GB2568904A

GB2568904A - Cabinet with LED

Info

Publication number: GB2568904A
Application number: GB1719875.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: john allen Daniel
Original assignee: Neptune Europe Ltd
Current assignee: Neptune Europe Ltd
Priority date: 2017-11-29
Filing date: 2017-11-29
Publication date: 2019-06-05
Also published as: GB201719875D0

Abstract

A cabinet 10 with a shielded light source is disclosed. The cupboard 10 interior is defined by opposing first 1 and second sidewall, a rear wall 6, a top, and a bottom. A shielding element 25 protrudes into the inner of the cabinet and defines a recess 26 between itself and the back wall 6. A lighting element 23 is housed within the recess and arranged to emit light to at least partially illuminate the interior. The shield 25 obscures the bulb 23 when viewed from the front of the cupboard. The shielding element 25 may be the support for a shelf 29, with a gap between the shield and the shelf such that light can penetrate either side of the shelf. The light may be an LED strip light. The cabinet may be a kitchen unit A kit of parts for forming the cabinet is also disclosed.

Description

Cabinet with LED

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns interior lighting in cabinets. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention concerns LED lighting in kitchen cabinets.

Background of the Invention

Interior cabinet lighting is used for a variety of purposes, including illuminating the contents for display, for example in a glass-fronted cabinet.

Interior lighting is also used to enable more easy retrieval of items from the cabinet interior space. Internal cabinet lighting may also complement wall, ceiling or floor-mounted lighting, to provide a desired illumination effect within a room.

Traditional down-lights provide a simple classic solution, and can be fitted to the cabinet ceiling, or to the underside of each shelf.

LED lights are aesthetically attractive, being smaller than traditional incandescent lights. LED lights are much more energy efficient, providing a longer lasting light source. LED lights generate little heat or ultraviolet radiation, which is desirable in cabinet interior lighting for protection of the contents.

LED strip lights provide an even light, and can be fitted by mounting clips. A strip is typically fitted underneath a cabinet shelf or to an inside wall of the cabinet. LED puck lights can be surface mounted to a shelf or cabinet interior wall to provide spot-lighting.

There remains a need in the art for unobtrusive interior cabinet lighting, and a more effective lighting solution for cabinets having shelving.

The present invention seeks to mitigate the abovementioned problems. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved cabinet lighting solution.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a cabinet, comprising: opposing first and second side walls, and a rear wall therebetween, together forming a c-shaped structure, a bottom and a top, the side walls, rear wall, top and bottom defining a cabinet interior; a light source; a shielding element protruding into the cabinet interior and defining a recess between the shielding element and the rear wall of the cabinet; wherein the light source is within the recess and arranged to emit light to at least partially illuminate the cabinet interior, and the shielding element is arranged to obscure the light source from a viewpoint at the front of the cabinet.

The present invention thus provides internal lighting in a cabinet, for example a kitchen cabinet, in which the light source itself is concealed from view from a viewpoint in front of the cabinet. Such an arrangement provides a neat interior aesthetic with clean lines, avoids discomfort to eyes caused by exposure to bright light, and provides a softer warmer light than would be provided by direct lighting from a visible light source. The present invention advantageously provides a noninvasive lighting system which is compatible with solid wood cabinets and shelving (i.e. which will not damage the wood). The present invention also advantageously provides a lighting system which efficiently uses the interior space within a cabinet, for example, not compromising the available height between shelves.

The light source may be mounted in the recess. The light source may be wholly or only partially contained in the recess. The light source may be completely obscured, for example entirely hidden from view, from a position in front of the cabinet. The light source may be partially obscured, for example partly hidden from view, from a position in front of the cabinet.

The shielding element may obscure the light source from all viewpoints at the front of the cabinet.

Optionally, the shielding element protrudes (relative to the side wall) a maximum distance into the cabinet of between 8-15mm, for example 12mm. The shielding element may protrude (relative to the side wall) a minimum distance into the cabinet of between 110mm, for example 6mm. The shielding element may protrude an optimal distance thereby permitting light to enter and illuminate the cabinet interior, whilst blocking the light source itself from view.

The cabinet may be of solid wood construction. For example, the cabinet may be formed of hard wood such as oak wood.

The bottom may be a panel on top of which the side walls and rear wall are mounted. The bottom may be at floor level. The bottom may be a shelf and may be raised from the ground.

The cabinet may further comprise at least one shelf, wherein there is a gap between the shielding element and the shelf, the light source being arranged to emit light through the gap.

The shelf may have an indented corner. The shelf may have a cut-out region at a corner. The contour of the cut out region of the shelf may be the complement of the surface shape of the shielding element, such that the gap between the shelf and shielding element is a constant width, when the shelf is mounted. Optionally, the maximum gap width may be between 10-20mm wide. Optionally, the minimum gap width may be between l-10mm wide. The gap may be big enough to permit light to enter the cabinet interior, but small enough, so as to not adversely compromise the available surface area of the shelf, nor allow the shelf contents to fall through the gap. The gap may aid in reducing unwanted shadows inside the cabinet by distancing the shelf edge from the light source. The shelf may alternatively or additionally aid in concealing the light source.

The light source may comprise one or more LED strip lights .

Use of LED strip lights may enable quicker fitting, due to the reduced number of light components compared to say, incandescent lights, or LED spot lights.

The cabinet may further comprise a LED housing positioned in the recess, wherein the one or more LED strip lights are contained within the housing.

Utilising an LED housing may provide additional or alternative protection to the one or more LED strip lights and associated electrics. The housing may be held within the recess by friction fit.

The LED housing may comprise an aluminium case and a plastic cover.

The aluminium case may be formed of extruded aluminium. The extruded aluminium may have a c-shaped cross section, and be positioned in the recess such that the open side faces the cabinet interior. Such an aluminium extrusion may be substantially hollow, for example being lightweight compared to the cabinet walls. Aluminium may in some embodiments be easier to form into the desired shape (for example to fit tightly in the recess), compared to say, wood.

The plastic cover may be mounted across the open side, to form an enclosure in which the one or more LED strip lights are contained. The plastic cover may be formed of frosted plastic, for example white frosted plastic. Utilising such a plastic cover may provide the dual function of protecting the one or more LED strip lights and associated electrics whilst also diffusing the emitted light.

The shielding element may be a shelf support.

The shielding element may be mounted on the first side wall.

The shielding element may be mounted on the rear wall. The shielding element may be mounted on the cabinet ceiling (i.e. the underside of the top), or the floor of the cabinet. The shielding element may be mounted by glue, by bolts, or by other standard fixings known in the art.

The shielding element may be integral with the first side wall.

The shielding element may be integrally formed with the first side wall. The shielding element may be integrally formed with the rear wall, or cabinet ceiling (i.e. the top) or floor (i.e. the bottom).

The shielding element may extend along substantially the entire height of the cabinet.

Thus, the shielding element may define a recess which extends along substantially the entire height of the cabinet.

The one or more LED strip lights may extend along substantially the entire height of the cabinet.

The one or more LED strip lights may extend endto-end along substantially the entire height of the cabinet. The one or more LED strip lights may extend along substantially the entire height of the cabinet. The LED strip lights may be fitted vertically, within the recess. There may be some overlap between consecutive LED strip lights, or no overlap. There may be a small gap of the order of l-2mm between consecutive LED strip lights. Such an arrangement may advantageously allow the entire cabinet to be lit, even when one or more shelves are provided and irrespective of the shelf material (i.e. glass, solid wood etc.). When shelves are present, fewer LED strip lights are required to light the entire cabinet interior when they are mounted end-to-end compared to an arrangement in which LED strip lights may be mounted, for example, on the underside of each shelf, or on the ceiling of the cabinet. Removal and replacement of the LED strip lights is therefore quicker and easier compared to those other arrangements which necessitate extra wiring and installation time.

The cabinet may further comprise a diffuser.

Providing a diffuser may give a softer and more dispersed light. The diffuser may be integral to the shielding element, for example the shielding element itself may be shaped so as to provide a diffusing effect.

The	diffuser may additionally or alternatively
comprise	the plastic cover.
The	diffuser may additionally or alternatively
comprise	a metal mesh or cover formed of any material
having a	suitable pattern of holes. The diffuser may
comprise	the plastic cover and another feature of the
cabinet,	for example, the inner walls. A diffusing

effect may therefore be provided by a combination of features of the cabinet.

The plastic cover may provide a diffuser and additionally or alternatively a protective shield for the LED strip lights.

The cabinet may further comprise a second light source and a second shielding element, the second shielding element protruding into the cabinet interior and defining a second recess between the second shielding element and the rear wall of the cabinet, wherein the second light source is within the second recess and arranged to emit light to at least partially illuminate the cabinet interior, and the second shielding element is arranged to obscure the second light source from a viewpoint at the front of the cabinet.

Any or all of the features described above in respect of the light source and shielding element, may also be present in the second light source and second shielding element. For example, the shelf may be shaped such that when the shelf is mounted within the cabinet, there is a gap between the shelf and each respective shielding element, each light source being arranged to emit light through its respective gap to at least partially illuminate the cabinet interior.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a kit of parts for forming a cabinet, the kit comprising:

- 8 first and second side walls; a rear wall; a top; a bottom; a light source; a shielding element; the rear wall being configured to be mounted between the first and second side walls to form a c-shaped structure, the side walls, rear wall, top and bottom defining a cabinet interior, wherein the shielding element is configured to be attached to the first side wall such that it protrudes into the cabinet interior defining a recess between the shielding element and the rear wall, and the light source is configured to be within the recess and to emit light to at least partially illuminate the cabinet interior, and wherein the shielding element is configured such that when it is attached to the first side wall it obscures the light source from a viewpoint at the front of the cabinet.

It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention. For example, the apparatus of the invention may incorporate any of the features described with reference to the kit of parts of the invention and vice versa.

Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings/ photographs of which:

Figure 1 is a top view of a cabinet (not including the top) according to the example embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cabinet of the example embodiment;

Figure 3 is a close-up top-view of the rear left corner of the cabinet of the example embodiment;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the LED housing of the example embodiment;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the interior of the cabinet of the example embodiment;

Figure 6 is a top view of the cabinet (including the top) of the example embodiment;

Figure 7 is a circuit diagram of the lighting system of the example embodiment; and

Figure 8 is a photograph of the cabinet of the example embodiment.

Detailed Description

The kitchen cabinet 10 according to the example embodiment of the invention (Figure 1) has a left side wall 1 and a right side wall 3 in opposing positions. A rear wall 6 is fixed between each side wall (1, 3) with pocket screws and wood glue (standard fittings known in the art and not discussed further). Fitted to the rear side of the rear wall 6 and extending across the uppermost portion of the rear wall 6 is a baton 5 (in this example of height 100mm) for mounting the cabinet 10 to a wall. A similar baton (not shown) is fitted outside of the rear wall 6 and extending across the lowermost portion of the rear wall 6. The cabinet 10 is typically accessed from the front of the cabinet Έ'.

In this example, the cabinet 10 (Figure 2) is 1240mm high 'h', 521mm deep 'd' and 1096mm wide 'w'. A front side 7 spans the front edge of each side wall (1, 3), and is fixed to each side wall (1, 3) with a rebate groove and wood glue (standard fittings known in the art and not discussed further). The front side 7 comprises two outer pillars 9, an upper connecting piece 12 and a lower connecting piece 14, all together forming a frame inside of which are fitted two inner cabinet doors (left 11 and right 13). The cabinet doors (11, 13) each have a central rectangular glass panel (left 15, right 17), and are hinged at their outer edges, so that the doors open away from the centre line L of the front of the cabinet

10. The cabinet 10 is suitable for wall mounting, having rear brackets (not shown) fitted on the baton 5. In an alternative embodiment, the cabinet may be free-standing.

The cabinet 10 contains two shelves (an upper shelf 29 and a lower shelf 30) mounted horizontally in the cabinet interior.

The rear left corner 21 (Figure 3) of the cabinet 10 houses an elongate shielding element 25, being broadly L-shaped (being wider at one end compared to the other) in cross-section. The shielding element 25 is provided by a rectangular shelf support, its L-shape formed by having a square recess 26 cut out at one corner.

The shielding element 25 extends along the entire height 'h' of the cabinet 10. The wide end of the Lshape is positioned forward of the narrow end, so that the recess 26 is formed between the shielding element 25 and the rear wall 6 at the inner rear edge of the shielding element 25. The recess 26 extends along the entire height of the cabinet 10.

Inside the recess 26 is tightly fitted a LED housing 23. An LED light source formed of five LED strip lights (not shown) positioned end-to-end is accommodated within the recess 26, the LED strip lights are stacked but not otherwise fixed to the LED housing 23. The LED strip lights are obscured from view by the shielding element 25 and LED housing 23, when viewed from the front of the cabinet 10 in a line-of-sight perpendicular to the rear wall 6 of the cabinet 10.

The upper shelf 29 fitted in the cabinet interior has a rectangular cut-out at its rear left corner, creating a stepped portion 35, so that the shelf fits around the shielding element 25. The shelf 29 rests on a shelf support (not shown) positioned on the left side wall 1. The left edge 43 of the shelf 29 is adjacent to the left side wall 1, separated by a small gap 33 (in this example of 2mm). The rear edge 31 of the stepped portion 35 abuts the shielding element 25 and there is a small gap 37 (in this example of 2mm) between the rear edge 45 of the shelf 29 and the rear panel 6. A recess 41 (in this example of width 2-6mm) is provided between the left edge 39 of the stepped portion 35 and the shielding element 25. Providing such a recess may reduce unwanted shadows within the cabinet interior. The recess 41 is of sufficient width to enable light from the LED strip lights to infiltrate the cabinet 10, so as to partially illuminate the cabinet 10 in use. The lower shelf 30 is substantially identical to the upper shelf 29.

The rear right corner (not shown) of the cabinet 10 is substantially a mirror reflection of the rear left corner 21.

The LED housing 23 (Figure 4) has an outer aluminium c-shaped extrusion 28, the sides of which abut the sides of the recess 26 in the shelf support 25. The LED housing 23 also has an inner c-shaped plastic cover 32, fitted within the aluminium extrusion 28 to provide an enclosed channel 34. The enclosed channel 34 is sized to accommodate one or more LED strip lights (not shown).

The shelf support 25 (Figure 5) is mounted (with standard fittings known in the art and not discussed further) on the left side wall 1 and protrudes towards the cabinet interior (away from the left side wall 1). The shelf support 25 provides the dual function of supporting the shelves (having triangular cut out portions 28 on which the shelves rest) and shielding the light emitted by the LED strip lights (not shown) mounted in the LED housing 23 .

The shelf supports 25 (Figure 5) which form the shielding elements of the example embodiment of the invention are mounted inside the left wall 1 at the furthest front and rear sides. The shelf supports 25 are of standard size and construction and support the upper and lower shelves (29, 30) (the lower shelf not shown). The right wall 3 has similar shelf supports (not shown).

The top 51 of the cabinet 10 (Figure 6) is a generally planar rectangular slab mounted between the left 1, right 3 and rear 5 walls and front side 7. The top 51 is fitted in a groove situated in both side walls (1, 3) and rests on the four shelf supports 25. A cylindrical channel 53 of diameter 20mm is provided at each of the rear left and rear right corners of the top 51, for housing wiring to connect the LED strip lights to a power source external to the cabinet 10.

The LED strip lights are connected via a dimmer switch 61 (Figure 7) to a main transformer 55 and microwave switch 63 (for acting as an automatic isolator to the main transformer) all mounted on the ceiling of the cabinet 10. The components, and in particular the dimmer switch 61, are therefore accessible from the front of the cabinet 10. In the example embodiment, the five LED strip lights are each controlled by a door-activated switch unit 57, so that light is provided only when the cabinet doors (11, 13) are opened.

When a cabinet door (11, 13) is opened, the cabinet interior is illuminated (Figure 8) and there is a diffuse light within the cabinet interior. The light appears as a soft glow, concentrated along the inner rear left and rear right corners of the cabinet 10 when viewed from the front.

Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. By way of example only, certain possible variations will now be described.

In an alternative embodiment there may be no cabinet doors. The cabinet may therefore be open, for example having visible shelving. In an alternative embodiment there may be only one cabinet door.

In an alternative embodiment there may be fewer than five for example only one LED strip light, or greater than five, for example ten LED strip lights.

In an alternative embodiment there may be fewer than two shelves for example no shelves, or more than two shelves for example five shelves.

In an alternative embodiment, the cabinet may be continuously lit.

Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such eguivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

Claims

1. A cabinet comprising:

opposing first and second side walls, and a rear wall therebetween, together forming a c-shaped structure, a bottom and a top, the side walls, rear wall, top and bottom defining a cabinet interior;

a light source;

a shielding element protruding into the cabinet interior and defining a recess between the shielding element and the rear wall of the cabinet;

wherein the light source is within the recess and arranged to emit light to at least partially illuminate the cabinet interior, and the shielding element is arranged to obscure the light source from a viewpoint at the front of the cabinet.

2. A cabinet according to claim 1 further comprising at least one shelf, wherein there is a gap between the shielding element and the shelf, the light source being arranged to emit light through the gap.

3. A cabinet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light source comprises one or more LED strip lights.

4. A cabinet according to claim 3, further comprising a LED housing positioned in the recess, wherein the one or more LED strip lights are contained within the housing.

5. A cabinet according to claim 4 wherein the LED housing comprises an aluminium case and a plastic cover.

6. A cabinet according to any preceding claim, wherein the shielding element is a shelf support.

7. A cabinet according to any preceding claim wherein the shielding element is mounted on the first side wall.

8. A cabinet according to any preceding claim, wherein the shielding element is integral with the first side wall.

9. A cabinet according to any preceding claim, wherein the shielding element extends along substantially the entire height of the cabinet.

10. A cabinet according to claim 9 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the one or more LED strip lights extend along substantially the entire height of the cabinet.

11. A cabinet according to any preceding claim, further comprising a diffuser.

12. A cabinet according to claim 11 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the diffuser comprises the plastic cover .

13. A cabinet according to any preceding claim, further comprising a second light source and a second shielding element, the second shielding element protruding into the cabinet interior and defining a second recess between the second shielding element and the rear wall of the cabinet, wherein the second light source is contained within the second recess and arranged to emit light to at least partially illuminate the cabinet interior, and the second shielding element obscures the second light source from a viewpoint at the front of the cabinet.

14. A kit of parts for forming a cabinet, the kit comprising:

first and second side walls;

a rear wall;

a top;

a bottom;

a light source;

a shielding element;

the rear wall being configured to be mounted between the first and second side walls to form a c-shaped structure, the side walls, rear wall, top and bottom defining a cabinet interior, wherein the shielding element is configured to be attached to the first side wall such that it protrudes into the cabinet interior defining a recess between the shielding element and the rear wall, and the light source is configured to be within the recess and to emit light to at least partially illuminate the cabinet interior, and wherein the shielding element is configured such that when it is attached to the first side wall it obscures the light source from a viewpoint at the front of the cabinet.