Lighting apparatus having high versatility and universatiliy

Abstract

 A high use versatility and universality lighting apparatus (1) comprising a support plate (2) suitable to be firmly coupled through fastening means (3) with a generally cylindrical structural elements (C) of a basic framework and lighting means (4) coupled with the support plate (2) and facing outwardly in order to illuminate a set area of a space to be lighted, suitable to be electrically connected with an electricity supply system. In particular, the support plate (2) includes adjustment means (5) which allow to adapt the support plate (2) to a plurality of the structural elements (C) which differ each other for the perimetric sizes.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a high use versatility and/or universality lighting apparatus, particularly intended to be applied to tubular structural elements belonging to basic frameworks mounted on boats, especially pleasure boats, equipped with cockpit (open part of the vessel) and, for this reason, of the so-called "open" type.

[0002] As known, some kind of support structures which can be opened/closed and folded today available on the market, such as sun verandas or generic sun deck structures (also known as "awnings" in the jargon of the nautical field) mounted at the cockpit of, especially sport, boats include a basic framework of various construction concept, in each case, formed by basically cylindrical structural elements, and a covering sheet provided at the top of the basic framework itself.

[0003] When not used, these sun deck structures, through appropriate articulation means, are folded upon themselves in order to take, in such a situation, minimal overall dimensions near a structural part of the infrastructure that houses them.

[0004] If necessary, for instance during navigation or in mooring conditions both at the pier of a port or in open sea in case of application on boats, the sun deck structures under consideration are unfurled in order to enable people to stay comfortably in the area below, spending relax, leisure and/or pastime moments outdoor and in any case protected from weather events such as sun or rain.

[0005] In order to allow people to stop outdoors (as said, for example in the cockpit of a boat) under these sun deck structures even during evening and/or night, the structures themselves also comprise a lighting system including a plurality of spotlights, properly applied to the structural elements of the basic framework where they are oriented so as to illuminate the area below.

[0006] It is undeniable how the lighting systems, especially lighting apparatuses (or spotlights) belonging to them, which are currently used in the structures just briefly described effectively fulfil their intended function and can be in any case mounted by skilled staff with a given ease.

[0007] Furthermore, lighting apparatuses intended for the abovementioned applications, are also marked by aesthetic connotations, especially in the field of yachting which a certain pleasantness to the trimmings of the accessories is always required.

[0008] Nevertheless, the lighting apparatuses of known type intended for applications here considered still present some recognized drawbacks, one of which comes from their construction concept.

[0009] Indeed, the lighting apparatuses of the known technique here of interest typically comprise a support plate made of metallic material, mainly steel, and having dimensions of some relevance, factors that make the lighting apparatus a solid component, looking massive, provided with a certain weight and that, in installation conditions, widely protrudes from the structural element on which it is mounted.

[0010] What as just been said negatively reflects on one hand on the structural integrity of the lighting apparatuses when the sun deck structure on which they are mounted is folded on itself because it does not need to be uses: during closing, it is very likely that the lighting apparatuses of the prior art, as protruding parts, collide in uncontrolled manner with each other or with the structural elements of the basic framework, suffering dents and/or scratches that evidently ruin their outer surface.

[0011] On the other hand, the weight and the material distinguishing them still complicate, making them more difficult and delicate, the installation operations to be performed by skilled staff.

[0012] Then, when the sun deck structure is open and, therefore, in use conditions, lighting apparatuses, just because protruding parts, are subject to often dangerous accidental impacts by other bodies that are moved for any reason in the below or adjacent area.

[0013] A further drawback presented by the prior art discussed herein is constituted by the fact that it is necessary to provide as many models or versions of lighting apparatuses as the dimensions (usually diameters) of the structural elements (usually cylindrical) of the basic framework are to which the lighting apparatuses themselves must be mounted in order to effectively meet the various applicative situations.

[0014] In practice, therefore, it is currently possible to adapt the lighting apparatuses to the various types and sizes of the structural elements of the sun deck structures only using from time to time a new model of lighting apparatus, specific for a given application.

[0015] If it is considered, for example, that in the nautical field, the types of sun deck structures vary depending on the type of boat to which they are intended, it is understood that the number of lighting apparatuses that is necessary to produce in order to meet every request of the market is rather high.

[0016] In this regard, in the nautical field several sun deck structures are already available which differ each other by the diameter of the cylindrical structural elements, produced according to values in the range between 22 mm and 40 mm; however, despite the wide variety of measures available for the structural elements, it is still necessary to job structure deck for certain boats.

[0017] This of course reflects in lower scale economies in production phase and, therefore, in less production efficiency and duplication of item codes to be managed at stock and to be inserted into the finished products catalogue both, in general, with regard to the sun deck structures and, in particular, with regard to the lighting apparatuses applicable to it.

[0018] The present invention intends to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art.

[0019] In detail, main purpose of the present invention is to provide a high use versatility and/or universality lighting apparatus which, contrary to single equivalent lighting apparatuses of known type, is suitable to be applied to the several and different each other, usually cylindrical, structural elements, which distinguish the current basic frameworks of sun deck structures.

[0020] As part of this purpose, it is task of the present invention to ease the achievement of scale economies and, therefore, a standardization and efficiency greater than the state of the art in the production of lighting apparatuses intended for sun deck structures mounted for instance on boats.

[0021] It is a second task of the invention to reduce compared to the known technique the number of item codes to be managed at warehouse and inserted into the manufacturer's catalogue of finished products related to its lighting apparatuses for sun deck structures.

[0022] It is a further task of the invention to indicate a high use versatility and/or universality lighting apparatus which allows to meet the market needs and execute the orders of customers in a timely manner.

[0023] It is a further purpose of the invention to create a high use versatility and/or universality lighting apparatus which presents sizes and weight lower than known lighting apparatuses.

[0024] The aforesaid purposes are achieved through a high use versatility and/or universality lighting apparatus according to the appended claim 1, as hereinafter referred for the sake of exposition brevity.

[0025] Further technical features of detail of the lighting apparatus of the invention are set forth in the related dependent claims.

[0026] Advantageously, the same and single model of lighting apparatus of the invention, thanks to the adjustment means associated with the support plate, is applicable to a variety of structural elements, especially if they have circular profile, of basic frameworks of sun deck structures.

[0027] In particular, in the invention, the adjustment means belonging to the plate support allow to effectively apply the same model of lighting apparatus to any cylindrical structural element having a diameter in the range 22÷40 mm.

[0028] Consequently, the lighting apparatus of the present invention is of substantially universal use and still more versatile than similar lighting apparatuses of known type.

[0029] Still advantageously, the invention allows to standardize the production of lighting apparatuses intended to be applied to sun deck structures set up for example in boats, generating significant scale economies that lead to an increase in production efficiency and, therefore, to considerable saving of costs compared to the known art.

[0030] Equally advantageously, the invention presented herein determines a reduction compared to the prior art in the number of item codes at warehouse to be managed and to be included into the manufacturer's catalogue of finished products, related to lighting apparatuses for sun deck structures, with the consequent benefits in terms of logistics and management that this entails.

[0031] This does not minimally affect the manufacturer's or dealer's capability to fully and very quickly comply with the various needs of customers who, indeed, may if necessary decide to use structural elements of other type, more properly of other dimensions (for example, the diameter) without the need to change lighting apparatuses.

[0032] Advantageously, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support plate of the lighting apparatus presents a laminar structure and is made of soft or elastically yielding material, preferably a synthetic elastomer such as fro instance silicone rubber.

[0033] This allows to get a lighting apparatus weighing less than lighting apparatuses of known type of equivalent use.

[0034] Said purposes and advantages, as well as others that will emerge below, will be more apparent from the description that follows, relating to a preferred embodiment of the lighting apparatus of the invention, given as indicative and illustrative but not limiting, way with reference the attached drawing tables in which:

• figure 1 is a partially exploded assonometric view of the lighting apparatus of the invention simulated in applicative conditions;
• figure 2 is a fully assembled assonometric view of the lighting apparatus of figure 1;
• figure 3 is the plan view from the bottom of figure 2;
• figure 4 is the view of figure 3 according to the section plane A-A;
• figure 5 is the view of figure 3 according to the section plane B-B;
• figure 6 is a simplified view partially exploded and of the lighting apparatus of figure 2 dissected according to a plane of symmetry passing through the smallest development dimension;
• figure 7 is the assembled view of figure 6;
• figures 8-10 are three different assonometric views of a first constructive assembly of figure 7;
• figure 11 is the plan view of figures 8-10;
• figure 12 is an assonometric view of a first constructive particular of figures 8-11;
• figure 13 is the plan view of figure 12;
• figure 14 is the view of figure 13 according to the section plane C-C;
• figure 15 is an assonometric view of a second constructive assembly of figure 7;
• figure 16 is an assonometric view of a detail of a first constructive particular of figure 15;
• figure 17 is the plan view of figure 16;
• figure 18 is the view of figure 17 according to the section plane D-D;
• figure 19 is the view of figure 17 according to the section plane E-E;
• figure 20 is a side view of a second constructive particular of figure 15;
• figure 21 is the plan view of figure 20.

[0035] The high use versatility and/or universality lighting apparatus is shown in figure 1, where it is globally numbered with 1, which identifies its intended use.

[0036] It is noted that the lighting apparatus (or spotlight) 1 comprises:

• a support plate, as a whole indicated with 2, which is firmly coupled with a structural, in the specific case cylindrical and tubular, element C, of a basic framework through fastening means, overall indicated with 3;
• lighting means, on the whole numbered with 4, coupled with the support plate 2 and facing outwardly in order to light a set area of a space to be lighted, not shown.

[0037] The basic framework, not shown, for example, belongs to a veranda or sun deck collapsible and foldable structure that is typically mounted on especially sport boats, provide with cockpit (hence the term of "open" boats).

[0038] The basic framework in question includes a series of metallic structural elements, usually cylindrical and fixed to a reference surface, and a covering sheet placed at the top of the basic framework.

[0039] The sun deck structure (or awning or veranda) thus formed is used during daytimes of the day in order to offer shelter from the sun to people who occupy the space below both during navigation and when the boat is moored at the pier or in open sea, or in the evening or nighttimes, usually with moored boat.

[0040] Incidentally, the cockpit is as known the open part of a boat where the related instruments of operation are usually placed such as, for example, windlasses, winch for manoeuvring the sails, rudder, as well as, often, some benches and a central table that allow people to sit down and spend comfortable and pleasant moments of leisure and relax during normal navigation.

[0041] In applicative conditions, the lighting means 4 are electrically connected with an electricity supply system (for instance a generator present on board of the sport boat).

[0042] According to the invention, the support plate 2 of the lighting apparatus 1 comprises adjustment means, marked overall with 5, which allow to adapt the support plate 2 to a plurality of diameters different each other of the cylindrical structural element C.

[0043] In this case, for example, the aforesaid adjustment means 5 are made integral with the support plate 2.

[0044] Moreover, the adjustment means 5 are preferably elastically yielding in such a way that their intrinsic deformation defines a plurality of operative configurations that allow the support plate 2 to effectively adapt itself to the plurality of mutually different diameters of the cylindrical structural element C.

[0045] Preferably but not exclusively, the adjustment means 5 includes a pair of flexible wings 6, 7 facing, spaced apart and opposite each other, protruding from the lower surface 2a of the support plate 2 and adapted to be handled by the operator in order to be placed externally close to the outer wall C_e of the cylindrical structural element C.

[0046] As figures 2 and 4 show, in each of the aforesaid operative configurations, the flexible wings 6, 7 protrude from the lower surface 2a of the support plate 2 according to arched directions which converge each other up to coincide at the main symmetry axis of the support plate 2.

[0047] In this way, the flexible wings 6, 7 embrace the cylindrical structural element C for at least half of the circumference, the variability of the arc of circumference surrounded and wrapped being determined by the length of the diameter of the latter.

[0048] Moreover, the flexible wings 6, 7 are connected each other interconnected by a curved connecting portion 8 defined in the lower surface 2a of the support plate 2 in order to define a first seat 9, in this case with concave profile, open and facing outwardly.

[0049] Under the applicative conditions of the lighting apparatus 1, the first seat 9 partly receives the cylindrical structural element C of the basic framework of the sun deck structure.

[0050] In an advantageous way, the support plate 2 has a laminar structure and is made of soft or elastically yielding material; it follows that also the flexible wings 6, 7, being in this case monolithic with the support plate 2, are made in the same soft or elastically yielding material.

[0051] Preferably, such a soft or elastically yielding material includes a synthetic elastomer, for instance a silicone rubber, which makes the lighting apparatus 1 particularly suitable to be mounted on infrastructures in contact with water, since the silicone rubbers have the peculiarity to be remarkably resistant to high temperatures, chemical attacks and oxidation, and are excellent electrical, anti-sticking, resistant to aging insulators. The provision of a support plate 2 made of elastically yielding material allows to eliminate, or at least drastically limit compared to the state of the art of the field, the harmful effects caused by the inevitable impacts suffered by the lighting apparatus 1 of the invention both from other lighting apparatuses or portions of the basic framework to which it is applied under closing conditions of the sun deck structure and accidentally by other bodies under opening conditions of the sun deck structure itself. Figure 1 and, in more detail, figures 7-11 illustrate that the support plate 2 presents a main through opening 10 that defines a longitudinal axis Z orthogonal to the lower surface 2a and the top surface 2b opposite each other of the support plate 2.

[0052] The main through opening 10 is made in the mean point P at which the main symmetry axis Y intersects a secondary symmetry axis X, orthogonal to said main symmetry axis Y of the support plate 2.

[0053] In figures 2, 4, 5 and 7-11 it is also shown that the support plate 2 includes, as preferred and advantageous title, a tubular sealing element 11, interposed between the flexible wings 6, 7 and protruding from the lower surface 2a of the support plate 2 at the main through opening 10 to which is coaxial.

[0054] When the lighting apparatus 1 is applied to the cylindrical structural element C, such a tubular sealing element 11 is inserted into a first through hole F₁, made in the structural element itself and coaxial to the main through opening 10, with the aim to keep isolated from the contact with water, the electrical cables 12 with which the lighting means 4 are connected with the electricity supply system.

[0055] In relation to the fastening means 3 yet introduced, they comprise:

• a pair of auxiliary through openings 13, 14 made in the support plate 2 along a linear axis Z' parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the main through opening 10;
• interconnection means, as a whole numbered with 15, inserted into the auxiliary through openings 13, 14 and also into a pair of second through holes F₂, F₃ made according to parallel axes in the structural element C and each coaxial to one of the auxiliary through openings 13, 14.

[0056] For example, the interconnection means 15 includes in this case a pair of rivets 16, 17, well visible in figure 1.

[0057] Figures 7-11 show that, constructively, the auxiliary through openings 13, 14 lie on the main symmetry axis Y of the support plate 2 and affect the central portion 18 of the support plate 2 itself.

[0058] In an advantageous way, the support plate 2 also comprises a pair of sealing collars 19, 20, protruding from the lower surface 2a of the support plate 2, around respectively the auxiliary through openings 13, 14 with respect to which are coaxial.

[0059] Similarly to the tubular sealing element 11, the sealing collars 19, 20 are inserted into the second through holes F₂, F₃, respectively, of the cylindrical structural element C and have the function of preventing the passage of water inside the cylindrical structural element C.

[0060] It is understood that in other embodiments of the invention, not represented, the fastening means could include a number of auxiliary through openings different than two, this number varying depending on the constructive choices starting from one.

[0061] In these situations, the number of interconnection means, second through holes made in the structural element, as well as the number of sealing collars will vary accordingly.

[0062] In preferred but not mandatory way, the support plate 2 also comprises reinforcement means, overall reported with 21, partially incorporated in the central portion 18 of the support plate 2.

[0063] More in detail, the reinforcement means 21 include, in this case, a laminar plate 22 (see apart in the enlargement of figures 12-14): it is made of metallic material and is provided on the lower side face 22a with a series of interface ribs 23, projecting from the lower surface 2a of the support plate 2 and adapted to dissipate heat generated by the lighting means 4, since they, in the applicative conditions of the lighting apparatus 1, are placed in contact with the outer wall C_e of the cylindrical structural element C, as already said usually made of metallic material.

[0064] This ensures compliance with safety standards by the lighting apparatus 1, contributing to guarantee, while in use, operation for 30,000 hours for the lighting means 4.

[0065] In particular, as pure example, the interface ribs 23 present a longitudinal development and are four in number, two by two aligned along the rows and columns orthogonally intersecting each other of a hypothetical mathematical matrix, as it can well observed in figures 9 and 12-13.

[0066] It is understood that other embodiments of the invention, not shown in the attached drawings, could provide that the laminar plate is provided, on one or both side faces, with a number of interface ribs different than that one just described, that number varying, on the basis of the design choices, starting from one.

[0067] Therefore, the laminar plate 22, incorporated by molding in the support plate 2 and made for instance of pressure die-cast brass, firstly provides structural rigidity to the support plate 2 itself made, instead, of soft and elastically yielding material such as for example silicone rubber, as yet mentioned.

[0068] Figures 10-14 highlight that the laminar plate 22 also presents a first through hole 24, coaxial to the main through opening 10 of the support plate 2: such a first through hole 24 allows the passage of the electrical cables 12.

[0069] Furthermore, the laminar plate 22 presents a pair of second through holes 25, 26, coaxial to the auxiliary through openings 13, 14 respectively, into which the corresponding rivets 16, 17 of the interconnection means 15 are inserted.

[0070] It is evident, therefore, that, in general line, the number of second through holes is directly proportional to the composition of the fastening means.

[0071] Figures 7 and 10 show that the upper side face 22b of the laminar plate 22 directly faces the lighting means 4 and in contact with a part of them, as it will be better explained shortly.

[0072] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention described herein, the lighting means 4 include:

• a protective cover 27 inserted into a second seat 28 of the support plate 2 with which is removably coupled through connection means that in the complex are indicated with 29, and provided with a front lens 30 for light passage;
• a pair of light sources 31, 32 contained in the protective cover 27. Preferably but not necessarily, the protective cover 27, shown separate in the enlargements of figures 16-19, is made of opal white polycarbonate.

[0073] The second seat 28 of the support plate 2 is open towards the outside and opposite to the first seat 9 from which it is separated by a laminar septum 33 of the support plate and the laminar plate 22 partly incorporated into such a laminar septum 33 that, consequently, it is placed in the central portion 18 of the support plate 2.

[0074] As shown in figures 20 and 21, each of the light sources 31, 32 preferably comprises a LED lamp, having power output of 1 W for example, protruding from the front wall 34a of a base plaque 34 which presents a pair of housing notches 35, 36, each of which houses the LED lamp. Moreover, the base plaque 34 presents a central through hole 37, coaxial to the main through opening 10 of the support plate 2 and first through hole 24 of the laminar plate 22 and suitable to allow the passage of the electrical cables 12.

[0075] The base plaque 34 is in turn housed in a perimetrical groove 38, visible in figure 19, made in the inner wall 27a of the protective cover 27 so as to be facing on one side to the front lens 30 and on the other side to the laminar plate 22, defining with the front lens 30 itself an inner channel 39 which houses the protruding part of the LED lamp.

[0076] The base plaque 34, made of aluminium for example, incorporates a voltage regulator in the range of unified values 10÷33 V, not visible, advantageously allowing to adjust the intensity of light emitted by the LED lamp to the sizes of the set area of the space to be lighted delimited by the sun deck structure.

[0077] It should be noted that in other embodiments of the invention, not shown, the lighting means could include a number of light sources different than that one just indicated: the light sources could, indeed, be in any number starting from one, depending on the specific executive requirements.

[0078] In addition, in other embodiments of the lighting apparatus of the invention, still not reported in the attached drawings, the lighting means could include one or more light sources different than LED lamps.

[0079] The use of LED lamps as light sources has however the advantage of reducing the heat generated by the lighting means compared to other types of light sources used typically in the known art, such as halogen lamps.

[0080] As far as the connection means 29 before mentioned are concerned, they include:

• a prismatic teeth 40, arranged along the entire section of the perimetric edge 27b of the protective cover 27, as it is seen in figures 16 and 18;
• a prismatic slot 41 (visible in figures 5 and 6) into which the prismatic tooth 40 is snap inserted or fitted, made along the entire stretch of the side wall 2c delimiting the second seat 28 of the support plate 2.

[0081] Figures 6, 7 and 15 show that the lighting means 4 properly comprise a pair of laminar metallic straps 42, 43, coupled with the rear wall 34b of the base plaque 34 at the light sources 31, 32 and placed in contact with the laminar plate 22, thereby contributing to the dissipation of heat emitted by the light sources 31, 32: the laminar plate 22 thus represents a bridge of structural continuity for the transmission of heat from the lighting means 4 to the cylindrical structural element C.

[0082] It is understood that the number of laminar metallic straps is directly proportional to the number of light sources contained into the protective cover, varying in accordance with them in the different possible versions of the lighting means of the lighting apparatus of the invention.

[0083] The free zone 44 of the rear wall 34b of the base plaque 34 not affected by the laminar metallic straps 42, 43 is suitably isolated by the application of a resin, not visible.

[0084] In figures 1-6 and 15 it is observed, also, that the electrical cables 12 are wrapped by a protection sheath 45 and, advantageously, have a variable length according to application needs in order to always allow an easy and convenient installation of the lighting apparatus 1.

[0085] Operatively, the installer handles the flexible wings 6, 7 of the lighting apparatus 1 and, exploiting their inherent elasticity, widens them with respect to the main symmetry axis X of the support plate 2, temporarily averting one from the other.

[0086] Subsequently, the installer inserts the electrical cables 12 inside the first through hole F₁ of the cylindrical tubular structural element C so as to make them available to the connection with the electricity supply system. At that point, the installer places the lighting apparatus 1 close to the outer wall C_e of the cylindrical structural element C so that the latter is partially contained into the first seat 9 defined by the support 2, close to the lower surface 2a thereof, the tubular sealing element 11 and the sealing collars 19, 20 are inserted respectively into the first through hole F₁ and the second through holes F₂, F₃.

[0087] The installer then releases the flexible wings 6, 7 which are thus placed immediately close the outer wall C_e of the structural element C, firmly embracing him.

[0088] In these conditions, the lighting apparatus 1 takes minimum overall dimensions and thanks to the soft or elastically yielding material with which it is made, is able to stand accidental impacts without suffering evident alterations or structural damages, easily checkable instead in lighting apparatuses of equivalent use.

[0089] If, for whatever reason, it is decided to replace the basic framework of the sun desk structure, it will be simply necessary to remove the lighting apparatus 1 from the cylindrical structural element C and, without changing its model, apply it as described above to the new cylindrical structural element of less or higher diameter.

[0090] By virtue of the foregoing, it is, therefore, understood that the high use versatility and/or universality lighting apparatus of the invention achieves the purposes and reaches the advantages already mentioned.

[0091] In execution phase, changes could be made to the lighting apparatus of the invention, for example, consisting in fastening means different than those ones described above.

[0092] Moreover, other embodiments of the lighting apparatus here claimed could exist in which the support plate presents a construction concept different than that one obtainable from the attached figures, which does not affect the advantage brought by the present invention.

[0093] In addition, in further alternative embodiments of the invention, yet not shown, the lighting apparatus could include adjustment means of type and constructive concept different than those ones described above, however by way of preferred but not limiting example.

[0094] It is also stressed that the lighting apparatus object of the invention could be advantageously applied, with appropriate constructive features, also to basic frameworks provided with not necessarily cylindrical and not necessarily tubular structural elements.

[0095] It is, finally, clear that many other variations could be made to the lighting apparatus in exam, without departing from the principle of novelty intrinsic in the inventive idea expressed here, as it is clear that, in the practical implementation of the invention, materials, shapes and sizes of the illustrated details can be changed, as needed, and replaced with others technically equivalent.

[0096] Where the constructive features and techniques mentioned in the following claims are followed by reference numbers or signs, those reference signs have been introduced with the sole objective of increasing the intelligibility of the claims themselves and therefore they have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified, by way of example only, by these reference signs.

Claims

1. High use versatility and universality lighting apparatus (1) comprising:

- a support plate (2) suitable to be firmly coupled through fastening means (3) with one or more structural elements (C) of a basic framework;

- lighting means (4) coupled with said support plate (2) and facing outwardly in order to light a set area of a space to be lighted, suitable to be electrically connected with an electricity supply system,
characterized in that said support plate (2) includes adjustment means (5) suitable to allow to adapt said support plate (2) to a plurality of said structural elements (C) which differ each other for the perimetric sizes.

2. Apparatus (1) as claim 1) characterized in that said adjustment means (5) are made in one single body with said support plate (2).

3. Apparatus (1) as claim 1) or 2), characterized in that said adjustment means (5) are elastically yielding, so that their intrinsic deformation defines a plurality of operating configurations that allow said support plate (2) to effectively adapt to said plurality of structural elements (C) different each other.

4. Apparatus (1) as claim 2) or 3) characterized in that said adjustment means (5) include a pair of flexible wings (6, 7) facing, spaced apart and opposite each other, protruding from the lower surface (2a) of said support plate (2) and suitable to be handled by the operator in order to be placed externally close to said structural element (C).

5. Apparatus (1) as claim 4) characterized in that said flexible wings (6, 7) protrude, in each of said operating configurations, from said lower surface (2a) of said support plate (2) according to arched directions which converge each other up to coincide at the main symmetry axis (Y) of said support plate (2), in such a way as said flexible wings (6, 7) cover at least half of the perimeter of said structural element (C).

6. Apparatus (1) as claim 4) or 5) characterized in that said flexible wings (6, 7) are interconnected by a curved connecting portion (8) defined in said lower surface (2a) of said support plate (2) so as to define a first seat (9), open and facing outwards, suitable to partly house said structural element (C) of said basic framework.

7. Apparatus (1) as any of the previous claims characterized in that said support plate (2) presents a laminar structure and is made of soft or elastically yielding material.

8. Apparatus (1) as claim 7) characterized in that said soft or elastically yielding material comprises a synthetic elastomer.

9. Apparatus (1) as any of the previous claims characterized in that said support plate (2) presents a main through opening (10) which defines a longitudinal axis (Z) orthogonal to said lower surface (2a) and the upper surface (2b) of said support plate (2) and is made at the mean point (P) at which said main axis of symmetry (Y) intersects a secondary axis of symmetry (X), orthogonal to said main axis (Y) of said support plate (2).

10. Apparatus (1) as claim 9) characterized in that said support plate (2) comprises a tubular sealing element (11), interposed between said flexible wings (6, 7) and projecting from said lower surface (2a) of said support plate (2) at said main through opening (10) with respect to which is coaxial, suitable to be inserted into a first through hole (F₁), made in said structural element (C) and coaxial to said main through opening (10), keeping isolated the electric cables (12) with which said lighting means (4) are connected with said electricity supply system.

11. Apparatus (1) as claim 9) or 10) characterized in that said fastening means (3) comprise:

- at least one auxiliary through opening (13, 14) made in said support plate (2) along a linear axis (Z') parallel to said longitudinal axis (Z) of said main through opening (10);

- interconnection means (15) inserted into said auxiliary through opening (13, 14) and suitable to be inserted into at least one second through hole (F₂, F₃) made in said structural element (C) and coaxial to said auxiliary through opening (13, 14).

12. Apparatus (1) as claim 11) characterized in that said support plate (2) comprises a sealing collar (19, 20), protruding from said lower surface (2a) of said support plate (2) at said auxiliary through opening (13, 14) with respect to which is coaxial, suitable to be inserted into said second through hole (F₂, F₃) of said structural element (C).

13. Apparatus (1) as any of the previous claims characterized in that said support plate (2) comprises reinforcement means (21) at least partly incorporated in the central portion (18) of said support plate (2).

14. Apparatus (1) as claim 13) characterized in that said reinforcement means (21) include a laminar plate (22) made of metallic material and provided on at least one of the side faces (22a, 22b) with one or more interface ribs (23), protruding from at least one between said lower surface (2a) and said upper surface (2b) of said support plate (2) in order to contact said lighting means (4) and/or said structural element (C) and thus dissipate heat generated by said lighting means (4).

15. Apparatus (1) as claim 14) characterized in that said laminar plate (22) presents a first through hole (24), coaxial to said main through opening (10) and suitable to allow the passage of said electric cables (12), and at least one second through hole (25, 26), coaxial to said auxiliary through opening (13, 14) and into which said interconnection means (15) are inserted.

16. Apparatus (1) as any of the claims from 13) to 15) characterized in that the upper side face (22b) of said laminar plate (22) directly faces said lighting means (4).

17. Apparatus (1) as any of the previous claims characterized in that said lighting means (4) include:

- a protective cover (27), inserted into in a second seat (28), open outwards and opposed to said first seat (9) of the said support plate (2) to which said protective cover (27) is removably coupled through connection means (29), and provided with a front lens (30) suitable to allow the passage of light;

- one or more light sources (31, 32) contained in said protective cover (27).

18. Apparatus (1) as claim 16) characterized in that each of said light sources (31, 32) includes a LED lamp protruding from the front wall (34a) of a base plaque (34) which presents at least one housing notch (35, 36), housing said LED lamp, and a central through hole (37), coaxial to said main through opening (10) and said first through hole (24), suitable to allow the passage of said electric cables (12).

19. Apparatus (1) as claim 18) characterized in that said base plaque (34) is housed in a perimetrical groove (37) made in the inner wall (27a) of said protective cover (27) so as to be facing on one side said front lens (30) and on the other side said laminar plate (22), defining with said front lens (30) an inner channel (39) which houses the protruding part of said LED lamp.

20. Apparatus (1) as claim 18) or 19) characterized in that said base plaque (34) incorporates a voltage regulator in the range of 10÷33 V values, suitable to allow adjustment of the intensity of the light emitted by said LED lamp to the sizes of said set area of said space to be lighted.

21. Apparatus (1) as any of the claims from 18) to 21) characterized in that said connection means (29) include:

- a prismatic tooth (40), arranged on at least one section of the perimetric edge (27b) of said protective cover (27);

- a prismatic slot (41), made in least a part of the side wall (2c) delimiting said second seat (28) of said support plate (2), into which said prismatic tooth (40) is snap fitted.

22. Apparatus (1) as any of the claims from 18) to 21) characterized in that said lighting means (4) include at least one laminar metallic string (42, 43), coupled with the rear wall (34b) of said base plaque (34) at said light sources (31, 32) and in contact with said laminar plate (22), suitable to contribute to dissipate the heat generated by said light sources (31, 32).

Drawing