Dual step light and aisle indicator apparatus

• US 5,918,962 A
• Filed: 05/02/1995
• Issued: 07/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tivoli LLC (Tsinghua Tongfang Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Tivoli Industries, Inc. (3F Filippi SpA)
• Inventors: Nagano, Thomas T.
• Primary Examiner(s): HUSAR, STEPHEN F
• Application Number:
  US08/433,237
• Time in Patent Office: 1,526 Days
• Field of Search: 362/81, 362/146, 362/125, 362/224, 362/225, 362/240, 362/481, 362/495
• US Class Current: 362/146
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/166 with means for fixing a separate edging strip
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2011/1048 with lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/013 the housing being an extrusion
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/027 for indicating kerbs, steps or stairs
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A light fixture housing extrusion that includes a horizontal step plate intersecting a vertical riser plate and having first and second channels for mounting string light fixtures beneath removable translucent covers, the channels including grooved wall structures to facilitate securing of the covers and either a pair of tangs or a pair of interior recessed walls for receiving and retaining a spring-biased wedge clip lamp carriage. Other features include an improved wiring scheme with individually-fused light strings, a diode for dimming the light output of selected strings, and a riser lens cover having a unitarily-extruded extended shield which prevents viewing the direct glare from elevated lighting fixtures. An alternative glare reduction is provided by an opaque lens cover located directly above one or more lamps, the lens cover being mounted in a translucent extrusion structure, which mutes the lamp light, thus providing muted illumination on either side of the opaque lens cover. Edge and corner molding members for conformably mating with dual channel extrusion units and guiding electrical leads down the side of a staircase in concealed wire way channels are further provided.

Claims

1. Lamp fixture apparatus for installation on a first step having a riser portion and tread portion and comprising:

a single-piece extrusion having a riser plate portion and a horizontal tread plate portion;

a first channel formed in said horizontal tread plate portion and providing a channel opening disposed to open outwardly away from said tread portion of said step;

a second channel formed in said riser plate portion and providing a channel opening disposed to facilitate direction of light from a plurality of light sources located therein toward a second step;

a vertical edge molding member having a planar top surface tapering down to an edge;

a horizontal edge molding member having a planar top surface tapering down to an edge; and

a corner molding member located adjacent said extrusion and having a planar horizontal top surface portion shaped to mate flush with a planar top surface of said horizontal edge molding member and a vertical top surface portion shaped to mate flush with the planar top surface portion of said vertical edge molding member.

2. The lamp fixture apparatus of claim 1 further including first and second lens covers shaped to fit into and cover the respective channel openings of said first and second channels.

3. The lamp fixture apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first and second channels are each of a width and depth selected to permit installation of at least one lamp unit therein.

4. The lamp fixture apparatus of claim 3 further including a light string located in at least one of said first and second channels.

5. The lamp fixture apparatus of claim 3 further including first and second carpet insert slots formed in said single-piece extrusion at opposite ends thereof.

23. The lamp fixture apparatus of claim 1 further including a first carpet insert slot located adjacent said first channel and a second carpet insert slot located beneath said second channel.

26. The lighting apparatus of claim 23 wherein said fixture further comprises a single piece extrusion having a vertical riser plate portion and horizontal tread plate portion.

27. The lighting apparatus of claim 26 wherein said extrusion is of a length selected to match the length of a nose portion of said stairstep.

28. The lighting apparatus of claim 27 wherein said each of said first and second openings runs the length of said extrusion.

6. The lighting apparatus for mounting on a first step comprising:

a step plate structure comprising a first carpet insert slot of uniform cross-section, said step plate structure further including a first extruded channel of uniform cross-section positioned adjacent said carpet insert slot, said first channel having a floor and first and second vertical side walls, said first extruded channel further having an open top surface, said step plate structure further including a nose portion formed adjacent said first channel and positioned to overhang the step;

a second extruded channel located on an underside of said nose portion and having first and second side walls defining a constant cross-section of said second extruded channel, the first and second side walls of said second extruded channel being disposed to facilitate directing light from a string of light sources disposed in said second channel downward toward a tread surface of a second step;

a channel cover shaped to fit into at least one of said first and second channels; and

molding means mountable at a side of said step plate structure for concealing at least one electrical lead and providing a finished appearance at a side of said first step.

7. The lighting apparatus of claim 6 further including at least one light string disposed in one of said first and second channels.

8. The lighting apparatus of claim 6 wherein said molding means comprises corner molding member means for covering at least one of said channels and having at least one surface meeting flush with a cooperating surface of said step plate structure.

9. The lighting apparatus of claim 8 wherein said molding means further includes raceway means for conducting at least one electrical lead down the side of said first step and further including means for covering said raceway means so as to provide a smooth and finished appearance.

10. The lighting apparatus of claim 9 wherein said molding means further includes a horizontal edge molding member and an electrical lead raceway formed therein.

24. The lamp fixture apparatus of claim 6 further including a second carpet insert slot located beneath said second extruded channel.

11. Lighting apparatus for providing lighting in conjunction with first and second steps, the first step being above the second, comprising:

a dual light channel stair lighting fixture having a first channel disposed to receive lights providing illumination viewable from above the first step and a second channel disposed to receive lights providing illumination directed downwardly toward the second step; and

molding means mountable at the side of said stair lighting fixture for concealing electrical leads extending out of said fixture and providing a finished appearance at a side of said first step.

12. The lighting apparatus of claim 11 wherein said molding means includes corner piece means for covering at least one of said channels and having at least one surface meeting flush with a cooperating surface of said fixture.

13. The lighting apparatus of claim 12 wherein said molding means further includes raceway means for conducting at least one electrical lead down the side of said first step and further including means for covering said raceway means so as to provide a smooth and finished appearance.

14. The lighting apparatus of claim 13 wherein said molding member means further includes a tread molding member and an electrical lead raceway formed therein.

15. A lighting apparatus comprising:

a stairstep mountable fixture having first and second openings in respective outer surfaces thereof, each opening oriented to facilitate direction of illumination from within said fixture in respective first and second directions; and

molding means mountable at a side of said fixture for concealing electrical leads extending out of said fixture and for providing a finished appearance at said side.

16. The lighting apparatus of claim 15 wherein said fixture further comprises a single piece extrusion having a vertical riser plate portion and a horizontal tread plate portion.

17. The lighting apparatus of claim 16 wherein said extrusion is of a length selected to match the length of a nose portion of said stairstep.

18. The lighting apparatus of claim 17 wherein each of said first and second openings runs the length of said extrusion.

19. The lighting apparatus of claim 15 wherein said molding means includes a corner molding member having at least one surface meeting flush with a cooperating surface of said fixture.

20. The lighting apparatus of claim 19 wherein said molding means further includes wireway means for conducting at least one electrical lead across a tread portion of said stairstep and further including means for covering said wireway means so as to provide a finished appearance.

21. The lighting apparatus of claim 19 wherein said molding means further includes a horizontal edge molding member and an electrical lead wireway formed therein.

22. The lighting apparatus of claim 20 wherein said fixture includes a riser plate portion and a tread plate portion and wherein said molding means comprises:

a vertical edge molding member having a top surface tapering down to an edge;

a horizontal edge molding member having a planar top surface tapering down to an edge; and

a corner molding member having a planar horizontal top surface portion shaped to mate flush with a planar top surface of said horizontal edge molding member and a vertical top surface portion shaped to mate flush with a planar top surface portion of said vertical edge molding member.

57. The lighting apparatus of claim 15 further including a lens component mounted in at least one of said first and second openings.

25. A lighting apparatus comprising:

a stairstep mountable fixture having first and second openings in respective outer surfaces thereof, each opening oriented to facilitate direction of illumination from within said fixture in respective first and second directions; and

a molding member mountable at an edge of said fixture and having a first outer surface shaped to mate flush with a top surface portion of said fixture and a second outer surface portion shaped to mate flush with a riser surface portion of said fixture, said molding member further being shaped to conceal electrical leads extending out of said fixture and to provide a finished appearance at said edge.

29. The lighting apparatus of claim 25 further including a wireway means for conducting at least one electrical lead across a tread portion of said stairstep and further including means for covering said wireway means so as to provide a finished appearance.

30. The lighting apparatus of claim 25 further including a horizontal edge molding member and an electrical lead wireway formed therein.

31. The lighting apparatus of claim 25 wherein said fixture includes a riser plate portion and a tread plate portion and further including:

a vertical edge molding member;

a horizontal edge molding member; and

wherein the first outer surface portion of said corner molding member mates flush with an outer surface portion of said horizontal edge molding member and wherein the second outer surface portion of said edge molding member mates flush with an outer surface portion of said vertical edge molding member.

32. The lighting apparatus of claim 25 further including a lens component mounted in at least one of said first and second openings.

33. A lighting apparatus comprising:

a stairstep mountable fixture having at least a first opening therein oriented to direct light in a selected direction; and

molding means mountable at a side of said fixture for concealing electrical leads extending out of said fixture and for providing a finished appearance at said side.

34. The lighting apparatus of claim 33 wherein said fixture further comprises a single piece extrusion having a vertical riser plate portion and a horizontal tread plate portion.

35. The lighting apparatus of claim 34 wherein said extrusion is of a length selected to match the length of a nose portion of said stairstep.

36. The lighting apparatus of claim 35 wherein said opening runs the length of said extrusion.

37. The lighting apparatus of claim 33 wherein said molding means includes a corner molding member having at least one surface meeting flush with a cooperating surface of said fixture.

38. The lighting apparatus of claim 37 wherein said molding means further includes wireway means for conducting at least one electrical lead across a tread portion of said stairstep and further including means for covering said wireway means so as to provide a finished appearance.

39. The lighting apparatus of claim 37 wherein said molding means further includes a horizontal edge molding member and an electrical lead wireway formed therein.

40. The lighting apparatus of claim 33 wherein said fixture includes a riser plate portion and a tread plate portion and wherein said molding member means comprises:

a vertical edge molding member having a top surface tapering down to an edge;

a horizontal edge molding member having a top surface tapering down to an edge; and

a corner molding member having a planar horizontal top surface portion shaped to mate flush with a planar top surface of said horizontal edge molding member and a vertical top surface portion shaped to mate flush with a planar top surface portion of said vertical edge molding member.

41. The lighting apparatus of claim 33 further including a lens component mounted in said at least a first opening.

42. A lighting apparatus comprising:

a stairstep mountable fixture having at least a first opening therein oriented to direct light in a selected direction; and

a molding member mountable at an edge of said fixture and having a first outer surface shaped to mate flush with a top surface portion of said fixture and a second outer surface portion shaped to mate flush with a riser surface portion of said fixture, said molding member further being shaped to conceal electrical leads extending out of said fixture and to provide a finished appearance at said edge.

43. The lighting apparatus of claim 42 wherein said fixture further comprises a single piece extrusion having a vertical riser plate portion and horizontal tread plate portion.

44. The lighting apparatus of claim 43 wherein said extrusion is of a length selected to match the length of a nose portion of a step of said staircase.

45. The lighting apparatus of claim 44 wherein said opening runs the length of said extrusion.

46. The lighting apparatus of claim 42 further including a wireway means for conducting at least one electrical lead across a tread portion of said stairstep and further including means for covering said wireway means so as to provide a finished appearance.

47. The lighting apparatus of claim 42 further includes a horizontal edge molding member and an electrical lead wireway formed therein.

48. The lighting apparatus of claim 42 wherein said fixture includes a riser plate portion and a tread plate portion and further including:

a vertical edge molding member;

a horizontal edge molding member; and

wherein the first outer surface portion of said corner molding member, mates flush with an outer surface portion of said horizontal edge molding member and wherein the second outer surface portion of said edge molding member mates flush with an outer surface portion of said vertical edge molding member.

49. The lighting apparatus of claim 42 further including a lens component mounted in said at least a first opening.

50. Lamp fixture apparatus for installation on a step having a riser portion and tread portion and comprising:

a single-piece extrusion having a riser plate portion and a horizontal tread plate portion;

a first channel formed in said horizontal tread plate portion and providing a channel opening disposed to open outwardly away from said tread portion of said step; and

a second channel formed in said riser plate portion and providing a channel opening disposed to facilitate direction of light from a plurality of lamps toward a second step; and

wherein the riser plate portion of said extrusion is translucent, wherein a plurality of lamps are located in said second channel, and further including a nonlight transmissive means for covering said second channel, whereby light is directed through the translucent structure of said riser plate and illuminates at least one surface thereof adjacent said second lens cover.

51. The lamp fixture apparatus of claim 50 wherein said horizontal tread plate portion comprises urethane and said riser plate portion comprises polyvinyl chloride, said horizontal tread plate and riser plate portions being coextruded together.

52. Lamp fixture apparatus for installation on a step having a riser portion and tread portion and comprising:

a single-piece extrusion having a riser plate portion and a horizontal tread plate portion;

a first channel formed in said horizontal tread plate portion and providing a channel opening disposed to open outwardly away from said tread portion of said step; and

a second channel formed in said riser plate portion and providing a channel opening disposed to facilitate direction of light toward a second step; and

wherein said horizontal tread plate portion comprises urethane and said riser plate portion comprises polyvinyl chloride, said horizontal tread plate and riser plate portions being coextruded together.

53. Lamp fixture apparatus for installation on a step having a riser portion and tread portion and comprising:

a single-piece extrusion having a riser plate portion and a horizontal tread plate portion;

at least one channel formed in said extrusion and providing an opening therein; and

wherein a first portion of said extrusion is light transmissive and a second portion coextruded with said first portion is opaque, and wherein a plurality of lamps are located in said opening so as to illuminate said light transmissive portion.

54. The lighting apparatus for mounting on a first step comprising:

a step plate structure comprising a carpet insert slot of uniform cross-section, said step plate structure further including a first extruded channel of uniform cross-section positioned adjacent said carpet insert slot, said first channel having a floor and first and second vertical side walls, said first extruded channel further having an open top surface, said step plate structure further including a nose portion formed adjacent said first channel and positioned to overhang the step;

a second extruded channel located on an underside of said nose portion and having first and second side walls, the first and second side walls of said second extruded channel being disposed to facilitate directing light from a string of lights disposed in said second channel downward toward a tread surface of a second step; and

a molding structure located at the edge of said step plate structure and having a surface shaped to conceal at least one of said channels while meeting flush with at least one surface of said step plate structure and permitting interior passage of electrical leads out of said at least one of said channels.

55. Apparatus for installation at the edge of a step where a riser portion of the step meets a horizontal tread portion of the step, said apparatus comprising:

a lamp fixture extrusion having a horizontal tread plate portion and a vertical riser portion integrally formed therewith;

a first channel formed in said horizontal tread plate portion, said first channel being disposed for directing illumination provided by a plurality of lamps located in said channel away from the horizontal tread portion of said step;

a second channel formed in said riser plate portion, said second channel being sized to accommodate a plurality of lamps and disposed for directing illumination provided by said lamps at an angle with respect to said riser plate portion, said angle lying within a range extending from parallel to said riser plate portion to at least 90 degrees away from said riser plate portion; and

a molding structure located at an edge of said lamp fixture extrusion and having a surface shaped to conceal at least one of said channels while meeting flush with at least one surface of said lamp fixture extrusion and permitting interior passage of electrical leads out of at least one of said first and second channels.

56. Apparatus mountable in conjunction with a staircase and adaptable to provide illumination of a step of said staircase, said apparatus comprising:

an extruded step-mountable fixture having at least a first opening therein oriented to direct light in a selected direction; and

a molding structure located at an edge of said fixture and having a surface shaped to conceal the edge of said fixture while meeting flush with a top surface of said fixture and permitting interior passage of electrical leads out of said edge.