EP2270388A1

EP2270388A1 - Lighting device

Info

Publication number: EP2270388A1
Application number: EP10167013A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nico Kramer
Original assignee: Ubbink Garden BV
Current assignee: Ubbink Garden BV
Priority date: 2009-07-03
Filing date: 2010-06-23
Publication date: 2011-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 2030-06-23
Also published as: EP2270388B1; NL2003129C2

Abstract

A lighting device (1), in particular for lighting a garden, comprising a light source (2), connecting means (4) and a base (3), said base (3), being designed for placement on a support surface, and said connecting means (4) being designed for connecting the light source (2) to the base, wherein the connecting means comprise a connecting element (4) and wherein the base (3) and the light source (2) are provided with a stop surface for engaging the connecting means, and wherein the connecting element is movable between a first position, in which the connecting element clampingly engages at least one of said stop surfaces, and a second position, in which the connecting element can be detached from the stop surface.

Description

The present invention relates to a lighting device, in particular for lighting a garden, comprising a light source, connecting means and a base, said base being designed for placement on a support surface, and said connecting means being designed for connecting the light source to the base. The invention further relates to a kit of components of a lighting device.
For lighting a garden, for example, use can be made of a lighting device or garden lamp. Such a garden lamp may be embodied as a standing lamp. The light source is in that case mounted on a column, which column forms the connecting means. The column is in turn mounted on a base so as to ensure a solid and stable placement of the lamp on a support surface, for example a patio. The light source is in that case spaced from the support surface so as to provide an adequate lighting of the surrounding area.
It is an object of the present invention to improve the known lighting device and to provide a simple, efficient and/or inexpensive lighting device, in particular for lighting a garden.
In order to accomplish that object, the lighting device of the kind described in the introduction is characterised in that the connecting means comprise a connecting element, wherein the base and the light source are provided with a stop surface for engaging the connecting means, wherein the connecting element is movable between a first position, in which the connecting element clampingly engages at least one of said stop surfaces, and a second position, in which the connecting element can be detached from the stop surface. With the connecting element according to the invention a modular system is provided in which the light source and the base can be easily detached. The light source and the base are provided with a stop surface for connection to the connecting means, preferably in the form of the connecting element. In the first position, the connecting element preferably engages the stop surfaces of both the base and the light source.
Preferably, the connecting means further comprise at least one elongated body, which elongated body can be connected to at least one of the connecting element, the base and the light source. This makes it possible to adapt the length of the connecting means. The addition of an elongated body makes it possible to adjust the distance between the support surface and the light source. More preferably, the elongated body is provided with a stop surface on at least one end for engaging a connecting element. This makes it possible to connect the elongated body to the connecting element in a simple manner. It is for example possible for the elongated body to be connected to the light source, whilst the other end of the elongated body is connected to the base via a connecting element.
With known lighting devices, the length of the connecting means, or the column, cannot be adjusted after the manufacture thereof. If at some point the user should wish to adjust the height of the light source, he will be obliged to purchase a new lamp. With the lighting device according to the invention, the user can simply buy an additional elongated body and insert it between the base and the light source, using a connecting element. The connecting element is to that end movable between a first position, in which the connecting element is clampingly connected to, for example, the base, the light source and/or the elongated body, and a second position, in which the components can be disconnected. In said second position, the new composition of the lamp can then be determined.
It is moreover advantageous in this connection that it is possible in the case of a very high lamp to use a multitude of elongated bodies. This makes it easier to transport the lamp, for example at the time of its purchase.
It should be noted that the invention is not limited to a support surface in the form of a horizontal surface, such as the garden surface. It is also possible to attach the base to a wall, for example. The connecting element and/or the elongated body may in that case be shaped differently so as to realise a correct orientation of the light source.
The stop surfaces of the base, the light source and the elongated body are designed to mate with the connecting element, providing a strong clamping connection in the first position between the base, the light source or the elongated body on the one hand and the clamping element on the other hand. The connecting element is designed to connect the various components of the lighting device in the first position. The connecting element is preferably designed to connect at least two components in the first position, with the connecting element extending between said components.
In a preferred embodiment of the lighting device, at least one end of the connecting element has a circumference which is movable between a first position and a second position, in which first position said circumference is at least substantially complementary to a stop surface and in which second position said circumference is different from the surface of the stop surface. In the first position of the connecting element, the circumference at least substantially corresponds to the stop surface, as a result of which a clamping connection is obtained. The circumference is preferably such that the end of the connecting element clampingly abuts against the stop surface. In the second position, the end has a different circumference, so that a clamping collection between the stop surface and the end is not obtained and the connecting element can be simply connected to or disconnected from the stop surface.
The end of the connecting element is preferably tubular in shape, with a segment of the tube being movable in a direction transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tubular end so as to enable movement between the first and the second position. By moving a segment of the tube in radial direction, the direction transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tubular element, the circumference of the connecting element can be easily adapted. In this way movement of the connecting element between the first and the second position is made possible in an efficient manner.
According to another preferred embodiment of the lighting device, the stop surfaces and the end of the connecting element are at least substantially cylindrical in shape, wherein the diameter of the end of the connecting element can be adjusted to enable movement between the first and the second position. Movement between the first and the second position is effected by adjusting the diameter of said end. Said adjustment of the diameter preferably takes place by moving a segment of a circle of the circular end in radial direction.
According to another preferred embodiment of the lighting device, the base and the light source are provided with an opening, with the stop surfaces being formed by the inner circumference of said openings. The end of the connecting element is in that case designed for being inserted into the opening in the second position and for being clampingly received in said opening in the first position. Movement from the second position to the first position is realised by increasing the diameter of the end of the connecting element, so that said end is clampingly received in the opening of the base and/or the light source. The light source and the base are to that end provided with an upright edge, the inner sides of which upright, cylindrical edges form the stop surfaces.
In another preferred embodiment, the elongated body is tubular in shape, at least one end thereof being hollow. The hollow inner side of the elongated body in that case forms a stop surface. The connecting element can also be clampingly received in the hollow end of the elongated body in the first position.
According to another preferred embodiment of the lighting device, the light source comprises a translucent housing, wherein the light source extends into the housing and wherein part of the housing surface is non-translucent. A lamp, for example in the form of an incandescent lamp or an LED, is in that case mounted in a partially translucent housing. The light from said light source is emitted through said translucent surface.
By making part of the housing surface non-translucent, an attractive appearance of the lamp is obtained. Moreover, in this way emission of the light in undesired directions can be prevented. Preferably, the part of the surface that comprises an upwardly oriented component is non-translucent. The upper side of the housing is thus non-translucent, so that no light can be emitted in upward direction. This reduces the objectionable effect of the lamp on the surroundings.
More preferably, the housing is at least substantially spherical in shape. The lamp is in that case preferably positioned near the centre of the sphere. Even more preferably, the upwardly oriented hemisphere is non-translucent. In this way a lamp is obtained in which the light emitted from the light source is directed downwards. This results in attractively lit surroundings, without any light shining into the eyes of passers-by.
It should be noted that the term "upwards" as used in this context is understood to mean a vertical direction in mounted position. It should furthermore be noted that the light source provided with the partially non-translucent housing can also be used with other lighting devices, for example with lighting devices provided with a fixed column.
The invention further relates to a kit of components comprising at least one element of a lighting device according to the invention selected from the group of the light source, the connecting element, the base and the elongated body.
Products according to the invention can be simply carried off/transported by a consumer, whilst a shopkeeper can sell these products in convenient packages (boxes).
The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to figures illustrated in a drawing, in which:

Figures 1-4 schematically show various embodiments of the lamp;
Figure 5 shows the lamp of figure 2 in exploded view;
Figures 6a and 6b schematically show the connecting element in the first and the second position, respectively.

In figures 1-4 various embodiments of the lighting device in the form of lamps 1 are shown. The embodiment as shown in figure 1 comprises a base 3, connecting means in the form of a connecting element 4 and a light source 2. The connecting element 4 is designed for detachably connecting the base 3 to the light source 2.
The base 3 is provided with an upright edge 31, so that an opening is formed. The inner side or the circumference of said opening forms a stop surface. Also the light source 2 is provided with an upright edge 21 at a foot 26 thereof, which edge also forms an opening with a stop surface. The connecting element 4 is designed for being received in the openings of the base 3 and the light source 2 and clampingly engaging the stop surfaces thereof. In this way a flexible lamp 1 is provided, the various components of which can be detached in a simple manner.
This makes it possible, for example, to extend the lamp as shown in figure 1 by adding an elongated body in the form of a tube 5, as shown in figure 2. The tube 5 is a hollow tube, whose bottom side 51 is open so as to form a stop surface. The connecting element 4 can be inserted into said hollow bottom side 51 so as to be clampingly connected thereto. The other side of the connecting element 4 is inserted into the base 3. The upper side of the tube 5 is connected to the foot 26 of the light source 2. In this embodiment no use is made of a connecting element 4, however. In another embodiment, however, a connecting element 4 can be placed between the tube 5 and the foot 26.
In figure 3 there is shown a variant in which two tubes 5 are provided between the light source 2 and the base 3. A connecting element 4 extends between the two tubes 5. It will be understood that a very flexible lamp is thus provided, which lamp can be very easily adapted by adding or removing components.
As is shown in figure 3, the light source 2 has a spherical housing. The upper side 23 of said housing is non-translucent, whilst the bottom side 22 is translucent. When the light source is turned on, only the lower part 22 will transmit light. As a result, the lamp 1 emits light substantially in downward direction, so that the surroundings of the lamp 1 are attractively lit, whilst practically no light is emitted in upward direction.
In figure 4 another variant is shown, whose base 3 can be mounted on a wall. The elongated body is in the form of a tube 5a in this embodiment, which is formed with a bend.
In figure 5 the lamp of figure 3 is shown in exploded view. The stop surface 31a is clearly distinguishable in the figure. The stop surface 31a is formed by the opening defined by the upright edge 31. One end of a connecting element 4 can be inserted into said opening, whilst the other end of the connecting element 4 can be received in the bottom side 51b of a tube 5. The bottom side 51b is to that end provided with a corresponding stop surface.
The connecting element 4 is movable between a first position, in which the components 3 and 5 are clampingly received, and a second position, in which the connecting element 4 can be removed from said components. In the clamping position, the external diameters of the ends of the connecting element 4 at least substantially correspond to the internal diameters of the stop surfaces of, for example, the base 3, the light source 2 and the tube 5. In this way a strong clamping connection is provided.
As already mentioned before, the upper side 51a of the upper tube 5 is in this embodiment directly inserted into an opening formed in the foot 26. The opening also forms a stop surface 31a, however, so that a connecting element 4 can be received, for example for connecting a tube 5 to the foot 26. In this embodiment, however, the upper side 51a of the tube 5 is inserted into the opening of the foot 26. Connecting the tube 5 can be done by using clamping means, in this case in the form of screws 25.
The light source 2 is moreover provided with a suitable socket 24 for receiving a lamp. The socket 24 is provided with current by means of wires 27, which can be passed through the hollow foot 26, the hollow tubes 5 and the hollow connecting elements 4.
Figures 6a and 6b show the connecting element 4 in more detail. The connecting element 4 is movable between a first position, in which it is clampingly connected to, for example, the light source 2, the tube 5 or the base 3, and a second position, in which the connecting element 4 can be removed from said components. Figure 6a shows the connecting element in the first position, whilst figure 6b shows the connecting element in the second position.
The connecting element 4 has two ends 41a and 41b, which are designed for being connected to two components of the lamp 1. The connecting element, which is at least substantially tubular in shape, is hollow. The connecting element 4 comprises a first body 41 and a second body 42, which second body 42 can move with respect to the first body 41 in a radial direction indicated at I. As shown in figure 6a, the first end has a diameter formed by the end 41a and the end 42a of the second body 42. Said diameter corresponds to the inner circumference of the openings in the base and the light source and the inner circumference of the tube 5. This diameter makes it possible to engage the contact surfaces formed by said openings. When the connecting element 4 is in the first position, the end 41 firmly clamps down on the stop surfaces.
To move the connecting element 4 to the second position, the second body 42 can be moved in a radially downward direction, as is shown in figure 6b. The diameter of the end 41a has been adapted, so that there is no longer a clamping connection between the connecting element 4 and the opening in which it is accommodated. The connecting element 4 can now be simply removed from the component. To move the second body 42 with respect to the first body 41, a screw is provided, which can be received in an opening 43. By tightening said screw, the radial position of the body 42 relative to the body 41 is adapted, and thus the body 42 can be moved between the first and the second position.
To make it easier to connect the connecting element 4 to, for example, an end of the tube 5, upright edges 44 are provided. The ends of the tubes to be connected, or, for example, an upright edge 31, can be placed into abutment with the upright edge 44. The connecting element 4 can then be moved to the second position for connecting the components.
It is noted that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but they also extends to other preferred variants that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A lighting device, in particular for lighting a garden, comprising a light source, connecting means and a base, said base being designed for placement on a support surface, and said connecting means being designed for connecting the light source to the base, characterised in that the connecting means comprise a connecting element, wherein the base and the light source are provided with a stop surface for engaging the connecting means, wherein the connecting element is movable between a first position, in which the connecting element clampingly engages at least one of said stop surfaces, and a second position, in which the connecting element can be detached from the stop surface.
A lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means further comprise at least one elongated body, which elongated body can be connected to at least one of the connecting element, the base and the light source.
A lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one end of the connecting element has a circumference which is movable between a first position and a second position, in which first position said circumference is at least substantially complementary to a stop surface and in which second position said circumference is different from the surface of the stop surface.
A lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the end of the connecting element is tubular in shape, with a segment of the tube being movable in a direction transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tubular end so as to enable movement between the first and the second position.
A lighting device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the stop surfaces and the end of the connecting element are at least substantially cylindrical in shape, wherein the diameter of the end of the connecting element can be adjusted to enable movement between the first and the second position.
A lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-5, wherein the base and the light source are provided with an opening, with the stop surfaces being formed by the inner circumference of said openings.
A lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-6, wherein the light source comprises a translucent housing, wherein the light source extends into the housing and wherein part of the housing surface is non-translucent.
A lighting device according to claim 7, wherein the part of the surface that comprises a normal with an upwardly oriented component is non-translucent.
A lighting device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the housing is at least substantially spherical in shape.
A lighting device according to claim 9, wherein the upwardly oriented hemisphere is non-translucent.
A kit of components comprising at least one element of a lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-10, selected from the group of the light source, the connecting element, the base and the elongated body.