Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S8/00—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation
  • F21S8/02—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters
  • F21S8/026—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters intended to be recessed in a ceiling or like overhead structure, e.g. suspended ceiling
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F21V29/00—Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
  • F21V29/50—Cooling arrangements
  • F21V29/70—Cooling arrangements characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
  • F21V29/83—Cooling arrangements characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S8/00—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation
  • F21S8/02—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F21V25/00—Safety devices structurally associated with lighting devices
  • F21V25/12—Flameproof or explosion-proof arrangements
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F21V29/00—Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
  • F21V29/15—Thermal insulation
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F21V29/00—Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
  • F21V29/50—Cooling arrangements
  • F21V29/502—Cooling arrangements characterised by the adaptation for cooling of specific components
  • F21V29/507—Cooling arrangements characterised by the adaptation for cooling of specific components of means for protecting lighting devices from damage, e.g. housings
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F21V17/00—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages
  • F21V17/10—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening
  • F21V17/16—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening by deformation of parts; Snap action mounting
  • F21V17/164—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening by deformation of parts; Snap action mounting the parts being subjected to bending, e.g. snap joints
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F21V23/00—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
  • F21V23/02—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
  • F21V23/026—Fastening of transformers or ballasts

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an adapter for a light fitting. It is particularly applicable to an adapter for a downlighter, more particularly to a fire rated downlighter.
• Downlighters that are adapted to be installed into ceiling and/or roof spaces are inherently at risk of compromising the integrity of the ceiling and/or roof space. They are generally installed into an aperture in the ceiling that has to be relatively wide to accommodate the downlighter assembly and thereby compromises the ability of the ceiling to contain a fire in a room or even a fire caused by the light fitting itself failing. In order to compensate against these increased risks, it is generally required that downlighters incorporate adaptations to improve their fire barrier capabilities and which generally include the provision of intumescent materials associated with the downlighter assembly and which expand in the heat of fire to occlude the openings defined by the downlighter.
• Normal measures to fire rate downlighters include, for example, provision of hoods or tents that seat over the downlighter assembly in the manner of a shroud and which effectively entomb the downlighter in event of a fire. See, for example, GB- 2,270,936.
• More recently downlighter assemblies have been adapted to incorporate intumescent material more intimately associated with the downlighter itself and commonly mounted in immediate proximity to the casing of the downlighter at the rear end of the casing in order specifically to occlude ventilation apertures in the rear end of the casing.
• the intumescent material is applied as a sheet/layer that is laminated or sandwiched to the end wall of the lamp casing either internally or externally.
• the positioning of a layer of intumescent material at the end of a downlighter assembly may compromise the flow of air through the downlighter. This can cause excessive heat to build up during operation.
• This has at least two disadvantages. Firstly, bulb life may be significantly reduced and secondly, the intumescent material may be triggered to expand because of the excessive heat resulting from continuous running of the bulb. In order to avoid this, intumescent material which starts to expand at a higher temperature tends to be used. This makes the whole assembly less sensitive and slower to close up in the event of a fire.
• hood or tent Another recent alternative to the hood or tent is the fitting of a raised plate to the top of the outer casing of the downlighter.
• the plate is screwed, bolted or welded into position prior to the downlighter being installed in location.
• the problem is that the plate is not readily retro-fittable to existing downlighter casings and there is still the possibility for material, such as insulation, in the loft or attic space to get between the plate and the top of the outer casing of the downlighter.
• an adapter for a light fitting said adapter including; a first end having a contact portion, said contact portion being adapted to contact the light fitting in use; a second end having a plate portion; a wall portion extending from the first end to the second end; an attachment means adapted to attach to the light fitting in use; and a venting means adapted to allow air to flow through the adapter in use.
• an adapter is advantageous as not only is the adapter retro-fittable to any existing light fitting, in particular to the outer casing of a downlighter, but also allows for the retro-fitting by simply removing the downlighter from the ceiling in the room that it is located in without the need to access the attic or loft space or pull up the floorboards of the room above.
• the adapter is retro-fittable due to the fact that it can simply click into place with existing ventilation apertures in the downlighter casing.
• Suitable attachment means include spring loaded clips which may be formed of metal or plastics material which may in addition include barbs which stop the adapter from becoming dislodged from the light fitting.
• the adapter can be fitted without needing to access the attic or loft space because the adapter is the same size or smaller than the light fitting.
• the existing fitted downlighter can simply be removed from the ceiling, the adapter snap fitted into place on the top of the outer casing of the downlighter and then the downlighter can be put back through the same hole in the ceiling and fitted into place.
• the adapter acts to maintain an air gap and ventilation pathway to the ventilation holes located in the top of the casing of the downlighter. This stops the downlighter from overheating and becoming a fire risk.
• the fitting of the adapter results in a standard downlighter being transformed into a fire rated downlighter at minimal cost and expense, without the need for purchasing a new downlighter or access to the attic or loft space to install a hood or tent over the light fitting.
• the adapter stops the insulation located in most attic or loft spaces (or other ceiling spaces) from coming into contact with the top of the casing of the downlighter which would otherwise risk blocking the ventilation holes, become hot, and risk fire.
• the contact portion is a substantially annular ring, this is to match the annular nature of the casing of the downlighter to which the adapter is to be fitted.
• the plate portion is also substantially annular to match, and the wall portion is also preferably a substantially annular ring substantially perpendicular to the contact portion and/or plate portion. This essentially forms an upside down small bowl or dish shape.
• the contact portion may have substantially the same diameter as the plate portion.
• the wall portion will be parallel and straight sided directly connecting the two elements together.
• the contact portion may have a larger diameter than the plate portion.
• the wall portion includes either a substantially frustoconical portion only or a substantially parallel portion and a substantially frustoconical portion. It is preferable in certain cases for the plate portion and the wall portion to include a cut out portion which corresponds to the location of a transformer fitting on the light fitting which the adapter is to be fitted to in use. If no transformer fitting is present on the light fitting then such a cut out portion will not be required.
• the adapter is either the same diameter or has a smaller diameter than the light fitting which the adapter will be fitted to in use. This enables the adapter either to be retro-fitted or simply fitted to a light fitting which can then be installed through the same size hole in the ceiling as would normally be employed without the need to access the attic or loft space.
• the venting means includes an aperture or a plurality of apertures in the plate portion.
• the venting means includes an aperture or plurality of apertures in the wall portion.
• the apertures may be circular, oval, square or oblong for example.
• the attachment means may include an attachment portion which is adapted to move from a first expanded position to a second contracted position.
• the attachment means is also preferably adapted to attach to the casing of a downlighter utilising a pre-existing hole located in the light fitting which the adapter is to be fitted to in use.
• the attachment portion is adapted to move from the first expanded position to the second contracted position whilst the attachment portion passes through the pre-existing hole during fitting of the adapter in use, and is adapted to move from the second contracted position back to the first expanded position after the attachment portion has passed through the pre-existing hole after fitting of the adapter in use.
• the attachment portion may include a spring-loaded clip or a spring-loaded barb.
• the attachment means may attach to any suitable portion of the adapter; this may be the plate portion or the wall portion or even be located directly on the contact portion.
• the adapter may be formed from a metal or metal alloy or a plastics material.
• the adapter is suitable for any light fittings, but particularly so for a surface mounted light fitting such as one mounted in a wall or ceiling i.e. a downlighter.
• a downlighter i.e. a surface mounted light fitting
• the adapter when fitted will fire rate a standard downlighter, it can also be fitted to already fire rated downlighters to give even greater levels of security and reduce fire risk even further.
• a light fitting including an adapter as described above and in the claims.
• a light fitting including an adapter, said adapter including; a first end having a contact portion which contacts the outer casing of the light fitting; a second end having a plate portion; a wall portion extending from the first end to the second end; an attachment means adapted to attach to the light fitting; and a venting means adapted to allow air to flow through the adapter in use.
• Figure 1 is a view of a downlighter in situ in a loft or attic space without any means to keep insulation and the like away from the top of the casing of the downlighter
• Figure 2 is a view of a downlighter in situ in a loft or attic space with a prior art plate as a means to keep insulation and the like away from the top of the casing of the downlighter;
• Figure 3 is a view of a downlighter in situ in a loft or attic space fitted with an embodiment of the adapter of the present invention
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of a downlighter fitted with another embodiment of the adapter of the present invention
• Figure 5 is a front view of a downlighter fitted with an adapter of the present invention
• Figure 6 is a side view of a downlighter fitted with an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 7 is a bottom view of a downlighter fitted with an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 8 is a top view of a downlighter fitted with an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a downlighter fitted with an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 10 is a perspective view of an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 11 is a bottom view of an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 12 is a top view of an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 13 is a back view of an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 14 is a side view of an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 15 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 16 is a bottom perspective view of an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 17 is a bottom view of an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 18 is a front view of an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 19 is a top view of an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 20 is a side view of an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 21 is a top perspective view of a further embodiment of an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 22 is a bottom perspective view of an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 23 is a bottom view of an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 24 is a front view of an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 25 is a top view of an adapter of the present invention.
• Figure 26 is a side view of an adapter of the present invention. Description of the Preferred Embodiment
• Figure 1 illustrates a downlighter 10 fitted into a ceiling 12 with insulation 14 potentially obscuring the ventilation holes 16 located in the top of the downlighter 10.
• Figure 2 illustrates a downlighter 10 fitted into a ceiling 12. The downlighter 10 has been fitted with a prior art plate 18. The insulation 14 still potentially obscures the ventilation holes 16 located in the top of the downlighter 10.
• Figure 3 illustrates a downlighter 10 fitted into a ceiling 12. The downlighter 10 has been fitted with an adapter 20 according to the present invention. The insulation 14 no longer obscures the ventilation holes 16 located in the top of the downlighter 10.
• FIGs 4 to 9 illustrate an embodiment of the adapter 30 of the present invention fitted to a downlighter 10.
• the same adapter 30 can be seen individually in more detail in Figures 10 to 14.
• the adapter 30 has a contact portion 32 located at the first end 34 of the adapter 30.
• the contact portion 32 is designed to contact the top surface 22 of the outer casing of the downlighter 10 in use.
• the contact portion 32 needs to contact the top surface 22 of the downlighter rather than standing proud so that insulation 14 does not inadvertently enter into the gap which would be created and block the ventilation holes 16.
• the adapter 30 also has a plate portion 36 located at the second end 38 of the adapter 30. Connecting the plate portion 36 to the contact portion 32 is a wall portion 40.
• the wall portion 40 has a parallel section 42 and a f rustoconical section 44.
• the wall portion 40 could simply all be f rustoconical, or if the diameter of the contact portion 32 was the same as the diameter of the plate portion 30 then the wall portion 40 could simply all be parallel.
• both the plate portion 36 and wall portion 40 have a plurality of apertures 46, in this version the apertures 46 are circular, they could of course be any other suitable shape or size.
• the adapter 30 is also provided with an attachment means 48.
• the attachment means 48 is fixed to the plate portion 36 of the adapter 30 with nuts and bolts 50.
• attachment means 48 may be integral with the adapter 30 and may be attached to the adapter 30 by another suitable means such as welding for example. Also in the alternative the attachment means 48 may be attached to a different portion of the adapter such as the wall portion 40.
• the attachment means has an attachment portion 52 which in the embodiment illustrated is a spring clip which is capable of clipping into pre-existing holes such as one of the ventilation holes 16 in the top surface of the casing of the downlighter 10.
• the adapter 30 is also provided with a cut out portion 54 in the wall portion 40, plate portion 36 and contact portion 32. The cut out portion 54 is provided to enable the fitting of the adapter 30 onto a downlighter 10 around the transformed fittings 24 and transformer 26.
• FIG. 15 to 20 illustrated another embodiment of the adapter 130 of the present invention.
• the adapter 130 has a contact portion 132 located at the first end 134 of the adapter 130.
• the contact portion 132 is designed to contact the top surface 122 of the outer casing of the downlighter 110 in use.
• the contact portion 132 needs to contact the top surface 22 of the downlighter rather than standing proud such that insulation 14 does not inadvertently enter into the gap which would be created and block the ventilation holes 16.
• the adapter 130 also has a plate portion 136 located at the second end 138 of the adapter 130. Connecting the plate portion 136 to the contact portion 132 is a wall portion 140.
• the wall portion 140 has a parallel section 142 and a frustoconical section 144.
• the wall portion 140 could simply all be frustoconical, or if the diameter of the contact portion 132 was the same as the diameter of the plate portion 130 then the wall portion 140 could simply all be parallel.
• both the plate portion 136 and wall portion 140 have a plurality of apertures 146, in this version the apertures 146 are circular, they could of course be any other suitable shape or size.
• the adapter 130 is also provided with an attachment means 148.
• the attachment means 148 is integral with the plate portion 136 of the adapter 130.
• the attachment means 148 may be fixed to the adapter 130 with nuts and bolts or any other suitable means such as welding for example. Also in the alternative the attachment means 148 may be attached to a different portion of the adapter such as the wall portion 140.
• the attachment means has an attachment portion 152 which in the embodiment illustrated is a barbed spring clip which is capable of clipping into pre-existing holes such as one of the ventilation holes 16 in the top surface of the casing of the downlighter 10.
• the adapter 130 is also provided with a cut out portion 154 in the wall portion 140, plate portion 136 and contact portion 132. The cut out portion 154 is provided to enable the fitting of the adapter 130 onto a downlighter 10 around the transformer fittings 24 and transformer 26.
• FIGS 21 to 26 illustrate a further embodiment of the adapter 230 of the present invention.
• the adapter 230 has a contact portion 232 located at the first end 234 of the adapter 230.
• the contact portion 232 is designed to contact the top surface 222 of the outer casing of the downlighter 210 in use.
• the contact portion 232 needs to contact the top surface 22 of the downlighter rather than standing proud so that insulation 14 does not inadvertently enter into the gap which would be created and block the ventilation holes 16.
• the adapter 230 also has a plate portion 236 located at the second end 238 of the adapter 230. Connecting the plate portion 236 to the contact portion 232 is a wall portion 240.
• the wall portion 240 has a parallel section 242 and a frustoconical section 244.
• the wall portion 240 could simply all be frustoconical, or if the diameter of the contact portion 232 was the same as the diameter of the plate portion 230 then the wall portion 240 could simply all be parallel.
• both the plate portion 236 and wall portion 240 have a plurality of apertures 246, in this version the apertures 246 are oblong slots, they could of course be any other suitable shape or size.
• the adapter 230 is also provided with an attachment means 248.
• the attachment means 248 is integral with the plate portion 236 of the adapter 230.
• the attachment means 248 may be fixed to the adapter 230 with nuts and bolts or any other suitable means such as welding for example. Also in the alternative the attachment means 248 may be attached to a different portion of the adapter such as the wall portion 240.
• the attachment means has an attachment portion 252 which in the embodiment illustrated is a barbed spring clip which is capable of clipping into pre-existing holes such as one of the ventilation holes 16 in the top surface of the casing of the downlighter 10.
• the adapter 230 is also provided with a cut out portion 254 in the wall portion 240, plate portion 236 and contact portion 232. The cut out portion 254 is provided to enable the fitting of the adapter 230 onto a downlighter 10 around the transformer fittings 24 and transformer 26.
• the adapter or insulation cover can be put onto an existing downlight and make fire- rated.
• the adapter or cover can be made in various sizes so it fits on any down light (not particularly fire rated down lights) to keep the light away from the insulation.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
• Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=42236063

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (8)

Family Cites Families (8)

• 2010
  • 2010-04-09 GB GBGB1005925.1A patent/GB201005925D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2011
  • 2011-04-07 WO PCT/GB2011/000533 patent/WO2011124886A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2011-04-07 AU AU2011236645A patent/AU2011236645B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2011-04-07 EP EP11726922.5A patent/EP2556291B1/de active Active
• 2012
  • 2012-10-08 ZA ZA2012/07622A patent/ZA201207622B/en unknown

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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