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(11) | EP 2 801 756 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Luminaire mounting interface |
| (57) Disclosed is a luminaire mounting interface including an interface body configured
for association with a luminaire, and an interface surface of the interface body,
the interface surface including at least two association points separated by 75mm
to 142mm.
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FIELD
[0001] The disclosure generally relates to a luminaire mounting system, and more particularly to a luminaire mounting system for use with a support.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Adjustable support devices such as "monitor supports" or "monitor stands" are widely available for use in office environments. In practice, these devices are often associated with office workstations in a manner that advantageously positions workstation resources, such as visual display terminals (VDTs), so as to maximize operator comfort and/or productivity. Similarly, it is common in the art to use positionable luminaires that deliver task and/or ambient lighting in and around these workstations and VDTs in a manner that enhances the overall well-being and productivity of a workstation occupant.
[0003] However, the proliferation of adjustable systems and devices associated with workstations can lead to complex workstation component inventories and visual clutter. It is therefore desirable and advantageous to provide luminaires and luminaire mounting interfaces that allow workstation lighting to be deployed on and across a wide range of the known adjustable support apparatus used for positioning VDTs and other workstation resources relative to office workstations and the occupants thereof.
SUMMARY
[0004] Disclosed is a luminaire mounting interface including an interface body configured for association with a luminaire, and an interface surface of the interface body, the interface surface including at least two association points separated by 75mm to 142mm.
[0005] Also disclosed is a luminaire including a luminaire housing, an interface body extending from the luminaire housing, and an interface surface of the interface body, the interface surface including at least two association points separated by 75mm to 142mm.
[0006] Further disclosed is a luminaire mounting system including a luminaire with a luminaire housing, an interface body extending from the luminaire housing, an interface surface of the interface body, the interface surface including at least two association points separated by 75mm to 142mm, and a luminaire support including a support interface that is compatible with the interface and said at least two association points.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0007] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention should be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments taken in conjuncture with the accompanying Figures in which like elements are numbered alike in the several Figures:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a luminaire with a mounting interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
Figure 2 is another perspective view of the luminaire of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the luminaire of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a schematic view of a luminaire mounting system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
Figure 5 is a top plan view of the luminaire of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a front elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 1;
Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 1;
Figure 7a is a side elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 1 indicating planes thereof;
Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the luminaire of Figure 1;
Figure 9 is a back elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 1;
Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of an interface surface of the luminaire of Figure 1;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a luminaire with a mounting interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
Figure 12 is another perspective view of the luminaire of Figure 11;
Figure 13 is a top plan view of the luminaire of Figure 11;
Figure 14 is a front elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 11;
Figure 15 is a side elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 11;
Figure 16 is a bottom plan view of the luminaire of Figure 11;
Figure 17 is a back elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 11;
Figure 18 is a bottom plan view of an interface surface of the luminaire of Figure 11;
Figure 19 is a perspective view of a luminaire with a mounting interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
Figure 20 is another perspective view of the luminaire of Figure 19;
Figure 21 is a top plan view of the luminaire of Figure 19;
Figure 22 is a front elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 19;
Figure 23 is a side elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 19;
Figure 24 is a bottom plan view of the luminaire of Figure 19;
Figure 25 is a back elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 19;
Figure 26 is a bottom plan view of an interface surface of the luminaire of Figure 19;
Figure 27 is a perspective view of a luminaire with a mounting interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
Figure 28 is another perspective view of the luminaire of Figure 27;
Figure 29 is a top plan view of the luminaire of Figure 27;
Figure 30 is a front elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 27;
Figure 31 is a side elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 27;
Figure 32 is a bottom plan view of the luminaire of Figure 27;
Figure 33 is a back elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 27;
Figure 34 is a bottom plan view of an interface surface of the luminaire of Figure 27;
Figure 35 is a perspective view of a luminaire with a mounting interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
Figure 36 is another perspective view of the luminaire of Figure 35;
Figure 37 is a top plan view of the luminaire of Figure 35;
Figure 38 is a front elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 35;
Figure 39 is a side elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 35;
Figure 40 is a bottom plan view of the luminaire of Figure 35;
Figure 41 is a back elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 35;
Figure 42 is a bottom plan view of an interface surface of the luminaire of Figure 35;
Figure 43 is a perspective view of a luminaire with a mounting interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
Figure 44 is another perspective view of the luminaire of Figure 43;
Figure 45 is a top plan view of the luminaire of Figure 43;
Figure 46 is a front elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 43;
Figure 47 is a side elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 43;
Figure 48 is a bottom plan view of the luminaire of Figure 43;
Figure 49 is a back elevation view of the luminaire of Figure 43; and
Figure 50 is a bottom plan view of an interface surface of the luminaire of Figure 43.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] A first exemplary embodiment of a luminaire 10 with a mounting interface 18 is shown in Figures 1-3 and 5-10, with an exemplary system 14 for mounting the luminaire 10 being shown in Figure 4. The features this luminaire 10 and system 14 will be discussed in detail hereinbelow.
[0009] As is best shown in Figures 1 and 2, the luminaire 10 includes a luminaire housing 16 and the mounting interface 18. The mounting interface 18 may be removably associated with the luminaire housing 16 (via threaded associations, snap or frictional fitting, etc.), or of integral construction with the luminaire housing 16. The interface 18 may also be retrofittable to an existing luminaire by configuring a relatively inner potion of the interface 18 to mate with an exterior of a known luminaire housing geometry, and providing for any necessary electric connections. The mounting interface 18 includes an interface surface 19 and interface association points or openings 20. There is also an opening 21 included in the body of the interface 18, which allows for access to cords or other electronic components disposed within the interface 18 and the luminaire 10. In the exemplary embodiments shown in the Figures, the interface association points 20 are all threaded openings that may be configured to accept an M4 machine screw fastener. However, male threaded instruments or snap fit extensions may also be used.
[0010] As is best shown in Figures 2, 8, and 10, the association points 20 (which may be referred to as openings hereinafter) are arranged at the four corners of a substantially square pattern 22. In an "x" or length dimension 24 and the "y" or width dimension 26 of the square pattern 22, the openings 20 are separated by approximately 100mm. This length is the same for all of the openings 20 separated in these dimensions 24, 26. In the "z" or diagonal dimension 27, the openings 20 are separated by approximately 141mm (more specifically 141.42mm). Hereagain, this length is the same for all of the openings 20 separated in this dimension 27. The above discussed dimensions conform to industry standards such as those established by the Video Electronics Standards Association, and allow the luminaire 10 to be associated with the known wide offering of conforming adjustable support apparatus used for positioning VDTs and other workstation resources relative to office workstations and the occupants thereof.
[0011] Notably, and as shown in the exemplary embodiments depicted throughout the Figures, the mounting interface 18 and surface 19 thereof extend from the luminaire such that interface surface 19 at least partially overlaps with the housing 16 of the luminaire 10 in a non-vertical plane relative to the luminaire 10. The interface surface 19 is shown to be angled slightly above horizontal in plane 25 of Figures, This is best shown in Figure 7a, which also includes horizontal plane 31 and vertical plane 33 of the luminaire 10, and shows plane 25 relative thereto. Of course, any horizontal orientation of the interface surface 19 (e.g. directly in plane 31) or substantially horizontal orientation is also contemplated.
[0012] As shown in Figure 2, the portion of the interface surface 19 that overlaps with the luminaire housing includes two of the association openings 20. This extension of the interface surface 19 out from the housing 16 of the luminaire 10 is important for various reasons, particularly when the luminaire contemplated is a task ambient luminaire (with both an uplight aperture 28 and downlight aperture 29), as is the case in the exemplary embodiments shown throughout the Figures.
[0013] Indeed, the task ambient luminaires that are most commonly used in office workstation environments typically include a non-aperture top surface 30 and non-aperture bottom surface 32 that are less than approximately 141mm (141.42mm), and more particularly less 100mm or 75mm, in a width dimension 34 thereof. As such, successful association of the interface surface 19 with the luminaire 10 would be unexpected by one of ordinary skill in the art, since the industry standard distance between the openings 20 is greater (100mm) than the width 34 of surfaces 30 and 32 available for mounting the interface surface 19. As shown the Figures, surfaces disposed at other portions of the luminaire 10, such as a relative back surface, also include width dimensions that are insufficient for accommodating the interface surface 19 and openings 20 disposed thereon.
[0014] This issue was successfully addressed in a manner that would avoid blocking or partially blocking the uplight or downlight apertures 28, 29 via extension of the interface surface 19 from the housing of the luminaire 16. Furthermore, disposal of the interface surface 19 in a non-vertical plane relative to the luminaire 10 advantageously achieves a low profile by preventing extension of the mounting interface 18 from exceeding the overall height of the luminaire 10. By avoiding extension of the interface 18 above and/or below the height of the luminaire 10, interference with light emanating from the luminaire apertures 28, 29 is again prevented. Of course, this is just one manner of overcoming the issues pertaining to non-aperture surface availability, as, for example, positioning the surface 19 in any plane relative to the luminaire 10 and extending the surface 19 entirely away from the housing 16 (without any overlap) to a distance that would not interfere with light emanating from the luminaire apertures 28, 29 via an intermediate, associating structure may also address this issue, and is contemplated herein.
[0015] Turning now to Figures 11-18 and Figures 19-26 respectively, exemplary embodiments are shown that differ from the embodiment of Figures 1-10 via the association points/openings 20 only. That is, in the embodiment of Figures 11-18 the "x" or length dimension 24a and the "y" or width dimension 26a of second square pattern 22a include a separation between the openings 20 of approximately 75mm, while the "z" or diagonal dimension 27a includes a separation between the openings of approximately 106mm (more particularly 106.07mm). The embodiment of Figures 19-26 includes first and second square patterns 22 and 22a with openings 20 separated by distances as shown in both the embodiment of Figures 1-10 and Figures 11-18.
[0016] Turning now to Figures 27- 34, Figures 35-42, and Figures 43-50 respectively, exemplary embodiments are shown that differ from the embodiment of Figures 1-10, Figures 11-18, and Figures 19-26 via presence of access region 40 in the mounting interface 18a and interface surface 19a. That is, the embodiments shown in Figures 27- 34, Figures 35-42, and Figures 43-50 include the same opening arrangement (separated by the same distances) as that which is shown in Figures 1-10, Figures 11-18, and Figures 19-26 respectively, but also include the access region 40 defined by the body of the interface 18. As shown in Figures 27-50, the access region 40 allows access to interface inputs/outputs 42 and 44, which creates increased flexibility of use with different work stations or luminaire supports and power cords used in conjunction with other electrical workstation resources such as VDT's. In the exemplary embodiments shown in the Figures, these inputs/outputs 42 are electrical power and/or control signal connectors disposed integrally with the interface 18, such as but not limited to a C 14 appliance cord connector(s).
[0017] Referring back to Figure 4, such a luminaire support 46 is shown in the luminaire mounting system 14. The luminaire support includes a support interface 50 that is compatible with the interface surfaces 19 and/or 19a and association points/openings 20 in the square patterns 22 and/or 22a of any of the above discussed embodiments. That is, the support interface 50 includes support association points or openings 52 that are separated from each other by the same distance discussed as the points/openings of the square patterns 22 and/or 22a of any of the above discussed embodiments. Like the association points/openings 20 of the interface surface 19, the support points 52 shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 4 are all threaded openings that may be configured to accept an M4 machine screw fastener. However, male threaded instruments or snap fit extensions may also be used hereagain.
[0018] While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or substance to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is important that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the apportioned claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.
an interface body configured for association with a luminaire; and
an interface surface of said interface body, said interface surface including at least two association points separated by 75mm to 142mm,
wherein said at least two association points are eight association points arranged at corners of a first substantially square pattern and a second substantially square pattern, said points arranged at said corners of said first substantially square pattern being separated at an equidistant width dimension and length dimension of 100mm, and a diagonal dimension of 141.42mm, and said points arranged at said corners of said second substantially square pattern being separated at an equidistant width dimension and length dimension of 75mm, and a diagonal dimension of 106.07mm.a luminaire housing;
an interface body extending from said luminaire housing; and
an interface surface of said interface body, said interface surface including at least
two association points separated by 75mm to 142mm,
wherein said at least two association points are eight association points arranged
at corners of a first substantially square pattern and a second substantially square
pattern, said points arranged at said corners of said first substantially square pattern
being separated at an equidistant width dimension and length dimension of 100mm, and
a diagonal dimension of 141.42mm, and said points arranged at said corners of said
second substantially square pattern being separated at an equidistant width dimension
and length dimension of 75mm, and a diagonal dimension of 106.07mm.
a luminaire with a luminaire housing;
an interface body extending from said luminaire housing;
an interface surface of said interface body, said interface surface including at least two association points separated by 75mm to 142mm; and
a luminaire support including a support interface that is compatible with said interface
and said at least two association points,
wherein said at least two association points are eight association points arranged
at corners of a first substantially square pattern and a second substantially square
pattern, said points arranged at said corners of said first substantially square pattern
being separated at an equidistant width dimension and length dimension of 100mm, and
a diagonal dimension of 141.42mm, and said points arranged at said corners of said
second substantially square pattern being separated at an equidistant width dimension
and length dimension of 75mm, and a diagonal dimension of 106.07mm.