WO2010143147A1

WO2010143147A1 - Lamp structure

Info

Publication number: WO2010143147A1
Application number: PCT/IB2010/052569
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruno Spagnolo
Original assignee: SPAGNOLO Srl
Current assignee: SPAGNOLO Srl
Priority date: 2009-06-10
Filing date: 2010-06-09
Publication date: 2010-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2011-12-10
Also published as: ITTO20090442A1; EP2440844A1; IT1394901B1

Abstract

Lamp structure (11) comprising a lamp body (13) wherein reflectors (15) associated to corresponding illuminating devices (17) are housed, wherein on at least one outer lateral side of the lamp body a longitudinal engagement portion (27) is provided for receiving a removable junction element (35) which allows fixing together a number of lamp bodies (13) according to various arrangements, said junction element (35) being longitudinally sliding with respect to said engagement portion (27) and protruding laterally with respect to said engagement portion (27).

Description

Laap structure

DESCRIPTION Field of the invention

The present invention concerns a lamp structure. More precisely the invention concerns a modular lamp structure for lighting, which can be used in various applications, both civilian and industrial, both in the public and private sector. Background art Various variants of lamp structures for lighting are known in the art, each generally suitable for a specific application.

For instance, lamp structures for lighting closed spaces such as houses, offices and the like, are known which are not suitable for lighting spaces of different kind and dimensions (for example industrial premises, roads, buildings) .

This leads to the consequence that different applications require different lamp structures with an increase of the costs for design, manufacturing, distribution and storage.

Attempts to realize lamp structures which can be used in a higher number of applications, without the need for substantial modifications, have been made in the past. However, these attempts have generally resulted in a decrease of the lighting performances of the lamp structures in most applications.

DE 202008012394 Ul discloses a lamp structure obtained by hinging together a series of modules. The modules comprise a frame and are mutually hinged by means of intermediate elements, which cannot slide longitudinally with respect to the frame.

The intermediate elements protrude laterally with respect to the lamp frame and are joined to the frames of two adjacent lamps so as to obtain on the whole a sort of chain.

This type of structure, however, results little convenient during assembling ad disassembling, for example in case of lamp replacement. Moreover, due to the fact that the intermediate elements develop longitudinally along the whole lamp length, this solution is not suitable for lamps of large dimensions, being necessary to provide intermediate elements having a length substantially equal to the lamp length; intermediate elements of large dimensions are difficult to insert and remove during assembling and disassembling, respectively, and give rise to an increase of the structure weight.

Another example of lamp structure is disclosed in EP 1143194 (Al). The structure comprises a pair of lamps mounted horizontally with respect to a support post. The lamps are provided with a hinge portion which accommodates a common hinge pin which protrudes from the support post and which extends perpendicularly with respect to the lamps. This second example of known structure is suitable for only two lamps and moreover it does not allow to obtain articulated structures wherein the lamps can be oriented on different planes and kept in the desired configuration. Moreover, with the lamp structure so obtained, the replacement of a lamp, for example in case of breaking, results difficult, being necessary to remove both lamps from the support post.

A first object of the invention is therefore that of offering a solution to the problem of how to provide a lamp structure which can be easily assembled, disassembled and configured, which can be used in different environments, even very different ones, inside or outside buildings, while maintaining a high lighting efficiency. Another object of the invention is that of providing a lamp structure of the above kind, which allows energy saving with respect to known structures.

A not least object of the invention is that of providing a lamp structure which can be obtained industrially on a large scale and with reduced costs. Summary of the invention

Advantageously, according to a first aspect of the invention, thanks to the provision of at least a lateral longitudinal engagement portion on the lamp body for a removable and sliding junction element, which protrudes laterally outside the engagement portion, it is possible to join together several lamp bodies, thus obtaining a battery of lamps in various shapes and dimensions. Thanks to this arrangement it is therefore possible, starting from a modular lamp structure, to obtain complex structures and of larger dimensions, suitable for lighting any kind of environments.

Moreover, advantageously, according to a second aspect of the invention, thanks to the arrangement of the grooves in the joining system it is possible to orient the lamp structures joined together, also according to non-parallel planes and with finely adjustable inclinations.

Advantageously, according to still another aspect of the invention, thanks to the particular shape and arrangement of the reflectors, providing for the orientation of the frustoconical body having an elliptic cross section so that the minor axes of the ellipses lie parallel to the longitudinal axis "S" of the lamp body, it is possible to obtain an increased lighting efficiency with respect to the known lamps.

Still according to the invention, advantageously, thanks to the construction of the lamp body as a monolithic single piece starting from an aluminum profile bar obtained by means of a drawing operation and subsequently cut for obtaining the lamp body in the desired length, it is possible to obtain lamp structures at extremely competitive costs. List of the figures

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of the lamp structure according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lamp of Figure 1; - Figure 2 is a longitudinal partial cross section of the lamp structure of Figure 1;

Figures 4a and 4b are a cross section of the engagement portion and of the junction element, respectively; Figure 5 shows a front view of the assembly of two lamps according to the invention;

Figures 6a and 6b show, respectively, a perspective view of the attachment unit of the lamp structure according to the invention and an enlarged side view of a particular of said attachment unit. Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

With reference to the annexed figures, the lamp structure according to the invention, which has been referred to as a whole with reference numeral 11, comprises an elongated lamp body 13 housing reflectors 15 associated to corresponding lighting devices 17.

According to the invention the elongated body 13 preferably comprises a trapezoidal cross section wherein a housing chamber 19 closed in the lower part by a transparent wall 21 is defined for housing the reflectors 15 and, in case, electrical feeding devices 23.

Preferably, at least a cooling portion 25 provided with a corresponding thermal dissipator with fins and at least a lateral engagement portion 27 are provided outside the lamp body 13, the lateral engagement portion 27 being provided for allowing to join together several lamp bodies to form a battery of lamps, as it will appear evident from the following disclosure. Preferably, the lateral engagement portion 27 is provided on both sides 33 of the body 13. Still according to the invention, the elongated lamp body 13 is preferably obtained as a monolithic single piece starting from an aluminum profile bar, suitably shaped, for example obtained by means of a drawing operation and cut in the desired length. The body 13 thus provides preferably a rectangular plan, as in the illustrated example, or a square plan, but other shapes such as triangular or hexagonal plans are not excluded.

Moreover, both the lateral engagement portions 27 and the cooling portion 25 are preferably integral with the monolithic body 13, said portions being thus obtained as a single piece with the profile bar.

Closure members 29, made for example of aluminum or plastics, are provided for closing the opposite ends of the elongated body 13.

In the illustrated example, said members 29 extend transversely so as to close the front and rear ends of the lateral engagement portion 27, preventing entrance thereinto from an axial direction. Still according to the invention, the reflectors 15 comprise a frustoconical body 31 having an elliptic cross section and are arranged within the housing chamber 19 so that the minor axes of the ellipses lie parallel to the longitudinal axis "S" of the lamp 13. Advantageously, thanks to this arrangement of the reflectors 15 an improved lighting efficiency is achieved.

The light diffusion in a direction transversal with respect to the longitudinal development of body 13 results indeed improved with respect to the traditional circular arrangement of the reflectors.

The invention further provides for the illuminating devices being preferably based on the LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology.

Referring in particular to Figures 4a and 4b, a preferred embodiment of the joining system is shown which allows two or more lamp structures 11 according to the invention to be joined together. Said joining system provides for the use of the engagement portion 27 provided longitudinally on at least a side 33 of body 13 and of a removable junction element 35. Moreover, said junction element 35 extends laterally outside with respect to the engagement portion 27 and defines in turn a corresponding outer joining portion for an adjacent lamp structure.

In the illustrated example the engagement portion 27 is made as female portion and the junction element 35 is made as male portion, but it will also be possible to make the engagement portion as male portion and the junction element provided with corresponding female seat.

In the illustrated example the engagement portion 27 comprises a circular seat 37 laterally open outwards.

Moreover, the junction element 35 protrudes laterally through the lateral opening when it is accommodated in the engagement portion 27.

Preferably, said opening extends along an arc of a circle of less than 180°. Moreover, still according to a preferred embodiment said seat 37 is provided internally with parallel longitudinal grooves 39a-39f.

Correspondingly, the male junction element 35 comprises an elongated monolithic body 41, lobed in the illustrated example, wherein two substantially cylindrical joining portions 41a, 41b are defined. Moreover, in the illustrated example said portions are provided with longitudinal parallel grooves, in particular six grooves 43a-43f in the illustrated example.

Preferably, grooves 39a-39f provided in the engagement portion 27 and grooves 43a-43f provided in the junction element 35 both have a substantially semicircular cross section for receiving a cylindrical longitudinal lock pin 45 which prevents the relative rotation of the lamp structure 11 with respect to the junction element 35. According to the invention, while grooves 43a-43f provided in the male junction element 35 are equally spaced, for example by an angle a. = 32°, grooves 39a-39f provided in the engagement portion 27 are spaced by an increasing angle βi ... βs. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, grooves 39a-39f provided in the engagement portion 23 are spaced by an angle increasing by about 1° and therefore grooves 39a and 39b are spaced by an angle βi = 33°, grooves 39b and 39c by an angle β₂ = 34°, grooves 39c and 39d by an angle β₃ = 35° and so on. According to the invention, it will also be possible to provide an arrangement wherein grooves 39a-39f are equally spaced, while grooves 43a-43f are spaced by an increasing angle .

Thanks to this arrangement it will thus be possible to orient the male junction element 35 according to finely adjustable inclinations for obtaining the desired configuration, up to a maximum of 15° for each portion 41a, 41b and consequently up to a maximum of 30° by exploiting the maximum inclination of both portions 41a, 41b, in the illustrated example.

Moreover, the junction element 35 will be preferably inserted frontally in the engagement portion 27 by previously removing one of the closure members 29 and by causing the junction element 35 to slide in the seat 37 up to the desired position. The lock pin 45 is then inserted axially before the members 29 for closing the seat 37 are secured.

Still according to the invention, several junction elements 35 can be used depending on the length of the lamp body 13.

Referring now in particular to Figure 5, a front view of an assembly of two lamps 11 according to the invention is shown, said lamps being joined together by one or more junction elements 35 inserted in the corresponding female engagement portions 27.

As can be appreciated, the two lamp structures are oriented by an angle of 15° thanks to the fact that a first lock pin 45 is inserted in the groove 39a of the lamp structure on the left in the drawing and in the groove 43a of the portion 41a of the junction element 35 (horizontal arrangement) and that a second lock pin 45 is inserted in the groove 39f of the lamp structure on the right in the drawing and in the groove 43f of the portion 41b of the junction element 35 (arrangement with maximum inclination of 15°) .

According to the invention, the lamp structure 11 preferably further comprises a second engagement portion 47 defined by longitudinal channels 49a, 49b, with "C" cross- section for example, laterally open outwards for receiving junction elements, for example the head of an hexagonal bolt, which allows the lamp structure 11 to be joined to a support structure.

With reference in particular to Figures 6a and 6b, an attachment unit 51 is shown which is provided for joining a combination of three lamp structures 11 joined together by junction elements 35 to a fixed support like, for example, a post for street lighting or similar. According to the invention, the attachment unit 51 comprises a support bracket 53 provided with junction elements 55, four in the illustrated example, provided with corresponding junction heads suitable to be accommodated within the longitudinal channels 49a, 49b provided on the rear of the body 13 of the lamp structure 11.

The support bracket 53 is further provided with a female seat 57 wherein the head 59 of a support 61 can be accommodated, said support being associable for example to a support post or other similar support (not illustrated) .

The lateral walls 57a, 57b of the female seat 57 and, correspondingly, the head 59 of the support 61 are provided with a plurality of holes 63a, 63b, respectively, distributed along an arc of a circle. Holes 63 are provided for accommodating a lock pin 65 once the desired inclination is obtained between the bracket 53 and the support 61.

Advantageously, while the holes on the head 59 of the support 61 are equally spaced, the holes on the bracket 53 are preferably spaced by an increasing angle, so as to define a plurality of different, finely adjustable inclinations .

The lamp structure according to the invention can be manufactured with any dimension and lighting power and is thus suitable for a plurality of applications in civil and industrial fields.

Moreover, the lamp structure according to the invention attains a considerable saving of costs of manufacture and a high lighting intensity with a reduced energy consumption and is thus suitable in particular for public and private lighting of outdoor spaces, for example roads, squares and buildings .

Claims

1. Lamp structure (11) comprising a lamp body (13) wherein reflectors (15) associated to corresponding illuminating devices (17) are housed, wherein on at least one outer lateral side of the lamp body a longitudinal engagement portion (27) is provided for receiving a removable junction element (35) which allows fixing together a number of lamp bodies (13) according to various arrangements, characterized in that said junction element (35) is longitudinally sliding with respect to said engagement portion (27) and protrudes laterally with respect to said engagement portion (27).

2. Structure according to claim 1, wherein said engagement portion is laterally open outwards and wherein said junction element (35), when housed within the engagement portion, protrudes laterally through said aperture.

3. Structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said junction element (35) comprises a monolithic lobed elongated body (41) having two lobed joining portions (41a, 41b).

4. Structure according to claim 2, wherein the engagement portion (27) comprises a circular seat (37) laterally open outwards along an arc of a circle of less than 180° and internally provided with parallel longitudinal grooves (39a- 39f) .

5. Structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the junction element (35) comprises a monolithic elongated body (41) wherein two substantially cylindrical portions (41a, 41b) are defined, each equipped with parallel longitudinal grooves (43a-43f) .

6. Structure according to claim 4 and 5, wherein the grooves (39a-39f) provided in the engagement portion (27) and the grooves (43a-43f) provided in the junction element (41) both have a substantially semicircular cross section for receiving a lock pin (45) which prevents the relative rotation of the lamp structure (11) with respect to the junction element (35).

7. Structure according to claim 4 and 5, wherein the grooves

(43a-43f) provided in the junction element (35) are equally spaced apart and the grooves (39a-39f) provided in the engagement portion (27) are spaced by an increasing angle

(βl ... β5), or viceversa.

8. Structure according to claim 7, wherein the grooves (43a-

43f) provided in the junction element (35) are spaced by an angle α of about 32° and the grooves (39a-39f) provided in the engagement portion (27) are spaced by an angle β increasing by about 1°.

9. Structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lamp body (13) has a rectangular plan and the lateral engagement portion (27) is provided on both sides

(33) of the lamp body (13) .

10. Structure according to claim 9, wherein closure members

(29) are provided for closing the opposite ends of the body

(13) and wherein said closure members (29) extends transversely so as to close the front and rear ends of the lateral engagement portion (27), preventing entrance thereinto from an axial direction.

11. Structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lamp body (13) comprises at least a cooling portion (25) and wherein said cooling portion and said at least one lateral engagement portion (27) are made integral with the lamp body (13) .

12. Structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lamp body (13) comprises a trapezoidal cross section wherein a housing chamber (19) is defined, closed in the lower part by a transparent wall (21), for housing the reflectors (15) and, in case, electrical feeding devices

(23) .

13. Structure according to claim 9, wherein the reflectors (15) comprise a frustoconical body (31) having an elliptic cross section and are arranged within the housing chamber (19) so that the minor axes of the ellipses lie parallel to the longitudinal axis "S" of the lamp body (13) .

14. Structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lamp structure (11) comprises a second engagement portion (47) which allows the lamp structure (11) to be fixed to a support structure by means of a corresponding attachment unit (51) which incorporates a support bracket (53) provided with a female seat (57) for housing a head (59) of a support (61), the opposite lateral walls (57a, 57b) of the female seat (57) and, correspondingly, the head (59) of the support (61) being provided with a plurality of holes (63a, 63b) distributed along an arc of a circle for receiving a locking pin (65) .

15. Method of manufacturing a lamp structure according to any of the claims from 1 to 14, wherein a step is provided of obtaining the lamp body (13) as a monolithic single piece starting from an aluminium profile bar by means of a drawing operation and a step of cutting said bar for obtaining the lamp body of the desired length.