Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Spring clip for a recessed light fixture assembly.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention refers generally to recessed ceiling
5 lighting fixtures and, more particularly, it relates to an improved spring clip for
holding a light fitting into a light fixture and for securing the light fixture to a
ceiling structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of light fixture supporting clips are known. For
example, in U.S. patent 4,739,460 issued April 19, 1988 to Kelsall, there is
described a recessed remodelling light fixture adapted for mounting in an
opening within a ceiling. A pair of snap spring clips of special configuration
are utilized for holding the cylindrical fixture housing within the ceiling. Theclips are disposed in elongated slots which are vertically aligned within the
15 wall of the housing. During installation, the spring clips are rotated outwardly
through the slots to bear against the upper sub-ceiling surface for securely
retaining securely the housing within the ceiling.
In this U.S. patent, nor in the prior art uncovered in a search
directed to the present subject matter, a spring clip is disclosed which serves
20 the dual purpose of securing the fixture housing to the ceiling structure as
well as securing a light fitting or trimming to the light fixture.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
spring clip which, while securing a light fixture housing to a ceiling structure,
25 also serves to allow easy and rapid insertion and removal of a light fitting or
trimming to the light fixture housing.
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This is achieved by providing a spring clip which, in accordance
with the present invention, comprises an elongated body that defines a first
leg section and a second leg section bent relative to the first leg section; thefirst leg section has inner and outer surfaces and an integral resilient tongue
5 portion that extends outwardly from the outer surface. The tongue portion
has, at a free end thereof, a light fitting contacting protuberance. While the
first leg section has, at a free end thereof, a light fixture engaging flange, the
second leg section consists of a first portion contiguous with and inclined
relative to the first leg section and a second portion bent relative to the first
10 portion and has a free end adapted for contacting the ceiling structure.
The present invention also relates to a recessed light fixture
assembly which is adapted to be mounted in an opening of a ceiling
structure. It comprises:
a generally cylindrical light fixture housing having a wall and an
15 opened end; the wall having slot means therein; the wall, at the free end,
displaying a peripheral flange adapted for contacting the ceiling structure;
spring clip means engaged in the slot means; the spring clip
means having an elongated bent body defining a first leg section extending
in the housing and a second leg section extending outside the housing; the
20 first leg section having inner and outer surfaces and a resilient integral
tongue portion extending outwardly from the outer surface; the tongue
portion having, at a free end thereof, first engaging means; and
light fitting means adapted for mounting in the housing; the
fitting means defining an annular body having a generally cylindrical wall and~5 second engaging means thereon;
whereby insertion of the light fitting means in the housing
causes the cylindrical wall of the annular body to flex the resilient tongue
portion of the spring clip means inwardly allowing the light fitting means to besecurely received in the housing as the first and second engaging means
30 inter-engaged; removal of the light fitting means from the housing being
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achieved by exerting a pulling force thereon causing the tongue portion of
the spring clip means to flex to disengage the inter-engaged first and second
engaging means from one another.
Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present
invention will become apparent from the detailed description given
hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that this detailed description,
while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, is given by way of
illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit andscope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a light fixture housing
mounted to a ceiling structure by means of clips made in accordance with the
present invention;
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the clip;
Figure 3 is a front elevation view thereof;
Figure 4 is a rear elevation view thereof;
Figure 5 is a top plan view thereof;
Figure 6 is an exploded view showing the components of the
light fixture assembly to be mounted to a ceiling structure;
Figure 7 is an elevational view showing the assembly of the
components of figure 6; and
Figure 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the lower right
corner shown in figure 7, the light fitting having been removed.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to figure 1, there is shown a light fixture housing 10
being mounted to the subceiling surface 12 of a ceiling structure by means
of a series of clips 14.
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Referring more particularly to figures 2-5, each clip 14 is formed
of a first leg section 16 and of a bent second leg section 18. The first leg
section 16 extends vertically and displays, in the center thereof, an outwardly
projecting punched-out tongue portion 20 having, at its free end, a semi-
5 circular protuberance 22. The lower end of the leg section 16 has a
L-shaped restricted portion 24 including a horizontally extending edge 26.
Adjacent the restricted lower portion 24 is a pair of opposite frontwardly
projecting triangular shaped wing extensions 28 and 30, the function of which
will be described further hereinbelow.
The second leg portion 18 comprises an inclined first portion
30, the upper end of which displays a punched-out projection 32. The
second leg section 18 also includes a vertically extending lower portion 34
with a horizontally extending edge 36.
The clip is preferably constructed of a resilient material such as
spring or sheet steel. This enables the clip to be formed in a simple bending
and stamping operation. The resiliency of the material further enables the
tongue portion to be flexed and the second leg section to also flex relative
to the first leg section.
Referring to figure 6, the light fixture housing 10 has a generally
cylindrical wall 40 with an opened end surrounded by an annular flange 41.
An opening 42 is made in a ceiling 12 so as to receive the housing as
indicated by arrow 44. The cylindrical wall 40 of the light fixture housing 10
has a pair of vertically spaced slots 46 and 48; there are preferably three
sets of these pairs of slots on the cylindrical wall of a housing. As illustrated
in figure 6, the edges 26 and 36 of the clip 14 extend through the slots 48
and 46, respectively, bearing against the outer face of the cylindrical wall.
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Figure 6 also shows a light fitting or trimming, generally
denoted 50, in which is installed a light bulb 52. The light fitting has a
generally cylindrical outer wall 54 in which is provided a rounded groove 56.
The lower end of the light fitting is opened and has an annular flange 58
5 which, as can be seen in figure 7, covers the flange 41 of the light fixture
housing when the components are assembled.
To assemble the light fixture assembly, the light fitting 50 is
inserted, as indicated by arrow 60, into the cylindrical housing forcing the
spring clips to pivot and to adopt the position shown in figure 7. The leg
10 section 16 of the clip bears against the inner surface of the cylindrical
housing while the leg section 18 extends outside the housing with its lower
portion 34 resting against the subceiling surface of the ceiling structure.
During sliding entry, the tongue portion 20 of the spring clip contacts the wall54 of the light fitting until its protuberance 22 engages the peripheral groove
15 56 of the light fitting.
Figure 8 shows the possibility of having various thicknesses of
ceiling 12.
The punched-out portion 32 of the inclined portion 30 of the
second leg section 18 bears against the outer surface of the cylindrical wall
20 acting as a stopper preventing the clip from being dislodged during removal.
Also, figure 8 shows that, whenever it is desired to remove the spring clip
from the housing, a tool is inserted behind the wings 28 or 30 thus freeing
the lower portion edge 26 from its engagement in the slot 48; thereafter, the
second leg portion may be easily retracted through the slot 46.
Although the invention has been described above with respect
with one specific form, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that it
may be modified and refined in various ways. It is therefore wished to have
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it understood that the present invention should not be limited in scope,
except by the terms of the following claims.
