EP3470733B1 - Système d'éclairage modulaire utilisant des éléments de suspension et des barres d'alimentation - Google Patents

Système d'éclairage modulaire utilisant des éléments de suspension et des barres d'alimentation Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3470733B1
EP3470733B1 EP18207866.7A EP18207866A EP3470733B1 EP 3470733 B1 EP3470733 B1 EP 3470733B1 EP 18207866 A EP18207866 A EP 18207866A EP 3470733 B1 EP3470733 B1 EP 3470733B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hangers
bars
bar
hanger
canopy
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP18207866.7A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3470733A1 (fr
Inventor
Robert A. Sonneman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Contemporary Visions LLC
Original Assignee
Contemporary Visions LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US15/197,919 external-priority patent/US9879845B2/en
Application filed by Contemporary Visions LLC filed Critical Contemporary Visions LLC
Publication of EP3470733A1 publication Critical patent/EP3470733A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3470733B1 publication Critical patent/EP3470733B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V21/00—Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips
    • F21V21/008—Suspending from a cable or suspension line
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S8/00—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation
    • F21S8/04—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation intended only for mounting on a ceiling or the like overhead structures
    • F21S8/06—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation intended only for mounting on a ceiling or the like overhead structures by suspension
    • F21S8/063—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation intended only for mounting on a ceiling or the like overhead structures by suspension with a rigid pendant, i.e. a pipe or rod
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S8/00—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation
    • F21S8/04—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation intended only for mounting on a ceiling or the like overhead structures
    • F21S8/06—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation intended only for mounting on a ceiling or the like overhead structures by suspension
    • F21S8/065—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation intended only for mounting on a ceiling or the like overhead structures by suspension multi-branched, e.g. a chandelier
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V21/00—Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips
    • F21V21/10—Pendants, arms, or standards; Fixing lighting devices to pendants, arms, or standards
    • F21V21/104—Pendants
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V21/00—Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips
    • F21V21/10—Pendants, arms, or standards; Fixing lighting devices to pendants, arms, or standards
    • F21V21/116—Fixing lighting devices to arms or standards
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V21/00—Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips
    • F21V21/34—Supporting elements displaceable along a guiding element
    • F21V21/35—Supporting elements displaceable along a guiding element with direct electrical contact between the supporting element and electric conductors running along the guiding element

Definitions

  • This invention pertains to a modular system having components that can be assembled to form multi-level lights of various sizes, shapes and configurations.
  • the main elements are canopies supporting the system, hangers, power bars, and pendants, preferably including light engines driving LED bulbs.
  • ceiling lights Several different types are presently available, including surface mounted lights, recessed lights and hanging lights disposed on tracks either attached to the ceiling or suspended below the ceiling.
  • the first two light categories are very conventional and are disadvantageous because the positions of the lights are fixed and the configurations available for each light is very limited.
  • Conventional track lighting provides a little more flexibility especially as far as the positions of the lights are concerned.
  • the number, size and shape of light fixtures that can be used in such systems is fairly limited.
  • a modular lighting system for providing light in a space includes canopies connectable to a power source; a plurality of horizontal bars; a plurality of hangers, including a first set of hangers supporting bars from said canopy and a second set of hangers, each said hangers including a first end disposed between and engaging said bar segment.
  • the system further includes a plurality of pendants supported by the second set of hangers from the bars. The hangers and bars cooperate to provide electric power to said pendants from said canopy.
  • each bar includes two bar segments facing each other and being made of a non-conductive material.
  • Conductive rails are provided on the inner surface of each bar segment.
  • the hangers include a base configured to form an interference fit with the bar segments.
  • the hangers are made of conductive rods or cables that are in electrical contact with the rails through the respective bases.
  • the bars are straight or linear. In another embodiment, the bars are circular or have some other curvilinear shape.
  • the bars preferably extend horizontally, however different bars are disposed at different heights and are supported from one or more canopies or straight from a ceiling by hangers of various configurations or cables.
  • At least one of the canopies is connected to a line voltage and transformer is used to step down the line voltage to a lower voltage such as 24 vac which is then distributed to the pendants through the hangers and bars.
  • the pendants include light emitting elements such as LEDs, electronic circuitry for driving the LEDs, and are preferably shaped for heat dissipation. Since the LEDs have a long life, they are not replaceable but instead the whole pendant is replaced as needed.
  • One class of configuration may include several bars disposed in a vertical plane. In another class of configurations, several bars extend at different angles in one plane, and are joined at a common point. Another class of configurations may include a combination of the first to classes. Another class of configurations may include several bars disposed at different heights or tiers, some bars being perpendicular to other bars.
  • the present invention pertains to a modular lighting system having a plurality of interchangeable elements that can be combined in many different ways to obtain a large variety of configurations.
  • Figs. 1-6 show four such systems identified respectively as 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E and 10F.
  • each system includes one or more canopies 100, a plurality of hangers 200, a plurality of power bars 300 and a plurality of pendants 400.
  • some systems may also include optional connectors 500.
  • all the hangers and all power bars consist of two elements that have dual functions, they support the pendants 400 and they provide power to the pendants, with one elements forming the positive or hot power connection and the other element defining the negative or ground power connection.
  • system 10 in the Fig. 1 system 10A includes a canopy 100 that supports the system from a ceiling or other similar architectural member in a conventional manner.
  • the canopy also provides power to the system.
  • Canopy 100 includes a conventional power supply connected to standard AC lines for providing power to the LED tubes in the pendants as discussed below. The power supply is hidden within the canopy.
  • each hanger discussed hereinafter consists of two solid bars or rods. These hangers are termed the power feed hangers. In an alternate embodiment the hangers are replaced by multi-strand twisted cables. As explained above, each hanger is formed of two elements (e.g., rods or cables). Preferably only two of the four elements (e.g., the rods of hanger 202) carry power and the other two elements are used for support.
  • the hangers 202, 204 are used to support a power bar 302.
  • Two hangers 206, 208 are used to support a second power bar 304 and are termed bar hangers.
  • Another set of hangers 210-218 are used to support a plurality of pendants 402-410. These hangers are termed pendant hangers.
  • the pendants 402-410 preferably include LED.
  • canopy 100 includes a transformer steps down the line voltage from a standard power line to 24 VAC for the pendants 402-410.
  • the other hanger 204 may be electrically floating.
  • the power from the hanger 202 flows through the bar segments of bar 302, hanger 206, bar 304 and hangers 210-212 to the pendants.
  • only some of the pendants carry power but all the power bars do.
  • Fig. 2 shows a system 10B in which three bars 306 are connected at a common connector 308 that keeps the bars at a specific angle with respect to each other to form a Y-shaped arrangement. This angle could be 120°, 45°, 135°, etc. and the bars may but need not be disposed at a constant angle between each other. Bars 306 are supported by respective hangers 202, 204, 206 from the canopy 102 as shown. The pendants and hangers supporting them have been omitted in this figure for the sake of simplicity.
  • Fig. 3 shows a system 10C with pendants arranged at several levels and extending in different directions from a central point below the canopy 102. This is achieved by starting with a Y-shaped bar arrangement of Fig. 2 formed again of three bars 306 supported by hangers 202, 204, 206 and joined by a connector 308. However, in this case, each bar 306 is used to support another bar 310, each bar 310 being supported by a pair of hangers 208, 210. Hanging from each bar 310 are a plurality of pendants 410 supported by hangers 212. All of pendants 410 supported by the same bar 310 can be disposed at different height, or different hangers may be disposed at different heights.
  • Fig. 4 shows yet another system 10D.
  • This system 10D includes a canopy 104 with a transformer 106. Attached to the canopy 104 is a first bar 302A using two hangers 214. As opposed to the hangers discussed previously, hangers 214 have a single extended element, such as bar, as described in more detail later. Each of the hangers 214 provides power to one of the elements of bar 302A. However because the bar 302A is not centered below the canopy 104 but extends in one direction away therefrom, another hanger 216, which may be referred to as a ceiling hanger, is used to support a distal end 314 of bar 302. At its top, hanger 216 is attached to a sleeve 106 secured to the ceiling in a conventional manner.
  • Hangers 218 are used to attach respective pendants 402 from bus 302.
  • Another hanger 220 is used to support a cluster of pendants 410.
  • a second bar 304A is also provided.
  • This bar 304A is supported at one end by a hanger 222 from bar 302A.
  • This hanger 222 also provides power to bar 304A.
  • a third bar 306 is also provided that is supported from the ceiling by ceiling hangers 216 (only one such ceiling hanger is being shown for the sake of clarity).
  • Bar 306 supports the second end of bar 304A and receives power from said bus 304 through hanger 224.
  • Each of the bars 302A, 304A, 306 can be used to hang pendants of various sizes and shapes and arranged in different configurations as desired.
  • Fig. 5 shows another system 10E having a canopy 100E supporting two ringshaped, rather than rectilinear bars 330, 332 arranged at two levels and with various shapes and types of pendants 420 extending downwardly from the respective bars 330, 332, each being supported and powered by a respective hanger 218. Since the diameters of the ringshaped bars 330, 332 are larger than the diameter of the canopy 100E, rods or cables 221.
  • Fig. 6 shows a wall-mounted system 10F with a wall mounted canopy 112.
  • a horizontal bar 321 attached directly to and extending away from the canopy 112 provides power and supports a pendant 402 via a hanger 221. Alternately, other horizontal bars may be supported from bar 321 for hanging various pendants (not shown).
  • a generic bar 300 Details of a generic bar 300 are shown in Figs. 7A -7K . Unless otherwise noted, all the bars discussed here have the same configuration. In this Figure, bar 300 is shown as being straight however, it can be circular ellipsoid or can have other geometric shape.
  • the bar 300 includes two identical longitudinal segments 352, 354 facing each other. A cross- sectional view of segment 354 is seen in Fig. 7B .
  • Segment 354 is formed of a C-shaped main body 355 made of a non-conductive material, such as a plastic material that is light weight but strong so that it can support various pendants, other bars, etc.
  • a rail 356 is formed of a light weight conductive material such as aluminum.
  • Preferably rail 356 is formed with a rectangular channel 360.
  • the two segments 352, 354 are joined together at the two ends by end connectors 362.
  • the connectors 362 are attached to the bars by conventional means, such as screws 364, by an adhesive or other means.
  • the two segments 352, 354 have inner surfaces spaced at a nominal distance d throughout the length of the bar 300.
  • the bar 300 is made in standard lengths ranging from to 12 to 48 inches.
  • a spacer 366 is placed between the segments. The spacer 366 may be held in place by screws or other means.
  • Fig. 7C shows details of a connector 370 used to connect three bars, for example for the systems of Figs. 2 and 3 .
  • the connector 370 is formed of three arms 372 disposed at an angle of 120 degrees.
  • the inner surfaces of the arms 372 are provided with rails 374 having the size and shape to fit into the channels of the rails of bars 300.
  • Three bars having the same, or different length are attached telescopically to the connector 370.
  • Each canopy 100 includes a cup-shaped housing 120 that can be cylindrical, square, rectangular, etc.
  • the housing 120 holds a transformer 122 receiving power from line wires 124 and outputting power at a lower voltage on output wires 126.
  • the output wires 126 are connected to a terminal strip 127 used to distributed the low ac voltage power through a plurality of lines 129.
  • transformer 122 outputs power at about 24 vac.
  • the housing 120 is provided with a plurality of ferrules 130.
  • these ferrules 130 may be arranged single or in pairs, and a canopy may be provided with two four, six, eight ferrules, etc. Some of the ferrules provide power to the respective hangers or cables and also provide structural support. Other ferrules do not provide power but merely provide structural support.
  • each conducting ferrule 130 terminates in a threaded bolt 132.
  • An eyelet 134 is attached to each bolt 132 using a threaded nut 133 or other conventional means. Each eyelet is connected to one of the output wires 129.
  • each ferule 130 further includes cylindrical sleeve 140 with a ferule body 147 attached to bolt 132 and extending through the housing 120 and below surface 128.
  • the sleeve 140 is electrically insulated from the housing 120 and receives the conductive end of a rod 142 forming a part of a hanger as described below or a cable.
  • a set screw 144 is used to secure the rod 142 in the sleeve 140.
  • a washer 139 is disposed below nut 133 and is insulated from the housing 120 by an insulating disc 143.
  • a second insulating disc 145 is disposed above the ferule body 147 to insulate it from the housing 120 as well.
  • the rod 142 is preferably covered with an insulator 149.
  • the non-conductive ferrules have a similar configuration but are not connected to any output wires 126.
  • the ferrules receive rods similar to rod 142 but these latter rods do not provide power.
  • hangers for supporting bars from canopies There are several different types of bar hangers are provided: hangers for supporting bars from canopies, hangers for supporting bars from ceilings (without a power connection), hangers for supporting one bar from another bar and hangers for supporting pendants. All these hangers have must be able to interface with a bar at least at one end as described below.
  • bar-to-bar hangers There are two types bar-to-bar hangers: parallel hangers for connecting two parallel bars and perpendicular hangers connecting two bars running perpendicular two each other.
  • Figs. 9A-9G show details of parallel bar hanger such as hanger 206 supporting bar 304 from bar 302 in Fig. 1 .
  • the hanger 206 includes two vertical segments 230A, 230B. At the top and the bottom, the two segments 230A, 230B have their ends imbedded in identical W-shaped bases 232, shown in more detail in Figs. 9B-9E .
  • the base 232 forms two channels 234, 236 with a wall 238 separating the two channels.
  • the base 232 is further formed with two metallic springs or clips 240, 242. Clip 240 is electrically attached to segment 230A within the base 232, and clip 242 is connected to segment 230B.
  • base 232 is made of a non-conductive material and is overmolded to cover portions of the clips 240, 242 and segments 230A, 230B.
  • the two bases 232 have a single, unitary structure.
  • at least the top base is made of two sections 232A, 232B that snap together along line 232 forming an interference fit therebetween.
  • the bases 232 as sized and shaped so that they fit over and engage the bars 302, 304.
  • the clips 240, 242 are sized and shaped so that they engage the rails 356, 358.
  • the clips 240, 242 have a flat section 244 sized and shaped to snap into the channels 356, 358 of the bars 302, 304. In this manner not only do the clips 240, 242 provide a solid electrical contact with the rails 356, 358 but they also stabilize the hangers on the bars and insure that the lower bar 304 remains stiff and does move around in use.
  • the clips may be made from beryllium copper.
  • Hanger 208 has a similar configuration however the clips need not be connected electrically to the hanger segments. In other cases, for example, in the configuration shown in Fig. 4 , hangers 222 do provide electrical connection to bars 304A and 306.
  • the hanger segments 230A, 230B are provided in various lengths as required to obtain the various systems described above, and they are preferably made in the shape of rods of a stiff but somewhat springy material having shape memory such as a phosphor/bronze alloy. Preferably except where an electrical contact is required, the rods are covered or painted with with a thin electrically insulating material.
  • the hangers can be installed by separating the two segments 230A, 230B, passing the ends of the respective bars 302, 304... between the segments, then lowering or raising the bars toward the respective bases 232 and then snapping the bases onto the bars into the configurations shown in Figs. 9F and 9G .
  • the power bars extend perpendicularly to each other.
  • bars 302 and 304 are perpendicular to each other.
  • These bars are interconnected using a hanger 222 shown in Figs. 9H-9J .
  • This hanger 222 has two segments 272A, 272B and a base 232 similar to the base 232 in Figs. 9A-9G .
  • at the bottom hanger 222 is provided with a different base 274.
  • This base 274 is formed with two side wings 274A, 274B and a center wall 274C.
  • Clips 276, 278 are provided on the center wall 274C and are connected electrically with segments 272A, 272B, respectively as show in Fig. 9J .
  • the center wall 274C is made with two holes 280A, 280B with the lower ends of segments 272A, 272B extending into the holes and being secured to the base 222.
  • the base 270 is sized and shaped to engage and support the power bar segments 304A, 304B of a bar 304A with the segments 272A, 272B providing power to these power bar segments.
  • the base 232 engages the segments of the bar 302 in the manner discussed above.
  • Fig. 10 shows a side view of a hanger having a base 232 and two segments 252A, 252B.
  • the difference between this hanger and the hanger in Figs. 9A is that the ends of segments 252A, 252B are straight bare ends of the conductive rods. This bare ends are then inserted into the ferrules 130 as shown in Fig. 8D . (Of course, for this use, the hanger is turned upside down).
  • the hanger is used a pendant cluster such as cluster 410 in Fig.4 or other pendants.
  • Fig. 11 shows a single rod hanger 214.
  • This hanger 214 includes a base 274A similar to base 274 shown in Figs. 9H , 9J .
  • the base 274A has two clips 276, 278.
  • the clips 276, 278 engage the rail within the bar 302A as discussed above.
  • only one of the clips is connected to rod 272C.
  • the free end 272D of the rod 272C is attached to the ferrule of a canopy.
  • Two such hangers 214 are used to support bar 302A (as seen in Fig. 4 ), with each of the hangers feeding power to one of the rails of the bar.
  • Fig. 12A-12C show a nonconductive hanger 216 used for supporting a bar, such as bar 304A in Fig. 4 from a ceiling.
  • This hanger 216 provides only support and therefore it can have an elongated member 272D which may but need not be identical to the rod 272C in Fig. 11 .
  • the member 272D ends in a base 274B that is similar to the base 274 but need not have any clips since there is no need to connect to the rails of the bus 304A. Since there are no clips provided for the base 274B, a cover 274C is attached to the body 274D of the base 274B to insure that the bar does not slip out.
  • the cover 274C is attached to the body 274D by screws 274E or other conventional means.
  • the other end of the elongated member 272D is attached to a sleeve 277 via a set screw 277A.
  • the ferrule 277 is similar to the ferrules of the canopy 100 in that it has a similar sleeve for capturing the end of the member 272D.
  • a small screw (not shown) is used as an attachment means.
  • a large screw 279 or other conventional means may be used to attach the sleeve 277 directly to the ceiling or other architectural surface.
  • the screw 279 is attached to a mounting post 281 and an anchor 283 ( Fig. 12C ).
  • Figs. 13A-13C show a top, plan and isometric view of lamp cluster 410.
  • the cluster 410 includes a distributor 430, and three pairs of connectors 432 connecting the distributor 430 to three pendants 402A, 402B, 402C.
  • the pendants can have the same or different shapes.
  • the distributor has to top holes 434, 436. The ends of the rods shown in Fig. 9 are inserted into the holes 434, 436 and then set screws on the sides of the distributor, such as at 438 are tightened thereby attaching and mechanically securing the pendant cluster 410 to the hanger. The hanger and the cluster can now be hanged from a bar 300.
  • FIG. 14A shows an orthogonal view of hanger 210 being inserted into pendant 402.
  • the hanger 210 includes two vertical segments 602A, 602B joined by standard base 232.
  • the segment 602A is terminated at the bottom with a connecting spade 604 that has a generally flat, rectangular cross section (as seen in Fig, 14D ) of thickness t1.
  • Spade 604 includes a narrow shank 606 having a height h1 and a generally square tip having a width w1.
  • Segment 602B has the same shape as segment 602A and the two spades 604 are normally aligned in parallel to each other and perpendicular to the plane formed by the two parallel segments 602A, 602B, as seen in Fig. 14A .
  • the Pendant 410 is formed with an upper and a lower section 610, 612 (see Fig. 14L ).
  • the upper section 610 contains a light engine (not shown) that is powered by the 24 vac source provided by the segments 602A, 602B and generates appropriate power to light generators (such as LEDs -not shown) disposed in the lower section 612.
  • the walls of the lower section are translucent or transparent to allow the light from the light sources to be projected outwardly and provide space illumination.
  • Various pendants may have sections of different shapes and sizes.
  • the upper section 610 includes a cavity 620 with two holes 622, 624 .
  • the cavity 620 holds two contacts 630, 640 (see Figs. 14E, 14F ). Each contact is connected to the light engine (not shown).
  • Contact 630 is formed with two facing blades having flat portions 632, 634. The distance between the blade portions 632, 634 is t2 which is preferably equal or slightly larger than t1 but smaller than w.
  • Contact 640 has two similar blades with flat portions 642, 644. The blade portions 632, 634, 642, 644 have a height h2 that is slightly smaller than height h1.
  • the pendant 410 is attached to the hanger 210 as follows. First, the hanger 210 is positioned on top of pendant 410 with the tips of spades 604 inserted into holes 622, 624 as seen in Fig, 14A , 14G . In this orientation, the spades 604 come into contact with the top pf respective blades 630, 640, as shown in Fig, 14H and stop because they can go no further.
  • the pendant 610 and top of the hanger 210 is rotated in direction A by a quarter turn (90 degrees). This rotation causes the spades 604 to turn by the same angle so that they are now in parallel with the blade sections 632, 634, or 642,644 respectively, as seen in Figs. 14I and 14J .
  • the hanger 210 can be and is pushed further downward so that the the spades 604 enter into cavity 620 between the blades. This motion downward can continue until the tips 608 pass the blade sections 632, 634, 642, 644 ( Fig. 14K ).
  • the hanger 210 is released and the spring action of the two segments 602A, 602B cause the top of the hanger 210 to rotate back in direction B ( Fig. 14L ) toward its natural or rest configuration. This action causes the spades 604 to rotate as well. As this action is completed, the tips 608 become trapped under the blade sections (see Figs. 14M-14O ). In this manner the hanger 210 and pendant 410 become interlocked.
  • the hanger 210 and pendant 410 can be attached to any bus 300 as required. If necessary, the pendant 410 can be separated from the hanger 210 by twisting it by a quarter turn and reversing the sequence discussed above.
  • all these systems have one or more canopies, buses, and hangers that provide a power supply for the canopies.
  • power within the system is distributed at 24 vac to the individual pendants.
  • Light engines within the pendants the use this source to generate light via LEDs or other similar efficient, long life light elements.
  • the systems do not use any conventional bulbs that need replacement. It is presently estimated that the linear distance between a canopy and the furthest pendant can be up to about 30 feet. For larger systems, it is advisable to use two or more canopies.
  • the bars can be interconnected mechanically but isolated electrically as needed.
  • one bar of a system for example bar 306 can have two sections 306A, 306B that are electrically insulated from each other with the rails of each section being fed and electrically connected to a different canopy 100.
  • each system can be assembled very quickly and efficiently using the various components described above.
  • many different kinds of pendants can be used with the system. As long as each pendant is capable of being connected to any of the hangers described above, it can be incorporated into a system without any changes to any of its other components.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Claims (8)

  1. Système d'éclairage modulaire destiné à fournir de la lumière dans un espace et comprenant :
    une monture (100 ; 102 ; 104 ; 100E) pouvant être reliée à une source d'alimentation ;
    une pluralité de barres horizontales (300 ; 302 ; 304 ; 330 ; 332) comportant chacune deux segments de barre parallèles (354, 356) s'étendant parallèlement et équidistants l'un de l'autre ;
    une pluralité d'éléments de suspension (202, 204, 206, 208, 212, 214, 218, 221, 222), comportant un premier ensemble d'éléments de suspension (202, 204, 206, 214) supportant des barres (302, 306) à partir de ladite monture (100 ; 102 ; 104 ; 100E) et un second ensemble d'éléments de suspension (208, 210, 212, 214, 218), chacun desdits éléments de suspension comportant une première extrémité disposée entre lesdits segments de barre (354, 356) et venant en prise avec ceux-ci ; et
    une pluralité de lampes suspendues (402, 404, 406, 408, 410) supportées par ledit second ensemble d'éléments de suspension (208, 210, 212, 214, 218) à partir desdites barres (304 ; 310 ; 330 ; 332) ;
    dans lequel lesdits éléments de suspension et lesdites barres coopèrent pour fournir de l'énergie électrique auxdites lampes suspendues (402, 404, 406, 408, 410) à partir de ladite monture,
    lesdits segments de barre (354, 356) comportant un premier segment de barre (354) et un second segment de barre (356) agencés dans une relation de face à face l'un avec l'autre pour définir un espace entre eux,
    caractérisé en ce que lesdits segments de barre (354, 356) présentent des surfaces internes respectives faites d'un matériau électroconducteur, chaque surface interne étant formée avec une tranchée venant en prise avec une extrémité de l'un desdits éléments de suspension (202, 204, 206, 208, 212, 214, 218, 221, 222).
  2. Système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel au moins un desdits éléments de suspension comporte une première et une seconde tige (221 ; 230A ; 230B ; 272A, 272B) faites d'un matériau électroconducteur.
  3. Système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel au moins un desdits éléments de suspension comporte un câble.
  4. Système selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre des éléments de suspension non conducteurs prévus pour supporter certaines desdites barres.
  5. Système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel au moins une desdites barres est linéaire et comporte un premier connecteur (362) disposé à une extrémité de chaque segment de barre (354, 356) et un second connecteur (362) disposé à une autre extrémité de chaque segment de barre (354, 356), lesdits connecteurs (362) étant agencés pour maintenir lesdits segments de barre (354, 356) ensemble à une distance présélectionnée.
  6. Système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdites barres (300 ; 302 ; 304 ; 330 ; 332) sont linéaires et sont reliées entre elles pour former une configuration linéaire s'étendant dans une direction ou plusieurs directions.
  7. Système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel au moins certaines desdites barres (306) sont reliées les unes aux autres à une extrémité pour former une configuration en étoile.
  8. Système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel au moins une desdites barres (304) est suspendue par un élément de suspension de barre (206, 208) depuis une autre desdites barres (302).
EP18207866.7A 2016-01-07 2017-01-09 Système d'éclairage modulaire utilisant des éléments de suspension et des barres d'alimentation Active EP3470733B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201662275921P 2016-01-07 2016-01-07
US15/197,919 US9879845B2 (en) 2016-01-07 2016-06-30 Modular lighting system using hangers and power bars
US15/251,369 US10151465B2 (en) 2016-01-07 2016-08-30 Modular lighting system with a plurality of power bars
US15/255,289 US9777899B2 (en) 2016-01-07 2016-09-02 Support for pendant clusters
US15/286,977 US10203100B2 (en) 2016-01-07 2016-10-06 Method and apparatus for hanging lighting fixtures
US15/287,897 US10036541B2 (en) 2016-01-07 2016-10-07 Canopy for a modular lighting system
US15/378,207 US10018339B2 (en) 2016-01-07 2016-12-14 Modular lighting system using hangers and power bars
EP17150686.8A EP3196547B1 (fr) 2016-01-07 2017-01-09 Système d'éclairage modulaire utilisant des éléments de suspension et des barres d'alimentation

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP17150686.8A Division EP3196547B1 (fr) 2016-01-07 2017-01-09 Système d'éclairage modulaire utilisant des éléments de suspension et des barres d'alimentation

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3470733A1 EP3470733A1 (fr) 2019-04-17
EP3470733B1 true EP3470733B1 (fr) 2019-12-18

Family

ID=57796164

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP17150686.8A Not-in-force EP3196547B1 (fr) 2016-01-07 2017-01-09 Système d'éclairage modulaire utilisant des éléments de suspension et des barres d'alimentation
EP18207866.7A Active EP3470733B1 (fr) 2016-01-07 2017-01-09 Système d'éclairage modulaire utilisant des éléments de suspension et des barres d'alimentation

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP17150686.8A Not-in-force EP3196547B1 (fr) 2016-01-07 2017-01-09 Système d'éclairage modulaire utilisant des éléments de suspension et des barres d'alimentation

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (2) EP3196547B1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9879845B2 (en) 2016-01-07 2018-01-30 Robert A. Sonneman Modular lighting system using hangers and power bars
US10359182B2 (en) 2016-11-09 2019-07-23 Contemporary Visions, LLC Ring power bar hanger for modular lighting fixture
US10174923B2 (en) 2016-11-09 2019-01-08 Contemporary Visions, LLC Hanger for a modular lighting system having a main body with two channels to accommodate two segments of a power bar
US10151466B2 (en) 2016-11-09 2018-12-11 Contemporary Visions, LLC Laterally supported lights
US10281126B2 (en) 2016-11-09 2019-05-07 Contemporary Visions, LLC Power bar hanger for modular lighting system
US10041662B2 (en) 2016-11-09 2018-08-07 Robert A. Sonneman Light bar for a lighting system
US10184645B2 (en) 2016-11-09 2019-01-22 Contemporary Visions, LLC Cylindrical housing for modular lighting system
CN107654918B (zh) * 2017-10-20 2024-03-15 佛山科学技术学院 一种升降式舞台灯

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR608016A (fr) * 1925-12-16 1926-07-13 Dispositif pour la concentration des flux lumineux émanant de sources différentes sur une même surface
US6716042B2 (en) * 2002-07-05 2004-04-06 Michael Lin Track system of projector lamp and electrical connection device assembly thereof
CN200986123Y (zh) * 2006-12-06 2007-12-05 区炳文 磁接式低压灯具
US8714775B2 (en) * 2011-04-11 2014-05-06 Swarovski Lighting, Ltd. Light fixtures, methods of suspending a plurality of light sources, an ornament mounting, and a method for mounting an ornament
US9464772B2 (en) * 2014-01-13 2016-10-11 Cordelia Lighting Inc. Ambient directional combination light fixture

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3196547B1 (fr) 2018-11-28
EP3196547A1 (fr) 2017-07-26
EP3470733A1 (fr) 2019-04-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10527269B2 (en) Modular lighting system using hangers and power bars
EP3470733B1 (fr) Système d'éclairage modulaire utilisant des éléments de suspension et des barres d'alimentation
EP3327345A2 (fr) Boîtier cylindrique pour système d'éclairage modulaire
CA2984652C (fr) Support de barre d'alimentation destine a un systeme d'eclairage modulaire
EP3321569A1 (fr) Cintre à profil bas pour système d'éclairage modulaire
EP3321563A1 (fr) Barre lumineuse pour un système d'éclairage
CA2991974C (fr) Systeme d'eclairage modulaire employant des supports et des barres d'alimentation
EP3321568A1 (fr) Lumières supportées latéralement

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 3196547

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: P

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20190503

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20190624

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 3196547

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: P

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602017009961

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1215011

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20200115

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20191218

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200319

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200318

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200318

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2775948

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20200728

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200418

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602017009961

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20200131

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1215011

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20191218

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200109

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20200921

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200131

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200131

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200131

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200109

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200218

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20210109

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210109

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20220127

Year of fee payment: 6

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20220104

Year of fee payment: 6

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20220210

Year of fee payment: 6

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191218

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602017009961

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230801

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230109

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20240326

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230110

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230110