The present disclosure relates to devices and methods configured to illuminate fixtures, such as washbowls, hand basins, or the like. For example, the present disclosure relates to lighting systems or assemblies, which can be operably connected to kitchen or bathroom sinks.
Most kitchen, both residential and commercial, are generally equipped with appliances and fixtures such as sinks, refrigerators, vent hoods, dishwashers, stoves and ovens, etc. Bathrooms and kitchens, both private-household and commercial, are also generally equipped with fixtures and washing stations. Kitchens and bathrooms typically require sufficient lighting to perform everyday tasks.
Many sinks are installed inside or adjacent to a countertop which is generally used as a surface for preparation of food; in addition, kitchens are generally equipped with other kitchen features such as cabinets which can be used to store utensils. Some of those utensils may be considered somewhat dangerous articles. Some of those utensils are knives, scissors, fire sources, can openers, razors or blades, and the like. Most of these utensils are considered general elements which are present in an average kitchen, and sometimes bathrooms (with the exception of knives and can openers). Thus, a sufficient light source is necessary when using such dangerous articles or to navigate a poor illuminated space. Therefore, there is a need for lighting systems which can be configured to provide good illumination in kitchens and bathrooms, sufficiently and efficiently. Moreover, there is a need for lighting systems which may reduce the danger for a user when using utensils as the ones noted above by providing good illumination, or just for the sake of navigating the space during the night. Lighting is also important for aesthetic or decorative reasons. Thus, a sufficient, light source is an essential item in a kitchen or bathroom either to enhance illumination of the space, as a safety feature, or for decor. However, most of the lighting fixtures are generally mounted to the ceiling, with some of them, out of reach. Most of these lighting fixtures are inefficient, consuming too much power or providing poor. Thus, there is a need for lighting systems directed to solving the problems and deficiencies of poor illuminated kitchens and bathrooms.
The present disclosure includes an innovative lighting system for kitchen or bathroom fixtures or appliances which are operably connected to or built in as one unit with a sink or other fixture or appliance.
The lighting system for kitchen or bathroom fixtures may be incorporated into the apron portion of a sink or washing basin.
In aspects the lighting system includes a removable façade configured for connecting to a fixture, the removable façade including, an outermost apron, a translucent panel including at least one opening, a sheet panel having at least one reinforcement element, and at least one light source disposed therebetween.
In other aspects, the apron includes at least one opening with at least one light source configured to emit light thought the at least one opening.
In more aspects, the at least one light source is an LED strip configured to emit light which can pass through the translucent panel.
In some aspects, the light source is connected to the sheet panel.
In aspects, an LED strip is connected to an L-fold and is configured to emit light in a direction downward.
In aspects, the sheet panel can be an L-folded sheet panel wherein one side includes an L-fold.
In other aspects, the outer apron can include an elongate C-shape correctional profile.
In further aspects, a pair of C-profiles can be operably connected to the sheet panel and substantially rectangular reinforcements connected to the pair of C-profiles.
In aspects, the sheet panel can slide relative to the C-profiles.
Still in aspects, the fixture can be a sink.
In other aspects, a method for illuminating a fixture includes providing an apron having at least one opening configured to enable passing of illumination coming from an interior lighting fixture, connecting a translucent panel to the apron configured to enable passing of illumination coming from an interior lighting fixture, connecting a light source to a sheet panel, connecting the apron and the sheet panel in such a way that the light source is disposed between the plastic panel and the metal sheet panel, and powering the light source to enable passing of light through the at least one opening.
In aspects, the method can include connecting the sheet metal or the apron to a sink.
In further aspects, the lighting system may include a mounting element configured to operably connect the smart apron onto a sink, a lighting feature configured to operably connect to the mounting element and to emit light, a substrate configured to diffuse the emitted light and to operably connect to the mounting element sandwiching the lighting feature between the substrate and the mounting element, and a façade having at least one opening disposed about the lighting feature in such a way that the opening enables passing of the light diffused by the substrate to the exterior of the façade.
Still in further aspects, the lighting feature can be a programmable LED light connected to a receiver and the receiver can be connected to a mobile device or remote control via WIFI or Bluetooth protocols.
In other further aspects, the remote control can be an LED remote control or an RGB LED light strip with additional voice controlling options that may enable color changing or turning on or off of the LED light.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with a general description of the disclosure given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure, wherein:
Aspects of the disclosed system and methods associated with the lighting system for kitchen and bathroom fixtures are described in detail regarding the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views.
Referring now to the drawing in greater detail,
For reasons of brevity, the lighting system 1000 will be described as directed to a kitchen or bathroom sink such as sink 2000. Besides, in selected embodiments, the lighting system 1000 may include sink 2000 as an element thereof. In general, the lighting system 1000 may be configured to operably connect to the sink 2000 and to provide illumination, and/or a desired decorative feature. The lighting system of the present disclosure may enhance the surrounding space where the sink 2000 may be disposed about.
The lighting system 1000 can be composed of various materials, for example, a facade or apron 1100 can be manufactured using materials such as metals, plastics, composites, resins, stone, ceramics, vitreous china and/or enameled cast-iron; alone or in combination. Other materials include enameled steel, tempered glass, stone, wood, acrylic and solid surface. On the other hand, fixtures or appliances, e.g., the sink 2000, may be manufactured of a material similar to the facade 1100 or other suitable material. For example, the sink 2000 can be made of at least one material such as, but not limited to, ceramic, concrete, copper, enamel, ore, steel, cast iron, glass, granite, marble, nickel, plastic, polyester, porcelain, resin washbasin, soapstone, stainless steel, stone, terrazzo, composite materials, or wood (the facade 1100 could be manufactured with similar materials). In selected applications, the lighting system 1000 can be custom manufactured using materials similar to the materials used to manufacture the sink 2000, as mentioned above. For example, when a user decides that the lighting system 1000 should match the sink 2000, the lighting system 1000 (or a portion or element thereof) and the sink 2000 may be made of the same composite material, and even further, may be painted the same color. When connected to a fixture (e.g. sink 2000) or when monolithically formed with a fixture, the lighting system 1000 may define an opening 1010 (
The method used to attach the lighting system 1000 to the sink 2000 may vary depending on the material and/or the application. For example, as shown inf
In the exemplary embodiment of
The apron 1100 of the lighting system 1000 includes an apron body 1110 having a flat rectangular portion 1120 with a pair of curved ends 1130. Further, the apron 1100 includes a C-like-elongated cross-sectional profile 1140 and at least one opening 1150. For example, as shown in
The translucent plastic panel 1200 of the lighting system 1000 can be rectangular, as show, and is generally disposed between the apron 1100 and the LED strips 1300. As shown, the translucent plastic panel 1200 is slightly smaller in size when compared to the flat portion 1120 of the apron 1100 and is disposed in such a way that, when assembled, covers the openings 1150. The plastic panel 1200 is fastened to the apron 1100. For example, the plastic panel 1200 may be glued (e.g. epoxy) or bolted to the apron 1100. In another embodiment, the plastic panel 1200 may be press-fitted between the pair of reinforcements 1500. Alternatively, the plastic panel 1200 may include openings such as openings 1210 and configured to receive tabs (not shown) protruding away from the apron 1100. The plastic panel 1200 is configured to allow some light to travel therethrough. For example, the plastic panel 1200 can be manufactured of materials like frosted glass and some plastics, which may be translucent or transparent. When light strikes the plastic panel 1200, only some of the light passes through them. The light does not pass directly through the materials. For example, in
The LED strips 1300 of the lighting system 1000 are configured to emit light which will ultimately pass through the plastic panel 1200 and the openings 1500 which are disposed onto the flat portion 1120 of the apron 1100. The LED strips 1300 may correspond in size and/or shape (or may be about the same size) when compared to the openings 1150. For reasons of brevity the LED strips 1300 are described in view of
The lighting system 1000 may include a voltage LED control unit 1700 (
In the event of LED strips 1300 maintenance, the user must disconnect the power cable(s) from the low voltage LED control unit 1700 and remove the translucent plastic panel 1200 which may be connected via a pin connector, e.g., a four pin connector quick connect. Alternatively, or additionally, a panel (not shown) may need to be removed. This panel (not shown) may be disposed between the apron 1100 and the front door of a cabinet located under the lighting system 1000 (e.g. a cabinet under an apron front sink or farmhouse style sink). As shown, the LED strips 1300 are attached to the L-folded sheet metal panel 1400. However, in systems including the sink 2000, the LED strips 1300 may be connected directly to the sink 2000 where for this kind of system the L-folded sheet metal panel 1400 may be an optional element of the system.
The sheet metal panel 1400 of the lighting system 1000 can have an L-shaped like configuration and can be made of sheet metal. As shown in
Still with reference to the L-folded sheet metal panel 1400, the L-folded sheet metal panel 1400 is configured as a removable panel which can be pulled away and/or disconnected from the lighting system 1000 (e.g., pulled up or down, relative to the apron 1100; in a direction perpendicular to the openings 1150), thus, making the L-folded sheet metal panel 1400 a slidable element operably connected to the pair of reinforcements 1500. The L-folded sheet metal panel 1400 has a thickness of about 3 mm to about 5 mm however, this thickness may vary depending on the application, e.g., the L-folded sheet metal panel 1400 may include a thickness of more than 5 mm or less than 3 mm, thus, the thickness may not be a limiting factor. In embodiments where the L-folded sheet metal panel 1400 is thin and/or for instances when deflection of the L-folded sheet metal panel 1400 is unwanted, the lighting system 1000 may further include elements that may aid or facility reduction of resiliency of the L-folded sheet metal panel 1400, for example, the pair of reinforcements 1500 and the C-profiles 1600, are described in more detail below. In embodiments, the L-folded sheet metal panel may be a mesh or a flat sheet metal.
In selected configurations, the pair of reinforcements 1500 of the lighting system 1000 can be optional elements. As shown, the reinforcements 1500 are generally configured to connect or abut against the apron 1100 and/or the sink 200, thus, the pair of reinforcements 1500 are generally disposed between the apron 1100 and the sink 2000. The position of the pair of reinforcements 1500 can vary depending on the application. As shown in
The C-profiles 1600 is a pair of elongated bars-like with each profile having a C-channel 1610 disposed along their length. As shown in
Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects. It is envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with the exemplary aspects may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure based on the above-described aspects. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims.
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