DE29810467U1 - System for attaching a lamp - Google Patents

Description

Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Georg Hofmann, Dr.-Ambundistr. 18,

97437 Hassfurt

System for attaching a lamp

The invention relates to a system for fastening a lamp or other consumer, preferably to a ceiling or wall of a living space, with the following features:

- the system can be mounted or is mounted in the area of wires of a supply path for electrical current that protrude from the ceiling or wall at the end or run along the end of the ceiling or wall and

- the system consists of a connector for the supply path, a housing for wires of a discharge path of the electrical current to the luminaire, connecting means for the paths and fastening means for fixing the position of the system relative to the ceiling or wall.

Such a system is described in German patent application 197 01 529.8, which was not published at the time of filing. It is relatively simple in design and can be easily installed by any layperson. In addition, the standardized components used reduce production and assembly costs. However, the system described above still has some inherent disadvantages. It should be noted that in the system, which is to be subsequently mounted on the ceiling or wall, there is hardly any space to accommodate the wires of the first current path. This can make it relatively difficult to fix the light or other consumer to the ceiling, or the wires protruding from the ceiling must be kept relatively short, which is not desirable. It should also be noted that only insufficient anti-twisting protection of the

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system to the ceiling or wall. When installing the wires of the supply and discharge paths, confusion can also occur, with the risk of short circuits. It should also be noted that the electrical coupling described via a ball-spring mechanism has a relatively high contact resistance and is also relatively expensive to produce.

The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a system of the aforementioned type in which the cited disadvantages are eliminated and which is particularly easy to install without any further prior knowledge and at the same time ensures a secure electrical connection of the paths.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by

- that the housing and the connecting piece are preferably made as hollow cylinders and each have a first edge closed by a base, the connecting piece with its base being arranged axially inside the housing in such a way that both bases are directly adjacent to one another;

- that in the base of the connector, for each wire of the supply path, a first receptacle for a first connecting means is recessed, preferably distributed around the circumference, while at the same time in the base of the housing there is a further receptacle for a further of the connecting means, which in the assembled state of the system is aligned with the relevant first receptacle and wherein the number of receptacles in the housing and connector preferably match;

that one of the connecting means preferably runs completely in its receptacle and has a radially pre-tensioned or pre-tensionable spring or is manufactured as such, between which the corresponding wire can be or is clamped;

- that the other of the connecting means is manufactured as a pin-type plug, to one end of which the respective wire can be or is attached, whereby the

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the receptacle of this connecting means completely penetrates the corresponding floor and this connecting means can be or is inserted through this receptacle in such a way that its other end extends into the receptacle of the adjacent floor and is electrically connected to its connecting means and

- that the housing can be connected to the connector via coupling means in such a way that during assembly the same receptacles are always positioned opposite each other.

These measures provide a very simple system for attaching a light or other consumer to the ceiling or wall of a living space. This system consists of largely standardized components and is extremely easy to install by any layperson. It is guaranteed that the wires of the supply path are always assigned to the predetermined wires of the discharge path. This means that incorrect installation is impossible. In addition, the system according to the invention is ideally suited for mass installation in offices, industrial buildings and the like, since only an extremely short installation time can be expected per system.

Because the housing and the connector are inserted into one another with their bases and the connector has a sufficiently large cavity, the wires of the supply path can protrude from the ceiling or wall with sufficient length and be integrated into the system. At the same time, an excellent electrical connection is created via the spring-plug system. Each wire is simply clamped into the spring or enclosed by one end of the plug. This system also has the advantage that it can be removed very easily for disassembly purposes without causing damage in the connection area.

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Of course, the system's application does not only refer to lights. Other consumers such as fans, heaters or the like are also conceivable.

In a further development of the invention, it is proposed to fix the system to the ceiling or wall using anti-twisting means. These means consist of a notched second edge of the connecting piece. The force-form connection of the fastened system is reinforced by the fastening means, which can be designed as a screw, for example, being inserted through a dome-like attachment which is slightly spaced from the ceiling or wall when installed. When the connection is finally tightened, the system is thus additionally tensioned. However, it is also conceivable to provide suitable recesses or raised areas on the ceiling or wall which communicate with corresponding raised areas or recesses on the opposite edge of the connecting piece. The corresponding hole for the fastening means can already be prefabricated in the ceiling or wall, which makes the installation of the system even easier.

The coupling means of the housing with the connector are manufactured as bayonet-like slides. Preferably, several slides are provided on the outer casing of the connector or on the inner casing of the housing. In the stop position, the receptacles for the connecting means in the connector and housing are aligned with each other. At the same time, an exact positional assignment of the paths to each other is achieved by a different width of a first track of the slide (if several slides are used).

In a concrete implementation of the invention, a spring means such as a compression spring (disc spring) is positioned between the bases of the connector and the housing. This guarantees excellent tensioning of the system over its operating time. The housing can only be released from the connector by overcoming the spring force of the compression spring.

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It is also proposed to produce one of the connecting means as a pre-tensioned or pre-tensionable spring. This is expediently produced in two parts and consists of a holding and a clamping section and has a U-like geometry. At least one punched-out spring tongue is arranged on the holding section, which is opposite a locking recess in the corresponding receptacle. This makes it very easy to assemble the connecting means. The end sides of the U-shaped part have the spring clamping section. A wire can be clamped between each end. It is proposed to apply this connecting means in the base of the connector. In the assembled state, another end of the other connecting means, which is manufactured as a pin-like plug, protrudes into the holding section.

This other connecting means is also designed in two parts and has a first connecting section for attaching one wire (of the discharge path) and a second hollow cylindrical section with at least one spring tongue. The spring tongue snaps into a complementary locking recess on the bottom of the housing, with the hollow cylindrical section being inserted into the holding section of the other connecting means. This connection has a relatively low electrical contact resistance and is easy to make and break. At this point, however, it is also conceivable to arrange the connecting means made as a plug in the bottom of the connector and to position the connecting means designed as a pre-tensionable spring in the bottom of the housing.

A further contribution to lightweight construction is made by the fact that at least one of the housing/connector components is made of a lightweight material such as plastic. This also makes overhead installation easier.

It is also part of the invention that the lamp or other suitable consumer is an integral part of the housing. However, the housing can also have suitable fastening measures on the bottom, such as holes and the like, through which the actual lamp can be connected to the housing. It is also intended, for example, for industrial or office buildings,

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to cover the system on the ceiling with a separate housing and to lead the wires of the discharge path from this. The actual light is then mounted much lower.

It is also suggested to apply colored markings or similar, for example on the inside of the base of the connector, that correlate with the color of the wires. This makes it even easier for the installer to correctly assign the wires to the connecting elements.

Finally, it is planned to arrange recesses on the outer casing of the connector and housing. The wires of the supply path can advantageously be inserted through these recesses if they run along the ceiling or wall.

Overall, the experts are being offered a fastening system for a light that is extremely simple in design, can be installed by any layperson and is easy to standardize. Installation times for the system are significantly reduced compared to previously known systems, while at the same time the electrical connection is more secure.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. It shows:

Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through a system mounted on a ceiling (without luminaire);

Figure 2 a view of the connector with its connecting elements and

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the system with its individual

components.

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Figure 1 discloses a system 1 for fastening a light or other consumer, which is mounted here on a ceiling 2. The system 1 consists of a housing 6 with a base 12. The housing 6 is made in a pot-like manner. A connecting piece 5, which is also designed as a hollow cylinder, is inserted into an interior 16 (see also other figures) of the housing 6 with its base 13. A base 13 of the connecting piece 5 is located directly opposite the base 12 of the housing 6. The connecting piece 5 has a central, dome-like projection 26. This is hollow here and serves to accommodate a fastening means 11 (not described in more detail). The entire system 1 can be fastened to the ceiling 2 via the fastening means 11. An edge 43 of the connecting piece 5 is provided with means 24 for preventing the entire system 1 from twisting relative to the ceiling 2. These means 24 consist of toothed sections 25. At the same time, an edge 28 of the extension 26, which is remote from the floor, is formed at a small distance from the edge 43 of the connecting piece 5. The aforementioned measures result in an excellent and twist-proof positional fixation of the entire system 1 on the ceiling 2.

As can also be seen from Figure 1, a supply path 4 for electrical current runs in the ceiling 2. This has three wires 3 that protrude from the ceiling 2 in the area of a desired fastening of the system 1. Because the connecting piece 5 is made largely as a hollow cylinder, an excellent receptacle for the wires 3 is created inside it. These can therefore have a relatively long length.

In the base 13, first receptacles 17 run around the circumference according to the number of wires 3. These are not made continuously here and extend from an outside of the base 13 into the interior of the base. As Figure 2 shows, these first receptacles 17 have an arched geometry. A first connecting means 9 for the wires 3 runs in each receptacle 17. This connecting means 9 is made as a pre-tensionable spring 21. It consists on the one hand of a holding and a clamping section 37, 38. At least one spring tongue 39 is punched out of the holding section 37. This has a locking recess (not shown in detail) in the

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Floor 13 opposite. This means that these connecting means 9 can be locked very easily by pushing them into their receptacle 17 and then snapping the spring tongue 39 into the complementary locking recess. The respective wire 3 is then clamped between wings of the clamping section 38.
5

The base 12 in turn has receptacles 19 for further connecting means 10. These receptacles 19 are also arranged distributed around the circumference and correspond to the number of receptacles 17. The further connecting means 10 is made here as a pin-like plug 18 (see also Figure 3). This plug 18 is divided into two parts. At one end 20 it has a first connecting section 40. This connecting section 40 receives one wire 7 of the discharge path 8. The wires 7 are fastened in the connecting section 40 by clamps. Another end 22 is designed as a hollow cylindrical plug and has at least one recessed tongue 42. Each tongue 42 is assigned a complementary locking recess in the further receptacle 19. When assembling the further connecting means 10, it is simply inserted into its receptacle 19. The tongue 42 then snaps into the locking recess. At the same time, the other end 22 runs in the first receptacle 17, either in the clamping section 38 or holding section 37 of the first connecting means 9.

As shown in particular in Figure 3, the housing 6 is coupled to the connecting piece 5 via coupling means 23. These coupling means 23 are designed here as a guide. Three projections 32 are positioned on the inner casing 30 of the housing 6, distributed around the circumference. These projections 32 have a different width to one another. When assembling the housing 6, it is inserted via the projections 32 into first tracks 35, which are made as axial tracks. It is then rotated further along a circumferential track 34 of the guide 31. A last track 33 of the guide 31 is again designed as an axial track and has an end stop 44 remote from the wall. This guide 31 and in particular the different width of the projections 32 with complementary first tracks 35 enable an exact positional assignment of the receptacles 19 of the housing 6 to the receptacles 17.

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of the connecting piece 5. This guide 31 also allows for very simple fastening of the housing 6 relative to the connecting piece 5.

Once the components 6, 5 are fastened to one another, the additional connecting elements IO can then be pushed through the receptacles 19 and thus into the receptacles 17. The supply path 4 is coupled to the discharge path 8.

As can be seen, both components 6, 5 can be made of plastic. It is also intended to form the housing 6 as an integral part of the lamp or the other consumer. However, it is also conceivable to connect the actual lamp housing to the housing 6 via fastening holes 45 (see Figure 1).

A screw, clip, plug or similar connection is also intended for connecting the housing 6 to the connector 5. This also applies to fastening the entire system 1 to the ceiling 2 or wall of the living space.

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List of reference symbols

I System 2 Ceiling

3 core

4 Supply path

5 Connection piece

6 Housing 7 Wire

8 Discharge path

9 first connecting means

10 additional connecting means

II Fasteners 12 Floor

13 Floor

14 first edge

15 first edge

16 Interior

17 first recording

18 plugs

19 more recordings

20 End

21 Spring 22 End

23 Coupling agents

24 Anti-twist devices

25 Section

26 Approach 27 Hole

28 Edge

29 Outer jacket

30 Inner jacket

31 Scenery

32 Approach

33 Railway

34 Circumferential track

35 first track

36 compression spring

37 Holding section

38 Clamping section

39 Spring tongue

40 connecting section

41 Connecting section

42 Tongue

43 second edge

44 End stop

45 Mounting hole

46 Outer jacket

47 recess

48 recess

Claims (16)

Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Georg Hofmann, Dr.-Ambundistr. 18, 97437 Haßfurt Claims 1. System (1) for attaching a luminaire or other consumer, preferably to a ceiling (2) or wall of a living space, having the following features: a) the system (1) can be mounted or is mounted in the area of wires (3) of a supply path (4) for electrical current, which protrude from the ceiling (2) or wall at the end or run along the end thereof; b) the system (1) consists of a connector (5) for the supply path, a housing (6) for wires (7) of a discharge path (8) of the electrical current to the luminaire, connecting means (9, 10) for the paths (4, 8) and fastening means (11) for fixing the position of the system (1) relative to the ceiling (2) or wall; characterized by the following features: c) the housing (6) and the connecting piece (5) are preferably made as hollow cylinders and each have a first edge (14, 15) closed by a base (12, 13), the connecting piece (5) being arranged with its base (13) axially in the interior (16) of the housing (6) in such a way that both bases (12, 13) are directly adjacent to one another; d) in the base (13) of the connector (5) for each wire (3) of the supply path (4), preferably distributed around the circumference, a first receptacle (17) for a first of the connecting means (9) is recessed, wherein at the same time in the base (12) of the housing (6) G. Hofmann 2 a further receptacle (19) for a further one of the connecting means (10) extends, which in the assembled state of the system (1) is aligned with the respective first receptacle (17) and wherein the number of receptacles (19, 17) in the housing (6) and connecting piece (5) preferably correspond;
5 e) one of the connecting means (9) preferably runs completely in its receptacles (17) and has a radially pre-stressed or pre-stressable spring (21) or is manufactured as such, between which the corresponding wire (3) can be clamped or is clamped; f) the other of the connecting means (10) is manufactured as a pin-like plug (18), at one end (20) of which the respective wire (7) can be or is fastened, wherein the receptacle (19) for this connecting means (10) completely penetrates the corresponding base (12) and this connecting means (10) can be or is plugged through this receptacle (19) in such a way that it protrudes with its other end (22) into the receptacle (17) of the adjacent base (13) and is electrically connected to its connecting means (9) and g) the housing (6) can be connected to the connecting piece (5) via coupling means (23) in such a way that during assembly their identical receptacles (19, 17) are always located opposite one another. 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that a second edge (43) of the connecting piece (5) is provided with means (24) for securing it against rotation relative to the ceiling (2) or wall. 3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the means (24) are formed from a toothed section (25) extending at least in sections or a similar notch-like formation on the second edge (43). 4. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means (11) for the system (1) on the ceiling (2) or wall are made of a material preferably G. Hofmann 3 Center of the base (13) of the connecting piece (5) extending in the direction of a second edge (43) of the connecting piece (5) consist of a dome-like projection (26) with a hole (27) penetrating the base (13), through which hole (27) a machine element such as a screw or a pin or the like can be inserted, via which the system (1) can be attached to the ceiling (2) or wall. 5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that the second edge (43) of the connecting piece (5) projects slightly beyond an edge (28) of the dome-like extension (26) remote from the ground. 6. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling means (23) for the housing (6) with the connecting piece (5) consist of at least one bayonet-like guide (31) running on the outer casing (29) of the connecting piece (5) or inner casing (30) of the housing (6), which communicates with a projection (32) positioned on the inner casing (30) of the housing (6) or outer casing (29) of the connecting piece (5), wherein the guide (31) is preferably designed in such a way that its last track (33) seen in the closing direction runs as an axial track, opens out of a circumferential track (34) and preferably has its end stop (44) seen in the direction of gravity. 7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that several guides (31) are provided, the first tracks (35) of which are manufactured as axial tracks and have a different width from one another. 8. System according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that a compression spring (36) such as a disc spring is arranged axially between the bottoms (12, 13) of the housing (6) and the connecting piece (5). 9. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting means (9) manufactured as a pre-stressed or pre-stressable spring (21) is manufactured as a U-like clamp, wherein its receptacle (17) in the base (13) is manufactured in a correspondingly complementary manner. G. Hofmann 4 10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the clamp is divided into two parts when viewed in its longitudinal direction and consists of a holding section and a clamping section (37, 38), which clamping section (38) runs at the free end of the clamp, the holding section (37) having at least one barb-like spring tongue (39) punched out of its casing, which is opposite a locking section in the respective receptacle (17), the respective wire (3) being able to be clamped into the clamping section (38) or between the clamping section (38) and the receptacle (17). 11. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the further connecting means (10) manufactured as a pin-like plug (18) is manufactured in two parts viewed in its longitudinal direction and consists of a first connecting section (40) for the respective wire (7) and a second connecting section (41) for the axial connection to the connecting means (9) manufactured as a spring (21) in the adjacent base (13). 12. System according to claim 11, characterized in that the first connecting section (40) is manufactured as a clamp enclosing the wire (7), the second connecting section (41) preferably having a cylindrical or circular arc-like geometry and having at least one barb-like tongue (42) punched out of its casing, opposite which a locking section lies in the receptacle (19) of the base (12), which base (12) does not have the connecting means (9) manufactured as a spring (21). 13. System according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the components housing (6) / connecting piece (5) is made of a preferably electrically insulating lightweight material such as plastic or ceramic. 14. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (6) is integrally connected to the lamp. · I G. Hofmann 5 15. System according to claim 1, characterized in that in the system (1), preferably in the region of the receptacles (17, 19) for the connecting means (9, 10), allocation means such as colored markings or symbols or the like for the wires (3, 7) are arranged. 16. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (6) and the connecting piece (5) are each provided with a recess (47, 48) on a ceiling-side or wall-side region of their outer casing (46, 29), which are aligned with one another in the assembled state of the system (1).