AU2008249058A1 - Mounting element for a built-in light - Google Patents

Description

Mounting element for a built-in light The invention relates to a mounting element for a built-in light provided for fitting in an installation opening, wherein the mounting element comprises a base part and a 5 locking element. The locking element can be moved relative to the base part out of an installation position into a locking position, wherein a corresponding built-in light, which is equipped with the mounting element, can be inserted into the installation opening if the locking element is located in the installation position, and is fixed in a predetermined installation position in the installation opening, if the locking element 10 is located in the locking position. Furthermore, the invention relates to a built-in light which is equipped with such a mounting element. For mounting purposes, built-in lights which are provided for fitting in suspended ceilings, for example bowl lights, are usually either placed from above into a 15 corresponding ceiling installation opening or inserted from below through the installation opening, contacting the ceiling support and mounted on the ceiling by mounting elements. The said mounting elements are therefore not required in every case, but rather generally only for the case where the light is installed from below. 20 If installation is to be performed using mounting means, these are generally first attached to the outer surfaces of the housing of the light. However, it is only possible to release and fixedly clamp the mounting elements to the ceiling when the light is opened, i.e. where the lamp unit is not inserted. It is therefore necessary during assembly to first disassemble the light so that the housing of the light is separate from 25 the lamp unit - if necessary with accessories - which is provided in the housing. In a further step, the housing is then mounted on the ceiling, wherein the mounting

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elements are attached to the ceiling by releasing and fixedly clamping, and subsequently the lamp unit, if necessary with accessories, is inserted into the housing. A corresponding built-in ceiling light is known from the German Gebrauchsmusterschrift (Utility Model Document) DE 298 19 888 Ut. 5 A similar situation exists with spot lights or downlights. However, one difference with regard to the above mentioned case of bowl lights resides in the fact that the respective mounting elements are generally not provided as parts which can be releasably attached to the housing, i.e. in this respect they are fixedly connected to the 10 housing. An installation holder for a built-in light is known from the German Offenlegungsschrft (unexamined and first publication) DE 197 15 068 Al. When the light is in the assembled state the installation holder encompasses a light body having 15 two reflector parts. The installation holder comprises two turning bolts which can be moved from a first position, in which the installation holder can be inserted through an installation opening into a ceiling hollow space, into a locking position in which the turning bolts engage over an undercut surface of the ceiling hollow space. When mounting the light the light body must first be separated from the installation holder 20 because the turning bolts must be moved by one hand. The object of the invention is to provide a mounting element for a built-in light which enables the built-in light to be mounted in a more convenient manner and in so doing in a safe and convenient manner and also to provide a built-in light having such a 25 mounting element. 2 This object is achieved in accordance with the invention with the subjects mentioned in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are mentioned in the dependent claims. 5 In accordance with the invention a mounting element for a built-in light is provided, wherein the built-in light is intended for mounting in an installation opening. The mounting element comprises a base part and a locking element, which can be moved relative to the base part out of an installation position into a locking position. A 10 corresponding built-in light which is equipped with the mounting element can be inserted into the installation opening if the locking element is located in the installation position and is fixed in a designated installation position in the installation opening if the locking element is located in the locking position. Furthermore, means are provided for independently moving the locking element from the installation 15 position into the locking position. By providing the means for independently moving the locking element from the installation position into the locking position it is rendered possible that when mounting a built-in light which is equipped with the mounting element, once the built 20 in light has been positioned into the designated position relative to the installation opening, i.e. into the designated installation position, no further mounting step is required. In particular, it is not necessary to subsequently insert a lamp unit or the like. 25 3 In preference, the means for independently moving the locking element comprise an energy storage element, for example a storage element for electrical energy or deformation energy. The storage element is advantageously designed to store at least as much energy as is required for performing the movement of the locking element 5 from the installation position into the locking position. In particular, the storage element can be designed in such a manner to store as much energy as renders it possible in addition to fix the built-in light in the installation position. In so doing, a corresponding holding force can be applied for fixing the built-in light. 10 The storage element can, for example, comprise a spring preferably a helical spring. Furthermore, in an advantageous manner the mounting element comprises a triggering element for activating the means for independently moving the locking element. The trigger element can be arranged advantageously such that the means for independently 15 moving the locking element are activated as soon as the built-in light equipped with the mounting element is moved into the designated installation position. Furthermore, the trigger element can advantageously be designed such that by virtue of a pressure applied to a region of the trigger element the independent movement of 20 the locking element from the installation position into the locking position is triggered. For example, the trigger element can be disposed between a trigger-standby position and a release position in a displaceable manner on the base part, wherein by moving 25 the trigger element from the trigger-standby position into the trigger position the 4 independent movement of the locking element from the installation position into the locking position is triggered. Advantageously, the trigger element is disposed on the base part in such a manner as 5 to be able to be displaced in a direction which is opposite to a further direction in which the corresponding built-in light is moved on a final movement section during a movement into the designated installation position. As a consequence, it is possible in a convenient manner that as the built-in light 10 moves into the designated installation position the trigger element is moved into the release position by virtue of a pressure of the built-in light against a ceiling component or the like, which forms the edge of the installation opening and in this manner the independent movement of the locking element from the installation position into the locking position is triggered. For example, it can then be provided 15 that the protruding region protrudes into the direction in which the built-in light is moved on a final movement section during a movement into the designated installation position. For example, it is therefore possible in the case of a built-in ceiling light to provide that the protruding region - in the case of the designated built in alignment of the light with respect to the vertical - protrudes upwards and during a 20 movement of the built-in light is urged against a downwardly directed part of the ceiling, such that the triggering occurs. Furthermore, in an advantageous manner, a double retaining facility is provided for the means for the independent movement of the locking element from the installation 25 position into the locking position. 5 Furthermore, in an advantageous manner, damping means for damping the movement of the locking element from the installation position into the locking position are provided. The damping means can comprise a gas damper and/or a friction brake. 5 In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a mounting element for a built-in light is provided, wherein the built-in light is provided for mounting in an installation opening. The mounting element comprises a base part and a locking element which can be moved relative to the base part from an installation position into a locking 10 position, wherein a corresponding built-in light, which is equipped with the mounting element, can be inserted into the installation opening if the locking element is located in the installation position, and is fixed in a designated installation position in the installation opening if the locking element is located in the locking position. Furthermore, damping means are provided for damping the movement of the locking 15 element from the installation position into the locking position. By virtue of the damping means, a mounting procedure can be performed in a safer and more convenient manner. In particular, there is no snatching movement of a locking element. Thus, the mounting element does not have a "mouse trap character". 20 In preference, damping means are provided which function according to the principle of gas or oil damping, friction brake, path transmission or a rubber damper. For example, the damping elements can therefore comprise a gas damper and/or a friction brake. 25 6 The invention will be explained in greater detail hereinunder with reference to exemplified embodiments and with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a view from outside the housing of a first exemplified embodiment of a 5 mounting element in accordance with the invention mounted on a bowl-shaped housing of a built-in light, Fig. 2 is a view as for Fig. I but from inside the housing, 10 Fig. 3a is a schematic lateral view of the mounting element of Fig. I from the outside, with corresponding ceiling support, prior to installing the light, Fig. 3b is a view as for Fig. 3a but from the inside, 15 Fig. 4a is a view as for Fig. 3a but with the trigger element contacting the ceiling support from the outside, Fig. 4b is a view as for Fig. 4a but from the inside, 20 Fig. 5a is a view as for Fig. 4a but during the movement of the locking element into the locking position, Fig. 5b is a view as for Fig. Sa but from the inside, 25 Fig. 6a is a view as for Fig. 4a but in the locking position, 7 Fig. 6b is a view as for Fig. 6b [sic] but from the inside, Fig. 7a is a view as for Fig. 6a but with a ceiling support which has less vertical 5 extension, Fig. 7b is a view as for Fig. 7a but from the inside, Fig. 8a is a view as for Fig. 7a but in an inserted position, 10 Fig. 8b is a view as for Fig. Sa but from the inside, Fig. 9 is a first perspective view of a second exemplified embodiment of a mounting element in accordance with the invention, 15 Fig. 10 is a second perspective view of the mounting element of Fig. 9, Fig. 11 is a third perspective view of the mounting element of Fig. 9, 20 Fig. 12 is a perspective detailed view of the mounting element of Fig. 9, Figures 13 and 14 show two perspective views of the mounting element of Fig. 9 in the double-retained state, 25 Figures 15 and 16 show a view as shown in Figures 13 and 14 but after one retainer 8 has been released, Figures 17 and 18 show the mounting element of Fig. 9 after releasing the two retainers, 5 Figures 19 and 20 show the mounting element of Fig. 9 with the locking element 5 pivoted out, Fig. 21 shows the mounting element of Fig. 9, wherein the locking element 5 is 10 located in the installation position, Figures 22 and 23 show two perspective views of a third exemplified embodiment of a mounting element in accordance with the invention, 15 Fig. 24 is a cross-section illustration of the mounting element of Fig. 22 with the locking element pivoted out, Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the mounting element of Fig. 22 with the locking element located in the installation position, 20 Fig. 26 is a perspective view of an upper region of the guide pin of the mounting element of Fig. 22, Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the locking element 5 of the mounting element of Fig. 25 22, 9 Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the trigger element 9 of the mounting element of Fig. 22, 5 Figures 29 and 30 show two perspective views of a fourth exemplified embodiment of a mounting element in accordance with the invention, and Figures 31 and 32 show two perspective views of a fifth exemplified embodiment of a mounting element in accordance with the invention. 10 Figures 1 to 8 illustrate a first exemplified embodiment of a mounting element in accordance with the invention, which is suitable for a built-in light in the form of a built-in ceiling light which is designed as a bowl light. The figures show the mounting element I in a state where it is attached to a bowl-shaped housing 2 of a 15 built-in light. A corresponding built-in light can, for example, comprise two, three, four or more similar mounting elements 1. The built-in light is intended for mounting in an installation opening. In Figures 3 to 8, the installation opening is only indicated on one side and in fact exemplarily by a 20 ceiling support 10 whose lower edge 11, as illustrated exemplarily in Figures 5a and 5b, forms the edge of the installation opening. It is also possible to provide a different ceiling component other than the ceiling support 10. The built-in light comprises an edge-side flange or a short edge flange 12, which is provided for covering the edge of the installation opening from the outside when the built-in light is located in the 25 designated installation position. 10 The mounting element I comprises a base part 4 which is attached in a known manner to the bowl-shaped housing 2, for example by means of latching elements. Furthermore, the mounting element I comprises a locking element 5 which can be 5 moved relative to the base part 4 and in fact between an installation position, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3a and 3b, and a locking position. A possible locking position is illustrated in Figures 6a and 6b. When the locking element 5 is located in the installation position, the built-in light can 10 be inserted into the installation opening. The locking element 5 in this position correspondingly does not protrude or only accordingly protrudes slightly outwards beyond the relevant outer wall of the housing, so that the built-in light can be inserted into the installation opening from the outside, without the locking element 5 pushing against the ceiling support 10. 15 When the locking element 5 is located in the locking position, the built-in light is fixed in a designated installation position in the installation opening. Furthermore, the mounting element I comprises means for independently moving the 20 locking element 5 from the installation position into the locking position. In the case of the first exemplified embodiment, these means comprise a spring in the form of a helical spring 6 which is disposed on the base part 4 and acts on the locking element 5. The helical spring 6 is pre-stressed when the locking element 5 is located in the installation position and exerts a pressure on the locking element 5. In this pre 25 stressed state the spring 6 stores as much energy as is required to perform the 11 movement of the locking element 5 from the installation position into the locking position and for fixing or holding the built-in light in the installation opening in the ceiling. If the pre-stressing of the spring 6 is released, a movement of the locking element 5 from the installation position into the locking position is triggered. 5 The holding force, i.e. the force with which the built-in light is held in the installation opening, is applied in the case of this first exemplified embodiment by the spring 6 or rather in the event that several mounting elements are provided for the built-in light, by the corresponding springs. 10 As is evident, by way of example, in Figures 6a and 6b, in the case of the first exemplified embodiment the locking arrangement is formed by virtue of the fact that the locking element 5 is urged by the influence of the spring 6 from one side against the ceiling support 10 and the edge flange 12 of the built-in light is urged from the 15 other side against the ceiling support 10. The locking arrangement can therefore be provided by clamping the ceiling support 12 - or generally the corresponding ceiling component - between the locking element 5 and the edge flange 12. Furthermore, the means for independently moving the locking element 5 comprise 20 two guide pins 13, 14 which are disposed mounted in a rotatable manner on the locking element 5, and a slot 15 which is formed by an opening in the base part 4 and which is provided for guiding the two guide pins 13, 14. The slot 15 is curved in a U shaped manner in an upper region and then in a lower region becomes a straight section, as is evident by way of example in Fig. 5b. As a consequence, the locking 25 element 5 can move with respect to the base part 4 and with respect to the housing of 12 the light, and starting from the installation position initially performs a rotational movement about a horizontal axis and subsequently performs a downwardly directed linear movement. During the rotational movement the locking element 5 is pivoted outwardly to the extent that it engages in the installation position of the light over the 5 ceiling support 10. In the case of this exemplified embodiment, the slot 15 is selected such that the locking element 5 is wedged in the locking position and thus counteracts any backwards movement out of the locking position in the direction of the installation 10 position. Furthermore, the mounting element 1 comprises a trigger element 7 with which the means for independent movement of the locking element 5 can be activated. In the case of the first exemplified embodiment, this is achieved by virtue of the fact that the 15 trigger element 7 is displaceably disposed on the base part 4 and in fact - as is evident by way of example in Fig. 1 - in a vertical direction, if the built-in light is aligned in the same way as in the designated installation position (this alignment is tacitly assumed within the scope of this description when mentioning the direction). The trigger element 7 can be displaced between a trigger-standby position and a trigger 20 position. In the trigger-standby position, which is illustrated by way of example in Figures 1, 3a and 3b, the trigger element 7 is located in an upper position and pushes with a retaining region 8 against the locking element 5, so that this is held against the force of the spring 6 in the installation position. In a lower position, which is illustrated by way of example in Figures 4a and 4b, the trigger element 7 is displaced 25 so far downwards that the retaining region 8 is no longer pushed against the locking 13 element 5 and as a consequence the spring 6 pushes the locking element 5 into the locking position. The trigger element 7 furthermore comprises a pressure region 9 which comprises an 5 upwardly directed surface normal. By virtue of a pressure from above on the pressure region 9 of the trigger element 7 which is located in the upper position, i.e. in the trigger-standby position, the said trigger element can be moved downwards into the release position. 10 The pressure region 9 is disposed in such a manner on the trigger element 7 that, if the built-in light is moved into the installation opening into the designated installation position - the said pressure region must be pushed on a final movement section from below against the ceiling support 10, so that the trigger element 7 is moved into the release position. 15 In the case of the illustrated exemplified embodiment the trigger element 7 is disposed in such a manner as to be displaceable substantially in the longitudinal and vertical direction on the base part 4. The pressure region 9 is formed by a region, which curves outwards approximately at a right angle, of the trigger element 7. The pressure 20 region 9 is disposed vertically over a region of the edge flange 12. The pressure region 9 is disposed in the plan view inside the edge flange 12. In this manner, the trigger element 7 is not visible in the designated installation position when the built-in light is viewed from the outside from the normal direction. 25 For the purpose of installing the built-in light, it is provided that the trigger element 7 14 is first located in the trigger-standby position and the locking element 5 is pre-stressed accordingly by the spring 6 in the installation position. As soon as the built-in light is then moved into the designated installation position, on the last section of this movement the pressure region 9 and thus the trigger element 7 is forcibly, in other 5 words automatically, displaced out of the trigger-standby position into the trigger position as a result of the interaction with the edge of the installation opening, so that the retaining region 8 of the trigger element 7 no longer influences the locking element 5, i.e. releases the locking element and as a result of the influence of the spring 6 the locking element 5 is pushed into the locking position and in fact guided 10 with the aid of the guide pins 13, 14 guided in the slot 15. This movement sequence is indicated in Figures 3 to 6 in a schematic cross-sectional illustration. Figures 3a, 4a, 5a and 6a show in each case a view from outside of the light housing, Figures 3b, 4b, 5b and 6b show the corresponding views from inside. 15 Figures 3a and 3b show the situation prior to the light being installed. Figures 4a and 4b show the situation in which the light is inserted into the installation opening to such an extent that by contacting the pressure region 9 from below against the ceiling support 10 the trigger element 7 is displaced into the trigger position, i.e. the locking element 5 is unlocked. As a consequence, the spring 6 causes the locking element 5 20 to pivot outwards, as illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b. Finally, the movement of the locking element 5 is limited by contacting the ceiling support 10 from above, as illustrated in Figures 6a and 6b. In this position the ceiling support 10 is fixedly clamped between the locking element 5 and the edge flange 12. 25 The ceiling support 10 illustrated in Figures 6a and 6b can, by way of example, 15 comprise a height of 45 mm. The ceiling support 10' illustrated as an exemplary alternative in Figures 7a and 7b can, by way of example, have a height of 30 mm. As a consequence, a further locking position is created which differs accordingly from the first locking position illustrated in Figures 6a and 6b. 5 The position illustrated in Figures 8a and 8b corresponds to an inserted position which can be designed for example for a ceiling support up to 23mm high. Figures 9 to 21 illustrate a second exemplified embodiment of a mounting element in 10 accordance with the invention, in which like reference numbers each designate corresponding parts. Hereinunder, essentially only the principal differences with respect to the first exemplified embodiment are mentioned. The second exemplified embodiment is suitable generally for built-in lights, for 15 example, for bowl lights. The mounting element is suitable for mounting on an outside of a bowl (not illustrated here) of a built-in light. One difference with respect to the first exemplified embodiment resides in the fact that for the movement of the locking element 5 in the case of the second exemplified 20 embodiment first a rotation about a vertical (instead of about a horizontal) axis is provided before a linear movement is performed in the downwards direction. During the rotational movement the locking element 5 is pivoted outwards so that it engages over a ceiling component, by way of example, a ceiling support 10, if the built-in light is located in a designated installation position. In the installation position, which is 25 illustrated by way of example in Figures 9 to 12, the locking element 5 is pivoted 16 inwards, so that the built-in light can be inserted from the outside into the installation opening. In the case of the second exemplified embodiment the locking element 5 comprises a 5 guide region 20 having an inner thread. Furthermore, a threaded shaft 3 is provided which is disposed about a vertical axis in such a manner as to be able to rotate with respect to the base part 4. The guide region 20 of the locking element 5 engages in a meshing manner from the outside into the threaded shaft 3, so that upon rotation of the threaded shaft 3 relative to the locking element 5 the guide region 20 and thus the 10 entire locking element 5 is height-adjusted with respect to the base part 4. The spring 6, which is formed in the case of this second exemplified embodiment by a spiral leaf spring 6', is disposed in such a manner as to be able to rotate on the base part 4 and acts in a stressed or pre-stressed state on the threaded shaft 3 so as to cause 15 a rotation by means of which the locking element 5 is moved downwards. In the installation position the spring 6' is pre-stressed accordingly. The pre-stressing of the spring 6' in the installation position is maintained by a retainer 30, which is fixedly connected to the trigger element 7 and which acts on a protrusion 31 of the threaded shaft 3, as is evident for example, from Fig. 11. The retainer 30 is disposed in such a 20 manner on the trigger element 7 that the protrusion 31 is released if the trigger element 7 is moved out of the trigger-standby position into the trigger position. In order to secure the retainer 30 against sliding unintentionally and independently downwards, a further spring 22 is provided, as is evident for example, from Fig. 10. 25 The further spring 22 is attached in such a manner to the threaded shaft 3 that it 17 pushes from below against the retainer 30. It is possible for the trigger element 7 to move from the trigger-standby position into the trigger position against the upwards directed pressure of the further spring 22. 5 For the purpose of transmitting force from the spring 6' to the threaded shaft 3 a grove 16 is provided on the upper edge of the threaded shaft 3, into which groove the spring 6' engages with its inner end region. On the outer end region the spring 6' comprises two gripping protrusions 24, 25 which engage into an upwardly protruding guide projection 27 of the locking element 5, so that, as the spring 6' rotates, the locking 10 element 5 is also rotated accordingly. If the locking element 5 is rotated starting from the installation position by rotating the spring 6', as indicated in Fig. 9 by the arrow, the locking element 5 pivots outwards and in so doing engages over the ceiling support 10 (not shown here) when 15 the corresponding built-in light is located in the designated installation position. This latter mentioned rotational movement is limited by a stop 23 such that the locking element 5 remains in the outward pivoted state relative to the base part 4. By further rotating the spring 6' the threaded shaft 3 is rotated and thus by virtue of the 20 interaction between the threaded shaft 3 and the guide element 20 the locking element 5 is moved downwards and in fact until it contacts the ceiling component from above and thus the locking position is achieved. The stop 23 is designed such that during this movement the locking element 5 is held by the stop 23 in the outward pivoted state. 25 18 The spring 6' is designed in such a manner that in the locking position it comprises a residual stress. As a consequence, the locking element 5 is prevented in a reliable manner from moving backwards in the sense of pivoting inwards. In the case of this second exemplified embodiment, the holding force, with which the built-in light is 5 fixed in the installation opening, is provided by the residual stress of the spring 6' and the pitch of the thread of the threaded shaft 3. The trigger element 7 is disposed in a vertically displaceable manner on the base part 4 and the retaining region 8 of the trigger element 7, which is illustrated by way of 10 example in Figures 9 and 12, pushes in the installation position sidewards against the locking element 5. During a movement of the trigger element 7 from the trigger standby position into the trigger position the retaining element 8 is moved downwards until it no longer acts on the locking element 5. In this manner, the movement of the locking element 5 out of the installation position into the locking position is triggered. 15 A further difference with respect to the first exemplified embodiment resides in the fact that a double retaining facility is provided for the means for the independent movement of the locking element 5 from the installation position into the locking position. This is advantageous, because by way of example whilst delivering the 20 built-in light a double retaining arrangement and thus increased safety is possible, wherein then at the installation site prior to installing the light the first retaining arrangement can be released, so that only a single retaining arrangement is provided. This single retaining arrangement can be provided by virtue of the above described mechanism so that it is released accordingly at the moment in which the built-in light 25 is moved into the designated installation position. 19 For the double retaining facility the mounting element I comprises furthermore a retaining part 40 which is illustrated by way of example in Fig. 9, which - like the trigger element 7 - is disposed in a displaceable manner relative to the base part 4, in 5 preference in a vertically displaceable manner, and in fact between a retaining position and an enabling position. In the case of the exemplified embodiment illustrated the retaining part 40 is disposed in a displaceable manner on the base part 4 and the trigger element 7 is in turn displaceable on the retaining part 40. 10 The retaining part 40 comprises a further retainer 44 which retains the threaded shaft 3 via a further protrusion 32 to prevent rotation, when the retaining part 40 is located in the retaining position. In the enabling position which is illustrated by way of example in Fig. I the further retainer 44 is positioned so that it no longer acts on the threaded shaft 3. 15 As is evident by way of example in Fig. 9, the retaining part 40 comprises furthermore a further pressure region 45 which is formed similar to and - for example on both sides - directly adjacent to the pressure region 9 of the trigger element 7. The further pressure region 45 is accordingly formed in turn by an outwardly curved region of the 20 retaining part 40 and comprises a upwardly directed surface normal. The further pressure region 45 is disposed on the retaining part 40 in such a manner that a flush transition to the pressure region 9 of the trigger element 7 is formed, if the retaining part 40 is located in the retaining position. For example, it can be provided that in this state the pressure region 9 of the trigger element 7 and the further pressure region 45 25 of the retaining part 40 form a planar upwardly directed surface. 20 If the retaining part 40 is located in the enabling position, the further pressure region 45 is displaced downwards until the trigger element 7 can be displaced into the release position, without the pressure region 9 having to be moved below the level of the 5 further pressure region 45. The designated movement flow is illustrated in the Figures 13 to 21. The Figures 13 and 14 illustrate in two different views the state with the doubly retained means for the independent movement of the locking element 5 from the installation position into 10 the locking position. The retaining part 40 is located in the retaining position and the trigger element 7 is located in the trigger-standby position. The pressure region 9 of the trigger element 7 and the pressure region 45 of the retaining part 40 are flush as illustrated in Figures 13 15 and 14. As illustrated in Figure 14, in this state the threaded shaft 3 is secured twice to prevent rotation and in fact on the one hand by the retainer 30 of the trigger element 7 and on the other hand by the further retainer 44 of the retaining part 40. 20 Figures 15 and 16 illustrate the state in which a retaining arrangement is released and in fact that of the retaining part 40. The retaining part 40 is located in an enabling position. As is evident from Fig. 15, the pressure region 9 of the trigger element 7 protrudes upwards with respect to the further pressure region 45 of the retaining part 25 40. 21 Figures 17 and 18 illustrate the state in which the trigger element 7 is moved into the trigger position. As is evident from Fig. 17, the locking element 5 is no longer held by the retaining region 8 of the trigger element 7 in the installation position. As is 5 evident from Fig. 18, the threaded shaft 3 is no longer retained, because the retainer 30 of the trigger element 7 is accordingly pushed downwards. In this position, therefore, the spring 6' can be relaxed and the movement of the locking element 5 is initiated. 10 Figures 19 and 20 illustrate the state in which the locking element 5 is outwardly pivoted and, finally, Fig. 21 illustrates the state in which the locking element 5 is moved downwards until it is located in the installation position. With reference to Figures 22 to 28 a third exemplified embodiment of a mounting 15 element in accordance with the invention is now illustrated, wherein in turn like reference numerals designate in each case corresponding parts. Fig. 22 illustrates a housing component 50 of a built-in light having a circular edge flange 12 on which the mounting element I is attached. The built-in light can, for 20 example, be a downlight. Fig. 23 illustrates in greater detail the mounting element. The trigger element 7 is evident, which in turn is disposed in such a manner as to be vertically displaceable on the housing component 50. As a consequence of the fact that the trigger element 7 is 25 guided vertically, no forces are created during a movement, which forces could have a 22 negative influence on the attachment of the mounting element. Also evident from the figure is the pressure region 9 of the trigger element 7, which pressure region "protrudes" upwards with respect to the edge flange 12 and is pushed 5 downwards with respect to the housing component 50, when the built-in light is moved into an installation opening into the designated installation position and in fact, in turn, as a consequence of the fact that the pressure region 9 is pushed from below against an edge region of the installation opening. In the release position, the pressure region 9 is "countersunk" in the annular edge flange 12 of the housing component 50. 10 Advantageously, it can further be provided that the trigger element 7 is pushed by a resilient part, for example a flexible tongue, easily into the trigger-standby position. In this manner, when tensioning the unit only the locking element 5 needs to be moved. 15 The movement of the locking element 5 from the installation position into the locking position first comprises a rotational movement about a vertical axis during which the locking element 5 is pivoted outwards until it engages over a ceiling part, for example over a ceiling support (not illustrated), when the built-in light is located in a designated installation position. Subsequently, a vertical linear movement in the 20 downwards direction is in turn provided, in which the locking element 5 is moved downwards until it pushes against the ceiling part. In the illustrated exemplified embodiment a guide pin 52 fixedly connected to the housing component 50 is provided as the base part, which guide pin is evident by way 25 of example in the schematic cross-sectional illustration shown in Fig. 24. The guide 23 pin 52 is encompassed in a lower region by a piston sleeve 54. The locking element 5 encompasses the guide pin 52 and the piston sleeve 54, in a manner which is best shown in Fig. 24, so that the locking element 5 can be displaced guided in the vertical direction on the piston sleeve 54 and the guide pin 52. 5 In addition, the locking element 5 can be rotated about the guide pin 52 so that by means of this rotation the locking element 5 is pivoted inwards and outwards, wherein the axis of rotation of this movement coincides with the longitudinal axis of the guide pin 52. 10 As is evident in Fig. 24, a hollow space 62 is formed between an inner, cylindrical shaped defining surface 61 of the locking element 5 and the corresponding section of the guide pin 52, which hollow space is defined at the upper end by an upper hollow space defining wall 64 of the locking element 5 and at the bottom by the piston sleeve 15 54. The corresponding joins between the locking element 5, the guide pin 52 and the piston sleeve 54 are formed in such a manner that by virtue of the hollow space 62 a compression space is formed through which it is possible for the locking element 5 to perform a damped vertical movement with respect to the guide pin 52. 20 As the locking element 5 moves relative to the guide pin 52 out of an upper position downwards, the air in the hollow space 62 is compressed, causing this movement to be damped. During a movement in the opposite direction, i.e. a corresponding movement of the locking element 5 upwards, the air is drawn into the hollow space, in turn causing a damping. 25 24 In this manner, a damping means for damping the movement of the locking element 5 from the installation position into the locking position is achieved. The guide pin 52 is the central and supporting part of the mounting element. It is 5 fixedly connected to the housing component 50, by way of example in the region of the edge flange 12. The edge flange 12 having adjacent parts of the housing component 50 can be provided as an aluminium pressure cast part and the guide pin 52 can be pressed therein. The piston sleeve 54 can be formed as one therewith or adhered thereto. 10 In the installation position the guide pin 52 in interaction with the trigger element 7 holds the locking element 5 against the force of the spring 6 upwards. As is particularly evident in Fig. 26, in which the upper region of the guide pin 52 is illustrated separately, the guide pin 52 comprises at its upper end region a plate 15 shaped region, or in short a plate 55, which is substantially circular in the horizontal cross section, but comprises on one side a flattened area 56 which is formed by a secant and in a region opposite the flattened area 56 comprises an approximately semi-circular cut-out, referred to hereinunder as "mousehole" 58. The flattened area 56 is disposed outside with respect to the housing component 50 and in fact in such a 20 manner that when mounting the light the plate 55 can be inserted through the installation opening. The locking element 5 comprises in the upper region a stop surface 66 which in the installation position, as is evident by way of example in Fig. 24, pushes from below 25 against the plate 55 of the guide pin 52, so that in this state a further upwards 25 movement of the locking element 5 with respect to the guide pin 52 is prevented. The locking element 5 is illustrated separately in Fig. 27. In the upper region an approximately semi-circular protrusion 60 is evident which is formed such that it can 5 be moved vertically through the mousehole 58 of the plate 55. In the installation position, which is illustrated by way of example in Fig. 23, the protrusion 60 is located over the plate 55 of the guide pin 52. During a rotation of the locking element 5 about the vertical axis, i.e. during the outwards pivot movement, the protrusion 60 can be moved so far above the upper side of the plate 55 until it is located precisely 10 above the mousehole 58. In this position, the locking element 5 can be moved downwards. This vertical movement is not possible in the installation position, because the protrusion 60 and thus the locking element 5 is prevented from performing a downwards movement by the plate 55. 15 The downwards movement of the locking element 5 is in turn triggered by the stressing of the spring 6 which in the mounted state pushes the locking element 5 downwards. The releasing element 7 is illustrated separately in Fig. 28. The figure shows in the 20 upper region the retaining region 8 of the releasing element 7, which in the installation position holds the locking element 5 against the force of the spring 6 in an inwards pivoted position. The retaining region 8 acts on a spigot 59 - illustrated in Fig. 27 which is disposed accordingly in the lower region of the locking element 5 protruding thereon. 25 26 Furthermore, a stop 63 is evident in Fig. 28 in the upper end region of the trigger element 7, which stop is disposed in such a manner that the spigot 59 contacts this stop during the outwards pivot movement, as soon as the locking element 5 is located in the outwards pivoted position and in fact such that the protrusion 60 is located 5 precisely over the mousehole 58. In order to move the locking element 5 into the installation position with a pre stressed spring 6, the locking element 5 is first moved from below upwards with respect to the guide pin 52, so that the protrusion 60 of the locking element 5 is 10 moved from below through the mousehole 58. Subsequently, the locking element 5 is rotated by 90* into an inwards pivoted position and in fact against the force of the spring 6. Corresponding to this, the spring 6 is connected to the locking element 5 in a non-rotational manner. This stressing of the spring 6 is to such an extent that by releasing this stressing the locking element 5 can pivot outwards. During the inwards 15 pivot movement the spigot 60 moves over the upper-side surface of the plate 55. A further movement of the locking element 5 upwards is prevented by virtue of the fact that the stop surface 66 of the locking element 5 presses from below against the plate 55 of the guide pin 52. 20 In order to trigger the movement, the pressure region 9 of the trigger element 7 is moved downwards, so that the trigger element 7 is moved into the release position. As a consequence, the retaining region 8 of the trigger element 7 releases the spigot 59 of the locking element and the spring 6 causes an outwards pivot movement of the locking element by 90* into an outwards pivoted position, as is illustrated by way of 25 example in Fig. 24. This rotational movement is defined by virtue of the fact that the 27 spigot 59 contacts the stop 63. In this state, the protrusion 60 is located precisely over the mousehole 58, so that as a result of the effect of the spring 6 the locking element 5 is moved downwards guided by the guide pin 52 and damped by the compression space 62, until it is located in the installation position. 5 In the case of this third exemplified embodiment, the holding force with which the built-in light is fixed in the installation opening is provided by the spring 6 and in fact in this case exclusively by the spring 6. 10 Figures 29 and 30 illustrate in two perspective views a fourth exemplified embodiment of a mounting element in accordance with the invention. The Figures show the base part 4, the trigger element 7 with the pressure region 9 and the retaining region 8 which in the installation position, as illustrated in the two 15 figures, holds the locking element 5 against the force of the spring 6 in the inwards pivoted state. One difference with respect to the above mentioned exemplified embodiments resides in the fact that an 0-ring 70 is provided as the damping element. The base part 4 20 comprises a guide rod 72 on which during the downwards movement of the locking element, the O-ring 70 slides frictionally downwards. Finally, Figures 31 and 32 illustrate in two perspective views a fifth exemplified embodiment. 25 28 In the case of this exemplified embodiment, the trigger element 7 does not act directly on the locking element 5 but rather indirectly via a sliding element 95. The sliding element 95 is disposed on the base part 4 in such a manner as to be able to be displaced along the length, and in fact in a direction which is perpendicular to the 5 movement direction of the trigger element 7. The locking element 5 is connected to the sliding element 95 via two levers 80, 81, wherein the two levers 80, 81 are mutually connected in a rotational manner via a first articulated joint 82. The first lever 80 is connected in a rotational manner to the 10 sliding element 95 via a second articulated joint 92, the second lever 81 is rotationally connected via a third articulated joint 91 to the locking element 5. On the other hand, the first lever 80 is connected via a first guide pin 90 to the sliding element 95, for which a first slot 96 is provided in the sliding element 95. A 15 corresponding, second guide pin 93 is provided for further connection between the second lever 81 and the locking element 5 which is guided in a second slot 97 which is provided in the locking element 5. By virtue of this mechanism, as the movement is triggered, a downwards directed 20 rotational movement of the locking element 5 is created, as indicated by the arrow 99. The movement of the trigger element 5 [sic) from the trigger-standby position into the trigger position, as illustrated in the exemplified embodiments, can be performed for example mechanically. Alternatively, it can be provided that the trigger element 25 electrically activates the means for moving the locking element, for example by 29 means of a switch with which a motorised movement of the locking element is triggered. The holding force with which the built-in light is fixed in the installation opening, is 5 provided in this exemplified embodiment by the changed lever actions as a result of the position change of the levers 80, 81. 30 List of designations I Mounting element 2 Bowl-shaped housing 5 3 Threaded shaft 4 Base part 5 Locking element 6 Spring, for example helical spring 6' Spiral leaf spring 10 7 Trigger element 8 Retaining region of the trigger element 9 Pressure region of the trigger element 10 Ceiling support 11 Inner edge of the ceiling support 15 12 Resting or edge flange of the light housing 13 First guide pin 14 Second guide pin 16 Groove 20 Guide region of the trigger element 20 22 Further spring 23 Stop 24 First engaging protrusion of the guide ring 25 Second engaging protrusion of the guide ring 30 Retainer of the trigger element 25 31 Protrusion 31 32 Further protrusion 40 Retaining part 44 Further retainer; retainer of the retaining part 45 Further pressure region; pressure region of the retaining part 5 50 Housing component 52 Guide pin 54 Piston sleeve 55 Plate of the guide pin 56 Flattened region of the plate 10 57 Cut-out of the plate "Mousehole" 59 Spigot 60 Protrusion of the locking element 61 Inner defining surface of the locking element 62 Hollow space, compression space 15 63 Stop 64 Upper hollow space defining wall of the locking element 66 Contact surface of the trigger element for cooperation with the plate 70 0-ring 72 Guide rod 20 80 First lever 81 Second lever 82 First articulated joint 90 First guide pin 91 Third articulated joint 25 92 Second articulated joint 32 93 Second guide pin 94 Sliding element 96 First slot 97 Second slot 5 99 Rotational movement of the locking element 33

Claims (17)

1. Mounting element for a built-in light which is provided for mounting in an installation opening, 5 comprising: - a base part (4) and - a locking element (5) which can be moved relative to the base part (4) out of an installation position into a locking position, wherein a corresponding built-in light which is equipped with the mounting element (1) can be inserted into the 10 installation opening if the locking element (5) is located in the installation position, and is fixed in a designated installation position in the installation opening if the locking element (5) is located in the locking position, characterised by - means for independently moving the locking element (5) from the installation 15 position into the locking position.

2. Mounting element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for independently moving the locking element (5) comprise an energy storage element, for example, an element for storing electrical energy or deformation energy. 20

3. Mounting element as claimed in claim 2, wherein the storage element can store at least as much energy as is required to perform the movement of the locking element (5) from the installation position into the locking position. 25

4. Mounting element as claimed in claim 3, wherein the storage element can store 38 as much energy as to enable in addition a fixing of the built-in light in the installation position.

5. Mounting means as claimed in claim 2, wherein the storage element comprises a 5 spring (6), preferably a helical spring.

6. Mounting element as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a trigger element (7) for activating the means for independently moving the locking element (5). 10

7. Mounting element as claimed in claim 6, wherein the trigger element (7) is disposed in such a manner that the means for independently moving the locking element (5) are activated, as soon as the built-in light equipped with the mounting element (1) is moved into the designated installation position. 15

8. Mounting element as claimed in claim 6, wherein the trigger element (7) is formed in such a manner that by virtue of a pressure on a region (9) of the trigger element (7) the independent movement of the locking element (5) from the installation position into the locking position is triggered. 20

9. Mounting element as claimed in claim 6, wherein the trigger element (7) is disposed on the base part (4) so as to be able to be displaced between a trigger standby position and a trigger position, wherein by virtue of a movement of the trigger element (7) from the trigger-standby position into the trigger position the independent movement of the locking element (5) from the installation position 25 into the locking position is triggered. 39

10. Mounting element as claimed in claim 9, wherein the trigger element (7) is disposed on the base part (4) so as to be able to be displaced in a direction which extends in the opposite direction to a further direction in which the 5 corresponding built-in light is moved on a final movement section during a movement into the designated installation position.

11. Mounting element as claimed in claim 1, provided with a double retaining facility (30, 44) for the means for independently moving the locking element (5) 10 from the installation position into the locking position.

12. Mounting element as claimed in claim 1, further comprising damping means (62, 70) for damping the movement of the locking element (5) from the installation position into the locking position. 15

13. Mounting means as claimed in claim 12, wherein the damping means comprise a gas damper and/or a friction brake.

14. Mounting element for a built-in light which is provided for mounting in an 20 installation opening, comprising: - a base part (4), and - a locking element (5) which can be moved relative to the base part out of an installation position into a locking position, wherein a corresponding built-in light which is equipped with the mounting element (1) can be inserted into the 25 installation opening if the locking element (5) is located in the installation 40 position, and is fixed in a designated installation position in the installation opening if the locking element (5) is located in the locking position, characterised by - damping means (62,70) for damping the movement of the locking element 5 from the installation position into the locking position.

15. Mounting means as claimed in claim 14, wherein the damping means function according to the principle of gas or oil damping, friction brake, path transmission or a rubber damper. 10

16. Built-in light comprising at least one mounting element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13.

17. Built-in light as claimed in claim 16, comprising an edge flange (12), wherein 15 the trigger element (5) is covered in the designated installation position by the edge flange (12). 41