GB2614874A

GB2614874A - Modular light fitting

Info

Publication number: GB2614874A
Application number: GB2118991.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Khellaf Fariz
Original assignee: L&Co Trading Ltd
Current assignee: L&Co Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2021-12-24
Filing date: 2021-12-24
Publication date: 2023-07-26
Also published as: GB202118991D0

Abstract

The modular light fitting 100, particularly for use in a kitchen or bathroom (e.g., on a cabinet surface), comprises a light engine 104 releasably securable in an opening 110 of a housing 102, and a bezel 106 comprising magnetic material. The light engine comprises at least one magnetic member 116 for coupling to the bezel. In use, an outer edge 118 of the bezel aligns with the housing, e.g., by fitting in a shaped recess 120. A surface 122 of the bezel may lie flush with an adjacent external surface 124 of the housing. The magnetic member may be elongate and inserted in a body portion of the light engine, optionally extending substantially through the body portion. The magnetic member may also releasably secure the light engine in the housing. The bezel may comprise magnetic and nonmagnetic layers. The housing may be cylindrical, triangular, or square. The bezel may be circular, triangular, or square.

Description

MODULAR LIGHT FITTING

Field of the Invention

[1] The present disclosure relates to a modular light fitting. In particular the disclosure is concerned with the sort light fitting that might be typically found in a kitchen and bathroom, and the modification thereof to make it modularly interchangeable.

Background

[2] Every modern bathroom and kitchen will be provided with a number of light fittings, whether those be light fittings on the ceiling for illuminating the room generally, or arranged over counter tops or on other surfaces to illuminate specifics features of the room. It is presently fashionable to use so-called tlownlight type fittings, which comprise a substantially flat exterior surface which allows the fitting to appear flush with a particular housing or surface to which the light is fitted.

[3] It is also becoming more common for kitchen and bathroom designs to be made bespoke, so that the kitchen or bathroom represents the individuality of the room's owner. This often applies to the choice of light fittings used throughout the room also, including such decisions as shape, colour (of both fitting and light emission), and so on. Such individuality is however difficult to provide for light fittings due to the associated costs with providing unique options for the customer: it will be appreciated that the only cost-effective way to produce light fittings is through mass manufacture, not manufacture of individual items. Similarly, if a customer desires to change an existing light fitting (or indeed, range of light fittings through a kitchen or bathroom), it is typically necessary to dispose of the existing light fittings and replace them in their entirety.

[4] Hence the present inventor has appreciated the need to provide a highly customisable range of light fittings that can still be mass manufactured to gain the associated benefits of highly scaled production.

Summary

[5] The present invention is defined according to the independent claims. Additional features will be appreciated from the dependent claims and the description herein. Any embodiments which are described but which do not fall within the scope of the claims are to be interpreted merely as examples useful for a better understanding of the invention.

[6] The example embodiments have been provided with a view to addressing at least some of the difficulties that are encountered with current light fittings, whether those difficulties have been specifically mentioned above or will otherwise be appreciated from the discussion herein.

[7] In one aspect of the invention there is provided a modular light fitting comprising housing, a light engine, and a bezel. The housing comprises an opening for receiving the light engine within the housing, and maybe cylindrical, triangular, square or generally any suitable shape. The housing and light engine comprise (mutually) cooperative engaging means for releasably securing the light engine within the housing; e.g., within a recess. The light engine also comprises at least one magnetic member and the bezel is formed comprising a magnetic material which attracts to the at least one magnetic member for magnetically coupling the light engine to the bezel. Preferably the bezel is entirely magnetic. When the light engine and bezel are magnetically coupled to each other, an outer edge of the bezel aligns with the housing. Also the bezel is designed with an opening such that when the light engine and bezel are coupled a light emitting section of the light engine can emit light through the opening in the bezel.

[8] In this way the light fitting will appear to be a single unit when it is installed on a kitchen or bathroom surface, but has the benefit of modular construction. Such benefits extend to the manufacture, in terms of ease of mass-producing cooperating but otherwise distinctive components, and also to the end user, who may interchange components of the light fitting in a cost effective and environmentally friendly manner. For example, the user may wish to change the colour of the housing and/or bezel, and using the present invention may readily do so without also requiring to change the light engine. Conversely, the user may wish to change the light engine from one which only emits white light to one which can emit multicoloured light, and using the present invention would be able to do so without also requiring a replacement for the housing and bezel.

[9] In one example, aligning the outer edge of the bezel with the housing includes fitting a shape of the outer edge of the bezel to a shaped recess in the housing, thereby providing a seamless transition between housing and bezel to provide an illusion that the two pieces are of a single construction: the bezel may be any suitable shape, including circular, triangular and square. In a similar vein, an external major surface of the bezel may lie flush with an external major surface of the housing adjacent to the bezel. Also, the opening in the bezel (through which light is emitted) may be arranged to fit with a shape of an outer edge of the light emitting section of the light engine.

[10] In one example the magnetic member is elongate and inserted into a body potion of the light engine, and may also extend through the body portion so as to provide a magnetic attraction force at both ends of the light engine. In this way the light engine may magnetically couple to both the bezel and the housing (if the housing is provided with a suitably corresponding magnet coupling).

[11] In one example forming the bezel comprising magnetic material comprises forming the bezel in a laminate structure comprising at least two layers, with a first of the at least two layers being magnetic and the second of the at least two layers being nonmagnetic.

[12] In another aspect of the invention there is provided a modular light fitting substantially as just described but, instead of the bezel being formed of a magnetic material, the bezel comprises at least one magnetic member arranged to attract the at least one magnetic member of the light engine. That is, the light engine and bezel are provided with corresponding magnetic members.

[13] In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of assembling an aforementioned modular light fitting. The method includes fixedly mounting the housing to a surface, inserting the light engine though an opening in the housing and engaging cooperative engaging means which releasably secure the light engine within the housing, and putting the bezel in abutment with the light engine so as to allow at least one magnetic member provided on the light engine to magnetically couple to the bezel, thereby securing the bezel in place so that an outer edge of the bezel aligns with the housing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[14] For a better understanding of the present disclosure reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which: [15] Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a modular light fitting in a cylindrical arrangement; [16] Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of a modular light fitting in a triangular arrangement; and [17] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a modular light fitting in a square arrangement. Detailed Description [18] At least some of the following example embodiments provide an improved light fitting. In particular the example embodiments provide a light fitting which can be constructed from modular components. The example device is simple and convenient for a user/electrician to install in a bathroom or kitchen, as appropriate. Other advantages and improvements will be appreciated from the detailed discussion herein.

[19] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown exploded views of example modular light fittings 100. The light fitting comprises a housing 102, a light engine 104, and bezel 106.

[20] The housing 102 is configured for attachment to a kitchen or bathroom surface -such as a ceiling, wall, or cabinet -and may be any suitable shape; the examples shown here are circular (or more precisely, cylindrical), triangular and square, with respect to how the fitting would be typically observed when mounted. Accordingly, the housing comprises mounting means 108 for attaching the housing to said surface; for example, one or more plates designed to abut the surface and arranged with suitable screw holes.

[21] The housing also comprises an opening 110 on a front side (i.e., a major viewable side when mounted) into which the light engine 104 may be inserted. Put another way, the opening 110 of the housing 102 is arranged to receive the light engine 104. In the preferred examples shown the housing 102 is dimensioned such that an in internal cavity of the housing 102 in which the light engine 104 resides substantially corresponds to the size of the light engine 104. It will however be appreciated that the housing 102 and light engine 104 may have other relative dimensions not shown. The housing 102 may also comprise another opening on the rear side (i.e., a major side of the housing 102 which would not usually be visible when mounted) through which electrical connections and the like may access the housing 102 so as to be passed through to the light engine 104.

[22] The housing 102 and light engine 104 are configured to engage with each other so that the light engine 104 rests securely within the housing 102 when the light engine 104 is received through the opening 110. More specifically, the housing 102 and light engine 104 comprise cooperative engaging means 112 which releasably secure the light engine 104 within the housing cavity 102. In this way the light engine 104 may be readily attached, and later detached, from the housing 102.

[23] In one example such means 112 maybe male and female members of a snap (or push) fit mechanism, as will be familiar to those in the art. In one arrangement the light engine 104 may comprise the male members of the snap fit while the housing 102 comprises the female members; in another arrangement the housing 102 comprises the male members and the light engine 104 the female members. It will be appreciated that this is just one example of many known types of releasably securing means 112.

[24] In another example such means 112 are magnetic, the housing 102 and light engine 104 being secured together by the provision of suitable located magnets on each component.

[25] The light engine 104 is configured to emit light from a lighting surface, or light emitting section, 114 and thereby illuminate an area on from of the light emitting section 114. The light emitting section 114 may be an optical element such as a lens or light diffuser, as will be appreciated by those in the art. The light emitting section 114 is suitably arranged on the light engine 104 such that, when the light engine 104 is inserted and secured into the housing 102, the light emitting section 114 points out of the housing 102 -i.e., out of the opening 110 through which the light engine 104 was received. Suitably the light engine 104 comprises internal components (not shown) including a light source to generate visible spectrum light, typically one or more light emitting diodes 'LEDs', and power connectors for the light source, whether that be to power the light source by mains electrical power or battery power. In some examples the light engine 104 may also comprise a (micro) controller for changing an optical output (e.g., colour temperature) of the light source.

[26] The light engine also comprises at least one magnetic member 116 arranged to provide an attractive magnetic field force which attracts a suitably provided magnetic component on the bezel 106. That is, the at least one magnetic member 116 forms one part of a magnetic coupling with the bezel 106. Suitably the at least one magnetic member 116 may be arranged at an upper surface of the light engine 104 in order to provide suitable magnetic field strength at the upper surface of the light engine 104 proximate to the bezel 106. Magnetically coupling the light engine 104 to the bezel 106 allows both components (particularly the bezel 106) to be made interchangeable.

[27] Preferably the at least one magnetic member 116 is elongate in shape and extends into the body of the light engine 104, the elongate shape providing plenty of surface area by which to fix the magnetic member 116 to the light engine by, e.g., an adhesive. In one example, the at least one magnetic member 116 may extend substantially through the entire length of the light engine 104, thereby being arranged with a component towards the lower and upper surfaces of the light engine. Such an arrangement is particularly preferred when it is desired to releasably secure the light engine 104 to the housing 102 by magnetic means, as alluded to above: the at least one magnetic member thereby sewing dual purpose as housing 102 coupling and bezel 106 coupling.

[28] In the examples shown three magnetic members 116 are provided equispaced around the generally cylindrical light engine 104. Three connection points have been shown to provide a suitable strength of coupling to the bezel 106 while preventing undesirable moments which may arise if fewer connection points to the bezel 106 are used. If other shaped light engines are used it may be desirable to provide a number of magnetic members 116 to match a shaping of the light engine 104 -four magnetic members for a square light engine, five for a pentagonal light engine, six for a hexagonal light engine, and so on -in order to ease manufacture by maintaining regular symmetry.

[29] In a preferred example the bezel 106 is formed from a magnet material (e.g., ferrous metal) which is attracted to the at least one magnetic member 116. In this way the bezel 106 may be readily magnetically coupled to the light engine 104 regardless of an orientation of the bezel 106. Also, manufacture of the bezel 106 is simplified, and the bezel 106 rendered more universal (i.e. able to connect with light engines of various configurations) by not manufacturing the bezel 106 to match a specific arrangement of magnetic members 116. Similarly simplifying the bezel manufacture reduces the likelihood of defects and wastage which might arise from manufacturing errors leading to misaligned magnetic members. Of course, it will be appreciated that providing magnetic members on the bezel 106 to match magnetic members on the light engine 104 is also possible, though not preferred.

[30] In some examples, the bezel 106 is partly formed from a magnetic material and partly from a nonmagnetic material. In particular, the bezel 106 may be formed with a laminate structure whereby the magnetic material forms one layer (generally the layer which will be proximate to the light engine 104) while another layer is formed from the nonmagnetic material (generally the layer not proximate to the light engine 104, and which would be visible when the bezel is couple to the light engine 104). Such an arrangement is particularly beneficial where it is desirable for the bezel 106 to have a non-metallic -or non-ferrous -material as the surface which is visible when the light fitting 100 is mounted on a surface with the bezel 106 installed.

[31] The bezel 106 is suitably arranged such that, when the bezel 106 is magnetically coupled to the light engine 104, an outer edge 118 of the bezel 106 aligns with the housing 102. In this way the bezel 106 essentially encloses the light engine 104 in the housing 102 (except for an opening for light to emanate from the light engine 104). Alignment here can be taken to mean that the bezel 106 appears to engage, or at least abut, with the housing 102 despite the fact that the coupling is to the light engine. In this way the bezel 106 and housing 102 may appear to be a single unit. Moreover, it is preferred that the bezel 106 is generally formed with a circular/cylindrical shape to match a correspondingly circular/cylindrical shape on a housing 102 in order to allow for universal fitting of the bezel 106 to different housings 102. Generally, however, it will be appreciated that a bezel of substantially any suitable shape may be utilised.

[32] Suitably, aligning the outer edge 118 of the bezel 106 with the housing 102 may include fitting a shape of the outer edge 118 to a shaped recess 120 in the housing 102 (as shown particularly by Figs. 1 & 2). Moreover, it is preferred that an external major surface 122 of the bezel 106 is aligns with -i.e., is flush with -an external major surface 124 of the housing 102, thereby further facilitating the illusion that the bezel 106 and housing 102 are a single object.

[33] Suitably the bezel 106 includes an opening 126 through which the light emitting surface 114 of the light engine 104 emits light. Preferably an inner edge 128 of the bezel, defining the opening 126, is arranged to snugly fit with an outer edge 130 of the light emitting section 114. Again, in this way the illusion that the light fitting 100 is a single object may be improved.

[34] In summary, exemplary embodiments of a modular light fitting formed from a housing, a light engine, and a bezel have been described which allow for advantageous interchangeability of parts. The light engine is releasably secured within the housing and comprises at least one magnetic member which magnetically couples to the bezel, which is formed comprising a magnetic material, while the bezel is formed such that an outer edge thereof aligns with the housing.

[35] The described exemplary embodiments provide for an improved kitchen or bathroom light fitting that allows for interchangeability between components, thereby facilitating designer choice in light fittings while allowing for cost effective manufacture of components by capitalising on the ability to mass manufacture what appear to be bespoke items. Moreover, the components of the light fitting may be readily changed once installed, allowing for some components to be reused (for example, the light engine) when a change in light fitting is desired, reducing wastage.

[36] The modular light fitting may be manufactured industrially. An industrial application of the example embodiments will be clear from the discussion herein.

[37] Although preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[38] Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[39] All of the features disclosed in this specification, and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

[40] Each feature disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[41] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification, or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A modular light fitting comprising a housing, a light engine, and a bezel, wherein: the housing comprises an opening for receiving the light engine within the housing; the housing and light engine comprise cooperative engaging means for releasably securing the light engine within the housing; the light engine further comprises at least one magnetic member; the bezel is formed comprising a magnetic material which attracts to the at least one magnetic member of the light engine for magnetically coupling the light engine to the bezel; and when the light engine and bezel are magnetically coupled to each other, an outer edge of the bezel aligns with the housing.
2. The modular light fitting of claim 1, wherein aligning the outer edge of the bezel with the housing includes fitting a shape of the outer edge of the bezel to a shaped recess in the housing.
3. The modular light fitting of claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the light engine and bezel are magnetically coupled to each other, an external major surface of the bezel lies flush with an external major surface of the housing adjacent to the bezel.
4. The modular light fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the light engine further comprises a light emitting section, and the bezel further includes an opening through which the light emitting section of the light engine emits light when the light engine and bezel are magnetically coupled to each other.
5. The modular light fitting of claim 4, wherein the opening of the bezel is arranged to fit with a shape of an outer edge of the light emitting section.
6. The modular light fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the magnetic member is elongate and inserted into a body potion of the light engine.
7. The modular light fitting of claim 6, wherein the magnetic member extends substantially though the body portion of the light engine.
8. The modular light fitting of any preceding claim, wherein forming the bezel to comprise a magnetic material comprises forming the bezel in a laminate structure comprising at least two layers, with a first of the at least two layers being magnetic and the second of the at least two layers being nonmagnetic.
9. The modular light fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the housing is one of cylindrical, triangular, or square shape.
10. The modular light fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the bezel is one of circular, triangular, or square in shape.
11. A modular light fitting according to any preceding claim, wherein, instead of the bezel being formed of a magnetic material, the bezel comprises at least one magnetic member arranged to attract the at least one magnetic member of the light engine.
12. Use of the modular light fitting of any preceding claim in a kitchen or bathroom environment.
13. A method of assembly of a modular light fitting comprising a housing, a light engine, and a bezel formed comprising a magnetic material, the method comprising: fixedly mounting the housing to a surface; inserting the light engine though an opening in the housing and engaging cooperative engaging means which releasably secure the light engine within the housing; putting the bezel in abutment with the light engine so as to allow at least one magnetic member provided on the light engine to magnetically couple to the bezel, thereby securing the bezel in place so that an outer edge of the bezel aligns with the housing.