FR2792712A1 - Connection and suspension box for light, comprises baseplate with conductor fixings and tube for rotating interface, an interface which grips the conductor and a cover for screening and protection - Google Patents

Abstract

The connection and suspension box is designed to be mounted on the surface of a ceiling and to receive surface conductors (8) in a conduit (4) of varying size using preformed cut-outs. A baseplate secures and positions the conductors and has a tube to receive a rotatable interface (11) which is used to lock the light cable (9) against an aperture (41). A cover (12) provides screening and protection to the baseplate and conductor connections.

Description

1 2792712

  Connection and suspension box for luminaire

  containing a pivoting interface piece.

  The present invention relates to a connection and suspension housing for a luminaire and more particularly to a housing containing a part.

swivel interface.

  Enclosures of this type ensure the attachment of electrical equipment, such as light fixtures. Through them, the electrical connection of the switchgear is made with masking of unsightly connections. These boxes are mainly used for the suspension of

  luminaires with a ceiling or a false ceiling.

  In current constructions, the power supply and other wires run through the ceiling and remain invisible. They only open at the necessary connection points through a cutout in the ceiling. The connection box is, conventionally, embedded in a cavity provided for this purpose in the ceiling or false ceiling. The housing body is placed in the cavity. The electrical connections between the luminaire and the power wires are made inside the body of the box. A cover, attached to the housing body at the height of the ceiling plane, closes the cavity and covers the connections. Patent applications FR 2,664,365 and FR 2,721,378 provide examples of the implementation of such

built-in boxes.

  The situation is different during so-called renovation works. Since the passage of electrical supply conductors through and along walls and ceilings was not provided for in the design, the use of the previous system of built-in boxes is much too expensive and complicated. Indeed, it involves the drilling of the walls

2 2792712

  and ceilings, for the passage of conductors and the realization in the ceiling, using for example a hole saw, a cavity suitable for housing the housing. Such an operation is long, difficult to carry out and requires significant tools. It is much simpler and faster to run these electrical conductors in profiles called trunking or plinth applied on the walls and ceilings. A suitable connection and cover box must then be installed at the location of the ceiling lights. It is also fixed projecting from the ceiling or false ceiling and must allow the engagement of the end of the trough necessary for serving the ceiling luminaire and

  serve as a fixed point for its maintenance.

  The object of the invention is a connection and suspension box for a luminaire, to be fixed projecting on a ceiling or a false ceiling, allowing the engagement of the trough protecting the supply conductors, in order to be able to make the connection. electric fixture and hide this

  aesthetic connection.

  One of the problems to overcome in order to produce this box is the fact that the troughs can have very different dimensions depending on the installations. If they generally have a rectangular section, their width and / or height

is quite variable.

  An advantage of the invention is to provide a housing having an opening for engaging the chute, the dimensions of which can be adapted to

those of the chute.

  There is already known a housing having a modular engagement opening according to the dimensions of the chute. This is the housing described in patent application FR 2,736,476. This box consists of a circular base to be fixed to the ceiling and

3 2792712

  of two crown-shaped parts fitted into each other and attached to the base to form the side wall of the housing. A two-part circular cover snaps onto the side wall of the housing. The two crown-shaped parts are pivotally mounted relative to each other. The inner part has on its periphery several openings of different dimensions which can be successively placed by pivoting opposite the opening cut in the outer part. The two rooms thus delimit in common

  a variable width engagement opening.

  However, such an embodiment requires the production of complex parts comprising numerous cutouts and numerous reinforcements, such as the internal part in the form of a crown. It is also necessary to double the side wall of the housing by nesting two pieces one inside the other. The manufacture of the housing is therefore more complicated and requires more raw material, which increases it.

the cost.

  The housing according to the invention is much simpler and therefore easy to manufacture and less expensive. It only includes parts with uncomplicated technical shapes and simple wall thickness. Adaptation to the dimensions of the trough is carried out using precut lines located on the base and the cover, around the engagement opening, which make it possible to enlarge the size of this opening by breaking and removal of precut areas. Another problem arises when using such a connection and suspension box for a ceiling light. Indeed, the housing being fixed to the ceiling, the connection and connection of the wires presents an increased difficulty for the installer. The installer, balanced on a

4 2792712

  ladder or stepladder, must make the connections while the wires hang down, while carrying the ceiling light fixture, mounting hardware, and its tools. The electrical wires can also become tangled during the operation, further complicating

her task.

  The object of the invention is to provide a luminaire connection and suspension unit which makes the electrical connection of the luminaire as easy as possible and which provides aesthetic masking of the

connecting pieces.

  This goal is achieved by a connection box made up of three main parts: a

  base, interface piece and cover.

  The base is conventionally fixed to the ceiling. It has several technical elements, such as a cable clamp and holding pins for the connection domino, allowing the electrical wires to be positioned and maintained. The path of the different drivers is thus clearly determined

  and they no longer have the risk of getting tangled.

  The base also includes a sheath serving as

  support for attachment to the interface part.

  The interface piece is, for example, tubular and has cutouts allowing the passage of the luminaire cable. It is mounted by clipping on the support sleeve so that it can

rotate relative to this support.

  When the connections have been made, the cover is placed on the base to hide the wires and the various elements. It has two openings for the passage of the pendant light and cable, as well as a shape cut adapted to that of the interface piece allowing it to emerge slightly from the cover. Then simply rotate the interface piece, for example using a screwdriver, to lock the luminaire cable against the

2792712

  cover at the specific opening. As a result, the electrical conductors and the elements inside the housing are not driven downwards by the weight of the luminaire, or at least that of the cable, and remain in their place. After pivoting, the interface piece presents the user with a uniform surface, without cutting and of the same color as the cover. It contributes to the general aesthetics of the connection box by being based in the

shape and color of the cover.

  The housing according to the invention makes it possible to simplify and facilitate the installation of the various

  technical elements and making connections.

  Thus, the installation of the housing, the luminaire and the making of the connections are effortless, and do not require any particular experience or dexterity. They can, without problem, be carried out by an occasional handyman or a beginner installer, with current and small tools. The installation is, moreover,

particularly fast.

  The housing and the interface part according to the invention have a very simple structure and are

  therefore easy to manufacture and inexpensive.

  Other features and benefits of

  the invention will appear on reading the description

  detailed which will follow, description made with reference

  in the accompanying drawings, in which: in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connection box installed and connected, in which a trough is engaged and in which the connections have been made; In Figures 2, 3 and 4 are perspective views showing the three constituent parts of the connection box according to the invention respectively, base, interface part and cover, separated but in position to be mounted;

6 2792712

  Figure 5 is a perspective view from the front of an exemplary embodiment of the interface piece; In Figure 6 is a perspective view of the rear of the same interface piece; 5. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the underside of the base, the chute and the interface piece placed in its support sleeve, showing the position of the electrical conductors when the connections are made; 10. Figure 8 is a side view of the housing, the luminaire cable still being free; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the housing when the connections are made and the cover in place, the interface part has not yet pivoted, that is to say in the position of Figure 8; In Figure 10 is a side view of the housing, the luminaire cable being trapped against the cover after pivoting of the interface piece; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the housing when the connections are made and the cover in place, the interface part having pivoted so as to wedge the cable of the luminaire; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the closed housing and fixed to the ceiling before the connection of the luminaire; Figure 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the housing, suitable for low-weight luminaires for which a hanging peg

is not necessary.

  A connection and suspension box for a luminaire according to the invention and its interface part will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. The equivalent elements will bear the same

  numerical marks in the various figures.

  A housing 1 for connection and suspension for a luminaire is surface-mounted on the surface 2 of a ceiling or a false ceiling. In the mode of

7 2792712

  embodiment shown in Figure 1, the luminaire is assumed to be suspended from the ceiling using a peg 3 of hanger, constituted for example by a simple hook. An electrical profile 4, of the trunking, plinth or similar type, is engaged in an opening 5 of the housing. Profile 4, not falling under the

  present invention has been shown schematically.

  It may be, for example, a conventional chute with a generally rectangular section, consisting of a body 6, the profile of which is U-shaped, and of a cover 7 attached to the body 6 by simple snap-fastening. The chute 4, fixed projecting from the ceiling 2, serves as a housing for electrical conductors such as 8

  necessary to supply the luminaire.

  The housing 1 makes it possible, in its internal volume, to make the connection between a cable 9 serving the luminaire and the supply conductors 8. It aesthetically masks the technical elements

necessary for this connection.

  The housing according to the invention mainly consists of three parts: a base 10, a

  interface piece 11 and a cover 12.

  The base 10 has, in the

  shown embodiment, a general disc shape.

  It is attached to the surface 2 of the ceiling using any fixing means not shown,

  several screws and corresponding dowels for example.

  The base 10 has, for this purpose, at least one bore 13. The base shown in Figure 2 has three, regularly distributed on a circle, which are each surrounded by a flange 14 bordering a

  oblong opening in the shape of a buttonhole.

  The base 10 has a flat perimeter edge interrupted by a rectangular inlet 15 located at its periphery which allows the engagement of the end of the trough 4 for housing the conductors

8 2792712

  power supply. The thin plastic material constituting this zone can be precut along weakening lines 16 allowing easy breaking to adapt to the size of the chute 4. In the appended figures, the inlet 15 has precut lines 16 born

  allowing to adapt only to two sizes of chute.

  However, it can be envisaged without difficulty to provide the base with additional precut lines allowing adaptation to other types of chute.

frequently encountered.

  The housing 1 according to the invention can also be used with an electrical installation in which the conductors circulate in the ceiling. An opening 17, for example circular, then allows the conductors to enter the housing and

connect them to the light fixture.

  A hole 18, in the center of the base, allows passage and fixing in the ceiling of the peg 3 of hanger. Such a peg is necessary when the weight of the luminaire is relatively large, ie for a luminaire weighing, for example, more than five kilograms approximately. Lighter fixtures can be

  simply suspended by their power cable 9.

  The line 3 bolt can then be removed, as

  it is shown in Figure 13.

  The base 10 also includes several technical elements used for positioning and holding the electrical conductors, as well as for their connection. The base 10 may, for example, comprise a cable clamp 19, the lower part 20 of which is initially attached to the base, the upper part 21 being fixed after the cable 9 has been put in place. The base 10 also has , in the embodiment shown, pins used to position and maintain a domino 22 which ensures the

  connection between electrical conductors.

9 2792712

  In order to mount the interface piece 11 on the base 10, a sleeve 23 is attached to the base. This sheath 23 serves as a support and pivoting support for the interface piece 11. It is mounted integral with the base by

  through a ribbed connecting structure 24.

  The support sheath 23 has the general shape of a hollow cylinder, its upper face 25 and its two ends 26 and 27 being free to allow the insertion of the interface piece 11. The two lateral faces 28 full of the sheath 23 are thus shaped in the manner of pliers, capable of holding the tubular interface part 11 which is engaged therein by clipping. This support is however sufficiently loose to allow, by the use of a tool such as a screwdriver, the pivoting of the interface piece 11 relative to the body of the sheath 23 and therefore relative to the base 10. The support sheath 23 has also on its lateral faces 28 two cutouts 29 located opposite. These cutouts 29 communicate with the opening of the upper face 25 and are, for example, of generally rectangular shape. These cutouts allow the passage of the cable 9 serving the luminaire in a direction substantially perpendicular to the generatrices of the support sheath 23

and interface part 11.

  The base has on its periphery, in the extension of the support sleeve 23, a flange 30 of generally rectangular shape, but the upper end 31 of which is curved, allowing the support of a

  end 32 of the interface part 11, when this

  this is engaged in its support sleeve.

  The cover 12 is attached to the base 10 for example by simple snap-fastening. For this, the base 10 comprises latching means cooperating in a conventional manner asovec complementary means located on the cover 12. These means

2792712

  latching comprise legs 33 elastically tiltable projecting downward in a direction substantially perpendicular to the base. These legs 33 are, for example three in number, regularly distributed over a circle at the periphery of the base 10. The legs 33 have, at their upper end, notches 34 for directed retaining

  towards the outside of the box allowing it to snap into place

  The legs 33 can possibly be reinforced

  by ribs 35 extending on their rear face.

  The interface part 11 is shown from different angles in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6. It is hollow and has a generally cylindrical shape. It has a closed end face 32 and another

end face 36 open.

  The full end face 32 has a groove 37 allowing the installer to insert the blade of a tool such as a screwdriver for example. It can thus rotate the part effortlessly

  interface 11 placed in its support sleeve 23.

  The tubular interface piece 11 has several cuts: a transverse cut 38 substantially perpendicular to the generatrix of the interface piece, and two longitudinal cuts one at the end 39 and the other in a longitudinal slot extending in a substantially parallel steering

to this generator.

  The cutout 38 extends over approximately half of the perimeter of the tube constituting the interface piece 11 and has an angular length so as to be at the level of the openings 29 of the support sleeve 23 when the interface piece 11 is positioned in its support. . This cutout 38 makes it possible to guide the cable 9 serving the luminaire by its insertion into the interface part in a direction substantially perpendicular to the body of this part, as well as the blocking by jamming of this cable 9 l 2792712 against the wall. opening 41 of cover 12. Sound

  operation will be described in more detail below.

  The end cutout 39 is located at the end of the side wall of the interface piece and communicates with the free end face 36. It allows the passage of the hanging peg 3 and is placed for this purpose at above the drilling 18 of the base when the interface part is disposed in the support sheath 23. This end cutout 39 can obviously be omitted in an embodiment corresponding to a light fixture for which there is n do not use piton 3 of hanger. One such embodiment of the interface piece, without end cutout 39, is illustrated.

by figure 13.

  The longitudinal slit cut 40 extends, for example and in the embodiment shown, over the entire length of the interface piece 11 and opens onto the free end face 36. It is angularly arranged, for example of diametrically opposite to the end cutout 39. The slit cutout 40 allows the passage of the hanger bolt 3 when it is used and facilitates the installation of the cable 9 serving the luminaire in the interface part 11. This cut can have other technical forms than those of the various embodiments of the interface part according to the present invention. Its length can be reduced. It can be replaced by two cutouts located at the cutouts 38 and 39, or else by a single cutout located opposite the end cutout 39. It can even be

  deleted if you do not use piton 3 hanger.

  The cover 12 consists of a flat bottom wall 42 substantially parallel to the base 10 and of a side wall 43 in the form of a crown extending for example perpendicular to the bottom wall 42. The cover thus has a shape

12 2792712

  general cylindrical. One can, depending on aesthetic considerations, consider other technical embodiments for this cover which can, for example, be frustoconical or rounded without departing from the scope of the invention. The cover 12 is attached to the base 10 by conventional means, for example by simple

  latching of an internal rim on the legs 33.

  It has for this purpose, on the inner face of its side wall 43, complementary latching means cooperating with the elastic tabs 33 of the base 10. These means being perfectly known to those skilled in the art, they have no not been represented on

  the various figures illustrating the cover 12.

  The cover 12 also has precut lines, not shown in the figures, around its opening 5 for engaging the chute 4. These lines make it possible to remove fractions of plastic material around the opening 5 and thus enlarge this opening. They cooperate with the corresponding lines 16 of the base to adapt to the dimensions of the chute 4. As the engagement of several chutes in the housing may sometimes be necessary, it is possible to produce a housing comprising several openings 5 in its cover and several corresponding zones 15 in its base. These openings 5 and these additional zones 15 are

  similar to those previously described.

  The cover 12 has a through opening which allows the cover to be mounted in the end once everything is assembled and installed without having to disconnect. This is for example a radial slit cut 44 (Figure 4) which extends radially in the lower wall 42 and continues over the entire height of the side wall 43 in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the lid. When the cover is fixed on the base 10, the radial cut

13 2792712

  44 is located at the level of the support sheath 23 and the opening 18. The dimensions and the contours of this radial cut 44 are designed so that the tubular interface piece 11 can emerge slightly outside the housing by this cut , but that there are no unsightly gaps responsible for the entry of dust. Similarly, the part of the radial cutout 44 located on the lateral face 43 of the cover has a contour of shape complementary to that of the end of the rim 30 and from the front

  end 32 of the interface part 11.

  A cover or a precut 45 peelable or detachable by breaking a precut line 46 to form the opening 41 extends locally on one side of the radial slot 44 at the cutout 38 of the interface part 11. The pre-cut 45 is only removed when the luminaire is installed. The connection box 1 can thus be placed on the ceiling well before the fitting of the luminaire, without presenting an unsightly orifice. This situation was

shown in figure 12.

  When the cover is attached to the base 10 and the interface part 11, the opening 41 forms, with the end 47 of the cutout 38 of the interface part 11, a passage 48 for the service cable 9 of the luminaire. The end 49 of the cutout 44 forms, in the same way with the cutout 39 of the interface piece, an opening 50 for the passage of the piton

line 3 (figure 8).

  The connection box according to the invention is used in the following manner. The installer begins by adapting the housing to the dimensions of the feed chute 4 by breaking the appropriate precut lines and removing fractions of plastic material in the area 15 of the base and around

opening 5 of the cover.

  After engaging chute 4 in the area

14 2792712

  , the installer fixes the base 10 to the ceiling using a fixing means passing through the holes 13. It screws, if necessary, the suspension bolt 3 into a dowel placed in the ceiling through the opening 18 of the base. The luminaire can then be suspended there. The connection between the electrical supply conductors 8 coming from the chute 4 and the cable 9 serving the luminaire is made at

  using the domino 22 held by pins.

  The installer places the cable 9 in the cable clamp 19, of which he fixes the upper part 21. Then, he passes the cable 9 serving the luminaire in the cutout 38 of the interface part 11 which he pushes into the scabbard

support 23.

  The installer removes the cover or the precut 45 and sets up the cover 12 by passing the cable 9 of the luminaire and the hanging peg 3 through the cutout 44. The cover 12 is

snapped onto the base 10.

  The housing is then in the configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The cable 9 serving the luminaire hangs through a passage 48 of large opening formed by the opening 41 of the cover and the final part of the cutout 38 of the

interface piece.

  Using a screwdriver, the end of which is placed in the groove 37, the user pivots the tubular interface part 11 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 9, in order to minimize this passage 48 unsightly by wedging the cable 9 between the wall of the opening 41 of the cover and end 47 of the cutout 38 of the interface part. The orifice 48 can thus adapt to any cable size. The housing according to the invention is then in the

  configuration shown in Figures 10 and 11.

  It should be noted that the presence of the opening opening in slot 44 and its return to

2792712

  the side wall makes it possible to mount the cover after the end of all connection and installation work without having to disconnect or disengage parts. It should be noted that FIG. 13 represents an embodiment specific to luminaires of low

  weight in which the suspension pin 3 has been removed.

  Therefore, the interface part 11 does not include a cutout 39. This embodiment is in the same configuration as that of FIGS. 10 and 11. FIGS. 8 and 10 represent a mode of

  production with hook bolt 3 and cutout 39.

  Conventionally, a cylindrical cover sliding on the cable 9 serving the luminaire can come to bear against the connection box to complete the appearance of the assembly. It thus covers the openings 48 and 50 respectively for the outlet of the cable 9 and for the passage of the suspension bolt 3. This cover, known to those skilled in the art, has not been shown in the various figures of the present patent application.

16 2792712

Claims (15)

  1. Connection and suspension box for a ceiling light fixture to be applied to a ceiling (2) comprising a base (10) fixed to the ceiling and an aesthetic and protective cover (12) in one piece mounted on this base, cover from which the cable (9) serving the luminaire emerges, the housing having a lateral opening (5), for engaging the feed chute (4), modifiable by means of precut lines (16) located on the base (10) and the cover (12) characterized in that: the base (10) fixed to the ceiling comprises technical elements for positioning and holding the conductors as well as a support for an interface part ( 11) carrying the cable (9); the interface piece (11) carries the cable (9) of the luminaire and is mounted movable relative to its support so as to be able to immobilize the cable (9) against the cover (12); the aesthetic and protective cover (12), mounted on the base (10), has a passage opening (41) for the cable (9), as well as a radial slot cut (44) through which emerges slightly the interface piece.   2. Housing according to claim 1 characterized in that the interface piece (11) has a cutout (38), through which passes the cable (9) serving the luminaire, the end (47) of which forms with the wall an orifice (41) of the cover (12) an opening (48) of modifiable size for the outlet of the cable (9).   3. Housing according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the interface part (11) is a tubular part pivotally mounted in a support (23). 17 2792712   4. Housing according to claim 3 characterized in that the support (23) of the interface piece (11) is a tubular sleeve attached to the base (10) in which the interface piece (11) is mounted by clipping. 5. Housing according to any one of   previous claims characterized in that the   interface piece (11) comprises means (37) accessible from outside the housing when the cover (12) is attached to the base (10), allowing the section to be modified   of the cable outlet opening (48) (9).   6. Housing according to the preceding claim characterized in that the means accessible from outside the housing is a groove (37), adapted to the engagement of a tool such as a screwdriver, making it possible to cause the part to pivot. interface (11). 7. Housing according to claim 1 characterized in that the radial slot (44) is occupied in the closed position by a part of the lateral face of the tubular interface piece (11) when the cover (12) is fitted.   8. Housing according to any one of   previous claims characterized in that the   interface piece (11) has one or more cutouts (39 and 40) allowing the passage of a peak   (3) hanger to hang the fixture.   9. Housing according to any one of   previous claims characterized in that the   housing has an opening (5), allowing engagement in the housing of a pipe (4) in which are housed supply conductors (8), opening (5) whose size can be modified by   depending on the dimensions of the pipe (4).   10. Housing according to claim 8 characterized in that the adaptation of the size of 18 2792712   the opening (5) is carried out by splitting zones   pre-cut cover (12) and base (10).   11. Housing according to any one of   previous claims characterized in that   the base (10) has a hole (17) allowing conductors from the ceiling to enter the housing (1).   12. Housing according to any one of   claims 2 to 10 characterized in that the housing   has a passage (41) for the cable initially closed by a detachable cover (45) or by a   pre-cut the wall of the housing to be removed.   13. Housing according to any one of   previous claims characterized in that the   cover (12) is snapped onto the base (10) after installation and connections without   have to disconnect or modify the assembly.   14. Housing according to any one of   previous claims characterized in that the   cover (12) contains technical elements (19, 22) for positioning, holding and connecting the   electrical conductors (8) or (9).   15. Housing according to the preceding claim characterized in that these technical elements include a cable clamp (19), a domino (22) and domino positioning pins.