EP1731830B1

EP1731830B1 - Fitting structure for built in type apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP1731830B1
Application number: EP06011776A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yoshifumi c/o ENDO Lighting Corporation Fujimoto
Original assignee: Endo Lighting Corp
Current assignee: Endo Lighting Corp
Priority date: 2005-06-08
Filing date: 2006-06-07
Publication date: 2008-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-07
Also published as: JP2007019009A; DE602006001987D1; EP1731830A1; JP4724607B2

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fitting structure for built in type apparatus in which the apparatus body is housed in a fitting hole formed on ceiling or wall to be fixed therein.

PRIORART

Fitting structure for lighting equipment such as downlight has been known as a fitting structure for embedding the apparatus body in a fitting hole formed on ceiling. In the present specification a downlight is explained as a prototype hereinafter, however, other structures may be used such as a fitting structure of audiovisual apparatus like speakers housed in a fitting hole formed on ceiling and wall.
Example of prior fitting structure for downlight is a screw type fitting structure, in which the apparatus body is housed in a fitting hole formed on ceiling or wall, the screw threads are screwed into plural screw grooves formed on the fitting frame connected to the downlight via ceiling or wall to fix the downlight.
However, according to this screw type fitting structure, the downlight can be surely attached, however, there has been troubles in that fitting of each screw into each screw groove needs lot of labors and working property of fitting and removing each screw is deteriorated.
Therefore, spring type fitting structure has been used such that the downlight is attached by means of the elasticity of elastic material such as a blade spring.
According to this structure, a pair of flat spring tongues which are energized outward are formed into upward direction on a fitting frame connected to the downlight. The downlight and the fitting frame are inserted to be fitted in the fitting hole of ceiling while pushing the flat spring tongues inwardly, the flat spring tongues pass through the fitting hole, then they are released outward in the ceiling because of its elasticity to be engaged in the ceiling plate. Thus the downlight is attached to the ceiling preventing the downlight and the fitting frame from falling out of the ceiling (see prior art JP-A-2004-362989 ).
Other spring type fitting structure is shown in JP-A-7-211122 . Metal fitting is provided in upward direction for a fitting frame connected to a downlight, when an elastic spring formed like the letter L provided for the metal fitting is operated, an engagement pawl is interlockingly engaged in the ceiling to prevent the downlight from falling off.
The above-mentioned prior spring type fitting structure have the following problems.
According to the former spring type structure, the flat spring tongues do not appropriately expand when the thickness of ceiling plate is different from the predetermined thickness, therefore the downlight is not well supported and there causes stagger.
Further, even if the flat spring tongues are engaged, there may be such danger that they are closed because of the load of downlight and the fitting frame to make the downlight fallen off the ceiling.
On the other hand, according to the latter type, there is no danger of falling of downlight because the ceiling plate is held between the fitting frame and the engagement pawl.
However, the metal fitting vertically provided into upward direction on the fitting frame is complicated and large, so that enough fitting space is required in the ceiling and the structure is not applied in the ceiling of small space. Further, in case of executing swing operation of downlight for changing the lighting angle, the downlight may be damaged by the metal fitting or the swing operation is not executed because of the metal fitting.
Prior art document FR 1579462 A discloses the preamble of claims 1 and 4.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the prevent invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and the present invention proposes a fitting structure for built in type apparatus in which the apparatus body like downlight is easily and surely fixed and can be attached even in a small space in the ceiling, and further the structure is downsized so as not to become an obstacle for swing operation of downlight.
The present invention has the following effects.
According to one aspect of the fitting structure for built in type apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus body can be easily and surely fixed to ceiling or wall with one-touch operation of pushing an operation piece.
Further, a support member uprightly provided on a fitting frame pivotally connects a blade spring and is capable of engaging a toggle link, so that the support portion is downsized to be provided in a small space in the ceiling. Further, even if the built in apparatus body is constructed to be operated, the support portion does not become obstacle of operation and damage caused by contact with the apparatus body is prevented.
Still further, the position of working point where the pivotally connected blade spring touches the ceiling surface is varied depending on the thickness of ceiling, so that the apparatus body can be surely attached with the same fitting frame and fitting means even when the thickness of ceiling is different.
According to other aspect of the fitting structure for built in type apparatus of the present invention, an inclined guide surface is formed, so that an engaging member of the toggle link can be easily engaged in a receiving pawl of the fitting frame even in case of grope operation in the ceiling, thereby easily fixing the apparatus body to ceiling or wall.
According to still other aspect of the fitting structure for built in type apparatus of the present invention, a long hole is formed on the support portion and the engaging member of the toggle link is slidably connected to the hole, the engaging member of the toggle link is always engaged in the long hole so as not to be fallen off, so that the engaging member of the toggle link can be surely engaged in the receiving pawl of the fitting frame even under the grope operation in the ceiling.
According to still other aspect of the fitting structure for built in type apparatus of the present invention, a pair of toggle links are constructed such that the operational piece and the support body of the fitting frame are pivotally connected, so that the toggle link is not fallen off the support portion and there is no need of engaging operation. Therefore, the apparatus body can be easily and surely fixed to ceiling or wall with one-touch operation of pushing an operation piece even in grope operation in the ceiling.
The support portion uprightly provided on the fitting frame is pivotally connected with the blade spring and pivotally connected the toggle link, so that the support portion is downsized to be provided in a small space in the ceiling. Further, even if the housed apparatus body is constructed to swing, the support portion does not become obstacle of operation and damage caused by contact with the apparatus body is prevented.
Still further, the position of working point where the pivotally connected blade spring touches the ceiling surface is varied depending on the thickness of ceiling, so that the apparatus body can be surely attached with the same fitting frame and fitting means even when the thickness of ceiling is different.
According to still other aspect of the fitting structure for built in type apparatus of the present invention, a part of leaf sring is inwardly folded to form an inflection part. Therefore, the modulus of elasticity of the entire blade spring is enhanced and in addition the pressurizing force of blade spring is further heightened because the displacement amount of blade spring is increased.
As the result, the apparatus body is more surely attached, for example, the pressurizing force of blade spring is adequately exerted for a thin ceiling board with about 1 mm thickness, thereby fixing the apparatus body without fault.
According to still other aspect of the fitting structure for built in type apparatus of the present invention, when the apparatus body is lighting equipment such as a downlight, the above-mentioned effects can be also achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an essential part showing one embodiment of fitting structure A for built in type apparatus according to the present invention.
Fig. 2a - Fig. 2c are operational explanatory views showing fitting operations of fitting structure A for built in type apparatus according to the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a diagrammatical view showing after the fitting structure A for built in type apparatus of the present invention is provided and a downlight Z swings.
Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b show enlarged side views of other embodiment of support portion according to the present invention.
Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an essential part showing other embodiment of fitting structure A for built in type apparatus according to the present invention.
Fig. 6a―Fig. 6c are operational explanatory views showing fitting operations shown in Fig. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[Embodiment 1]

Fig. 1 - Fig. 3 show one preferable embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, a downlight housed in ceiling is used as an example, however, other built in type apparatus such as audiovisual appliance like speakers housed in ceiling or wall can be applied.
According to the fitting structure Afor built in type apparatus, the downlight Z is housed in a fitting hole Y formed on ceiling X in advance and the downlight Z is accommodated and fixed in the ceiling X with a fitting means 2 of the fitting frame 1 connected to the downlight Z.
The fitting frame 1 is inserted to be fitted in the fitting hole Y via a brim 11 to be engaged in the open fitting hole Y and a frame body 12 provided with the brim 11.
The upper end of the frame body 12 is provided with more than two support portions 13 to be connected to the fitting means 2. "More than two" herein means that two support portions 13 are provided at the upper end of the frame body 12 so as to oppose to each other or plural support portions 13 are provided at the upper end of the frame body 12 with equal spaces.
In Fig.1, one of two (or plural) support portions 13 is shown and the support portion 13 is constructed such that a pair of receiving pieces 13a are upwardly provided at the upper end of the frame body 12 with space and a supporting shaft 13b axially provided with one end 21 a of a blade spring 21, mentioned later, is bridged at the substantial center of the receiving pieces 13a.
An inclined guide surface 13c descended inwardly is formed at the outside upper part of the receiving piece 13a and the upper end of the inclined guide surface 13c is outwardly extended so as to form a receiving pawl 13d.
The fitting means 2 is comprised of the blade spring 21, the operational piece 22 and the toggle link 23 in such a manner that one end 21 a of the blade spring 21 is pivotally connected to the supporting shaft 13b of the support portion 13 so as to be rotatable, thereby forming a circular arc.
The operational piece 22 has an opening 22b on its base plate 22a for penetrating the blade spring 21 and the other end 21 b of the blade spring 21 is rotatably attached to one end 22c of the base plate 22a.
Both sides of the base plate 22a are folded downward to make folded members 22d so as to face each other and shaft holes 22e are provided at the substantial center of the folded members 22d.
The other end 22f of the operational piece 22 may be formed so as to get in touch with the upper end of the support portion 13 when it is operated. It is slightly folded downward in Fig. 1.
The toggle link 23 is formed by folding a liner material, both ends 23a are axially provided in the shaft holes 22e of the operational piece 22 from the inward so as to escape from the blade spring 21 and an engaging member 23b is formed at the forward part so as to be engaged with the receiving pawl 13d of the support portion 13.
The above-mentioned fitting structure A for built in type apparatus of the present invention is used as follows.
In Fig. 2 the downlight Z shown in Fig. 3 is omitted for easy understanding, the following explanation is under the condition that a downlight Z is connected to the fitting frame 1.
The fitting frame 1 connected with the downlight Z is inserted from downward to the fitting hole Y formed on the ceiling X to make the downlight housed therein and the fitting frame 1 is fitted in the fitting hole Y
The engaging member 23b of the toggle link 23 of the fitting means 2 and the receiving pawl 13d of the fitting frame 1 are not engaged at this time, the blade spring 21 is not elastically deformed. Therefore, useless tension is not acted on the fitting frame 2, thereby facilitating attachment and removal of the downlight Z (See Fig. 2a)
Then, the operational piece 22 of the fitting means 2 is pushed outward of the fitting frame 1, the fitting means 2 is easily moved out of the fitting frame 1 around the supporting shaft 13b. Thus the engaging member 23b of the toggle link 23 is applied outside of the support portion 13, and one end 22c of the operational piece 22 is connected to the rear face of the ceiling X, thereby making the other end 22f of the operational piece 22 being upright position (see Fig. 2b).
The upright other end 22f of the operational piece 22 is pushed downward with fingers while resisting the elastic restoring force of blade spring 21 as shown with the arrows in the figure, then the blade spring 21 is expanded in a liner direction (outward direction) to be provided with the elastic force. The engaging member 23b of the toggle link 23 is guided with the inclined guide surface 13c to be engaged with the receiving pawl 13d, the engaging member 23b is lifted up and the fitting frame 1 fixed to the support portion 13 is also lifted up.
Whereas, the brim 11 is provided at the lower end of the fitting frame 1, further holding up operation is regulated, so that the fitting frame 1 is fixed while pushing against the fitting hole Y of the ceiling X.
On the other hand, the operational piece 22 is moved downward of the blade spring 21 through the opening 22b. At a point exceeding a predetermined position, the direction of elastic resilience force to return the other end 22f of the operational piece 22 is converted into a reverse clockwise direction from a clockwise direction, like a reversal spring, whereby the other end 22f of the operation piece 22 generates a click sound and is pushed against the upper end of the support body 13 to be regulated.
As a result, the fitting frame 1 connected with the downlight Z is pushed against the fitting hole Y of the ceiling X to be surely fixed (see Fig. 2c).
For removing the downlight Z from the ceiling X, the other end 22f of the operational piece 22 is lifted up against the elastic resilience force of blade spring 21, the elastic resilience force of blade spring 21 is released following the reverse operations mentioned above, the engagement of the engaging member 23b and the receiving pawl 13d are released, and the fitting frame 1 connected with the downlight Z is easily removed from the ceiling X.
After the downlight Z is attached to the ceiling X, it does not require to lift up the other end 22f of the operational piece 22 other than removal of the downlight Z. On the contrary it may be desirable to make the structure hard to operate the other end 22f of the operational piece 22 upward for such a case of exchanging the electric bulb of downlight Z.
In this case, although it is not shown in the figures, a part of the tip end of the other end 22f of the operational piece 22 may be cut off inwardly to reduce their area to prevent the other end 22f without intention or a lock mechanism (not shown) may be further provided for preventing the other end 22f from being lifted up when the operational piece 22 is connected to the upper end of the support portion 13.
A circular formed blade spring 21 is used as the blade spring in this embodiment, however, flat blade springs or coil springs or flush springs other than blade springs may be used if they are constructed so as to lift up the fitting frame 1 while acting the elastic resilience force of spring and to fix the fitting frame 1 to the circumferential edge of the fitting hole Y.
As shown in Fig. 3, the downlight Z thus attached on the ceiling X is rotatable at 360 degrees in the circumferential direction so as to change the lighting angle from the downlight Z and is also able to swing at 90 degrees as shown in imaginary lines around a rotary axis shown with double circles with imaginary lines in the figure. In case of swing operation, there is no fear of damaging the downlight Z by colliding with the fitting means 2, or the downlight smoothly swings without being disturbed with the fitting means 2.
As mentioned above, according to the fitting structure A for built in type apparatus of the present invention, the elastic resilience force of blade spring 21 is acted by elastically deforming the blade spring 21 and the fitting frame 1 is lifted up with the elastic resilience force to be fixed to the ceiling X. Therefore, the fitting frame 1 is easily and surely fixed to the ceiling X or wall with one touch operation of pushing the operational piece 22.
Further, the support portion 13 is also downsized so as to be provided even if there is only a small space in the ceiling. Further, even when the housed downlight Z itself is operated, the support portion 13 does not interfere such operation and is not damaged when getting in touch with the downlight Z.
Still further, the position where the elastic resilience force of blade spring 21 is energized is varied depending on the thickness of ceiling X, the downlight Z is surely attached with the same fitting means 2 of the fitting frame 1 even when the thickness of ceiling X is changed.

[Embodiment 2]

Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b show enlarged side views of other embodiment of the support portion according to the present invention.
The members which are common to those shown in Fig. 1 - Fig. 3 have the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted here. Only the characteristic of this embodiment is explained hereinafter.
The support portion 13 shown in Fig. 4a is formed with a falling prevention member 13d' which is formed by downwardly extending the receiving pawl 13d extending the upper end of the inclined guide surface 13c into outside.
If such a falling prevention member 13d' is formed, the engaging member 23b which engages into the receiving pawl 13d while guided by the inclined guide surface 13c is more certainly engaged so as to prevent falling out.
According to the support portion 13 shown in Fig. 4b, the receiving pawl 13d provided for the support portion 13 is formed as a long hole with the same inclination of inclined guide surface 13c and the engaging member 23b of the toggle link 23 is slidably connected along the long hole.
In case of such a long receiving pawl 13d, the engaging member 23b of the toggle link 23 is always engaged in the long hole, so that it does not fallen off, thereby surely engaging the engaging member 23b to the receiving pawl 13b even under grope operations in the ceiling.

[Embodiment 3]

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an essential part showing other embodiment of the fitting structure A for built in type apparatus according to the present invention. Fig. 6 is an operational explanatory view showing fitting operations shown inFig. 5.
The members which are common to those shown in Fig. 1 - Fig. 4 have the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted here. Only the characteristic of this embodiment is explained hereinafter.
According to the fitting structure A for built in type apparatus, a pair of toggle links 23 are formed such that both ends 23c are rotatably provided for a folded member 22d which is formed at both ends of the base plate 22a of the operational piece 22 and the front part penetrates shaft hole 13e formed on the support portion 13 of the fitting frame 1. Further according to the fitting structure A, a part of blade spring 21 is inwardly folded to form an inflection part 21c.
In this embodiment, the toggle link 23 is comprised of two annular members formed like a rectangle, more particularly one short side 23d of the toggle link 23 is slightly separated.
Both separated ends 23c, 23c are opened with fingers while resisting the elastic resilience force, one of them is penetrated through the shaft hole 13e of the support portion 13, the other end 23e which is not separated is positioned at the shaft hole 13e, the separated ends 23c, 23c are provided through the shaft hole 22e provided for the folded member 22d. When the fingers are released, the separated both ends 23c, 23c are closed by the elastic resilience force and they are inserted through both sides of the shaft hole 22e, so that one toggle link 23 can be pivotally connected to one of the folded member 22d, and the other toggle link 23 is pivotally connected for the other folded member 22d in the same manner.
According to thus constructed fitting structure A for built in type apparatus of the present invention, as shown in Fig. 5, the fitting frame 1 connected with a downlight Z is inserted from downward into the fitting hole Y formed on the ceiling X to embed the downlight Z and the fitting frame 1 is fitted into the fitting hole Y (see Fig. 5a).
The blade spring 21 is not elastically deformed, so that useless tension is not acted on the fitting means 2 and downlight Z is easily attached or removed.
Then the operational piece 22 of the fitting means 2 is pushed outward of the fitting frame 1, the fitting means 2 is easily moved outside of the fitting frame 1 around the supporting shaft 13b, the one end 22c of the operational piece 22 is connected into the rear face of the ceiling X, and the other end 22f of the operational piece 22 is upwardly established (see Fig. 5b).
When the other end 22f of the upright operational piece 22 is pushed down with fingers while resisting the elastic resilience force of blade spring 21 as shown in the arrows in the figure, the blade spring 21 is expanded in a liner direction (outward direction) to be provided with elastic force, and simultaneously the short side 23e of the toggle link 23 is lifted up and the fitting frame 1 fixed to the support body 13 rotatably fixed with the short side 23e is also lifted up.
However, because the brim 11 is provided a the lower end of the frame 1, further lift-up operation is regulated, so that the fitting frame 1 is fixed while being pushed against the fitting hole Y of the ceiling X.
The one end 22c of the operational piece 22 connected to the rear surface of the ceiling X is moved outward while sliding on the rear surface of the ceiling X as shown in the allows in the figure (see Fig. 5b).
On the other hand, the operational piece 22 is moved downward of the blade spring 21 through the opening 22b. At a point exceeding a predetermined position, the direction of elastic resilience force to return the other end 22f of the operational piece is converted into a reverse clockwise direction from a clockwise direction, like a reversal spring, whereby the other end 22f of the operation I piece 22 generates a click sound and is pushed against the upper end of the support body to be regulated.
As a result, the fitting frame 1 connected with the downlight Z is pushed against the fitting hole Y of the ceiling X to be surely fixed (see Fig. 5c).
In this embodiment, a part of circular formed blade spring 21 is inwardly folded to form the inflection part 21 c. Providing such inflection part 21 c, the modulus of elasticity of the entire blade spring 21 is enhanced and in addition the pressurizing force of elastic resilience force of blade spring 21 is further heightened because the displacement amount of blade spring 21 is increased.
As the result, the downlight Z is more securely attached, for example, the pressurizing force of blade spring 21 is adequately exerted for a thin ceiling with about 1 mm thickness, thereby fixing the downlight Z without fault.
On the other hand, for removing the downlight Z from the ceiling X, the other end 22f of the operational piece 22 is lifted up against the elastic resilience force of blade spring 21, and the elastic resilience force of blade spring 21 is released according to reverse processes mentioned above, thereby easily removing the fitting frame 1 connected with the downlight Z.
According to the fitting structure Afor built in type apparatus of the present invention, a pair of toggle links 23 are constructed such that the operational piece 22 and the support body 13 of the fitting frame 1 are pivotally connected, so that the toggle links 23 can always connect the operational piece 22 and the support portion 13 so as not to be fallen out. Therefore, the apparatus can be easily and surely fixed to ceiling or wall with such one touch operation of pushing the operational piece 22 even in case of grope operation in the ceiling.

Claims

A fitting structure (A) for a built in type apparatus (Z) housed in a fitting hole (Y) formed on a ceiling or a wall (X), comprising a fitting frame (1) to which a body is attached, characterized in that
said fitting frame (1) comprises a frame body (12) adapted to be inserted into said fitting hole (Y) and plural support portions (13) having receiving pawls (13d), said frame body further having a brim (11) which extends laterally outwardly from said frame body (12), and said support portions (13) being attached to a fitting means (2),
each of said fitting means (2) comprises a blade spring (21), an operation piece (22) having an opening (22b), and a toggle link (23) pivotally connected to said operation piece at its one end (23a), and having an engaging end (23b) at its other end, in which said blade spring is pivotally connected to a supporting shaft (13b) provided in said support portion (13) at its one end (21a) and is pivotally connected at its other end (21b) to one end (22c) of said operation piece, in a manner that said blade spring (21) passes through said opening (22b) of said operation piece (22),
and said engaging end (23b) of said toggle link (23) is engaged with said receiving pawl (13d) of said support portion (13) when pressing said one end (22c) of said operating piece (22) on the inner surface of said ceiling or said wall (X) to elastically deform said blade spring (21), after said frame body (12) is inserted into said fitting hole (Y), thereby drawing said fitting frame (1) by the resilience force of said blade spring towards said ceiling or wall (X), until said brim (11) rests against said ceiling or wall (X), so that said fitting frame (1) is fixed within said fitting hole (Y) by being pushed against said ceiling or wall (X) by the resilience force of said blade spring.
The fitting structure (A) for a built in type apparatus (Z) as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that an inclined guide surface (13c) is formed on said support portion (13) of said fitting frame (1).
The fitting structure (A) for a built in type apparatus (Z) as set forth in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said receiving pawl (13d) has a long hole in which said toggle link (23) is moved.
A fitting structure (A) for a built in type apparatus (Z) housed in a fitting hole (Y) formed on a ceiling or a wall (X), comprising a fitting frame (1) to which a body is attached, characterized in that
said fitting frame (1) comprises a frame body (12) adapted to be inserted into said fitting hole (Y) and plural support portions (13), said frame body having a brim (11) which extends laterally outwardly from said frame body (12), and said support portions (13) being attached to a fitting means (2),
each of said fitting means (2) comprises a blade spring (21), an operation piece (22) having an opening (22b), and a toggle link (23) pivotally connected at its one end (23a) to one end (22c) of said operation piece, and said toggle link (23) at its other end (23e) pivotally connected to a support portion (13), in a manner that said blade spring (21) passes through said opening (22b) of said operation piece (22),
and, due to the resilience force of said blade spring (21), said fitting frame (1) is drawn towards said ceiling or wall (X) until said brim (11) rests against said ceiling or wall (X), when pressing said one end (22c) of said operation piece (22) on the inner surface of said ceiling or said wall (X) to elastically deform said blade spring (21), after said frame body (12) is inserted into said fitting hole (Y), so that said fitting frame (1) is fixed within said fitting hole (Y) by being pushed against said ceiling or wall (X).
The fitting structure (A) for a built in type apparatus (Z) as set forth in any one of claims 1 - 4, characterized in that said blade spring (21) is of a shape like as a cup with an inflection part.
The fitting structure (A) for a built in type apparatus (Z) as set forth in any one of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that said body is a lighting equipment such as a downlight.