of the present invention depends. 
   Extending from the fixture  10  is at least one post  52 . The post  52  may be pivotally connected to the side-entry lamping fixture  10  in order to provide adjustment for the angle and amount of wall wash provided by the side-entry lamping fixture  10 . Such pivotal connection (not shown) may be formed by hinge or ball and socket type connection. At a distal end of the post  52  there may be a track head  50  providing an electrical connection between the fixture  10  and a track (not shown) of a track lighting system. The track head  50  engages the track in order to provide slidable engagement between the side-entry lamping fixture  10  and the track system. In addition, the track head  50  may also provide an electrical connection for the socket  40  and lamp  42 . 
   The front edges of the first and second side walls  16 ,  18 , each comprise lens fasteners  19  in order to retain the lens  25  in place when the side-entry lamping fixture  10  is fully constructed. The lens fastener  19  comprises opposed slots which receive peripheral edges of the lens  25  and a fastener such as a countersunk screw which engages the lens  25  in order to inhibit the lens  25  from moving within the bounds of the first and second side walls  16 ,  20 , and the upper and lower curvilinear walls  12 ,  14 . The lens  25  is a safety feature which inhibits broken glass of the lamp  42  from falling from the track lighting fixture  10  and injuring those below. 
   During initial installation or re-lamping, the cartridge  30  is removed from the fixture  10  by pulling on the finger tabs  34 . As the removal force is applied, the latching springs  38  engage the beveled edge  25 . More specifically, the outermost bent portion  38   a  of the spring  38  deflects inwardly and moves on to the inner surface of the engagement flange  24  between the alignment bosses  22 . Once the cartridge  30  is fully removed from the fixture  10 , the bi-pin lamp or arc tube  42  is inserted into the socket  40  providing an electrical connection for the lamp  42 . In the case of a re-lamping procedure, the old lamp  42  is removed by pulling the lamp from the socket and disengaging the connection between the socket and the at least one lamp pin. Next a new lamp  42  is inserted into the socket  40  as previously described. 
   After connection is formed between the lamping cartridge  30  and the socket  40 , the lamp is inserted through the re-lamping aperture  20  and each of the latching springs  38  are aligned between the alignment bosses  22 . A force is applied to the finger tabs  34  or the cover  32  so that the latching springs  38  flex and pass over the beveled edge  23  onto the cartridge latches  21 . Continued force moves the springs  38  along the inner surface of the cartridge latch  21  to the engagement flange  24  such that the bent portion  38   a  of the spring  38  flexes radially outward upon passing the beveled edge  25  inhibiting removal of cartridge  30  without substantially pulling force on the finger tabs  34 . 
   Although the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments which are set forth in detail, it should be understood that this is by illustration only and the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, since alternative embodiments not described in detail herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the disclosure. Accordingly, modifications are contemplates which can be made without departing from either the spirit or the scope of the present invention as described herein-above.