Lighting and ventilating apparatus and method

• US 8,434,916 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2008
• Issued: 05/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Broan-Nutone LLC (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Broan-Nutone LLC (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Craw, Gary J., Karst, Daniel L.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US12/277,327
• Publication Number:
  US 20090073702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,624 Days
• Field of Search: 362/149, 362/253, 362/294, 362/345, 362/373, 362364-364
• US Class Current: 362/373
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/67 characterised by the arrangement of fans
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/673 the fans being used for intake
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0092 with heating or cooling devices
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/078 combined with lighting fixtures

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a combination lighting and ventilating apparatus for installation in a structure. The apparatus can include a main housing having a first aperture that defines a ventilating inlet and a lighting outlet, a lamp housing recessed within the main housing, having first and second apertures spaced a distance from one another, and having a portion that extends outside of the main housing, and a lamp recessed within the lamp housing and the main housing. In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a fan positioned to draw air into and through the first aperture of the lamp housing, around the lamp, and through the second aperture of the lamp housing. In another aspect of the invention, a method of lighting and ventilating a room using a combination lighting and ventilating apparatus is provided.

Claims

1. A lighting and ventilating apparatus, comprising:

a main housing including a first compartment with a first aperture and a second compartment with a second aperture, the main housing positionable behind a building surface of a structure, the main housing includes a plurality of walls, at least one of the plurality of walls oriented substantially parallel to the building surface of the structure, the at least one wall oriented substantially parallel to the building surface includes the first aperture;

a lamp housing and flange combination, the lamp housing being at least partially receivable within the first compartment through the first aperture and the flange being engageable with the building surface and the at least one of the plurality of walls while the lamp housing is biased toward an interior of the main housing, the flange positioned to abut the at least one of the plurality of walls when the lamp housing is biased toward the interior of the main housing; and

wherein the first aperture is configured and arranged to enable light emission from an outer surface of a lamp installed in the lamp housing to pass through the first aperture, wherein an outer surface of the lamp does not extend out of the lamp housing through the first aperture; and

a fan at least partially positioned within the second compartment and configured to move air into the main housing via the first aperture and out of the main housing via the second aperture.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lamp housing includes a first end having a first lamp housing aperture and a second end positioned a distance from the first end and having a second lamp housing aperture, wherein the lamp housing, the first lamp housing aperture, and the second lamp housing aperture define an air flow path through the main housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a lamp recessed with respect to the lamp housing and the wall, the lamp positioned at least partially within the air flow path.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the air flow path is operable to direct air between the lamp and the lamp housing into the main housing, such that the moving air is operable to cool the lamp.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first lamp housing aperture and the second lamp housing aperture each define a substantially circular shape such that the ratio of the diameter of the first lamp housing aperture with respect to the diameter of the second lamp housing aperture is between about 1.1:

1 to about 3.0;

1.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lamp housing is substantially frustoconical and defines a ribbed surface extending between the first lamp housing aperture and the second lamp housing aperture.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a junction box coupled to an exterior of the main housing and an electrical socket positioned within the main housing, the electrical socket operable to receive and provide power to a lamp.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main housing defines a third aperture communicating between the first and second compartments.

9. A lighting and ventilating apparatus, comprising:

a main housing positionable behind a building surface and including a first compartment with a first aperture, a second compartment with a second aperture and a third aperture, the third aperture permitting communication between the first and second compartments;

a lamp housing and flange combination, the lamp housing being at least partially receivable within the first compartment through the first aperture and the flange being engageable with the building surface while the lamp housing is biased toward an interior of the main housing, the lamp housing includes a first end having a first lamp housing aperture and a second end positioned a distance from the first end and having a second lamp housing aperture, wherein the lamp housing, the first lamp housing aperture, and the second lamp housing aperture define a path for air to enter the main housing, wherein the path for air to enter the main housing is configured and arranged so that a flow of air passes through the first lamp housing aperture before passing through the second lamp housing aperture; and

wherein the first aperture is configured and arranged to enable light emission from an outer surface of a lamp installed in the lamp housing to pass through the first aperture, wherein an outer surface of the lamp does not extend out of the lamp housing through the first aperture

a fan at least partially positioned within the second compartment and configured to move air into the main housing through the first lamp housing aperture and around an outer surface of a lamp installed in the lamp housing, through the second lamp housing aperture and into the main housing via the first aperture and out of the main housing via the second aperture; and

a set of electronics for driving a motor connected to the fan, the set of electronics being placed at least partially in the first compartment.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the motor is positioned at least partially within the first compartment.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first lamp housing aperture and the second lamp housing aperture each define a substantially circular shape such that the ratio of the diameter of the first lamp housing aperture with respect to the diameter of the second lamp housing aperture is between about 1.1:

1 to about 3.0;

1.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the lamp housing is substantially frustoconical and defines a ribbed surface extending between the first lamp housing aperture and the second lamp housing aperture.

13. A lighting and ventilating apparatus, comprising:

a main housing including a first compartment with a first aperture and a second compartment with a second aperture, the main housing capable of being positioned behind a building surface of a structure, the main housing including a plurality of walls, at least one of the plurality of walls oriented substantially parallel to the building surface of the structure, wherein the at least one wall oriented substantially parallel to the building surface includes the first aperture;

a lamp housing capable of being at least partially received within the first compartment through the first aperture, the lamp housing comprising a portion capable of extending beyond the first aperture and outside of the main housing, the lamp housing including a first end comprising a first lamp housing aperture and a second end positioned a distance from the first end and comprising a second lamp housing aperture, wherein the lamp housing, the first lamp housing aperture, and the second lamp housing aperture define a path for air to enter the main housing, wherein the path for air to enter the main housing is configured and arranged so that a flow of air passes through the first lamp housing aperture before passing through the second lamp housing aperture;

a flange engaging the portion of the lamp housing that extends beyond the first aperture of the main housing, and the flange engages the building surface and the at least one of the plurality of walls while the lamp housing is biased toward an interior of the main housing; and

wherein the first aperture is configured and arranged to enable light emission from an outer surface of a lamp installed in the lamp housing to pass through the first aperture, wherein an outer surface of the lamp does not extend out of the lamp housing through the first aperture; and

a fan at least partially positioned within the second compartment and configured to move air into the main housing through the first lamp housing aperture and around an outer surface of a lamp installed in the lamp housing, through the second lamp housing aperture and into the main housing via the first aperture and out of the main housing via the second aperture.

14. The lighting and ventilating apparatus of claim 13, and further comprising a lamp support positioned substantially within the first compartment.

15. The lighting and ventilating apparatus of claim 14, and further comprising a lamp recessed with respect to the lamp housing and the wall, the lamp capable of being coupled to the lamp support.

16. The lighting and ventilating apparatus of claim 14, and further comprising at least one spring coupled to the lamp housing and at least one lamp support aperture defined through the lamp support, the at least one spring to couple the lamp housing to the lamp support.

17. The lighting and ventilating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the lamp support comprises an electrical light socket, the electrical light socket is concentric with the first aperture.

18. The lighting and ventilating apparatus of claim 13, wherein the lamp housing is substantially frustoconical and defines a ribbed surface extending between the first lamp housing aperture and the second lamp housing aperture.

19. The lighting and ventilating apparatus of claim 13, and further comprising a wall positioned substantially internally with respect to the main housing, the wall comprising a third aperture, the third aperture capable of permitting fluid communication between the first and the second compartments.

20. The lighting and ventilating apparatus of claim 19, and further comprising a motor drivably coupled to the fan, the motor positioned substantially in the first compartment and coupled to the wall.

21. The lighting and ventilating apparatus of claim 20, wherein the second aperture is positioned through a wall of the second compartment oriented substantially perpendicular to the building surface.

22. The lighting and ventilating apparatus of claim 13, and further comprising mounting brackets capable of being used to couple the main housing to the structure.

23. The lighting and ventilating apparatus of claim 13, and further comprising an arcuate wall positioned substantially within the second compartment.

24. The lighting and ventilating apparatus of claim 13, and further comprising a power aperture defined through one of the plurality of walls, the power aperture capable of at least partially providing a path for electrical circuitry from the structure to the apparatus.

25. The lighting and ventilating apparatus of claim 13, and further comprising electrical wiring positioned at least partially within the second compartment.

26. The lighting and ventilating apparatus of claim 13, and further comprising an outlet connector positioned substantially adjacent to the second aperture.

27. The lighting and ventilating apparatus of claim 13, wherein the lamp housing includes being formed of a metal.

28. The lighting and ventilating apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first lamp housing aperture and the second lamp housing aperture are substantially concentric.

29. The lighting and ventilating apparatus of claim 13, wherein the flange comprises a generally annular shape.

30. The lighting and ventilating apparatus of claim 13, wherein the lamp housing comprises a lip adjacent the portion of the lamp housing that extends beyond the first aperture of the main housing and the flange comprises a ridge, the lip capable of engaging the ridge to engage the flange and the lamp housing.