STRUT SYSTEM
A device for providing structural support comprising a longitudinal slot formed with inwardly projecting longitudinal flanges, and a support member extending outwardly opposite the longitudinal slot. Some embodiments may include a support member having a stop formed longitudinally along the edge of the support member. Other embodiments may include a plurality of longitudinal protuberances and/or detents. In addition, holes may be disposed in the support member and the support member may be formed with decorative elements to effectuate a particular design.
This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/229,463, entitled “Luminaire System and Method” filed Jul. 29, 2009 by the inventors George Mieling, Thomas Warton and Scott S. Yu, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates generally to mechanical systems, and more particularly to an improved strut design for supporting a structure such as lighting systems and the like.
Related art describes a wide variety of luminaires. Some of these relate to luminaire assemblies (U.S. Pat. No. 7,686,483), others relate to particular types of mounts (U.S. Pat. No. 7,686,470). The luminaire described by Bishop (U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,244) provides for a strut, but this strut does not provide for the modularity and ease of assembly of the present invention. A strut is described by Orlov (U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,222) provides support for a luminaire, but, again, does not provide for modularity and ease of assembly.
What is needed is an improved strut that allows for modularity and ease of assembly, while providing additional strength and rigidity to the strut and any supported structure.
SUMMARYDisclosed herein is a device for providing structural support comprising a longitudinal slot formed with inwardly projecting longitudinal flanges, and a support member extending outwardly opposite the longitudinal slot. Some embodiments may include a support member having a stop or detent formed longitudinally along the edge of the support member. Other embodiments may include a plurality of longitudinal protuberances and/or detents. In addition, holes may be disposed in the support member and the support member may be formed with decorative elements to effectuate a particular design.
Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.
The chassis 114, the support arm 116 and other parts of the fixture support system described below may be formed by available processes, including, but not limited to: extrusion, molding or machining. The material may be any suitable material providing sufficient strength and other properties, including but not limited to: aluminum, steel, ceramics or plastics.
The support arms 116, 126, (and others) are designed to hold in place light rails 118. The light rails as shown in the
The suspension assembly 110 is coupled to two suspension wires 112 which may be formed from a single wire, joined to the suspension assembly 110 thus having two separate tensions. A coupling device 122 provides for coupling the suspension wires 112 to the suspension assembly 110 and for the adjustment of the suspension wires 112. The coupling device 122 secures suspension wires 112 to the suspension assembly 110 using a fastener such as a set screw (not shown). The coupling device 122 allows for height adjustment on the suspension assembly 110, and a lateral adjustment on the suspension wires 112.
In the
In operation an assembler would suspend the fixture using the suspension assembly 110. After the fixture is suspended, adjusting the coupling device 122 and the support arms 116 and 126, to true the entire fixture. This allows for easy installation because variations in the installation can be easily rectified simply by adjusting the support arms 116 and 126 and the coupling device 122. In addition, multiple fixtures such as the one shown in the
The coupler 214 has a second bore offset from the first bore for accommodating a cable 212. The second cable is secured byte set screw 216. In operation, the coupler 214 allows for relative positioning of two cables in close proximity and for easy adjustment and alignment of the two cables 210 and 212 in relation to each other.
References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to affect such feature, structure or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Parts of the description are presented using terminology commonly employed by those of ordinary skill in the art to convey the substance of their work to others of ordinary skill in the art.
One having skill in the art will appreciate that the ballast housing 314 may be alternatively designed to allow for more structural support. By locating a ballast into the support arm 316 or 326, the ballast housing may need to be manufactured from material having different strength characteristics or shaped differently from that show in the
Channel support 350 may be formed to any desired length, and the support member 352 may be welded on or otherwise affixed, or optionally extruded when formed. Also, the support member need not be continuous, but may be formed from several pieces positioned about the channel support 350 to achieve the desired result. Strut 324 is affixed to the ballast housing 314 or a ballast by an affixing means such as slide-on connectors, spring-loaded clamps, screws, clamps and any other affixing means that can provide a strong enough connection between the two to provide adequate physical support. The suspension assembly(s) are affixed to the strut via attachment points to the support member. In an alternative embodiment, the strut is attached directly to a surface such as a wall, ceiling or piece of furniture via attachment points to the support member.
Referring to
In addition the structural member 352 may be formed with decorative elements or the protuberances and detents may be formed to effectuate a decorative design. In a luminaire system, the shape of the structural member 352 may be effectuated in various ways to conform to the luminaire system.
The support arms 316, 326, (and others, not shown) are designed to hold in place light rails. The suspension assembly 310 is coupled to two smaller suspension wires 312 which may be a single wire. The wires 312 are fastened to the support arm 316, but alternatively, the ends of the wires may be formed as a catch, with the affect of allowing the ends of the wires 312 to be disposed into a “key hole.” The key hole formed with a larger portion for accepting the catch and a smaller portion for holding the catch in place. A coupler 322 provides for the adjustment of the suspension wires 312 and secures them in place with a set screw (not shown). The coupler 322 allows for height adjustment on the suspension assembly 310, and a lateral adjustment on the suspension wires 312.
Power to the luminaire is supplied along the suspension assembly 310 and to the power wire 320 then into the ballast housing 314. From the ballast housing 314 power can be applied to the light rails in several different ways. Power can be routed through the arms 316 and 326 to reach each hub 124 which is at the end of the light rail 118. Or power could be routed through one of the arms 316 or 326 to reach a single end of a light rail having an additional power line run through the light rail to reach the other end of a lighting device located inside the light rail if necessary.
In operation, an assembler would suspend the luminaire using the suspension assembly 310. After the luminaire is suspended, adjusting the coupler 322 and the support arm swing 316 and 326, to true the entire assembly. This allows for easy installation because minor variations in the installation can be easily rectified simply by adjusting the support arms 316 and 326 and the coupler 312.
In a luminaire system different light rails may be employed by coupling them to a hub 412, such that the hub provides mechanical support, pivotability and a means to provide the light source with electrical power.
The above illustration provides many different embodiments or embodiments for implementing different features of the invention. Specific embodiments of components and processes are described to help clarify the invention. These are, of course, merely embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention from that described in the claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A device comprising:
- a longitudinal slot;
- inwardly projecting longitudinal flanges,
- and a support member extending outwardly opposite the longitudinal slot.
2. The strut of claim 1 wherein the support member further includes a stop, said stop formed longitudinally along the edge of the support member.
3. The strut of claim 1 wherein the support member further includes a plurality of longitudinal protuberances and/or detents.
4. The strut of claim 2 wherein the support member has a plurality of said longitudinal protuberances and/or detents.
5. The strut of claim 1 wherein the support member has a plurality of holes passing through the support member
6. A device comprising:
- an elongated member having a first surface, a first and a second side, said first and second side having an inward turn to created a slot opposite the first surface, and
- a support member disposed orthogonally to the first surface projecting substantially perpendicular to the plane of the flange and substantially perpendicular to the plane of the longitudinal axis, said support member substantially the length of the elongated member.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein the support member has a through hole.
8. The device of claim 6 wherein the support member has a detent or a protuberance.
9. A method comprising:
- suspending a cable;
- attaching a fastener to a first end of a cable;
- coupling the fastener to a strut, said strut having a channel and a support member.
10. The method of claim 9 further including:
- connecting a housing to the strut.
11. The method of claim 9 further including:
- connecting a support arm to the strut.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 28, 2010
Publication Date: Feb 3, 2011
Inventors: Thomas Warton , Scott S. Yu
Application Number: 12/845,706
International Classification: E04B 9/06 (20060101); E04B 1/38 (20060101);