DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a housing for a lighting apparatus. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to the housing that enables users to adjust a length of the lighting apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Lighting apparatus, also called a luminaire, is sealed from the ends by using a metal end cap. More specifically, in linear lighting apparatus, the metal end caps are integrated through welding and are fixedly attached. Such type of lighting apparatus is challenging to customize, often requiring manufacturers to create an entirely new assembly to meet specific requirements of a customer. The customer often desires a specific length of the lighting apparatus that suits a space for which the lighting apparatus is bought. However, accommodating the varying lengths of the lighting apparatus requires significant manpower and resources.

Further, the existing lighting apparatus with fixed lengths lack flexibility and hence the existing lighting apparatus is difficult to accommodate according to varying customer needs and space requirements. Also, manufacturing the existing lighting apparatus often results in wastage of resources as entire assemblies must be remade to meet specific customer requests thereby leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity. Additionally, maintaining a stock of various fixed-length variants of lighting apparatus poses inventory management challenges with the risk of surplus or shortage of specific variants. Therefore, limited customization can lead to customer dissatisfaction as the available options may not perfectly fit within a desired space or design requirements. Moreover, the process of customizing the existing lighting apparatus is time-consuming and labour-intensive thereby further requiring skilled manpower for assembly and modification.

Therefore, there is a requirement for an improved lighting apparatus that addresses the above-mentioned problems of the existing lighting apparatus.

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 housing for a lighting apparatus includes a pair of side walls disposed parallel to each other, a platform disposed in between the pair of side walls, and a pair of sliders disposed longitudinally on an inner surface of the pair of side walls. The pair of sliders and the platform are adapted to detachably attach one of an end cap and a connecting member.

In an embodiment, the pair of sliders is adapted to fit a pair of sliding arms of the connecting member to connect the housing with other housing. Further, the each of the pair of sliders includes a spacer disposed at a predefined length to allow a sliding arm from the pair of sliding arms to the predefined length.

The present disclosure provides enhanced flexibility by introducing a housing capable of detachably attaching the end cap or the connecting member. The disclosed lighting apparatus is easily customizable. The length of the lighting apparatus may be extended based on a need and space requirements. The flexibility not only improves customer satisfaction but also reduces a need for manufacturers to produce multiple fixed-length variants thereby streamlining a production process and reducing the manufacturing costs. Additionally, the present invention reduces resource wastage by eliminating a need to remake entire assembly to meet specific customer requests thereby contributing to a more sustainable manufacturing process. The flexibility of the invention also simplifies inventory management problems. Hence, the present invention is a more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution for manufacturing and customizing lighting apparatus.

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 a perspective view of a lighting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the lighting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the lighting apparatus, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of an end cap of the lighting apparatus depicting a first surface, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the end cap of the lighting apparatus depicting a second surface, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the end cap of the lighting apparatus depicting the first surface, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of the end cap of the lighting apparatus depicting the second surface, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 8 illustrates a magnified view of the lighting apparatus connected to another lighting apparatus through a connecting member, according to another 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. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more 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 invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the 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 this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”

The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict, or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.

More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element 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 one having an ordinary skill 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 presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfill the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms such as 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 variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more 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 one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively 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 be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.

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

The present invention relates to a lighting apparatus capable of adjusting a length of a housing. By incorporating a detachable end cap and a connecting member, the lighting apparatus may be extended thereby allowing users to easily customize the length of the lighting apparatus. The users may choose to connect additional segments or close off the lighting apparatus with the end cap. The present invention provides a customizable lighting solution without a need for extensive manual labour or specialized components. The present invention offers an enhanced flexibility, reduces resource wastage, lowers manufacturing costs, simplifies inventory management, and enhances customer satisfaction.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a lighting apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the lighting apparatus100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the lighting apparatus 100 may include a housing 102. The housing 102 may enclose and protect the internal components, such as a light source (not shown), within the lighting apparatus 100. The housing 102, in one example, may be manufactured using an extrusion process which may allow for a creation of a groove or a channel within the housing 102 thereby eliminating a need for separate parts. The housing 102 extruded via the extrusion process may enhance a structural integrity of the housing 102 while providing convenient pathways for wiring or other components thereby streamlining an assembling process and reducing a complexity of the lighting apparatus 100. The housing 102 may be made up of a metal, a plastic, or a combination of both.

The housing 102 may include a pair of side walls 202 that may provide a structural support and enclosure for the internal components of the lighting apparatus 100. The pair of side walls 202 may be disposed parallel to each other. The housing may include a platform 204. The platform 204 may be a horizontal slab that may be located between the pair of side walls 202 and may provide a base for the internal components of the lighting apparatus, such as a power regulator 218.

In one embodiment, the housing 102 may include an end cap 104. The end cap 104 may be attached to an end of the housing 102 to enclose the internal components disposed within the housing 102 and provide a finished look. The end cap 104 may enhance weatherproofing thereby preventing water ingress and protecting the internal components from environmental hazards. The end cap 104 may be detachably attached to the housing 102 thereby allowing for convenient access to the internal components for maintenance or customization.

In an embodiment, the housing 102 may have a pair of sliders 206. The pair of sliders 206 may be disposed longitudinally on an inner surface of the pair of side walls 202. The pair of sliders 206 and the platform 204 may be adapted to detachably attach the end cap 104 and a connecting member (shown in Figure 8). Further, the end cap 104 may be fastened orthogonally to a direction of insertion of the end cap 104.

In an embodiment, the housing 102 may support the power regulator 218 adapted to mount on the platform 204. The power regulator 218 may regulate the power supply to the light source. The power regulator 218 may convert an input electrical power to an appropriate rated voltage and current of the light source thereby ensuring optimal performance and longevity. Further, the housing 102 may accommodate a mounting bracket 220 to mount a light guide panel assembly 208 ensuring that a light guide panel (LGP) 214 may be properly aligned with the light source and the housing 102. In an embodiment, a surface mounting bracket 216 may be used to attach the housing 102 to a ceiling or other mounting surface. The surface mounting bracket 216 may provide a secure and stable mounting thereby ensuring that the linear light is properly positioned and supported.

In an embodiment, the light guide panel assembly 208 may include a pair of reflectors 212, a mounting tray 210, and the LGP 214. The mounting tray 210 may mount the light source and other internal components associated with the light source such as a control unit or one or more wires. The LGP 214 may be made from an acrylic or a polycarbonate material. The LGP 214 may have a flat and thin design. The LGP 214 may guide and distribute light emitted from the light source. The reflector 212 may redirect or reflect the emitted light from the light source.

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of a lighting apparatus 300, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In an alternative embodiment, a housing 302 may have a pair of side walls 312 that may extend beyond a platform 304 for forming two sections i.e., an upper section 306a and a lower section 306b. The upper section 306a may be located above the platform 304 and may be formed by the extension of the pair of side walls 312. The upper section 306a may provide an additional space or functionality within the housing 302 for accommodating components or features of the lighting apparatus 100. The lower section 306b may be located below the platform 304.

In an embodiment, the upper section 306a and the lower section 306b may have a pair of sliders 308 disposed on the pair of side walls 312.The pair of sliders 308 may function similar to the pair of sliders 206 thereby providing a similar mechanism for attaching and detaching an end cap 310.

Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the end cap 104 of the lighting apparatus 100 depicting a first surface 402, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the end cap 104 of the lighting apparatus 100 depicting a second surface 404, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the end cap 104 may include an attachment portion 406, a pair of ridges 408, a pair of protruding arms 410, and a holding portion 412 on the second surface 404. The attachment portion 406 may be formed in a horizontal profile and provided at a middle portion of the end cap 104, conforming to a shape of the platform 204. The attachment portion 406 may abut a mid-portion of the platform 204 and may be fastened to the platform 204. The attachment portion 406 may include at least one hole 414 to receive the fastener therethrough.

Further, the pair of ridges 408 and the pair of protruding arms 410 may have a vertical profile and may be provided on the opposite sides of the end cap 310 such that the attachment portion 406 may be positioned in between the pair of ridges 408. The pair of ridges 408 may abut an inner surface of the pair of side walls 202. The pair of protruding arms 410 may be fitted within the pair of sliders 206. In an embodiment, the platform 204 may include at least one first hole (not shown) disposed on the mid-portion of the platform 204 which may enable the fastening of the end cap 104. The holding portion 412 may be provided on the first surface 402 for easy grabbing of the end cap 104 for detachment or attachment of the end cap 104 with the housing 102.

Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of an end cap 310 of the lighting apparatus 300 depicting a first surface 602, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of the end cap 310 of the lighting apparatus 300 depicting a second surface 604, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an alternative embodiment, the end cap 310 may include an attachment portion 702, a pair of first protruding arms 606, a pair of ridges 608, a pair of protruding arms 610 on the second surface 604 of the end cap 310. The attachment portion 702 may be formed in a horizontal profile and may be provided at a middle of the end cap 310, conforming to a shape of the platform 304. The attachment portion 702 may abut a mid-portion of the platform 304 and may be fastened to the platform 304. The attachment portion 702 may include at least one hole 704 to receive the fastener therethrough.

Further, the pair of ridges 608, the pair of first protruding arms 606, and the pair of second protruding arm 610 may have a vertical profile and may be provided on the opposite sides of the end cap 310. The pair of ridges 608 may abut an inner surface of the pair of side walls 312. The pair of first protruding arms 606 may be fitted within the pair of sliders 308 of the upper section 306a. The pair of second protruding arms 610 may be fitted within the pair of sliders 308 of the lower section 306b. In an embodiment, the platform 304 may include at least one first hole (not shown) disposed on the mid-portion of the platform 304 which may enable fastening of the end cap 310.

Figure 8 illustrates a magnified view of the lighting apparatus 100 connected to another lighting apparatus through the connecting member 804, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an illustrated embodiment, the housing 102 may be connected to another housing 802 through the connecting member 804. The connecting member 804 may include an attachment portion 810. The attachment portion 810 may include at least one hole 808 to receive the fastener therethrough. The platform 204, 304 may include a pair of second holes (not shown) disposed in proximity of the first hole. The pair of second holes may be adapted to enable fastening of the connecting member 804.

In an embodiment, the connecting member 804 may include a pair of sliding arms 806 disposed orthogonally from the attachment portion 810 and extend along a length of the connecting member 804. The attachment portion 810 of the connecting member 804 may be adapted to slide within the pair of sliders 206, 308. The pair of sliders 206, 308 may be adapted to fit the pair of sliding arms 806 of the connecting member 804 and may connect the housing 102 with the other housing 802. Further, each of the pair of sliders 206, 308 may include a spacer (not shown) disposed at a predefined length to allow a sliding arm from the pair of sliding arms 806 to the predefined length. Furthermore, the connecting member 804 may be fastened orthogonally to a direction of insertion of the connecting member 804.

The present invention provides enhanced flexibility by introducing the housing 102, 302 and may be capable of detachably attaching the end cap 104, 310 or the connecting member 804. The disclosed lighting apparatus 100 is easily customizable. The length of the lighting apparatus 100 may be extended based on a need and space requirements. The flexibility not only improves customer satisfaction but also reduces the need for manufacturers to produce multiple fixed-length variants thereby streamlining a production process and reducing manufacturing costs. Additionally, the present invention reduces resource wastage by eliminating a need to remake entire assembly to meet specific customer requests thereby contributing to a more sustainable manufacturing process. The flexibility of the invention also simplifies inventory management problems. Hence, the present invention is a more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution for manufacturing and customizing lighting apparatus.

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 in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing 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 housing (102, 302) for a lighting apparatus (100, 300) comprising:
a pair of side walls (202, 312) disposed parallel to each other;
a platform (204, 304) disposed in between the pair of side walls (202, 312); and
a pair of sliders (206, 308) disposed longitudinally on an inner surface of the pair of side walls (202, 312),
wherein the pair of sliders (206, 308) and the platform (204, 304) are adapted to detachably attach one of an end cap (104, 310) and a connecting member (804).

2. The housing (102, 302) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one of the end cap (104, 310) and the connecting member (804) is fastened orthogonally to a direction of insertion of one of the end cap (104, 310) and the connecting member (804).

3. The housing (102, 302) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the end cap (104, 310) and the connecting member (804) includes an attachment portion (406, 702, 810), wherein the attachment portion (406, 702, 810) comprises at least one hole (414, 704, 808) to receive the fastener therethrough.

4. The housing (102, 302) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the platform (204, 304) may include at least one first hole disposed on a mid-portion of the platform (204, 304) and adapted to enable fastening of the end cap (104, 310), and a pair of second holes disposed above the first hole adapted to enable fastening of the connecting member (804).

5. The housing (102, 302) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the platform (304) divides the housing (102, 302) into an upper section (306a) and a lower section (306b).

6. The housing (102, 302) as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the upper section (306a) and the lower section (306b) comprise the pair of sliders (206, 308) disposed on the pair of side walls (202, 312).

7. The housing (102, 302) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of sliders (206, 308) are adapted to fit a pair of protruding arms (410, 606, 610) of the end cap (104, 310) such that the end cap (104, 310) covers the housing (102, 302) from an end.

8. The housing (102, 302) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of sliders (206, 308) is adapted to fit a pair of sliding arms (806) of the connecting member (804) to connect the housing (102, 302) with other housing (102, 302).

9. The housing (102, 302) as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the pair of sliders (206, 308) comprises a spacer disposed at a predefined length to allow a sliding arm from the pair of sliding arms (806) to the predefined length.