LED LIGHTING APPARATUS WITH SWIVEL CONNECTION

• US 20090159919A1
• Filed: 12/20/2007
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Altair Engineering Incorporated
• Inventors: Simon, David L., Ivey, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,118,447 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 257/99
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/272 Details of end parts, i.e. the parts that connect the light source to a fitting; Arrangement of components within end parts F21K9/278 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/65 specially adapted for changing the characteristics or the distribution of the light, e.g. by adjustment of parts
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/02 by movement of light sources in vehicle head lamps F21S41/657
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/02 with provision for adjustment, e.g. for focusing
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

Disclosed is a LED lighting apparatus with one or more swivel connections. The LED lighting apparatus includes a housing with at least one end, at least one light emitting diode extending along the housing and at least one end cap. The end cap has an opening with a sidewall to cap the end of the housing and a surface opposite the opening and spanning the sidewall. At least two pin connectors extend from the surface and are connectable to a standard fluorescent or incandescent light fixture. Various configurations are described such that the housing will rotate within the end caps with application of a rotational force after connection of the pin connectors to the light fixture to adjust the light output direction of the LED lighting apparatus.

Claims

1. A LED lighting apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a housing with at least one end;

at least one light emitting diode extending along the housing;

at least one end cap, wherein the end cap has an opening with a sidewall to cap the end of the housing and a surface opposite the opening and spanning the sidewall; and

at least two pin connectors extending from the surface and connectable to a standard light fixture, wherein the sidewall is configured to friction fit the housing such that the housing will rotate within the end caps with application of a rotational force after connection of the pin connectors to the light fixture.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sidewall has an inward angled edge and the housing has a crimp, a friction contact occurring between the inward angled edge of the sidewall and the crimp in the housing, and wherein the rotational force required for alignment is greater than a force required for insertion into the light fixture.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sidewall is configured to friction fit a crimp in the housing with a friction contact at a portion of the sidewall other than an edge, and wherein the rotational force required for alignment is greater than a force required for insertion into the light fixture.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the friction fit is obtained by crimping or press-fitting.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the friction fit is obtained by crimping or press-fitting.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the end cap has a first stop extending from the sidewall into the opening and the at least one end of the housing has a second stop positioned for engagement with the first stop during rotation of the housing.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a slip ring and a spring loaded contact located within the at least one end of the housing, wherein an electrical connection from the at least one light emitting diode contacts the slip ring and the spring loaded contact transfers electrical power from the electrical connection to the pin connectors of the end cap via a socket on the end cap.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing has one end, the apparatus further comprising:

a socket located on the end cap and configured to transfer electrical power from the pin connectors to the at least one light emitting diode via a spring loaded contact pin.

9. A LED lighting apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a housing with at least one end;

at least one light emitting diode extending along the housing;

an end cap capping the at least one end of the housing and fixed relative to the housing; and

a pin pivot disk coupled to each end cap and opposite the housing, the pin pivot disk coupled to pivot around an axis relative to the end cap, and wherein the pin pivot disk includes at least two pin connectors extending from the pin pivot disk, the pin connectors connectable to a standard light fixture.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pin pivot disk is a ratchet gear, and wherein a force required for insertion into the light fixture is against a tooth of the ratchet and an alignment force is with the tooth of the ratchet.

11. A LED lighting apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a housing with at least one end;

a ratchet with a gear and a pawl;

at least one light emitting diode extending along the housing;

at least one end cap, having an opening with a sidewall to cap the end of the housing, and having a surface opposite the opening and spanning the sidewall; and

at least two pin connectors extending from the surface and connectable to a standard light fixture,

wherein the gear is located on one of an inner surface of the sidewall of the end cap or on the housing, and the pawl of the ratchet is located in positional agreement with the gear on the housing when the gear is located on the inner surface of the sidewall or on the inner surface of the sidewall when the gear is located on the housing.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a force required for insertion into the light fixture is against a tooth of the gear and an alignment force is with the tooth of the gear.