Modular valance fixture

A modular valance fixture includes at least one elongated light fixture including a channel frame having a first end and a second end and to which a plurality of lights are mounted. At least two identical bases each have a distal end and a mounting end that mounts to a wall. At least two identical sleeves each include a slide end that telescopically receives the distal end of one of the bases, a distal end and a tube having a first side and a second side. Each of the at least two identical sleeves are oriented to either act as a left-handed support or as a right-handed support for the at least one elongated light fixture. The first side of each tube of the identical sleeves includes a cutout that faces one of the first and the second ends of the channel frame of the light fixture.

BACKGROUND

There are a variety of ways to use lighting in a retail store. One way to encourage customers to look further at an item is the use of valance lighting. Valance lighting places lights above or below an object or objects on display and is generally hidden behind a board or panel to create an effect of lighting up a specific place.

SUMMARY

A modular valance fixture includes at least one elongated light fixture having a channel frame to which a plurality of lights are mounted and that contains components for providing the plurality of lights with power and a diffuser that covers the plurality of lights. The channel frame includes a first end and a second end. At least two identical bases each have a distal end and a mounting end that mounts to a wall. At least two identical sleeves each include a slide end that telescopically receives the distal end of one of the bases, a distal end and a tube having a first side and a second side. The first side of each tube of the identical sleeves includes a cutout. Each of the at least two identical sleeves are oriented in one of two orientations so as to either act as a left-handed support or as a right-handed support for the at least one elongated light fixture. A first orientation includes the first side being oriented such that the cutout is located on a left-handed side of the sleeve and faces the first end of the channel frame. A second orientation includes the first side being oriented such that the cutout is located on a right-handed side of the sleeve and faces the second end of the channel frame.

A modular valance fixture includes a first support arm having an inner assembly having a bracket end that is mounted to a wall and a distal end and an outer assembly having an inner assembly receiving end and a distal end. The outer assembly includes a cutout located on one side of a tube of the outer assembly. A second support arm includes an inner assembly that is identical to the inner assembly of the first support arm and an outer assembly that is identical to the outer assembly of the first support arm. At least one light assembly includes a housing to which a plurality of lights are mounted and that contains components for providing the plurality of lights with power. The at least one light assembly is supported away from the wall by at least one of the first support arm and the second support arm. The identical outer assemblies are assembled to the identical inner assemblies so that the side of the outer assembly of the first support arm that includes the cutout is facing a first end of the housing of the at least one light assembly and the side the outer assembly of the second support arm that includes the cutout is facing a second end of the housing of the at least one light assembly.

A method of assembling a modular valance fixture includes mounting a first support arm to a wall by attaching an inner assembly to the wall and sliding an outer assembly telescopically onto a distal end of the inner assembly. The outer assembly is slid on the distal end of the inner assembly so that a side of the outer assembly that has a cutout is on a left-handed side and the cutout is located proximate to a distal end of the outer assembly. A second support arm is mounted to the wall by attaching an inner assembly that is substantially identical to the inner assembly of the first support arm to the wall and sliding an outer assembly that is substantially identical to the outer assembly of the first support arm telescopically onto a distal end of the inner assembly of the second support arm. The outer assembly of the second support arm is slid on the distal end of the inner assembly of the second support arm so that a side of the outer assembly that has a cutout is on a right-handed side and the cutout is located proximate to a distal end of the outer assembly of the second support arm. A light assembly is supported away from the wall with the first support arm and the second support arm. The cutout on the outer assembly of the first support arm faces a first end of the light assembly and the cutout on the outer assembly of the second support arm faces a second end of the light assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A modular valance fixture includes a light assembly that is mounted to a wall, but spaced a sufficient distance from the wall by support arms so as to provide a wash of light that illuminates objects or graphics that are being displayed. The modular valance fixture uses substantially identical components for the support arms, but in different positions to provide a right-handed or a left-handed support arm for the valance fixture. Using the same parts to create the valance fixture reduces burdens on manufacture and distribution as well as gives a retail store advantages in assembly.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a modular valance fixture100mounted to a gondola display fixture200according to one embodiment. Modular valance fixture100includes at least one elongated light fixture or light assembly102. InFIG. 1, two elongated light fixtures or light assemblies102are shown. Modular valance fixture100further includes at least two support arms. InFIG. 1, a first support arm104a, a second support arm104band a third support arm104care shown.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of a portion of modular valance fixture100including first support arm104a, third support arm104cand first elongated light fixture102, but mounted to a wall151of a retail store with a wall bracket150according to another embodiment.FIG. 3is a top view of fixture100with wall bracket150removed,FIG. 4is a front view of fixture100with wall bracket150removed andFIG. 5is a right side view of fixture100with wall bracket150removed. First support arm104aand third support arm104cposition first elongated light fixture102away from wall202of gondola display fixture200inFIG. 1and away from wall151inFIG. 2. Second support arm104band third support arm104cposition second elongated light fixture102away from wall202inFIG. 1and wall151inFIG. 2.

FIG. 6is a perspective view of light assembly102. In particular,FIG. 6is a perspective view of first elongated light fixture102, but second elongated light fixture102is identical to first elongated light fixture102. In fact, any of the elongated light fixtures used in modular valance fixture100are identical.FIG. 7is a top view of light assembly102,FIG. 8is a bottom view of light assembly102andFIG. 9is an enlarged right side view of light assembly102.

Elongated light fixture102includes a housing or channel frame106to which a plurality of lights108are mounted and that contains components for providing the plurality of lights108with power. For example, lights108can be LEDs that are provided on a board that is mounted to housing or channel frame106and housing or channel frame106can contain various lighting components, such as wires, quick connects, an LED driver and bolts or screws for mounting those components to housing or channel frame106. In particular and as illustrated inFIG. 9, housing106includes a first end107and a second end109. Housing106further includes a front leg110(also illustrated inFIGS. 2-4) that faces forward, a bottom leg112that faces downward, a first back leg114that faces backward, a recessed angled leg116that faces downwardly at an angle and a second back leg118that faces backward. Each of front leg110, bottom leg112, first back leg114, recessed angled leg116and second back leg118extend from first end107to second end109of light fixture102. Mounted to an outer surface of the recessed angled leg116are the plurality of lights108that also extend from first end107to second end109. In this way, light fixture102washes light in a downward direction as illustrated by arrows126a,126band126c. The downward wash of light illuminates merchandise on gondola display fixture200.

At the corners where recessed angled leg116intersects with first back leg114and where recessed angled leg116intersects with second back leg118are slots120and121. Diffuser122sits in slots120and121, covers the plurality of lights108and diffuses the light emanating from the plurality of lights108. Diffuser122has a flat and planar shape. Elongated light fixture102afurther includes a top cover124fixed to housing106by at least one fastener, such as a screw. Top cover124(also illustrated inFIGS. 2-3) protects the components, such as wires and the LED driver, that are located within an area of the housing106defined by front leg110, bottom leg112and first back leg114, from the environment.

FIG. 10is a perspective view of first support arm104a, but first support arm104acan be assembled in another configuration so that it can be used as second support arm104b. And support arm104bwill be described in detail below.FIG. 11is a first exploded perspective view ofFIG. 10andFIG. 12is a second exploded perspective view ofFIG. 10. First support arm104aincludes an inner assembly or base128having a distal end132(FIG. 11) and a mounting end or bracket end130that mounts to a wall, such as wall202inFIG. 1or wall mount150inFIG. 2. First support arm104afurther includes an outer assembly or sleeve134having an inner assembly receiving end or slide end136and a distal end138. Inner assembly receiving end136of outer assembly134telescopically receives distal end132of base128.

As illustrated in explodedFIGS. 11 and 12, each of inner assembly128and outer assembly134includes various parts and components. InFIG. 11, inner assembly128includes a top member140and a bottom member141. Top member140provides distal end132of inner assembly128and has a profile for fitting with inner assembly receiving end136of outer assembly134. In addition, top member140provides mounting end130, which includes a plurality of hooks or teeth131for mounting to an upright of a wall or to wall mount150. Bottom member141engages with top member140and also has a profile when engaged with top member140to fit with inner assembly receiving end136of outer assembly134. Together top member140and bottom member141of inner assembly128are made of steel and provide a portion of a wire way from a light fixture to the wall. InFIG. 12, top member140of inner assembly128includes an opening142for receipt of a conduit adapter144and an adapter cover143, which provide power feeds and wire ways to first light fixture102.

With reference back toFIG. 11, outer assembly134includes a tube145and a front cap146. Front cap146provides distal end138of outer assembly134and engages with a distal end147of tube145. Tube145of outer assembly134includes a first side149and a second side (not illustrated inFIGS. 10-12). Tube145is made of aluminum and provides a heat sink for the plurality of lights108in light fixture102. Tube145of outer assembly134of first support arm104aincludes a single cutout148that is located on one of the sides of tube145. In particular, cutout148is located on first side149of tube145, which is oriented on the left-handed side inFIGS. 10-12, and is formed with distal end147of tube145. Cutout148includes three portions: an upper portion153and a lower portion155, which are mirror images of each other, and a center portion157that is larger and extends further toward inner assembly receiving end136than the upper and lower portions153and155of cutout148. Upper and lower portions153and155provide a way to coupled first support arm to first light fixture102and center portion157provides an area for wires to pass. In particular, light fixture102includes pre-attached screws159located on each of first end107and second end109. The upper screw159mates with upper portion153of cutout148and lower screw159mates with lower portion155of cutout148. For first support arm104a, cutout148is configured to face end107of first light fixture102illustrated inFIG. 1so as to become a right-handed support arm for modular valance fixture100.

FIG. 13is a perspective view of second support arm104bandFIG. 14is an exploded perspective view of second support arm104b. Second support arm104bincludes identical components to first support arm104aincluding inner assembly or arm128having distal end132(FIG. 14) and mounting end or bracket end130that mounts to a wall, such as wall202inFIG. 1and wall mount150inFIG. 2. Second support arm104balso includes outer assembly or sleeve134having inner assembly receiving end or slide end136and distal end138. Like first support arm104a, second support arm104boperates so that inner assembly receiving end136of outer assembly134telescopically receives distal end132.

InFIG. 14, inner assembly or base128of second support arm104bis identical to first support arm104aand is oriented and used identical to inner assembly128in first support arm104a. Inner assembly128includes top member140and bottom member141. Top member140provides distal end132of inner assembly128and has a profile for fitting with inner assembly receiving end136of outer assembly134. In addition, inner assembly128provides mounting end130, which includes a plurality of hooks131for mounting to an upright of a wall. Bottom member141engages with top member140and also has a profile when engaged with top member140that fits with inner assembly receiving end136of outer assembly134. As described above, top member140and bottom member141of inner assembly128are made of steel and provide a portion of a wire way from a light fixture to the wall.

InFIG. 14, outer assembly or sleeve134of second support arm104bis identical to first support arm104a, but is oriented and used differently from first support arm104a. Outer assembly134includes tube145and front cap146. Front cap146still provides distal end138of outer assembly134and still engages with a distal end147of tube145. Tube145of outer assembly134, however, is oriented so that the single cutout148located on first side149is now on the right-handed side. As described above, tube145is made of aluminum and provides a heat sink for the plurality of lights108of a light fixture. Cutout148still includes three portions: upper and lower portions, which are mirror images of each other, and a center portion157that is larger and extends further toward inner assembly receiving end136than the upper and lower portions. However, cutout148in second support arm104ais configured to face second end109of the second light fixture102inFIG. 1, so as to become a left-handed support arm for modular valance fixture100. In this orientation, upper portion153has now become the lower portion and lower portion155has now become the upper portion

FIG. 15is a perspective view of third support arm104candFIG. 16is an exploded perspective view of third support arm104c. Some, but not all, of the components of third support arm104care identical to first support arm104aand second support arm104c. Inner assembly or arm128of third support arm104cis identical to the inner assemblies of first and second support arm104aand104bincluding distal end132(FIG. 15) and mounting end or bracket end130that mounts to a wall, such as wall202inFIG. 1, or to a wall mount, such as wall mount150inFIG. 2. Outer assembly or mid sleeve334of third support arm104c, however, is different from outer assembly or sleeve134of first and second support arms104aand104b. Outer assembly334includes an inner assembly receiving end or slide end336and a distal end338. Like first support arm104aand second support arm104b, third support arm104coperates so that inner assembly receiving end336of outer assembly334telescopically receives distal end132of inner assembly128. However, distal end338is different.

InFIG. 16, inner assembly or arm128of third support arm104cis identical to inner assembly128of first support arm104aand second support arm104band is oriented and used identically to inner assembly128in first support arm104aand second support arm104b. Inner assembly128includes top member140and bottom member141. Top member140provides distal end132of inner assembly128and has a profile for fitting within inner assembly receiving end136of outer assembly134. In addition, inner assembly128provides mounting end130, which includes a plurality of hooks or teeth131for mounting to an upright of a wall or to a wall mount. Bottom member141engages with top member140and also has a profile when engaged with top member140that fits within inner assembly receiving end336of outer assembly334. As described above, top member140and bottom member141of inner assembly128are made of steel and provide a portion of a wire way from a light fixture to the wall.

InFIG. 15, outer assembly or mid sleeve334of third support arm104cincludes tube345and front cap346. Front cap346provides distal end338of outer assembly334and engages with a distal end347of base member345. As described above, tube345is made of aluminum and provides a heat sink for the plurality of lights108of a light fixture. Tube345of outer assembly334differs from tube145of support arms104aand104bbecause tube345includes two cutouts348aand348b. First cutout348ais located on first side349of tube345and is formed with distal end347of tube345. First side349is oriented to be a left-handed side of tube345. Second cutout348bis located on second side (not shown inFIGS. 15 and 16) of tube345and is also formed with distal end347of tube345. The second side is oriented to be a right-handed side of tube345. Cutouts348aand348beach include the three portions of cutout148: an upper portion353and a lower portion355, which are minor images of each other, and a center portion357that is larger and extends further toward inner assembly receiving end336than the upper and lower portions. However, first cutout348ain third support arm104cis configured to face a first end107of the second light fixture102inFIGS. 1 and 2and second cutout348bin third support arm104cis configured to face a second end109of first light fixture102inFIGS. 1 and 2. In addition, upper screw159of light fixture102mates with upper portion353of cutouts348aor348band lower screw159mates with lower portion355of cutouts348aor348b. Third support arm104cbecomes a mid support arm for modular valance fixture100.

With reference back toFIG. 1, modular valance fixture100includes two identical light fixtures102, three identical inner assemblies or bases128, two identical outer assemblies or sleeves134and one different outer assembly334. Outer assemblies134are identical, but assembled to modular valance fixture100in two different orientations. For first support arm104aand the first orientation, first side149having cutout148is orientated to be on a left-handed side of sleeve134. For second support arm104band the second orientation, first side149having cutout is orientated to be on a right-handed side of sleeve134. For third support arm104c, the orientation is unimportant just as long as first cutout348aand348care on the left-handed and right-handed side of sleeve334.

Although modular valance fixture100illustrates only two light fixtures102, it is possible for modular valance fixture100to have many more. In this embodiment, modular valance fixture100will still only include a single first support arm104aand a single second support arm104b. However, to support all of the additional light fixtures, for every additional light fixture added beyond two light fixture, an additional third support arm or mid support arm104cwill be needed.

Although modular valance fixture100illustrates two light fixtures102, it is possible for modular valance fixture100to have only one light fixture102. In this embodiment, modular valance fixture100will only include a single first support arm104a, a single second support arm104band third support arm104cwill be removed from modular valance fixture100.

FIG. 17is a perspective view of a modular valance fixture400for lighting a gondola display fixture500and a back wall600according to another embodiment. Modular valance fixture400includes at least one elongated light fixture or light assembly402. InFIG. 17, two elongated light fixtures or light assemblies402are shown. Modular valance fixture400further includes at least two support arms. InFIG. 17, a first support arm104a, a second support arm104band a third support arm104care shown. In particular, support arms104a,104band104care those supports arms described above and include three identical inner assemblies or bases128, two identical outer assemblies or sleeves134and one different outer assembly334. Outer assemblies134are identical, but assembled to modular valance fixture400in two different orientations. For first support arm104aand the first orientation, first side149having cutout148is orientated to be on a left-handed side of sleeve134. For second support arm104band the second orientation, first side149having cutout is orientated to be on a right-handed side of sleeve134. For third support arm104c, the orientation is unimportant just as long as first cutout348aand348care on the left-handed and right-handed side of sleeve334.

FIG. 18is a perspective view of a portion of modular valance fixture400including first support arm104a, third support arm104cand first elongated light fixture402.FIG. 19is a top view ofFIG. 18,FIG. 20is a front view ofFIG. 18andFIG. 21is a right side view ofFIG. 18. First support arm104aand third support arm104c; position first elongated light fixture402away from wall502of gondola display fixture500. With reference back toFIG. 17, second support arm104band third support arm104cposition second elongated light fixture102away from wall502.

FIG. 22is a perspective view of light assembly402. In particular,FIG. 22is a perspective view of first elongated light fixture202, but second elongated light fixture202is identical to first elongated light fixture202. In fact, any of the elongated light fixtures used in modular valance fixture400are identical.FIG. 23is a top view ofFIG. 22,FIG. 24is a bottom view ofFIG. 22andFIG. 25is an enlarged right side view ofFIG. 22.

Elongated light fixture402includes a housing or channel frame406to which a plurality of lights408are mounted and that contains components for providing the plurality of lights408with power. For example, lights408can be LEDs that are provided on a board that is mounted to housing or channel frame406and housing or channel frame406can contain various components, such as wires, quick connects, a LED driver and bolts or screws for mounting those components to housing or channel frame406. In particular and as illustrated inFIG. 22, housing406includes a first end407and a second end409. Housing406further includes a front leg410(also illustrated inFIGS. 18-20) that faces forward, a bottom leg412that faces downward, a first angled leg414, that faces downwardly at an angle and a second angled leg416that faces upwardly at an angle. Each of front leg410, bottom leg412, first angled leg414and second angled leg416extend from first end407to second end409of light fixture402. Mounted to an outer surface of first angled leg414and to an outer surface of second angled leg416are the plurality of lights408that also extend from first end407to second end409. In this way, light fixture402washes light in a downward direction as illustrated by arrows426a,426band426cand in an upward direction as illustrated by arrows427a,427band427c. The downward wash of light illuminates merchandise on gondola display fixture500. The upward wash of light illuminates retail store wall600, which can be painted or include graphics, etc.

At the corners where first angled leg414intersects with bottom leg412and where second angled leg416meets with a top cover424are slots420and421. Slot420is located on a bottom of light assembly402and slot421is located on a top of light assembly402. Diffuser422sits in slots420and421, covers the plurality of lights408and diffuses the light emanating from the plurality of lights408to form the upward wash of light and the downward wash of light. Diffuser422has a curved or arcuate shape in order to cover both directions of upward washing and downward washing lights. Elongated light fixture402further includes top cover424fixed to housing406by at least one fastener, such as a screw. Top cover424(also illustrated inFIGS. 22-23) protects the components, such as wires and the driver, that are located within an area of the housing406defined by front leg410, bottom leg412, first angled leg414and second angled leg416from the environment. Still further, elongated fixture402includes pre-attached screws459located on each of first end407and second end409. The upper screw459mates with upper portion153of cutout148or353of cutouts348aor348band lower screw459mates with lower portion155of cutout148or355of cutouts348aor348b.