Recessed-light conversion apparatus, system, and methods

• US 8,376,592 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2010
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BI Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Burnes Brighter Ideas LLC
• Inventors: Engstrom, Cheryl, Engstrom, Donn Jeffrey, Bell, Scott Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US12/890,410
• Publication Number:
  US 20110141741A1
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 362364-366, 362/147, 362/148
• US Class Current: 362/364
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/03 Ceiling bases, e.g. ceiling roses F21V21/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/04 Recessed bases

Abstract

Exposed fixture means and associated mounting features constituting a broad range of structural, aesthetic, and/or functional enhancements to existing recessed fixtures. Embodiments are generally configured to couple at a structural surface at and/or surrounding a recessed fixture. A mounting ring provides secure attachment at the structural surface, a ring cover typically engages with the mounting ring in a twist-lock engagement. An exposed fixture means (EFM) may be coupled at a side of the ring cover opposite the mounting ring. A system of correspondingly configured latch members of each of the ring cover and mounting ring enables relatively universal coupling of different EFMs at an already installed mounting ring. EFMs include a wide variety of aesthetic, functional, and/or structural embodiments.

Claims

1. An improved recessed fixture conversion apparatus, comprising:

a substantially planar mounting ring having a first side and an opposing second side, the mounting ring including;

a central opening disposed through a relative center of the mounting ring from the first side thereof to the second side thereof, and

two or more first latch members disposed at the second side of the mounting ring beyond a periphery of the central opening and within an outer periphery of the mounting ring; and

a ring cover having a first side and an opposing second side, the ring cover including;

a central opening disposed through a relative center of the ring cover from the first side thereof to the second side thereof;

a rim extending from the first side of the ring cover about an outer periphery of the ring cover, and

two or more second latch members extending from the first side of the ring cover beyond a periphery of the central opening thereof and within the outer periphery thereof, wherein the two or more second latch members are arranged to couple with the two or more first latch members of the mounting ring via a twist-lock engagement.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two or more second latch members extending from the first side of the ring cover comprise two or more second latch members extending from a latch member ring that is coupled at the first side of the ring cover.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of each of the two or more second latch members extends in an approximately parallel planar relationship relative to and spaced apart from the first side of the ring cover.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more slotted openings provided beyond a periphery of the central opening of the ring cover.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an exposed fixture means coupled at the second side of the ring cover.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the respective central openings of the mounting ring and the ring cover substantially correspond in size with one another.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a recess disposed at an edge of the mounting ring at the outer periphery thereof, wherein the recess includes an inclined side wall leading to a notch.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

an indexing fastener coupled with and extending through the rim, wherein the indexing fastener, when inserted through the rim, is configured to engage the recess and to urge the ring cover into an indexed position relative to the mounting ring.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a conductive line having a first end extending beyond the first side of the ring cover and a second end extending beyond the second side of the ring cover, wherein the conductive line is configured to convey either or both of light and electricity from the first end of the conductive line to the second end thereof.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the conductive line is an optical waveguide, and wherein the first end of the optical waveguide is configured to convey beyond the second side of the ring cover light from a light source located beyond the first side of the ring cover.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first end of the conductive line is configured to operably couple with an electrical source beyond the first side of the ring cover.

12. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the exposed fixture means comprises a light re-directing device.

13. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the exposed fixture means comprises a pendant fixture.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the exposed fixture means comprises a light emitting device.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the exposed fixture means comprises a motorized device.

16. A recessed fixture conversion system, comprising:

a mounting ring having a first side and an opposing second side, wherein plural receptacles are provided at the second side and within an outer periphery of the mounting ring;

a ring cover likewise having a first side and an opposing second side, and wherein plural tabs are provided at the second side and within an outer periphery of the ring cover, and wherein each of the plural tabs are configured to engage with a corresponding one of the plural receptacles when the mounting ring is nested within the ring cover and rotated relative thereto; and

an exposed fixture means coupled at and extending from the second side of the ring cover.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

a conductive line having a first end presented at the first side of the ring cover, and further having a second end operably coupled with the exposed fixture means.

18. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

an indexing recess provided at an outer edge of the mounting ring; and

an indexing fastener extending from the ring cover and configured to engage the indexing recess.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the exposed fixture means includes an electrically operable device.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the exposed fixture means comprises a pendant fixture.