FR2674609A1 - DECORATIVE ELEMENT ADAPTABLE ON A SLEEVE OF ILLUMINATION. - Google Patents

Abstract

This decorative element adaptable to an illumination socket (5) comprising a cylindrical skirt (4), which is intended to receive and hold an electric bulb (7), and a base (8), which is integral with the skirt and which contains the electrical connections for the bulb, comprises a cylindrical sleeve (2), which can be engaged axially on the skirt (4) of the socket (5) and which is provided with fixing means (6) allowing its fixing to the sleeve, and a decoration (3), of planar or approximately planar shape, which is integral with the sleeve (2), the axis (16) of which is parallel or substantially parallel to the plane of the decoration.

Description

The present invention relates to a decorative element adaptable to a

  illumination socket comprising a cylindrical skirt, which is intended to receive and hold a light bulb, and a base which is integral with the skirt and which contains the connections

electric for the bulb.

  It is well known that to enliven the end of year festivities, trade fairs, carnivals, we use illuminations, which can be arranged for example through street crossings, public lighting candelabras, building facades etc. The illuminations may be constituted by flexible strips or electric garlands, comprising one, two, three, four, five, six or even ten sockets per meter of flexible band or garland, each socket receiving a light bulb The light bulbs are powered by current either permanently or intermittently in various temporal and / or spatial combinations, using special combiners These flexible bands are often accompanied by patterns representing stars, firs, fathers, or any other geometric patterns or not, formed by frames of wood, painted or galvanized iron or usually aluminum, on which are fixed the sleeves that

  receive electric light bulbs.

  There is also another kind of illumination, which is mainly used for carnivals or summer festivals and is realized in the form of large sets, in solid plywood or openwork, or in other materials, on which are painted various drawings

  illuminated by a number of light bulbs.

  The two kinds of illumination mentioned above have nothing in common with each other. In the second case, that is to say, for illuminations whose decor is made of plywood or other material, the drawings are not specially made. for the lamps, while in the first case the frames of the decorative patterns are specially designed and made to receive the sockets and light bulbs that form the desired design In the first case, the sleeves are arranged in profile for the light bulbs that they support either decorative on the front side or on the back side of the decorative pattern they form On the other hand, in the second case, the decoration is usually made only on the front side and most of the time the sleeves are fixed to the plate plywood so that their axis is perpendicular to the plane of said plate If decorations are painted on both sides of the plywood plate Also, sockets and light bulbs must be provided on both sides of the plywood sheet. It should also be noted that the plywood illuminations must be strongly

  because they have a lot of hold in the wind.

  For decorative motifs mounted on frame, for many years there were decorative globes that fit on the sockets The mode of these globes is passed because, if they had the advantage of protecting the light bulbs and require less light spots because of their volume, they had two major drawbacks: a) to change the light bulb, it was necessary to disassemble a part of the globe fixed by pins, and it was quite difficult to replace it, mainly when the employee in charge of this work had to do it on a scale, and this often

  very low outside temperatures.

  b) If the globes had the advantage of perfectly following the design formed by the electric bulbs, they must necessarily be translucent This greatly affected the purity and liveliness of the colors, and it resulted in a much less attractive and pleasant decoration during the day Moreover, as its name indicates, the globe was necessarily spherical, which limited the

number of possible decorations.

  To overcome these drawbacks, the present invention therefore aims to provide a decorative element, which is not a general decoration, but a decor specially adapted to each socket and the associated light bulb, to achieve for the day as for the night an extremely pleasant decoration and forming a drawing married to each bulb

electric.

  The invention also aims to provide a decorative element that can be adapted very easily and

  very quickly to an illumination socket.

  The invention also aims to provide a decorative element whose manufacture is relatively inexpensive, so that it can be made of molded material of different colors and / or shapes, so that the user can easily modify decorations in exchanging the decorative elements according to the invention, to change colors and / or shapes according to its taste and according to the events of the year before

  be embellished with such illuminated decorations.

  The invention also aims to provide a decorative element with which the light bulb which is mounted in the socket is easily interchangeable, preferably without having to detach and remove

  the decorative element of the socket that supports it.

  The invention also aims to provide a decorative element which, by limited dimensions and possibly by a suitable positioning, has a

low wind.

  The invention also aims to provide a decorative element that can have, if desired, very bright colors, to have a very attractive daytime appearance, that is to say even when the light bulbs are off At least the main objects of the invention described above are achieved by the fact that the decorative element comprises a cylindrical sleeve, which can be engaged axially on the skirt of the sleeve and which is provided with fixing means allowing its attachment to the socket, and a decor, of planar or approximately flat shape, which is integral with the sleeve, whose axis is parallel or substantially parallel to the

plan of the decor.

  Other features and benefits of this

  invention will stand out better in the description

  which will follow various embodiments of the invention, given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view showing a decorative element according to the present invention, which is adapted to a standard socket equipped with 'a light bulb, as well as part of a frame

on which the socket is fixed.

  FIG. 2 is a side view, along arrow F

of Figure 1.

  FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line IUI-III of FIG. 2, only the decorative element being

shown in Figure 3.

  FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line IV-

IV of Figure 3.

  FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line V-V of FIG. 2, only the decorative element being shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3,

showing a variant.

  Fig. 7 is a partly sectional and partly elevated view showing another embodiment of the decorative element of the present invention, in a position ready to be assembled with a socket

standardized illumination.

  FIG. 8 shows the decorative element of FIG. 7 assembled with the illumination socket, the latter

  being further equipped with a light bulb.

  Figure 9 shows partly in elevation and partly in section a variant of the embodiment of

Figures 7 and 8.

  Figure 10 shows, partly in elevation and partly in cross section yet another embodiment of the decorative element of the present invention, in a position ready to be assembled with an illumination socket. FIG. 11 shows, partly in elevation and partly in section, a variant of the embodiment

shown in Figure 10.

  The decorative element 1, represented in FIGS. 1 to 5, essentially comprises a cylindrical sleeve 2 and a decoration 3 which is integral with the sleeve 2. The sleeve 2 and the decoration 3 may be made, for example, in one piece by molding. a plastic material capable of withstanding variations in ambient temperature and ultraviolet radiation However, the sleeve 2 and the decoration 3 could also be made separately, made of a plastic material or any other suitable material, and assembled to one another for example by

bonding or welding.

  The sleeve 2 has an internal diameter such that it can be engaged axially, without play or with a small radial clearance, on the skirt 4 of a standard illumination socket 5, and it is provided with fixing means

  6 allowing its fixing on the socket 5.

  The socket 5 is a socket of known type and therefore does not form part of the invention. It may be a standard socket for illumination patterns, such as that marketed by the applicant, or a socket of illumination such as the model 60015 marketed by the LEGRAND Company In addition to the skirt 4 for receiving and holding a light bulb 7, the socket 5 also comprises a base 8 which has a first pair of lugs 9 located in positions diametrically opposite and pierced with holes 11 for fixing screws 12 allowing the

  fixing the socket 5 on a support frame 13.

  The armature 13, which is partially shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and which usually supports a plurality of bushings such as the bush 5, may for example be constituted by a metal bar. This bar may be straight or curved in the shape of a circle, a polygon or any other desired shape, geometric or

  no, according to the general decoration to be realized.

  The base 8 of the socket 5 comprises a second pair of lugs 14, which are in positions at right angles to the two lugs 9 Each of the two lugs 14 is crossed by one of the two electrical conductors 15 which are provided for the power supply of the bulb 7 and the other bulbs (not shown) that equip the other sockets (not shown) fixed on the armature 13 Finally, the base 8 contains in a known manner, all the connection elements and contact electrically connecting the two

  conductors 15 at the terminals of the bulb 7.

  As is more particularly visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, the decoration 3 has a planar or substantially flat shape and is preferably arranged with respect to the sleeve 2 so that the plane of the decor 3 contains the axis 1 G of the sleeve 2 In this case, the decoration 3 extends the sleeve 2 at one end thereof and extends in the manner of an arch, whose feet are connected to the sleeve in two places 17 a and 17 b which are diametrically Opposite the periphery of said sleeve Preferably, between the arch formed by the decoration 3 and the nearest end of the sleeve 2 is provided an interval d, measured in the axial direction of the sleeve, which is sufficient to allow, when the decorative element 1 is adapted to the socket 5 equipped with the electric bulb 7, the removal of said bulb and its possible replacement by another bulb without having to detach and remove the decorative element 1 of the sleeve 5 It can be thus formed in the decor 3 a wide opening 18 which not only facilitates the introduction of the bulb 7 and its possible replacement by another bulb, but still reduces

  noticeably taking the wind of the scenery 3.

  The decoration 3, which is only partially shown in FIG. 1, can have for example the shape of a holly leaf as shown in FIG. 1, or any other desired shape, for example the shape of a flame or the form of snow crystals It can be made in any color and, preferably, in bright and vivid colors as it does not need to be realized in a

  transparent or translucent material.

  In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the fastening means 6 are constituted by two claws 19, which are integral with the sleeve 2, at its end farthest from the decor 3, being formed for example by molding of one piece with the sleeve 2 as is particularly visible in Figure 4 The two claws 19 are shaped to fit by elastic snap respectively on the two ears 14 of the base 8 as is more particularly visible in the figure 2 The length of the claws 19 is chosen so as to be substantially equal to the thickness of the lugs 14, so that, once they have been snapped elastically onto the lugs 14, the sleeve 2 is immobilized axially, in the In addition, since the inner faces of the two claws 19 are flat, like the external faces of the lugs 14, the sleeve 2 can not rotate around the axis of the lug. after the 19 claws were

snapped on the ears 14.

  As can be seen in FIG. 3, the two claws 19 are in positions diametrically opposed to the periphery of the sleeve 2, in an axial plane 21 which makes a predetermined angle with the plane 22 in which the decoration 3 is located. the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, this angle is equal to 90, so that the decor 3 is aligned with the lugs 9 of the base 8 and with the longitudinal axis of the bar 13 forming the However, the invention is not limited to an angle of 90, but, as shown in FIG. 6, the planes 21 and 22 can make an angle α of, for example, 75 between them. Under these conditions, the plane of the decor 3 is disposed obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the frame 13 and, when it supports several bushings arranged at intervals along its longitudinal axis, each bulb 7 of each bushing 5 relatively little light its own decor r 3, but mainly contributes to illuminate the decorations associated with the two adjacent sockets located on either side of the sleeve in question, and vice versa. This is particularly advantageous in the case where the socket 5 and the associated bulb 7 are arranged. in profile compared to the decor 3 as is the case with the decorative element of the present invention, because it is thus possible to improve the illumination of an individual decor 3 It will also be noted that the lower the angle a is the less the decor 3 provides grip transverse wind, that is to say, a wind directed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame 13 However, if the decor 3 must be observed in the direction of the arrow Fl and / or in the direction of the arrow F 2, the smaller the angle ", the smaller the apparent surface of the decoration The value selected for the angle" may therefore result from a compromise between obtaining a low hold in the wind and getting a g reat

apparent surface of the decor 3.

  Note also that if the armature 13 is bent in the form of a circle or a polygon, the decorations 3 inclined at an angle "then form blades in the manner of those of a wind turbine It follows that if the armature 13 , of circular or polygonal shape, is rotatably mounted about an axis passing in its center, it is then possible to achieve an illuminated decorative assembly, which can be driven by a rotational movement under the effect of the wind, giving so to this set

  decorative a particularly attractive character.

  In FIGS. 7 and 8, which show another embodiment of the present invention, the elements which are identical or which play the same role as those of FIGS. 1 to 5 are designated by the same reference numerals and therefore will not be not described again in detail The embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 differs essentially from that of FIGS. 1 to 5 in that the fastening means 6 are constituted by at least one projection 23 and a recess 24 that can be engaged. one in the other by elastic deformation of the sleeve 2 of the decorative element 1 when it is

  engaged axially on the skirt 4 of the sleeve 5.

  As can be seen more particularly in FIG. 7, the projection 23 may for example be formed on the outer cylindrical surface of the skirt 4 of the sleeve 5, the recess 24 then being formed in the inner cylindrical surface of the sleeve 2. could of course have the opposite arrangement, that is to say that the projection 23 could be formed on the inner cylindrical surface of the sleeve 2 and the hollow

  24 in the outer cylindrical surface of the skirt 4.

  The projection 23 and the recess 24 are formed on the surfaces of the sleeve 2 and the skirt 4 in positions such that, after placing the decorative element 1 on the sleeve 5 as shown in FIG. 8, the decoration 3 has a predetermined orientation relative to the axis 16 of the sleeve 5, for example the same orientation as that shown in Figure 3 or that shown in

Figure 6.

  Instead of providing a single recess 24, several recesses 24 may be advantageously provided, as shown in FIG. 7, which are formed in regularly spaced circumferentially positions, for example in the inner cylindrical surface of the sleeve 2. 23 can be engaged in any of the recesses 24 to give the sleeve 2, so the decor 3, an orientation selected from several

  predetermined orientations possible.

  In the case of FIGS. 7 and 8, it will be noted that the bushing 5 must have a protrusion 23 (or a recess 24) which is not usually provided on the known standard bushings and which therefore requires a modification of the mold used in the manufacture Of these known sleeves It also follows that the decorative element 1 of Figure 7 can not be fixed on existing standard sockets already equipping decorative assemblies To remedy this, it is possible to provide an intermediate sleeve 25, having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the skirt 4 of the standard sleeve 5, so as to be axially engaged thereon The intermediate sleeve 25 may be fixed to the skirt 4 of the sleeve 5 for example by gluing, by welding or by any other suitable means The projection 23 (or the hollow or recesses 24) can then be formed on the cylindrical outer surface of the intermediate sleeve 25 as In this case, of course, the sleeve 2 of the decorative element 1 must have an inside diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of the intermediate sleeve. It will also be noted that, in this case, since the sleeve 25 can to be turned around the skirt 4 before being fixed thereto, it is therefore possible to give the projection 23 (or the recess 24) any desired angular position around the axis 16 of the bushing This gives to the user a possibility

  additional adjustment of the orientation of the decoration 3.

  In Fig. 10 which shows a third embodiment of the present invention, the elements which are identical or which play the same role as those of the previous embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals and therefore will not be described in new detail The embodiment of the figure differs essentially from the previous embodiments in that the means 6 for fixing the decorative element 1 to the sleeve 5 are here constituted by a first thread 26, which is formed in the inner cylindrical surface of the sleeve 2, and by a second thread 27, which is complementary to the first thread 26 and which is formed either to the outer cylindrical surface of the skirt 4 of the sleeve 5 (FIG. 10), or to the outer cylindrical surface an intermediate sleeve 28 (Figure 11>, which is attached to the skirt 4 of the standard sleeve 5 and fixed thereto in the same manner as the mancho Of course, in the second case, the inside diameter of the sleeve 2 and the pitch of its thread 26 must be adapted to the diameter.

  outside the sleeve 28 and at the pitch of its thread 27.

  Thus, the decorative element 1 can be adapted and fixed to the sleeve 5 by screwing the sleeve 2 either directly on the sleeve 5 (Figure 10) or on the intermediate sleeve 28 <Figure 11) previously installed on the standard socket 5 Preferably , there is further provided a locknut 29 (Figure 10), which is also screwed onto the thread 27 of the skirt 4 (or the intermediate sleeve 28) and which advantageously allows to block the sleeve 2, so also the decor 3 In this way, the angle dc of FIG. 6 can be modified at will and in a continuous manner. For comparison, it will be noted that the troughs 24 of FIG. embodiment of FIG. 7 allow only an adjustment by jumps each time by an angle corresponding to the angular difference between two recesses. It will also be noted that the locknut 29 may itself have a decorative shape (perforated disc orno, saucer,

star, etc.).

  It goes without saying that the embodiments of the invention which have been described above have been given by way of purely indicative and non-limiting example, and that many modifications can be easily made by the man of the invention. art without departing from the scope of the present invention Thus, instead of having the decor 3 in an axial plane of the sleeve 2, the decor can be arranged laterally relative to the sleeve 2, for example in 3 as shown in FIG. 2 The base of the decoration 3 'can then be connected to the sleeve 2 by means of a connecting part 31, which can be formed in one piece with the sleeve 2 or with the decoration 3 or with both at the same time, a bonding or welding operation possibly being provided if the connecting part 31 is not of a single

  piece with one or other of the two elements 2 and 3 '.

Claims (11)

  1. Decorative element adaptable on an illumination socket (5) having a cylindrical skirt (4), which is intended to receive and maintain a light bulb (7), and a base (8), which is integral with the skirt and which contains the electrical connections for the bulb, characterized in that it comprises a cylindrical sleeve (2), which can be engaged axially on the skirt (4) of the sleeve (5) and which is provided with fixing means (6) allowing its attachment to the socket, and a decor (3>, of planar or approximately flat shape, which is integral with the sleeve (2), whose axis (16) is parallel or substantially parallel to the plane (22) decor. 2. Decorative element according to claim 1, characterized in that the plane (22) of the decoration (3) contains the axis (16) of the sleeve (2).   3. Decorative element according to claim 2, characterized in that the decoration (3) extends the sleeve (2) at one end thereof and extends in the manner of an arch, whose feet are connected to the sleeve in two places (17 a and 17 b) diametrically opposed to the periphery of it.   4. Decorative element according to claim 3, characterized in that between the arch and the end closest to the sleeve (2) is provided a gap (d), measured in the axial direction of the sleeve, which is sufficient for allow, when the decorative element (1) is associated with a socket (5) equipped with a light bulb (7), the removal of said bulb and its possible replacement without having to detach and remove   the decorative element of the socket.   5. Decorative element according to any one of   1 to 4, adaptable to a socket (5) of which   the base (8) is provided with two lugs (14) which project radially with respect to the sleeve in diametrically opposite positions thereof, characterized in that the said fixing means (6) comprise two claws (19). , which are integral with the sleeve (2), at its end furthest away from the decoration (3), and which are shaped to fit by resilient snapping respectively on the two lugs (19) of the base (8) of the socket, so as to immobilize the sleeve (2) both axially and   circumferentially with respect to the sleeve (5>.   6. Decorative element according to claim 5, characterized in that the two claws <19) are located in an axial plane (21) of the sleeve (2), which is at a predetermined angle (C) relative to the plane (22) of the decor (3).   7. Decorative element according to any one of   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that   fastening means (6) comprise at least one protrusion (23) and one recess (24), one of which is formed on the inner cylindrical surface of the sleeve (2) and the other of which is formed on the outer cylindrical surface of the the skirt (4) of the sleeve (5) or of an intermediate sleeve (25)   attached to the skirt (4) of the sleeve and fixed to that   ci, the projection (23) and the hollow (24) can be engaged one in the other by elastic deformation of the sleeve (2) of the decorative element (1) when it   is engaged axially on the skirt (4) of the sleeve.   8. Decorative element according to claim 7, characterized in that the projection (23) and the recess (24) are formed on the respective surfaces of the sleeve (2) and the skirt (4) in positions such that, after setting in place of the decorative element (1) on the sleeve (5), the decoration (3) has a predetermined orientation by   relative to the axis (16) of the sleeve (5).   9. Decorative element according to claim 7.   characterized in that there are provided a plurality of recesses (24) which are formed in regularly circumferentially spaced positions in the corresponding cylindrical surface, such that the protrusion (23) can be engaged in any one of the recesses (24) to give the sleeve (2), thus the decor (3), an orientation chosen from among several   predetermined orientations possible.   10. Decorative element according to any one of   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that   fastening means (6) comprise a first thread (26) formed on the inner cylindrical surface of the sleeve (2) and a second thread (27), complementary to the first thread, formed on the outer cylindrical surface of the skirt (4) of the sleeve (5) or an intermediate sleeve (28) attached to the skirt of the socket and attached to it.   11. Decorative element according to claim 10, characterized in that said fixing means (6) further comprises a counter-nut (29), which is screwed onto the second thread (27) and which blocks the sleeve (2) of the decorative element (1) in any   desired angular position relative to the bushing (5>.