Mount adjustable end cap clamp lock for lighting systems

A mount adjustable end cap clamp lock used with an adjustable light source with one or both ends collared by a barrel-type end, which is rotatable within an end cap. The end cap has a mounting surface that works in conjunction with a fastener to secure the lighting system to an object. The clamp pad, which may extend beyond the mounting surface, is slidable relative to the end cap. When the fastener is tightened, the clamp pad slides relative to the end cap to press against the barrel to lock the barrel in angular position and secure the light source from rotating when the fastener is tightened to secure the lighting system to an object. The end cap in conjunction with the clamp pad serves a dual purpose.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to a display lighting system with an adjustable light source. More specifically, the lighting system includes a mount adjustable end cap clamp lock.

BACKGROUND

Lighting systems for displays often have undersurface mounting systems for light bars. A typical use would be a retail display counter. Ideally, these systems have light bars that can be adjusted for directing light where needed to illuminate the items in the display.

Lighting systems can be fastened to top, back or side wall surfaces, and may be included in aluminum light shields, which are ideal for mounting on front or rear surfaces inside a display case to give an aesthetic look and hidden illumination source.

Light bars are known as uni-directional light sources that can direct light. Some light bars include an aluminum extrusion housing with a clear polycarbonate lens. Often, these rigid light bars can rotate for directing light.

In order to focus a uni-directional light from an LED fixture, it is necessary to provide a means of rotating within an end cap relative to the support or object upon which the lighting system is mounted. Typically, a light bar is locked in position using a standard set-screws and a barrel type clamp. A split collar and screw clamp can also be used. Both of these common methods require a means to clamp the barrel separate from the means to mount the barrel.

While it is contemplated that rigid light bars are often used, flexible lighting systems are also available. U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,792 discloses a flexible lighting system including a flexible translucent rod (with an outer casing and an inner lighting core) disposed within outer casing, an attachment flange attached to the outer casing and an end cap for terminating an end of flexible lighting system. Preferably, the outer casing and the attachment flange are integrally formed to facilitate installation. The lighting core with a plurality of lighting elements is disposed within an axial aperture defined by the outer casing and contains a series of lighting elements.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a lighting system including an adjustable light source with one or both barrel-type ends, which can be rotatable within an end cap. The end cap has a mounting surface that works in conjunction with a fastener to secure the lighting system to an object. The clamp pad, which extends more than the distance between the end of the light source and the mounting surface, is slidable in association with the end cap. When the fastener is tightened, the clamp pad slides within the end cap to press against the barrel-type end to lock the end in angular position and secure the light source from rotating when the fastener is tightened.

The mount adjustable end cap combines a clamp pad and one or more mounting screws or other fasteners by providing a small loose “break” pad adjacent to the barrel. This pad slightly extends more than the distance between the bottom of the barrel and the mounting surface of the end cap. Until pressure is applied, an end of the pad resiliently extends beyond the mounting surface. This provision mechanically locks the barrel in angular position when the preferred mounting screw is tightened and the pad presses against an end of the light source.

The method of locking the angular positioning of the light bar is unique, and the end cap serves a dual purpose that is not readily apparent to other designs.

The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the disclosure that are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner. Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present disclosure may be susceptible to embodiments in different forms, the figures show, and herein described in detail, embodiments with the understanding that the present descriptions are to be considered exemplifications of the principles of the disclosure and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the figures.

As shown inFIG. 1, lighting system10includes an adjustable light source, such as a light bar12, with an end preferably collared by barrel14that can rotate within an end cap16. As shown inFIG. 2, the end cap16has a mounting surface18that works in conjunction with a fastener20, which is shown as a preferred screw or two screws. A clamp pad22is a small loose pad that can slide relative to the end cap16when the end cap16is not fastened to an object with a mountable surface, such as a typical display counter. The “object” is not part of the invention, but rather indicates the environment in which the lighting system10can be set.

The light bar12can include an aluminum extruded housing24and a clear polycarbonate lens26. The housing24can form an aspect of the barrel14. The light bar12has one end collared by a barrel14that can rotate within an end cap16, and in many instances both opposing ends of the light bar12will be collared by a barrel14. The “barrel” can otherwise be integrated or part of an end of the light bar12. The light bar12rotates, such as 90 degrees, to direct light where needed. A typical lens provides 120 degrees of illumination. This type of light bar12is intended to be available in multiple lengths. With two opposing ends of the light bar12each collared by a barrel14, each barrel14rotates within a respective end cap16, with a clamp pad22slidable in association with each end cap16.

The barrel14is typically cylindrical on a majority of the outside perimeter28with an inner depression30that corresponds to or complements the shape of the light bar12. A rounded outside perimeter28of the barrel14allows rotation within an arcuate recess32of the end cap16. A typical barrel can rotate 90 degrees for an undersurface mount while allowing light to shine away from the mounted surface, but the light bar12can rotate more or less as prudent for the design.

An end cap16that independently mounts to a surface can be “omega” shaped with a leg34extending from each side as part of the mounting surface18through which a fastener20can secure the end cap16to a mountable surface of an object. This is preferred for mounting on a flat mountable surface.

In another embodiment shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the shape of an end cap16can also correspond to the inner shape of a light shield46. The end cap16is preferably a complementary shape to the inside of a light shield46so that the end cap16is secured against more than one wall of the inner light shield46. In this embodiment, only one fastener20, such as a screw, is required for each end cap16. When the fastener20is a single screw that passes through the end cap16, tightening of the screw holds the clamp pad22against the barrel14to secure the light bar12from rotation.

The end cap16preferably has a notch36for a complementary ridge38of the clamp pad22as shown inFIG. 4. The clamp pad22can preferably slide when loose when the end cap16is not fastened to an object. The clamp pad22preferably slides perpendicular to the mounting surface18. A surface40of the clamp pad22extends past the mounting surface18of the end cap16until the fastener20is tightened whereby the pressure of being tightened against an object pushes the clamp pad22toward the barrel14to secure and prevent angular movement of the barrel14.

The portion of the clamp pad22that presses against the barrel14may have a shoulder or lip42that cannot pass through the notch36of the end cap16so that the clamp pad22does not completely slide out of the end cap16. The shoulder or lip42is preferably on the end of the clamp pad22the presses into the barrel14, opposite of the surface40. During manufacturing, the clamp pad22with a shoulder or lip42would be installed into the notch36before the barrel14is inserted. An internal shoulder or lip42or a can track can keep the clamp pad22from completely sliding out of the end cap16.

The light bar12can be fixed in one or typically two end caps16so light can be fixedly directed where needed until the fastener20is loosened allowing the clamp pad22to release off the barrel14. The end cap16both secures the light bar12to an object and with the coupled clamp pad22secures the barrel14, both when the fastener20is tightened. Thus, separate fasteners are not needed to secure the angular position of a barrel14from rotating when the fastener20is tightened.

As shown inFIG. 3, the end cap16preferably has a closed back side44so that the clamp pad22slides in notches36of the end cap16adjacent to an inner wall (not shown) of the end cap16.

The clamp pad22can be a small loose “break” pad adjacent to the barrel. Pad22slightly extends more than the distance between the bottom of the barrel14and the mounting surface18. As the fasteners20are tightened, the clamp pad22slides within the end cap16to press against the barrel14. This provision locks the barrel14in angular position and secures the barrel14from rotating when the fastener20is tightened (securing the light source12to an object) so the end cap16in conjunction with the clamp pad22serves a dual purpose.

This disclosure has been described as having exemplary embodiments and is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations using its general principles. It is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications and equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as recited in the following claims. Further, this disclosure is intended to cover such variations from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice within the art to which it pertains.