Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
LIGHT FIXTURE WITH IMPROVED WAVEGUIDE CONTROL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Embodiments of the invention relate to an improved light fixture that
can be, but that does
not have to be, supported on a pole to illuminate an area.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Light fixtures for providing general illumination to an area are well
known and often used
in outdoor lighting applications, including roadway, pedestrian, and
residential area lighting. Such
light fixtures can be supported on a pole and typically include light sources
(such as light emitting
diodes ("LEDs")), a housing, and a waveguide or optic. Traditionally,
suchlight fixtures have been
susceptible to various problems such as light leaking from unwanted portions
of the light fixture
and misalignment of components such as misalignment of a waveguide relative to
the LEDS,
which results in reduced luminaire efficiency or LED coupling.
SUMMARY
100031 The terms "invention," "the invention," "this invention" and "the
present invention" used
in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of
this patent and the patent
claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to
limit the subject
matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims
below. Embodiments
of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not
this summary. This
summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments of the invention and
introduces some
of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section
below. This summary
is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject
matter, nor is it intended
to be used in isolation to deteimine the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The subject matter
should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire
specification of this patent,
any or all drawings, and each claim.
[0004] According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a backing
plate for a light
fixture includes a plate body that extends in a plane and includes a first
surface, a second surface,
a compression feature, and a deflection limiter. The compression feature is
offset a first distance
from the plane in a first direction, and the compression feature includes a
compression feature
transverse dimension that is less than a transverse dimension of the plate
body. The deflection
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limiter is offset a second distance from the plane in the first direction, and
the deflection limiter
includes a deflection limiter transverse dimension that is less than the
transverse dimension of the
plate body. In certain aspects, the deflection limiter transverse dimension is
less than the
compression feature transverse dimension.
[0005] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a transition
cover for a light
fixture includes a cover body and a light dam. The cover body includes an
upper end, a lower end
opposite from the upper end, an inner surface defining a passageway extending
from the upper end
to the lower end, and an outer surface extending from the upper end to the
lower end. The upper
end defines a first opening to the passageway and the lower end defines a
second opening to the
passageway, and a transverse dimension of the first opening is different from
a transverse
dimension of the second opening. The light dam extends outwardly from the
outer surface of the
cover body.
[0006] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a light
fixture includes a
housing defining a housing chamber having a housing opening, where the light
fixture is
configured to emit light through the housing opening. The light fixture also
includes a waveguide
supported within the housing chamber and over the housing opening. The light
fixture may also
include a transition cover supported on the housing where the transition cover
includes a cover
body and a light dam. The cover body includes an upper end contacting the
waveguide and a lower
end opposite from the upper end and adjacent to the housing opening, and the
light dam extends
outwardly from the cover body towards the waveguide.
[0007] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a light
fixture includes a
housing defining a housing chamber having a housing opening, where the light
fixture is
configured to emit light through the housing opening. The light fixture also
includes a waveguide
supported within the housing chamber and over the housing opening. The light
fixture may also
include a backing plate supported within the housing chamber such that the
waveguide is between
the housing opening and the backing plate. The backing plate may include a
plate body extending
in a plane and that includes a compression feature and a deflection limiter.
The compression feature
is offset a first distance from the plane in a first direction, and the
compression feature includes a
compression feature transverse dimension that is less than a transverse
dimension of the plate body.
The deflection limiter is offset a second distance from the plane in the first
direction, and the
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deflection limiter includes a deflection transverse dimension that is less
than the transverse
dimension of the plate body. The compression feature biases the waveguide
towards the housing
opening.
[0008] According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a light
fixture includes a
housing defining a housing chamber having a housing opening, where the light
fixture is
configured to emit light through the housing opening. The light fixture also
includes a waveguide
supported within the housing chamber and over the housing opening. The light
fixture may include
a backing plate supported within the housing chamber and biasing the waveguide
towards the
housing opening. The light fixture may also include a transition cover with a
cover body extending
from a first portion of the waveguide to the housing opening and a light dam
extending from the
cover body towards a second portion of the waveguide.
[0009] Various implementations described in the present disclosure can include
additional
systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be
expressly disclosed
herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon
examination of the following
detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such
systems, methods,
features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and
protected by the
accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to
emphasize the
general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and
components throughout
the figures can be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of
consistency and
clarity.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a light fixture according to aspects of
the current disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the light fixture of FIG. 1 taken along
line 2-2.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top view of a support of the light fixture of FIG. 1
according to aspects of the
current disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the support of FIG. 3 taken along line 4-
4.
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[0015] FIG. 5 is a top view of a backing plate of the light fixture of FIG. 1
according to aspects
of the current disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the backing plate
of FIG. 5 taken along
line 6-6 and showing a compression feature of the backing plate.
[0017] FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the backing plate
of FIG. 5 taken along
line 7-7 and showing a deflection limiter of the backing plate.
[0018] FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken at inset rectangle 8 of FIG.
2 and showing the
compression feature of the backing plate.
[0019] FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken at inset rectangle 9 of FIG.
2 and showing the
deflection limiter of the backing plate.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a top view of a transition cover of the light fixture of
FIG. 1 according to aspects
of the current disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the transition
cover of FIG. 10 taken
along line 11-11.
[0022] FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken at inset circle 12 of FIG.
8 and showing the
transition cover.
[0023] FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of another light
fixture having a
transition zone according to aspects of the current disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a light fixture according to aspects
of the current
disclosure having a light shield.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the light fixture of FIG. 14 taken along
line 15-15.
[0026] FIG. 16 is a top view of a transition cover the light fixture of FIG.
14 according to aspects
of the current disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the transition
cover of FIG. 16 taken
along line 17-17.
[0028] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a light fixture according to aspects
of the current
disclosure.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described
here with
specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not
necessarily intended to limit
the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other
ways, may include
different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other
existing or future
technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any
particular order or
arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order
of individual steps
or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. Directional references
such as "up," "down,"
"top," "bottom," "left," "right," "front," and "back," among others are
intended to refer to the
orientation as illustrated and described in the figure (or figures) to which
the components and
directions are referencing.
[0030] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to light fixtures
that generally include
a housing and a light guide panel or waveguide supported within the housing
and over a housing
opening. The housing may be mounted atop a pole, although it need not be in
other examples, and
the light fixture can be installed in different locations (i.e., indoor,
outdoor, etc.) and in different
manners. Moreover, while LEDs are described, it will be recognized that light
fixtures may include
other kinds of light sources such as fluorescent, incandescent, halogen, etc.
[0031] As used herein, a "transverse dimension" refers to the dimension across
the widest portion
of the component. It will be appreciated that the transverse dimension may
depend on a shape of
the component. A diameter of an object is an example of a transverse
dimension. As such, while
the description below references diameters, it will be appreciated that the
shape of the light fixtures
and components of the light fixtures is not considered limiting on the current
disclosure.
Light Fixture
[0032] FIGS. 1-12 illustrate an example of a light fixture 100. The light
fixture 100 generally
includes a housing assembly 102 and an optic 104 supported on the housing
assembly 102. In some
examples, the light fixture 100 may include a transition cover 106 that
extends between the optic
104 and the housing assembly 102. The light fixture 100 may optionally include
other components
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including, but not limited to, a support 108, a backing plate 110, and/or one
or more light sources
112.
[0033] As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the housing assembly 102 may include an
upper housing 114
and a lower housing 116 that is coupled to the upper housing 114. The upper
housing 114 may be
coupled to the lower housing 116 through various suitable attachment
mechanisms, including, but
not limited to, bolts, screws, pins, hooks, clips, clasps, welding, or other
suitable mechanisms as
desired. In some examples, the upper housing 114 and the lower housing 116 may
be integrally or
monolithically formed as a single component. The housing assembly 102 defines
a housing
chamber 118 and includes a housing opening 120 that provides access to the
housing chamber 118.
In various examples, the light source(s) 112 of the light fixture 100 may be
supported within the
housing chamber 118, and light from the light source(s) 112 may be directed
through the housing
opening 120. The upper housing 114 and the lower housing 116 may be
constructed from various
suitable materials for a light fixture housing, including, but not limited to,
various metals (e.g.,
aluminum, steel, etc.), plastics, composites, combinations thereof, or other
suitable materials or
combinations of materials as desired.
[0034] In some optional examples, the housing assembly 102 includes one or
more arms 132 that
extend from the housing assembly 102 and that may be used to support the light
fixture 100 at a
desired installation location, such as on a post. In the example of FIGS. 1-
12, the housing assembly
102 includes one arm 132 that extends outwards from the upper housing 114 and
is attachable to
a pole or other mounting surface. FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a light
fixture 1800 that is
substantially similar to the light fixture 100 except that the light fixture
1800 includes two arms
132A-B that extend from the lower housing 116 below the housing opening 120.
In will be
appreciated that the number of arms should not be considered limiting on the
current disclosure,
as in other examples the light fixture 1800 may have less than two arms that
extend below the
housing opening or more than two arms that extend below the housing opening.
Various other
types or arrangements of arms 132 may be utilized. In other examples, mounting
features other
than arms 132 may be utilized to support the light fixture 100 at a desired
location, and the arms
132 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure.
[0035] As best illustrated in FIG. 2, in various examples, the optic 104 may
be supported in the
housing chamber 118 and aligned with the housing opening 120. In various
aspects, the optic 104
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is a waveguide and has a perimeter edge 122 (see FIG. 12), and the one or more
light sources 112
are configured to direct light into the perimeter edge 122. As used herein, a
"waveguide" and an
"optic" are used interchangeably to refer to the same component. Various other
types of optics 104
may be utilized with the light fixture 100, and the optic 104 may be formed
from various suitable
materials, including, but not limited to, glass, plastic (e.g., acrylics,
PMMA, etc.) , or other suitable
materials or combinations of materials as desired. In various examples, and as
discussed in detail
below, the backing plate 110 may at least partially position or orient the
optic 104 relative to the
housing opening 120. Optionally, a reflector 128 may be provided adjacent to
the optic 104
opposite from the housing opening 120.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the support 108 may be within the housing
chamber 118 and may
optionally support other components of the light fixture 100 within the
housing chamber 118. In
the example of FIGS. 2-4, the support 108 at least partially supports the
optic 104 and the backing
plate 110 within the housing chamber 118. In various aspects, the support 108
may be coupled to
the upper housing 114 and/or the lower housing 116 through various securing
mechanisms such
as bolts, screws, pins, clips, clasps, hooks, etc. as desired. As best
illustrated in FIG. 3, the support
108 may define a support opening 124 that may be aligned or otherwise
positioned relative to the
housing opening 120. In some examples, a transverse dimension of the support
opening 124 is less
than a transverse dimension of the optic 104 and/or less than a transverse
dimension of the backing
plate 110.
[0037] In various examples, the support 108 includes a ledge 126 that extends
into the support
opening 124. Components of the light fixture 100 may optionally be supported
on the ledge 126
within the housing chamber 118. In the example of FIGS. 2-4, the optic 104 is
supported on the
ledge 126, which helps to properly orient the optic 104 relative to the light
sources 112. Optionally,
the ledge 126 defines a gasket channel 129, and a gasket 130 may be supported
in the gasket
channel 129. When the optic 104 is assembled with the support 108, the gasket
130 may form a
seal between the optic 104 and the support 108.
[0038] The light sources 112 are supported in the housing chamber 118 and may
be various
suitable types of light sources as desired. In the example of FIGS. 1-12, the
light sources 112 are
light emitting diodes (LEDs), but in other examples, the light sources may
include other types of
light sources such as fluorescent, incandescent, halogen, etc. In one
embodiment, the light sources
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112 are LEDS mounted on one or more flexible printed circuit boards. In the
example of FIGS. 1-
12, the light sources 112 are mounted on an upstanding wall 131 of the support
108 that extends
at an angle relative to the ledge 126 of the support 108 (see FIG. 4). In some
embodiments, the
angle is between 45 to 135 , inclusive, and in some embodiments the angle is
approximately 90 .
In such a configuration, the light sources 112 are positioned to emit light
into the perimeter edge
122 of the optic 104 supported on the ledge 126. In some embodiments, the
light sources 112
extend entirely around the perimeter edge 122 of the optic 104, although they
need not extend
around the entire perimeter edge 122 in other embodiments.
[0039] As discussed in detail below, the backing plate 110 may be provided in
the housing
chamber 118 above the optic 104. In some cases, the backing plate 110 is
supported on the support
108, although it need not be in other examples. In various examples, the
backing plate 110 may at
least partially position the optic 104 within the housing chamber 118 and/or
may limit or prevent
deflection or other movement of the optic 104 within the housing chamber 118.
[0040] In order of assembly, the light engine, comprised of 108, 122, 130,
104, 128, 112, and 110
(108+), is all assembled together with fastensers clamping 110 onto 108.
[0041] To assemble the light fixture 100, the support 108 (with associated
components, such as
light sources 112, backing plate 110, reflector 128, optic 104, gasket 130,
etc.) is attached upwardly
into the upper housing 114 via screws or other first fasteners. In other
examples, the support 108
(with associated components) may be attached and/or supported on the lower
housing 116. In
various examples, the light sources 112, backing plate 110, reflector 128, and
optic 104 may be
pre-assembled with the support 108. In various aspects, the components
supported by the support
108 may be coupled to the support 108 through various suitable mechanisms
including, but not
limited to, pins, hooks, clips, clasps, snap-fit engagement, other mechanical
fasteners, chemical
fasteners, or other suitable mechanisms as desired. In other examples, one or
more of the
components supported by the support 108 need not be coupled to the support
108, and they are
retained on support 108 by compressive forces from the upper housing 114 when
assembled. The
lower housing 116 is then attached upwardly into the support 108 via screws or
other second
fasteners. Conversely, if the support 108 (with associate components) is first
attached to the lower
housing 116, the lower housing 116 may be attached to the upper housing 114
with fasteners that
may extend through the support 108 and lower housing 116 directly into the
upper housing 114.
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The upper housing 114 may be coupled to the lower housing 116 and/or the
support 108. In various
examples, the upper housing 114 coupled to the lower housing 116 and/or the
support 108 may
compress various components supported on the support 108 to at least partially
those components
on the support 108. Finally, a transition cover 106 is attached (such as via
snap fitting) to the lower
housing 116 so as to cover the fasteners between the support 108 (with
associated components),
the lower housing 116, and the upper housing 114. In this way, all of the
hardware needed to
assemble the light fixture 100 is hidden from view.
[0042] As discussed in detail below, the transition cover 106 extends between
the housing
assembly 102 and the optic 104. The transition cover 106 may be supported on
the lower housing
116, although it need not be in other examples. In various examples, the
transition cover 106 is at
least partially positioned in the housing opening 120 and extends at least
partially into the housing
chamber 118. The transition cover 106 may provide a uniform boundary for light
emitted from the
light fixture 100 through the optic 104. The transition cover 106 may also
minimize or block excess
light that might otherwise escape from the light fixture 100 through the
housing opening 120 at
locations other than the optic 104 (e.g., at a gap defined between the
transition cover 106 and the
lower housing 116).
Backing Plate
[0043] As best illustrated in FIGS. 5-9, the backing plate 110 includes a
plate body 134 that may
extend in a plate plane 138 (FIGS. 6 and 7) and includes a perimeter edge 140.
The backing plate
110 may be constructed from various suitable materials, including, but not
limited to, various
metals, plastics, composites, or other suitable materials as desired.
[0044] In some examples, the plate body 134 includes a compression feature
142. As illustrated
in FIGS. 5 and 6, the compression feature 142 may define a closed perimeter,
and a transverse
dimension of the compression feature 142 may be less than a transverse
dimension of the plate
body 134. As best illustrated in FIG. 6, the compression feature 142 extends a
first distance 144
from the plate plane 138 in a first direction. The particular shape of the
compression feature 142
should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure. In the example of
FIGS. 1-12, the
compression feature 142 is a ridge defined by the plate body 134. Optionally,
a reinforcing
structure 146 is provided adjacent to the compression feature 142 to impart
strength to the
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compression feature 142. In the example of FIGS. 1-12, the reinforcing
structure 146 is a
reinforcing ridge, although the reinforcing structure 146 may have various
other suitable shapes as
desired. In some examples, the reinforcing structure 146 extends a second
distance 148 from the
plate plane 138 in a second direction that is opposite from the first
direction. In various aspects,
the second distance 148 is less than the first distance, although it need not
be in other examples.
[0045] The plate body 134 may also include a deflection limiter 150. Similar
to the compression
feature 142, the deflection limiter 150 may define a closed perimeter, and a
transverse dimension
of the deflection limiter 150 may be less than the transverse dimension of the
compression feature
142. Optionally, the deflection limiter 150 encompasses a center portion 152
of the plate body 134.
In various examples, the compression feature 142 encompasses the deflection
limiter 150 such that
the compression feature 142 is between the deflection limiter 150 and the
perimeter edge 140 of
the plate body 134. As best illustrated in FIG. 7, the deflection limiter 150
extends a third distance
154 from the plate plane 138. In various examples, the third distance 154 is
less than the first
distance 144; however, in some cases, the third distance 154 may be greater
than or equal to the
first distance 144. The third distance 154 may optionally be less than the
second distance 148,
although it need not be. In the example of FIGS. 1-12, the deflection limiter
150 is a ridge, although
the shape of the deflection limiter 150 should not be considered limiting on
the current disclosure.
Similar to the compression feature 142, a reinforcing structure 156 may
optionally be provided
adjacent to the deflection limiter 150 to impart strength to the deflection
limiter 150. In the example
of FIGS. 1-12, the reinforcing structure 156 is a reinforcing ridge, although
the reinforcing
structure 156 may have various other suitable shapes as desired. In some
examples, the reinforcing
structure 156 extends a fourth distance 158 from the plate plane 138 in the
second direction that is
opposite from the first direction. In various aspects, the fourth distance 158
is greater than the third
distance 154, although it need not be in other examples. In certain cases, the
fourth distance 158
is less than or equal to the second distance 148.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8, when the backing plate 110 is assembled
with the light fixture
100, the compression feature 142 of the backing plate 110 may engage the optic
104 (and/or the
reflector 128) and bias the optic 104 towards the housing opening 120. In
various examples, the
compression feature 142 biases the optic 104 against the support 108 to
position the optic 104
relative to the support 108. In some examples where the gasket 130 is
included, the compression
feature 142 may bias the optic 104 against the gasket 130 such that a seal is
formed between the
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optic 104 and the support 108. If the compression feature 142 has a closed
perimeter (i.e., is
continuous), it will compress against the entire perimeter of the optic 104 to
form a completely
continuous seal (3600 in so embodiments) between the optic 104 and the support
108. In other
examples, the compression feature 142 need not form a closed perimeter.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 9, when the backing plate 110 is assembled
with the light fixture
100, a gap 160 may be defined between the deflection limiter 150 and the optic
104 (and/or the
reflector 128). In some embodiments, in a relaxed state whereby no external
forces are exerted on
the optic 104, the compression feature 142 is the only part of the backing
plate 110 to contact the
optic 104 and/or reflector 128. In various examples, the gap 160 may allow for
movement or
flexing of the optic 104 (e.g., responsive to an upwards force, such as, e.g.,
pressure washing), and
the deflection limiter 150 may control the amount of movement of the optic 104
by selectively
engaging and contacting the optic 104 after the optic 104 has deflected a
predetermined distance
(i.e., the distance of the gap 160). Such control from the deflection limiter
150 may minimize or
reduce damage to the optic 104 or other components of the light fixture 100.
Optionally, a
cushioning or insulating material (not shown), including but not limited to a
foam insert, may be
provided between the center portion 152 and the optic 104, under the
reinforcing structure 156,
under the reinforcing structure 146, under the plate body 134, and/or at
various other locations as
desired. .
[0048] Referring back to FIG. 5, one or more cutout features 136 may
optionally be defined in
the plate body 134. The cutout features 136 may be selectively removed as
desired to facilitate
installation of additional components with the light fixture 100, including
but not limited to various
sensors and/or communication devices.
Transition Cover
[0049] As best illustrated in FIGS. 10-12, the transition cover 106 includes a
cover body 162 that
has an upper end 164, a lower end 166 opposite from the upper end 164, an
inner surface 165, and
an outer surface 168. The transition cover 106 may be constructed from various
suitable materials
such as various metals, plastics, composites, etc. as desired. In one non-
limiting embodiment, the
transition cover 106 is made from a white plastic having inherently reflective
properties. In other
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non-limiting embodiments, the inner surface 165 of the transition cover 106
may be treated so as
to be reflective.
[0050] In various examples, the inner surface 165 defines a passageway 170
that extends from
the upper end 164 to the lower end 166. In some examples, the upper end 164
defines a first
opening 172 to the passageway 170 and the lower end 166 defines a second
opening 174 to the
passageway 170. Optionally, a transverse dimension of the upper end 164 is
different from (e.g.,
less than or greater than) a transverse dimension of the lower end 166,
although it need not be in
other examples, and the shape of the transition cover 106 should not be
considered limiting on the
current disclosure. In the example of FIGS. 10-12, the transverse dimension of
the upper end 164
is less than the transverse dimension of the lower end 166. In various
aspects, the transverse
dimension of the upper end 164 is less than the transverse dimension of the
optic 104.
[0051] Optionally, and as best illustrated in FIG. 10, the transition cover
106 may include one or
more clips 176 that may selectively engage the lower housing 116 (or other
suitable component of
the light fixture 100) to couple (e.g., via snap-fit or other suitable
coupling mechanisms) the
transition cover 106 to the light fixture 100. The shape or number clips 176
should not be
considered limiting on the current disclosure, and in other examples, the
clips 176 may be omitted
and other mounting or joining features may be utilized to support the
transition cover 106 on the
light fixture 100, including, but not limited to, adhesives, permanent
assembly mechanisms, and/or
semi-permanent assembly mechanisms.
[0052] As best illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the transition cover 106
includes a light dam 178
that extends outwardly from the outer surface 168. In various examples, the
light dam 178 extends
at an oblique angle relative to the cover body 162, although in other examples
the light dam 178
may extend at various suitable angles as desired relative to the cover body
162. The light dam 178
includes a dam end 180. As best illustrated in FIG. 11, in some optional
examples, the upper end
164 is arranged in a plane, and the light dam 178 may extend from the cover
body 162 such that
the dam end 180 extends in a plane that is different from the plane of the
upper end 164. In other
words, the light dam 178 may optionally extend above the upper end 164 or
below the upper end
164. In still other examples, the dam end 180 may extend coplanar with the
upper end 164. In
certain examples, the light dam 178 defines a closed perimeter, and a
transverse dimension of the
light dam 178 may be greater than a transverse dimension of the upper end 164.
In other examples,
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the light dam 178 need not define a closed perimeter and may instead define a
non-closed, or open,
perimeter.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 12, when the transition cover 106 is assembled
with the light
fixture 100, the lower end 166 may be adjacent to the lower housing 116 and
optionally in the
housing opening 120. The upper end 164 of the transition cover 106 may contact
a portion of the
optic 104. In various examples, the light dam 178 extend towards the optic
104. In the example of
FIGS. 1-12, the light dam 178 is spaced apart from the optic 104, although in
other examples, the
light dam 178 may contact the optic 104 such that a seal is formed between the
light dam 178 and
the optic 104. The light dam 178 extending from the cover body 162 may block
or limit reflected
light from leaking behind the transition cover 106 and from the light fixture
100 (e.g., through a
gap defined between the transition cover 106 and the support 108, through a
gap defined between
the transition cover 106 and the lower housing 116, etc.). The transition
cover 106 may also
conceal various attachment mechanisms above the transition cover 106 in the
housing chamber
118 (e.g., attachment mechanisms attaching the support 108 to the housing
assembly 102).
[0054] FIG. 13 illustrates another example of a portion of a transition cover
1306 that is
substantially similar to the transition cover 106 except that the light dam
178 includes a hook
portion 1382 that may selectively engage another component of the light
fixture. In the example
of FIG. 13, the hook portion 1382 is engaged with the ledge 126 of the support
108.
Light Shield
[0055] FIGS. 14-17 illustrate another example of a light fixture 1400 that is
substantially similar
to the light fixture 100 except that the light fixture 1400 includes a light
shield 1484. As best
illustrated in FIG. 15, the light shield 1484 may extend below the housing
opening 120 and may
cover at least a portion of the housing opening 120. By covering select
portions of the housing
opening 120, the light shield 1484 may selectively direct light from the light
fixture 1400 towards
certain desired locations and/or block light from the light fixture 1400 from
reaching undesired
locations. In the example of FIGS. 14-17, the light shield 1484 has a curved
or arcuate shape,
although the particular shape of the light shield 1484 should not be
considered limiting on the
current disclosure. Moreover, the amount of the housing opening 120 that is
covered by the light
shield 1484 in a plan view (i.e., directly below the light fixture 1400)
should not be considered
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limiting on the current disclosure. For example, in other cases, other light
shields 1484 may cover
a higher percentage or a lesser percentage of the housing opening 120 compared
to the light shield
1484 illustrated in FIGS. 14-17.
[0056] In some examples, the light shield 1484 may be coupled to a transition
cover 1406 that is
substantially similar to the transition cover 106 except that the transition
cover 1406 includes an
attachment flange 1486 that extends along at least a portion of the lower end
166. In some cases,
and as illustrated in FIG. 15, when the light shield 1484 is attached to the
transition cover 1406,
the light shield 1484 may optionally cover a portion of the housing opening
120 and a portion of
the lower housing 116. In other examples, the light shield 1484 may be
attached to other
components of the light fixture 1400 (e.g., the lower housing 116) as desired.
Examples
100571 A collection of exemplary embodiments, including at least some
explicitly enumerated as
"Examples" providing additional description of a variety of example types in
accordance with the
concepts described herein are provided below. These examples are not meant to
be mutually
exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive; and the invention is not limited to
these example examples
but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the
scope of the issued
claims and their equivalents.
[0058] Example 1. A backing plate for a light fixture, the backing plate
comprising a plate body
extending in a plane, the plate body comprising: an first surface; a second
surface; a compression
feature offset a first distance from the plane in a first direction, wherein
the compression feature
comprises a compression feature transverse dimension that is less than a
transverse dimension of
the plate body; and a deflection limiter offset a second distance from the
plane in the first direction,
wherein the deflection limiter comprises a deflection limiter transverse
dimension that is less than
the transverse dimension of the plate body.
[0059] Example 2. The backing plate of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the compression feature encompasses the
deflection limiter.
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[0060] Example 3. The backing plate of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the deflection limiter surrounds a central
portion of the plate
body.
[0061] Example 4. The backing plate of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the compression feature is between the
deflection limiter and a
perimeter edge of the plate body.
[0062] Example 5. The backing plate of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the compression feature is a first ridge
defined by the plate
body and wherein the deflection limiter is a second ridge defined by the plate
body.
[0063] Example 6. The backing plate of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, further comprising a reinforcing ridge adjacent to
the compression
feature and extending in a second direction from the plane that is opposite
from the first direction.
[0064] Example 7. The backing plate of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the reinforcing ridge extends a third
distance from the plane,
and wherein the third distance is less than the first distance.
[0065] Example 8. The backing plate of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, further comprising a reinforcing ridge adjacent to
the deflection limiter
and extending in a second direction from the plane that is opposite from the
first direction.
[0066] Example 9. The backing plate of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the reinforcing ridge extends a third
distance from the plane,
and wherein the third distance is greater than the second distance.
[0067] Example 10. A transition cover for a light fixture, the transition
cover comprising: a cover
body comprising: an upper end; a lower end opposite from the upper end; an
inner surface defining
a passageway extending from the upper end to the lower end; and an outer
surface extending from
the upper end to the lower end, wherein the upper end defines a first opening
to the passageway
and the lower end defines a second opening to the passageway, wherein a
transverse dimension of
the first opening is different from a transverse dimension of the second
opening; and a light dam
extending outwardly from the outer surface of the cover body.
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[0068] Example 11. The transition cover of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the light dam extends at an oblique angle
relative to the cover
body.
[0069] Example 12. The transition cover of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the upper end of the cover body is arranged
in a first plane,
wherein the light dam extends towards the first plane and comprises a dam end,
and wherein the
dam end is arranged in a second plane that is different than the first plane.
[0070] Example 13. The transition cover of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the second plane is parallel to the first
plane.
[0071] Example 14. The transition cover of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the upper end comprises a first diameter,
wherein the lower end
comprises a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, and
wherein light dam defines
a transverse dimension having a third diameter that is less greater than the
first diameter and less
than the second diameter.
[0072] Example 15. A light fixture comprising: a housing defining a housing
chamber having a
housing opening, wherein the light fixture is configured to emit light through
the housing opening;
a waveguide supported within the housing chamber and over the housing opening;
and a transition
cover supported on the housing and comprising: a cover body comprising an
upper end contacting
the waveguide and a lower end opposite from the upper end and adjacent to the
housing opening;
and a light dam extending outwardly from the cover body towards the waveguide.
[0073] Example 16. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the light dam comprises a dam end, and
wherein a gap is defined
between the waveguide and the dam end.
[0074] Example 17. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the light dam extends at an oblique angle
relative to the cover
body.
[0075] Example 18. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the upper end of the cover body is arranged
in a first plane,
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wherein the light dam extends towards the first plane and comprises a dam end,
and wherein the
dam end is arranged in a second plane that is different than the first plane.
[0076] Example 19. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, further comprising a backing plate within the housing
chamber and such
that the waveguide is between the transition cover and the backing plate,
wherein the backing plate
comprises a plate body extending in a plane and comprising: an first surface;
a second surface; a
compression feature offset a first distance from the plane in a first
direction, wherein the
compression feature comprises a compression feature transverse dimension that
is less than a
transverse dimension of the plate body; and a deflection limiter offset a
second distance from the
plane in the first direction, wherein the deflection limiter comprises a
deflection limiter transverse
dimension that is less than the transverse dimension of the plate body.
[0077] Example 20. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the deflection limiter surrounds a central
portion of the plate
body, and wherein the light fixture further comprises a cushioning member
between the central
portion of the plate body and the waveguide.
[0078] Example 21. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the waveguide and the backing plate are
supported on a support
within the housing chamber.
[0079] Example 22. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, further comprising a reflector within the housing
chamber between the
backing plate and the waveguide.
[0080] Example 23. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the waveguide comprises a perimeter edge, and
wherein the
light fixture further comprises a plurality of light sources configured to
emit light into the perimeter
edge of the waveguide.
[0081] Example 24. A light fixture comprising: a housing defining a housing
chamber having a
housing opening, wherein the light fixture is configured to emit light through
the housing opening;
a waveguide supported within the housing chamber and over the housing opening;
and a backing
plate supported within the housing chamber such that the waveguide is between
the housing
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opening and the backing plate, wherein the backing plate comprises a plate
body extending in a
plane and comprising: a compression feature offset a first distance from the
plane in a first
direction, wherein the compression feature comprises a compression feature
transverse dimension
that is less than a transverse dimension of the plate body; and a deflection
limiter offset a second
distance from the plane in the first direction, wherein the deflection limiter
comprises a deflection
limiter transverse dimension that is less than the transverse dimension of the
plate body, wherein
the compression feature biases the waveguide towards the housing opening.
[0082] Example 25. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, further comprising a support within the housing
chamber and supporting
the waveguide; and a gasket on at least a portion of the support, wherein the
compression feature
biases the waveguide against the gasket.
[0083] Example 26. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein a deflection gap is defined between the
waveguide and the
deflection limiter.
[0084] Example 27. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, further comprising a transition cover supported on
the housing and
comprising: a cover body comprising an upper end contacting the waveguide and
a lower end
opposite from the upper end and adjacent to the housing opening; and a light
dam extending
outwardly from the cover body towards the waveguide.
[0085] Example 28. A light fixture comprising: a housing defining a housing
chamber having a
housing opening, wherein the light fixture is configured to emit light through
the housing opening;
a waveguide supported within the housing chamber and over the housing opening;
a backing plate
supported within the housing chamber and biasing the waveguide towards the
housing opening;
and a transition cover comprising a cover body extending from a first portion
of the waveguide to
the housing opening and a light dam extending from the cover body towards a
second portion of
the waveguide.
[0086] Example 29. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the light dam comprises a dam end, and
wherein a gap is defined
between the dam end and the second portion of the waveguide.
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[0087] Example 30. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the cover body contacts the first portion of
the waveguide.
[0088] Example 31. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the backing plate comprises a plate body
extending in a plane
and comprising: a compression feature offset a first distance from the plane
in a first direction,
wherein the compression feature comprises a compression feature transverse
dimension that is less
than a transverse dimension of the plate body; and a deflection limiter offset
a second distance
from the plane in the first direction, wherein the deflection limiter
comprises a deflection limiter
transverse dimension that is less than the transverse dimension of the plate
body, wherein the
compression feature biases the waveguide towards the housing opening.
[0089] Example 32. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the light fixture further comprises a support
within the housing
chamber, wherein the support at least partially supports the waveguide, and
wherein the
compression feature biases the waveguide against the support.
[0090] Example 33. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the deflection limiter surrounds a central
portion of the plate
body, and wherein the light fixture further comprises a cushioning member
between the central
portion of the plate body and the waveguide.
[0091] Example 34. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the light fixture further comprises: a
plurality of light sources
configured to emit light into a perimeter edge of the waveguide; and a
reflector within the housing
chamber between the backing plate and the waveguide.
[0092] Example 35. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent
examples or
combination of examples, wherein the light dam extends at an oblique angle
relative to the cover
body.
[0093] Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or
described above,
as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible.
Similarly, some features
and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other
features and
sub-combinations. Examples of the invention have been described for
illustrative and not
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restrictive purposes, and alternative examples will become apparent to readers
of this patent.
Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the examples described
above or depicted in
the drawings, and various examples and modifications may be made without
departing from the
scope of the claims below.
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