FR2607223A1 - Longitudinal profiled section with multiple mechanical and decorative functions for lamp components and lamps thus designed - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a longitudinal profiled section having at least two longitudinal lips with or without decorative films allowing the assembling of decorative panels, the mechanical assembling of decorative elements, the mechanical assembling of foldable or kit-form lamp modules. This profiled section allows interchangeability of the decorative panels and improves the quality of the finishing whilst providing additional decoration. The longitudinal profiled section according to the invention is in particular intended for the manufacture of lamps.

Description

 The present invention relates mainly to assembly elements, to structural elements composing the luminaire and to decorative elements.

 This invention relates to the lighting industry and more specifically the field of manufacturing lamps, lampshades, suspensions, lanterns, wall lights, ceiling lights.

 The luminaires concerned are articles made up of modules with glued panels or lampshades with glued panels.

 The panels of the modules or lampshades can be flat, concave, convex or concave and convex at the same time.

The panels of the modules or lampshades can be of peripheral, regular or irregular polygonal shapes.

 These panels rest on a wire frame of round section with a diameter between 3 and 4 millimeters.

In the case of module luminaires, the metal frames of the modules are connected together by welding, thus obtaining a rigid structure like the lampshade carcass.

 The main difficulty encountered in the current manufacture of this kind of lighting consists in fixing the decorative element called a panel, previously cut out according to the shape of the modules or lampshade panels making up this lighting.

 A process is known which consists in gluing these decorative panels to the frame of the modules making up the luminaire or of the carcass of panel lampshades.

These decorative panels are of various compositions: they can be made of translucent PVC on which a fabric or any other decorative material is laminated, they can be non-laminated and in the most diverse materials.

 The contact by bonding between the decorative panel and the frame of the module or the lampshade carcass is very weak, the decorative appearance leaves something to be desired, the glue burrs being apparent and the risks of takeoff due to handling, storage or aging of the glue are numerous.

 There is also known a process complementary to the previous one, consisting of gluing a paper or textile strip around the periphery of the panel enveloping the edge thereof and the frame of the module or of the lampshade carcass, making it possible to hide the glue burrs and reducing the take off of the panels. These are very long and complicated operations requiring extensive staff training and a high manufacturing cost.

 To this end, the invention essentially relates to a longitudinal profile of colors generally corresponding to the furniture shades chosen according to the nature of the materials making up the decorative panels.

 The longitudinal profile is obtained by a die whose manufacturing techniques are known.

The longitudinal profile is cut along the lengths and angles corresponding to the different parts making up the polygonal modules.

 The longitudinal profile must be flexible to obtain concave or convex curves, but hard enough to support the decorative panels.

 The longitudinal profile has a shape which can vary according to its function and its decorative aspect linked to. luminaire, but in all cases there is one common point, its shape must allow it to be assembled by clipping onto the frame of the module or the lampshade carcass made of round section wire.

 In addition to its simplicity and the resulting economy, this invention has the advantage of making it possible to obtain a perfect finish of the luminaire without the need, as in the case of glued panels, to apply a strip hiding the burrs of bonding, without the need, as in the case of glued panels, to install decorative trimmings, without the need to glue the decorative panel to the module, thus allowing interchangeability of the decorative panels as desired.

This interchangeability is not achievable in the case of glued panels.

This invention is essentially characterized by very specific functions
- an essential function is to allow the assembly of decorative panels without take-off, or with bonding with a support surface of several millimeters in the plane of the panel, but without letting appear glue burrs.

 - an essential function is the clipping of the profile on the frame of the module or the lampshade carcass in round section wire. I1 is obtained by simple pressure of the fingers, it thus perfectly follows the curves in the plane of the frame of the module or of the lampshade carcass, the longitudinal profile thus enveloping the section of the wire over about 2/3 of its circumference.

The same length of longitudinal profile makes it possible to receive and assemble several elements of straight or curved wire, thus ensuring a mechanical connection of certain elements composing the carcass of the luminaire.

This clipping function allows the interchangeability of these elements making up the luminaire carcass, thus offering flexibility of the variants compared to the basic product.

This clipping function also allows folding in the case of luminaires with even number modules, the longitudinal profile acting as a hinge thereby reducing storage and transport costs.

This invention has the advantage of allowing assemblies ensuring a connection of the modules together while retaining the decorative appearance.

 - an essential function of the longitudinal profile is also decoration. The coloring of the longitudinal profile and the wide range of colors makes it possible to make a very precise choice of color.

Other decorative elements can be added to the mass decoration of the longitudinal profile, for example, during the manufacture of the longitudinal profile at the outlet of the die, can be added a plasticized metal film in the desired width and in the chosen decoration thus bringing an additional decorative element.

 In any case, the invention will be clearly understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings representing, by way of nonlimiting examples, some embodiments of longitudinal profiles with the various nonlimiting functions obtained with these longitudinal profiles in the construction of panel luminaires.

 - Figure 1 shows, in section, the longitudinal profile according to the invention.

 - Figure 2 shows, in section, a variant of the longitudinal profile.

 - Figure 3 shows, in section, a variant of the longitudinal profile.

 - Figure 4 shows, in section, a variant of the longitudinal profile.

 - Figure 5 is a detailed view, in section, of a variant of the longitudinal profile clipped onto a wire frame of round section as well as a decorative panel assembled on the longitudinal profile.

 - Figure 6 shows a lampshade with panels on a rigid carcass.

 - Figure 7 is a detail view of the encircled part of Figure 6 showing the detail of the assembly of the longitudinal profile cut in miter.

 - Figure 8 shows a module light with 3 panels to hang.

 - Figure 9 shows a light screen to ask.

 - Figure 10 is a left view of the light screen in Figure 9 showing the detail of the socket support with the screen support.

 - Figure 11 is a view of a module luminaire with 4 panels to be installed, the metal frame of the modules not being covered by a profile, nor by the decorative panels to facilitate understanding of the principle of assembly of the fixing the module luminaire and the connection of the modules to each other.

 FIG. 12 is a detailed view of the connection of the modules along the arrow (F) in FIG. 11.

 - Figure13 is a detailed view of the principle of assembly of the fixture of the luminaire according to the circled part of Figure 11 with the section AA.

 - Figure 14 shows a right view of Figure 13.

 - Figure 15 shows a 6-module luminaire with concave decorative panels. Ca section BB represents the detail of the means of assembly of this luminaire.

 - Figure 16 shows another means of assembling the modules together with a male longitudinal profile and a female longitudinal profile.

 FIG. 17 is the detailed section of the male longitudinal profile according to FIG. 16.

 FIG. 18 is the detailed section of the female longitudinal profile according to FIG. 16.

 - Figure 19 schematically shows luminaires with foldable modules.

 - Figure 20 schematically shows luminaires with foldable modules.

 - Figure 21 shows, in section, a variant of the longitudinal profile.

 In a first embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 17, 18, 21, 'the longitudinal profile according to the invention comprises several non-limiting variants.

 In all cases, the longitudinal profile is characterized by its internal tubular shape, the periphery of which is cylindrical or polygonal, interrupted in its lower part at the points (4).

 The distance between the points (4) is in any case less than the diameter of the cylindrical or polygonal inner tube (2), the points (4) under the effect of a pressure exerted manually or mechanically on either side of the upper part of the profile and the frame (8) of round or polygonal section (18) in contact with the inclined planes (3) thus making it possible to insert the frame (8) of the module in its tubular round or polygonal part (2 ), the points (4) returning to their initial position by the play of the elasticity of the longitudinal profile.

 To prevent possible rotation of the longitudinal profile on the straight bar (8) making up the frame of a module or the bar of a lampshade carcass, you can put a few drops of very fluid cyanoacrylate glue (in 3 and 4 ), it then penetrates by capillary action and blocks the profile in a few seconds in the desired position.

 This previously mentioned longitudinal profile is always supplemented by at least two longitudinal lips of the most diverse shapes in their section, they can be flat, concave or convex.

 These longitudinal lips are located on the outside of the tubular longitudinal profile and have a supporting or maintaining role as shown in FIG. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 13, 15, 16. These lips longitudinal can have shapes and positions adapted to the functions of the longitudinal profile.

 Figure 1 shows a variant with two longitudinal lips (5 and 6) and parallel, the free space formed by the two lips (5) and (6) corresponds to a longitudinal groove whose bottom can be convex, concave or plane.

The bottom of the longitudinal groove being substantially wider than the inlet of the longitudinal groove, thus making it possible to compensate for the variations in thickness of the decorative panels (7) that can be introduced into this groove in FIG. 5.

 This type of longitudinal profile (10) in FIG. 1 is assembled exclusively on the outer perimeters of the upper and lower rings or polygons of the rigid carcasses of panel lampshades, see FIG. 6.7. This longitudinal profile (10) is cut in a tab along the angles of the polygon.

 This type of longitudinal profile (10) in Figure 1 is assembled on modular luminaires. Each frame of the modules (8) is covered at their periphery with a number of pieces of longitudinal profile (10). This longitudinal profile (10) is cut in a tab along the angles of the polygon, see FIG. 8, 9, 10, 15.

 This variant of the longitudinal profile in Figure 1 and Figure 5 has at its upper and outer part one or more decorative films (1) previously placed hot or by adhesive bonding.

This decorative element (1) called "MYLAR" (Trademark) can be produced in a setting different from the mass of the longitudinal profile.

This decorative element can be placed projecting (Figure 1, 2, 4, 5) or recessed on a curved, concave or convex part (Figure 3) or on a continuous or alternating flat part (Figure 4).

 Figures 3 and 4 show a variant with four longitudinal and parallel lips (9). These four longitudinal lips are grouped two by two.

The formation of these groups of longitudinal lips is similar to the group in FIGS. 1 and 5.

 This longitudinal profile (9) in Figures 3 and 4 with double support for decorative panels is mounted on the bars of the rigid carcasses of panel shades as in Figures 6 and 7.

This type of longitudinal profile (9) with four lips in FIG. 3 and 4 and 9 with two lips in FIG. 21 can be used in many cases because of the symmetry of its shape.

 It can have a decorative function in the case of luminaires with rigid module, Figure 8, 11.

 I1 can have a decorative and mechanical function in the case of luminaires with removable "KIT" modules or in the case of luminaires with foldable modules. In the case of FIG. 10, it can be seen that sockets (12) are welded to the module frame on the two oblique sides. These sockets receive the parts 14 and 15 which are made integral by the profile (9), a second profile (9) receives the end (14) as well as the support foot (13) on which a washer (17) is welded. ) which receives the socket (25).

 If the support leg (13) is removed with the washer (17) and the bush (25), the assembly (9) (14) and (15) can be folded against the rear of the panel (7 ), the sockets (1?) playing the role of hinge thereby reducing the overall size of the luminaire for its packaging.

 The important role of the profiles (9) is to assemble removable parts on a standard module which can be used for other luminaires, the luminous screen in FIG. 9, as in FIG. 8 representing a luminaire with 3 modules, as in FIG. 11 representing a luminaire with 4 modules or as luminaires with 5, 6, 8, 10 modules etc ...

 In FIG. 11, we only distinguish the metal frames (8) from the modules to better understand that the profiles (9) serve both to ensure the connection between modules as in FIG. 12 and the fixing of the support (16) and (17 ) of the luminaire as in figures 13 and 14.

FIG. 11 clearly shows the detail (a nonlimiting example) of the connection between modules (according to arrow in FIG. 11).

Figure 12 clearly shows the sockets (12) welded to the frame (8) of the modules as in Figure 10, fork-shaped jumpers (18) and (18 ') are assembled in the sockets (12), the profile ( 9) allows the two forks (18) and (18 ') to be assembled in the same alignment by clipping preventing the forks (18) and (18') from coming out of the sockets (12)
The sockets (12) thus serve as hinges, it is then possible to fold the module luminaire by an even number, provided that the luminaire support assembly (16) and (17) is no longer clipped onto the longitudinal profiles ( 9) thereby reducing the overall volume of the luminaire for its packaging as already seen in FIG. 10.

This type of articulated connection between modules can be applied to all luminaires with flat panel modules regardless of the number of even or odd modules.

 In the case of luminaires with an even number of modules (27), the reduction in overall dimensions is rapid, the hinge (26) being made on two diametrically opposite connections, see diagram in figure 20.

 In the case of luminaires with an odd number of modules (27), it is simply necessary to take out one of the articulations (26) by unclipping the profile (9) which thus frees the forks (18) and (18 ') thus allowing them to be taken out of their sockets (1).

 In order not to lose these articulation elements (9) (18) and (18 '), it is recommended to reassemble them in the sockets (12) of one of the two modules on the right or on the left.

it is then easy to fold the modules one on the other inwards, see diagram in figure 19.

 Figures 13 and 14 show us the assembly and fixing of the luminaire support (16) and (17), the end of the bars (16) is pre-wired and corresponds to the angle of inclination given by the modules. The assembly is done on the lower end of the longitudinal profile (9) for the table lamp support as in Figure 11. IL- is done on the upper end of the longitudinal profile (9) for the support (24) and (17) of Figure 8.

 The positioning by clipping of these supports (16) and (24) immobilizes the articulations of the modules and thus makes the luminaire non-foldable.

 Figure 15 shows us a luminaire with concave modules, each module is composed with the longitudinal profile (10) and the decorative panel (7) as in Figure 8.

These modules can be integrally welded together, in this case a simple profile (19) similar to Figures 3 or 4 may be sufficient to serve as a decorative element between the modules.

 These modules can be removable and not foldable. In this case, we will use the profile (19) corresponding to Figure 2, it will be assembled on curved bars (21) having the same concave curve as the bars (8) making up the concave module, see section BB.

The bar (21) is secured to the module (8) by two jumpers (20) in the shape of a "U" and on two sides of the modules.

 Thus this panel luminaire can be packaged entirely assembled or entirely disassembled, thus considerably reducing in this case the costs of packaging, transport and storage, as in the case of luminaires with foldable modules see FIG. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20.

This longitudinal profile (19), the detail of which corresponds to the section in FIG. 2, is a variant of the longitudinal profile. I1 is characterized by the fact that it has two longitudinal lips whose free space formed by these two lips (5) and (6) longitudinal corresponds internally to a hollow tube whose periphery is cylindrical or polygonal interrupted at points (4) from the opening of the tube, the space separating the points (4) is in all cases less than the diameter of the cylindrical or polygonal inner tube formed by two lips (5) and (6).

The tubular shape obtained by these two lips as well as the previously mentioned longitudinal profile, together form two parallel tubes open in the longitudinal direction.

 Figure 16 shows us two longitudinal profiles assembled one inside the other. These two longitudinal profiles shown in detail in Figures 17 and 18 are variants and have similarities to the longitudinal profile in Figures 1 and 5, they each have a group of two lips (5) and (6) longitudinal and parallel.

 The longitudinal profile of Figure 17 has a third longitudinal lip (22) of round or polygonal section connected by an appendage to the other part of the longitudinal profile previously mentioned.

 The longitudinal profile of FIG. 18 has a second group of two longitudinal lips (5) and (6) characterized in that it has two longitudinal lips whose free space formed by these two lips corresponds internally to a hollow tube whose the periphery is either cylindrical or polygonal interrupted at the points (4) of the element (23) of the longitudinal profile forming an opening of the tube, the space separating the points (4) is in all cases less than the diameter of the cylindrical inner tube or polygonal formed by the two lips (5) and (6).

 These forms of longitudinal profiles in FIG. 17 and 18 can be assembled on convex or concave modules or not in place of the profiles (10) and (19) in FIG. 15, they can also be assembled on flat modules, therefore not concave and not convex.

 I1 then suffices to fit the part (22) of FIG. 17 inside the part (23) of FIG. 18 thus ensuring the connection between two modules.

 FIG. 21 is another variant of the previously mentioned longitudinal profile and shows us that it has two flat longitudinal lips in their upper part and the theoretical intersection of the planes of the two lips forming an angle which can range from 60 to 1800.

Claims (9)

1 - Longitudinal profile serving as component and element for the construction of the most diverse luminaire articles, mainly luminaires with fixed modules, with foldable modules, with "KIT" modules and for all lampshades with panels.  Hollow tubular longitudinal profile characterized by its shape whose inner periphery is cylindrical or polygonal interrupted in its lower part at points (4).  The distance between the points (4) is in any case less than the diameter of the cylindrical or polygonal inner tube (2) the points (4) are connected towards the outside of the profile by inclined planes (3) in the section of the profile and over the entire length of the profile.  These inclined planes serve as a ramp and facilitate the spacing of the points (4) under the effect of a pressure exerted manually or mechanically on either side of the upper part of the profile and of the frame (8) of round section or polygonal in contact with the inclined planes (3), thus making it possible to insert the frame (8) in the round or polygonal tubular part (2), the points (4) returning to their initial position.  Longitudinal profile previously mentioned supplemented by at least two longitudinal lips situated on the outside of the tubular longitudinal profile, these two longitudinal lips have a supporting or retaining role and can be flat, concave or convex. 2 - Profile according to claim 1 characterized in that it has two parallel and longitudinal lips, the free space formed by the two lips (5) and (6) corresponds to a longitudinal groove whose bottom can be convex, concave or plan.  The bottom of the longitudinal groove being substantially wider than the entry of the longitudinal groove thus making it possible to compensate for the variations in thickness of the decorative panels that can be introduced into this groove.  The bottom of the longitudinal groove wider than the entry makes it possible to store the film of glue necessary for blocking certain decorative panels. 3 - Profile according to claim 1 characterized in that it has two longitudinal lips whose free space formed by these two longitudinal lips corresponds internally to a hollow tube whose periphery is either cylindrical or polygonal interrupted at points (4) of the opening of the tube, the space separating the points (4) is in any case less than the diameter of the cylindrical or polygonal inner tube formed by the two lips (5) and (6).  The tubular shape obtained by these two lips as well as the longitudinal profile described according to claim 1 together form two parallel tubes open in the longitudinal direction. 4 - Profile according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that it has four parallel and longitudinal lips, these four lips are grouped two by two. A first group of longitudinal lips formed according to claim 2, a second group of longitudinal lips formed according to claim 2. 5 - Profile according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that it has three longitudinal lips. A group of two lips formed according to claim 2, a third longitudinal lip (22) of round or polygonal section connected by an appendage to the other part of the longitudinal profile formed according to claim 1. 6 - Profile according to claims 1, 2, 3 characterized in that it has four longitudinal and parallel lips, these four lips are grouped two by two. A first group of longitudinal lips made up according to claim 2, a second group of longitidal lips made up according to claim 3. 7 - Profile according to claim 1 characterized in that it has two longitudinal planar lips in their upper part and whose theoretical intersection of the planes of the two lips form an angle ranging from 600 to 1800. 8 - Profile according to claims from 1 to 7 characterized in that the upper part of the longitudinal profile whatever its shape, planar, concave, convex or faceted in the section receives one or more films adhesive or laid hot.  These films can represent the most diverse decors, thus giving the profile a decorative quality. 9 - Lampshades with panels, fixtures with fixed modules, foldable lights, "KIT" lights made up of profiles corresponding to any one of claims 1 to 8.