Patent Application
20200173612
The present invention is in the field of LED light panel retrofits.
As traditional florescent tubing is replaced by LED lighting, a variety of LED light panel retrofit systems have been created for retrofitting light troffers. The newer designs have a variety of different structural configurations specially adapted for LED lighting.
For example, the disclosure in US patent publication number US20160102825A1 by inventor John Scribante entitled Combination Retrofit And New Construction Troffer Light Fixture Systems And Methods filed on May 31, 2016 describes, “A light fixture is configured for use in either retrofitting an existing troffer light fixture or for use in new construction. The light fixture includes a self-supporting adaptor bracket configured to rest on a T-bar of a ceiling system and further configured to optionally receive a housing of the existing troffer light fixture. The light fixture further includes a door assembly including a latch configured to engage a latch surface of the adaptor bracket, a hinge configured to interface with a slot of the adaptor bracket, a housing including the latch and the hinge, and a light source within the housing.” The new LED lighting systems connect to the T-bar of the ceiling system similar to prior florescent troffers.
Also for example, the disclosure in U.S. Pat. No. 8,523,383 by inventor Valerica Grigore titled the invention Retrofitting recessed lighting fixtures that was filed on Sep. 3, 2013 describes, “A retrofit kit assembly for a recessed lighting fixture and methods for manufacturing and installing the same are described herein. The retrofit kit includes at least two mounting brackets, which can each include at least one lamp socket. The kit also includes at least one ballast, which may be pre-wired to the sockets. Each ballast may include a temporary adhesive on a mounting side thereof, for use during the installation process. For example, the installer may provisionally mount the ballast to an interior surface of an existing housing of the fixture and then permanently mount the ballast using one or more fasteners. The mounting brackets and ballast of the kit may include captive hardware which is held in place in the aperture for the fastener prior to fastening the particular object to the recessed housing, which reduces risk of dropping or losing fasteners during installation.” As the new LED lighting systems are smaller and lighter, the supporting structure has changed to accommodate the new LED lighting systems.
Also for example, as described in the disclosure of patent publication US20160356430A1 by inventor Chris Stratus entitled Snap In Retrofit Panel filed on Jun. 2, 2016 describes, “A retrofit lighting fixture for retrofitting a pre-existing lighting fixture. The pre-existing lighting fixture includes electrical wiring and a troffer having a recessed center portion and an outer perimeter edge, which together form a hollow inner cavity, the electrical wiring extending into the cavity. The retrofit lighting fixture includes a lighting panel, a spring and a magnet. The lighting panel has light sources and electrical wiring. The lighting panel electrical wiring is connected to the electrical wiring of the pre-existing lighting. The spring has a first end connected to the lighting panel and a second end connected to the magnet. The magnet is attached to the recessed center portion of the troffer, and the spring is configured to pull the lighting panel against the outer perimeter edge of the troffer. In some applications the retrofit lighting fixture is a LED lighting fixture.”
A light panel retrofit system includes an LED panel having LED panel lens and an LED panel frame, wherein the LED panel has an LED panel underside. The LED panel frame circumscribes the LED panel lens. A power supply is mounted to LED panel supplying power to the LED panel. An LED panel support frame is configured to support the LED panel frame. The LED panel support frame further comprises a pair of end members, namely a first end frame member and a second end frame member. The LED panel support frame further comprises a pair of side rails, namely a first side rail and a second side rail. The pair of side rails connect the pair of end members to each other.
A first panel footing is formed as a pair of footing supports, namely a right first panel footing support and a left first panel footing support. The first panel footing is connected to the LED panel frame and configured to rest upon a top surface of the LED panel support frame. The pair of side rails are preferably connected to the end frame members by slot and tab connection.
A first end frame member slot is formed on the first end frame member that receives and connects to a second side rail first tab formed on the second side rail. A first end frame member first slot on the first end frame member configured to receive a first side rail first tab on the first side rail. A second end frame member first slot is formed on the second end frame member that is configured to receive the first side rail second tab formed on the first side rail. A second end frame member second slot is formed on the second end frame member configured to receive the second side rail second tab formed on the second side rail.
The light panel retrofit system also preferably has a second panel footing also formed as a pair of footing supports, namely a right second panel footing support and a left second panel footing support. The Second panel footing is connected to the LED panel frame and configured to rest upon a top surface of the LED panel support frame. The power supply is mounted to an upper surface of the LED panel.
A pair of supporting rails are preferably mounted to an upper surface of the LED panel, namely a first supporting rail and a second supporting rail. The first panel footing is rigidly attached to the first supporting rail and to the second supporting rail.
The LED panel latches to the first end frame member as well as the second end frame member via latch connections comprising a latch hook that swivels to engage a latch hook slot. A securing means includes a first retainer line having a first retainer clip and a second retainer line having a second retainer clip. The first end frame member and the second end frame member both have a pivot rail that has a pivot pin receiver. The panel is also connected to the first end frame member and second end frame member by a pivot pin that fits into a pivot pin receiver.
A swivel support is mounted the LED panel underside, and the swivel support is configured to protrude from the LED panel underside when the swivel support is rotated to an engaged position so that a swivel support protrusion is configured to rest on an existing T bar when deployed.
The following call out list of elements can be a useful guide in referencing the elements of the drawings.
As seen in
The LED panel 20 is flat and can fit into existing troffers having a low clearance. Sometimes, a variety of different pre-existing rails or ballast covers formed of bent steel members. Thus, LED panels are well-suited for retrofitting traditional florescent lighting structures as the LED panels can be made thinner and flatter than the available hollow area of a traditional florescent lighting structure. The LED panel 20 has structural interconnections so that it can be built with minimal disturbance of the pre-existing troffer above.
The first end frame member slot 31 on the first end frame member 24 receives and connects to the second side rail first tab 32 on the second side rail 27. Similarly, the first end frame member first slot 33 on the first end frame member 24, receives the first side rail first tab 34 on the first side rail 26. The second end frame member first slot 35 on the second end frame member 25 receives the first side rail second tab 36 formed on the first side rail 26. Also, the second end frame member second slot 37 on the second end frame member 25 receives the second side rail second tab 38 on the second side rail 27.
As seen in
The panel has one or more footings that are rigidly attached to the panel and press down on the first side rail 26 and the second side rail 27. The first side rail 26 and the second side rail 27 rest on the long portion of the existing grid track of a drop ceiling. The footings can include a first panel footing 51, a second panel footing 52 opposite the first panel footing 51, and a third panel footing 53 adjacent to the first panel footing 51. The footings can also include a fourth panel footing 54 adjacent to the first panel footing 51. Each of the footings sit on a side rail of a support frame which in turn sits on the existing track support and is weighed down by the decommissioned florescent troffer.
The LED panel 20 latches to the first end frame member 24 as well as the second end frame member 25. Each latch mechanism has a latch hook 81 that swivels to engage a latch hook slot 82.
As seen in
The first end frame member 24 and second end frame member 25 both have a pivot rail 77 that has a pivot pin receiver. The panel is also connected to the first end frame member 24 and second end frame member 25 by a pivot pin 70 that fits into a pivot pin receiver. The pin receiver is a first pivot pin insert opening 73 or second pivot pin insert opening 76. The first pivot pin insert opening 73 is opposite the second pivot pin insert opening 76. The pivot pin 70 then slides along the first pivot slot 72, or the second pivot slot 75 until it rests at the second pivot opening 74. The pivot rail 77 further includes a first mounting bracket 78 and a second mounting bracket 79 extending upwardly from the pivot rail 77. The first mounting bracket 78 and the second mounting bracket 79 allow for improved connection and optional built-in installation.
In
As seen in
The first panel footing 51 as seen in
As seen in
This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application 62/774,717 filed Dec. 3, 2018 entitled Panel Retrofit System by Kanghong Zhang, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62774717 | Dec 2018 | US |
