EP2037168A1

EP2037168A1 - Push-push fixture clip

Info

Publication number: EP2037168A1
Application number: EP07017784A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Benjamin Trigaud; Eric Besson
Original assignee: Flowil International Lighting Holding BV
Current assignee: Flowil International Lighting Holding BV
Priority date: 2007-09-11
Filing date: 2007-09-11
Publication date: 2009-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2027-09-11
Also published as: ATE448443T1; DE602007003229D1; EP2037168B1

Abstract

The current invention relates to a clip (1) for holding together two portions (3,4) of a light cover. This clip is operated in a "push-push" manner, in that one portion of the clip is pushed in order to position this in a gripping position, and a second portion of the clip is pushed in order to remove the clipping action. Such a "push-push" arrangement is achieved by allowing the clip to rotate around a fixing point, and having two pushing surfaces either side of this fixing point.

Description

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Looking at Figure 1, a light cover is generally shown, wherein this light cover is possessed of two sections: an upper and a lower section. The two sections of the light cover are provided such that the upper section can be semi-permanently fixed in the room where light is required, and the lighting means is contained generally therein. The cover is provided in order to both protect the lighting means, as well as to perhaps provide a diffusive element such that the light from the lighting means is mixed and defused around the room. Generally, this sort of lighting housing is extremely well known in office and working environments, as well as in some homes.
In order to allow ready access to the lighting means inside the housing, the two sections must be held together in a disengageable manner. Typically, this has been achieved by means of a simple clip as can be seen in Figure 1. In this Figure, a standard clip is shown, with a fixing point to the upper section. This fixing point provides some form of rotatable fixing means, such that the clip rotates around this and when pushed, the clip will engage the two halves of the cover. When the clip needs to be disengaged, the lower portion of the clip must be pulled out of clipping engagement, such that the two parts of the cover can be pulled apart.
Typically, the lighting covers and lights that are shown in Figure 1 are suspended or held on the ceiling of the room in which the light is required. In such cases, the person desiring to remove the two parts of the housing from mated engagement, is often up a ladder or other raising means, and is attempting to perform the act of clip disengagement with arms above his or her head. Additionally, it is necessary to firmly grip the clip as shown in Figure 1 in order to disengage it, as well as it often being necessary to steady the whole light and cover if it is not immovably fixed to the ceiling. Obviously, this provides the user with a non-trivial task, as operating such clipping means in such circumstances is not easy.
It is, therefore, an object of the current invention to provide a clip and light in which a simple method and operation of the clip is included. In particular, the object is to provide a clip which can be readily engaged and disengaged, without a great deal of effort on the part of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objects are achieved by means of the light clip according to the present invention, and as more clearly disclosed in claim 1. Additionally, a light with a light cover is disclosed in claim 11. The following discussion is presented for disclosing aspects and features relevant to the light clip and light of the current invention, and are presented as non-limiting aspects thereof.
The light cover clip according to claim 1 is primarily provided for holding together sections of a light cover. Typically, light covers are provided in two parts, one of which lies generally above the other. The light cover clip is intended to hold together these two pieces of light cover, and does so by having fixing means by which it attaches to one or other of the light cover parts. The light clip is possessed of an extending elongate portion which extends from the fixing means. At the end of the elongate portion is provided a first clip-like portion, which is intended to fasten the two parts of the light cover together. Obviously, the first clip-like portion clips on to the parts of the light cover to which the clip is not attached. At least one section of this first elongate portion interacts in such a manner with the fixing means that when the light cover clip is attached to the light cover, it keeps the first clip-like portion at the end of the first elongate portion away from the joining part of the first and second cover parts. That is, the light clip could be considered as a 'normally open clip'. In order to use the clip to grip the first and second parts of the cover together, the first elongate portion must be pushed towards the light cover, such that the first clip-like portion overlaps the joint between the first and second cover parts, and holds them together. The cover is provided with a gripping point which the first clip-like portion can grip hold of. Additionally, the cover is also provided with some form of fixing point, which interacts appropriately with the fixing means of the clip. When the clip is in the holding arrangement for the parts of the light cover, this section of the first elongate portion is held in some form of bending tension as a result of the fixing means and the light cover.
The light cover clip is further provided with a second elongate portion which extends from the fixing means. This second elongate portion extends in a direction which is generally opposite the direction of the first elongate portion. This second elongate portion provides a pushing surface in order that the light clip can readily be disengaged from its holding arrangement. The clip rotates around the fixing means point, and is rotated in one direction to clip the two parts of the light cover together, and by means of pressure on the pushing surface on the second elongate portion, the clip will disengage from holding the first and second parts of the light cover together.
One option is to provide the fixing means attachable to the part of the cover in a non-moveable fashion. It is possible that such a non-moveable fixing means may be provided by a small extension, which extends from the fixing means parts of the clip. This extension would form an angle with regards the direction in which the first elongate portion extends. If the clip is formed with fixing means of such a design, when the clip is in a holding arrangement, the entire of the first elongate portion is held under a bending tension.
It is further possible to have a section of the first elongate portion which extends from the fixing means in a different direction from that of the first elongate portion. The section of the first elongate portion will extend in a direction generally towards the light cover when the clip is in position. The section extending in a different direction from the first elongate portion would preferably be provided with a clip at the end thereof such that it may clip under the rim of the part of the light cover to which the clip is attached. Additionally, it is advantageous if the distance between the clip on the section of the elongate portion and the fixing means is the same as the distance between the rim of the part of the cover to which the clip is attached and the fixing point for the fixing means of the clip to the cover. As such, the light cover clip would be maintained on the light cover, and would not fall off.
In this example of the light cover clip, the fixing means are held at the fixing point on the cover in a rotatable manner. This allows for the clip to be rotated around the fixing means, such that pressure on the first elongate portion will cause the clip to engage and hold the first and second part of the cover together. Pushing on the second elongate portion will cause rotation of the clip in the other direction, such that the clip disengages from holding the first and second portion of the light cover together. In this regard, it is preferable if the fixing means are provided by another clip-like portion, which clips into a relevant holding section on the light cover.
Finally, a light is conceived which comprises a light cover having first and second parts. This light cover can be held together by the clip as discussed above, and is fashioned such that it interacts appropriately. In this regard, the first or second part of the light cover is provided with a fixing point that interacts with either the extension or the clipping means of the light clip. Further, on the other part of the light cover, a gripping portion is provided which will interact with the clip-like portion at the end of the first elongate portion. Additionally, in the region of the fixing point for the light cover clip, there is provided a recessed portion such that the second elongate portion can be housed when the clip is in non-holding engagement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1: A perspective view of the end of a light cover is shown, comprising a clip as generally known from the prior art.
Figure 2: This shows a similar light cover as shown in Figure 1, but showing one possible example of a light clip according to the present invention.
Figure 3: This Figure shows another light clip, different from that shown in Figure 2, which operates by a 'push-push' engagement.
Figure 4: This Figure shows two views of the light clip as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 5: Three views of the light clip according to Figures 2 and 4 are detailed.

DESCRIPTION OF ASPECTS RELATING TO THE INVENTION

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of one end of a light 8. In this figure, it is clear that the light 8 has a cover 2, which is typically made of plastic. This cover 2 is shown with two parts: a first part 3 and a second part 4. In this image, the first part is highlighted as the lower cover and the second part 4 is highlighted as the fixed cover, which is intended to be semi-permanently fixed to the room in which the light 8 is positioned. The cover 2 is split into the two- parts 3, 4, so as to allow ready access in to the interior of the cover 2. Obviously, the interior of the cover 2 is intended to house the lighting means, which can be any known lighting means. The light cover 2 shown in Figure 2, and also in the prior art of Figure 1, is clearly that for a fluorescent strip. Of course, the light cover 2 can be of any shape and design, and can be intended to house a selection of bulbs rather than a fluorescent strip. Obviously, the precise shape and design of the light cover 2 is not considered to be limiting.
Looking at Figure 2, one possible structure of the light cover clip 1 of the present invention is shown. This light cover clip 1 is of a "push-push" design, in that for both opening and closing the clip a pushing action is utilised. That is, to close the light cover clip 1 and hold together the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4 one merely needs to position the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4 in the appropriate mating fashion, and push the lower part of the light cover clip 1 inwards towards the light cover 2, so as to engage the clip and hold the first and second part of the light cover 3, 4 together. Similarly, when wishing to disengage the light cover clip 1 from the holding position, one merely needs to push the upper section of the light cover clip 1 in the direction towards the light cover 2. This will cause the rotation of the light cover clip 1 which will then cause the light clip 1 to disengage from holding the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4.
Figures 3A and 3B show a second possible design for the light cover clip 1. Once again, this light cover clip 1 according to Figures 3A and 3B is of the "push-push" design. As can be seen clearly in Figure 3B, when the lower part of the light cover 2, given the reference numeral 3, is brought into a mating position with the upper part of the light cover 2, given reference numeral 4, it is possible to push on the lower part of the light cover clip 1 to engage and hold the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4 together. Again, when the light cover 2 needs to be dismantled, it is a simple matter to push the upper section of the light cover clip 1 and disengage the light cover clip 1 from holding together the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4.
As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the light cover clip 1 is possessed of fixing means 10 which differ slightly for each of the two light cover clips 1 shown. Figures 4 and 5 more clearly show the light cover clip 1 as seen in Figure 2, and also more clearly show the fixing means 10 thereof.
Looking at Figure 3b, is clear that the fixing means 10 in this particular light cover clip 1 are structured in such a fashion that when they interact with the light cover 2, the fixing means 10 are held in a non-movable fashion. That is, the fixing means 10 according to the light clip 1 seen in Figures 3A and B, will be held in a fixed manner to the light cover 2, and will generally hold the light cover clip firmly to said cover 2. It is important to note at this point, that each of the figures shows the fixing means 10 of the relevant light cover clip 1 as being attached to the upper section of the light cover 2. This is by way of example only, and it is perfectly within the scope of the current invention that the light cover clip 1 be attached to the lower section of the light cover 2. Looking at the light cover clip 1 as seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5, it is clear that the fixing means 10 will not be held in the light cover 2 in a non-movable manner. Indeed, the light cover clip 1 as seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5 are provided with fixing means 10 comprising a clip-like portion 12.
For the purposes of numbering the numerous clip-like portions, the clip-like portion 12 of the fixing means according to the light cover clip 1 of Figures 2, 4 and 5, will be referred to as the third clip-like portion 12.
It is anticipated, that the simplest manner of forming the non-movable fixing means 10 of the light cover clip 1 shown in Figure 3, is by a simple extension 11. As is partly obvious from Figure 3a, this figure shows by way of example two extensions 11. Obviously, the skilled person realises that this is not a full requirement, and that a light cover clip 1 provided with only one extension 11, will still fulfil the requirements of being non-movably fixed to the light cover 2. As can be seen from Figure 3b more clearly, the extension 11 is intended to form an angle with respect to the lower portion of the light cover clip 1. This lower portion of the clip 1 is formed as a first elongate portion 20 which extends from the fixing means 10. A similar elongate portion 20 is visible for the clip 1 as seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5.
It is clear that the light 8 will need to be formed from a light cover 2 which is structured such that it will interact with whichever of the light cover clips 1 is being used. It will be necessary to provide a fixing point 6 on whichever part of the light cover 3, 4 is being used for fastening the light cover clip 1 to. In the case of the light cover clip 1 seen in Figure 3, this is perhaps most readily achieved by means of a slot into which the extension 11, assuming this is the means for non-movable fixing, can be positioned. When considering the light cover clip 1 according to Figure 2, 4 or 5, the fixing point 6 is perhaps best structured as some form of lip over which the third clip-like portion 12 can fix.
The first elongate portions 20 of the light cover clips 1 shown in the figures, extends from the fixing means 10 and at its distal end 22 is provided with a first clip-like portion 21. Clearly, this first clip-like portion 21 is structured in such a fashion that it will be readily fastenable to whichever of the first or second parts of the light cover 3, 4 to which the light cover clip 1 is not attached. That is, the first or second part of the light cover 3, 4 which is intended to be held by the light cover clip 1 to the other part of the light cover 4, 3 is provided with a gripping point 9. As can be best seen in Figure 3B, the simplest method of providing the gripping point 9 on the relevant part of the light cover 3, 4 is some form of lip. This lip will obviously fit within the recess of the first clip-like portion 21, and thus the light cover clip 1 will grip the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4 together.
Both of the light cover clips 1 shown in the figures are intended to be structured such that they are normally open. That is, the light cover clips 1 are of such a design that when they are attached to whichever part of the light cover 3, 4 has the fixing point 6, the light cover clip 1 will be held in a normally open state. That is, when the other part of the light cover 4, 3 is positioned next to this part of the light cover 3, 4 the light cover clip 1 will not readily engage with the other part 4, 3. This is clearly seen in Figure 3B, wherein it is obvious that the light cover clip 1 is normally held away from gripping point 9 of the other part of the light cover 4, 3. In order to engage the light cover clip 1 and to hold the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4 together, it is necessary to position the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4 in mating arrangement, and push on the first elongate portion 20 of the light cover clip 1. Pushing the first elongate portion 20 will cause the first clip-like portion 21 to engage with the gripping point 9 on the light cover 2, and will hold the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4 together.
Considering the light cover clip 1 according to Figure 3, this normally open state is achieved by structuring the non-movable fixing means 10 and the first elongate portion 20 such that the first elongate portion 20 is held away from the mating region of the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4. Clearly, when the lower cover section 3 of Figure 3B is positioned in mating arrangement with the upper cover section 4, the first clip-like portion 21 will not be in a position to attach itself to the gripping point 9. It will be necessary for the user of the system to push on the first elongate portion 20 and engage the first clip-like portion 21 with the gripping point 9. Obviously, performing this act will lead to a bending tension in the first elongate portion 20 as it will be slightly bent in order to clip and grip together the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4. This bending tension is a result of the non-movable fixing means 10 holding the light cover clip 1 in position as the clip 1 is bent. Clearly, there will be a point of rotation around the fixing means 10, when the first clip-like portion is engaged with the gripping point 9 on the light cover 2.
As can be seen in Figures 3A and B, extending from the fixing means 10 in a direction generally opposite the first elongate portion 20 is a second elongate portion 30. This second elongate portion 30 is provided with a pushing surface 31, which will rotate generally with the first elongate portion 20 when the clip 1 is engaged with the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4. That is, when the first elongate portion 20 of the light cover clip 1 seen in Figure 3b is pushed such that the first clip-like portion 21 engages with the gripping point 9, the second elongate portion 30 will rotate about the fixing means 10 and move away from the light cover 2. In order, therefore, to readily disengage the first clip-like portion 21 from the gripping point 9, the user only has to push on the pushing surface 31 of the second elongate portion 30, to cause rotation of the light cover clip 1 around the fixing means 10 and disengage the light cover clip 1. It is this action when combined with the pushing action to cause the light cover clip 1 to grip the first and second part of the light cover 3, 4, which leads to the "push-push" action of the light cover clip 1.
In the above example, the first elongate portion 20 of the light cover clip 1 is maintained under the bending tension in its entirety. The other design shown in the Figures 2, 4 and 5, uses only a section of the first elongate portion 23 for being subjected to the bending tension. The clip as seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5 has the third clip-like portion 12 providing the fixing means 10, such that the light cover clip 1 can rotate around the fixing point 6 on the light cover 2. In this example of the light cover clip 1, the first elongate portion 20 extends from the fixing means 10 in order to grip the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4. A section of this first elongate portion 23 also extends from the fixing means 10, and is generally in the same direction as the first elongate portion 20. That is, the section of the first elongate portion 23 extends generally opposite the second elongate portion 30 of the light cover clip 1 shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. As can most clearly be seen in Figure 5B, the section of the first elongate portion 23 makes an angle with respect to the direction in which the first elongate portion 20 extends. As shown in the figure, the section of the first elongate portion 23 extends at an angle which means it extends towards the light cover 2, when the light cover clip 1 is attached to the light cover 2. In other words, the section of the first elongate portion 23 extends towards the 'inner side' of the light cover clip 1 when considering the working position on the light cover 2. As will now be clear, it is the section of the first elongate portion 23 of the clip seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5 which is held under the bending tension when the light cover clip 1 is holding together the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4. In this example, the entire light cover clip 1 rotates around the fixing means 10 provided by the third clip-like portion 12, and when doing so, the bending tension is applied to the section of the first elongate portion 23.
As will be appreciated, it is preferable for the section of the first elongate portion to be provided with a clip at the end thereof. This clip will be referred to as the second clip-like portion 24. This second clip-like portion 24 preferably is positioned such that it will clip on to the rim 7 of the part of the light cover 3, 4 to which the light cover clip 1 is attached. The reason for providing this second clip-like portion, is twofold. The first advantage is of course that the second clip-like portion will generally hold the light cover clip 1 to the part of the light cover 3, 4. Additionally, if the section of the first elongate portion 23 is of an appropriate length, the second clip-like portion 24 will be positioned at the rim 7 of the part of the light cover 3, 4, and the third clip-like portion 12 forming the fixing means 10 will also engage with the fixing point 6, such that the light cover clip 1 will be firmly held to the part of the light cover 3, 4. In this manner, the light cover clip 1 as seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5 can be attached to the relevant part of the light cover 3, 4, and will not readily disengage when the light cover 2 is in use, and more particularly when the first and second part 3, 4 are not in mating arrangement.
As can be seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5, the light cover clip 1 of this example also possesses the second elongate portion with the pushing surface 31. Clearly, the light cover clip 1 of these Figures will also operate in the "push-push" fashion, in that the first elongate portion 20 is pushed to engage the first clip-like portion 21 with the gripping point 9 on the light cover 2. When the light cover clip 1 needs to be disengaged from the light cover 2, the pushing surface 31 on the second elongate portion 30 is pushed, and the first clip-like portion 21 disengages allowing the first and second part of the light cover 3, 4 to be disassembled.
By providing both of the clips with the "push-push" arrangement, the light cover clips 1 are extremely straightforward and easy to use. Additionally, with the bending tension provided by either the whole of the first elongate portion 20, as seen in Figure 3, or the section of the first elongate portion 23, as seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5, the light cover clip. 1 is readily disengaged by pushing the pushing surface 31. Additionally, the gripping point 9 on the light cover 2 will hold the light cover clip 1 in clipping engagement, when the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4 are positioned in mated arrangement, and the light cover clip 1 is engaged.
It is common, to actually provide a cushioned mating section between the first and second light cover parts 3, 4. As seen in Figure 3B, this cushion section could readily be provided by some soft foam in the slot shown in the upper part of the light cover 4. This means that the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4 will not generally move with respect to each other, and further provides a good seal between the two parts 3, 4. Further, as the foam is slightly deformed by bringing the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4 into alignment, the lower part of the light cover 3 is generally pushed away from the upper part 4. This general pushing force between the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4 will aid the gripping force which the light cover clip 1 grips the first and second part of the light cover 3, 4 together. Whilst the light cover clip 1 will work without such foam, it is general and common in light covers 2, and is advantageous in improving the grip afforded by the light cover clip 1. A further advantage of the foam in the mating section in the light cover 2, is that a person wishing to disengage the clips actually need only bring the first and second part of the light cover 3, 4 in closer mating arrangement, that is to further deform the foam, and the light cover clip 1 will automatically disengage as a result of the bending tension in either the first elongate portion 20 or the section thereof 23.
Whilst the above discussion has given firm examples for sections of the light cover clip 1, it will be obvious to the person skilled in the art that not all of the features as described are required for the light cover clip 1 to function. Essentially, the light cover clip 1 requires a fixing means and the provision of a rotation about this fixing means, such that rotation in one direction will grip and keep the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4 together. Further, rotation in the other direction will lead to the clip being disengaged, and the first and second parts of the light cover 3, 4 can be dismantled. This arrangement allows for the "push-push" operation of the light cover clip 1. The further aspects as described, are advantageous features, which merely improve the working of the light cover clip 1, but need not be considered as essential features.

Claims

: A light cover clip (1), for holding together a first part of a light cover (3) and a second part of a light cover (4), the light cover clip (1) comprising:
fixing means (10) for attaching the light cover clip (1) to either the first or second part of the light cover (3, 4),

a first elongate portion (20) extending from the fixing means (10) provided with a first clip-like portion (21) at the distal end (22) thereof, which first clip-like portion (21) is adapted to be fastenable with the other of the first or second part of the light cover (3, 4), wherein:

at least a section of the first elongate portion (23) and the fixing means (10) are formed such that when the light cover clip (1) is attached to the light cover (2) and the first and second parts of the light cover (3, 4) are brought together, the clip-like portion (21) lies in a position which does not hold together the first and second parts of the light cover (3, 4) , and further

the section of the first elongate portion (23) is held under a bending tension when the light cover clip (1) is attached to the light cover (2) and the clip-like portion (21) is holding together the first and second parts of the light cover (3, 4);

the light cover clip (1) further comprising:

a second elongate portion (30) extending from the fixing means (10) in a direction which is generally opposite the direction in which the first elongate portion (20) extends, and provides a pushing surface (31) for causing the rotation of the clip-like portion (21) around the fixing means (10) so as to disengage the clip-like portion (21) from holding together the first and second parts of the light cover (3, 4), upon pressure application to the pushing surface (31).
: The light cover clip (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means (10) are structured such that they are to be held in a non-moveable fashion to the light cover (2).
: The light cover clip (1) according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the fixing means (10) comprise at least one extension (11) which forms an angle with respect to the first elongate portion (20).
: The light cover clip (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the whole of the first elongate portion (20) is held under a bending tension when the light cover clip (1) is attached to the light cover (2) and the first clip-like portion (21) is holding the first and second parts of the light (3, 4) together.
: The light cover clip (1) according to claim 1, wherein the section of the first elongate portion (23) extends in the generally same direction as the first elongate portion (20), but forms an angle with it in the direction toward the light cover (2), as viewed when the light cover clip (1) is attached to the light cover (2).
: The light cover clip (1) according to either of claims 1 or 5, wherein the section of the first elongate portion (23) is formed such that it would lie along a side (5) of the light cover (2) and extend between a fixing point (6) on the light cover (2) for the fixing means (10) and a rim (7) of the part of the light cover (2) to which it would be attached.
: The light cover clip (1) according to any of claims 1, 5 or 6, wherein the section of the first elongate portion (23) has a second clip (24) for clipping to the rim (7) of the part of the light cover (2) to which it is attached.
: The light cover clip (1) according to claim 7, wherein the second clip (24) and the fixing means (10) are structured such that they will hold the light cover clip (1) to the light cover (2).
: The light cover clip (1) according to any of claims 1 or 5-8, wherein the fixing means (10) of the light cover clip (1) are designed so as to interact with the fixing point (6) of the light cover (2) such that the light cover clip (1) can rotate around the fixing means (10) and the bending tension is applied to only the section of the first elongate portion (23) during use.
: The light cover clip (1) according to claim 9, wherein the fixing means (10) are provided by a third clip-like portion (12).
: A light (8) comprising a light cover (2) which is formed of first and second parts (3, 4) which are held together by the light cover clip (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein:
the first and second parts of the light cover (3, 4) are formed such that they provide a fixing point (6) designed to interact with the fixing means (10) of the light cover clip (1) on one part (3, 4), and a gripping point (9) on the other part (4, 3) for interacting with the first clip-like portion (21) formed on the distal end (22) of the first elongate portion (20) of the light cover clip (1), further

the part (3, 4) provided with the fixing point (6) is further provided with a recessed section (32) for accommodating the second elongate portion (30) of the light cover clip (1) when the light cover clip (1) is not holding together the first and second parts of the light cover (3, 4).