Illumination – With static structure – Wall or ceiling
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-07
2001-11-27
Sember, Thomas M. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With static structure
Wall or ceiling
C362S404000, C362S229000, C362S234000, C362S096000, C362S457000, C416S005000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322232
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1.0 Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to light fixtures and, more particularly to light fixtures which may be used in conjunction with ceiling fans, or alternatively which may comprise ceiling-mounted light fixtures or wall-mounted sconces.
2.0 Related Art
The current method of installing light fixtures to ceiling fans, ceilings or walls typically involves many steps. These steps include turning off the power to the electrical circuit in which the fixture is to be installed, connecting the wires of the circuit to those of the light fixture, and attaching the light fixture to the ceiling fan, ceiling or wall of a structure by means of fasteners such as screws. This process is time consuming and, in some instances, may require the assistance of an electrician. Furthermore, if the user wishes to replace the light fixture to change the decor in the room in which the fixture is installed, or due to damage to the light fixture, the foregoing steps must be repeated.
Although various attempts have been made to provide “quick connect” light fixtures to facilitate the electrical coupling of the light fixture to the circuit in which the fixture is installed, these devices typically are relatively complex and therefore costly, and may include other disadvantages. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 1,412,748 issued to McKay, discloses an Electrical Ceiling Fitting Connection. McKay states that a principal object of the invention is to provide a connection for supporting ceiling fixtures which will enable the use of permanent wiring connections to which the fixture may be readily attached and the electrical connection made instantaneously whereby the splicing of wires and the dangers resulting from improper connections is eliminated. However, the McKay device is relatively complex due to the configuration of the multiple included insulation blocks and other required components and also includes a locking feature provided by a spring latch member which may not securely hold the included electrical connectors to one another in a vibration environment such as that associated with a combined ceiling fan and light fixture unit. Additionally, it appears that the McKay device does not include a safety ground and therefore would not comply with current safety agency standards.
Another example of a conventional light fixture is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,168 issued to Ewing. Ewing discloses a quick install device for mounting a luminaire on a flat surface such as a ceiling, a wall or the like. In the preferred embodiment, the device comprises a mounting plate which is fixedly attached to an existing outlet box in the ceiling or wall and a luminaire plate which is fixedly attached to the luminaire. Ewing indicates that the luminaire plate and the mounting plate contain means for quickly attaching the two plates together. However, electrical “quick connect” connectors are not provided, but instead, the luminaire plate and mounting plate serve as a splice chamber when attached for containing the electrical splices used in electrically connecting the luminaire to an electrical circuit. Accordingly, an electrician may be required to accomplish the necessary splicing for initial installation and if it is desired to later remove or replace the light fixture. Additionally, the mounting arrangement of the Ewing device is not suitably secure for use in a vibration environment such as that associated with a combined ceiling fan and light fixture unit.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages associated with known light fixtures, there remains a need for a simple, easy to install quick connect light fixture having application for use with a ceiling fan or as a ceiling or wall mounted light fixture, in which the included electrical connectors are safely secured to one another even in a vibration environment such as that associated with a combined ceiling fan and light fixture unit.
SUMMARY
In view of the foregoing needs, the present invention is directed to a quick connect light fixture which is aesthetically pleasing and has several functional advantages associated with the installation and locking features of the light fixture. The quick connect light fixture of the present invention has a variety of applications, including the retrofitting of existing ceiling fans to provide a combined ceiling fan and light kit, use with new ceiling fans, or alternatively application as a ceiling mounted light fixture or a wall sconce. In each instance, the quick connect light fixture of the present invention may include a variety of configurations which gives the end user a wide variety of choices to complement the decor of the structure in which the quick connect light fixture is installed. With each configuration, the quick connect light fixture of the present invention includes mating electrical connectors which are designed for “quick connect” coupling in a simple, safe and reliable manner, thereby eliminating the need for an electrician's assistance in many instances. Furthermore, the various features of the quick connect light fixture of the present invention, permits an end user to simply, safely and quickly disconnect and remove a portion of the light fixture for bulb replacement as required, or to change the appearance of the light fixture, for instance for special occasions. The particular elements of the quick connect light fixture to which the electrical connectors are attached, have mating flanges which slidingly engage one another for ease of installation, and the light fixture of each embodiment includes a locking member which secures the structures supporting the electrical connectors to one another.
In each embodiment, the quick connect light fixture of the present invention is adapted for mounting to a structure, with the light fixture comprising an adapter plate, an open-ended bracket, a first electrical connector secured to the adapter plate and a second electrical connector secured to the open-ended bracket. The adapter plate includes a first portion having first and second opposite surfaces and further includes a pair of flanges spaced apart from one another and protruding from the first portion of the plate, with each of the flanges being configured to define a channel. An aperture extends through the first portion of the plate between the flanges and is effective for receiving a plurality of electrical wires coupled to the first electrical connector. In one embodiment, with particular application for new ceiling fans, the adapter plate of the quick connect light fixture may be integrally formed with a switch housing of the ceiling fan. In other embodiments having application for retrofitting ceiling fans, the adapter plate is affixed to the switch housing of the ceiling fan such that the first surface of the first portion of the adapter plate is facing a substantially flat lower surface of the switch housing. In other embodiments, having application as a ceiling-mounted light fixture or a wall sconce the adapter plate may be disposed adjacent to a junction box cover plate which in turn is disposed adjacent to and attached to a junction box in the ceiling or wall of the structure.
The open-ended bracket has a web and a pair of sidewalls, with each of the sidewalls having a proximal portion integral with the web and a distal portion which comprises a lip, with the sidewalls and web defining a cavity, and the second electrical connector being disposed in the cavity. The light fixture further includes a hollow rod secured to the bracket and a second plurality of electrical wires electrically coupled to the second electrical connector and extending thorough the hollow rod. Preferably, the first electrical connector comprises a female electrical connector, while the second electrical connector comprises a male electrical connector. Both the male and female electrical connectors include a housing with a plurality of electrical terminals disposed therein, with each of the housings including a plurality of lead-in chamfers to facilitate engagement of the male and fema
Alavi Ali
Baker, Donelson Bearman & Caldwell
Hunter Fan Company
Sember Thomas M.
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