Patent Publication Number: US-2020278095-A1

Title: Configurable Mounting Frame for Direct Mount Luminaires

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to mounting structures, and more particularly to a configurable mounting frame for mounting direct mount luminaires in a ceiling or a similar mounting surface. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Direct mount luminaires are recessed lighting units that are installed in mounting surfaces such as drywall ceilings or suspended ceilings without a recessed housing can. Typically, the recessed lighting units are mounted in the ceiling using a mounting frame (also known as ‘plaster frame’) that is disposed behind the ceiling, e.g., in the plenum between the structural ceiling (roof) and a finished ceiling wall that conceals the underside of the structural ceiling. The mounting frame may be secured directly to the joists in the ceiling or supported on hanger bars that are fastened to and extend between the joists. Further, the mounting frame includes a light fixture receiving opening that is configured to receive the recessed lighting unit and secure the recessed lighting fixture to the mounting frame. In some instances, the light fixture receiving opening in the mounting frame may also be used as a guide along which an aperture can be cut in the ceiling for installing the recessed lighting unit. 
     In conventional mounting frames, the shape of the light fixture receiving opening in the mounting frame may be fixed and may depend on the shape of the recessed lighting unit that is to be mounted to the mounting frame. That is, in conventional mounting frames, the shape of the light fixture receiving opening may be configured to allow a similarly shaped lighting unit to be received and mounted to the mounting frame. For example, a mounting frame with a circular light fixture receiving opening may be configured to receive and mount a lighting unit having a substantially circular shape. However, if a different lighting unit having a shape that is different from the shape of the light fixture receiving opening of the mounting frame is to be mounted, a different mounting frame with a light fixture receiving opening having a shape corresponding to or substantially similar to that of the different lighting unit will be required. In other words, to accommodate various lighting units of different shapes, several mounting frames are required, where each mounting frame has a light fixture receiving opening of a different shape. 
     The requirement for several different mounting frames imposes the need for the luminaire manufacturer to produce, and the luminaire dealers to manage increased product stock keeping units (SKUs). Additionally, in a remodel installation scenario where a user wants to replace a lighting unit having a first shape with a new lighting unit having a different second shape, the existing mounting frame having a light fixture receiving opening that is only configured to receive the lighting unit having the first shape will have to be removed and replaced with a different mounting frame having a light fixture receiving opening that is configured to receive the lighting unit having the second shape. The removal and replacement of the existing plaster frame with another plaster frame may be both labor and time intensive. 
     Further, in conventional mounting systems, junction boxes associated with a luminaire have to be attached to the mounting frames prior to installing the mounting frames in the ceiling. That is, in conventional mounting systems, the mounting frame and the junction box that is attached thereto are installed as a single unit in the ceiling because conventional mounting frames are not configured to allow the junction box to be separately coupled thereto or securely disposed thereon after the mounting frames have been installed in the finished ceiling. 
     Furthermore, in conventional systems, the junction boxes are attached to the mounting frames using fasteners which require the installer to use tools, such as screw drivers or other appropriate fastening tools. That is, the conventional mounting frames are not configured to allow a toolless mounting, coupling, or installation of the junction boxes and/or any other electrical and electronics components (e.g., drivers) thereto. 
     This background information is provided to reveal information believed to be of possible relevance to the present disclosure. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present disclosure. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a configurable mounting frame that includes a base. The base includes a light fixture receiving opening formed therein. The light fixture receiving opening having a first shape and configured to receive a first light fixture. A shape of the first light fixture corresponds to the first shape of the light fixture receiving opening. Further, the base includes a breakaway panel disposed adjacent to the light fixture receiving opening. The breakaway panel being detachable from the base to change the light fixture receiving opening from the first shape to a second shape. The light fixture receiving opening having the second shape is configured to receive a second light fixture. The shape of the second light fixture corresponds to the second shape of the light fixture receiving opening. Furthermore, the base includes a locking feature configured to releasably lock an electrical component to the configurable mounting frame. Further, the configurable mounting frame includes a side wall that extends substantially perpendicular to the base from a perimeter of the base. The locking feature is disposed on the base between the side wall and the light fixture receiving opening. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a configurable mounting frame. The configurable mounting frame includes a base that comprises a light fixture receiving opening formed therein. The light fixture receiving opening has a first shape and is configured to receive a first light fixture, where a shape of the first light fixture is substantially similar to the first shape of the light fixture receiving opening. Further, the base includes a breakaway panel disposed adjacent to the light fixture receiving opening. The breakaway panel is detachable from the base to change the light fixture receiving opening from the first shape to a second shape. The light fixture receiving opening having the second shape is configured to receive a second light fixture, where a shape of the second light fixture is substantially similar to the second shape of the light fixture receiving opening. 
     In yet another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a configurable mounting frame that includes a base. The base includes a light fixture receiving opening formed therein. The light fixture receiving opening having a first shape and configured to receive a first light fixture, where a shape of the first light fixture is substantially similar to the first shape of the light fixture receiving opening. Further, the base includes a locking feature that is configured to releasably lock an electrical component to the configurable mounting frame. The configurable mounting frame includes a side wall that extend substantially perpendicular to the base from a perimeter of the base. The locking feature is disposed on the base between the side wall and the light fixture receiving opening. 
     These and other aspects, objects, features, and embodiments, will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The foregoing and other features and aspects of the present disclosure are best understood with reference to the following description of certain example embodiments, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an example luminaire mounting assembly, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top perspective view of an example configurable mounting frame of the luminaire mounting assembly of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the example configurable mounting frame, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the example configurable mounting frame, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom view of the example configurable mounting frame, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of a portion of the example configurable mounting frame illustrating example locking features of the example configurable mounting frame, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a first cross-sectional view of the example configurable mounting frame along an X-X′ axis, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a second cross-sectional view of the example configurable mounting frame along an X″-X′″ axis, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is another enlarged view of another portion of the example configurable mounting frame illustrating example detachable panels of the example configurable mounting frame, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of the configurable mounting frame with the detachable panels removed therefrom, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of an example junction box-driver assembly with mounting feet for removably coupling the junction box assembly to the example configurable mounting frame, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of the example configurable mounting frame with the example junction box-driver assembly coupled thereto using the mounting feet of the junction box assembly and the locking features of the example configurable mounting frame, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 13  illustrates the perspective view of the example luminaire mounting assembly of  FIG. 1  with example lighting modules of different shapes that can be coupled to the example configurable mounting frame of the example luminaire mounting assembly, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The drawings illustrate only example embodiments of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, as the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the example embodiments. Additionally, certain dimensions or positions may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following paragraphs, a configurable mounting frame for direct mount luminaires will be described in further detail by way of examples with reference to the attached drawings. In the description, well-known components, methods, and/or processing techniques are omitted or are briefly described so as not to obscure the disclosure. As used herein, the “present disclosure” refers to any one of the embodiments of the disclosure described herein and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the “present disclosure” is not to suggest that all embodiments must include the referenced feature(s). Even though the present disclosure describes the configurable mounting frame as being configured for mounting direct mount luminaires, one of skill in the art can understand and appreciate that the configurable mounting frame can be used for mounting any other appropriate luminaire, e.g., recessed luminaires mounted in recessed housing cans, without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. 
     The configurable mounting frame of the present disclosure includes a light fixture receiving opening that is configurable to accommodate lighting units of different shapes therein, thereby allowing lighting units of different shapes to be mounted using the same mounting frame. In one example, the configurable mounting frame includes breakaway panels that are configured to be detached from the mounting frame to change a shape of the light fixture receiving opening from a first shape that is configured to accommodate a lighting unit having a first shape to a second shape that is configured to accommodate a lighting unit having the second shape. In so doing, the configurable mounting frame allows a lighting unit having a first shape or a lighting unit having a second shape to be mounted using the same configurable mounting frame (i.e., without having to use two different mounting frames as in conventional mounting systems). 
     Further, the configurable mounting frame of the present disclosure includes locking features that are configured to allow a junction box assembly, a driver assembly, and/or a junction box-driver assembly to be removably coupled thereto without the use of any tools (toollessly). The ability to toollessly couple the junction box assembly, the driver assembly, and/or the junction box-driver assembly to the configurable mounting frame allows the junction box assembly, the driver assembly, and/or the junction box-driver assembly to be coupled to the configurable mounting frame after the configurable mount frame has been installed in the finished ceiling in new construction installations or remodel installations. 
     Even though the figures of the present disclosure illustrate and the following description describes the configurable mounting frame of the present disclosure as having both the locking feature and the configurable light fixture receiving opening feature, one of skill in the art can understand and appreciate that in some example embodiments, the configurable mounting frame of the present disclosure may not include both the locking features and the configurable light fixture receiving opening. Instead, the configurable mounting frame may include only one of the features. That is, in some example embodiments, the configurable mounting frame may include either the locking features or the configurable light fixture receiving opening without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. 
     Moving now to discuss the figures,  FIGS. 1-13  will describe one or more example embodiments of a configurable mounting frame. Referring to  FIGS. 1-13 , an example mounting assembly  100  may include an example configurable mounting frame  102  and a pair of hanger bar assemblies ( 104 ,  106 ) that are removably coupled to configurable mounting frame  102  (herein ‘frame’). 
     The hanger bar assemblies  104  and  106  may be disposed on opposite sides of the frame  102  and may be configured to dispose the frame  102  above a mounting surface, such as a ceiling. The hanger bar assemblies  104  and  106  may be adjustable in length to attach the frame  102  and thereby luminaires mounted thereon, such as direct mount luminaires, to support structures in the ceiling that have different spacing between them. Each hanger bar assembly ( 104 ,  106 ) may include attachment members  108  on opposite ends of the hanger bar assembly ( 104 ,  106 ) that are configured to secure the hanger bar assembly ( 104 ,  106 ) to a support structure in the ceiling, such as parallel joists, suspended ceiling T-grids, and/or steel framing, using respective fasteners  110  (e.g., a screw or nail). 
     The frame  102  may include pairs of attachment tabs ( 112 ,  114 ) disposed on opposite sides of the frame  102 . Each attachment tab  116  of the pairs of attachment tabs ( 112 ,  114 ) may define a hanger bar receiving slot  212  that is configured to receive a hanger bar assembly ( 104  or  106 ). Each hanger bar assembly ( 104 ,  106 ) may be received through hanger bar receiving slots  212  defined by a respective pair of attachment tabs ( 112 ,  114 ) such that the frame  102  is supported on opposite sides by the hanger bar assemblies ( 104 ,  106 ) as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In some example embodiments, the attachment tabs  116  may be integrally formed with the frame  102 , for example, by a side wall  124  of the frame  102  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 and 12-13 . However, in other example embodiments, the attachment tabs  116  may be removably coupled to or attached to the frame  102 , for example, by soldering or using fasteners. In some example embodiments, the attachment tabs  116  may be elastic and adjustable or movable along the frame  102 . 
     In addition to the attachment tabs  116 , the frame  102  may include a base  118  that has a first surface  120  and a second surface  122  that is disposed opposite to the first surface  122 . Further, the frame  102  may include side walls  124  that extend substantially perpendicular to the base  118  along a perimeter of the base  118 . In one example embodiment, the base  118  may be substantially square shaped, however, in other example embodiments, the base  118  may have any other appropriate shape without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. Further, in some example embodiments, the side walls  124  may be offset from the perimeter and/or may extend at a different angle to the base  118  without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. 
     The base  118  may include a light fixture receiving opening  126  (herein ‘fixture receiving opening’) that is formed therein. The fixture receiving opening  126  may be configured to receive a direct mount luminaire ( 1302 ,  1304 , etc.,) (herein ‘luminaire’) to mount the luminaire to the frame  102  (shown in  FIG. 13 ). The fixture receiving opening  126  may be a through opening that extends from the first surface  120  of the base  118  through the second surface  122 . It should be understood that the luminaire can extend through the fixture receiving opening  126  or the luminaire may be attached to the frame such that the luminaire is disposed at or slightly above the fixture receiving opening  126 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 and 12-13 , the fixture receiving opening  126  may be disposed between the side walls  124  and may have a first shape. The first shape may include, but is not limited to, a circle, a square, a rectangle, an oval, or any other appropriate shape. 
     Further, the base  118  may include breakaway panels  130  formed therein. The breakway panels  130  may be disposed adjacent to and along at least a portion of an aperture edge  121  that defines a perimeter of the fixture receiving opening  126 . In the example embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 and 12-13 , the breakaway panels  130  may be marked (or outlined) by slits  128  formed in the base  118 . In other example embodiments, the breakaway panels  130  may be marked using any other appropriate mechanism. For example, in some embodiments, the breakaway panels  130  may be marked by perforated lines or score lines. In either case, each breakaway panel  130  may be detachable from the base  118  along the slits  128  that mark the respective breakaway panel  130 . 
     Each breakaway panel  130  may include at least one pry out slot  132  formed therein. The pry out  132  slot may be configured to receive a leverage tool therein to aid or provide leverage to a user to detach the breakaway panels  130  from the base  118 . For example, a user may insert the head of a screwdriver into and/or through the pry out slot  132  of a breakaway panel  130  and use the screwdriver to push and pry out the breakaway panel  130 . Alternatively, a user may detach the breakaway panel  130  from the base  118  by tearing and/or breaking (snapping) the breakaway panel  130  along the slits  128  using the user&#39;s fingers. Accordingly, in some example embodiments, the breakaway panel  130  may not include the pry out slot  132 . 
     The breakaway panels  130  are configured to be detached from the base  118  to change the shape of fixture receiving opening  126  from a first shape that is configured to receive therein a luminaire having a first shape (or substantially a first shape) to a second shape that is configured to receive therein a luminaire having a second shape (or substantially a second shape). That is, the breakaway panels  130  allow the same frame  102  to be used for mounting luminaires having different shapes by detaching the breakaway panels  130  from the base  118  to change the shape of the fixture receiving opening  126  from a first shape to a second shape. The second shape may be different from the first shape and may include, but is not limited to, a circle, a square, a rectangle, an oval, or any other appropriate shape. 
     In the example embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 and 12-13 , the fixture receiving opening  126  of the frame  102  may be a substantially circular opening, and the breakaway panels  130  may be configured such that when they are detached from the base  118 , the fixture receiving opening  126  changes to a substantially square shaped opening as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The substantially circular fixture receiving opening  126  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 and 12-13  may be configured to receive and mount a luminaire with a corresponding shape (e.g., a substantially circular luminaire)  1302  (shown in  FIG. 13 ) to the frame  102 , while the substantially square shaped fixture receiving opening  126  as illustrated in  FIG. 10  may be configured to receive and mount a luminaire with a corresponding shape (e.g., a substantially square shaped luminaire)  1304 . That is, in the example embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 and 12-13 , the breakaway panels  130  allow the same frame  102  to be used to mount a luminaire having a substantially circular profile or a luminaire having a substantially square profile thereto unlike conventional mounting systems that require two different frames having fixture receiving openings of two different shapes for mounting luminaires of two different shapes. 
     In particular, in the example embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 and 12-13 , the slits  128  that define and/or outline the breakaway panels  130  may include a first set of slits  134  and a second set of slits  136  (shown in  FIGS. 4, 5, and 9 ). The first set of slits  134  may extend radially outward from the aperture edge  126  that defines a perimeter of the fixture receiving opening  122  towards the side walls  124 . The first set of slits  134  may be through slits that extend from the first surface  120  through the second surface  122  of the base  118 . Further, the second set of slits  136  may extend from the tip  138  of each first slit  134  towards the aperture edge  121  such that they are either substantially parallel to or perpendicular to the side walls  124  or edges of the base  118  that define a perimeter of the base  118 . The second set of slits  136  may extend from the first surface  120  of the base  118  towards the second surface  122  but may not extend through the base  118 . In some example embodiments, both the first set of slits  134  and the second set of slits  136  may not extend through the base  118  so that the second surface  122  of the frame  118  has a smooth and pleasing appearance (with no visible slots). 
     Furthermore, in the example embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 and 12-13 , the breakaway panels  130  may be configured as four large breakaway panels  140  disposed around at least a portion of the perimeter of the fixture receiving opening  126  and defined by the second set of slits  136 , where each large breakaway panels  140  may be further divided into two smaller breakaway panels  142  by the first set of slits  134 . 
     Even though the present disclosure describes the breakaway panels as being defined by slits, one of skill in the art can understand and appreciate that in other example embodiments, the breakaway panels may be outlined or defined by any other appropriate mechanism without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the breakaway panels may be defined by perforated lines. Further, in other example embodiments, the base of the frame may include fewer or more slits and/or breakaway panels without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in other example embodiments, the breakaway panels may be configured to create fixture receiving openings of any appropriate shape and is not limited to changing the shape of the fixture receiving opening from a circular shape to a square shape. 
     Even though the present disclosure illustrates and describes the fixture receiving opening as initially being a circular opening, one or skill in the art can understand and appreciate that in other example embodiments, the fixture receiving opening may initially be any other appropriate shape, e.g., square, rectangular, etc., and the breakaway panels may be configured to change the shape of the fixture receiving opening to any another appropriate shape, e.g., circle, oval, etc., without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. Further, even though the present disclosure describes the breakaway panels as being configured to change the shape of the fixture receiving opening from a first shape to a second shape, one of skill in the art can understand and appreciate that in other example embodiments, the breakaway panels may be configured such that the shape of the fixture receiving openings in the base of the frame can be changed from a first shape to a second shape and then to a third shape and so on by selectively detaching the breakaway panels from the base without departing from a broader scope pf the present disclosure. That is, in other example embodiments, the breakaway panels may be configured to progressively change the shape of the fixture receiving opening from a first shape to N-number of different shapes without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8, 10, and 12-13 , the frame  102  may further include locking features  160  that are configured to secure and removably couple an electrical and/or electronic component such as a junction box assembly, a driver assembly, junction box-driver assembly  1102  (shown in  FIG. 11 ), etc., thereto without the use of any tools. Further, the locking features  160  of the frame  102  allow the electrical and/or electronic component to be coupled thereto through the fixture receiving opening  126  of a frame  102  that has been installed in a finished ceiling or any appropriate mounting surface, e.g., in a new construction installation, or the frame  102  that is already installed in the ceiling, e.g., in a remodel installation. In other words, the locking features  160  of the frame  102  allow a user to toollessly couple, mount, or install an electrical and/or electronic component thereto post installation of the frame  102  in a mounting surface (e.g., ceiling) in a new construction or remodel application. 
     The locking features  160  may include mounting pads  162  that are formed on the base  118  of the frame  102 . The mounting pads  162  may be integral with the base  118  and defined by a raised portion  164  of the base  118  that is embossed or stamped into the base  118 . The mounting pads  162  may be disposed between the fixture receiving opening  126  and the side walls  124  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8, 10, and 12-13 . In particular, each mounting pad  162  may include a ramp segment  166  that extends angularly from the base  118  such that it forms an obtuse external angle  168  with the base  118 . Further, the mounting pad  162  may include a flat segment  170  that extends from a top edge  172  of the ramp segment  166  such that the flat segment  170  is substantially parallel and vertically offset from the base  118  by a first distance ‘d 1 ’. 
     Additionally, the locking features  160  may include snap flanges  174  that integrally formed with the frame  102  and disposed adjacent the mounting pads  162 . In particular, in the example embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8, 10, and 12-13 , each snap flange  174  may include a level segment  176  that is substantially parallel to and vertically offset from the base  118  by a second distance ‘d 2 ’. The second distance ‘d 2 ’ by which the flat segment  170  of the mounting pads  162  is vertically offset from the base  118  may be larger than the first distance ‘d 1 ’ such that a gap  179  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) may be formed between a plane comprising the flat segment  170  of the mounting pads  162  and a plane comprising the level segment  176  of the snap flanges  174 . Further, a side edge  175  of the level segment  176  of each snap flange  174  may be integrally coupled to or integrally formed with a side wall  124  of the frame  102 . Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 , each snap flange  174  may include a push segment  178  that extends angularly from a front edge  177  of the level segment  176  such that it forms an obtuse external angle  173  with the level segment  176 . Additionally, the snap flange  176  may include a foot  180  that is substantially L-shaped and extends substantially perpendicular to the base  118  and the level segment  176  of the snap flange  174  from a back edge  181  of the snap flange  174 . The foot  180  may extend through a slot that is formed in the base  118  and engages with the base  118 . The foot  180  may be configured and coupled to the base  118  such that it allows the snap flange  174  to be flexible without being detached from the frame to release the electrical or electronics components that are locked to the frame  102 . The snap flange  176  may further include a snap tab  182  that is cut and bent out from the level segment  176  such that the snap tab  182  extends angularly down towards the base  118  from the level segment  176 . 
     The mounting tabs  162  and the snap flanges  174  may operate in concert to toollessly and removably couple the electrical and/or electronic component, such as a junction box-driver assembly  1102  to the frame  102 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , an example junction box-driver assembly  1102  may include a mounting foot  1104  to which the junction box-driver  1106  is removably coupled. The junction box-driver assembly  1102  of  FIG. 11  is described in greater detail in the U.S. patent application that is filed concurrently herewith in the name of John Bowen and Jared Davis and entitled “Junction Box-Driver Assembly for Direct Mount Luminaires,” and assigned Attorney Docket No. 13682.274008, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the mounting foot  1104  may be a planar member that is configured to removably couple (e.g., releasably lock) the junction box-driver unit  1106  to the frame  102  by engaging with the locking features  160  of the frame  102 . 
     In particular, a user (e.g., installer, end user, etc.) may insert the junction box-driver assembly  1102  (or any other appropriate electrical or electronic component) including the mounting foot  1106  through the fixture receiving opening  126  of the frame  102 . The user may have to rotate and adjust the orientation of the junction box-driver assembly  1102  to insert it through the fixture receiving opening  126 . Once the junction box-driver assembly  1102  is inserted through the fixture receiving opening  126  of the frame  102 , the user may rotate and reorient the junction box-driver assembly  1102  such that the mounting foot  1106  of the junction box-driver assembly  1102  is substantially parallel to the base  118  of the frame  102 . Then, using the ramp segment  166  of the mounting pads  162  as a guide, the user may push the junction box-driver assembly  1102  towards the flat segment  170  of the mounting pads  162  such that: (a) the mounting foot  1106  of the junction box-driver assembly  1102  is disposed in the gap  179  formed between a plane comprising the flat segment  170  of the mounting pads  162  and a plane comprising the level segment  176  of the snap flanges  174 , and (b) the mounting foot  1106  of the junction box-driver assembly  1102  rests on the flat segments  170  of the mounting pads  162 . The flat segments  170  of the mounting pads  162  may be configured to support and balance the mounting foot  1106  and the junction box-driver unit  1104  coupled thereto. The junction box-driver assembly  1102  may be further pushed along the flat segment  170  of the mounting pads  162  till: (a) the mounting foot  1106  engages the foot  180  of the snap flange  174  that extends substantially perpendicularly from the back edge  181  of the snap flanges  174 , and (b) the snap tabs  182  of the snap flanges  174  snap into or engage the notches  1110  formed in the mounting foot  1106  to lock the mounting foot  1106  of the junction box-driver assembly  1102  therein, and thereby lock the junction box-driver assembly  1102  to the frame  102 . 
     To release the junction box-driver assembly  1102  that is locked to the frame  102  using the locking features  160 , the user may apply pressure on the push segments  178  of snap flanges  174  using the user&#39;s fingers to push the snap flanges  174  in a direction that is away from the base  118  of the frame  102  (e.g., upwards). Pushing the snap flanges  174  away from the base  118  may disengage the snap tabs  182  of the snap flanges  174  from the notches  1110  of the mounting foot  1104  of the junction box-driver assembly  1102 , thereby allowing the mounting foot  1104  and the consequently the junction box-driver assembly  1102  to slide out from the flat segments  170  towards the ramp segments  166  of the mounting pads  162 . Once the junction box-driver assembly  1102  is released and glided out as described above, the user may remove the junction box-driver assembly  1102 , e.g., through the light receiving opening  126  of the frame  102 . 
     As described above, the ability to toollessly and removably couple or releasably lock an electrical or electronic component such as the junction box-driver assembly  1102  to the frame  102  using the locking features  160  allows a user to easily install, remove, and replace the electrical or electronic component as needed in new construction or remodel applications where the frame  102  is already mounted in the finished ceiling. The electrical or electronic components, such as the junction box-driver assembly  1102  may also be coupled to the frame  102  using the locking features  160  prior to installing or mounting the frame  102  in the ceiling (or any other appropriate mounting surface). However, the ability to install, remove, and replace the electrical or electronic component from the frame  102  in new construction or remodel applications where the frame  102  is already mounted in the finished ceiling distinguishes the frame  102  of the present application from the conventional mounting frames where the electrical or electronic components have to be attached to the mounting frame prior to installing the mounting frame in ceiling. 
     Even though the present disclosure describes a locking feature that uses a snap lock mechanism for toolless locking of the electrical or electronic components to the frame, one of skill in the art can understand and appreciate that in other example embodiment, the locking features of the frame may be configured to use any other appropriate toolless locking mechanism to releasably lock electrical or electronic components such as a junction box assembly, driver assembly, junction box-driver assembly, etc., to the frame without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. Further, in some example embodiments, the frame  102  may include more locking features  160  disposed around the fixture receiving opening  126  of the frame  102  such that more than one electrical or electronic components can be attached to the frame  102  at the same time or the electrical or electronic components can be repositioned within the frame  102 . 
     Although the present disclosure is described with reference to example embodiments, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications are well within the scope of the present disclosure. From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that an embodiment of the present disclosure overcomes the limitations of the prior art. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure is not limited to any specifically discussed application and that the embodiments described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. From the description of the example embodiments, equivalents of the elements shown therein will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and ways of constructing other embodiments of the present disclosure will suggest themselves to practitioners of the art. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited herein.