Light fixture

Abstract

A light fixture of the present invention comprises a base, a top spaced above the base, a plurality of upright bars (channels) formed as parts separate from the top and the base and extending up from the base to the top of the light fixture for holding a series of panels of transparent sheet material, such as glass, to form an enclosure for a lamp, and fasteners for attaching upper and lower ends of each bar to the top and the base, respectively. Each of the bars is an extruded part of one-piece construction configured to have a spine, and a channel-forming structure projecting inwardly from the spine to form a pair of channels which extend lengthwise of the bar and which open laterally for receiving respective edges of two adjacent panels of said series of panels. The spine and the channel-forming structure of each bar are integrally formed as a one-piece extrusion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A light fixture comprising a base,   a top spaced above the base,   .Iadd.a series of panels of transparent sheet material, each of said panels having a thickness, .Iaddend.   a plurality of upright bars formed as parts separate from the top and the base and extending up from the base to the top of the light fixture for holding .[.a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.series of panels of transparent sheet material.[., such as glass,.]. to form an enclosure for a lamp, and   fasteners for attaching upper and lower ends of each bar to the top and the base, respectively,   each of said bars being an extruded part of one-piece construction configured to have a spine, and a channel-forming structure projecting inwardly from the spine toward the enclosure to form a pair of channels which extend lengthwise of the bar and which open laterally for receiving respective edges of two adjacent panels of said series of panels,   said spine and said channel-forming structure being integrally formed as a one-piece extrusion,   said channel-forming structure comprising an elongate formation which extends the length of the bar and which is spaced inwardly toward the enclosure from and generally parallel to the spine of the bar, said elongate formation defining a first side wall of each of the two channels of said pair of channels, and flange means connecting the elongate formation and the spine and defining a bottom wall of each of the two channels of said pair of channels,   said spine defining a second wall opposing the first wall of each of said two channels,   said flange means extending generally along a longitudinal centerline of the spine.Iadd.,   said elongate formation comprising a deformable sleeve having a longitudinal slot extending the length of the sleeve, said sleeve having open ends for receiving said fasteners,   said flange means comprising a web integrally connecting the spine and the sleeve, said web extending inwardly from said spine to said sleeve a distance greater than the thickness of a respective panel whereby an edge of one of said panels can be inserted between the spine and the sleeve.Iaddend..   
     
     
       2. A light fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spine, top and base have exterior surfaces facing outwardly away from said enclosure, said exterior surfaces having substantially identical surface finishes for providing a uniform appearance. 
     
     
       3. A light fixture as set forth in claim 2 wherein the base and top are of cast metal, and wherein each of said bars is an extruded metal part. 
     
     
       4. A light fixture as set forth in claim 2 wherein the base and top are fabricated from stamped sheet metal, and wherein each of said bars is an extruded metal part. 
     
     
       5. A light fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the base and top are molded plastic parts, and wherein each of said bars is an extruded plastic part. .[.6. A light fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongate formation is arcuate in transverse cross-section and defines openings at opposite ends of the formation for receiving said fasteners..]..[.7. A light fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongate formation comprises a sleeve having a longitudinal slot extending the length of the 
     
     
        sleeve..].8. A light fixture as set forth in claim .[.7.]. .Iadd.1 .Iaddend.wherein said fasteners are self-tapping screws threadable into opposite ends of said sleeve for attachment of the bar to the top and base 
     
     
        of the light fixture. 9. A light fixture as set forth in claim .[.7.]. .Iadd.1 .Iaddend.said fasteners are threaded studs secured in opposite ends of said sleeve, said studs extending endwise beyond the ends of the sleeve for attachment to the top and base of the light fixture. .Iadd.10. A light fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spine has a center portion and opposite side portions which angle laterally away from the center portion, and wherein said web is flat, substantially planar and extends inwardly from the center portion of the spine to said sleeve. .Iaddend..Iadd.11. A light fixture as set forth in claim 10 wherein said sleeve is circular in cross section, and wherein said web extends in a 
     
     
        plane which is diametric with respect to the sleeve. .Iaddend..Iadd.12.  A light fixture as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sleeve is deformable by crimping around said fasteners to secure the fasteners in the sleeve. .Iaddend.