CEILING LUMINAIRE

Abstract

 An elongate ceiling luminaire is provided. The elongate ceiling luminaire comprises: an elongate body; means for removably attaching the elongate body to a T-bar of a suspended ceiling of an indoor room, such that the elongate body is suspended at an underside of the T-bar; and a lighting arrangement for illuminating the indoor room.

Description

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a ceiling luminaire. In particular, they relate to an elongate ceiling luminaire that attaches to a T-bar of a suspended ceiling.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A dropped/suspended ceiling may comprise a grid of (metal) bars, each of which has a cross-section that is shaped as an upside-down T (and is therefore known as a T-bar). The grid of T-bars defines a plurality of cells, which are often square-shaped. The grid of T-bars is used to retain a plurality of ceiling tiles in the cells. Sometimes a luminaire is positioned in a cell instead of a ceiling tile, in order to provide illumination.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided an elongate ceiling luminaire, comprising: an elongate body; means for removably attaching the elongate body to a T-bar of a suspended ceiling of an indoor room, such that the elongate body is suspended at an underside of the T-bar; and a lighting arrangement for illuminating the indoor room.

[0004] The means may be for removably attaching the elongate body to the T-bar without the use of a tool. The means may comprise a clip for removably attaching the elongate body to the T-bar. The clip may comprise at least one grip for gripping the T-bar.

[0005] The elongate body may be shaped to extend along the underside of the T-bar. The elongate body may have a length, a width and a depth. The length may be greater than the width and the depth.

[0006] The clip may comprise a plurality of downwardly extending arms arranged to engage with the elongate body. The elongate body may comprise at least one upper opening arranged to receive the downwardly extending arms. The upper opening may be defined by opposing ledges for receiving the downwardly extending arms. The upper opening may be arranged to receive at least one electrical power connector for enabling power to be conveyed between the elongate ceiling luminaire and a further elongate ceiling luminaire.

[0007] The lighting arrangement may be at least partially positioned in the elongate body. The lighting arrangement may comprise at least one light source electrically connected to a printed circuit board. The elongate body may comprise a slot for retaining the printed circuit board in the printed circuit board.

[0008] The light source may be mechanically coupled to the printed circuit board. The light source may be configured to direct light downwardly when the elongate body is suspended at the underside of the T-bar.

[0009] The elongate ceiling luminaire may further comprise at least one reflector or diffuser configured to define the distribution of light that originates from the at least one light source and is output from the elongate ceiling luminaire.

[0010] The elongate ceiling luminaire may further comprise means for fastening the elongate ceiling luminaire to a further elongate ceiling luminaire. The means for fastening may comprise a spring clip.

[0011] The elongate ceiling luminaire may further comprise at least one alignment pin for aligning the elongate ceiling luminaire to the further elongate ceiling luminaire.

[0012] According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided An elongate ceiling luminaire, comprising: a clip comprising a plurality of outwardly extending arms including at least one grip for removably attaching the elongate ceiling luminaire to a T-bar of a suspended ceiling of an indoor room; and an elongate body comprising opposing ledges defining an upper opening, wherein the opposing ledges are for receiving the plurality of outwardly extending arms such that the elongate body is suspended at an underside of the T-bar; and a lighting arrangement for illuminating the indoor room.

[0013] According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided examples as claimed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0014] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

fig. 1 illustrates a cross-section of a T-bar to which an elongate ceiling luminaire may be connected;

fig. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a clip of the elongate ceiling luminaire;

fig. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the clip;

fig. 2C illustrates an underside view of the clip;

fig. 3A illustrates a perspective view of an elongate body of the elongate ceiling luminaire;

fig. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the elongate body;

fig. 4A illustrates a front elevation of the elongate ceiling luminaire;

fig. 4B illustrates a perspective view of a first example of the elongate ceiling luminaire which comprises a silver/vacuum metallised reflector;

fig. 4C illustrates a perspective view of a second example of the elongate ceiling luminaire which comprises a gloss black reflector;

fig. 4D illustrates a perspective view of a third example of the elongate ceiling luminaire which comprises a diffuser;

fig. 5A illustrates a photometric polar diagram for the first example of the elongate ceiling luminaire illustrated in fig. 4B which comprises a silver/vacuum metallised reflector;

fig. 5B illustrates a photometric polar diagram for the second example of the elongate ceiling luminaire illustrated in fig. 4C which comprises a gloss black reflector;

fig. 6 illustrates a first elongate ceiling luminaire being connected to a second elongate ceiling luminaire;

fig. 7 illustrates an electrical power assembly for an elongate ceiling luminaire;

fig. 8 illustrates an end region of an elongate ceiling luminaire;

fig. 9 illustrates a first arrangement of elongate ceiling luminaires; and

fig. 10 illustrates a second arrangement of elongate ceiling luminaires.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Embodiments of the invention relate to an elongate ceiling luminaire 100 that attaches to a T-bar 40 of a suspended ceiling 300 of an indoor room.

[0016] The elongate ceiling luminaire 100 comprises: an elongate body 10; means 20 for removably attaching the elongate body 10 to the T-bar 40 of a suspended ceiling 300 of an indoor room, such that the elongate body 10 is suspended at an underside 44 of the T-bar 40; and a lighting arrangement 30 for illuminating the indoor room.

[0017] Fig. 1 illustrates a cross-section of a T-bar 40 to which the elongate ceiling luminaire 100 may be connected. The T-bar comprises a stem 41 which extends downwardly when the T-bar 40 is in position in a suspended ceiling. The T-bar 40 further comprises first and second outwardly extending portions 42, 43, each of which extends outwardly from the stem 41. The outwardly extending portions 42, 43 define an underside 44 of the T-bar 40. As explained above, the T-bar 40 is so-called because the stem 41 and the outwardly extending portions 42, 43 are collectively shaped as an upside-down T.

[0018] Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate a perspective view, a cross-sectional view and an underside view of a clip/fastener 20. The clip/fastener 20 provides means for removably attaching the elongate body 10 of the elongate ceiling luminaire 100 to the T-bar 40, such that the elongate body 10 is suspended at the underside 44 of the T-bar 40. The means for removably attaching the elongate body 10 might be different from a clip 20. In some embodiments, the means enables the elongate body to be removably attached to the T-bar 40 with the use of a tool (e.g. screwed into the T-bar 40). In other embodiments, such as embodiments in which the clip 20 is used, the elongate body 10 may be attached to the T-bar 40 without the use of a tool. For example, it is not necessary to screw the clip 20 to the T-bar 40.

[0019] The clip 20 comprises a first grip 21 and a second grip 22. The first grip 21 extends from a first end of the body 23, in a direction which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the body 23. The second grip 22 extends from a second, opposite, end of the body 23 in a direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the body 23 and which is opposite to that in which the first grip 21 extends. In the underside view illustrated in fig. 2C, the first grip 21, the second grip 22 and the body 23 have a reflected-S shape.

[0020] It can be seen in the cross-sectional view of fig. 2B that each of the grips 21, 22 has a substantially C-shaped portion. Each of the C-shaped portions is shaped to grip an outwardly extending portion 42, 43 of the T-bar 40. The first grip 21 is arranged to grip the first outwardly extending portion 42 and the second grip 22 is arranged to grip the second outwardly extending portion 43, as shown in fig. 2A.

[0021] The presence of a single grip 21, 22 at each end of the body 23, where the grips 21, 22 extend in opposing directions, enables the clip 20 to be attached more easily to the underside 44 of a T-bar than if two grips were provided at each end of the body 23. Each grip 21, 22 may be used as a lever to apply a twisting force to the clip 20 in order to twist the clip 20 when attaching it to the underside 44 of the T-bar 40.

[0022] The clip 20 further comprises a first arm 24, extending from one side of the body 23 and a second arm 26 extending from the other side of the body 23. A distal end of the first arm 24 comprises a first rail 25 and the distal end of the second arm 26 comprises a second rail 27. As can be seen in fig. 2A, when the clip 20 is positioned at the underside 44 of a T-bar 40, the arms 24, 26 extend downwardly from the body 23 of the clip 20.

[0023] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the clip 20 need not take the precise form illustrated in the figures, and that other forms of clip could be used.

[0024] Fig. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the elongate body 10 of the elongate ceiling luminaire 100. Fig. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the elongate body 10. The elongate body has a length L, a width W and a depth D, where the length L is greater than both the width W and the depth D. The elongate body 10 is shaped to extend along the underside of the T-bar 40.

[0025] The elongate body 10 comprises a first side wall 101 and a second side wall 102. A platform 14 connects the first side wall 101 to the second side wall 102. A lower opening 3 is defined by the lowermost ledges 1, 2 which extend inwardly from the side walls 101, 102. A further plurality of ledges 4, 5 are provided to retain a reflector or a diffuser 32 at least partially within the elongate body 10. Additional ledges 6, 7 define a slot 17 in which a printed circuit board 33 may be inserted.

[0026] The platform 14 separates a first elongate cavity/channel 15a from a second elongate cavity/channel 15b, each of which runs along the length L of the elongate body 10. First and second recesses 8, 9 are provided in the platform 15 to receive first and second alignment pins 18, 19. Upper ledges 11, 12 define an upper opening 13 in the elongate body 10.

[0027] Fig. 4A illustrates a front elevation of the elongate ceiling luminaire 100. It can be seen in fig. 4A that the upper opening 13 in the elongate body 10 is arranged to receive the downwardly extending arms 24, 26 of the clip 20. The arms 24, 26 are received by and engage with the upper ledges 11, 12. In this regard, each of the rails 25, 27 abuts an underside of a ledge 11, 12 in order to hold the elongate body 10 in position at the underside 44 of the T-bar 40.

[0028] A fastener/clip 16 is within the first elongate channel 15a and is positioned on the platform 14. The fastener/clip 16 provides means for fastening the elongate ceiling luminaire 100 to another elongate ceiling luminaire. This is described in further detail below. An electrical connector 60 is also positioned in the first elongate channel 15. This is also described in further detail below.

[0029] Fig. 4A illustrates a lighting arrangement 30, comprising one or more light sources 31, at least partially positioned in the elongate body 10. The one or more light sources 31 are electrically connected to, and mechanically coupled to, a printed circuit board 33 that is positioned in the slot 17. The at least one light source 31 is electrically and mechanically connected to an underside of the printed circuit board 33. In this regard, the light source 31 is arranged to direct light downwardly when the elongate body 10 is suspended at the underside 44 of the T-bar 40, as shown in fig. 4A.

[0030] Fig. 4A illustrates a reflector or a diffuser 32 being retained by the ledges 4, 5 in the second elongate cavity/channel 15b positioned above the lowermost ledges 1,2. The reflector or diffuser 32 is configured to define the distribution of light that originates from the at least one light source 31 and that is output from the elongate ceiling luminaire 100 via the opening defined by the lowermost ledges 1, 2.

[0031] Fig. 4B illustrates a perspective view of an example of the elongate ceiling luminaire 100 which comprises a silver/vacuum metallised reflector 32A. Fig. 4C illustrates a perspective view of an example of the elongate ceiling luminaire 100 which comprises a gloss black reflector 32B. In some alternative implementations, the reflector 32 could be a matt black reflector rather than a gloss black reflector 32B. Fig. 4D illustrates a perspective view of an example of the elongate ceiling luminaire 100 which comprises a diffuser 32C.

[0032] Fig. 5A illustrates a photometric polar diagram for the example of the elongate ceiling luminaire 100 illustrated in fig. 4B which comprises the silver/vacuum metallised reflector 32A. Fig. 5B illustrates a photometric polar diagram of the elongate ceiling luminaire 100 illustrated in fig. 4C which comprises a gloss black reflector 32B.

[0033] It can be seen from figs. 5A and 5B that the distribution of light when a silver/vacuum metallised reflector 32a is used is wider than when a gloss black reflector 32b is used.

[0034] Fig. 6 illustrates a first elongate ceiling luminaire 100a that is in the process of being connected to a second elongate ceiling luminaire 100b. The same reference numerals are used in fig. 6 as those that were used in previous figures, with the suffix "a" for the first elongate ceiling luminaire 100a and the suffix "b" for the second elongate ceiling luminaire 100b.

[0035] In order to connect the first elongate ceiling luminaire 100a to the second elongate ceiling luminaire 100b, alignment pins 18a, 19a are inserted into the first and second recesses 8a, 9a in the platform 14a of the elongate body 10a. A fitter then brings the first and second elongate ceiling luminaires 100a, 100b together, such that the alignment pins 18a, 18b also extend into the first and second recesses 8b, 9b in the platform 14b of the elongate body 10b. When the two elongate ceiling luminaires 100a, 100b are positioned sufficiently close to one another, the clip/fastener 16a of the first elongate ceiling luminaire 100a is fastened to the second clip/fastener 16b of the second elongate ceiling luminaire 100b. For example, the clip/fastener 16a may be positioned over the second clip/fastener 16b, in order to fasten the first elongate ceiling luminaire 100a to the second elongate ceiling luminaire 100b. Advantageously, the presence of the alignment pins 18a, 19a in the recesses 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b of the elongate bodies 10a, 10b ensures that there is substantially no rotation of one elongate body 10a, 10b with respect to the other.

[0036] It can be seen in fig. 6 that cutaway portions 113a, 113b, 114a, 114b are provided in each of the platforms 14a, 14b of the elongate bodies 10a, 10b. These cutaway portions 113a, 113b, 114a, 114b enable electrical connectors, such as cables, to be routed between different elongate ceiling luminaires 100a, 100b, in order to enable power to be conveyed between the elongate ceiling luminaires 100a, 100b. For example, at least one electrical connector may extend from a position adjacent the printed circuit board 33 in the elongate body 10a of the first elongate ceiling luminaire 100a, through a cutaway portion 113a, 114a and to a first part 60a of an electrical connector 60. One or more electrical connectors may then extend from a second part 60b of the electrical connector 60 (which is electrically connected to the first part 60a of the electrical connector 60) through a cutaway portion 113b, 114b, and to a position adjacent the printed circuit board 33 in the elongate body 10b of the second elongate ceiling luminaire 100b.

[0037] Fig. 7 illustrates an electrical power assembly 200 for an elongate ceiling luminaire 100. The electrical power assembly 200 comprises a drive 270 which receives mains electricity via an electrical cable 268 and converts the mains electricity to a current and voltage that is suitable for supply to the elongate ceiling luminaire 100. The output voltage of the drive 270 is much lower than the input voltage.

[0038] Electrical power is output from the drive 270 via an electrical cable 272, which runs to a housing 280. The housing 280 may be arranged, for example, to attach (e.g. clip) to a T-bar 40 to which the elongate ceiling luminaire 100 is also attached (or a different T-bar 40). An electrical ribbon cable 282 extends from the housing 280. The electrical ribbon cable 282 is for connection to the elongate ceiling luminaire 100 in order to provide electrical power to the elongate ceiling luminaire 100. The ribbon cable 282 may be wrapped around the T-bar 40 prior to entering an aperture in the elongate body 10 of the elongate ceiling luminaire 100.

[0039] Fig. 8 illustrates an end region of an elongate ceiling luminaire 100 which comprises an end cap 120 positioned over an end of the elongate body 10, and a cap 122 positioned to cover a cutaway portion 111a, 111b, 112a, 112b in a ledge 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b (the cutaway portions 111a, 111b, 112a, 112b in the ledges 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b are shown in fig. 6). The ribbon cable 282 may be routed into the cutaway 111a, 111b, 112a, 112b and then the cutaway 111a, 111b, 112a, 112b may be at least partially covered by the cap 122.

[0040] Fig. 9 illustrates a first arrangement of elongate ceiling luminaires 100a, 100b, 100c on a suspended ceiling 300. Fig. 10 illustrates a second arrangement of elongate ceiling luminaires 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d of elongate ceiling luminaires arranged as a square on a suspended ceiling 300. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many other arrangements are possible.

[0041] An elongate ceiling luminaire 100 has been described above which may be removably attached to a T-bar 40 of a suspended ceiling 300 without the use of a tool. This may mean that it is not necessary to use luminaires in place of ceiling tiles. Typically, if a luminaire is used in place of a ceiling tile, ceiling insulation must be removed around the luminaire because it presents a fire hazard. Removal of the insulation affects the fire integrity of the suspended ceiling 300. Advantageously, the elongate ceiling luminaire 100 described above enables a room to be illuminated without such measures having to be taken.

[0042] The term 'comprise' is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use 'comprise' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to "comprising only one.." or by using "consisting".

[0043] In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term 'example' or 'for example' or 'can' or 'may' in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus 'example', 'for example', 'can' or 'may' refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. It is therefore implicitly disclosed that a feature described with reference to one example but not with reference to another example, can where possible be used in that other example as part of a working combination but does not necessarily have to be used in that other example.

[0044] Although embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0045] Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described above.

[0046] Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

[0047] Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

[0048] The term 'a' or 'the' is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising a/the Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use 'a' or 'the' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of 'at least one' or 'one or more' may be used to emphasis an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer and exclusive meaning.

[0049] The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature) or combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

[0050] In this description, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or adjectival phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such a description of a characteristic in relation to an example indicates that the characteristic is present in some examples exactly as described and is present in other examples substantially as described.

[0051] Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of importance it should be understood that the applicant may seek protection via the claims in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. An elongate ceiling luminaire, comprising:

an elongate body;

means for removably attaching the elongate body to a T-bar of a suspended ceiling of an indoor room, such that the elongate body is suspended at an underside of the T-bar; and

a lighting arrangement for illuminating the indoor room.

2. The elongate ceiling luminaire of claim 1, wherein the means is for removably attaching the elongate body to the T-bar without the use of a tool.

3. The elongate ceiling luminaire of claim 1 or 2, wherein the means comprises a clip for removably attaching the elongate body to the T-bar.

4. The elongate ceiling luminaire of claim 3, wherein the clip comprises at least one grip for gripping the T-bar.

5. The elongate ceiling luminaire of any of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate body is shaped to extend along the underside of the T-bar.

6. The elongate ceiling luminaire of any of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate body has a length, a width and a depth, wherein the length is greater than the width and the depth.

7. The elongate ceiling luminaire of any of claims 3 to 6, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the clip comprises a plurality of downwardly extending arms arranged to engage with the elongate body.

8. The elongate ceiling luminaire of claim 7, wherein the elongate body comprises at least one upper opening arranged to receive the downwardly extending arms, wherein, optionally, the upper opening is defined by opposing ledges for receiving the downwardly extending arms.

9. The elongate ceiling luminaire of claim 8, wherein the upper opening is arranged to receive at least one electrical power connector for enabling power to be conveyed between the elongate ceiling luminaire and a further elongate ceiling luminaire.

10. The elongate ceiling luminaire of any of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting arrangement is at least partially positioned in the elongate body.

11. The elongate ceiling luminaire of any of the preceding claims, wherein lighting arrangement comprises at least one light source electrically connected to a printed circuit board, and the elongate body comprises a slot for retaining the printed circuit board in the printed circuit board.

12. The elongate ceiling luminaire of claim 11, wherein the at least one light source is mechanically coupled to the printed circuit board, and the at least one light source is configured to direct light downwardly when the elongate body is suspended at the underside of the T-bar.

13. The elongate ceiling luminaire of claim 12, further comprising at least one reflector or diffuser configured to define the distribution of light that originates from the at least one light source and is output from the elongate ceiling luminaire.

14. The elongate ceiling luminaire of any of the preceding claims, further comprising means for fastening the elongate ceiling luminaire to a further elongate ceiling luminaire, wherein, optionally, the means for fastening comprises a spring clip.

15. The elongate ceiling luminaire of claim 14, further comprising: at least one alignment pin for aligning the elongate ceiling luminaire to the further elongate ceiling luminaire.

Drawing