Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
ROTATABLE LIGHT FIXTURE SECURED TO A JUNCTION BOX VIA A BASE
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
100011 The present disclosure relates to light fixtures, and, in particular,
to a rotatable light fixture
secured to a junction box via a base.
BACKGROUND
100021 Light fixtures are generally wired directly or indirectly through a
connecting base to a
junction box, however this may not allow for adjustments to the rotation,
mounting, and aiming of
the fixture without breaking the electrical contact from the junction box
and/or connecting base as
a result of the initial orientation of the junction box and/or connecting
base.
SUMMARY
100031 The following presents a simplified summary of the general inventive
concept(s)
described herein to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the
disclosure. This summary
is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. It is not intended to restrict
key or critical elements
of embodiments of the disclosure or to delineate their scope beyond that which
is explicitly or
implicitly described by the following description and claims.
100041 In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a rotatable light
fixture and receiving
mounting base which maintains electrical connectivity between the light
fixture and the mounting
base, comprising: the mounting base mountable to a surface and electrically
connectable to a
junction box and power supply wires of the junction box; the mounting base
having a plurality of
annularly extending rotationally exposed contacts and a third contact
positioned with the annularly
extending rotationally exposed contacts; the rotatable light fixture including
a plurality of electrical
contacts in rotational engagement with the plurality of annularly extending
rotationally exposed
contacts and the third contact of the mounting base; wherein the light fixture
maintains electrical
connectivity between the electrical contacts of the light fixture and the
plurality of annularly
extending rotationally exposed_contacts of the mounting base for rotational
engagement between
the light fixture and the mounting base; wherein the light fixture includes a
plurality of LEDs, the
plurality of LEDs in electrical connectivity with the electrical contacts of
the light fixture; the
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mounting base and the light fixture rotationally engaged to each other and
rotationally secured to
each other through a mechanical locking mechanism.
100051 In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a rotatable light
fixture comprising:
a mounting base structured to be electrically coupled to a junction box; a
light fixture housing
rotatably connected to the mounting base defining a plurality of rotational
orientations between
the light fixture housing and the mounting base; an electrical connection
between the mounting
base and the light fixture housing, wherein the electrical connection is
rotatably electrically
engaged during the plurality of rotational orientations between the light
fixture housing and the
mounting base during rotation; and the light fixture housing and the mounting
base rotationally
secured in at least one of the plurality of rotational orientations between
the light fixture housing
and the mounting base; wherein one of the light fixture housing and the
mounting base includes at
least one of a cam lock and one or more retention members to rotationally
retain the light fixture
housing to the mounting base.
100061 In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a rotatable light
fixture comprising:
a mounting base structured to be electrically coupled to a junction box; a
light fixture housing
rotatably connected to the mounting base defining a plurality of rotational
orientations between
the light fixture housing and the mounting base; an electrical connection
between the mounting
base and the light fixture housing, wherein the electrical connection is
rotatably electrically
engaged during the plurality of rotational orientations between the light
fixture housing and the
mounting base during rotation; and the light fixture housing and the mounting
base rotationally
secured in at least one of the plurality of rotational orientations between
the light fixture housing
and the mounting base; wherein one of the light fixture housing and the
mounting base includes at
least one of a cam lock and one or more retention members to rotationally
retain the light fixture
housing to the mounting base; the light fixture housing having a first portion
and a second portion,
wherein the first portion is rotatable relative to the second portion by up to
about 180 degrees.
100071 In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a rotatable light
fixture comprising:
a mounting base structured to be electrically coupled to a junction box; a
light fixture housing
rotatably connected to the mounting base defining a plurality of rotational
orientations between
the light fixture housing and the mounting base; an electrical connection
between the mounting
base and the light fixture housing, wherein the electrical connection is
rotatably electrically
engaged during the plurality of rotational orientations between the light
fixture housing and the
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mounting base during rotation; and the light fixture housing and the mounting
base rotationally
secured in at least one of the plurality of rotational orientations between
the light fixture housing
and the mounting base; the light fixture housing having a first portion and a
second portion,
wherein the first portion is rotatable relative to the second portion by up to
about 180 degrees;
wherein the mounting base receives an electrical connection from the junction
box and converts
electricity from about 120 volts AC to about 20 volts DC at the electrical
connection between the
mounting base and the light fixture housing.
100081 In various embodiments, a rotatable light fixture and receiving
mounting base which
maintains electrical connectivity between the light fixture and the mounting
base, may comprise
the mounting base mountable against a surface and being electrically
connectable to a junction
box. In some embodiments, the mounting base includes a plurality of rotational
exposed contacts
along about the annular position of each of the rotationally exposed contacts.
In some
embodiments, the light fixture including a plurality of electrical contacts in
rotational engagement
with the plurality of annularly exposed contacts of the mounting base. In
various embodiments,
the light fixture maintains electrical connectivity between the electrical
contacts of the light fixture
and the contact of the mounting base for about 360 degrees of rotational
between the light fixture
and the mounting base. In addition, in some embodiments, the light fixture
includes a plurality of
modulated LEDs controlled by an LED controller, the plurality of LEDs in
electrical connectivity
with the electrical contacts of the light fixture. In various embodiments, the
mounting base and
the light fixture rotationally engage each other and are rotationally secured
to each other through
a mechanical locking mechanism. In some embodiments, the mechanical locking
mechanism
includes at least one of a cam lock and one or more retention members on the
light fixture or base,
the light fixture or mounting base including an annular groove, at least one
of the cam lock and
the one or more retention members engage outer surface of the opposing
structure or the annular
groove.
100091 In further embodiments, the cam lock may be rotationally engaged
retained on the light
fixture and rotate relative to the base. Rotation of the cam lock allows the
cam lock to lock the
light fixture into a fixed relative positioned with respect to the base by
engaging a corresponding
groove of the base upon rotation.
100101 In addition, in some embodiments, the plurality of rotational contacts
of the mounting
base and the plurality of electrical contacts of the light fixture include at
least one of an annular
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ring and a leaf spring. In various embodiments, the leaf spring includes a
plurality of leaf springs.
In some embodiments, the plurality of leaf springs are located on the light
fixture. In various
embodiments, the annular rings include a plurality of annular rings. In some
embodiments, the
annular rings are located on the mounting base. In even further embodiments,
the annular rings of
the mounting base are positioned in an associated number of annular grooves
which receive the
rings. In even further embodiments, a third contact or disc may be centrally
located and positioned
relative to the annular rings on the mounting base. Moreover, in various
embodiments, the plurality
of rotational exposed contacts on the mounting base include a rotatable
electrical plug which
receives an electrically rotatable mating plug on the light fixture.
100111 In some embodiments, a rotatable light fixture may comprise a mounting
base electrically
coupled to a junction box. In various embodiments, the light fixture may
include a light fixture
housing rotatably connected to the mounting base defining a plurality of
rotational orientations
between the light fixture housing and the mounting base. In some embodiments,
the light fixture
may include an electrical connection between the mounting base and the light
fixture housing,
wherein the electric connection is rotatably electrically engaged during the
plurality of rotational
orientations between the light fixture housing and the mounting base during
rotation. In addition,
in some embodiments, the light fixture housing and the mounting base is
rotational secured in at
least one of the plurality of rotational orientations between the light
fixture housing and the
mounting base.
100121 In addition, in various embodiments, the light fixture housing includes
a cam lock and
one or more retention members and wherein the mounting base includes an
annular groove, and
wherein the cam lock and the one or more retention members engage the annular
groove. In some
embodiments, the cam lock at least rotationally secures the light fixture
housing relative to the
mounting base in the at least one rotational orientation. In various
embodiments, the cam lock
axially secures the light fixture housing relative to the mounting base in the
at least one rotational
orientation. In some embodiments, the one or more retention members axially
retain the light
fixture housing with the mounting base. In various embodiments, the one or
more retention
members include a first retention member and a second retention member,
wherein the first
retention member is different from the second retention member. In some
embodiments, the first
retention member and the second retention member rotationally and axially
engage the annular
groove allowing rotation of the light fixture housing relative to the mounting
base while
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maintaining the relative axial position between the light fixture housing and
the mounting base,
and wherein a first axial removal force to separate the second retention
member from the annular
groove is less than a second axial removal force to separate the first
retention member from the
annular groove thereby allowing axial separation of the light fixture housing
from the mounting
base when the cam lock is disengaged from the annular groove. In various
embodiments, the cam
lock is on an opposing side of the light fixture housing than the first
retention member. In some
embodiments, the electrical connection between the mounting base and the light
fixture housing
includes hot, neutral, and ground connections electrically maintained for 360
degrees of rotation
between the mounting base and the light fixture housing. Moreover, in some
embodiments, the
light fixture housing and the mounting base each include a plurality of
electrical contacts
rotationally held in electrical contact with the other of the light fixture
housing and the mounting
base. In various embodiments, the mounting base includes reusable push-in wire
connectors to
electrically connect to an electrical hot, neutral, and ground wires of the
junction box. In some
embodiments, the light fixture includes one or more gaskets between the light
fixture housing and
the mounting base. In addition, in various embodiments, the light fixture may
include a cam lock
rotationally securing the light fixture housing relative to the mounting base
in the at least one
rotational orientation and sealing the one or more gaskets between the light
fixture housing and
the mounting base. In some embodiments, the light fixture housing includes one
or more light
sources. Moreover, in some embodiments, the light fixture housing includes a
depending skirt
with one or more retention members projecting inwardly therefrom.
100131 In some embodiments, a method of mounting a rotatable light fixture in
a rotational
position comprises the steps of providing a mounting base and securing the
mounting base to a
junction box, providing a light fixture housing, axially engaging the light
fixture housing with the
mounting base, electrically coupling the light fixture housing with the
mounting base, rotating the
light fixture housing relative to the mounting base, and/or maintaining the
electrically coupling
between the light fixture housing and the mounting base during the step of
rotating the light fixture
housing.
100141 In addition, in various embodiments, method may include rotationally
locking the light
fixture housing relative to the mounting base. In some embodiments, the method
may include
electrically coupling the mounting base with the junction box. In various
embodiments, the
electrically coupling includes using reusable push-in wire connectors. In some
embodiments,
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maintaining the electrically coupling between the light fixture housing and
the mounting base
includes one or more electrical connections of the light fixture housing
having rotational contact
with one or more fixed electrical connections of the mounting base during
rotation. In various
embodiments, axially locking the light fixture housing relative to the
mounting base by at least
one of one or more retention members and a cam latch. Moreover, in some
embodiments, both
the one or more retention members and the cam latch axially lock the light
fixture housing relative
to the mounting base. In various embodiments, the method may include axially
disengaging the
light fixture housing from the mounting base. In some embodiments, at least
one of the one or
more retention members includes less axial removal force than another of the
one or more retention
members when axially disengaging the light fixture housing from the mounting
base. In addition,
in various embodiments, the method may include disengaging the cam latch.
100151 As used herein for purposes of the present disclosure, the term "LED"
should be
understood to include any electroluminescent diode or other type of carrier
injection/junction-
based system that is capable of generating radiation in response to an
electric signal and/or acting
as a photodiode. Thus, the term LED includes, but is not limited to, various
semiconductor-based
structures that emit light in response to current, light emitting polymers,
organic light emitting
diodes (OLEDs), electroluminescent strips, and the like. In particular, the
term LED refers to light
emitting diodes of all types (including semi-conductor and organic light
emitting diodes) that may
be configured to generate radiation in one or more of the infrared spectrum,
ultraviolet spectrum,
and various portions of the visible spectrum (generally including radiation
wavelengths from
approximately 400 nanometers to approximately 700 nanometers). Some examples
of LEDs
include, but are not limited to, various types of infrared LEDs, ultraviolet
LEDs, red LEDs, blue
LEDs, green LEDs, yellow LEDs, amber LEDs, orange LEDs, and white LEDs
(discussed further
below). It also should be appreciated that LEDs may be configured and/or
controlled to generate
radiation having various bandwidths (e.g., full widths at half maximum, or
FWHM) for a given
spectrum (e.g., narrow bandwidth, broad bandwidth), and a variety of dominant
wavelengths
within a given general color categorization.
100161 For example, one implementation of an LED configured to generate
essentially white
light (e.g., a white LED) may include a number of dies which respectively emit
different spectra
of electroluminescence that, in combination, mix to form essentially white
light. In another
implementation, a white light LED may be associated with a phosphor material
that converts
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electroluminescence having a first spectrum to a different second spectrum. In
one example of
this implementation, electroluminescence having a relatively short wavelength
and narrow
bandwidth spectrum "pumps" the phosphor material, which in turn radiates
longer wavelength
radiation having a somewhat broader spectrum.
100171 It should also be understood that the term LED does not limit the
physical and/or electrical
package type of an LED. For example, as discussed above, an LED may refer to a
single light
emitting device having multiple dies that are configured to respectively emit
different spectra of
radiation (e.g., that may or may not be individually controllable). Also, an
LED may be associated
with a phosphor that is considered as an integral part of the LED (e.g., some
types of white LEDs).
In general, the term LED may refer to packaged LEDs, non-packaged LEDs,
surface mount LEDs,
chip-on-board LEDs, T-package mount LEDs, radial package LEDs, power package
LEDs, LEDs
including some type of encasement and/or optical element (e.g., a diffusing
lens), etc.
100181 The term "light source" or "illumination source" should be understood
to refer to any one
or more of a variety of radiation sources, including, but not limited to, LED-
based sources
(including one or more LEDs as defined above), incandescent sources (e.g.,
filament lamps,
halogen lamps), fluorescent sources, phosphorescent sources, high-intensity
discharge sources
(e.g., sodium vapor, mercury vapor, and metal halide lamps), lasers, other
types of
electroluminescent sources, pyro-luminescent sources (e.g., flames), candle-
luminescent sources
(e.g., gas mantles, carbon arc radiation sources), photo-luminescent sources
(e.g., gaseous
discharge sources), cathode luminescent sources using electronic satiation,
galvano-luminescent
sources, crystallo-luminescent sources, kine-luminescent sources, thermo-
luminescent sources,
triboluminescent sources, sonoluminescent sources, radioluminescent sources,
and luminescent
polymers.
100191 A given light source may be configured to generate electromagnetic
radiation within the
visible spectrum, outside the visible spectrum, or a combination of both.
Hence, the terms "light"
and "radiation" are used interchangeably herein. Additionally, a light source
may include as an
integral component one or more filters (e.g., color filters), lenses, or other
optical components.
Also, it should be understood that light sources may be configured for a
variety of applications,
including, but not limited to, indication, display, and/or illumination. An
"illumination source" is
a light source that is particularly configured to generate radiation having a
sufficient intensity to
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effectively illuminate an interior or exterior space. In this context,
"sufficient intensity" refers to
sufficient radiant power in the visible spectrum generated in the space or
environment (the unit
"lumens" often is employed to represent the total light output from a light
source in all directions,
in terms of radiant power or "luminous flux") to provide ambient illumination
(i.e., light that may
be perceived indirectly and that may be, for example, reflected off of one or
more of a variety of
intervening surfaces before being perceived in whole or in part).
100201 The term "lighting fixture" is used herein to refer to an
implementation or arrangement
of one or more lighting units in a particular form factor, assembly, or
package. A given unit may
have any one of a variety of mounting arrangements for the light source(s),
enclosure/housing
arrangements and shapes, and/or electrical and mechanical connection
configurations.
Additionally, a given unit optionally may be associated with (e.g., include,
be coupled to and/or
packaged together with) various other components (e.g., control circuitry)
relating to the operation
of the light source(s). An "LED-based fixture" refers to a lighting unit that
includes one or more
LED-based light sources as discussed above, alone or in combination with other
non-LED-based
light sources. A "multi-channel" lighting unit refers to an LED-based and/or
non-LED-based
lighting unit that includes at least two light sources configured to
respectively generate different
spectrums of radiation, wherein each different source spectrum may be referred
to as a "channel"
of the multi-channel lighting unit.
100211 It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing
concepts and additional
concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not
mutually inconsistent)
are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed
herein. In particular, all
combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure
are contemplated as
being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be
appreciated that
terminology explicitly employed herein should be accorded a meaning most
consistent with the
particular concepts disclosed herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
100221 In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same
parts throughout the
different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis
instead generally being
placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
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100231 FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an implementation of the light
fixture described
herein secured to a junction box in a ceiling mount application.
100241 FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the rotatable light fixture
housing and housing
electrical connectors exploded away from the mounting base and base electrical
connectors of Fig.
1.
100251 FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the mounting base of Fig. 2
described herein
illustrating the wires being engaged into the reusable push-in wire connectors
and the connectors
of the light fixture housing engaging the connectors in one rotational
position with the remaining
portions of the light fixture housing removed.
100261 FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of a light fixture of Fig. 1
described herein taken along
line 4-4, with the rotational lock shown in an engaged position in solid lines
and a disengaged
position in broken lines.
100271 FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of an
implementation of the
light fixture described herein.
100281 FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of the light fixture of Fig. 5
taken along line 6-6.
100291 FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the light fixture housing
exploded away from the
mounting base of Fig. 5.
100301 FIG. 7A illustrates an enlarged sectional view of the first retention
member of the light
fixture housing described herein.
100311 FIG. 7B illustrates an enlarged sectional view of the second retention
member of the light
fixture housing described herein.
100321 FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional view of a light fixture of Fig. 6 taken
along line 8-8, with the
rotational lock shown in an engaged position in solid lines and a disengaged
position in broken
lines.
.. 100331 FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the
mounting base wherein
the electrical connectors are exposed.
100341 FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a light
fixture housing
positioned away from the mounting base of FIG. 9.
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100351 FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the light fixture housing of
FIG. 10 in a rotated
position wherein the rear electrical connectors are exposed and visible.
100361 FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of the mounting base and light
fixture housing of
FIG. 10 combined together for installation on a vertical surface or wall.
100371 FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of the mounting base and light
fixture housing of
FIG. 10 combined together and the light fixture housing rotated for
installation on a horizontal
surface or ceiling.
100381 FIG. 14 and 14A illustrates the combined light fixture housing and
mounting base of FIG.
12 combined with a close up of the locking mechanism depicted in FIG. 14A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
100391 It is to be understood that a light fixture is not limited in its
application to the details of
construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following
description or illustrated
in the drawings. The described embodiments are capable of other embodiments
and of being
practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology
and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not
be regarded as
limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations
thereof herein is meant
to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as
additional items. Unless
limited otherwise, the terms "connected," "coupled," and "mounted," and
variations thereof herein
are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and
mountings. In
addition, the terms "connected" and "coupled" and variations thereof are not
restricted to physical
or mechanical connections or couplings.
100401 Turning to the Figures, Figs. 1-4 illustrates an example of a light
fixture 10 described
herein wherein the base is electrically energized from the junction box and
provides electrical
power to the light fixture via rotational quick connect electrical contacts
thereby allowing the
luminaire/electrical fixture to be wired without traditional wiring
techniques. Included in one
implementation is a light fixture housing 20 and a mounting plate or base 30.
In some
embodiments, one or more light fixture housings 20 may be used on the same or
universal
mounting base 30. The light fixture housing 20 may include a variety of one or
more light sources
90 (e.g. LEDs). The light sources and/or LEDs of the light fixture may be
powered by the electrical
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connectivity between the light fixture housing and the base. Control
electronics such as one or
more LED drivers and an integrated or individual LED light controller may also
be implemented
in the light fixture in order to control the LEDs, modify light output,
control color temperature and
or brightness, among other light output characteristics. Such modification of
light output
characteristics may be implemented by modulation techniques including pulse
width modulation,
frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, embedded pulse code modulation for
data inclusion,
as well as others and combinations thereof. The controller and/or driver for
the LEDs may be
integrated into a single electronic circuit and/or control processor are not
necessarily required to
be separated or integrated as either may be implemented, alone or in a
combined configuration to
control the light output of the LEDs. The respective modulated pulses from the
driver, drivers,
and/or controllers as well as possibly the baseline currents output by the
driver circuits may be
independently controlled by higher level logic of a system controller. In a
digital controller
example, such logic may be implemented by a programmable microcontroller,
although those
skilled in the art will recognize that the logic could take other forms, such
as discrete logic
components, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.
100411 The mounting base 30 may be electrically coupled to a junction box 1 on
a ceiling 2, wall,
or other structure. The light fixture housing 20 may rotate relative to the
installed orientation of
the mounting base 30 allowing the initial orientation of the junction box 1
and/or mounting base
30 to not limit the orientation of the subsequently attached light fixture
housing 20. Additionally,
the interface between the light fixture 20 and the mounting base does not
require direct installation
wiring and electrical connection and power for the fixture is supplied through
the rotational quick
connect construction. Further, the coupling of the light fixture housing 20
and mounting base 30
may allow adjustments to the rotation, mounting, and aiming of the fixture
without breaking the
electrical contact from the junction box 1 and/or connecting base 30.
100421 Multiple implementations may be appreciated for electrically connecting
the mounting
base 30 to the associated junction box 1 which provides power. In some
implementations, the
mounting base 30 may be hard wired directly to the hot, neutral and ground
connections to the
junction box. In other implementations, the junction box and the mounting base
may be connected
by quick connect mechanical connectors. In one of the examples and
implementations, as is shown
in Figs. 1 and 3, the wires 3 (e.g. hot, neutral, and ground) may utilize
reusable push-in wire
connectors 40 to electrically connect the mounting base 30/connectors 32 to
the junction box 1.
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The implementation of quick connect devices may reduce or eliminate the
requirement of one or
more tools needed for wiring the 120V AC wires 3 with the mounting base 30.
The wires 3 are
held in tension by tensioned springs 42 and may be disengaged by releasing the
tension via the
corresponding release members/wedges 44. Although one method and apparatus is
shown for
connecting wires 3 to the mounting base 30, it should be understood that a
variety of wire
connectors and methods may be used to electrically connect the connectors 32
of the mounting
base 30 to the wires 3. Further, the use of the quick connect features and
mechanical interfaces
described allow light fixtures to be connected to a base without the
requirement of wiring the light
fixture by the user. Thus, upon replacing the light fixture, utilization of
the disclosed interface
allows the owner to disconnect and connect different light fixture without the
necessity of wiring
changes or electrical connectivity apart from simply installing the light
fixture rotationally.
100431 The light fixture housing 20 may maintain rotationally exposed
electrical connection to
the mounting base 30 during rotation and between rotational
orientations/adjustments. When
assembled, the light fixture housing 20 may be electrically coupled regardless
of the rotational
orientation of the light fixture housing 20 relative to the mounting base 30.
As such, the ground,
neutral, and hot connections 32 may be electrically maintained for 360 degrees
of rotation (e.g.
CW and/or CCW) about an axis A. The electrical contacts/connectors 22 of the
light fixture
housing 20 may be mechanically and electrically coupled to the electrical
contacts/connectors 32
of the mounting base 30 when assembled and/or locked in rotational position as
shown in Figs. 1
.. and 4.
100441 The electrical contacts or connections 32, 22 between the mounting base
30 and the light
fixture housing 20 may be rotatably electrically engaged during the rotation
(e.g. in the plurality
of rotational orientations of the light fixture housing in respect to the
base). As shown in Figs. 3
and 6, the one or more electrical connections 22, 122 of the light fixture
housing 20, 120 each have
rotational contact with the one or more respective electrical connections 32,
132 of the mounting
base 30. 130. The one or more contacts 22 of the light fixture housing 20
rotates with the housing
and maintains the contact (e.g. axial and/or radial contact, etc. for 360
degrees contact about the
axis A) with the fixed connections 32 of the mounting base 30. Stated
alternatively, the one or
more engaging contacts 22 may be rotationally held in electrical contact with
the other
.. corresponding contacts 32 at the base during any point of the rotation.
Thus, in some
implementations, the rotatable light fixture housing 20 may be in rotational
connection with the
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base 30 wherein electrical connectivity between the light fixture 20 and the
base 30 is maintained
during all points of rotation. In other embodiments, rotational connectivity
may be maintained only
during a predefined rotational extent wherein the light fixture housing 20 is
energized at recognized
rotational points relative to the base 30 while at other points during the
rotational extent relative
to the two the electrical connections may be interrupted. Similar aspects and
features may be
implemented in a rotatable electrical plug connection as well.
100451 For example, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-4, the light fixture
housing 20 includes
a pair of tensioned leaf springs or brushes 23 engaging concentric annular
rings 33 (e.g. hot and
neutral) of the mounting base 30, while a third located coil spring 24 may be
used for ground with
a corresponding third located disc 34 of the mounting base 30. In such
embodiment, the leaf
springs or brushes 23 maintain electrical connectivity to the energized
concentric annular rings 33
during the entire rotational extent of the fixture 20 relative to the base 30
while the rings 33 are
continually in electrical connectivity to respective hot, neutral and ground
wiring from the junction
box. In the example of Figure 2, the annular rings 33 and disc 34 are directly
connected to
respective hot, neutral and ground connections from the junction box. Upon
installation of the
fixture 20 onto the base 30, leaf springs 23 engage the respective annular
ring 33 and are thereby
electrically connected to the respective line of the junction box without the
user having to wire the
light fixture. Spring 24 or other similar engagement surface, tab, contact or
spring can be
electrically connected to the disc 34. Spring 24 and springs 23 for example as
depicted in the
embodiment of the figure, could allow for not only continued engagement around
a rotational
extent of engagement between the structures but also elevational differences
thereby maintaining
electrical connectivity at differing connection heights between the two
structures 20, 30.
100461 In various constructions, the plurality of rings 33 of the mounting
base may be installed
within a corresponding number of annular extending grooves formed within the
base to fixedly
retain the rings therein. Further, the disc 34 may be optionally centrally
positioned within the
annular grooves and the annular rings within a recess formed in the base 30.
The recess and annular
grooves form a mechanism to positionally retain both the annular rings and the
disc within the
base.
100471 Alternative constructions maintaining electrical connectivity between
the housing 20 and
the base 30 may be utilized which minimize the exposed surface of the wiring.
For example, the
embodiment of the light fixture 110 shown in Figs. 5-8, includes the rotatable
connection/contacts
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122, 132 there between utilizing a different mechanical interface. The
electrical connection 122/
132 include a mating male/female rotational plug with annular
rings/pins/contact members
maintaining electrical contact during relative rotation and/or rotational
position. As shown in the
embodiments, the electrical contacts or conductive rings of the mounting base
30, 130 are recessed
within surrounding structure (e.g. top face, plug, etc.) and may reduce
exposed wiring and /or
contacts from the user. Further, as shown in the embodiment of light fixture
housing 120 Figs. 6
and 7, the connections 122 may also be recessed.
100481 Rotatable plug 132 which enters into receptacle 122 allows for
electrical connectivity
between the fixture and the base while preventing the necessity of actual
wiring of the fixture.
Further, in the various examples, electrical connectivity between the base and
the electrical fixture
may be maintained and be rotationally exposed about the entire 360 degrees of
rotation there
between. Thus, in some examples and implementations, the base 130 may include
electrical
contacts on a first and second surface of the annular ring of the base. The
electrical contacts can
be either on an upper surface or on a side surface one of the annular rings
depicted in this one of
.. several embodiments. For example, annular rings may be located along either
a top surface of a
wall on the base or along an interior or exterior wall surface. Each such
annular ring may be
rotationally exposed for connectivity by an engaging leaf spring or contact
surface from a mating
light fixture along an entire rotational extent between the fixture and
mounting base. Alternatively,
the rotational connectivity may be limited in radial extent or include
electrically connected and
disconnected radial positions.
100491 For example, annular walls may be utilized in FIG. 7 wherein walls
formed on the base
130 telescope into annular walls formed on the light fixture 120 such that
they plug into each other.
Electrical connection may be achieved by the various implementations of rings
and opposing and
opposing rings or metal springs which contact opposing rings. Such opposing
electrically
conductive surfaces may be frictionally engaged between each other by virtue
of the angled nature
of the interfacing walls or a combination of spring leafs or outwardly
extending contacts may be
utilized with the opposing rings. Such variations may be used on either side
of the electrical
interface so long as, in some embodiments, electrical contact is maintained
during the full
rotational engagement between the light fixture 120 and the base 130.
100501 A central post receiving receptacle could be provided in the base to
receive a mating
electrical contact from the light fixture 120 while also working in
conjunction with additional
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contacts in the rotational plug. In some embodiments, opposite orientation
structures could be
provided such as providing the post receiving receptacle on the other
structure and /or in
combination with annular contact surfaces receiving and contacting electrical
contacts on the
annual surface of either of the base and light fixture. It should be
understood a variety of rotatable
electrical connections/couplings may be used between the light fixture housing
and the mounting
base and still be within the scope of the invention.
100511 In some implementations, the light fixture housing may be rotational
secured in at least
one rotational orientation relative to the mounting base. In the embodiments
shown, a cam lock
or latch may be used to lock or fix the rotational position. When in a
disengaged position as shown
in broken lines in Figs. 4 and 8, the rotational lock (e.g. cam lock) allows
the light fixture housing
20, 120 to rotate about the axis A/mounting base 30, 130. Although the cam
lock is shown in the
embodiments, it should be understood that a variety of one or more locking
mechanisms may be
used to fix the relative rotation between the housing and the mounting base.
For example, screws
which enter into the side of the fixture and which contact the base to
maintain relative position
between the two may be utilized. As well, for example, rotational stop-locks
with threads engaging
between the two structures, engagement lugs which engage at specific
rotational positions, push
and turn engagement structures between the base and the housing 20/120 may
also varyingly be
implemented.
100521 In some embodiments, the light fixture 10, 110 may include a variety of
water proofing
features to reduce the flow of water into the light fixture and/or internally
between structures of
the components. Weather proofing and water proofing between the light fixture
and the base may
prevent moisture intrusion into the electrical connectivity and interface area
providing electrical
connection and power to the light fixture. Moisture intrusion into such areas
could potentially
cause corrosion or other issues related to the exposed electrical connecting
structures. Various
water prevention structures can be implemented in the interface areas between
the two structures.
100531 For example, one or more seals or gaskets 80 may be used between the
light fixture
housing 20 and the mounting base 30. As shown in Fig. 6, one or more gaskets
or 0-rings 81 may
be positioned between the light fixture housing and the mounting base. The
gasket 81 may be
outside the periphery of the electrical rotatable connection 122, 132 between
the light fixture
housing 120 and the mounting base 130 to reduce water from entering towards
the electrical
coupling. The gasket 81 is shown attached to the mounting base, however the
gasket 81 may be
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coupled to the light fixture housing in some embodiments. Internally within
the housing 120
and/or base 130 may be one or more gaskets 82 as well. As shown in Figs. 6,
7A, and 7B, another
0-ring 82 may be used within the light fixture housing 120 to seal the
electrical components within
one or more internal compartments. Further, screws or other fasteners may also
include gaskets
to seal their corresponding openings.
100541 In some embodiments, one or more structures of the light fixture
housing and/or mounting
base may axially and/or rotationally engage each other to allow relative
rotation and/or energizing
of the light fixture housing. Alternatively, or in combination with the light
fixture structure, the
user may need to axially and/or rotationally maintain the light fixture
housing with the mounting
base until the rotational orientation is fixed.
100551 With the light fixture housing 20 assembled with the mounting base 30,
the electrical
connection 22, 32 may be engaged/energized. In some embodiments as shown in
Figs. 4 and 8,
one or more retention members 50 may be used to axially retain the light
fixture housing with the
mounting base. The retention members 50 may also allow for relative rotation
between the light
fixture housing and the mounting base. The retention member 50 may be received
within one or
more receivers 60 of the mounting base 30. In the embodiments shown in the
Figures, the one or
more retention members 50 (e.g. lugs, taps, projections, dimples) project
inwardly from a
depending skirt 26 of the light fixture housing 20. When assembled, the light
fixture housing skirt
26 overlaps a sidewall or skirt 36 of the mounting base 30. The mounting base
30, in the
embodiments shown, includes the receiver 60 in the skirt 36. In the embodiment
show, the receiver
60 may be an annular groove 61. The one or more retention members 50 axial
engage the mounting
base annular groove 61 thereby axially locking the base 30/light fixture
housing 20. This may
allow the user to have hands free axial retention until rotation of the light
fixture housing 20 is
needed, if any. The one or more retention members 50 may travel 360 degrees or
a portion thereof
within the receiver 60 and/or groove 61 allowing the rotation of the light
fixture housing 20 relative
to the mounting base 30. Although the groove 61/receiver 60 is shown as a
continuous groove
about the outer periphery of the skirt 36, it should be understood that the
receiver may be a variety
of quantities, sizes, locations, shapes, and constructions and still be within
the scope of the
invention. In some embodiments, a rotational lock 70 and the one or more
retention members 50
may axial secure the light fixture housing 20 with the mounting base 30, each
of which acting as
a mechanical locking mechanism. The one or more retention members 50 may
releasable engage
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(e.g. axial disengagement) from the annular groove allowing replacements,
repair, or attaching a
different style fixture housing, etc. Further, in some embodiments, the one or
more retention
members 50 may allow the user to identify that the engagement (e.g. axial)
between the base 30
and fixture 20 has been reached and/or disengaged by creating a characteristic
identified by the
user such as, but is not limited to, an audible click, visual identification,
feel, marked rotational
position identifiers, etc. Although the retention members are shown as an
arcuate projecting tab
and the annular groove is shown with an arcuate profile, it should be
understood that the retention
member/groove may be different in shape, size, quantity, position, and
construction. Moreover,
for example, the axial/rotational structural engagement may be incorporated in
either housing/base.
For example, the one or more retention members 50 may be placed on either the
light housing or
the base with the associated receiver 60 and/or groove 61 positioned on the
opposing interfacing
structure. Moreover, for example, the axial/rotational structure engagement
may be incorporated
in either light housing or the base and be interchangeable between the two
opposing surfaces in
various shapes, sizes, quantity, position and construction in either
housing/base.
100561 For example, in some embodiments, the rotational locking mechanism 70
(e.g. cam latch)
may be used, alone or in combination with other structure (e.g. retention
members), to axially
and/or rotationally fix the light fixture housing to the mounting base. The
cam latch/rotational
lock 70 may be used to axially and/or rotationally fixate the light fixture
housing with the mounting
base. For example, the one or more rotational locks 70 (e.g. cam lock) may
partially be inserted
into an annular groove 61 in the outer periphery of the mounting base skirt 36
allowing axial
retention while being able to rotate of the light fixture housing until the
user decides to fully engage
the cam latch to fix the rotational orientation. If no retention members are
used, one or more
rotational locks may be used alone to lock the axial and rotational position
of the light fixture
housing.
100571 In some implementations, the one or more retention members 50 may
include one or more
different retention members. The one or more retention members 50 may be
different in shape,
size, quantity, position, and construction. For example, as shown in Figs. 2,
4, 7, 7A, 7B, and 8
the retention members may include at least two different retention members to
aid in
separation/engagement of the light fixture housing with the mounting base.
Alternatively, stated
a first retention member 51 may be considered a "hard stop" and a second
retention member 52
may be considered a "soft stop". The second retention member 52 may maintain
axial
17
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rotation/axial engagement but allow for removal/attachment to the groove. The
first retention
member 51 may be used in combination with the rotational locking mechanism 70
to secure the
rotational position and/or engage the sealing function of the one or more
gaskets 80 and/or
maintain axial rotation/axial engagement. The second retention member 52 may
assist the user in
removing/attaching the light fixture housing 20 from the axial and/or
rotational engagement. For
example, the first retention member 51 may be unable to disengage from the
groove 61 unless the
second retention member 52 disengages first. Further in some embodiments, the
first retention
member 51 may need to be axial engaged with the groove 61 first before the
second retention
member 52. In some embodiments, the second retention member 52 may require
less axial
removal force than the first retention member.
100581 As shown in the embodiments in Figs. 2, 4, 7, 7B, and 8 the first
retention member 51
may be positioned on an opposing side of the rotational lock 70. This may
balance the forces to
secure the engagement between the fixture and base. As shown in Figs. 2, 4, 7,
7B, and 8, the first
retention member 51 may include a flat shelf top 53 in the direction opposite
of the free edge of
the skirt 26 of the light fixture housing 20 opposite a tapered edge 54. As
shown in the
embodiments in Figs. 2, 4, 7, 7A, and 8, the second retention member 52 may be
positioned
adjacent the rotational lock 70. The second retention members 52 may include
opposing rounded
edges 55 on the top and bottom of the tab or member. The rounded edges 55 of
the second retention
member 52 may allow for easier removal/engagement (e.g. less removal axial
force) than the first
retention member 51. It should be understood that the one or more first and/or
second retention
members may be in a variety of locations, shapes, sizes, constructions, and
quantities.
100591 In use, a user may insert the 120V AC wires 3, projecting from the
junction box 1, into
the reusable push-in wire connectors 40 on the bottom of the mounting base 30.
The user may
then mount the mounting base 30 to the junction box 1 with one or more
fasteners. The light
fixture housing 20 may then be engaged (e.g. axially) with the mounting base
30 without the need
to handle wires or engage in wiring of a wiring interface between the base and
the light fixture. In
some embodiments, when axially engaged the one or more retention members 50
and/or rotational
lock 70 may engage the annular groove 61 of the mounting base 30 thereby
coupling the light
fixture housing 20 with the mounting base 30 and/or the electrical connections
22, 32
therebetween. A characteristic of the correct engagement therebetween may be
identified by the
user such as an audible/visual indicator. With the one or more retention
members 50, if used,
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engaged with the receivers 60/annular groove 61, the light fixture housing 20
is engaged (e.g.
axially) such that the user may freely rotate the light fixture housing 20
relative to the fixed
mounting base 30. Moreover, the light source/light fixture housing 20 may
maintain the electrical
coupling between the light fixture housing and the mounting base during the
rotation of the light
fixture housing. The user may rotate the light fixture housing to aim, orient
features of the light
fixture, etc. as desired by the application or user. Once the desired
rotational orientation is
achieved, the user may lock the rotational orientation via the cam lock or
rotational lock/fastener
70. Subsequent rotational adjustments may be made merely by temporarily
disengaging the
rotational lock. Further, the user may desire to change to a different light
fixture housing and still
utilize the mounting base, make repairs, or change light sources by
disengaging the light fixture
housing.
100601 Moreover in some embodiments, if the one or more retention members 50,
receivers 60,
and/or rotational lock 70 are not used to engage (e.g. axially) the mounting
base 30, the user may
have to hold the light fixture housing 20 to the mounting base 30 while
rotating into position or
merely orientate before axial engagement before fixing the rotational
orientation with the
rotational lock 70.
100611 Turning to FIG. 9, another version of the mounting base 230 described
and supported by
the present application is depicted. As with mounting base 30, the mounting
base 230 includes
similar electrical contacts 232 with a central electrical disc or connection
34 and first and second
surrounding annular connections 34. These electrical contacts 232 may be
positioned within
recessed areas of the base but remain exposed for electrical connectivity by a
light fixture housing,
such as light fixture housing 220 of FIG. 10. The electrical contacts 232, as
with electrical contacts
32, allow continued electrical connectivity during rotation between the
mounting base 230 and a
light fixture housing. The mounting base 230 may include previously recited
structures such as
retention members 251, 252 positioned on an inner sidewall for interfacing
engagement with
similarly positioned engagement structure on the outer wall of the light
fixture housing 220. In the
example of FIG. 9, the mounting base 230 may also include a similar locking
mechanism 70. The
locking mechanism may be a mechanical locking mechanism, such as a cam lock or
alternatively
retention tabs, or may be other type of locking mechanisms utilizing magnets
or other retention
features to engage and/or retain the mounting base 230 to the inserted light
fixture housing. For
example, the mechanism 70 shown in FIG. 14A could be replaced with a magnet
which associates
19
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with a surface or alternative magnet in the light fixture housing. In other
examples, the retention
members 251, 252 could also be replaced with other tabs or magnets to
similarly provide
mechanical locking of the light fixture housing with the mounting base. Any of
these may be used
singularly or in any combination.
100621 In some examples, the electrical contacts 232 of the mounting base 230
may be annular
contacts and positioned in annular recesses formed in the mounting base,
similar to receiving
recesses containing the electrical contact rings 33 of the various
embodiments. In alternative
constructions, the contacts may be partially annular, interrupted contacts or
singular partially
annular, similar to those identified for contact rings 33. For example, in
some implementations
instead of an annular ring allowing for 360 degrees of rotational
connectivity, partial rotational
electrical contact may be maintained for rotation of the two structures, the
mounting base and the
light fixture housing, for about 90 degrees or less. In even further
implementations, the electrical
contacts may be positioned to electrically connect only for a predetermined
extent allowing for
non-electrical contact to be allowed for additional rotation.
.. 100631 Figure 10 depicts the mounting base 230 from FIG. 9 along with a
light fixture housing
220 in the form of a security light. The light fixture housing 220 connects to
the electrical contacts
232 at the mounting base 230 similar to the light fixture housing 20 and 120.
Light fixture housing
contacts 223 and center contact 224 engage exposed contacts 33 and 34 of the
mounting base 230
such that electrical contacts 232 provide rotational electrical connectivity.
In other words, during
rotation and non-aligned attachment of the light fixture housing 220 onto the
mounting base 230
electrical connectivity is maintained. For example, contacts 223 and 224 may
be leaf springs,
biasing pins, electrical surfaces or other structures which allow electrical
connectivity between the
light fixture housing and the electrical contacts on the mounting base. For
example, pins 223, 224
may be utilized such placement of the light fixture housing 220 within the
mounting base 230
electrically connects the pings to the contacts 232. As well, light fixture
housing 220, similar to
light fixture housings 20 and 120, maintain connection to the base using a
receiver/groove 260
which interfaces with the retention members 251, 252 in the mounting base 230.
Receiver 260 may
be an annular groove or other recess which aligns and receives the retention
members 251, 252.
Locking mechanism 70, in the form of a cam latch or rotational latch, may
provide a resistance fit
or force against the outer side wall of the interfacing portion of the light
fixture 220 adjacent
receiver 260 to fixate the mounting base 230 with the light fixture housing
220.
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100641 Light fixture housing 220 is depicted in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 as a
security light having a
first and second LED lamp heads 270, 271 affixed thereto to emit light when
energized from the
electrical contacts. The light fixture housing 220 as depicted has a first
portion 221 and a second
portion 222 which rotate relative to each other along an angled rotational
interface 218. Rotational
interface allow for installation of the light fixture housing 220 and mounting
base 230 in different
orientations, such as a wall mount, depicted in FIG. 12, or a ceiling or eaves
mount depicted in
FIG. 13. Providing rotational interface 218 and dividing the light fixture
housing into a first portion
221 and second portion 222 allows the light fixture be properly oriented upon
installation.
Rotational interface 218 maintains the alignment between the firs portion 221
and the second
portion 222 as well as an electrical connection to the lamp heads 270, 271
while allowing relative
rotation of the two light fixture portions. Light fixture lamp heads 270, 271
may be bi-axis rotatable
relative to the second lamp fixture portion to allow illumination zone
adjustment. For example,
lamp heads may have a two-axis hinge interface between the lamp head and the
light fixture
housing second portion. For example, a two-axis hinge may be a stacked first
and second knuckle
hinge 241 as depicted in FIG. 12. Other connections may also be utilized
allowing two directional
or axis adjustment of the lamp heads.
100651 As shown in the FIGS. 11-14, the light fixture housing is rotatable
along the rotation
interface 218 allowing the first portion to rotate relative to the second
portion 222. Installation can
be varied as a result of the rotational interface 218 allowing the housing to
be repositioned
appropriately allowing the lamp heads 2710, 271 and other sensors, such as the
motion sensor 235,
to be directed outward. For example, as depicted in FIG. 12, the mounting base
230 may be
installed against a horizontal surface, such as a side wall of a structure,
adjacent or over a junction
box allowing cables 3 to be connected to lamp housing wires 253. In the
exemplary installation
depicted, the light fixture housing faces directly way from the mounting
surface and the angle
rotational interface 218 allows the first portion and second portion 221, 222
of the light fixture
housing to be aligned. Lamps heads depicted in FIG. 12 face outward from the
installation surface.
100661 In an alternative exemplary installation depicted in FIG. 13, the
mounting base 230 is
installed along a horizontal surface adjacent to or over a junction box
allowing similar electrical
connectivity. Rotation of the first portion and second portion of the light
fixture housing along
.. rotational interface 218 repositions the lamp heads and sensor 235 outward.
In such an installation,
the outward illumination and detection zones of the lamps and sensor(s) are
approximately 90
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degrees from the installation surface. The rotational interface 218 is angled
relative to the rear
mounting surface 259 of the light fixture housing 220 thereby allowing
rotation of the two portions
relative to each other for repositioning. In variations, an angled rotational
interface is provided
relative to the first portion and the second portion of the light fixture
housing. For example, the
angled rotational interface can be approximately 45 degrees relative to the
rear mounting surface
259. In other examples, the angled rotational interface may be 0 degrees
relative to the rear
mounting surface or may be an alternative. For example, the interface may be
40 degrees relative
to the rear mounting surface, or up to 50 to 60 degrees.
100671 In variations, a rotatable light fixture 220 is depicted along with a
receiving mounting
base 230 which maintains electrical connectivity between the light fixture and
the mounting base.
In some embodiments, the light fixture housing 220 includes a plurality of
electrical contacts 223,
224 in rotational engagement with the plurality of annularly exposed contacts
232, 233 of the
mounting base 230. In various embodiments, the light fixture 220 maintains
electrical connectivity
between the electrical contacts of the light fixture and the contact of the
mounting base for up to
360 degrees of rotational engagement between the light fixture 220 and the
mounting base 230. In
addition, in some embodiments, the light fixture 220 includes a plurality of
modulated LEDs in
lamp heads 270, 271 controlled by an LED controller, the plurality of LEDs in
electrical
connectivity with the electrical contacts of the light fixture housing. In
various embodiments, the
mounting base 230 and the light fixture 220 rotationally engage each other and
are secured to each
.. other through a mechanical locking mechanism. In some embodiments, the
mechanical locking
mechanism includes a cam lock and one or more retention members on the light
fixture and the
mounting base. In some examples, this may include a groove or receiving area
in the light fixture
housing. Additional examples may include at least one of the cam lock and one
or more retention
members which engage the annular groove 260 or which engage other structures
or surfaces of the
light fixture housing 220.
100681 In other variations, the rotatable light fixture 220 may have a first
portion and a second
portion which have a rotational interface 218 there between allowing relative
rotation between the
first portion and the second portion. In some implementations, the rotational
interface may be at
an angle relative to a rear mounting surface of the light fixture housing 220.
In other variations,
the rotational interface may be at a zero-degree angle relative to the rear
mounting surface.
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Electrical connectivity is maintained between the rotational interface between
the electrical
contacts 224, 223 and the LEDs of the lamp heads 270, 271 and additional
sensors.
100691 In further embodiments, the locking mechanism may be rotationally
engaged retained on
the base and rotate relative to the light fixture. Rotation of the cam lock
allows the cam lock to
lock the light fixture into a fixed relative positioned with respect to the
base by engaging a
corresponding groove or surface of the light fixture upon rotation.
100701 In addition, in some embodiments, the plurality of rotational contacts
of the light
mounting base and the plurality of electrical contacts of the light fixture
include at least one of an
annular ring and a leaf spring or pin. In various embodiments, the pin or leaf
spring includes a
plurality of pins or leaf springs. In some embodiments, the plurality of pins
or leaf springs are
located on the light fixture. In various embodiments, the annular rings
include a plurality of
annular rings. In further embodiments, the annular rings are located on the
mounting base. In
even further embodiments, the annular rings of the mounting base are
positioned in an associated
number of annular grooves which receive the rings. In even further
embodiments, a centrally
positioned pin or disc may be centrally located and positioned relative to the
annular rings on the
mounting base. Moreover, in various embodiments, the plurality of rotational
exposed contacts on
the mounting base include a rotatable electrical plug which receives an
electrically rotatable mating
plug on the light fixture.
100711 In some further embodiments, a rotatable light fixture may comprise a
mounting base 230
electrically coupled to a junction box. In various embodiments, the light
fixture may include a
light fixture housing 220 rotatably connected to the mounting base 230
defining a plurality of
rotational orientations between the light fixture housing and the mounting
base. In some
embodiments, the light fixture may include an electrical connection between
the mounting base
and the light fixture housing, wherein the electric connection is rotatably
electrically engaged
during the plurality of rotational orientations between the light fixture
housing and the mounting
base during rotation. In addition, in some embodiments, the light fixture
housing and the mounting
base is rotationally secured in at least one of the plurality of rotational
orientations between the
light fixture housing and the mounting base.
100721 In addition, in various embodiments, the light fixture housing or the
mounting base
includes a cam lock 70 and one or more retention members 251, 252 and wherein
the mounting
base 230 or the light fixture housing 220 includes a receiving structure 260
or annular groove. In
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some implementations, the cam lock and the one or more retention members
engage the annular
groove or other surface or mating structure. In some embodiments, the cam lock
or other locking
mechanism 70 at least rotationally secures the light fixture housing relative
to the mounting base
in the at least one rotational orientation. In various embodiments, the cam
lock may be utilized to
axially secure the light fixture housing relative to the mounting base in the
at least one rotational
orientation. In some embodiments, the one or more retention members axially
retain the light
fixture housing with the mounting base. In various embodiments, the one or
more retention
members include a first retention member 251 and a second retention member
252, wherein the
first retention member is different from the second retention member. In some
embodiments, the
first retention member and the second retention member rotationally and
axially engage an annular
groove or other structure allowing rotation of the light fixture housing
relative to the mounting
base while maintaining the relative axial position between the light fixture
housing and the
mounting base, and wherein a first axial removal force to separate the second
retention member
from the annular groove is less than a second axial removal force to separate
the first retention
member from the annular groove thereby allowing axial separation of the light
fixture housing
from the mounting base when the cam lock is disengaged. In various
embodiments, the cam lock
is on an opposing side of the light fixture housing than the first retention
member.
100731 In implementations, the light fixture housing 220 may be a security
light. In examples,
the light fixture housing may be rotationally connectable to the mounting base
230 and may also
have a first portion 221 and a second portion 222 that are rotatable relative
to each other. In other
examples, the light fixture housing may have at least one lamp head 271
extending outward from
the second portion 222 of the light fixture housing. The lamp heads may have a
plurality of LEDs
or other light sources which are controlled by a lighting controller or other
electronics. In
implementations where the lamp heads have at least one or a plurality of LEDs,
the LEDs may be
controlled by an LED controller and/or LED drivers.
100741 In implementations, the light fixture housing 220 may be a two-part
light fixture housing
having a first portion 221 and a second portion 222. In optional examples, the
light fixture housing
may have a rotational interface 218 positioned between the first portion and
the second portion. In
further examples and implementations, the rotational interface may be angled
relative to a rear
mounting surface of the light fixture housing 220. In some of these examples,
the rotational
interface 218 is angled about 45 degrees relative to the rear mounting base
surface 230 of the light
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fixture housing. In some other examples, the rotational interface may be more
or less than 45
degrees relative to the rear mounting surface of the light fixture housing. In
variations, the
rotational interface may be anywhere between zero and sixty degrees or more.
In still further
implementations, the first portion may rotate relative to the second portion
by about 180 degrees.
In other examples, the first portion may rotate more or less than 180 degrees
relative to the second
portion. For example, rotation of up to 360 degrees may be allowed.
100751 In embodiments, a light fixture housing may be provided which is
rotationally connected
to a mounting base. In other examples, the light fixture itself may provide
additional rotational
adjustment by providing relative rotation between a first portion and a second
portion of the light
fixture housing thereby providing two or more rotational adjustments.
100761 In some embodiments, the electrical connection between the mounting
base and the light
fixture housing includes hot, neutral, and ground connections electrically
maintained for up to 360
degrees or less of rotation between the mounting base and the light fixture
housing. Moreover, in
some embodiments, the light fixture housing and the mounting base each include
a plurality of
electrical contacts rotationally held in electrical contact with the other of
the light fixture housing
and the mounting base. In various embodiments, the mounting base 230 includes
reusable push-
in wire connectors to electrically connect to an electrical hot, neutral, and
ground wires of the
junction box. In some embodiments, the light fixture 220 includes one or more
gaskets between
the light fixture housing and the mounting base. In some implementations, the
light fixture housing
receives low voltage electricity from the mounting base wherein the mounting
base has associated
electronics to convert line voltage to low voltage. In implementations, the
voltage reduction from
line voltage 120V down to about 20V occurs within the mounting base. In other
implementations,
the voltage reduction can occur within the light fixture housing. In still
further implementations,
the electrical connection to the mounting base may me modulated or modified to
an appropriate
characteristic to drive light fixtures so that further modification is not
required. For example, in
some implementations, the electrical connection at the junction box is
provided at standard 120V
AC. In some examples, this standard 120V AC is fed into the mounting base. The
mounting base
may include voltage modification and reduction electronics to modify the
electrical connection
provided directly to the electrical interface between the mounting base and
the light fixture
.. housing. For example, in some implementations the voltage may be reduced
from 120V AC to
about 20V DC or less. Modification of the electrical connection from 120V AC
to a lower voltage
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DC may be accomplished with many known methods and electronic circuits. For
example, a
transformers, bridge rectifier, switches, digital methods such as modulation
and other circuits or
resistors may be readily utilized.
100771 In addition, in various embodiments, the light fixture or the mounting
base may include
a cam lock rotationally securing the light fixture housing relative to the
mounting base in the at
least one rotational orientation and sealing the one or more gaskets between
the light fixture
housing and the mounting base. In some embodiments, the light fixture housing
includes one or
more light sources. Moreover, in some embodiments, the light fixture includes
a depending skirt
with one or more receiving grooves or other structures which interface with
engaging retention
members.
100781 While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated
herein, those
of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means
and/or structures for
performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the
advantages
described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed
to be within the scope
of the invent of embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled
in the art will readily
appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations
described herein are
meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials,
and/or configurations
will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the
inventive teachings is/are
used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using
no more than routine
experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments
described herein. It is,
therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by
way of example only
and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto,
inventive embodiments
may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed.
Inventive embodiments of
the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system,
article, material, kit, and/or
method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such
features, systems,
articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems,
articles, materials, kits, and/or
methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope
of the present
disclosure.
100791 All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to
control over
dictionary definitions, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms. The
indefinite articles "a"
and "an," as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless
clearly indicated to the
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contrary, should be understood to mean "at least one." The phrase "and/or," as
used herein in the
specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or both"
of the elements so
conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and
disjunctively present in
other cases.
100801 Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be construed in the same
fashion, i.e., "one
or more" of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be
present other than the
elements specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or
unrelated to those
elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference
to "A and/or B",
when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" can
refer, in one
embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another
embodiment, to B
only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment,
to both A and B
(optionally including other elements); etc.
100811 As used herein in the specification and in the claims, "or" should be
understood to have
the same meaning as "and/or" as defined above. For example, when separating
items in a list, "or"
or "and/or" shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at
least one, but also
including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally,
additional unlisted items.
Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only one of' or
"exactly one of," or, when
used in the claims, "consisting of," will refer to the inclusion of exactly
one element of a number
or list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used herein shall only be
interpreted as indicating
exclusive alternatives (i.e. "one or the other but not both") when preceded by
terms of exclusivity,
such as "either," "one of," "only one of," or "exactly one of." "Consisting
essentially of," when
used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of
patent law.
100821 As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase "at
least one," in reference
to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one
element selected from
any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily
including at least one
of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and
not excluding any
combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows
that elements may
optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within
the list of elements to
which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or unrelated to those
elements specifically
identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or,
equivalently, "at least
one of A or B," or, equivalently "at least one of A and/or B") can refer, in
one embodiment, to at
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least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and
optionally including
elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally
including more than
one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in
yet another
embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at
least one, optionally
including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.
100831 It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the
contrary, in any methods
claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps
or acts of the method
is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the
method are recited.
100841 In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional
phrases such as
"comprising," "including," "carrying," "having," "containing," "involving,"
"holding,"
"composed of," and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to
mean including but not
limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of' and "consisting
essentially of' shall be
closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the
United States Patent
Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures.
100851 The foregoing description of methods and embodiments has been presented
for purposes
of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention
to the precise steps
and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are
possible in light of
the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention and all
equivalents be defined by
the claims appended hereto.
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