Shelf lighting device and method

• US 8,506,116 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2009
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sloan Company Incorporated (Sloan), Sloanled Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sloan Company Incorporated (Sloan)
• Inventors: Sloan, Thomas C., Quaal, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US12/616,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20110084627A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,371 Days
• Field of Search: 362/235, 362/240, 362/341, 362/326, 362/343, 362/249.02
• US Class Current: 362/235
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2220/0077 Lighting for furniture, e.g. cupboards and racks
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/04 by movement of reflectors in vehicle head lamps F21S41/675
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/013 the housing being an extrusion
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/015 Devices for covering joints between adjacent lighting devices; End coverings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/001 the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/096 Magnetic devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0471 the sensor detecting the proximity, the presence or the movement of an object or a person
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0012 Furniture hospital beds F21V33/0072
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/005 with an elongated shape to cooperate with linear light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/05 plane
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/06 with parabolic curvature
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/22 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings, e.g. dichroic reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/301 for furniture
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/405 for shop-windows or displays
• 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

The present invention provides various embodiments for apparatuses, systems, and methods for lighting devices used in shelving, displays, and the like. Some embodiments provide lighting device comprising elongated extrusions with a first surface and a second surface proximate the first surface. The second surface may be reflective. One or more light emitting devices may be mounted at the first surface of the extrusion. The first surface is angled with respect to the second surface such that at least a portion of the light emitted from the light emitting devices reaches the second surface. If the second surface is reflective, at least a portion of the emitted light will be reflected from the second surface. A protective and possibly light diffusive lens may be provided between the first and second surfaces. In other embodiments, lighting systems may be provided with a plurality of lighting devices as described above. One or more power transfer devices may be provided to connect the lighting devices in vertical and/or horizontal arrangements, and at least one power supply may be provided to power the power transfer devices and lighting devices. Additionally, dimmer devices with integrated sensors may be included to dim the lighting devices when reduced illumination is desired.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising:

an elongated extrusion comprising a first surface and a second surface proximate said first surface, wherein said second surface is substantially reflective; and

one or more light emitting devices mounted at said first surface of said extrusion;

wherein said first surface is angled with respect to said second surface such that at least a portion of said light emitted from said one or more light emitting devices reflects off said second surface;

wherein the angle of said second surface with respect to said first surface is customizable to either focus or broaden the spectrum of the light emitted from said light emitting devices.

2. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising an overhang portion proximate said first surface for further focusing or broadening the light emitted from said light emitting devices, with said overhang portion being substantially reflective.

3. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein said second surface further comprises a substantially reflective surface.

4. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein said extrusion is comprised of one or more of aluminum, plastic, or acrylic.

5. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a reflector integrated with said second surface.

6. The lighting device of claim 5, wherein said reflector comprises one or more of polished aluminum, bright dip anodized aluminum, reflective tape, or a plastic insert with a reflective surface.

7. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a third surface between said first and second surfaces.

8. The lighting device of claim 7, wherein said third surface comprise one or more of a lens or protective cover.

9. The lighting device of claim 7, wherein said third surface accomplishes one or more of further focusing, broadening, or diffusing the light emitted from said light emitting devices.

10. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising one or more end caps for sealing the ends of said lighting device, wherein said end caps comprise a hole or socket for receiving power for said light emitting devices.

11. The lighting device of claim 10, wherein said end caps further comprise a mounting means for mounting said lighting device and securing it in low profile with respect to a mounting surface.

12. The lighting device of claim 10, wherein said end caps further comprise an adjust mechanism for adjusting the angle of the lighting device.

13. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein said light emitting devices comprise LEDs mounted on a printed circuit board.

14. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising power transfer devices for connecting and providing power to two or more lighting devices arranged in one or more of a vertical or horizontal configuration.

15. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a dimmer for changing or maintaining the intensity of the light emitted from said light emitting devices.

16. The lighting device of claim 15, further comprising a motion sensor coupled with said dimmer such that said dimmer changes or maintains the intensity of the light emitted from said light emitting devices according to a signal sent from said sensor.

17. A lighting device comprising:

an elongated extrusion comprising a first surface and a second surface proximate said first surface;

one or more light emitting devices mounted at said first surface of said extrusion; and

a lens between said first and second surface, said lens protecting said one or more light emitting devices;

wherein said first surface is angled with respect to said second surface such that at least a portion of said light emitted from said one or more light emitting devices reaches said second surface;

wherein the angle of said second surface with respect to said first surface is customizable to either focus or broaden the distribution of the light emitted from said light emitting devices.

18. The lighting device of claim 17, further comprising an overhang portion proximate said first surface for further focusing or broadening the light emitted from said light emitting devices, with said overhang portion being substantially reflective.

19. The lighting device of claim 17, wherein said second surface is substantially reflective.

20. The lighting device of claim 17, wherein said light emitting devices comprise LEDs mounted on a printed circuit board.

21. The lighting device of claim 17, further comprising a reflector integrated with said second surface, wherein said reflector comprises one or more of polished aluminum, bright dip anodized aluminum, reflective tape, or a plastic insert with a reflective surface.

22. The lighting device of claim 17, further comprising one or more end caps for sealing the ends of said lighting device, wherein said end caps comprise:

a hole or socket for receiving power for said light emitting devices; and

a mounting means for mounting said lighting device and securing it in low profile with respect to a mounting surface.

23. The lighting device of claim 22, wherein said end caps further comprise an adjust mechanism for adjusting the angle of the lighting device.

24. The lighting device of claim 17, further comprising power transfer devices for connecting and providing power to two or more lighting devices arranged in one or more of a vertical or horizontal configuration.

25. The lighting device of claim 17, further comprising a dimmer with an integrated motion sensor for changing or maintaining the intensity of the light emitted from said light emitting devices.