Systems and methods for collapsible lighting fixtures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10859246-B2
Application number	US-201916523423-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 26, 2019
Priority date	Aug 1, 2018
Publication date	Dec 8, 2020
Grant date	Dec 8, 2020

Abstract

Systems and methods for collapsible lighting fixtures are disclosed. In aspects, a horticultural luminaire 100 has first and second light fixtures 110, 120 coupled in movable relation between storage and deployed positions by a coupling element 130 applying a retarding torque. Coupling element can be coupling shaft 250 providing friction, or friction hinge cartridge 260. In aspects, hinge 130 has ledge surfaces 218, 228 adjacent rotational hinge faces 216, 226 and extending transverse the rotational plane. In aspects, a horticultural luminaire has an articulated cableway extending through hinge 130 coupling light fixtures 110, 120 and guiding a cable entering from the exterior into cable passageways in light fixtures 110, 120, thereby lessening a cable pinch point during rotation and deployment.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A horticultural luminaire system ( 100 ), comprising
a first light fixture ( 110 ) and a second light fixture ( 120 ), the first light fixture comprising a first plurality of light sources, and the second light fixture comprising a second plurality of light sources;
a coupling element coupling the first light fixture in movable relation to the second light fixture;
wherein the first light fixture is movable relative the second light fixture from a first position wherein the first plurality of light sources is proximate the second light fixture to a second position wherein the first plurality of light sources is remote the second light fixture; and
wherein the coupling element is configured to apply a predetermined retarding torque opposing motion of the first light fixture from the first position to the second position; and
wherein a locking bracket ( 272 ) extends between exterior regions of the first and second light fixtures and interconnects the first and second light fixtures when positioned in the deployed second position and resists motion away from said second position.

2. The horticultural luminaire system ( 100 ) of claim 1 , wherein the coupling element is configured to continuously apply the retarding torque at any position of displacement between the first and second positions.

3. The horticultural luminaire system of claim 1 , wherein the coupling element is a hinge ( 130 ) coupling the first light fixture for rotational motion relative the second light fixture.

4. The horticultural luminaire system of claim 3 , wherein the first and second light fixtures are rotationally coupled by a shaft ( 250 ), the shaft providing a predetermined friction retarding angular displacement between the first and second light fixtures.

5. The horticultural luminaire system of claim 4 , wherein the first and second light fixtures are rotationally coupled by a shaft configured as a friction hinge cartridge ( 260 ).

6. The horticultural luminaire system of claim 3 , wherein rotation from the first position to the second position comprises about 180 degrees of angular displacement.

7. The horticultural luminaire system of claim 6 , wherein the coupling element limits the angular displacement to not more than about 180 degrees.

8. The horticultural luminaire system of claim 3 , wherein in the first position the first plurality of light sources is proximate the second plurality of light sources, and in the second position the first plurality of light sources is remote the second plurality of light sources.

9. The horticultural luminaire system of claim 1 , wherein,
in the first position, light emitting surfaces of the first plurality of light sources are approximately in confronting relation to light emitting surfaces of the second plurality of light sources; and
in the second position, the light emitting surfaces of the first plurality of light sources face in a similar direction to the light emitting surfaces of the second plurality of light sources.

10. The horticultural luminaire system of claim 1 , wherein
the first light fixture comprises a first plurality of spaced rails ( 112 , 114 ), the first plurality of light sources being disposed on at least a first light bar ( 116 ) disposed between the first plurality of spaced rails;
the second light fixture comprises a second plurality of spaced rails ( 122 , 124 ), the second plurality of light sources being disposed on at least a second light bar ( 116 ) disposed between the second plurality of spaced rails;
the coupling element being joined to at least one rail of the first plurality of rails and to at least one rail of the second plurality of rails.

11. The horticultural luminaire system of claim 1 , wherein the coupling element defines a cable passageway extending from a region exterior of the luminaire to each of the first and second light fixtures.

12. The horticultural luminaire system of claim 10 , further comprising a power supply module ( 270 ) disposed on and latched to the locking bracket, the power supply configured to, when energized, supply electric power to the first and second plurality of light sources.

13. The horticultural luminaire system of claim 3 , wherein
the hinge has two rotationally coupled hinge bodies, each hinge body having a cable aperture,
each of said first and second light fixtures comprises at least one rail, wherein each said rail defines an interior cavity defining a cableway, each said rail further having an aperture in a lateral wall communicating between the interior cavity thereof and an exterior region exterior of the respective rail;
the hinge bodies coupled to respective adjacent said rails of the respective light fixtures; and
respective said cable apertures of the hinge bodies are in register with respective said rail apertures,
whereby a cableway is defined from the exterior region exterior of the luminaire, extending through the hinge and into the first and second light fixtures.

14. A method of deploying a horticultural luminaire, comprising:
coupling a first light fixture ( 110 ) having a first plurality of light sources to a second light fixture ( 120 ) having a second plurality of light sources;
moving the first light fixture relative the second light fixture from a first storage position wherein the first plurality of light sources is proximate the second light fixture to a second deployed position wherein the first plurality of light sources is remote the second light fixture;
while said moving, applying a predetermined retarding torque opposing motion from the storage position to the deployed position; and
subsequent said moving to said deployed position,
latching, with a bracket ( 272 ) extending exteriorly of the first and second light fixtures and interconnecting therebetween, the first light fixture to the second light fixture to resist further moving.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein said moving comprises rotating.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein
said coupling comprises disposing a shaft ( 250 ) between the light fixtures; and
during said moving, the shaft applying a predetermined friction relative at least one of the light fixtures.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising
limiting said moving to an angular displacement not more than about 180 degrees.

18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising attaching an electronic power supply module to at least one of the light fixtures.

19. The horticultural luminaire system of claim 12 , wherein the coupling element defines a cable passageway extending from the power supply module ( 270 ), said power supply element being disposed at a region exterior of the luminaire, to each of the first and second light fixtures.

20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising disposing the electronic power supply ( 270 ) on the bracket ( 272 ).

Assignees

• Van Der Schyf Marthinus Christoffel
• Schmidt Jonathan Becker
• Frame Kenneth B
• Fluence Bioengineering Inc

Inventors

• Van Der Schyf Marthinus Christoffel
• Schmidt Jonathan Becker
• Frame Kenneth B

Classifications

• Y02P60/14

  Measures for saving energy, e.g. in green houses · CPC title

• E05D11/08

  Friction devices between relatively-movable hinge parts (E05D7/086 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E05D3/02

  with one pin · CPC title

• A01G9/249 Primary

  Lighting means (with special arrangements for promoting growth A01G7/045) · CPC title

• F21V21/30

  Pivoted housings or frames · CPC title