Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: RECESSED LIGHT FIXTURE
I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to low voltage lighting systems, and
more particularly to
a recessed light fixture.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recessed light fixtures are in widespread use in residential and commercial
use premises. They
appeal to designers both for the fact that they take up virtually no space in
a room, being
generally recessed into the floor, ceiling and vertical walls.
In the landscaping arts, it is customary to delimit flower beds, lawns and
pathways with masonry
edging. The use of this type of edging requires a lot of time and a variety of
building elements.
It has been found that there was a need for a low-voltage lighting system
which may be used
flush to a mounting surface.
Several patents have addressed the issue of developing and improving recessed
light fixtures.
Thus, United States Patent No. 6,491,407, granted on December 10, 2002 to
Beadle for an "IN-
GROUND LIGHTING FIXTURE WITH GIMBALED LAMP ASSEMBLY" describes a fixture
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having a housing incorporating a lamp assembly comprising a shroud portion, a
window and a
base portion which encloses a lamp and a reflector. A first end of the base
portion is provided
with external screw threads with an O-ring seat formed below the lowest
thread. The outer
diameter of the O-ring is larger than the diameter of the external screw
threads, thus generating
significant resistance to the relative rotation of the base and shroud
portions causing the O-ring
to be compressed. Beadle's device presents three main disadvantages. First, it
is difficult to
assess whether the relative rotation is terminated and an appropriate sealing
is achieved, since it
depends on the strength of the person performing the assembling. Second,
generally, no tool can
be used for the tightening operation. Third, machining the screw threads
requires precision and it
is costly. EP Patent No.1,467,142, published October 13, 2004, the name of the
inventor Mas
Phillipe and having the title "LUMINAIRE RECESSED IN THE GROUND COMPRISING A
TEMPERATURE REDUCTION SYSTEM" discloses a light having a reservation pot that
includes vertical blades passing through interior of a circular space filled
with air. A lighting
body has exterior vertical blades that pass through the interior of the
circular space and are
inserted between the vertical blades. The vertical and the exterior vertical
blades are distributed
all around the periphery of the light to form a temperature reduction system.
The main
shortcoming of the foregoing system resides in its complexity.
II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Based on the above discussion, there is a need for an improved recessed light
fixture.
It is a first objective of the present invention to develop a well engineered
recessed fixture, with
enhanced reliability and service life.
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It is a second objective of the present invention to develop a recessed light
fixture capable of
withstanding pedestrian weight.
It is a third objective of the present invention to so design a recessed light
fixture, as to more
effectively dissipate heat generate by the light source.
It is a fourth objective of the present invention to construct a recessed
light fixture, adaptable to
any climate or weather, so that snow and ice could melt of easily.
It is a fifth objective of the present invention to easily install and service
the fixture.
Broadly describing, the recessed light fixture, according the present
invention comprises:
a housing;
a sealing subassembly mounted to the housing for waterproofing it;
an electrical light subassembly positioned within the housing;
a lid subassembly superimposed on the housing for closing it when the
electrical light
subassembly and the sealing subassembly are already mounted to the housing;
and
a fastening subassembly for affixing the lid subassembly to the housing and
for securing the
latter to a firm member of a in-floor or alike structure.
The housing has a shape of a hollow, single piece cylinder, is provided with a
top
and a bottom and starts from the top with an internal, relatively shallow
cylindrical cavity
and continues downwardly towards the bottom with an internal, relatively deep
cylindrical cavity. The interior diameter of the former is lesser than the
interior
diameter of the latter.
The housing has, as well, several closed, threaded holes, equidistantly spaced
on a
circumference coaxial with the external circumference of the housing and the
circumference of the internal, relatively shallow cylindrical cavity. The
several closed, threaded
holes are disposed between the former and the latter and extend from
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the top inwardly into a wall situated between a surface defined by the
external
circumference of the housing and a surface of the internal, relatively deep
cylindrical
cavity.
The housing also incorporates:
a first annular shallow channel starting from the top and disposed between the
circumference
corresponding to the several threaded holes and the circumference
corresponding to the internal, relatively shallow cylindrical cavity; the
first annular
shallow channel being coaxial with the foregoing circumferences; and
a second annular shallow channel extending radially, proximately to the top,
into a wall of the
internal, relatively shallow cylindrical cavity.
The cylindrical external surface of the housing is interrupted, adjacent to
the bottom,
by a flat, relatively small zone. An identical, threaded aperture is formed,
centrally, in each
mentioned items, namely the bottom and the flat, relatively small zone. One of
the identical,
threaded apertures is usually closed by a sealing, threaded plug.
A pair of closed, threaded openings being situated approximately midway
between the top and
the bottom and located diametrically, extends radially from the cylindrical
external surface of the
housing into the wall of the latter.
the sealing subassembly includes a first and second O-rings. The first O-ring
is partially inserted
into the first annular shallow channel and partially protruding outside the
latter. The second O-
ring is partially inserted into the second annular shallow channel and
partially protruding outside
the latter.
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The electrical light subassembly is located within the housing and includes a
lamp socket to
which is plugged a lamp, usually of low voltage, located in a focus of a
reflector having a base
end and an upper end. Generally, the lamp and the reflector form an unitary
part. The latter
extends outwardly and horizontally into a peripheral, substantially flat
flange. The reflector is
internally received in the housing and seated with the peripheral,
substantially flat flange and
partially with its upper end of the reflector on a shoulder. The shoulder is
located within the
annular shallow channel and formed by a protruding part of the second O-ring.
Thus, the
reflector engages and is retained against the latter. In a position
corresponding to the recessed
light fixture not completely assembled, the
peripheral flat flange protrudes somewhat above the top of the housing.
The electrical light subassembly includes as well means for reacting to excess
of temperature.
The light emitting source of the recessed light is controlled by the means for
reacting to excess
of temperature that detects when a temperature of the recessed light fixture
exceeds a
temperature permissible by regulatory codes and turns off the light. A water-
tight fitting is
tightened into one of the two threaded apertures, the other one being closed
by the sealing,
threaded plug. The electrical light subassembly is adapted to use an
electrical wiring
entering/exiting throughout the water-tight fitting and connectors for
interconnecting the lamp
socket and the means for reacting to excess of temperature. Potting material
is used for attaching
to the interior of the housing, after their insulation, the means for reacting
to excess of
temperature.
The lid subassembly includes first lid means for contacting with the top of
the housing and
second lid means for superposing on the first lid means. Both the first and
second lid means axe
provided, for allowing light to pass therethrough, with a lens, and, for
attaching to the housing,
with several bores coinciding with the several closed, threaded holes that
extent into the housing.
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Each of the several bores, drilled into the first lid means for contacting
with the top of the
housing, is provided with a lower threaded part and an upper cylindrical part.
The lower threaded
part has a diameter larger than the diameter of the closed, threaded holes,
while the upper
cylindrical part has a diameter larger than the lower threaded part. A
plurality of slots, disposed
in the second lid means for superposing on the first lid means, communicate
with an internal
space wherein heated air is generated between the first lid means for
contacting with the top of
the housing and the second lid means for superposing on the first lid means.
The recessed light fixture further comprises fastening means for affixing the
lid subassembly to
the housing and for securing the latter to a firm member of an in-floor or
alike structure.
In one aspect of the present invention, a housing for use in a recessed light
fixture comprises
a housing;
a sealing subassembly mounted to the housing for waterproofing it;
an electrical light subassembly positioned within the housing;
a lid subassembly superimposed on the housing for closing it when the
electrical light
subassembly and the sealing subassembly are already mounted to the housing;
and
a fastening subassembly for affixing the lid subassembly to the housing and
for securing the
latter to a firm member of a in-floor or alike structure.
The housing for use in a recessed light fixture has a shape of a hollow,
single piece cylinder and
is provided with a top and a bottom and starts from the top with an internal,
relatively shallow
cylindrical cavity and continues downwardly towards the bottom with an
internal, relatively deep
cylindrical cavity. The interior diameter of the former is lesser than the
interior
diameter of the latter.
The housing has also several closed, threaded holes, equidistantly spaced on a
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circumference coaxial with and between the external circumference of the
housing and the
circumference of the internal, relatively shallow cylindrical cavity, and
disposed
between the former and the latter. The several closed, threaded holes extend
from
the top inwardly into a wall situated between a surface defined by the
external
circumference of the housing and a surface of the internal, relatively deep
cylindrical
cavity.
The housing also incorporates
a first annular shallow channel starting from the top and disposed between the
circumference corresponding to the several threaded holes and the
circumference
corresponding to the internal, relatively shallow cylindrical cavity. The
first annular
shallow channel is coaxial with the foregoing circumferences.
A second annular shallow channel extends radially, proximately to the top,
into a wall of the
internal, relatively shallow cylindrical cavity. The cylindrical external
surface of the housing is
interrupted, adjacent to the bottom, by a flat, relatively small zone. An
identical, threaded
aperture is formed, centrally, in each mentioned items, namely the bottom and
the flat, relatively
small zone. One of the identical, threaded apertures is usually closed by a
sealing, threaded plug.
The housing finally comprises a pair of closed, threaded openings, situated
approximately
midway between the top and the bottom and located diametrically, that extends
radia,lly from the
cylindrical external surface of the housing into the wall of the latter.
III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Although the characteristic features of the invention will be particularly
pointed
out in the claims, the invention itself and the manner in which it may be made
and
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used may be better understood by referring to the following description and
accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout
the
several views of the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the recessed insert fixture of the
present invention,
with a portion of the housing vertically sectioned at 120°;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the housing of the present invention with a
portion shown in
sectional view at 120°;
Figure 3 is a vertical cross-section of the recessed insert fixture, depicted
without the pair of
brackets and their screws;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the lid subassembly wherein first and second
lids are partially
shown in cross-section;
Figure 5 is a perspective view, partially in cross-section, of a variant of
the second lid of Figure
4, wherein a flange of flat, circular shape is used; and
Figure 6 is a perspective view, partially in cross-section, of another variant
of the second lid of
Figure 4, wherein a square flange is used.
The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present
invention: a
recessed light fixture 10.
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It is to be agreed, that terms, such as "top", "bottom", "vertical" and
"horizontal" are
conventionally considered in the present description with reference to the use
of recessed light
fixture 10 in-floor or in-ground. The foregoing use is not limiting. Recessed
light fixture 10
could be adapted as well for vertical wall marking or for allowing light rays
to pass to the
surrounding environment from the ceiling.
The preferred embodiment comprises five primary components:
a housing 100;
~ a sealing subassembly 200 mounted to housing 100 for waterproofing the
latter;
~ an electrical light subassembly 300 positioned within housing 100;
~ a lid subassembly 400 superimposed on housing 100 for closing it when
electrical light
subassembly 200 and sealing subassembly 300 are already mounted to housing
100; and
~ a fastening subassembly 500 for affixing lid subassembly 400 to housing 100
and for
securing the latter to a firm member of a in-floor or alike structure.
Turning to FIGS. 1 to 3, housing 100 is depicted as a hollow, single piece
cylinder that is
provided with a top 105 and a bottom 110 and starts from top 105 with an
internal, relatively
shallow cylindrical cavity 11 S and continues downwardly towards bottom 110
with an internal,
relatively deep cylindrical cavity 120. Housing 100, internal, relatively
shallow cylindrical cavity
115 and internal, relatively deep cylindrical cavity 120 are coaxial and the
interior diameter of
the former is lesser than the interior diameter of the latter.
Three closed, threaded holes 125 are equidistantly spaced on a circumference
coaxial with and
between the external circumference of housing 100 and the circumference of
internal, relatively
shallow cylindrical cavity 115, and disposed between the former and the
latter. Three closed,
threaded holes 125 extend from top 105 inwardly into a wall situated between a
surface defined
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by the external circumference of housing 100 and a surface of internal,
relatively deep
cylindrical cavity 120.
A first annular shallow channel 130 that starts from top 105 is disposed
between the
circumference corresponding to the three threaded holes 125 and the
circumference
corresponding to internal, relatively shallow cylindrical cavity 115. First
annular shallow
channel 130 is coaxial with the foregoing circumferences.
A second annular shallow channel 135 extends radially, proximately to top 105,
into the wall of
internal, relatively shallow cylindrical cavity 115.
The cylindrical external surface of housing 100 is interrupted, adjacent to
bottom 110, by a flat,
relatively small zone 140. An identical, threaded aperture 145 is formed,
centrally, in each
mentioned items, namely bottom 110 and flat, relatively small zone 140.
Usually, one of
identical, threaded apertures 145 is closed by a sealing, threaded plug 150.
A pair of closed, threaded openings 155, situated approximately midway between
top 105 and
bottom 110 and diametrically located, extends from the cylindrical external
surface of housing
100 into the wall of the latter.
As can be seen in FIG.1, sealing subassembly 200 includes
first and second O-rings 205 and, respectively, 210. First O-ring 205 is
partially inserted into
first annular shallow channel 130 and partially protrudes outside the latter.
Second O-ring 210 is
partially inserted into second annular shallow channel 135 and partially
protrudes outside the
latter.
Turning to FIG.3, electrical light subassembly 300 that is positioned within
housing 100
comprises:
~ a lamp socket 305 to which is plugged,
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~ a lamp 310 located in a focus of a parabolic reflector 315 that has a base
end and a upper
end, the latter extending outwardly and horizontally into a peripheral,
substantially flat flange
320; lamp 310, combined with parabolic reflector 315 in one entity, used in
this embodiment, is
of low voltage type (12V) lamp, commercially available under the name MR 16;
optionally,
other normal or low voltage lamps or LED (light emitting diode) lamps can be
used; parabolic
reflector 315 is received internally in housing 100 and seated with its
peripheral, substantially
flat flange 320 and partially with its upper end of parabolic reflector 315 on
a shoulder located
within second annular shallow channel 130; the shoulder is formed by the
protruding part of
second O-ring 210 and, thus, parabolic reflector 315 engages and is retained
against the latter; in
this position, when recessed light fixturel0 is not completely assembled,
peripheral flat flange
320 protrudes somewhat above top 1 OS of housing 100; it results from the
foregoing description
that second O-ring 210 serves a dual function: facilitates centering and
stable placement of
parabolic reflector 315 relative to housing 100 and provides a seal around the
former (parabolic
reflector 315);
~ a bi-metal thermal cutout 325; the light emitting source of recessed light
fixturel0 is
controlled by bi-metal thermal cutout 325 that detects, when a temperature of
recessed light
fixturel0 exceeds a temperature permissible by regulatory codes, and turns off
the light; this
occurs in the event when the top of recessed light fixturel0 is obstructed and
an effective
dissipation of the heat generated by lamp 310 is disrupted);
~ a water-tight fitting 330 tightened into one of the two threaded apertures
145, the other
one
being closed by sealing, threaded plug 150; a commercially known type of a
water-tight fitting
330 is manufactured and distributed by Thomas & Betts; since the selection of
appropriate
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fittings that provide the required watertight characteristics is well known to
those skilled in the
art, further detailed description of a this fitting is not deemed necessary;
electrical wiring 335 adapted to enter/exit throughout water-tight fitting 330
and
conveniently use connectors 340 for interconnecting lamp socket 305 and bi-
metal thermal
cutout 325; and
lamp epoxy potting 345 or other appropriate potting material or sealant inj
ected into the
interior of housing 100 for attaching bi-metal thermal cutout 32S to the
latter (bi-metal thermal
cutout 325 must be, prior to attaching, insulated against a direct contact
with the interior of
housing 100).
Lid subassembly 400, as seen in FIG. 4 comprises: a first lid 40S for direct
contact with top 105
of housing 100 and a second lid 410 superposed on first lid 405. Both, first
and second lids 405
and 410 are concentrically disposed with housing 100. First lid 405 includes a
disc element 415
that centrally supports, for allowing light to pass therethrough, a
transparent or translucent lens
420. Disc element 415 incorporates coaxially a central cylindrical well 425
that is inwardly
extending and abuts an annular peripheral rim 430. The latter has its
external, lower surface
coplanar with a bottom surface of disc element 415. Lens 420 is disposed in
central circular well
425 and rests on annular peripheral rim 430. A depth of central cylindrical
well 425 is generally
commensurate with a thickness of lens 420. Thus, an upper surface of lens 420
is substantially
coplanar with an upper surface of disc element 41 S. An adhesive is used to
provide a hermetic
seal between lens 420 and annular peripheral rim 430.
Three equidistant bores 435 perpendicularly traverse disc element 415 and are
so drilled to
coincide with the three closed, threaded holes 125 that extend from top 105 of
housing 100 into
the latter. Each one of the three equidistant bores 43S has a lower threaded
part 440 and an upper
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cylindrical part 445. The lower threaded part 440 has a diameter larger than
the diameter of the
three closed, threaded holes 125 and upper cylindrical part 445 has a diameter
larger than the
lower threaded part 440.1n some situations when it is difficult to
detach/extract first lid 405 from
housing 100, a threaded bolt (not shown) is first introduced and centered
through upper
cylindrical part 445 and, then, tightened into lower threaded part 440.
Second lid 410 comprises a disc 450 surrounded by a downwardly projecting
peripheral wall
455. Disc 450 incorporates coaxially a central cylindrical recess 460 that
extends inwardly and
abuts an annular flat rim 465. Central cylindrical recess 460 is encircled by
a peripheral,
cylindrical enclosure 470 that is spaced from downwardly projecting peripheral
wall 455. A lens
420 is lodged in central cylindrical recess 460 and attached with a adhesive
to annular flat rim
465. A depth of central cylindrical recess 460 is commensurate with a
thickness of lens 420. An
external lower surface 475 of annular flat rim 465 is retracted from a lower
surface of
downwardly projecting peripheral wall 455.
Three countersunk bores 480 start from a top of disc 450 and are each drilled
in a boss 485.
Three countersunk bores 480 coincide with three equidistant bores 435 and with
the three closed,
threaded holes 125 that extend from top 105 of housing 100. Each boss 485
extends
downwardly, ending at the same lower level as downwardly projecting peripheral
wall 455. Each
boss 485 is so molded that it laterally joins, at one side, an internal
surface of downwardly
projecting peripheral wall 455 and, at another side, an external surface of
peripheral cylindrical
enclosure 470. A plurality of elongated slots 490 are equally spaced and
circularly disposed
between three countersunk bores 480. Heated air spaced between internal
surface of downwardly
projecting peripheral wall 455, external surface of peripheral cylindrical
enclosure 470, bottom
of annular flat rim 465 and the top of first lid 405 can exit through
plurality of elongated slots
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490. The latter have their length and width generally limited to prevent some
vandalism acts,
such as insertions of flammable elements therethrough.
The foregoing embodiment describes a recessed light fixture 10 having the top
of disc 450 flush
with a floor, a pavement or a wall wherein recessed light fixture is embedded.
In a first variant of the above embodiment, use is made of a second lid 410',
similar to second lid
410. Having an identical height, second lid 410' is provided, at its top, with
a flange 492 of flat,
circular shape.
In a second variant, use is made of a second lid 410", similar to second lid
410'. The only
difference resides in the fact that second lid 410" is provided with a square
flange 495.
In both variants, the flanged part is not flash-fitted in the floor, but
protrudes therefrom. Besides
their main purpose of projecting light, the above flanged variants can be used
for holding down
the ends of floor covering, such as rugs, carpeting, etc., and for enhancing
aesthetic versatility
and appeal of recessed light fixtures.
The second lid includes the described configurations, but it is not limited to
them. Triangular,
pentagonal, etc. can also be used.
Fastening subassembly 500 includes:
three hexagon socket head screws 505, made of a corrosion-resisting metal;
a pair of brackets 510, which, when required, could be bent at 90degrees, are
used for securing
recessed light fixturel0 to an adjacent structure (not shown);and
a pair of screws 515 for attaching the pair of brackets 510 to housing 100;
the pair of screws S 15
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is tightened into the pair of closed, threaded openings 155 of housing 100.
The three hexagon socket head screws 505 serve to attach lid subassembly 400
to housing 100.
To this end, they traverse:
second lid 410 (three countersunk bores 475 of disc 450);
first lid 405 (three equidistant bores 435 of disc element 415): and are
tightened
into three closed, threaded holes 125 of housing 100. In this situation, first
and second O-rings
205 and 210 are, substantially, compressed into first and second annular
shallow channels 130
and 135; top 105 of housing 100, an external upper surface of peripheral flat
flange 320 and
bottom surface of disc element 415 are now coplanar.
Each one of the pair of brackets 510 is provided with
a height adjustment slot 520;
an aperture 525 to be used with a fastener 530 for securing bracket 510 to an
adjacent structure;
and a transversal punched line 535. The latter is used for bending securing
bracket at 90°, when
the attachment to a structure requires it.
In the above embodiment, anodized hard coat aluminum has been used for housing
100, for disc
element 415 and for disc 450. Optionally, other materials such as rigid
plastic materials and
nonferrous metals could also be used for the foregoing items. High-temperature
resistant
compound has been used for first and second O-rings 205 and 210, while
tempered glass- for
lenses 420.
As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed
herein; however, it is to
be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the
invention which may be
embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and fimctional
details disclosed herein
are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims
and as representative
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basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
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