Patent Publication Number: US-2015087174-A1

Title: Mountable connector box for electrical device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/882,585, filed Sep. 25, 2013 and entitled “MOUNTABLE CONNECTOR BOX FOR ELECTRICAL APPLICATIONS”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to electrical devices, and more specifically, to electrical connector boxes are mountable into surfaces and suitable for various applications, including but not limited to lighting. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electrical junction boxes are commonly used in electrical systems. There are many different types of electrical boxes depending on the intended application, such as those for use with ceiling lighting and/or ceiling fans, those for use with wall switches and/or wall lighting (e.g., wall sconces, bathroom fixtures), and so on. The boxes are typically made with metal or plastic material, and are configured to receive electrical wiring and to provide a structure on which electrical components such as switches, outlets, ceiling fans, and/or lighting fixtures may be mounted and connected to the electrical wiring. The electrical boxes are typically securely fastened to wall studs, floor joists and/of ceiling joists, and the like, and may be adjusted to sit at a desired depth and allow for installation of finishing plates. 
     SUMMARY 
     As noted above, electrical boxes are securely fastened to wall studs or floor joists during the installation process. With respect to recessed lighting fixtures, for instance, a metal can housing is typically provided, in which the electrical socket and electrical wiring resides. The can itself is secured to the wall studs or floor joists or other structure, depending on whether the lighting fixture is wall-based or ceiling-based. While such electrical connector boxes are suitable for many applications, there are a number of drawbacks. For instance, with conventional connector boxes for lighting fixtures, a user is limited to what comes with the connector box, as the fixture and connector box generally come as an operable pair. In addition, any deviation from a standard installation necessitates modifications and/or additional hardware at the time of installation, which increases costs and installation time. 
     Embodiments provide an electrical connector box that is able to be mounted into surfaces such as ceilings and walls and accommodates multiple types of lighting devices. The electrical connector box eases installation in that it does not need to be fixed to floor joists or other structural members. Rather, the connector box is configured with spring clips that are movable to one of multiple positions on the housing of the connector box, thereby allowing accommodation of different lighting devices. To this end, the connector box is an individual part independent of the various lighting devices with which it may be coupled. Lighting devices, along with other electrical devices, may thus be configured to seamlessly engage the connector box at installation via a variety of lock engagements. Families of lighting devices may be provided that include a particular lock engagement scheme or schemes. Embodiments are useful in new construction and in retrofit scenarios. 
     Numerous engagement schemes will be apparent in light of this disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the electrical connector box is configured with a number of assembly features that are designed to twistingly engage corresponding assembly features of one or more electrical devices. In this way, the connector box may be operatively coupled with the given electrical device by simply aligning the assembly features of the connector box and the electrical device, and then twisting the connector box to lock in the interface between the two. In some embodiments, the electrical connector box is configured with three twist-based assembly features positioned one hundred and twenty degrees apart from one another to provide a robust twist-and-lock type connection. Other embodiments may include fewer or more such assembly features. In some embodiments, the connector box and electrical device assembly may be taken apart by twisting in the opposite direction. 
     In an embodiment, there is provided an electrical connector box. The electrical connector box includes: a housing configured with a hollow to receive electronics of a lighting device and including a first set of two or more anchor point locations and a second set of two or more anchor point locations; a first spring clip fastened to one of the first set of two or more anchor point locations such that the first spring clip is capable of moving between a compressed position and a deployed position; and a second spring clip fastened to one of the second set of two or more anchor point locations such that the second spring clip is capable of moving between a compressed position and a deployed position; wherein the anchor point locations to which the first spring clip and the second spring clip are anchored are changeable to accommodate a set of lighting devices. 
     In a related embodiment, the housing may be further configured with a plurality of mounting features each configured to twistingly-engage with a corresponding mounting feature of a lighting device in the set of lighting devices. In another related embodiment, the housing may be further configured with three mounting features evenly spaced on an outer sidewall of the housing, each configured to twistingly-engage with a corresponding mounting feature of a lighting device in the set of lighting devices. In yet another related embodiment, the electrical connector box may further include a first spring clip fastener and a second spring clip fastener, each configured to removably secure a corresponding one of the first spring clip and the second spring clip to one of the anchor point locations. In a further related embodiment, one of the first spring clip fastener and the second spring clip fastener may include a combination of a nut and a bolt. 
     In still another related embodiment, the housing may be cylindrical in shape and may be formed such that the housing and the anchor point locations are a unitary construction. In yet still another related embodiment, the housing may be further configured with one or more wire holes, each wire hole configured with a strain relief feature. In still yet another related embodiment, the first set of anchor point locations may include two anchor point locations and the second set of anchor point locations may include two anchor point locations. In yet another related embodiment, each of the first set of anchor point locations and the second set of anchor point locations may include a first flange-pair extending from an outer sidewall of the housing and having multiple opposing hole-pairs, each hole-pair to anchor a corresponding spring clip such that the spring clip is capable of moving between the compressed and deployed positions. 
     In another embodiment, there is provided an electrical connector box. The electrical connector box includes: a housing configured with a hollow to receive a portion of a lighting device and further configured with a plurality of mounting features configured to twistingly-engage with corresponding mounting features of the lighting device; a first spring clip; a second spring clip; a first flange-pair extending from an outer sidewall of the housing and having multiple opposing first hole-pairs, each first hole-pair configured to anchor the first spring clip such that the first spring clip is capable of moving between a compressed position and a deployed position; and a second flange-pair extending from the outer sidewall of the housing and having multiple opposing second hole-pairs, each second hole-pair configured to anchor the second spring clip such that second first spring clip is capable of moving between a compressed position and a deployed position; wherein the hole pairs in which the first spring clip and the second spring clip are anchored are changeable so as to accommodate a set of lighting devices. 
     In a related embodiment, the plurality of mounting features on the housing may include three mounting features evenly spaced on the outer sidewall of the housing, each configured to twistingly-engage with a corresponding mounting feature of a lighting device in the set of lighting devices. In another related embodiment, the electrical connector box may further include a first spring clip fastener and a second spring clip fastener, each configured to removably secure a corresponding one of the first spring clip and the second spring clip to a corresponding one of the first flange-pair and the second flange-pair. In still another related embodiment, the housing may be cylindrical in shape and may be formed such that the housing and the flange-pairs are a unitary construction. In yet another related embodiment, the housing may be further configured with one or more wire holes, each wire hole configured with a strain relief feature. 
     In another embodiment, there is provided a method of making an electrical connector box. The method includes: forming a housing having with a hollow to receive a portion of a lighting and having a first set of two or more anchor point locations and a second set of two or more anchor point locations; fastening a first spring clip to one of the first set of two or more anchor point locations such that the first spring clip is capable of moving between a compressed position and a deployed position; and fastening a second spring clip to one of the second set of two or more anchor point locations such that the second spring clip is capable of moving between a compressed position and a deployed position; wherein the anchor point locations to which the first spring clip and the second spring clip are anchored are changeable to accommodate a set of lighting devices. 
     In a related embodiment, forming the housing may further include forming a plurality of mounting features on an outer sidewall of the housing, wherein each mounting feature is capable of twistingly-engaging with a corresponding mounting feature of the lighting device; and configuring one or more wire holes, each wire hole having a strain relief feature. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages disclosed herein will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments disclosed herein, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles disclosed herein. 
         FIGS. 1A-1B  illustrate a mountable electrical connector box according to embodiments disclosed herein. 
         FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate how the mountable electrical connector box of  FIGS. 1A-1B  may be interfaced with a lighting device, according to embodiments disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 3  and  FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate how the mountable electrical connector box and interfaced lighting device of  FIGS. 2A-2B  may be installed to provide ceiling-based lighting, according to embodiments disclosed herein. 
         FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate how the mountable electrical connector box of  FIGS. 1A-1B  may be interfaced with another lighting device, according to embodiments disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 6  and  FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate how the mountable electrical connector box and interfaced another lighting device of  FIGS. 5A-5B  may be installed to provide ceiling-based lighting, according to embodiments disclosed herein. 
         FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate how an assembly of a mountable connector box and the another lighting device may be installed in a recessed lighting can so as to provide ceiling-based lighting, according to embodiments disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments provide an electrical connector box that may be mounted into various surfaces, such as but not limited to ceilings and walls, and accommodates multiple types of electric devices. Though embodiments are described with respect to one or more lighting devices, which include any type of light source, embodiments are not so limited and these descriptions are merely for ease of convenience. The electrical connector box may be, and in some embodiments is, made from any suitable materials and/or using any appropriate manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the electrical connector box is formed from molded plastic, so as to provide a one-piece construction to which spring clips and/or other mounting devices may be removably fastened. The plastic may be, for example, and in some embodiments is, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), phenolic resin, fiberglass, or the like. Other materials, such as but not limited to metal and wood, may be used if desired. However, moldable plastic provides a number of manufacturing advantages, as will be appreciated. 
     Though embodiments described herein focus on ceiling-based applications, this is for ease of explanation only. Numerous other applications will be apparent in light of this disclosure, and embodiments may be and in some applications are used for mounting in other surfaces and for other electrical devices. For example, embodiments may also be used for wall-based lighting applications, such as but not limited to sconces, porch lights, hallway lighting, bathroom lighting, and so on. Likewise, electrical devices such as but not limited to temporary switching, electrical control panel applications (e.g., temperature, dimming, etc), and the like may also use one or more electrical connector boxes according to embodiments described herein. 
       FIGS. 1A-1B  illustrate an electrical connector box  100  capable for mounting electrical devices on surfaces. As shown, the electrical connector box  100  includes a housing  102  upon which two spring clips  104 A,  104 B are operatively coupled. The housing  102  may be, for example, and in some embodiments is, injection molded plastic. In some embodiments, the housing  102  is a single unitary piece having features such as those shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the housing  102  is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes a center that is hollow, so as to provide a void within which circuitry and/or a portion of a lighting device, such as but not limited to a luminaire, may be positioned. Of course, the housing  102  of the electrical connector box  100  is able to take on any shape and/or substantially any shape, including combinations of shapes (for example but not limited to a substantially cylindrical portion closed at one end and open at the opposite end, attached at the opposite end to a substantially rectangular portion). The spring clips  104 A,  104 B are removably fastened to the housing  102 . As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the spring clips  104 A,  104 B are removably fastened at one of two sets of anchor points  106 ,  108 .  FIG. 1A  shows the spring clips  104 A,  104 B removable fastened to an upper anchor point  106 , and  FIG. 1B  shows the spring clips  104 A,  104 B removably fastened to a lower anchor point  108 . In some embodiments, a spring clip fastener  110  is used to secure the spring clips  104 A,  104 B to the desired location on the housing  102  (e.g., one or more anchor points  106 ,  108 ). The spring clip fastener  110  may be, and in some embodiments is, implemented via any suitable fasteners that are able to be secured and unsecured to the housing  102  as desired while allowing the spring clips  104 A,  104 B to function, for example but not limited to via a nut and bolt combination, a pin and corresponding receiving socket, and so on. The desired locations on the housing  102  to which the spring clips  104 A,  104 B may be fastened, whether anchor points  106 ,  108  or some other point and/or points, are configured to receive the spring clip fastener  110  in such a way as to provide sufficient rigidity and robustness to accommodate multiple changes in the location of the spring clip(s)  104 A,  104 B. The desired locations are also configured to otherwise securely maintain a spring clip  104 A,  104 B in place once the spring clip fastener  110  has been tightened or otherwise deployed. 
     In  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the anchor points  106 ,  108  associated with a given spring clip  104 A,  104 B are implemented with two flange-like extensions  112 A,  112 B configured on the side of the housing  102  and sufficiently spaced from one another in an opposing fashion so that the spring clip  104 A,  104 B fits therebetween. A set of two flange-like extensions  112 A,  112 B is generally referred to throughout as a flange-pair  112 A,  112 B. Each flange-like extension  112 A,  112 B in the flange-pair  112 A,  112 B has a set of holes, with each hole of one flange-like extension  112 A,  112 B corresponding to a hole of the opposing flange-like extension  112 A,  112 B, so as to allow a bolt or other suitable fastening mechanism to be threaded or otherwise placed through corresponding holes in each flange-like extension  112 A,  112 B. Such a pair of corresponding holes is generally referred to throughout as a hole-pair. The bolt or other suitable fastening mechanism is also threaded or otherwise placed through the spring tube of the intervening spring clip  104 A,  104 B or other suitable mechanism. In  FIGS. 1A and 1B , each flange-like extension  112 A,  112 B is shown as having two holes, but of course fewer or more holes may be and in some embodiments are used. A larger number of holes in a set of holes may be used to provide a greater degree of flexibility and/or to accommodate more types of electrical devices, including luminaires, with which the electrical connector box  100  may be, and in some embodiments is, coupled. 
     The housing  102  is also configured with a plurality of mounting features  114  configured to engage with a corresponding mounting feature of a given luminaire or other electrical device (not shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , but shown in other drawings). As previously explained, the housing  102  may be, and in some embodiments is, made from any suitable material or materials, such as but not limited to PVC, phenolic resin, fiberglass, metal, including combinations thereof. As will be explained, the mounting features  114  may be, and in some embodiments are, configured to provide a twist-and-lock mechanism, thereby allowing for a relatively easy assembly process. One or more punch-out features or holes  116 , or the like, are provided in the top of the electrical connector box  100  to allow for passage of wiring so that power may be provided to the electrical device to which the electrical connector box  110  is connected. Such punch-out features and/or holes  116  and/or the like may be configured so as to provide a degree of strain relief for any wiring travelling there through. In some embodiments, the housing  102  of the electrical connector box  100  and/or features  114  thereon are made using injection molding techniques. Alternatively, in other embodiments, pressing and/or milling techniques are used. Of course, any suitable forming techniques for the electrical connector box  100  are also contemplated. 
       FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate how the electrical connector box  100  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  interface with a lighting device  200 , which is shown in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, and  3 , among others. In  FIG. 2A , the spring clips  104 A,  104 B are mounted in the upper anchor points  106 , and the electrical connector box  100  is coupled with the lighting device  200 , which is a disk-shaped luminaire, such as but not limited to an ULTRA LED Light Disk downlight luminaire available from OSRAM SYLVANIA. However, and as will be appreciated in light of this disclosure, the lighting device  200  may be and in some embodiments is any type of lighting device having a configuration that allows the lighting device to securely engage with the electrical connector box  100  as variously described herein. For instance, as shown in  FIG. 2A , the lighting device  200  includes three mounting features  214  disposed about one hundred and twenty degrees apart from one another, so as to rotatingly engage and lock with a corresponding mounting feature  114  disposed on a side of the housing  102  of the electrical connector box  100 .  FIG. 2B  shows the electrical connector box  100  coupled to the lighting device  200 , with further details of the mounting features  114 ,  214  according to some embodiments. As is seen in  FIG. 2B , the hollow of the electrical connector box  100  is sufficiently sized to receive and cover a portion of the lighting device  200  including, for example, electronics  260  associated with the lighting device  200 , when the corresponding mounting features  114 ,  214  are engaged with each other. In some embodiments, electrical wiring  250  to the lighting device  200  pass through one or more of the top punch-outs or holes  116  in the electrical connector box  100 , and are connected to the lighting device  200 . 
     In some embodiments, the electrical connector box  100  is coupled to the lighting device  200  using the following procedure. First, wires from the mainline power source are routed through one or more features  116  on top of the electrical connector box  100 . These wires are connected to one or more wires of the lighting device  200  in any conventional method. Once the necessary wiring connections are made, the electrical connector box  100  is brought closer to the lighting device  200 , such that the mounting features  114  of the electrical connector box  100  are aligned with the corresponding mounting features  214  of the lighting device  200 , and then twisting one or the other in a direction (e.g., counter-clockwise) to attach the electrical connector box  100  to the lighting device  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . While  FIG. 2B  shows three mounting features  114 ,  214  evenly spaced on each of the electrical connector box  100  and luminaire  200 , some embodiments are configured with fewer or more such mounting features  114 ,  214 , depending on factors such as but not limited to the desired robustness of the interface between the electrical connector box  100  and the lighting device  200  balanced against the desired ease of the alignment and twisting action. The twist and lock type mounting feature allows for quick and reliable attachment of the electrical connector box  100  to the lighting device  200 . In some embodiments, the twist and lock type mounting feature  114 ,  214  is further configured to allow for detachment of the electrical connector box  100  and the lighting device  200  by a similar twisting action in the opposite direction. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates how the electrical connector box  100  and the lighting device  200 , when coupled as shown in  FIG. 2B , is able to be installed into a surface  300 , such as but not limited to a ceiling tile  300 , though of course any surface capable of receiving the coupled electrical connector box  100  and the lighting device  200  is usable. As seen, with the lighting device  200  coupled to the electrical connector box  100 , creating a lighting assembly, the spring clips  104 A,  104 B of the electrical connector box  100  may be compressed inwards towards the electrical connector box  100 . This position for the spring clips  104 A,  104 B is referred to throughout as a compressed position. The lighting assembly is then aligned with an appropriate sized opening, hole, or the like in the ceiling tile  300 , and pushed inside. The spring clips  104 A,  104 B are then released to their deployed position, after the lighting assembly is inside the hole, as shown in  FIG. 4A . In the deployed position, the spring clips  104 A,  104 B effectively sit or are otherwise in at least partial contact against a surface  300 A opposite the surface  300  the exterior-facing portion of the lighting device  200  is in contact with. The spring clips  104 A,  104 B in their deployed position securely hold the lighting assembly in place.  FIG. 4B  shows the surface  300  that the exterior-facing portion of the lighting device  200  is in contact with, as well as the exterior-facing portion of the lighting device  200 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate the electrical connector box  100  of  FIGS. 1A-1B  interfacing with another lighting device  500 , such as but not limited to an ULTRA RT6 LED recessed luminaire or an ULTRA RT6 Gimbal LED recessed luminaire, both available from OSRAM SYLVANIA. The another lighting device  500  shown has a hat-like shape, however, the another lighting device  500  may be, and in some embodiments is, any lighting device having a configuration that allows the lighting device to securely engage with the electrical connector box  100  as variously described herein. In  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the spring clips  104 A,  104 B of the electrical connector box  100  are mounted in a set of lower anchor points  108 , so as to properly secure the another lighting device  500 . The another lighting device  500  includes three mounting features  514  disposed about one hundred and twenty degrees apart from one another and on a surface of the another lighting device  500 . These three mounting features  514 , similar to the mounting features  214  on the lighting device  200  shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B , rotatingly engage and lock with corresponding mounting features  114  disposed on a side of the housing  102  of the electrical connector box  100 .  FIG. 5B  shows the electrical connector box  100  coupled to the another lighting device  500 . The hollow of the electrical connector box  100  is sufficiently sized so as to receive and cover at least a portion of the another lighting device  500 , particularly a portion including electronics  560  associated with the another lighting device  500 , when the corresponding mounting features  114 ,  514  are engaged. In some embodiments, the electrical wiring (not shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B ) to the another lighting device  500  passes through one or more of the openings  116  in the electrical connector box  100  and is connected to the another lighting device  500 , with the wiring connection(s) located within the electrical connector box  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the electrical connector box  100  is coupled to the another lighting device  500  similar to the coupling of the electrical connector box  100  to the lighting device  200 , described above in connection with  FIGS. 2A and 2B . More specifically, after wiring from the input power source is routed into the electrical connector box  100 , this wiring is connected to wires of the another lighting device  500  using any known mechanisms and/or methods. The electrical connector box  100  is then brought closer to the another lighting device  500 , such that the mounting features  114  of the electrical connector box  100  are aligned with the corresponding mounting features  514  of the another lighting device  500 . One of the electrical connector box  100  and the another lighting device  500  are twisted with respect to the other, attaching the electrical connector box  100  to the another lighting device  500 . Though  FIG. 5B  shows three mounting features  114 ,  514  evenly spaced on each of the electrical connector box  100  and the another lighting device  500 , in some embodiments, fewer or more such mounting features are present, depending on factors such as the desired robustness of the interface therebetween balanced against the desired ease of the alignment and twisting action. The twist and lock type mounting feature  114 ,  514  allows for quick and reliable attachment of electrical connector box  100  to the another lighting device  500 . In some embodiments, the twist and lock type mounting features  114 ,  514  are further configured to allow for detachment by a similar twisting action in the opposite direction. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the installation of the coupled together electrical connector box  100  and the another lighting device  500  of  FIGS. 5A-5B  into a surface  600 A, such as but not limited to a ceiling tile  600 A. As shown in  FIG. 6 , with the another lighting device  500  coupled to the electrical connector box  100 , creating a lighting assembly, the spring clips  104 A,  104 B of the electrical connector box  100  may be compressed inwards towards the electrical connector box  100 . This position for the spring clips  104 A,  104 B is the compressed position discussed above with regards to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The lighting assembly is then aligned with an appropriate sized opening, hole, or the like in the ceiling tile  600 A, and pushed inside. The spring clips  104 A,  104 B are then released to their deployed position, after the lighting assembly is inside the hole, as shown in  FIG. 7A . By locating the spring clips  104 A,  104 B in the lower anchor points  108 , the additional height of the another lighting device  500  (compared to the lighting device  200 ) is offset, so that the spring clips  104 A,  104 B in their deployed position effectively sit or are otherwise in at least partial contact against the surface  600 A opposite a surface  600  the exterior-facing portion of the another lighting device  500  is in contact with, as shown in  FIG. 7B . The spring clips  104 A,  104 B in their deployed position securely hold the lighting assembly in place.  FIG. 7B  shows the surface  600  that the exterior-facing portion of the another lighting device  500  is in contact with, as well as the exterior-facing portion of the another lighting device  500 . 
       FIGS. 8A ,  8 B, and  8 C illustrate the installation of an electrical connector box  100  coupled to a lighting device, so as to form a lighting assembly, within a given recessed lighting fixture  830 . As will be appreciated, the recessed lighting fixture  830  need not be specifically designed to operate with the electrical connector box  100 , the lighting device  800 , or the combination as a lighting assembly. Rather, the electrical connector box  100  provides flexibility of installation, effectively allowing a lighting assembly including the electrical connector box  100  to be used with a variety of recessed lighting fixtures. As shown in  FIG. 8A , the recessed lighting fixture  830  is implemented as typically known in the art, and thus generally includes a fixture can  870 , electronics  875 , and installation bracing  880 . The installation bracing  880  is used to secure the recessed lighting fixture  830  to, for example, floor joists or other structural members (not shown). The electronics  875  are connected to a power source that provides mainline power, and are configured to process that mainline power to a suitable voltage so as to power a lighting device installed in the recessed lighting fixture  830 . Numerous such can-based fixtures are known in the art, and embodiments of the electrical connector box  100  disclosed throughout are usable with any such fixture. 
       FIG. 8B  shows the electrical connector box  100  coupled to the another lighting device  500 , so as to form a lighting assembly. The lighting assembly is inserted into the can  870  of the recessed lighting fixture  830 . As is shown, during this insertion, the spring clips  104 A,  104 B of the electrical connector box  100  are in their compressed position. The entire lighting assembly is then aligned with and pushed into the can  870 . The spring clips  104 A,  104 B are then released to their deployed position, once the lighting assembly is inside the can  870 , as shown in  FIG. 8C . In their deployed position, the spring clips  104 A,  104 B press, engage with, or are otherwise in contact with walls and/or mounting features of the can  870 , securely holding the lighting assembly in place. Though  FIGS. 8B and 8C  shown a lighting assembly including the another lighting device  500 , other types of lighting devices, such as but not limited to the lighting device  200  shown in  FIGS. 2A-4B , may be and in some embodiments are used. In a more general sense, any number of combinations of electrical connector box  100  with a lighting device may be and are deployed within a can of a given recessed lighting fixture. 
     In some embodiments, the interior wall or walls of a can of a recessed lighting fixture may include particular bracketing or other connectors configured to receive a particular lighting assembly, specifically designed for use with that recessed lighting fixture. A lighting assembly including a lighting device and an electrical connector box according to embodiments disclosed throughout will either work with (i.e., use) or work around (i.e., not use) such particular bracketing or other connectors. In some embodiments, electrical wiring to the recessed lighting fixture may be rewired or otherwise operatively connected to the electrical connector box of a lighting assembly within the recessed lighting fixture, so as to power the lighting device that is part of the lighting assembly. In some embodiments, an intermediate wire from the electronics and/or other portion of the recessed lighting fixture to the lighting assembly is provided. In some such embodiments, the electrical connector box and/or lighting device is further configured with one or more wiring connectors to facilitate this intermediate connection. The wiring connectors may include, for example, but are not limited to, any type of standardized and/or custom plug-and-clip connectors that allow an intermediate connection from between the a portion of the lighting assembly and a portion of the recessed lighting fixture. In such embodiments, power may be routed to the lighting device for lighting a given area. 
     Unless otherwise stated, use of the word “substantially” may be construed to include a precise relationship, condition, arrangement, orientation, and/or other characteristic, and deviations thereof as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, to the extent that such deviations do not materially affect the disclosed methods and systems. 
     Throughout the entirety of the present disclosure, use of the articles “a” and/or “an” and/or “the” to modify a noun may be understood to be used for convenience and to include one, or more than one, of the modified noun, unless otherwise specifically stated. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
     Elements, components, modules, and/or parts thereof that are described and/or otherwise portrayed through the figures to communicate with, be associated with, and/or be based on, something else, may be understood to so communicate, be associated with, and or be based on in a direct and/or indirect manner, unless otherwise stipulated herein. 
     Although the methods and systems have been described relative to a specific embodiment thereof, they are not so limited. Obviously many modifications and variations may become apparent in light of the above teachings. Many additional changes in the details, materials, and arrangement of parts, herein described and illustrated, may be made by those skilled in the art.