U.S. patent number 3,609,338 [Application Number 04/760,566] was granted by the patent office on 1971-09-28 for light fixture.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Esquire, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert M. Kripp.
United States Patent |
3,609,338 |
Kripp |
September 28, 1971 |
LIGHT FIXTURE
Abstract
A light fixture assembly including an open-ended frame adapted
to be disposed within a recess in a ceiling and a light fixture
whose lower light-transmitting end is adapted to be received in the
frame. A pair of extendible and retractable bars are mounted on the
frame and extend generally horizontally along opposite sides
thereof for supporting the frame from the ceiling when it is so
disposed therein. A means is provided for adjusting the elevation
of each bar relative to its adjacent side of the frame, and thus
the elevation of the lower end of the frame relative to the lower
end of the ceiling recess. The light fixture is supported from the
frame, when it is so received therein, by means of rails extending
along and connected to opposite sides of the frame by leveling
screws which provide a fine adjustment for disposing the lower end
of the fixture substantially flush with the ceiling. The separation
between the lower ends of the ceiling recess and the fixture is
normally covered by a trim plate which is suspended from the frame
in such a manner that it may be lowered and then moved to a
position permitting access to a light-transmitting window across
the lower end of the housing, whereby the window may be moved to a
position permitting relamping and the like within the fixture
housing. The upper end of the fixture housing is narrower in its
lower end so that it may be lifted above the supporting rails on
the frame and tilted to a position for passing through the
frame.
Inventors: |
Kripp; Robert M. (Houston,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Esquire, Inc. (New York,
NY)
|
Family
ID: |
25059493 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/760,566 |
Filed: |
September 18, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/366;
362/311.06; 362/367 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V
21/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F21V
21/02 (20060101); F21V 21/04 (20060101);
F21s () |
Field of
Search: |
;240/78,67,68,146,147,9 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Matthews; Samuel S.
Assistant Examiner: Clement; D. J.
Claims
The invention having been described, what is claimed is:
1. For use in mounting a light fixture within a recess in a
ceiling, apparatus including an open-ended frame adapted to be
disposed within the recess and to receive at least the lower end of
a light fixture therein, means on the frame for supporting the
fixture when so received, a pair of extendible and retractable bars
mounted on the frame and extending generally horizontally along
opposite sides thereof, means for adjusting the elevation of each
bar relative to its adjacent side of the frame, and means on each
bar for use in supporting it from a portion of the ceiling so as to
mount the frame within the recess when it is so disposed therein,
said bar-supporting means including means at each end of the bar
providing a horizontal wall and a pair of vertical walls extending
longitudinally and transversely, respectively, of the bar, each
wall having means thereon for use in securing it to a portion of
the ceiling.
2. For use in mounting a light fixture in a recess in a ceiling,
apparatus including a open-ended frame disposable within the recess
for receiving at least the lower end of a light fixture therein,
means on the frame for mounting it within the recess when so
disposed therein, a rail on each of two opposite sides of the frame
for supporting the fixture when so received therein, and a pair of
leveling screws connecting each rail near its opposite ends to its
respective side of the frame for adjusting the elevation and
inclination of each rail relative to the lower end of the
frame.
3. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 2, wherein each
leveling screw has means on one end for manipulating it from below
said ceiling when said fixture is received in said frame.
4. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 2, wherein the upper
edge of each rail has a part to receive a complementary part on the
fixture so as to prevent displacement of the fixture longitudinally
of the rail.
5. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 2, including a trim
plate for covering the separation between the lower ends of the
ceiling recess and fixture, and means removably suspending the trim
plate from the rails in a position for covering said
separation.
6. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 2, wherein the
mounting means for the frame includes means for adjusting the
elevation of the lower end of the frame relative to the
ceiling.
7. A light fixture assembly adapted to be mounted in a recess in a
ceiling, comprising a light fixture having a light transmitting
window across its lower end, an open-ended frame adapted to be
disposed within the recess and to receive at least the lower end of
light fixture therein, means for mounting the frame within said
recess when so disposed, and means on the frame for supporting the
lower end of the fixture when it is so received, said fixture
having an upper end which is narrower from one side to the other
than its lower end to permit it to be tilted into a position in
which it may be passed through said supporting means.
8. A light fixture assembly of the character defined in claim 7,
including a ballast adapted to be supported above the ceiling to
one side of the recess, and an electrical cable connecting the
fixture and ballast with sufficient slack to permit the fixture to
be lowered beneath the ceiling.
9. A light fixture assembly of the character defined in claim 7,
including means for suspending the fixture from the frame when it
has been lowered through said supporting means into a position
beneath said ceiling.
10. A light fixture assembly of the character defined in claim 7,
including a trim plate, and means suspending the trim plate from
the frame for covering the separation between the lower ends of the
fixture and recess, said suspending means being movable to a
position to permit said fixture to be passed through the
recess.
11. A light fixture assembly adapted to be mounted in a recess in a
ceiling, comprising a light fixture including a housing and a
window hingedly connected along one side to one side of the housing
and having means on another side for releasably connecting it to
another side of the housing for closing the lower end of the
housing, an open-ended frame adapted to be disposed within the
recess and to receive at least the lower end of a light fixture
therein, means for mounting the frame within said recess when so
disposed, means on the frame for supporting the lower end of the
fixture when it is so received, and a trim plate, and means
suspending the trim plate from the frame for movement between a
raised position covering the separation between the lower ends of
the ceiling recess and fixture and a lowered position in which
access may be had to the means releasably connecting the window to
the housing and in which the window may be swung downwardly to open
the lower end of the housing.
12. A light fixture assembly adapted to be mounted in a recess in a
ceiling, comprising a light fixture having a window in its lower
end, an open-ended frame adapted to be disposed within the recess
and to receive at least the lower end of a light fixture therein,
means for mounting the frame within said recess when so disposed,
and means on the frame for supporting the lower end of the fixture
when it is so received, said frame mounting means including means
for adjusting the elevation of the lower end of the frame relative
to the lower end of the ceiling recess, and said fixture supporting
means including means for adjusting the elevation and inclination
of the lower end of the fixture relative to the lower end of the
frame.
13. A light fixture assembly of the character defined in claim 12,
wherein said first-mentioned adjusting means includes parts
manipulatable from within the frame when the frame is in the
ceiling recess.
14. A light fixture assembly of the character defined in claim 12,
wherein said second-mentioned adjusting means includes parts
manipulatable from below said ceiling when the frame is in the
ceiling recess and the fixture is in the frame.
15. A light fixture assembly of the character defined in claim 14,
including a trim plate suspended from the frame for movement
between a raised position covering the second-mentioned adjusting
parts manipulatable from below said ceiling and a lowered position
permitting access thereto.
16. A light fixture assembly adapted to be mounted within a recess
in a ceiling, comprising an open-ended frame adapted to be received
within the ceiling recess, means on the frame for supporting the
frame from the ceiling when so received therein, a separate,
enclosed light fixture having a lamp socket mounted thereon and a
window on one end opposite the lamp socket, at least a portion of
said fixture adapted to be received within the frame with its
window disposed at the lower end thereof, means on the frame for
supporting the light fixture when so received, and means on the
frame for adjusting the elevation of the light fixture supporting
means with respect to the frame from beneath the ceiling and from
within the frame when the fixture is supported thereby.
17. An assembly of the character defined in claim 16, wherein said
adjusting means includes means for adjusting the inclination of
said light fixture supporting means from beneath the ceiling when
the fixture is supported thereby.
18. An assembly of the character defined in claim 16, including
means for adjusting the elevation of the frame supporting means
with respect to the frame.
19. A light fixture assembly adapted to be mounted within a recess
in a ceiling, comprising an open-ended frame adapted to be received
within the ceiling recess, means on the frame for supporting the
frame from the ceiling when so received therein, a separate,
enclosed light fixture having a lamp socket mounted thereon and a
window on one end opposite the lamp socket, at least a portion of
said fixture adapted to be received within the frame with its
window disposed at the lower end thereof, means on the frame for
supporting the light fixture when so received, and means on the
frame for adjusting the elevation of the light fixture supporting
means with respect to the frame from above and beneath the ceiling
and from within the frame when the fixture is supported
thereby.
20. An assembly of the character defined in claim 19, wherein said
adjusting means includes means for adjusting the inclination of
said light fixture supporting means from beneath the ceiling when
the fixture is supported thereby.
21. An assembly of the character defined in claim 19, including
means for adjusting the elevation of the frame-supporting means
with respect to the frame.
22. A light fixture assembly adapted to be mounted within a recess
in a ceiling, comprising an open-ended frame adapted to be received
within the ceiling recess, means on the frame for supporting the
frame from the ceiling when so received therein, a separate,
enclosed light fixture having a lamp socket mounted thereon and a
window on one end opposite the lamp socket, at least a portion of
said fixture adapted to be received within the frame with its
window disposed at the lower end thereof, means on the frame for
supporting the light fixture when so received, means on the frame
for adjusting the elevation of the light fixture supporting means
with respect to the frame, and means for adjusting the elevation of
said frame supporting means with respect to the frame.
23. An assembly of the character defined in claim 22, wherein said
frame-supporting means includes extendible and retractable bars on
the frame.
24. A light fixture assembly adapted to be mounted within a recess
in a ceiling, comprising an open-ended frame adapted to be received
within the ceiling recess, means on the frame for supporting the
frame from the ceiling when so received therein, a separate,
enclosed light fixture having a lamp socket mounted thereon and a
window on one end opposite the lamp socket, at least a portion of
said fixture adapted to be received within the frame with its
window disposed at the lower end thereof, means on the frame for
supporting the light fixture when so received, means on the frame
for adjusting the elevation of the light fixture supporting means
with respect to the frame, a trim plate, and means suspending the
trim plate from the frame for movement between a raised position in
which it covers the separation between the lower ends of the recess
and the fixture and a lowered position beneath the separation.
25. An assembly of the character defined in claim 24, wherein the
means for adjusting the elevation of the light fixture supporting
means with respect to the frame includes means manipulatable from
beneath the ceiling when the fixture is supported thereby and the
trim plate is moved to its lowered position.
26. An assembly of the character defined in claim 24 wherein the
means for adjusting the elevation of the light fixture supporting
means with respect to the frame includes means manipulatable from
above and beneath the ceiling when the fixture is supported thereby
and the trim plate is moved to its lowered position.
27. A light fixture assembly adapted to be mounted in a recess in a
ceiling, comprising an open-ended for adapted to be disposed within
the recess and to receive at least the lower end of a light fixture
therein, means on the frame for mounting the frame within said
recess when so disposed, means on the frame for supporting the
lower end of the fixture when it is so received, means on the frame
for adjusting the elevation of the frame-mounting means relative to
the lower end of the frame, and means on the frame for adjusting
the elevation and inclination of the fixture-supporting means
relative to the lower end of the frame.
Description
This invention relates generally to a light fixture assembly
adapted to be mounted in a recess in a ceiling; and, more
particularly to an improved assembly of this type in which access
may be had to the light fixture for relamping or other purposes
from either above or below the ceiling. In one of its novel
aspects, this invention relates to a frame especially well suited
for mounting a light fixture in a ceiling recess.
In a conventional light fixture assembly of this general type, the
light fixture itself is secured directly to the ceiling, so that
the fixture itself is secured directly to the ceiling, so that the
fixture must be specially constructed to provide such access from
either location as well as to permit it to be so secured.
Consequently, light fixtures which are adapted to be suspended
beneath a ceiling or otherwise supported outside of a ceiling
recess are generally not suited for use as recessed fixtures, at
least without considerable structural alterations.
It is also necessary, as a practical matter, to be able to mount an
assembly of this type in the recess of any one of a wide variety of
ceiling constructions, which may vary in thicknesses as well as in
spacing between horizontally extending support members.
Conventional assemblies are not readily adaptable to the
adjustments necessary for this purpose, particularly since the
assembly essentially fills the recess. Also, even if the assembly
is of such construction as to permit it to be so mounted, there is
usually a further need for fine adjustment in order to dispose the
lower end of the light fixture flush with the ceiling, whereby a
trim plate for covering the separation between the lower ends of
the fixture and recess will present a smooth appearance.
It is also conventional practice, in recessed assemblies of this
type, to obtain access to the interior of the fixture from beneath
the ceiling by disconnecting the trim plate from the assembly and
lowering it and a window disposed across the lower end of the
fixture. This is a fairly complicated, time consuming and ticklish
task, especially due to the necessity of continuing to support the
window in some way as the trim plate is disconnected and then
reconnected. Furthermore with a drop-type window construction, it
is very difficult to render the fixture dustproof.
An object of this invention is to provide a recessed light fixture
assembly which obviates man of the foregoing problems in that the
light fixture thereof is readily accessible for relamping or other
purposes from either above or below the ceiling, despite being of
standard convention construction suitable for installation in other
environments.
A more particular object is to provide such an assembly in which
the light fixture need not be secured to the ceiling, and is easily
and readily lifted above or lowered beneath the ceiling for
relamping or other maintenance.
A further object is to provide such an assembly in which the light
fixture may be mounted within any one of a wide variety of ceiling
constructions, and, more particularly, in which the lower end of
the fixture may be accurately leveled with respect to the ceiling
even while the fixture is in place within the recess.
Yet another object is to provide such an assembly in which the trim
plate may be lowered, in the process of obtaining access to the
interior of the fixture, without the necessity of lowering the
window of the fixture with it.
It is still more particularly object to provide such an assembly in
which the trim plate serves to prevent the fixture from
accidentally dropping through the ceiling recess in the process of
obtaining access to it from below the ceiling.
Yet a further object is to provide such an assembly in which the
light fixture is essentially dustproof.
These and other objects are accomplished, in accordance with the
illustrated embodiment of the invention, by an assembly which
includes an open-ended frame adapted to be mounted within the
recess, a light fixture adapted to have at least its lower end
light transmitting end received in the frame, and means on the
frame for supporting the fixtures as its lower and is lowered into
it. Thus, the fixture need only be lifted from the frame to permit
access to its interior for relamping or other purposes. Also, since
the fixture is self-contained and requires no connection to the
ceiling, it may be of a type adapted to be mounted in other
environments, and thus of a conventional construction for use in
such other environments.
In its preferred embodiment, the fixture comprises a housing having
a window hingedly connected to one side of its lower end for
swinging between positions opening and closing such end. Thus, the
window may be swung down to open the lower end of the housing and
permit the fixture to be relamped. This not only avoids the
delicate relamping procedures usually encountered in assemblies of
this type, but it also makes it possible to render the fixture
dustproof.
Furthermore, the upper end of the fixture is narrower from one side
to other than its lower end, so that it may be lifted above its
support and tilted into a position in which it may be lowered
through the frame and beneath the recess. In this latter position,
access may be had to any portion of the fixture or, for that
matter, to the area above the ceiling.
Preferably, the fixture is connected to the frame by a chain or the
like so as to suspend it from the ceiling when lowered through the
recess. Also, a ballast for the fixture is separate from it and
electrically connected to it by a flexible cable, which permits the
ballast to be semipermanently supported on the top of the ceiling
to one side of the recess, regardless of the position of the
fixture in or out of the frame. With the fixture lowered through
the recess, as above mentioned, access may be had to the ballast
from below the ceiling.
The fixture is supported on rails along opposite walls of the
frame, and each rail is connected to the frame by a leveling screw
near each of its ends so as to adjust the inclination as well as
the elevation of the lower end of the fixture relative to the
ceiling. More particularly, these screws are actuatable at both
their upper and lower ends to permit this "fine" adjustment to be
made while the fixture is in place.
A trim plate is suspended from the frame in such a manner that it
may be moved between upper and lower position permitting access to
the window across the lower end of the fixture or permitting the
fixture to be passed through the lower end of the frame. For this
purpose, the trim plate is suspended on its opposite sides by means
of rods which are supported from corresponding sides of the frame
for extension and retraction with respect thereto in lowering and
raising the plate, respectively. When the plate is lowered, one rod
may be detached from the frame to permit the plate to swing
downwardly to a depending position about the pivotal connection to
the other rod. Alternatively, both rods may be detached from the
frame.
In the drawings, wherein like reference characters are designated
by like parts:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the frame of the assembly supported
from laterally extending ceiling support members which are shown in
broken lines;
FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are enlarged perspective views of various ways
of supporting the opposite ends of the extendible and retractable
bars on the frame from different types of ceiling structures;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the frame
installed within a ceiling recess, and with the light fixture
mounted therein, as indicated in broken lines;
FIG. 4 is a detailed view of one side of the frame, as seen along
broken line 4--4 of FIG. 3, and illustrating the means suspending
the trim plate for movement between its raised and lowered
positions;
FIG. 5 is a view of the frame similar to FIG. 3, but on a smaller
scale and with the trim plate lowered and swung downwardly to a
depending position and the window on the fixture also swung
downwardly to open the lower end of the fixture housing for access
to the interior thereof;
FIG. 6 is a view of the frame similar to FIG. 5, but with the
window of the fixture closed and the fixture itself raised above
its support on the frame and tilted to a position in which it may
be lowered through the frame;
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the frame and fixture, as seen in FIG.
6;
FIG. 8 is a further view similar to FIG. 3 but with the light
fixture lowered through the frame and suspended therefrom by a
chain;
FIG. 9 is a detailed side view of a leveling screw connecting a
rail to a side of the frame; and
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a side of the frame and trim plate
with the frame supported in the recess of a ceiling having a
plaster lower wall.
With reference now to the above described drawings, and
particularly to FIG. 3, the frame 20 of the assembly is disposed
within a recess having a lower portion 21 formed in the lower wall
22 of ceiling structure 23. The latter also includes laterally and
longitudinally extending structural members 24 and 25,
respectively, supporting the wall 22 and providing a grid. Thus,
the upper portion of the recess merely extends through adjacent
support members of the grid, so that the ceiling may be prepared
for receiving the frame merely upon cutting its lower end 21 in the
wall 22 for closely fitting about it. Obviously, the foregoing is
merely illustrative of one type of a wide variety of ceiling
structures which are conventional in this art.
At any rate, the frame 20 is open at each end of its four sides and
is supported by the ceiling with its lower end disposed
substantially flush with the lower end of the recess 21 in the
ceiling and its upper end spaced inwardly from adjacent laterally
extending ceiling support members 24 and 25. More particularly, in
its illustrated embodiment, the frame has oppositely disposed
sidewalls 26 and 27 which are of equal length to form a square for
receiving the square lower end of a light fixture 28. Angles 29 are
connected to the sides of the frame and extend upwardly at each
corner of the frame.
As previously described, and as shown in the drawings, the frame is
supported from the ceiling by means of bars 30 connected to and
extending along the opposite sides 26 of the frame. More
particularly, the opposite ends of the bars 30 extend beyond the
other sides 27 of the frame for cooperation with the parts of the
ceiling from which the bars are to be supported. Thus, the bottom
walls of the opposite ends of the bars may merely rest on the top
flange of the structural members 24 and be held with respect
thereto by means of wires 31 wrapped around the structural members
and the ends of the bars and then twisted at their free ends to tie
the two together.
Each bar 30 comprises a pair of bar sections 32 which are
longitudinally slidable with respect to one another for extending
or retracting the effective end-to-end length of the bar. As best
shown in FIG. 1, each bar section comprises an angle having a
vertical flange which extends upwardly from a horizontal flange and
has a slot 33 extending through a substantial portion of its
length. More particularly, the slots 33 of the bar sections of each
bar overlap and are aligned with one another so as to permit them
to be releasably connected in a desired longitudinal position by
means of a releasable clamp 34. Each such clamp comprises a bolt 35
having its head on the inner side of the bar 30, and a nut 36 on
the threaded end of the bolt. Thus, the clamp 34 may be selectively
tightened and loosened from either within or without the frame to
permit the length of the bar to be adjusted and then fixed.
Each bar is connected to its adjacent side of the frame by means of
similar clamps 37 extending through vertical slots 39 in the
angular uprights 29 as well as through each slot 33 in the adjacent
bar section. As in the case of the clamps 34, each of the clamps 37
include a threaded bolt 38 having its head on the inner side of the
angles 29 and a nut over the end of the bolt. Thus these releasable
clamps are also manipulatable from either within or without the
frame to permit the bars 30 to be adjusted vertically with respect
to the lower end of the frame, whereby the bars may be so installed
with respect to the ceiling as to dispose the lower end of the
fixture substantially flush with the lower end of the ceiling
recess when the fixture is disposed within the frame.
As shown in detail in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, there is a vertical
flange 32a on the end of each bar section providing a wall parallel
to the sides 27 of the frame, and a vertical flange 32b along the
outer edge of the horizontal flange of the bar section providing a
wall parallel to the frame sides 26 outwardly of the vertical
flange of such section. The vertical flange 32b is connected to the
vertical flange of the bar section by another flange 32c, and the
outer end 32d of the horizontal flange of the bar section provides
a third wall which is parallel to the lower edges of the sidewalls
of the frame. Each of these walls has a hole through it for use in
securing it to a ceiling support member, as by a screw or the like,
against which the wall rests. Obviously, still additional means may
be provided on the bars for supporting the frame from the
ceiling.
When the lower end of the light fixture 28 is received within the
frame 20, it is supported therefrom by means of rails 40 which are
connected to and extend longitudinally of the inner sides of the
opposite sides 27 of the frame. Thus, as best shown in FIG. 3, the
opposite sides of the fixture fit rather closely within the rails
and have tabs 41 on their lower ends for resting upon the adjacent
rails 40 as the fixture is lowered into the frame. More
particularly, each rail 40 comprises an angle having a vertical
flange which extends upwardly from its horizontal flange and is
spaced inwardly from the side 27 of the frame. The close fit of the
sides of the fixture to these sides 27 prevents substantial
displacement of the fixture parallel to the sides 26 of the frame.
However, as best shown in FIG. 7 and for reasons to be described
hereinafter, the sides of the fixture opposite the sides 26 of the
frame are spaced a fairly substantial distance therefrom. To
prevent accidental displacement of the fixture parallel to the
sides 27, recesses 42 (FIG. 1) are formed in the upper edge of the
vertical flange for closely receiving the tabs 41.
As shown in FIG. 9, the opposite ends of each rail 40 are connected
to the sides 27 of the frame by means of leveling screws 43 each
having its opposite ends received through flanges 44 extending
inwardly from the upper and lower ends of a plate 45 secured as by
spot welding to the inner face of frame side 27. The intermediate
length of each screw 43 is threadedly received through the lower
flange of the rail 40 as well as a collar 46 welded to the bottom
side of the horizontal flange thereof. Thus, with an enlarged head
47 at the lower end of the screw and a nut 47a nonrotatable on its
upper end holding it against vertical displacement relative to the
frame, rotation of the screw will move the end of the rail 40 to
which it is connected upwardly or downwardly.
In this manner, the four leveling screws enable each corner of the
frame and the fixture 28 supported thereby to be selectively raised
and lowered to adjust the elevation and inclination of the lower
ends thereof in order to bring them into a substantially flush
position with respect to the ceiling. More particularly, the head
47 of the leveling screw 43 is slotted so as to permit the screw to
be manipulated from beneath the ceiling whereby this fine
adjustment may be made while the light fixture is received within
and supported by the frame 20. Thus, as will be apparent from the
drawings, the leveling screws are disposed in the space between the
sides of the light fixture and the sides 27 of the frame, so that
they may be reached by a suitable tool.
The fixture 28 is preferably of substantially the same construction
as the fixture shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,202,815.
Thus, as shown in the drawings, it comprises a housing 28a which is
substantially pyramidal in shape and has sidewalls tapering
upwardly and inwardly from its lower end to an upper end of reduced
lateral dimensions. A lamp (not shown) is adapted to be received in
the housing for transmitting light through a window 28b across the
open lower end of the housing. One side of the window is hinged at
28c to a side of the fixture housing opposite a sidewall 27 of the
frame, and the opposite side of the window is secured to the
opposite side of the fixture housing by a releasable latch, such as
a screw 28d. Upon release of the latch, the window may swing
downwardly about its hinge, as shown in FIG. 5, to permit access to
the interior of the housing for relamping or other purposes.
Due to the configuration of its housing, the fixture may be tilted,
as illustrated in FIG. 6, to reduce the effective lateral width of
its lower end, including the tabs 41, and thereby permit it to pass
downwardly through the rails 40 on the sides 27 of the frame. The
tilting need only be about an axis parallel to sides 27 of the
frame because, as previously described, the sides of the fixture
opposite the sides 26 of the frame are unsupported and spaced
therefrom. In its lowered position, as shown in FIG. 8, all parts
of the fixture are accessible from below the ceiling. Also, access
may be had through the open frame to the area above the
ceiling.
As previously described, a trim plate 50 is so suspended from the
frame as to normally assume a raised position adjacent the ceiling
and covering the separation between the lower ends of the fixture
and the ceiling recess. Thus, as best shown in FIG. 3, the sides of
a central opening 51 through the plate are disposed inwardly of the
lower end edges of the window fixture 28, while the outer edges of
the plate are disposed outwardly of the lower end of the recess
with the ceiling. However, and as also previously described, the
trim plate 50 is adapted to be lowered to the position indicated by
broken lines in FIG. 3, and then moved to a position in which
access may be had to the window of the fixture 28, as shown in FIG.
5, or in which the fixture may be passed through the frame, as
shown in FIG. 6. Furthermore, and as will be appreciated from the
drawings, removal of the trim plate to an out-of-the-way position
also provides access to the lower ends of the leveling screws.
As best shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, each side of the trim plate 50
adjacent a side 27 of the frame is suspended therefrom by means of
a V-shaped rod 52. The upwardly diverging legs of each rod are
received through a slot 54 extending longitudinally of a midportion
of the horizontal flange of the rail 40 on one side of the frame,
and the apex at the lower end of the rod is received through a ring
53 on the upper face of the adjacent side of the trim plate 50. As
indicated by a comparison of the solid and broken line
representations of the rod 52 in FIG. 4, its legs are normally
urged outwardly at a wide included angle, which in turn normally
urges the apex of the rod to its upper position, as limited by the
engagement of the trim plate with the ceiling.
However, these legs of the rod may be forced inwardly toward one
another and caused to slide along the ends of the slots 54 in the
rail 40 by a downward pull on the trim plate. This downward urging
of the trim plate, and thus the inward stressing of the legs of the
rod 52, is limited by engagement of hooks 55 on the free ends on
the legs of the rod with the horizontal flange of the rail 40.
Thus, the trim plate 50 provides protection against displacement of
the fixture 28 through the frame. That is, should the tabs 41 of
the frame not fit properly within the recesses of the rails 40, the
trim plate would prevent it from falling down on a person below it.
That is, the downward movement of the fixture through the frame
would be limited to the extent of the downward movement of the trim
plate 50 from its raised to its lowered position.
As previously described, when the trim plate has been moved to its
lower position, it may be disconnected from one side of the frame
to permit it to swing downwardly to a position permitting access to
the window of the light fixture, as shown in FIG. 5, or permitting
passage of the light fixture through the frame, as shown in FIG. 6.
This one side of the trim plate may be so detached by lifting of
the hooks 55 above the rail and further stressing of the free ends
of the legs of the rod toward one another to permit the hooks to
pass downwardly through the central slot 54. When the trim plate is
so detached along its one side, the pivotal connection of the apex
of the rod 52 at its other side to the trim plate 50 enables it to
swing downwardly with respect to the frame to the depending
position above described. Preferably, the rod 52 is turned upon
itself at its apex to provide a ring for closely receiving the ring
53 on the trim plate.
Alternatively, of course, both sides of the trim plate may be
detached from the frame so as to permit the trim plate to be moved
completely out from under the frame. However, it is preferred that
only one side of the trim plate be detached inasmuch as this
simplifies both the detachment and subsequent attachment of the
trim plate with respect to the frame. It also avoids the necessity
of holding or putting the trim plate down while performing other
operations with respect to the light fixture.
As previously described, and as illustrated in FIG. 5 when the trim
plate has been swung downwardly to the depending position, access
may be had to the lower light-transmitting end of the fixture 28.
More particularly, access may be had to the screw 28d or other part
of parts securing the free end of the window of the light fixture
to its housing. When this free side of the window has been
released, the window may be permitted to swing downwardly about the
hinge 28c to the position shown in FIG. 5, whereby the lamp in the
housing of the fixture may be replaced.
Alternatively, and as illustrated in FIG. 6, removal of the trim
plate permits the light fixture 28 to be passed through the frame
to a depending position beneath the frame, as illustrated in FIG.
8. In this latter position, various operations may be performed on
the fixture or alternatively, access may be had through the
open-ended frame to the area above the area above the ceiling. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, the fixture 28 must first be lifted from its
supported position to raise the tabs 41 above the rails 40, whereby
it can be tilted prior to being lowered.
As will also be apparent from the drawings, the removal of the trim
plate also permits easy access to the lower ends of the leveling
screws 43. This is useful, for example, in the installation of the
light fixture assembly, and particularly during the fine adjustment
which is usually required in order to dispose the lower end of the
fixture flush with the ceiling. That is, this fine adjustment
involves some trial and error, during which the trim plate is moved
back and forth between its raised position and its depending
position in order to obtain access to the leveling screws for
manipulating them.
The fixture 28 is also connected to frame by means of a chain 60
connecting at one end to the upper end of the fixture and at its
other end to a hole 61 through the upper end of one angle 29 of the
frame. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the chain has sufficient slack to
permit the fixture to be raised above supported position and then
tilted and lowered through the lower end of the frame as well as to
permit the fixture to be raised through the upper end of the frame
to a position above the ceiling for relamping or other purposes. As
illustrated in FIG. 8, it is nevertheless sufficiently short in
length to prevent the fixture from falling substantially beyond a
distance beneath the lower end of the frame necessary to permit
access through the frame from beneath the ceiling.
As also shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a ballast 62 for the fixture 28 may
be supported on its side on an upper flange of a ceiling support
member 25. The fixture is connected to the ballast 62 by means of a
flexible cable 63 containing the necessary electrical conduits and
having sufficient slack to permit manipulation of the fixture 28 in
the manner previously described.
The ends of the angles 29 are provided with a series of holes 65
adjacent the corner thereof, which, as shown in FIG. 8, may be used
to receive bolts 66 for fastening an angle plate 67 along the outer
sides of the frame 20. In this way, the outwardly extending flange
of the angle plate 67 may be used to support an upper wall 68
secured thereto by fasteners 69. The angle plate further provides
an enclosed corner between it and the lower end of the angle 29 to
permit a plaster wall 70 to be formed beneath the upper wall
68.
In the installation of the above described light fixture assembly,
the ceiling is first prepared with a recess for closely receiving
the frame 20. This may merely require the cutting of an opening 21
in the lower wall 22 of the ceiling, as described above in
connection with the illustrative embodiment of this invention. In
any case, upon formation of the recess in the ceiling, the frame 20
is disposed within the recess and the bars 39 are so arranged with
respect to the ceiling support members as to support the frame with
its lower end substantially flush with the lower end of the ceiling
recess. The frame may be moved into position with the recess from
either above or below the ceiling. In the latter case, it may be
necessary to first move the bars 30 to sufficiently retracted
positions as to dispose their outer ends at least within the width
of the sides 26 of the frame.
At any rate, with the frame disposed within the recess, the bars 30
along its opposite sides 26 may be extended and adjusted vertically
in order to fit the particular support members of the ceiling.
Furthermore, since these adjusting parts are manipulatable from
either within or without the frame, they may be made from either
below or above the ceiling. Obviously, the vertical adjustment is a
somewhat rough one, although it should dispose the lower end of the
supported frame at least substantially flush with the ceiling.
With the frame so supported, the fixture 28 and its ballast 62 may
then be moved into supported positions on the frame and top of the
ceiling, respectively. If desired, the fixture and ballast may be
moved upwardly through the mounted frame from beneath the ceiling.
For this purpose, the fixture would be tilted to the position
indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7, and then moved upwardly through the
lower end of the frame. The lower end of the fixture could then be
swung to a generally level position and lowered to permit the tabs
41 to fit within the recesses 42 of the supporting rails of the
frame.
In order to more accurately adjust the lower end of the supported
fixture with respect to the ceiling, the leveling screws 43 are
selectively manipulated to raise or lower one or more of the
corners of the supporting rails 40 and thus the fixture 28. During
the leveling process, it may be necessary to attach the trim plate
50 to the frame and move it upwardly to its raised position. The
trim plate is so attached by a reversal of the above described
detachment procedure. That is, the free ends of the legs of the rod
52 are pressed toward one another so as to permit them to be passed
upwardly through the slot 54 in the supporting rail. At this time,
the stress in the legs of the rod is relieved to permit the legs to
move outwardly into engagement with the opposite ends of the slot
54, at which time the trim plate may be easily moved between raised
and lowered positions.
From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well
adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set
forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which
are inherent to the apparatus.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are
of utility and may be employed with reference to other features and
subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of
the claims.
As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without
departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all
matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to
be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *