Patent Publication Number: US-11649952-B2

Title: Ceiling light LED retrofit kit

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit of priority to, U.S. application Ser. No. 16/546,729, filed Aug. 21, 2019, which is a continuation of, and claims the benefit of priority to, U.S. application Ser. No. 15/441,447, filed on Feb. 24, 2017, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,429,041, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/299,295, filed on Feb. 24, 2016, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIALS SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is directed toward a ceiling light LED retrofit kit; more specifically, a kit for installation of light emitting diode lighting mounted upon a previously-installed fluorescent lighting fixture. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Fluorescent lighting is commonly used in commercial building and office interiors. A typical fluorescent lighting fixture includes a base that is mounted to a ceiling within a building. Carried upon the base is a first electrical receptacle and a second electrical receptacle, with a fluorescent light tube extending between and energized by the two electrical receptacles. A ballast for controlling the electrical power to the fluorescent light tube is connected to the first and second electrical receptacles. 
     From an aesthetic standpoint, such fluorescent lighting often exposes bare fluorescent light tubes to occupants of the building. From an energy standpoint, fluorescent lighting does not most efficiently convert electrical energy into illumination. 
     Recent interest has arisen toward converting existing previously-installed fluorescent lighting to lighting provided by light emitting diodes (“LED”). LED lighting is more energy efficient than fluorescent lighting. It has been found that conversion from a fluorescent lighting fixture to an LED lighting fixture will provide a return on investment, in reduced energy consumption, sufficient to justify over time the costs of converting from fluorescent lighting to LED lighting. 
     Unfortunately, the previously-known methods and devices for converting from fluorescent lighting to LED lighting are not optimized. Various of the previously-known such devices require removal, in whole or in part, of the existing fluorescent lighting fixture. More specifically, the previously-known methods of such conversion require removal of at least the base, the electrical receptacles, and the ballast of the fluorescent lighting fixture, or some combination of such components, before an LED lighting system may be installed in its place. Furthermore, the previously-known methods of such conversion also require intensive use of skilled electricians to wire each of the new LED lighting devices, which increases the costs of such conversions. 
     In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to have a ceiling light LED retrofit kit optimized to reduce installation time, to reduce the need for services from a skilled electrician, and to leave in place as much of the previously-installed fluorescent lighting apparatus as possible thereby saving labor, reducing waste, and improving return on investment. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following simplified summary of the invention provides a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. Its purpose is to present concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is subsequently presented. 
     A simplified, optimized ceiling light retrofit kit is provided. 
     In accordance with some aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, the ceiling light LED retrofit kit includes a combination for illuminating the interior of a building. The combination comprises first a fixture attached to a building ceiling, and adapted for use of linear fluorescent light tubes. The fixture includes a base, a first electrical receptacle, and a second electrical receptacle, the first and second electrical receptacles configured for receipt of a fluorescent light tube disposed between them. The base includes a first longitudinal side and an opposite second longitudinal side. 
     The combination further includes a retrofit kit, the retrofit kit including a light panel, a first profile, and a second profile. The light panel includes a first side facing the fixture and an opposite second side. The light panel, the first profile, and the second profile may extend longitudinally from proximate the first electrical receptacle to proximate the second electrical receptacle, and be parallel one-to-another. 
     The retrofit kit also includes at least one light emitting diode, the at least one light emitting diode residing on the second side of the light panel. 
     The first profile extends from the light panel to the first longitudinal side of the base and is engaged therewith. The second profile extends from the light profile to the second longitudinal side of the base, and is engaged therewith. 
     The first profile, the second profile, light panel, and base define therebetween a raceway. 
     Wiring, in electrical communication with the light emitting diode, resides within the raceway. 
     The foregoing description sets forth broadly certain features of the present invention, so that the detailed description herein below may be better understood, and so that the present contributions to the art from this invention may be better appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described herein below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The aspects described above, as well as other apparent aspects, advantages, and objectives of the present invention are apparent from the detailed description below, in combination with the drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is an end elevation view of an embodiment of a ceiling light LED retrofit kit in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portion of a retrofit kit in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of an embodiment of a ceiling light LED retrofit kit in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of an embodiment of a ceiling light LED retrofit kit in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of an embodiment of an endcap of a ceiling light LED retrofit kit in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of an embodiment of a splice of a ceiling light LED retrofit kit in accordance with the present invention 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of an embodiment of an endcap of a ceiling light LED retrofit kit in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of an embodiment of a splice of a ceiling light LED retrofit kit in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not by way of limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. It is intended that the present application include such modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     A ceiling light LED retrofit kit  30  is disclosed. 
     Retrofit kit  30  may be understood in certain embodiments to be included in a combination with a fixture  10 . 
     Fixture  10  may include a pre-installed base  12  attached to the interior ceiling  68  of a building. Base  12  may be understood to define a first longitudinal side  14  and an opposed second longitudinal side  16 . Base  12  may also include a first electrical receptacle  21 , a second electrical receptacle  22 , a third electrical receptacle  23 , and so forth. First electrical receptacle  21  and second electrical receptacle  22  may be configured and positioned for receipt of a linear fluorescent light tube disposed between them and energized by them. 
     Generally, retrofit kit  30  is adapted to conceal or obscure the pre-installed base  12  so as to provide the appearance that the fixture  10  is new or completely replaced. Retrofit kit  30  may include a light panel  40 . Light panel  40  may define a first side  41  that faces fixture  10  and an opposed second side  42 . In some embodiments, the light panel  40  may include a first angled wing  43  and a second angled wing  44 . One or more light emitting diode  60  may be disposed on second side  42  of light panel  40 . In certain embodiments, it may be found that disposing a light emitting diode  60  on first angled wing  43  or second wing  44  provides a more desirable path of illumination from light emitting diode  60 . Retrofit kit  30  may also include a power supply  64 , to energize the LED  60 . 
     Retrofit kit  30  may also include a first profile  51  and second profile  52 . The first profile  51  and/or second profile  52  may be integral with light panel  40 , which may be disposed between the first profile  51  and the second profile  52 . In other embodiments, first profile  51  and/or second profile  52  may be separate members that are attached to light panel  40 , for example, at opposing, longitudinal edges of light panel  40 . 
     Light panel  40 , first profile  51 , and second profile  52  may extend longitudinally from proximate the first electrical receptacle  21  to proximate the second electrical receptacle  22 . 
     First profile  51  may extend from light panel  40  to first longitudinal side  14  of base  12  of fixture  10 . Second profile  52  may extend from light panel  40  to the second longitudinal  16  of base  12  of fixture  10 . 
     First profile  51  and second profile  52  may each be flat or may instead include a rib  59  that extends longitudinally from one end of the profile to the opposing end, respectively. Rib  59  may be optionally included to provide enhanced stiffness to first profile  51  and/or second profile  52   
     First profile  51  and second profile  52  may be attached to first longitudinal side  14  and second longitudinal side  16 , respectively. With first profile  51  attached to first longitudinal side  14  and second profile  52  attached to second longitudinal side  16 , first profile  51 , second profile  52 , light panel  40 , and base  12  may define between them a raceway  62 . Upon final assembly, electrical wiring in electrical communication with light emitting diode  60  may reside within raceway  62 . Furthermore, power supply  64  for the LED  60  may be stored in raceway  62 . 
     When attached to pre-installed base, the present ceiling light LED retrofit kit is adapted to conceal the prior components and to provide the appearance of a new or replaced light fixture. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an embodiment of the present ceiling light LED retrofit kit. Base  12  of fixture  10  is attached to ceiling  68 . Base  12  includes first longitudinal side  14  and second longitudinal side  16 . As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , first electrical receptacle  21  and third electrical receptacle  23 , which had previously been used in base  12  to hold and power a longitudinal fluorescent light tube, may be left within the ceiling light LED retrofit kit. As also illustrated, power supply  64 , used to energize the LED, may be simply located within raceway  62 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1   , light panel  40 , first profile  51 , and second profile  52  are integral. In other embodiments, first profile  51  and second profile  52  may be separate elements that have been attached to light panel  40 . 
     First profile  51  is attached to first longitudinal side  14  of base  12  of fixture  10 . Second profile  52  is attached to second longitudinal side  16  of base  12  of fixture  10 . 
     A light emitting diode  60  may be disposed on second angled wing  44  of light panel  40 . Light emitting diode  60  is in electrical communication with an electrical power source (not shown). 
     A lens  66  may be attached to light panel  40 , as illustrated in  FIG.  1   . Lens  66  may be configured to provide a pleasing and esthetically attractive dispersion of light emitted from light emitting diode  60 .  FIG.  1    illustrates an angle A formed between the surface of first angled wing  43  and the surface of the lens  66 , when attached. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates an embodiment of a retrofit kit  30 . As depicted therein, retrofit kit  30  includes a first profile  51 , extending longitudinally, and a second profile  52  extending longitudinally. First profile  51  and second profile  52  may include a plurality of apertures, for example,  70   a  and  70   b , for attachment to base  12  of fixture  10 . 
       FIGS.  3  and  4    are illustrations of an assembled LED retrofit kit. In  FIG.  3   , retrofit kit  30  includes a first profile  51 , extending longitudinally, and a second profile  52  extending longitudinally. In this embodiment, first profile  51  and second profile  52  are separate. A lens  66  is illustrated as attached to first profile and second profile, such as by an endcap or clip, for example,  72  (shown in  FIG.  7   ). As illustrated, first profile  51  and second profile  52  may include one or more longitudinal ribs, for example,  59 , complimenting and corresponding to one or more endcap ribs. Second profile  52  is illustrated as attached to first longitudinal side  14  of base  12  of fixture  10 . 
       FIG.  4    is an illustration of an assembled LED retrofit kit. Fixture  10 , which includes second electrical receptacle  22 , is illustrated in phantom. First profile  51  is illustrated as attached to first longitudinal side  14  of base  12  of fixture  10 . Power supply  64  is illustrated as residing within raceway  62  and endcap  72  is shown in place upon the assembly. 
       FIG.  5    is a perspective view of an endcap  72 , for use with one embodiment of the present ceiling light LED retrofit kit. 
     In particular applications, a plurality of light panels  40  may be disposed end to end in electrical series, for particular advantages. In such configurations, a splice  74  may be used at the juncture of any two abutting light panels  40 . An embodiment of a splice  74  is depicted in  FIG.  6   . 
       FIG.  7    is a perspective view of an endcap  72 , for use with one embodiment the present ceiling light LED retrofit kit. In this embodiment, endcap  72  includes one or more ribs that correspond the one or more longitudinal ribs, for example,  59 , along the first profile  51  and the second profile  52 , respectively. 
     In some applications, a plurality of light panels  40  may be disposed end to end in electrical series, for particular advantages. In such configurations, a splice  74  may be used at the juncture of any two abutting light panels  40 . An embodiment of a splice  74  is depicted in  FIG.  8   . In this embodiment, the splice may include one or more corresponding ribs, for example,  59   a  and  59   b , that correspond to the one or more longitudinal ribs, for example,  59 , along the first profile  51  and the second profile  52 , respectively. 
     The present invention further contemplates a method for retrofitting pre-installed fixtures or bases using the kit described herein. In one embodiment, the method may include the steps of: 1) identifying a fixture having a pre-installed base having a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side; 2) providing a ceiling light LED retrofit kit comprising: a first profile, an opposing second profile, and a light panel, the light panel being disposed between the first profile and the opposing second profile; 3) connecting the first profile to the first longitudinal side, and the second profile to the second longitudinal side of the pre-installed base; 4) providing a light emitting diode and electrically connecting it to the light panel; and 5) covering the light panel with a lens. 
     So configured, the ceiling light LED retrofit kit of the present invention offers several advantages, efficiencies, and optimizations. Because it is attached to an old fluorescent light fixture, added rigidity and strength is accomplished. For that reason, for example, thinner material may be used with first profile  51  and/or second profile  52 , achieving material costs savings, yet providing sufficient structural strength. Similarly, because the present ceiling light retrofit kit does not require disassembly of the first, second, and so forth electrical receptacles  21 ,  22  of the earlier fixture  10 , labor and disposal costs are avoided. (Such electrical receptacles are sometimes referred to as “tombstones” by those with skill in this technology). Furthermore, because the previously-used, now de-energized ballast for the fluorescent light tubes can be left within the base  12 , additional labor and disposal time and cost savings are achieved. As yet still a further example, the finished assembly of the within ceiling light LED retrofit kit includes a lens, rather than a previously-exposed linear fluorescent light tubes, providing a more attractive appearance and also enabling the user to provide custom refraction from the light illuminating from light emitting diode  60 , as may be desired in particular applications. 
     While the particular ceiling light LED retrofit kit as herein shown and described is fully capable of achieving the objects of the invention, it is to be understood that it is the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention and is thus representative of the subject matter that&#39;s broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is to be further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art. It is intended that the present invention includes such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claim and their equivalents.