EP0664870A1

EP0664870A1 - Structural component for making a flexible utility article

Info

Publication number: EP0664870A1
Application number: EP93924042A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pius Ponticelli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-10-17
Filing date: 1993-10-16
Publication date: 1995-08-02
Also published as: WO1994009314A1

Abstract

In a structural component for making a flexible utility article or a flexible part thereof, an inner profile (1) or base profile (101) is connected with at least one track (2, 3, 102) such that both parts are movable relative to each other.

Description

COMPONENT FOR MANUFACTURING A FLEXIBLE ITEM.

The invention relates to a component for producing a flexible article of daily use, such as a lighting device, or a flexible part thereof.

In many areas of daily life, the flexibility of a commodity is necessary or desirable. For this purpose, the commodity is usually made from a flexible material, the control of the flexibility being particularly difficult.

This is especially true for lighting fixtures and here the so-called "whip lights", in which the actual lighting fixture is arranged far away from a holder. The lighting fixture is usually connected to the bracket via a curved rod, which also contains the power cable. Such whip lights can have their own foot or, for example, can also be attached to a wall on a bracket. The present invention has for its object to provide a component of the above type, which is versatile and controlled deformable. In the application of the invention, it is important to further develop a lighting device, whereby both its manufacture and its handling should be made considerably easier. Particular importance is attached to the flexibility of this lighting device.

To achieve this object, an inner profile or support profile is connected to at least one rail, both parts being movable relative to one another.

A major advantage of this invention is that the two parts move in a way self-locking against each other, so that a contour of the object of use, once generated, is retained. Furthermore, it is possible to define this contour of the article of use once it has been created by stopping the movement of the two parts relative to one another. This can be done by any blocking element, for example by a bolt that passes through the two parts.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the rail is cross-sectionally C-shaped and engages with strips of clips in grooves in the inner profile. As a result, the rail is fixed relative to the inner profile and the two parts are guided very well relative to one another.

In order to improve and facilitate a relative movement of the two parts to one another, it can prove to be advantageous if rollers are arranged between the inner profile and the rail. These rollers are rotatable and are located, for example, in a corresponding rotary bearing within the inner profile, so that the rail runs on the rollers. However, there are also many options here conceivable and are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

A preferred idea is that additional supply lines can be integrated in the inner profile, which simultaneously serve to hold together the inner profile or the entire component. In one exemplary embodiment, flags are therefore provided which can serve as current conductors or neutral conductors. This eliminates the need for an additional power line if, for example, the component is used as a partition, rail for model railways, power rails or lamp stand.

There are also many possibilities for the design of the inner profile. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the inner profile consists of block strips which are flexibly configured by means of incisions. It can also be individual blocks arranged in a row, which maintain a space between them so that their movement is not impaired.

In another exemplary embodiment, the inner profile has a connecting strip on which blocks are placed in one piece, which in turn also leave a space between them, so that the movement of the blocks is also maintained here.

Another preferred exemplary embodiment provides that the inner profile consists of blocks connected to one another in the manner of a spine. A columnar extension is formed on each block, which engages in a corresponding receptacle in the subsequent block. This results in an articulated connection of the individual blocks to one another. In a further embodiment shown, the inner profile also consists of the blocks mentioned above, which are connected to one another on both sides via C-shaped rails. In this case, however, at least one insert is additionally provided in each block, which engages in a groove on a rail and is preferably fixed in this rail. For this purpose, the insert itself is T-shaped and forms a head which can be inserted into a C-shaped groove. It is essential to the invention that the head is designed as a magnet and interacts with a magnetic rail in the groove. Current can be routed via the rail. Furthermore, this arrangement enables the entire component to be fixed in a curved position without additional spring devices, in particular gas pressure spring devices. The magnetic heads stick to the desired location on the magnetic rail.

The areas of application of such a component are so diverse that only a few possibilities are selected in the following description of the figures. Within the scope of the invention, however, there should still be a multitude of further possibilities.

In a lighting device using such a component, a lighting fixture is to be connected to a holder via the support profile and the rail, the support profile and rail being arranged so as to be slidable relative to one another.

The slidable arrangement from rail to support profile ensures that the entire lighting device can be curved in a simple manner.

The rail preferably has lateral spring strips which engage in guide grooves in the support profile, or vice versa. This is mutually agreed from support profile to rail, so that they form a unit and also a channel in which the power cable can be guided.

This also improves the relative slidability to one another.

The support profile has a substantially U-shaped cross section, with side surfaces projecting from a roof surface. To ensure flexibility, slots are preferably cut in the side surfaces. The same applies to the spring strips if they are too high and would impair flexibility. In this case, the cross section of the support profile and rail is reminiscent of known cable routing channels in the building industry.

The support profile and rail should be coupled to one another at least at one end, so that the relative displacement to one another is limited. On the other hand, the idea is to connect an energy store to the rail. This energy accumulator has the effect that the lighting device does not become independent, i.e. that it in particular does not rotate by itself about a pivot pin on the holder. A curved position of use is also ensured by this energy accumulator. Any damping element can also be used as an energy store. In particular, a gas pressure spring can be used.

The energy accumulator, on the other hand, is connected to its connection to the rail in an articulated manner with a support arm on the holder. This support arm also forms a swivel joint with the support profile.

Likewise, at the other end of the support profile, the lighting fixture is connected to the support profile via a pivot pin. The lighting fixture is preferred with a Halogen lamp, but other lamps are also conceivable.

The present invention provides a lighting device which is functionally simple to manufacture and handle, and which also has a very beautiful aesthetic appearance.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawing; this shows in

1 - 4 exemplary embodiments for the use of components according to the invention;

5 shows a perspective view of a component according to the invention;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the component acc. Fig.5;

Fig. 7 is a front view of the component acc. Fig. 5:

8 shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of a component according to the invention;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the component acc. Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a front view of the component acc. Fig. 8;

11 shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of a component according to the invention;

12 shows a plan view of the component according to the invention in accordance with FIG. Fig. 11;

13 is a front view of the component acc. Fig. 11.

14 shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of a component according to the invention;

15 shows a plan view of the component according to the invention according to FIG. 14;

16 shows a front view of the component according to FIG. 14; 17 shows a side view of a lighting device according to the invention;

18 shows a further side view of the lighting device according to FIG. 17;

19 shows a further side view of the lighting device according to FIG. 17;

20 shows a cross section through the lighting device according to FIG. 17 along line XIV-XIV;

FIG. 21 shows an enlarged side view of the lighting device according to FIG. 17 in the area of a suspension.

A component R according to the invention. Fig. 5 has an inner profile 1, on each of which a rail 2 and 3 is pushed. The rails 2 and 3 are preferably of identical design and are arranged in mirror image. They consist essentially of a C-shaped profile 4 and, in the position of use, engage with clip strips 5 in grooves 6, which are molded into the inner profile 1 from both sides. The rails 2 and 3 are made of a flexible material, so that they can adapt to a deformation of the inner profile 1.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the inner profile 1 consists of individual blocks 7 or a block strip 8, both of which are approximately rectangular or square in cross-section. A connection of successive blocks 7 or block strips 8 or block strips 8 with blocks 7 takes place via flags 9, 10 and 11, which carry current or can be designed as neutral conductors. These flags 9-11 preferably run through the entire inner profile 1. The inner profile 1 can be moved relative to the rails 2 and 3, as a result of which the overall contour of the component R is changed and determined. According to FIG. 1, it is possible, for example, to produce a seat shell S using the component R. In this case, there are of course no flags 9-11, but only an inner profile 1 made of a block strip 8 onto which the two rails 2 and 3 are pushed. A user can now adjust the seat shell S as desired and lock a desired setting, which is preferably done by fixing at least one rail 2 or 3 with respect to the inner profile 1. This can be done using appropriate clamps, bolts or the like. In a simple embodiment, it is sufficient to insert a bolt through a rail 2 or 3 into a corresponding bore in the inner profile 1.

2, the component R according to the invention represents a partition wall T. This partition wall T can also be deformed as desired. In this exemplary embodiment, too, flags 9-11 do not have to be provided, but flags 9-11 can make an additional power line unnecessary here. The current is then not conducted through attached cables, but within the component itself from one end to the other, in which case appropriate current-taking devices, such as, for example, sockets or the like, can then be provided at the end. This makes the component very operational.

In the embodiment according to 3, the component R according to the invention serves as a busbar ST. Corresponding flags 9-11 are of course integrated in this case, it being possible for lighting elements B1 and B2 or also connecting plugs V to be supplied with current.

4, the component R is used in a lighting device B. To facilitate and improve the movement of the rails 2 and 3 relative to the inner profile 1, rotatably mounted rollers 12 can be used, which are inserted laterally in the block 7 or in the block strip 8. The rails 2 and 3 then slide on these rollers, so that there is no inhibition by mutual friction or such an inhibition is reduced.

The embodiment of a component Rl gem. Figures 8-10 differ from that according to FIGS. 5-7 only in that the rail 2 is pushed onto an inner profile 1 a only on one side. The inner profile 1a has a connecting strip 13 opposite the rail 2, to which blocks 7a are placed in one piece, which in turn have the corresponding channels 6 and rollers 12. Flags 9 - 11 can also pass through the inner profile 1 a here.

The embodiment of a component R2 acc. Figures 11-13 are formed like a backbone. A corresponding inner profile 1b is in turn slid on rails 2 and 3 on both sides. However, the inner profile 1b consists of individual blocks 7b, which are not only connected to one another via the flags 9-11. A columnar extension 14 * protrudes from each block 7b and engages in a corresponding receptacle 15 in the subsequent block 7b. This creates an additional articulated connection between the blocks 7b, which is suitable for many applications.

According to the exemplary embodiment of a component R3 according to FIGS. 14 to 16, rails 2 and 3 are in turn pushed onto an inner profile 1c on both sides. The inner profile lc consists of individual 'blocks 7c. Each block 7c has a cuboid central part 16, on which a plate 17 is fixed on one end face. This Plate 17 protrudes over the central part 16 so that the plate 17 can be inserted into the C-shaped rail 3.

Compared to the plate 17, a guide strip 18 and 19 are molded onto the middle part 16 at the top and bottom. This

Guide strips 18 and 19 are inserted into the rail 2.

T-shaped inserts 20 are inserted into the middle part 16 between the guide strips 18 and 19. For this purpose, the middle part 16 has corresponding blind holes 21.

Each insert consists of a section 22 which is received in the blind hole 21 and a head 23 which can be inserted into a C-shaped groove 24, the groove 24 being located in the rail 2.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the heads 23 consist of a magnetic material, and a magnetic rail made of a material that reacts to the magnetic head 23 is arranged in the groove 24. This configuration has two advantages. On the one hand, a power supply can take place via the magnetic rail 25, on the other hand, the adhesion of the magnetic heads 23 to the magnetic rail 25 in a predetermined position makes it unnecessary to arrange a spring, in particular a gas pressure spring, for holding the entire component R3 in a desired curved position.

The present invention is otherwise not limited to the applications shown in FIGS. 1-4, but a large number of further areas of use are also conceivable. For example, a curve ruler can be produced with the aid of such a component R, or the rails of a model train, the links of a robot, etc The lighting device B mentioned above is described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 17 to 21. It has an elongated support profile 101 instead of the support profile 1 and a rail 102 connected to this support profile 101. The connection between the support profile 101 and the rail 102 can be seen above all in FIG. 20. The support profile 101 is essentially U-shaped in cross section and has a closed roof surface 103. Side surfaces 104 and 105 adjoin the roof surface 103 on both sides, these side surfaces 104 and 105 being provided with a multiplicity of slots 106 which extend through the entire side surfaces 104 and 105 up to the roof surface 103. Peaks 107 remain between the slots 106, but are spaced apart from one another by the slots 106. This arrangement ensures that the support profile 101 can be curved, as a result of which the lighting device shown elongated in FIGS. 17 to 19 can assume an overall curved shape.

A guide groove 108 or 109 similar to the groove 6, which serve to guide the rail 102, is formed at the end in both side surfaces 104 and 105. For this purpose, the rail 102 engages in the guide grooves 108 and 109 with spring strips 110 and 111 on the edge, so that a tongue and groove connection is created here. As a result, the rail 102 can be displaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the lighting device B. So that the rail 102 can also be curved in accordance with the support profile 101, slots should also be formed in the two lateral spring strips 110, which are curved in the shape of a hook, but are not shown in any more detail in the present exemplary embodiments.

The rail 102 is connected in the front area, near a lighting fixture 112, to the support profile 101 via a connecting element 113. This connecting element 113 can be a rivet for the sake of simplicity, with corresponding tabs 114 being formed on the support profile 101 and overlapping the rail 102 in the interior of a channel 115 formed by the support profile 101 and rail 102.

Near a bracket 116, for example on a wall, the rail 102 is not connected to the support profile 101, but ends at a distance a from the end of the support profile 101. Thus, the rail 102 can be freely relative to the support profile 101 within the guide groove 108 or 109 glide. The distance a is then bridged by a separate aperture 117.

To connect the support profile 101 with bracket 116 is a

Support arm 118 is provided, which engages at the end in the support profile 101 and there via a pivot pin 119 with the

Support profile 101 is connected. The support profile 101 can be pivoted together with the rail 102 as a whole around this pivot pin 119.

An energy accumulator 120 (indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 21) is also articulatedly connected to the support arm 118, this energy accumulator 120 consisting of a gas pressure spring in the present exemplary embodiment. A cylinder 121 of this gas pressure spring is articulated on the support arm 118 via a joint pin 122, while a piston rod 123 is coupled to the rail 102 via a joint 124 and a bearing bracket 125. The bearing bracket 125 is placed on the inside of the rail 102 and fastened by rivets 126.

The energy accumulator 120 causes the support profile 101 and the rail 102 to be held in a curved use position once selected. A dashed line in FIG. 21 indicates a movement of the support profile 101 around the pivot pin 119 into another starting position. A power cable 127 for supplying the lighting fixture 117 enters the channel 115 near the holder 116 and is fixed there by a cable holder 128. The power cable 127 then runs in the direction of the rail 102 and, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 20, is held on the rail 102 by clamping strips 129. It then extends to the lighting fixture 112, where the corresponding connecting strands are fastened with a socket (not shown in more detail) for a halogen bulb 130.

The halogen bulb 130 is located within a housing 131, which is connected to the support profile 101 via a further pivot pin 132. To move the housing 131 around the pivot pin 132, a holding rod 133 is provided, which projects downward from the lighting fixture 112. Furthermore, it is not recognizable, but it is intended that the housing 131 is closed off at the bottom by a glass. It has ventilation slots 134 at the top.

Claims

Patent claims

1. component for producing a flexible article of use, such as, for example, a lighting device or a flexible part thereof,

characterized,

that an inner profile (1) or support profile (101) is connected to at least one rail (2, 3, 102), both parts being movable relative to one another.

2. Component according to claim 1, characterized in that the rail (2, 3, 102) is cross-sectionally C-shaped and with clip strips (5) or spring strips (110, 111) in grooves (6) or guide grooves (108, 109) of the inner profile (1) or a support profile (101).

3. Component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that rotatable rollers (12) are arranged between the inner profile (1) and rail (2, 3).

4. Component according to one of claims 1-3, characterized ge indicates that the inner profile (1) of flags (9, 10, 11) is crossed.

5. The component according to claim 4, characterized in that the flags (9, 10, 11) are designed as current conductors or neutral conductors.

6. The component according to at least one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the inner profile (1) consists of block strips (8) and / or interconnected blocks (7).

7. The component according to at least one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the inner profile (la) has a connecting strip (13), the blocks (7a) are attached in one piece.

8. The component according to at least one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the inner profile (lb) consists of blocks (7b), each block (7b) with a columnar extension (14) in a receptacle (15) in the following Block (7b) engages.

9. The component according to claim 6, characterized in that in a block (7c) at least one insert (20) is inserted, which engages with a head (23) in a groove (24) on the rail (2).

10. The component according to claim 9, characterized in that the insert (20) is T-shaped and the groove (23) is C-shaped.

11. The component according to claim 9, characterized in that the head (23) consists of a magnetic material and in the groove (23) a magnetic rail (25) reacting to this head is fixed.

12. Lighting device from a component according to at least one of claims 1 to 11 and with a lighting fixture (12), a holder (16) and a foot or the like., Characterized in that the lighting fixture (12) via the support profile (1) and a rail (2) is connected to the holder (16), the support profile (1) and rail (2) being arranged such that they can slide relative to one another.

13. Lighting device according to claim 12, characterized in that the rail (2) lateral Has spring strips (10, 11) which engage in guide grooves (8, 9) of the support profile (1), or vice versa.

14. Lighting device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the support profile (1) has a U-shaped cross section, with side surfaces (4, 5) projecting from a roof surface (3).

15. Lighting device according to claim 14, characterized in that the side surfaces (4, 5) are slotted.

16. Lighting device according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the spring strips (10, 11) are slotted.

17. Lighting device according to at least one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the support profile (1) and rail (2) are coupled at one end via at least one connecting element (13).

18. Lighting device according to claim 17, characterized in that the rail (2) is connected at the other end to an energy store (20).

19. Lighting device according to claim 18, characterized in that the energy accumulator (20) is a gas pressure spring.

20. Lighting device according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the energy store (20) on the other hand its connection to the rail (2) is articulated to a support arm (18) on the holder (16).

21. Lighting device according to claim 20, characterized in that the support arm (18) via a pivot pin (19) is connected to the support profile (1).

22. Lighting device according to at least one of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that the lighting body (12) via a pivot pin (32) is connected to the support profile (1).

CHANGED REQUIREMENTS

[Received at the International Office on March 30, 1994 (March 30, 1994); original claims 1-11 changed; original claims 12-22 unchanged (2 pages)]

1. Component for producing a flexible article of use, such as a lighting device or a flexible part thereof, from an inner profile (1) or support profile (101) which is connected to at least one rail (2, 3, 102), both parts being movable relative to one another,

characterized,

that from the inner profile (1) project heads (23) which engage in a groove (24) on the rail (2, 3, 102).

2. Component according to claim 1, characterized in that the head (23) consists of a magnetic material and in the groove (23) on this head (23) reacting magnetic rail (25) is fixed.

3. Component according to claim 2, characterized in that the magnetic machine (25) is live.

4. Component according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rail (2, 3, 102) is cross-sectionally C-shaped and with clip strips (5) or spring strips (110, 111) in channels (6) or Guide grooves (108, 109) of the inner profile (1) or a support profile (101) engages.

5. The component according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that rotatable rollers (12) are arranged between the inner profile (1) and rail (2, 3).

6. Component according to at least one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the inner profile (1) of flags (9, 10, 11) is crossed. 7. The component according to claim 6, characterized in that the flags (9, 10, 11) are designed as current conductors or neutral conductors.

8. The component according to at least one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the inner profile (1) consists of block strips (8) and / or interconnected blocks (7).

9. The component according to at least one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the inner profile (la) has a connecting strip (13), the blocks (7a) are attached in one piece.

10. The component according to at least one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the inner profile (lb) consists of blocks (7b), each block (7b) with a columnar extension (14) in a receptacle (15) in the following Block (7b) engages.

11. The component according to claim 8, characterized in that in a block (7c) at least one insert (20) is inserted, which has the head (23), the insert (20) T-shaped and the groove (24) C. -shaped.