Light fixture with communication or power connector

• US 10,451,232 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2017
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: McKeon Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: McKeon Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Benner, Devin
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Jong-Suk (James)
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dunay, Christopher E
• Application Number:
  US15/661,837
• Publication Number:
  US 20170321855A1
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/026 intended to be recessed in a ceiling or like overhead structure, e.g. suspended ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/036 by means of a rigid support, e.g. bracket or arm
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/063 with a rigid pendant, i.e. a pipe or rod
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/065 multi-branched, e.g. a chandelier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/14 Adjustable mountings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/15 specially adapted for power operation, e.g. by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/22 telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/006 General building constructions or finishing work for buildings, e.g. roofs, gutters, stairs or floors; Garden equipment; Sunshades or parasols
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0096 Fans, e.g. ceiling fans forced cooling of lighting devices characterised by the arrangement of fans F21V29/67
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/92 Holders formed as intermediate parts for distributing energy in parallel through two or more counterparts at least one of which is attached to apparatus to be held

Abstract

A light fixture includes a mount configured to mount onto a mounting surface and a stem having a first end attached to the mount and extending in a first direction away from the mount with respect to the mounting surface to a second end. The light fixture further includes at least one arm having a first end attached to the stem and extending in a second direction away from the stem with respect to the mounting surface to a second end, the second direction at an angle with respect to the first direction. The light fixture includes a socket disposed on the second end of the at least one arm for receiving a light emitter and a power receptacle and/or a communication receptacle disposed on the second end of the stem.

Claims

1. A light fixture comprising:

a mount configured to mount onto a mounting surface;

a stem having a first end attached to the mount and extending in a first direction away from the mount with respect to the mounting surface to a second end;

a pull-down mechanism having a first portion connected to the stem or a receiver and a second portion moving with respect to the first portion between a stowed position and a deployed position;

at least one arm having a first end attached to the stem and extending in a second direction away from the stem with respect to the mounting surface to a second end, the second direction at an angle with respect to the first direction;

a socket disposed on the second end of the at least one arm for receiving a light emitter; and

a power receptacle and/or a communication receptacle disposed on the second end of the stem in a location spaced away from the socket with respect to the mounting surface by a distance that extends between the first and second ends of the at least one arm, wherein the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle defines at least one recess comprising an electrical contact for establishing electrical continuity between the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle and a device that is external to the light fixture,

wherein the pull-down mechanism conceals the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle while in the stowed position and allows access to the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle while in the deployed position.

2. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the mounting surface is above the stem, the stem extending downward and away from the mounting surface, and the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle is/are below the socket with respect to the mounting surface.

3. The light fixture of claim 2, wherein the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle is/are positioned between about 1 inch and about 3 inches vertically below the light emitter with respect to the mounting surface.

4. The light fixture of claim 1, further comprising a receptacle cover disposed on the second end of the stem, the receptacle cover moving between a closed position concealing the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle and an open position allowing access to the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle.

5. The light fixture of claim 4, wherein the receptacle cover comprises a pivoting door or a sliding door.

6. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the pull-down mechanism are arranged for telescopic movement.

7. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the pull-down mechanism comprises pivotally connected arms.

8. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the device is a portable device that is external to the light fixture.

9. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the at least one recess is configured to receive any one of a charger and a cord.

10. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the at least one recess is configured to receive any one of a universal serial bus cable, a high-definition multimedia interface cable, and an Ethernet cable.