Patent Document

[0001]    This patent application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/890,065 file Aug. 3, 2007 by inventors Thomas Warton and Scott S. Yu which of claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/835,663 filed Aug. 4, 2006. 
     
    
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to lighting fixtures, and more particularly to a modular lighting system which comprises a plurality of lighting system components which can be presented in a plurality of housings. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Lighting fixtures are one of the basic lighting devices used in homes, offices and a variety of industrial settings. For example, a typical lighting fixture may be mounted on a wall, at a position above a desk, in a corridor, a door entrance, or a garage door such that the area can be illuminated by the lighting fixture. One criterion when selecting a lighting fixture is that the lighting is visually attractive. Another criterion is ease of installation. Additional criteria are performance, safety, legality and affordability. As lighting technologies improve, industrial lighting consumers require new and more aesthetic lighting designs to provided for the above listed criteria. All of these criteria are dynamic and change over time. As such there is a need for the modern, efficient lighting systems which can address these criteria in varying degrees. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Disclosed herein is a luminaire system comprising a first hub comprising a first fixed portion rotatably coupled to a first rotor portion, said hub having an internal chamber, accessible through an opening on the first fixed portion and an opening on the first rotor portion; a first lamp socket coupled to the first rotor portion of the first hub for holding a lamp and providing electricity to the lamp; a light rail affixed to the first rotor portion, said light rail having at least one bore substantially the length of the light rail; a second hub comprising a second fixed portion rotatably coupled to a second rotor portion; and a second lamp socket coupled to the second rotor portion of the second hub, wherein a first set of one or more power wires is disposed in the opening on the first fixed portion and is coupled to the first lamp socket, wherein a second set of one or more power wires is disposed in the opening on the first fixed portion and further into the bore and is coupled to the second socket, such that the light rail is rotatable about the fixed portion of the first hub. 
         [0005]    The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objectives and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of a rotatable hub for a luminaire according to one aspect of the current disclosure 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows attachment of a light rail to a rotatable hub. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  illustrates one way to mount the luminaire to a structural support. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates several examples of light rails used in accordance with the current disclosure and their corresponding light direction patterns. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of a luminaire having multiple segments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  shows details of how one to install one embodiment according to the current disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  shows the details of a portion of the example shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  shows a double light rail system according to the current disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of a rotatable hub  100  for a luminaire according to one aspect of the current disclosure. In this embodiment light rail  130  is shown such that electrical wiring can be run down a bore  128  of the rail frame  130 . This access  128  is used to provide electricity to the opposite end of the lamp  126  through wire  129 , without exposing the wire  129  to the heat of the lamp while still maintaining an attractive luminaire. In the figure the rail frame  130  has a rotatable hub on each end. The rotatable hub  100  comprises an electrical socket  118  (such as a BJB socket #26.641.2001 or similar) for holding the lamp  126  and providing electricity to operate the lamp, a socket base  116  for holding the socket  118 . In this embodiment the socket base  116  has a raised threaded portion  152  which extends into an electrical connector housing  138 . Mounting the socket base  116  on the threaded raised portion  152  allows the socket to swivel or rotate in relation to the electrical connector housing  138 . The electrical connector housing  138  is mounted to the socket base  116  by a spring washer  120 , a hub nut  112  and a hub cap  110 . Since the hub nut  112  is screwed on to the threaded portion  152 , the electrical connector housing  138  is rotatably coupled to the socket base  116 . The electrical connector housing  138  has indicia on it indicating the relative position of the light rail  130 . Set screw  134  holds the rotatable hub  100  in place once its position is set. 
         [0016]    In view of the foregoing, one aspect of this embodiment is that socket base  116  has mounting holes  150  (only one shown) such that the tabs  151  of lamp socket  118  can mount by snapping in place. The size of mounting holes  150  is determined by the size of the tabs  151  on the socket  118 . One having skill in the art would recognize that the design of socket base  116  can be modified to accommodate differing sockets  118  and still be within the spirit of the current invention. Thus socket holder  116  provides a means for passing electricity to one end of the lamp  126 , providing structural support for the socket  118  and for holding the position of the light rail when set screw  134  is tightened. 
         [0017]    References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to effect such feature, structure or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Parts of the description are presented using terminology commonly employed by those of ordinary skill in the art to convey the substance of their work to others of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows attachment of a light rail to a rotatable hub. In the figure a rotatable hub assembly is partially shown in an exploded diagram. The housing  238  is connected to a socket holder  216  by mounting hardware (not shown). The mounting hardware is screwed on to the socket holder  216  to provide support and to allow the socket holder  216  to rotate with respect to the housing  238 . The rotation is limited by a stop pin  236 . The stop pin has a first end disposed in slot  248  to allow a predetermined amount of play such that the stop pin is slidable. The stop pin has a second end that extends through the light rail portion  246  and into a hole (not shown) on the housing  238 . 
         [0019]    A light rail  230  is attached to the socket base  216  such that the light rail rotates with the socket base  216 . A portion of the light rail  231  is affixed to the socket base  216  and has an elongated hole  246  for the stop pin  236  to pass through and a second hole  252  for the threaded portion of the socket base  216  to pass through. The socket holder  216  has a bore  250  through it to allow for passage of electrical wiring to control the lamp (not shown). The wires would extend from the socket, through the bore  250  in the socket base  216  and into the cavity  239  in the center of the housing  236 . The wires would extend further outside the housing  236  through hole  254  and exit the housing. In the example shown the light rail has an escutcheon  242  to cover the socket (not shown) and socket holder  216 . 
         [0020]    The hole  254  may have elongated members (or prongs)  256  on one or more sides for use in supporting the device. The elongated members may be formed with threaded holes for receiving a fastener or with other means for attaching the elongated members to a supporting structure. 
         [0021]    In operation the rotatable hub rotates until a stop (not shown) on the housing  238  contacts the stop pin  236 . The stop pin, by having some play allows for rotation in excess of 360 degrees. The amount of allowable rotation determined by the length of slot  248 . The stop pin provides protection from rotating the rotatable hub to a point where the wiring would bunch and experience stress to the point of damaging the luminaire. In this illustration the light rail  230  can be easily changed with light rails of differing shapes. Also the design of the housing  238  provides for easy mounting to a support arm (not shown) to fix a luminaire to a ceiling, wall or other support structure. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  illustrates one way to mount the luminaire to a structural support. A rotatable hub  320  is attached to a light rail  322 . The rotatable hub  320  has two extended members or prongs  324  disposed to fit into the inner cavity or passage of a hollow support arm  314 . Each of the extended members has a threaded female screw hole and the hollow support arm  314  has at least one hole  326  for alignment to the threaded female screw holes. The electrical wiring for providing power to a lamp (not shown) is disposed into the hollow of support arm  314  and terminates at a connector  316 . A matching connector  318  is attached to wires (not shown) on the housing, which in turn are coupled to a lamp by way of a socket described above. The connector allows for quick disconnect of the entire fixture without having to remove the support arm  314  from the support structure. 
         [0023]    In  FIG. 3  the extended members  324  are designed to fit snugly into the hollow of support arm  314  and the housing of the rotatable hub  320  is designed to be substantially the same as the support arm  314 . Thus when the rotatable hub  320  is placed into the support arm  314  the hub aligns such that the light rail is perpendicular to the support arm  314 . This allows for easy installation of the luminaire. The support arm  314  may have an opening  326  for receiving a set screw, bolt or other fastener  328 . The fastener  328  may be formed to coupled with a threaded hole on extended members  324 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  illustrates several examples of light rails used in accordance with the current disclosure and their corresponding light direction patterns. One feature of the current invention is the ability to change light rails to light rail A is a Bee rail, light rail B is a Wing rail, light rail C is a race rail, light rail D is a box rail and light rail E is a Que rail. The light rails may be made from aluminum or other materials strong enough to support the weight and temperature requirements for the luminaire. 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of a luminaire having multiple segments  500 . A mounting structure  510  supports an arm  512 . At the end of the arm is a hub  514 . Electrical wires are run through the support arm to the hub assembly  514  and through the hub assembly  514  to the lamp. A light rail  516  is connected to the hub assembly  514  at one end and at the other end of the light rail  516  is another hub assembly  522  connected to a second support arm  522  and to a mounting structure  518 . Different light rails can be used and multiple light rails can be connected together. In this figure, electrical wiring is run internally to the light rail, such that only one hub need be electrically powered for each lamp. In the disclosure shown, electrical wires would be run internally to arm  512  to hub  514  to power the lamp in light rail  516 . Electrical wiring would also be run internal to arm  520  to hub  522  for powering light rail  524 . In the embodiment shown arm  526  does not require any electrical wiring. By eliminating the need to run wires in all three arms, this embodiment provides for a light fixture that is easier to install than conventional light fixtures. 
         [0026]      FIG. 6  shows details of how one to install one embodiment according to the current disclosure. In this detail, electrical wiring is run internally to arm  610  to connector  612 . Connector  612  connects to connector  616  located on the hub  614 . Because one embodiment of the current invention may provide for electrical wiring internal to the light rail, hub  618  may not need electrical wiring.  FIG. 6  also shows the installation of two light rails ( 620  and  622 ) into arm  610 . The hub  614  is designed to fit squarely into the arms such that when two hubs are inserted into an arm, they provide for easier alignment. Similar ease of alignment can be realized using multiple shaped hubs and arms, such that additional light rails other than those shown can be constructed or different angles between the light rails may be built. For example, a designer may want  4  light rails installed in a single arm or a 90 degree angle between two of the light rails. 
         [0027]      FIG. 7  shows one aspect for providing a luminaire over a workspace such as a desk  700 . In the figure a single light rail  708  is connected to two support arms  716  and  718 . The support arms are connected to a main chassis  710  which may include ballast for the lamp. Also main chassis  710  may be used to facilitate mounting the lighting system above a desk or other structure. This embodiment would typically mount under an overhead storage cabinet or bookshelf located above a desk. Power is supplied to the lamp through electrical connector  712  and On/Off switch  714 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 8  shows the details of a portion of the example shown in  FIG. 7 . In  FIG. 8  the luminaire is shown as a light rail  822  connected to a hub  820 . Electricity is supplied to the lamp (not shown) through wires (not shown) connected to electrical connector  818 . Electrical connector  818  connects to electrical connector  816  which is connected to wires through the core of arm  814 . Electricity is supplied from ballasting equipment not shown. Items  828  and  830  are escutcheons for providing an aesthetic appeal. This figure illustrates one of the features of the disclosure for providing a modular system wherein many different luminaires may be formed to meet differing needs, while using common parts and assembly. This provides for more affordable manufacturing and ease of installation. 
         [0029]      FIG. 9  shows a double light rail system  900  according to the current disclosure. In this figure a mounting structure  910  connects to a support arm  912  and supports a hub connector  928 . The hub connector  928  supports the first hub  914  and a second hub assembly  916 . Each hub supports one or more light rails  920 ,  918 ,  926 , and  924 . The electrical connections for the lamps may run internally through the support arms  912  and may also run internally to the light rails  920 , such that only a single support arm has electrical wiring in it. Typically in the double light rail system  900 , electrical wires would be run through arm  912  and arm  928  obviating the need for wiring in arm  930 . In this disclosure two variations of the hub are used, a “right-hand” hub and a “left-hand” hub. The primary difference between the right-hand hub and the left-hand hub is the existence of electrical connections for lamps and mounting hardware, although other structural differences may also be employed. This disclosure allows multiple light rails to be strung together. Multiple support arms, hub assemblies and light rails allow for different configurations of lights being grouped together. One having skill and the art would appreciate that the current invention can be mounted from a variety of structural supports such as a ceiling with a light rail directing the light up or down, or from a wall with a light rail directing the light out, down, up or back across the wall to provide for reflective or indirect lighting. Multiple light rails positioned to illuminate in different directions can be used. 
         [0030]    One aspect of the current disclosure is that electricity is only supplied to one hub for each lamp. Each light rail described above has a bore running substantially the length of the light rail to allow for electrical wires to extend through the bore and couple to the socket at the other end. This facilitates ease of installation and reduces costs because power only needs to be supplied to a single arm in many situations. 
         [0031]    The above illustration provides many different embodiments or embodiments for implementing different features of the invention. Specific embodiments of components and processes are described to help clarify the invention. These are, of course, merely embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention from that described in the claims. 
         [0032]    Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.

Technology Category: 2