Supports – Suspended supports – Fittings
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-28
2001-09-04
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Suspended supports
Fittings
C362S382000, C248S314000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283430
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to recessed lighting fixtures.
BACKGROUND
A typical recessed lighting fixture includes a frame, a reflector, a junction box and structure for attaching the frame to the ceiling. The frame includes an opening through which the reflector is inserted to direct light to an area below the lighting fixture. The reflector may be, for example, a wall-wash reflector or a down-wash reflector.
The wall-wash reflector directs the light down at an angle away from the lighting fixture. The down-wash reflector directs the light down from the lighting fixture. Different mechanisms can be used to retain the reflector in the frame. For example, the reflector may have an opening with a circumference that is larger than the opening in the frame. In such a configuration, the reflector sits on the top surface of the frame and surrounds the opening.
The junction box is an enclosure mounted on the frame that functions as a receptacle for joining the wires from an electrical power source and a lamp socket in the reflector. The junction box has walls with pry-out plates to receive the wires. The frame may be mounted to the ceiling using known techniques. For example, the frame may include a barbed insert that can be nailed into a wooden beam in the ceiling.
SUMMARY
In one general aspect, a socket housing configured to be mounted to a reflector includes a socket plate and an enclosure. The socket plate includes a generally L-shaped plate with a tab extending from an end of a first segment of the L-shaped plate. The enclosure includes a pair of side walls. A first side wall includes a slotted opening configured to receive the tab when the socket plate is mounted on the enclosure.
The socket housing may include one or more of the following features. For example, the enclosure may include a second side wall that is parallel to a second segment of the L-shaped plate when the socket plate is mounted on the enclosure. The second segment of the L-shaped plate and the second side wall may include openings that are aligned when the socket plate is mounted on the enclosure. The socket housing may further include a cable connector inserted through the openings to secure the L-shaped plate to the enclosure. The cable connector may be twisted or screwed into the openings. The cable connector may be keyed with at least one slot in the opening in the L-shaped plate and at least one slot in the opening in the second side wall to secure the L-shaped plate to the enclosure.
The enclosure may include a spring that is configured to be inserted into a slot in the reflector when the socket housing is mounted to the reflector. The enclosure may include a pair of side walls and each side wall may include an extension from which extends a tab. Mounting the socket housing to the reflector may include resting the tabs against an opening in the reflector. The enclosure may include a lower wall having a shaped edge configured to be flush against the reflector when the socket housing is mounted on the reflector. The enclosure may include at least one wall having at least one opening configured to release heat from the enclosure.
The first segment of the L-shaped plate may include at least one large diameter opening and at least two small diameter openings on opposite sides of the large diameter opening. The socket may includes pins that are received in the small diameter openings and wires that are passed through the large diameter opening. The first segment of the L-shaped plate may be configured to receive multiple sockets. To this end, the first segment may include three large diameter openings and five pairs of small diameter openings with each pair positioned on opposite sides of the large diameter openings. Pins of the sockets are received in the small diameter openings and wires are passed through the large diameter openings.
The enclosure may include an opening defined by the side walls, an upper wall and a lower wall, and the reflector may include an opening configured to mate with the opening of the enclosure.
In another general aspect, a socket plate is mounted on a socket housing that is configured to be mounted on a reflector. A socket housing including a first wall having a slotted opening is provided along with a generally L-shaped socket plate that includes a tab extending from a first segment of the plate and configured to be inserted into the slotted opening. The socket plate is mounted in the socket housing, and the socket housing is mounted in the reflector.
Embodiment may include one or more of the following features. For example, mounting the socket plate in the socket housing may include placing a second segment of the socket plate against a second wall of the socket housing and inserting the tab into a slotted opening in the first wall. Mounting the socket plate in the socket housing also may include aligning an opening in the second segment with an opening in the second wall. A cable connector may be installed in the openings.
Mounting the socket housing to the reflector may include placing a spring that extends from the socket housing into a slot in the reflector. Mounting the socket housing to the reflector may further include placing a pair of tabs that extend from the first wall and the second wall of the socket housing against an opening of the reflector.
Providing a socket plate may include providing a socket plate having at least one large diameter opening and at least one small diameter opening. A socket having electrical wires and a pin configured to be inserted into the small diameter opening may be mounted on the socket plate by inserting the pin into the small diameter opening.
The socket plate also may include three large diameter openings and at least three small diameter openings. Mounting the socket to the socket plate may include mounting three sockets to the small diameter openings. The socket plate also may include two rows of small diameter holes positioned on opposite sides of the large diameter openings.
The horizontal socket housing provides numerous advantages. For example, the housing can accommodate different lamp sources and more than one lamp. For example, the housing may accommodate one, two, or three lamps. The socket bracket is secured in the housing using a simple tongue and groove system, which eliminates the need for fasteners. The housing itself is easily mounted to the reflector using a positive spring retention system and a pair of tabs that rest against an opening in the reflector.
Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following description including the drawings, and from the claims.
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Schubert John S.
Skonberg Joellen M.
Cooper Technologies Company
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Ramirez Ramon O.
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