Fitting

Abstract

 The invention relates to a fitting comprising a housing (1,17) provided with a flange (3,18) which projects from the housing (1,17) at one end of the housing, and with fastening clips (5,20) made of wire which are mounted on the outside of the housing, which fastening clips each comprise a spiral portion (6,21) with two arms (8,9;22,24) joining the ends of said spiral portion (6,21). The fastening clips (5,20) are mounted in such a manner that the central axes of the windings of the spiral portions (6,21) extend transversely to the nearby portions of the circumferential wall of the flange (3,18). Each fastening clip (5,20) is connected to the housing (1,17) with a first arm (8,22), whilst a second (9,24) of the two arms of the fastening clip can take up a position in which at least the end of said arm projects beyond the flange (3,18), seen in a direction perpendicularly to the flange. Furthermore the fitting includes a stop (8,25) against which the second arm (9,24) can abut in a position in which the second arm (9,24) is positioned within the outer circumference of the flange (3,18), seen in the direction perpendicularly to the flange. The spiral portions (6,21) of the fastening clips (5,20) are disposed near the flange (3,18), wherein at least one outer winding of each spiral portion is movable in the direction of the housing (1,17).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fitting comprising a housing provided with a flange which projects from the housing at one end of the housing, and with resilient fastening clips made of wire which are mounted on the outside of the housing, which fastening clips each comprise a spiral portion with two arms joining the ends of said spiral portion, wherein the fastening clips are mounted in such a manner that the central axes of the windings of the spiral portions extend transversely to the nearby. portions of the circumferential wall of the flange, and wherein each fastening clip is connected to the housing with a first arm, whilst a second of the two arms of the fastening clip can take up a position in which at least the end of said arm projects beyond the flange, seen in a direction perpendicularly to the flange, whilst the fitting includes a stop against which the second arm can abut in a position in which the second arm is positioned within the outer circumference of the flange, seen in the direction perpendicularly to the flange.

[0002] A fitting of this kind is known from FR-A-1,283,929. In this prior art construction, the windings of the fastening clip, which butt hard against each other, are slipped over an arm which extends outwards with respect to the housing, wherein the windings are confined between the housing and a bent end of the arm. The windings are spaced a comparatively great distance from the flange thereby. As described in the patent specification, the ends of the arms of a fastening clip can be hooked together for inserting the housing in a hole formed in a ceiling plate or the like. Furthermore it is mentioned in the patent specification that it suffices to disconnect the arms from each other in order to fix the housing to the ceiling or the like. It is not indicated how this must be effected, however.

[0003] According to the invention, the spiral portions of the resilient fastening clips are disposed near the flange, wherein at least one outer winding of each spiral portion is movable in the direction of the housing, whilst a contact member for the second arm is disposed on the side of the second arm that faces towards the housing, between the stop for the second arm of a fastening clip and the winding(s) of the spiral portion of said fastening clip.

[0004] When using the construction according to the invention, the spiral portions of the fastening clip, in particular the outer windings of the fastening clips, will come into contact with the boundary edge of a hole formed in a ceiling plate or the like upon insertion of the fitting into said hole, as a result of which at least said outer windings of the spiral portions will be pushed slightly in the direction of the housing. Accordingly, the second arms of the fastening clip will be pushed against said contact members and be pivoted about said contact members in such a manner that the second arms will come clear of the respective stops and be pivoted against the side of the wall or the ceiling or the like that faces away from the flange, thus reaching a position in which the fitting is held in position in the hole in question whilst the flange is pressed against the wall or the ceiling or the like.

[0005] Possibly the movement of at least the outer windings of the spiral portions of the fastening clips in the direction of the housing can be supported by exerting a pressure force on said outer windings by hand when said windings are positioned near the edge of the hole.

[0006] The invention will now be explained in more detail by means of a few embodiments of the construction according to the invention, which are schematically illustrated in the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 is a side view of a fitting provided with fastening clips in a position in which no parts of the fastening clips project beyond the flange of the fitting.

Figure 2 is a side view corresponding to Figure 1, wherein an arm of one of the fastening clips projects at least partially beyond the flange of the fitting.

Figures 3 and 4 show successive steps of the mounting of a fitting in a hole formed in a ceiling or the like.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of a fitting mounted in a hole in a ceiling or the like.

Figure 6 is a view of a fastening clip as used in the fitting of Figures 1 - 5, showing the fastening clip in released condition.

Figure 7 is a side view of a second embodiment of a fitting according to the invention comprising a fastening clip in a position in which said fastening clip does not project beyond the flange of the fitting.

Figure 8 is a view corresponding to Figure 7, wherein part of an arm of the fastening clip projects beyond the flange of the fitting.

Figure 9 is a view of the fastening clip used in the embodiment according to Figures 7 and 8, showing said fastening clip in released condition.

[0007] The fitting which is shown in Figures 1 - 5 comprises a housing 1 and a ring 2 attached thereto, which is provided with a projecting flange 3 at one end. In the illustrated embodiment, the fitting is a usual lighting fitting provided with a reflector 4, which is open on the side of the flange 3. Fittings of this kind are known per se in many embodiments thereof, and accordingly it will not be necessary to give a detailed description of such a fitting.

[0008] The invention can also be used with other built-in fittings, for example for building a loudspeaker or the like into a wall, ceiling or the like.

[0009] A few resilient fastening clips 5 are connected to the housing for fixing the armature to a wall or a ceiling or the like,

[0010] As is furthermore apparent in particular from Figure 6, the resilient fastening clip comprises a spirally wound portion 6, which comprises about one and a half windings in the illustrated embodiment, but which may also comprise a different number of windings, if desired.

[0011] A U-shaped arm 8, whose free ends 8' is bent at right angles, joins one end of the spiral portion via a connecting piece 7 which joins said part tangentially.

[0012] A second arm 9, which in the embodiment shown comprises three parts 10, 11 and 12 including an obtuse angle with each other, joins the other end of spiral portion 6.

[0013] As is shown in more detail in Figures 1 and 2, upwardly extending supports 13 are formed on the edge of ring 2 remote from flange 3, which supports include chambers in which the U-shaped arms 8 of the fastening clips 5 are accommodated. The bent end 8' of U-shaped arm 8 thereby abuts against the lower edge of a wall bounding the chamber in support 13 so as to arrest upward movement of clip 5 in the chamber.

[0014] The construction is furthermore such that the spiral portion 6, at least the lower part of a winding of said spiral portion, abuts against flange 3 in mounted condition.

[0015] Supporting member 13 is furthermore provided on one side with a projecting cam or stop 14, against the upper end of which the end 8' of a fastening clip 5 abuts, as is shown in Figures 1 and 2. Seen in the direction of the central axis of the fitting, the stops 14 and the ends 8' of fastening clips 5 that abut against said stops are positioned within the inner circumference of ring 2. As is furthermore shown in Figure 1, arm 9 of fastening clip 5 can be placed against the end 8' of said fastening clip 5. Due to the spring tension in the spiral portion 6 of fastening clip 5, arm 9 will be pressed against said end 8', as a result of which it will tend to remain in this position. In this position, arm 9 abuts against a contact member made up of the upper edge of ring 2, where said edge blends into supporting member 13.

[0016] When arm 9 is disengaged from end 8' of clip 5, said arm 9 will pivot in the direction of flange 3 under the influence of the spring tension in the spiral portion 6, as is shown in Figure 2.

[0017] When the fitting is to be mounted in a hole formed in a wall plate or ceiling plate or the like, the fastening clips 5 will be moved to the position illustrated in Figure 1, wherein the arms 9 will be positioned well within the outer circumference of flange 3, seen in a direction perpendicularly to flange 3. As is shown in Figure 3, the fitting can easily be inserted into a hole 16 formed in a ceiling plate 15 or the like in this position, whereby it is not necessary to hold fastening clips 5 by hand.

[0018] When the fitting is pushed further upwards in the direction of hole 16, as is shown in Figure 4, the spiral portions 6 will be pressed inside through the boundary edge of hole 16, as a result of which arms 10 -11 will be forced to pivot about their points of abutment on the contact members formed near the upper edge of ring 2, as a result of which the parts of arms 9 that rest on ends 8' of clips 5 will be pivoted outwards and subsequently downwards under the influence of the spring tension in the spiral portions 6, to a position in which they are supported on ceiling plate 15 or the like on the side of said ceiling plate remote from flange 3. Flange 3 will be pulled against the ceiling plate, wall plate or the like thereby under the influence of the spring force of fastening clips 5, in a position in which flange 3 butts straight against the ceiling plate or wall plate 15 in question, as is shown in Figure 5.

[0019] When the ceiling plate or wall plate or the like is made of a soft material, some force may be exerted on the spiral portions 6 by hand, as is shown in Figure 4, so as to initiate the intended pivoting movement of the arms 9.

[0020] Obviously, many additions and/or variations to the above-described embodiment of the construction according to the invention are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0021] Thus Figures 7 and 8 show a fitting which comprises a housing 17 and a flange 18 formed on one side of said housing. Furthermore said fitting is provided with a few resilient fastening clips 20. Such a fastening clip 20 is shown in Figure 9 in released position thereof.

[0022] Also this fastening clip 20 comprises a spiral portion 21, with a first arm 22, whose free end 23 is bent at right angles (Figure 9), joining one end of said spiral portion.

[0023] Further, a second arm 24 joins said spiral portion, which arm is built up, in a similar manner as in the embodiment which is shown in Figure 6, of three parts including an obtuse angle with each other.

[0024] In order to connect the fastening clip 20 to housing 17, the bent end 23 of arm 22 is inserted into a recess formed in housing 17, near flange 18.

[0025] Furthermore a projecting rib 25 is formed on the circumference of the housing, the upper end of which forms a stop against which the second arm 24 can be held in abutment under the influence of the spring force of the spiral portion, as is shown in Figure 7. In this position of second arm 24 of fastening clip 20 as shown in Figure 7, said second arm is again positioned well within the outer circumference of flange 18, seen in a direction perpendicularly to said flange, so that the fitting can be inserted into a hole formed in a wall plate, a ceiling plate or the like when the various fastening clips 20 connected to the housing are arranged in this position.

[0026] As will apparent from Figure 7, in this position of the fastening clips the second arm 24 abuts against the first arm 22 of fastening clip 20 at the point where the two arms 22 and 24 cross each other. Consequently, when a pressure force is exerted on spiral portion 21 of fastening clip 20 in the direction of the housing, either by the boundary edge of the hole into which the fitting is being inserted or by the fitter, the second arm 24 will be pivoted about said contact point between the two arms 22 and 24, whereby the free end of arm 24 will move outwards, as a result of which it will slide off the upper end of rib 25, enabling it to pivot towards the position which is shown in Figure 8, wherein the two arms 24 of the various fastening clips 20 connected to the housing will abut against the side remote from the flange of the respective ceiling plate, wall plate or the like.

[0027] As is furthermore apparent from the figures, protective caps 26 made of plastic or the like material may be placed on the free ends of the second arms 9 and 24.

Claims

1. A fitting comprising a housing (1) provided with a flange (3) which projects from the housing (1) at one end of the housing, and with resilient fastening clips (5) made of wire which are mounted on the outside of the housing, which fastening clips each comprise a spiral portion (6) with two arms (8, 9) joining the ends of said spiral portion (6), wherein the fastening clips (5) are mounted in such a manner that the central axes of the windings of the spiral portions (6) extend transversely to the nearby portions (6) of the circumferential wall of the flange (3), and wherein each fastening clip is connected to the housing with a first arm (8), whilst a second (9) of the two arms of the fastening clip (5) can take up a position in which at least the end of said arm (9) projects beyond the flange (3), seen in a direction perpendicularly to the flange (3), whilst the fitting includes a stop (8') against which the second arm (9) can abut in a position in which the second arm is positioned within the outer circumference of the flange (3), seen in the direction perpendicularly to the flange (3), characterized in that the spiral portions (6) of the resilient fastening clips (5) are disposed near the flange (3), wherein at least one outer winding of each spiral portion (6) is movable in the direction of the housing (1), whilst a contact member (2) for the second arm is disposed on the side of the second arm (9) that faces towards the housing (1), between the stop for the second arm (9) of a fastening clip (5) and the winding(s) of the spiral portion (6) of said fastening clip (5).

2. A fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the first arm (8) joining the spiral portion (6) is bent substantially to a U-shape and is accommodated in a recess in the armature which is disposed above said spiral portion.

3. A fitting according to claim 2, characterized in that the free end of the U-shaped arm (8) is bent, forming a stop (8') for arresting movement of the U-shaped arm (8) in the recess.

4. A fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop for the second arm (9) of the fastening clip (5) is formed by a bent end (8') of the first arm (8) of the fastening clip (5).

5. A fitting according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the stop for the second arm (24) of the fastening clip (20) is formed by a projection (25) formed on the housing.

6. A fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a stop (8') is disposed on a side of a part (2) of the fitting that forms a contact member that faces away from the flange (3), seen in a direction perpendicularly to the flange (3).

7. A fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said contact member is formed by a part of a ring-shaped member (2) that extends upwards from said flange (3).

8. A fitting according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the end of the first arm (22) of the fastening clip (20) is connected to the fitting near the flange (18), all this in such a manner that the second arm (24) crosses the first arm (22) in the position in which the second arm (24) abuts against the stop (25), wherein the first arm (22) forms the contact member for the second arm (24).

Drawing