Universal Adjustable Cover

This invention relates in general to lighting fixtures and more particularly to a high intensity discharge type lamp used in hazardous or non-hazardous areas having a universal adjustable cover.

In the past in order to install lighting fixtures for different applications, it was necessary to purchase a different lighting fixture for each application. For an electrical conduit mounted parallel to the ceiling a lighting fixture with a cover having a through feed conduit was necessary. In order to install a pendant lighting fixture, that is one which is hung from a conduit perpendicular to the ceiling, it was necessary to purchase a lighting fixture having a different cover. Thus, it was often necessary to stock numerous different lighting fixtures configured for specific mounting requirements.

The present invention provides a universal adjustable cover that is capable of being mounted in a number of different configuration, such as a through feed conduit mounting, trunion mount, pendant mounting, or angular mounting. This reduces the number of specific mounting configurations required to be stocked.

FIG. 1 shows a lighting fixture according to the present invention having a through feed conduit mounting;

FIG. 2 shows a lighting fixture universal cover according to the present invention, having a 25 degree pendant mount;

FIG. 3 shows a lighting fixture according to the present invention pendant mounted on a 12.5 degree flat;

FIG. 4 shows a lighting fixture according to the present invention pendant mounted with the conduit mounted in the perpendicular flat;

FIG. 5 shows the lighting fixture of FIG. 1 opened at a hinge; and,

FIG. 6 shows the interior of the cover of the lighting fixture of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1, the light fixture 10 is comprised in general of universal adjustable cover 20, housing 30, and optics 40. Conduit 50 provides electrical wiring entrance to lighting fixture 10.

Adjustable cover 20 has a 25 degree flat area 21 and conduit opening 22 mounted in said 25 degree flat. The separate conduit opening 22 provides for mounting lighting fixture 10 in a different configuration as shown in FIG. 2. When mounted in configuration shown in FIG. 2 the light is directed at a 25 degree angle from the vertical. It is understood that the angle of flat 21 could be anything from the perpendicular up to approximately 90 degrees.

Lighting fixture 10 may also be mounted on a vertical conduit such as shown in FIG. 4. In this configuration conduit 50 is attached through opening 24.

FIG. 5 shows lighting fixture 10 with housing 30 in the open position. Housing 30 is attached to cover 20 by a hinge, not shown, so that housing 30 is held in place and both hands are free so that wiring from conduit 50 may be attached to internal components contained in housing 30.

FIG. 6 shows the interior of cover 20. Set screws 31 are mounted in through feed conduit opening 28. During installation, cover 20 may be rotated around an axis parallel to conduit 50 for directing the light from optics 40 in a different direction. After the mounting direction is established, set screws 31 are tightened to prevent inadvertent rotation after installation. In a through feed mode rotation is normally limited to approximately 25 degrees by flat area 21. This is due to normal conduit mounting approximately 3/4" below ceiling level. However it should be noted that it is possible when conduit 50 is mounted well below ceiling level, lighting fixture 10 can be mounted at any angle through 360 degree rotation about conduit 50 and locked in place by set screw 31.

FIG. 6 shows set screws 32 in cover 20 which are used during installation in pendant mode as shown in FIG. 2. 3 and 4. In these configuration, cover 20 of lighting fixture 10 may be rotated during installation through 360 degrees about an axis parallel to conduit 50. Once the cover 20 is installed, set screws 32 are used to lock the cover and the lighting fixture in place so that the lighting fixture 10 may not be rotated after installation which would damage internal wiring and components.

A similar set screw 32 is provided on opening 22 when lighting fixture 10 is mounted at an angle as shown in FIG. 2. Lighting fixture 10 may be rotated about an angle through 360 degrees about an axis parallel to conduit 50 to direct the light to certain areas. Once the set screw is set, the light may not be rotated after installation, thereby protecting internal wiring and components.

Universal adjustable cover in the preferred embodiment is made of a conductible alloy, for example aluminum which may be produced by any number known processes, for example sand casting, die casting, stamping, or forging. Using conductive material for cover 20 allows the cover to be grounded to the conduit system. Cover 20 however could be produced from any material including insulating material. If made of insulating material cover 20 would normally have metal inserts at the conduit openings to provide grounding to the conduit system and internal components.