Recessed fixture frame and method

A recessed fixture frame comprising:

• a frame band;
• at least one mounting assembly operatively connected to the frame band, the mounting assembly including a channel member and a bar member, the bar member being movable relative to the channel member for selectively increasing or decreasing the length of the mounting assembly;
• and
• at least one mounting stub, operatively hingeably connected to at least one end of the mounting assembly, the mounting stub having a hook for cooperating with a complementary member formed in the bar member, for locking the mounting stub and the bar member such that the bar member is prevented from moving relative to the channel member.

A recessed fixture frame comprising:

• a frame band;
• at least one mounting assembly operatively connected to the frame band, said mounting assembly including means for selectively increasing or decreasing its length;
• at least one mounting stub operatively hingeably connected to at least one end of said at least one mounting assembly;
• an enclosure for housing an electric fixture, said enclosure having means for vertically adjusting said enclosure relative to said frame band, said enclosure having an open end and a closed end, said open end having a hemmed edge, said closed end having a self-adjusting spring means for securing a socket and a trim therein and including means for receiving at least one electric cable;
• a junction box operatively connected to said frame band at a predetermined distance from said enclosure, said junction box including at least five side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall, at least one of said side walls having an opening for receiving said at least one electric cable, said junction box including means for securing said top wall and said bottom wall of said junction box to said side walls;
• and
• clamping means operably positioned in at least one of said side walls of said junction box for restricting movement of said at least one electric cable, said clamping means including at least one aperture having about the same cross-sectional size as the cross section of said at least one electrical cable, said clamping means being positioned such that said at least one cable is able to freely move within said clamping means aperture as said at least one cable is inserted into said aperture, said clamping means aperture engaging said at least one the cable when the direction of movement of said at least one cable is reversed such that removal of said at least one cable from said junction box is effectively prevented.

A device for connecting a recessed fixture frame to a structure, the device comprising:

• a mounting assembly, the mounting assembly including means for selectively increasing or decreasing its length;
• a fastening member comprising:
• a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being connected to the second portion at about a ninety degrees (90.degree.) angle;
• and
• the fastener member being operatively hingeably connected to the mounting assembly, the fastener member further including a locking means for locking the second portion to the mounting assembly in a first position, the first position being at about ninety degrees (90.degree.) relative the mounting assembly, the second portion disengaging from the mounting assembly when the mounting assembly is rotated about forty five degrees (45.degree.) from the first position;
• and
• means, operatively positioned in the first portion, for connecting the device to a support structure.

A quick connect/release mechanism for connecting/releasing trim to/from a light socket, the mechanism comprising:

• a light socket housing;
• a light socket operatively positioned inside the socket housing;
• a trim positioned about said socket housing and having at least two notches formed therein;
• and
• trim retaining means including a spring secured to said socket and engaging the inner wall of said socket housing, said spring including offset ends for mating with said at least two notches formed in said trim such that said trim is effectively retained in position relative to said socket housing and is readily removable from operative connection to the socket.

A method of installing a recessed fixture frame having a junction box between two structural members, the junction box including a door and a clamping mechanism, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a recessed fixture frame having two mounting assemblies and a hinged mounting stub operatively connected to at least one end of each assembly relative the two structural members;
• lining up the bottom edge of the hinged mounting stubs with the bottom of the first structural member;
• connecting the first mounting stub to the first structural member;
• connecting the second mounting stub to the second structural member;
• opening the junction box, the junction box including knock-outs;
• opening the appropriate number of knock-outs;
• inserting non-metallic cable through an aperture resulting from the opening of each knock-out;
• inserting the cable through an aperture formed in each clamping mechanism corresponding to the particular aperture formed by opening each knock-out;
• connecting the cable inside the junction box;
• closing the junction box door;
• rotating the recessed fixture frame upwardly about ninety degrees (90.degree.) such that the opposite ends of the mounting assemblies having non-hinged mounting stubs are operatively positioned relative to the second structural member;
• and
• connecting the non-hinged mounting stubs to the second structural member.