Lighting module and modular illumination system

Abstract

 A lighting module comprises a diffusor (4) removably mounted on a supporting structure (1) provided with a lampholder (12) and with means (6) for the coupling to supporting cables, the supporting structure (1) essentially consisting of a pair of opposite plates (11, 11') connected through two tubes (13) and covered by respective caps (7) removably mounted on the plates (11, 11') and both provided with the means (6) for the coupling to the supporting cables, the diffusor (4) being provided with two opposite openings for the introduction onto the supporting structure (1) which are sized to allow the passage of the plates (11, 11') but not the passage of the caps (7), whereby the latter lock the diffusor (4) on the supporting structure (1). A relevant modular lighting system is obtained by combining a plurality of lighting modules through mechanical connecting cables and electrical connecting cables.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to lighting systems, and in particular to a lighting module and a relevant modular lighting system made up of a plurality of such modules combined through connecting members.

[0002] The state of the art includes several modular lighting systems, either with lighting modules directly connected to each other, e.g. through plug/socket connections, or with lighting bodies arranged along a structure providing support and power supply.

[0003] An example of the first type of modular system is given by the neon tubes systems used for lighting offices and public places, while a typical example of the second type of modular system is that consisting of two metal cables arranged parallel to each other and operatively connected to a device that supplies a low voltage current. Such metal cables act therefore as conductors that provide both support and power supply to lighting bodies arranged along the cables at positions chosen at will by the user. Similarly, another example consists of modular systems that use as conductors rigid and straight rails that can be joined through angled connectors.

[0004] However, prior art systems limit to a greater or smaller extent the possibilities of choice by the user and in general allow to obtain only lighting systems consisting of a sequence of straight lengths. Moreover, such systems often require the fixing of a number of supports, which implies labour and limits the positioning possibilities of the lighting system that can be mounted only where surfaces suitable for fixing the supports are present.

[0005] Obviously, many examples are also known of lampholders with a diffusor that are used as single post lamps, without any means allowing them to be coupled with other similar elements so as to obtain a modular lighting system.

[0006] US 6152582 discloses a typical example of a post lamp made up of a post at the top of which there is secured a holder suitable to allow the snap-locking of a lampholder and the twist-locking of a spherical diffusor provided with a single bottom hole having a flanged neck that engages corresponding arms formed on the holder.

[0007] Another particular example of single mobile post lamp is illustrated in EP 1403580, where the diffusor consists of a flexible inflatable balloon which is mounted on the supporting post through a pair of bottom plates of the same diameter connected by bolts. More specifically, the fabric or film of the diffusor is sandwiched between the inner plate and the outer plate, and the latter is provided on its lower surface with a hollow cylinder for the coupling to the supporting post.

[0008] Furthermore, in order to properly support the diffusor, there is also provided a pair of top plates arranged on top of the lampholder supporting structure, said plates being similar to the bottom plates but with the outer plate without any coupling means. Finally, the diffusor is divided into three parts so as to be easily removable, with a lower surface and an upper surface that remain held between the respective pairs of fixing plates and are connected to the main body of the diffusor through releasable engagement means (e.g. zip fasteners) whereby the diffusor can be removed without dismounting neither the supporting structure nor the fixing plates.

[0009] Therefore the obj ect of the present invention is to provide a lighting module, and a relevant modular lighting system, which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0010] This object is achieved by means of a lighting module having the features recited in claim 1. Other advantageous features are recited in the dependent claims.

[0011] The main advantage of the present lighting module, and of the relevant modular lighting system, is that of retaining the structural simplicity of prior art systems yet without their rigid limits of shape. In this way, the user can obtain a modular lighting system with great freedom of shape, easiness in mounting and modifying, and possibility of complex configurations that can not be obtained with prior art lighting systems.

[0012] Moreover, with respect to conventional single post lamps, not only is it possible to obtain a modular lighting system but even the single lighting module is easier to assemble and has a greater flexibility of use.

[0013] These and other advantages and characteristics of the lighting module and of the relevant modular lighting system according to the present invention will be clear to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of some embodiments thereof, with reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

Fig.1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a lighting module according to the invention;

Fig.2 is a perspective view of the supporting structure of the module of Fig.1;

Fig.3 is a sectional view along the vertical midplane of the module of Fig.1, having omitted the supporting cables and the electrical supply cable;

Fig.4 is a diagrammatic front view showing some possibilities of ceiling mounting of the module of Fig.1 and of a second embodiment comprising a single supporting cable;

Fig.5 is a diagrammatic front view showing how the module of Fig.1 can be mounted between a side wall and the ceiling;

Fig.6 is a diagrammatic side view showing the wall mounting of the second embodiment comprising a single supporting cable;

Fig.7 is a diagrammatic front and side view showing the wall mounting of the module of Fig.1;

Figs.8-11 are views similar to Figs.4-7 showing the mounting possibilities of relevant modular lighting systems comprising a plurality of modules;

Fig.12 is a diagrammatic front view showing some possibilities of use of the module of Fig.1 to obtain floor and desk lamps; and

Fig.13 is a diagrammatic top plan view showing yet another embodiment of a modular lighting system comprising also rigid connecting members between the modules.

[0014] Referring first to Figs.1-3, there is seen that a lighting module according to the present invention substantially includes a supporting structure 1 hung to a pair of supporting cables 2 and provided with a lamp L fed through an electric cable 3, the light of lamp L being diffused by a substantially spherical diffusor 4 introduced onto said supporting structure 1 through a pair of opposite circular openings of suitable diameter.

[0015] More specifically, the supporting cables 2 are provided with terminal snap-hooks 5 that hook on to eyebolts 6 vertically arranged in the middle of caps 7 that have substantially the shape of a spherical cap. Said caps 7 are sized to close the openings of diffusor 4 that have a peripheral rim 4a, whereby caps 7 lock diffusor 4 onto the supporting structure 1. Each cap 7 has a pair of openings 8, but they could be also be one only or more than two, specularly symmetrical with respect to the central eyebolt 6 and closed by corresponding removable covers 9, one of which is removed in figures 2 and 3. The covers 9 used to close openings 8 are preferably made with a mesh structure so as to be lighter and to allow the passage of a cooling air flow that prevents an excessive heating of the module when lamp L is lit.

[0016] Cap 7 is secured through a pair of screws 10 to a circular plate 11, provided with corresponding threaded seats 11a, that carries a lampholder 12 on which lamp L is mounted. A pair of connecting tubes 13, but they could be also three or more, connects plate 11 to an identical opposite plate 11' whereby the supporting structure 1 has a specularly symmetrical structure with the exception of the lampholder 12 present only on plate 11. Diffusor 4 can thus be introduced onto structure 1 and removed therefrom at either ends, since its introduction openings have a diameter greater than the diameter of plates 11, 11'.

[0017] In order to make easier securing caps 7 on plates 11, 11' it is preferable to provide on the latter centering pins 14 suitable to be received in corresponding seats 7a formed in the internal side of caps 7. In the illustrated embodiment said centering pins 14 advantageously consist of simple screws screwed from the internal side on plates 11, 11' that are provided with threaded holes.

[0018] The feed of lampholder 12 is achieved through a terminal block 15, accessible through one of openings 8, that is reached by the electric cable 3 passing through an entrance hole 16 formed in cap 7 along the vertical midplane. A second hole 16 is formed at a symmetrical position, and when unused is closed by a suitable plug 17.

[0019] In order to achieve a greater flexibility in realizing a modular lighting system, as it will be illustrated further on, also on the second plate 11' there is preferably mounted at a corresponding position a second terminal block electrically connected to the first terminal block 15 through an electric cable passing inside one of the connecting tubes 13 that is preferably arranged at the terminal blocks. This connection between the two terminal blocks is useful also in case one wishes to obtain a fully symmetrical supporting structure 1 with a second lampholder mounted on the opposite plate 11', when the length of the connecting tubes 13 so allows.

[0020] It should be noted that the symmetry of the supporting structure 1 makes the present lighting module easier to assemble as well as cheaper to manufacture, since it is substantially made up only of a diffusor 4, a lampholder 12, a pair of identical caps 7, a pair of identical plates 11, 11' and a pair of identical tubes 13 in addition to the various accessories for the mechanical and electrical connection (2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 14, 15). However, it is obvious that it would be possible to make a supporting structure 1 that is non-symmetrical in one or more of its members.

[0021] Referring to Figs.4-7, there are now illustrated some examples of the numerous mounting possibilities of the above-described lighting module and of a second embodiment thereof, that show the great flexibility and adaptability of said module.

[0022] In the four views a-d shown in Fig.4, view b corresponds to the first embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 with the two supporting cables 2 extending to the ceiling parallel to each other, the electric cable 3 entering through a side and diffusor 4 (and therefore the supporting structure 1) arranged horizontally. Views c-d show how this embodiment can be mounted, always keeping diffusor 4 horizontal, also with the supporting cables 2 diverging upwards and the electric cable 3 connecting to the mains at an offset position, possibly even on a side wall rather than on the ceiling.

[0023] View a shows a second embodiment that provides a single supporting cable 2 used to hang diffusor 4 (and therefore the supporting structure 1) in a vertical position, with the electric cable 3 entering at the top.

[0024] Fig.5 shows how the lighting module, in its first embodiment with two supporting cables 2, can be mounted between a side wall and the ceiling, with diffusor 4 oriented at an angle defined by the fixing points of the supporting cables 2 and the electric cable 3 that can connect to the mains on the side wall, as illustrated in the figure, or on the ceiling.

[0025] Fig.6 shows how the lighting module, in its second embodiment with a single supporting cable 2, can be mounted on a side wall by means of a cantilever support S. Similarly, Fig.7 shows both in a front and side view the wall mounting of the first embodiment of the module with the aid of a pair of cantilever supports S.

[0026] Referring to Figs.8-11, there are now illustrated some corresponding examples of the numerous mounting possibilities of modular lighting systems using the above-described lighting module, that show the great flexibility and adaptability of said module also in combination with other similar modules.

[0027] View a of Fig.8 shows a modular system that uses the second embodiment of the module with a single supporting cable 2, with further modules hung under the first module and connected in series mechanically and electrically through respective connecting cables 2', 2", ... and electric cables 3', 3", ... in a number limited only by the tensile strength of the first supporting cable 2. In practice, each module supports the following one through a connecting cable 2', 2", ... provided with two terminal snap-hooks that connects eyebolt 6 of the bottom cap 7 with eyebolt 6 of the top cap 7 of the underlying module. Similarly, each module feeds power to the following one through the internal connection between the two terminal blocks 15 on the two plates 11, 11' and the external connection through the electric cable 3', 3", ... that exits through one of holes 16 of the bottom cap 7 and enters through one of holes 16 of the top cap 7 of the underlying module.

[0028] It should be noted that the electrical connection between two modules can be achieved even without exploiting the internal connection between the two terminal blocks if cable 3', 3", ... is passed out through the other hole 16 of the top cap 7. The entrance to the following module in the series may occur at the bottom cap 7, or even at the top or bottom cap of the module not immediately underlying since the sequence of the electrical connection need not necessarily correspond to the sequence of the mechanical connection.

[0029] Moreover, since every module is provided with four holes 16, it is possible to connect a module to three other modules or even more if holes 16 are sufficiently large to allow the passage of more than one cable and/or are present in a number greater than four. As a consequence, a single connection to the mains allows the mounting of a modular system with any number of lighting modules arranged in the most diverse manners according to the user's desire.

[0030] Views b-c of Fig.8 show examples of modular systems using the first embodiment of the module with two supporting cables 2, in a first case with a vertical series connection and in a second case with a horizontal series connection. It should be noted that in the vertical connection of view b the electric cables 3', 3", ... enter and exit the modules always on the same side but they could enter and exit on opposite sides or sometimes on the same side and sometimes on opposite sides, and vice versa for the horizontal connection of view c.

[0031] Moreover, in the horizontal connection no mechanical connection cables are provided between the modules since each module is directly hung to the ceiling through its own supporting cables 2, which however preferably share a ceiling fixing point with the adj acent module. In this way, the modules can be arranged in many different ways other than simply aligned, e.g. staggered on two rows, along an arc or in a complete circle, in a triangle and so on.

[0032] Fig.9 shows how the modular system of view a of Fig.8 can be mounted between a side wall and the ceiling, in this case with the electric cable 3 that connects to the mains on the side wall, while Fig.10 shows said modular system mounted on a side wall by means of a cantilever support S.

[0033] Fig.11 shows both in a front and side view the wall mounting of the modular system of view b of Fig.8 with the aid of a pair of cantilever supports S. Obviously also the modular system of view c of Fig.8 could similarly be wall mounted by using a series of supports S arranged along the wall, always preferably with two adjacent modules sharing a same support.

[0034] The three views a-c of Fig.12 show how a lighting module according to the first embodiment can be used also to obtain floor and desk lamps. As shown in view a, a module can be hung through its supporting cables 2 to a pair of supporting arms A mounted on a base B, with the electric cable 3 connecting to the mains through said base B. The module is further preferably connected also to base B by two connecting cables 2', so as to prevent or substantially limit the oscillations of diffusor 4 on arms A.

[0035] It should be noted that also a module according to the second embodiment can be hung to the same type of structure by using a single supporting cable 2 that passes through the eyebolt of the top cap and is secured at the ends of arms A. In this case, also for the possible connection to base B a single connecting cable 2' is sufficient.

[0036] The floor lamp of view a can also be made in a reduced scale to be used as a desk lamp (view b), or it can provide the combination of two or more modules (view c) possibly even different in size and always with the numerous possibilities of modifications described above.

[0037] Finally, Fig.13 shows in a top plan view how a plurality of modules can be connected through rigid connecting rods so as to form a structure substantially corresponding to a chandelier. More specifically, in the illustrated modular system six modules arranged horizontally are connected by six rods 18 into an hexagonal structure hung to the ceiling through six supporting cables 2 extending from the midpoints of said rods 18 to a single central fixing point.

[0038] Obviously, said hexagonal structure can be hung to the ceiling also in many other ways, e.g. by connecting the supporting cables 2, individually or in pairs, to the eyebolts as in the previous embodiments, or by providing a plurality of fixing points rather than a single central fixing point. Also the electrical connection in series can be made not only with the external cables as illustrated in the figure, but also providing hollow rods 18 through which the electric cables are passed.

[0039] It is clear that the above-described and illustrated embodiments of the lighting module and of the relevant modular lighting system according to the invention are just examples susceptible of various modifications. In particular, it is obvious that the shape of the diffusor can be different from a sphere (e.g. ellipsoid, cube, cylinder, etc.) with possible corresponding modification of the shape of the caps and/or plates of the supporting structure, and that various structural members can be replaced by others that are technically equivalent.

[0040] For example, the eyebolts engaged by the supporting or connecting cables could be replaced by other coupling means such as threaded holes suitable to receive threaded pins arranged at the ends of said cables, and even the latter could be partially or totally replaced by rigid bars.

Claims

1. Lighting module comprising a diffusor (4) removably mounted on a supporting structure (1) provided with a lampholder (12), fed by means of an electric cable (3) through a terminal block (15), and with means for the coupling to members suitable to support said lighting module, characterized in that said supporting structure (1) essentially consists of a pair of opposite plates (11, 11') connected through at least two tubes (13) and covered by respective caps (7) removably mounted on said plates (11, 11') and both provided with means for the coupling to the supporting members, said diffusor (4) being provided with two opposite openings for the introduction onto the supporting structure (1) which are sized to allow the passage of the plates (11, 11') but not the passage of said caps (7), whereby the latter lock the diffusor (4) on the supporting structure (1).

2. Lighting module according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said two plates (11, 11') is provided with a terminal block (15) and the two terminal blocks (15) are electrically connected through an electric cable passing inside one of the connecting tubes (13) arranged at said terminal blocks (15).

3. Lighting module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each cap (7) has at least one opening (8) suitable to grant access to the terminal block (15), said opening (8) being closed by a corresponding removable cover (9).

4. Lighting module according to claim 3, characterized in that the removable cover (9) is made with a mesh structure suitable to allow the passage of a cooling air flow.

5. Lighting module according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each cap (7) has at least one hole (16) suitable to allow the passage of an electric cable (3, 3', 3", ...), possible unused holes (16) being closed by plugs (17).

6. Lighting module according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for the coupling to the supporting members consist of an eyebolt (6) arranged at a central position on each cap (7), and the supporting members consist of one or more supporting cables (2) provided with snap-hooks (5) at their ends.

7. Lighting module according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plates (11, 11') are provided with centering pins (14) suitable to be received in corresponding seats (7a) formed in the internal side of the caps (7).

8. Lighting module according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting structure (1) is specularly symmetrical, possibly with the exception of the lampholder (12) mounted on one only of the two plates (11, 11').

9. Lighting module according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diffusor (4) is substantially spherical and the caps (7) have substantially the shape of a spherical cap.

10. Modular lighting system characterized in that it includes a plurality of modules according to any of the preceding claims as well as one or more electrical connection cables (3', 3", ...) and possibly one or more mechanical connection cables (2', 2", ...).

11. Modular lighting system according to claim 10, characterized in that it further includes a supporting structure (A, B) suitable to form a floor or desk lamp.

12. Modular lighting system according to claim 10, characterized in that it further includes rigid connecting rods (18) suitable to form a chandelier structure.

Drawing