Light fixture with light adjustment rotatable trim

Abstract

A light fixture includes a housing having a housing cavity. The light fixture further includes a lighting control switch positioned outside of the housing cavity, where the lighting control switch is configured to control a light provided by the light fixture. The light fixture also includes a trim rotatably attached to the housing, where at least a portion of the trim is positioned in the housing cavity. A shaft that is attached to the portion of the trim and to the lighting control switch extends through a shaft slot of the housing, where the lighting control switch is controllable by the shaft. The shaft is rotatable along with the trim, and the light provided by the light fixture is controllable by rotating the trim relative to the housing.

Description

[0001] Light fixture with light adjustment rotatable trim

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to lighting, and more particularly to light fixtures with light adjustment rotatable trim elements.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Some surface mounted light fixtures and recessed light fixtures require light output settings to be configured prior to the installation of the light fixtures. For example, light intensity and / or color temperature may need to be set before such light fixtures are installed. Changing the settings of such light fixtures may require the light fixtures to be at least partially removed to access a switch or a setting mechanism of the light fixtures. The effort to remove installed light fixtures and the subsequent re-installation of the light fixtures can be cumbersome and time consuming. Thus, a solution that simplifies the lighting adjustment of some light fixtures may be desirable.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] The present disclosure relates generally to lighting, and more particularly to light fixtures with light adjustment rotatable trim elements. In an example embodiment, a light fixture includes a housing having a housing cavity. The light fixture further includes a lighting control switch positioned outside of the housing cavity, where the lighting control switch is configured to control a light provided by the light fixture. The light fixture also includes a trim rotatably attached to the housing, where at least a portion of the trim is positioned in the housing cavity. A shaft that is attached to the portion of the trim and to the lighting control switch extends through a shaft slot of the housing, where the lighting control switch is controllable by the shaft. The shaft is rotatable along with the trim, and the light provided by the light fixture is controllable by rotating the trim relative to the housing.

[0008] These and other aspects, objects, features, and embodiments will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, where:

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a light fixture according to an example embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a closeup view of a top cover of the housing of the light fixture of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates atop perspective view of the light fixture of FIG. 1 with the lighting control switch of the light fixture at a different position than shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 according to an example embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the light fixture of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 5A illustrates a top perspective view of the trim of the light fixture of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 5B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the trim of the light fixture of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of the housing of the light fixture of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

[0017] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate cross-sectional views of the light fixture of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the light fixture of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom view of the light fixture of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a top perspective view of a light fixture according to another example embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates a top perspective view of the trim of the light fixture of FIG. 10 according to an example embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates a top perspective view of a light fixture according to another example embodiment; and

[0023] FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the light fixture of FIG. 12 according to an example embodiment.

[0024] The drawings illustrate only example embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the example embodiments. Additionally, certain dimensions or placements may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles. In the drawings, the same reference numerals that are used in different figures may designate like or corresponding but not necessarily identical elements.

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] In the following paragraphs, particular embodiments will be described in further detail by way of example with reference to the figures. In the description, well known components, methods, and / or processing techniques are omitted or briefly described. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the embodiments is not to suggest that all embodiments must include the referenced feature(s).

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates atop perspective view of a light fixture 100 according to an example embodiment, and FIG. 2 illustrates a closeup view of a top cover 110 of a housing 104 of the light fixture 100 of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment. In some example embodiments, the light fixture 100 may include a trim 102, the housing 104, and a lighting control switch 106. The housing 104 may include a cavity wall 108 and the top cover 110, where the cavity wall 108 extends down from the top cover 110. The cavity wall 108 and the top cover 110 may define the housing cavity oh the housing 104. The lighting fixture 100 may include mounting brackets 114, 116 that may be used to retain the light fixture 100 recessed behind a ceiling. For example, the mounting bracket 114 may be attached to the housing 104 by one or more fasteners, such as a fastener 118. The mounting bracket 116 may be attached to the housing 104 by one or more fasteners, such as a fastener 120.

[0028] In some example embodiments, the lighting control switch 106 may be attached to the top cover 110 of the housing 104 by one or more fasteners, such as screws 202, 204. The lighting control switch 106 may control the light that is provided by the light fixture 100. For example, the lighting control switch 106 may control the intensity of the light that is provided by the light fixture 100. As another example, the lighting control switch 106 may control the correlated color temperature of the light provided by the light fixture 100 instead of or in addition to the intensity of the light. The light that is provided by the light fixture 100 may be emitted by a light source that is inside the housing cavity of the housing 104. For example, light source board that includes a light source may be attached to the housing by one or more fasteners, such as fasteners 218, 220, that extend through respective fastener holes in the top cover 110 of the housing 104. Power may be provided to the light source via an electrical cable that is connected to a connector 130.

[0029] In some example embodiments, the lighting control switch 106 may control the light provided by the light fixture 100 based on a position of a knob 208 of the lighting control switch 106. For example, the lighting control switch 106 may be an on-off switch, a slider switch that can be in various discrete or continuous positions between end positions, or another type of switch that can be controlled by changing the position of the knob 208. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in some example embodiments, the knob 208 may have two prongs 210, 212. Alternatively, the knob 208 may have more or fewer prongs or may have a different shape without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0030] In some example embodiments, a shaft 112 may be attached to the lighting control switch 106 to control the operation of the lighting control switch 106. For example, the shaft 112 may be attached to the knob 208 of the lighting control switch 106. To illustrate, the shaft 112 may be positioned between the prongs 210, 212 of the lighting control switch 106 to control the position of the knob 208. The shaft 112 may extend through a shaft slot 206 that is formed in the top cover 110 of the housing 104 and may be attached to the knob 208, where the position of the knob 208 depends on the position of the shaft 112 in the shaft slot 206. Because the light provided by the light fixture 100 may depend on the position of the knob 208, the light may be adjusted or otherwise controlled by changing the position of the shaft 112 in the shaft slot 206. By controlling the position of the knob 208, the shaft 112 may control the light provided by the light fixture 100.

[0031] In some example embodiments, the trim 102 is rotatably attached to the housing 104 by screws 122, 124. To illustrate, the housing 104 may include fastener slots 126, 128 that are formed in the top cover 110 of the housing 104. The screw 122 may extend through the fastener slot 126 and may be inserted in a screw hole of the trim 102. The screw 122 may extend through the fastener slot 126 such that the screw 122 can move between opposite ends of the fastener slot 126. For example, a Teflon washer 214 may be positioned between the head of the screw 122 and the top cover 110 at the fastener slot 126 such that the screw 122 can move relatively freely in the fastener slot 126 as the trim 102 is rotated relative to the housing 104. The screw 124 may extend through the fastener slot 128 and may be inserted in another screw hole of the trim 102. The screw 124 may extend through the fastener slot 128 such that the screw 124 can move between opposite ends of the fastener slot 128. For example, a Teflon washer 216 may be positioned between the head of the screw 124 and the top cover 110 at the fastener slot 128 such that the screw 124 can move relatively freely in the fastener slot 128 as the trim 102 is rotated relative to the housing 104.

[0032] In some example embodiments, the trim 102 may be rotated relative to the housing 104 by rotating the trim 102, for example, using a hand. For example, the trim may be rotated relative to the housing 104 after the light fixture 100 is installed recessed in a ceiling. To illustrate, a person may rotate the trim 102 using a hand from below the light fixture 100.

[0033] In some example embodiments, the shaft 112 may be attached to the trim 102 such that the shaft 112 rotates along with the trim 102 as the trim 102 rotates relative to the housing 104. As described above, because the shaft 112 is attached to the knob 208, the position of the knob 208 may be changed by changing the position of the shaft in the shaft slot 206. Because the position of the knob 208 depends on the position of the shaft 112 in the shaft slot 206 and because the light provided by the light fixture 100 may depend on the position of the knob 208, the light may be adjusted or otherwise controlled by changing the position of the shaft 112 in the shaft slot 206. Because the position of the shaft 112 in the shaft slot 206 can be changed by rotating the trim 102 relative to the housing 104, the light provided by the light fixture 100 may be adjusted or otherwise controlled by rotating the trim 102 relative to the housing 104. That is, the light provided by the light fixture 100 may be adjusted or controlled by rotating the trim 102 relative to the housing 104.

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates atop perspective view of the light fixture of FIG. 1 with the lighting control switch 106 at a different position than shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 according to an example embodiment. In FIG. 3, the shaft 112 is at or proximal to an opposite end of the shaft slot 206 of the housing 104 compared to the location of the shaft 112 in FIG. 1. Because the knob 208 is attached to the shaft 112, the position of the knob 208 changes along with the position of the shaft 112. To illustrate, in FIG. 3, the knob 208 is at a different position than the position of the knob 208 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0035] In FIG. 3, the screws 122, 124, which are attached to the trim 102 and which retain the trim 102 attached to the housing 104, are also in different positions than shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, the screw 122, which rotates along with the trim 102 limited by at least the length of the fastener slot 126, is at or proximal to the opposite end of the fastener slot 126 compared to the location of the screw 122 shown in FIG. 1. The screw 124, which rotates along with the trim 102 limited by at least the length of the fastener slot 128, is at or proximal to the opposite end of the fastener slot 128 compared to the location of the screw 124 shown in FIG. 1. In some example embodiments, because the shaft 112 extends through the shaft slot 206, the rotation of the shaft 112 along with the trim 102 and thus the rotation of the trim 102 relative to the housing 104 may be limited by the size (i.e. , the length) of the shaft slot 206. For example, the shaft slot 206 may be sized to allow a full range movement of the knob 208 to adjust the light provided by the light fixture 100. The movement of the shaft 112 in the shaft slot 206 and thus the rotation of the trim 102 relative to the housing 104 may be limited by the movement range of the knob 208, for example, if the shaft slot 206 is longer than needed for a full movement of the knob 208. If the shaft slot 206 is longer than the fastener slots 126, 128, the rotation of the trim 102 relative to the housing 104 may instead be limited by the size (i.e., the length) of either one of the fastener slots 126, 128 if the fastener slots 126, 128 are longer than needed for a full movement of the knob 208.

[0036] By rotating the trim 102 relative to the housing 104 after the light fixture 100 is installed, for example, recessed in a ceiling, the light provided by the light fixture 100 may be adjusted without requiring the uninstallation of the light fixture 100. For example, the intensity and / or color temperature of the light provided by the light fixture 100 may be adjusted by rotating the trim 102 without requiring the light fixture 100 to be uninstalled, which thereby avoids re-installation. Because the light can be adjusted after the light fixture 100 is installed, the light fixture 100 provides the flexibility to perform some configurations of the light fixture after installation.

[0037] Although the light fixture 100 is shown in FIGS. 1-3 as a recessed light fixture, in alternative embodiment, the light fixture 100 may be another type of light fixture without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, the light fixture 100 may be a surface mounted light fixture instead of a recessed light fixture. In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control switch 106 may be a different type of switch than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control switch 106 may be positioned at a different location than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the knob 208 may be oriented in a different direction (e.g., facing radially outward) than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some example embodiments, the shaft 112 may be a rod, a screw, or another structure that can be attached to trim 102 in the housing cavity of the housing 104 and to the lighting control switch 106 to control the lighting control switch 106 based on the rotation of the trim 102 relative to the housing 104. In some alternative embodiments, other mounting brackets may be used instead of or in addition to the mounting brackets 114, 116 to retain the light fixture 100 recessed in a ceiling. In some alternative embodiments, the mounting brackets 114, 116 may be omitted without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the trim 102 may have a different shape than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the housing 104 may have a different shape than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the light fixture 100 of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment. In FIG. 4, some components of the light fixture 100 are omitted for clarity of illustration. In some example embodiments, the light fixture 100 includes the trim 102, the housing 104, and the lighting control switch 106. The light fixture 100 may also include a light source board 402 and a lens 404.

[0039] FIG. 5 A illustrates a top perspective view of the trim 102 according to an example embodiment, and FIG. 5B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the trim 102 of according to an example embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B, in some example embodiments, the trim 102 may include a trim cavity wall 406 around a trim cavity 516 of the trim 102. The trim 102 may also include a flange 412 that extends out from the trim cavity wall 406. To illustrate, the trim cavity wall 406 may include an upper section 408 and a lower section 410, and the flange 412 may extend outwardly from the lower section 408 proximal to a bottom opening 526 of the trim 102. For example, when the light fixture 100 is installed recessed in a ceiling, the flange 412 may be visible from below the ceiling as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.

[0040] In some example embodiments, the trim 102 may include bosses 502, 504, 506, 508 that extend up from the trim cavity wall 406. The bosses 504, 506 may be screw bosses. For example, the boss 504 may include a screw hole 510, and the boss 506 may include a screw hole 512. The trim 102 may be rotatably attached to the housing 102 by the screws 122, 124 shown in FIG. 1. To illustrate, the screw 122 may extend through the fastener slot 126 of the housing 104 as shown in FIG. 1 and may be inserted in the screw hole 510 of the boss 504. The screw 124 may extend through the fastener slot 128 of the housing 104 as shown in FIG. 1 and may be inserted in the screw hole 512 of the boss 506.

[0041] In some example embodiments, the shaft 112 may extend up from the boss 502 of the trim 102. For example, the shaft 112 may be integrally formed with the boss 502. Alternatively, the shaft 112 may be inserted in a hole of the boss 502. For example, the boss 502 may include a smooth hole, and a portion of the shaft 112 may be inserted in the threaded hole. As another example, the boss 502 may include a threaded hole, and the shaft 112 may include a threaded portion that is inserted in the threaded hole. In some example embodiments, a second shaft similar to the shaft 112 may protrude up from the boss 508. For example, a second shaft attached to or otherwise integrally formed with the boss 508 may be attached to a second lighting control switch in the same manner as described with respect to the shaft 112. To illustrate, the light fixture 100 may include a second lighting control switch that is outside of the housing cavity of the housing 104, and the second shaft may be attached to the second lighting control switch in the same manner as described with respect to the shaft 112 and the lighting control switch 106.

[0042] In some example embodiments, the trim 102 includes a top opening 514 that may be aligned with a light source (e.g., light emitting diode (LED) light source) of the light source board 402. Light that is emitted by the light source of the light source board 402 may exit the trim cavity 516 of the trim 102 through the bottom opening 526 of the trim 102.

[0043] In some example embodiments, the trim 102 may include inner surfaces 518, 520. The inner surface 518 may be a reflective surface, and the inner surface 520 may include ridges that can serve to reduce glare. For example, the inner surface 518 may be proximal to the top opening 514, and the inner surface 520 may be proximal to the bottom opening 526. The trim 102 may also include lens attachment tabs, such as lens attachment tab 522, 524 that may be used to attach the lens 404 to the trim 102. For example, the lens attachment tabs 522, 524 may protrude out from the inner surface 520 of the trim 102 and may be inserted into respective slots of the lens 404. In some alternative embodiments, the lens attachment tabs 522, 524 may be at different locations than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, in some example embodiments, the housing 104 includes the cavity wall 108 and the top cover 110, where the cavity wall 108 extends down from the top cover 110. The cavity wall 108 and the top cover 110 may define a housing cavity of the housing 104. The cavity wall 108 may include an upper wall section 602 and a lower wall section 604. The upper wall section 602 may extend down from the top cover 110, and the lower wall section 604 extends down and outwardly from the upper wall section 602. In general, the housing 104 may be shaped to allow at least a portion of the trim 102 to fit in the housing cavity of the housing 104.

[0045] In some example embodiments, the housing 104 includes fastener holes 606, 608 that may be used to attach the lighting control switch 106 to the housing 104. For example, the screws 202, 204 shown in FIG. 2 may be inserted in the fastener holes 606, 608, respectively to securely attach the lighting control switch 106 to the housing 104. In some example embodiments, the housing 104 includes the shaft slot 206 and the fastener slots 126, 128 that are formed in the top cover 110 of the housing 104. The housing 104 may also include fastener holes, such as fastener holes 610, 612, that may be used to attach the light source board 402 to the housing 104. To illustrate, the light source board 402 may include a circuit board 414 (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)) and a light source (e.g., an LED light source) that is attached to the circuit board 414. For example, the light source may be on the side of the circuit board 414 facing the trim 102. The circuit board 414 may include holes and slots that are aligned with respective holes and slots in the top cover 110 of the housing 104. For example, the circuit board 414 may include fastener holes 422, 424 that may be aligned with the fastener holes 610, 612, respectively, of the housing 104, and the fasteners 218, 220 (shown in FIGS. 2) may be used to attach the light source board 402 to the housing 104. To illustrate, the fastener 218 (shown in FIG. 2) may extend through the fastener hole 422 of the circuit board 414 and through the fastener hole 610 of the housing 104 to attach the light source board 402 to the housing 102. The fastener 220 (shown in FIG. 2) may extend through the fastener hole 424 of the circuit board 414 and through the fastener hole 612 of the housing 104 to attach the light source board 402 to the housing 102.

[0046] In some example embodiments, the circuit board 414 may include a pass- through slot 416 that is aligned with the shaft slot 206 of the housing 104. The shaft 112 may extend through the pass-through slot 416 of the circuit board 414 and through the shaft slot 206 in the top cover 110 of the housing 104. The circuit board 414 may also include a second slot 426 that may be aligned with a second shaft slot in the top cover 110 of the housing 104 in embodiments of the light fixture 100 that include a second lighting control switch attached to the top cover 110 of the housing 104.

[0047] In some example embodiments, the trim 102 may be made from plastic or another optically opaque material using methods such as molding. The trim 102 may be white or may have another suitable color. The housing 104 may be made from a metal (e.g., aluminum) or another suitable material. For example, stamping and other methods may be used to make the housing 104 as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of the scope of this disclosure. The lens 404 may be from a translucent material such as acrylic, glass, etc.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, in some alternative embodiments, the light fixture 100 may include other components than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the trim 102 may have a different shape than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the inner surfaces 518, 520 of the trim 102 may be entirely reflective surfaces. For example, the ridges of the inner surface 520 may be omitted. Alternatively, the inner surfaces 518, 520 of the trim 102 may both include ridges without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the bosses 502-508 of the trim 102 may be at different locations than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the trim 102 may include more or fewer bosses than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the trim 102 may include another structure (e.g., a single circular wall structure) instead the bosses 502-508 without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the flange 412 of the trim 102 may be omitted without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the upper section 408 and the lower section 410 of the trim 102 may be separate pieces that are attached to each other without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0049] In some alternative embodiments, the housing 104 may have a different shape than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the slots and holes in the top cover 110 of the housing 104 may be at different locations than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the slots and holes in the top cover 110 of the housing 104 may have different shapes and / or sizes than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the housing 104 may include more or fewer holes and / or slots than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the cavity wall 108 of the housing 104 may have a uniform shape (e.g., a uniform cylindrical shape) without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the housing 104 may include a flange that extends outwardly from the cavity wall 108 without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0050] In some alternative embodiments, the light source board 402 may have a different shape than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the light source board 402 may include more or fewer holes and slots than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the lens 404 may have a different shape than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the lens 404 may be at a different location than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the lens 404 may be omitted shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0051] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate cross-sectional views of the light fixture 100 of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment. For example, FIG. 7A shows a cross-sectional view of the light fixture 100 through the screw 122 and the fastener 220, and FIG. 7B shows a cross-sectional view of the light fixture 100 through the shaft 112. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the lens 404 is omitted for clarity of illustration.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 1-7B, in some example embodiments, a portion of the trim 102 is positioned in a housing cavity 702 of the housing 104. To illustrate, most or all of the trim cavity wall 406 of the trim 102 may be in the housing cavity 702, and the flange 412 of the trim 102 may be positioned outside of the housing cavity 702 of the housing 104. For example, the flange 412 may be positioned below the housing 104.

[0053] In some example embodiments, the screw 122 extends into the screw hole 510 of the boss 504 to rotatably attach the trim 102 to the housing 104. The screw 122 also extends through a slot 418 in the circuit board 414 of the light source board 402 that is located in the housing cavity 702 of the housing 104. The screw 124 extends through a slot 420 in the circuit board 414 of the light source board 402 that is located in the housing cavity 702 of the housing 104. The fastener 218 extends through the fastener hole 422 in the circuit board 414 and into the fastener hole 610 in the top cover 110 of the housing 104 to securely attach the light source board 402 to the housing 104. The fastener 220 extends through the fastener hole 424 in the circuit board 414 and into the fastener hole 612 in the top cover 110 of the housing 104 to securely attach the light source board 402 to the housing 104.

[0054] In some example embodiments, a light source 704 (e.g., an LED light source) of the light source board 402 is aligned with the top opening 514 of the trim 102 such that the light emitted by the light source 704 passes through the trim cavity 516 of the trim 102 and exits through the bottom opening 526 of the trim 102, for example, to illuminate an area below the light fixture 100. As described above, the light provided by the light source 704 may be adjusted or otherwise controlled by the light control switch 106. Because the light control switch 106 is controlled by the shaft 112 that is connected to the knob 208 of the lighting control switch 106 and because the shaft 112 rotates along with the trim 102, the light provided by the light source 704 may be adjusted or otherwise controlled by rotating the trim 102 relative to the housing 104. As described above, the shaft 112 may protrude up from the boss 502 of the trim 102. For example, the shaft 112 may be integrally formed with the boss 502 or may alternatively be inserted into a hole in the boss 502. FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the light fixture 100 of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment, and FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom view of the light fixture 100 of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment. In FIG. 8, the lens 404 is omitted from the light fixture 100 for clarity of illustration. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in some example embodiments, the light fixture 100 may be a recessed light fixture that may be installed recessed in a ceiling. For example, the mounting brackets 114, 116 may retain the light fixture 100 recessed in a ceiling as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. The light source board 402 may include the light source 704 that is positioned aligned with the top opening 514 of the trim 102 and that provides the light provided by the light fixture 100. The light provided by the light source 704 may pass through the lens 404 and exit the trim cavity 516 through the bottom opening 526 of the trim 102.

[0055] In some example embodiments, the trim 102 may be rotated relative to the housing 104, for example, in the rotational directions shown by arrows 802, 804. For example, a person may apply a rotational force, for example, on the flange 412 of the trim 102 or the trim cavity wall 406 of the trim 102 using a hand 806 to rotate the trim 102 relative to the housing 104 thereby adjusting the light provided by the light fixture 100. As described above, the intensity of the light, the color temperature of the light, and / or other characteristics (e.g., a color) of the light may be adjusted by rotating the trim 102. Because the rotation of the trim 102 can be limited by the shaft slot 206 (shown in FIG. 2) and / or other slots of the housing 102 as described above, the rotational range of the trim 102 may be restricted to a range that is needed to adjust the light provided by the light fixture 100.

[0056] FIG. 10 illustrates atop perspective view of a light fixture 1000 according to another example embodiment. In some example embodiments, the light fixture 1000 generally corresponds to the light fixture 100 of FIG. 1 with the addition of a second lighting control switch. To illustrate, the light fixture 1000 may include a trim 1002, a housing 1004, the lighting control switch 106, and a second lighting control switch 1006. The light fixture 1000 may also include the light source board 402 and the lens 404 shown in FIG. 4.

[0057] In some example embodiments, the lighting control switch 106 and the second lighting control switch 1006 are attached to a top cover 1010 of the housing 1004 in the same manner as described with respect to the lighting control switch 106 and the light fixture 100. A shaft 1018 that extends through a shaft slot in the top cover 1010 may be attached to the knob 208 of the lighting control switch 106 in the same manner as described above with respect to the shaft 112 and the light fixture 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the shaft 1018 may extend through a shaft slot that corresponds to the shaft slot 206 in the top cover 110 of the housing 104 of the light fixture 100. The shaft 1018 may be connected to the trim 1002 in the same manner as described above with respect to the trim 102 of the light fixture 100. The shaft 1018 may control the position of the knob 208 of the lighting control switch 106 in the same manner as described above with respect to the shaft 112 and the knob 208 of the lighting control switch 106 shown in FIG. 2.

[0058] In some example embodiments, the second lighting control switch 1006 includes a knob 1014, and a shaft 1020 that extends through a shaft slot 1012 in the top cover 1010 may be attached to the knob 1014. The shaft 1020 may control the position of the knob 1014 in the same manner as described above with respect to the shaft 112 and the knob 208 of the lighting control switch 106 shown in FIG. 2.

[0059] In some example embodiments, the lighting control switch 106 and the lighting control switch 1006 may control different characteristics of the light provided by the light fixture 100. For example, the lighting control switch 106 may control light intensity and the lighting control switch 1006 may control color temperature or vice versa.

[0060] In some example embodiments, the trim 1002 may be rotatably attached to the housing 1004 in the same manner as described above with respect to the trim 102 and the housing 104 of the light fixture 100 of FIG. 1. The shafts 1018, 1020 may be rotatable along with the trim 1002. Because the shaft 1018 is attached to the knob 208 of the lighting control switch 106 and because the shaft 1020 is attached to the knob 1014 of the second lighting control switch 1006, the light provided by the light fixture 1000 may be adjusted by rotating the trim 1002 relative to the housing 1004 in the same manner as described above with respect to the light fixture 100.

[0061] FIG. 11 illustrates a top perspective view of the trim 1002 of the light fixture 1000 of FIG. 10 according to an example embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, in some example embodiments, the trim 1002 correspond to the trim 102 of the light fixture 100 of FIG. 1 with the addition of a second shaft. For example, the trim 1002 may have a reflective inner surface such that the trim 1002 functions as a reflector.

[0062] In some example embodiments, the trim 1002 may include a cavity wall 1102 that includes an upper section 1104 and a lower section 1106. The trim 1002 may also include a flange 1120 that extends out from the cavity wall 1102. The trim 1002 may include bosses 1108, 1110, 1112, 1114. The bosses 1112, 1114 may be screw bosses that include screw holes 1116, 1118, respectively. The trim 1002 may be rotatably attached to the housing 1004 using fasteners that extend into the screw holes 1116, 1118 in the manner described with respect to the rotatable attachment of the trim 102 to the housing 104 of the light fixture 100 of FIG. 1.

[0063] In some example embodiments, the shaft 1018 may extend up from the boss 1108 and may be attached to the knob 208 of the lighting control switch 106 through a shaft slot that corresponds to the shaft slot 206 of the housing 104 of the light fixture 100. The shaft 1020 may extend up from the boss 1110 and may be attached to the knob 1014 of the second lighting control switch 1006 through the shaft slot 1012. The shaft 1018 may be integrally formed with the boss 1108 or may other be attached to the boss 1108, for example, by inserting the shaft 1018 in ahole of the boss 1108. The shaft 1020 may be integrally formed with the boss 1110 or may other be attached to the boss 1110, for example, by inserting the shaft 1020 in a hole of the boss 1110.

[0064] Because the shaft 1018 is attached to the lighting control switch 106 and because the shaft 1020 is attached to the second lighting control switch 1006, the light provided by the light fixture 1000 may be adjusted by rotating the trim 1002 relative to the housing 1004 in the same manner as described above with respect to trim 102 and the light fixture 100. In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control switch 106 and the second lighting control switch 1006 may control different light sources of the light fixture 1000. For example, the lighting control switch 106 may control a main light source of the light fixture 1000, and the second lighting control switch 1006 may control a nighttime light source of the light fixture 1000.

[0065] In some example embodiments, the trim 1002 may be made from plastic or another optically opaque material using methods such as molding. The housing 1004 may be made from a metal (e.g., aluminum) or another suitable material. For example, stamping and other methods may be used to make the housing 1004 as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of the scope of this disclosure.

[0066] In some alternative embodiments, the light fixture 1000 may include other components than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Although the light fixture 1000 is shown as a recessed light fixture, in alternative embodiment, the light fixture 1000 may be another type of light fixture, such as a surface mounted light fixture, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the trim 1002 may have a different shape than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the bosses of the trim 1002 may be at different locations than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the trim 1002 may include more or fewer bosses than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the trim 1002 may include another structure (e.g., a single circular wall structure) instead the bosses without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the flange 1120 of the trim 1002 may be omitted without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the upper section 1104 and the lower section 1106 of the trim 1002 may be separate pieces that are attached to each other without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0067] In some alternative embodiments, the housing 1004 may have a different shape than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the slots and holes in the top cover 1010 of the housing 1004 may be at different locations than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the slots and holes in the top cover 1010 of the housing 1004 may have different shapes and / or sizes than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the housing 1004 may include more or fewer holes and / or slots than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the cavity wall 1008 of the housing 104 may have a uniform shape (e.g., a uniform cylindrical shape) without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the housing 1004 may include a flange that extends outwardly from the cavity wall 108 without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control switches 106, 1006 may be at different locations than shown in FIG. 10 without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0068] FIG. 12 illustrates atop perspective view of a light fixture 1200 according to another example embodiment, and FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the light fixture 1200 of FIG. 12 according to an example embodiment. In some example embodiments, the light fixture 1200 corresponds to the light fixture 100 of FIG. 1 with the addition of an outer trim 1202. To illustrate, the light fixture 1200 includes the trim 102, the housing 104, the lighting control switch 106, and the light source board 402 including the light source 704.

[0069] In some example embodiments, the outer trim 1202 may include a flange 1302 and a cavity wall 1304, where the flange 1302 extends out from the cavity wall 1304. At least a portion of the cavity wall 1304 of the outer trim 1202 may be positioned between the trim 102 and the housing 104 that retain the outer trim 1202. The outer trim 1202 may also be positioned on the flange 412 of the trim 102. The outer trim 1202 may serve as a larger trim that may be positioned below a ceiling when the light fixture 1200 is installed recessed in a ceiling. Alternatively or in addition, the outer trim 1202 may guide light through the outer trim 1202 such that the light exits through a broad surface of the outer trim 1202 facing the area below the light fixture 1200. For example, the outer trim 1202 may be made from acrylic or another suitable material that can guide light through the outer trim 1202.

[0070] To illustrate, the light source board 402 may include a second light source that includes LEDs 1306, 1308 that emit a light into the outer trim 1202. The light that enters the outer trim, for example, through the narrow edge of the outer trim 1202 proximal to the LEDs 1306, 1308 may exit through the broad surface of the outer trim 1202. For example, the light provided by the second light source including the LEDs 1306, 1308 may serve as a nightlight. To illustrate, the lighting control switch 106 may control the nightlight provided by the LEDs 1306, 1308 instead of or in addition to controlling the light provided by the light source 704. The trim 102 may be rotated to control the nightlight in the manner described above with respect to the light provided by the light source 704.

[0071] In some alternative embodiments, a light source that provides a nightlight may be at a different location than the location of the LEDs 1306, 1308 without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the light fixture 1200 may include other components than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the outer trim 1202 may have a different shape than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0072] Although particular embodiments have been described herein in detail, the descriptions are by way of example. The features of the embodiments described herein are representative and, in alternative embodiments, certain features, elements, and / or steps may be added or omitted. Additionally, modifications to aspects of the embodiments described herein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the following claims, the scope of which are to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass modifications and equivalent structures.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A light fixture (100, 1000, 1200), comprising: a housing (104) having a housing cavity (702); a lighting control switch (106), wherein the lighting control switch is configured to control a light provided by the light fixture; and a trim (102) rotatably attached to the housing, wherein at least a portion of the trim is positioned in the housing cavity (702), wherein a shaft (112) that is attached to the portion of the trim and to the lighting control switch extends through a shaft slot (206) of the housing (104), wherein the lighting control switch (106) is controllable by the shaft, wherein the shaft is rotatable along with the trim, and wherein the light provided by the light fixture is controllable by rotating the trim relative to the housing.

2. The light fixture of Claim 1, wherein the shaft (112) is integrally formed with the trim (102).

3. The light fixture of Claim 1, wherein lighting control switch (106) includes a knob (208), wherein the shaft is attached to the knob, and wherein a position of the knob depends on a rotational position of the shaft in the shaft slot (206).

4. The light fixture of Claim 3, wherein the lighting control switch (106) is configured to control an intensity of the light provided by the light fixture based on the position of the knob (208).

5. The light fixture of Claim 3, wherein the lighting control switch (106) is configured to control a correlated color temperature of the light provided by the light fixture based on the position of the knob (208).

6. The light fixture of Claim 3, wherein the knob (208) is a slider knob.

7. The light fixture of Claim 1, wherein the trim (102) includes a trim cavity wall(406) having an inner surface (518) and wherein at least a portion of the inner surface is a reflective surface.

8. The light fixture of Claim 7, wherein the trim (102) includes a flange that extends out from the trim cavity wall (406) and wherein the trim is rotatable relative to the housing by applying a rotational force on the flange.

9. The light fixture of Claim 1, wherein the lighting control switch (106) is attached to the housing (104).

10. The light fixture of Claim 1, wherein the trim (102) is rotatably attached to the housing (104) by fasteners (122, 124) that each extend through a respective fastener slot (126, 128) of the housing (104) such that the fasteners rotate along with the trim.

11. The light fixture of Claim 1 , further comprising a light source board (402) positioned in the housing cavity (702), wherein the shaft (112) extends through a pass- through slot (416) formed in the light source board (402).

12. The light fixture of Claim 1, wherein the light source board (402) includes a light emitting diode (LED) light source (704) and wherein the LED light source is aligned with a top opening (514) of the trim (102).

13. The light fixture of Claim 1, further comprising a second lighting control switch (1006) configured to control the light provided by the light fixture and wherein the second lighting control switch (1006) is controllable by a second shaft (1020) that is attached to the trim (102) and that extends through a second shaft slot (1012) of the housing (1004).

14. The light fixture of Claim 13, wherein the lighting control switch (106) is configured to control a first characteristic of the light and wherein the second lighting control switch (1006) is configured to control a second characteristic of the light.

15. The light fixture of Claim 1, wherein a rotation of the trim (102) relative to the housing (104) is limited by a length of the shaft slot (206).

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