# US 11,906,140 B2 · Fixtures, power and control systems for same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,906,140 B2 - Document ID: US11906140B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/315,645 - Filed: 2021-05-10 - Published: 2021-11-11 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2020-05-11 - Assignees: Wangs Alliance Corporation - Applicants: Wangs Alliance Corporation - Inventors: Jonathan Ian Hoffman; Dimauro Andrade Edwards; Dunping Hu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11906140B2 ## CPC - F21V 21/14: Adjustable mountings - F21K 9/00: Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers - F21S 2/005: {of modular construction} - F21S 8/066: {from a light track (details of supporting elements displaceable along a guiding element F21V21/34)} - F21S 10/005: {using light guides (light guides specially adapted for lighting devices G02B6/0001)} - F21V 7/10: Construction - F21V 14/003: {by interposition of elements with electrically controlled variable light transmissivity, e.g. liquid crystal elements or electrochromic devices} - F21V 14/02: by movement of light sources {(in vehicle head lamps F21S41/657)} - F21V 14/06: by movement of refractors {(in vehicle head lamps F21S41/635)} - F21V 17/02: with provision for adjustment (F21V17/04 - F21V17/08 take precedence) - F21V 21/005: for several lighting devices in an end-to-end arrangement, i.e. light tracks - F21V 21/025: {Elongated bases having a U-shaped cross section} - F21V 21/04: Recessed bases - F21V 21/096: Magnetic devices - F21V 21/112: Fixing lighting devices to pendants (F21V21/002 takes precedence) - F21V 21/15: specially adapted for power operation, e.g. by remote control - F21V 21/16: using wires or cords - F21V 21/22: telescopic - F21V 21/29: employing universal joints - F21V 21/30: Pivoted housings or frames - F21V 21/35: with direct electrical contact between the supporting element and electric conductors running along the guiding element - F21V 21/38: with a cable - F21V 23/002: {Arrangements of cables or conductors inside a lighting device, e.g. means for guiding along parts of the housing or in a pivoting arm} - F21V 23/003: {the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array} - F21V 23/0435: {activated by remote control means} - F21V 23/06: the elements being coupling devices {, e.g. connectors} - H05B 45/10: Controlling the intensity of the light - H05B 45/20: Controlling the colour of the light - H05B 45/30: Driver circuits - H05B 47/11: by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light - H05B 47/12: by detecting audible sound - H05B 47/125: by using cameras - H05B 47/13: by using passive infrared detectors - H05B 47/14: by determining electrical parameters of the light source - H05B 47/18: via data-bus transmission - H05B 47/19: via wireless transmission - B24B 41/06: Work supports, e.g. adjustable steadies (B24B37/27 takes precedence) - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - Y02B 20/40: Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21K: NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - B24B: MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING (grinding of gear teeth B23F, of screw-threads B23G1/36; by electro-erosion B23H; abrasive or related blasting B24C; tools for grinding, buffing or sharpening B24D; polishing compositions C09G1/00; abrasives C09K3/14; electrolytic etching or polishing C25F3/00; grinding arrangements for use on assembled railway tracks E01B31/17); DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS ## Abstract Apparatus and methods for deployment of fixtures. The apparatus may include a system for controlling deployed fixtures. The system may receive user commands different devices in different formats. The fixtures may be independently addressable. The fixtures may be magnetically supported by a fixture support. A brace may join two or more fixture supports without reducing space available to support fixtures. The brace may join a fixture support to a fixture support accessory. An accessory may include a variable-angle junction. The fixture may include articulating joints for controlling the direction of a beam. The fixture may include a lens having an electrically controllable beam spread angle. The fixture may be stowable in the fixture support. The fixture may be slidable along a cord to adjust a height of the fixture. The fixture may include an extendable ring. The system may coordinate motions of the fixtures to follow a target. The fixture may include an elongated board. The elongated board may include a non-polar power socket. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising a connector that is configured to join a first end of a first fixture-docking area to a second end of a second fixture-docking area to form a joint in which the connector does not obstruct access to electrical conductors in the first or second fixture-docking areas; wherein: the first docking area includes a first mounting surface; the second docking area includes a second mounting surface; and the connector is configured to join the first and second mounting surfaces such that the first and second mounting surfaces are flush with each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first fixture-docking area is configured to receive a device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second fixture-docking area is configured to receive the device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a first fixture support defines the first fixture-docking area and a second fixture support defines the second fixture-docking area; the electrical conductors include: a first electrical conductor that is disposed in the first fixture support; and a second electrical conductor that is disposed in the second fixture support; and the connector is further configured to join electrically the first electrical conductor of the first fixture support to the second electrical conductor of the second fixture support. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a first fixture support defines the first fixture-docking area and a second fixture support defines the second fixture-docking area; and the connector is further configured to join electrically a first control communication bus of the first fixture support to a second control communication bus of the second fixture support. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a first fixture support defines the first fixture-docking area and a second fixture support defines the second fixture-docking area; the first fixture support provides a first continuous stretch of locations at which a light fixture is mountable on a first surface; the second fixture support provides a second continuous stretch of locations at which the light fixture is mountable on a second surface; and the connector is further configured to form, from the first and second continuous stretches, a third continuous stretch of locations at which the light fixture is mountable, the third continuous stretch including the first and second stretches. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a first fixture support defines the first fixture-docking area and a second fixture support defines the second fixture-docking area; the connector includes: a first projection; and a second projection; the first projection is configured to mate with the first fixture support; and the second projection is configured to mate with the second fixture support. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fixture-docking areas in operation face down and receive fixtures. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the first and second fixture supports each include first and second panels. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each first and second panel are connected to one another through a docking tier. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein conductors are embedded in each docking tier. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein a fixture is configured to communicate with the conductors through a recess in each docking tier that exposes the respective conductors. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein a fixture is configured to communicate with each conductor below the respective docking tier. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the connector is configured to communicate with each conductor above the respective docking tier. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the conductors are a communication bus. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the conductors are power rails. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the power rails transmit power from a transformer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the docking tier includes a magnetic strip. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18 wherein a magnetic element included in a fixture is configured to engage the magnetic strip. ### Claim 20 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 wherein spring clips included in a fixture are configured to engage with ridges included in the first and second fixture supports.