`
`Filed March 6, 1964
`
`
`
`N. H. SCHWENKLER
`LIGHTING FIXTURE;
`
`3,211,904
`
`3. Sheets—Sheet 1
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`Oct. 12, 1965
`
`Filed March 6, 1964
`
`
`
`N. H. SCHWENKLER
`LIGHTING FIXTURE
`
`3,211,904
`
`3 Sheets—Sheet 2
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`United States Patent Office
`
`3,211,904
`Patented Oct. 12, 1965
`
`l
`
`2
`FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of an end portion of
`the fixture taken generally along the lines 5–5 of
`FIG. 3;
`FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken
`along the lines 6–6 of FIG. 3 illustrating the construc
`tion of the longitudinal center section at one end of the
`fixture;
`FIG. 7 is a schematic elevational view of two types of
`fixture arrangements; and
`FIG. 8 is a graphic representation illustrating the level
`of illumination intensity of the fixture when used in con
`nection with the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1.
`Modern day transportation facilities such as trains, sub
`Ways, buses, and the like have been designed with the pas
`senger's comfort specifically in mind. One facet of pas
`Senger comfort which is of primary importance is the
`necessity of providing adequate interior lighting to permit
`the passengers to read, while keeping initial expenditures
`within reasonable economic limits. Individual or spot
`type readng lamps are not only objectionable from the
`Standpoint of excessive cost, but if used alone also serve
`to create areas of diverse levels of light intensity which
`oftentimes contributes to passenger eye discomfort.
`When considered for use in connection with short haul,
`low cost transportation systems, installation and main
`tenance of suitable individual or spot type lighting systems
`is considered prohibitive largely for economic reasons.
`The present invention is particularly adapted for use in
`transportation facilities such as subways, buses and the
`like due to its rather flexible design, low cost of installa
`tion and maintenance, and the type of lighting provided.
`When the present invention is used in one of the above
`enumerated environments, it simultaneously provides: an
`area of concentrated substantially even intensity light
`for passeger reading purposes; a second area of indirect
`concentrated light for general illumination purposes; and,
`an intermediate area of diffused light for display and ad
`Vertising illumination. A single light is adequate as a
`Source for the multiple purposes stated, or a double source
`may be used without requiring modification of the fixture,
`thus exemplifying the flexibility and versatility of the
`design.
`As previously noted, the fixture is of uncomplicated
`construction when compared with existing devices which
`do not provide the advantages noted, generally including
`a light source housing, a light source and a light trans
`mission panel with the panel being of a subdivided nature
`to provide the Selected areas of illuimnation discussed
`above.
`Referring now to FIG. 1, reference character 10 indi
`cates approximately one half of the interior of a passenger
`transporting vehicle. The vehicle includes along opposite
`side wall areas a series of spaced passenger accommodat
`ing means such as the seats indicated at 11. A plurality
`of passenger door loading areas 12 may also be provided
`in the side walls of the vehicle to facilitate passenger
`ingress and egress. A generally arcuate cornice is pro
`vided at the junction of each side wall and ceiling portion
`and serves as a mounting for the cornice type lighting ar
`rangement of the present invention which includes a plu
`rality of longitudinally elongated lighting fixtures 13 which
`are arranged in end-to-end abutting relation. Generally,
`the lighting fixture arrangement extends the full length
`of the car as well as being symmetrically arranged on
`opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the car.
`As is evident upon inspection of FIG. 1, the available
`area for mounting the fixture is quite limited, the lower
`limit being defined by the windows and doors while the
`ceiling of the car in most instances defines the upper limit.
`The total vertical depth or thickness of the fixture is lim
`ited by the requirement for head room to accommodate
`
`3,211,904
`|LIGHTING FIXTURE
`Norberth H. Schwenkler, Chicago, Hii., assignor to Patent
`License Corporation, Chicago, Hii., a corporation of
`Illinois
`Filed Mar. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 350,002
`2 Claims. (Ch. 24.0–7.35)
`This application is a continuation-in-part of my co
`pending application, Serial No. 256,431, filed February
`5, 1963, and relates to lighting fixtures in general, and
`more specifically is directed towards a multi-purpose light
`fixture of compact design which provides for substantial
`ly even intensity light concentrated in a pre-selected area
`while simultaneously providing general illumination of
`lesser orders of intensity for advertising display and gen
`eral lighting purposes.
`It is an object of this invention to provide a new and
`improved form of lighting fixture of simplified and un
`complicated design capable of establishing at least one
`area of concentrated illumination of substantially even in
`tensity and at least one area of general illumination of a
`lesser order of intensity with both areas being established
`as a direct result of the unique arrangeemnt and design
`of the basic fixture parts.
`Another object of this invention is to provide a new
`and improved lighting fixture particularly adapted for ef
`ficient cornice type mounting in a vehicle, such as a pas
`senger carrying train, subway car, bus or the like, with
`the fixture being capable of simultaneously providing
`multiple areas of controlled illumination including one
`area of concentrated light as well as areas of general il
`lumination for display purposes and passenger safety.
`A further object of the invention is to provide a new
`and improved vehicle interior lighting arrangement utiliz
`ing a unique form of light frture of uncomplicated design
`having a light transmission panel associated therewith
`which has distinctly arranged light transmitting sections
`for establishing multiple illumination areas, including one
`area for general illumination, another area for concen
`trated illumiation and still another for advertising illumi
`nation.
`It is a further object of this invention to provide a light
`fixture of simplified design which is exceedingly flexible
`in that additional light sources may be added without
`generally affecting the level of intensity in the concen
`trated area or requiring change in the fixture construc
`tion.
`It is a further object of this invention to provide a new
`and impoved light fixture of simplified design which pro
`vides multi-purpose lighting while being easily shaped to
`fit in a wide variety of environments without requiring
`design change.
`Further and fuller objects will become readily ap
`parent when reference is made to the accompanying draw
`ings wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective sectional view of
`a portion of the interior of a passenger vehicle provided
`with the new and improved lighting fixture of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of adjacent
`end portions of a pair of lighting fixtures with portions
`broken away to illustrate the relative positioning of ad
`jacent fixtures when mounted in an end-to-end arrange
`ment;
`FIG. 3 is a transverse section through one of the light
`fixtures as viewed generally along the lines 3–3 of
`FIG. 2;
`FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section of an end portion of
`a fixture taken generally along the lines 4–4 of FIG. 3
`to illustrate the end sealing arrangement;
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`15
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`those passengers standing or arising from their seats to
`leave the vehicle.
`It is necessary to utilize the cornice area for mounting
`in order to provide adequate illumination over the seats
`for reading, as well as to provide for the proper inclina
`tion and maximum area for effective advertising and in
`direct general illumination. The limitation imposed by
`the shape of the available mounting area necessitates a
`unique design as will become evident. Since the vertical
`depth or fixture thickness is also limited as noted above,
`problems are encountered as to the placement of the light
`source to provide the necessary lighting efficiency, while
`avoiding bright spots which cause discomfort to the pas
`Senger and are considered to be injurious to the eyes over
`prolonged periods. Additional sources are oftentimes
`added to balance bright spots, however, this is objection
`able in that it results in a substantial increase in the initial
`cost of the fixture as well as being quite costly to operate.
`It will become evident that a single source strategically
`placed in a properly designed fixture can not only serve the
`diverse needs within the cost and space limitations im
`posed, but also provide the greatest advantages.
`Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, each light
`ing fixture 13 basically includes a light source housing 14,
`a light source 15 mounted within the housing 14 and a
`light transmitting panel assembly 16 enclosing the housing
`14 and light source 15. As is best seen in the cross sec
`tional view of FIG. 3, the housing 14 is of generally con
`cave configuration to conform to the generally arcuate
`configuration of the cornice area joining the side wall
`and ceiling portions. As seen in FIG. 1, the light trans
`mitting panel 16 is longitudinally elongated, presenting an
`exterior or outward appearance of being generally concave
`at its central section with the area of concavity being
`sharply defined by a horizontal lens portion at the lower
`end, and a generally vertical lens portion at the upper
`end.
`The housing 14 may be formed of relatively thin metal
`and as seen in FIG. 3, is shaped to provide a plurality
`of angularly related flat surfaces 17, 18 and 19. A coat
`ing of primer may cover the outside of the housing 14
`for preservation of the metal surface with the interior
`suitably finished to provide the necessary reflective char
`acteristics. For this purpose, a white high gloss enamel
`surface has been used with excellent results since the re
`flections from this type of surface due to the low order of
`incidence angle is, for all practical purposes, the same
`as a specular surface while being less expensive to pro
`duce. The foregoing presupposes proper placement of the
`light source 15 relative to a housing designed within the
`50
`concepts set forth hereinafter.
`A longitudinal mounting rail 22 supports the lower mar
`gin of the light fixture 13. Lower and upper leg members
`20 and 21 form a channel which permits the mounting
`rail 22 to be easily affixed to the car wall by means of a
`series of fasteners 23 which are ultimately hidden from
`view. A continuous door or trim rail 24 abuts the lower
`leg member 20 and provides a mounting for a sealing
`flange 25 which is joined thereto by means of a threaded
`fastener or the like. The upper portion of the sealing
`flange 25 is spaced from a diagonally extending portion
`on the upper leg member 21 of the mounting rail 22 to
`provide a longitudinally continuous pair of spaced sealing
`flanges.
`The door rail 24 may be removably joined to the mount
`ing rail 22 by a series of fasteners 28 which extend through
`the door rail 24 into engagement with the upper leg 21 on
`the mounting flange 22. A nylon retainer washer 28’
`may be provided on the shank of the fastener 28 allowing
`the door rail 24 to be released from the mounting rail
`22 to gain access to the interior while maintaining the fast
`ener 28 on the door rail 24.
`The upper longitudinal margin of the housing 14 is
`affixed to a longitudinally continuous hinge rail 27 by
`rivets or the like. A series of fasteners 43 extend through
`
`70
`
`4.
`the hinge rail 27 into suitable holes in the ceiling to join
`the housing to the vehicle. The upper or hinge rail 27
`includes a continuous depending hook-like hinge portion
`29 which receives therein a co-operating hook-like hinge
`portion 30 forming a part of a longitudinally continuous
`hinge member 31 which joins the light transmitting panel
`assembly 16 to the upper rail 31 for swinging movement.
`An upwardly and inwardly projecting flange portion
`32 on the hinge member 31 engages the underside of an
`outwardly and upwardly projecting flange portion 33 in
`tegral with the light transmitting panel assembly 16. A
`retainer clip 51 holds the flanges 31 and 33 in engagement
`being hooked at one end into a shallow channel formed
`adjacent the flange 33 and extending outwardly over the
`hinge member 31 terminating adjacent the hook shaped
`portions 29 and 30. A wave spring 34 acts through the
`end of the retainer clip 51 to maintain the hook-like hinge
`portions 29 and 30 in mutual engagement, while permit
`ting the same to freely pivot relative to the rail during the
`opening and closing of the fixture.
`The light transmitting panel assembly 16 is generally
`U-shaped as viewed in cross section and is closed at both
`ends to form a generally box-like structure. A longi
`tudinally extending vertically disposed lens portion 35
`is formed at the inner marginal portion being integral
`with an intermediate display section 36 which merges
`with a longitudinally extending generally horizontal lens
`section 37. The sections 35–37 may be integrally formed
`from any suitable material such as plastic material or
`the equivalent with the entire panel being readily fabri
`cated by extrusion when formed of plastic or the like. It
`is contemplated that the extruded section will be cut to
`the appropriate length and the end wall sections suitably
`attached thereto. The upright end wall sections 38 may
`be also formed from plastic material having lower mar
`ginal edge portions which generally conform to the cross
`Sectional configuration of the light transmitting panel
`assembly 13. The vertical depth of the fixture adjacent
`the lens section 35 is less than the vertical depth at the
`horizontal section to increase the available head room
`towards the center of the vehicle,
`The horizontal lens section 37 of the light transmitting
`panel 16 is provided at its terminal or marginal edge with
`an upwardly projecting hook-like portion 39 which is
`received within a U-shaped mounting portion on the
`sealing flange 25. When the door rail 24 is released by
`releasing the fasteners 28, the light transmitting panel as
`Sembly 16 may pivot in an arcuate path about the upper
`hinge rail 27 to gain access into the interior of the fix
`ture. When the light transmitting panel assembly is in
`the position shown, a continuous gasket 49 is clamped
`between the leg members 21 and the locking flange 25 to
`Seal the inner marginal edges of the housing and light
`transmitting panel assembly 16 against stray light and/or
`dust. The gasket 49 also extends transversely of the
`fixture, being Squeezed between the end panels 38 and
`the end plates 44 on the housing, as well as longitudinally
`between the flange 33 on the panel 16 and the upper hinge
`rail 27 to provide a continuous marginal seal.
`As noted above, the opposite ends of the housings are
`partially closed off by end plates 44 having inner flanged
`marginal edge portions 45 for co-operation with the
`gasket 49. Light source mounting means in the form
`of channel shaped flanged socket mounting members 54
`are suitably joined to the inner surface of the end plates
`44. Mounted on the socket mounting members are
`sockets 46 of known type which suitably mount there
`between a tube type fluorescent lamp 47 serving as the
`light source.
`As seen in the cross sectional view of FIG. 2, when
`the fixtures are arranged in end-to-end relation as shown
`schematically in the top half of FIG. 7, the adjacent fix
`ture is of identical construction having an end plate
`44' terminating in a lower marginal flange 45". A socket
`mounting member 46' is illustrated at 54’ providing a
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`mounting for the socket member 46’ supporting the
`fluorescent tube 47’ in longitudinal alignment with the
`tube 47, Appropriate fasteners may be used to join the
`end plates 44 together in face-to-face abutment.
`The uniformity in the end construction of the fixture is
`apparent on examination of FIG. 4 which is a cross sec-
`tional view taken adjacent the hinge rail 27. The end
`wall portions 38 and 38’. may be formed of clear or
`frosted plastic, glass or the equivalent to admit light to
`the slight space between, with such spacing being of the
`order of about 44 inch to accommodate thermal ex-
`pansion of the adjacent panels 16 and 16’.
`As seen in FIGS, 2 and 4, the lower flanges 45 of the
`end plates 44 abut the gasket member 49 with the under-
`side of the gasket being in sealed relationship to an angle
`member 56 mounting end section 38. This serves to seal
`off the ends to an extent that stray light is eliminated and
`dust cannot gain entry to accumulate within the fixture.
`Each lens section 35 and 36 may be formed of clear
`transparent plastic and is provided along the inner sur-
`face thereof with a plurality of longitudinally continuous
`prisms 51 which provide for the concentration of light
`transmited through the respective lens sections to estab-
`lish areas of high intensity illumination. The vertical
`lens section 35 provides illumination in the area of the
`overhead or ceiling of the vehicle is illustrated by the
`generally horizontal arrows in FIG. 1. Tlumination of
`this type is of an indirect nature and is of sufficient in-
`tensity to illuminate the interior of the vehicle for general
`purposes such as safe passenger movement.
`The lower horizontal section 37 provides a longi-
`tudinally continuous downwardly directed area of high
`intensity illumination as indicated by the generally verti-
`cally directed arrows in FIG. 1, serving to light the area
`surrounding the passenger accommodating means 11 be-
`ing generally on the region of the side wall portions of
`the vehicle.
`In this respect,
`the design of the present
`fixture permitting close end-to-end mounting of a plural-
`ity of fixtures provides for a longitudinally continuous
`area of concentrated high intensity illumination directed
`downwardly along the side wall portions of the vehicle
`throughout the entire length of the car.
`The display section 36 of the panel 13 is translucent
`and is adapted to receive against the outer surface thereof
`a display card 52 for observance by passengers in the
`vehicle. The section 36 is of arcuate configuration to
`permit the ready retention of a card 52 thereagainst.
`In
`this respect, suitable card retaining means in the form
`of projecting hook-like members 53 are provided along
`opposite longitudinal margins of the central section 36.
`These members are designed to be integrally formed with
`the panel 16 during extrusion thereof and opposite mar-
`gins of a card 52 may be readily inserted behind the
`hook members 58 and the card bowed into surface en-
`gagement with the outer surface of the central section 36.
`Preferably the section 36 is of concave configuration
`as illustrated for the efficient retention of a flexible dis-
`play card thereagainst, however, the central section may
`be formed into other configurations as will be described.
`The hook members are open at opposite ends of the
`fixture permitting advertising media such as card dis-
`plays or the like to be of any desired length since they
`can continuously extend from one fixture to the next:
`As seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the space between the end
`walls 38 and 38’ is sufficiently illuminated to provide ade-
`quate lighting brilliance in the transition from one fixture
`to the next.
`It is contemplated that the hook-like mem-
`bers 53 will be frosted to hide any irregularities in the
`upper and lower marginal edges of the cards with the
`result that a clean, neat and sharp frameis defined along
`the upper and lower edges of the cards.
`FIG. 5 represents a section through the end portion
`of a fixture when they are spaced in the mannerillustrated
`in the lower half of FIG. 7. The end plate 44 is identical
`to the end plate section described in connection with
`
`6
`FIG. 2. Also, the socket mounting means 54 and socket
`46 are the same as well as the gasket 49, angle member
`56 and end wail section 38 ofthe light transmitting panel
`assembly. For convenience, the wiring has been omitted
`in FIG. 5 since it is of conventional design entering the
`fixture through a grommetted opening 72 to the ballast
`device 73 mounted on the housing and then to the socket
`46.
`One majordifference exists from the end section of FIG.
`2 in that an end filler 57 is joined to the end plate 54 for
`trimming the end of the fixture. A series of threaded
`fasteners or the equivalent 58 attach the end filler 57 to
`the end plate 44, The end filler 57 extends downwardly
`and curls longitudinally in a flange portion 59 which
`serves as a mounting for a trim piece 60 when the fixture
`is placed adjacent the wall or in any other environment
`requiring a trim piece.
`The trim piece 60 may be mounted belowthe flange 59
`and is longitudinally adjustably carried by the flange 59
`to accommodate slight variances in the distance between
`the end of the fixture and the adjacent wall. The trim
`piece 60 may be fastened to the longitudinally projecting
`flange portion 59 by means of threaded fasteners or the
`equivalent received in longitudinal slots of race track
`shape in the flange portion 59.
`The cross sectional view in FIG. 6 illustrates the con-
`struction through the central portion of the fixture. For
`convenience, the socket mounting means, socket and tube
`47 have been omitted in FIG. 6, it being understood that
`mounting thereof would be accomplished in the manner
`illustrated and described in connection with FIG. 5. As
`seen in FIG. 6, the lower mounting flange 59 on the trim
`plate 57 terminates short of the lower end of the fix-
`ture or light transmitting panel assembly 16.
`It is con-
`templated that the contour of the lower flange 59 will
`approximate the exterior contour of the light transmitting
`panel assembly 16 being slightly recessed therefrom to
`present a neat appearance.
`Asillustrated by the phantom
`lines 65, the lower trim plate 60 may be adjusted axially
`to compensate for slight variances in spacing from the
`end wall of the car.
`The end construction in each of the abutting fixtures is
`similar to the constructionillustrated in the cross sectional
`view of FIG. 4 having the usual end wall 38 on the light
`transmitting panel 16 sealed to the angle member 56 by
`means of a gasket 64. Each angle memberis terminated
`at opposite ends by a longitudinally extending flange 61
`which is drilled and counterbored, and receives suitable
`fasteners 62 and 63 for joining the angle member tothe
`hinge member 31 and door rail 24 respectively. Thus,
`the combination of the door rail 24 and hinge member
`31 together with the angle members 56 at opposite ends
`of the fixture serves as a frame around the top marginal
`edges of the light transmitting panel assembly 16.
`The angle members 56 at opposite ends of the light
`transmitting panel assembly 16 co-operate with the con-
`tinuous gasket 49 described in conjunction with FIG. 3
`to maintain thelight fixture sealed against stray light and
`dust as noted above. The lower marginal edge of the end
`wall 38 may be provided with a rabbet joint or shoulder
`portion to permit
`joining the longitudinally extending
`portion of the light transmitting panel assembly 16 there-
`to by means ofplastic adhesives, a plastic weld orthe like.
`Having described the over-all arrangementof the light
`fixture,
`the manner of positioning the light source or
`sources will now be described. The tube 47, shown in
`solid line section in FIG. 3, is mounted closely adjacent
`one side of the fixture to provide illumination of concen-
`trated intensity in the area of passenger seating.
`It has
`been found in fixtures designed in accordance with con-
`cepts advanced above, that the light source will provide
`even illumination free of glare spots if the source is main-
`tained spaced from the light transmitting panel 16 a dis-
`tance at least equal to the diameter of the source. Bene-
`ficial results are obtained by positioning the light source
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`3,211,904
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`in accordance with this principle in that even intensity
`illumination is provided in the critical lightng area while
`permitting the remaining shape of the fixture to be varied
`substantially to accommodate any irregularities in the
`mounting environment without adversely affecting the
`illumination in the critical area. It is clearly evident on
`inspection of FIG. 3 that approximately three-fourths of
`the entire fixture remains available for specific shaping
`to accommodate any special environmental mounting con
`ditions. In the present case, the vertical depth adjacent
`the vertical lens 35 is less than twice the diameter of the
`light source 47. Any such shaping, for example, in the
`present case to conform to the shape of the cornice will
`not impair the basic function of the fixture, that is, the fix
`ture remains basically a multi-purpose light source pro
`viding for adequate reading light as well as interior car
`illumination and indirect lighting.
`As has been discussed briefly above, the fixture is com
`pletely functional with only one light source, provided it
`is properly located relative to the other components of
`the fixture. The light source 47 is disposed interiorly of
`the fixture in such a manner that considering the central
`axis of the tube 47 as a point source, an angle of approxi
`mately 80° to 90° of the surface of the lamp is intercepted
`by the lens area 37. This will provide an illumination
`controlling aperture for lensing the light from the Source
`to provide adequate illumination on the task below which
`in the present case is passenger reading purposes. The
`design configuration of the horizontal lens 37 results from
`a direct design calculation utilizing the known height of
`the fixture mounting, degree of beam spread required and
`is readily calculated when additional factors as incidence
`angles and index of refraction of the material are known.
`• A second light source illustrated in phantom in FIG.
`3 at 69 may be readily added to the fixture if dsired by
`providing suitable mountings therefor on the end wall
`portions 44. The additional light source 69 is placed
`within the fixture properly spaced from the prime source,
`which in the present case is the fluorescent tube 47. In
`practice, a spacing of the order of 2 and 94 to about 3
`and 4 inches has been found to be satisfactory.
`The second source 69 does little to contribute to the
`downwardly lighting because of its placement relative to
`the lower lens 37. It does, however, increase the total
`input (in lumens) into the fixture thereby providing a
`brighter source of light which is mainly directed to the
`vertical lens area 35 and the card carrying section 36.
`Obviously, the brilliance in color of the advertising will
`be materially increased in this manner without creating
`glare spots or upsetting the rather delicate balance of il
`lumination intensity passing through the horizontal lens
`37.
`As a further illustration of the flexibility of the present
`design, clear flat areas could well replace the lenses 35
`and 37, provided suitable means is present to control the
`direction of the light. In this connection the lamp 47
`may be moved to the position illustrated in phantom at
`70 and a specular reflector 71 (also in phantom) pro
`vided to concentrate the light passing through the clear
`area which has been substituted for the horizontal lens 37.
`Additional modifications are possible with the basic
`fixture design described above. For example, a modular
`glass lens of appropriate proportions conducive to pro
`duction methods known in the glass pressing art may be
`incorporated. In the present state of the art of glass press
`ing, lensing prisms, flanges and the like can be used to a
`design advantage to fit the required needs of fixture shape,
`while achieving the lighting effects of the basic fixture as
`described above in connection with an extruded plastic
`light transmitting panel.
`A further variation is also possible since a rolled glass
`shape closure could be provided in suitable lengths to ac
`Comodate the fixture length. It is possible to form a rolled
`glass shape with a combination of flat and concave sur
`faces giving the appearance of the extruded light trans
`
`mitting panel shown. In this design, however, Suitable
`U-shaped longitudinally extending hooks are bonded or
`joined by any suitable means to the rolled glass shape to
`accommodate the mounting of advertising media. Under
`these circumstances the glass may be of a textured nature,
`much like fine cross hatching, hammerd or cathedral type
`glass plate. Obviously, other arrangements of this type
`are possible once the present construction is known.
`Two separate arrangements of lighting fixtures are il
`lustrated in the schematic view of FiG. 7. In the top
`half of FIG. 7, the lighting fixtures 66, 67 and 68 are ar
`ranged in end-to-end abutting relation similar to those
`shown in FIG. 1 with the manner of joining the fixtures
`to each other of the form described in connection with
`FIGS. 2 and 4. The outer ends of the end fixtures 66
`and 68 may be provided with the adjustable end fillers and
`trim pieces described in connection with FIG. 5 and 6.
`It is contemplated that a fixture arrangement such as
`that illustrated will extend the entire length of the car.
`The light sources illustrated at 74 and 75 may be of
`greater length than the associated fixture extending
`through suitable openings in the end wall portions into the
`adjacent fixture 67. In such arrangement an annular
`gasket surrounds the openings being squeezed between
`the end walls to maintain the individual fixtures com
`pletely sealed. The inner end portions of the light sources
`74 and 75 are mounted to the housing of the central
`aperture by means of L-shaped brackets with the respec
`tive opposite ends being mounted in the manner described
`in connection with FIG. 2.
`The central fixture 67 is disposed over the doorway
`and if additional light in this area is desired, a secondary
`Source or lamp 76 may be mounted within the housing
`about the same position relative to the axis of the prime
`light Source, as is the second light source 69 illustrated
`in phantom in FIG. 3. A secondary source arrangement
`of this type will provide adequate illumination for gen
`eral purposes however, is not intended for reading since,
`due to the position of the lamp 76, the light emitted
`through the lower horizontal lens 37 would be “out of
`focus” lacking the concentrated quality of the prime
`sources. This course is not objectionable where the light
`is being used merely for general illumination purposes.
`As noted, the light in the section between the lamps
`74 and 75 which is emitted from the source 76 will not be
`of the quality insofar as evenness of intensity is con
`cerned, however, is perfectly desirable from the stand
`Point of general illumination. Accordingly, the continuity
`of general illumination will be maintained since the
`lamps 74–76 overlap a slight amount and advertising il
`lumination will be completely consistent throughout the
`entire length of the fixtures. An alternative embodiment
`is illustrated in the lower half of FIG. 7 wherein the fix.
`tures extend only from the end of the vehicle to adjacent
`the door area with a break in the continuity of fixtures
`in the region of the door. It is contemplated that the
`fixtures will be of appropriate length to extend from one
`end of the car to adjacent the door area 12 as well aS
`between door areas and also from the last door area to the
`opposite end of the car thus minimizing the total number
`required.
`The simplified form of fixture design of the present
`invention permits the fixture to be manufactured to any
`desired length without requiring design changes. Ac
`cordingly, the fix