Abstract:
A lighting system for ceiling grid systems advantageously uses a grid member designed to cooperate with a strip light to secure the strip light generally aligned beneath the grid system. The grid system can be initially installed with the cooperating grid members at specified locations. The strip lights can then be installed to the grid system. This arrangement simplifies installation particularly installations in commercial type spaces and larger scale architectural projects.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/827,345, filed on Aug. 17, 2015, which is a continuation of International Patent Application PCT/CA2015/000414 filed on Jun. 26, 2015 that claims priority of Canadian application SN 2,857,004 filed on Jul. 16, 2014. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to strip lighting, and in particular relates to strip lighting for use in association with grid type ceiling systems. 
         [0003]    Low voltage lighting systems have gained substantial acceptance in the market place and narrow profile elongate strip lighting has been used in association with ceiling grid systems. The actual strip lighting is often a series of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) located in a common housing. 
         [0004]    In one known prior art arrangement the actual strip light is a cross member of a T-bar grid system. The strip light is an integral component of the T-bar grid member and the lamp is selectively connected to a low voltage driver arrangement provided above the ceiling. 
         [0005]    There remains a need to provide a system that allows selective securement of strip lighting to a ceiling grid system where the ceiling grid system is installed in a conventional manner and strip lighting is secured to the grid system. 
         [0006]    For many large scale commercial type applications, grid ceiling systems are initially installed by personnel who are not directly responsible or qualified with respect to the installation of electrical systems. The ceiling system is typically designed to allow light fixtures to be installed by electricians etc. after installation of the grid system. There remains a need to provide a system that allows strip lighting to be installed in such a conventional manner. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a releasable securing system where strip lighting cooperates with a structural member of the grid ceiling system. Specialized grid members are used in association with concealed type ceiling paneling systems or traditional T-bar type systems. The present design utilizes a releasable connection of a separate strip light housing to the grid member whereby the strip lighting is installed after the grid system has been put in place and is an integrated component of the ceiling system. 
         [0008]    The ceiling grid system according to the present invention receives an LED strip light and the system comprises a series of connected grid members for supporting and securing the peripheral edge of ceiling panels aligned with the grid system. At least some of the grid members have a downwardly opening recess that extends in the length of the grid member and the downwardly opening recess releasably engages and secures an LED strip light such that the strip light is exposed on a lower surface of the grid network. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of a ceiling grid system with one strip light exposed on a lower surface of the ceiling; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view showing the end section of a secured strip light and four adjacent panels of the ceiling grid system; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the ceiling system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view showing the end section of two cross members of the grid supported on a main grid member; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of a main grid member with one of the cross members having an LED light secured thereto; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a further perspective view showing an LED strip light secured beneath a cross member; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a partial exploded view showing an LED strip light about to receive three spring clips in combination with a cross member of a grid system designed to releasably support the LED strip light; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is an end view of a cross member, a spring clip and a strip light aligned beneath the cross member; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a further exploded view of the cross member, the spring clip and a lamp extrusion member that will receive LED lamps; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the spring clip; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a strip light secured to the cross member; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view showing the cross member and the lamp with spring clips secured thereto; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the strip light; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is an end view of the strip light with a received securing clip. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    The ceiling grid paneling system  2  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  includes a series of secured ceiling panels a grid system  8  having a series of grid connection nodes  10  and a LED strip light  6  secured beneath one of the cross grid members and abutting two ceiling panels. Details of the LED strip light  6  and its relationship to the adjacent panels is shown in  FIG. 2 . It is preferred that the LED strip light in this case projects marginally below the lower surface of the ceiling panels. A large portion of the LED housing is hidden by the adjacent ceiling panels. The LED strip light  6  does have a certain width and therefore the two abutting adjacent panels have been cut down in size to accommodate the LED strip light. 
         [0025]    In  FIG. 3  it can be seen that the grid system  8  is exposed and in this embodiment, the ceiling grid paneling system is a concealed grid system where the grid members are hidden by the ceiling panels suspended below the grid system. Such a concealed ceiling panel grid system is in contrast to the traditional T-bar type ceiling grid system where the grid members are exposed and form part of the lower surface of the ceiling. The present system of securing the LED strip light to a grid member can also be adapted for securement to a specialized cross member of a T-bar grid system. In this case the lower edge of the strip light  6  preferably would project slightly below the lower surface of the ceiling panels. 
         [0026]    In the preferred ceiling grid paneling system as shown in  FIG. 4 , the individual ceiling panels  4  have a series of panel clips that engage the lower surface of the ceiling panel, and in combination with connection torsion springs, engage the top connecting plate  22  to suspend the panels beneath the grid system. The top connecting plate  22  includes a series of slots for receiving the arms of the torsion spring and the connecting plate also includes a series of ports that receive mechanical screws which engage receiving channels in the connecting members. In this way the grid members are connected via the top connecting plate and maintained in accurate alignment. Typically there is a main grid member, in this case shown as  28 , and conventional cross grid members  32  extend between adjacent main grid members. For the strip light the conventional cross grid members are preferably replaced with the modified cross grid member  30 . 
         [0027]    The partial perspective view of  FIG. 5  shows a connection node  10  where the top connecting plate  22  is secured to a modified cross grid member  30  that is adapted to releasably engage an LED lamp housing  60 . The LED lamp housing  60  is aligned beneath the modified cross grid member  30 . The top portion of the modified cross grid member  30  engages the top connecting plate  22  in the same manner as the other grid members. In  FIG. 6  it can be seen that the lamp housing  60  projects downwardly from the grid system and this additional distance is selected to be appropriate according to whether this is a suspended paneling ceiling system as shown in the earlier drawings or for a different type of paneling system such as a T-bar system. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show details of the cooperation of the modified cross member  30 , the lamp housing  60  and a spring clip  50  that engages the lamp housing and allows for releasable securement of the lamp housing beneath the modified grid member. 
         [0029]    The spring clips  50  as shown in  FIG. 7  are positioned at appropriate positions along the length of the lamp housing  60  and are received in a securing recess  62  of the lamp housing. The spring clip  50  is preferably of a spring steel and is inserted downwardly into the securing recess  62  and is held in the recess by means of the retaining tabs  54  of the spring clip. Basically, as the spring clip  50  is forced into the securing recess  62  the tabs  54  bend inwardly and will cam past the retaining stub arms  64  which project into the securing recess  62 . The base  56  of the spring clip will bottom out on and be supported on the base arms  68  that also extend into the securing recess. The securing recess is defined either side thereof by the limiting fingers  66 . As shown, the spring clip  50  includes its own spring arms  52  with an undulating surface for engaging securing projections of the retaining arms  36  of the modified cross member  30 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 8  shows details of the modified cross member  30 , the spring clips  50  and the preferred lamp housing  60 .  FIG. 9  shows additional details of these components and their particular cooperation. 
         [0031]    The modified cross member  30  as shown in  FIG. 5  has a top surface that is designed to allow attachment to the top connecting plate  22  which is used to connect four grid members at an intersection. The modified cross member  30  includes a pair of aligned upper flanges  38  positioned to opposite sides of the securing recess  34 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the securing recess  34  is used to allow convenient attachment to the connecting plate  22 . 
         [0032]    The spring clip  50  is adapted to be received within the lamp housing  60  and this spring clip will allow the combined lamp housing and spring clip  50  to releasably engage the modified cross member  30 . 
         [0033]    Returning to the modified cross member  30 , it can be seen that it includes lower flanges  41  which extend outwardly and are generally parallel to the upper flanges  38 . Each of the lower flanges  41  include equal length downwardly extending positioning arms  43  that are centered either side of and exterior to the retaining arms  36 . The retaining arms  36  include inwardly extending securing projections  37  that cooperate with the spring arms  52  of the spring clip  50 . The spring arms  52 , when the lamp housing  60  is brought into engagement with the combined modified cross member  30  and spring clip  50 , engage the cavity between the retaining arms  36  and the securing projections  37  engage indentations in the spring arms  52 . 
         [0034]    The lamp housing  60  includes a securing recess  62  that receives the spring clip  50 . The spring clip  50  as shown in  FIG. 12  has the base  56  of the spring clip in engagement with base arms  68  of the lamp housing  60  and these base arms extend into the securing recess  62 . The securing recess  62  above the base arras  68  include inwardly projecting stub arms  64  which cooperate with retaining tabs  54  of the spring clip  50  to maintain the spring clip  50  in the securing recess  62 . In this way the spring clip  50  is retained in the securing recess  62  and the spring clip will allow releasable attachment of the lamp housing  60  to the retaining arms  36  of the modified cross member  30 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 14 , with the spring clip  50  received in the securing recess  62 , the spring arms  52  are spaced inwardly of the limiting arras  66  and form a gap  70  that will receive the retaining arms  36  of the modified cross member  30 . 
         [0036]    It can also be seen in  FIG. 9  that the free ends of the limiting arms  66  each have an angled cam surface  67  for assistance in receiving the rotating arms  36  of the modified cross member  30 . The exterior of the limiting arras  66  include short fin type cooling extensions  71  for assistance in heat transfer to the air exterior to the lamp housing  60 . The lamp housing  60  includes a downwardly opening “U” shaped lamp chamber  73  with the base  75  of the lamp chamber  73  having two upwardly extending retaining arms  66  centered on the base  75 . 
         [0037]    The downwardly opening shaped lamp chamber  73  is closed by a light transmitting lens member or cover schematically shown as  75 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show the modified cross member  30  having the lamp housing  60  secured thereto. As shown in the sectional view of  FIG. 12 , the lamp housing  60  with the spring clip  50  secured in the securing recess  62  is moved upwardly such that the retaining arras  36  are positioned to go between the spring arms  52  and the adjacent limiting arms  66  of the lamp housing  60 . Basically the spring arms  52  may be forced inwardly allowing the retaining arms  36  to pass into the gap and securing projections  37  engage recesses in the spring arms  52  as shown. 
         [0039]    It has been found that three spring clips spaced in the length of a lamp housing  60  of a length of approximately four feet is sufficient to securely retain the lamp housing to the grid member however additional spring clips can be provided. The spring clips are placed at appropriate positions in the lamp housing typically when a light strip is made. The locking tabs  54  not only retain the clip in the securing recess  62 , they also serve to limit movement of the spring clip in the length of the extruded lamp housing. With the particular cooperation between the modified cross member  30  and the lamp housing  60  the actual lower surface of the light strip is accurately located below the grid. Basically the spring clip  50  bottoms out on the base arms  68  thereby accurately locating the spring clip and the retaining arias  36  with the securing ridges  37  accurately locate within the recesses of the spring clip. 
         [0040]    In the embodiment shown, the strip layout has the lower surface thereof slightly below the finished surface of the ceiling. The actual electrical connection of the lamp housing  60  to a power source can be made through the center of the grid by the ports provided in the length of the modified cross member  30 . Typically these ports pass through the securing recess  34  and into the space between the limiting arms  66  and to the electrical components secured within the lamp housing. A low voltage power source can be connected above the grid and the lamp selectively connected. The lamp housing  60  with a finished product will include a lens at the bottom of the lamp end caps either end of the lamp housing and may include a suitable connector. 
         [0041]    The lighting strip has been described as having a series of LED diodes as the lighting source but other low voltage lighting sources can be used. Heat generated by these sources can be dissipated by conduction to the connected grid system. Additional spring clips can be used if needed. 
         [0042]    It can be appreciated that the electrical power supply cables associated with the lamp housing can cooperate with or pass through ports in the modified cross member to gain access to the space above the grid network for electrical connection with a power source. 
         [0043]    With this arrangement the low voltage light sources contained within the lamp housing  60  collectively define a finished product and these finished lamp housings can be secured to the grid system after the grid system has been installed. For example, the grid system can be installed with the modified cross members at the desired locations for the strip lighting. As would be common, electricians can then secure as required light fixtures as well as the strip lighting to the exposed grid members. The ceiling panels would then be installed. 
         [0044]    T-bar ceiling systems utilize main T members in combination with cross T members that releasably engage the main T-bar members. There are a host of different approaches for connecting of the cross T members to the main T members. 
         [0045]    With the lamp housing and the releasable connection of the lamp housing to a cross member, the lamp housing itself can include small projecting flanges for supporting an adjacent edge of a panel. These projecting flanges would be above the lower surface of the housing and be appropriately spaced due to the engagement of the lamp housing of the modified cross member. In this way the lamp housing can be positioned slightly below the finished surface of the cross T ceiling panel system. 
         [0046]    It is also possible that the modified cross member could include its own projecting flanges which come down to engage or be positioned adjacent the lower flanges of the main T member. This modified grid member would include a large securing cavity much in the manner of the present system that allows the strip light to be secured to this slightly wider T member. 
         [0047]    Various arrangements can be designed to utilize the releasable aspect of the present lamp housing that is sized to cooperate with the ceiling grid system and essentially extends between nodes of the grid system. The advantages of the lamp being capable of being installed to a finished grid system is preferred and allows the grid system to be first installed and then subsequently the electrical fixtures can be installed. 
         [0048]    Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be made thereto without departing from the appended claims.