FR2841965A1 - "DEVICE FOR SURFACE LIGHTING OF A SLOPED ROOF OF A BUILDING" - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for lighting a sloping roof surface of a building, which consists of an illuminating ramp (1) capable of being fixed horizontally along the lower edge of the roof, this ramp comprising a reflector consisting of a profile (2 ) of approximately "C" shaped section, the opening of which is oriented towards the surface of the roof and the internal surface of which is coated with a layer of reflective material, this profile having a bottom (CD) of parabolic section, a source light consisting of a fluorescent electric tube (4) with a cold hollow cathode, whose axis (XX ') coincides with the focus of the parabolic section, being mounted inside this profile (2), the latter being positioned at the base of the roof in such a way that the flux (F1) of parallel light rays (i) reflected by the bottom (CD) of parabolic section illuminates the surface of the roof T at a high angle of incidence α. or semi-nocturnal roofs of various buildings, hotels, restaurants and historical monuments for example.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for lighting

  superficially the sloping roof of a building, in a way that is homogeneous, efficient and attractive, with simple and inexpensive means, generating a grazing light, directed towards the surface of the roof, without these means affecting the appearance of the roof or building, because they are practically invisible for a

  observer placed on the ground, in front of the building.

  To the knowledge of the depositor, there is no system

specially designed for this purpose.

  Lighting of buildings and their roofs is currently carried out using spotlights, spotlights or neon tubes arranged empirically at the periphery of the building, for example on masts, and / or installed on the roof ridge. They are generally visible, especially during the day, and harm

the aesthetics of the whole.

  In addition, the degree of illumination of the different areas of the roof depends on their location in relation to the light sources, and is therefore not homogeneous.

  The invention aims to fill this gap.

  The device which is the subject of the present invention is intended for

  lighting a sloping roof surface of a building.

  This device consists of an illuminating ramp capable of being fixed horizontally along the lower edge of the roof, this ramp comprising a reflector constituted by a section profile approximately in the shape of a "C" whose opening is oriented towards the surface of the roof. and the internal surface of which is coated with a layer of reflective material, such as a lacquered paint or aluminum foil for example, said profile having a bottom of parabolic section. A light source constituted by a fluorescent tube, or a series of coaxial fluorescent tubes juxtaposed end to end, with cold hollow cathode, the axis of which coincides with the focal point of the parabolic section, is mounted inside this profile, and the latter is positioned at the base of the roof in such a way that the flow of parallel light rays reflected by the bottom of the parabolic section illuminates the surface of the roof T at a high angle of incidence, that is to say with a light grazing. Furthermore, according to a certain number of advantageous, but not limiting, characteristics of the invention: - the profile is fixed to the base of the roof by means of fixing members which allow the height adjustment and / or the angular adjustment of the profile, so as to allow optimal illumination of the roof surface - the profile raised above the lower edge of the roof by a space of sufficient height to allow the drainage water to pass through; - The bottom of the parabolic section is extended, at its base, by a flat and approximately horizontal wall portion, capable of ensuring its mounting on support and fixing members; - This portion of flat and approximately horizontal wall is extended outwards by a rim slightly inclined downwards; - the bottom of the parabolic section is extended, in the upper part, by a flat wall portion which tangentially extends the parabolic bottom, and is adapted to reflect a part of the rays generated by fluorescent tube by forming a flux with slightly divergent light rays, located above said stream of parallel light rays, and capable of illuminating an object placed on the roof and / or the steepest upper part of a double slope roof; - the bottom of the parabolic section carries a beak-shaped boss, of inverted "V" section, with arched branches which progressively connect to the rest of the parabolic contour, in order to prevent the rays generated by the fluorescent tube which are reflected in this zone do not come to meet the tube again; - The external surface of the profile is coated with a layer of material whose appearance is identical, or visually close, to the roof covering material; - the external surface of the profile is coated with a layer of binder loaded with mineral granules; - the light source is composed of a set of coaxial tubes mounted end to end and connected in series, supplied by a source generating an electric current, such as a transformer connected to the mains (240 V) and supplying the tubes by an alternating electric current of the order of

  200 mA, at a voltage of approximately 5000V.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the

  description which will now be made thereof, with reference to the appended drawings, which

  represent a possible embodiment.

  In these drawings: FIG. 1 is a side view, partial and schematic, of the

  device according to the invention fitted to a building whose roof has a single slope.

  Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the reflector and

fasteners.

  Figure 3 is a side view of the bracket.

  Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, but for a

  building with a single pitched roof.

  Figure l illustrates the operating principle of the device.

  It partially represents a building with a facade U, an inclined roof T to be lit, the latter having an overhang forming a canopy V. The device comprises an illuminating ramp 1, which runs horizontally along the lower edge of the roof, over all of its length. It includes a reflector in the form of a non-closed profile 2, with internal surface

  concave, the cross section of which roughly has the shape of a "C".

  The opening of this "C" is oriented towards the roof surface.

  It is an extruded metal profile, for example aluminum, the internal surface of which is coated with a reflective layer, advantageously a layer of light-colored lacquered paint which has good properties.

  light reflection. Aluminum foil can also be used.

  This profile is fixed to the building by suitable mounting members, such as fittings 3 which allow height adjustment (arrow h)

  and an angular adjustment (arrow g) of the profile.

  A light source constituted by a fluorescent electric tube 4 with a cold hollow cathode is mounted inside the profile 2, and is held there in

  a suitable position by means of suitable fasteners, of known type.

  The axis of the tube is parallel to that of the reflector profile, and to the

roof edge.

  In fact, there is provided a set of coaxial tubes 2 mounted end to end and connected in series. A current source, not shown, such as a transformer connected to the mains (240 V), supplies the tubes with an alternating electric current of 200 mA intensity, at a voltage of 5000 V. In practice, the fixing members of the series of tubes can consist of a set of plastic plates distributed regularly over the entire length of each tube (for example three per tube) and fixed inside the profile 2, for example by means of screws; each of these plates has an open opening in "C" (notch) shaped and dimensioned so as to receive the tube by elastic snap-fastening, and to retain it firmly, in

  the correct position, inside the profile.

  Figure 2 shows the outline of the reflector profile 2.

  The latter includes a CD parabolic section bottom, at the hearth

  which is positioned the axis XX 'of the tube 4.

  In the upper part, this parabolic portion is extended by a rectilinear part DE, arranged obliquely upwards and in the direction of the roof,

  tangentially to the parabolic portion.

  In the lower part, the parabolic portion is extended by a part

  horizontal rectilinear CB then by a rim inclined downwards BA.

  The fixing member 3 comprises an attachment tab 31 in the form

  a bent flat rod, shown side view in Figure 3.

  Its upper end portion 34 is folded back to 900 to form a

  support area on the flat face of the profile, corresponding to the aforementioned CB area.

  The fixing at this level is carried out using a bolt not shown. In the lower part, the flat rod 31 is connected to another flat rod

  intended to be fixed to the building, just at the base of the roof, for example against the upper part of the awning.

  This connection is made by means of a bolt (not shown), the screw rod 33 of which passes through a lumen 32 formed in the rod 31. This

  provision allows the aforementioned height and angle adjustments.

  Of course, a certain number of fittings 3 of this kind are provided, at regular intervals, over the entire facade, to support suitably

ramp 1 over its entire length.

  As can be seen in FIG. 1, the profile 2 is slightly raised, by a height "k", relative to the lower edge of the roof, so as to allow the

  passage of runoff water and prevent it from entering profile 2.

  However, it remains exposed to rain and humidity. In the presence of water

  in the profile, it is easily evacuated thanks to the sloping edge AB.

  In operation, part of the light rays emitted by the tube

  4 are reflected by the CD parabolic background.

  Two of these rays, referenced Ri and R'l have been represented on the

figure 2.

  Because the tube is located at the focal point of the parabola, all of the reflected light rays are parallel (arrows i), forming a beam of light

  Fi thickness designated "a" in Figure l, which will illuminate the roof in a grazing manner.

  This means that the angle of incidence of the rays i, i.e. the angle a that these rays form with the normal N to the plane of the roof has a value

  high, only a few degrees lower than the right angle.

  The dimensions of the dish, its height positioning and its orientation are naturally chosen so as to best illuminate the entire

  roof (or part of it, which we want to highlight).

  It should be noted that in Figures i and 4, the scale adopted to represent the light ramp is larger than its real scale in proportion to that of the roof, this in order to allow better

understanding of how it works.

  The illumination obtained is perfectly homogeneous.

  If the roof surface has roughness, which may in particular consist of the edges corresponding to the lower edges (edges) 50 of cover plates 5 (tiles or slates in particular) partially overlapping in the manner of scales, these asperities "hang" light and give

  the whole looks attractive, even spectacular.

  Certain rays are reflected by the flat upper part DE.

  One of these departments, referenced R2, has been represented in FIG. 2.

  Their flux F2 is slightly divergent, forming an angle designated "b" in FIG. 1 (arrows j), and is located above the flux Fl of parallel rays mentioned above. Their role is to illuminate an object, for example a sign, a statue

  representing a character or a W advertising sign placed on the roof.

  Of course, the dimension and the inclination of the DE part are

  chosen according to the height Z of the object to be lit.

  The bottom of the parabola CD, in its zone located at the level of its axis of symmetry, carries a boss in the shape of a beak, of inverted "V" section, with arched branches which gradually connect to the rest of the parabolic contour. Its role is to avoid that the rays generated by the fluorescent tube and which are reflected in this area do not come to meet the tube again (in pure loss). The concave arcuate edges of the "beak" F laterally deflect the reflected rays, which then meet other areas of the reflector, and finally

  orient themselves towards the roof and contribute to the desired lighting.

  An observer placed on the ground, in front of the facade, does not see the source

  luminous, because the tube 4 is hidden from it by the profile 2.

  The external surface of the latter is advantageously coated with a layer of material identical, or visually close, to the covering material, in such a way that the observer does not detect a solution of continuity in part.

low of the roof.

  Said coating is for example a binder loaded with mineral granules whose color, not necessarily identical to the color of the roof (on the contrary, contrasted for example) is chosen to adapt to the latter, from

  aesthetic considerations.

  The emitted flux can be colored. For that we can play on the color

  of the tube itself and / or that of the reflective lacquer used.

  Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, showing the

  implementation of the invention for lighting a double pitched roof.

  The upper part T2 is more sloping than the lower part Tl.

  In this case, the flow with parallel rays Fl is adapted to ensure the illumination of the part Tl, while the flow with diverging beam F2 is adapted

  to ensure the lighting of the T2 part.

  For information only, the main dimensions of a possible embodiment of the reflector profile, suitable for receiving a tube having a diameter of 20 mm, are given below: - depth: 65 mm - mouth height: 120 mm - focal length: 24 mm - length of part AB: 30 mm - length of part CB: 15 mm - length of part DE: 50 mm - wall thickness: 3 mm The length of the reflective profile obviously matches that of the

  roof edge to which it should be assigned.

  The invention finds application for the night or semi-night development of roofs of various buildings: shops, hotels, restaurants, pavilions or private or public buildings, historic monuments, etc.

Claims (10)

  1. Device for lighting a sloping roof surface of a building, which consists of an illuminating ramp (1) capable of being fixed horizontally along the lower edge of the roof, this ramp comprising a reflector constituted by a profile (2) of approximately "C" shaped section, the opening of which is oriented towards the surface of the roof and the internal surface of which is coated with a layer of reflective material, such as a lacquered paint or aluminum foil for example, said profile having a bottom (CD) of parabolic section, a light source constituted by a fluorescent electric tube (4), or a series of coaxial fluorescent electric tubes juxtaposed end to end, with cold hollow cathode, the axis of which (XX ') concides with the focal point of the parabolic section, being mounted inside this profile (2), the latter being positioned at the base of the roof so that the flux (Fl) of parallel light rays (i ) r bent by the bottom (CD)   parabolic section illuminates the surface of the roof T at a high angle of incidence.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said profile (2) is supported and fixed to the base of the roof T by means of fixing members (3) which allow the height adjustment (h) and / or the angular adjustment (g) of said profile, so as to allow optimal illumination of the surface of the roof T. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said profile is slightly raised relative to the lower edge of the roof T   a space of sufficient height (k) to let the runoff flow through.   4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the   the fact that said bottom (CD) of parabolic section is extended, at its base, by a portion of flat and approximately horizontal wall (CB), capable of ensuring its   mounting on support and fixing members (3).   5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said portion of planar and approximately horizontal wall (CB) is extended   outwards by a flange (BA) slightly inclined downwards.   6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the   fact that said bottom (CD) of parabolic section is extended, in the upper part, by a flat wall portion (DE) which tangentially extends the parabolic bottom, and is adapted to reflect a part of the rays generated by fluorescent tube (4) in forming a flux (F2) with slightly divergent light rays (j), located above said flux (Fl) of parallel light rays, and capable of illuminating an object W placed on the roof and / or the steepest upper part T2 from roof to double slope Tl-T2.   7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the   causes said bottom (CD) of parabolic section to carry a boss (F) in the shape of a beak, of inverted "V" section, with arched branches which progressively connect to the rest of the parabolic contour, in order to prevent the rays generated by the fluorescent tube (4) which are reflected in this area do not come meet the tube (4) again.   8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the   fact that the external surface of said profile (2) is coated with a layer of material whose appearance is identical, or visually close, to the roof covering material 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the external surface of said profile (2) is coated with a layer of binder loaded with mineral granules.   10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by the   the fact that said light source is composed of a set of coaxial tubes (4) mounted end to end and connected in series, which are supplied by a source generating an electric current, such as a transformer connected to the mains (240 V) and supplying the tubes with an alternating electric current of intensity   of the order of 200 mA, at a voltage of approximately 5000 V.