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EP-4548011-B1 - LIGHT FIXTURE JOINING SYSTEM

EP4548011B1EP 4548011 B1EP4548011 B1EP 4548011B1EP-4548011-B1

Inventors

  • DUMLER, Bryan
  • MILLER, STEPHANIE

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20230626

Claims (15)

  1. A joining system (195) for joining adjacent light fixtures (190), the joining system comprising: a pulling apparatus (550) comprising a proximal portion (551), a first distal portion (552-1), and a second distal portion (552-2); a bracket (440) configured to be coupled to a frame (220-1) of a first light fixture (190-1), wherein the bracket comprises a frame receiving feature (445) and a pulling apparatus receiving feature (442), wherein the frame receiving feature is configured to be slidably coupled to the frame (220-2) of a second light fixture (190-2), and wherein the pulling apparatus receiving feature is configured to slidably couple to the proximal portion of the pulling apparatus; a first anchor (660-1) configured to be coupled to the frame of the second light fixture, wherein the first anchor comprises a first pulling apparatus coupling feature that is configured to couple to the first distal portion of the pulling apparatus; a second anchor (660-2) configured to be coupled to the frame of the second light fixture, wherein the second anchor comprises a second pulling apparatus coupling feature that is configured to couple to the second distal portion of the pulling apparatus; and a gripper (770) coupled to the pulling apparatus receiving feature of the bracket, wherein the gripper comprises a channel (775) that passes therethrough, and wherein the channel is configured to have the proximal portion of the pulling apparatus slidably disposed therein.
  2. The joining system of claim 1, wherein the pulling apparatus comprises an aircraft cable arranged in a Y configuration.
  3. The joining system of claim 1, wherein the first frame of the first light fixture is configured to receive part of the first anchor and the second anchor as the second light fixture is pulled toward the first light fixture.
  4. The joining system of claim 1, further comprising: a pin (880) comprising a proximal end (883) that is configured to couple to the first frame of the first light fixture and a distal end (882) that is configured to couple to the second frame of the second light fixture.
  5. The joining system of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the distal portion of the pulling apparatus is configured to traverse through an aperture in a top wall of the frame of the first light fixture, and wherein the second light fixture is pulled along the bracket toward the first light fixture when a sufficiently large upward force pulls the distal end of the distal portion of the pulling apparatus.
  6. The joining system of claim 1, wherein the channel in the gripper deviates from a center axis along a length of the gripper.
  7. The joining system of claim 1, wherein the bracket comprises an extension disposed at its proximal end, and wherein the pulling apparatus receiving feature is disposed in the extension.
  8. The joining system of claim 7, wherein the extension forms an acute angle with a body of the bracket, and wherein the frame receiving feature is disposed on the body.
  9. The joining system of claim 1, wherein the frame receiving feature comprises a pair of extensions that extend upward from both sides of a body of the bracket.
  10. A linear lighting system (100) comprising: a first linear light fixture (190-1) comprising a first frame (220-1) having a top wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, wherein the top wall has an aperture that traverses therethrough toward its distal end; a second linear light fixture (190-2) comprising a second frame (220-2); and a joining system (195) configured to join the second linear light fixture to the first linear light fixture, the joining system comprising: - a pulling apparatus (550) comprising a proximal portion (551), a first distal portion (552-1), and a second distal portion (552-2); - a bracket (440) coupled to the frame of the first linear light fixture, wherein the bracket comprises a frame receiving feature (445) and a pulling apparatus receiving feature (442), wherein the frame receiving feature is configured to be slidably coupled to the frame of the second linear light fixture, and wherein the pulling apparatus receiving feature is configured to slidably couple to the proximal portion of the pulling apparatus; - a first anchor (660-1) coupled to the first side wall of the frame of the second linear light fixture, wherein the first anchor comprises a first pulling apparatus coupling feature that is configured to couple to the first distal portion of the pulling apparatus; - a second anchor (660-2) coupled to the second side wall of the frame of the second linear light fixture, wherein the second anchor comprises a second pulling apparatus coupling feature that is configured to couple to the second distal portion of the pulling apparatus; and - a gripper (770) coupled to the pulling apparatus receiving feature of the bracket, wherein the gripper comprises a channel (775) that passes therethrough, wherein the channel is configured to have the proximal portion of the pulling apparatus slidably disposed therein, and wherein the gripper reduces slack in the pulling apparatus between the gripper and the first anchor and the second anchor, wherein a distal end of the distal portion of the pulling apparatus is configured to traverse through the aperture in the top wall of the frame of the first linear light fixture, and wherein the second linear light fixture is pulled along the bracket toward the first linear light fixture when a sufficiently large upward force pulls the distal end of the distal portion of the pulling apparatus.
  11. The linear lighting system of claim 10, wherein the first side wall of the frame of the second linear light fixture has a first slot disposed on its inner surface, wherein the second side wall of the frame of the second linear light fixture has a second slot disposed on its inner surface, wherein the first anchor is disposed in the first slot, and wherein the second anchor is disposed in the second slot.
  12. The linear lighting system of claim 11, wherein the first side wall of the frame of the first linear light fixture has the first slot disposed on its inner surface, wherein the second side wall of the frame of the first linear light fixture has the second slot disposed on its inner surface, wherein the first anchor engages the first slot of the first linear light fixture as the second linear light fixture is pulled along the bracket toward the first linear light fixture, and wherein the second anchor engages the second slot of the first linear light fixture as the second linear light fixture is pulled along the bracket toward the first linear light fixture.
  13. The linear lighting system of claim 12, wherein the first linear light fixture further comprises a tray disposed within the first slot in the first side wall of the frame of the first linear light fixture and within the second slot in the second side wall of the frame of the first linear light fixture, and wherein the bracket of the joining system is positioned within a cavity (254) formed between the tray and the frame.
  14. The linear lighting system of claim 10, wherein the top wall of the frame of the second linear light fixture has a protrusion that extends from its inner surface, and wherein the frame receiving feature of the bracket slidably engages the protrusion.
  15. The linear lighting system of claim 10, further comprising: a third linear light fixture (190-1) comprising the frame; an additional joining system (195) configured to join the third linear light fixture to the second linear light fixture, the additional joining system comprising: - an additional pulling apparatus (550) comprising the proximal portion (551), the first distal portion (552-1), and the second distal portion (552-2); - an additional bracket (440) coupled to the frame of the second linear light fixture, wherein the additional bracket comprises the frame receiving feature (446, 447) and the pulling apparatus receiving feature (442), wherein the frame receiving feature of the additional bracket is configured to be slidably coupled to the frame of the second linear light fixture, and wherein the pulling apparatus receiving feature of the additional bracket is configured to slidably couple to the proximal portion of the additional pulling apparatus; - a third anchor (660-1) coupled to the first side wall of the frame of the third linear light fixture, wherein the third anchor comprises a third pulling apparatus coupling feature that is configured to couple to the first distal portion of the additional pulling apparatus; and - a fourth anchor (660-2) coupled to the second side wall of the frame of the third linear light fixture, wherein the fourth anchor comprises a fourth pulling apparatus coupling feature that is configured to couple to the second distal portion of the additional pulling apparatus, wherein a distal end of the distal portion of the additional pulling apparatus is configured to traverse through the aperture in the top wall of the frame of the second linear light fixture, and wherein the third linear light fixture is pulled along the additional bracket toward the second linear light fixture when the sufficiently large upward force is applied to the distal end of the distal portion of the additional pulling apparatus.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to light fixtures, and more particularly to systems, methods, and devices for joining light fixtures. BACKGROUND Linear light fixtures are often installed end-to-end to create a single extended linear luminaire. In such cases, light can leak between adjoining fixtures. Numerous methods (e.g., clips, brackets with screws) are used in the current art in an attempt to minimize or eliminate light leakage between adjacent fixtures. Some of these methods are ineffective. Others of these methods, while more effective at achieving the goal of light leakage, can complicate the installation process, adding to costs and frustration of installers. Document DE102019135021A1 discloses an example of a joining system according to the prior art. SUMMARY In general, in one aspect, the disclosure relates to a joining system for joining adjacent light fixtures. The joining system includes a pulling apparatus having a proximal portion, a first distal portion, and a second distal portion. The joining system also includes a bracket configured to be coupled to a frame of a first light fixture, where the bracket includes a frame receiving feature and a pulling apparatus receiving feature, where the frame receiving feature is configured to be slidably coupled to the frame of a second light fixture, and where the pulling apparatus receiving feature is configured to slidably couple to the proximal portion of the pulling apparatus. The joining system further includes a first anchor configured to be coupled to the frame of the second light fixture, where the first anchor comprises a first pulling apparatus coupling feature that is configured to couple to the first distal portion of the pulling apparatus. The joining system also includes a second anchor configured to be coupled to the frame of the second light fixture, where the second anchor comprises a second pulling apparatus coupling feature that is configured to couple to the second distal portion of the pulling apparatus. The joining system further includes a gripper coupled to the pulling apparatus receiving feature of the bracket, where the gripper includes a channel that passes therethrough, and where the channel is configured to have the proximal portion of the pulling apparatus slidably disposed therein. In other aspects, the disclosure relates to a linear lighting system that includes a first linear light fixture includes a first frame having a top wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, where the top wall has an aperture that traverses therethrough toward its distal end. The linear lighting system also includes a second linear light fixture which includes a second frame. The linear lighting system further includes a joining system configured to join the second linear light fixture to the first linear light fixture. The joining system includes a pulling apparatus having a proximal portion, a first distal portion, and a second distal portion. The joining system also includes a bracket coupled to the frame of the first linear light fixture, where the bracket includes a frame receiving feature and a pulling apparatus receiving feature, where the frame receiving feature is configured to be slidably coupled to the frame of the second linear light fixture, and where the pulling apparatus receiving feature is configured to slidably couple to the proximal portion of the pulling apparatus. The joining system further includes a first anchor coupled to the first side wall of the frame of the second linear light fixture, where the first anchor includes a first pulling apparatus coupling feature that is configured to couple to the first distal portion of the pulling apparatus. The joining system also includes a second anchor coupled to the second side wall of the frame of the second linear light fixture, where the second anchor includes a second pulling apparatus coupling feature that is configured to couple to the second distal portion of the pulling apparatus. The joining system further includes a gripper coupled to the pulling apparatus receiving feature of the bracket, where the gripper includes a channel that passes therethrough, where the channel is configured to have the proximal portion of the pulling apparatus slidably disposed therein, and where the gripper reduces slack in the pulling apparatus between the gripper and the first anchor and the second anchor. A distal end of the distal portion of the pulling apparatus is configured to traverse through the aperture in the top wall of the frame of the first linear light fixture, where the second linear light fixture is pulled along the bracket toward the first linear light fixture when a sufficiently large upward force pulls the distal end of the distal portion of the pulling apparatus. These and other aspects, objects, features, and embodiments will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings ill