Patent Description:
Powers track for mounting and powering spotlights are generally well known. Typically, these power tracks are mounted on a ceiling to provide spotlight illumination. Furthermore, these power tracks typically have openings where the spotlights are mounted. However, track openings usually do not provide a neat appearance.

<CIT> discloses a tracklight system including a generally U-shaped track comprising an elongated metal extrusion having a canted base extending between a first parallel leg extending at an acute angle from the base to a distal end and a second parallel leg extending at an obtuse angle from the base to a distal end. The first parallel leg has means for attaching it to a wall or ceiling, and an elongated insulator is attached to second parallel leg and extending through the track length. The insulator has a number of longitudinal slots, each including an electrical conductor receiving power from remote mains. One or more tracklight fixtures may be mounted onto or within the parallel legs. <CIT> discloses a recessed lighting system that is capable of providing both direct and indirect lighting. The recessed lighting system may include first and second pluralities of light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on, respectively, first and second elongate track members. The first and second elongate track members may be spaced apart from each other by a distance, and a reflector may span at least a portion of that distance. The first and second pluralities of LEDs may be configured to emit light toward the reflector so that the reflector provides indirect lighting. A direct lighting fixture may be arranged between and slidably supported by the first and second elongate track members so that the direct lighting fixture is movable along the first and second elongate track members.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome this problem, and to provide an improved power track for mounting and powering an electronic product.

According to the invention, this and other objects are achieved by a system comprising a power track and an electronic product, the power track being for mounting and powering the electronic product, and the electronic product being mountable or mounted to the power track, wherein the power track comprises:.

The linear opening facing in a direction parallel to the mounting surface may be referred to as a sideways-oriented linear opening, specifically sideways-oriented relative to the power track's mounting surface. If the present power track is mounted to a ceiling (=installation surface), the linear opening is facing sideways left or right, rather than downwards as in a conventional power track. Likewise, if the power track is mounted to a wall in a horizontal orientation, the linear opening is facing upwards or downwards. In other words, the linear opening is facing in a direction parallel to the installation surface (when the power track is mounted to the installation surface).

The means for surface-mounting the power track on an installation surface could be selected from the group comprising, but not limited to: an adhesive strip; a linear mounting strip adapted to slide over the head of one or more mounting screws inserted into the installation surface; edges for sliding or clicking or clamping into separate clips mounted to the installation surface; at least one screw hole for mounting screw(s); etc. The least one screw hole may be accompanied by at least one screwdriver hole (and plug to seal the screwdriver hole) elsewhere in the power track.

The linear light source may be integrated in the power track. In other words, the power track may comprise an integrated linear light source (as opposed to an inserted unit).

The present invention is based on the understanding that by providing the linear opening so that it is facing in a direction parallel to the mounting surface, the linear opening becomes less visible for a user at typical user positions relative to the power track. In other words, the sideways-oriented (linear) track opening avoids that a user can look into the track opening at typical user positions. For instance, if the power track is mounted on the ceiling, the user would not see the track opening at typically user positions underneath the track. The power track may also be installed at locations where it is facing away from typical user positions, for example near a wall when on the ceiling, facing upwards when on a wall above eye level, or facing downwards when on a wall if below typical eye levels. The present power track may be even less obtrusive if it has the same color as the installation surface, for example white. Furthermore, the linear light source may beneficially offer general (direct or indirect) illumination, which may be combined with accent (spot)lights (=the electronic product).

It should be noted that <CIT> discloses a busbar wherein two current conductors are arranged in what appears to be sideways-oriented slots of the busbar. At least one LED strip is also arranged in the busbar. However, the busbar in <CIT> is not surface-mounted, and the top cover of the busbar is not a mounting surface with means for surface-mounting the power track on an installation surface.

The linear light source is arranged within the linear opening. In this way, the linear light source may be directed towards the installation surface, to generate an indirect light effect. Also, the linear light source may be out of sight from the user in typical user positions, so that the user cannot look into the linear light source, whereby discomfort glare is avoided. Preferably, the linear light source is located at a backside of a planar linear front of the power track, to more likely prevent a user to look into the linear light source. Alternatively, the linear light source could be located at the bottom of the linear opening.

A linear light source may complementary be provided at an outer side of the power track. The linear light source may for example be provided on (or integrated in) a frontside of the aforementioned planar linear front, so that the linear light source can face downwards if the power track is mounted in a ceiling. The linear light source could here for example be a side-lit light guide. The linear light source at the frontside may be configured to lighting up the power track frontside in a light brightness and/or color which matches the generated installation surface illumination. In this way, the power track would become less obtrusive, since it would blend in with the light effect generated on the installation surface.

The power track may comprise single planar linear element projecting from said mounting surface. The single planar linear element may form a bottom of the linear opening. The single planar linear element projecting from the mounting surface enables (segments of) the power track to be flexible, enabling the track (segment) to be curved over the installation surface. Conventional power tracks typically have two parallel planar linear element projecting from the mounting surface.

The (single) planar linear element may be reflective or translucent. The latter enables the linear light source arranged within the linear opening to provide illumination of the installation surface at both sides of the track.

The linear opening may be a single linear opening of the power track facing in a direction parallel to the mounting surface, wherein the single linear opening is formed by a U-shaped cross-section of the power track.

Alternatively, the aforementioned linear opening is a first linear opening facing in a first direction parallel to the mounting surface, wherein the power track further comprises a second linear opening facing in a second direction parallel to the mounting surface, which second direction is opposite the first direction, and wherein the first and second linear openings are formed by an H-shaped cross-section of the power track. That is, the power track here has double or dual linear openings. Furthermore, the power track may here comprise (at least) two linear light sources: a first linear light source arranged within the first linear opening, and a second linear light source arranged within the second linear opening. This enables installation surface illumination on both sides of the power track, optionally creating two distinct light effects, for instance a sharp horizon light effect on the wall (=installation surface).

The linear light source may be a linear array of LED nodes (e.g. a light strip) or LED filaments. Each LED node may here be a combination of LEDs, such as RGB (Red-Green Blue) or RGBWW (Red-Green-Blue-Warm White), to enable each node to render a specific color. An LED node could also consist of a single LED. The LEDs/LED nodes/LED filaments may be individually controllable. The linear light source may comprise (linear) optics, to optimize the light distribution towards the installation surface. The power track may also comprise multiple, individually controllable linear light sources, enabling a user to generate a desired light distribution.

The power track may further comprise power track electrodes arranged within the linear opening, in order to hide the power track electrodes from the user's view. The power track electrodes may be recessed compared to the linear light source arranged within the linear opening and also positioned further from a bottom of the linear opening than the linear light source. In this way, the linear light source may be positioned above a connector (clamp) of the electronic product, whereby the connector of the mounted electronic product hardly influences the light output of the linear light source.

The electronic product is preferably a lighting product, such as a spotlight. The electronic product could also be a sensor (for example a microphone, a smoke sensor, a presence sensor, a camera, etc.), a loudspeaker, a display, a projection device, etc. Typically, the present power track allows mounting and powering of several electronic products, for example <NUM>-<NUM> spotlights.

As illustrated in the figures, the sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the general structures of embodiments of the present invention.

<FIG> illustrate a power track <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. The power track <NUM> may be used for mounting and powering at least one electronic product <NUM>, such as a lighting product (e.g. a spotlight), as shown in <FIG>. The power track <NUM> and the at least one electronic product <NUM> mountable or mounted to the power track <NUM> may be referred to as a system <NUM>. The power track <NUM> will typically be used to mount and power <NUM>-<NUM>, preferably <NUM>-<NUM>, electronic products <NUM>. That is, the system <NUM> will typically comprise <NUM>-<NUM>, preferably <NUM>-<NUM>, electronic products <NUM>.

The power track <NUM> comprises a mounting surface <NUM>. The mounting surface <NUM> may be a top mounting surface, as in <FIG>. The mounting surface <NUM> of the power track <NUM> may be flat or at least comprise one or more flat portions, so that the power track <NUM> can be stably mounted on an installation surface <NUM>. The mounting surface <NUM> may comprise means <NUM> for surface-mounting the power track <NUM> on the installation surface <NUM>. Various exemplary means <NUM> are shown in <FIG> and will be discussed further hereinbelow.

The power track <NUM> further comprises a linear opening <NUM>. The linear opening <NUM> preferably extends along (substantially) the complete length L of the power track <NUM>. The power track <NUM> may for example have a length L in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> meters. The linear opening <NUM> is adapted to receive a connector <NUM> of the electronic product <NUM> to be mounted to the power track <NUM>. That is, the connector <NUM> mechanically and electrically connects the electronic product <NUM> to (the linear opening <NUM> of) the power track <NUM>.

The linear opening <NUM> is facing in a direction <NUM> parallel to the mounting surface <NUM> (and parallel to the installation surface <NUM>). Accordingly, the linear opening <NUM> could be referred to as a sideways-oriented opening <NUM>. In <FIG>, the power track <NUM> is mounted to a ceiling (=installation surface <NUM>), and the linear opening <NUM> is facing to the left. In <FIG>, the power track <NUM> is mounted to a wall (=installation surface <NUM>), and the linear opening <NUM> is facing upwards. In both instances, the linear opening may become less visible for a user at typical user positions relative to the power track <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the power track <NUM> has a single linear opening <NUM>. The single linear opening <NUM> may be formed by a U-shaped cross-section of the power track <NUM>. This cross-section of the power track <NUM> may comprise the aforementioned mounting surface <NUM>, a planar linear front <NUM> opposite and parallel to the mounting surface <NUM>, and a single planar linear element <NUM> projecting from one end of the mounting surface <NUM> to a corresponding end of the planar linear front <NUM>.

The power track further comprises at least one linear light source <NUM>. The at least one linear light source <NUM> may extend along (substantially) the complete length L of the power track <NUM>. The linear light source <NUM> may be a linear array of LED (light emitting diode) nodes <NUM> or LED filaments. Each LED node <NUM> may be a combination of LEDs, such as RGB or RGBWW, to enable each node to render a specific color. An LED node <NUM> could also consist of a single LED. The linear light source <NUM> may offer general illumination, which may be combined with accent spotlights <NUM>.

As shown for example in figs. 1a-3e, the at least one linear light source <NUM> may be arranged within the linear opening <NUM>. Specifically, the at least one linear light source <NUM> may be located at a backside <NUM> of the aforementioned planar linear front <NUM> of the power track <NUM>. This integrated at least one linear light source <NUM> may be adapted to illuminate the installation surface <NUM>. The inside of the linear opening <NUM> may be reflective (and diffusive). However, the planar linear element <NUM> of the power track <NUM> could be translucent (<FIG>). This enables the linear light source <NUM> to provide illumination of the installation surface <NUM> at both sides of the power track <NUM>, as illustrated by arrows <NUM>. 'Translucent' may be construed as permitting the passage of light, for example transparent.

The power track <NUM> may comprise two (power track) electrodes 38a-b for powering the electronic product(s) <NUM> mounted to the power track <NUM>. The electrodes 38a-b could also power the at least one integrated linear light source <NUM>. The power tracks 38a-b may be arranged within the linear opening <NUM>. In <FIG>, the electrodes 38a-b are located at the backside <NUM> of the planar linear front <NUM>, to hide them from the user's view. Specifically, the electrodes 38a-b are here located in between three linear light sources <NUM>. Alternatively, one electrode 38a could be located at the backside <NUM> of the planar linear front <NUM>, whereas the other electrode 38b is located at the opposite side <NUM> of the opening <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the connector <NUM> of the electronic product <NUM> may be at least partly translucent, to minimize it influence on the light output (e.g. <NUM>) of the at least one linear light source <NUM>, even if the electronic product <NUM> is positioned in front of the linear light source <NUM>. In particular, at least one part or portion of the connector <NUM> used for mechanically connecting the electronic product <NUM> to the power track <NUM> could be made for example of transparent plastics.

In a variant shown in <FIG>, the at least one linear light source <NUM> and the electrodes 38a-b are (again) arranged within the linear opening <NUM> behind the planar linear front <NUM>, but the electrodes 38a-b are recessed compared to the at least one linear light source <NUM>. Furthermore, the electrodes 38a-b are positioned further from a bottom <NUM> of the linear opening <NUM> than the at least one linear light source <NUM>, which bottom <NUM> is defined by the aforementioned planar linear element <NUM>. Also, the connector <NUM> is or comprises a clamp clamping partly around the planar linear front <NUM> including the recessed electrodes 38a-b (but not the at least one linear light source <NUM> placed further in), such that at least one linear light source <NUM> is positioned above the connector <NUM>. In this way, the connector <NUM> hardly influences the light output <NUM> of the linear light source <NUM>.

In another variant shown in <FIG>, the at least one linear light source <NUM> and the electrodes 38a-b are (again) arranged within the linear opening <NUM> behind the planar linear front <NUM>, but the clamp of the connector <NUM> has a comb structure, wherein LED nodes <NUM> of the linear light source <NUM> sit between teeth <NUM> of the comb structure adapted to abut the back surface <NUM> when the electronic product <NUM> is mounted to the power track <NUM>. In this way, the connector <NUM> hardly influences the light output <NUM> of the linear light source <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate a power track <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present invention. The power track <NUM> in <FIG> may be similar to the previous described power track, but has double or dual (i.e. two) linear openings. Namely, the power track <NUM> in <FIG> comprises a first linear opening <NUM> facing in a first direction <NUM> parallel to the mounting surface <NUM>, and a corresponding second linear opening <NUM>' facing in a second direction <NUM>' parallel to the mounting surface <NUM>, which second direction <NUM>' is opposite the first direction <NUM>. The first and second linear openings <NUM>, <NUM>' may be formed by an H-shaped cross-section of the power track <NUM>. This cross-section of the power track <NUM> may include the aforementioned mounting surface <NUM>, the planar linear front <NUM> opposite and parallel to the mounting surface <NUM>, and a single central planar linear element <NUM> projecting from the mounting surface <NUM> to the planar linear front <NUM>. The H-shaped power track <NUM> may enable strong mechanical support for heavy lamps <NUM>, for example a pendant lamp as shown in <FIG>. The connector <NUM> may here be adapted to be attached to the H-shaped power track <NUM> by retracting or rotating (part of) the connector <NUM>.

The H-shaped power track <NUM> may comprise two or more linear light sources: at least one first linear light source <NUM> arranged within the first linear opening <NUM>, and at least one second linear light source <NUM>' arranged within the second linear opening <NUM>'. The linear light sources <NUM> and <NUM>'may be located at the backside <NUM> of the common planar linear front <NUM>. The linear light sources <NUM> and <NUM>' enable illumination of the installation surface <NUM> on both sides of the power track <NUM>, as illustrated by <NUM> and <NUM>', optionally creating two distinct light effects. The second linear opening <NUM>' may also comprise (power track) electrodes 40a' and 40b'.

<FIG> illustrate other embodiments of the present invention.

In <FIG>, the power track <NUM> comprises a linear light source <NUM> be provided on, or integrated in, an outer side of the power track <NUM>. The linear light source <NUM> may be provided instead of, or in addition to, the aforementioned linear light source <NUM>, <NUM>'. Specifically, the linear light source <NUM> is in <FIG> provided at a frontside <NUM> of the planar linear front <NUM> of the power track <NUM>. In this way, the "external" linear light source <NUM> can face downwards if the power track <NUM> is mounted in a ceiling <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the planar linear front <NUM> of the power track <NUM> comprises a lateral extension <NUM> on one or both sides of the power track <NUM>. A linear light source <NUM> may be provided on/behind the lateral extension <NUM>, rather than in the linear opening <NUM>. Accordingly, the linear light source(s) <NUM> may face the installation surface <NUM>. That is, the linear light source <NUM> can face upwards if the power track <NUM> is mounted in a ceiling <NUM>. The lateral extension <NUM> may also hide part of the electronic product <NUM>, see <FIG> (right).

<FIG> illustrate different means <NUM> for surface-mounting the power track <NUM> on the installation surface <NUM>.

In <FIG>, means <NUM> comprises an adhesive strip <NUM> on the mounting surface <NUM>. The adhesive strip <NUM> could extend along (substantially) the complete length of the power track <NUM>, or consist of several adhesive sub-strips distributed along the length of the power track <NUM>. The adhesive strip <NUM> is in particular suitable for light-weight track and electronic products.

In <FIG>, means <NUM> comprises a linear mounting strip <NUM> provided on the mounting surface <NUM>. The linear mounting strip <NUM> is adapted to slide over the head <NUM> of one or more mounting screws <NUM> inserted into the installation surface <NUM>. The linear mounting strip <NUM> may have on opening <NUM> through with the head <NUM> can pass, and a narrower channel <NUM> locking the power track <NUM> to the mounting screws <NUM> when the power track <NUM> subsequently is moved in the longitudinal direction.

In <FIG>, said means comprises linear edges 66a-b on both sides of the mounting surface <NUM>, for sliding or clicking or clamping the power track <NUM> into separate clips <NUM> mounted to the installation surface <NUM>.

In <FIG>, said means comprises at least one screw hole <NUM> from the mounting surface <NUM> to surface <NUM>. Also, at least one (wider) screwdriver hole <NUM> is provided through the planar linear front <NUM>, which at least one screwdriver hole <NUM> is aligned with the least one screw hole <NUM>. At least one plug <NUM> may be provided to seal the at least one screwdriver hole <NUM> after mounting of the power track <NUM> on the installation surface <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the at least one screw hole <NUM> and the at least one screwdriver hole <NUM> are provided in the planar linear element <NUM>.

For example, instead of or in addition to one or more lighting products, at least one other electronic product could be mounted to and powered by the present power track, for example a sensor, a loudspeaker, a display, a projection device, etc..

Claim 1:
A system comprising a power track (<NUM>) and an electronic product (<NUM>), the power track (<NUM>) being for mounting and powering the electronic product (<NUM>), and the electronic product (<NUM>) being mountable or mounted to the power track (<NUM>),
wherein the power track (<NUM>) comprises:
a mounting surface (<NUM>) comprising means (<NUM>) for surface-mounting the power track (<NUM>) on an installation surface (<NUM>);
a linear opening (<NUM>; <NUM>') extending along at least a portion of the length (L) of the power track (<NUM>), the linear opening (<NUM>; <NUM>') being adapted to receive a connector (<NUM>) of the electronic product (<NUM>), and the linear opening (<NUM>; <NUM>') facing in a direction (<NUM>; <NUM>') parallel to the mounting surface (<NUM>); and
a linear light source (<NUM>; <NUM>'; <NUM>; <NUM>) having LED nodes arranged within the linear opening (<NUM>; <NUM>'),
wherein the connector (<NUM>) of the electronic product (<NUM>) has a comb structure allowing the LED nodes to sit between teeth of the comb structure when the electronic product (<NUM>) is mounted to the power track (<NUM>).