Patent Publication Number: US-2015085500-A1

Title: Recessed mini-can lighting assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No. 61/881,162, filed on Sep. 23, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to recessed lighting fixtures for installation within a ceiling or other surface in a structure. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Recessed lighting fixtures are widely used in residential construction as well as commercial, industrial and other building structures. A recessed lighting fixture may hold a variety of light emitters such as an incandescent, compact fluorescent or, in a more recent trend, light emitting diode (“LED”) lighting element. A typical recessed lighting fixture comprises a housing or “can” (these terms are used interchangeably herein) which when installed is recessed within a surface such as drywall, panelling or other external sheathing. The housing encloses electrical elements and a light source such as a light bulb. In most cases, a decorative ring-shaped cover is secured to the housing to cover the gap between the wallboard or other surface and the edge of the housing, so as to provide an attractive finished appearance. Optionally, the light emitter may be covered with a clear or translucent lens so as to diffuse the light. In most cases, the housing portion of the fixture is wholly recessed within the surface and is not visible after installation. 
     Electrical fixtures normally include electrical leads that connect the electrical components of the fixture to the household wiring. For safety reasons, the fixture leads are normally connected to the household wiring outside the fixture housing, within an electrical junction box that is separately mounted to the structure. The junction box normally consists of an enclosure that receives a multi-phase household power cable consisting of bundled individual wires. The individual wires of the household cable are separated within the junction box and are individually connected within the junction box to corresponding electrical leads from the fixture. The junction box normally provides a measure of insulation from heat generated by the fixture. A junction box of this type is routinely installed for use with most electrical connections in a structure such as light fixtures, outlets, fans, etc. 
     Several types of conventional recessed lighting fixtures exist to meet various requirements. For example, for new construction the can normally comprises a relatively large housing, typically cylindrical, which houses an insert for a bulb or other light source. The housing fixture is typically sized to dissipate heat generated by the light source, which in the case of a conventional incandescent bulb can be considerable. A new construction can is typically installed by bracing the housing to one or more ceiling beams or other structural elements. Electrical wires enter the housing from the junction box, which is separately installed to the structure adjacent to the housing. 
     The can may be uninsulated or insulated, depending on location of the fixture installation, building code requirements and other factors. 
     Another type of prior art fixture is intended for installation in pre-existing structures, for example for installation in a renovation. This type of fixture may be smaller and may be mounted directly to drywall or other sheathing, rather than to underlying structural elements. Normally, such fixtures still require the use of a separate junction box. 
     The separate installations of a junction box and a conventional recessed lighting housing is typically time consuming and can add significantly to the overall cost of a new construction. Both of these steps usually must be performed by a licensed electrician, which can be costly and can result in construction delays, scheduling issues and other drawbacks. Furthermore, the existence of multiple types of cans for different applications is a drawback in that this increases inventory costs for suppliers and installers and also makes it more difficult for homeowners and other non-professional electricians to install a lighting fixture. 
     Low wattage LEDs can be used as a light source without generating significant amounts of heat that requires dissipation. This has opened up the possibility of redesigning lighting fixtures to take advantage of the relatively low heat discharge of modern light emitters of this type. There is a need for improved recessed lighting fixtures that take advantage of the reduced heat loads generated by LED and other low-energy light emitters and which provide simplified lighting solutions. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is based in part on the unexpected discovery by the inventors that a lighting fixture having the elements described herein may integrate the functions of a junction box and a lighting fixture housing. Furthermore, when the assembly is adapted for use with a low-energy emitter such as an LED light source, the housing may be mounted directly to wallboard or other sheathing material, thereby dispensing with the need for mounting the assembly to an underlying beam or stud. Such an assembly may be quickly and easily installed, in some cases without requiring the skills of a licensed electrician. 
     According to one aspect, the invention relates to a recessed lighting assembly for mounting to a structure, such as a wall or ceiling of a house, building, etc. In this aspect, the assembly includes an integrated junction box and housing having a fastener to secure the housing to the structure and an inlet to admit a multi-phase electrical cable into the housing. The electrical cable typically comprises “source” wiring that is directly connected to an electrical panel or other major distribution point. Electrical connections between the source wiring and the fixture leads may occur within the integrated junction box/housing of the lighting assembly. According to this aspect, the assembly comprises:
         an integrated junction box/housing configured to be mounted to the structure and configured to admit a multi-phase electrical cable into the interior of the junction box/housing;   a removable insert configured to be secured within the junction box/housing, the insert comprising a light emitter, such as one more LEDs, or a mount for a light emitter, electrical components for supplying current to the light emitter and an exterior portion which is exposed when the assembly is mounted to the structure; and   a connector for connecting the electrical components to electrical wires of the cable within the interior of the junction box/housing.       

     The insert may include a heat sink configured to absorb and dissipate heat generated by the electric circuit and/or the light emitter. The heat sink may form an exterior portion of the insert which is outside the junction/housing. 
     The connector may consist of one or more quick connect members which are configured to connect the electrical wires to the insert. According to one aspect, the quick connect member has a first component for electrical connection to an exposed end of the wire and a second component electrically connected to the electrical components of the insert wherein the first and second components form an electrical and a mechanical connection therebetween to transmit current from the electrical wires to the electrical components of the insert. The second component of the quick connect member may be mounted to the insert. According to a further aspect, the quick connect member may comprise an integral member wherein the first component comprises a socket within the quick connect member for receiving and engaging an exposed wire core of the household wires. The second component may comprise an additional socket within the member for receiving electrical leads from the insert. Alternatively, the first and second components may be separable from each other, such that the quick connect member comprises a receptacle for receiving a first of the wires and the first and second components comprises engagement members for fastening the components together for forming an electrical and mechanical connection therebetween. A support member may be mounted to the insert wherein at least the first of the components of the quick connect members are mounted to the support member. 
     The assembly may further include one or more fasteners for mounting the junction box/housing to the structure, for example to wallboard or other sheathing member of the structure. The fastener may comprise at least one set of opposing clamp members configured to clamp the sheathing member between the clamp members. A first of the clamp members may comprise a spring clip extending from the housing biased to move outwardly from the housing and a second of the clamp members may comprise a non-moveable protrusion of the housing, wherein the spring clip is configured to bear against an inside surface of the sheathing and the protrusion is configured to bear against an opposed outer surface of the sheathing. 
     According to a further aspect, the insert and the junction box/housing comprise interlocking members to fasten the insert to the junction box/housing. The interlocking members may comprise at least one protrusion extending from the junction box/housing or the insert and a slot within the other of the junction box/housing or insert wherein the slot is configured to receive the protrusion and is further configured as a cam to tighten the insert into the junction box/housing when the insert is rotated relative to the junction box/housing. 
     The junction box/housing may be configured for installation either during construction of the structure or retrofit into an existing structure. 
     According to a further aspect, the junction box/housing may comprise an uninsulated can that is configured for mounting directly to wallboard or other sheathing without being separately mounted to underlying structural members of the structure. A housing of this type is conventionally referred to as a “mini-can” due to its small size relative to a can intended to be directly secured to structural members of a structure. 
     According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method of installing a light fixture to a structure, wherein the fixture comprises an integrated junction box/housing and an insert comprising a light emitter or mount for a light emitter, electrical components for supplying current to the light emitter, a connection for connecting the electrical components to electrical wires within the junction box/housing and an exterior portion which is exposed when the assembly is mounted to the surface. The method comprises the steps of:
         feeding a multiphase electrical cable into the interior of the junction box/housing,   mounting the junction box/housing to the structure,   forming an electrical connection between wires of the electrical cable and the insert and   securing the insert within the junction box/housing.       

     The physical components associated with the present method may comprise the assembly described herein. 
     Directional references used in this description are purely for convenience of description and generally refer to the assembly in a conventional ceiling mount. However, it will be understood that the invention may be oriented in any direction. Furthermore, any specific dimensions, construction materials and the like are provided herein merely by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view, in perspective, of a recessed lighting fixture assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view from below of the assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view from below of the assembly showing the translucent lens removed. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view, from below, showing the housing portion of the assembly. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view from below of the housing. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view from above of the housing. 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view showing the interior of the housing. 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view from above of the assembly. 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view from above, of the insert and cover plate. 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of the insert portion of the assembly. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view in perspective, of the insert and cover plate of the assembly. 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view from above of the insert and cover plate. 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of the electrical connection portions of the insert. 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic cutaway view of the present invention installed in a structure. 
         FIG. 15  is a further schematic cutaway view of the installed assembly, in exploded view. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention, showing the insert portion. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the second embodiment, showing the exterior housing or “can” portion thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-15  illustrate a first embodiment of a recessed lighting assembly according to the present invention. The assembly comprises a fixture  10  and associated components, described in detail below. Assembly  10 , seen assembled in  FIG. 1 , comprises in general terms a housing  12 , an annular-shaped cover plate  14 , a transparent or translucent lens or dome  16  and an insert  18 , which is seen in detail in  FIGS. 9-13 . 
     Housing  12 , which may also be referred to as a “can”, is seen in particular detail in  FIGS. 4-6 . Housing  12  integrates the functions of a housing for electrical components (described below) and other elements of the light fixture, and an electrical junction box for receiving a multiphase electrical cable therein from the household wiring and connecting these wires with electrical leads of the lighting fixture within the housing interior. These two functions normally require separate housings in prior art systems but in the present invention they are combined within a single, integral junction box/housing  12 . 
     Housing  12  comprises a cylindrical sidewall  20  which defines an interior space and a downwardly-facing open end  22 . The opposed end of housing  12  is closed with cover plate  24  and faces upwardly when installed in a ceiling mount. Housing  12  may be fabricated from metal or other rigid material that is suitable for use as a permanently-installed electrical fixture. Housing  12  further comprises an annular flange  26  that protrudes outwardly from sidewall  20  adjacent to first end  22 . Cover plate  24  comprises an opening  28 , partially covered with a flexible insert  30  which secures a conventional three phase household electrical cable  100  (seen in  FIGS. 14  and  15 ) which enters housing  12  through opening  28 . Ventilation slots  7  are provided through sidewalls  20  on opposing sides thereof to provide cooling. 
     Housing  12  may be installed in a structure in a new construction or a retrofit/renovation of an existing structure. Housing  12  may also be installed in applications that may conventionally require either one of an insulated or uninsulated can, in particular when used with a lower power LED light emitter as described herein which generates substantially less heat during use than a conventional incandescent light bulb. It will be further seen that housing  12  may be installed in any suitable surface such as a ceiling, wall, or other surface suitable for installation of a recessed lighting fixture. 
     As described below, housing  12  can be securely fastened to sheathing no of a wall, ceiling or other surface of a structure by a suitable fastening means. In the present embodiment, housing  12  is not required to be installed to an underlying structural element such as a stud or beam, but can be sufficiently secured by engagement with the wallboard or other sheathing material that forms an exposed surface of the structure, using grippers  32  that are resiliently biased to secure the housing within an opening in wall board or other sheathing. Grippers  32  serve to grip the sheathing by clamping the sheathing between flange  26  and a pair of opposed spring-biased sheathing grips  32  that protrude outwardly from wall  20  of housing  12 . 
     Sheathing grippers  32 , seen in detail in  FIG. 6 , each comprise a flexible, resilient member that is spring-biased for radial expansion whereby grippers can be urged from an outwardly extended position as seen in  FIG. 1 , towards a compressed position as seen in  FIG. 14  wherein grippers  32  are essentially flush against sidewall  20  and only minimally protrude therefrom. Grippers  32  are fabricated from spring steel or other resilient material and each comprise an essentially L-shaped member spring-biased for radially outward expansion towards the outwardly extended position. Each gripper  32  comprises a first, upper end fastened to housing  12  adjacent to flange  26 . A first leg  36  of gripper  32  extends from the attached end generally parallel to sidewall  20  when compressed. A second leg  38  of gripper  32  extends inwardly from the lower end of leg  36  towards housing  12  and extends through an opening  40  within sidewall  20  to protrude into the interior of housing  12  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). Legs  36  and  38  meet at a shoulder  39 . 
     Electric current is delivered to fixture  10  via a conventional three phase electrical cable  100  which delivers household current to assembly  10  (see  FIGS. 14 and 15 ). Cable  100  comprises three individual coated wires  31   a, b  and  c , consisting of negative, positive and ground wires bundled together in an exterior sheathing. Each of wires  31   a - c  comprises a conductive wire core surrounded by an insulating coating. Cable  100  may originate from the structure&#39;s electrical panel and is fed directly into the interior of housing  12  through opening  28 . As described below, cable  100  may be separated into its constituent wires  31   a - c  within the interior of housing  12 , and these in turn are electrically connected to leads of the lighting assembly within housing  12 . Unlike with conventional electrical fixtures, it is not necessary to install a separate junction box to house these connections. 
     After cable  100  has been inserted into housing  12 , housing  12  may be installed within a surface of the structure, as seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . A circular opening  112  is provided with the wallboard or other external sheathing of the structure for installation of housing  12 , such that housing  12  fits within the opening and is installed therein. In order to fasten housing  12  to the wallboard, grippers  32  may be initially squeezed together such that legs  36  are substantially flush with sidewall  20 . In this position, housing  12  can be inserted into opening  112  within the sheathing no, in which the opening  112  has been made slightly larger than the outside diameter of sidewall  20 . Once housing  12  is partially inserted, grippers  32  may be released to spring outwardly so as to bear against the exposed edge of the sheathing opening  112 . Alternatively, grippers  32  are urged together as housing  12  is inserted into sheathing opening by contact with the edges of the sheathing opening. As housing  12  is further inserted into the opening, grippers  32  can open further until the point of maximum insertion of housing  12  within the opening when flange  26  abuts the outside (exposed) surface of the sheathing. At this point, housing  12  is firmly secured to the sheathing by the clamping force provided between flange  26  and grippers  32 . Grippers  32  bear against the edge of the opening and are angled at the point of contact therewith. This angled point of contact and outward biasing of grippers  32  exerts a longitudinal force on grippers  32  which urges the housing inwardly and generates a clamping force between flange  26  and grippers  32  respectively. 
     If it is necessary to remove fixture  10 , this may accomplished by drawing together arms  38  from within the interior of housing  20  to release housing  12  and allow it to be removed for maintenance, replacement, etc. 
     Housing  12  is configured and fabricated to comply with normal regulatory requirements for an electrical junction box, whereby housing  12  may itself provide the function of a junction box as well as serving as the housing for a light emitter. As such, a free end of multiphase electrical cable  100  may be directly fed into the interior of housing  12  without the need for a separate junction box interposed between main cable  100  and leads from the electrical elements of assembly  10 . 
     FIGS.  3  and  9 - 13  illustrate LED insert  18 . Insert  18  comprises an essentially cylindrical body  19  configured to fit within the interior of housing  12  and interlock therewith. Body  19  comprises a rigid structure which may be fabricated from cast aluminum, moulded plastic or other suitable material. Body  19  releasably locks into housing  12  by means of cooperating members on the housing and body respectively that interlock with each other. The cooperating members include at least one and preferably two protrusions  41  located on opposing sides of housing  12  which protrude into the interior thereof from the inside surface of sidewall  20 , as seen in  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  7 . The location of protrusions  41  may be visually indicated to a user by arrows  42  or other visual indicators located on flange  26  or other exposed surface of housing  12 . For mating and interlocking with protrusions  41 , body  19  is provided with at least one and preferably multiple dogleg-shaped grooves  44  recessed into opposing sidewalls thereof. Grooves  44  are each L-shaped and comprise a cam portion  48  that extends substantially circumferentially around body  19  and an axially-extending entry portion  46  that communicates with cam portion  48 . The respective entry portions  46  may be aligned with protrusions  41  to allow insert  18  to be inserted within housing  12  such that protrusions  41  are engaged within grooves  44 . Cam portion  48  is slightly angled in axial direction, whereby when protrusions  41  are positioned within cam portions  48 , rotation of body  19  generates a camming action with respect to protrusions  41  to tighten insert  18  against housing  12 . When fully rotated, body  19  is effectively locked within housing  12 , until it is released by counter-rotation. Body  19  may be provided with alignment indicators  50  for alignment with indicators  42  to permit the user to easily align protrusions  41  with entryway portion  46 . 
     It will be seen that the relative positions of protrusions  40  of housing  12  and grooves  44  within insert  18  may be reversed. 
     When installed within housing  12 , body  19  fills a top portion of the interior space of housing  12 . An unfilled space between body  19  and cover plate  24  accommodates elements such as cable  100 , wires  31   a - c  and quick connect members  52   a - c  and  53   a - c , as described below. 
     The interior of body  19  comprises electronic elements, not shown, for supplying current to LED light emitters. The electronic components may comprise any such components known to the art for supplying current to a selected light emitter, including associated mechanical components, and may comprise an electrical/electronic circuit and other elements. 
     Body  19  comprises a substantially flat upper surface  54  which faces into the interior of housing  12  when installed thereto. As seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , three quick connect members  52   a, b  and  c  may be mounted within openings (not shown) within surface  54  to lower the exposed profile of these members. Quick connect members  52   a - c  are exposed to surface  54  and are electronically connected to the electrical/electronic components within body  19 . Each of members  52   a - c  form half of a mating pair of quick connect members, which are configured to mechanically engage opposing quick connect members  53   a, b  and  c . The opposing members  53   a - c  in turn can be independently connected to corresponding electrical wires  31   a, b  and  c . The quick connects thus each comprise two members that can releasably engage each other, for example by a snap-lock connection, to form a mechanical and electrical connection between the mating halves. The respective halves  52  and  53  are normally engaged by urging them together manually—no tools are normally required to connect or disconnect the respective halves. As a result, forming an electrical connection between quick connect members  52  and  53  is a speedy operation that can be performed without possessing any special skills, and which reliably forms a secure electrical connection. Quick connect members  52   a - c  and  53   a - c  may comprise any of the types described in PCT application No. WO 2012/097453, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Alternatively, as seen in  FIGS. 9 and 13 , insert  18  may provide quick connect members  70   a - c  which comprise Canarm Easy Connect™ members or similar connectors. Quick connect members  70   a - c  each comprise an integral, one-piece member which is mounted to upper surface  54  of body  19 . Each connector  70  comprises multiple push-in sockets  72 , which are electrically connected together within the interior of member  70 . The respective sockets  72  on each quick connect member  70  are configured to receive an exposed core of an electrical wire and securely grip this segment to prevent inadvertent release once inserted. The sockets include a conductive element within their interiors, not shown, to make an electrical connection with the wire cores. In order to form a secure electrical connection with a wire, an exposed segment of the wire core is inserted into a corresponding socket  72 , which securely grips the wire and electrically connects it with other wires that have been inserted into other sockets within the same quick connect member  70 . As is seen in  FIG. 13 , leads  74   a, b  and  c  from insert  18  are inserted into sockets  72  of corresponding ones of quick connect members  70   a - c . Exposed cores of household wires  31   a - c  (only one of which is shown in  FIG. 13  for clarity) may then be inserted in open sockets  72  within corresponding ones of members  70   a - c . In this manner, household wires  31  are electrically connected to corresponding ones of fixture leads  74   a - c . It will be seen that these electrical connections may be formed by simply inserting wires  31   a - c  into corresponding sockets  72  of quick connects  70   a - c  respectively. 
     In order to ensure that the respective quick connects are installed properly, they are all color coded to match the standard wire color coding of a three phase wire, for example white, green and black. 
     Connection of insert  18  to household wiring thus comprises the initial step of feeding cable  100  through opening  28  of housing  12 . Normally, this step is performed prior to installation of housing  12  within the sheathing. The exposed end of cable  100  is then separated into wires  31   a - c  and these individual wires are then connected to corresponding quick connect members  53   a - c  or  70   a - c . This step normally requires inserting exposed cores of wires  31   a - c  into corresponding sockets within the respective quick connects  53   a - c  or  70   a - c , which electrically and mechanically connects the wires with corresponding quick connect members. In the case of quick connects  52 / 53 , this step is followed by connecting quick connects  53   a - c  with corresponding quick connect members  52   a - c  on insert  18 . For this purpose, the quick connect members are appropriately labelled and wires  31   a - c  are colour-coded for connection with the corresponding household wires. After the above electrical connections have been formed, insert  18  may be secured within housing  12 . Alternatively, in case of quick connects  70   a - c , no further connection steps are required after inserting wires  31  into corresponding sockets  72 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 3 , body  19  includes flat recessed central surface  62  which supports an LED board  64 . LED board  64  comprises an array of individual LED elements  66 . The LED array may comprise any suitable number, type and configuration of LED elements  66  or, depending on lighting requirements, a single LED element  66 . LED elements  66  are electrically connected to the electrical circuit within body  19  via leads  67   a  and  b , which lead from the electrical circuit within body  19  for connection via quick connects  53  or  70 . 
     Cover plate  14  is mounted to or is integral with body  19  and comprises, in this embodiment, a generally disc-shaped plate having a finished outer surface that is exposed when fixture  12  is installed. A rim  56  of plate  14  contacts sheathing  110  when assembly  10  is installed. The opposing outer face  58  of plate  14  is exposed when installed and is provided with a finished, decorative appearance. For example, outer face  58  may comprise a radially sloping surface which is configured to generally merge with a wall or ceiling panel when installed. As seen in  FIGS. 9 and 12 , cover plate  14  may incorporate a heat sink  59  having internal fins  6   o  for dissipating heat generated by the lighting fixture. In order to provide sufficient cooling, heat sink  59  may comprise aluminium or other metal alloy. Alternatively, if less heat dissipation is required, heat sink  59  may be modified or eliminated. 
     It will be seen that the invention is not limited to use with an LED light element but may comprise any suitable light element known to the art which can be adapted for use with the present invention. 
     Insert  18  is covered by a decorative translucent or transparent lens  16 , as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Lens  16  or cover plate  14  may be removed for replacement of LED board  64  if required. 
       FIGS. 16 and 17  show a second embodiment of a recessed lighting assembly  102  according to the invention. A cylindrical housing or can  102  houses an insert  118 , seen in detail in  FIG. 16 . Can  102  comprises an integral fixture housing and junction box, as with the first embodiment. Can  102  may be provided with multiple openings  128   a  and  128   b  to admit household electrical wires, not shown. A household electrical cable may be directly fed into the interior of housing  102  without the need for a separate junction box. 
     Turning to  FIG. 17 , flexible inserts  130   a  and  130   b  respectively are attached to can  102  within openings  128   a  and  b  to retain household electrical cables within the openings and to prevent slippage or movement of the cables. Housing  102  has a flange  126  protruding outwardly from its lower rim to abut a surrounding wall or ceiling surface when installed and to contact an exterior surface of the wallboard or sheathing. Can  102  further comprises an array of spring clips  171 , which may comprise 2, 3, 4 or more clips  171 , which are configured to secure can  102  to wallboard or other sheathing of a wall, ceiling or other surface. Clips  171  are spot-welded or otherwise fastened to the outside surface of can  102  and project downwardly towards flange  126 . Clips  171  each comprise a resilient arm  174  that angles outwardly away from the sidewall of can  102 . Arm  174  terminates in a foot  176  that is configured to contact an interior surface of a wallboard or sheathing, facing the interior of the structure. The spring-biasing of clip  171  urges foot  176  towards flange  126  to firmly clamp the sheathing or wallboard between foot  176  and flange  126 . 
     Insert  118 , shown in  FIG. 16 , comprises a cylindrical body  119  and outwardly protruding flange  114 . Body  119  includes one or more recessed dogleg grooves  44  similar to the first embodiment. Body  119 , in comparison with the first embodiment, is relatively shallow which can reduce fabrication costs. Insert  118  further comprises a dome-shaped enclosure  123  protruding upwardly from body  119 . Enclosure  123  may comprise a plastic shell wherein body  119  and enclosure  123  have an open interior for housing electrical components for delivering current to LED light emitters, as described above (not shown). Insert  118  also supports three quick connects  152   a ,  152   b  and  152   c . These quick connect members are mounted to an arcuate base plate  166  which is parallel to and spaced from flange  114 . Plate  166  is located alongside enclosure  123  and allows quick connects  152   a - c  to be connected to a solid support, thereby permitting enclosure  123  to be fabricated from a thinner and less rigid material. Plate  166  is supported on legs  168  whereby plate  166  is spaced apart from body  119 . Legs  168  terminate in feet  169  which are mounted to body  119 . Each of quick connects  152   a - c  are electrically connected to electrical components, not shown, housed within body  119 , via leads  180   a ,  180   b  and  180   c  respectively. Quick connects  152   a - c  are configured to form electrical connections with corresponding ones of household electrical wires, not shown. As with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-15 , quick connects  152   a - c  may comprise Easy Connect members, which may be color coded or otherwise marked for easy identification. Quick connects  152  may comprise sockets  153   a - c  to receive wire cores of the household wires as well as leads  180   a - c.    
     Can  102  may be installed within a structure by cutting a circular opening in the wallboard or sheathing of a wall, ceiling or other surface. Household wires located within the interior of the wall are fed through one of openings  128   a  and/or  128   b , depending on the location of the wires. In some cases, a ground wire may be fed separately through one of the openings  128 , and the current wires are fed through the other of openings  128 . The household wires are separated into individual ground, positive and negative wires and the sheathings are stripped to reveal the wire cores. The wire cores are then inserted into respective ones of sockets  153   a - c  of quick connects  152   a - c  to form electrical connections with the electrical components of insert  118 . 
     After insert  118  has been electrically connected to the household wire, it may be fastened to can  102 , in the same fashion as the embodiment of  FIG. 1-15  to complete the installation of the lighting system. 
     The scope of the invention should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. The claims are not to be limited to the preferred or exemplified embodiments of the invention.