Patent Publication Number: US-11391452-B1

Title: Surface mounted lighting systems preferably for use as ceiling lighting

Description:
This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/773,970, filed Jan. 27, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The disclosure relates generally to lighting systems and more particularly to a surface mounted lighting systems. 
     2. Background 
     With conventional “pot light” and other ceiling lighting systems, installation typically requires drilling and hammering items into the ceiling and wall, and usually requires a professional electrician to perform the installation. What is needed is a ceiling lighting system that can be easily and quickly installed without tools and drilling that can be manually installed by the homeowner without the need for hiring a professional electrician. The below described novel surface mounted electrical device/lighting system is directed to overcoming the above issues with installation of current ceiling lighting systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     A novel surface mounted electrical device system is disclosed, which in one non-limiting embodiment can be a lighting system having a pair of copper foils/strips (“copper strips”) extending along a majority of, if not the entire, length of a removable guide tape. The copper strips are provided with adhesive on their opposite side for securement to the intended surface (e.g. ceiling, wall, etc.) in a room. One or more lights (e.g. 12V LED light) can be adhered to the surface secured copper tape, after the guide tape is removed, to create an electrical connection/communication between the tape and light(s). An electrical controller can also be adhered to the copper tape preferably similar to how the lights are secured to the copper tape to create an electrical connection/communication between the electrical controller and the copper tape and for sending power to the light(s) when the electrical controller is turned on or otherwise instructed. Though the electrical controller is preferably electrically connected to an electrical outlet within the room for receiving power, it is also within the scope of the disclosure that the electrical controller can also be powered by battery (rechargeable and/or non-rechargeable battery(ies)). Though optional, a remote controller can also be preferably provided for allow the user to remotely and wirelessly electrically communicate with the electrical controller to operate the lighting system. 
     Though not considered limiting, the disclosed system is preferably for use as a ceiling lighting system. Other non-limiting examples of electrical devices that can be mounted, with or without the lights also mounted, include a ceiling fan, audio speakers, security cameras, etc. 
     The disclosed lighting system allows a user to relatively quickly, safely and easy manually install a lighting system in a room without any drilling into the walls or ceilings of the room and without having to hire a professional electrician. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment for the surface mounted lighting system in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a non-limiting light embodiment shown secured/electrically connected to the copper strips of the surface mounted lighting system with the copper strips secured to the surface and after the guide tape has been pulled off the copper strips in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a back view of a non-limiting light embodiment showing the contacts for the light that contact the copper strips in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up plan view of a corner member used for connecting adjacent copper strips at a corner turn for the layout of the copper strips in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a front plan view of a portion of a length of tape containing the pair of copper strips in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the non-limiting light embodiment emphasizing the multiple layers for the contacts of  FIG. 3  in accordance with the present disclosure, with the layers enlarged for illustrative purposes only; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of guide tape with copper strips/tape prior to installation to the surface in accordance with the present disclosure, with the multiple layers enlarged for illustrative purposes only; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a more elaborate copper strips pattern for the lighting system including a “plus” shaped copper strip intersection and a “T” shaped copper strip intersection and the use of cross shaped and T shaped member having insulating portions for proper electrical connection of the various copper strips at the intersections in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a bottom view of one non-limiting “T” shaped member and showing the insulated portion in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a bottom view of the plus/cross shaped member and showing the insulated portion in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a first additional and non-limiting angled overlapping member in accordance with the present disclosure that can be used similar to the corner member shown in  FIG. 4  for non 90° turns/relationship between adjacent copper strips based on a particular copper strip pattern; and 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a second additional and non-limiting angled overlapping member in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As seen in the drawing figures, a novel surface mounted lighting/electrical device system is shown and generally designated lighting/electrical device system  100  (collectively “lighting system  100 ”). In a preferred non-limiting embodiment, lighting system  100  can comprise a first strip or length of conductive material, a second strip or length of conductive material, one or more electrical devices in electrical communication with the first conductive strip and the second conductive strip and an electrical device controller also in electrical communication with the first conductive strip and the second conductive strip. 
     Though not considered limiting, the first conductive strip can be a length of a copper member/copper tape/copper foil  110  (collectively “copper strip  110 ”) and the second conductive strip can be a length of a copper member/copper tape/copper foil  140  (collectively “copper strip  140 ”). 
     The electrical device can be one or more lights  180 , a ceiling fan, audio speakers, etc., or a combination thereof, which are in electrical communication with copper strip  110  and copper strip  140 . Though preferably the audio speakers are wireless (i.e. Bluetooth communication), it is within the scope of the disclosure to include wired speakers also with system  100 . Additional mounting connecter/holders would also be preferably provided for securing a ceiling fan give the additional weight considerations of a fan as compared to the weight of light  180 . 
     As mentioned above, the electrical device/light controller  220  is also in electrical communication with copper strip  110  and copper strip  140 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , light controller  220  can be preferably powered by a conventional AC outlet  300  using a conventional electrical cord  350  or can alternatively be battery powered (rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery(ies)). Thought the disclosure includes the use of a single light  180 , as seen in  FIG. 1  in many applications a plurality of lights  180  will be used and incorporated for lighting system  100 . 
     Preferably, an optional remote controller  400  can be provided for wireless communication with light controller  220  to control lighting system  100 . Though not considered limiting, remote controller  400  can be used to turn the one or more lights  180  “on” and “off”, as well as for dimming and/or controlling the brightness of light(s)  180 . A remote holder  430  can be provided and mounted to a wall  490  or other surface for holding or storing remote controller  400 . In an alternative embodiment (or in addition to providing remote controller  400 ), one or more control buttons can be provided and accessed by a user directly on light controller  220  for controlling light(s)  180 . 
     Preferably, copper strip  110  and copper strip  140  can be provided together on a piece of corresponding length of adhesive tape  500 , with strips  110  and  140  spaced apart in a preferred parallel relationship to each other. Tape  500  (containing strips  110  and  140 ) can be provided in a roll form. In one non-limiting installation method, a user/installer can roll a desired length of tape needed and cuts such length from the remaining roll. Tape  500  preferably provides the preferred mechanism for securing the associated copper strips/tape  110  and  140  to the surface (e.g. ceiling, wall, etc.). Tape  500  acts as a guide for strips  110  and  140  to help ensure that strips  110  and  140  are secured to the surface at a preferred consistent distance  113  (i.e. substantially parallel) between strips  110  and  140 . As seen in  FIG. 7 , in addition to tape  500 , and strips  110  and  140 , the roll also preferably includes a releasable/removable cover  528  (preferably constructed from paper though not considered limiting) disposed over the strips  110  and  140 , while the strips are rolled up as part of the roll for tape  500 . The removable cover  528  is removable secured to and over strips  110  and  140  by an adhesive  532  disposed on side  112  and  142  of strips  110  and  140 , respectively. Preferably, adhesive  532  can be non-conductive. Guide tape  500  can be removably/releasably secured to strips  110  and  140  also be an adhesive. A single cover  528  can be provided that covers both strips  110  and  140 , or each strip can be provided with its own cover  528 . 
     To install strips  110  and  140 , after unrolling a desired length of guide tape  500  with strips  110  and  140  and cover paper(s)  528  or cutting such desired length from the roll, cover paper(s)  528  is removed (i.e. pulled off) exposing adhesive  532  (preferably nonconductive) to allow strips  110  and  140  to be secured to (i.e. stuck on, etc.) the desired surface (e.g. ceiling, wall, etc.). At this point, associated length of tape  500  is preferably still secured to strips  110  and  140 . With strips  110  and  140  properly secured, the user than removes the length of tape  500  to expose and make accessible the other side  114  and  144  (i.e. previously covered by tape  500 ) of strips  110  and  140 , respectively, for securement of light  180  or other electrical device and/or controller  220 , which will be discussed in more detail below. Preferably, tape  500  can be clear, transparent or translucent, though such is not considered limiting. 
     In one non-limiting embodiment the electrical device to be secured to the copper strips can be one or more lights, such as light  180  (See  FIG. 2 ). Though shown having round shaped housing, the housing shape for light  180  can be any shape desired in addition to round and all shaped are considered within the scope of the disclosure. As seen in  FIG. 2 , light  180  can include a housing member  182  having an outer perimeter  184  (having an outer surface  186 ) and a back surface  188  (see  FIG. 3 ), one or more and preferably a plurality of bulbs  190  (preferably LED bulbs, though not considered limiting) and conventional electrical/light circuitry disclosed within housing  182 . A clear, transparent or translucent cover  192  can be provided over bulb(s) and preferably is secured to outer perimeter  184 . One or more removable dots or other removable markings  194  can be secured to light  180  and are shown as preferably two stickers that can be removably secured to surface  186 . An electric flow marking  196  can also be secured to light  180  and is shown as preferably a removable arrow sticker pointing in a specific direction/position that light  180  should be secured to strips  110  and  140  to ensure proper electrical flow. Though not considered limiting, as seen in  FIG. 2 , flow marking  196  can be an arrow sticker and can be removably secured to cover  192 . Markings  194  are used to also properly position light  180  with respect to strips  110  and  140 . Thus, when markings  194  are preferably positioned to line up with distance  113  between strips  110  and  140  (See  FIG. 2 ) the contact members on back surface  188  of light  180  will be properly aligned with strips  110  and  140  to allow the contact members to make a proper electrical connection with strips  110  and  140  when light  180  is secured to strips  110  and  140 . Once light  180  is secured, markings  194  and flow marking  196  (i.e. preferably stickers) can be removed from light  180 . Similar removable positioning markings  194  and flow marking  196  can also be provided on controller  220  for aiding in properly securing controller  220  to the intended surface. Preferably, the direction of the arrow/flow marking used for controller  220  can be the same direction for arrow/flow marking  196  fused or each light  180 , particularly where the strips  110 / 140  for a single line (i.e. without intersections of strips, etc.). 
       FIG. 3  and  FIG. 6  illustrate a back and side, respectively, for a preferred non-limiting embodiment for light  180 , when the electronic device is a light. As seen, contact member  202  and  204  are provided on back surface  188 . Depending on the proper orientation of light  180  in a particular designed lighting system, contact member  202  either makes electrical contact and connection with strip  110  or  140 , and contact member  204  makes electrical contact with the other strip not contacted by contact member  202 , either  140  or  110 , respectively. As mentioned above, lining up markings  194  and flow marking  196  when attaching light  180 , ensures the contact member  202  makes electrical contact with the proper conductive strip  110 / 140  and that contact member  204  makes electrical contact with the other conductive strip  140 / 110 . 
     Each contact member  202  and  204  are preferably multi-layered and constructed similar to each other, such that the description for the layers of contact member  202 , also apply for contact member  202 . Additionally, the back surface of controller  220  also contains a pair of similar contact members for electrically connecting controller  220  to strips  110  and  140 , such that the discussion of the layers for contact member  202  is also applicable for the description of the contact members of controller  220 . The permanent layers making up the contact member can comprise foam tape  206  (preferably double sided, though not limiting), a conductive member (preferably in the non-limiting form of copper tape/foil  208  and conductive adhesive  210 . Prior to attaching light  180  or controller  220 , a removable cover  212  (preferably in the non-limiting form of a removable paper cover) can be provided over conductive adhesive  210 , such that the adhesive of conductive adhesive is protected and not exposed prior to use. When light  180  (or controller  220 ) is to be attached to the surface, paper cover  212  is removed to expose conductive adhesive  210  and allow such adhesive to secure light  180  or controller  220  to the surface. 
     The foam strips  206  of contact members  202  and  204  can be attached to back surface  188  by conventional means (i.e. adhesive, glues, tapes, etc.) and can be preferably positioned side by side to each other. Contact members  202  and  204  provide for a “positive” and “negative” electrical connection for light  180  (or other electrical device) with the copper strips  110  and  140  secured to the surface. Preferably, the space between contact members  202  and  204  is the same or similar to space/distance  113  between strips  110  and  140  disposed on the surface. The double-sided copper tape  208  on top of foam strips  206  can be provided with conductive adhesive on both sides, with a portion of wire  214   a  or  214   b  sandwiched in between foam  206  and copper  208 . Wires  214   a  and  214   b  preferably deliver electrical energy for running the preferred LED light  180  or other electrical device and communicate with a positive and negative electrical connection on the circuit board within light  180  or controller  220 . One wire  214   a  or  214   b  is electrically connected (e.g. soldered, etc.) to the positive connection and the other wire  214   b  or  214   a  is electrically connected to the negative connection. The opposite ends of wire  214   a  and  214   b  are electrically connected with associated contact members  202  and  204 . Preferably, the left positioned contact member (i.e. using arrow marking  196  as a positional basis) can be designated or configured for the negative connection. 
     As mentioned above, release paper  212  is pulled off from both contact members  202  and  204  (i.e. either separate release papers for each contact member or a single larger release paper covering both contact members) or otherwise removed when installing light  180 , and light  180  can then be stuck to or onto the installed copper tape/strips  110  and  140 . 
     A first surface of foam tape  206  is adhered or otherwise secured to back surface  188  of light  180 . The conductive member (e.g. copper tape  208 ) is attached to other opposite surface of foam tape  206  with a second end portion of electrical wire  214   a  sandwiched between conductive member  208  and foam tape  206  of first contact member  202  and with a second end portion of electrical wire  214   b  sandwiched between conductive member  208  and foam tape  206  of second contact member  204 , such that electrical wires  214   a  and  214   b  are in electrical connection and communication with their associated conductive member  208 . The first opposite end portion of electrical wire  214  can be contained within light housing  182  and electrically connected to the light circuitry/electronics/circuit board contained within light housing. Preferably, a hole or opening  215  can be provide in back surface  188  or another area of light housing  182  to allow wire  214  to extend out of light housing  182  and make contact with conductive member  208 . 
     Conductive adhesive  210  is provided over the outer surface of conductive member  208  and helps to ensure a proper electrical communication/connection between conductive member  208  and either conductive strip  110  or  140 , when light  180  or controller  220  is secured to the surface, in addition to securing the electrical devices (e.g. lights  180 , etc.) and controller  220  to the surface. 
     As referenced above, the preferred LED lights of lights  180  can be controlled through controller  220  which is also electrically connected to conductive strips  110  and  140  similar to how lights  180  are connected. Where the system is used with other electrical devices (e.g. ceiling fan, audio equipment, security cameras, etc.), controller  220  can be used for controlling such other electrical devices. Thus, controller  220  also includes a housing  222  and has similar contact members  202  and  204  on a back surface of housing  222 , similar to light  180 . The controller contact members are thus also preferably side by side and represent the “positive” and “negative” for the electrical circuit. The above description of the preferred multi layers contact members  202  and  204  for light  180  also applies to the description for the preferred multi layers contact member  202  and  204  for controller  220 . Accordingly, the contact members for light  180  and for controller can be constructed and function operate similarly/identically. Also, similar to light  180 , an output electrical wire will be sandwiched in the multi-layer contact members for controller  220  at one end and will be in communication with the controller circuitry/electronics disposed within controller housing  222  at its opposite second end. As such, when installing controller  220 , the release paper is pulled off contact members  202  and  204  to expose the conductive adhesive which is used to stick controller  220  on the previously copper tape/conductive strips  110  and  140 . Once completed, a preferred 120V to 12V AC to DC adaptor  272  can be conventionally plugged into an electrical outlet  274  and through an electrical cord  276  running from adaptor  272  plugged into or connected with controller  220  to provide for an electrical connection between  272  and controller  220 . By using adaptor  272 , system  100  can be a 12V low voltage electrical device/lighting system  100 . Accordingly, in a first preferred embodiment, a surface mounted low-voltage (e.g. 12V DC, etc.) LED lighting kit can be provided. In an alternative embodiment, controller  220  can be powered by one or more batteries (rechargeable or nonchargeable) as opposed to powering controller  220  through an existing electrical outlet and requiring adaptor  272  to convert the voltage to low DC voltage. 
     One or more control buttons can be provided directly on controller  220  for controlling operation of light  180  or other electronic device and/or a remote controller  400  can be provided for sending commands remotely to controller  220  by a user for controlling operation of light  180  (i.e. on, off, dimness level, strobing, flashing etc.) or other electric device mounted through system  100 . Remote controller  400  communicates with controller  220  through conventional electronic communication/wireless technologies and all are considered within the scope of the disclosure. An optional remote-control holder  430  can also be provided and preferably also surface mounted to provide for safe storage of remote control  400 , while also making it easy to find remote control  400  when needed. Remote control  400  can be preferably used/operated while stored in holder  430  or can also be removed from holder  430  and similarly used/operated. Any conventional technology now known or later developed can be used for providing electrical communication (i.e. wireless) between remote controller  400  and controller  220 . 
     An optional triangle or similar shaped member can be provided and used as a tool for the user when cutting an end of guide tape  500 , with strips  110  and  140 . The triangle member aids the user in cutting tape  500  and strips  110  and  140  at the proper angle (i.e. 45°, 135°, etc.) so that the end can be positioned with a similar shaped end of an adjacent tape  500  (strips  110  and  140 ) (See  FIG. 4 ) when creating a corner turn  370  for lighting system  100 . Additionally, other aids or different angled member can also be provided to help in cutting tape  500  at other desired angles. For a ninety (90°) degree turn/relationship between adjacent lengths of strips  110  and/or  140 , a conductive or copper corner member  380  (See  FIG. 4 —right angle corner member shown) can be preferably provided and disposed over the corners to ensure that an electrical connection is maintained between the adjacent strips. The materials used for copper corner member  380  can be similarly or the same as those used for strips  110  and  140 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a section of guide tape  500  with strips  110  and  140  maintained thereon in a preferred spaced apart and parallel relationship to each other. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a more elaborate non-limiting conductive strip pattern for system  100  and shows a plus (+) shaped intersection  600  and T shaped intersection  660  non-limiting examples, with each form from several adjacent strips  110  and  140 . For the “plus” shaped intersection example, one strip  110   a  or  140   a  needs to be electrically connected to another strip  110   b  or  140   b , but a different strip  110   c  or  140   c  is positioned between strips  110   a  and  110   b  or  140   a  and  140   b . There an electrical connector, similar in operation to corner member  380  needs to be provided to electrically connect strips  110   a  and  110   b  or strips  140   a  and  140   b  to each other, while at the same time not electrically connecting dissecting strip  110   c  or  140   c  so as to prevent shorting of the circuit. For the plus intersection  600  a plus, cross or similar shaped electrical/conductive connector member  620  (see  FIG. 10 ) can be provided and is provided with an insulation portion  640  (e.g. paper, other insulating material, etc.) that is positioned over the particularly dissecting strip  110   c  or  140   c  needing to be avoided (i.e. not electrically connected). As seen in  FIG. 8 , one plus/cross shaped connector  620  insulates dissecting strip  110   c  and a second plus/cross shaped connector  620  insulates dissecting strip  140   c  and they provide the cross over electrical connections between strips  110   a  and  110   b  and strips  140   a  and  140   b . For T shaped intersection  660 , T or similar shaped electrical/conductive connector member  670  (see  FIG. 9 ) can be provided for electrical connection between strips  110   c  and  140   c  (or similar other strips) with strips  110   d  and  140   d . In this perpendicular relationship between strips  110   c  and  140   c  with strips  110   d  and  140   d , only one strip  110   d  or  140   d , needs to be “jumped” over (i.e. insulated) to prevent shorting and the other connection between  110   c  or  140   c  with strips  110   d  or  140   d , needs to be electrically connected similar to corner member  380  (i.e. without any insulated member) but with connector member  670  shaped different from the shape of corner member  380 . Accordingly, a first T or similar shaped electrical connector  670  can be provided with an insulated portion  672  (i.e. similar to insulated portion  622  used with plus/cross shaped connector  620 ), whereas the second T or similar shaped electrical connector  670  does not contain insulated portion since no jump/crossover is needed for the connection created by second connector  670 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate additional non-limiting shaped conductive connector members  680  and  690 , respectively, that can be used to connect adjacent conductive/copper strips  110  or  140  that are disposed at other angular relationships to each other. Conductive connector members  680  and  690  function (and can be constructed) similar to corner member  380  and are secured over the ends of conductive/copper strips  110 / 140  similar to that described above for corner member  380 . Other angular relationships between adjacent strips  110  or  140  can also be provided and corresponding shaped electrical connector members can be provided for electrically connecting these adjacent strips and are also considered within the scope of the disclosure. 
     Preferably, corner member  380 , plus/cross shaped electrical connector  620 , T shaped electrical connector  670 , connector member  680 , connector member  690  and any other similar purposed conductive connector for electrically connecting adjacent conductive/copper strips (collectively referred to as “electrical connector”) can be provided to achieve a “series” electrical connection between the adjacent conductive/copper strips. However, depending on the designed of the conductive strip pattern/lighting configurations, the electrical connector may be used to also create a “parallel” electrical connection between adjacent conductive/copper strips. 
     After removing guide tape  500  from the copper tape/strips  110  and  140  mounted on the intended surface, the strips  110  and  140  can be painted or left as is. Preferably, lights  180  and controller  220  are stuck on to copper tape/strips  110  and  140  without requiring any further mounting. Thus, the instruments preferably used for installing system  100  can be merely measuring tape, a pen/marker and scissors. Tape  500 , along with attached strips  110  and  140  can be cut at an angle so that corner pieces or other shaped relationships can be formed between adjacent strips, with an optional yet preferred corner member  380 , connector  620 , connector  670  or other similar electrical connector disposed over the ends of the adjacent strips to ensure a proper electrical connection between the two strips  110 / 140 . 
     As mentioned above, in addition to lights  180 , other electrical accessories/modules can be used and secured in the above described connection/plug in configurations such as, without limitation, ceiling fans, speakers, USB charges, security cameras, etc., while still allowing the described system easy to use and plug and play. 
     Preferably, the conductive adhesive used and described above, can be a conductive acrylic adhesive though such is not considered limiting and other conductive adhesive materials can be used and are considered within the scope of the disclosure. 
     All components of the present disclosure lighting/electrical device system and their attachment locations, materials, angular relationships, conductive materials, light types, bulb types, sizes, shapes, attachment mechanisms, electrical connections, electrical communications, electrical circuitry, electrical devices (in lieu or in addition to lights), power sources, light controllers, remote types, dimensions, values, etc. discussed above or shown in the drawings, if any, are merely by way of example and are not considered limiting and other component(s) and their attachment locations, materials, angular relationships, conductive materials, light types, bulb types, sizes, shapes, attachment mechanisms, electrical connections, electrical communications, electrical circuitry, electrical devices (in lieu or in addition to lights), power sources, light controllers, remote types, dimensions, values, etc. currently known and/or later developed can also be chosen and used and all are considered within the scope of the disclosure. 
     Unless feature(s), part(s), component(s), characteristic(s) or function(s) described in the specification or shown in the drawings for a claim element, claim step or claim term specifically appear in the claim with the claim element, claim step or claim term, then the inventor does not consider such feature(s), part(s), component(s), characteristic(s) or function(s) to be included for the claim element, claim step or claim term in the claim when and if the claim element, claim step or claim term is interpreted or construed, whether during prosecution of this application or in litigation or similar proceeding. Similarly, with respect to any “means for” elements in the claims, the inventor considers such language to require only the minimal amount of features, components, steps, or parts from the specification to achieve the function of the “means for” language and not all of the features, components, steps or parts describe in the specification that are related or could be attributed to the function of the “means for” language. 
     While the disclosure has been described and disclosed in certain terms and has disclosed certain embodiments or modifications, persons skilled in the art who have acquainted themselves with the disclosure, will appreciate that it is not necessarily limited by such terms, nor to the specific embodiments and modification disclosed herein. Thus, a wide variety of alternatives, suggested by the teachings herein, can be practiced without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, and rights to such alternatives are particularly reserved and considered within the scope of the disclosure.