On-site fabricated linear ambient lighting system

A linear ambient lighting system adapted for on-site fabrication in open building plans and the like, comprising:

• a plurality of elongated lighting elements having electrical connectors positioned adjacent opposite ends thereof;
• a plurality of electrical power sockets shaped to receive the opposite ends of said lighting elements therein to physically support the same and electrically connect with said electrical connectors to supply electrical power to said lighting elements;
• a plurality of fixture supports connected with and supporting said electrical power sockets and configured to be spaced longitudinally along the length of an associated lighting fixture, said fixture supports including downwardly facing marginal surfaces;
• a plurality of structural supports extending between and connecting said fixture supports, said structural supports shaped to support and provide a structural shape to said cover, said structural supports including at least two support rods extending longitudinally along and substantially juxtaposed about said lighting elements;
• a plurality of fixture hangers having first portions thereof connected with an overhead support portion of an associated building and second portions thereof connected with and supporting said fixture supports;
• and
• an elongated cover connected with said lighting fixture, contacting said downwardly facing marginal surfaces of said fixture supports thereby providing a structural shape to said cover, and having an uninterrupted one-piece construction and a selected length that extends continuously along the entire length of said lighting fixture below a lowermost portion thereof to provide a rigid lightweight assembly that has a neat, custom one-piece appearance and can be fabricated on-site at the associated building to alleviate transportation damage and cost.

A. method for making linear ambient lighting on-site for open building plans and the like, comprising:

• providing a plurality of elongated lighting elements having electrical connectors positioned adjacent opposite ends thereof;
• providing a plurality of electrical power sockets shaped to receive the opposite ends of the lighting elements therein to physically support the same and electrically connect with the electrical connectors to supply electrical power to the lighting elements;
• providing a plurality of fixture supports shaped for connection with the electrical power sockets and configured to be spaced longitudinally along the length of an associated lighting fixture;
• providing a plurality of structural supports extending between and connecting the fixture supports;
• providing a plurality of fixture hangers having first portions adapted to connect with an overhead support portion of an associated building and second portion adapted to connect with and support the fixture support;
• connecting the first portions of the fixture hangers to an overhead portion of an associated building in a mutually linear relationship;
• mounting the fixture supports on the second portions of the hangers;
• assembling the electrical power sockets on the opposite ends of lighting elements to define light assemblies;
• positioning the light assemblies between laterally adjacent pairs of the fixture supports and connecting the same thereto;
• constructing at the associated building an elongated cover having a selected length that extends continuously along the entire length of the lighting fixture;
• and
• covering the lighting fixture with the cover such that the cover is attached to the light fixture below a lowermost portion thereof thereby defining a rigid lightweight assembly that has a neat, custom one-piece appearance and is fabricated on-site at the associated building to alleviate transportation damage and cost.

A method for making linear ambient lighting on-site for open building plans and the like, comprising:

• providing a plurality of elongated lighting elements having electrical connectors positioned adjacent opposite ends thereof;
• providing a plurality of electrical power sockets shaped to receive the opposite ends of the lighting elements therein to physically support the same and electrically connect with the electrical connectors to supply electrical power to the lighting elements;
• providing a plurality of fixture supports shaped for connection with the electrical power sockets and configured to be spaced longitudinally along the length of an associated lighting fixture;
• providing a plurality of structural supports extending between and connecting the fixture supports including attaching a plurality of connecting rods such that the connecting rods extend between and connect the fixture supports and are substantially juxtaposed about the lighting elements;
• providing a plurality of fixture hangers having first portions adapted to connect with an overhead support portion of an associated building and second portion adapted to connect with and support the fixture support;
• connecting the first portions of the fixture hangers to an overhead portion of an associated building in a mutually linear relationship;
• mounting the fixture supports on the second portions of the hangers;
• assembling the electrical power sockets on the opposite ends of lighting elements to define light assemblies;
• positioning the light assemblies between laterally adjacent pairs of the fixture supports and connecting the same thereto;
• constructing at the associated building an elongated cover having a selected length that extends continuously along the entire length of the lighting fixture;
• and
• covering the lighting fixture with the cover such that the cover is attached to the light fixture below a lowermost portion thereof thereby defining a rigid lightweight assembly that has a neat, custom one-piece appearance and is fabricated on-site at the associated building to alleviate transportation damage and cost.

A kit for covering existing linear lighting systems, comprising:

• a plurality of suspended fixture supports adapted to connect with and support electrical power sockets normally associated with linear lighting fixtures, said fixture supports adapted to be spaced longitudinally along the length of an associated lighting fixture;
• at least two structural support bars extending between and substantially juxtaposed about said fixture supports;
• a plurality of fixture hangers having first portions thereof adapted to be connected with an overhead support portion of an associated building and second portions thereof adapted to be connected with and support said fixture supports;
• an elongated cover adapted to connect with said lighting fixture, said cover including opposite side edges which are laterally spaced apart when said cover is connected to said support bars to define an upwardly opening window through which light from said lighting elements is emitted from said lighting fixtures, said having an uninterrupted one-piece construction constructed on-site having a selected length that extends continuously along the entire length of said lighting fixture;
• and
• connectors adapted to attach said cover to at least one of a group consisting of said fixture supports and said structural support bars, thereby defining a rigid lightweight assembly that has a neat, custom one-piece appearance.