Step light fixture

• US 8,419,205 B1
• Filed: 06/01/2010
• Issued: 04/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Schmuckle, Darrin
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Bao Q
• Application Number:
  US12/791,602
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 362/146, 362/145, 362/370, 362/374, 362/576, 362/375, 362/368, 362/152, 405/65, 52/28, 523/06
• US Class Current: 362/146
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2011/1048 with lighting means
• 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: F21W 2111/027 for indicating kerbs, steps or stairs

Abstract

A step light fixture includes an enclosure for retaining one or more socket and lamp combinations, a light transmissive lens, a cover for sealing the enclosure, and a mounting plate for attaching the fixture on an underside of a stair tread overhang. In a first embodiment, the cover is attached to the enclosure by a removable hinge at a first end that permits the cover to pivot its second end outward away from the enclosure to provide access to the interior of the enclosure. The second end of the cover includes a latch that mates with a corresponding catch on the side of the enclosure to releasably close the enclosure.

Claims

1. A step light fixture, comprising:

a support plate having means for attachment between a stair riser and a bottom surface of a stair tread;

a frame extending from a bottom surface of the support plate and having a first side and a second side and a back to define a partial enclosure;

a lamp and a lamp socket;

a lens disposed below the lamp socket and lamp;

lens supports extending from the bottom surface of the support plate; and

a front cover having a first end and a second end, each of the first end and the second end having a retainer for removably attaching the front cover to the first side and the second side of the frame.

2. The step light fixture of claim 1, wherein the retainer at the first end of the front cover comprises a hinge disposed at the first side of the frame.

3. The step light fixture of claim 2, wherein the hinge comprises a curved tab formed in the first end of the front cover that is releasably inserted through a slot in the first side of the frame.

4. The step light fixture of claim 2, wherein the hinge comprises a curved tab formed in the first side of the frame that is releasably inserted through a slot in the first end of the cover.

5. The step light fixture of claim 2, wherein the retainer at the second end of the front cover comprises a spring clip for mating with a slot or ridge in the second side of the frame to releasably close the front cover.

6. The step light fixture of claim 2, wherein the retainer at the second end of the front cover comprises a slot or ridge for mating with a spring clip attached to the second side of the frame to releasably close the front cover.

7. The step light fixture of claim 2, wherein the second end of the front cover comprises a lip that fits over the second side of the frame, and the retainer at the second end of the front cover comprises a removable fastener insertable through the lip and the second side of the frame for securing the front cover to the frame.

8. The step light fixture of claim 1, wherein the retainer at the first end of the front cover comprises one of a spring clip and a slot or ridge for mating with the other of a slot or ridge and a spring clip in the first side of the frame.

9. The step light fixture of claim 8, wherein the retainer at the second end of the front cover comprises one of a spring clip and a slot or ridge for mating with the other of a slot or ridge and a spring clip in the second side of the frame.

10. The step light fixture of claim 1, further comprising a reflector disposed above the lamp.

11. A step light fixture, comprising:

an enclosure extending downward from a bottom surface of a stair tread, the enclosure comprising a frame having a back, a first side and a second side;

a lamp and a lamp socket retained within the enclosure;

a lens disposed below the lamp socket and lamp to define a bottom of the enclosure; and

a front cover having a first end and a second end, each of the first end and the second end having a retainer for removably attaching the front cover to the first side and the second side of the frame.

12. The step light fixture of claim 11, wherein the retainer at the first end of the front cover comprises a hinge disposed at the first side of the frame.

13. The step light fixture of claim 12, wherein the hinge comprises a curved tab formed in the first end of the front cover that is releasably inserted through a slot in the first side of the frame.

14. The step light fixture of claim 12, wherein the hinge comprises a curved tab formed in the first side of the frame that is releasably inserted through a slot in the first end of the cover.

15. The step light fixture of claim 12, wherein the retainer at the second end of the front cover comprises a spring clip for mating with a slot or ridge in the second end of the frame to releasably close the front cover.

16. The step light fixture of claim 12, wherein the retainer at the second end of the front cover comprises a slot or ridge for mating with a spring clip attached to the second end of the frame to releasably close the front cover.

17. The step light fixture of claim 12, wherein the second end of the front cover comprises a lip that fits over the second end of the frame, and the retainer at the second end of the front cover comprises a removable fastener insertable through the lip and the second end of the frame for securing the front cover to the frame.

18. The step light fixture of claim 11, wherein the retainer at the first end of the front cover comprises one of a spring clip and a slot or ridge for mating with the other of a slot or ridge and a spring clip in the first end of the frame.

19. The step light fixture of claim 18, wherein the retainer at the second end of the front cover comprises one of a spring clip and a slot or ridge for mating with the other of a slot or ridge and a spring clip in the second side of the frame.

20. The step light fixture of claim 11, further comprising a curved reflector disposed above the lamp.

21. The step light fixture of claim 11, further comprising a mounting plate attached to a top portion of the enclosure for attaching the enclosure to the bottom surface of the stair tread.

22. A step light fixture, comprising:

an enclosure extending downward from a bottom surface of a stair tread, the enclosure comprising a frame having a back, a first side and a second side to define a partial enclosure;

a lamp and a lamp socket retained within the enclosure;

a lens disposed below the lamp socket and lamp to define a bottom of the enclosure; and

a front cover having a first end and a second end, the first end having a hinge and the second end having a retainer for latching the front cover to the second side of the frame.

23. The step light fixture of claim 22, wherein the hinge comprises a curved tab formed in the first end of the front cover that is releasably inserted through a slot in the first side of the frame.

24. The step light fixture of claim 22, wherein the hinge comprises a curved tab formed in the first side of the frame that is releasably inserted through a slot in the first end of the cover.

25. The step light fixture of claim 22, wherein the retainer at the second end of the front cover comprises one of a spring clip and a slot or ridge for mating with the other of a slot or ridge and a spring clip in the first side of the frame.