AU2006204650A1 - Downlight fixture - Google Patents

Description

-I Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

e, a, Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT

APPLICANT:

NUMBER:

FILING DATE: INVENTION TITLE: Houssam Mahfouz and Wosam Mahfouz DOWNLIGHT FIXTURE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: SDOWNLIGHT FIXTURE Technical Area The invention relates to the area of lighting and interior decorating and in particular, to a decorative downlight fixture which provides a source of light and/or a means of decorating a room of a dwelling or building.

Background to the Invention In recent years, downlights have become the most commonly adopted lighting source Sin newly built houses or buildings, or in renovations. Downlights provide a simple yet attractive source of lighting for a room. In addition, they can be utilised in any room without the need to find different lighting fixtures for each room of the house or building which generally need to be purchased and fitted at a further cost.

The downlight generally comprises a hemispherical housing, containing a halogen globe and reflective surface, which may or may not be rotatable to adjust the angle of light produced and a mounting plate which is used to secure the downlight in a given position on the ceiling.

The disadvantage with downlights is that they are all similar and very simplistic and plain in nature and whilst the finish on the mounting plate may be changed, current downlights are unable to provide any additional means of decoration to a room in a dwelling or building. In order to overcome this, there have been attempts to provide forms of suspended downlights which are adapted to function in a similar manner to the traditional lighting fixtures by hanging from the ceiling. However, these suspended downlights are often unsightly as the downlight housing and wires are exposed and can be seen when standing at a distance away from the downlight fixture.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a simple yet decorative downlight fixture which provides a source of light and/or a means of decorating a Sroom of a house or building.

Outline of the Invention The present invention provides a downlight fixture including: Sa frame portion; a backboard, said backboard having at least one aperture which is adapted to receive a downlight; IDat least one downlight; and at least one spacer member which is adapted to secure the fixture in a fixed position spaced away from a ceiling and/or wall.

It is preferred that the frame be of any material, shape, size or colour to suit the decor of a room.

It is further preferred that the frame have at least one aperture which is adapted to receive a securing means therethrough.

It is further preferred that the securing means be a screw or bolt or the like.

It is preferred that the backboard have dimensions which are suitable to enable it to be positioned such that it occupies the space created by the frame of the fixture.

It is preferred that the member which is adapted to secure the fixture in a fixed position spaced away from a ceiling or wall is a cylindrical tubing member.

It is further preferred that the length of the tubing member is suitable to provide a sufficient space between the back of the fixture and surface of a ceiling or wall to accommodate the downlight assembly and wires, yet minimal enough to ensure that the downlight assembly and wires cannot be seen from the ground or standing at a reasonable distance away from the fixture.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood we will describe by way of non-limiting example of a specific embodiment thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figures Figure 1 shows a top plan view of the downlight fixture according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a side perspective view of the downlight fixture attached to a ceiling/wall according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a bottom perspective view of the downlight fixture displaying the securing means according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a bottom perspective view of the downlight fixture according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention Figures 1 to 4 show the downlight fixture according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a downlight fixture 1 which is adapted to be affixed/ secured to any ceiling and/or wall to provide a source of lighting and/or decoration for a room in a dwelling and/or building. The downlight fixture 1 has provided at least one downlight 2 which is adapted to provide the light source for the decorative downlight fixture 1.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the downlight 2 is a fixed downlight having a housing 3 which houses a halogen globe 4, and a reflective inner surface Extending outwardly from the housing 3 is at least one electrical wire (not shown) which is adapted to provide an electrical connection means for the downlight, and can be connected to an activation means such as a light switch or the like. The downlight 2 may also have provided a mounting plate 7 which is adapted to extend around the entire circumference of the downlight 2 and enables the downlight 2 to be affixed to a surface. The downlight 2 of the invention is preferably fixed such that the light from the downlight can only shine directly downwardly from the ceiling or outwardly away from the wall in the one direction. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a rotatable downlight may be used to enable a user to change the direction of the downlight to suit the positioning of furniture within a room or living areas within a dwelling or building.

The downlight fixture 1 has provided a frame portion 20 which is adapted to form a border and outer periphery for the downlight fixture 1. In a preferred embodiment, the frame portion 20 is adapted to provide a first means of decoration and can be made of wood, plastic, metal or any other suitable material. It is also envisaged that the surface of the frame portion 20 may be textured to provide an additional decorative element such as a bevelled edge or carving or the like. The colour of the entire frame portion 20 or surface of the frame portion 20 can be varied as the user desires to suit the colours of the d6cor within a dwelling and/or building. The frame portion 20 has provided an upper surface 21 and a lower surface 22. The frame portion 20 is positioned such that the lower surface 22 faces toward a room whilst the upper surface 21 faces the ceiling and/or wall to which it is secured. The frame portion may be provided in a variety of shapes and dimensions to provide alternative appearances for the downlight fixture 1 ranging from a classic, contemporary look such as a square or circle shape, to a funky, modern look such as a triangle or diamond shape. The frame portion 20 of the downlight fixture 1 has provided at least one aperture 23 which is adapted to receive a securing means 30 therethrough.

The securing means 30 is preferably a screw. However, it is envisaged that a bolt or any other suitable securing means could also be employed. The screw 30 is preferably made of a satin chrome material to compliment the finish of the frame portion 20 and/or not detract from the aesthetic appeal of the downlight fixture 1. The screw 30 has a head portion 31 which preferably has provided a round smooth shape and is adapted to lie against the lower surface 22 of the frame portion 20 with the base of the head portion 31 of the screw, fitting flush against the lower surface 22 of the frame portion 20 to provide a neat finish and appearance. The screw 30 has provided a threaded portion 32 which is adapted to receive a fastening means 33 thereon to secure the screw 30 to a surface. The fastening means 33 is preferably a toggle fastener. However, it is envisaged that any other suitable fastening means could also be adopted. In a further embodiment, it is envisaged that the securing means 30 may be secured to a surface without the use of a separate fastening means. The toggle fastener 33 preferably has a pair of winged portions 34 which are adapted to contract to enable the screw 30 to pass through a hole in a ceiling or wall, and expand and screw downwardly once inside the ceiling or wall cavity to securely hold the screw 30 against the ceiling or wall surface.

The downlight fixture 1 has provided a backboard 8 which is adapted to provide a second means of decoration. The backboard 8 of the invention is adapted to be positioned such that it occupies the centre space created by the frame portion 20 of the downlight fixture 1. It is envisaged that the backboard 8 can be connected to the frame portion 20 of the downlight fixture 1 via a number of different methods including, but not limited to, the following: The backboard 8 may have the same dimensions as the inner walls 24 of the frame portion 20 such that it can be positioned therebetween and secured by a suitable adhesive/securing means (not shown); The inner walls 24 of the frame portion 20 may have provided a ridge (not shown) which is adapted to hold the backboard 8 in place; or The backboard 8 may be secured to the upper surface 21 of the frame portion via a suitable securing means such as screws, nails or adhesive or the like.

The backboard 8 preferably has the same dimensions as the inner walls 24 of the frame portion 20 of the downlight fixture 1 and is adapted to sit therebetween. The backboard 8 is made of any suitable material such as board, wood, metal, Perspex, plastic, glass or the like having varying textures, patterns and colours such that, it is capable of matching the frame portion 20 of the downlight fixture 1 and surrounding decor to function as a decorative piece for a room. The backboard 8 has provided at least one aperture 9 which is adapted to receive a downlight 2 therethrough. The downlight 2 is secured to the backboard 8 via the mounting plate 7 which is adapted to be secured to the front surface of the backboard 8. The number of apertures 9 provided on the backboard 8 is dependent on the number of downlights 2 to be fitted for each particular downlight fixture 1 to obtain different lighting effects/results.

The downlight fixture 1 has provided at least one spacer member 10 which is adapted to space the downlight fixture 1 at a prescribed distance away from a ceiling or wall surface. The spacer member(s) 10 is adapted to be located between upper surface 21 of the frame portion 20 and the ceiling or wall to which downlight fixture 1 is to be secured. The spacer member(s) 10 is preferably made of a metallic material to match the head portion 31 of the screw 30. However, it is envisaged any other suitable material could also be adopted to match the downlight fixture 1 and not detract from its aesthetic appeal. The spacer member(s) 10 is preferably of a suitable length which provides a sufficient space between the upper surface 21 of the Idownlight fixture 1 and the ceiling or wall to accommodate the downlight 2 housing and wires. The spacing provided by the spacer member(s) should be minimal such (,KI that wires and downlight 2 housing is hidden from view to provide a downlight feature e that is aesthetically pleasing. The number of spacer members 10 and securing Smeans 30 are dependent on the size and shape of the downlight fixture 1 and are adapted to be evenly spaced on the downlight fixture 1 to ensure the weight of the downlight fixture 1 is evenly distributed so that it will not fall from its secured position against a ceiling/wall. In addition, the downlight fixture 1 preferably has provided a t rim 50 which is adapted to be placed around the downlight 2 and be positioned between the backboard and the ceiling/wall surface so that the downlight Scomponents cannot be seen and the aesthetic appearance of the downlight fixture is IDmaintained.

The downlight fixture 1 may have provided a backing plate portion 40. The backing plate portion 40 preferably has the same shape and dimensions as the frame portion of the downlight fixture 1 and is adapted to be against the ceiling or wall in direct alignment with the frame portion 20 of the downlight fixture 1 when viewing the downlight fixture 1 from below. The backing plate portion 40 preferably has provided at least one aperture which is adapted to receive the securing means therethrough. The backing plate portion 40 is preferably made of a metallic material to match the spacer members 10. However, it is envisaged any other suitable material may also be employed.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the downlight fixture 1 may have provided a transparent/ translucent panel (not shown). The preferably transparent panel may be adapted to be positioned such that it occupies the centre space created by the frame portion 20 of the downlight fixture 1. The transparent panel preferably has the same dimensions as the inner walls 24 of the frame portion 20 of the downlight fixture 1 and is adapted to sit therebetween being positioned such that it is in direct alignment with the lower surface 22 of the frame portion 20 of the downlight fixture 1. The transparent panel is preferably made of any suitable transparent material such as glass or the like which can withstand the heat generated from the downlight 2.

Located between the transparent panel and the downlight 2 may be a decorative sheet. The decorative sheet is preferably a photograph or pattern which can be illuminated by the downlight 1 located behind the decorative sheet to provide a means of decoration for a room.

In practice, holes are drilled into the ceiling/wall where the downlight fixture 1 is to be fixed. The backing plate portion 40 is then placed against the ceiling/wall with the ,i aperture(s) 41 being aligned with the holes in the ceiling/wall. Each spacer member eC 10 is then aligned at the back of the frame portion 20 with the aperture(s) 9 provided Son the frame portion 20. The threaded portion 32 of the screw 30 is then passed through the aperture(s) 9 on the frame portion 20 from the lower surface 22 to the upper surface 21 of the frame such that the base of the head portion 31 of the screw remains flush with the lower surface 22 of the frame portion 20 of the downlight ln fixture 1. The toggle fastener 33 is attached to the screw 30 and the screw 30 is inserted into the hole(s) in the ceiling/ wall. The downlight fixture 1 is then secured to Sthe ceiling or wall by the winged portion 34 of the toggle fastener 33 expanding within IN the ceiling/wall cavity to securely hold the screw 30 against the ceiling/wall surface.

The wires of the downlight 2 can be passed through a pre-drilled hole in the ceiling or wall behind the backboard 8 to provide the electrical connection for the downlight fixture 1.

While we have described herein particular embodiments of a decorative downlight fixture, it is further envisaged that other embodiments of the invention could exhibit any number and combination of any one of the features previously described.

However, it is to be understood that any variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims (8)

1. 3. A downlight fixture as claimed in claim 2 wherein the frame portion has at least one aperture which is adapted to receive a securing means therethrough.
2. 4. A downlight fixture as claimed in claim 3 wherein the securing means is a screw. A downlight fixture as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the backboard is adapted to be positioned within the space created by the frame portion of the downlight fixture.
3. 6. A downlight fixture as claimed in claim 5 wherein the backboard has a textured, patterned and/or coloured appearance to provide a means of decoration.
4. 7. A downlight fixture as claimed in any preceding claims wherein the length of the spacer member is suitable to provide a sufficient space between an upper surface of the downlight fixture and surface of a ceiling or wall to accommodate the downlight housing and wires, yet minimal enough to ensure that the downlight housing and wires cannot be seen from the ground and/or standing at a reasonable distance away from the fixture.
5. 8. A downlight fixture as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the downlight fixture further comprises a backing plate portion which is adapted to fit flush against a ceiling and/or wall.
6. 9. A downlight fixture and claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the downlight fixture further comprises a rim which is adapted to be located around the downlight to hide its components. A downlight fixture as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the downlight fixture further comprises a transparent or translucent panel.
7. 11. A downlight fixture as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the downlight fixture further comprises a decorative sheet which is adapted to be located between the transparent/ translucent pane and the downlight.
8. 12. A downlight fixture as substantially described herein with reference to the above examples and drawings. DATED: 1 September 2006 Houssam Mahfouz and Wosam Mahfouz By Their Patent Attorneys Actuate Intellectual Property