Patent Application
20250060079
The present invention relates to recessed channel lighting. More specifically, the invention relates to an articulated recessed lighting channel capable of vertical curvature.
Lighting is an important feature when designing or creating a work environment or living space. It is not enough that the lighting provides sufficient illumination to an area. Lighting and lighting fixtures have an aesthetic function as well. When done properly, lighting can be dynamic and flow as a user moves within the space. A commonly used permanent lighting design is recessed lighting where fixtures are recessed within a surface. The most popular recessed lights are circular, known as can lights, used in a ceiling surface. However, recessed channel lighting is used in ceilings and walls as well.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 11,635, 177 to Kay et al., titled “Recessed Curved Channel Lighting System” and issued Apr. 25, 2023, illustrates a recessed channel lighting system which is capable of curving within the plane of the surface. The unique linking members of the '177 patent allow the system to be curved, left and right, to create unique flowing lighting patterns, so long as the surface is flat.
Clearly, recessed channel lights are very different than track lighting in that they are installed, for example, into a hollow opening—usually a continuous channel—in a ceiling or wall surface (i.e., wall board). When installed, it appears that light is shining from the channel in the surface. Typically, little if any of the actual recessed lighting fixture is observable.
But not all desired lighting surfaces are flat—e.g., columns, arches, dome ceilings, and the like. Before the inventive lighting system of the '177 patent, recessed lights—being fixed light sources which cannot be readily moved without some skilled electrical re-wiring and surface patching—was often used strictly as an accent to highlight another feature of a space. Another drawback with many recessed lighting systems is that they require joists to be notched or altered in some way to accommodate the recessed fixture, which typically extend across joists. The cutting of ceiling or wall joists is time-consuming and, in many cases, an undesirable option.
The present invention provides a lighting system without the aesthetic drawbacks of prior lighting systems and without the lighting and flat surface installation limitations of standard recessed lights. By providing a customizable curvable lighting system, aesthetics are significantly improved. The present lighting system can be installed without exposure of unsightly brackets and tracks and without the need to notch or otherwise alter existing studs.
Until the invention of the present application, these and other problems in the prior art went either unnoticed or unsolved by those skilled in the art. The present invention provides a recessed channel lighting system which is capable of multiple configurations in a curved surface without sacrificing design, style or affordability.
There is disclosed herein an improved recessed channel lighting system which avoids the disadvantages of prior devices and systems while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
Generally speaking, the disclosed lighting system is comprised of a plurality of linking sections. Each linking section comprises a first side wall and a second side wall, with each first and second side wall having a first end and a second end, and a base wall positioned between the first side wall and second side wall to form a U-shape. In the preferred embodiment, the first end of each first side wall and each second side wall pivotably connects to the second end of a first side wall and second side wall, respectively, of an adjacent linking section to align the U-shape and form a channel. An LED strip positioned along the base wall within the channel of the plurality of linking sections provides a light source.
In specific embodiments, the recessed channel lighting system further comprises a flexible diffuser positioned within the channel above the LED strip.
In other specific embodiments, a first flange is attached perpendicularly to an outside surface of the first side wall of each linking section. Also, a second flange may be attached perpendicularly to an outside surface of the second side wall of each linking section.
In specific embodiments, adjacent linking sections are pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the first side wall and second side wall.
In specific preferred embodiments, the first end of each of the first side walls and the second side walls has a first complementary edge and the second end of each of the first side walls and the second side walls has a second complementary edge, and the first complementary edge and second complementary edge of adjacent linking sections cooperatively limit pivoting between adjacent linking sections in a first direction to within a range of from 5 to 15 degrees measured from an aligned position. Preferably, the first complementary edge and the second complementary edge of adjacent linking sections cooperatively limit pivoting between adjacent linking sections to 10 degrees measured from an aligned position.
In still other specific preferred embodiments, the first end of each of the first side walls and the second side walls has a third complementary edge and the second end of each of the first side walls and the second side walls has a fourth complementary edge, and the third complementary edge and fourth complementary edge of adjacent linking sections cooperatively limit pivoting between adjacent linking sections in a second direction opposite the first direction to within a range of from 5 to 15 degrees measured from an aligned position. Preferably, the third complementary edge and fourth complementary edge of adjacent linking sections cooperatively limit pivoting between adjacent linking sections is 10 degrees measured from an aligned position.
In other specific preferred embodiments, the second end of each first side wall and each second side wall comprises an overlapping portion which conceals the first and second complementary edges.
A linkable section for a recessed channel lighting system, embodiments of which are described above, is also set forth in the present disclosure.
Generally speaking, the linkable section comprises a first side wall and a second side wall, with each first and second side wall having a first end and a second end, and a base wall positioned between the first side wall and second side wall to form a U-shape. Wherein the first end of each first side wall and each second side wall is configured to pivotably connect to the second end of a first side wall and second side wall, respectively, of another linkable section to align the U-shape and form a channel.
These and other aspects of the invention may be understood more readily from the following description and the appended drawings.
For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail at least one preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to any of the specific embodiments illustrated.
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With reference to
As noted above, each linkable section 12 includes at least a first outer flange 28 attached perpendicularly to an outside surface of the first side wall 16. Preferably, a second outer flange 28 is attached perpendicularly to an outside surface of the second side wall 18 as well. These outer flanges 28 are used to secure the system 10 to a surface in which it is recessed. Screw holes 36 are provided in each of the outer flanges 28 for this purpose. The remaining openings 38 on the outer flanges 28 provide retention of a building material, for example joint compound, to help conceal the lighting structure.
The inner flanges 26, of which there are preferably two, are provided to retain the flexible diffuser 24 within the channel 14. As shown in
While the articulated system 10 can curve in two directions, it has limiting mechanisms. As shown in
Similarly, each linkable section 12 includes third complementary edges 48 on the first end 32 of each of the first side wall 16 and the second side wall 18, and fourth complementary edges 50 on the second end 34 of each of the first side wall 16 and the second side wall 18. The third complementary edges 48 and fourth complementary edges 50 of adjacent linking sections 12a-b are configured to cooperatively limit pivoting in a second direction opposite the first direction. As shown, as the connected linking sections 12a-b are pivoted downward (e.g., a second direction), the third complementary edge 48 will eventually contact the fourth complementary edge 50 and further pivoting in that direction is prohibited. Preferably the pivot is limited to within a range of from 5 to 15 degrees, as measured from an aligned position. Most preferably, the pivot is limited to 10 degrees.
Because the two limiting mechanisms operate in opposite directions (i.e., ±5 to 15 degrees), the range of motion is additive. Accordingly, these limiting mechanisms can maintain the total range of motion between adjacent sections 12a-b to between 10 degrees and 30 degrees. The ability of the flexible diffuser 24 to curve without distortion may also factor into limiting range of motion.
While the configuration and design of the limiting mechanisms (i.e., complementary edges 44, 46, 48, and 50) are preferred for the illustrated embodiment of the system 10, other designs and configurations which achieve the function of limiting pivoting between adjacent sections 12a-b are certainly possible. Such alternate configurations and designs should be considered to fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Referring now to
The recessed channel lighting system 10 is shown to be pivotable vertically between adjacent sections 12a-b about an axis 56 perpendicular to the first side wall 16 and second side wall 18. This axis 56 is created by the assembly screws 30 used at each connecting point. And, for many municipal code compliance purposes, it is important to keep the LED strip enclosed within the channel 14. Accordingly, the second end 34 of each first side wall 16 and each second side wall 18 comprises an overlapping portion 58 which conceals the first and second complementary edges, 44 and 46, as well as the third and fourth complementary edges, 48 and 50. The base wall 20 is also uniquely configured with complementary protuberances 60 on each end which overlap to keep the channel 14 enclosed regardless of the curve radius of the system 10.
The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.
