FR2759478A1 - DEVICE FOR LIGHTING A TRANSLUCENT SURFACE AND LUMINOUS SIGN USING THIS DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Unit uses bulbs (19) to illuminate a translucent surface (37). It includes attachments for the surface and a supporting, insulating, protective hood (1). Its profiled sections are end to end. Each forms a pair of wings diverging from the top. The profiled, electrically-conductive, sections (15) are internally concave and fit within the wings to form light reflectors. At the top these butt against a projection where the wings join. Each conductive section is at a different electrical polarity, and can supply electrical energy over the entire length of the support. The upper ends of the profiles (15) fold, the fold butted against a central projection, forming the supply rails. This permits the bulbs and their contacts to be placed in any required position along the unit.

Description

DEVICE FOR LIGHTING A TRANSLUCENT SURFACE

  AND LIGHT SIGN IMPLEMENTING THIS

DEVICE.

  The invention relates to a device for illuminating a translucent surface; it also relates to a luminous sign highlighting

works such a device.

  In the following description, but not limited to, the invention will be

  more particularly applied to the lighting of a lambrequin.

  Many storefronts are fitted with roll-up fabrics called "awnings", with a bar at their end.

  load to which is fixed a vertical piece of fabric, called "lambrequin".

  The lambrequin is more precisely a strip of fabric often scalloped from below, attached to the load bar of a canvas or awning. This piece is not only aesthetic, but also technical, since it can

  act as a sign and allow the flow of rainwater.

  It appeared interesting to transform the lambrequin into a sign

  bright, to give it a day and night service function.

  To do this, it has already been proposed to illuminate the lambrequin by means of independent spotlights, fixed directly at the level of the load bar of the fabric or on the storefront. In the latter case, the lighting is only correctly oriented in one position of the awning. This provides indirect lighting and therefore the light scattered through the lambrequin is not uniform. In addition, these spots are mostly equipped with lamps

  halogen, are often misdirected and tend to dazzle pedestrian eyes.

  To solve these problems, a solution has been proposed which consists in fixing the two opposite edges of the lambrequin to the load bar, and then placing fluorescent neon tubes inside the loop thus formed. Even if neon lights have the advantage of having a high energy efficiency, they have

  nevertheless a large number of drawbacks.

2,2759,478

  First of all, the neon lights necessarily operate under a relatively high voltage, in particular that of the power supply sector, ie two hundred and twenty volts (220 V), so that the system thus designed does not have all the required security. Furthermore, neon lights are marketed according to determined and standardized lengths, and are therefore non-fragmentable, which means using standard width fabrics, therefore not suited to the range of lengths of banner blinds on the market. In addition, depending on their size, the neon lights have different lighting, and the scattered light is not uniform. Another major disadvantage of neon lights is that they are sensitive to temperature. Indeed, at a temperature below 4 C, the ionization is bad and the neon lights very difficult, which makes this type of lighting practically unusable during the winter period. Finally, installation is expensive from

makes required wiring.

  This type of installation also presents a certain danger, since no structure intended to protect the neon lights and their wiring against the weather is planned. The problem to be solved is therefore to modify the lighting system of these

  lambrequins while improving the safety of the device.

  To do this, the invention provides a device for lighting a translucent surface by means of a plurality of bulbs, comprising means for fixing said surface. It further comprises a support forming a protective cover, consisting of one or more profiled elements mounted end to end, made of a dielectric material, each of said elements defining two wings, diverging from the upper end of the elements, and each intended to receive an electrically conductive profiled element with a concave internal face, so as to also constitute a light reflector, and the folded upper end of which abuts against a projection coming from the junction zone of said wings, each of said conductive elements being brought to a different polarity, thus constituting at the level of said projection the two poles of an electrical supply, these two poles being continuous over the entire length of the support, and intended to allow the installation in any place

  desired of the two electrodes of one or more bulbs.

3,2759,478

  In other words, the invention consists in proposing a support offering the continuity of the electric power source, so that the bulbs can be placed anywhere within the support, thus avoiding the sockets necessary until 'then, and therefore the discreet positioning of the light sources. The bulbs can thus on the one hand, be easily changed, and on the other hand, being mobile, can be moved over the entire length of the support. The user therefore has the choice of the number of bulbs and their

respective positions.

  In addition, these bulbs, for example of the halogen type, are advantageously supplied with very low voltages (TBT), so that it thus becomes possible to pass from a voltage of 220 volts to a voltage of twelve volts (12 V). or twenty four volts (24 V). Furthermore, the structure as well

  described gives the device optimum security.

  According to a characteristic of the invention, the metal profiled elements are fixed to the internal face of the wings by clipping or snap-fastening, the lower end of the wings having a clipping member, intended to cooperate with a clipping member of complementary shape formed at the lower end of said metal profiled elements, their upper end being curved and abutting, as already mentioned, against the central projection provided at

  level of the junction of the two wings.

  These elements are made of aluminum, for example, and in addition to the electrical conduction, also act as a light reflector, capable of reflecting the light emitted by the bulbs towards the translucent surface.

  and distributed at the same level.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the respective lower end of each of the wings and of the conductive elements is shaped so that when said elements are clipped onto the wings, they define therewith a groove, within which is capable of sliding the translucent surface, and in particular a rod mounted on an edge of

said surface.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the attachment of the electrodes of the bulbs to the continuous poles formed by the ends is secured.

  upper curved profiled metal elements, by means of a blade-

  spring, the lower end of which comes to bear on the shoulder defined by the clipping zone of said element on the lower end of the wing of the support, and the upper end of which comes to bear on the level of the curved zone of said metallic element. Furthermore, said leaf spring adopts at its upper end a profile identical or similar to that of the curved area of the conductive element. In doing so, this leaf spring imparts a certain mechanical rigidity to said metal element. Furthermore, at the junction zones of two adjacent elements constituting said support, and starting from two consecutive metal elements, such a leaf spring is positioned, possibly of greater width, optimizing the conductivity

  electric between two consecutive elements, and starting from the poles.

  According to a first embodiment, the translucent surface can be fixed by only one of its borders at the level of the groove defined by the cooperation

  dielectric wing - metallic profiled element.

  In another embodiment, each edge of the translucent surface is fixed respectively at the level of the grooves defined at the free end of each of the two constituent wings of the support in cooperation with the metal profiled elements, the translucent surface then adopting the shape d 'a U. To allow the attachment of the device according to the invention to a support structure, the upper projection formed at the junction zone of the two constituent wings of the support is extended by a branch, the end of which

  free is intended to cooperate with said supporting structure.

  In a preferred embodiment, the supporting structure is a bar

  load of an unfoldable or unrollable awning.

  Advantageously, the constituent elements of the support are in one piece and

  are made of PVC, in particular by extrusion.

  Advantageously, the metal profiled elements are made of aluminum, and are identical whatever their place of clipping. Indeed; the support being symmetrical, the elements set up within it are also. In this case, the electrical conduction corresponding to an intensity of

  s a few tens of amps is optimal.

  The invention also relates to a luminous sign of the lambrequin type consisting of a load bar to which the whole of the

device described above.

  The manner in which the invention can be carried out and the advantages which result therefrom will emerge more clearly from the embodiment which follows, given as

  indicative but not limiting, in support of the appended figures.

  Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a light sign

  of the "lambrequin" type according to the invention.

  Figure 2 is a schematic representation in section of the device

according to the invention.

  Figure 3 is a sectional view of the cover of the device according to the invention. Figure 4 is a sectional view of a conductive profiled element of

  the electricity of the device according to the invention.

  There is shown schematically in Figure 1, a light sign

of the "lambrequin" type.

  The installation comprises a shutter (32), capable of being wound up in a box (33), which is fixed to a wall (30). The awning is articulated by a

  arm (31), at the free end of which is attached a load bar (36).

  The device according to the invention firstly comprises a support (1), acting as a protective cover, in particular for lighting. As will be described below in more detail, this cover is made up of several elements mounted end to end, fixed to the load bar (36) by means of a branch (6) coming from said elements, of which the free end (13) cooperates with said bar

  load (36). Finally, the device of the invention is connected to a power source.

  electrical mentation (35) by cables (34) running at arm level (31).

  According to the invention, the support (1) is made of a dielectric material, typically PVC, and adopts a symmetrical profile, as can be seen in FIG. 2. It is advantageously obtained by extrusion. It is in fact made up of a plurality of elements of standardized lengths, for example 1 meter, 1.5 meters, or even 2 meters, assembled together until they reach the desired length. The non-multiple lengths of the standard values are produced by adding to the standard length profile (s) a

  profile cut to complementary length.

  These symmetrical elements (1) have two wings (2, 3), extending from a junction zone (4), and adopting a curved profile. The free end (11, 12) of each of the wings (3, 4) firstly has a clipping lug (7, 8) from extrusion, then a projection (9, 10), extending substantially

  perpendicular to the said end.

  From the junction zone (4), extends in a direction parallel to said ends, on the one hand a projection (5), and on the other hand, the branch (6), intended, as already mentioned, to allow the support to be secured (1)

on the load bar (36).

  The assembly thus formed is in one piece.

  According to the invention, the elements (1) receive at each of their two wings (2, 3) a metallic element (15), for example made of aluminum by spinning, intended to fulfill, in addition to the electrical conduction function,

  also that of light reflector.

  This metallic element (15) adopts a profile corresponding substantially to the curved profile of the wings (2, 3), and comprises at its lower end, on the one hand, a clipping lug (16), complementary to the clipping lug ( 7, 8) of said wings (2, 3), and on the other hand, a curved end (17), intended to define with the projection (9, 10) of the wing (2, 3), when the element metal is in place at the latter, a groove (38), adapted to receive the translucent surface (37) to be illuminated, and in particular, a rod produced at one edge or both edges thereof. The metal element (15) has at its other end, a curved portion (18), intended to come into abutment against the projection (5) coming from the

  junction area of the dielectric element (1).

  The metallic element is thus dimensioned, so as to be blocked between the projection (5) and the clipping lug (8), when it is placed at the level of the corresponding wing. We observe that, given the symmetry of the two

  wings, the metallic profiled element (15) is identical for the two wings.

  Furthermore, the length of the curved zone (18) of said element corresponds substantially to that of the projection (5). In this way, it is provided on its two lateral faces with two metallic conductive elements, constituting the two poles of an electrical supply. Indeed, the conductive elements (15) are electrically supplied by the cables (34) by the power supply (35), those on the same side of the projection (5) according to a polarity, the others according to the polarity. opposite. The two poles are therefore separated

by the insulating projection (5).

  It then suffices to insert the two electrodes (20) of a bulb on either side of the projection, and therefore in contact with the two poles, to ensure its electrical supply, and thus the illumination of the translucent surface ( 37). For this purpose, it is advantageous to choose very low voltage bulbs (12 or 24 Volts). Taking into account the concave profile of the metal elements (15), and the choice of the material used, in particular aluminum, these ensure the reflection of the light emitted by the bulbs in a uniform manner towards the

translucent surface.

  Furthermore, due to the original structure of the support, there is physical and electrical continuity at the level of the poles, so that it is thus possible to position a variable number of bulbs, depending on the intensity and density d '' desired lighting, the places of positioning being almost infinite,

  due to the electrical and physical continuity of the poles.

  For the sake of optimizing safety, it is desirable to reduce the intensity of the electric current flowing through the metal elements. In fact, and in order to allow the use of bulbs of sufficient power, we

  place the installation under a voltage of 24 volts.

  According to a characteristic of the invention, the attachment of the electrodes of the bulbs to the continuous poles made up of the curved upper ends (18) of the profiled metal elements (15) is secured by means of a leaf spring (21), the lower end (22) comes to bear on the shoulder (23) defined by the clipping zone of said element on the lower end of the support wing, and the upper end (24) of which bears on the level against the curved area (18) of said metallic element. In doing so, this leaf spring imparts a certain mechanical rigidity to said metal element. In addition, the electrodes (20) of the bulbs being inserted between the curved zone (18) of the conductive element (15) and the leaf spring (21), said bulbs are firmly held at this level. This arrangement optimizes the attachment of the bulbs, and proves to be entirely advantageous, taking into account the atmospheric conditions, in particular of wind, to which the

  signs receiving such a device.

  Furthermore, at the junction zones of two adjacent elements constituting said support, and starting from two consecutive metal elements, such a leaf spring is positioned, possibly of greater width, optimizing the electrical conductivity between two consecutive elements, and starting from poles, while imparting mechanical rigidity at these junction zones. As already said, given the standard dimensions of the components of the support, it is possible to equip signs of any length. If in fact, the unitary elements constituting the support acting as a cover are mounted end to end, the metal profiled elements clipped at their internal face are mounted so that they protrude

  slightly of said elements on one side, and are slightly set back on the other.

  This promotes the nesting of a PVC element on the next.

  In addition, at each end is mounted a lateral end cover, of complementary shape, which is fixed on the PVC elements. The cables (34) open out at one of these lateral covers, penetrate inside the cover - support by an orifice provided for this purpose, and are respectively connected to each of the metallic conductive elements of

the terminal element.

  To conclude, this device has optimum safety, the bulbs used being low-voltage bulbs that can be subjected to cold and humid temperature conditions and therefore perfectly usable

during the winter period.

  Furthermore, a uniform illumination of the translucent surface is obtained, which was not possible before. In addition, this device is inexpensive and the

  bulbs used have a longer lifespan than that of neon lights.

  This system also allows for animated lighting,

  especially by sequencing, which was previously impossible.

  It applies to signs and more generally to signage.

Claims (7)

  1 / Device intended to illuminate a translucent surface (37) by means of a plurality of bulbs (19) and comprising means for fixing said surface (37), characterized in that it further comprises a support (1) forming protective cover, consisting of one or more profiled elements mounted end to end, made of a dielectric material, each of said elements defining two wings (2, 3), diverging from the upper end (4) elements, and each intended to receive at its internal face a profiled element (15) electrically conductive with a concave internal face, so as to also constitute a light reflector, and whose folded upper end abuts against a projection (5) coming from the junction zone (4) of said wings, each of said conductive elements (15) of the same element (1) being brought to a different polarity, thus constituting at the level of said projection (5) the two poles of an electrical supply, these two poles being continuous over the entire length of the support, and intended to allow the installation in all   desired location of the two electrodes (20) of the said bulb (s) (19).   2 / Device for illuminating a translucent surface according to claim 1, characterized in that the metal profiled elements (15) are fixed to the inner face of the wings (2, 3) by clipping or snap-fastening, the lower end (11, 12) wings having a clip member (7, 8), intended to cooperate with a clip member (16) of complementary shape formed at the lower end of said metal profiled elements (15), the upper end (18) of said elements (15) being bent and abutting against   the central projection (5) formed at the junction of the two wings (2, 3).   3 / Device intended to illuminate a translucent surface according to one of the   claims 1 and 2, c a r a c t e r i s in that the lower end   respective of each of the wings (2, 3) and of the conductive elements (15) is shaped so that when said conductive elements (15) are clipped onto the wings (2, 3), they define with them a groove (38), within which is capable of sliding the translucent surface (37) or a rod   mounted on an edge of said surface.   4 / Device for lighting a translucent surface according to claim 3, characterized in that conductive elements are made of aluminum, and in addition to the electrical conduction, also the function of light reflector, capable of reflecting the light emitted by the bulbs (19) towards the translucent surface (37) and distributed at the level thereof uniformly. / Device intended to illuminate a translucent surface according to one of the   claims 1 to 4, c a r a c t e r i s in that it further comprises blades-   1o spring (21), the lower end (22) of which bears on the shoulder (23) defined by the zone of clipping of said conductive element (15) on the lower end of the wing (2, 3) of the support (1), and the upper end (24) of which is supported at the level of the curved zone (18) of said metal element (15), so as to secure the attachment of the electrodes (20) of the bulbs ( 19) on the continuous poles formed by the ends   upper curved (18) conductive elements (15), said blades   spring (21) adopting at their upper end (24) a profile identical or similar to that of the curved area (18) of the conductive element (15). 6 / Device intended to illuminate a translucent surface according to one of the   Claims 1 to 5, it is in that the junction zone (4) of the   two wings (2, 3) of the constituent elements of the support (1) is extended by a branch (6), the free end (13) of which is intended to cooperate with a structure carrier (36).   7 / Device intended to illuminate a translucent surface according to one of the   claims 1 to 6, c a r a c t e r i s in that the constituent elements of   support (1) are in one piece and are made of PVC, in particular by extrusion.   8 / Device for lighting a translucent surface according to claim 6, c a r a c t é r i s in that the supporting structure is a load bar (36) of a folding awning (32).   9 / Device intended to illuminate a translucent surface according to one of the   claims 1 to 8, it is in that the bulbs (19) are   supplied with very low voltages (TBT), and are in particular of the halogen type.   10 / Illuminated sign of the lambrequin type, c a r a c t e r i s in   that it comprises a device according to one of claims 1 to 9.