Dual access luminaire junction box

• US 7,952,022 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2009
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Rippel, Graham M., Park, John S., Sartini, Eugene R.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US12/371,774
• Publication Number:
  US 20100224404A1
• Time in Patent Office: 834 Days
• Field of Search: 174/50, 174/63, 174/58, 248/57, 248/323, 248/343, 248/906, 362/148, 362/365, 200/297, 439/535, 220/4.02
• US Class Current: 174/50
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/02 of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters specially adapted for vehicle exteriors F21S41/00-F21S45/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/048 Mounting arrangements for fastening lighting devices to false ceiling frameworks
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/125 with supporting bar extending between two separate studs of a wall frame
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/20 Ceiling roses or other lighting sets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/906 Electrical outlet box support

Abstract

The present invention relates to a junction box for a use with a recessed luminaire fixture frame wherein the junction box may be accessed from two opposed sides, eliminating the need to move the fixture to access and inspect the junction box.

Claims

1. A recessed fixture having a junction box positioned adjacent at least one ceiling support structure, comprising:

a fixture housing;

said junction box mounted to said fixture housing, said junction box being horizontally oriented;

said junction box having a first junction box door and a second junction box door;

said first junction box door and said second junction box door being oppositely positioned and pivotally connected to a junction box housing, said first and second junction doors being in a substantially horizontal orientation in a closed position;

one of said first junction box door and said second junction box door facing substantially upwardly and the other of said first junction box door and said second junction box door facing substantially downwardly;

wherein said horizontal orientation allows said junction box doors to be positioned adjacent a ceiling structure without limiting opening of said junction box doors.

2. The recessed fixture of claim 1, said first junction box door having a first pivoting axis extending horizontally.

3. The recessed fixture of claim 2, said second junction box door having a second pivoting axis extending in a direction substantially parallel to said first pivoting axis.

4. The recessed fixture of claim 1, said junction box housing having a sidewall disposed between said first and second junction box doors and adjacent said at least one ceiling support structure.

5. The recessed fixture of claim 4, said sidewall disposed between said first and second junction box doors and adjacent said at least one ceiling support structure being a substantially vertical sidewall.

6. The recessed fixture of claim 1, said junction box doors being openable without requiring movement of said fixture relative to said at least one ceiling support structure.

7. A recessed fixture having a fixture housing and a junction box, comprising:

said fixture housing having a light output aperture;

said junction box mounted to said fixture housing;

a first access door pivotally mounted on said junction box in a first substantially horizontal plane;

a second access door pivotally mounted to said junction box, said second access door positioned opposite said first access door in a second substantially horizontal plane;

said first and second substantially horizontal planes being substantially parallel to a plane of said light output aperture;

said junction box being positioned adjacent a ceiling support structure;

said first access door and said second access door being openable when said junction box is positioned immediately adjacent said ceiling support structure and without moving said recessed fixture.

8. The recessed fixture of claim 7, said first and second access doors being pivotable about a horizontal axis.

9. The recessed fixture of claim 7 further comprising an access plate fastened to said junction box.

10. The recessed fixture of claim 9, said access plate providing access to said junction box internally from said fixture housing.

11. The recessed fixture of claim 9 further comprising an electrical component mounted to said access plate.

12. The recessed fixture of claim 7 further comprising a clip for retaining said first and second access doors in a closed position.

13. The recessed fixture of claim 7 further comprising a plate covering an aperture between said junction box and said fixture housing.

14. The recessed fixture of claim 13 further comprising an electrical component connected to said plate.

15. A recessed fixture assembly having a fixture housing and a junction box, said recessed fixture assembly comprising:

said junction box extending from a sidewall of said fixture housing;

at least one opening disposed between said junction box and said fixture housing;

said opening allowing interior access to said junction box through said fixture housing;

a first pivoting door and a second pivoting door oppositely positioned on said junction box and horizontally oriented in a closed position;

said junction box being horizontally oriented so that said junction box doors are accessible when said junction box is positioned adjacent a ceiling support member.

16. The recessed fixture assembly of claim 15, further comprising pivot apertures in vertically oriented junction box sidewalls.

17. The recessed fixture assembly of claim 15, said recessed fixture assembly being an enclosed fixture.

18. The recessed fixture assembly of claim 15 further comprising a plate covering said opening allowing interior access to said junction box.

19. The recessed fixture assembly of claim 15 further comprising an electrical component connected to said plate, said electrical component positioned within an interior of said junction box.