Internally illuminated extrusion architecture

• US 8,083,366 B1
• Filed: 03/03/2009
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Insta-Group US Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Insta-Group US Incorporated
• Inventors: Backer, Bruce Everett
• Primary Examiner(s): BRUCE, DAVID VERNON
• Application Number:
  US12/396,805
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: 362/145, 362/147
• US Class Current: 362/145
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 11/10 Arrangements of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 1/1272 Exhibition stands
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/013 the housing being an extrusion
• 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 9/08 for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/405 for shop-windows or displays
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/10 of different colours
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/02 Signs, boards, or panels, illuminated by artificial light sources positioned in front of the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/04 Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/26 Signs formed by electric discharge tubes by selective lighting G09F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2007/186 suspended, e.g. secured to the ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/222 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/06 the advertising matter being combined with articles for restaurants, shops or offices on paper articles G09F23/10

Abstract

Internally illuminated extrusion architecture comprising a plurality of internally illuminated extrusion-based modular members capable of being connected to form a display structure uniformly radiating diffused light from its interior spaces. A continuous glowing lighted effect emanating from the structural components of the architecture draws the attention of a viewer. Members of varied shape and lengths accommodate different scale structures and foot-prints. T-guides integral to the extrusion-based members allow for unique customization through incorporation of banners, fabric sheets, large scale graphics, shelf assemblies, panels, fascia attachments, skin attachments, headers, canopies, bars, storage towers, tables, and/or workstations at any desired point along the longitudinal axis of the members.

Claims

1. An internally illuminated structural member comprising:

a linear extrusion having a defined length and generally rectangular-shaped spaced left and right side walls, each of said side walls having a bottom edge, and an upper margin;

said side walls joined along their bottom edges by a center base wall to form a generally rectangular U-shaped opening defining an interior space;

opposed inverted T-guides integral to the upper margins of the side walls, said T-guides extending laterally into the interior space;

opposed cross clips integral to the side walls extending laterally into the interior space;

opposed groove openings integral to the side walls extending laterally into the interior space, said openings defined by the inverted T-guides and cross clips;

opposed internal T-guides integral to the side walls extending laterally into the interior space;

opposed external T-guides integral to the side walls;

opposed spaced L-brackets integral to the base wall extending laterally into the interior space;

at least one lighting fixture mounted within the interior space, a bulb mounted within the fixture;

a generally planar cover spanning the U-shaped opening proximate the upper margins of the side walls, opposed edges of said cover retained within the groove openings, said cover having a diffusion coefficient sufficient to allow light generated by the lighting fixture and bulb when powered to pass through said cover; and

,

wherein each of said T-guides, clips, groove openings, L-brackets and cover runs the length of the extrusion.

2. The member of claim 1, wherein the extrusion is made of a material selected from aluminum alloy, metal, metal alloy, plastic, plastic composite.

3. The member of claim 1, wherein the cover is made of a material selected from acrylic plastic, polystyrene, plastic composite, fabric, perforated material.

4. The member of claim 1, wherein the cover is made of one or more materials having different coefficients of diffusion.

5. The member of claim 1, further comprising a wire management tube.

6. The member of claim 1, further comprising a connector plate.

7. The member of claim 1, further comprising a retaining strip.

8. The member of claim 1, wherein the cover is retained flush against the upper margins of the side walls.

9. The member of claim 1, wherein the lighting fixtures comprise two opposed fixtures mounted to respective side walls, each fixture capable of providing power to at least one bulb.

10. The member of claim 1, wherein the member is capable of supporting a live load comprising a plurality of other internally illuminated structural members.

11. An internally illuminated architectural structure comprising:

A plurality of connected internally illuminated extrusion-based structural members, said members comprising;

a linear extrusion having a defined length and generally rectangular-shaped spaced left and right side walls, each of said side walls having a bottom edge, and an upper margin;

said side walls joined along their bottom edges by a center base wall to form a generally rectangular U-shaped opening defining an interior space;

opposed inverted T-guides integral to the upper margins of the side walls, said T-guides extending laterally into the interior space;

opposed cross clips integral to the side walls extending laterally into the interior space;

opposed groove openings integral to the side walls extending laterally into the interior space, said openings defined by the inverted T-guides and cross clips;

opposed internal T-guides integral to the side walls extending laterally into the interior space;

opposed external T-guides integral to the side walls;

opposed spaced L-brackets integral to the base wall extending laterally into the interior space;

at least one lighting fixture mounted within the interior space, a bulb mounted within the fixture;

a generally planar cover spanning the U-shaped opening proximate the upper margins of the side walls, opposed edges of said cover retained within the groove openings, said cover having a diffusion coefficient sufficient to allow light generated by the lighting fixture and bulb when powered to pass through said cover; and

,

wherein each of said T-guides, clips, groove openings, L-brackets, and cover runs the length of the extrusion.

12. The structure of claim 11, wherein the structure radiates a diffused light from the interior spaces.

13. The structure of claim 11, wherein at least one member supports a live load.

14. The structure of claim 11, wherein the members further comprise connector plates.

15. The structure of claim 11, further comprising a member having a cross-sectional shape selected from square, rectangular, triangular and/or curved.

16. The structure of claim 11, wherein select members are connected to form a corner assembly.

17. A method for constructing an internally illuminated architectural structure, said structure comprising a plurality of internally illuminated extrusion-based structural members, said members comprising:

a linear extrusion having a defined length and generally rectangular-shaped spaced left and right side walls, each of said side walls having a bottom edge, and an upper margin;

said side walls joined along their bottom edges by a center base wall to form a generally rectangular U-shaped opening defining an interior space;

opposed inverted T-guides integral to the upper margins of the side walls, said T-guides extending laterally into the interior space;

opposed cross clips integral to the side walls extending laterally into the interior space;

opposed groove openings integral to the side walls extending laterally into the interior space, said openings defined by the inverted T-guides and cross clips;

opposed internal T-guides integral to the side walls extending laterally into the interior space;

opposed external T-guides integral to the side walls;

opposed spaced L-brackets integral to the base wall extending laterally into the interior space;

at least one lighting fixture mounted within the interior space, a bulb mounted within the fixture;

a generally planar cover spanning the U-shaped opening proximate the upper margins of the side walls, opposed edges of said cover retained within the groove openings, said cover having a diffusion coefficient sufficient to allow light generated by the lighting fixture and bulb when powered to pass through said cover; and

,

wherein each of said T-guides, clips, groove openings, L-brackets, and cover runs the length of the extrusion;

wherein the method comprises the steps of;

connecting the members to form a desired structure;

mounting the covers; and

,

providing electric power to the lighting fixtures.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the connecting step further comprises the steps of:

positioning a first member having a recessed connector plate relative to a second member having a protruding connector plate so as to align the recessed plate with the protruding plate;

inserting opposed spaced connector rails into the opposed internal T-guides of the first member,

lowering the first member onto the second member and slidably engaging the rails into the internal T-guides of the second member;

inserting bolts on the recessed plate inside nuts on the protruding plate;

tightening the rails with a plurality of socket cap screws; and

,

tightening the bolts within the nuts.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising one or more of the steps of:

attaching at least one post member to a base plate;

connecting an electric cord between the light fixtures;

tucking the cords inside a wire management tube; and

,

attaching a custom feature to a member selected from banner, fabric sheet, large scale graphic, shelf assembly, panel, fascia attachment, skin attachment, header, canopy, bar, storage tower, table, and workstation.