AU2020104164A4 - Adjustable Downlight Fixture - Google Patents

Abstract

A downlight fixture comprising: a mounting assembly for mounting the downlight fixture in a hole in a ceiling, the mounting assembly comprising an upper mounting portion and a lower mounting portion; a frame configured to support a lamp assembly, the frame having a convex portion facing outwardly at a lower end of the frame, the convex portion being supported between the upper mounting portion and the lower mounting portion; wherein the mounting assembly is configured to be adjustable between: a closed configuration in which the upper mounting portion and the lower mounting portion clamp the convex portion to fix the frame in place within the mounting assembly; and an open configuration in which the upper mounting portion is spaced further from the lower mounting portion than in the closed configuration, allowing the frame to be rotated within the mounting assembly. 27 1/14 10 16 14 19 12 13 11 17F18 FIGURE 1

Description

1/14

10

16

14

19

12

13

11

17F18

FIGURE 1

ADJUSTABLE DOWNLIGHT FIXTURE

Field of Invention

The invention relates to downlights and in particular, but not exclusively, to downlights that are directional and capable of adjustment to provide differing lighting capabilities.

Background to the Invention

Downlights are ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures that can be recessed into a ceiling cavity and shine downwards into a room. Downlights have become widespread because they are a stylish source of effective lighting. They are also unobtrusive because they do not protrude into a room to the extent of other types oflight fixture.

Downlights are used in many different situations, including residential and commercial buildings. They can be installed in both new and existing constructions by mounting in a ceiling panel or other ceiling installation.

Conventional downlight fixtures include a mounting ring for mounting the downlight in a hole in a ceiling and a frame that supports a lamp assembly above the mounting ring. The lamp assembly may be an LED lamp, or a lamp socket configured to receive a light bulb, for example. Downlight fixtures often also include a lamp housing (sometimes known as a reflector) with a reflective inner surface to channel light downwards into a room.

In some downlights the frame, lamp housing and LEDs or lap socket are fixed in place relative to the mounting ring such that thedownlight can only direct light straight downwards.

In some downlights the frame may be mounted on a horizontal axle such that the frame can partly rotate around a horizontal axis defined by the axle. The frame may also be mounted to rotate within the mounting ring about a vertical axis. The combination of the horizontal axis of rotation and the vertical axis of rotation results in a downlight that can be moved through a series of horizontal and vertical rotations until it directs light in the desired direction.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved adjustabledownlight fixture. Alternatively, it is an

object of the invention to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary of the Invention

A problem with prior art rotatable downlights of the type described above is that, while thedownlight

direction can be adjusted to direct light in a range of directions, the rotation of the frame about a

vertical axis may result in twisting of electrical wiring connected to the lamp assembly in the frame.

Additionally, some downlights that are adjustable in this manner have stops to prevent the frame from

rotating through more than 360 degrees about the vertical axis, to prevent indefinite rotation and

indefinite twisting of wiring. These stops may limit the range of rotation of the frame about the vertical

axis to less than 360 degrees (e.g. 350 degrees), meaning the downlight can be adjusted to direct light

towards most directions but not all. This type ofdownlight may also have a large number of components

to allow relative movement of parts about both a horizontal and a vertical axis.

Some existing adjustable downlights have a rotatable frame that is held in a desired orientation by static

friction between the frame and the component(s) to which the frame is mounted. To adjust the angle of

this type of downlight, a user pushes or pulls the frame into a desired orientation, after which inherent

friction between the frame and mounting components prevents misalignment. Somedownlights have

heavy heatsinks mounted to the frame. In downlights with a rotating frame held at an angle by friction

only, a heavy heatsink may have a tendency to fall sideward with respect to the mounting ring,

misaligning the frame, due to a lack of sufficient friction.

It may also be difficult or cumbersome to adjust some prior artdownlight fixtures.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided adownlight fixture comprising:

a mounting assembly for mounting the downlight fixture in a hole in a ceiling, the mounting assembly comprising an upper mounting portion and a lower mounting portion;

a frame configured to support a lamp assembly, the frame having a convex portion facing

outwardly at a lower end of the frame, the convex portion being supported between the upper

mounting portion and the lower mounting portion;

wherein the mounting assembly is configured to be adjustable between:

a closed configuration in which the upper mounting portion and the lower mounting

portion clamp the convex portion to fix the frame in place within the mounting assembly; and an open configuration in which the upper mounting portion is spaced further from the lower mounting portion than in the closed configuration, allowing the frame to be rotated within the mounting assembly.

Preferably, the convex portion comprises a convex spherical portion.

Preferably, the upper mounting portion comprises a concave spherical upper portion facing inwardly.

Preferably, the lower mounting portion comprises a concave spherical lower portion facing inwardly.

Preferably, the concave spherical upper portion and the concave spherical lower portion have

substantially the same radius of curvature.

Preferably the concave spherical upper portion and the concave spherical lower portion have

substantially the same radius of curvature as the convex spherical portion of the frame.

Preferably, when the mounting assembly is in the open configuration, the concave spherical upper

portion and the concave spherical lower portion are positioned to be substantially co-spherical.

Preferably, when the mounting assembly is in the closed configuration, the concave spherical upper

portion and the concave spherical lower portion are positioned to be not co-spherical.

Preferably, the convex spherical portion of the frame, and the upper mounting portion and the lower

mounting portion of the mounting assembly, form a ball-and-socket connection.

Preferably, the upper mounting portion is ring-shaped.

Preferably, the lower mounting portion is ring-shaped.

Preferably, the upper mounting portion and the lower mounting portion are connected by a mounting

assembly adjustment means.

Preferably, the mounting assembly adjustment means comprises a plurality of screws.

Preferably, the mounting assembly is adjustable between the open configuration and the closed

configuration by tightening or loosening of the screws.

Preferably, the lower mounting portion comprises a flange at a lower side of the lower mounting

portion, an upper side of the flange configured to abut an underside of the ceiling.

Preferably, the mounting assembly comprises one or more biased arms configured to engage an upper

side of the ceiling and pull the flange towards the underside of the ceiling.

Preferably, the downlight fixture further comprises a ring plate detachably mounted underneath the

lower mounting portion.

Preferably, the ring plate hides the mounting assembly adjustment means when thedownlight fixture is

mounted in the hole in the ceiling.

Preferably, the downlight fixture further comprises a lamp housing detachably mounted to the frame.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of installing an adjustable

downlight fixture comprising: mounting a downlight fixture in a hole by inserting into the hole a mounting assembly

comprising an upper mounting portion and a lower mounting portion, the upper mounting portion and

lower mounting portion supporting a convex portion of a frame, the convex portion facing outwardly,

the frame supporting a lamp assembly;

clamping the convex portion of the frame to fix the frame in place within the mounting

assembly by moving the upper mounting portion and lower mounting portion closer together.

In some embodiments, the method comprises rotating the frame relative to the mounting assembly

prior to clamping the convex portion of the frame, such that the downlight directs light at a desired

angle.

Preferably, the method comprises moving the upper mounting portion and lower mounting portion

closer together with a mounting assembly adjustment means accessible from below thedownlight

fixture.

In some embodiments, the convex portion of the frame comprises a convex spherical portion and the

method comprises clamping the convex spherical portion of the frame.

Preferably, the method comprises attaching a ring plate to the lower mounting portion of the mounting

assembly such that the mounting assembly adjustment means is hidden from view from below the

downlight fixture when the downlight fixture is mounted in the hole in the ceiling.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided adownlight fixture comprising:

a mounting assembly for mounting the downlight fixture in a hole in a ceiling, the mounting

assembly comprising an upper mounting portion and a lower mounting portion;

a frame configured to support a lamp assembly, the frame being supported between the upper

mounting portion and the lower mounting portion;

wherein the mounting assembly is configured to be adjustable between:

a closed configuration in which the upper mounting portion and the lower mounting

portion clamp the frame in place within the mounting assembly; and

an open configuration in which the upper mounting portion is spaced further from the

lower mounting portion than in the closed configuration, allowing the frame to be rotated

within the mounting assembly;

wherein the mounting assembly comprises: a pair of arms configured to engage an upper side of the ceiling and pull the

flange towards the underside of the ceiling;

a spring biasing each arm downwardly towards the upper side of the ceiling, the

spring having one or more ends restrained by a spring retaining portion of the mounting

assembly;

wherein when the mounting assembly is adjustable to move the upper mounting portion away

from the lower mounting portion sufficiently to release the one or more ends of each spring from the

spring retaining portion such that the arms are no longer biased downwardly.

Further aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become

apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following description which provides at least one

example of a practical application of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

One or more embodiments of the invention will be described below by way of example only, and

without intending to be limiting, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustration of a downlight fixture according to one embodiment of

the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view illustration of an upper mounting portion of a mounting assembly

of the downlight fixture shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustration of a lower mounting portion of a mounting assembly of

the downlight fixture shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cutaway view illustration of the upper mounting portion shown in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a cutaway view illustration of the lower mounting portion shown in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a perspective view illustration of a frame of thedownlight fixture shown in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a cutaway view illustration of the frame shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a cutaway view illustration of a mounting assembly of thedownlight fixture shown in

Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a cutaway view illustration of the mounting assembly and the frame of thedownlight

fixture;

Figure 10 is a cross section view illustration of a mounting assembly adjustment means of the

mounting assembly of the downlight fixture shown in Figure 1;

Figure 11 is a cross section view illustration of a portion of the mounting assembly of the

downlight fixture shown in Figure 1 with a ring plate attached to the lower mounting

portion;

Figure 12 is a perspective view illustration of a ring plate of thedownlight fixture shown in Figure

1;

Figure 13 is a perspective view illustration of the lower mounting portion of thedownlight fixture

shown in Figure 1;

Figure 14 is a perspective view illustration of the lamp housing of thedownlight fixture shown in

Figure 1; and

Figure 15 is a perspective view illustration of an underside of the frame of thedownlight fixture

shown in Figure 1;

Figure 16a is a perspective view illustration of one side of the mounting assembly of thedownlight

fixture shown in Figure 1, with no torsion spring shown;

Figure 16b is a perspective view illustration of one side of the mounting assembly of thedownlight

fixture shown in Figure 16a, with torsion spring shown;

Figure 17 is a cross section view illustration of one side of the mounting assembly of thedownlight fixture shown in Figure 1 when the mounting assembly is in an open configuration; and

Figure 18 is a cross section view illustration of one side of the mounting assembly of thedownlight

fixture shown in Figure 1 when the mounting assembly is in a closed configuration.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

In the following description, the invention will be described with reference to its use as a downlight in a ceiling. This is one common way the invention is expected to be used but it should be understood that

this is not limiting to the invention. The "downlight" fixture that is the subject of the invention may be

used in any situation, for example, it may be mounted in a wall, floor or other building structure.

Reference to relative positional terms such as "above", "under" or the like when used in this

specification should be understood to refer to thedownlight fixture in a ceiling-mounted, orientation

and therefore are not limiting to the invention if the fixture is used in a different situation.

Downlight Fixture

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustration of a downlight fixture 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. Downlight fixture 10 comprises a mounting assembly 11 for mounting thedownlight fixture in a hole in a ceiling or other building structure. Figure 8 is a perspective cutaway view of the mounting assembly 11in a closed configuration. The mounting assembly 11 comprises an upper mounting portion 12 and a lower mounting portion 13. The upper mounting portion 12 is shown in isolation in Figure 2 and the lower mounting portion 13 as shown in isolation in Figure 3. As illustrated, each of the upper mounting portion 12 and the lower mounting portion 13 are generally ring-shaped.

The downlight fixture 10 also includes a frame 14 configured to support a lamp assembly 15. The lamp assembly 15 in the illustrated example comprises an LED lamp (not shown) and a heatsink 16. In some embodiments, the lamp assembly 15 may include a lamp housing 17 (also known as a reflector). In other embodiments, the lamp housing 17 may not be part of the lamp assembly 15 and may instead be supported by the frame 14 separately from the lamp assembly 15. The frame 14 is shown in isolation in Figure 6.

Cutaway views of the upper mounting portion 12, lower mounting portion 13 and frame 14 are shown in Figures 4, 5 and 7 respectively.

The frame 14 may comprise a convex portion facing outwardly at a lower end of the frame 14. The convex portion may be spherical. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the frame 14 comprises a convex spherical portion 18 at a lower end thereof. In other embodiments the convex portion may be non spherical, although may still comprise a convex surface that is outwardly-facing.

The convex spherical portion 18 comprises a convex part-spherical surface facing outwardly with respect to the frame 14. In this specification a "spherical portion" will be understood to mean a portion that comprises a surface that is spherical or part-spherical. In this embodiment of the invention, the convex spherical portion 18 is provided around an entire periphery of the frame 14. In other embodiments of the invention, the frame 14 may comprise a plurality of spherical portions provided around different portions of a periphery of the frame 14 that are co-spherical with each other. As shown in Figure 6, the convex spherical portion 18 may be provided around a lower periphery of the frame 14. In this specification, two or more surfaces are "co-spherical" if they are shaped, oriented and located relative to each other such that they lie on the same (theoretical) sphere.

As shown in Figure 1, the frame 14 is configured to support the lamp assembly 15 at an upper end of the

frame 14 by conventional means. While not shown in the figures, the lamp assembly 15 comprises an

LED lamp such as the type consisting or an array of individual LEDS. In other embodiments of the

invention, the lamp assembly 15 may comprise a lamp socket configured to receive a lightbulb located

within the lamp housing 17. The lamp socket may be configured to receive other types of lamps, e.g. screw bulbs, bayonet bulbs, spotlights, halogen lights or any other light emitting device. When the lamp

assembly 15 is assembled to and supported by the frame 14, the heatsink 16 of the lamp assembly 15

may be provided above an upper end of the frame 14, as shown in Figure 1, in thermal contact with the

light emitting device.

In this example the frame 14 comprises a single part. In other embodiments, the frame 14 may comprise

two frame members on opposing sides of the downlight fixture 10 supporting between them a lamp

assembly. In other embodiments, the frame may comprise other numbers of sub-components.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a lower end of the lamp housing 17 is proximate the

lower end of the frame 14. The lower end of the lamp housing 17 is proximate the convex spherical

portion 18 of the frame 14. Lamp housing 17 may have a reflective interior surface to channel light

downwards into the room, as is known in the art. For this reason, lamp housing 17 may be referred to as a reflector. However, the invention includes embodiments in which the interior surface of the lamp

housing is not reflective.

Mounting assembly 11 is configured to support the frame 14. In particular, the upper mounting portion

12 and the lower mounting portion 13 are configured to engage with and support the frame 14. Figure 9

is a cutaway view illustration showing the mounting assembly 11 supporting the frame 14. As illustrated,

the convex spherical portion 18 of the frame 14 is configured to be supported between the upper

mounting portion 12 and the lower mounting portion 13 of the mounting assembly 11. Accordingly, the

frame 14 is configured to support the lamp assembly 15 above the mounting assembly 11 and the hole

in the ceiling or other building structure within which the downlight fixture 10 is mounted.

As shown in Fig. 3, 8, 9 and 10, the lower mounting portion 13 comprises a flange 23 at a lower side

thereof. The flange 23 limits the extent to which thedownlight fixture can be inserted into the ceiling.

The flange 23 prevents upward movement of the downlight in the hole over time, for example caused

by vibrations. An upper side of the flange 23 is configured to abut an underside of the ceiling when the downlight fixture is installed. As will be described below, the mounting assembly 11 comprises one or more biased arms 24 configured to engage an upper side of the ceiling and pull the flange 23 towards the underside of the ceiling.

Adjustment of Downlight Direction

Mounting assembly 11 is able to be adjusted to enable adjustment of the frame 14 within the mounting

assembly 11. In particular, the mounting assembly 11is able to be adjusted between a closed

configuration and an open configuration. Figure 17 shows a cross section view illustration of one side of

the mounting assembly 11in an open configuration and Figure 18 shows the same portion of the

mounting assembly 11 in a closed configuration.

In the closed configuration, the upper mounting portion 12 and the lower mounting portion 13 are

positioned relatively close together (compared to their positions in the open configuration) and clamp the convex portion of the frame 14. The upper mounting portion 12 and the lower mounting portion 13

clamp the convex portion to fix the frame 14 in place within the mounting assembly 11. In the closed

configuration, friction prevents the convex portion from moving, locking the frame 14 in place. In the

illustrated embodiment, the upper mounting portion 12 and the lower mounting portion 13 clamp the

convex spherical portion 18 in the closed configuration of the mounting assembly 11.

In the open configuration, the upper mounting portion 12 and the lower mounting portion 13 do not

clamp the convex portion of the frame. In the open configuration, the upper mounting portion 12 is

spaced further from the lower mounting portion 13 than in the closed configuration. This allows the

frame 14 to be rotated within the mounting assembly 10. In the open configuration, the orientation of

the frame 14 can be adjusted by a user. The frame 14 can be rotated to direct light towards a desired

direction by adjusting the orientation of the frame 14 with respect to the mounting assembly 10.

In this embodiment of the invention, the convex spherical portion 18 of the frame 14, and the upper

mounting portion 12 and the lower mounting portion 13 of mounting assembly 11, form a ball-and

socket connection.

As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 8 in particular, the upper mounting portion 12 comprises a concave

spherical upper portion 21facing inwardly. The concave spherical upper portion 21 may be provided

around an interior periphery of the upper mounting portion 12. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the concave spherical upper portion 21 is provided around the entire interior periphery of the upper mounting portion 12.

The lower mounting portion 13 comprises a concave spherical lower portion 22 facing inwardly. The

concave spherical lower portion 22 may be provided around an interior periphery of the lower mounting

portion 13. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the concave spherical lower portion 22 is provided around the entire interior periphery of the lower mounting portion 13.

The concave spherical upper portion 21 and the concave spherical lower portion 22 of the mounting

assembly 11 together form the "socket" portion of the ball-and-socket connection. The convex spherical

portion 18 of the frame 14 forms the "ball" portion of the ball-and socket connection.

In other embodiments of the invention, either or both of the concave spherical upper portion 21 and the

concave spherical lower portion 22 are each formed in two or more discrete spherical portions that are

co-spherical with each other.

In further alternative embodiments of the invention, the upper mounting portion 12 and the lower

mounting portion 13 comprise surfaces having other shapes. In some embodiments, either or both of

the upper mounting portion 12 and the lower mounting portion 13 comprise conical surfaces, curved non-spherical surfaces and/or planar surfaces configured to engage the convex portion of the frame 14.

In some embodiments, the convex portion of the frame 14 comprises one or more surfaces having a

non-spherical convex shape configured to engage with corresponding surfaces of the upper mounting

portion 12 and the lower mounting portion 13.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the concave spherical upper portion 21 and the concave

spherical lower portion 22 have substantially the same radius of curvature. Additionally, the concave

spherical upper portion 21 and the concave spherical lower portion 22 have substantially the same

radius of curvature as the convex spherical portion 18 of the frame 14. In other embodiments of the

invention any one or more of the concave spherical upper portion 21, the concave spherical lower

portion 22 and the convex spherical portion 18 of the frame 14 may have a different radius of curvature

from the other components.

When the mounting assembly 11 is in the open configuration as shown in Figure 17, the concave

spherical upper portion 21 and the concave spherical lower portion 22 may be positioned to be substantially co-spherical. That is, the spherical surfaces of the concave spherical upper portion 21 and the concave spherical lower portion 22 are positioned with respect to each other such that they form portions of the same imaginary sphere. When the mounting assembly 11 is in the open configuration and the concave upper spherical portion 21 and concave spherical lower portion 22 are co-spherical (or spaced further apart from each other than required for the surfaces to be co-spherical), the convex spherical portion 18 of the frame 14 is held loosely enough that the convex spherical portion 18 can rotate within the mounting assembly 11. This allows for the orientation of the frame 14 with respect to the mounting assembly 11 to be adjusted. A user can change the general direction of the light emitted by the downlight fixture 10 in this configuration.

When the mounting assembly 11 is in the closed configuration as shown in Figure 18, the concave

spherical upper portion 21 and the concave spherical lower portion 22 may be positioned to be not co

spherical. That is, the spherical surfaces of the concave spherical upper portion 21 and the concave

spherical lower portion 22 may be spaced closer to each other than required for them to form portions

of the same imaginary sphere. When the mounting assembly 11 is in this closed configuration, the

convex spherical portion 18 of the frame 14 is clamped by the mounting assembly 11 such that it is not

able to rotate within the mounting assembly 11. When a user adjusts the mounting assembly 11 to the

closed configuration, after rotating the frame 14 to the desired orientation, the upper mounting portion

12 and the lower mounting portion 13 lock the frame 14 in the desired orientation so that thedownlight shines light in the desired direction. Figures 8 and 9 show the mounting assembly 11 in the closed

configuration. As shown in Figure 9, the frame 14 is held in an orientation in which the lamp assembly

(not shown) would direct light at an angle with respect to a vertical axis of the mounting assembly

11.

The connection between the frame 14 and the mounting assembly 11 enables the frame 14 to be

rotated with respect to the mounting assembly 11 in a plurality of axes of rotation. Advantageously, the

frame 14 can be rotated about a plurality of horizontal axes about rotation in the manner of a ball-and

socket joint. The ability for a user to rotate the frame 14 about multiple horizontal axes may

advantageously enable the user to adjust the orientation of the frame 14 without risking electrical wires

being tangled. In some downlights which require the user to rotate a lamp assembly about a vertical axis

when adjusting the angle of the downlight, there may be a risk of twisting or tangling electrical wires

connected to the lamp assembly. Furthermore, since the frame 14 can be rotated about a plurality of

horizontal axes as part of a ball-and-socket joint, the frame 14 can be advantageously angled towards a

full 360-degree range of angles about the vertical axis. In contrast, some prior artdownlights which rotate about a vertical axis have stops to prevent over-rotation which also limit the range of rotation to less than 360 degrees about the vertical axis.

Additionally, the ability to clamp the frame 14 in place by adjusting the mounting assembly 11 (using the

mounting assembly adjustment means 19 described below) allows the mounting assembly 11 to

advantageously hold a frame 14 with a heavy heatsink securely. Some prior artdownlights with heavy heatsinks that do not include clamping means may be prone to misalignment.

It may also be easier to adjust the angle of thedownlight fixture 10 in comparison to some prior art

downlights, since the user can simply push or pull the frame 14 directly towards the desired illumination

direction without requiring a series of rotations about a horizontal axis and a vertical axis.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper mounting portion 12 and the lower mounting

portion 13 are connected by a mounting assembly adjustment means 19. The mounting assembly 11 is

adjustable via the mounting assembly adjustment means 19.

The mounting assembly adjustment means 19 may comprise a plurality of screws. Mounting assembly

11may be adjustable between the open configuration and the closed configuration by tightening or

loosening of the screws.

The downlight fixture 10 comprises a pair of screws 20, one screw 20 provided on either side of the

mounting assembly 11. Figure 10 is a cross section view through one of the screws 20 forming part of a

mounting assembly adjustment means 19 of the downlight fixture 10. The screw 20 shown in Figure 10

is coupled with a nut 21. As illustrated, the screw 20 has screwed into the nut 21 and the mounting

assembly 11is in a closed configuration. The nut 21 is fixed in location and orientation with respect to

the upper mounting portion 12. As a result, tightening of the screw 20 pulls the upper mounting portion

12 and the lower mounting portion 13 together. Loosening of the screw 20 allows the upper mounting

portion 12 and the lower mounting portion 13 to move apart from each other.

The heads of the screw 20 are accessible from underneath thedownlight fixture 10, allowing the user to

turn the screws from within the room in which thedownlight is installed. A user can loosen the screws

to adjust the mounting assembly 11 to the open configuration, rotate the frame 14 to change its

orientation, and then tighten the screws 22 to adjust the mounting assembly 11 to the closed

configuration.

In some embodiments of the invention, the mounting assembly adjustment means 19 may additionally

or alternatively comprise small levers or another suitable mechanism to pull the upper mounting portion

12 and the lower mounting portion 13 together. Screws 20 may be advantageous because they may be

relatively low-cost, small, low profile and can be easily hidden.

In some embodiments of the invention, the mounting assembly adjustment means 19 may comprise

screws 20 that directly co-operate with threaded portions of the upper mounting portion 12. Tightening

of the screws 20 would thread the screws 20 further into the upper mounting portion 12, thereby

pulling the lower mounting portion 13 towards the upper mounting portion 12.

Also shown in Figure 10, the flange 23 is provided to a lower side of the lower mounting portion 13.

Figure 10 also shows a biased arm 24 connected to the upper mounting portion 12. Mounting assembly

11 comprises a pair of biased arms 24 configured to engage an upper side of the ceiling or other building

structure in which the downlight fixture 10 installed. The biased arms 24 are configured to push

downwards against the ceiling, thereby pulling the mounting assembly 11 upwards. The biased arms 24

therefore pull flange 23 towards the underside of the ceiling or other building structure in which

downlight fixture 10 is installed. In this embodiment of the invention, the biased arms 24 and the first end pivotably attached to a pin 26 on the upper mounting portion 12 and a second end opposite the

first end. The biased arms 24 are biased to pivot about the pin such that the second end moves towards

the lower mounting portion 13.

In other embodiments of the invention, the mounting assembly 11may comprise features provided to

the lower mounting portion 13 configured to create a friction fit connection with the hole within which

the mounting assembly 11is inserted. This may mean that biased arms 24 are not required, although

they could also still be provided as an additional measure. In other embodiments, mounting assembly 11

may be secured to framing within the ceiling cavity, either from within the ceiling cavity or through the

ceiling.

Figure 11 shows another cross-section view through the mounting assembly adjustment means 19. In

this view, the downlight fixture 11 comprises a ring plate 25. Ring plate 25 provides a facia to the

downlight fixture 10 as seen from below. The ring plate 25 is detachably mounted to and underneath

the lower mounting portion 13. Advantageously, the ring plate 25 hides the mounting assembly adjustment means 19 when the downlight fixture 10 is mounted in a hole. That is, the ring plate 25 covers the heads of the screws 20, which may be more aesthetically appealing than if the screws 20 were visible from underneath the downlight fixture 11.

Method of Installinga Downlight

A preferred embodiment of the invention is a method of installing thedownlight fixture 10 described

above.

The method may comprise mounting the downlight fixture 10 in a hole. This may be achieved by

inserting into the hole the mounting assembly 11, with the upper mounting portion 12 and the lower

mounting portion 13 of the mounting assembly 11 supporting the convex spherical portion of the frame

14. The frame 14 itself supports a lamp assembly 15.

Once the mounting assembly 11 has been inserted into the hole, biased arms 24 secure the mounting

assembly to the ceiling or other building structure around the hole.

The method then comprises clamping the convex spherical portion 18 of the frame 14 to fix the frame

14 in place within the mounting assembly 11. The convex spherical portion 18 may be fixed in both

orientation and position. The method comprises clamping the convex spherical portion 18 by adjusting

the mounting assembly from an open configuration to a closed configuration.

Prior to clamping the convex spherical portion 18, if the frame 14 is not in the desired orientation, the

method comprises rotating the frame 14 relative to the mounting assembly 11. The frame 14 may be

rotated such that the downlight directs light towards a desired direction, which may be at an angle to a

central axis of the mounting assembly 11.

During adjustment of the mounting assembly 11 from an open configuration to a closed configuration

(or vice versa), the method preferably comprises adjusting the mounting assembly 11 with a mounting

assembly adjustment means 19 accessible from below thedownlight fixture 10. Advantageously, this

means that access to the ceiling cavity may not be necessary.

After the mounting assembly 11 is adjusted, the method may comprise attaching the ring plate 25 to the

lower mounting portion 13 of the mounting assembly 11, such that the mounting assembly adjustment means 19 is hidden from view from below thedownlight fixture 10. Advantageously, this may make the visible portions of the downlight fixture 10 more aesthetically appealing.

Ring plate connection

Figure 12 shows the ring plate 25 in isolation. The ring plate 25 comprises a lower flange which is shaped

and sized to cover the flange 23 of the lower mounting portion 13, as shown in Figure 11.

The ring plate 25 also comprises an attachment portion 26 from which the lower flange extends

outwardly. The attachment portion 26 may be cylindrical and may comprise a vertical wall portion of the

ring plate 25. The attachment portion 26 may be relatively short in height. The ring plate 25 may

comprise a plurality of slots 27 formed in the attachment portion 26. As shown in Figure 12, ring plate

comprises three slots 27. Each slot 27 comprises a vertical entrance 29 and a horizontal portion 30.

Each slot 27 may be considered L-shaped. Each slot 27 is formed as an absence of material in the vertical wall portion of the attachment portion 26. Each slot 27 is open at the radially inward side,

radially outward side and at the vertical entrance 29. The slot 27 extends downwards from the vertical

entrance 29 at the top of the vertical wall portion forming the attachment portion 26 and then

horizontally in the horizontal portion 30 in a circumferential direction around the attachment portion

26.

The vertical entrance 29 of each slot 27 is configured to receive a horizontally projecting lug 28 of the

lower mounting portion 13. Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the underside of the lower

mounting portion 13. The lower mounting portion 13 comprises a plurality of lugs 28. In this

embodiment the lower mounting portion 13 comprises three lugs 28. The lugs 28 project horizontally

from a cylindrical wall of the lower mounting portion 13, as shown in Figure 13. The lugs 28 project

radially outward with respect to the cylindrical wall of the lower mounting portion 13.

The ring plate 25 is configured to be attached to the lower mounting portion 13 by engaging the lugs 28

with the slot 27 of the ring plate 25. The ring plate 25 is able to be aligned with the lower mounting

portion 13 such that each of the lugs 28 aligns with a vertical entrance 29 of a respective one of the slots

27. The ring plate 25 can then be moved upwardly such that the lugs 28 move to the lower ends of the

vertical entrances 29 of the slots 27. The ring plate 25 can then be rotated such that each lug 28 slides to

an end of the horizontal portion 30 of the respective slot 27. As the horizontal portions 30 are not open towards the top of the attachment portion 26, the ring plate 25 is secured vertically and unable to move downwardly away from the lower mounting portion 13.

In some existing downlights, lugs for securing a ring plate are provided to a horizontally projecting flange

of the ring plate itself and project in an upwards direction. Advantageously, as the lugs 28 in the

illustrated embodiment of the present invention are disposed horizontally, it may be possible to make the flange of the ring plate 25 thin, at least in comparison to some prior artdownlights. Since the ring

plate 25 is visible from within the room that thedownlight illuminates, a thin ring plate 25 may result in

a less obtrusive downlight fixture 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the horizontal portions 30 of the slots 27 are aligned substantially

horizontally. In alternative embodiments, the horizontal portion 30 are aligned horizontally and partially

downwardly. The partially downward alignment of each horizontal portion 30 forces the ring plate 25 in

an upward direction when a user rotates it to engage it with the lugs 28. The partially downward

alignment of each horizontal portion 30 results in a camming effect in which the upper surface of each

horizontal portion 30 functions as a cam surface to create an upward force on the ring plate 25 when it

is rotated with respect to the lugs 28. Advantageously this may result in a more secure fit of the ring

plate 25 to the lower mounting portion 13.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lugs 28 project horizontally in a radially outward direction from an

outwardly facing cylindrical wall of the lower mounting portion 13. The lugs 28 project outwards from

an inner wall of the lower mounting portion 13. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the lugs 28

project horizontally in a radially inward direction from an inwardly facing cylindrical wall of the lower

mounting portion 13, e.g. lugs 28 project inwards from an inner wall of the lower mounting portion 13.

In some embodiments of the invention, the ring plate 25 comprises a diffuser, a transparent sheet, a

coloured sheet, a lens or the like to modify a characteristic of the light emitted from the lamp assembly.

Lamp housing connection

The lamp housing 17 may connect to the frame 14 of thedownlight fixture 10. In particular, the lamp

housing 17 may connect to the lower end of the frame 14. The lamp housing 17 may connect to the

frame 14 in a similar manner to how the ring plate 25 connects to the lower mounting portion 13.

Figure 14 shows a perspective view of the lamp housing 17 in one embodiment of the invention. The

lamp housing 17 comprises a reflector portion 31 configured to reflect light from a lamp assembly of the

downlight fixture in a generally downward direction.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the lamp housing 17 comprises a reflector retaining ring 32

at a lower end thereof. The reflector retaining ring 32 may be connected to the reflector portion 31 with a press fit connection, a threaded connection or another suitable permanent or non-permanent

connection.

The reflector retaining ring 32 is configured to engage with the frame 14 of thedownlight fixture 10 to

support the lamp housing 17 within thedownlight fixture 10. The reflector retaining ring 32 comprises a

cylindrical wall portion having a plurality of slots 33. In this embodiment, the reflector retaining ring 32

comprises three slots 33, two of which are visible in Figure 14. Each slot 33 has a similar form to the

slots 27 provided to the retaining ring 25. Each slot 33 comprises a vertical portion having an upper

opening and a horizontal portion extending from a lower end of the vertical portion. The horizontal

portions of the slots 33 may each extend circumferentially along a portion of the cylindrical wall of the

reflector retaining ring 32.

Figure 15 shows the underside of the frame 14 of thedownlight fixture 10. The frame 14 comprises a plurality of lugs 34. In this embodiment, the frame comprises three lugs 34, two of which are visible in

Figure 15. The lugs 34 are provided to the lower portion of the frame 14. This embodiment the lugs 34

project inwardly from an inwardly facing cylindrical wall of the frame 14. The lugs 34 are provided to an

interior wall of the frame 14, the interior wall being inside of the wall forming the convex spherical

portion 18, as shown in Figure 15. The lugs 34 comprise a similar shape to the lugs 28 provided to the

lower mounting portion 13. The lugs 34 project radially inward from an inwardly facing wall of the frame

14.

Lugs 34 are configured to engage with the slots 33 of the reflector retaining ring 32 to enable the

reflector retaining ring 32 to be secured to the frame 14. During assembly, a user is able to insert the

lamp housing 17 within the frame 14 such that the slots 33 are aligned with the lugs 34. The user can

then push the lamp housing 17 upwards so that each lug 34 enters a vertical portion of a respective one

of the slots 33. Once the user has pushed the lamp housing 17 upwards so that the lugs 37 are each

located at a lower end of a respective vertical portion of a slot 33, the user can rotate the lamp housing

17 with respect to the frame 14 such that the lugs 37 are each located within and at an end of a horizontal portion of a respective slot 33. The reflector retaining ring 32 is then supported vertically on the lugs 34.

In other embodiments of the invention, lugs may be provided to the reflector retaining ring 32

projecting radially outwards and configured to be received within slots formed in the frame 14.

However, an advantage of the illustrated embodiment is that the slots are formed in a less complex cylindrical retaining ring of the lamp housing 17 rather than the lower portion of the frame 14 which has

a more complex spherical geometry. Additionally, some of the lower portion of frame 14 may be visible

in use when the downlight is directed at an angle to the vertical. If slots were formed in the lower

portion of the frame 14, they may be visible in some configurations of thedownlight, which may be

aesthetically unappealing. In further alternative embodiment, the lamp housing 17 may connect to the

frame 14 by a threaded connection interior to the frame 14.

In some embodiments of the invention, the reflector retaining ring 32 comprises a diffuser, a

transparent sheet, a coloured sheet, a lens or the like to modify a characteristic of the light emitted

from the lamp assembly.

Disengagement of biased arms

Figure 16a shows a perspective view of a portion of the mounting assembly 11 to which a biased arm 24

is connected. There are two such portions in the mounting assembly 11 of thedownlight fixture 10

shown in Figure 1, as there are two biased arms 24 diametrically opposed on either side of the mounting

assembly 11. Other embodiments may comprise one biased arm 24, or three or more biased arms 24.

As shown in Figure 16a, the biased arm 24 is connected to the mounting portion 11 by a pin 35. The pin

is supported by the upper mounting portion 12. The pin 35 passes through a pair of holes formed in

spaced apart supports on the upper mounting portion 12.

The mounting assembly 11 also comprises a torsion spring 40 (not shown in Fig. 16a but shown in Fig.

16b) connected to the biased arm 24. The torsion spring 40 biases the biased arm 24 downwards so

that, in use, the biased arm 24 presses down on the upper side of a ceiling or other building structure in

which the downlight fixture 10 is installed, securing the mounting assembly 11 and downlight fixture 10

within the hole in which it is mounted.

A central portion 41 of the torsion spring 40 lies in use against an upper surface 36 of the biasing arm

24. On either side of the central portion 41of the torsion spring 40 are helical portions 42. The helical

portions 42 may be provided around the pin 35. That is, the pin 35 may be located inside of the helical

portions 42 of the torsion spring 40. At the end of each helical portion 42 away from the central portion

41of the torsion spring 40 may be an end 43 of the torsion spring 40. The ends 43 of the torsion spring

may be restrained in use behind respective spring retaining portions 37 of the mounting assembly 11, one of which is visible in Figures 16a and 16b, although both of which are visible in Figure 3. Only one

end 43 of the torsion spring 40 is visible in Figure 16b, the other end 43 being hidden behind the biased

arm 24 due to the angle from which the mounting assembly is viewed in Figure 16b. The spring retaining

portions 37 prevent the ends of the torsion spring 40 from moving towards the biased arm 24. This

results in the biased arms 24 being biased downward, since raising of the biased arms 24 would result in

twisting of the torsion spring 40.

In this embodiment, the spring retaining portions 37 are provided to the lower mounting portion 13 of

the mounting assembly 11. The height of the spring retaining portions 37 is sufficient to restrain the

ends 43 of the torsion spring 40 when the mounting assembly 11 is in either a closed configuration or an

open configuration. Advantageously, this enables the mounting assembly 11 to be adjusted to the open

configuration while remaining mounted in a ceiling or other building structure.

In this embodiment, the torsion spring 40 is able to be released from the spring retaining portions 37

from under the ceiling in which thedownlight fixture 10 is mounted. Advantageously, this allows the

downlight fixture 10 to be removed from the ceiling without the need to access thedownlight fixture 10

from within the ceiling cavity.

The torsion spring 40 is able to be released using the mounting assembly adjustment means 19. Figure

shows the mounting assembly adjustment means 19. As has been described above, screw 20 is able

to be turned to increase a spacing between the upper mounting portion 12 and the lower mounting

portion 13 of the mounting assembly 11. Since the torsion spring 40 is attached to the biased arms 24

and the pin 35, when the upper mounting portion 12 moves away from the lower mounting portion 13,

the torsion spring 40 also moves upwards away from the lower mounting portion 13. The spring

retaining portions 37 are tall enough to retain the ends 43 of the torsion spring 40 when necessary, but

low enough that they allow the ends 43 of the torsion spring 40 to be released if a user adjusts the

mounting assembly 11 to move the upper mounting portion 12 sufficiently far away from the lower

mounting portion 13. Once the ends 43 of the torsion spring 40 are free the biased arm 24 are no longer biased and can rotate to a vertical orientation that enables them to pass through the hole in which the downlight fixture 10 is mounted, advantageously enabling removal of the downlight fixture 10 without requiring access to the ceiling cavity.

To restrain the ends 43 of the torsion spring 40 again, a user can adjust the mounting assembly 11 to

bring the upper mounting portion 12 towards the lower mounting portion 13. In order to move the ends 43 of the torsion spring 40 into a restrained position behind the spring retaining portions 37, the user

can push the ends 43 of the torsion spring 40 around and behind the spring retaining portions 37.

Alongside of each spring retaining portion 37 is a slot 38. Each spring retaining portion 37 may be

located between a respective one of the slots 38 and the biased arm 24. The slots 38 are sized to enable

the ends of the torsion spring to pass from an outside of the lower mounting portion 13 to an inside of

the lower mounting portion 13, enabling them to be behind the spring retaining portions 37. Each spring

retaining portion 37 may comprise a lip 44 alongside the slot 38 configured to prevent the end 43 of the

torsion spring 40 from inadvertently being released from the spring retaining portion 37 via the slot 38.

The use of the mounting assembly adjustment means 19 to both allow adjustment of the illumination

direction of the downlight and allow the removal of the downlight fixture 10 from the hole in which it is

mounted, may avoid the need for separate adjustment mechanisms for these functions, which may

advantageously reduce the size and/or cost of thedownlight fixture 10, and may advantageously allow for easier installation and removal.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an

exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above and below, if any, are

herein incorporated by reference.

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement

or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of

endeavour in any country in the world.

The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or

indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of

two or more of said parts, elements or features.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known

equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments

described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be

made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its

attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within

the present invention.

Claims (25)

Claims

1. A downlight fixture comprising: a mounting assembly for mounting the downlight fixture in a hole in a ceiling, the mounting assembly comprising an upper mounting portion and a lower mounting portion; a frame configured to support a lamp assembly, the frame having a convex portion facing outwardly at a lower end of the frame, the convex portion being supported between the upper mounting portion and the lower mounting portion; wherein the mounting assembly is configured to be adjustable between: a closed configuration in which the upper mounting portion and the lower mounting portion clamp the convex portion to fix the frame in place within the mounting assembly; and an open configuration in which the upper mounting portion is spaced further from the lower mounting portion than in the closed configuration, allowing the frame to be rotated within the mounting assembly.

2. The downlight fixture of claim 1, wherein the convex portion comprises a convex spherical portion.

3. The downlight fixture of claim 2, wherein the upper mounting portion comprises a concave spherical upper portion facing inwardly.

4. The downlight fixture of claim 3, wherein the lower mounting portion comprises a concave spherical lower portion facing inwardly.

5. The downlight fixture of claim 4, wherein the concave spherical upper portion and the concave spherical lower portion have substantially the same radius of curvature.

6. The downlight fixture of claim 4 or 5, wherein the concave spherical upper portion and the concave spherical lower portion have substantially the same radius of curvature as the convex spherical portion of the frame.

7. The downlight fixture of any one of claims 4-6, wherein when the mounting assembly is in the

open configuration, the concave spherical upper portion and the concave spherical lower

portion are positioned to be substantially co-spherical.

8. The downlight fixture of any one of claims 4-7, wherein when the mounting assembly is in the

closed configuration, the concave spherical upper portion and the concave spherical lower portion are positioned to be not co-spherical.

9. The downlight fixture of any one of claims 4-8, wherein the convex spherical portion of the

frame, and the upper mounting portion and the lower mounting portion of the mounting

assembly, form a ball-and-socket connection.

10. The downlight fixture of any one of claims 1-9 wherein the upper mounting portion is ring

shaped.

11. The downlight fixture of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the lower mounting portion is ring

shaped.

12. The downlight fixture of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the upper mounting portion and the lower mounting portion are connected by a mounting assembly adjustment means.

13. The downlight fixture of claim 12, wherein the mounting assembly adjustment means comprises

a plurality of screws.

14. The downlight fixture of claim 13, wherein the mounting assembly is adjustable between the

open configuration and the closed configuration by tightening or loosening of the screws.

15. The downlight fixture of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the lower mounting portion comprises a

flange at a lower side of the lower mounting portion, an upper side of the flange configured to

abut an underside of the ceiling.

16. The downlight fixture of claim 15, wherein the mounting assembly comprises one or more

biased arms configured to engage an upper side of the ceiling and pull the flange towards the

underside of the ceiling.

17. The downlight fixture of any one of claims 13-16, wherein thedownlight fixture further

comprises a ring plate detachably mounted underneath the lower mounting portion.

18. The downlight fixture of claim 17, wherein the ring plate hides the mounting assembly

adjustment means when the downlight fixture is mounted in the hole in the ceiling.

19. The downlight fixture of any one of claims 1-18, wherein thedownlight fixture further comprises

a lamp housing detachably mounted to the frame.

20. A method of installing an adjustabledownlight fixture comprising:

mounting a downlight fixture in a hole by inserting into the hole a mounting assembly

comprising an upper mounting portion and a lower mounting portion, the upper mounting

portion and lower mounting portion supporting a convex portion of a frame, the convex portion

facing outwardly, the frame supporting a lamp assembly;

clamping the convex portion of the frame to fix the frame in place within the mounting

assembly by moving the upper mounting portion and lower mounting portion closer together.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the method comprises rotating the frame relative to the mounting assembly prior to clamping the convex portion of the frame, such that thedownlight

directs light at a desired angle.

22. The method of claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the method comprises moving the upper mounting

portion and lower mounting portion closer together with a mounting assembly adjustment

means accessible from below the downlight fixture.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the method comprises attaching a ring plate to the lower

mounting portion of the mounting assembly such that the mounting assembly adjustment

means is hidden from view from below thedownlight fixture when thedownlight fixture is

mounted in the hole.

24. The method of any one of claims 20-23, wherein the convex portion of the frame comprises a

convex spherical portion and the method comprises clamping the convex spherical portion of

the frame.

25. A downlight fixture comprising:

a mounting assembly for mounting the downlight fixture in a hole in a ceiling, the

mounting assembly comprising an upper mounting portion and a lower mounting portion;

a frame configured to support a lamp assembly, the frame being supported between the

upper mounting portion and the lower mounting portion; wherein the mounting assembly is configured to be adjustable between:

a closed configuration in which the upper mounting portion and the lower

mounting portion clamp the frame in place within the mounting assembly; and

an open configuration in which the upper mounting portion is spaced further

from the lower mounting portion than in the closed configuration, allowing the frame to

be rotated within the mounting assembly;

wherein the mounting assembly comprises:

a pair of arms configured to engage an upper side of the ceiling and pull the

flange towards the underside of the ceiling;

a spring biasing each arm downwardly towards the upper side of the ceiling, the

spring having one or more ends restrained by a spring retaining portion of the mounting

assembly;

wherein when the mounting assembly is adjustable to move the upper mounting

portion away from the lower mounting portion sufficiently to release the one or more ends of

each spring from the spring retaining portion such that the arms are no longer biased

downwardly.