# US 8,540,405 B1 · Systems, methods, and devices for installing light fixtures > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,405 B1 - Document ID: US8540405B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/156,251 - Filed: 2011-06-08 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2011-06-08 - Assignees: Cooper Technologies Company - Applicants: Jeffrey Robert Beck; Vladimir T. Boulii - Inventors: Jeffrey Robert Beck; Vladimir T. Boulii - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540405B1 ## CPC - F21V 21/005: for several lighting devices in an end-to-end arrangement, i.e. light tracks - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract Light fixtures providing improved installation features and methods for installing such light fixtures are described herein. The light fixture may include a light fixture housing that forms a cavity and has a first end, a second end, and a connection means located at either the first end or second end of the housing. The connection means connects the light fixture housing to another light fixture housing. The light fixture further includes a light tray located in the cavity of the light fixture housing below the connection means. The light tray is hand-bendable to provide access to the interior components of the light fixture. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A light fixture comprising: a light fixture housing forming a cavity and having a first end and second end; a connection means located at either the first end or second end of the light fixture housing, wherein the connection means connects the light fixture housing to another light fixture housing; and a light tray located in the cavity of the light fixture housing below the connection means, wherein the light tray is bendable, wherein the light tray includes at least one lamp socket. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the light tray shields the connection means from view from below the light fixture housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the light tray is L-shaped. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The light fixture of claim 3, wherein at least one lamp socket is located at one end of the L-shaped light tray. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the housing is a linear housing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the connection means includes a nut and bolt. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a bulkhead associated with the connection means. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the light tray includes at least one aperture for securing the light tray to the fixture housing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an alignment pin for aligning the housing with a second light fixture housing. ### Claim 10 A method of connecting two linear light fixtures comprising: aligning a first end of a first fixture housing with a second end of a second fixture housing; bending a light tray located in the first fixture housing, wherein the bending of the light tray exposes at least a portion of a bulkhead of the first fixture housing; connecting the first fixture housing with the second fixture housing through the use of a fastener associated with the bulkhead of the first fixture housing; after connecting the first fixture housing with the second fixture housing, bending the light tray, wherein bending the light tray covers at least a portion of the bulkhead of the first fixture housing with at least a portion of the light tray; and connecting a light source to a socket located on the light tray. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein aligning the first end of the first fixture housing with the second end of the second fixture housing includes using at least one alignment pin located at the first end of the first fixture housing engaging with the second end of the second fixture housing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein bending a light tray to expose a bulkhead of the first fixture housing located in the first fixture housing includes bending a light tray at a perforated bend point. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein bending the light tray to cover at least a portion of the bulkhead includes covering at least a portion of the fastener with the light tray. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein connecting the first fixture housing with the second fixture housing through the use of a fastener associated with the bulkhead of the first fixture housing includes connecting the fastener with another bulkhead located in the second fixture housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein connecting the first fixture housing with the second fixture housing through the use of a fastener associated with the bulkhead of the first fixture housing includes connecting the first fixture housing with the second fixture housing a bolt and nut as the fastener. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein bending the light tray to cover at least a portion of the bulkhead further includes aligning the light tray of the first fixture housing with another light tray of the second fixture housing such that a first socket associated with the light tray of the first fixture housing is aligned with a second socket associated with the light tray of the second fixture housing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising securing the light tray to the first fixture housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein securing the light tray to the first fixture housing includes driving a screw through an aperture located on the light tray. ### Claim 19 A method of connecting two linear light fixtures comprising: aligning a first end of a first fixture housing with a second end of a second fixture housing; bending a light tray located in the first fixture housing, wherein the bending of the light tray exposes at least a portion of a bulkhead of the first fixture housing and wherein bending a light tray to expose a bulkhead of the first fixture housing located in the first fixture housing includes bending a light tray at a perforated bend point; connecting the first fixture housing with the second fixture housing through the use of a fastener associated with the bulkhead of the first fixture housing; and after connecting the first fixture housing with the second fixture housing, bending the light tray, wherein bending the light tray covers at least a portion of the bulkhead of the first fixture housing with at least a portion of the light tray. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein aligning the first end of the first fixture housing with the second end of the second fixture housing includes using at least one alignment pin located at the first end of the first fixture housing, the at least one alignment pin engaging with the second end of the second fixture housing. ### Claim 21 A light fixture, comprising: a first light fixture housing forming a cavity and having a first end; a second fixture housing having a second end, wherein the first end of the first fixture housing and the second end of the second fixture housing are aligned with each other and wherein the first fixture housing is configured to be coupled to the second fixture housing through the use of a fastener associated with the bulkhead of the first fixture housing; a light tray located in the first fixture housing, the light tray having a perforated bend point, wherein the light tray is bendable at the perforated bend point to expose at least a portion of a bulkhead of the first fixture housing and wherein the light tray is bendable to cover at least a portion of the bulkhead of the first fixture housing with at least a portion of the light tray after the first fixture housing is coupled to the second fixture housing. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The light fixture of claim 21, wherein the first end of the first fixture housing and the second end of the second fixture housing are aligned with each other using at least one alignment pin located at the first end of the first fixture housing that are engaged with the second end of the second fixture housing.