LIGHT FIXTURE WITH ADJUSTMENT ARM

Abstract

 A light fixture (10) includes a gear housing (14), an optical housing (16), and an adjustment arm (12) connecting the gear housing (14) with the optical housing (16). The adjustment arm (12) is connected to the optical housing (16) and the gear housing (14) such that the adjustment arm (12) is rotatable relative to the gear housing (14) and the optical housing (16) is rotatable relative to the adjustment arm (12).

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/284,367, filed on September 28, 2015, and entitled POSEABLE GRADUATED ARM WITH LOCKING FUNCTION, the content of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a light fixture having an optical housing provided on an adjustment arm that permits adjusting the position of the optical housing and thus the directionality of the light emitted therefrom.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Light fixtures, due to the design of the light source, reflector, and/or housing, may have relatively directional light scattering characteristics. In certain circumstances, directional scattering of light may be desirable to provide extra illumination to particular portions of a room, area, or workspace. Generally, existing fixtures must either be directionally mounted on a permanent or semi-permanent basis. Adjustable fixtures may be cumbersome and difficult to position, often requiring multiple persons and/or specialized equipment, particularly for large and/or linear lighting systems. Furthermore, in the case of light emitting diode (LED) light engines, current adjustable fixtures may have difficulty in providing adequate heat dissipation for the electronics and other associated components of an LED light engine in all positions.

SUMMARY

[0004] The terms "invention," "the invention," "this invention" and "the present invention" used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.

[0005] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a light fixture includes a gear housing, an optical housing, and an adjustment arm connecting the gear housing with the optical housing. The adjustment arm is connected to the optical housing and the gear housing such that the adjustment arm is rotatable relative to the gear housing and the optical housing is rotatable relative to the adjustment arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures can be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.

Figure 1 is a bottom perspective view of a lighting fixture according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of a lighting fixture according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is an exploded detail perspective view of the end of the light fixture of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an isolated perspective view of the adjustment arm of Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 5 is an exploded detail perspective view of a lighting fixture according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is an exploded detail perspective view of one end of the light fixture of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view of a lighting fixture according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 is a bottom perspective view of a light fixture oriented in a first position according to still another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the light fixture of Figure 8 oriented in a second position.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the light fixture of Figure 8 oriented in a third position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

[0008] The terms "invention," "the invention," "this invention" and "the present invention" used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a light fixture with an indexing arm that may be adjusted, even in the case of very large light fixtures, by a single person. Certain configurations of the light fixture may also allow for physical and thermal separation of the LED and its associated heat sink from the drivers or other electronics.

[0010] Figures 1-3 illustrate exemplary embodiments of a light fixture 10 that includes an adjustment arm 12 connecting a gear housing 14 to an optical housing 16. In the present example, the light fixture 10 is an LED luminaire. The gear housing 14 may contain the driver and other electronics for the light fixture 10 while the optical housing 16 may house the light source(s), such as LEDs. A heat sink may be provided in the optical housing 16 to dissipate heat from the LEDs or alternatively the frame 11 of the optical housing 16 can act as a heat sink. A lens, diffuser, or other optic 13 may be mounted on the optical housing frame 11 to enclose the optical housing 16 and direct light as desired from the optical housing 16. The type of light fixture 10 and the number of adjustment arms 12, gear housings 14, and optical housings 16 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure as in various examples, a light fixture 10 may include one or more gear housings 14, one or more optical housings 16, and one or more adjustment arms 12 connecting each optical housing 16 to a gear housing 14.

[0011] The gear housing 14 may include one or more gear housing end caps 18. The gear housing end cap 18 may be integral with the gear housing 14 or attached with snaps, fasteners (such as screws 15), adhesives, or the like. The gear housing end cap 18 includes one or more receptacles 20 and a plurality of index grooves 22 associated with each receptacle 20. In the present example, the gear housing end cap 18 includes two receptacles 20. The receptacle 20 is configured to receive one end of an adjustment arm 12, as described in detail below. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the receptacle 20 includes an associated plurality of index grooves 22. The index grooves 22 may be arranged around the entire circumference of the receptacle 20 or in an arc about a portion of the circumference of the receptacle 20. In other examples, the index grooves 22 may be configured in other arrangements or orientations, but are still arranged to interact with the adjustment arm 12 as the adjustment arm 12 moves through its entire range of motion, as described in detail below.

[0012] Similar to the gear housing 14, the optical housing 16 includes an optical housing end cap 24 with similar features to the gear housing end cap 18. For example, the optical housing end cap 24 may include one or more receptacles 26 with associated index grooves 28, and may be integrated with the optical housing 16 or otherwise attached to the optical housing 16 as the gear housing end cap 18 is attached to the gear housing 14. In the present example, the optical housing end cap 24 includes two receptacles 26. The optical housing 16 also includes an associated plurality of index grooves 28 that may be arranged in an arrangement or orientation similar to the index grooves 22. For example, the index grooves 28 may have any arrangement or orientation such that they may interact with the adjustment arm 12 as the adjustment arm 12 moves through its entire range of motion.

[0013] The optical housing 16 is connected with the gear housing 14 through the adjustment arm 12. As illustrated in Figures 1-3, in some examples, the adjustment arm 12 is attached to the optical housing end cap 24 and the gear housing end cap 18. The adjustment arm 12 is rotatably affixed to the gear housing 14 through the receptacle 20 in the gear housing end cap 18. The adjustment arm 12 is also rotatably affixed to the optical housing 16 through the receptacle 26 in the optical housing end cap 24. The insertion of the adjustment arm 12 into the receptacle 26 of the optical housing end cap 24 and the receptacle 20 of the gear housing end cap 18 defines an indexing joint with two points of rotation. One point of rotation (point B in Figure 2) is where the adjustment arm 12 is inserted into the receptacle 26 on the optical housing 16, and another point of rotation (point A in Figure 2) is where the adjustment arm 12 is inserted into the receptacle 20 on the gear housing 14. Figure 2 illustrates how adjustment arm 12 can be rotated about point A to alter the angular orientation of optical housing 16. The optical housing 16 is shown in solid lines prior to rotation and in dotted lines after such rotation. Rotation about point B may also occur to further orient the optical housing 16 as desired.

[0014] The adjustment arm 12 may optionally be locked in place and thus prevented from rotating with a set screw 30. In some examples, such as those illustrated in Figure 3 and as described in detail below, the set screw 30 is insertable through the adjustment arm 12 such that the set screw 30 engages a flex member 50 of the adjustment arm 12. Engagement of the set screw 30 with the flex member 50 of the adjustment arm 12 may bias the flex member 50 towards the end cap 18 or 24 such that index teeth 38 of the flex member 50 engage the index grooves 22 or 28 to secure the position of the adjustment arm 12 relative to the end cap 18 or 24. In other examples, such as those illustrated in Figure 5 and as described in detail below, the set screw 30 is insertable through the adjustment arm 12 such that the set screw 30 may engage setting holes 58 in the end cap 18 or 24 to secure the position of the adjustment arm 12 relative to the end cap 18 or 24. In other cases, various other suitable engagement features may be utilized to secure rotational orientation of the adjustment arm 12 relative to the end cap 18 or 24.

[0015] In various examples, the set screws 30 are insertable through the adjustment arm 12 to secure the rotational orientation at one of the particular indexed locations indicated by the index grooves 22 and 28, respectively. To secure the rotational orientation, the set screws 30, when provided, such as illustrated in Figure 3, may engage a flex member 50 to bias the flex member 50 into engagement with the index grooves 22 or 28 to keep it from flexing and thereby lock the position. The joint allows the optical housing 16 to be rotated or otherwise positioned relative to the gear housing 14 in discrete, indexed positions easily and without the need for specialized tools. When the adjustment arm 12 is fitted into the receptacle 26 on the optical housing end cap 24 and the receptacle 20 on the gear housing end cap 18, the adjustment arm 12 will rotatably connect both end caps 18 and 24, and their associated housings 14 and 16, to one another.

[0016] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the adjustment arm 12 includes adjustment arm protrusions 36 that are configured to be inserted into the receptacles 20 and 26, respectively. The adjustment arm protrusions 36 may be inserted into the respective receptacles 20 and 26 such that the adjustment arm 12 may rotate within the receptacle 20 and 26 and relative to gearing housing 14 and optical housing 16. In certain embodiments, the adjustment arm protrusions 36 may be locked within one or both of the receptacles 20 and 26. For example, in some cases, the adjustment arm protrusions 36 and receptacles 20 and 26 may be configured for a snap fit connection that can be optionally further secured by a fastener, interference tabs, or the like. The number of adjustment arm protrusions 36 on the adjustment arm 12 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure.

[0017] The adjustment arm protrusions 36 may comprise a tube, other hollow cylindrical or semi-cylindrical structure, or a series of tabs. For instance, in some examples, as illustrated in Figure 4, each adjustment arm protrusion 36 may include of a number of flexible or semi-flexible tabs 42. The tabs 42 may be curved and arranged in a relatively circular arrangement in some examples. In some embodiments, one or more tabs 42 may also include a snap wedge 44 or other feature to retain the adjustment arm protrusions 36 within the receptacles 20 and 26, respectively. The snap wedge 44 or other similar feature may prevent the unintentional backing out or release of the adjustment arm protrusions 36 from the receptacles 20 and 26 of end caps 18 and 24. The orientation of the tabs 42 and their respective curvatures may be configured to mate with the receptacle 26 on the optical housing end cap 24 and the receptacle 20 on the gear housing end cap 18 such that the adjustment arm protrusion 36 may rotate within the respective receptacles 20 and 26 and provide the articulation of the optical housing 16 with respect to the gear housing 14. In some cases, the individual tabs 42 may function to support the weight of the optical housing 16. The tabs 42 may also function as a bearing surface for the rotation of the adjustment arm 12 within the receptacles 20 and 26 in some examples. In certain embodiments, the rotation of the adjustment arm 12 may be facilitated by a bearing or various other components that allow for the rotation of the adjustment arm 12 with respect to the optical housing end cap 24 and the gear housing end cap 18.

[0018] In some examples, each adjustment arm protrusion 36 of the adjustment arm 12 may also include a passage 46. The passage 46 may be configured to allow wires or other electrical connections to pass from the gear housing 14, into a cavity 48 of the adjustment arm 12, and into the optical housing 16. In certain embodiments, the adjustment arm 12 itself may be embedded with electrical connections or serve as a conductor or connection without the need for additional wiring or connections.

[0019] In some examples, the adjustment arm 12 also includes a pair of flex members 50 with one or more index teeth 38. The index teeth 38 of the adjustment arm 12 may mate with the index grooves 28 of the optical housing end cap 24 or the index grooves 22 of the gear housing end cap 18 to maintain the optical housing 16 in discrete positions throughout its range of movement. The interaction of the index teeth 38 and the index grooves 22 and 28 provides the index locations where the optical housing 16 may be positioned. The interaction of the index teeth 38 and the index grooves 22 and 28 can also maintain the optical housing 16 within its indexed position and resist the force of its weight from altering its position.

[0020] In some examples, the flex member 50 may be partially separated from other portions of the adjustment arm 12 to allow it to flex about its base, as with a living hinge, although it need not be. For example and without limitation, the flex members 50 illustrated in Figure 4 are partially separated from other portions of the adjustment arm 12 through flex grooves 52. Other embodiments may include different arrangements, such as a flex member 50 that is hinged, spring loaded, partially separated through other grooves or slots, or that may not be partially separated from other portions of the adjustment arm 12, among others.

[0021] The interaction of the index grooves 22 and 28 with the index teeth 38 provides discrete index positions for the adjustment arm 12 relative to both the optical housing end cap 24 and the gear housing end cap 18. The index grooves 22 and 28 interacting with the index teeth 38 also provides a threshold force that must be overcome to induce movement of the adjustment arm 12 between index positions. The adjustment arm 12 may then be locked in place relative to the optical housing end cap 24 or the gear housing end cap 18 with the set screws 30 to maintain the desired index position and prevent unintentional movement of the optical housing 16.

[0022] In various examples, when the adjustment arm 12 is rotated relative to the gear housing end cap 18 on the gear housing 14, the flex member 50 may deflect to disengage or partially disengage the index teeth 38 from the index grooves 22 of the gear housing end cap 18. As the adjustment arm 12 is rotated about point A, the index teeth 38 on the flex member 50 will begin to ride up the index grooves 22 and the flex member 50 will deflect to allow partial or full disengagement of the index teeth 38 from the index grooves 22. As the adjustment arm 12 continues to move, the index teeth 38 will begin to realign with the index grooves 22 in a new indexed position. When the index teeth 38 are sufficiently aligned with the index grooves 22, the flex member 50 will return to its original position and re-engage the index teeth 38 with the index grooves 22 to maintain the optical housing 16 in the new indexed position. When the index teeth 38 are interlocked with the index grooves 22 in the desired index position, the set screw 30 may be inserted in the adjustment arm 12 to prevent the flex member 50 from deflecting and disengaging the index teeth 38 from the index grooves 22, thus locking the adjustment arm 12 in its position relative to the gear housing 14. In various cases, the set screw 30 may engage with the back of the flex member 50 to prevent the flex member 50 from flexing. The optical housing 16 may be rotated relative to the adjustment arm 12 in a similar manner such that the index teeth 38 engage the index grooves 28 and the optical housing 16 may be retained at a desired indexed position. It should be understood, however, that use of a set screw 30 may not be needed; rather, engagement of the index teeth 38 with the index grooves 22 or 28 may be sufficient to ensure retention of the optical housing 16 at the desired orientation.

[0023] A number of design factors may be used to influence the amount of force required to move the adjustment arm 12 or optical housing 16 between indexed positions. For example, the number of index teeth 38, the number of index grooves 22 or 28, or the characteristics of the index teeth 38 and index grooves 22 or 28, such as their depth, profiles, pitch, or directional angling, may influence the amount of threshold force produced by the indexing features. The stiffness or force required to deflect the flex member 50 may also be adjusted by altering the thickness, the material properties, and the amount of separation or freedom of movement of the flex member 50 with respect to other portions of the adjustment arm 12. The interaction of the respective materials of the end caps 18 and 24 and the adjustment arm 12, or the materials of any components attached to the end caps 18 and 24 and the adjustment arm 12 that influence their respective indexing features, may also influence or alter the amount of threshold force and the amount of extra force required to articulate the optical housing 16 or adjustment arm 12 about any rotation point. For example, the optical housing end cap 24, gear housing end cap 18, adjustment arm 12, and any of their components or sub-components may be constructed of metals, polymers, composites, or any other suitable materials. In certain embodiments, the optical housing end cap 24, the gear housing end cap 18, or both may be molded from Nylon 6-6 with a 15% glass fiber fill and the adjustment arm 12 may be molded from PA 6-6 with a 5% glass fill. This particular material combination, as a non-limiting example, may provide sufficient load-bearing capacity and self-lubricating properties to reduce excessive wear and undesirable friction or sticking during rotation.

[0024] A number of variations of the end caps 18 and 24 and the associated adjustment arm 12 may be used in particular applications. For example, the index teeth 38 and index grooves 22 and 28 may be reversed (i.e. the index teeth 38 may be provided on the end caps 18 and 24, and the index grooves 22 and 28 may be provided on the adjustment arm 12). In various examples, the indexing features may all be characterized as teeth (that the indexing features extend above the surface plane of the parent material) or grooves (that the indexing features extend below the surface plane of the parent material). Some embodiments may have indexing features that do not rely on teeth and instead rely on indexing mechanisms such as ratchets, click wheels, or other indexing mechanisms. In certain embodiments, the adjustment arm 12 and/or end caps 18 and 24 may provide additional degrees of freedom or may include fewer or additional adjustment mechanisms. For example, in some cases, the adjustment arm 12 may include one or more additional joints located along its length such as a sliding or telescoping joint, which may change the length of the adjustment arm 12, or an additional rotation joint to allow for additional articulation of the adjustment arm 12.

[0025] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate exemplary alternative embodiments of the optical housing end cap 24, the gear housing end cap 18, and adjustment arm 12. In this example, two optical housings 16 are connected to the gear housing 14 through adjustment arms 12. As illustrated in these examples, the adjustment arm protrusions 36 are tubular or cylindrical components with one or more locking tabs 54. The profile of each adjustment arm protrusion 36 is configured to fit within the receptacle 26 on the optical housing end cap 24 and the receptacle 20 on the gear housing end cap 18. The receptacles 20 and 26 may be modified with reliefs 56 that allow the locking tabs 54 of the adjustment arm protrusions 36 to clear the receptacles 20 and 26. More specifically, the adjustment arm protrusion 36 may be inserted into an end cap receptacle 20 or 26 by aligning the locking tabs 54 with the receptacle reliefs 56. The adjustment arm 12 may then be rotated away from this alignment, and the interference of the locking tabs 54 with the edge of the receptacle 20 or 26 will prevent the adjustment arm protrusion 36 from backing out or otherwise disengaging from the receptacle 20 or 26. In certain embodiments, the relative positions of the receptacle reliefs 56 and protrusion locking tabs 54 may be selected such that they will not be aligned at any point along the useful range of motion of the adjustment arm 12 with respect to the end cap 18 or 24.

[0026] Figures 5 and 6 also illustrate an exemplary alternative locking mechanism to secure the adjustment arm 12 in an indexed position. In these examples, the optical housing end cap 24 and gear housing end cap 18 may include optional setting holes 58, each of which corresponds to a particular index position of the adjustment arm 12. In some embodiments, the set screw 30 may be inserted into one of the setting holes 58 to lock the adjustment arm 12 into a particular indexed position. Use of a set screw 30 with the setting holes 58 reduces the likelihood of stripping between the index teeth 38 and index grooves 22 or 28 and thus improves locking of the adjustment arm 12 in the desired indexed position.

[0027] Certain embodiments of the light fixture 10 (such as the LED luminaire) may include a single optical housing 16, while others may include two or more optical housings 16. For example, Figures 7-10 illustrate an example of a light fixture 10 with two optical housings 16 attached to a single gear housing 14 by two adjustment arms 12. Any number of optical housings 16 may be used as necessary for a particular lighting environment. In some cases, the light fixture 10 may be provided as a modular system wherein a single gear housing 14 may be sold with different numbers or configurations of optical housings 16 to provide different illumination characteristics for any particular application. Optical housings 16 may be provided in a variety of sizes and/or shapes, including circular, oval, cylindrical, or any other shape or size as required.

[0028] The light fixture 10 (such as the LED luminaire), the individual optical housings 16, and the gear housing 14 may take on a number of different configurations or designs. For example, the light fixture 10 may be suspended (see Figure 7), surface-mounted, or track-mounted (see Figure 1). As described above, the optical housing end caps 24 and gear housing end caps 18 may be configured with receptacles 26 and 20, respectively, for accepting the adjustment arm 12. However, it should be appreciated that any end cap 18 and 24 may be configured with one, two, or more receptacles arranged in any position, pattern, or orientation as appropriate for a specific light fixture 10 design. Moreover, in some embodiments, end caps are not provided on either or both of the gearing housing 14 or optical housing 16. Rather, the adjustment arm 12 engages the ends of the gearing housing 14 and optical housing 16 directly.

[0029] Certain configurations of optical housings 16 and gear housings 14 may require a single adjustment arm 12 while other configurations, such as those with longer or heavier optical housings 16, may require multiple adjustment arms 12 to fully support an optical housing 16. For example, an adjustment arm 12 may be provided between each end of the gear housing 14 and optical housing 16.

[0030] In embodiments where multiple adjustment arms 12 are provided with an optical housing 16, index grooves 22 or 28, set screws 30, and other features of the rotation points and joints as described above may be present on each component or only a subset of components. For example, the index grooves 22 or 28, optional setting holes 58, set screws 30, and other components that maintain the optical housing 16 at an index point may be present at all rotation points, or some portion of the rotation points may not include these features such that they provide support but are free to rotate without providing any additional indexing function. In these cases, the indexing features present at other rotation points will provide the necessary threshold force to maintain the position of the optical housing 16.

[0031] Figures 8-10 illustrate an optical housing 16 positioned at three different indexing points. In these examples, the optical housing 16 may be positioned by removing or loosening the set screw(s) 30 (if provided). In some examples, the set screw(s) 30, when provided, are loosened to the extent that it no longer engages the setting hole 58. In some embodiments, when the set screw 30 is removed or loosened, either partially or completely, the adjustment arm 12 and/or optical housing 16 do not freely rotate. Rather, the interaction of index teeth 38 on the adjustment arm 12 with the index grooves 22 and 28 prevent the optical housing 16 from falling or otherwise moving.

[0032] The interaction of the adjustment arm 12, receptacle 20 and 26, and index grooves 22 and 28 is such that there is a threshold force that must be overcome in order to position or move the optical housing 16. The threshold force is high enough that the weight of the optical housing 16 may not cause rotation about any of the rotation points, yet low enough that a user may easily move the optical housing 16 between different index points. Without an added external force, the optical housing 16 will maintain its position at one of the index points.

[0033] During adjustment, the user may position the optical housing 16 at any index point by moving the optical housing 16 between index points. At each individual index point, the optical housing 16 preferably, but not necessarily, will maintain its position without any support from the user. As such, the user may position the optical housing 16 without having to continually support the weight of the housing 16, and may make several adjustments to different rotation points without the need to re-install the set screws 30. This allows for easy, accurate positioning of the optical housings 16 for optimal lighting conditions. Once the optical housing 16 is in the desired position, set screws 30 may be used to secure the adjustment arm 12 in place relative to the gear housing 14 and optical housing 16.

[0034] Use of adjustment arm(s) 12 physically separates and distances the gear housing 14 from the optical housing 16. In some cases, the LEDs in the optical housing 16 generate significant amounts of heat during operation. By placing the LED lighting components in a separate housing (e.g. the optical housing 16), the driver and other components housed in the gear housing 14 may be thermally isolated from, and thus may not be subject to the increased temperatures and heat flux of, the LED lighting components. They thus may have a longer service life and/or operate more efficiently. Regardless of the position of the optical housing 16, the heat sink (provided in or on optical housing 16) will maintain its placement relative to the LED lighting components for more consistent performance. Furthermore, in any index position, the heat sink and other LED components will maintain consistent heat transfer to the environment through conduction and convection.

[0035] A collection of exemplary embodiments, including at least some explicitly enumerated as "ECs" (Example Combinations), providing additional description of a variety of embodiment types in accordance with the concepts described herein are provided below. These examples are not meant to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive; and the invention is not limited to these example embodiments but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scope of the issued claims and their equivalents.

[0036] EC 1. A light fixture comprising: a gear housing defining at least one gear housing receptacle; at least one optical housing defining an optical housing receptacle; and at least one adjustment arm connecting the gear housing with the at least one optical housing, wherein the at least one adjustment arm is connected to the gear housing through the gear housing receptacle at a first rotation point such that the at least one adjustment arm is rotatable relative to the gear housing about the first rotation point, wherein the at least one adjustment arm is connected to the at least one optical housing through the optical housing receptacle at a second rotation point such that the at least one optical housing is rotatable relative to the at least one adjustment arm about the second rotation point, and wherein the at least one adjustment arm is connected such that rotation at the first rotation point is independent of rotation at the second rotation point.

[0037] EC 2. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the at least one optical housing comprises a first optical housing and a second optical housing and wherein the at least one adjustment arm comprises a first adjustment arm and a second adjustment arm, wherein the first adjustment arm connects the gear housing with the first optical housing and wherein the second adjustment arm connects the gear housing with the second optical housing.

[0038] EC 3. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the at least one adjustment arm comprises a first protrusion engaging the at least one gear housing receptacle and a second protrusion engaging the optical housing receptacle.

[0039] EC 4. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion of the at least one adjustment arm each defines a passageway dimensioned to route wiring into and out of the at least one adjustment arm.

[0040] EC 5. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the at least one adjustment arm snap-fits onto the gear housing and the at least one optical housing via engagement of the first protrusion with the at least one gear housing receptacle and via engagement of the second protrusion with the optical housing receptacle.

[0041] EC 6. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the gear housing comprises a gear housing end cap connected to a gear housing body, wherein the gear housing end cap defines the at least one gear housing receptacle.

[0042] EC 7. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the at least one optical housing comprises an optical housing end cap connected to an optical housing body, wherein the optical housing end cap defines the optical housing receptacle.

[0043] EC 8. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the gear housing comprises a plurality of gear index grooves or teeth arranged about a portion of the at least one gear housing receptacle, and wherein the at least one optical housing comprises a plurality of optical index grooves or teeth arranged about a portion of the optical housing receptacle, and wherein the at least one adjustment arm comprises a plurality of index teeth or grooves configured to engage the plurality of gear index grooves or teeth and the plurality of optical index grooves or teeth.

[0044] EC 9. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the at least one adjustment arm comprises at least one flex member configured to deflect and wherein at least some of the index teeth are provided on the at least one flex member.

[0045] EC 10. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the at least one adjustment arm comprises at least one flex groove separating at least a portion of the at least one flex member from a body of the at least one adjustment arm.

[0046] EC 11. A method of using a light fixture comprising: providing the light fixture, the light fixture comprising: a gear housing defining a gear housing receptacle; an optical housing defining an optical housing receptacle; and an adjustment arm connected to the gear housing through the gear housing receptacle at a first rotation point and connected to the optical housing through the optical housing receptacle at a second rotation point; rotating the adjustment arm relative to the gear housing at the first rotation point from an initial gear housing indexed position to a desired gear housing indexed position; and rotating the optical housing relative to the adjustment arm at the second rotation point from an initial optical housing indexed position to a desired optical housing indexed position.

[0047] EC 12. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein rotating the adjustment arm relative to the gear housing comprises: removing or loosening a set screw at the first rotation point; and applying a force to the adjustment arm to rotate the adjustment arm relative to the gear housing from the initial gear housing indexed position to the desired gear housing indexed position.

[0048] EC 13. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein applying the force comprises overcoming a threshold force provided by an engagement between at least one gear index groove on one of the gear housing and the adjustment arm and at least one index tooth on the other of the gear housing and the adjustment arm.

[0049] EC 14. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, further comprising: securing a first set screw at the first rotation point after rotating the adjustment arm relative to the gear housing to the desired gear housing indexed position; and securing a second set screw at the second rotation point after rotating the optical housing relative to the adjustment arm to the desired optical housing indexed position.

[0050] EC 15. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein rotating the optical housing relative to the adjustment arm comprises: removing or loosening a set screw at the second rotation point; and applying a force to the optical housing to rotate the optical housing relative to the adjustment arm from the initial optical housing indexed position to the desired optical housing indexed position.

[0051] EC 16. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein applying the force comprises overcoming a threshold force provided by an engagement between at least one gear index groove on one of the optical housing and the adjustment arm and at least one index tooth on the other of the optical housing and the adjustment arm.

[0052] EC 17. A light fixture comprising: a gear housing having a gear housing end cap, the gear housing end cap comprising at least one gear housing receptacle and a plurality of gear housing index grooves arranged about a portion of a circumference of the at least one gear housing receptacle; at least one optical housing having an optical housing end cap, the optical housing end cap comprising an optical housing receptacle and a plurality of optical housing index grooves arranged about a portion of a circumference of the optical housing receptacle; and at least one adjustment arm connecting the gear housing with the at least one optical housing, wherein the at least one adjustment arm is configured to engage at least some of the plurality of gear housing index grooves to retain the at least one adjustment arm in a position relative to the gear housing and is configured to engage at least some of the plurality of optical housing index grooves to retain the at least one optical housing in a position relative to the at least one adjustment arm.

[0053] EC 18. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the at least one adjustment arm engages the at least one gear housing receptacle and is rotatable relative to the gear housing, and wherein the at least one adjustment arm engages the at least optical housing receptacle and the at least one optical housing is rotatable relative to the at least one adjustment arm.

[0054] EC 19. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the at least one adjustment arm comprises a plurality of index teeth, wherein some of the plurality of index teeth are configured to engage the plurality of gear housing index grooves and wherein other of the plurality of index teeth are configured to engage the plurality of optical housing index grooves.

[0055] EC 20. The light fixture of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the at least one optical housing comprises a first and a second optical housing, and wherein the at least one adjustment arm comprises a first and a second adjustment arm, wherein the first adjustment arm connects the gear housing with the first optical housing and wherein the second adjustment arm connects the gear housing with the second optical housing.

[0056] The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. Further modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and subcombinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A light fixture (10) comprising:

a gear housing (14) defining at least one gear housing receptacle (20);

at least one optical housing (16) defining an optical housing receptacle (24); and

at least one adjustment arm (12) connecting the gear housing (14) with the at least one optical housing (16), wherein the at least one adjustment arm (12) is connected to the gear housing (14) through the gear housing receptacle (20) at a first rotation point such that the at least one adjustment arm (12) is rotatable relative to the gear housing (14) about the first rotation point, wherein the at least one adjustment arm (12) is connected to the at least one optical housing (16) through the optical housing receptacle (24) at a second rotation point such that the at least one optical housing (16) is rotatable relative to the at least one adjustment arm (12) about the second rotation point, and wherein the at least one adjustment arm (12) is connected such that rotation at the first rotation point is independent of rotation at the second rotation point.

2. The light fixture (10) of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical housing (16) comprises a first optical housing and a second optical housing and wherein the at least one adjustment arm (12) comprises a first adjustment arm and a second adjustment arm, wherein the first adjustment arm connects the gear housing (14) with the first optical housing and wherein the second adjustment arm connects the gear housing (14) with the second optical housing.

3. The light fixture (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one adjustment arm (12) comprises a first protrusion engaging the at least one gear housing receptacle (20) and a second protrusion engaging the optical housing receptacle (24).

4. The light fixture (10) of claim 3, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion of the at least one adjustment arm (12) each defines a passageway dimensioned to route wiring into and out of the at least one adjustment arm (12).

5. The light fixture (10) of claim 3 or 4, wherein the at least one adjustment arm (12) snap-fits onto the gear housing (14) and the at least one optical housing (16) via engagement of the first protrusion with the at least one gear housing receptacle (20) and via engagement of the second protrusion with the optical housing receptacle (24).

6. The light fixture (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the gear housing (14) comprises a gear housing end cap (18) connected to a gear housing body, wherein the gear housing end cap (18) defines the at least one gear housing receptacle (20).

7. The light fixture (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one optical housing (16) comprises an optical housing end cap (24) connected to an optical housing body, wherein the optical housing end cap (24) defines the optical housing receptacle (24).

8. The light fixture (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the gear housing (14) comprises a plurality of gear index grooves or teeth arranged about a portion of the at least one gear housing receptacle, and wherein the at least one optical housing comprises a plurality of optical index grooves or teeth arranged about a portion of the optical housing receptacle (24), and wherein the at least one adjustment arm (12) comprises a plurality of index teeth (38) or grooves configured to engage the plurality of gear index grooves or teeth and the plurality of optical index grooves or teeth.

9. The light fixture (10) of claim 8, wherein the at least one adjustment arm (12) comprises at least one flex member (50) configured to deflect and wherein at least some of the index teeth are provided on the at least one flex member (50).

10. The light fixture (10) of claim 9, wherein the at least one adjustment arm (12) comprises at least one flex groove separating at least a portion of the at least one flex member (50) from a body of the at least one adjustment arm (12).

11. A method of using the light fixture (10) of any preceding claim, the method comprising:

rotating the at least one adjustment arm (12) relative to the gear housing (14) at the first rotation point from an initial gear housing indexed position to a desired gear housing indexed position; and

rotating the at least one optical housing (16) relative to the at least one adjustment arm (12) at the second rotation point from an initial optical housing indexed position to a desired optical housing indexed position.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein rotating the at least one adjustment arm (12) relative to the gear housing (14) comprises:

removing or loosening a set screw (30) at the first rotation point; and

applying a force to the at least one adjustment arm (12) to rotate the at least one adjustment arm (12) relative to the gear housing (14) from the initial gear housing indexed position to the desired gear housing indexed position.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein applying the force comprises overcoming a threshold force provided by an engagement between at least one gear index groove on one of the gear housing (14) and the at least one adjustment arm (12) and at least one index tooth on the other of the gear housing (14) and the at least one adjustment arm (12).

14. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising:

securing a first set screw (30) at the first rotation point after rotating the at least one adjustment arm (12) relative to the gear housing (14) to the desired gear housing indexed position; and

securing a second set screw (30) at the second rotation point after rotating the at least one optical housing (16) relative to the at least one adjustment arm (12) to the desired optical housing indexed position.

15. The method of any preceding claim, wherein rotating the at least one optical housing (16) relative to the at least one adjustment arm (12) comprises:

removing or loosening a set screw (30) at the second rotation point; and

applying a force to the at least one optical housing (16) to rotate the at least one optical housing (16) relative to the at least one adjustment arm (12) from the initial optical housing indexed position to the desired optical housing indexed position,

wherein applying the force comprises overcoming a threshold force provided by an engagement between at least one gear index groove on one of the at least one optical housing (16) and the at least one adjustment arm (12) and at least one index tooth on the other of the at least one optical housing (16) and the at least one adjustment arm (12).

Drawing