Patent Application
20240369209
Aspects of the embodiments relate to recessed light fixtures, and more specifically to systems, methods, and modes for a modular recessed light fixture as well as to systems, methods, and modes for mounting and aligning recessed light fixtures.
Recessed lighting is widely utilized in both commercial and residential settings to accomplish various lighting effects with minimalistic and hidden look. Recessed light fixtures can be dispersed to provide substantially equal ambiance throughout a room or can be strategically placed and directed to concentrate light to illuminate a particular object or area. Beneficially they can increase light in a room, make spaces appear larger, and highlight workspaces or artwork.
A typical recessed light fixture consists of a housing designed to be installed between ceiling joists or beams, a lighting module within the housing that provides the light source, and accessories such as optics, trims, and flanges for directing light and to add visual aesthetics. To accomplish various lighting effects, recessed light fixtures come in various sizes, shapes, beam angles, and light output power, colors, color temperatures, and other specifications. This requires a lighting manufacturer to stock a large amount of various lighting fixture sizes and specification versions. Accordingly, a need has arisen for a modular recessed light fixture that can be assembled using modular components to achieve various installation requirements.
Installation of recessed lighting is also a difficult undertaking. Recessed light fixtures are installed above the ceiling plane between ceiling joists, and illuminate through an opening in the ceiling, typically drywall. In new construction projects, recessed light fixtures are typically installed and centered according to a dimensional plan before drywall is installed. The drywall is then installed with the position of the fixture housing opening determined through measurements and marked on the drywall with tape and/or markings. Once the fixture housing opening is marked, a hole saw or rotary saw is used to cut an opening in the drywall to expose the fixture through the ceiling. In architectural lighting projects, positioning and alignment is critical. One issue arises when the drywall hole is not aligned with the light fixture housing opening, causing light to bleed around the edges of the trim. As the desired apertures are much smaller in architectural lighting projects, the installer often has to replace various sections of drywall to achieve perfect alignment between the openings of the housing and the drywall below.
Another issue is that it can often be difficult to ensure that all fixtures in a line or group are perfectly aligned when being installed, particularly if the required ceiling aperture is small. This problem is compounded with square light fixtures since misalignment of their straight edges is readily noticeable. This issue arises frequently after the drywall has been cut, taped, and painted, as well as once light fixture trims are put in place.
Accordingly, a need has also arisen for systems, methods, and modes for a simpler and more effective mounting and aligning of recessed light fixtures.
It is an object of the embodiments to substantially solve at least the problems and/or disadvantages discussed above, and to provide at least one or more of the advantages described below.
It is therefore a general aspect of the embodiments to provide systems, methods, and modes for a modular recessed light fixture.
It is also a general aspect of the embodiments to provide systems, methods, and modes for mounting and aligning recessed light fixtures.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Further features and advantages of the aspects of the embodiments, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the aspects of the embodiments are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.
According to one aspect of the embodiments, a light fixture assembly is provided comprising: a housing that supports a lighting module, a bracket ring located within the housing and comprising an opening, and an alignment ring. The alignment ring is adapted to magnetically attach to the bracket ring through an architectural panel to locate the bracket ring. The alignment ring comprises an adjustment mechanism that is laterally adjusted within the alignment ring to a desired position and a guide for indicating the desired position of an opening to be created in the architectural panel. After creating the opening in the architectural panel, light is adapted to exit from the lighting module through the bracket ring opening and the architectural panel opening.
According to an embodiment, the alignment ring comprises an opening and an annular channel formed along the opening, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a rotating bar comprising opposite ends that are received within the annular channel such that the rotating bar rotates within the alignment ring opening. According to a further embodiment, each opposite end of the rotating bar comprises protrusions or ball bearings that are captured and travel within the annular channel. The adjustment mechanism may further comprise a disc that longitudinally travels along the rotating bar, wherein the disc comprises the guide and is laterally adjusted within the alignment ring opening to the desired position.
According to an embodiment, at least one of the alignment ring and the bracket ring comprises a plurality of magnets circumferentially dispersed thereon. According to another embodiment, at least one of the bracket ring and the alignment ring comprise at least one of a metal material, a magnetic material, and any combinations thereof.
According to an embodiment, the light fixture assembly further comprising a lighting module holder within the housing, wherein the lighting module is removably attached to the lighting module holder. Wherein after the opening is created through the architectural panel, the lighting module is inserted through the architectural panel opening and the bracket ring opening and attached to the lighting module holder.
According to an embodiment, the alignment ring comprises a plurality of alignment indicators to facilitate alignment with other light fixture assemblies.
According to an embodiment, the housing comprises a housing baseplate located adjacent the bracket ring, wherein the housing baseplate comprises a material capable of being cut such that after locating the bracket ring using the alignment ring an additional opening is cut through the housing baseplate corresponding to the desired position. According to an embodiment, the baseplate is adapted to be cut by at least one of a hole saw, a rotor saw, a hole cutting drill bit.
According to an embodiment, the bracket ring comprises an adjustable bracket ring adapted to laterally travel with respect to the housing; wherein after attaching the alignment ring to the bracket ring through the architectural panel, displacing the alignment ring along the architectural panel moves the adjustable bracket ring within the housing.
According to another aspect of the embodiments, a light fixture assembly is provided comprising: a housing that supports a lighting module and comprising a housing baseplate, a bracket ring located within the housing adjacent the housing baseplate and comprising an opening, and an alignment ring adapted to magnetically attach to the bracket ring through an architectural panel and the housing baseplate to locate the bracket ring. The alignment ring comprises a guide for indicating a desired position of an opening to be created in the architectural panel and the base plate. The housing baseplate comprises a material capable of being cut such that after locating the bracket ring using the alignment ring an opening is cut through the architectural panel and the housing baseplate corresponding to the desired position. After creating the opening in the architectural panel, light is adapted to exit from the lighting module through the bracket ring opening, the baseplate opening, and the architectural panel opening.
According to an embodiment, the alignment ring comprises an adjustment mechanism that is laterally adjusted within the alignment ring to the desired position. According to an embodiment, the bracket ring is an adjustable bracket ring adapted to laterally travel with respect to the housing. After attaching the alignment ring to the bracket ring through the architectural panel, displacing the alignment ring along the architectural panel moves the adjustable bracket ring within the housing.
According to an embodiment, the baseplate is adapted to be cut by at least one of a hole saw, a rotor saw, a hole cutting drill bit.
According to yet another aspect of the embodiments, a light fixture assembly is provided comprising: a housing that supports a lighting module; an adjustable bracket ring located within the housing and comprising an opening, wherein the adjustable bracket ring is adapted to laterally travel with respect to the housing; and an alignment ring adapted to magnetically attach to the bracket ring through an architectural panel to locate the bracket ring. The alignment ring is adapted to be displaced along the architectural panel and move the adjustable bracket ring within the housing to a desired position. The alignment ring comprises a guide for indicating the desired position of an opening to be created in the architectural panel. After creating the opening in the architectural panel, light is adapted to exit from the lighting module through the adjustable bracket opening and architectural panel opening.
According to an embodiment, the housing comprises a housing baseplate located adjacent the adjustable bracket ring, wherein the housing baseplate comprises a material capable of being cut such that after locating the bracket ring using the alignment ring an additional opening is cut through the housing baseplate corresponding to the desired position.
According to an embodiment, the adjustable bracket ring is slidably disposed between a first pair of parallel rails such that the adjustable bracket ring slidably travels along the first pair of rails. According to yet another embodiment, the first pair of rails are slidably disposed between a second pair of parallel rails such that the adjustable bracket ring also slidably travels along the second pair of rails. According to another embodiment, the adjustable bracket ring comprises a gear ring that slidably travels along at least one of a linear gear rail, a worm gear, and any combinations thereof. According to an embodiment, the worm gear is actuated by a motor. According to another embodiment, the adjustable bracket ring comprises a worm gear linear actuator that travels along a linear worm gear.
The above and other objects and features of the embodiments will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the following figures. Different aspects of the embodiments are illustrated in reference figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered to be illustrative rather than limiting. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the aspects of the embodiments. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The embodiments are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. The scope of the embodiments is therefore defined by the appended claims. The detailed description that follows is written from the point of view of a control systems company, so it is to be understood that generally the concepts discussed herein are applicable to various subsystems and not limited to only a particular controlled device or class of device.
Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the embodiments. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” on “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular feature, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
The following is a list of the major elements in the drawings in numerical order.
The following is a list of the acronyms used in the specification in alphabetical order.
The present embodiments provide systems, methods, and modes for recessed light fixtures, and more specifically to systems, methods, and modes for a modular recessed light fixture as well as to systems, methods, and modes for mounting and aligning recessed light fixtures. The recessed light fixture of the present embodiments comprises a modular configuration allowing a single fixture housing to be used for different installations irrespective of the size and shape of the desired lighting assembly and ceiling opening. Additionally, the recessed light fixture of the present embodiments is adjustable via an alignment tool that allows installers to find the fixture's openings through the ceiling panel after installation of the housing, align a plurality of fixtures installed in the space, and also as a guide to cut an opening through the ceiling panel and the housing at the desired location. While the mounting and aligning systems, methods, and modes are described with reference to light fixtures, the aspects of the present embodiments may be implemented to mount other types of electrical equipment recessed in the ceiling, including audiovisual (AV) equipment such as speakers and cameras, recessed sensors (such as to measure occupancy, light, or other environmental conditions), recessed networking equipment, or other equipment desired to be installed in the ceiling. Accordingly, the lighting module 105 described herein, may instead comprise other electronic equipment discussed above capable of cooperating with adjustable bracket 104, being installed in housing 101, and/or be used with alignment ring 114 as discussed in the present embodiments.
Referring to
The adjustable bracket 104 may be adapted to removably retain the lighting module 105 and adjust it in a single direction or in multiple directions. For example, the adjustable bracket 104 may adjust the lighting module 105 horizontally along the x or y axes, or vertically along the z axis. The adjustable bracket 104 may be further configured to adjust the lighting module 105 in a plurality of directions, including dual-axis adjustment (e.g., x-y, x-z, or y-z axes), triple-axis adjustment (e.g., x-y-z axes), and/or rotational adjustment (e.g., about x, y, and/or z axis) as further discussed below.
The lighting module 105 may comprise a light source adapted to emit one or a plurality of colors. The light source may comprise an LED engine 305 that comprises one or more light sources or LED elements 306 disposed on a printed circuit board. The LED engine 305 may be electrically connected to the LED driver 203 using wires and terminal blocks 208 and 209. The LED driver 203 may independently control and power the LED elements of the LED engine 305 to emit light. According to one embodiment, each light source 305 may comprise a multicolored light emitting diode (LED), such as a red-green-blue LED (RGB LED), comprising of red, green, and blue LED emitters in a single package. Although the LED elements 306 can comprise other color combinations of LED emitters, and/or can also comprise one or more white emitters. According to an embodiment, each LED emitter of each LED element 306 can be controlled using pulse width modulation (PWM) signal with a constant current LED driver with output values ranging between 0 and 65535 for a 16-bit channel—with 0 meaning fully off and 65535 meaning fully on. Varying these PWM values of each of the red, green, and blue LED emitters on each LED element 306 allows the LED element 306 to create any desired color within the device's color gamut, including any desired color temperature of white within a range of between about 1650 Kelvin (K) (warm colors) and about 8000K (cool colors), although other color temperature ranges may be achieved. Each LED emitter can be independently controlled at a different intensity. The present embodiments can also be implemented with LEDs capable of producing only a single or a limited number of colors. Furthermore, the present embodiments can be implemented with LEDs that can emit different color temperatures of white, such as tunable white LEDs, dim to warm LEDs, or LEDs with a plurality of predetermined color temperature settings. To vary color temperatures, the LEDs may comprise a plurality of white LEDs or white LED emitters with varying white color temperatures where mixing these LEDs can produce a desired color temperature. Although according to another embodiment, the light source 305 may comprise different technology currently known or later developed, such as incandescent, xenon, halogen, fluorescent, or the like.
Lighting module 105 may further comprise a heatsink 108 adapted to be in thermal conductive contact with the LED engine 305 to dissipate heat away from and cool the electrical components of the light fixture 100. This improves the efficiency and prolongs the life of the internal electronics of the light fixture 100. According to one embodiment, the heatsink 108 may be part of the lighting module 105, although according to another embodiment the heatsink 108 may be part of the adjustable bracket 104 such that the lighting module 105 can be removably attached to the heatsink 108. An additional heatsink can be used for heat dissipation of the LED driver 203 and/or power supply 204. Heatsink 108 can comprise a plurality of fins to maximize its surface area and effectively dissipate heat. In various embodiments, the heatsink 108 comprises aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon, tin, zinc, composite materials, any combinations thereof, or other materials known to those skilled in the art.
The lighting module 105 may also comprise a light media component 107 disposed over, and non-removably or removably attached, to the LED engine 305. The light media component 107 may comprise one or more optics, lenses, light diffusers, or the like. Optics or lenses can be used to affect the beam spread or angle and the lumen output of the light source to either concentrate the light in a smaller area or distribute it across a larger area. For example, a 35° optic can be used to provide a narrower beam spread to concentrate light in a smaller area while a 55° optic can be used to provide a wider beam spread to distribute light across a larger area. Other forms of light media components 107 can be provided for diffusion, elongating, softening, honeycomb, frosted, and perimeter frosted effects. For example, a light diffuser can comprise a decorative optic made from glass material that can be frosted to create diffused or soften light or textured with a pattern to reduce light glare. Although other materials may be utilized, such as plastic, fiberglass, or the like. In another embodiment, a light media component 107 can comprise a grid, such as a honeycomb grid or a parabolic louver, to reduce glare and create diffused light.
The LED driver 203 may be connected to a power supply 204 to receive power from a power source through power wires 212. Light fixture can be connected, such as through a daisy chain connection, to provide power to other light fixtures, for example through power wires 213. According to an embodiment, housing 101 may comprise a junction box 112 that houses the power supply 204 and any electrical connections that need to be made with the power source or other light fixtures in isolation from the housing enclosure 102. The LED driver 203 may be positioned within the housing enclosure 102 and electrically connected to the power supply 204 via an opening between the housing enclosure 102 and the junction box 112. The LED driver 203 may be further connected to a communication network 220 through network wires 214 and daisy chained with other fixtures through network wires 215. According to another embodiment, the LED driver 203 may communicate over a wireless communication network as further discussed below. The location of the LED driver 203 and power supply 204 are not limited to the configuration shown in
The trim 106 may comprise a baffle or a reflector 216 and a flange 217, although the trim 106 may be provided without a flange 217 or the flange 217 may be removable. The trim 106 is the decorative part of the light fixture 100 that covers the hole cut in the ceiling panel 110 as well as the gap between the lighting module 105 and the ceiling panel 110. The baffle 216 may be used to direct light to a desired direction, depending on its shape and angle. The trim 106 can comprise a round, square, cone, or other shape. The trim 106 may also be covered with a clear or frosted lens, such as a glass or plastic, for example for use in wet installation locations.
Referring to
The power supply 204 may be either external to the LED driver 203 as shown in
Controller 401 may comprise one or more microprocessors, “general purpose” microprocessors, a combination of general and special purpose microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), one or more reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processors, video processors, related chip sets, or the like, or any combinations thereof. The controller 401 can provide processing capability to execute an operating system, run various applications, and/or provide processing for one or more of the techniques and functions described herein. The memory 402 may be communicably coupled to the controller 401 and can store data and executable code. Memory 402 can represent volatile memory such as random-access memory (RAM), but can also include nonvolatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM) or Flash memory. In buffering or caching data related to operations of the controller 401, memory 402 can store data associated with applications running on the controller 401.
The LED driver 203 may comprise one or more LED driving circuits 406 controlled by the controller 401 to output one or more drive signals to one or more LED engines 305 to perform a desired function as discussed above. Each drive signal can comprise a PWM signal or a similar signal, which drives the individual LED emitters of each LED element 306 of the LED engine 305.
The LED driver 203 can further comprise one or more communication network interfaces 405, such as a wired or a wireless communication interface, configured for transmitting and/or receiving messages over a communication network 220. In various embodiments, LED driver 203 can transmit and/or receive messages from a central controller, other light fixtures, electrical control devices, a wireless user communication device, or the like, or any combinations thereof. For example, a plurality of LED fixtures 100 can be connected over the communication network 220 to a control processor of a lighting or building control system, which is adapted to individually address and control the LED fixtures installed in a room or a building. According to another embodiment, a central control processor may not be used and the plurality of LED fixtures 100 can be interconnected over the communication network 220 to exchange commands and messages. According to yet another embodiment, the LED fixture 100 can be connected to a light switch or a keypad located in the room. Messages sent or received by the light fixture 100 via the communication network interface 405 may comprise control commands, firmware update information, device discovery information, device commissioning information, feedback or status information, such as reporting of lamp hours, lamp state, firmware version, estimated power consumption, or the like, or any combinations thereof. A wireless network interface 405 may be configured for bidirectional wireless communication with other electronic devices over a wireless network. In various embodiments, the wireless interface can comprise a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, an infrared (IR) transceiver, or other communication technologies known to those skilled in the art. A wired communication interface 405 may be configured for bidirectional communication with other devices over a wired network. The wired interface can represent, for example, a communication (COM) port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, a Cresnet® port, an Ethernet port (e.g., RJ-45), DMX port, DALI®, 0-10V low voltage dimming port, RGBW control ports, or the like. In various aspects of the embodiments, the LED driver 203 can both receive the electric power signal and control commands through a PoE interface.
Communication network 220 may comprise a wired or a wireless network. In one embodiment, a wired communication network 220 can be implemented using bus wiring and serial ports, as discussed above. A wired communication network 220 may be governed by a standard or proprietary wired communication protocols, such as Cresnet®, DMX (e.g., DMX512), DALI®, 0-10V, RGBW, or other protocols known in the art. In another embodiment, a wireless communication network 220 can comprise one or more wireless personal area networks (WPAN). Communication protocols govern the operation of the wireless network 220 by governing network formation, communication, interferences, and other operational characteristics. A wireless communication network 220 may be governed by a standard or proprietary communication protocols, such as infiNET EX®, ZigBee®, Wi-Fi®, Z-Wave®, or other protocols known in the art. In an embodiment, the wireless network 220 is automatically formed upon installation during a wireless network initialization process. Many of the configuration properties for forming the wireless network 220 can be preconfigured prior to initialization. The communication network can also implement one or more intermediary device such as gateways, splitters, wireless hubs, or similar devices.
In yet another embodiment, the LED driver 203 can comprise a second network interface, such as a short range wireless interface 403, to enable wireless communication with proximately located wireless devices, such as a wireless communication device 900 (
Referring to
Adjustable bracket 104 may further comprise a bracket ring 113 connected to the lighting module holder 301 via a pair of arms 310, which may be adjustable or fixed. According to one embodiment, the lighting module holder 301 may be vertically adjustable along the z axis with respect to the housing baseplate 103, for example via a pair of arms 310, that may comprise slide rails or other mechanism, such as telescoping, pneumatic, or the like. For example, each arm 310 may comprise a slider 308 connected to the lighting module holder 301 and adapted to linearly and vertically slide within a respective rail 309. Each arm 310 may further comprise a locking mechanism such as a screw nut 311, for selectively securing the vertical position of the lighting module holder 301 by locking the slider 308 with respect to the rail 309. Vertical adjustment allows the lighting module holder 301 to receive lighting assemblies 105 of various sizes and/or to vertically adjust the lighting module 105 with respect to a ceiling panel 110, such as drywall, wood, ceiling tiles, or the like, to accommodate different ceiling panel thicknesses, such as ½ inch, ⅝ inch, or other thickness used in the installation as discussed below. Although according to another embodiment, the lighting module holder 301 can be vertically fixed with respect to the housing 101 via the arms 310.
Bracket ring 113 comprises an opening 318 through which the lighting module 105 may be inserted into the adjustable bracket 104 to be connected to the lighting module holder 301, and through which light exits the adjustable bracket 104. According to an embodiment, lighting module holder 301 together with arms 310 may pivot about the y axis with respect to the bracket ring 113, for example via a screw nut 312, such that the angle of an attached lighting module 105 may be adjusted from 0° to about 45° of tilt to direct the emitted light to a desired vertical location, for example to provide spot lighting or wall wash effect. The pivot position of the adjustable bracket 104 may be locked in place using a locking mechanism, such as the screw nut 312. Although other pivoting mechanisms or assemblies may be utilized, or the lighting module holder 301 may be fixedly connected with respect to the bracket ring 113. According to another embodiment, lighting module holder 301 may be configured to rotate with respect to the bracket ring 113 about the z axis from 0° to 360° of rotation, via for example a ring gear, ball bearing, or the like (e.g., 809 in
The adjustable bracket 104 may be further slidably disposed between a first pair of parallel rails 313 such that the adjustable bracket 104 may be slidably adjusted along the first pair of rails 313 along the horizontal x axis with respect to the housing baseplate 103. The horizontal x axis position of the adjustable bracket 104 may be locked in place using a locking mechanism such as the screw nut 312 or another screw nut. The first pair of rails 313 may in turn be slidably disposed between a second pair of parallel rails 315 such that the adjustable bracket 104 may be slidably adjusted along the horizontal y axis with respect to the second pair of rails 315. The horizontal y axis position of the adjustable bracket 104 may be locked in place using a locking mechanism such as a screw nut 317. Although according to another embodiment only the first pair of rails 313 may be provided for adjustment along only the horizontal x axis or the y axis. According to other embodiments, other number of rails or other mechanisms may be utilized to implement horizontal adjustment of the adjustable bracket 104 along the x and/or y axes, such as via linear gears, worm gears, telescoping arms, pneumatic arms, rod rails, threaded rods and nuts, or the like.
Bracket ring 113 can entirely or partially comprise metallic and/or magnetic material adapted to magnetically attach to a complementarily sized alignment ring 114 through the ceiling panel 110 as shown in
Referring to
To further align a plurality of fixtures 100 in a room, one or more alignment rings 114 may be attached to the bracket rings 113 of the installed light fixtures 100 through the ceiling panel 110 as shown in
To accommodate different opening sizes and shapes, a plurality of alignment rings can be provided with different openings sizes and shapes, for example as illustrated in
Referring to
Alignment ring 1300 may further comprise an annular channel 1309 disposed between an inner annular wall 1308a and an outer annular wall 1308b. Annular channel 1309 may be formed in the first portion 1301, in the second portion 1302, or in both first and second portions 1301 and 1302, and is completed once the first portion 1301 attaches to the second portion 1302. When assembled, the opening 1311 of the alignment ring 1300 comprises an annular slit 1317 formed along the opening 1311. Referring also to
Rotating bar 1310 further comprises a linear channel 1316 longitudinally extending through its body between the oppositely disposed feet 1312. Referring also to
After installing the light fixture 100 in the ceiling, and covering the ceiling with a ceiling panel 1340, such as drywall, the top surface 1307 of the alignment ring 1300 may be placed against the ceiling panel 1341 and moved until it is attracted to and attaches to the bracket ring 1330 of the light fixture through the ceiling panel 1340. This allows the user to preemptively locate bracket ring 1330 of the light fixture 100. By gripping handles 1323, the disc 1320 may be manipulated by the user, by either rotating the disc 1320 via the rotating bar 1310 with respect to the alignment ring 1300, and/or by sliding the disc 1320 linearly along the bar 1310. Accordingly, disc 1320 may be laterally or horizontally adjusted along the x or y axis within the alignment ring 1300 if an opening adjustment is necessary due to installation errors. The user may manipulate the disc 1320 to a desired location in alignment with openings of other light fixtures in the room in a similar fashion as discussed with reference to
According to a further embodiment, the adjustable bracket 104 of the light fixture 100 can be electrically adjusted to a desired position via one or more electrical actuators controlled by a control device, such as a wireless communication device 900 shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The above embodiments for electrical adjustment may be configured with other types of actuators known in the art, such as for example, pneumatic actuators, or the like. In addition, different number of actuators and gears, in different configurations, may be implemented to enable adjustment of the adjustable bracket and thereby the lighting module 105, without departing from the scope of the present embodiments.
The disclosed embodiments provide a system, software, and a method for a modular recessed light fixture and for mounting and aligning recessed light fixtures. It should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the embodiments. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, which are included in the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Further, in the detailed description of the embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the claimed embodiments. However, one skilled in the art would understand that various embodiments can be practiced without such specific details.
Although the features and elements of aspects of the embodiments are described being in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone, without the other features and elements of the embodiments, or in various combinations with or without other features and elements disclosed herein.
This written description uses examples of the subject matter disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the same, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the subject matter is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims.
The above described embodiments are intended to be illustrative in all respects, rather than restrictive, of the embodiments. Thus, the embodiments are capable of many variations in detailed implementation that can be derived from the description contained herein by a person skilled in the art. No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the embodiments unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items.
All United States patents and applications, foreign patents, and publications discussed above are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the different aspects of the embodiments.
Moreover, the processes discussed herein are not meant to limit the aspects of the embodiments, or to suggest that the aspects of the embodiments should be implemented following the configuration process. The purpose of the processes is to facilitate the understanding of one or more aspects of the embodiments and to provide the reader with one or many possible implementations of the process discussed herein. The steps performed during any of the processes are not intended to completely describe the process but only to illustrate some of the aspects discussed above. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the steps may be performed in a different order, additional steps may be added, and that some steps may be eliminated or substituted.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63463596 | May 2023 | US |
