Patent Abstract:
A suspended light fixture includes a housing having first and second members configured to engage one another in a closed position and disengage from one another in an open position. For example, one member can include a cover, and the other member can include a housing body. The housing contains at least one internal component coupled to one of the members. The first member is configured to receive at least one cable. At least one cable gripper is coupled to the first member. Each cable gripper is slidable along a corresponding cable in a first direction and configured to only allow movement of the cable gripper in a second, opposite direction, upon operation of a mechanism. Movement of the cable grippers in the first direction causes corresponding movement of the first member, towards the open position. In the open position, the internal components are accessible for maintenance or another activity.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates generally to suspended light fixtures and more particularly to systems and methods for accessing internal components of a suspended light fixture. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A luminaire is a system for producing, controlling, and/or distributing light for illumination. For example, a luminaire can include a system that outputs or distributes light into an environment, thereby allowing certain items in that environment to be visible. Luminaires are sometimes referred to as “light fixtures.” 
     A suspended light fixture is a light fixture that is suspended from an overhead location, such as a ceiling, by one or more cables. A typical suspended light fixture includes electrical components contained within a housing, a lamp socket coupled to the electrical components, a reflector or diffuser mounted to the lamp housing, and one or more cables connecting the housing to an overhead location. The lamp socket is configured to receive a light-emitting element, such as a lamp, a light-emitting diode (“LED”), or a bulb. 
     A person must be able to access the internal electrical components of the light fixture to perform routine maintenance on the light fixture and/or to troubleshoot failures of the light fixture. For example, access to the internal components may be necessary to replace a faulty electrical component with a working electrical component. To access the internal electrical components of a conventional suspended light fixture, a person has to climb a ladder or ride a bucket truck to the overhead location of the light fixture and open the housing using a screwdriver or other tool. In some instances, the person had to disconnect the light fixture from the overhead location to open the housing. This process is time consuming and cumbersome. In addition, this process is dangerous because the person could accidentally drop the light fixture from the overhead location while disconnecting the light fixture, opening the housing, and/or accessing the electrical components. 
     Therefore, a need exists in the art for an improved means for accessing internal components of a light fixture. In particular, a need exists in the art for efficient, user-friendly systems and methods for accessing internal components of a suspended light fixture. In addition, a need exists in the art for such systems and methods to be safe. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention provides an improved method and device for accessing internal components of a suspended light fixture. In particular, the invention provides efficient, user-friendly, and safe systems and methods for accessing internal components of the suspended light fixture. 
     A suspended light fixture can include a lamp housing having a first member and a second member that are configured to engage one another in a closed position and disengage from one another in an open position. For example, one of the members can include a cover, and the other member can include a body. The lamp housing can be configured to house at least one internal component, such as a ballast tray, a power tray, or another electrical or non-electrical component. These components can be coupled to one of the members. 
     The first member can be configured to receive at least one cable. Each cable typically is an elongated member configured to support the weight of at least a portion of the light fixture. For example, each cable can include at least one metallic and/or non-metallic rope, chain, pendant, cord, solid rod, and/or wire, such as wire rope commonly referred to as “aircraft cable.” 
     At least one cable gripper can be coupled to the first member. Each cable gripper is slidable along a corresponding cable in a first direction. For example, each cable gripper can be slidable along the cable in a direction away from the second member. Each cable gripper can prevent movement of the cable gripper in a second, until the operation of a mechanism. For example, the mechanism can include a knurled safety nut or another device associated with the cable gripper or incorporated within the cable gripper that can be operated to allow movement of the cable gripper in the second direction. 
     Movement of the cable gripper in the first direction can cause corresponding movement of the first member towards the open position. In the open position, the internal components are accessible for maintenance or another activity. For example, a person can operate the cable gripper with a single hand. 
     A stop member can be attached to the cable and configured to support at least a portion of the weight of the light fixture. For example, the stop member can be disposed below at least one of members, engaging and supporting a surface thereof. The cable gripper can prevent potential energy, such as gravity, from causing the internal components coupled to the first member from falling when in the open position. Thus, the stop member and the cable gripper can allow the internal components of the light fixture to be efficiently, easily, and safely accessed for maintenance or some other purpose. 
     These and other aspects, features and embodiments of the invention will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments exemplifying the best mode for carrying out the invention as presently perceived. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description, in conjunction with the accompanying figures briefly described as follows. 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a system for accessing internal components of a suspended light fixture, according to certain exemplary embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial elevational view of the system of  FIG. 1 , with an interior end of a cable being visible within the suspended light fixture, according to certain exemplary embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a partial elevational view of the system of  FIG. 1 , with the light fixture in an open position, according to certain exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention is directed to systems and methods for accessing internal components of a suspended light fixture. In particular, the invention provides efficient, user-friendly, and safe systems and methods for accessing internal components of a suspended light fixture. For example, the internal components can include one or more electrical components, such as a ballast tray or a power tray. 
     Turning now to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout the figures, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail.  FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a system  100  for accessing internal components of a suspended light fixture  103 , according to certain exemplary embodiments.  FIG. 2  is a partial elevational view of the system  100  of  FIG. 1 , with a bottom end  125   a  of a cable  125  being visible within the light fixture  103 , according to certain exemplary embodiments.  FIG. 3  is a partial elevational view of the system  100  of  FIG. 1 , with the light fixture  103  in an open position, according to certain exemplary embodiments. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , the light fixture  103  is an electrical device configured to create artificial light or illumination. For example, the light fixture  103  can be configured to create such artificial light or illumination via one or more incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, pulse start metal halides, high pressure sodium lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, and/or light-emitting diodes (not shown). The light fixture  103  is configured to be suspended from an over-head location, such as a ceiling (not shown), via one or more cables  125 . 
     Each cable  125  is an elongated member configured to support the weight of at least a portion of the light fixture  103 . For example, each cable  125  can include at least one metallic and/or non-metallic rope, chain, pendant, cord, solid rod, and/or wire, such as wire rope commonly referred to as “aircraft cable.” In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , two cables  125  disposed proximate opposite vertical sides of a housing  105  of the light fixture  103  are used to suspend the housing  105  from the overhead location. A person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure will recognize that other numbers of cables  125  may be used in certain alternative exemplary embodiments. For example, a single cable  125  or more than two cables  125  may be used in certain alternative exemplary embodiments. In a single cable  125  embodiment, for example, the cable  125  can extend substantially through a center of the housing  105 , with the components  140  disposed substantially around the cable  125 . For example, the cable  125  can be disposed within a hollow tube about which the components  140  are disposed. As described in more detail below, movement of at least one cable gripper  120  along each cable  125  causes corresponding movement of at least a portion of the housing  105  and/or the components  140 , providing toolless access to the components  140  for maintenance or other purposes. 
     Each cable  125  has a bottom end  125   a  disposed within the interior of the fixture  103  and a top end  125   b  coupled to the overhead location. Although illustrated in substantially vertical orientations, a person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure will recognize that each of the cables  125  may have any orientation, such as an angular orientation or a horizontal orientation, in certain alternative exemplary embodiments. 
     The housing  105  includes a body member  107  configured to house one or more components  140 , such as a ballast tray or a power tray, wiring, and electrical connectors. The components  140  are connected to a lamp socket (not shown) configured to receive a light-emitting element (not shown), such as an incandescent lamp, a fluorescent lamp, a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp, a pulse start metal halide, a high pressure sodium lamp, a compact fluorescent lamp, and/or a light-emitting diode. For example, electrical wires and/or quick-connect connections (not shown) may connect the components  140  to the light-emitting element. The components  140  are configured to supply power to the lamp socket, to energize the light-emitting element. An optic element  115 , such as a reflector, a diffuser, or a shade, is mounted to the housing  105 , substantially around the lamp socket. The optic element  115  is configured to reflect or diffuse light from the lamp into a desired environment. 
     The components  140  are connected to a cover  110  of the housing  105 . A bottom end of the cover  110  is configured to engage a top end of the body member  107  when the light fixture  103  is in a closed (normal) operating position, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 . Thus, when the light fixture  103  is in the closed operating position, the components  140  are disposed within the housing  105 . 
     Each cable  125  extends from the overhead location, through a corresponding protruding side member  110   a  of the cover  110 , through a leg  108  of the body member  107 , and through a support member  109  of the body member  107 . The support member  109  includes an end  107   a  of the body member  107  and is disposed substantially around the optic  115 . A stop member  111 , coupled to the bottom end  125   a  of the cable  125 , is configured to engage an interior surface  109   a  of the support member  109 . 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, the stop member  111  is substantially spherically shaped, with a diameter larger than a diameter or width of the cable  125 . The diameter of the stop member  111  also is larger than a diameter or width of a support member aperture  109   b  through which the cable  125  extends. The stop member  111  is configured to support the weight of at least a portion of the light fixture  103 . When the light fixture  103  is installed, the support member  109  rests on the stop member  111 , suspended from the overhead location. In certain exemplary embodiments, the stop member  111  is a die-cast or swaged member. 
     In certain alternative exemplary embodiments, the stop member  111  has a different geometry, such as a substantially square, rectangular, or oval. Alternately, the stop member  111  is replaced by other means for mechanically supporting the light fixture  103  on the cables  125 . For example, such means may include wedging each cable  125  using a screw, wedge, nail, snap, clip, collar, or pin, tying a knot in the cable  125 , and/or routing the cable  125  within the housing  105  and back out of the housing  105  to the overhead location, towards, through, or to the protruding side member  110   a , in a generally “U”-shaped orientation. 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, a tubular member  145  extends between each protruding side member  110   a  and its corresponding leg  108 , with a portion of the cable  125  extending therethrough. The tubular member  145  can be both decorative and functional. For example, the tubular member  145  includes an aesthetically pleasing support configured to maintain a mechanical relationship between each protruding side member  110   a  and its corresponding leg  108 . In certain exemplary embodiments, each tubular member  145  is threadably attached to its corresponding leg  108 . A person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure will recognize that many suitable means exist for attaching the tubular members  145  and legs  108 . For example, in certain alternative exemplary embodiments, the tubular members  145  and legs  108  are screwed, nailed, snapped, clipped, and/or pinned together. 
     A cable gripper  120  is slidably coupled to each cable  125 , proximate its corresponding protruding side member  110   a . Each cable gripper  120  is a device configured to slide along the cable  125  in a first direction, locking out movement in a second, opposite direction. For example, the cable grippers  120  depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are configured to slide along the cables  125  in a direction towards the overhead location and away from the bottom end  125   a  of the cable  125 , locking out movement in the opposite, downward direction. Each cable gripper  120  includes a disengaging mechanism that is selectively operable to overcome the lock-out feature, thereby allowing a person to move the cable gripper  120  in the second direction. 
     A person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure will recognize that many means exist for locking out movement of the cable gripper  120  and for disengaging the lock-out feature. For example, each cable gripper  120  can use ball bearings, conical wedges within a conical body or a sectional portion of a body, and/or a knurled safety nut  121  to perform some or all of these functions. Other suitable means for performing these functions will be readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure. For example, Griplock Systems, Inc. currently offers multiple brands of “gliders,” having varying shapes and configurations, that may be used as cable grippers  120  in certain exemplary embodiments. 
     Each cable gripper  120  is threadably attached to its corresponding protruding side member  110   a . A person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure will recognize that many other suitable means exist for attaching the cable grippers  120  to the protruding side members  110   a . For example, in certain alternative exemplary embodiments, the cable grippers  120  and protruding side members  110   a  are screwed, nailed, snapped, clipped, pressed, glued, and/or pinned together. 
     Movement of the cable grippers  120  causes a corresponding movement of the cover  110  and the components  140  attached thereto. Each cable gripper  120  slides upward along its corresponding cable  125  to lift the cover  110  from the body member  107 , which is held in place by gravity and prevented from falling by the stop member  111 . This movement allows for toolless access to the internal components  140  without disconnecting the housing  105  from the cables  125 , the overhead location, or a power source (not shown). The lock-out feature of the cable gripper  120  prevents potential energy, such as gravity, from causing the cover  110  and/or the components  140  from falling during this access. Thus, the internal components  140  are efficiently, easily, and safely accessed. 
     In the open position depicted in  FIG. 3 , the cable grippers  120 , cover  110 , and components  140  are separated from the other parts of the light fixture  103 , including the body member  107  and the optic element  115 . The cable grippers  120  suspend the cover  110  and the components  140  from the overhead location, along the cables  125 . Similarly, the stop member  111  suspends the remaining parts of the fixture  103  from the overhead location, along the cables  125 . 
     To go from the open position of  FIG. 3  to the closed position of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one or more disengaging mechanisms, such as the knurled safety nuts  121 , are engaged to overcome the lock-out feature of the cable grippers  120 . Then, the cable grippers  120 , and the cover  110  and components  140  coupled thereto, are slid towards the other components of the light fixture  103 , until the components  140  are positioned within the body member  107  of the housing, and the cover  110  engages the top end of the body member  107 . 
     In certain alternative exemplary embodiments, the components  140  are not attached to the cover  110 . For example, the components  140  can be attached to the optic  115  and/or the lamp socket. In such embodiments, the cable grippers  120  are attached to at least a portion of the housing  105 . That portion is not attached to the components  140 . The cable grippers  120  can slide along the cables  125 , causing corresponding movement of the portion of the housing  105  up and away from the components  140 . Such movement allows toolless access to the components  140  for maintenance or other activities. 
     Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described above in detail, the description is merely for purposes of illustration. It should be appreciated, therefore, that many aspects of the invention were described above by way of example only and are not intended as required or essential elements of the invention unless explicitly stated otherwise. Various modifications of, and equivalent steps corresponding to, the disclosed aspects of the exemplary embodiments, in addition to those described above, can be made by a person of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined in the following claims, the scope of which is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass such modifications and equivalent structures.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5