[0001] The present invention refers to a lighting device particularly suitable to be installed
in the ground for lighting roads, roundabouts, cycle tracks, car parks, garages and
the like.
[0002] Although specific reference will be made herein to a lighting device suitable to
be embedded in the paving of the ground, the present invention also extends to a lighting
device that can be embedded in a vertical or slanting part, such as low walls or dividing
walls, or else in a roof or ceiling in the form of a ceiling light fixture.
[0003] There are currently widely available on the market various types of lighting devices
suitable to be embedded in a floor. Said lighting devices generally include a light
source disposed inside a box and protected by a glass and by a protective outer bezel.
[0004] The box is embedded in the ground and the bezel remains on the outside and is able
to bear great weights, such as for example the weight of a vehicle which might pass
on the outer bezel.
[0005] The outer protective bezel has a plurality of slits through which the light given
off by the light source passes. It is obvious that such a lighting device is not very
versatile, since the direction of the light is tied exclusively to the disposition
of slits in the outer bezel.
[0006] As a result the installer has difficulty in installing said lighting devices when
he wishes to direct the light in a certain direction or when the he wishes the light
not to be directed in a certain direction.
[0007] The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art
by providing a lighting device that is highly versatile and able to direct the light
in set directions.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a lighting device that
is easy for the installer to assemble and to install.
[0009] These objects are achieved according to the invention with the characteristics listed
in appended independent claim 1.
[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are apparent from the dependent claims.
[0011] The lighting device, particularly for lighting streets, roundabouts, cycling tracks,
car parks, garages and the like, comprises:
- a main body designed to be embedded in the ground/wall/ceiling and being substantially
box-shaped in order to contain the circuitry and the electrical/electronic components
of the lighting device,
- a mounting frame mounted on a rim of the main body,
- a light source supported by the mounting frame, and
- an outer protective bezel, supported by the mounting frame and provided with apertures
and ribs for passage and screening of the light coming from a light source.
[0012] The main characteristic of the invention is represented by the fact that the lighting
device further comprises an intermediate frame disposed between said light source
and said outer protective bezel. The intermediate frame is suitably shaped with apertures
and ribs for the passage and the screening of the light coming from the light source.
[0013] The apertures and ribs of the intermediate frame can be disposed in register or interferingly
with the apertures and ribs of the outer protective bezel, so as to direct the beams
of light coming from the light source in the desired direction.
[0014] The intermediate frame can be made of a plurality of loose pieces assembled in various
ways so as to obtain the desired configuration of apertures and ribs.
[0015] In this manner the installer, during installation of the lighting device, according
to the lighting requirements, can assemble and position the intermediate frame so
as to direct the light in preferred directions.
[0016] Further characteristics of the invention will be made clearer by the detailed description
that follows, referring to purely exemplary and therefore non-limiting embodiments
thereof, illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view illustrating a lighting device according to
the invention, wherein the lamp-holder has been omitted;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1 assembled;
- Figure 3 is an enlarged axial sectional view of the assembled lighting device, taken
along the plane of section III-III of Figure 2;
- Figure 4 is a top plan view illustrating three different sectors for the formation
of an intermediate frame of the lighting device according to the invention;
- Figure 5 is a top plan view of the lighting device of Figure 1, illustrating the direction
of propagation of the light beams;
- Figure 5A is a view like Figure 5, illustrating a different direction of propagation
of the light beams, due to a different arrangement of the intermediate frame of the
lighting device;
- Figure 6 is a top plan view, illustrating a further embodiment of the intermediate
frame; and
- Figure 7 is a view like Figure 5, wherein the intermediate frame of Figure 6 has been
adopted in the lighting device.
[0017] A lighting device according to the invention, denoted as a whole by reference numeral
100, is described with the aid of the figures.
[0018] The device 100 comprises a main body 1 having a substantially cylindrical box shape.
Two substantially flat longitudinal portions 10 disposed in diametrically opposite
positions are formed on the side wall of the body 1. The body 1 has a bottom wall
11 (Figure 3) and is hollow on the inside so as to define a containing chamber 12
open at the top. The body 1 is made in a single piece of aluminium by extrusion.
[0019] A substantially ring-shaped mounting frame 2 is mounted on the upper rim of the body
1. The mounting frame 2 has in its lower surface a substantially annular grooved seat
20 designed to receive the upper rim of the body 1.
[0020] The mounting frame 2 consists of a first outer annular flange 21 and of a second
inner annular flange 22, lower and with a smaller inside diameter than the first annular
flange 21, so as to define an upper annular seat. On the annular flanges 21, 22 there
are formed respective threaded holes 23 and 24 designed to receive screw means for
fixing of the body 1 and of other components of the lighting device 100. The mounting
frame 2 is formed in a single piece by pressure die-casting of aluminium.
[0021] In the space defined by the inner flange 22 of the mounting frame 2 a reflective
plate 3 in the form of a substantially circular metal plate with suitably shaped edges
is disposed. On the plate 3 there is mounted a special lamp-holder (not shown in the
figures) able to receive a light source 4.
[0022] At least the upper surface of the plate 3 is made of or coated with reflective material,
so as to reflect upwards the light emitted by the light source 4. The reflective plate
3, furthermore, serves to insulate the inner chamber 12 of the body 1, wherein the
electrical and electronic components for operation of the light source 4 are housed,
from the light source 4.
[0023] The light source 4 is preferably a metal halide lamp with a power of 35W provided
with a G8.5 lamp holder. It is clear that that according to the use other types of
lamps and lamp holders can be used, such as, for example, a low voltage halogen lamp
(12V), with a power of 50W, with an HS (High Satin) QT12 type glass, provided with
a GY6.35 lamp holder.
[0024] A transparent protective element 5 substantially shaped as a spherical cover is disposed
on the inner annular flange 22 of the mounting frame 2. The transparent element 5
is preferably made of glass by means of a moulding and tempering process. The inner
surface 50 (Figure 3) of the glass 5 has suitable prismed faceting in order to allow
a particular refraction of the light beams coming from the light source 4, so as to
direct them along a substantially horizontal plane.
[0025] A substantially ring-shaped gasket 51 is disposed in the lower rim of the glass 5.
The gasket 51 is made of silicone material that adapts perfectly to the shape of the
lower rim of the glass 5 and, once compressed on the seat of the inner flange 22 of
the mounting frame 2, ensures perfect water tightness.
[0026] Above the glass cover 5 there is disposed a suitably shaped intermediate frame 6
having apertures for the passage of light and ribs designed to act as a screen for
the light beams coming from the lamp 4 and refracted by the glass 5.
[0027] The intermediate frame 6 is substantially shaped as a spherical cover or dome with
a radius of curvature lightly greater then that of the glass dome 5. The intermediate
frame 6 can be made in a single piece or from a plurality of loose pieces or circular
sectors 60, 60', 60" (Fig. 4) in the form of segments of spherical cover, suitably
disposed alongside one another. For example, each sector 60, 60', 60" is subtended
by an angle at the centre of 90°; in this manner the intermediate frame 6 is formed
by four sectors, disposed alongside each other.
[0028] Each sector 60, 60', 60" has a tongue 62 protruding radially outwards. The tongue
62 has two through holes 63 to receive the screw means 8 for fixing of the relative
sector.
[0029] Each sector is die-cast in aluminium and is about 2.5 mm thick.
[0030] The sectors can also be made of other materials such as plate metal or plastic materials.
[0031] Figure 4 illustrates three different configurations of sectors 60, 60', 60" which
can be used to form the intermediate frame 6. To be precise, the sectors 60, 60',
60" have, respectively, a central aperture 61, two radial apertures 61' and no aperture.
[0032] The central aperture 61 of the sector 60 with one aperture is defined by an angle
ϑ at the centre of 45° so as to define two lateral ribs 64 subtended by an angle at
the centre of 22.5°. Each side aperture 61' of the sector 60' with two apertures is
defined by an angle ϑ' at the centre of 15° so as to define a central rib 65' subtended
by an angle at the centre of 15° and two side ribs 64' subtended by an angle at the
centre of 22.5°.
[0033] It is clear that other configurations of the circular sectors can be provided, such
as, for example, sectors subtended by angles at the centre other than 90°, sectors
with more than two apertures, sectors with apertures disposed in different positions
from those illustrated in Figure 4 and sectors with apertures having shapes different
from those illustrated in Figure 4. As an alternative to the sectors, the intermediate
frame 6 can be made in a single piece and suitably shaped with apertures and ribs.
[0034] In Figure 1, by way of example, the intermediate frame 6 is made of four circular
sectors: two sectors 60 provided with a central aperture 61 and another two sectors
60' provided with a pair of radial apertures 61'. The sectors 60 with a single aperture
and the sectors 60' with a double aperture are disposed in such a manner that the
respective apertures 61, 61' are disposed in positions diametrically opposite each
other.
[0035] Above the intermediate frame 6 there is disposed an outer protective bezel 7 having
the convex shape of a spherical cover or dome with a slightly greater radius of curvature
than that of the intermediate frame 6.
[0036] The protective bezel 7 has four radial apertures 71 disposed in diametrically opposite
positions. Each aperture 71 is defined by an angle at the centre of 45°, thus four
radial ribs 75 are defined between the apertures 71, in which each rib 75 is subtended
by an angle at the centre of 45°.
[0037] The protective bezel is made of die-cast aluminium and is thick enough to bear a
load of about 2000/2500 kg, corresponding to the passage of motor vehicles for light
transport.
[0038] In the peripheral part of the protective bezel 7 fixing holes are formed, designed
to receive screw means 8 (Figure 3) which engage in the holes 63 of the tongues 62
of the sectors of the intermediate frame 6 to lock them firmly to the protective bezel
7.
[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the lighting device 100, once assembled, is installed in the
ground 9, so that the box-type body 1 and the mounting frame 2 are embedded in the
ground and that the protective bezel 7 is in view above the horizontal plane of the
ground.
[0040] The light beams 90 emitted by the lamp 4 are refracted by the glass cover 5 and pass
through the apertures 61, 61' and 71 ― respectively - of the intermediate frame 6
and of the protective bezel 7, following a direction as close as possible to the horizontal
plane of the ground 9.
[0041] The sectors 60, 60' of the intermediate frame 6 are disposed so that the apertures
61 of the sectors 60 with a single opening are in register with two apertures 71 of
the protective bezel and that the pairs of apertures 61' of the double aperture sectors
60' are in register with the other two apertures 71 of the protective bezel. As a
result, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, the lighting device 10 emits two light beams
90 subtended by an angle at the centre of 45° and four light beams 90' subtended by
an angle at the centre of 15°. The two beams 90 are directed in diametrically opposite
directions and the four beams 90' are also directed in diametrically opposite directions.
[0042] With reference to Figures 5 and 5A, if the intermediate frame 6 is turned 15° counter
clockwise with respect to the supporting bezel 7, the two apertures 61 of the single
aperture sectors will be partially covered by the ribs 75 of the protective bezel,
for an extent having an angle at the centre of 15°. Furthermore an aperture 61' of
the pair of apertures of each double aperture sector 60' is covered by a respective
rib 75 of the protective bezel whilst the other aperture 61' is disposed at the centre
of the aperture 71 of the protective bezel 7.
[0043] As a result, as shown in Figure 5A, the lighting device 100 will emit two beams 90
subtended by an angle at the centre of 30° and two beams 90' subtended by an angle
at the centre of 15°.
[0044] In Figure 6 a further embodiment of the intermediate frame 6 is described, in which
two sectors 60 with a single aperture 61 placed side by side and two sectors 60" without
apertures placed side by side are used. The apertures 61 of the intermediate frame
are disposed in register with the respective apertures 71 of the protective bezel.
In this manner, as shown in Figure 7, two luminous beams 90 are obtained, at an angle
of 90° from each other and each beam 90 is subtended by an angle at the centre of
45°.
[0045] Numerous changes and modifications of detail within the reach of a person skilled
in the art can be made to the present embodiments of the invention without thereby
departing from the scope of the invention as set forth by the appended claims.
1. A lighting device (100) particularly for illumination of streets, roundabouts, cycling
tracks, car parks, garages and the like comprising:
- a main body (1), designed to be embedded in a ground/wall/ceiling (9) and being
substantially box-shaped to contain the circuitry and the electrical/electronic components
of the lighting device,
- a mounting frame (2) mounted on a rim of the main body (1),
- a light source (4) supported by the mounting frame (2), and
- an outer protective bezel (7) supported by the mounting frame (2), said outer protective
bezel (7) being provided with apertures (71) and ribs (75) for the passage and the
screening of the light coming from said light source (4),
characterised in that it further comprises
- an intermediate frame (6) disposed between said light source (4) and said outer
protective bezel (7), said intermediate frame (6) being suitably shaped with openings
(61, 61') and ribs (64, 64', 65) for the passage and the screening of the light coming
from said light source (4), wherein said apertures (61, 61') and ribs (64, 64', 65)
of the intermediate frame (6) can be disposed in register or interferingly with said
apertures (71) and ribs (75) of the outer protective bezel (7) so as to direct the
light beams coming from the light source (4) in the desired direction.
2. A lighting device (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that said intermediate frame (6) is made in a single piece.
3. A lighting device (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that said intermediate frame (6) comprises a plurality of sectors or loose pieces (60,
60', 60") which can assembled with each other and which are variously shaped with
at least one aperture (61, 61') or without apertures.
4. A lighting device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a transparent cover (5) supported by the mounting frame (2) and disposed
between the light source (4) and the intermediate frame (6) so that the beam of light
rays coming from the light source (4) passes through the transparent cover (5) and
is refracted thereby according to a pre-set angle of refraction.
5. A lighting device (100) according to claim 4, characterised in that said intermediate frame (6) has a convex or spherical cover shape with a slightly
greater radius of curvature than that of said transparent cover (5) and in that said outer protective bezel (7) has a convex or spherical cover shape with a slightly
greater radius of curvature than that of the intermediate frame (6).
6. A lighting device (100) according to claim 5, characterised in that said outer protective bezel (7) has four radial apertures (71) disposed in diametrically
opposite positions and separated by four radial ribs (75), wherein the size of both
the apertures (71) and the ribs (75) is defined by an angle at the centre of 45°.
7. A lighting device (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that said sectors (60, 60', 60") are shaped as a circular sector.
8. A lighting device (100) according to claim 7, characterised in that said circular sector (60, 60', 60") is defined by an angle at the centre of 90°.
9. A lighting device (100) according to claim 8, characterised in that said circular sector (60) has a central radial aperture (61) subtended by an angle
at the centre of 45°, so as to define two side ribs (64) subtended by an angle at
the centre of 22.5°.
10. A lighting device (100) according to claim 8, characterised in that said circular sector (60') has a pair of radial side openings (61') subtended by
an angle at the centre of 15° and separated from each other by a central rib (65')
subtended by an angle at the centre of 15°, so as to define two side ribs (64') subtended
by an angle at the centre of 22.5°.
11. A lighting device (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterised in that said sector (60, 60', 60") of the intermediate frame has a radially outward protruding
tongue (62) having at least one hole (63) to receive screw means (8) for fixing to
said outer protective bezel (7).
12. A lighting device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a reflective plate (3) supported by said mounting frame (2) and disposed
beneath said light source (4) to reflect the light toward said intermediate frame
(6).
13. A lighting device (100) according to any one of claims 4 a 12, characterised in that in the peripheral rim of said transparent cover (5) there is disposed a gasket (51)
which engages sealingly in an annular seat (22) defined in said mounting frame (2).
14. A lighting device (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 13, characterised in that said transparent cover (5) is made of glass and has an inner surface with prismed
faceting (50) facing towards said light surface.
15. A lighting device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said outer protective bezel (7) and said intermediate frame (6) are pressure die-casting
in aluminium.
16. A lighting device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said light source (4) comprises a metal halide lamp or an incandescent halogen lamp
provided with the relative lamp holder.