GB2274506A - Bracket for a lighting - Google Patents

Abstract

A bracket for supporting a replacement lightfitting on an existing ceiling rose without disconnecting the existing wiring comprises a plate portion (5) to be positioned between the rose (3) and the ceiling and attachment means eg lugs (6) on which the replacement fitting (1) is supported. The plate portion (5) has an aperture (7) through which the existing wiring passes without touching. <IMAGE>

Description

BRACKET This invento relates to a bracket and, ifl particular to a bracket designed, constructed and/cit arranged to supper a replacement light fitting on an existing ceiling rose witho- disconnecting the existing wiring.

Conventional ceiling lighting is wired to a connecting block forming part of a ceiling roPe which is scree to the ce-ling.

Electrical connection is made to the ruins circuit by cables which pass through a hole in the ceiling and through another hoje n the rose to the connecting block. A lid is screwed to the rose to cover the block and bare wires.

Present wiring techniques require the removai of the ceiling rose before installing a replacement decorative light fitting to comply with appropriate regulations. However equipment to reconnect the wiring is often inadequate and may disturb the wiring in other parts of the building.

Tt is an object of the present invention to provide a bracket which substantially reduces or overcomes the aforementioned disadvantage.

In accordance with the invention a bracket comprises a plate portion shaped to be capable of bei.y positioned between a ceiling and a ceiling rose without dIsconnecting any wiring passing from the ceiling to the ceiling rose and having an aperture through which said existing wiring may pass without touching the plate portion, and attachment means, for example at least one lug projecting away from said plate portion, which a light fitting may be attached.

Preferably the lug projects downwards away from the ceiling and adjacent the periphery of the ceiling rose when the bracket is in use. Preferably two lugs are provided, one at each end of a diameter of the rose. The or each lug may be provided with a threaded hole for receiving G screw for the attachment of the light fitting.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 shows a cross-section through a bracket ln accordance with the invention in use supporting a light fitting; Figure 2 shows an underneath plan view of the bracket;and Figure 3 shows an underneath plan view of the rose and the bracket.

The light fitting shown in Figure 1 has a housing 2 cowering a ceiling rose 3. The light fitting 1 has replaced an older fitting which had a lid which was screwed to the screw threads 4 on the periphery of the rose 9.

A bracket in accordance wIth |h the invention is shown in Figure 2 and comprises a sheet of 16 guage mild steel stamped and/or formed by conventional metal-forming techniques to have the shape and configuration show. The bracket has a plate portion 5 and two lugs 6. The plate portion 5 has a wide aperture 7 which is open at one edge. In this embodiment the aperture has two parallel side edges 8,9 and a base edge 10 which extends perpendicularly to the side edges 8,9. One side edge 8 is longer than the cther side edge 9 . The plate portion 5 is also provided with an elongated slot 11 alongside and parallel to the the longer side edge s .The length of tnis slot 11 is approximately the same es the length of the edge 8.

AdJacent to the shorter side edge 9 are to slots 12,13 each much shorter than the slot :1 el and extending perpendicularly to the side edge 9. A further short slot 14 is formed adjacent tD the base edge 10 and extends parallel thereto as shown.

The two lugs 6 are positioned one on each side of the plate portion 5 and project perpendicularly to the plane of the plate portion on the same side thereof. The planes of lugs 6 are parallel to the side edges 8,9. Thus the aperture 7 s positioned between the two lugs 6.

A screw-threaded hole 15 is formed in each lug 6. The distance between each lug is slightly greater than the diameter of the rose (see Figure 1).

When it is required to replace an older light fitting use is made of the bracket to avoid disturbing the existing wiring 16 which projects through a hole in the ceiling, then through the base t7 of the rose via apertures 1P to a connecting block 19 integrally formed on the underside thereof. Firstly the electrical supply is switched off and the older fitting removed.

This entails unscrewing the old lid from the rose, and disconnecting the wires of the older fitting from the connecting block. The screws 20 securing the rose to the ceiling are removed so that a narrow space is left between the rose and the ceiling. The bracket is then placed with the plate portion 5 against the ceiling with the lugs 6 projecting downwards. The bracket is then moved in the direction of the arrow A as shown between Figures 2 and 3, with the open edge of the aperture 7 leading, into the narrow space. When the bracket is in position as shown in Figure 3 the wiring passes from the ceiling to the rose without touching any of the edges 8, 9 or 10.The screws 20 are replaced,(either by the orrginal either by the original screws or by stronger screws, as required,) one passing through the rose , through a slot in the bracket, and into the ceiling, and the other through the rose, through another slot in the bracket, and into the ceiling. In this embodiment, one screw passes through slot 11 and the other through slot 13 but, depending on the particular rose, the screws may pass one or other of the slots 12 and 14 (the shape and positioning of the four slots 11, 12, 13 and 14 being chosen to suit a wide range of different types of rose).

Extra screws may be used, depending on the condition of the ceiling and/or the weight of the replacement fitting.

When the screws are tightened, the bracket is firmly held between the the base of the rose and the ceiling. The two lugs are then positioned one at each end of a diameter of the rose as shown. The wires of the replacement fitting are then connected to the connecting block 19, and the housing 2 attached to the lugs by means of threaded pins or screws 21 passing through holes in the housing and into the screw-theaded holes 15 in the lugs.

In use, because the replacement fitting is earthed, the bracket is also earthed. However, it may be advantageous to provide a layer of electrical insulation along the edges 8, 9 and 10 should the insulation on the wiring passing through the

7 break down or be damaged and a bare cable touch the bracket.

The replacement fitting car. be installed readily by a non-qualified person because no disturbance to existing wiring is necessary. When removing the fitting the bracket is also removed leaving the rose in position. my then replacing the lid and flex the legal requirement to leave equipment in a safe condition is attained.

The bracket of the present invention allows a flex pendant to be replaced with a replacement fitting (as described above) or with a batten lamp-holder.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS:

1. A bracket comprising a plate portion shaped to be capable of being positioned between a ceiling and a ceiling rose without disconnecting any wiring passing from the ceiling to the ceiling rose and having an aperture through which said existing wiring may pass without touchIng the plate portion, and attachment means to - 'olz: a light flitting may be attached.

2. A bracket according to claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprIses a lug.

3. .= bracket according to claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises two lugs, one at each end of a diameter cf the rose.

4. A bracket according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the or each lug is provided with a hole for receiving a screw for the the attachment of a light fitting.

5. A bracket according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the aperture has two parallel side edges and a base edge extending perpendicularly to the side edges.

6. A bracket according to claim 5 wherein the side edges and the base edge are covered with electrical insulation.

7. A bracket according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one slot is provided adjacent an edge.

8. A bracket substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.