Connector with Integrated Lighting

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016236609-A1
Application number	US-201615139855-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 27, 2016
Priority date	Oct 19, 2012
Publication date	Aug 18, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Embodiments of a connector with integrated lighting are provided. The connector may be used with an awning assembly of an RV, for non-limiting example. The connector includes a retaining channel having a relief opening from which an awning canopy may extend. The retaining channel may be directly connected to a luminaire mount or may be connected to the luminaire mount by the connector. The connector may be mounted to a rail on an RV or sidewall of other structures.

First claim

1 . An awning connector with illumination, comprising:
a retaining channel which receives a polyrope and awning material wrapped about said polyrope; a relief opening having a dimension which is less than a diameter of said polyrope to retain said polyrope and said awning material therein; a luminaire mount connected to said retaining channel; and, a luminaire located within said luminaire mount.

2 . The awning connector with illumination of claim 1 , said awning material extending to an awning rail.

3 . The awning connector with illumination of claim 2 , said awning rail having a second retaining channel thereon.

4 . The awning connector with illumination of claim 3 , said retaining channel of said connector spaced from said second retaining channel.

5 . The awning connector with illumination of claim 1 , said connector being extruded.

6 . The awning connector with illumination of claim 1 , said luminaire mount directing light of said luminaire downwardly.

7 . The awning connector with illumination of claim 1 further wherein said luminaire mount is one of directly connected to said retaining channel or further comprising a connection by a neck.

8 . A lighting connector assembly, comprising:
an awning rail having a first retaining channel; a first polyrope disposed in said first retaining channel; a canopy extending about said first polyrope within said first retaining channel; a connector spaced from said awning rail; said connector having a second retaining channel which receives said canopy and a second polyrope; said connector also having a luminaire mount connected to said second retaining channel.

9 . The lighting connector assembly of claim 8 , said awning rail further comprising a wall mount.

10 . The lighting connector assembly of claim 8 , said first and second retaining channels each having a relief opening.

11 . The lighting connector assembly of claim 10 , said canopy extending from one of said relief openings.

12 . The lighting connector assembly of claim 10 , said canopy extending from a first one of said relief openings to a second one of said relief openings.

13 . The lighting connector assembly of claim 8 , said luminaire mount including luminaires.

14 . The lighting connector assembly of claim 12 , said luminaire mount directing light downward.

15 . An awning light connector assembly, comprising:
an awning rail having a first retaining channel; a connector spaced from said awning rail, said connector having a second retaining channel and a luminaire mount; an awning and a first polyrope located in said first retaining channel; said awning and a second polyrope located in said second retaining channel; said luminaire mount housing at least one luminaire therein.

16 . The awning light connector assembly of claim 15 , said at least one luminaire being a light emitting diode.

17 . The awning light connector assembly of claim 15 , said at least one luminaire illuminating an area below said awning.

18 . The awning light connector assembly of claim 15 , said second retaining channel connected to said luminaire mount.

19 . An awning assembly with lighting, comprising:
an awning assembly having an awning roller; an awning rail having a retaining channel; a connector having a connector retaining channel; an awning material and a first polyrope disposed in said retaining channel; said awning material extending to said connector retaining channel and extending about a second polyrope therein; and, said connector further comprising a luminaire mount, a luminaire disposed in said luminaire mount and directing light to an area below said awning material.

20 . The awning connector with illumination of claim 19 , wherein said luminaire is an LED strip.

21 . The awning connector with illumination of claim 19 , wherein said connector is spaced from said awning rail.

22 . The awning connector with illumination of claim 19 , said awning material extending from said awning rail to said awning roller.

23 . A lighting connector for an awning assembly comprising:
a retaining channel having a relief, said retaining channel capable of receiving a polyrope and an awning canopy; a neck extending from said retaining channel; a luminaire mount connected to said neck; and, a luminaire disposed in said luminaire mount.

24 . The lighting connector of claim 23 wherein said retaining channel is a head.

25 . The lighting connector of claim 23 , said neck being curved.

26 . The lighting connector of claim 23 , said neck being linear.

27 . The lighting connector of claim 23 , said luminaire being at least one light emitting diode.

28 . The lighting connector of claim 23 , said retaining channel being directly connected to an awning rail retaining channel.

29 . A lighting connector for an awning assembly, comprising:
a luminaire mount having a light emitting diode therein, said luminaire mount defined by at least one opening; a neck extending from said luminaire mount; a head connected to said neck, said head having a relief and said head being hollow to accept a polyrope and awning; said relief allowing passage of said awning.

30 . The lighting connector of claim 29 , said luminaire mount defined by a first wall, a second wall and a connecting wall.

31 . The lighting connector of claim 29 , said luminaire mount having a U-shaped cross-section.

32 . The lighting connector of claim 29 , said head having a substantially circular cross-section.

33 . The lighting connector of claim 29 , said head being sized to fit within an awning rail.

34 . The lighting connector of claim 29 , said neck being curved.

Assignees

• Dometic Sweden Ab

Inventors

• Beland Jon
• Malott Dale
• Mcconnell Pat

Classifications

• F21Y2101/00

  Point-like light sources · CPC title

• F21Y2115/10

  Light-emitting diodes [LED] · CPC title

• E04F10/0603

  with telescopic arms · CPC title

• F21V33/008

  Leisure, hobby or sport articles, e.g. toys, games or first-aid kits; Hand tools; Toolboxes · CPC title

• B60P3/343 Primary

  Hoods for caravans · CPC title