SUSPENDED LINEAR FIXTURE

• US 20140126190A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 05/08/2014
• 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: Bernard, Randy, DIXON, MARK EDWARD
• Granted Patent: US 9,395,056 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/190
• 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 configured to receive a linear lighting element; and

a suspension mechanism configured to provide an electrical connection from said 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.

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, further comprising a power supply cover.

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

5. 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.

6. 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 mounting surface.

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

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

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

10. The lighting fixture of claim 8, wherein said attachment element allows for removal and replacement of said body.

11. The lighting fixture of claim 8, wherein said attachment element allows for removal and replacement of said body by hand.

12. The lighting fixture of claim 8, wherein said attachment element comprises a snap fit connection configured to interact with a corresponding structure on said body.

13. The lighting fixture of claim 1, further comprising a lighting element receiving structure.

14. The lighting fixture of claim 10, wherein said lighting element receiving structure comprises at least one reflective surface.

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

17. The lighting fixture of claim 12, further comprising a power supply cover.

26. The lighting fixture of claim 12, further comprising a lighting element receiving structure.

27. The lighting fixture of claim 26, wherein said lighting element receiving structure comprises at least one reflective surface.

16. 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 points along said body, wherein said suspension mechanism is arranged to provide an electrical connection from a power supply to said lighting element.

18. The lighting fixture of claim 16, wherein said suspension mechanism provide an electrical connection to said lighting element at a location other than at a distal end of said lighting element.

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

20. The lighting fixture of claim 16, further comprising a pivotal connection that allows the position of said body to be adjusted in relation to said suspension mechanism.

21. The lighting fixture of claim 16, further comprising a pivotal connection that allows the position of said suspension mechanism to be adjusted in relation to said mounting surface.

22. The lighting fixture of claim 16, further comprising a rotational connection, said rotational connection arranged such that said body can rotate about the axis of said suspension mechanism.

23. The lighting fixture of claim 16, further comprising an attachment element.

24. The lighting fixture of claim 23, wherein said attachment element is self-connecting.

25. The lighting fixture of claim 23, wherein said attachment element comprises a snap fit connection configured to interact with a corresponding structure on said body.

28. The lighting fixture of claim 16, further comprising at least one additional body.

29. The lighting fixture of claim 16, wherein said body is attached to said suspension mechanism such that said body can slide to adjust the point of attachment to said suspension mechanism.

30. A lighting system, comprising:

a body;

a linear lighting element attached to said body;

a power supply; and

a suspension mechanism attached to said body wherein said suspension mechanism is arranged 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.

32. The lighting system of claim 30, further comprising a power supply cover.

33. The lighting system of claim 30, wherein said at least one suspension mechanism is a power supply cover.

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

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

36. The lighting system of claim 30, further comprising a rotational connection, said rotational connection arranged such that said body can rotate about the axis of said suspension mechanism.

37. The lighting system of claim 30, further comprising an attachment element.

38. The lighting system of claim 37, wherein said attachment element comprises a snap fit connection configured to interact with a corresponding structure on said body.

39. The lighting system of claim 30, further comprising a lighting element receiving structure.

40. The lighting system of claim 39, wherein said lighting element receiving structure comprises at least one reflective surface.

41. The lighting system of claim 30, further comprising at least one additional body.

31. The lighting system of claim 31, wherein said suspension mechanism is configured to fix said body in place a distance away from a mounting surface;

42. A lighting fixture, comprising:

a body configured to receive a linear lighting element; and

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

a power supply that is separate from and electrically connected to said lighting element.

43. The lighting fixture of claim 42, wherein said power supply is electrically connected to said lighting element along or through said suspension mechanism.

44. The lighting fixture of claim 42, said wherein said suspension mechanism is arranged 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.