Abstract:
A light apparatus is mounted to a wall of a building. At least one elongate mounting plate is engaged to the wall extending essentially horizontally along the wall. A number of brackets are mounted to the mounting plate and extend forward therefrom. One or more trim pieces are mounted generally below and in front of the brackets. A number of holding elements mount at least one light source to at least one of the elongate mounting plates and brackets.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to electric lighting. More particularly, the invention relates to light fixtures for indirect lighting. 
     Well-developed fields exist in indirect lighting and architectural lighting fixtures. A particular area of indirect lighting is known as cove lighting. In a typical cove lighting situation, an upwardly open channel structure is built along a wall near the ceiling. The wall may be a side wall of the room, a sidewall of a recess in the ceiling, a side surface of a beam, or the like. Light bulbs are mounted within the channels so that the emitted light escapes generally upward to directly light the wall and ceiling above and, indirectly, an interior of the room and its contents. The channels are built with conventional building techniques involving framing, sheetrocking/plastering, and the like. 
     Alternatives involve elongate fixtures used for cove lighting. Such fixtures typically include an elongate bulb within an elongate reflector positioned so that light from the bulb and reflector does not directly pass to objects within a room but, rather, is first diffusely reflected from a ceiling, wall, or other architectural feature. Such fixtures may be assembled end-to-end in lieu of placing fixtures within a preexisting channel. Exemplary systems are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,881,156 and 5,550,725. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, one aspect of the invention involves a light apparatus. At least one elongate mounting plate is engaged to a surface of a building. A number of brackets are mounted to the at least one mounting plate and extend forward (i.e., away from the surface) therefrom. One or more trim pieces are mounted to the brackets. A number of holding elements mount at least one light source to at least one of the mounting plates and/or brackets. 
     Another aspect of the invention involves a light apparatus having at least one light source. Trim means at least partially obstruct the passage of light. First means are installable to a building wall for mounting a remainder of the apparatus to the wall. Second means attach to an installed first means and, thereafter, receive the trim means below and in front. Third means mount the light source to at least one of the first and second means. 
     Another aspect of the invention involves a method for assembling a light apparatus to a wall of a building. At least one mounting plate extrusion is secured to the wall. A number of extruded brackets are secured to the at least one mounting plate extrusion. One or more trim pieces are secured below and in front of the brackets. A number of bulb sockets are assembled to one or more of the brackets and/or mounting plate extrusions. 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a sectional view of a cove light fixture. 
         FIG. 2  is a view of a pair of fixtures of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an end view of a mounting plate extrusion of the fixture of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a view of a light support bracket of the fixture of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a pair of arrays of fixtures of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a linear array of first fixtures. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a linear array of second fixtures. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of a linear array of third fixtures. 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of an alternate apparatus. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a light fixture assembly  20  mounted to a surface  22  of a wall  24 . The wall may be a wall of a room, a wall of a ceiling cove, a side of a structural beam, or the like. The fixture assembly may be positioned adjacent to and slightly below a ceiling or ceiling portion  30 . For convenient reference, a forward direction  500  is defined as away from the wall. An upward direction is shown as  502 . With left and right defined from the point of view of a person standing upright and facing in the forward direction, the fixture assembly may extend from a left end to a right end. The assembly may include one, two, or more individual fixture units or subsystem units assembled or otherwise arranged end-to-end. This direction of assembly is identified as longitudinal. 
     The assembly  20  may comprise several subsystems. A first exemplary subsystem is a wall-mounting subsystem  40 . The exemplary subsystem  40  includes an end-to-end array of mounting plates or brackets  42 . Adjacent twos of the brackets are joined by connector plates  44  spanning their junctions. The brackets  42  may be secured to the wall  24  by fasteners  46  (e.g., screws, toggle fasteners, or the like). Further structural details of the exemplary subsystem  40  and brackets  42  are discussed below. 
     A second exemplary subsystem is a structural subsystem  50  comprising an array of spaced-apart brackets  52  mounted to the mounting brackets  42 . Further structural details of the exemplary subsystem  50  and brackets  52  are discussed below. 
     A third subsystem is an electrical subsystem  60 . The electrical subsystem includes aft and front receptacles  62  and  64  carrying bulbs  66  and  68 . The receptacles  62  and  64  are mounted on and carried by a plate  70  which is attached to the structural subsystem  50 . In  FIG. 1 , a ballast  72  is shown carried by the plate  70 . Receptacle/plate/ballast combinations may be longitudinally arrayed end-to-end. In several alternative variations, a single ballast may power more than just the adjacent bulb(s). In other variations, there may be more complex interrelationship of the bulbs such as longitudinal staggering of the receptacles  62  and  64  to reduce dark spots. 
     A fourth subsystem is a trim subsystem  80  mounted to the structural subsystem  50 . An exemplary trim subsystem includes a first portion  82  generally along the front of the unit and a second portion  84  generally along the bottom. The trim subsystem  80  provides a desired ornamental and/or architectural appearance. 
       FIG. 2  shows an exemplary configuration wherein the mounting brackets  42  and the plates  70  have a similar length L. An exemplary length L for this configuration is nominally 3-12 feet. More broadly, advantageous L is at least twenty-two inches (more narrowly 90-96 inches to correspond to a nominal eight foot length). The exemplary plate  70  carries a single bulb  66  and the associated receptacle  62  and a single bulb  68  and the associated receptacle  64 . The exemplary brackets  52  are shown having a bracket width W and an on-center spacing S. Exemplary W is 2-4 inches. Exemplary S is 12-32 inches (e.g., nominally 16 or 24 inch spacing for engaging wall studs). The exemplary fixture has a depth D and a height H. Exemplary D and H are 6-7.5 inch and 1-6 inch, respectively, Depth and height of the brackets  52  may be slightly less (e.g., approximately half an inch less). 
       FIG. 3  shows further details of the mounting bracket  42 . The bracket has a central vertical web  100  extending between a lower end  102  and an upper end  104 . An aft pair of lower and upper L-sectioned rails  106  and  108  extend aft from the lower and upper ends. Aft surfaces  110  of the rails are positioned spaced apart from an aft surface  112  of the web  100 . The aft surfaces  110  may engage the wall surface  22 . The rails cooperate with the webs to form respective lower and upper channels  114  and  116  for receiving upper and lower edge portions of the plates  44 . A forward pair of lower and upper L-sectioned rails  120  and  122  extend from the web forward surface  124 . As is discussed in further detail below, these rails  120  and  122  cooperate with the web  100  to form channels  126  and  128  for receiving feet of associated rail portions of the brackets  52 . 
     Along top end  104 , a straight rail  130  extends forward from the web  100 . Spaced slightly therebelow, a second straight rail  132  similarly extends so as to define a channel  134 . A lower surface of the rail  130  and an upper surface of the rail  132  are pre-scored with serations  136  to improve retention of threaded studs (discussed below). A pair of upper and lower grooves  140  are provided in the forward surface  124  for aligning/guiding use of self-drilling wood screws as the fasteners  46  or guiding drilling for other fasteners. 
     As so far described, the bracket  42  may be formed by extrusion (e.g., of an aluminum alloy and cut to length. Pre-installation, threaded studs  150  ( FIG. 2 ) may be screwed into the channel  134  at positions providing a desired spacing for the brackets  52  (as is discussed below). During initial installation, the brackets  42  may be screwed, one-by-one, to the wall surface. As each bracket is so-installed, an associated one of the plates  44  may be inserted into an exposed end of the bracket. The next bracket  42  may be inserted over the plate and similarly secured to the wall. The adjacent screws  46  ( FIG. 1 ) may pass through holes  152  ( FIG. 2 ) in the plates  44 . The process may be repeated. One or more of the brackets  42  may be cut to length to accommodate a desired environment. 
       FIG. 4  shows further details of a bracket  52 . The bracket  52  includes an aft web  160  and a lower web  162 . The aft end extends from a lower end  164  to an upper end  166 . A pair of lower and upper L-sectioned rails  168  and  170  extend toes-downward from an aft surface  172  of the web  160 . The rails  168  and  170  are positioned so that their feet may be received in the channels  126  and  128  of the bracket  42  of  FIG. 3 . A series of recesses  174  extend downward from the web upper end  166 . In the exemplary embodiment, there are three such recesses. The recesses are dimensioned so that one of the recesses may receive the associated stud  150 . A nut  176  ( FIG. 1 ) may be secured over a distal threaded portion of the stud  150  to tightly secure the bracket. To permit convenient maintenance of a constant on-center bracket spacing S across the combined fixtures, the exemplary brackets  52  are provided with three such recesses  174 . The center recess is typically used. However, for brackets  52  that span junctions between the brackets  42 , one of the other recesses  174  might be used so that the bracket  52  may be centered along the junction. 
     A pair of lower and upper straight rails  180  and  182  extend forward from the front surface  184  of the web  160  to define a forwardly-open channel  186 . The channel  186  may receive an aft edge portion  188  ( FIG. 1 ) of the plate  70  when the electrical subsystem is installed. A fin array  190  forms a junction between the webs  160  and  162 . A series of channels  192  are formed between adjacent pairs of the fins  194 . The exemplary web  162  extends forward from a lower end of a forwardmost fin  194 . In the exemplary bracket  52 , a straight rail  196  extends forward from the forwardmost web  194 . The rail  196  is spaced apart from the web  162  to define a forwardly-open channel  198 . As is discussed in further detail below, the channel  198  may serve to capture an aft edge portion of an alternate electrical subsystem mounting plate. 
     A fin array  200  forms a junction between the web  162  and a fin array  202 . A series of downwardly open channels  204  are formed between adjacent pairs of the fins  206  of the array  200 . A forward end of the web  162  joins a lower end of an aftmost fin  206 . A series of forwardly open channels  210  are formed between adjacent fins  212  of the array  202 . As is discussed in further detail below, the channels  192 ,  204 , and  210  may receive fasteners (e.g., screws) for mounting the trim subsystem. A pair of fore and aft straight rails  220  and  222  extend upward from a back of the array  200  to define an upwardly-open channel  224 . Surfaces of the rails  220  and  222  facing the channel  224  may be pre-scored with serations to improve retention of fasteners  230  ( FIG. 1 ), such as machine screws, passing through holes in a forward portion  232  of the plate  270  to secure the plate to the associated brackets  52 . The exemplary fins  194 ,  206 , and  212  have lateral ribs  234  for engaging the associated screws  254  ( FIG. 1 ). The brackets  52  may be formed by extrusion (e.g., of an aluminum alloy) and cutting to the desired width. Alternatively, they may be individually cast. If cast, they could take very different forms, lacking the illustrated symmetry. 
     In an exemplary installation, the wall-mounting subsystem  40  may be initially installed (e.g., by a carpentry or sheetrocking contractor). That contractor may then install the brackets  52  and then install the trim subsystem  80 . To do this, appropriate lengths of sheetrock  250  and  252  ( FIG. 1 ) may be cut to fit generally below and in front of the brackets  52 , respectively. The sheetrock  250  may be secured by countersunk drywall screws  254  in the channels  192  and  204 . In the exemplary brackets  52 , the channels  204  are essentially exactly vertically-extending. The channels  192 , however, extend off-vertical at an acute angle θ (e.g., 10-30°) to permit convenient screwgun access. Similar dry wall screws  254  may be driven through the sheetrock  252  into the channels  210 . A first corner bead  260  may be applied to a lower front edge of the trim system spanning a junction between the sheetrock  250  and  252 . A second such bead  262  may be applied at the forward top edge (e.g., of the sheetrock  252 ) Joints between adjacent pieces of the sheetrock  250  may be taped as may joints between adjacent pieces of the sheetrock  252 . Compound  270  (e.g., joint compound, plaster, or the like) may be applied over the sheetrock to provide a smooth surface for painting, papering, or the like. Alternatively to sheetrock, wood or other trim materials may be used. 
     In an exemplary installation sequence, after installation of the trim subsystem  80 , a larger contractor may then install electrical subsystem  60 . This may include wiring in addition to the mechanical installation of the plate and receptacle combinations. 
       FIG. 5  shows an installation where first and second linear arrays  280  and  282  of the fixtures extend from a junction  284  along an inside corner of a building. Each of the arrays may extend from a first end fixture to a second end fixture and have any number of intervening fixtures. 
       FIG. 6  shows a single linear array  286  of such fixtures.  FIG. 7  shows an array  288  of alternate fixtures wherein the receptacles and bulbs are staggered. Each exemplary fixture has a pair of spaced-apart aft bulbs and a single forward bulb spanning a gap between the aft bulbs. Such staggering may be useful to provide a desired amount of light and to minimize dark spots.  FIG. 8  shows an array  290  wherein each fixture has an end-to-end pair of aft bulbs and an end-to-end pair of front bulbs slightly staggered so as to reduce dark spots. 
       FIG. 9  shows an alternate electrical subsystem  300  wherein there is a single row of receptacles  302  and bulbs  304 . The receptacles are carried by brackets  306  mounted to mounting plates  308 . Pivotable reflectors  310  are mounted partially surrounding the bulbs and receptacles or may be oriented to direct light in a desired direction. As was noted above, an aft portion  320  of the plate  308  is captured in the channel  198 . The ballast  322  is contained within a pocket  324  beneath the mounting plate  308 . A forward portion of the plate  308  is secured by the screw  230  to the bracket  52 . 
     One or more embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, various elements may be combined or further separated. Additionally, a variety of structural shapes and cooperating features of the extrusion are possible. Various other manufacturing techniques and materials may be used. Multiple bulb and multiple reflector embodiments are also possible. Architectural/design considerations may influence any particular implementation, giving rise to the possibility of mounting on non-vertical surfaces and mounting in non-horizontally extending arrays. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.