Direct led lighting system and method

A system for providing lighting using light emitting diodes (LEDs) oriented to directly radiate light energy onto a surface to be illuminated without bright spots being observable therefrom, the system comprising:

• a light fixture having an illumination opening oppositely disposed from a generally flat mounting surface;
• a cradle mateably engaging the mounting surface of the light fixture;
• an LED assembly having a plurality of LEDs disposed thereon, the LED assembly being disposed between the mounting surface and the cradle;
• a translucent lens disposed across the opening, the lens having select diffusivity and transmissivity properties such that light energy from the LEDs transmitted therethrough is sufficiently diffused to optically mask the LED light energy source such that bright spots are not observable therefrom;
• and
• wherein when power is provided to the LEDs, light radiates from the LEDs directly through the lens in a manner diffusing and optically masking the LED light energy.

A method of lighting with light emitting diodes (LEDs) oriented to directly radiate light energy onto a surface to be illuminated without bright spots being observable therefrom, the method comprising:

• mounting a plurality of light fixture assemblies in an area to be illuminated, each light fixture comprising:
• an illumination opening oppositely disposed from a mounting surface for passing light energy therethrough;
• an LED assembly removably secured to the mounting surface, the LED assembly having a plurality of LEDs disposed thereon and oriented to radiate light energy directly through the illumination opening;
• and
• a lens removably secured across the illumination opening, the lens having select diffusivity and transmissivity properties such that light energy from the LEDs transmitted therethrough is sufficiently diffused to optically mask the LED light energy source such that bright spots are not observable therefrom;
• and
• providing each light fixture with power, wherein when power is provided to the LEDs, light radiates from the LEDs directly through the lens in a manner diffusing and optically masking the LED light energy.