EP2511597A1

EP2511597A1 - LED footpath lighting device for stairs or steps

Info

Publication number: EP2511597A1
Application number: EP12155359A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Piero Gandini
Original assignee: Flos SpA
Current assignee: Flos SpA
Priority date: 2011-04-12
Filing date: 2012-02-14
Publication date: 2012-10-17
Also published as: ITBS20110051A1

Abstract

Flush-mounted LED lighting device (1) for signalling the presence or direction of stairs, steps and raised floors, comprises a casing (2) with abutment, a diffuser (10), housed inside the casing (2), made in colourless or coloured material transparent to the light. A cavity (14) is formed between the diffuser (10) and the casing. The LED light source (20) is positioned inside the diffuser (10). In addition, a plug (40) opaque to the light, is positioned at the top of the diffuser (10) and forms a free gap (50) with the casing, so that the cavity (14) is permanently in communication with the outside environment and the light is emitted in the shape of an aureole.

Description

The present invention relates to a flush-mounted LED lighting device in particular utilisable for signalling the presence or direction of stairs, steps and raised floors.
The lighting sector is characterised by great efforts to innovate, both from an aesthetic and functional point of view. In particular, sometimes functional innovations are needed to satisfy aesthetic requirements.
The present invention relates, in particular, to lighting devices utilised to signal the presence or direction of stairs, steps and raised floors; these devices are generally of a very limited size.
In general, LED lighting devices are becoming especially popular although they do have significant drawbacks in the case of very limited dimensions given their elevated heat.
The purpose of the present invention is to make a flush-mounted LED lighting device of limited size utilisable for signalling the presence or direction of stairs, steps and raised floors.
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 wherein:
- figure 1 shows a lighting device according to the present invention, in one embodiment;
- figure 2 shows a lighting device according to the present invention, according to a further embodiment;
- figure 3 shows a view partially in cross-section of the device in figure 1; and
- figure 4 shows a view partially in cross-section of the device in figure 2.
With reference to the appended drawings, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a flush-mounted LED lighting device utilisable for signalling the presence or direction of stairs, steps and raised floors.
Generally speaking, the device 1 is flush-mounted in vertical walls, for example under the tread surface of a step, to signal the presence of the step itself and its height.
The device 1 comprises a casing 2, comprising an annular side wall 4 having a main axis X.
Generally, the main axis X is horizontal when the device 1 is flush-mounted with the wall.
Preferably, the side wall 4 comprises a main wall 6, preferably of a truncated-cone shape divergent from a rear end to the front end, and a crown 8, at the front end, connected to the main wall, lying on a plane orthogonal to the main axis X.
The crown 8 forms an abutment of the device against the surface of the wall it is mounted in.
In addition, the device 1 comprises a diffuser 10, housed inside the casing 2, made in colourless or coloured material transparent to the light.
The diffuser 10 is positioned coaxial to the casing 2, for example resting on the bottom of it.
The di ffuser 10 comprises a side wall 12, for example of a cylindrical (figure 3) or a truncated-cone (figure 4) shape.
The diffuser 10 is typically of a smaller size than the casing, so that the side wall 12 of the diffuser 10 is radially distanced from the main wall 6 of the casing 2, so as to define a cavity 14 between them.
In addition, the device 1 comprises an LED light source 20, positioned on the bottom of the casing 2, inside the diffuser 10.
In addition, the device comprises a tang 30, positioned rearwards of the casing 2, preferably made in one piece with it, communicating with the inner chamber of the casing.
The tang 30 is suitable for housing the electrical contacts for the electricity supply of the source 20.
In addition, the device 1 comprises a plug 40 opaque to the light, positioned at the top of the diffuser 10, to close it.
The plug 40 comprises a disc-shaped plate 42, having a smaller diameter size than the diameter of the mouth of the casing 2, so that a free gap 50 in the shape of a crown is formed between the edge of the plate 42 and the edge of the main wall 4.
The free gap 50 has no cover, for example it has no transparent or coloured cover; in other words, the cavity is permanently in communication with the outside environment.
Preferably, in addition, the visible surface 42a of the plate 42 is flush with the visible surface of the crown 8.
Innovatively, the lighting device described above makes it possible to use an LED source in a small size casing, in that it permits dissipation of the heat produced by the same thanks to the cavity and to the free gap.
In addition, advantageously, the device makes it possible to achieve an innovative aesthetic effect, in that the light emitted by the source is diffused through the diffuser and comes out of the free gap surrounding the plate, like an aureole.
It is clear that a person skilled in the art may make variations to the device described above so as to satisfy contingent requirements, while remaining within the sphere of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

Flush mounted LED lighting device (1) for signalling the presence or direction of stairs, steps and raised floors, comprising:
- a casing (2), comprising an annular side wall (4) having a main axis (X), comprising a main wall (6) and a crown (8), at the front end, connected with the main wall and projecting radially outwards from it to form an abutment of the device against the surface of the wall when flush mounted;

- a diffuser (10), housed inside the casing (2), in colourless or coloured material transparent to the light, typically of a smaller size than the casing, so that a cavity (14) is formed between a side wall (12) of the diffuser (10) and the main wall of the casing;

- an LED light source, positioned inside the diffuser (10);

- a plug (40) opaque to the light, positioned at the top of the diffuser (10), to close it, comprising a plate (42) having smaller size than the mouth of the casing (2), so that a free gap (50) is formed between the edge of the plate (42) and the edge of the main wall (4), so that the cavity (14) is permanently in communication with the outside environment.
Device according to claim 1, wherein the free gap (50) has no cover.
Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the diffuser (10) comprises the side wall (12) of a cylindrical shape.
Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the diffuser (10) comprises the side wall (12) of a truncated-cone shape.
Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the diffuser (10) comprises the side wall (12) of a prismatic shape with a polygonal base.
Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the main wall (6) is a truncated-cone shape.
Device according to any of the claims from 1 to 5, wherein the main wall (6) is circular or prismatic with a polygonal base.
Device according to any of the previous claims, comprising a tang (30), positioned rearwards of the casing (2), communicating with the inner chamber of the casing, to house the electrical contacts for the electricity supply of the source (20).