EP2508791A1

EP2508791A1 - Built-in decorative lighting device with artificial crack

Info

Publication number: EP2508791A1
Application number: EP12154372A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Piero Gandini
Original assignee: Flos SpA
Current assignee: Flos SpA
Priority date: 2011-04-07
Filing date: 2012-02-08
Publication date: 2012-10-10
Also published as: ITBS20110043A1

Abstract

A built-in lighting device (1) with indirect light comprises a front panel (2) fitted with an interruption (12) between jagged crack edges (14', 14") and a rear wall (20) provided with a visible crack surface (20') with the semblance of a crack. For example, the crack surface is irregular, provided with peaks and valleys which form a texture typical of a natural crack.

Description

The present invention relates to a built-in lighting device of a decorative nature suitable for giving the observer the impression of the existence of a crack in a wall, for example in a side wall or in the ceiling of a room.
The lighting sector is characterised by great efforts to innovate, both of a highly technical nature and of an aesthetic nature.
Light in fact lends itself to the creation of special effects, able to attract attention and fascinate the observer.
Recently, considerable developments have been made in built-in lighting devices, that is to say suitable for being built in a wall, in that they allow particularly original effects to be created, as well as being easy to install in premises being refurbished.
The purpose of the present invention is to make a built-in lighting device suitable for creating an original decorative effect, arousing the impression in the observer of the presence of a crack in a wall.
Such purpose is achieved by a lighting device according to claim 1.
The characteristics and advantages of the lighting device according to the present invention will be evident from the description below, made by way of a non-limiting example in accordance with the appended drawings:
- figure 1 shows a lighting device according to the present invention, in one embodiment;
- figure 2 shows a front view of the lighting device in figure 1;
- figure 3 shows a transversal cross-section of the lighting device in figure 1.
With reference to the appended drawings, reference numeral 1 indicates a lighting device according to the present invention.
The device 1 is suitable for being built in the wall of a room, for example in a side wall, in the ceiling or in the floor.
The device 1 comprises a front panel 2 having a visible surface 2a, having a predefined range in length, along a longitudinal axis Y and a predefined range in width, along a transversal axis X.
For example, in an installation variation of the device, the longitudinal axis is positioned vertically and the transversal axis is positioned horizontally, when the device is built in a side wall.
According to a preferred embodiment, the visible surface 2a is flat; according to an embodiment variation, the visible surface is arched, concave or convex.
Preferably, at the transversal edges 4, 6 the front panel 2 is lowered, that is has thinned sides 8, 10 for flush installation.
In other words, the device is inserted in a cavity made in the wall and the visible surface 2a of the panel 2 is connected to the surface of the wall by means of the application of plaster or mortar which covers the thinned sides 8, 10, so as to form a continuous surface.
The visible surface 2a has an interruption 12 in the form of a crack, which ranges along the longitudinal axis Y, preferably for the entire length of the device 1.
The interruption 12 separates the visible surface 2a into two zones 2a', 2a", ending on the interruption 12 with their respective jagged crack edges 14', 14".
In other words, the crack edges 14', 14" have an irregular pattern along the longitudinal axis Y, so as to give the impression of a crack.
Preferably, in addition, the crack edges 14', 14" have a complementary pattern (that is to say where there is a projection of one, there is a recess of the other, complementary to each other), so as to give the impression of a natural crack, deriving from the rupture of a single surface.
The device 1 further comprises a rear wall 20 projecting rearwards from the front panel 2, astride the interruption 12. Such wall gives the impression that the crack continues inside the wall of the room, forming an inner cavity 12'.
Preferably, the rear wall 20 extends astride the interruption 12 starting from a crack edge 14' and terminating at the other crack edge 14".
The rear wall 20 has a visible crack surface 20a, that is facing the interruption 12, having the semblance of a crack.
For example, the crack surface 20a is painted with decorative motifs which portray the typical appearance of a crack.
According to a preferred embodiment, the crack surface 20a is at least partially irregular, that is provided with peaks and valleys which reproduce the typical conformation of a natural crack. In particular, the crack surface 20' is irregular on the zones visible from the interruption 12, that is, on the zones observable by an observer.
For example, the crack surface 20a is made in a specially shaped mould or by machining to remove shavings.
Preferably, the rear wall 20 comprises an initial section 22 projecting from the first crack edge 14', inclined in relation to the front panel 12, for example by an obtuse angle α in relation to the interruption 12.
The initial section 22 has an irregular crack surface.
Preferably, in addition, the rear wall 20 comprises a second section 24, for example in the shape of an "L", continuously connected to the initial section 22. Preferably, the inner surface 24a of the second section 24 is smooth, since not on view. Preferably, one arm of the "L" shaped section is substantially parallel to the front panel 2, while the other arm is orthogonal to it.
In addition, the rear wall 20 comprises a third section 26, continuously connected to the second section 24, substantially parallel to the front panel 2. The crack surface of the third section 26 is irregular.
Lastly, the rear wall 20 comprises a terminal section 28, connected to the third section 26, which terminates in the second edge 14" of the interruption 12.
The crack surface of the terminal section 28 is irregular.
The terminal section 28 is inclined in relation to the front panel for example so as to form an acute angle β with the interruption 12, preferably complementary to the obtuse angle α formed by the initial section 22.
The device 1 further comprises a light source 50, for example with LED.
Preferably, the device 1 is with indirect light, in that the light source 50 is positioned so as not to be directly visible from the outside; in other words, the light emitted by the source 50 reflects on a surface of the inner cavity 12' before being emitted outwards through the interruption 12.
Preferably, the light source 50 is supported by the second section 24 of the rear wall 20, and in particular by its arm adjacent to the initial section 22.
Preferably, the front panel and the rear wall of the device 1 are made in plaster or plasterboard, preferably strengthened, in a single piece.
According to embodiment variations, metallic material or plastic materials are used; in particular, according to a preferred embodiment, to make the texture typical of a crack surface, gold and/or silver leaf is used.
Preferably, in addition, the device comprises a reinforcement frame, embedded in the front panel and in the rear wall, at least at the transition zones between these, to reinforce the device structure.
Innovatively, the lighting device according to the present invention gives the observer the impression of a natural crack existing in the wall which the device is built in.
Advantageously, in addition, the device has indirect light and the light therefore appears to come from the cavity inside the crack.
It is clear that a person skilled in the art could make variations to the lighting device described above so as to satisfy contingent requirements, so as to achieve similar crack effects. Such variations are also contained within the sphere of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

Built-in lighting device (1) comprising:
- a front panel (2) extending in length along a longitudinal axis (Y) and extending in width along a transversal axis (X), having a visible surface (2a) with an interruption (12) having a longitudinal range, defined between jagged crack edges (14',14");

- a rear wall (20) projecting rearwards from the front panel (2), astride the interruption (12), provided with a visible crack surface (20') with the semblance of a crack.
Device according to claim 1, wherein the crack surface is at least partially irregular, provided with peaks and valleys like a crack.
Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rear wall (20) forms a cavity (12') accessible from the interruption (12) shaped like an elbow.
Device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein the crack edges are (14', 14'') are complementary.
Device according to any of the previous claims, with indirect light.
Device according to any of the previous claims, comprising an LED light source (50).
Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the rear wall (20) comprises an initial section (22) starting from the first crack edge (14'), inclined by an obtuse angle (α) in relation to the first crack edge (14'), having an irregular crack surface, and a terminal section (28), terminating in the second crack edge (14''), positioned astride the interruption (12) inclined by an acute angle (β) in relation to the second crack edge (14"), having an irregular crack surface.
Device according to claim 7, wherein the obtuse angle (α) and the acute angle (β) are complementary.
Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the front panel (12) is made from plaster or plasterboard.
Device according to any of the previous claims, comprising a reinforcement frame embedded in the front panel and in the rear wall, at least at the join between these, to reinforce the structure.