Aquarium light fixture with latch mechanism and bracket

• US 8,057,060 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2009
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cogent Designs, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cogent Designs, Inc.
• Inventors: Fredricks, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US12/425,333
• Publication Number:
  US 20100265697A1
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 362/101
• US Class Current: 362/101
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/06 Arrangements for heating or lighting in, or attached to, receptacles for live fish
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/088 Clips; Clamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/096 Magnetic devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/22 telescopic
• 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: F21W 2131/308 for aquaria

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention provide an aquarium light fixture comprising a light fixture and a bracket to support the light fixture, the bracket comprising a vertical portion configured to attach to an aquarium, a horizontal portion configured to support the light fixture above the aquarium, a hinge joint attaching the vertical portion to the horizontal portion, and a latch mechanism attached to the vertical portion and configured to secure the horizontal portion at a predetermined angle.

Claims

1. An aquarium lighting apparatus, comprising:

a light fixture; and

a bracket comprising;

a vertical portion configured to attach to an aquarium,

a horizontal portion configured to support the light fixture above the aquarium,

a hinge joint attaching the vertical portion to the horizontal portion; and

a latch mechanism attached to the vertical portion;

wherein the horizontal portion is attached to the hinge joint by way of a support arm configured to allow the horizontal portion to slide away from the hinge joint;

wherein the hinge joint allows the horizontal portion to be positioned at a first angle with respect to vertical portion;

wherein the hinge joint allows the horizontal portion to be lifted to a second angle with respect to the vertical portion, such that the second angle is greater than the first angle; and

wherein the latch mechanism comprises a strut configured to latch in a deployed position when securing the horizontal portion at the second angle, and configured to unlatch into a retracted position when the horizontal portion is positioned at the first angle.

2. The aquarium lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch mechanism includes a resilient element that assists in positioning the strut in the deployed position.

3. The aquarium lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch mechanism includes a resilient element that assists in positioning the strut in the retracted position.

4. The aquarium lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the horizontal portion includes a vertical leg that is utilized in conjunction with the latching mechanism to secure the horizontal portion at the second angle.

5. The aquarium lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinge joint includes a resilient element that assists in lifting the horizontal portion from the first angle to the second angle.

6. The aquarium lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vertical portion is attached to the aquarium using adhesive, clamps, suction mechanisms, fasteners or screws.

7. The aquarium lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vertical portion is adjustable with respect to the aquarium.

8. The aquarium lighting apparatus of claim 6, wherein the vertical portion is vertically adjustable.

9. The aquarium lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vertical portion comprises a plurality of sub-portions allowing the horizontal portion and some of the vertical sub-portions to be removed from the aquarium while allowing at least one sub-portion to remain attached to the aquarium.

10. The aquarium lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the horizontal portion is curvilinear in shape.

11. The aquarium lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the horizontal portion further comprises a plurality of horizontal sub-portions connected together using one or more hinge joints.

12. An aquarium lighting apparatus, comprising:

a light fixture; and

a bracket comprising;

a vertical portion configured to attach to an aquarium,

a horizontal portion configured to support the light fixture above the aquarium,

a hinge joint attaching the vertical portion to the horizontal portion; and

a latch mechanism attached to the vertical portion;

wherein the horizontal portion comprises a plurality of horizontal sub-portions configured to allow one or more horizontal sub-portions to slide away from the hinge joint;

wherein the hinge joint allows the horizontal portion to be positioned at a first angle with respect to vertical portion;

wherein the hinge joint allows the horizontal portion to be lifted to a second angle with respect to the vertical portion, such that the second angle is greater than the first angle; and

wherein the latch mechanism comprises a strut configured to latch in a deployed position when securing the horizontal portion at the second angle, and configured to unlatch into a retracted position when the horizontal portion is positioned at the first angle.