EP2314914B1 - Fitting device for a recessed luminaire - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a mounting device for a recessed luminaire, which is intended for installation in the mounting opening of a ceiling or a wall. In particular, the present invention relates to a mounting device for installation of a so-called downlight.

Mounting devices of this type are already known and are manufactured and offered in various embodiments. They serve to facilitate the installation of lights in suspended ceilings or to make comfortable. Fig. 18 shows a system for ceiling installation, as currently distributed by the applicant. In this case, a recessed luminaire in the form of a so-called downlight 100 is to be mounted in the opening 111 of a suspended ceiling 110.

The assembly is made possible by an annular mounting frame 101, which is first inserted into the opening 111 of the ceiling 110. The frame 101 has an outwardly facing flange 102 which abuts against the underside of the ceiling 110. Perpendicular to the flange 102 extends a circumferential wall 103 on which a plurality of latching or clamping elements 105 are arranged. These clamping elements 105 each have a support arm 106, which can be pivoted outwardly and comes in a final mounting position against the top of the ceiling 110 in Appendix. The support arm 106 is slightly flexible, so that due to the resulting spring force of the mounting frame 101 is fixed to the ceiling. Subsequently, the lamp 100 can be inserted into the frame 101 and, for example, locked there by means of a bayonet closure.

A similar solution for the realization of a mounting device for a recessed ceiling or ceiling luminaire is in the WO 2005/022033 A1 described. Again, the mounting device consists essentially of a mounting frame and a plurality of clamping or spring elements located thereon, wherein the spring elements are each rotatably supported on the mounting frame. Each spring element here consists of a first part in the form of a flexible tongue and a second part in the form of a retaining element. This retaining element has snap hooks, which are in a final mounting position of the spring element, in which this is brought by rotation, with corresponding Interlocking elements of the mounting frame interact. After inserting the mounting frame in the opening of a suspended ceiling so the spring elements must be turned into the mounting position and locked there.

Finally, also describes the DE 10 2007 036 979 A1 the Applicant a fastener for a recessed luminaire, with the help of which the lamp is to be fixed in the mounting hole of a ceiling or wall. For secure mounting of the lamp, a locking element is provided which is automatically pivoted when inserting the lamp into the mounting opening by means of corresponding actuating means from a mounting position in which the insertion of the lamp is in the opening, in a locking position. The wing-like locking element is then applied to the top of the ceiling, so that a secure mounting of the lamp is possible. The pivoting of the locking element is effected by a special mechanism, which is triggered by a voltage applied to the underside of the ceiling slide.

Further, through the documents EP 1 106 917 A2 . JP 11-224527 A . EP 1 139 018 A2 and JP 56 086405 A Various ways known to attach a fastener for a luminaire by lateral bending of a spring element in a mounting hole. These each have an actuating mechanism which varies the deflection of the spring elements.

Next describes the JP 7-029411 A a recessed light fixture, each having spring arms rotatably mounted at two suspension points. The rotation is induced by vertical displacement and variation of the distance of the suspension points from each other. A special mechanism, in turn, causes the suspension points to be displaced relative to each other with the aid of a slider resting against the underside of a ceiling. The suspension points initially have a relatively large distance, are then moved towards each other until they finally pass and then move away from each other again. At large distances of the suspension points, the spring arms each assume a stable position, while at the point of passage a relatively small force must be expended to rotate the spring arms, so that this position is unstable with respect to the other two positions. Thus, a stable locking position is taken after the folding of the Dederamre, wherein the spring arms come into contact with the top of a false ceiling. For mounting in elongated mounting holes, the mounting element described is not suitable.

The present invention is based on the object of specifying a mounting device for a luminaire, which in turn allows a comfortable positioning of the lamp in the mounting hole and local fixing, however, at the same time relatively simple design and, accordingly, inexpensive to implement.

The object is achieved by a mounting device, which has the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

As with the mounting device of DE 10 2007 036 979 A1 is inventively provided that by the use of special actuating means used in the mounting hole of the ceiling or wall lamp housing is automatically fixed there. In contrast to the pivotable locking elements according to the invention, however, locking elements are now used for fixing the lamp housing or a mounting frame for the lamp, which can be transferred by a lateral deformation of a mounting position in a detent position. The actuating elements associated with the latching elements are then designed to automatically transfer the latching element from the assembly position into the latching position when the housing is inserted. As will be explained in detail later, allows the use of laterally deformable locking elements a very simple embodiment of the mounting device according to the invention, wherein At the same time, however, a reliable mounting of the recessed light in the ceiling or wall is possible.

According to the invention, a mounting device for a recessed luminaire, which is intended for installation in the mounting hole of a ceiling or wall, proposed, which at least one to be arranged on the lamp housing or a mounting frame for the lamp locking element, which by a lateral deformation of an inwardly folded mounting position in an outwardly folded detent position can be transferred, and the detent element associated actuating means which are adapted to convert the latching element from the mounting position into the detent position upon insertion of the lamp housing or mounting frame in the mounting opening.

Preferably, the actuating means comprise a sliding element, which is movably mounted along a guide element. This sliding element can then have at least one stop element which abuts the mounting opening on the underside of the ceiling or outside of the wall when inserting the lamp housing or mounting frame. The sliding element can then further have a contact region, which cooperates with the latching element during a movement of the sliding element along the guide element in such a way that it occupies the ultimately desired latching position. In this case, it can preferably be provided that the sliding element engages in the mounting opening with the guide element in the inserted state of the lamp housing or mounting frame.

The latching element itself preferably has a latching area provided for abutment in the ceiling or wall, which is provided with latching projections. This latching area can be formed, for example, by a suitably perforated sheet metal part. However, it would also be conceivable to provide this region of the latching element with a corresponding coating which is suitable for latching to the wall or ceiling, that is to say, for example, projections, latching teeth or the like.

According to the invention, the latching element is formed by a flexible spring element which assumes a stable state both in the assembly position and in the latching position. The locking element is thereby transferred by overcoming an unstable intermediate position of the mounting position in the locking position, said transfer is carried out by the actuating means. The spring element configured in this way (in this case is preferably both at its upper end and at its lower end).

Fixed end and has a greater length than the distance between the two attachment points.

In one example, the locking element is formed by a flexible spring element, which is fixed at one of the two ends and whose other end is displaceable by the actuating means. For this purpose, the movable end of the spring element may, for example, be coupled to the sliding element. The fact that the spring element has a preferential deformation point, in turn, ensures that upon displacement of the movable end, the spring element deforms laterally such that it locks with the wall or ceiling.

Preferably, a plurality of distributed over the circumference of the lamp housing or mounting frame arranged latching elements are provided, which are then assigned to each corresponding actuating means.

The mounting device according to the invention is particularly suitable for wall or ceiling installation so-called downlights. In principle, however, the mechanism described would be available for any type of recessed lighting.

Fig. 1

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Montagevorrichtung;

Fig. 2a und 2b

Ansichten eines bei der Montagevorrichtung von Fig. 1 verwendeten Führungselements;

Fig. 3a und 3b

Ansichten des bei der Montagevorrichtung von Fig. 1 verwendeten Federelements;

Fig. 4

das in Fig. 1 genutzte Schiebeelement;

Fig. 5a bis 5c

die Schritte zum Anbringen der erfindungsgemäßen Montagevorrichtung an einem Einbaurahmen für den Downlight;

Fig. 6

das der erfindungsgemäße Montagevorrichtung zugrundeliegende Prinzip der Verrastung mittels seitlicher Verformung;

Fig. 7a und 7b

Ansichten der Montagevorrichtung in Montagestellung und Raststellung;

Fig. 8a und 8b

weitere Ansichten der Montagevorrichtung in Montagestellung und Raststellung;

Fig. 9

die Ansicht eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Montagevorrichtung;

Fig. 10a und 10b

Ansichten eines bei der Montagevorrichtung von Fig. 9 genutzten Führungselements;

Fig. 11a und 11b

Ansichten des Federelements der Montagevorrichtung von Fig. 9;

Fig. 12a und 12b

das bei der Montagevorrichtung von Fig. 9 genutzte Schiebeelement;

Fig. 13a bis 13c

die Vorgehensweise zur Anordnung der Montagevorrichtung von Fig. 9 an einem Einbaurahmen eines Downlights;

Fig. 14a und 14b

die Montagevorrichtung in Montagestellung und Raststellung;

Fig. 15 und 16

Details der Montagevorrichtung von Fig. 9;

Fig. 17

eine weitere Ansicht der Montagevorrichtung in Raststellung und

Fig. 18

ein aus dem Stand der Technik bekanntes System zum Deckeneinbau eines Downlights.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of a mounting device according to the invention;

Fig. 2a and 2b

Views of a mounting device of Fig. 1 used guide element;

Fig. 3a and 3b

Views of the mounting device of Fig. 1 used spring element;

Fig. 4

this in Fig. 1 used sliding element;

Fig. 5a to 5c

the steps for attaching the mounting device according to the invention to a mounting frame for the downlight;

Fig. 6

that underlying the mounting device according to the invention principle of locking by lateral deformation;

Fig. 7a and 7b

Views of the mounting device in the assembled position and detent position;

Fig. 8a and 8b

further views of the mounting device in the assembled position and detent position;

Fig. 9

the view of a second embodiment of a mounting device according to the invention;

10a and 10b

Views of a mounting device of Fig. 9 used guide element;

Fig. 11a and 11b

Views of the spring element of the mounting device of Fig. 9 ;

Fig. 12a and 12b

that in the mounting device of Fig. 9 used sliding element;

Fig. 13a to 13c

the procedure for the arrangement of the mounting device of Fig. 9 on a mounting frame of a downlight;

Figs. 14a and 14b

the mounting device in the assembled position and detent position;

FIGS. 15 and 16

Details of the mounting device of Fig. 9 ;

Fig. 17

another view of the mounting device in locking position and

Fig. 18

a known from the prior art system for ceiling mounting a downlight.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention described below relates to the mounting of a mounting frame for mounting a so-called downlight in the mounting opening of a wall or ceiling. The mounting frame is using the mounting device according to the invention in the Fixed ceiling or wall and serves to hold the other lighting components. It should be noted, however, that the invention would be applicable to other types of recessed lighting. In particular, it would be conceivable to mount the mounting device according to the invention directly on the housing of a recessed ceiling light in order to fix the entire housing in the mounting opening. Possibly. It would be necessary to adapt the number of mounting devices in a suitable manner to ensure that the weight of the lamp can be reliably absorbed.

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a generally provided with the reference numeral 1 mounting device according to the invention, which is attached to an annular mounting frame 90. In a known manner, the mounting frame 90 has an outwardly projecting peripheral flange 91 which rests in the assembled state on the underside of the ceiling or outside of the wall. On the inside of the flange there is a circumferential web 92 on which on the one hand the mounting device 1 according to the invention is attached and on the other hand - not shown - - has elements for supporting the other lighting components. This web 92 protrudes in the assembled state into the mounting hole.

The mounting device 1 consists essentially of three components, which will be described in detail below. These components are a frame or guide element 10, which is formed by a frame plate and detailed in the Fig. 2a and 2b is shown in the Fig. 3a and 3b closer locking element 20 and a in Fig. 4 illustrated sliding element 30th

The guide element 10 is preferably made of a single corresponding sheet metal part and has a substantially U-shape with two vertically extending guide webs 11 and an upper connecting web 12. At the lower end of the vertically extending webs 11 also two laterally projecting foot portions 13 are formed, which each have punched-14, via the example. By means of a riveted joint attachment to the mounting frame 90 is made possible. An attachment of the lower end of the spring element 20 is thereby made possible, as will be described in more detail below.

In particular Fig. 2b can also be removed, two bent tabs 15 are formed on the vertically extending webs 11 respectively. These serve to support and guide the sliding member 30. Further, the upper connecting web 12 also has a bore or through hole or Punching hole 16, which serves the attachment of the upper end of the spring element 20.

That in the Fig. 3a and 3b spring element 20 shown in detail is preferably made of spring steel and is made as well as the guide member 10 by punching. It has a movable part 21 on which, for example, a rubber coating or another additional coating with locking elements or locking projections is applied to allow a firm engagement on the ceiling or wall. It would also be conceivable to make this movable part 21 corrugated by a corresponding perforated sheet metal part. At the lower end of this movable part 21 there are again two foot regions 22 with corresponding recesses 23. The foot regions 22 are intended to be inserted into the foot regions 13 of the guide element 10. The fact that in this inserted state, the openings 23 are aligned with the holes 14 of the frame part 10, the spring element 20 is replaced in the assembled state of the mounting device 1 a tight fit in the guide member 10. At the upper end of the spring element 20 is in turn an end 24th formed with a further recess 25 which serves for further attachment to the guide member 10 by means of a rivet connection.

The task of the sliding element 30 is to bring the spring element 20 into the mounting position of the wall or ceiling when inserting the mounting device 1 or the mounting frame 90 in the mounting position. It is designed in the shape of a frame and dimensioned such that the two side arms 31 can be inserted into the tabs 15 of the guide element 10. At the lower end there is also a stop 32, which arrives at the onset of the mounting frame 90 in the mounting hole of the wall or ceiling in abutment against the wall or ceiling. As a result, an automatic displacement of the sliding element 30 during attachment of the mounting frame 90 is made possible, which ultimately should effect the desired locking of the spring element 20 with the ceiling or wall.

The Fig. 5a to 5c show the individual steps to assemble the mounting device according to the invention 1. Here, first, the spring element 20 is riveted to the guide member 10 by means of the upper hole punching. The foot portions 22 of the spring element 20 are then inserted into the recesses of the foot portions 13 of the guide member 10. Subsequently, the sliding member 30 is inserted from the bottom into the formed by the tabs 15 seam of the guide member 10 until it is in the top, in Fig. 5b is shown position. The resulting assembly is then attached to the mounting frame 90.

It is essential that the spring element 20 is dimensioned to be longer than the guide element 10 or has a greater length than the distance between the two attachment points at the upper and lower end of the guide element 10. This means that the spring element 20 has two stable positions in the mounted state , an inwardly folded so-called mounting position, as they are, for example, in Fig. 1 is shown, as well as an outwardly folded so-called locking position. Like the schematic picture sequence in Fig. 6 shows, it is at both positions to stable positions of the spring element 20, wherein the transition between the two positions an unstable intermediate position is overcome. This means that after overcoming this intermediate position as shown, the spring element 20 abruptly folds into the other stable position.

This circumstance is now used to allow automatic locking of the mounting device 1 with the ceiling or wall. As in the Fig. 7a and 7b 8a and 8b, when the mounting frame 90 is inserted into the mounting opening, the sliding element 30 is moved from its original upper position (FIG. Fig. 7a and 8a ) down, so moved in the direction of the arrow. The reason for this is that the laterally projecting stop element 32 comes into abutment against the underside of the ceiling or outside of the wall and is pressed further and further down the further insertion of the mounting frame 90.

This in turn also has the consequence that the upper transverse web 33 of the sliding element 30 comes into abutment against the movable region 21 of the spring element 20 and thereby pushes the spring element 20 into an increasingly unstable position. At a constructively determined point, the system finally reaches the unstable intermediate position, so that the spring element 20 abruptly turns over to the opposite side, ie to the outside. Once this has been done, the toothing of the movable region 21 of the spring element 20 rests on the ceiling or wall, whereby a latching or clamping is achieved with the ceiling / wall. The perforation of the spring element 20 or the rubber coating used here ensures sufficient adhesion, so that when using a sufficient number of corresponding mounting devices 1, a reliable attachment of the mounting frame 90 is achieved on the ceiling or wall. The elastic configuration of the spring element 20 further ensures that the system automatically adapts to the thickness of the ceiling.

For disassembly of the entire assembly, the spring force of the spring element 20 must be overcome. However, this is possible by a strong pulling, so that a tool-free disassembly of the lamp is possible.

The advantages of the solution according to the invention are that its very simple and comfortable installation of the lamp in the wall or ceiling is achieved. Furthermore, the system is universally applicable and can be used for different thicknesses for the ceiling or wall. The configuration shown also consists of very few components and is therefore inexpensive to produce. Finally, the snap-over between the mounting position and the locking position when overcoming the unstable intermediate position leads to an acoustic feedback in the form of a clicking sound, so that the reliability of the installation is further increased.

An example of a mounting device will be described below with reference to Fig. 9 to 17 be explained. Also in this case, the embodiment will be described with reference to the installation of a mounting frame 90 for a downlight, the device 2 could in turn also be used to attach conventional luminaire housing.

Also in this second embodiment, the mounting device 2 consists of three elements, a frame or guide element 40 (FIG. 10a and 10b ), a spring element 50 ( Fig. 11a and 11b ) and a sliding element 60 ( Fig. 12a and 12b ). The operation or the interaction of these three elements is in principle comparable to the first embodiment of the Fig. 1 to 8 However, although the corresponding elements are each designed differently and this results in a slightly different function.

The guide element 40 is designed in this case also U-shaped with two vertically extending webs 41, which are folded over and accordingly respectively guide recesses 42 form. At the upper end, both webs 41 are connected to each other via a transverse web 43. At the lower ends foot portions 44 are formed, which are also folded over to form recesses 45, wherein respective through holes 46 are provided for later attachment to the mounting frame 90.

That in the Fig. 11a and 11b shown spring element 50 is now not continuously formed as a flexible element. Rather, it has an elongated region 51 containing a preferred deformation point 52. As explained later is here by a buckling of the area 51 allows, resulting in the desired locking with the ceiling or wall. In the lower region, a rubber coating with latching projections is again provided on the outer side of the spring element 50, or the spring element 50 is formed here with corresponding latching projections. The foot portion 53 of the spring element 50 is folded and has two laterally projecting portions 54, on which in turn through holes 55 are formed. The upper end region is formed by a transverse web 56, in the middle of which a further punch-out 57 is provided.

The sliding element 60 is T-shaped. A central area 61 has a punched-out portion 62 at the upper end, the function of which will be explained later. Two lower side arms 64 are in turn formed with stop elements 65. Further, one of the side arms 64 has a recess 66, whose function will also be explained later.

To assemble the mounting device 2, the spring element 50 and the sliding element 60 are first connected to one another at their upper ends. For this purpose, the two through holes 57 and 62 are used, which, for example, allow a riveted connection. This arrangement is then inserted into the guide element 40, wherein on the one hand the foot portions 54 of the spring element 50 engage in the recesses 45 and on the other hand engages the upper crosspiece 56 in the recesses 42 of the vertically extending webs 41. The resulting arrangement ( Fig. 13b ) is then attached to the mounting frame 90 in the lower end.

In this configuration, the spring member 50 is fixed with its lower end, but the upper end is movable together with the sliding member 60 in the vertical direction. Are the spring element 50 and the sliding element 60 in the uppermost position, as they are, for example, in Fig. 14a or Fig. 15 is shown, the spring element 50 projects laterally not or only slightly out. In this mounting position then insertion of the mounting frame 90 in the mounting opening of the ceiling or wall is possible.

During insertion, however, the stops 65 of the sliding element 60 in turn come into abutment against the underside of the ceiling or the outside of the wall, with the result that the sliding element 60 is displaced together with the upper end of the spring element 50 down. This eventually leads to the spring element 50 buckling laterally at the preferred deformation point 52, as shown in FIG Fig. 14b shows. In this position, the gum or reach the locking projections in abutment against the wall or ceiling and it is achieved anchoring. However, since this is not a stable position of the spring element 50, a projection or hook 57 is provided on one of the two vertical webs 41 of the guide element 40, which latches with the undercut 66 of the sliding element 60 (see in particular FIG Fig. 16 ). As a result, the sliding element 60 is then fixed with the spring element 50 located thereon in such a way that the spring element 50 remains in the laterally deformed position. The mounting device 2 is hereby locked to the ceiling or wall.

Also in this case, the laterally spread spring element 50 adapts automatically to the ceiling cutout and is supported on the top, which can be done with different ceiling thicknesses. For disassembly, it is only necessary to pull down the downlight slightly so that a small gap between the ceiling and downlight is created. With the aid of a screwdriver or similar tool, the hook 57 of the guide rail can then be released from the groove 66 of the sliding element 60. The entire assembly can then be easily removed from the ceiling or wall.

Also in this second embodiment, there is the advantage that when attaching the mounting frame or the lamp housing automatically latching with the ceiling or wall is achieved. Again, the system is very cost-effective, since it consists of only a few components.

Claims (9)

1. A fitting device (1, 2) for a recessed luminaire that is intended to be built into the fitting opening of a ceiling or wall, having

   • at least one latching element (20, 50) that is to be arranged on the luminaire housing or a mounting frame (90) for the luminaire, and also

   • actuating means that are associated with the latching element (20, 50) and are formed to transfer the latching element (20, 50) from the fitting position into the latching position during the insertion of the luminaire housing or mounting frame (90) into the fitting opening, wherein

   • the latching element (20, 50) is formed by a flexible spring element which adopts a stable state both in the fitting position and in the latching position and can be transferred from the fitting position into the latching position by overcoming an unstable intermediate position,

   characterised in that
   the latching element (20, 50) can be transferred from a fitting position, in which it is tilted inwards, into a latching position, in which it is tilted outwards, by means of a lateral deformation.
2. A fitting device according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the actuating means comprise a sliding element (30, 60) which is mounted so that it can be moved along a guiding element (10, 40).
3. A fitting device according to claim 2,
   characterised in that
   the sliding element (30, 60) has at least one stop element (32, 65) which during the insertion of the luminaire housing or mounting frame (90) into the fitting opening rests against the underside of the ceiling or the outside of the wall.
4. A fitting device according to claim 2 or 3,
   characterised in that
   the sliding element (30, 60) has an abutment region (33) which in the event of a movement of the sliding element (30, 60) along the guiding element (10, 40) cooperates with the latching element (20, 50) in such a way that the latter adopts the latching position.
5. A fitting device according to one of claims 2 to 4,
   characterised in that
   the sliding element (30, 60) in the state in which the luminaire housing or mounting frame has been inserted into the fitting opening latches with the guiding element (10, 40).
6. A fitting device according to one of the previous claims,
   characterised in that
   the latching element (20, 50) has a latching region that is provided to abut against the ceiling or wall and is provided with latching projections.
7. A fitting device according to claim 6,
   characterised in that
   the latching region is formed by a perforated sheet-metal portion and/or has a coating with projections that is provided for latching purposes.
8. A fitting device according to one of the previous claims,
   characterised in that
   the latching element (20, 50) is fixed both at its upper end and at its lower end and has a length that is greater than the distance between the two points of securement.
9. A fitting device according to one of the previous claims,
   characterised in that
   it has a plurality of latching elements (20, 50) which are arranged so that they are distributed over the periphery of the luminaire housing or mounting frame (90) and with which actuating means are respectively associated.

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