ZA200808406B

ZA200808406B - A light fixture

Info

Publication number: ZA200808406B
Application number: ZA200808406A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Van Der Merwe Trevor Martin
Original assignee: Van Der Merwe Trevor Martin
Priority date: 2007-10-03
Filing date: 2008-10-02
Publication date: 2009-10-28

Description

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Co BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION oo

THIS invention relates to a light fixture, and in particular to a light fixture mountable to an upright structure, such as a wall. - : ‘Various types of light fixtures are available on the market. For example, a number of light fixtures are available which can be mounted to an upright : structure, such as an internal ‘or external wall, or the like. These wall mountable light fixtures are used to provide illumination of a particular area . in the proximity of the structure or a surface area of the upright structure. :

A shortcoming that has been identified with the present wall mountable light fixtures is that “hotspotting” or uneven distribution of artificial light emitted from the light fixture occurs. Another problem identified with present wall mountable light fixtures is that the wall mountable light fixtures comprise sealed units which cannot be accessed for maintenance purposes, e.g., to replace a light source, such as a LED (light emitting diode). : : The present invention provides for an alternative light fixture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a light fixture mountable to an upright structure, the light fixture comprising: a housing having a base and inner and outer side walls, the housing defining a channel between the inner and outer side walls to receive an electrical circuit including multiple light sources, the base of the housing defining a plurality of apertures to at least partially allow the multiple light sources to extend therethrough; a lid to securely fit over the channel defined by the housing; and a reflector extending operatively downward from the housing in order to reflect light, in use, from the muitiple light sources in a downward direction.

Preferably, the multiple light sources are light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Typically, the plurality of apertures and LEDs are spaced at intervals of 25 mm.

The inner and outer side walls of the housing and the lid may have a complementary closure mechanism. For example, the lid may define a female connection formation, e.g., the female connection formation may comprise respective channels on opposite sides of the lid, each channel defined between inner and outer lips, with each channel respectively receiving an end of the inner and outer side.

The light fixture may further include an insulation strip received in the channel, the insulation strip protecting the electrical circuit by waterproofing the channel.

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Depending on the type of LEDs of the light fixture, the reflector may be angled to reflect light from the LEDs at various angles.

Preferably the light fixture further comprises at least two spacers extending from the back wall of the housing, the spacers in use spacing the housing and the multiple light sources from the upright structure thereby allowing an even distribution of the light from the multiple light sources.

The light fixture may further comprise attachment means to secure the light fixture to the upright structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a light fixture in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the light fixture of

Figure 1; and

Figure 3 shows a side view of the light fixture of Figure 1 mounted to a wall.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures, a light fixture 10 mountable to an upright structure 12, such as an internal or external wall, is shown. The light fixture 10 comprises a housing 14 having a base 16, an inner wall 18 and an outer wall 20. The housing 14 defines a channel 22 between the inner and outer walls 18 and 20, with the channel 22 to receive an electrical circuit including multiple light sources 24. In order for the multiple light sources 24 to provide illumination to a particular area, the base 16 of the housing 14 defines a plurality of apertures 26 to at least partially allow the multiple light sources 24 to extend therethrough.

The light fixture 10 also comprises a lid 28 which securely fits over the housing 14 in order to protectively cover the channel 22 defined by the housing 14 and holding the electrical circuit. The lid 28 is removable from the housing 14 in order to allow maintenance work, e.g., replacement of light sources, on the light fixture 10 after installation.

It will be appreciated that various closure mechanisms may be used in order for the lid 28 to securely fit onto the housing 14. For example, in the embodiment shown in the figures the inner and outer side walls 18 and 20 of the housing 14 and the lid 28 have a complementary closure mechanism, with the lid 28 defining female connection formations 30 (e.g., channels) between respective inner and outer lips 32 and 34, extending along the length of the lid 28, on opposite sides thereof. The female connection formations 30 each respectively receives an end 36 and 38 of the inner and outer side walls 18 and 20. The ends 36 and 38 of the inner and outer side walls 18 and 20 may be slightly biased inward, or may instead or in addition, have a widening end to provide a tight fit with the female connection formations 30 of the lid 28.

The light fixture 10 further comprises a reflector 40 extending operatively downward from the housing 14. In use, the reflector 40 is used to reflect light emitted from the multiple light sources in a downward direction.

The multiple light sources used in the light fixture 10 are typically light- emitting diodes (LEDs). Various types of LEDs have different viewing angles, i.e., the angle at which the beam of light emitted by the LED spreads out. For example, standard LEDs may have a viewing angle of 60°, while other LEDs may have a narrow beam of 30° or less. Depending on the type of LEDs used in the light fixture 10, and in particular the viewing angles of the LEDs, the reflector 40 may be angled towards the housing 14

(and wall) or away from the housing 14. In one example embodiment, the

LEDs may be spaced every 25 mm in order to ensure a uniform distribution of light emitted from the LEDs.

In order to ensure that the channel 22 defined by the housing 14 is waterproofed, the light fixture 10 may include an insulation strip 42 which is received in the channel 22. The insulation strip 42 may be shaped to snugly fit into the channel 22, holding the electrical circuit in place and : protecting the electrical circuit against moisture ingress from the environment.

At least two spacers 44 may extend from the housing 14, e.g., from the back wall 18 of the housing 14. Preferably the spacers 44 may be located close to the ends of the housing 14. In use, the spacers 44 provide sufficient spacing between the upright structure 12 and the light fixture 10 (i.e., the housing 14 and in particular the multiple light sources 24) thereby allowing for an even distribution of the light emitted from the multiple light sources. In certain embodiments of the invention, spacers may be integrally formed with the housing 14 or the housing 14 may be adapted to sufficiently space the multiple light sources 24 from the upright structure 12.

It will be appreciated that the light fixture 10 may comprise suitable attachment means to secure the light fixture 10 to the upright structure 12.

For example, and as shown by the drawings, the spacers 44 may define apertures which receive, in use, a screw or the like, for securing the light fixture 10 to a wall.

Preferably the housing 14 and reflector 40 of the light fixture is extruded from a polymer, such PVC (Polyvinyl chloride). However, it will be appreciated that the light fixture 10 may be manufactured from any suitable material.

The electrical circuit contained in the channel 22 may comprise a circuit board connecting multiple LEDs in series, with a respective Zener diode

= 2008 . /08 4 06 connected to each LED, in order to provide a 70% saving in power consumption of the circuit. The electrical circuit contained in the channel 22 is connected to an external power source. In one example embodiment, the external power source is to provide the electrical circuit with a 20 mA

DC current and 990 Virus.

In the event that one of the LEDs fails once the light fixture 10 has been mounted against an upright structure, the lid 28 may be removed from the housing 14. This allows for the removal of the insulating strip 42 and the circuit board 46 and the replacement of the failed LED.

It will be appreciated that the light fixture 10 may be used against any upright structure, e.g., the light fixture 10 may form part of architectural lighting against internal or external walls in houses, offices etc.

Claims

o_o CLAIMS:

1. A light fixture mountable to an upright structure, the light fixture comprising: a housing having a base and inner and outer side walls, the housing defining a channel between the inner and outer side walls to receive an electrical circuit including multiple light sources, the base of the housing defining a plurality of apertures to at least partially allow the multiple light sources to extend therethrough; a lid to securely fit over the channel defined by the housing; and a reflector extending operatively downward from the housing in order to reflect light, in use, from the multiple light sources in a downward direction.

2. A light fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein the multiple light : sources are light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

3. A light fixture as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the plurality of apertures and LEDs are spaced at intervals of 25 mm.

4. A light fixture as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the inner and outer side walls of the housing and the lid have a complementary closure mechanism.

5. A light fixture as claimed in claim 4 wherein the lid defines a female connection formation on opposite sides of the lid.

6. A light fixture as claimed in claim 5 wherein the female connection formation comprises respective channels on opposite sides of the lid, each channel defined between inner and outer lips, with each channel respectively receiving an end of the inner and outer side : : walls.

: 7. A light fixture as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 further : : comprising an insulation strip received in the channel, the insulation strip protecting the electrical circuit by waterproofing the channel.

: 8. A light fixture as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the : bo reflector is angled to reflect light from the LEDs at various angles.

9. A light fixture as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 further comprising at least two spacers extending from the back wall of the housing, the spacers in use spacing the housing and the multiple light sources from the upright structure thereby allowing an even distribution of the light from the multiple light sources. :

10. A light fixture as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 further comprising attachment means to secure the light fixture to the : : upright structure.

11. A light fixture substantially as herein described and illustrated. : DATED THIS 2"° DAY OF OCTOBER 2008 L SPOOR & FISHER APPLICANT'S PATENT ATTORNEYS