Lighting and ventilating system and method

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a lighting and ventilating system including a main housing. The main housing can include an inlet through which air can be received within the main housing and an outlet through which the air can exit the main housing. A fan wheel can be supported in the main housing and it can be operable to generate a flow of air. A grille can be coupled to the main housing and the grille can comprise at least one aperture. The system can include a plate coupled to the grille and the plate can include a recess. Also, a set of illumination devices can be at least partially disposed within the recess.

1 . A lighting and ventilating system, comprising:
 a main housing including an inlet through which air is received within the main housing and an outlet through which the air exits the main housing;   a fan wheel supported in the main housing and operable to generate a flow of air;   a grille coupled to the main housing, the grille comprising at least one aperture;   a plate including a recess and being operably coupled to the grille;   a set of illumination devices at least partially disposed within the recess;   a panel including a panel flange engagable to the recess to couple the panel to the plate, wherein the panel flange is positioned adjacent to the set of illumination devices at least partially disposed within the recess.   
     
     
         2 . The lighting and ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of illumination devices comprises light-emitting diodes. 
     
     
         3 . The light and ventilating system of  claim 2 , wherein the set of illumination devices comprises a ribbon. 
     
     
         4 . The light and ventilating system of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the panel flange is reflective to reflect light generated by the set of illumination devices. 
     
     
         5 . The light and ventilating system of  claim 1 , wherein the recess encircles a center portion of the plate. 
     
     
         6 . The light and ventilating system of  claim 5 , wherein the panel flange extends along the recess to block light generated by the set of illumination devices directed away from the center portion of the plate. 
     
     
         7 . A lighting and ventilating system, comprising:
 a main housing including an inlet through which air is received within the main housing and an outlet through which the air exits the main housing;   a fan wheel supported in the main housing and operable to generate a flow of air;   a grille coupled to the main housing, the grille including at least one aperture and at least one step member; and   a plate including an inner surface defining a plate aperture and including at least one mounting notch;   wherein the at least one step member is at least partially disposed within the plate aperture to engage the at least one mounting notch to engage the plate to the grille.   
     
     
         8 . The lighting and ventilating system of  claim 7 , wherein the step member is configured to rotatably engage the mounting notch such that rotating the plate in a first direction engages the mounting notch to the step member and rotating the plate in a second direction disengage the mounting notch to the step member. 
     
     
         9 . The lighting and ventilating system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one step member includes a support flange to define a support slot engagable to the plate. 
     
     
         10 . The light and ventilating system of  claim 7 , wherein the grille includes at least one illumination device. 
     
     
         11 . The light and ventilating system of  claim 10 , wherein the support flange includes at least one illumination aperture aligned with the at least one illumination device. 
     
     
         12 . A lighting and ventilating system, comprising:
 a main housing including an inlet through which air is received within the main housing and an outlet through which the air exits the main housing;   a fan wheel supported in the main housing and operable to generate a flow of air;   a lamp housing coupled to the grille, the lamp housing including at least one primary illumination device;   a grille coupled to the main housing, the grille including at least one aperture and at least one support flange; and   a plate including an inner surface defining a plate aperture and including at least one light distribution feature, wherein the at least one support flange is at least partially disposed within the plate aperture to engage the inner surface to engage the plate to the grille;   wherein the lamp housing is oriented to direct light from the at least one illumination device through the plate aperture and across the at least one light distribution feature.   
     
     
         13 . The light and ventilating system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one light distribution feature comprises a textured inner surface for disrupting light generated by the at least one primary illumination device passing through the plate aperture. 
     
     
         14 . The light and ventilating system of  claim 12 , wherein the grille includes at least one secondary illumination device. 
     
     
         15 . The light and ventilating system of  claim 14 , wherein the inner surface of the plate includes at least one illumination notches aligned with the at least one secondary illumination device for directing light generated by the at least one secondary illumination device through the plate aperture.