LIGHTING ASSEMBLY AND ILLUMINATED DECKING

• US 20120236547A1
• Filed: 02/27/2012
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hartman Design Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Michael Hartman
• Inventors: Hartman, Michael S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,905,570 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/152
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 23/225 Lighting systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2011/1872 illuminated
• 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: F21W 2111/08 for handles or handrails
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A lighting assembly for illuminating a deck area having a longitudinally extending base plate having a front side and a back side, a lamp having at least one LED and a circuit board, and a heat sink connected to said circuit board. The lighting assembly and the electrical wire can be hidden from view, providing a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Furthermore, the lighting system can be installed simultaneously with the deck itself, or afterwards.

Claims

1. A light fixture for use with a deck rail, comprising:

a longitudinally extending base plate having a front face and a back face;

a lamp having at least one LED and a circuit board; and

a heat sink connected to said circuit board, said lamp and heat sink being mounted on said front face of said base plate.

2. A light fixture in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a translucent cover covering the LED and circuit board.

3. A light fixture in accordance with claim 2 further comprising a translucent cover covering the lamp, and a translucent potting material filling an internal space between the cover and the lamp so as to protect the lamp from the environment.

4. A light fixture in accordance with claim 2 wherein said heat sink is in contact with said base plate so as to transfer heat thereto.

5. A light fixture in accordance with claim 3 wherein said cover further covers said heat sink.

6. A light fixture in accordance with claim 3 wherein the back side of said base plate is substantially flat.

7. A light fixture in accordance with claim 3 further including an electrical wire connected to said lamp for providing power thereto, said wire extending through said cover to connect to said lamp, said base plate including a slot through which said wire passes.

13. A light fixture in accordance with claim 2 further comprising a lens positioned over said LED.

14. A light fixture in accordance with claim 13 further comprising a translucent cover covering the lamp.

15. A light fixture in accordance with claim 14 wherein said lens is integrally formed with said cover.

8. A deck rail and light assembly combination, comprising:

a deck rail;

at least two of balusters attached to an underside of said deck rail;

a light assembly attachable to said underside of said deck rail between said balusters, said light assembly comprising;

a longitudinally extending base plate having a front side and a back side; and

a lamp having at least one LED and a circuit board.

9. A deck rail and light assembly combination in accordance with claim 8, further comprising:

a deck upper rail which is attachable to said deck rail (hereinafter the “

deck lower rail”

) so as to be on top of said deck lower rail, there being a gap between said deck upper and lower rails when said upper rail is attached to said lower rail; and

a wire providing power to said lamp, said wire extending through said deck lower rail to said gap to a power source.

10. A deck rail and light assembly combination in accordance with claim 9, wherein said base plate has longitudinal ends, at least one of which ends is fixed between the deck lower rail and one of said balusters.

11. A deck rail and light assembly combination in accordance with claim 10, wherein each of said longitudinal ends of said base plate are fixed between the deck lower rail and one of said balusters to fix said light assembly to said deck rail.

12. A deck rail and light assembly combination in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a shroud mounted to the underside of said deck rail between said balusters, said light fixture sitting within said shroud, said shroud having at least one side wall to conceal said light fixture.

16. A light fixture for use with a deck rail, comprising:

a longitudinally extending base plate having a front face and a back face;

a lamp having at least one LED a circuit board attached electrically to said LED;

a heat sink connected to said circuit board and said base plate; and

a translucent cover positioned to cover said lamp, said circuit board and said heat sink, and wherein said cover with said lamp, circuit board, and said heat sink are mounted as a unit to said front face of said plate.

17. A light fixture according to claim 16 further comprising a potting material filling a gap between said cover and said circuit board.

18. A light fixture according to claim 16 further comprising a lens positioned over said LED.