FR2777066A1 - Illuminated decorative column - Google Patents

Abstract

The illuminated decorative column has a base (20) and a translucent tube (10) enclosing a lamp (41) mounted at least partially in the base. The tube in inserted via its lower end into a seating (2) in the base. It has a decoration (30) surrounding it and into which its upper end is inserted.

Description

-]. - The invention relates to a light column comprising a base, a

tube

  translucent and a decorative element.

  Light columns are known which consist of rigid structures supporting the light source or sources as well as the diffusing element, for example constituted as for a lampshade of thermoplastic sheet laminated on fabric. This last element is by definition the style element of the product. He would therefore have an interest in being sold

  separately, from the point of view of both the distributor and the consumer.

  However, for all these known examples, this separation would have the effect of doubling the size at the distributor, by the diffusing element on one side and by the structure alone on the other. In addition, it is difficult to imagine these structures presented alone,

  reassuring their users about their assembly.

  Table lamps are also known which consist of a base and a diffusing cone, the light source being housed in the base. For these table lamps, the

  diffusing cones, sometimes simply wedged in the base, can be sold separately.

  But this type of assembly is no longer reliable for much larger dimensions

light columns.

  The object of the invention is to remedy this drawback and to provide a light column whose diffusing element can be sold separately from the other elements, without

  as much generate additional storage costs.

  Another object of the invention is to obtain said light column with simple and economical means, as well as to obtain easy and rapid assembly,

  particularly for the diffusing element.

  In order to achieve these goals, there is provided according to the invention a light column comprising a base and a translucent tube at least partially surrounding a light source housed at least partially in the base, for which the translucent tube is inserted by its lower end in a housing of the base, and for which the translucent tube carries a decorative element, its upper end

  being inserted into a housing of this decorative element.

  Thanks to these arrangements according to the invention, it is obtained by simple and economical means that the light columns can be, for example, presented and sold on one side by the translucent tubes, and on the other side by the bases and

  decorative elements stacked on top of each other.

  Assembling the translucent tube is easy, quick, requires no tools or a simple screwdriver, and is reliable. So there’s no problem for the consumer,

  with the purchase as with any change of lamp.

  Advantageously, one can provide according to the invention a light column for which at least one pressure screw is screwed onto the base and opens into the lower housing on the translucent tube, and at least one pressure screw is screwed onto the decorative element and opens into the upper housing on the translucent tube, their respective screwing having the effect of locally compressing the translucent tube. Advantageously, one can provide according to the invention a light column for which the base and the decorative element comprise at least one elastic element deformed by the insertion of the translucent tube in its housings, these deformations having the effect of

  locally compress the translucent tube.

  Advantageously, provision may be made according to the invention for a light column for which the translucent tube is produced by winding a translucent flexible sheet, by bonding its edges, and by bonding reinforcements at its ends, the reinforcements being able to be tubes. identical rigid reinforcing the translucent tube in its parts which are compressed. Advantageously, provision may be made according to the invention for a light column for which the translucent tube is produced by winding a translucent flexible sheet, by assembling its edges by bonding a flexible strip, and by bonding reinforcements at its ends. , the reinforcements can be identical blades, not connected at the level of the

  flexible band, and exerting an expansion force of the translucent tube in its housings.

  Advantageously, one can provide according to the invention a light column for which the base and the decorative element consist of the same cover, being a sheet metal

in shape.

  Embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail below, by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the attached drawings in which: - Figure I is a section of a light column according to the invention comprising a tube translucent surrounding a light source and diffusing its light, its ends being inserted on either side in a housing of a cover respectively constituting the base and the decorative element, the maintenance of the assembly being reinforced by pressure screw; - Figure 2 is a section of a light column according to an alternative embodiment of the invention relating to the maintenance of the assembly, provided by elastic elements deformed by the insertion of the translucent tube in its housings; - Figure 3 is a bottom view of the translucent tube alone according to Figure 1 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention concerning the maintenance of the assembly, reinforced

  by the expansion of the translucent tube in its housings.

  For the sake of simplification, identical or corresponding elements in the

  different embodiments have been given the same references in the drawings.

  -3- The light column shown in Figure 1 has a base (20), a decorative element (30), and a translucent tube (10) intermediate. The base (20) and the decorative element (30) consist, optionally to near drilling holes, of the

  same cover (1), being in this embodiment of the invention a pressed sheet.

  To constitute the base (20), a first cover (1) is fixed by its bottom to the ballasting disc (23) by the bolts (22), this base (20) and therefore the entire light column resting on the pads (24) which are embedded in the disc

ballast (23).

  The base (20) further comprises along its axis the light source (41), screwed into the socket (42), which is itself screwed onto the connector (45) passing through the bottom of the cover (1) and the disc. ballast (23). The power cord (43) passes under the ballasting disc (23) and, via the traction stop (44), between two pads (24). It crosses the fitting (45) to be connected to the socket (42), therefore located at the bottom of the cover (1). The translucent tube (10) surrounds the light source (41), which in this embodiment of the invention is a spot with a concentrated beam, its light being thus diffused homogeneously over the entire length of the translucent tube (10). The translucent tube (10) is produced by winding a translucent flexible sheet being a thermoplastic sheet laminated or not on fabric, by bonding its edges, and by bonding the frames (11) and (12) at its ends. In this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the reinforcements (11) and (12) are rigid thermoplastic tubes. The translucent tube (10), which can be of different heights for the same base (20) and decorative element (30), is therefore obtained by simple and economical means, widely used in manufacturing.

lampshades.

  This translucent tube (10) is inserted by its lower end in the internal cylinder of the cover (1) to its bottom, these elements defining the housing (2) of the base (20). This lower housing (2) also includes the light source (41), thus guaranteeing a

  lighting of the translucent tube (10) without shadow area.

  The retention of the translucent tube (10) in its lower housing (2) is reinforced by the screwing of the two pressure screws (21), located in the rear quadrant of the column

  luminous, on both sides of the power cord (43).

  These pressure screws (21) are screwed onto the base (20). More specifically, they are screwed onto the external wall of its cover (1), near the fold which stiffens it, and pass through its internal cylinder to open into the lower housing (2), on the translucent tube (10) at the level of its lower frame (11). Their screwing therefore has the effect

  locally compressing the translucent tube (10) in its lower housing (2).

  The lower frame (1 1) being a rigid tube, it reinforces the translucent tube (10) in

its part which is compressed.

  -4- To constitute the decorative element (30), a second cover (1) is fixed by its bottom to the cover (33) by the bolt (32). The translucent tube (10) carries this decorative element (30), its upper end being inserted into the internal cylinder of the cover (1),

  to its bottom, these elements defining the housing (3) of the decorative element (30).

  The light emitted by the light source (41), which is a spot directed upwards, is not diffused by the decorative element (30) but reflected by the bottom of its cover (1) downwards, which guarantees uniform illumination of the translucent tube (10) over its entire

  length, to its upper end.

  For reasons of less reliability than of perceived quality, the retention of the decorative element (30) on the translucent tube (10) is reinforced, in the same way as for the base (20), by the screwing of the two screws. pressure (31) screwed onto the cover (1) of the decorative element (30). These pressure screws (31) open into the upper housing (3), on the translucent tube (10) at its upper frame (12), their screwing having for

  effect of locally compressing the translucent tube (10) in its upper housing (3).

  The upper frame (12), identical to the lower frame (11), strengthens the tube

  translucent (10) in its compressed part.

  The light column thus formed therefore has a translucent tube (10) advantageously interchangeable by simple screwing and unscrewing of the pressure screws (21) and (31), and sliding thereof in the housings (2) and (3), without no up / down direction of the translucent tube (10). Its assembly is indeed easy, fast, reliable, requires only a screwdriver, and therefore poses no problem to the consumer for any

  changing the light source (41).

  It does not pose any more for purchase and thus advantageously makes it possible to present on the shelves of stores on one side the translucent tubes (10), which are advantageously stiffened by their frames (11) and (12), and d '' on the other hand the bases (20) and decorative elements (30) packed in boxes and stacked on top of each other, which can generate the reduction of the logistic costs from a certain number of models or

colors shown.

  It also advantageously allows the translucent tubes (10) to be sold separately, which can motivate the interchangeability of these styling elements, in the same way as

for lampshades.

  In the variant embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 2, the cover (1) has neither an internal cylinder nor a bottom. On the other hand, it has an inverted outer edge which allows it to be fixed to the ballasting disc (23) by the screws (22) to constitute

  the base (20), and the cover (33) by the screws (32) to constitute the decorative element (30).

  Furthermore, in this variant, the reinforcements (11) and (12) of the translucent tube (10) are toroids produced from metallic wire, like those commonly used in the

  realization of lampshade carcasses.

  -5- The translucent tube (10) is inserted on the one hand into the lower housing (2) defined by the cavity of the cover (1) up to the ballasting disc (23), and on the other hand into the housing

  (3) upper defined by the cavity of the cover (1) up to the cover (33).

  These modifications of the cover (1) and of the translucent tube (10), capable of generating cost savings, are not a necessary condition of this variant embodiment of the invention, but are adapted to it. Indeed, this variant relates to the maintenance of the translucent tube (10) in its housings (2) and (3), maintenance which is ensured by the deformation

  elastic elements (25) and (35).

  The elastic elements (25), being in this embodiment of the invention blades with curved ends, are fixed on the ballasting disc (23) of the base (20), so as to be deformed by insertion translucent tube (10) in its lower housing (2). Indeed, the passage of the lower frame (11) of the translucent tube (10) at the height of the curved end of the elastic elements (25) has the effect of bending their blade. And these deformations of the elastic elements (25) have the effect of compressing

  locally the translucent tube (10), at its lower frame (11).

  Advantageously, the translucent tube (10) is therefore held at the bottom of its lower housing (2), any displacement of the translucent tube (10) being opposed by a compression force of the elastic elements (25) on the lower frame (11) . And advantageously, the assembly or disassembly of the translucent tube (10) is indicated by the passage of a hard point. This is particularly advantageous for mounting, in order to limit the thrust exerted by the user on the translucent tube (10), which is produced by

  winding of a translucent flexible sheet which is therefore relatively fragile.

  Without limitation, the elastic elements (25) could be such that their compressive force is maximum when the translucent tube (10) is at the bottom of its lower housing (2), and not when the translucent tube (10) s' emerges. Being able for example to be elastomeric buffers, like those used in the door stops, deformed by the insertion of the translucent tube (10) in its lower housing (2), and compressing it locally, these elastic elements (25) would leave less play in maintaining the translucent tube (10) but would lose the benefits of passing a hard point

  during assembly of the translucent tube (10).

  The elastic elements (35) are identical to the elastic elements (25) and correspond to the mounting of the base (20). Indeed, they are fixed on the cover (33) of the decorative element (30), so as to be deformed by the insertion of the translucent tube (10) in its upper housing (3). The passage of the frame (12) greater than the height of the curved end of the elastic elements (35) has the effect of bending their blade, these deformations of the elastic elements (35) having the effect of locally compressing the

  translucent tube (10), at its upper frame (12).

  This variant embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 2 therefore makes it possible to obtain a light column, always with simple and economical means, but the translucent tube (10) of which is interchangeable by simple sliding of the latter in the

  housings (2) and (3), therefore easily, quickly, reliably, and requiring no tools.

  The variant embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 3 allows these same advantages and, moreover, makes it possible to reduce the logistical costs of the translucent tubes (10)

  by fitting them into each other.

  This variant differs from the embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1 by maintaining the translucent tube (10) in its housings (2) and (3) which is not reinforced by pressure screws (21) and (31), but by the expansion of the translucent tube (10) in its

housings (2) and (3).

  In this variant, the translucent tube (10) is produced by winding a translucent flexible sheet corresponding to the embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1, by assembling its edges by gluing a flexible strip (13) may for example be an elastic fabric, and by bonding the frames (11) and (12) at these ends. In this variant, the frames (11) and (12) are identical blades, not connected at the level of the flexible strip (13). In this way, they exert an expansion force of the translucent tube (10) in its housings (2) and (3), which compensates for the

  games of this assembly and reinforces the maintenance of the light column thus formed.

  The frames (11) and (12) also allow the translucent tubes (10) to be resiliently inscribed in different diameters, and thus to fit into each other.

during transport or storage.

-7-

Claims (7)

  1 / Light column comprising a base (20) and a translucent tube (10) at least partially surrounding a light source (41) housed at least partially in the base (20), characterized in that the translucent tube (10) is inserted by its lower end into a housing (2) of the base (20), and in that the translucent tube (10) carries a decorative element (30), its upper end being inserted in a   housing (3) of this decorative element (30).   2 / light column according to claim 1 characterized in that at least one pressure screw (21) is screwed onto the base (20) and opens into the lower housing (2), on the translucent tube (10), its screwing having the effect of locally compressing the tube translucent (10).   3 / Light column according to claim 2 characterized in that at least one pressure screw (31) is screwed on the decorative element (30) and opens into the upper housing (3), on the translucent tube (10), its screwing having the effect of compressing   locally the translucent tube (10).   4 / Light column according to claim I characterized in that the base (20) comprises at least one elastic element (25) deformed by the insertion of the translucent tube (10) in its lower housing (2), this deformation having for compress effect   locally the translucent tube (10).   / Light column according to claim 4 characterized in that the decorative element (30) comprises at least one elastic element (35) deformed by the insertion of the translucent tube (10) in its upper housing (3), this deformation having for effect of   locally compress the translucent tube (10).   6 / Light column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that   that the translucent tube (10) is produced by winding a translucent flexible sheet, by   bonding of its edges, and by bonding of reinforcements (11) and (12) at its ends.   7 / light column according to claim 6 characterized in that the lower frame (11) is a rigid tube, reinforcing the translucent tube (10) in its part which is compressed. 8 / light column according to claim 1 characterized in that the translucent tube (10) is made by winding a translucent flexible sheet, by assembling its edges by gluing a flexible strip (13), and by gluing reinforcements (11) and (12) at its ends, the reinforcements (Il1) and (12) being blades not connected at the level of the flexible strip (13), exerting an expansion force of the translucent tube (10) in its housings (2) and (3).   9 / Light column according to claim 6, 7 or 8 characterized in that   the upper frame (12) is identical to the lower frame (11). -8-   / Light column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in   that the base (20) and the decorative element (30) consist of the same cover (1), being a shaped sheet.