Patents Assigned to Lightolier, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5273452
    Abstract: A lighting system comprising a power jack, a first or second type plug connector and luminaire assembly. The power jack is adapted to receive either a first or second type plug connector. The luminaire assembly includes a lamp socket subassembly, and a globe subassembly. The lamp socket subassembly comprises a lamp socket which is supported by a lamp socket support housing which bears a plurality of lamp socket support projections. The globe subassembly includes a globe, a globe support housing with engaging projections and a globe retaining element. The lamp socket support housing is adapted to be received within a portion of the globe support housing and interconnected by engagement of the lamp socket support projections with the engaging projections. In the engaged configuration, air-flow channels are formed between the housings. Air-flow passages are also formed between the globe and the globe support housing when interconnected by retaining element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Lightolier, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony C. Donato, Alejandro Mier-Langner
  • Patent number: 5189259
    Abstract: A two-piece face plate assembly includes a coupling plate which is mounted between the yoke strap of a wiring device and the mounting flange of a wall box. The coupling plate has a central opening for receiving the wiring device and has first and second index pins formed at spaced locations along the longitudinal axis of the coupling plate and in registration alignment with threaded mounting holes on the yoke strap. The coupling plate also has press-fit connectors positioned symmetrically about the central opening. The screwless face plate has a central opening for receiving the wiring device escutcheon and has a corresponding number of complementary press-fit connectors which are aligned for interlocking, press-fit engagement with the coupling plate connectors. The wiring device is mounted onto the wall box by screw fasteners extending through mounting slot openings formed through the yoke strap and in engagement with threaded mounting holes on the wall box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Lightolier, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Carson, Jerry D. Gandre
  • Patent number: 5134554
    Abstract: A lighting system comprising a power jack, a first or second type plug connector and luminaire assembly. The power jack is adapted to receive either a first or second type plug connector. The luminaire assembly includes a lamp socket subassembly, and a globe subassembly. The lamp socket subassembly comprises a lamp socket which is supported by a lamp socket support housing which bears a plurality of lamp socket support projections. The globe subassembly includes a globe, a globe support housing with engaging projections and a globe retaining element. The lamp socket support housing is adapted to be received within a portion of the globe support housing and interconnected by engagement of the lamp socket support projections with the engaging projections. In the engaged configuration, air-flow channels are formed between the housing. Air-flow passages are also formed between the globe and the globe support housing when interconnected by retaining element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Lightolier, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony C. Donato, Alejandro Mier-Langner, Albert L. Newman
  • Patent number: 5045985
    Abstract: A self locking mounting bar having a notch near one end, which notch fits onto the upper edge of a main runner of a suspended ceiling. The other end of the bar slides into one end of a lighting fixture frame. The bars are generally used in pairs to provide an adjustable mounting apparatus for recessed lighting fixtures; a pair of bars mounted at the same end of the fixture frame, but on opposite sides thereof, may slide toward or away from each other to accomodate variable ceiling runner spacings. Preferably, two pairs of self locking adjustable mounting bars are used to mount a fixture, one pair at each end of the fixture frame. The bar is mounted by placing the notched portion of the bar onto the upper edge of a ceiling runner. The bar then may be locked in place by bending a tab at the end thereof underneath the upper edge of the runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Lightolier, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Russo, Kingsley Chan
  • Patent number: 5031084
    Abstract: An adjustable mounting frame, and a kit including this frame, for mounting recessed lighting fixtures, and a method therefor. The mounting frame includes a mounting ring and spring members which can hold a lighting fixture trim in place. In addition to the mounting frame, the kit may also include fastening means for mounting the frame onto the ceiling, a junction box, an electrical conduit and/or a socket cup. The mounting method generally involves the steps of installing the mounting frame in the ceiling, and mounting the trim in the frame by inserting the trim into the spring members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Lightolier, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Russo, Kingsley Chan
  • Patent number: 4992709
    Abstract: A control circuit for a fractional horsepower fan motor connected between hot and neutral wires in and AC circuit is shown. The control circuit includes two or more duplicate branches. Each branch is serially connected, and each branch includes a triac, series resistor and series capacitor. The triac has a gate terminal which is connected to an optical coupling circuit for isolation and responds to a control signal from a low voltage small current source. In an alternative embodiment, a single triac and optical coupling circuit can be used with different capacitors being switched in or out of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Lightolier, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond T. Griffin
  • Patent number: 4988840
    Abstract: A control switch having an air gap safety lever, a novel slide arrangement, and a illuminated on-off control switch. The air gap safety lever is mounted on the control switch in such a manner that no power may flow through the circuits until the unit has been installed and the front cover plate mounted. The slide arrangement employs a thin clip which provides an aesthetically appealing slide control, the clip having special dimples which allow nearly frictionless movement. The illuminated on-off control switch utilizes a light piping which conveys light from an LED to the on-off button, the light piping doubling as a mechanical link between the on-off button and a momentary contact switch mounted inside the control switch. Also, a novel frame is disclosed which secures all mechanical and electrical components of the switch together without the necessity of attaching the back box, which simplifies test and repair before shipment of the unit from the factory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Lightolier, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Carson, Raymond T. Griffin, Scott A. Spear
  • Patent number: 4880950
    Abstract: A control switch having an air gap safety lever, a novel slide arrangement, and an illuminated on-off control switch. The air gap safety lever is mounted on the control switch in such a manner that no power may flow through the circuits until the unit has been installed and the front cover plate mounted. The slide arrangement employs a thin clip which provides an aesthetically appealing slide control, the clip having special dimples which allow nearly frictionless movement. The illuminated on-off control switch utilizes a light piping which conveys light from an LED to the on-off button, the light piping doubling as a mechanical link between the on-off button and a momentary contact switch mounted inside the control switch. Also, a novel frame is disclosed which secures all mechanical and electrical components of the switch together without the necessity of attaching the back box, which simplifies test and repair before shipment of the unit from the factory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Lightolier, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Carson, Raymond T. Griffin, Scott A. Spear
  • Patent number: 4871893
    Abstract: A slide-type switch for controlling electrical output to a light or motor. The switch includes a printed circuit board having a sliding variable resistor mounted thereon. When the variable resistor is adjusted for minimum current flow, the slide on the variable resistor comes into contact with an actuator arm also mounted on the printed circuit board. The actuator arm then becomes detached from a butt contact, breaking the circuit. A novel knob arrangement is also disclosed for use with standard all face plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Lightolier, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Slovak, Raymond T. Griffin, Steven R. Carson
  • Patent number: D307578
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Lightolier, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Carson, Raymond T. Griffin, Scott A. Spear