Aquarium light strip
AssigneeCurrent USA, Inc.
InventorDennis Fredricks
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting system and apparatus that may be utilized with aquariums. The features and functionality of the lighting system and apparatus provide easy access to the opening of an aquarium for various purposes, such as cleaning and maintenance. In addition, the features and functionality of some embodiments provide a lighting system that does not require ballasts, light sockets, or a multitude of wiring, and includes a modular design. Further, for some embodiments, features of the present invention allow the lighting apparatus to illuminate the aquarium, while simultaneously limiting the evaporation of water from the aquarium.
Claims18
A modular aquarium light fixture, comprising:
- a removable light module comprising:
- a printed circuit board having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a board contour,
- a light element disposed on the anterior surface, and
- a plurality of conductive contacts disposed on the anterior surface;
- and
- an open cavity configured to receive and selectively retain the removable light module, the open cavity comprising:
- a cavity wall having a height that corresponds to the board contour,
- a cavity rim having a plurality of protruding elements that each have a posterior side facing an interior of the cavity and configured to receive the removable light module, and
- a conductive element disposed on the posterior side of each protruding element.
An aquarium lighting system, comprising:
- a modular light fixture, comprising:
- a heat sink;
- a removable light module comprising:
- a printed circuit board having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a board contour,
- a light element disposed on the anterior surface, and
- a plurality of conductive contacts disposed on the anterior surface;
- and
- an open cavity configured to receive and selectively retain the removable light module, the open cavity comprising:
- a cavity wall having a height that corresponds to a profile of the printed circuit board, and having a shape configured to receive the hoard contour,
- a cavity rim having a plurality protruding elements that each have a posterior side facing an interior of the cavity, and configured to receive the removable light module, and
- a conductive element disposed on the posterior side of each protruding element;
- wherein a thermal compound is disposed between the removable light module and the heat sink, wherein the board contour comprises a plurality of grooves that correspond to the protruding elements of the cavity rim, thereby allowing the removable light module to be inserted into the open cavity, and wherein the height of the cavity wall is such that once the removable light module is placed within the open cavity and rotated within the open cavity to a secure position at least one of the plurality of conductive contacts comes in contact with the conductive element of at least one of the plurality of protruding elements.
A modular aquarium light fixture, comprising:
- a lighting element;
- and
- a heat sink comprising a slot, wherein the slot comprises a slot opening disposed on a side of the heat sink, and the slot comprises at least one slot wall having a longitudinal opening;
- wherein the lighting element is configured to be inserted into the slot through the slot opening, wherein the slot is configured to receive and removably retain the lighting element, wherein the slot retains the lighting element such that once the lighting element is placed into the slot, the lighting element is able to emit light from the heat sink through the longitudinal opening, and wherein the heat sink is configured to dissipate heat generated by the lighting element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.