EP2659179B1

EP2659179B1 - Attachment means, light fittings, use of a roller-type spring and a method for mounting of light fittings

Info

Publication number: EP2659179B1
Application number: EP11808968.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Gustavsson
Original assignee: Fagerhults Belysning AB
Current assignee: Fagerhults Belysning AB
Priority date: 2010-12-30
Filing date: 2011-12-21
Publication date: 2015-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 2031-12-21
Also published as: AU2011353162A1; CN103370570A; EP2659179A1; WO2012091660A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an attachment means for arranging a device, such as light fittings, in a recess of a layer, such as a ceiling or a wall. The present invention also relates to light fittings comprising at least one of said attachment means. Further, the present invention relates to the use of a roller-type spring in said attachment means or in said light fittings, as well as a method for mounting of said light fittings.

BACKGROUND ART

For electric light fittings, illuminators, lights or the like that are recessed in a ceiling panel, it is known to use suspension devices in the form of spiral springs. Generally, two spiral-type of springs are arranged on opposite sides of a socket of the spotlight. The springs are arranged on the socket such that an outer free end of each spring is prestressed in a direction away from the socket. When a light fitting is to be brought into position in a recess in a ceiling, the springs are forced, by hand, alongside the envelope surface of the socket. The socket is brought towards and into the opening of the recess, at a first outwardly facing surface of the ceiling. Subsequently, the springs are then released, by removing the hand, when the socket has passed sufficiently far through the recess. The free ends of the prestressed springs are then forced in a direction away from the socket, such that the free end of each spring can bear towards a second inner facing surface of the ceiling. Consequently, the spotlight can be suspended in the recess of the ceiling by the force of the spiral springs.
However, the prior art suspension device with spiral-type of springs mentioned above is complicated to install and not adapted for easy disassemble. Removal of parts of the ceiling, or causing damages to the ceiling, is often necessary in order to withdraw the spotlight from its position at the ceiling. The suspension device is not suitable for larger light fittings, but is rather intended for small spotlights. The spiral-type of springs are fixed at one of their ends to the socket of the spotlight, and thus, the suspension device is only suitable to a small variation of thickness of the ceiling panels.
SE-C2-510250 discloses a fixing device, particularly for electric light fittings. The fixing device is provided with a longitudinal slot, in which a fastening unit is inserted for fixing a frame in an opening of a ceiling panel. The fastening unit is insertable in the slot from within the frame with an anchoring part. The anchoring part is pivotable through the slot with a smaller arm than the slot to a position outside the frame. In this position the fastening unit is displaceable towards and pressable firmly against the wall surrounding the opening. This solution does not overcome all disadvantages of the suspension device with spiral-type of springs as mentioned above.
US 6,016,596 discloses a mounting device having a housing. The device is intended to be mounted in a panel hole. Within the housing, a lighting fixture is mounted. Flat coil springs are attached to the side walls of the housing.
The object of the present invention is to provide an attachment means for arranging a device, such as light fittings or other objects that need to be supported at a surface, which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art. A further object is to provide an alternative solution in view of the state of the art and an improved attachment means, for obtaining increased flexibility with respect to different kind of ceilings and/or walls. Yet a further object is to provide an easy and rapid installation and disassemble. It is also an object to provide a secure solution for attachment means, which can be adapted for large variations in wall or ceiling thickness. The object is also to provide light fittings comprising such attachment means, a method for mounting said light fittings and a use in said attachment means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above mentioned objects are solved by the present invention, which relates to attachment means for arranging a device, such as light fittings, in a recess of a layer. The attachment means comprises a roller-type spring and spring releasing means, where a first end of the spring is attached at a first section of the device, so that the spring is rolled up, when the spring is detached by the releasing means. The attachment means comprises an elongated body. The first end of the spring is attached at the first section of a surface of the elongated body and/or to a surface of the device. A second end of the spring is detachably arranged to a second section of the surface of the elongated body and/or of the device when the spring is unrolled. The spring is rolled up, when the spring is detached by the releasing means from the second section of the surface of the body and/or of the device.
Thus, the attachment means can comprise an elongated body, such that the elongated body being arranged together with the device, e.g. suitable light fittings, and installed in the recess of the layer, preferably an indoor ceiling. As a result, mounting and dismounting in a recess of a layer will be easy and uncomplicated. There is no need to use any external tool for attaching or detaching a light fitting provided with the attachment means according to the invention.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the roller-type spring is a variable force or a constant force spring. Further, the first end of the spring can be fixed at the first section of the elongated body and/or of the device. The first end of the spring can be attached at the first section of the elongated body and the second end of the spring can be detachably arranged to a second section of the body when the spring is unrolled. The spring is rolled up, when the spring is detached by the releasing means from the second section of the body. Moreover, the attachment means can have an arm, pivotally and displaceably arranged to the elongated body. The attachment means may also comprise a carriage that is displaceably arranged to the elongated body, and the arm is pivotally attached to the carriage. The carriage together with the arm can be arranged to run along a path of the longitudinal extension of the elongated body, and where the elongated body is provided with longitudinally extending guiding rails on each side and the carriage is provided with rail connecting means, that are engaged on the rails and designed such that the carriage may slide securely along the running path of the elongated body without any substantial resistance. At the lowermost end of the first section of the elongated body, a safety catch can be provided that prevents the carriage from leaving the running path of the elongated body. At the uppermost end of the second section of the elongated body, a transport locking member can be provided that is resiliently arranged via a leg to the elongated body at one end of the leg, and the other end of leg of transport locking member is connected to a bridging plate. Safety hooks can be fixedly arranged to the carriage. The safety hooks can be provided for engagement with an upper edge on the bridging plate of the transport locking member, when the hooks are displaced upwardly together with the carriage.
According to additional embodiments, the present invention relates to light fittings for suspension in a wall or a ceiling, the light fittings comprises at least one attachment means as mentioned above. Further, the present invention relates to a use of a roller-type spring in attachment means or in light fittings as mentioned above. Further, the present invention relates to a method for mounting of light fittings as mentioned above, in which the method comprises the following steps: a) altering the attachment means in a secure condition to an active condition by operating the releasing means such that the spring is free to move in the direction towards the first section of the elongated body or the light fittings, where the spring is allowed to roll up, due to the spring force, over an edge of a carriage having an arm, and that the carriage is prevented from running further by a stop member; b) inserting the portion of the light fitting having the attachment means, in a recess of a layer, such as an opening of a roof/ceiling or wall panel; and c) altering the attachment means in the active condition to a lifting condition by turning the arm towards approximately a perpendicular position of the arm relative the elongated body or the light fitting, such that the angle between the arm and the elongated body or the light fitting is increased further than a predetermined limit of the angle, so the carriage and the roller-type spring can be released and free to run further downwards along the running path, whereby, owing to the spring force of roller-type spring, sufficient lifting force is obtained so that a light fitting, provided with the attachment means, can be supported in an intended position at a wall or a ceiling panel. The method may further comprise the step: when the attachment means is in the lifting condition, it can be altered to the secure condition, by bringing the carriage with the arm and the roller-type spring upwards along the running path to the secure condition, whereby the carriage once again can be locked in the secure condition.
According to the solution of the present invention, a device comprising the attachment means can be easily and rapidly installed in an uncomplicated way, and also the withdrawal of the device from an installed position is highly simplified. No extra or external tools are required. With the attachment means according to the present invention, it is possible to arrange a device, such as light fittings, recessed in a ceiling or a wall of different panel thickness. The attachment means serves for a reliable mounting that can be adapted for various sizes and weights of devices such as light fittings. Another advantage is that the attachment means according to the solution of the present invention require relatively little space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will hereinafter be described with reference to embodiments of the invention and the enclosed drawings, where

Figs. 1A-E shows in a perspective front view an attachment means according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
Figs. 1F-G shows the attachment means shown in Fig. 1A-E, arranged on a light fitting and installed in a recess at a ceiling or a wall panel,
Figs. 2A-D illustrates detailed and enlarged views of a lower part of the attachment means shown in Fig. 1A-E,
Figs. 3A-F illustrates detailed and enlarged views of an upper part of the attachment means shown in Fig. 1A-E,
Figs. 4A-C illustrates detailed and enlarged views of an arm and a carriage of the attachment means shown in Fig. 1A-E,
Figs. 5A-C shows schematically a second embodiment of an attachment means, according to the present invention.
Figs. 6A-C shows schematically a third embodiment of an attachment means, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An attachment means according to embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only. The disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the enclosed claims in any way.
Figs. 1A-E shows an attachment means 2 suitable for electric light fittings, such as illuminators, spotlights, downlights, etc. Figs. 1F-G shows the attachment means 2 shown in Fig. 1A-E, arranged on a light fitting 4 and installed in a recess 6 of a layer 8, such as in or around an opening of a roof/ceiling or wall panel. Hence, the attachment means 2 are intended, when attached on a socket 10 of the suitable light fittings 4, to be arranged together with the suitable light fittings 4 in the recess 6 of the layer 8. Such layer 8 has a first side 12 facing a room and a second side 14. According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the attachment means 2 comprises a spring 16, generally constructed as a rolled ribbon, string, strip or band. In that respect, the spring 16 can preferably be a force spring, such as a constant or non-constant force spring. However, hereinafter the spring 16 is not limited to the mentioned specific type of springs but more generally called roller-type spring. When the roller-type spring 16 is relaxed, it is fully rolled up. The spring 16 becomes stretched when it is unrolled. The spring 16 can be of spring steel, plastics/polymer or any other material such that the intended function of the spring can be fulfilled.
The attachment means 2 further comprises an elongated body 18 in the shape of a supporting plate 19. The elongated body has a first section 20 and a second section 22. The attachment means 2 further comprises spring releasing means 24. Preferably, the attachment means 2 further comprises spring retaining means 26. The spring releasing and retaining means 24, 26 are described more in detail below.
A first end 28 of the spring 16 is attached to the first section 20 of the body 18, preferably at the end of the first section. A second end 30 of the spring 16 is detachably arranged to the second section 22 of the body 18, preferably at the end of the second section, when the spring is unrolled. The spring 16 is rolled up for adjacent engagement with the second side 14 of the layer 8, when the spring is detached by the releasing means 24 from the second section 22 of the body 18. This is carried out subsequent the passage of the attachment means 2 of the light fitting 4 through the recess 6 at the first side 12 to the second side 14 of the layer 8.
The roller-type spring 4 can suitably be a constant-force spring or a non-constant force spring, the latter spring can also be called a variable force spring. In a constant-force spring, the restoring force comes primarily from the portion of the rolled-type spring that is near the roll. Since the geometry of that section remains nearly constant, the resulting force is nearly constant.
The attachment means 2 comprises an arm 32, pivotally and displaceably arranged to the elongated body 18. The attachment means 2 can also comprise a carriage 34 that is displaceably arranged to the elongated body 18, and the arm 32 is pivotally attached to the carriage 34. The carriage 34, together with the arm 32, is arranged to run along a running path 35 of the longitudinal extension L of the elongated body 18. At the lowermost end of the first section 20 of the elongated body 18, a safety catch 36 is provided that prevents the carriage 34 from leaving the running path of the elongated body 18. The elongated body 18 is provided with longitudinally extending guiding rails 38 on each side. The carriage is provided with rail connecting means 40, that are engaged on the rails and designed such that the carriage 34 may slide securely along the running path of the elongated body 18 without any substantial resistance. At the uppermost end of the second section 22 of the elongated body 18, a transport locking member 42 is provided that is resiliently arranged via one or more leg/legs 43 to the elongated body 18 at one end of the leg(s) 43. Preferably, the transport locking member 42 is resiliently arranged via one leg 43 to the elongated body 18. With reference to Figs. 3A-F, safety hooks 44 are fixedly arranged to the carriage 34. The other end(s) of leg(s) 43 of transport locking member 42 is/are connected to a bridging plate 46. The safety hooks 44 are provided for engagement with an upper edge 47 on the bridging plate 46 of the transport locking member 42, when the hooks 44 are displaced upwardly (see arrow P1 in Fig. 3A) together with the carriage 34. As a result of this, the transport locking member 42 makes it possible to move the attachment means 2 in a secure condition (L1) as evident from fig. 1A. In this position of the carriage, the spring 16 can be retained in its second end between the carriage 34 and the running path 35 of elongated body 18. Hence, in this embodiment the retaining means 26 are formed by the safety hooks 44 and the transport locking member 42 works as the releasing means 24. When the carriage 34, together with the arm 32, is displaced downwards (see Fig. 1 D), the spring 16 is allowed to roll up, due to the spring force, over an edge of the carriage and onto the arm 32. Hence, the spring is configured to drive the carriage 34 along the running path in the direction towards the first section 20 of the elongated body 18.
At the end of the second section 22 of the elongated body 18, situated below the transport locking member 42, a stop member 48 is provided (see fig. 3E and 1D-E). The purpose of the stop member 48 is to retain the carriage 34 in an active condition (L2). Hence, in this condition also the stop member works as a further retaining means 26. The stop member 48 is formed as a projecting arm, protruding at one end from the elongated body 18, and, in relaxed condition, the other free end is turned in a direction inwards and towards the spring 16 and the carriage 34 and the arm 32. In that respect, the roller-type spring16, when in the shape of a band or ribbon, is provided with an aperture 50. The stop member 48 is resiliently arranged and can be moved between from the relaxed condition, which is an engaged position in connection with the carriage, and a position where the carriage can be released and is free to run further downwards along the running path. In order to transfer the attachment means 2 from the secure condition (L1) to the active condition (L2), the releasing means 24 is operated. The bridging plate 46 is pushed P (see Fig.1B and 3D), such that the safety hooks 44 can be disconnected from engagement on the upper edge 47 at the bridging plate 46 of the transport locking member 42. Consequently, the carriage 34 is free to be displaced downwards along the running path to the active condition (L2) where the free end of the stop member 48, projecting out through the aperture 50 in the spring16, retains the carriage 34.
At the end of the second section 22 of the elongated body 18, situated at least on one side of the elongated body 18, an arm stretching spring 52 is provided. The arm stretching spring 52 is formed as a resilient strip, protruding at one end from the elongated body 18, and, in relaxed condition, the other free end is turned alongside and in a direction parallel with the elongated body 18 towards the first section 20 of the elongated body 18. The safety hooks 44 arranged to the carriage 34 are provided with a lip 54, at the end opposite the hook engaging portion. The strip has a curved portion 55 that is configured for engagement with the lip 54. When the attachment means 2 is set in the secure condition (L1), and the hooks 44 are in engagement with the upper edge 47 on the bridging plate 46 of the transport locking member 42, the lip 54 push the curved portion 55 such that the strip of the arm stretching spring 52 is pressed backwards (see arrow A in Fig. 3A), away from the carriage 34 and the arm 32. Thus, the arm stretching spring 52 is then in a tightened position and the arm 32 is in a relaxed condition (see fig. 3B and fig. 1A) where the arm 32 is recessed such that the attachment means 2 has a minimal thickness. The arm 32 comprises a projecting shoulder 56 at the rear end adjacent the pivotal connection to the carriage 34, which points towards the backside of the elongated body 18 in the relaxed condition of the arm. In this position, the projecting shoulder 56 is not in contact with the strip of the of the arm stretching spring 52. When the attachment means 2 is transferred from the secure condition (L1) to the active condition (L2), the lip 54 is brought away from the curved portion 55. Then the resilient strip of the arm stretching spring 52 is forced to its relaxed condition towards and alongside the elongated body 18, whereby the strip of arm stretching spring 52 come in engagement with the projecting shoulder 56 of the arm 32. As a result, the arm 32 will be elastically pushed out and away from its relaxed condition. In this active condition (L2), where the arm 32 is spring-loaded, the extension of the arm 32 in relation to the longitudinal extension of the elongated body 18 form an angle α (see fig. 3F). In order for the arm 32 of the attachment means 2, when attached on a device such as a light fitting 4, to be able to get into engagement with a second side 14 of a layer 8 during installation, the angle α is suitably larger than 5-10°, preferably at least 25°. The angle α is suitably in the range from about 25° to about 55°, and preferably in the range from about 35° to about 45°. However, due to the resiliency of the strip of the arm stretching spring 52, the spring-loaded arm 32 may also be pushable towards the running path of the elongated body 18, to a parallel orientation of the arm 32 in relation to the elongated body 18. This function is important in order to be able to install a light fitting provided with the attachment means 2 in a recess 6 of a layer 8, in particular through a narrow opening of a roof/ceiling or wall panel.
With reference to Figs. 4A-C, the arm 32 further comprises a central protrusion 58 in the extension of the arm 32, at the rear end, which points towards the backside of the elongated body 18, provided for engagement with the stop member 48 (see Figs. 1E and 3E) at the end of the second section 22 of the elongated body 18. As mentioned above, the stop member 48 is resiliently arranged and can be moved from the relaxed condition, which is in the active condition (L2) of the attachment means 2, and a position where the carriage can be released and is free to run further downwards along the running path, which is a lifting condition (L3). In order to release the arm 32, and thus the roller-type spring 16, the arm 32 is turned T (see fig. 4B-C) towards a perpendicular position of the arm 32 relative the elongated body 18, such that the angle α between the arm 32 and the elongated body 18 is increased further than a predetermined limit of the angle α, which angle is denoted α_max. The angle α_max is suitably in the range from about 15° to about 85°, and preferably in the range from about 35° to about 80°, and most preferred in the range from about 45° to about 75°. The given ranges for the angles α and α_max, respectively, can be advantageous from a practical point of view. However, for enablement of the present invention in its broadest way, the angles can be varied within even wider ranges. The central protrusion 58 on the rear of the arm 32 comes in engagement with the resilient stop member 48 and pushes the stop member 48 away, so the carriage 34 and the roller-type spring 16 can be released and free to run further downwards along the running path. Hence, owing to the spring force of roller-type spring 16, sufficient lifting force is obtained so that a device such as a light fitting, provided with the attachment means 2, can be supported in an intended position at a wall or a ceiling panel. Consequently, the protrusion 58 works as a further releasing means 24.
It is possible that the carriage 34 and the roller-type spring 16 will run downwards along the running path to the very end, at the lowermost end of the first section 20 of the elongated body 18. However, as mentioned above, the safety catch 36 at the lowermost end of the first section 20 of the elongated body 18, prevents the carriage 34, and consequently also the roller-type spring 16 and the arm 32, from leaving the running path of the elongated body 18. Furthermore, when the attachment means 2 is in the lifting condition (L3), it can be altered (see Figs. 3A-B) to the secure condition (L1), by bringing the carriage 34 with the arm 32 and the roller-type spring 16 upwards (P1) along the running path to the secure condition (L1), whereby the carriage once again can be locked in the secure condition (L1). This makes the removal of an installed light fitting very easy. The light fitting 4, installed at a layer 8 (see Fig. 1F-G) such as a wall or ceiling panel and having the attachment means 2 arranged on its socket, is pulled in the direction towards the room side, whereby the carriage 34 with the arm 32 and the roller-type spring 16 are brought upwards along the running path. The light fitting 4 is pulled as far out so the carriage reaches and can be locked in the secure condition (L1). As a result (see Fig. 1A), the light fitting 4 can be pulled out from the opening in the layer 8 since the arms 32 are in the recessed position arranged closely and along the elongated body 18 in the secure condition (L1).
In Figs. 5A-C is an alternative design of an attachment means 100 shown, in a second embodiment according to the present invention.
Similar to the first embodiment of the present invention, the attachment means 100 comprises the roller-type spring 16. The attachment means 100 comprises an elongated body 101 in form of a rod 102 having an upper angled arm 104, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rod 102, and a lower angled arm 106, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rod 102 and to the extension of the upper angled arm 104. The attachment means 100 is intended, similarly to the description above in the first embodiment (see Figs. 1G-F), to be arranged on a light fitting 4 and installed in a recess 6 of a layer 8, such as in or around an opening of a roof/ceiling or wall panel. Hence, the attachment means 2 are intended, when attached on a socket 10 of the suitable light fittings 4, to be arranged together with the suitable light fittings 4 in the recess 6 of the layer 8. Such layer 8 has a first side 12 facing a room and a second side 14. Adjacent the socket 10 of the light fittings, a border 108 is projecting outwardly perpendicular to the face of the socket 10.
The rod 102 is pivotally and displaceably arranged by holders 103 to the surface of the light fittings 4, such that the rod 102 with the arms 104 and 106 can be pivoted up to 90° and displaced in the longitudinal direction of the rod 102. In this embodiment, the lower angled arm 106 is the spring releasing means and the upper angled arm 104 works as spring retaining means. The first end 28 of the spring 16 is attached to a first section 110 at the surface of the light fittings 4 and a second end 30 of the spring 16 is detachably arranged to the second section 112 at the surface of the light fittings 4 by the upper angled arm 104, when the spring is unrolled. Further, the attachment means 100 comprises a hook element 114 protruding from the surface of the light fittings, which in this embodiment is the spring releasing means. As evident from Fig. 5A, when the upper angled arm 104 is positioned alongside the surface of the light fittings, it is configured for locked engagement with the hook element 114 such that it is possible to move the attachment means 100 in a secure condition (L1). Hence, in this secure condition (L1) the spring is retained in the unrolled condition supported between the surface of the light fittings 4 and the upper angled arm 104.
By releasing the upper angled arm 104 from the engagement with the hook element 114, the spring can be moved from the secure condition (L1) to a position where the spring is released and is free to run further downwards along the running path along the surface of the light fittings, which is a lifting condition (L3). This operation is carried out by displacing the rod 102 with the upper angled arm by pressing the lower angled arm 106 as shown in Fig. 5B. Subsequently, the lower angled arm 106 can be turned an angle β, up to 90°, which result in an equal pivotal movement of the upper angled arm 104 an angle β, away from the surface of the light fittings. Thus, the spring is released and is free to run further downwards along the running path along the surface. As evident from Fig. 5C, the spring 16 is rolled up for adjacent engagement with the second side 14 of the layer 8 and the border 108 of the light fittings 4 bear against the first side 12 of the layer 8. Of course, the operation into the lifting condition (L3) is carried out subsequent the passage of the attachment means 100 of the light fitting 4 through the recess 6 at the first side 12 to the second side 14 of the layer 8.
With reference to Figs. 5A-C, the elongated body 101 having the rod part 102 can be excluded according to an alternative embodiment, and still the person skilled in the art can be able to carry out the present invention in its broadest way. In fact, in order to carry out the invention it is solely necessary that the attachment means comprises the spring 16 and a release means. In that case, the release means may for instance only comprise of the upper arm 104, or similar means, and a hook element 114. The arm 104 can be displaceable perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the spring 16. The operation of the arm 104 can be remote controlled or activated in any other way, in order to displace it and detach the engagement with the hook 114 as well as the spring 16. Of course, the release means may have other design as long as the intended function of the present invention can be fulfilled, that is that the spring is released from a looked/secure condition where it is unrolled and a lifting condition where the spring 16 is able to be rolled up. However, it shall be observed that the embodiments of the invention that includes an elongated body according to the mentioned embodiments in this description, may be advantageous and preferred, from another point of view.
In Figs. 6A-C is yet an alternative design of an attachment means 200 shown, in a third embodiment according to the present invention.
Similar to the first embodiment of the present invention, the attachment means 200 comprises the roller-type spring 16. The attachment means 200 comprises an elongated body 201 in form of a strip 202. The roller-type spring 16 is provided with an upper aperture 204, and a lower aperture 206. The attachment means 200 is intended, similarly to the description above in the first embodiment (see Figs. 1G-F), to be arranged on a light fitting 4 and installed in a recess 6 of a layer 8, such as in or around an opening of a roof/ceiling or wall panel. Hence, the attachment means 2 are intended, when attached on a socket 10 of the suitable light fittings 4, to be arranged together with the suitable light fittings 4 in the recess 6 of the layer 8. Such layer 8 has a first side 12 facing a room and a second side 14. Adjacent the socket 10 of the light fittings, a border 208 is projecting outwardly perpendicular to the face of the socket 10.
The first end 28 of the spring 16 is fixed to the surface of the light fittings 4, while the second end 30 is positioned loosely and thus detachably to the surface of the light fittings 4. The strip 202 of the elongated body 201 is attached to a foot part 209. The strip 202 with the attached foot part 209 is displaceably arranged within the spring 16 such that strip 202 with the attached foot part 209 can be moved in the longitudinal direction when displaced along the longitudinal direction L of the spring 16. A first section 210 of the strip 202 with the attached foot part 209 is arranged through the lower aperture 206 at the first end of the spring 16 at the surface of the light fittings 4 and a second section 212 of the strip 202 is arranged through the upper aperture 204 at the second end 30 of the spring 16, at the surface of the light fittings 4, when the spring is unrolled. The intermediate part of the strip 202 is covered by a central part 214 of the spring 16. In this embodiment, the foot part 209 is the spring releasing means, while the uppermost part of the strip 202, when projecting out from the aperture 204, works as spring retaining means. A bridging back part 215 at the second end 30 of the spring 16 is retained against the surface of the light fittings 4 when the strip 202 is projecting out through and beyond the aperture 204. As evident from Fig. 6A, when the second end 30 of the spring 16 is positioned alongside the surface of the light fittings, it is configured for locked engagement with the strip 202 such that it is possible to move the attachment means 200 in a secure condition (L1). Hence, in this secure condition (L1) the spring is retained in the unrolled condition supported between the surface of the light fittings 4 and the strip 202.
By releasing spring 16 from the engagement with the strip 202, the spring can be moved from the secure condition (L1) to a position where the spring is released and is free to run further downwards along the running path along the surface of the light fittings, which is a lifting condition (L3). This operation is carried out by displacing the strip 202 with the attached foot part 209, by pressing the foot part 209, as shown in Fig. 6B, such that the strip 202 is brought down completely into the aperture 204 in direction towards the central part 214 of the spring 16. Thus, the spring is released and is free to run further downwards along the running path along the surface. The foot part 209 is placed in recessed portion 216 on the border 208, such that the border 208 can be positioned close to an adjacent surface, e.g. the first side 12. As evident from Fig. 6C, the spring 16 is rolled up for adjacent engagement with the second side 14 of the layer 8 and the border 208 of the light fittings 4 bear against the first side 12 of the layer 8. Of course, the operation into the lifting condition (L3) is carried out subsequent the passage of the attachment means 200 of the light fitting 4 through the recess 6 at the first side 12 to the second side 14 of the layer 8.
Additional features not extensively or explicitly described in the second and third embodiments, but described above in the first embodiment, may also be used in the second and third embodiments, and thus the same reference numerals have been used in Figs. 5A-C and 6A-C. Although an active condition (L2) is not shown or described in detail with respect to the second and third embodiments, an active condition (L2) can also be implemented in the second and third embodiments and may have the similar or equivalent features as disclosed in the first embodiment.

Claims

Attachment means (2; 100; 200) for arranging a device (4), such as light fittings, in a recess (6) of a layer (8), the attachment means (2; 100; 200) comprises a roller-type spring (16), and spring releasing means (24, 42, 58; 106; 209), where a first end (28) of the spring (16) is attached at a first section (20; 110; 210) of the device (4), so that the spring (16) is rolled up, when the spring is detached by the releasing means (24, 42, 58; 106; 209), characterised in that the attachment means (2; 100; 200) comprises an elongated body (18; 101; 201), where the first end (28) of the spring (16) is attached at the first section (20; 110; 210) of a surface of the elongated body (18; 101; 201) and/or to a surface of the device (4), and a second end (30) of the spring (16) is detachably arranged to a second section (22; 112, 212) of the surface of the elongated body (18; 101; 201) and/or of the device (4) when the spring is unrolled, so that the spring (16) is rolled up, when the spring is detached by the releasing means (24, 42, 58; 106; 209) from the second section (22; 112, 212) of the surface of the body (18; 101; 201) and/or of the device (4).
The attachment means according to claim 1, characterized in that the roller-type spring is a variable force or a constant force spring (16).
The attachment means according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first end (28) of the spring (16) is fixed at the first section (20, 110; 210) of the elongated body (18; 101; 201) and/or of the device (4).
The attachment means according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first end (28) of the spring (16) is attached at the first section (20; 110; 210) of the elongated body (18; 101; 201) and the second end (30) of the spring (16) is detachably arranged to a second section (22; 112; 212) of the body (18; 101; 201) when the spring is unrolled, so that the spring (16) is rolled up, when the spring is detached by the releasing means (24, 42, 58; 106; 209) from the second section (22; 112; 212) of the body (18; 101; 201).
The attachment means according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment means (2) comprises an arm (32), pivotally and displaceably arranged to the elongated body (18).
The attachment means according to claim 5, characterized in that the attachment means comprises a carriage (34) that is displaceably arranged to the elongated body (18), and the arm (32) is pivotally attached to the carriage (34).
The attachment means according to claim 6, characterized in that the carriage (34), together with the arm (32), is arranged to run along a path (35) of the longitudinal extension (L) of the elongated body (18), and where the elongated body (18) is provided with longitudinally extending guiding rails (38) on each side and the carriage is provided with rail connecting means (40), that are engaged on the rails and designed such that the carriage (34) may slide securely along the running path of the elongated body (18) without any substantial resistance.
The attachment means according to claim 7, characterized in that, at the lowermost end of the first section (20) of the elongated body (18), a safety catch (36) is provided that prevents the carriage (34) from leaving the running path of the elongated body (18).
The attachment means according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, at the uppermost end of the second section (22) of the elongated body (18), a transport locking member (42) is provided that is resiliently arranged via a leg (43) to the elongated body (18) at one end of the leg (43), and the other end of leg (43) of transport locking member (42) is connected to a bridging plate (46).
The attachment means according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that safety hooks (44) are fixedly arranged to the carriage (34).
The attachment means according to claim 10, characterized in that the safety hooks (44) are provided for engagement with an upper edge (47) on the bridging plate (46) of the transport locking member (42), when the hooks (44) are displaced upwardly (P1) together with the carriage (34).
Light fittings (4) for suspension in a wall or a ceiling (8), the light fittings (4) comprises at least one attachment means (2) according to any of claims 1-11.
Use of roller-type spring (16) in attachment means (2) according to any of claims 1-11 or in light fittings (4) according to claim 12.
Method for mounting of light fittings (4) according to claim 12, in which the method comprises the following steps:
a) altering the attachment means (2) in a secure condition (Fig. 1A) to an active condition (Fig. 1 B) by operating the releasing means such that the spring is free to move in the direction towards the first section (20) of the elongated body (18) or the light fittings (4), where the spring 16 is allowed to roll up, due to the spring force, over an edge of a carriage (34) having an arm (32), and that the carriage (34) is prevented from running further by a stop member (48),

b) inserting the portion of the light fitting (4) having the attachment means (2), in a recess (6) of a layer (8), such as an opening of a roof/ceiling or wall panel, and

c) altering the attachment means (2) in the active condition (Fig. 1 B) to a lifting condition (Fig. 1C-E) by turning (T) the arm (32) towards approximately a perpendicular position of the arm (32) relative the elongated body (18) or the light fittings (4), such that the angle (α) between the arm (32) and the elongated body (18) or the light fittings (4) is increased further than a predetermined limit of the angle (α_max), so the carriage (34) and the roller-type spring (16) can be released and free to run further downwards along the running path, whereby, owing to the spring force of roller-type spring (16), sufficient lifting force is obtained a light fitting, provided with the attachment means (2), can be supported in an intended position at a wall or a ceiling panel.
Method according to claim 14, further comprising the step:
when the attachment means (2) is in the lifting condition (Fig. 1C-E), it can be altered to the secure condition (Fig. 1A), by bringing the carriage (34) with the arm (32) and the roller-type spring (16) upwards (P1) along the running path to the secure condition (Fig. 1A), whereby the carriage once again can be locked in the secure condition (Fig. 1A).