Abstract:
A rotatable downlight frame assembly comprises a pan having a pivot aperture therein, a collar disposed in the pan for rotating in the pivot aperture, the collar having a trim aperture wall depending through the pan, the collar having one of a square, rectangular, non-circular, or asymmetrical trim opening for positioning of a lighting trim, the collar being rotatable relative to the pan through 360 degrees, at least one fastener passing through the collar, a tool-less fastener assembly, the tool-less assembly having one of a first position and a second position for tightening the collar at an angular position relative to the pan via frictional engagement, and the other of the first position and the second position allowing for pivotable motion, and, a lighting assembly positioned on the collar for pivotal movement with the collar.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS 
       [0001]    NONE 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains to a rotating frame assembly for a luminaire. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a rotating frame clamping assembly for a recessed lighting frame end or rough end assembly. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    It is often desired that square finishing sections for a recessed luminaire have some horizontal rotational capability to allow the finishing trim to be adjusted. Prior art structures currently allow for only 35-90° of horizontal rotation, defined about a vertical axis. The only known prior art device includes a frame and a trim collar which sits within a recess of a pan and includes an arcuate aperture through both the collar and the pan. A fastener is inserted through the arcuate aperture to allow the rotation through an arcuate distance of about 90°. 
         [0004]    It would be desirable that recessed square finishing sections in a recessed luminaire have rotational capabilities up to at least 360°. It is also desirable that the finishing trim be adjustable with respect to walls or other finishing sections to optimize the layout of the group of luminaries. It is also desirable that the rotational adjustment of be of the tool-less variety and up to 360°. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A rotatable downlight frame assembly comprises a pan having a pivot aperture therein, a collar disposed in the pan for rotating in the pivot aperture, the collar having a trim aperture wall depending through the pan, the collar having one of a square, rectangular, non-circular, or asymmetrical trim opening for positioning of a lighting trim, the collar being rotatable relative to the pan through 360 degrees, at least one fastener passing through the collar, a tool-less fastener assembly, the tool-less assembly having one of a first position and a second position for tightening the collar at an angular position relative to the pan via frictional engagement, and the other of the first position and the second position allowing for pivotable motion, and, a lighting assembly positioned on the collar for pivotal movement with the collar. The rotatable downlight frame assembly wherein the pan and the collar further comprise a brake connected to the collar and rotatable engaging the pan. The rotatable downlight frame assembly wherein the collar has an outer diameter which is larger than a diameter of the pivot aperture. The rotatable downlight frame assembly wherein the brake depends from one of a lower surface or an upper surface of the collar and defining a space or groove between the brake shoe and the collar. The rotatable downlight frame assembly wherein an edge of the pivot aperture is disposed within the space between the brake shoe and the collar. The rotatable downlight frame assembly wherein the at least one fastener passes through the brake and the collar. The rotatable downlight frame assembly further comprising a brake connected to the pan and the collar disposed between the brake and the pan. The rotatable downlight frame assembly further comprising biasing elements on the collar. The rotatable downlight frame assembly further comprising opposed hanger bars connected to the pan. The rotatable downlight frame assembly wherein the pivot aperture is defined by a horizontal groove. The rotatable downlight frame assembly wherein the collar is disposed within the horizontal groove. The rotatable downlight frame assembly wherein the groove defined by an upper surface and a lower surface which frictionally engage the collar in one of a first position or a second position. 
         [0006]    A rotatable downlight frame assembly comprises one of a square, rectangular, or other non-circular shaped trim aperture positioned within a collar, a trim aperture wall depending downwardly from the collar, a pan receiving the collar within a pivot aperture, the collar rotatable about a vertical axis within the pan, a fastener assembly including a fastener and tightening device, wherein the tightening device tightens one of the pan and the collar against the other of the pan and the collar, the fastener assembly having a first position wherein the pan is rotatable about the vertical axis through a distance of 360 degrees, the fastener assembly having a second position wherein the pan is locked in an angular position. The rotatable trim frame assembly further comprising a brake extending from one of the pan and the collar. The rotatable trim frame assembly wherein the fastener assembly passes through the brake to tighten the other of the pan and the collar. The rotatable trim frame assembly wherein the trim aperture is asymmetrical. 
         [0007]    A rotatable trim frame assembly, comprises a pan having a substantially circular opening, the substantially circular opening, a collar seated within the horizontal groove, the collar having one of a square, rectangular or other non-circular opening therein, and a brake connected to said collar and defining a horizontal groove, an edge defining said opening of the pan disposed within the horizontal groove, a trim assembly and a lighting assembly positioned in the one of a square, rectangular or substantially circular opening, at least one hangar bar connected to the pan, a fastener assembly extending through the pan and the collar, the fastener assembly having a first position wherein the collar is rotatable within the pan, and a second position wherein the collar is locked relative to the pan. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS 
         [0008]    The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of the rotating frame clamping assembly for a recessed luminaire; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  depicts an exploded perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts an upper perspective view of the rotating assembly; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  depicts a bottom perspective view of the rotating assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  depicts a bottom perspective view of the collar; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  depicts a side section view as indicated in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  depicts an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment; and, 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  depicts a sectional view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
         [0018]    A rotating frame clamping assembly for a recess luminaire is depicted in  FIG. 1-8 . The assembly utilizes a pan and collar assembly to provide 360° (degrees) of rotation for a square, rectangular, non circular or other asymmetrically shaped finishing trim. The assembly utilizes tool-less fasteners to provide engagement between a brake assembly, the pan and a collar and thus allow or inhibit rotation. 
         [0019]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a rotating frame clamping assembly for a recessed rough-in kit  10  is depicted. The kit  10  includes a first hanger bar  12 , comprising a first slidable portion  14  and a second slidable portion  16  as well as an opposed hanger bar  18  also defined by a first slidable portion  14  and a second slide portion  16 . The hanger bars  12 ,  18  may be connected to a ceiling grid system or between joists of a ceiling. Each of the hanger bars  18  is connected to a recessed lighting frame  20  by a height adjustment assembly  30  having mounting brackets  32  and adjacent slides  31  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The frame  20  is generally U-shaped having and open end and a closed end. Although the frame  20  is shown in the figures are U-shaped, various shapes may be utilized. Additionally, the frame  20  may be integrally formed with or fastened to a pan  52 . The frame  20  further comprises the height adjustment assemblies  30  at the open ends which receive the first and second hanger bars  12 ,  18 . Thus the hanger bars  12 ,  18  and the frame number  20  may be adjusted relative to one another to provide adjustment of the hanger bars  12 ,  18  relative to the frame and finishing trim or lighting kit  40 . Connected to the U-shaped frame  20  at the closed end are a power supply  22  and a junction box  24 . A conduit  26  extends between power supply  22  and the finishing trim  40  to provide power to a plurality of luminaires therein. Additionally, according to the exemplary embodiment, the power supply  22  is connected to a side wall of the junction box to provide electrical communication there between without the requirement of an additional junction box or connector assembly. Within the conduit  26  is at least two wires for powering the lights within a finishing trim  40 . These elements will be understood by one skilled in the art and therefore are not discussed in greater detail. 
         [0020]    The recessed rough-in kit  10  further comprises a rotating assembly  50  which allows rotation of the finishing trim  40  through about 360°. The rotating assembly  50  is tool-lessly operable allowing for easy adjustment of the finishing trim with respect to walls and other finishing trims in a lighting layout. The rotating assembly  50  is disposed between the open ends of the U-shaped frame  20  and may be integrally formed with the frame  20  or may be fastened thereto. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an exploded perspective view of the recessed rough end kit  10  is depicted at the bottom of the figure, the hanger bars  12 ,  18  are shown connected to the frame  20  by a height adjustment assembly  30 . Additional information on the height adjustment mechanism and hanger bars may be found and is hereby incorporated by reference from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/135,562, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,674. Above the hanger bars  12  and frame  20  is the rotation assembly  50 . The rotation assembly  50  comprises a pan  52 , having a circular aperture  55  defined by an aperture wall  54 . The pan  52  is generally square shaped, although such shape should not be considered limiting, and further comprises vertically extending slides  31  ( FIG. 3 ). The slides  31  are part of a vertical adjustment assembly  30  allowing vertical adjustment of the rotating assembly  50  relative to the hanger bars  12 ,  18 . The pan  52  is sandwiched or captured between a brake assembly  56  and a collar  60 . The brake assembly  56  includes at least one brake. As shown in the instant embodiment the at least one brake is defined by two brake pads at opposite sides of the circular aperture  54  and which are mounted to the bottom surface of the pan  52 . The brakes are semi-circular and have a raised portion  58  which fits within the aperture wall  54 . The brakes  56  are connected to the pan  52  by fasteners, such as threaded bolts, screws, rivets or the like extending through the brakes  56 , through the pan aperture  55  and through the collar  60 . 
         [0022]    The collar  60  is circular in shape and comprises a trim aperture  62  which may be square, rectangular, or any asymmetrical shape. The collar  60  has an upper surface  66 , a lower surface  67  and a plurality of depending aperture walls or flange  68 . The collar  60  further comprises a plurality of fastening apertures  69  which receive the at least one fastener  57  from the brake  56  and through an aperture  55 . Disposed on the upper surface of the collar  60  are a plurality of biasing elements  70 . The elements  70  are connected to the brakes  56  by fasteners  59  which also extend through the pan aperture  55 . The spring elements  70  engage the side wall of the trim or lighting kit  40  to retain the trim within the collar  60 , as best seen in  FIG. 1 . Thus when the collar  60  rotates, the trim kit  40  also rotates. Alternatively, the walls  68  may be visually indicative of alignment or the requirement for additional adjustment. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the rotation assembly  50  is shown in perspective view in an assembled condition with the lighting assembly or trim kit  40  removed. A rotational axis A extends vertically through the pan aperture  62 . The collar  60  rotates horizontally about this vertical axis A within the pan  52 . In this view, the collar  60  has an outer diameter which is greater than the diameter of the pan aperture  55  ( FIG. 2 ). Additionally, the brakes  56  are spaced apart such that the outer-most curved edges of the brakes  56  are spaced apart at a distance greater than the diameter of the pan aperture  55 . A fastener assembly includes the fasteners  57  and the wing nuts  63 . The fasteners connect the brakes  56  to the collar  54  and capture the pan  52  there between. When the fasteners  57  are loosened, the collar  60  and the at least one brake  56  rotate while the pan  52  is stationary with the frame  20  ( FIG. 2 ). However, when the fastener assemblies are tightened, the collar and the brakes  60 ,  56  clamp down on the pan  52  inhibiting rotation of the collar  60  and at least one brake  56  relative to the pan  52 . This rotation is said to be tool-less since the fastener assemblies utilize hand-tightenable wing nuts  63 . 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a lower perspective view of a rotating assembly  50  is depicted. The collar  60  is shown in a position above the pan  52  and the trim walls  68  are depending downwardly through the pan aperture  55  defined by pan aperture wall  54 . Also depicted, the brakes  56  have regularly outward opposed curved edges which have a spaced apart distance greater than the diameter of the pan aperture wall  54 . Thus the collar  60  extends beyond the pan aperture wall on the upper surface of the pan and the brakes  56  extend outward beyond the curved pan aperture wall on the bottom surface of the fan. This captures the pan  52  between the collar and brakes  56  so that the assembly stays connected and cannot move. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the collar is shown removed from the rotation assembly. The collar  60  is circular in shape as previously described. The walls  68  depend downwardly to receive a trim or lighting assembly  40  ( FIG. 2 ). The collar  60  also comprises a plurality of apertures  72  which provide for receipt of spring fasteners  59  to retain the biasing elements  70  on the upper surface of the collar  60 . The collar also comprises opposed fastening apertures  69  which receive tightening fasteners  57  to retain the brakes  56  on the bottom surface of the collar and the collar  60  within the aperture  55  of the pan  52 . The trim aperture walls  68  have a perimeter dimension sized to fit within the circumference of the pan aperture wall  54 . The walls  68  may engage the aperture wall  54  or may be slightly inset from the aperture wall  54 . In either event, the distance between the aperture wall  54  and the trim wall  68  is minimal to inhibit play or slack between the two parts. The trim aperture walls  68  also provide a visual reference for determining whether a plurality of light fixtures are aligned prior to installation of drywall. The walls  68  each have a notch which may be utilized in combination with string or laser to ensure alignment over the length of, for example, a hallway. Since the walls  68  depend from the collar  60 , the walls  68  ease in visual identification of any misaligned trims prior to installation of ceiling material. This arrangement also allows for movement of the trim once the prior to installation of the ceiling material, which abuts outer surfaces of the walls  68 . 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a side section view of the rotating assembly  50  is depicted. The pan  52  is shown sandwiched or captured between the collar  60  and the brake portions  56 . As shown in the figure, a space or groove is formed between the collar  60  and the brake  56  wherein the pan  52  is received. The collar  50  and brakes  56  can rotate relative to the stationary pan  52 . The fastener  57  extends upwardly from the brake through the collar  60 . By tightening the wing nut  63 , the collar  60  and the brake  56  clamp the pan to inhibit rotation of the collar and the brake  56 . Conversely, when the wing nut  63  is loosened, the collar and brake  60 ,  56  may rotate relative to the fixed pan  52 , hanger bars  12 ,  18  and frame  20 . With this rotation, the trim kit  40  ( FIG. 1 ) may also rotate. As opposed to the prior art devices, the fixture rotation is not limited to 90° but may rotate up to 360°. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an exploded perspective view of the rotating frame clamping assembly  110  is depicted. The exploded perspective view shows how the rotational assembly  150  differs from the first embodiment. According to the first embodiment, the collar  60  and brakes  56  rotate relative to the pan  52  ( FIG. 1 ) since the collar  60  and brakes  56  capture the pan  52 . Alternatively, according to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the collar  160  rotates relative to a stationary pan  152  and a stationary brake  156  since the collar  160  is captured between the pan  152  and the brakes  156 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the cross-sectional view depicts how the wing nut  172  may be tightened to clamp the collar with the brakes  156  and the pan  152 . According to this embodiment, a horizontal groove is created between the brakes  156  and the pan  152 , wherein the collar  160  is rotatably positioned. With the collar  160  positioned therein the collar  160  may rotate or may be fixed depending on a position of the fastener assembly, including fastener  157  and wing nut  172 . 
         [0029]    The foregoing description of several embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention and all equivalents be defined by the claims appended hereto.