Apparatuses and methods for changing lighting fixture dimensions

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021054990-A1
Application number	US-201916546875-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 21, 2019
Priority date	Aug 21, 2019
Publication date	Feb 25, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A lighting fixture configured to expand and collapse, and methods for expanding and collapsing a light fixture are disclosed. Embodiments of the lighting fixture include a lighting fixture with a movable section that collapses into at least one cavity in a base housing for storage and shipment, and extends from the cavity for operation. In the collapsed configuration the lighting fixture fits into a smaller container than when the lighting fixture is in the expanded configuration. In some embodiments a locking member locks the movable section into its extended position and can be retracted by a user by manually disengaging the locking member. Accessories and extenders that can be attached to the lighting fixture can be stored in the one or more cavities into which the movable section is stowed in the collapsed configuration.

First claim

1 . An expandable high-bay lighting fixture mountable to a ceiling, comprising:
an array of lighting elements configured to emit light; a driver electrically coupled to the array of lighting elements and configured to receive power from a building's power source and supply power to the array of lighting elements to illuminate the array of lighting elements; a high-bay driver housing including a mounting surface and housing the driver, the mounting surface configured to mount to a ceiling of the building and permit an electrical connection between the driver and the building's power source; and a lower high-bay housing connected to the driver housing, the lower housing including a top surface and a cavity configured to receive the driver housing, wherein the driver housing is selectively positionable in relation to the lower housing between a retracted position defined by the driver housing being received within the cavity and the driver housing's mounting surface being flush with or below the top surface of the lower housing, and an extended position defined by the mounting surface of the driver housing being extended above the top surface of the lower housing.

2 . The expandable high-bay lighting fixture of claim 1 , wherein the expandable high-bay lighting fixture defines a collapsed height with the driver housing in the retracted position and an expanded height with the driver housing in the extended position, wherein the collapsed height is approximately one-half (½) the expanded height.

3 . The expandable high-bay lighting fixture of claim 1 , wherein the lower high-bay housing is rectangular and defines a length, the driver housing forming a central raised portion spanning the length of the lower housing.

4 . The expandable high-bay lighting fixture of claim 1 , comprising:
a locking mechanism configured to automatically lock the driver housing in the extended position when the driver reaches the extended position.

5 . The expandable high-bay lighting fixture of claim 4 , wherein the locking mechanism includes an actuator configured to disengage the locking mechanism allowing the driver housing to move from the extended position toward the retracted position when the actuator is actuated by a user.

6 . The expandable high-bay lighting fixture of claim 5 , comprising:
a sliding mechanism allowing the driver housing to slide between the retracted position and the extended position.

7 . (canceled)

8 . The expandable high-bay lighting fixture of claim 1 , comprising:
at least one lighting accessory connector positionable in the cavity with the driver housing and dimensioned to be contained within the cavity, the lighting accessory connector being removable from the cavity and configured to connect to the driver housing or the lower housing and provide an attachment location for a lighting accessory.

9 .- 20 . (canceled)

21 . A lighting fixture, comprising:
an array of lighting elements configured to emit light; a driver housing including a mounting surface and housing a driver configured to power the array of lighting elements, the mounting surface configured to secure to a planar surface; and a lower housing coupled with the driver housing, the lower housing including
a top surface facing the driver housing, and
a cavity configured to receive the driver housing,
wherein the driver housing is selectively transitionable in relation to the lower housing between a retracted position defined by the driver housing being received within the cavity and the driver housing's mounting surface being flush with or below the top surface of the lower housing, and an extended position defined by the mounting surface of the driver housing being extended above the top surface of the lower housing.

22 . The lighting fixture of claim 21 , wherein the lighting fixture defines a collapsed height with the driver housing in the retracted position and an expanded height with the driver housing in the extended position, wherein the collapsed height is approximately one-half (½) the expanded height.

23 . The lighting fixture of claim 21 , wherein the lower housing is rectangular and defines a length, the driver housing forming a central raised portion spanning the length of the lower housing.

24 . The lighting fixture of claim 21 , comprising:
a locking mechanism configured to automatically lock the driver housing in the extended position when the driver reaches the extended position.

25 . The lighting fixture of claim 24 , wherein the locking mechanism includes an actuator configured to disengage the locking mechanism allowing the driver housing to move from the extended position toward the retracted position when the actuator is actuated by a user.

26 . The lighting fixture of claim 25 , comprising:
a sliding mechanism allowing the driver housing to slide between the retracted position and the extended position.

27 . The lighting fixture of claim 21 , comprising:
at least one lighting accessory connector positionable in the cavity with the driver housing and dimensioned to be contained within the cavity, the lighting accessory connector being removable from the cavity and configured to connect to the driver housing or the lower housing and provide an attachment location for a lighting accessory.

28 . A lighting fixture, comprising:
a driver housing including a mounting surface and housing a driver configured to power an array of lighting elements, the mounting surface configured to mount to a planar surface; a lower housing coupled with the driver housing, the lower housing including
a top surface facing the driver housing, and
a cavity configured to receive the driver housing; and
a locking mechanism; wherein the driver housing is selectively positionable in relation to the lower housing between a retracted position defined by the driver housing being received within the cavity and the driver housing's mounting surface being flush with or below the top surface of the lower housing, and an extended position defined by the mounting surface of the driver housing being extended above the top surface of the lower housing; wherein the locking mechanism is configured to automatically lock the driver housing in the extended position when the driver reaches the extended position.

29 . The lighting fixture of claim 28 , wherein the lighting fixture defines a collapsed height with the driver housing in the retracted position and an expanded height with the driver housing in the extended position, wherein the collapsed height is approximately one-half (½) the expanded height.

30 . The lighting fixture of claim 28 , wherein the lower housing is rectangular and defines a length, the driver housing forming a central raised portion spanning the length of the lower housing.

31 . The lighting fixture of claim 28 , comprising:
a locking mechanism configured to automatically lock the driver housing in the extended position when the driver reaches the extended position.

32 . The lighting fixture of claim 31 , wherein the locking mechanism includes an actuator configured to disengage the locking mechanism allowing the driver housing to move from the extended position toward the retracted position when the actuator is actuated by a user.

33 . The lighting fixture of claim 32 , comprising:
a sliding mechanism allowing the driver housing to slide between the retracted position and the extended position.

Assignees

• Rab Lighting Inc

Inventors

• Calaceto Nicholas
• Hu Jiang

Classifications

• F21V17/007 Primary

  with provision for shipment or storage · CPC title

• F21V23/007 Primary

  enclosed in a casing · CPC title

• F21S8/063

  with a rigid pendant, i.e. a pipe or rod · CPC title

• F21W2131/40

  Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use · CPC title

• F21S9/022

  Emergency lighting devices · CPC title