SE543304C2 - Ceiling bracket and ceiling lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

A ceiling bracket (1) for attaching a lamp to a ceiling, said ceiling bracket (1) comprising a base unit (2) configured to be attached to the ceiling, said base unit (2) having a first wall (21) configured to face the ceiling and a second wall (22) extending from the periphery of the first wall (21), wherein the ceiling bracket (1) further comprises a plurality of lamp shade support arms (3) being attachable to the second wall (22).

Description

CEILING BRACKET AND CEILING LAMP Technical Field The present invention relates to the technical field of ceiling lamps. Morespecif1cally, the present invention relates to a ceiling bracket for attaching a ceilinglamp to a ceiling, to a ceiling lamp comprising such a ceiling bracket and to a method for providing ceiling brackets.

Prior Art Ceiling lamps are a popular form of lighting device, both for domestic as Wellas industrial lighting purposes. Ceiling lamps are often constructed such that theycomprises a ceiling bracket Which serves as the part that attaches to the ceiling. Theceiling bracket further comprises connections for the light source. A lamp shade is alsooften supported by the ceiling bracket; the lamp shade usually covers the ceiling bracketfor aesthetic reasons. The lamp shade may also serve to improve or alter the lightscattering of the light source, such as by providing a diffusive effect.

Ceiling lamps are often sold and distributed as a product that requires assemblyby the customer. This is beneficial as it allows the package sizes to be reduced,facilitating logistics as Well as reducing the environmental effects of the distribution ofthe products. It is however a delicate balancing act; on one hand it is required to providea product that is suff1ciently easy to assemble, and on the other hand it is required toreduce the space needed for distribution of the product. Development of ceiling lamps istherefore continuously striving to achieve improvements in both areas. An improvedceiling lamp that is easy to assemble and that requires a small volume during distribution is therefore desired.

SummagvIt is therefore an object of the invention to at least partly overcome one or more of the above-identified limitations of the prior art. In particular, it is an object to providean improved ceiling bracket that is easy to assemble and that requires little space duringdistribution. It is also an object of the invention to provide a ceiling lamp comprisingsuch a ceiling bracket as Well as a method for providing a ceiling bracket.In a first aspect, a ceiling bracket for attaching a lamp to a ceiling is provided.

The ceiling bracket comprises a base unit configured to be attached to the ceiling; the base unit having a first Wall conf1gured to face the ceiling. A second Wall is provided extending from the periphery of the first Wall. A plurality of lamp shade support armsare provided being attachable to the second Wall. The first Wall and the second Walltogether define a cavity being dimensioned to accommodate the arrns during storing andtransportation of the ceiling bracket. As the arrns are accommodated by the cavity in thebase unit, the required volume for each ceiling bracket during transport is reduced.

In an embodiment, each arrn comprises a base and an elongated arrn portionconnected thereto. Each base is attachable to a corresponding slot in the second Wall.The configuration of the arrns is such that assembly is facilitated, and that no tools arerequired for mounting the arrns to the slots.

Each slot may be arranged such that an associated arrn can be released orattached to the base unit šêfšpnly When the ceiling bracket is not mounted to a ceiling.

In an embodiment the second Wall extends around the periphery of the firstWall, thereby forrning a fully enclosed cavity of the base unit. The second Wall may be asubstantially cylindrical second Wall. This provides for improved mechanical strength ofthe second Wall and improved protection of the arrns against damages duringdistribution of the ceiling bracket.

In an embodiment the arrns are releasably mounted to the second Wall.Thereby, it is possible to disassemble the ceiling bracket.

In an embodiment, the arrns are configured to support a lamp shade. A distalend of each arrn is provided With a lamp shade holding member, preferably said lampshade holding member comprising a resilient member and a stop, the stop beingconf1gured to restrict the arrns from protruding too far through an opening in the lampshade and the resilient member being configured to provide a snap-lockingfunctionality, requiring depression for attachment and release of the lamp shade. Thelamp shade is in this Way easily attached to the arrns and held securely in place Whenmounted.

The first Wall may be at least partially circular.

In one embodiment, the second Wall comprises an outWardly protrudingportion, the interior of the protruding portion is configured to accommodate the base ofat least one arrn during transport of the ceiling bracket. The protruding portion allowsmore arrns to be fitted into the cavity and also aids in holding the arrns in place Whenarranged in the cavity.

The ceiling bracket may further comprise a lamp socket attachable, preferably releasably attachable, to the exterior of the second Wall. The cavity may be dimensioned to also accommodate at least a portion of the lamp socket during storing andtransportation of the ceiling bracket.

Furtherrnore, the first wall may comprise a recess on the side of the first wallintended to face the ceiling. The recess being configured to accommodate at least aportion of the lamp socket that protrudes out of the cavity of a second ceiling bracketbeing stacked adjacent to the side of the first wall intended to face the ceiling. Therecess allows stacking of ceiling brackets with the first wall of a further ceiling bracketfacing the cavity of a first ceiling bracket, the recess of the further ceiling bracketallowing some space for a lamp socket that cannot be fully enclosed in the cavity of thefirst ceiling bracket.

In one embodiment, the recess is arranged such that a further ceiling bracketbeing stacked on a first ceiling bracket is rotated approximately l80° in relation to thefirst ceiling bracket around a central axis extending through the first wall. This allowsthe lamp socket belonging to the first ceiling bracket to be placed in a position otherthan where the recess in the first wall of the first ceiling bracket is located, as the recessgenerates a corresponding protrusion in the cavity. This is beneficial as it allows thelamp socket to be placed as deep as possible in the cavity side of the first wall, limitingthe height of the ceiling bracket when in its transport or storing state.

In one embodiment the ceiling bracket further comprises a wiring coverconfigured to be, preferably releasably, attachable to the outside of the second wall,which prevents accidental contact of the wirings as well as decreases dust accumulationon the connectors and wires inside.

In one embodiment, the ceiling bracket comprises two to five arms, preferablythree to four arms, and most preferably three arms. These numbers of arms have beenfound to provide a good connection between the ceiling bracket and a lamp shade heldby the ceiling bracket in combination with a low cost. In particular three to four arms,and more specifically three arms, are preferable for this reason In a second aspect, a ceiling lamp is provided comprising the ceiling bracket ofthe first aspect for mounting the lamp to a ceiling and a lamp shade attachable to theceiling bracket. The ceiling lamp is easy to assemble and takes up a small volume ofspace during distribution and storing. The lamp shade is preferably also stackable whichwould further improve the logistics of the distribution of the ceiling lamp.

In a third aspect, there is provided a method for providing a ceiling bracket, themethod comprising: providing a base unit forrning a cavity, arranging a plurality of arms in the cavity and positioning a lamp socket in the cavity.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will be described further below by way of example andwith reference to the enclosed drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a ceiling bracket, shown from above, accordingto one embodiment, Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the ceiling bracket shown in Fig. 1, here shownfrom below, Fig. 3 is an isometric view of an arm of a ceiling bracket according to oneembodiment, Fig. 4 is an isometric view of a lamp socket according to one embodiment, Fig. 5 is an isometric view of a lamp shade for use with a ceiling bracket, Fig. 6 is an isometric view of a lamp according to one embodiment, Fig. 7 shows an arm being mounted to a base unit of a ceiling bracket, Fig. 8 is a side view of a stack of ceiling brackets according to oneembodiment, Fig. 9 is an isometric view of a stack of ceiling brackets according to oneembodiment, and Fig. 10 shows a schematic outline of a method for providing ceiling brackets according to one embodiment.

Detailed Description of Embodiments In Fig. 1, a ceiling bracket 1 is shown. The ceiling bracket 1 comprises a baseunit 2, which is configured to be attached to a ceiling. The base unit 2 may for thispurpose comprise holes 20 through which screws (not shown) can be fitted and whichallow securing of the ceiling bracket 1 to a ceiling. The exact means for attaching theceiling bracket 1 to the ceiling is however of limited importance to the invention, andother altematives are also conceivable such as hanging the ceiling bracket 1 from ahook, using adhesives, etc. The ceiling bracket 1 is preferably manufactured in a plasticmaterial; however other materials are also possible such as for instance aluminum orother light-weight material.

The base unit 2 constitutes the main part of the ceiling bracket 1, and onto thebase unit 2 other components of the ceiling bracket 1 are attached. The base unit 2comprises a first wall 21 that preferably is at least partially circular in shape. The first wall 21 has at least some planar portions which will be facing the ceiling once attached thereto. A second wall 22 extends perpendicular from the peripheral circumference ofthe first wall 21 and is preferably at least partially cylindrical in shape. The first wall 21and the second wall 22 together define a cavity 23 (shown in Fig. 2). The cavity 23 isintended to face downwards when the ceiling bracket 1 is mounted to the ceiling.

The ceiling bracket 1 further comprises a plurality of lamp shade support arrns3, such as three arrns 3, which are, preferably releasably, attachable to the outside, orexterior, of the second wall 22. The first wall 21 further comprises a recess 211 and thesecond wall 22 comprises a protruding portion 222. The purpose of these features willbe described further below.

In Fig. 2, the ceiling bracket 1 is shown where a lamp socket 4 is attached tothe outside, or exterior, of the second wall 22. The lamp socket 4 is preferably attachedto the second wall 22 by means of a snap-lock or other similar fastening means thatdoes not require tools.

A wiring cover 6 is also provided, which covers the electrical connectors on therear portion of the lamp socket 4. The wiring cover 6 is optionally used, but providesimproved safety to the ceiling bracket 1 as it hides the wiring to the lamp socket 4 andthereby prevents unintentional contact that could result in electrical shocks. It alsoreduces the collection of dust in the electrical connectors. The cover 6 is attached bypins (not shown) provided on the inside of the cover 6 that protrudes into correspondingholes 223 (see Fig. 1) in the second wall 22. The cover 6 may pivot in the holes 223,providing access to the wiring without having to completely remove the cover 6 from itsattachment.

In Fig. 3 an example of an arm 3 is shown. The arm 3 comprises a base 31from which an elongated arm portion 32 extends. The base 31 is attachable to slots 221in the second wall 22 (shown in detail in Fig. 7) such that the elongated arm portion 32protrudes radially out from the base unit 2. On the distal end 35 of the arm 3, i.e. the endwhich is conf1gured to be the furthest away from the base unit 2, lamp shade holdingmember comprising a stop 34 and a resilient member 33 are arranged.

The stop 34 is in the form of a triangularly shaped protrusion with the high endof the protrusion facing the distal end of the arm 3. The resilient member 33 is of asimilar triangular shape but with the high end arranged innerrnost, thereby facing thebase 31. The resilient member 33 is configured to flex and thereby allow insertion of thedistal end of the arm 3 into a corresponding mounting hole 51 in a lamp shade 5 (asshown in Figs. 5 and 6). When the lamp shade 5 is pushed past the resilient member 33 it resiliently flexes back to its original position and prevents radial outwards motion of the lamp shade 5. The stop 34 prevents the lamp shade 5 from travelling too far onto thearm 3, and as the gap between the stop 34 and the resilient member 33 is only a littlelarger than the wall thickness of the lamp shade 5, the lamp shade 5 will be held in adesired position.

Three arms 3, spaced apart by equal angular distance (i.e. 120°) around thesecond wall 22 will provide a robust connection of the lamp shade 5 to the ceilingbracket 1. Other numbers of arms 3 is also possible, such as two, four or f1ve arms.

Fig. 4 shows a lamp socket 4 that is attachable to the outside of the second wall22. Preferably, the lamp socket 4 comprises a snap-lock type fastener that allowsattachment to the second wall 22 without use of tools.

As can be seen in Fig. 5, the mounting holes 51 of the lamp shade 5 areconfigured to receive the distal ends of the arms 3. The lamp shade 5 is in thisembodiment shown having a semi-spherical shape but it could also have other shapes.Preferably, the shape of the lamp shade 5 is such that several lamp shades 5 can bestacked on top of each other, preferably having each lamp shade at least partly nestedinside the previous lamp shade in the stack.

Fig. 6 shows a ceiling lamp 10 comprising a ceiling bracket 1 (not visible) anda lamp shade 5. As can be seen, the arms 3 of the ceiling bracket 1 protrudes through theholes 51 of the lamp shade 5 and holds it securely in place by the provision of the stop34 and the resilient member 33.

The mounting of the arms 3 to the base unit 2 is shown in Fig. 7, where an arm3 is pushed down into a slot 221 in the second wall 22 via a slot opening 221a. The base31 of the arm 3 fits into the slot 221 only from the side of the ceiling bracket 1 which isintended to face the ceiling. This results in that the arms 3 can only be mounted to thebase unit 2 when the ceiling bracket 1 is not attached to the ceiling. This is benef1cial asit also means that as long as the ceiling bracket 1 is secured to the ceiling, the arms 3will not accidentally fall out of their slots 221.

In Figs. 8 and 9 the ceiling bracket 1 is shown in its distribution state wheretwo ceiling brackets 1 are stacked on top of each other. As mentioned earlier, it isimportant to consider the logistics when developing new products. There are severalreasons for this, one such reason being to reduce distribution costs and another to reducethe environmental effects per delivered product.

For the inventive ceiling bracket 1 advantages relating to packaging andtransport are achieved by allowing the cavity 23 to accommodate the arms 3 of theceiling bracket 1 and at least a part of the lamp socket 4. The interior height of the second wall 22 in the cavity 23 is approximately as high as, or slightly higher, than thebase 31 of the arms 3 when positioned on their respective side as shown in Fig. 9.Consequently, no parts of the arrns 3 will protrude out of the cavity 23 past the secondwall 22. The protruding portion 222 of the base unit 2 is provided as a local radialextension of the second wall 22 in order to fit as many arrns 3 as possible, preferably tofit all the arrns 3 of the ceiling bracket 1, and to ensure that the arrns 3 are oriented asdesired within the cavity 23. The protruding portion 222 has a shape that essentiallyniatches that of a base 31 of an arrn 3 and as it protrudes radially outside the otherwiseessentially cylindrical shape of the second wall 22, it allows a larger number of arrns 3to be acconiniodated in the cavity 23. The arrns 3, preferably three arrns 3, will thus fitinto the cavity 23 without interfering or coniing into contact with a further ceilingbracket 1 stacked on top of the first ceiling bracket 1 with the first wall 21 of saidfurther ceiling bracket 1 facing the cavity 23 of the first ceiling bracket 1 arrangedunderneath.

The lanip socket 4 niay however have a size that does not entirely fit into thecavity 23. In order to prevent it froni interfering with the stacking of the ceiling brackets1, the recess 211 (see Fig. 1) is provided in the first wall 21 on its side that is intendedto face the ceiling. The recess 211 has a shape that essentially or roughly corresponds toa side of the lanip socket 4. The recess 211 will thereby occupy a part of the cavity 23 asthe first wall 21 is depressed at the position of the recess 211.

Consequently, the lanip socket 4 is preferably placed in the cavity 23 in aposition opposite the protrusion forrned by the recess 211, in relation to a central axisextending through the first wall 21. When stacking the ceiling brackets 1, as shown inFigs. 8 and 9, they are placed on top of each other with a relative rotation ofapproxiniately 180° around a central axis CA. This will niake the part of the lanipsocket 4 that does not conipletely find rooni in the cavity 23 of the first ceiling bracket 1extend into the recess 211 of the further ceiling bracket 1 placed over the cavity 23. As aresult the adj acent stacked ceiling brackets 1 will principally niake contact with eachother only along the top edge of the second wall 22 and the periphery of the first wall21, as illustrated in Fig. 8. This provides stable stacks of ceiling brackets 1.

In Fig. 10, a scheniatic outline of a niethod 100 for providing a ceiling bracket1, preferably for preparing the ceiling bracket for distribution and transport, is shown.The niethod coniprises a step 101 of providing a base unit 2 forrning a cavity 23, and astep 102 of arranging the arrns 3 in the cavity 23 of the base unit 2 of the ceiling bracket 1. The protrusion 221 in the second wall 22 defines the niost radial protruding position of the arms 3, and the arm 3 first placed in the cavity is preferably placed in theprotrusion 221. The remaining arms 3 are then placed next to the first arm 3. Forholding the arms 3 in place in the dimensions of the cavity 23 may be designed suchthat the intended number of arms 3 Will fit precisely When they are in close contact Witheach other, as indicated in Fig. 8.

The method 100 further comprises a step 103 of positioning the lamp socket 4in the cavity 23, preferably opposite the recess 211 in the first Wall 21. It is to beunderstood that the arms 3 may just as Well be placed in the cavity 23 after that the lampsocket 4 is placed in the cavity 23.

Multiple ceiling brackets 1 may then be placed on top of each other With thefirst Wall 21 of a further ceiling bracket 1 facing the cavity 23 of a first ceiling bracket1. Preferably, each ceiling bracket 1 is rotated approximately 180° around a central axis.The relative rotation of the ceiling brackets 1 Will ensure that the lamp socket 4arranged in the cavity 23 of the first ceiling bracket 1 is arranged adjacent to, andextends into, the recess 211 of the further ceiling bracket 1.

It should be mentioned that the inventive concept is by no means limited to theembodiments described herein, and several modifications are feasible Without departingfrom the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, the term “comprises/comprising”does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. Additionally, althoughindividual features may be included in different claims, these may possiblyadvantageously be combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that acombination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular a: aa a:a, references do not exclude a plurality. The terms , an”, “first”, “second” etc do notpreclude a plurality. Reference signs in the claims are provided merely as a clarifying example and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any Way.

Claims (14)

1. A ceiling bracket (1) for attaching a lamp to a ceiling, said ceiling bracket(1) comprising a base unit (2) configured to be attached to the ceiling, said base unit (2)having a first Wall (21) configured to face the ceiling, and a second Wall (22) extendingfrom the periphery of the first Wall (21), Wherein the ceiling bracket (1) furthercomprises a plurality of lamp shade support arrns (3) being attachable to the second Wall(22), and Wherein the first Wall (21) and the second Wall (22) together define a cavity(23) being dimensioned to accommodate the arrns (3) during storing and transportationof the ceiling bracket (1).

2. Ceiling bracket (1) according to claim 1, Wherein each arrn (3) comprises abase (31) and an elongated arrn portion (32) connected thereto, Wherein each base (31)is attachable, preferably releasably attachable, to a corresponding slot (221) in thesecond Wall (22).

3. Ceiling bracket (1) according to claim 2, Wherein each slot (221) is arrangedsuch that an associated arrn (3) can be released or attached to the base unit (2) onlyWhen the ceiling bracket (1) is not mounted to a ceiling, preferably the slot (221) has anopening (221a) adapted to receive the base (31), the opening (221a) being directedtowards the ceiling When the ceiling bracket (1) is in a mounted state.

4. Ceiling bracket (1) according to any of the preceding claims, Wherein thearrns (3) are configured to support a lamp shade (5), preferably a distal end of each arrn(3) is provided With a lamp shade holding member (33, 34), preferably said lampholding member (33, 34) comprising a resilient member (33) and a stop (34), the stop(34) being configured to restrict the arrn (3) to protrude too far through an opening (51)in the lamp shade (5), and the resilient member (33) being configured to provide a snap- locking functionality requiring depression for attachment and release of the lamp shade (5)-

5. Ceiling bracket (1) according to any of the preceding claims, Wherein the first Wall (21) is at least partially circular.

6. Ceiling bracket (1) according to any of the preceding claims, Wherein thesecond Wall (22) comprises an outwardly protruding portion (222), Wherein the interiorof the protruding portion (222) is configured to accommodate at least a portion (31, 32),preferably at least a portion of the base (31), of at least one arrn (3) during transport ofthe ceiling bracket (1).

7. Ceiling bracket (1) according to any of the preceding claims, furthercomprising a lamp socket (4), preferably the lamp socket (4) being attachable,preferably releasably attachable, to the exterior of the second Wall (22).

8. Ceiling bracket (1) according to claim 7, Wherein the cavity (23) isdimensioned to also accommodate at least a portion of the lamp socket (4) during storing and transportation of the ceiling bracket (1).

9. Ceiling bracket (1) according to claim 8, Wherein the first Wall (21)comprises a recess (211) on the side of the first Wall (21) intended to face the ceiling,said recess (211) being configured to accommodate at least a portion of a lamp socket(4) Which protrudes out of the cavity (23) of a further ceiling bracket (1) being stackedadj acent the side of the first Wall (21) intended to face the ceiling.

10. Ceiling bracket (1) according to claim 9, Wherein the recess (211) isarranged such that the ceiling bracket (1) and the further ceiling bracket (1) beingstacked on top of each other are rotated approximately 180° in relation to each other around a central axis (CA) extending through the first Wall (21).

11. Ceiling bracket (1) according to any of the preceding claims, furthercomprising a Wiring cover (6) configured to be releasably attachable to the outside ofthe second Wall (22), preferably the Wiring cover (6) being adapted to house at least apart of a lamp socket (4).

12. Ceiling bracket (1) according to any of the preceding claims, Wherein theceiling bracket (1) comprises two to five arms (3), preferably three to four arms (3), and most preferably three arms (3).

13. A ceiling lamp (10) comprising a ceiling bracket (1) according to any oneof the preceding claims for mounting the lamp (10) to a ceiling, and a lamp shade (5)attachable to the ceiling bracket (1).

14. Method for providing a ceiling bracket (1) and arranging it for distribution, comprising: providing (101) a base unit (2) forrning a cavity (23), the. base Lmit Ûironíïßiurrcd to be afrtziclieri to a ceiling. vxhel1:'e;ir1 sänd lwase unit (2) is hzivíng a first *wall (213 configaitfeai, to face the ceiling. and a second wxfalš (22) exterzdiiig from tibf: neríohers* of :lie first *vx/all " arranging (102) a plurality of lamp shade support arms (3) in the cavity (23),»æ-'lierešno the lafrip sliafíe 5119331111. :arms í3) are ztttaatltzzilvšte to 'the sexsoïuí *Jvalš (22) ofthc and 'fyase unit IE positioning (103) a lamp socket (4) in the cavity (23).