Integrated ceiling and light system

Abstract

An integrated ceiling and light system that incorporates a light module into a ceiling tile. The system may include a grid support system suspended from an overhead support structure that includes at least one grid support element and first and second ceiling tiles supported by the grid support element in an adjacent manner A nesting cavity may be formed into the first and second ceiling tiles such that a light module may be disposed within the nesting cavity and coupled to the first and second ceiling tiles. The ceiling tiles may be of the type that conceals the grid support element on which it is supported. In one alternative embodiment, the light module and a nesting region of the ceiling tile may include corresponding edge profiles to facilitate mating therebetween to enable coupling of the light source to the ceiling tile.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An integrated ceiling and light system comprising:
 a ceiling tile comprising a front surface and an opposing rear surface, a passageway having an axis extending through the ceiling tile from the front surface to the rear surface, the passageway bound by a sidewall, the sidewall comprising threads;   a light module comprising a front surface opposite a rear surface; and   a housing comprising a front surface opposite a rear surface, wherein the housing has a circular shape and comprises a threaded outer surface;
 wherein the light module is affixed to the housing; and 
 wherein the housing is detachably coupled to the ceiling tile by mating the sidewall threads of the ceiling tile with the threaded outer surface of the housing. 
   
     
     
         2 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 1 , wherein the light module is positioned within a recess of the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 2 , wherein the front surface of the light module is flush with the front surface of the ceiling tile. 
     
     
         4 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 1 , wherein the light module is coupled to a bottom surface of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 4 , wherein the front surface of the light module is flush with the front surface of the ceiling tile. 
     
     
         6 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 1 , wherein the light module further comprises electrical wires coupled to the rear surface. 
     
     
         7 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 6 , wherein the electrical wires pass through the rear surface of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 1 , wherein the front surface of the light module is a common light and heat emitting surface of the light module. 
     
     
         9 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 1 , wherein the ceiling tile is formed from a compressible material. 
     
     
         10 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 9 , wherein the ceiling tile is made from a rubber or a foam. 
     
     
         11 . An integrated ceiling and light system comprising:
 a ceiling tile having a front surface and an opposing rear surface, a circular cavity having a floor formed into the front surface, at least one passageway extending along an axis from the floor of the cavity to the rear surface of the ceiling tile, the passageway bound by a sidewall, the sidewall comprising threads;   a light module comprising a front surface opposite a rear surface; and   a housing comprising a front surface opposite a rear surface, wherein the housing has a circular shape and comprises a threaded outer surface;
 wherein the light module is affixed to the housing; and 
 wherein the housing is detachably coupled to the ceiling tile by mating the sidewall threads of the ceiling tile with the threaded outer surface of the housing. 
   
     
     
         12 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 11 , wherein the light module is positioned within a recess of the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 12 , wherein the front surface of the light module is flush with the front surface of the ceiling tile. 
     
     
         14 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 11 , wherein the light module is coupled to a bottom surface of the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 14 , wherein the front surface of the light module is flush with the front surface of the ceiling tile. 
     
     
         16 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 11 , wherein the light module further comprises electrical wires coupled to the rear surface. 
     
     
         17 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 16 , wherein the electrical wires pass through the rear surface of the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 11 , wherein the front surface of the light module is a common light and heat emitting surface of the light module. 
     
     
         19 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 11 , wherein the light module has a weight per unit volume that is equal to or less than the weight per unit volume of the ceiling tile. 
     
     
         20 . The integrated ceiling and light system of  claim 11 , wherein the ceiling tile is made from a metal, a rubber, or a foam.