Abstract:
A light fixture having an adjustable reflector is supported on a deployment bar. An actuation screw passes through the deployment bar and engages a threaded stud. Threading the actuation screw into and out of the threaded stud bends the deployment bar, which in turn pushes against the reflector adjusting the angle of the reflector.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a luminaire with an adjustable reflector assembly that allows easy glare control and optical performance changes in a luminaire, while in the field. The adjustable reflector assembly has a reflector that rests on a deployment bar with ends that can be pivoted downwardly by turning a screw. Pivoting the deployment bar ends repositions the reflector relative to the lamp center, changing the optical characteristics of the luminaire by reducing high angle glare and redirecting more light downwardly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Luminaires with adjustable reflectors are common to the lighting industry. Typically the reflector is used to direct light into a particular region. An adjustable reflector allows the installer or user to reposition the reflector to optimally redirect the light into or away from a specific area, avoiding the need to move the existing fixture or provide another lamp. 
     Present day luminaires with adjustable reflectors generally require adding or changing existing components for adjustment. Other devices require removal of screws or other components to adjust the reflector then replacing the screws to secure the reflector in its new position. Some of these luminaires have adjustable reflectors with many pieces and complicated adjustment components. These adjustment procedures can be cumbersome and time consuming, making quick adjustment impracticable or impossible. In addition, the reflectors with complicated adjustment mechanisms have a higher likelihood of failure, and are difficult and expensive to manufacture. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a luminaire with an adjustable reflector that is simple to adjust and is inexpensive and simple to manufacture. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a luminaire with an adjustable reflector that can be easily adjusted without removing or adding components, and that still effectively alters the characteristics of the light. 
     The foregoing objects are basically attained by providing a reflector assembly that has a reflector mounted on a base and a deployment bar mounted on the base adjacent to the reflector. An actuation screw engages the reflector and the deployment bar and threads into the base. Threading the actuation screw into the base changes the position of the deployment bar and in turn changes the position of the reflector. 
     By forming the adjustable reflector in this manner, the reflector assembly is limited to a few easy to manufacture, cost effective parts. In addition, the reflector assembly has an adjustable reflector that can be easily adjusted in the field by any user or installer with a twist of a screw, reducing high angle glare and redirecting more light downwardly. 
     Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     As used in this application, “up”, “down”, “upper” and “lower” are intended to facilitate the description of the adjustable reflector assembly. Such terms are merely illustrative of the reflector assembly and do not limit the reflector assembly to any specific orientation. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings which form a part of this disclosure: 
     FIG. 1 is bottom perspective view of a lighting fixture base with an adjustable reflector assembly, in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the lighting fixture base of FIG. 1 without the adjustable reflector to show a deployment bar pivoted around the mounting bar; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the lighting fixture base of FIG. 1 along the transverse axis of the deployment bars in their standard or initial position; and 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view along the transverse axis of the deployment bars of FIG. 3 with the reflector assembly repositioned by the deployment bars. 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the lighting fixture base of FIG. 1 along the longitudinal axis of the deployment bars in their standard or initial position; 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view along the longitudinal axis of the deployment bars of FIG. 5 with the reflector assembly repositioned by the deployment bars; 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a lighting fixture or luminaire base or mounting member  10 , according to the present invention, has a frame  12  supporting a reflector  13  formed of a pair of adjustable reflector parts  14  connected through interlocking tabs  16 . The reflector parts rest on deployment bars  18 , which are supported by mounting bars  20 . The deployment bar ends  22  and  24  are bent in an downward direction when actuation screws  26  are turned in one direction. The bar ends then reposition the reflectors, changing the direction of the light emitted from the luminaire. 
     Preferably, each reflector part  14  is a metal rectangle with semicircle  15   a  and  15   b  cut out of one of the longer sides, allowing the reflector, when its parts are connected together, to have a substantially square base with the sides tapered to form a shape similar to a pyramid. However, the reflector may be of any suitable shape, such as a cone, enabling the reflectors to substantially cover the interior of the frame and to adequately direct the light emitted. Semicircles  15   a  and  15   b  cut out of each reflector part  14  creates at the pinnacle of reflector  13 , a generally circular hole  15  to accommodate a light source. Interlocking tabs  16  and screws  28  connect the reflector parts to each other. Screws  28  pass through the interlocking tabs on each reflector part and engage raised, internally threaded studs  32 . The interlocking tabs  16  and screws  28  secure the reflector to the frame and hold the reflector parts together, while still allowing the reflector to move when influenced by the deployment bars. 
     Integral to each reflector is a U-shaped cut out creating a flexible deployment or tension tab  34  in one side of each reflector part. Each tension tab has a strengthening rib  36  and a screw hole  38 . Screw holes  38  are positioned under the mounting bars  20  and shorter internally threaded studs  40 . Actuation screws  26  pass through screw holes  38  and deployment bars  20  and into studs  40 . Screws  26  attach the reflector to the deployment bars. The bending of tension tabs  34  enables the reflector to be fixedly connected at interlocking tabs  16  and still be repositioned or bent by the ends of deployment bars  18 . 
     Deployment bars  18  are generally rectangular metal bars that support and control the reflectors  14 . Deployment bars  18  rest directly on mounting bars  20  and extend beyond the mounting bars. Deployment bar ends  22  and  24  taper into a point. The width of the deployment bars is sufficient so that the bar inside edges  30  contact the reflector in its standard or initial position. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the standard position is when the deployment bars are flat (planer) and unbent with actuation screws  26  tightened sufficiently to have the reflector contact the deployment bars. This geometry applies pressure on the deployment bars and keeps them from rattling during installation and operation. 
     In the center of each deployment bar is an unthreaded hole  42 , through which actuation screw  26  passes. To either side of and equidistant from the center hole  42  are two deep bending notches  44 . The deep bending notches allow the ends of the deployment bars to pivot downwardly when upward pressure is applied to the center of the bar. In addition, deployment bars  18  have two sets of positioning notches  46  on the edges of the deployment bars equidistant from center hole  42 , but are further from the center of the bars than bending notches  44 . The positioning notches are rectangular cutouts along the longitudinal edge of the bars and enable the deployment bars to nest in a recessed sections  50  of the mounting bars and help to stop twisting and sliding of the deployment bars. The positioning notches, when the deployment bar is in its planer or standard position, abut the mounting bars restricting the movement of the deployment bars. However, the positioning notches are designed long enough so that when the deployment bar center is bent upwardly, the positioning notches will slide along the recessed sections  50  and still restrict the twisting motion of the deployment bars. 
     Mounting bars  20  are integrally molded with the frame  12  and support deployment bars  18  and reflector  13 . As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the mounting bars have two thin raised trapazoidal regions  48  that are slightly wider than deployment bars  18 . The trapazoidal shape allows the reflector when in its initial configuration to lay along angled side  49  of the mounting bar. Each of raised regions has a recessed section  50  molded into angled side  49  that allows deployment bar positioning notches  46  to rest. As stated above, the positioning notches and the recessed section interact to hold deployment bars  19  in place and center holes  42  over studs  40 . As shown in FIG. 1, each stud  40  is located in a lowered region  52  of the center of the respective mounting bar  20  allowing the deployment bars to bend. 
     The procedure for repositioning one or both of the reflector parts is the same. Using a screwdriver, one actuation screw  26  is turned clockwise. This rotation threads that screw  26  into the respective stud  40  and applies pressure to the center of deployment bar  18  toward that stud. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, due to the deep bending notches  44 , the center of the deployment bar is pushed upwardly in between the raised regions  48  of mounting bars  20  in the direction of arrow  54 , towards internally threaded stud  40 . This raises the center of the deployment bar causing the bar end portions to pivot downwardly about the axes of notches  44  on the mounting bars in the direction of arrows  56 . The lowering of the ends of the bars pushes the associated reflector part downwardly and moves the top edge of the reflector towards the center of the light. The bottom of the reflector part is held stationary by the interlocking tabs  16  and screws  28 . If additional adjustments are desired, the interlocking tab screws can be loosened allowing the reflector sides to move up. 
     This deployment system is not limited to any specific number of adjustable reflectors and functions in the same manner regardless of whether there are one, two, or more reflectors. 
     While a particular embodiment has been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. This is accomplished by the tension tabs bending down with the center of the deployment bars and the rest of the reflector bending away from the center of the deployment bar, due to the pressure applied by the pivoting ends of the deployment bar.