Edge lit fixture
AssigneeIDEAL Industries Lighting LLC
InventorsRandy Bernard, Nathan Snell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An edge lit fixture. A housing provides the basic shape and structure of the fixture. The housing is constructed from discrete segments including lens frames, side frames, and end frames, which can be used in many different combinations to create the desired fixture. The assembled housing defines an open central area. One or more light panels are arranged around the perimeter of the housing such that at least some of the light is emitted toward the central area. The open central area of the housing allows for existing materials, such as a ceiling tile, for example, to function as a back surface of the fixture.
Claims22
A light fixture for use in an opening in a ceiling grid, the opening having a periphery defined by the ceiling grid, the light fixture comprising:
- a housing comprising a plurality of frames connected to one another to define an open central area, wherein the housing comprises a surface configured to be supported by the ceiling grid such that the housing is supported in the opening, the plurality of frames extending at least partially around the periphery of the opening, the plurality of frames comprising at least one lens frame;
- at least one light panel mounted to the at least one lens frame, the at least one light panel comprising:
- an elongated lens comprising a first structural side and a second structural side and a light-transmissive exit side spanning between the first structural side and the second structural side, wherein the first structural side and the second structural side are cooperatively shaped to form a slot for receiving a light strip;
- and
- a light strip comprising at least one light source mounted thereon, the light strip held in place by the slot and positioned such that at least some light emitted from the at least one light source is emitted toward the light-transmissive exit side.
A light fixture for use in an opening in a ceiling grid, the opening having a first periphery defined by the ceiling grid, the light fixture comprising:
- a housing having an interior defining an open central area having a second periphery, wherein the housing is configured to extend about the first periphery of the opening, and wherein the housing comprises a first surface configured to be mounted on the ceiling grid such that the housing is supported in the opening, wherein the housing comprises a second surface, the second surface configured to support a ceiling tile such that the ceiling tile covers the open central area and is exposed through the open central area;
- at least one lens supported by the housing and positioned to extend along at least a portion of the open central area at the second periphery of the opening such that the at least one lens does not substantially cover a surface of the ceiling tile that faces the open central area, the at least one lens comprising a light-transmissive exit side that faces the open central area such that light is emitted from the light fixture through the at least one lens below the ceiling tile and into the open central area;
- at least one light strip comprising at least one light source for generating light, wherein the at least one light strip is supported directly on the at least one lens and is positioned to extend along a portion of the open central area at the second periphery such that the light emitted by the at least one light source is emitted through the light-transmissive exit side of the at least one lens.
A light fixture configured for use in an opening in a ceiling, the opening having a perimeter, the light fixture comprising:
- a housing defining an open central area configured for placement along the opening in the ceiling, the housing comprising a plurality of lens frames extending along the perimeter;
- and
- a plurality of light panels, each of the plurality of light panels being attached to one of the plurality of lens frames such that the plurality of light panels are positioned along and face the open central area, each of the plurality of light panels comprising first and second structural sides and a light-transmissive exit side spanning between the first structural side and the second structural side, wherein the first and second structural sides retain a light strip;
- the light strip comprising at least one light source mounted thereon for emitting light such that at least some light emitted from the at least one light source is emitted toward the light-transmissive exit side;
- wherein the plurality of lens frames are connected together to form the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.