Patent Grant
12222084
The present invention relates in general to junction boxes and more specifically to lighting junction boxes with additional structures that are configured for installing such lighting junction boxes into existing ceilings (e.g., for remodeling purposes).
A portion of the disclosure of this patent application may contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any-one of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
Certain marks referenced herein may be common law or registered trademarks of third parties affiliated or unaffiliated with the applicant or the assignee. Use of these marks is by way of example and should not be construed as descriptive or to limit the scope of this invention to material associated only with such marks.
During remodeling applications (scenarios), such as with respect to changing and/or adding in lighting to a given room and/or to a given ceiling covered area, it is often desirable to provide lighting from the existing ceiling. At the very least, this often entails cutting a hole into the existing ceiling from a bottom surface of the existing ceiling, such that the newly formed hole in the existing ceiling may then receive a lighting junction box within that newly formed hole. Most existing ceiling mounted lighting junction boxes may only be installed in relative close proximity to some other supporting structures, aside from the ceiling (e.g., drywall) itself, such as ceiling joists and/or roof rafters. However, often there may be a need and/or desire to locate a ceiling light in an area of the given existing ceiling that is not in relative close proximity to such other supporting structures. And in those situations, it may be desirable to have a new/novel lighting junction box that may be installed and mounted directly to the ceiling itself and not to the other supporting structures.
Further, during the installation operations of such a new/novel lighting junction box into the existing ceiling, it may be desirable for that new/novel lighting junction box to have means to at least temporarily hold up that new/novel lighting junction box within the newly formed ceiling cutout, while more permanent/secure attachment operations are carried out to securely attach that new/novel lighting junction box to the existing ceiling.
There is a need in the art for such a new/novel lighting junction box that may be installed directly to the existing ceiling itself and that has means for at least temporarily holding up that new/novel lighting junction box within a newly formed ceiling cutout, while more permanent/secure attachment operations are carried out to securely attach that new/novel lighting junction box to the existing ceiling.
It would also be desirable to improve heat dissipation within a lighting junction box by utilizing a second junction box adjacent and connected to the lighting junction box, as this second junction box could house and offload at least some circuitry that would otherwise have to be housed within the lighting junction box if the second junction box was not present/included.
It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.
To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, at least some embodiments of the present invention describes a lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel (hereinafter, “assembly”). In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise: a lighting-junction-box, leg-springs attached to the lighting-junction-box, and mounting-tabs attached to the lighting-junction-box. In some embodiments, the leg-springs may be used to (temporarily) hold (by friction) the assembly within a hole in an existing ceiling, wherein that hole may be sized to fit the assembly (or a portion thereof) within the hole. This hole may be referred to as a largest-hole and/or as a cutout-for-junction-box. In some embodiments, while the leg-springs are (temporarily) holding the assembly within the hole (i.e., the largest-hole and/or the cutout-for-junction-box) in the existing ceiling, other/different holes (e.g., extension-portion holes) within extension-portions of the mounting-tabs are used to secure the entire assembly to the existing ceiling, via mechanical fasteners passing through the extension-portion holes and into the existing ceiling. An existing ceiling may be retrofitted with this assembly to have a lighting-junction-box where desired/needed in that existing ceiling; and as such, this assembly is particularly useful in remodeling situations (applications); however, the assembly may also be used in new construction. In some embodiments, the assembly may also comprise a second junction-box, that may be separate and distinct from the first junction-box of the lighting-junction-box. In some embodiments, this second junction-box may be used to offload and house at least some of the circuitry that would otherwise have been included within a lighting can. This may help with heat dissipation within the circuitry that remains within the lighting-junction-box, as this remaining circuitry now has more room within the lighting-junction-box; and in turn this better heat dissipation situation may help to prolong the operational lifespan of the remaining circuitry within the lighting-junction-box.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel (assembly) that is configured for use in adding-in/installing such a lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel into an existing ceiling.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel (assembly) that is for use in remodeling applications (scenarios) where it may be desired to install a lighting junction box into an existing ceiling.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel (assembly) that has a lighting-junction-box component and that has leg-springs attached to the lighting-junction-box component.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel (assembly) that has a lighting-junction-box component and that has leg-springs attached to the lighting-junction-box component, wherein the leg-springs are configured to at least temporarily hold up the lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel within a ceiling cutout.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel (assembly) that has appropriate and/or desirable rating(s), such as, but not limited to, UL (Underwriters' Laboratories) ratings and/or IC (insulation contact) ratings.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel (assembly) that has a lighting-junction-box component and that has mounting-tabs attached to the lighting-junction-box component.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel (assembly) that has a lighting-junction-box component and that has mounting-tabs attached to the lighting-junction-box component, wherein the mounting-tabs are configured for permitting secure attachment of the entire lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel to the existing ceiling.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel (assembly) that has a lighting-junction-box component, that has leg-springs attached to the lighting-junction-box component, and that has mounting-tabs attached to the lighting-junction-box component.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel (assembly) that has a lighting-junction-box component, that has leg-springs attached to the lighting-junction-box component, and that has mounting-tabs attached to the lighting-junction-box component; wherein the leg-springs are configured to at least temporarily hold up the lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel within a ceiling cutout; and wherein the mounting-tabs are configured for permitting secure attachment of the entire lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel to the existing ceiling.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a template for providing assistance in forming appropriately sized and located cutouts and/or holes within the existing ceiling.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a template for providing assistance in forming appropriately sized and located cutouts and/or holes within the existing ceiling, wherein the template may be (removably and/or temporarily) attached to a bottom surface of the existing ceiling.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a kit that has both a lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel (assembly) and a template providing assistance in forming appropriately sized and located cutouts and/or holes within the existing ceiling.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a kit that has a lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel (assembly), a template providing assistance in forming appropriately sized and located cutouts and/or holes within the existing ceiling, and drywall-anchors.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a kit that has a lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel (assembly), a template providing assistance in forming appropriately sized and located cutouts and/or holes within the existing ceiling, drywall-anchors, and mechanical fasteners (such as, but not limited to, screws) for use in securing the lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel to the existing ceiling.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a method of retrofitting an existing ceiling with a lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel (assembly) installed within that existing ceiling.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a lighting-junction-box with (an entirely) cylindrical sidewall.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a second junction-box to be used with the lighting-junction-box.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a second junction-box to be used with the lighting-junction-box, wherein the second junction-box is configured to house at least some circuitry that would otherwise have been included within the lighting-junction-box had the second junction-box not been present.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to improve heat dissipation within the lighting-junction-box by utilizing a second junction-box adjacent and connected to the lighting-junction-box.
These and other advantages and features of the present invention are described herein with specificity so as to make the present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art, both with respect to how to practice the present invention and how to make the present invention.
Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention.
In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, where depictions are made, by way of illustration, of specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
Note,
In some embodiments, assembly 100 may be similar to “assembly 100” of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/106,048, filed Nov. 20, 2020, by the same inventor as the present patent application; except that the present assembly 100 may not include “adjusting-plates 600” nor guide-rail(s) 500″ from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/106,048. In some embodiments, lighting-junction-box 101 may be substantially (mostly) similar to “junction-box 300” of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/106,048, filed Nov. 20, 2020, by the same inventor as the present patent application. Note, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/106,048, filed Nov. 20, 2020, is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
In some embodiments, assembly 100 may comprise at least one lighting-junction-box 101, at least one spring 137 attached to the at least one lighting-junction-box 101, and at least one mounting-tab 143 also attached to the at least one lighting-junction-box 101. In some embodiments, assembly 100 may comprise at least one lighting-junction-box 101, at least two springs 137 attached to the at least one lighting-junction-box 101, and at least two mounting-tabs 143 also attached to the at least one lighting-junction-box 101. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, assembly 100 and/or lighting-junction-box 101 may have a fixed, finite, and predetermined total height (e.g., from bottom-circular-edge 123 to a top of lid 127). In some embodiments, assembly 100 and/or lighting-junction-box 101 may have a total height of four (4) inches (e.g., from bottom-circular-edge 123 to a top of lid 127). In some embodiments, assembly 100, lower-portion 121, and opposing curved-segments 105 may have a fixed, finite, and predetermined outside-diameter 153. In some embodiments, assembly 100, lower-portion 121, and opposing curved-segments 105 may have an outside-diameter 153 of four and one-eighth (4⅛) inches. In some embodiments, assembly 100, may have a maximum transverse-width from opposing distal ends of elongate-leg-portions 139 (when springs 137 are in their relaxed default configuration and not being squeezed) that is predetermined. In some embodiments, assembly 100, may have a maximum transverse-width from opposing distal ends of elongate-leg-portions 139 (when springs 137 are in their relaxed default configuration and not being squeezed) of seven and five-eights (7⅝) inches. Note, in other embodiments, assembly 100, lighting-junction-box 101, and/or portions thereof may have other predetermined dimensions. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, lighting-junction-box-assembly 100 (assembly 100) may be configured for installation into a ceiling (e.g., an existing ceiling 300). In some embodiments, assembly 100 may comprise lighting-junction-box 101, at least two springs 137, and at least two mounting-tabs 143. In some embodiments, lighting-junction-box 101 may be configured for at least housing a portion of a lighting module within a cavity 135 of lighting-junction-box 101. In some embodiments, at least two springs 137 may be attached to lighting-junction-box 101. In some embodiments, each of at least two springs 137 may have a distal end that points away from sidewalls of lighting-junction-box 101, but wherein the distal end does at least partially point upwards from a bottom 123 of lighting-junction-box 101 towards a top 201 of lighting-junction-box 101. In some embodiments, each of at least two springs 137 may be configured to frictionally engage interior sides of a hole (e.g., cutout 301) within ceiling 300, wherein that hole (e.g., cutout 301) may be sized to fit at least most of lighting-junction-box 101 within an inside diameter of that hole (e.g., cutout 301). In some embodiments, at least two mounting-tabs 143 may be attached to lighting-junction-box 101. In some embodiments, each of at least two mounting-tabs 143 may have an extension-portion 145 that points away from sidewalls of lighting-junction-box 101. In some embodiments, each of at least two mounting-tabs 143 may be configured for facilitating attachment to ceiling 300. In some embodiments, the distal ends of at least two springs 137 and extension-portions 145 of at least two mounting-tabs 143 may all point in different directions from each other. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, lighting-junction-box 101 may comprise upper-portion 103, lower-portion 121, and lid 127. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, lighting-junction-box 101 may comprise a lid 127 and sidewalls. In some embodiments, lid 127 and the sidewalls may at least mostly circumscribe cavity 135 around all boundaries of cavity 135 except at bottom 123 of lighting-junction-box 101. In some embodiments, wherein lid 127 and the sidewalls may be at least mostly solid closed structures (e.g., lid 127 and/or upper-portion 103 sidewalls may have hole-for-conduit(s) 129 and some hole-for-conduit(s) 129 may or may not be covered with knock-out(s) 111). In some embodiments, bottom 123 of lighting-junction-box 101 may be at least mostly (substantially) open providing access to cavity 135. See e.g.,
Note, for reference purposes lighting-junction-box 101 may have an axial-centerline 199 that runs through a center of lighting-junction-box 101 from bottom-circular-edge 123 to top 201/lid 127 of lighting-junction-box 101. See e.g.,
Note, upper-portion 103 may be first called out in
In some embodiments, upper-portion 103 may comprise the upper sidewalls of lighting-junction-box 101 and lower-portion 121 may comprise the lower sidewalls of lighting-junction-box 101. In some embodiments, the upper sidewalls of lighting-junction-box 101 may have two different types of sidewalls, namely, curved-segment(s) 105 and planar-face(s) 107. In some embodiments, upper-portion 103 may comprise curved-segment(s) 105 and pla-nar-face(s) 107. In some embodiments, curved-segment(s) 105 may be a section (or sections) of sidewall of upper-portion 103 that is curved (with a similar to or same curvature as that of lower-portion 121); whereas, planar-face(s) 107 may be a section (or sections) of sidewall of upper-portion 103 that is at least substantially (mostly) flat and/or planar (and not curved). In some embodiments, a main planar surface of planar-face 107, may run in a bottom to top direction (or top to bottom direction) and may be at least mostly (substantially) parallel with axial-centerline 199. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, a radius of curvature of curved-segment(s) 105 may be the same (or at least mostly the same) as a radius of curvature of the sidewall(s) of lower-portion 121. In some embodiments, a transition from a given curved-segment 105 to a portion of low-er-portion 121 that is directly below that given curved-segment 105 may be seamless and/or smooth. In some embodiments, a given curved-segment 105 and a portion of lower-portion 121 that is directly below that given curved-segment 105 may be integral with respect to each other and/or of a single article of manufacture. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, a transition from a given planar-face 107 to a portion of lower-portion 121 that is directly below that given planar-face 107 may involve an intermediary structure, termed a sloped-indentation 109. In some embodiments, lighting-junction-box 101 and/or upper-portion 103 may comprise one or more sloped-indentation(s) 109. In some embodiments, between a bottom of each planar-face 107 and a top of the lower-portion 121 that is directly below that given planar-face 107, there may be at least one sloped-indentation 109 that physically/operatively links that given planar-face 107 to that particular section of lower-portion 121. In some embodiments, a given sloped-indentation 109, may be a transition structure, that transitions a bottom of a given planar-face 107 into a top of a section of lower-portion 121 that is directly below that given planar-face 107. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, outside-transverse-width 151 may be an outside transverse-width between opposing planar-faces 107; and/or outside-transverse-width 151 may be an outside transverse-width between tops of opposing sloped-indentations 109. In some embodiments, outside-diameter 153 may be an outside diameter between opposing sections of lower-portion 121; and/or outside-diameter 153 may be an outside diameter between bottoms of opposing sloped-indentations 109. In some embodiments, outside-diameter 153 may be larger (longer) than outside-transverse-width 151. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, a given slope-indentation 109 may begin at its top being substantially flat and/or planar and may smoothly transition into a curved portion at its bottom. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, upper-portion 103 may have a quantity of six (6) planar-faces 107 and a quantity of two (2) curved-segments 105. In some embodiments, the six (6) planar-faces 107 may be arranged in two separate/distinct groups of three (3) planar-faces 107, with one of the two (2) curved-segments 105 being located in between each of the two groups of three (3) planar-faces 107. In some embodiments, the six (6) planar-faces 107 and the two (2) curved-segments 105 may be arranged in a closed ring structure of upper-portion 101 sidewalls when viewed from the top. In some embodiments, a first planar-face 107 may be attached to a second planar-face 107; the second planar-face 107 may be attached to a third planar-face 107 (forming a first group of connected planar-faces 107); the third planar-face 107 may be attached to a first curved-segment 105; the first curved-segment 105 may be attached to a fourth planar-face 107; the fourth planar-face 107 may be attached to a fifth planar-face 107; the fifth planar-face 107 may be attached to a sixth (and final) planar-face 107 (forming a second group of connected planar-faces 107); the sixth (and final) planar-face 107 may be attached to a second (and final) curved-segment 105; and the second (and final) curved-segment 105 may be attached to the first planar-face 107—forming a closed ring structure (of sidewalls) when viewed from above. In some embodiments, when viewed from above, the first group of connected planar-faces 107 and the second group of connected planar-faces 107 may each form half of a hexagon or hexagon like structure; wherein those two half hexagon or hexagon like structures are joined together by the two opposing curved-segments 105 (i.e., the first curved-segment 105 and the second curved-segment 105). In some embodiments, there may be a fixed and no-variable angle-between-connected-planar-faces 155 (angle 155). In some embodiments, angle 155 may be between first and second planar-faces 107, between second and third planar-faces 107 (i.e., the first group of connected planar-faces 107); between fourth and fifth planar-faces 107, and between fifth and sixth planar-faces 107 (i.e., the second group of connected planar-faces 107). In some embodiments, there may be a fixed and no-variable angle-between-planar-face-and-connected-curved-segment 157 (angle 157). In some embodiments, angle 157 may be between third planar-face 107 and first curved-segment 105, between first curved-segment 105 and fourth planar-face 107; between sixth planar-face 107 and second curved-segment 105; and between second curved-segment 105 and first planar-face 107. In some embodiments, there may be four (4) angles 155; and four (4) angles 157; such that the closed ring like structure of upper-portion 103 approximates a look of an octagon when viewed from the top, except that the two (2) opposing curved-segments 105 are curved and not flat/planar. In some embodiments, angle 157 may be larger than angle 155. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, all planar-surfaces 107 of a given upper-portion 103, may have a same: transverse-width, length/height, and/or thickness. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, at least one of planar-face(s) 107 may comprise one or more of: knock-out(s) 111 and/or hole-for-conduit(s) 129. In some embodiments, four (4) of the six (6) planar-face 107 may comprise one or more of: knock-out(s) 111 and/or hole-for-conduit(s) 129. In some embodiments, hole-for-conduit 129 may be a through hole passing entirely through a section/portion of a given planar-face 107. In some embodiments, hole-for-conduit 129 may be configured to permit passage of a portion of conduit, cable, wire, portions thereof, combinations thereof, and/or the like. In some embodiments, a given hole-for-conduit 129 may be partially to totally covered (initially) by a knock-out 111. In some embodiments, a given knock-out 111 may be initially/temporarily cover over at least a portion of a given hole-for-conduit 129, until that given knock-out 111 may be removed (i.e., knocked-out). In some embodiments, a given knock-out 111 may be a disc (disk) like member. In some embodiments, a given hole-for-conduit 129 may be uncovered by a knock-out 111. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, curved-segment(s) 105 may be free from (without) knock-out(s) 111 and/or hole-for-conduit(s) 129. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, at least one of curved-segment 105 may comprise one or more of: knock-out(s) 111 and/or hole-for-conduit(s) 129.
In some embodiments, upper-portion 103 may be free from spring(s) 137, mounting-tab(s) 143, portions thereof, combinations thereof, and/or the like. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, lower-portion 121 may be a substantially (mostly) hollow right cylinder member, that begins at a bottom of bottom-circular-edge 123 and ends at a top of lower-portion 121 at where sloped-indentations 109 begins or at where curved-segments 105 begin. In some embodiments, lower-portion 121 may comprise and/or include one or more of: bottom-circular-edge 123, notch(es) 125, internal-tab(s) 117, hole(s) 119, at least some portions of internal-curved-portion 113, portions thereof, combinations thereof, and/or the like. In some embodiments, lower-portion 121 may have a same, uniform, fixed, finite, and/or predetermined outside-diameter 153, all along an outside perimeter of lower-portion 121. In some embodiments, lower-portion 121 may be free from (without) any external annular to mostly annular flange(s). See e.g.,
In some embodiments, bottom-circular-edge 123 may be a bottom edge of lower-portion 121 that may be substantially (mostly) circular when viewed from below (see e.g.,
In some embodiments, lower-portion 121 may be free from (without) one or more of: external annular to mostly annular flange(s), knock-out(s) 111, hole(s)-for-conduit 129, planar-face(s) 107, sloped-indentation(s) 109, lid 127, portions thereof, combinations thereof, and/or the like. In some embodiments, bottom-circular-edge 123 may be free from (without) one or more of: external annular to mostly annular flange(s), knock-out(s) 111, hole(s)-for-conduit 129, planar-face(s) 107, sloped-indentation(s) 109, lid 127, portions thereof, combinations thereof, and/or the like. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, assembly 100 and/or lighting-junction-box 101 may comprise at least one lid 127. In some embodiments, lid 127 may be attached to a top of upper-portion 103. In some embodiments, lid 127 may at least mostly (substantially) cover over an otherwise large upper/top hole to upper-portion 103. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, lid 127 may comprise at least one hole-for-conduit 129.
In some embodiments, hole-for-conduit 129 may be a through hole passing entirely through a section/portion of lid 127. In some embodiments, lid 127 may comprise at least one knock-out 111. See e.g.,
In some embodiments,
In some embodiments, assembly 100 may comprise at least one spring 137. In some embodiments, assembly 100 may comprise at least two springs 137. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, spring 137 may comprise elongate-leg-portion 139 and com-plementary-mounting-portion 141. In some embodiments, elongate-leg-portion 139 may be elongate planar member that is longer than wide and wider than thick. In some embodiments, elongate-leg-portion 139 may have a finite, fixed, and predetermined length. In some embodiments, elongate-leg-portion 139 may have a finite, fixed, and predetermined rigidity, that may be appropriate for holding assembly 100 within cutout-for-junction-box 301; however, an installer may be able to squeeze (by hand) distal portions of elongate-leg-portion(s) 139 towards lighting-junction-box 101 sufficiently close, for at least a majority of lighting-junction-box 101/assembly 100 to be fit into cutout-for-junction-box 301. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 141 may be a portion of spring 137 that is attached to an exterior portion of lower-portion 121. In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 141 may be a portion of spring 137 that is attached to a bottom exterior portion of sidewall 603 of lighting-junction-box 601. In some embodiments, elongate-leg-portion 139 may be attached to (part of) complementary-mounting-portion 141. In some embodiments, elongate-leg-portion 139 may extend out and away from complemen-tary-mounting-portion 141 and out and away from an exterior of lighting-junction-box 101 or of lighting-junction-box 601. However, elongate-leg-portion 139 may be removably squeezed towards lighting-junction-box 101 (or towards lighting-junction-box 601) and/or towards com-plementary-mounting-portion 141, by hand(s) of an installer of assembly 100 (or of assembly 600) into a given ceiling. In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 141 may have a radius of curvature that may be complementary (matches) a radius of curvature of low-er-portion 121 (or of the bottom exterior of sidewall 603). In some embodiments, complemen-tary-mounting-portion 141 may be attached to (an exterior of) lower-portion 121 at or proximate to bottom-circular-edge 123, wherein proximate in this context may be two (2) inches or less. In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 141 may be attached to the bottom exterior of sidewall 603 at or proximate to bottom 605, wherein proximate in this context may be two (2) inches or less. In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 141 may be attached to an exterior of lower-portion 121, such that when elongate-leg-portion 139 is squeezed towards lighting-junction-box 101, no knock-out(s) 111 and/or no hole(s)-for-conduit 129 are blocked by the squeezed in elongate-leg-portion 139. In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 141 may be attached to the bottom exterior of sidewall 603, such that when elongate-leg-portion 139 is squeezed towards lighting-junction-box 601, no knock-out(s) 111 and/or no hole(s)-for-conduit 129 are blocked by the squeezed in elongate-leg-portion 139. In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 141 may be attached to an exterior of lower-portion 121, below a given planar-face 107 that is free of (without) any knock-out(s) 111 and/or free of (without) any hole(s)-for-conduit 129. In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 141 may be attached to an exterior of lower-portion 121, below a curved-segment 105 that is free of (without) any knock-out(s) 111 and/or free of (without) any hole(s)-for-conduit 129. In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 141 may be attached to the bottom exterior of sidewall 603 that is free of (without) any knock-out(s) 111 and/or free of (without) any hole(s)-for-conduit 129. In some embodiments, when there are two (2) springs 137 attached to (exteriors of) lower-portion 121, those two (2) springs 137 may be opposing each other by 180 degrees. In some embodiments, when there are two (2) springs 137 attached to the bottom exteriors of sidewall 603, those two (2) springs 137 may be opposing each other by 180 degrees. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 141 may be attached to an exterior of lower-portion 121 (at or near bottom-circular-edge 123, wherein “near” may within two (2) inches) by one or more of: a heat weld, adhesive, glue, solvent bond, an ultrasonic weld, a mechanical fastener, portions thereof, combinations thereof, and/or the like. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 141 may be attached to the bottom exterior of sidewall 603 (at or near bottom 605, wherein “near” may within two (2) inches) by one or more of: a heat weld, adhesive, glue, solvent bond, an ultrasonic weld, a mechanical fastener, portions thereof, combinations thereof, and/or the like. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, spring 137 (e.g., complementary-mounting-portion 141) may begin at or near bottom-circular-edge 123 of lower-portion 121, at an exterior of lower-portion 121, and then elongate-leg-portion 139 may extend both upwards towards top 201/lid 127 but also way from exterior sides of lighting-junction-box 101, such that an overall length of elongate-leg-portion 139 is not parallel with an axial-centerline 199 of lighting-junction-box 101 and that overall length of elongate-leg-portion 139 is also not orthogonal with the axial-centerline 199 of lighting-junction-box 101—when spring 137/elongate-leg-portion 139 is in a default/relaxed configuration (i.e., when spring 137/elongate-leg-portion 139 is not being bent/squeezed). In some embodiments, spring 137/elongate-leg-portion 139 may extend away from the opening to cavity 135 along bottom-circular-edge 123.
In some embodiments, spring 137 (e.g., complementary-mounting-portion 141) may begin at or near bottom 605 of sidewall 603 and then elongate-leg-portion 139 may extend both upwards towards top 607/lid 609 but also way from exterior sides of lighting-junction-box 601, such that an overall length of elongate-leg-portion 139 is not parallel with an axial-centerline 199 of lighting-junction-box 601 and that overall length of elongate-leg-portion 139 is also not orthogonal with the axial-centerline 199 of lighting-junction-box 601—when spring 137/elongate-leg-portion 139 is in a default/relaxed configuration (i.e., when spring 137/elongate-leg-portion 139 is not being bent/squeezed). In some embodiments, spring 137/elongate-leg-portion 139 may extend away from an opening to a cavity of lighting-junction-box 601 along bottom 605. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, spring 137/elongate-leg-portion 139 may not extend from a top to a bottom direction (e.g., a general direction from top 201/lid 127 towards bottom-circular-edge 123) of lighting-junction-box 101. In some embodiments, spring 137/elongate-leg-portion 139 may not extend in a direction from the (at least mostly) closed lid 127/top 201 towards the opening to cavity 135 along bottom-circular-edge 123. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, spring 137/elongate-leg-portion 139 may not extend from a top 607 to a bottom 605 direction (e.g., a general direction from top 607/lid 609 towards bottom 605) of lighting-junction-box 601. In some embodiments, spring 137/elongate-leg-portion 139 may not extend in a direction from the (at least mostly) closed lid 609/top 607 towards the opening to the cavity of lighting-junction-box 601 along bottom 605. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, each of at least two springs 137 may comprise elongate-leg-portion 139 that may be longer than wide and wider than thick. In some embodiments, elongate-leg-portion 139 terminates at the distal-end of the given spring 137 disposed away from lower-portion 121 (and/or disposed away from complementary-mounting-portion 141). In some embodiments, elongate-leg-portion 139 terminates at the distal-end of the given spring 137 disposed away from the bottom exterior of sidewall 603 (and/or disposed away from complementary-mounting-portion 141). In some embodiments, elongate-leg-portion 139 may have an overall length that is not parallel nor orthogonal with an axial-centerline 199 of lighting-junction-box 101 (or of lighting-junction-box 601), when the elongate-leg-portion 139 is in a default resting relaxed configuration (i.e., the un-squeezed configuration). In some embodiments, elongate-leg-portion 139 may have a predetermined rigidity (stiffness) that is configured to be temporarily squeezed into a squeezed configuration towards the sidewalls of lighting-junction-box 101 (or of lighting-junction-box 601) (during ceiling 300 installation operations) and when not being squeezed, elongate-leg-portion 139 may be in the default resting relaxed configuration. In some embodiments, when both of elongate-leg-portions 139 are in the squeezed configuration, lighting-junction-box-assembly 100 (or assembly 600) may be configured to fit at least mostly within a hole (cutout 301) in ceiling 300. In some embodiments, up-per/top and/or lower/bottom surfaces of elongate-leg-portion 139 are neither parallel nor orthogonal from a major/main plane of lid 127, when elongate-leg-portion 139 may be in the default resting relaxed configuration. In some embodiments, upper/top and/or lower/bottom surfaces of elongate-leg-portion 139 are neither parallel nor orthogonal from a major/main plane of lid 609 (top 615), when elongate-leg-portion 139 may be in the default resting relaxed configuration. In some embodiments, each of the at least two springs 137 may comprise complementary-mounting-portion 141 that may be attached to lower-portion 121 of lighting-junction-box 101. In some embodiments, each of the at least two springs 137 may comprise complementary-mounting-portion 141 that may be attached to the bottom exteriors of sidewall 603 of lighting-junction-box 601. In some embodiments, the two complementary-mounting-portions 141 may be oppositely disposed from each other (by 180 degrees) on lower-portion 121 of lighting-junction-box 101. In some embodiments, the two complementary-mounting-portions 141 may be oppositely disposed from each other (by 180 degrees) on the bottom exteriors of sidewall 603 of lighting-junction-box 601. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, assembly 100 may comprise at least one mounting-tab 143. In some embodiments, assembly 100 may comprise at least two (2) mounting-tabs 143. In some embodiments, mounting-tab 143 may be how assembly 100 is (permanently) attached to a given ceiling. In some embodiments, mounting-tab(s) 143 may be configured to provide structure for mounting assembly 100 to a given ceiling. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, mounting-tab 143 may comprise extension-portion 145 and complementary-mounting-portion 149. In some embodiments, extension-portion 145 may be elongate planar member that is wider than long and longer than thick. In some embodiments, extension-portion 145 may be shorter than elongate-leg-portion 139 (of a spring 137). In some embodiments, extension-portion 145 may be wider than elongate-leg-portion 139 (of a spring 137). In some embodiments, extension-portion 145 may have a finite, fixed, and predetermined length, width, and thickness. In some embodiments, extension-portion 145 may be a tab and/or an ear of rigid material that extends at least mostly (substantially) orthogonally away from lower-portion 121 and/or away from axial-centerline 199. In some embodiments, exten-sion-portion 145 may comprise at least one hole 147. In some embodiments, extension-portion 145 may comprise at least two holes 147. In some embodiments, hole 147 may be a hole that passes entirely through a portion of extension-portion 145. In some embodiments, hole 147 may be configured to receive a mechanical fastener, such as, but not limited to, a screw, a bolt, a nail, a rivet, a staple, a brad, portions thereof, combinations thereof, and/or the like. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 149 may be a portion of mounting-tab 143 that is attached to an exterior portion of lower-portion 121. In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 149 may be a portion of mounting-tab 143 that is attached to a bottom exterior portion of sidewall 603 of lighting-junction-box 601. In some embodiments, extension-portion 145 may be attached to complementary-mounting-portion 141. In some embodiments, extension-portion 145 may extend out and away from complementary-mounting-portion 149 and out and away from an exterior of lighting-junction-box 101 (or of lighting-junction-box 601). In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 149 may have a radius of curvature that may be complementary (matches) a radius of curvature of low-er-portion 121. In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 149 may have a radius of curvature that may be complementary (matches) a radius of curvature of the bottom exterior portion of sidewall 603. In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 149 may be attached to (an exterior of) lower-portion 121 at or proximate to bottom-circular-edge 123, wherein proximate in this context may be two (2) inches or less. In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 149 may be attached to the bottom exterior of sidewall 603 at or proximate to bottom 605, wherein proximate in this context may be two (2) inches or less. In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 149 may be attached to an exterior of lower-portion 121, such that when hole(s) 147 receive mechanical fastener(s), those mechanical fastener(s) and/or drywall-anchors that also may be receiving those mechanical fastener(s) do not block (obstruct) knock-out(s) 111 and/or hole(s)-for-conduit 129 of the upper-portion 103. In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 149 may be attached to the bottom exterior of sidewall 603, such that when hole(s) 147 receive mechanical fastener(s), those mechanical fastener(s) and/or drywall-anchors that also may be receiving those mechanical fastener(s) do not block (obstruct) knock-out(s) 111 and/or hole(s)-for-conduit 129 of sidewall 603. In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 149 may be attached to an exterior of lower-portion 121, below a curved-segment 105 that is free of (without) any knock-out(s) 111 and/or free of (without) any hole(s)-for-conduit 129. In some embodiments, com-plementary-mounting-portion 149 may be attached to an exterior of lower-portion 121, below a given planar-face 107 that is free of (without) any knock-out(s) 111 and/or free of (without) any hole(s)-for-conduit 129. In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 149 may be attached to the bottom exterior of sidewall 603 that is free of (without) any knock-out(s) 111 and/or free of (without) any hole(s)-for-conduit 129. In some embodiments, when there are two (2) mounting-tabs 143 attached to (exteriors of) lower-portion 121, those two (2) mounting-tabs 143 may be opposing each other by 180 degrees. In some embodiments, when there are two (2) mounting-tabs 143 attached to the bottom exteriors of sidewall 603, those two (2) mounting-tabs 143 may be opposing each other by 180 degrees. In some embodiments, a given mounting-tab 143 may be separated from a given closet spring 137 of lower-portion 121 by 90 degrees. In some embodiments, a given mounting-tab 143 may be separated from a given closet spring 137 of sidewall 603 by 90 degrees. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 149 may be attached to an exterior of lower-portion 121 (at or near bottom-circular-edge 123, wherein “near” may within two (2) inches) by one or more of: a heat weld, adhesive, glue, solvent bond, an ultrasonic weld, a mechanical fastener, portions thereof, combinations thereof, and/or the like. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, complementary-mounting-portion 149 may be attached to the bottom exterior of sidewall 603 (at or near bottom 605, wherein “near” may within two (2) inches) by one or more of: a heat weld, adhesive, glue, solvent bond, an ultrasonic weld, a mechanical fastener, portions thereof, combinations thereof, and/or the like. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, bottom surfaces of extension-portion 145 may be at least mostly (substantially) flush with bottom surfaces of bottom-circular-edge 123 (or of bottom 605). See e.g.,
In some embodiments, extension-portion 145 may extends orthogonally away from axial-centerline 199 of lighting-junction-box 101 (or of lighting-junction-box 601). In some embodiments, upper/top and/or lower/bottom surfaces of extension-portion 145 may be substantially parallel with a major/main plane of lid 127 (or of lid 609). In some embodiments, each of at least two mounting-tabs 143 may comprise complementary-mounting-portion 149 that may be attached to lower-portion 121 of lighting-junction-box 101. In some embodiments, each of at least two mounting-tabs 143 may comprise complementary-mounting-portion 149 that may be attached to the bottom exterior of sidewall 603 of lighting-junction-box 601. In some embodiments, the two complementary-mounting-portions 149 may be oppositely disposed from each other (by 180 degrees) on lower-portion 121 of lighting-junction-box 101. In some embodiments, the two complementary-mounting-portions 149 may be oppositely disposed from each other (by 180 degrees) on the bottom exteriors of sidewall 603 of lighting-junction-box 601. In some embodiments, extension-portion 145 may comprise at least one through-hole 147. In some embodiments, at least one through-hole 147 may be configured to receive a mechanical fastener (such as, but not limited to, a screw) for attachment to ceiling 300. For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, a portion of the mechanical fastener (e.g., a portion near a head of the mechanical fastener) may pass through hole 147 and a different portion of the mechanical fastener (e.g., a distal portion disposed away from the head of the mechanical fastener) may be received into hole 303 (wherein hole 303 may or may not have drywall-anchor(s) installed therein). See e.g.,
In some embodiments, if imaginary four (4) lines were to connect the four (4) holes 147, a rectangle shape, as viewed from a bottom of assembly 100 (or of assembly 600), with rounded corners may be formed. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, each of the at least two springs 137 may comprise elongate-leg-portion 139, and elongate-leg-portion 139 may be longer than a length (or a width) of ex-tension-portion 145. In some embodiments, a length of elongate-leg-portion 139 may be from four (4) to six (6) times longer than a length of extension-portion 145. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, spring(s) 137 and/or mounting-tab(s) 143 are attached to/at, associated with, and/or in proximity to bottom-circular-edge 123 of lower-portion 121, wherein “associated with” and/or “in proximity to” in this context means a portion of spring(s) 137 (e.g., complementary-mounting-portion 141) and/or of mounting-tab(s) 143 (e.g., complemen-tary-mounting-portion 149) is within two (2) inches of bottom-circular-edge 123. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, spring(s) 137 and/or mounting-tab(s) 143 are attached to/at, associated with, and/or in proximity to bottom 605 of the bottom exterior of sidewall 603, wherein “associated with” and/or “in proximity to” in this context means a portion of spring(s) 137 (e.g., complementary-mounting-portion 141) and/or of mounting-tab(s) 143 (e.g., com-plementary-mounting-portion 149) is within two (2) inches of bottom 605. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, spring(s) 137 and/or mounting-tab(s) 143 are not attached to/at, associated with, nor in proximity to one or more of: flange(s), external flange(s), annular flange(s), mostly annular flange(s), reflector(s), trim, portions thereof, combinations thereof, and/or the like; wherein “associated with” and/or “in proximity to” in this context means a portion of spring(s) 137 (e.g., complementary-mounting-portion 141) and/or of mounting-tab(s) 143 (e.g., complementary-mounting-portion 149) is at least two (2) inches or more separated away from such structures.
In some embodiments, spring(s) 137 and/or mounting-tab(s) 143 are not attached to/at, associated with, nor in proximity to one or more of: lid 127, top 201, upper-portion 103, curved-segment(s) 105, planar-surface(s) 107, sloped-indentation(s) 109, knock-out(s) 111, hole(s)-for-conduit 129, portions thereof, combinations thereof, and/or the like; wherein “associated with” and/or “in proximity to” in this context means a portion of spring(s) 137 (e.g., complementary-mounting-portion 141) when the spring(s) 137 are not being bent/squeezed and/or of mounting-tab(s) 143 (e.g., complementary-mounting-portion 149) is at least a half (0.5) inch or more separated away from such structures.
In some embodiments, spring(s) 137 and/or mounting-tab(s) 143 are not attached to/at, associated with, nor in proximity to one or more of: lid 609, top 607, knock-out(s) 111, hole(s)-for-conduit 129, portions thereof, combinations thereof, and/or the like; wherein “associated with” and/or “in proximity to” in this context means a portion of spring(s) 137 (e.g., complementary-mounting-portion 141) when the spring(s) 137 are not being bent/squeezed and/or of mounting-tab(s) 143 (e.g., complementary-mounting-portion 149) is at least a half (0.5) inch or more separated away from such structures. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, a spring 137 selected from the at least two springs 137 and a mounting-tab 143 selected from the at least two mounting-tabs 143 may be adjacent to each other and separated from each other by ninety (90) degrees along an exterior of lower-portion 121 of lighting-junction-box 101. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, a spring 137 selected from the at least two springs 137 and a mounting-tab 143 selected from the at least two mounting-tabs 143 may be adjacent to each other and separated from each other by ninety (90) degrees along an exterior of bottom exterior of sidewall 603 of lighting-junction-box 601. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, each of the at least two springs 137 may comprise elongate-leg-portion 139, and elongate-leg-portion 139 may be longer than a length (or a width) of ex-tension-portion 145. See e.g.,
Without lid 127 attached to a top 201 of upper-portion 103, upper-portion 103 and lower-portion 121 may form a hollow elongate structure (open at top 201 and at a bottom 123), with (sidewall) portions that are substantially (mostly) similar to a hollow right cylinder (see e.g.,
In some embodiments, at least two or more of: upper-portion 103, curved-segments 105, planar-faces 107, sloped-indentations 109, holes-for-conduit 129 (of at least some planar-faces 107), lower-portion 121, bottom-circular-edge 123, and/or notch(es) 125 may be integral with each other and/or of a single article of manufacture; however, knock-out(s) 111 may be separate articles of manufacture that may be attached to at least some of the plana-faces 107. Lid 127 may also be a separate article of manufacture from upper-portion 103 and/or from lower-portion 121. Spring(s) 137 may also be a separate article(s) of manufacture from upper-portion 103 and/or from lower-portion 121. Mounting-tab(s) 143 may also be a separate arti-cle(s) of manufacture from upper-portion 103 and/or from lower-portion 121. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, top 201 and/or lid 127 may be free from (without) any spring(s) 137 and/or mounting-tab(s) 143. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, to install a given assembly 100 (or a given assembly 600) into a given existing ceiling 300, cutout-for-junction-box 301 and hole(s) 303 are formed in the given existing ceiling 300. In some embodiments, template 400 (shown in
In some embodiments, smaller-holes 303 may be in close proximity to largest-hole 301; and smaller-holes 303 and largest-hole 301 are all arranged in a predetermined pattern (e.g., as shown in template 400 of
Continuing discussing
In some embodiments, if imaginary four (4) lines were to connect the four (4) template-for-hole-for-mounting-plate-and-anchor 403 (smaller-circles 403), a rectangle shape, with rounded corners may be formed. See e.g.,
Continuing discussing
Continuing discussing
Continuing discussing
In some embodiments, template-for-hole-for-mounting-plate-and-anchor 403 from template 400 may be used to assist in forming hole(s) 303; whereas, in other embodiments, hole(s) 303 may be formed without use of template-for-hole-for-mounting-plate-and-anchor 403 and just using an appropriate sized drill bit in the bottom surface of existing ceiling 300 and using hole(s) 147 as a template of where to locate those hole(s) 303. In some embodiments, step 505 may progress to step 507 and/or to step 509. Note, in some embodiments, step 505 may only progress to step 509, if step 503 has already been executed.
Continuing discussing
Continuing discussing
Continuing discussing
Continuing discussing
Continuing discussing
Continuing discussing
Continuing discussing
In some embodiments, an outside-diameter of lighting-junction-box 601, sidewall 603, and/or lid 609 may be outside-diameter 153 or the same as outside-diameter 153.
Also shown in
Like lighting-junction-box 101, lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel 600, lighting-junction-box 601, sidewall 603, and lid 609 all have and share the common axial-centerline 199. Note, for reference purposes (only) lighting-junction-box 601 may have an ax-ial-centerline 199 that runs through a center of lighting-junction-box 601 from bottom 605 to lid 609. See e.g.,
Note,
Note, an exploded view of lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel 600 may be at least substantially similar as that of
In some embodiments, overall-assembly 700 may comprise one lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel 600, one junction-box 701, and one conduit 711. In some embodiments, overall-assembly 700 may also comprise template 400. In some embodiments, junction-box 701 may be a junction-box. In some embodiments, conduit 711 may be conduit, configured for housing and/or protecting electrical wiring/cabling within. In some embodiments, conduit 711 may be a fixed, a finite, and a predetermined length of metal or plastic hollow cylindrical sheathing. In some embodiments, conduit 711 may connect lighting-junction-box 601 to junc-tion-box 701. In some embodiments, conduit 711 may comprise two opposing terminal ends. In some embodiments, one terminal end of conduit 711 may be attached to lighting-junction-box 601 and the other opposing terminal end of conduit 711 may be attached to junction-box 701. In some embodiments, one terminal end of conduit 711 may be attached to lid 609 and the other opposing terminal end of conduit 711 may be attached to junction-box 701. In some embodiments, attachment of one terminal end of conduit 711 to lid 609, may occur such that this attachment is off-center from axial-centerline 199. In some embodiments, one terminal end of conduit 711 may be attached to sidewall 603 and the other opposing terminal end of conduit 711 may be attached to junction-box 701.
In application (use), junction-box 701 may be spaced apart from lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel 600 by some distance, that may be varied, but limited to the length of conduit 711. For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, junction-box 701 may be spaced apart from lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel 600 from one-half (0.5) inches to twelve (2) inches.
Note, overall-assembly 700 may comprise two (2) different junction-boxes, that of lighting-junction-box 601 and that of junction-box 701. In some embodiments, junction-box 701 may be referred to as “second junction-box 701,” wherein lighting-junction-box 601 (or lighting-junction-box 101) may be the first junction-box. This two (2) different junction-boxes configuration allows the splitting of the electronics, circuitry, electrical connections, and/or wiring/cabling that would otherwise have to be entirely within a lighting junction box (e.g., only a lighting can) to now occupy junction-box 701 and/or to occupy lighting-junction-box 601. This two (2) different junction-boxes configuration has several benefits. This two (2) different junction-boxes configuration allows some of the heat generating electronics, circuitry, electrical connections, and/or wiring/cabling that would otherwise have to be entirely within the lighting junction box (lighting can) to now occupy the adjacent junction-box 701. This two (2) different junction-boxes configuration allows the electronics, circuitry, electrical connections, and/or wiring/cabling that remain in lighting-junction-box 601 to now have more room (space), which in turn improves heat dissipation occurring within lighting-junction-box 601; and which in turn allows the electronics, circuitry, electrical connections, and/or wiring/cabling that remain in lighting-junction-box 601 to have longer operational lifespans as compared to a single junction-box only configuration.
In some embodiments, lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel 600 of overall-assembly 700 may be replaced by lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel 100. In some embodiments, overall-assembly 700 may comprise lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel 600 or lighting-junction-box-assembly-for-remodel 100.
In some embodiments, assembly 100, 600, and/or 700 are not be used with mounting-frames; wherein mounting-frames are usually attached to a pair of parallel hanger bars; wherein the hanger bars are attached to adjacent parallel ceiling joists; wherein the mounting-frames receive a lighting can and sometimes a junction box; wherein such mounting-frames are often used in new construction (i.e., at least new ceiling construction). In some embodiments, assembly 100, 600, and/or 700 are used in existing ceiling retrofits (remodels) for recessed lighting applications.
In some embodiments, in terms of use/application, assembly 100 may be replaced with assembly 600 or vice-versa. In some embodiments, in terms of use/application, lighting-junction-box 101 may be replaced with lighting-junction-box 601 or vice-versa.
In some embodiments, assembly 100 or assembly 600 and/or at least a portion thereof may be at least mostly (substantially) made from one or more materials of: a metal, an alloy, plastic, carbon fiber, ceramic, wood, portions thereof, combinations thereof, and/or the like. In some embodiments, assembly 100 or assembly 600 and/or at least a portion thereof may be at least mostly (substantially) made from one or more materials approved by a regulatory agency and/or law that may be applicable to where a given assembly 100 or assembly 600 may be planned to be installed.
In some embodiments, exterior surfaces of assembly 100 or assembly 600 and/or at least a portion thereof may be painted and/or powder coated.
Note with respect to the materials of construction, it is not desired nor intended to thereby unnecessarily limit the present invention by reason of such disclosure.
In some embodiments, assembly 100 or assembly 600 may be IC (insulation contact) rated. In some embodiments, assembly 100 or assembly 600 may be configured for use in IC (insulation contact) and/or non-IC applications. In some embodiments, assembly 100 or assembly 600 may be IC (insulation contact) rated airtight for direct contact with insulation.
In some embodiments, a maximum two (2) hour fire rated ceiling assembly may be maintained when assembly 100 or assembly 600 may be installed according to the Internation-al Building Code, Section 714.
In some embodiments, assembly 100 or assembly 600 may be UL (Underwriters' Laboratories) listed under UL 514A Standards as a metallic outlet box. In some embodiments, assembly 100 or assembly 600 may be UL listed under 1598 Standards as a luminaire housing.
In some embodiments, assembly 100 or assembly 600 may be configured for use in damp locations and/or potentially in wet locations.
In some embodiments, assembly 100 or assembly 600 may be low profile, making assembly 100 or assembly 600 ideal for use in shallow plenum applications. For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, assembly 100 or assembly 600 may have a height of four (4) inches (e.g., from bottom-circular-edge 123 to a top of lid 127 or from bottom 605 to top 615 of lid 609).
In some embodiments, extension-portion(s) 145 may not be completely covered by trim; i.e., mudding, plastering, and/or painting may be desired, required, and/or necessary after installation of assembly 100 or assembly 600 into existing ceiling 300.
Lighting-junction-box-assemblies-for-remodel have been described. The foregoing description of the various exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the spirit of the invention.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently consid-ered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
The present patent application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/505,563 filed on Oct. 19, 2021, and claims priority to said U.S. non-provisional patent application under 35 U.S.C. § 120. The above-identified patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth below. The present patent application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/106,048 filed on Nov. 27, 2020, and claims priority to said U.S. non-provisional patent application under 35 U.S.C. § 120. The above-identified patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth below. The present patent application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/790,345 filed on Feb. 13, 2020, and claims priority to said U.S. non-provisional patent application under 35 U.S.C. § 120. The above-identified patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth below.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1133535 | Cain | Mar 1915 | A |
| 1471340 | Knight | Oct 1923 | A |
| 1856356 | Owen | May 1932 | A |
| 2352913 | Parker | Jul 1944 | A |
| 2758810 | Good | Aug 1956 | A |
| 2802933 | Broadwin | Aug 1957 | A |
| 3104087 | Budnick | Sep 1963 | A |
| 3773968 | Copp | Nov 1973 | A |
| 3913773 | Copp | Oct 1975 | A |
| 4450512 | Kristofek | May 1984 | A |
| 4673149 | Grote | Jun 1987 | A |
| 4733339 | Kelsall | Mar 1988 | A |
| 4880128 | Jorgensen | Nov 1989 | A |
| 4919292 | Hsu | Apr 1990 | A |
| 5009383 | Chapman | Apr 1991 | A |
| 5206464 | Lamm | Apr 1993 | A |
| 5303894 | Deschamps | Apr 1994 | A |
| 5420376 | Rajecki | May 1995 | A |
| 5609414 | Caluori | Mar 1997 | A |
| 5931432 | Herold | Aug 1999 | A |
| 5957573 | Wedekind | Sep 1999 | A |
| 6521833 | DeFreitas | Feb 2003 | B1 |
| 6967284 | Gretz | Nov 2005 | B1 |
| 7170003 | Fields | Jan 2007 | B2 |
| 7586039 | Gretz | Sep 2009 | B1 |
| 7673842 | Nevers | Mar 2010 | B2 |
| 7784754 | Nevers | Aug 2010 | B2 |
| 7857275 | de la Borbolla | Dec 2010 | B2 |
| 7950832 | Tanaka | May 2011 | B2 |
| 8235549 | Gingrich, III | Aug 2012 | B2 |
| 8308322 | Santiago | Nov 2012 | B2 |
| 8322897 | Blincoe | Dec 2012 | B2 |
| 8545063 | Dupuy | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8545064 | Blincoe | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8575483 | Gauthier | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| D704875 | Johnson | May 2014 | S |
| 8845144 | Davis | Sep 2014 | B1 |
| 8926133 | Booth | Jan 2015 | B2 |
| 9039254 | Danesh | May 2015 | B2 |
| 9151457 | Pickard | Oct 2015 | B2 |
| 9404639 | Bailey | Aug 2016 | B2 |
| 9523493 | Chen | Dec 2016 | B2 |
| 9605842 | Davis | Mar 2017 | B1 |
| 9673597 | Lee | Jun 2017 | B2 |
| 9696021 | Wronski | Jul 2017 | B2 |
| 9797562 | Dabiet | Oct 2017 | B2 |
| 9854642 | Kashani | Dec 2017 | B2 |
| 9890942 | Lin | Feb 2018 | B2 |
| 9945548 | Williams | Apr 2018 | B2 |
| 9964266 | Danesh | May 2018 | B2 |
| 10072805 | Bailey | Sep 2018 | B2 |
| D832218 | Wronski | Oct 2018 | S |
| 10103533 | Gretz | Oct 2018 | B1 |
| D833977 | Danesh | Nov 2018 | S |
| 10139059 | Danesh | Nov 2018 | B2 |
| 10244607 | Kashani | Mar 2019 | B1 |
| D847414 | Danesh | Apr 2019 | S |
| D847415 | Danesh | Apr 2019 | S |
| 10247390 | Kopitzke | Apr 2019 | B1 |
| D848375 | Danesh | May 2019 | S |
| D851046 | Peng | Jun 2019 | S |
| 10378738 | Davis | Aug 2019 | B1 |
| 10408395 | Danesh | Sep 2019 | B2 |
| 10408396 | Wronski | Sep 2019 | B2 |
| D864877 | Danesh | Oct 2019 | S |
| 10488000 | Danesh | Nov 2019 | B2 |
| 10551044 | Peng | Feb 2020 | B2 |
| 10563850 | Danesh | Feb 2020 | B2 |
| D877957 | Kopitzke | Mar 2020 | S |
| 10591120 | Bailey | Mar 2020 | B2 |
| 10609785 | Fardadi | Mar 2020 | B1 |
| 10616968 | Wang | Apr 2020 | B2 |
| 10663127 | Danesh | May 2020 | B2 |
| 10663153 | Nikooyan | May 2020 | B2 |
| 10753558 | Danesh | Aug 2020 | B2 |
| 10805997 | Wang | Oct 2020 | B2 |
| 10816148 | Danesh | Oct 2020 | B2 |
| D901398 | Danesh | Nov 2020 | S |
| D902871 | Danesh | Nov 2020 | S |
| D903605 | Danesh | Dec 2020 | S |
| D905327 | Williams | Dec 2020 | S |
| D907284 | Danesh | Jan 2021 | S |
| 10975570 | Shen | Apr 2021 | B2 |
| 10982829 | Danesh | Apr 2021 | B2 |
| 10989390 | Lotfi | Apr 2021 | B2 |
| 11022259 | Bailey | Jun 2021 | B2 |
| 11028982 | Danesh | Jun 2021 | B2 |
| 11047538 | Danesh | Jun 2021 | B2 |
| D924467 | Danesh | Jul 2021 | S |
| D925109 | Danesh | Jul 2021 | S |
| 11060705 | Danesh | Jul 2021 | B1 |
| 11067231 | Lotfi | Jul 2021 | B2 |
| 11085597 | Danesh | Aug 2021 | B2 |
| 11118768 | Danesh | Sep 2021 | B2 |
| 11622179 | Christie | Apr 2023 | B2 |
| 11725805 | Cohen | Aug 2023 | B2 |
| 20140254177 | Danesh | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20150009676 | Danesh | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150233556 | Danesh | Aug 2015 | A1 |
| 20150276185 | Bailey | Oct 2015 | A1 |
| 20160312987 | Danesh | Oct 2016 | A1 |
| 20160348860 | Bailey | Dec 2016 | A1 |
| 20160348861 | Bailey | Dec 2016 | A1 |
| 20170005460 | Lee | Jan 2017 | A1 |
| 20170045213 | Williams | Feb 2017 | A1 |
| 20170138576 | Peng | May 2017 | A1 |
| 20170167672 | Stauner | Jun 2017 | A1 |
| 20170167699 | Schubert | Jun 2017 | A1 |
| 20170290129 | Kashani | Oct 2017 | A1 |
| 20180231197 | Danesh | Aug 2018 | A1 |
| 20180372284 | Danesh | Dec 2018 | A1 |
| 20190049080 | Danesh | Feb 2019 | A1 |
| 20190063701 | Lotfi | Feb 2019 | A1 |
| 20190093836 | Danesh | Mar 2019 | A1 |
| 20190394849 | Wang | Dec 2019 | A1 |
| 20200056752 | Danesh | Feb 2020 | A1 |
| 20200116340 | Nikooyan | Apr 2020 | A1 |
| 20200158302 | Danesh | May 2020 | A1 |
| 20200232624 | Lotfi | Jul 2020 | A1 |
| 20200236755 | Wang | Jul 2020 | A1 |
| 20200291652 | Shen | Sep 2020 | A1 |
| 20200348000 | Bailey | Nov 2020 | A1 |
| 20200386375 | Danesh | Dec 2020 | A1 |
| 20200393118 | Danesh | Dec 2020 | A1 |
| 20210010647 | Danesh | Jan 2021 | A1 |
| 20210010663 | Nikooyan | Jan 2021 | A1 |
| 20210033268 | Danesh | Feb 2021 | A1 |
| 20210041070 | Danesh | Feb 2021 | A1 |
| 20210071836 | Danesh | Mar 2021 | A1 |
| 20210080084 | Danesh | Mar 2021 | A1 |
| 20210262650 | Danesh | Aug 2021 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 3521688 | Jul 2019 | EP |
| WO2010051985 | May 2010 | WO |
| WO2018237294 | Dec 2018 | WO |
| WO2018237294 | Dec 2018 | WO |
| WO2019046310 | Mar 2019 | WO |
| WO2019133669 | Jul 2019 | WO |
| WO2019222259 | Nov 2019 | WO |
| WO2019241198 | Dec 2019 | WO |
| WO2021051101 | Mar 2021 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| US 10,816,169 B1, 10/2020, Danesh (withdrawn) |
| US 10,969,069 B2, 04/2021, Danesh (withdrawn) |
| DMF DRD2 Product Publicly available at least as early as Sep. 6, 2018 Website: https://www.dmflighting.com/product/drd2/. |
| DMF DRD4 Product Publicly available at least as early as Sep. 6, 2018 Website: https://www.dmflighting.com/product/drd4/. |
| ELCO E247 Product Publicly available at least as early as Sep. 6, 2018 See attached concurrently filed NPL document with two product images of this ELCO E247 Product. |
| Soraa LED Optical Light Engine See: https://res.cloudinary.com/soraa/image/upload/v1516986148/resources/misc/ole-more-info-pdf.pdf. |
| Imtra Tide PowerLED Light Fixture See: https://www.imtra.com/1806fa8d-4593-40f4-bbf0-f9a833e92148/lighting-light-fixtures-detail.htm Publicly available at least as early as 2012. |
| ELCO 4″ Round LED Reflector Insert Publicly available at least as early as Mar. 23, 2021 Website: https://elcolighting.com/products/4-round-led-reflector-insert. |
| ELCO 4″ Five-Color Temperature Switch LED Reflector Inserts Publicly available at least as early as Mar. 23, 2021 Website: https://elcolighting.com/node/1432026. |
| MaxLite Publicly available at least as early as Mar. 23, 2021 Website: https://www.maxlite.com/news-and-events/2021/02/05/maxlite-introduces-canless-commercial-downlights-with-field-selectable-wattages-and-ccts/ and https://www.maxlite.com/products/universal-downlights-wattage-color-selectable/. |
| Soraa Vivid MR16—GU10; https://www.soraa.com/products/19-MR16-GU10.php (last visited Nov. 9, 2021). |
| Nora Lighting, NIOB-2RNDC https://noralighting.com/product/niob-2rndc/. |
| Nora Lighting, NIO-4RPH https://noralighting.com/product/nio-4rph/. |
| Nora Lighting, NIOB-1RNG https://noralighting.com/product/niob-1rng/. |
| Nora Lighting https://noralighting.com/product-category/products/pendants/cylinder/. |
| Nora Lighting https://noralighting.com/product-category/products/pendants/ilene-mini-cylinder/. |
| Bruck Lighting https://brucklighting.com/download/b/GX15/Spec%20Sheets/GX15%20Cylinder%20Multi-Mount%20Spec%20Sheet.pdf. |
| Elite LED Lighting https://iuseelite.com/product-category/architectural-cylinders/?characteristics=c%2Bq. |
| DMF Lighting https://www.dmflighting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/DMFLighting_DCC_Spec_Sheet.pdf. |
| Sunco Lighting 10 Pack 4 Inch Recessed Lighting Housing Can Light New Construction, Air Tight Steel Ceiling Can, 120-277V, Hard Wired, TP24 Connector, Easy Install, IC Rated, UL Listed https://www.amazon.com/Sunco-Lighting-Construction-Downlight-Electrician/dp/B01N4RT3CD/ref=sr_1_5?crid=27BW0MUZZE2JJ&keywords=ASIN+B01N4RT3CD&qid=1649455893&sprefix=asin+b01n4rt3cd%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-5. |
| Halo E27ICAT E26 Series Recessed Lighting Shallow New Construction Insulation Contact Rated Air-Tite Housing, 6 In, Aluminum https://www.amazon.com/E27ICAT-Recessed-Lighting-Construction-Insulation/dp/B076C37RS3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2CTRIHBHRV1KF&keywords=ASIN+B076C37RS3&qid=1649455212&sprefix=asin+b076c37rs3%2Caps%2C901&sr=8-1. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220243883 A1 | Aug 2022 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17505563 | Oct 2021 | US |
| Child | 17725386 | US | |
| Parent | 17106048 | Nov 2020 | US |
| Child | 17725386 | US | |
| Parent | 16790345 | Feb 2020 | US |
| Child | 17725386 | US |
