Method and apparatus for mounting a lighting device

Abstract

A lighting device mounting apparatus allows the adjusting of the lighting device faceplate after the installation of a housing in a wall.

1 . A lighting device mounting apparatus, comprising: 
 a mounting sleeve;    means for allowing movement of the mounting sleeve relative to a housing; and    means for preventing movement of the mounting sleeve relative to the housing.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting sleeve comprises means for coupling a threaded connector to the mounting sleeve.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for allowing movement of the mounting sleeve relative to a housing comprises a plate defining a slot, whereby the mounting sleeve is positioned in the slot.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for allowing movement of the mounting sleeve relative to a housing comprises a housing defining a slot, whereby the mounting sleeve is positioned in the slot.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for preventing movement of the mounting sleeve relative to the housing comprises resilient means operable to be coupled to the mounting sleeve and to prevent movement of the mounting sleeve in the means for allowing movement of the mounting sleeve relative to a housing.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the mounting sleeve is operable to be decoupled from the resilient means in order to allow the mounting sleeve to move in the means for allowing movement of the mounting sleeve relative to a housing.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for preventing movement of the mounting sleeve relative to the housing prevents the movement of the mounting sleeve in order to allow a faceplate to be coupled to the mounting sleeve.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for allowing movement of the mounting sleeve relative to a housing allows movement of the mounting sleeve in order to allow a faceplate to be adjusted when the faceplate is coupled to the mounting sleeve.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for preventing the mounting sleeve from disengaging from the means for allowing movement of the mounting sleeve relative to the housing.    
   
   
       10 . A lighting device mounting apparatus, comprising: 
 a plate defining a slot;    a mounting sleeve positioned in the slot and operable to move in the slot relative to the plate;    a resilient member coupled to the plate and operable to engage the mounting sleeve to prevent movement of the mounting sleeve relative to the plate.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the mounting sleeve is operable to be moved from a first position where it is engaged with the resilient member and prevented from moving in the slot relative to the plate to a second position where it is disengaged from the resilient member and allowed to move in the slot relative to the plate.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the slot comprises an arcuate shape.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the mounting sleeve defines a threaded passageway.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a bracket mounted to the plate.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the bracket defines a mounting sleeve passageway.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the resilient member is mounted to the bracket.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 ,.wherein the mounting sleeve is positioned in the mounting sleeve passageway and engages the resilient member.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the bracket and the plate define a mounting sleeve movement volume.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the mounting sleeve is operable to be moved from a first position where it is engaged with the resilient member and prevented from moving in the slot relative to the plate to a second position where it is disengaged from the resilient member, partially positioned in the mounting sleeve movement volume, and allowed to move in the slot relative to the plate.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the resilient member prevents the movement of the mounting sleeve relative to the plate in order to allow a faceplate to be coupled to the mounting sleeve.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the slot allows movement of the mounting sleeve relative to the plate in order to allow a faceplate to be adjusted when the faceplate is coupled to the mounting sleeve.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a mounting sleeve stop coupled to the bracket.    
   
   
       23 . A lighting device mounting apparatus, comprising: 
 a housing;    a mounting sleeve coupled to the housing and operable to move relative to the housing;    a resilient member coupled to the housing and operable to engage the mounting sleeve to prevent movement of the mounting sleeve relative to the housing.    
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the mounting sleeve is operable to be moved from a first position where it is engaged with the resilient member and prevented from moving relative to the housing to a second position where it is disengaged from the resilient member and allowed to move relative to the housing.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the mounting sleeve defines a threaded passageway.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising: 
 a bracket coupled to the housing.    
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the bracket defines a mounting sleeve passageway.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the resilient member is mounted to the bracket.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the mounting sleeve is positioned in the mounting sleeve passageway and engages the resilient member.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the bracket and the housing define a mounting sleeve movement volume.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the mounting sleeve is operable to be moved from a first position where it is engaged with the resilient member and prevented from moving relative to the housing to a second position where it is it is disengaged from the resilient member, partially positioned in the mounting sleeve movement volume, and allowed to move relative to the housing.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the housing defines a slot, whereby the mounting sleeve is positioned in the slot and operable to move along the slot and relative to the housing.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the slot comprises an arcuate shape.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising: 
 a mounting sleeve stop coupled to the housing.    
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 a plate coupled to the housing; and    a slot defined by the plate, wherein the mounting sleeve is positioned in the slot and operable to move along the slot and relative to the housing.    
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the slot comprises an arcuate shape.  
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the mounting sleeve is prevented from moving relative to the housing in order to allow a faceplate to be coupled to the mounting sleeve.  
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 a faceplate coupled to the mounting sleeve.    
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the mounting sleeve is allowed to move relative to the housing in order to allow the faceplate to be adjusted.  
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising; 
 a wall, whereby the housing is mounted in a wall.    
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein the mounting sleeve is prevented from moving relative to the housing in order to allow a faceplate to be coupled to the mounting sleeve.  
   
   
       42 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , further comprising: 
 a faceplate coupled to the mounting sleeve.    
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the mounting sleeve is allowed to move relative to the housing in order to allow the faceplate to be adjusted when the housing is mounted in the wall.  
   
   
       44 . A light device mounting apparatus, comprising: 
 a housing;    means for coupling a faceplate to the housing;    means for allowing movement of the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing relative to the housing; and    means for preventing movement of the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing relative to the housing.    
   
   
       45 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing comprises means for coupling a threaded connector to the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing.  
   
   
       46 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the means for allowing movement of the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing relative to the housing comprises a plate defining a slot, whereby the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing is positioned in the slot.  
   
   
       47 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the means for allowing movement of the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing relative to the housing comprises a slot defined by the housing, whereby the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing is positioned in the slot.  
   
   
       48 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the means for preventing movement of the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing relative to the housing comprises resilient means operable to be coupled to the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing and to prevent movement of the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing in the means for allowing movement of the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing relative to the housing.  
   
   
       49 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing is operable to be decoupled from the resilient means in order to allow the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing to move in the means for allowing movement of the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing relative to the housing.  
   
   
       50 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the means for preventing movement of the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing relative to the housing prevents the movement of the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing in order to allow a faceplate to be coupled to the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing.  
   
   
       51 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the means for allowing movement of the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing relative to the housing allows movement of the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing in order to allow a faceplate to be adjusted when the faceplate is coupled to the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing.  
   
   
       52 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , further comprising: 
 means for preventing the means for coupling a faceplate to the housing from disengaging from the housing.    
   
   
       53 . A method for mounting a lighting device, comprising: 
 providing a housing defining a slot;    coupling a resilient member to the housing;    positioning a mounting sleeve in the slot and moveably coupled to the housing;    and    engaging the mounting sleeve with the resilient member in order to prevent the mounting sleeve from moving relative to the housing.    
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising: 
 mounting the housing in a wall.    
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising: 
 coupling a faceplate to the mounting sleeve;    disengaging the mounting sleeve from the resilient member to allow the mounting sleeve to move relative to the housing; and    adjusting the faceplate by moving the mounting sleeve relative to the housing.    
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising: 
 securing the faceplate and the mounting sleeve to the housing.    
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising: 
 preventing the disengagement of the mounting sleeve from the slot.    
   
   
       58 . A method for mounting a lighting device, comprising: 
 providing a housing comprising a mounting sleeve moveably coupled to the housing and a resilient member coupled to the housing;    engaging the mounting sleeve with the resilient member to prevent the mounting sleeve from moving relative to the housing; and    mounting the housing in a wall.    
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 58 , further comprising: 
 coupling a faceplate to the mounting sleeve;    disengaging the mounting sleeve from the resilient member to allow the mounting sleeve to move relative to the housing;    adjusting the faceplate by moving the mounting sleeve relative to the housing;    and    securing the mounting sleeve and the faceplate to the housing.    
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 58 , further comprising: 
 preventing the disengagement of the mounting sleeve from the housing.    
   
   
       61 . A method for mounting a lighting device, comprising: 
 providing a housing comprising a mounting sleeve which is operable to move relative to the housing;    preventing the mounting sleeve from moving relative to the housing;    coupling a faceplate to the mounting sleeve;    allowing the mounting sleeve to move relative to the housing;    adjusting the faceplate by moving the mounting sleeve relative to the housing; and    mounting the faceplate to the housing.    
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising: 
 mounting the housing in a wall, whereby the adjusting is performed with the housing mounted in the wall.    
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising: 
 preventing the disengagement of the mounting sleeve from the housing.    
   
   
       64 . A lighting device mounting apparatus, comprising: 
 a mounting sleeve comprising means for coupling a threaded connector to the mounting sleeve;    means for allowing movement of the mounting sleeve relative to a housing; and    resilient means operable to be coupled to the mounting sleeve for preventing movement of the mounting sleeve relative to the housing in order to allow a faceplate to be coupled to the mounting sleeve, whereby the mounting sleeve is operable to decouple from the resilient means in order to allow the mounting sleeve to move relative to the housing in order to allow a faceplate to be adjusted when the faceplate is coupled to the mounting sleeve.    
   
   
       65 . A lighting device mounting apparatus, comprising: 
 a plate defining an arcuate slot;    a bracket mounted to the plate and defining a mounting sleeve passageway, whereby the bracket and the plate define a mounting sleeve movement volume;    a mounting sleeve defining a threaded passageway, positioned in the slot, and operable to move in the slot relative to the plate; and    a resilient member coupled to the bracket and operable to engage the mounting sleeve to prevent movement of the mounting sleeve relative to the plate, wherein the mounting sleeve is operable to be moved from a first position where it is engaged with the resilient member and prevented from moving in the slot relative to the plate in order to allow a faceplate to be coupled to the mounting sleeve, to a second position where it is disengaged from the resilient member, partially positioned in the mounting sleeve movement volume, and allowed to move in the slot relative to the plate in order to allow a faceplate to be adjusted when the faceplate is coupled to the mounting sleeve.    
   
   
       66 . A lighting device mounting apparatus, comprising: 
 a housing mounted in a wall;    a bracket defining a mounting sleeve passageway and coupled to the housing, wherein the bracket and the housing define a mounting sleeve movement volume;    a mounting sleeve defining a threaded passageway, coupled to the housing, and operable to move relative to the housing; and    a resilient member coupled to the bracket and operable to engage the mounting sleeve to prevent movement of the mounting sleeve relative to the housing, wherein the mounting sleeve is operable to be moved from a first position where it is engaged with the resilient member and prevented from moving relative to the housing in order to allow a faceplate to be coupled to the mounting sleeve, to a second position where it is it is disengaged from the resilient member, partially positioned in the mounting sleeve movement volume, and allowed to move relative to the housing in order to allow a faceplate to be adjusted when the faceplate is coupled to the mounting sleeve.    
   
   
       67 . The apparatus of  claim 66 , further comprising: 
 a faceplate coupled to the mounting sleeve.    
   
   
       68 . A method for mounting a lighting device, comprising: 
 providing a housing defining a slot;    coupling a resilient member to the housing;    positioning a mounting sleeve in the slot and moveably coupled to the housing;    engaging the mounting sleeve with the resilient member in order to prevent the mounting sleeve from moving relative to the housing;    mounting the housing in a wall;    coupling a faceplate to the mounting sleeve;    disengaging the mounting sleeve from the resilient member to allow the mounting sleeve to move relative to the housing;    adjusting the faceplate by moving the mounting sleeve relative to the housing; and    securing the faceplate and the mounting sleeve to the housing.    
   
   
       69 . A method for mounting a lighting device, comprising: 
 providing a housing comprising a mounting sleeve which is operable to move relative to the housing;    mounting the housing in a wall, whereby the adjusting is performed with the housing mounted in the wall;    preventing the mounting sleeve from moving relative to the housing;    coupling a faceplate to the mounting sleeve;    allowing the mounting sleeve to move relative to the housing;    adjusting the faceplate by moving the mounting sleeve relative to the housing; and    mounting the faceplate to the housing.