Patents by Inventor Joseph A. Hentz

Joseph A. Hentz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6168298
    Abstract: A clip formed of flat spring steel stock material and operable in association with a lamp housing mounting arrangement of a downlighting fixture to exert a force on a lighting trim through the lamp housing to retain the trim snugly against a ceiling about an opening in the ceiling through which at least lowermost portions of the lamp housing and/or trim extends, an environmental space beneath the opening being illuminated through the opening by lamping carried by the lamp housing. In the preferred embodiment, an adjustable, U-shaped mounting yoke is carried by a conventional downlighting pan with the bight of the yoke being disposed immediately over a socket cup mounted to an uppermost end of the lamp housing or reflector, the clip extending between spaced arms of the yoke and being attached to a central portion of the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: NSI Enterprise, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Hentz, Richard F. Ashcraft, James M. Mershon
  • Patent number: 6123438
    Abstract: A lighting fixture having an insulation shield mounted thereto for maintaining surrounding insulation a desired spacing from at least portions of the fixture to increase permissible lamp wattages in an insulation contact application, the shield is preferably formed of a polymeric material molded with openings to permit access to portions of the fixture such as a junction box. The insulation shield is particularly useful with downlighting fixtures installable immediately above ceiling openings, such fixtures typically being mounted to structural joists or to suspended ceilings, and especially downlighting fixtures where lighting performance is to be improved through use of higher wattage lamping. The insulation shield acts to provide a desired volume of air around the fixture in order to more effectively dissipate heat generated by the higher wattage lamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Hentz
  • Patent number: 6116750
    Abstract: A lighting fixture intended for mounting in a relationship with a shower stall for illumination of the shower stall, the fixture of the invention particularly taking the form of a recessed downlight fixture mounted above the ceiling of a shower stall or the like with light from the fixture entering the shower stall through an opening formed in the shower ceiling surmounted by the fixture. In this extremely wet location, a finishing trim of the fixture acts not only to cover the ceiling opening but also to provide means for preventing moisture capable of damaging electrical components of the fixture from coming into contact with said components. The finishing trim acts in concert with sealing structure which can take the form of gaskets, flexible bellows or the like to comprise the means for preventing potentially damaging moisture contact with said electrical components in certain embodiments of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Hentz
  • Patent number: 6033098
    Abstract: A clip mountable to a lighting fixture or the like adjacent a bar hanger assembly for pivotal movement between positions which are either disengaged from the bar hanger assembly or engaged with the bar hanger assembly in one or more positions, disengagement of the clip allowing elements of the bar hanger assembly to be displaced relative to each other to fit the fixture properly in an installation between joists of a ceiling or a gridwork of a suspended ceiling. Engagement of the clip with portions of the bar hanger assembly of two differing sizes allows positive latching of the bar hanger assembly to the fixture regardless of the degree of extension between the elements of the bar hanger assembly. The clip is easily moved between latched and unlatched positions by means of thumb pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Hentz, Philip D. Wright
  • Patent number: 5957574
    Abstract: Pan assemblies for mounting of recessed lighting fixtures in ceilings and the like such as between structural joists, the invention primarily comprises pan frames formed of wire and strap stock shaped according to various embodiments of the invention into particular configurations capable of carrying standard cans or reflector housings, junction box structures and bar hangers inter alia for rough-in of downlighting fixtures. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the pan assemblies adjustably mount IC/non-IC cans which contain a source of illumination and appropriate trim inter alia, adjustable bar hanger assemblies usually being mounted by the pan assemblies with junction box structure being carried by the pan assemblies or connected directly to a can mounted by one of said pan assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Hentz, Richard F. Ashcraft
  • Patent number: 5707143
    Abstract: A pull-on clip manually assembled to a downlighting reflector trim in a snap-fastening manner without the need for tools, the invention mounts the reflector trim and a socket/spring clip assembly snap-fastened onto the trim within the interior of a lamp housing or can particularly in a downlighting fixture. The pull-on clip facilitates lamp positioning within the can and thereby within the fixture such that optimum lamp performance is obtained. The structure of the pull-on clip further facilitates the snug positioning of the reflector trim about a ceiling hole above which the downlighting fixture utilizing said clip is mounted for operation, thereby providing a clean appearance and positive lamp positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Hentz
  • Patent number: 5690423
    Abstract: A pan assembly for mounting of recessed lighting fixtures in ceilings and the like such as between structural joists, the invention primarily comprises a pan frame formed of wire bent according to various embodiments of the invention into particular configurations capable of carrying standard cans or reflector housings, junction box structures and bar hangers inter alia for rough-in of downlighting fixtures. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wire pan mounts adjustable bar hangers at first ends of the hangers while a junction box integrally formed with rail holders and mounted by the pan acts to mount the hangers at opposite ends of the hangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Hentz, Richard F. Ashcraft