The present disclosure relates generally to a frame system for lighting fixtures.
Recessed lighting fixtures can provide light for a space, such as a building or room, and are aesthetically pleasing since recessed fixtures are recessed within a ceiling. Recessed lighting fixtures can be configured in a plurality of different shapes or sizes. Furthermore, different mounting configurations can be used for mounting recessed lighting fixtures within the ceiling.
Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be learned from the description, or may be learned through practice of the embodiments.
In one aspect, a frame system for securing a lighting fixture to a surface is provided. The frame system can include a frame defining an opening. The frame can be configured to accommodate a selected insert of a plurality of inserts associated with the lighting fixture and coupleable to the frame. Each of the plurality of inserts can include an aperture defining portion of a different size or shape. The aperture defining portion of the selected insert can extend through the opening defined by the frame.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodiments will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the related principles.
Detailed discussion of embodiments directed to one of ordinary skill in the art are set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the embodiments, not limitation of the present disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that aspects of the present disclosure cover such modifications and variations.
Example aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a frame system for securing a lighting fixture to a surface (e.g., ceiling). The frame system can include a frame defining an opening configured to accommodate a selected insert of a plurality of inserts 505 associated with a lighting fixture and coupleable to the frame. Each of the plurality of inserts 505 can include an aperture defining portion of a different size or shape. Furthermore, in some implementations, the aperture defining portion of the selected insert can have a shape that is different than a shape of the lighting fixture.
In some implementations, the opening can be defined by a plurality of arc shaped edges of the frame. The plurality of arc shaped edges can collectively define an annular shape. In addition, the opening can be defined by a plurality of linear shaped edges of the frame. The plurality of linear edges can collectively define a rectangular shape. In this manner, the opening can be configured to accommodate the aperture-defining portion of the selected insert having an annular shape or a rectangular shape. More specifically, the opening can be configured to accommodate the aperture-defining portion of the selected insert such that the aperture-defining portion of the selected insert can extend through the opening defined by the frame.
In some implementations, a diameter of the annular shape collectively defined by the plurality of arc shaped edges can be less than a length of a diagonal extending between opposing corners or edges of the rectangular shape collectively defined by the plurality of linear shaped edges. In this manner, the opening defined by the frame can accommodate the aperture defining portion of the selected insert having an annular shape so long as a diameter of the aperture defining portion is less than the diameter of the annular shape collectively defined by the plurality of arc shaped edges of the frame. Furthermore, the opening defined by the frame can accommodate the aperture defining portion of the selected insert having a rectangular shape so long as a length of a diagonal extending between opposing corners of the rectangular shape is less than the length of the diagonal extending between opposing corners or edges of the rectangular shape defined by the plurality of linear shaped edges of the frame. Put another way, the opening defined by the frame can accommodate the aperture defining portion of the selected insert so long as the long dimension of the aperture defining portion is less than the long dimension of the opening.
In some implementations, the frame system can include a platform coupleable to the selected insert positioned on the frame. The platform can include a body defining an opening. In addition, the platform can include a plurality of mounting tabs extending from the body of the platform. In some implementations, the platform can be coupled to the selected insert such that the opening defined by the body of the platform is aligned with the opening defined by the frame. Furthermore, the lighting fixture can be mounted to the platform such that light emitted from a solid-state light source of the lighting fixture is emitted through the opening defined by the platform and the opening defined by the frame. In this manner, the light emitted from the solid-state light source can be emitted into a room or space positioned below the surface (e.g., ceiling) to which the lighting fixture is mounted.
The frame system of the present disclosure can provide technical benefits. For instance, the frame system can accommodate a plurality of different inserts associated with a lighting fixture, because the opening defined by the frame can accommodate inserts having aperture defining portions of different sizes or shapes. In this manner, the number of components of the frame system can be reduced, because the frame according to the present disclosure can accommodate inserts having aperture defining portions of different shapes or sizes.
As used herein, a “lighting fixture” refers to a device used to provide light or illumination using one or more light sources. In addition, the terms “first” and “second” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components.
Referring now to
In some implementations, the lighting fixture 300 can include a support 312 defining an opening 314 configured to accommodate the solid-state light source 310. Alternatively and/or additionally, the lighting fixture 300 can include a reflector 316 coupleable to the support 312. In this manner, light emitted from the light emitting surface of the solid-state light source 310 can reflect off of an interior 317 of the reflector 316 at a non-parallel angle relative to a vertical direction associated with the lighting fixture system 200 (
Referring now to
Stated another way, the opening 412 can be defined by a plurality of arc shaped edges 414 and a plurality of linear edges 416 of the frame 410. As shown, the plurality of arc shaped edges 414 can collectively define an annular shape having a diameter 428. In addition, the opening 412 can be defined by the plurality of linear edges 416 of the frame 410. As shown, the plurality of linear edges 416 can collectively define a rectangular shape. In some implementations, a length of a diagonal 422 extending between opposing corners 424, 426 of the rectangular shape can be greater than the diameter 428 of the annular shape. As will be discussed below in more detail, the opening 412 defined by the frame 410 can be configured to accommodate a selected insert of a plurality of inserts 505 associated with the lighting fixture 300 (
Referring now to
It should be appreciated that each of the plurality of inserts 505 can include an aperture defining portion (identified generally as 507) having a different shape. For instance, the aperture defining portion 502 of the first insert 500 can define a rectangular shape. More specifically, the aperture defining portion 502 of the first insert 500 can define a square shape. Conversely, the aperture defining portion 512 of the second insert 510 can define an annular shape. More specifically, the aperture defining portion 512 of the second insert 510 can define a circular shape.
It should also be appreciated that the aperture defining portion 507 of each of the plurality of inserts 505 can have a different size. For instance, in some implementations, the aperture defining portion 507 of the first insert 500 and the second insert 510 can each define an annular shape. More specifically, the aperture defining portion 512 of the second insert 510 can define an annular shape of a first diameter 509. Conversely, the aperture defining portion 507 of the second insert 510 can define an annular shape of a second diameter that is different than the first diameter. For instance, the second diameter can be greater than the first diameter. Similarly, the first insert 500 and the second insert 510 can each define a rectangular shape having different sizes. For instance, the first insert 500 may have a rectangular aperture defining portion 502 with a length of a diagonal 506 extending between opposing corners 507, 508 of the rectangular shape of the aperture defining portion 502. Conversely, the second insert 510 may have a rectangular aperture defining portion 507 with a length of a diagonal that is different than the length of the diagonal 506 of the first insert 500.
Referring now to
When the first insert 500 is secured to the frame 410, the aperture defining portion 502 of the first insert 500 extends through the opening 412 defined by the frame 410. It should be understood that a length of a diagonal 506 extending between opposing corners 507, 508 of the rectangular shape of the aperture defining portion 502 of the first insert 500 can be less than a length of the diagonal 422 extending between opposing corners 424, 426 of the rectangular shape of the opening 412 defined by the frame 410. In this manner, the rectangular shape of the opening 412 defined by the frame 410 can accommodate the rectangular shape of the aperture defining portion 502 of the first insert 500.
In alternative implementations, the second insert 510 can be selected from the plurality of inserts 505 instead of the first insert 500. In such implementations, the second insert 510 can be secured to the frame 410 in much the same manner as discussed above with reference to the first insert 500. Furthermore, when the second insert 510 is secured to the frame 410, it should be understood that the aperture defining portion 512 of the second insert 510 can extend through the opening 412 defined by the frame 410. It should also be understood that a diameter of the annular shape defined by the aperture defining portion 512 of the second insert 510 can be less than the diameter 428 of the annular shape of the opening 412 defined by the frame 410. In this manner, the annular shape of the opening 412 defined by the frame 410 can accommodate the annular shape of the aperture defining portion 512 of the second insert 510. Accordingly, the opening 412 of the frame 410 is configured to receive a plurality of inserts 505, where each of the plurality of inserts 505 includes an aperture defining portion 507 with a different shape or size.
Referring now to
Referring now to
In some implementation, the platform 450 can be secured to the first insert 500 such that the opening 454 defined by the body 452 of the platform 450 is aligned with the opening 412 defined by the frame 410 along the vertical direction V associated with the lighting fixture system 200 (
Referring now to
Furthermore, when the brackets 620 are secured to the body 452 of the platform 450, at least a portion of each of the plurality of brackets 620 can be positioned over the base 610 along the vertical direction V. In this manner, the base 610 can be retained against the platform 450. Alternatively and/or additionally, in some implementations, the base 610 can define one or more mounting holes (not shown) and can be secured to the body 452 of the platform 450 via a fastener extending through the mounting hole define by the base 610 and a corresponding mounting hole (not shown) defined by the body 452 of the platform 450.
In some implementations, the mounting assembly 600 can include a first side bracket 630 and a second side bracket 632. As shown, the first side bracket 630 and the second side bracket 632 can each define a plurality of mounting holes 634. The first side bracket 630 can be positioned on the base 610 such that each of the plurality of mounting holes 634 defined by the first side bracket 630 is aligned with a corresponding mounting hole (not shown) defined by the base 610. In this manner, the first side bracket 630 can be secured to the base 610 via a fastener (not shown) extending through one of the mounting holes 634 defined by the first side bracket 630 and a corresponding mounting hole (not shown) defined by the base 610. It should be understood that the second mounting bracket 632 can be secured to the base 610 in the same manner.
In some implementations, the mounting assembly 600 can include a top bracket 640 coupleable to the lighting fixture 300. More specifically, the top bracket 640 can be coupleable to the support 312 of the lighting fixture 300. Furthermore, as will be discussed below in more detail, the top bracket 640 can be coupled to each of the first side bracket 630 and the second side bracket 632.
As shown in
As shown in
Referring now to
At (702), the method 700 can include selecting an insert from a plurality of inserts 505 of the lighting fixture system 200. In some implementations, each of the plurality of inserts 505 can be associated with a lighting fixture 300 of the lighting fixture system 200. Furthermore, each of the plurality of inserts 505 can include an aperture defining portion 507 of a different size or shape.
At (704), the method 700 can include securing the insert 505 selected at (702) to a frame 410 of the lighting fixture system 200. More specifically, the insert 505 selected at (702) can be secured to the frame 410 such that the aperture defining portion 507 of the insert 505 extends through an opening 412 defined by the frame 410.
At (706), the method 700 can include securing a platform 450 of the lighting fixture system 200 to the insert 505 subsequent to securing the insert 505 to the frame 410. More specifically, the platform 450 can be positioned on the insert 505 such that a plurality of mounting holes 634 defined by a corresponding mounting tab 456 of the platform 450 are aligned with a corresponding mounting hole 504 defined by the insert 505. In this manner, the platform 450 can be secured to the first insert 505 via a fastener extending through one of the mounting holes 634 defined by corresponding mounting tab 456 of the platform 450 and the corresponding mounting hole 504 defined by the insert 505.
At (708), the method 700 can include securing the lighting fixture 300 to the platform 450 subsequent to securing the platform 450 to the insert 505 at (706). More specifically, the lighting fixture 300 can be secured to the platform 450 such that light emitted from the solid-state light source 310 of the lighting fixture 300 is emitted through the opening 454 defined by the platform 450 and the opening 412 defined by the frame 410.
Referring now to
Furthermore, as shown, a height 550 of the platform 450 can be sufficient such that the reflector 800 does not interfere (e.g., contact) with the mounting assembly 600 (
While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific example embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/871,498, filed May 11, 2020, also entitled “FRAME SYSTEM FOR A LIGHTING FIXTURE,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/846,063 filed May 10, 2019, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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11193657 | Weston | Dec 2021 | B2 |
20160320009 | Vasquez et al. | Nov 2016 | A1 |
Entry |
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European Patent Office Action for Related Application No. 20806449.3 dated Dec. 8, 2022 (7 pages). |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20220107079 A1 | Apr 2022 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62846063 | May 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16871498 | May 2020 | US |
Child | 17543125 | US |