Lighting method and system

• US 8,262,253 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2008
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Luminator Holding LP (LTG Acquisition, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Luminator Holding LP (LTG Acquisition, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zlotnikov, Vadim, Solberg, Kent, Taylor, Larry T., Pollaehn, Louis, Berger, Valeriy K., Kelleher, Dan, Masias, Marty, Gunter, John B., Berman, George, Elliott, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUNWIDDIE, MEGHAN K
• Application Number:
  US12/596,083
• Publication Number:
  US 20110038149A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,593 Days
• Field of Search: 362/245, 362/247, 362/249.02, 362/296.01, 362307-308, 36231101-31102, 362/326, 362/328, 362/341, 362/343, 362/800
• US Class Current: 362/245
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/43 General lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• 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 45/47 Passive cooling, e.g. using fins, thermal conductive elements or openings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/02 Combinations of only two kinds of elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0045 by tongue and groove connections, e.g. dovetail interlocking means fixed by sliding
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/34 Supporting elements displaceable along a guiding element telescopic mounting of lighting devices F21V21/22
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/745 the fins or blades being planar and inclined with respect to the joining surface from which the fins or blades extend
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/76 with essentially identical parallel planar fins or blades, e.g. with comb-like cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/00 Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses with refracting properties F21V5/00; with reflecting properties F21V7/00; characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/506
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/049 Patterns or structured surfaces for diffusing light, e.g. frosted surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/0615 the material diffusing light, e.g. translucent glass
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/0625 the material diffusing light, e.g. translucent plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/04 Optical design
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/048 with facets structure
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/24 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/28 : characterised by coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 : comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 : comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 : Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A lighting system including a light-emitting diode cradle securing at least one light-emitting diode and a modular unit comprising an arcuate portion, the arcuate portion comprising at least one diffusive reflective surface adapted to receive and reflect light from the at least one light-emitting diode. The lighting system further includes a diffusive transmissive element adapted to receive light reflected by the diffusive reflective surface and provide diffused light to an area requiring illumination.

Claims

1. A lighting system comprising:

a light-emitting diode cradle securing at least one light-emitting diode;

a modular unit comprising an arcuate portion, the arcuate portion comprising at least one diffusive reflective surface adapted to receive and reflect light from the at least one light-emitting diode;

a diffusive transmissive element;

wherein the light-emitting diode cradle is positioned relative to the modular unit so that light output from the at least one light-emitting diode is directed onto the at least one diffusive reflective surface at an acute angle relative to a normal axis of a given point on the at least one diffusive reflective surface to provide diffused light; and

wherein the diffused light strikes the diffusive transmissive element for additional diffusion via angular scattering resulting in a smoother light output to an area requiring illumination and results in the at least one light-emitting diode to be completely concealed when viewed from the area requiring illumination.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the light-emitting diode cradle further comprises:

a main body having at least one opening for receiving the at least one light-emitting diode;

a first outwardly extending elongate surface extending from a first side of the main body and engaging with a track of the modular unit;

a plurality of locking tabs extending from a second side of the main body;

wherein each locking tab of the plurality of locking tabs comprises an upwardly extending latch for engaging a groove of the modular unit; and

a plurality of outwardly extending reflective tabs located adjacent each of the plurality of openings.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of outwardly extending reflective tabs reflect and diffuse light emitted by the at least one light-emitting diode onto the at least one diffusive reflective surface.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of outwardly extending reflective tabs are painted with a reflective and diffusive material.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the modular unit further comprises:

a mouth region connected to the arcuate portion and comprising a first surface and a second surface;

wherein the first and second surfaces are oppositely disposed;

a track formed between the second surface and a lip;

a mounting cavity receiving the diffusive transmissive element on an outside surface of the modular unit; and

a neck region comprising a groove interfacing with a portion of the light-emitting diode cradle.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first and second surfaces are generally J-shaped.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the diffusive transmissive element comprises a lens having inward-curving surfaces toward the at least one light-emitting diode.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the diffusive transmissive element is adapted to provide light transmissivity of about 60% and angular scattering of about +/−

20 degrees.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the modular unit is formed of a unitary heat-conductive rigid material.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the heat-conductive rigid material comprises aluminum.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one diffusive reflective surface is painted with a reflective material.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one diffusive reflective surface is adapted to provide light reflectivity of about 60%.

13. A lighting system comprising:

a cradle securing at least one light-emitting element, the cradle comprising;

a U-shaped groove;

an elongate surface extending from the U-shaped groove; and

a locking tab comprising an upwardly extending latch;

a modular unit comprising;

a mouth region receiving at least part of and achieving interlocking engagement with the cradle, the mouth region comprising;

a first surface;

a second surface oppositely disposed relative to the first surface and comprising a lip abutting and matingly engaging the U-shaped groove, the lip forming a track receiving the elongate surface;

a neck region comprising a groove, the groove receiving and engaging the upwardly extending latch of the locking tab; and

an arcuate portion extending from the second surface and comprising a diffusive reflective surface receiving light from the at least one light-emitting element; and

wherein the at least one light-emitting element is completely concealed when viewed from an area requiring illumination.

14. The lighting system of claim 13, further comprising:

a plurality of openings for receiving the at least one light-emitting diode; and

a plurality of outwardly extending reflective tabs located adjacent each of the plurality of openings.

15. The lighting system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of outwardly extending reflective tabs are adapted to reflect and diffuse light emitted by the at least one light-emitting diode onto the diffusive reflective surface.

16. The lighting system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of outwardly extending reflective tabs are painted with a reflective and diffusive material.

17. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein the modular unit is formed of a unitary heat-conductive rigid material.

18. The lighting system of claim 17, wherein the heat-conductive rigid material comprises aluminum.

19. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein the cradle is positioned relative to the modular unit so that light output from the at least one light-emitting element is directed onto the diffusive reflective surface at an acute angle relative to a normal axis of a given point on the diffusive reflective surface.

20. A method comprising:

providing a cradle for securing at least one light-emitting element, the cradle comprising;

a main body;

a first outwardly extending elongate surface extending from a first side of the main body;

a plurality of locking tabs extending from a second side of the main body;

a plurality of outwardly extending reflective tabs located adjacent each of a plurality of openings; and

a groove formed between the first outwardly extending elongate surface and the plurality of outwardly extending reflective tabs;

providing a modular unit comprising;

an arcuate portion;

a mouth region connected to the arcuate portion and comprising oppositely disposed first surface and second surfaces;

a track formed between the second surface and a lip; and

a neck region comprising a groove;

inserting the cradle into the modular unit via an opening between the arcuate portion and a surface extending downwardly from the groove;

positioning the cradle so that the groove of the cradle is above the lip;

cantilevering the cradle against the surface extending downwardly from the groove until the first outwardly extending elongate surface of the cradle is positioned above the track;

applying pressure against the plurality of locking tabs towards the surface; and

wherein the at least one light-emitting element is completely concealed when viewed from an area requiring illumination.