EP1955418B1

EP1955418B1 - Suspension device for suspending objects to be exposed to view

Info

Publication number: EP1955418B1
Application number: EP06824283.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marinus Barbara Arnoldus Maria Stas
Original assignee: STAS IP BV
Current assignee: STAS IP BV
Priority date: 2005-11-29
Filing date: 2006-11-29
Publication date: 2014-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-29
Also published as: NL1030548C2; WO2007064195A1; EP1955418A1

Description

The invention relates to a suspension device for suspending objects to be exposed to view, comprising at least one suspension rail to be attached to a wall or a ceiling, in which suspension elements for the objects to be suspended can be movably accommodated, as well as at least one electrical signal-carrying conductor rail, which forms one unit with the suspension rail, for carrying an electrical signal to at least one signal-processing object according to the preamble of claim 1.
Such a device is for example disclosed in European patent application No. 0 640 309 . The drawback of said device is that the suspension rail functions as one of the live conductors for carrying an electric voltage signal to, for example, a lighting fixture that can be clamped in the suspension rail by means of electrical connectors. The suspension rail thus carries a voltage signal at all times, which creates an unsafe situation for bystanders. In addition to that, the known device as disclosed in EP 0 640 309 is characterised by the fact that it comprises an unnecessarily large number of separate parts, which renders the known device needlessly complex and costly.
Furthermore in EP1577988 a suspension element is clamped around the suspension rail making electrical contact with a conductor mounted outside the rail and a conductor mounted inside the rail. As disclosed in this citation the suspension rail is mounted at some distance from the ceiling using ceiling mounts.
US-A1-6039037 describes a connection part for interconnecting adjacent suspension rails.
US2003/003785A1 shows an electrical bus system that maximizes the distance that electrical current must travel from one bus to an adjacent bus before a short can occur by placing the buses at the top portion of upside down U-shaped channels within the insulator, and connecting the adjacent U-shaped channels of the insulator at their bottom ends.
In US-B1-6296498 a busbar connector for an electrical busway system is disclosed which includes shunt wires in an insulating housing and opposed spreader springs between the shunt wires that press contacts on the shunt wires against busbars in the busway when tapered screws are advanced between the spreader springs.
US-B1-6530791 discloses a coupling for conductor rails comprising a middle unit with two pivoting parts pivotable relative to each other and holding means for a conductor rail being provided on each of these pivoting parts. The holding means are provided with electrical connecting conductors which serve for a connection with the conductor rails to be applied to these holding means.
The object of the invention is to obviate the above drawbacks and to provide a device as referred to in the introduction which on the one hand is of simple construction and comprises fewer parts, but which, in addition, is electrically safe for the user. According to the invention, the device is characterized by the characterizing features of main claim 1.
In the very first place an electrically safe construction is realised for the user by implementing the aspects as defined in the main claim. The suspension rail itself does not function as an electrical conductor, since the suspension rail houses two or more separate live conductors in an electrically non-conductive carrier that can be accommodated in the suspension rail.
According to a functional embodiment, the suspension rail is U-shaped, with the opening of the U-shape facing downwards.
A reliable use of the suspension device according to the invention can be realised if according to the invention the U-shaped, electrically non-conductive carrier can be resiliently clamped in the suspension rail with its two legs.
A reliable use is further ensured if the suspension rail is furthermore provided with at least one retaining cam extending the length of the suspension rail, behind which each leg of the U-shaped carrier can be retained.
The aforesaid reliability is even further enhanced in that according to another functional embodiment of the invention the legs of the U-shaped carrier are each provided with at least one pair of two slightly spaced-apart, parallel clamping cams, between which a signal-carrying conductor can be accommodated.
The above reliability-enhancing aspects provide a good mechanical as well as electrical connection between the suspension rail and the signal-carrying conductor rail. More specifically, each signal-carrying conductor is configured as an elongated element, wherein the signal-carrying conductor may be configured as a wire-shaped, a ribbon-shaped or a strip-shaped element.
To realise a comprehensive suspension system according to the invention, which can also be used in large spaces or buildings (such as museums), several abutting, signal-carrying conductor rails can be interconnected to carry signals by means of a connecting element that can be clamped in the signal-carrying conductor rails at the location where the conductor rails abut.
Said connecting element is made up of an elongated, electrically non-conductive core containing at least one pair of signal-carrying strips that can be brought into signal-carrying contact with the corresponding signal-carrying conductors of the abutting conductor rails.
According to a functional embodiment, which makes it possible to install the suspension system in complex spaces, the connecting element is configured as an angle-shaped element. The connecting element may be flexible at the location of the angle in that case in order to be able to adapt the suspension system to the architectural conditions.
The angle-shaped connecting element can be housed in an angle-shaped rail connecting element so as to realise a compact construction. More specifically, the angle-shaped connecting element may be provided with a pin that juts out at the location of the angle, which pin can be received in an opening formed in the angle-shaped rail connecting element.
In one embodiment, in order to realise a good electric flow of the electrical signal to the signal-processing device, the at least one signal-processing device comprises at least two connecting elements that can be accommodated in the signal-carrying conductor rail, which connecting elements can each be connected to one of the signal-carrying conductors.
A functional insulation or screening between the two signal poles can be realised in that each connecting element comprises a signal-carrying core made up of a part that can be clamped in the signal-carrying conductor rail and a connecting part extending from the signal-carrying conductor rail, which core is at least partially enclosed in an electrically non-conductive sheath.
In a functional embodiment, the mechanical connection between the suspension rail and the connecting part (and the signal-processing device) is ensured in that the electrically non-conductive sheath is provided with an elongated groove at the location of the transition from the connecting part to the clampable part, which groove clampingly mates with the suspension rail.
Furthermore, each connecting part may be provided with at least one receiving hole for receiving a signal conductor. Each connecting part may in that case be provided with at least one adjusting screw hole terminating in said receiving hole for clamping the signal conductor accommodated in said receiving hole by means of an adjusting screw.
In a first functional embodiment of the signal-processing device, said signal-processing device comprises a fixture built up of two electrically conductive fixture parts, which are interconnected by means of an electrically non-conductive intermediate element, wherein each fixture part can be connected to the free end of a signal conductor on the one hand and to a terminal of a signal-processing element on the other hand.
Each of said fixture elements may be conical in shape.
In another functional embodiment of the signal-processing device, said signal-processing device comprises a fixture which is built up of two interconnectable fixture parts, wherein at least one of said fixture parts is made of an electrically non-conductive material, in which a recess is provided, in which recess a terminal of a signal-processing element as well as the free end of a signal conductor can be clampingly and rotatably accommodated.
To realise a reliable signal-carrying contract, the free end of the signal conductor is provided with a circumferential notch, which notch clampingly mates with the recess in said at least one fixture part.
The other fixture part may be made of a thermally conductive material in that case and be brought into thermally conductive contact with the signal-processing element, and a thermally conductive contact paste may optionally be provided between said other fixture part and the signal-processing element.
For a greater ease of use, the signal conductor may be built up of at least two conductor elements which are telescopically movable with respect to each other.
In yet another embodiment, of the invention, the U-shaped suspension rail is oversized so as to be able to accommodate at least one suspension elements between the legs of the U-shaped suspension rail, the free ends of the legs being slightly bent towards each other and being provided with bevelled end edges. This makes it possible to accommodate the suspension element correctly in the suspension rail without any risk of the suspension element becoming jammed and of the suspension elements being damaged or becoming detached from the suspension rail.
The invention further relates to such a suspension rail and also to a connecting element for interconnecting two abutting, signal-carrying conductor rails according to the invention in such a manner that signals can pass therethrough.
The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing, in which:

Figures 1a and 1b show two different embodiments of a rail according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a larger-scale view of an embodiment of the suspension system according to the invention;
Figure 3 shows an electric connector for use in the suspension rail according to the invention;
Figures 4a and 4b show two embodiments of an electric connecting element for electrically interconnecting two suspension rails according to the invention;
Figure 5a shows a third embodiment of an electric connecting element for two suspension rails;
Figure 5b shows an angle connecting element for a mechanically interconnecting two suspension rail elements;
Figure 6 shows a first embodiment of a. fixture for a signal-processing device;
Figures 7a-7c are various views of a second embodiment of a fixture for an electrical signal-processing device;
Figure 8 shows another aspect of a suspension rail according to the invention;
Figure 9 shows yet another embodiment of a suspension rail according to the invention;
Figures 10-17 show further embodiments of the suspension system according to the invention.

For a better understanding of the invention, like parts shown in the various figures will be indicated by the same numerals in the description of the figures below.
Figures 1 a and 1b are two sectional views of a suspension rail according to the invention. The suspension rail according to the invention is made up of a plastic or aluminium strip having a profile section as shown in figures 1a and 1b. The suspension rails 10 and 10' as shown in figures 1a and 1b, respectively, have an elevation surface 11 (11') and an upper flange 12 (12'). The upper flange 12 (12') has a flanged edge 12a (12a').
The elevation surface 11 (11') is furthermore provided with an intermediate rib or intermediate flange 13 (13') provided with an upright edge 13a. The intermediate flange 13 (13') further comprises two slightly spaced-apart legs 15a-15b (15a'-15b'), with the leg 15a (15a') being in line with the elevation surface 11 (11'). The two legs 15a-15b (15a'-15b') have flanged edges 16a-16b (16a'-16b'). The suspension rail 10 (10') is elongated in shape, so that the two legs 15a-15b (15a'-15b') enclose an elongated, slot-shaped space 20 (20'), which is provided with an opening slot 18 (18').
According to the invention, and as shown in figure 2, a signal-carrying conductor rail 30 can be accommodated in the space 20 enclosed by the legs 15a-15b. Said signal-carrying conductor rail is made of a U-shaped, electrically non-conductive carrier 30, which is elongated in shape and which can consequently be accommodated in the elongated space 20 between the legs 15a-15b. The carrier 30 comprises two legs 32a-32b, which are interconnected by an connecting piece 31, which abuts against the intermediate flange 13 in this embodiment. The carrier 30 is made of an electrically non-conductive, resilient material, so that the legs 32a-32b resiliently abut against the legs 15'a-15b of the suspension rail 10. The legs 32a-32b of the carrier 30 enclose a space 20", whose function will be explained in more detail hereinafter.
To obtain an adequate retainment of the edge carrier 30 in the space 20 between the legs 15a-15b of the suspension rail 10, each leg 15a-15b is provided with a retaining cam 19a-19b extending the length of the suspension rail, behind which each leg 32a-32b of the U-shaped carrier 30 can be retained.
Likewise, each leg 32a-32b of the carrier 30 is provided with at least one pair of retaining cams 34a-35a, 34b-35b, respectively, between which a signal-carrying conductor 40a-40b can be accommodated. The signal-carrying conductor 40a-40b is preferably an elongated element, for example made of a wire, a ribbon or a strip, which may be suitably connected to a voltage or current source (not shown).
As already mentioned before, the suspension rail 10 (10') forms part of a suspension device for suspending paintings to be exposed to view. It may be desirable to illuminate the object to be suspended, and according to the invention a connecting element 50 is to that end provided, as is shown in figure 3. Said connecting element consists of a signal-carrying core 52, which is enclosed in an electrically non-conductive sheath 51. The signal-carrying core 52 comprises a part 52b, which can be clamped in the signal-carrying conductor rail 30, and a connecting part 52a projecting from the signal-carrying conductor rail 30 and the suspension rail 10, which can be connected to a signal-carrying conductor in a manner yet to be described hereinafter.
The signal-carrying core 52 is not completely enclosed by the electrically non-conductive sheath 51, since the part 52b that can be clamped in the signal-carrying conductor rail 30 comprises an exposed portion 52c, where part of the electrically non-conductive sheets 51 has been removed, at the location indicated at 51c. The connecting element 50 can be placed into the suspension rail 10 and into the space 20" formed by the conductor rail 30 via the slotted opening 18, in such a manner that the electrically conductive part 52b and the surrounding electrically non-conductive sheath part 51b clamp themselves between the two signal-carrying conductors 40a and 40b.
Depending on the orientation of the connecting element 50 in the space 20", the exposed portion 52c of the signal-carrying part 52b makes electrical contact with the signal-carrying conductor 40a or 40b. The orientation of the connecting element 50 thus enables a correct electrical connection of a lighting fixture or similar electrical signal-processing device (a loudspeaker).
In order to be able to clamp the signal carrying part 52b enclosed by the electrically non-conductive sheath part in the suspension rail 10 in an adequate manner, the electrically non-conductive sheath is provided with an elongated groove 54 at the location of the transition from the clampable part 52b to the connecting part 52a, which groove clampingly mates with the suspension rail 10 and more in particular with the flanged ends 17a-17b of the legs 15a-15b of the rail 10. In this way the connecting element 50 is prevented from undesirably becoming detached from the suspension rail 10.
Figure 4 shows another aspect of the device according to the invention, with figure 4a showing a strip-shaped connecting elements for signal-carrying interconnection of several abutting suspension rails 10 and the conductor rails 30 accommodated therein. -
The connecting element 60 that is shown in figure 4a is built up of an elongated, electrically non-conductive core 60a-60b, which is provided with slots 61a-61b extending in longitudinal direction on either side, in which signal-carrying strips 62a-62b can be clamped. Each slot 61a-61b is to that end provided with a bevelled edge 63a-63b, behind which the signal-carrying strip 62a-62b can be clamped.
At the location where two adjacent suspension rails 10 abut, the connecting element 60 must be placed in the spaces 20" of the likewise abutting signal-carrying conductor rails 30, in such a manner that the signal-carrying strip 62a connects the two signal-carrying conductors 40a and the signal-carrying strip 62b connects the two abutting signal-carrying conductors 40b. In this way an electrical signal can be passed from one signal-carrying conductor 40a (40b) to the abutting signal-carrying conductor 40a (40b) of another suspension rail 10, therefore.
Figure 4b shows a connecting element 60" of a construction similar to that of the connecting element 60 of figure 4a. In this case, however, the connecting element 60" comprises a flexible central portion 66", which may be made of a flexible rubber, for example. Said flexible central portion 66" makes it possible to give the connecting element 60" a (random) orientation, for example if several abutting suspension rails 10 are to be mounted on walls that extend at an acute (or an obtuse) angle relative to each other. Figure 5a shows a connecting element 60' having a fixed angle, in other words, a connecting element configured as an angle-shaped element.
Said angle-shaped connecting element 60' has two legs 65a-65b, but in addition it is provided with two slots 61a-61b formed on either side of the connecting element 60', in which signal-carrying strips 62a' and 62b', respectively, are accommodated. In the embodiment that is shown in figure 5a, the angle-shaped connecting element 60' is furthermore provided with a pin 64 that juts out at the location of the angle, which pin can be received in an opening 74 of an angle-shaped rail connecting element 70.
Said angle-shaped rail connecting element 70 is disclosed in figure 5b and likewise has two legs 75a-75b, which are each provided with two flanges 71a-71b and 72a-72b, respectively. The angle-shaped rail connecting element functions to interconnect suspension rails 10 mounted on two walls that extend at an angle relative to each other, and that at an acute angle, wherein each leg 75a and 75b, respectively, can be accommodated in the space 14 (14') of the suspension rails 10 (10') (see figure 1). Since the projecting pin 64 of the angle-shaped connecting element 60' is received in the opening 74 of the angle-shaped rail connecting element 70, an adequate retainment of said signal-carrying connecting element is realised, as a result of which also the signal-carrying connection between the various signal-carrying parts is ensured.
Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a fixture 80 that may be used for a signal-processing device, which device is to be placed in the suspension device 10 according to the invention. The term "signal-processing device" may be understood to mean a lamp or other lighting device, but also a loudspeaker, a clock or other electrical appliance.
The fixture 80 is built up of two electrically conductive fixture parts 81a-81b, which are interconnected by means of an electrically non-conductive intermediate element 82. Each fixture part 81a-81b can on the one hand be connected to a free end 91a'-91b' of a signal conductor 91a-91b, as shown in figure 7. On the other hand, each fixture part 81a-81b can be connected to a terminal of a signal-processing element, for example a lamp, a loudspeaker or a clock or the like, in such a manner that signals can pass therethrough.
Each fixture element 81a-81b is conical in shape, which configuration is optional. Furthermore, each fixture element 81 a-81 b is provided with a bore 83a-83b, which can accommodate the free end 91a'-91b' of the signal conductor 91a-91b of figure 7. Each fixture part may be provided with an opening 84a-84b extending into the bore 83a-83b, which opening may be provided with a screw thread for receiving a screw by means of which the free end 91a'-91b' of the signal conductor 91 a-91 b that extends into the openings 83a-83b can be clampingly screwed down.
Likewise, each fixture part 81a-81b is provided with a further opening 85a-85b, which can receive the terminal of the signal-processing device, which terminal can be fixed in position by means of another opening 86a-86b provided with a screw thread and an associated screw. Thus, an adequate signal-carrying contact can be effected between the terminal of the signal processing device present in said further opening 85a on the one hand and the free end 91a'-91 b' of a signal conductor 91a-91b present in the opening 83a-83b on the other hand.
Figure 7 shows another embodiment of a fixture, which fixture is likewise built up of two interconnectable fixture parts 90a-90b. At least one of the fixture parts 90a-90b is made of an electrically non-conductive material and is provided with upright cams 92a-92b, which form a recess 93a-93b, in which the free end 91a'-91b' of the signal conductor 91 a-91 b can be clampingly received.
The upright cams 92a-92b, which define the recess 93a-93b, are furthermore provided with a gap 94a-94b which is oriented transversely to the recess 93a-93b, in which gap a terminal of a signal-processing element can be clamped down by the free end 91a'-91b'. The clamping engagement of a terminal in the gap 94a-94b by the free end 91a'-91b' present in the recess 93a-93b enables rotation of the fixture part 90a.
In the embodiment that is shown in figure 7, the fixture 90 forms a fixture for a lighting element, wherein the fixture part 90a is provided with an opening 98, in which a lamp 90c can be placed, in particular a LED. Likewise, the fixture part 90a is provided with several openings 99 for dissipating heat which may be generated by the lamp 90c and which is transmitted to the outside atmosphere.
Figure 8 shows another embodiment of the suspension rail 10 according to the invention, in which a hook-shaped suspension element 5 has been inserted into the space 20 of the guide rail 10 via the opening slot 18. The hook-shaped suspension element 5 is provided with a hook-shaped end 6 at one side, which is accommodated between the legs 15a and 15b of the suspension rail 10. Since a signal-carrying conductor rail 30 must be accommodated in the space as well, and also connecting elements for electrically connecting various signal-processing devices to the signal-carrying conductor rail 30, the space present between the two legs 15a-15b is oversized.
Accordingly, the hook-shaped part 6 of the suspension element 5 is accommodated in the space 20 with some play. To prevent the hook-shaped suspension element 5 from becoming jammed in the suspension rail 10 or from hanging out of plumb in any other way, each flanged end edge 16a-16b of the legs 15a-15b has a bevelled end edge 17a-17b, against which the contact surfaces 17a and 17b, respectively, of the hook-shaped part 6 will abut, thus realising a correct, i.e. downward orientation of the suspension element.
The suspension element 5 is further provided with a suspension wire 7, which may be riveted to the hook-shaped suspension element 5.
Figure 9 shows another embodiment of a suspension rail according to the invention. Analogously to the embodiments that are shown in figure 1a and 1b, the suspension rail 10" has an elevation surface 11 ", which at the same time forms one of the legs 15b". In this embodiment, too, the elevation surface 11" is provided with an intermediate rib or intermediate flange 13", which is provided with a projecting edge 13a". The intermediate flange 13" further comprises two slightly spaced-apart legs 15a"-15b". The two legs 15a"-15b" have flanged edges 16a"-16b". The suspension rail 10" is elongated in shape, so that the two legs 15a"-15b" enclose an elongated, slot-shaped space 20", which is provided with an opening slot 18".
This embodiment of the suspension rail according to the invention can be easily mounted directly to the ceiling, in such a manner that the intermediate rib 13" is fixed to the ceiling or to a suspended ceiling system. A U-shaped signal-carrying conductor may be placed in the space 20", as described and explained in the foregoing.
Figures 10a-10d show further embodiments of a suspension rail according to the invention. In this embodiment, a U-shaped electrically non-conductive carrier 30 is accommodated in each suspension rail 10, which carrier is now provided with more than one pair of two slightly spaced-apart, parallel signal-carrying conductors 40a-40b; 40a'-40b'; 40a"-40b". These signal-carrying conductors are clamped between clamping cams 35a-35b, which likewise extend parallel to each other in slightly space-apart relationship. In this way several (electrical) signal-processing devices, such as lighting fixtures, loudspeakers; hi-fi equipment or presentation or projection beamers can be connected by means of electric connectors specially constructed for this purpose, which will be explained in more detail hereinafter.
Figures 10a-10c show three different types of a U-shaped, electrically non-conductive carrier 30. in figure 10a, the U-shaped carrier 30 is arranged for receiving two pairs of signal-carrying conductors 40a-40b; 40a'-40b'; 40a"-40b" extending parallel to each other. In figures 10b, 10c and 10d, three pairs of signal-carrying conductors 40a-40b; 40a'-40b'; 40a"-40b" are used, whilst the embodiment shown in figure 10d does not comprise a U-shaped carrier but two strip-shaped carriers 30'-30", and the signal-carrying conductors 40a-40b; 40a'-40b'; 40a"-40b" are disposed between the retaining cams 19a-19b; 19a'-19b'.
Figure 11 shows an embodiment of a connector 50 of a construction similar to that of the connector of figure 3. In this embodiment, the connector 50 is adapted for cooperation with a U-shaped carrier as shown in figure 10a, i.e. comprising several pairs, two in this case, signal-carrying conductors 40a-40b; 40a'-40b'. Analogously to figure 3, the connector 15, and more in particular the part 52b of the signal-carrying core 52 that can be clamped down in the carrier 30, has several exposed portions 52c, which make the electrical contacts with one or more of the (current) signal-carrying conductors 40a-40b; 40a'-40b'.
The signal-carrying core 52 is to that end enclosed by an electrically non-conductive sheath 51, in particular indicated at 51b. The connector 50 is electrically connected to two carrier rods 500 (only one of which is shown), to which an (electrical) signal-processing device, such as a lighting fixture or a loudspeaker or a projection beamer, may be connected, for example.
Figures 12a and 12b show two embodiments of an angle-shaped connecting element according to the invention identical to the one that is shown in figure 5a, which shows a similar angle-shaped connecting elements 16'. The angle-shaped connecting elements shown in figures 13a and 13b are indicated at 60" in this case. They are built up of a part made of an electrically non-conductive material, which is provided with several slots 61a-61a'-61a"; 61b-61b'-61", in which signal-carrying strips 62a-62a'-62a" and 62b-62b'-62b", respectively, can be accommodated. In this way suspension rails 10 provided with a U-shaped carrier 30 comprising two or more pairs of signal-carrying conductors 40a-40b; 40a'-40b', etc, can be connected around an (acute-angle or obtuse-angle) corner.
Figure 12a shows an angle-shaped connecting element comprising two pairs of strip-shaped signal-carrying conductors, whilst three pairs of strip-shaped conductors are used in the element that is shown in figure 12b.
Figures 13a and 13b show a similar embodiment, albeit of a straight connecting elements 60 (identical to figure 4a), which are provided with corresponding slots 61a-61a'-61b-61b' in this case as well, in which strips 62a-62a'-62b-62b' made of an electrically non-conductive material are accommodated.
Figure 14 shows another embodiment of the U-shaped carrier 30, in this case indicated at 30'. Said carrier 30' is built up of a central portion 31' and two legs 32a' and 32b' provided with end edges 33a-33b. In contrast to the other embodiments, in which the current- or signal-carrying conductors 40a-40b etc are clamped between retaining cams as shown in figure 2 and figures 12a-12d, the electrically conductive carriers 40a-40a'-40a" and 40b-40b'-40b" have been vapour-deposited, etched or printed on the legs 32a'-32b'. The advantage of this is that there is no need to assemble separate components, with the risk of said components undesirably becoming detached, which might cause malfunctions and short circuits.
Is also possible to use a combination of vapour-deposited, etched or printed conductive carriers and conductive carriers as used in figures 10a-10d in on and the same embodiment.
Figure 15 shows yet another embodiment of an electrical connector 50', which is built up of two compound connectors 50a-50b. This connector type 50' may be used for electrically connecting various current-carrying devices, such as a lamp or a loudspeaker. The connector parts 50'-50" comprise parts 52a'-52b' and 52b'-52b", respectively, which are both enclosed in an electrically non-conductive sheath 51'-51". Analogously to the single embodiment 50 in figure 3, the parts 52b'-52b" that can be clamped in the signal-carrying conductors 30 have exposed portions 52c' and 52", respectively, which exposed portions have been realised by removing portions 51c'-51c" of the electrically non-conductive sheath 51'-51".
Because the parts 52b'-52b" of the connector parts 50a-50b are different in length, the respective exposed portions 52c' and 52", respectively, make electrical contact with one of the two signal-carrying conductor pairs 40a-40b; 40a'-40b' of the U-shaped conductor rail 30 as shown in figure 10a. Likewise, several connector parts 50a-50b-50c may be used as one assembly together with parts 52b'-52b"-52b"' of different length, which, may each be separately brought into contact with the conductor pairs 40a-40b; 40a'-40b'; 40a"-40b" of the U-shaped carriers 30 of figures 10b-10d.
Such an application is shown in figure 16, which shows a plug-shaped part 55, which is provided with or built up of four connector parts 50a-50d (from figure 15). The four connector parts 50a-50d can be accommodated in the signal-carrying conductors 30, which is provided with several, for example three, signal-carrying conductor pairs 40a-40b; 40a'-40b'; 40a"-40b". Using the handle 55, the entire connector assembly and the signal-processing device connected thereto can be easily detached from the suspension rail 10 (and the U-shaped carrier 30) with one movement of the hand.
The plug-shaped part 55 is in turn provided with carrier rods 500a-500b, to which a signal-processing device can be connected. Each carrier rod 500a-500b is hollow and made of an electrically conductive material. A further wire conductor 510a-510b is passed through the hollow carrier rod 500a-500b, which wire conductor is provided with an electrically insulating sheath 515. The carrier rods function not only as physical carriers for the beamer 600 (strength) but also as conductors for, for example, video signals to the beamer. The wire conductors 510a-510b may also be used for other signal-carrying functions (for example supplying 12V direct current).
Figure 17 shows a three-dimensional arrangement of the suspension system according to the invention. The suspension rail 10, with a multiple U-shaped carrier 30 as shown in figures 10a-10d present therein, is mounted to a wall 1. Several signal-processing devices are accommodated in the U-shaped carrier 30, such as a projection beamer 600, a hanging lamp 610, a loudspeaker 615 and a lighting fixture 620. Numeral 616 also indicates a projection beamer provided with integrated loudspeakers. The various signal-processing devices are accommodated in the rail 10 with different connectors 50 (figure 3), 50' (figure 15) and 55 (figure 16).
The lighting fixture 620 illuminates a work of art 630, which is likewise suspended from the suspension rail. Another functional application is the use of the projection beamer 600 (for example for TV images), which can be clamped or snapped in the U-shaped carrier 30 (and the rail 10) at some distance from the wall by means of the carrier rods 500a-500b and the plug-shaped part 55, and which is capable of projecting video signals. The video signals are carried to the beamer via a first signal-carrying conductor pair 40a-40b, for example, the sound signals are carried to the loudspeaker(s) 610 via a second signal-carrying conductor pair 40a'-40b', and the electric current (e.g. 220 V alternating current or 12 V direct current) is carried to the beamer 600, the lighting fixture 620 etc via a third signal-carrying conductor pair 40a"-40b".
In this arrangement the two carrier rods 500a-500b are electrically connected to one of the signal-carrying conductor pairs 40a-40b; 40a'-40b'; 40a"-40b"; 40a"'-40b''' in the U-shaped carrier 30 via the connector parts 50a-50d, for example. The wire conductors 510a-510b function as supply conductors for the power supply (12 V direct current), for example, and are electrically connected to one of the other signal-carrying conductor pairs 40a-40b; 40a'-40b'; 40a"-40b"; 40a"'-40b"'.

Claims

A suspension device for suspending objects (630) to be exposed to view, comprising at least one suspension rail (10, 10') to be attached to a wall (1) or a ceiling, in which suspension elements for the objects to be suspended are movably accommodated, as well as at least one electrical signal-carrying conductor rail (30), which forms one unit with the suspension rail, for carrying an electrical signal to at least one signal-processing object (600-610-615-616-620), wherein the signal-carrying conductor rail (30) comprises a U-shaped, electrically non-conductive carrier (30), which carrier is accommodated in the suspension rail, with the facing sides of each leg (32a-32b) of the U-shaped carrier each being provided with at least one signal-carrying conductor (40a-40b) that extends the length of the suspension rail, wherein the at least one signal-processing object comprises at least two connecting elements (50), which - during use - are accommodated in the signal-carrying conductor rail (30), which connecting elements (50) are each connected to one of the signal-carrying conductors (40a-40b) and wherein the U-shaped, electrically non-conductive carrier (30) is resiliently clamped in the suspension rail with its two legs (32a-32b), thereby clamping the connecting elements (50) between the signal-carrying conductors (40a-40b).
A suspension device according to claim 1, characterised in that the suspension rail is U-shaped and in that the opening of the U-shape faces downwards.
A suspension device according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suspension rail is provided with at least one retaining cam (19a-19b; 19a'-19b') extending the length of the suspension rail, behind which each leg (32a-32b) of the U-shaped carrier (30) is retained.
A suspension device according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the legs of the U-shaped carrier are each provided with at least one pair of two slightly spaced-apart, parallel clamping cams (34a-35a; 34b-35b), between which a signal-carrying conductor (40a-40a'-40a"; 40b-40b'-40b") is accommodated.
A suspension device according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that each signal-carrying conductor (40a-40a'-40a"; 40b-40b'-40b") is configured as an elongated element.
A suspension device according to claim 5, characterised in that the signal-carrying conductor is configured as a wire-shaped, a ribbon-shaped or a strip-shaped element.
A suspension device according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that several abutting, signal-carrying conductor rails are interconnected to carry signals by means of a connecting element (60-60'-60"-70) that is clamped in the signal-carrying conductor rails at the location where the conductor rails abut.
A suspension device according to claim 7, characterised in that said connecting element (60-60'-60"-70) is made up of an elongated, electrically non-conductive core (60a-60a'-60a") containing at least one pair of signal-carrying strips (61a-61b) that is brought into signal-carrying contact with the corresponding signal-carrying conductors of the abutting conductor rails.
A suspension device according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the connecting element is configured as an angle-shaped element (60'-60").
A suspension device according to claim 9, characterised in that the connecting element (60") is flexible at the location (66") of the angle.
A suspension device according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the angle-shaped connecting element (60') is housed in an angle-shaped rail connecting element (70).
A suspension device according to claim 11, characterised in that the angle-shaped connecting element (60') is provided with a pin (64) that juts out at the location of the angle, which pin is received in an opening (74) formed in the angle-shaped rail connecting element (70).
A suspension device according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterised in that each connecting element (50) comprises a signal-carrying core (52) made up of a part (52b) that is clamped in the signal-carrying conductor rail and a connecting part (52a) extending from the signal-carrying conductor rail, which core (52) is at least partially enclosed in an electrically non-conductive sheath (51-51 a-51 b).
A suspension device according to claim 13, characterised in that the electrically non-conductive sheath (51-51 a-51 b) is provided with an elongated groove (54) at the location of the transition from the connecting part (52a) to the clampable part (52b), which groove clampingly mates with the suspension rail.
A suspension device according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that each connecting part is provided with at least one receiving hole (52d) for receiving a signal conductor (500-500a-500b).
A suspension device according to claim 15, characterised in that each connecting part is provided with at least one adjusting screw hole terminating in said receiving hole for clamping the signal conductor accommodated in said receiving hole by means of an adjusting screw.
A suspension device according to any one or more of the claims 1-16, characterised in that the at least one signal-processing object comprises a fixture (80) built up of two electrically conductive fixture parts (81 a-81 b), which are interconnected by means of an electrically non-conductive intermediate element (82), wherein each fixture part is connected to the free end of a signal conductor on the one hand and to a terminal of a signal-processing element on the other hand.
A suspension device according to claim 17, characterised in that each fixture part is conical in shape.
A suspension device according to any one or more of the claims 1-17, characterised in that said signal-processing object comprises a fixture (90) which is built up of two interconnectable fixture parts (90a-90b), wherein at least one of said fixture parts is made of an electrically non-conductive material, in which a recess (93a-93b) is provided, in which recess a terminal of a signal-processing element as well as the free end (91 a'-91b') of a signal conductor (91 a-91 b) is clampingly and rotatably accommodated.
A suspension device according to claim 19, characterised in that the free end of the signal conductor is provided with a circumferential notch, which notch clampingly mates with the recess in said at least one fixture part.
A suspension device according to claim 19 or 20, characterised in that the other fixture part is made of a thermally conductive material and is brought into thermally conductive contact with the signal-processing element.
A suspension device according to claim 21, characterised in that a thermally conductive contact paste is provided between said other fixture part and the signal-processing element.
A suspension device according to any one or more of the claims 15-22, characterised in that the signal conductor (500-500a-500b) is built up of at least two conductor elements which are telescopically movable with respect to each other.
A suspension device according to any one or more of the claims 2-23, characterised in that the U-shaped suspension rail is oversized so as to be able to accommodate at least one suspension elements between the legs of the U-shaped suspension rail, the free ends of said legs being slightly bent towards each other and being provided with bevelled end edges.
A unit adapted for use in a suspension device according to anyone of the preceding claims, comprising a suspension rail being arranged to be attached to a wall or a ceiling, in which suspension elements for objects to be suspended are movably accommodated, as well as at least one electrical signal-carrying conductor rail (30) for carrying an electrical signal to at least one signal-processing object, wherein the signal-carrying conductor rail (30) comprises a U-shaped, electrically non-conductive carrier (30), which carrier is accommodated in the suspension rail, with the facing sides of each leg (32a-32b) of the U-shaped carrier each being provided with at least one signal-carrying conductor (40a-40b) that extends the length of the suspension rail, wherein the at least one signal-processing object comprises at least two connecting elements (50), which - during use - are accommodated in the signal-carrying conductor rail (30), which connecting elements (50) are each connected to one of the signal-carrying conductors (40a-40b) and wherein the U-shaped, electrically non-conductive carrier (30) is resiliently clamped in the suspension rail with its two legs (32a-32b), thereby clamping the connecting elements (50) between the signal-carrying conductors (40a-40b).