Suspension device for suspending and lighting objects to be exposed to view

Abstract

 The invention relates to a suspension device (101) for suspending and lighting prints, paintings and other objects to be exposed to view, the device comprising a suspension rail (103) for movably arranging suspension elements (28) for the objects to be suspended, the suspension rail (103) forming a unit with a live conducting rail (104) for at least one lighting device, which can be moved independent of the objects to be exposed to view.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a suspension device for suspending and lighting prints, paintings and other objects to be exposed to view.

[0002] The invention furthermore relates to a lighting device and a live conducting rail for use with such a suspension device.

[0003] The invention further relates to a suspension element for use with such a suspension device and to a ceiling rail for arranging a suspension element and/or a lighting device.

[0004] Hanging up paintings and the like with the help of a suspension rail is known. The paintings can then be movably attached to the suspension rail with the help of suspension elements, which can have the shape of a hook or a clamping block, and to which, for example, a suspension wire or suspension rod for the painting can be attached. For lighting the suspended painting, a lighting device is attached to the suspension, for example to the clamping block and/or to the suspension wire.

[0005] This has the disadvantage that the lighting device cannot be placed or moved independently of the painting. In addition, the lighting device applies force to the clamping block and/or to the suspension wire.

[0006] Another disadvantage is that the power cable leading to the lighting device is in view, which, near the painting, is not such an attractive sight. There is also the possibility that when hanging up the painting the cable gets tangled up with the suspension wire.

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a suspension device in which the lighting device can be moved independently of the objects to be exposed to view and in which the power supply to the lighting device is concealed.

[0008] This object is achieved by the suspension device according to claim 1.

[0009] With this it is achieved that by means of the conducting rail the lighting device is movable independently of the objects to be suspended. On account of the conducting rail being live, no loose power cables are necessary. With the help of the clamping means and the tension means the lighting device can be arranged at every desired place in the conducting rail, and the tension means will push the clamping means against the holding means of the conducting rail, and the contact part of the lighting device against the conducting strip, so that a good electric contact is established.

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the device is described in claim 2. By means of the grip, the clamping plate is easily inserted at the desired place in the conducting rail, after which the compression spring, which was somewhat pushed in, can expand and will push the contact part against the live strip and the clamping plate against the holding means of the conducting rail.

[0011] An advantageous embodiment of the live conducting rail is described in claim 3. By executing the conducting rail as separate U-shaped part, the suspension device without conducting rail can easily be attached to the wall by, for example, screws. Then the separate conducting rail can be easily placed in the receiving space and thus conceal the fixing points. The longitudinal opening of the conducting rail can be directed upwards, so that the lighting device will project above the conducting rail. The longitudinal opening of the conducting rail can also be directed sidewards, so that the lighting device does not have to project above the conducting rail. As a consequence, the suspension device can be arranged near or against a ceiling or the like.

[0012] Claim 4 describes an advantageous embodiment of the suspension device and conducting rail, in which the conducting rail, which is open sidewards, is easily attached in the receiving space of the suspension device by inserting and snapping it in. In addition, the kind of material and the dimensions of the device have been chosen, such that at least one of the walls or legs with cam or recess is sufficiently flexible.

[0013] A further elaboration of the conducting rail is described in the claims 5 and 6. The lips provide for a good supporting surface for the clamping plate, and the cams in the conducting rail and on the insulating strip, respectively, together with a narrow fit, provide a good mechanical confinement of the insulating strip and the conducting strip, respectively, so that no extra attaching means are needed. The design of the conducting strip sees to it that the lighting device cannot tilt downwards after arranging, owing to the fact that the contact part is transversely confined.

[0014] Claim 7 describes a preferred embodiment of the clamping plate, by means of which the lighting device can be put into the U-shaped conducting rail from the front, during which the compression spring is compressed slightly, after which the grip with the clamping plate only has to be turned a quarter of a turn. Then the grip can be released and the compression spring will push the clamping plate against the lips of the conducting rail, and the contact part of the lighting device against the conducting strip. The clamping plate cannot be turned back by accident because of the slots in the clamping plate, which fit over the lips of the conducting rail.

[0015] In claim 8 an advantageous embodiment is described, by means of which one or more cable cavities become available, through which, for example, power cables for other purposes can be lead through invisibly.

[0016] In claim 9 another embodiment of the lighting device is described.

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the suspension rail of the device is described in claim 10. Around the raised edge a suspension element, such as a hook, can easily be arranged, while the front panel hides the suspension elements from view.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment the device comprises a tongue as described in claim 11. For example a cord can be laid on the tongue which is connected to a burglar alarm, without the cord hampering the suspension elements in the suspension rail. On account of beaded edge the cable does not slide from the tongue; in the case of the upward slanting tongue the beaded edge is not necessary.

[0019] In the device according to claim 12 a transformer connection can easily be included in the device, it being for instance also possible to hide the transformer connection from view with the covering according to claim 13.

[0020] In the device according to claim 14 a paper clamp is arranged in the suspension rail of the device, so that paper and the like can be rapidly and removably attached.

[0021] An advantageous embodiment of a suspension element, which is suitable for use on or against a suspension device as is described above, is described in claim 15.

[0022] In claim 16 a lighting device is described, which is particularly suitable for use with a suspension device as described above.

[0023] Claim 17 describes a live conducting rail, which as separate lighting rail is very suitable for using the lighting device of claim 16, if no objects need to be hung up.

[0024] In the claims 18 and 19 a ceiling rail for placing ceiling plates of a system ceiling is described, with a receiving space, such that, for example, a lighting device such as the lighting device of claim 14, or, for example, a suspension element for an object to be suspended, can be arranged in the ceiling rail.

[0025] If the longitudinal opening for the suspension rail is directed downward, at least one of the walls of the suspension rail which is directed downward can comprise a portion which is directed towards the other wall, which offers a supporting plane for the suspension elements. It is thus achieved that a clamping block, for example, can easily be inserted into the suspension rail and remains in position under the action of gravity.

[0026] Advantageously at least one supporting plane is at an oblique angle of, preferably 45°. When using one oblique supporting plane and one vertical supporting plane, and when using two oblique supporting planes an additional clamping effect on an arranged suspension element is established, so that it cannot be moved so easily by accident.

[0027] In an advantageous manner the suspension elements have a thickness, such that they can be inserted in the suspension rail between the walls with the supporting planes, and a breadth, such that after insertion and after turning a quarter turn they can rest against the supporting planes. In this way a suspension element does not have to be inserted from an end face in the suspension device, after which it has to be moved over a distance, but it can be inserted in the suspension rail at any desired place and after turning a quarter turn it can rest.

[0028] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to a number of preferred embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawings. These exemplary embodiments do not limit the invention; other embodiments are possible.

[0029] Figure 1 shows, partially in cross section, a first embodiment of the suspension device according to the invention.

[0030] Figure 1A shows a cross section of the separate portion of the conducting rail in the suspension device according to figure 1.

[0031] Figures 2, 3 and 4 show a cross section of other embodiments of the suspension device, without the separate part of the conducting rail.

[0032] Figure 3A shows a side view of a suspension element which belongs to the embodiment of figure 3.

[0033] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the suspension device according to figure 1, without lighting device and without suspension element.

[0034] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the suspension device according to figure 3, without lighting device and without suspension element.

[0035] Figure 7 shows a lighting device.

[0036] Figure 8 shows the dimensioning of the conducting rail, according to figure 2.

[0037] Figure 9 shows the dimensioning of the corresponding clamping plate.

[0038] Figure 10 shows, partially in cross section, another embodiment of the suspension device according to the invention.

[0039] Figure 11 shows a cross section of the suspension device according to figure 10 without the conducting rail.

[0040] Figure 11A shows a cross section of the separate portion of the conducting rail in the suspension device according to figure 10.

[0041] The figures 12 and 12A show further embodiments of the suspension device according to the invention with and without the conducting rail, respectively.

[0042] The figures 13 and 13A show a top view and a cross section of the clamping plate in the conducting rail in the suspension device according to figure 10.

[0043] The figures 14 and 14A show a cross section of coverings for the suspension device according to figure 10.

[0044] The figures 15, 15A and 15B show two cross sections and a perspective view of a transformer connection for the conducting rail, arranged in the conducting rail in the suspension device according to figure 10.

[0045] Figure 16 shows a perspective view of a ceiling rail.

[0046] The figures 17 and 17A show another embodiment of the suspension device with the corresponding conducting rail according to the invention.

[0047] Figure 1 shows the suspension device indicated by 1, which is screwed to a wall 2 with the help of screws through holes 20 in the upper part of the device. The suspension device 1 comprises a suspension and conducting rail 3 which forms a whole, a conducting strip 6, a current insulating profile 7, a suspension element 28 and a contact portion 26 of a lighting device 25. The suspension and conducting rail is substantially E-shaped, with an upper leg 12, a middle leg 13 and a lower leg 14. The lower leg 14 comprises a raised edge 15 for the suspension element 28. The middle leg comprises a front panel 16.

[0048] The live conducting rail is formed by the upper part of the E. In this upper part the holes 20 are arranged so as to attach the device with screws to the wall 2. The upper part which is U-shaped in cross section, is open sidewards. The separate part 4 of the conducting rail is arranged in this U.

[0049] Figure 1A shows this separate part 4. It is substantially U-shaped in cross section, with walls 22, cheeks 23 facing each other and inward directed lips 24. The conducting strip 6 and the current insulating profile 7 are contained in this portion 4. After being attached to the wall the portion 4 is inserted into the upper part and fixed with, for example, double-sided adhesive tape.

[0050] Figure 1 shows the attached part 4 with the contact part 26 of the lighting device 25. The contact part 26 comprises a spherical portion 9, which is connected to a thickening on the support pipe 30 to the lamp part 27 with the help of an insulating portion 10, in which a threaded portion 11 is rotatable and slidable on the longitudinal support pipe 30, which threaded portion 11 is screwed into a clamping plate 8.

[0051] Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the suspension device. The conducting rail is the same and the separate part 4 has therefore been omitted. The front panel 16 extends downward and at the same time slants increasingly backward. The lower edge thus forms a supporting plane for the suspension element 31, which for that reason only has to have a bevel on one corner. The back wall of the suspension rail can have a lip 32 with a horizontal supporting plane as additional support for the suspension element 31. This additional lip 32 is not necessary, however. The suspension element 31 can be inserted in between the front and the rear wall in the suspension rail and after a quarter turn can rest on the lower edge of the front panel 16 and, if present, on lip 32.

[0052] Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of the suspension device. The conducting rail is the same and for that reason the separate part 4 thereof has been omitted. Here the front panel 16 of the suspension rail comprises an additional edge 17, and this edge and the rear wall of the suspension rail comprise bevelled lips 18 and 19. Figure 3A shows the corresponding suspension element 29 in side view; it can be inserted through the opening between the lips and after a quarter turn can rest on the bevelled lips 18 and 19.

[0053] Figure 4 shows another embodiment, in which the separate part 4 of the conducting rail can be arranged with the opening upwards. The upper edge 21 prevents that the moment which is caused by the lighting device, pulls the separate part loose. The suspension rail can be executed according to figure 1 or according to figure 2 as desired. Figure 5 shows the suspension and the conducting rail 3, the conducting strip 6 and the current insulating profile 7 in perspective, as is shown in cross section in figure 1.

[0054] Figure 6 shows the embodiment according to figure 3 in perspective.

[0055] Figure 7 shows the lighting device 25 with the contact part 26 and a lamp part 27. The contact part 26 comprises the clamping plate 8, the spherical portion 9, the insulating portion 10 and the threaded portion 11. The lamp part 27 is executed in a known manner.

[0056] Figure 8 shows a possible dimensioning for the separate portion 4 of the live conducting rail. This portion is substantially U-shaped in cross section. The outer dimensions thereof are a length a = 18,5 mm and a width b = 16,5 mm. Along the opening of the U, two cheeks are arranged which face each other, defining an opening width c = 9 mm. The cheeks have inwardly directed lips, which have a height d = 1 mm.

[0057] Figure 9 shows that the clamping plate 8 has a length e = 12 mm and a width f = 8,5 ± 0,1 mm. A hole with screw thread g = M6 is arranged in the middle. The clamping plate has a rounding with radius r = 5 mm on two opposite corners.

[0058] It is easy to move a suspension element such as a suspension element 28 over the raised edge 15, such as in figure 1, or a suspension element 29 between the slanting lips 18 and 19 of the suspension rail, such as in figure 3. Independent thereof, lighting device 25 can be moved with the help of the contact part 26 in the live conducting rail by screwing the screw thread portion 11 slightly out of the clamping plate 8, sliding the contact part 26 in the conducting rail, and then screwing the screw thread portion tight again, as a result of which the clamping plate will rest on the lips 24 of the conducting rail, and the spherical portion 9 will be pushed against the conducting strip 6.

[0059] Arranging a lighting device in the conducting rail is easy, in that the clamping plate 8 is narrower than the opening in the conducting rail. The clamping plate can thus be inserted through the opening of the conducting rail, and after a rotation through 90° can rest against the lips of the conducting rail.

[0060] Figure 10 shows further embodiment of the suspension device according to the invention, indicated by 101, which is screwed with screws to the wall 102. Just as the suspension device according to figure 1, the suspension device 101 comprises a lower leg 109 with a raised edge 110 for the suspension element 28, a horizontal tongue 106 with a beaded edge 107, and in addition a horizontal ledge 105 and an upper leg 140 with a downward directed edge 121 with an inward directed lip 122 for receiving a separate live conducting rail 104. The live conducting rail 104 is shown separately in figure 11A and is substantially U-shaped in cross section, having cheeks 115 facing each other along its opening, each of which has an inwardly directed lip 116. The legs 118 of the live conducting rail both have on their inner side a longitudinal cam 117 for receiving and securing an insulating strip 111, which is also substantially U-shaped and has inwardly directed cams 112 along its edges, so as to secure a conducting strip 113, which is also substantially U-shaped in cross section and has rounded edges 114. This can be seen clearly in figure 12.

[0061] The conducting rail is constructed to receive a lighting device, the connecting end 129 of which is shown in figure 10. The support pipe 30 and the lamp part 27 can be executed in accordance with figure 7. The connecting end 129 of the lighting device has a grip 131 which can be attached, for example, by soldering to clamping plate 132. The grip and the clamping plate can also be made out of one piece. The grip can be slid over the support pipe 30. A contact part 133 is secured to the support pipe 30 with the help of an insulating portion 134 and can supply current to the lamp part by way of a thread 136. In the grip 131 a compression spring 135 is partly accommodated, which rests against the insulating portion 134.

[0062] In figure 10 it can also be seen that the suspension device can include a front panel 108 which is attached on the lowest cheek to the conducting rail 104.

[0063] Figure 11 shows the suspension device 103 which forms a whole, without the conducting rail 104.

[0064] Figure 12 shows another embodiment of the suspension device 103 in which the conducting rail 104 is placed with its open side upwards. In this embodiment the front panel 145 is bent downward to the back, and this front panel has an inwardly directed tongue 146 with beaded edge 147.

[0065] Figure 12A shows an embodiment which is similar to the embodiment of figure 12, but which has a front panel 144 and a tongue 106 with beaded edge 107, which are taken from the embodiment of figure 10. In figure 12A the short upper leg 140 with a downwardly projecting lip 141 can be clearly seen, behind which the live conducting rail 104 has to hook. For a better atachment a wedge-shaped slot 143 is arranged in the middle leg 142, in which a wedge-shaped cam 120 on the base 119 of the live conducting rail 104 (vide figure 11A) has to snap. Such a slot is also arranged in the rear wall of the suspension and conducting rail 103 of the embodiment of the suspension device according to figure 10, vide figure 11.

[0066] Figures 13 and 13A show the substantially rectangular clamping plate 132 which is provided in the middle with a hole 150 for said attachment to the grip 131 and which is provided with slots 151 along its short edges for cooperation with the lips 116 on the cheeks 115 of the live conducting rail 104. The clamping plate 132 has opposite rounded corners 152 with a radius from the middle of the hole 150, which is, at most, equal to half the length of the clamping plate.

[0067] Fig. 14 shows a cross section of covering 115 provided with snap means 156, with which the suspension device according to figure 10 can be covered on places where no lighting device or suspension element is present, by snapping the snap means 156 in the opening of the conducting rail 104.

[0068] Fig 14A shows a corresponding covering 157 for a suspension device with a front panel which extends downwards to the rear.

[0069] Figure 15 shows a partial cross section of the live conducting rail 104 in which two transformer connections 160 and 165 are inserted. The transformer connections have coupling blocks 161 and 166, respectively, each of which is provided with two holes 162 or 162' in longitudinal direction for receiving power cables 159, 159'. One of the holes 162, 162' is for the power cable to the transformer; a power cable in the other hole can lead the current to a coupling block of another conducting rail. Each power cable should be clamped with the help of two terminal screws through screw holes 163 or 163'. Transformer connection 160 has a current transferring plate 164 which has to be placed against the legs of the U-shaped conducting strip 113, and transformer connection 165 has a current transferring plate 167 which has to be placed against the lips on the cheeks of the conducting rail 104. Between these an insulating plate 168 of, for example, Pertinax is arranged. In the current transferring plate 167 screw holes are arranged through which set screws 169 should be screwed for pushing the current transferring plates against the conducting strip 113 and the lips of the conducting rail, respectively. The transformer connections 160 and 165 are designed so that they can be inserted so that they just fit into the conducting rail 104, if the conducting strip 113 and the insulating strip have be removed there.

[0070] Figure 15A shows a cross section of the live conducting rail at the location of the current transferring plates 164 and 167 and figure 15B shows a perspective view of the outer end of the live conducting rail 104 in which the transformer connections are accommodated.

[0071] Figure 16 show a ceiling rail for placing ceiling plates 171 of a system ceiling, the ceiling strip 170 having two edges 172 projecting to both sides, on which the ceiling plates 171 rest. The ceiling strip 170 has in its upper portion a synthetic insulating strip 173 provided with holes 174 to suspend the ceiling strip by hooking. The longitudinal body of the ceiling strip 170 has a receiving space in the shape of a reversed U, with cheeks 175 facing each other along the opening of the U and cams 176 facing each other halfway along the height of the U. Just as in the suspension device according to the figures 10 and 12 in the live conducting rail 104, an insulating strip 111 and a conducting strip 113 can be arranged in the U-shaped receiving space, which are secured by the cams 176. However, it is also possible to arrange a suspension element for an object to be suspended in the receiving space which can then rest on the cheeks 175. A covering can be snapped in the receiving space, analogous to the coverings 155 and 157 for the suspension device.

[0072] The figures 17 and 17A show another embodiment of the suspension device 203 and live conducting rail 204. Just as the conducting rail 104 of figure 11A, the conducting rail 204 is U-shaped in cross section, with base 219, legs 218, cheeks 215, lips 216 and cams 217. However in this case, the upper leg has a wedge-shaped cam 220 on its outer side. Just as the suspension device of figure 11, the suspension device 203 has a lower leg 209 with raised edges 210. The suspension device further has an upper wall 206 and a middle wall 205, onto which a front panel 208 is attached. On the inwardly directed side of the upper wall 206 a wedge-shaped recess 221 is arranged, which corresponds to the wedge-shaped cam 220 on the conducting rail 204. The conducting rail 204 can now easily be attached in the suspension rail by sliding the rail between the walls 205 and 206. The cam 220 then "snaps" into the recess 221. When sliding, the upper leg and wall will have to move apart slightly, which can be realized by a correct dimensioning of cam, leg and wall, so that the upper leg and/or wall is sufficiently flexible.

[0073] Figure 17 also shows that on the rear wall of the suspension device 203 two ledges 207 are arranged. Together with the rear wall of the suspension device 203 and the base 219 of the conducting rail 204 the ledges 207 form a cable cavity, through which, for example a power cable for other purposes can be lead. Because a tongue such as tongue 106 is not present in figure 10 the suspension device is not so high.

[0074] Figure 12 also shows that in the suspension rail of a suspension device with a front panel which extends downward to the rear, a paper clamp can be arranged which has the shape of a roll 180 which is annular in cross section behind which paper and the like can be slid and clamped.

[0075] The roll can also be polygonal.

[0076] With the device described in the figures 10 to 13A the lighting device can easily be placed in the conducting rail. By grasping the connecting end 129 by the grip 131, the clamping plate 132 can be rotated such that the clamping plate 132 can be inserted between the cheeks 115 of the live conducting rail 104. The contact part 133 abuts against the conducting strip 113, and when the grip 131 is pushed further the compression spring 135 is pushed in. The clamping plate 132 can be pushed in so far that it is located beyond the lips 116 on the cheeks 115 of the live conducting rail 104, and then the grip 131 with the clamping plate 132 can be rotated a quarter of a turn. When releasing the grip 131 the compression spring 135 pushes the grip to the outside, and the clamping plate 132 is pushed against the lips 116 of the live conducting rail. On account of the clamping plate 132 having slots 151 which correspond to the lips 116, the lips 116 will fall into the slots 151, as a result of which the clamping plate 132 is locked against undesired rotation of the grip 131, so that as a consequence the lighting device will not come off the suspension device by accident.

[0077] The distance between the legs of the U of the conducting strip correspond to the diameter of the contact part 133 of the lighting device. Due to this the contact part 133 will not be able to slide transversely to the conducting strip so that the contact part 129 will not tilt downwards and the lighting device will not come into accidental contact with the object exposed to view, as a result of the tilting.

[0078] The conducting rail is now suited for supplying a low voltage current, for example 12 Volt, to the lighting device, for example, a halogen lamp. The current is then supplied by the conducting strip and passes through the contact part and a wire in the lighting device to the lamp. The current is discharged through the outside of the lighting device and passes through the clamping plate by way of the clean scraped lips to the outside of the separate conducting rail for closing the circuit.

[0079] Figures 1, 2, 3, 3A and 10 show a suspension element 28, 29 and 31, the suspension block comprising a hole with an widened upper part, through which a thread element 33 with a thickening at its upper end projects. Because of this the suspension element can take the weight of an object to be exposed to view, without it being necessary to use a screw for clamping the thread element 33 in the suspension block. The thickening is clamped somewhat in the suspension block so that when lifting up the thread element the suspension block will also be lifted up, which simplifies the moving of the suspension element in the suspension device or the removal of the suspension element from the suspension device.

[0080] The thickening of the thread element 33 can be formed together with the thread element and be cylindrical or have the shape of a reversed cone; other forms are also possible. The widening of the hole in the suspension block should also have a corresponding shape. The thread element can be a wire or a rod.

[0081] It is also possible to form the thickening separately by inserting a flexible thread element through the hole and then through a sleeve, bending the end and reinserting it in the sleeve, and then pinching the sleeve. The loop which projects above the sleeve can then be removed, and the sleeve be accommodated in the widening of the hole in the suspension block.

[0082] With a suspension element constructed in this way it is achieved that the suspension block rests directly on the suspension rail, and that few means are needed to achieve this.

Claims

1. Suspension device for suspending and lighting prints, paintings and other objects to be exposed to view, the device comprising a suspension rail on or in which suspension elements for the objects to be suspended can be movably arranged, and a live conducting rail for at least one lighting device, which live rail is provided along its length with holding means for the lighting device and with a conducting strip, against which a contact part of the lighting device can be placed, which lighting device is further provided with a preferably elongated support which is connected to the contact part, and is provided near the contact part with clamping means, preferably a clamping plate, and tension means, the tension means being operative between the clamping means and the contact part of the lighting device.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping means of the lighting device comprise a grip which is attached to the clamping plate on the distal side of the clamping plate and which is slidable over the support of the lighting device, wherein the tension means comprise a compression spring which is arranged between the contact part and the grip, which compression spring is preferably at least partially and preferably in a sliding way recessed into the grip.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the live conducting rail is substantially U-shaped in cross section, which rail, in a position attached to a wall, is directed with its opening upwards or sidewards, and which rail is preferably a separate part, that is arrangeable and attachable in a receiving space of the suspension device, and comprises along the opening of the U two cheeks or wings which face each other as holding means.

4. Device according to the claim 3, wherein the live conducting rail as separate part is directed with its opening sidewards, wherein the receiving space of the suspension device comprises two substantially parallel, substantially horizontal walls, between which the substantially U-shaped conducting rail can be slid, preferably one of the legs of the U of the conducting rail comprising a wedge shaped cam or recess on the outside, the thickest portion of which is preferably directed towards the opening of the conducting rail, and the wall of the receiving space which cooperates with that leg comprises a corresponding recess or cam, to detachably attach the live conducting rail in the receiving space by snapping it in.

5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the live conducting rail comprises an inwardly directed lip on both sidepieces, behind which the clamping plate, which is provided with corresponding grooves, can be hooked, the device being preferably epoxied and the inwardly directed lips being scraped clean.

6. Device according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the live conducting rail has inwardly directed cams substantially halfway along the legs of the U, so as, in cooperation with the base of the conducting rail, to firmly secure an insulating strip, which insulating strip itself preferably comprises inwardly directed cams along its edges, so as, in cooperation with the base of the insulating strip, to secure the conducting strip, which is preferably substantially U-shaped in cross section and has an inner width such that the arranged contact part of the lighting device is confined transversely.

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the clamping plate has a substantially rectangular form, with a width which is narrower than the distance between the sidepieces of the live conducting rail, with a length which is almost as long as the distance between the legs of the U of the live conducting rail, with a central hole for the support and the spring, and with two opposite rounded edges, so that after placing in the conducting strip the clamping plate is rotatable a quarter of a turn, preferably grooves being arranged along the short sides of the clamping plate, corresponding to the lips on the cheeks of the conducting rail.

8. Device according to any of the claims 3 to 7, wherein behind the separate live conducting rail on the rear wall which is to be attached to the wall, one or more preferably substantially horizontal ridges are arranged, which form one or more cable cavities together with the base wall of the U-shaped conducting rail.

9. Device according to claim 1, wherein the contact part of the lighting device comprising a spherical portion, which can be placed against the conducting strip, and which is connected to an insulating portion which is connected to a thickening on the support of the lighting device, the tension means comprising a threaded portion which is slidable and rotatable over the support of the lighting device and which is screwed into the clamping means, which clamping means can rest against the holding means of the conducting rail to press the contact part of the lighting device against the conducting strip.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the suspension rail comprises a lower edge with on it a raised edge, and comprises preferably a front panel in front of the raised edge, the suspension rail being open downwards between the raised edge and the front panel.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a downwards directed wall of the suspension rail comprises a substantially horizontal inwardly projecting tongue, which preferably ends in a beaded edge, or an upwardly slanting, inwardly projecting tongue, which tongue defines a separate space.

12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a transformer connection for current supply and current discharge is provided, which comprises two parts, each of which comprises an elongated current transferring plate and an insulating coupling block for connection to power cables, both parts being arrangeable in the live rail, the current transferring plates resting against the conducting strip and the holding means of the conducting rail, respectively, and the coupling blocks being preferably staggered in a slidable manner in the conducting rail and preferably comprising in their end face a hole for receiving a power cable.

13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a covering can be placed over the suspension device, which is adapted to the form of the suspension device and provided with means for detachably attaching the covering to the suspension device by snapping it in.

14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the suspension rail is open downwards and comprises a front panel, which extends downwards to the rear, wherein in the space of the suspension rail which is open downwards a paper clamp in the shape of an annular or polygonal roll is arranged, behind which paper and the like can be slid and clamped.

15. Suspension element, suitable for use on or against a suspension device according to any one of the preceding claims, the suspension element comprising a suspension block with a vertical continuous hole and a thread element through that hole, the thread element comprising a thickening at its upper end, preferably a thickening formed on the thread element, the upper part of the hole in the suspension block comprising a widening for receiving the thickening of the thread element.

16. Lighting device suitable for use in a suspension device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 14, the lighting device comprising a contact part, which is connected to a preferably elongated support of the lighting device which is provided at its end near the contact part with a clamping plate attached to a grip, which is slidable over the support of the lighting device, a compression spring being arranged between the contact part and the grip, which compression spring is preferably at least partially and preferably in a sliding way recessed in the grip.

17. Live conducting rail, suitable for the use of a lighting device according to claim 16, the conducting rail being substantially U-shaped in cross section, and having along the opening of the U two cheeks facing each other, which both preferably comprise an inwardly directed lip, wherein the conducting rail comprises inwardly directed cams preferably substantially halfway along the legs of the U so as, in cooperation with the bottom of the conducting rail, to secure an insulation strip which is substantially U-shaped in cross section, which insulating strip itself preferably comprises inwardly directed cams along its edges, so as, in cooperation with the base of the insulating strip, to secure the conducting strip, which is preferably substantially U-shaped in cross section and has an inner width such that the arranged contact part of the lighting device is confined transversely.

18. Ceiling rail for placing ceiling plates of a system ceiling, comprising an elongated body, support means projecting on both sides for supporting the ceiling plates, and suspension means, the body having an elongated receiving space which is open downwards for arranging a suspension element for an object to be suspended or a lighting device or the like.

19. Ceiling rail according to claim 18, the receiving space having in cross section substantially the shape of a reversed U, said U having cheeks facing each other preferably along the opening of the U, and preferably the legs of the U having inwardly directed cams substantially halfway along their length, in order to secure an insulation strip which is preferably U-shaped in cross section and a conducting strip for a lighting device which is preferably U-shaped in cross section.

Drawing