CONNECTING ROD AND LIGHTING DEVICE USING THE SAME

Abstract

 A connecting rod is provided. The connecting rod includes an elongate body and an electric connecting element. The elongate body has a first end portion, a second end portion, a hiding surface and at least one supporting surface. The hiding surface and the at least one supporting surface surround an extending axis of the elongate body and are disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. An area of the hiding surface is smaller than or equal to an area of any of the at least one supporting surface. The electric connecting element is disposed at the hiding surface and extends from the first end portion to the second end portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates in general to a connecting rod, and more particularly to a connecting rod whose material is a transparent material.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Along with the advance in the lighting technology, various types of light devices are provided. The light device further provides environmental beautification in addition to the lighting function. In order to improve people's visual experience, the industries are engaged in the design of various shapes of light devices such that the light devices can provide special visual effects.

[0003] For example, the lamp mask of the light device can be connected to a connecting rod whose material is a transparent material, such that the lamp mask may look like being suspended in the air. However, the light emitting element within the lamp mask is still powered through the electric connecting element such as wires disposed within the connecting rod. Thus, the user still may see the wires disposed within the connecting rod, and the visual suspension effect will be greatly jeopardized.

SUMMARY

[0004] The disclosure is directed to the connecting rod. Since the electric connecting element is disposed at a hiding surface and will not be detected easily, the lamp mask looks like being suspended in the air.

[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, a connecting rod is provided. The connecting rod includes an elongate body and an electric connecting element. The elongate body has a first end portion, a second end portion, a hiding surface and at least one supporting surface. The hiding surface and the supporting surface surround an extending axis of the elongate body and are disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The area of the hiding surface is smaller than or equal to the area of any of the supporting surface. The electric connecting element is disposed at the hiding surface and extends from the first end portion to the second end portion.

[0006] The above and other aspects of the invention will become better understood with regard to the following detailed description of the preferred but non-limiting embodiment (s). The following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] 

FIGS. 1A to 1B are schematic diagrams of a light device.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting rod of FIG. 1B along a cross-sectional line 2-2'.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting rod of FIG. 1B along a cross-sectional line 2-2' according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting rod of FIG. 1B along a cross-sectional line 2-2' according to an alternate embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting rod of FIG. 1B along a cross-sectional line 2-2' according to another alternate embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a light device according to another embodiment.

[0008] In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1B, schematic diagrams of a light device 100 are shown. The light device 100 includes a lamp mask 110, a light emitting element 120 and a connecting element 130. The light emitting element 120 is disposed within the lamp mask 110. A material of the lamp mask 110 can be metal, plastics, wood or a combination thereof. The light emitting element 120 can be realized by an incandescent light bulb, a fluorescent lamp, a halogen lamp or an LED lamp. The connecting rod 130 connects the lamp mask 110 for supporting the lamp mask 110 on the desktop or suspending the lamp mask 110 on the ceiling or the wall.

[0010] The connecting rod 130 includes an elongate body 131 and an electric connecting element 132. A material of the elongate body 131 is a transparent material, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The elongate body 131 can be realized by such as a three-sided cylinder, a four-sided cylinder, a multi-sided cylinder or an irregular cylinder. When the material of the elongate body 131 is a transparent material, the lamp mask 110 will look like being suspended in the air. Such type of light device 100 provides special visual effect and is particularly suitable to commercial establishments or residential environment.

[0011] The electric connecting element 132 provides a necessary power to the light emitting element 120. A material of the electric connecting element 132 can be metal or indium tin oxide (ITO). The electric connecting element 132 may include two wires, such as a positive wire and a negative wire. The two wires can be disposed in parallel or entwined to form a twisted-pair wire.

[0012] The elongate body 131 has a first end portion E1, a second end portion E2, a hiding surface S1 and at least one supporting surface S2. The hiding surface S1 and the supporting surface S2 surround an extending axis X1 of the elongate body 131 and are disposed between the first end portion E1 and the second end portion E2. An area of the hiding surface S1 is smaller than or equal to an area of any of the supporting surface S2. The elongate body 131 may have many side surfaces. The side surface having the smallest area is defined as the hiding surface S1, and each of remaining side surfaces is defined as the supporting surface S2. If two side surfaces of the elongate body 131 both have the smallest area, then one of the side surfaces having the smallest area is defined as the hiding surface S1, and each of remaining side surface are defined as the supporting surface S2. If each side surface of the elongate body 131 has the same area, then any of the side surfaces can be defined as the hiding surface S1, and each of remaining side surfaces are defined as the supporting surface S2. Besides, the hiding surface 131 and the supporting surface S2 can be planes, curved surfaces or irregular rolling surfaces.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of the connecting rod 130 of FIG. 1B along a cross-sectional line 2-2' is shown. As indicated in FIG. 2, the quantity of supporting surfaces S2 is 3. The area of the hiding surface S1 is smaller than the area of the supporting surface S2 at the left side or the right side but is equivalent to the area of the supporting surface S2 at the bottom. The electric connecting element 132 is disposed at the hiding surface S1 and extends from the first end portion E1 (illustrated in FIG. 1B) to the second end portion E2 (illustrated in FIG. 1 B).

[0014] Since the hiding surface S1 has a smaller area, the light will be concentrated on the hiding surface S1, the electric connecting element 132 disposed at the hiding surface S1 will not be easily detected, and the lamp mask 110 will look like being suspended in the air.

[0015] In an embodiment, a ratio of an area of the hiding surface S1 to a total surface area of the elongate body 131 is less than 20%. The smaller the hiding surface S1, the easier the concentration of the light on the hiding surface S1, and the better the electric connecting element 132 is concealed.

[0016] In an embodiment, a diameter of the cross-section of the electric connecting element 132 is less than 1 millimeter (mm). Given that the safety specifications and the loading requirements are satisfied, the thinner the electric connecting element 132 is, the more difficult the detection of the electric connecting element 132 is.

[0017] As indicated in FIG. 2, the elongate body 131 further has at least one recess G0 disposed at the hiding surface S1. The electric connecting element 132 is disposed within the recess G0, such that the electric connecting element 132 can be firmly disposed at the hiding surface S1.

[0018] As indicated in FIG. 2, the electric connecting element 132 has two wires disposed near the center of the hiding surface S1. The elongate body 131 of FIG. 2 has two recesses G0 for receiving the two wires respectively. The quantity of recesses G0 is exemplified by 2 in FIG. 2. However, in another embodiment, the elongate body 131 has only one recess within which the twisted-pair wire formed by two entwined wires is disposed.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of the connecting rod of FIG. 1B along a cross-sectional line 2-2' according to another embodiment is shown. The elongate body 231 has at least one arced chamfer R1 disposed at an edge of the hiding surface S1, the electric connecting element 232 is disposed at a center of curvature C of the arced chamfer R1. Since the arced chamfer R1 may easily form a dark band, the electric connecting element 232 disposed at the center of curvature C of the arced chamfer R1 will not be easily detected.

[0020] In another embodiment, a twisted-pair wire formed by two wires of the electric connecting element 232 can be disposed at the same center of curvature C of the arced chamfer R1.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of the connecting rod of FIG. 1B along a cross-sectional line 2-2' according to an alternate embodiment is shown. A material of the electric connecting element 332 is an indium tin oxide (ITO). Since the ITO is a transparent material, the electric connecting element 332 will not be easily detected when disposed at the surface of the hiding surface S1.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of the connecting rod of FIG. 1B along a cross-sectional line 2-2' according to another alternate embodiment is shown. If a material of the electric connecting element 432 is ITO, the electric connecting element 432 can be embedded into the elongate body 431 to avoid the electric connecting element 432 being oxidized.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 6, a schematic diagram of a light device 500 according to another embodiment is shown. The connecting rod 530 of the light device 500 connects the lamp mask 510 to support or suspend the lamp mask 510. Although the shape of the lamp mask 510 of FIG. 6 is different from that of the lamp mask 110 of FIGS. 1A-1B, the connecting rod 530 of FIG. 6 still can adopt the design of the connecting rods 130, 230, 330 and 430 of the above embodiments. The shape of the lamp mask 110, 510 is not for limiting the scope of protection of the invention.

[0024] According to the design of disposing the electric connecting element on the hiding surface disclosed in above embodiments, when a material of the elongate body of the connecting rod is a transparent material, the electric connecting element will not be easily detected and the lamp mask will look like being suspended in the air.

[0025] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A connecting rod (130, 230, 330, 430, 530), characterized in that the connecting rod comprises:

an elongate body (131, 231, 431) having a first end portion (E1), a second end portion (E2), a hiding surface and at least one supporting surface, wherein the hiding surface (S1) and the at least one supporting surface (S2) surround an extending axis (X1) of the elongate body (131, 231, 431) and are disposed between the first end portion (E1) and the second end portion (E2), and an area of the hiding surface (S1) is smaller than or equal to an area of any of the at least one supporting surface (S2); and

an electric connecting element (132, 232, 332, 432) disposed at the hiding surface (S1) and extends from the first end portion (E1) to the second end portion (E2).

2. The connecting rod according to claim 1, wherein the elongate body further has an arced chamfer disposed at an edge of the hiding surface, and the electric connecting element is disposed at a center of curvature of the arced chamfer.

3. The connecting rod according to claim 1, wherein the electric connecting element comprises two wires, the elongate body has two arced chamfers disposed at two edges of the hiding surface, and the wires are respectively disposed at two centers of curvature of the arced chamfers.

4. The connecting rod according to claim 1, wherein the elongate body further has at least one recess disposed at the hiding surface, and the electric connecting element is disposed in the at least one recess.

5. The connecting rod according to claim 1, wherein a material of the electric connecting element is an indium tin oxide (ITO) and the electric connecting element is embedded into the elongate body.

6. The connecting rod according to claim 1, wherein a material of the electric connecting element is an indium tin oxide (ITO) and the electric connecting element is disposed above the hiding surface.

7. The connecting rod according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of a cross-section of the electric connecting element is less than 1 millimeter (mm).

8. The connecting rod according to claim 1, wherein a material of the elongate body is a transparent material.

9. The connecting rod according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of an area of the hiding surface to a total surface area of the elongate body is less than 20%.

10. The connecting rod according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the connecting rod is connected to a lamp mask for supporting the lamp mask.

11. The connecting rod according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the connecting rod is connected to a lamp mask for suspending the lamp mask.

12. The connecting rod according to claims 10 or 11, wherein at least one light emitting element is disposed within the lamp mask.

Drawing