The present invention relates generally to a light-emitting diode (LED) retrofit lighting apparatus for existing light fixtures. In particular, the present invention relates to an LED retrofit lighting relating to non-tubular LED light sources.
LED lighting continues to grow in popularity. It also has a greater lifespan and better electrical efficiency than fluorescent lighting. Accordingly, in many instances, it is desirable to replace the existing fluorescent lighting fixtures with LED lighting apparatuses.
One current replacement process involves switching the fluorescent tubes for LED tubes. However, the LED tubes have limited performance capabilities. Another replacement process involves completely removing and replacing the fluorescent light fixtures with new LED lighting apparatuses.
There are several problems associated with the above processes, including decreased lighting performance and undesirable costs associated with replacement of the fluorescent lighting fixtures.
Given the aforementioned deficiencies, a need exists for an LED retrofit lighting methods and systems for existing lamp holders, to easily convert the existing lamp holders to LED lighting systems.
Under certain circumstances, embodiments of the present invention provide a light-emitting diode retrofit lighting apparatus for an existing light fixture that includes one or more lamp holders. The apparatus includes a base portion to be mounted to the light fixture, a light-emitting diode mounting part connected with the base portion and configured to receive a light-emitting diode lighting source, an adjustment portion to be received within the base portion and configured to adjust the apparatus in a vertical direction, and at least one sliding mechanism configured to be mounted on and slide along the adjustment portion to adjust the one or more lamp holders in a horizontal direction.
Another embodiment of the present invention also includes a method for attaching a light-emitting diode retrofit lighting apparatus to an existing light fixture that includes one or more lamp holders is provided.
According to yet another embodiment, a light-emitting diode retrofit lighting apparatus to be attached to an existing light fixture including a lamp holder is provided. The apparatus includes a base portion including a handle including hook portions, an adjustment portion including slots to receive the hook portions of the base portion therein for height adjustment of the lamp holder in a vertical direction, a receiving portion connected to the base portion for receiving the adjustment portion therein, and a mounting part including openings for receiving a connector therein, to mount the apparatus to the existing light fixture or lamp holder.
The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of various embodiments, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the disclosure. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope defined by the claims.
The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure. Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the novel aspects of the present disclosure should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art. This detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of embodiments of the invention.
As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of various and alternative forms. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components.
In other instances, well-known components, apparatuses, materials, or methods that are known to those having ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art.
As noted above, the embodiments provide an LED retrofit lighting apparatus that can be implemented within existing light fixture and one or more lamp holders to convert a fluorescent lighting system to an LED lighting system with ease. The LED retrofit lighting apparatus includes a sliding mechanism to enable horizontal and vertical height and width adjustment of the apparatus for desired lighting position and lighting direction. The LED retrofit lighting apparatus can connect to the existing electrical connection or an external electrical connection for the LED lighting source to be added.
The base portion 105 can be mounted to an existing light fixture (as depicted in
The adjustment portion 110 is desirably an elongated part including a plurality of teeth portions 112, on opposite side ends 110a and 110b. The teeth portions 112 are for receiving the at least one sliding mechanism 120, and performing width adjustments of the LED lighting source to be added.
The adjustment portion 110 further includes a plurality of slots 114 to be received in the hook portions 109 of the base portion 105, for height adjustment of the LED lighting source. Three hook portions 109 and three slots 114 are shown for illustration purposes only. The present invention, however, is not limited to any particular number of hook portions 109 or slots 114 and can be varied as desired.
Also shown in
The LED retrofit lighting apparatus 100 further includes rotating mounting parts 130 which are attached to the sliding mechanisms 120, and are rotatable to mount to the existing lamp holder. The rotating mounting parts 130 includes pins 132 to be inserted into the existing lamp holder, as shown in
A lens 140 is attachable to a lower surface of the base portion 105 to reflect light from the LED light source to be mounted within the LED retrofit lighting apparatus 100.
The handle 108 is used to hook/unhook the hook portions 109 within the slots 105114 (shown in
As shown in
Alternatively, as shown in
The present invention is not limited to the LED retrofit lighting apparatus 100 as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Embodiments of the present invention provide an LED retrofit lighting apparatus that can be implemented within existing lamp holders to reduce installation costs of replacing an existing lamp holder and allows different light engine and optic combinations that can be used within the existing lamp holder and minimize the amount of re-wiring necessary for complete replacement of an existing lamp holder.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or apparatuses and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2350341 | De Reamer | Jun 1944 | A |
2965348 | Gerstel | Dec 1960 | A |
3609338 | Kripp | Sep 1971 | A |
3818418 | Detch | Jun 1974 | A |
4191989 | Page | Mar 1980 | A |
4772216 | Szymanek | Sep 1988 | A |
4811177 | Lauckhardt | Mar 1989 | A |
5013253 | Aiello | May 1991 | A |
5368495 | Raby, Sr. | Nov 1994 | A |
6102550 | Edwards, Jr. | Aug 2000 | A |
6439741 | Diaz | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6632001 | Chen | Oct 2003 | B2 |
6945671 | Swarens | Sep 2005 | B1 |
6964502 | Verfuerth | Nov 2005 | B1 |
7018072 | Mier-Langner | Mar 2006 | B2 |
D543305 | Wang | May 2007 | S |
7306359 | Harwood | Dec 2007 | B2 |
7311434 | Pryor | Dec 2007 | B2 |
7357541 | Gamache | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7604379 | Stenback | Oct 2009 | B2 |
8092041 | Fowler, Jr. | Jan 2012 | B2 |
8123540 | Galluccio | Feb 2012 | B2 |
8523381 | Clements | Sep 2013 | B1 |
8876323 | Khanampornpan | Nov 2014 | B2 |
9182107 | Ekey et al. | Nov 2015 | B2 |
9341360 | Khanampornpan | May 2016 | B2 |
20050073838 | Haugaard | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20100265700 | Galluccio | Oct 2010 | A1 |
20130051008 | Shew | Feb 2013 | A1 |
20140078731 | Harruff | Mar 2014 | A1 |
20140126194 | Matsuura | May 2014 | A1 |
20140198481 | Kim | Jul 2014 | A1 |
20150204522 | Baumeister | Jul 2015 | A1 |
20150345751 | Oksengendler et al. | Dec 2015 | A1 |
20160153641 | Fang | Jun 2016 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2 149 747 | Feb 2010 | EP |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20180216788 A1 | Aug 2018 | US |