Patent Application
20140254176
The present invention relates to lighting, and more specifically, to recessed luminaires.
An increasing number of solid state light source devices (e.g., lamps, luminaires) are being developed for recessed fixtures or housings. These devices typically have a relatively large body that must be encompassed within the fixture or the housing. For five and six inch versions, these devices may be “hard-wired” into the fixture or the housing. That is, a socket within the fixture/housing receives a screw base with connecting wires that protrude therefrom and include a small connector. The connector is plugged into the device and the device is then inserted into the fixture or the housing. The mechanical attachment of the device to the fixture is achieved by the use of torsion springs, springs clips, or combinations thereof, located on the device or attached thereto. The inside of the fixture/housing sometimes includes torsion spring brackets, particularly for five and six inch diameter versions, but not commonly found in four and three inch diameter versions.
Large variations in the diameters of fixtures and/or housings, and large variations in the height of brackets, if any, make compatibility between a solid state light source device and the fixture/housing potentially problematic. Providing a variety of adjustability features on the device, to allow insertion of the device into multiple types and kinds of fixtures/housings, may make installation by a customer more difficult, and also increases cost. Further, the presence of additional metal clips and/or brackets, whether usable in a certain fixture/housing or not, may contribute to increased electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can adversely affect performance of the device.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a moveable extension with a base connected thereto. The base attaches to a corresponding socket. A mechanical actuator allows the moveable extension to change between a closed position and an open position, and vice versa. A solid state lighting device equipped with the moveable extension is easily installed in a fixture/housing with a socket. The moveable extension is temporarily put into its open position, and the base is attached to the socket. The moveable extension is then put into its closed position, by applying a force to the device. The mechanical actuator pulls the device into the fixture/housing, allowing for easy installation in a fixture/housing of any size or type, regardless of whether the fixture/housing includes mechanical connectors for the device or not.
In an embodiment, there is provided a solid state lighting device. The solid state lighting device includes: a housing; a moveable extension positioned in the housing, the moveable extension being aligned along a longitudinal axis of the solid state lighting device, wherein the moveable extension includes a closed position adjacent the housing and an open position remote from the housing; a base affixed to an external end of the moveable extension, wherein the base connects to a corresponding socket in order to provide electrical power to the solid state lighting device; and a mechanical actuator within the housing, wherein the mechanical actuator has a first end, affixed to the moveable extension, and a second end, affixed to the housing, wherein the mechanical actuator allows the moveable extension to change from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.
In a related embodiment, the mechanical actuator may be a spring. In another related embodiment, the mechanical actuator may be a ratcheting mechanism. In yet another related embodiment, the housing may include a stop configured to temporarily maintain the moveable extension in the open position. In a further related embodiment, the stop may be configured so as to be overcome by pressure applied to the solid state lighting device along the longitudinal axis. In another further related embodiment, the stop may include a protuberance formed on the moveable extension and a groove formed within a top of the housing. In a further related embodiment, the base may be capable of limited rotational movement along the longitudinal axis and the moveable extension.
In still another related embodiment, the housing may include a first housing and a second housing connected to the first housing, and the second housing may include, at least in part, the moveable extension and the mechanical actuator. In a further related embodiment, the second housing may include a stop configured to temporarily maintain the moveable extension in the open position. In a further related embodiment, the stop may be configured so as to be overcome by pressure applied to the solid state lighting device along the longitudinal axis. In another further related embodiment, the stop may include a protuberance formed on the moveable extension and a groove formed within a top of the second housing.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages disclosed herein will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments disclosed herein, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles disclosed herein.
For purposes of this application, it is to be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Although the terms “first,” “second,” “third” etc. may be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections are not to be limited by theses terms as they are used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the scope and teachings of the present invention.
Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” below,” upper,” “lower,” “above” and the like may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the drawings. These spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation shown in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
Though embodiments are described throughout with reference to a recessed luminaire, of course the invention is not so limited and is, in some embodiments, made and used in the same way as described throughout for use with a solid state light source-based lamp (e.g., A19, B10, B12, BR20, BR30, PAR20, PAR30, PAR38, PAR40, etc.) that is meant to replace a traditional incandescent, halogen, and/or compact fluorescent lamp.
A base 19 is affixed to an external end 21 of the moveable extension 18. The base 19, in some embodiments, is a typical Edison screw base as is well known in the art, though in other embodiments, other known bases (e.g., a bi-pin GU-style base, a multi-pin CFL-style base with or without posts, etc.) are used. The base 19 fits into a corresponding socket 46 within the fixture 40, as shown in
In some embodiments, the base 19 is formed so as to provide limited rotational movement about the longitudinal axis 20 and the moveable extension 18. Such a feature is shown in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,877, issued Sep. 20, 1983.
Unless otherwise stated, use of the word “substantially” may be construed to include a precise relationship, condition, arrangement, orientation, and/or other characteristic, and deviations thereof as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, to the extent that such deviations do not materially affect the disclosed methods and systems.
Throughout the entirety of the present disclosure, use of the articles “a” and/or “an” and/or “the” to modify a noun may be understood to be used for convenience and to include one, or more than one, of the modified noun, unless otherwise specifically stated. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
Elements, components, modules, and/or parts thereof that are described and/or otherwise portrayed through the figures to communicate with, be associated with, and/or be based on, something else, may be understood to so communicate, be associated with, and or be based on in a direct and/or indirect manner, unless otherwise stipulated herein.
Although the methods and systems have been described relative to a specific embodiment thereof, they are not so limited. Obviously many modifications and variations may become apparent in light of the above teachings. Many additional changes in the details, materials, and arrangement of parts, herein described and illustrated, may be made by those skilled in the art.
