Systems and methods for sealing a lighting fixture
First Claim
1. An apparatus providing a water-proof enclosure of an optic of a lighting fixture, the apparatus comprising:
- an enclosure having a plurality of connected rectangular sides;
an optic of a lighting fixture inserted into an extrusion forming the enclosure, the extrusion having a fixed cross-sectional profile and interfacing with one or more o-rings between the optic and walls within the extrusion, the optic expanding when heated and contracting when cooled at a different rate than the extrusion;
a deformable gasket at an end of the extrusion comprising at least one hole for receiving an end of the optic and the one or more o-rings;
an end cap of the enclosure comprising a cavity to receive the deformable gasket;
wherein inserting an end of the optic into the hole of the deformable gasket received by the end cap and securing the end cap to the extrusion provides a water-proof seal around the end of the optic, the deformable gasket and the extrusion; and
wherein the deformable gasket maintains the water-proof seal during expansion and contraction of the optic.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, methods and apparatuses for providing a reliable enclosure and seal for a system or a device, such as a lighting fixture, are disclosed. The solution presented utilizes a silicone gasket combined with an o-ring chord, an acrylic optic and an extrusion to provide a water-tight, air-tight and water-proof enclosure for the lighting fixture. The seal created by the enclosure is maintained regardless of any temperature or environmental changes, as well as any changes in sizes of the components of the enclosure due to the temperature changes. The silicone gasket, in combination with one or more o-rings, end caps and the extrusion adjust for any expansion or contraction of any components of the enclosure due to temperature changes of the lighting fixture or any other enclosed apparatus, system or device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus providing a water-proof enclosure of an optic of a lighting fixture, the apparatus comprising:
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an enclosure having a plurality of connected rectangular sides; an optic of a lighting fixture inserted into an extrusion forming the enclosure, the extrusion having a fixed cross-sectional profile and interfacing with one or more o-rings between the optic and walls within the extrusion, the optic expanding when heated and contracting when cooled at a different rate than the extrusion; a deformable gasket at an end of the extrusion comprising at least one hole for receiving an end of the optic and the one or more o-rings; an end cap of the enclosure comprising a cavity to receive the deformable gasket; wherein inserting an end of the optic into the hole of the deformable gasket received by the end cap and securing the end cap to the extrusion provides a water-proof seal around the end of the optic, the deformable gasket and the extrusion; and wherein the deformable gasket maintains the water-proof seal during expansion and contraction of the optic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 19)
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9. An enclosure providing a water-tight seal of a lighting fixture, the enclosure comprising:
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an extrusion forming an enclosure for a lighting fixture, the extrusion having a fixed cross-sectional profile and comprising an optic; one or more o-rings having a predetermined size, flexibility and hardness to provide a water tight interface between the optic and the extrusion, the optic exerting pressure between the one or more o-rings and walls within the extrusion; a deformable gasket having a predetermined thickness to exert pressure against an end of the optic upon connecting an end cap to an end of the extrusion, the end cap comprising a hole for fitting the deformable gasket, wherein upon heating of the optic by the lighting fixture, the optic expands at a different rate than the extrusion and the end of the optic presses against the deformable gasket to maintain a water-tight seal, the deformable gasket deformable to contract to compensate for the expansion of the optic; wherein upon cooling of the optic, the optic contracts at a different rate than the extrusion and the deformable gasket maintains the water-tight seal with the end of the optic as the end of the optic contracts, the deformable gasket deformable to expand to compensate for the contraction of the optic. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An enclosure providing a water-tight seal of a lighting fixture, the enclosure comprising:
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an extrusion forming an enclosure for a lighting fixture, the extrusion having a fixed cross-sectional profile and comprising an optic; one or more o-rings having a predetermined hardness and sized to fit between the optic and the extrusion, the optic constructed to exert pressure between the one or more o-rings and walls within the extrusion; a deformable gasket to exert pressure against the optic upon fitting within an end cap of the extrusion, the end cap connected to the extrusion, wherein upon heating of the optic by the lighting fixture, the optic expands at a different rate than the extrusion and presses against the deformable gasket to provide a water-right seal, the deformable gasket contracting to compensate for the expanding optic; wherein upon cooling of the optic, the optic contracts at a different rate than the extrusion and the deformable gasket maintains the water-tight seal by expanding to compensate for the contracting optic. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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20. A lighting fixture providing a water-tight seal to optical components, the lighting fixture comprising:
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an acrylic optic positioned along a length of an opening of an extrusion forming an enclosure, the extrusion having a fixed cross-sectional profile; an o-ring positioned between the acrylic optic and walls within the extrusion, the o-ring providing a pressure and a seal between the acrylic optic and the walls within the extrusion; an end cap enclosing a deformable gasket interfacing with an end of the acrylic optic extruding from the extrusion; wherein deformation by the deformable gasket and the o-ring fills in gaps created by movement of the acrylic optic responsive to heating or cooling from the lighting fixture, the deformable gasket and the o-ring contracting and expanding to maintain a water-tight seal with the acrylic optic, wherein the acrylic optic expands or contracts at a different rate than the extrusion.
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Specification