FR2683617A1 - Flush-fit (recessed) lighting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The flush-fit lighting apparatus consists of a bell (1), inside which a lamp (2') support core (2) is removably mounted. This lighting apparatus comprises means for extracting the core (2) from the bell (1), preferably in the form of a coil spring (9) interposed between the two elements (1, 2). According to another arrangement of the invention, the apparatus comprises a system for attachment and detachment of the core (2) with respect to the bell (1), of the type provided, on one of the pieces (1, 2), with at least one cam and at least one hook, forming an impression (10) and, on the other piece (1, 2), in association, an attachment member in the form of a finger or stud. These connection means allow the core (2) to be attached and detached by simple pressure.

Description

 The present invention relates to recessed lighting fixtures of the type consisting of a bell intended to be integrated into a support structure and inside which is removably mounted a lamp support core.

Lighting fixtures of this type are described in particular in documents FR-A-2 589 984 and
FR-A-2 638 815. They are fitted with a dichroic lamp and supplied with very low voltage 12 or 24 volts. These devices are generally completely embedded in a wall or ceiling; they are used to decorate shop windows or decorate the ambiance of spaces in particular.

 The lamp support core is generally mounted on the bell, fixed by means of a screwing or a system of the type with bead. The access to the lamp, for its change, or the maintenance of the installation, for example, is carried out by a rotation of the core, associated with a traction towards Lavant, when gravity is not enough to extract the core assembly -lamp.

 This type of mounting of the core on the bell is not always easy to implement and it sometimes happens that the core gets stuck in the bell. In addition, access to the lamp is sometimes difficult, especially in connection with the overall size of the device and its positioning in space.

 The object of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a lighting device for which access to the lamp is very easy, in particular with a view to replacing it.

 The built-in lighting device according to the invention is of the type consisting of a bell inside which is removably mounted a lamp support core. This device is characterized in that it comprises means for extraction of the nucleus from the bell.

These extraction means are advantageously of the elastic type; they can for example consist of a spiral spring interposed between said core and said bell.

 In order to facilitate the locking and unlocking operation of the core on the bell, the device advantageously includes a system for automatically hooking and unhooking the core from the bell, by simple pressure. This system is of the type provided, on one of the parts, with at least one cam and at least one hook1 forming an imprint and, on the other part, in combination, with a shaped hooking member. finger or nipple; the system in question provides, during hooking and unhooking, a slight rotational movement of the parts relative to each other.

 According to a preferred embodiment, the impression has a general W shape which defines four zones for guiding the fastening member - a first "active" zone in which the member is directed by simple push, - a second "passive" zone guiding the organ by simple recall upon release, and at the end of which said organ is blocked, - a third "active" zone in which the organ is directed by simple push, - a fourth "passive" zone which guides the organ by simple recall during release and which allows the extraction of said organ.The first two zones are used for locking the core on the bell and the last two for unlocking it.

 According to an advantageous embodiment, the lighting apparatus comprises two indentations in the form of cams with open groove with identical parallel axes, arranged on the external face of the core, in two diametrically opposite zones. These imprints are each associated with a fixed direction and attachment stud, provided on the internal face of the bell.

 According to another characteristic, the core is provided with two studs for clipping the socket on which the lamp is connected.

 Still according to the invention, the core includes means for stopping the traction of the power cables which arrive at the socket. These means are for example in the form of bevelled slots arranged near the socket.

 According to another characteristic, the core includes lugs for blocking the lamp, at its lower edge.

 Still according to the invention, the bell consists of a ferrule provided, substantially at its lower edge, with a square return which forms a bearing crown on the front face of the support structure. This support ring advantageously comprises, on its face opposite the support structure, a set of spacing pads, regularly distributed.

 The bell can also be provided with means for positioning the lateral springs which are intended to hold the device on the supporting structure. This bell can also advantageously include a ceramic connector support, associated, on either side, with means for stopping traction of the power cables.

 Other characteristics will appear on reading the following description, in association with the appended drawings, in which - FIG. 1 is an overall view, exploded, of the built-in lighting apparatus according to the invention - FIG. 2 is a side view of the fixed bell intended to be mounted on the support structure - Figure 3 is a top view of this bell - Figure 4 is a sectional view along 4-4 of Figure 3 - Figure 5 is a sectional view along 5-5 of Figure 4 - Figure 6 shows the detail of the attachment system of the lateral holding springs intended to bear on the supporting structure; - Figure 7 shows the strain relief means of the power cables, in the form of bevelled slots - Figure 8 is a side view of the lamp support core - Figure 9 is a top view of the core - the Figure 10 is a bottom view of the core - Figure 11 is a section along 11-11 of Figure 9 - Figure 12 is an enlarged view of the cam-shaped guide cavity provided on the core.

 As shown in Figure 1, the built-in lighting device consists of a fixed bell 1, having a generally substantially cylindrical shape, associated with a core 2 supporting the lighting lamp 2 'shown in thin dashed lines.

 This lamp can be a dichroic lamp, supplied with very low voltage 12 or 24 volts. In Figure 1, the core 2 is shown in the extracted position, out of the bell 1, in order to facilitate the description.

 The bell 1 is mounted in an orifice 3 of suitable shape, produced in the support structure 4 constituting a wall or a false ceiling for example. It supports the ceramic connector 5 to which the power cables, not shown, coming from the general electrical installation arrive. Additional supply cables 6 and 7 provide the connection between the connector 5 and the socket 8 which is mounted on the core 2. The lamp 2 'is connected to the socket 8, for example by simple fitting of the supply pins .

 The core 2 has dimensions which allow its complete integration into the bell 1 and it includes removable securing means with the said bell, so as to allow easy mounting and dismounting, for example for replacing the lamp. These joining means, which will be detailed later, are associated with a spiral spring 9 interposed between the bell and the core and compressed during the joining of the two elements. This spring 9 pushes on the core, during disassembly, to facilitate its extraction and access to the lamp.

 The removable securing means of the core 2 on the bell 1 consist of a set of two guide cavities 10 positioned diametrically opposite on the external face of said core and which cooperate with fixed studs provided on the internal face of the bell.

The drawing of the imprint 10 defines a cam, of the open groove type with parallel axes, which allows the mounting and dismounting of the core 2 by means of a simple axial pressure oriented in the direction of compression of the intermediate spiral spring 9 These different means will be detailed later
Figures 2 to 7 show the bell 1 of the lighting fixture in isolation. This bell consists of a cylindrical shell 11 from the upper edge of which extend two lateral arms 12 connected by a base 13. The lower edge of the ferrule 11 has a square return which extends towards the outside and which forms a crown 14 intended to be pressed against the front face of the support structure 4.The face of the crown 14 which is located opposite the support structure 4 may advantageously include a set of spacers 15 having a height of the order of 1 to 2 mm. Four studs 15 can for example be regularly distributed over the crown 14; they reduce the surface area of the bell on the support structure in order to eliminate the risks of interference, linked to specific irregularities of the support structure1 on the positioning of the bell; on the other hand the studs 15 ensure the presence of an air passage which limits the transmission of heat to the supporting structure.

 The lateral arms 12 extend substantially parallel to the central axis 16 of the shell 11, before converging towards the base 13 of connection. The two arms 12 and the base 13 form an arch from the upper edge of the ferrule 11.

 Each arm 12 comprises positioning means 17 of lateral springs 18 intended to hold the device on the carrying structure 4. These positioning means 17 are arranged substantially halfway up the arms 12 and they are detailed in FIG. 6. They consist in indentations defined by an orifice 19 associated with two lateral studs 20. Each spring system 18 consists of a metal wire shaped in the shape of a lug 18 'so as to get stuck on a projecting part 21 positioned inside the arms 12. The wire is then wound around the studs 20 to define the zone 18 "forming the spring function proper and it then extends outwards in the form of the tab 18" 'so as to come to bear on the rear face of the support structure 4.The bell 1 is held in position by wedging the support structure between the support flange 14 and the two lateral springs 18.

 It is noted that one of the sides of each arm 12 has a lateral extension 22, the upper part of which is provided with a member 23 for supporting and wedging the cylindrical compression spring 9.

The member 23 consists of a set of pins shaped to wedge the upper turn of the spring. Two members 23, arranged diametrically opposite, above the ferrule 11, are sufficient to hold the spring in place and to serve as a support zone.

 The bell 1 also comprises a support 24 of the ceramic connector 5, which extends substantially transversely from the base 13. The support 24 consists of a platform provided with a centering stud 25 on which the connector 5 is fitted through a corresponding hole. The blocking of said connector is completed by an independent compression plate 26, having the general shape of a square and secured by screwing on the platform 24. The return square 27 of the plate 26 is in the form of a slide which cooperates with a slide 28 mounted substantially perpendicularly on the end of the platform 24. The slide 27 and the corresponding slide 28 are adapted to serve as a means of blocking the power cables, upstream of the ceramic connector 5. The blocking of these cables is carried out when the plate 26 is tightened on the platform 24. The role of the cable clamp 26 is to pinch the supply wires once the electrical connection has been made, in order to avoid tearing the wire during 'any manipulation, and to maintain the ceramic connector in position on its centering 25.

 Downstream of the ceramic connector 5, the platform 24 has a square return 29 provided with two bevelled slots 30. This arrangement, shown in detail in FIG. 7, makes it possible to block the power cables 6 and 7, just at the outlet of the connector 5, in order to serve as a traction stop means. During assembly, the cables 6 and 7 are forced into the bevelled slots 30; they then advantageously pass through an orifice 31 produced in the central part of the base 13 to extend towards the core 2 and in particular the associated connection socket 8.

 The internal face of the ferrule 11 also comprises two studs 32, placed opposite and diametrically opposite. These two pins 32 are intended to serve as steering and hooking members for the imprint system 10 provided on the core 2. In addition, the internal face of the ferrule 11 is also equipped with two guide supports 33, diametrically opposite. These supports 33 are intended to facilitate the positioning of the core 2 in the bell 1 for, in particular, correctly positioning the guide imprints 10 relative to their nipple-shaped steering members 32, as will be seen by the following.

 The bell 1 is advantageously produced in a single piece by molding of plastic material associated with glass fibers. It withstands high temperatures, above the 1500C provided for in the relevant standards.

 The core 2 has been shown in isolation, Figures 8 to 12. I1 consists of a cylindrical shell 34 from the upper edge of which extend two arms 35 which converge towards a base 36. The core 2 has dimensions which allow its complete integration in the bell 1.

 The base 36 has two studs 37 which extend perpendicularly towards the inside of the core and which are intended for positioning and locking the socket 8. The studs 37 are threaded and clipped into two orifices in the socket 8 for ensure the positioning of the latter flat against the underside of the base 36, as shown in FIG. 1.

 The base 36 also comprises two lateral openings 38 in the form of bevelled slots which arrive at the connection orifices of the socket 8. These slots 38 allow the passage of the power cables 6 and 7 and they also serve to block the latter for act as a traction stop.

 Two diametrically opposite lugs 39 are arranged at the lower edge of the ferrule 34 to act as lamp blocking members 2 '.

Each lug 39 is in the form of an elastic clip provided with a retaining stop 40 which, in the rest position, projects inside the ferrule 34. The retaining members 40 ensure correct positioning of the lamp 2 ′ on the lighting fixture and they prevent the latter from inadvertently disconnecting. The positioning of the lamp 2 ′ in the core 2 is achieved by threading the pins of the base into the socket 8 and by lightly clipping on the lugs 39. This characteristic increases safety by proposing two complementary means of blocking the lamp.

 The outer face of the ferrule 34 has centering ribs 41 positioned along generatrices parallel to the central axis 42. The ribs 41 ensure correct positioning of the core 2 inside the ferrule 22 of the core 1; they have a thickness of the order of 1 to 3 mm and are two in number diametrically opposite.

 The external face of the ferrule 34 also includes the impressions 10, two in number, diametrically opposite, which each cooperate with one of the pins 32 for locking and unlocking the core 2 and the bell 1.

 Like the bell 1, the core 2 is advantageously produced in a single piece, by molding of plastic material associated with glass fibers.

 The imprint 10 in the form of an open groove cam with parallel axes is shown in enlarged form in FIG. 12. It defines a circuit having substantially the shape of a W, delimited by peripheral edges 43 having a thickness close to that of centering ribs 41, that is to say of the order of 1 to 3 mm.

 The design of the imprint 10 which guides and blocks the stud 32 is such that it allows the assembly and disassembly of the core 2 by means of a simple pressure on the lamp 2 'or on said core 2, in a direction substantially parallel to the axis 42 of the core. There is shown in Figure 12, the overall circuit of the stud 32, in its guide imprint, from the upper opening 44. The stud 32 is shown in dotted lines in different positions; FIG. 12 shows the relative movement of said stud, relative to the impression, the latter being in reality mobile and guided by the fixed stud.

 From the extracted position shown in FIG. 1, the core 2 is presented facing the bell 1 so that the fixed studs 32 are positioned facing the upper opening 44 of the impressions 10. This positioning is facilitated by the presence of the supports guide 33 provided inside the bell. Manual pushing on the core, in a direction substantially parallel to its central axis 42 and to the central axis 16 of the bell 1 embeds said core in said bell. This movement causes the compression of the spiral spring 9 interposed between the two elements and the integration of the pins 32 in their respective imprints 10. The spring 9 is blocked on the bell 1 by means of the support and wedging members 23; it has a generally cylindrical shape of the same diameter as that of the shell 34 of the core 2 and it comes to bear on the upper edge of the latter when the core is embedded in the bell. The positioning of the spring 9 on the edge of the ferrule 34 is facilitated by the presence of the lateral arms 35 which serve as guide members.

 Each fixed stud 32 follows, in a relative manner, the portion of circuit defined by the orientation arrow 45. In this first guide zone, the stud 32 is channeled by the lateral flanges 46 and 47 which form a chute. The opening of this chute 46, 47 is located under the opening 44 of the cavity and its positioning is such that the embedding movement of the core 2 in the bell 1 forces said stud 32 to pass through this path. In this first guide zone, the movement is obtained by pushing and it performs the compression of the spiral spring 9. At the outlet of the chute 46, 47, the steering stud 32 comes to bear on an inclined surface 48 which forms a ramp guide to the bottom 49 forming a stopper. This first zone, in which the spring 9 has been compressed, is a so-called "active" zone. The embedding of the core in the bell is then maximum.

 The simple release of the thrust resumes guiding through the spring 9. The return force of the latter directs the core 2 so that the stud 32 comes to bear on the upper ramp 50 and comes to lock in the housing 51 serving as a hook. In this relaxation zone, called "passive", the stud 32 follows the circuit portion defined by the orientation arrow 52. In this position, the core 2 is locked on the bell 1.

 The unlocking of the two elements 1 and 2 is carried out by an identical manipulation of successive thrust and release. When the locked core 2 undergoes an axial thrust in the direction of compression of the spring 9, the stud 32 follows the circuit portion defined by the orientation arrow 53. It is taken up by the guide ramp 54 and is blocked on the end bearing surface 55.

In this third zone called "active", the spiral spring 9 is recompressed.

 The release of the applied pressure causes the steering stud 32 to be guided along the orientation arrow 56 and is extracted from the impression 10 by the upper opening 44, after being guided by the inclined ramp 57. The zones 46 , 47, 48, 50, 54 and 57 of the impression 10 act as a cam to direct the finger or nipple 32; the housing 51 serves as a hook.

 The movement of the steering and latching pins 32 in the diametrically opposite indentations 10 takes place simultaneously for mounting and dismounting the core on the bell. The spiral spring 9 interposed between the two elements 1 and 2 achieves, on the one hand, the locking in position of the core on the bell and it allows, on the other hand, the extraction out of said bell. This particular system causes, during attachment and unhooking, a slight rotational movement of the parts 1 and 2, with respect to each other.

 The movement applied for the assembly and disassembly operations described above is very simple to carry out; the cam-shaped structure effectively secures the core to the bell, and the interposition of an elastic means between the core and the bell, in conjunction with the particular assembly and disassembly movement, facilitates extraction and access to the lamp, in particular to ensure its replacement.

 The materials used, both for the construction of the bell and of the associated core, provide correct insulation and allow the device to withstand very high temperatures, well beyond the standards provided for in the matter. In addition, the presence of the imprints 10 and the centering ribs 41 creates a circular space between the ferrule 34 of the core 2 and the ferrule 11 of the bell 1, in the locked position. This circular space facilitates ventilation of the luminaire and limits the temperature rise of the assembly. This characteristic is further improved by the presence of the spacer pads 15 on the crown 14 of the bell.

 The presence of cable traction stop means at the socket 8 and on either side of the ceramic connector 5 also significantly increases the security of the power supply.

 The rim 14 in the form of a circular crown which comes to bear on the external face of the support structure 4 may comprise means of attachment 58 of an associated decorative part, not shown. These means can advantageously be in the form of a locking clip, for example for a removable attachment of the two elements. The particular way of joining between the core and the bell is in this case very interesting and fully effective because, depending on the type of decorative part used, it will not necessarily be necessary to remove the latter for the replacement of the lamp for example. changing the lamp is very easy, very fast and does not require any special tools.

 The reference signs inserted after the technical characteristics mentioned in the claims have the sole purpose of facilitating the understanding of the latter and in no way limit their scope.

Claims (13)

- CLAIMS  1.- Built-in lighting apparatus consisting of a bell (1) inside which is removably mounted a core (2) lamp support (2 '), characterized in that it comprises means of extraction of the core (2) from the bell (1).  2. A lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the extraction means of the core (2) are in the form of a spiral spring (9) interposed between said core (2) and the bell (1).  3.- Lighting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a system for hooking and unhooking the core (2) relative to the bell (1), by simple pressure, of the type provided, on one of the parts with at least one cam and at least one hook forming an imprint (10) and, on the other part, in combination, with a hooking member (32) in finger or nipple shape.  4. A lighting device according to claim 3, characterized in that the imprint (10) has a general shape in W defining four guide zones of the fastening member (32) - a first "active" zone in which the member (32) is directed by simple push, - a second "passive" zone guiding the member (32) by simple return during release, and at the end of which said member (32) is blocked, - a third "active" zone in which the member (32) is directed by simple push, - a fourth "passive" area which guides the member (32) by simple recall, during release and which allows the extraction of said member ( 32), the first two zones used to lock the core (2) on the bell (1) and the last two to unlock it.  5. A lighting device according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that it comprises two indentations (10) in the form of cams, identical, arranged on the outer face of the core (2) in two zones diametrically opposite, each associated with a fixed stud (32) for direction and attachment provided on the internal face of the bell (1).  6. A lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the core (2) is provided with two studs (37) for clipping the socket (8) on which the lamp is connected ( 2 ').  7.- A lighting fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the core (2) comprises means of traction stop of the power cables (6 and 7) which arrive at the socket (8), said means being in the form of bevelled slots (38) near said socket (8).  8.- Lighting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the core (2) comprises, at its lower edge, locking lugs (39) of the lamp (2 ') .  9.- Lighting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the bell (1) consists of a ferrule (11) provided, substantially at its lower edge, with a return square (14) forming a support ring on the front face of the support structure (4).  10.- A lighting fixture according to claim 9, characterized in that the support ring (14) comprises, on its face opposite the support structure (4), a set of spacers (15), regularly distributed.  11. A lighting device according to any one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the bell (1) is provided with means for positioning lateral springs (18) intended to hold the device on the supporting structure. (4).  12.- A lighting fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the bell (1) comprises a support (24) of ceramic connector (5), associated, on the side of the socket (8) to traction cable stop means (6, 7), in the form of bevelled slots (30).  13.- A lighting apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the bell (1) is provided with locking means (27, 28) of the power cables, upstream of the ceramic connector (5).