TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001]
The present invention relates to an elevator cage lighting apparatus that is mounted to a ceiling plate or a side plate of an elevator cage.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
Conventional elevator cage ceiling apparatuses include: a case that has an upper surface that is disposed so as to face a lower surface of a ceiling plate of a cage, a lighting aperture portion formed on a lower surface of the case; and a light source body that is mounted inside the case, wherein the case into which the light source body has been mounted is mounted to a ceiling plate by screwing a bolt into a nut from inside the cage, the nut being welded to the ceiling plate (see Patent Literature 1, for example).
CITATION LIST PATENT LITERATURE
[0003]
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-212454 (Gazette)
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION [0004]

In conventional elevator cage ceiling apparatuses, when mounting the case, it is necessary for a worker to fasten the bolt using a tool while supporting the case, making mounting difficult for a solitary worker.
[0005]
The present invention aims to solve the above problems and an object of the present invention is to provide an elevator cage lighting apparatus that enables a fitting main body to be mounted to a ceiling plate or a side plate of a cage easily even by a solitary worker without using tools.
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM
[0006]
An elevator cage lighting apparatus according to the present invention includes^ a light fitting; a fitting main body to which the light fitting is mounted, the fitting main body including: a first surface that comes into contact with a mounting surface that is constituted by a lower surface of a ceiling plate or an inner surface of a side plate of a cage, the first surface having a first opening portion! and a second surface that is different than the first surface, the second surface having a second opening portion; a first engaging portion that is disposed on the mounting surface or inside the fitting main body; a first member that is disposed inside the fitting main body so as to be able to reciprocate in a direction of separation from and contact with the mounting surface, a second engaging portion that is able to engage with the first engaging portion through the first opening portion being formed on a first end portion of the first member; and an elastic member that is disposed inside the fitting main body, that recovers to a state in which the second engaging portion is engaged in the first engaging portion, and that presses the first surface against the mounting surface by a force of recovery thereof.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007]
According to the present invention, a worker holds the fitting main body and moves the first surface close to the mounting surface, inserts a hand through the second opening portion, holds the first member and moves the first member in a direction that makes the elastic member store energy, engages the second engaging portion in the first engaging portion, and then releases the hand that is holding the first member. The first surface is thereby pressed against the mounting surface by the force of recovery of the elastic member, and the light main body is mounted in a state of contact with the mounting surface. Thus, complicated operations in which the worker fixes the fitting main body to the mounting surface using a tool while still holding the fitting main body are no longer required, enabling the lighting apparatus to be mounted easily to the ceiling plate or the side plate of the cage even by a solitary worker.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008]
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram that shows an elevator cage to which a lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention has been mounted;
Figure 2 is a plan of the lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention when viewed from a back surface side;
Figure 3 is a partially cutaway side elevation that shows a vicinity of a light fitting of the lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

Figure 4 is an oblique projection that explains a mounting mechanism in the lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a side elevation that shows a state in which a pulling spring is stretched in the lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
Figure 6A is a diagram that explains a mounting method for the light fitting according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
Figure 6B is a diagram that explains the mounting method for the light fitting according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
Figure 6C is a diagram that explains the mounting method for the light fitting according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a side elevation that shows a state in which a pushing spring is compressed in a lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
Figure 8A is a diagram that explains a mounting method for the light fitting according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
Figure 8B is a diagram that explains the mounting method for the light fitting according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
Figure 8C is a diagram that explains the mounting method for the light fitting according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
Figure 9 is an oblique projection that explains a mounting mechanism in a lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; and
Figure 10 is an oblique projection that explains a mounting mechanism in a lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Embodiment 1
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram that shows an elevator cage to which a lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention has been mounted, Figure 2 is a plan of the lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention when viewed from a back surface side, Figure 3 is a partially cutaway side elevation that shows a vicinity of a light fitting of the lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, Figure 4 is an oblique projection that explains a mounting mechanism in the lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, Figure 5 is a side elevation that shows a state in which a pulling spring is stretched in the lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and Figures 6A through 6C are diagrams that explain a mounting method for the light fitting according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0010]
In Figure 1, an elevator cage 1 includes^ a car floor % a side plate 3 that is disposed so as to stand on the car floor 2 so as to isolate an internal portion of the cage 1 from a hoistway! and a ceiling plate 4 that closes an upper portion of the side plate 3. Although not shown, the cage 1 also includes a doorway frame that constitutes a doorway through which boarding and alighting of users to and from landings is performed, a car door that opens and closes the doorway, and a car operating panel that is disposed on the side plate 3 beside the doorway, etc. Furthermore, a lighting apparatus 10 is mounted to a lower surface of the ceiling plate 4.
[0011]
As shown in Figure 2, the lighting apparatus 10 is constituted by a fitting main body 11; and light fittings 16 that are mounted inside the fitting main body 11.

[0012]
As shown in Figure 4, the fitting main body 11 is formed so as to have a box shape that is constituted by: a flat rectangular front surface plate 12; and side surface plates 13 that are disposed vertically on an inner surface side of the front surface plate 12 from each side of the rectangle of the front surface plate 12 so as to form a light fitting housing space together with the front surface plate 12. An entire surface on a rear surface side of the fitting main body 11 is open and constitutes a first opening portion 14. A second opening portion 15 through which a worker inserts a hand during mounting and removal operations of the fitting main body 11 is formed on the front surface plate 12. In this case, because the second opening portion 15 also functions as an opening portion for removing and inserting the light fittings 16, two second opening portions 15 are formed on the front surface plate 12. A rear surface of the fitting main body 11 constitutes a first surface, and a front surface of the fitting main body 11, i.e., the front surface of the front surface plate 12 constitutes a second surface.
[0013]
As shown in Figure 3, the light fittings 16 include^ a housing 17 in which a light source body such as a fluorescent lamp is housed; a lighting plate 18 that is formed integrally on a front surface of the housing 17, and that is constituted by a plate of translucent material such as a synthetic resin; engaging pawls 19 that are mounted to the housing 17, and that hold the front surface plate 12 against the lighting plate 18 when the light fittings 16 are mounted to the fitting main body 11 to stop wobbling or falling of the light fittings 16; and a power cord 20.
[0014]
Next, a mounting mechanism for the lighting apparatus 10 will be explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5.
[0015]

A bearing jig 22 is produced by bending and shaping a flat rectangular steel member, for example, and includes: a bearing portion 22a that functions as a first engaging portion; a pair of side wall portions 22b that protrude in identical directions from two end portions of the bearing portion 22a so as to be perpendicular to the bearing portion 22a>' and a pair of mounting portions 22c that protrude in opposite directions from protruding ends of the pair of side wall portions 22b so as to be perpendicular to the side wall portions 22b. The bearing jig 22 is mounted to the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4 by fixing the pair of mounting portions 22c to the ceiling plate 4 using bolts 23 and nuts 24.
[0016]
A mounting jig 25 that functions as a first member is produced by bending and shaping a flat rectangular steel member, for example, and includes1 a linking portion 25a! and a base portion 25b and a hooking portion 25c that functions as a second engaging portion, the base portion 25b and the hooking portion 25c protruding from two end portions of the linking portion 25a in identical directions so as to be perpendicular to the linking portion 25a. A protruding length of the hooking portion 25c is longer than a protruding length of the base portion 25b. The mounting jig 25 is disposed on the fitting main body 11 by passing a shaft member 26 that is erected perpendicularly on an inner surface of the front surface plate 12 through a penetrating aperture (not shown) that is opened through the base portion 25b. A pulling spring 27 that functions as an elastic member is disposed between the front surface plate 12 and the base portion 25b by fixing a first end thereof to the front surface plate 12, and fixing a second end thereof to the base portion 25b. In addition, a stopper 28 that functions as a second member is mounted near a protruding end of the shaft member 26.
[0017]

Here, the mounting jig 25 is reciprocally movable in a longitudinal direction of the shaft member 26, and is positioned in a normal position when the pulling spring 27 is approximately at its natural length. Dislodgment of the mounting jig 25 from the shaft member 26 is prevented by the stopper 28 coming into contact therewith. When the mounting jig 25 is positioned in the normal position, the base portion 25b is pulled toward the front surface plate 12 by the force of recovery of the pulling spring 27, and is spaced apart from the stopper 28.
[0018]
Next, a mounting method for the lighting apparatus 10 will be explained with reference to Figures 6A through 6B.
[0019]
First, a worker climbs a stepladder inside the cage 1 while carrying the bearing jig 22, and uses a tool to mount it to the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4 by fixing the pair of mounting portions 22c to the ceiling plate 4 using bolts 23 and nuts 24.
[0020]
Next, the worker climbs the stepladder while carrying the fitting main body 11 to which the mounting jig 25, the shaft member 26, the pulling spring 27, etc., have been attached in advance, inserts a hand through a second opening portion 15 into the fitting main body 11, holds the linking portion 25a, and stretches the pulling spring 27 until the base portion 25b comes into contact with the stopper 28. The hooking portion 22c thereby protrudes from the fitting main body 11 on the rear surface side. As shown in Figure 6A, the worker then moves the rear surface side of the fitting main body 11 toward the ceiling plate 4. Next, the worker moves the fitting main body 11 horizontally, and inserts the hooking portion 25c into the bearing jig 22 until the linking portion 25a is placed in contact with the bearing portion 22a, as shown in Figure 6B. Next, the worker

takes away the hand that is holding the linking portion 25a. Thus, the mounting jig 25 is pulled back toward the front surface plate 12 by the force of recovery of the stretched pulling spring 27. Then, when the hooking portion 25c comes into contact with the bearing portion 22a, the fitting main body 11 is pulled toward the ceiling plate 4 by the force of recovery of the pulling spring 27. As shown in Figure 6C, the fitting main body 11 is thereby mounted to the ceiling plate 4 so as to be held in a state in which a rear surface thereof is pressed against the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4 by the force of recovery of the pulling spring 27 so as to be placed in contact with the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4.
[0021]
Next, the worker climbs the stepladder while carrying the light fittings 16 and passes the power cords 20 through the second opening portions 15 and inserts them into electric power terminals (not shown) that are disposed on the ceiling plate 4. Next, the light fittings 16 are mounted to the fitting main body 11 by pushing the housing 17 through the second opening portion 15 into the fitting main body 11, and clamping the front surface plate 12 using the lighting plate 18 and the engaging pawls 19. Mounting of the lighting apparatus 10 is completed thereby.
[0022]
Moreover, the lighting apparatus 10 can be removed using a reverse procedure to the above mounting procedure for the lighting apparatus 10.
The natural length of the pulling spring 27 is set to a length that can generate sufficient force of recovery to enable the rear surface of the fitting main body 11 to which the light fittings 16 have been mounted to be pressed against, i.e., placed in contact with, the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4.
[0023]
According to Embodiment 1, a bearing jig 22 is mounted to a lower surface of a ceiling plate 4. A mounting jig 25 is mounted to a front surface

plate 12 such that a base portion 25b is oriented toward the front surface plate 12 so as to be able to reciprocate in a direction that is perpendicular to an inner surface of the front surface plate 12. A pulling spring 27 is disposed between the base portion 25b and the inner surface of the front surface plate 12. In addition, a second opening portion 15 is formed on the front surface plate 12. Thus, a hooking portion 25c of the mounting jig 25 can be pushed out from the fitting main body 11 on a rear surface side by inserting a hand through a second opening portion 15, and stretching the pulling spring 27 while holding the mounting jig 25. Then a rear surface side is moved closer to the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4, and the fitting main body 11 is moved parallel thereto, the hooking portion 25c that has been pushed out from the fitting main body 11 on the rear surface side is inserted into the bearing jig 22, and then the hand that held the mounting jig 25 is removed. The force of recovery that is stored by stretching is thereby released, placing the hooking portion 25c in contact with a bearing portion 22a of the bearing jig 22, and then pressing the fitting main body 11 against the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4. The fitting main body 11 is thereby mounted to the ceiling plate 4 so as to be held in a state in which the rear surface thereof is placed in contact with the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4.
[0024]
Consequently, a complicated operation in which a worker mounts the fitting main body 11 to the ceiling plate 4 using a tool such as a screwdriver while holding the bulky, heavy fitting main body 11 is no longer necessary. Thus, the lighting apparatus 10 can be easily mounted to the ceiling plate 4 even by a solitary worker.
[00251
Because the fitting main body 11 is mounted to the ceiling plate 4 so as to be held in a state in which the rear surface thereof is placed in contact

with the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4, and there are no gaps between the fitting main body 11 and the ceiling plate 4, risks such as the lighting apparatus 10 falling during the occurrence of an earthquake can be reduced compared to when there are gaps are between the fitting main body 11 and the ceiling plate 4, enabling superior earthquake resistance to be achieved.
[0026]
Because the bearing jig 22 and the mounting jig 25 are housed inside the fitting main body 11 when the fitting main body 11 is mounted to the ceiling plate 4, superior decorative design can be achieved.
[0027]
Moreover, in Embodiment 1 above, a fitting main body is mounted so as to come into contact with a lower surface of a ceiling plate, but a fitting main body may be mounted so as to be placed in contact with an inner surface of a side plate of a cage. In that case, a rear surface of the fitting main body is covered by a back surface plate, and one side surface plate among four side surface plates is omitted to form a first opening portion. The surface on which the side surface plate is omitted becomes a first surface.
[0028] Embodiment 2
Figure 7 is a side elevation that shows a state in which a pushing spring is compressed in a lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and Figures 8A through 6C are diagrams that explain a mounting method for the light fitting according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[0029]
In Figure 7, a mounting jig 25 is disposed on a fitting main body 11 by passing a shaft member 26 that is erected perpendicularly on an inner surface of a front surface plate 12 through a penetrating aperture (not

shown) that is opened through a base portion 25b. A pushing spring 29 that functions as an elastic member is disposed between the front surface plate 12 and the base portion 25b in a more compressed state than its natural length.
Here, the mounting jig 25 is reciprocally movable in a longitudinal direction of the shaft member 26. The mounting jig 25 is disposed inside the fitting main body 11 such that the base portion 25b is pressed against the front surface plate 12 by the force of recovery of the pushing spring 29.
Moreover, a remainder of the configuration is formed in a similar or identical manner to that of Embodiment 1 above.
[0030]
To mount the lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 2 to the ceiling plate 4, a worker first climbs a stepladder inside the cage 1 while carrying the bearing jig 22, and uses a tool to mount it to the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4 by fixing the pair of mounting portions 22c to the ceiling plate 4 using bolts 23 and nuts 24.
[0031]
Next, the worker climbs the stepladder while carrying the fitting main body 11 to which the mounting jig 25, the shaft member 26, the pushing spring 29, etc., have been attached in advance, inserts a hand through a second opening portion 15 into the fitting main body 11, holds the linking portion 25a, and compresses the pushing spring 29 such that the hooking portion 25c protrudes on the rear surface side of the fitting main body 11. As shown in Figure 8A, the worker then moves the rear surface side of the fitting main body 11 toward the ceiling plate 4. Next, the worker moves the fitting main body 11 horizontally, and inserts the hooking portion 25c into the bearing jig 22 until the linking portion 25a is placed in contact with the bearing portion 22a, as shown in Figure 8B. Next, the worker takes away the hand that is holding the linking portion 25a. Thus,

the mounting jig 25 is pushed back toward the front surface plate 12 by the force of recovery of the compressed pushing spring 29. Then, when the hooking portion 25c comes into contact with the bearing portion 22a, the fitting main body 11 is pulled toward the ceiling plate 4 by the force of recovery of the pushing spring 29. As shown in Figure 8C, the fitting main body 11 is thereby mounted to the ceiling plate 4 so as to be held in a state in which a rear surface thereof is pressed against the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4 by the force of recovery of the pushing spring 29 so as to be placed in contact with the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4.
[0032]
Next, the worker climbs the stepladder while carrying the light fittings 16 and passes the power cords 20 through the second opening portions 15 and inserts them into electric power terminals (not shown) that are disposed on the ceiling plate 4. Next, the light fittings 16 are mounted to the fitting main body 11 by pushing the housing 17 through the second opening portion 15 into the fitting main body 11, and clamping the front surface plate 12 using the lighting plate 18 and the engaging pawls 19. Mounting of the lighting apparatus is completed thereby.
[0033]
Moreover, the lighting apparatus can be removed using a reverse procedure to the above mounting procedure for the lighting apparatus.
The natural length of the pushing spring 29 is set to a length that can generate sufficient force of recovery to enable the rear surface of the fitting main body 11 to which the light fittings 16 have been mounted to be pressed against, i.e., placed in contact with, the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4.
[0034]
In this manner, in Embodiment 2, a complicated operation in which a worker mounts a fitting main body 11 to a ceiling plate 4 using a tool

while holding the fitting main body 11 is no longer necessary. The fitting main body 11 is mounted to the ceiling plate 4 so as to be held in a state in which the rear surface thereof is placed in contact with a lower surface of the ceiling plate 4, and there are no gaps between the fitting main body 11 and the ceiling plate 4. In addition, a bearing jig 22 and a mounting jig 25 are housed inside the fitting main body 11 when the fitting main body 11 is mounted to the ceiling plate 4. Consequently, similar or identical effects to those in Embodiment 1 above can also be achieved in Embodiment 2.
[0035]
Moreover, in Embodiment 2 above, a fitting main body is mounted so as to come into contact with a lower surface of a ceiling plate, but a fitting main body may be mounted so as to be placed in contact with an inner surface of a side plate of a cage. In that case, a rear surface of the fitting main body is covered by a back surface plate, and one side surface plate among four side surface plates is omitted to form a first opening portion. The surface on which the side surface plate is omitted becomes a first surface.
[0036] Embodiment 3
Figure 9 is an oblique projection that explains a mounting mechanism in a lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
[0037]
In Figure 9, a bearing jig 22 is mounted to a fitting main body 11 by fixing a pair of mounting portions 22c to an inner surface of a front surface plate 12.
[0038]
Although not shown, a mounting jig 25 is disposed on the fitting main body 11 by passing a shaft member 26 that is erected perpendicularly

on a lower surface of a ceiling plate 4 through a penetrating aperture that is opened through a base portion 25b. A pulling spring 27 is disposed between the ceiling plate 4 and the base portion 25b by fixing a first end thereof to the ceiling plate 4, and fixing a second end thereof to the base portion 25b. In addition, a stopper 28 is mounted near a protruding end of the shaft member 26.
[0039]
Here, the mounting jig 25 is reciprocally movable in a longitudinal direction of the shaft member 26, and is positioned in a normal position when the pulling spring 27 is approximately at its natural length. Dislodgment of the mounting jig 25 from the shaft member 26 is prevented by the stopper 28 coming into contact therewith. When the mounting jig 25 is positioned in the normal position, the base portion 25b is pulled toward the ceiling plate 4 by the force of recovery of the pulling spring 27, and is spaced apart from the stopper 28.
Moreover, a remainder of the configuration is formed in a similar or identical manner to that of Embodiment 1 above.
[0040]
Next, a method for mounting the lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 3 to the ceiling plate 4 will be explained. Here, the bearing jig 22 is mounted to the inner surface of the front surface plate 12 of the fitting main body 11 in advance. The mounting jig 25, the pulling spring 27, and the stopper 28 are also attached to the shaft member 26 in advance.
[0041]
First, a worker climbs a stepladder inside the cage 1 while carrying the shaft member 26 on which the mounting jig 25, the pulling spring 27, and the stopper 28 are assembled, mounts the shaft member 26 perpendicularly to the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4, and fixes a first end of the pulling spring 27 to the ceiling plate 4.

[0042]
Next, the worker climbs the stepladder while carrying the fitting main body 11, inserts a hand through a second opening portion 15 into the fitting main body 11, holds the linking portion 25a, and stretches the pulling spring 27. The worker then moves the rear surface side of the fitting main body 11 toward the ceiling plate 4. Next, the worker moves the fitting main body 11 horizontally, and inserts the hooking portion 25c into the bearing jig 22 until the linking portion 25a is placed in contact with the bearing portion 22a. Next, the worker takes away the hand that is holding the linking portion 25a. Thus, the mounting jig 25 is pulled back toward the ceiling plate 4 by the force of recovery of the stretched pushing spring 29. Then, when the hooking portion 25c comes into contact with the bearing portion 22a, the fitting main body 11 is pulled toward the ceiling plate 4 by the force of recovery of the pulling spring 27. The fitting main body 11 is thereby mounted to the ceiling plate 4 so as to be held in a state in which a rear surface thereof is pressed against the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4 by the force of recovery of the pulling spring 27 so as to be placed in contact with the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4.
[0043]
Next, the worker climbs the stepladder while carrying the light fittings 16 and passes the power cords 20 through the second opening portions 15 and inserts them into electric power terminals (not shown) that are disposed on the ceiling plate 4. Next, the light fittings 16 are mounted to the fitting main body 11 by pushing the housing 17 through the second opening portion 15 into the fitting main body 11, and clamping the front surface plate 12 using the lighting plate 18 and the engaging pawls 19. Mounting of the lighting apparatus is completed thereby.
[0044]

Moreover, the lighting apparatus can be removed using a reverse procedure to the above mounting procedure for the lighting apparatus.
The natural length of the pulling spring 27 is set to a length that can generate sufficient force of recovery to enable the rear surface of the fitting main body 11 to which the light fittings 16 have been mounted to be pressed against, i.e., placed in contact with, the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4.
[0045]
In this manner, in Embodiment 3, a complicated operation in which a worker mounts the fitting main body 11 to a ceiling plate 4 using a tool while holding the fitting main body 11 is no longer necessary. The fitting main body 11 is mounted to the ceiling plate 4 so as to be held in a state in which the rear surface thereof is placed in contact with the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4, and there are no gaps between the fitting main body 11 and the ceiling plate 4. In addition, a bearing jig 22 and a mounting jig 25 are housed inside the fitting main body 11 when the fitting main body 11 is mounted to the ceiling plate 4. Consequently, similar or identical effects to those in Embodiment 1 above can also be achieved in Embodiment 3.
[0046]
Moreover, in Embodiment 3 above, a mounting jig is mounted to a ceiling plate by mounting a bearing jig to a front surface plate of a fitting main body in the lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 above, but effects can be similarly achieved by mounting a mounting jig to a ceiling plate by mounting a bearing jig to a front surface plate of a fitting main body in the lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 2 above.
[0047] Embodiment 4
Figure 10 is an oblique projection that explains a mounting mechanism in a lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0048]
In Figure 10, a third opening portion 30 is formed on a ceiling plate 4, and a bearing jig 22 is omitted. A circumferential edge portion 4a of the third opening portion 30 on the ceiling plate 4 becomes a first engaging portion.
Moreover, a remainder of the configuration is formed in a similar or identical manner to that of Embodiment 1 above.
[0049]
To mount the lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 4 to the ceiling plate 4, the worker climbs the stepladder while carrying the fitting main body 11 to which the mounting jig 25, the shaft member 26, the pulling spring 27, etc., have been attached in advance, inserts a hand through a second opening portion 15 into the fitting main body 11, holds the linking portion 25a, and stretches the pulling spring 27 until the base portion 25b comes into contact with the stopper 28. The hooking portion 22c thereby protrudes from the fitting main body 11 on the rear surface side. The worker then moves the rear surface side of the fitting main body 11 toward the ceiling plate 4, to insert the hooking portion 22c into the third opening portion 30. Next, the worker moves the fitting main body 11 horizontally until the linking portion 25a is placed in contact with the edge portion of the third opening portion 30. Next, the worker takes away the hand that is holding the linking portion 25a. Thus, the mounting jig 25 is pulled back toward the front surface plate 12 by the force of recovery of the stretched pulling spring 27. Then, when the hooking portion 25c comes into contact with the circumferential edge portion 4a of the third opening portion 30 of the ceiling plate 4, the fitting main body 11 is pulled toward the ceiling plate 4 by the force of recovery of the pulling spring 27. The fitting main body 11 is thereby mounted to the ceiling plate 4 so as to be held in a state in which a rear surface thereof is pressed against the lower

surface of the ceiling plate 4 by the force of recovery of the pulling spring 27 so as to be placed in contact with the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4.
[0050]
Next, the worker climbs the stepladder while carrying the light fittings 16 and passes the power cords 20 through the second opening portions 15 and inserts them into electric power terminals (not shown) that are disposed on the ceiling plate 4. Next, the light fittings 16 are mounted to the fitting main body 11 by pushing the housing 17 through the second opening portion 15 into the fitting main body 11, and clamping the front surface plate 12 using the lighting plate 18 and the engaging pawls 19. Mounting of the lighting apparatus is completed thereby.
[0051]
Moreover, the lighting apparatus can be removed using a reverse procedure to the above mounting procedure for the lighting apparatus.
The natural length of the pulling spring 27 is set to a length that can generate sufficient force of recovery to enable the rear surface of the fitting main body 11 to which the light fittings 16 have been mounted to be pressed against, i.e., placed in contact with, the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4.
[0052]
In this manner, in Embodiment 4, a complicated operation in which a worker mounts the fitting main body 11 to a ceiling plate 4 using a tool while holding the fitting main body 11 is no longer necessary. The fitting main body 11 is mounted to the ceiling plate 4 so as to be held in a state in which the rear surface thereof is placed in contact with the lower surface of the ceiling plate 4, and there are no gaps between the fitting main body 11 and the ceiling plate 4. In addition, a third opening portion 30 and a mounting jig 25 are housed inside the fitting main body 11 when the fitting main body 11 is mounted to the ceiling plate 4. Consequently, similar or

identical effects to those in Embodiment 1 above can also be achieved in Embodiment 4.
Furthermore, according to Embodiment 4, a bearing jig 22 is no longer required, enabling the number of parts to be reduced, and because an operation for mounting the bearing jig 22 is no longer required, the lighting apparatus can be mounted to the ceiling plate 4 more easily.
[0053]
Moreover, in Embodiment 4 above, a third opening portion is formed on a ceiling plate and a bearing jig is omitted in the lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 above, but effects can be similarly achieved by forming a third opening portion on a ceiling plate and omitting a bearing jig in the lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 2 above.
[0054]
In each of the above embodiments, an entire surface on a rear surface side of a fitting main body is open, but a rear surface of the fitting main body may be covered by a back surface plate, and a first opening portion that has a size that is required for engaging action and engagement releasing action between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion during mounting and removal operation of the fitting main body may be formed on the back surface plate.
In each of the above embodiments, a bearing portion and a mounting jig are produced by bending and shaping steel sheets, but the bearing portion and the mounting jig do not need to be made of metal, and may be made of resin provided that a desired mechanical strength is obtained.

CLAIMS:
1. An elevator cage lighting apparatus comprising:
a light fitting;
a fitting main body to which said light fitting is mounted, said fitting main body comprising:
a first surface that comes into contact with a mounting surface that is constituted by a lower surface of a ceiling plate or an inner surface of a side plate of a cage, said first surface having a first opening portion; and
a second surface that is different than said first surface, said second surface having a second opening portion; a first engaging portion that is disposed on said mounting surface or inside said fitting main body;
a first member that is disposed inside said fitting main body so as to be able to reciprocate in a direction of separation from and contact with said mounting surface, a second engaging portion that is able to engage with said first engaging portion through said first opening portion being formed on a first end portion of said first member; and
an elastic member that is disposed inside said fitting main body, that recovers to a state in which said second engaging portion is engaged in said first engaging portion, and that presses said first surface against said mounting surface by a force of recovery thereof.
2. The elevator cage lighting apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein
said elastic member is a pulling spring that is disposed between an inner surface of said fitting main body that faces said mounting surface and a second end portion of said first member, or between said mounting surface and said second end portion of said first member.

3. The elevator cage lighting apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein-
a second member is disposed at a position that is spaced apart from
a second end portion of said first member toward said first engaging portion! and
said elastic member is a pushing spring that is disposed between said second end portion of said first member and said second member.
4. The elevator cage lighting apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 through 3, wherein said first engaging portion is disposed so as to be spaced apart from said mounting surface, or from an inner surface of said fitting main body that faces said mounting surface.
5. The elevator cage lighting apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 through 3, wherein'
a third opening portion is formed on said mounting surface; and a circumferential edge portion of said third opening portion of said ceiling plate or said side plate constitutes said first engaging portion.