US 12,292,176 B2
Modular auxiliary lighting system with asymmetrical illumination sources
Christopher D. Nolan, Camillus, NY (US); and Joseph R. Casper, Baldwinsville, NY (US)
Assigned to M3 INNOVATION, LLC, Syracuse, NY (US)
Filed by M3 Innovation, LLC, Syracuse, NY (US)
Filed on Sep. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/374,303.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/377,854, filed on Sep. 30, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2025/0109830 A1, Apr. 3, 2025
Int. Cl. F21S 9/02 (2006.01); F21V 5/00 (2018.01); F21V 21/116 (2006.01); F21V 23/00 (2015.01); F21V 23/04 (2006.01); H05B 47/14 (2020.01); F21W 131/105 (2006.01)
CPC F21S 9/024 (2013.01) [F21V 5/007 (2013.01); F21V 21/116 (2013.01); F21V 23/008 (2013.01); F21V 23/0435 (2013.01); H05B 47/14 (2020.01); F21W 2131/105 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A lighting system, comprising:
at least one lighting module, the lighting module comprising a housing extending from first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis and having an elongated opening in alignment with an illumination source therein;
a first coupler positioned at the first end of the housing and having a first cylindrical portion extending longitudinally outward from the housing and a first flange extending radially outwardly from the first cylindrical portion, wherein the first cylindrical portion defines an outwardly facing bearing surface and has an end face having a first set of electrical contacts and a first set of auxiliary electrical contacts; and
a second coupler positioned at the second end of the housing and having a second cylindrical portion extending longitudinally outward from the housing and a second flange extending radially outwardly from the second cylindrical portion, wherein the second cylindrical portion has an internal bore that permits access to a second set of electrical contacts and a second set of auxiliary electrical contacts positioned within the internal bore;
an auxiliary lighting module, the auxiliary lighting module comprising a housing having an opening and an illumination source therein, and a coupler connected to the auxiliary lighting module housing, the auxiliary lighting module coupler having a set of auxiliary module electrical contacts and the coupler configured for connection to one of the first coupler or the second coupler;
a local power source; and
a controller stack connected to the at least one lighting module by a first set of wiring, and connected to the auxiliary lighting module by a second set of wiring, the controller stack comprising:
an alternating current power supply; and
a switching circuit having a voltage monitor connecting the alternating current power supply and the first set of wiring, and the local power source and the second set of wiring, the voltage monitor measuring for a voltage drop threshold;
wherein the first set of electrical contacts are interconnected to the second set of electrical contacts internally of the lighting module housing; and
wherein the second set of wiring connects the first set of auxiliary electrical contacts and the second set of auxiliary electrical contacts.