LAMP AND MODULAR LIGHT SOURCE WITH VARIABLE CONFIGURATION

Abstract

 Lamp and modular lighting source with variable configurations, supported in different positions in the installation area and shaped with different dimensions and configurations according to the requirements of the lamp's users.
Lamp and modular lighting source with variable configurations comprising at least one or a plurality of lighting modules (5) operating at low direct voltage, wherein each module (5) is made of moulded plastic or other suitable solid nonconducting materials, in which module are installed both the electric and and electronic circuits for power supply and control and several lighting LEDs (153) connected to these circuits. Each module (5) consists of the following components and can be combined with other modules (5):
an upper cover (6), a continuous piece (10), an upper moulded shell (11), a housing shell (12) for housing the LEDs (153), a cross-shaped electric connector element (13), a lower moulded shell (16), a housing shell (17), a continuous piece (22) and an upper cover (18).
The various electrical and electronic circuits for switching the various LEDs on and off are described (153), as well as the means of connection between the various component parts of the modules (5) and between one or more different modules (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lamp and modular light source with variable configuration, comprising a plurality of lighting modules connectable to each other in different and variable positions, to obtain lamps, spotlights, etc., supported in different positions in the installation environment and shaped in different sizes and configurations, depending on the requirements of the users of the lamps, spotlights etc.

[0002] At present, lighting lamps of different shapes, sizes and configurations are known and installed in rooms in the positions desired by the users. They are generally produced with fixed shapes and sizes predetermined by the lamp manufacturers, and are equipped with electrical lighting devices of various types and sizes (normally incandescent lamps or conventional LEDs) mounted and supported in the lamp structures and connected directly to the mains supply to be powered with alternating mains voltage, and, in the case of LEDs, connected to the mains supply via an electrical transformer, associated with rectifier devices of alternating to direct voltage, and thus supplied with a low direct voltage, generally of the order of 6 volts, together with the electrical and electronic components for controlling and regulating these LEDs.

[0003] Since they are usually manufactured with fixed, pre-established sizes and shapes, all lamps or spotlights of these kinds do not lend themselves to having their shapes and/or sizes modified, meaning that, should a user wish to carry out these operations, it would be necessary to replace the lamps or spotlights available with other lamps or spotlights obtainable and purchasable from the relevant manufacturers of the same.

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the inconveniences resulting from the impossibility of modifying the shapes and sizes of lamps, spotlights and lighting source components already installed in one or more rooms by users, as described above, by means of a variable configuration lamp and lighting source comprising a plurality of modules having predetermined shapes and sizes, which are formed in order to house removably the lighting components, generally comprising LEDs powered at low DC voltage, which modules are capable of being combined and joined together in different positions in a removable manner, to obtain lamps or light sources of different shapes and configurations, according to user requirements. In practice, the different modules consist of several component parts that can be assembled together, of which the electrical and electronic component parts are available on the market and can be purchased by users in the desired quantities, while other component parts must be manufactured in the desired shapes and sizes. These component parts are then combined and assembled with each other in such a way that the required number of modules can be obtained to make one or more lamps and light sources in the desired shape and size.

[0005] The invention will be best understood from the following description of a lamp and modular light source with variable configuration, solely by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Fig. 1 depicts a front perspective and exploded view of the different separate component parts of a lamp and light source illumination module according to the invention, which overlap each other in the order of their assembly;
• Figs. 2a), 2b), 2c), 2d), 2e), 2f), 2g), 2h), 2i), 2l), 2m) illustrate a respective front perspective view of all component parts of the lighting module of Fig. 1;
• Figs. 3a), 3b), 3c), 3d) depict a respective perspective view of three component parts of a lighting module of Fig. 2, in which Fig. 3a) shows a front view of the component part 6, and Fig. 3b) a front view of the part with components 18.13', 13", 17, Fig. 3c) the component parts of union 16' and Fig. 3d) a front view of component parts 11, 13 and 16;
• Figs. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate one of the two identical half-shells of module 11 or 16, of which Fig. 4 shows a front view of the front side, Fig. 5 a view from above and Fig. 6 a view from below;
• Figs. 7, 8 and 9 depict one of the two identical half-shells of module 11 or 16, of which Fig. 7 shows a front view of the rear side opposite the front side, Fig. 8 a front view of the right side edge and Fig. 9 a front view of the left side edge;
• Fig. 10 illustrates a front view of the rear side of either shell 12 or 17 of the module housing the lighting LEDs, which are identical to each other, while Fig. 11 shows a bottom view of the shell in question;
• Fig. 12 depicts a front view of the front side, opposite the rear side, of the housing shell, while Fig. 13 shows a front view of the right-hand edge of this housing shell;
• Fig. 14 illustrates a front view of a half-shell 11 or 16 of a module 5, with the conductor port 13;
• Fig. 15 a) and b) depict a front and partially sectioned perspective view of two separate housing shells with the corresponding conductor port boards attached;
• Fig. 15 c) illustrates a front and partially sectioned perspective view of two half-shells 11 and 16 joined together;
• Fig. 16 depicts a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a two-part design to connect two adjacent modules to each other in accordance with the invention;
• Fig. 17 illustrates a front view of the two coupled parts in Fig. 16;
• Fig. 18 depicts a rear view of the two coupled parts in Fig. 16;
• Fig. 19 illustrates a plan view of the two coupled parts in Fig. 16;
• Fig. 20 depicts a side view of the two coupled parts in Fig. 16;
• Fig. 21 illustrates a front view of one of the coupling component parts of two modules;
• Fig. 22 depicts a side view of the component part of Fig. 21;
• Fig. 23 illustrates a plan view of the component part of Fig. 21;
• Fig. 24 depicts a front view of the other of the coupling component parts of two modules;
• Fig. 25 illustrates a plan view of the component part of Fig. 24;
• Figs. 26, 27 and 28 depict a front view of three different embodiments of fixed levers;
• Figs. 29, 30 and 31 illustrate a front view of two individual modules (5) coupled together and moved to different operating positions;
• Fig. 32 depicts a front perspective view of several modules joined together and mounted on the ceiling;
• Fig. 33 illustrates a front perspective view of a first type of connector to support the modules of Fig. 32;
• Fig. 34 depicts a front perspective view of a different number of modules joined together and mounted on the ceiling;
• Fig. 35 illustrates a front perspective view of a second type of connector to support the modules of Fig. 34;
• Fig. 36 depicts a front view of further component parts of modules;
• Fig. 37 illustrates a front and exploded perspective view of the lamp consisting of several component parts mounted together in a vertically extended configuration and supported on a lower horizontal base;
• Fig. 38 depicts a front perspective view of several interconnected component parts of a lamp, in the three different configurations a), b) and c), mounted on the ceiling;
• Fig. 39 illustrates a lighting module that can also be realised with different variable shapes, such as a), b), c), d) and e);
• Fig. 40 depicts several lighting modules connected together and with their circuits for powering the LEDs;
• Fig. 41 illustrates a series of electrical and electronic construction components of the modules in Fig. 40.

[0006] The present invention relates to a lamp and modular light source with variable configuration, comprising a plurality of lighting modules 5 mechanically connectable to each other in a removable manner in different and variable positions in habitable environments, which modules are provided with power supply conductors connected with lighting LEDs operating at low DC voltage, generally 6 volts. Figs. 1-14 show a lighting module 5 with the various parts of which it is composed, which module is made of moulded plastic or another suitable solid material in electrically non-conducting material, in which module are installed both the electrical and electronic circuits supplied from the mains via electrical transformers, and the various lighting LEDs connected to these circuits. Each lighting module 5 is manufactured with identical predetermined sizes and the same geometric shape, and in the case considered below is of a square parallelepiped shape, but can also come in other shapes and sizes, as will be described and depicted later.

[0007] Each module 5 consists of a series of adaptable and overlapping component parts, which are joined together removably by means of a series of joining parts, examples of which will be described below, without the use of joining means such as screws, nails, rivets, etc., in order to facilitate and make the assembly of all the component parts of each module easier and quicker because done manually and without the use of tools to assemble them. Referring now to Fig. 1, a front perspective and exploded view of the various component parts separated from each other of a lighting module 5 according to the invention is depicted, which component parts are joined and assembled together as will be described and illustrated below.

[0008] As can be seen from Fig. 1, each lighting module 5 basically consists of the following component parts:

• an upper cover 6, in this case box-shaped, with a flat and continuous upper wall 7 in which pass-through openings 8 are made for the passage of the illumination light generated by the LEDs incorporated in the unit, which upper wall is delimited at the bottom by a straight perimeter edge carved 9 along all four sides of the cover 6;
• a thin, flat, continuous square piece 10 made smaller than that of the cover 6 to fit removably inside the box-shaped cover 6, said flat piece being made of translucent material for the passage of light;
• an upper moulded half shell 11 shaped in the manner and for the purpose described;
• a housing shell 12 shaped to house internally the illumination LEDs and to be applied on top of the upper half shell 11, and shaped as will be described, which shell is arranged below the flat piece 10 and fastened to it;
• a cross-shaped electrical connection element 13 for connection with similar electrical connection elements of other modules, and for contacting a conductor port board 13' in which are inserted and mounted the electrical conductors required for the electrical and electronic circuits of the module, which are supplied at low voltage from the mains by means of an electrical transformer (not shown), and which are used to power the various LEDs for the illumination of each module, such cross-shaped connection element 13 being formed by two pairs of rectilinear and orthogonal protrusions 14 and 15, in which the electrical conductors are inserted, of which the protrusions 14 of a couple have the same length and are joined centrally and extend in opposite directions to each other and the projections 15 of the other couple have the same length between them which is almost identical to that of the preceding projections and are joined centrally and also extend in opposite directions to each other, these projections being housed in certain component parts of the module, as will be described;
• a bottom half shell 16 shaped, as will be described, and provided for the same purpose as the previous half shell;
• a housing shell 17 shaped to house internally the lighting LEDs and to be applied on top of the lower half shell 16, and shaped as will be described;
• an upper cover 18 of the same shape and size as the upper cover 6, and made symmetrical to the latter, which upper cover is also provided with a flat and continuous upper wall 19 in which there are pass-through openings 20 for the same purpose as the openings of the upper cover, and this upper wall 19 is also demarcated below by a straight, carved perimeter border 21 along all four sides of the cover 18;
• a thin, flat, continuous square piece 22 made of translucent material with dimensions smaller than those of the cover 18, to fit removably inside the cover.

[0009] Referring now to Fig. 2, all the separate component parts of Fig. 1 are shown with front perspective views, with their same construction details, which are marked with the same numerical references and in particular Fig. 2a) illustrates the upper cover 6 in front position, Fig. 2b) the flat and continuous square piece 10, Fig. 2c) the upper moulded half-shell 11 with associated separate joining parts 16' and Fig. 2d) the housing shell 12 in front position, Fig. 2e) a holder-conductor board 13' with electrical conductors which come into contact with electronic integrated circuits (not shown) applied in the module as will be described and which serve to drive the various illumination LEDs (not shown), contained in the module, at the previously set cadences, said Fig. 2e) further illustrating thin shaped metal pins 13' which are lodged in the housing shell 12 to hold the conductor port board 13' in position, as will be described; Fig. 2f) depicts the cross-shaped electrical connection element 13, in which the ends of the protrusions 14 and 15 are connected with corresponding connectors 14' and 15' and 85 with the corresponding end portions of the connection elements of the adjacent modules; Fig. 2g) shows the upper shaped half-shell 16 associated with separate joining portions 16' and shaped to accommodate separate magnets 16" suitable for attracting the metal pins 13" as will be described; Fig. 2h) illustrates the housing shell 17 and Fig. 2i) depicts another conductor port board 13' identical to the previous one with associated shaped metal pins 13" identical to the previous pins, which are lodged in the housing shell 17 to hold the conductor port board 13' in position and which are attracted by the magnets 16";

[0010] Fig. 2l) illustrates a thin, flat and continuous square piece 22 identical to the previous flat piece 10, and Fig. 2m) shows the lower cover 18 into which the flat square piece 22 can also be adapted.

[0011] Referring now to Fig. 3, a perspective view is shown of how the three main elements look during assembly by the end user. Fig. 3a) depicts cover 6 with its elements 10 and 12 (not shown) equipped with the internal components. Fig. 3b) consists of the cover 18, the thin translucent square piece 22 (not visible) and the lower shell 17 with the conductor port board 13' and the shaped metal plugs 13". Fig. 3c) illustrates the joining elements 16' while Fig. 3d) shows the two half-shells 11 and 16 joined together with the cross-shaped electric board 13 and the magnets 16' housed inside the half-shells. Fig. 4 depicts a front view of the front side of one of the half-shells 11 and 16, Fig. 5 is a top view and Fig. 6 is a bottom view of that half-shell. As can be seen from Fig. 4, the half-shell 11 (or 16) comprises two pairs of rectilinear projections orthogonal to each other, scaled to be housed in the internal part of the relative shell 12 or 17, one pair of which is formed by the two rectilinear and identical parallelepiped projections 23, opposite each other and joined to their respective central zone, forming a recessed cavity (not indicated) delimited by a flat back wall 24, in which are drilled several thin through holes 25, orthogonal to each other, through which are inserted the electrical conductors (not indicated) for the power supply of the lighting LEDs (also not indicated). In turn, the other pair of projections is formed by the two rectilinear and identical parallelepiped projections 26, opposite each other and joined to their respective central zone, together with the relative central zone of the preceding projections 23, delimiting said flat back wall 24, which is thin and has a certain geometric shape, in the example given that of an octagonal shape, and is intended for the function that will be described.

[0012] The rectilinear projections 23 are provided with a corresponding central, rectilinear flat cavity 27 along their entire length, the outer end of which is free and the inner end of which terminates at the flat back wall 24. In turn, the rectilinear projections 26 are also provided with a central flat cavity 28 along their entire length, the outer end of which is free and the inner end of which terminates at the flat back wall 24.

[0013] In the corner areas of the back wall 24, four slightly protruding cavities 29 are defined, in which corresponding central through holes 30 are drilled, in each of which one of the magnets 16" is inserted in a position coinciding with that of a corresponding metal pin 13" (Fig. 15) which is inserted, as will be described, into the housing shell 12 or 17, wherein all of the metallic pins 13" inserted into said housing shell serve to maintain in a fixed position the corresponding conductor port board 13', whereby when the housing shell 12 or 17 is applied to the half-shell 11 or 16, the magnets 16" attract the corresponding metallic pins 13", and in this condition is determined the union and the connection between the half-shell 11 or 16 and the housing shell 12 or 17 and both the holding in position of the conductor port board 13' in the housing shell 12 or 17, and the electric conductors inserted in said card 13' provide electrically, as will be described, the LEDs inserted and lodged in the housing shell, whereby said LEDs are activated, illuminating the environment. The protrusions 23 and 26 of the front face are shaped (as will shortly be described) with the lateral edges 36, 37, 53 and 54 illustrated in Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 to be removably joined to the housing shell 12 or 17, while the side edges 36' 37' 53' 54' cut into the rear surface of the protrusions 23 and 26 serve to join the two half-shells 11 and 16 and to receive and accommodate the electrical cross-shaped connection element 13.

[0014] Coming now to Figs. 7, 8 and 9, it can be seen that Fig. 7 illustrates a front view of the rear side of half shell 16 (or even 11), Fig. 8 depicts the right side view and Fig. 9 shows the left side view of that half shell.

[0015] As can be seen from these Figures, the half-shell 16 (or 11) consists of the same protrusions 23 and 26 orthogonal to each other as described in Fig. 4, as well as the central flat bottom wall 24', which in this case is protruding, with the relative through holes 25 orthogonal to each other, and the four central through holes 30 in which the magnets 16' are inserted, and, as before, the protrusions 23 are provided with a relative central flat cavity 31 having the same depth as the opposing cavity 27, while the protrusions 26 are also provided with a relative central flat cavity 32 having the same depth as the opposing cavity 28, and these cavities are at a slightly lower level than the protruding back wall 24'. In the cavities 31 and 32 and above the back wall 24' the cross-shaped electrical connection element 13 is inserted and housed, in the central area of which electrical conductors are inserted and fixed which are fed by the power supply of the unit, which conductors are formed (see Fig. 2 f) by an outer conductor 33 and an intermediate diamond-shaped conductor 34 and spaced apart from each other, as well as by a central electric conductor 35, spaced apart from the intermediate conductor 34, and said conductors are provided to come into contact with the electric conductors inserted in the conductor holder board 13' which, as already specified, is kept in the housing shell 12 or 17, so that the electric current circulating through said electric conductors feeds the various lighting LEDs, and the power supply system of the LED can be seen from Fig. 40, which will be illustrated and described below.

[0016] Looking again at Figs. 4, 5 and 6, it can be seen that protrusion 23 on the left side of the upper half-shell 11 or 16 is shaped with two short, straight lateral edges 36 and 37, which are identical and parallel to each other and delimit the central flat cavity 27, and these edges are slightly raised in relation to the flat cavity 27. In turn, the protrusion 23 of the right side of the upper half-shell 11 or 16 is also shaped with two short rectilinear lateral edges 36 and 37 identical to each other and to the previous rectilinear edges 36 and 37, and also delimiting the central cavity 27 and slightly protruding from it. Examining Fig. 6 together with Fig. 5, it can be seen that the two straight lateral edges 36' and 37' of the left side of the upper half shell 11 or 16 are each shaped with three vertical protrusions 38, 39 and 40 directed downwards (Fig. 5) or upwards (Fig. 6) and of the same length, the first two protrusions 38 and 39 being joined to each other by a jumper 41 and communicating with a through hole of the upper half shell 11 or 16. 6) and of the same length, of which the first two protrusions 38 and 39 are spaced from each other by a jumper 41 and are communicating with a transversal through hole 42 drilled through the thin flat strip (not shown) delimited between the opposing flat cavities 27 and 31 of the protrusion 23 of the left side of the upper half-shell 11 or 16. The purpose of this transverse through hole 42 is to allow the passage of a union part (not shown) the function of which will be described. The second vertical protrusion 39 of each side edge 36' and 37' terminates with a thin pawl 43 which will be housed in the hole 62 of the straight edges 53 and 54 for clamping and bonding between the half-shells 11 and 16.

[0017] In addition, the first protrusion 38 of each side edge 36' and 37' is slightly offset from the end edge 44 of said flat strip, forming a step 45, and in turn the third protrusion 40 of each side edge 36' and 37' is slightly offset to the front of the corresponding central and vertical through hole 30. Each side edge 36 and 37 (Fig. 4), on the other hand, is shaped respectively with a vertical through hole 33 at the end edge 44 of said strip, as well as with a rectangular opening 34 coinciding with the free space (not indicated) defined between the ends of said vertical protrusions 38 and 39, and finally with a vertical through hole 35 coinciding with the free space (not indicated) existing between the second and third vertical protrusions 39 and 40. The holes 33 and 35 are drilled to accommodate the pawls 63 (Fig. 8 and Fig. 9) of the lateral edges 53' and 54' for gluing the two half-shells 11 and 16, while the rectangular opening is drilled to accommodate the protrusion 56 provided with the hole 42' which, once the two half-shells 6 and 11 are joined by means of adhesive material, is in line and at the same level with the hole 42 drilled in the flat strip 41 connecting the two protrusions 38 and 39. All these construction details of half shell 11 or 16 can be seen in Figures 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9. In turn, protrusion 23 on the right side of the upper half shell 11 and 16 is shaped in the same manner as protrusion 23 on the left side of the same half shell; however, it is symmetrical to the previous protrusion 23.

[0018] Again, all the construction details of this projection are visible in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9.

[0019] A top view of the upper half shell 11 and in particular of the side edge 37 of the half shell itself can be seen in Fig. 5. Each of the two lateral edges 36 and 37 is provided with a corresponding longitudinal through hole 65 and 66 of rectangular shape, which, as can be seen from Figs. 8 and 9, is drilled in the front of the corresponding lateral edge 36 and 37 and through the vertical through holes 46, 47 and 48 (Fig. 4) of the respective protrusions 23 of the left and right sides of the upper half shell 11 or 16. Through each of the through holes 65 and 66, a straight parallelepiped rod (not shown) can be inserted and extracted to act as a linkage and junction to connect other half-shells or elements (not shown) as will be described, to make the module connections and thus obtain the present lamp. Each parallelepiped rod that is inserted longitudinally through the vertical through holes 46, 47 and 48 comes to rest against a thin relative straight edge 67 and 68 delimiting the vertical through holes 30, and thus cannot be inserted at a greater depth, and therefore protrudes externally from the half-shell 11 to be then joined removably with an opposing linkage of an adjacent lighting module.

[0020] A bottom view of the upper half-shell 11 or 16, and in particular of the side edge 36 of the half-shell itself, is visible in Fig. 6.

[0021] This side edge 36 is shaped identically and reversed from side edge 37 and is marked with the same numerical references.

[0022] Examining now Fig. 7, a front view of the rear surface of the half-shell 11 or 16 is shown, and, together with Figs. 8 and 9, the structural conformation of the two opposite projections 26 of this upper half-shell can be seen in detail. Each of these protrusions 26 is shaped with two short straight side edges 53' and 54', identical and parallel to each other and delimiting the flat and central cavities 32 and these edges are slightly protruding from the same.

[0023] Coming now to Fig. 7 together with Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, it can be seen that the two rectilinear lateral edges 53' and 54' of the rear side of the half-shell 11 are each shaped with three vertical protrusions 55, 56 and 57 directed outwards, and upwards, of the same length, and which are spaced apart from each other by the same measure, of which the first protrusion 55 terminates at the same level as the terminal edge 58 of said flat strip, while the third protrusion 57 of each of the lateral edges 53' and 54' terminates at the beginning of the edge 45', which in turn terminates close to the protruding cavity 29'. In the second protrusion 56 there is a through hole 42' which, once the two half-shells 11 and 16 are joined, will match the hole 42 obtained in the jumper 41 of the straight side edges 36 and 37.

[0024] In addition, the first and third protrusions 55 and 57 of each side edge terminate at the bottom with a corresponding thin pawl 63 which will be housed in holes 33 and 35 of the straight edges 36 and 37 for clamping and bonding between the half-shells 11 and 16.

[0025] The lateral protrusions 26 and the edges 53' and 54' of each upper half-shell 11 and 16 are symmetrical to each other.

[0026] Finally, the electrical cross-shaped connection element 13, which is thin, is arranged and housed within the central flat cavities 31 and 32 and above the protruding flat back wall 24', so that the diamond-shaped electrical conductors 33, 34 and the central conductor 35 inserted in the electrical connection element 13 come into contact by means of the through holes 25 with the corresponding electrical conductors (not shown) inserted in each of the two conductor ports 13', which in turn are fixed in the shells 12 and 17 and are protruding from the rear surface thereof. Each of the two conductor port boards 13' is provided with a set of electrical conductors, and in particular with three electrical conductors (not shown) inserted within relative spring contacts 64 (Fig. 3 b), mounted in each conductor port board 13' and operable in an orthogonal direction, so that when the conductor port boards 13' are lodged in their respective housings and their conductors come into contact with each of the respective electrical conductors mounted in the board 13, they come into contact with the diamond-shaped electrical conductors 33, 34 and the central conductor 35 of said electrical connection element, thus allowing these components to conduct the electrical supply current. Re-examination of Figs. 7, 8 and 9 shows that each of the two lateral edges 53' and 54', which are identical and parallel to each other and delimit the flat and central cavities 32 and the flat back wall 24', is provided with a corresponding longitudinal through hole 49 and 50 (Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) of rectangular shape, which is drilled in the outer sides of the corresponding lateral edges 53 and 54 and at the lateral edge 58, through the vertical through holes 59, 60 and 61 of the front side of the half-shell 11 or 16.

[0027] Through each of the through holes 49 and 50, a straight parallelepiped rod (not shown) can be inserted and extracted to serve as a linkage and to be connected as described with other elements (not shown) of further lighting modules, in order to realise the connections of the modules and thus obtain the present lamp. Each parallelepiped rod inserted longitudinally through the vertical through holes 59, 60 and 61 comes to rest against a thin relative straight edge 51 and 52 delimiting the vertical through holes 30, and thus cannot be inserted at a greater depth, and therefore protrudes externally from the half-shell 11, to be then joined removably with an opposing linkage or element of an adjacent lighting module.

[0028] As can be seen in Fig. 3d) and Fig. 15c), the element is assembled by placing the inner surface of half-shells 11 or 16 against each other and matching the protrusions 23 of one half-shell against the protrusions 26 of the opposite half-shell and vice versa. Thus, the three vertical protrusions 38, 39 and 40 of one half-shell will be accommodated in the gaps created between the vertical protrusions 55, 56 and 57 of the opposite half-shell. Accordingly, the three vertical protrusions 55, 56 and 57 of one half-shell will be accommodated in the gaps created between vertical protrusions 38, 39 and 40 of the opposite half-shell. It should be noted that, thanks to this condition, once the parallelepiped rod of the various adjustable or fixed joints (Fig. 16-28) or the parallelepiped rod present in the multiple jointing elements (Fig. 32-35) or the illuminating elements of Fig. 36 are inserted in the through holes 49, 50, 65 and 66, the possibility of the half-shells 11 and 16 becoming detached from each other is nullified. A further contribution to preventing the opening of half-shells 11 and 16 is obtained by inserting union parts 16' into holes 42 and 42'. Figs. 10-13 show one of the two housing shells 12 and 17, which are identical to each other and each intended to accommodate four illumination LEDs (not shown) and each to be affixed and removably fixed to one of the two half-shells 11 and 16, wherein Fig. 10 shows a front view of the rear side of this housing shell 12 and 17, Fig. 11 illustrates a view of the bottom side of this housing shell and Fig. 12 depicts a front view of the front side of this housing shell. 10 shows a front view of the rear side of the housing shells 12 and 17, Fig. 11 depicts a bottom view of this housing shell and Fig. 12 shows a front view of the front side of this housing shell, while Fig. 13 illustrates a front view of the right edge of this housing shell 12 or 17.

[0029] With reference to Figs. 10 and 12, it can be seen that the rear and front side of the housing shell 12 (and also of the housing shell 17) is shaped with a central square-shaped through opening 69 and scaled to accommodate a relative conductor port board 13' (see Fig. 3 b), which is then supported with its perimeter edges (not indicated) above four protruding teeth 70 obtained along the relative inner sides of said through opening 69 and which is then held in position by means of metal pins (not indicated) inserted through the corresponding vertical through holes 71 drilled through the housing shell, in positions coinciding with that of the through holes 30 of each half-shell 11 and 16. Each of the conductor port boards is then locked firmly in this position by inserting the small magnets 16" (not shown) through all the through holes 30 of the half-shell 11 (and 16), so that these magnets come into contact with the corresponding metal pins and keep them attracted to this position, thus preventing the conductor port board 13' from moving from this position. In this way, the electrical conductors inserted beforehand through the corresponding spring contacts 64 (see Fig. 3 b) are directed towards the electrical conductors inserted in the electrical cross-shaped connection element 13, which is housed in the corresponding half-shell 11 (and 16) as described above, and these electrical conductors are thus electrically supplied and consequently provide power to the various LEDs mounted in the housing half-shell 12 (and 17), as will be described in detail below.

[0030] Fig. 10 also shows that the rear side of the housing shell 12 (and 17) is further shaped with a series of short angular edges 72 along all the edges of the shell itself, which angular edges serve to hold in place the flat piece 10 (and 22) that is first applied and then glued over the front side of the housing shell 12 (and also of the housing shell 17), so as to completely cover this front side.

[0031] In addition, on each of the corner edges 72 there is a protruding dent 73 which engages the corresponding perimeter edge 9 of the cover 6 (and also the perimeter edge 21 of the cover 18), when such a cover is applied to the shell and flat-piece assembly.

[0032] In addition, the rear side of the shell 12 (and 17) is also shaped with two short, rectilinear, parallel and horizontal grooves 74 and 75 cut into both the left and right sides of the shell and terminating against a perimeter frame 76 delimiting the through holes 71.

[0033] Similarly, the rear side of the shell 12 (and 17) is shaped with two further short, rectilinear, parallel and vertical grooves 77 and 78 cut into both the upper and lower sides of the shell and terminating against said perimeter frame 76.

[0034] The purpose of the horizontal grooves 74 and 75 is to accommodate the corresponding lateral edges 53, 54 and 36, 37 of the relevant half-shell 11 (and 16), while the vertical grooves 77 and 78 serve to accommodate the corresponding lateral edges 36 and 37 and 53, 54 of the relevant half-shell 11 (and 16), in both cases when this half-shell is joined with the housing shell 12 (and also 17). In this way, when assembling shell 12 or 17 complete also with cover 6 or 18 with the corresponding half-shell 11 or 16 (Fig. 3), it will be possible to vary the four possible assembly positions offset by 90° from each other. These changes in position are made possible by holes 25 (Fig. 4 and Fig. 7) in the back wall 24 of the half-shells 11 or 16, drilled along the two orthogonal axes.

[0035] A respective rectangular through hole 79 and 80 is drilled in the grooves 74 and 75, and a respective rectangular through hole 81 and 82 is drilled in the grooves 77 and 78, and through these through holes a respective power supply conductor (not shown) is inserted, which is connected with the power supply conductors of the cross-shaped connection element 13, as will be described. Finally, the rear side of the housing shell is further shaped with four closed, raised flat walls 83 at the corners of the shell. In turn, the front side of the housing 12 (and 17), see Fig. 12, is shaped with four square recesses 84 delimited at the bottom by the corresponding closed flat walls 83, in each of which a corresponding lighting LED (not shown) and any electronic components are housed and fixed, which is connected with the corresponding power supply conductor housed in the through holes 79, 80 81 and 82, so that the light produced by the LEDs is directed towards end cover 6 (and 18) and is visible from outside the module.

[0036] Looking now at Fig. 14, it can be seen that one of the half-shells 11 and 16 is oriented with the straight side edges 36' and 37' and 53' and 54' with their projections facing upwards, and with a cross-shaped electrical connection element 13 housed in the central flat cavities 31, 32 and 24' of the half-shell 11 or 16.

[0037] As can be seen, on the side of the cross-connection element 13 which is opposite the side shown in Fig. 2(f), diamond-shaped electric conductors, an outer electric conductor 33, an intermediate electric conductor 34 and a central electric conductor 35 are mounted, which are separated from each other and connected in diamond shape. In the present case, it can be seen on this side that the outer electrical conductor 33 extends along the cavities 31 on both the left and right sides to the corresponding 15" connectors. The intermediate electrical conductor 34 also extends along the cavities 31 in both the left and right sides to the corresponding 15" connectors, and the central connector 35 extends along the cavities 31 in both the left and right sides to the corresponding 15" connectors.

[0038] The outer electrical conductor 33 extends along the cavities 32 at the top and at the bottom to the corresponding connectors 14" and 85, and the intermediate electrical connector 34 also extends along the cavities 32 at the top and along the cavity 32 at the bottom to the connector 14" and 85. The central electrical connector 35 extends along the upper cavity to connector 85 and also extends along the lower cavity 32 to connector 14".

[0039] In this case, moreover, all conductors housed along cavities 31 and 32 are made of electrically conductive materials (e.g. tin etc.) which are thickened and fixedly applied to the insulating material of the electrical cross-shaped connection element 13.

[0040] It can be seen that three of the contacts are of the female type, while only one is of the male type. The male contact is used to receive the power and signal connection from the base or from the previous module, for operating the various LEDs. The surface of component 13, shown in Fig. 40, has conductors 33, 34 and 35 positioned in this way to allow the power supply and signal received by the male contact 85 (Fig. 14) also to be distributed to the other female contacts in the half-shell 11 or 16. This is made possible by the conformation of conductors 33, 34 and 35 with the diamond-shaped connections positioned on the opposite surface of component 13 (see Fig. 2 f), which ensure continuity to the conductors themselves. All this will also be illustrated in the description in Fig. 40.

[0041] Before describing Fig. 15, reference is made to Figs. 16-31, in which various embodiments of linkage between different modules are illustrated and described.

[0042] Referring now to Figs. 16 to 25, various views are shown of a first embodiment of a linkage mechanism, comprising two levers 86 and 87 hinged centrally to each other and the free ends of which are joined one with a module and the other with an adjacent module by insertion of said linkages within the through holes 49, 50, 65 and 66 of the half-shells 11 and 16 (Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9) previously united by joining means 16'. This principle of inserting the levers into the half-shells 11 and 16 and of locking via the connecting means 16' will be the same as the parts presented in Figs. 26-28, and Figs. 33, 35 and 36.

[0043] As can be seen, both levers are formed from a rectilinear parallelepiped profile piece, the pieces of which are arranged inverted and overlapping each other, and are centrally drilled for the passage of a pivot pin 88. In this case, the front piece (see Fig. 16 and 17) of the first lever 86 is moulded at one end with a thin round toothed head 89, each tooth 90 of which can selectively engage with a protruding edge (not shown) of the end of the other lever, thus varying the angle of inclination between the two levers, and hence that between two adjacent modules. In turn, the rear piece of the remaining lever 87 is also shaped with an identical toothed round head 91, each tooth 92 of which can selectively engage with a protruding edge (not shown) of the end of the front lever 86, also varying the angle of inclination between the two levers, and thus that between two adjacent modules.

[0044] To lock the two previously adjusted levers, there is a knob 93 in the example mounted in front of the first lever 86 and connected to the pivot axis 88.

[0045] Each lever 86 and 87 is also provided with a set of corresponding through holes 94 and 95 along the profile pieces of each lever, so that the pivot pin 88 can be spaced between the modules 5 if necessary, making it possible to vary the inclination between the levers and thus between the modules 5. This spacing between the modules 5 is made possible by the joining means 16' (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) consisting of a simple, common metal pin with a flat blade at the end, onto which said metal pin will be centrally fixed. This joining means 16' will be passed through hole 42 of the flat plate 41 (Fig. 5 and Fig. 6), through hole 42' of the projections 56 (Fig. 8 and Fig. 9) and finally through one of the three holes 94 or one of the three holes 95 of the levers 86 and 87. If the two modules do not incline (Fig. 31), the inner holes of the two respective adjustable levers will be occupied. If the two modules 5 are to be inclined, the lever must be taken out until holes 42 and 42' match the centre hole 95 and 94 of the two adjustable levers and the connecting means 16' inserted into the hole (Fig. 30). Consequently, when a 90° inclination between the two modules 5 is desired, the two adjustable levers 86 and 87 must be pulled out further until the outermost holes 94 and 95 are aligned with holes 42 and 42' and the connecting means 16' is inserted into the hole (Fig. 29).

[0046] Referring now to Figs. 26-28, other possible embodiments of fixed linkage mechanisms between two adjacent modules are shown, which consist of elements shaped in different ways.

[0047] In Fig. 26 can be seen that the element is shaped as a flat, straight, parallelepiped profile 96, with two identical through holes 97 at its ends, to connect adjacent modules. In Fig. 27 can be seen that the element is shaped as a single piece, provided with a horizontal rectilinear flat part 98 with a through hole 99 at its end, and with a rectilinear inclined flat part 100 provided with a flat part with a through hole 101 at its end, in which a corresponding module is connected to each through hole.

[0048] Fig. 28 shows that the element is still shaped as a single piece, with a horizontal rectilinear flat part 102 with a through hole 103 at its end and a right-angled rectilinear flat part 104 with a through hole 105 at its end, in which a corresponding module is connected to each through hole.

[0049] Figs. 29, 30 and 31 show that the element is made up of two separate modules 5 joined together by a joining mechanism 106, which can be moved to different positions to vary the angle at which the two modules are arranged in relation to each other. In the examples depicted in the above Figures, the joining mechanism 106 comprises a notched round head 107 having a shank 108 at its other end, which is fixed in one of the modules 5, while this notched head 107 engages a corresponding notched semicircular sector 108' fixed in the other module 5.

[0050] By rotating the head 107 in relation to the toothed sector 108', the angle at which the two modules are arranged in relation to each other is varied. In the examples, the position of the two modules is varied from an orthogonal position, see Fig. 29, to an obtuse angle position, see Fig. 30, to an aligned horizontal position of the modules themselves, see Fig. 31. Of course, the joining mechanism 106 can also be realised in other ways than the one described, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0051] In Fig. 32, several modules 5 are illustrated joined together vertically aligned with each other, and horizontally aligned with each other, and in Fig. 33, a horizontal connector 109 shaped to join the modules of Fig. 32 is illustrated. In the latter Figure can be seen that four modules 5 are joined together in the vertical direction, while in the horizontal direction two modules 5 are joined together, and the last upper module is joined and supported by an upper horizontal plane 110 which is fixed with brackets and screws against the ceiling of the room where the lamp is installed.

[0052] Fig. 33 shows that in the horizontal connector 109 for fixing the modules of Fig. 32, two thin vertical tabs 111 and 112 are inserted parallel to each other and spaced horizontally, between which an electrical connector 14" is inserted, which is connected with the power supply (not shown), and which is joined with the electrical and electronic circuits of the various modules 5, said tabs being intended to be connected with the module 5 directly above the connector. Tabs 111 and 112 extend downwards from connector 109 with two further vertical tabs 113 and 114, which are intended to be connected with module 5 directly below.

[0053] Connector 109 also contains two thin horizontal tabs 115 and 116 protruding from the front and also aligned and spaced longitudinally apart, which are intended to be joined with the right horizontal module 5, these tabs also extending from the left side of connector 109 with two further tabs 117 and 118 intended to be joined with the left horizontal module 5.

[0054] Fig. 34 now shows three modules 5 joined together aligned vertically and supported by an upper horizontal plane 110 which is fixed with brackets and screws against the ceiling of the room where the lamp is installed. In addition, the last module below 5 is joined with two horizontal modules 5.

[0055] In Fig. 35, a horizontal connector 109 identical to the previous one and in which two thin vertical tabs 111 and 112 are inserted and spaced parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction, between which the electrical connector 14" is inserted, said tabs being provided for the union with the vertical module above 5, and in the connector 109 there are also inserted on the front side two thin horizontal tabs 115 and 116 parallel and spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction, being provided for joining with the right horizontal module 5, said tabs being prolonged on the left side by two other thin tabs 117 and 118 required for joining with the left horizontal module 5. It should be noted that the aforementioned joining tabs have a hole for the passage of the 16' joining means. This kind of part can also be developed in other ways, e.g. with illuminating components in the body itself or with tilting tabs for connection with other modules, with different shapes and with more and/or fewer parts arranged to be joined with other components or modules.

[0056] Fig. 36 now shows further component parts of modules 5 according to the invention, comprising side and perimeter edge bars of the modules joined together, as will be illustrated in the following Figures.

[0057] Fig. 36a) shows a horizontal rectilinear closing bar 119, on which two orthogonal rods 120 are fixed, horizontally spaced apart and the ends of which can be inserted into the through holes 49 and 50, 65 and 66 of the half-shells 11 and 16 of each module, and in said closing bar 119 the electrical conductors (not indicated) of the power supply 85 of the modules themselves are inserted, in order to power and control a series of LEDs (not indicated) supported by said bar and facing outwards.

[0058] Fig. 36b) illustrates a horizontal rectilinear rod 119, with two orthogonal rods 120 attached, the ends of which are inserted into module 5. Again, a power supply 85 is provided for this module, the electrical conductors of which (not shown) pass through the bar 119 and through the articulated components 121 to power the LEDs (not shown) housed in the lighting element 122.

[0059] In this case, therefore, the LEDs are not supported by the bar 119.

[0060] Fig. 36c) shows a closing bar 123 shaped in a different manner, that is, with a horizontal rectilinear portion and two end portions bent in opposite directions to each other, and on this bar 123 two orthogonal rods 120 are again fixed, the ends of which are inserted into the perimeter side of the module 5 (not shown), and in this closing bar the electrical conductors (not shown) of the power supply 85 of the modules themselves are inserted, again to power and control a series of LEDs (not shown) supported by this bar and facing outwards. Fig. 36d) shows an identical configuration to Fig. 2b), except that the last illuminating detail 122 of the module series is located in a different position.

[0061] Fig. 36e) shows a rectilinear horizontal end bar 119 with two orthogonal rods 120 fixed thereto, the ends of which are inserted into the module 5 (not shown), again in the through holes 49, 50, 65 and 66 of the half-shells 11 and 16, and are joined with the power supply 85, the electrical conductors of which (not shown) are inserted through the bar 119 and are connected via the flexible conductors 124 and 125 with a corresponding LED 126 and 127 which illuminates the room in which the present lamp is installed.

[0062] Fig. 36f) shows an identical configuration to Fig. 32e), except that in this case there are three flexible electrical conductors 128, 129 and 130, which are connected with respective LEDs 131, 132 and 133, which illuminate the room.

[0063] Fig. 36g) shows an identical configuration to Fig. 36a), except that bar 134 is shaped differently and supports a series of LEDs (not shown) arranged in different positions and facing outwards.

[0064] Finally, in Fig. 36h), an identical configuration to Fig. 36a) and 36g) can be seen, except that bar 135 is shaped differently and supports a series of LEDs (not shown) arranged in different positions and facing outwards.

[0065] Fig. 37 shows a lamp in accordance with the invention, comprising a series of modules 5 joined together, overlapping each other and supported by a horizontal lower base 136 resting on a horizontal plane, of which the base 136 is provided with a flexible hook 137 which engages with the lower module 5 of the series of modules 5 and the upper module is provided with a horizontal rectilinear side closure bar 119 supporting several LEDs 138 facing outwards and receiving the electrical voltage from the power supply 85.

[0066] Fig. 38 shows a lamp according to the invention consisting of the three different configurations 38a), 38b) and 38c), having the same components and mounted differently. Each lamp is mounted on the ceiling by a corresponding horizontal top support 139 applied to the ceiling in the traditional manner, and in each module configuration there is at least one module with LEDs (not shown) facing outwards.

[0067] The invention provides for the possibility of fixing the various modules joined together in the environment also in positions other than the positions described above, for example on a wall, in inclined positions or along angled or curved surfaces, etc., without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present patent.

[0068] Fig. 39 shows further modules made up as described above and formed in different shapes, e.g. octagonal (see Fig. 39 a), round (see Fig. 39 b), irregular (see Fig. 39 c), triangular (see Fig. 39 d) and square (see Fig. 39 e).

[0069] Examining now Fig. 40, several electrically interconnected modules and the power supply and control circuitry of the LEDs housed in these modules are shown schematically, while Fig. 41 shows the construction detail of the power supply and control circuitry of the LEDs housed in a module.

[0070] On the left-hand side of Fig. 40, only the different modules are illustrated with their respective electrical cross-shaped connection elements 13, interposed between the two corresponding half-shells 11 and 16 of each module, while on the right-hand side of Fig. 40, only the LEDs housed together with their electrical and electronic circuits in the corresponding half-shells 12 and 17 of each module are illustrated.

[0071] In the upper part of Fig. 40, the electrical power supply and control circuit of the entire assembly of the above-mentioned modules is illustrated, comprising, from left to right, an alternating/direct current (AC/DC) power supply 140, connected to the 220 V AC power supply 141 as usual by means of two electrical conductors 142 and 143, i.e. a phase conductor 142 and a neutral conductor 143 and provided with an earth conductor 144. The electrical power supply 140 is of the switching type and converts the alternating voltage into a low direct voltage of 6-12 V., which is connected via the corresponding electrical conductors 145 and 146 both with a conventional continuous electrical signal receiver 148 and with the power supply 85 of the various electrical and electronic circuits and components of the various modules. In turn, receiver 148 is connected by means of electrical conductors 145 and 146 with a main microprocessor 149 arranged to control and command all the functions of all the LEDs housed in the modules joined together, and how this main microprocessor is set up will be described presently.

[0072] In addition, the main microprocessor 149 is also connected via the two electrical conductors 145 and 146 with a manual control panel 151, set up, as will shortly be described, to switch the various LEDs on and off and make them perform the functions that will be described.

[0073] Each module houses 1 red LED (R), 1 green LED (G), 1 blue LED (B) and 1 white LED (W), which are switched on and off selectively or cumulatively via the manual control panel 151, and controlled via the main microprocessor 149. To achieve this, the main microprocessor 149 is set up in advance to be controlled by the buttons on the control panel 151 and the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth receiver 148 in order to make the various LEDs perform the following functions:

• switching on-off of one or more LEDs;
• adjusting the light intensity of one or more LEDs;
• insertion of the desired colour LED(s);
• flashing of the desired LED(s).

[0074] The electrical control circuit also comprises a control line (BUS line) 147, which connects the electrical power supply 140 with the receiver 148, with the main microprocessor 149 and with the control panel 151, and the main microprocessor 149 with the electrical power supply 85 of the various modules, in order to transmit the control signals which are from time to time activated by the control circuit itself to the electrical and electronic circuits which determine the performance of the desired functions.

[0075] Each control signal is selected in the 151 control panel by means of the corresponding selection buttons (not shown), or from infrared (IR) sources, or from Bluetooth or Wi-Fi radio signals and converted by special receivers into corresponding coded electronic addresses (IDs), which are transmitted to the microprocessor 149 and set it up to command the performance of one or more specified functions to be carried out by one or more LEDs.

[0076] At the same time as the control signal, all the components described above (receiver 148, microprocessor 149, manual control circuit 151, and all the remaining electrical and electronic circuits of the various modules and LEDs) are always supplied with low DC voltage by the power supply leads 145 and 146.

[0077] Of course, the selection of control signals can be carried out not only via the 151 control panel, but also via mobile and external devices, such as remote controls, mobile phones, computers, etc., in which specific mobile applications capable of interacting with the various switches on the control panel itself have been installed beforehand.

[0078] When the desired control signals are selected and activated, the microprocessor 149 transmits these control signals via the control BUS 147 conductors to the specific electronic component(s) to be activated to perform the desired function(s). The transmission of the control signals is controlled by the main microprocessor 149 and, when the control signals are deactivated in the control panel 151 or in the external equipment, this microprocessor deactivates the transmission of the signals via the control BUS leads 147, thereby switching off the activated component(s) and terminating the selected function(s).

[0079] As can be seen in detail in Fig. 14 described above, each LED housed in each lighting module 5 is supplied with three electrical conductors from the power supply 85, i.e. two power supply conductors and one control BUS conductor, in order to supply the LED itself with continuous power supply and to switch it on and off electrically via the control signal circulating through the control BUS conductor. These three conductors arrive from the power supply 85 of each module in the positions illustrated in Fig. 14 and come into contact with the three corresponding electrical conductors inserted through the spring contacts 64 of each conductor-holder board 13' (see Fig. 2), and the manual displacement of this board and of the corresponding spring contacts again determines the electrical contact between these three conductors with the diamond-shaped electrical conductors 33, 34 and 35 (see Fig. 2 f), which therefore supply the relative LEDs, so that to supply the electric conductors of the LEDs inserted in a single module or in several modules, and to supply the relative BUS control lines of these LEDs, it is sufficient to connect the male electric connector 85 with a corresponding female electric connector 14" or 15". In Fig. 41, which will be described shortly, the electrical connections and BUS lines for controlling the LEDs in each of the module shells are shown. In the control panel 151, at least one brightness sensor (not shown) is also mounted which constantly detects the brightness values of the environment in which this lamp is installed and instantaneously transmits these values to the main microprocessor 149, which is also programmed to be able to intervene on the LEDs according to the programmes set in the control panel, such as to automatically switch on at twilight or modify the brightness of the lamp according to the ambient lighting. In addition, the main microprocessor 149 is connected with the AC/DC power supply 140 via an additional electrical conductor 150, to control and command the functional state of said AC/DC power supply 140 and, according to the operating programme entered from time to time via the control panel 151, thus controlling the stand-by or working state to be assumed by said power supply 140. In addition, this lamp can also emit a type of the colours emitted by the LEDs provided based on the signal transmitted by a barometric sensor (not shown) relevant to the external atmospheric pressure, associated with the lamp itself, or by the atmospheric forecast detected by an app. For example, if the weather is fine, you will have a freely selected module or series of modules that will emit a green light, while if it rains this light will be blue if there is an internal battery, the lamp can act as an emergency lamp.

[0080] Finally, the main microprocessor 149 can also be operatively connected with other main microprocessors (not indicated) inserted in other module assemblies that are joined with the assembly under consideration, and in such a case, in order to avoid overlapping of commands, the first microprocessor in the series of microprocessors becomes the master microprocessor, and the other microprocessors to follow become the slave microprocessors. When developing the work programme for this lamp, one must take into account all possibilities of interfacing between lamps also with Wi-Fi commands, by giving an ID address in advance to all lamps in the same area and setting all master and slave microprocessors present to recognise all these ID addresses. Fig. 41 is now described, showing the electrical and electronic circuits mounted in each of the housing shells 12 and 17 of each module. As can be seen, for each module these circuits comprise substantially two power supply conductors 33 and 34, separated from each other and arranged along all four inner sides of the corresponding housing shells, and the other ends of these two conductors are slightly enlarged and terminate close together, and coincide with the through holes 25 of the flat back wall 24 of each of the upper moulded half-shells 11 and lower moulded half-shells 16. In addition, the circuits also include a BUS 35 line to transmit the commands of the selected programmes to the LED and make it perform the respectively selected functions. For this purpose, one end of the BUS line 35 is slightly enlarged and terminates close to the end of the electrical supply conductor 34, and is spaced from said two enlarged ends 33 and 34 by the same amount, and also coincides with the corresponding through hole 25 of the flat bottom wall 24 of each of said shaped half-shells 11 and 16. In this manner, by pushing the electrical conductors of each conductor port board 13' through the through holes 25, the electrical conductors 33 and 34 are brought into contact with the corresponding enlarged ends 33 and 34 of the internal supply electrical conductors 33 and 34, and both the BUS line 35 is brought into contact with the enlarged end 35 of the internal BUS line of each housing shell.

[0081] In each of the square recesses 84 of each housing shell 12 and 17 are housed 4 LEDs (red, green, blue and white), which for simplicity in the example described are enclosed within a circle 153, and in order to electrically power and control the performance of the various functions to be performed by said LEDs, which functions and power supply are selected through the control panel 151, a specific printed circuit is provided incorporating a microprocessor and a driver, connected both with the microprocessor and with the various LEDs, wherein the microprocessor, the driver and the LED are supplied by the power line 33 and 34 and the microprocessor is also connected with the BUS line 35, which is connected with all the remaining microprocessors and drivers mounted in each housing shell, and this in order to control through the driver the LEDs to perform the various functions selected from time to time, and the power supply and the controls are disconnected through the control panel 151, when the illumination by the LEDs is no longer required. In the Figure, the circuit board comprising the microprocessor and driver for each of the 4 LEDs is enclosed in a square 154, arranged close to the circle 153 enclosing the 4 LEDs. These same elements of Fig. 41 are present in the elements shown in Fig. 36, with the difference that instead of the spring contacts there will be the male contact 85.

[0082] Examining now Fig. 15, the various component parts of each module are shown in a mutually detached position, and in particular Fig. 15 a) shows a sectioned part of an upper shell 12 or 17 facing outwards, arranged to house the LEDs and the various electrical and electronic circuits with the LEDs also facing outwards, in order to illuminate the room. Fig. 15 b) shows a sectioned part of the upper housing shell 12 or 17 in the upside-down position, while Fig. 15 c) shows a sectioned part of the two half-shells 11 and 16 joined together, with the electrical cross-connection element 13, connected at its visible end with one of the connectors 14" or 15". Also noteworthy are the shaped metal pins 13" that couple with the magnets 16" to hold each conductor port board 13" in place, as well as the joining parts 16" that pass through hole 42, 42" and the hole of the parallelepiped rod that will be inserted along the longitudinal through hole 49, 50, 65 and 66.

Claims

1. Lamp and modular light source having a variable configuration, supported in different positions in the installation environment and shaped with different dimensions and configurations, depending on the requirements of the respective users of the lamp, characterised in that at least one or a plurality of lighting modules (5) mechanically connectable to each other in a removable manner and each provided with power supply conductors (33, 34, 35) connected with lighting LEDs (153) operating at low direct voltage, wherein each module (5) is made of moulded plastic or other suitable solid non-conducting material in which module are installed both the electrical and electronic power supply and control circuits supplied from the electrical network by means of electrical transformers (140) and the various lighting LEDs (153) connected to said circuits, each lighting module (5) being made of the same or different predetermined dimensions and of the same or different geometric shapes each module (5)further being formed of a series of separate adaptable and overlapping component parts, which are removably joined together by a series of joining parts (16'), in a manual manner and without the use of tools to assemble said component parts reciprocally, each module (5) further being substantially formed of the following component parts:

an upper cover (6) equipped with an upper wall (7) in which there are through openings (8) for the passage of the illumination light generated by said LEDs (153);

a continuous piece (10) made smaller than the cover (6) to fit removably inside the cover itself, said continuous piece (10) being made of translucent material for the passage of light;

an upper moulded half-shell (11) shaped to accommodate, with the aid of the shell 12 or 17, on one side a conductor port board (13') with separate electrical conductors (33, 34, 35) which come into contact with electronic integrated circuits (148, 149, 151, 154) applied in the module (5) and supplied at low DC voltage, which are used to drive the various lighting LEDs (153) of the module with the cadences set in advance by means of the electronic integrated circuits (148, 149, 151, 154), said half-shell (11) being shaped on the other side to accommodate a cross-shaped electrical connector element (13), in which electrical conductors (33, 34, 35) can be inserted;

a housing shell (12) shaped to house internally the illumination LEDs (153) and the components for the connection and control of the LEDs, and to be applied on top of the upper half-shell (11), and which is arranged underneath said continuous piece (10) and fastened with it;

said cross-shaped electrical connection element (13) for connecting with similar electrical connection elements (13) of other modules (5), and for contacting the electrical conductors (33, 34, 35) of the conductor port board (13') which serve to power the different LEDs of each module (5), said cross-shaped connection element (13) being formed by two pairs of protrusions (14 and 15) rectilinear and orthogonal to each other, in which the electrical conductors (33, 34, 35) are inserted, of which the protrusions (14) of one couple have the same length and are joined centrally to each other and extend in opposite directions to each other, and the protrusions (15) of the other couple have the same length to each other which is almost identical to that of the preceding protrusions, and they are joined centrally to each other and also extend in opposite directions to each other, these protrusions (14, 15) being connected at their ends by connectors (14", 15" and 85) with the corresponding end portions of the connectors (14", 15" and 85) of the adjacent modules (5);

a lower moulded half shell (16) provided and shaped in the same manner and

for the same purpose as the previous half shell;

a housing shell (17) shaped to house internally the LEDs (153) and to be applied above to said lower half-shell (16), said housing shell (17) being associated with shaped metal pins (13") to hold said conductor port board (13") in position and said upper shaped half-shell (16) being associated with separate joining parts (16') and shaped to accommodate separate magnets (16"), further capable of attracting said metal pins (13"), when said upper half-shell (16) is coupled with said housing shell (17);

a continuous piece (22) identical to the previous piece (10);

an upper cover (18), into which said continuous piece (22) is also removably adaptable.

2. Lamp and light source according to claim 1, characterised in that said half-shell (11 or 16) comprises two pairs of rectilinear protrusions orthogonal to each other, scaled in order to be housed in the internal part of the respective shell (12 or 17), one pair of which is formed by the two rectilinear and identical parallelepiped protrusions (23), opposite each other and joined to their respective central zone, forming a recessed cavity delimited by a back wall (24), in which several thin through holes (25), orthogonal to each other, are drilled, through which the electrical conductors (33, 34, 35) for the power supply and control of the lighting LEDs (153) are inserted, in which the other pair of protrusions is formed by the two rectilinear and identical parallelepiped protrusions (26) opposite each other and joined to their respective central zone, together with the relative central zone of the preceding protrusions (23), delimiting said back wall (24), and being provided for housing, on one side of said half-shell (11 or 16), said conductor port board (13') with the relative electrical conductors (33, 34, 35) and, on the other side, said cross-shaped connector element (13), the rectilinear protrusions (23) being provided with a relative central and rectilinear cavity (27) throughout their length, the outer end of which is free and the inner end of which terminates at the back wall (24), and in turn, the rectilinear protrusions (26) also being provided with a relative central and rectilinear flat cavity (28) throughout their length the outer end of which is free and the inner end of which terminates at the flat back wall 24, in which four protruding cavities (29) are defined in the angular areas of the back wall (24), wherein corresponding central through holes (30) are drilled, in each of which one of the small magnets (16") is inserted, in a position coinciding with that of a corresponding metal pin (13") in which the protrusions (23 and 26) of the front side of the half-shell (11 or 16) are shaped with lateral edges (36', 37', 53' and 54') which are formed in the rear side of the protrusions (23 and 26) and serve to join the two half-shells (11 and 16), in which the half-shell (16 or 11) is shaped in its rear side with a central back wall (24') which is protruding with the corresponding through holes (25) orthogonal to each other and is further provided with a related central cavity (31), opposite the central cavity (27), and with a related central cavity (32) opposite the cavity (28), and said cavities are located at a lower level of the protruding back wall (24'), and in the cavities and in the back wall (24') is housed said cross-shaped connecting element (13) and through which said through holes (25) are inserted said electrical conductors, which are formed by an outer electrical conductor (33), by an intermediate diamond-shaped electrical conductor (34), which are spaced from each other, and further by a central electrical conductor (35) spaced from the intermediate conductor (34).

3. Lamp and light source according to claim 2, characterised in that the two rectilinear lateral edges (36' and 37') are each shaped with three vertical protrusions (38, 39 and 40) directed downwards or upwards and of the same length, which are spaced from each other by the same measure, of which the first two protrusions (38 and 39) are joined together by a jumper (41) and are communicating with a transverse through hole (42) drilled through the strip delimited between said opposite central cavities (27 and 31) to allow the passage of a joining part wherein the second vertical protrusion (39) of each side edge (36' and 37') terminates in a pawl (43) which is accommodated in the hole (62) of said rectilinear edges (53 and 54) for clamping and bonding between the half-shells (11 and 16), said first protrusion (38) being spaced from the end edge (44), forming a step (45), and in turn said third protrusion (40) being offset to the front of said central and vertical through hole (30) in which each lateral edge (36 and 37) is shaped respectively with a vertical through hole (33) at the terminal edge (44) of said strip, and with a rectangular opening (34) coinciding with the free space defined between the ends of said vertical protrusions (38 and 39) and, finally, with a vertical through hole (35) coinciding with the free space existing between said second and third vertical protrusions (39 and 40), wherein the holes (33 and 35) are drilled to accommodate the pawls (63) of the lateral edges (53' and 54') for the bonding of the two half-shells (11 and 16), while the rectangular opening is made to accommodate the protrusion (56) provided with the hole (42') which, once the two half-shells (6 and 11) are joined by adhesive material, is in line and at the same level with the hole (42) obtained in the flat strip (41) connecting the two protrusions (38 and 39), in which the protrusion (23) is shaped in the same way as the protrusion (23) on the left side of the half-shell itself, being however symmetrical with respect to the previous protrusion (23).

4. Lamp and light source according to claim 3, characterised in that each of the two lateral edges (36 and 37) is provided with a respective longitudinal through hole (65 and 66) of rectangular shape, drilled in the front part of the corresponding lateral edge (36 and 37) and through the vertical through holes (46, 47 and 48) of the respective protrusions (23) of the left and right sides of the upper half-shell (11 and 16) and through each of the through holes (65 and 66) a rectilinear parallelepiped rod can be inserted and removed, acting as a linkage and junction to connect other half-shells or component elements to make the module connections and thus obtain the present lamp, each parallelepiped rod can be inserted longitudinally through the vertical through holes (46, 47 and 48) and comes to rest against a thin relative rectilinear edge (67 and 68) delimiting the vertical through holes (30), not being able to be inserted at a greater depth, and therefore protruding externally from the half-shell (11), to be then joined removably with an opposing linkage of an adjacent module, the lateral edge (36) of the upper half-shell (11 or 16) being shaped identically and reversed with respect to the lateral edge (37).

5. Lamp and light source according to claim 4, characterised in that each of the two protrusions (26) opposite each other of said upper half-shell (11 or 16) is shaped with two rectilinear lateral edges (53' and 54'), identical and parallel to each other and delimiting the central cavity (32) and slightly protruding therefrom wherein said two rectilinear lateral edges (53' and 54') of the back side of said half-shell (11) are each shaped with three vertical protrusions (55, 56 and 57) directed outwards and upwards, of the same length, and which are spaced out from each other by the same measure, of which the first protrusion (55) ends at the same level as the terminal edge (58) of said strip while the third protrusion (57) terminates at the beginning of the edge (45'), which in turn terminates near the protruding cavity (29'), wherein in the second protrusion (56) there is a through hole (42') which, with the two half-shells (11 and 16) joined, matches the hole (42) obtained in said jumper (41) the first and third protrusions (55 and 57) of each side edge terminating inferiorly with a corresponding thin pawl (63), which pawls being adapted to be housed in the holes (33 and 35) of the rectilinear edges (36 and 37) for clamping and bonding between the half-shells (11 and 16), the side protrusions (26) and the edges (53' and 54') of each upper half-shell (11 and 16) being symmetrical to each other.

6. Lamp and light source according to claim 5, characterised in that the electrical cross-connection element (13) is arranged and housed within the central cavities (31 and 32) and above the protruding back wall (24'), so that the diamond-shaped electrical conductors (33, 34 and 35) inserted in the electrical connection element (13) are in contact by means of the through holes (25) with the corresponding electrical conductors (33, 34, 35) inserted in each of the two conductor port boards (13'), which in turn are fixed in the shell (12 and 17) and are protruding from the rear side of the latter, wherein each of the two conductor port boards (13') is provided with three electrical conductors (33, 34, 35) inserted within relative spring contacts (64), which are mounted in each conductor port board (13') and can be operated in an orthogonal direction, so that with the conductor port boards (13') lodged in their respective housings and their conductors in contact with each of the electrical conductors of the board (13'), they are in contact with the diamond-shaped electrical conductors (33, 34, 35) of said electrical connection element (13), these components being able to conduct the electrical supply current.

7. Lamp and light source according to claim 6, characterised in that the two lateral edges (53' and 54') are identical and parallel to each other and delimit the central cavities (32) and the back wall (24'), and each is provided with a longitudinal through hole (49 and 50) of rectangular shape drilled in the outer sides of the corresponding lateral edges (53 and 54) and at the lateral edge (58) through the vertical through holes (59, 60 and 61) of the upper sides of the half-shell (11 or 16), in which through each of the through holes (49 and 50) a rectilinear parallelepiped rod acting as a linkage and capable of being connected with other components of further lighting modules (5) can be inserted and removed in order to make the connections of the modules and thus to obtain the present lamp, each parallelepiped rod inserted longitudinally through the vertical through holes (59, 60 and 61) coming to rest against a thin relative rectilinear edge (51 and 52) delimiting the vertical through holes (30) and not being able to be inserted at a greater depth, and protruding externally from the half-shell (11 or 16), to be joined removably with an opposite linkage or component element of an adjacent lighting module (5).

8. Lamp and light source according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of the two housing shells (12 and 17) is shaped on its rear side with a central through opening (69), of square shape and scaled to accommodate the conductor port board (13'), which is supported with its perimeter edges above four protruding teeth (70) formed along the inner sides of said central through opening (69) and which is held in position by said metal pins inserted through the corresponding vertical through holes (71) drilled through the housing shell (12 and 17), at positions coinciding with that of the through holes (30) of the half-shell (11 and 16), wherein said conductor port board is held in said position by said pins (16") inserted through all the through holes (30) of the half-shell (11 and 16).

9. Lamp and light source according to claim 8, characterised in that the back side of the housing shell (12 and 17) is further shaped with a series of angles (72) along all edges of the housing shell to hold in position the flat piece (10 and 22) which is glued over the front side of the housing shell (12 and 17), completely covering said front side, wherein in each of the angles (72) there is a protruding dent (73) capable of engaging against the corresponding perimeter edge (9 and 21) of the cover (6 and 18), when said cover is applied to the shell-flat-piece assembly, said rear side of the shell (12 and 17) being shaped with two rectilinear, parallel and horizontal grooves (74 and 75) cut in both the left and right sides of the shell and terminating against a perimeter frame (76) delimiting the through holes (71), said rear side of the shell (12 and 17) being also shaped with two further rectilinear grooves, parallel and vertical (77 and 78), obtained both in the upper side and in the lower side of the shell (12 and 17) and terminating against said perimeter frame (76), granting the possibility of varying the four possible 90° staggered assembly positions of the housing shell (12 and 17) and of the half-shell (11 and 16) in which a respective rectangular through hole (79 and 80) is drilled in the grooves (74 and 75), and a respective rectangular through hole (81 and 82) is drilled in the grooves (77 and 78), and through these through holes a respective power supply conductor is inserted (33, 34, 35), the rear side of the housing shell (12 and 17) being further shaped with four closed and raised walls (83) at the corner areas of the housing shell itself, while the front side of the housing shell (12 and 17) is shaped with four square recesses (84), in each of which is housed and fixed a relative illumination LED (153) connected with the relative power supply conductor, so that the light produced by the LEDs is directed towards the closing cover (6 and 18) and externally to the module (5).

10. Lamp and light source according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a linkage mechanism for reciprocal connection of several modules (5), constituted by two levers (86 and 87) hinged centrally to each other and whose free ends are joined, one with a module (5) and the other with an adjacent module (5), both levers being formed from a rectilinear parallelepiped shaped piece, the pieces of which are arranged inverted and overlapping each other and are drilled centrally for the passage of a hinge pin (88), in which the front piece of the first lever (86) is shaped at one end with a thin round toothed head (89), each tooth (90) of which can selectively engage with a protruding edge of the end of the other lever (87), thereby varying the angle of inclination between the two levers (86, 87), and thus that between two adjacent modules (5), wherein the rear piece of the remaining lever (87) is also shaped with an identical toothed round head (91), each tooth (92) of which can selectively engage with a protruding edge of the end of the front lever (86), thereby also varying the angle of inclination between the two levers (86 and 87), and therefore that between two adjacent modules (5), a knob (93) being mounted in front of the first lever (86) and connected with the axis of rotation (88), said levers being also manually rotatable up to the desired inclination between the two adjacent modules (5), each lever (86 and 87) being furthermore provided with a series of relative through holes (94 and 95) along the profiled pieces of each lever, in order to be able to distance, if necessary, the rotation pin (88) between the modules (5), thus making possible the variation of the inclination between the levers (86, 87) and therefore between the modules (5), this spacing between the modules (5) being made possible by the joining means (16') consisting of a metal pin at the end of a flat strip, which is threaded through the established holes.

11. Lamp and light source according to claim 10, characterised in that each linkage comprises either an element shaped from a flat, rectilinear, parallelepiped profile (96), provided with two identical through holes (97) at its ends, for connecting the respective adjacent modules (5), or a single piece, provided with a horizontal rectilinear flat part (98) with a through hole (99) at its end, and of an inclined rectilinear flat part (100) provided with a flat part with a through hole (101) at its end, in which a respective module (5) is connected to each through hole, or shaped again from a single piece, provided with a horizontal rectilinear flat part (102) with a through hole (103) at its end and of an orthogonal rectilinear flat part (104) with a through hole (105) at its end wherein a respective module (5) is connected to each through hole, or else it comprises two separate modules (5) joined together by a joining mechanism (106), movable in different positions, to vary the angle of mutual arrangement of the two modules (5), wherein the joining mechanism (106) comprises a notched round head (107) provided with a shank (108) at its other end which is fixed in one of the modules (5), while said toothed head (107) engages in a corresponding semicircular toothed sector (108') fixed in the other module (5), wherein by rotating the head (107) with respect to the toothed sector (108') the angle of reciprocal arrangement of the two modules (5) is varied.

12. Lamp and light source according to claim 11, characterised in that there is a plurality of modules (5) joined together in a vertical direction aligned with each other and in a horizontal direction aligned with each other, which are joined by one or more horizontal connectors (109), wherein said modules (5) are supported by an upper horizontal plane (110, 139) or by a lower horizontal plane (136) fixed with brackets and screws against the ceiling or against an underlying plane of the room where the lamp is installed, these modules (5) being joinable with each other in different and variable configurations.

13. Lamp and light source according to claim 12, characterised in that there is at least one horizontal closing bar (119) on which two orthogonal rods (120) are fixed, spaced horizontally apart and whose ends are joined with the last module (5) or also with other modules of the series of modules (5), and in said closing bar (119) are inserted the electric conductors (33, 34, 35) of the power supply (85) of said modules, for powering and controlling a series of LEDs (153) supported by said bar (119) and facing outwards, said LEDs (153) not being also supported by the bar (119), in which the existing electric and electronic elements are the same as those present in the shells 12 and 17.

14. Lamp and light source according to claim 13, characterised in that its electrical conductors (33, 34, 35) are connected by means of flexible electrical conductors (124 and 125) or flexible electrical conductors (128, 129, 130) with corresponding LEDs (126 and 127) or (131, 132, 133).

15. Lamp and lighting source according to claim 14, characterised in that there is a power supply and electrical control circuit of all the modules (5), comprising an alternating/continuous (AC/DC) electrical power supply unit (140) connected to the 220 V alternating electrical power supply (141) by means of two electrical conductors (142 and 143) and provided with an earth conductor (144), wherein the power supply unit (140) is of the switching type and transforms the AC voltage into a low DC voltage of 6-12 V, which is connected via the relevant electrical conductors (145 and 146) both with a receiver of continuous electrical signals (148) and with the power supply (85) of the various electrical and electronic circuits and components of the various modules (5), the receiver (148) being connected via the electrical conductors (145 and 146) with a main microprocessor (149) arranged to control and command all the functions of all the LEDs housed in the modules (5) joined together, said main microprocessor (149) being connected via the two electrical conductors (145 and 146) with a manual control panel (151) suitable to switch on and off the various LEDs and make them perform various functions in each module (5) being housed the red LEDs (R), the green LEDs (G), the blue LEDs (B) and the white LEDs (W), which are selectively or cumulatively switched on and off through the manual control panel (151), and controlled through the main microprocessor (149), said main microprocessor (149) being prearranged to be controlled by the buttons of the control panel (151) and by the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth receiver (148) in order to make the different LEDs perform the following functions:

- switching on-off of one or more LEDs;

- adjusting the light intensity of one or more LEDs;

- insertion of the desired colour LED(s);

- flashing of the desired LED(s),

in which the electrical control circuit further comprises a control line (BUS line) (147), which connects the electrical power supply (140) with the receiver (148), with the main microprocessor (149) and with the control panel (151), and the main microprocessor (149) with the electrical power supply (85) of the various modules (5), in order to transmit the control signals which are activated from time to time by the control circuit itself to the electrical and electronic circuits which determine the performance of the desired functions, each control signal being selected in the control panel (151) by means of the corresponding selection buttons or from infrared (IR) sources, or from Bluetooth or from Wi-Fi radio signals and converted by appropriate receivers into corresponding coded electronic addresses (IDs), which are transmitted to microprocessor 149 and predispose it to command the performance of one or more determined functions to be carried out by one or more of the LEDs, in which the selection of the command signals can also be carried out through mobile and external devices (remote controls, mobile phones, computers, in which specific apps are previously installed, capable of interacting with the various selectors of the control panel itself, in which, when the desired control signals are selected and activated, the microprocessor (149) controls the transmission of the control signals through the control BUS conductors (147) towards the specific electronic component or components to be activated to perform the desired function or functions, said transmission being controlled by the main microprocessor (149) which deactivates the transmission of the signals at the end of the performance of the selected function or functions.

Drawing