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(11) | EP 1 847 768 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Lighting apparatus with high light diffusion |
| (57) A lighting apparatus (10) with high light diffusion, comprising a box-shaped main
body (12) open on one side, inside of which at least one light source (14) is housed
and on the open side of which a diffusing screen (16) is arranged. The diffusing screen
(16) is fixed to a support structure (20) able to be attached to the box-shaped body
(12), so that the perimetric portion of the support structure (20) substantially coincides
with the perimetric walls of the box-shaped body (12).
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[0002] It is known that lighting apparatuses of big dimensions, used individually or in combination to form actual lighting walls, have the drawback of generating troublesome shaded areas, especially at their perimetric edge.
[0003] This effect is particularly evident when many ceiling lights are sided, since an actual grid of shade is created on the lighting wall that reduces the effectiveness of the entire lighting system, as well as producing an unpleasant aesthetic effect.
[0004] Such a drawback is normally due to the fact that lighting apparatuses of big dimensions are usually provided with a diffusing wall made from non-rigid material, like for example a transparent or semi-transparent piece of cloth, which requires the presence, on the framework of the apparatus, of an exposed perimetric frame having the dual function of supporting the diffusing wall and of ensuring the attachment and stable fixing to the framework of the apparatus on which the lighting elements are mounted.
[0005] The perimetric frame therefore defines a screening wall for the light at the edges of the diffusing wall, with the consequent formation of the shaded areas.
[0006] Another disadvantage of lighting apparatuses of big dimensions currently on the market is due to the impossibility of accessing the electrical components from the front side of the apparatus itself, creating difficulties for the operators in the case of failure and/or when one or more lighting elements need to be replaced.
[0007] The purpose of the present invention is therefore to make a lighting apparatus capable of ensuring optimal diffusion of light, reducing as much as possible the phenomenon of formation of shaded areas along the perimeter of the apparatus itself.
[0008] Another purpose of the present invention is to make a lighting apparatus with high light diffusion that allows easy access to the lamps and to the internal electrical components.
[0009] Yet another purpose of the present invention is to make a lighting apparatus with high light diffusion that is particularly simple and functional, with low costs.
[0010] These purposes according to the present invention are accomplished by making a lighting apparatus with high light diffusion as outlined in claim 1.
[0012] The characteristics and advantages of a lighting apparatus with high light diffusion according to the present invention shall become clearer from the following description, given as a non-limiting example, referring to the attached schematic drawings, in which:
figure 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of the lighting apparatus according to the invention, in partially open configuration;
figure 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the lighting apparatus of figure 1; and
figure 3 is a section view of a detail of the outer edge of the lighting apparatus of figure 1.
[0013] With reference in particular to figure 1 of the attached drawings, a lighting apparatus with high light diffusion is shown, wholly indicated with reference numeral 10, comprising a box-shaped main body 12 open on one side, inside of which at least one light source 14 is housed, and a diffusing wall or screen 16 capable of completely covering the front surface of the box-shaped body 12.
[0014] The box-shaped body 12 contains, in addition to the power supply cables and the electrical and electronic devices for controlling the apparatus 10, the lamp holders 18 (figure 3) of the light sources 14 consisting, in the particular example embodiment illustrated, of a plurality of neon lamps arranged inside the box-shaped body 12.
[0015] The box-shaped body 12 can be made with different materials, like for example metal or plastic, and can be configured for single and/or multiple installation built in, on the ceiling or else by suspension, through tie-rods (not shown).
[0016] In the illustrated example, the diffusing screen 16 consists of a semi-transparent piece of material that is fixed, through known attachment means, to a support structure or perimetric frame 20 suitable for being attached to the box-shaped body 12 of the lighting apparatus 10.
[0017] Advantageously, in order to reduce as much as possible the presence of screening that can generate shaded areas along the perimetric edge of the lighting apparatus 10, whilst still maintaining the necessary structural rigidity required for large-sized apparatuses, the frame 20 is configured to adhere to the side walls of the box-shaped body 12 or, alternatively, to completely cover such side walls.
[0018] In other words, the perimetric portion of the frame 20 substantially coincides with the perimetric walls of the box-shaped body 12, therefore without support frames for the diffusing screen 16 being necessary on the box-shaped body 12 itself.
[0019] In addition, the diffusing screen 16 can be configured to at least partially cover the frame 20 after the screen 16 has been installed onto the frame 20 itself, so as to form a single diffusing surface that covers the front part of the box-shaped body 12 of the lighting apparatus 10 without any profile being exposed.
[0020] As can be seen in figures 2 and 3, the frame 20 that supports the diffusing screen 16 is equipped with a system for attachment to the box-shaped body 12 consisting of a plurality of elastic means 22, like for example metallic springs.
[0021] More specifically, each spring 22 is made integral with the frame 20 through a suitable slot 24 and is equipped with one or more attachment portions 26 that engage with corresponding portions (not shown) of the box-shaped body 12 to removably couple the frame 20 and, consequently, the diffusing screen 16 fixed to it, with the box-shaped body 12 of the lighting apparatus 10.
[0022] In this way it is possible to gain access, in a simple and quick manner, to the lamps 14 and to the electrical components of the lighting apparatus 10 directly from its front side, without requiring the use of specific tools.
[0023] It has thus been seen that the lighting apparatus with high light diffusion according to the present invention achieves the purposes highlighted previously since, as well as ensuring frontal access to the lamps, it allows the formation of shade to be reduced to the minimum thanks to the very low thickness of the perimetric frame that supports the diffusing screen.
[0024] Moreover, the possibility of completely covering the frame with the diffusing wall itself allows uniform lighting walls to be obtained, without interruptions due to the presence of exposed profiles, which can be made with inner lamps of different colours and combining many lighting apparatuses, thus minimising the discontinuity effects.
[0025] The lighting apparatus with high light diffusion of the present invention thus conceived can in any case undergo numerous modifications and variations, all of which are covered by the same innovative concept. Thus, for example, the light sources can consist of fluorescent lamps, LEDs or other lighting means, whereas the diffusing screen can, for example, be formed from sheets of transparent or semi-transparent polycarbonate rather than with the piece of cloth described previously.
1. Lighting apparatus (10) with high light diffusion, comprising a box-shaped main body
(12) open on one side, inside of which at least one light source (14) is housed and
on the open side of which a diffusing screen (16) is arranged, characterised in that said diffusing screen (16) is fixed to a support structure (20) able to be attached
to said box-shaped body (12), the perimetric portion of said support structure (20)
substantially coinciding with the perimetric walls of said box-shaped body (12).
2. Lighting apparatus (10) according to claim 1,
characterised in that said diffusing screen (16) is configured to at least partially cover said support structure (20).
characterised in that said diffusing screen (16) is configured to at least partially cover said support structure (20).
3. Lighting apparatus (10) according to claim 1,
characterised in that said support structure (20) is equipped with a plurality of elastic means (22) for attachment to said box-shaped body (12).
characterised in that said support structure (20) is equipped with a plurality of elastic means (22) for attachment to said box-shaped body (12).
4. Lighting apparatus (10) according to claim 3,
characterised in that each of said elastic means (22) is removably inserted in a slot (24) made on said support structure (20).
characterised in that each of said elastic means (22) is removably inserted in a slot (24) made on said support structure (20).
5. Lighting apparatus (10) according to claim 4,
characterised in that each of said elastic means (22) is equipped with one or more attachment portions (26) that engage with corresponding portions of said box-shaped body (12).
characterised in that each of said elastic means (22) is equipped with one or more attachment portions (26) that engage with corresponding portions of said box-shaped body (12).