Patent Publication Number: US-11022260-B2

Title: Lighting apparatus with a light module with elongated housing and a base bracket holding the elongated housing

Description:
FIELD 
     The present application is related to a lighting apparatus and more particularly related to a lighting apparatus with an easy installation design. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electroluminescence, an optical and electrical phenomenon, was discovered in 1907. Electroluminescence refers to the process when a material emits light when a passage of an electric field or current occurs. LED stands for light-emitting diode. The very first LED was reported being created in 1927 by a Russian inventor. During decades&#39; development, the first practical LED was found in 1961, and was issued patent by the U.S. patent office in 1962. In the second half of 1962, the first commercial LED product emitting low-intensity infrared light was introduced. The first visible-spectrum LED, which limited to red, was then developed in 1962. 
     After the invention of LEDs, the neon indicator and incandescent lamps are gradually being replaced. However, the cost of initial commercial LEDs was extremely high, making them rare to be applied for practical use. Also, LEDs only illuminated red light at early stage. The brightness of the light could only be used as indicator for it was too dark to illuminate an area. Unlike modern LEDs which are bound in transparent plastic cases, LEDs in early stage were packed in metal cases. 
     With high light output, LEDs are available across the visible, infrared wavelengths, and ultraviolet lighting fixtures. Recently, there is a high-output white light LED. And this kind of high-output white light LEDs are suitable for room and outdoor area lighting. Having led to new displays and sensors, LEDs are now be used in advertising, traffic signals, medical devices, camera flashes, lighted wallpaper, aviation lighting, horticultural grow lights, and automotive headlamps. Also, they are used in cellphones to show messages. 
     A Fluorescent lamp refers to a gas-discharge lamps. The invention of fluorescent lamps, which are also called fluorescent tubes, can be traced back to hundreds of years ago. Being invented by Thomas Edison in 1896, fluorescent lamps used calcium tungstate as the substance to fluoresce then. In 1939, they were firstly introduced to the market as commercial products with variety of types. 
     In a fluorescent lamp tube, there is a mix of mercury vapor, xenon, argon, and neon, or krypton. A fluorescent coating coats on the inner wall of the lamp. The fluorescent coating is made of blends of rare-earth phosphor and metallic salts. Normally, the electrodes of the lamp comprise coiled tungsten. The electrodes are also coated with strontium, calcium oxides and barium. An internal opaque reflector can be found in some fluorescent lamps. Normally, the shape of the light tubes is straight. Sometimes, the light tubes are made circle for special usages. Also, u-shaped tubes are seen to provide light for more compact areas. 
     Because there is mercury in fluorescent lamps, it is likely that the mercury contaminates the environment after the lamps are broken. Electromagnetic ballasts in fluorescent lamps are capable of producing buzzing mouse. Radio frequency interference is likely to be made by old fluorescent lamps. The operation of fluorescent lamps requires specific temperature, which is best around room temperature. If the lamps are placed in places with too low or high temperature, the efficacy of the lamps decreases. 
     In real lighting device design, details are critical no matter how small they appear. For example, to fix two components together conveniently usually brings large technical effect in the field of light device particularly when any such design involves a very large number of products to be sold around the world. 
     It is also important to consider how to conveniently install a lighting apparatus. Particularly, many societies face aging problems. More and more old people need to replace or install lighting devices by themselves. Labor cost for installing lighting devices is also increasing. It is therefore beneficial to design a better way to install various lighting devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     A lighting apparatus, includes a light module and a base bracket. 
     The light module has an elongated housing and LED modules. The LED modules are disposed in the elongated housing and emitting light passing through a light passing cover of the elongated housing. 
     The base bracket is fixed to a ceiling with a first fixing structure. The bracket has a second fixing structure for holding the elongated housing of the light module. 
     In some embodiments, the first fixing structure are screws fixing to screw holes of the base bracket. 
     In some embodiments, the base bracket has a first lateral plate arm and a second lateral plate arm. 
     In some embodiments, the first lateral plate arm has a first elongated inwardly convex structure for clipping a first elongated concave structure of the elongated housing of the light module. The second lateral plate arm has a second elongated inwardly convex structure for clipping a second elongated concave structure of the elongated housing of the light module. 
     In some embodiments, the first lateral plate arm and the second lateral plate arm are elastic and deformed to expand for receiving the light module and recover to clip the light module. 
     In some embodiments, the first elongated inwardly convex structure and the second elongated inwardly convex structure together form a track for inserting the light module 
     In some embodiments, the elongated housing of the light module has a top part with less diameter than a bottom part. 
     In some embodiments, the lighting apparatus may also include a first end box and a second end box disposed on two ends of the light module. 
     In some embodiments, the first end box and the second end box are connected to the base bracket. 
     In some embodiments, at least one of the first end box and the second end box encloses a driver for converting an external power to supply driving current to the light module. 
     In some embodiments, the first end box and the second end box contain additional light sources for emitting lights with directions differently from the light module. 
     In some embodiments, the base bracket relays electricity from an external power source to the light module. 
     In some embodiments, the base bracket has a driver circuit for converting the external power to a driving current supplied to the light module. 
     In some embodiments, the ceiling is installed with a grid system having multiple grids, each grid provides a structure connector corresponding to the first fixing structure of the base bracket and supplies electricity to the bracket via the first fixing structure. 
     In some embodiments, the base bracket has a second slot for installing an attached module in addition to the light module. 
     In some embodiments, the attached module interacts with the light module via an electricity loop of the base bracket. 
     In some embodiments, the attached module receives power from a driver of the light module via the electricity loop of the base bracket. 
     In some embodiments, the attached module communicates control signals via an electricity loop of the base bracket to the light module. 
     In some embodiments, an additional base bracket is used for holding the same light module. 
     In some embodiments, there is a security string disposed for connecting the base bracket and the light module. 
     In some embodiments, there is a security string disposed for connecting the base bracket to another base bracket. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a lighting apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a partial view of an embodiment of the lighting apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a partial view of an embodiment of the lighting apparatus. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a partial view of an embodiment of the lighting apparatus. 
         FIG. 5  shows a side view of an embodiment of the lighting apparatus. 
         FIG. 6  shows a side view of an embodiment of the lighting apparatus. 
         FIG. 7  shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the lighting apparatus. 
         FIG. 8  shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the lighting apparatus. 
         FIG. 9  shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the lighting apparatus. 
         FIG. 10  shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the lighting apparatus. 
         FIG. 11  shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the lighting apparatus. 
         FIG. 12  shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the lighting apparatus. 
         FIG. 13  shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the lighting apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . An embodiment of a lighting apparatus includes a base bracket  1  and a light module  2 . There is a security string  4  connecting the base bracket  1  to the light module to prevent the light module  2  falling from the base bracket for any accidental situation. The base bracket  1  is fixed to a ceiling with a first fixing structure. In this example, the fixing structure includes two screws. 
     There is an entrance below the base bracket  1 . The light module  2  is installed to the base bracket  1  from the entrance. In this example, the base bracket  1  has first lateral plate  1011  and a second lateral plate  1012 . The first lateral plate  1011  has a first elongated inwardly convex structure  1013 . The second lateral plate  1012  has a second elongated inwardly convex structure  1014 . The first elongated inwardly convex structure  1013  and the second elongated inwardly convex structure  1014  together for a first connector  11 . 
     The light module  2  has an elongated housing  201 . There is a first elongated concave structure  2011  on a first side of the elongated housing  201  and a second elongated concave structure  2012  on a second side of the elongated housing  201 . The first elongated concave structure  2011  and the second elongated concave structure  2102  together form a second connector  23 . The first connector  21  and the second connector  23  are connected so as to fix the light module  2  to the base bracket  1 . 
     There are at least two ways for connecting the first connector  21  to the second connector  23 . Specifically, in the first way, the first connector  21  and the second connector  23  are rigid structures and the first connector  11  form a track, and the second connector  23  of the light module is inserted into the track to be connected to the first connector  21 . 
     In this example, the elongated housing  201  of the light module  2  has a top part  2015  having less diameter than a bottom part  2016 . In other words, the top part  2015  of the elongated housing  201  is smaller than the bottom part  2016  so that to expand more areas for emitting light. 
     There are two end boxes  3 , a first end box and a second end box, fixing to two ends of the light module  2 . 
     The base bracket  1  fix the light module  2  to a desired position of the ceiling. There are LED modules  2017  disposed in the elongated housing  201 . There is a light passing cover  2018  on the elongated housing  201  for the light emitted by the LED modules  2017  to pass through. The light passing cover  2018  may have a diffusion cover or a transparent cover with multiple lens for forming light beams. 
     One end of the security string  4  is fixed to the light module  2  and the other end of the security string  4  is fixed to the base bracket  1 . If the base bracket  1  fails to hold the light module  2  with the connection between the first connector  21  and the second connector  23 , the security string  4  helps keeps connection between the light module  2  and the base bracket  1 . The end boxes  3  also prevent dust to go into the light module  2 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 . The base bracket  1  includes a top plate, a first lateral plate and a second lateral plate. The top plate is fixed to the ceiling with a first fixing structure. The first lateral plate and the second lateral plate are disposed on two sides of the top plate. There is a limiting block  41  disposed at end of the security string  4  to ensure the connection between the base bracket  1  and the light module  2  because the limiting block has larger size, not able to pass through an installation hole for passing the security string  4 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 6 . The screw  6  passes a connector ring and the top plate for fixing the base bracket  1  to the ceiling. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 3 . There is a connector as a spring buckle  42  between the security string  4  and the light body  2 . The spring buckle  42  is pressed to release connection of the installation hole  21  from the spring buckle  42 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . There is a container groove  22  on top of the light body  2  for storing the security string  4 . The container groove  22  may also be used for containing a driver box or other components. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the light passing cover  5  is detachable from the light module  2  to replace another light passing cover with different parameters. Various reflector may be installed to the light module  2  and different optical components like lens may be installed to the light module  2  to increase more flexibility and functions of the lighting apparatus. For example, light beam angles, colors and other parameters may be adjusted by installing corresponding components to the light module. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 7 . A base bracket  8801  is firstly fixed to a ceiling or a surface or another device. The light module  8802  is then attached to the base bracket  8801 . In addition, the connection between the light module  8802  and the base bracket  8801  may be detachable so as to replace another light module  8802  to the same base bracket  8801 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , the first end box  8891  and the second end box  8892  are connected to the base bracket  8801  and the light module  8802  at the same time. In other words, such example shows that both the base bracket  8801  and the light module  8802  are connected to the two end boxes  8891 ,  8892  to further enhance connection of the base bracket  8801  and the light module  8802 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , at least one of the first end box  8891  and the second end box  8892  encloses a driver  8893  for converting an external power to supply driving current to the light module  8802 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , the first end box  8891  and the second end box  8892  contain additional light sources  8894 ,  8895  for emitting lights with directions differently from the light module  8802 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , the base bracket  8803  has a driver  8804  and an electrode  8805 . The light module  8807  has a corresponding electrode  8806  for connecting the electrode  8805  to receive a driving current generated by the driver  8804 . 
     In  FIG. 13 , the base bracket  8866  has a conductive path  8819  relays electricity from an external power source to the light module  8821 . 
     In  FIG. 13 , the base bracket  8866  has a driver circuit  8819  for converting the external power to a driving current supplied to the light module  8821 . 
     In  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , the ceiling is installed with a grid system  8807  having multiple grids  8810 ,  8811 , each grid provides a structure connector corresponding to the first fixing structure of the base bracket and supplies electricity to the bracket via the first fixing structure. In other words, the base bracket  8808  is fixed to the grid system  8807  for receiving electricity and structure support. The light module  8809  is attached to the base bracket  8808 . 
     In  FIG. 11 , the base bracket  8812  has a second slots for installing an attached module  8813 ,  8815  in addition to the light module  8814 . 
     In  FIG. 12 , the attached module interacts with the light module via an electricity loop of the base bracket. 
     In  FIG. 13 , the attached module  8821  receives power from a driver  8869  of the light module  8821  via the electricity loop  8819  of the base bracket  8866 . The electricity loop  8819  may be a set of wires or conductive bars for guiding electricity to pass through for connecting multiple electricity components. 
     In  FIG. 13 , the attached modules  8820 ,  8822  communicate control signals via an electricity loop  8819  of the base bracket  8866  to the light module  8821 . 
     In  FIG. 12 , an additional base bracket  8817  and an original base bracket  8816  are together used for holding the same light module  8818 . 
     In some embodiments, there is a security string disposed for connecting the base bracket to another base bracket. 
     In some embodiments, there is a security string disposed for connecting the base bracket to another base bracket. 
     The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. 
     The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the techniques and their practical applications. Others skilled in the art are thereby enabled to best utilize the techniques and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
     Although the disclosure and examples have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the disclosure and examples as defined by the claims.