LIGHT SOURCE IN PARTICULAR FOR SHELVES

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a compact light source with light-emitting diode (LED) which can be mounted on the edges of thin objects like the shelves or partitions in a bookcase, in particular ground glass or acrylic shelves, or transparent glass/acrylic shelves with ground edges. By shelf edges one should understand here thin, usually vertical walls of the shelf. The invented light source can be also used in a refrigerator to provide even lighting of all shelves and compartments. Besides, it can be applied as a source of light for flat light guides, e.g. information boards.

[0002] Many inventions have been proposed related to internal lighting in cabinets, bookcases, refrigerators and the like. In most solutions lighting device is integrated with a shelf itself, its side supports or guide rails.

[0003] Chinese utility model CN202813964 U (HEFEI MEILING CO., LTD; publ. 2013-03-20) discloses a refrigerator shelf with an illuminating lamp. The refrigerator shelf comprises shelf guide rails which are arranged on left and right inner walls of the refrigerator body, and a glass plate which can slide forth and back along the guide rails. The rails are made from two parallel strips so that the glass plate can be inserted between the strips. LED light sources are arranged on the circuit board inside the guide rails between the strips and are facing side edges of the glass plate. Emitted light is reflected and refracted in the glass plate thus making a surface source which can emit light from both top and bottom surfaces.

[0004] Another Chinese utility model CN203421890 U (HEFEI MEILING CO., LTD; publ. 2014-02-05) also discloses a refrigerator lighting shelf which comprises shelf guide rails fixedly arranged on inner walls on two sides of the refrigerator body. LEDs are arranged in the shelf guide rails, and a glass shelf is sliding back and forth along the guide rails. This invention differs from the arrangement described above in that the guide rails have semi-cylindrical grooves fitting the light blocking semi-cylindrical strips affixed along and close to top and bottom side edges of the glass plate.

[0005] American patent application US2004264160 A1 (BIENICK CRAIG, GEMTRON CORPORATION; publ. 2004-12-30) describes an illuminated shelf which includes a tempered transparent glass panel having edges each housed in a slot of a housing defining a chamber through which and/or in which light is generated to illuminate the transparent panel. Each housing is snap-secured together to access the chamber interior for purposes of replacement and/or repair. Each housing can be totally or partially encapsulated and the encapsulation includes conductors which are operative in any position of vertical adjustment or sliding adjustment of the shelf.

[0006] Japanese patent document JP2010198792 A (MORE TENSO KK; publ. 2010-09-09) discloses a shelf capable of illuminating the goods placed on a shelf body by a compact lighting device. The shelf body functions as a light guide plate to transmit light. A lighting device is provided with a frame which is installed detachably on the rear edge of the shelf body and an LED array housed in the frame and facing the rear edge of the shelf body. Light emitted by the LED array is guided inside the shelf body and diffused upwards.

[0007] In the above mentioned inventions the lighting device and the shelf make a composite panel so none of them can be used separately.

[0008] In Irish patent IE84879 B1 (NUALIGHT LTD.; publ. 2008-05-14) an illuminator is proposed, comprising an elongate body, engagement means for engaging a display cabinet, and a plurality of LEDs mounted on an inner surface of said body for product illumination. The elongate body comprises a heat transfer portion for conduction of heat from the LEDs to an outer surface of the body, and it is configured to also act as a structural member for a display cabinet. The engagement means are incorporated in the ends of the body for engagement with other structural members of a display cabinet. The LEDs are mounted in a line or a plurality of lines, and can be mounted for mutually divergent and at least partly inwardly-directed fields of illumination. The body comprises opposed rails for snap-fitting engagement of a protective cover over the LEDs. The illuminator further comprises an optical component for focusing, directing or reflecting emitted light. It has the grooves in the body suitable for placing an information label. The same illuminator is also described in earlier patent document IES84292 B2 (publ. 2006-08-23).

[0009] German utility model application DE202010004364 U1 (HALEMEIER GMBH & CO KG; publ. 2011-08-11) discloses a luminaire with a housing which is designed as a U-shaped bracket with two legs which are connected by a rear base and project forward from the base. Between these legs the housing has a receptacle for sliding the lamp onto a base plate of a piece of furniture. It has contact elements for power supply of the lamp being arranged on the receptacle. An upper side of the upper leg and/or an underside of the lower one has a light exit window for light emitted by at least one illuminant arranged in the housing.

[0010] Another German utility model application DE202014001036 U1 (HEIM MEINOLF; publ. 2014-05-19) describes a clamping element with integrated lighting for a shelf, in particular for a wall shelf which has first and second housing parts (analogues of legs in the above mentioned document), between which the shelf can be arranged. Each housing part has a lighting means. The second housing part is held on the first one via two flat clamping brackets which are also used for energizing the lighting means.

[0011] A shelf edge display according to American patent US10702078 B1 (WALKER BRIAN; publ. 2020-07-07) has a shelf gripper and a translucent panel with a light diffusion compartment located between the shelf gripper and the translucent panel to support a light source therein for illuminating a backside of the translucent panel to thereby illuminate an information strip on a front face of the translucent panel with translucent light. Likewise in Irish patents mentioned above, the front side of the device is dedicated for placing an information strip or label. American patent application US2019196086 A1 (EMZ HANAUER GMBH & CO KGAA; publ. 2019-06-27) discloses a panel lighting module that includes a light guide plate which is intended for the outcoupling of light on at least one of its plate large faces, a light source arrangement having at least one light source arranged adjacent to a first plate narrow face of the light guide plate for coupling light into the first plate narrow face, and a biasing arrangement that resiliently biases the light source in the direction towards the first plate narrow face.

[0012] The here proposed invention provides an autonomous light source which can be easily applied, displaced or removed and which is not dedicated to particular arrangement of the shelf in its housing, like e.g. in a refrigerator.

[0013] The light source according to the invention comprises a housing and at least one LED source of light. The housing has an upper arm, a lower arm and a rear wall, each having a cavity fixing a printed circuit board, and an aperture for transmission of light emitted by a LED source. The rear wall joins the upper arm and the lower arm at their proximal ends. A distance between these proximal ends is greater than a distance between distal ends of the upper arm and the lower arm, so that the device can be easily slipped and firmly clamped at an edge of a flat object like a shelf or a partition in the rack.

[0014] It should be understood that if the claimed illuminating device is mounted on vertical or slanted flat object instead of horizontal one, the terms upper/upwards and lower/downwards shall mean e.g. "[to the] left" and "[to the] right". Similarly,

[0015] if the device is mounted on an edge of an information panel, these terms should be understood as "front/forward" and "rear/backward", respectively. Obviously, "rear [wall]" turns to be "left", "right", "top" or "bottom [wall]" then, according to particular arrangement. In the detailed description of the invention hereinafter and also in claims this understanding shall be applied.

[0016] It should be also understood that the claimed invention is not limited by particular shape of the object on which it is mounted. It is recommended to use it on flat plates like shelves, however it can be applied on any object having more or less flat section of its edge where the illuminating device can be slipped on.

[0017] At least one LED source is mounted in the lighting device in each of upper arm and the lower arm, and the rear wall. According to particular needs one can choose from various embodiments illuminating upper side of the shelf, its lower side, or its rear edge. In the latter case light is introduced into the glass/acrylic shelf which is a light guide and may diffuse light through upper and lower surfaces, or its front edge. Both surfaces and/or front edge can be grounded. Alternatively the shelf can be made of milk glass.

[0018] The lighting device can have multiple LED sources especially if it has a form of a bar. At least one upper LED source is mounted in the upper arm and at least one lower LED source is mounted in the lower arm. Additionally at least one rear LED source is mounted in the rear wall. The at least one upper LED source is mounted on the upper printed circuit board, the at least one lower LED source is mounted on the lower printed circuit board, and the at least one rear LED source is mounted on the rear printed circuit board. Preferably all printed circuit boards are identical. In one embodiment the LED sources are directed inwards into an inner space limited by the upper arm, the lower arm and the rear wall. In this space a glass or acrylic translucent shelf can be placed, and the LED sources illuminate the shelf interior which guides the light towards its upper and lower surfaces, and to its front and side edges. If the shelf material is translucent but is not transparent, the whole surface of the shelf diffuses light. In case of transparent material it is recommended to ground the shelf edges which shine with diffused light. Also selected parts of the glass/acrylic plate can be grounded to make light signs, e.g. information panels with letters, arrows, pictograms, etc.

[0019] In other embodiment the rear LED source is directed inwards into the inner space described above, while the upper LED source and the lower LED source are directed outwards. Then the material of the shelf is illuminated by the rear source of light to produce an effect described beforehand, but simultaneously the space above and below the shelf is illuminated directly.

[0020] One can easily combine other embodiments with one, two or three LED sources, the upper and/or lower sources being directed upwards or downwards. As was mentioned above, multiple LED sources consisting of e.g. ten LEDs on one printed circuit board can be used in elongated or enlarged illuminating devices.

[0021] One can use LEDs emitting white, red, green, blue, yellow and other colours of light, also UV or IR light for special applications. In one device different LED sources can be used, they can produce steady, pulsating or flickering light. LED sources can be switched on/off by heat, movement or pressure detectors. They can also be controlled by a dedicated controller integrated with special input devices like smoke detectors or accelerometers, and may communicate wirelessly with central computer. In this arrangement the claimed light source can be used in security applications, for example in display racks, on exhibitions, etc.

[0022] According to particular needs, the LED sources are powered by power cord from external source of energy, or they are powered from the cell, preferably Li-ion cell, or a battery.

[0023] Preferably the housing of the illuminating device is divided vertically into left part and right part. These two parts of the housing have mutually matching protrusions and recesses, and are fixed together by pressing, gluing, welding, or screwing. Division of the housing into two parts facilitates mounting of the printed circuit boards in the cavities shaped in upper and lower arms, and in the rear wall, because one half of the cavity is in the left part, and other half - in the right part.

[0024] Preferably the claimed light source is configured to be mounted on shelf, e.g. a glass or acrylic shelf having thickness ranging from several millimeters to several dozens of millimeters, usually 3 to 25 mm. Accordingly, in this example a distance between proximal ends of upper and lower arms is included in the range of 3 to 25 mm. A distance between distal ends is slightly smaller to ensure the device is firmly clamped on the shelf edge.

[0025] Preferred embodiments of invented light source are shown on the drawings, where:

Fig. 1 shows exploded view of first embodiment of the light source having three LEDs;

Fig. 2 shows the light source from Fig. 1 during assembly;

Fig. 3 shows left part of the housing in perspective view;

Fig. 4 shows left part of the housing in side view;

Fig. 5 shows exploded view of second embodiment of the light source having two LEDs;

Fig. 6 shows the light source from Fig. 5 during assembly;

Fig. 7 shows the light source in side view, and

Fig. 8 shows the light source mounted on a glass shelf.

[0026] In the preferred embodiment intended for shelves, the light source according to the invention comprises a housing (1) which has an upper arm (2), a lower arm (3) and a rear wall (4), each having a cavity (5, 6, 7) fixing a printed circuit board (8, 9, 10), and an aperture (11, 12, 13) for transmission of light emitted by a LED source (14, 15, 16). The rear wall (4) joins the upper arm (2) and the lower arm (3) at their proximal ends (2p, 3p), respectively. A distance (Dp) between these proximal ends (2p, 3p) is greater than a distance (Dd) between distal ends (2d, 3d) of the upper arm (2) and the lower arm (3), respectively. At least one LED source (14, 15, 16) is mounted in the upper arm (2) and the lower arm (3), and the rear wall (4).

[0027] The upper LED source (14) is mounted on the upper printed circuit board (8), the lower LED source (15) is mounted on the lower printed circuit board (9), and the rear LED source (16) is mounted on the rear printed circuit board (10). Preferably the upper printed circuit board (8), the lower printed circuit board (9), and the rear printed circuit board (10) are identical.

[0028] In the preferred embodiment the rear LED source (16) is directed inwards into the inner space (17) limited by the upper arm (2), the lower arm (3) and the rear wall (4), while the upper LED source (14) and the lower LED source (15) are directed outwards.

[0029] The LED sources (14, 15, 16) shine with white light and are powered by power cord (20) from external source of energy.

[0030] The housing (1) of the illuminating device is divided vertically into left part (1L) and right part (1R). Both left part (1L) and right part (1R) of the housing (1) have mutually matching protrusions (18) and recesses (19), and are fixed together by pressing, with or without the use of glue. A distance (Dp) between proximal ends (2p, 3p) of upper and lower arms is included in the range of 3 to 25 mm.

Reference numbers

[0031] 

1 - housing

1L - left part of the housing

1R - right part of the housing

2 - upper arm

2d - distal end of the upper arm

2p - proximal end of the upper arm

3 - lower arm

3d - distal end of the lower arm

3p - proximal end of the lower arm

4 - rear wall

5 - upper cavity in upper arm

6 - lower cavity in lower arm

7 - rear cavity in rear wall

8 - upper printed circuit board in upper arm

9 - lower printed circuit board in lower arm

10 - rear printed circuit board in rear wall

11 - upper aperture in upper arm

12 - lower aperture in lower arm

13 - rear aperture in rear wall

14 - upper LED source in upper arm

15 - lower LED source in lower arm

16 - rear LED source in rear wall

17 - inner space limited by the upper arm, the lower arm, and the rear wall.

18 - protrusion

19 - recess

20 - power cord

Dd - distance between distal ends of upper and lower arms

Dp - distance between proximal ends of upper and lower arms

Claims

1. A light source in particular for shelves, comprising a housing (1) and at least one LED source (14, 15, 16), wherein the housing (1) has an upper arm (2), a lower arm (3) and a rear wall (4), and wherein the rear wall (4) joins the upper arm (2) and the lower arm (3) at their proximal ends (2p, 3p), respectively, and a distance (Dp) between these proximal ends (2p, 3p) is greater than a distance (Dd) between distal ends (2d, 3d) of the upper arm (2) and the lower arm (3), respectively, characterized in that the upper arm (2), the lower arm (3) and the rear wall (4) each has a cavity (5, 6, 7) fixing a printed circuit board (8, 9, 10), and an aperture (11, 12, 13) for transmission of light emitted by a LED source (14, 15, 16), and wherein at least one LED source (14, 15, 16) is mounted in each of the upper arm (2) and the lower arm (3), and the rear wall (4), and in that the at least one upper LED source (14) is mounted on the upper printed circuit board (8), the at least one lower LED source (15) is mounted on the lower printed circuit board (9), and the at least one rear LED source (16) is mounted on the rear printed circuit board (10).

2. The light source according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper printed circuit board (8), the lower printed circuit board (9), and the rear printed circuit board (10) are identical.

3. The light source according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the LED sources (14, 15, 16) are directed inwards into an inner space (17) limited by the upper arm (2), the lower arm (3) and the rear wall (4).

4. The light source according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rear LED source (16) is directed inwards into the inner space (17) limited by the upper arm (2), the lower arm (3) and the rear wall (4), while the upper LED source (14) and the lower LED source (15) are directed outwards.

5. The light source according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the housing (1) is divided vertically into left part (1L) and right part (1R).

6. The light source according to claim 5, characterized in that left part (1L) and right part (1R) of the housing (1) have mutually matching protrusions (18) and recesses (19).

7. The light source according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that left part (1L) and right part (1R) are fixed together by pressing, or gluing, or welding, or screwing.

8. The light source according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the LED sources (14, 15, 16) are powered by power cord (20) from external source of energy.

9. The light source according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the LED sources (14, 15, 16) are powered from the cell, preferably Li-ion cell, or a battery.

10. The light source according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the LED sources (14, 15, 16) emit white or red, or green, or blue, or yellow, or IR, or UV light.

11. The light source according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is configured to be mounted on a shelf, preferably a glass or acrylic shelf.

12. The light source according to claim 11, characterized in that distance (Dp) between proximal ends (2p, 3p) of upper and lower arms (2, 3) is included in the range of 3 to 25 mm.

Ansprüche

1. Lichtquelle, insbesondere für Einlegeböden, bestehend aus einem Gehäuse (1) und mindestens einer Lichtquelle als Leuchtdiode (LED) (14, 15, 16), wobei das Gehäuse (1) einen oberen Arm (2), einen unteren Arm (3) und eine Rückwand (4) aufweist und die Rückwand (4) mit dem oberen Arm (2) und dem unteren Arm (3) an deren weniger entfernten Enden (2p, 3p) verbunden ist und der Abstand (Dp) zwischen diesen weniger entfernten Enden (2p, 3p) größer ist als der Abstand (Dd) zwischen den weiter entfernten Enden (2d, 3d) des oberen Arms (2) und der unteren Arms (3) ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der obere Arm (2), der untere Arm (3) und die Rückwand (4) Aussparungen (5, 6, 7) zur Befestigung von Leiterplatten (8, 9, 10) und Öffnungen (11, 12, 13) zur Übertragung des durch die LED-Lichtquellen (14, 15, 16) emittierten Lichts aufweisen, wobei mindestens eine LED-Lichtquelle LED (14, 15, 16) am jeweils oberen Arm (2), unteren Arm (3) und an der Rückwand (4) angebracht ist und dass mindestens eine obere LED-Lichtquelle (14) an der oberen Leiterplatte (8) und mindestens eine untere LED-Lichtquelle LED (15) an der unteren Leiterplatte (9) und mindestens eine hintere LED-Lichtquelle LED (16) an der hinteren Leiterplatte (10) angebracht ist.

2. Lichtquelle nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die obere Leiterplatte (8), die untere Leiterplatte (9) und die hintere Leiterplatte (10) identisch sind.

3. Lichtquelle nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die LED-Lichtquellen (14, 15, 16) nach innen zu dem durch den oberen Arm (2), den unteren Arm (3) und die Rückwand (4) begrenzten Innenraum (17) gerichtet sind.

4. Lichtquelle nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die hintere LED-Lichtquelle (16) nach innen in den durch den Oberarm (2), den Unterarm (3) und die Rückwand (4) begrenzten Innenraum (17) gerichtet ist, während die obere LED-Lichtquelle (14) und die untere LED-Lichtquelle (15) nach außen gerichtet sind.

5. Lichtquelle nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Gehäuse (1) vertikal in einen linken Teil (1L) und einen rechten Teil (1R) geteilt ist.

6. Lichtquelle nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der linke Teil (1L) und der rechte Teil (1R) des Gehäuses (1) zusammenpassende Vorsprünge (18) und Aussparungen (19) aufweisen.

7. Lichtquelle nach Anspruch 7 oder 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der linke Teil (1L) und der rechte Teil (1R) durch Verpressen, Verkleben, Verschweißen oder Verschrauben miteinander verbunden sind.

8. Lichtquelle nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die LED-Lichtquellen (14, 15, 16) über Versorgungsleitung (20) aus einer externen Energiequelle mit Strom versorgt werden.

9. Lichtquelle nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die LED-Lichtquellen (14, 15, 16) vorzugsweise von einer Lithium-Ionen-Zelle oder einem Akkumulator mit Strom versorgt werden.

10. Lichtquelle nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die LED-Lichtquellen (14, 15, 16) weißes oder rotes oder grünes oder blaues oder gelbes oder Infrarotstrahlung (IR) oder Ultraviolettstrahlung (UV) aussenden.

11. Lichtquelle nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie zur Montage auf einem Einlegeboden, vorzugsweise einem Einlegeboden aus Glas oder Acryl, konfiguriert ist.

12. Lichtquelle nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Abstand (Dp) zwischen den weniger entfernten Enden (2p, 3p) des oberen Arms und des unteren Arms (2, 3) im Bereich von 3 bis 25 mm liegt.

Revendications

1. Une source de lumière, en particulier pour des étagères, comprenant un boîtier (1) et au moins une source de lumière sous la forme d'une diode électroluminescente (DEL) (14, 15, 16), le boîtier (1) ayant un bras supérieur (2), un bras inférieur (3) et une paroi arrière (4), la paroi arrière (4) se raccordant au bras supérieur (2) et au bras inférieur (3) respectivement à leurs extrémités proximales (2p, 3p) et la distance (Dp) entre ces extrémités proximales (2p, 3p) étant supérieure à la distance (Dd) entre les extrémités distales (2d, 3d) du bras supérieur (2) et du bras inférieur (3) respectivement, caractérisé en ce que le bras supérieur (2), le bras inférieur (3) et la paroi arrière (4) présentent des évidements (5, 6, 7) pour fixer les cartes de circuit imprimé (8, 9, 10) et des trous (11, 12, 13) pour transporter la lumière émise par la source de lumière à DEL (14, 15, 16), au moins une source de lumière à DEL (14, 15, 16) étant montée dans chacun parmi le bras supérieur (2), le bras inférieur (3) et la paroi arrière (4), et en ce qu'au moins une source de lumière à DEL supérieure (14) est montée sur la carte de circuit imprimé supérieure (8), au moins une source de lumière à DEL inférieure (15) est montée sur la carte de circuit imprimé inférieure (9), et au moins une source de lumière à DEL arrière (16) est montée sur la carte de circuit imprimé arrière (10).

2. La source de lumière selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la carte de circuit imprimé supérieure (8), la carte de circuit imprimé inférieure (9) et la carte de circuit imprimé arrière (10) sont identiques.

3. La source de lumière selon les revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que les sources de lumière à DEL (14, 15, 16) sont orientées vers l'intérieur d'un espace interne (17) délimité par un bras supérieur (2), un bras inférieur (3) et une paroi arrière (4).

4. La source de lumière selon l'une quelconque des revendications de 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce que la source de lumière à DEL arrière (16) est orientée vers l'intérieur de l'espace intérieur (17) délimité par le bras supérieur (2), le bras inférieur (3) et la paroi arrière (4), tandis que la source de lumière à DEL supérieure (14) et la source de lumière à DEL inférieure (15) sont orientées vers l'extérieur.

5. La source de lumière selon l'une quelconque des revendications de 1 à 4, caractérisée en ce que le boîtier (1) est divisé verticalement en une partie gauche (1L) et une partie droite (1R).

6. La source de lumière selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que la partie gauche (1L) et la partie droite (1R) du boîtier (1) présentent des saillies (18) et des évidements (19) qui vont ensemble.

7. La source de lumière selon la revendication 7 ou 6, caractérisée en ce que la partie gauche (1L) et la partie droite (1R) sont reliées l'une à l'autre par pression, collage, soudage ou torsion.

8. La source de lumière selon l'une quelconque des revendications de 1 à 7, caractérisée en ce que les sources de lumière à DEL (14, 15, 16) sont alimentées avec un cordon d'alimentation (20) d'une source d'énergie externe.

9. La source de lumière selon l'une quelconque des revendications de 1 à 7, caractérisée en ce que les sources de lumière à DEL (14, 15, 16) sont alimentées avec une pile, de préférence une pile lithium-ion ou une batterie rechargeable.

10. La source de lumière selon l'une quelconque des revendications de 1 à 9, caractérisée en ce que les sources de lumière à DEL (14, 15, 16) émettent de la lumière blanche ou de la lumière rouge ou de la lumière verte ou de la lumière bleue ou de la lumière jaune ou du rayonnement infrarouge (IR) ou du rayonnement ultraviolet (UV).

11. La source de lumière selon l'une quelconque des revendications de 1 à 10, caractérisée en ce qu'elle est configurée pour être montée sur une étagère, avantageusement une étagère en verre ou en acrylique.

12. La source de lumière selon la revendication 11, caractérisée en ce que la distance (Dp) entre les extrémités proximales (2p, 3p) du bras supérieur et du bras inférieur (2, 3) est dans la gamme de 3 à 25 mm.

Drawing