ADAPTER AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR RECESSED LIGHT SOCKET

• US 20100296685A1
• Filed: 05/20/2010
• Published: 11/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lake Shore Studios, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lake Shore Studios, Inc.
• Inventors: Carle, William A. JR., Machiorlette, Steven Charles, Jervey, Edward Darrell III
• Application Number:
  US12/783,981
• Publication Number:
  US 20100296685A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/386
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/002 making direct electrical contact, e.g. by piercing F21V21/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/03 Ceiling bases, e.g. ceiling roses F21V21/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

An adaptive use of recessed lights cans for retrofitting various types of light fixtures. For example, a recessed light could be retrofitted as a junction box. In other embodiments, the recessed light could supply power for a speaker that includes a threaded power. Other electronic devices are contemplated that could be installed in a recessed light housing, including a battery backup light, a wireless repeater, a surveillance camera, a cellular phone booster, an infrared repeater, a fan, a wireless perimeter barrier, an alarm system, a sound machine, a web cam, an electronic pest control, a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector, an air purifier, a HVAC repeater control, a temperature monitor, a humidity monitor, a sound monitor, a photoelectric motion detector light, a photoelectric light sensor, and a hanging mobile.

Claims

1. An adapter assembly for converting a recessed ceiling light socket into a junction box for installing a light fixture, the adapter assembly comprising:

an adapter portion including a threaded portion that is configured to be screwed into a female light socket and a terminal block adapted to be in electrical communication with the threaded portion; and

a bracket including a first end operatively connected with the adapter portion and a second end extending from the adapter portion, wherein the second end includes a hole with internal threads configured to receive corresponding threads of a mounting device for a light fixture; and

wherein the terminal block includes a first terminal and a second terminal for electrically connecting the light fixture to the light socket.

2. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the terminal block includes a plurality of terminals, and wherein the terminal block includes a plurality of openings that are internally threaded to receive respective set screws for locking wire into position in the terminals.

3. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the bracket includes a cross member that is disposed with a first leg and a second leg.

4. The adapter assembly of claim 3, wherein the first leg and the second leg suspend the second end of the bracket apart from the adapter portion.

5. The adapter assembly of claim 4, wherein the hole is positioned between the first leg and the second leg.

6. The adapter assembly of claim 5, wherein the second end of the bracket includes a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole, wherein the hole is disposed between the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole.

7. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the terminal block includes a plurality of terminals and at least one of the terminals includes circuitry for outputting a DC signal.

8. A method for converting a recessed ceiling light socket into a junction box for installing a light fixture, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an adapter assembly including a threaded portion that is in electrical communication with a terminal block having a plurality of terminals;

inserting wires of a light fixture into respective terminals of the terminal block;

locking the wires into the terminals to establish an electrical connection between the light fixture and the terminals;

screwing the threaded portion of the adapter assembly into a socket of a recessed light to provide electrical power to the terminals.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the adapter assembly includes a strap portion with an internally threaded hole, further comprising the step of screwing a mounting assembly of the light fixture into the internally threaded hole of the strap portion.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the locking step includes screwing a set screw into the terminals to lock the wire in the terminals.

11. A speaker assembly adapted to be installed in a recessed light socket, the speaker assembly comprising:

a threaded portion that is configured to be screwed into a female light socket;

a circuit adapted to be in electrical communication with the threaded portion;

wherein the threaded portion supplies electrical energy to power the circuit;

a speaker operatively associated with the adapter portion and in electrical connection with the circuit; and

wherein the circuit includes an amplifier that is configured to drive the speaker with an input signal.

12. The speaker assembly of claim 11, further comprising a light source for projecting light from the speaker.

13. The speaker assembly of claim 12, wherein the light source includes an LED bulb.

14. The speaker assembly of claim 12, wherein the circuit is configured to independently switch power to the light source and the amplifier.

15. The speaker assembly of claim 11, wherein the circuit is configured to wirelessly receive an input signal for driving the speaker.

16. An adapter assembly for powering an electronic device to be installed in a recessed light socket, the adapter assembly comprising:

a threaded portion that is configured to be screwed into a female light socket;

an electrical device adapted to be in electrical communication with the threaded portion, wherein the threaded portion supplies electrical energy to power the electrical device;

wherein the electronic device is one or more of a battery backup light, a wireless repeater, a surveillance camera, a cellular phone booster, an infrared repeater, a fan, a wireless perimeter barrier, an alarm system, a sound machine, a web cam, an electronic pest control, a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector, an air purifier, a HVAC repeater control, a temperature monitor, a humidity monitor, a sound monitor, a photoelectric motion detector light, a photoelectric light sensor, or a hanging mobile.