Patent Abstract:
An LED light fixture includes a housing, a lens and a flexible gasket there between. Each of the housing and the lens has an elongate main body and two ends sealingly fixed to the main body. The assembly of components in the housing defines a sealing channel rectangular in plan and the lens similarly defines a sealing ridge. A mounting plate with light emitting diodes distributed on the mounting plate further includes a manifold plate positioned on the mounting plate which includes holes therethrough with reflectors about the holes to receive the light emitting diodes. Mounts supporting the elongate housing define longitudinally adjustable engagements with the housing. The mounts further include tracks arranged in arcs of circles located in planes perpendicular to the extension of the elongate housing. Munting brackets engage these tracks using retainers.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The field of the present invention is LED light fixtures for architectural lighting. 
         [0002]    Architectural lighting is typically employed to add dramatic effect to the architecture of a building or other structure. The nature, configuration and placement of the fixtures providing such lighting are responsive to the configuration and structure of the building. Consequently, versatile light fixtures are needed to accommodate wide ranging demands for architectural lighting. Light intensity, light distribution, source position, adjustability and fixture appearance all can be factors in architectural lighting designs. Such requirements often require flexibility that is difficult to satisfy with a common fixture design. Additional demands placed on architectural lighting and the use thereof include moisture resistance, maintenance needs and adjustability. All such factors can add to difficulties in design and fabrication of architectural lighting fixtures. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is directed to architectural lighting using LED lamps in an elongate housing with a lamp mounting surface enclosed by a lens. 
         [0004]    In a first separate aspect of the present invention, the elongate housing is adjustably supported on mounts which are in turn received by mounting brackets. The elongate housing and the mounts define elongate engagements allowing longitudinal adjustment of the mounts along the housing. Such adjustments allow conformation with the architectural structure. The mounts further include tracks arranged in arcs of circles located in planes perpendicular to the extension of the elongate housing. The mounting brackets engage these tracks using retainers, allowing aiming of the LED light fixture. With these attributes, a fixture is able to readily adjust to many architectural needs and conditions. 
         [0005]    In a second separate aspect of the present invention, the elongate housing is adjustably supported on mounts which are in turn received by mounting brackets. The mounts include tracks arranged in arcs of circles located in planes perpendicular to the extension of the elongate housing. The mounting brackets engage these tracks using retainers, allowing aiming of the LED light fixture. The fixture is able to be adjusted such that the lens is allowed to face in a range of 360° as measured about an axis extending in the elongate direction of the housing. 
         [0006]    In a third separate aspect of the present invention, an LED light fixture includes a housing, a lens fixable on the housing and a flexible gasket. The housing has an elongate main body and two ends sealingly fixed to the main body. The main body has two parallel elongate channels extending the length thereof and each end has two channels which are aligned with the elongate channels and a cross channel between the end channels so as to form a seal channel rectangular in plan. The lens includes a seal ridge tapered to mate fully about the seal channel with the lens fixed in the housing. The gasket is positioned therebetween. This arrangement with the component housing allows for uniformity of product with different housing lengths. Again, architectural needs are readily accommodated. 
         [0007]    In a fourth separate aspect of the present invention, the device of the third separate aspect further includes a mounting plate with light emitting diodes distributed on the mounting plate. A manifold plate is positioned on the mounting plate and includes holes therethrough with reflectors about the holes to receive the light emitting diodes. This facilitates uniform placement and fabrication, often with variations based solely on length. 
         [0008]    In a fifth separate aspect of the present invention, an elongate housing has a lamp mounting surface with a seal channel rectangular in plan about the lamp mounting surface. A lens is fixable on the elongate housing and includes an elongate lens body and two lens ends sealingly affixed to the lens body. The elongate lens body has two parallel elongate ridges which are aligned with end ridges on the lens ends. The lens ends each have a cross ridge extending between the parallel end ridges; all thereby defining a rectangular seal ridge. The seal ridge has inwardly inclined sides with the base of the seal ridge being wider than the seal channel. The seal ridge mates with the seal channel with the lens fixed to the elongate housing. 
         [0009]    In a sixth separate aspect of the present invention, any of the foregoing aspects are contemplated to be combined to further advantage. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved LED light fixture for architectural lighting. Other and further objects and advantages will appear hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective exploded assembly view of a fixture housing and lens. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective exploded assembly view of the fixture housing and lens of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective exploded assembly and sectioned view of the fixture housing and lens of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective exploded assembly and sectioned view of the fixture housing and lens of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional end view of the assembled fixture housing and lens of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the housing of  FIG. 1  and a mounting plate with light-emitting diodes thereon. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the housing of  FIG. 1  and a manifold plate with reflectors thereon. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an end view of a first embodiment of the light fixture and mounting. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the mounting of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the mounting of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional side view of the mounting of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is an end view of a second embodiment of the light fixture and mounting. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the light fixture and mounting. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the third embodiment of the light fixture and mounting. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    Turning in detail to the drawings, an LED light fixture has an elongate housing  20  with an extruded elongate main body  22 . An access port  24  extends through the body  22  for electrical connections. The body  22  is thermally conductive with a substantial array of cooling fins  26  extending from an integral block  28  forming the base of the body  22 . A mounting surface  30  to receive lighting elements is to one side of the base  28  opposite to the fins  26 . Two opposed, outwardly facing channels  32 ,  34  extend the length of the elongate main body  22 . 
         [0026]    Two parallel elongate channels  36 ,  38  extend the length of the elongate main body  22  to either side of the mounting surface  30 . These channels  36 ,  38  include outwardly beveled portions  40 ,  42  at the opening of each of the channels  36 ,  38 . The beveled portions  40 , associated with each of the channels  36 ,  38  inwardly on the main body  22  are formed by upstanding ridges defining the lateral extent of the mounting surface  30 . 
         [0027]    The elongate housing  20  further includes two ends  44 ,  46 . These ends  44 ,  46  are formed of the same extruded stock as the main body  22  and each is sealingly attached to the main body  22  at the ends thereof. Alternatively, the elongate housing  20  may be of a single extruded piece. Thus, the two ends  44 ,  46  also include cooling fins  48 , an integral base  50 , a mounting surface  52  and opposed, outwardly facing channels  54 ,  56 . Additionally, a cross channel  58  is cut into each of the ends  44 ,  46  to extend between the two parallel end channels  54 ,  56 . When the ends  44 ,  46  are sealingly fixed to the main body  22 , the several channels combine to form a seal channel which is rectangular in plan. 
         [0028]    The fixture further includes a lens  60  which is fixable to the elongate housing  20  to close the mounting surface area of the elongate housing  20 . The lens  60  includes an extruded elongate main body  62 . This elongate main body  62  includes parallel ridges  64 ,  66  along the entire length thereof. These ridges  64 ,  66  each include inwardly inclined sides  68 ,  70  extending upwardly from a base. The base has a width broader than the elongate channels  36 ,  38 . The lens  60  may take on various elongate optical features as applicable to specific job requirements. The sidewalls  72 ,  74  of the elongate main body  62  preferably lie in parallel planes with terminal flanges  76 ,  78  extending outwardly from the sidewalls  72 ,  74 . 
         [0029]    The lens  60  also includes two lens ends  80 ,  82  which are sealingly fixed to the elongate main body  62 . The lens ends  80 ,  82  are molded to match the ends of the main body  62  at the interfaced, including with the ridges  64 ,  66 . Ridges  84 ,  86  are aligned therewith and terminate in a cross ridge  88  to define a rectangular sealing ridge to mate fully about the seal channel when the lens  60  is fixed to the housing. Each lens end  80 ,  82  includes an end plate  90  to provide a finish to the fixture, covering the ends of the block base  28 . With the lens  60  assembled with the lens ends  80 ,  82  sealingly fixed to the elongate main body  62 , the lens  60  may be assembled with the elongate housing  20 . A gasket  92  is positioned in the seal channel before attaching the lens  60 . Retainers  94 ,  96  are positioned along the sidewalls  72 ,  74 . These retainers  94 ,  96  have a rounded outer surface to smooth off the lens exterior. Threaded fasteners are then extended through the retainers  94 ,  96  and the terminal flanges  76 ,  78  to tighten into threaded holes on the elongate housing  20 . Tightening the fasteners  98  then brings the seal ridge forcefully into the seal channel to compress the gasket  92  for sealing of the fixture. The retainers  94 ,  96  may also be configured to spread the load across the terminal flanges  76 ,  78  for less distortion and better sealing along the entire elongate portions of the fixture. 
         [0030]    Light emitting diodes  100  are conventionally retained on a mounting plate  102 . The diodes  100  may be arranged as optically desirable and typically would be spaced from one another to reduce the heat load on the housing  20 . The mounting plate  102  further mounts the electronics  104  driving the diodes  100 . The mounting plate  102  may be separately fabricated and assembled with the electronics and supporting conductors prior to assembly with the fixture. The mounting plate  102  may then be appropriately positioned and retained on the mounting surface  30  between the outwardly beveled portions  40 . Advantageously, the mounting plate  102  is affixed to the mounting surface  30  such that substantial heat transfer can occur between components. A passageway may be longitudinally 0cut into the mounting plate  102  or formed in the mounting surface  30  to accommodate wiring to the electronics  104  and diodes  100 . A manifold plate  106  is positioned above the diodes  100  and electronics  104  on the mounting plate  102 . This manifold plate has holes through which the diodes  100  extend. These holes include reflectors  108  to advantageously redirect light emitted by the diodes  100  toward and through the lens  60 . The manifold plate  106  and reflectors  108  may also be separately fabricated and affixed to the mounting plate  102  in association with the diodes  100  and electronics  104  before assembly with the elongate housing  20  at the mounting surface  30 . 
         [0031]    The elongate housing  20  is associated with multiple mounts  110 . These mounts  110  each include a clevis  112  which extends about the housing  20  to the opposed, outwardly-facing channels  32 ,  34 . Pins  114  extend into the channels  32 ,  34  such that the housing  20  and the mounts  110  move relative to one another for longitudinal adjustment of the mounts along the elongate housing. The clevis  112  is shown to be arcuate about its inner bite to come close to but not interfere with the housing  20 . The clevis  112  of each mount  110  includes a track  116 . The track  116  extends in an arc of a circle lying within a plane perpendicular to the extension of the elongate housing  20  when the mount  110  is engaged with that housing. The track  116  is arranged to either side of a central passageway and is concentric with the outer side of the clevis  112  which is preferably circular. 
         [0032]    The mounts  110  are in turn retained by mounting brackets  118 . The mounting brackets  118  include a cradle  120 . The cradle  120  receives the outside of the clevis  112 . The cradle  120  engages a retainer  122  through the opening in the track  116  of the associated mount  110 . The retainer  122  is too large to fit through the opening in the track  116  and its retention by the cradle  120  thereby engages the mount  110 . The retainer  122  also has a larger dimension in the direction of the track  116  to maintain the mount  110  aligned in the cradle  120 . 
         [0033]    The retainer  122  held firmly in the cradle  120  by the fasteners  124  is loose within the track  116  so that the mount  110  may move about the arc of the track relative to the cradle  120 . Locking elements  126  threaded through the cradle  120  toward the retainer  122  can selectively fix the mount  110  relative to the cradle  120 . The locking elements  126  are set screws which engage the outside of the mount  110  when advanced through the cradle  120  to draw the retainer  122  into binding engagement with the track  116 . 
         [0034]    The mounting brackets  118  further include an engagement socket or other pivot mount for attachment to the architectural structure. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 8-12 , a socket  128  receives an anchor post  130 , retained by a bolt  132  extending through the socket  128 . The device of  FIG. 12  differs from the device of  FIGS. 8-11  in that the socket  128  is displaced 90° relative to the retainer  122  from that of the embodiment of  FIGS. 8-11 . In  FIGS. 13-14 , a pivot mount  134  forms a part of the mounting bracket  118 . 
         [0035]    Looking specifically to the embodiment of  FIGS. 13-14 , the pivot mount  134  is received by a clevis mount  136 . The clevis mount  136  is part of a link  138  which includes a socket  140  at the opposite end for similar attachment as the first embodiment. The socket  140  is shown to be attached to an anchor post  130  in  FIG. 12 . The link  138  combining the clevis mount  136  and socket  140  pivots about an axis parallel to the elongate direction of the housing  20  when all is assembled to allow adjustment of the direction of the illumination. The sum of movement of the retainer  122  in the track  116  and the pivot between the pivot mount  134  and the link  138  allows the lens  60  to face in a full range of 360° relative to the supporting anchor post  130 , see  FIG. 14 . Thus, a light mounted to a wall may in fact illuminate directly that wall, either above or below the mounting post or may alternatively direct illumination outwardly anywhere between those two positions. 
         [0036]    Thus, a versatile and easily manufactured LED architectural lighting fixture is disclosed. While embodiments and applications of this invention have been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The invention, therefore is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5