Step lighting

Abstract

There is disclosed herein a step lighting fixture including an extrusion having a single channel for receiving a light directing member which directs light from a single lighting string both upwardly and downwardly with respect to a stair edge or stair nose. This enables the edge of a stair and the riser thereof or next lower step to be readily seen by one either descending or ascending the stair or stairway. The light directing member can include a pair of reflectors for reflecting light upwardly and downwardly. Alternatively, it can include a single reflector for reflecting light upwardly, and another section, either clear, segmented or both clear and segmented, for directing light downwardly.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A step lighting fixture comprising 
       an extrusion having a channel for receiving a light directing member and lighting string holder, the extrusion having first and second sections substantially at a right angle to each other for mating with a step edge,  
       a light directing member disposed in the channel of the extrusion and being configured to slide into the channel and be retained therein, the light directing member having a first reflector area for reflecting light upwardly through the extrusion to direct light upwardly from the step lighting fixture capable of being viewed by one walking down a step, and the light directing member further including a second area for enabling light to be directed downwardly toward a riser and/or a step below, and including a holder section for holding and supporting a lighting strip member, and  
       a lighting strip member including a plurality of light sources disposed in the holder section of the light directing member for thereby providing a fixture for directing light from the lighting strip member both upwardly and downwardly from a single lighting strip member.  
     
     
       2. A step lighting fixture as in claim  1  wherein the extrusion is formed of extruded PVC and with a lens section in the first section thereof through which light reflected from the reflector area of the light directing member can pass through. 
     
     
       3. A step lighting fixture as in claim  2  wherein the lens section is translucent. 
     
     
       4. A step lighting fixture as in claim  1  including a second reflector area for reflecting light to enhance the light directed downwardly toward the step below. 
     
     
       5. A step lighting fixture as in claim  1  wherein the light directing member has a segmented section for directing light downwardly toward a riser below. 
     
     
       6. A step lighting fixture as in claim  5  wherein the segmented area is a prism type section. 
     
     
       7. A step lighting fixture as in claim  1  wherein the light directing member includes a substantially clear section for allowing light from the lighting strip member to impinge downwardly toward the step below. 
     
     
       8. A step lighting fixture as in claim  7  wherein the light directing member also includes a segmented section for directing light toward a riser below. 
     
     
       9. A step lighting fixture as in claim  1  wherein the light directing member has first and second edges for mounting with interior areas of a channel of the extrusion for supporting and securing the light directing member within the extrusion, and wherein the light strip member comprises a plurality of LED's disposed in a spaced apart relationship from one end to the other of the light directing member. 
     
     
       10. A step lighting fixture as in claim  9  wherein the light directing member includes a holder section for receiving and holding the lighting strip member. 
     
     
       11. A step lighting fixture as in claim  10  wherein the light directing member includes a clear lens section for directing light toward a step below and a segmented section for directing light toward a riser below. 
     
     
       12. A method of providing low level illumination at a stair edge via a step lighting fixture having a plurality of light sources extending substantially across the vicinity of a stair edge comprising reflecting light from the light sources upwardly from an upper stair edge, and directing light from the light sources downwardly toward a next lower stair, all with a single string of light sources providing the upwardly and downwardly directed illumination. 
     
     
       13. A method as in claim  12  comprising the step of further reflecting light from the light sources to enhance the downwardly directed illumination. 
     
     
       14. A method as in claim  12  further including refracting light from the light sources downwardly. 
     
     
       15. A method as in claim  12  including transmitting light downwardly toward a step below and refracting light downwardly toward a riser below. 
     
     
       16. A step lighting fixture comprising: 
       
         an extrusion having a channel for receiving a lighting strip member, the extrusion having first and second sections substantially at a right angle to each other for mating with a step edge,  
       
       
         a light directing member extending along the extrusion for enabling light to be directed from within the channel downwardly toward a riser and/or a step below,  
       
       
         a lens section extending along a top section of the extrusion for directing light from within the channel upwardly from the step lighting fixture capable of being viewed by one walking down a step, and  
       
       
         a lighting strip member including a plurality of light sources received in the channel for providing a fixture for directing light from the lighting strip member both upwardly and downwardly from a single lighting strip member. 
       
     
     
       17. A step lighting fixture as in claim  16 , wherein the light directing member is slidably received in the channel. 
     
     
       18. A step lighting fixture as in claim  16 , further comprising a holder section extending along the channel for holding and supporting the lighting strip member. 
     
     
       19. A step lighting fixture as in claim  18 , wherein the light directing member includes the holder section thereon. 
     
     
       20. A step lighting fixture as in claim  16 , wherein the light directing member comprises a lens for directing light downward. 
     
     
       21. A step lighting fixture as in claim  20 , wherein the lens comprises a Fresnel or prism lens for refracting and directing light downwardly. 
     
     
       22. A step lighting fixture as in claim  16 , wherein the light directing member extends between the first section and a cover section of the extrusion that extends parallel to the first section. 
     
     
       23. A step lighting fixture as in claim  16 , further comprising a first reflector area within the channel for reflecting light from the lighting strip member upwardly through the lens section. 
     
     
       24. A step lighting fixture as in claim  23 , wherein the light directing member has the first reflector area thereon. 
     
     
       25. A step lighting fixture as in claim  16 , wherein the lighting strip member comprises a plurality of LED's disposed in a spaced apart relationship from one end to the other end of the extrusion. 
     
     
       26. A step lighting fixture as in claim  16 , wherein the extrusion is formed of extruded PVC with the lens section in the first section thereof. 
     
     
       27. A step lighting fixture as in claim  16 , wherein the extrusion includes a slot for receiving a carpet edge. 
     
     
       28. A step lighting fixture comprising: 
       
         an extrusion having a channel for receiving a lighting strip member, the extrusion having top and riser sections substantially at a right angle to each other for mating with a step edge,  
       
       
         a light directing member extending substantially from one end to the other end of the extrusion for enabling light from within the channel to be directed downwardly toward a riser and/or a step below,  
       
       
         a lens section extending along the top section of the extrusion for directing light from within the channel upwardly from the step lighting fixture capable of being viewed by one walking down a step,  
       
       
         a holder section for holding and supporting a lighting strip member in the channel, and  
       
       
         a lighting strip member including a plurality of light sources disposed in the holder section for providing a fixture for directing light from the lighting strip member both upwardly and downwardly from a single lighting strip member. 
       
     
     
       29. A step lighting fixture as in claim  28 , wherein the top section includes a slot for receiving a carpet edge. 
     
     
       30. A step lighting fixture as in claim  28 , wherein the light directing member slidably engages the extrusion. 
     
     
       31. A step lighting fixture as in claim  28 , wherein the light directing member includes the holder section thereon. 
     
     
       32. A step lighting fixture as in claim  28 , wherein the light directing member comprises a lens for directing light downward. 
     
     
       33. A step lighting fixture as in claim  32 , wherein the lens comprises a Fresnel or prism lens for refracting and directing light downwardly. 
     
     
       34. A step lighting fixture as in claim  28 , further comprising a first reflector area within the channel for reflecting light from the lighting strip member upwardly through the lens section. 
     
     
       35. A step lighting fixture as in claim  34 , wherein the light directing member has the first reflector area thereon. 
     
     
       36. A step lighting fixture as in claim  28 , wherein the lighting strip member comprises a plurality of LED's disposed in a spaced apart relationship from one end to the other end of the extrusion. 
     
     
       37. A step lighting fixture as in claim  28 , wherein the extrusion is formed of extruded PVC with the lens section in the top section thereof.