Abstract:
An LED light fixture comprising a contoured light transmissive lens cover pivotally mounted between upper and lower end brackets so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position wherein in the closed position the upper and lower contoured edges of the lens cover mate flushly with the contoured surface of respective upper and lower end caps. A bank of LED carrying housing components are attached between the upper and lower mounting brackets so as to direct illumination toward the lens cover. Expansion brackets may be employed to facilitate addition of one or more additional banks of LED carrying housing components behind a lens cover of longer length to thereby created a sconce fixture of extended length.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The subject disclosure relates to electric lighting fixtures and more specifically to an LED sconce light fixture which is modular and readily adjustable in length. 
       RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Wall sconce light fixtures employing conventional incandescent or fluorescent lamps are widely used, for example, in theatres and hotels. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The following is a summary description of illustrative embodiments of an LED sconce light fixture. It is provided as a preface to assist those skilled in the art to more rapidly assimilate the detailed design discussion which ensues and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims which are appended hereto in order to particularly point out the invention. 
         [0004]    According to one illustrative embodiment, an LED sconce light fixture comprises a contoured light transmissive lens cover, upper and lower end brackets and upper and lower end caps. The end caps each have a flat back and a contoured front surface shaped to match the contour of the contoured lens cover. The lens cover is pivotally mounted so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position wherein, in the closed position, the upper and lower contoured edges of the lens cover mate flushly with the contoured surface of the respective upper and lower end caps. A plurality of rectangular LED housing components, each carrying a circuit board mounting at least one LED, are attached to support members of the upper and lower mounting brackets such that the LED housing components are arrayed so as to direct illumination from the LEDs toward the lens cover. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, the LED housing components may be arrayed in a first bank in a triangular configuration. In one embodiment, the length of the sconce light is expandable by adding a second bank of triangularly arrayed LED lamp housing components. To facilitate this expandable arrangement, a module connector or expansion bracket is provided to which respective lower and upper ends of the first and second bank of LED lamp housing components are attached. By employing a second such expansion bracket, a sconce light embodiment with three vertically disposed banks of LED light housing components may be configured to achieve a still longer sconce light unit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an LED sconce light employing two banks of LED lamp housing components according to an illustrative embodiment; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the light of  FIG. 1  with the lens cover  13  of  FIG. 1  removed; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the structure of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary view illustrating pivotal attachment of the lens  13  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of an alternate sconce light embodiment employing a single bank of LED lamp housing components; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an end bracket component of the illustrative embodiments; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the end bracket component of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an end cap component of the illustrative embodiments; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the end cap component of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an LED circuit board housing component according to an illustrative embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the housing component of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a side sectional view of the housing component taken at XII-XII of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an LED circuit board housing component with an LED circuit board in place; 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an expansion bracket component according to an illustrative embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is a top view of the expansion bracket component of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is an end view of the expansion bracket component of  FIGS. 14 and 15 ; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an alternate end cap embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    An illustrative LED sconce Light embodiment  11  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . The light  11  includes a lens cover  13  of arcuate or semicircular cross-section, which pivotally mounts to first and second end cap components  15 ,  16 . The pivotal attachment may be achieved by screws or bolts  17 ,  19  ( FIG. 2 ) whose shafts pass through corner mounting blocks  18 ,  24  of the respective end caps components  15 ,  16  and enter suitable receptacles or holes, e.g.,  26  of circular cross-section, formed along the left edge  22  of the lens cover  13 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The lens  13  may be closed and then held in position by the respective shafts of similar bolts  21 ,  23 , which are inserted through respective corner blocks  20 ,  22  of the respective end cap components  15 ,  16  and into an engaging relation with surfaces(s) formed on the right edge of the lens  13 . 
         [0024]    The embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3  further includes a centrally located rectangular junction box mounting bracket  31 , which attaches to a rectangular junction box component  32  in a manner to be described further below. In one embodiment, the junction box mounting bracket  31  may be diecast of ZAMAK 3 zinc alloy and may include a built-in level on its back side to assist in insuring proper alignment during installation. In one embodiment, plastic extruded wire covers  221  may be employed and may be formed to snap into the underside of a bank  101  of lamp housing components  48 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0025]    The embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4  further includes first and second end brackets  45 ,  47 , discussed in more detail in connection with  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The first and second end brackets facilitate attachment of a number of rectangular LED housing components  48  and their attendant LED lighting devices, e.g.  51 , as well as attachment of “up” and “down” housing components  50 ,  49 , which direct LED light upwardly and downwardly, respectively. In one embodiment, the LED housing components  48 ,  49 ,  50  are identical components, each diecast of ZAMAK 3 zinc alloy, but may be fabricated of various other materials. As illustrated in more detail in  FIGS. 10-13 , each housing component  48  includes a floor  122 , which receives a circuit board  123  ( FIG. 13 ) carrying the LED lighting devices  51  and a rectangular well  110 , which receives and mounts a lens component  124  carrying the LED lighting devices  51 . In one illustrative embodiment, the circuit board is attached to floor  122  using thermal adhesive tape to assist in heat dissipation. In one illustrative embodiment of dimension “B” of  FIG. 11 , the length of floor  122  may be 4.95 inches. 
         [0026]    In one illustrative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the first and second end caps  15 ,  16  may be identically shaped single piece components, as may the first and second end brackets  45 ,  47 . The end caps  15 ,  16  each have a flat back surface  111 , and a half cylindrical or arcuate surface  112  ( FIGS. 8 ,  9 ). In one illustrative embodiment, dimension “A” may be, for example, eight inches. Such components  15 ,  16 ,  45 ,  47  may, for example, be diecast out of ZAMAK  3  or other suitable materials. 
         [0027]    Each end bracket  45 ,  47  includes respective mounting blocks, e.g.,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  onto which mount respective corner receptacles  51 ,  53  of the first and second end caps  15 ,  16 . The respective bolts  17 ,  19 ,  21 ,  23  fit through suitable holes  55  in the corner receptacles  51 ,  53  and then through holes  57  in the mounting blocks  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  to retain the end caps  15 ,  16  and lens cover  13  in position. The end brackets  45 ,  47  further have suitable holes  61  formed in flat mounting tabs or surfaces  63 ,  65 . The flat surfaces  63 ,  65  may be placed against a wall and suitable fastening devices inserted therethrough to attach the sconce light  11  to a vertical or other wall surface. 
         [0028]    As particularly illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , each end bracket  45 ,  47  further includes a central rectangular solid body portion  67  from which the flat surfaces  63 ,  65  and their attached mounting blocks  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  project. The mounting blocks, e.g.  18 ,  20 , are spaced away from the body portion  67  by respective arms  66 ,  68  which provide a 90 degree transition from the body  67  to the mounting blocks  18 ,  20 . 
         [0029]    A triangular support member  71  extends from one side surface of the central body  67 . Each respective side surface  73 ,  75 ,  77  of the triangular support member  77  provides a surface to which a respective one of the rectangular LED housing components  48  may be attached. In one embodiment, the top flat surface  75  is horizontal and each of the side surfaces  73 ,  77  is disposed at an acute angle of, for example, 50 degrees to the horizontal. This arrangement facilitates positioning the LED housing components  48  so as to achieve uniform distribution of LED-generated light around the arc of the sconce light lens  13 . 
         [0030]    Flat tabs  78  with respective holes  82  therein are formed on vertical legs  80  of the mounting bracket  45 , which legs  80  extend from the lower ends of the respective sides  73 ,  77  of the triangular support component  71 . In one single bank embodiment as shown on  FIG. 5 , the junction box bracket  31  and junction box component  32  are attached by fastening devices passing through suitable holes or apertures therein and then through the holes  82  of the upper and lower mounting brackets  45 ,  47 . The up and down light housing components  49 ,  50  are attached to the body portions  67  of upper and lower mounting brackets  45 ,  47  by fasteners inserted the through respective holes  111 ,  84 ,  86 . 
         [0031]    It will be noted that the sconce light embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  includes a first bank  101  of three rectangular LED lamp housing components, each attached to respective sides  73 ,  75 ,  77  of the opposing end brackets  45 ,  47 . As reflected in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , the length of the sconce light is expandable by adding a second bank  103  of triangularly arranged or arrayed LED lamp housing components  48 . To facilitate this expandable arrangement, a module connector or expansion bracket  81  is provided, an illustrative embodiment of which is shown in  FIGS. 14-16 . 
         [0032]    As may be seen, this expansion bracket  81  provides upper top and side mounting surfaces  91 ,  93 ,  95  and lower top and side mounting surfaces  92 ,  94 ,  96  with the lower surfaces shaped identically to the upper surfaces and respectively lying adjacent to one another. Suitable mounting tabs or feet  83  and holes  106  are provided to facilitate attachment of the junction box bracket  31  and junction box  32  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 . Thus, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , the lower ends of the upper bank  101  of LED housing components  48  are respectively attached or fastened to respective upper mounting surfaces  91 ,  93 ,  95 , while the upper ends of the lower banks  103  of LED housing components  48  are respectively attached to respective lower mounting surfaces  92 ,  94 ,  96 . By employing a second expansion bracket  81 , a sconce light embodiment with three vertically disposed banks of LED light housing components  48  may be configured to achieve a still longer sconce unit. Thus, the illustrative embodiment is modular and expandable. 
         [0033]    In one illustrative embodiment, the lens cover  13  may be constructed of 0.1″ minimum thickness impact resistant DR acrylic in a half cylindrical form. Standard lens forms or patterns may include polished smooth and medium fluted patterns. In one embodiment, the lens cover  13  may be capable of retaining up to two colored gels and/or patterned films mounted internal to the luminaire. Using colored gels behind the lens cover, e.g.,  13 , avoiding the need for colored LEDs. Lens covers  13  may also have different shapes in different embodiments, for example, an ADA compliant polygonal lens shape wherein polygonal shaped end caps  201  such as shown in  FIG. 16  are used in place of the arcuate end caps  15 ,  16 . 
         [0034]    In various embodiments, the LEDs utilized may be lighting class rated for a maximum drive current of 500 mA with a minimum CRI rating of 80 or greater and may comprise, for example, Cree ⅓ or ½ watt units, employing, for example, 3 LEDs on a 6 inch board. The illustrative embodiment may further employ an LED driver  202  ( FIG. 5 ) integral to the unit and preferably having a power factor no less than 95% with maximum total harmonic distortion of &lt;10. In one embodiment, the driver  202  is rated for no less than 50,000 hours of life when operated in a 25° C. environment. The driver  202  may be mounted to the underside of one of the housing components  48 , for example, using double sided tape with power supplied to it, for example, by wires passing through an opening in the junction box bracket  31 . 
         [0035]    In various embodiments, the length of central lighting platform may be extended, for example, from 9 inches in an illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 5 to 15  inches in an illustrative embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3  to  21  inches or longer by adding additional banks of LED housing components as discussed above. Such extension permits accommodating various wall heights encountered, for example, along a descending aisle way, as may be found, for example, in movie theaters. 
         [0036]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just described illustrative embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.