Recessed sealed lighting fixture

• US 20060023450A1
• Filed: 04/05/2005
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Focal Point LLC (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Focal Point LLC (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Chung, Casey, Cody, Jill, Pena, Marcelino, Thornton, Michael, Stolte, Brandon
• Granted Patent: US 7,674,005 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/246
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/02 of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters specially adapted for vehicle exteriors F21S41/00-F21S45/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/015 Devices for covering joints between adjacent lighting devices; End coverings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/14 Bayonet-type fastening
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/164 the parts being subjected to bending, e.g. snap joints
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/02 of prismatic shape F21V5/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/20 Lighting for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

In an embodiment, a recessed light fixture includes a structural reflector and two end caps that form a light fixture housing. A first, second and third optics areas are provided. At least one first light source type is mounted near the first optics area. A second light source type is mounted near the second optics area and the second light source type is mounted near the third optics areas, the second light source type having a light output level substantially lower than the light output level of the first light source type. A diffuser is configured to sealably mount to the light fixture housing so as to substantially seal an interior portion of the light fixture. In operation, the light fixture can be switch between an ambient mode and an examination mode while providing a cost effective and attractive design.

Claims

1. A recessed light fixture, comprising:

a light fixture housing;

a first rail and a second rail mounted on the housing;

a first light source type mounted on the housing between the first and second rails, the first light source type having a first illumination level;

a second light source type mounted on the housing between the first and second rails, the second light source type having a second illumination level; and

a diffuser sealably mounted on the housing, the diffuser having a smooth exterior surface, the diffuser including a first lip and a second lip, wherein the diffuser is configured to flex when installed so as to allow the first lip to engage the first rail and the second lip to engage the second rail, whereby the diffuser works in combination with the rails to substantially seal an internal portion of the light fixture from dust, and the light fixture can be switched between a first mode corresponding to a first level of light output and a second mode corresponding to a second level of light output.

2. The recessed light fixture of claim 1, wherein the diffuser comprises a plurality of linear prisms on an interior surface.

3. The recessed light fixture of claim 1, wherein the first light source type comprises a plurality of light bulbs and the second light source type comprises a plurality of light bulbs.

4. The recessed light fixture of claim 1, wherein the first mode activates the first light source type and a second mode activates the first light source type and the second light source type.

5. The recessed light fixture of claim 1, wherein the first and second light source types are each mounted on the housing via at least one pair of lamp holders.

6. A recessed light fixture for use on a mounting surface, comprising:

a housing configured to be installed substantially flush with the mounting surface, the housing comprising a first optics area and a second optics area;

a first pair of lamp holders mounted approximate the first optics area, the first pair of lamp holders configured to accept a first light source type having a first level of illumination;

a second pair of lamp holders mounted approximate the second optics area, the second pair of lamp holders configured to accept a second light source type having a second level of illumination substantially lower than the first level of illumination; and

a diffuser mounted on the housing, the diffuser having a length, an interior side and an exterior side, the diffuser configured to cover the first and the second optics areas and the first and second pair of lamp holders, the diffuser further configured to substantially seal an interior portion of the light fixture from dust, wherein the fixture, in operation, is switchable between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation.

7. The recessed light fixture of claim 6, wherein the first mode of operation is an ambient light mode and the second mode of operation is an examination mode.

8. The recessed light fixture of claim 6, wherein the housing comprises a third optics area and a third pair of lamp holders is mounted approximate the third optics area, the third lamp holder configured to accept the second light source type.

9. The recessed light fixture of claim 8, comprising a fourth pair of lamp holders, the fourth pair of lamp holders mounted approximate the first optics area, the fourth pair of lamp holders being configured to accept the first type of light source.

10. The recessed light fixture of claim 9, wherein the first mode of operation provides electrical power to the second and third pair of lamp holders.

11. The recesses light fixture of claim 9, wherein the second mode of operation provides electrical power to the first, the second, the third, and the fourth pair of lamp holders.

12. The recessed light fixture of claim 6, wherein the exterior side of the diffuser is substantially smooth and the mounting surface is a ceiling.

13. The recessed light fixture of claim 6, wherein the diffuser includes a plurality of linear prisms extending the length of the diffuser.

14. The recessed light fixture of claim 13, wherein the plurality of linear prisms is located on the interior side of the diffuser and the exterior side of the diffuser is substantially smooth.

15. A recessed light fixture, comprising:

a housing comprising;

a single-piece structural reflector having a first end and a second end and a first side and a second side, the structural reflector including a first curved portion on the first side, a second curved portion on the second side, and a square portion extending between the first and second curved portions;

a first end cap fastened to the first end of the structural reflector;

a second end cap fastened to the second end of the structural reflector;

a plurality of lamp holders mounted on the housing, the lamp holders configured to accept a plurality of light sources;

a diffuser configured to sealably mount on the housing, the diffuser having a first end and a second end, whereby the diffuser substantially seals an interior portion of the light fixture against the accumulation of dust therein.

16. The recessed light fixture of claim 15, wherein the first and second end cap are welded to the structural reflector.

17. The recessed light fixture of claim 16, further comprising a first rail mounted approximate the square portion on the first side and a second rail mounted approximate the square portion on the second side, wherein the diffuser comprises a first lip and a second lip, whereby the first and second lips sealably mount to the first and second rails, respectively, so as to substantially seal the diff-user to the structural reflector.

18. The recessed light fixture of claim 17, further comprising a first bracket mounted on the first end cap, and a second bracket mounted on the second end cap, wherein the first bracket includes a first seal, and the second bracket includes a second seal, wherein the first bracket and first seal are configured to substantially seal the first end of the diffuser to the structural reflector and the second bracket and the second seal are configured to substantially seal the second end of the diffuser to the structural reflector.

19. The recessed light fixture of claim 17, further comprising a first gasket mounted on the first end cap and a second gasket mounted on the second end cap, the first gasket configured to substantially seal the first end of the diffuser to the structural reflector, the second gasket configured to substantially seal the second end of the diffuser to the structural reflector.

20. The recessed light fixture of claim 19, wherein the first gasket includes at least one finger, the finger configured to substantially link the first gasket and the rail.