Abstract:
A lighting apparatus for installation through a hole in a ceiling is disclosed. The lighting apparatus has a housing, a frame designed to rest on the upper surface of the ceiling and at least one retention cable secured to the frame that passes through the opening in the frame and the hole in the ceiling to temporarily retain the frame against the upper surface of the ceiling while sliding the lamp housing through the ceiling and the opening in the frame. A method for installing a lighting fixture is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 60/533,356 filed on Dec. 30, 2003 entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INSTALLATION OF RECESSED LIGHTING FIXTURE.” 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Recessed lighting fixtures are typically installed in the space above an existing ceiling substrate—i.e., drywall, plaster, wood, planking, etc. The lighting fixtures may be installed either before or after the installation of the ceiling. When recessed lighting fixtures are installed after the installation of the ceiling, a specified diameter hole typically needs to be cut into the ceiling substrate. The housing for the lighting fixture is then inserted into the hole from below the ceiling line and locked into position within the hole by some mechanical means. Conventionally, this mechanical retention is usually performed by a mounting clip or spring that extends from the housing. The spring or clip is designed to trap the ceiling substrate material between a circumferential ring on the housing at the ceiling line and the “top side” of the substrate. The mechanical fasteners (i.e., spring or clip type devices) are typically engaged by pushing and locking into position in the housing sidewall or tightening a screw or fastener to lock the clip or spring into position in the housing sidewall. 
   However, in many remodeling applications, installation using conventional spring and clips may not be feasible due to space limitations imposed by the housing, socket, socket brackets, or other parts required in conventional recessed lighting fixtures. Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for a fixture that overcomes this limitation of conventional fixture, among others. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a lighting apparatus comprising a housing, a frame having an opening of a sufficient size to receive the housing, and two retention cables, each having a first end and a second end. The housing includes two apertures in a wall of the housing to allow the second end of the retention cable to be passed through the wall. In one embodiment, the two apertures in the wall of the housing are elongated slots extending vertically along the sidewall. Preferably, the elongated slots are located on opposing portions of the sidewall. 
   In one aspect of the invention, the first end of each retention cable is attached to the frame. The first and second retention cables also preferably include means for connecting the second end of the first retention cable to the second end of the second retention cable. In one embodiment, the means for connecting include a first hook attached to the second end of the first retention cable and a second hook attached to the second end of the second retention cable. 
   In another aspect, the present invention includes a method of installing a lighting fixture comprising the steps of inserting a frame through a hole in a ceiling, pulling down on at least one retention cable to retain the frame against the upper surface of the ceiling, and sliding the housing through the opening in the frame while pulling down on the at least one retention cable; 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the present invention prior to insertion of the housing into the frame. 
       FIG. 2  shows one embodiment of the present invention with the housing partially inserted into the frame. 
       FIG. 3  shows one embodiment of the present invention with the housing fully inserted into the frame. 
       FIG. 4  shows one embodiment of the present invention being inserted into a ceiling. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates one method of installing the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1 through 3  show one embodiment of a recessed lighting fixture  10  according to the present invention. The lighting fixture  10  includes a frame  20 , a housing  40 , and two retention cables  50  and  60 . 
   The frame includes a flat base  22  designed to rest on the top of an upper surface of a ceiling. The frame also includes a circular opening  24  having a sufficient diameter to receive the housing  40  and a downwardly directed lip  26  extending from the perimeter of the opening  24 . The frame may also include an upwardly extending flange  28  positioned along portions the exterior perimeter of the frame. Two notches  30  and  32  may be located along the upwardly extending flange  28  on opposite sides of the opening  24  for guiding the retention cables  50  and  60 , respectively. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the frame  20  may also be configured to allow mounting of a transformer  80  and/or a junction box  82  onto the frame. A cable  84  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) may be connected between the junction box and the housing in order to provide power to a lamp (not shown) inserted into a light socket in the housing. 
   The housing  40  preferably has a circular sidewall  42  and an flat upper wall  44 . The bottom portion of the housing is typically open to receive a light socket and a lamp, and may also include a flange  46  extending around the outer circumference of the bottom of the sidewall  42 . Although the housing is shown as being cylindrical, the housing can be of any shape so long as the housing is capable of being received through the opening in the frame. For example, the housing  40  and the opening  24  may be oval, rectangular, elliptical, triangular, or any other shape. 
   The housing  40  also preferably includes two apertures  48  in the sidewall  42  to allow the retention cables to be passed through the sidewall of the housing  40 . In one embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the apertures are elongated slots extending vertically along the sidewall, and located on opposite sides of the sidewall from one another. The apertures may be any shape so long as the retention cables  50  and  60  are capable of being passed through the aperture. 
   Each of the two retention cables  50  and  60  has a first end  52 ,  62  and a second end  54 ,  64  respectively. The first end of each retention cable is preferably secured to exterior side of the upwardly extending flange  28  along the perimeter of the frame. In one embodiment, the first end of each cable is secured by forming a loop of cable at the first end and inserting a screw, having a head larger than the diameter of the loop, through the loop of cable and into the frame. Of course, the retention cables may also alternatively be secured to the flat base  22  of the frame  20 . Various methods for securing or fastening the cable to the frame may be used without departing from the invention. 
   Preferably, the second end of each retention cable includes means for selectively connecting to the second end of the opposing retention cable. In one embodiment, the second end of each retention cable  50  and  60  includes a hook  56  and  66 , respectively, to allow each cable to be connected or “hooked” to one another. Alternatively, the first retention cable may include a hook while the second cable may simply includes a ring. In addition, any other means may be used for connecting the first and second retention cables so long as it is sufficient to maintain connection between the first and second retention cables while a user is pulling down on the retention cables. 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, the retention cables  50  and  60  are preferably constructed of flexible wire. Of course, any material may be used so long as it has sufficient tensile strength to permit the user to retain the frame  20  against the ceiling while inserting the housing  40  through the opening  12  in the frame  20 . Additionally, while the retention cables  50  and  60  are shown as being flexible, the retention cables may also be constructed from a rigid material, or a combination of rigid and flexible sections. 
   A plurality of tension springs  70  may also be attached to the top surface of the frame in proximity to the opening  24 . Each tension spring  70  preferably includes a base  72  attached to the frame  20  and an upper portion  74  extending upwards from the frame and into the interior of the aperture  24 . When the housing  40  is inserted into the frame, the tension springs  70  maintain friction against the sidewall of the housing to aid in retaining the housing in place after installation. In one embodiment, the upper portion of the tension springs includes a set of jagged teeth  76  to increase the friction of the tension springs against the housing. It should be understood that while  FIG. 1  shows three tension springs attached to the frame, any number of springs may be used. Additionally, while the present embodiment is illustrated using one specific type of spring, any other types of springs, clips, or other well-known mechanisms may alternatively be used for retaining the housing  40  after it is inserted into the frame  20 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , in order to install the above described lighting fixture, a hole  90  is first cut into a ceiling  92 . The size and shape of the hole  90  is preferably similar in diameter to that of the aperture  24 . In one embodiment, a template may be provided with the lighting fixture in order to aid in measuring the proper size of the hole. The second end of each retention cable is passed from the exterior of the housing  40  through the elongated slots  48  in the sidewall and into the interior of the housing. The retention cables are then connected to one another by hooking the second end of one retention cable onto the other. 
   The frame is then inserted through the hole  90  that has been cut in the ceiling and is positioned above the hole so that the opening in the frame is aligned with the hole. As then illustrated in  FIG. 5 , upon seating the frame onto the ceiling, an installer holds and pulls downward on the retention cables to hold the frame in place against the ceiling. At the same time, the housing is  40  inserted into the opening  24  of the frame by firmly pushing the housing upwards until the flange  46  of the housing rests against the lower surface of the ceiling, at which time the housing becomes secured by the tension springs. Once the housing is secured flush with the ceiling, the retention cables are separated from one another and pushed back into the ceiling cavity through the elongated slots in the housing sidewall. 
   While various embodiments of the application have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalent.