Testing device for light panels

Claim 2

A testing device for testing light panels having means for accommodating sources of illumination capable of illuminating the panels; said testing device comprising: a frame; an electrically conductive surface presented adjacent to the frame; light bars mounted on the frame and shiftable independently of one another thereon; sockets mounted on the light bars and shiftable thereon in a direction generally perpendicular to the movement of the bars on the frame, whereby the sockets may be moved transversely and longitudinally of the frame, the sockets having contactors which bear against the electrically conductive surface; and light bulbs carried by the sockets and being capable of illuminating the light panel, whereby light panels adapted to accommodate sources of illumination in varying patterns may be tested.

Claim 3

A testing device according to claim 1, wherein each bulb includes a base and a center contact on the base; wherein each socket possesses an electrically conductive body which receives the base of the light bulb and an end contact electrically isolated from the body and located in registration with the center contact of the light bulb; and wherein the body of the socket is in electrical contact with the frame and the end contact is in electrical contact with the contactor which bears against conductive surface located adjacent to the frame.

Claim 4

A testing device according to claim 2, wherein locking means are provided for optionally securing the light bars rigidly to the frame.

Claim 5

A testing device according to claim 2, wherein the frame comprises side bars and pairs of spaced end bars extending between the ends of the side bars; and wherein the ends of the light bars fit between the spaced end bars.

Claim 6

A testing device for light panels having front and back faces and bulb apertures which extend into the panels from the back faces thereof and receive light bulbs capable of illuminating the panels; said testing device comprising: a frame; light bars mounted on the frame and shiftable independently of one another thereon; sockets mounted on the light bars and shiftable thereon in a direction generally perpendicular to the movement of the bars on the frame, whereby the sockets may move transversely and longitudinally of the frame so that they can be arranged to register with the bulb apertures in panels of varying patterns; and light bulbs in and engaged with the sockets, the bulbs projecting beyond the sockets and light bars and beings sized for insertion into the apertures of the light panels, the bulbs further having filaments which are disposed approximately midway between the front and back faces of the panel when the back face of the panel rests on the light bars.

Claim 7

A testing device for light panels having front and back faces and bulb apertures which extend into the panels from the back faces thereof and receive light bulbs capable of illuminating the panels; said testing device comprising: a frame; light bars mounted on the frame and shiftable independently of one another thereon; sockets mounted on the light bars and shiftable thereon in a direction generally perpendicular to the movement of the bars on the frame, whereby the sockets may move transversely and longitudinally of the frame so that they can be arranged to register with the bulb apertures in panels of varying patterns; and light bulbs in and engaged with the sockets, the bulbs projecting beyond the sockets and light bars and beings sized for insertion into the apertures of the light panels, the bulbs further having filaments which are disposed approximately midway between the front and back faces of the panel when the back face of the panel rests on the light bars.

Claim 8

A testing device for light panels having fixed light positions; said testing device comprising: at least one rigid frame member; a plurality of elongated members mounted on and supported by the frame member; the elongated members projecting outwardly away from the frame member and being further individually shiftable along the frame member so that the spacing between the elongated members may be varied; sockets mounted on the elongated members and being shiftable longitudinally thereon so that the sockets move toward and away from the frame member; bulbs in the sockets; and means connected with the sockets for placing the bulbs across an electrical potential, whereby the sockets and bulbs may be positioned to match the fixed and determined light positions of different light panels so that illuminating characteristics of those panels may be tested.

Claim 9

A testing device for light panels having fixed light positions; said testing device comprising: at least one rigid frame member; a plurality of elongated members mounted on and supported by the frame member; the elongated members projecting outwardly away from the frame member and being further individually shiftable along the frame member so that the spacing between the elongated members may be varied; sockets mounted on the elongated members and being shiftable longitudinally thereon so that the sockets move toward and away from the frame member; bulbs in the sockets; and means connected with the sockets for placing the bulbs across an electrical potential, whereby the sockets and bulbs may be positioned to match the fixed and determined light positions of different light panels so that illuminating characteristics of those panels may be tested.

Claim 10

A testing device according to claim 6 wHerein two frame members are provided, the frame members being spaced apart and parallel; and wherein the elongated members extend between the frame members.

Claim 11

A testing device according to claim 7 wherein the elongated members have longitudinally extending slots; wherein a cleat is engaged with each elongated member such that it will slide longitudinally along the elongated member, but cannot be withdrawn away from the elongated member; and wherein the sockets project through the cleats.

Claim 12

A testing device according to claim 7, wherein the elongated members are supported at their ends on the frame members; and wherein locking means are provided for securing each elongated member at at least one of its ends to the frame member supporting that end.

Claim 13

A testing device according to claim 6 wherein the means for placing the bulbs across an electrical potential includes an electrically conductive plate located behind the elongated members and a contactor connected to and carried by the socket and bearing against the electrically conductive plate.

Claim 14

A testing device according to claim 10 wherein each elongated member is formed from an electrically conductive material; wherein each bulb includes a base having a center contact; wherein each socket has a bore which receives the bulb and includes an end contact in the bore and an electrically conductive side portion isolated electrically from the end contact, the end contact registering with and engaging the center contact on the bulb and further being connected with the contactor which engages the electrically conductive plate so that the center contact on the bulb will be at the same electrical potential as the plate, the electrically conductive side portion being in electrical contact with the side of the base and the elongated bar so that the elongated member on which the socket is mounted and the side of the bulb are at the same electrical potential.

Claim 15

A testing device according to claim 11 wherein the frame members are formed from an electrically conductive material.