Abstract:
An apparatus and method for mounting a fixture to a ceiling according to which an adapter is provided that receives two downrods, one of which is connected to the ceiling and the other of which is connected to the fixture.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     This invention relates to an apparatus for mounting a fixture to a ceiling.  
         [0002]     Various ceiling-mountable fixtures, such as fans, lights (semiflushes, chandeliers, pedants, etc,), loudspeakers, monitors, video cameras, televisions, and the like, are usually connected to an electrical box, terminal, or the like, at the ceiling. When it is desired to mount the fixture in a spaced relation to the ceiling, a downrod is usually connected between the electrical box or terminal and the fixture. In some installations it would be desirable to connect a second, or extension, downrod to the original downrod to lower the fixture a distance greater than permitted by the original downrod. However, there usually is no simple and quick way to connect the corresponding ends of the two downrods. To compound this problem the extension downrod, which is often obtained or purchased separately from the original downrod, often has a different diameter than the original downrod. Further the extension downrod may sometimes be adapted for a threaded connection, while the original downrod is not.  
         [0003]     Therefore, what is needed is an adapter to enable a downrod extension to be connected to a downrod quickly and easily. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]      FIG. 1  is an exploded, partial sectional/partial elevational view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0005]      FIG. 2  is an elevational view depicting the components of  FIG. 1  in an assembled condition.  
         [0006]      FIG. 3  is an exploded, partial sectional/partial elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0007]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , depicting the components of  FIG. 3  in an assembled condition.  
         [0008]      FIG. 5  is an exploded, partial sectional/partial elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 6  is an elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , depicting the components of  FIG. 5  in an assembled condition.  
         [0010]      FIG. 7  is an exploded, partial sectional/partial elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 8  is an elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , depicting the components of  FIG. 7  in an assembled condition.  
         [0012]      FIG. 9  is an exploded, partial sectional/partial elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 10  is an elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , depicting the components of  FIG. 9  in an assembled condition.  
         [0014]      FIG. 11  is an exploded, partial sectional/partial elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 12  is an elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , depicting the components of  FIG. 11  in an assembled condition.  
         [0016]      FIG. 13  is an exploded, partial sectional/partial elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 14  is an elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 13 , depicting the components of  FIG. 13  in an assembled condition. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]     Referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, the reference  10  refers, in general, to a downrod that is to be connected to a downrod  12 . It is understood that one of the downrods  10  or  12  is designed to connect a fixture, such as a ceiling fan, light fixture, or the like, in a spaced relation to a ceiling. In this case, the other downrod  10  or  12  would be an extension downrod that connects to the original downrod to lower the fixture a distance greater than permitted by the original downrod.  
         [0019]     For the purpose of example, it will be assumed that the upper end of the downrod  10 , as viewed in  FIG. 1 , is adapted for connection to a conventional electrical box or terminal, or the like, (not shown), mounted in a ceiling and that the upper end of the downrod  12  is to be connected to the lower end of the downrod  10  in a manner to be described. Also, the lower end of the downrod  12  would be connected to the fixture, such as a ceiling fan, and electrical conductors from the electrical box, or terminal, would be threaded through the downrods  10  and  12  and connected to the fixture, in a conventional manner. Thus, when so connected, the downrod  12  permits the fixture to be mounted a greater distance from the ceiling than permitted by the downrod  10 .  
         [0020]     The downrod  10  is tubular and has two aligned, diametrically opposed, transverse openings extending through its wall near its lower end, with one of the openings being referred to by the reference numeral  10   a . The downrod  12  is also tubular and has two aligned, diametrically opposed, transverse openings extending through its wall near its upper end, with one of the openings being shown by the reference numeral  12   a . For the purposes of this example, it will be assumed that the outer diameters of the downrods  10  and  12  are equal.  
         [0021]     An adapter  14  connects the downrods  10  and  12  and is formed by a solid cylindrical member having two counterbores  14   a  and  14   b  formed in its respective ends. The wall of the adapter  14  defining the counterbore  14   a  has two aligned, diametrically opposed, openings extending therethrough, with one of the openings being shown by the reference numeral  14   c . Similarly, the wall of the adapter  14  defining the counterbore  14   b  also has two aligned, diametrically opposed, openings extending therethrough, with one of the openings being shown by the reference numeral  14   d.    
         [0022]     The diameter of the counterbore  14   a  of the adapter  14  corresponds to the outer diameter of the downrod  10  so that the lower end portion of the downrod  10  can be inserted in the counterbore  14   a  with minimum clearance. The depth of the counterbore  14   a  and the location of the openings  10   a  on the downrod  10  are such that when the end of the downrod abuts the bottom of the counterbore, the openings  10   a  and  14   c  are vertically aligned. Thus, the adapter  14  can be rotated relative to the downrod  10  until the openings  14   c  align with the openings  10   a . A bolt  20  is then inserted in the aligned openings  14   c  and  10   a  to lock the downrod  10  to the adapter  14 , and a lock pin  22  is inserted through a transverse opening  20   a  formed in the bolt to retain the bolt in the locking position.  
         [0023]     Similarly, the diameter of the counterbore  14   b  of the adapter  14  corresponds to the outer diameter of the downrod  12  so that the upper end portion of the downrod  12  can be inserted in the counterbore  14   b  with minimum clearance. After this insertion, the adapter  14  is rotated relative to the downrod  12  until the openings  14   d  align with the openings  12   a . A bolt  24  is then inserted in the aligned openings  14   d  and  12   a  to lock the downrod  12  to the adapter  14 , and a lock pin  26  is inserted through a transverse opening  24   a  formed in the bolt to retain the bolt in the locking position.  
         [0024]     A through bore  14   e  is formed through the adapter  14  for reasons that will be described.  
         [0025]     To insure the stability of the above connection of the downrod  10  to the adapter  14 , a set screw  28   a  can be provided that extends perpendicular to the bolt  20  and through an opening in the adapter  14 , and engages the downrod. Also, a set screw  28   b  can be provided that extends perpendicular to the bolt  24  and through another opening in the adapter  14  and engages the downrod  12 .  
         [0026]     To mount the fixture to the ceiling, the upper end of the downrod  10  is connected to the electrical box, or terminal, in the ceiling, and the lower end of the downrod  10  is connected to the upper end of the downrod  12  by the adapter  14  in the manner described above. Electrical conductors from the electrical box, or terminal, are then threaded through the downrod  10 , through the counterbores  14   a  and  14   d  and the through bore  14   e  of the adapter  14 , and through the downrod  12  and are connected to the fixture, and the lower end of the downrod  12  is then connected to the fixture.  
         [0027]     Alternatively, the lower end of the downrod  12  is connected to the fixture, and the upper end of the downrod  12  is connected to the lower end of the downrod  10  by the adapter  14  in the manner described above. Electrical conductors from the fixture are then threaded through the downrod  12 , the adapter  14  and the downrod  10  and are connected to the electrical box or terminal at the ceiling, and the upper end of the downrod  10  is then connected to the electrical box, or fixture.  
         [0028]     The embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4  is similar to that of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and identical components are given the same reference numerals. For the purposes of this example, it will be assumed that the outer diameter of the downrod  10  is less than that of the downrod  12 .  
         [0029]     An adapter  30  connects the downrods  10  and  12  and is formed by a solid cylindrical member having two counterbores  30   a  and  30   b  formed in its respective ends. The wall of the adapter  30  defining the counterbore  30   a  has two aligned, diametrically opposed, openings extending therethrough, with one of the openings being shown by the reference numeral  30   c . Similarly, the wall of the adapter  30  defining the counterbore  30   b  also has two aligned, diametrically opposed, openings extending therethrough, with one of the openings being shown by the reference numeral  30   d.    
         [0030]     The diameter of the counterbore  30   a  of the adapter  30  corresponds to the outer diameter of the downrod  10  so that the lower end portion of the downrod  10  can be inserted in the counterbore  30   a  with minimum clearance. After this insertion, the adapter  30  is rotated relative to the downrod  10  until the openings  30   c  align with the openings  10   a . The bolt  20  (described in the previous embodiment) is then inserted in the aligned openings  30   c  and  10   a  to lock the downrod  10  to the adapter  30 , and the lock pin  22  is inserted through a transverse opening  20   a  formed in the bolt to retain the bolt in the locking position.  
         [0031]     Similarly, the diameter of the counterbore  30   b  of the adapter  30  corresponds to the outer diameter of the downrod  12  so that the upper end portion of the downrod  12  can be inserted in the counterbore  30   b  with minimum clearance. After this insertion, the adapter  30  is rotated relative to the downrod  12  until the openings  30   d  align with the openings  12   a . The bolt  24  is then inserted in the aligned openings  30   d  and  12   a  to lock the downrod  12  to the adapter  30 , and the lock pin  26  is inserted through a transverse opening  24   a  formed in the bolt to retain the bolt in the locking position.  
         [0032]     As in the previous embodiment, the set screw  28   a  extends through an opening in the adapter  30 , and engages the downrod  10 . Also, the set screw  28   b  extends through another opening in the adapter  30  and engages the downrod  12 .  
         [0033]     The fixture is connected to the ceiling by the downrods  10  and  12  and the adapter  30  in the same manner as discussed in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0034]     The embodiment of  FIGS. 5 and 6  is similar to that of the previous embodiments, and identical components are given the same reference numerals. For the purposes of this example, it will be assumed that the outer diameter of the downrod  10  is the same as that of the downrod  12  and that the lower end portion of the downrod  10  is externally threaded.  
         [0035]     An adapter  32  connects the downrods  10  and  12  and is formed by a solid cylindrical member having two counterbores  32   a  and  32   b  formed in its respective ends. The counterbore  32   a  is internally threaded to receive the externally threaded, lower end portion of the downrod  10 .  
         [0036]     The wall of the adapter  32  defining the counterbore  32   a  has two aligned, diametrically opposed, openings extending therethrough, with one of the openings being shown by the reference numeral  32   c . Similarly, the wall of the adapter  32  defining the counterbore  32   b  also has two aligned, diametrically opposed, openings extending therethrough, with one of the openings being shown by the reference numeral  32   d.    
         [0037]     The diameter of the counterbore  32   a  of the adapter  32  corresponds to the outer diameter of the downrod  10  so that the lower end portion of the downrod  10  can be threadedly engaged with the internally threaded counterbore  32   a  by rotating the adapter and the downrod relative to each other. After a sufficient threaded engagement has been established, the relative rotation is continued until the openings  32   c  align with the openings  10   a . The bolt  20  (described in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is then inserted in the aligned openings  32   c  and  10   a  to lock the downrod  10  to the adapter  32 , and the lock pin  22  is inserted through a transverse opening  20   a  formed in the bolt to retain the bolt in the locking position.  
         [0038]     The diameter of the counterbore  32   b  of the adapter  32  corresponds to the outer diameter of the downrod  12  so that the upper end portion of the downrod  12  can be inserted in the counterbore  32   b  with minimum clearance. After this insertion, the adapter  32  is rotated relative to the downrod  12  until the openings  32   d  align with the openings  12   a . The bolt  24  is then inserted in the aligned openings  32   d  and  12   a  to lock the downrod  12  to the adapter  32 , and the lock pin  26  is inserted through a transverse opening  24   a  formed in the bolt to retain the bolt in the locking position.  
         [0039]     As in the previous embodiments, the set screw  28   a  extends through an opening in the adapter  32 , and engages the downrod  10 . Also, the set screw  28   b  extends through another opening in the adapter  32  and engages the downrod  12 .  
         [0040]     The fixture is connected to the ceiling by the downrods  10  and  12  and the adapter  32  in the same manner as discussed in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0041]     The embodiment of  FIGS. 7 and 8  is similar to that of the previous embodiments, and identical components are given the same reference numerals. For the purposes of this example, it will be assumed that the outer diameter of the downrod  10  is less than that of the downrod  12  and that the lower end portion of the downrod  10  is externally threaded.  
         [0042]     An adapter  34  connects the downrods  10  and  12  and is formed by a solid cylindrical member having two counterbores  34   a  and  34   b  formed in its respective ends. The counterbore  34   a  is internally threaded to receive the externally threaded, lower end portion of the downrod  10 .  
         [0043]     The wall of the adapter  34  defining the counterbore  34   a  has two aligned, diametrically opposed, openings extending therethrough, with one of the openings being shown by the reference numeral  34   c . Similarly, the wall of the adapter  34  defining the counterbore  34   b  also has two aligned, diametrically opposed, openings extending therethrough, with one of the openings being shown by the reference numeral  34   d.    
         [0044]     The diameter of the counterbore  34   a  of the adapter  34  corresponds to the outer diameter of the downrod  10  so that the lower end portion of the downrod  10  can be threadedly engaged with the internally threaded counterbore  34   a  by rotating the adapter and the downrod relative to each other. After a sufficient threaded engagement has been established, the relative rotation is continued until the openings  34   c  align with the openings  10   a . The bolt  20  (described in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is then inserted in the aligned openings  34   c  and  10   a  to lock the downrod  10  to the adapter  34 , and the lock pin  22  is inserted through a transverse opening  20   a  formed in the bolt to retain the bolt in the locking position.  
         [0045]     The diameter of the counterbore  34   b  of the adapter  34  corresponds the outer diameter of the downrod  12  so that the upper end portion of the downrod  12  can be inserted in the counterbore  34   b  with minimum clearance. After this insertion, the adapter  34  is rotated relative to the downrod  12  until the openings  34   d  align with the openings  12   a . The bolt  24  is then inserted in the aligned openings  34   d  and  12   a  to lock the downrod  12  to the adapter  34 , and the lock pin  26  is inserted through a transverse opening  24   a  formed in the bolt to retain the bolt in the locking position.  
         [0046]     As in the previous embodiments, the set screw  28   a  extends through an opening in the adapter  34 , and engages the downrod  10 . Also, the set screw  28   b  extends through another opening in the adapter  34  and engages the downrod  12 .  
         [0047]     The fixture is connected to the ceiling by the downrods  10  and  12  and the adapter  34  in the same manner as discussed in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0048]     The embodiment of  FIGS. 9 and 10  is similar to that of the previous embodiments, and identical components are given the same reference numerals. For the purposes of this example, it will be assumed that the outer diameter of the downrod  10  is greater than that of the downrod  12  and that the lower end portion of the downrod  10  is externally threaded.  
         [0049]     An adapter  36  connects the downrods  10  and  12  and is formed by a solid cylindrical member having two counterbores  36   a  and  36   b  formed in its respective ends. The counterbore  36   a  is internally threaded to receive the externally threaded, lower end portion of the downrod  10 .  
         [0050]     The wall of the adapter  36  defining the counterbore  36   a  has two aligned, diametrically opposed, openings extending therethrough, with one of the openings being shown by the reference numeral  36   c . Similarly, the wall of the adapter  36  defining the counterbore  36   b  also has two aligned, diametrically opposed, openings extending therethrough, with one of the openings being shown by the reference numeral  36   d.    
         [0051]     The diameter of the counterbore  36   a  of the adapter  36  corresponds to the outer diameter of the downrod  10  so that the lower end portion of the downrod  10  can be threadedly engaged with the internally threaded counterbore  36   a  by rotating the adapter and the downrod relative to each other. After a sufficient threaded engagement has been established, the relative rotation is continued until the openings  36   c  align with the openings  10   a . The bolt  20  (described in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is then inserted in the aligned openings  36   c  and  10   a  to lock the downrod  10  to the adapter  36 , and the lock pin  22  is inserted through a transverse opening  20   a  formed in the bolt to retain the bolt in the locking position.  
         [0052]     The diameter of the counterbore  36   b  of the adapter  36  corresponds to the outer diameter of the downrod  12  so that the upper end portion of the downrod  12  can be inserted in the counterbore  36   b  with minimum clearance. After this insertion, the adapter  36  is rotated relative to the downrod  12  until the openings  36   d  align with the openings  12   a . The bolt  24  is then inserted in the aligned openings  36   d  and  12   a  to lock the downrod  12  to the adapter  36 , and the lock pin  26  is inserted through a transverse opening  24   a  formed in the bolt to retain the bolt in the locking position.  
         [0053]     As in the previous embodiments, the set screw  28   a  extends through an opening in the adapter  36 , and engages the downrod  10 . Also, the set screw  28   b  extends through another opening in the adapter  36  and engages the downrod  12 .  
         [0054]     The fixture is connected to the ceiling by the downrods  10  and  12  and the adapter  36  in the same manner as discussed in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0055]     The embodiment of  FIGS. 11 and 12  is similar to that of the previous embodiments, and identical components are given the same reference numerals. For the purposes of this example, it will be assumed that the outer diameter of the downrod  10  is the same as that of the downrod  12 , that the lower end portion of the downrod  10  is externally threaded, and that the upper end portion of the downrod  12  is also externally threaded.  
         [0056]     An adapter  38  connects the downrods  10  and  12  and is formed by a solid cylindrical member having two counterbores  38   a  and  38   b  formed in its respective ends. The counterbores  38   a  and  38   b  are internally threaded to receive the externally threaded, lower end portion of the downrods  10  and  12 , respectively.  
         [0057]     The wall of the adapter  38  defining the counterbore  38   a  has two aligned, diametrically opposed, openings extending therethrough, with one of the openings being shown by the reference numeral  38   c . Similarly, the wall of the adapter  38  defining the counterbore  38   b  also has two aligned, diametrically opposed, openings extending therethrough, with one of the openings being shown by the reference numeral  38   d.    
         [0058]     The diameter of the counterbore  38   a  of the adapter  38  corresponds to the outer diameter of the downrod  10  so that the lower end portion of the downrod  10  can be threadedly engaged with the internally threaded counterbore  38   a  by rotating the adapter and the downrod relative to each other. After a sufficient threaded engagement has been established, the relative rotation is continued until the openings  38   c  align with the openings  10   a . The bolt  20  (described in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is then inserted in the aligned openings  38   c  and  10   a  to lock the downrod  10  to the adapter  38 , and the lock pin  22  is inserted through a transverse opening  20   a  formed in the bolt to retain the bolt in the locking position.  
         [0059]     Similarly, the diameter of the counterbore  38   b  of the adapter  38  corresponds to the outer diameter of the downrod  12  so that the upper end portion of the downrod  12  can be threadedly engaged with the internally threaded counterbore  38   b  by rotating the adapter and the downrod relative to each other. After a sufficient threaded engagement has been established, the relative rotation is continued until the openings  38   d  align with the openings  12   a . The bolt  24  is then inserted in the aligned openings  38   d  and  12   a  to lock the downrod  12  to the adapter  38 , and the lock pin  26  is inserted through a transverse opening  24   a  formed in the bolt to retain the bolt in the locking position.  
         [0060]     As in the previous embodiments, the set screw  28   a  extends through an opening in the adapter  38 , and engages the downrod  10 . Also, the set screw  28   b  extends through another opening in the adapter  38  and engages the downrod  12 .  
         [0061]     The fixture is connected to the ceiling by the downrods  10  and  12  and the adapter  38  in the same manner as discussed in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0062]     The embodiment of  FIGS. 13 and 14  is similar to that of the previous embodiments, and identical components are given the same reference numerals. For the purposes of this example, it will be assumed that the outer diameter of the downrod  10  is less that that of the downrod  12 , that the lower end portion of the downrod  10  is externally threaded, and that the upper end portion of the downrod  12  is also externally threaded.  
         [0063]     An adapter  40  connects the downrods  10  and  12  and is formed by a solid cylindrical member having two counterbores  40   a  and  40   b  formed in its respective ends. The counterbores  40   a  and  40   b  are internally threaded to receive the externally threaded, lower end portion of the downrods  10  and  12 , respectively.  
         [0064]     The wall of the adapter  40  defining the counterbore  40   a  has two aligned, diametrically opposed, openings extending therethrough, with one of the openings being shown by the reference numeral  40   c . Similarly, the wall of the adapter  40  defining the counterbore  40   b  also has two aligned, diametrically opposed, openings extending therethrough, with one of the openings being shown by the reference numeral  40   d.    
         [0065]     The diameter of the counterbore  40   a  of the adapter  40  corresponds to the outer diameter of the downrod  10  so that the lower end portion of the downrod  10  can be threadedly engaged with the internally threaded counterbore  40   a  by rotating the adapter and the downrod relative to each other. After a sufficient threaded engagement has been established, the relative rotation is continued until the openings  40   c  align with the openings  10   a . The bolt  20  (described in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is then inserted in the aligned openings  40   c  and  10   a  to lock the downrod  10  to the adapter  40 , and the lock pin  22  is inserted through a transverse opening  20   a  formed in the bolt to retain the bolt in the locking position.  
         [0066]     Similarly, the diameter of the counterbore  40   b  of the adapter  40  corresponds to the outer diameter of the downrod  12  so that the upper end portion of the downrod  12  can be threadedly engaged with the internally threaded counterbore  40   b  by rotating the adapter and the downrod relative to each other. After a sufficient threaded engagement has been established, the relative rotation is continued until the openings  40   d  align with the openings  12   a . The bolt  24  is then inserted in the aligned openings  40   d  and  12   a  to lock the downrod  12  to the adapter  40 , and the lock pin  26  is inserted through a transverse opening  24   a  formed in the bolt to retain the bolt in the locking position.  
         [0067]     As in the previous embodiments, the set screw  28   a  extends through an opening in the adapter  40 , and engages the downrod  10 . Also, the set screw  28   b  extends through another opening in the adapter  40  and engages the downrod  12 .  
         [0068]     The fixture is connected to the ceiling by the downrods  10  and  12  and the adapter  40  in the same manner as discussed in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0069]     Variations  
         [0070]     It is understood that several variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the upper end portion of the downrod  12  can be internally threaded while the lower end portion of the downrod  10  is not threaded. Also, the lower end portion of the downrod  10  and/or the upper end portion of the downrod  12  can be internally threaded and the adapters  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 , and/or  40  could be configured with external threads to threadedly engage the end portions. Also, the locking bolt  20  could be eliminated in the embodiments of  FIGS. 5-14 , and the locking bolt  24  could be eliminated in the embodiments of  FIGS. 11-14 . Further, any combination of threaded configurations and downrod diameter sizes are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, the setscrews  28   a  and  28   b  can be eliminated from any of the embodiments.  
         [0071]     Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other variations and modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiment without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.