Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Including component designed to receive a disparate article... – Artificial illumination means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-01
2001-09-11
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Including component designed to receive a disparate article...
Artificial illumination means
C052S749100, C052S506070, C052S664000, C052S668000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286265
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to recessed lighting fixture mounting, more particularly to means for and a method of mounting a lighting fixture in a suspended ceiling with the fixture recessed in the ceiling.
The invention is especially concerned with a support bar per se to be used in the installation of a lighting fixture in a suspended ceiling comprising a suspension of inverted T-bars, also the lighting fixture installation comprising the support bars of the invention after a certain bending procedure has been carried out, and further the method of installing the fixture utilizing the support bars.
Reference may be made to the following U.S. patents for examples of recessed lighting fixture mountings heretofore patented:
U.S. Pat. No.
Title
Issue Date
4,086,480
Suspension Ceiling and Recessed Lighting
04/25/78
System
4,114,327
Light Fixture Support
09/19/78
4,356,537
Lighting Fixture Retainer Hook
10/26/82
5,045,985
Self Locking Adjustable Mounting Bars
09/03/91
5,072,344
Lighting Fixture Clamp
12/10/91
5,588,737
Modular Recessed Lighting System
12/31/96
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of improved means for and a method of mounting a light fixture in a suspended ceiling with the fixture recessed in the ceiling, including a support bar to be used in the installation of a lighting fixture in a suspended ceiling comprising a suspension of inverted T-bars; the provision of a support bar for such use adapted to be bent on the job without the need for any special tools for secure attachment thereof to two inverted T-bars of a ceiling suspension bridging the two inverted T-bars; the provision of such a support bar which, as bent for the attachment thereof to the inverted T-bars, in no way obstructs the lifting up of ceiling tile for placement in the ceiling; the provision of such a support bar which, as installed on two inverted T-bars, is secured against lift-off from the T-bars if an upward force is applied to the bar or to the fixture supported by the bar; and the provision of such a support which is economical to manufacture and use, lending itself to simple and economical installation procedure reflected in the method of mounting the lighting fixture in accordance with the method of the invention.
In a first aspect, and in general, the invention involves a support for mounting a lighting fixture in recessed position in a ceiling. The ceiling comprises a suspension of inverted T-bars, the support being for mounting the fixture between two of the inverted T-bars extending generally parallel to one another and spaced apart a certain distance. Each T-bar has a web constituting the stem of the T and a flange constituting the head of the T, the web having an enlarged edge. Each T-bar has first and second side faces, the first faces being those that face one another and the second being those on the opposite side. The support comprises an elongate sheet metal bar for installation in generally vertical position bridging the two T-bars, the sheet metal bar having an edge constituting its upper edge and an edge constituting its lower edge as it is installed in said vertical position. The sheet metal bar has a pair of notches in its lower edge spaced apart said distance and being placeable in position on the two inverted T-bars bridging the T-bars with the two inverted T-bars extending through the notches. The sheet metal bar has end portions extending outward beyond the notches, each end portion comprising a primary tab bendable to extend generally at right angles with respect to the sheet metal bar in position extending alongside said second face of the respective inverted T-bar. Each end portion comprising the primary tab is formed to define a secondary tab for being bent to extend generally at right angles to the remainder of the primary tab over the enlarged edge of the respective inverted T-bar.
In a second aspect, and in general, the invention involves an installation of a lighting fixture in recessed position in a ceiling, the ceiling comprising a suspension of inverted T-bars including two inverted T-bars extending generally parallel to one another spaced apart a certain distance. Each T-bar has a web constituting the stem of the T and a flange constituting the head of the T, the web having an enlarged edge. Each T-bar has first and second side faces, the first faces being those that face one another and the second being those on the opposite side. The installation comprises a pair of supports bridging the two T-bars with a space between the supports, and a lighting fixture supported by the supports in position between the supports and between the two T-bars extending up with respect to the level of the T-bars. Each support comprises an elongate sheet metal bar installed in generally vertical position bridging the two T-bars and thereby having an upper edge and a lower edge. Each sheet metal bar has a pair of notches in its lower edge spaced apart said distance receiving the two inverted T-bars. Each sheet metal bar has the upper edge of each notch bearing on the respective inverted T-bar. Each sheet metal bar has end portions outward of the notches, each end portion comprising a primary tab bent to extend generally at right angles with respect to the sheet metal bar alongside said second face of the respective inverted T-bar. Each end portion comprising the primary tab has a secondary tab bent to extend generally at right angles therefrom over the enlarged edge of the respective inverted T-bar.
In a third aspect, and again in general, the invention involves a method of installing a lighting fixture in recessed position in a ceiling. The ceiling comprises a suspension of inverted T-bars including two inverted T-bars extending generally parallel to one another and spaced apart a certain distance, each T-bar having a web constituting the stem of the T and a flange constituting the head of the T, the web having an enlarged edge. Each T-bar has first and second side faces, the first faces being those that face one another and the second being those on the opposite side. The method comprises placing a pair of supports in position bridging the two T-bars with a space between the supports for supporting the fixture. Each support comprises an elongate sheet metal bar placed in generally vertical position on the two T-bars and thereby having an upper edge and a lower edge. Each sheet metal bar has a pair of notches in its lower edge spaced apart said distance and emplaced with the enlarged edges of the webs of the two inverted T-bars received in the notches and the upper edges of the notches bearing on the enlarged edges of the two inverted T-bars. Each sheet metal bar as applied has end portions extending straight out beyond the notches. The method involves bending the end portions to form primary tabs extending generally at right angles with respect to the sheet metal bars alongside the second faces of the two inverted T-bars, and bending portions of the primary tab comprising secondary tabs to extend generally at right angles therefrom over the enlarged edges of the two inverted T-bars.
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3343309 (1967-09-01), Netz et al.
patent: 3597889 (1971-08-01), Nigro
patent: 4041657 (1977-08-01), Schuplin
patent: 4086480 (1978-04-01), Lahm
patent: 4114327 (1978-09-01), Williams
patent: 4122762 (1978-10-01), Williams
patent: 4230900 (1980-10-01), Speet
patent: 4356537 (1982-10-01), Stahlhut et al.
patent: 4408262 (1983-10-01), Kusmer
patent: 4419717 (1983-12-01), Price et al.
patent: 4608801 (1986-09-01), Green et al.
patent: 4646212 (1987-02-01), Florence
patent: 4716504 (1987-12-01), Pahl et al.
patent: 5045985 (1991-09-01), Russo et al.
patent: 5072344 (1991-12-01), Fabbri
patent: 5085393 (1992-02-01), Ryan
patent: 5386959 (1995-02-01), Laughlin et al.
patent: 5588737 (1996-12-01), Kusmer
patent: 5941029 (1999-08-01), MacLeod
patent: 6047517 (2000-04-01), Vrame
SP Products, Inc. publication (2
Cooper Technologies Company
Kent Christopher T.
Senniger Powers Leavitt & Roedel
Thissell Jennifer I.
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