Abstract:
A downlight is disclosed that has an outer housing that is capable of fitting into a ceiling support structure, an inner housing resting on said outer housing and capable of rotating on said outer housing. The downlight has a frame pivotally attached to the inner housing and a lamp and reflector, each connected to the frame. The frame includes height adjustment mechanism that enables the position of one of said lamp and said reflector to be altered such that the beam of light emitted from said lamp changes in shape or intensity.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to downlights and more particularly to downlights that are directional and capable of adjustment by a user to provide differing lighting capabilities. 
         [0003]    2. Summary of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures which can be recessed into the ceiling in both new construction and in retrofit situations have become useful in a variety of lighting situations due in part to the unobtrusive nature of the fixtures themselves and to the effective illumination provided by the fixtures. In new construction, recessed lighting fixtures, generally known by the term “downlights” are intended for mounting to a ceiling support structure and particularly for mounting between joists or for mounting to a grid work supporting a suspended ceiling installation. 
         [0005]    Conventional downlights include a socket assembly electrically connected to a lamp, a trim, and a mounting plate attached to hanger bars for mounting the light in a ceiling. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a downlight that provides the public or industry with a useful choice. 
         [0007]    Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consists in a downlight comprising: 
         [0008]    an outer housing that is capable of fitting into a ceiling support structure, 
         [0009]    an inner housing resting on said outer housing and capable of rotating on said outer housing, 
         [0010]    a frame pivotally attached to said inner housing, 
         [0011]    a lamp and reflector, each connected to said frame, 
         [0012]    wherein said frame includes a height adjustment mechanism that enables the position of one of said lamp and said reflector to be altered such that the beam of light emitted from said lamp changes in shape or intensity. 
         [0013]    Preferably the pivotal attachment between said frame and said inner housing is offset from the centre of said downlight. 
         [0014]    Alternatively the pivotal attachment between said frame and said inner housing is substantially central to said downlight. 
         [0015]    Preferably said inner housing has a substantially circular external circumference and a substantially elliptical inner circumference. 
         [0016]    Preferably said frame includes a substantially elliptical base having two substantially cylindrical protrusions offset from the centre of said base. 
         [0017]    Preferably said inner housing includes two substantially cylindrical apertures that are capable of receiving said protrusions, such that said base can be rotated within said inner housing. 
         [0018]    Preferably said rotation of said inner housing on said outer housing is through 355 degrees. 
         [0019]    Preferably said outer housing has a stop to prevent said inner housing rotating fully through 360 degrees. 
         [0020]    Preferably said frame includes at least one threaded shaft fixed to a plate to which said lamp is mounted. 
         [0021]    Preferably said at least one threaded shaft is arranged off centre from said lamp. Preferably said at least one threaded shaft is capable of being rotatably threaded through said plate, such that the rotation of said shaft causes said plate and thus said lamp to move up or down. 
         [0022]    Preferably said height adjustment means can be actioned external to said downlight. 
         [0023]    Preferably said external action is the rotation of a head of said shaft. 
         [0024]    Preferably said downlight includes a tear shaped or elliptically shaped transparent cover. 
         [0025]    Preferably said cover is attached to said shaft and due to the shaft being off centred in relation to said lamp said cover can be rotated so as to give access to said reflector and said lamp. 
         [0026]    Preferably said reflector rests on said cover in use. 
         [0027]    Preferably said reflector is a double parabolic cone shape. 
         [0028]    Preferably said reflector is a double reflector having inner and outer housings. 
         [0029]    Preferably each of said rotation of said inner housing, said pivoting of the frame and said height adjustment mechanism is controllable by a motor. 
         [0030]    Preferably each of said motors is controlled by one of a remote controller and wireless remote. 
         [0031]    In a second aspect the present invention consists in a lamp height adjustment mechanism for a downlight comprising: 
         [0032]    a frame having at least one threaded shaft fixed to a plate to which at least one of a lamp and reflector is mounted, where said at least one threaded shaft is capable of being rotatably threaded through said plate, such that the rotation of said shaft causes said plate and at least one of said lamp and said reflector to move up or down such that the beam of light emitted from said lamp changes in shape or intensity. 
         [0033]    Preferably said at least one threaded shaft is arranged off centre to said lamp. 
         [0034]    In a third aspect the present invention consists in a downlight comprising a frame having at least one threaded shaft fixed to a plate to which at least one of a lamp and reflector is mounted, where said at least one threaded shaft is capable of being rotatably threaded through said plate, such that the rotation of said shaft causes said plate and at least one of said lamp and said reflector to move up or down such that the beam of light emitted from said lamp changes in shape or intensity. 
         [0035]    Preferably said at least one threaded shaft is arranged off centre to said lamp. 
         [0036]    The term “comprising” as used in the specification means “consisting at least in part of”, that is to say when interpreting statements in this invention which include that term the features prefaced by that term in each statement need to be present but other features can also be present. 
         [0037]    To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. 
         [0038]    In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0039]    One preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
           [0040]      FIG. 1  is an underneath view of a first embodiment of a downlight of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the downlight through AA of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the downlight of  FIG. 1  when a downlight mounting strap and lamp holder mounting plate are removed. 
           [0043]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view through BB of the downlight of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the downlight of  FIG. 1  when the lamp holder mounting strap is removed. 
           [0045]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a downlight of the present invention where the downlight has a double parabolic lamp reflector. 
           [0046]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a reflector capable of use with the downlight of the present invention, the reflector being a double skinned reflector. 
           [0047]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a downlight of the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 9  is a second cross-sectional view of the downlight of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0049]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of a downlight of a third embodiment. 
           [0050]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view through DD of the downlight of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0051]      FIG. 12  is a further cross-sectional view of the downlight of  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0052]    The present invention relates to an adjustable downlight lighting fixture. In a first embodiment the downlight of the present invention is adjustable in three ways. Firstly, the downlight is adjustable such that a lamp and reflector housing is pivotable. Secondly, the downlight has a lamp and housing that can be rotated 355 degrees. Lastly, the downlight has a lamp that can be adjusted in relation to the reflector. The adjustment of the lamp is possible through external adjustment from outside the downlight housing, or without having to remove the downlight from a ceiling. However, in other forms of the downlight the height adjustment may be made alternatively, such as internally and/or only by removal of the downlight from a ceiling or fixture. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 1 to 4  show a first preferred embodiment of a downlight of the present invention. The downlight  1  includes an outer housing  2 , inner housing or mounting ring  3 , a frame  13 , reflector  4  and lamp  5 . 
         [0054]    The outer housing  2  is similar to the lamp fitting described in NZ Patent Number 272949 of Nimbus Lighting Group Ltd, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
         [0055]    The outer housing  2  of the downlight of the first embodiment is a fitting that includes a U-shaped frame  6  with legs  7 ,  8  having associated spring arms  9 ,  10 , which in use, draw the fitting into engagement with the inner face of the ceiling (not shown). The base  11  of the outer housing  2  has an integral inner circumferential flange  12 . The inner housing is a mounting ring  3  for the frame  13  (described below in more detail). In use the mounting ring fits within the outer housing  2  and rests on the inner flange  12 . Therefore, the mounting ring  3  has an outer circumference that is circular and matches the inner circumference of the outer housing base  11 . Thus the mounting ring  3  can be rotated in or on the outer housing  2  as the external surfaces of the mounting ring  3 , sitting on the external surfaces (flange  12 ) of the outer housing, can slide over the flange  12 . 
         [0056]    In the first embodiment the outer housing  2  has a flange  31  (see  FIG. 3 ) that prevents the mounting ring  3  from rotating a full 360 degrees, restricting rotation to 355 degrees or similar angle. 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the mounting ring  3  mounts the frame within the outer housing  2 . The mounting ring  3  has a substantially elliptical inner circumference and includes two opposing cylindrical recesses  14 ,  15 . The recesses  14 ,  15  are off centered and receive complementary and preferably cylindrical protrusions  16 ,  17  on the frame  13 .  FIG. 4  shows one of the recesses  14  and the complementary protrusion  16  in more detail. The protrusions  16 ,  17  sit loosely within the recesses  14 ,  15  and can be rotated within the recesses to enable the frame  13  (including the lamp  5  and reflector  4 ) to be pivoted, in the direction shown by arrow A. This pivoting causes a change in the angular direction of the beam of light from the lamp, when the downlight and lamp is in use. 
         [0058]    The pivoting of the frame  13  may be restricted or prevented by tightening of both or either of the screws  18 ,  19  that extend through the external surface of the mounting ring  3  causing the protrusions  16 ,  17  to be held tight between the screws and the recesses  14 ,  15 . Thus in use a user may loosen the screws, change the angle of the frame  13  (plus lamp  5  and reflector  4 ). Then tighten the screws again in order for the frame  13  to be retained in the selected angular position. 
         [0059]    The angle α that the frame  13  and thus lamp can be pivoted is restricted by the edge  27  of the cover  28  abutting against a stop flange or protrusion  29  that is integrally formed on the mounting ring  3 . 
         [0060]    In other embodiments the pivoting of the lamp and reflector may be restricted by other means, such as a cradle and flat configuration, where the substantially cylindrical protrusions  16 ,  17 , have a flat side, such that they can be rotated within the recesses  14 ,  15  only one way. 
         [0061]    The frame  13  and the attachment of the lamp  5  and reflector  4  to the frame  13  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 . The frame  13  comprises a substantially elliptical base  20  with outwardly directed protrusions  16 ,  17  (described above). The protrusions  16 ,  17  extend from the base  20  opposite one another slightly off centre of the base  20 . Extending from the base  20  near to the protrusions are two opposing guide rods  21 ,  22 . Furthermore, a third off centred threaded shaft  23  also extends from the base  20 . 
         [0062]    The guide rods  21 ;  22  and the shaft  23  form the framework (frame  13 ) for the mounting of the lamp  5 . A mounting plate  24  (see  FIG. 5  for a plan view of the plate) extends between the rods  21 ,  22  and shaft  23 . The mounting plate  24  has three apertures that the rods and shaft extend through. The opposing rods  21 ,  22  are not fixed to the arm  24  but are able to move vertically through their respective apertures. The threaded shaft  23  is connected to the mounting plate by a threaded fitting. 
         [0063]    At the end  25  of the mounting plate  24  distal to the threaded shaft  23  a lamp holder  26  is attached, by appropriate fasteners, such as glue, screws or the like, to the mounting plate  24 . The lamp  5  is fitted to the holder  26  by an appropriate fitting as is known in the art, such as a bayonet or threaded fitting or pins. Appropriate electrical connections (not shown) are made to the lamp  5  through the holder  26 . The height of the lamp  5  can be adjusted to provide different light beam shapes or intensities of the beam of light by rotating the shaft  23 . The rotation of the shaft may be actioned by a user externally rotating the shaft head  30  causing the shaft  23  to rotate and thread through the mounting plate  24 . The rotation of the shaft  23  through the mounting plate causes the mounting plate  24  and lamp  5  to move up or down, depending on the direction of rotation of the shaft head  30 . An example of the extent of the change in the height “B” of the lamp  5  is shown on  FIG. 2 . However, the change in height will be dependent on the length of the thread on the shaft  23 . 
         [0064]    The reflector  4  may be of a simple conical shape as is known in the art. The reflector preferably merely sits in use in place between the lamp  5  and a downlight cover  28  (described in more detail below) and is not fixed to either. Therefore, if the cover  28  is rotated by 180 degrees the reflector can easily be removed from the downlight. In other embodiments the reflector may be fixed to the frame or lamp. If the reflector is fixed to the frame it can be moved up and down in the same manner as described above with references to the lamp. 
         [0065]    In yet other embodiments the downlight may be of have a different shaped reflector  34 , such as the double parabola shaped reflector  34  shown in  FIG. 6 . The double parabola reflector  34  has the effect of providing additional focus of the beam of light from the lamp. Additional shaped reflectors may be provided to allow for different shaped beams, for example a triple parabolic shaped reflector. 
         [0066]    In yet a further embodiment the reflector may be of a second embodiment, a double skinned reflector, such as the reflector  32  shown in  FIG. 7 . This reflector  32  has an inner reflector part  35  and an outer reflector part  36 . The inner reflector  35  is similar to that described above (reflector  4  or  36 ), however the outer reflector  36  is substantially cone shaped and extends over and above the inner reflector  35 , preferably up to the lamp holder  26 . The purpose of the double reflector is to prevent light leakage into the surrounding housing, to improve light stability and intensity and in the event of the lamp exploding to contain the exploded particles within the reflector  32  preventing potential fire hazards in the surrounding housing. 
         [0067]    In any of the embodiments described it is preferred that the downlight has a cover over the lamp and reflector. However, any of the embodiments of the downlights described may not be provided with a cover.  FIG. 2  shows a cover  28  fitted over the downlight  1  of the first embodiment in use. The cover  28  is made of glass, plastics or other suitable material, particularly material that at least partially allows light to travel through it. The cover  28  is tear shaped and at the apex of the tear the cover  28  is attached to the frame  13  through the shaft  23 . The shaft  23  extends through a complimentary aperture in the cover  28  and is held by the shaft  23  in place. However, the cover  28  can rotate out of place, such that a user can easily access the lamp  5  and reflector  4 . 
         [0068]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the downlight  37  simply has the height adjustment mechanism but not the rotating nor pivoting mechanism of the first embodiment. 
         [0069]    In this second embodiment, a frame  38  of the downlight  37  comprises a substantially elliptical base  39 . Extending from the base  39  are two opposing guide rods  41 ,  42 . Furthermore, a third off centred threaded shaft  43  also extends from the base  39 . The frame  38  sits in use in a housing  40  that holds the downlight in place in a ceiling. 
         [0070]    The guide rods  41 ,  42  and the shaft  43  form the framework (frame  38 ) for the mounting of the lamp  5 . A mounting plate  44  extends between the rods  41 ,  42  and shaft  43 . The mounting plate  44  has three apertures that the rods and shaft extend through. The opposing rods  41 ,  42  are not fixed to the plate  44  but are able to move vertically through their respective apertures. The threaded shaft  43  is connected to the mounting plate by a threaded fitting. 
         [0071]    At the end  45  of the mounting plate  44  distal to the threaded shaft  43  a lamp holder  46  is attached, by appropriate fasteners, such as glue, screws or the like, to the mounting plate  44 . The lamp  5  is fitted to the holder  46  by an appropriate fitting as is known in the art, such as a bayonet or threaded fitting or pins. Appropriate electrical connections (not shown) are made to the lamp  5  through the holder  46 . The height of the lamp  5  can be adjusted to provide different light beam shapes or intensities of the beam of light by rotating the shaft  43 . The rotation of the shaft may be actioned by a user externally rotating the shaft head  47  causing the shaft  23  to rotate and thread through the mounting plate  44 . The rotation of the shaft  43  through the mounting plate causes the mounting plate  44  and lamp  5  to move up or down, depending on the direction of rotation of the shaft head  47 . The change in height will be dependent on the length of the thread on the shaft  43 . 
         [0072]      FIGS. 10 to 12  show a third embodiment of a downlight of the present invention. This downlight  50  is the same configuration and functions in a similar manner as the downlight of the first embodiment ( FIGS. 1 to 4 ). However, the pivoting, rotation and height adjustments are controlled by motors. 
         [0073]    In  FIG. 10  a motor  51 , with associated gearing  52 , controls the rotation of a mounting ring  53 . The gearing  52  interacts with moulded gearing  54  moulded to the mounting ring  53  in order to allow for rotation of the mounting ring  53  similar to that described above with reference to the first embodiment of the downlight. 
         [0074]    In  FIG. 11  a motor  55 , with associated gearing  57 , controls the pivoting of a frame  58  and its elliptical base  59 . The gearing  57  interacts with the gearing  60  moulded to the cylindrical pivot protrusion  56  so as to provide pivoting of the frame  13 . 
         [0075]    In  FIG. 12  a motor  61 , with associated gearing  62 , controls the raising and lowering of the mounting plate  63  and thus lamp  5 . Thus a shaft head (such as that head  30  of the first embodiment of the downlight) is no longer required to turn the threaded shaft  64 . Mounted to the shaft  64  is a gear  65  that interacts with the motor gearing  62  so as to turn the shaft  64  one way or another in order to raise or lower the mounting plate  63  and lamp  5 . 
         [0076]    Each of the motors is preferably a low voltage motor and is controlled by a central controller that each of the motors is connected to by wiring or by wireless methods, such as infrared. The controller is connected to a user interface or panel that a user can access and adjust the downlight. Additionally or alternatively, the motors might be controlled by a wireless remote in much the same manner.