Patent Publication Number: US-11035568-B1

Title: Climate control light fixtures

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to light fixtures. In particular, climate control light fixtures are described. 
     Light fixtures serve to support lighting devices on walls or ceilings. There are a wide variety of light fixture styles. One popular style is a recessed light fixture that is configured to position a lighting device substantially flush with the surface of a wall or ceiling. With recessed light fixtures, the fixture is typically disposed substantially behind a wall or ceiling out of view. 
     Climate control systems (also known as HVAC systems) function to heat and cool a space by directing heated or cooled air into the space. Climate control systems include ducts running through walls, ceilings, or floors and vents in fluid communication with the ducts. The vents are disposed in walls, ceilings, and floors to release the heated or cooled air from the ducts into a space. Conventional vents in heating and cooling systems tend to be utilitarian, not very attractive, and sometimes located in inconvenient locations. 
     It would be desirable to reduce the number of openings formed into walls, ceilings, and floors for utilitarian purposes like light fixtures and vents. Also desirable would be reducing or eliminating the need for single purpose HVAC vents in a space. Another aspiration is to replace aesthetically unappealing utilitarian HVAC vents with a more aesthetically pleasing solution. It would be further desirable to combine or integrate lighting and climate control systems for more elegant options to light and maintain a desired temperature in a space. 
     Thus, there exists a need for climate control light fixtures to improve upon and advance the design of known light fixtures and climate control systems. Examples of new and useful climate control light fixtures relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to climate control light fixtures for supporting and powering a light device and for mounting to a wall or a ceiling with access to a forced air climate control system. The climate control light fixture includes a housing and a vent. The housing is configured to mount to the wall or the ceiling. The housing includes a port and a body. The port is configured to fluidly couple to the forced air climate control system. The body is attached to the port and in fluid communication with the port. The vent is configured to selectively mount to the body of the housing. The vent defines a vent opening and a light opening. The light opening is configured to receive the light device. The vent is in fluid communication with the forced air climate control system via the housing when the vent is selectively mounted to the housing. In some examples, the climate control light fixture includes a junction box. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of a first embodiment of a climate control light fixture mounted to a ceiling with a vent flush with the ceiling and a port fluidly connected to a forced air climate control system. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom front perspective view of the climate control light fixture shown in  FIG. 1  depicting the vent having a stepped, frusto-conical shape. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the climate control light fixture shown in  FIG. 1  depicting a light device mounted to the vent and the vent having a decorative pattern. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the climate control light fixture shown in  FIG. 1  showing the inside of a body to depict moisture proof wires extending between the light device and into a conduit extending to an external junction box. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosed climate control light fixtures will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description. 
     Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various climate control light fixtures are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example. 
     Definitions 
     The following definitions apply herein, unless otherwise indicated. 
     “Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example, a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. 
     “Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to, and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional elements or method steps not expressly recited. 
     Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used to distinguish or identify various members of a group, or the like, and are not intended to denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation. 
     “Coupled” means connected, either permanently or releasably, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components. 
     Climate Control Light Fixtures 
     With reference to the figures, climate control light fixtures will now be described. The climate control light fixtures discussed herein function to support a light device on a wall or ceiling and to couple the light device with a power source. The climate control light fixtures discussed herein function to fluidly couple with a climate control system and to vent climate controlled air into a space. Another function of the climate control light fixtures is to combine a light fixture and a climate control system vent. 
     The reader will appreciate from the figures and description below that the presently disclosed climate control light fixtures address many of the shortcomings of conventional climate control systems and light fixtures. 
     For example, the climate control light fixtures reduce the number of openings formed into walls, ceilings, and floors for utilitarian purposes like light fixtures and vents. The fixtures described herein reduce or eliminate the need for single purpose HVAC vents in a space. The climate control light fixtures advantageously replace aesthetically unappealing utilitarian HVAC vents with a more aesthetically pleasing solution. Further, the climate control light fixtures combine or integrate lighting and climate control systems for more elegant options to light and maintain a desired temperature in a space. 
     Contextual Details 
     Ancillary features relevant to the climate control light fixtures described herein will first be described to provide context and to aid the discussion of the climate control light fixtures. 
     Power Source 
     The climate control light fixtures described herein receive power from a power source. In the present example, the power source is electrical mains power available to a building and distributed through building wiring. 
     However, the power source may be any currently known or later developed type of power source. The reader will appreciate that a variety of power source types exist and could be used in place of mains power supplied to a building. In addition to the types of power sources existing currently, it is contemplated that the climate control light fixture described herein could incorporate new types of power sources developed in the future. 
     Climate Control Light Fixture 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , a first example of a climate control light fixture, a climate control light fixture  100 , will now be described. Climate control light fixture  100  supports and powers a light device  101  and mount to a wall or a ceiling  102 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , ceiling  102  has access to a forced air climate control system  103 . 
     The reader can see in  FIGS. 1-4  that climate control light fixture  100  includes a housing  104 , a vent  107 , a junction box  110 , wires  180 , and a light device  101 . In other examples, the climate control light fixture includes fewer components than depicted in the figures, such as not including a junction box, wires, or a light device. In certain examples, the climate control light fixture includes additional or alternative components than depicted in the figures. 
     Housing 
     Housing  104  serves to fasten climate control light fixture  100  to a wall or ceiling  102 . Housing  104  also functions to support other components of climate control light fixture  100 , including vent  107 . Another function of housing  104  is to provide a path for climate controlled air to pass to vent  107 . 
     The reader can see in  FIG. 1  that housing is configured to mount to the wall or ceiling  102 . In the present example, as can be seen in  FIG. 1 , housing  104  is configured to be recessed within the wall or ceiling  102  to which it mounts. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 , housing  104  includes a port  105 , a body  106 , an arm  113 , and a wire conduit  114 . In some examples, the housing includes fewer components, such as not including an arm or a wire conduit. In other examples, the housing includes additional or alternative components. 
     The size of housing may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the housing is larger relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. In other examples, the housing is smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. Further, the readers should understand that housing and the other components may all be larger or smaller than described herein while maintaining their relative proportions. 
     In the present example housing  104  is composed of metal. However, the housing may be composed of any currently known or later developed material suitable for the applications described herein for which it is used. Suitable materials include metals, polymers, ceramics, wood, and composite materials. 
     The housing may be any currently known or later developed type of housing. The reader will appreciate that a variety of housing types exist and could be used in place of the housing shown in the figures. In addition to the types of housing existing currently, it is contemplated that the climate control light fixtures described herein could incorporate new types of housing developed in the future. 
     The shape of the housing may be adapted to be different than the specific examples shown in the figures to suit a given application. For example, the housing may include a face having the shape of a regular or irregular polygon, such as a circle, oval, triangle, square, rectangle pentagon, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the housing may include a face having an irregular shape. In three dimensions, the shape of the housing may be a sphere, a pyramid, a cone, a cube, and variations thereof, such as a hemisphere or a frusto-conical shape. 
     The role of port  105  is to fluidly couple body  106  with climate control system  103 . In particular, as shown in  FIG. 1 , port  105  is configured to fluidly couples body  106  with a duct of forced air climate control system  103 . With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , the reader can see that port  105  is in line with body  106 . In other examples, the port extends transverse to the body. 
     The number of ports in climate control light fixture may be selected to meet the needs of a given application. The reader should understand that the number of ports may be different in other examples than is shown in the figures. For instance, some climate control light fixture examples include additional or fewer ports than described in the present example. 
     The shape of the port may be adapted to be different than the specific examples shown in the figures to suit a given application. For example, the port may include a face having the shape of a regular or irregular polygon, such as a circle, oval, triangle, square, rectangle pentagon, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the port may include a face having an irregular shape. In three dimensions, the shape of the port may be a sphere, a pyramid, a cone, a cube, and variations thereof, such as a hemisphere or a frusto-conical shape. 
     The size of port may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the port is larger relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. In other examples, the port is smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. Further, the readers should understand that port and the other components may all be larger or smaller than described herein while maintaining their relative proportions. 
     In the present example port  105  is composed of metal. However, the port may be composed of any currently known or later developed material suitable for the applications described herein for which it is used. Suitable materials include metals, polymers, ceramics, wood, and composite materials. 
     The port may be any currently known or later developed type of port. The reader will appreciate that a variety of port types exist and could be used in place of the port shown in the figures. In addition to the types of ports existing currently, it is contemplated that the climate control light fixture described herein could incorporate new types of ports developed in the future. 
     Body 
     Body  106  functions to support vent  107 , port  105 , arm  113 , and wire conduit  114 . As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 , a body is attached to port  105  and is in fluid communication with port  105 . 
     The body may be any currently known or later developed type of body. The reader will appreciate that a variety of body types exist and could be used in place of the body shown in the figures. In addition to the types of bodies existing currently, it is contemplated that the climate control light fixture described herein could incorporate new types of bodies developed in the future. 
     In the present example body  106  is composed of metal. However, the body may be composed of any currently known or later developed material suitable for the applications described herein for which it is used. Suitable materials include metals, polymers, ceramics, wood, and composite materials. 
     In the present example, body  106  is in the shape of a cylinder. However, the shape of the body may be adapted to be different than the specific examples shown in the figures to suit a given application. For example, the body may include a face having the shape of a regular or irregular polygon, such as a circle, oval, triangle, square, rectangle pentagon, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the body may include a face having an irregular shape. In three dimensions, the shape of the body may be a sphere, a pyramid, a cone, a cube, and variations thereof, such as a hemisphere or frusto-conical. 
     The size of body may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the body is larger relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. In other examples, the body is smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. Further, the readers should understand that body and the other components may all be larger or smaller than described herein while maintaining their relative proportions. 
     Arm 
     Arm  113  functions to support junction box  110  in a position outside housing  104 . Supporting junction box  110  outside housing  104  separates electrical connections to the power system from climate control system  103 , which may be required by local building codes. Where requirements for junction boxes or electrical connections to be separate from the fluid flow path of a climate control system do not exist, the junction box could be disposed in the housing or the connection to mains power could occur within the housing without a junction box. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , the reader can see that arm  113  is coupled to body  106 . Arm  113  is also coupled to junction box  110 . The length of the arm may be varied to provide a desired separation distance. 
     In the example shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , arm  113  is metal. However, the arm may be composed of any currently known or later developed material suitable for the applications described herein for which it is used. Suitable materials include metals, polymers, ceramics, wood, and composite materials. 
     Wire Conduit 
     Wire conduit  114  serves to isolate and protect wires  180  as they extend from junction box  110  to body  106 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , wire conduit  114  extends between body  106  and junction box  110 . 
     The wire conduit may be any currently known or later developed type of wire conduit. The reader will appreciate that a variety of wire conduit types exist and could be used in place of the wire conduit shown in the figures. In addition to the types of wire conduit existing currently, it is contemplated that the climate control light fixture described herein could incorporate new types of wire conduit developed in the future. 
     In the present example wire conduit  114  is composed of metal. However, the wire conduit may be composed of any currently known or later developed material suitable for the applications described herein for which it is used. Suitable materials include metals, polymers, ceramics, wood, and composite materials. 
     The size of the wire conduit may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the wire conduit is larger relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. In other examples, the wire conduit is smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. Further, the readers should understand that the wire conduit and the other components may all be larger or smaller than described herein while maintaining their relative proportions. 
     Wires 
     Wires  180  depicted in  FIGS. 1-4  function to electrically couple light device  101  to a power source. In the examples shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the wires are configured to function in the presence of moisture. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , light device  101  is connected to power source in junction box  110  via wires  180 . 
     The wires may be any currently known or later developed type of wire suitable for conducting electric current to light devices. The reader will appreciate that a variety of wire types exist and could be used in place of the wires shown in the figures. In addition to the types of wires existing currently, it is contemplated that the climate control light fixture described herein could incorporate new types of wires developed in the future. 
     Vent 
     Vent  107  serves to enable climate controlled air from forced air climate control system  103  to exit climate control light fixture  100  into a space to be heated or cooled. As depicted in  FIGS. 2-4 , vent  107  defines a vent opening  108  and a light opening  109 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , vent  107  is in fluid communication with forced air climate control system  103  via housing  104  when vent  107  is selectively mounted to housing  104 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , vent  107  is configured to selectively mount to body  106  of housing  104 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , vent  107  is substantially flush with the wall or ceiling  102  when vent  107  is selectively mounted to body  106  of housing  104 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , vent  107  is substantially frusto-conical. As shown in  FIG. 2 , vent  107  is stepped along the height of vent  107 . However, the shape of the vent may be adapted to be different than the specific examples shown in the figures to suit a given application. For example, the vent may include a face having the shape of a regular or irregular polygon, such as a circle, oval, triangle, square, rectangle pentagon, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the vent may include a face having an irregular shape. In three dimensions, the shape of the vent may be a sphere, a pyramid, a cone, a cube, and variations thereof, such as a hemisphere or a frusto-conical shape as depicted in the figures. 
     The size of the vent may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the vent is larger relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. In other examples, the vent is smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. Further, the readers should understand that the vent and the other components may all be larger or smaller than described herein while maintaining their relative proportions. 
     In the present example, vent  107  is formed from a plastic material  117 . However, the vent may be composed of any currently known or later developed material suitable for the applications described herein for which it is used. Suitable materials include metals, polymers, ceramics, wood, and composite materials. 
     The vent may be any currently known or later developed type of vent. The reader will appreciate that a variety of vent types exist and could be used in place of the vent shown in the figures. In addition to the types of vents existing currently, it is contemplated that the climate control light fixture described herein could incorporate new types of vents developed in the future. 
     Light Opening 
     The reader can see in  FIGS. 2-4  that a light opening  109  is configured to receive light device  101 . Light opening  109  is complementarily configured with light device  101 . 
     In the present example, light opening  109  is circular. However, the shape of the light opening may be adapted to be different than the specific examples shown in the figures to suit a given application. For example, the vent may include a face having the shape of a regular or irregular polygon, such as a circle, oval, triangle, square, rectangle pentagon, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the light opening may include a face having an irregular shape. In three dimensions, the shape of vent may be a sphere, a pyramid, a cone, a cube, and variations thereof, such as a hemisphere or a frusto-conical shape. 
     Vent Openings 
     The role of vent openings  108  is to provide a pathway for HVAC treated air to exit climate control system  103  via climate control light fixture  100  into a desired space. 
     In the example shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , vent openings  108  are disposed between body  106  of housing  104  and light opening  109  when vent  107  is selectively mounted to body  106  of housing  104 . With reference to  FIGS. 2-4 , vent openings  108  surround light opening  109 . However, the reader should understand that the vent openings could be surrounded by the light opening in other examples. For example, if the light device is in the shape of a ring or frame, the light fixture may include vent openings surrounded by a ring or frame shaped light opening. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 2-4 , vent openings  108  define a decorative pattern  116 . However, a decorative patter is not required. In some examples, the vent openings form a regular pattern, such as a mesh or slats, or an irregular arrangement of openings. The size and shape of the vent openings may be selected to suit different ornamental and/or air flow preferences. 
     In the present example, vent  107  includes a plurality of vent openings  108 . However, the number of vent openings in climate control light fixture may be selected to meet the needs of a given application. The reader should understand that the number of vent openings may be different in other examples than is shown in the figures. For instance, some climate control light fixture examples include additional or fewer vent openings than described in the present example. 
     Junction Box 
     Junction box  110  functions to isolate and protect wires connecting climate control light fixture  100  with a power source. As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , junction box  110  provides an enclosed space to electrically couple light device  101  with a power source. The reader can see in  FIGS. 1-4  that junction box  110  is operably coupled to housing  104  in a position outside body  106  of housing  104 . In the present example, junction box  110  couples to arm  113  of housing  104 . 
     The junction box may be any currently known or later developed type of junction box. The reader will appreciate that a variety of junction box types exist and could be used in place of the junction box shown in the figures. In addition to the types of junction box existing currently, it is contemplated that the climate control light fixture described herein could incorporate new types of junction box developed in the future. 
     The size of the junction box may be varied as needed fora given application. In some examples, the junction box is larger relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. In other examples, the junction box is smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. Further, the readers should understand that the junction box and the other components may all be larger or smaller than described herein while maintaining their relative proportions. 
     Light Device 
     Light device  101  functions to emit visible light when powered by an electric current. As depicted in  FIGS. 2-4 , light device  101  is mounted to vent  107  in light opening  109 . In the present example, light device  101  is configured to function in the presence of moisture. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 2-4 , light device  101  is a light emitting diode  115 . However, the light device may be any currently known or later developed type of light device. The reader will appreciate that a variety of light device types exist and could be used in place of the light device shown in the figures. In addition to the types of light device existing currently, it is contemplated that the climate control light fixture described herein could incorporate new types of light device developed in the future. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , light device  101  is configured to selectively mount to vent  107  and to be selectively removed from vent  107  with the aid of clips  182 . Any suitable means for selectively mounting and removing the light device from the body may be employed, such as friction fits, mechanical fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, adhesives, and magnetic couplers. 
     The size of the light device may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the light device is larger relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. In other examples, the light device is smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. Further, the readers should understand that the light device and the other components may all be larger or smaller than described herein while maintaining their relative proportions. 
     The shape of the light device may be adapted to be different than the specific examples shown in the figures to suit a given application. For example, the light device may include a face having the shape of a regular or irregular polygon, such as a circle, oval, triangle, square, rectangle pentagon, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the light device may include a face having an irregular shape. In three dimensions, the shape of the light device may be a sphere, a pyramid, a cone, a cube, and variations thereof, such as a hemisphere or frusto-conical. 
     The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 
     Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.