Rail and clip mounting for LED modules for fluorescent application replacement

• US 9,133,986 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2013
• Issued: 09/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Current Lighting Solutions, LLC (f/k/a GE Lighting Solutions, LLC) (American Industrial Partners)
• Original Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions LLC (Savant Systems, LLC)
• Inventors: Wang, Bill (Xin), Nall, Jeffrey, Owens, John, Zhang, Min, Rolfes, Tyler John, Slattery, Adrian, Cloutier, Luc
• Primary Examiner(s): DZIERZYNSKI, EVAN P
• Application Number:
  US13/929,965
• Publication Number:
  US 20140153244A1
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 362/249.02, 362/133
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/27 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with two fittings for each light source, e.g. for substitution of fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/90 Methods of manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/1895 Imitating a neon tube
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

In accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a mounting arrangement for use with an LED power strip module is provided. The mounting arrangement comprises one or more one frames having a first end and a second end, a first holding base configured to mate with the first end and a second holding base configured to mate with the second end, and at least one LED module having a first and second edge and comprising a plurality of LEDs, said LED module being adapted to removably attach to the one or more frames. The first and second holding bases are adapted to secure the one or more frames to an existing raceway structure.

Claims

1. A mounting arrangement for use with an LED power strip module including:

at least two generally U-shaped frames, having a back portion and two side portions; and

at least one LED module having a front face, a back face, first and second end edges and two elongated side edges, said module comprising a plurality of LEDs disposed on the front face and adapted to removably attach to said frames, the back face engaging the back portion of the frame and the elongated side edges engaging the side portions of the frame, wherein said frames are secured to a signage structure, and wherein said one or more frames includes a generally c-shaped slot configured to receive the first side edge of said LED power strip module.

2. The mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein said the LED power strip module is configured for mounting to a side wall of a cabinet sign.

3. The mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein said frame is comprised of aluminum.

4. The mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein said frame is anodized.

5. The mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein said LED power strip module is a double-sided module.

6. The mounting arrangement of claim 5, wherein said one or more frames comprise openings spaced along the length of the frame configured to permit light from the LEDs to pass through the frame.

7. The mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein the modules are secured into said by one of snap-fit, interference fit, and transition fit.

8. The mounting arrangement of claim 1, further including at least two connectors configured to attach to said LED power strip module at each of said first and second edge and mount said LED module to said frame in a parallel configuration.

9. The mounting arrangement of claim 1, further including a plurality of spacers separating said LED power strip module.

10. The mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein said arrangement comprises two frames having the generally c-shaped slot, wherein the second frame is configured to receive the second side edge of said LED module.

11. The mounting arrangement of claim 10, further including a first and second link mounted at both the first and second edge of the LED power strip module and extended through each frame, securing said LED power strip module in place.

12. The mounting arrangement of claim 10, further including a plurality of ties configured to extend over the LED power strip module and hook onto an underside portion of each frame.

13. The mounting arrangement of claim 12, wherein said ties are further configured to squeeze the frames toward the LED power strip modules, securing the LED power strip module to the frame.

14. The mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein said LED power strip modules include or more screw tabs along at least one side edge of said LED power strip module.

15. The mounting arrangement of claim 14, wherein said screw tabs are configured to mate with a screw slot feature provided on said one or more frames, securing said LED power strip module to said frame.

16. The mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises one or more stamped and bent metal units configured to expand or contract to lengthen or shorten said frame.

17. An LED module comprising:

a housing having a first side edge and a second side edge;

a plurality of LEDs mounted on a printed circuit board and at least two wires configured to attach to said printed circuit board; and

a mounting arrangement, said mounting arrangement comprising;

at least one frame, said frame having a first end and a second end, said frame including connectors adapted to removably accept said LED module and mount said LED module to said frame in a parallel configuration; and

a means to secure said one or more frames to a signage structure, said means including a channel receiving said wiring.

18. A method of constructing a signage structure comprising providing a generally U-shaped frame member comprised of one or more stamped and bent metal units configured to expand or contract to lengthen or shorten said frame member, lengthening or shortening said frame member to a dimension suitable for mounting within the signage structure, securing a plurality of LED inclusive modules to the frame member by one of snap fitting, interference fitting and transition fitting, and attaching the module inclusive frame to the signage structure.