GB2174796A - Down lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular downlight system is based around a baffle ring having a plurality of axially disposed light dispersing fins on the interior thereof and at least three slightly larger resilient support fins capable of holding a reflector in at least two different positions. A mounting strap straddles the baffle ring on the outside of the reflectors allowing different light sources to be used whilst allowing the reflector to be moved relative to the baffle ring and the light source.

Description

SPECIFICATION Down lighting system This invention relates to an adjustable and adaptable down lighting system, where downlights can be defined as lamps recessed or partly recessed into ceilings or walls as fixtures of a room.

Hitherto most down lights have been designed for one lamp type only, and have had limited adaptability and range in both appearance and function. Examples of prior art downlights include: US Patent No. 3,778,609 to Liberman, 1973 and US Patent No. 3,310,672 to Bursell, 1967.

It is an object of this invention to provide an adjustable basic downlighting unit into which a number of different components can be fitted, to give a range of different downlights to suit consumer need and/or choice.

In one aspect the invention provides an adjustable housing into which a variety of different light sources, suited to different functions, can be set.

Preferably the housing includes a tubular member having means for supporting a down light source and means for supporting a reflector so that the reflector can be moved relative to the light source. The tubular member may be of any suitable shape, e.g. polygonal shape, although a generally cylindrical shape is preferred.

It will be generally convenient to use this tubular member as a baffle ring.

In another aspect the invention allows a range of inter changeable components to be added to the housing of the lamp, thereby increasing the range of functions and situations to which the downlighting system is suited, without altering the basic design.

These, and other aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates two views of the baffle ring of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first (a) a side elevation in cross section, the second (b) an underside plan elevation drawn to the same scale.

Figure 2 illustrates one option of the preferred embodiment of the invention as seen in cross section from the same point of view as Figure 1a.

Figure 3 shows two views of the baffle ring of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first (a) a side elevation in cross section with the baffle ring rotated 90 around the dorsoventral axis with respect to the view shown in Figure 1a, and the second (b) a top plan view of the baffle ring drawn to the same scale.

Figure 4 shows two views of the mounting strap of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first (a) a side elevation, and the second (b) an end elevation drawn to the same scale.

Figure 5 shows one option of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus in partial cross section, from the same point of view as Figure 3(a).

The baffle ring of the preferred apparatus is a down light deflecting sleeve which can also have a supporting and/or fastening role with respect to the mounting strap 40 and the reflector 21 and/or other components of the unit as required.

The baffle ring structure has a number of stand ard fins 11 and also a number of supporting fins 12, preferably 3 but possibly more or less. Sup porting fins may be defined as fins with a particu lar shape specifically intended to allow them to support, secure and/or otherwise hold in place other structures, as required. All fins may have the function of reflecting and dispersing the light given off by the light source 20. In the preferred embodi ment the supporting fins take the shape illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and are intended to support a reflector, such as that illustrated in Figure 2, in either one of two positions either supported on the upper projections 13 as in Figure 2, or alternatively supported on the lower projections 14.The supporting fins are preferably set on a narrow base as shown, such that the natural resilience of the production material (preferably a PVC plastic) gives the two halves (top and bottom) of the supporting fins the nature of leaf springs, with the result that when during installation the reflector 21 is pushed up through the baffle ring, the projections are pressed back to allow it passage, but spring back underneath it after the rim of the reflector has passed, to support it in its resting position.

Preferably the baffle ring has means for supporting a decorative flange 54, at/or adjacent to its lower edge. It will be generally convenient to provide an outwardly disposal shoulder 15 on which the mounting flange 54 may rest. This mounting flange 54 can be styled to conceal the edge of the aperture in the wall or ceiling in which the down light is mounted.

The mounting strap is intended primarily in the preferred design to support the lamp and its associated electrical components. Note that the reflector is not connected to either the bulb 20 or the mounting strap 40 and can as a result be independently adjusted, without altering the position of the lamp. This allows focusing and defocusing of the light by altering the position of the reflector relative to the lamp, as desired.

The mounting strap is preferably formed from pressed and punched sheet metal, although the use of a variety of plastics and other products is also possible. Its general form is that of an arch, with an apical aperture 41 in which the bulb and its housing are mounted, various punched holes 43, 45 for the attachment of the electrical components of the lighting system and the mounting spring 51, and two basal shouldered and barbed blades 42.

These blades are intended to be inserted into the corresponding slots 31 in the baffle ring, into which they lock by dint of the barbs 44 engaging with the notches 32 provided for the purpose.

The mounting springs 51 formed preferably from spring steel, are fixed to the mounting strap 40 by means of a spring knob 52. This knob can be loosened, allowing the mounting spring 51 to be shifted up or down, thereby altering the gap between the spring and the mounting flange 54 to suit the width of the ceiling or wall into which the unit is being set.

When being installed the knob is tightened with the spring at its correct distance from the mounting flange 54, and then the unit can be pushed up and/or into a cavity left in the wall or ceiling for the purpose. The mounting springs are squeezed in until they are past the ceiling or outer wall panel, where upon they spring out behind it in a similar fashion to the barbs on a harpoon, to hold the unit in place. Adjustment by means of the spring knob 52 is still possible after installation such that the wall or ceiling panel can be clamped firmly between the mounting spring and the mounting flange. The spring knob is concealed by the reflector when this is set in place.

The terminal block 53 includes a base and cover, preferably of injection moulded plastic, and the electrical apparatus linking the lighting unit with its power supply.

The baffle ring of this invention can be provided with horizontal or other ribs or fins instead of the vertical fins illustrated in the drawings. Whatever orientation of ribs or fins is chosen to disperse the light, it is preferred that the reflector may be moved within the baffle ring to adjust its position relative to the light source.

For example, spring loaded pins, tabs, or other detents, could protrude into the baffle ring to provide suitable stops for the reflector. Or the ribs could be formed as an internal screw thread which is engaged by appropriately placed lugs on the exterior of the reflector; this however is not as convenient to adjust as the push fit arrangement shown in the drawings.

The preferred embodiment of the invention can be fitted with a number of different light sources, including the G.L.S. lamp, miniature fluorescent lamps, single ended halogen and low voltage halogen lamps, and 3 sizes of reflector lamps.

The various components are produced from a number of different materials, principally stamped sheet metals and injection moulded plastics. A number of other materials and methods of manufacture may be possible, but for ease of manufacture and practicality, these appear at the moment to be preferable.

The mounting flange 54, which is the part of the invention likely to be most accessible to public scrutiny, is preferably formed from pressed sheet metal, most preferably steel, as this method and material allows a wide variety of shapes and colours of flanges to be produced at very little retooling expense. This means that downlights with a range of appearances, suited to different situations, can be produced as required without altering the basic design.

It also allows the fittings to be marketed as individual components from a series of readily interchangeable options.

Finally, it will be appreciated that various alterations and modifications may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of this invention as exemplified by the following claims.

Claims (10)

1. A housing for a down light unit capable of being at least partly recessed into a ceiling or wall, said housing including a tubular member characterised by means for supporting a down light source and means for adjustably supporting a reflector so that the reflector can be moved relative to the light source.

2. A housing for a down light unit as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that tubular member is a baffle ring having the means for supporting the reflector on the inside thereof.

3. A housing for a down light unit as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that means for supporting the reflector comprises a plurality of resilient support fins capable of retaining the reflector at at least two different positions along the axis of the baffle ring.

4. A housing for a down light unit as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that additional fins are provided about the inner surface of the baffle ring to assist in dispersing light from the light source.

5. A housing for a down light unit as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that support fins and the additional fins are disposed axially within the baffle ring with the support fins extending radially inwardly more than the additional fins.

6. A housing for a down light unit as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that support fins are pivotally mounted about their mid-regions and have stops adjacent each end thereof to retain the reflector in a 'retracted' or 'extended' position.

7. A housing for a light unit as claimed in claim any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that means for supporting a down light source includes a mounting strap attached to the baffle ring outside the ambit of the support fins.

8. A housing for a down light unit as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that mounting strap has a plurality of apertures therein adapted to receive different light sources.

9. A down light unit, including a housing as claimed in claim 1, in combination with an apertured reflector and a light source mounted on said supporting means, characterised in that said supporting means straddles the reflector and a light source mounted on said supporting means, wherein said supporting means straddles the reflector allowing the light source to extend through the aperture in the reflector.

10. A down lighting unit or housing therefor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.