Abstract:
A system for connecting luminaires is provided. The system includes: a first luminaire having an end face having a first slot; a second luminaire having an end face having a second slot; a first elongated joining member having first prongs. The first slot and second slot are in laterally aligned and joined relationship define a first joining member slot having a first wedged end, and the first wedged end is shaped to provide an interference fit with the first prongs wherein advancing the first prongs against the first wedged end forces the first slot and the second slot toward each other to tighten connection between the first luminaire and the second luminaire.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to luminaires, and in particular to systems for connecting luminaires together. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Spatial and design considerations can require two or more luminaires to be connected together in certain lighting environments. Systems for effectively connecting luminaires are desirable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The inventions described herein have many aspects, some of which relate to systems for connecting luminaries. 
         [0004]    In one aspect, a system for connecting luminaires is provided. The system comprises: a first luminaire comprising an end face comprising a first slot; a second luminaire comprising an end face comprising a second slot; a first elongated joining member comprising first prongs. The first slot and second slot are in laterally aligned and joined relationship define a first joining member slot comprising a first wedged end, and the first wedged end is shaped to provide an interference fit with the first prongs wherein advancing the first prongs against the first wedged end forces the first slot and the second slot toward each other to tighten connection between the first luminaire and the second luminaire. 
         [0005]    The first wedged end may comprise outwardly and downwardly angled surfaces that define a first angle equal to or greater than a second angle defined by the first prongs. 
         [0006]    The first luminaire may comprise a first crossplate that at least partly defines the end face of the first luminaire, and the second luminaire may comprise a second crossplate that at least partly defines the end face of the second luminaire. 
         [0007]    The first luminaire may comprise a pair of first sidewalls that at least partly defines the end face of the first luminaire, and the second luminaire may comprise a pair of second sidewalls that at least partly defines the end face of the second luminaire. 
         [0008]    The first and second slots may be formed in the first and second crossplates. 
         [0009]    The first slots may be formed in the first sidewalls and the second slots may be formed in the second sidewalls. 
         [0010]    The first slots may be formed partly in the first crossplate and partly in the first sidewalls, and the second slots may be formed partly in the second crossplate and partly in the second sidewalls. 
         [0011]    The first and second elongated joining members may extend into their respective joining member slots to a depth greater than half of the height of the sidewalls. 
         [0012]    The system may comprise fastening means for fastening the first and second elongated joining members into their respective joining member slots. The fastening means may be selected from the group consisting of screws, snap clips and spring clips. The fastening means may comprise screws for fastening a flanged portion of the elongated first and second elongated joining members to the crossplates of the first and second luminaires. 
         [0013]    A close tolerance may exist between a thickness of the first and second elongated joining members and a thickness of their respective joining member slots. 
         [0014]    A loose tolerance may exist between a width of the first and second elongated joining members and a width of their respective joining member slots. 
         [0015]    The system may comprise a plurality of opposing aligning slots formed in the end faces of the first and second luminaires, and a plurality of aligning members insertable in the aligning slots. 
         [0016]    The first elongated joining member may be rigid and the first joining member slot may comprise a straight cross-section. 
         [0017]    The first elongated joining member may be flexible and the first joining member slot may comprise a curved cross-section. 
         [0018]    In another aspect a system for connecting luminaires is provided. The system comprises: a first luminaire comprising an end face comprising a first slot and a third slot; a second luminaire comprising an end face comprising a second slot and a fourth slot; a first elongated joining member comprising first prongs; and a second elongated joining member comprising second prongs. The first slot and second slot may be laterally aligned and joined relationship to define a first joining member slot comprising a first wedged end. The third slot and fourth slot may be in laterally aligned and joined relationship to define a second joining member slot comprising a second wedged end. The first wedged end may be shaped to provide an interference fit with the first prongs wherein advancing the first prongs against the first wedged end forces the first slot and the second slot toward each other to tighten connection between the first luminaire and the second luminaire. The second wedged end may be shaped to provide an interference fit with the second prongs wherein advancing the second prongs against the second wedged end forces the third slot and the fourth slot toward each other to tighten connection between the first luminaire and the second luminaire. 
         [0019]    The first and second wedged ends may each comprise outwardly and downwardly angled surfaces that define a first angle equal to or greater than a second angle defined by the first and second prongs. 
         [0020]    The first luminaire may comprise a first U-shaped crossplate comprising a pair of first legs that at least partly defines the end face of the first luminaire, and the second luminaire may comprise a second U-shaped crossplate comprising a pair of second legs that at least partly defines the end face of the second luminaire. 
         [0021]    The first luminaire may comprise a pair of first sidewalls that at least partly defines the end face of the first luminaire, and the second luminaire may comprise a pair of second sidewalls that at least partly defines the end face of the second luminaire. 
         [0022]    The first slots may be formed in the first legs and the second slots may be formed in the second legs. 
         [0023]    The first slots may be formed in the first sidewalls and the second slots may be formed in the second sidewalls. 
         [0024]    The first slots may be formed partly in the first legs and partly in the first sidewalls, and the second slots may be formed partly in the second legs and partly in the second sidewalls. 
         [0025]    The first and second elongated joining members may extend into their respective joining member slots to a depth greater than half of the height of the sidewalls. 
         [0026]    The system may comprise a fastening means for fastening the first and second elongated joining members into their respective joining member slots. The fastening means may be selected from the group consisting of screws, snap clips and spring clips. The fastening means may comprise screws for fastening a flanged portion of the elongated first and second elongated joining members to U-shaped crossplates of the first and second luminaires. 
         [0027]    A close tolerance may exist between a thickness of the first and second elongated joining members and a thickness of their respective joining member slots. 
         [0028]    A loose tolerance may exist between a width of the first and second elongated joining members and a width of their respective joining member slots. 
         [0029]    A plurality of opposing aligning slots may be formed in the end faces of the first and second luminaires, and a plurality of aligning members may be insertable in the aligning slots. 
         [0030]    The first elongated joining member may be rigid and the first joining member slot may comprise a straight cross-section. 
         [0031]    The first elongated joining member may be flexible and the first joining member slot may comprise a curved cross-section. 
         [0032]    The foregoing discussion merely summarizes certain aspects of the inventions and is not intended, nor should it be construed, as limiting the inventions in any way. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0033]    The accompanying drawings illustrate non-limiting example embodiments of the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  is a bottom isometric view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention, showing two luminaires about to be connected. 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a top isometric view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , showing two luminaires connected. 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  is a cutaway partial side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  showing insertion of a joining member into a joining member slot to secure connection between the luminaires. 
           [0037]      FIGS. 4A to 4C  are a close up internal partial side views of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  showing stages of insertion of the joining member into the joining member slot. 
           [0038]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show close up internal partial side views of a joining member and a joining member slot according to another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0039]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  show close up internal partial side views of a joining member and a joining member slot according to another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0040]    Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced without these particulars. In other instances, well known elements have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense. 
         [0041]    This invention relates to luminaires, and in particular to systems for connecting two luminaires together. Embodiments of the invention of exemplary commercial application are systems for end-to-end connection of elongated, channel-shaped luminaires. Examples of elongated, channel-shaped luminaires include the luminaires sold under the name PROFILE™ by Fluxwerx Illumination Inc. of Delta, British Columbia. Embodiments of the invention are also applicable to connecting luminaires of other shapes and in other configurations where a secure and discreet connection between luminaires, with connection components confined within relatively limited internal spaces of the luminaires, is sought; non-limiting examples include luminaires with curved sidewalls when viewed from above and below; and non-channel-shaped narrow luminaires such as the luminaires sold under the name VIEW™ by Fluxwerx Illumination Inc. 
         [0042]    Claims of the invention relate to systems comprising a pronged joining member insertable into a corresponding joining member slot with a wedged end formed by respective slots of adjacent luminaires, wherein interference fit between the pronged joining member and the wedged end of the joining member slot provide an effective connection between the luminaires that is secure, discreet, and minimizes leakage of light from the boundary between the connected luminaires. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 1 to 4  show a system  10  for connecting elongated channel-shaped luminaires  12  and  14  together according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0044]      FIG. 1  shows system  10  with aligning members  16  which insert into internal aligning slots  18  formed in end faces  20  of luminaires  12 ,  14  allowing luminaire  14  to be connected to luminaire  12 , in for example the direction of arrow  22 , in an end-to-end manner. System  10  is shown with two aligning members  16 . Some embodiments may have only one aligning member  16  or more than two aligning members  16 , with a corresponding number of aligning slots  18 . In some embodiments, instead of having aligning slots  18  formed in end faces  20  of both luminaires  12  and  14 , aligning slots  18  may be formed in end face  20  of one of the luminaires, with aligning members  16  fixed to and projecting from the other one of the luminaires. In some embodiments aligning members  16  and aligning slots  18  may be absent. In some embodiments other suitable features with similar function may be provided. In some embodiments end faces  20 , including aligning slots  18 , may be at least partially defined by legs  24  of crossplates  26  and/or sidewalls  28 . 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, plates  30  bridging the interior cavities of luminaires  12 ,  14  may be provided. Plates  30  block light that may otherwise escape from the lit interior cavities of luminaires  12 ,  14  to between the exterior connecting seam  32  between sidewalls  28  of luminaires  12 ,  14 . Plates  30  also cover the internal connecting seam between luminaires  12 , 14 , providing an aesthetically pleasing joint. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 2 to 4  show system  10  with joining members  34  and joining member slots  38 . Joining members  34  and joining member slots  38  may be formed of any strong and durable material such as stainless steel, aluminum alloys, or the like. Joining members  34  are insertable in direction  36  into joining member slots  38  to secure the connection between luminaires  12 ,  14 . In some embodiments the joining members may be rigid, for insertion into joining member slots with straight cross-sections (such as those illustrated in the Figures), for example in luminaires with straight sidewalls. In some embodiments the joining members may be flexible (e.g. made of a material such as spring steel), for insertion into joining member slots with curved cross-sections, for example in luminaires with curved sidewalls. 
         [0047]    Joining member  34  includes prongs  40  at one end, an elongated body  44 , and a perpendicular flange  42  at the other end. Flange  42  may include fastening means  46  for fastening joining member  34  to luminaires  12 , 14  once joining member  34  is fully inserted into joining member slot  38 . In the illustrated embodiment, fastening means  46  comprises a screw extending through an aperture in flange  42  for engagement with a threaded bore  48  in crossplate  26  of luminaire  12  or  14 . In some embodiments fastening means  46  may comprise two screws, each extending through a respective aperture in flange  42  and engaging a respective threaded bore  48  in crossplates  26  of each of luminaires  12 , 14 . In some embodiments, any other suitable fastening means  46  may be employed to secure joining member  34  within joining member slot  38  and, depending on the fastening means  46 , flange  42  may or may not be present. For example, a snap clip or a spring clip may be used to secure joining member  34  within joining member slot  38 . 
         [0048]    In some embodiments the length L J  of joining member  34  may be greater than 50%, or greater than 75%, or greater than 90%, of the height H L  of luminaires  12 ,  14 , in order to ensure a secure connection between luminaires  12 , 14  and also to block light that may otherwise escape from an interior of luminaires  12 ,  14  and out connecting seam  32  between sidewalls  28  of luminaires  12 ,  14 . 
         [0049]    Joining member slot  38  is formed by lateral alignment and joining of slot  50  of luminaire  12  and slot  52  of luminaire  14 , as shown best in  FIGS. 4A  to  4 C. Joining member  34  is slidably insertable in joining member slot  38 . In some embodiments, a close tolerance exists between the thickness of joining member  34  and the thickness of joining member slot  38 , where thickness is defined as the dimension going toward and away from the drawing sheet with respect to  FIGS. 3 and 4A to 4C . In some embodiments, a loose tolerance exists between a width  54  of joining member  34  and a width  56  of joining member slot  38 . 
         [0050]    As joining member  34  is initially inserted, there is typically a gap  64  between slots  50 , 52 . Prongs  40  of joining member  34  eventually contacts sloped surfaces  58  of respective slots  50 , 52  and due to the configuration and interaction of these components, gap  64  closes, as shown in  FIGS. 4A to 4C  and described as follows. 
         [0051]    Sloped surfaces  58  of slots  50 , 52  are angled outwardly and downwardly. Sloped surfaces  58 , upon lateral alignment and joining of slots  50 ,  52 , form wedged end  60 . Wedged end  60  and prongs  40  are shaped to provide an interference fit between them, such that as prongs  40  advance downward in direction  36 , slots  50 ,  52  are forced together in direction  62  to form joining member slot  38 , thereby tightening the connection between luminaires  12 ,  14  and eliminating any gap  64 . In other words, as joining member  34  is pushed down slots  50 , 52  , the force (e.g. downward force) along direction  36  is translated to forces (e.g. lateral forces) along directions  62  to secure luminaires  12 ,  14  together. Interference fit is provided by having angle  68  defined by wedged end  60  be equal to or greater than angle  66  defined by prongs  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, angle  68  is greater than angle  66 . 
         [0052]    Slots  50 , 52  are formed in end faces  20  of luminaires  12 ,  14 . As described above, end faces  20  may be at least partially defined by legs  24  of crossplates  26  and/or the ends of sidewalls  28 . Accordingly, in some embodiments, slots  50 ,  52  may be at least partially formed in legs  24  of crossplates  26  and/or in the ends of sidewalls  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, slots  50 ,  52  are formed in legs  24  of crossplates  26 . In some embodiments slots  50 , 52 , and therefore wedged end  60 , may be symmetrical. In some embodiments slots  50 , 52 , and therefore wedged end  60 , may be non-symmetrical. 
         [0053]    Accordingly, reducing and eliminating gap  16  has the advantage of increasing the aesthetic appeal of luminaires  12  and  14  and giving them a seamless appearance. Placing joining member  34  into joining member slot  38  in the crossplates  26  and/or sidewalls  28  of luminaires  12  and  14 , where joining member  34  is not visible, also has this advantage. 
         [0054]    In some embodiments, the interference fit may be provided by other suitable shapes and configurations of the prongs and the wedged ends.  FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B  illustrate examples of such other shapes and configurations. 
         [0055]      FIG. 5A and 5B  show joining member  134  with prongs  140 , slots  150 ,  152  (which join to form joining member slot  138  and round end  160 ) with sloped surfaces  158  curving outwardly and downwardly. The radius  168  defined by round end  160  is equal to or greater than the radius  166  defined by prongs  140  to provide an interference fit between round end  160  and prongs  140 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 6A and 6B  show joining member  234  with prongs  240 , slots  250 ,  252  (which join to form joining member slot  238  and wedged end  260 ) with sloped surfaces  258  angling outwardly and downwardly. The angle  268  defined by wedged end  260  is equal to or greater than the angle  266  defined by prongs  240  to provide an interference fit between wedged end  260  and prongs  240 . 
         [0057]    Where a component (e.g. joining fork, luminaire, etc.) is referred to above, unless otherwise indicated, reference to that component (including a reference to a “means”) should be interpreted as including as equivalents of that component any component which performs the function of the described component (i.e. that is functionally equivalent), including components which are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
         [0058]    This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the description, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.