Supports – Suspended supports
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-28
2001-09-25
Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Suspended supports
C248S342000, C248S344000, C248S906000, C248S343000, C362S371000, C362S374000, C362S375000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293510
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to an apparatus and method for improving the performance of mounting brackets for lighting fixtures. More particularly, this invention relates to a thin profiled mounting bracket, for permanently mounting luminaires to a junction box, which is capable of suspending a luminaire during installation and deterring vandalism and theft upon completion of installation.
2. Discussion of the Art
Luminaires have a number of applications and are widely used for architectural and outdoor lighting, as well as indoor lighting applications. For example, streets, sidewalks, and parking lots often require luminaires to provide adequate lighting. A conventional luminaire includes a housing for enclosing and protecting electrical components of the luminaire. Electrical wires typically extend from a portion of the luminaire for connection to an electrical junction box, commonly referred to as a J-box. The electrical junction box is mounted to any structure requiring a lighting fixture, such as a ceiling of a parking garage, a post on a street, or a tree in a park. Once the appropriate wire connections are made, the luminaire is mounted to the junction box through a mounting assembly. Known devices for mounting a luminaire to an electrical junction box include a bracket secured to the luminaire which is adapted to fit over and attach to the junction box through the use of fasteners.
Luminaires designed for use in large areas, such as underground parking garages, parks, and highways, are relatively heavy and cumbersome. In addition, luminaires and their associated circuitry are usually located at substantial heights above the ground. As such, two people are generally required to mount the luminaire to the junction box. The first person holds the luminaire in position while the other person completes the electrical connection and secures the bracket to the junction box. In addition, routine repair, maintenance, and adjustment procedures often require two people to perform work on a heavy luminaire. With the cost of labor rapidly escalating, especially for commercial construction workers, the use of known mounting devices for luminaires has become expensive.
Adding to the expense of maintaining luminaires are costs associated with vandalism, theft, and inadvertent damage caused by unstable mounting mechanisms. Because luminaires are used in exposed public environments where security is minimal, they are prone to theft and vandalism. Furthermore, luminaires often undergo elevated levels of vibration, such as that generated by inadvertent bumping or heavy vehicles traveling in a parking garage. The vibration may disturb the attachment of the luminaire to its mounting device.
In order to alleviate the foregoing problems associated with conventional mounting devices, one known mounting bracket has hooks extending therefrom. The bracket is mounted to a junction box and the hooks are adapted to penetrate the housing of the luminaire and suspend the luminaire while the electrical connections are made. After the electrical connections have been made, the hooks are received in pockets of the luminaire. At this point, the fixture is locked to the junction box and cannot be removed without internal access through the ballast compartment.
There are a number of significant shortcomings associated with the foregoing mounting device. First, the hooks that suspend the luminaire during installation penetrate directly into the housing once the luminaire has been permanently mounted. This creates a potential undesired path for water and moisture to enter the fixture thereby causing early luminaire failure. Second, this device is complex having a number of different parts that are expensive to manufacture. Moreover, the mounting bracket is relatively large and bulky having a thick profile.
Thus, a need exists to provide a thin profiled mounting bracket capable of suspending a luminaire during installation, deterring theft and vandalism, preventing water from penetrating the luminaire housing, and that is economical to manufacture and use.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A new and improved apparatus and method is provided for mounting luminaires that meet the foregoing needs.
An exemplary embodiment inventive luminaire mounting bracket includes a first or lower mounting plate having a first or front surface and a second or back surface adapted for attachment to a luminaire. A second or upper mounting plate has a first or front surface and a second or back surface adapted for attachment to an electrical assembly. The upper mounting plate selectively engages the lower mounting plate so that the upper mounting plate and the lower mounting plate are in locking relation, thereby forming a thin profile. A hinge operatively connects the upper mounting plate and the lower mounting plate. The hinge is adapted to suspend the luminaire while the appropriate electrical connections are made and before the upper and lower mounting plates are brought into locking relation.
The luminaire mounting bracket preferably includes upper and lower identical mounting plates adapted to mate together in locking relation.
An exemplary method for installing a luminaire in a hands-free mode includes mounting an upper mounting plate to an electrical box. A lower mounting plate is mounted to a housing of the luminaire. The upper mounting plate and the lower mounting plate are interconnected via a hinge adapted to suspend the luminaire during installation and maintenance operations. Electrical wires protruding from the housing of the luminaire are coupled to electrical wires extending from the electrical box. The hinge is collapsed and the upper and lower mounting plates are placed in locking relation.
One advantage of the present invention is the provision of a mounting bracket for a luminaire capable of suspending the luminaire during installation and routine maintenance.
Another advantage of the present invention resides in the ability of the mounting bracket to deter vandalism and theft.
Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a mounting bracket which does not penetrate the housing of the luminaire.
Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a mounting bracket having a reduced number of components and identical mounting plates thus significantly reducing manufacturing costs.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a mounting bracket having a thin profile.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4200905 (1980-04-01), Shelby et al.
patent: 4219869 (1980-08-01), Bowman et al.
patent: 4422659 (1983-12-01), Nebu
patent: 6033097 (2000-03-01), Harwood
Gardco Quatra GP1Catalogue, Gardco, date unknown, p. 14.
Kim LightingCatalogue Pages, Kim Lighting, date unknown, pp. 2-3.
Garage-Gard LuminaireCatalogue Page, General Electric Company, Jan. 1998, p. 191.
Bradford Reed A.
Toney James H.
Braun Leslie A.
Fay Sharpe Fagan Minnich & McKee LLP
General Electric Company
M S M
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