FR2788106A1 - LIGHTING DEVICE WITH SLIDING RAMP - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a lighting device (1) comprising a post (10) including at least two conductor rails (11-1, 11-2) for supplying electric power to lighting means (20), a base (50) receiving the post (10) base, and a removable electrical supply box (41) comprising means (42-1, 42-2) for providing electrical contact between the supply box (41) and the conductor rails (11-1, 11-2) when the supply box (41) is set in the proximity of the post (10) at a predetermined site.

Description

LIGHTING DEVICE

  The present invention relates to a lighting device comprising a support ramp, at least one very low voltage lighting means slidably mounted on the ramp, and means for fixing the lighting means on the ramp. In the prior art, lighting systems are already known comprising headlamps slidably attached to a ramp, the electric supply of the headlamps being ensured by spiral electric wires adapting by stretching to the position of the

spotlights along the ramp.

  An objective of the present invention is to provide a lighting device of the type mentioned above, which is simpler and more aesthetic than known systems while offering the possibility of rapid assembly and disassembly of the means of without special tools. A more specific objective of the present invention is to provide an autonomous lighting device, which can operate without being connected to a

electrical outlet.

  These objectives are achieved by providing a lighting device comprising a support ramp, at least one very low voltage lighting means slidably mounted on the ramp, and means for fixing the lighting means on the ramp, in which the ramp comprises two metal rails ensuring the electrical supply of the lighting means, and the fixing means of the lighting means comprise two substantially elastic conductive elements arranged to cooperate by friction with the supply rails so as to

  form a sliding electrical contact.

2 2788106

  According to one embodiment, the supply rails are arranged on opposite faces of the ramp, and the conductive elements form a stirrup gripping the ramp via the supply rails. According to one embodiment, the supply rails are arranged in grooves made in the ramp, and the conductive elements have ends penetrating the grooves to bear on

the power rails.

  According to one embodiment, the conductive elements are arranged in compression between the means

  lights and power rails.

  Advantageously, the conductive elements are

metal blades.

  According to one embodiment, the means for fixing the lighting means comprise a guide trapped in a groove made longitudinally in

the ramp.

  According to one embodiment, a base is provided

  to keep the boom in an upright position.

  According to one embodiment, means are provided for connecting the terminals to the supply rails.

a storage battery.

  According to one embodiment, the battery is arranged in a housing comprising two conductive arms forming a stirrup arranged to pinch the ramp by

  through the power rails.

  According to one embodiment, there is provided a removable solar panel and means for fixing the solar panel to a free end of the ramp, the means for fixing the solar panel comprising means for establishing electrical contact with the supply rails. .

3 2788106

  In practice, the lighting means can be a projector, a sign, a traffic sign, a

billboard...

  These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be discussed further.

  detail in the following description of an example of

  realization of a lighting device according to the invention, and of alternative embodiments of certain elements of the lighting device, in relation to the attached figures among which: - Figure 1 is a general view of a lighting device lighting according to the invention, - Figure 2 is a sectional view of a housing receiving a storage battery, - Figure 3 is a sectional view of a fixing means according to the invention of a means d lighting, - Figure 4 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the fixing means of Figure 3, - Figure 5 is a sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the fixing means of Figure 3, and - Figure 6 shows the lighting device of the

  Figure 1 provided with a solar panel.

  FIG. 1 represents a lighting device 1 according to the invention comprising a ramp 10 made of an electrically insulating material such as wood, a lighting means that can slide along the ramp 10, here a projector 20, and a battery d accumulators 40 ensuring the electrical supply of the projector 20. Here, the ramp 10 is fitted vertically into a base 50 and forms a sort of mast. The projector 20 is equipped with a dichroic lamp operating under a very low

voltage of the order of 12V.

  According to the invention, the ramp 10 comprises two longitudinal conductive elements 11-1, 11-2, for example made of aluminum, forming supply rails

4 2788106

  electric projector 20. The rails 11-1, 11-2 are arranged by gluing and / or screwing on two opposite faces of the ramp 10 and preferably extend over its entire height. The headlamp 20 is fixed to the ramp 10 by means of a fastening system 21 comprising two metal blades 22-1, 22-2 substantially parallel, forming a stirrup tightening the ramp in the region where the rails 11 are located. 1, 11-2. The blades 22-1, 22-2 thus cooperate with the rails 11-1, 11-2 to form a sliding contact making it possible to bring a supply current to the projector 20, whatever its position on the ramp. At the bottom of the device, the base 50 includes a housing 51 for receiving a housing 41 in which the battery 40 is disposed. The housing 41, shown exploded in FIG. 1 and in section in FIG. 2, comprises two metal blades 42-1, 42-2 substantially parallel, forming a stirrup, connected to the terminals of the battery 40. When the housing 41 is arranged in the housing 51, the blades 42-1, 42-2 tighten the ramp 10 by resting on the rails 11-1, 11-2 and establish an electrical contact between the terminals of the

  battery 40 and the rails 11-1, 11-2.

  Thus, the supply voltage delivered by the battery 40 is brought to the projector 20 via the blades 42-1, 42-2, the rails 11-1,

11-2 and blades 22-1, 22-2.

  FIG. 3 shows in more detail, in a sectional view, the system 21 for fixing the headlamp 20. The system 21 comprises a piece of wood 23 whose front face 23-1 has a dovetail protrusion, or guide 24, sliding in a longitudinal groove 12 of the same shape made in the ramp 10. The blades 22-1, 22-2 have a square foot screwed onto the front face 23-1. Furthermore, the base of the blades 22-1, 22-2 is crossed by metal rods

-5 2788 106

  -1, 25-2 opening onto the rear face 23-2 of the part 23. The rear face 23-2 is capped by a cover 26, for example made of metal. The cover 26 supports a stirrup 27 at the end of which the headlight 20 is rotatably mounted. Electric wires 28 coming out of the projector 20

  pass through the cover 26 via a press

  cable 29 and are connected to the metal rods 25-1, -2 leading to the blades 22-1, 22-2. Finally, an insulating material 30 covers the face 23-1 of the part 23 and forms

  spacer between the part 23 and the ramp 10.

  As shown in the figures, the guide 24 facilitates the movement of the projector 20 along the ramp 10 and also offers protection against theft, the projector 20 having to be brought to the free end of the ramp 10 to that the guide 24 can come out of the groove 12. This characteristic of the present invention is however optional, the pinching exerted by the blades 22-1, 22-2 on the ramp 10 may prove to be sufficient to hold the projector 20, according to the thickness of the boards and their coefficient of elasticity. Thus, the lighting device according to the invention consists of various elements which can be assembled

  or easily disassembled, without special tools.

  In particular, the stirrup formed by the blades 22-1, 22-2 fits easily on the ramp 10 when the guide 24 is inserted in the groove 12. The lighting device according to the invention can also receive several spotlights. In FIG. 3, a second groove 13 is provided opposite the groove 12 in order to

  allow lighting on both sides of the ramp 10.

  Furthermore, the device according to the invention is

  susceptible of various variants.

  In particular, the blades 22-1, 22-2 can be replaced by elastic electrically insulating arms on

6 2788106

  which are arranged conductive elements coming into contact with the supply rails 11-1, 11-2. However, the use of metal blades is an advantageous aspect of the invention making it possible to combine in a simple and inexpensive manner the functions of mechanical maintenance and electrical supply of the projector 20 while satisfying aesthetic criteria, the blades 22 -1, 22-2 and 42- 1, 42-2 can be, for example stainless steel or brushed steel, of an aspect

pleasant.

  Other variants of the present invention are illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows a system 60 for fixing the projector 20 in which the support part 23 does not include the guide 24 described above. Here, the supply rails 11-1, 11-2 are arranged at the bottom of two grooves 61-1, 61-2 formed in the ramp 10. The blades 22-1, 22-2 have fingers at their distal end perpendicular metal 62-1, 62-2 penetrating into the grooves 61-1, 61-2 and coming into contact with the rails 11-1, 11-2. Thus, the fingers 62-1, 62-2 simultaneously maintain, guide and

  the power supply to the projector 20.

  FIG. 5 shows another system 70 for fixing the headlight 20 in which the ramp 10 has on one face the groove 12 receiving the guide 24 and the two supply rails 11-1, 11-2. The front face 23-1 of the part 23 already described comprises two spring blades 72-1, 72-2 of convex shape compressed between the part 23 and the rails 11-1, 11-2, the assembly being retained by the guide 24. As in the previous embodiments, the blades 72-1, 72-2 form sliding contacts while ensuring stability and

holding the projector 20.

  On the other hand, it is quite obvious that the provision of a battery is also an optional aspect of

7 2788106

  the invention, the lighting device being able to be supplied directly from an electrical outlet, via a transformer. However, when using the lighting system in autonomous mode, the battery 40 integrates harmoniously into

  the base 50 and its connection to the supply rails 11-

  1, 11-2 is obtained without difficulty thanks to the blades 42-1, 42-2 previously described, without detracting from the aesthetics of the assembly. In practice, the provision of a 12V lead-acid battery with a capacity of 4 to 12 Ah and the use of dichroic lamps 10A / 35W / 12V give the lighting system an autonomy of the order of 4 to 14 hours depending on the number of projectors used, and a very satisfactory brightness. The battery 40 can be recharged during the day, and several batteries of

  interchangeable back-ups can be provided.

  According to one aspect of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6, the battery 40 is recharged by means of a solar panel 80 fixed to the end of the ramp 10 by means of a coupling piece 81. The piece 81 fits onto the ramp 10 and includes metal contacts (not shown) allowing the current delivered by the solar panel 80 to be sent into the supply rails 111, 11-2. A current or voltage regulator delivered by the solar panel 80 can also be arranged in the coupling piece 81 or at

inside the housing 41.

  Used as an autonomous lighting system, the device according to the invention meets a long-felt need for lighting places without electrical outlets, such as summer terraces and around swimming pools. In the restaurant sector in particular, the invention makes it possible to extend without limitation a reception area for guests, each table being able to be provided with an autonomous lighting device according to

8 2788106

  the invention, which makes it possible to avoid the costly and unsightly installation of a network of electric cables. The ramp can be arranged in the center of a

  table, thanks to an opening made in the table.

  Furthermore, according to an alternative embodiment, the ramp is connected to a parasol to form an assembly offering a "day" function (parasol) and a "night" function (lighting). For this purpose, the ramp is hollow or is equipped at its end with a sleeve for fixing the parasol handle. A parasol handle with supply rails in its lower part can also

  act as a ramp according to the invention.

  On the other hand, the device according to the invention is capable of various applications, in particular in the field of display and signage. Thus, the lighting means fixed to the ramp 10 can take the form of a light sign or a light sign indicating a direction, a place, an exit, ... The lighting means can also be an illuminated display panel, allowing for example the display of a restaurant menu. The combination on the same ramp of traffic signs, signs

  display and projectors is also possible.

  Finally, the device according to the invention, although shown diagrammatically in the appended figures, lends itself well to being produced in a very aesthetic form, both with regard to the shape of the ramp, which can be of round, oval cross section, that the shape and appearance of the contact blades, the lighting means, the base and the battery case, and by the combination of materials such as, in particular, steel and

wood.

9 2788106

Claims (10)

  1. Lighting device (1) comprising a support ramp (10), at least one very low voltage lighting means (20) slidingly mounted on the ramp, and means (21, 60, 70) for fixing the means lighting (20) on the ramp (10), characterized in that the ramp (10) comprises two metal rails (11-1, 11-2) ensuring the electrical supply of the lighting means (20), and in that the means (21, 60, 70) for fixing the lighting means (20) comprise two conductive elements (22-1, 22-2, 62-1, 62-2, 72-1, 72-2 ) substantially elastic arranged to cooperate by friction with the supply rails (11-1, 11-2) so as to form a sliding electrical contact.   2. Lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply rails (11-1, 11-2) are arranged on opposite faces of the ramp, and in that the conductive elements (22-1 , 22-2) form a stirrup pinching the ramp by   through the supply rails (11-1, 11-2).   3. Lighting device according to one of   claims 1 and 2, wherein the rails   supply (11-1, 11-2) are arranged in grooves (61-1, 61-2) formed in the ramp (10), the conductive elements (22-1, 22-2) having ends ( 62-1, 62-2) entering the grooves to lean on the supply rails (11-1, 11-2).   4. Lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductive elements (72-1, 72-2) are arranged in compression between the means   lighting (20) and the supply rails (11-1, 11- 2). 2788106   5. Lighting device according to one of   claims 1 to 4, wherein the elements   conductors are metallic strips (22-1, 22-2).   6. Lighting device according to one of   claims 1 to 5, wherein the means (21, 70) for   fixing of the lighting means (20) comprise a guide (24) trapped in a groove (12, 13) formed longitudinally in the ramp.   7. Lighting device according to one of   Claims 1 to 6, comprising a base (50) for   maintain the ramp (10) in a vertical position.   8. Lighting device according to one of   Claims 1 to 7, comprising means (42-1, 42-2)   to connect to the supply rails (11-1, 11-2) the   terminals of a storage battery (40).   9. A lighting device according to claim 8, wherein the battery (40) is arranged in a housing (41) comprising two conductive arms (42-1, 42-2) forming a stirrup arranged to pinch the ramp (10) through   through the supply rails (11-1, 11-2).   10. Lighting device according to one of   Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a   removable solar panel (80) and means (81) for fixing the solar panel to a free end of the ramp (10), the means for fixing the solar panel comprising means for establishing electrical contact   with the supply rails (11-1, 11-2).