GB2236586A

GB2236586A - Reflecting board mounting device for use with a fluorescent lamp in showcase lighting

Info

Publication number: GB2236586A
Application number: GB9021491A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Seung Jae Choi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-10-04
Filing date: 1990-10-03
Publication date: 1991-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 2010-10-03
Also published as: JPH03205704A; GB9021491D0; JPH0587921B2; GB2236586B

Abstract

A reflecting board mounting device for use with a fluorescent lamp in showcase lighting comprises engaging means for engagement with a reflecting board and holding means for holding the reflecting board in position relative to a fluorescent lamp in a showcase so as to ensure light emitted from the fluorescent lamp towards the outside of the showcase is reflected back into the showcase. In a first embodiment a reflecting board 1, brackets 2 and elastic clamps are provided; in a second embodiment a reflecting board, a vacuum cup holder and a fixing screw are provided; in a third embodiment a socket having a protrusion pierced with a screw hole, connecting means, a fixing screw, a vacuum cup holder and a reflecting board are provided. Hence, the efficiency of the lighting within the showcase for illuminating exhibited articles is greatly improved and simultaneously dazzling can be eliminated even when viewing through the front glass of the showcase from outside. <IMAGE>

Description

REFLECTING BOARD MOUNTING DEVICE FOR USE WITH A FLUORESCENT LAMP IN SHOWCASE LIGHTING The present invention relates to a reflecting board mounting device for use with a fluorescent lamp in showcase lighting for the exhibition of articles, and more particularly, to a reflecting board mounting device for use with a fluorescent lamp in showcase lighting in which the reflecting board is easily mounted or removed and ensures there is sufficient light to and uniform illumination of the articles exhibited.

Heretofore, when a fluorescent lamp was used for lighting a showcase a specially made lamp device was used. However, this was costly and the lamp device was difficult to mount within the interior space of a narrow showcase due to the volume of the lamp device itself.

A conventional fluorescent lamp mounted in a showcase is shown in FIGS. 11(A) and 11(B). Sockets 100 for the fluorescent lamp 102 are fixed to a side wall 101 or a ceiling 103 of the showcase. The fluorescent lamp 102 is coupled to the sockets 100 so as to be lit by power supplied through a stabilizer (not shown) provided at a corner of the showcase.

The fluorescent lamp is fitted in the following manner: the sockets 100 for the fluorescent lamp are fixed to a structure within the showcase and the terminals of the fluorescent lamp are inserted into the sockets so that the fluorescent lamp 102 is fixed.

The following is not shown in the drawings. When it is difficult to mount the sockets according to the interior structure of the showcase, either electric wire is connected directly to the terminals at both ends of the fluorescent lamp without the use of sockets or plugs are connected to the terminals of the fluorescent lamp and the electric wire is connected to the plugs by means of moulds, whereby the fluorescent lamp is supported by the moulds.

However, with the conventional fluorescent lamp lighting device, since a part of the light radiated from the fluorescent lamp 102 is emitted outwardly through the front surface glass of the showcase without interruption, people looking into the showcase from outside are dazzled. Thus, not only does the fluorescent lamp lighting device cause an obstacle to looking in at the exhibited articles but also the light illuminating the exhibited articles within the showcase is relatively reduced. Therefore, there is the problem that the illumination of the showcase is inefficient since the illuminating light into the showcase is reduced.

Hence, the present invention seeks to overcome the above mentioned problems. The present invention therefore provides a reflecting board mounting device or use with a fluorescent lamp in showcase lighting comprising engaging means for engagement with a reflecting board and holding means for holding the reflecting board in position relative to a fluorescent lamp in a showcase so as to ensure light emitted from the fluorescent lamp towards the outside of the showcase is reflected back into the showcase.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention provides a reflecting board mounting device for use with a fluorescent lamp in showcase lighting in which a socket coupled with a fluorescent lamp is held by an elastic clamp which is rotatably fixed to a bracket cut and bent oppositely in the form of an "r" shape from one end side surface of a top and a bottom of a reflector board, so that the reflector board is mounted securely and conveniently, and simultaneously the light is reflected towards and illuminates exhibited articles in the showcase and thereby the illuminating effect is highly improved.

In an alternative embodiment the present invention provides a reflecting board mounting device for use with a fluorescent lamp in showcase lighting in which a vacuum cup holder having a drawing projection is mounted to a top and a bottom of a reflecting board having elasticity irrespective of parts associated with a fluorescent lamp which is not a direct method for fixing to the fluorescent lamp or to associated parts of the fluorescent lamp and a reflector shade is mounted by fixing with sucking and adhering directly to the front glass of the showcase so that it may be easily mounted and thereby the illuminating effect to exhibited articles highly improved.

In a further embodiment the present invention provides a reflecting board mounting device for use with a fluorescent lamp in showcase lighting in which a protruded portion is formed with a screw hole integrally to a side surface of a socket for a fluorescent lamp, connecting means is formed with an elongate slot opened to one side and a coupling hole in a head portion, and a vacuum cup holder to be inserted by pushing into said coupling hole so as to be coupled together, so that fixing and releasing of the reflecting board and directional control of the light emitted is made possible.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried out into effect, embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with respect to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG.1 is a perspective view of a preferred first embodiment of the present invention, FIG.2 is a fragmentary magnified diagram of an essential part of the preferred first embodiment of the present invention, FIG.3 is a perspective view of the preferred first embodiment of the present invention when in use, FIG.4 is a plane cross-sectional view of the preferred first embodiment of the present invention when in use, FIG.5 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG.6 is a diagram showing the embodiment of FIG.5 in an assembled state, FIG.7 is a plane cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG.5 when in use, FIG.8 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG.9 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the third embodiment of the present invention, FIGS.10(A) and 10(B) are cross-sectional views from the side of the third embodiment when in use, and FIGS. 11(A) and 11(B) show a conventional illumination device.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals and symbols are used for designating like or equivalent parts or portions, for simplicity of illustration and explanation.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a reflecting board 1 has a slant portion la, a front surface portion 1b and an inserting portion 1c each angled with respect to one another. Opposing facing brackets 2 are formed by cutting out and bending predetermined portions from the top and bottom ends of both sides of the inserting portion Ic of the reflecting board 1.

Rings 2a are formed on each of the brackets 2 by bending into a cylindrical form an end to form two rings 2a on each of the brackets 2. A resilient clamp 3 has a resilient portion 3a for engagement with a socket 4, an intermediate portion for improving the resilience of the clamp 3 comprising coiled springs 3b and rotating shafts 3c which are formed at an end of the clamp 3 and which are for insertion into the respective rings 2a on the brackets 2. Wherein, the size of the inserting portion 1c of the reflecting board 1 is made so as to be able to stand erect between the sockets 4 mounted with the fluorescent lamp 5.

Unexplained reference numeral 6 identifies a side wall of the showcase, reference numeral 7 identifies exhibited articles, reference numeral 8 identifies the front glass of the showcase, and reference numeral 9 identifies a display rack, respectively.

For the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in the assembled state the rotating shafts 3c of the resilient clamp 3 are coupled to the rings 2a of the bracket 2 which is cut out and bent into the form of an "r"-shape at each end of the reflecting board 1. The inserting portion lc of the reflecting board 1 is pushed adjacent a side wall of the showcase between the sockets 4 mounted with the fluorescent lamp 5 so as to face inwardly.

Thereafter, the resilient portion 3a of the resilient clamp 3 clamps onto the socket 4 at each end of the fluorescent lamp 5 whereby the resilient portion 3a of the resilient clamp 3 is positioned at a side surface of the socket 4 which is mounted with the fluorescent lamp 5 and the reflector board 1 is held in position by the resilience of the resilient clamps 3.

Hence, the light from the fluorescent lamp 5 is reflected towards the interior of the showcase, that is, towards the exhibited articles 7 as shown in FIG. 4. As a result the illumination of the interior of the showcase is increased and thereby the exhibited articles 7 are more brightly shown.

Also, the dazzling of the people who look into the showcase from the outside is eliminated.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show a second embodiment wherein rectangular inserting holes ila and inwardly stepped portions 11b are formed at the top and bottom ends of the reflecting board 11.

A vacuum cup holder 12 consisting of a pulling protrusion 12c having two plane surfaces formed integrally and adjacent a protruding fixing piece 12a which is pierced with a coupling hole 12b of key-hole shape is made as an article to be inserted into the rectangular inserting hole lla. A fixing screw 13 is provided with a knob 13a of semi-circular form in the head portion of the fixing screw 13 for coupling with the coupling hole 12b.

The assembling and fixing of the vacuum cup -holder 12 with the reflecting board 11 is shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. When the fixing piece 12a of the vacuum cup holder 12 is inserted through the rectangular inserting hole 11a and thereafter the fixing screw 13 is screwed into the coupling hole 12b of key-hole shape, the coupling hole 12b is widened and is thereby pressed against and brought into close contact with the stepped portions 11b protruding from the reflecting board 11. Thereby the reflecting board 11 and the vacuum cup holder 12 are securely fixed together.

The fixing screw 13 is provided with the knob 13a of semi-circular shape so as to ease the turning of the fixing screw 13 by hand. In addition, the fixing screw 13 is formed with threads in a lower portion so as to ease the screwing of the fixing screw 13 into the coupling hole 12b.

Thus, the device of this embodiment is an article which is used in the following manner. The reflecting board 11 is assembled with the vacuum cup holder 12 and is pushed into the space between the sockets 15 which adhere to the side wall 17 of the showcase. The vacuum cup holders 12 are then pressed directly onto and so adhere to and are thus fixed to the front glass 16 of the showcase. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, one side edge portion of the reflecting board 11 is inserted with its bottom surface between the fluorescent lamp 14 and the sockets 15 which adhere to the side wall of the showcase and thereafter the vacuum cup holders 12 are pressed directly onto and so adhere to and are thus fixed to the front glass 16 of the showcase.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the light emitted from the fluorescent lamp 14 is reflected by the reflecting board 11 and thereby is reflected towards and illuminates the exhibited articles 18 arranged on the displaying rack 19.

Furthermore, a third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 8 to 10. A protrusion 22 having a screw hole 22a is integrally formed on the side surface of the socket 21 which is provided to allow the existing fluorescent lamp to be attached to a ceiling 30. Connecting means 24 is formed with supporting bars 24a which define an elongate slot at one side and a coupling hole 24c in a head portion of the connecting means 24. A vacuum cup holder 25 made of synthetic resin is formed with an inserting projection 25a which is for coupling with the coupling hole 24c of the coupling means 24. Thereafter the reflecting board 26 is attached by means of a fixing screw 23.

Unexplained reference numeral 31 in the drawing is the front glass of the showcase.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the socket 21 is attached to the interior ceiling 30 of the showcase 29, and the elongate slot 24b of the connecting means 24 is brought adjacent the screw hole 22a of the protrusion 22 of the socket and is then held in position by the tightening of the fixing screw 23.

The inserting projection 25a of the vacuum cup holder 25 is coupled by means of adhesive into the coupling hole 24c formed in the head portion of the connecting means 24.

Thereafter the reflecting board 26 is adhered to the vacuum cup holder 25. In the event it is desired to voluntarily change the position of the reflecting board 26, the fixing screw 23 is unscrewed a little and then, as shown in FIG.

10(B), the angle of the reflecting board 26 and its distance to the fluorescent lamp 27 may be adjusted into the required state and thereafter the fixing screw 23 is re-tightened.

Thus, it is possible to voluntarily control the direction of light which is required by a user. In the event it is desired to remove the reflecting board 26 from the fluorescent lamp, this may be done by only unscrewing the fixing screw and then drawing the reflecting board towards the front side.

Thus, the reflecting board is simply mounted and when the fluorescent lamp is on, the light emitted from the fluorescent lamp radiating towards the outside of the showcase through the glass is reflected by the reflecting board and thus illuminates the exhibited articles within the showcase. Thus, the exhibited articles are viewed in brighter light, and when viewing articles in the showcase through the front glass from outside, dazzling is eliminated. Hence, the efficiency of the lighting in the showcase can be highly improved, and it is possible to use the reflective board in any place in the showcase, either a side wall or the ceiling, therefore the following advantages are provided in that indirect illumination is efficiently utilized and maximisation of the advertising effect of the exhibited articles can be induced.

It will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A reflecting board mounting device for use with a fluorescent lamp in showcase lighting which is characterized by: reflecting board formed with slant portion, front surface portion and inserting portion and being bent is made for indirect illumination of showcase, bracket which is bent in the form of "r"-shape so as to be facing oppositely and having rings bent roundly in cylindrical form in its end is provided, and elastic clamp formed with elastic portion to be urged to side surface of known socket, rotating shafts at both ends and coiled springs of intermediate portion, is provided.

2. A reflecting board mounting device for use with a fluorescent lamp in showcase lighting which is characterised by: rectangular inserting hole and stepped portion protruded to inward of said rectangular inserting hole are formed at top and bottom portions of reflecting board of fluorescent lamp, and vacuum cup holder provided with fixing piece pierced with coupling hole in the form of key hole shape as well as pulling protrusion is made so as to be assembled with the reflecting board by fixing screw.

3. A reflecting board mounting device for use with a fluorescent lamp in showcase lighting which is characterised by: protrusion provided integrally with screw hole at a side surface of socket of fluorescent lamp is formed, connecting means having supporting bars defined with elongate slot opened to one end direction and coupling hole of the front surface of head portion at another end is formed, and said elongate slot is aligned with said screw hole whereby being tightened by fixing screw, and inserting projection applied with adhesive of vacuum cup holder is coupled into said coupling hole and thereafter being adhered to reflecting board.

4. A reflecting board mounting device for use with a fluorescent lamp in showcase lighting comprising engaging means for engagement with a reflecting board and holding means for holding the reflecting board in position relative to a fluorescent lamp in a showcase so as to ensure light emitted from the fluorescent lamp towards the outside of the showcase is reflected back into the showcase.

5. A reflecting board mounting device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 4, 5 to 7 or 8 to 10.