Closure assembly, particularly for lamps, ceiling lamps and light sources in general

Abstract

 A closure assembly (1), particularly for lamps (A), ceiling lamps and light sources in general comprising an enclosure (2), generally termed lamp body, an electric circuit for supplying power to the actual light source, and a reflector (3), which is coupled to the enclosure (2) and is interposed between at least one portion of the circuit and the light source.
The reflector (3) comprises at least one cantilever portion (4), which is partially movable as a consequence of elastic deformation of its tab (5) that is jointly connected to the reflector (3), the portion (4) being provided with a lower protrusion (6) which in the assembly configuration is aligned with, and proximate to, the internal surface of the enclosure (2), and is provided, at its tip, with a prong (7).
The enclosure (2) in turn comprises a frame (8) which is shaped complementarily to the prong (7) for its detachable engagement in the closure configuration.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a closure assembly, particularly for lamps, ceiling lamps and light sources in general.

[0002] A lamp is generally constituted by an enclosure (lamp body) within which the circuit for supplying power to the actual light source is contained, and a reflector on which the source is accommodated (so as to direct the light flow towards the objective). The enclosure (lamp body) generally comprises a transparent portion, generally termed screen (aligned with the light source and with the reflector), through which the light flow exits from the enclosure (lamp body). In some cases instead of the transparent portion, or screen, there is an actual aperture for the same purpose.

[0003] Currently, opening the reflector (i.e. detaching it from the enclosure/lamp body) is done by using tools (for example a screwdriver). In some cases, the opening can also be done without using any tools: in this case the design choice will dictate suitable shapes of the parts in play, shapes geared to the specific purpose of facilitating the manual opening, and which will perceptibly affect the final appearance of the product.

[0004] It should incidentally be emphasised that the reflector can normally be opened only by using a tool, thus determining a high risk of scratching it, thus compromising the aesthetic appearance of the lamp and, in some cases, also the light yield.

[0005] In addition if solutions are adopted which make it possible to remove the reflector without using tools, there will be a reduction of the reflecting area of the reflector, because at the points where the catch elements for fastening/releasing are present, the reflector itself will have to provide interruptions or apertures.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems, by providing a closure assembly, particularly for lamps, ceiling lamps and light sources in general, which allows the removal of the reflector of a lamp without the use of tools and utensils.

[0007] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a closure assembly, particularly for lamps, ceiling lamps and light sources in general, which ensures the maximum possible surface for the reflector of the lamp without therefore impinging on its dimensions in any way.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a closure assembly, particularly for lamps, ceiling lamps and light sources in general, which has a considerable aesthetic value and is particularly efficient in use in terms of simplicity of assembly/disassembly and ergonomics.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a closure assembly, particularly for lamps, ceiling lamps and light sources in general, which is low cost, easily and practically implemented and safely applied.

[0010] This aim and these objects, as well as others which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a closure assembly, particularly for lamps, ceiling lamps and light sources in general of the type that comprises an enclosure, generally termed lamp body, an electric circuit for supplying power to the light source, and a reflector, which is coupled to the enclosure and is interposed between at least one portion of said circuit and said light source, characterized in that said reflector comprises at least one cantilever portion, which is partially movable as a consequence of elastic deformation of its tab that is jointly connected to the reflector, provided with a lower protrusion, which in the assembly configuration is aligned with, and proximate to, the internal surface of said enclosure, and is provided, at its tip, with a prong, said enclosure comprising a frame which is shaped complementarily to said prong for its detachable engagement in the closure configuration.

[0011] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the closure assembly, particularly for lamps, ceiling lamps and light sources in general according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a closure assembly, particularly for lamps, ceiling lamps and light sources in general according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of a lamp provided with the closure assembly according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional side view, taken along a transversal plane, of the closure assembly according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a sectional side view, taken along a transversal plane, of a lamp provided with the closure assembly according to the invention.

[0012] With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a closure assembly, particularly for lamps A, ceiling lamps and light sources in general.

[0013] The lamps A (or ceiling lamps and light sources in general) to which reference shall be made hereinbelow comprise an enclosure 2, generally termed lamp body, an electric circuit for supplying power to the actual light source (neither of these components are shown in the accompanying figures), and a reflector 3, which is coupled to the enclosure 2 and is interposed between at least one portion of the circuit and the light source.

[0014] The reflector 3 has the outward-facing surface thereof, with respect to the enclosure 2 (if the enclosure 2 is closed by a transparent protection screen then this refers to the surface of the reflector 3 facing this transparent screen), of the optically reflecting type: the purpose is to reflect the entire luminous radiation outwards (optionally through the transparent screen), thus maximising the light yield of the lamp A.

[0015] The reflector 3 comprises at least one cantilever portion 4, which is partially movable as a consequence of elastic deformation of its tab 5 that is jointly connected to the reflector 3.

[0016] The portion 4 is provided with a lower protrusion 6 which in the assembly configuration is aligned with, and proximate to, the internal surface of the enclosure 2.

[0017] The lower protrusion 6 is provided, at its tip, with a prong 7.

[0018] In turn, the enclosure 2 comprises a frame 8 which is shaped complementarily to the prong 7 for the detachable engagement of the prong 7 in the frame 8, thus defining a stable closure configuration.

[0019] According to an embodiment that is of undoubted practical interest, the cantilever portion 4 is delimited by a peripheral through slot 9, which is arranged and located between the ends of the tab 5 that is jointly connected to the reflector 3.

[0020] Of definite applicative interest is the fact that the cantilever portion 4 has a substantially rectangular contour (when viewing its shape with respect to the reflector 3 in plan view); the tab 5 that is jointly connected to the reflector 3 thus constitutes one of the short sides of the rectangle.

[0021] The protrusion 6 has a stiffening rib 10 the thickness of which decreases starting from its part that is aligned with, and proximate to, the reflector 3, to its end, thus defining, with one of its faces 11, an inclined plane that is interrupted exclusively by the recess 12 located upstream of the prong 7.

[0022] In order to make the assembly 1 particularly functional, efficient and simple to use, the cantilever portion 4 (in reality there will always be a plurality of portions 4 which cooperate in order to obtain a correct locking of the reflector 3 onto the enclosure 2) is arranged at a perimetric region of the reflector 3: by locking the edges of the reflector 3, its central part that supports the light source will definitely be effectively locked as well.

[0023] More specifically, the cantilever portion 4 (or the portions 4 that cooperate in order to obtain the locking) is arranged at a corner of the reflector 3: indeed, the reflector 3 that is coupled to the enclosure 2 at its four corners will certainly be firmly and stably coupled thereto.

[0024] What is essential to emphasise with regard to the present invention is that the surface of the cantilever portion 4 that is exposed when the reflector 3 is in the assembly configuration has the same coloring and the same optical reflection characteristics as the remaining part of the reflector 3. This makes it possible to have a surface that is continuous reflecting, as well as very broad, while also having the benefit of closure assemblies 1 that can be manually actuated, i.e. without having to resort to any utensil or tool.

[0025] It is also emphasised that the surface of the cantilever portion 4 that is exposed when the reflector 3 is in the assembly configuration comprises adapted raised portions 13 which, protruding from the surface of the portion 4, facilitate pushing by the user who wishes to uncouple the prong 7 from the frame 8 of the enclosure 2. The raised portions 13 could effectively and in an equivalent manner be substituted with bosses or other extensions of any nature of this surface.

[0026] It is very interesting to note that the reflector 3, provided with at least one cantilever portion 4 provided with a lower protrusion 6 with an end prong 7, is made monolithically by means of a molding process. The assembly 1 according to the invention is therefore particularly simple from an implementation point of view in that it does not require the assembly of additional components once the reflector 3 has been extracted from the mold.

[0027] The disassembly and assembly operations of a reflector 3 of a lamp A provided with the closure assembly 1 according to the invention, starting from the active closed condition of the lamp A, involve the pressing of each cantilever portion 4 arranged proximately to the perimetric edge of the reflector 3.

[0028] This will produce a rotation of the portion 4, with respect to its tab 5 that is jointly connected to the reflector 3, with consequent spacing and disengagement of the prong 7, arranged at the end of the lower protrusion 6 of the cantilever portion 4, from the frame 8 that is provided in the internal surface of the enclosure 2 of the lamp A.

[0029] At this point the reflector 3 is released and free to move with respect to the enclosure 2; it is thus possible to extract the reflector 3 for the necessary operations of maintenance, cleaning, replacement, checking and the like.

[0030] Once these operations have been carried out, in order to proceed to assemble it, it is necessary to align the reflector 3 with the enclosure 2 of the lamp A in accordance with the assembly configuration.

[0031] Then the reflector 3 has to be pressed in its seat which is present in the enclosure 2 of the lamp A, so that the inclined surface of the prong 7, and of the lower protrusion 6 in general, rests and slides on the edge of the frame 8 until the prong 7 moves beyond the frame 8, with consequent elastic snap action of the portion 4 into the non-deformed configuration as a consequence of the engagement of the frame 8 in the recess 12 arranged upstream of the prong 7.

[0032] Advantageously, the present invention solves the problems of the background art, by providing a closure assembly 1, particularly for lamps A, ceiling lamps and light sources in general which allows the removal of the reflector 3 of a lamp A without the use of tools and utensils.

[0033] Positively the closure assembly 1 ensures the maximum possible surface for the reflector 3 of the lamp A without therefore impinging on its dimensions in any way.

[0034] Conveniently, the closure assembly 1 has a considerable aesthetic value and is particularly efficient in use, in terms of simplicity of assembly/ disassembly and ergonomics.

[0035] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variation, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, all the details may be replaced by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0036] In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

[0037] In addition, it should be noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

[0038] In practice the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0039] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. BO2010A000419 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0040] Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and/or signs, those reference numerals and/or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and/or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and/or signs.

Claims

1. A closure assembly, particularly for lamps (A), ceiling lamps and light sources in general of the type that comprises an enclosure (2), generally termed lamp body, an electric circuit for supplying power to the actual light source, and a reflector (3), which is coupled to the enclosure (2) and is interposed between at least one portion of said circuit and said light source, characterized in that said reflector (3) comprises at least one cantilever portion (4), which is partially movable as a consequence of elastic deformation of its tab (5) that is jointly connected to the reflector (3), provided with a lower protrusion (6), which in the assembly configuration is aligned with, and proximate to, the internal surface of said enclosure (2), and is provided, at its tip, with a prong (7), said enclosure (2) comprising a frame (8) which is shaped complementarily to said prong (7) for its detachable engagement in the closure configuration.

2. The closure assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said cantilever portion (4) is delimited by a peripheral through slot ,(9), which is arranged and located between the ends of said tab (5) that is jointly connected to the reflector (3).

3. The closure assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that said cantilever portion (4) has a substantially rectangular contour, said tab (5) jointly connected to the reflector (3) thus constituting one of the short sides of said rectangle.

4. The closure assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said protrusion (6) has a stiffening rib (10) the thickness of which decreases starting from its part that is aligned with, and proximate to, the reflector (3) to its end, defining, with one of its faces (11), an inclined plane that is interrupted exclusively by the recess (12) located upstream of said prong (7).

5. The closure assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said cantilever portion (4) is arranged at a perimetric region of said reflector (3).

6. The closure assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said cantilever portion (4) is arranged at a corner of said reflector (3).

7. The closure assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of said cantilever portion (4) that is exposed when the reflector (3) is in the assembly configuration has the same coloring and the same optical reflection characteristics as the remaining part of said reflector (3).

8. The closure assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of said cantilever portion (4) that is exposed when the reflector (3) is in the assembly configuration comprises adapted raised portions (13) to facilitate pushing by the user who wishes to uncouple the prong (7) from the frame (8) of the enclosure (2).

9. The closure assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said reflector (3), provided with said at least one cantilever portion (4) provided with a lower protrusion (6) with an end prong (7), is provided monolithically by means of a molding process.

10. A method for disassembling and assembling a reflector (3) of a lamp (A) provided with the closure assembly (1) according to the invention, which consists, starting from the active closed condition of said lamp (A), in

- pressing each cantilever portion (4) arranged proximately to the perimetric edge of said reflector (3), producing a rotation thereof, with respect to its tab (5) that is jointly connected to the reflector (3), with consequent spacing and disengagement of a prong (7) arranged at the end of the lower protrusion (6) of the cantilever portion (4), from a frame (8) that is provided in the internal surface of the enclosure (2) of the lamp (A);

- extracting said reflector (3) for the necessary operations for maintenance, cleaning, replacement, checking and the like;

- aligning the reflector (3) with the enclosure (2) of the lamp (A) in accordance with the assembly configuration;

- pressing the reflector (3) in its seat that is present in the enclosure (2) of the lamp (A), so that the inclined surface of the prong (7), and of the lower protrusion (6) in general, rests and slides on the edge of said frame (8) until the prong (7) moves beyond said frame (8), with consequent elastic snap action of the portion (4) into the non-deformed configuration as a consequence of the engagement of said frame (8) in the recess (12) arranged upstream of said prong (7).

Drawing