Electrical assembly mounting system for luminaires

Abstract

: A mounting system (102) for electrical assembly in luminaire includes a mounting plate (118) having a plate light opening (130). The mounting system includes retention brackets (114, 116) attached to the mounting plate. The mounting system includes a mounting frame (106) including a base frame section (108) and an enclosure attachment section (110) extending up from the base frame section. The base frame section is retained on the mounting plate by the retention brackets. The mounting frame is slidable on the mounting plate relative to the retention brackets. A lighting device (104) is attachable to the base frame section. The mounting system includes an enclosure bracket (112) slidably attached to the enclosure attachment section. An electrical assembly (140) is attachable to the enclosure bracket such that electrical assembly moves along with the mounting frame and along with the enclosure bracket.

Description

[0001] 2024PF80051

[0002] 1

[0003] ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLY MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR LUMINAIRES

[0004] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0005] The present disclosure relates generally to lighting solutions, and in particular to the assembly or mounting of light engine and all electrical components with provision of serviceability and inspection.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] Recessed light fixtures often include an electrical assembly that is located behind the ceiling. Such an electrical assembly may be a splice box, a junction box, or an electronics housing such as a driver housing. After a light fixture is installed recessed in a ceiling to emit a light through a light opening of the ceiling, accessing components of the light fixture that are behind the ceiling can be challenging. For example, accessing a splice box or a junction box of an installed recessed light fixture through a light fixture opening of a ceiling to perform splice inspection can be challenging without uninstalling the light fixture. As another example, accessing an electronics component, such as a driver, of a recessed light fixture that may may or may not be inside an electronics housing can be challenging. To illustrate, accessing an electronics component that is behind a ceiling may be needed to perform maintenance, repairs, replacement, etc. Uninstalling a recessed light fixture from a ceiling to perform splice and / or component inspections, maintenance, etc. can be relatively expensive, time consuming, and challenging. Thus, a solution that simplifies accessing electrical assembly and components of a recessed light fixture located behind a ceiling may be desirable.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] The present disclosure relates generally to lighting solutions, and in particular to the assembly or mounting of light engine and all electrical components with provision of serviceability and inspection. In an example embodiment, a mounting system for electrical assembly in luminaire includes a mounting plate having a plate light opening. The mounting system includes retention brackets attached to the mounting plate. The mounting system includes a mounting frame that includes a base frame section and an enclosure attachment 2024PF80051

[0010] 2 section that extends up from the base frame section. The base frame section is retained on the mounting plate by the retention brackets. The mounting frame is slidable on the mounting plate relative to the retention brackets. A lighting device is attachable to the base frame section such that the lighting device moves along with the mounting frame. The mounting system includes an enclosure bracket slidably attached to the enclosure attachment section. An electrical assembly is attachable to the enclosure bracket such that electrical assembly moves along with the mounting frame and along with the enclosure bracket.

[0011] In another example embodiment, a lighting system includes a lighting device, an electrical assembly, and a mounting system. The mounting system includes a mounting plate having a plate light opening. The mounting system further includes retention brackets attached to the mounting plate. The mounting system also includes a mounting frame that includes a base frame section and an enclosure attachment section that extends up from the base frame section. The base frame section is retained on the mounting plate by the retention brackets. The mounting frame is slidable on the mounting plate relative to the retention brackets. The lighting device is attached to the base frame section such that the lighting device moves along with the mounting frame. The mounting system further includes an enclosure bracket slidably attached to the enclosure attachment section. The electrical assembly is attached to the enclosure bracket such that electrical assembly moves along with the mounting frame and along with the enclosure bracket.

[0012] These and other aspects, objects, features, and embodiments will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

[0013] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0015] Figs. 1 A-1C illustrate different views of a lighting system including a mounting system for electrical assembly in luminaire according to an example embodiment;

[0016] Figs. 2A and 2B illustrate different views of the mounting system of FIGS. 1A-1C according to an example embodiment;

[0017] Fig. 3 illustrates a mounting plate of the mounting system of FIGS. 2A and 2B with attached retention brackets according to an example embodiment;

[0018] Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate the retention brackets of the mounting system of FIGS. 2A and 2B according to an example embodiment; 2024PF80051

[0019] 3

[0020] Fig. 6A illustrates a top perspective view of the mounting frame and the enclosure bracket of the mounting system of FIGS. 2 A and 2B according to an example embodiment;

[0021] Fig. 6B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the mounting frame and the enclosure bracket of the mounting system of FIGS. 2 A and 2B according to an example embodiment;

[0022] Figs. 7A and 7B illustrate different views of the mounting frame of the mounting system of FIGS. 2 A and 2B according to an example embodiment;

[0023] Figs. 8A and 8B illustrate different views of the enclosure bracket of FIGS. 2A and 2B according to an example embodiment;

[0024] Figs. 9A and 9B illustrate closeup views showing the mounting frame securely attached to the attachment post by the thumb screw according to an example embodiment;

[0025] Fig. 10 illustrates the lighting system FIGS. 1 A-1C with the mounting frame moved such that the electrical assembly aligned with the light opening of the mounting plate of the mounting system of FIGS. 2 A and 2B according to an example embodiment; and

[0026] Figs. 11 A-l 1C illustrate the lighting system FIGS. 1 A-1C with the electrical assembly positioned through the plate light opening of the mounting plate of the mounting system of FIGS. 2A and 2B according to an example embodiment.

[0027] 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 figures, the same reference numerals used in different figures may designate like or corresponding and not necessarily identical elements.

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0029] 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).

[0030] Turning now to the drawings, example embodiments are described. FIGS. 1 A- 1C illustrate different views of a lighting system 100 including a mounting system 102 for 2024PF80051

[0031] 4 electrical assembly in luminaire according to an example embodiment. For example, the lighting system 100 may be a recessed lighting system, a recessed light fixture / luminaire. In some example embodiments, the lighting system 100 includes the mounting system 102 and a lighting device 104 (may also be referred to as a light engine) that is attached to the mounting system 102. The lighting system 100 may also include an electrical assembly 140 and a driver 142 that provides power to the lighting device 104. The electrical assembly 140 may be a splice box and / or a junction box.

[0032] In some example embodiments, the mounting system 102 includes a mounting frame 106, a mounting plate 118, and retention brackets 114, 116. The mounting plate 118 may be attached to a ceiling frame or other ceiling structures, for example, using fasteners as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. For example, the mounting plate 118 may be attached to a ceiling structure above a ceiling tile 120 that may also be attached to the ceiling structure. The mounting plate 118 may include a plate light opening 130, and the mounting plate 118 may be positioned such that the plate light opening 130 is aligned with a ceiling light opening 152 of the ceiling tile 120.

[0033] In some example embodiments, the mounting frame 106 may include a base frame section 108 and an enclosure attachment section 110 that extends up from the base frame section 108. The lighting device 104 may be attached to the base frame section 108. To illustrate, the lighting device 104 may be attached to the mounting frame 106 by a lighting device bracket 128 that is attached to the base frame section 108. The mounting system 102 may include an enclosure bracket 112 that is attached to the enclosure attachment section 110 of the mounting frame 106. For example, the enclosure bracket 112 may be slidably attached to the enclosure attachment section 110. The electrical assembly 140 and the driver 142 may be removably attached to the enclosure bracket 112. For example, the electrical assembly 140 and the driver 142 may be on opposite sides of the enclosure bracket 112 from each other.

[0034] In some example embodiments, the mounting frame 106 is positioned on the mounting plate 118. The mounting frame 106 may be retained on the mounting plate 118 by the retention brackets 114, 116. The retention brackets 114, 116 may be attached to the mounting plate 118 spaced from each other, and the base frame section 108 may be positioned between the retention brackets 114, 116. The retention brackets 114, 116 may be attached to the mounting plate 118 by fasteners such as screws. The retention brackets 114, 116 may be partially elevated from the mounting plate 118, and portions of the base frame 2024PF80051

[0035] 5 section 108 may be positioned between the elevated portions of the retention brackets 114, 116 and the mounting plate 118.

[0036] In some example embodiments, the base frame section 108 may include a first arm frame section 122, a second arm frame section 124, and an attachment frame section 126. The first arm frame section 122 and the second arm frame section 124 may extend from the attachment frame section 126 parallel to each other. A portion of the first arm frame section 122 and a portion of the attachment frame section 126 may be between the retention bracket 114 and the mounting plate 118, and a portion of the second arm frame section 124 and another portion of the attachment frame section 126 may be between the retention bracket 116 and the mounting plate 118.

[0037] In some example embodiments, the mounting frame 106 is slidable on the mounting plate 118 relative to the retention brackets 114, 116. For example, the mounting frame 106 may be slidable to different sliding positions, where, after the mounting frame 106 is moved to a particular sliding position, the mounting frame 106 remains at the particular sliding position unless manually moved by a person that applies an adequate force on the mounting frame 106. To illustrate, the base frame section 108 may include retention bumps, and the retention brackets 114, 116 may have bump holes that are each sized to receive a respective retention bump. At least some of the retention bumps of the base frame section 108 may each be positioned in a respective bump hole of the retention brackets 114, 116 to help retain the mounting frame 106 at a particular sliding position. For example, the base frame section 108 may include retention bumps 132, 134 as well as other retention bumps that extend upwardly from the first arm frame section 122 and from the attachment frame section 126, and the base frame section 108 may include retention bumps 144, 146 and other retention bumps that extend upwardly from the second arm frame section 124 and from the attachment frame section 126. In general, retention bumps of the base frame section 108 that are positioned in respective bump holes of the retention brackets 114, 116 may prevent or otherwise resist unintended sliding movements of the mounting frame 106.

[0038] In some example embodiments, at least some of the retention bumps protruding up from the first arm frame section 122 and from the attachment frame section 126 may be positioned in respective bump holes of the retention bracket 114. For example, the retention bracket 114 may include bump holes 136, 138 as well as other bump holes, and the retention bump 134 may be positioned in the bump hole 136. In the position of the mounting frame 106 relative to the retention brackets 114, 116 shown in FIGS. 1 A-1C, the bump hole 138 as well as some other bump holes of the retention bracket 114 may be 2024PF80051

[0039] 6 unoccupied by a retention bump. Also, at least some of the retention bumps protruding up from the second arm frame section 124 and from the attachment frame section 126 may be positioned in respective bump holes of the retention bracket 116. For example, the retention bracket 116 may include bump holes 148, 150 as well as other bump holes, and the retention bump 146 may be positioned in the bump hole 148. In the position of the mounting frame 106 relative to the retention brackets 114, 116 shown in FIGS. 1 A-1C, the bump hole 150 as well as some other bump holes of the retention bracket 116 may be unoccupied by a retention bump.

[0040] In some example embodiments, the mounting frame 106 may be in the sliding position (e.g., a first sliding position) shown in FIGS. 1 A-1C, where the lighting device 104 is positioned to emit a light through the plate light opening 130 of the mounting plate 118 and through the ceiling light opening 152 of the ceiling tile 120 and such that the enclosure attachment section 110 of the mounting frame 106 is unaligned (i.e., not aligned) with the plate light opening 130. While retained on the mounting plate 118 by the retention brackets 114, 116, the mounting frame 106 may be slid to another sliding position (e.g., a second sliding position) such that the lighting device 104 is unaligned with the plate light opening 130 and such that the enclosure attachment section 110, the enclosure bracket 112, the electrical assembly 140, and the driver 142 are aligned with the plate light opening 130.

[0041] For example, a person can extend a hand through the ceiling light opening 152 and the plate light opening 130 from below the ceiling tile 120 and exert a force on the mounting frame 106 to slide the mounting frame 106 to a different sliding position. For example, the force exerted by the person needs to be adequate to overcome the resistance of the retention bumps of the base frame section 108 that are positioned in respective bump holes of the retention brackets 114, 116. At the different / new sliding position of the mounting frame 106, some of retention bumps of the base frame section 108 may be positioned in different respective bump holes of the retention brackets 114, 116 and may prevent unintended sliding movements of the mounting frame 106. The lighting device 104, the electrical assembly 140, and the driver 142 may move along with the mounting frame 106 as the mounting frame 106 is moved from one sliding position to another.

[0042] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate different views of the mounting system 102 of FIGS. 1 A-1C according to an example embodiment, FIG. 3 illustrates the mounting plate 118 of the mounting system 102 of FIGS. 2A and 2B with the retention brackets 114, 116 attached thereto according to an example embodiment, and FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the retention brackets 114, 116 of the mounting system 102 of FIGS. 2A and 2B according to an 2024PF80051

[0043] 7 example embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1 A-5, in some example embodiments, the mounting system 102 includes the mounting frame 106, the mounting plate 118, and the retention brackets 114, 116 that are attached to the mounting plate 118 that has the plate light opening 130 for light to pass therethrough. The mounting frame 106 may include the base frame section 108 and the enclosure attachment section 110 that extends up from the base frame section 108. The enclosure bracket 112 is slidably attached to the enclosure attachment section 110. The electrical assembly 140 and the driver 142 may be attached to the enclosure bracket 112, for example, by fasteners such that the electrical assembly 140 and the driver 142 can move along with the enclosure bracket 112 relative to the enclosure attachment section 110. For example, the driver 142 may be attached to the enclosure bracket 112 by a fastener 224 (e.g., a screw), where the driver 142 may be removed from the enclosure bracket 112 by removing the fastener 224.

[0044] As described above with respect to FIGS. 1 A-1C, the mounting frame 106 may be slidably attached to the mounting plate 118. For example, the mounting frame 106 may be retained on the mounting plate 118 by the retention brackets 114, 116. A portion of the base frame section 108 on the side of the retention bracket 114 may be positioned between the retention bracket 114 and the mounting plate 118, and a portion of the base frame section 108 on the side of the retention bracket 116, which is on opposite side of the base frame section 108 from the retention bracket 114, may be positioned between the retention bracket 116 and the mounting plate 118. The mounting frame 106 may be slid to different sliding positions and retained at the sliding positions by retention bumps of the base frame section 108 that are positioned in respective bump holes of the retention brackets 114, 116. For example, a person may change the sliding position of the mounting frame 106 by applying adequate force on the mounting frame 106 such that the retention bumps extending up from the base frame section 108 move out of respective bump holes and move into other respective bump holes of the retention brackets 114, 116.

[0045] To illustrate, the base frame section 108 may include retention bumps 132, 134 protruding up from the first arm section 122 and described with respect to FIGS. 1 A-1C, a retention bump 202 protruding up from the first arm section 122, a retention bump 204 protruding up from the attachment frame section 126 as well as other retention bumps, where some of the retention bumps (e.g., the retention bumps 134, 204) are positioned in respective bump holes of the retention bracket 114 when the mounting frame 106 is in the sliding position shown in FIGS. 1 A-2B. For example, the retention bump 134 may be in the bump hole 136 of the retention bracket 114, and the retention bump 204 may be in the bump hole 2024PF80051

[0046] 8

[0047] 208 of the retention bracket 114. The base frame section 108 may also include retention bumps 144, 146 protruding up from the second arm section 124 and described with respect to FIGS. 1A-1C, retention bumps 212, 214 protruding up from the second arm section 124 as well as other retention bumps, where some of the retention bumps (e.g., the retention bumps 146, 214) are positioned in respective bump holes of the retention bracket 116 when the mounting frame 106 is in the sliding position shown in FIGS. 1 A-2B. For example, the retention bump 146 may be in the bump hole 148 of the retention bracket 116, and the retention bump 214 may be in the bump hole 216 of the retention bracket 116.

[0048] In some example embodiments, the retention bracket 114 may have bump holes 136, 138, 208, 210, 322, 324, 408, 410, 412, 414 as well as other bump holes as shown in FIGS. 1 A-4. For example, the retention bracket 114 may include a bracket attachment section 302, an elevated section 304, and a transition section 416 that is between the bracket attachment section 302 and the elevated section 304. The retention bracket 114 may be attached to the mounting plate 118 by screws 306, 308, 310 that extend through respective attachment holes 402, 404, 406 formed through the bracket attachment section 302 and respective holes in the mounting plate 118. The bump holes 136, 138, 208, 210, 322, 324, 408, 410, 412, 414 as well as other bump holes of the retention bracket 114 may be formed in the elevated section 304.

[0049] In some example embodiments, the retention bracket 116 may have bump holes 148, 150, 216, 218, 326, 328, 508, 510, 512, 514 as well as other bump holes as shown in FIGS. 1 A-3 and 5. For example, the retention bracket 116 may include a bracket attachment section 312, an elevated section 314, and a transition section 516 that is between the bracket attachment section 312 and the elevated section 314. The retention bracket 116 may be attached to the mounting plate 118 by screws 316, 318, 320 that extend through respective attachment holes 502, 504, 506 formed through the bracket attachment section 312 and respective holes in the mounting plate 118. The bump holes 148, 150, 216, 218, 326, 328, 508, 510, 512, 514 as well as other bump holes of the retention bracket 116 may be formed in the elevated section 314.

[0050] In some example embodiments, in the sliding position shown in FIGS. 1 A-2B, the mounting frame 106 may be in the position for the lighting device 104 to emit a light through the plate light opening 130 and the ceiling light opening 152, for example, to an area below the ceiling tile 120. In such a sliding position, a thumb screw 226 may be used to more securely retain the mounting frame 106 in the particular sliding position. To illustrate, an attachment post 228 having a fastener hole 230 may extend up from the mounting plate 118, 2024PF80051

[0051] 9 and the mounting frame 106 may be securely attached to the attachment post 228 by the thumb screw 226 that can be tightened and loosened by hand without using a tool. For example, the thumb screw 226 may extend through the fastener hole in the enclosure attachment section 110 into the fastener hole 230 to securely attach the mounting frame 106. To change the sliding position of the mounting frame 106 from the sliding position shown in FIGS. 1 A-2B, the thumb screw 226 may first be loosened until the thumb screw 226 is released from the attachment post 228. That is, the thumb screw 226 is first removed from the attachment post 228 to slide the mounting frame 106 on the mounting plate 118 relative to the retention brackets 114, 116.

[0052] In general, the retention bumps of the base frame section 108 that are positioned in respective bump holes of the retention brackets 114, 116 may prevent or otherwise resist unintended sliding movements of the mounting frame 106 from a current sliding position. For example, unless a person applies an adequate force on the mounting frame 106 to slide the mounting frame 106 from a first sliding position to another sliding position relative to the mounting plate 118, the positioning of the retention bumps of the base frame section 108 in the bump holes of the retention brackets 114, 116 may retain the mounting frame 106 in the first sliding position. To illustrate, the mounting frame 106 may be retained at the sliding position (e.g., a first sliding position) shown in FIGS. 1 A-2B by the particular retention bumps of the base frame section 108, such as the retention bumps 134, 146, 204, 214 as well as other retention bumps, that are positioned in respective bump holes of the retention brackets 114, 116 unless an adequate force is applied to slide the mounting frame 106 to a different sliding position.

[0053] In some example embodiments, the enclosure bracket 112 is slidably attached to the enclosure attachment section 110 of the mounting frame 106 such that the enclosure bracket 112 can slide up and down to different locked positions relative to the enclosure attachment section 110. In general, the enclosure bracket 112 may be retained at a particular locked position by retention bumps protruding out from the enclosure attachment section 110 and positioned in bump holes of the enclosure bracket 112. For example, retention bumps 220, 222 as well as other retention bumps protruding out from the enclosure attachment section 110 may each be positioned in a respective bump hole of the enclosure bracket 112 to prevent or resist unintended sliding movements of the enclosure bracket 112 from a current locked position relative to the enclosure attachment section 110. A person may apply an adequate force to the enclosure bracket 112 to slide the enclosure bracket 112 from one locked position to another locked position. 2024PF80051

[0054] 10

[0055] In some example embodiments, in the locked position of the enclosure bracket 112 shown in FIGS. 1 A-2B, the thumb screw 226 attached to the attachment post 228 through respective fasteners holes in the enclosure attachment section 110 and the enclosure bracket 112 may also prevent the unintended sliding of the enclosure bracket 112 relative to the enclosure attachment section 110. A person may loosen the thumb screw 226 such that the thumb screw 226 no longer extends though the fastener holes of the enclosure attachment section 110 and the enclosure bracket 112 before applying an adequate force to slide the enclosure bracket 112 from the locked position shown in FIGS. 1 A-2B to another locked position. For example, after the mounting frame 106 is slid to a sliding position such that the enclosure bracket 112 along with the electrical assembly 140 and the driver 142 are aligned with the plate light opening 130, a person may loosen and / or remove the thumb screw 226 and pull down on the enclosure bracket 112 using a hand extending through the plate light opening 130 to slide down the enclosure bracket 112 to another locked position relative to the enclosure attachment section 110 such that the electrical assembly 140 and the driver 142 extend through the plate light opening 130.

[0056] In some example embodiments, the mounting frame 106, the mounting plate 118, the enclosure bracket 112, and the retention brackets 114, 116 may be from aluminum sheet metal and / or other materials using methods such as bending, cutting, stamping, welding, casting, and / or other methods as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. Alternatively, one or more of the mounting frame 106, the mounting plate 118, the enclosure bracket 112, and the retention brackets 114, 116 may be made from plastic using methods such as injection molding, etc. as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 6 A illustrates a top perspective view of the mounting frame 106 and the enclosure bracket 112 of the mounting system 102 of FIGS. 2 A and 2B according to an example embodiment, and FIG. 6B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the mounting frame 106 and the enclosure bracket 112 of the mounting system 102 of FIGS. 2 A and 2B according to an example embodiment. In some example embodiments, the enclosure bracket 112 is slidably attached to the enclosure attachment section 110 of the mounting frame 106. In FIGS. 6 A and 6B, the enclosure bracket 112 may be in an upper most locked position relative to the enclosure attachment section 110, where the enclosure bracket 112 cannot be slid up further. From the locked position shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the enclosure bracket 112 may be slid down by applying an adequate downward force to overcome the resistance from retention bumps of the enclosure attachment section 110 positioned in respective bump 2024PF80051

[0058] 11 holes of the enclosure bracket 112. For example, the retention bumps 220, 222 as well as other retention bumps such as retention bumps 604, 606, 608 protruding out from the enclosure attachment section 110 and positioned in respective bump holes of the enclosure bracket 112 may prevent or otherwise resist unintended sliding movements of the enclosure bracket 112 from one locked position to another locked position.

[0059] In some example embodiments, the enclosure bracket 112 is slidably attached to the enclosure attachment section 110 of the mounting frame 106 such that the enclosure bracket 112 can slide up and down to different locked positions relative to the enclosure attachment section 110. In general, the enclosure bracket 112 may be retained at a particular locked position by retention bumps protruding out from the enclosure attachment section 110 and positioned in bump holes of the enclosure bracket 112. For example, retention bumps 220, 222 as well as other retention bumps protruding out from the enclosure attachment section 110 may each be positioned in a respective bump hole of the enclosure bracket 112 to prevent or resist unintended sliding movements of the enclosure bracket 112 from a current locked position relative to the enclosure attachment section 110. A person may apply an adequate force to the enclosure bracket 112 to slide the enclosure bracket 112 from one locked position to another locked position.

[0060] In some example embodiments, the enclosure bracket 112 may include fastener holes 616, 618 sized to receive the thumb screw 226 (for example, shown in FIG. 2A). When the enclosure bracket 112 is in the locked position shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the fastener holes 616, 618 may be aligned with the fastener hole 230 of the attachment post 228 (for example, shown in FIG. 3). The fastener holes 616, 618 are also aligned with a fastener hole 614 of a fastener bracket 610 of the mounting frame 106. For example, the fastener bracket 610 may be attached to the enclosure attachment section 110, and a section of the fastener bracket 610 may be spaced from the enclosure attachment section 110, which may allow the thumb screw 226 (for example, shown in FIG. 2A) to remain attached to the fastener bracket 610 after the thumb screw 226 is out of the fastener holes 616, 618 of the enclosure bracket 112. As described above, the thumb screw 226 may be removed from the fastener holes 616, 618 before applying a force to slide down the enclosure bracket 112 while attached to the enclosure attachment section 110.

[0061] In some example embodiments, as described above, the mounting frame 106 includes the base frame section 108 and the enclosure attachment section 110. The base frame section 108 may include the first arm frame section 122, the second arm frame section 124, and the attachment frame section 126. For example, the enclosure attachment section 2024PF80051

[0062] 12

[0063] 110 may extend up from the first arm frame section 122 and the second arm frame section 124 that extend from the attachment frame section 126 generally parallel to each other. The mounting frame 106 may also include a handle 612 that extends out from the attachment frame section 126, for example, between the first arm frame section 122 and the second arm frame section 124. The handle 612 may provide a relatively convenient structure for a person to hold with a hand to apply a force on the mounting frame 106 to slide the mounting frame 106 from one sliding position to another sliding position.

[0064] In some example embodiments, the base frame section 108 may have a light opening 602 formed through the attachment frame section 126. For example, the mounting frame 106 may be in a sliding position such as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, where the light opening 602 is aligned with the plate light opening 130 of the mounting plate 118 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The light opening 602 may be sized as needed to accommodate different lighting devices / light engines. In some alternative embodiments, the light opening 602 may have a different shape and may also not be enclosed.

[0065] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate different views of the mounting frame 106 of the mounting system 102 of FIGS. 2 A and 2B according to an example embodiment. In some example embodiments, as described above, the mounting frame 106 includes the retention bumps 132, 202, 134, 204, 702, 704 as well as other retention bumps that protrude up from the base frame section 108 on one side of the mounting frame 106 and the retention bumps 144, 146, 214, 706 as well as other retention bumps that protrude up from the base frame section 108 on another side of the mounting frame 106. The retention bumps protruding from the base frame section 108 may each be positioned in a respective bump hole of the retention brackets 114, 116 shown, for example, shown in FIGS. 1 A- 5 depending on the particular sliding position of mounting frame 106 relative to the retention brackets 114, 116.

[0066] In some example embodiments, the mounting frame 106 includes the retention bumps 220, 222, 714, 716, 718, 720 as well as other retention bumps that protrude out from the enclosure attachment section 110. The retention bumps 222, 718, 720, 724 may protrude out from a first leg section 708 of the enclosure attachment section 110, and the retention bumps 220, 714, 716, 722 may protrude out from a second leg section 710 of the enclosure attachment section 110, where a bar section 712 of the enclosure attachment section 110 extends between and connects the first leg section 708 and the second leg section 710 that are on opposite sides of the mounting frame 106. The first leg section 708 may extend up from the first arm frame section 122, and the second leg section 710 may extend up from the second arm frame section 124. For example, the first leg section 708 and the second leg 2024PF80051

[0067] 13 section 710 may be parallel to each other. The retention bumps protruding from the enclosure attachment section 110 may each be positioned in a respective bump hole of the enclosure bracket 112 shown, for example, in FIGS. 6 A and 6B depending on the particular locked position of the enclosure bracket 112 relative to the enclosure attachment section 110.

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 6A-7B, in some example embodiments, the enclosure attachment section 110 may include a fastener hole 726 that is aligned with the fastener hole 614 of the fastener bracket 610. The thumb screw 226 shown in FIG. 2 A may extend through the fastener holes 614, 726 as well as the fastener holes 616, 618 of the enclosure bracket 112 to attach the mounting frame 106 to the attachment post 228 shown in FIG. 2B.

[0069] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate different views of the enclosure bracket 112 of FIGS. 2A and 2B according to an example embodiment. In some example embodiments, the enclosure bracket 112 includes a back plate 802 and front plates 804, 806 that are attached to the back plate 802. For example, the front plates 804, 806 may be welded to the back plate 802. A portion of each of the front plates 804, 806 is spaced from the back plate 802 thereby forming channels 826, 828, respectively. A portion of the enclosure attachment section 110 that has some of the retention bumps, such as the retention bumps 222, 608 shown in FIG. 6A, may be positioned in the channel 826, and a portion of the enclosure attachment section 110 that has some of the retention bumps, such as the retention bumps 220, 604 shown in FIG. 6 A, may be positioned in the channel 828.

[0070] In some example embodiments, the enclosure bracket 112 may have bump holes 808, 810, 812, 822 as well as other bump holes formed in the portion of the front plate 804 that is spaced from the back plate 802. The enclosure bracket 112 may have bump holes 814, 816, 818, 820 as well as other bump holes formed in the portion of the front plate 806 that is spaced from the back plate 802. The retention bumps 222, 608, 718, 720 as well as other retention bumps of the enclosure attachment section 110 shown in FIGS. 6A-8B may each extended into a respective one of the bump holes formed in the front plate 804 from the side of the channel 826. The retention bumps 220, 604, 606, 714, 716 as well as other retention bumps of the enclosure attachment section 110 shown in FIGS. 6A-8B may each extended into a respective one of the bump holes formed in the front plate 806 from the side of the channel 828.

[0071] In some example embodiments, the enclosure bracket 112 may include the fastener holes 616, 618 sized to receive the thumb screw 226 (for example, shown in FIG. 2A). For example, the fastener hole 616 may be formed in the front plate 804, and the fastener hole 618 may be formed in the back plate 802 aligned with the fastener hole 616. 2024PF80051

[0072] 14

[0073] In some example embodiments, the enclosure bracket 112 may include fastener holes 832, 834 that may be used to attach the driver 142 (shown in FIG. 1 A) to the enclosure bracket 112 by a fastener. For example, the fastener 224 shown in FIG. 2 A may be inserted into the fastener hole 832 to attach the driver 142 to the enclosure bracket 112. Another fastener may also be inserted into the fastener hole 834 to attach the driver 142 to the enclosure bracket 112.

[0074] In some example embodiments, the enclosure bracket 112 may include fastener holes 836, 838, 840, 842 to attach the electrical assembly 140 (shown in FIG. 1 A) to the enclosure bracket 112. For example, fasteners (e.g., screws) may be inserted in the fastener holes 836, 838, 840, 842 to attach the electrical assembly 140 of FIG. 1A to the enclosure bracket 112.

[0075] In some example embodiments, because the electrical assembly 140 and the driver 142 may be attached to the enclosure bracket 112 on opposite sides of the enclosure bracket 112, an opening 830 in the enclosure bracket 112 may provide access, for example, to the electrical assembly 140 by removing the driver 142.

[0076] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate closeup views showing the mounting frame 106 securely attached to the attachment post 228 by the thumb screw 226 according to an example embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6A-9B, in some example embodiments, the thumb screw 226 may extend through the fastener hole 614 of the fastener bracket 610, the fastener holes 616, 618 of the enclosure bracket 112, the fastener hole 726 of the enclosure attachment section 110, and the fastener hole 230 of the attachment post 228 to securely attach the mounting frame 106 to the attachment post 228 such that the mounting frame 106 does not slide relative to the retention brackets 114, 116 and such that the enclosure bracket 112 does not slide relative to the enclosure attachment section 110. A coil spring 902 may be placed around the thumb screw 226 between the fastener bracket 610 and the enclosure bracket 112 to help retain the thumb screw 226 after the thumb screw 226 is released from the attachment post 228.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 1 A-9B, in some alternative embodiments, the mounting frame 106 may have a different shape and / or more or fewer sections than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the enclosure bracket 112 may have a different shape than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the retention bumps of the mounting frame 106 may have different spacings from each other than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the retention bumps of the mounting frame 2024PF80051

[0078] 15

[0079] 106 may be at different locations than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the retention brackets 114, 116 may include retention bumps, and the base frame section 108 may include bump holes without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0080] In some alternative embodiments, the enclosure bracket 112 may include retention bumps, and the enclosure attachment section 110 may include bump holes without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some example embodiments, the mounting frame 106 may have more or fewer retention bumps than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the retention brackets 114, 116 and the enclosure bracket 112 may have more or fewer bump holes than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, another type of screw may be used instead of the thumb screw 226 without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, mounting system 102 may include more or fewer components than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the lighting system 100 may include another type of lighting device instead of the lighting device 104 without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0081] FIG. 10 illustrates the lighting system 100 FIGS. 1A-1C with the mounting frame 106 moved such that the electrical assembly 140 aligned with the light opening of the mounting plate 118 of the mounting system 102 of FIGS. 2 A and 2B according to an example embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1 A-2B and 10, in some example embodiments, a person may extend a hand through the ceiling light opening 152 of the ceiling tile 120 and the plate light opening 130 of the mounting frame 106 to remove the thumb screw 226 from the attachment post 228 and apply an adequate force on the mounting frame 106 to slide the mounting frame 106 to the sliding position shown in FIG. 10, where the enclosure attachment section 110, the enclosure bracket 112, the electrical assembly 140, and the driver 142 are aligned with the plate light opening 130 and the ceiling light opening 152.

[0082] As described above, the lighting device 104, the enclosure bracket 112, the electrical assembly 140, and the driver 142 move along with the mounting frame 106 as the mounting frame 106 is slid / moved from one sliding position to another sliding position. As shown in FIG. 10, the lighting device 104 is no longer aligned with the plate light opening 130 when the enclosure attachment section 110, the enclosure bracket 112, the electrical assembly 140, and the driver 142 are aligned with the plate light opening 130.

[0083] In some example embodiments, some of the retention bumps, such as retention bumps 132, 134, 144, 146, that are not positioned in bump holes of the retention brackets 2024PF80051

[0084] 16

[0085] 114, 116 in FIGS. 1 A-1C may be in bump holes of the retention brackets 114, 116 when the mounting frame 106 is in the sliding position shown in FIG. 10. Some of the bump holes, such as bump holes 704, 706, of the retention brackets 114, 116 that are unoccupied in FIGS. 1 A-1C may be occupied by a respective retention bump of the base frame section 108 of the mounting frame 106 when the mounting frame 106 is in the sliding position shown in FIG.

[0086] 10. Some of the bump holes, such as bump holes 136, 148, of the retention brackets 114, 116 that are occupied in FIGS. 1 A-1C may be unoccupied by a respective retention bump of the base frame section 108 of the mounting frame 106 when the mounting frame 106 is in the sliding position shown in FIG. 10. In general, after the mounting frame 106 is in the sliding position shown in FIG. 10, the retention bumps of the base frame section 108 positioned in respective bump holes of the retention brackets 114, 116 may prevent or otherwise resist unintended movements of the mounting frame 106.

[0087] FIGS. 11 A-l 1C illustrate the lighting system 100 FIGS. 1 A-1C with the electrical assembly 140 positioned through the plate light opening 130 of the mounting plate 118 of the mounting system 102 of FIGS. 2 A and 2B according to an example embodiment. In some example embodiments, after the mounting frame 106 is moved to the sliding position shown in FIGS. 10-11C, a person may pull down on the enclosure bracket 112 through the plate light opening 130 to slide the enclosure bracket 112 relative to the enclosure attachment section 110 from the locked position (e.g., a first locked position) shown in FIG. 10 to the locked position (e.g., a second locked position) shown in FIGS. 11 A-l 1C.

[0088] In the locked position (e.g., the first locked position) of the enclosure bracket 112 shown in FIG. 10, the enclosure bracket 112 is entirely on the same side of the mounting plate 118 as the enclosure attachment section 110. As shown in FIGS. 11 A-l 1C, after the enclosure bracket 112 is pulled down to another locked (e.g., the second locked position) while attached to the enclosure attachment section 110, the enclosure bracket 112, the electrical assembly 140, and the driver 142 are positioned or otherwise extend through the plate light opening 130 and the ceiling light opening 152, where at least a portion of each one of the enclosure bracket 112, the electrical assembly 140, and the driver 142 is below the ceiling tile 120.

[0089] As shown in FIGS. 11 A-l 1C, some of the retention bumps (e.g., the retention bumps 220, 222) of the enclosure attachment section 110 that were positioned in respective bump holes of the enclosure bracket 112 in FIG. 10 are not in positioned in bump holes in FIGS. 11 A-l 1C. In FIGS. 11 A-l 1C, the bumps 722, 724 (more clearly shown in FIGS. 7 A and 7B) may be position in respective bump holes of the enclosure bracket 112 and thereby 2024PF80051

[0090] 17 preventing or otherwise resisting unintended sliding movements of the enclosure bracket 112 relative to the enclosure attachment section 110. In FIGS. 11 A-l 1C, the retention bumps 722, 724 may each be in a different bump hole of the enclosure attachment section 110 as compared to in FIG. 10.

[0091] In some example embodiments, after the enclosure bracket 112 is in the position shown in FIGS. 11 A-l 1C, a person may open the electrical assembly 140 and perform inspection and / or servicing related to the electrical assembly 140. For example, a person may make, check / inspect, and / or change wire splices and / or other electrical connections inside the electrical assembly 140. Alternatively, the person may first fully detach the enclosure bracket 112 from the enclosure attachment section 110 by pulling down on the enclosure bracket 112 from the position shown in FIGS. 11 A-l 1C and subsequently perform inspection and / or servicing related to the electrical assembly 140. In some cases, a person may detach the electrical assembly 140 from the enclosure bracket 112 before performing tasks in or otherwise related to the electrical assembly 140. A person may remove fasteners attaching the electrical assembly 140 to the enclosure bracket 112 to detach the electrical assembly 140 from the enclosure bracket 112.

[0092] In some example embodiments, after the enclosure bracket 112 is in the position shown in FIGS. 11 A-l 1C, a person may perform inspection and / or servicing related to the driver 142. For example, a person may change, connect, repair, and / or perform other tasks on or otherwise related to the driver 142. Alternatively, the person may first fully detach the enclosure bracket 112 from the enclosure attachment section 110 by pulling down on the enclosure bracket 112 from the position shown in FIGS. 11 A-l 1C and subsequently change, connect, repair, and / or perform other tasks on or otherwise related to the driver 142. In some cases, a person may detach the driver 142 from the enclosure bracket 112 before performing tasks in or otherwise related to the driver 142. A person may remove fasteners attaching the driver 142 to the enclosure bracket 112 to detach the driver 142 from the enclosure bracket 112. In general, a person can toollessly move the mounting frame 106 and the enclosure bracket 112 to access the electrical assembly 140 and the driver 142 through the plate light opening 130 for inspection and servicing of wire splices, components, etc. In general, by moving the mounting frame 106 to the desired position, a person can gain access through the plate light opening 130 to electronic components that are behind the mounting plate 118.

[0093] In some example embodiments, the enclosure bracket 112 can be moved / slid back from the locked position shown in FIGS. 11 A-l 1C to the locked position shown in FIG. 2024PF80051

[0094] 18

[0095] 10 by applying a force (e.g., pushing up) on the enclosure bracket 112 through the plate light opening 130 while the enclosure bracket 112 is attached to the enclosure attachment section 110. From sliding position of the mounting frame 106 shown in FIG. 10, the mounting frame 106 can be moved / slid back to the sliding position shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 A-2B, by applying a force on the mounting frame 106, for example, at the handle 612 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. After the mounting frame 106 is in the sliding position shown in FIGS. 1 A-2B, a person may use a hand to attach the thumb screw 226 to the attachment post 228 shown in FIG. 2 A to more securely retain the mounting frame 106 in the particular sliding position.

[0096] By using the mounting system 102 in the lighting system 100 as described above, tasks such as splice inspection and servicing related to the electrical assembly 140 and / or the driver 142 can be performed more easily and at less cost as compared to systems and methods that require the uninstallation of the lighting system 100 to perform such tasks. For example, by using the mounting system 102 in the lighting system 100 as described above, removing the ceiling tile 120 and uninstalling the lighting system 100 that are typically required to access the electrical assembly 140 can be avoided. For example, removing the ceiling tile 120 and uninstalling the lighting system 100 to perform wire splice inspections inside the electrical assembly 140 can be avoided. Because the mounting frame 106 can be moved toollessly to make the electrical assembly 140 accessible at the ceiling opening 152 as described above, the overall task of splice inspection as well as other tasks related to the electrical assembly 140 and the driver 142 are simplified. Because the plate light opening 130 can have a different size and / or shape, the mounting system 102 can be used with another lighting device that requires a different size of the plate light opening 130.

[0097] In some alternative embodiments, the mounting plate 118 may be or may serve as a part of a ceiling structure of a space without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, the ceiling tile 120 may be omitted. In some alternative embodiments, the mounting frame 106 may be moved / slid to a different sliding position than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the enclosure bracket 112 may be moved / slid to a different locked position than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0098] 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 2024PF80051

[0099] 19 following claims, the scope of which are to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass modifications and equivalent structures.

Claims

2024PF8005120CLAIMS:

1. A mounting system (102) for electrical assembly in luminaire, the mounting system comprising: a mounting plate (118) having a plate light opening (130); retention brackets (114, 116) attached to the mounting plate; a mounting frame (106) comprising a base frame section (108) and an enclosure attachment section (110) that extends up from the base frame section (108), wherein the base frame section (108) is retained on the mounting plate (118) by the retention brackets (114, 116), wherein the mounting frame (106) is slidable on the mounting plate (118) relative to the retention brackets (114, 116), and wherein a lighting device (104) is attachable to the base frame section (108) such that the lighting device (104) moves along with the mounting frame (106); and an enclosure bracket (112) slidably attached to the enclosure attachment section (110), wherein an electrical assembly (140) is attachable to the enclosure bracket (112) such that electrical assembly (140) moves along with the mounting frame (106) and along with the enclosure bracket (112).

2. The mounting system (102) of Claim 1, wherein the mounting frame (106) is slidable to a first sliding position such that the enclosure bracket (112) is unaligned with the plate light opening (130).

3. The mounting system (102) of Claim 2, wherein the mounting frame (106) is slidable to a second sliding position such that the enclosure bracket (112) is aligned with the plate light opening (130).

4. The mounting system (102) of Claim 3, wherein the enclosure bracket (112) is slidable to a first locked position relative to the enclosure attachment section (110) such that the enclosure bracket (112) is positioned entirely on a same side of the mounting plate as the enclosure attachment section (110).2024PF80051215. The mounting system (102) of Claim 4, wherein the enclosure bracket (112) is slidable to a second locked position relative to the enclosure attachment section (110) such that the enclosure bracket (112) extends through the plate light opening (130).

6. The mounting system (102) of Claim 2, wherein, when the lighting device is attached to the base frame section and the mounting frame is in the first sliding position, the lighting device is positioned to emit a light through the plate light opening (130).

7. The mounting system (102) of Claim 1, wherein the retention brackets are spaced from each other and wherein portions of the base frame section are positioned between the mounting plate and the retention brackets.

8. The mounting system (102) of Claim 1, further comprising an attachment post (228) extending from the mounting frame (118), wherein the mounting frame is securely attached to the attachment post by a thumb screw and wherein the thumb screw is removed from the attachment post to slide the mounting frame relative to the retention brackets.

9. The mounting system (102) of Claim 1, wherein the base frame section comprises retention bumps that are sized to fit in bump holes of the retention brackets to resist unintended sliding movements of the mounting frame relative to the retention brackets.

10. The mounting system (102) of Claim 1, wherein the enclosure attachment section (110) comprises retention bumps that are sized to fit in bump holes of the enclosure bracket (112) to resist unintended sliding movements of the enclosure bracket relative to the enclosure attachment section.

11. A lighting system (100), comprising a lighting device (104); an electrical assembly (140); and a mounting system (102), comprising: a mounting plate (118) having a plate light opening (130); retention brackets (114, 116) attached to the mounting plate; a mounting frame (106) comprising a base frame section (108) and an enclosure attachment section (110) that extends up from the base frame section, wherein the2024PF8005122 base frame section is retained on the mounting plate by the retention brackets, wherein the mounting frame is slidable on the mounting plate relative to the retention brackets, and wherein the lighting device is attached to the base frame section such that the lighting device moves along with the mounting frame; and an enclosure bracket (112) slidably attached to the enclosure attachment section (110), wherein the electrical assembly (140) is attached to the enclosure bracket (112) such that electrical assembly moves along with the mounting frame and along with the enclosure bracket (112).

12. The lighting system of Claim 11, wherein the mounting frame is slidable to a first sliding position such that the electrical assembly is unaligned with the plate light opening (130) and such that the lighting device is positioned to emit a light through the plate light opening (130).

13. The lighting system of Claim 12, wherein the mounting frame is slidable to a second sliding position such that the electrical assembly is aligned with the plate light opening (130) and such that the lighting device is unaligned with the plate light opening (130).

14. The lighting system of Claim 13, wherein the enclosure bracket (112) is slidable to a first locked position relative to the enclosure attachment section (110) such that the electrical assembly (140) is positioned entirely on a same side of the mounting plate as the enclosure attachment section (110).

15. The lighting system of Claim 14, wherein the enclosure bracket (112) is slidable to a second locked position relative to the enclosure attachment section (110) such that the electrical assembly (140) extends through the plate light opening (130).

Images