Technical field
[0001] The description relates to lighting systems.
[0002] One or more embodiments may relate to lighting systems intended for wall mounting,
e.g. in ceilings.
Technological background
[0003] Covering surfaces by means of covering plates is a technique adopted in many different
areas.
[0004] A possible example is provided by coverings for walls and ceilings as indicated with
different designations such as countertop, drywall, plasterboard, gypsum coverings
and the like.
[0005] Similar arrangements may be used for covering surfaces e.g. in furnishing.
[0006] Due to their large diffusion, these coverings oftentimes incorporate lighting sources.
For instance, in the case of ceilings, producers as well as architects appreciate
the availability of easy-to-use, inexpensive solutions for installing light modules,
e.g. with the aim of facilitating the adoption of linear light engines adapted to
become a sort of integral part of the surface covered (e.g. a gypsum board ceiling
or vertical wall). Monolith and flat/linear shapes are increasingly used in the construction
of new buildings and in refurbishing old ones.
[0007] Conventional solutions such as e.g. lighting solutions for gypsum ceilings may comprise
fixed pre-assembled modules adapted to be integrated in the gypsum. For instance,
these solutions may comprise luminaires of the pre-assembled type arranged in the
gypsum covering using different parts for fixing, e.g. a customized track to support
the luminaire adapted to receive the connection wires and then the body of the luminaire
itself, plus possibly a corresponding optics.
[0008] The resulting systems may be rather complex, with installation of these systems becoming
cumbersome and time-consuming and/or requiring particular skills: for instance, in
order to be performed efficiently and with good results, breaking and/or cutting gypsum
may require a certain ability. Also, tracks mounted in the gypsum represent separate
components, separate from the gypsum support tracks or rails.
[0009] Certain solutions may comprise applying optics to existing products e.g. with rubber,
which may be the source of the various drawbacks.
[0010] To sum up, avoiding the use of suspended lighting modules and/or of lighting modules
which may involve complex steps during mounting and installation, e.g. with cutting
of the e.g. gypsum plates, are desirable options. This applies, e.g. to reducing the
steps involved in installing such lighting systems and the associated costs (e.g.
in terms of materials). Also, the availability of solutions with attractive design
is appreciated.
[0011] Documents such as
DE 10 2009 023 052 A1,
DE 10 2015 203 214 A1,
US 7 506 997 B1,
US 2007/0 139 961 A1,
US 2009/0 261 368 A1,
US 2010/0 079 989 A1,
US 2011/0 297 970 A1,
US 2015/0 117 001 A1,
US 2016/0 033 105 A1,
US 2017/102133 A1,
EP 3 023 692 A1,
EP 3 217 068 A1,
CN 203 775 525 U as well as
DE 10 2016 221 130.7 are exemplary of activity in the area to which embodiments may apply.
[0012] Document
US 2015/260354 A1 discloses a planar strip light for installation in a plasterboard construction, wherein
the strip light comprises an optical unit which has a reflector and an LED panel,
wherein the light-emitting side of the LED panel is arranged at the edge of the reflector
and substantially perpendicular to the reflector in order to reduce the installation
depth of the strip light, and wherein the strip light comprises fasteners for its
direct fastening to the plasterboard construction.
Object and summary
[0013] An object of one or more embodiments is to contribute in providing improved solutions
as desirable.
[0014] According to one or more embodiments, that object can be achieved by means of a lighting
installation having the feature set forth in claim 1 that follows.
[0015] One or more embodiments may relate to a corresponding method as called for in claim
9.
[0016] The claims are an integral part of the teaching provided herein in respect of embodiments.
[0017] One or more embodiments may provide a snap-in casing for a lighting device (possibly
providing a reflective support and a diffuser plus anti-glare or Unified Glare Rating
- UGR control).
[0018] One or more embodiments may be applied e.g. to continuous light modules for use in
covering surfaces by means of covering plates in the building and/or furnishing industry.
Lighting provided in plates for covering walls (comprising ceilings) are exemplary
of such a possible use.
[0019] One or more embodiments may provide easy-to-install arrangements adapted for use
in combination with standard countertop/drywall profiles and rail supports.
[0020] One or more embodiments may provide lighting modules adapted to become an integral
part of a surface covered (e.g. a ceiling).
[0021] One or more embodiments are suited for use with flexible and rigid light engines
as already currently available.
[0022] One or more embodiments may provide a continuous lighting system which may comprise
a cover member (possibly providing diffuser and/or UGR control) which may be cut to
length according to specific needs, applications and tastes.
[0023] One or more embodiments may use channel-shaped linear support members (rails) as
currently used in the building industry, e.g. in gypsum ceilings.
[0024] One or more embodiments may provide one or more of the following advantages:
- reduction of number of installation steps,
- reduction of cost, due e.g. to a simplified design and/or to the possibility of reducing
the number of light radiation sources involved in providing a certain amount of lighting
(lumen output), this resulting in a higher lumen/watt ratio.
Brief description of the figures
[0025] One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference
to the annexed figures, wherein:
- Figures 1 to 4 are exemplary of certain possible acts (steps) involved in covering
a surface with covering plates,
- Figures 5 to 12 are various perspective views exemplary of possible features of components
for use in one or more embodiments,
- Figure 13 is exemplary of certain possible acts in embodiments,
- Figure 14 is an enlarged view corresponding to arrow XIV in Figure 13 reproduced on
a magnified scale and rotated for clarity of representation,
- Figure 15 is exemplary of certain possible acts in embodiments,
- Figure 16 is an enlarged view corresponding to arrow XVI in Figure 13 reproduced on
a magnified scale and rotated for clarity of representation,
- Figures 17 and 18 are exemplary of certain possible acts in embodiments, and
- Figure 19 comprises three portions designated a), b), and c), respectively, which
are exemplary of a possible variant of embodiments and possible use thereof.
[0026] It will be appreciated that, for the sake of clarity and ease of presentation, the
various figures may not be drawn to a same scale.
Detailed description
[0027] In the ensuing description, one or more specific details are illustrated, aimed at
providing an in-depth understanding of examples of embodiments of this description.
The embodiments may be obtained without one or more of the specific details, or with
other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, known structures, materials,
or operations are not illustrated or described in detail so that certain aspects of
embodiments will not be obscured.
[0028] Reference to "an embodiment" or "one embodiment" in the framework of the present
description is intended to indicate that a particular configuration, structure, or
characteristic described in relation to the embodiment is comprised in at least one
embodiment. Hence, phrases such as "in an embodiment" or "in one embodiment" that
may be present in one or more points of the present description do not necessarily
refer to one and the same embodiment. Moreover, particular conformations, structures,
or characteristics may be combined in any adequate way in one or more embodiments.
[0029] The references used herein are provided merely for convenience and hence do not define
the extent of protection or the scope of the embodiments.
[0030] Figure 1 is exemplary of a method of covering a surface S with covering plates P1,
P2.
[0031] A wall surface such as e.g. a ceiling in a building covered by means of (according
to various current designations) countertop, drywall, plaster, gypsum or the like
may be exemplary of such a surface S.
[0032] As noted, one or more embodiments are in no way limited to use in covering ceilings
and may be applied to covering a wide variety of surfaces comprising e.g. vertical
walls, floors, staircases, ramps, and so on. Also, possible uses of embodiments are
not limited to the building industry. Embodiments may be used e.g. to cover surfaces
in furnishing and various types of appliances.
[0033] For that reason, the instant detailed description will refer to a "surface S" and
to "covering plates" e.g. two of these, designated P1, P2 with mutually opposed (e.g.
rectilinear) end edges E1, E2 without any particular emphasis being placed on the
nature and the characteristics of the surface S and the plates P1, P2 as these may
be devised differently as a function of the intended application e.g. building (ceilings,
walls), furnishing, and so on.
[0034] Also, the mounting surface S as exemplified in Figures 1 and 2 is no longer visible
in figures such as Figures 4, 13, 15, 17 and 18 in order to avoid making the reletive
representation unduly complicated.
[0035] An application as exemplified in Figure 1 may comprise providing over the surface
S a first array of first linear support members C1 (e.g. box-like profiles of rectangular
or square cross-section or channel-shaped profiles) extending in a first direction
(roughly corresponding to the plane of the page in Figure 1).
[0036] Providing the first array of support members C1 over the mounting surface S may be
e.g. by means of rigid/flexible attachment members T having distal channel-shaped
formations T1 (facing downwards in Figure 1) adapted to receive the support members
C1 extending therealong and fixed therein e.g. by screws (not visible in the figures).
[0037] This may lead to the linear support members C1 being arranged at a distance to the
surface S e.g. by being suspended therefrom (e.g. in the exemplary case where the
surface S is a ceiling).
[0038] The first support members C1 may be mounted extending in a same direction (e.g. parallel
to one another) at a distance of about 1 m (e.g. 1200 mm) from one another.
[0039] An application as exemplified in Figure 1 may comprise providing over the first array
of first linear support members C1 a second array of second linear support members
C2 arranged to extend transverse (optionally perpendicular) to the first direction
of the first members C1 in the first array, so that the first array of first support
members C1 lies between the mounting surface S and the second array of second support
members C2.
[0040] As exemplified herein, the second support members C2 may comprise channel-shaped
profiles adapted to be located at a distance of e.g. 600-1200 mm from each other and
coupled to the first support members C1 e.g. via screws or clamping members. These
clamping members can be integrated into the attachment members T.
[0041] For instance, support members such as the second support members C2 as used in standard
gypsum board ceiling installations may exhibit a channel-shaped profile having a width
of e.g. 60 mm between side walls extending e.g. 27 mm from the central (web) portion
of the profiles and provided with a distal hook-like margins projecting e.g. inwardly
of the channel shape of the profile C2.
[0042] It will appreciated that all the quantitative data (e.g. spacing, dimensions) provided
herein are merely exemplary and in no way limitative of embodiments.
[0043] Coupling of the support members C2 in the second array to the support members C1
in the first array may be e.g. via linear strip profiles ST which may be set against
the first support members C1 and fixed thereto (e.g. via screws, not visible in the
figures) and have lateral grooves into which the distal hook-like margins of the support
members C2 may engage.
[0044] This may facilitate snap-like coupling of the members C2 with the profiles members
ST (fixed to the members C1) to thereby establish coupling of the members C2 to the
members C1 as desired. Due to the members C1 being mounted onto the surface S (via
the members T, T1) this will result in the members C2 being in turn coupled (e.g.
mounted, suspended) to the surface S.
[0045] Covering plates (such as e.g. gypsum or plaster boards P1, P2) may then be applied
onto the second array of support members C2 (e.g. via screws as visible in the following)
with the opposed edges E1, E2 of the plates abutting against one another to provide
continuity of the covering.
[0046] It will be appreciated that a covering such as a ceiling as exemplified herein may
comprise many plates intended to extend over the whole surface S. Only two such plates
are visible in the figures for simplicity.
[0047] An arrangement as exemplified in Figure 1 is otherwise conventional in the art, with
the first linear support members C1 and second linear support members C2 oftentimes
referred to as primary and secondary rails, respectively. The secondary rails may
also be referred to as "furring" rails. Also, while different shapes and/or structures
(e.g. a closed boxed shape and an open, channel-shaped shape) are exemplified for
the members C1 and C2 in Figure 1, certain solutions may adopt a same structure (e.g.
channel-shaped) for both members C1 and C2.
[0048] Figure 2 is exemplary of the possibility of:
- providing a supply of linear channel-shaped profiles with identical cross-section
for use in providing the secondary members C2, and
- taking one or more profiles in the supply and mounting them, so-to-say, turned upside-down
between two secondary members C2, in order to provide at least one channel-shaped
mounting member 100 having an inner cavity between two longitudinal sidewalls 100a
arranged onto the first support members C1, with the open mouth portion 100b of the
mounting member 100 facing away from the linear support members C1 in the first array.
[0049] The different reference (100 in the place of C2) used in the figures to designate
the mounting member in question (which may be in fact the same type of, e.g. metal,
profile used to provide the secondary support members C2) is intended to highlight
the fact that, in one or more embodiments, the mounting member 100 may possibly be
a different type of channel-shaped member then the members C2. Also, in one or more
embodiments, the support members C2 may not exhibit a channel shape as exemplified
in the figures.
[0050] In one or more embodiments, using a same type of profile for both the support members
C2 and for the mounting member(s) 100 may be advantageous in so far as a single type
of profile may be used for two purposes.
[0051] Figure 2 is exemplary of the possibility of fixing the mounting member 100 onto the
first support members C1, e.g. by screws 102.
[0052] In one or more embodiments, these screws may be the same type of screws used for
mounting the plates or boards P1, P2 onto the support members C2 (e.g. as discussed
in the following).
[0053] Figure 2 is further exemplary of the possibility of providing (e.g. via drilling
D) passageways 104 which facilitate passing towards the inner cavity of the mounting
member 100 electrical wiring W from a driver unit D (power supply and, possibly, control
e.g. dimming and so on) for a lighting device to be arranged at the mounting member
100 as discussed in the following.
[0054] An exemplary arrangement of such a wiring W/driver circuitry D is shown in Figure
3.
[0055] In one or more embodiments, due to the presence of the members T, the first array
of support members C1 may lie at a distance with respect to the mounting surface S.
A certain space may thus be available between the surface S and the first support
members C1 for locating the driver circuitry D as well as cabling connecting one or
more such units to the mains supply and/or further control systems of a lighting installation
as discussed in the following.
[0056] Figure 4 is exemplary of the possibility of installing covering plates P1, P2 by
coupling them (e.g. by screws 102) to the second support members C2.
[0057] In contrast to the conventional arrangement exemplified in Figure 1, in one or more
embodiments as exemplified in figure 4, the plates P1, P2 (e.g. gypsum or plaster
boards or other types of plates) can be coupled to the support members C2 by leaving
a gap between the mutually facing edges E1, E2.
[0058] As exemplified in Figure 4, this may occur as a result of the (rectilinear) facing
edges E1, E2 of the plates P1, P2 extending at and along the side walls 100a of the
mounting member 100 so that the gap between the edges E1, E2 is located at the open
mouth portion 100b of the mounting member 100.
[0059] An installation as exemplified in Figure 4 may involve some alignment of the plates
P1, P2 (in both the vertical and horizontal directions of Figure 4) e.g. in order
to adjust the width of the gap between the edges E1, E2 to adapt it precisely to the
location of the side walls 100a of the mounting member 100. As discussed in the following,
one or more embodiments may comprise provisions allowing for some (slight) inaccuracies
in the mutual locations of the plates P1, P2 and the thickness thereof as well, thus
making such a "fine tuning" unnecessary.
[0060] As exemplified in Figure 4, a mounting cavity is thus provided in the mounting member
100 which is adapted to receive (see e.g. Figures 13, 15, 17 and 18) a lighting device
10 having the features discussed in the following.
[0061] In one or more embodiments, the lighting device 10 may comprise a casing in turn
comprising a channel-shaped body portion 12 and a strip member 14 intended to act
as a closure lid for the body 12.
[0062] Various possible details of the lighting device 10 e.g. the body 12 and the closure
lid 14 are exemplified in Figures 5 to 12. For instance, in one or more embodiments,
the casing 12, 14 may comprise a sort of elastic rail design.
[0063] In one or more embodiments, the body 12 (and the casing as a whole) may comprise
flexible material (such as elastic plastic material). This may facilitate a snap connection
with the mounting member 100, primarily with the sidewalls 100a thereof (e.g. at the
distal, hook-shaped distal ends thereof designated 1000a).
[0064] As exemplified in Figures 5 to 11, the casing for the device 10 may comprise an elongate,
channel-shaped body 12 having an inner surface inwardly of the channel shape and an
outer surface outwardly of the channel shape.
[0065] As exemplified herein, the channel-shaped body 12 may comprise a corner (or edge)
portion 120 e.g. comprising a planar strip extending lengthwise of the body 12.
[0066] In one or more embodiments, the body 12 may comprise two lateral arms 122 extending
from the corner portion 120 away from an intermediate longitudinal plane X12 of the
body 12 (shown for simplicity in Figure 5 only).
[0067] The lateral arms 122 have respective distal end edges 122a extending in a same direction
(e.g. parallel to each other) on opposite sides of the intermediate plane X12 with
an open mouth portion of the channel-shaped body 12 between the distal end edges 122a.
[0068] In one or more embodiments, the inner surface of the body 12 may comprise material
and/or be treated with processes making the inner surface reflective to facilitate
reflecting towards the open mouth portion of the body 12 light radiation produced
by a light radiation source 16 arranged at the corner portion 120 of the body 12.
[0069] In one or more embodiments, the light radiation source 16 may comprise an elongate,
electrically-powered light radiation source arranged in the body 12 of the casing
extending along the corner portion 120 e.g. by being coupled (e.g. adhesively) to
the inner surface of the body 12 at the corner portion 120.
[0070] In one or more embodiments, the light radiation source 16 may comprise an elongate,
strip-like light radiation source. A flexible, ribbon-type module of the type currently
referred to as "flex" and comprising light radiation sources such as LED sources is
exemplary of a light radiation source 16 adapted for use in embodiments.
[0071] A variety of lighting modules of this type are available commercially with the group
of companies to which the applicant companies belong.
[0072] Selection of the light radiation source 16 may be based e.g. on color temperature
(e.g. CCT) and lumen output as desired.
[0073] Such a light radiation source 16 may be supplied in the form of an elongated elements
wound in bobbin.
[0074] Such a light radiation source 16 may be provided with a double-sided adhesive tape
laminated on the back side of the lighting module (opposite to the location of the
light radiation generators) so that the light radiation source 16 may be positioned
and adhesively coupled to the corner portion 120 of the body 12, e.g. at the inner
side thereof, after peeling the protective tape on the back side of the adhesive tape
from the LED module.
[0075] In one or more embodiments the body 12 (and the casing 12, 14 as a whole) may be
flexible enough to fit and lock into the mounting member 100.
[0076] In one or more embodiments, the body 12 (and the casing 12, 14 as a whole) may be
provided in the form of an elastic rail which may be snap-in inserted into the mounting
member 100 by using a slight compressive force in the direction of the arrows of Figure
7.
[0077] For instance, the compressive force may bring the distal end edges 122a closer to
the intermediate plane X12 and a (slight) downward insertion force (as exemplified
in Figure 8) may lead the body 12 to be snap-in coupled mechanically (locked) with
the mounting member 100.
[0078] In one or more embodiments, the body 12 (and the casing 12, 14 as a whole) may comprise
plastic and/or metallic materials (possibly in the form of composite materials) having
a flexibility/elasticity judiciously managed through design specifications with the
possibility of making the body 12 (and the casing 12, 14 plus the radiation source
16, that is the device 10 as a whole) adapted to be accommodated into different types
of mounting members 100.
[0079] As noted, this may advantageously (yet not necessarily) have the same profile shape
of the second support members C2, while the first support members C1 may adopt either
the same or (as exemplified herein) a different profile.
[0080] Advantageously, however, both profiles C1 and C2, even if different, may have a same
"height" (e.g., by way of non-limiting example, 27 mm).
[0081] In one or more embodiments, coupling of the device 10 to the mounting member 100
may involve providing the body 12 of the casing of the device 10 with longitudinal
snap coupling formations 124 extending lengthwise of the respective lateral arm 122
of the body 12 at a position of the outer surface of the channel-shaped body 12 between
the corner portion 120 and the distal end edge 122a of the respective lateral arm.
[0082] In one or more embodiments as exemplified in the figures, the coupling formations
124 may comprise longitudinal grooves capable of receiving in a snap-in coupling relationship
the distal hook-shaped distal end portions 1000a of the side walls 100a of the mounting
member 100.
[0083] Of course, this is one of a variety of various coupling options adapted to be used
in embodiments. Just to make another example, the coupling arrangement may be a complementary
one to the one exemplified herein, namely, the outer surface of the lateral arms 122
of the body 12 can be provided with longitudinal ribs adapted to be "clutched" by
the hook-shaped distal ends 1000a of the mounting member 100 or capable of extending
into complementary grooves provided at the distal ends 1000a.
[0084] Figures 10 to 12 are exemplary of ways of providing electrical connection (power
supply and, possibly, control) from the driver unit D to the light radiation source
16 via the cabling W extending through the passageways 104.
[0085] For instance, as exemplified in Figures 10 and 11, a so-called ZIF (Zero Insertion
Force) connector 106 can be used for that purpose.
[0086] In one or more embodiments, end vanes or caps 108 insertable into and across the
body 12 may provide end closure walls of the body 12 (notionally of indefinite length,
and adapted to be cut to length by taking into account application requirements, desires
or tastes).
[0087] End vanes or caps 108 as exemplified in Figure 12 may facilitate enhanced optical
efficiency (e.g. by reflective properties provided at the surface facing towards the
inner space of the channel 12).
[0088] As exemplified in Figure 12 such end vanes or caps may be easily provided with slots
or cutout grooves 108a to facilitate passing electrical wiring W therethrough.
[0089] One or more embodiments may provide for the presence of distal coupling formations
126 extending lengthwise of the lateral arms 122 of the body 12 at the distal end
edges 122a in order to facilitate coupling with the closure lid 14 of the casing.
[0090] In one or more embodiments as exemplified herein, the distal coupling formations
126 may comprise longitudinal grooves formed along the distal end edges 122a facing
inwardly of the channel shape of the body 12. The formations 126 are adapted to receive
engaged therein complementarily formations such as e.g. protruding ribs 142 provided
along the side edges of the closure lid 14.
[0091] Coupling of the formations 126, 142 may thus occur at the region between the longitudinal
edges E1, E2 of the plates P1, P2, the end margins 1000a of the sidewalls 100a of
the mounting member 100 and the distal end edges 122a of the lateral arms 122 of the
body 12.
[0092] The formations 126, 142 facilitate applying the closure lid 14 onto the open mouth
portion of the channel-shaped body 12, thus facilitating closing the gap between the
mutually facing (and spaced apart) edges E1, E2 of the plates P1, P2.
[0093] As noted, coupling between the complementary formations 126, 142 of the body 12 and
the closure lid 14 may be provided with some play adapted to allow for possible slight
misalignments of the plates P1, P2 (e.g. in the "vertical" direction of Figure 4).
[0094] Also, the view of Figure 14 highlights the possibility for the closure lid 14 to
comprise protruding side portions 144 which protrude outwardly of the distal end edges
122a of the lateral arms 122 of the body 12 with the capability of extending towards
and over the end edges E1 and E2 (the end edge E2 is shown in Figure 14 by way of
example) in order to facilitate covering any gap G between the distal edges 122a and
the facing edges E1, E2 of the plates P1, P2.
[0095] This facilitates hiding possible imperfections due to the oftentimes not-so-square
plates as provided e.g. by plaster or gypsum boards and/or to irregularities, e.g.
lack of exact planarity of the mounting surface S.
[0096] This may represent a desirable feature in installing plaster or gypsum boards, primarily
for aesthetic reasons, while also making it unnecessary to apply additional labour
and materials in order to remove possible aesthetic defects.
[0097] Again, the one shown in the figures is just one of a variety of coupling options
of the body 12 and the closure lid 14. Just to make another example, the coupling
arrangement may be a complementary one to the one exemplified herein, namely, the
distal end edges 122a of the lateral arms 122 of the body 12 can be provided with
longitudinal ribs adapted to be received in longitudinal grooves extending along the
sides of the closure lid 14.
[0098] In one or more embodiments, the closure lid 14 may comprise material which is light-permeable
by being transparent and/or diffusive.
[0099] In one or more embodiments, the closure lid 14 may exhibit optical features (e.g.
surface sculpturing) with the lid 14 playing the role of a so-called secondary-optics
in the installation, a primary optics being possibly provided by the reflective inner
surfaces of the lateral arms 122 of the body 12.
[0100] For instance, the closure lid 14 can be manufactured as a flexible strip using a
roll-to-roll process e.g. with the sufficient thickness of plastic material to make
it rollable. The corresponding optical features may be designed according to any known
principles (small prisms, lenslets and the like) e.g. to provide shaping/diffusion
of the light radiation emitted from the device and/or UGR control and lighting uniformity.
[0101] Figures 16 and 17 exemplify the possibility, for one or more embodiments, to comprise
a "tertiary" optics in the lighting device 10 by providing in the lateral arms 122
of the body 12 further longitudinal coupling formations 128 extending lengthwise of
the lateral arms 122 of the body 12 at a position of the inner surface of the body
12 between the corner or edge portion 120 and the distal end edges 122a of the lateral
arms 122.
[0102] A strip-like (e.g. flexible) optical element 18 may then be provided having side
edges coupleable (e.g. via formations 182) with the further longitudinal coupling
formations 128 so that the optical element 18 may extend bridge-like between the lateral
arms 122 of the channel-shaped body 12 between the corner portion 120 and a distal
end edges 122a.
[0103] In one or more embodiments as exemplified herein, the further longitudinal coupling
formations 128 may be provided in the form of longitudinal grooves extending along
the inner surface of the lateral arms 122 while the complementary formations 182 of
the optical element 18 comprise hook-like ribs capable of extending into the grooves
128 thereby facilitating e.g. snap-in coupling of the optical element 18 (possibly
again of the flexible type) with the body 12. Once again it will be appreciated that
a complementary coupling arrangement may be provided between the optical element 18
and the body 12.
[0104] In one or more embodiments, the optical element 18 may comprise optical features
(e.g. a prismed lens or distribution of lenslets) to enhance the lighting output e.g.
in terms of lighting uniformity.
[0105] In one or more embodiments, the combination of a primary optics (reflective inner
surfaces of the body 12), a secondary optics (the closure lid 14) and a tertiary optics
(optical element 18) may result in improvements in UGR control and lighting uniformity.
It will be otherwise appreciated that use of all of the primary, secondary and tertiary
optics in combination is optional and not mandatory.
[0106] Figure 18 (which substantially corresponds to Figure 17 in so far as the parts or
elements described therein are concerned) is exemplary of an approach allowing for
possible variations in the thicknesses of the cover plates P1, P2.
[0107] For instance, a typical thickness value for gypsum or plaster boards may be about
9.5 mm. However, plate thickness may vary, for instance (in the case of a gypsum boards),
to values such as 12.5 mm, 15mm and 18 mm.
[0108] For instance, the arrangement of Figure 18 may refer to embodiments wherein the various
parts or elements of the device 10 and/or the mounting member 100 are shaped and dimensioned
with reference to a lowest expected thickness value for the boards P1, P2.
[0109] In that case, spacers 130 (possibly with thicknesses selectable in a range of different
thicknesses) may be provided between the mounting member 100 and the first support
members C1 to accommodate other (larger) thickness options, without this involving
re-design of the various components.
[0110] Also, electrically-insulating spacers 130 coupled via electrically-insulating coupling
means (e.g. screws 102) to the corner portion 120 at the outer surface of the body
12 (e.g. with mounting member 100 therebetween - see Figure 18) may provide, possibly
together with heat-dissipation from the light radiation source 16, (bi-directional)
electrical insulation of the device 10 with respect to a grid comprising electrically
conductive (e.g. metal) support members C1 (and C2). This facilitates taking into
account possible dispersions from the drivers D mounted thereon and/or the associated
cabling/wiring/connectors as well as the fact that in certain embodiments the body
12 may comprise electrically-conductive material (e.g. metal) and be exposed to touch
by users.
[0111] Figure 19 is exemplary of the possibility that the distal coupling formations 126
of the side walls 122 and/or the lateral coupling formations 142 of the closure lid
14 may comprise a plurality of individual coupling members providing a corresponding
plurality of selectable coupling positions of the closure lid 14 to the channel-shaped
body 12 at different distances (of the closure lid 14) to the corner portion 120 of
the channel-shaped body 12.
[0112] For instance, Figure 19 exemplifies the possibility of so-to-say partitioning the
grooves 126 in a set of e.g. two or more sub-grooves 1260 (e.g. four of them) so that
the protruding formations 142 from the closure lid 14 may be engaged in a selected
one of these sub-grooves (e.g. in an uppermost position as exemplified in portion
a) of the Figure 19, a lowermost position as exemplified in portion c) of Figure 19
or an intermediate position as exemplified in portion b) in Figure 19).
[0113] This may permit adjusting the mounting position of the closure lid 14 onto the body
12 in order to facilitate abutment of the protruding lateral formations 144 of the
closure lid 14 against the edges E1, E2 of the plates P1, P2.
[0114] One more embodiments may thus comprise a casing for lighting devices comprising:
- i) an elongate, channel-shaped body (e.g. 12) having an inner surface inwardly of
the channel shape and an outer surface outwardly of the channel shape, wherein:
- the channel-shaped body comprises a corner (or edge) portion (e.g. 120) extending
at a longitudinal intermediate plane (e.g. X12) of the body and two lateral arms (e.g.
122) extending from the corner portion away from the intermediate plane of the body,
- the lateral arms have respective distal end edges (e.g. 122a) extending in a same
direction on opposite sides of the intermediate plane of the body, with an open mouth
portion of the body between the distal end edges of the lateral arms, and
- the lateral arms comprise longitudinal snap coupling formations (e.g. 124) extending
lengthwise of the respective lateral arm at a position of the outer surface of the
channel-shaped body between the corner portion and the distal end edge of the respective
lateral arm as well as distal coupling formations (e.g. 126) extending lengthwise
of the respective lateral arm at the distal end edge thereof, and
- ii) a strip-like light-permeable closure lid (e.g. 14) for the open mouth portion
of the channel-shaped body, the closure lid having lateral coupling formations (e.g.
142) complementary to and coupleable with the distal coupling formations of the lateral
arms of the channel-shaped body (12).
[0115] A casing according to one or more embodiments (and a lighting device comprising such
a casing with an elongate, electrically-powered light radiation source e.g. 16 arranged
in the casing extending along the corner portion of the channel-shaped body) may be
suited for use in a method according to one or more embodiments, wherein the method
may comprise:
- providing over a mounting surface (e.g. S) a first array of first linear support members
(e.g. C1) extending in a first direction,
- coupling to the first support members in the first array a second array of second
linear support members (e.g. C2), extending transversely to the first direction, with
the first array of support members between the mounting surface and the second array
of support members,
- coupling to the first array of support members, opposite to the mounting surface,
at least one channel-shaped mounting member (e.g. 100) having an inner cavity between
longitudinal side walls (e.g. 100a) and an open mouth portion (e.g. 100b) facing away
from the first array of support members, the at least one channel-shaped mounting
member extending in a same direction as the second linear support members in the second
array of support members,
- mounting onto the second array of support members, opposite the first array of support
members, at least one pair of covering plates (e.g. P1, P2) having mutually facing
edges (e.g. E1, E2) extending at the longitudinal side walls of the mounting member
and providing a gap therebetween at the open mouth portion of the mounting member,
and
- arranging a lighting device according to one or embodiments in the inner cavity of
the mounting member with the closure lid of the casing of the lighting device extending
across the gap between the mutually facing edges of the covering plates.
[0116] A casing according to one or more embodiments (and a lighting device comprising such
a casing with an elongate, electrically-powered light radiation source e.g. 16 arranged
in the casing extending along the corner portion of the channel-shaped body) may be
suited for use in an installation according to one or more embodiments, wherein the
installation may comprise:
- a first array of first linear support members extending in a first direction over
a mounting surface,
- a second array of second linear support members coupled to the first support members
in the first array, the support members in the second array extending transversely
to the first direction with the first array of support members between the mounting
surface (S) and the second array of support members,
- at least one channel-shaped mounting member coupled to the first array of support
member opposite the mounting surface, the at least one channel-shaped mounting member
extending in a same direction as the second linear support members in the second array
of support members, the at least one channel-shaped mounting member having an inner
cavity between longitudinal side walls and an open mouth portion facing away from
the first array of support members,
- at least one pair of covering plates mounted onto the second array of support members
opposite the first array of support members, the at least one pair of covering plates
having mutually facing edges extending at the longitudinal side walls of the mounting
member and providing a gap therebetween at the open mouth portion of the mounting
member, and
- a lighting device according to one or more embodiments arranged in the inner cavity
of the mounting member with the closure lid of the casing of the lighting device extending
across the gap between the mutually facing edges of the covering plates.
[0117] In one or more embodiments of the casing, the closure lid may comprise protruding
side formations (e.g. 144) which, with the closure lid coupled to the lateral arms
of the channel-shaped body to close the open mouth portion of the body, protrude outwardly
of the distal end edges (122a) of the lateral arms of the channel-shaped body.
[0118] In one or more embodiments of the casing, the distal coupling formations of the channel-shaped
body and the lateral coupling formations of the closure lid may comprise a plurality
of individual coupling members (e.g. 1260) providing a plurality of selectable coupling
positions of the closure lid to the channel-shaped body at different distances from
the corner portion of the channel-shaped body.
[0119] In one or more embodiments of the casing, the intermediate longitudinal plane (e.g.
X12) may comprise a median longitudinal plane of the channel-shaped body with the
two lateral arms mirror-symmetrical with respect to the median longitudinal plane.
[0120] In one or more embodiments of the casing, the lateral arms of the channel-shaped
body may be elastically deformable towards and away from the intermediate longitudinal
plane.
[0121] One or more embodiments of the casing may comprise a light-reflective inner surface
of the channel-shaped body.
[0122] In one or more embodiments of the casing:
- the lateral arms of the channel-shaped body may comprise further longitudinal coupling
formations (e.g. 128) extending lengthwise of the respective lateral arm at a position
of the inner surface of the channel-shaped body between the corner portion and the
distal end edge (122a) of the respective lateral arm,
- a strip-like optical element may be provided having side edges coupleable (e.g. 182)
with the further longitudinal coupling formations to extend bridge-like between the
lateral arms of the channel-shaped body.
[0123] In one or more embodiments of the casing:
- the corner portion of the channel-shaped body may comprise a planar portion of the
inner surface of the casing, said planar portion providing a mounting surface for
lighting devices, and/or
- transverse vanes (e.g. 108) may be provided insertable into the channel-shaped body
to provide cross-wise partitioning of the channel-shaped body.
[0124] One or more embodiments may include at least one electrically-insulating spacer (e.g.
130) coupleable with electrically-insulating coupling means (e.g. 102 in Figure 18)
to the corner portion of the body at the outer surface thereof.
[0125] In one or more embodiments, adapted for use with one or more embodiments of the casing/lighting
device, the method of one or more embodiments may comprise arranging the lighting
device in the inner cavity of the mounting member by snap-engaging the longitudinal
snap coupling formations of the lateral arms of the channel-shaped body of the casing
of the lighting device with the side walls of the channel-shaped mounting member.
[0126] One or more embodiments of the method may comprise:
- arranging the channel-shaped body of the casing of the lighting device in the inner
cavity of the channel-shaped mounting member, and
- coupling the closure lid of the casing of the lighting device with the channel-shaped
body of the casing arranged in the inner cavity of the channel-shaped mounting member
by bringing the closure lid in alignment with the mutual facing edges of the covering
plates in the at least one pair of covering plates.
[0127] One or more embodiments of the method may comprise:
- providing a supply of linear channel-shaped profiles (e.g. C2, 100) with identical
cross sections, and
- using profiles from said supply of channel-shaped profiles to provide both the at
least one mounting member and the linear support members in the second array of support
members.
[0128] It will be otherwise appreciated that features and/elements exemplified herein (singly
or in combination) in connection with a certain one of the figures can be applied
(singly or in combination) also in embodiments exemplified in any other of the figures.
[0129] Without prejudice to the underlying principles, the details and embodiments may vary,
even significantly, with respect to what has been described in the foregoing by way
of example only, without departing from the extent of protection.
[0130] The extent of protection is defined by the annexed claims.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
| channel-shaped body/casing |
12, 14 |
| corner portion |
120 |
| longitudinal intermediate plane |
X12 |
| lateral arms |
122 |
| distal end edges |
122a |
| longitudinal snap coupling formations |
124 |
| distal coupling formations |
126 |
| closure lid |
14 |
| lateral coupling formations |
142 |
| protruding side formations |
144 |
| coupling members |
1260 |
| further coupling formations |
128 |
| light radiation source/lighting device |
16 |
| optical element |
18 |
| side edge |
182 |
| transverse vanes |
108 |
| electrically-insulating spacer |
130 |
| electrically-insulating coupling means |
102 |
| mounting surface |
S |
| attachment members |
T |
| distal formations |
T1 |
| first array of support members |
C1 |
| second array of support members |
C2 |
| mounting member |
100 |
| longitudinal side walls |
100a |
| open mouth portion |
100b |
| covering plates |
P1, P2 |
| facing edges |
E1, E2 |
1. A lighting installation, comprising
- a first array of first linear support members (C1) extending in a first direction
over a mounting surface (S),
- a second array of second linear support members (C2) coupled to the first support
members (C1) in the first array, the support members (C2) in the second array extending
transversely to the first direction with the first array of support members (C1) between
the mounting surface (S) and the second array of support members (C2),
- at least one channel-shaped mounting member (100) coupled to the first array of
support member (C1) opposite to the mounting surface (S), the at least one channel-shaped
mounting member (100) extending in a same direction as the second linear support members
(C2) in the second array of support members, the at least one channel-shaped mounting
member (100) having an inner cavity between longitudinal side walls (100a) and an
open mouth portion (100b) facing away from the first array of support members (C1),
- at least one pair of covering plates (P1, P2) mounted onto the second array of support
members (C2) opposite the first array of support members (C1), the at least one pair
of covering plates (P1, P2) having mutually facing edges (E1, E2) extending at the
longitudinal side walls (100a) of the mounting member (100) and providing a gap therebetween
at the open mouth portion (100b) of the mounting member (100), and
- a lighting device (10) comprising:
- a casing (12, 14) comprising:
- i) an elongate, channel-shaped body (12) having an inner surface inwardly of the
channel shape and an outer surface outwardly of the channel shape, wherein:
- the channel-shaped body (12) comprises a corner portion (120) extending at a longitudinal
intermediate plane (X12) of the body (12) and two lateral arms (122) extending from
the corner portion (120) away from the intermediate plane (X12) of the body (12),
- the lateral arms (122) have respective distal end edges (122a) extending in a same
direction on opposite sides of the intermediate plane (X12) of the body (12), with
an open mouth portion of the body (12) between the distal end edges (122a) of the
lateral arms (122), and
- the lateral arms (122) comprise longitudinal snap coupling formations (124) extending
lengthwise of the respective lateral arm (122) at a position of the outer surface
of the channel-shaped body (12) between the corner portion (120) and the distal end
edge (122a) of the respective lateral arm (122) as well as distal coupling formations
(126) extending lengthwise of the respective lateral arm (122) at the distal end edge
(122a) thereof,
- ii) a strip-like light-permeable closure lid (14) for the open mouth portion of
the channel-shaped body (12), the closure lid (14) having lateral coupling formations
(142) complementary to and coupleable with the distal coupling formations (126) of
the lateral arms (122) of the channel-shaped body (12), and
- an elongate, electrically-powered light radiation source (16) arranged in the casing
(12, 14) extending along the corner portion (120) of the channel-shaped body (12),
wherein:
- the lighting device (10) is arranged in the inner cavity (100b) of the mounting
member (100) with the closure lid (14) of the casing of the lighting device (10) extending
across the gap between the mutually facing edges (E1, E2) of the covering plates (P1,
P2),
- the closure lid (14) comprises protruding side formations (144) which, with the
closure lid (14) coupled to the lateral arms (122) of the channel-shaped body (12)
to close the open mouth portion of the body (12), protrude outwardly of the distal
end edges (122a) of the lateral arms (122) of the channel-shaped body (12).
2. The lighting installation of claim 1, wherein the distal coupling formations (126)
of the channel-shaped body (12) and the lateral coupling formations (142) of the closure
lid (14) comprise a plurality of individual coupling members (1260) providing a plurality
of selectable coupling positions of the closure lid (14) to the channel-shaped body
(12) at different distances from the corner portion (120) of the channel-shaped body
(12).
3. The lighting installation of any of the previous claims, wherein the intermediate
longitudinal plane (X12) comprises a median longitudinal plane of the channel-shaped
body (12) with the two lateral arms (122) mirror-symmetrical with respect to the median
longitudinal plane (X12).
4. The lighting installation of any of the previous claims, wherein the lateral arms
(122) of the channel-shaped body (12) are elastically deformable towards and away
from the intermediate longitudinal plane (X12).
5. The lighting installation of any of the previous claims, comprising a light-reflective
inner surface of the channel-shaped body (12).
6. The lighting installation of any of the previous claims, wherein:
- the lateral arms (122) of the channel-shaped body (12) comprise further longitudinal
coupling formations (128) extending lengthwise of the respective lateral arm (122)
at a position of the inner surface of the channel-shaped body (12) between the corner
portion (120) and the distal end edge (122a) of the respective lateral arm (122),
- a strip-like optical element (18) is provided having side edges coupleable (182)
with the further longitudinal coupling formations (128) to extend bridge-like between
the lateral arms (122) of the channel-shaped body (12).
7. The lighting installation of any of the previous claims, wherein:
- the corner portion (120) of the channel-shaped body (12) comprises a planar portion
of the inner surface of the casing (12), said planar portion providing a mounting
surface for lighting devices (16), and/or
- transverse vanes (108) are provided insertable into the channel-shaped body (12)
to provide cross-wise partitioning of the channel-shaped body (12).
8. The lighting installation of any of the previous claims, including at least one electrically-insulating
spacer (130) coupleable with electrically-insulating coupling means (102) to the corner
portion (120) of the body (12) at the outer surface thereof.
9. A method, comprising:
- providing over a mounting surface (S) a first array of first linear support members
(C1) extending in a first direction,
- coupling to the first support members (C1) in the first array a second array of
second linear support members (C2), extending transversely to the first direction,
with the first array of support members (C1) between the mounting surface (S) and
the second array of support members (C2),
- coupling to the first array of support members (C1), opposite to the mounting surface
(S), at least one channel-shaped mounting member (100) having an inner cavity between
longitudinal side walls (100a) and an open mouth portion (100b) facing away from the
first array of support members (C1), the at least one channel-shaped mounting member
(100) extending in a same direction as the second linear support members (C2) in the
second array of support members,
- mounting onto the second array of support members (C2), opposite the first array
of support members (C1), at least one pair of covering plates (P1, P2) having mutually
facing edges (E1, E2) extending at the longitudinal side walls (100a) of the mounting
member (100) and providing a gap therebetween at the open mouth portion (100b) of
the mounting member (100), and
- arranging in the inner cavity of the mounting member (100) a lighting device (10)
comprising:
- a casing (12, 14) comprising:
- i) an elongate, channel-shaped body (12) having an inner surface inwardly of the
channel shape and an outer surface outwardly of the channel shape, wherein:
- the channel-shaped body (12) comprises a corner portion (120) extending at a longitudinal
intermediate plane (X12) of the body (12) and two lateral arms (122) extending from
the corner portion (120) away from the intermediate plane (X12) of the body (12),
- the lateral arms (122) have respective distal end edges (122a) extending in a same
direction on opposite sides of the intermediate plane (X12) of the body (12), with
an open mouth portion of the body (12) between the distal end edges (122a) of the
lateral arms (122), and
- the lateral arms (122) comprise longitudinal snap coupling formations (124) extending
lengthwise of the respective lateral arm (122) at a position of the outer surface
of the channel-shaped body (12) between the corner portion (120) and the distal end
edge (122a) of the respective lateral arm (122) as well as distal coupling formations
(126) extending lengthwise of the respective lateral arm (122) at the distal end edge
(122a) thereof,
- ii) a strip-like light-permeable closure lid (14) for the open mouth portion of
the channel-shaped body (12), the closure lid (14) having lateral coupling formations
(142) complementary to and coupleable with the distal coupling formations (126) of
the lateral arms (122) of the channel-shaped body (12), and
- an elongate, electrically-powered light radiation source (16) arranged in the casing
(12, 14) extending along the corner portion (120) of the channel-shaped body (12),
wherein:
the closure lid (14) of the casing of the lighting device (10) extends across the
gap between the mutually facing edges (E1, E2) of the covering plates (P1, P2), and
- the closure lid (14) comprises protruding side formations (144) which, with the
closure lid (14) coupled to the lateral arms (122) of the channel-shaped body (12)
to close the open mouth portion of the body (12), protrude outwardly of the distal
end edges (122a) of the lateral arms (122) of the channel-shaped body (12).
10. The method of claim 9, wherein arranging the lighting device (10) in the inner cavity
of the mounting member (100) comprises snap-engaging the longitudinal snap coupling
formations (124) of the lateral arms (122) of the channel-shaped body (12) of the
casing of the lighting device (10) with the side walls (100a) of the channel-shaped
mounting member (100).
11. The method of claim 9 or claim 10, comprising:
- arranging the channel-shaped body (12) of the casing of the lighting device (10)
in the inner cavity of the channel-shaped mounting member (100), and
- coupling the closure lid (14) of the casing of the lighting device (10) with the
channel-shaped body (12) of the casing arranged in the inner cavity of the channel-shaped
mounting member (100) by bringing the closure lid (14) in alignment with the mutual
facing edges (E1, E2) of the covering plates (P1, P2) in the at least one pair of
covering plates (P1, P2).
12. The method of any of claims 9 to 11, comprising:
- providing a supply of linear channel-shaped profiles (C2, 100) with identical cross
sections, and
- using profiles from said supply of channel-shaped profiles to provide both the at
least one mounting member (100) and the linear support members (C2) in the second
array of support members.
1. Eine Beleuchtungsvorrichtung, aufweisend
- eine erste Anordnung erster linearer Trägerelemente (C1), die sich in einer ersten
Richtung über einer Montagefläche (S) erstrecken,
- eine zweite Anordnung zweiter linearer Trägerelemente (C2), die mit den ersten Trägerelementen
(C1) in der ersten Anordnung gekoppelt sind, wobei sich die Trägerelemente (C2) in
der zweiten Anordnung quer zur ersten Richtung erstrecken, wobei sich die erste Anordnung
von Trägerelementen (C1) zwischen der Montagefläche (S) und der zweiten Anordnung
von Trägerelementen (C2) befindet,
- mindestens ein kanalförmiges Montageelement (100), das der Montagefläche (S) gegenüberliegend
mit der ersten Anordnung von Trägerelementen (C1) gekoppelt ist, wobei das mindestens
eine kanalförmige Montageelement (100) sich in eine gleiche Richtung erstreckt, wie
die zweiten linearen Trägerelemente (C2) in der zweiten Anordnung von Trägerelementen,
wobei das zumindest eine kanalförmige Montageelement (100) einen inneren Hohlraum
zwischen längslaufenden Seitenwänden (100a) und einen offenen Öffnungsbereich (100b)
aufweist, der der ersten Anordnung von Trägerelementen (C1) abgewandt ist,
- mindestens ein Paar Abdeckplatten (P1, P2) die der ersten Anordnung von Trägerelementen
(C1) gegenüberliegend auf der zweiten Anordnung von Trägerelementen (C2) montiert
sind, wobei das mindestens eine Paar Abdeckplatten (P1, P2) einander zugewandte Kanten
(E1, E2) aufweist, die sich an den längslaufenden Seitenwänden (100a) des Montageelementes
(100) erstrecken und dazwischen eine Lücke an dem offenen Öffnungsbereich (100b) des
Montageelementes (100) vorsehen, und
- eine Beleuchtungseinrichtung (10) aufweisend:
- ein Gehäuse (12, 14) aufweisend:
- i) einen länglichen, kanalförmigen Körper (12), der von der Kanalform nach innen
eine Innenoberfläche und von der Kanalform nach außen eine Außenoberfläche aufweist,
wobei:
- der kanalförmige Körper (12) einen Eckabschnitt (120), der sich an einer längslaufenden
Zwischenebene (X12) des Körpers (12) erstreckt, und zwei seitliche Arme (122) aufweist,
die sich von dem Eckabschnitt (120) weg von der Zwischenebene (X12) des Körpers (12)
erstrecken,
- die seitlichen Arme (122) entsprechende distale Endkanten (122a) haben, die sich
auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Zwischenebene (X12) des Körpers (12) in eine gleiche
Richtung erstrecken, mit einem offenen Öffnungsbereich des Körpers (12) zwischen den
distalen Endkanten (122a) der seitlichen Arme (122), und
- die seitlichen Arme (122) sowohl längslaufende Schnappkopplungseinrichtungen (124),
die sich längs des entsprechenden seitlichen Armes (122) an einer Position der Außenoberfläche
des kanalförmigen Körpers (12) zwischen dem Eckabschnitt (120) und der distalen Endkante
(122a) des entsprechenden seitlichen Armes (122) erstrecken, als auch distale Kopplungseinrichtungen
(126) aufweisen, die sich längs des entsprechenden seitlichen Armes (122) an dessen
distaler Endkante (122a) erstrecken,
- ii) einen streifenartigen, lichtdurchlässigen Verschlussdeckel (14) für den offenen
Öffnungsbereich des kanalförmigen Körpers (12), wobei der Verschlussdeckel (14) seitliche
Kopplungseinrichtungen (142) hat, die ergänzend zu und koppelbar mit den distalen
Kopplungseinrichtungen (126) der seitlichen Arme (122) des kanalförmigen Körpers (12)
sind, und
- eine längliche, elektrisch betriebene Lichtstrahlungsquelle (16), die in dem Gehäuse
(12, 14) angeordnet ist, die sich entlang des Eckabschnittes des kanalförmigen Körpers
(12) erstreckt,
wobei:
- die Beleuchtungseinrichtung (10) in dem inneren Hohlraum (100b) des Montageelementes
(100) angeordnet ist, wobei sich der Verschlussdeckel (14) des Gehäuses der Beleuchtungseinrichtung
(10) über die Lücke zwischen den einander zugewandten Kanten (E1, E2) der Abdeckplatten
(P1, P2) erstreckt,
- der Verschlussdeckel (14) hervorstehende Seitenstrukturen (144) aufweist, die, wenn
der Verschlussdeckel (14) an die seitlichen Arme (122) des kanalförmigen Körpers (12)
gekoppelt ist, um den offenen Öffnungsbereich des Körpers (12) zu schließen, nach
außen von den distalen Endkanten (122a) der seitlichen Arme (122) des kanalförmigen
Körpers (12) hervorstehen.
2. Beleuchtungsvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die distalen Kopplungseinrichtungen
(126) des kanalförmigen Körpers (12) und die seitlichen Kopplungseinrichtungen (142)
der Verschlussabdeckung (14) eine Mehrzahl von individuellen Kopplungseinrichtungen
(1260) aufweisen, die eine Mehrzahl von wählbaren Kopplungspositionen des Verschlussdeckels
(14) zu dem kanalförmigen Körper (12) bei verschiedenen Entfernungen von dem Eckabschnitt
(120) des kanalförmigen Körpers (12) vorsehen.
3. Beleuchtungsvorrichtung gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die längslaufende
Zwischenebene (X12) eine mittlere längslaufende Ebene des kanalförmigen Körpers (12)
aufweist, wobei die zwei seitlichen Arme (122) spiegelsymmetrisch in Bezug auf die
mittlere längslaufende Ebene (X12) sind.
4. Beleuchtungsvorrichtung gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die seitlichen
Arme (122) des kanalförmigen Körpers (12) elastisch hin zu und weg von der längslaufende
Zwischenebene (X12) verformbar sind.
5. Beleuchtungsvorrichtung gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, aufweisend eine
lichtreflektierende Innenoberfläche des kanalförmigen Körpers (12).
6. Beleuchtungsvorrichtung gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei:
- die seitlichen Arme (122) des kanalförmigen Körpers (12) weitere längslaufende Kopplungseinrichtungen
(128) aufweisen, die sich längs des entsprechenden seitlichen Armes (122) an einer
Position der Innenoberfläche des kanalförmigen Körpers (12) zwischen dem Eckabschnitt
(120) und der distalen Endkante (122a) des entsprechenden seitlichen Armes (122) erstrecken,
- ein streifenartiges optisches Element (18) vorgesehen ist, das Seitenkanten (182)
hat, die mit den weiteren längslaufenden Kopplungseinrichtungen (128) koppelbar sind,
um sich brückenartig zwischen den seitlichen Armen (122) des kanalförmigen Körpers
(12) zu erstrecken.
7. Beleuchtungsvorrichtung gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei:
- der Eckabschnitt (120) des kanalförmigen Körpers (12) einen flachen Abschnitt der
Innenoberfläche des Gehäuses (12) aufweist, wobei dieser flache Abschnitt eine Montagefläche
für Beleuchtungseinrichtungen (16) vorsieht, und/oder
- querlaufende Trennwände (108) gebildet sind, die in den kanalförmigen Körper (12)
einführbar vorgesehen sind, um eine quergerichtete Unterteilung des kanalförmigen
Körpers (12) bereitzustellen.
8. Beleuchtungsvorrichtung gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, beinhaltend mindestens
einen elektrisch isolierenden Abstandshalter (130), der mit einem elektrisch isolierenden
Kopplungsmittel (102) an den Eckabschnitt (120) des Körpers (12) an dessen Außenfläche
koppelbar ist.
9. Ein Verfahren aufweisend:
- Bereitstellen einer ersten Anordnung erster linearer Trägerelemente (C1), die sich
in eine erste Richtung erstrecken, über einer Montagefläche (S),
- Koppeln einer zweiten Anordnung zweiter linearer Trägerelemente (C2), die sich quer
zu der ersten Richtung erstrecken, an die ersten Trägerelemente (C1) in der ersten
Anordnung, wobei sich die erste Anordnung von Trägerelementen (C1) zwischen der Montagefläche
(S) und der zweiten Anordnung von Trägerelementen (C2) befindet,
- Koppeln mindestens eines kanalförmigen Montageelementes (100), das einen inneren
Hohlraum zwischen längslaufenden Seitenwänden (100a) und einen offenen Öffnungsbereich
(100b) aufweist, der der ersten Anordnung von Trägerelementen (C1) abgewandt ist,
an die erste Anordnung von Trägerelementen (C1) gegenüberliegend der Montagefläche
(S), wobei sich das mindestens eine kanalförmige Montageelement (100) in eine gleiche
Richtung erstreckt, wie die zweiten linearen Trägerelemente (C2) in der zweiten Anordnung
von Trägerelementen,
- Befestigen mindestens eines Paares von Abdeckplatten (P1, P2) auf der zweiten Anordnung
von Trägerelementen (C2) der ersten Anordnung von Trägerelementen (C1) gegenüberliegend,
mit einander zugewandten Kanten (E1, E2), die sich an den längslaufenden Seitenwänden
(100a) des Montageelementes (100) erstrecken und dazwischen eine Lücke an dem offenen
Öffnungsbereich (100b) des Montageelementes (100) vorsehen, und
- Anordnen einer Beleuchtungseinrichtung (10) in dem inneren Hohlraum des Montageelementes
(100), die aufweist:
- ein Gehäuse (12, 14) aufweisend:
- i) einen länglichen, kanalförmiger Körper (12), der von der Kanalform nach innen
eine Innenoberfläche und von der Kanalform nach außen eine Außenoberfläche aufweist,
wobei:
- der kanalförmige Körper (12) einen Eckabschnitt (120), der sich an einer längslaufenden
Zwischenebene (X12) des Körpers (12) erstreckt und zwei seitliche Arme (122) aufweist,
die sich von dem Eckabschnitt (120) weg von der Zwischenebene (X12) des Körpers (12)
erstrecken,
- die seitlichen Arme (122) entsprechende distale Endkanten (122a) haben, die sich
auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Zwischenebene (X12) des Körpers (12) in eine gleiche
Richtung erstrecken, mit einem offenen Öffnungsbereich des Körpers (12) zwischen den
distalen Endkanten (122a) der seitlichen Arme (122), und
- die seitlichen Arme (122) sowohl längslaufende Schnappkopplungseinrichtungen (124),
die sich längs des entsprechenden seitlichen Armes (122) an einer Position der Außenoberfläche
des kanalförmigen Körpers (12) zwischen dem Eckabschnitt (120) und der distalen Endkante
(122a) des entsprechenden seitlichen Armes (122) erstrecken, als auch distale Kopplungseinrichtungen
(126) aufweisen, die sich längs des entsprechenden seitlichen Armes (122) an dessen
distaler Endkante (122a) erstrecken,
- ii) einen streifenartigen lichtdurchlässigen Verschlussdeckel (14) für den offenen
Öffnungsbereich des kanalförmigen Körpers (12), wobei der Verschlussdeckel (14) seitliche
Kopplungseinrichtungen (142) hat, die komplementär zu und koppelbar mit den distalen
Kopplungseinrichtungen (126) der seitlichen Arme (122) des kanalförmigen Körpers (12)
sind, und
- eine längliche, elektrisch betriebene Lichtstrahlungsquelle (16), die in dem Gehäuse
(12, 14) angeordnet ist, die sich entlang des Eckabschnittes (120) des kanalförmigen
Körpers (12) erstreckt,
wobei:
- sich der Verschlussdeckel (14) des Gehäuses der Beleuchtungseinrichtung (10) über
die Lücke zwischen den einander zugewandten Kanten (E1, E2) der Abdeckplatten (P1,
P2) erstreckt,
- der Verschlussdeckel (14) hervorstehende Seitenstrukturen (144) aufweist, die, wenn
der Verschlussdeckel (14) an die seitlichen Arme (122) des kanalförmigen Körpers (12)
gekoppelt ist, um den offenen Öffnungsbereich des Körpers (12) zu schließen, nach
außen von den distalen Endkanten (122a) der seitlichen Arme (122) des kanalförmigen
Körpers (12) hervorstehen.
10. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 9, wobei das Anordnen der Beleuchtungseinrichtung (10) in
dem inneren Hohlraum des Montageelementes (100) ein Einschnappen der längslaufenden
Schnappkopplungseinrichtungen (124) der seitlichen Arme (122) des kanalförmigen Körpers
(12) des Gehäuses der Beleuchtungseinrichtung (10) mit den Seitenwänden (100a) des
kanalförmigen Montageelementes (100) aufweist.
11. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 9 oder Anspruch 10, aufweisend:
- Anordnen des kanalförmigen Körpers (12) des Gehäuses der Beleuchtungseinrichtung
(10) in dem inneren Hohlraum des kanalförmigen Montageelementes (100), und
- Koppeln des Verschlussdeckels (14) des Gehäuses der Beleuchtungseinrichtung (10)
mit dem kanalförmigen Körper (12) des Gehäuses, das in dem inneren Hohlraum des kanalförmigen
Montageelementes (100) angeordnet ist, durch Ausrichten des Verschlussdeckels (14)
an den einander zugewandten Kanten (E1, E2) der Abdeckplatten (P1, P2) in dem mindestens
einen Paar von Abdeckplatten (P1, P2).
12. Verfahren gemäß einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 11, aufweisend:
- Bereitstellen eines Vorrates von linearen kanalförmigen Profilen (C2, 100) mit identischen
Querschnitten, und
- Verwenden von Profilen des Vorrates von kanalförmigen Profilen um sowohl das mindestens
eine Montageelement (100) als auch die linearen Trägerelemente (C2) in der zweiten
Anordnung von Trägerelementen vorzusehen.
1. Une installation d'éclairage, comprenant :
- une première série de premiers organes supports linéaires (C1) s'étendant dans une
première direction au-dessus d'une surface de montage (S),
- une seconde série de seconds organes supports linéaires (C2) couplés aux premiers
organes de support (C1) de la première série, les organes supports (C2) de la seconde
série s'étendant transversalement par rapport à la première direction, avec la première
série d'organes supports (C1) entre la surface de montage (S) et la seconde série
d'organes supports (C2),
- au moins un organe de montage en forme de gouttière (100) couplé à la première série
d'organes supports (C1) en vis-à-vis de la surface de montage (S), le au moins un
organe de montage en forme de gouttière (100) s'étendant dans une direction qui est
la même que celle des seconds organes supports linéaires (C2) de la seconde série
d'organes supports, le au moins un organe de montage en forme de gouttière (100) présentant
une cavité interne entre des parois latérales longitudinales (100a) et une partie
de dégagement ouverte (100b) tournée en éloignement de la première série d'organes
supports (C1),
- au moins une paire de plaques d'obturation (P1, P2) montées sur la seconde série
d'organes supports (C2) en vis-à-vis de la première série d'organes supports (C1),
la au moins une paire de plaques d'obturation (P1, P2) possédant des bords (E1, E2)
tournés mutuellement l'un vers l'autre s'étendant au niveau des parois latérales longitudinales
(100a) de l'organe de montage (100) et formant entre eux un intervalle au niveau de
la partie de dégagement ouverte (100b) de l'organe de montage (100), et
- un dispositif d'éclairage (10) comprenant :
- un boitier (12, 14) comprenant :
- i) un corps allongé en forme de gouttière (12) présentant une surface interne tournée
vers l'intérieur de la forme en gouttière et une surface externe tournée vers l'extérieur
de la forme en gouttière, dans lequel :
- le corps en forme de gouttière (12) comprend en outre une partie d'encoignure (120)
s'étendant au niveau d'un plan longitudinal intermédiaire (X12) du corps (12) et deux
bras latéraux (122) s'étendant à partir de la partie d'encoignure (120) en éloignement
du plan intermédiaire (X12) du corps (12),
- les bras latéraux (122) présentent des bords d'extrémité distale respectifs (122a)
s'étendant dans une même direction sur des côtés opposés du plan intermédiaire (X12)
du corps (12), avec une partie de dégagement ouverte du corps (12) entre les bords
d'extrémité distale respectifs (122a) des bras latéraux (122), et
- les bras latéraux (122) comprennent des conformations de couplage par encliquetage
(124) s'étendant suivant la longueur du bras latéral respectif (122) au niveau d'une
position de la surface externe du corps en forme de gouttière (12) entre la partie
d'encoignure (120) et le bord d'extrémité distale (122a) du bras latéral respectif
(122), ainsi que des conformations de couplage distales (126) s'étendant suivant la
longueur du bras latéral respectif (122) au niveau du bord d'extrémité distale (122a)
de celui-ci,
- ii) un couvercle de fermeture perméable à la lumière et en forme de bande (14) pour
la partie ouverte de dégagement du corps en forme de gouttière (12), le couvercle
de fermeture (14) possédant des conformations de couplage latérales (142) complémentaires
des, et pouvant être couplées avec les, conformations de couplage distales (126) des
bras latéraux (122) du corps en forme de gouttière (12), et
- une source de rayonnement lumineux alimentée électriquement et allongée (16) agencée
dans le boitier (12, 14) s'étendant le long de la partie d'encoignure (120) du corps
en forme de gouttière (12),
dans laquelle :
- le dispositif d'éclairage (10) est agencé dans la cavité interne (100b) de l'organe
de montage (100) avec le couvercle de fermeture (14) du boitier du dispositif d'éclairage
(10) s'étendant en travers de l'intervalle entre les bords (E1, E2) tournés mutuellement
l'un vers l'autre des plaques d'obturation (P1, P2),
- le couvercle de fermeture (14) comprend des conformations latérales saillantes (144)
qui, avec le couvercle de fermeture (14) couplé aux bras latéraux (122) du corps en
forme de gouttière (12) pour fermer la partie de dégagement ouverte du corps (12),
font saillie vers l'extérieur des bords d'extrémité distale (122a) des bras latéraux
(122) du corps en forme de gouttière (12).
2. L'installation d'éclairage de la revendication 1, dans laquelle les conformations
de couplage distales (126) du corps en forme de gouttière (12) et les conformations
de couplage latérales (142) du couvercle de fermeture (14) comprennent une pluralité
d'organes de couplage individuels (1260) offrant une pluralité de positions de couplage
sélectionnables du couvercle de fermeture (14) avec le corps en forme de gouttière
(12) à différentes distances de la partie d'encoignure (120) du corps en forme de
gouttière (12).
3. L'installation d'éclairage de l'une des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle
le plan longitudinal intermédiaire (X12) comprend un plan longitudinal médian du corps
en forme de gouttière (12), avec les deux bras latéraux (122) symétriques en miroir
par rapport au plan longitudinal médian (X12).
4. L'installation d'éclairage de l'une des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle
les bras latéraux (122) du corps en forme de gouttière (12) sont élastiquement déformables
en direction et en éloignement du plan longitudinal intermédiaire (X12).
5. L'installation d'éclairage de l'une des revendications précédentes, comprenant une
surface interne réflectrice de lumière du corps en forme de gouttière (12).
6. L'installation d'éclairage de l'une des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle
:
- les bras latéraux (122) du corps en forme de gouttière (12) comprennent d'autres
conformations de couplage longitudinales (128) s'étendant suivant la longueur du bras
latéral respectif (122) au niveau d'une position de la surface interne du corps en
forme de gouttière (12) entre la partie d'encoignure (120) et le bord d'extrémité
distale (122a) du bras latéral respectif (122),
- il est prévu un élément optique en bande (18) possédant des bords latéraux qui peuvent
être couplés (182) avec les autres conformations de couplage longitudinales (128)
de manière à s'étendre à la manière d'un pont entre les bras latéraux (122) du corps
en forme de gouttière (12).
7. L'installation d'éclairage de l'une des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle
:
- la partie d'encoignure (120) du corps en forme de gouttière (12) comprend une partie
plane de la surface interne du boitier (12), ladite partie plane formant une surface
de montage pour des dispositifs d'éclairage (16), et/ou
- il est prévu des palettes transversales (108) qui peuvent être insérées dans le
corps en forme de gouttière (12) pour réaliser un cloisonnement en travers du corps
en forme de gouttière (12).
8. L'installation d'éclairage de l'une des revendications précédentes, comprenant au
moins une entretoise électriquement isolante (130) pouvant être couplée avec un moyen
de couplage électriquement isolant (102) à la partie d'encoignure (120) du corps (12)
au niveau de la surface externe de celui-ci.
9. Un procédé, comprenant :
- la mise en place sur une surface de montage (S) d'une première série de premiers
organes supports linéaires (C1) s'étendant dans une première direction,
- le couplage aux premiers organes supports (C1) de la première série d'une seconde
série de seconds organes supports linéaires (C2) s'étendant transversalement à la
première direction, avec la première série d'organes supports (C1) entre la surface
de montage (S) et la seconde série d'organes supports (C2),
- le couplage à la première série d'organes supports (C1), en vis-à-vis de la surface
de montage (S), d'au moins un organe de montage en forme de gouttière (100) possédant
une cavité interne entre des parois latérales longitudinales (100a) et une partie
de dégagement ouverte (100b) tournée en éloignement de la première série d'organes
supports (C1), le au moins un organe de montage en forme de gouttière (100) s'étendant
dans une direction qui est la même que celle des seconds organes supports linéaires
(C2) du second ensemble d'organes supports,
- le montage sur la second série d'organes supports (C2), en vis-à-vis de la première
série d'organes supports (C1), d'au moins une paire de plaques d'obturation (P1, P2)
présentant des bords (E1, E2) tournés mutuellement l'un vers l'autre s'étendant au
niveau des parois latérales longitudinales (100a) de l'organe de montage (100) et
formant entre eux un intervalle au niveau de la partie de dégagement ouverte (100b)
de l'organe de montage (100), et
- le placement dans la cavité interne de l'organe de montage (100) d'un dispositif
d'éclairage (10) comprenant :
- un boitier (12, 14) comprenant :
- i) un corps allongé en forme de gouttière (12) présentant une surface interne tournée
vers l'intérieur de la forme en gouttière et une surface externe tournée vers l'extérieur
de la forme en gouttière, dans lequel :
- le corps en forme de gouttière (12) comprend en outre une partie d'encoignure (120)
s'étendant au niveau d'un plan longitudinal intermédiaire (X12) du corps (12) et deux
bras latéraux (122) s'étendant à partir de la partie d'encoignure (120) en éloignement
du plan intermédiaire (X12) du corps (12),
- les bras latéraux (122) présentent des bords d'extrémité distale respectifs (122a)
s'étendant dans une même direction sur des côtés opposés du plan intermédiaire (X12)
du corps (12), avec une partie de dégagement ouverte du corps (12) entre les bords
d'extrémité distale respectifs (122a) des bras latéraux (122), et
- les bras latéraux (122) comprennent des conformations de couplage par encliquetage
(124) s'étendant suivant la longueur du bras latéral respectif (122) au niveau d'une
position de la surface externe du corps en forme de gouttière (12) entre la partie
d'encoignure (120) et le bord d'extrémité distale (122a) du bras latéral respectif
(122), ainsi que des conformations de couplage distales (126) s'étendant suivant la
longueur du bras latéral respectif (122) au niveau du bord d'extrémité distale (122a)
de celui-ci,
- ii) un couvercle de fermeture perméable à la lumière et en forme de bande (14) pour
la partie ouverte de dégagement du corps en forme de gouttière (12), le couvercle
de fermeture (14) possédant des conformations de couplage latérales (142) complémentaires
des, et pouvant être couplées avec les, conformations de couplage distales (126) des
bras latéraux (122) du corps en forme de gouttière (12), et
- une source de rayonnement lumineux alimentée électriquement et allongée (16) agencée
dans le boitier (12, 14) s'étendant le long de la partie d'encoignure (120) du corps
en forme de gouttière (12),
dans lequel :
- le couvercle de fermeture (14) du boitier du dispositif d'éclairage (10) s'étendant
en travers de l'intervalle entre les bords (E1, E2) tournés mutuellement l'un vers
l'autre des plaques d'obturation (P1, P2),
- le couvercle de fermeture (14) comprend des conformations latérales saillantes (144)
qui, avec le couvercle de fermeture (14) couplé aux bras latéraux (122) du corps en
forme de gouttière (12) pour fermer la partie de dégagement ouverte du corps (12),
font saillie vers l'extérieur des bords d'extrémité distale (122a) des bras latéraux
(122) du corps en forme de gouttière (12).
10. Le procédé de la revendication 9, dans lequel le placement du dispositif d'éclairage
(10) dans la cavité interne de l'organe de montage (100) comprend l'emboitement par
encliquetage des conformations de couplage par emboitement longitudinal (124) des
bras latéraux (122) du corps en forme de gouttière (12) du boitier du dispositif d'éclairage
(10) avec les parois latérales (100a) de l'organe de montage en forme de gouttière
(100).
11. Le procédé de la revendication 9 ou de la revendication 10, comprenant :
- le placement du corps en forme de gouttière (12) du boitier du dispositif d'éclairage
(10) dans la cavité interne de l'organe de montage en forme de gouttière (100), et
- le couplage du couvercle de fermeture (14) du boitier du dispositif d'éclairage
(10) avec le corps en forme de gouttière (12) du boitier placé dans la cavité interne
de l'organe de montage en forme de gouttière (100) en amenant le couvercle de fermeture
(14) en alignement sur les bords (E1, E2) tournés mutuellement l'un vers l'autre des
plaques d'obturation (P1, P2) de la au moins une paire de plaques d'obturation (P1,
P2).
12. Le procédé de l'une des revendications 9 à 11, comprenant :
- l'obtention d'une provision de profils linéaires en forme de gouttière (C2, 100)
avec des sections droites identiques, et
- l'utilisation des profils de ladite provision de profils en forme de gouttière pour
obtenir à la fois le au moins un organe de montage (100) et les organes supports linéaires
(C2) de la seconde série d'organes supports.