An Anti-tamper installation kit for mounting a lighting fixture in a wall or ceiling recess using spring-loaded hinges

Abstract

An anti-tamper installation kit for mounting a lighting fixture is provided and includes a housing having a light-emitting side. The installation kit further includes at least two angular brackets; a trim frame configured to be mounted to an outer surface of the wall or the ceiling; at least two spring-loaded hinges, each hinge having a first wing for fastening to an inner surface of the wall or the ceiling proximate to the recess, a second wing for slidably connecting to the respective angular bracket of the at least two angular brackets, and a torsion spring disposed therebetween and configured to allow the first wing to rotate from a first position to a second position relative to the second wing; wherein the spring is deflected when the first wing is in the first position and at rest when the first wing is in the second position.

Description

[0001] An anti-tamper installation kit for mounting a lighting fixture in a wall or ceiling recess using spring-loaded hinges

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present disclosure is generally directed to lighting fixture installation solutions and more specifically, to an anti-tamper installation kit for mounting a lighting fixture in a wall or ceiling recess.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Institutional settings, such as inpatient psychiatric environments, require extra care when designing everyday appliances in order to create a safe environment for patients and prevent incidences of self-harm. Typical lighting fixtures are capable of being removed from the ceiling or tampered with and may impact patient safety. Current methods of installing anti-tamper lighting fixtures require robust mounting systems that necessitate a carpenter to create a wooden frame in the ceiling plenum that is custom to each fixture being installed. This custom framing solution can be time-consuming, costly to install, and prone to installation errors. Additionally, current tamper-proof solutions often require multiple people to install.

[0006] Accordingly, a simple, inexpensive solution for installing an anti-tamper lighting fixture in a variety of locations that reduces the amount of time and skilled labor required to install is desirable.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Applicant recognized and appreciated that there is a need in the art for an antitamper installation kit for mounting a lighting fixture in a wall or ceiling recess, that is easily adjustable to different wall or ceiling thicknesses and only requires one person to install. Applicant also recognized and appreciated that it is advantageous to securely install these lighting fixtures without a custom installation frame, relying instead on retaining structures such as spring-loaded hinges to achieve installation that is easy, less time consuming, and less costly. In addition, the adjustability of the hinge positions relative to the lighting fixture allows for a single user to install the lighting fixture in a wide array of installation scenarios, including varying wall or ceiling thicknesses.

[0009] This anti-tamper installation kit is designed to retain lighting tiles or downlights that typically include a light source in housing that is generally rectangular or square in shape. A suitable lighting fixture that could be used in connection with this installation kit is the Signify® FluxPanel LED, available from Signify®.

[0010] Accordingly, in one aspect, an anti-tamper installation kit for mounting a lighting fixture in a wall or ceiling recess is provided and includes a housing having a lightemitting side. The installation kit further includes at least two angular brackets having a first plate for receiving the light-emitting side of the housing thereon when mounted in the recess and a second plate; a trim frame configured to be securedly mounted to an outer surface of the wall or the ceiling and partially disposed over the light-emitting side of the housing; at least two spring-loaded hinges, each hinge having a first wing for fastening to an inner surface of the wall or the ceiling proximate to the recess, a second wing for slidably connecting to the second plate of a respective angular bracket of the at least two angular brackets, and a torsion spring disposed therebetween and configured to allow the first wing to rotate from a first position to a second position relative to the second wing; wherein the spring is deflected when the first wing is in the first position and at rest when the first wing is in the second position.

[0011] In some embodiments, the second wing of each hinge of the at least two spring-loaded hinges defines at least one slot configured to receive a fastener therein to adjustably secure the second wing to the second plate of the respective angular bracket in a target position wherein the rotational axes of the at least two spring-loaded hinges are coplanar with the inner surface of the wall or the ceiling such that the distance between the first plate and the first wing is substantially equivalent to the thickness of the wall or the ceiling within the recess.

[0012] In some embodiments, the second plate of each angular bracket of the at least two angular brackets and the second wing of each hinge of the at least two spring-loaded hinges are configured to indicate the thickness of the wall or the ceiling corresponding to the relative position of the second plate and the second wing.

[0013] In some embodiments, the fastener includes but is not limited to a screw, bolt, anchor, or rivet.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first wing of each spring-loaded hinge of the at least two spring-loaded hinges define one or more first openings formed therethrough. In some embodiments, the trim frame defines one or more second openings formed therethrough that are co-axial with the one or more first openings in the first wing of each spring-loaded hinge of the at least two spring-loaded hinges when the first wing is in the second position, such that the lighting fixture mounted within the recess to the anti-tamper installation kit is securedly attachable to the wall or the ceiling by a plurality of screws configured to pass through the first and second openings.

[0015] In some embodiments, at least two retaining elements are included to secure the housing to the at least two angular brackets.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first wing of each spring-loaded hinge of the at least two spring-loaded hinges comprises an insert tab for facilitating installation of the lighting fixture in the recess.

[0017] In some embodiments, the anti-tamper installation kit includes four angular brackets having a first plate for receiving the light-emitting side of the housing thereon when mounted in the recess; a second plate; a first pair of spring-loaded hinges; and a second pair of spring-loaded hinges, wherein the first wing of each spring-loaded hinge of the second pair of spring-loaded hinges each comprise an insert tab for facilitating installation of the lighting fixture in the recess.

[0018] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminology explicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein.

[0019] These and other aspects of the various embodiments will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the various embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 1 is an example of a prior art anti-tamper installation solution for a downlight. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an anti-tamper installation kit, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a top view of the anti-tamper installation kit shown in FIG. 2, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a close-up isometric view of one side of the anti-tamper installation kit, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 5 is another close-up isometric view of the anti-tamper installation kit, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 6 is another close-up isometric view of the anti-tamper installation kit shown in FIG. 2, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 7A is a bottom view of the anti-tamper installation kit being inserted into a recess, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 7B is another bottom view of the anti-tamper installation kit shown in FIG. 7A being inserted into a recess, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 7C is a top view of the anti-tamper installation kit being inserted into a recess, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 7D is a top view of the anti-tamper installation kit inserted into a recess, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a close-up bottom view of the anti-tamper installation kit shown in being secured into a recess, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 9A is a close-up top view of the anti-tamper installation kit installed into a recess, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 9B is an isometric top view of the anti-tamper installation kit shown in FIG. 9A installed into a recess, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The present disclosure is directed to an anti-tamper installation kit for mounting a lighting fixture in a wall or ceiling recess. The anti-tamper installation kit includes a housing that contains a light source and has a light-emitting side. At least two angular brackets are included, each having a first plate that receives the light-emitting side of the housing thereon when the kit is mounted in the recess and a second plate. A trim frame is included and is configured to be securedly mounted to an outer surface of the wall or the ceiling and partially disposed over the light-emitting side of the housing. At least two spring- loaded hinges are included, each hinge having a first wing for fastening to an inner surface of the wall or the ceiling proximate to the recess, a second wing for slidably connecting to the second plate of a respective angular bracket of the at least two angular brackets, and a torsion spring disposed therebetween and configured to allow the first wing to rotate from a first position to a second position relative to the second wing. In this example, the torsion spring is deflected when the first wing is in the first position and is at rest when the first wing is in the second position.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, conventional anti -tamper installation methods require robust mounting systems that necessitate a carpenter to create a wooden frame in the ceiling plenum that is custom to each fixture being installed. This custom framing solution can be time-consuming, costly to install, and prone to installation errors. Additionally, current tamper-proof solutions often require multiple people to install, due to their complex nature.

[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective bottom view of an anti-tamper installation kit 10 for the lighting fixture that includes a housing 12 having a light emitting side 14 and a light source (not shown). A trim frame 16 is disposed around the periphery of the light emitting side 14 and has a plurality of openings formed therethrough, as discussed below. The trim frame is sized and dimensioned to cover the edges of a recess in the wall or ceiling in a predetermined position for visually appealing installation, and, is discussed in more detail below, is configured to facilitate the secure anti-tamper installation of the lighting fixture by engaging with spring-loaded hinges 22.

[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective top view of the anti -tamper installation kit 10 shown in FIG. 2. In some examples, the housing 12 is received over two, or preferably, four angular brackets 20 and secured to the brackets via a plurality of retaining elements 18, for example, by a snap fit.

[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up perspective view of the angular bracket 20 and a spring-loaded hinge 22 of the anti -tamper installation kit 10, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In this example, each angular bracket 20 is composed of a first plate 24 and a second plate 26. The first plate 24 of each angular bracket 20 is configured to receive the light-emitting side 14 of the housing 12 thereon when mounted in the recess (not shown). In some examples, each spring-loaded hinge 22 comprises a first wing 28, a second wing 30, and a torsion spring 32. The first wing 28 is configured to fasten to an inner surface of the wall or ceiling proximate to the recess (not shown) to secure the lighting fixture therein using a plurality of screws 50, and the second wing 30 is configured to slidably connect to the second plate 26 of the respective angular bracket 20. The torsion spring 32 is disposed between the first wing 28 and second wing 30 and is configured to allow the first wing 28 to rotate from a first position 28-1 (not shown) to a second position 28-2 relative to the second wing 30. In this example, the torsion spring 32 is deflected or biased against the spring 32 when the first wing 28 is in the first position 28-1 (not shown) and at rest when the first wing 28 is in the second position 28-2. In many examples, at least two spring-loaded hinges 22 and at least two angular brackets 20 are provided, preferrably two pairs of the brackets and hinges.

[0040] FIGs. 5 and 6 illustrate the progression of the anti-tamper installation kit 10 being adjusted to accommodate a ceiling or wall recess (not shown) of a certain thickness. Referring to FIGs. 4-6, the second wing 30 of each spring-loaded hinge 22 can have at least one slot 34 configured to receive a fastener 36 therein, including but not limited to a screw, bolt, anchor, or rivet. In this example, the fastener 36 allows the second wing 30 to be adjustably secured to the second plate 26 of the respective angular bracket 20 in a target position when the rotational axes of the spring-loaded hinges 22 are coplanar with the inner surface of the wall or ceiling (not shown), such that the minimal distance between the first plate 24 and the first wing 28 is substantially equivalent to the thickness of the wall or ceiling within the recess (not shown). In other words, a user can advantageously adjust the distance between the first plate 24 and the first wing 28 to match the thickness of the desired wall or ceiling recess, thereby allowing a user to install the lighting fixture in a wide array of installation scenarios, including varying wall or ceiling thicknesses.

[0041] In some examples, the second plate 26 of each angular bracket 20 and the second wing 30 of each spring-loaded hinge 22 are configured to indicate the thickness of the wall or ceiling corresponding to the relative position of the second plate 26 and the second wing 30. In some examples, the thickness indicator 38 can include but is not limited to a series of calibrated thickness values provided on the second plate 26 of one or more angular brackets 20 to indicate a range of distances between the first wing 28 in the folder second position and the first plate 24. A corresponding opening or window 40 on the second wing 30 of one or more spring-loaded hinges 22, as illustrated in FIGs. 5 and 6, is configured to display only one thickness value visible to the user, representing the current distance between the second plate 26 and the second wing 30, substantially equivalent to the thickness of the ceiling or the wall at the installation site.

[0042] In other examples, the second wing 30 of one or more of the spring-loaded hinges 22 is transparent to allow a user to see through the second wing 30 and view the thickness indicators provided on the second plate 26 of one or more of the angular brackets 20. In these example, a marking is provided on the second wing to indicate the the current distance between the second plate 26 and the second wing 30.

[0043] FIGs. 7A-7D illustrate the progression of the anti -tamper installation kit 10 being inserted into a wall or a ceiling recess 42.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 7A, the first wings 28 of each spring-loaded hinge 22 are in the first position 28-1 and the torsion springs (not shown) of each spring-loaded hinge 22 are deflected to allow a user in this example to insert the anti -tamper installation kit 10 into the recess 42.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 7B, in some examples, the first wing of each spring-loaded hinge 22 includes an a protrustion, such as an insert tab 44, for facilitating installation of the lighting fixture (not shown) into the recess 42. This advantageously allows for a single user to install the lighting fixture wherein the user can use the insert tabs 44 on the first wings 28 of the spring-loaded hinges 22 to hold the first wings 28 in the first position 28-1 within the edge of the recess 42 of the wall or ceiling while the user then moves the first wings 28 of the remaining spring-loaded hinges 22 to the first position 28-1. The user can then push the installation kit 10 further into the recess 42, causing the first wings 28 of the spring-loaded hinges 22 to release to the second position, securing the installation kit 10 in place within the recess 42. In other examples, only two of the spring-loaded hinges 22’ have first wings 28 that include an insert tab 44 for facilitating installation of the lighting fixture into the recess 42.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 7C, the anti-tamper installation kit 10 is inserted into the recess 42 and the first wings 28 of each spring-loaded hinge 22 are still in the first position 28-1 with the torsion spring (not shown) deflected.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 7D, the first wings 28 of each spring-loaded hinge 22 are now in the second position 28-2 with the torsion springs (not shown) of each spring-loaded hinge 22 at rest, allowing the spring-loaded hinges 22 to firmly clamp into the recess 42 of the wall or ceiling in this example.

[0048] Referring to FIGs. 7D and 8, in these examples, the first wing 28 of each spring-loaded hinge 22 defines one or more first openings 46 formed therethrough and the trim frame 16 defines one or more second openings 48 formed therethrough, such that the first and second openings 46 and 48 of the first wing 28 and trim frame 16, respectively, are co-axial when the first wing 28 is in the second position 28-2. This can allow for the lighting fixture mounted within the recess 42 to be securedly attached to the wall or the ceiling by a plurality of screws 50 that pass through the first and second openings 46 and 48. The co-axial alignment of the openings 46 and 48 advantageously allows for a lessened chance of installation error and reduces the need for skilled labor since the openings 46 and 48 are predrilled and aligned for the user, negating the need for careful alignment or the use of special tools or self-drilling screws.

[0049] FIGs. 9 A and 9B illustrate a close-up and zoomed-out bottom view of the antitamper installation kit 10 securedly installed into a recess 42 of a wall or ceiling, respectively. In this example, the plurality of screws 50 have passed through the second openings in the trim frame (not shown), the wall or ceiling, and through the first openings 46 in the first wings 28 of each spring-loaded hinge 22 to firmly secure the anti-tamper installation kit 10 into place within the recess 42.

[0050] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0051] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

[0052] The phrase “and / or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements can optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

[0053] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of’ or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements can optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

[0054] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[0055] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0056] Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims and other claims to which the applicant can be entitled.

[0057] While various examples have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and / or structures for performing the function and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the examples described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific examples described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing examples are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, examples can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Examples of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An anti -tamper installation kit (10) for mounting a lighting fixture in a wall or ceiling recess (42), the lighting fixture comprising a housing (12) having a light-emitting side (14), the installation kit (10) comprising at least two angular brackets (20) having a first plate (24) for receiving the light-emitting side (14) of the housing (12) thereon when mounted in the recess (42), and a second plate (26), a trim frame (16) configured to be securedly mounted to an outer surface of the wall or the ceiling and partially disposed over the light-emitting side (14) of the housing (12), at least two spring-loaded hinges (22), each hinge (22) comprising a first wing (28) for fastening to an inner surface of the wall or the ceiling proximate to the recess (42), a second wing (30) for slidably connecting to the second plate (26) of a respective angular bracket (20) of the at least two angular brackets (20), and a torsion spring (32) disposed therebetween and configured to allow the first wing (28) to rotate from a first position (28-1) to a second position (28-2) relative to the second wing (30); wherein the spring (32) is deflected when the first wing (28) is in the first position (28-1), and at rest when the first wing (28) is in the second position (28-2).

2. The anti -tamper installation kit of claim 1, wherein the second wing (30) of each hinge (22) of the at least two spring-loaded hinges (22) defines at least one slot (34) configured to receive a fastener (36) therein to adjustably secure the second wing (30) to the second plate (26) of the respective angular bracket (20) in a target position wherein the rotational axes of the at least two spring-loaded hinges (22) are coplanar with the inner surface of the wall or the ceiling such that the distance between the first plate (24) and the first wing (28) is substantially equivalent to the thickness of the wall or the ceiling within the recess (42).

3. The anti -tamper installation kit of claim 2, wherein the second plate (26) of each angular bracket (20) of the at least two angular brackets (20) and the second wing (30)of each hinge (22) of the at least two spring-loaded hinges (22) are configured to indicate the thickness of the wall or the ceiling corresponding to the relative position of the second plate (26) and the second wing (30).

4. The anti -tamper installation kit of claim 2, wherein the fastener (36) comprises a screw.

5. The anti-tamper installation kit of claim 1, wherein the first wing (28) of each spring-loaded hinge (22) of the at least two spring-loaded hinges (22) define one or more first openings (46) formed therethrough.

6. The anti-tamper installation kit of claim 5, wherein the trim frame (16) defines one or more second openings (48) formed therethrough that are co-axial with the one or more first openings (46) in the first wing (28) of each spring-loaded hinge (22) of the at least two spring-loaded hinges (22) when the first wing (28) is in the second position (28-2), such that the lighting fixture mounted within the recess (42) to the anti -tamper installation kit (10) is securedly attachable to the wall or the ceiling by a plurality of screws (50) configured to pass through the first (46) and second (48) openings.

7. The anti -tamper installation kit of claim 1, further comprising at least two retaining elements (18) for securing the housing to the at least two angular brackets (20).

8. The anti-tamper installation kit of claim 1, wherein the first wing (28) of each spring-loaded hinge of the at least two spring-loaded hinges (22) comprises an insert tab (44) for facilitating installation of the lighting fixture in the recess (42).

9. The anti -tamper installation kit of claim 1, comprising four angular brackets (20) having a first plate (24) for receiving the lightemitting side (14) of the housing (12) thereon when mounted in the recess (42), and a second plate (26), a first pair of spring-loaded hinges (22), and a second pair of spring-loaded hinges (22’), wherein the first wing (28) of each spring-loaded hinge (22’) of the second pair of spring-loaded hinges (22’) each comprise an insert tab (44) for facilitating installation of the light fixture in the recess (42).

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