Abstract:
A recessed fixture for mounting into an opening in a wall structure defining front and rear wall surfaces, comprises a pot defining a fixture chamber adapted to be received in the opening of the wall structure and having a peripheral wall, an end wall at one longitudinal end of the peripheral wall, and a peripheral flange at the other end thereof for abutment with the front wall surface of the wall structure. A clip is provided having a surface-abutting portion for abutting the rear surface of the wall and clip being movably mounted to the peripheral wall of the pot so as to reciprocate between a retracted position where the clip is located inside the fixture chamber and a clipping position where the surface-abutting portion is located outside the fixture chamber and abuts the rear surface of the wall structure when the pot is received in the opening of the wall structure and the peripheral flange contacts the front surface of the wall structure. A clip actuator is coupled to both the clip and the pot for reciprocatively moving the clip between the retracted position and the clipping position. The clip is configured and sized so that the recessed fixture can be mounted and secured in the opening using only one hand. The clip allows selectively clipping an unclipping of the pot in the opening.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to recessed electrical equipment, such as, amongst others, light fixtures. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a recessed electrical equipment fixture of the type having retaining clips for securing the fixture to a ceiling or to a wall surface.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Recessed fixtures usually comprise a pot having a peripheral wall and a peripheral outer flange extending from the open end of the pot and which is so configured as to bear against the front surface of a ceiling. Clips are usually provided to secure the pot to a ceiling or wall surface. These clips generally extend from openings in the peripheral wall and are adjustably mounted to the pot through a fastener. More specifically, each clip is provided with a portion configured and sized to bear on the rear surface of the ceiling.  
         [0003]     An example of such a recessed light fixture is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,088 issued to Lecluze on Dec. 27, 1994 and titled “Light Fixture for Mounting to a Ceiling, Wall or the Like”. A first drawback of Lecluze&#39;s fixture is that it requires three steps to install: 1) mounting the clip to the pot, 2) to position correctly the clip in the openings in the peripheral wall of the pot, and then 3) to rotate the fastener until an abutting portion of the clip abuts the rear surface of the ceiling or wall. Moreover, the clip is not configured to cooperate with the pot so as to be fixedly secured thereto before installation of the fixture. Lecluze&#39;s fixture is not designed so as to be easily unclipped, for example after an unsuccessful mounting attempt or should it be necessary to remove it for any reason. Finally, the projection of the screw outwardly from the can towards in the ceiling or the like increases the minimum cavity height required for installation.  
         [0004]     Another example of recessed fixture is disclosed by Benghozi in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,458, issued on Apr. 29, 2003 and titled “Recessed Light Fixture”. Even though Benghozi&#39;s clip is fixedly secured to the pot and that it requires only two steps to install, it is not so designed as to be easily unclipped, for example after an unsuccessful mounting attempt or should it be necessary to remove it for any reason. Furthermore, the clip of Benghozi fixture is provided outside the pot when it is in a retracted position and may therefore be easily damaged during transport or installation. Finally, since the clip has to be flexible to operate, it is not sufficiently stiff for some applications, where, for example, heavy charges are supported.  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved recessed electrical equipment fixture.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     More specifically, in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip for mounting a pot into an opening in a wall structure defining front and rear wall surfaces, the pot being provided with a peripheral wall, an end wall at one longitudinal end of the peripheral wall, and a peripheral flange at the other end thereof for abutment with the front wall surface of the wall structure, the peripheral wall including a generally transversal slot and a generally longitudinal slot extending between the end wall and the peripheral flange and defining a longitudinal axis intersecting the transversal slot, the clip comprising: a body having a first longitudinal end defining a fastener-receiving portion for receiving a fastener to be secured to the end wall of the pot, a second longitudinal end defining a surface-abutting portion and a clip-mounting portion protruding from the body between the first and second longitudinal ends for slidably mounting the clip to the peripheral wall of the pot via the generally longitudinal slot so as to be reciprocately movable between a first position where the surface-abutting portion is at least partially included within the pot and a second position where the surface-abutting portion extends completely from the generally transversal slot out of the pot; wherein, in operation, reciprocal movement of the clip between the first and second position is solely caused by the rotation of the fastener.  
         [0007]     According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recessed fixture for mounting into an opening in a wall structure defining front and rear wall surfaces, the fixture comprising: a pot adapted to be received in the opening of the wall structure and having a peripheral wall, an end wall at one longitudinal end of the peripheral wall, and a peripheral flange at the other end thereof for abutment with the front wall surface of the wall structure; the pot defining a fixture chamber; a clip having a surface-abutting portion for abutting the rear surface of the wall; the clip being movably mounted to the peripheral wall of the pot so as to reciprocate between a retracted position where the clip is located inside the fixture chamber and a clipping position where the surface-abutting portion is located outside the fixture chamber and abuts the rear surface of the wall structure when the pot is received in the opening of the wall structure and the peripheral flange contacts the front surface of the wall structure; and a clip actuator coupled to both the clip and the pot for reciprocatively moving the clip between the retracted position and the clipping position.  
         [0008]     According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recessed fixture for mounting into an opening in a wall structure defining front and rear wall surfaces, the fixture comprising: a pot adapted to be received in the opening of the wall structure and having a peripheral wall, an end wall at one longitudinal end of the peripheral wall, and a peripheral flange at the other end thereof for abutment with the front wall surface of the wall structure; the pot defining a fixture chamber; a clip having a surface-abutting portion for abutting the rear surface of the wall; the clip being movably mounted to the peripheral wall of the pot so as to reciprocate between a retracted position where the surface-abutting portion is located inside the fixture chamber and a clipping position where the surface-abutting portion is located outside the fixture chamber and abuts the rear surface of the wall structure when the pot is received in the opening of the wall structure and the peripheral flange contacts the front surface of the wall structure; and a clip actuator to reciprocatively move the clip between the retracted position and the clipping position.  
         [0009]     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recessed fixture for mounting into an opening in a wall structure defining front and rear wall surfaces, the fixture comprising: a pot adapted to be received in the opening of the wall structure and having a peripheral wall, an end wall at one longitudinal end of the peripheral wall, and a peripheral flange at the other end thereof for abutment with the front wall surface of the wall structure; the pot defining a fixture chamber; a clip having a fastener-receiving portion, a surface-abutting portion and an intermediate portion provided between the fastener-receiving portion and the surface-abutting portion; the intermediate portion being mounted to the peripheral wall inside the fixture chamber so as to allow the clip to reciprocate between a retracted position and a clipping position; and a fastener to be mounted between the pot and the clip to reciprocatively move the clip between the retracted position and the clipping position.  
         [0010]     Finally, in accordance to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recessed fixture for mounting into an opening in a wall structure defining front and rear wall surfaces, the fixture comprising: a pot adapted to be received in the opening of the wall structure and having a peripheral wall, an end wall at one longitudinal end of the peripheral wall, and a peripheral flange at the other end thereof for abutment with the front wall surface of the wall structure; the pot defining a fixture chamber; a clip having a surface-abutting portion for abutting the rear surface of the wall; the clip being movably mounted to the peripheral wall of the pot so as to reciprocate between a retracted position and a clipping position; the surface-abutting portion being located outside the fixture chamber and is so configured as to be deflectable inside the fixture chamber to allow insertion of the recessed fixture into the wall opening; and a clip actuator for reciprocatively moving the clip between the retracted position and the clipping position.  
         [0011]     Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     In the appended drawings:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a cross-section of a recessed fixture according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the clip fully retracted;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a cross-section of the pot part of the recessed fixture of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a clip part of the recessed fixture of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section of the recessed fixture of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the clip partially extended;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section of the recessed fixture of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the clip fully extended;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a front elevation of a recessed fixture according to a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the clip retracted;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a cross-section taken along line  7 - 7  on  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the pot part of the recessed fixture of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the clip part of the recessed fixture of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is an elevation of the recessed fixture of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the clip partially extended;  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is a cross-section taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is an elevation of the recessed fixture of  FIG. 6 , illustrating the clip partially extended; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 13  is a cross-section taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]     A recessed fixture  10  according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.  1  to  5 .  
         [0027]     The fixture  10  is for mounting into an opening  12  in a wall structure  14  defining front and rear wall surfaces  16  and  18 .  
         [0028]     The fixture  10  comprises a pot  20  so configured and sized as to be inserted in the opening  12  of the wall structure  14 , two clips  22  (only one shown) for securing the pot  20  to the wall structure  14  within the opening  12 , and two fasteners  24  (only one shown) for securing the clips  22  to the pot  20  and for acting thereon.  
         [0029]     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the pot  20  has a generally cylindrical shape defined by a peripheral wall  26 , and includes an end wall  28  at one longitudinal end of the peripheral wall  26 . The peripheral wall  26  is tapered near the end wall  28  so as to ease the insertion of the pot  20  into the opening  12 . The pot  20  thereby defines an open fixture chamber  21 .  
         [0030]     The end wall  28  is provided with an opening  30  for receiving electrical components allowing for example a light bulb (not shown) to be mounted and connected therein. The peripheral wall  26  may also be provided with such openings (not shown).  
         [0031]     The pot  20  further comprises a peripheral flange  32  at the longitudinal end of the peripheral wall opposite the end wall  28 . The flange  32  prevents the complete insertion of the pot  20  in the opening  12  since it is larger than the opening  12  and therefore abuts the front wall surface  16 . The flange  32  further allows the pot  20  to be secured to the wall structure  14  in cooperation with the clip  22  as will be described hereinbelow. The width of the flange  32  may of course vary.  
         [0032]     The pot  20  may have other configuration without departing from the spirit and nature of the present invention. For example, the peripheral wall  26  may define a rectangular cross-section.  
         [0033]     As can be better seen in  FIG. 2 , the peripheral wall  26  of the pot  20  includes a pair of diametrically opposed cross-shaped slots  34  (only one shown), each including a generally longitudinally aligned slot  36 , extending between the vicinity of the end wall  28  and the vicinity of the peripheral flange  32 , and a transversal slot  38  perpendicularly intersecting the longitudinally aligned slot  36 . As will be explained hereinbelow in more detail, the longitudinal slot  36  defines a clip-receiving means. The configuration of the longitudinal slot  36 , including its length and width may vary, depending on the configuration of the clip  22 , as will also be explained hereinbelow in more detail.  
         [0034]     Turning now more specifically to  FIG. 3 , the clip  22  will described in more detail.  
         [0035]     The clip  22  is in the form of a bended generally flat elongated body including a fastener-receiving portion  40 , a surface-abutting portion  42  and an intermediate portion in the form of a clip-mounting portion  44  for slidably mounting the clip  22  to the peripheral surface  26  of the pot  20  via the slot  36 .  
         [0036]     The fastener-receiving portion  40  includes a threaded aperture  46  configured to threadingly receive the fastener  24 .  
         [0037]     The surface-abutting portion  42  is generally flat and defines an obtuse angle with respect to the intermediate portion  42 . It includes a narrower section  43  and two shoulders  45 .  
         [0038]     The intermediate portion  44  includes a narrow section  48  adjacent to the fastener-receiving portion  40 , a clip mounting portion in the form of a generally T-shaped section  50  adjacent to the narrow portion  48 , a wide section  52  provided with a folded tab  54  and located adjacent to the T-shaped section  50  and a connecting section  56  located between the wide section  52  and the surface-abutting portion  42 .  
         [0039]     The fastener  24  includes a first end  58  that is devoid of threads and is inserted in an aperture  60  of the end wall  28 . The fastener  24  is therefore free to rotate in the aperture  60  without longitudinal movements therein. The second end  62  of the fastener  24  may be conventionally engaged by a screwdriver (not shown) to impart a rotating movement thereof.  
         [0040]     Returning to  FIG. 1 , when the clip  22  is mounted to the pot  20  via the fastener  24 , the narrow section  48  is always inside the pot  20  while the wider portion of the T-shaped section  50  is always outside the pot  20 . The clip  22  is therefore mounted to the pot  20  both by the fastener  24  and by the frictional connection of the T-shape section  50  and the external surface of the pot  20  on each side of the slot  36 .  
         [0041]     In operation, when the clip  22  is in a fully retracted position as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the surface-abutting portion  42  is fully enclosed in the fixture chamber  21  of the pot  20  and contacts the inner surface of the pot  20 . Accordingly, the three points of contact between the clip  22  and the pot  20  creates a biasing force that tries to push the surface-abutting end  42  outwardly. Also, this biasing force allows preventing movement of the clip  22  when it is completely comprised within the pot  20 , which can be advantageous during shipping for example.  
         [0042]     When the fastener  24  is rotated in a clockwise direction, it forces the clip  22  towards its extended position (see arrow  64 ). As can be seen from  FIG. 4 , the movement of the clip  22  aligns the surface-abutting portion  42  with the transversal slot  38  which is configured and sized as to allow its passage therethrough. Accordingly, the biasing force described hereinabove forces the portion  42  outwardly. As can also be seen from  FIG. 4 , the folded tab  54  rides in the longitudinal slot  36  to help the clip  22  to maintain its longitudinal attitude.  
         [0043]     The fastener  24  is further rotated to bring the surface-abutting portion  42  in contact with the rear surface  18  of the wall  14 . Indeed, as mentioned hereinabove, the clockwise rotation of the fastener  24  forces the clip  22  in the direction of arrow  65 . This movement forces the surface-abutting portion  42  outwardly since its angled underside  66  eventually contacts the edge  68  of the aperture  38  until the narrow section  43  enters the longitudinal slot  34  and the shoulders  45  abut the outside surface of the pot  20  on either sides of the slot  36 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 5  illustrate the clip  22  in its fully extended position where the surface-abutting portion  42  abuts the rear surface  18  of the wall  14  to thereby sandwich the wall  14  between the flange  32  and the portion  42 .  
         [0045]     One skilled in the art will appreciate that the movement of the clip  22  from its fully retracted position illustrated in  FIG. 1  to its fully extended position illustrated in  FIG. 5  can be achieved solely by the use of the fastener  24 . Furthermore, should the fastener  24  be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, the clip  22  would move back to its fully retracted position where the surface-abutting portion  42  is located inside the pot  20 , allowing the removal of the pot  20  from the aperture  12 . Indeed, during this movement of the clip  22  towards its retracted position, the top surface  70  of the surface-abutting portion  42  eventually contacts the edge  72  of the slot  38  to guide the surface-abutting portion  42  inside the fixture chamber  21 .  
         [0046]     Of course, the number and position of cross-shapes slots  34  may vary. Accordingly, the number of clips  22  mounted to the pot  20  may also vary.  
         [0047]     It is also to be noted that the angle of the surface-abutting portion  42  with respect to a longitudinal direction of the pot  20  and the resilient nature of the clip  22  allows the pot  20  to be mounted to the aperture  10  even should the surface-abutting portion  42  be partially extended, for example as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Indeed, should the pot  20  be inserted in the aperture  12  when in that state, the surface-abutting portion  42  would momentarily deflect inside the fixture chamber  21  and then resume its initial configuration. Therefore, mounting the pot  20  to the aperture  10  while the surface-abutting portion  42  is initially partially extended as illustrated in  FIG. 4  also allows first securing the pot  20  within the aperture  12  before positioning the clip  22  in the clipping configuration illustrated in  FIG. 5 . It is to be appreciated that the clipping step then only requires the use of one hand since the pot  20  is prevented from falling from the opening  12  by the surface-abutting portion  42  which has returned to its partially extended initial configuration as soon as it is translated beyond the wall structure  14 . In this configuration, pulling the pot  20  causes the surface-abutting portion  42  to bear against the inner surface  18  of the wall structure  14 . Of course, as explained hereinbelow the pot  20  may be released from the opening  12  in the wall structure  14  by unscrewing the fastener  24 .  
         [0048]     The clip  22  may be modified so as to be provided with a surface-abutting portion  42  presenting a different angle than what is illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 - 5  while being partially-extended from the aperture  38  depending on the general resilience of the clip  22  while mounted to the pot  20 .  
         [0049]     Turning now to FIGS.  6  to  13  of the appended drawings, a recessed electrical equipment fixture  100  according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.  
         [0050]     The fixture  100  includes a pot  102  better seen in  FIG. 8 , a clip  104  better seen in  FIG. 9  and a fastener  106  for securing the clip  104  to the pot  102 .  
         [0051]     As can be better seen from  FIG. 8 , the pot  102  includes a peripheral wall  108 , an end wall  110  provided with an opening  112  and a peripheral flange  114 . The pot  102  also includes a clip receiving means in the form of a slot structure including a first inverted T-slot  116 , defined by a longitudinal slot  118  and a transversal slot  120 , and a cross-shaped slot  122 , defined by a longitudinal slot  124  and a non-regular transversal slot  126 . More specifically, the intersection between the longitudinal slot  124  and transversal slot  126  defines a tapered section  127  of the cross-shaped slot  122 .  
         [0052]     The clip  104  ( FIG. 9 ) is in the form of a bended generally flat elongated body including a fastener-receiving portion  128 , a surface-abutting portion  130  and an intermediate portion  132  for slidably mounting the clip  104  to the peripheral surface  108  of the pot  102  via the clip-receiving means.  
         [0053]     The fastener-receiving portion  128  includes a threaded aperture  134  configured to threadingly receive the fastener  106 .  
         [0054]     The surface-abutting portion  130  is generally flat and defines an obtuse angle with respect to the intermediate portion  132 . The surface-abutting portion  130  is connected to the intermediate portion  132  via a narrower section  136  defining two shoulders  138 .  
         [0055]     The intermediate portion  132  includes a clip mounting portion in the form of a generally T-shaped section  140  adjacent to the fastener-receiving portion  128 , a narrow section  142  adjacent generally T-shaped section  140 , a wide section  144  provided with a folded tab  146  and located between the narrow section  142  and the surface-abutting portion  130 .  
         [0056]     As can be better seen from  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the transversal slot  120  is so sized to allow passage of the T-shaped section  140  therethrough. Similarly, the transversal slot  126  is so sized that the surface-abutting portion  130  may pass therethrough. The folded flap  146  is configured and sized so as to fit in the longitudinal a lot  124  to thereby help the clip  104  to maintain its longitudinal attitude.  
         [0057]     The tapered section  127  of the cross-shaped slot  122  allows contributing to the automatic insertion of the narrower section  136  into the portion of the longitudinal slot  124  located below the transversal slot  126  when the clip moves from a retracted position to a clipping position or its automatic withdrawal when it moves in the opposite direction.  
         [0058]      FIGS. 6 and 7  of the appended drawings illustrate the fixture  100  where the clip  104  is in a fully retracted position. As can be better seen from  FIG. 7 , when the clip  104  is in this position, the surface-abutting portion  130  is fully enclosed in the pot  102 .  
         [0059]     To move the clip  104  from its fully retracted position towards a clipping position where the surface-abutting position abuts the inner surface  18  of the wall structure  12 , one simply has to rotate the fastener  106  clockwise to thereby move the clip  104  in the direction of arrow  148 .  
         [0060]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the fixture  100  when the clip  104  is in an intermediary semi-extended position. As better seen from  FIG. 11 , the fact that the clip  104  is mounted to the peripheral wall  108  of the pot  102  and that its surface-abutting portion  130  extends from the intermediary portion  132  towards the peripheral wall  108 , the surface-abutting portion  130  is forced through the transversal slot  126  by the fastener  106 , which acts as a lever. In this configuration, the folded tab  146  is inserted in the longitudinal slot  124 .  
         [0061]     Finally,  FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate the fixture  100  when the clip  104  is in its clipping position. To reach this clipping position the fastener  106  is rotated clockwise.  
         [0062]     As mentioned hereinabove, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the movement of the clip from its fully retracted position illustrated in  FIG. 6  to its fully extended position illustrated in  FIG. 12  was achieved solely by the rotation of the fastener  104 . Furthermore, should the fastener  106  be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, the clip  104  would move back to its fully retracted position where the surface-abutting portion  130  is located inside the pot  102 , allowing the removal of the pot  102  from the aperture.  
         [0063]     Even though, the present invention has been illustrated as including fasteners  24  or  106  which are pre-mounted to the clips  22  or  104  respectively and rotatably secured to the pot  20  or  102  respectively, the fasteners  24  or  106  can alternatively be initially secured only to the clips  22  or  104  before being installed to the pot  20  or  102  or be provided separately from both the clip and the pot. In both cases, the clip  22  or  104  is moved between the retracted and clipping positions by rotating the fastener  24  or  106 , which is received in the aperture of the clip  22  or  104 , while a force is exerted on the fastener to ensure it contacts the end wall of the pot during rotation. Of course, in such cases, an aperture is not provided in the end wall of the pot for receiving the fastener. A cavity may however be provided in the end wall of the pot for receiving the tip of the fastener to help prevent slippage of the fastener during the operation.  
         [0064]     It is to be noted that many modifications may be done to the illustrative embodiments described hereinabove and illustrated herein. As non-limiting examples, the type and number of fasteners used, the method of securing the fasteners to the pot, the overall shape of the pot and the configuration and number of slots therein could be modified without departing from the present invention. It is also to be noted that while recessed pots as described hereinabove are often used to mount recessed light fixtures to ceilings, it can also be used to mount electrical outlets and other electrical components to walls.  
         [0065]     Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.