Light Fixture with Communication or Power Connector

• US 20200003377A1
• Filed: 09/11/2019
• Published: 01/02/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: McKeon Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: McKeon Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Benner, Devin
• Granted Patent: US 10,641,447 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/026 intended to be recessed in a ceiling or like overhead structure, e.g. suspended ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/036 by means of a rigid support, e.g. bracket or arm
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/063 with a rigid pendant, i.e. a pipe or rod
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/065 multi-branched, e.g. a chandelier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/14 Adjustable mountings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/15 specially adapted for power operation, e.g. by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/22 telescopic
• 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: F21V 33/0096 Fans, e.g. ceiling fans forced cooling of lighting devices characterised by the arrangement of fans F21V29/67
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/92 Holders formed as intermediate parts for distributing energy in parallel through two or more counterparts at least one of which is attached to apparatus to be held

Abstract

A light fixture includes a mount configured to mount onto a mounting surface and a stem having a first end attached to the mount and extending in a first direction away from the mount with respect to the mounting surface to a second end. The light fixture further includes at least one arm having a first end attached to the stem and extending in a second direction away from the stem with respect to the mounting surface to a second end, the second direction at an angle with respect to the first direction. The light fixture includes a socket disposed on the second end of the at least one arm for receiving a light emitter and a power receptacle and/or a communication receptacle disposed on the second end of the stem.

Claims

1. A ceiling fan comprising:

a mount configured to mount onto a mounting surface;

a mounting stem having first and second ends, the first end of the mounting stem connected to the mount;

a fan assembly having first and second assembly ends, the first assembly end of the fan assembly connected to the second end of the mounting stem below the first end of the mounting stem with respect to the mounting surface;

a power receptacle and/or a communication receptacle disposed on the second assembly end of the fan assembly and arranged for access from below the fan assembly; and

a pull-open mechanism having a first portion connected to the mounting stem or the fan assembly and a second portion movable with respect to the first portion between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the second portion conceals the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle in the stowed position and allows access to the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle while in the deployed position.

2. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the pull-open mechanism is a pivoting door cover rotatable about an axis substantially aligned with the mounting stem and separable from a part of the first portion of the pull-open mechanism when moved between the stowed position and the deployed position.

3. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the pull-open mechanism is a sliding door cover movable along an axis substantially perpendicular to the mounting stem and slidable past a part of the first portion of the pull-open mechanism when moved between the stowed position and the deployed position.

4. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the pull-open mechanism is a pull-down mechanism comprising a connector body movably disposed on the second end of the mounting stem and supporting the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle, the connector body moving between a closed position wherein the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle is concealed by the connector body and an open position allowing access to the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle.

5. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the pull-open mechanism are arranged for telescopic movement.

6. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the pull-open mechanism comprises pivotally connected arms.

7. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the mounting stem, the fan assembly, and the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle are arranged in a substantially vertical arrangement with respect to the mounting surface, wherein the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle is/are accessible below the fan assembly.

8. The ceiling fan of claim 1, further comprising:

a receiver disposed on the second assembly end of the fan assembly below the first end of the mounting stem with respect to the mounting surface;

a socket disposed on the receiver for electrically receiving a light emitter, the received light emitter extending downward and away from the receiver with respect to the mounting surface;

a frame support having a first support end attached to the receiver and extending downward and away from the receiver past the received light emitter to a second support end, the second support end of the frame support located below the received light emitter with respect to the mounting surface; and

a receptacle frame attached to the second support end of the frame support and spaced downward and away from the socket with respect to the mounting surface, wherein the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle is disposed on the receptacle frame in a location below the received light emitter with respect to the mounting surface.

9. The ceiling fan of claim 8, wherein the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle is/are positioned between about 1 inch and about 3 inches below the light emitter with respect to the mounting surface.

10. A ceiling fan comprising:

a mount configured to mount onto a mounting surface;

a mounting stem having first and second ends, the first end of the mounting stem connected to the mount;

a fan assembly having first and second assembly ends, the first assembly end of the fan assembly connected to the second end of the mounting stem below the first end of the mounting stem with respect to the mounting surface; and

a power receptacle and/or a communication receptacle disposed on the second assembly end of the fan assembly and arranged for access from below the fan assembly.

11. The ceiling fan of claim 10, wherein the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle defines at least one recess comprising an electrical contact for establishing electrical continuity between the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle and a device that is external to the ceiling fan.

12. The ceiling fan of claim 10, further comprising:

a receiver disposed on the second assembly end of the fan assembly below the first end of the mounting stem with respect to the mounting surface;

a socket disposed on the receiver for electrically receiving a light emitter, the received light emitter extending downward and away from the receiver with respect to the mounting surface;

a frame support having a first support end attached to the receiver and extending downward and away from the receiver past the received light emitter to a second support end, the second support end of the frame support located below the received light emitter with respect to the mounting surface; and

a receptacle frame attached to the second support end of the frame support and spaced downward and away from the socket with respect to the mounting surface, wherein the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle is disposed on the receptacle frame in a location below the received light emitter with respect to the mounting surface.