Lichting device in the shape of an overturnable lantern

Abstract

 A lighting device in the shape of a lantern. It comprises a cage body (11) provided with a light diffuser, a cap (12) fixed to the body and a supporting arm (13) connected to said cap. The cap (12) and the supporting arm (13) are provided with coupling and fixing means (18-22) which allow installation of the cage body (11) suspended or upright with respect to the supporting arm.

Description

[0001] The present invention concerns outside lighting devices, particularly those in the shape of lanterns which may be fixed to a wall or to a suspension post.

[0002] Such lighting devices essentially comprise a cage body provided with a light diffuser, a cap fixed to said body and a supporting arm connected to said cap which is designed to be fixed to a wall or a suspension post when the lantern is installed for use.

[0003] A lantern may be installed hanging from a supporting arm or be held upright on an arm. At present, lanterns are originally manufactured in different types according to the method used for suspension. Such lanterns are no longer reversible, as they are not provided with elements which allow overturning.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to propose and provide a lighting device in the shape of a lantern having a simpler structure, which is easy and convenient to assemble and advantageously adaptable for use both as a lantern hanging from a supporting arm and as an upright lantern mounted on a support.

[0005] Another object of the invention is therefore to provide a lighting device in the shape of an overturnable lantern allowing two different applications in a quick and simple way, with no need to disassemble any fittings or disconnect any electric cables.

[0006] Said objects are attained by a lighting device according to claim 1.

[0007] Further details of the invention will become apparent from the continuation of the description, made with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figs. 1 and 2

show two methods for suspending the lantern;

Fig. 3

shows a perspective view of the lamp cap and the supporting arm, separate from each other.

Fig. 4

shows a sectional view of the lamp cap and the supporting arm assembled in one of the two possible combinations; and

Figs. 5 and 6

show a view and a sectional view of suspension means with the lamp in inclined position, but not removed.

[0008] The lighting device described herein comprises a cage body 11, a cap 12, and a supporting arm 13. The body 11 is designed to be provided with a light diffuser 14 which encloses a light source and is removably applied to the body. The cap 12 is fixed to the body 11 by means of screws, a bayonet coupling and/or by other means; the supporting arm 13 is fixed to said cap 12 and is designed to be applied to a wall by means of a supporting plate 13a or on a suspension post when the lantern is installed for use.

[0009] For coupling the cap to the supporting arm, the former is provided, on one side, with a spigot joint 15 which is introduced into a hole 16 provided in the arm. This hole 16 in the arm also permits the passage of an electric cable which leads to the lamp holder of the device, by passing through holes 17 provided in the cap and in the body as well.

[0010] Besides, for fixing the cap 12 to the supporting arm 13, the former is provided with two threaded holes 18,19 arranged symmetrically with respect to the side spigot joint 15, whereas the arm 13 is provided with an end flange 20 which partially surrounds the cap 12 and which is provided with at least one hole 21 designed to receive a fixing screw 22.

[0011] The hole 21 in the flange 20 of the supporting arm 13 is designed to coincide alternatively with one or with the other of the threaded holes 18,19 in the cap, thus allowing two methods for the application of the lantern body. The body can therefore be installed on the supporting arm suspended as shown in Fig. 1, or overturned, i.e. upright as shown in Fig. 2. In the former case, the hole 21 in the flange 20 coincides with the threaded hole 18 provided in the cap and the fixing screw 22 is then screwed down in this hole 18. In the latter case, the hole 21 in the flange 20 coincides with the other threaded hole 19 provided in the cap and the fixing screw 22 is screwed down in this hole 19.

[0012] The lantern body may therefore be installed in two opposite positions by simply acting on the fixing screw, with no need to disconnect the device.

[0013] The same results, with equal advantages, may be attained by using only one fixing screw, providing only one threaded hole in the cap and two holes in the lantern body which may be positioned alternatively in coincidence with said threaded hole according to the position which will be assumed by the lantern body.

[0014] It should be noted that, during wiring or maintenance, the arm 13 may be inclined and held on the respective supporting plate 13a without removing it completely. This is possible by means of a fixing screw 13b which remains engaged in a slot 13c at the back of the arm 13, as shown in Figs 5 and 6, even when it is loose.

Claims

1. A lighting device in the shape of a lantern comprising a cage body (11) provided with a light diffuser, a cap (12) fixed to said body and a supporting arm (13) which is connected to said cap and is designed to be fixed to a wall or a suspension post, characterized in that said cap (12) and said supporting arm (13) are fitted with coupling and fixing means (18-22) which allow installation of the cage body (11) suspended or upright with respect to the supporting arm.

2. A lighting device according to claim 1, wherein said cap (12) is provided with a spigot joint (15) which rests in a hole of the supporting arm (13), said cap being rotable with respect to said arm.

3. A device according to claims 1 and 2, wherein said cap (12) is provided with two threaded holes (18, 19) symmetrical with respect to said spigot joint (15), wherein said supporting arm (13) has an end flange (20) which is designed to fit the cap and is provided with one hole apt to receive a fixing screw (22), and wherein the threaded holes (18, 19) in the cap may be alternatively positioned so as to coincide with the hole in the arm, as a result of a rotation of the lamp body between the suspended position and the upright position and vice versa, the fixing screw (22) being screwed down in the threaded hole (18 or 19) currently coinciding.

4. A device according to claims 1 and 2, wherein said cap (12) is provided with one threaded hole, wherein said supporting arm (13) has an end flange (20) which is designed to fit the cap and is provided with two holes apt to alternatively receive a fixing screw, and wherein the threaded hole in the cap may be positioned so as to coincide with the one or with the other of the two holes in the arm, as a result of a rotation of the lamp body between the suspended position and the upright position and vice versa, the fixing screw being screwed down in the threaded hole by passing through the hole provided in the flange of the arm coinciding therewith.

5. A lighting device according to the previous claims, wherein the arm is fixed to a suspension plate (13a) by means of a fixing screw (13b) which is engaged in a slot (13c), the screw being engaged in the slot even when it is loose so that the supporting arm of the lamp may be positioned inclined.

Drawing