Patent Abstract:
A lighting fixture having a housing with a base and an opposing openable end, and a flange spaced-apart from an edge at the openable end that extends radially from an exterior surface of the housing. A reflector defines a dished cavity and seats on the edge of the housing, thereby defining a recess between an edge portion of the reflector and the flange. A light source is received within the housing. A light transmissive cover received on the housing has a tab received in the recess for guiding the rotation of the cover thereon.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates to under-cabinet lighting fixtures. More particularly, the present invention relates to puck-type under-cabinet lighting fixtures which are readily installed with a cap to provide lighting from mounting surfaces. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Lights and lighting provide useful general illumination of interior and exterior spaces in homes and buildings, as well as ornamental and artistic treatments for decorative purposes. These purposes include lighting functions for accent and interior ornamental design functions, highlights for artwork, illuminating work areas, and other functions. Often furniture or cabinetry have lights for illuminating articles held within the furniture or cabinets. For cabinets, and in particular kitchen wall cabinets, lighting fixtures are often mounted to a lower exterior surface or recessed therein, for illuminating countertop surfaces below the cabinets. 
   One type of lighting fixture is known as an under-cabinet puck light. These lights have generally cylindrical disc-shaped housings. The housings contain a reflector, a lamp socket with a light emitting bulb, and a glass lens for transmitting light from the housing to the countertop surface below the cabinet. The socket connects to a supply of electrical current. The lights provide pools of lights to the countertop surface, and are used typically in kitchens and display cabinetry for providing light on the working surfaces in kitchens as well as for use in highlighting articles in display cabinets. Under-cabinet puck lights that are commercially available operate with 12 volt direct current, or more recently, as disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,413, operate on 120 volt (line) alternating current. Generally, the puck-type lighting fixtures are provided commercially as after-market installation devices. 
   My U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,413 discloses an improved line voltage puck lighting fixture. The lighting fixture provides an under-cabinet lighting fixture for surface and recessed mounting and operating on high line voltage for increased illumination with controlled transfer of the heat communicated from the fixture, with a housing that defines an open end opposing a base having a thickened portion. The housing defines a plurality of openings in the base, and a plurality of projections extending from an edge of the housing. A reflector defining a dished cavity seats on the projections to define a gap between the reflector and the housing. A lamp socket received in the housing engages a lamp bulb that is substantially in alignment with the thickened portion of the base and disposed in the dished cavity. A cap received on the housing has a plurality of spaced-apart ports. The high voltage lighting fixture defines a pathway for communicating air through the ports, the gap, and the openings, past the reflector for communicating heat from the reflector to ambient air. 
   The lighting fixture of this type works well for line voltage applications, however, there are other drawbacks experienced during use. For instance, the screws connecting the reflector to the base tend occasionally to reduce the gap between the reflector flange and the edge of the base. This made it more difficult to install the cap. Also, metal screws tended to transmit heat from the reflector to the base, rather than allowing heat to flow away from the base through the vents. 
   Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved under-cabinet lighting fixture for surface and recessed mounting installed with a cap that easily connects to the reflector and base and that better allows heat to flow away from the base through the vents to the ambient air. It is to such that the present invention is directed. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The present invention provides an under-cabinet lighting fixture having a housing with a base and an opposing openable end, and a flange spaced-apart from an edge at the openable end that extends radially from an exterior surface of the housing. A reflector defines a dished cavity and seats on the edge of the housing, thereby defining a recess between an edge portion of the reflector and the flange. A light source is received within the housing. A light transmissive cover received on the housing has a tab received in the recess for guiding the rotation of the cover thereon. 
   Objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be come apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a light fixture according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective top view of an alternate embodiment of the housing for the light fixture shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective bottom view of the housing illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating details of a portion of the housing of the light fixture shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a side cut-away view illustrating features of the light fixture shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a surface-mounting installation of the light fixture shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a recessed-mounting installation of the light fixture shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now in more detail to the drawings in which like parts have like identifiers,  FIG. 1  illustrates in exploded perspective view a light fixture  10  according to the present invention. The light fixture  10  readily mounts as an under-cabinet lighting fixture or recessed mounting, as discussed below. The light fixture  10  comprises a housing  12  having an open end  14  with a flange  16  extending laterally therefrom. The flange  16  is spaced-apart from an edge of the housing at the open end. As a result, a ridge or wall  18  extends around the edge from a first surface of the flange  16  longitudinally relative to the housing  12 . The wall  18  defines thickened portions  20  that each defines a hole  22 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 4 , each hole  22  is recessed so that a threaded screw  24  received in the hole  22  sits flush with a distal surface  23  of the wall  18 . Four stops  26  extend laterally from a outward side of the wall  18 . A pair of opposing tabs  28  are defined in a side wall of the housing  12 . The tabs  28  extend at a first end from the side wall for flexible movement relative to the housing  12 , for a purpose discussed below. The tabs  28  include an outwardly extending tip. 
   The housing  12  defines a partially closed bottom  30  having a plurality of openings  32 . In the illustrated embodiment, the openings  32  are aligned slots defining concentric rings arranged radially. Four semisperical legs  34  extend from an outer surface of the bottom  30 . A central portion  36  defines a thickened portion of the bottom  30 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In the illustrated embodiment, the thickened portion  36  extends slightly from an exterior surface of the bottom, or about 0.06 inches from the surface of the bottom  30 , to approximately double the thickness of the wall of the housing  12  in the central portion  36 . The side wall of the housing defines a slot  38  adjacent the bottom  30  for receiving a pair of electric wires  40 . A pair of lugs  42  extend upwardly from opposing sides of the slot  38  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . A U-shaped brace  44  defines a pair of opposing holes at distal ends. The brace  44  connects to the lugs  42  with screws entering the lugs  42  through the holes for securing the electrical wires  40  in the slot  38 . A pair of posts  46  extend between the open end  14  and the bottom  30  on opposing sides of the housing  12 . The posts  46  each define a longitudinal bore. Studs  48  extend from the bottom  30  and are spaced-apart from each of the respective posts  46 . 
   A pair of tabs  50  extend upwardly from the bottom  30 . Each tab  50  defines an angled hook at a distal end. A plate  52  extends upwardly from the bottom  30  radially inwardly from the side wall of the housing and between the tabs  50 . The tabs  50 , the plate  52 , and a portion of the wall of the housing  12  cooperatively define a recess that receives a lamp socket  56 . The lamp socket  56  defines opposing openings  57  for receiving the ends of the electrical wires  40  and lamp post sockets or openings  58  for engaging pins of a lamp or light bulb  60 . 
   The lighting fixture  10  includes a reflector  70 . The reflector  70  defines a dish-shaped cavity  71  with a laterally extending flange  74 . The face of the dish-shaped cavity  71  defines a plurality of facets  73  for reflecting light. The flange  74  defines a plurality of spaced-apart openings  76 . The flange  74  defines slots  78  open to an exterior edge. The slots  78  align with the holes  22  in the wall  18  of the housing  12 . The flange also defines a pair of opposing holes  80 . The holes  80  align with the posts  46 . A side portion of the cavity  71  defines an opening  82  which is sized for receiving a portion of the lamp socket  56 . The flange  74  defines a pair of opposing flats  84 . A pad  86  of an insulative material is disposed between the bottom  30  and the reflector  70 . The reflector  70 , such as a stamped aluminum member, seats on the surface  23  of the wall  18  with the cavity  71  within the housing  12 . The openings  76  provide air flow pathways from the cavity  71 . 
   A cap  90  closes the housing  12 . The cap  90  defines a central opening  92 . Fingers  94  extend from an inner surface of the cap  90  adjacent the central opening  92 . The fingers  94  angle towards the opening  92 . The fingers  94  cooperatively engage a glass lens  96 . In the illustrated embodiment, the glass lens  96  is a UV filter for reducing emissions from halogen light bulbs used with the light fixture  10 . A plurality slot-like of openings  98  are defined in the cap  90 . A pair of tabs or ears  99  extend radially inwardly from a skirt of the cap  90  on opposing sides. 
   The lighting fixture  10  described above is particularly useful for recessed mounting in cabinets, as discussed below, with a surface can  100  for surface mounting of the fixture  10 . The can  100  defines an annular ring  102  having an inwardly extending flange  104 . The flange defines three slots  108 . Opposing flanges  109  extend on the interior of the can  100  in alignment with the slots  108 . The slots  108  align with the slots  78  in the reflector  70  for a purpose discussed below. Two pairs of side flanges  110 ,  112  extend on the interior from opposing sides of the ring  102 . A plurality of pins  114  extend from the ring  102  opposing the flange  104 . The pins  114  space the can  100  from a surface to which the can  100  mounts and defines airflow pathways between the light fixture  10  and the surface. An alternate embodiment does not include the pins  114 , but defines a plurality of spaced-apart holes in the ring  102  for airflow out of the can  100 . The ring  102  defines an opening  116 . A pair of ears  118  extend from opposing portions of the ring  102 . The ears  118  define openings  119  for receiving screws to mount the can  100  to a surface. 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective top view of an alternate embodiment of the housing  12  for the light fixture shown in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the housing includes opposing tabs  120  which each define a keyed opening  122 . The keyed opening includes a hole and a lateral slot for receiving a screw head and shaft for securing the housing  12  to a mounting surface. 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective bottom view of the housing  12  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The housing  12  defines a socket  124  in the side wall and bottom having opposing retaining clips for receiving and engaging a stem (not illustrated) for connecting the housing  12  to an electrical junction box as disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,722. 
     FIG. 5  is a side cut-away view illustrating features of the light fixture  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . The reflector  70  seats on the surface  23  of the wall  18 . The housing  12  receives the cavity  71 . The ear  99  of the cap  90  is received in a gap between the flange  74  of the reflector  70  and the flange  16  of the housing  12 . The cap  90  is installed by aligning the ears  99  with the flats  84  of the reflector and rotating the cap  90 . 
     FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a surface-mounting installation of the light fixture  10 . In this mounting, the can  100  mounts with screws extending through the openings  119  in the ears  118 . The can  100  receives the housing  12  that includes the reflector  70 .  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a recessed mounting installation of the recessed lighting fixture  10 . In this installation, the can  100  is not used. Rather, the housing  12  is secured within a recess  132  in a mounting surface  134  with screws  24  extending through the slots  78  aligned with the openings  22  in the flange  16 . In both installations, screws pass through the openings  80  in the reflector  70  and into the posts  46  to attach the reflector to the housing  12 . The cap  80  closes the housing  12 . 
   For use, the electric wires  40  pass through the slot  38  in the housing  12  and separate. The separate wires loop through the respective studs  48  adjacent the posts  46  on opposing sides of the housing  12 . The distal ends of the electric wires  40  electrically connect to the socket  56  through the opposing side openings  57 . The socket  56  is secured in a recess by the tabs  50 . Screws extending through the holes in the brace  44  connect to the lugs  42 . The brace secures the electric wires  40  in the slot  38 . 
   The insulative pad  86  sits on the thickened central portion  36 . The reflector  70  inserts into the housing  12  and seats on the pad  86 . Screws extend through the openings  80  and into the posts  46  to attach the reflector  70  to the housing  12 . The socket  56  receives the bulb  60 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the housing  12  may be installed for recess-mounting in the annular recess  132  of the surface  134 . An appropriate sized hole or recess is created in the selected location. The electrical wires  40  pass through the recess  132 . The recess  132  receives the housing  12 . The flange  16  overlaps a portion of the surface  134 . The screws  24  extend past the slots  78  and through the openings  20  to engage the surface  134 . The heads of the screws  24  seat recessed below the surface  23  of the wall  18  to secure the housing  12  in place. The cap  90  is attached to the distal end of the housing  12 . This is accomplished by pushing the ears  99  past the opposing flats  80  and into the gap between the flanges  16  and  74 . Rotation of the cap  90  moves the ears  99  along the gap. The stops  26  keep the cap  90  from over-rotation. The electric wires  40  connect to a source of electric current. 
   The lighting fixture  10  of the present invention also surface mounts as illustrated in  FIG. 6  with the housing  12  received within the open end of the can  100 . This is accomplished by locating a selected position for the fixture  10  on the mounting surface  130 . The electrical wires  40  extend through an opening in the surface  130 . The housing  12  connects to the reflector  60  by screws extending through the openings  80  and engaging the posts  46 . Screws extending through the openings  119  in the ears  118  attach the can to the surface  130 . The can  100  secures to the surface  120  when the heads of the screws  18  are flush with the surface of the ridge  18 . The can  100  then receives the housing  12  which is pushed into the can  100 . The tabs  28  flex and allow the housing  12  to seat into the can  100 . The flanges  110 ,  112  receive the tabs  28  therebetween to prevent rotation of the housing  12 . It is to be appreciated that the light fixture  10  may also be further secured with the screws  24  extending through the aligned slots  78  and openings  20 . The electrical wires  40  connect to a source of electrical current for powering the light fixture  10 . The pins  114  extending from the ring  102  define airflow pathways between the light fixture  10  and the surface  130 . The airflow pathway provides a thermal pathway for communicating heat from the lighting fixture  10 . The cap  90  is attached as discussed above. 
   In operation, the lighting fixture  10  defines thermal pathways through the cap  90 , the reflector  70 , and the housing  12 , for communicating heat from the lighting fixture to ambient air. These pathways provide an air pathway chimney effect for transferring heat from the fixture  10  to ambient air. Air enters the lighting fixture  10  through the slot-like openings  98  in the cap  90 . The air travels through the openings  76  in the reflector  70 . With the light bulb  60  illuminated, the air becomes heated as it travels past the reflector  70 . The heated air exits the housing  12  through the openings  32  in the bottom  30 . For recess mounting, the heat communicates into the space above the mounting surface  134 . For surface mounting, the heat communicates outwardly of the housing along the surface  130  through the gaps or pathways defined by the pins  114 . In an alternate embodiment, the heated air communicates through holes in the side wall of the housing  12  and the can  100 . 
   The present invention accordingly provides an improved puck lighting system for surface and recessed mounting that is installed with a cap that easily connects to the reflector and base and that facilitates flow of heat away from the base through the vents to the ambient air. Accordingly, the present invention provides puck lighting fixtures particularly suited for under-cabinet installations. The principles, preferred embodiments, and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. The invention is not to be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed as these are regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Moreover, variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the are without departing from the spirit of the invention described in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5