Light Fixture with Communication or Power Connector
20200003377 ยท 2020-01-02
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
F21S8/036
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V21/22
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21S8/065
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V33/0096
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V21/15
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21S8/063
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21S8/026
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V33/006
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
H01R33/92
ELECTRICITY
International classification
F21S8/06
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21S8/02
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V21/22
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
H01R33/92
ELECTRICITY
F21V21/14
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21S8/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
A light fixture includes a mount configured to mount onto a mounting surface and a stem having a first end attached to the mount and extending in a first direction away from the mount with respect to the mounting surface to a second end. The light fixture further includes at least one arm having a first end attached to the stem and extending in a second direction away from the stem with respect to the mounting surface to a second end, the second direction at an angle with respect to the first direction. The light fixture includes a socket disposed on the second end of the at least one arm for receiving a light emitter and a power receptacle and/or a communication receptacle disposed on the second end of the stem.
Claims
1. A ceiling fan comprising: a mount configured to mount onto a mounting surface; a mounting stem having first and second ends, the first end of the mounting stem connected to the mount; a fan assembly having first and second assembly ends, the first assembly end of the fan assembly connected to the second end of the mounting stem below the first end of the mounting stem with respect to the mounting surface; a power receptacle and/or a communication receptacle disposed on the second assembly end of the fan assembly and arranged for access from below the fan assembly; and a pull-open mechanism having a first portion connected to the mounting stem or the fan assembly and a second portion movable with respect to the first portion between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the second portion conceals the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle in the stowed position and allows access to the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle while in the deployed position.
2. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the pull-open mechanism is a pivoting door cover rotatable about an axis substantially aligned with the mounting stem and separable from a part of the first portion of the pull-open mechanism when moved between the stowed position and the deployed position.
3. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the pull-open mechanism is a sliding door cover movable along an axis substantially perpendicular to the mounting stem and slidable past a part of the first portion of the pull-open mechanism when moved between the stowed position and the deployed position.
4. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the pull-open mechanism is a pull-down mechanism comprising a connector body movably disposed on the second end of the mounting stem and supporting the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle, the connector body moving between a closed position wherein the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle is concealed by the connector body and an open position allowing access to the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle.
5. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the pull-open mechanism are arranged for telescopic movement.
6. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the pull-open mechanism comprises pivotally connected arms.
7. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the mounting stem, the fan assembly, and the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle are arranged in a substantially vertical arrangement with respect to the mounting surface, wherein the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle is/are accessible below the fan assembly.
8. The ceiling fan of claim 1, further comprising: a receiver disposed on the second assembly end of the fan assembly below the first end of the mounting stem with respect to the mounting surface; a socket disposed on the receiver for electrically receiving a light emitter, the received light emitter extending downward and away from the receiver with respect to the mounting surface; a frame support having a first support end attached to the receiver and extending downward and away from the receiver past the received light emitter to a second support end, the second support end of the frame support located below the received light emitter with respect to the mounting surface; and a receptacle frame attached to the second support end of the frame support and spaced downward and away from the socket with respect to the mounting surface, wherein the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle is disposed on the receptacle frame in a location below the received light emitter with respect to the mounting surface.
9. The ceiling fan of claim 8, wherein the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle is/are positioned between about 1 inch and about 3 inches below the light emitter with respect to the mounting surface.
10. A ceiling fan comprising: a mount configured to mount onto a mounting surface; a mounting stem having first and second ends, the first end of the mounting stem connected to the mount; a fan assembly having first and second assembly ends, the first assembly end of the fan assembly connected to the second end of the mounting stem below the first end of the mounting stem with respect to the mounting surface; and a power receptacle and/or a communication receptacle disposed on the second assembly end of the fan assembly and arranged for access from below the fan assembly.
11. The ceiling fan of claim 10, wherein the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle defines at least one recess comprising an electrical contact for establishing electrical continuity between the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle and a device that is external to the ceiling fan.
12. The ceiling fan of claim 10, further comprising: a receiver disposed on the second assembly end of the fan assembly below the first end of the mounting stem with respect to the mounting surface; a socket disposed on the receiver for electrically receiving a light emitter, the received light emitter extending downward and away from the receiver with respect to the mounting surface; a frame support having a first support end attached to the receiver and extending downward and away from the receiver past the received light emitter to a second support end, the second support end of the frame support located below the received light emitter with respect to the mounting surface; and a receptacle frame attached to the second support end of the frame support and spaced downward and away from the socket with respect to the mounting surface, wherein the power receptacle and/or the communication receptacle is disposed on the receptacle frame in a location below the received light emitter with respect to the mounting surface.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
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[0044] FIG.10B is a side view of the light fixture of
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[0053] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0054] Owning multiple portable devices, such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones, increases the number of cords and chargers a person may use to charge the portable electronic devices. This multiplicity of cords leads to an increase in cord clutter and/or cord entanglement on the ground, which may lead to a person tripping over the cords.
[0055] Referring to
[0056] The power or communication receptacle 146 may be a power receptacle 146a or a communication receptacle 146b or may be both a power and communication receptacle, such as, but not limited to, a universal serial bus (USB) or a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI). In some examples, the communication receptacle 146b is an Ethernet cable receiver.
[0057] The fixture body 110 is configured to support a light emitter 144. The light emitter 144 may be, but is not limited to, an incandescent light bulb, a fluorescent lamp or tube, a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), or an LED lamp. An incandescent light bulb produces light with a filament wire that produces light when heated to a high temperature. An electric current passing through the wire causes the wire to be heater to the high temperature. Therefore, when a light switch connected to a light bulb is turned on, current passes through the filament wire and increases the temperature of the filament wire to high temperature creating light. A fluorescent lamp or tube is gas charged and contains mercury atoms that are excited when an electrical current passes through the lamp or tube. The excited mercury atoms produce short-wave ultraviolet light producing visible light. Fluorescent lamp or tube is more efficient in producing light than incandescent light bulbs. A compact fluorescent lamp is a fluorescent lamp or tube designed to mimic the size of an incandescent bulb and therefore replace incandescent bulbs. A light-emitting diode (LED) bulb uses light emitting diodes as the source of light. LED bulbs are initially more expensive than fluorescent and incandescent bulbs; however, the LED lights have a higher efficiency and last longer.
[0058] Referring to
[0059] In some implementations, the fixture body 110 includes a socket 142 or electric connection 142 of the light emitter 144. The power or communication receptacle 146 may be disposed adjacent the socket 142. In some examples, the fixture body 110 includes more than one socket 142 to receive more than one light emitter 144. Additionally, the power or communication connector 146 may be positioned near or separated from the socket 142. In some examples, the power or communication connector 146 is within between about 1 inch and about 3 inches from the socket 142. In some examples, the fixture body 110 is configured for ceiling 10a or wall 10b mounting, as shown in
[0060] In some implementations, the fixture body 110 includes a mounting stem 112, and a receiver 140. The mounting stem 112 may be one or a combination of a cord, a chain, or a metal chain. The mounting stem 112 may have a first end 112a and a second end 112b. The first end 112a may be configured to mount onto a supporting surface 116. The supporting surface 116 may be a base for connecting the light fixture 100 to the ceiling 10a.
[0061] In some examples, the receiver 140 is disposed on the second end 112b of the mounting stem 112. The receiver 140 may include the socket 142 for electric connection of the light emitter 144 and the power or communication receptacle 146.
[0062] As shown in
[0063] Referring back to
[0064] Referring to
[0065] In some implementations, the receiver 140 includes a power receptacle 146a, a communication receptacle 146b and at least one socket 142 for receiving at least one light emitter 144. A pull-down mechanism 118 may be connected to the mounting stem 112 and allows the receiver 140 to move in a vertical direction within the shroud 120 to allow for easier access to the power or communication receptacle 146. In some examples, as shown, the pull-down mechanism 118 has a first portion 118a connected to the receiver 140 and a second portion 118b connected to the frame 130. The second portion 118b moves with respect to the first portion 118a between a closed or concealed position (
[0066] Examples of pull-down mechanisms 118 may include, but are not limited to, a ball screw, a scissor arrangement, or a spring load. A ball screw includes a threaded shaft that provides a helical track for a ball bearing acting as a precision screw. The ball screw acts as a linear actuator and translates rotational motion to linear motion allowing the second portion 118b of the pull-down mechanism 118b to linearly move in a vertical direction with respect to the shroud 120. As shown in the figures, the scissor arrangement includes two angled arms 119 having a pivoting elbow portion 117. In the closed position (
[0067] Referring to
[0068] Referring to
[0069] In some examples, as shown in
[0070] In some examples, as shown in
[0071] Referring to
[0072] In some examples, the fixture body 110 further includes a mounting stem 112, a receiver 140, and a frame 130. The receiver 140 is disposed on the mounting stem 112 and defines a socket 142 for electric connection of the light emitter 144. The frame 130 is connected to the receiver 140 and supports the power or communication receptacle 146 spaced away from the socket 142 by a threshold distance D. The threshold distance D may be at least three inches.
[0073] Referring to
[0074] Referring to
[0075] Referring to
[0076] Referring to
[0077] Referring to
[0078] The light fixture 100 may include a receptacle cover 160 disposed on the second end 112b of the stem 112 (
[0079] Referring to
[0080] In some examples, the light fixture 100 includes a pull-down mechanism 118. The pull-down mechanism 118 includes a first portion 118a connected to the connector body 180 and a second portion 118b moving with respect to the first portion 118a between a closed position concealing the power or communication receptacle 146 and an open position allowing access to the power or communication receptacle 146. The connector body 180 may rotate with respect to the shroud 120 about a vertical axis defined by the stem to allow access to the power or communication receptacle 146. In some examples, the connector body 180 rotates with respect to the shroud 120 or fixture body 110 about a horizontal axis defined by the stem 112 to allow access to the power or communication receptacle 146. The first and second portions 118a, 118b of the pull-down mechanism 118 may be arranged for telescopic movement. Additionally or alternatively, the pull-down mechanism 118 may include a ball screw as previously described with respect to
[0081] Referring to
[0082] Referring to
[0083] Referring to
[0084] Most ceiling fan fixtures 300 are attached to high ceilings 10a to avoid injury if a user attempts to touch the blades 202. Therefore, it might be difficult to reach the module body 310. In some examples, the module body 310 includes a knob 332 attached to a hanging cord 334, which has a handle 336. A user may pull on the handle 336 to extend the module 300 away from the fan fixture 200, from a retracted position to an extended position, allowing the user to reach the power and communication receptacles 146. If the user pulls the handle 336 a second time, then the module 300 may return to its retracted position (
[0085] The module mounting stem 318 may include a pull-down mechanism 318. The pull-down mechanism 318 has a first portion 318a and a second portion 318b (
[0086] In some implementations, the module body 300 supports a light emitter 144 and includes a socket 142 for electric connection of the light emitter 144. The module body 310 may include a mounting stem 318 and a receiver 140. The mounting stem 318 has first and second end portions 318a, 318b, where the first end portion 318a is configured to mount onto a supporting surface (e.g., connector body 280) of the light or fan fixture 200. The receiver 140 is disposed on the second end portion 318b of the mounting stem 318 and supports a socket 142 and the power and/or communication receptacle 146. In some examples, the receiver 140 is concealed by a shroud 320. The receiver 140 may be disposed in a location within an interior area of the shroud 320.
[0087] In some implementations, a shroud 320 is disposed on the module body 310 and arranged to at least partially conceal a light emitter 144 supported by the module body 310. The module body 310 may include a socket 142 for electric connection of the light emitter 144.
[0088] Referring to
[0089] Referring to
[0090] A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.