Modular LED lighting assembly

• US 9,625,139 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2011
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
• Inventors: Lax, Daniel A., Keuning, Timothy J., Libohova, Agjah I.
• Primary Examiner(s): CARTER, WILLIAM JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US13/271,115
• Publication Number:
  US 20120127702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,016 Days
• Field of Search: 362227, 36224901, 36224902, 362362, 362368, 362374, 362375, 362800
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/033 the surface being a wall or like vertical structure, e.g. building facade
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/04 intended only for mounting on a ceiling or the like overhead structures F21S8/02 takes precedence; details of ceiling bases F21V21/03
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/043 mounted by means of a rigid support, e.g. bracket or arm
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/002 with provision for interchangeability, i.e. component parts being especially adapted to be replaced by another part with the same or a different function F21V17/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/104 using feather joints, e.g. tongues and grooves, with or without friction
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/164 the parts being subjected to bending, e.g. snap joints
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/001 the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/04 with provision for changing light source, e.g. turret auxiliary devices for cleaning, placing, or removing incandescent lamps H01K3/32, fluorescent lamps H01J9/006
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/02 Wall, ceiling, or floor bases; Fixing pendants or arms to the bases F21V21/08 takes precedence; bases for movable standing lamps F21V21/06
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/08 Devices for easy attachment to any desired place, e.g. clip, clamp, magnet
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/023 Power supplies in a casing F21V23/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/026 Fastening of transformers or ballasts
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/76 with essentially identical parallel planar fins or blades, e.g. with comb-like cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/101 of tunnels or the like, e.g. under bridges
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/40 Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 : comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 : Combination of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 : Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A modular lighting assembly uses LED banks as the light sources. The assembly allows the power supply and LED banks to be independently replaced. The assembly uses a power supply that is separated from the LED banks and electrically connected to the LED banks with a plug connector that may be unplugged and plugged back in to allow the power supply or LED bank to be independently and readily replaced. The assembly provides for easy replacement of the different components of the assembly. One feature that makes the components easier to replace is that the light modules and/or the power supply may be carried by the housing that is removable from the base mount that is secured to a mounting structure such as a wall or ceiling.

Claims

1. A modular LED lighting assembly, comprising:

a mount having a base and a housing;

the housing being removably and replaceably carried by the base;

a first light module carried by the housing such that the first light module is removable from the base with the housing;

the first light module including a plurality of light emitting diodes;

a power supply electrically connected to the first light module;

the power supply being removably and replaceably carried by the base next to the housing;

the power supply being electrically connected to the first light module with a first electrical connector that selectively connects the first light module to the power supply such that the connection may be made and remade as desired such that the power supply may be selectively disconnected from the first light module replaced without removing and replacing the light module;

a second light module carried by the housing such that the second light module is removable from the base with the housing;

the second light module including a plurality of light emitting diodes;

wherein the first and second light modules are angled down when the base is disposed vertically;

wherein the base has a first end, a second end, an upper edge, and a lower edge;

the base including lips bent over the base to define channels along the upper and lower edges;

the housing having flanges disposed within the channels behind the lips to retain the housing with respect to the base; and

wherein the power supply includes flanges disposed within the channels behind the lips to retain the power supply with respect to the base.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flanges are frictionally engaged by the lips.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flanges are tapered to lock within the channels.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lip disposed along the upper edge is formed from a plurality of spaced lips that define gaps in the channel.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the power supply is slidable between a position where the power supply is mounted to the base and a position where the power supply is released from the base.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the base includes a stop that is engaged by the power supply when the power supply is mounted to the base.

7. A modular LED lighting assembly, comprising:

a mount having a base and a housing;

the housing being removably and replaceably carried by the base;

a first light module carried by the housing such that the first light module is removable from the base with the housing;

the first light module including a plurality of light emitting diodes;

a power supply electrically connected to the first light module;

the power supply being removably and replaceably carried by the base next to the housing;

the power supply being electrically connected to the first light module with a first electrical connector that selectively connects the first light module to the power supply such that the connection may be made and remade as desired such that the power supply may be selectively disconnected from the first light module replaced without removing and replacing the light module;

wherein the base has a first end, a second end, an upper edge, and a lower edge;

the base including lips bent over the base to define channels along the upper and lower edges; and

the power supply includes flanges disposed within the channels behind the lips to selectively mount the power supply to the base.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the power supply is slidable between a position where the power supply is mounted to the base and a position where the power supply is released from the base.

9. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the base includes a stop that is engaged by the power supply when the power supply is mounted to the base.

10. A modular LED light fixture, comprising:

a mount having an elongated base having a pair of spaced elongated edges that run in the longitudinal direction of the base;

each of the edges defining a mounting channel;

the mount also including a housing mountable to the base through engagement with the mounting channels;

the housing being selectively movable with respect to the base between a retained closed condition wherein an interior of the housing is closed by the base and an open condition wherein the interior of the housing is accessible;

an LED module having a plurality of light emitting diodes;

the LED module being carried by the housing intermediate the elongated edges of the base;

a power supply for the LED module electrically connected with the LED module and being disposed intermediate the elongated edges of the base; and

wherein the power supply is electrically connected to the LED module with a first electrical connector that selectively connects the LED module to the power supply such that the connection may be made and remade as desired such that the power supply may be selectively disconnected from the LED module to allow for removal and replacement.

11. The light fixture of claim 10, wherein a plurality of LED modules are carried by the housing intermediate the elongated edges of the base;

the plurality of LED modules being in longitudinal alignment.

12. The light fixture of claim 11, wherein the LED modules are longitudinally spaced apart within the housing.

13. The light fixture of claim 10, wherein the housing defines an opening;

the LED module being aligned with the opening to position the plurality of light emitting diodes in alignment with the opening.

14. The light fixture of claim 13, wherein the housing defines a plurality of spaced openings aligned in the longitudinal direction;

an LED module having a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed in alignment with each opening.

15. The light fixture of claim 14, wherein the power supply is in longitudinal alignment with the LED modules.

16. The light fixture of claim 10, wherein the power supply is spaced from the LED module.

17. A modular LED light fixture, comprising:

a mount having an elongated base that defines first and second spaced mounting channels;

the mount also including a housing selectively mountable to the elongated base through engagement with the first and second spaced mounting channels;

the housing being selectively movable with respect to the base between a retained closed condition wherein an interior of the housing is closed by the base and an open condition wherein the interior of the housing is accessible;

at least a first LED module having a plurality of light emitting diodes;

each LED module carried by the housing being disposed intermediate the first and second spaced mounting channels of the base;

a power supply for the first LED module electrically connected with the first LED light and being disposed intermediate the first and second spaced mounting channels of the base; and

wherein the power supply is electrically connected to the first LED module with a first electrical connector that selectively connects the first LED module to the power supply such that the connection may be made and remade as desired such that the power supply may be selectively disconnected from the first LED module to allow for removal and replacement.

18. The light fixture of claim 17, further comprising a second LED module electrically connected to the first LED module;

the second LED module being carried by the housing independent of the first LED module.

19. A modular LED light fixture, comprising:

a mount having an elongated base that defines first and second spaced mounting channels;

the mount also including a housing selectively mountable to the elongated base through engagement with the first and second spaced mounting channels;

the housing being selectively movable with respect to the base between a retained closed condition wherein an interior of the housing is closed by the base and an open condition wherein the interior of the housing is accessible;

at least a first LED module having a plurality of light emitting diodes;

each LED module carried by the housing being disposed intermediate the first and second spaced mounting channels of the base; and

a power supply for the first LED module electrically connected with the first LED light and being disposed intermediate the first and second spaced mounting channels of the base;

a second LED module electrically connected to the power supply;

the second LED module being carried by the housing independent of the first LED module; and

wherein the power supply is electrically connected to each LED module with an electrical connector that selectively connects such that the connection may be made and remade as desired such that the power supply may be selectively disconnected from the LED modules to allow for removal and replacement.

20. A modular LED light fixture, comprising:

a mount having an elongated base that defines first and second spaced mounting channels;

the mount also including a housing selectively mountable to the elongated base through engagement with the first and second spaced mounting channels;

the housing being selectively movable with respect to the base between a retained closed condition wherein an interior of the housing is closed by the base and an open condition wherein the interior of the housing is accessible;

a first LED module having a plurality of light emitting diodes;

the first LED module being carried by the housing intermediate the first and second spaced mounting channels of the base;

a second LED module having a plurality of light emitting diodes;

the second LED module being carried by the housing intermediate the first and second spaced mounting channels of the base;

the second LED module being mounted independent of the first LED module to allow for individual removal and replacement of the LED modules;

a power supply electrically powering the first and second LED modules; and

wherein the power supply is electrically connected to the first LED module with a first electrical connector that selectively connects the first LED module to the power supply such that the connection may be made and remade as desired such that the power supply may be selectively disconnected from the first LED module to allow for removal and replacement.

21. The light fixture of claim 20, wherein the power supply is connected to the first and second LED modules in series.

22. The light fixture of claim 20, wherein the power supply is connected to the first and second LED modules in parallel.