Light diffusing apparatus

Abstract

A light diffusing apparatus is provided for attachment to an upright vent pipe, for example the type found in poultry barns and the like. The apparatus includes a mounting collar for securement about one end of the vent pipe and a plurality of generally annular baffles supported on the mounting collar substantially co-axially with the mounting collar. The baffles are spaced apart in an axial direction and have varying diameter from one another so that the baffles overlap one another in a radial direction. The configuration of the baffles ensures that light cannot pass through the vent pipe when the light diffusing apparatus is supported thereon. In particular, overlapping of the baffles in the radial direction thereof while the baffles remain vertically spaced apart permits ventilating air to pass therethrough while blocking light travelling through the vent pipe in an axial direction of the pipe.

1 . A light diffusing apparatus for attachment to an upright vent pipe, the apparatus comprising: 
 a mounting collar for securement about one end of the vent pipe;    a plurality of generally annular baffles supported on the mounting collar substantially co-axially with the mounting collar, each baffle spanning a respective width in a radial direction of the baffle about a full circumference of the baffle;    the baffles being spaced apart in an axial direction of the mounting collar at different spacings from the mounting collar and having varying diameter from one another;    the width of each baffle overlapping in a radial direction a portion of the width of an adjacent baffle about a full circumference of the baffles;    and a cap member supported on one of the baffles substantially coaxially with the mounting collar.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the width of each baffle overlaps approximately half the width of the adjacent baffle in the radial direction of the baffles.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the baffles are each formed of a flat plate material.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the baffles are each supported in a generally horizontal orientation.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the baffles are formed of plastic material.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the baffles are formed of high density polyethylene.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the width of each baffle overlaps at least two adjacent baffles in the radial direction of the baffles.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the generally annular baffles have a rectangular shaped perimeter.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein each baffle is formed by a pair of L-shaped plates of plastic material welded together to define the rectangular shaped perimeter thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the generally annular baffles have a circular shaped perimeter.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein each baffle comprises a flared circular collar having an annular flange formed at one end thereof which defines the width of the baffle in the radial direction thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the flared circular collar forming each baffle is oriented substantially co-axially with the mounting collar.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein each baffle comprises a stepped circular collar having an annular flange formed about the stepped circular collar between respective ends of the stepped circular collar which defines the width of the baffle in the radial direction of the baffle.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein the stepped circular collar forming each baffle is oriented to lie substantially co-axially with the mounting collar.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  in combination with an upright vent pipe in a roof of a poultry barn.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  in combination with an upright vent pipe having a ventilating fan operatively supported therein.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  in combination with an upright vent pipe wherein the mounting collar has a mating cross section which is secured about one end of the vent pipe.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein diameter of the baffles decrease as distance from the mounting collar increases.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the cap member is supported on a furthermost one of the baffles from the mounting collar, the cap member spanning in the radial direction across a portion of the width of the furthermost one of the baffles about a full circumference thereof.