LIGHTING SYSTEM

• US 20110317435A1
• Filed: 06/06/2011
• Published: 12/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Current Lighting Solutions, LLC (f/k/a GE Lighting Solutions, LLC) (American Industrial Partners)
• Original Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions LLC (Savant Systems, LLC)
• Inventors: Wang, Peng
• Granted Patent: US 8,888,335 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/370
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/025 Elongated bases having a U-shaped cross section
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• 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

A lighting system including a track member and a lighting unit supported by the track member 14. The track member includes an elongate base for mounting the track member to a surface, such as a wall, frame, etc. A pair of arms 26 and 30 extend from the base 22 in a common direction and define therebetween a channel 34 for receiving the lighting unit 18. Rotationally interlocking members associated with each at least one of the track member and the lighting unit restrict rotation of the lighting unit relative to the track member when the arm is in a first position. Upon application of a threshold rotational force to the lighting unit, the at least one arm moves to a second position permitting angular adjustment of the lighting unit.

Claims

1. A lighting system comprising:

a track member including a base for mounting the track to a surface, the track member having first and second arms extending from the base in a common direction and defining therebetween a channel; and

a lighting unit having a housing adapted to be received in the channel of the track assembly;

wherein the housing and at least one of the arms of the track member have rotationally interfering members for restricting rotation of the lighting unit relative to the track member when the at least one arm is in a first position, said at least one arm being moveable to a second position whereat the lighting assembly can be rotated relative to the track.

2. A lighting system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rotationally interfering members include at least one mating recess or protrusion associated with the at least one arm, and at least one mating recess or protrusion associated with the lighting unit.

3. A lighting system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the at least one mating recess or protrusion associated with the track member and lighting unit includes axially extending ribs or grooves provided on the exterior surface of the housing of the lighting unit and the interior surface of the at least one arm.

4. A lighting system as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one arm is adapted to pivot from the first position to the second position when at least a threshold rotational force is applied to the lighting unit.

5. A lighting system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing of the lighting assembly is generally tubular and the first and second arms of the track member are configured to closely receive the lighting unit on opposing sides thereof.

6. A lighting assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lighting unit includes a non-circular axially extending protrusion or recess for cooperating with a tool for applying rotational force to the lighting unit.

7. A lighting assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the angular position of the lighting unit is adjustable in increments corresponding to the dimensions of the mating recesses and protrusions.

8. A lighting assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second arms are mirror images of each other.

9. A lighting assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first arm extends laterally away from a longitudinal axis of the base a greater distance than the second arm extends laterally away from the longitudinal axis of the base such that the first and second arms are offset.

10. A lighting assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a track retainer, wherein the track retainer is interposed between the track member and the lighting unit.

11. A lighting assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein the track retainer is secured to a rail of the track member.

12. A lighting assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the track member includes a rail extending along the base for cooperating with at least one flange on the track retainer for releasable securing the track retainer to the track member.

13. A track member for rotationally supporting a lighting unit, the track member comprising:

a base for mounting the track to a surface;

first and second arms extending from the base in a common direction and defining therebetween a channel for receiving the lighting unit;

wherein at least one of the arms of the track member has a rotationally interfering member for cooperating with a corresponding rotationally interfering member associated with the lighting unit for restricting rotation of the lighting unit relative to the track member when the lighting unit is received in the channel.

14. A track member as set forth in claim 13, wherein the first and second arms are adapted to pivot between a first position whereat rotation of the lighting unit is restricted, to a second position permitting rotation of the lighting unit relative to the track member.

15. A track member as set forth in claim 13, further comprising a raised rail member extending along a longitudinal axis of the base.

16. A track member as set forth in claim 13, wherein the track member is made of a plastic material.