Illumination – With static structure – Wall or ceiling
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-21
2001-11-13
Husar, Stephen (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With static structure
Wall or ceiling
C362S148000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315428
ABSTRACT:
The present application relates to the mounting of light fixtures, and in particular to the mounting of a light fixture which would hang below a suspended ceiling.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
At typical suspended ceiling has a grid of frame members which extend across the ceiling and consist of a first plurality of parallel frame members extending in one direction and second plurality of frame members extending perpendicular to the first frame members forming a plurality of rectangular or square openings. Each of the frame members has a horizontally oriented lower bar and a planar vertically oriented upper bar having a lower edge joined to the longitudinal center of the lower bar such that the frame member has a cross sectional shape of an inverted “T”. The rectangular openings are therefore defined by vertical walls formed by the vertically oriented upper bars around which extends a lower lip formed by a portion of the horizontally oriented lower bar members.
The ceiling includes a plurality of rectangularly shaped panels with dimensions sized to fit between the vertical walls of the rectangular openings of the grid with the edges of the panels resting on top of the lips extending around each opening. The customary method of providing ceiling illumination for a room covered by a suspended ceiling, is to remove one of the ceiling panels and insert a lighting fixture having a rectangular frame with outer dimensions equal to the outer dimensions of the ceiling panel. Existing lighting fixtures for use with suspended ceilings, however, incorporate fluorescent light bulbs which are positioned above the plane defined by the ceiling panels such that the fixture is recessed within the ceiling. These fixtures provide adequate light to a room covered by the suspended ceiling, but they have no aesthetic appeal.
A chandelier, for example, is a light fixture which is aesthetically appealing. The prisms which make up a chandelier reflect light which can compliment the other decorative qualities of the room such that the decoration of the room including the ceiling and the lighting is aesthetically attractive. Presently there is no conventional method for incorporating ceiling lighting into the aesthetic decorations of a room which is covered by a suspended ceiling, and it would therefore be desirable to provide a mounting for a light fixture which can support a chandelier or other lighting element and be useable with a suspended ceiling to add to the appearance of the room.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention is embodied in a mounting for a light fixture adapted to be received within the grid which supports a suspended ceiling. The grid has first plurality of frame members extending in a first direction and a second plurality of parallel frame members extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first plurality of frame members, and each of the frame members has a horizontally oriented lower bar and a vertically oriented upper bar extending along the center of the lower bar thereby defining a plurality of rectangular openings, each of which has four vertical sidewalls and an inwardly extending lower lip extending along the lower edge of the sidewalls.
In accordance with the invention, the mounting for a lighting fixture includes a rectangular frame body having a flat bottom and vertical outer walls with outer dimensions which are a little less than the inner dimensions of the rectangular opening defined by the sides of the vertically oriented upper bar members between which the frame body is to be fitted. The frame body has a planar lower surface adjacent to the outer walls thereof which rest upon the lip extending around the edges of the opening in which it is to be retained. The device will accommodate at least one support member for connecting to the ceiling to the frame body to support the weight of the frame body and the light fixture so that the fixture will not fall because of the failure of the grid.
Another feature of the invention is that the rectangular frame body has a centering means for centering the frame body between the vertical walls of frame members of the grid. In the preferred embodiment, the centering means includes a plurality of alignment members along the outer walls thereof, each of which is mounted near the bottom of the frame body and has an outer surface which slopes outwardly and upwardly from the outer wall of the frame body. When the frame body is inserted into the grid of the suspended ceiling, the sloping alignment members will center the frame body within the grid to maintain proper alignment of the frame with respect to the grid members of the suspended ceiling. Alternately, a spring clip can be attached to the frame body for providing centering of the frame body within the grid.
The invention further includes a mounting for receiving a lighting fixture suspended below the frame. In the preferred embodiment, the fixture would be removable from the frame body such that the frame body may first be installed within the grid of the suspended ceiling after which any suitable light fixture can be assembled to the frame body.
REFERENCES:
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patent: D. 314638 (1991-02-01), Kelley
patent: D. 339651 (1993-09-01), Vieyra
patent: D. 360270 (1995-07-01), Shemitz
patent: 3352071 (1967-11-01), Sutter
patent: 3943353 (1976-03-01), Tada
patent: 4075775 (1978-02-01), Shorette
patent: 4222091 (1980-09-01), Bartenbach
patent: 4290218 (1981-09-01), Drueck
patent: 5055985 (1991-10-01), Fabbri
patent: 5144541 (1992-09-01), Schonbek
patent: 5174642 (1992-12-01), Brohard et al.
patent: 5188449 (1993-02-01), Davis et al.
patent: 5613750 (1997-03-01), Roe
Husar Stephen
Marsh Robert L.
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