Patent Grant
10415814
The present invention relates to modular lighting systems. Specifically, the disclosed lighting system relates to a lighting connector system used for creating and powering unique lighting structures.
Unique lighting systems are beginning to bridge the gap between functional lighting and aesthetic lighting. That is, lighting is no longer necessarily functional or aesthetic, it can be both. The use of LEDs has played a big role in this advancement of the field of lighting. LEDs have significant advantages over incandescent and fluorescent lighting, including having a much lower power requirement, far less heat radiation, higher energy efficiency, longer life expectancy, and greater durability.
These same advantages, as well as others, make the use of LEDs the preferred lighting system for not only appliances, electronics and vehicles, but also for commercial as well as residential buildings. Lighting structures are not limited to merely highlighting aesthetic features in these buildings; they are quickly becoming a focal point in almost every room.
Accordingly, versatility of lighting structures is a common goal of designers. For example, existing hanging light structures tend to have limited versatility due, in part, to having a fixed lighting direction. That is, once installed, the lighting direction of hanging lights is not easily changed. However, the ability to alter the lighting direction of these lights is of great value to an end user, for obvious reasons. Additionally, installation of the hanging lights can be made simpler with such directional versatility.
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 inventions provide a versatile hanging light structure and lighting system connectors which perform multiple functions with a light source without sacrificing design, functionality, style or affordability.
There is disclosed herein an improved lighting system which avoids the disadvantages of prior devices while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
Generally speaking, the lighting system comprises a light element, a first connector, a second connector and an electrically coupled power source.
In a specific preferred embodiment, the light element has a light source, a surface for emitting light from the light source and an end. The first connector is fixed to the end of the light element and comprises a first cylindrical housing defining a first cylindrical cavity therein, the first cylindrical cavity having a first plug positioned therein, the first plug being electrically coupled to the light source within the light element, while the second connector couples to the first connector and has an outer housing and a second cylindrical cavity defined therein, wherein the first cylindrical housing is configured to frictionally engage an inner wall of the second cylindrical cavity when connected. A second plug positioned within the second cylindrical cavity has a third cylindrical cavity defined therein, wherein the second plug is configured to frictionally engage an inner wall of the first cylindrical cavity and the first plug is configured to frictionally engage an inner wall within the third cylindrical cavity. Finally, the power source is electrically coupled to the first plug through connection with the second plug to thereby power the light source. The first connector is capable of being rotated when coupled to the second connector, preferably the first connector is capable of 360 degree rotation when coupled to the second connector.
In another specific embodiment, the power source is either AC or DC power, the former provided through electrical wiring electrically coupled to the second plug and the wiring is used for hanging or suspending the lighting system.
In a specific preferred embodiment, the first and second plugs comprise cylindrical friction plugs of different sizes.
In still a further specific embodiment, the second connector is a double connector and comprises a fourth cylindrical cavity defined within the outer housing. Accordingly, the lighting system might then comprise a second light element having a light source, a surface for emitting light from the light source and an end, and a third connector fixed to the end of the second light element, the third connector comprising a third cylindrical housing defining a fifth cylindrical cavity therein, the fifth cylindrical cavity having a third plug positioned therein, the third plug being electrically coupled to the light source within the second light element, wherein the third cylindrical housing is configured to frictionally engage an inner wall of the fourth cylindrical cavity when connected, and the third connector is capable of being rotated 360 degrees when coupled to the second connector.
In a specific embodiment, the preferred light source comprises an LED strip within a light tube.
A connection system for a lighting structure is also set forth. The connection system comprises a first connector comprising a first cylindrical housing defining a first cylindrical cavity therein, the first cylindrical cavity having a first plug positioned therein, the first plug being configured for electric connection to a light source of the lighting structure, a second connector for coupling to the first connector and having an outer housing and a second cylindrical cavity defined therein, wherein the first cylindrical housing is configured to frictionally engage an inner wall of the second cylindrical cavity when connected, a second plug positioned within the second cylindrical cavity and having a third cylindrical cavity defined therein, wherein the second plug is configured to frictionally engage an inner wall of the first cylindrical cavity and the first plug is configured to frictionally engage an inner wall within the third cylindrical cavity, and wiring electrically coupled to the first plug through connection with the second plug to thereby conduct power to the light source of the lighting structure. The first connector is capable of being rotated 360 degrees when coupled to the second connector.
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
As can be seen in
Preferably, the plugs friction fit within the cavities to form a secure connection. However, the cylindrical housing 22 may include a friction member 40, such as an O-ring, to further facilitate a secure connection. A set screw 70 (
Within the base 30 of the second connector 16, electric wiring 44 connects to terminals 50 which then feed power to the second plug 34. Similarly, the base 20 of the first connector 14 includes an electrical connector 52 coupled to the first plug 24 and an inner wall of the first cylindrical cavity 26 back to a tube light connector 54. As is known by those skilled in the art, an LED strip connector 56 is readily plugged into the tube light connector 54, as shown in
As shown in
It is the unique configuration of the two connectors, 14 and 16, which provides significant versatility to the present system 10. As shown in the numerous figures, the various cavities and plugs on the connectors 14, 16 are all cylindrical in shape. This, of course, allows them to rotate within one another—a full 360 degrees in the present embodiment. The permitted rotation allows light from the light tube 60 to be directed in a full 360 degrees as well. A locking mechanism, e.g., set screw 70 (see
As noted above, typical light tubes 60 will have connector 14 on both ends.
In an alternate configuration, the lighting system 10 does not hang from wiring attached to the second connector 16. Rather, a second connector 16 is fixed to a wall, ceiling or other surface (not shown) and directly wired to a power source, as is known in the art. A first connector 14 could then be connected to the fixed second connector 16 as previously described. The lighting direction could easily be rotated as desired, and then fixed with the locking mechanism (e.g., set screw 70), as detailed above.
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.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4310874 | Spiteri | Jan 1982 | A |
| 4874320 | Freed | Oct 1989 | A |
| 4999752 | Rogers | Mar 1991 | A |
| 5471063 | Hayes | Nov 1995 | A |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20190219256 A1 | Jul 2019 | US |
