Illumination – Elongated source light unit or support – With means to position plural light sources colinearly
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-12
2001-02-13
Tso, Laura K. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Elongated source light unit or support
With means to position plural light sources colinearly
C362S223000, C362S147000, C362S260000, C362S217060
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186642
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to ambient lighting systems and the like, and in particular to an on-site fabricated linear lighting system.
Linear ambient lighting systems are used in a wide variety of building construction applications. The linear lights or fixtures typically include a cover for shielding direct lighting, an elongated lighting element, and some kind of supporting structure for suspending the lighting system above the floor of an associated building.
Heretofore, linear lighting systems have normally incorporated multiple separate lighting units or fixtures that are positioned end-to-end to form a single elongate linear light. These lighting units are usually suspended from the ceiling and may be fastened together end-to-end. Such lighting units are normally prefabricated before reaching the construction site. More specifically, the lighting units are preassembled at their place of manufacture, such that the lighting units are complete with a cover and other associated components prior to shipping. This method of construction and application typically results in a large number of light fixtures being damaged during shipping. In addition, the use of multiple lighting units to form a single linear light affords an inefficient installation process and an unattractive overall appearance, since the light has a distinctive segmented look, instead of the desired one-piece custom appearance. The appearance of such lighting is quite important when the building space is being used for offices, meeting rooms, and the like. The increased popularity of open office plans has created a need for attractive linear lighting systems that can be manufactured and installed quickly and economically.
While some types of linear ambient lighting systems use prefabricated elongated assemblies which are ready to hang as a unit, such products are generally by nature very long, and therefore fragile and expensive to ship long distances. In addition, lighting fixtures much beyond 8 feet in length are difficult, if not impossible, to transport into existing buildings without first removing windows. While cranes are often employed in high rise constructions to lift linear lighting equipment through upper floor window openings, such installation processes increase cost, time, and potential fixture damage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is to provide a linear ambient lighting system adapted for on-site fabrication in open building plans and the like. The lighting system includes a plurality of elongated lighting elements having electrical power sockets at the opposite ends thereof to physically support the lighting elements and electrically connect the same with electrical connectors to supply electrical power to the lighting elements. Fixture supports are connected with and support the electrical power sockets and are configured to be spaced longitudinally along the length of the associated lighting fixture. Structural supports extend between and connect the fixture supports. Fixture hangers are provided with first portions connected with an overhead support portion of an associated building, and lower portions connected with and supporting the fixture supports. An elongated cover is connected with the light fixture, and has an uninterrupted one-piece construction and a selected length that extends continuously along the entire length of an associated lighting fixture below a lowermost portion thereof, to provide a rigid lightweight assembly that has a neat, custom one-piece appearance and can be fabricated on-site at the associated building to alleviate transportation damage and cost.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for making linear ambient lighting on-site for open building plans and the like. The method includes providing a plurality of elongated lighting elements that have electrical connectors positioned adjacent to the opposite ends thereof, providing a plurality of electrical power sockets that are shaped to receive the opposite ends of the lighting elements therein to physically support the same and connect with the electrical connectors to supply electrical power to the lighting elements, providing a plurality of fixture supports shaped for connection with the electrical power sockets and configured to be spaced longitudinally along the length of an associated lighting fixture, providing a plurality of structural supports extending between and connecting the fixture supports, and providing a plurality of fixture hangers. The method further includes connecting a first portion of each of the fixture hangers to an overhead portion of an associated building in a mutually linear relationship, mounting the fixture supports on a second portion of each of the fixture hangers, assembling the electrical power sockets on the opposite ends of the lighting elements to define lighting assemblies, positioning the light assemblies between laterally adjacent pairs of the fixture supports and connecting the same thereto, constructing on-site at the associated building an elongated housing to a selected length that extends continuously along an entire length of the lighting fixture, and covering the light fixture with the cover such that the cover is attached to the lighting fixture below a lowermost portion thereof thereby defining a rigid lightweight assembly that has a neat, custom one-piece appearance and can be fabricated on-site at the associated building to alleviate transportation damage and cost.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a linear ambient lighting system kit. The lighting kit includes fixture supports that are adapted to connect with and support electrical power sockets normally associated with linear lighting fixtures, said fixture supports adapted to be spaced longitudinally along the length of the associated lighting fixture. At least two structural support bars extend between and are substantially juxtaposed about the associated lighting fixture. Fixture hangers are provided with first portions connected with an overhead support portion of an associated building, and second portions connected with and supporting the fixture supports. An elongated cover is adapted to connect with the lighting system and has an uninterrupted one-piece construction that is constructed on-site having a selected length that extends continuously along the entire length of the associated lighting fixture. Connectors are adapted to attach the cover to at least one of a group consisting of the fixture supports and the structural support bars, thereby defining a rigid lightweight assembly that has a neat, custom one-piece appearance and can be fabricated on-site at the associated building to alleviate transportation damage and cost.
The principle objects of the present invention are to provide a linear ambient lighting system adapted for on-site fabrication in open building plans and the like. The utilization of a cover having an uninterrupted one-piece construction formed on-site provides a lighting system with a neat, custom one-piece appearance aiding in the aesthetics of the application. In addition, on-site fabrication and assembly of the lighting system reduces costs associated with transportation and damage normally associated with shipping and installing prefabricated light assemblies. The lighting system has an uncomplicated, lightweight construction that reduces manufacturing, fabrication and installation costs and difficulty.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
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patent: 29904
Corcorran Sean M.
Nahikian Angela R.M.
Webster David M.
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
Steelcase Inc.
Tso Laura K.
LandOfFree
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