Granted Patent B1

US 12,264,809 · App. 18/883,278 · Granted Apr 1, 2025

Inventor: Justin Crawmer (Newark, OH)

F21V21/38F21V21/15

Abstract

Claims (119)

1. A retractable light fixture device for either lowering or raising a light fixture with a remote control, said device comprising:

a support panel having a pair of suspensions each being attached to said support panel wherein each of said pair of suspensions is configured to be attached to a support on a horizontal support surface thereby enabling said support panel to be suspended from the horizontal support surface;

a lifting unit being rotatably attached to said support panel, said lifting unit being actuatable to rotate in either a first direction or a second direction, said lifting unit rotating a fixed number of rotations when said lifting unit is actuated to rotate in said first direction, said lifting unit rotating a fixed number or rotations when said lifting unit is actuated to rotate in said second direction;

a communication unit being attached to said support panel, said communication unit being in communication with said lifting unit, said communication unit being in wireless communication with a remote control thereby enabling said remote control to remotely actuate said lifting unit to rotate in either said first direction or said second direction;

a light fixture being attached to said lifting unit wherein said light fixture is configured to emit light outwardly from said light fixture when said light fixture is turned on, said light fixture being lifted toward said support panel when said lifting unit is actuated to rotate in said first direction wherein said light fixture is configured to be lifted to enable an overhead door to travel beneath said light fixture when the overhead door is in an open position, said light fixture being lowered away from said support panel when said lifting unit is actuated to rotate in said second direction wherein said light fixture is configured to be positioned near a work area thereby enabling said light fixture to illuminate the work area when said light fixture is turned on;

wherein each of said pair of suspensions has a first end and a second end;

wherein said first end of each of said pair of suspensions is attached to a front edge of said support panel;

wherein said second end of each of said pair of suspensions is attached to a back edge of said support panel;

wherein each of said pair of suspensions is located adjacent to a respective one of a first end and a second end of said support panel;

wherein said support panel has a pair of holes each extending through a top surface and a bottom surface of said support panel;

wherein each of said holes is spaced from a respective one of said first end and said second end;

wherein said support panel is elongated between said first end and said second end;

wherein said support panel has a channel being recessed into said top surface;

wherein said channel is elongated to extend a substantial distance between said pair of holes; and

wherein said channel is centrally located between said front edge and said back edge of said support panel.

2. The retractable light fixture device according to claim 1 , wherein:

said lifting unit includes a motor being mounted to said top surface of said support panel;

said motor is located adjacent to said first end of said support panel;

said motor is actuatable to rotate in a first direction or a second direction;

said lifting unit includes a bearing being mounted to said top surface of said support panel;

said bearing is located adjacent to said second end of said support panel;

said lifting unit includes a shaft having a coupled end being coupled to an output of said motor thereby enabling said motor to rotate said shaft in said first direction or said second direction when said motor is actuated;

said shaft having a free end which rotatably engages said bearing thereby enabling said shaft to rotate about an axis being oriented parallel to said top surface of said support panel;

said shaft is comprised of an electrically conductive material;

said lifting unit includes a pair of spools;

each of said pair of spools is positioned around said shaft such that each of said pair of spools rotates with said shaft;

each of said pair of spools is located over a respective one of said pair of holes in said support panel;

said lifting unit includes a screw having said shaft extending through said screw;

said screw is centrally located between said pair of spools;

said screw is affixed to said shaft such that said screw rotates with said shaft;

said screw has an outer surface being threaded;

said lifting unit includes a pair of nuts;

each of said pair of nuts is positioned around said screw having each of said pair of nuts threadably engaging said outer surface of said screw;

said pair of nuts is spaced a strategic distance apart from each other on said screw;

each of said pair of nuts includes a member which is coupled to and extends downwardly from a respective nut and which extends into said channel in said top surface of said support panel such that said member on each of said pair of nuts inhibits said pair of nuts from rotating when said screw is rotated;

each of said pair of nuts travels along said screw in a first direction when said screw is rotated in said first direction;

each of said pair of nuts travels along said screw in a second direction when said screw is rotated in said second direction; and

said pair of nuts includes a lift nut and a lower nut.

3. The retractable light fixture device according to claim 2 , wherein:

said lifting unit includes a pair of conductors;

each of said pair of conductors is wrapped around a respective one of said pair of spools;

each of said pair of conductors is comprised of an electrically conductive material;

each of said pair of conductors has a coupled end being electrically coupled to said shaft such that each of said pair of conductors is in electrical communication with said shaft;

each of said pair of conductors extends downwardly through a respective one of said pair of holes in said support panel;

each of said pair of conductors is rolled around said respective spool when said shaft is rotated in said first direction; and

each of said pair of conductors is unrolled from said respective spool when said shaft is rotated in said second direction thereby enabling each of said pair of conductors to be lowered through said respective hole in said support panel.

4. The retractable light fixture device according to claim 2 , wherein:

said lifting unit includes a lift limit switch being mounted to said top surface of said support panel;

said lift limit switch is positioned beneath said shaft at a point located adjacent to a respective one of said pair of spools;

said lift limit switch is electrically coupled to said motor;

said lift nut travels toward said lift limit switch when said screw is rotated in said first direction;

said lift limit switch is actuated into an off condition when said lift nut engages said lift limit switch thereby de-actuating said motor when said motor is rotating in said first direction; and

said lift limit switch is normally in an on condition when said lift nut does not engage said lift limit switch thereby enabling said motor to be actuated to rotate in said first direction.

5. The retractable light fixture device according to claim 2 , wherein:

said lifting unit includes a lower limit switch being mounted to said top surface of said support panel;

said lower limit switch is positioned beneath said shaft at a point located adjacent to a respective one of said pair of spools;

said lower limit switch is electrically coupled to said motor;

said lower nut travels toward said lower limit switch when said screw is rotated in said second direction;

said lower limit switch is actuated into an off condition when said lower nut engages said lower limit switch thereby de-actuating said motor when said motor is rotating in said second direction; and

said lower limit switch is normally in an on condition when said lower nut does not engage said lower limit switch thereby enabling said motor to be actuated to rotate in said second direction.

6. A retractable light fixture device for either lowering or raising a light fixture with a remote control, said device comprising:

a support panel having a pair of suspensions each being attached to said support panel wherein each of said pair of suspensions is configured to be attached to a support on a horizontal support surface thereby enabling said support panel to be suspended from the horizontal support surface;

a lifting unit being rotatably attached to said support panel, said lifting unit being actuatable to rotate in either a first direction or a second direction, said lifting unit rotating a fixed number of rotations when said lifting unit is actuated to rotate in said first direction, said lifting unit rotating a fixed number or rotations when said lifting unit is actuated to rotate in said second direction;

a communication unit being attached to said support panel, said communication unit being in communication with said lifting unit, said communication unit being in wireless communication with a remote control thereby enabling said remote control to remotely actuate said lifting unit to rotate in either said first direction or said second direction;

a light fixture being attached to said lifting unit wherein said light fixture is configured to emit light outwardly from said light fixture when said light fixture is turned on, said light fixture being lifted toward said support panel when said lifting unit is actuated to rotate in said first direction wherein said light fixture is configured to be lifted to enable an overhead door to travel beneath said light fixture when the overhead door is in an open position, said light fixture being lowered away from said support panel when said lifting unit is actuated to rotate in said second direction wherein said light fixture is configured to be positioned near a work area thereby enabling said light fixture to illuminate the work area when said light fixture is turned on;

wherein said lifting unit includes a shaft being comprised of an electrically conductive material;

wherein said lifting unit includes a transformer being mounted to a top surface of said support panel;

wherein said transformer includes a slip ring extending upwardly from said transformer;

wherein said slip ring is comprised of an electrically conductive material;

wherein said slip ring is electrically coupled to an output of said transformer; and

wherein said shaft extends through said slip ring such that said shaft is in electrical communication with said slip ring thereby enabling said shaft to be in electrical communication with said transformer.

7. The retractable light fixture device according to claim 6 , wherein:

said lifting unit includes an electronics housing being mounted to said bottom surface of said support panel;

said lifting unit includes a power supply being positioned within said electronics housing;

said power supply is electrically coupled to an input of said transformer;

said power supply includes a power cord extending away from said power supply; and

said power cord has a male plug being electrically coupled to a distal end of said power cord wherein said male plug is configured to be electrically coupled to a power source comprising a female electrical outlet.

8. The retractable light fixture device according to claim 7 , wherein:

said lifting unit includes a motor;

said communication unit includes a control processor being located within said electronics housing;

said control processor receives a lift input and a lower input and an on input and an off input;

said control processor is electrically coupled to said power supply;

said control processor is electrically coupled to said motor;

said motor is actuated to rotate in a first direction when said control processor receives said lift input;

said motor is actuated to rotate in a second direction when said control processor receives said lower input;

said communication unit includes a receiver being located within said electronics housing;

said receiver is electrically coupled to said control processor;

said receiver is in wireless communication with said remote control;

said control processor receives said lift input when said receiver receives a lift command from said remote control;

said control processor receives said lower input when said receiver receives a lower command from said remote control;

said control processor receives said on input when said receiver receives an on command from said remote control; and

said control processor receiving said off input when said receiver receives an off command from said remote control.

9. The retractable light fixture device according to claim 8 , wherein:

said lifting unit includes a pair of conductors;

each of said pair of conductors is in electrical communication with said transformer;

said light fixture is attached to a distal end of each of said pair of conductors such that said light fixture is suspended beneath said support panel;

said light fixture is electrically coupled to each of said pair of conductors thereby enabling said light fixture to be in electrical communication with said transformer such that said transformer supplies electrical power to said light fixture;

said light fixture is in electrical communication with said control processor;

said light fixture is turned on when said control processor receives said on input; and

said light fixture is turned off when said control processor receives said off input.

10. A retractable light fixture device for either lowering or raising a light fixture with a remote control, said device comprising:

a support panel having a pair of suspensions each being attached to said support panel wherein each of said pair of suspensions is configured to be attached to a support on a horizontal support surface thereby enabling said support panel to be suspended from the horizontal support surface, each of said pair of suspensions having a first end and a second end, said first end of each of said pair of suspensions being attached to a front edge of said support panel, said second end of each of said pair of suspensions being attached to a back edge of said support panel, each of said pair of suspensions being located adjacent to a respective one of a first end and a second end of said support panel, said support panel having a pair of holes each extending through a top surface and a bottom surface of said support panel, each of said holes being spaced from a respective one of said first end and said second end, said support panel being elongated between said first end and said second end, said support panel having a channel being recessed into said top surface, said channel being elongated to extend a substantial distance between said pair of holes, said channel being centrally located between said front edge and said back edge of said support panel;

a lifting unit being rotatably attached to said support panel, said lifting unit being actuatable to rotate in either a first direction or a second direction, said lifting unit rotating a fixed number of rotations when said lifting unit is actuated to rotate in said first direction, said lifting unit rotating a fixed number or rotations when said lifting unit is actuated to rotate in said second direction, said lifting unit comprising:

a motor being mounted to said top surface of said support panel, said motor being located adjacent to said first end of said support panel, said motor being actuatable to rotate in a first direction or a second direction;

a bearing being mounted to said top surface of said support panel, said bearing being located adjacent to said second end of said support panel;

a shaft having a coupled end being coupled to an output of said motor thereby enabling said motor to rotate said shaft in said first direction or said second direction when said motor is actuated, said shaft having a free end which rotatably engages said bearing thereby enabling said shaft to rotate about an axis being oriented parallel to said top surface of said support panel, said shaft being comprised of an electrically conductive material;

a pair of spools, each of said pair of spools being positioned around said shaft such that each of said pair of spools rotates with said shaft, each of said pair of spools being located over a respective one of said pair of holes in said support panel;

a screw having said shaft extending through said screw, said screw being centrally located between said pair of spools, said screw being affixed to said shaft such that said screw rotates with said shaft, said screw having an outer surface being threaded;

a pair of nuts, each of said pair of nuts being positioned around said screw having each of said pair of nuts threadably engaging said outer surface of said screw, said pair of nuts being spaced a strategic distance apart from each other on said screw, each of said pair of nuts including a member which is coupled to and extends downwardly from a respective nut and which extends into said channel in said top surface of said support panel such that said member on each of said pair of nuts inhibits said pair of nuts from rotating when said screw is rotated, each of said pair of nuts traveling along said screw in a first direction when said screw is rotated in said first direction, each of said pair of nuts travelling along said screw in a second direction when said screw is rotated in said second direction, said pair of nuts including a lift nut and a lower nut;

a pair of conductors, each of said pair of conductors being wrapped around a respective one of said pair of spools, each of said pair of conductors being comprised of an electrically conductive material, each of said pair of conductors having a coupled end being electrically coupled to said shaft such that each of said pair of conductors is in electrical communication with said shaft, each of said pair of conductors extending downwardly through a respective one of said pair of holes in said support panel, each of said pair of conductors being rolled around said respective spool when said shaft is rotated in said first direction, each of said pair of conductors being unrolled from said respective spool when said shaft is rotated in said second direction thereby enabling each of said pair of conductors to be lowered through said respective hole in said support panel;

a lift limit switch being mounted to said top surface of said support panel, said lift limit switch being positioned beneath said shaft at a point located adjacent to a respective one of said pair of spools, said lift limit switch being electrically coupled to said motor, said lift nut traveling toward said lift limit switch when said screw is rotated in said first direction, said lift limit switch being actuated into an off condition when said lift nut engages said lift limit switch thereby de-actuating said motor when said motor is rotating in said first direction, said lift limit switch being normally in an on condition when said lift nut does not engage said lift limit switch thereby enabling said motor to be actuated to rotate in said first direction;

a lower limit switch being mounted to said top surface of said support panel, said lower limit switch being positioned beneath said shaft at a point located adjacent to a respective one of said pair of spools, said lower limit switch being electrically coupled to said motor, said lower nut traveling toward said lower limit switch when said screw is rotated in said second direction, said lower limit switch being actuated into an off condition when said lower nut engages said lower limit switch thereby de-actuating said motor when said motor is rotating in said second direction, said lower limit switch being normally in an on condition when said lower nut does not engage said lower limit switch thereby enabling said motor to be actuated to rotate in said second direction;

a transformer being mounted to said top surface of said support panel, said transformer including a slip ring extending upwardly from said transformer, said slip ring being comprised of an electrically conductive material, said slip ring being electrically coupled to an output of said transformer, said shaft extending through said slip ring such that said shaft is in electrical communication with said slip ring thereby enabling said shaft to be in electrical communication with said transformer;

an electronics housing being mounted to said bottom surface of said support panel;

a power supply being positioned within said electronics housing, said power supply being electrically coupled to an input of said transformer, said power supply including a power cord extending away from said power supply, said power cord having a male plug being electrically coupled to a distal end of said power cord wherein said male plug is configured to be electrically coupled to a power source comprising a female electrical outlet;

a communication unit being attached to said support panel, said communication unit being in communication with said lifting unit, said communication unit being in wireless communication with a remote control thereby enabling said remote control to remotely actuate said lifting unit to rotate in either said first direction or said second direction, said communication unit comprising:

a control processor being located within said electronics housing, said control processor receiving a lift input and a lower input and an on input and an off input, said control processor being electrically coupled to said power supply, said control processor being electrically coupled to said motor, said motor being actuated to rotate in said first direction when said control processor receives said lift input, said motor being actuated to rotate in said second direction when said control processor receives said lower input; and

a receiver being located within said electronics housing, said receiver being electrically coupled to said control processor, said receiver being in wireless communication with said remote control, said control processor receiving said lift input when said receiver receives a lift command from said remote control, said control processor receiving said lower input when said receiver receives a lower command from said remote control, said control processor receiving said on input when said receiver receives an on command from said remote control, said control processor receiving said off input when said receiver receives an off command from said remote control; and

a light fixture being attached to said lifting unit wherein said light fixture is configured to emit light outwardly from said light fixture when said light fixture is turned on, said light fixture being lifted toward said support panel when said lifting unit is actuated to rotate in said first direction wherein said light fixture is configured to be lifted to enable an overhead door to travel beneath said light fixture when the overhead door is in an open position, said light fixture being lowered away from said support panel when said lifting unit is actuated to rotate in said second direction wherein said light fixture is configured to be positioned near a work area thereby enabling said light fixture to illuminate the work area when said light fixture is turned on, said light fixture being attached to a distal end of each of said pair of conductors such that said light fixture is suspended beneath said support panel, said light fixture being electrically coupled to each of said pair of conductors thereby enabling said light fixture to be in electrical communication with said transformer such that said transformer supplies electrical power to said light fixture, said light fixture being in electrical communication with said control processor, said light fixture being turned on when said control processor receives said on input, said light fixture being turned off when said control processor receives said off input.

References Cited (10)