Patent ID: 12247722

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS.2-3B, a luminaire of the present disclosure is generally indicated at10. The luminaire has a compact linear design. In one embodiment, the luminaire10is an LED luminaire. However, the luminaire10could have other configurations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. A housing12of the luminaire10houses the lighting components of the luminaire. An interior surface15of the housing12defines a surface for mounting the internal components of the luminaire10. Further, as will be explained in greater detail below, structure is provided on the interior surface15for attaching internal components (e.g., driver25) to the housing12in a releasable manner and for accommodating drivers of different sizes and configurations.

Referring toFIGS.4-8, a driver assembly is configured to be disposed within the housing12of the luminaire10. The driver assembly22comprises a mounting bracket24securable to the interior surface15of the housing12, and a driver25releasably attachable to the mounting bracket to retain the driver in the housing12. The driver25is electrically connected to the internal electronics in the housing12and configured to provide electricity to light sources (e.g., LEDs) mounted to the housing of the luminaire10. The driver assembly22is secured to the interior surface15of the housing12. In the illustrated embodiment, the driver assembly22is secured to a top, horizontally extending interior surface15of the housing12. However, the driver assembly could be secured to other interior surfaces within the housing12. Fasteners (not shown) secure the driver assembly22to the top interior surface15of the housing12.

Referring toFIGS.5-8, the mounting bracket24comprises a generally channel-shaped body including a base member26and flanges28extending laterally from the base member forming a channel30. In the illustrated embodiment, the base member26comprises an elongate plate including longitudinally extending sides32(FIG.7) and laterally extending edges34disposed at longitudinal ends of the base member. The base member26has a generally rectangular shape. However, the base member26could have other shapes without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Tabs or projections36are disposed at end margins of the base member26and extend laterally outward such that the tabs project past the longitudinal sides32of the base member in opposite directions. In the illustrated embodiment, a first tab36is disposed at one end of the base member26and projects in a first direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the base member at one side of the base member, and a second tab36is disposed at the opposite end of the base member and projects in a second direction, opposite the first direction, and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base member at the opposite side of the base member. The tabs36define fastener holes38for receiving fasteners (now shown) to secure the mounting bracket24to the interior surface15of the housing12. In the illustrated embodiment, the tabs36have a generally trapezoidal shape. However, the tabs could have other shapes and configurations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the tabs36could be omitted such as by removing the tabs and/or by extending the flanges28the full length of the base member26. In this instance, portions of the base member26laterally inset from the flanges28may define the fastener holes.

Each flange28extends laterally from one of the sides32of the base member26. In the illustrated embodiment, each flange28extends generally orthogonally from the base member26. However, the flanges28could extend at other angles without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Each flange28includes a first portion40extending from the base member26. The first portion includes a bend42that extends directly from the side32of the base member26and curves out of plane from the base member such that a planar section44of the first portion extend generally orthogonally to the base member. A second portion46of each flange28extends from the first portion40and defines a clamp for engaging the driver25to hold the driver in the mounting bracket24as will be explained in greater detail below. The second portion46includes a first section48extending directly from the planar section44of the first portion40. The first section48is planar and extends inward from the planar section44at an angle. In one embodiment, the first section48extends inward at about a 45-degree angle. A second section50of the second portion extends directly from the first section48. The second section50is planar and extends generally parallel to the planar section44of the first portion40. A third section52of the second portion extends directly form the second section50. The third section52is planar and extends outward from the second section50at an angle. In one embodiment, the third section52extends outward at about a 45-degree angle. A third portion54of each flange28extends directly from the second portion46. The third portion54is planar and extends generally parallel to the first portion40. In one embodiment, the third portion54extends along a common axis with the first portion40.

Referring toFIGS.5,6, and8, a catch56projects inward from an inner surface of the third portion54of each flange28. In the illustrated embodiment, the catch56is punched from the third portion54. However, the catch56could be formed by other means without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, the catch56may be a separate component that is suitably attached to the third portion54. As shown inFIG.6, the catch56includes a planar top surface58extending laterally inward from the third portion54and a curved surface60extending downward from the top surface to the third portion of the flange28.

In the illustrated embodiment, each flange28extends from one edge34of the base member26toward the opposite edge of the base member but does not extend the full length of the base member. Instead, the flanges28extend to a location adjacent the tab36projecting from the corresponding side of the base member26. However, the flanges28could extend a greater or lesser extent along the sides32of the base member. As discussed above, the flanges28could extend the entire length of the base member28such that the tabs36are omitted. Additionally, the mounting bracket24includes a pair of flanges28such that each side32of the base member26includes a single flange. However, additional flanges28can be included without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, one or more sides32of the base member26may include a plurality of spaced apart flanges. The mounting bracket24is formed from any suitable material such as steel, spring steel, or aluminum. Still other materials may be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.3and4, the mounting bracket24is secured to the interior surface15of the housing12by aligning the fastener holes38in the base member26of the bracket with fastener holes62in the interior surface and inserting fasteners through the holes thereby securing the mounting bracket to the housing. In one embodiment, the fastener holes62are also configured to mate with fastener holes of a driver for mounting the driver directly to the housing12. A driver of any configuration, such as driver25, can then be attached to the mounting bracket24by inserting the driver into the open bottom end of the channel30of the mounting bracket. Insertion of the driver25into the channel30of the mounting bracket24will cause the driver to engage the curved bottom surfaces60of the catches56on the flanges28. The curved bottom surfaces60of the catches56function as ramps whereby the flanges28will flex outwardly away from the longitudinal axis of the base member26to provide clearance for the driver25to be moved past the catches. Continued insertion of the driver25will cause the driver to clear the catches56allowing the flanges28to flex back toward their resting state. In this position, the planar surfaces58of the catches56oppose a bottom surface of the driver25preventing the driver from falling back out of the channel30. A width of the driver25may be such that the flanges28are not allowed to flex all the way back to their resting state. Thus, the second portion46of the flanges28may also contact sides of the driver25to provide a clamping force to further secure the driver in the channel30of the mounting bracket24. Therefore, the mounting bracket24has a snap-fit or friction-fit engagement with the driver. In one embodiment, the clamping force is sufficient to prevent the driver25from sliding longitudinally in the channel30. To this effect, the mounting bracket24is able to restrict movement of the driver25in all 12 degrees of freedom. Further, because the mounting bracket24does not rely on mating with the fastener holes in the driver25, the mounting bracket is able to accommodate drivers having a wide variety of configurations. For example, the mounting bracket24can securely hold 30 W, 60 W, and 96 W drivers. Moreover, the open channel design improves thermal management by allowing heat to dissipate away from the driver25.

When it is desirable to detach the driver25from the mounting bracket24, one or both of the flanges28can be flexed outward and the driver can be easily pulled out of the channel30in the bracket while retaining the mounting bracket to the housing12. The same or a different driver can then be attached to the mounting bracket24. Thus, the construction of the mounting bracket24reduces cost, assembly time, maintenance time, as well as the total number of parts needed to assemble the luminaire10.

Referring toFIGS.9-12, a driver assembly of another embodiment is generally indicated at122. The driver assembly122comprises a mounting bracket124securable to the interior surface15of the housing12, and a driver125releasably attachable to the mounting bracket to retain the driver in the housing12. The driver assembly122is substantially identical to driver assembly22except that second portion146of the flanges128has a different configuration. The second portion146extends from the first portion140and defines a clamp for engaging the driver125to hold the driver in the mounting bracket124. The second portion146includes a first section148extending directly from the first portion140. The first section148is planar and extends inward from the first portion140at an angle. In one embodiment, the first section148extends inward at about a 45-degree angle. A second section152of the second portion146extends directly form the first section148. The second section152is planar and extends outward from the first section148at an angle. In one embodiment, the second section152extends outward from a vertical plane at about a 45-degree angle. A third portion154of each flange128extends directly from the second portion146. The third portion154is planar and extends generally parallel to the first portion140. In one embodiment, the third portion154extend along a common axis with the first portion140.

Referring toFIGS.13-16, a driver assembly of another embodiment is generally indicated at222. The driver assembly222comprises a mounting bracket224securable to the interior surface15of the housing12, and a driver225releasably attachable to the mounting bracket to retain the driver in the housing12. The driver assembly222is substantially identical to driver assembly22except that flanges228comprise a single planar portion240. Dimples255are formed in the flanges228and project inward form the flanges. In the illustrated embodiment, the dimples255are formed integrally with the flanges228. However, the dimples255could be separately formed from the flange228and suitably attached. In this embodiment, the dimples are configured to engage the driver225to transfer the clamping force of the flanges228to the driver.

Referring toFIGS.17-21, a driver assembly of another embodiment is generally indicated at322. The driver assembly322comprises a mounting bracket324securable to the interior surface15of the housing12, and a driver325releasably attachable to the mounting bracket to retain the driver in the housing12. The mounting bracket324comprises a base member326, flanges328extending laterally from longitudinal ends of the base member, and projections329extending laterally from sides of the base member. In the illustrated embodiment, the base member326comprises an elongate plate including longitudinally extending sides332and laterally extending edges334disposed at longitudinal ends of the base member. The base member326has a generally slanted and truncated rectangular shape. However, the base member326could have other shapes without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Tabs or projections336are disposed at end margins of the base member326and extend laterally outward such that the tabs project past the longitudinal sides332of the base member in opposite directions. In the illustrated embodiment, a first tab336is disposed at one end of the base member326and projects in a first direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the base member at one side of the base member, and a second tab336is disposed at the opposite end of the base member and projects in a second direction, opposite the first direction, and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base member at the opposite side of the base member. The tabs336define fastener holes338for receiving fasteners (now shown) to secure the mounting bracket324to the interior surface15of the housing12. In the illustrated embodiment, the tabs336have a generally trapezoidal shape. However, the tabs336could have other shapes and configurations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the tabs336could be omitted.

Each flange328extends laterally from one of the edges334of the base member326. In the illustrated embodiment, each flange328extends generally downward and inward from the base member326. However, the flanges328could extend at other angles without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Each flange328includes a first portion340extending from the base member326. The first portion includes a bend342that extends directly from the edge334of the base member326and curves out of plane from the base member such that the first portion extends downward from the base member and inward toward the base member. In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion includes a planar section extending from the bend342. A second portion346of each flange328extends from the first portion340. The second portion346includes a bend extending directly from the first portion340, and a planar section extending from the bend. The bend curves upward and away from the base member326such that the planar section of the second portion extends generally upward and away from the base member. The first and second portions340,346define a clamp for engaging the driver325to hold the driver in the mounting bracket324.

The projections329extend laterally from the sides332of the base member326. In the illustrated embodiment, each projection329extends generally orthogonally to the base member326. Each projection329includes a bend extending directly from the base member326and a planar section extending from the bend. The planar section of the projection329extends generally orthogonally to the base member326. The projections329could extend from the base326at other angles without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.17, the mounting bracket324is secured to the interior surface15of the housing12by aligning the fastener holes338in the base member326of the bracket with fastener holes62in the interior surface and inserting fasteners through the holes thereby securing the mounting bracket to the housing. A driver of any configuration, such as driver325, can then be attached to the mounting bracket324by inserting the driver into the open bottom of the mounting bracket. Insertion of the driver325into the open bottom of the mounting bracket324will cause the driver to engage the bend of the second portion346of the flanges328. The bend of the second portion346function as a ramp whereby the flanges328will flex outwardly away from the base member326to provide clearance for the driver325to be moved past the bend. Continued insertion of the driver325will cause the driver to clear the bend allowing the flanges328to flex back toward their resting state. A length of the driver325may be such that the flanges328are not allowed to flex all the way back to their resting state. Thus, the bend of the second portion346of the flanges328may contact ends of the driver325to provide a clamping force to secure the driver to the mounting bracket24. In one embodiment, the driver325may have structure such as a rib331configured to oppose the clamp of the mounting bracket324to releasably hold the driver to the mounting bracket. Additionally, the projections329will oppose sides of the driver325to prevent lateral movement of the driver. Thus, the mounting bracket324restricts movement of the driver325in 12 degrees of freedom. When it is desirable to detach the driver325from the mounting bracket324, one or both of the flanges328can be flexed outward and the driver can be easily pulled away from the bracket while retaining the mounting bracket to the housing12.

Referring toFIGS.22-25, a mounting bracket of another embodiment is generally indicated at424. The mounting bracket424is securable to the interior surface15of the housing12for releasably attaching a driver to the mounting bracket to retain the driver in the housing12. The mounting bracket424is substantially identical to mounting bracket324except that each flange428of the mounting bracket has a slightly different configuration. In particular, each flange428includes a first portion440extending from the base member426. The first portion includes a bend442that extends directly from the edge434of the base member426and curves out of plane from the base member such that a planar section444of the first portion extends generally orthogonally to the base member. A second portion446of each flange428extends from the first portion440. The second portion446includes a bend extending directly from the first portion440, and a planar section extending from the bend. The bend curves downward and toward from the base member426such that the planar section of the second portion extends generally downward and toward from the base member. In one embodiment, the second portion446extends inward at about a 45-degree angle. A third portion454of each flange428extends directly from the second portion446. The third portion454includes a bend extending directly from the second portion446, and a planar section extending from the bend. The bend curves upward and away from the base member426such that the planar section of the third portion extends generally upward and away from the base member. In one embodiment, the third portion454extends upward relative to a vertical axis at about a 30-40 degree angle. The second and third portions446,454define a clamp for engaging the driver to hold the driver in the mounting bracket424. The mounting bracket424otherwise functions identically to mounting bracket324of the previous embodiment.

Referring toFIGS.26-29, a mounting bracket of another embodiment is generally indicated at524. The mounting bracket524is securable to the interior surface15of the housing12for releasably attaching a driver to the mounting bracket to retain the driver in the housing12. The mounting bracket524is substantially identical to mounting bracket324except that each flange528of the mounting bracket has a slightly different configuration. In particular, each flange528includes a first portion540extending from the base member526. The first portion includes a bend542that extends directly from the edge534of the base member626and curves out of plane from the base member such that a planar section544of the first portion extends generally orthogonally to the base member. A second portion546of each flange428extends from the first portion540. The second portion546includes a bend extending directly from the first portion540, and a planar section extending from the bend. The bend curves downward and away from the base member526such that the planar section of the second portion extends away from the base member. In one embodiment, the second portion546extends generally parallel to the base member526. A third portion554of each flange528extends directly from the second portion546. The third portion554includes a bend extending directly from the second portion546, and a planar section extending from the bend. The bend curves downward and away from the base member526such that the planar section of the third portion554extends away from the base member. In one embodiment, the third portion554extends generally orthogonally to the base member526. The first and second portions540,546define a clamp for engaging the driver to hold the driver in the mounting bracket524. The mounting bracket524otherwise functions identically to mounting bracket324of the previous embodiment.

Referring toFIGS.30-33, a mounting bracket of another embodiment is generally indicated at624. The mounting bracket624is securable to the interior surface15of the housing12for releasably attaching a driver to the mounting bracket to retain the driver in the housing12. The mounting bracket624is substantially identical to mounting bracket324except that each flange628of the mounting bracket has a slightly different configuration. In particular, each flange628includes a first portion640extending from the base member626. The first portion includes a bend642that extends directly from an edge634of the base member426and curves out of plane from the base member such that a planar section644of the first portion extends generally orthogonally to the base member. A second portion646of each flange628extends from the first portion640. The second portion646includes a bend extending directly from the first portion640, and a planar section extending from the bend. The bend curves downward and toward from the base member626such that the planar section of the second portion extends generally downward and toward from the base member. In one embodiment, the second portion646extends inward at about a 60-70 degree angle. A third portion654of each flange628extends directly from the second portion646. The third portion654includes a bend extending directly from the second portion646, and a planar section extending from the bend. The bend curves upward such that the planar section of the third portion654extends generally toward the base member626. The third portions654defines a clamp for engaging the driver to hold the driver in the mounting bracket624. The mounting bracket624otherwise functions identically to mounting bracket324of the previous embodiment.

Having described the disclosure in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure defined in the appended claims.

When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the preferred embodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the disclosure are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the compositions without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.