DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to lighting units, and more particularly to a housing for a lighting unit having a pair of end caps.

BACKGROUND

Generally, lighting devices such as cove lights are installed in various places such as residential buildings and commercial buildings. The cove lights are directly installed onto a wall, cove ceiling or ceiling of the building. In some scenarios, the cove lights are required to be installed over certain lengths in a continuous manner to provide a continuous and enhanced illumination.

Currently, cove lights having different lengths are manufactured based on customer requirements of the installation length of such lights. For instance, if the cove lights are required to be installed for greater lengths, the lights of the specific dimensions are required to be manufactured, and vice versa. This consumes a lot of time and human effort which further increases the overall cost associated with the manufacturing of such lights. Moreover, the existing lights do not provide a continuous illumination devoid of dark spots or regions of zero illumination when such lights are installed over greater lengths in a continuous manner. This affects the overall performance of a lighting system.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned problems, there is a need to provide a lighting unit, that can eliminate one or more of the above-mentioned problems associated with the existing lighting units.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

The present disclosure relates to a lighting unit. The lighting unit may include a housing and a pair of end caps. The housing includes a plurality of mounting members. The pair of end caps may be adapted to be engaged with ends of the housing. Each cap may include a pair of engaging members and an opening. The pair of engaging members may be adapted to be engaged with the plurality of mounting members to secure each end cap to the housing. The opening may be formed in a portion of the end cap between the pair of engaging members and adapted to accommodate an electrical cable, such that the lighting unit may be electrically connected with an adjacent lighting unit via the electrical cable extending through the opening of each end cap.

Further, the present disclosure relates to an end cap for a lighting unit having a housing. The end cap may include a pair of engaging members and an opening. The pair of engaging members may be adapted to be engaged with the plurality of mounting members of the housing to secure the end cap to the housing. The opening may be formed in a portion of the end cap between the pair of engaging members and adapted to accommodate an electrical cable, such that the lighting unit may be electrically connected with an adjacent lighting unit via the electrical cable extending through the opening of the end cap.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of a lighting unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a housing of the lighting unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates an assembled view of the housing and an end cap of the lighting unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figures 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c) illustrate isometric views of a bottom cap of the end cap, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 5(a) illustrates a top view of the bottom cap, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 5(b) illustrates a side view of the bottom cap, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 5(c) illustrates a front view of the bottom cap, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, a plurality of components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which invention belongs. The system and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict, or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of a plurality of features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of the plurality of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “plurality of features” or “plurality of elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “plurality of” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be plurality of...” or “plurality of elements is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining plurality of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, plurality of particular features and/or elements described in connection with plurality of embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although plurality of features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of a lighting unit 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a housing 102 of the lighting unit 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates an assembled view of the housing 102 and an end cap of the lighting unit 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3, the lighting unit 100 may be installed in residential and commercial buildings to provide illumination. In an embodiment, the lighting unit 100 may be embodied as a cove lighting unit 100 which may be installed on a wall or ceiling of the building via a surface mounting. In an embodiment, the multiple lighting units 100 may be installed in a continuous manner, such that the continuous illumination may be achieved throughout a certain length of the building.

The lighting unit 100 may include a cover, the housing 102, a pair of end caps 104, a printed circuit board (PCB), and a diffuser 110. The cover may be adapted to accommodate the PCB having at least one light source. The diffuser 110 may be positioned over the PCB, such that the light illuminated by the at least one light source may deflect through the diffuser 110. In an embodiment, the at least one light source may be embodied as a Light-Emitting Diode (LED), without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The housing 102 may be adapted to mount the lighting unit 100 such as the cove lighting unit 100 on the building. The pair of end caps 104 may be engaged with the housing 102. Herein, the housing 102 and the pair of end caps 104 are capable of mounting the multiple cove lighting units 100 in the continuous manner, such that the continuous illumination may be achieved.

The housing 102 may be adapted to be engaged with the cover to form an enclosure adapted to accommodate one or more components such as a light driver, electrical terminals, wires, etc. In an embodiment, the housing 102 may include a base 112, a plurality of mounting members 103, and a pair of side walls 114. The pair of side walls 114 may be orthogonally extending from the base 112 and parallel to each other. Each side wall 114 may include the plurality of mounting members 103 formed in proximity to edges of each side wall 114. The plurality of mounting members 103 may be adapted to receive a pair of engaging members 106 of each end cap 104.

Each mounting member 103 may include a slot 116 and a stopper 118. The slot 116 may be formed in proximity to the edge of each side wall 114. The stopper 118 may be attached to at least one side of the slot 116. The stopper 118 may be adapted to receive each end cap 104 and restrict a linear movement of each end cap 104. Constructional and functional details of each end cap 104 are explained in the subsequent paragraphs with reference to Figures 4a-4c and 5a-5c.

Figures 4a, 4b and 4c illustrate isometric views of a bottom cap 104-2 of the end cap 104, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5a illustrates a top view of the bottom cap 104-2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5b illustrates a side view of the bottom cap 104-2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5c illustrates a front view of the bottom cap 104-2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figures 4a-4c and 5a-5c, the pair of end caps 104 may be adapted to be engaged with the ends of the housing 102. Each end cap 104 may include a top cap 104-1 and the bottom cap 104-2. The top cap 104-1 may be adapted to support the diffuser 110 of the lighting unit 100. The bottom cap 104-2 may be attached with the top cap 104-1. In an embodiment, the bottom cap 104-2 is attached to the top cap 104-1 via at least one fastener.

The bottom cap 104-2 may include the pair of engaging members 106 and an opening 108. The pair of engaging members 106 extends orthogonally from the edges of the bottom cap 104-2 in a direction towards the housing 102. The pair of engaging members 106 may be adapted to be engaged with the plurality of mounting members 103 to secure each end cap 104 to the housing 102.

The opening 108 may be formed in a portion of the end cap 104 between the pair of engaging members 106. The opening 108 may be formed in the bottom cap 104-2 between the pair of engaging members 106. In a non-limiting embodiment, the opening 108 may be formed in the center of the bottom cap 104-2. The opening 108 may be adapted to accommodate an electrical cable, such that the lighting unit 100 may be electrically connected with an adjacent lighting unit 100 via the electrical cable extending through the opening 108 of each end cap 104. In an embodiment, the electrical cable may be any number of electrical wires adapted to supply power to the lighting unit 100 and/or other power drawing components. In an embodiment, the opening 108 may be embodied as a hole, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The top cap 104-1 and the bottom cap 104-2 may be transparent. In an embodiment, the top cap 104-1 and the bottom cap 104-2 may be formed of a transparent material, such that the illumination generated by the diffuser 110 is spread through the top cap 104-1 and the bottom cap 104-2.

In the present disclosure, the end caps 104 engage with the housing 102 and engage with the end caps 104 of the adjacent lighting unit. Herein, the opening 108 of each end cap 104 accommodates the electrical cable, such that the lighting unit 100 may be electrically connected with the adjacent lighting unit 100 via the electrical cable extending through the opening 108. Thus, with the implementation of the end caps 104, multiple lighting units 100 may be installed in a continuous manner over a greater span, with end-to-end connections. The opening 108 provides the enhanced and continuous illumination of the lighting units 100. The lighting unit 100 of the present disclosure eliminates the requirement of manufacturing the lighting unit 100 of different lengths. Therefore, this reduces manufacturing time and effort which further reduces the overall cost associated with the manufacturing of the lighting unit 100.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. ,CLAIMS:1. A lighting unit (100), comprising:
a housing (102) having a plurality of mounting members (103); and
a pair of end caps (104) adapted to be engaged with ends of the housing (102), each end cap (104) comprising:
a pair of engaging members (106) adapted to be engaged with the plurality of mounting members (103) to secure each end cap (104) to the housing (102); and
an opening (108) formed in a portion of the end cap (104) between the pair of engaging members (106) and adapted to accommodate an electrical cable, such that the lighting unit (100) is electrically connected with an adjacent lighting unit (100) via the electrical cable extending through the opening (108) of each end cap (104).

2. The lighting unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each end cap (104) comprises:
a top cap (104-1) adapted to support a diffuser (110) of the lighting unit (100); and
a bottom cap (104-2) attached with the top cap (104-1) and comprises:
the pair of engaging members (106) extending orthogonally from edges of the bottom cap (104-2) in a direction towards the housing (102); and
the opening (108) formed in the bottom cap (104-2) between the pair of engaging members (106).

3. The lighting unit (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the top cap (104-1) and the bottom cap (104-2) of each end cap (104) are transparent, such that an illumination generated by the diffuser (110) is spread through the top cap (104-1) and the bottom cap (104-2).

4. The lighting unit (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bottom cap (104-2) is attached to the top cap (104-1) via at least one fastener.

5. The lighting unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing (102) comprises:
a base (112); and
a pair of side walls (114) orthogonally extending from the base (112) and parallel to each other, each side wall (114) comprises the plurality of mounting members (103) formed in proximity to edges of each side wall (114) and adapted to receive the pair of engaging members (106) of each end cap (104).

6. The lighting unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each mounting member (103) comprises:
a slot (116) formed in proximity to an edge of each side wall (114); and
a stopper (118) attached to at least one side of the slot (116) and adapted to receive each end cap (104) and restrict a linear movement of each end cap (104).

7. An end cap (104) for a lighting unit (100) having a housing (102), the end cap (104) comprising:
a pair of engaging members (106) adapted to be engaged with the plurality of mounting members (103) of the housing (102) to secure the end cap (104) to the housing (102); and
an opening (108) formed in a portion of the end cap (104) between the pair of engaging members (106) and adapted to accommodate an electrical cable, such that the lighting unit (100) is electrically connected with an adjacent lighting unit (100) via the electrical cable extending through the opening (108) of the end cap (104).

8. The end cap (104) as claimed in claim 7, comprising:
a top cap (104-1) adapted to support a diffuser (110) of the lighting unit (100); and
a bottom cap (104-2) attached with the top cap (104-1) and comprises:
the pair of engaging members (106) extending orthogonally from edges of the bottom cap (104-2) in a direction towards the housing (102); and
the opening (108) formed in the bottom cap (104-2) between the pair of engaging members (106).

9. The end cap (104) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the top cap (104-1) and the bottom cap (104-2) of the end cap (104) are transparent, such that an illumination generated by the diffuser (110) is spread through the top cap (104-1) and the bottom cap (104-2).

10. The end cap (104) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bottom cap (104-2) is attached to the top cap (104-1) via at least one fastener.