Adjustable hanger bar assembly with bendable portion

• US 20070131827A1
• Filed: 12/08/2005
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify North America Corporation (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group LLC (Signify N.V.)
• Inventors: Nevers, Craig, Wedekind, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,784,754 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/201
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/04 Recessed bases
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/906 Electrical outlet box support

Abstract

The present invention is an adjustable hanger bar assembly for a light fixture. The assembly maintains structural integrity between first and second bars to support a recessed light fixture while being extended to distances where typical mounting assemblies fail. The hanger bar assembly comprises first and second bars which slidably engage one another. One of the first and second bars comprises a foldable foot which may be extended to increase the length of the hanger bar assembly.

Claims

1. An adjustable mounting bar assembly for a luminaire fixture, comprising:

a first bar adapted to be slidably received within a second bar portion;

an arm bendably positioned at an end of one of said first bar or said second bar;

a relief area disposed between said first arm and said one of said first bar or said second bar;

said first bar and said second bar telescoping between a first minimized length and a second extended length.

2. The adjustable mounting bars for a luminaire fixture of claim 1, said arm bendable to an extended position to provide increased length to said adjustable mounting bar assembly.

3. The adjustable mounting bar assembly for a luminaire fixture of claim 1, said arm bendable to extend the length of said adjustable mounting bar assembly and maintain engagement between said first bar and said second bar.

4. The adjustable mounting bars for a luminaire fixture of claim 1, said arm bendable from a first position substantially perpendicular to said one of said first bar or said second bar to a second position substantially parallel to said one of said first bar or said second bar.

5. The adjustable mounting bar assembly for a luminaire fixture of claim 1, said arm having a notch for receiving a suspended ceiling grid.

6. The adjustable mounting bars for a luminaire fixture of claim 1 further comprising a pivoting arm at the other of said first bar or said second bar.

7. The adjustable mounting bars for a luminaire fixture of claim 6 said pivoting arm being pivotally connected to the other of said first bar or said second bar at an end distal from said first bar.

8. A telescoping hanger bar assembly for a luminaire fixture assembly, comprising:

a channel shaped to slidably receive a bar;

a pre-stressed relief area disposed at an end of said bar and a first foot portion extending from said relief;

said arm portion moveable at said relief from a folded position disposed at an angle to said one of said first bar and said second bar to substantially parallel to said one of said first bar member and said second bar member;

said foot portion allowing increased engagement between said first bar member and said second bar member for increased integrity.

9. The telescoping hanger bar of claim 8, said foot further comprising a notch for receiving a suspended ceiling support member.

10. The telescoping hanger bar of claim 8 further comprising a pivoting foot extending from said channel.

11. The telescoping hanger bar of claim 10, said pivoting foot extending substantially perpendicular from said channel.

12. The telescoping hanger bar of claim 10, said second foot having a joist lip.

13. A telescoping hanger bar assembly for a luminaire fixture assembly, comprising:

a first slidable bar having a relief at one end and a first foot connected to said relief;

a second slidable bar receiving said first slidable bar;

a second foot extending from an end of said second slidable bar and being pivotally connected to said second slidable bar opposite said first foot;

said first foot being foldable along said pre-stressed relief area to increase or decrease a total length of said hanger bar assembly;

one of said first slidable bar and said second slidable bar having at least one bead and the other of said first slidable bead and said second slidable bead having a positioning boss for locating said hanger bar assembly at preselected lengths.

14. The telescoping hanger bar assembly for a luminaire fixture assembly of claim 13 wherein one of said first slidable bar and said second slidable bar has at least one boss of preselected length.

15. The telescoping hanger bar assembly for a luminaire fixture assembly of claim 13 wherein the other of said first slidable bar and said second slidable bar have a bead which slides through said at least one boss.

16. The telescoping hanger bar assembly for a luminaire fixture assembly of claim 13 further comprising a notch in said first foot for receiving a suspended ceiling structure.

17. The telescoping hanger bar assembly for a luminaire fixture assembly of claim 13 further comprising a notch in said second foot for receiving a suspended ceiling structure.

18. An adjustable hanger bar assembly for a luminaire fixture assembly, comprising:

a first bar defining a portion of said adjustable hanger bar assembly;

a second bar shaped to slidably receive said bar defining a second portion of said adjustable hanger bar assembly;

a pre-stressed relief area disposed at an end of said first bar;

a first foot portion extending from said relief;

said arm portion deformable at said relief from a folded position to an extended position substantially parallel to said first bar;

said first bar having one of a bead or an elongated boss and said second bar having the other of said bead or said elongated boss.

19. The adjustable hanger bar assembly of claim 18, said first foot having a notch for receiving a suspended ceiling feature.

20. The adjustable hanger bar assembly of claim 18 further comprising a pivoting foot having a notch for receiving a suspended ceiling feature.