Patent Publication Number: US-7220027-B2

Title: Modular lighting fixtures and methods for forming lighting fixtures

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/346,234 filed Jan. 17, 2003, entitled “Lighting Fixtures Having Releasably Attachable Objects And Methods For Trimming Lighting Fixtures,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,863,423, the entire subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to lighting fixtures, and more particularly, to modular lighting fixtures and methods for forming lighting fixtures. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Lighting fixtures such as chandeliers typically include a central member with or without outwardly-extending arms that support crystal ornaments. Each crystal ornament is typically separately attached to an arm with a wire. For example, a crystal ornament is typically attached to a wire and an upper end of the wire is wrapped or hooked onto the central member or one of the arms. Conventional chandeliers are stand-alone units that are attached or supported from a ceiling. 
     There is a need for further lighting fixtures, and in particular, modular lighting fixtures and methods for forming lighting fixtures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides in a first aspect, a modular lighting fixture which includes an elongated upper member having a first width and a first length, an elongated lower member having a second width and a second length and being spaced-apart from the upper member, a plurality of objects attachable to and suspendable from the lower member, and wherein the first length equals the second length and the first width is greater than the second width. 
     The present invention provides in a second aspect, a modular lighting fixture having an elongated support, a plurality of objects, and a plurality of cable grips connected to the support for hanging the plurality of objects from the support. 
     The present invention provides in a third aspect, a modular lighting fixture which includes an elongated upper member, an elongated lower member having a plurality of spaced-apart openings for light bulbs and spaced-apart from the upper member, a sidewall disposed between the upper member and the lower member, a plurality of objects attachable to and suspendable from the lower member, and a plurality of cable grips connected to the lower member for hanging the plurality of objects from the lower member. The upper member has a first width and a first length, the lower member has a second width and a second length, and the first length equals the second length and the first width is greater than the second width. The plurality of objects includes a plurality of vertically suspended round-shaped crystal ornaments of varying lengths and comprising a plurality of spaced-apart large round-shaped crystals with a plurality of small round-shaped crystals spaced-apart therebetween. 
     The present invention also provides in other aspects, lighting fixtures incorporating the above-described modular lighting fixtures, and in still other aspects, methods for forming lighting fixtures incorporating the above-described modular lighting fixtures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of various embodiments and accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a modular lighting fixture (only a portion of the suspended objects being shown) in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the modular lighting fixture of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a plurality of modular lighting fixtures of  FIG. 1  forming an elongated curtain; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a plurality of modular lighting fixtures (without the suspended objects) assembled in a spaced-apart and staggered configuration in accordance with he present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of an L-shaped modular lighting fixture (without the suspended objects) in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of an L-shaped lighting fixture (without the suspended objects) assembled from a plurality of modular lighting fixtures in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view a rectangular-shaped lighting fixture (without the suspended objects) assembled from a plurality of modular lighting fixtures in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view a plurality of rectangular-shaped lighting fixtures (without the suspended objects) assembled from a plurality of modular lighting fixtures in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view a zigzag-shaped lighting fixture (without the suspended objects) assembled from a plurality of modular lighting fixtures in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the lighting fixture taken along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 1  illustrating the support and the plurality of quick-disconnect connectors; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged, elevational view, in part cross-section, taken along line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 1  illustrating a portion of the support, one of the plurality of quick-disconnect connectors, and one of a plurality of releasably attachable objects; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged, exploded, side elevational view of the quick-disconnect connector and the upper portion of the releasably attachable object of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of the releasably attachable object initially connected to the quick-disconnect connector of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged, side elevational view, in part cross-section, of the releasably attachable object initially connected to the quick-disconnect connector of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a side elevational view, in part cross-section, of the releasably attachable object connected to the quick-disconnect connector of  FIG. 13  with the knurled nut secured in place; 
         FIG. 16  is a side elevation view of the releasably attachable object and the quick-disconnect connector of  FIG. 13  illustrating removal of the releasably attachable object from the quick-disconnect connector; and 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged, side elevation view, in part cross-section, of the releasably attachable object and the quick-disconnect connector of  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an elongated modular lighting fixture  10  in accordance with the present invention. Illustrated modular lighting fixture  10  includes a frame or support  20  and a plurality of objects  80  such as crystals (only some of which are shown in  FIG. 1 ) attachable and suspendable from the support. 
     As will become apparent from the description below, a plurality of the modular lighting fixtures of the present invention may be readily assembled into various configurations. For example, a plurality of elongated modular lighting fixtures  10  may be attached to a ceiling to form a curtain as shown in  FIG. 3 . In another example, a plurality of modular lighting fixtures  10  (shown without crystals) may be spaced-apart and staggered from one another as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative embodiment of an elongated modular lighting fixture  210  (shown without crystals) having a L-shaped configuration in accordance with the present invention. The L-shaped elongated modular lighting fixture  210  and/or elongated modular lighting fixtures  10  and/or  110  may be assembled to form lighting fixtures in the form of an L-shaped curtain as shown in  FIG. 6 , a rectangular-shaped lighting fixture as shown in  FIG. 7 , a plurality of rectangular-shaped lighting fixtures as shown in  FIG. 8 , and a zigzag-shaped lighting fixture as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     From the present discussion, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other configuration for assembling the modular lighting fixtures of the present invention may be employed as well. In addition to the ability to form different configurations, the suspended objects may have different lengths to provide different vertical configurations. For example, with reference to  FIG. 8 , the outer rectangular-shaped lighting fixture may have relatively short strands of suspendable objects, the center rectangular-shaped lighting fixture have relatively longer strains of suspendable objects, and the outer rectangular-shaped lighting fixture may have still longer strains of suspendable objects. 
     With reference again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , elongated modular lighting fixture  10  includes support  20 , which in this example, may be rectangular in shape and formed from an upper member  22  such as a horizontal planar member, a spaced-apart lower member  24  such as a horizontal planar member, and a sidewall  26  disposed between the upper member and the lower member. 
     The upper member may be suitably attached directly to a ceiling or suspended from a ceiling. Lower member  24  may include a plurality of openings  25  therein. Inside support  20  may be suitable light bulb receptacles  27  ( FIGS. 2 and 10 ) for receiving and supporting a light bulb such as a halogen light bulb in each of the plurality of openings for projecting light between the objects. Various floodlights and spotlights may be received in the receptacles. The modular lighting fixtures may use one or more light bulbs. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , upper member  22  has a first width W 1 . Lower member  24 , which is spaced-apart from upper member  22 , has a second width W 2 . Each of the members has the same length so that a plurality of modular lighting fixtures may be abutted against each other. The first width is greater than the second width. The modular lighting fixture may be about 1 foot to about 2 feet long and have a width of about 6 inches. 
     End caps  29  are suitably attachable at the ends of support  20 . When a plurality of modular lighting fixtures is assembled and abutted together such as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  6 , and  9 , a pair end caps may be attached to the outermost ends of the assembled lighting fixture. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the plurality of quick-disconnect connectors  40  may be attached to lower member  24  in a suitable pattern for supporting the hanging or suspended objects. From the present description, it will by appreciated by those skilled in the art that the modular lighting fixture of the present invention may include other types of connectors for attaching the hanging or suspended objects from the support. For example, hooks, fasteners, clasps, clip, or other suitable connectors may be employed for releasably and/or fixedly attaching the hanging or suspended objects from the support. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an enlarged, side elevation view of a portion of support  20 , one of the plurality of quick-disconnect connectors  40 , and one of the pluralities of objects  80 . For example, lower member  24  may include a plurality of holes (only one shown in  FIG. 11 ) through which quick-disconnect connector  40  may be attached using a threaded nut  42 . Object  80  may include a string of relatively small round crystals  82 , and a lower relatively large crystal  84 . The crystals may have a bore therein and be connected using a plurality of wire links  86 . The plurality of objects may also include strings of relatively small round crystals  82 , and a plurality of spaced-apart relatively larger round crystals. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 12 , quick-disconnect connector  40  may include a housing  50 , a slidable catch  60 , and a knurled locking nut  70 . The upper portion of object  80  may include an elongated generally straight pin  88  which is received in slidable catch  60  to suspend object  80  from support  20  as explained in greater detail below. 
     When initially attaching object  80  to quick-disconnect connector  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , pin  88  is inserted in a vertically-extending passageway (only a portion of which is shown in  FIG. 14 ) in slidable catch  60  which self-locks pin  88  to quick-disconnect connector  60 . As best shown in  FIG. 14 , housing  50  includes a tapered conical passageway  52  therein. Slidable catch  60  may include a lower threaded portion  62  and an upper tapered or conical portion  64 . Upper portion  64  may include a plurality of holes  66 , such as three equally spaced holes around upper conical portion  64 . A plurality of ball bearings  68 , such as three ball bearings, may be disposed in holes  66 . The self-locking action of the connector is accomplished by a spring  65  which forces slidable catch  60  downwardly. 
     When pin  88  is inserted into catch  60 , the pin forces the ball bearing and the slidable catch upwardly to compress the spring. The slidable catch, which moves upwardly relative to the housing, provides a gap between the outer surface of the conical portion and the inner surface of the housing. This allows the pin to slide past the ball bearings. After removing the upward force on the pin, the spring forces the conical portion downwardly to its normal biased position to lock the pin in place by the action of the ball bearings being trapped and wedged between the outer surface of the pin and the inner tapered surface of the housing. The weight of the object also adds to the wedging effect of the ball bearings to hold the object in place. This results in reducing the likelihood of the objects disconnecting and falling from the support. Knurled nut  70  can then be threaded onto slidable catch  60  to securely lock pin  88  in place as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     To detach object  80  from the support, as shown in  FIG. 16 , knurled nut  70  is sufficiently unthreaded from slidable catch  60 . Thereafter, knurled nut  70  is pushed upwardly in the direction of arrow A so that lower portion of slidable catch may be pushed upwardly to a release position. As best shown in  FIG. 17 , pushing slidable catch  60  moves conical portion  64  upwardly and away from the inner conical surface  52  of housing  50 . This removes the wedging effect of ball bearings  68  on pin  88  so that the pin may be removed, in the direction of arrow B, from the passageway in slidable catch  60 , and thus allows detachment of the object from the quick-disconnect connector. 
     From the present description, the modular lighting fixtures of the present invention may be readily and securely trimmed with the plurality of releasably attachable objects reducing the costs to assemble and produce the modular lighting fixtures of the present invention compared to lighting fixtures where a wire is wrapped to connect each of the objects to the support. The plurality of releasably attachable objects may also be readily manufactured with simply configured upper ends having an elongated pin to reduce fabrication costs of the objects compared to the cost of fabricating modular lighting fixtures with objects having complicated hook configurations for attaching the objects to the support. The various modular lighting fixtures of the present invention also allow a customer to assemble the lighting fixtures or attach the objects at home, as well as allow the customer to readily disconnect the objects for cleaning or replacement with a new or different objects. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the modular lighting fixtures in accordance with the present invention may include a support fabricated from a metal such as aluminum or any suitable material. The support may be unadorned, adorned (e.g., with a mesh material), or may include any other decoration. 
     The quick-disconnect connectors may be suitable cable grips. Suitable cable grips such a GRIPLOCK gliders are available from GRIPLOCK Systems of Carpinteria, Calif., model Y4IP-KFts(25). Suitable cable grips are also available from Arakawa Hanging Systems of Portland, Oreg. Conventionally, cable grips are used to suspend a lighting fixture from a ceiling and allow level adjustment of the lighting fixture. 
     In addition, other suitable quick-disconnect connectors such as quick-disconnect connectors typically used on key chains may also be suitably employed in the modular lighting fixtures in accordance with the present invention. Still other suitable quick-disconnect connectors may include quick-disconnect connectors having one or more ball bearings or spring biased detents, resilient materials having teeth or catches, or other configurations having a normal self-locking first position and a second releasable position. It will also be appreciated that either the support or the objects may include the quick-disconnect connector. If two portions form the quick-disconnect connector, the support or the object may have either of the two halves which form the quick-disconnect connector. 
     The objects or ornaments supported from the quick-disconnect connectors may be round, faceted, or have any other shape, or combinations thereof. The objects or ornaments may also be fabricated from glass, crystal, plastic, metal, stone, or any other suitable material, and combinations thereof. The objects or ornaments may also be clear or translucent, opaque, solid, colored, or combinations thereof. The objects or ornaments may further be connected by a series of solid wires and linked together. The objects or ornaments may also be suitably strung on a solid wire or braided wire or cable, the upper end of which is received in or connectable to the quick-disconnect connectors. In addition, modular lighting fixtures in accordance with the present invention may include some of the objects or ornaments attached to the support by quick-disconnect connectors, and some of the objects or ornaments being permanently attached to the support (e.g., by wrapping a wire to attach the objects or ornaments to the support structure). The shape of the length of the various suspended objects may be varied to provide any configuration. The objects may also be replaced with one or more different objects to provide modular lighting fixtures with different looks. The quick-disconnect connectors may also be attached to the support in orientations other than that shown in the figures. For example, the passageway in the quick-disconnect may be disposed horizontally or at an angle. 
     From the present description, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention provides modular lighting fixtures and ornaments which may be readily and inexpensively assembled. For example, the support may be fabricated, the quick-disconnect connectors attached to the support, and the object connected to the quick-disconnect connectors. The objects may be connected by a manufacturer or by the purchaser or consumer. 
     Thus, while various embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many further changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.