3-way adjustment mechanism for downlight fixture

• US 7,234,674 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2005
• Issued: 06/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips Lighting North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Rippel, Graham, Czech, Kenneth, Sartini, Gene
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez; Ramon O
• Application Number:
  US11/135,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20060261235A1
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 248/343, 248/906, 248/314, 248/201, 248/317, 362/382, 362/404, 362/364, 362/365
• US Class Current: 248/343
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/04 Recessed bases
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/906 Electrical outlet box support

Abstract

The instant invention provides an adjustable mechanism for a fixture having a fixture frame, a plurality of hanger bars, and an aperture ring. An adjustment assembly slidably connects the fixture frame, the plurality of hanger bars, and the aperture ring. The adjustment assembly allows independent vertical adjustment of hanger bars, fixture frame and aperture ring for various installation variables.

Claims

1. An adjustable fixture frame mechanism, comprising:

a fixture frame;

an adjustment assembly connected to said fixture frame slidably connecting an aperture ring to said frame;

said aperture ring slidably adjustable through a vertical plane relative to said fixture frame;

said fixture frame and said aperture ring also being slidable relative to a plurality of hanger bars;

said adjustment assembly comprising a frame mounting bracket, an aperture ring bracket slidably connected to said frame mounting bracket, and a hanger bar bracket.

2. The adjustable fixture frame mechanism of claim 1, said aperture ring bracket slidably disposed along an inner surface of said frame mounting bracket.

3. The adjustable fixture frame mechanism of claim 1, said hanger bar bracket slidably connected to said frame mounting bracket.

4. The adjustable fixture frame mechanism of claim 1, said frame mounting bracket disposed between said hanger bar bracket and said aperture ring bracket.

5. The adjustable fixture frame mechanism of claim 1, said hanger bar bracket connecting hanger bars to said fixture frame and said aperture ring.

6. The adjustable fixture frame mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a releasable fastener extending through said adjustment assembly.

7. An adjustable fixture frame mechanism, comprising:

a fixture frame;

an aperture ring slidably connected to said frame by a sliding adjustment assembly;

hanger bars retained by said sliding adjustment assembly and slidable relative to said fixture frame and aperture ring;

said frame being vertically slidable independent of said aperture ring.

8. The adjustable fixture frame mechanism of claim 7, said sliding adjustment assembly allowing independent vertical sliding adjustment of said fixture frame, said aperture ring, and said hanger bars.

9. The adjustable fixture frame mechanism of claim 7, said adjustment assembly comprising an aperture ring bracket, a frame mounting bracket and a sliding clamp.

10. The adjustable fixture frame of claim 9, each of said aperture ring bracket and frame mounting bracket being slidable relative to the other.

11. An adjustable fixture assembly, comprising:

a frame slide, a hanger bar slide and an aperture ring slide;

said frame slide vertically moveable relative to said hanger bar slide and said aperture ring slide;

said aperture ring slide vertically moveable relative to said hanger bar slide and said frame slide.

12. The adjustable fixture assembly of claim 11 further comprising apertures for preselected positions of a frame and an aperture ring.

13. The adjustable fixture assembly of claim 11 further comprising a frame connected to said frame slide.

14. The adjustable fixture assembly of claim 11 further comprising a plurality of hanger bars retained by said hanger bar slide.

15. The adjustable fixture assembly of claim 11 further comprising an aperture ring connected to said aperture ring slide.

16. An adjustable mechanism for a fixture, comprising:

a fixture frame;

a plurality of hanger bars;

an aperture ring;

an adjustment assembly slidably connecting said fixture frame, said plurality of hanger bars, and said aperture ring;

wherein each of said fixture frame and said aperture ring slide relative to the other and said hanger bars.

17. The adjustment mechanism of claim 16, said adjustment assembly comprising an aperture ring slide, a frame slide and a sliding clamp.

18. The adjustment mechanism of claim 16, each of said aperture ring slide and said frame slide slidably engaging the other.

19. The adjustment mechanism of claim 16, said adjustment assembly further comprising means for setting said assembly at preselected positions.