Patent Application
20130343048
The present invention relates to a reflector arrangement and more particularly, relates to a reflector arrangement which may be used for a horticultural apparatus or device.
The use of artificial lighting during the cultivation of plants is well known and widely practiced. This range is from the individual amateur horticulturist to industries practicing it on a wide scale for growing produce. Conventionally, the plants are grown in a closed building and natural lighting is not sufficient for optimal growth of the plants. Accordingly, different types of artificial lighting have been utilized to provide the necessary lighting. In order to maximize the amount of light received by the plants and to not waste the same, a reflector is normally placed over the top of the lamp to ensure that all of the light output from the lamp or light emitting source is received by the plants.
Reflectors employed in the industry are normally fixedly attached to a frame portion of the structure. While these reflectors function in a desired manner, they may not provide the maximum light output over the desired area. This is particularly the case when the plants receiving the light may grow and/or different plants are utilized.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a reflector arrangement for use with a light emitting source in which a reflector arrangement may be adjusted according to the desired use.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a light and reflector comprising a longitudinally extending light emitting source, a reflector arrangement about at least a portion of the light emitting source, the reflector arrangement including a first reflector member extending downwardly from a first point above the light emitting source along a first side of the light emitting source, a second reflector member extending downwardly from a second point above the light emitting source along a second side of the light emitting source, and each of the reflector members being adjustable to increase and decrease the angle with respect to each other to thereby adjust the range of light covered by the light emitting source.
The reflector arrangement, as set forth above, utilizes first and second reflector members which extend from a point above the light emitting source downwardly along respective sides of the light emitting source. The reflector members may be made of any suitable material having the desired reflective properties; conventionally, a metallic material is utilized. However, it would be within the scope of the present invention to utilize reflector members made of other materials such as plastics and the like. In all instances, the reflecting surface of the reflector members is preferably designed to have the highest possible reflective capability.
The reflecting members are preferably individually adjustable so that their position can be maximized for the plant being grown. In some instances, it may be desirable to have the reflective members at different angles depending upon the plant receiving the light. However, it is always possible to provide for the capability of adjusting the reflector members as a pair.
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which:
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated a lamp holder which is generally designated by reference numeral 30 and includes conventional socket portion 32 having threads 34 on the interior thereof to receive a threaded bulb. A bottom contact 36 is provided in the base of socket 22 to complete the electrical connection with the bulb (not shown). An outer housing 38 in socket 32 is connected to a lamp base portion generally designated by reference numeral 40. Lamp base portion 40 includes a grommet 41 through which the wires will pass.
A spring device generally designated by reference numeral 43 includes a first wall section 42 secured to lamp base portion 40 by means of screws 44 as well as engagement of tabs 46 from base portion 40. A first arm 48 extends outwardly from the first wall section 42 and forms an acute angle with respect thereto. At the distal end of first arm 48, there is provided a flange 50.
There is also provided a second wall section 52 adjacent to first wall section 42 and which is retained in position by means of screws 54 screw threadedly engaged with lamp base portion 40. As with the first wall section there are provided tabs 56 which engage second wall section 52. A second arm 58 extends outwardly from second wall section 52 at an acute angle with respect thereto and terminates in a flange 60.
Extending substantially about housing 38 and base 40 is a ring 62. Ring 62 is formed of a sheet material and is of a resilient nature. Both first arm 48 and second arm 58 are suitably secured to the inner surface of ring 62 through flanges 50 and 60 by any suitable means such as adhesive, soldering, welding, etc. It will be noted that a stabilizing flange 64 extends outwardly from ring 62 adjacent flange 50 while a second stabilizing flange 66 extends outwardly in an opposite direction to stabilizing flange 64. Stabilizing flange 66 is located proximate flange 60 of second arm 58. It will also be seen that there are provided recesses or cutouts 68, 70 on the opposite sides of stabilizing flanges 64, 66.
As aforementioned, ring 62 is not completely closed at the open ends to thereby provide gripping portions or a handle 74 and 76. Handle 74 and 76 can be gripped to diminish the size of ring member 62 such that it will fit within transparent tube 20 as shown in
As shown in
In the arrangement of
It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61689257 | Jun 2012 | US |
