Illumination – Elongated source light unit or support – With means to position plural light sources colinearly
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-15
2003-03-11
Sember, Thomas M. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Elongated source light unit or support
With means to position plural light sources colinearly
C362S225000, C403S292000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06530674
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of modular fixtures for architectural applications, and in particular to connectors for connecting a series of modules to form an elongated fixture. The invention is particularly useful for assembling elongated light fixtures such as are used in suspended, indirect lighting applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are a number of architectural settings in which arrays of interconnected modular fixtures are installed. For example, arrays of modular light fixtures can be suspended from a ceiling or otherwise supported, such as by mounting on a wall, in a linear, circular, polygonal, or other geometric array. However, installation of such arrays generally requires that the individual modules of the fixture be physically connected to each other in a precise alignment, both to ensure structural stability of the array and to create an esthetically pleasing appearance.
Installation and alignment of many existing types of suspended arrays require considerable time and labor to ensure proper and precise three-dimensional alignment. In particular, it is typically necessary to support both ends of an initial module while it is being suspended from a wall or ceiling or other support structure, and also while it is being physically connected to an adjacent module. In this regard, one worker typically holds the initial module while another worker attaches hangers at each end of the module. For subsequent modules, the modules are attached by a hanger at one end and to a previously hung module at the other end. For example, one worker may hold the module while another worker attaches the hanger. While the first worker continues to hold the unsupported end, the other worker can then carefully align the module with the previously hung module and use fasteners or the like to interconnect the modules. Installation procedures may be even more complex and time-consuming when additional parts must be positioned within or between fixtures. In the case of light fixtures and other electrical fixtures, for example, it is also necessary to make electrical connections between the fixtures. These operations may have to be conducted in physically cramped and awkward work spaces, where it is difficult to position mechanical parts. It will thus be appreciated that installation and alignment is generally time-consuming, labor intensive and expensive.
In some settings, it is desirable to have arrays of modular fixtures for fluorescent light tubes in which the tubes can be mounted in a manner which minimizes the distance between the ends of tubes in adjacent fixtures to provide a pleasing appearance, more uniform illumination, and/or efficient use of available space for mounting fixtures. For example, fluorescent bulbs are typically available in predetermined lengths, for example, four feet. A designer or client may desire to provide a fixture having a cumulative length of sixteen feet. If such a fixture was assembled using four modules with conventional fixtures having connectors between modules that occupy, perhaps, two or more inches, the resulting fixture could be half a foot or more larger than the desired length. Additionally, at each connection, a dark spot will appear, thereby damaging the illusion of a continuous, customized fixture. It is therefore desirable to minimize the length of connections. However, decreasing the space between the modules and, consequently, the ends of the bulbs, can result in decreased working space for making mechanical and electrical connections between the modules.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method which allow connection and alignment of modules into fixtures with reduced labor requirements.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for connecting fluorescent light modules end to end in fixtures with decreased space between the ends of the fluorescent tubes in adjacent modules.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a connector and a method for installing modules rapidly and easily in precise three-dimensional alignment.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a mechanism which supports the fixtures and frees both hands of a worker to make electrical connections.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a connector and a method for connecting modules utilizing fewer parts and that is less labor intensive than conventional installations.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a connector for modular fixtures which can be easily and inexpensively manufactured from readily available and inexpensive materials, and a method for manufacturing such a connector.
These and other objectives are addressed by the connector system of the present invention.
The present invention is directed to connecting and aligning modules of modular fixtures, which may be suspended in an abutted end-to-end configuration from above or from a vertical wall. The present invention simplifies installation of fixtures, with decreased labor requirements relative to previous installation methods. In accordance with the present invention, connectors are mountable to fixtures, preferably substantially inside of and at the ends of the fixture modules.
The fixtures may be electrical fixtures, and more particularly, they may be fluorescent light fixtures. In this regard, connectors are adapted and mountable to the fixtures in a manner that allows fluorescent light tubes in adjacent modules to be aligned end-to-end, with minimal space between the tubes. In addition to using the available space more efficiently for mounting the fixtures, this arrangement of the light tubes eliminates dark spots which detract from the appearance of the fixture array and could decrease the uniformity of the illumination of the space in which the fixtures are mounted.
In accordance with the present invention, when modules are installed in an end-to-end configuration with the end of one module adjacent the end of another module, the connectors at those ends interlock with each other so as to cause the fixtures to be aligned with each other. To achieve this interlocking and self-aligning relationship, at least one of each pair of connectors (e.g., mating connectors of adjacent modules) includes at least one tab member, and at least the other of the two paired connectors includes at least one opening, preferably with a wide central portion and tapered sides. Each tab member also preferably tapers from a wide portion adjacent a joint between the tab member and a body portion of the connector to a narrower portion which is distal from the joint, and each tab member can be positioned to extend outward from the end of the module to which it is mounted. Preferably, the tab member(s) is deployable from a first position where the tab member is flush with the body portion (e.g., for shipping and handling) and a second position where it extends from the body portion for engaging the connector of an adjacent module.
The tab member(s) and the opening(s) are sized and positioned such that an extended tab member of one connector can be inserted through an opening of another connector to engage the connectors in at least two interlocking positions. In one interlocking position, the two connectors are close enough to each other to allow a worker to access the ends of both fixtures easily during installation of the fixtures, such as for making electrical connections, and provide adequate work space for moving the connected wires to a position where they will be invisible when installation is complete. Additionally, in this first interlocking position, one end of a module being installed can be supported by a previously hung module while the other end is suspended, thereby simplifying installation and reducing labor requirements. To facilitate engagement of the tab with the opening in the first position, the tab member may terminate in a hook distal from the joint between the tab and the bo
Grierson Dean
Hersco Patrick
Holme Roberts & Owen
Sember Thomas M.
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