US2481531A - Fitting for lighting fixtures - Google Patents

Description

p 1949. v P. D. PHILLIPS 2,481,531

FITTING FOR LIGHTING FIXTURES Filed July 11, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 13, 1949.

P. D.- PHILLIPS FITTING FOR LIGHTING FIXTURES Filed July 11, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 P. D. PHlLLlPS FITTING FOR LIGHTING FIXTURES Sept. 13, 1949.-

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 11, 1945 Sept. 13, 1949.

P. PHILLIPS FITTING FOR LIGHTING FIXTURES Filed July 11, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 4% '1 WA M434. ,7.

Patented Sept. 13, 1949 UNITED STATES 2,481,531 FITTING FOR LIGHTING Paul D. Phillips, Hendersgnville'; N90,, ii's 'sign'or to Benjamin Electric -"Mfg.' Gtlniitiahy, Des Plaines, 111., a corporation of -I1liiiois Application July 11, 1945, serial Nol ltcaias 23 Claims. (012*240 41 555) This invention relates particularly to covers to complete theen'closure of circular reflector or housing type lighting fixtures which comprise essentially a pressedfflat or formed glass with means to gasketor sealthe glass over the open end of the housing'and means to clamp or secure the glass to the housing. They may be of a type that is an entirely separate device capable of being attached or"detached from the lighting unit at will or of a type that is a permanent part of the unit, orbuilt in, and not intended to be regularly, entirelyremoved. In both types, the cover per se must be openable for lamp changing and reflector" servicing, and in the detachable type the housing or fixed element'must be capable of securely gripping the housing for the cover andclamping elements are'dependent on it for support. 7

The present invention is an improvement upon such devices, and besides overcoming faults therein introduces'n'ew features of advantage to manufacturer, installer and" user.

The usual practice'is to locate the seal gasket between the'housing rim and the top edge surface of the glass; and clamping themtogether to form the seal. This puts theglass under strain and, to make it worse; this'strain is unequally distributed, since the clamps are spaced at intervals around the'glassor its frame. Attempts have'been made to overcome thedifiiculty, but it is done by v separately gasketing the glass and frame, the frame 'gas'ket being outside or beyond the edge of the glass,'resu1ting in a wide section frame built at the eXpense'of a reduced diameter of clean light opening through the light or an rim, is cushion-mounted in its frame and 11S Wholly'free from clamping strain, the clamping strain is all taken by the metal frame and may be increased as is necessary for the larger sizes without imparting it toor'endangering the glass,

and the frame andmetal cover parts are reducedto the barestessentials in horizontal cross-sectional proportions, with resulting minimum of blocking or covering-of light opening through the ossf section ofgas ifa :of the movable cover element when the latter is diameter of the 'npenenusof reflectors is permitted 'in'bomme eial practice. -For-an 18-inch diameter reflector: for "example as'here represented in the drawings, the allowance-is 3/16 mal, The'maniifacturerfordinarilyiioes not know the exact s'i zeofgthef reflector orhpusing to which the cover will'be applied. The useris notlikely than thegeneral sizedesi-g'natibn -I 8'-inch,'for

' example.

Further andfsveral-*obifcts' of the invention "aretaprovideabovef construction of the type mentioned haVi ng an "ekpansible- 'gasketretain ing. means faclz ptable'to the" different-sizes of Tim 'due' to manufacturing tolerances and which'may be applied 'ifierw-bynisnng the" stationary-- element up over the rim of the housing or reflector and then ti ghtenin'g 'the retaining band by the single thumbscrew provided; to provide a device t'o be'mounted on varying diameters of?reflectors "of units "served, top a part-ofthew'ta glass or obstruction ofeffective reflecting 'surfaces of the-reflector. g

A further'object of the invention is the provision of a cover construction having a novel 1 method f ofpositioning andffiking the gasket in the housing stationaryjfel'ement 'o1" "the construction; and not in the 'm'ovable cover element,

or housings with distributed andiprefrably with having a tailor aue'fitwo arying dia'rneters i'etiaea sai' gasket that is tiona'ry "element which is atnn'ot help but contact the which th cover eleirient is f'readily unhookable handling and installation and for convenience in the removal of the glass for washing or replacement; to provide a device of this nature which reduces the operable fastening means of the complete device to a reflector or housing to a single captive thumbscrew and provides a single enveloping band to conceal and draw together, in a chuck-like manner, the several gasket-retaining and positioning parts, closely gripping the reflector and forming a rigid, substantial anchorage for the movable cover element; to provide a square or rectangular cross-section gasket depending on its attachment and positioning to a narrow rim on a thin metal piece whose tongues pass through perforations or slits in the gasket section; to provide an expansible gasket-retain ing means divided into a series of segments and whose separation is controlled or limited by a perforated strip engaging the tongues of the segments and preferably serving also as a side Wall to keep the gasket in place and form; to provide a gasket mounting meansin which a series of springs aot both to open the enclosing band'when freed and to support and space the retainer segments whenthe band is closed, and

a to provide a detachable hinged wat-erand dusttight cover construction in which the cover element centers inside of and is enclosed by the means by which it is supported on the reflector.

Further objects and advantages will appear from the description and claims to follow, in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example and notof limitation, a built in and a detachable cover construction, and in which---- 1 Fig. 1 is a plan view of the buit in form of the cover construction as applied to a reflector or housing, assuming the same to be overhead and opening downwardly;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, the body of the housing being broken away and the movable cover element being shown partly open in full lines and closed in dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is a detail cross-section through the rim of the housing and cover construction, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and being at substantially full scale;

Fig 4 is a similar detail view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 with the pivot bolt-head removed;

Fig. 5 is a similar View on the line 5--5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the gasket and of thegasket-retaining ring, showing the tongues of the latter bent up horizontally to receive the gasket thereon and before they are bent upwardly on the inside of the gasket;

Fig. 7 is a plan view similar to Fig. 1, but on reduced scale, of the detachable cover construction as applied to a housing or reflector;

Fig. 8 is a side view of same, similar to Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a detail cross-sectional view on line 9-9 of Fig. 7

Fig. 10 is a similar detail view on line I0I0 of Fig. 7

Fig. 11 is an exploded view of the parts of the gasket ring; and

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 9, but with the outer securing band expanded.

Referring first to the form shown in Figs. 1 to 6, which illustrate a circular reflector with a nondetaohable or built-in cover, such as may be used in outdoor flood-lighting or other places where it is desired that the lights be sealed against dust, smoke and moisture due to rain, mist, fog or other causes, the open end of the reflector housing 29, which may be of aluminum, steelor other other suitable material, is seated up against the lower face of flange 23 of the rim of the housing and is permanently attached thereto. Such gasket strips come in rolls, and the correct length may be cut off and fitted to and around the rim of the particular housing so that no gap appears at the tightly butt-ed ends of the gasket or elsewhere.

lhe gasket is held to its said seat in the housing by a thin metal strip or endless band or ring 25, also preferably of aluminum, which is closely fitted to the'outer rim surface '22 and may be riveted thereto and serves as a housing armor hand as well as agasket' retainer. This band is curved inwardly at the upper. edge 26 over the rim ledge 2|. The opposite edge of this band is notched or cut away to form tongues 21, Fig. 6,

' which are bent to stand inwardly at right angles to the body of the band. These tongues are to the butted ends-of the notched ring. These tongues do not interfere with the .compression of the gasket between its upper and lower seats and aretightly fitting in the slits to preserve theseal through the gasket. After the gasket has been slipped in place on the tongues, the latter are bent upwardly, as indicated at 29 in Figs. 3 and 4, on

the inner side of the gasket to hold the same in placeon the tongues and on its seat 23. Holes 30 may be formed in the tongues to insure their being. bent upwardly at the proper points by merely applying upward pressure on the ends thereof.

.The result of this construction and arrange- 11161113 is that a suitable gasket is readily applied tothe housing in a practical and rugged manner and remains as a part thereof regardless of the opening and closing of the. cover, as hereinafter explained. The dimensions maybe varied, but

it may be said by way of explanation, though not of limitation, that with a gasket of A -inch square cross-section and the tongues and slits spaced on .%-inch.centers, the slits being %-inch long and the tongues g e-inch wide, as indicated, satisfactory results have been obtained. By this means the minimum cross-section of gasket may be used and of one single size for all sizes of refiectors and -styles.of reflector rims or housing gasket seats. With a housing rim, for instance, of circular bead form instead of flat, and of the usual size of just under /.,-inch in diameten'the same gasket seats equally well, the unnotched ring portion lying against the'outside of the rim gasket on the rim, and proper disposal of the included gasket results.

The cover includes a circular frame and the glass roundel carried thereby. The frame carries the glass at all times so thatit cannot fall out.

When-ztheecover isJopenedsandesuspendedibythe hinge: or: at: other: timesil It: is; cnshionedesealed thereim. The: frame? causes a: sealed connection between coverand housing toib'ezmade at the gasket when the, COYBI-Iz'iS clamped in' its closed position and: the gasket: is, compressed. The framev itself carries-theistrain without. putting the: glass xunder: compression or; subjecting it to any strain thereby. Therim-of the housing, the gasket. and glass are allisubstantially. of the same diameter so that light fromthezlamp andfrom the efiective reflecting surfacesof the reflector arenot' obstructed. The frame, moreover, does,

not project unduly: inside the, periphery-oft the glass and thus. reduce/the". clean: light opening.

through the glass;

The cover'frame, indicatedigenerallyiat 3!, in the form here illustrated, is preferablyv a continuous: ring of? sturdy: cross-section; shown cross hatched 'inzFigs: 4 and:5:} whiohamay be: of cast aluminum or: other: suitablev material or:

drawn fromzheavy gauge sheetzmetah The-peripheral edge of" the glass.32;which1 may-be molded, flat plate, curved sheet -oras desired; lies upon a slightly elevated-i inner: horizontal ledge- 33% near. the bottomof frame ring 31, and thezsubstantial space between the edgebf the-glass and the outer portion of: ring 3 I? is filled-With a suitahle calking cement 34, preferably a high heat-resisting, non-setting, surface-adhering cement or sealing compound, which completely fills-and seals such space and cushionsand holds the glass-sealed in the frame withoutthe-use-of rigid mechanical clamping means;

Into this plastic seal'is-foroedi the verticalleg v of a: continuous sheet metal sealring 35, which penetrates the sealing cement 34 tothe bottom and its edge re'stsagainst the frame member 3|.

The inwardly extending horizontal 1 leg 36*- of the in eachassembly, is placed in the corner betweenthevertical and horizontah legs- 0fthe seal ring before-theinsertionof the ringinto the plastic-seal 34. The seal ring 35-may be centered inthe frame 3| by several hemispherical emboss-- ments 3%, Fig. 3, formed in the vertical leg of the ring 35 and suitably spaced thereabout; The glass 3%. maybe centered in the frame-3+ by a-suitable jig at the time of assembly therein, and maintained in its -centered-'position*bythe cement itself.

If desired, the horizontal leg 36" of seal ring 35 maybeflat ontop throughout its width, asshownin Fig; 5, but may be turnedup at its inneredge 3'9, as shown in Figs. 3 and-4; to engage and be press ed" into the bottom of-thegasket-2 1 v when the cover is closed and clamped shut to form theseal;

Also, if desired; todoubly: insure against any possible dislodgment" of theglass or seal: ring in: the frame; the arrangement ofFig. S maybe provided, wherein alight-gauge, fiat spring member 60 is shownscrew-attached at its upper end-to the-upper-edgeof frame ring- 3P a-HdSXLcHdS downwardly and is riveted at its" lower end tothe seal ring 35. Three-tesix of these; suitably spaced about the ring, sufilce;

thumbscrew 42;

With the constructiondescribed:.thoglassiand2 sealing ring are sealed in they-frame; and; when:- the-cover is closed on thehousinggtheetwo are sealedat the gasket between the gasketrflion fishes l housing and the seatingseatfifioithe sealing ringsv 35 in the cover frame.

The gasket is sealingly compressedbetween its; said seats above and belo w, the.. one,' 2.3;.inthez housing and the other, 36 -39, in: the cover,ipre..=s erably by suitable clamps properly... spacedzaboutt the same. In an l8 -inch housing, abouti-ise-rvent clamps of the type to be described, spaced equally: about the ring, have. been found to give satisfac.- tion, but the number and type-may, be variedaas r desired, a smaller housing requiring a less number and a larger may need more; ViFith-thelcon-A struction described, the glasslbeing entirely freet from the clamping stress, a positive, spaced: clamping means may be used with entire safety;

Here, as shown in Figs, 1, 2; and 3, theaframe: ring is provided with suitable embossments at the appropriate places, in Which a clamping; thumbscrevv 52 is threaded to operatean-auto matic self-adjusting clamp plate 43,- Which-.inu

closed position fulcrums on the outerupper edge of the embossment 4| andis clampeddown-at the other end on top of the-upper edge-of 'th'e housing rim and flange or inturned edge- 25 of the gasket retaining ring by tightening the A dependingtailM}Figs; 1 and 2, at the rear or outer end' of clamp plate= 43; strikes the lug 45 at the outer sideof bossM whenthe plate 43 swings to its closedposition. 'When the plate swings to its openunclampedpo sition substantially parallel with the frame; the tail strikes against the side ofthe-bossor a-lug-W- thereon and stops the plate inthat position; The thumbscrew causes the plate toswing automati cally in this way in both the initial'closingmovement and in the opening movement in then-atural turning of the screw to clamp and unclamp' the cover to and from the-housing; Thisis accomplished by a suitable spring or friction-washer" connection of the screw 42 withthe plate-43 whereby the screw frictionally-engages theplatef sufliciently to turn the same ineitherdirection when the plate is free toturn, but may be turnedfurther therein when the plate is b10cked=from turning. A suitable spring within the top-recess of the boss and around the screw presses upwardly against the washer connection and thus; against the plate to keep it in-raisedposition at" alltimes and to prevent rattling and the plate tending to move to openposition due to vibration or the like. This type of clampis disclosed in- Leinen Patent No. 2,285,728, of June 9; 19423110; which reference may be had for-further details.

The cover may be hinged to the housing as desired or as indicated in the drawingswheretwo hinge brakets 559 are shown riveted or'otherwise' secured on the outside of the gasket retaining rim 25 and rim of the housing 20: (Jo-operating hinge members 5 l are form'edin any desired wa-yf on the frame ring SI of the cover. These are connected by the screw bolts or hinge'pins 52 suitably I sleeved for their passage through the hingemembers 5i and threaded into the-members 50; The sleeves on the pin also suitably space the heads of the bolts from the hinge member--50? The apertures 53 for the pins 52 through the hinge members 5| are considerably larger thanthepins; to give freedom of independent movement oi theframe 3! in being clamped to and unclamped from its seat on the-gasket and-permitting:it to move in a direction perpendicularto theseat seating and unseating, and to take care of slight variations in dimensions incident to manufacture.

"By this construction the cover is sealingly clamped in closed position independently of the glass so that thellatter is not subjected to strain thereby; the glass is of full size and the supporting frame is comparatively small so that the light from the housing is not obstructed or the frame unduly enlarged; the gasket is carried on the housing stationary element in fixed relation to the narrow rim seat, and therefore may be comparatively small in cross-section and is not disturbed by the opening of the cover, and always finds a sealing seat on the cover element regardless of Slight variations in positions that may occur for various reasons; the gasket is retained on the rim by the retaining ring provided with the impaling pins or tongues. passing therethrough and mechanically supporting and holding it to its-narrow seat on the rim without affecting its compressibility and sealing capacity on and between its seats; and the cover is most convenientlyclamped in sealing position and condition or unclamped and opened for cleaning and servicing purposes.

The foregoing form of device is such as may be made as a unit in the factory, where all parts can be made to agree, but many lighting fixtures have been and are being put into use where, for one reason oranother, covers are not provided for the reflectors or housings as built and installed and the users later desire to apply suitable sealing covers thereto. But such devices are apt to vary slightly in diameter at the openend, so much so that a recognized tolerance in an 18-inchdiameter reflector, for example, is -inchless than normal and over normal. The manufacturer of the covers, however, for such later installations does not know the exact size of the reflectors or housings the covers may be called upon to fit.

In all these covers, it isdesired that the gasket mounting element fit the reflector or housing rim exactly, and when the closing means are drawn up that it form a tight, rigid part of the fixture. It is not intended to be riveted or permanently secured to the housing as in the built in form of Figs. 1 to 6. The toggle or equivalent latches that pull the openable cover element up tight and squeeze the gasket seal in so doing are dependent for their support on the framework of this gasket mounting element as a whole. Moreover, such elements are usually attached to the reflectors of the installedfixtures at the customers plant by someone not familiar with the construction of the device, so they must be built so that they are not only easy and practical to apply to the installed fixtures, but the method of doing so and their attachment to the reflector must be obvious fromthe construction.

In carrying out this feature of the invention,

provision is made at the factory for building the uppergasket mounting element around a circular jig of the same diameter as that of the minimum diameter reflector under'the tolerances allowed for that size of standard reflector. Provision is made, in the mounting so built, for permitting the metallic parts thereof to expand and the gasket to stretch uniformly to fit a reflector of any larger size within the allowable range, and to do so automatically in the ordinary, usual and natural acts of applying same to the reflectors.

In this universal form of the invention, an, embodiment of which is shown in Figs. '1 to 11,

the reflector or housing is indicated at 60 and the bead rim at the open end at El. \The gasket 62 is the same as in the first-described form and is cut to the length required for theminimum diameter of reflectorof that size. The gasket is slit, as in. the first instance, to receive the tongues 63 on the gasket retainer strip or ring 64, which tongues are bent upwardly on the inner side of the gasket after the latter has been threaded thereon definitely to confine and hold the same in place. The gasket-retaining strip64 engages the outer face of the reflector bead 6| when the mounting isin position on the housing and thus holds the gasket in place with respect to the bead. The upper edge of the gasket-retain ing strip is bent outwardly, as at 65, for

strengthening purposes and to assist in applying the device and in supporting the strip, as will be explained.

An outer band 66 surrounds this construction and has a horizontal leg 61 overlapping the reflector bead.6land supporting this mounting when the device is attached to the reflector. This band is continuous except at one point where its separated ends 68 (Fig. 7) are bent outwardly,

and are suitably connected by a comparatively long thumbscrew 69, .which' is preferably made captive in the end near the thumb wing as by a suitable groove and spring clip and by which screw the band may be drawn tightly about the housing and over the rim or expanded.

In order to make the gasket mounting expansible to adapt, it to. the larger sizes, as much, say, as 3/ 16-inch larger in diameter than the jig to which it is fitted at the plant, the tongued gasket-retainerstrip or ring 64 is cut into or made in several segments, six substantially equal segments being satisfactory for an 18-inch reflector, as shown in Fig. 11, where one of the segmentsis shown extending between the points 69 and it), and the remainder of the ring is divided accordingly. These segments are mounted so as to be moved in and'out or radially toward and from the center of the ring to the extent required to fit the ring to the different diameters of rims, each segment being supported substantially at its center by the headed'pin 'I I, Fig. 9, riveted or otherwise secured thereto and extending outwardly through and slidable in an elongated horizontal slot 15 (Figs. 7 and 9) or hole in the outer band 66. The segments are pressed inwardly toward the reflector head by strong flat or leaf spring strips 12, six of them, overlapping the ends of adjacent segments, Figs. 7 and 11, and bear-ing at their ends thereon. This spring 72 is riveted or secured at its center to the outer band, as at 1,3. These springs" also support the segments, since their free ends extend under the flange or outward bend 65 of the gasket-retain ing rings and they are riveted at their centers to the outer band 66. These springs 12 serve also as expander springs for the outer band 66 when the thumbscrew 69 is loosened in the operation of attaching the. gasket-retainer element and mounting to a reflector. They cause the outer band to open and expand uniformly around the circle.

' This outer, bandcan expand only to the limit of the heads of the shouldered pins H, but this is sufficient to let the inner edge of the horizontal of the gasket-retaining strip or ring 64 of the segments, and of the .CQntrol or limit strips 14,

9 to he described, I which 1 however are very thin.

"In the further'expansion of the outer band, -'-when the"device is"pushed up over the larger diameter housing rims, as explained, the pins H slide-longitudinally in the slots' 15 in the outer band,- during this outward movement of the seg- "ments, to the-extentnecessary therefor, it being recalled that" the flat springs 12 cause the outer band to expand-equallyaround all the segments and-"continue topress 'on' the-ends of the segmerits 'during thisbodilymovement of the segmerits. 'Ihwsegments,therefore,=tend to move --in -andout "radially.

I-n thisoutward movement ofthe gasket-retain-ing segments; the-gasket 62ywhich is thread- "edon'thetongues of the retaining strip-segments, His caused to=stretch slightlv but this is distributed over-amultiple number of'points (six in the '18inch sizelillustrated). While the gasket normally stretches uniformlyatthe said points and keeps the segments=moving radially, it is pre- -'ferred to control the movement'of these tong-med gasket-retainer" segments so thatwhen they are expanded-to'the full over the maximum diameter,

their movement vitill 'be equalized and uniform arid alongradial' linesand'their spacing equalizedand the gask'et *-will'=notbe overstretched at any point. Accordingly, -a-'thin flexible metal strip 7 HfiFig'. 11, having slots on the same centers as the -tongues= 63="ofthe gasket-retaining strip 64 but slightly--longer'than 'the width of the tongues; isslipped"over 'the tongues of adjacent segments so as to br-idge the 'gap'between segments. This is-"done before the-gasket is applied to the tongues, Fig. 10. The'slots'in this retainer segment -l-imit'strip shouldbe'longer than the width ofthe'tongues by as much as the difference in length between minimum and maximum circles-"at that -location d-ivided by the number of j oints-or gaps between-segments so bridged, six in this instance. "The nurii'ber of tongues engagedorr'each segment maybe moreor' less, but five'on eachareshown soengagewby the limit strip and have "been 'found satisfactory. Consequently, the gasket is "-not' over'stretche'dat any point; even-when'the device is 'beingattached and the outerband is expanded fully.

in attaching the 'device 'to a housing; it is, of course, necessary that the outer'band be expanded"sufficientlv'to'enable it to pass :over the reflee-tor rim' wh'en being pushed up -into position on the housing. 'If that -isof -the smallest size, the segments-are not-*necessar'ily di'sturbed. If larger, they-are pushed out' to the extent necessaryby the act of pushing' the device up into place. f' Norma-lly,=theone attaching the device in 'thefi'elddoesnoti know the exact size of :the rim"housing. But he does know that the device is td beop'enedor expanded by unloosening the screw 89 in order to pushit up over the rim of the'housing. ZE-Ie therefore unscrews it from the end-68 6f the'band:whi'cl'i leaves the band' free to expand under the influence of springslz when the gasket stretches.

*A simple push on the gasket assembly then pushes'it upover the 'bead of' the reflector. 'If the "rim encountered is the smallest size, no change" insegmentsor I gasket occurs; 'if the rim is'largerj the segments are moved outwardly by it andthe gasket slightly--stretched'in the several areasadjacent the segmentjoints. The thumbscrew=is then 'i-nsertedand operated to tighten the outer--bafid-'-over the' rimand segments and about *the '-re'flector. In this movement, the

springs tem? 'to "push *the-gafsket-retainer seg- T ments up -tightly againstthereflector bead, the "pins 1 I slidinglaterally-in their-slots to the-slight extent necessary, the gasket "is held in proper position with respect 'to the-ri-m, and the cover, if hung, is-ready'tobeclosed-and-clamped in thatposition as will be "explained. The gasket is thus a partof thehousing element, and not of I the cover element ofthe-"device.

Thercover construotionin this form of the invention is =much'like that of the first form described;particularly-in that-the glass is notput under *stress bythe'sealingclamping action, is of full size, and is held in its frame by the sealing, cushioning, and calking cement-rather than by mechanical clamps. "The'g-lassis of full size and the frame-of 'm-in-imu-m*proportions. The glassenclosing frame'member 80 is preferably-a continuous'ring of suitabledrawn-metal type having an inturned ledge BI-u'ponwhich'the glass rests but isotherwisespaced therefrom, the space being filled' witha-suitablecalking cement BZ, such 'agbefore described," and which extends up over the uppere'dgeof the glass-as'i-ndicated. A stifi sealing ring-'83, angular'in' cross-section, has its vertical leg telescoping closely over the inner ring at and which maybe coated on its inner surface with a'pa-intor other liquid that will harden by drying, to form an effective sealing of the two. The seal to the outer rmgas is also throughthe cementSZ that overliesonextends above the top edge surface of the 'glassand engages the horizontal leg of the-sealing ring '83. The two rings .35 and-83 are mechanicallysecured together by a series of 'three to eightinwardlyformed lugs tasheared from thelower'edge-of the-outer ring andbent inwardly, the'said lower edge of the outer ring extendingbelow thebottom of the inner rin and forming a convenient place for the severaltog gle clamp latch members'to' hook, ashereinafterexplained. The inner edge of the horizontal leg of the sealing ring83 is preferably bowed up'at'BS to form a circular groove above or ins de the glass to" receive a soft asbestos rope 86 or the like to ensure the glass not touching the ring and toseal the-' spaceagainst entrance of dust and dirt. "Th-is'rope, however, does not transmit'any'clamping-pressure to the glass.

The assemblage of these -parts'is thought to be obvious. "'By'the *useof suitable jigs the glass is'centered inthe frame ring'BBfthe'caIking cement'SZ fills or is filled" about and over the edge of the glass as 'shownin'FigsfP and 10, the sealing ringBS, preferably-painted" inside and supplied with the a'sbestosro-pe'fl'; is telescoped down over the frame ring 80, arid the" tabs84at the bottom of the outer ring '83' are' bent up under? the'ring 86. The asbestos" rope" may beinserted' later; if desired. The glass .1 is thus ifirrnly" heldfiin the frame.

The upper face'of thehorizont'al :leg of the sealing ring 83 forms the lower seat for the gasket 52, is sufficiently strong'to carry the clamping and sealing pressure without transferring it to the glass, and is wide enough to receive or engage the gasket inalldiameters'of the rim. Positive clamping means for clinching the glass frame to the upper "reflector 'element may be 'used'with safety.

The cover is -preferably'hinged' to the'gasket mounting element by a read-ilydetachable hinge or hook for convenience in handling, installation, removal and replacement of glass-and for other purposes. Thus, Figs? '7, 8,- and '10, a metal hinge strap 87! is suitably-'riveted'or 'otherwisesecured to the outside of-' the'outer band ring -GB- of 1 the gasket mounting element, the lower end of which is curved up to form a hook 88 which loosely encircles aformed wire'clip 89 or loop attached in any suitable way, as by rivets through its ends,

to the outside face of seal ring- 83 of the'cover frame. This construction provides a safe hinge for the cover and does not interfere with the closing, clamping or opening movements of the .cover. A setscrew 90, threading through the outer end of the hook and engaging the strip 81, prevents any undesired separation of the hinge parts, but is readily backed out sufilciently for that purpose so that'the cover may be quickly -unhinged or unhooked and disconnected from the upper or reflector element.

. -When the coveris closed it is clamped to its seat on 'the gasket by a plurality of preferably spring toggle clamps about the edge. In this in- --stance there are six such clamps, located one at each supporting pin H of the gasket-retainer segments. They each comprise a spring wire link -9l,-substantiallyof the form shown in Fig. 8, hinged or pivoted at one side to the outer band 66 of the reflector element by the clip 92, which -may-be cut' and-formed out of the band itself,

as indicated, or otherwise secured thereto. The

other side of this spring is hinged or rotatably secured to spring link supporting plate, strap or hook 93, which, in'the clamped position shown in Fig; 9, engages at its lower upwardly and horizontally bent end 94 the inside of the lower edge of the sealing ring'83 of'the cover and presses upwardly against the lower edge of the cover 'framemember 80. The projecting lower edge of the ring83keeps-the hooks from slipping out- ,wardly and releasing the cover. The pressure to the gasket above is transmitted directly through the metal parts and does not place the glass under stress. The intermediate portion of the spring hookpresses resilientlyagainst the head of the pin 1 l' and assists in pressing the segment carried by it tightly against the reflector bead. The togg e action of these clamps will be understood. They may be opened by pulling outwardly the upper hinged sides of the spring links 9| and 'hook plates 93, their resiliency permitting such passes the center line of points 92 and 94, and be maintained in that position until manually released.

The operation is thought to be obvious from the foregoing. In this form, as in the preceding, the gasket is carried on the housing and is always properly seated onthe rim to make an ideal seal therewith and possesses the other advantages mentioned. 'The rim, gasket, frame and glass edge are all substantially in line and give full light opening to the reflector, the glass is cushionsealed and supported and is notput under strain by the clamping of the cover in closed position. The device is'self-adjusting to the different sizes of reflector rims when installed, so that no special manipulation or disassembling and reassembling of parts is required in applying it to do a perfect job. When the single clamping screw istightened, the gasket'fits perfectly and the device is firmly andtightly secured to the housing.

The outer band by its two legs or members "envelopes and covers the rim of the housing, the gasket and the edge of the cover was to protect the same from dust and dirt and to present an unobtrusive and neat appearance. Thus the objects' and advantages of the invention as heretofore related and others obvious from an'inspection and use of the device, are realized. T I

With respect to mounting the gasket on the reflector or housing rim instead of on thecover, it may be pointed out that for practical reasons, such as the space taken up, the cost, and the like,

.a narrow and small cross-section is preferred. A

square cross-section, -inch on a side, is ideal for the purpose, and, as shownyisattainable in this invention. Thus, if thegasket were built-into or attached to thecover, it would haveto be much Wider to insure its contacting for the full perimeter of the housing or reflector and the cover, in order to allow for manufacturing tolerances in housing or reflector diameters, for variations in glass diameters, and to provide enough clearance between the glass frame of the cover and the rim of the housing or reflector.- Again, the housing or reflector rim may not be a true circle. But if the small cross-sectional gasket is held directly on and positioned so'that it must-align with the reflector or housing rim, as in this construction, the contact or gasket seat on the cover, which in this invention can be made relatively wide and fiat, must strike the gasket at all points on the periphery when thecover' is closed. Then, too, the gasket located on the reflector or housing rim becomes a stationary member of the assembly and is better protected from injury in the regular operation of the cover than were it located in the cover frame. Also, if desired, the gasket may be further and more securely attached to the reflector or housing rim by a suitable cement applied between the rim and the adjacent gasket surface and even at the several slits where the retainer tongues pass through it, whereas if the gasket were a part of the cover frame 'it would be disturbed and likely destroyed at each glass replacement and the trouble and expense of a new gasket incurred. Putting the gasket on the narrow rim of the varying-diameter reflector or housing, even though that rimmay be distorted froma true circle, puts the gasket whereit must be, to-wit, directly under that rim, where it cannot get away. Where the cover must be attached to the unit by the purchaser, th'egasket retainers are split up, as explained, into a series of pieces or seg- 'ments so mounted and controlled in their radial movement that the gasket is not stretched all at one point from its original length, fitting a minimum-diameter reflector, tothat fitting a maximum-diameter reflector,-but its stretch is distributed about the circle on the segments. The slits in the gasket, made by forcing a suitable thin knife-edged tool through the gasket wall, are slightly longer than the width of the retainer tongues to allow for possible variations in spacing both of the slits and of the tongues and so that the gasket may slip over the tongues without stretching or forcing. In expanding the segments'for the larger-diameter rims, therefore, the slits are long enough to permit the gasket to slide slightly on the tongues in'a peripheral direction to assist in distributing the stretch. Moreover, it is possible that where two segment ends abut, the near edge of the tongues on adjacent segments may beclose to the near ends of the gasket slits for the minimum-size rim, and as the segments sep- '1-3 arate forthe largeresizerim-the tonguesv will. have a chance to slide freely in the gasket slits.

Thegasket,thicknesapreferably -inch, being generous, thetonguesthin, and the material of the .gasketof aresilient, pliable nature, the portions of the slits.beyond,the width of the tongues will, close. completely. to. form watertight closures, particularly. whenclamped between the reflector rimand the seal ring of the cover.

The numberofsegrnentsin the gasket retainer ring may be varied as deemed practicalandworlb able. In the old cast-iron reflector with a fiatrimand with a simple cover. attached by screws, it Was.found desirable notto space the screws more. than nine. inches apart around the circumferenceif oneexpect'ed to get a good tight clamp .or squeeze on the gasket. The present invention provides for one clamp for each gasketretainer segment It is deemed desirable, therefore, not to make the SBglL-lGIltS more than approx-v imately nineinches long. Accordingly, for. an S-inch-diameter reflector, three such sections are. found desirable;.for, a 22-inch reflector, eight segments. suflice; and inthe 18-inch reflector herein illustrated, there are six such. sections or segments. This ,covers the range of sizes ordinarily; manufactured and indicates a practical rule thatmay. be suc cessfully followed for different sizes.

As befor e pointed out, the hinged cover, as in the. detachable .form- ;of the device, is readily re movable for anydesired purpose by takingout the screw 90: and unhooking the cover from the. hinge-hook .88.; The cover in the built-in typemayalso'beouicklyremoved for-any desired purpose, such, for example, as for glass replacement, etc,, which maybedone readily by taking outone orfboth of the hinge-screws 52 and separating the cover from-the rim.

While-in this-specification the device has been. considered in itsposition as shown in the drawing with its axis vertical, itwill be understood that it-may be'used in any position, and the descrip-, tion and claims should be read and understood accordingly. So, too, the terms housing and reflector are -used syno r 1;ymously and should be so understood, Glassig of: course, is intended to cover suitable-materials for the purpose.

Withoutjurther elaboration, the foregoing will so fullyexplainthe gist of this invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adopt. the same for use under varying conditions of service without eliminating certain features; which, may properly be said to constitute the essential items of novelty involved, whichcitems, are intended to be. defined; andsecured; by the-following claims.

I- claim:

1; -A,,1ighting fixture oi the class described comprising. a, housing having a formed rim aroundritsz openend; saidrim forming. an upper gasket: sea-t, a cover,- having a glass and a metal. frame around..the .Deriphery of the. glass, said frame havingav spacelaround the edge ofv the glass; cementing; material in, said space to .hold' and seal-theglass; therein, said frame having a sealed-ledge extending inwardly over. and out of contact with theglass, said ledge forming. a lower gasket seat-,a gasket between said. rim and. ledge seats, and means forclamping saidframe. to'the housing; at,;sai d., rim, gasket and legs to, hold-and seal the, same without putting the glass nde ra n -le as. .r;ei-.. -c ass" s r bed mp g es, Q. e h vin mim -i s;

14 mend 11Qk i fin re -ease 1. 21 a k e ta l r nsa la s andm ta tween th egglasseand sa'd ing, a gaslge .b: the z im. z am 's h FZ c -i m a s 'r': WQPT: ing.,the.cqver .to the housing, at ,said-rim, ring; and;

20. lss ndameial H 'ipllsra li me r hee a s. said,l frarne includ I ring larger; in; di t, fitfil? thickness. of theglas T 1 ext nd n .rai e ishii s. is -te nager a d upp r tn. ,0 25,. ed 9 f-.- a .vallsins: eme f nei her I ie p nii z p j 'nd. 4 hgs e esh, J s a and Qm-i e. lass nihel s sea rin gu a i i n. having.

d; an aledi said.ce-..,

hellsmee v n a o m d im-- s; open endt said rim forming. an upper ndim etalg-pe l pheral;frame for .the glass, including a continuous-ring ofgsturdy n .and; larger in, insidediameterand anthe thickness of the glass ,andhaving.

' eepe edg o engage-v and support, the. outer. face. edgeof; lass,, a calk'lng cement: filling the-sub amil lzll ierwl ke pace in the, ring. and aroundhfil lfi yth lassto. Seal and hold .the glass in thering, a continuous seal.v ring angular in.

cross=section. -having.one. leg portion embedded and sealed; in .said cement. and extending to the 555 said-:ring. so as to besupported thereby, theotherleg, por.tion.of the. seal ring. extending inwardly over the glass.andspacedzabove the same and forming, at; its upper. side. a lower. gasket seat, a soft filler; imthe. corner between-the legs anddshe corner .of: the-sglass,. a gasket between the two seatsrandmeans forlsealingly clamping said ring to said rim on said gasket, whereby the clamping d the glass is the ,saidrringbeinglarger inldiameter than the" glass anddeeper than the glass thickness-towavide; a substantiala space. therearounda filling of.. 751 pla e cementitious material in .said. .spaceto I a, cover for saidopenendr having. a.

a 1y; extending raisedshelf at. its outer' 15 7 hold and seal the glass therein, and a continuous sheet metal seal ring of inverted L-shaped.

cross-section having its vertical leg embedded and sealed in saidmaterial and extending down independently of the glass.

6. A sealed cover construction for light-fixture housings having a rim around its open end comprising a glass and a metal frame around the glass, said frame including continuous inner and outer telescoping rings forming a sturdy band around the edge of the glass, the inner ring having a lower portion extending inwardly with an elevated ledge on which the glass lies, the said band being larger in diameter and deeper than the glass to provide a substantial space around the edge of the glass, and a filling of plastic cementitious material in said space to seal and hold the glass therein, the outer ring having a horizontal portion extending inwardly over the glass above andout of contact therewith but engaged on the lower side and sealed in position by said filling, the upper face of said horizontal portion forming the lower seat for the gasket seal of the cover to the housing rim, whereby the clamping sealing pressure of the cover to the housing is carried by the frame without compressing the glass.

7; A sealed cover construction for light-fixture housings having a rim around its open end comprising a glass and a metal frame around the glass, said frame including continuous inner and outer telescoping rings sealed together, forming a sturdy band around the edge of the glass, the inner ring having a lower portion extending inwardly with an elevated ledge on which the glass,

lies, the'said band being larger in diameter and deeper than the glass andproviding a substan tial space around the edge of the glass, a filling of plastic cementitious material in said space to seal and hold the glass therein, the outer ring having a horizontal portion extending inwardly over the glass above and out of contact therewith but engaged on the lower side and sealed in position by said filling, the upper face of said hori-- zontal portion forming the lower seat for the gasket seal of the cover to the housing rim, whereby the clamping sealing pressure of the cover to the housing is carried by the frame without compressing the glass, a packing of soft material between the inner edge of the horizontal portion of said sealing ring and the surface of the glass, the lower edge of the sealing ring extending below the inner ring and forming a convenient place for hooking clamping devices, and inwardly bent lugs cut from said lower edge to mechanically secure said rings together.

8. A'lighting fixture of the class described comprising a housing having a rim formed about its open end forming anupper gasket seat, a cover for said open end having a lower gasket seat, a ring of gasket material between said seats adapted to be engaged and sealingly compressed thereby, and a gasket-retaining strip carried by the housing and surrounding said rim and gasket and having tongues extending through said gasket between the seats and bent upwardly at the inside of the gasket and securing the gasket to its rim seat, whereby the gasket is sealingly compressed between ,said seats when the cover is closed and ring of gasket material between said seats adapted to be engaged and sealingly compressed thereby,

and a sheet metal gasket-retaining strip outside said rim and gasket and secured thereto, the lower edge of said strip being notched to form tongues,

said tongues beingbent inwardly and extending through slits in the gasket ring between its upper and lower seating faces, said tongues being further bent upwardly at the inside'of the gasket ring with their ends extending above the upper gasket seat, whereby the gasket ring is confined to its rim seat on the housing and the cover may be opened and closed without disturbance thereof or thereby. V a

10. A lighting fixture of the class described comprising a housing having a rim. formed about its open end forming an upper gasket seat, a cover for said open end having a lower gasket seat, a ring of gasket material between said seats adapted to be engaged and s'ealinglycompressed,

and a sheet metal gasket-retaining band surrounding said rim and attached thereto, the lower edge of said band having tongues formed thereon bent to extend horizontally inward, the gasket being impaled on said tongues and held thereby to its rim seat, the, tongues being bent upwardly at the inside face of the gasket,vwith their ends extending above the rim seat, whereby the gasket is centered and retained in proper position on the rim seat. I

11. A lighting fixture of the class described comprising a housing having a formed rim at the open end, said rim forming an upper gasket seat, a ring of gasket material substantially rectangular in cross-section on said seat, a sheet metal gasket-retaining ring strip outside said rim and gasket, said gasket having slits punched horizontally therethrough at regular spaced intervals, the lower edge of said gasket-retaining strip having tongues formed thereon bent horizontally and extending through said gasket slits and then bent upwardly at the inner side of the gasket and with their ends reaching above the said rim seat, whereby properly to seat and maintain the gasket on its said rim seat, means for securing said retaining strip to the said rim, and a cover for the open end of the housing having a lower gasket seat to sealingly engage said gasket when the cover is secured in place thereon. 7

12. A lighting fixture of the class described in which the housings may differ in diameter within a manufacturing tolerance range, comprising a housing having a rim around its open end forming a gasket seat, a ring gasket normally of a size properly to fit such a seat of the smallest diameter, means for stretching said gasket propforming a gasket seat, a ring gasket normally of a size properly to fit such a seat of the smallest diameter, means for controllably stretching said gasket properly to distribute the stretch of the gasket and cause it to fit on the seats of larger .8 "r r d r f as pene ra e is; "use ri er. is e: i was h ad? zilfig'fhavjflg '9} 'ggg eat mpsriymenses and e 'hbusing' andot lei igthnormally to reach a manufacturing tolerance range, comprising a s idga'sketfwh'atever its'si'zejwhenthe cover-us closed; 7 v v 145.4. "lighting' 'flxture ofthe-class described which thfhoiisings ma uiir 11 diameter within "housm ha'vingj' a rim" around its open end forming a 'ga sketseatja ring ga'sket normally 'of a size properly 'to' fit such "a seat" of "thesmallesV diametgr, a support for the gasket, mean-sfor expandingsaid support and stretching said gasket to fit largersizesofsaidseat, and a cover for the open""end"ofthemousinghaving a seat for saidgasket in any sizerto sealin'gly compress '1 the same when the cover is finally closed.

15. A lighting fixture of the class described in which the'hb'usings iiiaydiiferin diameter within a manufacturing tolerance range, comprising a' housing" having a rim around its"bpen"nd' 'go" forming a: gasketseat, a ring-gasket normally of a; siz ei properly tofit such a seat of the'snialllest diameterrasupport for the? gasket, mansto 'secure said support and gasket'tof'the riinjm'e'ans I jor expanding sa d supportftthd?stretchingsaid g -jgasket tg-fitlarger sizes of said rim seatfliieans ""o-n the riin irr 'o ged'byt e ve 119; contrplling and distributingth "gti-tghmf retaining iireasspsingextahsineand"ecssaid" gasket, and a cover for the open end of the tractible to expand and contract said gasket to housing having a seat for said gasket in any fit it to the varying sizes of rims, an outer band size to sealingly compress the same when the 39 enclosing said retaining means and connected cover is finally closed. thereto to position and retain the same on the 16. In a sealed cover construction for lightrim, said band being expansible to permit same fixture housings in which the diameters of the and the retaining means to be slipped over the open ends may vary in the manufacture thereof, rim f h housing, and means t tighten e a gasket to seat on the rim of the open end of the 35 hand about the housing to secure the same and housing and of a length normally to reach enthe gasket-retaining m s er tirely around the smallest-sized rim, and a gas- 21. In a sealed cover construction for lightket-retaining means to confine said gasket to its fixture housings in which the diameters of the seat on the rim in position to be engaged by the open ends may vary in the manufacture thereof, cover, said retaining means being expansible and. 40 a gasket to seat on the rim of the open end of contractible to expand and contract said gasket the housing and of a length normally to reach to fit it to the varying sizes of rims. entirely around the smallest-sized rim, a seg- 1'7. In a sealed cover construction for lightmental gasket-retaining means surrounding the fixture housings in which the diameters of the gasket and rim and having tongues projecting open ends may vary in the manufacture thereof,

M through the gasket and confining same to the a gasket to seat on the rim of the open end of rim, an outer expansible band enclosing and the housing and of a length normally to reach carrying sa d retaining means, d band having entirely around the smallest-sized rim, and a an inwardly extending upper edge portion exsegmental gasket-retaining means surrounding end g over the rim when the band is tightened the gasket and rim and having tongues projectabout the housing for holding it together with the ing through the gasket and confining same to gasket and connected parts firmly on the housthe rim, said segments being moved outwardly ing, said band when loosened and expanded by a larger rim in the act of applying the conwithdrawing its upper flange from over the said struction thereto to stretch and adapt the gasket rim to permit the device to be detached from the and segments to the larger rim and to maintain housing or to be applied thereto and upon further the gasket properly seated thereon. expansion to enable the segments to move radi- 18. In a sealed cover construction for l gh ally outward to fit them to larger rims, and fixture housings in which the diameters of the means for tightening and loosening said exopen ends may vary in the manufacture thereof, pansible ba d,

a gasket to seat on the rim of the open e d o 22. In a sealed cover construction for lightthe housing and Of a length normally to reach fixture housings in which the diameters of the e y around the Smallest-Sized a sat: open ends may vary in the manufacture thereof, mental ga k ts Surroundmg t a gasket to seat on the rim of the open end of gasket and rim and h v e t n s p j s the housing and of a length normally to reach through the gasket and confining same to the 6 rim, said segments being moved outwardly by entirely around the smallest-sized rim, a gasketretaining means to confine said gasket to its seat larger rims in the application of the construction on the rim in position to be engaged by the Cover, thereto to stretch and adapt the gasket and seg- Said retaining means being divided into a ments to th large! rims and mamta'm the plurality of segements, an expansible outer band as p perly seated t e eo and means 7o surrounding the segments and. connected therecon o e movement of said gaske s t 1111111? with to support and control the same, said. conthe same therebetweennection including a headed pin for each segment 19. In a sealed Cove Constructifin for llghtextending throughalongitudinal slot in the band fixture hous gs in which the diameters of the and into the segment intermediate its ends, leaf open ends may vary in the maufacture thereof, 75 springs secured to the inside of the band and each overlapping and slidingly bearing at its-ends against adjacent segments near their ends, said springs tending to press the segments inwardly springs causing the band to expand substantially equally about the segments, the pins, sliding in the slots during such expansion, and when the band is tightened the reverse action takes place, the segments being pressed inwardly, the segments thus traveling radially from the one position to the other. 7, 23. In a sealed cover construction for lightfixture housings in which the diameters of the open ends may vary in the manufacture thereof, a gasket to seat on the rim of the open end of the housing and of a length normally to reach entirely around the smallest-sized rim, a gasket- 7 retaining means to confine said gasket to its seat on the rim in position to be engaged by the cover, said retaining means being expansible and contractible to expand and contract said gasket to fit it to the varying sizes of rims an outer band enclosing said retaining means and connected thereto to position and retain the same on the rim, said band being expansible to permit same andthe retaining means to be slipped overthe rim,of the housing, and m ean sto tighten the Number band about the housing to secure the same and the gasket-retaining means thereto, said tighten ing means consisting of a thumb-screw connecting'theends of the band, the band when tightened by the screw concealing and drawing together the gasket retaining and positioning parts, closely gripping the housing, and forming a rigid, sub,

stantial anchorage'forthemovable cover; element,

V c 7 PAUL p. mums;

. h V REFERENCES (infill Thefollowing referencesare of record in-the file of this'paitent c r J UNITED STATES PATEnTs-j Name *Date 1,746,340 Doane Feb'.'11, 1930 1,960,922 Richard -Q.-- May 29, 1934 1,970,709 7 Q... Aug. 21, 1934 2,070,195 "Bissell et al.' Feb. 9,193? 2,240,634 Winkler- May 6, 1941 2,279,595 Phillips Apr. 14, 1942 r 2,285,728 I June-9, 1942 Mar 14,1944

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