GB2373314A

GB2373314A - Light for fitting to conventional ceiling rose

Info

Publication number: GB2373314A
Application number: GB0106048A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nada Mein
Original assignee: ETERNA LIGHTING Ltd
Current assignee: ETERNA LIGHTING Ltd
Priority date: 2001-03-12
Filing date: 2001-03-12
Publication date: 2002-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-12
Also published as: GB0106048D0; GB2373314B

Abstract

A ceiling light fitting 11 for fitting over a conventional ceiling rose 50 comprises a base member 12, a cover 13, and bars 14 which carry spotlamps 15. The cover 13 fits around the base member 12. The base member 12 and the cover member 13 co-operate with one another so that they can be snap-fitted together, the catches 25 fitting into the recesses 33. A length of electric flex 40 is connected at one end to the spot lamps 15, and at its other end to a bayonet type connector 41. The base member 12 is attached to the ceiling by screws 54, the opening 21 being of sufficient size to fit around the conventional ceiling rose 50. The bayonet connector 41 is fitted into the bulb holder 52. The cover 13 is then pushed up over the base member. The catches 25 snap into the recesses 33 to hold the cover 13 to the base member 12.

Description

Light Fitting The present invention relates to light fittings, particularly light fittings for mounting on ceilings.

In a conventional lighting installation, ceiling light fittings serves not only as the means for holding the light bulb or tube, but also as a junction box providing electrical connections for wiring running through the building to adjacent fittings and to the switch drops. The ceiling light fitting normally installed in a building comprises a ceiling rose containing terminals for connecting together the appropriate ends of the cables emerging through the ceiling, a hanging flex and a bayonet bulb holder at the lower end of the flex. Many decorative light fittings however require the conventional ceiling rose to be removed so that the conductors of the cables in the ceiling can be connected directly into the terminals of the fitting. Skill and a knowledge of electrical wiring systems is required if the task of installing such a fitting is to be performed correctly. Employing a professional electrician adds significantly to the cost of the fitting. Often purchasers install such light fittings themselves. There is a danger that the fitting will be installed incorrectly with potentially serious consequences.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a ceiling light fitting that is easy to install by an unskilled person.

According to the present invention there is provided a light fitting comprising a base member with a central opening which fits around a conventional ceiling fitting, means for enabling the base member to be secured to a ceiling, a cover, means for securing the cover to the base member, a lamp holding member carried by the cover, and an electrical connector in the cover which can mate with the bulb holder of a conventional ceiling fitting, the arrangement being such that when the base member is secured to the ceiling around a conventional ceiling fitting and the connector is coupled to the bulb holder, and the cover can be secured to the base member to concealed the connector and bulb holder within the cover.

The light fitting may be used with a ceiling fitting in the form of a batten lamp holder where the bulb holder is rigidly fixed to the ceiling, or a ceiling rose with a bulb holder on a pendant flex. The connector may be a bayonet type of connector for fitting to a conventional bayonet cap bulb holder or a screw fitting for fitting to a screw cap bulb holder.

The light fitting of the present invention can be installed by a person without specialist electrical knowledge. The base member is secured to the ceiling around the existing ceiling fitting, the connector of the light fitting is coupled to the bulb holder of the existing ceiling fitting, and finally the cover is secured to the base member to enclose the connection.

The means for enabling the base member to be secured to a ceiling may comprise holes in the base member for receiving screws.

The connector on the light fitting may be attached to a length of flex in order to allow the fitting to be used with a bulb holder that is fixed to the ceiling.

The means for securing the cover to the base member may comprise screws but preferably comprises releasably latches. The latches may be resiliently mounted catches and cooperating recesses, the catches being mounted on the base member or the cover and the recesses being on the cover or the base member, the catches engaging in the recesses to hold the cover to the base member. Preferably the catches are formed on resilient cantilever arms. The cover and the base member may be moulded of plastics material.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of parts of a first embodiment of light fitting in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 shows on an enlarged scale a cross section of the light fitting of Figure 1 in an assembled condition, Figure 3 shows a plan, side elevation and section of the base moulding of the light fitting of Figures 1 and 2,

Figure 4 shows a plan, side elevation and cross section of the cover moulding of the light fitting of Figures 1 and 2, Figure 5 shows a plan, side elevation and cross section of a bar support member of the light fitting of Figures 1 & 2, and Figure 6 shows an exploded view of a second embodiment of light fitting in accordance with the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, this shows an exploded view of light fitting 11 in accordance with the invention, with some parts removed for clarity.

The light fitting 11 comprises a base moulding 12, a cover moulding 13, and bars 14 which carry spotlamps 15. The spotlights are mounted on the bars in a conventional manner and the bars 14 are secured to the cover 13 by a support member 16 shown in Figure 5. The cover 13, bars 14 and spotlamps together with the support moulding are assembled to form a unit. The spotlamps 15 are wired through the bars to a terminal block 17 mounted on the inside of the cover 13.

The base member 12 is generally oval and is formed as a single piece moulded from plastics material. It has a base portion 20 with a central circular opening 21 and two screw openings 22 disposed along the major axis of the base portion on either side of the central opening. The base member has a peripheral wall 23 extending down from the base portion. Two cantilever arms 24 projecting downwardly from the lower edge of the peripheral wall 23 at diametrically opposite positions along the major axis of the base member. At the lower ends of the cantilever

arms are outwardly projecting lugs or catches 25. The lugs and arms are moulded in one piece with the base member and are flexible and resilient so that the arms can be bent inwardly towards the centre of the base member but spring out to their normal position when released.

The cover 13 is oval and moulded from plastics material.

It comprises a peripheral wall 30 and a bottom wall 31.

The peripheral wall can fit around the peripheral wall of the base member. Two openings or recesses 33 are formed in the peripheral wall of the cover member at diametrically opposite positions along the major axis.

Grooves 34 is formed on the inside of the peripheral wall 30 leading from the upper free edge of the peripheral wall to the openings 33.

The base member and the cover member co-operate with one another so that they can be snap-fitted together. As the cover member is brought towards the base member, the arms 24 slide in the grooves 34 until the lugs 25 snap into the openings 33. The cantilever arms flex inwardly to allow the lugs to pass inside the peripheral wall until they reach the openings which they fit into, thus allowing the cantilever arms to spring outwardly. The outer surface of the lugs may be tapered towards the lower free end so as to facilitate entry of the lugs inside the peripheral wall and into the grooves 34.

A length of electric flex 40 (not showing in figure 1) is connected at one end to the terminal block to establish an electrical connection to the spot lamps, and at its other end to a bayonet type connector 41. The connector 41 comprises a B22 type metal cap and is non-rewireable by the end user.

Figure 2 shows the light fitting assembled to a ceiling.

In Figure 2 a baton-type ceiling fitting 50 with a downwardly projecting bulb holder 52 is mounted on the ceiling 51. To mount the light fitting 11 to the ceiling, the base member 12 is first attached to the ceiling by screws 54 which pass through the holes 22 in the base portion of the base member. The aperture 21 is of sufficient size to allow the base member to be placed around the conventional ceiling fitting 50.

Once the base member has been fixed to the ceiling, the bayonet connector 41 on the fitting is fitted into the bulb bolder 52 so that electrical connection is established between the spotlights 15 and the contacts of the bulb holder 52. The cover 13 is then pushed up over the base member. The lugs 25 snap into the openings 33 to hold the cover to the base member. The bayonet connector 41, the flex 40 and the terminal block 17 are housed within the cover so that they cannot be seen from the outside when the cover is fitted to the base member. In this way, the invention provides a decorative light fitting which does not require a specialist electrician to install.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of light fitting in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, a generally triangular base plate 14'carries the spotlights 15 and is mounted to the cover member 13 by means of a support member 16'.

In other respects the light fitting of Figure 5 may be the same as the light fitting of Figure 1.

Claims

1. A light fitting comprising a base member with a central opening which fits around a conventional ceiling fitting, means for enabling the base member to be secured to a ceiling, a cover, means for securing the cover to the base member, a lamp holding member carried by the cover, and an electrical connector in the cover which can mate with the bulb holder of a conventional ceiling fitting, the arrangement being such that when the base member is secured to the ceiling around a conventional ceiling fitting and the connector is coupled to the bulb holder, the cover can be secured to the base member to concealed the connector and bulb holder within the cover.

2. A light fitting according to claim 1 in which the electrical connector is a bayonet-type of electrical connector for fitting to a conventional bayonet cap bulb holder.

3. A light fitting according to claim 1 in which the electrical connector is an electical screw cap fitting for fitting into a screw cap bulb holder.

4. A light fitting according to any of the preceding claims in which the means for enabling the base member to be secured to a ceiling comprise holes in the base member for receiving screws.

5. A light fitting according to any of the preceding claims in which the electrical connector on the light fitting is attached to a length of flex.

6. A light fitting according to any of the preceding claims in which the means for securing the cover to the base member comprise screws.

7. A light fitting according to any of claims 1 to 5 in which the means for securing the cover to the base member comprises releasable latches.

8. A light fitting according to claim 7 in which the latches are resiliently mounted catches and cooperating recesses, the catches being mounted on the base member or the cover and the recesses being on the cover or the base member, the catches engaging in the recesses to hold the cover to the base member.

9. A light fitting according to claim 8 in which the catches are on resilient cantilever arms.

10. A light fitting according to any of the preceding claims in which the cover and the base member may be moulded of plastics material.

11. A light fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.