Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BAC~GROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to recessed light fixtures and
to an improvement thereto.
The recessed light ~ixtures that are presently known
are ~ecured in different manner-~ into their recessed positions.
Tho~e reces~ed li~ht fixtures are attached by nails or ~crews to
: the ~upporting con~truction or they are attached to ~ome
supporting hardware or con~truction member that ha~ first to b~
installed before the receptacle of the receq~ed light ~ixture is
attached to it. Such attachment of the recessed light ~ixtures
require~ skill and experience to be properly done and it requires
~ome time and care to properly in~tall the added ~upporting
~lement~. :
: fiUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
: 15 The present invention provide~ recessed light fixtures
with convenient and ~imple clamping ~lements constructed and
arranged to easily and reliably attach the recessed light
fi~tures even for an un~killed person. ~ore ~pecifically, the -~;-
pre~ent invention provides recessed light fi~tures with simple
2~0 clampin~ element~ outwardly projecting from them and adiustably
carried by the receptacles of the light fixtures with tightening
d~vices, ~uch as ~crews, readi 1 y acces~ibl e inside the
receptacles; all, constructed and arranged to easily, readily,
adju~tably, and firmly fix the light fixtures even by an
unskilled person and without the need to add any supporting
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construction element or hardware, thus avoiding the above-
mentioned related difficulties.
8RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a corner of a ceiling
and a room showing recessed light fixtures according to the
present invention:
Figure 2 is a cross-sectioned view of a recessed light
fixture according to one embodiment of the present invention, as
~seen along line 2-2 of Figure 1;
1 10Figure 3 is a top view of the recessed light fixture of
Figure 2 as indicated by the arrows 3 in ~hat figure;
~ igures 4 and 4a are partial vertical cross-sections
illustrating a recessed light fixture according to a second
embotiment o~ the invention in clamped and unclamped positions,
respectively;
Figure 4b i9 a parti~l view of Figure 4 showing the
;in~ertion of the light fixture into a ceiling;
~Figure S is a top view of the recessed light fi~ture of
.~,Figures 4 and 4a as seen in the direction of the arrows 5 in
Figure 4b
Figures 6 and 6a are partial vertical cross-sections
illustrating a recessed light fixture according to a third
embodiment of the invention, ~hown in unclamped and clamped
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poistion~, respectively;
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j~, 25Figure 7 is a top view as seen in the direction of the
arrows 7-7 in Figure 6;
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Figure 7a is a cross-séctional view a~ seen along }ine
7a-7a in Figure 6a;
: Figures 8 and 8a are top views of a recessed light
~: fixture according to a fourth embodiment of the pre-~ent invention
~ 5 shown respectively in operative position and in the process of
; bein~ installed;
Figure 9 is a partial cross-section as seen along line
9-9 in Figure 8;
~ igure 10 i-Q a lateral view as seen in the direction of
the arrow~ 10 in Figure 9;
Figure ll is a view similar to that of figure 2, but of
an alternate embodiment of recessed light fixture;
~: Figure 12 is a top plan view of the recessed light
fixture of figure 11;
Figure 13 is a~ enlarged, cross-sectional view along
lines 13 - 13 of figure 11; and
. Figure 14 is an is~metric, exploded view, at an
enlarged ~cale, of a spring-loaded foot element of the light
fi~ture ~rom figure 11.
20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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Light fixtures 10 according to the present invention :::
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are preferably recessed into a ceiling 11, as ~hown in Figure 1. : :~ :
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The rece~sed }ight fixture 10 according to a first embodiment of ~:~
the present invention, is shown in details in Figures 2 and 3. .
: 25 The recessed light fixture 10 includes a receptacle 12 formed ~ :
with a cylindrical wall 13, a bottom 14 closing the inward end,
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and a rim 15 at the outward end. The rim 15 forms a circular
flange outwardly projecting from the wall 13 around its outer
edge. A porcelain base 16 is mounted in the receptacle to hold a
light bulb 17 in conventional manner. An electrical wire 18
5 e~tends through the wall of the receptacle and feeds electrical
e~ergy through conventional electrical wire connections in the
receptacle.
According to the present invention, at least one
clamping element is provided to clamp or hold the light fixture
10 in recessed po~ition in an aperture 19 in a ceilin~ panel, such
a~ a dry wall panel 20. The clamping element in the embodiment
o~ Figure~ 2 and 3 includes a yoke 21 having a central support
portion 22 and a pair of clamping arm portions 23 at the opposite
end-~ of the central support portion. A pair of screws 24 project
15 through the bottom 14 of the receptacle and have their inward end
threaded through the aentral support portion 22 o$ the yoke with
their head retained against the bottom 14. Thus, the 3crews 24
serve to adjustably join the yoke to the receptacle with the
central portion of the yo~e being operatively biased toward the
20 bottom of the r~ceptacl e. The clamplng arms 23 extend along
/' diametrically-opposite side~ of the wall 13 of the receptacle and
3 are biased by the screws 24 endwise agai~st the inside face of
the panel 20. The circular flange 15 is simultaneou~ly urged
toward the out~ide face of the panel into engagement with a flat
25 decorative ring 25.
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In the embodiment of Pigures 4, 4a, 4b, and 5, the
: reces-~ed light fixture 30 includes a modified receptacle 31, the
: lateral wall of which has a smaller inward cylindrical portion 32and a larger outward cylindrical portion 33. The smaller and
larger wall portions 32 and 33 cooperatively define an annular
shoulder 34. An annular flange or rim 15 and a bottom 14 are
provided as described in relation to the previous embodiment.
The porc~lain base ~ocket 16 and light bulb 17 are shown in dash
lines.
A pair of clamping elements 35 are joined. to the
re~eptacle 31 on diametrically-opposite sides thereof. It must
`~ be appreciated that there may be provided more than two clamping
~;~ element3 35 and may be spaced at any convenient position around
the receptacle. A hol~ is provided through the shoulder 34 at
each of ~he selected positions for the clamping elements 35.
~ ~ach clomping element i~clude3 an iDward support portion 36 and a
:~: clamping outward portion 37. An adjustment screw or bolt 38
~ inwardly e~tends through each hole corrresponding to a clamping
;~ element 35 and e~tends through the support portion 36 of the
latter to join the same to the receptacle. The holes for the
bolts or screws 38 are oversize to allow relative pivoting of
: each clamping element 35, as best seen in Figure 4b, for its
passage through the aperture 19 upon insertion of the light
fixture through that aperture.
It must be noted that this combination allows clamping
to surroundinq coDseruction elementY or ~anels of di ff erent
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thickne~e~. For instance, in Figure 4, the adjustment screw 38
i~ tightened until the clamping arm portion 37 holds against a
relatively thinner panel 39 compared to Figure 4a where a
relatively thicker panel 20 of dry wall and the decorative ring
25 must be accommodated.
Figures 6, 6a, 7, and 7a illustrate a third embodiment
of a recessed light fixture 50 according to the present invention
in which a still different receptacle 51 is used. The ~ide wall
of this receptacle include.~ a smaller inward cylindrical portion
52 and a larger outward cylindrical portion 53 cooperatively
forming an annular shoulder 54. The receptacle 51 is also
provided with a bottom 14 and an annular flange or rim 15, as
aforedescribed in relation with the receptacle 12.
A pair of clamping elements 55, in the ~orm of right
angle brackets, are joined to the receptacle 51 on diametrically-
opposite sides thereof. The clamping element 55 inclu~es a
~upport portion 56 and a clamping arm portion 57. The support
portion 56 i~ formed with an elongated aperture 58 extending
longitudinally thereof. The larger outward cylindrical portion
53 of the receptacle 51 is provided with an elongated aperture 59
longitudinally extending in the axial direction of the
receptacle. Each clamping element 55 has its support port.ion 56
inwardly projecting through the corresponding aperture 59 and has
it~ clamping arm or portion 57 outwardly projecting along the
cylindrical wall portion 53. An adjustment screw 60 e~tends
inwardl~ through the clongated aperture 58 of r corre~pDnding
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clamping element 55 and is threaded through the shoulder 54 to
adjustably join the clamping element to the receptacle. A spring
61, held in a recess 62, is engaged around each adjustment screw
and abut~ against the corresponding clamping element 55 to
outwardly bias the latter.
Figure 6 illu~trates how the c}amping element may be
inwardly retracted and held to allow easy insertion of the light
fixture into the aperture 19. The full inward retraction of the
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~- clamping element by it~ corresponding adjustment screw 60 produce ,-~
10 a clearance Y, as shown in Figure 6, between the outward end of , ',
;~ the clamping arm 57 and the inward face of the panel 20. This
, allows to accommodate panels of different thicknesses. The ''''
clamping elements S5 are clamped in place after outward ' ~
displacement thereof in the direction of the arrows 63 and 64 ,~ , ,
where they are retained under the bias of the springs 61.
Predetermined adju~tment~ are thus provided in the in-an-out
direction and in the lateral direction, as indicated by the
distances Y and X, respectivley. ~ ' -
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~` Figures 8, 8a, 9, and 10 illustrate a fourth embodiment
20 of a recessed light fixture 70 according to the present invention
,and including a receptacle 12, as aforedescribed in relation with
~,~ Figures 2 and 3. A pair of brackets 71 are fixedly attached
against the external surface of the side wall 13 in
diametrically-opposite position~ relative to it. A clamping
element 72 i~ adjustably joined to each bracket 71 by an
adjustment screw 73. Each clamping element 72 includes a support
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portion formed with an elongated aperture 74 extending
longitudinally of th~ clamping element. Each screw 73 extends
through the elongated aperture 74 and is screwed in the
corresponding bracket 71 to allow clamping adjustment of each
clampi~g element 72 toward and away relative to the f}ange 15 to
clamping the panel 15. I~ addition to the circular aperture 19
cut in the panel 20, there are provided a pair of cutouts 75, of
appropriate 3ize and positions, to allow spaces for the passage
of the brackets 71 and clamping element~ 72 upon insertion of the
light fixture into the circular aperture. Each clamping element
72 includes a curved and flexible clamping arm or portion 76.
Before insertion of the light fixture 70, its clamping elements
72 must first be adjusted toward or away relative to the annular
flange 15 in relation to the thicknesQ of the panel 15. This is
done by slacking the scre~s 73 to slide the clamping eleme~t to
the desired position, as allo~ed by the adjustment slot 74. The
clamping element3 72 are tightened in position, such that its
curved re3ilient portion 76 will deflect and exerts a clamping
pressure against the panel 20 upon rotation of the light fixture
70, as shown by the arrows in Figure 8a, after full insertion of
the same into its desired recessed position.
Figures 11 to 14 i}lustrate a fifth embodiment of a
recessed light fixture 80, according to the present invention,
and includes a receptacle 12, again as described herein above in
relation with figures 2 - 3. The light fixture 80 is clamped in
recessed po3ition in the aperture 19 of the ceiling panel 20,
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thanks to ~pring-loaded foot members, generally designated by 82.
Two ~uch opposite foo$ members 82 are shown, but more than two
feet 82 could also be mounted to the receptacle 12 provided they
are equidistant. Each foot member 82 includes a pair of ears 84,
86, integral to wall 13 and projecting outwardly therefrom in
spaced register with each other, at a position intermediate rim
15 and base 14 of the receptacle 12. A bolt 88 is engageable
through ears 84, 86 to be locked by nut 90.thereabout. A tapered
rigid block or finger 92 having a transverse through-bore 94 at
0 it5 large end engages between ears 84 - 86 at its large end,
wherein bolt 88 extends through bore 94 and ears B4 - 86 to
permit pivotal motion of the finger 92 about the axis of bolt 94,
that is, sub~tantially tangentially to the registering section of
the wall 13. A notch 96 is made longitudinally of the large end
lS of finger 92, and a sturdy coil spring 98 is engaged within that
notch around the bolt 94. Coil spring 98 has two opposite,
straight end -~ections 98a, 98b with .~ection 98a engaging a small
tran~verse through bore 100 made in one leg 92a of the two legs
formed by the finger 92 about notch 96.
Spring leg 98b will be made to abut against the
receptacle wall 13 in a direction opposite rim 15. Spring 98 is
biased to pivot finger 92 toward~ rim lS. Finger 92 preferably
has a curved end 102 and must be longer than the distance bet~een
rim 15 and bolt 94.
The two finger.~ 92 are manually pivoted away from rim
15 against wall 13 to the dotted line position of figure 11 in
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order that they clear ceiling aperture 19 to enable upward
insertion of receptacle 12 through aperture 19 until finger ends
102 have moved past ceiling tile 20. Then fingers 92 will
gradually pivot downwardly against the edge of aperture 19 during
further insertion. When receptacle 12 is fully inserted, fingers
92 abut against the top face of ceiling 20 and are biased by
springs 98 to move receptacle rim lS against the lower face of
decorative ring 25. To remove the fixture 80, it is simply
pulled downwardly so as to cause upward pivoting of fingers 92
10 and their clearing of aperture 19. -
The curved free end 102 of each finger 92 is to form a
convex surface for sliding on tile 20 during receptacle
insertion.
It will be noted that all the embodiments of the
invention enable clamping of the fi~ture to panel~ of different
thicknesses.
The receptacle and the clamping elements are made of
heat re3isting material. Preferably the material is moldable.
One 3uitable material lS a glass containing resin sold under the
registered trade-mark "Premi-Glas" under code 3100 BMC-LS by
Premlx lnc, P.O. 80* 281, North ~ingsville, Ohio 44068. U.S.A.
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