# US 5,707,143 A · Pull-on clip for downlight reflector trim > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,707,143 A - Document ID: US5707143A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/707,004 - Filed: 1996-09-03 - Granted: 1998-01-13 - Earliest claimed: 1996-09-03 - Assignees: National Service Industries, Inc. - Inventors: Joseph A. Hentz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5707143A ## CPC - F21V 17/164: {the parts being subjected to bending, e.g. snap joints} - F21S 8/02: of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters (specially adapted for vehicle exteriors F21S41/00-F21S45/00) - F21V 17/007: {with provision for shipment or storage} - F21V 21/04: Recessed bases - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A clip for mounting a reflector trim within a lamp housing of a lighting fixture mounted above a ceiling opening formed in a ceiling, the reflector trim having a reflector trim opening formed in one end thereof to receive a portion of a lamp socket, the reflector trim opening communicating with notches formed about the periphery of the opening in the trim, the trim further having a slot formed in juxtaposition to each of the notches, the clip comprising: an anterior end portion having a locking tab formed therein, the locking tab engaging and being received into one of the slots when the anterior end portion of the clip is pulled over one of the notches; and, at least one clipping element formed in the anterior end portion of the clip and being recurved distally to receive and bias against edge portions of the trim defining the notches to facilitate mounting of the clip to the trim. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The clip of claim 1 wherein body portions of the clip are formed of a single piece of spring steel stock. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The clip of claim 1 and further comprising: a medial portion of the clip formed at an angle to the anterior end portion of the clip; and, a distal portion of the clip formed at an angle to the medial portion of the clip, the medial and distal portions of the clip acting on engagement with interior walls of the lamp housing to pull the reflector trim and lamp socket mounted thereto inwardly of the lamp housing to fit the trim snugly against the ceiling about the ceiling opening. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The clip of claim 3 wherein end portions of the distal portion of the clip are formed into spaced points for engagement with interior walls of the lamp housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The clip of claim 3 wherein body portions of the clip are formed of a single piece of spring steel stock. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The clip of claim 1 wherein distal end portions of the clip are formed into spaced points for engagement with interior walls of the lamp housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The clip of claim 1 wherein a body portion of the locking tab is formed out of plane with the anterior end portion of the clip and extends from a side of the clip along which the at least one clipping element recurves. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The clip of claim 1 and further comprising: a distal portion of the clip formed at an angle to the anterior end portion of the clip. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The clip of claim 8 wherein end portions of the distal portion of the clip are formed into spaced points for engagement with interior walls of the lamp housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The clip of claim 8 wherein body portions of the clip are formed of a single piece of spring steel stock. ### Claim 11 A clip for mounting a reflector trim within a lamp housing of a lighting fixture, the reflector trim having an opening formed in one end thereof to receive a portion of a lamp socket, the reflector trim having at least one slot formed therein and spaced from the opening, the clip comprising: a body element having first and second end portions; locking means formed in a first end of the body element for engaging the at least one slot when the first end is pulled over a perimetric portion of the opening from which the at least one slot is spaced; and, clipping means formed in the first end portion of the body element for receiving and biasing against edge portions of the perimetric portion of the opening from which the at least one slot is spaced to facilitate mounting of the clip to the trim. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The clip of claim 11 wherein the body element is formed of a single piece of spring steel stock. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The clip of claim 11 wherein the body element comprises: a medial portion formed at an angle to the first end portion of the clip; and, a distal portion of the clip comprising the second end of the body element and being formed at an angle to the medial portion of the clip, the medial and distal portions of the clip acting on engagement with interior walls of the lamp housing to pull the reflector trim and lamp socket mounted thereto inwardly of the lamp housing to fit the trim snugly against the juxtaposed building structure above which the lighting fixture is mounted. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The clip of claim 11 wherein the locking means comprise a locking tab formed in the body element, the locking tab engaging and being received into the at least one slot. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The clip of claim 11 wherein the clipping means comprise at least one clipping element which is recurved distally to receive and bias against edge portions of the perimetric portion of the opening from which the at least one slot is spaced to facilitate mounting of the clip to the trim. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The clip of claim 15 wherein the locking means comprise a locking tab formed in the body element, the locking tab engaging and being received into the at least one slot. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The clip of claim 16 wherein a body portion of the locking tab is formed out of plane with the first end portion of the clip and extends from a side of the clip along which the at least one clipping element recurves. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The clip of claim 11 wherein a distal portion of the body element comprising the second end portion thereof is formed at an angle to the first end portion of the body element. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The clip of claim 18 wherein end portions of the distal portion of the clip are formed into spaced points for engagement with interior walls of the lamp housing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The clip of claim 11 wherein the reflector trim has a plurality of slots formed therein and spaced from the opening, one each of the clips engaging one each of the slots.