EP1004820A1 - Luminaire with a seal between the cover and the base - Google Patents

Abstract

The glass cover (14) of the light unit is fixed to the mounting ring (15) of the light housing. A shoulder (16) engages a snap fit mounting (35) to retain the glass/clear cover in place.

Description

The present invention relates generally to luminaires.

More specifically, but not necessarily exclusively, it luminaires of the type commonly known as portholes or sconces.

More particularly, still, the present invention targets those of these luminaires that are waterproof.

Overall, these luminaires have a base, which, in practice, is suitable for receiving all the necessary constituents, and which, to do this, overall forms a box body, a cover, which closes the base, in constituting in practice the front panel, or front face, of the assembly, and which is at least partly translucent, and a seal, which intervenes between the cover and the base, at the junction between them, along their periphery, the cover itself comprising a glass, which forms a diffuser, and, around this verrine, for its attachment to the base, a crown, which forms hubcap, and which, at its internal periphery, presents, along its periphery, a shoulder by which it retains the verrine.

Usually the verrine and the crown, which constitute parts are to be handled individually when installing or removing the cover, unless specific assembly means have been provided between them, and, most often, this is also the case for the gasket.

The operations necessary for the initial assembly of the luminaire are find it all the more complicated, at the expense of costs, and the same is true for the operations necessary for its installation and maintenance.

The present invention generally relates to a provision for simplifying these operations, and further leading to other advantages.

More specifically, it relates to a luminaire of the kind comprising a base, a cover, which closes the base, and which is at least in translucent part, and a seal, which intervenes between the cover and the base, the cover itself comprising a glass, which forms a diffuser, and, around this verrine, for its attachment to the base, a crown, which, at its internal periphery, presents a shoulder by which it ensures the retention of the verrine, this luminaire being generally characterized in that the seal comprises, on the one hand, beyond the glass with respect to the shoulder of the crown, for the maintenance of the verrine, a shoulder facing the shoulder of the crown, and, on the other hand, a lip latching by which it ensures its own retention with respect to the crown, the crown itself comprising a retaining notch on which the catch lip of the seal is hooked.

Thus, according to the invention, an additional advantage is taken of the joint. sealing, according to which, while ensuring all the required sealing, this joint seal by itself provides a mechanical connection between the verrine and the crown surrounding it.

It follows, first of all, that maintaining the verrine in relation to the crown is insured without the use of any means specific assembly, only intervening to do this, the three components that constitute, each respectively, this verrine, this crown, and the associated seal.

It also follows that the cover thus constituted by this verrine, by this crown and by this seal, constitutes by itself a unitary unit in one piece, which advantageously facilitates installation and maintenance of the luminaire, only this unitary sub-assembly being to be manipulated for the opening and closing of this luminaire during such operations.

Similarly, the initial assembly operations of the following luminaire the invention are advantageously simplified and accelerated, for the benefit costs, the mechanical joining of the verrine to the crown does not imply only one click of this verrine in this crown once the verrine has been fitted with the associated seal, and this snap can be done by simple stacking.

In addition, the arrangement according to the invention advantageously allows a easy change of the glassware by the user, i.e. this change is necessary following a breakage of this verrine, that is to say that the user wishes to exchange a first type of verrine, for example glass, with another type of glass, for example polycarbonate.

Finally, thanks to the arrangement according to the invention, the seal put in use intervenes in practice between the verrine and the base, and not between the crown and this base, so that it is advantageously able to absorb possible small shocks on this glass, to the benefit of its integrity.

la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un luminaire suivant l'invention ;

la figure 2 en est une vue en perspective éclatée ;

la figure 3 est, à échelle supérieure, et suivant la ligne III-III de la figure 2, une vue partielle en coupe transversale du couvercle de ce luminaire représenté isolément ;

la figure 4 reprend, à échelle supérieure, le détail de la figure 3 repéré par un encart IV sur cette figure 3 ;

la figure 5 est, à l'échelle de la figure 3, une autre vue partielle en coupe transversale du couvercle du luminaire suivant l'invention, suivant la ligne IV-IV de la figure 2 ;

la figure 6 est, à échelle encore supérieure, une vue partielle de dessous de ce couvercle, suivant la flèche VI de la figure 2 ;

la figure 7 est une vue partielle en coupe, qui, analogue à celle de la figure 4, se rapporte à une variante de réalisation.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a luminaire according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view;

Figure 3 is, on a larger scale, and along the line III-III of Figure 2, a partial cross-sectional view of the cover of this luminaire shown in isolation;

Figure 4 shows, on a larger scale, the detail of Figure 3 identified by an insert IV in this Figure 3;

Figure 5 is, on the scale of Figure 3, another partial view in cross section of the cover of the luminaire according to the invention, along the line IV-IV of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is, on a still larger scale, a partial view from below of this cover, along arrow VI of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a partial sectional view, which, similar to that of Figure 4, relates to an alternative embodiment.

As illustrated in these figures, and in a manner known per se, the luminaire 10 according to the invention comprises, overall, a base 11, which is suitable for receive the various constituents, not represented, concerned, and who, for this make, generally forms a box body, a cover 12, which closes the base 11, and which, according to the provisions explained below, is at least in part translucent, and a seal 13, which intervenes between the cover 12 and the base 11, at the junction of these, along their periphery, and which, in practical, is only visible in Figures 3 to 6.

In a manner known per se, also, the cover 12 itself comprises, a verrine 14, which forms a diffuser, and, around this verrine 14, for its attachment to the base 11, a crown 15, which forms a hubcap, and which, at its internal periphery, has, along its periphery, a shoulder 16 by which it retains the verrine 14.

In the embodiment shown, the base 11a, overall, in plan, a circular outline, and it is the same for the cover 12.

Since the base 11 does not by itself fall within the scope of the present invention, it does not will not be described in detail here.

It will suffice to indicate that, at its outlet, it presents, projecting towards the outside, along its periphery, a rim 18, which extends substantially perpendicular to its axis, and by which it offers a bearing surface 19 substantially flat at the crown 15.

The base 11 also offers a substantially flat bearing surface 20 at the gasket 13.

In the embodiment shown, the bearing surface 20 thus provided for the seal 13 extends radially recessed with respect to the bearing surface 19 provided for the crown 15, and it also extends slightly axially set back relative to this bearing surface 19.

Verrine 14, which is for example made of glass or polycarbonate, does not It also does not fall under the present invention, and it will therefore not be more described in full detail here.

It will suffice to indicate that, in the embodiment shown, it is slightly domed, and that it presents, successively, on its periphery, a fallen edge 22, which extends in a cylinder around the axis of the assembly, and, in protruding outwards, at the end of this fallen edge 22, a flange 23, which extends substantially perpendicular to this axis.

Finally, the crown 15 does not, by itself, fall under the present invention, nor will it be described in all its details here.

Only the elements necessary to understand it will be described. the invention.

In the embodiment shown, this ring 15 extends overall in the extension of the domed part of the verrine 14, with, from place to place, recessed on its upper surface, wells 25, the bottom 26, flat, is suitable for its seat on the base 11, and, more precisely, on the bearing surface 19 provided for this purpose thereon, this same bottom 26 being drilled with a hole 28 for the passage of a screw 29 suitable for fixing it to the base 11.

In the embodiment shown, three wells 25 are thus provided on the crown 15, being regularly distributed circularly around the axis of the assembly, and, in correspondence, open onto the bearing surface 19 of the base 11, three wells 30, which are internally threaded, and which are each suitable for receiving a screw 29.

In the embodiment shown, the bottom 26 of the wells 25 of the crown 15 is, axially, slightly recessed relative to the periphery outer of this crown 15, so that it forms a fallen edge 32 by which the crown 15 covers the rim 18 of the base 11, covering the edge of this rim 18.

Preferably, and as shown, the bottom 26 of the wells 25 of the crown 15 is, on the inner surface of this crown 15, enlarged, to further increase the seat of this crown 15 on the base 11.

For example, and as it is better visible in FIG. 6, this background 26 continuously belongs to a flat 33, of generally rectangular outline.

According to the invention, the seal 13 comprises, on the one hand, beyond of the verrine 14 relative to the shoulder 16 of the crown 15, for the holding this verrine 14, a shoulder 34 facing the shoulder 16 crown 15, and, on the other hand, a latching lip 35 by which it ensures its own retention relative to the crown 15, the crown 15 comprising, itself, according to arrangements described in more detail subsequently, a retaining catch 36 on which the lip is hooked 35 of the seal 13.

In the embodiments shown, the verrine 14 comprising, peripherally, as previously indicated, a rim 23, the seal seal 13 has a groove 37 by which it is engaged on this rim 23, by the edge 38 thereof, FIG. 4.

In the embodiments shown, the seal 13 a, in cross section, for the formation of its groove 37, a basic profile U-shaped, with a lateral wing 40 between the rim 23 of the verrine 14 and the shoulder 16 of the crown 15, called, below, for simple convenience, wing upper side, a middle portion 41 between the edge 38 of the rim 23 of the jar 14 and the crown 15, and a lateral wing 42 beyond the rim 23 of the verrine 14 relative to the shoulder 16 of the crown 15, referred to below, for convenience, lower side wing.

At rest, the two lateral wings 40, 42 of the seal 13 preferentially converge towards each other.

For example, the upper side wing 40 of the seal 13 extends, at rest, oblique to its median part 41, such that shown schematically in broken lines in Figure 4, while, at rest, its wing lateral lower 42 extends, it, substantially perpendicular to this middle part 41.

In the embodiments shown, the seal 13 is reinforced by a bead 43 at the junction between its middle part 41 and its side wing 42 lower.

For example, and as shown, this bead 43 projects towards the exterior level with the middle part 41, and, in cross section, it has a generally triangular profile.

In the embodiments shown, the snap-fit lip 35 of the seal 13 extends obliquely from its middle part 41, moving away from both the outlet of its groove 37 and its lateral wing 40 higher as it moves away from this middle part 41.

For example, and as shown, this latching lip 35 is from the junction zone between the upper side wing 40 and the part median 41, and, at its free end, its edge 44 extends substantially parallel to the middle part 41.

In the embodiments shown, the seal 13 furthermore, for its sealing cooperation with the base 11, and, more precisely, with its bearing surface 20 provided for this purpose thereon, a sealing lip 45.

In practice, in the embodiments shown, this lip seal 45 extends obliquely from the lower lateral wing 42 of the seal 13, moving away from the opening of its groove 37 as and as it moves away from this lower lateral wing 42.

For example, and as shown, the sealing lip 45 comes from the middle part of the lower lateral wing 42 of the seal 13, between the free edge of this lower lateral wing 42 and the bead 43.

Preferably, and as shown, the sealing lip 45 a, to its free end, a rounded profile.

In the embodiments shown, the snap-fit lip 35 of the seal 13 and its sealing lip 45 have substantially a same taper.

For example, their half-angle at the top is around 45 °.

But, of course, this numerical value is given here only as indicative, without it being possible to result in any limitation of the invention.

In the embodiments shown, the retaining notch 36 of the crown 15 intervenes inwardly projecting on a wall 46 that this crown 15 set back relative to its internal periphery, at the way of a fallen edge.

For example, and as shown, this wall 46 is generally cylindrical, and it extends radially flush with the wells 25.

In the embodiments shown, the retaining catch 36 is, globally, circularly continuous, but locally interrupted at right from each of the wells 25.

Preferably, and as shown, the retaining catch 36 is preceded by an engagement chamfer 48, to facilitate snap-fastening of the joint seal 13.

During assembly, the seal 13 is first attached to the glass 14, and the jar 14 thus equipped with this seal 13 is then axially engaged in the crown 15, until, by erasure elastic, the snap-fit lip 35 of the seal 13 crosses the notch retainer 36 of this crown 15.

The seal 13 then ensures, according to the invention, a connection mechanical between the verrine 14 and the crown 15, so that the cover 12 formed of this verrine 14 and of this crown 15 constitutes by itself a unitary subset.

Preferably, to facilitate the positioning of the cover 12 on the base 11, it is provided, projecting, on the lower surface of the crown 15, at minus a centering column 50, and, in correspondence, leads to the bearing surface 19 of the base 11, at least one tubular barrel 51 suitable for the engagement of such a centering column 50.

For example, two centering posts 50 are provided, at a distance one from the other, on the crown 15, and the base 11 has three barrels tubular 51, which are regularly distributed circularly around the axis of all.

Thanks to the intervention of the centering posts 50, and without it being these must have, in cross section, a profile identical to that of the tubular drums 51 in which they engage, the wells 25 of the crown 15 are systematically aligned with the wells 30 of the base 11, which facilitates the fitting of the corresponding screws 29.

By construction, it is made so that, when, as shown schematically in broken lines in Figure 4, the crown 15 is supported by the bottom 26 of these wells 25, and, more precisely, by the corresponding flats 33, against the support surface 19 of the base 11, the support surface 20 of this base 11 is located beyond the free end of the sealing lip 45 of the seal sealing 13, so that this sealing lip 45 is at least partially crushed elastically, thus ensuring all sealing wanted.

Jointly, the verrine 14 is somehow suspended elastically with respect to the rigid assembly that the crown 15 then forms and the base 11.

Acting as a shock absorber by crushing, the sealing lip 45 advantageously minimizes the risk that the latching lip 35 escapes from inadvertently to the retaining notch 36 of the crown 15 during a possible frontal impact on the verrine 14, and, if this was the case, it advantageously ensures a return of this latching lip 35 in engagement with this retaining catch 36 after such a shock.

According to the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the seal sealing 13 according to the invention is reinforced by a bead 52 at the root of its latching lip 35, to give more spring to the latter.

For example, and as shown, this bead 52 extends in extra thickness on the middle part 41 of the seal 13, between the wing lateral upper 40 thereof and the snap-fit lip 35.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the forms of realization described and represented, but includes any variant.

In particular, the luminaire according to the invention may include a grid of protection in front of its verrine.

For example, this protective grid can come in one piece from the crown of its cover.

In addition, the outline, in plan, of the luminaire according to the invention is not necessarily circular.

On the contrary, this outline can be just as different, and, by example, be globally rectangular, as is the case for example for some wall lights.

Claims (12)

Luminaire of the kind comprising a base (11), a cover (12), which closes the base (11), which is at least partly translucent, and a seal seal (13), which intervenes between the cover (12) and the base (11), the cover (12) comprising, itself, a verrine (14), which forms a diffuser, and, around this verrine (14), for its attachment to the base (11), a crown (15), which, at its internal periphery, has a shoulder (16) by which it provides the retainer of the verrine (14), characterized in that the seal (13) comprises, on the one hand, beyond the verrine (14) relative to the shoulder (16) of the crown (15), for the maintenance of this verrine (14), a shoulder (34) facing the shoulder (16) of the crown (15), and, on the other hand, a lip latching (35) by which it ensures its own retention relative to the crown (15), the crown (15) itself comprising a retaining notch (36)) on which the latching lip (35) of the seal is hooked (13). Luminaire according to claim 1, characterized in that, the glass (14) peripherally having a rim (23), the seal (13) has a groove (37) by which it is engaged on this rim (23), by the slice (38) thereof. Luminaire according to claim 2, characterized in that the joint sealing (13) has, in cross section, a U-shaped base profile, with a lateral wing (40) between the rim (23) of the verrine (14) and the shoulder (16) of the crown (15), hereinafter called for simple convenience, upper side wing, a middle part (41) between the edge (38) of the rim (23) of the verrine (14) and the crown (15), and a lateral wing (42) beyond the rim (23) of the verrine (14) relative to the shoulder (16) of the crown (15), called below for convenience, lower side wing. Luminaire according to claim 3, characterized in that, at rest, the two lateral wings (40, 42) of the seal (13) converge one towards the other. Luminaire according to claim 4, characterized in that, at rest, the upper lateral wing (40) of the seal (13) extends obliquely by with respect to its median part (41), while its lower lateral wing (42) it extends substantially perpendicularly to this middle part (41). Luminaire according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the seal (13) is reinforced by a bead (43) at the junction between its middle part (41) and its lateral wing (42) lower. Luminaire according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the seal (13) is reinforced by a bead (52) at the root of its latching lip (35). Luminaire according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the seal (13) has, for its cooperation in sealing with the base (11), a sealing lip (45). Luminaire according to claims 3 and 8, taken together, characterized in that the sealing lip (45) of the seal (13) extends obliquely from its lower lateral wing (42), moving away of the opening of its groove (37) as it moves away from this lateral wing (42) lower. Luminaire according to any one of Claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the latching lip (35) of the seal (13) extends obliquely from its middle part (41), moving away from both the opening of its groove (37) and its lateral wing (40) upper as and as it moves away from this middle part (41). Luminaire according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the retaining notch (36) of the crown (15) intervenes in protrusion on a wall (46) that this crown (15) has recessed by relation to its internal periphery. Luminaire according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the retaining notch (36) of the crown (15) is preceded an engagement chamfer (48).

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