Patent Publication Number: US-9903548-B2

Title: Fixture mounting system

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Mounting systems are used to mount fixtures such as light fixtures to a surface such as a ceiling or wall. In a typical system, electrical power is delivered to the fixture by electrical lines comprising conductors such as wires or the like that terminate in a junction box. The electrical lines may form part of the electrical system of a building where the lines carry current from the main electrical service into the building and deliver the power to dispersed locations throughout the building. The lines are connected to electrical conductors, such as wires or the like, of the fixture such that an electrical connection to the fixture may be completed at the junction box. Existing mounting systems for mounting fixtures to a junction box can be difficult and time consuming to install. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a mounting system for a fixture comprises a bracket configured to be mounted to a support structure comprising at least one retaining member. A fixture is movably mounted to the bracket such that the fixture is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the bracket. The fixture comprises at least one inclined surface engageable by the at least one retaining member such that movement of the fixture relative to the bracket between the first position and the second position deforms the bracket and moves the fixture toward the support structure. 
     The bracket may comprise a mounting portion configured to secure the bracket to a support structure. The mounting portion may comprise a plate comprising at least one aperture. The mounting portion may comprise a plate comprising a plurality of apertures, at least one of the plurality of apertures may comprise an elongated slot. The at least one retaining member may comprise a first retaining member and a second retaining member. The first retaining member and the second retaining member may extend from a mounting portion. The first retaining member and the second retaining member may be disposed 180 degrees from one another relative to the mounting portion. The fixture may comprise a light source. The light source may comprise a removable LED lamp engageable with a socket or a plurality of LEDs that are permanently supported in the fixture. The light source may comprise a light transmissive cover. The fixture may comprise at least one slot arranged adjacent to the at least one inclined surface. The fixture may comprise a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface and a first slot arranged adjacent to the first inclined surface and a second slot arranged adjacent to the second inclined surface. A first retaining member and a second retaining member may be inserted into the first slot and the second slot, respectively, such that the fixture is movable relative to the bracket. The retaining members may apply a force to the inclined surfaces. A surface may be formed at an end of the inclined surfaces that is perpendicular to the direction of the force applied by the retaining members. 
     In some embodiments, a mounting system for a fixture comprises a resilient bracket configured to be mounted to a support structure comprising a first retaining member and a second retaining member. A fixture is movably mounted to the bracket such that the fixture is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the bracket. The fixture comprises a first inclined surface engageable by the first retaining member and a second inclined surface engageable by the second retaining member such that movement of the fixture relative to the bracket between the first position and the second position moves the fixture toward the support structure. A LED light source is supported by the fixture and an optically transmissive cover covers the LED light source. 
     The fixture may comprise a first slot receiving the first retaining member arranged adjacent to the first inclined surface and a second slot receiving the second retaining member arranged adjacent to the second inclined surface where the first slot and the second slot are shaped as an arc of a circle. 
     In some embodiments, a method of mounting a fixture comprises mounting a bracket comprising a retaining member on a support surface; inserting the retaining member into a slot on a fixture, the fixture comprising an inclined surface adjacent the slot; moving the fixture relative to the bracket such that the retaining member traverses the inclined surface such that the fixture is moved toward the support surface. The step of moving the fixture may comprise rotating the fixture. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the fixture mounting system of the invention in association with a junction box on a support surface. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the embodiment of the fixture mounting system of  FIG. 1  in a first position. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the embodiment of the fixture mounting system of  FIG. 1  in a second position. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of the embodiment of the fixture mounting system of  FIG. 1  in the first position. 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of the fixture mounting system as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of an embodiment of a bracket used the mounting system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the bracket of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of another embodiment of a bracket usable in the mounting system of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of yet another embodiment of a bracket usable in the mounting system of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a bracket usable in the mounting system of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of another embodiment of the fixture of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of yet another embodiment of the fixture of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region or substrate is referred to as being “on” or extending “onto” another element, it can be directly on or extend directly onto the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or extending “directly onto” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. 
     Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” or “top” or “bottom” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer or region to another element, layer or region as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     Unless otherwise expressly stated, comparative, quantitative terms such as “less” and “greater”, are intended to encompass the concept of equality. As an example, “less” can mean not only “less” in the strictest mathematical sense, but also, “less than or equal to.” 
     The mounting system may be used to mount an electrical appliance such as light fixtures, ceiling fans, switches or other electrical components where the appliance may comprise a fixture that is mounted to a support structure  2  such as a ceiling or wall. In a typical system electrical power is delivered from a source of power, such as the main service into a building, by electrical lines  4  comprising conductors such as wires or the like  6  that terminate in a junction box  8 . The electrical lines  4  may form part of the electrical system of a building where the lines carry current from the main electrical service into the building and deliver the power to dispersed locations throughout the building. The lines  4  are connected to the electrical conductors, such as wires or the like, of the fixture  1  such that an electrical connection to the electrical components of the fixture may be completed. The electrical connection may be required to be made at a junction box  8  by relevant safety standards such as fire and/or safety codes such that the electrical connection is isolated from the external environment. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 7 , one embodiment of a mounting system is shown. The mounting system comprises a bracket  10  that is mounted at the location where the electrical connection is to be made. As previously explained, the electrical connection is typically made at a junction box  8  such that the bracket  10  may be advantageously configured to mount to the junction box. In a typical arrangement of a junction box, the junction box  8  may comprise a metal or plastic housing  12  that defines a box having a peripheral wall  14  enclosed at one side by a back wall  16  and having an opening  18  opposite to the back wall  14  through which the electrical connection is made. The junction box  8  typically is fixed to the back side of a wall, ceiling, floor or other support structure  2  (hereinafter “support structure”) by suitable fasteners (not shown) such as nails, screws or the like such that the box  8  is disposed in a hole  20  in the support structure  2  with the opening  18  of the junction box  8  accessible to a user. Electrical line  4  is connected to the junction box  8 , typically at an aperture sometimes referred to as a knockout  22 , such that electrical conductors such as wires  6  are fed into and terminate inside of the junction box  8 . The conductors  6  may be contained in a conduit  11  such as a flexible or rigid metal or plastic conduit and a locknut or other similar structure (not shown) may be used to fix the conduit to the junction box  8 . The junction box  8  typically comprises a plurality of engagement structures  30  comprising threaded bores or apertures for receiving fasteners  40 , such as threaded screws, for mounting the fixture  1  to the junction box  8 . In the typical junction box  8  the engagement structures  30  are disposed at the periphery of the housing  14  diametrically opposed to one another such that the engagement structures are arranged at opposite sides of the junction box in-line with one another. In some embodiments, the junction box  8  may have more than two engagement structures  30  arranged about the periphery of the housing  14 . 
     Referring more specifically to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the bracket  10  may comprise a mounting portion  32  for mounting the bracket to the junction box  8 . The mounting portion  32  may comprise a plate that is configured to span the junction box  8  such that it is disposed over the engagement structures  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting portion  32  comprises a relatively narrow flat plate that has a width wide enough to support the fixture and to be fixed to the junction box  8  but that allows access to the conductors  6 . Apertures  34 ,  36  are formed at each end of the mounting portion  32  that may be aligned with the engagement structures  30  on the junction box  8 . The apertures  34 ,  36  receive the fasteners  40  such that the bracket  10  may be fixed to the junction box  8  by the engagement of the fasteners  40  with the engagement structures  30 . Because junction boxes may come in a variety of sizes and shapes, the apertures  34 ,  36  provided on the bracket  2  may have a universal configuration such that the bracket  10  may be mounted to a variety of different types, sizes and shapes of junction boxes. For example the apertures may be formed as elongated slots  36  such that the bracket  10  may be positioned relative to the junction box  8  to align the apertures with the engagement structures  30 . The apertures may also comprise one or more circular apertures  34  dimensioned to closely receive a fastener  40  that are spaced such that one of the apertures  34  may be aligned with one of the engagement structures  30 . While a plurality of apertures  34  are shown a single aperture  34  may be provided at one end of the mounting portion  32 . In other embodiments, other combinations of such structures may be used. For example both ends of the mounting portion  32  may be provided with a plurality of circular apertures  34  that are spaced such that one of the apertures at each end of the mounting portion  32  may be aligned with one of the engagement structures  30 . In another embodiment both ends of the mounting portion  32  may be provided with elongated slots  36 . In some embodiments an elongated  37  slot may be provided in the center of the bracket. 
     In other embodiments, the mounting portion  32  may have other shapes and sizes and may be dimensioned to cover more or less of opening  18  of the junction box  8 . As shown in FIG.  10 , a bracket  110  comprises a mounting portion  132  that is configured to cover substantially the entire opening  18  of the junction box  8 . In such an arrangement a central aperture  133  may be provided in the plate to allow access to the wires  6 . The mounting portion  132  may be provided with a series of arcuate slots  136  disposed at different radii that extend for a portion of the mounting portion  132  and that are spaced and sized to be able to be aligned with the engagement structures  30  in the junction box  8 . A plurality of circular and/or elongated slotted apertures  134  may be interspersed with the arcuate slots  136  such one of the apertures  134  or  136  may be aligned with engagement structures  30 . In this and in other embodiments a screw  139  may be threaded to the bracket  10 ,  110  to provide a connection for a ground wire. 
     Configurations of the mounting portion  32 ,  132  other than those shown and described herein may be used to mount the bracket  10 ,  110  to a support structure may also be used. Moreover, while the invention is described with respect to one common application where a junction box  8  is used as the mounting structure for the bracket, the mounting portion  32 ,  132  may be secured to structures other than a junction box. While the mounting system for attaching a bracket  10 ,  110  to a junction box typically comprises a bore that receives a screw, the bracket may be attached to the junction box or other support structure using other mounting mechanisms. 
     The mounting portion of the bracket supports a retaining portion that engages a fixture  1  to mount the fixture  1  to the bracket  10 . In one embodiment the retaining portion mounts the fixture in a flush mount against the structure  2 . The retaining portion may comprise a first retaining portion  40  and a second retaining portion  42  that extend from the mounting portion  32 ,  132 . In one embodiment the first retaining portion  40  and the second retaining portion  42  are disposed 180 degrees from one another relative to the mounting portion  32 ,  132  such that the retaining portions  40 ,  42  are disposed on opposite sides of the mounting portion  32 ,  132  and in-line with one another. The use of two retaining portions arranged as described balances the forces applied to the fixture  1  by the retaining members  46 . While two retaining portions  40 ,  42  are shown disposed 180 degrees from one another the retaining portions may be arranged relative to one another at a spacing other than 180 degrees. Moreover, one, three or more retaining portions may be used that may be equally or unequally spaced from one another. For example, three retaining portions spaced from one another 120 degrees may be used. 
     Each retaining portion  40 ,  42  comprises a support member  44  that is connected to and extends from the mounting portion  32 ,  132  and that may be coplanar with the mounting portions  32 ,  132 . The support members  44  may be configured to abut the support structure  2  when the bracket  10  is mounted in position. In a typical installation the open end  18  of the junction box  8  is mounted flush with the exterior surface of support structure  2  such that the support member  44  of the retaining portions  40 ,  42  and the mounting portion  32 ,  132  may be coplanar with one another. In other installations this arrangement may be changed to allow the mounting portion  32 ,  132  to be secured to the support structure and the support members  44  to abut the facing surface of the support structure. 
     Each retaining portion  40 ,  42  also comprises a retaining member  46  that is offset from the support member  44  a distance D such that a space is created between the retaining member  46  and the exterior surface of support structure  2  when the bracket  10  is mounted in position. In one embodiment the retaining members  46  are connected to the support members  44  by connecting flanges  48 . 
     The bracket  10  may formed as a single, unitary, one-piece member. The bracket  10  may be formed into the desired shape by, for example, stamping, rolling and/or pressing a metal plate or by molding a plastic component. In other embodiments the bracket may be formed by multiple components secured to one another such as by welding or the like. In one embodiment the bracket  10 ,  110  is made of a flexible resilient material such that the bracket may be resiliently deformed during installation of the fixture  1 . For example, the bracket may be made of a relatively thin plate of steel that allows the bracket to flex. 
     A fixture  1  is mounted to the support structure  2  using the bracket  10 . The fixture may be used to mount any suitable electrically powered device. For example, as shown in  FIG. 11  the fixture may form part of a light fixture where electrical sockets  52 , such as Edison sockets, removably receive a light source  53  such as a light emitting diode (LED) lamp, incandescent or fluorescent bulb, or the like. One suitable LED lamp is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,591,062, issued on Nov. 26, 2013 to Hussell et al., which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, although any suitable LED lamp or other light source may be used. As shown in  FIG. 12  the fixture  1  may also support a light source such as an LED light source  153  comprising a plurality of LEDs and/or LED packages  155  that are permanently supported in the fixture  1 . The LED light source may comprise other optical elements such as wave guides, lenses or the like for creating a desired light emission pattern and/or light color. In some embodiments the electronics, or some of the electronics, for powering a LED lamp such as the power supply and drivers may be mounted on the fixture. The fixture  1  or portions of the fixture may be made of a thermally conductive material such as aluminum such that fixture acts as a heat sink to dissipate heat from the LED light source  153 . 
     The term “LED” as used herein may refer to any solid-state light emitter. The terms “solid state light emitter” or “solid state emitter” may include a light emitting diode, laser diode, organic light emitting diode, and/or other semiconductor device which includes one or more semiconductor layers, which may include silicon, silicon carbide, gallium nitride and/or other semiconductor materials, a substrate which may include sapphire, silicon, silicon carbide and/or other microelectronic substrates, and one or more contact layers which may include metal and/or other conductive materials. A solid-state lighting device produces light (ultraviolet, visible, or infrared) by exciting electrons across the band gap between a conduction band and a valence band of a semiconductor active (light-emitting) layer, with the electron transition generating light at a wavelength that depends on the band gap. Thus, the color (wavelength) of the light emitted by a solid-state emitter depends on the materials of the active layers thereof. In various embodiments, solid-state light emitters may have peak wavelengths in the visible range and/or be used in combination with lumiphoric materials having peak wavelengths in the visible range. Multiple solid state light emitters and/or multiple lumiphoric materials (i.e., in combination with at least one solid state light emitter) may be used in a single device, such as to produce light perceived as white or near white in character. In certain embodiments, the aggregated output of multiple solid-state light emitters and/or lumiphoric materials may generate warm white light output having a color temperature range of from about 2200K to about 6000K. 
     Solid state light emitters may be used individually or in combination with one or more lumiphoric materials (e.g., phosphors, scintillators, lumiphoric inks) and/or optical elements to generate light at a peak wavelength, or of at least one desired perceived color (including combinations of colors that may be perceived as white). Inclusion of lumiphoric (also called ‘luminescent’) materials in lighting devices as described herein may be accomplished by direct coating on solid state light emitter, adding such materials to encapsulants, adding such materials to lenses, by embedding or dispersing such materials within lumiphor support elements, and/or coating such materials on lumiphor support elements. Other materials, such as light scattering elements (e.g., particles) and/or index matching materials, may be associated with a lumiphor, a lumiphor binding medium, or a lumiphor support element that may be spatially segregated from a solid state emitter. 
     A lighting system using the combination of BSY and red LED devices referred to above to make substantially white light can be referred to as a BSY plus red or “BSY+R” system. In such a system, the LED devices used include LEDs operable to emit light of two or more different colors. A further detailed example of using groups of LEDs emitting light of different wavelengths to produce substantially while light can be found in issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,940, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     With the embodiments described herein, as with many other embodiments of the invention, the term “electrical path” can be used to refer to the entire electrical path to the light source such as an LED light source, including an intervening power supply disposed between the electrical connection that would otherwise provide power directly to the LEDs and the LEDs, or it may be used to refer to the connection between the mains and all the electronics in the lamp, including the power supply. The term may also be used to refer to the connection between the power supply and the LEDs. The electrical path may include electrical conductors  160  such as wires in the fixture that may be electrically coupled to the wires  6  in the junction box  8  to complete the electrical connection to the light source or other electrical appliance. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , an example of an embodiment of a LED lamp is shown comprising a LED light source  153  provided with light emitting LEDs and/or LED packages  155 . Multiple LEDs  155  may be used together, forming an LED array. The LEDs  155  can be mounted on or fixed within the lamp in various ways. In at least some example embodiments, a LED board  157  may be used to support the LEDs  155  and to form part of the electrical path to the LEDs. The LED board  157  may comprise a PCB, MCPCB, flex circuit, lead frame structure, flexible PCB or other similar structure. The LEDs  127  may comprise one or more LED dies disposed in an encapsulant such as silicone, and LEDs which may be encapsulated with a phosphor to provide local wavelength conversion. A wide variety of LEDs and combinations of LEDs may be used. 
     With respect to the features of the LED assembly and related electronic described herein with various example embodiments of a lamp, the features can be combined in various ways. The embodiments shown and described herein are examples only and are intended to be illustrative of various design options for a LED lighting system supported by fixture  1 . 
     A light transmissive cover or lens  54  may cover the light source. The cover  54  may be permanently attached to the base  50  or the cover  54  may be removably mounted to the base  50  to allow the bulbs or lamps  53  to be removed and replaced. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5  the cover  54  may be made of a relatively flexible material such as polycarbonate where the cover may be deformed or flexed slightly to allow male members  56  such as tangs formed on one of the base and cover to engage female members  58  such as detents formed on the other one of the base and cover  54 . The male members  56  may be formed as a plurality of spaced protrusions and the female member  58  may be formed as a groove formed around the periphery of the cover. The cover  54  may include a light diffusive layer or properties to mix and diffuse the light from the fixture. The fixture may also form part of a ceiling fan, light switch/power switch, or other electrical appliance where the fixture  1  supports components other than or in addition to a light source. 
     The fixture  1  may comprise a base  50  dimensioned to cover the mounting bracket  10  and the junction box  8  and/or other mounting structure. In one embodiment the base  50  is formed as a relatively planar thin walled flat member; however, the base may have other configurations. The base  50  has an interior surface  50   a  and an exterior surface  50   b . The base  50  may include an aperture  60  to allow the electrical conductors  160  such as wires to extend from the components in the fixture  1  to the exterior of the fixture where the wires may be electrically connected to the power lines  4 . 
     Referring more particularly to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the base  50  comprises keyed slots  62  arranged in a one-to-one relationship with the retaining portions  40 ,  42 . In one embodiment, the slots  62  are disposed as an arc of a circle configured such that a retaining member  46  may be inserted into each of the slots  62  and the fixture  1  may be rotated relative to the bracket  10 . The slots  62  have a large opening  64  at one end for receiving the retaining members  46 . A narrower section of the slots  62  extend from a first end  66  adjacent the large opening  64  to a second end  68 . The width of the slots  62  between the first end  66  and the second end  68  is dimensioned to closely receive the flanges  48  such that the flanges may slide in the slots but the fixture  1  is fixed against lateral movement relative to the bracket  10 . While arcuate slots  62  are shown and described the fixture may use slots having other shapes such that the fixture  1  may be moved in other than a rotary motion to mount the fixture on the bracket  10 . For example, the slots  62  may be linear such that the fixture  1  is moved in a linear direction relative to the bracket  10 . Using a rotary motion allows the fixture to remain coaxially aligned with the junction box during installation; however, a linear movement may be used provided that the electrical connection may be maintained during installation and the fixture covers the bracket  10  and the junction box. 
     An ramp or camming surface  70  is positioned adjacent and extends alongside of each of the slots  62 . Each ramp  70  has a first end  72  adjacent the first end  66  of slot  62  and a second end  74  adjacent the second end  68  of slot  62 . The ramp  70  is arranged such that the retaining member  46  extends over or on top of the ramp as the fixture  1  is rotated relative to the bracket  10 . The ramps  70  include angled surfaces  76  that extend away from the interior surface  50   a  of base  50  from the first end  72  of the ramp  70  to the second end  74  of the ramp  70 . When the fixture  1  is mounted on the bracket  10  the angled surfaces  76  extend away from the bracket from the first end  72  of the ramp  70  to the second end  74  of the ramp  70 . 
     To install the fixture  1  on the bracket  10 , the retaining members  46  are inserted through the openings  64  and the exterior surface  50   b  of the base  50  is positioned over the bracket  10  in a first position ( FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 ). The base  50  may include a rim  58  that extends beyond the base  50  such that the rim abuts the support structure  2  in a flush mount. The fixture  1  is rotated, or otherwise moved, relative to the bracket  10  to a second position ( FIG. 3 ) such that the retaining members  46  traverse the slots  62  from the first end  66  to the second end  68 . As the fixture  1  is rotated the inclined surface  76  of the ramp  70  engages the retaining members  46  such that the retaining members  46  exert a force on the ramps  70  that presses the fixture  1  against the support structure  2  as the fixture is rotated. The force exerted by the ramps  70  on the retaining members  46  deforms or flexes the bracket such that bracket exerts a force on the fixture using the resiliency of the bracket to hold the fixture in position once it is installed on the bracket. Because the inclined surfaces  76  of the ramps  70  extend away from the interior surface  50   a , as the retaining members  46  traverse the ramps  70 , the fixture  1  is pushed with increasing force against the support structure  2 . While in one embodiment the resiliency of the material of the bracket is used to create the bias force on the fixture, the bias force may be created by a retaining member that is biased by a separate biasing mechanism such as a spring. For example, the retaining members  46  may be pivoted to the support members  44  at a pivot and a spring may be used to create the bias force between the retaining members and the ramps. At the end of each of the ramps  70  a flat surface  78  is formed that is perpendicular to the direction of the force applied by the retaining members  46  to the fixture  1 . The flat surfaces  78  provide a stable resting surface for the retaining members  46  to prevent the fixture  1  from sliding or vibrating out of position relative to the bracket  10 . 
     In some embodiments a stop such as a raised lip may be provided at the second end  74  of the ramp  70  to prevent the fixture  1  from being over rotated relative to the bracket  10 . Further, a locking mechanism may be provided to lock the fixture  1  in position relative to the bracket  10 . For example, one of the retaining members  46  and the ramps  70  may be provided with one or more raised areas such as tangs that matingly engage one or more recesses or detents formed on the other one of the retaining members  46  and the ramps  70 . The tangs and recesses are dimensioned such that the engagement of the tangs with the detents prevent the fixture from rotating relative to the bracket after the fixture is mounted to the bracket but allow the fixture to be rotated relative to the bracket if a person applies a rotary force to the fixture such that the fixture may be removed if desired. 
     Other embodiments of the bracket may be used. For example, as shown in  FIG. 9  the retaining members  46  may extend back toward the support portion  32  such that a space is formed between the retaining members  46  and the support members  44 . In this embodiment, the ramps  70  are formed to the inside of the slots  62  rather than to the outside of the ramps  70  as shown in the drawings. When the retaining member  46  is inserted into the slots  62  and the fixture  1  is rotated, the retaining members extend over the ramps to push the exterior back side of the fixture against the support structure as previously described. Another embodiment is shown in  FIG. 8  that is similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7  except that the support members  44  extend to the end of the retaining member  46  such that the spaces are formed between the retaining members  46  and the support members  44 . 
     Numerous changes in the shape, size and configuration of the fixture  1  may be made. In some embodiments, such as in a light fixture, the base  50  and cover  54  may have a wide variety of ornamental finishes, styles, colors and shapes such that the fixture may be designed as an architectural feature. 
     Although specific embodiments have been shown and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and that the invention has other applications in other environments. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described herein.