Patent Publication Number: US-11047555-B1

Title: Low profile light mounting assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to lighting assemblies, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a light assembly having a mount configured to provide a technique to mount a light without a requirement for tools wherein the light mount assembly can be used for light configurations such as but not limited to low profile LED lights and further is configured to provide rotational position adjustment subsequent being secured in place. 
     BACKGROUND 
     LED lights and lighting apparatus are known in the art. LED lights and other lights are commercially available in numerous alternate embodiments such as but not limited to wall and ceiling fixtures. The aforementioned have various techniques in which to be installed wherein some installations can be direct mounted to surfaces such as but not limited to walls and some fixtures are configured to be operably coupled with junction boxes. For either of the foregoing mounting styles it is typical that a portion of the light housing is directly mounted to the wall/ceiling or to the junction box utilizing a mechanical fastener such as but not limited to screws. 
     The aforementioned conventional mounting assemblies provide several disadvantages that are undesirable by consumers and are further deficient for particular types of lighting styles. By way of example but not limitation, for some lighting styles it is desired to mount the fixture to ensure a low profile. In order to achieve the aforementioned both the housing design and mount assembly require a unique design. Many conventional mounting assemblies do not engage with either a wall/ceiling or a junction box that assists in ensuring the profile of the light remains as low as desired. Furthermore, most conventional mounting techniques typically result in securing a portion of the mount to a junction box. Subsequent mounting to the junction box, the assembly is immovable which can be undesirable for certain light fixtures wherein a desired orientation is required but a fixed mount inhibits the ability to rotationally adjust the position of the light ensuing installation. 
     It is intended within the scope of the present invention to provide a low profile mounting assembly to include a light fixture wherein the mounting assembly of the present invention provides the ability to mount without utilization of fasteners and further provides the ability to rotationally adjust the light ensuing installation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a low profile light and mounting assembly that provides an ability to rotationally adjust the light ensuing installation wherein the present invention includes a light housing and a mounting assembly. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a low profile hardware free light and integrated mounting assembly wherein the mounting assembly is integrated with the light housing and extends outward from the upper surface thereof. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a low profile light and mounting assembly that provides an ability to rotationally adjust the light ensuing installation wherein the mounting assembly is configured to be operably journaled into a conventional electrical junction box. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a low profile hardware free light and integrated mounting assembly wherein the mounting assembly includes an outer ring mount member that is configured to be circumferentially mounted to the mounting assembly and secured thereto. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a low profile light and mounting assembly that provides an ability to rotationally adjust the light ensuing installation that further includes a clip assembly wherein the clip assembly is secured to the upper surface of the mounting assembly. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a low profile hardware free light and integrated mounting assembly wherein the clip assembly includes biasly mounted securing members on opposing sides thereof. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a low profile light and mounting assembly that provides an ability to rotationally adjust the light ensuing installation wherein the outer ring mount member further includes grooves formed in the interior surface thereof. 
     An alternate object of the present invention is to provide a low profile hardware free light and integrated mounting assembly wherein the securing members are operable to be slidably engaged in the grooves in the interior surface of the outer ring mount member. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a low profile light and mounting assembly that provides an ability to rotationally adjust the light ensuing installation wherein an embodiment of the light housing can include a LED tape light, a reflector member and a light guide with diffuser lens. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a low profile hardware free light and integrated mounting assembly wherein the light housing can be provided in alternate shapes and styles. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the present invention with the outer ring mount member removed from the mounting assembly; and 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the present invention in an assembled state; and 
         FIG. 3  is a side cross sectional view of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed view of the light housing and its components. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     References now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a light and mounting assembly  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. 
     It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic. 
     Now referring to the Figures submitted as a part hereof, the light and mounting assembly  100  includes a mounting assembly  10  and a light housing assembly  40  being integrally formed via suitable techniques. The mounting assembly  10  is configured to operably couple the light and mounting assembly  100  with a standard electrical junction box  99  wherein the aforementioned can be accomplished through frictional engagement or be assisted by mechanical fasteners. The mounting assembly  10  includes an inner housing  12  having wall  14  wherein the wall  14  is annular in shape and is manufactured from a suitable non-conductive material such as but not limited to plastic. The mounting assembly  10  is superposed the upper surface  39  of the light housing assembly  40  and extends upward therefrom. While the mounting assembly  10  is illustrated herein as being annular in shape, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the mounting assembly  10  could be formed in alternate shapes. 
     The mounting assembly  10  has surroundably mounted thereto an outer ring mount member  15 . The outer ring mount member  15  is manufactured from a durable rigid material such as but not limited to plastic. The outer ring mount member  15  includes a lower portion  16  and a wall member  17  wherein the lower portion  16  and wall member  17  are integrally formed. The wall member  17  includes a lower edge  18  and upper edge  19  wherein the lower portion  16  is proximate the lower edge  18  and extends outward therefrom and is perpendicular thereto. The lower portion  16  includes apertures  21  that are diametrically opposed and configured to receive fasteners  98  therethrough wherein the fasteners  98  can be utilized to secure to junction box  99 . While two apertures  21  are illustrated herein, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the lower portion  16  could be configured with less than or more than two apertures. 
     The wall member  17  of the outer ring mount member  15  includes an outer surface  23  and an inner surface  24 . Formed on the inner surface  24  are grooves  25 . Grooves  25  are formed in the inner surface  24  of the wall member  17  utilizing suitable techniques. The grooves  25  as is further discussed herein are configured to operably couple with the securing members  70  of the clip assembly  50 . The grooves  25  while being illustrated herein as covering only a portion of the inner surface  24  of the wall member  17  are contemplated to be provided in alternate configurations wherein the grooves  25  could be completely disposed around the entire inner surface  24 . Outer surface  23  further includes a plurality of longitudinal projections  27  that are integrally formed with the outer surface  23  of the wall member  17 . The longitudinal projections  27  extend from the lower edge  18  upwards toward the upper edge  19 . The longitudinal projections  27  are circumferentially disposed on the outer surface  23  and are configured to assist in providing a frictional engagement with the junction box  99 . 
     The mounting assembly  19  further includes a clip assembly  50  superposed thereto. The clip assembly  50  facilitates an operable coupling with the outer ring mount member  15 . The clip assembly  50  includes a housing  51  that is generally rectangular in shape having a first end  52  and second end  53 . The clip assembly  50  has movably secured therein securing members  70 , 71 . The securing members  70 , 71  are movably mounted within the housing  51  utilizing a spring or other suitable resilient member (not illustrated herein). The securing members  70 , 71  are secured so as to be biased in an outward direction with respect to the housing  51 . The securing members  70 , 71  are ramp shaped having an inclined upper surface  73 . The aforementioned shape allows the securing members  70 ,  71  to engage the wall member  17  of the outer ring mount member  15  and be biased inwards in order to traverse along the inner surface  24  until reaching the grooves  25  wherein the biased mounting of the securing members  70 ,  71  will project the leading edge  77  of the securing members  70 , 71  into the grooves  25  and as such releasably secure the inner housing  12  to the outer ring mount member  15 . As the grooves  25  are circumferentially disposed along the inner surface  24 , the securing members  70 ,  71  can be traversed therealong ensuing operable coupling to the grooves  25 . The aforementioned allows rotational positioning of the light and mounting assembly  100  ensuing the mounting thereof to the junction box  99 . This provides an advantage for certain shapes of the light and mounting assembly  100  especially during installation that include multiple adjacent light and mounting assembly  100 . While a preferred embodiment of the clip assembly  50  has been illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the clip assembly  50  could be configured in alternate manners and achieve the desired objective discussed herein. Additionally, while two securing members  70 , 71  are illustrated and discussed herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that more than two securing members could be employed that extend outward from alternate sides of the clip assembly  50 . 
     A detailed view of the light housing assembly  40  is illustrated herein in  FIG. 4 . The light housing assembly  40  includes outer housing  41  that is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to plastic. In a preferred embodiment the light housing assembly  40  is a low profile LED light but it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the light housing assembly  40  could be provided in alternate shapes and sizes. Furthermore, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the light and mounting assembly  100  could be an alternate lighting type as opposed to a LED light. The light housing assembly  40  includes a reflector member  43  that is manufactured from a suitable reflective material such as but not limited to aluminum. Adjacent to the reflector member  43  is LED light member  44 . The led light member  44  is manufactured from conventional LED tape. The LED light member  44  is adjacent to and operably coupled with the light guide member  46 . The light guide member  46  is manufactured from a suitable material such as but not limited to clear acrylic and is configured to direct light emissions from the LED light member  44 . A diffuser lens  47  is adjacent and immediately below the light guide member  46 . The diffuser lens  47  is manufactured from a suitable material such as but not limited to frosted acrylic and is operable to collect and smooth light emissions from the light and mounting assembly  100  so as to eliminate hot spots ensuring an even distribution of light emitting from the light and mounting assembly  100 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the light housing assembly  40  is a low profile design wherein the thickness thereof does not exceed two inches. 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention.