EP2372237B1 - Installation frame with fixing device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a mounting frame, in particular a mounting frame for recessed lighting with a fastening device. The fastening device allows it in particular to mount the mounting frame in a section of a false ceiling. The false ceiling may be a suspended ceiling or any plate, for example an intermediate plate in a piece of furniture.

Mounting frame for mounting in such false ceilings are known from the prior art. For example, in EP 1 731 830 describes a mounting frame, which is fixed after installation in the false ceiling with a leaf spring. The leaf spring is stored outside the mounting frame in the mounted state and engages behind the false ceiling.

Another mounting frame is from the GB 2 421 069 A known. The mounting frame has a ring and two clamping devices. Each of the two clamping devices comprises a strut, a U-shaped connecting element and an actuating element in the form of a lever. The clamping device is movable during assembly in a vertical slot of the mounting frame and is performed by the fitter after inserting the mounting frame in a false ceiling down, so that the strut is deflected outwards. Subsequently, the fitter actuates the lever, so that the clamping device is fixed in a vertical position.

A mounting frame is also from the WO 2009/103535 known. This has a fastening device in which a support arm of a clamping element engages behind a false ceiling. Here, the mounting frame is held by a snapping of the clamping elements in position.

The described constructions have the disadvantage that the element which engages behind the false ceiling is not secured in the state in which the frame is installed. So can be difficult to install in these constructions, since the pivotal element can cause tilting of the mounting frame in the cutout of the false ceiling.

The object of the invention is to provide a secure mounting option for a mounting device, in particular for a recessed light available, which allows a simple, safe and fast installation.

The object is achieved by a mounting frame, which has a body and a first and a second wing member, which are movably mounted on the body. The mounting frame has a first, retracted state with a smaller cross section and a second, extended state with a larger cross section. In the first state, the first wing element is retracted into the smaller cross-section of the mounting frame and fixed to the body, while it is extended beyond the smaller cross-section in the second state. The first and the second wing element are braced against each other by a spring element, so that a movement of the second wing element in the first state causes a release of the fixation of the first wing element. Further, the second wing member is fixed to the body in the second state, so that a force is imparted via the spring element, which prevents engagement of the first wing member in the second state.

The mediated by the spring element coupling between the first and the second wing element thus has a dual function: (a) performs the installer during assembly movement of the second wing member, the first wing member is released from its fixation and from the smaller cross section of Mounting frame extended. (b) If the second wing member has been fixed by the installer on the body of the mounting frame, this fixation causes a force on the first wing member, whereby a retraction of the first wing member is prevented.

The fixation of the first wing member on the body in the first state also has the advantage that for insertion of the mounting frame in the ceiling cutout of the smaller cross section is preserved without the installer must hold back the spring-loaded wing elements by hand.

The fixing of the second wing member on the body also causes a force on the first wing member can be transmitted via the spring element. In this state, the prestressed spring element can exert a force on the first wing element, by which it is pressed in the direction of a flange-like projection of the body. Between the first wing member and the projection can be clamped in this way, the false ceiling.

The body, the first wing member and / or the second wing member may be made of plastic and / or metal in some embodiments. For example, the body, the first wing member and / or the second wing member may include aluminum and / or spring steel.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and / or the second wing member is pivotally mounted. This type of storage provides a simple construction to make the wing element movable with respect to the body. The effort required by the installer for installation is very low. In this way, the simplest possible operation of the wing elements is possible.

In other embodiments, the first and / or second wing member may be slidably mounted along an axis. In particular, the first and second wing members may be slidable along parallel axes. The axis may in particular run perpendicular to an axis of symmetry of the body. Further, the mounting frame may be formed so that it has a plane which is parallel to the false ceiling when mounted in a section of a flat false ceiling. In particular, the axis, along which the first and / or second wing element is displaceably mounted, extend parallel to this plane. In this way it is apparent to the installer during overhead mounting, in which direction he has to apply a force for extending the first wing element.

According to a preferred embodiment, the body has an axle element, on which the first and the second wing element are pivotally mounted. By the storage of the first and the second wing element on the same axis element, the number of elements required for storage is reduced, whereby a simpler and more cost-effective production of the installation space is possible. Furthermore, a better coupling of the movement of the first and the second wing element is possible in this way. For example, by pivoting the second wing element about the common axis element around an extension of the first wing element can be achieved, whereby the mounting frame assumes the second, extended state.

In a preferred embodiment, the body has at one end a projection, which rests in the mounted state on a surface of the false ceiling and defines a plane. In the case of a level false ceiling, the level runs parallel to the false ceiling. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the axle in the installed state of the mounting frame further extends substantially parallel to the plane. This makes it easy for the installer to see how the pivot axis extends. It is thus easier for him to identify the direction along which he must apply a force to move the second wing element. When fixed second wing member and resting the first wing member on the back of the false ceiling a torque is generated, which is effective around the pivot axis. In this way, a power transmission to the back of the false ceiling can be achieved, so that the ceiling between the first wing member and a projection of the body is clamped.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and / or second wing element engages for fixing to the body. Latches the first wing element, this provides an easy way to secure the first wing member during insertion of the mounting frame in the cutout of the false ceiling against unintentional extension. Locking the second wing member, this also provides the installer with the ability to easily fix the second wing member to the body. In particular, the fixation is possible without tools by the installer presses, for example, with his fingers, the second wing member against the body. In addition, there is the advantage that a snap provides a structurally simple way of releasable fixation. When the installer in the first state exerts an upward force on the second wing member, the first wing member is thereby released from its fixation. Again, no tools are needed.

In a preferred embodiment, the body has a holding element, on which the first and the second wing element engage. According to the invention, in the first, retracted state, the first wing element is fixed to the body, while in the second, extended state, the second wing element is fixed. Since, therefore, only one wing element at a time must be fixed to the body at the same time, in this embodiment there is a low requirement for elements required for latching. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first wing element can embrace the retaining element in such a way that during insertion the mounting frame in the cutout of the false ceiling damaging the retaining element is avoided.

In a preferred embodiment, the spring element further comprises a spiral spring, which engages in each case at one end on the first and second wing element. This embodiment provides a structurally simple way to couple the first and the second wing element together and to clamp against each other. In particular, the spiral spring can be provided independently of other elements which are provided for the movable mounting of the first and the second wing element. The coil spring can be z. B. only serve to tighten the wing elements, without simultaneously provide a guide. This causes a reduction in the design requirements for the individual elements.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the spring element in this case comprises a spiral spring, which is mounted around the axle and each engages at one end on the first and second wing member. The storage of the coil spring around the axle element around it serves for a secure fixation of the coil spring on the body. In this way it is avoided that the spiral spring breaks out at high voltages to the side, and thereby could cause a violation of the installer. Furthermore, this embodiment has the advantage that the installer can not accidentally reach into the coil spring and suffers injuries.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and second wing members each have first and second ends. In each case, the first end of the first and second wing element respectively comprises a fixing device for fixing to the body, while the second end of the first and second wing element respectively has a means for pivotable mounting on the body. By arranging each at the ends of a wing element as long as possible pivot arm between the fixing device and the pivot axis is achieved. As a result, the torque and thus the leverage of the fixation is maximized. In particular, a fixation of the second wing element at its first end to the body causes the highest possible blocking effect, which counteracts an unintentional dismantling of the mounting frame.

• Figur 1 zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht des Einbaurahmens in dem ersten, eingefahrenen Zustand.
• Figur 2 zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht des Einbaurahmens in dem zweiten, ausgefahrenen Zustand.
• Figur 3 zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Teils eines erfindungsgemäßen Einbaurahmens.

Further advantages and constructive details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

• FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the mounting frame in the first, retracted state.
• FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the mounting frame in the second, extended state.
• FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a portion of a mounting frame according to the invention.

The mounting frame according to the invention is shown using the example of a mounting frame for a circular downlight. Referring to the FIGS. 1 the installation frame 100 can be seen in the form of a mounting ring. The mounting frame 100 comprises a substantially cylindrical body 10. At one end of the body 10 terminates with a circumferential annular flange 11 from.

In other embodiments, alternatively or additionally, another element may be provided on the body, in particular one which has a rosette shape. In some embodiments, the mounting frame may also have a body with an angular cross section, in particular with a rectangular, in particular a square cross section. The flange may also have a polygonal cross-section in these embodiments.

The flange 11 comes in the assembled state of the mounting frame 100, as he, for example, in FIG. 2 is shown lying on a first side 201 of a false ceiling 200.

The body 10 has ribs 12 which serve to stabilize the body 10. Furthermore, the body 10 has elevations 13 at the end facing away from the intermediate ceiling 200, which extend in alignment with the cylindrical body 10. Furthermore, the mounting frame 100 has two first wing elements 20 and two second wing elements 30. In each case the first 20 and the second 30 wing elements are arranged opposite one another on the circumference of the body 10. In each case, a first 20 and a second 30 wing element are arranged in pairs and pivotally mounted about a common axis element 14 around. The axle element 14 is designed here as a rod-shaped element, which in the installed state, as in Fig. 2 is shown parallel to the false ceiling 200 and engages in the body 10 in the region of its two ends. The wing members 20 and 30 have first 21, 31 and second 22, 32 end portions, respectively. At their second end portions 22, 32 they have openings through which the axle member 14 extends. Also around the axle 14 a coil spring 40 is mounted. This engages at a first end 41 at the second end portion 22 of the first wing member 20 and at a second end 42 at the second end portion 32 of the second wing member 30 in each case provided depressions. In this way, the first 20 and the second 30 wing element are braced against each other.

In the first, retracted state as in FIG. 1 is shown, the two second wing members 30 are disposed inside the body 10. The first wing members 20 are parallel to the elevations 13 of the cylindrical body 10 and are in the inside width of the mounting frame 100, which is defined in this state by the flange 11, retracted. The first wing elements 20 have at each end region 21 latching hooks 23, which engage behind a latching web 15 which is provided on the elevation 13 of the body 10. As a result, the first wing elements 20 are fixed to the body 10.

In the in FIG. 2 As shown in the second, extended state, the first wing members 20 protrude radially beyond the cross section of the flange 11 (not visible). The first wing elements 20 each have an end region 21, which in the in FIG. 2 shown mounted state on the second side 202 of the false ceiling 200 rest. The second wing elements 30 have in a first end region 31 latching hooks 33, which are locked in this state behind the arranged on the increase 13 of the body 10 web 15. The latching prevents pivoting of the second wing elements 30 about the axle elements 14 around. Via the coil springs 40, a force is in each case imparted between the paired first 20 and second 30 wing elements at their ends 41, 42, so that a coupling arises. In this state, a tension on the coil spring 40 acts on the end portions 21 of the first wing members 20, which pushes them down, toward the second side 202 of the false ceiling 200. In this way, the false ceiling 200 between the end portions 21 of the first Wing elements 20 and the flange 11 of the body 10 is clamped.

To the mounting frame 100 from the first, retracted state as shown in FIG. 1 is shown in the second, extended state as in FIG. 2 is shown, put the installer after inserting the mounting frame 100 in the cutout of the false ceiling 200, the second wing members 30 at their end portions 31 upwards. For this he reaches into the interior of the mounting frame. In this case, a torque is applied to the first wing element 20 about the shaft element 14 via the spiral spring 40, as a result of which the latching connection between the end region 21 of the first wing element 20 and the web 15 of the body 10 is released. If the installer pushes the second wing element 30 further upwards until it extends almost vertically, the second wing element 30 engages behind the web 15 at its end section 31 by means of the latching hook 33. In this position, the second, extended state of the mounting frame 100 is reached. The engagement of the second wing element 30 prevents pivoting of the first wing elements 20 and thus slipping out of the mounting frame 100 from the cutout of the false ceiling 200th

FIG. 3 shows a partial view of a mounting frame 100. The first 20 and the second 30 wing member are mounted around a common shaft member 14 and clamped by a coil spring 40 against each other. The first end 41 of the coil spring 40 acts on the second end portion 22 of the first wing member 20, while the second end 42 of the coil spring 40 engages the second end portion 32 of the second wing member 30. At the end portions 22, 32 of the wing elements 20, 30 for this purpose recesses 24, 34 are provided. In this case, the horizontally extending axle element 14 provides a connection between the first and second wing element 20, 30, the body 10 and the spiral spring 40: toward its ends, it is initially mounted on the body 10. Then close to the middle of two arms of the first wing member 20 at. Between these are a boom of the second wing member 30 and the coil spring 40th

In other embodiments, each of the first and second wing members may each have only one arm that engages around the axle member 14. Alternatively, the first and the second wing element may each have two arms. Further, in some embodiments, the first and second wing members may have the same shape.

FIG. 3 shows the section of the mounting frame in an assembled state in which this occupies the second, extended state. The end portion 21 of the first wing member 20 presses against the surface 202 of the false ceiling 200. The second wing member 30 has at its end 31 a latching hook 33 which is engaged behind the web 15 of the body 10. The first wing element 20 also has at its end portion 21 a latching hook 23 which engages in the first, retracted state of the mounting frame 100 behind the same web 15 of the body 10.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

body

11

flange

12

rib

13

increase

14

axle

15

web

20

first wing element

21

first end area

22

second end area

23

latch hook

24

deepening

30

second wing element

31

first end area

32

second end area

33

latch hook

34

deepening

40

spiral spring

41

first end

42

second end

100

mounting frame

200

false ceiling

201

first page

202

second page

Claims (11)

1. Installation frame (100) for fastening in a cutout of an intermediate ceiling (200),
   said mounting frame (100) comprising a body (10) and first (20) and second (30) wing members movably supported on said body (10),
   the installation frame (100) having a first, retracted state with a smaller cross-section and a second, extended state with a larger cross-section, characterized in that the first wing element (20) in the first state is retracted into the smaller cross-section of the installation frame (100) and fixed to the body (10) and in the second state is extended beyond the smaller cross-section, so that the wing elements (20, 30) are braced against one another by a spring element (40), such that a movement of the second wing member (30) into the first state causes a release of the fixation of the first wing member (20), and
   in that the second wing element (30) is fixed to the body (10) in the second state, so that a force is imparted via the spring element (40) which prevents the first wing element (20) from engaging.
2. Installation frame (100) according to claim 1, wherein a force is exerted by the spring element (40) in the second state on a region (21) of the first wing element (20) by means of the spring element (40), which force presses the latter in the direction of a projection (11) of the body (10) in order to clamp a cover (200) between the region (21) and the projection (11).
3. Installation frame (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first (20) and/or the second (30) wing element is pivotably mounted.
4. Installation frame (100) according to Claim 3, the body (10) having an axle element (14) on which the first (20) and the second (30) wing element are pivotably mounted.
5. Installation frame (100) according to claim 4, wherein the body having at one end a flange (11) defining a plane, and the axle member (14) extending substantially parallel to the plane.
6. Installation frame (100) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first (20) and/or the second (30) wing element is displaceably mounted.
7. Installation frame (100) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the first (20) and/or second (30) wing element engages for fixing to the body (10).
8. Installation frame (100) according to claim 7, wherein the body (10) has a holding element (15) and the first and second wing elements (30) engage on the holding element (15) for fixing to the body (10).
9. Installation frame (100) according to one of the previous claims, the spring element having a spiral spring (40) which engages the first (20) and second (30) wing elements, respectively, at one end (41, 42).
10. Installation frame (100) according to one of the previous claims, the spring element and the first (20) and/or the second (30) wing element being mounted pivotably about an axle element (14).
11. Installation frame (100) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the first wing member (20) and/or the second wing member (30) has a first (21, 31) and a second end, wherein the first end (21, 31) of the first and/or second wing member (20, 30) has a fixing device (23, 33) for fixing to the body (10) and the second end of the first and/or second wing member (20, 30) has a means for pivotably mounting to the body (10).

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