Self-centering hyperbolic trim

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9784422-B2
Application number	US-201514630026-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 24, 2015
Priority date	Feb 27, 2014
Publication date	Oct 10, 2017
Grant date	Oct 10, 2017

Abstract

A self-centering hyperbolic trim assembly is provided for a recessed light fixture. The trim assembly includes a mixing chamber, a hyperbolic reflector and a reflector mounting assembly to mount the hyperbolic reflector without rigid attachment in an optic housing of the recessed light fixture. The mixing chamber is top mounted by its chamber holder portion over an LED light source in the optic housing. The mixing chamber has a light transmitting chamber body held within the chamber holder portion, whereby a space is formed between the chamber holder and the light transmitting chamber body. This space is sufficient to accept the free upper end of the hyperbolic reflector therein, thus creating a self-centering interference fit between the mixing chamber and the reflector, while protecting the LED light source, when the light fixture is assembled, thereby maintaining consistent light output and patterning.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A trim assembly for a recessed light fixture mountable in a ceiling, the recessed light fixture having an optic housing including therein an LED light source, the trim assembly comprising:
a hollow mixing chamber body, including a first end and an opposite second end,
the first end forming a first round chamber opening, the first round chamber opening being configured to receive light from the LED light source,
the second end forming a second round chamber opening that is at least as large as the first round chamber opening, the hollow mixing chamber body being configured to direct the light from the LED light source through the second end;

a chamber holder that includes:
an inner rim that defines a central through-hole therethrough, for the hollow mixing chamber body, and
an outer rim disposed outwardly from the inner rim, wherein the outer rim and the inner rim form a space therebetween,
wherein the chamber holder forms a chamber mounting assembly to position the hollow mixing chamber body relative to the LED light source within the optic housing;

a hyperbolic reflector having an upper neck that forms a top opening larger than the second round chamber opening, a bottom opening that is larger than the top opening, and a hyperbolic wall extending from the upper neck toward the bottom opening, wherein:
a direction from the top opening toward the bottom opening defines a vertically downward direction, and
the second end of the hollow mixing chamber body is positioned in the hyperbolic reflector through the top opening, when the hollow mixing chamber body is inserted into the optic housing; and

a reflector mounting assembly comprising a reflector mounting frame that receives and extends around the upper neck of the hyperbolic reflector,
wherein the upper neck of the hyperbolic reflector is received between the inner rim and the outer rim of the chamber holder, and retained via an interference fit that centers the hyperbolic reflector within the optic housing.

2. The trim assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hollow mixing chamber body is retained within the central through-hole of the chamber holder.

3. The trim assembly of claim 1 , wherein the chamber mounting assembly includes a plurality of spaced-apart arc-shaped slots, formed between the inner rim and the outer rim, to engage respective downward extending mounting tabs of the optic housing.

4. The trim assembly of claim 3 , further comprising the optic housing and the LED light source, and wherein each mounting tab forms a corresponding flanged end at a lowermost end thereof to engage respective ones of the arc-shaped slots of the chamber mounting assembly.

5. The trim assembly of claim 4 , wherein the hollow mixing chamber body guides light emitted from the LED light source directly into the hyperbolic reflector, when the hollow mixing chamber body is connected to the optic housing.

6. The trim assembly of claim 4 , wherein:
each of the spaced-apart arc-shaped slots includes a wide portion and a narrow portion;
each of the mounting tabs is sized and configured to pass freely through a corresponding one of the wide portions of the spaced-apart arc-shaped slots;
and each of the flanged ends is configured to engage with the narrow portions of the spaced-apart arc-shaped slots by twisting the hollow mixing chamber body, to lock the hollow mixing chamber body to the optic housing.

7. The trim assembly of claim 1 , wherein the reflector mounting assembly further comprises a plurality of mounting springs that support the hyperbolic reflector in the optic housing, but allow adjustability of a position of the hyperbolic reflector within the optic housing.

8. The trim assembly of claim 7 , wherein the mounting springs are torsion springs.

9. The trim assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
the optic housing, having a cavity with an internal wall on one end and a housing opening on an opposite end to receive the hollow mixing chamber body and the hyperbolic reflector;
the LED light source, connected to the internal wall; and
an optic mount connected to the internal wall, wherein the optic mount mechanically connects directly with the chamber holder, such that the hollow mixing chamber body is positioned below the LED light source.

10. The trim assembly of claim 9 , wherein the optic mount includes a plurality of downward extending mounting tabs each having a flanged end, and the chamber mounting assembly defines a plurality of arc-shaped slots between the inner rim and the outer rim to engage respective ones of the mounting tabs.

11. The trim assembly of claim 9 , wherein the internal wall is substantially parallel to a bottom of the optic housing with the housing opening.

12. The trim assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hollow mixing chamber body tapers outward from the first end to the second end.

13. The trim assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an optical lens that covers the second end of the hollow mixing chamber body.

14. The trim assembly of claim 13 , wherein the hollow mixing chamber body is integrally formed with the optical lens.

15. The trim assembly of claim 13 , wherein the optical lens is a light diffusing lens.

16. A trim assembly for a recessed light fixture mountable in a ceiling, the recessed light fixture having an optic housing including therein an LED light source, the trim assembly comprising:
a hollow mixing chamber body, including a first end and an opposite second end,
the first end forming a first round chamber opening, the first round chamber opening being configured to receive light from the LED light source,
the second end forming a second round chamber opening that is at least as large as the first round chamber opening, the hollow mixing chamber body being configured to direct the light from the LED light source through the second end;

a chamber holder that includes:
an inner rim that defines a central through-hole therethrough, for the hollow mixing chamber body, and
an outer rim disposed outwardly from the inner rim, the outer rim and the inner rim forming a space therebetween,
wherein the chamber holder forms a chamber mounting assembly to position the hollow mixing chamber body relative to the LED light source within the optic housing;

a hyperbolic reflector having an upper neck that forms a top opening larger than the second round chamber opening, a bottom opening that is larger than the top opening, and a hyperbolic wall extending from the upper neck toward the bottom opening, wherein:
a direction from the top opening toward the bottom opening defines a vertically downward direction, and
the second end of the hollow mixing chamber body is positioned in the hyperbolic reflector through the top opening, when the hollow mixing chamber body is inserted into the optic housing; and

a reflector mounting assembly that includes:
a reflector mounting frame directly connected with the upper neck of the hyperbolic reflector, and
a pair of spring brackets connected to the reflector mounting frame, the spring brackets arranged on opposite sides of the reflector mounting frame, each spring bracket connecting a mounting spring to the hyperbolic reflector, to mount the hyperbolic reflector in the optic housing;
wherein:
the mounting springs support the hyperbolic reflector in the optic housing, but allow adjustability of a position of the hyperbolic reflector within the optic housing, and
the upper neck of the hyperbolic reflector is received in the space between the inner rim and the outer rim of the chamber holder, and retained via an interference fit that

Assignees

• Abl Ip Holding Llc

Inventors

• Zhang Hui
• Collins Kerry S
• Stauner Joseph

Classifications

• F21Y2115/10

  Light-emitting diodes [LED] · CPC title

• F21V17/16

  by deformation of parts; Snap action mounting · CPC title

• F21V7/07

  with hyperbolic curvature · CPC title

• F21S8/026 Primary

  intended to be recessed in a ceiling or like overhead structure, e.g. suspended ceiling · CPC title

• F21V13/04

  the elements being reflectors and refractors {(for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40)} · CPC title