Not applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to recessed strip lighting fixtures. More particularly, the invention relates to an assembly and method for the more efficient placement of lighting fixtures in T-grids.
2. Background of the Invention
Strip lighting fixtures are commonly used in continuous rows to provide economical uniform lighting of large indoor spaces. Recessing the fixtures above the plane of the ceiling provides for more visual comfort than strip fixtures that are openly viewable. A popular form of conventional ceiling structure includes a grid work defined by individual frame sections of generally inverted T-shaped cross-section. The frame sections are formed into a series of rectangles, and the resulting formation is called a “T-grid.” In standard T-grids, wall wash light fixtures are most usually installed in every other grid in the suspended ceiling. The mounting of the recessed wall wash fixture in the t-grid system is due to the requirement that the fixture mount on the cross bar or support bar of the T-grid. Thus, in T-grids, if light fixtures were directly adjacent to each other, each of the fixtures would mount in the same spot on the crossbar of the T-grid. Recessed lighting fixtures are typically installed in ceiling T-grids in rows and aligned so that no two fixtures are adjacent.
The aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood when the detailed description of the preferred embodiment is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
While this invention is capable of embodiments in many different forms, multiple embodiments are shown in the figures and will be herein described in detail. The present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
Referring now to the drawings and specifically to
The third side 4 and the fourth side 6 of the housing 2 are opposite each other, and the first side 8 and second side 10 are opposite each other. The first side 8 and the second side 10 each have a mounting extension 12 and a recessed indentation 14 that are positioned so that the mounting extension 12 of a first side 8 of a first housing 2 is capable of fitting into a recessed indentation 14 of a second side 10 of a second housing 20, as shown in
Other possible embodiments of the housing 2 include those in which the mounting extensions 12 of the first side 8 and second side 10 are directly opposite each other, where they are offset, or where there are multiple mounting extensions 12 and recessed indentations 14.
As also shown in
When the housing 2 is put into place on the t-grid 16, the clips 18 move outward away from the housing 2 until the clips 18 pass the block-shaped top 34 of the t-grid 16, at which time the clips 18 snap into place underneath the top 34 of the t-grid 16. The clips 18 prevent the housing 2 from coming off of the t-grid 16 and provide seismic restraint in case of an earthquake or other disturbance affecting the stability of the t-grid 16. Although the clips 18 prevent the housing 2 from coming off the t-grid 16 and coming out of the ceiling, they do not prevent the housing 2 from moving side to side along the base portion 36 of the t-grid 16. In fact, the housing 2 slides along the t-grid 16 until it is secured by placement of a ceiling tile against the housing 2. Other fastening mechanisms are possible, but the clips 18 allow the housing 2 to snap easily on the t-grid 16 and remain in place.
In
In one embodiment, housing 2 has a top side 60 that has a circular opening 58 in access cover 56 through which electrical wiring can be routed to a ballast 70. Incoming electrical wires go from an external electrical junction box, usually located in the ceiling, through opening 58 and into the housing 2. The wires are usually covered in conduit in order to protect them from being severed. After entering the housing 2, the wiring enters a transition box in order to switch from being covered with conduit to being uncovered before connecting to the ballast 70. The electrical wires enter ballast 70, and outgoing wires exit the ballast 70 and connect to lamp holder 100 holding lamp 30 to provide the lamp with electricity.
In the embodiment shown in
In
T-grid 16 further comprises a horizontal base portion 36 and a thin middle portion 38. Wall 32 of the housing 2 sits behind mounting extension 12 and rests on the base portion 36 oft-grid 16 when housing 2 is snapped into place. Thus, t-grid 16 supports housing 2 in two different places so that it maintains a firm position within the ceiling.
The reflector 40 and the lamp 30 are both within wall 32. In the embodiment shown in
The fourth side 6 of first housing 2 in
Also shown in
While there have been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the true scope of the invention.
This divisional application, under 35 USC §120, claims priority to, and benefit from, U.S. application Ser. No. 11/463,768, filed on Aug. 10, 2006, entitled “Recessed Wall Wash Staggered Mounting System,” now U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,430, naming the above-listed individual as the sole inventor.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 11463768 | Aug 2006 | US |
Child | 12696305 | US |