AU463554B2 - Improvements in or relating to lighting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

46,900/72 This invention relates to a lighting apparatus of the

kind comprising a hollow carrier rail adapted to be attached

in, on or spaced from a fixing surface, such as a ceiling,

the carrier rail being open along one side and accommodating

in its hollow interior unilaterally accessible conductor bars

which form a plurality of mutually independantly operating

electrical circuits and which are received in conductor bar

carriers of insulating material disposed in mirror-image sym-

metry on both sides of a central vertical plane, three of

said conductor bars being phase bars and one being a neutral

bar, a lamp-carrying connection box having an upper stepped

head part which engages into the. c.arrier rail, said box be-

ing provided with a plurality of spring tongues constituting

retaining and contact tongues, which latter are movable by

means of an operating member on said box to extend laterally

from the stepped head part selectively into an operative and

contact position with one of the phase bars, or into an in-

operative position, baid box being also provided with an

earthing tongue or tongues co-operating with a respective

earthing bar or bars in said carrier rail.

Lighting apparatus of the foregoing kind, having a car-

rier rail and a plurality of electric conductor bars arranged

therein which can be switched so that it is possible to op-

erate with a plurality of circuits independantly of each

other, has become known in practice by public prior use.

In the case of the previously used construction, the move-

ments of the spring tongues holders in the interior of the

connection box on the one hand, and the switching movements

to be effected in order to establish a working circuit be-

tween individual spring tongues and electric conductor bars,

4635.54

46,900 72 are combined in a common operating component.

As a common component for this purpose, a switch shaft

for operating from the exterior through a switch knob is

used, which is so constructed, that it is capable on the

one hand of bringing the spring tongues supports with the-

spring tongues mounted thereon selectively into a release

position or a contact position with the electric conductor

bars, while on the-other hand the same switch shaft serves,

depending upon the switching.position, to bring the one or

the other contact spring tongue into physical contact with

the one or the other electric conductor bar of the multi-

phase support bar, so that working circuits are established.

However, a serious disadvantage of this previously known

apparatus is found in the fact that the contact switching of

the contact spring tongue with the electric conductor bar to

establish workable circuits can be performed only in the in-

serted condition of the connection box in the carrier rail,

because the movement of.the spring tongue supports and the

contact switching between said tongues and conductor bars

are controlled mutually independantly. There are also dis-

advantages purely from a stand point of technical circuitry,

because in switching the circuit for a specific contact

spring tongue by rotary actuation of the control knob, it

is unavoidably necessary to switch through.the switch pos-

itions of the switch which are already loaded by circuits

of other spring tongues of previously inserted connection

boxes, so that there is a danger that different electric

conductor bars become briefly overloaded during the adjust-

ment of the circuits for determined contact spring tongues

because it is unavoidable necessary to switch.through the

3 4635.54

46, 9 u0 2 said already highly loaded electric conductor bars. This can lead to serious breakdown. There-is also the compli- cated construction of these switching devices, which render the previously known lighting apparatus not only expensive,

but also unreliable.

It is an object of the invention to simplify and improve

structurally and functionally a lighting apparatus used with

a multiphase carrier rail and furthermore to increase its

safety.

Accordingly, the invention consists in a lighting appa-

ratus of the kind hereinbefore set forth, wherein in order

to form a working circuit between each individual phase con-

tact tongue accomrmodated in groups-on switch elements which

are movable in said connection box transversely thereof and

each phase bar in the connection box, a pre-selector switch

is provided which is arranged structurally separate from the

operating member for actuating the switch element and also

independant therefromi operationally and in its technical

function, operable outside the carrier rail through a switch member which is accessable from the exterior of the connec- tion box, and which is provided with a number, corresponding to the number of phase bars in the carrier rail, of switch

contact points each having a particular contact connection

to one of the phase contact tongues, and wherein further a switch bridge inside said pre-selector switch is connected by an outgoing lead to the lamp which is placed between the

phase current supply and the neutral conductor.

The advantage of the lighting aijparatus of the inven-

tion is to be seen firstly in the separate arrangement and the actuation to be effected mutually independantly of the

4 635, 54

46 900/72 switch elements carrying the contact spring tongues on the

one hand, and the choice of the working circuits between the

phase contact spring tongues and the phase bars of the car-

rier rail on the other hand, while as a further particular

advantage, the pre-selector switch which according to the-

invention is arranged separately from the switch shaft which

effects the movement of the switch elements is controlled out-

side the.carrier rail, that is in the still unloaded condi-

tion by the current, so that it is no longer possible for overloading of individual phase bars to occur thereby, which

decisively contributes to increasing the safety of and re-

lieving the load of the appliance.

With the circuits operating mutually independantly, the

connection boxes inserted can also be operated mutually in-

dependantly in time. To give an example of this, when using

such lighting apparatuses, for example for decorative light-

ing in display windows, the connection boxes and the lamps

attached to them can be made to burn at quite specific pre-

selectable time, so that for example all those connection

boxes which are alive in one circuit can all be switched off

together at the same time, whereas all the connection boxes

of the two other circuits still remain in service. Of the

said two other circuits, again, either one or both can be

switched off at determined pre-selectable times or they may

all be switched on again together. It is therefore obvious

that a large number of possible variation and application

are available with this new lighting apparatus within the

scope of the circuits operating mutually independantly within

a common carrier rail which therefore render the object of the

invention particularly efficacious and universally useful.

5 4635.54

46,900/72 The handling of a connection box constructed according first of to the invention is extremely simple, in as much as

all for its insertion it is possible to determine by rotat- in the ing the pre-selector switch the phase contact tongue

connection box which is intended to form a working circuit

with a phase bar in the carrier rail, which is described in

further detail in the specific part of the description. When

this preselection has been effected, the connection box can

be inserted into the carrier bar and secured in customary

manner by rotating the switch knob. Although then, in the

final inserted position, all the phase contact spring ton-

gues and also the neutral contact spring tongues are in

physical contact with the phase bars and with a neutral

conductor in the carrier rail, nevertheless only a single

pre-selected working circuit prevails within the connection

box. A working circuit in the case of the subject of the

invention is constituted by the fact that the light source,

in this case the lamp, lies between the neutral conductor

lead and the current lead from a phase bar through a phase

contact spring tongue, the.switch bridge of the pre-selector

switch and the connecting lead from the switch bridge to

the light source.

The advantages which were not previously achieved, are

now achieved together with improvement with the function

and increase in safety, not only by the structural separa-

tion of the switch shaft moving the switch element and the

pre-selector switch, but also by the mutually independant

operation of both elements.

Considered from a structural standpoint, the object of

the invention is capable of one possible advantageous pract-

S4635,54

46,900 2 icable embodiment, wherein the base of the pre-selector

switch which has the switch webs constituting the switch

contact points worked into it is combined in integral con-

struction with a guide insert inserted into one of the two

housing shells of the connection box. for the transverse gui-

dance of the switch elements carrying phase contact spring

tongues, while said guide insert together with the pre-sele- ctor cap interior to the connection box are held together

with the housing shell by two fixing screws common to both.

With this possible mode of construction the guide in-

sert .thus constitutes a component of multiple function which

is distinguished not only by its integral mode of construc-

tion but also by the accommodation of the necessary function-

al elements in the minimum space, while the arrangement of

the switch base and the guide means for the switch elements

carrying the contact spring tongues in planes one above the

other will be regarded as particularly advantageous and

convenient.

It is further more advantageous in the construction of

the guide insert that it has projecting with respect to an

insert base place abutting in the housing shell, three guide

wall parts arranged at the interval of the switch element

width and of a height corresponding to the connection box

depth, in which in opposite arrangement unilaterally open

channel shaped guideways are worked to receive guide strips

on the switch elements.

It is further significant for the novel mode of con-

struction that each switch element is substantially con-

structed as a bifurcate component,-the head part of which

is provided with two juxtaposed open slit shaped insertion

4635.54

46,900 P2 longitudinal direction orifices oriented substantially in the tongue on the one of the element to receive contact spring projecting webs a fur- hand, and on the other hand forms by while the bifurcate foot ther housing for a retaining tongue, overlaps a control eccen- part of the element straddles and for actuating the tric provided on the switch knob shaft

movement of the switch elements. accommodate all By this means it has been possible to the connection the spring tongues necessary for maintaining transmitting the con- box in the carrier rail, and also for space whilst re- tact, in a rational manner in the minimum so that a bulky specting the required safety distances, been achieved to house construction is avoided. It has also serving for making con- more particularly the spring tongues the major part of tact protected in slit housings along part their length. The bifurcate construction of the foot renders particular of each bridge element furthermore eccentrics for actuat- mounting to support the switch shaft superfluous, as ing the movements of the switch elements but absolutely ef- they thus constitute extremely simple

ficacious components. switch elements It is further possible to provide the other in the axial di- in the connection box one behind the slidingly moveable in rection of the switch knob shaft and shaft by axially opposite directions on the switch knob

offset opposite control eccentrics. arrangement of the By the said axially offset opposite to be actuated by the control eccentrics on the switch shaft direction of the switch switch knob, a movement in opposite is achieved in order elements placed one behind each other

4635.54

46,900/72 into their re- to transfer the spring tongues selectively

lease position of their contact position. by the invention to To summarize, it has been possible from the electrical produce a lighting apparatus which, with maximum safe- standpoint fully meets all requirements circles as a tech- ty, and is therefore offered to practical and is fur- nically perfected extremely useful arrangement known apparatuses thermore far superior to all previously

of this type for the reasons afore described. readily under- In order that the invention may be more drawings which stood, reference is made to the accompanying example, one em- illustrate diagrammatically and by way of

bodiment thereof, and in which:- a lighting apparatus Figure 1 shows an end elevation of a connection box and comprising a carrier or support rail, a lamp; of Figure 1; Figure 2 is a corresponding elevation box, one housing. Figure 3 illustrates the connection

shell and a cap having been removed; connection box on Figure 4 is a cross-section of the 3, wherein for-great- the lines IV-IV and IVa-IVa of Figure elements in the said er clarity the position of the switch box are illustrated introductory position of the connection one behind the other juxtaposed, although they are placed in the axial direction of the switch shaft; to Figure Figure 5 shows cross-sections corresponding

4 on the lines V-V and Va Va of Figure 3, in the contact

position of the connection box; view of the Figure 6 shows a further cross-sectional

connection box on the line VI-VI of Figure 3;

S9 4635.54

S46,900/72 Figure 7 shows a plan view of a guide insert by itself;

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of said guide in-

sert on the line VIII-VIII of Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows an end elevation of a switch element

illustrated by itself;.

Figure 10 shows a plan of the same;

Figure 11 shows an end elevation of the switch element

rotated through 1800 with reference to Figure 9, all the

views being illustrated on a larger scale compared to Fig-

ures 1 and 2; and

Figure 12 shows a circuit diagram of the lighting ap-

paratus.

The lighting apparatus illustrated in the drawings es-

sentially comprises three main parts, that is a support or

carrier bar A, at least one connection box B, and a lamp C,

for example a spotlight or reflector lamp, connected to the

box B. The support bar A can be fixed by fixing means, not

described in detail here, to a support surface, for example

in hanging arrangement, and has in its interior a space

constructed as a longitudinal channel for receiving the con-

nection box B. Electric conductor bars, that is phase bars

R.S.T. and a neutral bar M are provided in supports D in

laterally opposite arrangement to the housing space 10 in

the support bar A.

Each connecting box B comprises two housing shells 11

and 12 which are mutually cohnectable by screws 13. It has

a substantially parallelopiped basic configuration and is

constructed at its end adapted for plugging into the cavity

of the support bar A as a head part B' stepped or shoul-

dered in its width. The connection box itself contains

10 4635.54

46,900/72 resilient holding tongues 14 and 15 which co-operate with

pockets, and also contact tongues 16, 17 and 18, 19...The

resilient tongues are provided in groups on switch elements-

E which are transversely slidable in the connection box B

and are operable by means of a switch knob 20 through its

switch shaft 21. The connection box B also contains a spring

loaded earth tongue 22 which co-operates with an earth con-

ductor 23 of the support bar A.

Within the connection box, two switch elements E are

arranged one behind the other in the axial direction of the

switch shaft 21 and act in mutually opposite directions as

regard their transverse movement in the connection box by

means of eccentrics 24 and 25, so that by rotating the

switch knob 20 clockwise (as viewed from the right in Figure

3) the switch elements are moved so that the contact spring tongues are brought into engagement with the support bar A,

the switch element E adjacent to the switch knob 20 then

moves towards the left hand side (as viewed in Figure 4),

whereas the switch element remote from the switch knob

is moved towards the right hand side. In the case of a

counter clockwise rotation of the switch knob 20 from the

position shown in Figure 5, a return movement of both switch

elements in the opposite direction is produced.

Each switch element E is substantially constructed as a

bifurcate member, in the head part 26 (Figures 9 to 11) of

which open introduction slits 27, 28 for the contact tongues

are provided in juxtaposed arrangement. A holding tongue

14, 15 can be accommodated between lugs 29. The bifurcate

element E is provided laterally at mutually opposite points

with guide strips 30 which serve for guiding of the switch

4635.54

46,900 172 element E in a guide insert F. The foot part of the element fork prongs 31 E is constructed as a fork, wh~ile between the of the is a guidway 32 ith which the respective eccentric switch shaft 21 co-operates.

The guide insert F has a base place 33 (Fi-ures 7 and walls 341 Projecting with respect to the latter, guide guide channels are provided in spaced relationship, and have 30 of the worked into them, in which the guide strips switch elements E can be accommodated. The base plate 33

of the guide insert F is prolonged downwards on one side

forming a switch base 36 and has here recesses 37 arranged

f an shaped conformation to accommodate contact webs 38 in

constituting electrical contact points. The base 36 also 40 of a pre- forms a guide. hub 39 to house a switch shaft a switch selector switch comprising the switch shaft 40, 113. The bridge 41, a switch cap 4k2 and an operating member F in the switch cap 42 is retained with the guide insert

housing shell 11 by common fixdi screws 44. 3 and As will be seen more particularly from Figure phase contact the circuit diagram Figure'12, the individual a lead tongues 17, 18, and 19 are each connected through The neutral to the contact webs 38 of. the switch 38-43. connecting lead conductor contact tongue 16 has a particular to the lamp C. best be The operation of the lighting apparatus will in Figure understood with reference to the circuit di agram switch, 12, which agrees with the switching position of the

according to Figure 3. From this it is clear that the. to the switch bridge 41 establishes a contact connection turn in the inserted con- phase contact tongue 19, ,which in

12 4635,54

46,900 72 with dition according to Figure 5 is in contact connection lamp is the phase bar B, so that a wor-ing circuit for the

created between the phase bar B, the phase contact tongue the neu- 19, via the switch bridge 41, in conjunction with tral conductor M P In the same manner each other phase.contact tongue can

also be brought into a workable circuit, although the pre-

selection of the circuit which is to be operative is effect- box is in- ed by setting the switch before the connection

serted into the support bar A. Then during insertion only the the mechanical movement of the switch element E through

switch shaft 21 occurs.

It is also considered advantageous and convenient with-

in the scope of the invention that the switch webs 38 repre-

a fan senting the switch contact points are accommodated in channel like shaped arrangement in the base part 36 in the recesses 37 which are separated from one another by upright of dividing webs 45 which are convexly curved on portion of the their length in the regions of pivotable movement the switch bridge 41 so as to form a slide-over bead for cross contact end of the switch bridge,. while the curved 4 regions of the slide-over beads 5a of the separating webs webs. are staggered in vertical planes above the switch This proposed arrangement creates a clear separation indivi- whilst observing the safety distances between the

dual switch webs 38 and also acts in the sense of a self 41, which cleaning upon the contact end of the switch bridge

during the switching movement, that is when the pre-selector

actuated, unavoidably slide with its contact switch 43 is is thus side rubbing across the curved crest region and

13 4635.54

46,900 72 automatically kept clean. described It is to be understood that the embodiment

to be regarded as only one example of and illustrated is which is in no the invention, the practical embodiment of thereto. The only sense intended to be solely restricted is the fact of the struct- significant and decisive feature switch from the switch ural separation of the pre-selector

shaft and the independance of its actuation from the oper-

shaft. Working ation of the switch element via the switch can be created circuits operating mutually independently

for each of the phase contact tongues.

14 4635.54

46,900 /72 IE CLAIS DEFiM-NG TiE l .YON A /s rv'iOWS:-

1. Lighting apparatus comprising a hollow carrier rail adapted to be-attached in, on or spaced from a fixing surface, the carrier rail being open along one side and

accommodating in its hollow interior unilaterally access- ible conductor bars which form a plurality of mutually

independently operating electrical circuits.and which are

received in conductor bar carriers of insulating material

disposed in mirror-image symmetry on both sides of a.

central vertical plane, three of said conductor bars

being-phase bars and one being a neutral bar, a lamp-

carrying connection box having an upper stepped head part which engages into the carrier rail, said box being

provided with a plurality of spring tongues constituting

retaining and contact tongues, arranged, in groups on swk:h

elements mounted in said connection box for movement by

means of an operating member on said box to extend laterally

from the stepped head part selectively into an operative and

contact position with one of the phase bars, or into an in-

operative position, said box being also provided with an

earthing tongue*or tongues co-operating with a respective

earthing bar or bars in said carrier rail, said connection

box further including a pre-selector switch operable from

-the exterior of said connection box independently of said

switch elements, said pre-selection switch having a plurality

of fixed contacts, each of said contacts being electrically

connected with a corresponding one of said contact tongues which are connectable to said phase conductor bars, and a

4635.54

Claims (1)

1. 46,900/72 electrically connected- pivotable contact arm permanently connectable with one terminal of said lamp and selectively an electric with any of said.fixed contacts to establish a working circuit from one of said phase bars through switch to selected contact tongue and said pre-selector

   said lamp, the other terminal of said lamp being connected rail. to said common return conductor bar .in said carrier 2. Lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal webs pre-selector switch has a base on which are secured with constituting said fixed contacts, said base being integral of the a guide insert inserted into one of two housing shells

   4635.54

   4 6, 900/2 connection box for transverse guidance of said switch

   elements carrying said contact tongues, and a cap for said said pre-selector switch arranged in said connection box,

   guide insert together with said cap being held together

   by two fixing screws common to both of them and securing

   them to the housing shell.

   3. Lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the

   guide insert has an insert base plate abutting the housing shell and projecting therefrom three spaced apart guide wall

   parts of a height corresponding to the connection box depth, said wall parts being provided with unilaterally open channel

   shaped guideways in opposite arrangement to accommodate guide strips on the switch elements.

   4. Lighting apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 3, wherein two switch elements are provided in the connection box one behind the other in the axial direction of a switch shaft, said switch elements being mutually oppositely slidable by axially offset opposite control eccentrics on.the switch shaft. Lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein each switch element is of substantially bifurcated shape having a head part provided with two juxtaposed open slots orientated substantially in the longitudinal direction of the element to accommodate said contact tongues and to form by additional projecting webs a further support for a retaining tongue, the bifurcate foot part of the element straddling and overlapping a corresponding control eccentric the switch shaft for the

   4635.54

   446,9UO /72 transverse movement of the switch element.

   6. Lighting apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to

   wherein the metal webs constituting the fixed contacts are

   accommodated in a fan shaped arrangement in the base part of

   the pre-selector switch in recesses which are separated from

   each other by upright partitions convexly curved on portions

   of their lengths in the zone of pivotal movement of the contact

   arm, said partitions forming slide-over beads for the free end

   of said contact arm.

   7. Lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein curved

   crest zones of the slide-over beads of the partitions are

   disposed above the metal webs.

   8. Lighting apparatus of the kind hereinbefore set forth

   and substantially as herein described with reference to the

   accompanying drawings.

   DATED this 1st day of April 1975.

   ARNOLD REININGHAUS,

   By Its Patent Attorneys,

   ARTHUR S. CAVE CO.,

   18 4635.54

   46,6,900In

   Fig1

   ~1

   Fig.2

   19- 4635.54

   4.6,9 u0 /n2 Fig.3

   4635.54'