Patent Publication Number: US-2013250555-A1

Title: Adapter for attaching lighting equipment, luminaire in which the adapter is combined with the lighting equipment, and method of attaching the lighting equipment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Applications No. 2012-068080, filed Mar. 23, 2012; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to an adapter for attaching lighting equipment to the ceiling, a luminaire in which the adapter is combined with the lighting equipment, and a method of attaching the lighting equipment using the adapter. 
     BACKGROUND 
     For example, when lighting equipment of a ceiling mounting type is replaced with an LED base light, after the existing lighting equipment is removed, a relatively large opening emerges in the ceiling. If the base light to be attached anew is smaller than the opening, the base light may be unable to be attached to the ceiling surface in that state. Therefore, in such a case, a relatively large tabular adapter that closes the opening is necessary. 
     If the base light is attached after the opening in the ceiling is closed by the adapter, it takes time to perform wiring and the like. Therefore, usually, after the base light is provisionally fastened to the adapter, the base light and the adapter are attached to the ceiling together. 
     However, if the base light is provisionally fastened to the adapter, it is necessary to align the base light with the adapter and fix the base light with screws or the like. This increases man-hours and complicates work. 
     Therefore, there is a demand for development of an adapter that can easily attach the lighting equipment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an external perspective view of a luminaire in a state in which a base light is attached to the ceiling using an adapter according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the base light shown in  FIG. 1  viewed from a light extraction side; 
         FIG. 3  is a disassembled perspective view of the base light shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the base light taken along line Y-Y in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a partially enlarged sectional view of a portion A shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the base light shown in  FIG. 1  viewed from the ceiling side; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the adapter shown in  FIG. 1  viewed from a base light attachment side; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the adapter shown in  FIG. 7  viewed from the ceiling side; 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the adapter taken along F 9 -F 9  in  FIG. 7 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a partially enlarged sectional view of the adapter taken along F 10 -F 10  in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In general, according to one embodiment, an adapter includes: a tabular body configured to close the existing attachment hole opened in the ceiling in a state in which the existing lighting equipment is removed; and a positioning convex section protrudingly provided on the front surface of the tabular body on a side remote from the ceiling. A part of a chassis of lighting equipment to be attached anew is partially projected toward the rear surface of a substrate mounted with a light-emitting element and forms a contact convex section. As a result, a fitting concave section is formed on the rear side of the contact convex section. The positioning convex section of the adapter is fit in the fitting concave section formed on the rear surface of the chassis, whereby the lighting equipment to be attached anew is positioned with respect to and combined with the adapter and collectively attached to the ceiling together with the adapter. 
     If lighting equipment is attached to the ceiling using the adapter according to the embodiment, first, the existing lighting equipment is removed from the ceiling. An adapter including a tabular body configured to close the existing attachment hole opened in the ceiling and a reinforcing rib provided on the front surface of the tabular body is prepared. Lighting equipment to be attached anew including a contact convex section formed by projecting a chassis in a rail shape toward the rear surface of an elongated substrate mounted with a light-emitting element to bring a part of the chassis into contact with the rear surface is prepared. The reinforcing rib of the adapter is fit in a fitting concave section formed on the rear side of the contact convex section of the chassis of the lighting equipment to be attached anew. The lighting equipment is combined with the adapter in a state in which the lighting equipment is positioned with respect to the adapter. The adapter and the lighting equipment in this combined state are collectively attached to the ceiling. 
     Various embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is an external perspective view of a state in which a luminaire  300  according to an embodiment is attached to a ceiling C. In the luminaire  300 , a base light  100  (lighting equipment) is positioned with respect to and combined with an adapter  200  explained below. With the luminaire  300 , it is possible to collectively attach the base light  100  and the adapter  200  to the ceiling C together without provisionally fastening the base light  100  to the adapter  200 . 
     The adapter  200  closes an opening emerging in the ceiling C after the existing lighting equipment (not shown in the figure) is removed from the ceiling C, i.e., an attachment hole (not shown in the figure) for the existing lighting equipment and enables attachment of the base light  100  to the ceiling C. In other words, if the attachment hole after the removal of the existing lighting equipment is larger than the base light  100  to be attached anew, the base light  100  may be unable to be attached in that state. Therefore, the adapter  200  has size that can cover the entire attachment hole. The adapter  200  has, on the front surface side thereof, a structure for positioning the base light  100 . 
     First, the base light  100  attached to the ceiling C using the adapter  200  according to this embodiment is explained with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6 . 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of the base light  100  viewed from a light extraction side.  FIG. 3  is a disassembled perspective view of the base light  100 .  FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the base light  100  taken along line Y-Y in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 5  is a partially enlarged sectional view of a portion A shown in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the rear surface of the base light  100  viewed from the ceiling side. The base light  100  is formed in an elongated flat substantially rectangular shape. In the following explanation, the light extraction side is referred to as front surface side and a side facing the ceiling C is referred to as rear surface side. 
     The base light  100  includes an elongated substantially rectangular tabular chassis  1 , plural elongated belt-like light source sections  2  attached to the front surface side of the chassis  1 , elongated tube-like cover members  3  having a milky-white color and translucency that cover the plural light source sections  2 , a lighting device  4  that subjects the light source sections  2  to lighting control, a center cover  5  having a substantially V shape in cross section attached to the center of the chassis  1 , and two side plates  6 . The front surface side of such a base light  100  is a light irradiating surface and the rear surface side is an attachment surface to the ceiling C. 
     The chassis  1  is formed by profiling a metal plate having thermal conductivity such as galvanized sheet steel. The chassis  1  plays a function of attaching plural members forming the base light  100 , a function of a thermal radiation member for allowing heat generated in the light source sections  2  to escape, and a function of a strength member that gives mechanical strength to the base light  100 . 
     The chassis  1  includes a flat top plate surface  11  in the center and includes, at both end edges along a longitudinal direction of the chassis  1 , two elongated disposing sections  12 ,  12  for attaching the plural light source sections  2  with the rear surfaces thereof in contact with one another. Each of the disposing sections  12  is integrally formed by bending the chassis  1  on lines each along the longitudinal direction to project a part of the chassis  1  to the front surface side. The disposing section  12  has, at the projected top of the chassis  1 , an elongated flat surface with which the rear surfaces of the light source sections  2  are brought into contact and thermally combined. In other words, the disposing section  12  functions as a contact convex section having a top surface with which the rear surfaces of substrates  21  explained below of the light source sections  2  are brought into contact. The disposing section  12  in this embodiment has length exceeding combined length of three light source sections  2 . In other words, the two disposing sections  12  are provided over the entire length of the chassis  1  and also play a function of reinforcing ribs that increase mechanical strength along the longitudinal direction of the chassis  1 . 
     On the other hand, as a result of profiling the chassis  1  and forming the two disposing sections  12 , two fitting grooves  120  are formed on the rear surface side of the chassis  1 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the two fitting grooves  120  are exposed on the rear surface of the base light  100  and function as fitting concave sections in which two reinforcing ribs  210  (positioning convex sections) (see  FIG. 7 ) of the adapter  200  explained below are fit. 
     Attachment holes  11   a  are respectively formed near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the top plate surface  11  of the chassis  1 . A pair of attachment bolts (not shown in the figure) provided in the structure of the ceiling C are pierced through the attachment holes  11   a  from the rear surface side and fastened by not-shown nuts arranged on the front surface side of the chassis  1  to fix the chassis  1  to the ceiling C. At this point, the adapter  200  shown in  FIG. 1  is held between the ceiling C and the chassis  1 . Therefore, in the adapter  200 , attachment holes  200   a  (see  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) are provided in positions where the attachment holes  200   a  overlap the attachment holes  11   a  of the chassis  1 . 
     The light source section  2  includes an elongated rectangular belt-like substrate  21 , plural light-emitting elements  22  mounted on the surface of the substrate  21 , and phosphor layers  23  that cover the light-emitting elements  22 . In  FIG. 2 , in order to clearly show the structure of the light source section  2 , one cover member  3  (on the upper side in the figure) is shown in transparence. 
     The substrate  21  is formed of an insulating material, for example, a material such as glass epoxy resin (FR-4) in an elongated rectangular shape. A wiring pattern layer formed of a copper foil is formed on the front surface side of the substrate  21 . A resist layer is formed on the wiring pattern layer as appropriate. As a material of the substrate  21 , a ceramics material, a synthetic resin material, or a base substrate of metal formed by superimposing an insulating layer over the entire surface of a base plate having satisfactory thermal conductivity and excellent heat dissipation of aluminum or the like to improve heat dissipation of the light-emitting elements  22  can be used. The material is not specifically limited. 
     On the surface layer of the substrate  21 , a white resist layer having high reflectance is superimposed over substantially the entire surface excluding a mounting region for the light-emitting elements  22  and a mounting portion for components. Consequently, light traveling in the lateral direction in light radiated by the light-emitting elements  22  is reflected on the surface of the white resist layer having high reflectance and radiated to the front surface side. 
     The plural light-emitting elements  22  include LED bear chips. As LED bear chips, for example, LED bear chips that emit blue light are used in order to cause the light source section  2  to emit white light. The LED bear chips are bonded on the wiring pattern layer using a silicon resin insulative adhesive and electrically connected to the wiring pattern layer by a bonding wire. 
     The phosphor layers  23  are formed of translucent synthetic resin, for example, transparent silicone resin and contain an appropriate amount of phosphors such as YAG:Ce. The phosphor layers  23  are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having a small height dimension to cover the respective light-emitting elements  22  one by one. The phosphors are excited by light emitted by the light-emitting elements  22  and radiate light having a color different from a color of the light emitted by the light emitting elements  22 . In this reference example, since the light-emitting elements  22  emit the blue light, yellow phosphors that radiate yellowish light in a complementary color relation with the blue light are used as the phosphors for allowing the light source sections  2  to emit white light. 
     The shape of the phosphor layers  23  is not specifically limited as long as the phosphor layers  23  can cover the respective light-emitting elements  22 . A mountain shape and a linear shape that continuously covers the plural light-emitting elements  22  can be applied. As the light-emitting elements  22 , LED packages of a surface mounting type may be used. A mounting system and a mounting form are not specifically limited. 
     The light source sections  2  having the structure explained above are coupled in the longitudinal direction thereof and mounted on the cover member  3 . In this embodiment, the three light source sections  2  are coupled and mounted on the inside of one cover member  3 . Six light source sections  2  in total are incorporated in the base light  100 . When a longer base light is configured, the number of light source sections  2  coupled in the longitudinal direction is increased. 
     Adjacent ends of the light source sections  2  are connected via wires Z shown in  FIG. 2 . The wires Z are led out from at least one end of the light source sections  2  at both the ends among the coupled light source sections  2 . The wires Z led out from the end are connected to the lighting device  4  attached to the chassis  1  to enable power feed to the light source sections  2 . 
     The cover member  3  includes a front surface section  3   a  that covers the front surface side of the light source sections  2  and a slit-like open section  31  that exposes the rear surfaces of the light source sections  2 . Therefore, when the cover member  3  is attached to the chassis  1 , the rear surfaces of the substrates  21  of the light source sections  2 , through the open section  31 , come into contact with the flat surface of the disposing section  12  in the chassis  1  and the substrates  21  are thermally combined with the chassis  1 . 
     The cover member  3  is formed of an insulative material having translucency such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate resin. In this embodiment, the cover member  3  is formed by extrusion molding of polycarbonate. The cover member  3  is formed in a long tube shape. The sectional shape of the cover member  3  is symmetrical. The cover member  3  is attached to the disposing sections  12  formed on both the sides of the chassis  1 . The cover member  3  has length substantially the same as the length of the disposing sections  12 . Openings  32  for inserting through the light source sections  2  are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cover member  3 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a pair of holding grooves  33  opposed to each other and opened are formed over the entire length at edge portions along the longitudinal direction of the open section  31 . The pair of holding grooves  33  are formed between a front surface side supporting section  33   a  and a rear surface side supporting section  33   b  along the longitudinal direction. On the outer side of the holding grooves  33 , a pair of locking sections  34  formed in a substantially C shape in cross section and opened to the inner side are formed over the entire length in the longitudinal direction. 
     Both end edges along the longitudinal direction of the substrates  21  of the plural light source sections  2  are inserted through the pair of holding grooves  33  opposed to each other of the cover member  3 . Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the three light source sections  2  are connected by the wires Z and inserted from one opening  32  of the cover member  3 . Both the end edges along the longitudinal direction of the substrates  21  of the light source section  2  are guided and held by the pair of holding grooves  33 . Consequently, the light source sections  2  are held by the cover member  3  and integrated with the cover member  3 . 
     Lid bodies  35  that close the openings  32  at both the ends in the longitudinal direction of the cover member  3  are attached to the openings  32 . In other words, as explained above, after the three light source sections  2  are inserted into the pair of holding grooves  33  of the cover member  3 , the lid bodies  35  are attached to close both the ends of the cover member  3 . By attaching the lid bodies  35  to the openings  32 , both the ends of the cover member  3  in this way, it is possible to prevent a deficiency of coming-off of the light source sections  2  from the cover member  3 . 
     The lid bodies  35  are formed of a translucent material having insulating properties and having light diffusing properties from the surface to the inside of the material. Like the cover member  3 , the lid bodies  35  have milky-white color. Therefore, it is possible to irradiate light, which is emitted from the light source sections  2 , to the outside via the lid bodies  35 . 
     The lid bodies  35  are combined with side plates  6  explained below and positions of the lid bodies  35  are regulated. The wires Z that connect the ends of the substrates  21  and the lighting device  4  are present on the rear surface side of the lid bodies  35  and between the lid bodies  35  and the end front surface of the chassis  1 . The wires Z led out from the end of substrates  21  have to pass the end of the chassis  1  before the wires Z reach the lighting device  4 . However, the lid bodies  35  on the front surfaces of the wires Z shines because the lid bodies  35  transmit light. Therefore, the presence of the wires Z present at the ends of the apparatus main body becomes inconspicuous. 
     The lighting device  4  is attached to the front surface side of the top plate surface  11  of the chassis  1 . The lighting device  4  subjects the light source sections  2  to lighting control. The lighting device  4  is configured by housing a circuit board mounted with plural circuit components in a box-like case. The lighting device  4  is connected to a not-shown commercial alternating-current power supply and converts an alternating current into a direct current and outputs the direct current. The lighting device  4  is configured by, for example, connecting a smoothing capacitor between output terminals of a full-wave rectifier circuit and connecting a direct-current voltage converting circuit and current detecting means to the smoothing capacitor. The lighting device  4  is connected to the light-emitting elements  22  via the substrates  21 , supplies a direct-current output of the lighting device  4  to the light-emitting elements  22 , and subjects the light-emitting elements  22  to lighting control. 
     A terminal table  7  is attached to the front surface side of the top plate surface  11 . Wires not shown in the figure such as a power supply line, a feed line, and a dimming signal line are connected to the terminal table  7 . The lighting device  4  dimes the light source sections  2  on the basis of a dimming signal. 
     The center cover  5  is disposed on the front surface side of the top plate surface  11  of the chassis  1 . The center cover  5  is formed of a plate material of metal such as galvanized sheet steel. The side surface shape of the center cover  5  is formed in a V shape. White painting is applied to at least the front surface side of the center cover  5 . The center cover  5  functions as a reflecting plate. 
     Plural attachment tongue pieces  52  are formed at an end edge  51  (see  FIG. 3 ) along the longitudinal direction where the center cover  5  expands and opens. On the other hand, on the chassis  1  side opposed to the attachment tongue pieces  52 , insertion holes  14  formed by slightly bulging and deforming the chassis  1  to the front surface side by cutting are formed. 
     The expanding and opening end edge of the center cover  5  can be elastically deformed in the width direction around the top of the V shape as a center to reduce a width dimension of the expansion and opening. Therefore, when the center cover  5  is attached to the chassis  1 , the center cover  5  is elastically deformed to reduce the width dimension of the expansion and opening, the attachment tongue pieces  52  are aligned with the positions of the insertion holes  14 , and the elastic deformation is released to return the center cover  5  to the original state. Consequently, the attachment tongue pieces  52  are inserted into the insertion holes  14  and the center cover  5  is attached to the chassis  1 . 
     When the center cover  5  is attached to the chassis  1  in this way, the end edge  51  of the center cover  5  is brought into contact with fixed piece sections  36   b  of stopper members  36 . Therefore, for example, even if attachment screws  36   c  of the stopper members  36  are loosened by vibration over time, coming-off and excessive movement of the stopper members  36  can be suppressed. Consequently, sure thermal combination of the chassis  1  and the substrate  21  can be expected. 
     In addition, the lighting device  4 , the terminal table  7 , the wires, and the like are covered with the center cover  5  and cannot be visually recognized from the outside. Therefore, the external appearance of the luminaire  300  is not spoiled. The side plates  6  are formed of a synthetic resin material and attached to close both the ends in the longitudinal direction of the chassis  1 . 
     The adapter  200  according to this embodiment is explained with reference to  FIGS. 7 to 10 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the adapter  200  viewed from the front surface side, i.e., the base light  100  side.  FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the adapter  200  viewed from the rear surface side, i.e., the ceiling C side.  FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the adapter  200  taken along F 9 -F 9  in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 10  is a partially enlarged sectional view of the adapter  200  taken along F 10 -F 10  in  FIG. 8 . 
     The adapter  200  includes a substantially rectangular tabular plate  201  (a tabular body) larger than the base light  100 . The plate  201  is formed by profiling one metal plate and bending all edges of the metal plate. Specifically, for example, as indicated by a cross section shown in  FIG. 10 , edges  202  on the four sides of the plate  201  are folded back to the rear surface side thereof on the outer side of not-shown attachment hole exposed in the ceiling C (hole exposed in the ceiling after the existing lighting equipment is removed). 
     More specifically, the edges  202  folded back to the rear surface side of the plate  201  are bent once again in a direction toward the rear surface of the plate  201  and form engagement edge sections  203  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ) with which ends of a reinforcing plate  220  explained below can be engaged. By providing the engagement edge sections  203  curled substantially in a tubular shape are provided on the four sides of the plate  201 , it is possible to increase mechanical strength in the peripheral sides of the plate  201 . 
     Plural through-holes are provided in the plate  201 . The holes of the plate  201  are the attachment holes  200   a  through which attachment bolts (not shown) projecting from the ceiling C side are inserted when the base light  100  is attached with the plate  201  held between the base light  100  and the ceiling C. Alternatively, the holes of the plate  201  are wiring holes  204  ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ) for inserting through wires that connect the lighting device  4  to a not-shown commercial alternating-current power supply. As shown in  FIG. 9 , bushes  205  for protecting the wires are attached to the wiring holes  204 . 
     Two reinforcing ribs  210 ,  210  are provided on the front surface side of the plate  201 . Each of the reinforcing ribs  210  is extended along the longitudinal direction (a first direction) of the plate  201 . The two reinforcing ribs  210  have the same shape and are attached in directions opposite to each other to be symmetrical with respect to the center line along the longitudinal direction of the plate  201 . The length of each of the reinforcing ribs  210  is set slightly smaller than the length of the two fitting grooves  120  of the chassis  1  provided on the rear surface of the base light  100 . In this embodiment, the length of the reinforcing rib  210  is set about 0.02 mm to 3 mm smaller than the length of the fitting grooves  120 . 
     The reinforcing rib  210  is formed by profiling and bending one elongated metal plate. Specifically, the reinforcing rib  210  is bent plural times in plural linear places along the longitudinal direction thereof such that the cross section thereof is generally formed in a hat shape. In other words, the reinforcing rib  210  has a flat top surface  211  projecting most in a state in which the reinforcing rib  210  is attached to the plate  201 . The top surface  211  is opposed to the bottom surface of the fitting groove  120  of the chassis  1  in a state in which the base light  100  is combined with the adapter  200 . In order to increase the thermal conductivity of the reinforcing rib  210  to the chassis  1 , a projecting surface on the outer side of the reinforcing rib  210  is not painted. 
     At one edge along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing rib  210 , for example, as shown in  FIG. 10 , plural tongue pieces  212  respectively inserted into plural slits  205  provided in the plate  201  are integrally extended. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the plural tongue pieces  212  are provided spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction. The tongue pieces  212  are bent to the outer side after passing through the slits  205  of the plate  201 . One edge of the reinforcing rib  210  is engaged with the plate  201 . 
     On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 9 , at the other edge along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing rib  210 , plural screw holes  214  through which plural screws  213  for fixing the other edge to the plate  201  are inserted are provided. The screw holes  214  are respectively provided in positions opposed to the tongue pieces  212  on the opposite side. Specifically, the reinforcing rib  210  is fixed to the plate  201  by inserting the plural tongue pieces  212  through the slits  205  of the plate  201 , rotating the reinforcing rib  210  about the longitudinal axis thereof, inserting the screws  213  through the screw holes  214  provided at the other edge, and fastening the reinforcing rib  210  to the plate  201 . 
     The reinforcing rib  210  fixed to the plate  201  in this way has a tubular structure. Therefore, the reinforcing rib  210  functions as a strength member that can give mechanical strength along the longitudinal direction of the plate  201 . The reinforcing rib  210  functions as a positioning member in assembling the base light  100  to the adapter  200 . The reinforcing rib  210  fits in the fitting groove  120  of the chassis  1  and functions to position the base light  100  with respect to the adapter  200 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , two reinforcing plates  220  (reinforcing members) are provided on the rear surface side of the plate  201 . The reinforcing plate  220  in this embodiment is formed in a substantially U shape in cross section formed by bending respective edges along the longitudinal direction thereof to the rear surface side. Mechanical strength is given to the reinforcing plate  220 . However, the reinforcing plate  220  may be formed in other shapes such as an L shape in cross section and does not have to be formed in a plate shape. 
     In any case, the two reinforcing plates  220  are attached to positions where at least a part of the reinforcing plates  220  are respectively opposed to the reinforcing ribs  210  on the plate front side across the plate  201 . More specifically, each of the reinforcing plates  220  is extended in the width direction (a second direction) crossing the longitudinal direction of the plate  201  and arranged in a position where the reinforcing plate  220  overlaps both ends of the two reinforcing ribs  210 . In this way, the reinforcing rib  210  and the reinforcing plate  220  are arranged in the positions where the reinforcing rib  210  and the reinforcing plate  220  partially overlap each other across the plate  201 . Consequently, higher mechanical strength can be given to the plate  201 . The two reinforcing plates  220  are not fixed to the plate  201  using screws or the like and are attached to the plate  201  using the engagement edge sections  203  of the plate  201 . 
     Both the ends in the longitudinal direction of each of the reinforcing plates  220  are engaged with the engagement edge sections  203  of the plate  201 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , a cutout  222  not reaching the engagement edge section  203  is provided on an end side  221  where the reinforcing plate  220  engages with the engagement edge section  203 . The cutout  222  is also provided at the not-shown other end of the reinforcing plate  220 . The cutouts  222  at both the ends are provided on opposite sides not opposed to each other across the center line rather than in positions line-symmetrical with respect to the center axis of the plate  201 . A dimension along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate  220  is designed substantially the same as the width direction length of the plate  201 . Both the end sides of the reinforcing plate  220  are in contact with the inner side surface of the engagement edge section  203  in a state in which the reinforcing plate  220  is attached to the plate rear surface. 
     Specifically, when the reinforcing plate  220  is attached to the plate  201 , the reinforcing plate  220  is brought into contact with the rear surface of the plate  201  in a state in which the longitudinal axis of the reinforcing plate  220  is slightly inclined with respect to the width direction of the plate  201 . The reinforcing plate  220  is rotated to a posture in which the longitudinal axis of the reinforcing plate  220  coincides with the width direction of the plate  201 . This state is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 . 
     In this embodiment, the reinforcing plate  220  is opposed to the rear surface of the plate  201  in a posture in which the reinforcing plate  220  is slightly rotated in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 8 . The reinforcing plate  220  is brought close to the rear surface of the plate  201  such that both the end sides of the reinforcing plate  220  avoid the engagement edge section  203 . After the reinforcing plate  220  comes into contact with the plate rear surface, the reinforcing plate  220  is rotated in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 8  and returned to the posture along the width direction. At this point, the cutouts  222  provided on both the end sides of the reinforcing plate  220  function to prevent interference of the end sides of the reinforcing plate  220  and the engagement edge sections  203 . 
     When the reinforcing plate  220  is attached to the plate  201  as explained above, both the ends of the reinforcing plate  220  enter under the engagement edge sections  203  of the plate  201  and both the ends of the reinforcing plate  220  respectively engage with the engagement edge sections  203 . Consequently, when the adapter  200  is attached to the ceiling C, a deficiency of coming-off of the reinforcing plate  220  can be prevented. 
     Specifically, if both the ends of the reinforcing plate  220  are not engaged with the edge sections along the longitudinal direction of the plate  201 , it is likely that, when the adapter  200  is attached to the ceiling C, the reinforcing plate  220  falls into a not-shown attachment hole of the ceiling C and, when the adapter  200  is fastened, the reinforcing plate  220  comes off the plate  201 . On the other hand, by engaging both the ends of the reinforcing plate  220  with the engagement edge section  203  of the plate  201  as in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent a deficiency of coming-off of the reinforcing plate  220  due to fastening and fixing of the adapter  200  and prevent deformation of the plate  201  due to the coming-off. 
     An operation for attaching the base light  100  to the ceiling C using the adapter  200  having the structure explained above is explained below. 
     First, the not-shown existing lighting equipment is removed from the ceiling C. After the existing lighting equipment is removed, the not-shown attachment hole emerges in the ceiling C. 
     Subsequently, the base light  100  to be attached anew is positioned on the front surface side of the adapter  200  to overlap the adapter  200 . When the base light  100  is positioned, the two reinforcing ribs  210 ,  210  provided on the front surface side of the adapter  200  are fit in the two fitting grooves  120  present on the rear surface of the chassis  1  of the base light  100  to position the base light  100  with respect to the adapter  200 . 
     When the base light  100  is positioned, the top surface  211  of the reinforcing rib  210  of the adapter  200  may come into contact with the bottom surface of the fitting groove  120  of the chassis  1 . A side surface of the reinforcing rib  210  of the adapter  200  may come into contact with a side surface of the fitting groove  120  of the chassis  1 . In other words, at least a part of the reinforcing rib  210  of the adapter  200  may come into contact with at least a part of the fitting groove  120  of the chassis  1 . 
     In this embodiment, the height of the reinforcing rib  210  is designed to prevent at least the top surface  211  of the reinforcing rib  210  from coming into contact with the bottom surface of the fitting groove  120  of the chassis  1  such that the rear surface of the chassis  1  is satisfactorily in contact with the front surface of the adapter  200  in a relatively large area in a state in which the adapter  200  and the base light  100  are combined as explained above. 
     Thereafter, the adapter  200  and the base light  100  positioned and laid one on top of the other are collectively attached to the ceiling C. In attaching the adapter  200  and the base light  100 , an operator can handle the adapter  200  and the base light  100  without worrying about a positional shift of the adapter  200  and the base light  100  by fitting the reinforcing rib  210  and the fitting groove  120 . Therefore, it is possible to easily insert the not-shown attachment bolts, which project from the structure of the ceiling C, through the attachment holes  200   a  of the adapter  200  and the attachment holes  11   a  of the chassis  1  and facilitate attachment work for the luminaire  300 . 
     When the luminaire  300  is attached to the ceiling C as explained above, by tightening the attachment bolts with the not-shown nuts, the chassis  1  is pressed against the adapter  200  and the reinforcing rib  210  is caused to at least partially adhere to the fitting groove  120 . In this case, the top surface  211  of the reinforcing rib  210  may adhere to the bottom surface of the fitting groove  120  or the side surface of the reinforcing rib  210  may adhere to the side surface of the fitting groove  120 . 
     In any case, the reinforcing rib  210  present on the front surface side of the adapter  200  adheres to the fitting groove  120  present on the rear surface of the chassis  1  of the base light  100 . Consequently, heat transmitted from the substrate  21  of the base light  100  to the disposing section  12  is satisfactorily transmitted to the reinforcing rib  210  via the fitting groove  120  on the rear side of the chassis  1 . It is possible to satisfactorily radiate the heat of the light source sections  2 . 
     With the adapter  200  according to the embodiment explained above, since the reinforcing rib  210  having the positioning function for the base light  100  is provided on the attachment side (i.e., the front surface side) of the base light  100 , it is possible to easily position the base light  100  with respect to the adapter  200  and easily attach the base light  100  to the ceiling C instead of the existing lighting equipment. 
     In this case, since a member for provisionally fastening the base light  100  to the adapter  200  is unnecessary, it is possible to reduce the number of components, reduce assembly man-hour, and reduce expenses required for the attachment of the base light  100 . 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.