Abstract: A luminaire having a housing and/or a reflector formed of a patterned material or a material having a pattern disposed on at least a portion or portions thereof reminiscent of a person, place or thing associated with an experience pleasing to an observer of said luminaire, the invention finds particular utility in the formation of a luminaire such as a shoplight as can be employed in a work space such as a space wherein automotive activities are conducted, a luminaire configured according to one embodiment of the invention being formed of a separate channel and reflector and in another embodiment of the invention with at least portions of a reflector formed integrally with a channel. In particular embodiments of the invention, a pattern referred to in the art as a diamond tread plate pattern is employed in order to produce an association of the luminaire with motor sport activities such as professional auto racing and particularly stock car racing.

Abstract: A method and system for indirectly illuminating an open interior space, such as an open office, includes using individual lighting fixture modules, each comprised of at least one, and preferably a pair of side-by-side parallel linear indirect fluorescent lighting fixture elements suspended at fixed grid pattern locations beneath the ceiling of the open interior space. Each of the linear indirect lighting fixture elements of the fixture module is preferably no greater than approximately six feet in length with a suitable length being somewhat greater than four feet where a four foot lamp is used. Where the fixture elements are provided in pairs, each is suspended below the ceiling at its fixed grid location by a suitable hanger structure that maintains a spacing between the fixture elements that establishes a preferred overall fixture module with of approximately four feet.

Abstract: An improved small profile hanger system for ceiling suspended lighting fixtures comprises a plurality of hanger assemblies having a support stem and a downwardly arced crossbar. The support stem and crossbar have a relatively small elliptical profile have two sets of wire holes, each set of wire holes having an inner hole and an outer hole overlapping the inner hole, the inner and outer holes defining an intervening gap narrower than the dimension of either hole. The holes are sized to receive an insulated wire; the intervening gap preventing the wire from crossing over into the adjacent hole. The wire holes of the support stem are in communication with the wire holes of the crossbar providing a fully enclosed wiring passage from a ballast box assembly installed above a suspended ceiling to energize a lamp in a diffuser depending from a pair of the crossbars.

Abstract: Prismatic structures having at least certain conventionally linear surfaces thereof configured in a non-linear fashion to control the direction of light exiting said structures, the invention functions to reduce light losses in a luminaire or the like while facilitating the emanation of light from the luminaire at an acceptable viewing angle and with a reduction in glare. Prisms, particularly splitter prisms, configured according to the invention are formed with at least portions of conventionally linear surfaces as arcuate, curvilinear or generally curving segmented surfaces so as to direct light out of the luminaire for useful illumination rather than in a wasteful direction back into the luminaire. Prisms configured according to several embodiments of the invention function to increase light efficiencies either upwardly or downwardly depending on illumination requirements.

Abstract: Luminaire optical assemblies intended for pole-mounted and similar applications and capable of effective I.E.S. cutoff performance while exhibiting desirable light distributions even with vertically oriented lamping, the invention contemplates in primary embodiments light-transmissive reflector/refractor combinations typically formed of glass, acrylics and the like, uplight shielding and reflector assemblies of a variety of configurations being disposed within the reflector/refractor combinations to produce desired cutoff characteristics while preserving daytime appearance during nocturnal operation. In certain embodiments of the invention, uplight is controlled by the several variations of the uplight shielding and reflector assemblies to cause light-transmissive portions of the reflector/refractor combinations to subtly glow and thus produce a desired appearance while also producing cutoff characteristics necessary to reduce urban sky glow and glare.

Abstract: An edge connectable lighting fixture assembly has a lighting fixture housing for housing a light source and components for supporting and electrifying the light source including wiring. The housing has at least one laterally extending edge portion and a connecting structure extending along at least a portion of the length of the edge portion with a wire passageway passing through the connecting structure. An edge connector arm has at least one terminal end and a connecting structure formed on the terminal end of the arm which mechanically connects with the connecting structure formed along the edge portion of the housing so that the housing can be mechanically connected at its edge to the terminal end of the edge connector arm.

Abstract: Luminaires particularly useful for ceiling mounting in either recessed or surface-mounted applications and intended for “washing” light over an adjacent wall, the “wall wash” luminaires of the invention are configured in preferred embodiments for operation with elongated lamping and particularly tubular fluorescent lamping including T5 lamps. The present luminaires are usually provided with elongated and other apertures, certain of which are often referred to as “small” apertures, conformed by shaping of at least one elongated edge thereof to minimize alternating relatively light and dark striations on adjacent walls. Luminaires according to the invention having relatively narrow elongated apertures function to transition abrupt changes in luminance imaged onto an adjacent wall by alteration of aperture opening, such as by an extension of structure from one elongated edge of such an aperture, thereby to produce a more smooth vertical light distribution over the wall.

Abstract: Luminaires for illumination of vertical surfaces of predetermined dimensions such as billboards or similar signs, the invention in several embodiments takes the form of reflector assemblies capable of directing light from a light source disposed within each of said luminaires either directly to the vertical surface or to refractive structures located on the luminaires for redirection of light to the vertical surface for even illumination of said surface with minimal light pollution from “spill” light. Lamps used in embodiments capable of providing asymmetrical light distributions are located toward one or the other of side portions and are preferably vertically oriented. A main reflector is curvilinear in conformation and functions in concert with a secondary reflector located directly behind the lamp to direct light onto desired portions of a vertical surface.

Abstract: A latching mechanism useful in the raising and lowering of luminaires mounted to a support ring and positionable at an upper end of a high mast, the invention comprehends a latch pin capable of articulating attachment to the support ring for preventing damage to latching structure and for reducing the potential for jamming as the latch pin engages latch cams on raising of the support ring. The latch pin is particularly configured with a ball-shaped swivel joint capable of reducing the potential for damage to the pin and associated structure by permitting the support ring to tilt if canted during a lowering operation. The latch pin is further configured with a nose portion of a diameter sufficient to center the latch pin relative to latch cams on raising of the support ring, thereby to reduce the potential for jamming.

Abstract: An edge connectable lighting fixture assembly has a lighting fixture housing for housing a light source and components for supporting and electrifying the light source including wiring. The housing has at least one laterally extending edge portion and a connecting structure extending along at least a portion of the length of the edge portion with a wire passageway passing through the connecting structure. An edge connector arm has at least one terminal end and a connecting structure formed on the terminal end of the arm which mechanically connects with the connecting structure formed along the edge portion of the housing so that the housing can be mechanically connected at its edge to the terminal end of the edge connector arm.

Abstract: Switching of parallel capacitors in an HID bi-level lighting control system is accomplished through use of transient voltage suppression across an electronic relay for discharge of residual charge from a switched capacitor when combined peak voltage exceeds clamping voltage, thereby allowing maximum switch voltage rating to be lower than is possible through the use of conventional switching methods and circuitry. The invention contemplates method and apparatus permitting capacitive switching at voltage levels higher than are possible in conventional capacitive switching arrangements including capacitive switching arrangements used in lighting control systems.

Abstract: An emergency lighting fixture combining the functions of an illuminated sign such as an exit sign and an emergency lighting unit integrated into one housing onto which one or more emergency lights can be mounted at predetermined locations of the housing, the combined emergency lighting structure providing both exit location information and ambient emergency lighting in a single cooperatively operating device.

Abstract: A roadway luminaire is provided which includes a mast mount docking station securable to an end of a pole mast. The mast mount docking station includes a power plug electrically coupled to the power conductors. The luminaire includes a corresponding power plug which is electrically and mechanically coupled to the mast mount docking station via a twist-lock feature including mating keys and keyways in the docking station and luminaire, respectively. The luminaire includes several plug-in components such as a plug-in photoelectric cell, a plug-in starter and a capacitor press-fit into a molded cavity in the luminaire. The power plug of the luminaire is adaptable to be used with all international voltages. The twist-lock feature provides for a fool-proof mechanical and electrical connection to ensure that the correctly rated luminaire is connected to the supply voltage.