Apparatuses and methods for changing lighting fixture dimensions

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021332970-A1
Application number	US-202117319137-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 13, 2021
Priority date	Aug 21, 2019
Publication date	Oct 28, 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 .- 9 . (canceled)

10 . An expandable lighting fixture for a room, comprising:
a lighting element; a driver electrically connected to the lighting element; an upper housing connected to the lighting element and the driver, the upper housing configured to attach to a building; a lens for protecting the lighting element; and a lower housing connected to the lens; wherein the upper housing and the lower housing are movably connected to one another defining a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; wherein the collapsed configuration is defined by
one of the upper housing or the lower housing being received within a cavity of the other of the upper housing and the lower housing, and
the lighting element and the lens being positioned a distance from one another; and
wherein the expanded configuration is defined by
the housing that is received within the cavity in the collapsed configuration extending out of the cavity, and
the lighting element and the lens being positioned a greater distance from one another than in the collapsed configuration.

11 . The expandable lighting fixture of claim 10 , further comprising a slide mechanism, wherein the slide mechanism is configured to translate the upper housing relative to the lower housing such that the upper housing extends upward from the cavity.

12 . The expandable lighting fixture of claim 10 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to automatically lock the upper housing in the expanded configuration.

13 . The expandable lighting fixture of claim 12 , further comprising an actuator coupled with the locking mechanism, wherein the actuator is configured to disengage the locking mechanism thereby allowing the upper housing and the lower housing to transition from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration.

14 . The expandable lighting fixture of claim 10 , wherein
the lens is connected to the lower housing, the lighting element is attached to the upper housing, and the lighting element moves the same distance as the upper housing when the upper housing moves in relation to the lower housing.

15 . The expandable lighting fixture of claim 10 , wherein the lower housing defines a cavity and is bounded by its outer dimensions, the upper housing is received within the cavity in the lower housing, and the upper housing is constrained within the outer dimensions of the lower housing when the upper housing and the lower housing are in the collapsed configuration.

16 .- 20 . (canceled)

21 . The expandable lighting fixture of claim 15 , wherein an upper surface of the upper housing is positioned flush with or below a top surface of the lower housing in the collapsed configuration.

22 . The expandable lighting fixture of claim 10 , wherein the collapsed configuration defines a collapsed height of the expandable lighting fixture, wherein the expanded configuration defines an expanded height of the expandable lighting fixture, wherein the collapsed height is approximately one-half (½) the expanded height.

23 . The expandable lighting fixture of claim 10 , further comprising at least one lighting accessory connector positioned in the cavity, wherein the at least one lighting accessory connector is configured to connect to the upper housing or the lower housing and provide an attachment location for at least one lighting accessory.

24 . The expandable lighting fixture of claim 10 , wherein the lower housing is rectangular and defines a length, wherein the upper housing is configured to form a central raised portion spanning the length of the lower housing.

25 . An expandable lighting fixture, comprising:
a lighting element; a driver electrically connected to the lighting element; an upper housing connected to the lighting element and the driver, the upper housing defining a top surface configured to be mounted to a ceiling surface; a lens for protecting the lighting element; and a lower housing connected to the lens and defining a cavity, the lower housing being movably connected to the upper housing, wherein the upper housing is selectively positionable in relation to the lower housing between a retracted position defined by the upper housing being received within the cavity such that the top surface of the upper housing is flush with or below a top surface of the lower housing relative to the ceiling surface, and an extended position defined by the top surface of the upper housing being extended above the top surface of the lower housing.

26 . The expandable lighting fixture of claim 25 , wherein in the retracted position an upper-facing driver surface relative to the ceiling surface is flush with or below the top surface of the lower housing.

27 . The expandable lighting fixture of claim 25 , wherein in the extended position the lighting element and the lens are positioned a greater distance from one another than in the retracted position.

28 . The expandable lighting fixture of claim 25 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to automatically lock the upper housing in the extended position when the upper housing reaches the extended position.

29 . The expandable lighting fixture of claim 28 , further comprising an actuator operatively coupled with the locking mechanism, wherein the actuator is configured to disengage the locking mechanism thereby allowing the upper housing to move from the extended position toward the retracted position.

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

31 . The lighting fixture of claim 30 , wherein the upper housing includes a driver configured to power the array of lighting elements.

32 . The lighting fixture of claim 30 , wherein the lighting fixture defines a collapsed height with the upper housing in the retracted position and an expanded height with the upper housing in the extended position, wherein the collapsed height is approximately one-half (½) the expanded height.

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

34 . The lighting fixture of claim 30 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to automatically lock the upper housing in the extended position when the upper housing reaches 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

• F21W2131/40

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

• F21S9/022

  Emergency lighting devices · CPC title

• F21S8/063

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