US3815857A - Light fixtures - Google Patents

Abstract

A light fixture having a housing which fits closely within the lower end of a recess in a ceiling, and a reflector which has a frame about its open lower end for fitting closely within the lower end of the recess. The frame is releasably attached to the housing when so fitted to permit it to be moved through the lower end thereof, whereby access may be had to the interior of the housing above the reflector from beneath the ceiling.

Description

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,815,857 McFarlin June 11, 1974 [54] LIGHT FIXTURES 2,979,554 4/1961 Maitland 248/223 ux 3,695,568 10/1972 H b 248/223 [75] Inventor: Ralph pasadenaTex 3,710,096 1/1973 Mafia; 248/223X [73] Assignee: Esquire, Inc., New York, NY. S h

. Primary ExaminerWilliam H. c ultz [22] Ffled' 1972 Attorney, Agent, or Firm--W. F. HyeryMarvin B. [21] Appl. No.: 318,023 Eickenroht Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 205,579, Dec. 7, 1971, Pat. No. 3,7l0,096, which is a division of Ser. No. 26,706, April 8, 1970, Pat. No. 3,652,847.

[52] US. Cl. 248/223, 248/309 [51] Int. Cl. Fl6m 13/00 [58] Field Of Search 248/73, 201, 223, 309

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 459,844 9/l89l Thomas 248/223 X [57 ABSTRACT A light fixture having a housing which fits closely within the lower end of a recess in a ceiling, and a reflector which has a frame about its open lower end for fitting closely within the lower end of the recess. The frame is releasably attached to the housing when so fitted to permit it to be moved through the lower end thereof, whereby access may be had to the interior of the housing above the reflector from beneath the ceiling.

2 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJun 1 1 I974SHEET 2 OF 4 FIG. 5

(90 TURNED 22 FIG. 7

SHEET 3 OF 4 PATENTEUJUN 1 I ma PATENTEDJUH 1 1 I974 alalslasv SHEET 4 OF 4 LIGHT FIXTURES v This is a division of U.S.' Pat. application Ser. No. 205,579, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,096, filed on Dec. 7, 1971, by Ralph M. McFarlin, and entitled Recessed Ceiling Light Fixture, which is a division of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 026,705, filed Apr. 8, 1970, by Ralph M. McFarlin, entitled Recessed Ceiling Light Fixture, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,652,847.

This invention relates generally to light fixtures. In one of its novel aspects, it relates to improvements in recessed fixtures of the type which are installed and/or relamped from outside the wall in which the recess is formed, and thus beneath the ceiling in the case of a recessed ceiling fixture. In another of its novel aspects, it relates to improvements in devices for mounting capacitors or like parts within a light fixture.

One advantage of recessed fixtures of this type is that they dont require access from the inside of the wall, or above the ceiling, where space is usually at a premium and relatively remote, during installing or relamping. Normally, such a fixture includes a housing which fits closely within the lower end of the recess and is supported from the wall surrounding the recess in such a way that its lower end may be adjusted toward or away from the open lower end of the recess. A window over the lower end of the housing and a trim plate spanning the open lower ends of the housing and recess are removable from the housing in order to permit relampmg.

In prior fixtures of this type, a reflector on the side of the lamp opposite the window has permitted access to various parts within the fixture behind the reflector, such as wiring terminals, ballasts, and capacitors, only from inside the wall, or above the ceiling, where, as above mentioned, space is usually at a premium and relatively remote. Also, the relatively close fit of the housing within the lower end of the recess ordinarily requires that it be supported from the wall by parts which may be manipulated from within the housing. Heretofore, the means for providing this support, especially in such a manner as to permit the lower end of the housing to be adjusted toward and away from the open end of the recess, has been awkward and cumbersome to manipulate, and in some cases unsightly.

It is also desirable in fixtures of this type that the window and trim plate be supported in such a way that they may be adjusted toward and away from the open end of the recess, so as to accommodate different wall thicknesses. The means for so supporting the window and trim plate have also often been unsightly, and in any event difficult to manipulate from outside the wall and thus below the ceiling in the case of recessed ceiling fixtures.

An object of this invention is to provide a fixture of this general type in which access may be had to various parts within the housing of the fixture and behind the reflector from outside the wall, or beneath the ceiling.

Another object is to provide such a fixture which may be installed and supported from the wall by parts which are hidden from view outside the wall, and which are easily and quickly manipulated from outside the wall.

Still another object is to provide a simple and inexpensive device for easily and quickly mounting various parts, such as capacitors, in the fixtures.

These and other objects are accomplished, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, by a light fixture having a housing with side walls and an open lower end for fitting relatively closely within the lower end of the recess in a ceiling or the like, and a reflector having an open lower end of a size for passing closely through the open lower end of the housing. The lower end of the reflector is releasably attached to the side walls of the housing so as to support an electrical socket therein in position to receive a lamp between the reflector and the lower end of the housing. More particularly, the means for so attaching the reflector to the housing is accessible from beneath the ceiling, whereby it may be manipulated to permit the reflector to be moved downwardly through the open lower end of the housing, so that access may be had from beneath the ceiling to a ballast and other parts in the housing above the reflector.

The housing is supported from the recess in a manner to permit its elevation to be adjusted relative to the recess in the ceiling, and the means for attaching the reflector to the housing permits the elevation of the reflector to be adjusted relative to the ceiling. In this way, both the housing and reflector may be adjusted relative to the lower side of the ceiling and to one another.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the reflector has a frame about its lower end and a downwardly turned flange about the frame for fitting closely within the housing above its open lower end. The trim plate is L-shaped and has one leg fitting closely within the downturned flange on the reflector frame and another leg extending outwardly to cover the side walls of the housing and the separation between the side walls and the lower end of the recess. More particularly, both the reflector and the trim plate are releasably attached to the housing by fasteners which extend through the downturned flange and one leg and are accessible from below the ceiling for attaching them to the side walls of the housing.

The window has a frame which fits closely within the one leg of the trim plate so as to close the window opening in the lower end of the housing and conceal the fasteners attaching the reflector flange and trim plate to the housing. More particularly, the window is removably supported by extendible fasteners which suspend the window frame from the reflector frame, and the window frame includes a wall having a recess on its inner side to receive a pane of glass and a flange on its outer side having an outer edge fitting closely within the downturned flange. The extendible fasteners are connected to the window frame within a space between the reflector frame and flange on the window frame, so that they are also concealed.

In accordance with another novel aspect of the present invention, opposite side walls at the lower end of the housing have slots therein and enlarged holes at one end of the slots for receiving substantially L-shaped supporting members, one for each slot, to support the housing within the recess in such a manner that it may be adjusted toward and away from the lower end of the recess. More particularly, the supporting members are so constructed as to permit them to be installed and manipulated from within the housing into positions in which they provide outwardly extending flanges adapted to seat on the inner edges of the recess and to be moved between different positions lengthwise of the slot.

In another novel aspect of the invention, one of the electrical parts for the fixture, and particularly the capacitor therefor, is mounted on a bracket which includes a base'adapted to be attached to a part of the fixture, and a plate to which the capacitor may be releasably attached and releasably connected to the base in such a manner as to permit removal and replacement of the capacitor with respect to the base with a minimum of time and effort.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters are used throughout to designate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a view from below and to one side of the lower end of the fixture installed within the ceiling, with a portion of the ceiling being broken away for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the fixture of FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale and as seen along broken line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another vertical sectional view of the fixture, as seen along broken lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the lower edge of the fixture;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the fixture, as seen along broken line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are side views of the fixture during steps preparatory to its installation within the ceiling recess;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the device mounting a capacitor on a wall of the fixture;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the device and capacitor shown in FIG. 8, but with a plate of the device swung to a position above the base thereof during a step in the installation or replacement of the capacitor;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the L-shaped member for use in supporting the fixture housing within the recess;

FIGS. ll, 12 and 13 are views of the supporting member and slot and enlarged hole in a side wall of the housing during installation of the member into supporting position with respect to the wall; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the member secured in supporting position with respect to the wall.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the over-all fixture, which is indicated in its entirety byreference character 20, is installed within aceiling 21 having a recess with an openlower end 22. Such an opening may be provided, for example, by removal of a panel from a conventional grid type ceiling support. In any event, the fixture comprises ahousing 23 having an openlower end 24 which fits relatively closely within theceiling opening 22 when the housing is supported from the ceiling, in a manner to be described below.

As best shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 6 and 7, the lefthand side of the housing is outwardly enlarged to provide space for a ballast B mounted on asupport 26 secured to the housing. The righthand side of the fixture includes aseparate compartment 27 which is mounted on the righthand side of thehousing 23 by abracket 28. As best shown in FIG. 2, and as will be described in more detail to follow, a capacitor C= is mounted on the bottom wall ofcompartment 27. Also, wiring within thefixture housing 23 and thecompartment 27 is connected through aconduit 29 connecting the righthand side of the housing with a front side of thecompartment 27. r

The spacing of the compartment from the righthan side wall of thehousing 23 insulates the capacitor from the remainder of the fixture, and thus maintains its temperature within permissible ranges. Access to the interior of thecompartment 27 may be had through aremovable door 30 on the righthand side thereof opposite the righthand side of thehousing 23.

The cross-sectional area of the entire fixture from one side to the other thereof is at least somewhat smaller than the cross-sectional area of theceiling opening 22, whereby the entire fixture, including thehousing 23 andcompartment 27, may be moved sideways upwardly through the ceiling opening, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Then, when the fixture has cleared the upper end of theceiling opening 22, it may be swungas indicated in FIG. 7, to position itslower end 24 for lowering into supported position within theceiling opening 22.

The housing is supported in the ceiling recess by means ofsupport members 31 which, as shown in each of FIGS. 1 and 3, have portions which extend out; wardly from the side walls of the housing for resting on a surface of the ceiling above theceiling opening 22. As will be described in detail to follow, the supporting members are moved into the supporting position of FIGS. 1 and 3 only after the fixture has been moved into the ceilingrecess above theopening 22, whereby they do not obstruct the free movement of the fixture sidewise through theopening 22, as shown in FIG. 6. More particularly, and as will also be described, the supporting members are of such construction as to permit them to be moved into and fixed in the supported positions of FIGS. 1 and 3 from within thehousing 23 and through theopening 22 of the ceiling recess, thereby avoiding the need for manipulating them from above the ceiling.

The reflector R of the fixture has anupper end 32 andside walls 33 which flare downwardly and outwardly to an open lower end. Aframe 34 about the open lower end of the reflector has adownturned flange 35 which, as best shown in FIG. 4, fits closely within the lower open end of thehousing 23. Anelectrical socket 36 extends through aside wall 33 of the reflector to receive a lamp L in front of the reflector, and thus between its upper and lower ends. Theelectrical socket 36 is supported on one side of thereflector frame 34 by means of anarm 37 welded or otherwise secured at its lower end to the reflector frame.

As best shown in FIG. 4, a trim plate T includes a lower laterally extendingportion 44 and aleg 45 extending upwardly from the inner edge of the laterally extendingportion 44 for abutment with the lower side of thereflector frame 34 and fitting closely within thedownturned flange 35 of the frame. Thus, as will be apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, when the trim plate is in its supported position, the laterally extendingportion 44 thereof spans theflange 35 on the reflector frame, the adjacent side wall of the lower end of the housing, and the separation between the housing wall and theopening 22 in the ceiling recess.

In this position, a hole through theupright leg 45 is aligned with a hole through thereflector frame flange 35, which in turn are aligned with avertical slot 46 in the side wall of the lower end of the housing. Acaptive nut 47 or the like is slidable longitudinally within theslot 46 and has a hole therethrough aligned with the holes through theflange 35 andleg 45. Thus, afastener 48 may be passed through the aligned holes and slots and manipulated from below the fixture and ceiling to attach the reflector and trim plate in supported positions, or, when desired, detach them from the housing for removal through the open lower end of the housing. More particularly, thecaptive nut 47 may be moved longitudinally of theslot 46 to permit the reflector and trim plate to be supported at a desired elevation with respect to the lower open end of the housing, thereby accommodating for different ceiling thicknesses.

A window W includes a pane 38 of translucent glass or other light-diffusing material received within aframe 39 thereabout. As best shown in FIG. 4, the frame includes awall 40 having a recess about its inner side to receive the edges of the pane 38, and aflange 42 on its outer side having an upturned end for fitting closely within theupturned leg 45 of the trim plate in the supported position of the window (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5). As also shown in FIG. 4, agasket 43 is received within the recess M to sealably surround the outer edge of the pane and also seal against the lower side of thereflector frame 34 when the window is in supported position, whereby the interior of the reflector is maintained substantially dust-proff.

As will be apparent from FIG. 4, theflange 42 covers and thereby conceals thefasteners 48 from view from beneath the fixture and ceiling. Thus, the inner ends of the fasteners are within a space defined between theframe 34 of the reflector and theflange 42 of the window frame, and between thewall 40 of the window frame and theupright leg 45 of the trim plate T. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower end of afastener 49 for removably supporting the window from the reflector is also disposed within this space, and thus also concealed from view from beneath the fixture.

As best shown in the drawings, these fasteners are vertically extensible to permit the window to be moved downwardly from its upper position across the open lower end of the reflector, to a lower position beneath the lower end of the reflector and the trim plate T, as shown in FIG. 3. In this latter position, the window may be tilted to a position permitting access to the lamp L within the reflector, or, if desired, removed entirely from beneath the housing.

Thus, the illustrated fasteners include upwardly and outwardly extendinglegs 50 which are urged outwardly against the opposite ends ofslots 53 in the reflector frame to the broken line position of FIG. 2 by atorsion spring 51 at the lower juncture of the legs. As best shown in FIG. 4, thetorsion spring 51 surrounds apin 52 which is removably received through thewall 40 and upturned end of theflange 42 of thewindow frame 39. Thus, the fasteners will suspend the window in its upper position until the window is pulled downwardly with sufficient force to urge the legs inwardly, as shown in FIG. 3. In this lower position, hooks 52 on the upper ends of thelegs 50 will engage the top side of the reflector frame and thus resist further lowering. In the lowermost position of the fastener, thesehooks 52 are received inshort slots 54 at each end of theslot 53, so as to prevent accidental displacement of the fastener from the reflector frame. Thus, to remove the fasteners and the window from beneath the fixture, its necessary to raise the hooks and stress them inwardly for passing downwardly through theslots 54.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that when access is desired to the interior of the housing above the reflector R so as to replace the ballast B or otherwise repair or replace parts within the housing above the reflector, the window W may be moved downwardly to the position of FIG. 3 to permit access to the heads on the inner ends of thefasteners 48. At this time, the fasteners may be backed out so as to release both the reflector frame and the trim plate from attachment to the side walls at the lower end of the housing. This permits thereflector frame 34, and particularly itsdownturned flange 35, to be moved downwardly through the lower open end of the housing so as to remove the reflector from within the housing. The trim plate of course will move downwardly with the reflector inasmuch as thereflector frame 34 bears on the upper end of the upturned leg of the trim plate, as will the window W due to its support from the reflector frame. In moving the reflector frame downwardly through the open lower end of the housing, it may be necessary to tilt the reflector somewhat to enable thearm 37 to move past the lefthand side wall of the lower end of the housing.

As best shown in FIG. 4, there are channels on the upper and lower sides of the laterally extendingportion 44 of the trim plate. A thin decorative strip of flexible material may be bent across its width for snapping into the lower channel. The upper channel may receive the legs of right angle members which bridge the mitered ends of the sides of the trim plate T for connecting them together at their corners.

The device shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 for mounting the capacitor C within thecompartment 27, and designated in its entirety byreference character 55, includes a base 56 adapted to be secured to a wall of thecompartment 27 byscrews 57 or the like, and aplate 58 releasably connected to the base for disposal longitudinally over the upper side of the base and adapted to support the capacitor C on its upper side away from thebase 56. Although the capacitor may be releasably secured to theplate 58 in any suitable manner, it is shown attached thereto in FIGS. 8 and 9 by means of astrap 59 extending about it and a midportion of theplate 58.

Thebase 56 has a pair of longitudinally spaced-apartflanges 60 and 61 extending laterally across the upper side thereof. Thecapacitor supporting plate 58 also has a pair offlanges 62 and 63 extending laterally across the lower side thereof, and thus toward the upwardly extendingflanges 60 and 61 of the base 56 when the plate is over the base. More particularly, the inner sides of theflanges 62 and 63 are spaced longitudinally of one another a distance at least somewhat greater then the longitudinal spacing between the outer sides of theflanges 60 and 61, so that the lower side of theplate 58 may be disposed longitudinally over the upper side of the base 56 with itsflanges 62 and 63 outwardly of theflanges 60 and 61.

The adjacent flanges at one end of the base and plate are hingedly connected to one another to permit the plate to be swung between its position over the base, as shown in FIG. 8, and a tilted position in which theflange 63 on its righthand end is raised above theflange 61 on the righthand end of thebase 56. More particu- A larly, theflange 62 of the plate has an inwardly extendingrib 64 which is partially round in cross section to fit closely within anarcuate groove 64A along the outer side of thebase flange 60, whereby the plate is guided for swinging between the positions of FIGS. 8 and 9. More particularly, the portion of therib 64 andgroove 64A in which it fits is less than of circular extent,

whereby the rib is free to move into and out of the groove in a direction transverse to the length thereof.

The flanges on the righthand ends of the base and plate are adapted to be releasably connected together, when the plate is in position over the base, so as to securely mount the capacitor C on the wall to which thebase 56 is secured. Thus, as shown, ascrew 65 is threadedly connected in a hole in theflange 61 of the base for extension outwardly therefrom, and a central portion of the lower edge of theflange 63 on theplate 58 is provided with aslot 66 for fitting over the threaded portion of the screw. Thus, in the position of FIG. 9, or in another position in which theflange 63 on theplate 58 is above theflange 61, therib 64 may be moved into thegroove 64A, and thescrew 65 may be manipulated to move the enlarged head on its outer end tightly against the outer end of theslot 66, and

thereby securely hold theflange 63 and thus theplate 58 in place. On the other hand, the screw may be backed off to permit theslot 66 to be moved upwardly installed on thehousing 23 in such a manner as to provide outwardly extending portions for resting upon upper surfaces about the inner edges of theceiling recess opening 22. For this purpose, the opposite side 'walls 24 of the housing are provided with holes therein consisting ofvertical slots 67 having enlargedholes 68 at their upper ends, one such opening being provided for each supportingmember 31. Generally, it is sufficient to provide two such supporting members, and thus two such slots, at each of two opposite side walls of the housing.

As best shown in FIG. 10, the L-shaped supportingmember 31 haslegs 69 and v70 arranged at right angles to one another and being wider from one lateral edge to another than theslot 67. Theleg 70 which is adapted to provide the outwardly extending supporting portion of themember 31 is thinner from one side to the other of theslot 67 to permit it to be passed through from the inner to the outer side of the housing wall, as shown in FIG. 11. As a matter of fact, theother leg 69 of themember 31 is of the same thickness, so that the two legs may be made from a single sheet of material.

The opposite side edges of theleg 70 haverecesses 71 formed therein to provide aweb 72 at the end of theleg 70 connecting it to theleg 69. These recesses are slightly wider than the thickness of theside wall 24 of the housing, and theweb 72 is slightly narrower than theslot 67. Thus, as will be apparent from a comparison of FIGS. 11 and 12, after theleg 70 has been moved edgewise through theslot 67, the supportingmember 31 may be turned 90 to cause therecesses 71 to move over the inner edges of theslot 67, whereby theweb 72 is located for sliding longitudinally within theslot 67.

Apin 73 extends through theleg 69 of thesupport member 33 and is of smaller diameter than theslot 67 to permit it to be moved longitudinally therein. Ahead 74 on the end of thepin 73 adjacent thewall 24, when theleg 70 is moved through theslot 67, as shown in FIG. 11, is larger in' diameter than theslot 67, but smaller than the diameter of theenlarged hole 68 at the upper end of the slot. Thus, after the leg has been moved through the slot, as shown in FIG. 11, and the support member rotated 90, theweb 72 of the member may be moved upwardly through theslot 67 to a level in which thehead 74 in thepin 73 is oppositethe inner side ofhole 68. At this time, thehead 74 may be moved through the hole, and themember 31 then moved back downwardly to cause thepin 73 to move longitudinally donwardly within theslot 67, as indicated by a comparison of FIGS. 12 and 13, until the horizontally disposedleg 70 is at a desired supporting level.

At this time, the supporting member IS fixed in position vertically with respect to the side wall of the housing by means of awing nut 75 on the end of thepin 73 opposite thehead 74. Thus, as will be apparent from the drawings, the wing nut may be made up on the pin so as to urge it against theleg 67, and thereby tightly engage theleg 69 andwall 24 on opposite sides of theslot 67. On the other hand, the nut need merely be backed off to permit vertical adjustment ofmember 31 with respect to the housing.

It will thus be appreciated that thesupporting'member 31 can be installed in supporting position from within thehousing 24. Conversely, of course, it may be removed from installed position from within thehousing 24 by a reversal of the above-described procedure.

Summarizing, in order to install themember 31, it is first turned to the position shown in FIG. 11, and theleg 70 is moved through theslot 67 from the inner side of thewall 24 within the housing to the outer side thereof. When the leg has moved outwardly as far as possible, therecesses 71 are opposite the side edges of theslot 67, so that the member may be swung to dispose theleg 70 in a horizontal position. At this time, v

the member is moved upwardly to permit thehead 74 andpin 73 to be moved through thehole 68, whereby the entire member may then be moved downwardly so as to permit it to be fixed in the desired vertical position.

As shown, there is ahole 76 in the .leg 70, through which nails, screws, or the like may be passed for securing the leg to the uppersupporting surface within the ceiling.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the apparatus.

It will be understoodthat certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations.

This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

The invention having been described, what is claimed 1. An article mounting bracket, comprising a base having a pair of longitudinally spaced flanges extending laterally across one side thereof, an article supporting plate having a pair of flanges extending laterally across one side thereof, the inner sides of the plate flanges being spaced longitudinally of one another a greater distance than the longitudinal spacing between the outer sides of the base flanges, so that the one side of the plate may be disposed in a position longitudinally over the base with the plate flanges outwardly of the base flanges, means connecting the inner side of one plate flange to the outer side of the adjacent base flange to permit the plate to swing to and from said position in which its one side is over the base, and means for releasably connecting theinner side of the other plate flange to the outer side of the base flange adjacent when the plate is so positioned.

Claims (2)

1. An article mounting bracket, comprising a base having a pair of longitudinally spaced flanges extending laterally across one side thereof, an article supporting plate having a pair of flanges extending laterally across one side thereof, the inner sides of the plate flanges being spaced longitudinally of one another a greater distance than the longitudinal spacing between the outer sides of the base flanges, so that the one side of the plate may be disposed in a position longitudinally over the base with the plate flanges outwardly of the base flanges, means connecting the inner side of one plate flange to the outer side of the adjacent base flange to permit the plate to swing to and from said position in which its one side is over the base, and means for releasably connecting the inner side of the other plate flange to the outer side of the base flange adjacent thereto when said plate is so positioned.

2. A bracket of the character defined in claim 1, wherein the second mentioned connecting means comprises a pin extending from the outer side of the other base flange, a slot in the edge of the adjacent plate flange for movement over the pin as the plate in swung to and from said position, and means on the pin for movement against the outer side of said plate flange, when the plate is so positioned.

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