ROTATING CLIMBING WALL

Abstract

A rotating climbing wall can include a frame assembly with uprights forming rails. Slats of a slat assembly can include coupling blocks that are configured to ride along the rails of the uprights. At least one upright can include a power rail that extends alongside the rail. Electrical contacts can be integrated into the coupling blocks to form an electrical connection with the power rail as the respective slats ride along the rails. The electrical connection can be used to power lights that are integrated into the slats and that illuminate holds. The rotating climbing may include actuators that automatically tension chains used to rotate the climbing surface of the rotating climbing wall. The actuators, which may be linear actuators, can detect a level of tension in the chains and, if the tension is below a threshold, increase the distance between sprockets that drive the chains to increase the tension.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A

BACKGROUND

Various rotating climbing walls have been developed. These rotating climbing walls are configured similar to a treadmill in that the climbing surface forms an infinite loop. Typically, the climbing surface is formed by parallel slats to which holds are attached.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention extends to a rotating climbing wall as well as to systems and methods for operating and using a rotating climbing wall. The rotating climbing wall can include a frame assembly with uprights forming rails. Slats of a slat assembly can include coupling blocks that are configured to ride along the rails of the uprights. At least one upright can include a power rail that extends alongside the rail. Electrical contacts can be integrated into the coupling blocks to form an electrical connection with the power rail as the respective slats ride along the rails. The electrical connection can be used to power lights that are integrated into the slats and that illuminate holds.

The rotating climbing may include actuators that automatically tension chains used to rotate the climbing surface of the rotating climbing wall. The actuators, which may be linear actuators, can detect a level of tension in the chains and, if the tension is below a threshold, increase the distance between sprockets that drive the chains to increase the tension.

In some embodiments, the present invention may be implemented as a rotating climbing wall that includes a board assembly. The board assembly may include a frame assembly and a slat assembly. The frame assembly may include one or more uprights. Each upright may form opposing rails. The slat assembly may include a looped arrangement of slats. Each slat may include one or more coupling blocks corresponding to the one or more uprights. Each coupling block may have a channel that rides along each rail of the opposing rails of the respective upright.

In some embodiments, the frame assembly may include at least three uprights.

In some embodiments, the frame assembly may include an upper tube and a lower tube to which the one or more uprights are coupled.

In some embodiments, the frame assembly may include at least one upper sprocket and at least one lower sprocket that are coupled to the one or more uprights.

In some embodiments, the frame assembly may include at least one actuator for increasing a distance between a respective upper and lower sprocket to thereby maintain tension of a chain that is driven by the respective upper and lower sprocket.

In some embodiments, the at least one upper sprocket may comprise opposing upper sprockets, the at least one lower sprocket may comprise opposing lower sprockets, and the at least on actuator may comprise opposing actuators.

In some embodiments, each coupling block may include one or more retaining members that overlap the rail when the channel rides along the rail.

In some embodiments, a first upright of the one or more uprights may include a power rail.

In some embodiments, one or more of the slats may include a coupling block having an electrical contact that forms an electrical connection with the power rail as the coupling block rides along the rail of the first upright.

In some embodiments, the board assembly may comprise a first power bus between the electrical contact and a driver module.

In some embodiments, the board assembly may comprise a second power bus between the driver module and lights integrated into the slats.

In some embodiments, the rotating climbing wall may also include an upper sensor for detecting a position of a climber on the board assembly, and a power and control assembly for rotating the slat assembly based on the position of the climber.

In some embodiments, the rotating climbing wall may also include a support assembly by which the board assembly is supported off the ground at a desired angle.

In some embodiments, the present invention may be implemented as a rotating climbing wall that includes a frame assembly and a slat assembly. The frame assembly may include opposing uprights, opposing upper sprockets, and opposing lower sprockets. The slat assembly may include a looped arrangement of slats and opposing chains. The opposing chains may be coupled around the respective opposing upper and lower sprockets. The frame assembly may further include opposing actuators for selectively increasing a distance between the respective upper and lower sprockets based on a tension of the respective chain.

In some embodiments, the frame assembly may also include a center upright, and the opposing uprights and the center upright may be coupled together via an upper tube and a lower tube.

In some embodiments, the frame assembly may also include a shaft and a motor for driving the opposing upper sockets or the opposing lower sockets.

In some embodiments, the opposing actuators may be coupled to the opposing lower sprockets and may move the opposing lower sprockets relative to the opposing upper sprockets.

In some embodiments, the present invention may be implemented as a rotating climbing wall that includes a slat assembly having a looped arrangement of slats. Each slat may include one or more coupling blocks for securing the slat to one or more uprights. At least one of the slats may include a coupling block having an electrical contact for forming an electrical connection with a power rail on a first upright of the one or more uprights while the coupling block rides along the first upright.

In some embodiments, the first upright may form opposing rails and the power rail may extend along a first rail of the opposing rails.

In some embodiments, the rotating climbing wall may further include a first power bus between the electrical contact of the at least one slat and a driver module, and a second power bus between the driver module and lights that are integrated into the slats.

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are front perspective and rear perspective views respectively of a rotating climbing wall that is configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isolated front perspective view of a support assembly of the rotating climbing wall of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 3A is a front view of the rotating climbing wall of FIGS. 1A and 1B with slats removed from a board assembly to show the frame of the board assembly;

FIG. 3B is an isolated front view of the frame of the board assembly;

FIG. 3C is an isolated front perspective view of the frame of the board assembly;

FIG. 3D is an isolated top view of the frame of the board assembly;

FIG. 3E is a closeup isolated top view of the left side of the frame of the board assembly;

FIG. 4A is an isolated front perspective view of a cover assembly of the board assembly;

FIG. 4B is an isolated front perspective view of the board assembly with the cover assembly removed;

FIG. 5A is a rear perspective view of a slat in isolation;

FIG. 5B is a closeup rear perspective view of a slat in isolation;

FIG. 5C is a closeup top view of a slat in isolation;

FIG. 5D is a closeup rear view of a slat in isolation;

FIG. 6A is a rear perspective view of a top portion of board assembly 100 with a side cover removed;

FIG. 6B is a rear perspective view of a top portion of board assembly 100 with a side cover and slat removed;

FIG. 7A is a side view of the rotating climbing wall with a side cover removed;

FIG. 7B is a side perspective view of the board assembly with a side cover removed;

FIG. 8A is a front view of the rotating climbing wall with various slats removed;

FIG. 8B is a closeup front view of the rotating climbing wall with a slat removed; and

FIG. 8C is a front view of the rotating climbing wall with all forward facing slats removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B are front and rear perspective views of a rotating climbing wall 10 that is configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Rotating climbing wall 10 includes a support assembly 50 and a board assembly 100. Support assembly 50 is configured to support board assembly 100 off the ground and to orient board assembly 100 at a desired angle. Board assembly 100, which does not include holds in the figures, forms a climbing surface that rotates to provide a continuous climbing experience.

In the depicted embodiment, support assembly 50 is configured to be secured to the floor. However, in other embodiments, a support assembly could be configured to be secured to a wall or any other structure. Also, in some embodiments, a support assembly could be integrated into the ground, a wall, or any other structure where board assembly 100 may be used. In short, board assembly 100 could be supported in a wide variety of ways.

FIG. 2 shows support assembly 50 is isolation. Support assembly 50 may include opposing base members 51 that extend front to rear and are configured to be secured to the ground or floor such as via bolts 58. Support assembly 50 may also include opposing sets of vertical members 52a, 52b, and 52c (collectively, vertical members 52) that are coupled to base member 51. Each set of vertical members 52 may include a front vertical member 52a in which a sleeve 53 is maintained, an intermediate vertical member 52b that is connected to front vertical member 52a adjacent to sleeve 53 to provide reinforcement at sleeve 53, and a rear vertical member 52c that couples to the top of front vertical member 52a.

To provide lateral support, support assembly 50 may further include opposing side supports 57 that are each secured to the floor (e.g., via bolts 58) and to the tops of the front and rear vertical members 52a and 52c. Support assembly 50 additionally includes opposing linear actuators 54 that extend upwardly and frontwardly from front and rear vertical members 52a and 52c. Each linear actuator 54 includes a motor 55 for extending and retracting a rod 56 that is attached to board assembly 100 to thereby adjust the angle of board assembly 100 by causing it to pivot around an axis formed through sleeves 53.

A power and control assembly 60 may be secured to support assembly 50 or otherwise positioned near rotating climbing wall 10. The term “power and control assembly” should encompass any combination of hardware and/or software. For example, a power and control assembly may be hardware- and/or software-based circuitry including, but not limited to, a central processing unit, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a field programming gate array, an application-specific integrated circuit, a system on a chip, etc. A power cord 61 may be plugged into an outlet to provide power to power and control assembly 60. Various cables 62 may be routed from power and control assembly 60 and through support assembly 50 to provide power and/or control signals to the various electrical components including those within board assembly 100.

FIG. 3A is a front view of rotating climbing wall 10 with various slats removed and illustrates how board assembly 100 is secured to and supported from support assembly 50 via a frame assembly 300. FIGS. 3B and 3C are front and front perspective views respectively of frame assembly 300 in isolation.

Frame assembly 300 includes a number of uprights 301 that are secured to a lower tube 302 and an upper tube 303. In the depicted embodiments, there are three uprights 301, two that are positioned towards the sides of board assembly 100 and one at the center of board assembly 100. However, other numbers and arrangements of uprights 301 could be employed. Lower tube 302 extends beyond the sides of board assembly 100 so that the ends of lower tube 302 can insert into and rotate within sleeves 53. Similarly, upper tube 303 extends beyond the sides of board assembly 100 so that the ends of upper tube 303 can be secured to rods 56 such as via plates 304. Accordingly, as mentioned above, linear actuators 54 can be extended and retracted to adjust the forward inclination of board assembly 100. In the context of the present disclosure, the term “tube” should be construed as encompassing any elongated member.

Frame assembly 300 also includes a shaft 305 that may be coupled to the tops (or other portion) of uprights 301 and driven by a motor 306 and a gear reducer 307. Upper sprockets 308 may be secured to opposing ends of shaft 305. Lower sprockets 309 can be secured to the outer uprights 301 via linear actuators 310 and brackets 311 so that they align with upper sprockets 308. In some embodiments, brackets 311 can be fork brackets and lower tube 302 may extend through the fork brackets. As described in detail below, upper sprockets 308 and lower sprockets 309 support chains that rotate the climbing surface. Linear actuators 310 can function to adjust the spacing between the respective upper sprocket 308 and lower sprocket 309 to maintain tension on the chains.

FIG. 3D is a top view of frame assembly 300 and FIG. 3E is a closeup top view of the left side of frame assembly 300. As shown, each upright 301 includes rails 301a that extend vertically along both sides of upright 301. As is described in detail below, rails 301a provide a mechanism by which the slats of board assembly 100 may ride along frame assembly 300.

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of board assembly 100 in isolation. Board assembly 100 includes a slat assembly 400 that forms the climbing surface of rotating climbing wall 10. Board assembly 100 also includes a cover assembly 450 consisting of side covers 110 that can be positioned overtop the ends of the slats in slat assembly 400 and an upper sensor 120 that extends across board assembly 100 towards the top of board assembly 100. Upper sensor 120 can be configured to detect the position of the climber on the climbing surface to thereby automatically rotate slat assembly 400 as is described in detail below. Although not shown, board assembly 100 may also include a lower sensor that is positioned at the bottom of board assembly 100 and is configured to detect when the climber's foot is at the bottom of board assembly 100 (e.g., similar to a garage door sensor) to thereby stop the rotation of board assembly 100 to prevent the climber from contacting the floor. In some embodiments, the lower sensor could be secured to support assembly 50 rather than to board assembly 100.

FIGS. 5A-5D are rear perspective, closeup rear perspective, top and rear views respectively of a slat 500 of slat assembly 400 in isolation. Slat 500 includes coupling blocks 510 by which slat 500 is coupled to uprights 301 of frame assembly 300. For example, in the depicted embodiment, slat 500 includes three coupling blocks 510 that align with the three uprights 301. Each coupling block 510 forms a channel 511 that is shaped to receive rail 301a. As is best seen in FIG. 5C, each coupling block 510 can include a number of retaining members 512 that can be removed (or loosened) from coupling block 510 to allow rail 301a to be inserted into channel 511 and then attached (or tightened) to retain rail 301a within channel 511. In some embodiments, retaining members 512 could be in the form of wheels that may rotate as slat 500 slides along rails 301a.

As described in detail below, a coupling block 510 on at least some of slats 500 may include an electrical contact 513 by which power is supplied to slats 500 as they are rotated. For example, a coupling block 510 of slats 500 spaced at some interval could include electrical contact 513 to ensure that at least one electrical contract 513 remains in contact with a power rail 301b (see FIG. 8B) at all times.

Each slat 500 includes a number of hold mounting holes 530, which could be in the form of threaded inserts, to allow holds to be attached to slats 500. One or more lights 520 (e.g., LEDs) can be positioned next to each hold mounting hole 530 to allow the holds (not shown) to be illuminated in accordance with a desired climbing path. A wire 521 (which can be part of a power bus 802 as described below) can interconnect each light 520.

Each slat 500 can also include chain mounting holes 540 on each end of slat 500. Chains 600 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B) for rotating slat assembly 400 can be coupled to each slat 500 via chain mounting holes 540. In some embodiments, a cable retainer 550 may be secured to slat 500 via chain mounting holes 540.

FIG. 6A is a rear perspective view of board assembly 100 with side cover 110 removed. A chain 600 extends around upper sprocket 308 and lower sprocket 309 and is connected to each slat 500 via a flange 601. Flange 601 can be secured to slat 500 via chain mounting holes 540. Accordingly, slats 500 will rotate as chain 600 is rotated.

FIG. 6A also shows how coupling blocks 510 ride overtop rails 301a to ensure that slats 500 will be held securely to uprights 301. However, as each slat 500 reaches the top or bottom of uprights 301, coupling blocks 510 will exit rails 301a as the respective slat 500 rotates around the top or bottom of frame assembly 300 and then reenter rails 301a on the opposite side of uprights 301.

FIG. 6B is a rear perspective view of board assembly 100 with a slat 500 removed which also illustrates how coupling blocks 510 exit rails 301a at the top of uprights 301. The coupling blocks 510 of the slat 500 that is at the top of board assembly 100 are not coupled to uprights 301. Instead, while traveling from the rear to the front of board assembly 100, this slat 500 is secured to frame assembly 300 via chains 600. In comparison, the coupling blocks 510 of the hidden slat 500 are about to leave rails 301a on the rear of uprights 301 and the coupling blocks 510 on the slat 500 that has just rotated to the front of board assembly 100 have just passed onto rails 301a on the front of uprights 301.

FIG. 7A is a side view of rotating climbing wall 10 with side cover 110 removed to show how linear actuators 310 can maintain tension in chains 600. FIG. 7B is a closeup view of linear actuator 310. Linear actuators 310 can be configured to detect the tension of chains 600 such as each time rotating climbing wall 10 is powered on, at periodic intervals, on demand, etc. For example, linear actuator 310 may include or be integrated with a force sensor that can detect and report (e.g., to power and control assembly 60) the amount of tension in the respective chain 600 (i.e., how much load chain 600 is applying to the rod of linear actuator 310). If the tension is below a threshold, linear actuator 310 can be extended (e.g., via power and control assembly 60) to thereby increase the tension to a desired amount. In this way, chains 600 will remain taught even as they stretch over time. By keeping chains 600 taught, there will be little, if any, independent movement in slats 500 as the climber hangs from the holds.

FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate how power is delivered to board assembly 100. In FIG. 8A, which is a front view, four slats 500 have been removed. These four slats 500 have coupling blocks 510 containing electrical contact 513. As mentioned above, although all slats 500 could have electrical contacts 513, in some embodiments, only some of slats 500 have electrical contacts 513. In the depicted embodiment, every fifth slat 500 includes electrical contact 513 and these electrical contacts 513 are housed within the coupling blocks 510 on the left side of board assembly 100. Other spacings of electrical contacts 513 could be used as long as at least one electrical contact 513 will be in contact with a power rail 301b at all times.

As identified in FIG. 8B, in which coupling block 510 is removed to show electrical contact 513, the left upright 301 can include power rail 301b that may be powered by power and control assembly 60 via cable 62. Power rail 301b can extend along the length of upright 301 parallel to rail 301a. Electrical contact 513 can be configured to contact power rail 301b as coupling block 510 slides along rail 301a. For example, electrical contact 513 can include a spring that biases the end of electrical contact 513 into power rail 301b (e.g., electrical contact 513 can be a pogo pin).

FIG. 8B also illustrates power buses 801 and 802 that rotate with slats 500. FIG. 8C is a front view of rotating climbing wall 10 with all the frontward facing slats 500 removed to better show powers buses 801 and 802. Power bus 801 consists of various cables (or wires) that interconnect electrical contacts 513 and form a loop that runs alongside chain 600. These cables may be routed inside of slats 500 and/or coupling block 510 to pass laterally across upright 301. Power bus 801 also includes a cable that connects to a driver module 800. Power and control assembly 60 can therefore provide power and control signals to driver module 800 via power bus 801. Driver module 800 can be coupled to one of slats 500 and can therefore rotate with power bus 801. Accordingly, cable(s) 62 can provide power to the stationary power rail 301b and rotating electrical contacts 513 can provide a constant electrical connection between stationary power rail 301b and rotating driver module 800.

Power bus 802 consists of various cables (or wires) that also form a loop that runs alongside chain 600 and connects lights 520 of each slat 500 to driver module 800. For example, a cable of power bus 802 may extend from driver module 800 and connect to a loop of cables that run alongside chain 600. This cable may pass inside slat 500 and/or coupling block 510 to pass across upright 301. Power bus 802 may also include a strand of interconnected lights 520 for each slat 500 that may also be connected to and driven from the loop of cables. These strands may also be routed inside slats 500 and/or coupling blocks 510 to pass beyond uprights 301.

Power bus 802 can be configured to allow each light 520 to be independently driven. For example, power bus 802 can include wires by which control signals are provided to independently drive lights 520. Alternatively, each light 520 could include logic for detecting control signals that target the light and then may drive the light accordingly. In short, any suitable technique could be used to cause lights 520 to be driven in accordance with a specified climbing route.

In some embodiments, power buses 801 and 802 may operate at different voltages. For example, power bus 801 may be a 24 V power bus and power bus 802 may be a 5 V power bus. In such cases, driver module 800 can be configured to convert the 24 V input from power bus 801 to the 5V output to power bus 802.

Rotating climbing wall 10 can be used in a variety of ways. In a guided climb mode, power and control assembly 60 can illuminate lights 520 to highlight holds defining a specified climbing path. Power and control assembly 60 can be configured to allow the climber to select a specified climbing path to use this guided climb mode. In a free climb mode, power and control assembly 60 may not provide any guidance. In a learning mode, power and control assembly 60 may be configured to detect which holds the climber uses and record the sequence of holds to create a climbing path that can be subsequently used for guided climb mode. Various techniques could be used to detect the holds that the climber uses such as by integrating sensors into slats 500 (similar to how lights 520 are integrated) and connecting the sensors to power and control assembly 60 via power bus 802. As another example, upper sensor 120 could be used to detect the climber's position and power and control assembly 60 could use the climber's position along with positional information about slat assembly 400 to determine which holds the climber is using.

In any mode of operation, power and control assembly 60 can be configured to use upper sensor 120 to detect the position of the climber and to drive motor 306 to rotate slat assembly 400 as the climber approaches the top of board assembly 100 to thereby prevent the climber from reaching the top of board assembly 100. In some embodiments, power and control assembly 60 can be configured to allow the climber to customize the distance or range from the top of board assembly 100 at which he or she would like to be kept.

In some embodiments, power and control assembly 60 may be configured to use feedback from upper sensor 120 to determine when to incremental advance slat assembly 400. In other words, power and control assembly 60 may rotate slat assembly 400 in increments as the climber climbs. In other embodiments, power and control assembly 60 may be configured to use feedback from upper sensor 120 to calculate a speed at which slat assembly 400 should be rotated. In other words, power and control assembly 60 may continuously rotate slat assembly 400 at a speed that keeps the climber at a specified distance or range from the top of board assembly 100.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A rotating climbing wall comprising: a board assembly comprising: a frame assembly that includes one or more uprights, each upright forming opposing rails; anda slat assembly that includes a looped arrangement of slats, each slat including one or more coupling blocks corresponding to the one or more uprights, each coupling block having a channel that rides along each rail of the opposing rails of the respective upright.

2. The rotating climbing wall of claim 1, wherein the frame assembly includes at least three uprights.

3. The rotating climbing wall of claim 1, wherein the frame assembly includes an upper tube and a lower tube to which the one or more uprights are coupled.

4. The rotating climbing wall of claim 3, wherein the frame assembly includes at least one upper sprocket and at least one lower sprocket that are coupled to the one or more uprights.

5. The rotating climbing wall of claim 4, wherein the frame assembly includes at least one actuator for increasing a distance between a respective upper and lower sprocket to thereby maintain tension of a chain that is driven by the respective upper and lower sprocket.

6. The rotating climbing wall of claim 5, wherein the at least one upper sprocket comprises opposing upper sprockets, the at least one lower sprocket comprises opposing lower sprockets, and the at least on actuator comprises opposing actuators.

7. The rotating climbing wall of claim 1, wherein each coupling block includes one or more retaining members that overlap the rail when the channel rides along the rail.

8. The rotating climbing wall of claim 1, wherein a first upright of the one or more uprights includes a power rail.

9. The rotating climbing wall of claim 8, wherein one or more of the slats include a coupling block having an electrical contact that forms an electrical connection with the power rail as the coupling block rides along the rail of the first upright.

10. The rotating climbing wall of claim 9, wherein the board assembly comprises a first power bus between the electrical contact and a driver module.

11. The rotating climbing wall of claim 10, wherein the board assembly comprises a second power bus between the driver module and lights integrated into the slats.

12. The rotating climbing wall of claim 1, further comprising: an upper sensor for detecting a position of a climber on the board assembly; anda power and control assembly for rotating the slat assembly based on the position of the climber.

13. The rotating climbing wall of claim 1, further comprising: a support assembly by which the board assembly is supported off the ground at a desired angle.

14. A rotating climbing wall comprising: a frame assembly that includes opposing uprights, opposing upper sprockets, and opposing lower sprockets; anda slat assembly that includes a looped arrangement of slats and opposing chains, the opposing chains being coupled around the respective opposing upper and lower sprockets;wherein the frame assembly further comprises opposing actuators for selectively increasing a distance between the respective upper and lower sprockets based on a tension of the respective chain.

15. The rotating climbing wall of claim 14, wherein the frame assembly also includes a center upright, the opposing uprights and the center upright being coupled together via an upper tube and a lower tube.

16. The rotating climbing wall of claim 15, wherein the frame assembly also includes a shaft and a motor for driving the opposing upper sprockets or the opposing lower sprockets.

17. The rotating climbing wall of claim 14, wherein the opposing actuators are coupled to the opposing lower sprockets and move the opposing lower sprockets relative to the opposing upper sprockets.

18. A rotating climbing wall comprising: a slat assembly that includes a looped arrangement of slats, each slat including one or more coupling blocks for securing the slat to one or more uprights, wherein at least one of the slats includes a coupling block having an electrical contact for forming an electrical connection with a power rail on a first upright of the one or more uprights while the coupling block rides along the first upright.

19. The rotating climbing wall of claim 18, wherein the first upright forms opposing rails and the power rail extends along a first rail of the opposing rails.

20. The rotating climbing wall of claim 18, further comprising: a first power bus between the electrical contact of the at least one slat and a driver module; anda second power bus between the driver module and lights that are integrated into the slats.