Diffusers for LED-based lights

• US 9,285,084 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2014
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Inventors: Amrine, James Meredith Jr., York, Allan Brent
• Primary Examiner(s): Neils, Peggy
• Application Number:
  US14/208,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20140268727A1
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: 362/268, 362/217.02, 362/223, 362/225
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/27 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with two fittings for each light source, e.g. for substitution of fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/60 Optical arrangements integrated in the light source, e.g. for improving the colour rendering index or the light extraction
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/66 Details of globes or covers forming part of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/69 Details of refractors forming part of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/04 the fastening being onto or by the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/004 by deformation of parts or snap action mountings, e.g. using clips
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/049 Patterns or structured surfaces for diffusing light, e.g. frosted surfaces
• 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

An LED-based light assembly includes a plurality of LEDs and an elongate housing for the LEDs. The housing has an outer surface at least partially defined by a first lens. The assembly also includes a second lens. The second lens is removably attachable to the outer surface of the housing such that at least a portion of the second lens overlays the first lens in a spaced relationship. The assembly further includes at least one connector arranged at an end of the housing that configured for engagement with a socket of a fluorescent light fixture.

Claims

1. An LED-based light assembly, comprising:

a plurality of LEDs;

an elongate housing for the LEDs, the housing having an outer surface at least partially defined by a first lens;

a second lens, the second lens removably attachable to the outer surface of the housing such that at least a portion of the second lens overlays the first lens in a spaced relationship; and

at least one connector arranged at an end of the housing, the connector configured for engagement with a socket of a fluorescent light fixture, wherein;

the housing defines a groove at the outer surface, the groove bordered by an edge, the second lens includes a pair of spaced tabs projecting radially inwardly from an interior surface of the second lens,

the second lens is resiliently flexible and configured to;

be manually forced to an open position for arrangement around the outer surface of the housing, to be released for attachment to the outer surface of the housing in a first attachment position with the pair of spaced tabs positioned in the groove, and to be released for attachment to the outer surface of the housing in a second attachment position with the pair of spaced tabs positioned on both sides of the edge.

2. The LED-based light assembly of claim 1, wherein the portion of the second lens for overlaying the first lens is further spaced from the first lens with the second lens released for attachment to the outer surface of the housing in the second attachment position compared to when the second lens is released for attachment to the outer surface of the housing in the first attachment position.

3. The LED-based light assembly of claim 1, wherein the second lens is removably attachable to the outer surface of the housing by a friction fit, without using fasteners or adhesives.

4. The LED-based light assembly of claim 1, wherein the portion of the second lens for overlaying the first lens is translucent.

5. The LED-based light assembly of claim 1, wherein the portion of the second lens for overlaying the first lens includes light diffusing ridges.

6. A method of modifying the light diffusion characteristics of an LED-based light with a plurality of LEDs, an elongate housing for the LEDs having an outer surface at least partially defined by a first lens and defining a groove at the outer surface bordered by an edge, and at least one connector arranged at an end of the housing configured for engagement with a socket of a fluorescent light fixture, the method comprising:

removably attaching a second lens to the outer surface of the housing, such that at least a portion of the second lens overlays the first lens in a spaced relationship, the second lens being resiliently flexible and including a pair of spaced tabs projecting radially inwardly from an interior surface;

forcing the second lens to an open position;

with the second lens in an open position, arranging the second lens at least partially around the outer surface of the housing; and

releasing the second lens for attachment to the outer surface of the housing in one of a first attachment position, where the pair of spaced tabs is positioned in the groove, or in a second attachment position, where the pair of spaced tabs is positioned on both sides of the edge.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

removing the second lens from the outer surface of the housing; and

removably attaching a third lens to the outer surface of the housing, such that at least a portion of the third lens overlays the first lens in a spaced relationship.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the portion of the second lens overlaying the first lens is further spaced from the first lens with the second lens released for attachment to the outer surface of the housing in the second attachment position compared to when the second lens is released for attachment to the outer surface of the housing in the first attachment position.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the removable attachment of the second lens to the outer surface of the housing is by a friction fit, without using fasteners or adhesives.

10. An LED-based light assembly, comprising:

a plurality of LEDs;

an elongate housing for the LEDs, the housing having an outer surface at least partially defined by a first lens and defining a first groove on a first side of the lens and a second groove on an opposing side of the lens, with the first groove bordered by a first edge of the outer surface and the second groove bordered by a second edge of the outer surface;

a second lens, the second lens having two opposing end portions and an interior surface extending between the two end portions, with first and second opposing pairs of spaced tabs projecting radially inwardly from the interior surface, wherein the second lens is resiliently flexible such that the second lens is configured to be arranged around the outer surface of the housing in;

a first attachment position, where the first pair of spaced tabs is positioned in the first groove, the second pair of spaced tabs is positioned in the second groove, and at least a portion of the second lens overlays the first lens in a first spaced relationship, and

a second attachment position, the first pair of spaced tabs is positioned on both sides of the first edge, the second pair of spaced tabs is positioned on both sides of the second edge, and at least a portion of the second lens overlays the first lens in a second spaced relationship different from the first spaced relationship; and

at least one connector arranged at an end of the housing, the connector configured for engagement with a socket of a fluorescent light fixture.

11. The LED-based light assembly of claim 10, wherein the second lens is removably attachable to the outer surface of the housing by a friction fit in either the first attachment position or the second attachment position, without using fasteners or adhesives.