[0001] The present invention relates to an anchoring device for lamp holders.
[0002] It is known that in the production of lighting devices with double lamp it is used
a particular support, said in jargon "butterfly", constituted by a metal plate with
three threaded seats, one centrally disposed and the other two laterally disposed,
that is on diametrically opposite sides with respect to the central seat. On each
of the threaded lateral seats it is screwed the base of a correspondent lamp holder
and, when the necessary electric connections have been executed, a lamp holder is
fixed on each of the two basis. The central seat of the butterfly support is used
for fixing the same on a rod or "tige" supporting the apparatus.
[0003] The costs for producing the apparatus and the time for mounting the same are excessive
with respect to the present production requirements.
[0004] The main aim of the present invention is to drastically reduce the above drawbacks.
[0005] These results have been achieved according to the invention thanks to the idea of
producing a device having the features described in claim 1. Other features relate
to the dependant claims.
[0006] Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to reduce both the production costs
of the lighting apparatus and the mounting time required for the installation of the
same. Besides, a device according to the invention is easy to make, cost-effective
and reliable even after a prolonged use.
[0007] These and other advantages and characteristics of the invention will be best understood
by anyone skilled in the art from a reading of the following description in conjunction
with the attached drawings given as a practical exemplification of the invention,
but not to be considered in a limitative sense, wherein:
- Fig.1 is a perspective view of a device according to present invention;
- Fig. 2 is a further perspective view of the device of Fig.1;
- Fig. 3 is a sectional perspective view of the device of Figs. 1 and 2;
- Fig. 4 is a front view of the device of Figs. 1-3;
- Fig. 5 is a plan view of the device of Figs. 1-3;
- Fig. 6 is a sectional view according to the line A-A of Fig. 5;
- Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a lighting apparatus in which the device
of the preceding figures is employed;
- Fig. 8 shows the apparatus of Fig. 7 in an assembled state.
[0008] Reduced to its basic structure, and reference being made to the figures in the attached
drawings, an anchoring device for lamp-holders according to the preset invention is
constituted by a substantially annular element or ring (1) which is provided with
two couples of flexibly elastic appendixes (2) diametrically opposed, that is disposed
on opposite sides with respect to the symmetry axis (x-x) of the same element (1).
[0009] Each of said appendixes (2) forms a single body with the annular element (1) and
is longitudinally developed along a direction parallel to said axis (x-x).
[0010] Besides, the free end of each of said appendixes (2) is shaped like a claw, with
its tip (20) oriented towards the symmetry axis (x-x) of the annular element (1).
[0011] Advantageously, according to the example of the annexed drawings, the two appendixes
(2) protruding from a same edge (10) of the ring (1) are oriented perpendicularly
to the two appendixes (2) protruding from the opposed edge of the same ring.
[0012] Moreover, said element (1) has a radial hole (3) provided within a substantially
cylindrical portion (30) thereof, said portion (30) emerging from the external surface
(11) of the element (1) and being internally threaded.
[0013] Said hole (3) is used, as said below, for the passage of the electrical supply wires,
and the internal threading of said portion (30) allows the screwing of the element
(1) onto a corresponding supporting tige (not shown).
[0014] Said portion (30) of the element (1) is provided with a hole (31) whose axis is orthogonal
to the longitudinal axis of the same portion (30), said hole (31) allowing a screw
(not shown) to be screwed therein in order to prevent the rotation of the element
(1) on the supporting tige when mounted.
[0015] From the lateral surface (11) of the element (1) two wings (32) protrude, disposed
on opposite sides with respect to the cylindrical appendix (30) and developed along
a plane which is substantially orthogonal to the symmetry axis (x-x) of the element
(1), each of said wings being provided with an orthogonal hole (33).
[0016] Said wings (32) serve to fix the element (1) by utilizing screws passing through
the hole (33), on a bracket instead of a tige.
[0017] Said element (1) can be produced with a conventional moulding technique, in a electrical
insulating material, for example nylon glass reinforced (type PA66RV).
[0018] The cylindrical bodies (4) shown in the drawings on the internal lateral surface
of the element (1) are simply service pins which serve to allow the intervention of
the extractors normally used in the moulds for producing the element (1).
[0019] It is now described the assembling of the apparatus shown in Figs. 7 and 8, comprising
two lamps (5), for example of E27 or E14 type, to be screwed in corresponding lamp
holders (6). The electrical wires (not shown) pass through the hole (3) of the element
(1); then the electrical connections are made, connecting the bare ends of the wires
to the terminals (60) of the lamp holders (6).
[0020] After, the lamp holders (6) are connected to the element (1), in such a way that
the tips (20) of the appendixes (2) are inserted in the base windows (61) of the lamp
holders (6). The appendixes (2) bend slightly outwardly during this step. The apparatus
thus obtained comprises two lamps (5) which result coaxial and opposed with respect
to the element (1). The latter is then fixed on a tige or on a bracket as previously
said.
[0021] The cost and the time for assembling such an apparatus are strongly reduced if compared
with two lamp holders with relevant separate basis.
[0022] Practically speaking, in any case, executional details can vary equally, regardless
of the shape, dimensions, disposition of elements and materials used, without, moreover,
exceeding the parameters of the idea for the adopted solution and thus remaining within
the limits of the tutelage accorded by the present patent.
1. Anchoring device for lamp-holders characterized in that it is constituted by a substantially annular element (1) which is provided with two
couples of flexibly elastic appendixes (2) diametrically opposed, that is disposed
on opposite sides with respect to the symmetry axis (x-x) of the same element (1):
the appendixes (2) of each of said couples of appendixes protruding for a preset length
from a corresponding edge (10) of the element (1) and being intended to be hooked
to a corresponding lamp holder (6).
2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that each of said appendixes (2) forms a single body with the annular element (1) and
it is longitudinally developed along a direction parallel to said symmetry axis (x-x).
3. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the free end of each of said appendixes (2) is shaped like a claw, with the tip (20)
oriented towards the symmetry axis (x-x) of the annular element (1).
4. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the two appendixes (2) protruding from a same edge (10) of the element (1) are oriented
perpendicularly to the two appendixes (2) protruding from the opposed edge of the
same element.
5. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said element (1) has a radial hole (3) provided within a substantially cylindrical
portion (30) thereof, said portion (30) emerging from the external surface (11) of
the element (1) and being internally threaded.
6. Device according to claim 5 characterized in that said portion (30) of the element (1) is provided with a hole (31) whose axis is orthogonal
to the longitudinal axis of the same portion (30).
7. Device according to claim 6 characterized in that from the lateral surface (11) of the element (1) two wings (32) protrude, disposed
on opposite sides with respect to the cylindrical appendix (30) and developed along
a plane which is substantially orthogonal to the symmetry axis (x-x) of the element
(1), each of said wings being provided with an orthogonal hole (33).
8. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it is made in electrically insulating material.