Patent Application
20110228543
This invention is directed generally to recessed lighting systems, and, more particularly, to a multi-directional adjustment system for the aperture of a recessed fixture.
Typically, prior to installation of a finished ceiling, a recessed luminaire (or light fixture) is secured to wood and/or steel framing of a building using telescoping bars that cover common spacing between parallel framing members. For example, the telescoping bars cover a joist spacing in the range of about 16 inches-24 inches or a T-Bar spacing in the range of about 24 inches.
After attachment to the building framing, the recessed luminaire can be adjusted perpendicular to the framing members by sliding it along the telescoping bars. However, parallel adjustment relative to the framing members requires complete detachment of the recessed luminaire from the building framing, followed by repositioning and re-attachment of the recessed luminaire. Accordingly, parallel adjustment of the recessed luminaire can be problematic because the procedure is time consuming and labor intensive. Problems with parallel adjustment of the recessed luminaire are especially present when only slight adjustments in position are desired or when electrical connections to the recessed luminaire are already in place (when the parallel adjustment is required).
Similar problems may also be present in installation of other devices that are similarly installed to the building framing. Such devices may include audio speakers, recessed fans, electrical boxes, etc.
What is needed, therefore, is a multi-directional adjustment system for a recessed luminaire that addresses the above-stated and other problems.
In an implementation of the present invention, a multi-directional adjustment system for a recessed luminaire improves the adjustability of recessed luminaires prior to the installation of a finished ceiling (or wall). The adjustment system incorporates features that allow adjustment of the recessed luminaire in at least two directions relative to structural framing members, which are generally parallel to each other. The adjustment directions of the adjustment system include (i) an adjustment direction parallel to the framing members and (ii) an adjustment direction perpendicular to the framing members.
Although the adjustment system is described generally as being applicable to luminaires, the adjustment system can also be applicable to other devices that are recessed prior to installation of a finished surface, such as a ceiling or a wall. Other devices can include audio speakers, recessed fans, and electrical boxes.
The adjustment system includes a stationary plate, an adjustable plate, and a locking component (such as a locking screw). The adjustable plate has a plurality of guides that are movably attached to corresponding guide slots of the stationary plate. The adjustable plate is secured to the stationary plate via the locking screw. The positional relationship between the stationary plate and the adjustable plate is controlled by the locking screw. During manufacturing and initial installation, the locking screw is positioned (or nesting) into a formed area of the stationary plate. The stationary plate and the adjustable plate allow the recessed luminaire to be adjusted parallel to the framing members.
The adjustment system further includes a plurality of telescoping bars for securing the recessed luminaire to the framing members. The telescoping bars allow the recessed luminaire to be adjusted perpendicular to the framing members. To achieve perpendicular adjustment, the telescoping bars are adjusted to the desired position.
When the recessed luminaire is secured to the framing members, the parallel adjustment can be achieved by (i) loosening the locking screw, (ii) sliding the adjustable plate in the desired position relative to the stationary plate, and (iii) tightening the locking screw. The movement between the adjustable plate and the stationary plate is allowed when the locking screw is loosened and the guides of the adjustable plate slide in the corresponding guide slots of the stationary plate.
The overall length and direction of adjustment is controlled by the size and shape of the guide slots of the stationary plate. For example, according to one embodiment, the parallel adjustment can be in the range of about plus/minus 0.50 inches from a factory pre-set centered position.
In another aspect of our invention, a mounting assembly includes a stationary plate for supporting a recessed fixture and having a plurality of linear guide slots. Telescoping mounting bars are fixed to building structure framing members and allow adjustability of the stationary plate in a direction generally perpendicular to a pair of structural framing members. An adjustable plate has a plurality of guide-receiving holes received in a linear movable manner within a corresponding one of the linear guide slots. A locking member is adjustably secured in one of the linear guide slots such that linear movement of the adjustable plate is prevented relative to the stationary plate when the locking member is in a locked position, linear movement of the adjustable plate being allowed relative to the stationary plate in a direction generally parallel to the structural framing members when the locking member is in an adjustable position.
In another aspect of our invention, a mounting assembly for a recessed fixture includes a stationary plate having a plurality of linear guide slots, and a first pair of telescoping bars attached to the stationary plate along a first edge. A second pair of telescoping bars is attached to the stationary plate along a second edge, the second edge being parallel to the first edge. A first pair of mounting feet and a second pair of mounting feet are attached respectively to the first pair of telescoping bars and the second pair of telescoping bars for rigidly mounting the respective telescoping bars to a pair of parallel structural framing members. The telescoping bars allow adjustment of the stationary plate in a perpendicular direction relative to the structural framing members. An adjustable plate is mounted to the stationary plate via a plurality of linear guides, each of the linear guides being linearly movable within a corresponding linear guide slot of the plurality of linear guide slots. A locking member is attached in one of the plurality of linear guide slots, the locking member preventing movement between the stationary plate and the adjustable plate in a locked position, the locking member allowing linear movement between the stationary plate and the adjustable plate in an adjustable position. The linear movement between the stationary plate and the adjustable plate is in a direction parallel to the structural framing members and is achievable when the mounting feet are rigidly mounted to the structural framing members.
Additional aspects of our invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below.
The invention may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Although the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to include all alternatives, modifications and equivalent arrangements as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Referring to
Prior to installation of a finished ceiling (or other covering surface), the recessed luminaire 100 is secured to the framing members 102 via a mounting assembly that includes two pairs of telescoping bars 104. The telescoping bars 104 are fixedly attached to the framing members 102 using mounting feet 106, which are connected to each end of the telescoping bars 104 and secured to the framing members 102 using mechanical fasteners 108, such as nails or screws. Preferably, the mechanical fasteners 108 are nails. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting feet 106 include two pairs of mounting feet attached respectively to the two pairs of telescoping bars 104. The telescoping bars 104 are attached to the luminaire housing 101 using two pairs of mounting guides 105.
After attaching the mounting feet 106 to the framing members 102, the luminaire housing 101 and other luminaire components (including luminaire apertures) can be adjusted in a linear direction “A” perpendicular to the framing members 102. The adjustment “A” of the telescoping bars 104 typically covers a joist spacing in the range of about 16-24 inches and a T-Bar spacing is about 24 inches.
The recessed luminaire 100 further includes a stationary plate 110 and an adjustable plate 112 for adjusting luminaire components in a linear direction “B” parallel to the framing members 102. As explained in more detail below, the adjustment “B” of the adjustable plate 112 relative to the stationary plate 110 is achieved without having to physically detach and move the mounting feet 106 relative to the framing members 102.
The recessed luminaire 100 may include other components, such as a frame insert 114 and a mechanical adjustment mechanism 115 (shown in
Referring to
The linear guide slots 120a-120d are positioned symmetrically around the central stationary aperture 118 in an array of two rows and two columns. A first linear guide slot 120a is generally aligned with a second linear guide slot 120b and with a fourth linear guide slot 120d. Similarly, a third linear guide slot 120c is generally aligned with the second linear guide slot 120b and the first linear guide slot 120a. Although the shown embodiment has four linear guide slots arranged in a 2×2 array, other embodiments can have different numbers and arrangements of linear guide slots.
The first linear guide slot 120a includes a formed area 122 for receiving a linear locking member 124 (shown in
The linear locking member 124 can be a fastener, such as a screw or a rivet, that fixes in place the adjustable plate 112 relative to the stationary plate 110. When the linear locking member 124 is in a locked position (e.g., screwed in), linear movement is prevented between the adjustable plate 112 and the stationary plate 110. When the linear locking member 124 is in an adjustable position (e.g., loosened), linear movement is allowed between the adjustable plate 112 and the stationary plate 110 in the “B” linear direction.
Referring to
Optionally, the adjustable plate 112 includes curved guide slots 130a-130c for allowing rotational adjustment of the adjustment mechanism 115 (
The rotational locking member 132 prevents or allows rotational movement between the adjustable plate 112 and other components of the recessed luminaire 100, such as the adjustment mechanism 115 and/or the frame insert 114. When the rotational locking member 132 is in a locked position, rotational movement of the adjustable plate 112 along the path of the curved guide slots 130a-130c and relative to the adjustment mechanism 115 is prevented. When the rotational locking member 132 is in an adjustable position, rotational movement of the adjustable plate 112 relative to the adjustment mechanism 115 is allowed.
The adjustable plate 112 includes, optionally, angular markings 136 for identifying an adjustment in rotation of the adjustment mechanism 115. The angular markings 136 are located around the periphery edge of the central adjustable aperture 125.
Referring to
The adjustable plate 112 is mounted to the frame insert 114 and the adjustment mechanism 115 via the rotational locking member 132 and the rotational guides 134. The rotational adjustment of the frame insert 114 relative to the adjustable plate 112 is made along the curved path established by the curved guide slots 130a-130c.
Referring to
To adjust the adjustable plate 112, the linear locking screw 124 is loosened while the adjustable plate 112 is moved to the desired position (such as at distance “X” or “X”). After the adjustable plate 112 is in the desired position, the linear locking screw 124 is tightened to secure the adjustable plate 112 in a fixed position relative to the stationary plate 110.
The recessed luminaire 100 provides numerous advantages, including allowing multi-direction adjustment of luminaire apertures while the recessed luminaire 100 remains secured to the framing members 102, and allowing precise lighting layouts and luminaire-to-luminaire alignment with minimal installation labor. The linear adjustment features of the recessed luminaire 100 allow corrections to installation tolerances and a desired luminaire aperture location to be achieved despite obstructions in the building structure. The linear adjustment features of the recessed luminaire 100 further allow parallel adjustment of the luminaire aperture after a rigid electrical supply has been connected to the recessed luminaire 100.
While particular embodiments, aspects, and applications of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction and compositions disclosed herein and that various modifications, changes, and variations may be apparent from the foregoing descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
