# US 12,215,846 B2 · Linear fixture electro-mechanical joining > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,215,846 B2 - Document ID: US12215846B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/210,293 - Filed: 2023-06-15 - Published: 2024-12-19 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2023-06-15 - Assignees: ABL IP Holding LLC - Applicants: Abl IP Holding LLC - Inventors: Benjamin M. Suttles; Robert Wayne Mock, Jr.; Jamie R. Graves - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12215846B2 ## CPC - F21V 23/06: the elements being coupling devices {, e.g. connectors} - F21S 2/005: {of modular construction} - F21S 4/28: rigid, e.g. LED bars - F21S 8/061: {with a non-rigid pendant, i.e. a cable, wire or chain} - F21V 17/12: by screwing - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - 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 ## Abstract A light fixture system includes a first light fixture that includes a first fixture wire harness coupled to a first electrical connector mounted to a first joiner. The first joiner is attached to the first light fixture. The light fixture system further includes a second light fixture that includes a second fixture wire harness coupled to a second electrical connector mounted to a second joiner. The second joiner is attached to the second light fixture. The first joiner and the second joiner are configured to slide towards each other and include at least one set screw to apply axial force between adjoining light fixtures to make electrical connection and tighten a joint between the first light fixture and the second light fixture. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A light fixture system, comprising: a first light fixture that includes a first fixture wire harness coupled to a first electrical connector mounted to a first joiner, wherein the first joiner is attached to the first light fixture; and a second light fixture that includes a second fixture wire harness coupled to a second electrical connector mounted to a second joiner, wherein the second joiner is attached to the second light fixture; wherein the first joiner and the second joiner are configured to slide towards each other and each include at least one set screw configured to be tightened through at least one slot to apply axial force between adjoining light fixtures to make electrical connection and tighten a joint between the first light fixture and the second light fixture, the at least one slot being located underneath a light source circuit board to allow access to the first and second joiners after the adjoining light fixtures are lifted in the ceiling; and an optical element configured to conceal the at least one slot allowing access to the first and second joiners. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The light fixture system of claim 1, wherein the first joiner and the second joiner include an arm or a protrusion configured to slide toward each other. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The light fixture system of claim 2, wherein the arm or the protrusion are integral to the first joiner and the second joiner. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The light fixture system of claim 3, wherein: the first light fixture and the second light fixture comprise a plurality of light sources; and the arm or the protrusion pass through the at least one slot located around the plurality of light sources. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The light fixture system of claim 3, wherein: the first light fixture and the second light fixture include a fixture housing and a ledge disposed inside the fixture housing configured to stop the first joiner and the second joiner from sliding out of the fixture housing and provide a bearing surface to slide the first joiner and the second joiner towards each other. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The light fixture system of claim 5, wherein: the ledge is machined into the fixture housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The light fixture system of claim 1, wherein the first joiner is configured to be retracted on a first end of the first light fixture and the second joiner is configured to be retracted on a second end of the second light fixture until being slid towards each other. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The light fixture system of claim 1, wherein the first joiner is configured to protrude past a first end of the first light fixture and the second joiner is configured to protrude past a second end of the second light fixture to make electrical connection in response to being slid towards each other and the axial force from the at least one set screw. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The light fixture system of claim 1, wherein the optical element comprises a lens, a diffuser, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The light fixture system of claim 1, wherein the at least one set screw is oriented at approximately 45 degrees. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The light fixture system of claim 1, wherein the first light fixture and the second light fixture are pendant type. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The light fixture system of claim 1, wherein the first light fixture and the second light fixture are recessed type. ### Claim 13 A light fixture joining assembly, comprising: a first fixture wire harness coupled to a first electrical connector mounted to a first joiner, wherein the first joiner is configured to attach to a first light fixture; a second fixture wire harness coupled to a second electrical connector mounted to a second joiner, wherein the second joiner is configured to attach to a second light fixture; wherein the first joiner and the second joiner are configured to slide towards each other and each include at least one set screw configured to be tightened through at least one slot to apply axial force between adjoining light fixtures to make electrical connection and tighten a joint between the first light fixture and the second light fixture, the at least one slot being located underneath a light source circuit board to allow access to the first and second joiners after the adjoining light fixtures are lifted in the ceiling; and an optical element configured to conceal the at least one slot allowing access to the first and second joiners. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The light fixture joining assembly of claim 13, wherein the first joiner and the second joiner include an arm or a protrusion configured to slide toward each other. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The light fixture joining assembly of claim 13, wherein the arm or the protrusion are integral to the first joiner and the second joiner. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The light fixture joining assembly of claim 13, wherein the first joiner is configured to be retracted on a first end of the first light fixture and the second joiner is configured to be retracted on a second end of the second light fixture until being slid towards each other. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The light fixture joining assembly of claim 13, wherein the first joiner is configured to protrude past a first end of the first light fixture and the second joiner is configured to protrude past a second end of the second light fixture to make electrical connection in response to being slid towards each other and the axial force from the at least one set screw. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The light fixture joining assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one set screw is oriented at approximately 45 degrees. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The light fixture joining assembly of claim 13, wherein the light fixtures are pendant type or recessed type.