Method and apparatus for coupling a door to a lighting device chassis

Abstract

An apparatus and method according to which a door is coupled to a lighting device chassis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lighting apparatus.

FIG. 2 a is an exploded view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lighting device chassis used in the lighting apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 b is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a chassis base used in the lighting device chassis of FIG. 2a.

FIG. 2 c is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the lighting device chassis of FIG. 2a.

FIG. 3 a is an exploded view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a reflector member used in the lighting apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 b is a cross sectional view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a reflector used in the reflector member of FIG. 3a.

FIG. 3 c is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the reflector member of FIG. 3a.

FIG. 3 d is a cut-away perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the reflector member of FIG. 3c.

FIG. 3 e is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the reflector member of FIG. 3c coupled to the lighting device chassis of FIG. 2c.

FIG. 4 a is an exploded view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a door used in the lighting apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 b is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a door base used in the door of FIG. 4a.

FIG. 4 c is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the coupling of a lens and a gasket used in the door of FIG. 4a.

FIG. 4 d is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the lens of FIG. 4c coupled to the gasket of FIG. 4c.

FIG. 4 e is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the lens, gasket, and door base of FIG. 4a coupled together.

FIG. 4 f is a cross sectional view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the door of FIG. 4e.

FIG. 4 g is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the door base of FIG. 4b being coupled to the chassis base of FIG. 2b.

FIG. 4 h is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the door base of FIG. 4b being coupled to the chassis base of FIG. 2b.

FIG. 4 i is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the door base of FIG. 4b being coupled to the chassis base of FIG. 2b.

FIG. 4 j is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the door base of FIG. 4b coupled to the chassis base of FIG. 2b.

FIG. 4 k is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the door base of FIG. 4b coupled to the chassis base of FIG. 2b.

FIG. 4 l is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the door base of FIG. 4b coupled to the chassis base of FIG. 2b.

FIG. 4 m is a cross sectional view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the door of FIG. 4f being secured to the lighting device chassis of FIG. 2c.

FIG. 4 n is a cross sectional view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the door of FIG. 4f secured to the lighting device chassis of FIG. 2c.

FIG. 5 a is a cross sectional view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a support arm used in the lighting apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 b is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the support arm of FIG. 5a coupled to the lighting device chassis of FIG. 2c.

FIG. 5 c is a cross sectional view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the support arm and the lighting device chassis of FIG. 5b.

FIG. 6 a is a graph illustrating an exemplary experimental embodiment of the operation of the lighting apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 b is a graph illustrating an exemplary experimental embodiment of the operation of the lighting apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 c is a graph illustrating an exemplary experimental embodiment of the operation of the lighting apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 a is an exploded view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a louver member being coupled to the door of FIG. 4a.

FIG. 7 b is an perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the louver member of FIG. 7a coupled to the door of FIG. 4a.

FIG. 7 c is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a coupling member coupling the louver member of FIG. 7a to the door of FIG. 4a.

FIG. 7 d is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a coupling member coupling the louver member of FIG. 7a to the door of FIG. 4a.

Claims

1. A lighting apparatus, comprising: a door;a chassis coupling member extending along a length of the door;a coupling channel defined by the chassis coupling member; anda stop member extending from the chassis coupling member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the door is operable to pivotally couple to a lighting device chassis.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chassis coupling member comprises an arcuate distal end that defines the coupling channel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stop member extends from the chassis coupling member opposite the coupling channel.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a stop surface on the chassis coupling member located adjacent the coupling channel.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a lighting device chassis, whereby the door is operable to pivotally couple to and decouple from the lighting device chassis.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the lighting device chassis defines a door coupling channel.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a stop member located adjacent the door coupling channel.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a support beam located adjacent the door coupling channel and defining a door coupling channel entrance.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the door is operable to pivotally couple to and decouple from the lighting device chassis without the use of a tool.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the door is operable to pivotally couple to and decouple from the lighting device chassis without the use of a fastener.

12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the door is operable to pivotally couple to and decouple from the lighting device chassis by manipulating the door relative to the lighting device chassis.

13. A lighting apparatus, comprising: a door;means for coupling the door to a means for housing a lighting device.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for coupling the door to a means for housing a lighting device pivotally couples the door to a means for housing a lighting device.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for coupling the door to a means for housing a lighting device comprises a means for allowing the means for coupling the door to a means for housing a lighting device to enter a channel defined by a means for housing a lighting device.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for coupling the door to a means for housing a lighting device comprises a means for preventing the means for coupling the door to a means for housing a lighting device from exiting a channel defined by a means for housing a lighting device.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: means for preventing pivoting of the door when the door is coupled to a means for housing a lighting device.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: means for housing a lighting device, whereby the door is operable to pivotally couple to and decouple from the means for housing a lighting device.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the means for housing a lighting device defines a means for allowing the door to couple to the means for housing a lighting device.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising: means for preventing the door from exiting the means for allowing the door to couple to the means for housing a lighting device.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising: means for supporting the door located adjacent the means for allowing the door to couple to the means for housing a lighting device.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the door is operable to pivotally couple to and decouple from the means for housing a lighting device without the use of a tool.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the door is operable to pivotally couple to and decouple from the means for housing a lighting device without the use of a fastener.

24. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the door is operable to pivotally couple to and decouple from the means for housing a lighting device by manipulating the door relative to the means for housing a lighting device.

25. A method for coupling a door to a lighting device chassis, comprising: providing a door comprising a chassis coupling member;positioning the chassis coupling member in a door coupling channel on a lighting device chassis; andpivotally coupling the door to the lighting device chassis.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the positioning comprises positioning a portion of the chassis in a channel defined by the chassis coupling member in order to allow the chassis coupling member to enter the door coupling channel.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the pivotally coupling comprises preventing the chassis coupling member from exiting the door coupling channel by engaging a first stop member on the chassis coupling member with a second stop member located adjacent the door coupling channel.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the pivotally coupling comprises coupling the door to the lighting device chassis without the use of a tool.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the pivotally coupling comprises coupling the door to the lighting device chassis without the use of a fastener.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the pivotally coupling comprises coupling the door to the lighting device chassis by manipulating the door relative to the lighting device chassis.

31. The method of claim 25, further comprising: removing the door from the lighting device chassis by manipulating the door relative to the lighting device chassis.

32. A lighting apparatus, comprising: a door;a chassis coupling member extending along a length of the door comprising an arcuate distal end that defines a chassis coupling channel and a stop surface located adjacent the chassis coupling channel;a stop member extending from the chassis coupling member opposite the chassis coupling channel;a lighting device chassis defining a door coupling channel and comprising a stop member located adjacent the door coupling channel and a support beam located adjacent the door coupling channel that defines a door coupling channel entrance, whereby the door is operable to pivotally couple to and decouple from the lighting device chassis by manipulating the door relative to the lighting device chassis and without the use of a tool or a fastener.

33. A lighting apparatus, comprising: a door;means for housing a lighting device that defines a means for allowing the door to couple to the means for housing a lighting device;means for preventing the door from exiting the means for allowing the door to couple to the means for housing a lighting device;means for supporting the door located adjacent the means for allowing the door to couple to the means for housing a lighting device; andmeans for pivotally coupling the door to the means for housing a lighting device comprising a means for allowing the means for coupling the door to the means for housing a lighting device to enter a channel defined by the means for housing a lighting device, a means for preventing the means for coupling the door to the means for housing a lighting device from exiting the channel defined by the means for housing a lighting device, and a means for prevent pivoting of the door when the door is coupled to the means for housing a lighting device, whereby the door is operable to pivotally couple to and decouple from the means for housing a lighting device by manipulating the door relative to the means for housing a lighting device and without the use of a tool or a fastener.

34. A method for coupling a door to a lighting device chassis, comprising: providing a door comprising a chassis coupling member;positioning the chassis coupling member in a door coupling channel on a lighting device chassis by positioning a portion of the chassis in a channel defined by the chassis coupling member in order to allow the chassis coupling member to enter the door coupling channel;pivotally coupling the door to the lighting device chassis by manipulating the door relative to the lighting device chassis and without the use of a tool or fastener;preventing the chassis coupling member from exiting the door coupling channel by engaging a first stop member on the chassis coupling member with a second stop member located adjacent the door coupling channel; andremoving the door from the lighting device chassis by manipulating the door relative to the lighting device chassis.