Universal Light Fixture Mounting Clips for Retrofit and Outlet Boxes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers and electricians face challenges in installing light fixtures due to the need for different fixtures for new construction, retrofit, and electrical outlet box installations, leading to increased inventory and installation time and costs.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a variety of clips, clips, installation plates, and junction boxes that can be adapted for attaching LED, incandescent, fluorescent, or HID lamps to ceilings, recessed lighting fixture housings, or electrical outlet boxes, allowing for retrofit, new construction, and electrical outlet box applications with a single fixture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different light fixtures and accessories are used for new construction, retrofit, and electrical outlet box installations, then the installation can be properly adapted to each specific application, but the inventory requirements increase and installation time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single light fixture body that can accommodate multiple installation types (new construction, retrofit, and electrical outlet box installations) through interchangeable mounting adapters. The fixture body serves multiple functions by accepting different adapter types that interface with various installation environments, eliminating the need for completely different fixture designs for each application category.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the light fixture into a universal body portion and distinct mounting adapter components. This allows the main fixture to remain consistent while only the adapter portion needs to be changed based on installation type, reducing inventory complexity by keeping the majority of the fixture design standardized across all applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different light fixtures and accessories are used for new construction, retrofit, and electrical outlet box installations, then the installation can be properly adapted to each specific application, but the installation time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the light fixture body with standardized mounting interfaces and attachment points that are designed in advance to work with multiple adapter types. This pre-planning allows installers to simply swap adapters rather than modify the entire fixture during installation, significantly reducing on-site installation time and complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different light fixtures and accessories are used for new construction, retrofit, and electrical outlet box installations, then the installation can be properly adapted to each specific application, but the money and resources spent increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single light fixture body that can accommodate multiple installation types (new construction, retrofit, and electrical outlet box installations) through interchangeable mounting adapters. The fixture body serves multiple functions by accepting different adapter types that interface with various installation environments, eliminating the need for completely different fixture designs for each application category.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies merging by combining the universal fixture body with multiple adapter options into a single integrated system. Rather than maintaining separate inventory for different fixture types, the system merges the common components into one base design that can be configured for different applications through adapter selection, reducing total inventory quantity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces inventory needs, saves time and money by allowing a single fixture to serve multiple installation types, eliminating the need for additional accessories and components.
Implementation Method 1
torsion spring retrofit clips
Implementation Method 2
friction retrofit clips
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus to attach a light fixture to a ceiling, a recessed lighting fixture housing, or a ceiling, wall, or floor electrical outlet box. The apparatus may include one or a plurality of retrofit clips (102) and (103), new construction clips (104), connecting posts (106), a junction box (116), twist connectors (118) an installation clamp (1409), an installation plate (1402), a mounting bracket (1404), wire nuts (1407), threaded pipes (1405) & (1410), lock nuts (1406), threaded coupling (1408), and other common accessories known by those skilled in the art. The retrofit clips (102) and (103) are adaptable to attach with a body (108) or a complete fixture (112), (901) and (902) by one or more of screwing, riveting, welding, gluing, or other suitable attachment methods into one or more of screw holes (110), if provided, or directly attached to a body (108) or directly attached to a complete light fixture (112), (901) & (902). The connecting posts (106), if provided, may hold new construction clips (104); and the body (108) and complete fixture (112), (901) & (902) may be of various designs, shapes, sizes, thicknesses, and materials. The junction box (116) may hold input connection wires (1202). The junction box (116) may comprise a plurality of output wires (119), with or without protective sleeves. The twist connector (118), if provided, attaches the output wires (119) of the junction box (116) to the input wires (120), with or without protective sleeves, of the body (108) or complete fixture (112), (901) and (902).