Patent Application
20240044462
The present invention relates to lighting systems. More specifically, the invention relates to customizable circular recessed channel lighting systems.
Lighting is an important feature when designing or creating a work environment or living space. It is not enough that the lighting provides sufficient illumination to an area. Lighting and lighting fixtures have an aesthetic function as well. When done properly, lighting can be dynamic and flow as a user moves within the space. A commonly used permanent lighting design is recessed lighting where fixtures are recessed within a surface. The most popular recessed lights are singular round focused lights, known as can lights, which are often used in a ceiling surface to highlight a specific area. However, recessed channel lighting can also be used in ceilings and walls.
Recessed channel lights are different than track lighting in that they are installed, for example, into a hollow opening—usually a continuous channel—in a ceiling or wall surface (i.e., wall board). When installed properly, it appears that light is shining from the channel in the surface. The effect is accomplished because, unlike track lighting, little if any of the actual recessed lighting fixture is observable.
However, recessed lights are fixed light sources which cannot be readily moved without some skilled electrical re-wiring and surface patching. As a result, recessed lighting is often used as an accent to highlight another feature of a space. Another drawback of recessed lighting is that it requires either the lights be positioned between joists, or joists must be notched or altered in some way to accommodate the recessed fixture if it extends across joists. The cutting of ceiling or wall joists is time-consuming and, in many cases, an undesirable option.
Further, recessed lighting tends to have a “static” appearance, being comprised of circles (i.e., can light) and straight lines. This can limit both creativity and, as a result, the aesthetics of recessed lighting.
The present invention provides a lighting system without the aesthetic drawbacks of prior lighting systems and without the lighting and installation limitations of standard recessed lights. By providing a customizable circular lighting system, aesthetics are significantly improved. The present lighting system can be installed without exposure of unsightly brackets and tracks and without the need to notch or otherwise alter existing studs or joists.
Until the invention of the present application, these and other problems in the prior art went either unnoticed or unsolved by those skilled in the art. The present invention provides a recessed channel lighting system which is capable of multiple configurations with the associated light fixtures without sacrificing design, style or affordability.
There is disclosed herein an improved recessed channel lighting system which avoids the disadvantages of prior devices, methods and systems while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
Generally speaking, the recessed lighting system comprises a circular body, an LED strip, and a flexible lens. Preferably, the circular body is a closed-loop comprised of a U-shaped channel for housing the LED strip, and opposing first and second flange elements extending outward from the channel.
In specific embodiments of the recessed lighting system, the channel has a depth not greater than ⅝ inches (0.625 inches). This allows flush placement in standard drywall without the need for notching studs.
These and other aspects of the invention may be understood more readily from the following description and the appended drawings.
For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail at least one preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to any of the specific embodiments illustrated.
Referring to
Beginning with
As shown in
The channel sidewalls 28 effectively isolate the channel 12, or more accurately the LED strip 14 within the channel 12. This isolation may be required by various ordinances and/or building codes. The flexible lens 16 is suited for the particular channel width, and easily slides onto the open end of the channel 12 between two side elements 24.
As illustrated in
Regarding installation, a template is used to mark and cut an opening into a wall, ceiling or other surface for the system 10. The opening need only be wide enough to allow recess of the channel 12, while the left and right flanges 20, 22, contact the surface. Once inserted into the opening, the system 10 can be secured using mounting screws (not shown) through the flanges 20, 22 and into the surface. Power can be supplied to the lighting system 10 by running wires from the LED strip 14 to connect to a junction box, as is known in the art. The connection should allow 24 VDC power to be fed to the LED strip(s) 14 within the channel 12. The junction box can be mounted behind drywall using mounting bars, as is known in the art. The system 10 is powered by running low voltage 24 VDC wires from a remote power supply to the junction box for each installed recessed circular channel lighting system 10. An “on/off” switch or dimmer may be used to control power to the lighting system 10.
Once the recessed lighting system 10 is fully installed and secured, including placement of LED strips 14 within the channel 12, the flexible lens 16 can be positioned over the top of the channel 12 between side elements 24. An application of joint compound over the perforated flanges 20, 22, will best adhere to and conceal the flanges 20, 22, as a result of the numerous perforations or openings in each. Once the compound is properly set, a coat of paint can be applied to complete the project.
The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the filing priority of related U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 17/817,420, and 17/817,592, each titled “Recessed Curved Channel Light System” and each being filed on Aug. 4, 2022. The '420 application and the '592 application are each hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17817420 | Aug 2022 | US |
| Child | 17823121 | US | |
| Parent | 17817592 | Aug 2022 | US |
| Child | 17817420 | US |
