Modular indirect suspended/ceiling mount fixture

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11209135-B2
Application number	US-202017032252-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 25, 2020
Priority date	Jul 24, 2011
Publication date	Dec 28, 2021
Grant date	Dec 28, 2021

Abstract

A modular troffer-style fixture particularly well-suited for use with solid state light sources. The fixture comprises a reflector that includes parallel rails running along its length, providing a mount mechanism and structural support. An exposed heat sink is disposed proximate to the reflector. The portion of the heat sink facing the reflector functions as a mount surface for the light sources. The heat sink is hollow through the center in the longitudinal direction. The hollow portion defines a conduit through which electrical conductors can be run to power light emitters. One or more light sources disposed along the heat sink mount surface emit light toward the reflector where it can be mixed and/or shaped before it is emitted from the troffer as useful light. End caps are arranged at both ends of the reflector and heat sink, allowing for the easy connection of multiple units in a serial arrangement.

First claim

We claim:

1. A lighting assembly comprising:
an elongated heat sink supporting at least one LED for emitting light;
a reflector disposed proximate to and distanced from the heat sink, wherein the reflector comprises a front surface facing the heat sink for receiving the light and a back surface;
at least one elongated rail along the back surface; and
a mounting bracket connected to the at least one elongated rail for mounting the lighting assembly to a surface.

2. The lighting assembly of claim 1 further comprising a first end cap secured to a first end of the reflector and a second end cap secured to a second end of the reflector.

3. The lighting assembly of claim 2 wherein the first end cap is mounted to the first end using a first snap-fit connection and the second end cap is mounted to the second end using a second snap-fit connection.

4. The lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one LED emits uplight and the front surface faces downward when the lighting assembly is mounted to the surface.

5. The lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein the front surface is reflective.

6. The lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein the front surface is a diffuse white reflector.

7. The lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one elongated rail comprises two elongated rails disposed substantially parallel to one another.

8. The lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein the mounting bracket is substantially U-shaped.

9. The lighting assembly of claim 7 wherein the mounting bracket includes a first end that engages a first one of the two elongated rails and a second end that engages a second one of the two elongated rails.

10. The lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein the mounting bracket is removably connected to the at least one rail.

11. The lighting assembly of claim 2 wherein the first end cap and the second end cap each comprise two separate pieces joined together.

12. A modular lighting assembly comprising:
a first lighting assembly comprising:
a first elongated heat sink supporting at least one first LED for emitting light;
a first reflector disposed proximate to and distanced from the first heat sink, wherein the first reflector comprises a first front surface facing the first heat sink for receiving the light from the at least one first LED; and
a first end cap secured to a first end of the first reflector and a second end cap secured to a second end of the first reflector; and

a second lighting assembly comprising:
a second elongated heat sink supporting at least one second LED for emitting light;
a second reflector disposed proximate to and distanced from the second heat sink, wherein the second reflector comprises a second front surface facing the second heat sink for receiving the light from the at least one second LED; and
a third end cap secured to a first end of the second reflector and a fourth end cap secured to a second end of the second reflector;

wherein one of the first end cap and the second end cap is releasably connectable to at least one of the third end cap and the fourth end cap.

13. The modular lighting assembly of claim 12 wherein one of the first end cap and the second end cap is releasably connectable to at least one of the third end cap and the fourth end cap using a snap-fit connection.

14. The modular lighting assembly of claim 12 further comprising a cable connector for electrically connecting the first lighting assembly to the second lighting assembly.

15. The modular lighting assembly of claim 12 wherein the first lighting assembly has a first length and the second lighting assembly has a second length, wherein the first length is different than the second length.

16. A lighting assembly comprising:
a reflector comprising a front surface for receiving light; and
an elongated heat sink supporting at least one LED for emitting light disposed proximate to and distanced from the front surface of the reflector, wherein the front surface and the heat sink are exposed to the ambient environment and, wherein the heat sink has a first end including a mounting surface supporting the at least one LED and a second end, wherein the first end is wider than the second end;
wherein the at least one LED emits uplight and the front surface faces downward when the lighting assembly is in a mounted position.

17. The lighting assembly of claim 16 further comprising a first end cap secured to a first end of the heat sink and the reflector and a second end cap secured to a second end of the heat sink and the reflector.

18. The lighting assembly of claim 17 wherein the first end cap and the second end cap maintain a desired spacing between the heat sink and the reflector.

19. The lighting assembly of claim 16 wherein the heat sink is hollow.

20. The lighting assembly of claim 17 wherein at least one of the first end cap and the second end cap comprises a removable side cover that provides access to a power connection.

Assignees

• Ideal Ind Lighting Llc

Inventors

• Snell Nathan
• Lay James Michael
• Nguyen Nick
• O'Flaherty Patrick John

Classifications

• F21Y2113/13

  comprising an assembly of point-like light sources · CPC title

• F21Y2115/10

  Light-emitting diodes [LED] · CPC title

• F21V23/007

  enclosed in a casing · CPC title

• F21V15/01

  Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts (F21V15/02 takes precedence {housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04}) · CPC title

• F21V15/013

  the housing being an extrusion · CPC title