Patent Publication Number: US-10767823-B2

Title: LED lighting assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This Non-provisional Utility Application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/407,119, filed on Jan. 16, 2017, which is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/377,482, filed on Dec. 13, 2016, which is a Divisional Application of U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/701,127, filed on Apr. 30, 2015, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,518,723, which is a Continuation-in-part Application of U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/820,695, filed on Mar. 4, 2013, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,052,417, which is a 371 National Stage Entry of International PCT Application No. PCT/US2012/32660, filed Apr. 7, 2012, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/473,576, filed Apr. 8, 2011 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/553,011, filed Oct. 28, 2011, the entireties of which are all hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to LED lighting assemblies, and, more particularly, relates to an LED lighting assembly with a plurality of heat dissipating fins and/or a length adjusting shaft for the LED lighting assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Existing light-emitting diode (LED) lights have become increasingly popular because they are known to be generally energy efficient, as compared to incandescent lights, and provide a high quality brightness and color. Further, LED lights are known to have a generally higher life expectancy as compared to incandescent lights. As an example, many newer LED lights have a life span of about 30,000 hours, compared to an estimated 7,500 hours for a compact fluorescent bulb and 1,000 hours for an incandescent bulb. 
     However, the environment in which the LEDs operate is important to their longevity. LEDs are semiconductor devices that, like most semiconductors, will degrade from excessive heat. LEDs and their drivers (i.e., electrical components) will degrade and operate less efficiently if exposed to heat gain and/or excessive temperature fluctuations. LEDs have been known to flicker, dim, or not work at all in extreme temperatures. In fact, exposure to too much heat has been considered one of the primary reasons for the failure of many LED lights. Accordingly, heat gain and excessive temperature fluctuations will decrease the life expectancy of the LED and tend to negate at least some of the positive benefits associated with LEDs. 
     Some known LED lighting structures require the presence of one or more fans that constantly run and pull air from the environment into the lighting structure and across a set of heat dissipating heat-sink fins. These fans require energy, add weight and cost to the lighting device, provide a point of potential electrical failure (which can serious damage the remaining components that will become too hot), and create noise. 
     LED lighting devices and systems have come into widespread use in homes and buildings. Known LED structures for regular ambient lighting currently dissipate heat by exposing one or more portions of the LED structure to atmospheric conditions. Some known LED lighting assemblies also expose portions, e.g., the power supply and/or driver/controller circuit, if applicable, to the atmosphere as those portions of LEDs also generate heat. In addition, a limited number of LED lighting assemblies have one or more heat sinks attached thereto to facilitate the dissipation of heat through convection. Many such LED lighting assemblies with heat sinks expose the heat sinks to the atmosphere to dissipate heat into the atmosphere. However the form, and although having a generally longer life than traditional bulbs, these known LEDs, when ran for normal periods of time, experience a drastic reduction in bulb intensity. 
     This is specifically applicable when LED lighting assemblies are obstructed or placed in enclosed spaces where hot air is not easily exchanged with cooler air. One example of this is LED lighting structures placed within a recessed lighting “can.” When an LED light is placed within small or enclosed areas, the space surrounding the LED bulbs is not cooled and much of the generated heat from the bulbs remains in that area. This effect is shown in  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a prior-art LED lighting assembly  100  within a recessed portion  104  of a ceiling  102 . The hot air, represented with arrows  106 , is not effectively dissipated and continually subjects the assembly  100  to air at high temperatures. As the LED assembly  100  is continually subjected to high temperatures, the lifespan of the assembly  100  is reduced and the probability of heat-related malfunctions is increased. This also renders any heat sinks  108  coupled to those prior-art assemblies  100  to be ineffective and inefficient as they still suffer from the same problems as described above, i.e. the LED assembly  100  is still subjected to previously dissipated heat. 
     Furthermore, as LED lighting technology is still being developed or has increased manufacturing costs, when compared to those prior-art lighting assemblies, those costs are generally placed on the consumer. As such, LED lighting assemblies can range anywhere from three to ten times more per unit price than for traditional lighting assemblies, such as incandescent light bulbs. Many users dilute those additional initial up-front costs with the continued energy savings associated with LEDs. Therefore, most users desire to maintain the LED lighting assembly lifespan as long as possible to maximize cost efficiency. 
     In addition, recessed lighting cans within ceilings include varying dimensions. More particularly, such cans have varying depths between the height of the socket for the bulb and the level of the ceiling. Lighting fixtures currently provided have various distances between the sockets, which accept the bulbs, and the ceiling heights. This makes little or no difference if a bulb is inserted. However, if there is a retrofit or new light which is applied and which needs to be flush or partially flush with the ceiling, fixed length shafts between the fixed socket and the lighting appliance are inconvenient. Therefore, for lighting fixtures that are intended to hang relative to the cans at a desired position relative to the ceiling, users must select a lighting fixture with a desired length, which cannot be selectively varied to accommodate recessed lighting cans with varying recess depths. 
     Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides an LED lighting assembly that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type. 
     In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, there is provided a mount for an LED lighting assembly for a recessed ceiling can that includes a length adjusting shaft having adjustment features formed on the shaft, and an electrical contact portion disposed at a first end of the length adjusting shaft. The electrical contact portion is electrically couplable with a light-bulb outlet disposed within the ceiling recess can and is electrically coupled to provide power to the LED lighting assembly. The housing can move along the shaft and includes a releasable engagement for engaging one of the adjustment features. There can also be included an external release disposed outside the housing that is coupled to the releasable engagement and configured to release the releasable engagement from the one of the adjustment features. 
     In accordance with another feature, the adjustment features comprise a plurality of slots formed in the shaft, and the releasable engagement comprises a shaft having a first end that engages the one of the slots to hold the housing in place relative to the shaft, and the external release comprises a button coupled to a second end of the shaft. 
     In accordance with another feature, the adjustment features comprise a plurality of notches formed in the shaft, and the releasable engagement comprises a shaft having a first end having a hook that is configured to engage the notches to hold a housing of the LED lighting assembly in place relative to the shaft, and the external release comprises a lever coupled to a second end of the shaft that is configured to release the hook from engagement with the notches to allow the housing to be moved downward along the shaft. 
     In accordance with another feature, a housing of the LED lighting assembly includes a trim portion above a sidewall portion, and a plurality of air flow exhaust ports are defined by the trim portion. 
     In accordance with another feature, an outer periphery of a housing of the LED lighting assembly has a concave outer surface, when viewed from an outside environment, shaped to direct the continuous flow of air away from the ceiling recess can when the electrical contact portion is coupled to the light-bulb outlet. 
     In accordance with another feature, a housing of the LED lighting assembly includes a circumferential skirt coupled to a radially outermost edge of each of a plurality of heat dissipating fins in the LED lighting assembly so as to define each of a plurality of air flow channels. 
     In accordance with another feature, a housing of the LED lighting assembly includes a trim portion and a sidewall portion, the housing defines a circumferential gap at least one of between the trim portion and the sidewall portion and defined by the trim portion, the circumferential gap operable as a main exhaust port guiding a flow of air into an outside environment. 
     In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, there is provided a mount for an LED lighting assembly for a ceiling recess can, the LED lighting assembly having a housing having an outer periphery configured to fit flush against a surface of a ceiling in which the ceiling recess can is mounted, the mount includes a length adjusting shaft having adjustment features formed on the shaft that are configured to releasably retain the housing on the shaft. The mount further includes a releasable engagement for engaging one of the adjustment features, and an external release disposed outside the housing that is coupled to the releasable engagement and configured to release the releasable engagement from the one of the adjustment features. 
     In accordance with another feature, the adjustment features comprise a plurality of slots formed in the shaft, and the releasable engagement comprises a shaft having a first end that engages the one of the slots to hold the housing in place relative to the shaft, and the external release comprises a button coupled to a second end of the shaft. 
     In accordance with another feature, the adjustment features comprise a plurality of notches formed in the shaft, and the releasable engagement comprises a shaft having a first end having a hook that is configured to engage the notches to hold a housing of the LED lighting assembly in place relative to the shaft, and the external release comprises a lever coupled to a second end of the shaft that is configured to release the hook from engagement with the notches to allow the housing to be moved downward along the shaft. 
     In accordance with another feature, the housing includes a trim portion above a sidewall portion and the at least one LED, and at least one of the air flow exhaust ports is defined by the trim portion. 
     In accordance with another feature, an electrical contact portion electrically couplable with a light-bulb outlet disposed within the ceiling recess can and electrically coupled to power the LED lighting assembly, and wherein an outer periphery of the housing has a concave outer surface, when viewed from an outside environment, shaped to direct a continuous flow of air away from the ceiling recess can when the electrical contact portion is coupled to the light-bulb outlet. 
     In accordance with another feature, the housing includes a circumferential skirt to define a the plurality of air flow channels. 
     In accordance with another feature, the housing is disposed to visually conceal each of a plurality of heat dissipating fins inside the LED lighting assembly from an outside environment. 
     In accordance with another feature, the housing includes a trim portion and a sidewall portion, the trim portion disposed above the sidewall portion and extending radially away the sidewall portion and a main exhaust port opening formed as a circumferential gap between the trim portion and the sidewall portion. 
     In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, there is provided a mount for an LED lighting assembly for connecting to and covering a recessed ceiling can, the LED lighting assembly having a housing include at least one LED, the mount includes a length adjusting shaft having adjustment features formed on the shaft that are configured to releasably retain the housing on the shaft, and a releasable engagement for engaging one of the adjustment features. The mount further includes an external release disposed outside the housing that is coupled to the releasable engagement and configured to release the releasable engagement from the one of the adjustment features. The housing is configured to fit flush against a surface of a ceiling in which the ceiling recess can is mounted and wherein the housing is sized to cover the recessed ceiling can. 
     In accordance with another feature, the adjustment features comprise a plurality of slots formed in the shaft, and the releasable engagement comprises a shaft having a first end that engages the one of the slots to hold the housing in place relative to the shaft, and the external release comprises a button coupled to a second end of the shaft. 
     In accordance with another feature, the adjustment features comprise a plurality of notches formed in the shaft, and the releasable engagement comprises a shaft having a first end having a hook that is configured to engage the notches to hold the housing in place relative to the shaft, and the external release comprises a lever coupled to a second end of the shaft that is configured to release the hook from engagement with the notches to allow the housing to be moved downward along the shaft. 
     In accordance with another feature, the housing comprised an airflow intake port and an air flow exhaust port, and at least one airflow channel within the housing around the at least one LED, and wherein the airflow intake port and the airflow exhaust port are configured so that heat produced by the at least one LED creates an airflow such that air from outside the housing is drawn into the air flow intake port, through the at least one airflow channel, and out of the air flow exhaust port. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an LED lighting assembly, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
     Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale. 
     Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. 
     As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the shaft from a bottom end to a top end. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a prior-art LED light assembly recessed within a ceiling can; 
         FIG. 2  is a downward-looking perspective view of an LED lighting assembly featuring an LED lamp coupled to a shaft in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the LED lamp of  FIG. 2 , illustrating a light-emitting surface, and an outer periphery of a sidewall portion and a trim portion of the housing, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the LED lighting assembly of  FIG. 2  illustrating a main exhaust port in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational, cross-sectional view of the LED lighting assembly of  FIG. 2  in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary, downward-looking perspective view of the LED lighting assembly of  FIG. 2  illustrating a length-adjustment and resistance mechanism associated with the shaft in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded, downward-looking perspective view of the LED lighting assembly of  FIG. 2  in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a fragmentary, exploded, downward-looking perspective view of the LED lighting assembly of  FIG. 2  in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial, downward-looking perspective view of the LED lamp of  FIG. 2 , shown uncoupled to the shaft, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial, bottom view of the LED lamp of  FIG. 2 , shown with the light-emitting surface removed so as to reveal the LEDs disposed on a substrate within the LED lamp, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a slot shape on the shaft with an inclined slot portion as an additional resistance feature in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic view of yet another alternative embodiment of a slot shape on the shaft with a break-away tab in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevational, cross-sectional view of the LED lighting assembly of  FIG. 2  being installed by insertion within a recessed ceiling can in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevational, cross-sectional view of the LED lighting assembly of  FIG. 2  being installed by coupling the shaft to a light socket within the recessed ceiling can in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a side elevational, cross-sectional view of the LED lighting assembly of  FIG. 2  installed on the recessed ceiling can in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 16  is a partial, cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of an LED lighting assembly, mounted to a ceiling and having an air flow exhaust port defined by a trim, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevational, cross-sectional, view of a self-cooled lighting assembly in operation that is coupled to a standard-sized light bulb outlet, with the assembly being adjustable in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 18  is a side elevational, cross-sectional, view of a self-cooled lighting assembly in operation that is coupled to a standard-sized light bulb outlet, with the assembly being adjustable in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. 
     The present invention provides a novel and efficient ceiling mounted LED lighting assembly with a cooling feature that continuously cools the LEDs without a fan and directs hot air away from a recessed ceiling can. Embodiments of the invention provide a heat sink formed as a skirt disposed around a periphery of the LEDs and that is disposed between the LEDs and an outer periphery of a housing of the LED lighting assembly. In addition, embodiments of the invention provide for the heat sink fins and the housing to define a plurality of air flow channels disposed around the LEDs such that heat generated by the LEDs is transferred to the heat sink fins, driving a continuous flow of air through the air flow channels. In such embodiments, lower portions of the heat sink fins and housing may be considered air flow intake ports and upper portions of the heat sink fins and housing may be considered air flow exhaust ports. Embodiments of the present invention provide for the outer periphery of the housing to have a dimension exceeding a maximum opening dimension of a standard-sized recessed ceiling can, with the air flow channels disposed beneath the ceiling, in an installed configuration, and arranged to direct hot air away from the recessed ceiling can so as not to trap the hot air within the recess. Further embodiments of the present invention provide for a surface of the housing and heat sink fins having a concave shape that guides the hot air away from the LED lighting assembly and the recessed ceiling can. In additional embodiments, the LED lighting assembly includes a trim above a sidewall portion, the trim and the sidewall portion together defining a main exhaust port extending continuously, circumferentially between the trim and the sidewall portion to permit the continuous flow of hot air to escape into the atmosphere in a generally horizontal direction away from the LED lighting assembly and the recessed ceiling can. Yet other embodiments of the present invention, including an adjustable length shaft with a resistance member. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , one embodiment of the present invention is shown in a downward-looking perspective view.  FIG. 2  show several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of an LED lighting assembly  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , includes an LED lamp  202  and a shaft  204 . 
     In one embodiment, the LED lamp  202  and the shaft  204  may be removeably coupled to one another. In other embodiments, the LED lamp  202  and the shaft  204  may be fixedly coupled to one another. In a further embodiment, the LED lamp  202  and the shaft  204  may be selectively electrically and mechanically couplable to one another, with the LED lamp  202  including the LEDs and the shaft  204  including an electrical contact portion  206  operably configured to mechanically and electrically couple to a light socket with the recessed ceiling can. The shaft  204  is preferably an adjustable length shaft  204  and embodiments of the adjustable length shaft  204  provide novel and inventive features for mounting the LED lighting assembly  200  to the ceiling, which will be described in more detail herein below. Initially, the features of the self-cooling LED lamp  202  will be described. 
     Referring specifically now to  FIGS. 2-4 , with brief reference to  FIGS. 13-15 , in one embodiment, the self-cooling LED lamp  202  includes a housing  300 . The housing  300  may include a sidewall portion  301  and a trim portion  302 . In one embodiment, an outer periphery  400 , or exterior surface, of the housing  300  may have a dimension that exceeds a maximum opening dimension of a standard-sized light bulb ceiling recess  1300 . Accordingly, such dimension of the outer periphery  400  may permit the LED lighting assembly  200  to be flush mounted to a surface of the ceiling  1302 , beneath the standard-sized light bulb ceiling recess  1300 , as can been in  FIG. 15 . 
     In one embodiment, the outer periphery  400  may be considered to be an exterior surface of the trim portion  302  and the trim portion  302  may have a maximum dimension that exceeds the maximum opening dimension of the standard-sized light bulb ceiling recess  1300 . In another embodiment, the outer periphery  400  may be an exterior surface of the sidewall portion  301  and the sidewall portion  301  may have a maximum dimension that exceeds the maximum opening dimension of the standard-sized light bulb ceiling recess  1300 . Yet, another portion of the outer periphery  400  of the housing  300  may have a dimension that exceeds the maximum opening dimension of the standard-sized light bulb ceiling recess  1300 . As can be seen in  FIG. 15 , the trim portion  302  has a dimension exceeding the maximum opening dimension of the standard-sized light bulb ceiling recess  1300 , thereby abutting the surface of the ceiling  1302 . In yet other embodiments, both the sidewall portion  301  and the trim portion  302  may have dimensions exceed the maximum opening dimension of the standard-sized light bulb ceiling recess  1300 . In additional embodiments, yet other portions of the LED lamp  202  may correspond to the outer periphery  400  that exceeds the maximum opening dimension of the standard-sized light bulb ceiling recess  1300 . Such feature advantageously closes off the standard-sized light bulb ceiling recess  1300 , when installed in certain embodiments (see  FIG. 15 , for example), such that the self-cooling feature guides hot air away from the recess  1300  and the LED lamp  202 , in a generally horizontal direction, without recirculating the same hot air in the same area, as described herein above with reference to the prior art devices depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 5-8 , the LED lighting assembly  200  includes at least one LED  500 . Preferably, the LED lighting assembly  200  includes a plurality of LEDs  500 . The LEDs  500  may be any known type of LEDs and therefore the specific details of the LED construction are not necessary for the instant discussion and will, therefore, not be described herein. 
     In one embodiment, the LEDs  500  may be disposed on a substrate  502 , such as, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB). In one embodiment, the LEDs  500  may be disposed on a bottom surface of the substrate  502  and arranged to emit light in a downward-facing direction, when installed. The LEDs  500  and/or the substrate  502  may be disposed within the housing  300 . In one embodiment, the housing  300  may be considered to at least partially surround the LEDs  500 . In a further embodiment, a light-emitting surface  504 , such as a lens surface, together with the housing  300  may surround and house the LEDs  500  therein. 
     In one embodiment, the housing  300  may be a plastic or other polymer-based material. In another embodiment, the housing  300  may be a transparent material, such as glass. In yet another embodiment, the housing  300  may be a metallic or semi-metallic material. In yet another embodiment, the housing  300  is of a non-heat conductive material. The housing  300  may be externally visible and therefore provided in aesthetically appealing forms. In another embodiment, an external fixture may be disposed external to the housing  300 ; yet, the housing  300  should still be outward of the LEDs  500 . In the depicted embodiment, the housing  300  is formed as a circumferential housing  300 . In other embodiments, the housing  300  may be formed as other shapes and configurations, such as, for example, oval or rectangular-shaped. 
     In one embodiment, the LED lighting assembly  200  further includes a heat sink. The heat sink may be formed as a plurality of heat dissipating fins  700 . The plurality of heat dissipating fins  700  may be considered a plurality of closely spaced, extended surfaces used to improve heat transfer from the interior air heated by the LEDs  500  to the cooler outside atmosphere. The plurality of heat dissipating fins  700  is preferably made of a highly heat conductive material, such as a conductive metallic material or other suitable material, such as a conductive polymer material. The heat dissipating fins  700  may be arranged around the LEDs  500  to draw heated air away from the LEDs  500  in all directions. In one embodiment, the heat dissipating fins  700  may be vertically-oriented fins. In other embodiments, the heat dissipating fins  700  may be oriented in other directions. In one embodiment, the heat dissipating fins  700  are disposed radially outward of the LEDs  500 . In another embodiment, the plurality of heat dissipating fins  700  are each equidistant from one another and arranged to extend, preferably substantially closely together, and continuously around the LEDs  500  and the substrate  502  to increase the surface area of the heat sink and thereby its heat dissipating effectiveness. The heat dissipating fins  700  may be considered to extend around a center area of the LED lamp  202 , the center area being the area in which the LEDs  500  are disposed and in which heat from the LEDs  500  is generated. In one embodiment, the heat dissipating fins  700  are considered to be disposed between the housing  300  and the LEDs  500 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Advantageously, the arrangement of the housing  300  and the plurality of heat dissipating fins  700  together form a plurality of air flow channels  800   a - n , where “a” may be any number and “n” may be any number greater than “a.” Similar to the housing  300  and the heat dissipating fins  700 , the plurality of air flow channels  800  may extend circumferentially around the LEDs  500  and the substrate  502 . In another embodiment, the plurality of air flow channels  800  may be disposed radially outward of the LEDs  500 . Each of the plurality of air flow channels  800  are preferably substantially adjacent to one another, separated only by a shared heat dissipating fin  700 . In another embodiment, each of the plurality of air flow channels  800  are equidistant from one another and disposed continuously about a center area occupied by the LEDs  500  and/or the substrate  502 . 
     Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 5-6 and 9-10 , various configurations of the housing  300  and the plurality of heat dissipating fins  700 , forming the plurality of air flow channels  800  to self-cool the LED lighting assembly  200 , without a fan, are described. Stated another way, the LED lighting assembly  200  may include a self-cooling engine that has a plurality of air flow channels  800  defined by at least a portion of the housing  300  and the plurality of heat dissipating fins  700 . 
     In one embodiment, as can be seen in  FIG. 9 , the sidewall portion  301  of the housing  300  may be formed as a circumferential skirt and an inner surface of the sidewall portion  301  may be coupled to a radially outermost edge  900  of each of the plurality of heat dissipating fins  700  so as to define each of the plurality of air flow channels  800 . In another embodiment, the sidewall portion  301  may be provided as other shapes, such as a rectangular skirt, for example, in an instance where the LED lamp  202  is generally rectangular shaped, rather than circular. In one embodiment, the inner surface of the sidewall portion  301  may physically touch the radially outermost edge  900  of the heat dissipating fins  700 . In other embodiments, the inner surface of the sidewall portion  301  may be disposed substantially adjacent to the outermost edge  900  of the heat dissipating fins  700 ; yet, not actually touch. In such embodiments, the distance between the outermost edge  900  and the inner surface of the sidewall portion  301  may be considered nominal. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the sidewall portion  301  of the housing  300  is disposed to visually conceal the heat dissipating fins  700  from the outside environment, as shown in  FIG. 2-3 . In yet another embodiment, the trim portion  302  may also visually conceal the heat dissipating fins  700  from the outside environment. 
     As the housing  300  and the heat sink  700  substantially define the air flow channels  800  and the overall self-cooling engine, each of the air flow channels  800  can be considered to have an air flow intake port  902  and a corresponding air flow exhaust port  904 . As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the air flow intake port  902  is disposed below the air flow exhaust port  904  and the LEDs  500 . Advantageously, this arrangement provides a self-cooling engine that is configured to transfer heat generating by the plurality of LEDs  500  to the plurality of heat dissipating fins  700  so as to drive a continuous flow of cooler air into the air flow intake ports  902  and heated air out of the corresponding air flow exhaust ports  904 , without a fan, as indicated by the arrows  1500  and  1502 , in  FIG. 15 . Stated another way, heat generated by the LEDs  500  is absorbed by the heat conductive heat sink  700 , which, by convection, rises to exit via the air flow exhaust ports  904  and draws in the cooler air from the atmosphere into the air flow intake ports  902  in a substantially continuous manner. In other words, the heat generated by the LEDs  500 , due to the arrangement of the housing  300  and the heat sink  700 , drives the continuous flow of air through the air flow channels  800 , thereby cooling the LEDS  500  without a fan. 
     In one embodiment, each air flow intake port  902  may be at least partially defined by a lower portion of the housing  300  and a lower portion of at least one of the plurality of heat dissipating fins  700 . In a further embodiment, each air flow intake port  902  is defined by a lower portion of the sidewall portion  301  and a lower portion of at least two adjacent heat dissipating fins  700 . In one embodiment, each air flow exhaust port  904  is at least partially defined by an upper portion of the housing  300  and an upper portion of at least one of the plurality of heat dissipating fins  700 . In a further embodiment, each air flow exhaust port  904  is defined an upper portion of the sidewall portion  301  and an upper portion of at least two adjacent heat dissipating fins  700 . In yet another embodiment, each air flow exhaust port  904  and/or air flow intake port  902  may be defined by other portions of the housing  300  and the heat sink  700 ; yet, should still be arranged such that the air flow intake port  902  is disposed below the air flow exhaust port  904  and below the LEDs  500 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , in one embodiment, the air flow exhaust ports  904  are disposed between the sidewall portion  301  and the trim portion  302 . Referring briefly to  FIG. 16 , in an alternative embodiment, the air flow exhaust ports  904  are defined by the trim portion  302 , rather than the sidewall portion  301  of the housing  300 . In the exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIG. 16 , the air flow intake port  902  may be formed as a gap between the lens  504  and the sidewall portion  301 . In yet a further embodiment, the air flow intake port  902  and/or the air flow exhaust port  904  may be formed as a circumferential aperture disposed continuously, circumferentially about the periphery of the housing  300  so as to maximize the heat dissipating, self-cooling effect. In one embodiment, an external surface of the trim portion  302  may include a decorative feature. In another embodiment, the sidewall portion  301  may also be visually aesthetically pleasing, such as being formed as a glass trim, for example. As can be seen by the arrow  1600  in  FIG. 16 , the continuous flow of air travels in a generally upward direction from the cooler outside atmosphere (substantially below the exhaust port  904 ), into the intake port  902 , through the air flow channel  800  (defined by the heat dissipating fins  700  and the sidewall portion  301 ), through a portion of the air flow channel  800  defined by the trim portion  302 , and out of the air flow exhaust port  904  on the trim portion  302 , into the cooler atmosphere substantially above the air flow intake port  902 . Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention represent a significant improvement over prior art LED devices, as depicted in  FIG. 1 , by driving the hot air away from the recessed ceiling can so as not to continuously re-expose the hot air to the LED device, which would decrease the life span of the LEDs housed therein. As with the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 2-15 , the heat sink  700  and the air flow channels  800  advantageously force and guide the hot air into the atmosphere. 
     Referring again primarily to the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 2-15 , and more particularly to  FIGS. 4-5 , a shape of the outer periphery  400  of the housing  300  and/or a shape of the outermost edge  900  of the heat dissipating fins  700  may assist with guiding the hot air away from the recessed ceiling can. In one embodiment, the outer periphery  400  of the housing  300  and each of the plurality of heat dissipating fins  700  has a concave outer surface (“concave” being defined from the viewpoint of the outside environment). According, the concave shape of the outer surface of the housing  300 , and in particular the sidewall portion  301 , as well as the concave shape of the heat dissipating fins  700 , and in particular the outermost edge  900  of the heat dissipating fins  700 , directs or guides the continuous flow of air away from the standard-sized light bulb ceiling recess  1300  (see  FIG. 15 ). 
     Referring now briefly primarily to  FIGS. 3-5 , in one embodiment, the LED lighting assembly  200  may include a main exhaust port  402 . As indicated by the arrows  404 , the continuous flow of air may enter the air flow intake ports  902  and exit out of the main exhaust port  402 . The main exhaust port  402  may be considered to define a main exhaust port opening  402  that extends circumferentially, continuously about the housing  300  to efficiently and effectively release the hot air into the atmosphere. In one embodiment, the main exhaust port  402  may be disposed slightly above the plurality of air flow exhaust ports  904  associated with the plurality of air flow channels  800 . Accordingly, the main exhaust port  402  may further guide the hot air exiting the plurality of air flow exhaust ports  904  into the atmosphere. As can be seen particularly well in  FIG. 9 , as compared to  FIG. 4 , while the openings for the air flow exhaust ports  904  are oriented in an upwardly-facing direction (toward the ceiling), in one embodiment, the main exhaust port opening  402  may be oriented laterally so as to direct the hot air into the atmosphere in a substantially horizontal direction (as indicated by the arrows  404 ). This feature advantageously guides the hot air even more so away from the ceiling and the recessed ceiling can. As used herein, the “substantially horizontal direction” is defined as directions parallel to a downward-facing surface  1304  of the ceiling  1302  (+ or −45 degrees). 
     In some embodiments, the main exhaust port  402  may be defined by the trim portion  302  (e.g.,  FIG. 16 ) and/or the sidewall portion  301  of the housing  300 . In a further embodiment, the main exhaust port  402  may be formed as a gap between a lower end of the trim portion  302  and an upper end of the sidewall portion  301 . In yet another embodiment, the main exhaust port  402  may be formed as a circumferential gap between the trim portion  302  and the sidewall portion  301 , as depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 10 , depicting a bottom view of the LED lamp  202 , with the lens  504  removed (not shown), in one embodiment, the LED lighting assembly  200  may include a main intake port  1000 . As indicated by the arrow  1002 , the continuous flow of air may enter the main intake port  1000  from the cooler air in the outside environment and exit out of the main exhaust port  402  (see  FIG. 4 ). The main intake port  1000  may be formed as a main intake port opening  1000  that extends circumferentially, continuously about a bottom portion of the housing  300  to efficiently and effectively receive the cooler air in the atmosphere into the air flow channels  800  (see  FIGS. 7-8 ). In one embodiment, the main intake port  1000  may be disposed slightly below the plurality of air flow intake ports  902 . Accordingly, the main intake port  1000  may further guide the cool air into the air flow channels  800 . In one embodiment, the main intake port  1000  may be considered a circumferential gap extending along a bottom portion of the housing  300  and disposed between a bottom portion of the sidewall portion  301  and the lens  504 , as can be seen in  FIG. 5 . 
     Referring again primarily to  FIGS. 3-5 , with brief reference also to  FIGS. 13 and 15 , in one embodiment, the trim portion  302  may extend upwardly and radially away from the sidewall portion  301 . In another embodiment, the trim portion  302  may include a ceiling-contacting surface  406  at an absolute upper end of the trim portion  302 . The ceiling-contacting surface  406  may be shaped to engage the downward-facing surface  1304  of the ceiling  1302 . More particularly, the ceiling-contacting surface  406  may be shaped to engage the ceiling surface  1304  surrounding the standard-sized light bulb ceiling recess  1300  so that the LED lamp  202  may be flush with the ceiling surface  1304 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . The trim portion  302  may be provided in various shapes, sized and configurations. In one embodiment, the trim portion  302  may be provided with a convex outer surface that further guides the hot air in the substantially horizontal direction. In yet another embodiment, the trim portion  302  is selectively removable from the housing  300  so as to allow users to selectively change the aesthetic look and feel of the LED lighting assembly  200 . In yet other embodiments, the LED lighting assembly  200  may not include the trim portion  302 . 
     Having described various features and embodiments of the self-cooling LED lamp  202 , the shaft  204  will now be described, with reference primarily to  FIGS. 2-6 and 11-15 . The shaft  204  is preferably a length adjustable shaft  204  so that the vertical position of the LED lamp  202  can be adjustable when installed on the ceiling. Stated another way, the length adjustable shaft  204  may be selectively moveable so as to selectively move the plurality of LEDs  500 , the housing  300 , the lens  504 , and the plurality of heat dissipating fins  700  together toward and away from the ceiling when the electrical contact portion  206  is coupled to a standard light-bulb outlet  1306  disposed within the standard-sized light bulb ceiling recess  1300 . 
     In one embodiment, the shaft  204  may have a first end  208  and a second end  210 . The first end  208  may be disposed opposite the second end  210 . The electrical contact portion  206  may be disposed on the first end  208  and the second end  210  may be coupled to the self-cooling LED lamp  202 . In a further embodiment, the second end  210  may be removeably couplable to the LED lamp  202 . In yet a further embodiment, the second end  210  may be removeably couplable to the LED lamp  202  by a one-step coupling, e.g., twisting or rotational movement. For example, the LED lamp  202  may include a receptacle for the second end  210  with grooves, for example, and mating protrusions on the second end  210  of the shaft may permit selective mating coupling of the second end  210  with the LED lamp  202 . 
     The LED lamp  202  should also be electrically couplable to the electrical contact portion  206  on the shaft  204 . Electrical wiring and connectors of any known type (e.g., GU10, GUI24, Bi pins, plugs, etc.) may be disposed within the shaft  204  and/or the LED lamp  202 . Further, the shaft  204  and/or the LED lamp  202  may be coupled together such that when the electrical contact portion  206  is electrically and mechanically coupled to the standard light-bulb outlet  1306  disposed within the standard-sized light bulb ceiling recess  1300  (see  FIG. 15 ), the plurality of LEDs  500  are also electrically coupled to receive power for emitting light. In one embodiment, the shaft  204  is configured to be selectively couplable to the plurality of LEDs  500  via a one-step mechanical and electrical coupling. In such embodiment, the shaft  204  and LED lamp  202  may be configured with mechanical and electrical connectors that may facilitate a convenient one-step mechanical, as well as, electrical coupling of the shaft  204  with the LED lamp  202 . As just one example, the one-step mechanical and electrical coupling may be performed by a twisting motion in one of a clockwise and a counter-clockwise direction. In other embodiments, the shaft  204  and the LED lamp  202  may be fixedly mechanically and electrically coupled to one another, generally requiring the user to purchase another LED lighting assembly  200  when the LEDs  500  no longer emit light. 
     Referring primarily now to  FIG. 6 , with brief reference to  FIG. 12 , in one embodiment, the shaft  204  includes a slot area  600  that defines at least one slot. In a further embodiment, the slot area  600  defines at least two slot portions  602 ,  604 . In yet a further embodiment, there may be more than two slot portions  602 ,  604 , or less than two slot portion  602 ,  604 . As used herein, the term “slot” is defined as a narrow opening, aperture, and/or groove. In one embodiment, the slot portions  602 ,  604  are continuous with one another. Stated another way, the slot portions  602 ,  604  should follow a continuous passageway from one slot portion  602  to an adjacent slot portion  604 . In another embodiment, the slot portions  602 ,  604  may be temporarily discontinuous, such as, for example, having a break-away tab  1200  (see  FIG. 12 .). The break-away tab  1200  may be disposed between the slot portions  602 ,  604  and provide a temporary barrier/resistance between the slot portions  602 ,  604 . In use, the user may be required to provide a sufficient rotational force to break the tab  1200 , thereby permitting movement of a protrusion between the slot portions  602 ,  604 , as will be described herein in more detail. 
     Referring again primarily to  FIG. 6 , with brief reference to  FIG. 8 , there may be a shaft length adjustment member  606  that is selectively moveable within the slot portions  602 ,  604 . The shaft length adjustment member  606  may be formed as a protrusion, sized and shaped for movement within the slot portions  602 ,  604 . In one embodiment, the shaft length adjustment member  606  may be formed as a protrusion extending radially inward of the shaft sidewall, as can be seen in  FIG. 8 . In the exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIG. 8 , the shaft  204  includes a first telescoping member  802  and a second telescoping member  804 . The first telescoping  802  member may define the slot portions  602 ,  604 . The second telescoping member  804  may include the shaft length adjustment member  606 . In such embodiment, when the telescoping members  802 ,  804  are assembled (one disposed within the other), the shaft length adjustment member  606  may be disposed within a portion of the slot portions  602 ,  604  and may be moveable within the slot portions  602 ,  604  to selectively adjust the length of the shaft  204  based on which of the slot portions  602 ,  604  the shaft length adjustment member  606  is disposed within. As an example, the user may fully extend the shaft  204  and move the shaft length adjustment member  606  within the slot portion  604 , which may lock the shaft  204  in the fully extended configuration (see  FIG. 13 ). The user may subsequently rotate the shaft  204  and cause the shaft length adjustment member  606  to move to the slot portion  602 , which due to its generally vertical orientation and a biasing mechanism (e.g., a spring biasing the shaft  204  toward its first end  208 ), may automatically cause the shaft  204  to collapse toward the ceiling  1302 . There may be other shapes, sizes, and configurations of the slot portions  602 ,  604  and the shaft length adjustment member  606 , but they should still allow the length of the shaft  204  to be selectively adjusted based on which of the slot portions  602 ,  604  the shaft length adjustment member  606  is disposed within. 
     Importantly for the shaft  204 , there should be a resistance mechanism associated with the shaft  204  so that rotation of the shaft  204  does not cause the shaft  204  to collapse sooner than desired. In other words, the shaft  204  should not collapse until the electrical contact portion  206  and the LED lamp  202  is fully mechanically and electrically coupled to the standard light-bulb outlet  1306  within the recessed ceiling can  1300 . Without a resistance mechanism, some embodiments of the shaft  204  would collapse immediately upon a rotational movement, even though the electrical contact portion  206  has not been fully coupled to the light-bulb outlet  1306 . Accordingly, in one embodiment, a resistance member  608  is associated with the shaft  204 . The resistance member  608  may provide a resistance force operable to resist a movement of the shaft length adjustment member  606  within the slot portions  602 ,  604 . More specifically, the shaft  204  may be considered to transmit a rotational force from a user to couple the electrical contact portion  206  to the standard light-bulb outlet  1306 . Further, the resistance member  608  is preferably operable to 1) resist a movement of the shaft length adjustment member  606  within the slot portions  602 ,  604  as the shaft  204  transmits the rotational force from the user to mechanically couple the electrical contact portion  206  to the standard light-bulb outlet  1306 ; and 2) permit a movement of the shaft length adjustment member  606  within the slot portions  602 ,  604  as a result of the shaft continuing to transmit the rotational force from the user after the electrical contact portion  206  is substantially mechanically coupled to the standard light-bulb outlet  1306 . In other words, the resistance member  608  should be configured to provide sufficient resistance such that the user can rotate the shaft  204  to screw the light into the outlet  1306 , but then once the light is screwed into the outlet  1306 , the resistance member  608  should allow a continuing screwing/rotational movement of the shaft  204  to overcome the resistance member  608 , moving the shaft length adjustment member  606  to the generally vertically-oriented slot portion  602 , thereby causing the shaft  204  and the LED lamp  202  to automatically translate toward the first end  208  of the shaft  204 . Advantageously, the resistance member  608  provides a functionally improved installation apparatus and method that is configured to initially resist a movement of the shaft length adjustment member  606  within the slot portions  602 ,  604  (when the user is screwing in the light) and subsequently to permit such movement of the shaft length adjustment member  606  within the slot portions  602 ,  604  (after the light is fully coupled to the outlet  1306 ). 
     In one embodiment, at least a portion of the resistance member  608  is disposed within the shaft  204 . In another embodiment, the resistance member  608  is disposed on the shaft  204 . In some embodiments, there may be more than one resistance member  608 , together being operably configured to provide a sufficient amount of resistance force when desired and yet allow the resistance force to be overcome by the user when desired (as discussed herein above). 
     In one embodiment, the resistance member  608  includes a spring disposed within the shaft  204 , the spring providing a resistance force operable to resist a movement of the shaft length adjustment member  606 . In such embodiment, when the user screws the light into the socket, the light can be screwed all the way in and a continued screwing motion (after the light is screwed all the way in) causes the spring to be extended because the shaft length adjustment member  606  in the slot portions  602 ,  604  extends the shaft  204  slightly against the tension of the spring. When the shaft length adjustment member  606  is moved from the slot portion  604 , which holds the shaft  204  in the extended configuration, to the slot portion  602 , the biasing force of the spring automatically causes the shaft to collapse, moving the LED lamp  202  towards the electrical contact portion  206 . 
     In other embodiments, there may other forms and configurations to provide a resistance force. These may be provided in replacement of or in addition to the spring. Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , which is a schematic view of alternative embodiments of the slot portions  602 ,  604 , in one embodiment, the resistance member  608  may include a speed bump or constriction  1202  within a transitional area between the slot portions  602  and  604 . The constriction  1202  may be formed as a narrow, flexible opening between adjacent slot portions  602 ,  604  that provides resistance against a movement of the shaft length adjustment member  606  from one slot portion  604  into the adjacent slot portion  602 . The area of the shaft  204  defining the constriction  1202  should be flexible so as to eventually allow the shaft length adjustment member  606  to squeeze past the constriction  1202  into the adjacent slot portion  602 . 
     It should be understood that although the slot portion  602  is depicted as absolutely vertically-oriented (i.e., parallel to an elongation direction of the shaft), other embodiments of the slot portion  602  may be disposed at other angles. For example, in other embodiments, the slot portion  602  may be at a slight incline. 
     In yet another embodiment, the resistance member  608  may be formed as, or include, a spring-ball detent that requires compression for the shaft length adjustment member  606  to move from the slot portion  604  into the slot portion  602 . In yet another embodiment, the resistance member  608  may include an incline  1100  of the slot portion  604  that resists movement of the shaft length adjustment member  606  from the slot portion  604  to the adjacent slot portion  602 . In yet another embodiment, the resistance member  608  may include the break-away tab  1200 . The tab  1200  may be a one-time use tab that breaks off the first time the user is able to move the shaft length adjustment member  606  from the slot portion  604  to the slot portion  602 . In one embodiment, the tab  1200  may be made of a plastic or other polymer material. An edge of the tab  1200  that meets an edge of the slot portion  604  may be formed relatively thin such that movement of the shaft length adjustment member  606  over the edge breaks the edge of the tab  1200  off. Advantageously, the resistance member  608  is able to prevent the shaft  204  from collapsing too soon. 
     Referring now briefly to  FIGS. 13-15 , an exemplary method of installing the LED assembly  200  within the recessed ceiling can  1300  is described. The user may move the shaft length adjustment member  606  into the slot portion  604 , locking the shaft  204  in an extended configuration, as shown in  FIG. 13 . The user may next couple the electrical contact portion  206  to the outlet  1306  by rotating/screwing the shaft  204 /electrical contact portion  206 , in a clockwise direction  1400 , into the outlet  1306 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . After the electrical contact portion  206  is screwed into the outlet  1306 , the user may continue rotating the shaft  204 , overcoming the resistance member  608 , thereby permitting the shaft length adjustment member  606  to move to the slot portion  602 . Responsive to the shaft length adjustment member  606  moving to the slot portion  602 , the spring&#39;s bias and the shape of the slot portion  602  allows the shaft  204  to automatically collapse, moving the LED lamp  202  towards the ceiling, as shown in  FIG. 15 . A portion of the outer periphery  400  of the housing  300  engages the ceiling, allowing the LED lamp  202  to be mounted flush with the ceiling. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates another embodiment of the LED lighting assembly  1700 . The assembly  1700  has an LED assembly  1702  with multiple light sources  1704  within that have a portion subjected to airflow (represented with arrows  1706 ) within the airflow channel  1708 . In one embodiment, the airflow chamber  1714  may form one single channel  1708  that subjects all of the light sources  1704  to the airflow. In other embodiments, the airflow chamber  1714  may section into multiple chambers  1714  that define a plurality of individual airflow channels  1708  that subject the airflow to one or more LED light sources  1704 .  FIG. 17  also shows the LED assembly  1702  with a power supply  1712  and a circuit board  1710  coupled thereto and subjected to the airflow. In other embodiments, the power supply  1712  and/or circuit board  1710  may be located physically outside the airflow channel  1708 , but may have one or more heat sinks coupled thereto, such that they could be said to be thermally coupled to the airflow channel  1708 . The one or more light sources  1702  may be coupled to a portion  1716  of the airflow chamber  1714 . The chamber  1714  has a first opening  1722  at the lower side of the chamber  1714  and the second opening  1724  is located at the upper side of the chamber  1714 . In other embodiments, there may be more than one opening or the openings may be in different locations on the chamber  1714 . Further, the second opening  1724  is shown expelling the air on the side of the chamber, but in other embodiments, the second opening  1724  may expel the hot air into the recessed portion  1300  of the ceiling  1302  where it is then transported upwardly through the building. 
     In contrast to embodiments where the airflow chamber is a single piece of material and separate and independent from an LED assembly, the airflow chamber  1714  in  FIG. 17  is integrated with the LED assembly  1702 . In one example of the present invention, the chamber  1714  is adjustable along a shaft  1718  either before, or after, the assembly  1700  is screwed into the light-bulb outlet  1720 . The chamber  1714  is translated upward or downward at will by a user. This can be accomplished, for example, by ball detents, friction, by pressing and depressing a button  1726  the releases a shaft  1728  into a plurality of slots  1730 , or any other mechanical mode for allowing two objects to selectively translate relative to one another. This feature allows the user to selectively adjust the chamber  1714  to an appropriate height sufficient for it to be flush against the ceiling  202 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 18 , another example of the present invention is shown. The chamber  1802  defines an airflow channel  1804  that facilitates and directs the transfer of airflow (represented by arrows  1806 ) to the second opening  1808 . The second opening  1808  expels the hot air generated from the components of the LED assembly  1810  into the recessed  1300  portion of the ceiling  1302  where it is transferred into the ceiling through the electrical outlet  1818  or one or more portions  1820  of the upper surface of the assembly  1800 . Similar to  FIG. 17 , the assembly  1800  is adjustable vertically along the shaft  1812 . In one embodiment, when the assembly  1800  is to be adjusted, the user presses the lever  1814 . The assembly  1800  is coupled to the shaft  1812  with rotatable hooks  1816  that prevents chamber  1802  from traveling pass the end of the shaft  1812 . The shaft  1812  may also have a void located therein for electrical wiring. In other embodiments, the assembly  1800  may be adjustable using notches, threading, or other similar means to allow the assembly  1800  to be adjusted as discussed. 
     A novel and efficient ceiling mounted LED lighting assembly has been disclosed with a cooling feature that continuously cools the LEDs without a fan and directs hot air away from a recessed ceiling can. Embodiments of the invention provide a heat sink formed as a skirt disposed around a periphery of the LEDs and that is disposed between the LEDs and an outer periphery of a housing of the LED lighting assembly. In addition, embodiments of the invention provide for the heat sink fins and the housing to define a plurality of air flow channels disposed around the LEDs such that heat generated by the LEDs is transferred to the heat sink fins, driving a continuous flow of air through the air flow channels. In such embodiments, lower portions of the heat sink fins and housing may be considered air flow intake ports and upper portions of the heat sink fins and housing may be considered air flow exhaust ports. Embodiments of the present invention provide for the outer periphery of the housing to have a dimension exceeding a maximum opening dimension of a standard-sized recessed ceiling can, with the air flow channels disposed beneath the ceiling, in an installed configuration, and arranged to direct hot air away from the recessed ceiling can so as not to trap the hot air within the recess. Further embodiments of the present invention provide for a surface of the housing and heat sink fins having a concave shape that guides the hot air away from the LED lighting assembly and the recessed ceiling can. In additional embodiments, the LED lighting assembly includes a trim above a sidewall portion, the trim and the sidewall portion together defining a main exhaust port extending continuously, circumferentially between the trim and the sidewall portion to permit the continuous flow of hot air to escape into the atmosphere in a generally horizontal direction away from the LED lighting assembly and the recessed ceiling can. Yet other embodiments of the present invention, including an adjustable length shaft with a resistance member.