Modular light fixture with power pack

• US 8,136,958 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2008
• Issued: 03/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Verfuerth, Neal R., Ernst, Ronald E., Wetenkamp, Kenneth J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F
• Assistant Examiner(s): CRANSON JR, JAMES W
• Application Number:
  US12/345,443
• Publication Number:
  US 20090147507A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,177 Days
• Field of Search: 362/221, 362/225, 362/217.08, 362/217.09, 362/657
• US Class Current: 362/221
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/026 Fastening of transformers or ballasts
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/40 Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A modular light fixture includes a fixture body having a frame with a top a bottom. The top defines a ballast channel and the bottom has a reflector formed from a sheet material. A lampholder is mounted to the frame and receives and electrically connects to a fluorescent tube positioned adjacent to the reflector. A detachable power pack is removable from the top of the frame and includes a ballast channel cover that detachably engages the ballast channel on the top of frame, and a ballast mounted to the ballast channel cover and having power input wiring, and ballast output wiring electrically connected to the lampholder. A power input connector has a socket portion mounted to the ballast channel cover and electrically connected to the power input wiring of the ballast, and a plug portion connected to a power supply line to provide electrical power from a power source.

Claims

1. A light fixture comprising:

a fixture body comprising a frame having a top side and a bottom side, the top side defining a ballast channel and the bottom side disposed adjacent to a reflector formed from a sheet material;

a lampholder mounted to the frame and configured to receive and electrically connect to a fluorescent tube positioned adjacent to the reflector; and

a detachable power pack that is removable from the frame substantially free from interference, the detachable power pack comprising;

a ballast channel cover configured to detachably engage the ballast channel on the top side of frame;

a ballast disposed within the ballast channel, wherein the ballast comprises power input wiring and ballast output wiring, and further wherein the ballast output wiring is configured to be electrically connected to the lampholder such that electrical power is provided to the lampholder; and

a power input connector having a socket portion and a plug portion, one of the socket portion and the plug portion mounted to one of the frame and the ballast channel cover and electrically connected to the power input wiring of the ballast, and the other of the socket portion and the plug portion connectible to a power supply line to provide electrical power from a power source.

2. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the power input connector comprises a plurality of projections on the plug portion and corresponding sockets on the socket portion.

3. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the projections comprise a substantially square cross section.

4. The light fixture of claim 3, wherein the square cross section of the projections are hollow.

5. The light fixture of claim 4, wherein the projections further comprise at least one extension extending therefrom.

6. The light fixture of claim 5, wherein the extension extends from a midpoint on a side of the projection.

7. The light fixture of claim 5, wherein the extension extends from an end of a side of the projection.

8. The light fixture of claim 5, wherein the extension comprises a pair of extensions extending parallel to one another on opposite sides of the projection.

9. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the ballast channel extends substantially along a center of the frame and communicates with a pair of raceways disposed substantially orthogonally proximate opposite ends of the ballast channel.

10. A method of installing lighting in a building, comprising:

(a) supporting a preassembled light fixture from a structure, wherein the light fixture comprises;

a fixture body comprising a frame having a top side and a bottom side, the top side defining a ballast channel;

a lampholder coupled to the frame; and

a power pack comprising;

a ballast channel cover configured to detachably mount to the top side of the frame and over the ballast channel;

a ballast disposed within the ballast channel, wherein the ballast comprises power input wiring; and

a power input connector having a socket portion and a plug portion, one of the socket portion and the plug portion mounted within an aperture on one of the frame and the ballast channel cover and electrically connected to the power input wiring of the ballast;

(b) connecting the other of the socket portion and the plug portion to the power source; and

(c) coupling the socket portion to the plug portion on the top side of the frame such that the ballast receives power from the power source without removal of the ballast channel cover.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the power input connector comprises a plurality of hollow projections having a substantially square cross-section on the plug portion and corresponding sockets on the socket portion configured to receive the projections.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the projections further comprise at least one extension extending therefrom.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the extension extends from a midpoint on a side of the projection.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the extension extends from an end of a side of the projection.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the extension comprises a pair of extensions extending parallel to one another and from opposite sides of the projection.

16. A light fixture kit comprising:

a frame having a top side and a bottom side;

a first raceway and a second raceway disposed proximate opposite ends of the frame;

a first lampholder mounted to the first raceway and a second lampholder mounted to the second raceway;

a detachable power pack comprising;

a ballast channel cover that detachably engages the top side of the frame;

a ballast disposed within the ballast channel, wherein the ballast comprises power input wiring, and ballast output wiring electrically connected to the lampholders; and

one of a socket portion and a plug portion of a power input connector mounted to one of the raceways or the ballast channel cover and electrically connected to the power input wiring of the ballast; and

the other of the socket portion and the plug portion electrically connectable to a power source for providing a live load disconnect capable of supplying power to, and removing power from, the ballast without removal of the ballast channel cover.

17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the power input connector comprises a plurality of hollow projections having a substantially square cross-section on the plug portion and mating sockets on the socket portion configured to conductively receive the projections.

18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the projections further comprise at least one extension extending therefrom.

19. The kit of claim 18, wherein the extension extends from a midpoint on a side of the projection.

20. The kit of claim 18, wherein the extension extends from an end of a side of the projection.

21. The kit of claim 18, wherein the extension comprises a pair of extensions extending parallel to one another and from opposite sides of the projection.

22. A light fixture comprising:

a fixture body comprising a frame having a top side and a bottom side, the top side having a ballast channel and the bottom side disposed adjacent to a reflector formed from a sheet material;

lampholders coupled to the frame and configured to receive and electrically connect to at least one fluorescent tube positioned adjacent to the reflector;

a ballast channel cover detachably engagable with the ballast channel;

a ballast disposed in the ballast channel, wherein the ballast comprises power input wiring and ballast output wiring, and further wherein the ballast output wiring is configured to be electrically connected to the lampholders such that electrical power is provided to the lampholders;

a power input connector having a socket portion and a plug portion, one of the socket portion and the plug portion mounted to one of the frame and the ballast channel cover, and electrically connected to the power input wiring of the ballast, and the other of the socket portion and the plug portion connectible to a power supply line to provide electrical power from a power source;

wherein the power input connector comprises a plurality of hollow projections having a substantially square cross-section with at least one extension extending therefrom on the plug portion, and corresponding sockets on the socket portion configured to receive the hollow projections having the substantially square cross-section with at least one extension.

23. The light fixture of claim 22, wherein the extension extends from an end of a side of the projection.

24. The light fixture of claim 22, wherein the extension comprises a pair of extensions extending parallel to one another on opposite sides of the projection.

25. The light fixture of claim 22, wherein the ballast channel extends substantially along a center of the frame and communicates with a pair of raceways disposed substantially orthogonally proximate opposite ends of the ballast channel.

26. The light fixture of claim 22, wherein the plug portion further comprises one or more locking projections configured to be received in corresponding receptacles within the socket portion.