Patent Description:
Suspended luminaries are often found in commercial, public and retail spaces. Typically, each luminaire is suspended from the ceiling separately and power is supplied to each luminaire separately. Multiple suspended luminaires can mean multiple suspension cables and multiple power drops which complicates installation and reduces aesthetic appeal. Also, the arrangement and orientation of the luminaires typically have to be predetermined before installation since afterward the luminaires is usually fixed in position. This problem is compounded by the fact that the need for adjustments may only become apparent after installation. Some examples of multiple suspended luminaires are disclosed in prior art documents <CIT> and <CIT>.

There is a general desire to connect multiple suspended luminaires while minimizing the number of power drops. There is also a general desire to efficiently provide adjustable arrangements and orientations with multiple luminaires.

The present invention comprises several aspects.

According to one aspect, a joint assembly for luminaires is provided. The joint assembly includes a pin comprising at least one pin section, each pin section having an upper opening, a side opening, and a bore connecting the upper opening and the side opening. The upper opening is configured to receive at least one power cable to feed through the bore and out the side opening. The joint assembly also includes a primary hinge having a primary vertical base for connecting to a luminaire or wall, a plurality of primary knuckles extending from the vertical base, wherein a distal portion of the knuckles including pin engagement means. The joint assembly further includes at least one secondary hinge having a secondary vertical base for connecting to an additional luminaire, and a plurality of secondary knuckles extending from the vertical base, wherein a distal portion of the knuckles includes pin engagement means for engaging the pin.

The primary hinge, the at least one secondary hinge, or both, may be rotatably coupled to the pin.

The primary knuckles and secondary knuckles may interleave.

The side openings of the pin section may horizontally align with gaps between the plurality of primary knuckles.

The at least one secondary hinge may include a through-hole extending through the secondary vertical base to receive the at least one power cable from a corresponding side opening of the pin to feed to a luminaire connectable to the at least one secondary hinge.

The through-hole and the corresponding side opening may be horizontally aligned.

The through-hole may extend at least partially through at least one of the plurality of secondary knuckles.

The through-hole may open at the hole of the at least one of the plurality of secondary knuckles.

An upper portion of the primary hinge may comprise at least one vertical power cable channel and at least one horizontal power cable channel.

The upper portion may comprise two horizontal power cable channels.

The side opening may comprise an outwardly and downwardly tapered lower surface.

The pin may comprise two or more pin sections, wherein the pin sections are stacked to define the pin.

The pin sections may be rotatable with respect to each other.

Each of the primary hinge and the at least one secondary hinges may include a bracket for connecting the primary and secondary vertical bases to corresponding luminaires.

The pin engagement means may include a hole in the distal portion of the knuckles.

The joint assembly may have one, two or three secondary hinges.

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

The present invention discloses a joint assembly for connecting multiple luminaires, such as multiple suspended luminaires. The joint assembly is configured for a single power cable to power multiple connected luminaires while providing easy adjustment of the arrangement and orientation of luminaires, and simplified installation of the luminaires. Aspects of the invention provide a joint assembly having a hollow pin for receiving and distributing a power cable to multiple hinges which couple to the pin and connect to individual luminaires and allowing mostly free, or free, rotation about the pin.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a joint assembly <NUM> according to an embodiment. Joint assembly <NUM> connects four luminaires L.

A primary power cable <NUM> is fed through joint assembly <NUM> and distributed to power four luminaires L. Primary power cable <NUM> may for example come from the ceiling or from one of the luminaires L from an adjacent joint assembly through an adjacently connected luminaire. Primary power cable <NUM> may for example be one or more multiple conductor cables, multiple single conductor cables, or any other suitable means for supplying power to multiple luminaires. If primary power cable <NUM> is coming directly from the ceiling then it may also function as a suspension cable for supporting joint assembly <NUM> and the suspended luminaires connected thereto, to obviate the need for a separate suspension cable.

<FIG> shows joint assembly in a substantially assembled form and a luminaire L. <FIG> best show a pin <NUM> of joint assembly <NUM> (pin <NUM> is obscured from view in <FIG>). Pin <NUM> includes a base section <NUM> and two secondary sections <NUM> sequentially stacked on top of base section <NUM>. The shape of the tops of base section <NUM> and secondary sections <NUM> may be frustoconical, and the bottoms of secondary sections <NUM> may be a corresponding concave shape to facilitate engagement between the pin sections. In some embodiments the sections may be detachably connected. In some embodiments, the sections may be fixedly connected once initially connected. Base section <NUM> and secondary sections <NUM> are rotatably coupled such that each section can rotate independently of another. In some embodiments the sections may not be rotatable with respect to each other.

Base section <NUM> has an upper opening <NUM>, a bore <NUM> connected to upper opening <NUM>, and a side opening <NUM> connected to bore <NUM>. Each secondary section <NUM>, <NUM>' has an upper opening <NUM>, <NUM>' a bore <NUM>, <NUM>' connected to upper opening <NUM>, <NUM>', and a side opening <NUM>, <NUM>' connected to bore <NUM>, <NUM>'. Side opening <NUM>, <NUM>' may be a slot continuous with bore <NUM>, <NUM>' as best shown in <FIG>. Bore <NUM> of base section <NUM> axially aligns with bores <NUM>, <NUM>' of secondary sections <NUM>, <NUM>'.

With reference to <FIG>, power cable 20A is split from primary power cable <NUM> and is fed into top opening <NUM>, through bore <NUM>, and out side opening <NUM> for connection to a luminaire L corresponding to base section <NUM>. Side opening <NUM> may have an outwardly and downwardly tapering lower surface <NUM> to facilitate feeding and extending of power cable 20A therethrough.

With reference to <FIG>, after secondary section <NUM> is connected to base section <NUM>, a power cable 20B is split from primary power cable <NUM> and extends through upper opening <NUM>, bore <NUM> and out side opening <NUM> for connection to a luminaire L corresponding to secondary section <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, after secondary section <NUM>' is connected to secondary section <NUM>, a power cable 20C split from primary power cable <NUM> extends through upper opening <NUM>', bore <NUM>' and out side opening <NUM>' for connection to a luminaire L corresponding to secondary section <NUM>'.

As an alternative to the sequence set out in <FIG>, in some embodiments base section <NUM> and secondary sections <NUM> of pin <NUM> may be assembled first, and then respective power cables 20A, 20B, 20C fed through their respective side openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>'.

In some embodiments side openings <NUM>, <NUM>' may be slots that extend up to a height of secondary sections <NUM>, <NUM>' to facilitate the splitting off and feeding through of power cables 20B, 20C.

As shown in <FIG>, upper openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>' and bores <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>' of base section <NUM> and secondary sections <NUM> are vertically aligned when assembled to form pin <NUM>. The height of secondary sections <NUM>,<NUM>' may be less than the height of base section <NUM>. The circumference of secondary sections <NUM>,<NUM>' and base section <NUM>' may be substantially the same.

<FIG> show pin <NUM> and a primary hinge <NUM> of joint assembly <NUM>, and in particular the coupling of these two components. Primary hinge <NUM> includes a vertical base <NUM> from which a plurality of vertically spaced apart primary knuckles <NUM> extend. Primary knuckles <NUM> are spaced apart by gaps <NUM>. In some embodiments the thickness of primary knuckles <NUM> and the height of gaps <NUM> may be substantially similar.

Distal portions of primary knuckles <NUM> are configured to engage pin <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, distal portions of primary knuckles <NUM> comprise vertically aligned holes <NUM> through which pin <NUM> extends. The shape of holes <NUM> corresponds to the horizontal cross-section of pin <NUM>. Here, pin <NUM> is cylindrical and holes <NUM> are circular.

Primary knuckles <NUM> and gaps <NUM> are spaced such that side openings <NUM>, <NUM> of pin <NUM> correspond to the location of gaps <NUM> to allow unimpeded extension of power cables 20A, 20B, 20C out of primary hinge <NUM> into secondary hinges <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" for connecting to their respective luminaires L as described herein.

<FIG> and <FIG> also show that an upper portion of primary hinge <NUM> includes two horizontal power cable channels <NUM> connected to a vertical power cable channel <NUM> for receiving, feeding and/or separating primary power cable <NUM>. Horizontal power cable channels <NUM> and vertical power cable channel <NUM> may be part of a cord suspension slider <NUM> that slidably engageable in slot <NUM> defined in an upper portion of primary hinge <NUM>. Thus power and suspension cables can thus be easily extended into and out of primary hinge <NUM> through slot <NUM>, and once they are positioned then cord suspension slider can be slid into slot <NUM>, constraining movement of, and protecting, the power and suspension cables.

In some embodiments vertical power cable channel <NUM> may be axially aligned with upper openings <NUM>, <NUM> and bores <NUM>, <NUM> of base section <NUM> and secondary sections <NUM> of pin <NUM>. In some embodiments vertical power cable channel <NUM> may receive a primary power cable <NUM> from the ceiling to supply power to the luminaires (and to suspend) luminaires L through joint assembly <NUM>; in this case primary power cable <NUM> may then split off as power cable 20D through one of horizontal power cable channels <NUM> to provide power to a luminaire L connected to primary hinge <NUM>; the remainder of primary power cable <NUM> may be distributed as power cables 20A, 20B, and 20C as described above.

In addition to primary power cable <NUM> supplying power to luminaires L of joint assembly <NUM>, primary power cables <NUM> may split off into power cable 20E for powering other luminaires L' of an adjacent joint assembly, by feeding power cable 20E through the other horizontal power cable channel <NUM>, through luminaire L corresponding to primary hinge <NUM>, and then to one or more other luminaires L', or another joint assembly, connected to luminaire L. Alternatively, power to luminaires L of joint assembly <NUM> may not be supplied directly from the ceiling and vertical power cable channel <NUM>, but rather through an adjacent joint assembly, or a luminaire L' of an adjacent joint assembly, fed directly to, or through luminaire L' connected to, luminaire L corresponding to primary hinge <NUM>, and then through one of horizontal power cable channels <NUM> as alternate primary power cable 20E (in which case vertical power cable channel <NUM> may be used for a suspension cable only). Both of the foregoing embodiments are shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows yet another possibility where the luminaires of joint assembly <NUM> are fed by different power sources. Primary power cable <NUM> from the ceiling splits into power cables 20B and 20D for power two opposing luminaires. Primary power cable <NUM> also splits into power cable 20E for powering luminaires connected to another joint assembly adjacent to the luminaire powered by power cable 20D. Power cables 20A and 20C are powered by a different power source, either from another joint assembly adjacent to the luminaire powered by power cable 20A or adjacent to the luminaire powered by power cable 20C.

<FIG> show secondary hinges <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" of joint assembly <NUM>. Secondary hinges <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" include a secondary vertical base <NUM>, <NUM>' and at least two secondary knuckles <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" extending generally perpendicularly from secondary vertical base <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>". Secondary knuckles <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" are similar in features and functions to primary knuckles <NUM>. Secondary knuckles <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" are spaced apart along secondary vertical base <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" such that each secondary knuckle <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" is positioned between primary knuckles <NUM> when coupled to pin <NUM>, as shown for example in <FIG>. In some embodiments secondary knuckles <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" may be positioned between primary knuckles <NUM> and/or secondary knuckles <NUM>, <NUM>' of a different secondary hinge <NUM>, <NUM>'.

<FIG> and <FIG> shows joint assembly <NUM> with primary hinge <NUM> and all three secondary hinges <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" coupled to pin <NUM> (obscured from view in <FIG> and <FIG>). Primary hinge <NUM> and secondary hinges <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" may engage pin <NUM> such that primary knuckles <NUM> and secondary knuckles <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" are interleaved. Each of secondary knuckles <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" is positioned between two primary knuckles <NUM> and within gaps <NUM> of primary hinge <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, secondary hinges <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" include through-holes <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" disposed in secondary vertical base <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" for respective power cables 20A, 20B, 20C to pass through. Through-holes <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" are generally horizontally aligned with corresponding side openings <NUM>, <NUM> of pin <NUM> where power cables 20A, 20B, 20C exit out of pin <NUM> to connect to corresponding luminaires L. In some embodiments through-holes <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" extend at least partially through corresponding secondary knuckles <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" and open at hole <NUM> of corresponding secondary knuckles <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" for receiving power cables 20A, 20B, 20C.

To connect luminaire L to joint assembly <NUM>, an attachment mechanism such as a luminaire attachment bracket <NUM> as shown in <FIG> may be used. The distal face of primary hinge <NUM> or secondary hinge <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" may be adapted to engage bracket <NUM> for coupling a luminaire L to hinge, as shown in <FIG>. Bracket <NUM> may have a through-hole <NUM> for power cable 20A, 20B, 20C to pass through and power corresponding luminaire L. When bracket <NUM> is coupled to a secondary hinge <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", through-hole <NUM> is aligned with through-hole <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" for power cable 20A, 20B, 20C to pass from pin <NUM> to corresponding luminaire L.

Once assembled, primary hinge <NUM> and secondary hinges <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" may be rotated rotate about pin <NUM> to adjust the orientation of luminaires L coupled to joint assembly <NUM>. Such adjustments may be made before, during and/or after installation. For example, joint assembly <NUM> connects four luminaires L in a cross-shaped arrangement. Side opening <NUM> of base section <NUM> and side openings <NUM> of the two secondary sections <NUM> may each initially be configured at <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> degrees from the direction of horizontal power cable channel <NUM> of primary hinge <NUM> by suitably rotating base section <NUM> and secondary sections <NUM> in relation to primary hinge <NUM>.

During connection of luminaires L and/or during other steps of installation, base section <NUM> and/or secondary sections <NUM> may inadvertently rotate, resulting in a misalignment from their desired positions. In such cases the hinges or the luminaires L themselves may be manually rotated into the desired position, and any significant misalignment of base section <NUM> and/or secondary sections <NUM> will be corrected by abutment of the power cable against side openings <NUM>, <NUM> and the distal opening of through-holes <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" as the hinges or luminaires are rotated (see <FIG>).

<FIG> shows a joint assembly <NUM> according to another embodiment. Joint assembly <NUM> has functions and features similar to joint assembly <NUM> except it has one secondary hinge instead of three secondary hinges. Joint assembly <NUM> includes a pin <NUM>, primary hinge <NUM> and one secondary hinge <NUM> to support two luminaires L. One luminaire L is coupled to primary hinge <NUM>, and another luminaire L is coupled to secondary hinge <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, primary and secondary hinges <NUM>, <NUM> are shown oriented and aligned in the same vertical plane. The luminaires are therefore also aligned in the same vertical plane, positioned on either side of pin <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments primary hinge <NUM> and/or secondary hinge <NUM> may be rotatable, allowing the luminaires to be at any desirable angle with respect to each other. For example, <FIG> show joint assembly <NUM> with the hinges, and therefore the luminaires, configured in a perpendicular position to each other.

Referring to <FIG>, a primary power cable <NUM> may be supplied from the ceiling and split off into power cable 220B which connects to luminaire L connected to primary hinge <NUM> by passing through vertical power cable channel <NUM> and one of the horizontal power cable channels <NUM> located at an upper portion of primary hinge <NUM>. Primary power cable <NUM> may also be fed through the other horizontal power cable channel <NUM> to connect to an adjacent luminaire L' (not shown) through luminaire L. Primary power cable <NUM> also splits off into power cable 220A to power luminaire L coupled to secondary hinge <NUM>. Power cable 220B passes through pin <NUM> (i.e. through a top opening, bore, and out a side opening) to connect to luminaire L.

<FIG> show a joint assembly <NUM> according to another embodiment. Joint assembly <NUM> is similar in function and features to joint assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> except joint assembly <NUM> has three hinges, i.e., a primary hinge and two secondary hinges, to connect three luminaires L. The three hinges may for example be oriented to form a generally T-shape. The three hinges may be further adjusted by rotating/pivoting around the pin to form other patterns/orientations with three luminaires (e.g. a Y-shape, etc.).

<FIG> show example embodiments of arrangements of luminaires using joint assemblies of the present invention. The filled in squares and triangles represent joint assemblies where a power cable from the ceiling is used for suspension, and the empty squares and triangles represent joint assemblies with only a suspension cable from the ceiling (i.e., no power cable).

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. For example:.

Claim 1:
A joint assembly (<NUM>) for luminaires (L), comprising:
a pin (<NUM>) comprising at least one pin section (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>'), each pin section comprising:
an upper opening (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>');
a side opening (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>');
a bore (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>') connecting the upper opening and the side opening;
wherein the upper opening is configured to receive at least one power cable (<NUM>) to feed through the bore and out the side opening;
a primary hinge (<NUM>) comprising:
a primary vertical base (<NUM>) for connecting to a luminaire or wall;
a plurality of primary knuckles (<NUM>) extending from the vertical base, wherein a distal portion of the knuckles comprises pin engagement means (<NUM>); and
at least one secondary hinge (<NUM>,<NUM>',<NUM>") comprising:
a secondary vertical base (<NUM>,<NUM>',<NUM>") for connecting to an additional luminaire:
a plurality of secondary knuckles (<NUM>,<NUM>',<NUM>") extending from the vertical base, wherein a distal portion of the knuckles comprises pin engagement means for engaging the pin.