Abstract:
An adaptor kit or system for use with conventional can light fixtures to adapt the can light fixture for use as a hanger assembly for auxiliary fixtures such as a hanging lamp, a flush-mounted lamp, or the like includes a stem member received within a stem-receiver. The stem-member includes a plurality of axial spaced detent positions and the stem-receiver includes a resilient spring clip the yieldable engages a one of the available detent position. Application of a sufficient axial force causes the spring clip to disengage with a current detent and re-engage with another detent to allow controlled extension thereof by an installer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/144,730 filed Jan. 14, 2009 by the inventor herein, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to an adaptor or conversion kit or system for use with “can light” or “can fixture” assemblies to adapt the can light for other uses, including, for example, use as a hanger for a suspended or hanging lamp, a flush-mount lamp, or other devices that are designed to be attached to or modified for attachment to a can light assembly. 
     Recessed ceiling lighting fixtures are located within or recessed within a ceiling. A light bulb or other type of lamp is located within the housing and is positioned so that the lowermost point of the lamp is somewhat above, flush with, or slightly below the ceiling. Lighting fixtures of this type, also known as “can lights” or “can fixtures,” are well known in both new construction and in retrofit situations due, in part, to the unobtrusive nature of the fixtures themselves and of their desirable illumination pattern. 
     A representative example of a “can light” assembly of the type used in new construction is shown in side elevation view in  FIG. 1  and is designated therein by the reference character  10 . The particular organization and structure shown is exemplary only and is representative of a widely variety of can light fixtures marketed by various manufacturers. As shown, the fixture  10  includes a frame or frame-like pan structure  12  which mounts an electrical junction box  14  and a can  16 . The can  16  and the junction box  14  are connected by a standard conduit  18  through which insulated wiring (not shown) extends from the junction box  14  to the interior of the can  16  to provide power to a standard socket  18 - 1  and lamp (not shown) installed in the socket  18 - 1 . The frame structure  12  is mounted by adjustable hanger bar assemblies (only one of which is shown) between joists (not shown) above a ceiling in which an appropriately sized opening is formed. 
     The can  16  is typically formed from thin-walled metal, such as aluminum, that is pressed or otherwise formed into shape as a dome-like surface of revolution about a central axis A x ; in some designs, the can is formed as a cylinder and, in other designs, the can is formed from two or more pieces. The can  16  is often designed to be moved or adjusted vertically (i.e., along the up/down axis A) throughout a limited range of motion in its frame  12 . In general, the diameter of the open, lower end of the can for the majority of manufacturers in the can light market is between three and eight inches, although some manufacturers will provide cans with somewhat larger open, lower ends. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 1 , the lamp socket assembly is mounted on or attached to an interior surface portion of the can  16  by a suitable bracket (not shown); electrical wires extend from the socket through an opening (not specifically shown) in the can  16  and through the conduct  18  to the junction box  14 . In  FIG. 1 , the lamp socket is shown as a classic screw-base type socket; as can be appreciated other types of sockets, including more recent pin-type sockets can be used. 
     In a normal or typical installation, a lamp, such as an incandescent or a fluorescent lamp, (not shown) is threaded into or otherwise coupled to the socket to provide illumination. 
     Can light fixtures of the type described above are in common usage and perform their lighting function as intended. However, because can light fixtures are “single function” devices, they lack a certain flexibility for use in related functions, such as a support for a hanging or suspended lamp or lighting fixture or as a support for a flush-mounted ceiling lamp. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention, among others, to provide an adjustable adaptor kit or system for use with conventional can light fixtures to adapt the can light fixture for use as a hanger assembly for hanging or suspended lamps or pendant lamps and to adapt the can light assembly for other types of non-recessed lamps, including flush-mounted lamps. 
     In a preferred embodiment, an adjustable adaptor assembly includes a stem member that is adjustably received and retained in a stem-receiver. A socket adaptor at the upper end of the stem member is received within a lamp socket in the can light with the position of the stem-receiver adjusted to position the bottom of the adaptor assembly for receiving a coverplate or medallion. 
     The present invention advantageously provides an adaptor kit system for use with can light assemblies to increase the usefulness of those assemblies. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a side-elevational view, in partial cross-section, of a generalized or representative can light assembly; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a stem member; 
         FIG. 2B  is a first side elevation view of the stem member shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  is a cross section view of the stem member shown in  FIG. 2B ; 
         FIG. 2D  is a second side elevation view of the stem member shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2E  is a top view of the stem member shown in  FIG. 2B ; 
         FIG. 2F  is a perspective view of a cap member; 
         FIG. 2G  is a cross section view of the cap member shown in  FIG. 2F ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a stem-receiving housing; 
         FIG. 3B  is a first side elevation view of the stem-receiving housing shown in FIG.  3 A; 
         FIG. 3C  is a cross section view of the stem-receiving housing shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3D  is a second side elevation view of the stem-receiving housing shown in  FIG. 3A  taken along line  3 D- 3 D of  FIG. 3C ; 
         FIG. 3E  is a top view of the stem-receiving housing of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3F  is a plan view of a spring clip; 
         FIG. 3G  is a plan view of a cross-bar; 
         FIG. 3H  is a side elevation view of the cross-bar of  FIG. 3G ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a exploded elevation view, in cross section, of an adjustable adaptor assembly; 
         FIG. 4B  is an elevation view, in cross section, of the adjustable adaptor assembly in a first assembled relationship; 
         FIG. 4C  is an elevation view, in cross section, of the adjustable adaptor assembly in a second assembled relationship; 
         FIG. 4D  is a plan view, in cross section, taken along line  4 D- 4 D of  FIG. 4B ; 
         FIG. 5A  is an elevation view of the adjustable adaptor assembly corresponding to  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5B  is an elevation view of the adjustable adaptor assembly corresponding to  FIG. 4B ; 
         FIG. 5C  is an elevation view of the adjustable adaptor assembly corresponding to  FIG. 4C ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged detail showing the interaction between striations or teeth on the stem member and the spring clip of  FIG. 3F ; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are side views of the adjustable adaptor assembly showing two different ground clips; 
         FIGS. 7C and 7D  are elevational and elevational cross-section and side views of the adjustable adaptor assembly showing electrical wiring routing; 
         FIG. 8  is a side-elevational view, in partial cross-section, of generalized or representative can light assembly with the adjustable adaptor assembly of  FIGS. 2-6  installed in a representative installation; 
         FIG. 9  is a variant of the structure shown in  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 10  illustrates optional variants for the structure of striations or teeth. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is assembled from two major components to define an extensible assembly  100  shown in  FIG. 4A-4C  and  FIGS. 5A-5D . 
     A stem member  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2E , is formed as an elongated cylinder-like component and includes an internal through bore or opening  22 , external screw threads  24  at an upper end and a series of ridge-like striations, serrations, or teeth  26  that extend from the external threads  24  to a lower end. Additionally, the stem  20  is provided with flat surfaces  28  on opposite sides thereof that also extend from the external threads to the lower end. At least one and optionally both flat surfaces  28  have a slot  30  formed therein. 
     As explained in more detail below, a cap  32  ( FIGS. 2F-2G ) is designed to be assembled to the stem member  20 . As shown, the cap  32  is generally cylindrical with a through bore  34  and includes internal screw threads  36  designed to engage the external screw threads  24  of the stem member  20 . In addition, a radial bore  38  is provided in the side of the cap  32  to accept a threaded fastener (not shown) that, additionally, is threaded into a bore  38 A in the stem  20  ( FIG. 2C ). 
     A stem-receiver  40  is shown in  FIGS. 3A-3E  and is designed to receive and releasably retain the stem member  20  in a telescoping relationship. As shown, the stem-receiver  40  is formed as a hollow member having an internal passageway  42  with opposed internal flat surfaces  44  designed to accommodate the flat surfaces  28  of the stem member  20  with a sliding clearance fit therebetween. The exterior of the stem-receiver  40  has external flat surfaces  48  extending the length of the stem-receiver  40 . A pair of relatively narrow semi-circumferential slots  46  are formed adjacent the upper end of the stem-receiver  40  and designed to receive portions of a spring clip, as described below. A threaded bore  50  is formed through the side wall of stem-receiver  40  and receives a travelling-limiting screw  52  ( FIG. 3D ). The lower end of the stem-receiver  40  includes mounting feet or pads  54  that are designed to attach to a cross-bar shown in  FIG. 3G . 
     A spring clip  56  ( FIG. 3F ) is formed from a resilient spring wire and is designed to encircle the upper end of the stem-receiver  40 . The spring clip  56  includes spaced parallel straight segments  58  that are designed to be received in the slots  46  formed adjacent the upper end of the stem-receiver  40 ; a representative thickness for the wire stock from which the spring clip  56  is fabricated is about 1.2 mm. 
     A cross-bar  60  is formed from metal flat stock and includes a sufficient number of threaded and non-threaded holes to connect to the pads  54  of the stem-receiver  40  as well as coverplates, medallions, and the like associated with the pendant or hanging lamps to be attached to the adjustable adaptor assembly  100 . Additionally, a threaded through-hole  62  is provided in the central portion of the cross-bar  60  through which electrical wires can pass. 
     As shown in the exploded views of  FIG. 4A  and in  FIG. 5A , a conventional Edison-socket light-bulb converter  70  is mounted to the top of the stem member  20  and is secured in place with the cap  32 ; if desired, the cap  32  can be cemented or glued to the stem member  20 . The so-assembled stem member  20  is inserted into the stem-receiver  40  with the spring clip  56  mounted in place in the slots  46  to define the adaptable adjuster assembly  100  that is aligned along an assembly or longitudinal axis A. Thereafter, the screw  52  ( FIG. 3D ) is threaded in place with the distal or remote end of the screw  52  extending to the slot  30 . As explained below, the extent that the stem member  20  is received within the stem-receiver  40  can be varied to change the top-to-bottom dimension of the adaptable adjuster assembly  100  as shown by a comparison of  FIGS. 4B and 4C  and a comparison of  FIGS. 5B and 5C . The screw  52  ( FIG. 3D ) functions to limit relative movement of the stem member  20  to the extent of the slot  30 . 
     While the preferred embodiment illustrates an Edison-type socket, other socket arrangements can be used, including bayonet-type twist-to-lock arrangements. 
     As shown in the detail view of  FIG. 4D  and  FIG. 6 , the straight legs  58  of the spring clip  56  interengage with the projections, serrations, or teeth  26  of the stem member  20  to allow the user to change the top-to-bottom dimension of the adaptable adjuster assembly  100 . The spring clip  56  is resiliently biased so that the straight legs  58  ‘grasp’ the stem-member  20  therebetween. As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the teeth  26  are defined by a ledge  80  surface, an outwardly diverging surface  82 , and straight surface  84  that provides a series of recesses or pockets for the straight legs  58 . The teeth  26  thus define a series of available “detents” that can receive the legs  58  to retain the so-adjusted relationship between the stem-member  20  and the stem-receiver  40 . While a spring clip  56  having two legs  58  that grasp the stem-member  20  therebetween is preferred, other arrangements are suitable, including a spring clip having only one leg thereof that functions as the detent element. 
     When the stem member  20  is forced downward into the stem-receiver  40 , the surface  82  functions as a cam or ramp surface that causes the straight legs  58  to yieldably ride upward on the surface  82  until the straight legs  58  rides on the straight surface  84  to snap into the detent or recess formed by the next adjacent tooth. In general, the spring clip  56  and the teeth are dimensioned so that a force of 3-5 pounds is sufficient to move the stem member  20  into the stem-receiver.  40 . Once extended and in the event that a force is applied to the stem member  20  to push it further into the stem-receiver  40 , the straight leg portion will bear against the ledge  80  surface to prevent the stem member from being pushed into the stem-receiver  40 . In the event an excessively large force is applied to the stem-member  20  to pull it from the stem-receiver  40 , the screw  52 , which extends into the slot  30 , will prevent the parts from separating. 
     As shown in the various views of  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B,  7 C, and  7 D, the adjustable adaptor assembly  100  is provided with one of several variants of a grounding clip. As shown in  FIG. 7A , the grounding clip  90 , which is typically fabricated from a resilient spring steel, is held in place by a screw  38 C that is received by bores  38  and  38 A ( FIGS. 2F and 2C ). The grounding clips can be of different configurations (depending upon the applications) as represented by the differences between the grounding clips in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . As shown in  FIGS. 7C and 7D , the electrical wires pass through the interior of the stem  20  and through the opening  62  in the cross-bar  60 . 
     The adjustable adaptor assembly  100  is used in a manner consistent with  FIG. 8 . As shown, the upper end of the stem-member assembly is threaded into the lamp socket. Thereafter, the stem-receiver is pulled downward with sufficient force to bring the bottom surface of the pads  54  and the cross-bar  60  into the desired position relative to the ceiling surface. The various wires are threaded (or have been pre-threaded) though the interior spaces of the adjustable adaptor assembly  100  and through the opening  62  of the cross-bar  60 , which may include an optional externally threaded nipple  104 . Thereafter, a decorative coverplate or medallion  102  is secured with appropriate screws (unnumbered) to complete the installation. 
     The arrangement of the stem-receiver  40  and the stem  20  shown in  FIG. 8  is preferred; however and as shown in  FIG. 9 , the position of the stem  20  and the stem-receiver  40  can be reversed, if desired. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates options or variants for the shape of the projections, serrations, or teeth  26  of the stem member  20 . For example, the angular relationship of the surface  82  relative to the longitudinal axis A x  can be varied between some range (e.g., lines A and B) to vary the “push-up” force and the angular relationship of the surface  80  relative to the longitudinal axis A x  can be varied between some range (e.g., lines C and D) vary the “pull-down” force. In some cases, the angular relationship of the surfaces  82  and  80  can be changed so as to eliminate the surface  84 . Other profiles for the projections, serrations, or teeth  26  include smoothly curved or sinuous or sinusoidal surfaces as well as combinations of curved and linear surfaces. 
     In a typical installation, the user separates the two legs  58  to the spring clip  56  to release the stem  20  and then pulls or extends the stem  20  relative to the stem-receiver  40  to its full extensible length. The user then releases the two legs  58  of the spring clip  56 . The light-bulb converter  70  of the now-extended assembly is threaded into the original light socket  18 - 1  in the can light  10  ( FIG. 1 ) with the grounding clip  90  ( FIGS. 7A-7D ) contacting some portion of the interior the can  16 . The user then “pushes-up” on the stem-receiver  40  (in  FIG. 8 ) or the stem  20  ( FIG. 9 ) to cause the stem  20  to retract into the stem-receiver  40  until the cross-bar  60  is at the correct position; after which the medallion  102  is secured into position via the nipple  104  or other attaching hardware. 
     The major components of the adjustable adaptor assembly, particularly the stem and the stem-receiver, can be manufactured or molded from metal, plastic resin, or fiber-reinforced plastics, etc. or some combination thereof. 
     The present invention advantageously provides an adaptor kit system for use with can light assemblies to increase the usefulness of those assemblies by allowing the installation of various devices hanging lamps and/or flush-mount lamps or similar devices. 
     As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various changes and modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as determined in the appended claims and their legal equivalent.