Lighting fixture assembly having locking arm components

Details Lighting fixture assembly having locking arm components Lighting fixture assembly having locking arm components

2000-05-16

2001-09-04

Husar, Stephen (Department: 2875)

Illumination

Supports

Ceiling-suspended support

C362S406000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06283619

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to lighting fixture assemblies having a base portion and at least one arm extending from the base portion. In particular, the arms of the lighting fixture assembly are rotated to minimize packaging volume and upon installation, the arms are rotated to lockingly engage a predetermined alignment position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Light fixtures come in a wide variety of forms and are made from many different materials. For instance, a common light fixture is a fixture having a plurality of arms extending from a base portion. Typically, the base portion is centrally located with respect to the arms. An example of such a light fixture is shown in
FIGS. 1 and 3
.
The illustrated light fixture assembly, generally designated by reference numeral
10
, comprises a number of common elements. The base portion
12
includes a conventional mounting plate
14
for securing the arms
16
to the base portion. The generally planar mounting plate includes a central aperture and a number of peripheral openings (not shown). A decorative base plate or dish
18
with similar openings and central aperture is used to conceal the mounting plate
14
. The mounting plate and decorative base plate may be integrated into one piece. The assembly requires the openings and aperture of the plates to be axially aligned for attaching the respective arms
16
and a support rod
20
. The number of plate openings generally correspond to the number of arms
16
included in the light fixture assembly. The central apertures are configured to receive the support rod
20
. The support rod is typically made of a metal. A cap nut
22
is fastened to an end of the support rod and serves as a stop to provide the support means for attaching the light fixture assembly to an electrical box in a ceiling or the like. The arm
16
has one end
26
inserted and secured to the plate openings whereas the other end
28
is connected to a conventional lamp fixture assembly
30
. Each arm end
26
includes an outward protrusion
46
distally spaced from arm end
26
to serve as a stop to axially position the arm
16
with respect to the plates. Electrical wiring extends from the light socket
30
through the arm
16
to the base portion
12
for electrically connecting the light socket to a power source. The arms
16
and support rod
20
are generally fastened to the mounting plate
14
by means of a single nut
32
, and
34
respectively, and washer
36
.
If the lighting fixture is assembled and packaged with the arms in its intended in-use position, the light fixture assembly could potentially take up a large area depending on the design of the light fixture. Consequently, fully assembled light fixtures will undesirably take up a disproportionate amount of storage and packaging space. Since there are a large variety of light fixtures available, it is preferred for the manufacturer, distributor, vendor or the like to minimize the packaging volume occupied by the light fixture assemblies so as to maximize the available storage space.
Manufacturers frequently preassemble the light fixture assemblies so as to minimize the overall space occupied by the light fixture. In particular, manufacturers rotate and orient the arms of the light fixture to minimize packaging volume or alternatively, completely disconnect the arms and package the arms as separate parts. Thus, packaging volume is minimized and shelf storage of these types of light fixture assemblies are maximized. However, the end user or installer of these preassembled light fixture assemblies is faced with the burden of completing the assembly. The end user or installer must either rotate the arms to the proper alignment position or attach and align the arms upon installation.
It should be readily understood that the foregoing process for assembling a light fixture imposes a serious burden on the distributor or consumer. It is oftentimes difficult for the end user or installer to accurately determine the proper alignment position of each arm. Moreover, the subsequent movement to align the arm often causes the nut
32
securing the arm
16
to the mounting plate
14
to loosen. As discussed above, the prior art light fixture assemblies
10
utilize single nut
32
and washer
36
to secure each arm
16
to mounting plate
14
. It has been found that rotating the arm causes the nut to loosen, which in turn causes a loss of structural integrity. Attempts by the manufacturer to pre-tighten nut
32
exactly so as to allow the arm to move a predetermined amount wherein the nut is fully tightened when the arm is in proper alignment have been unsuccessful. One reason complicating this approach is that the installer may initially turn the arm the wrong way or alternatively, during shipment the nut rotates to some extent wherein misalignment of the arms can occur during installation. Moreover, in the case where the arms are packaged separately, the installer may not have the requisite skill level to safely attach and align the arms as intended by the manufacturer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally directed to a light fixture assembly that can be preassembled by a manufacturer so as to minimize packaging volume and, upon installation, readily assembled as specified by the manufacturer without any loss of structural integrity. The present invention overcomes the prior art problems with lighting fixture assemblies having a base portion and at least one arm extending from the base portion. In particular, the arms of the lighting fixture assembly can be readily positioned to minimize packaging volume and, during installation, the arm can be readily positioned to lockingly engage a predetermined alignment position. Advantageously, the arms can be positioned without affecting the structural integrity of the light fixture assembly.
In general, the inventive light fixture assembly comprises a first plate having a central aperture and at least one peripheral opening, and a second plate removed from and fixedly positioned relative to the first plate. The second plate includes a central aperture and a number of independently flexible portions that are axially aligned with and correspond to each of the first plate openings. A support rod is secured to the central aperture of the first plate by at least one nut or other suitable fastener. One end of each arm is secured to the peripheral opening of the first plate and a threaded portion thereof extends partway through the opening. Preferably, each arm is secured to the first plate by at least two nuts. The central aperture of the second plate is aligned with and secured to the support rod wherein the independently flexible portions flex against corresponding arm ends. A notch on the end of each arm is adapted to lockingly receive the flexible portion when the arm is rotated to the predetermined alignment position.
A method of packaging and assembling the light fixture assembly having a plurality of arms includes inserting a threaded end of each arm into the peripheral opening of the first plate. At least two nuts are used to fasten the arms to the first plate. The arms can then be rotated to minimize packaging volume without loosening the connection of the arms to the first plate. A support rod is fastened to the central aperture of the first plate with at least one nut or other suitable fastener. The second plate is then inserted onto the support rod and the independently flexible portions are aligned with the arm ends. The second plate is fastened to the support rod with at least one nut or other suitable fastener. The flexible portion about each opening of the spring plate contacts and flexes against the arm end. During installation, each arm is rotated to a predetermined alignment position wherein a notch in each arm end lockingly receives the flexible portion of the second plate into the predetermined alignment position.
Other embodiments of the invention are contemplated to provide particular features and structural variants of the basic elements. The specific embodimen

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