Recess light fixture adapter and method

Abstract

A recess light fixture adapter for mounting a recess light fixture in an existing ceiling or a wall comprises an interior member for mounting against the interior surface of a ceiling or a wall, an exterior member for mounting against the exterior surface of a ceiling or a wall, and fasteners for interconnecting the interior member and the exterior member with respect to the ceiling or a wall.

1 . A recess light fixture adapter for mounting a recess light fixture in an existing ceiling or a wall having an existing over-sized opening, said recess light fixture adapter comprising: 
 an interior member for mounting against the interior surface of a ceiling or a wall;    an exterior member for mounting against the exterior surface of a ceiling or a wall; and,    means for interconnecting said interior member and said exterior member with respect to said ceiling or a wall.    
   
   
       2 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 1 , wherein said interior member comprises an interior plate having a perimeter edge, an upper surface, and a lower surface.  
   
   
       3 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 2 , wherein said interior plate has an interior fixture receiving aperture disposed therein.  
   
   
       4 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 3 , wherein said interior plate is flexible.  
   
   
       5 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 4 , wherein said interior plate is made from metal.  
   
   
       5 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 4 , wherein said interior plate is made from plastic.  
   
   
       6 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 4 , wherein said interior plate further comprises a slit defined by first and second opposed edges, and wherein said slit extends from said perimeter edge of said interior plate to said interior fixture receiving aperture of said interior plate.  
   
   
       7 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 6 , wherein said interior plate further comprises first and second threaded apertures for receiving co-operating threaded fasteners therein.  
   
   
       8 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 7 , wherein said interior plate further comprises first and second aperture reinforcements secured to said interior plate, and said first and second apertures extend through said first and second aperture reinforcements, respectively.  
   
   
       9 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 1 , wherein said exterior member comprises an exterior plate having a perimeter edge, an upper surface, and a lower surface.  
   
   
       10 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 9 , wherein said exterior plate has an exterior fixture receiving aperture disposed therein.  
   
   
       11 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 10 , wherein said exterior plate comprises first and second apertures therein for receiving co-operating threaded fasteners therethrough.  
   
   
       12 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 11 , wherein said exterior plate is circular.  
   
   
       13 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 1 , wherein said exterior plate is decorative in shape.  
   
   
       14 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of said exterior plate is translucent.  
   
   
       15 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of said exterior plate is transparent.  
   
   
       16 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 1 , wherein said means for interconnecting said interior member and said exterior member in clamping relation comprises first and second threaded fasteners.  
   
   
       17 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 1 , wherein said means for interconnecting said interior member and said exterior member with respect to said ceiling or a wall, interconnects said interior member and said exterior member in clamping relation with respect to said ceiling or a wall.  
   
   
       18 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 1 , wherein said means for interconnecting said interior member and said exterior member in clamping relation comprises first and second spring members.  
   
   
       19 . The recess light fixture adapter of  claim 9 , wherein said exterior plate further comprises first and second aperture receiving mounts secured to the upper surface of said exterior plate, and said first and second apertures extend through said first and second aperture receiving mounts, respectively.  
   
   
       20 . A method of mounting a recess light fixture in an existing ceiling or a wall, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (A) mounting an interior member against the interior surface of a ceiling or a wall;    (B) mounting an exterior member against the exterior surface of a ceiling or a wall; and    (C) interconnecting said interior member and said exterior member in clamping relation with respect to said ceiling or a wall.