Abstract:
A lighting assembly comprises a body and at least one socket mount pivotably mounted to the body and at least one socket removably secured to the socket mount; the socket mount pivotable between first and second socket mount orientations in which the socket is at least partially located within the body channel in the first socket mount orientation and at least partially located outside the channel in the second socket mount orientation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to a lighting apparatus and, more particularly, to a lighting apparatus capable of easily being alternately configured between at least two configurations to facilitate inexpensive and safe storage and shipping in one configuration and full operation and use in a second configuration intended for installation. A method of easy assembly without tools or hardware is also disclosed. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The costs of assembling light fixtures constitutes a significant portion of the overall cost of providing a finished product. Accordingly, reductions in time and operations required to assemble a light fixture will reduce the overall cost of the finished product. 
         [0003]    The costs of storing and shipping product also provide significant contributions to the overall cost of providing a finished product to customers. The overall size of an object dictates the space it will consume in a warehouse or in transportation between the manufacturer and the customer. In some instances, the cost of storage and/or transportation may depend, at least in part, on this overall size. In such instances reducing the size of the product stored and shipped to can result in cost savings. One option for shipping large, non-uniform shaped products is to ship the parts of the product or subassemblies to facilitate smaller, more compact shipping. The number of unconnected or loose parts also, however, contributes to the cost of shipping since each unconnected or loose part must be handled and properly packaged in order to prevent damage during shipping. 
         [0004]    Damaged goods also contribute to the ultimate cost of providing products to customers. Goods are often damaged during shipping, warehousing, etc. between the manufacturer and receipt by the customer. Accordingly, products designed to withstand the rigors of shipping and warehousing without sustaining damage will reduce the overall costs of providing products to end users. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0005]    The present disclosure relates to a light fixture facilitating simple manufacture, assembly and shipping to overcome the problems discussed above. In one embodiment, the disclosed lighting assembly comprises: a) a body; b) at least one socket pivotable about a pivot point on the body; c) configured to facilitate (i) a first socket orientation in which the socket is at least partially located within the body, and (ii) a second socket orientation in which the socket is removably securable at least partially outside the body and operable to light the luminaire; and d) the socket is pivotal between the first socket orientation and the second socket orientation. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, the disclosed lighting assembly comprises a body configured to define a channel, at least one socket mount pivotally mounted to the body and at least one socket removably secured to the socket mount; the socket mount pivotable between first and second socket mount orientations in which the socket is at least partially located within the body channel in the first socket mount orientation and at least partially located outside the channel in the second socket mount orientation. 
         [0007]    In yet another embodiment, the disclosure includes a luminaire kit comprising a body, a socket and a socket mount, the socket being removably securable to the socket mount by hand without need of tools, the socket mount being removably securable to the body by hand without need for tools such that the socket mount may be pivot between a first socket orientation and a second socket orientation, wherein the socket mount is removably securable in the second socket orientation. 
         [0008]    The ornamental shape and design of various disclosed embodiments, as shown in the figures, is also disclosed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The preferred embodiment is depicted in the drawing figures in which like reference numerals refer to the same or corresponding structure and: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred lighting apparatus with sockets positioned to receive lighting elements; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 2-4  are left-side, top and right-side views, respectively, of the lighting apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a socket mount of the lighting apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an end cap of the lighting apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  8 A- 8 A of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  8 B- 8 B of  FIG. 8A ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the lighting apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1  with socket mounts in an alternate position, such as for storage or shipping, and the position of  FIG. 1  depicted in ghost lines for reference. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  depicts one preferred lighting apparatus  10  comprising a body  12 . In the depicted embodiment, the body  12  is configured to define a channel having a base  14  and opposing first and second body sidewalls  16  and  18 . The ends of the channel are optionally, but not necessarily, closed off by end caps  20 . 
         [0019]    The embodiment depicted in the figures comprises three socket mounts  22 A,  22 B and  22 C on which sockets  24  are mounted. In that embodiment, a single socket  24  is mounted on socket mount  22 A, a single socket  24  is mounted on socket mount  22 C and two opposing sockets  24  are mounted on socket mount  22 B. This embodiment is particularly configured for straight, elongated fluorescent tube lighting elements (not depicted) in which: (1) one such lighting element is connected at its ends, one each, to the socket  24  of socket mount  22 A and a socket  24  of socket mount  22 B; (2) a second lighting element is connected at its ends, one each, to the socket  24  of socket mount  22 C and a socket  24  of socket mount  22 B; wherein (3) the lighting elements are aligned along the same longitudinal axis. The lighting assembly can be configured to accept any number of lighting elements aligned along the same longitudinal axis by configuring the length of the body as necessary and inserting the required number of socket mounts and sockets  24 . The lighting assembly can also be configured to have any number of lighting elements and corresponding sockets aligned side-by-side or one atop the other. 
         [0020]    In the depicted preferred embodiment the sockets  24  are standard sockets for elongated fluorescent tube lighting elements. For example, the sockets  24  can comprise Etlin Daniels socket Model FLO11WS. The disclosed lighting apparatus can alternatively be configured to accommodate any other type of lighting elements by, for example, changing the sockets  24  and corresponding wiring, etc. (not depicted). It is contemplated that the light assembly can be used with incandescent, light emitting diode, organic light emitting diode, compact fluorescent, HID or other lighting. 
         [0021]    Each end cap  20  in the embodiment depicted in the figures comprises (as best seen in  FIG. 7 ) an end plate  26 , a pair of outer flanges  28  extending from either side of the end plate  26 , a pair of inner flanges  26  extending from either side of the end plate  26  and a base flange  32 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the outer flanges  28  are configured to locate outside the first and second sidewalls  16 ,  18  of the body  10 . The inner flanges  30  are configured to locate inside the first and second sidewalls  16 ,  18  of the body  12 . The end cap base flange  32  is configured to locate inside the body  10  adjacent the base  14 . This inner and outer offset of the flanges locates the end cap  20  with respect to the body  12 , keeping the cap  20  and body  12  in the depicted association. The end cap  20  also comprises a circular punch out to facilitate wiring as required for operation and permitted by applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, etc. Other access or mounting hardware, configurations, etc. are contemplated as necessary and/or desired for assembly, installation or operation of the apparatus  10 . 
         [0022]    The body first and second sidewalls  16 ,  18  each have a pair of holding tongues  34  located proximate each end of the body  12  and protruding inward of the sidewall  16 ,  18  from which they extend. Each holding tongue  34  is configured to be displaced from its associated sidewall  16 ,  18 , at its closest, a distance less than the thickness of the end cap inner flanges  30 . In this manner, the holding tongues  34  will hold the end cap inner flanges  30 , and thus an end cap  20 , upon engagement of one with the other. Engagement between the holding tongues  34  and the end cap inner flanges  30  can be a force fit. Engagement may also be provided by a snap-fit, such as by providing (as depicted in the figure) a hole  36  in the end cap inner flange and a corresponding hole  38  in the holding tongue  34 . Associations between the two holes  36 ,  38  can provide a snap-fit facilitating a removably secure connection between the end cap  20  and the body  12 . One manner of facilitating a snap-fit association between the two holes  36 ,  38  is to form one smaller than the other and leave some material extending from the smaller of the holes  36 ,  38  toward the larger of the holes  36 ,  38  so that upon alignment, the material of the smaller hole  36 ,  38  will locate in the lager hole  36 ,  38 . In an alternative embodiment, one of either the holding tongue  34  or end cap inner flange  30  could comprise a dimple to be received in the hole of the other. Other manners of holding the end cap inner flange  30  to the holding tongue  34  are also contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure. One example of a snap-fit configuration is disclosed in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/248,157 filed Oct. 9, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. More or fewer holding tongue connections between the body  12  and end cap  20  may be provided. The holding tongue  34  may extend outwardly from the body  12  rather than inwardly and/or be of a different configuration than that depicted in the figures. For greater securement, a rivet, nail or other device can optionally be inserted through the holes  36 ,  38 . 
         [0023]    The body  12  may optionally comprise holding tongues  34  located to associate with the end cap base flanges  32 . The holding association can be force fit, snap-fit or other as described above for the association between the end cap inner flanges  30  and the holding tongues  34 . Other means for holding the end caps  20  to the body  12  are also contemplated. 
         [0024]    The socket mounts  22 A-C ( 22 A is depicted in isolation in  FIG. 6 ) each comprise a top plate  40  with opposing flanges  42  extending from opposite sides thereof. One or more aperture(s) extends through the top plate  40  to accommodate the one or more socket(s)  24  associated therewith. In one preferred embodiment, the sockets  24  slide into and snap into the top plate  40  aperture(s). Each socket mount opposing flange  42  defines a pivot hole  44 . The portion of the flange  42  defining the pivot hole  44  and located opposite the top plate  40  is preferably oriented inward toward the opposing flange  42 . Adjacent each socket mount  22 , the body sidewalls  16 ,  18  each comprise a dimple, hole or the like extending material inward of the respective sidewall  16 ,  18  and forming a pivot  48 . As depicted, inward orientation of the material defining the socket mount pivot holes  44  allows the flange to be easily directed over the associated pivot  48  on the body sidewalls  16 ,  18  to locate the pivot within the associated pivot hole  44 . With each pivot hole  44  of a socket mount  22  located over an associated pivot  48 , a socket mount  22  may rotate about the axis formed by the center of the two pivot holes  44 , as discussed further below. Other pivot structures are contemplated, consistent with the objectives of the invention, including placing the dimple, hole or the like on the socket mount  22  and the pivot hole on the body. 
         [0025]    Each socket mount opposing flange  42  further comprises a pair of securing holes  46 . One of the two securing holes associates with a dimple, hole or the like on an associated holding tongue  34  located on the sidewall  16 ,  18  adjacent the pivot  48 . As particularly called out in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , after pivotally mounted to the body  12 , the socket mount  22  can be rotated into or out of engagement with the associated holding tongue  34  for force fit, snap-fit or the like, as discussed above with respect to the connection between the end cap inner flanges  30  and the associated holding tongue  34 .  FIG. 8B  depicts the advantages afforded by the symmetry of the socket mounts  22 , by showing that one securing hole  46  engages the associated holding tongue  34 , while the other does not. However, were the socket mount depicted in  FIG. 8B  used in the location of socket mount  22 C, it would rotate the opposite way to engage the associated holding tongue  34  with the other securing hole  46 . This symmetry thus not only reduces the number of different parts, thereby reducing stock costs, but also reduces the complexity, time and costs of assembly. The socket mounts  22  may, however, differ in configuration to accommodate different numbers of sockets  24 . For example, the aperture(s) in the top plate  40  of socket mount  22 B may be larger or more numerous than that of the top plate  40  of socket mounts  22 A, C. 
         [0026]    The holding tongues  34  of this disclosure can take many forms consistent with the needs and objectives described herein. Exemplary embodiments can utilize interlocking connections in which a flange, tab or tongue that has been punch-pressed out of a sheet of metal; this flange, tab or tongue can be displaced by a desired distance from the parent sheet of metal. The flange, tab or tongue can be configured and arranged to have a desired angle or angles between the parent sheet. In exemplary embodiments, the flange, tab or tongue can have a dimple or depression/protrusion that can fit within a depression or aperture, e.g., hole, in a mating piece. In exemplary embodiments, SNAPLOCK™ fabricated joints made commercially available by Mate Precision Tooling Inc. with business offices at 1295 Lund Blvd., Anoka, Minn. 55303, USA, can be used for snap-fit connections in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         [0027]    Exemplary embodiments of the body  12 , end caps  20 , and socket mounts  22  may utilize any of the following materials: aluminum, pre-painted aluminum, cold roll steel, hot roll steel, hot roll steel-pickled and oiled, galvanized steel, galvannealed steel, paint grip steel, pre-painted steel, and/or stainless steel. Any suitable finish (e.g., paint or powder coat, etc.) may be used for the housing parts/portions. In the preferred embodiment, the body  12 , end caps  20 , and socket mounts  22  are all manufactured from sheet metal and all elements of the body  12 , end caps  20 , and socket mounts  22  are constructed by standard sheet metal forming operations. 
         [0028]    The embodiment of the present disclosure depicted in the figures provides lighting assemblies easily assembled by personnel, either at an assembly facility or in the field, without the need for any hardware, assembly tools, or welding for the assembly process. Additional benefits may be provided by eliminating/mitigating needs for machine tooling, assembly equipment and maintenance thereof. 
         [0029]    Because assembly is quick and simple, any amount of assembly can be done in the field, thereby leaving the stocking and shipping configuration to be chosen as can be most advantageous. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 9 , the body  12 , end caps  20 , socket mounts  22  and sockets  24  and all secured to one another as previously described, except that the socket mounts  22  are pivoted away from their associated holding tongues  34  to lie within the channel defined by the body base  14  and sidewalls  16 ,  18 . In particular, and in no particular order: (1) each socket mount  22  is slid over an associated pivot  48  until the pivot  48  resides within the pivot hole  44 , (2) the end caps  20  are slide over the end of the body  12  until the flanges  30 ,  32  engage with their respective holding tongues  34 , and (3) necessary wiring can be connected in the assembly facility or in the field. In this configuration, all parts of the lighting assembly  12  are connected in one subassembly. As depicted in  FIG. 9 , located within the channel defined by the body  12 , the sockets  24  are protected from the harms associated with packing and shipping. Furthermore, moving the sockets  24  into the channel defined by the body  12 , reduces the overall size of the subassembly, thereby reducing the space necessary for storage and shipping. Once the subassembly is unpacked, the socket mounts  22  need only be pivoted out of the channel defined by the body  12  until the securely engage the associated mounting flange  34 . The lighting assembly  10  may then be placed in its intended environment by know methods and lighting elements installed in the sockets  24 . 
         [0030]    While the invention has been disclosed by reference to the details of preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the disclosure is intended in an illustrative rather than in a limiting sense, as it is contemplated that modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.