Abstract:
A mounting structure and associated mounting bracket for a board containing multiple LED lights is the subject of this invention. It is particularly designed for use in converting a conventional fluorescent tube housing to an LED board housing. The mounting structure includes arms which are received in a support bracket and are held by the bracket at a desirable angle. LED boards may be quickly and easily mounted to or removed from the mounting structure which in turn is easily removable from the support bracket.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     Light emitting diodes (LED) have become a popular tool in lighting pathways, walkways, and the like where the location dictates low-voltage power (i.e., battery), low voltage is desired for energy savings or relatively soft low-level lighting is an aesthetic choice. For example, enclosed parking lots may utilize LED lights to guide pedestrians to stairs or an elevator. In some instances existing fluorescent lights are being converted to LED with a number of LEDs mounted on a single board. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a structure for mounting an LED board inside a housing at a desirable angle, generally approximately 45 degrees. The invention can be utilized to mount LED boards in an existing housing that has previously been utilized for fluorescent tubes as well as new housings especially designed for LED board use. The structure of the invention includes two arms arranged in a generally V shape with opposing planar surfaces on either side of the V and a bridge which joins the two surfaces at the apex of the V. The invention also includes a bracket for mounting the aforementioned structure to a housing with the bracket including a central section which is adapted to receive a fastener, a first link which extends from the central section at the desired angle and receives one end of the LED support structure and a second link also extending at an angle from the central section and adapted to receive a second arm of the support structure. The apparatus provides for quick conversion of a conventional fluorescent housing to a housing for LED boards and mounts the boards at the proper angle for maximum light distribution and in a manner which accommodates easy service for maintenance purposes. 
     Additional aspects of the invention, together with the advantages and novel features appurtenant thereto, will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned from the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a housing for receiving the mounting bracket and LED support structure; 
         FIG. 2  is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through the housing, bracket, and support structure with the support structure in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view substantially similar to  FIG. 2  but with the support structure in latched position and with the LED boards mounted on the support structure; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged fragmentary vertical elevation of the support structure showing an LED board being positioned for retention by one of the structure arms; 
         FIG. 5  is a vertical elevational view of a retainer which is received in a receptacle formed by the mounting structure for retaining one edge of each of two LED boards; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the LED mounting structure illustrating two LED boards held in place by two retainers; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view showing the end plate which is received by the arms of the mounting structure; and 
         FIG. 8  is an elevational view of an alternative configuration for the mounting structure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a typical housing for fluorescent lighting is designated by the numeral  10 . The apparatus of the present invention for mounting LED boards within housing  10  is designated generally by the numeral  12  and includes a mounting bracket  14  and mounting structure  16 . Typically housing  10  is mounted on or parallel to a surface of a building or other structure at a height of 8 to 10 feet above the floor. Mounting structure  16  is designed to hold two LED boards  18  which include a number of light emitting diodes. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , mounting bracket  14  comprises a generally flat horizontal center section  22  which receives a bolt  24  for securing the bracket to housing  10 . The bracket includes first and second links  26  and  28  which are rigid with and extend from the central section  22  at an acute angle. First link  26  terminates in a pair of unmatched hooks  30   a  and  30   b  which present a socket  31  for receiving mounting structure  16 . The second link  28  terminates in an inverted T  32  and a curved arm  34  which presents a catch  36 . Catch  36  receives a portion of mounting structure  16 . The width of bracket  14  relative to the cross section shown in  FIG. 2  can be understood from the perspective view of  FIG. 1 . It is to be understood that bracket  14  may be of any width and could extend the entire length of the LED boards  18 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , details of the mounting structure  16  will be described. Mounting structure  16  is formed in a general V shape with a first arm  38  which extends at approximately a 45 degree angle relative to the horizontal and a second arm  40  extending at the same angle so that the two arms form an approximately 90 degree angle. These arms are joined at the apex of the V by a bridge  42  which is a curved surface that in cooperation with arms  38  and  40  present a receptacle  44 . Arms  38  and  40  are identical in construction with the exception of their terminal ends. The common components of the arms will be described utilizing the same reference letters. Each arm has a planar surface A one end of which cooperates with bridge  42  to form receptacle  44 . The other end of each arm presents a slot B and an adjoining lip C. Opposite slot B is spur D which presents a socket E. Those components of first arm  38  which are not common with second arm  40  will now be described. A planar section  46  integral with the spur D of arm  38  extends from the socket to form truncated ball  48  which is received in the socket  31  of first link  26 . Arm  40  includes a planar section  50  which is of greater length than planar section  48  and terminates in a rounded end  50   a . The arm is sufficiently resilient that it can be pushed past catch  36  to provide a snap fit. Also, a portion of planar section  50  engages the horizontal surface of inverted T  32  which forms a stop that precludes the arm from moving farther than desired. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , a retainer  52  is received by receptacle  44  to hold the LED boards  18  mounted on planar surfaces A in place. Each retainer  52  comprises opposed wings  54  which overlie the LED boards and resilient legs  56  which engage the walls of receptacle  44 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , an end cap  58  is received by sockets E and includes a deflector surface  60 . Housing  10  is shown in an inverted position in  FIG. 7  rather than its normal position when in use as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In use, housing  10  is mounted directly to or hung from the ceiling or other overhead support for the surface to be illuminated by LED lights  20 . Mounting bracket  14  is secured to the housing by bolt  24  as previously described. Ball  48  is rotatable in socket  31  to accommodate movement of arm  40  toward link  28  where it is locked in place by catch  36 . LED boards  18  are secured to mounting structure  16  by slipping each board into slot B of arms  38  and  40 , positioning the boards flat against planar surfaces A and then inserting retainer  52  into receptacle  44 . The manner of insertion of the LED board into the slot is shown in  FIG. 4 . It is to be noted that the throat or opening of slot B has a dimension which is slightly greater than the thickness of LED board  18  thus allowing for lower tolerances with regard to both components than would be the case if planar surface A extended beneath lip C. However, the distance between a phantom extension of surface A to directly beneath lip C will be approximately equal to the thickness of board  18  to ensure a tight fit. Retainer  52  is formed from a resilient memory material such as plastic so that the legs may be compressed for insertion into the throat of receptacle  44  and then released to engage the inner surface of the receptacle. 
     Planar section  50  is formed from a resilient memory material such as plastic so that it can easily be forced past catch  36  to form a tight snap fit for mounting structure  16 . This also accommodates quick release of mounting structure  16  by simply pulling on arm  50  to allow structure  16  to be moved downward for maintenance of the components (not shown) within housing  10 . 
     It is to be understood that reference to the inverted V-shaped mounting bracket  14  is intended to be broadly construed and encompass any configuration where two generally downwardly sloping members are joined at the apex. This would include a configuration where there is no well defined central bracket section  22  but rather first and second links which directly intersect or a central section that is other than planar. While bracket links  26  and  28  are preferably disposed at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the horizontal, this angle could vary from 30-60 degrees. It would also encompass a bracket that is integrally formed with housing  10 . 
     Similarly, the term “V-shaped” as applied to mounting structure  16  is intended to encompass any configuration where opposed sloping surfaces extend at approximately 90 degrees relative to each other and at approximately 45 degrees relative to the horizontal and present planar surfaces for mounting LED boards  18 . The sloping surfaces could, however, vary from 30 degrees to 60 degrees relative to the horizontal. Rather than a distinct bridge  42  as shown in the preferred embodiment, the bridge may be formed by the intersection of planar surfaces A. Also bridge  42  could include an integrally formed retainer for boards  18  eliminating the need for separate retainers  52 . As will be discussed below, bridge  42  may also be formed to present a third planar surface which receives an additional LED board. 
     Retainers  52  may be individual components as shown in  FIGS. 1-3  or may be of a length extending the entire length of the associated LED board. It should also be understood that other types of retainers may be employed without departing from the invention including threaded fasteners. It is preferable that retainer arms  54  be formed so they are “off parallel” relative to planar surfaces A by 2-4 degrees so they add spring tension to the board once the latter is in place on surface A. 
     Retainers  52  may have flared ends on wings  54  to facilitate their removal. Another alternative construction for retainer  52  is to eliminate legs  56  and instead construct wings  54  with an integral section which extends from the terminus of one wing, around the edge of one arm, forming a recessed connecting section within the cavity formed by bridge  42  and then extending around the other arm to join the other wing. 
     All of the components may be formed from aluminum, thermal plastic, or other heat resistant material. One of the advantages of mounting structure  14  is that it serves as a heat sink to reduce the heat output of the fixture. 
     An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 8  where the mounting structure is designated generally by the numeral  116  and distinguished in part by a bridge  142  which forms a third planar surface A′ for receiving an additional LED board (not shown) substantially identical to boards  18 . A first arm  138  and a second arm  140  generally correspond to arms  38  and  40  described in the preferred embodiment. Arm  138  is integrally formed with a planar section  46  as previously described for the preferred embodiment and arm  140  is integral with a second planar section  50  as previously described. Rather than utilization of a retainer  52  as described for the preferred embodiment, each of arms  138 ,  140 , and bridge section  142  are formed with an integral threaded socket  138   a ,  140   a , and  142   a , respectively, for receiving a complimentary threaded fastener for retaining an LED board in place on their planar surfaces. The backside (side opposite the planar surfaces) of arms  138  and  140  as well as bridge  142  are characterized by a series of projections F, G, and H of varying height which greatly increase the surface area of the mounting structure and thus its heat retention capabilities. Placement and utilization of structure  116  is identical to structure  16  as previously described except for the utilization of threaded sockets  138   a ,  140   a , and  142   a  to receive appropriate fasteners (not shown) for mounting LED boards  18 . It is to be understood that utilization of projections F, G, and H could be employed with the mounting structure  16  described in the preferred embodiment. It is further to be understood that the threaded sockets  138   a ,  140   a , and  142   a  could be employed in the preferred embodiment rather than utilizing retainer  52  and slots B and lips C as previously described. 
     From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objectives herein-above set forth, together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the invention. 
     Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matters herein set forth are to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense. 
     While specific embodiments have been shown and discussed, various modifications may of course be made, and the invention is not limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts and steps described herein, except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims. Further, it will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.