Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to light fixtures. More particularly, the invention relates to light fixtures containing a support system to facilitate installation. 
   Light fixtures are typically mounted to an electrical outlet box which is flush mounted to a surface, such as a wall or ceiling. (As used herein, the term “flush mounted” means that the outlet box is mounted at or behind the surface in the conventional manner without necessarily being perfectly flush). Prior to mounting, however, the light fixture must be electrically connected to wires located in the outlet box. While attempting to connect the wires of the light fixture to those of the outlet box, the user must also support the light fixture. If the user installs the light fixture alone, one hand must be used to connect the wires while the other hand holds the light fixture. This can be awkward and difficult. 
   Moreover, certain light fixtures cannot be installed alone. For example, heavy or large light fixtures may require one person to hold the light fixture while another person connects the wires. Therefore, there is a need for a novel mounting arrangement that facilitates installation of a light fixture. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect, the present invention provides a light fixture mounting assembly. The assembly includes a bracket configured to be attached to an electrical outlet box and a light fixture. A tether is provided with a first end connected to the light fixture. The tether has a second end being releasably attachable to the bracket. 
   In another aspect, the present invention provides a light fixture mounting assembly with a bracket configured to be mounted to an electrical outlet box and a light fixture for mounting to a surface. The bracket has a configured connection opening with a first portion and a second portion. A tether is provided with a first end connected to the light fixture. The tether has a second end with a connecting element dimensioned to pass through the first portion, but unable to pass through the second portion. 
   In another aspect, the present invention provides a bracket for mounting a light fixture with a connecting tether. The bracket has a support member configured for attachment to an electrical outlet box. The support member also has a configured connection opening which is adapted to receive the connecting tether. A mounting member is provided which is substantially perpendicular to the support member and has anchors for securing the light fixture. 
   In another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus having a bracket configured to be mounted to an electrical outlet box. A light fixture adapted to support a light source is also provided. The apparatus also includes a tether for releasably attaching the light fixture to the bracket and supporting the weight of the light fixture during connection of wires. 
   In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for mounting a light fixture. A bracket is mounted to an electrical outlet box. A releasable tether is extended between the light fixture and the bracket so that the tether supports the weight of the light fixture. Wires of the light fixture are then electrically connected to wires of the electrical outlet box. The light fixture is then mounted to the bracket such that the light fixture will be mounted to the surface. 
   Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a light fixture which is being supported during installation onto a wall in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a light fixture which is being supported during installation onto a ceiling in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged rear exploded view showing a portion of the light fixture of  FIG. 1  to illustrate one manner in which the tether may be attached thereto; 
       FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of a bracket constructed according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the connecting element of the tether passing through the first portion of the connection opening of the bracket of  FIG. 4 ; and 
       FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective view of the connecting element of the tether held within the second portion of the connection opening of the bracket of FIG.  4 . 
   

   Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary constructions. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a light fixture  10  according to the present invention may be supported during installation so that an installer may use both hands to connect wires. Light fixture  10  contains a light source (not shown) which may be connected to a source of electrical power. For example, light fixture  10  has wires  12  which may be electrically connected to wires  14  located within an electrical outlet box  16 . 
   As is typical, light fixture  10  is mounted using a bracket  18  attached to outlet box  16 . Bracket  18  includes a support member  20  which is fixed perpendicularly to a mounting member  22 . Support member  20  defines slots  24  and  24 ′ which are dimensioned to receive screws  26  or other suitable fasteners for attaching support member  20  to outlet box  16 . 
   For securing light fixture  10 , mounting member  22  includes threaded anchors  28 . For example, light fixture  10  may include a mounting plate  30  with holes  32  dimensioned to receive anchors  28 . Bracket  18  has a central hole  29  ( FIG. 4 ) to allow electrical wires  14  to pass therethrough. It should be appreciated that support member  20  and mounting member  22  can be constructed as a unitary member or can be two pieces directly connected. In one embodiment, support member  20  and mounting member  22  are rotatable with respect to one another through a limited angular range. One of ordinary skill in the art should-recognize that light fixture  10  could be mounted vertically (FIG.  1 ), horizontally ( FIG. 2 ) or to another suitable mounting surface. 
   Referring now also to  FIG. 3 , a tether  34  extends from the back of light fixture  10 . In one embodiment, tether  34  is formed of a braided metal wire. In any event, tether  34  will preferably have sufficient tensile strength to support the weight of light fixture  10 . 
   In the illustrated embodiments, tether  34  has a first end suitably secured to mounting plate  30  of light fixture  10 . For example, tether  34  may have a loop  36  with an opening  38  dimensioned to be received by a threaded stud  40  in the back of light fixture  10 . A nut  42  and washer  44  may then be attached to threaded stud  40  to secure tether  34  to the back of light fixture  10 . In this embodiment, stud  40  is hollow such that wires  12  can pass therethrough as shown. 
   Tether  34  has a connecting element  46  on its opposite end. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , connecting element  46  of tether  34  can temporarily support light fixture  10  during the installation process. In one embodiment (illustrated in FIGS.  5 - 6 ), connecting element  46 ,has a cylindrical portion  48  and a flange  50 . Slot  24  defines a configured connection opening having a first portion  52  and a second portion  54  with a reduced width channel  56  therebetween. Channel  56  is dimensioned to allow tether  34  to pass between first portion  52  and second portion  54 . First portion  52  is dimensioned to allow flange  50  of connecting portion  46  to pass therethrough. Second portion  54  is dimensioned to receive cylindrical portion  48 , but to prevent flange  50  from passing therethrough (as best shown in FIG.  6 ). Thus, an interference fit is formed between support member  20  and connecting portion  46 . 
   With connecting element  46  secured to bracket  18 , the weight of light fixture  10  is supported by bracket  18 , without requiring a user to hold light fixture  10  while connecting wires  12  and  14 . Thus, installation of light fixture  10  is facilitated. Moreover, light fixture  10  may be installed by a single person, without requiring one person to hold light fixture  10  while another person connects wires  12  and  14 . 
   It should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that other suitable connections could be formed between bracket  18  and tether  34 . For example, tether  34  could have an end with an eyelet that may be received by a knob in bracket  18 . By way of another example, tether  34  could be releasably secured to bracket  18  using a bayonet connection. 
   During installation of light fixture  10 , bracket  18  is mounted to outlet box  16  using screws  26 . Connecting element  46  of tether  34  is then placed through first portion  52  ( FIG. 5 ) and moved so that cylindrical portion  48  of connecting element  46  is received by second portion  54  (FIG.  6 ). Since light fixture  10  is supported by tether  34 , the user is not required to hold light fixture  10  while connecting wires  12  and  14 . Thus, the user may use both hands to connect wires  12  and  14  between light fixture  10  and outlet box  16 . With light fixture  10  electrically connected to a source of power, mounting plate  30  may be secured to mounting member  22  by placing holes  32  through anchors  28  and fastening in place. Decorative nuts are often utilized for this purpose, as one skilled in the art will appreciate. 
   One of ordinary skill in the art should also appreciate that light fixture  10  could be constructed in various styles without departing from the scope of the present invention. Moreover, it should be understood that aspects of various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to be limitative of the invention so further described in the appended claims.

Technology Category: 2