Trim retention spring and method for recessed lighting fixtures

• US 20100265725A1
• Filed: 04/21/2009
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hubbell Lighting Incorporated (Hubbell, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Wilcox, Shawn
• Granted Patent: US 8,096,686 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/364
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/04 Recessed bases

Abstract

A lighting fixture is provided that includes a ceiling pan having an opening with a trim received therein. The trim includes a ring with a spring clip attached thereto. The spring clip includes first and second legs having a first end joined at an apex and second free end opposite the first end. The second free ends are fixed to the trim to bias the spring clip in a downward direction to engage a top surface of the ceiling pan and bias the trim in an upward direction toward the ceiling pan. In one embodiment, the ends of the spring clip are fixed to the trim by a screw. In another embodiment, the spring clip is a torsion spring engaging the trim and includes first and second legs with a portion extending therefrom and received in an aperture in the trim. The ends are oriented at an inclined angle with respect to the legs such that when the legs are attached to the trim, the legs are biased in a downward direction with respect to the ceiling pan. The torsion spring clip can be retrofit to the trim ring.

Claims

1. A lighting fixture comprising:

a ceiling pan having an opening;

a trim received in said opening; and

a spring clip having first and second legs, each leg having a first end coupled to said trim and a second end joined together at an apex, said apex of said spring clip being biased in a downward direction with respect to said ceiling pan whereby said second end engages a top surface of said ceiling pan.

2. The lighting fixture according to claim 1 wherein

said first end of each of said legs is fixed to said trim with a screw.

3. The lighting fixture according to claim 1 wherein

each of said legs is angled in a downward direction toward a bottom end of said trim.

4. The lighting fixture according to claim 1 wherein

said trim further includes a plurality of attachment points adapted to secure a plurality of spring clips to an outer surface of said trim.

5. The lighting fixture according to claim 1 wherein

said spring clip is made of spring steel.

6. The lighting fixture according to claim 1 wherein

said spring clip is made of flexible material.

7. The lighting fixture according to claim 2 wherein

said first end includes a circular-shaped member receiving the screw for fixing said first end to said trim.

8. A lighting fixture comprising:

a ceiling pan having a top surface and an opening for directing light to a target area;

a trim received in said opening, said trim having a side wall;

a torsion spring clip coupled to said side wall and having first and second legs and first and second ends each extending from said first and second legs, respectively, wherein said ends are oriented at an angle with respect to said legs in a normal position, said first and second ends being coupled to said trim to apply a downward biasing force to said first and second legs to engage said top surface of said ceiling pan to retain said trim in said opening.

9. The lighting fixture according to claim 8 wherein

said trim includes at least one cross baffle.

10. The lighting fixture according to claim 8 wherein

first end is oriented at a first angle and second end is oriented at a second angle in a direction opposite that of the first end.

11. The lighting fixture according to claim 9 wherein

said cross baffle includes a rivet having a bore.

12. The lighting fixture according to claim 11 wherein

said ends of said first and second legs of said torsion spring clip are mounted in a bore of a respective rivet.

13. The lighting fixture according to claim 10 wherein

said ends of said first and second legs of said torsion spring clip are mounted into a rivet body of a cross baffle of said trim.

14. A lighting fixture comprising:

a ceiling pan having a top surface, a bottom surface and an opening extending between said top surface and bottom surface;

a trim having a side wall with a dimension for being received in said opening in said ceiling pan; and

at least one spring member coupled to said trim for coupling said trim to said ceiling pan;

said at least one spring member having a first leg with a first end coupled to said trim and a second leg having a first end coupled to said trim, said first and second legs having a second end joined together at an apex,

and where said first and second legs being biased in a downward direction whereby said second ends engage said top surface of said ceiling pan and couple said trim to said ceiling pan.

15. The lighting fixture according to claim 14 wherein

said first ends of said spring member are fixed to said trim.

16. The lighting fixture according to claim 14 wherein

said spring member has first and second end portions extending from said first and second legs respectively and are received in first and second corresponding first and second bearings in said trim,

said first and second end portions being twisted with respect to said first and second legs to produce said downward biasing force.

17. The lighting fixture according to claim 16 wherein

the first and second bearings are coplanar.

18. The lighting fixture according to claim 14 wherein

each of said first and second legs extend substantially tangentially from said trim.