Suspended linear fixture

• US 9,395,056 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting, LLC (Ideal Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CREE Incorporated (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dixon, Mark Edward, Bernard, Randy
• Primary Examiner(s): HINES, ANNE M
• Application Number:
  US13/842,150
• Publication Number:
  US 20140126190A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,222 Days
• Field of Search: 362/190, 362/217.05, 362/217.04, 313/497
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/00 Electric lighting devices with self-contained electric batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/063 with a rigid pendant, i.e. a pipe or rod
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/00 Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices F21V17/00, F21V19/00 take precedence; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q, stands for supporting apparatus or articles in general F16M11/00; Hand grips
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/112 Fixing lighting devices to pendants F21V21/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/023 Power supplies in a casing F21V23/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/00 Reflectors for light sources characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/505
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

This disclosure relates to suspended linear lighting fixtures that are arranged to accept lighting elements. Lighting fixtures according to the present disclosure comprise at least one body and at least one suspension mechanism. These lighting fixtures can be arranged such that electrical and mechanical connections can be provided at various locations along their length, rather than only at the distal ends of the fixtures. The fixtures can also comprise various connectivity features that allow further arrangements, designs and spatial adjustments. Lighting systems utilizing these fixtures are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A lighting fixture, comprising:

a body comprising first and second linear grooved receiving structures collectively configured to receive and hold a linear lighting element, wherein said receiving structures comprise portions that are on opposite sides of said linear lighting element and comprise at least one reflective surface;

a suspension mechanism configured to provide an electrical connection from a power source to said lighting element, such that said lighting element is connected to said power source at a location other than one of the distal ends of said lighting element; and

a power supply cover which is separate from said body.

2. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein said suspension mechanism fixes said body in place at a distance from a mounting surface.

3. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein said suspension mechanism is a power supply cover.

4. The lighting fixture of claim 1, further comprising a pivotal connection that allows the position of said body to be adjusted in relation to said suspension mechanism.

5. The lighting fixture of claim 1, further comprising a pivotal connection that allows the position of said suspension mechanism to be adjusted in relation to said body.

6. The lighting fixture of claim 1, further comprising a rotational connection, said rotational connection configured such that said body can rotate about the axis of said suspension mechanism.

7. The lighting fixture of claim 1, further comprising an attachment element.

8. The lighting fixture of claim 7, wherein said attachment element comprises a self-connecting configuration that cooperates with a corresponding structure on said body.

9. The lighting fixture of claim 7, wherein said attachment element allows for removal and replacement of said body.

10. The lighting fixture of claim 7, wherein said attachment element allows for removal and replacement of said body by hand.

11. The lighting fixture of claim 7, wherein said attachment element comprises a snap fit connection configured to interact with a corresponding structure on said body.

12. The lighting fixture of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional body.

13. A lighting fixture, comprising:

a body configured to receive at least one lighting element; and

a suspension mechanism configured to attach to said body at multiple possible points along said body, wherein said body is configured to slide to adjust the point of attachment to said suspension mechanism, and wherein said suspension mechanism is configured to provide an electrical connection from a power supply to said lighting element.

14. The lighting fixture of claim 13, further comprising a power supply cover.

15. The lighting fixture of claim 13, wherein said suspension mechanism is configured to provide an electrical connection to said lighting element at a location other than at a distal end of said lighting element.

16. The lighting fixture of claim 13, wherein said suspension mechanism is a power supply cover.

17. The lighting fixture of claim 13, further comprising a pivotal connection that allows the position of said body to be adjusted in relation to said suspension mechanism.

18. The lighting fixture of claim 13, further comprising a pivotal connection that allows the position of said suspension mechanism to be adjusted in relation to said mounting surface.

19. The lighting fixture of claim 13, further comprising a rotational connection, said rotational connection configured such that said body can rotate about the axis of said suspension mechanism.

20. The lighting fixture of claim 13, further comprising an attachment element.

21. The lighting fixture of claim 20, wherein said attachment element is self-connecting.

22. The lighting fixture of claim 20, wherein said attachment element comprises a snap fit connection configured to interact with a corresponding structure on said body.

23. The lighting fixture of claim 13, wherein said lighting element receiving structure comprises at least one reflective surface.

24. The lighting fixture of claim 13, further comprising at least one additional body.

25. A lighting system, comprising:

a body comprising left and right linear grooved receiving structures;

a linear lighting element comprising one or more light sources on a first surface, said lighting element held by said left and right linear grooved receiving structures such that at least a portion of said first surface of said linear lighting element is on said receiving structures;

a power supply outside of said body; and

a suspension mechanism attached to said body wherein said suspension mechanism is configured to provide an electrical connection to said lighting element, such that said lighting element is connected to said power supply at a location other than one or more distal ends of said lighting element.

26. The lighting system of claim 25, wherein said suspension mechanism is configured to fix said body in place a distance away from a mounting surface.

27. The lighting system of claim 25, further comprising a power supply cover.

28. The lighting system of claim 25, wherein said at least one suspension mechanism is a power supply cover.

29. The lighting system of claim 25, further comprising a pivotal connection that allows the position of said body to be adjusted in relation to said suspension mechanism.

30. The lighting system of claim 25, further comprising a pivotal connection that allows the position of said suspension mechanism to be adjusted in relation to a mounting surface.

31. The lighting system of claim 25, further comprising a rotational connection, said rotational connection configured such that said body can rotate about the axis of said suspension mechanism.

32. The lighting system of claim 25, further comprising an attachment element.

33. The lighting system of claim 32, wherein said attachment element comprises a snap fit connection configured to interact with a corresponding structure on said body.

34. The lighting system of claim 25, wherein said lighting element receiving structure comprises at least one reflective surface.

35. The lighting system of claim 25, further comprising at least one additional body.

36. A lighting fixture, comprising:

a linear lighting element comprising at least one light emitting diode (LED) on a first surface;

a body comprising first and second linear grooved receiving structures configured to receive said linear lighting element, wherein said receiving structures comprise portions that are on opposite sides of said linear lighting element, and a portion of said receiving structures is on said first surface of said linear lighting element; and

a suspension mechanism configured to fix said body in place at least a distance away from a mounting surface;

a power supply that is outside of said body, wherein said power supply is electrically connected to said lighting element.

37. The lighting fixture of claim 36, wherein said power supply is electrically connected to said lighting element along or through said suspension mechanism.

38. The lighting fixture of claim 36, said wherein said suspension mechanism is configured to provide an electrical connection from said lighting element to power, such that said lighting element is unconnected to said power supply at one or more distal ends of said lighting element.