Friction blade trim retention system

• US 10,203,076 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2018
• Issued: 02/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cordelia Lighting Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cordelia Lighting Incorporated
• Inventors: Nguyen, Huan C., O'Brien, Aaron
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US15/872,918
• Publication Number:
  US 20180202623A1
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/026 intended to be recessed in a ceiling or like overhead structure, e.g. suspended ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/028 being retractable, i.e. having two fixed positions, one recessed, e.g. in a wall, floor or ceiling, and one extended when in use
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/041 Mounting arrangements specially adapted for false ceiling panels or partition walls made of plates F21V21/047 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/26 Pivoted arms

Abstract

A friction blade trim retention system is disclosed. The friction blade trim retention system uses friction blades that are biased radially outward to engage the interior wall of a can housing to hold a trim assembly of a recessed light fixture therein. The system includes vertical translating components that include spring biased detents to toggle between an upper position and a lower position. The detent lower position allows the installer to install the friction blade inside the can in a first step. The installer in the second step pushes the trim assembly upward into the can to engage the upper detent, thus completing installation.

Claims

1. A recessed lighting trim retention system for supporting a light fixture inside a can, comprising:

a first stationary portion having a horizontal elongated shape with resilient spring arms at opposite ends, wherein each spring arm terminates in a friction blade having an edge for engaging an interior of the can;

a second stationary portion disposed on the first stationary portion to form a vertical space therebetween;

an elongated mounting bracket sliding vertically relative to the first stationary portion within the vertical space, wherein the elongated mounting bracket includes a first complementary toggle means facing the vertical space, the elongated mounting bracket attached to the light fixture;

a second complementary toggle means facing the first complementary mounting means, wherein the second complementary toggle means is disposed on one of the elongated mounting bracket and the second stationary portion; and

wherein the first and second complementary toggle means selectively engage each other to bias the elongated mounting bracket into one of an up position and a down position of the light fixture relative to the can.

2. The recessed lighting trim retention system of claim 1, wherein the first complementary toggle means includes a finger protrusion and the second complementary toggle means includes a V-spring.

3. The recessed lighting trim retention system of claim 1, wherein the first complementary toggle means includes a V-spring and the second complementary toggle means includes a cross-member formed into the second stationary portion.

4. The recessed lighting trim retention system of claim 1, wherein the first complementary toggle means includes a hump formed in the first stationary portion, and the second complementary toggle means includes ridge formed in the mounting bracket.

5. The recessed lighting trim retention system of claim 1, wherein the first complementary toggle means includes a V-spring, and the second complementary toggle means includes a cross-member formed into the second stationary portion.

6. The recessed lighting trim retention system of claim 2, wherein the V-spring includes a steel bar spring with a peak along its length.

7. The recessed lighting trim retention system of claim 1, wherein the first and secondary portions are discrete components that are joined together.

8. The recessed lighting trim retention system of claim 1, wherein the friction blade includes a stopper tab along a bottom edge thereof.

9. The recessed lighting trim retention system of claim 1, wherein the second stationary portion includes a channel to form the vertical space.

10. A recessed lighting trim retention system for supporting a light fixture inside a can, comprising:

at least two friction blade trim attachments, each attachment including;

a first stationary portion having a horizontally elongated shape with resilient spring arms at opposite ends, wherein each spring arm terminates in a friction blade having an edge for engaging an interior of the can;

a second stationary portion including a channel disposed on the first stationary portion, wherein the channel forms a vertical space between the first and second stationary portions;

an elongated L-shaped mounting bracket translating vertically relative to the first stationary portion within the vertical space, wherein the mounting bracket includes a spring biased toggle means facing the vertical space, the elongated mounting bracket attached to the light fixture;

a complementary toggle means facing the spring biased toggle means, wherein the complementary toggle means is disposed on one of the elongated mounting bracket and the second stationary portion; and

wherein the spring biased toggle means and the complementary toggle means selectively engage each other to bias the elongated mounting bracket into one of an up position and a down position of the light fixture relative to the can.

11. The recessed lighting trim retention system of claim 10, wherein the system includes a center bracket mounted to the light fixture and interconnecting the at least two friction blade trim attachments.

12. The recessed lighting trim retention system of claim 10, wherein the spring biased toggle means includes at least one of a V-spring, a ridge, and a protrusion.

13. The recessed lighting trim retention system of claim 10, wherein the complementary toggle means includes at least one of a V-spring attached to the second stationary portion, and a cross-member formed into the second stationary portion.

14. A recessed lighting trim retention system for supporting a light fixture inside a can, comprising:

a first stationary portion having an elongated, flat sheet shape with opposed resilient spring arms each terminating in a friction blade having an edge for engaging an interior of the can;

a second stationary portion disposed on the first stationary portion to form a vertical space therebetween;

an elongated mounting bracket sliding vertically relative to the first and second stationary portions within the vertical space, wherein the elongated mounting bracket is attached to the light fixture;

first and second complementary toggle means disposed on the elongated mounting bracket and the second stationary portion, respectively; and

wherein the first and second complementary toggle means selectively engage each other to bias the elongated mounting bracket into one of an up position and a down position of the light fixture relative to the can.

15. The recessed lighting trim retention system of claim 14, wherein the first complementary toggle means includes at least one of a V-spring, a ridge, a finger, and a protrusion.

16. The recessed lighting trim retention system of claim 14, wherein the second complementary toggle means includes at least one of a V-spring joined to the second stationary portion, and a cross-member formed into the second stationary portion.