Patent Abstract:
A sconce light fixture and a wall mount bracket are configured such that the wall mount bracket may be attached to a wall and the sconce light fixture thereafter may be removably attached to the wall mount bracket in a manner which establishes a continuous electrical power path from the wall mount bracket to the sconce light fixture and LEDs mounted therein.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The subject disclosure relates to LED light fixtures and more particularly to an LED sconce light fixture, which is easily installable on a cooperating wall bracket component. 
     2. Related Art 
     Sconce light fixtures are known in the art, for example, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 8,672,508, assigned to Tempo Industries, LLC. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an illustrative embodiment, sconce light fixture apparatus is provided comprising a sconce light fixture and a separate wall mount bracket component. In one embodiment, the sconce light fixture has first and second hooks and first and second downwardly disposed electrical conductor pins mounted on a back side of a housing. The wall mount bracket component is configured to be attachable to a wall and has upper and lower junction boxes. The upper junction box has first and second tabs positioned on respective side surfaces thereof, while the lower junction box has first and second female electrical connector receptacles positioned in a top surface thereof. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the first and second hooks and the first and second electrical conductor pins of the sconce light fixture and the first and second side tabs and the first and second female electrical connector receptacles of the wall mount bracket component are so shaped, dimensioned, and positioned that the sconce light fixture can be mounted to the wall mount bracket by sliding the first and second hooks respectively down over the first and second side tabs, while at the same time inserting the first and second electrical conductor pins respectively into the first and second female connector receptacles. 
     In one embodiment, the sconce light fixture further has a power supply cover located on a rear surface thereof and a power supply positioned within the cover. In this embodiment, the first and second hooks are mounted on a first end cap positioned adjacent a first end of said power supply cover, and the first and second conductor pins are mounted on a lower end cap positioned adjacent a lower end of the power supply cover. In one embodiment, the first and second end caps are fastened to a back surface of the housing and the second end cap is configured to retain the power supply cover in position on the back surface. In one embodiment, the power supply cover is rectangular in cross-section and the first and second end caps are shaped to close respective rectangular openings at upper and lower ends of the cover. 
     In one embodiment, the wall mount bracket may comprise a centrally located wire guide mounted between the upper and lower junction boxes and having a closed central conduit running between the upper and lower junction boxes. The upper junction box is configured to receive an electrical power cable and the conduit is configured to conduct the power cable to the lower junction box for attachment to the female connector receptacles. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a first illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a second illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a back perspective view of the sconce light fixture of the second illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the sconce light fixture of the second illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of a wall mount bracket according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is an end view of an illustrative upper junction box component of the wall mount bracket of  FIG. 6  in assembly with a central wire guide component; 
         FIG. 8  is an end view of an illustrative lower junction box component of the wall mount bracket of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an end view of an illustrative upper junction box component of the wall mount bracket of  FIG. 8  in assembly with a central wire guide component; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the lower junction box component with a cover component thereof in an open position; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating closure of the door of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a partial perspective view of the rear of a housing component of the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-5 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a slip fitter component installed in an upper end cap of the sconce fixture of  FIGS. 3-5 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view looking up at the slip fitter component installed in an upper end cap of the sconce fixture of  FIGS. 3-5 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an end view of the housing of the sconce fixture of  FIGS. 3-5 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a side perspective view of an upper power supply end cap; 
         FIG. 17  is an end view of an upper power supply end cap; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a lower power supply end cap; 
         FIG. 19  is a second perspective view of a lower power supply end cap; 
         FIG. 20  is an end view of the upper power supply end cap installed in a sconce light fixture central housing; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view illustrating a power supply installed in a power supp housing according to illustrative embodiments; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view illustrating installation of an upper end cap and power supply housing onto a sconce light fixture housing of the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-5 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view illustrating installation of an upper end cap and power supply housing onto a sconce light fixture housing of the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-5 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view illustrating installation of a lower end cap into the power supply housing and sconce light fixture housing of the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-5 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-5  in the assembled state; 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective of a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of a spring loaded latch assembly employable in the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 28  is a rear perspective view of a face plate component of  FIG. 26  with the spring loaded latch assembly in a latched position; 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective sectional view of the face plate component prior to assembly; 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective section view of the end cap component of  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective view of an illustrative generally rectangular sconce fixture embodiment; 
         FIG. 32  is a partial side sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 31 ; and 
         FIG. 33  is a detail taken at “30” of  FIG. 32 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-2  illustrate sconce light fixture apparatus according to one embodiment, including a sconce light fixture  13  and a wall mount bracket  15 . The sconce light fixture  13  has a plurality of LEDs mounted therein behind a removable cover  14 , which is semicircular in cross-section. 
     The back side  17  of the illustrative sconce light fixture  13  includes a power supply cover extrusion  19  and upper and lower power supply end caps  21 ,  23 . The upper power supply end cap  21  has first and second hooks  25 ,  27 , which extend vertically parallel to one another. The lower power supply end cap  23  has parallel male electrical connector plugs or pins  29 ,  31 , which project projecting downwardly therefrom, and side guides, e.g.,  30 ,  32  positioned on either side of the pins  29 ,  31 . 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the wall mount bracket  15  has an upper junction box  33 , a lower junction box  35 , and a central wire guide  37 , which is positioned between the upper and lower junction boxes  33 ,  35 . The upper junction box  33  includes a power feed point  39  and respective tabs  41 ,  43  on opposite sides  45 ,  47  thereof. The lower junction box  35  has respective female electrical connector openings or receptacles  50 ,  52 , in a top surface  53  thereof. The receptacles  50 ,  52  are flanked on either side by first and second openings  49 ,  51 . In the illustrative embodiment, the central wire guide  37  is rectangular in cross-section and has a raised conductor conduit  38  centrally positioned therein. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the hooks  25 ,  27 ; the pins  29 ,  31 ; the side tabs  41 ,  43 ; and the receptacles  49 ,  51  are positioned such that the sconce fixture  13  may be attached to the wall bracket  15  by simply sliding the hooks  25 ,  27  down over respective side tabs,  41 ,  43 , while at the same time inserting the plugs  29 ,  31  into the receptacles  49 ,  51 . The side guides (locator pins)  30 ,  32  on the lower power supply end cap  23  fit into a respective one of the openings  49 ,  51  to assist in positioning the electrical connector pins  29 ,  31 . In one embodiment, a locking screw may be inserted through the lower junction box  35  and into the locator pin  30 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1-2 , electrical power (e.g. line voltage) is supplied from the power feed point  39  through the conductor conduit  38  to the receptacles  50 ,  52 , then to the pins  29 ,  31  and from the pins  29 ,  31 , to a suitable driver (power supply) for LED lighting devices. The driver or power supply may be mounted within the power supply cover  19 . In one embodiment, the power supply may be a Lutron model L3DA4U1UMN-AV120. In an alternate embodiment, power can be fed into the lower junction box  35  and the electrical leads connected directly to the first and second female power connectors  50 ,  52 . 
     An alternate embodiment sconce light fixture  113  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3-24 . The sconce light fixture  113  includes an upper housing end cap  91  of rectangular cross-section, a lower housing end cap  93  of rectangular cross-section, and a central housing  95  positioned between the upper and lower housing end caps  91 ,  93 . A removable, light transmissive lens cover  96  is positioned on the housing  95  between the housing end caps  91 ,  93 . Behind the lens  96  is a bank of circuit boards  114 , each mounting one or more LEDs. The circuit boards  114  may be mounted in a channel  106  formed in the central housing  95  ( FIG. 15 ). In one embodiment, each end cap  91 ,  93  may have a lightly frosted lens with an LED circuit board located behind the lens in order to provide illumination in the up and down directions. 
     The alternate embodiment of  FIG. 3  may employ a wall bracket  15  constructed in the same manner as that employed in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 , with dimensions adjusted as may be appropriate for the particular application. Further details of an illustrative wall bracket  15  are shown in  FIGS. 6-11 , which will now be discussed. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the back side  53  of the lower junction box  35  of the wall bracket  15  has respective vertically extending tabs  71 ,  73 , which are positioned to slide into the respective slots  42 ,  44  in the conductor conduit  38 , whereafter the lower junction box  35  is fastened in place by screws  74  inserted through respective holes  75 ,  77  in the wire guide  37 . The upper junction box  33  is similarly attached to the wire guide  37 . 
     As seen in the end view of  FIG. 7 , the conductor conduit  38  has an enclosed central opening  40 , which surrounds the electrical cable or conductor  97 . The respective vertical sides  46 ,  48  of the wire guide  37  each have a respective horizontal tab  54 ,  56  extending from a respective inner side surface  58 ,  60 , which form respective slots  62 ,  64 . 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the lower junction box cover  79  has a tab  81  with respective tangs  83 ,  85  formed thereon, which fit behind nubs  87 ,  89  when the cover  79  is inserted sidewardly into the lower junction box  35 . The cover  79  is then pivoted into a closed position as illustrated in  FIG. 11  and a screw  80  is inserted through an opening  91  and into a boss  93  to fasten the cover  79  in place. In the illustrative embodiment, the upper junction box cover  95  ( FIG. 6 ) is constructed and attached in the same manner as the lower junction box cover  79 . As may be seen from  FIGS. 6-10 , the electrical leads  97  enter the upper junction box  33 , enter and pass through the central conduit  37 , and exit into the lower junction box  35  where they supply power to the receptacles  50 ,  52 . 
       FIGS. 12-15  illustrate the manner in which the housing end caps  91 ,  93  are attached to the central sconce fixture housing  95  in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 . In the illustrative embodiment, the housing end caps  91 ,  93  are attached to the central housing  95  by respective slip fitter components  97 ,  99 . Each slip fitter  97 ,  99 , has respective side fins  101 ,  103  which slide into respective slots  105 ,  107  formed on the back surface  109  of the central housing  95  ( FIG. 15 ), whereafter each slip fitter  97 ,  99  is fixed in position by respective screws  106 ,  108 . Pairs of screws  111 ,  113  ( FIG. 14 ) inserted through holes  115 ,  117  in the underside of each slip fitter  97 ,  99  complete the interconnection of the respective end caps  91 ,  93  with the housing  95 . 
     The embodiment of  FIGS. 3-5  employs power supply end caps  221 ,  223  which may be constructed in the same manner as those of  FIG. 1-2 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 16-19 , the power supply end caps  221 ,  223  each have respective pairs of wings  225 ,  227 ;  229 ,  231  on their side surfaces, which are shaped to slide into the slots  105 ,  107  on the back surface  109  of the central housing  95  in the same manner as the slip fitter components  97 ,  99 .  FIG. 20  illustrates the upper power supply end cap  221  installed in the slots  105 ,  107  of the central housing  95 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-5 , as with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 , a power supply cover  219  is positioned between the power supply end caps  221 ,  223 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 21 , a power supply  90  is attached to the inside top surface of the power supply cover  219 , for example, by suitable double-sided adhesive tape. In one embodiment, the interior sides  241 ,  242  of power supply cover  219  are shaped to rest on the central housing surface  109  adjacent the sides of the respective slip fitters  97 ,  99 . 
     The manner of assembly or installation of the end caps  221 ,  223 , and cover  219  according to an illustrative embodiment is further illustrated in  FIGS. 22-24 . In assembly, the top power supply end cap  221  is installed in the slots  105 ,  107  of the central housing  95  and fastened down by its screw  228 , as shown in  FIG. 22 . The power supply cover  217  is then put in place and its upper end  127  is brought into abutting relation with the back surface  222  of the upper end cap  221  ( FIG. 23 ). The back surface  222  is shaped so as to completely close the otherwise open end  127  of the cover  219 . As shown in  FIG. 24 , the lower power supply end cap  223  is then slid into the slots  105 ,  107 , until its back surface  131  abuts and closes the lower end  135  of the power supply cover  219 , while a tab  137  slides over and abuts the top surface  139  of the cover  219 . A screw  141  is then inserted and tightened down to hold both the cover  219  and lower end cap  223  in place. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-5 , as with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 , the hooks  233 ; the pins  329 ,  331 ; the side tabs  41 ,  43 ; and the receptacles  49 ,  51  are positioned such that the sconce fixture  113  may be attached to the wall bracket  15  by simply sliding the hooks  233  down over respective side tabs,  41 ,  43 , while at the same time inserting the pins  329 ,  331  into the receptacles  49 ,  51 . The side guides  330 ,  332  on the lower power supply end cap  223  fit into a respective one of the openings  49 ,  51  to assist in positioning the electrical connector pins  329 ,  331 . 
       FIGS. 26-30  illustrate an alternate “flush mount” sconce embodiment. This embodiment includes a central housing extrusion  311 , a top cap  313 , a bottom cap  315 , a face plate  317 , an LED driver  319 , and a junction box  321 . The face plate  317  is generally rectangular and shaped to mate with and close the junction box  321 , with the exception of the presence of a rectangular opening  323 . Inwardly projecting flanges  326 ,  328  disposed on the vertical edges of the opening  323  position respective oppositely disposed side tabs  341 ,  343  in the interior of the junction box  321 . The lower horizontal edge  342  of the rectangular opening  323  forms one edge of a connector block  335 , which has a horizontally-extending shelf  336  formed integrally therewith. 
     The top cap  313  and bottom cap  315  are constructed in a similar manner to other embodiments, each having a pair of wings  425 ,  427 ;  429 ,  431  on their side surfaces, which are shaped to slide in slots  305 ,  307  on the back surface  309  of the central housing  311 . The top cap  313  further has respective hooks  461 ,  462  formed thereon, while the bottom cap  315  has a side guide  430 , a locator pin  432 , and first and second central conductor guides  433 ,  434  containing respective electrical′pins in their interior, which are configured to deliver power to LEDs within the sconce fixture  301 . 
       FIGS. 29 and 30  illustrate the positioning of female electrical connectors  451 ,  453  in the receptacles  337 ,  339  of the face plate  317 , and the positioning of respective mating male electrical connectors  455 ,  457  in the receptacles  422 ,  434  of the bottom cap  315 . In one embodiment, respective electrical leads from the power supply  319  pass under the shelf  336  and mate with the respective male connectors  451 ,  453 . In one embodiment, electrical leads emanate from the tops of connectors  455 ,  457  and pass through an opening  448  in the surface  309  to supply power to LEDs mounted in circuit boards within the sconce fixture  301 . 
     When assembled, the LED driver  319  is fixed to the shelf  336 , for example, by double sided adhesive tape and low-voltage electrical leads emanating from the driver  319  are interconnected with the electrical connectors  451 ,  453  of the face plate  317  which transfer power into the mating electrical connectors  455 ,  457 , when the bottom cap  315  is inserted through the opening  323  in the face plate  317 . 
     In assembly, in one embodiment, the junction box  321  is first attached to a wall or other surface, and the driver  319  is attached to the shelf  336  with its low voltage leads having been previously interconnected with the connectors  451 ,  453 . Line voltage electrical leads are then connected to the driver  319 , and the face plate  317  is then attached to the junction box  321  by screws  353 . 
     To attach the sconce fixture  301  to the junction box  321 , the bottom cap  315  is slid into the slots  305 ,  307  of the central housing  311  and fixed in place, for example, by a suitable screw. The top cap  313  is then slid into the slots  305 ,  307 . The fixture  301  is then positioned such that the locator pin  432  of the bottom cap  315  plugs into an opening or receptacle  340  in the wire guide block  335 , the side tab  430  of the bottom cap  315  mates with groove  338  on the connector block  335 , and the electrical connectors  451 ,  453 ;  455 ,  457  mate. The top connector  313  is then slid downwardly until the hooks  425 ,  427  capture the side tabs  341 ,  343  of the face plate  317 . In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 26 , the top cap  313  and bottom cap  315 , the hooks  425 ,  427 , the side tab  430 , and the locator pin  432  and other components are shaped dimensioned and positioned such that the sconce fixture  301  may be attached to the junction box  321  in the manner just described. 
     In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 26 , a spring loaded latch assembly  411  may be provided to hold the top cap  313  in place and thus retain the sconce fixture  301  in an attached or assembled position so that it cannot be pulled off the wall. As shown in  FIGS. 26-28 , the latch assembly  411  includes a latch body  413 , a latch spring  415 , and a latch release rod  417 . Upon insertion of the bottom cap  315  and top cap  313  into the cavity of the junction box  321 , a cam surface  414  of the face plate boss  410  comes into mechanical contact with the latch release rod  417  so as to cause lateral displacement of the latch release rod  417 , creating tension in the spring  415 . When full insertion is achieved, the latch release rod  417  returns to its previous position where it now lies beneath the boss  410 .  FIG. 28  illustrates the latch release rod  417  in this final or assembled position where its right end  412  is positioned beneath the boss  410  at a slight distance from the boss, of, for example, ⅛ inch. In such position, the end  412  will come into abutment with the boss  410  if upward movement of the sconce fixture  301  occurs. If it is desired to disassemble the unit, the release rod  417  is pulled to the right in  FIG. 28 , so that its end  412  can pass by the boss  410  without contacting it. An indentation  418  may be provided in the latch rod  417  to enable insertion of a screwdriver or other tool to assist in pushing the release rod  417  to the right. 
       FIGS. 31-33  illustrate a rectangular sconce fixture embodiment  475  employing a centrally positioned vertical decorative strip  477 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 28-30 , the apparatus is configured such that the upper and lower ends  479 ,  481  of the decorative strip  477  fit into vertical slots in the respective upper and lower housing end caps  491 ,  493  and such that hook portions  483 ,  485  hook over the front surfaces  492 ,  494  of those ends caps  491 ,  493 . A horizontal mounting pad  487  extends from the inner wall of the upper end cap  491  on which is mounted a compression spring  489 . In one embodiment, the compression spring  489  may be retained within a chamber which has a vertical slot permitting the upper end  485  of the decorative strip  477  to ride up and down against the bias of the spring  489 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment of  FIGS. 31-33 , the lower end  483  of the decorative strip  477  is shorter than the upper end  485 . During installation, the upper end  485  of the decorative strip  477  is positioned and pressed down against the spring  489  to full compression. Then the lower end  483  is first hooked over the edge of the front surface  494  of the lower housing end cap  493 , and the strip  477  will then be in a position. Where the spring  489  is compressed, while simultaneously having hooks portions  483  and  485  located behind front surfaces  492  and  494 . In one embodiment, the spring  489  is at 50% compression when the strip  477  is completely installed. This mechanism enables easy and positive attachment of a wide range of decorative strips or other items after installation of the entire rectangular sconce fixture  475 . 
       FIG. 32  further illustrates mounting of upwardly and downwardly facing LED circuit boards  501 ,  503  in the upper and lower housing end caps  491 ,  493 . As shown, the boards  501 ,  503  may be held in position by side tabs  504 ,  505 ;  506 ,  507  and additionally retained by set screws  508 ,  509 . The boards  501 ,  503  mount one or more LEDs, e.g.  511 ,  513 , beneath light transmissive lens covers  515 ,  517 , which may be snap-fitted or otherwise attached in place. 
     One advantage realizable with the illustrative embodiments is that a wall mount bracket component, e.g.  15 , may be installed at a relatively early stage of construction of a theatre or other structure, and the relatively expensive sconce light fixture  13  may then be installed at a later stage of construction when the risk of damage to the fixture is reduced. 
     Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5