Lighting assembly and lamp aiming device

A luminaire and lighting assembly is provided having a ceiling pan and a light assembly supported on the ceiling pan. The light assembly is rotatable and movable in a lateral direction on the ceiling pan to provide adjustment of the light assembly with respect to the ceiling pan. The light assembly includes an aiming device which allows the lamp to be adjusted about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis for adjustment of the lamp. The aiming assembly includes a locking assembly which fixes the position of the aiming assembly to simultaneously prevent rotation about the vertical axis and about the horizontal axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/347,296 to Russo et al., filed Dec. 31, 2008 entitled “Lighting Assembly with Aperture Alignment Assembly”, and U.S. application Ser. No. 12/347,324 to Russo et al., filed Dec. 31, 2008 entitled “Lamp Alignment Assembly and Lighting Device”, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a light fixture having an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the light fixture and for adjusting the direction of the light to a target area. More particularly, the invention is directed to an adjustable light assembly with an adjustable assembly such that the lamp can be adjusted in a selected angular and rotational orientation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recess lighting fixtures are commonly used in construction. The recess lighting fixtures generally include a base or plaster frame, a lamp holder for holding the electrical lamp and a trim ring. Recessed lighting fixtures provide lighting characteristics that are often desired in new construction and in existing ceilings.

Recessed lighting fixtures are fixed to the ceiling in a specific location and the location of the lighting fixture is often limited by the ceiling structure. Many recessed lighting fixtures have fixed lamps that do not permit adjustment. Depending on the location of the recessed lighting fixture, it may be desirable to aim the lamp in a particular direction to provide the desired lighting pattern or to focus the light in a specific target area. The adjustment mechanisms of many of the prior recessed lighting fixtures are difficult to operate and provide limited orientation of the lamp. The confined area of the recessed lighting fixture also make it difficult to adjust the position of the lamp after the fixture is installed in the ceiling.

Various devices have been proposed for recessed lighting fixtures and downlights having an adjustment mechanism to enable the adjustment and orientation of the lamp. One example is disclosed in U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2006/0193142 to Dupre. The adjustment device in this published application includes a worm gear drive for aiming a locking mechanism for a luminaire. The luminaire assembly includes a collar and a yoke where the yoke is pivotally connected to the collar. A worm gear is attached to the collar and engages gear teeth on an arm to pivot the yoke with respect to the collar. The collar has an inner collar which rotates axially with respect to the outer collar about a vertical axis. In this manner, the luminaire can pivot about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis.

U.S. Patent Publication 2008/0186717 to Ruberg relates to a compact luminaire having a lamp module bracket assembly. The assembly has a first band and a second band connected together by a pair of arms. The arms are pivotally connected to the band to allow aiming of the luminaire. A screw is tightened to fix the position of the lamp of the luminaire.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,151 to Doubeck et al. discloses a lamp assembly for recessed ceiling fixture having a support assembly for a lamp socket and a lamp. The support assembly has a rotation ring to allow rotation about a vertical axis with respect to the frame. The support assembly also includes arms that are pivotally connected to the rotation ring to allow angular adjustment of the lamp about a horizontal axis.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,878 to Doubeck et al. discloses a rotatable recessed light fixture with a movable stop member. A spin disk has an upwardly extending tab which engages a stop member upon rotation of the spin disk. The lamp mechanism is able to rotate with the spin disk about a vertical axis. A lamp support also includes a support member for the lamp where the support member is pivotally connected to the lamp mechanism. The support member has a pair of legs with projections which slide within an arcuate slot formed in a bracket that is fixed to the ring. The legs enable the lamp mechanism to pivot about a horizontal axis and a vertical axis with respect to the frame.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,124 to Schubert et al. relates to an adjustable light fixture having a rotation adjustment assembly and an angle adjustment assembly for directing a lamp to a target area. The light fixture includes a frame having an aperture and a mounting disk. The mounting disk includes arms which form an angle adjustment assembly for the lamp. A rotation assembly is pivotally connected to the arms and the angle adjustment assembly. The rotation assembly includes a rotation disk and a rotation frame which holds the lamp. The position of the lamp can be adjusted about a horizontal axis and a vertical axis by rotating the rotation assembly with respect to the arms and the mounting disk.

Although the prior devices function in the intended manner, these devices are relatively complicated and can be difficult to adjust the position of the lamp in some situations. Therefore, there is a continuing need in the industry for improved adjustment mechanisms for lamp assemblies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an adjustable lighting fixture that can be used for ceiling-mounted assemblies or recessed lighting assemblies. The invention is particularly directed to an adjustable lighting assembly where the lamp can be adjusted to direct the light to the target area.

The adjustable light assembly of the invention includes a lamp holder and lamp which can be rotated about a vertical axis and adjusted about a horizontal axis independent of the adjustment about the vertical axis. The adjustable light assembly of the invention can include a single lamp holder and lamp or a plurality of lamp holders and lamps where each lamp can be adjusted independently of the other.

One aspect of the invention is to provide an adjustable light assembly that is easy to construct and assemble by the technician. In one embodiment of the invention, the adjustment mechanism for the light assembly can be accessed through the open bottom of the assembly. In this manner, the lamp can be adjusted easily by rotating about a vertical axis and adjusting about a horizontal axis after the light assembly is installed and mounted in a ceiling.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide an adjustable lighting assembly having a locking member that is able to fix the angular position of the lamp and lamp holder about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis. In one embodiment of the invention, the locking member simultaneously locks the position of the adjustable light assembly to prevent rotation about the vertical axis and to prevent rotation about the horizontal axis.

The various aspects of the invention are obtained by providing an adjustable light assembly comprising a base, a bracket, a lamp support and an adjustment assembly. The base has a central opening with a top surface and a bottom surface. The bracket is positioned above the top surface of the base. The lamp support is pivotally coupled to the bracket for adjusting the angular position of the lamp support with respect to the bracket and the base. An adjustment assembly is included on the bracket for adjusting the angular position of the lamp support with respect to the bracket.

The aspects of the invention are also obtained by providing an adjustable lighting assembly comprising a base having a central opening and a frame with an upper end spaced from a top surface of the base, a bracket coupled to the upper end of the frame and a lamp support coupled to the bracket. The bracket is pivotable about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base and parallel to a central axis of the opening in the base. The lamp support is pivotally coupled to the bracket and is pivotable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

The aspects of the invention are also obtained by providing an adjustable lighting assembly comprising a base, a frame coupled to the base, a bracket, a lamp support, an adjustment mechanism and a locking mechanism. The base has a bottom surface and a top surface. The frame is coupled to the base and has an upper plate spaced from the top surface of the base. The bracket is coupled to the upper plate of the frame and is pivotable about an axis substantially perpendicular to a plane of the base. The lamp support is pivotally coupled to the bracket and is pivotable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The adjustment mechanism is coupled to the bracket for adjusting the position of the lamp support with respect to the bracket. The locking mechanism fixes the position of the lamp support to the bracket and fixes the position of the bracket with respect to the frame.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the annexed drawings which disclose various embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a luminaire assembly having a lamp aiming device. The invention is particularly directed to a luminaire and light assembly where the angle and the position of the lamp and lamp support can be adjusted to direct the light to a target site.

Referring to the drawings, the luminaire and light assembly10of the invention includes a ceiling pan12having a housing14with a cover16closing the top end of the housing14. Positioned within the housing14is light assembly18having a lamp support and aiming assembly.

Referring toFIG. 1, ceiling pan12is constructed for mounted in a ceiling in a conventional manner. Ceiling pan12has a flat bottom wall22with an upwardly extending peripheral flange24. An electrical box26is mounted to flange24for enclosing electrical wiring components for the assembly in a conventional manner. Bottom wall22has a central opening (not shown) below light assembly18for directing light to the target site. Hold down brackets28are provided for coupling light assembly18to ceiling pan12. In the embodiment illustrated, hold down brackets28are attached to bottom wall20by screws30or other fasteners. Hold down brackets28have a substantially L shape and overlie the top surface of light assembly18to allow axial rotation and limited lateral movement of light assembly18with respect to ceiling pan12. In use, a trim ring and diffuser (not shown) are attached to the bottom side of light assembly10.

Housing14has a side wall32with an open bottom34and an open top36. Side walls32of housing14are coupled to flange24of ceiling pan12by screws or other fasteners. An electrical box38is coupled to side wall32containing electrical components for light assembly18.

Adjustable mounting hanger bars40are attached to opposite side walls32of housing14. Mounting bars40include extending bars42having mounting tabs44for mounting to ceiling joists or other support structure. Mounting bars42are mounted to a mounting bracket46for sliding movement. Mounting bracket46includes slots48for receiving adjusting screws50. Slots48allow vertical adjustment of mounting bars40with respect to housing14so that housing14and ceiling pan12can be vertically adjusted after mounting bars40are attached to a ceiling joist or other support. Adjusting screws50are tightened to fix the position of housing14with respect to hanger bar42.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-14, light assembly18includes two lamps58with each mounted to a respective lamp support60. Each lamp58and lamp support60are independently adjustable with respect to the other to direct light to different areas or focus the light to a common or overlapping area. Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, light assembly18includes a base62and a bracket64. Base62in the embodiment illustrated has a substantially flat circular shape with a dimension to fit within flanges24of ceiling pan12. Base62has a central opening66and a sleeve68extending downwardly from a bottom side of base62. Sleeve68extends from the peripheral edge of central opening66for directing light from lamps58to the target area. In the embodiment shown, sleeve68extends through the opening in bottom wall24of ceiling pan12.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 2, sleeve68has a substantially rectangular configuration corresponding to the two lamp supports60and respective lamps58. In other embodiments, sleeve68can have any shape and dimension corresponding to the desired lighting pattern. Sleeve68extends through the opening in ceiling pan12and has a dimension to allow rotational and lateral movement of light assembly18with respect to ceiling pan12. Base62typically includes a plurality of spaced apart embossed dimples70extending downwardly to provide a glide surface for light assembly18on the bottom wall22of ceiling pan12.

A frame73is coupled to base62by screws or rivets. As shown inFIG. 2, base62includes upwardly extending flanges72for coupling to frame73. Frame73includes two upwardly extending arms74and a top wall76extending between arms74to form a yoke. Arms74are coupled to flanges72and extend upwardly from base62. Top wall76has a substantially planar shape and is oriented substantially parallel to base62. Top wall76of frame73is spaced from base62a distance to support the lamp58and lamp support60.

Lamp support60of light assembly18includes an adjustment assembly78for adjusting the angular position of lamp support60and the corresponding lamp58as shown inFIGS. 2-7. Bracket64in preferred embodiments is pivotally coupled to frame73as shown inFIG. 5. Preferably, bracket64is coupled to top wall76of frame73by a nut and bolt assembly80to enable bracket64to pivot about a vertical axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of base62. The vertical axis is defined by the normal orientation of the assembly. Bracket64has a top leg82having an aperture for receiving the bolt80and lies substantially parallel to a bottom surface of top wall76of frame73. Bracket64includes a bottom leg84which extends in a vertical direction perpendicular to the plane of base62and is substantially perpendicular to the plane of top leg82. In the embodiment illustrated, top leg82and bottom leg84are connected by an intermediate inclined portion86. Bottom leg84has a bottom end that is spaced above the top surface of base62so that bracket64is supported by frame73above base62.

Referring toFIGS. 10 and 11, a lamp support bracket90is coupled to bracket64by a pivot pin88. Pivot pin88is typically a rivet or screw that extends through aligned holes in lamp support bracket90and bracket64to enable pivotable movement between the components.

Lamp support bracket90pivots with respect to bracket64about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of bracket64with respect to frame73. In preferred embodiments, lamp support bracket90pivots about a horizontal axis with respect to a longitudinal dimension of bracket64and the plane of base62. Lamp support bracket90pivots to allow angular adjustment of the respected lamp58to direct light through central opening66and collar68in the desired direction.

Lamp support bracket90as shown inFIG. 12includes a body91having a bottom end92with a pivot hole94for receiving pivot pin88. Body91has a top end96forming an outwardly extending leg98and an upwardly extending leg100. A lamp holder102is coupled to upper leg100for supporting the lamp58as shown inFIG. 5. Preferably, lamp holder102is coupled to upper leg100by rivets or other suitable fasteners104.

Body91of lamp support bracket90includes an outwardly extending angled flange106having an aperture108and an open area110. Flange106is formed at an incline with respect to the plane of body91. A central opening110has a curved top edge with a plurality of teeth112. Bracket64includes an angled flange114with an aperture116extending away from an open area118. Angled flange114of bracket64is aligned with the open area110of lamp support bracket90.

A beveled gear120is rotatably coupled to flange114of bracket64by a fastener such as a bolt122. Bolt122extends through a washer124and a spring washer126. Bolt122is threaded into a threaded hole in the axial end of beveled gear120to rotatably mount beveled gear120to bracket64. Beveled gear120has a slotted end128for receiving a screw driver or other tool for manually rotating beveled gear120. As shown inFIG. 10, beveled gear120meshes with teeth112in opening110of lamp support bracket90. Rotating beveled gear120causes lamp support bracket90to pivot about pivot pin88with respect to bracket64. The width of opening110which receives beveled gear120defines the limits of the angular adjustment of lamp support bracket90with respect to bracket64and base62of light assembly18.

Lamp support60further includes a locking member130coupled to bracket64. Locking member130has a body132, an angled portion134and an upwardly extending tab136corresponding substantially to the shape of bracket64. Body132and angled portion134overlie bottom leg84and angled portion86respectively of bracket64as shown inFIG. 11. Tab136extends in an upward direction substantially parallel to body132.

Referring toFIG. 12, body132of locking member30has two spaced apart elongated slots138that are aligned with holes140in bracket64which receive rivets142or other fasteners. Rivets142extend through holes140and slots138to allow limited linear movement of locking member130with respect to bracket64. As shown inFIG. 11, locking member130slides in an up and down direction as indicated by arrow144with respect to bracket60. Rivets142preferably have enlarged heads to couple locking member to bracket64as shown inFIG. 5.

Body132of locking member130has an open portion146adjacent the bottom end148. Body132is formed with a bend150extending outwardly and forming an inclined cam surface152. A flat bottom portion153extends from cam surface152and lies in the plane of body32.

Body91of lamp support bracket90includes a threaded screw154extending outwardly perpendicular to the plane of body91. Screw154extends through a curved arcuate shaped slot156in bracket64and a curved arcuate slot158in locking member130. A threaded nut160is coupled to the end of screw154as shown inFIG. 11. Curved slots156and158overlie each other and have substantially the same length. Slots156and158limit pivotal movement of lamp support bracket90with respect to bracket64and locking member130. In the embodiment illustrated, curved slot156of bracket64has a width corresponding substantially to the outer dimension of screw154so that slot156can slide easily on screw154. Curved slot158of locking member130has a width greater than the diameter of screw154to allow limited linear movement of locking member130in the up and down direction of arrow144as shown inFIG. 11.

A locking screw162extends through a washer164and through the aperture108in the angled flange106of lamp support bracket90. A clamping member166is coupled to locking screw162. Clamping member166includes an inclined flange168with a hole170aligned with aperture108in angled flange106of lamp support bracket90. Locking screw162extends through hole170in flange168of clamping member166and is coupled thereto by a nut172. Angled flange168is formed with side edges174of clamping member166with a dimension corresponding substantially to the outer dimension of nut172. Side portions174are spaced apart a distance to substantially prevent rotation of nut172whereby rotation of screw162draws nut172and clamping member toward lamp support bracket90. Locking screw162extends through hole170of flange168and is threaded into nut172to couple clamping member166to the assembly. As shown inFIG. 10, locking screw162has a slot176for receiving a screw driver or other tool.

Clamping member166has a substantially rectangular configuration and contacts the bottom end of locking member130as shown inFIG. 12. Locking screw162can be rotated to apply a clamping force between clamping member166and locking member130. The upper edges of clamping member166engage the inclined cam surface152of locking member when locking screw is tightened which causes locking member130to slide in an upward direction. Locking member130slides downwardly by gravity to the position shown inFIG. 6when locking screw162is loosened from nut172. Locking screw162can be tightened to clamp lamp support60to bracket64to prevent angular rotation of lamp support60with respect to bracket64. In one embodiment of the invention, bracket64includes side tabs178and bottom tabs180which serve as a guide for locking member130and clamping member166with respect to bracket64.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, top wall76of frame73includes a plurality of holes182arranged in an arcuate path around the pivot point of bracket64defined by the nut and bolt80. As shown inFIG. 3, frame72is provided with a plurality of holes182arranged in a semi-circular pattern which allow bracket64to pivot about 180°. Locking member130includes a point184extending upwardly from upper tab136for selectively engaging one of the holes182to lock bracket64with respect to frame73and prevent rotation about the vertical axis. As shown inFIG. 6, locking screw162is in a retracted position to release the tension on clamping member166which allows locking member130to slide downwardly. When locking member130is in the position shown inFIG. 6, bracket64can be pivoted about the vertical axis with respect to frame73. When the angular position of bracket164is selected and the angular position of lamp support60is selected, locking screw162is tightened. Tightening locking screw162forces the top edge of clamping member166into engagement with the inclined cam surface152of locking member which urges locking member130in an upward direction to the position shown inFIG. 7. In the position shown inFIG. 7, point164is received in one of the holes182to prevent rotational movement of bracket64about the vertical axis with respect to frame73. Simultaneously, the clamping force of locking screw prevents rotation of lamp support bracket90about the horizontal axis with respect to bracket64.

Light assembly18is constructed so that beveled gear120and locking screw162are accessible through the open end of base62. During use, the assembly is mounted to a ceiling by the mounting bars. The technician is able to adjust the position of each light assembly18through central opening166in base62by rotating bracket64manually to the desired position. As shown inFIG. 14, each of the light assemblies18are independently adjustable with respect to each other. A screw driver or other tool can then be inserted through central opening166of base62to engage beveled gear120. Rotating beveled gear120adjusts the angular position of lamp support bracket90with respect to bracket64. After lamp support bracket90is adjusted to the desired position, locking screw162is tightened using a suitable tool. Rotating locking screw162clamps lamp support bracket90with respect to bracket64and pushes locking member130upwardly into engagement with frame73to lock and prevent rotational movement of bracket64with respect to frame73.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-14, assembly10is provided with two light assemblies coupled to the frame73. Each lighting assembly is independently adjustable by rotation around the vertical axis and adjustable by rotating about the horizontal axis of the aiming assembly. In another embodiment shown inFIGS. 15 and 16, a single aiming assembly190is pivotally connected to a frame192coupled to a base194. Base194is mounted to the ceiling pan196. Frame192is constructed in a similar manner to the previous embodiment with the exception of supporting a single light assembly190and having a single array of apertures198arranged around the pivot point200which supports the light assembly as in the previous embodiment. Light assembly190is substantially the same as aiming assembly20of the previous embodiment so that identical components are identified by the same reference number.

While various embodiments have been described and shown in the drawings, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.