Patent Abstract:
A light member includes a housing having a top side and a bottom side. The top side faces away from a space to be lit, and the bottom side faces the space to be lit. A lighting control region is disposed on the bottom side of the housing that illuminates the space and has a first control channel, a second control channel, and a neutral channel. A first light-emitting module is electrically connected to the first control channel and the neutral channel and a second light-emitting module is electrically connected to the second control channel and the neutral channel. A switch assembly is coupled to the housing and is operable to selectively deliver power to the first control channel and the second control channel.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/131,624, filed Apr. 18, 2016, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/179,889, filed Feb. 13, 2014, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/764,281, filed Feb. 13, 2013, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to aquarium lighting. More particularly, the present invention relates to aquarium lighting using LEDs. 
     Residential aquarium keeping is a mature and established industry in the United States and around the world. A basic version of an aquarium includes a transparent container for aquatic life to be viewed and housed within. These containers are typically constructed of either glass or a transparent plastic material such as acrylic or polystyrene, but may be made of other transparent or semi-transparent materials. Basic aquatic environments of this nature are limited in their ability to sustain suitable conditions and water quality for all but a handful of robust and hearty fish. Often more appropriate for the health and well-being of the aquatic organisms is the addition of filtration, lighting, oxygenation, temperature control, chemical and biological balance. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one construction, a light member includes a housing having a top side and a bottom side, the top side facing away from an interior of the aquarium, and the bottom side facing the interior of the aquarium. The light member also includes a lighting control region disposed on the bottom side of the housing. The lighting control region includes a first control channel associated with a first color of light, a second control channel associated with a second color of light, and a neutral channel, the lighting control region being sized to receive one or more light-emitting modules. The light member also includes a switch coupled to the housing, the switch operable to control the first control channel. 
     In accordance with another construction, a light member includes a housing having a top side and a bottom side, and a lighting control region disposed on the bottom side of the housing. The lighting control region includes a first control channel, a second control channel, and a neutral channel disposed therein. The light member also includes a first light-emitting module sized and configured to be coupled to the lighting control region, the first light-emitting module having an LED that emits a first color of light, the first light-emitting module further having a first electrical connector that couples to the first control channel. The light member also includes a second light-emitting module sized and configured to be coupled to the lighting control region, the second light-emitting module having an LED that emits a second color of light, the second light-emitting module further having a second electrical connector that couples to the second control channel. 
     In yet another construction, a light member includes a housing having a top side and a bottom side. The top side faces away from a space to be lit, and the bottom side faces the space to be lit. A lighting control region is disposed on the bottom side of the housing that illuminates the space and has a first control channel, a second control channel, and a neutral channel. A first light-emitting module is electrically connected to the first control channel and the neutral channel and a second light-emitting module is electrically connected to the second control channel and the neutral channel. A switch assembly is coupled to the housing and is operable to selectively deliver power to the first control channel and the second control channel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a light member according to one construction. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the light member of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a lighting control region along a bottom of the light member. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of the lighting control region. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a light-emitting module according to one construction. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the light-emitting module of  FIG. 4 , illustrating two electrical connectors. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of a light-emitting module according to another construction. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the light-emitting module of  FIG. 6 , illustrating two electrical connectors. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the light-emitting module of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a light member according to another construction, illustrating two lighting control regions along a bottom of the light member. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a radio frequency (RF) light-emitting module according to another construction, along with a remote control for operating the light-emitting module. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic illustration of a dual in-line timer for a light-emitting module. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic illustration of a single in-line timer for a light-emitting module. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic illustration of a cabinet and mounting bracket for insertion of the light member. 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic illustration of a series of the light members mounted under a cabinet. 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  are schematic illustrations of an optical element being added to a light member under a cabinet. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a light member  10  that includes a housing  14  having a top side  18  and a bottom side  22 . The housing  14  is an elongate, generally rectangular component sized and configured to fit over and couple to another structure such as an aquarium. When coupled to an aquarium, the top side  18  faces up and away from an interior of an aquarium, and the bottom side  18  faces down and into the interior of the aquarium to provide lighting inside the aquarium. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the housing  14  includes clips  24  for releasably coupling the housing  14  to the aquarium. Other constructions include different structures for coupling the housing  14  to the aquarium or to another structure. In some constructions the housing  14  has other shapes and sizes than that illustrated. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the bottom side  22  includes a lighting control region  26 . In the illustrated construction the lighting control region  26  includes a groove that extends generally linearly in an elongate direction along the bottom side  22 , and includes a first control channel  30 , a second control channel  34 , and a third, neutral channel  38  disposed therein. The third channel  38  is disposed between the first and second channels  30 ,  34 . The first and second channels  30 ,  34  are control channels for controlling two different sets of light within the aquarium. In the illustrated construction the channel  30  controls white light, and the channel  34  controls blue light. While the illustrated light member  10  includes two control channels, in other constructions more than two control channels (e.g., three, four, five, ten, twenty, etc.) are used. 
     Each of the control channels  30 ,  34  can be controlled independently of the other control channel  30 ,  34 . In the illustrated construction, the control channel  30  is used primarily as a “daylight” channel for emitting higher intensity white light, while the control channel  34  is used primarily as a “night” channel for emitting lower intensity blue light. With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the light member  10  includes a switch  42  on the housing  14  that is coupled to the control channel  30 , and a switch  46  on the housing  14  that is coupled to the control channel  34 . The switch  42  is an on/off switch, and the switch  46  is a dimmer style on/off switch. Of course, the switch types could be reversed or both switches could be on/off switches or dimmer switches as may be desired. In some constructions a single switch is used instead of the two switches  42 ,  46 . In another construction, a three way switch is employed to allow a single switch to control both channels  30 ,  34 . In the three way switch construction, the switch is typically arranged with a first position in which neither channel  30 ,  34  received power. The switch is then movable to a second position in which power is delivered only to the first channel  30  or a third position in which power is delivered only to the second channel  34 . In a preferred arrangement, the switch is arranged with a middle position corresponding to the first position, The switch is then movable in opposite directions to the second position or the third position. 
     A single power cord  48  is coupled to the housing  14  to provide electrical power to both the control channel  30  and the control channel  34 . In some constructions the light element  10  also includes a built-in transformer. 
     Use of the two control channels  30 ,  34  to control white and blue light enables an end user to define a color temperature output of the aquarium. If the control channel  30  is a relatively warm color temperature, by adding blue light from the control channel  34  with the dimmer switch  46  the user is able to modify a blended color temperature, making the blended color temperature bluer and therefore cooler. It should be noted that while a blue light is described herein, virtually any other color could also be provided. For example, the light could be red, green, yellow, or virtually any other color desired. 
     In the illustrated construction, the blended color temperature is adjustable between a range of 3500K to 15,000K. In some constructions the temperature is adjustable between 5000K to 12,000K. Other constructions include different temperature ranges. When the control channel  30  is turned off, the control channel  34  functions to provide a night mode for the aquarium. This two channel design enables variable functionality and output options in a small and focused footprint (i.e., within the lighting control region  26 ), which is a desirable feature in aquarium lighting. In this way, a broad range of user functionality is built into a simple, manually controllable design. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2-8 , the light member  10  also includes one or more light-emitting modules  50 ,  54  that are releasably coupled to the lighting control region  26  and to one of the channels  30 ,  34 , to emit the white or blue light. The modules  50 ,  54  can be positioned anywhere along the lighting control region  26 . A single module  50 ,  54 , or multiple modules  50 ,  54 , may be added to or removed from the light member  10  at various locations along the lighting control region  26  as desired. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-8 , each of the modules  50 ,  54  includes a tab  58  that releasably couples the modules  50 ,  54  to a protrusion  60  on the lighting control region  26 . Other constructions include different structures to releasably couple the modules  50 ,  54  to the lighting control region  26 . However, the tab  58 , or other structure are preferably arranged so that the light-emitting modules can only be installed into the lighting control region  26  in one orientation. The tab  58  is formed as part of the module  50 ,  54  and includes a living hinge that allows for movement of the tab  58  with respect to the remainder of the module  50 ,  54 . When the tab  54  is depressed toward the remainder of the module  50 ,  54  the user is able to insert, remove, or move the module  50 ,  54  along the lighting region  26 . When the tab  54  is released, the living hinge biases the tab  54  into engagement with the protrusion  60  to firmly retain the module  50 ,  54  in the desired position and in electrical contact with one or both of the channels  30 ,  34  and the neutral  38 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in the illustrated construction each of the modules  50  includes a bottom side  62  that faces the interior of the aquarium, and a top, connection side  66  that faces the lighting control area  26 . Four LEDs  70  are disposed along the bottom side  62 . In some constructions, different numbers and positions of LEDs  70  are arranged along the bottom side  62 . In some constructions, the modules  50  have shapes other than that illustrated. The four LEDs  70  of the module  50  are configured to emit white light with other colors being possible. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the connection side  62  of the module  50  includes a first electrical connector  74  and a second electrical connector  78 . When the module  50  is coupled to the lighting control area  26 , the first electrical connector  74  couples to the control channel  30 , and the second electrical connector  78  couples to the neutral channel  38 , to provide electrical power through the channel  34  to the module  50  and the LEDs  70 . The electrical connectors  74 ,  78  are metal tabs disposed along the connection side  66  that extend outward slightly to engage the channels  30 ,  38  and form electrical connections. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in the illustrated construction each of the modules  54  includes a bottom side  82  that faces the interior of the aquarium, and a top, connection side  86  that faces the lighting control area  26  when coupled to the light member  10 . Four LEDs  90  are disposed along the bottom side  82 . In some constructions different numbers and positions of LEDs  90  are arranged along the bottom side  82 . In some constructions the modules  54  have shapes other than that illustrated. The four LEDs  90  of the module  54  are configured to emit blue light. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , the connection side  86  of the module  54  includes a first electrical connector  94  and a second electrical connector  98 . When the module  54  is coupled to the lighting control area  26 , the first electrical connector  94  couples to the control channel  34 , and the second electrical connector  98  couples to the neutral channel  38 , to provide electrical power through the channel  34  to the module  54  and the LEDs  90 . The electrical connectors  94 ,  98  are metal tabs disposed along the connection side  86  that extend outward slightly to engage the channels  34 ,  38  and form electrical connections. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the electrical connector  74  is disposed farther away from the tab  58  than the electrical connector  94 . This arrangement, in combination with the arrangement of the light-emitting module that only allows installation in one orientation assures that the connector  74  is only able to electrically connect to the channel  30 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , each of the modules  54  (and similarly each of the modules  50 ) includes a bottom side cover plate  102  that fits over the LEDs  90  (or the LEDs  70 ), a printed circuit board (PCB)  106  that is coupled to both the LEDs  90  (or the LEDs  70 ) and the electrical connectors  90 ,  94  (or the electrical connectors  74 ,  78 ), and a connection side cover plate  110  that is coupled to the electrical connectors  90 ,  94  (or the electrical connectors  74 ,  78 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the cover plate  110  includes two hollowed-out bosses  114  and two openings  116  adjacent the hollowed-out bosses  114  in the cover plate  110  that receive portions of the electrical connectors  94 ,  98 . The electrical connectors  94 ,  98  are biased toward the cover plate  110  and the openings  116  by springs  118  that are coupled at first ends  122  to the PCB  106  and at opposite ends  126  to the electrical connectors  94 ,  98 . The electrical connectors  94 ,  98  include circumferentially extending protrusions  130  that act as stops to engage inner surfaces  134  of the bosses  114  and limit the extent to which the connectors  94 ,  98  are biased away from the PCB  106 . The electrical connectors  94 ,  98  also include contact ends  138  that extend adjacent the protrusions  130  and are received in the openings  116 . The contact ends  138  extend through the openings  116  and engage one or more of the channels  30 ,  34 ,  38 . 
     When the electrical connectors  94 ,  98 , (or the electrical connectors  74 ,  78 ) contact and engage one or more of the channels  30 ,  34 ,  38 , the springs  118  press the connectors  94 ,  98  away from the PCB  106  and press the contact ends  138  into contact with the channels  30 ,  34 ,  38  to assure a good electrical connection. 
     In some constructions a single module is used in place of the separate modules  50 ,  54 . The single module emits both white and blue light (e.g., with various LEDs), and is coupled to both control channels  30 ,  34 . A manual intensity control is provided on a bottom side, for example, of the single module to fine tune color temperature emitting from the single module. 
     In some constructions one or more of the modules  50 ,  54  include narrow incident angle LEDs  70 ,  90  that are able to be rotated or are otherwise able to be have their light directed toward a focal point or points within an aquarium. In some constructions one or more of the modules  50 ,  54  incorporate wide angle LED&#39;s  70 ,  90  for a “flood” light effect. In some constructions one or more of the modules  50 ,  54  include optical elements (e.g., lenses, etc.) that change angles of the light emitted from the LEDs  70 ,  90 , diffuse the light, and/or focus the light. In some constructions the optical elements are removable. The optical elements are removable while the light element  10  is in place (e.g. while the light element  10  is coupled to an aquarium). In some constructions the optical elements snap onto the modules  50 ,  54 . 
     In some constructions, one or more of the modules  50 ,  54  include just one LED color temperature (e.g., all white or all blue) or a combination of LED types for a desired effect in the aquarium. 
     In some constructions one or more of the modules  50 ,  54  include a multitude of different LED types other than just blue and white LEDs, such as red/white or others. 
     In some constructions one or more of the modules  50 ,  54  are heat-sinked so as to be able to modulate temperatures at the diode levels or include mechanical couplings such that the heat sinks for the LED modules are contained in the light element  10  itself rather than within the modules  50 ,  54 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , each module  50  (and similarly each module  54 ) has a thickness  142 , as measured in a direction between the top and bottom sides  62 ,  66 , and perpendicular to both the top and bottoms sides  62 ,  66 , of less than approximately 1.0 inch. In some constructions the thickness  142  is approximately 0.75 inch. Other constructions include different thicknesses for the modules  50 ,  54 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 4-7 , each module  50  (and similarly each module  54 ) is square, and has both a width and a height  146  (not including the tabs  58 ) of approximately 3.75 inches. In some construction the width and the height  146  are both approximately 2.25 inches. In some constructions both the width and the height  146  are less than approximately 4 inches. Other constructions include different widths and heights for the modules  50 ,  54 , as well as different shapes for the modules  50 ,  54 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a light member  210  that is similar to the light member  10 , and includes a housing  214  having a bottom side  222  facing an interior of the aquarium. The bottom side  222  includes two lighting control regions  226 . The lighting control regions  226  extend generally linearly in an elongate direction parallel to one another, and include a first control channel  230 , a second control channel  234 , and a third, neutral channel  238  disposed therein. The third channel  238  is disposed between the first and second channels  230 ,  234 . As with the light member  10 , the channels  230  and  234  are control channels for controlling two different types of light within the aquarium. The same channels  230 ,  234 , and  238  run through both of the lighting control regions  226 , and are controlled by switches  242 ,  246 . 
     In some constructions each lighting control region  226  instead includes a separate set of control channels  230 ,  238  and a neutral channel  234 , with one or more switches operable to control the channels  230 ,  234 ,  238  within each lighting control region  226 . Each of the lighting control regions  226  provides room for coupling of one or more modules (e.g., such as modules  50 ,  54 ). In other constructions more than two lighting control regions  226  are provided. 
     In some constructions, a light member includes two lighting control regions that are coupled to dimmer switches for controlling blue light, and a single lighting control region disposed between the two lighting control regions that is coupled to an on/off switch for controlling white light. Various other combinations of lighting control regions and modules are also possible. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a module  350  that includes radio frequency (RF) or other communication/control hardware so as to be controlled remotely by a remote control  352 . Typically, the module  350  or other component, such as the light member includes an RF receiver that can receive an RF signal for use in controlling the module  350 . In this manner the control channels  30 ,  34 ,  230 ,  234  on the lighting control region  26 ,  226  supply power to the module  350 , but the color, intensity and other functionality are controlled remotely by the remote control  352 . The module  350  includes six LEDs  370 . In the illustrated construction each of the LEDs  370  is an RGB LED that is capable of emitting varying levels of red, green, or blue light. The RGB LEDs  370  blend red, green, and blue light to create a wide range of colors within the aquarium. When coupled to the light-emitting region  26 ,  226 , the module  350  receives power from the control channel  30 ,  34 ,  230 ,  234  and is controlled remotely by an RF signal from the remote control  352 . In some constructions multiple modules  350  are coupled to the lighting control region  26 ,  226 , with each of the modules  350  being controlled by a single remote control  352 . The remote control  352  functions include on/off, increase/decrease intensity, color selection, reset (to white light), and auto mode where the module  350  continuously cycles through the different colors. The module  350  also includes inputs  372  for insertion of one or more optics to snap onto the module  350  that change an angle of emitted light from the LEDs  370 , or otherwise alter and affect the optics and emission of light from one or more of the LEDs. 
       FIG. 11  schematically illustrates a light member  410  that is controlled with two in-line timers  456 ,  460 . The timer  456  is coupled to a first control channel  430 , and the timer  460  is coupled to a second control channel  434 . The first and second control channels  430 ,  434  control white and blue light (or other arrangements), similar to the channels  30 ,  34 , and  230 ,  234  described above. Each of the timers  456 ,  460  is coupled to a transformer  464 ,  468 , respectively, and the transformers  464 ,  468  are coupled to either a single power cord  448  or multiple power cords  448 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the timers  456 ,  460 , are slim, elongate structures that emphasize an “in-line” application with the power supply cord or cords  448 . 
     The in-line timers  456 ,  460  are digital controllers. The timers  456 ,  460  allow a user to set a time limit for various colors emitting from one or more modules (e.g., modules  50 ,  54 ,  250 ,  254 ,  350 , etc.) coupled to the light member  410 , and are programmable to set on/off times and to gradually ramp power up/down by varying the DC voltage, thereby creating a dimming effect. The timers  456 ,  460  also have various mode settings allowing a user to manually select an on/off, a timer mode, and a demo/preview mode to preview current settings. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a single timer  556  that controls both channels  430 ,  434 , and is coupled to a single transformer  564 . The timer  556  is also a slim, elongate structure that emphasizes an “in-line” application with the power supply cord  448 . Depending on the application, one or more of the timers  456 ,  460 ,  556  may be used to control a single channel or multiple channels, setting specific on/off times and/or dimming duration for each channel. 
     While the light members described above are described in the context of an aquarium, the light members may be used with various other types of enclosures and structures, including underneath office or kitchen cabinets to provide lighting beneath the cabinets. 
     For example, and with reference to  FIGS. 13-16 , in some constructions a cabinet  600  includes a bracket  602  that provides a structure by which a light member  610  is coupled to the cabinet  600 . The light member  610  may be mounted first to the bracket  602 , or the bracket may first be mounted to the cabinet  600 . The light member  610  may be identical to one of the light members described above, such as light member  10 , or may include different features or structures other than that illustrated for light member  10 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 14 , in some constructions the light member  610  is coupled together with other light members  610  to provide for a series of light members  610  disposed underneath one or more cabinets. A power cord  648  is disposed at one end of one of the light members  610 , and a connector cord  649  is coupled at the opposite end, so as to link together two or more light members  610  in series. As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , a transformer  664  is additionally provided in conjunction with and coupled to the power cord  648 . The transformer  664  is mountable to the bottom of the cabinet  600 . One of the light members  610  includes a plug  670  in place of a connector cord  649 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 13-16 , the light member  610  includes switches  642 ,  646  (similar to switches  42 ,  46 ) that are disposed along either a side ( FIG. 13 ) or bottom ( FIG. 14 ) of the light member  610 , to provide for accessible control of one or more modules (e.g., modules  50 ,  54 ) on the light member  610 . 
     In some constructions, the modules (or lighting control regions) for the light member  610  are of different size or shape than the modules (or lighting control regions) for the light member  10 , such that the modules for the light member  610  are only for use underneath a cabinet in the lighting member  610 , and the modules for the light member  10  are only for use with an aquarium on the lighting member  10 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 15 and 16  in some constructions the light member  610  also includes an optics member  674  (e.g., a lens, a diffuser, etc.) that is coupled along a bottom side  622  of the light member  610  either by sliding the optics member  674  along the bottom side  622  in a generally horizontal direction parallel to the bottom side  622  ( FIG. 15 ) or by raising the optics member  674  up to the bottom side  622  and snapping or otherwise coupling the optics  674  in place over the bottom side  622  (and over, for example, one or more modules on the light member  610 ). 
     Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5