Light fixture with shielded optic

A light fixture includes at least one elongated strut and a socket formed on each strut. Each strut includes a first end, a second end, and an arcuate portion extending between the first end and the second end. An axis extends between the first end and the second end. The arcuate portion extending at least partially around the axis. The socket includes a ridge and a surface supporting a first light-emitting element. The surface is recessed relative to the ridge such that the light emitted by the light-emitting element is directed at an acute angle relative to the axis.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to light fixtures, and particularly to light fixtures with a directional light distribution.

SUMMARY

Conventional light fixtures include one or more light-emitting elements. These light-emitting elements may include a light-emitting diode or LED. The light-emitting elements may be secured to the fixture in a specific orientation such that the emitted light is distributed asymmetrically.

In one aspect, a light fixture includes at least one elongated strut, at least one first socket, and at least one second socket. Each first socket is formed on one of the at least one struts, and each second socket is formed on one of the at least one struts. Each strut includes a first end, a second end, and an arcuate portion extending between the first end and the second end. An axis extends between the first end and the second end, and the arcuate portion extends at least partially around the axis. The first socket is spaced apart from the second end of the strut by a first distance, and the first socket supports a first light-emitting element. The second socket is spaced apart from the second end of the strut by a second distance greater than the first distance, and the second socket supports a second light-emitting element. The second light-emitting element emits light along a plane that is offset in a direction parallel to the axis from the light emitted by the first light-emitting element.

In another aspect, a light fixture includes at least one elongated strut and a socket formed on each strut. Each strut includes a first end, a second end, and an arcuate portion extending between the first end and the second end. An axis extends between the first end and the second end. The arcuate portion extending at least partially around the axis. The socket includes a ridge and a surface supporting a first light-emitting element. The surface is recessed relative to the ridge such that the light emitted by the light-emitting element is directed at an acute angle relative to the axis.

Other aspects of the application will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-5illustrate a luminaire or light fixture10. In the illustrated embodiment, the light fixture10is supported on an upper end of a post or pole14(FIG. 1) and the light fixture10emits light to illuminate an area of the ground around the base of the pole14. In other embodiments, the light fixture10may be mounted in a different manner.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the light fixture10includes multiple helical strands or struts22, and each strut22includes a first or upper end26and a second or lower end30. The upper ends26of the struts22are positioned adjacent one another, and the lower ends30of the struts22are positioned adjacent one another on a base32. In the illustrated embodiments, the upper ends26of the struts22are coupled to a common cap. A fixture axis34extends between the upper ends26and the lower ends30. For purposes of this description, the terms “axial” and “axially” refer to a direction that is parallel to the fixture axis34, and the terms “radial” and “radially” refer to a direction that is perpendicular to the fixture axis34. An axial distance between the upper ends26and the lower ends30defines a height of the fixture.

An intermediate portion of each strut22between the upper end26and the lower end30forms a spiral or helical shape extending radially outwardly from the fixture axis34and extending partially around the fixture axis34. In the illustrated embodiment, each strut22extends approximately 180 degrees about the fixture axis34. In other embodiments, each strut22may extend through an angle of fewer or more than 180 degrees about the axis34. In some embodiments, each strut22may extend completely around the axis34, or each strut22may extend more than 360 degrees about the axis34. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixture10includes four struts22; in other embodiments, the fixture may include fewer or more struts. A fixture radius is defined between the axis34and the radial outer surface of the struts22. The fixture radius is largest (and the fixture10is therefore widest) at an intermediate portion at which the portion of each strut22is furthest from the axis34). In the illustrated embodiment, the fixture radius varies in magnitude along the fixture axis34.

A space or void is centered on the axis34and is formed between the intermediate portions of the struts22. Stated another way, the space is somewhat enclosed by the struts22, although the space is accessible via gaps between the struts22. The space provides an open physical structure that allows both light and air to travel through the portion of the fixture10containing the light elements.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, a portion of each strut22includes multiple light modules42and multiple sockets44. Each light module42is secured within one of the sockets44. In the illustrated embodiment, each strut22includes three light modules42and three sockets44, and the modules on each strut22are offset from one another both along the fixture axis34(e.g., vertically) and angularly about the fixture axis34(FIG. 5). In some embodiments, at least some of the modules42are also offset radially with respect to the fixture axis34such that some modules are positioned closer to the axis34than others. In the illustrated embodiment, each light module42has a circular shape and may be secured within the socket44by fasteners46. In some embodiments, each light module42may include four light-emitting elements (e.g., light-emitting diodes or LEDs). The light-emitting elements may be positioned in a cross or diamond configuration.

FIGS. 6-8illustrate the sockets44and light modules42for an individual strut22. As shown inFIG. 6, a first socket44ais formed along an edge50joining two surfaces of the strut22and is positioned proximate the base32. A second socket44bis formed on a lateral surface54of the strut22along another edge58of the strut, and is positioned proximate the upper end26. In the illustrated embodiment, the second socket44bis positioned approximately halfway between the upper end26and the lower end30of the strut22. A third socket44cis formed along the edge58between the lateral surface54and another surface positioned between the edges50and58. The third socket44cis positioned axially between the first socket44aand the second socket44b. The sockets44a,44b,44care offset from one another along the axis34.

In some embodiments, a distance between first socket44aand the lower end30of the strut22is between approximately 10% and approximately 30% of the fixture height. In some embodiments, the distance between the first socket44aand the lower end30of the strut22is between approximately 15% and approximately 25% of the fixture height. In some embodiments, the distance between the first socket44aand the lower end30of the strut22is approximately 19% of the fixture height.

In some embodiments, a distance between second socket44band the lower end30of the strut22is between approximately 25% and approximately 45% of the fixture height. In some embodiments, the distance between the second socket44band the lower end30of the strut22is between approximately 30% and approximately 40% of the fixture height. In some embodiments, the distance between the second socket44aand the lower end30of the strut22is approximately 35.7% of the fixture height.

In some embodiments, a distance between third socket44cand the lower end30of the strut22is between approximately 20% and approximately 40% of the fixture height. In some embodiments, the distance between the third socket44cand the lower end30of the strut22is between approximately 25% and approximately 35% of the fixture height. In some embodiments, the distance between the third socket44cand the lower end30of the strut22is approximately 27.4% of the fixture height.

The sockets44a,44b,44care also angularly offset from one another about the axis34. In some embodiments, a first angle90between a center of the light module in the first socket44aand a center of the light module42in the third socket44cis between approximately 20 degrees and approximately 40 degrees about the fixture axis34. In some embodiments, the first angle90is between approximately 25 degrees and approximately 35 degrees about the fixture axis34. In some embodiments, the first angle90is approximately 30 degrees about the fixture axis34.

In some embodiments, a second angle92between a center of the light module in the first socket44aand a center of the light module42in the second socket44bis between approximately 35 degrees and approximately 75 degrees about the fixture axis34. In some embodiments, the second angle92is between approximately 50 degrees and approximately 60 degrees about the fixture axis34. In some embodiments, the second angle92is approximately 56 degrees about the fixture axis34.

In some embodiments, a third angle94between a center of the light module in the second socket44band a center of the light module42in the third socket44cis between approximately 15 degrees and approximately 35 degrees about the fixture axis34. In some embodiments, the third angle94is between approximately 20 degrees and approximately 30 degrees about the fixture axis34. In some embodiments, the third angle94is approximately 26 degrees about the fixture axis34.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fixture includes four struts22equally spaced apart from one another about the axis34. As a result, the first socket44aof one strut22is spaced apart from a first socket44aof an adjacent strut by approximately 90 degrees. In other embodiments, the fixture may include fewer or more struts22, and the corresponding angle between each first socket44acould be more or less than 90 degrees. In addition, in some embodiments the struts22may not be identical or may be asymmetric about the axis34, such that an angle between sockets44on each strut22is unequal.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sockets44a,44b, and44care radially offset from one another with respect to the axis34. A radial offset distance between the first socket44aand the fixture axis34is less than a radial offset distance between the second socket44band the axis34, and is also less than a radial offset distance between the third socket44cand the axis34. In the illustrated embodiment, the radial offset distance of the second socket44bis approximately the same as the radial offset distance of the third socket44c. In other embodiments, the radial offset distance of the second socket44band the radial offset distance of the third socket44cmay be different.

In some embodiments, a radial offset distance between the center of the module42in the first socket44aand the fixture axis34is between approximately 50% and approximately 70% of the maximum fixture radius. In some embodiments, the radial offset distance between the center of the module42in the first socket44aand the fixture axis34is between approximately 55% and approximately 65% of the maximum fixture radius. In some embodiments, the radial offset distance between the center of the module42in the first socket44aand the fixture axis34is approximately 62.5% of the maximum fixture radius.

In some embodiments, a radial offset distance between the center of the module42in the second socket44band the fixture axis34is between approximately 70% and approximately 90% of the maximum fixture radius. In some embodiments, the radial offset distance between the center of the module42in the second socket44band the fixture axis34is between approximately 75% and approximately 85% of the maximum fixture radius. In some embodiments, the radial offset distance between the center of the module42in the second socket44band the fixture axis34is approximately 81.3% of the maximum fixture radius.

In some embodiments, a radial offset distance between the center of the module42in the third socket44cand the fixture axis34is between approximately 70% and approximately 90% of the maximum fixture radius. In some embodiments, the radial offset distance between the center of the module42in the third socket44cand the fixture axis34is between approximately 75% and approximately 85% of the maximum fixture radius. In some embodiments, the radial offset distance between the center of the module42in the third socket44cand the fixture axis34is approximately 81.3% of the maximum fixture radius.

Each light module42is positioned within an individual socket44. As a result, light is emitted from the fixture10from multiple planes, and the plane of emitted light from one of the sockets44a,44b,44cis axially offset from the plane of emitted light from another of the sockets44a,44b,44c. As shown inFIG. 7, each socket44includes an upper surface62and a lip or ridge66, and the upper surface62is recessed with respect to the ridge66. Stated another way, the ridge66extends axially below the upper surface62. The light emitted by the light module42is directed at an angle below a horizontal plane70so that no light is emitted in an upward direction. In addition, no light is emitted in a plane that is perpendicular to the fixture axis34(i.e., parallel to the ground). In some embodiments, a peak angle102of the emitted light relative to the fixture axis34is between approximately 45 degrees and 75 degrees relative to the fixture axis34. In some embodiments, the peak angle102of the emitted light is between approximately 60 degrees and 70 degrees relative to the fixture axis34. In some embodiments, the peak angle102of the emitted light is approximately 65 degrees relative to the fixture axis34.

As shown inFIG. 8, the modules42may be oriented to emit light is a different direction from one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the module42ain the first socket44aemits light in a first direction82athat is substantially perpendicular to the fixture axis34, while the module42cin the third socket44cemits light in a third direction82cthat is substantially perpendicular to the first direction82a. The module42bin the second socket44bemits light in a second direction82bthat is oriented at an angle with respect to both the first direction82aand the third direction82c. The arrows82a,82b, and82cmay represent a horizontal output range for the emitted light. Due to the multiple directions for the emitted light, the total light distribution is asymmetric about the fixture axis34. In some embodiments, each light module22may be independently pivoted or adjusted relative to the fixture10to change the direction of the emitted light. An example of such a light module22is described in the Appendix.

In some embodiments, an angle extending between the first direction82aand the third direction82cis between approximately 75 degrees and 105 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle extending between the first direction82aand the third direction82cis between approximately 80 degrees and 95 degrees. In some embodiments, an angle extending between the first direction82aand the third direction82cis approximately 85 degrees.

In some embodiments, an angle extending between the first direction82aand the second direction82bis between approximately 110 degrees and 150 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle extending between the first direction82aand the second direction82bis between approximately 120 degrees and 140 degrees. In some embodiments, an angle extending between the first direction82aand the second direction82bis approximately 130 degrees.

In some embodiments, an angle extending between the second direction82band the third direction82cis between approximately 35 degrees and 55 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle extending between the second direction82band the third direction82cis between approximately 40 degrees and 50 degrees. In some embodiments, an angle extending between the second direction82band the third direction82cis approximately 45 degrees.

FIGS. 9 and 10illustrate a comparison of two light distribution configurations of the fixture10in one application.FIG. 9shows a “native” output of the fixture10, with each strut having light modules42configured similar to the configuration ofFIG. 8. One side of the fixture10faces toward a structure (e.g., a house), while an opposite side faces toward a street.FIG. 10shows a modified configuration in which the base is rotated approximately 38 degrees in a counter-clockwise direction. In addition, the peak angle for the light modules42positioned closest to the structure are reduced (i.e., the angle of the emitted light relative to the axis34is less than the angle of the emitted light for other modules42). This is illustrated schematically in that the shorter arrows have a lower peak angle (e.g., for fill light at the nadir) and longer arrows have a higher peak angle for optimal pole spacing. More light is therefore directed toward the ground on the house side. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 10, the light distribution is approximately 75% on the house-side of the fixture10and approximately 25% on the street side of the fixture10.

FIGS. 11A-11Eillustrate various other embodiments of the struts22.FIG. 11Ashows a strut without any surface features or surface treatment.FIG. 11Billustrates the strut22with the “scallop”-shaped cutouts or sockets for optics, similar to the sockets44described above.FIG. 11Cshows a strut222including multiple pockets or recesses244(instead of scallop-shaped sockets) formed natively on the surfaces of the strut222, such that the surfaces of the strut222are continuous. The recesses244may be formed on multiple surfaces of the strut222.FIG. 11Dshows a strut422including a lens444having a profile matching the contour of the surface of the strut422. As a result, the surfaces of the strut422are continuous. Finally,FIG. 11Eshows a fixture610in which a globe lens642is positioned within the space between the struts622. The surfaces of each strut622may be continuous or un-interrupted, and the width of each strut622may be reduced to reduce interference with the light emitted from the globe lens642.