Patent ID: 12215846

PARTS LISTING

100Light Fixture System101A-B Light Fixtures102A-B Fixture Wire Harnesses103A-B Fixture Electrical Connectors104A-B Joiners105A-B Set Screws106Electrical Connection107Joint108A-B Slider (e.g., Arm or Protrusion)109A-N Light Sources110A-B Slots111A-B Ends115Joined Light Fixture116Light Fixture Joining Assembly119Aircraft Cable Suspension System120Aircraft Cable121A-B Ceiling122Aircraft Cable Gripper123Aircraft Cable Anchor Bracket124Aircraft Cable Ball Stop125Fixture Housing126Aircraft Cable Guide Bracket127Light Source Circuit Board128A-N Light Sources130A-B Ledges131Optical Element (e.g., Lens, Diffuser, or Combination Thereof)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

The term “light fixture” as used herein, is intended to encompass essentially any type of device that processes energy to generate or supply artificial light, for example, for general illumination of a space intended for use of occupancy or observation, typically by a living organism that can take advantage of or be affected in some desired manner by the light emitted from the device. However, a light fixture may provide light for use by automated equipment, such as sensors/monitors, robots, etc. that may occupy or observe the illuminated space, instead of or in addition to light provided for an organism. However, it is also possible that one or more light fixtures in or on a particular premises have other lighting purposes, such as signage for an entrance or to indicate an exit. In most examples, the light fixture(s) illuminate a space or area of a premises to a level useful for a human in or passing through the space, e.g., of sufficient intensity for general illumination of a room or corridor in a building or of an outdoor space such as a street, sidewalk, parking lot or performance venue. The actual light source of illumination light in or supplying the light for a light fixture may be any type of artificial light emitting device, several examples of which are included in the discussions below.

The term “light fixture system,” as used herein, is intended to encompass essentially any type of system that either includes a number of such light fixtures coupled together for data communication and/or light fixture(s) coupled together for data communication with one or more control devices, such as wall switches, control panels, remote controls, central lighting or building control systems, servers.

Terms such as “artificial lighting” or “illumination lighting” as used herein, are intended to encompass essentially any type of lighting that a device produces light by processing of electrical power to generate the light. A light fixture for an artificial lighting or illumination lighting application, for example, may take the form of an arrangement that incorporates a suitable light source, where the lighting device component or source(s) by itself contains no intelligence or communication capability. The illumination light output of an artificial illumination type light fixture, for example, may have an intensity and/or other characteristic(s) that satisfy an industry acceptable performance standard for a general lighting application.

The term “coupled” as used herein refers to any logical, optical, physical or electrical connection, link or the like by which signals or light produced or supplied by one system element are imparted to another coupled element. Unless described otherwise, coupled elements or devices are not necessarily directly connected to one another and may be separated by intermediate components, elements or communication media that may modify, manipulate or carry the light or signals.

Reference now is made in detail to the examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings and discussed below.

FIG.1is a cutaway view of a light fixture system100depicting separation of a joint107between adjoining light fixtures101A-B and a light fixture joining assembly116. In the example ofFIG.1, the light fixtures101A-B are pendant type. Light fixture system100includes a first light fixture101A that includes a first fixture wire harness102A coupled to a first electrical connector103A mounted to a first joiner104A. The first joiner104A is attached to the first light fixture101A. The light fixture system100further includes a second light fixture101B that includes a second fixture wire harness102B coupled to a second electrical connector103B mounted to a second joiner104B. The second joiner104B is attached to the second light fixture101B. The first joiner104A and the second joiner104B are configured to slide towards each other and include at least one set screw105A-B to apply axial force between adjoining light fixtures101A-B to make electrical connection and tighten a joint107between the first light fixture101A and the second light fixture101B.

A light fixture joining assembly116includes a first fixture wire harness102A coupled to a first electrical connector103A mounted to a first joiner104A. The first joiner104A is configured to attach to a first light fixture101A. The light fixture joining assembly116further includes a second fixture wire harness102B coupled to a second electrical connector103B mounted to a second joiner104B. The second joiner104B is configured to attach to a second light fixture101B. The first joiner104A and the second joiner104B are configured to slide towards each other and include at least one set screw105A-B to apply axial force between adjoining light fixtures101A-B to make electrical connection and tighten a joint107between the first light fixture101A and the second light fixture101B.

Light fixture joining assembly116can include sliding electro-mechanical joiners104A-B that are configured to operate in the following sequence. The joiner104A-B on each end111A-B of the light fixture101A-B is configured to be retracted so that the joiner104A-B does not protrude past the end111A-B of the light fixture segment. Adjoining light fixtures101A-B (e.g. adjacent) are then raised into the ceiling and brought into initial end-to-end111A-B contact.

The first joiner104A and the second joiner104B include sliders108A-B, such as an arm or a protrusion configured to slide toward each other. The arm or the protrusion can be integral to the first joiner104A and the second joiner104B. The joiners104A-B are configured to be slid towards each other using sliders108A-B. The first joiner104A is configured to be retracted on a first end111A of the first light fixture101A and the second joiner104B is configured to be retracted on a second end111B of the second light fixture101B until being slid towards each other.

Sliders108BA-B of the light fixture joining assembly115can be formed integrally with the joiners104A-B (e.g., as one component or piece). Or the sliders108A-B and the joiners104A-B can be formed separately and then connected together. For example, the joiners104A-B and sliders108A-B can be formed using casting or injection molding to form a single integral piece.

FIG.2is a cutaway view of the adjoining light fixtures101A-B ofFIG.1depicting a joined light fixture115resulting from tightening of the joint107via the light fixture joining assembly116. The set screws105A-B can be configured to act on the joiners104A-B to provide axial force between the light fixtures101A-B and draw them tight against each other. The act of tightening the joiners104A-B together also engages electrical connection(s)106that are mounted to the joiners104A-B, thus electrically connecting the adjoining light fixtures101A-B.

The first joiner104A is configured to protrude past a first end111A of the first light fixture101A and the second joiner104B is configured to protrude past a second end111B of the second light fixture101B to make electrical connection106in response to being slid towards each other and the axial force from the at least one set screw105A-B.

FIG.3is a side cutaway view of the adjoining light fixtures101A-B ofFIGS.1-2depicting the joined light fixture115. In the pendant type of light fixtures101A-B example ofFIGS.1-3, the light fixtures101A-B can be hanging from cable and swing apart and brought together for joining. Hence, the electrical contacts are mounted at both halves of the joint107to make electrical connection106by extending the first slider108A and the second slider108B towards each other from the initial retracted position.

FIGS.4-6below depict and describe an example of the joiners104A-B that operate in the same way for suspended linear pendant type of light fixtures101A-B (i.e., that join two adjacent pendant sections while also making the wiring connections between them). Hence,FIG.4depicts an aircraft cable suspension system119for light fixtures101A-B, which are recessed type fixtures in the example. For recessed type light fixtures, it can be difficult to fly the light fixtures101A-B in axial directions away from each other. Joiners104A-B can be slid into the envelope of a fixture housing125and in a retracted position and then extended out to the set position to fit the hole in a second ceiling121B.

Aircraft cable suspension system119includes an aircraft cable anchor bracket123configured to attach to a first ceiling121A. The first light fixture101A includes a fixture housing125and the aircraft cable anchor bracket123is mounted outside the fixture housing125on the first ceiling121A. The aircraft cable suspension system119further includes an aircraft cable120that is attached and held in place to the aircraft cable anchor bracket123via an aircraft cable stop ball124.

The aircraft cable anchor bracket123is configured to provide some pre-load tension on the aircraft cable120to pull light fixtures101A-N tightly against a second ceiling121B. Aircraft cable suspension system119further includes an aircraft cable gripper122to hold the aircraft cable120in place and suspend the aircraft cable120. The aircraft cable suspension system119further includes an aircraft cable guide bracket126configured to guide the aircraft cable120to exit a bottom of a first light fixture101A next to the light source circuit board127of the first light fixture101A when pushed from the top. The light source circuit board127can be an LED printed circuit board. The aircraft cable suspension system119guides the aircraft cable120around light sources128A-N of the light source circuit board127to allow tension to be applied to the aircraft cable120without removing the light sources128A-N and the aircraft cable anchor bracket123.

FIG.5is a cutaway view of a light fixture system100depicting both separation and connection of a joint107between adjoining light fixtures101A-B (e.g., recessed type) and the light fixture joining assembly116. The light fixture joining assembly116is like that described inFIGS.1-3. InFIG.5, the view is of the joiners104A-B as seen from above the ceiling121B. On the left, joiners104A-B and are retracted to allow the light fixtures101A-B to be lifted into the ceiling without shifting in the light fixture axis direction. On the right, joiners104A-B are connected together by tightening set screws105A-B providing attachment force in the axial direction between light fixtures101A-B and securing the electrical connection106(e.g., male/female plugs) between the light fixtures101A-B.

The first light fixture101A and the second light fixture101B include a fixture housing125and a ledge130A-B disposed inside the fixture housing125configured to stop the first joiner104A and the second joiner104B from sliding out of the fixture housing125and provide a bearing surface to slide the first joiner104A and the second joiner104B towards each other. As shown, ledges130A-N can be machined into the fixture housing125of the light fixtures101A-B. Ledges130A-N are configured to stop joiners104A-B from sliding out of the light fixtures101A-B and provide bearing surfaces for the joiners104A-B to pull the light fixtures101A-B together.

FIG.6is a bottom view of the adjoining lighting fixtures101A-B ofFIG.5depicting both separation and connection of the joint107. InFIG.6, the view is of the joiners104A-B as seen from below the ceiling121B. On the left, the joiners104A-B are retracted to allow the light fixtures101A-B to be lifted into the ceiling121B without shifting in the light fixture axis direction. On the right, the joiners104A-B are connected together by tightening set screws105A-B providing attachment force in the axial direction between light fixtures101A-B and securing the electrical connection106between the light fixtures101A-B.

Sliders108A-B can pass through slots110A-B located on either side of the light sources109A-N. The set screws105A-B can be configured to be tightened through the same slots110A-B located on either side of the light sources128A-N. The light fixture system100can further comprise an optical element131, such as a lens, a diffuser, or a combination thereof to conceal the first joiner104A and the second joiner104B.

The first light fixture101A and the second light fixture101B comprise a plurality of light sources128A-N. The first and second sliders108A-B (e.g., arm or protrusion) pass through a slot110A-B located around the plurality of light sources128A-N. The at least one set screw105A-B is configured to be tightened through the slot110A-B.

The optical element131, such as a lens, diffuser, or a combination thereof, can be installed over the light sources128A-N and is configured to conceal the slots110A-B that allowed access to the sliding joiners104A-B. Set screws105A-B can be oriented at approximately 45 degrees and configured to pull against a vertical wall in a piece that protrudes against the other light fixture101B.

Light sources128A-N include electrical-to-optical transducers include various light emitters, although the emitted light may be in the visible spectrum or in other wavelength ranges. Suitable light generation sources include various conventional lamps, such as incandescent, fluorescent or halide lamps; one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) of various types, such as planar LEDs, micro LEDs, micro organic LEDs, LEDs on gallium nitride (GaN) substrates, micro nanowire or nanorod LEDs, photo pumped quantum dot (QD) LEDs, micro plasmonic LED, micro resonant-cavity (RC) LEDs, and micro photonic crystal LEDs; as well as other sources such as micro super luminescent Diodes (SLD) and micro laser diodes. Of course, these light generation technologies are given by way of non-limiting examples, and other light generation technologies may be used. For example, it should be understood that non-micro versions of the foregoing light generation sources can be used.

Unless otherwise stated, any and all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, angles, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. Such amounts are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain. For example, unless expressly stated otherwise, a parameter value or the like may vary by as much as +5% or as much as +10% from the stated amount. The terms “approximately,” “significantly,” or “substantially” means that the parameter value or the like varies up to +25% from the stated amount.

The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow. That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as is consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in the claims when interpreted in light of this specification and the prosecution history that follows and to encompass all structural and functional equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of Sections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed.

The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow. That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as is consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in the claims when interpreted in light of this specification and the prosecution history that follows and to encompass all structural and functional equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of Sections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed.

It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having,” “containing,” “contain”, “contains,” “with,” “formed of,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises or includes a list of elements or steps does not include only those elements or steps but may include other elements or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “a” or “an” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various examples for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed examples require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, the subject matter to be protected lies in less than all features of any single disclosed example. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that they may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present concepts.