Tension Mounted Lighting System

• US 20130176719A1
• Filed: 01/11/2012
• Published: 07/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Derek Porter Studio, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Derek Porter Studio, Inc.
• Inventors: Porter, Derek
• Granted Patent: US 9,033,541 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/219
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/007 with provision for shipment or storage
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/005 by permanent fixing means, e.g. gluing, riveting or embedding in a potting compound
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/005 with an elongated shape to cooperate with linear light sources
• 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

A lighting system includes a longitudinal flexible metal strip which may be helically rolled, first and second clamps securing opposite ends of the metal strip to first and second selected locations, and a longitudinally extending strip with lights such as LEDs secured to one side of the longitudinal metal strip. The first and second clamps each include a clamp arm secured to a base by a ball and socket connection.

Claims

1. A lighting system, comprising:

a metal strip extending longitudinally between ends, said metal strip being flexible whereby said strip may be helically rolled;

a first clamp securing one end of the metal strip to a first selected location;

a second clamp securing the other end of the metal strip to a second selected location; and

a longitudinally extending light strip secured to one side of said longitudinal metal strip.

2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein said metal strip one side is reflective.

3. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein said first and second clamps secure the ends of the metal strip whereby the metal strip is supported in tension in a linear orientation along its length.

4. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein said metal strip defines a concave channel along its length, wherein said light strip is secured in said channel.

5. The lighting system of claim 4, wherein said metal strip one side in said channel is generally light reflective.

6. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein said light strip includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced light emitting diodes (LEDs).

7. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein said first and second clamps each comprise a clamp arm secured to a base by a ball and socket connection, whereby

the base includes the socket and is securable in a selected fixed position in an area;

and

the clamp arm has the ball on one end and clamping members on the other end adapted to secure to one end of the metal strip.

8. The lighting system of claim 7, wherein said metal strip is held in tension between the clamp arms of said first and second clamps, said tension force on said clamp arms holding said clamp arms in said fixed positions.

9. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein:

said first and second clamps each include an adjustably positionable clamp arm;

said metal strip is held in tension between the clamp arms of said first and second clamps, and

said tension force on said clamp arms secures said clamp arms in selected fixed positions.

10. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein one of said first and second clamps includes a connector for connecting the light strip to a power source at the selected location of the clamp.

11. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein said light strip is secured to said metal strip by adhesive.

12. A lighting system, comprising:

a metal strip extending longitudinally between ends and defining a concave channel along its length, said metal strip being flexible whereby said strip may be helically rolled;

a first clamp securing one end of the metal strip to a first selected location;

a second clamp securing the other end of the metal strip to a second selected location; and

a longitudinally extending strip of light emitting diodes (LEDs) adhered to said metal strip in said channel.

13. The lighting system of claim 12, wherein:

said first and second clamps each include an adjustably positionable clamp arm;

said metal strip is held in tension between the clamp arms of said first and second clamps, and

said tension force on said clamp arms maintains said clamp arms in selected fixed positions.

14. The lighting system of claim 12, wherein said longitudinal metal strip one side is reflective.

15. The lighting system of claim 12, wherein said first and second clamps secure the ends of the metal strip whereby the metal strip is supported in tension in a linear orientation along its length.

16. The lighting system of claim 12, wherein said first and second clamps each comprise a clamp arm secured to a base by a ball and socket connection, wherein

the base includes the socket and is securable at a selected fixed position in a building structure;

and

the clamp arm has the ball on one end and clamping members on the other end adapted to secure to one end of the metal strip.

17. The lighting system of claim 16, wherein each of said clamp arms is generally pivotable relative to their base around the center of the ball on the clamp arm end.

18. The lighting system of claim 12, wherein one of said first and second clamps includes a connector for connecting the light strip to a power source at the selected location of the clamp.

19. A lighting system for use in a building structure, comprising:

a metal strip

extending longitudinally between first and second ends,

defining a generally concave channel along its length,

being flexible along its length, and

being generally light reflective on the concave channel side;

a first clamp secured the first end of the metal strip and including

a first base mountable to a first selected location of the building structure, and

a first clamp arm having

a first set of clamping members on one end adapted to secure said first clamp arm to said first end of said metal strip, and

a first mount adjustably securable to said first base for securing said first clamping arm in a selected orientation relative to said first base;

a second clamp secured to the second end of the metal strip and including

a second base mountable to a second selected location of the building structure, and

a second clamp arm having

a second set of clamping members on one end adapted to secure said second clamp arm to the second end of said metal strip, and

a second mount adjustably securable to said second base for securing said second clamping arm in a selected orientation relative to said second base;

a longitudinally extending flexible light strip secured in the channel of said metal strip; and

a box at one of said first and second clamps for connecting a power source to said light strip.

20. The lighting system of claim 19, wherein said metal strip is held in tension between said first and second clamp arms, and said tension force on said clamp arms secures said clamp arms in said selected orientations.