LINKABLE LIGHTING FIXTURE

• US 20180003351A1
• Filed: 09/13/2017
• Published: 01/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ETI Solid State Lighting Incorporated (Elec-Tech International Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: ETI Solid State Lighting Incorporated (Elec-Tech International Company Limited)
• Inventors: Van Winkle, Gary
• Granted Patent: US 10,352,510 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/28 rigid, e.g. LED bars
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/061 with a non-rigid pendant, i.e. a cable, wire or chain
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/013 the housing being an extrusion
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/001 the elements being electrical wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/005 with an elongated shape to cooperate with linear light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/40 Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
• 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

An elongated, linkable LED lighting fixture having an elongated LED light engine with an LED light engine electrical contacting structure for cooperating with a linking device to link elongated, linkable LED lighting fixtures together, the linked LED lighting fixtures are powered by a single connection to an electrical outlet. The linked LED lighting fixtures can be operated independently of each other. A linking device is also included, and a patch plug is provided for enabling the linking plug to be operatively connected to an electrical output.

Claims

1. An elongated, linkable LED lighting fixture for being linked with a linking device with another elongated, linkable LED lighting fixture, said elongated, linkable LED lighting fixture comprising:

an elongated LED light engine including;

an LED module;

a driver electrically connected to said LED module;

a heat sink for absorbing heat from said LED module; and

an elongated diffuser for diffusing light from said elongated LED light engine;

an elongated cover for partially covering said LED light engine for preventing light from passing through said elongated cover and for permitting light to pass from said elongated LED light engine in predetermined directions; and

LED light engine electrical contacting structure for cooperating with a linking device to link electrically said elongated, linkable LED lighting fixture with another elongated, linkable LED lighting fixture.

2. An elongated, linkable LED lighting fixture according to claim 1:

wherein said elongated cover comprises;

a shade for partially surrounding said LED light engine for preventing light from being transmitted through said shade, said shade having opposite shade end portions; and

an end assembly mounted to said shade at said respective shade end portions, said end assembly comprising an access for electrical connection of respective electrical transmitting lines to said elongated LED light engine.

3. An elongated, linkable LED lighting fixture according to claim 2 and further comprising a protective cap for selectively closing said respective accesses.

4. A linkable LED lighting fixture system comprising:

a linking device for transmitting electrical current, said linking device comprising electricity transmitting plugs;

two linkable LED lighting fixtures, each of said linkable LED lighting fixtures comprising;

an LED light engine including;

an LED module comprising;

a printed circuit board;

an array of electrically connected LEDs attached to said printed circuit board; and

a driver for transmitting electric current to said LED module in a form usable by said LED module; and

LED light engine electrical contacting structures electrically connected to said LED module, said LED light engine electrical contacting structures each comprising an access for reception of said respective electricity transmitting plugs of said linking device;

wherein two of said linkable LED lighting fixtures are electrically linked together in response to the reception of said electricity transmitting plugs from said linking device in said respective accesses.

5. An LED lighting fixture system according to claim 4 wherein said linking device is a linking connector.

6. An LED lighting fixture system according to claim 5 wherein said linking connector is rigid.

7. An LED lighting fixture system according to claim 4 wherein said linking device comprises a linking cable.

8. An LED lighting fixture system according to claim 4 wherein each of said LED light engines in said respective linkable LED lighting fixtures further comprises opposite LED light engine end portions, and wherein said LED light engine electrical connecting structures are in operative relationship with said respective opposite LED light engine end portions.

9. A linkable LED lighting fixture system according to claim 4 wherein said linking device comprises at least one of:

a linking cable comprising;

an insulated cable line having opposing cable ends; and

linking plugs operatively attached to said respective cable ends for respective electrical connection to said LED electrical contacting structures of two linkable LED lighting fixtures to electrically connect said two linkable LED lighting fixtures together;

a rigid light engine connector for electrical connection to said LED light engine electrical contacting structures of a pair of linkable LED lighting fixtures to electrically connect said pair of linkable LED lighting fixtures together; and

the combination of a linking cable composed of an insulated cable line having opposing cable ends, said combination including;

a linking plug operatively attached to one of said cable ends and being electrically connectable to said LED electrical contacting structure of a linkable LED lighting fixture; and

a patch plug for cooperating with said linking plug in said combination for converting said linking plug in said combination to a power plug for insertion into an electrical outlet.

10. A linkable LED lighting fixture system according to claim 4 wherein said respective linkable LED lighting fixtures have switches for selectively turning said respective linkable LED lighting fixtures on and off without affecting the remaining linkable LED lighting light engine fixtures linked to said respective linkable LED lighting fixtures.

11. A linkable LED lighting fixture system according to claim 4 wherein said electricity transmitting plugs of said linking device comprise a set of electrically insulated peripherally connected tubes having internal electrical conducting sleeves;

and

wherein said LED light engine electrical contacting structures each comprise a set of insulating cylinders having internal axial electrical conductors for receiving said respective electrically insulated tubes for effecting electrical contact between said respective axial electrical conductors and said respective electrical conducting sleeves to enable transmission of electrical current between said axial electrical conductors and said electrically conducting sleeves.

12. An LED lighting fixture system according to claim 4 wherein said linking device comprises:

a power cable comprising;

an insulated cable line having opposing power cable ends;

wherein an outlet plug connected to one of said power cable ends for insertion into an electrical outlet; and

wherein an electrical input plug at the other of said power cable ends for insertion into an access of said LED light engine electrical contacting structures for transmitting electrical power to said linkable LED lighting fixture.

13. An LED lighting fixture system according to claim 4 wherein said linking device comprises:

an insulated cable line having opposing cable ends; and

said electricity transmitting plugs each comprise an electrical input plug connected to said power cable ends; and

said electrical input plugs being insertable into an access of said LED electrical contacting structure of one said linkable LED lighting fixtures;

a patch plug for receiving one of said electricity transmitting plugs for cooperating with said electricity transmitting plugs to form an electric outlet plug for insertion into an electric outlet and for transmitting electricity through said power cable and into said one of said linkable LED lighting fixtures.

14. An LED lighting fixture system according to claim 4 and further including a protective cap for selectively closing said respective accesses.

15. The combination of a linking apparatus and a linkable LED lighting fixture for bring electrically linked to another linkable LED lighting fixture;

wherein said linking apparatus comprises;

an insulated cable line having insulated cable line end portions; and

a linkable LED connection device at each of said insulated cable line end positions; and

wherein said linkable LED lighting fixture comprises;

an LED light engine including;

an LED module;

a driver electrically connected to said LED module;

a heat sink for absorbing heat from said LED module; and

a diffuser; and

an LED light engine electrical contacting structure electrically operatively connected to said LED module, said LED light engine electrical contacting structures each comprising an access for one of said linkable LED connection device for transmitting electrical current to said LED module;

said LED light engine being activatable in response to said access receiving one of said linkable LED connection devices.

16. The combination of said linking apparatus and said LED lighting fixture according to claim 15 and further comprising:

a patch plug comprising;

a linkable LED connection device receptacle for receiving one of said linkable LED connection devices of said linking apparatus; and

an outlet plug for insertion into an electric outlet for transmitting electrical current through said patch plug, through said linking device and into said linkable LED lighting fixture.

17. The combination of a linking apparatus and a linkable LED lighting fixture according to claim 15 wherein said linkable LED lighting fixture is an elongated, linkable LED shop lighting fixture, and wherein:

said LED light engine of said linkable LED lighting fixture is an elongated LED shop light engine.

18. The combination of a linking apparatus and a linkable LED lighting fixture according to claim 15 wherein said linkable LED lighting fixture in an elongated, linkable LED strip lighting fixture, and wherein:

said LED light engine of said linkable LED lighting fixture is an elongated LED strip light engine.

19. A linkable LED lighting fixture for use with a linking device, the linking device comprising electricity transmitting plugs, said linkable LED lighting fixture comprising:

an LED light engine including;

an LED module comprising;

a printed circuit board; and

an array of electrically connected LEDs attached to said printed circuit board; and

a driver for transmitting electric current to said module in a form usable by said LED module;

LED light engine electrical contacting structures electrically connected to said LED module, said LED light engine electrical contacting structures each comprising an access for reception of an electricity transmitting plug;

wherein two of said linkable LED lighting fixtures are electrically linkable together in response to the reception of electricity transmitting plugs from the linking device in said respective accesses.

20. An LED lighting fixture according to claim 19 wherein said linkable LED lighting fixture further comprises:

a housing comprising;

a top wall having opposing top wall end portions and opposing elongated sides;

opposing side walls extending from said opposing sides of said elongated top wall, said opposing side walls having opposing side wall end portions coplanar with said respective top wall end portions to define opposing housing end portions; and

opposing housing end portions;

said top wall, said opposing side walls and said opposing housing end members defining a cavity, said LED light engine being located in said cavity.

21. An LED lighting fixture according to claim 20 wherein said linkable LED lighting fixture is an elongated, linkable LED shop lighting fixture, and wherein:

said top wall is an elongated top wall, said elongated top wall having a rectangular configuration; and

said opposing side walls are elongated side walls each having a rectangular configuration; and

wherein said linkable LED light engine is an elongated, linkable LED shop light engine comprising;

a printed circuit board disposed in an electric circuit;

at least one set of LEDs attached to said printed circuit board, said at least one set of LEDs being in said electric circuit; and

a circuit switch having a closed position for closing said electric circuit and an open position for opening said electric circuit.

22. An LED lighting fixture system according to claim 21 wherein said elongated LED shop lighting fixture module is rated for a life of at least 50,000 hours, at least 900 lumens and powered by at least 10 watts.

23. A linkable LED lighting fixture according to claim 19 wherein each of said LED light engines in said respective linkable LED lighting fixtures further comprise opposite LED light engine end portions, and wherein said LED light engine electrical contacting structures are in operative relationship with said opposite LED light engine end portions.

24. A linkable LED lighting fixture according to claim 19 wherein said linkable LED lighting fixture has a switch for selectively turning said linkable LED lighting fixture on and off without affecting any other linking LED lighting light engine fixtures linked to said linkable LED lighting fixture.

25. A linkable LED lighting fixture according to claim 19 wherein the electricity transmitting plugs of the linking device are a set of electrically insulated tubes having electrical conducting sleeves;

and

wherein said LED light engine electrical contacting structures each comprise a set of insulating cylinders having internal axial electrical conductors tubes for each receiving an electrically insulated tube for making electrical contact with the electrical conducting sleeve to enable transmission of electrical current between the conducting tube and said electrically conducting sleeve.

26. A linkable LED lighting fixture according to claim 19 and further comprising a protective cap for selectively closing said respective accesses.

27. A linkable LED lighting fixture according to claim 19 wherein said linkable LED lighting fixture is an elongated, linkable LED strip lighting fixture, and wherein:

said housing comprising;

a shade including;

a rectangular top wall including a relatively short width with opposing straight parallel end edges and parallel opposing straight side edges;

a pair of identical opposing rectangular side walls having a first pair of opposing parallel side edges connected to said opposing straight parallel end edges of said rectangular top wall, and a second pair of opposing parallel side edges spaced from said first pair of opposing parallel side edges, said rectangular top wall and said pair of identical opposing rectangular side walls forming a three sided cavity having opposing end edges, each of said opposing end edge having a flat upper edge connecting two, opposing parallel side edges to form a respective open end;

a pair of opposing identical end pieces, each end piece comprising a plate dimensioned to fit across said end edges of said top wall and said side walls;

an elongated LED strip light engine having opposite end portions and a longitudinal axis, said elongated LED shop light engine comprising;

an elongated module including;

at least two strips of LEDs, each strip of LEDs including LEDs electrically connected to each other in parallel;

a driver operatively connected to said strips of LEDs and electrically connectable to a power source; and

said at least two strips of LEDs and said driver being electrically connectable as part of an electrical circuit;

a heat sink spaced from and extending along said elongated LED module for absorbing heat generated by said sets of LEDs;

an elongated diffuser for partially surrounding said elongated LED module for diffusing illumination emitted by said LEDs, said elongated diffuser having opposite ends;

end covers at said opposite ends of said diffuser;

a pair of connecting seats each having a shape;

wherein said end pieces have apertures for receiving said respective connecting seats and said respective connecting seats being shaped for reception in said apertures, said connecting seats each having a linking plug receiving opening and electrical lines for establishing an electrical connection between said respective linking plug receiving opening and said strip light engine;

a linking cable for selectively electrically linking a pair of said elongated, linkable LED strip light engines together, said linking cable comprising;

an insulated linking cable line having opposite linking cable ends; and

identical linking plugs electrically connected to said linking cable line;

wherein said linking plug receiving openings of said connecting seats and said respective linking plugs are each trefoiled shaped; and

said linking plug receiving openings in said connecting seats are configured as receptors for said respective trefoiled shaped linking plugs in a cooperative relationship;

wherein said elongated, linkable LED shop lighting fixtures when electrically linked together are selectively actuable to turn the respective elongated, linkable LED strip light engines on or off independently of the remaining elongated, linkable LED strip light engines.

28. An elongated, linkable LED lighting fixture according to claim 27, and further comprising:

a power cable comprising;

an electricity transmitting line having opposite line ends;

an outlet plug operatively connected to one of said line ends, said outlet plug having plug prongs for insertion into an electric power outlet; and

an electrical linking plug operatively connected to the other of said line ends, said electrical linking plug having a trefoil configuration corresponding to the trefoil shape of said connecting seats, said linking plug receiving openings in said connecting seats are configured as receptors for said trefoiled shaped linking plug in a cooperative relationship

a linking cable for selectively electrically linking a pair of said elongated, linkable LED strip light engines together, said linking cable comprising;

an insulated linking cable line having opposite linking cable line ends; and

identical linking plugs electrically connected to said linking cable line.