Patent Application
20200072444
Embodiments of the technology relate generally to light fixtures and more particularly to a light fixture trim that is easily adjustable.
Light fixtures (or luminaires) often include multiple components, such as a housing and a light module containing a light source. Light fixtures that are recessed often include a trim, also referred to as a trim assembly or finishing section. Recessed light fixtures are typically installed in a ceiling and the trim can perform light reflecting or altering functions, as well as provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance for the recessed light fixture.
Some recessed light fixtures have trims called directional trims that are configured to reflect light from the light fixture in a particular desired direction, such as towards a wall or display. In certain situations, the housing for the light fixture must be installed in a particular orientation so that when the directional trim is installed in the light fixture at a later time, the directional trim is in the proper orientation. However, a problem encountered with the installation of recessed light fixtures with directional trims is that in some instances, the housings for the recessed light fixtures are installed in an incorrect orientation for the directional trim that will be installed at a later time. In other words, existing directional trims have attachment mechanisms, such as torsion springs with brackets, that only fit within the light fixture housing in certain orientations. When the recessed light fixture housing is installed in the wrong orientation, the existing directional trims will also have the wrong orientation when inserted into the incorrectly installed recessed light fixture housing. When these problems are encountered, the housing must be removed and reinstalled in the correct orientation in order for the later inserted directional trim to have the correct orientation. Such removal and reinstallation of a housing for a recessed light fixture can be time consuming and expensive.
The present disclosure relates generally to light fixtures, and more particularly to an adjustable trim that can be used with a light fixture. In one example embodiment, a luminaire comprises a housing, at least two mounting members configured to attach to the housing, a trim assembly attached to the at least two mounting members, and a light module configured to couple to a top flange of the trim assembly. The trim assembly further comprises a bottom flange, a reflector, and an adjustable collar mounted between the top flange of the trim assembly and the light module. The reflector can comprise a downlight reflector portion and a kicker reflector portion. The housing can comprise a plaster ring or frame and receivers for receiving the mounting members. The adjustable collar and the mounting members can be detached from the top flange of the trim assembly so that the adjustable collar and the mounting members can be attached at alternate attachment points on the top flange thereby altering the orientation of the trim assembly when inserted into the luminaire housing.
In another example embodiment, a trim assembly comprises a top flange with a plurality of attachment points, a bottom flange, a trim body disposed between the top flange and the bottom flange, and an adjustable collar mounted to a top side of the top flange. A pair of mounting members can be attached to the trim assembly. The orientation of the trim assembly can be modified by detaching the adjustable collar and the mounting members from the top flange and reattaching the adjustable collar and the mounting members at alternate attachment points on the top flange.
These and other aspects, objects, features, and embodiments will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.
Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
The drawings illustrate only example embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the example embodiments. Additionally, certain dimensions or placements may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles. In the drawings, the same reference numerals used in different drawings designate like or corresponding but not necessarily identical elements.
In the following paragraphs, example embodiments will be described in further detail with reference to the figures. In the description, well-known components, methods, and/or processing techniques are omitted or briefly described. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the embodiments is not to suggest that all embodiments must include the referenced feature(s).
The example embodiments described herein relate to a recessed light fixture with a trim assembly that can be easily adjusted for varying orientation within a light fixture housing. However, it should be understood that the example embodiments described herein are representative and the disclosure can be applied to other types of light fixtures, such as surface mounted light fixtures and pendant light fixtures.
In certain example embodiments, the example light fixtures are subject to meeting certain standards and/or requirements. For example, the National Electric Code (NEC), the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) set standards as to electrical enclosures (e.g., light fixtures), wiring, and electrical connections. As another example, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) sets various standards for light fixtures, including standards for heat dissipation. Use of example embodiments described herein meet (and/or allow a corresponding device to meet) such standards when required.
Any light fixture components (e.g., housings or trim assemblies), described herein can be made from a single piece (e.g., as from a mold, injection mold, die cast, 3-D printing process, extrusion process, stamping process, or other prototype methods). In addition, or in the alternative, a luminaire (or components thereof) can be made from multiple pieces that are mechanically coupled to each other. In such a case, the multiple pieces can be mechanically coupled to each other using one or more of a number of coupling methods, including but not limited to epoxy, welding, fastening devices, compression fittings, mating threads, and slotted fittings. One or more pieces that are mechanically coupled to each other can be coupled to each other in one or more of a number of ways, including but not limited to fixedly, hingedly, removeably, slidably, and threadably.
A coupling feature (including a complementary coupling feature) as described herein can allow one or more components and/or portions of an example trim assembly or other component of a light fixture to become coupled, directly or indirectly, to another portion of the example trim assembly or other component of a light fixture. A coupling feature can include, but is not limited to, a snap, Velcro, a clamp, a portion of a hinge, an aperture, a recessed area, a protrusion, a slot, a spring clip, a tab, a detent, and mating threads. One portion of an example trim assembly can be coupled to a light fixture by the direct use of one or more coupling features.
In addition, or in the alternative, a portion of a light fixture can be coupled using one or more independent devices that interact with one or more coupling features disposed on a component of the trim assembly or other component of a light fixture. Examples of such devices can include, but are not limited to, a pin, a hinge, a fastening device (e.g., a bolt, a screw, a rivet), epoxy, glue, adhesive, tape, and a spring. One coupling feature described herein can be the same as, or different than, one or more other coupling features described herein. A complementary coupling feature (also sometimes called a corresponding coupling feature) as described herein can be a coupling feature that mechanically couples, directly or indirectly, with another coupling feature.
Terms such as “first”, “second”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “distal”, “proximal”, and “within” are used merely to distinguish one component (or part of a component or state of a component) from another. Such terms are not meant to denote a preference or a particular orientation, and are not meant to limit the embodiments described herein. In the following detailed description of the example embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.
Referring now to
In a typical installation process, the housing is first installed in the ceiling. At a later point in time, the light module and trim assembly are inserted into the housing. Often times, the trim assembly may be configured to direct light from the light module in an asymmetric distribution, such as directing more light towards a wall or display. The positions of the mounting members (torsion springs 155 and 156 and attached brackets) and the receivers 107 and 108 only permit the trim assembly to be inserted into the housing in the orientation shown in
Referring again to
In the example of
Referring now to
The trim assembly 140 shown in
The adjustable collar 148 is attached to the trim assembly 140 via fasteners 152 located on opposite sides of the adjustable collar 148. While screws are shown as the example fasteners 152 in
Referring now to
The exploded views in
The adjustable collar 148 and the top flange 147 work together to provide flexibility in the orientation of the trim assembly 140. As shown in the example of
Once the adjustable collar 148 and the mounting members are attached to the top flange 147 in the desired orientation, a light module can be placed on top of the trim assembly 140 and secured by the clips 150. After the light module is secured to the trim assembly 140, the light module and trim assembly can be inserted up into a housing of the light fixture and the mounting members (for example, the torsion springs) can be attached to receivers in the housing. Therefore, the adjustable collar and top flange permit the trim assembly 140 to be installed in a light fixture in a variety of rotated orientations to achieve a desired distribution of emitted light exiting the light fixture.
Although particular embodiments have been described herein in detail, the descriptions are by way of example. The features of the example embodiments described herein are representative and, in alternative embodiments, certain features, elements, and/or steps may be added or omitted. Additionally, modifications to aspects of the example embodiments described herein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims, the scope of which are to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass modifications and equivalent structures.
