Patent Abstract:
Apparatus, and a method for its use, that addresses the installation and maintenance of wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted light fixtures that otherwise would be partially assembled on-site during installation and use the industry-standard fixture bar, threaded nipple, lock nut(s), push nuts, and multiple screws. The present invention provides a factory assembled lighting fixture that includes a clutch ring, and is installed using a fixture bar, two screws, and a probe with a slotted distal end. Once the fixture bar and probe are attached to a junction box, and wiring terminations are made, the clutch ring attached to the fully assembled lighting fixture is simply pushed over the distal end of the probe to achieve secure and immediate installation. Thus, in commercial and industrial applications, although not limited thereto, use of the present invention would substantially reduce the time required for lighting fixture installation.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND—RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon U.S. provisional patent application 60/274,737, filed on Mar. 10, 2001, by the same inventor for the same invention, and the inventor respectfully requests all benefit to which he is entitled from this provisional patent application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to devices used for the installation of lighting fixtures, specifically to apparatus, and a method for its use, that addresses the installation and maintenance of wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted light fixtures that otherwise would be partially assembled on-site during installation and employ the industry-standard fixture bar, threaded nipple, lock nut(s), wire nuts, and screws. In contrast, the present invention provides a fixture bar, a clutch ring, and a probe with a slotted distal end that are used to promptly mount a factory assembled lighting fixture. Therefore, once the fixture bar and probe are attached to a junction box, and wiring terminations are made, the clutch ring incorporated into the back of the fully assembled lighting fixture is simply pushed over the distal end of the probe to achieve secure installation. Although not limited thereto, commercial and industrial applications are both contemplated. 
     BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
     Installation of lighting fixtures using the industry-standard method is time consuming. It involves at least four steps that include partial assembly of the lighting fixture on site. A fixture bar is first attached to the junction box using two screws. Thereafter, a first part of the lighting fixture, such as a pan or a housing, is attached to the fixture bar using at a minimum two screws, and/or a nipple and a nut. When the lighting fixture has a separate electrical chassis, an additional step would be required to attach it to the housing. Wiring connections are then made, followed by a second part of the lighting fixture or lens cover being secured to the first part with screws. An installation method simplifying or eliminating any step would represent significant time savings in commercial and industrial applications. Since the present invention combines the above-referenced second and fourth installation steps into one simplified step of pushing a clutch plate over a probe, it would provide substantial labor savings over the industry standard installation method for lighting fixtures now used. Further, when lighting fixtures with two 2-pin compact fluorescent lamps are used with the present invention and connected in parallel to a single power supply ballast, only one lamp will operate at a time due to the starting characteristics of the compact fluorescent lamp, resulting in lighting fixture operation for a period of approximately six years before re-lamping would be required. Therefore, when the present invention is utilized with compact fluorescent lamps, not only is installation time considerably reduced, but maintenance time would be substantially reduced as well. No device is known that has all of the advantages of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     The primary object of this invention is to provide a means for reducing the time required for the installation of wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures. It is also an object of this invention to simply the installation process for lighting fixtures by reducing the number of steps involved. A further object of this invention is to provide a means for reducing the number of parts used during installation of lighting fixtures. It is also an object of this invention to provide a twofold advantage by saving time on initial installation of a lighting fixture, and then to eliminate at least the first re-lamping function in the life of the fixture so as to provide a fixture that is essentially maintenance-free for the first six years of its life. A further object of this invention is to provide a means for the installation of lighting fixtures that protects the fixture from nuisance-causing materials, such as insects, dirt, and water. It is also an object of this invention to provide a means for preventing misalignment of an installed lighting fixture relative to its mounting surface. A further object of this invention is to provide a means for the installation of lighting fixtures that is cost efficient for widespread use. 
     As described herein, properly manufactured and installed, the present invention would enable fully assembled lighting fixtures to be installed much more rapidly than the time required for installation of installing ceiling-mounted and wall-mounted lighting fixtures using the industry standard method commonly employed today. While the industry-standard method involves a wide-ranging and variable number of installation steps, the present invention requires only three, resulting in a substantial reduction of on-site labor cost for commercial and industrial applications. Removal of a lighting fixture installed with the present invention is also prompt and easy to accomplish. Since the present invention uses a clutch ring secured within the back surface of the lighting fixture requiring installation, and once wiring terminations have been made, only four additional components are needed to achieve installation using an existing junction box, the four additional components being a probe, a fixture bar to support the probe, and two screws used to attach the fixture bar to the junction box. In contrast, the industry standard installation method at a minimum requires a fixture bar, two screws to attach the fixture bar to the junction box, a housing or pan for support of one or more lamps, a nipple, a nut to secure the housing or pan to the nipple, a lens, and at least two screws to secure the lens to the housing or pan and the handling of a number of loose components on the job site. Optionally the industry standard installation method may also require a chassis within the housing for lamp support and two additional screws to attach the chassis to the housing, as well as use of a washer in addition to the nipple and nut. The present invention uses pre-assembled lighting fixtures, which eliminates the step of on-site connection of lens and housing or pan. The present invention also simplifies the step of connecting the housing or pan to the fixture bar, whereby connection is achieved through a simple pushing of the clutch ring on the back of the housing or pan over the probe. Gasket material can be used adjacent to the clutch ring and around the back perimeter of the housing or pan to assist in sealing the central aperture in the clutch ring against entry of insects, dirt, and water. When such gasket material is used and compressed between the housing or pan and the respective wall or ceiling to which it is attached, the gasket material also prevents the lighting fixture from rotating on the probe and becoming misaligned relative to the mounting surface to which it is attached. Labor for both installation and maintenance can be substantially reduced for commercial and industrial applications when the present invention is used with lighting fixtures having two 2-pin compact fluorescent lamps that are connected in parallel to one power supply ballast. Due to the starting characteristics of the compact fluorescent lamp and the fact that the lamps intermittently alternate in use with only one lamp operating at a time, the typical period of lighting fixture operation without re-lamping is expected to exceed six years. To remove a lighting fixture installed with the present invention, one must separate the lens from the housing or pan. Then, with a screwdriver inserted into the slot in the distal end of the probe, and counterclockwise rotation applied, the probe can be promptly removed from the fixture bar, after which the probe can be forced from the clutch ring using pliers or another hand tool. No device is known with all of the advantages of the present invention. 
     The description herein provides the preferred embodiment of the present invention but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the lighting fixture attachment invention. For example, variations in the length and thickness dimensions of the probe; the size of the bores through the fixture bar and clutch plate; the depth of the slot in the distal end of the probe; and the configuration and dimension of the clutch plate; other than those shown and described herein may be incorporated into the present invention. Thus the scope of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than being limited to the examples given. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the industry standard method for wall-mounted installation of a lighting fixture. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the industry standard method for ceiling-mounted installation of lighting fixture. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the clutch ring, probe, and fixture bar used in the most preferred embodiment of the present invention for mounting a lighting fixture. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lighting fixture being wall-mounted through use of the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, prior to the clutch ring on the back of the lighting fixture housing being pushed over the probe. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of a lighting fixture being ceiling-mounted through use of the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, prior to the clutch ring on the back surface of the lighting fixture pan being pushed over the probe. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lighting fixture with a housing, a lens, two lamps, three wires each having a distal push plug, and a chassis within the housing having a centrally located clutch retainer with a clutch ring, being aligned with a probe upwardly depending from a fixture bar attached to a junction box, with gasket material being positioned under the raised portion of the clutch retainer allowing for nuisance-free wire entry into the housing, and additional gasket material adjacent to the bottom perimeter of the housing. 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a fixture bar secured to a junction box with screws, a probe upwardly depending from the fixture bar and being substantially perpendicular to the fixture bar, the slotted distal end of the probe extending through a clutch ring positioned within a clutch retainer, additional screws extending through the clutch retainer for chassis attachment, and a quantity of gasket material positioned under a raised portion of the clutch retainer. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively show the industry standard methods for wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted installation of lighting fixtures, which is less cost effective than the present invention since the industry standard methods require more steps, more parts, and more on-site labor. FIG. 1 shows a fixture bar  4  poised in front of a junction box  2 , and ready for attachment to junction box  2  through the use of two screws  6 . Fixture bar  4  has two laterally positioned elongated slots 32  and a hole  26  longitudinally centered between elongated slots  32 , which are identified by number in FIG.  3 . FIG. 1 further shows a housing  42  positioned next adjacent to fixture bar  4 , with a central hole  26  through which nipple  8  is inserted and secured by washer  10  and nut  12 . As shown by interconnected arrows in FIG. 1, it is contemplated for nipple  8  to be inserted through the central hole  26  in housing  42 , through the central hole  26  in fixture bar  4 , and connected via threaded attachment to the central portion of junction box  2 . In the prior art method shown in FIG. 1, it is contemplated for the three wires  14  required for electrical connection of lamp  18  to also be inserted through the central hole  26  in housing  42 . Next adjacent to housing  42 , FIG. 1 shows a chassis  16  adapted for connection and support of lamp  18 . The dimension and configuration of chassis  16  are dictated by that of housing  42 , since it is contemplated for chassis  16  to fit inside of and be supported within housing  42 . FIG. 1 also shows two screws  6  being used to secure chassis  16  within housing  42 . FIG. 1 finally shows lens  20  next adjacent to lamp  18 , with two additional screws  6  being used to secure lens  20  in place over lamp  16 , chassis  18 , and the front opening of housing  42 . As a result, when a chassis is used, a person performing the lighting fixture installation must complete at least five steps, six steps if lamp  18  must be attached to chassis  16 . A first step would logically be the connection of fixture bar  4  to junction box  2 . Then wires  14  extending from the back of chassis  16  must be inserted through central hole  26  in housing  42  and connected via push plugs  24 , shown in FIG. 2 to corresponding wiring in junction box  2 . The third step would be connection of housing  42  to fixture bar  4  using nipple  8 , washer  10 , and nut  12 . The fourth step would be the securing of chassis  16  within housing  42  using screws  6 , with the fifth step being the connection of lens  20  over lamp  18  with additional screws  6 . FIG. 2 shows a similar five-step process for ceiling-mounted lighting fixture installation. A first step would comprise the connection of fixture bar  4  to junction box  2  with the use of screws  6 . Wires  14  extending from the back of chassis  16  would then be connected via push plugs  24  to corresponding wiring in junction box  2 . Thereafter, nipple  8  and nut  12  would be used to secure pan  22  to the central hole  26  in fixture bar  4 , followed by the final steps of attaching lamp  18  and lens  20  to pan  22 , with lens  20  being secured against pan  22  by use of screws  6 . Since no chassis  16  is used in FIG. 2, the step of attaching lamp  18  to pan  22  would have to be performed after nipple  8  is used to secure pan  22  to fixture bar  4 , as a result of the location of hole  26  beneath the operating position of lamp  18 . 
     FIGS. 3,  4 , and  5  show the probe  34  and fixture bar  4  used in the most preferred embodiment of the present invention for wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted lighting fixture installation. FIG. 3 also shows the clutch ring  36  and one embodiment of the clutch ring retainers  38  that remain hidden on the back surfaces respectively of housing  42  and pan  22  in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 3 shows fixture bar  4  having two spaced-apart elongated slots  32 , each at approximately the same oblique angle relative to the opposing side edges of fixture bar  4 . A hole  26  is longitudinally centered between elongated slots  32 . Elongated slots  32  are configured for adjustability in securing probe  34  within a variety of junction boxes  2 . FIG. 3 also shows probe  34  having opposing ends, with a distal end slot  30  on one end and a threaded configuration  28  on its opposite end. Threads  28  must securely fix probe  34  within central hole  26 . Also, distal end slot  30  must be of a size and configuration appropriate for insertion of a screwdriver (not shown) for counterclockwise rotation of probe  34  that ultimately releases probe  34  from its fixed attachment to fixture bar  4  and allows removal of the lighting fixture from its installed location. Initially after removal from such a wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted position, the slotted distal end  30  of probe  34  remains inserted through the central aperture  40  in clutch ring  36 . A pair of pliers or other hand tool (not shown) would be required to draw probe  34  completely through clutch ring  36  in the same direction as originally inserted. Probe  34  can then be reattached to fixture bar  4 , as needed for subsequent installations. The length of probe  34  would depend on the configuration and dimension of the lighting fixture intended for mounting thereon. If needed during installation, adjustability could be accomplished by removing a portion of threads  28  from probe  34 , or inserting additional clutch retainers  38  between clutch ring  36  and the back surface of pan  22  or housing  42 . The configuration of clutch retainers  38  is not critical, and it is considered to be within the scope of the present invention to include clutch retainers  38  having other dimensions and configurations, including a clutch ring  36  and clutch retainer  38  formed from a single piece of material. For example, the clutch retainers  38  in FIGS. 6 and 7 exhibit a substantially rectangular configuration. FIG. 4 shows a lighting fixture in the process of being wall-mounted through use of the present invention. Fixture bar  4  is connected to junction box  2  with two screws  6  and probe  34  is secured centrally to fixture bar  4  in a substantially perpendicular position relative to fixture bar  4 . The opposing ends of fixture bar  4  project beyond the wall or ceiling opening into which junction box  2  is positioned to rest upon the wall or ceiling material (not shown) surrounding junction box  2  to assist in preventing inward movement of junction box  2  as clutch ring  36  is being slid over probe  34 . Wiring terminations have been made for wires  14  via push plugs  24 , and the factory assembled housing  42  and lens  20 , with a hidden clutch ring  36  on the back of housing  42 , are poised and ready to be pushed over the slotted distal end  30  of probe  34 . As can be better observed in FIG. 3, clutch ring  36  comprises a plurality of incisions made around aperture  40 , with aperture  40  within clutch ring  36  being slightly smaller in diameter than the cross-sectional dimension of probe  34 , so that when the slotted distal end  30  of probe  34  is forced through aperture  40  in clutch ring  36 , the incisions become enlarged and adjacent portions of clutch ring  36  become separated from one another. Care must be taken to maintain wires  14  and push plugs  24  behind housing  24  or pan  22 . Once probe  34  has attained its position of farthest insertion within clutch ring  36 , lens  20  and either housing  42  or pan  22  are in their operating positions. Should a withdrawal force be applied to housing  20  or pan  22 , the unrefined ends of the separated portions of clutch ring  36  would take hold of and grip into the outer surface of probe  34 , preventing the intended withdrawal from being easily accomplished. For prompt separation of housing  42  or pan  22  from fixture bar  4 , one would remove lens  20 , apply the tip of a screwdriver (not shown) to the slotted distal end  30  of probe  34 , rotate probe  34  in a counterclockwise direction until probe  34  is released from fixture bar  4 , and then using a pair of pliers or other hand tool force a release of probe  34  from the unrefined ends of the separated portions of clutch ring  36  holding the outer surface of probe  34 . FIG. 5 shows a ceiling-mounted lighting fixture installation using the present invention, prior to the hidden clutch ring  36  secured through the back surface of pan  22  being pushed over the slotted distal end of probe  34 . Fixture bar  4  is secured to junction box  2  with two screws  6 . Lens  20  and pan  22  are factory assembled, and poised for installation as a unit over probe  34 . FIG. 5 also shows a push plug  24  having a quick-insert configuration requiring no alignment of wires  14 , or twisting of push plug  24  over wires  14  to establish electrical connection between them. 
     FIG. 6 shows a compact fluorescent lighting fixture  46  with a housing  42 , a lens  20 , two 2-pin compact fluorescent lamps  18 , three wires  14  each having a distal push plug  24 , and a chassis  16  within housing  42  having a centrally located clutch retainer  38  with a clutch ring  36 , being aligned with a probe  34  upwardly depending from a fixture bar  4  attached to a junction box  2 , with gasket material  44  being positioned under the raised portion of clutch retainer  38  and allowing for nuisance-free entry of wires  14  into housing  42 , and additional gasket material  44  positioned adjacent to the bottom perimeter of housing  42 . In contrast, FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of the fixture bar  4  being secured to junction box  2  with screws  6 , probe  34  upwardly depending from fixture bar  4  and being substantially perpendicular to fixture bar  4 , the slotted distal end  30  of probe  34  extending through clutch ring  36  centrally positioned within one portion of a clutch retainer  38 , additional screws  6  extending through clutch retainer  38  for attachment of clutch retainer  38  to chassis  16 , and a quantity of gasket material  44  positioned under a raised portion of clutch retainer  38  for securing against unwanted pests, moisture, and debris, (not shown) the opening (not shown) in housing  42  through which wires  14  would extend for electrical connection to lamps  18 . This is a difference from the prior art, whereby if a chassis  16  is used, wires  14  extend through aperture  40  along with nipple  8 . However, in the present invention, the unrefined ends of the separated portions of clutch ring  36  around is central aperture must securely grip into the outer surface of probe  36 . As a result, when a chassis  16  is used with the present invention, a separate hole  26  is needed through the bottom surface of housing  42  for the extension of wires  14 . Also, the gasket material  44  adjacent to the bottom perimeter of housing  42  serves a dual purpose. In addition to minimizing the intrusion of nuisance-causing materials (not shown), such as but not limited to insects, dirt, and water, gasket material  44  also provides a means of preventing the fixture from rotating on probe  34  and thus becoming misaligned with its mounting surface (not shown). 
     Thus, the present invention provides improved, cost-saving installation of wall-mounted and ceiling mounted lighting fixtures. However, when the present invention is combined with the low-wattage 2-pin compact fluorescent lamps  18  shown in FIG. 6, maintenance of the installed light fixtures is also improved by eliminating at least the first re-lamping function to provide a lighting fixture that is maintenance-free for a minimum period of six years. Thus, the preferred method of lighting fixture installation shown in FIG. 6 allows a lighting fixture to be completely assembled at the factory, using factory labor instead of less efficient on-site installation labor, and further utilizes an operating characteristic of 2-pin compact fluorescent lighting that allows the installation of multiple lamps in the lighting fixture, which intermittently alternate in use with only one lamp operating at a time, to extend the time period between lamp changes. A brief summary of the industry standard and present methods of light fixture installation are provided below for comparison, using the illustration in FIG. 6 for reference. 
     The industry standard method of installing housing  42  and lens  20  involves the fastening of fixture bar  4  to the tapped holes provided in the corners of a wall or ceiling mounted junction box  2 . Fixture bar  4  is adapted for receiving a threaded 1/8-inch pipe-size nipple  8 , which provides the attachment means for the lighting fixture assembled on-site from housing  42 , lamps  18 , and lens  20 . Electrical supply wires  14  are either run thorough pipe nipple  8  to supply electricity to the lamps  18  supported within housing  42 , or in the alternative electrical supply wires  14  can be run adjacent to nipple  8  for termination with the supply wires  14  used to service lamp  18 . Housing  42  is then held close in proximity to pipe nipple  8  and wiring terminations are made using twist/push plugs  24  or other effective termination means. In the alternative, if support of lamps  18  is provided in the form of a separate chassis  16 , wiring terminations will be made in a subsequent step, after housing  42  is connected to junction box  2 . Housing  42  is then slid over pipe nipple  8  and a locknut  12  is threaded into position and tightened to secure housing  42  against the wall or ceiling containing the junction box  2  to which fixture bar  4  has been affixed. At this time, if there is a separate chassis  16 , the chassis  16  is held in place against housing  42 , wiring terminations are made with twist/push plugs  24  or other effective termination means, and after terminations are made, screws  6  are used to affix chassis  16  to housing  42 . Lamps  18  are then mounted upon chassis  16 , followed by attachment of lens  20 , or a lens-cover combination, to housing  42  with additional screws  6 . 
     In contrast, to install the lighting fixture shown in FIG. 6 using the present invention, two screws  6  and a single piece of loose hardware in the form of a fixture bar  4  and shaft or probe  34  are employed, with the shaft or probe  34  projecting at right angles to the flat plane of fixture bar  4 . After fixture bar is attached to a junction box  2  with screws  6 , the factory-assembled housing  42 , lamps  18 , and lens  20  combination, is simply mated to shaft or probe  34  by pushing the clutch ring  36  attached centrally to the back surface of housing  42  over shaft or probe  34  until the back surface of housing  42  is firmly positioned against a wall or ceiling surface. Gasket material  44  can be secured to the back surface of housing  42 , preferably adjacent to the perimeter edges of its back surface, for additional fortification between housing  42  and the ceiling or wall supporting it, and as a defense measure against insects, dirt, water and other undesirable nuisance-causing materials. Although not limited thereto, it is preferred for fixture bar  4  to be fabricated from plastic or metal of sufficient gauge to withstand the rigors of fixture installation. The shaft or probe  34  must have a sufficient cross-section so as to be adequately gripped by the locking fingers of clutch ring  36 . The shaft or probe  34  may be of smooth construction. In the alternative, shaft or probe  34  may have circumferential rings impressed on it in a manner similar to compression threading or it may be a threaded stud. Also, fixture bar  4  may have the shape of a conventional fixture bar, or its flat surface may extend sufficiently to allow it to project over junction box  2  and actually cover some of the wall or ceiling surface against which housing  42  will be installed. This projection would keep fixture bar  4  from pressing inwardly against junction box  2  when the clutch ring  36  attached to the back surface of the factory-assembled combination of housing  42 , lamps  18 , and lens  20  is slid over shaft or probe  34  during installation. 
     For industry standard installation, housing  42  has a centrally located clearance hole  26  through which pipe nipple  8  is allowed to extend. For the present invention, this same clearance hole  26  is provided, however, it a clutch retainer  38  having an aperture  40  is also aligned with clearance hole  26  and attached over it. Clutch retainer  38  is substantially a flat piece of material, typically tempered steel, which has an aperture  40  pierced through it to allow passage of shaft or probe  34 . Extending inwardly into aperture  40  are multiple fingers, which have been left in place during the piercing operation used to create aperture  40 , with the purpose of these fingers being to grip the outer surface of the shaft or probe  34  while it is in its operational position outwardly extending from fixture bar  8  and junction box  2 . The fingers projecting into aperture  40  have a length dimension that is a fraction of the diameter dimension of aperture  40 , and become bent or upset in the direction that shaft or probe  34  is inserted. The purpose of the upsetting of the fingers is to allow easy ingress of shaft or probe  34  through aperture  40 , but to dig into and grasp the surface of shaft or probe  34  should applied forces attempt to remove it from aperture  40  and cause separation of shaft or probe  34  from clutch retainer  38 . The means for attachment of clutch retainer  38  to the inside back surface of housing  42  can include screws and rivets, or any other means considered to be appropriate to provide a secure connection therebetween. With clutch retainer  38  secured against the back inside surface of housing  42 , and electrical wires  14  coming through a separate opening in the back surface of housing  42 , preferably adjacent to clearance hole  26  and aligned aperture  40 , the factory-assembled combination of housing  42 , lamps  18 , and lens  20 , can be installed over the shaft or probe  34  outwardly depending from fixture bar  4  and junction box  2 . The operation of installing the fixture is now reduced to three step, with the first step being the installation of the fixture bar  4  and shaft or probe  34  combination onto junction box  2 ; the second step being the connection of the three wires  14  coming from lamps  18  to the three wires  14  extending from junction box  2 ; and the third step being the pushing of the factory-assembled combination of housing  42 , lamps  18 , and lens  20 , into its operational position over the mounting shaft or probe  34 . Since housing  42 , lamps  18 , and lens  20  are pre-assembled during manufacture, with lamps  18  already in place, no other work is required on site from the installer. To further protect lamps  18  and wires  14  from the intrusion of insects, dirt, other debris, and water, all of which contribute to maintenance problems, the back outside surface of housing  42  may have installed on it gasket material  44  which will be compressed between housing  42  and the wall or ceiling against which housing  42  is mounted. However, the use of gasket material  44  is not critical. In addition to preventing intrusion of nuisance-causing materials, this use of gasket material  44  will provide a means of preventing rotation of housing  42  on shaft or probe  34  and thus becoming misaligned with the ceiling or wall surface to which housing  42  is mounted. Additional gasket material  44  can also be situated for similar purposes between clutch retainer  38  and the inside back surface of housing  42 , adjacent to the opening through which wires  14  would extend to reach the wires  14  in junction box  2  for termination therewith. Although gasket material  44  may comprise a foam with memory that will push back to maintain a good seal between the back outside surface of housing  42  and the ceiling or wall to which it is mounted, other materials are also considered to be within the scope of the present invention. When two 2-pin fluorescent lamps  18  are connected electrically in parallel to a single power supply ballast, only one lamp will operate because of the starting characteristics of the compact fluorescent lamp. Also, two independently powered ballasts could be used, so that if one failed, the other would maintain lamp operation. Compact fluorescent lamps have a rated life cycle of 10,000 hours. Therefore, with two lamps  18  mounted within housing  42 , with only one burning at a time in accordance with the above-outlined installation, a total operation time of 20,000 hours would be expected. Based upon an average of 3600 burning hours per year, the fixture should operate for a minimum of six years before re-lamping becomes necessary. Therefore, if two lamps  18  are installed in housing  42 , and they are connected as described above, lens  20  would not have to be removed from housing  42  for six years, and the factory seal will remain unbroken during that entire six-year period of time. As a result, the present invention provides easy, cheap installation, substituting more efficient factory labor for on-site installation labor. Also, when two compact fluorescent lamps  18  and one ballast are used, one would expect as much as eight years of light without re-lamping. Also, replacement of lamps  18  is by conventional means, whereby using screws  6  lens  20  is removed, the spent lamp  18  is withdrawn from its mounted position, a replacement lamp  18  is substituted for the spent lamp  18 , and lens  20  is replaced and secured again with screws  6 . Thus, for a period of six to eight years no maintenance would be expected, and when lamp replacement is finally require, such replacement is prompt and uncomplicated. Further, should replacement of housing  42  and lens  20  be desired for any reason, removal from a wall or ceiling surface is also prompt and uncomplicated. Screws  6  would be loosened or removed to allow separation of lens  20  from housing  42 . Lamps  18  would then need to be removed from their mounted positions to expose the slotted distal end  30  of shaft or probe  34  extending through clutch ring  36 . Once slot  30  is accessible, the tip of a screwdriver can be inserted into slot  30  and rotated counterclockwise to cause shaft or probe  34  to become withdrawn from hole  26  in fixture bar  4 , and once shaft or probe  34  is separated from fixture bar  4 , housing  42  is released from its mounted position against the ceiling or wall. 
     Additionally, although not mentioned in the discussion above, the present invention contemplates the necessity of adjusting the projection length of shaft or probe  34  beyond the face of fixture bar  4 , to insure successful support of housing  42  or pan  22  against the wall or ceiling surface to which mounting is intended. An installer preparing to mount a housing  42  and lens  20  with which he or she has no prior installation experience, might use a gauge to determine the proper projection length of shaft or probe  34 . As a further alternative to shaft or probe  34 , and although not shown, the present invention further contemplates the use of a large headed screw in place of shaft or probe  34 . Then for removal of housing  42  from its mounted position against a ceiling or wall surface, one would simply have to cut the head off of the screw and pull housing  42  away from fixture bar  4 , leaving the remaining portion of the large headed screw still attached to fixture bar  4 . Further securing of shaft or probe  34 , or the large headed screw (not shown), and adjustment of the projection length, could be accomplished through use of a wedge aligned longitudinally or transversely with shaft or probe  34 , or the large headed screw. When longitudinal positioning is used, shaft or probe  34 , or the large headed screw, would be inserted through the wider end of the wedge. The materials from which the wedge is made are not limited and can include any material within which shaft or probe  34 , or the large headed screw, could remain firmly fixed once installed. In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wedge would be made from plastic.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5