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(11) | EP 1 988 328 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Coupling assembly between a ligthing body and the relative support pole |
| (57) There is described a coupling assembly (16) between a lighting body (12) and a support
pole (10) or a wall, the lighting body (12) being provided with an optical space (14)
for seating at least one light source. The coupling assembly (16) consists of a first
outer tubular body (18) wherein a second inner tubular body (20) is coaxially inserted
in a turnable manner. One or more constraining means (22) are provided for adjusting
and stopping the rotation and the relative shifting of the inner tubular body (20)
relative to the outer tubular body (18).
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[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling assembly between a lighting body and the relative support pole in a pole or wall lighting fixture.
[0002] The use of so-called pole lighting fixtures is known for road or outdoor lighting in general. Such fixtures normally consist of one or more lighting bodies generally applied in the proximity of the top end of a pole that, besides supporting the lighting body, seats the electrical supply cables in a waterproof manner.
[0003] A problem that could occur with this type of lighting fixtures relates to the maintenance operations thereof. In fact, since the lighting body made integral to the pole is normally configured so as to have its optical space orientated downwards, so as to diffuse the light towards the area at the base of the pole itself, the personnel in charge of maintenance is forced to work with hands and head facing upwards to carry out any type of work, even for routine maintenance, such as for example the replacement of the lighting bulb.
[0004] The object of the present invention therefore is to provide a coupling assembly between a lighting body and the relative support pole in a pole lighting fixture which should allow performing both routine and extraordinary maintenance operations on the lighting body in an easy and natural manner, without forcing the personnel in charge of maintenance to work with hands and head facing upwards.
[0005] Another object of the invention is to provide a coupling assembly between a lighting body and the relative support pole capable of ensuring the highest impermeability to the electrical cables that going up into the pole, reach the lighting body to illuminate it.
[0006] A further object of the present invention is to obtain a coupling assembly between a lighting body and the relative support pole which should be particularly simple and functional, at low cost.
[0007] These objects according to the present invention are achieved by providing a coupling assembly between a lighting body and the relative support pole in a pole lighting fixture as described in claim 1.
[0009] The features and the advantages of a coupling assembly between a lighting body and the relative support pole in a pole lighting fixture according to the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description, made by way of an indicative non-limiting example with reference to the annexed schematic drawings, wherein:
figure 1 shows a perspective bottom view of a lighting fixture comprising a support pole and a lighting body connected thereto;
figure 2 shows an exploded view of a coupling assembly between a lighting body and the relative support pole according to the present invention;
figure 3 shows a plan top view of the lighting fixture of figure 1;
figure 4 shows a cross-section view obtained along line A-A in figure 3, of the lighting fixture of figure 1 in a first usage configuration;
figure 5 shows a front view partially in cross-section of the lighting fixture of figure 1; and
figure 6 shows a cross-section view obtained along line A-A in figure 3, of the lighting fixture of figure 1 in a second usage configuration.
[0010] With reference to the figures, there is shown an example of embodiment of a lighting fixture of the type consisting of a support pole 10 and a lighting body 12. The support pole 10 is made in the shape of a hollow tubular body, with preferably but not necessarily circular section. In turn, the lighting body 12, provided with an optical space 14 for seating a light source (not shown), is connected to the support pole 10, at the top thereof, by means of a coupling assembly 16 (figure 2) made in the shape of a support arm.
[0011] It should be noted that the coupling assembly 16 according to the invention may also advantageously be applied to a wall lighting fixture, connecting the lighting body to the wall itself.
[0012] The support arm 16 consists of a first outer tubular body 18 wherein a second inner tubular body 20 is coaxially inserted in a turnable manner. The rotation and the relative shifting of the inner tubular body 20 with respect to the outer tubular body 18 may be adjusted and stopped by means of one or more constraining means 22.
[0013] More precisely, both the outer tubular body 18 and the inner one 20, preferably made by aluminium casting, are each provided with respective fixing means 24 and 26, such as for example screws of suitable diameter and length, for an irremovable connection thereof, preferably in the axial direction of arm 16, to the support pole 10 or to a wall on the one side and to the lighting body 12 on the other side.
[0014] In the example of embodiment shown, the outer tubular body 18 is configured to be constrained, by means of the respective screws 24, to the top of the support pole 10, extending therefrom outwards in a substantially orthogonal direction, whereas the inner tubular body 20 is formed in a single piece with a plate 28 for assembly, by means of screws 26, on a side wall of the lighting body 12. Plate 28 is conveniently provided with at least one opening 42 for the passage of the supply cables of the light source arranged into the lighting body 12.
[0015] According to the needs, the fixing direction of arm 16 may be changed both relative to the axis of the support pole 10 and relative to the lighting body 12, so that arm 16 itself is not necessarily orthogonal to pole 10 and/or to the direction of the light beam emitted by the lighting body 12.
[0016] The constraining means 22, preferably in the number of two, are made in the shape of grub screws or dowels insertable into corresponding holes 30 obtained on the sides of the outer tubular body 18, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the outer tubular body 18 itself. Dowels 22 engage with corresponding axial grooves 32 obtained on the surface of the inner tubular body 20, as is seen in figure 2, for locking any relative movement between the two tubular bodies 18 and 20.
[0017] A sleeve 34 is provided into the outer tubular body 18, in order to allow the rotary-shifting of the inner tubular body 20 relative thereto, which encircles at least partly such inner tubular body 20. To prevent the accidental relative rotation between the two tubular bodies 18 and 20, even when dowels 22 are not tightened and when such tubular bodies 18 and 20 are not made to shift relative to one another, one or more projections 36 are further provided on the surface of the inner tubular body 20 capable of obtaining a shape coupling with one or more slits 40, 40' provided into the sleeve 34. In the example shown, there are provided two slits 40 and 40' obtained in diametrically opposite positions relative to one another, the first slit 40 determining for example the operating position of the lighting body 12, that is, that wherein the optical space 14 faces downwards, and the second slit 40' determining the position that allows the maintenance works, that is, that wherein the optical space 14 faces upwards.
[0018] Finally, in order to limit the relative sliding of the inner tubular body 20 with respect to the outer tubular body 18, there is provided a projection 38, for example made in the shape of a washer keyed on the surface of the inner tubular body 20 itself, capable of abutting against a respective wall provided inside the sleeve 34. In this way, the accidental disconnection between the two tubular bodies 18 and 20 and accordingly, the separation of the lighting body 12 from the relative support pole 10 are prevented.
[0019] Operatively, with reference to figures 3 to 6, in order to obtain the rotation of the lighting body 12 relative to pole 10 using the coupling assembly 16 according to the invention, the dowel or dowels 22 that keep the inner tubular body 20 locked with respect to the outer tubular body 18 must be released. Such operation allows shifting the inner tubular body 20 with respect to the outer tubular body 18, while obtaining the disengagement of projection 36 from the corresponding slit 40 and the consequent separation of the lighting body 12 from the support pole 10 in the direction of arrow F1 of figure 4.
[0020] At this point it is possible to rotate the lighting body 12 by 180°, integral to the inner tubular body 20, with respect to the outer tubular body 18 of arm 16. Once the optical space 14 of the lighting body 12 is facing upwards, it is sufficient to push the lighting body 12 itself towards the support pole 10 (direction of arrow F2 of figure 6), thus without necessarily screwing dowels 22, to make projection 36 engage with the further slit 40' and steadily keep the lighting body 12 into maintenance position.
[0021] Once the maintenance operations have been completed, performing the steps described above in the reverse order, it is possible to return the lighting fixture to the operating position. It should be noted that in such operating position, the inner tubular body 20 is fully inserted into the outer tubular body 18, to prevent water and humidity infiltration that may damage the electrical cables that pass through arm 16. In addition, one or more sealing rings (not shown) may also be provided for completely insulating arm 16 relative to pole 10 and to the lighting body 12.
[0022] It has thus been seen that the coupling assembly between a lighting body and the relative support pole in a pole lighting fixture according to the present invention achieves the objects mentioned before.
[0023] Several changes and variations can be made to the coupling assembly between a lighting body and the relative support pole according to the present invention thus conceived, all falling within the same inventive concept; moreover, all details can be replaced with technically equivalent elements, whereas the shapes and the dimensions may be whatever according to the technical requirements.
1. Coupling assembly (16) between a lighting body (12) and a support pole (10) or a wall,
said lighting body (12) being provided with an optical space (14) for seating at least
one light source, characterised in that said coupling assembly (16) consists of a first outer tubular body (18) wherein a
second inner tubular body (20) is coaxially inserted, in a turnable manner, there
being provided one or more constraining means (22) for adjusting and stopping the
rotation and the relative shifting of said inner tubular body (20) with respect to
said outer tubular body (18).
2. Coupling assembly (16) according to claim 1, characterised in that said outer tubular body (18) and said inner tubular body (20) are each provided with
respective fixing means (24, 26) to said support pole (10) or said wall and to said
lighting body (12).
3. Coupling assembly (16) according to claim 2, characterised in that said outer tubular body (18) is constrained, by means of said fixing means (24),
to the top of said support pole (10).
4. Coupling assembly (16) according to claim 3, characterised in that said outer tubular body (18) extends outwards from said support pole (10) in a substantially
orthogonal direction.
5. Coupling assembly (16) according to claim 2, characterised in that said inner tubular body (20) is made in a single piece with a plate (28) for assembly,
by means of said fixing means (26), on a side wall of said lighting body (12).
6. Coupling assembly (16) according to claim 5, characterised in that said plate (28) is provided with at least one opening (42) for the passage of supply
cables of said light source.
7. Coupling assembly (16) according to claim 1, characterised in that said constraining means (22) comprise at least one dowel insertable in a corresponding
hole (30) made on a side of said outer tubular body (18).
8. Coupling assembly (16) according to claim 7, characterised in that said each of said dowels (22) engages with a corresponding groove (32) made on the
surface of said inner tubular body (20).
9. Coupling assembly (16) according to claim 1, characterised in that said outer tubular body (18) is provided therein with a sleeve (34) that encircles
at least partly said inner tubular body (20) in order to allow the rotary-shifting
thereof with respect to said outer tubular body (18).
10. Coupling assembly (16) according to claim 9, characterised in that on the surface of said inner tubular body (20) there is provided at least one projection
(36) capable of making a shape coupling with one or more slits (40, 40') provided
into said sleeve (34) in order to prevent the accidental relative rotation between
said outer tubular body (18) and said inner tubular body (20).
11. Coupling assembly (16) according to claim 10, characterised in that said slits (40, 40') are in the number of two and are obtained in diametrically opposite
positions relative to one another.
12. Coupling assembly (16) according to claim 9, characterised in that on the surface of said inner tubular body (20) there is provided at least one projection
(38) capable of abutting against a respective wall provided into said sleeve (34)
in order to limit the relative sliding of said inner tubular body (20) with respect
to said outer tubular body (18).
13. Coupling assembly (16) according to claim 12, characterised in that said projection (38) is made in the shape of a washer keyed on the surface of said
inner tubular body (20).
14. Pole or wall lighting fixture comprising a coupling assembly (16) between a lighting
body (12) and a support pole (10) or a wall according to any one of claims 1 to 13.