Patent ID: 6428188
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: F21V,F24F

Abstract:
A light fixture mountable to an overhead structure, said light fixture comprising:a base which is attached to the overhead structure; and a globe which is removably secured to said base; wherein said base includes a plate having a radially outer annular ring portion and a central portion integral with said ring portion, said plate having upper and lower surfaces; said base further including an annular flange integral with and extending downwardly from said ring portion, said flange including a plurality of circumferentially spaced and radially inwardly extending protuberances, said flange combining with said lower surface of said plate of said base to form an annular channel; said base further including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient members attached to said ring portion and disposed in said annular channel, said resilient members being circumferentially spaced from said protuberances of said annular flange; said globe including a neck and a light-emitting enclosure integral with said neck, said neck including a substantially cylindrical portion having radially inner and radially outer surfaces, said neck further including a plurality of circumferentially extending ridges, said ridges being circumferentially spaced from one another so as to form a plurality of circumferentially spaced gaps, said ridges being integral with and protruding radially outwardly from said outer surface of said substantially cylindrical portion of said neck, each of said ridges including a reduced height portion and a circumferential stop formed at one end thereof, said circumferential stop being integral with and extending longitudinally below said reduced height portion of said ridge, each of said ridges further including an upwardly extending notch formed therein and disposed circumferentially adjacent to the corresponding one of said stops; said neck further including an annular upper lip, said lip being formed in part by said ridges; said protuberances of said flange of said base being aligned with said gaps formed by said ridges of said neck of said globe when said globe and said base are disposed in a pre-assembled position relative to one another, said globe being rotatable relative to said base from said pre-assembled position to an installed, locked position by forcing said globe upward to overcome said resilient members, whereby said protuberances are disposed below said reduced height portions of said ridges, and rotating said globe relative to said base until said protuberances contact said circumferential stops and then releasing said globe, whereby said resilient members contact said lip of said neck and force said globe downward whereby said protuberances engage said notches and releasably lock said globe in position relative to said base.