Patent Application
20180003351
The present invention relates to linkable light emitting diode (LED) lighting fixtures and systems, and in particular to linkable LED lighting fixtures and systems, and linkable strip lighting fixtures and systems.
There are many lighting fixtures which are used for a variety of purposes including workshops, offices, factories, residences, schools and the like, which until fairly recently the market for such fixtures was largely filled with incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lights. A big problem with incandescent bulbs is that they convert most of their energy into heat as opposed to light, thus wasting electricity and generating unnecessary warmth. Fluorescent lighting generally involves ionizing a gas such as argon contained within a sealed tube. The electrically-excited gas produces light emission as the gas returns to its normal energy level. Although fluorescent lighting is widely used, it does have serious shortcomings. Fluorescent lighting is rather complex, and repairs can be costly both with respect to replacing ballasts and other components which may have to be replaced from time to time, and with respect to the high voltage that is needed for fluorescent lighting. The high voltage makes necessary added electrical insulation, and the requirement for safety precautions.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs have also become popular. Compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs convert most of their energy into light rather than heat. CFLs last longer than incandescent lights and are designed to fit into existing incandescent lighting fixtures. CFLs use about ¼ of the electricity required for incandescent bulbs while producing a comparable amount of light. While CFLs do not flicker when used for an extended period of time, they do have flickering problems if switched on and off frequently. Furthermore, the switching process takes more time than is desirable so that CFLs take a longer time to light before they become fully lit. Furthermore, CFLs require optimum temperatures to work and are known to function in less than their rated capacity when switched on in lower temperatures.
LEDs are becoming more and more popular. LEDs require lower power consumption than do CFLs.
A single LED is very small, but a combination of bunches of LEDs create powerful lights which can withstand more extreme conditions than ordinary bulbs. LEDs use about 1/50 of the energy of the standard incandescent bulbs, and last ten times longer than CFL alternatives. Indeed, LED bulbs can last up to fifteen years without needing to be changed. LEDs furthermore produce smaller amounts of heat than do CFLs, and the heat which is produced by LEDs is usually past back to a heat sink making them cool to the touch. With respect to energy efficiency, whereas a CFL uses less than fifteen watts and costs about $75.00 per year, an LED bulb of similar output would draw less than eight watts of power with an annual cost of $30.00 and last 50,000 hours or more.
There is also a disposal problem with CFL bulbs. CFL bulbs contain mercury which can evaporate and cause air and water pollution. Furthermore, mercury is a neurotoxin that can have a harmful effect on humans, particularly infants. Thus, disposal of CFLs and regular fluorescent bulbs can be a problem since they may break and release the mercury. They can thus be a problem for landfills and waste management workers, in addition to the environmental problems noted above.
The danger of CFLs is severe. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved CFL recycling sites. Furthermore, the EPA recommends that in case a CFL breaks in a home, all members and pets are recommended to leave the room. The room has to be aired out for 10-15 minutes, the central forced air should be shut off, and the shards should be collected with stiff paper, tape or a damp paper towel, and then put in a glass jar with a metal lid or a sealable plastic bag and then taken to a recycling site. On the other hand, LED bulbs do not come with a mercury hazard, and most of them are recyclable.
There are other comparisons which indicate that LED bulbs are preferable over CFLs. CFLs require time after actuation in order for them to warm up to full capacity, whereas LED bulbs do not require any length of time to become active. CFLs may not work in temperatures that are less than −10° F. or greater than 100° F. whereas LED bulbs are not temperature sensitive. CFLs are not dimmable, whereas LED bulbs are dimmable. Although LED bulbs cost more than CFLs, the total cost of LED bulbs is less than the cost of CFLs during the life of the LEDs.
Thus, LED bulbs and LED lighting fixtures have been becoming more and more popular over time. In many instances, a single LED lighting fixture may be sufficient for such uses as in workshops. However, oftentimes a number of LED lighting fixtures would be desirable. One could install a series of independent LED lighting fixtures which need to be turned on and off as needed. This could be expensive, and could require a number of receptacles provided along the area which is to be illuminated. This concept has been addressed previously, but there are various shortcomings. Referring to U.S. Pat. No. 7,192,160, a set of fluorescent and/or LED light sources is shown having a control box for switching between two light sources is discussed. A series of lights can be electrically linked in series, and each light is provided with a control box so that the individual lights can be individually operated. This can be used in military barracks, wherein each soldier would be able to control his own light. However, this embodiment requires a series of control boxes, making the system expensive. Alternatively, the string of lights can have one control box in which all of the lights are operated in series. The first light in the series of lights is the master and the remaining lights that are connected are slave lights. Thus, all of the lights must be operated together, rather than one at a time.
Another light tube system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,513,640. Light tube system can have a number of light tube units which are connected together by cables. The cables have connector pins which extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the light tubes, making it awkward to connect them together. There is no indication in the '640 patent as to where the on-off switch is located. The light tubes discussed in this patent appear to be fluorescent tubes, and thus have all of the shortcomings of fluorescent bulbs discussed above.
In U.S. Pat. No. 9,004,716, a set of LED tubes are connected together by adaptors so that the tubes extend in a collinear direction. The adaptors include an adaptor main body and rotational fittings. A shortcoming of the disclosure of this patent is that the LED tubes must be fixed in a certain position, and no variation of the position is possible. There is also no device for hanging the assemblies at their opposite ends.
In U.S. Publication No. 2012/0188756, another master/slave LED work light is disclosed. The work light has a power cord that extends entirely through the work light for connecting the work lights together. A master/slave LED work light lighting network and remotely controlled lighting network is disclosed. There is a master light and a number of slave lights that are controlled by the master light. This means that the individual lights cannot be controlled separately. This arrangement has a serious shortcoming if the lighting apparatus is to be used in an area where the lights in the string need to be turned on or off depending on the current situation.
Another type of LED light engines is referred to as strip lights. Strip lights are conventionally flexible strips on which LEDs are mounted, and the flexible strips usually come with an adhesive backing so that they can be attached to walls, fixtures and the like. LED strip lights are sometimes referred to as LED tapes or ribbon lights. Strip lights can be water resistant, and if so they can be used for both indoor and outdoor lighting. Strip lighting is often used for colors other than white. All LED strip lights require a driver and generally operate on a 12 or 24 volt direct current from the driver.
However, strip lighting is often used for such areas as workbench lighting and also for office lighting and artistic lighting. When used with a workbench, strip lighting can be used to eliminate shadows that would often occur with behind the shoulder lighting. LED strip lighting can also be used to eliminate shadows. LED strip lighting also finds use with desks such as with use with a monitor, preferably not being used in a dark room or with strong lights which can cause screen glare. The use of an LED strip light behind the monitor can create a gradual shift between the brightness of the monitor and the light in the rest of the room to reduce eye strain. LED strip lighting can be used in artists' studios to avoid harsh or bright lights which are close to natural light.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,612 discloses an LED light strip and incorporates an array of solid state LEDs inside of a transparent or translucent tube. A single power supply can energize up to 350 LEDs in the white configuration. The light strip disclosed in this patent finds particular use in lighting candy displays in stores and markets. The strip light disclosed in this patent has a solidly mounted circuit board held in the tube firmly so that it is vibration resistant. A pair of end caps is located at opposite ends of the tube to plug each end, and a wire penetrates the cap and is potted or sealed so as to make the light waterproof. The light strip includes an electrical cable connected to busses on a single end or on both ends of the light, and a male or female connector can be incorporated. One embodiment of the LED light strip disclosed in the latter patent is said to enable the attachment of a number of light strips together by means of an electric cable and connector for attaching the busses together to prepare for a parallel connection between light strips so that they can be connected together limited only by the ability of the power supply. The individual LED light strips cannot operate separately and must therefore be used on and off together. There is no indication that the light strip set forth in the foregoing patent for anything other than illuminating displays and not in various work areas.
An object of the present invention is to provide an economical lighting fixture for use in a single location but which can be expanded in number to multiple locations.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an economical lighting system which uses low power in comparison to systems having incandescent bulbs or fluorescent bulbs, and which can be used in workplaces or the like in one or a series of locations.
It is yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a lighting system using low power as compared to incandescent or fluorescent lighting systems, incorporating LED arrays in translucent or transparent light transmitting light engines wherein the light engine fixtures can be selectively connected together for various lengths for generating illumination either collectively or individually.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide LED lighting fixtures which can easily be connected together to expand the area of the illumination, and which can easily be disconnected if desired.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an easily installable shop lighting system whose area of illumination can be changed using an easy to use connection for linking respective LED lighting fixtures together.
Another object of the present invention is to provide linkable lighting fixtures which can be easily and compactly stored, and manually installed for use.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a system of LED shop lighting fixtures which can be connected together by a flexible linking cable having connectors at either end for simple, yet effective connection to shop lighting fixtures that are to be linked together.
A still further object of the present is to provide linkable LED shop lighting fixtures, when linked together, can be operated individually.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide LED strip lighting fixtures which can be linked together to expand their areas of illumination.
A related object of the present invention is to provide a linkable LED strip lighting system in which individual strip lighting fixtures can easily be linked together and unlinked from each other.
Another additional object of the present invention is to provide a linkable LED strip lighting system in which the LED strip lighting fixtures, when linked together, can be individually operated.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an LED shop lighting system which is efficient, effective and easy to use.
A still additional object of the present invention is to provide a linkable LED strip lighting system which is easy to use, easy to operate and efficient in operation.
These and other objects will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the description to follow and from the appended claims.
The foregoing objects are achieved according to the preferred embodiments of the invention. The term “integrated light engine” is hereinafter referred to as a light engine. Referring to the first embodiment, it incorporates linkable LED shop lighting fixtures. An important feature of the inventive shop lighting system is that two or more inventive linkable LED shop lighting fixtures can be easily linked together. Each linkable LED shop lighting fixture is elongated and incorporates an LED shop light engine which is attached to a cover which can be metal or an appropriate non-metal, the LED shop light engine incorporates a power component, a heat sink and an LED module which in turn includes an array of LEDs which are electrically connected to a printed circuit board. The LED shop light engine further includes a heat sink for absorbing heat generated by the LEDs and a diffuser for spreading the light out to the space to be illuminated. LED light engine electrical connecting portions are part of the LED shop light engine. The LED shop light engine is seated beneath the cover, and a pair of end cap assemblies connects the LED shop light engine to the metal cover to form an LED shop lighting fixture. The end caps have receptacles for receiving a linking device or apparatus including an electricity transmitting plug or a linking plug referred to herein at times as a linking cable, an electrical input plug of a power cable, the other end of the power cable including an outlet plug for insertion into an electrical outlet, or a protective cap. Another linking device is a linking connector. The linking cable and the power cable are sometimes referred to herein as electrical transmitting lines. The preferred embodiment further includes suspension structure such as chains which can be secured to a ceiling so that the metal cover with the components of the LED shop lighting fixture attached thereto can be suspended from the ceiling. A light switch is provided for energizing or de-energizing the respective LED shop light engines individually. The linking devices noted are used to connect the inventive linkable LED shop lighting fixtures together.
Another preferred embodiment of the invention relates to linkable LED strip lighting fixtures incorporating an LED strip light engine. The LED strip light engine fits in a cover forming part of a linkable LED strip lighting fixture. Each linkable LED strip lighting fixture includes an elongated cover that serves as a housing in which is disposed an LED strip light engine, and an LED light engine electrical contacting structure in the form of an end piece or a connecting seat is electrically connected to the LED strip light engine. The latter light engine includes a heat sink and an LED module. The LED module includes an array of LEDs mounted on a printed circuit board that are connected in an electric circuit. An end cap is located at each end of the cover. The end piece and connecting seat have receptacles for receiving a linking plug of a linking device a rigid connector. The lower part of the cover extends over an elongated diffuser for diffusing light emitted by LED strip light engines. The LED strip lighting fixtures can be linked together by electrical linking portions such as a linking cable or a rigid electrical connector.
As used herein, a linkable LED lighting fixture refers to an LED lighting fixture that can be electrically linked to another linkable LED lighting fixture. An LED lighting system refers to two more linkable LED lighting fixtures that are linked together. An LED light engine refers to an illumination device including an LED module, a driver, a heat sink and a diffuser. An LED light engine electrical contacting structure refers to the part of the linkable LED lighting fixture that cooperates with a linking electricity transmitting structure of a linking device such as an inlet plug.
Objects and advantages together with the operation of the invention, may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein:
One of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is an elongated linkable LED shop lighting fixture 1 as shown in perspective in
Cover 5 includes a five sided shade 17 having rectangular top wall 15 which has opposing straight opposing parallel end edges 19, and parallel opposing straight longitudinal edges 21. Shade 17 also has opposite shade end portions 18. Cover 5 further comprises a pair of identical opposing rectangular side walls 25. Side walls 25 have a first pair of opposing parallel longitudinal edges which are connected to and from common longitudinal edges 21 of top wall 15. Side walls 25 further have a second pair of opposing parallel longitudinal edges 29 spaced from said first pair of opposing longitudinal edges 21. Rectangular top wall 15 and opposing rectangular side walls 25 form a three sided cavity 31 in the configuration of a parallelepiped having an open bottom. Cavity 31 is defined at its end by upper end edge which is coincident with straight opposing parallel end edges 19 of top wall 15 and opposing parallel side edges 33 which are also the end edges of side walls 25.
Cover 5 has opposing identical rectangular side flange walls 35. Each flange wall 35 has a pair of parallel longitudinal edges that are the same as the second pair of opposing parallel longitudinal edges 29 of respective side walls 25 and also identified by numeral 29, and a second pair of opposing parallel longitudinal free edges 39. Side flange walls 35 are inclined by equal amounts from parallel rectangular side walls 25 and are symmetrical therewith.
A pair of end cap assemblies 7 cooperates with cover 5 to close the ends of three sided cavity 31. Each end cap assembly 7 comprises an upper flat plate 43 having a width equal to the distance between longitudinal edges 21 of rectangular top wall 15 so that upper flat plate 43 can rest against the underside of top wall 15. Upper flat plate 43 is preferably attached to top wall 15 by means of a single screw with a lock washer, and a pair of resilient tabs (which are plastic when upper flat plate 43 is plastic) for extending through holes near end of top wall 15. End cap assembly 7 further includes an end cover 45 which is flat and extends downwardly from upper flat plate 43 and has an upper rectangular cover portion 47 which closes the respective open ends of three-sided cavity 31, and a lower partially-circular portion 49 having a curved portion for covering the end of LED shop light engine 3 installed within cover 5 as discussed below. Electrical connection to LED shop light engine 3 is preferably made by two pairs of electrical conducting wires extending from a driver discussed below and extending respectively to end cap assembly 7. The electrical conducting wires are attached to a pair of electrically insulated partial embedded orifices forming a part of a set of orifices in respective end cap assemblies 7. More specifically, each end cap assembly 7 includes a set 51 of linking orifices, which is an access for a linking connector. Set 51 preferably has the shape of three overlapping, equiangularly located circles or a trefoil forming the end of three overlapping or partial cylinders for providing access for receiving a linking device such as an electrical input plug 69, a linking plug 70, a linking connector or end-to-end connector 53 or a protective cap 55. Input plug 69 and linking plug 70 are normally identical. Each of the pair of partial embedded orifices has an internal, axial conducting tube which is electrically connected to provide electrical power to LED shop light engine 3. A third axial conducting tube in third embedded orifice is connected to an electrical conducting grounding plate attached to each of end cap assemblies 7. The foregoing conducting members are preferably made of copper. Other forms of electrical connection fall within the scope of the invention. The partial embedded orifices with their conducting tubes are designated broadly as LED light engine electrical contacting structure.
LED shop lighting fixture 1 can include suspension chains 11. A linking device has electrical transmitting plugs, the linking device can take the form of a power cable 61 and a linking cord or linking cable 63. Both are both shown in
In order to activate LED shop light engine 3 held within cover 5, a switch 71 is provided. Switch 71 is included in the electrical circuit that includes the foregoing shop light engine 3 as discussed hereinafter. On-off chain 9 is attached to switch 71, and it includes tags 75 for identifying linkable LED shop lighting fixture 1.
LED shop light engine 3 includes driver 77, a heat sink 79, an LED module 81, diffuser 83, and electrical conductors for transmitting electrical current to light engine 3. Driver 77 is used to provide electrical power in the correct form to LED shop light engine 3. Electrical conducting wires are connected to LED module 81. Heat sink 79 is provided for absorbing and transmitting heat generated by LED module 81 when shop light engine 83 is illuminated. LED module 81 is provided adjacent heat sink 79. LED module 81 comprises LED chips that are mounted on a printed circuit board that use surface-mounted technology. Finally, diffuser 83 is provided in part for containing driver 77, heat sink 79 and LED module 81. Diffuser 83 spreads the illumination from LED module 81 in a desired pattern, which essentially directs most of the illumination downwardly to the space to be illuminated. LED shop lighting fixture 1 further includes end connectors 103 shown in
Linkable LED shop lighting fixture 1 is very easy to install. In order to install shop lighting fixture 1 to a drywall ceiling 89 as shown in
There are two ways depicted in which adjacent linkable LED shop lighting fixtures 1 can be linked to another LED shop lighting fixture together to form an LED shop lighting system 100. With reference to
Reference is made to
Referring to
Any number of linkable LED shop light fixtures 1 can be linked together using either linking cables 63 or linking connectors 53. One power cable 61 is used in order to energize a single LED shop lighting fixture 1 or a series of LED shop lighting fixtures 1 that are linked together. Each of system of linked together LED shop lighting fixtures 1 can be operated independently by means of the actuation of switch 71 by means of a chain by simply pulling the chain to turn the respective linkable LED shop lighting fixtures 1 on and off.
A circuit diagram 101 for linkable LED shop light fixture 1 is shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
An exploded view of one form of linkable LED strip lighting fixture 153 is shown in
LED strip lighting fixture 153 includes an LED strip light engine 158 which includes a driver 168 above which is a driver box bottom 170. Driver 168 fits inside a driver box top 172 and driver box bottom 170 to be enclosed therein. A power plug 174 is provided for attachment to driver 168 for transmitting electric power thereto.
An LED module 176 is an elongated member having a plurality of strips of LEDs included therein. A heat sink 178 which is of about the same length as LED module 176, and it is provided for absorbing the heat generated by LED module 176. Also attached to housing 160 is a diffuser 180 which receives LED module 176 and heat sink 178, and which is clipped to the bottom of housing 160. Diffuser 180 diffuses illumination from LED module 176 in a generally downward direction.
A pair of end covers 182 clip onto the ends of diffuser 180 to protect the interior of diffuser 180 and the parts that it encloses, from contaminants in the ambient air.
A screw assembly 183 is used for attaching driver box top with driver 168 and driver box bottom 170 to housing 160. Screw, washer and nut assembly attach the illumination components including diffuser 180, LED module 176 and heat sink 178 to housing 160.
Another size of an LED strip light fixture is shown in
The following parts are those from known strip light fixtures. These include a driver 206, a driver box bottom 208, a driver box top 210 and a screw assembly 211 for attaching driver box top 210 to driver box bottom 208 for enclosing driver 206. A power plug 212 is also provided for power for driver 206. Screws 213 attach driver box bottom 208 to driver box top 210 to enclose driver 206. Strip lighting fixture 190 further includes an LED module 214, a heat sink 216, a diffuser 218 and a pair of opposing end covers 220.
Drawings of the entire strip light assembly 190 are shown in
Referring next to
Linking cables 63 and 224, linking connectors 53 and 222, and power cables 61 and 226 have been described above. A variation renders a power cable unnecessary. Reference is first made to
When two LED linkable lighting fixtures such as LED shop lighting fixture 101, LED strip lighting fixtures 153 or LED strip lighting fixture 190 are to be linked together, an insulated cable is placed between the two fixtures and linking plug 303 from either end of the cable is inserted into the appropriate connection such as end cap assembly 7 in LED shop light engine 3, linking opening 155 in LED strip lighting fixture 153 or connecting seat 200 in linkable LED strip lighting fixture 190. However, when electrical power is to be transmitted to the LED linkable lighting fixture as described above, a pitch plug 311 according to an aspect of the present invention is employed. Referring to
Male plug 319 is composed of three merged tubes composed of a relatively large, non-electrical conducting cylindrical tube 323 having an axially extending contact pin 325, and linking electricity transmitting structure. The latter is in the form of a pair smaller and equal non-conducting cylindrical tubes 327. Tubes 323, 325 and 327 are part of a composite unit in the form of a trefoil. Each of tubes 327 has an axially extending contact pin 329. Cylindrical tube 323 has an internal, cylindrical plastic shield 331, and merged cylindrical tubes 327 have internal, cylindrical plastic shields 333. When electrical power is to be supplied to one or more LED linkable lighting fixtures as described above, male plug 319 receives connector 305, with connector 307 being inserted into tube 323 and connectors 309 being inserted into respective tubes 327 of male plug 319. Power plug 313 is inserted into a three prong receptacle of an electrical outlet which are in common use.
The embodiments of the invention described above provide very useful and economical lighting systems which can be used to illuminate different areas according to their respective sizes and shapes. The respective linkable LED lighting fixtures can be easily linked together by persons without needing any training to make these connections. With respect to a series of linkable LED shop lighting fixtures, the LED shop lighting fixtures can be placed in virtually any space and pointed in any direction, linked together and plugged into a wall output. Similarly, linkable LED strip lighting fixtures can be linked together and be connected to a power outlet with a power cord. The respective LED light units can be connected together by a linking cable of any length, and which is flexible so that the respective lighting units can face in virtually any direction. Similarly, the linkable LED lighting fixtures can be connected together by rigid connector to render lighting fixtures to be in effect a single lighting unit having various lengths, with the individual components being individually operated. Electrical circuitry can be provided for operating the linked LED lighting fixtures simultaneously.
The invention has been described in detail, with particular emphases on the preferred embodiments thereof, but variations and modifications may occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/981,346 filed Dec. 28, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14981346 | Dec 2015 | US |
| Child | 15703153 | US |
