MULTIPLE-MODE INTEGRATED TRACK FIXTURE FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY TUBULAR LAMPS

• US 20150316238A1
• Filed: 06/25/2015
• Published: 11/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph Guilmette
• Original Assignee: Joseph Guilmette
• Inventors: Guilmette, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 9,673,582 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/27 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with two fittings for each light source, e.g. for substitution of fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/00 Systems of lighting devices, not provided for in main groups F21S4/00 - F21S10/00 or F21S19/00, e.g. of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/06 by suspension
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/013 the housing being an extrusion
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/34 Supporting elements displaceable along a guiding element telescopic mounting of lighting devices F21V21/22
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/005 with an elongated shape to cooperate with linear light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/24 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/14 Rails or bus-bars constructed so that the counterparts can be connected thereto at any point along their length supporting elements for lighting devices, displaceable along guiding elements and making electrical contact with conductors running along the guiding elements F21V21/35

Abstract

A modular lighting system features a universal mounting method for lighting elements, such as LED lights, as well as various electrical devices, and is configurable in multiple modes of operation. In one aspect, LED strips are inserted into slots in the lower surface of the rail member. Another aspect allows operation with tube lamps, such LED tube lamps. In still another mode of operation, discrete electrical or electromechanical components may be employed, powered by electrical power available in the rail. In yet another more, an up and down, bidirectional lighting system is provided.

Claims

1. A modular track lighting system comprising:

a plurality of extended reflector hoods, each of said extended reflector hoods having first and second longitudinal sides and a web extending between the first and second longitudinal sides, the web having an upper web surface and a lower web surface;

the upper web surface cooperating with the first and second longitudinal sides to define an upper channel having an open top and the lower web surface cooperating with the first and second longitudinal sides to define a lower channel having an open bottom;

at least one assembly bridge having a generally inverted U-shaped cross-sectional shape and sized to be received within the upper channel, each of said at least one assembly bridge comprising a first vertical portion, the first vertical portion having a first channel slidably receiving a first longitudinal rail formed on an inward facing surface of the first longitudinal side, a second vertical portion, the second vertical portion having a second channel slidably receiving a second longitudinal rail formed on an inward facing surface of the second longitudinal side, and a transverse portion extending between the first vertical portion and the second vertical portion;

an extended cover having a generally inverted U-shaped cross-sectional shape, said extended cover comprising a first vertical portion slidably receivable over the first longitudinal side, a second vertical portion slidably receivable over the second longitudinal side, and a transverse portion extending between the first vertical portion and the second vertical portion to at least partially enclose the open top of the plurality of extended reflector hoods.

2. The modular track lighting system of claim 1, further comprising a fastener for securing the transverse portion of the cover to the transverse portion of the assembly bridge.

3. The modular track lighting system of claim 2, further comprising a clearance between the transverse portion of the cover and the transverse portion of the assembly bridge.

4. The modular track lighting system of claim 1 wherein:

a first one of the plurality of extended reflector hoods and a second one of the plurality of extended reflector hoods are arranged end to end; and

one of the at least one assembly bridges retaining adjacent ends of said first one of the plurality of extended reflector hoods and said second one of the plurality of extended reflector hoods.

5. The modular track lighting system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the extended reflector hoods is configured for mounting one or more for LED tube lamps.

6. The modular track lighting system of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of tube lamp sockets secured to the web.

7. The modular track lighting system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the extended reflector hoods is configured for mounting one or more LED strips.

8. The modular track lighting system of claim 7, further comprising a power supply received within the upper channel and electrically coupled to the one or more LED strips.

9. The modular track lighting system of claim 7, further comprising one or more longitudinal channels on the web lower surface for receiving the one or more LED strips.

10. The modular track lighting system of claim 9, further comprising longitudinally extending fins attached to the longitudinal channels.

11. The modular track lighting system of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more longitudinal fastener channels formed on an inward facing surface of the first longitudinal side for receiving one or more threaded fasteners;

one or more longitudinal fastener channels formed on an inward facing surface of the second longitudinal side for receiving one or more threaded fasteners; and

optionally, one or more longitudinal fastener channels formed on the web for receiving one or more threaded fasteners.

12. The modular track lighting system of claim 11, further comprising an end plate configured to be secured to an end of one of the extended reflector hoods, the end plate having one or more openings aligned with said one or more longitudinal fastener channels formed on an inward facing surface of the first longitudinal side, one or more longitudinal fastener channels formed on an inward facing surface of the second longitudinal side, and, optionally, one or more longitudinal fastener channels formed on the web.

13. The modular track lighting system of claim 12, further comprising a gasket formed of a resilient material disposed between the end plate and said one of the extended reflector hoods to provide a sealing interference therebetween.

14. The modular track lighting system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first groove formed in an outward facing surface of the first longitudinal side;

second groove formed in an outward facing surface of the second longitudinal side;

a first linear seal in received in the first groove to provide a sealing interference between the first longitudinal side and the cover; and

a second linear seal received in the second groove to provide a sealing interference between the second longitudinal side and the cover.

15. The modular track lighting system of claim 1, further comprising one or more fasteners for suspending the lighting system from an overhead structure.

16. The modular track lighting system of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of extended reflector hoods include opposing longitudinal channels for slidably receiving an extended diffuser panel configured to at least partially close the open bottom of the lower channel.

17. The modular track lighting system of claim 1, further comprising:

a connector bridge having opposing longitudinal sides and a transverse portion extending between the opposing longitudinal sides;

each of said plurality of extended reflector hoods include opposing longitudinal channels slidably receiving the opposing longitudinal sides, the transverse portion configured to at least partially close the open bottom of the lower channel.

18. The modular track lighting system of claim 17, further comprising:

and electrical component secured to the connector bridge.

19. The modular track lighting system of claim 18, wherein said electrical component is selected from a light fixture and an electromechanical device.

20. A light fixture for mounting in a suspended ceiling grid, the suspended ceiling grid being of a type having a first plurality of frame members extending in a first direction and a second plurality of frame members extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first plurality of frame members and the second plurality of frame members cooperating to define a plurality of rectangular openings above an area to be illuminated, each of the rectangular openings having a inwardly-extending peripheral lip, the light fixture comprising:

a mounting tray defining a rectangle dimensioned to be received within one of the rectangular openings and supported on the peripheral lip, the mounting tray including first and second longitudinally extending, spaced apart assembly bars and first and second spaced apart transversely extending end plates extending between the first and second assembly bars, said first and second assembly bars and said first and second end plates cooperating to define a rectangular tray opening;

one or more extended reflector hoods, each having first and second longitudinal sides and a web extending between the first and second longitudinal sides, the web having an upper web surface and a lower web surface, the upper web surface cooperating with the first and second longitudinal sides to define an upper channel having an open top and the lower web surface cooperating with the first and second longitudinal sides to define a lower channel having an open bottom;

an extended cover having a generally inverted U-shaped cross-sectional shape, said extended cover comprising a first vertical portion slidably receivable over the first longitudinal side, a second vertical portion slidably receivable over the second longitudinal side, and a transverse portion extending between the first vertical portion and the second vertical portion to at least partially enclose the open top of the extended reflector hood;

a first filler plate received within the rectangular tray opening and having a first longitudinal edge attached to the first assembly bar and a second longitudinal edge slidably received within a complimentary longitudinal channel formed in one of the first and second longitudinal sides of one of the one or more extended reflector hoods; and

a second filler plate received within the rectangular tray opening and having a first longitudinal edge attached to the second assembly bar and a second longitudinal edge slidably received within a complimentary longitudinal channel formed in another one of the first and second longitudinal sides of one of the one or more extended reflector hoods.

21. The light fixture of claim 20, comprising first and second extended reflector hoods and further comprising a third filler plate disposed between the first and second extended reflector hoods, the third filler plate having a first longitudinal edge slidably received within a complimentary longitudinal channel formed in the first extended reflector hood and a second longitudinal edge slidably received within a complimentary longitudinal channel formed in the second extended reflector hood.