초록 ▼

A multidirectional interior illumination lighting assembly is configured for mounting beneath a ceiling. The assembly includes a generally transparent planar acrylic panel and a hollow stringer which retains a panel edge and supports the panel in a horizontal position. The stringer carries a linear

A multidirectional interior illumination lighting assembly is configured for mounting beneath a ceiling. The assembly includes a generally transparent planar acrylic panel and a hollow stringer which retains a panel edge and supports the panel in a horizontal position. The stringer carries a linear illumination source in registration with the panel edge. Additional stringers may be employed if additional edges of the panel are to be illuminated. To increase the direct and indirect illumination emanating from the panel, arrays of dots may be provided on the upper and lower faces of the panel.

대표청구항 ▼

1. In an interior room having a ceiling, a multidirectional lighting system for illuminating the room, the multidirectional lighting system comprising a housing, a planar transparent panel carried by the housing, the panel having an exposed upper face, an exposed lower face and a pair of parallel ed

1. In an interior room having a ceiling, a multidirectional lighting system for illuminating the room, the multidirectional lighting system comprising a housing, a planar transparent panel carried by the housing, the panel having an exposed upper face, an exposed lower face and a pair of parallel edges the housing including a pair of parallel stringers, each stringer comprising an extruded metal member, each stringer including an integral rib in engagement with the lower face of the panel and a vertical flange adjacent each of the parallel edges, an illumination source carried by each stringer, each illumination source being in registry with one of the parallel edges, at least one of the faces including an array of dots, each vertical flange engaging one of the parallel edges only adjacent the lower face, whereby an unobstructed path for direct illumination of each edge from each illumination source is provided, the housing being positioned within the room beneath the ceiling with the panel substantially horizontal, illumination emanating from the panel being dispersed downwardly from the lower face of the panel and upwardly toward the ceiling from the upper face of the panel.2. A multidirectional lighting system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein both faces of the panel include an array of dots, whereby increased illumination emanates.3. A multidirectional lighting system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the panel is rectangular and the housing comprises a rectangular array of stringers rigidly interconnected to one another.4. A multidirectional lighting system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein each stringer includes at least one channel, the lighting system further including components carried in each stringer and secured to the channel.5. A multidirectional lighting system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the lighting system is suspended from the ceiling.6. A multidirectional lighting system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein illumination emanating from the illumination source is dispersed upwardly toward the ceiling directly from the illumination source.7. A multidirectional lighting system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the illumination source comprises a linear tube.8. A multidirectional lighting system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the transparent panel is formed of acrylic.9. A multidirectional lighting system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein each stringer includes a pair of ribs in engagement with the lower face of the panel, whereby light leakage from the illumination source is precluded.10. A multidirectional lighting system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the vertical flange and the rib are configured as an L-shaped groove, the peripheral surface of the lower face being seated in the groove.11. In an interior room having a ceiling, a multidirectional lighting system for illuminating the room, the multidirectional lighting system comprising a housing, a planar transparent panel carried by the housing, the panel having an upper face, a lower face and a plurality of edges, the housing including a stringer, at least one edge of the panel being seated in the stringer, an illumination source carried by the stringer, the illumination source being in registry with the one edge of the panel, the housing being positioned within the room beneath the ceiling with the panel substantially horizontal, illumination emanating from the panel being dispersed downwardly from the lower face of the panel and upwardly toward the ceiling from the upper face of the panel, the housing further including a lintel, another edge of the panel being seated in the lintel, the housing further including an end plate, the end plate joining an end of the lintel to an end of the stringer.12. A multidirectional lighting system as constructed in accordance with claim 11 wherein the panel is rectangular, the stringer and the lintel being parallel to each other.13. A multidirectional lighting system as constructed in accordance with claim 11 wherein the room includes at least one wall, the housing being secured to the one wall.14. A multidirectional lighting system as constructed in accordance with claim 11 wherein the upper face and the lower face of the panel include an array of dots, whereby increased illumination emanates from the panel faces.15. A multidirectional lighting system as constructed in accordance with claim 11 wherein illumination emanating from the illumination source is disbursed upwardly toward the ceiling directly from the illumination source.16. A method of illuminating an interior room having a ceiling with a transparent panel, the method comprising the steps of:a) positioning the transparent panel within a groove formed in a housing by engaging a peripheral portion of a lower face of the panel in the groove and engaging an edge of the panel only adjacent the lower face,b) positioning the housing within the room and beneath the ceiling in a horizontal orientation,c) positioning an illumination source within the housing adjacent the groove and in registry with the edge of the panel,d) transmitting illumination directly from the illumination source through the edge of the panel by energizing the illumination source,e) projecting illumination downwardly into the room from the a lower face of the panel, andf) projecting illumination upwardly toward the ceiling from an upper face of the panel and directly from the illumination source,whereby illumination projected upwardly upon the ceiling is dispersed throughout the room as indirect illumination.17. A multidirectional lighting system for interior room illumination, the lighting system comprising a housing, a transparent panel, the panel having an exposed upper face and an exposed lower face, the panel being carried by the housing, the housing comprising at least one stringer, a peripheral portion of the lower face of the panel adjacent an edge of the panel being seated in a groove formed in the stringer, the groove engaging the edge of the panel only adjacent the lower farce, the stringer carrying an illumination source in registry with the edge of the panel, the groove providing an unobstructed path for direct illumination from the illumination source to the edge, the housing including a clamp, the clamp being in engagement with the panel for preventing inadvertent disengagement of the panel from the housing, illumination emanating from the illumination source being directly transmitted to the panel edge and into the panel and being dispersed downwardly from the exposed lower face of the panel and upwardly from the exposed upper face of the panel.18. A multidirectional lighting system as constructed in accordance with claim 17 wherein the upper face and the lower face of the panel include an array of dots, whereby increased illumination emanates from the panel faces.19. A multidirectional lighting system as constructed in accordance with claim 17 wherein the clamp comprises a clip having a cantilever arm, the cantilever arm overlying a face of the panel.20. A multidirectional lighting system as constructed in accordance with claim 17 wherein the clamp comprises a channel iron which engages the panel.