GB2374111A

GB2374111A - Diffuser apparatus for internally reflective light pipe

Info

Publication number: GB2374111A
Application number: GB0206398A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Michael Payne
Original assignee: Monodraught Ltd
Current assignee: Monodraught Ltd
Priority date: 2001-03-20
Filing date: 2002-03-19
Publication date: 2002-10-09
Also published as: GB0206398D0; GB0106854D0

Abstract

A lighting apparatus 20 comprising an internally reflective pipe 12, a diffuser 24, a trim member 46 and two attachment means, one to attach the diffuser to a ceiling 22, the second attaching the trim to the diffuser in such a way that the first attachment member is covered. The diffuser may be transparent or translucent and circular and convex curving outwardly into the room with the mid point extending into the room beyond the ceiling. The diffuser may be polycarbonate, including an edge flange and a step portion forming fixing portion 30 flush with the ceiling and perforated by holes 48 for screws 54. The diffuser may enter and form a seal with the pipe. In a second embodiment the diffuser may be fixed to a fixing portion which is a separate annular ring including a step portion.

Description

Diffuser Apparatus The invention relates to a diffuser apparatus for use with a lighting apparatus including an elongate internally reflective pipe for conveying natural daylight from roof level to a room below.

Lighting apparatus including internally reflective pipes for conveying daylight from roof level to living spaces is known. Such apparatus generally includes a transparent dome, which in use is mounted on the roof of the building, and an internally mirrored pipe extending from the dome through the roof space of the building to the ceiling of a room below. A diffuser apparatus including a translucent ceiling lens diffuses the light into the room.

Conventionally the diffuser apparatus is fixed to the ceiling by unsightly screws or bolts, etc. Complicated ratchet type fixings are known but these are difficult to install.

According to the invention, there is provided a diffuser apparatus for use with a lighting apparatus including an internally reflective pipe for conveying light to a room, the diffuser apparatus including a diffuser member and a trim member, wherein an attachment arrangement including first attachment means is provided for attaching the diffuser apparatus to a ceiling of the room and wherein second attachment means is provided for attaching the trim member to the diffuser member and/or the attachment arrangement, the trim member covering the first attachment means from view when so attached.

Where reference is made to the ceiling of the room, it should be understood that this could be replaced with a wall of the room where the diffuser apparatus is mounted on a wall.

Preferably the diffuser member includes a central portion and a perimeter portion. The central portion is preferably for diffusing light conveyed by the internally reflective pipe into the room. The central portion is preferably transparent or translucent and may be generally circular and preferably convex in shape, curving outwardly towards the room in use. A mid part of the central portion may extend into the room beyond the level of the ceiling. Preferably the central portion is made substantially of polycarbonate material. The perimeter portion of the diffuser member preferably extends from a radially outer edge of the central portion.

The attachment arrangement preferably includes a fixing part which is generally annular and which in use lies flush with the ceiling. Preferably the first attachment means includes means for securing the fixing part to the ceiling. The fixing part may be provided with a plurality of holes, for receiving screws for attaching the fixing part to the ceiling. The holes may be equally spaced around the fixing part.

The fixing part may form part of the perimeter portion. The perimeter portion of the diffuser member may further include a step part which extends from the radially outer edge of the central portion, preferably to the fixing part.

The step part is preferably generally tubular and is oriented perpendicularly to the fixing part. In use, the diffuser member is preferably positioned such that the central portion partly enters an end of the internally reflective pipe, the step part lying internally of and adjacent to the end of the pipe. Preferably the step part forms a seal with the end of the pipe, the seal minimising the passage of dust and debris from the pipe to the room.

The perimeter portion preferably further includes an edge flange, which is preferably generally annular, lying parallel to but spaced from the fixing part and from the ceiling in use. The edge flange is preferably connected to the fixing part by a further step part which is generally tubular and perpendicular to the edge flange and to the fixing part.

Alternatively the fixing part may include a ring member formed separately from the diffuser member. The ring member may include a ridge against which an outer edge of the diffuser member abuts in use. Preferably the ring member further includes a cylindrical upstanding wall adjacent the pipe in use.

A radially outer edge of the ring member may include a lip which is spaced from the ceiling. The lip is preferably generally disc shaped having gaps at spaced locations.

Preferably the trim member is shaped to cover the attachment arrangement. The trim member is preferably generally annular. The trim member preferably includes a base portion which in use lies generally parallel to the ceiling and radially inner and outer walls, the base and the walls defining a generally annular channel. The radial width of the channel may be slightly greater than the radial width of the attachment arrangement. In use the walls of the trim member may embrace the attachment arrangement. In use the radially inner wall of the trim member may lie parallel to and closely adjacent to the step part of the perimeter portion and the radially outer wall of the trim member may contact the edge flange of the perimeter portion. Alternatively the outer wall of the trim member may contact an outer edge of the locating ring.

The second attachment means may include means for retaining the radially outer wall of the trim member in engagement with the attachment arrangement. This means may include radially inwardly protruding projections provided on the outer wall of the trim member. The projections may be provided at a distal edge of the outer wall of the trim member. Preferably at least four projections, most preferably five or six, are provided, which preferably are equally spaced around the outer wall.

Preferably the projections are elongate, each having a stop means towards one end to define, in use, a channel closed at one end. In use, the channel is preferably capable of being aligned with the lip of the ring member such that the lip may pass into the channel upon rotation of the trim member relative to the lip, thereby retaining the outer wall of the trim member in engagement with the locating ring.

Alternatively, the outer wall may be capable of flexing outwardly to allow the projections to pass the edge flange of the perimeter portion, thereby retaining the outer wall in engagement with the edge flange.

The trim member is preferably made of a plastics material which may be flexible.

Embodiments of the invention will be described below for the purpose of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic vertical section through a prior art lighting apparatus; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of a diffuser member according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of a trim member according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 is a cross-section through a diffuser apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention, in use; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view of a diffuser member according to a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view from above of a trim member according to a second embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 7 is a cross-section through a diffuser apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention, in use.

Referring to Fig. 1, a lighting apparatus 10 includes an internally reflective pipe 12 which conveys natural daylight from a roof 14 area of a building to a room 16 below. The light is conveyed into the room through a translucent ceiling lens which forms part of a diffuser apparatus 20 attached to the ceiling 22 of the room.

The diffuser apparatus 20 is conventionally attached to the ceiling by screws 21 (which are visible and therefore unsightly) or by complex ratchet fixings.

Fig. 2 shows a diffuser member 24 which forms part of a diffuser apparatus 20 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Fig. 4 illustrates the complete diffuser apparatus 20. The diffuser member 24 includes a central portion in the form of a circular ceiling lens 26, and a perimeter portion 28.

The lens 26 diffuses the natural light conveyed by the reflective pipe 12 into the room below. The ceiling lens 26 is made of a convex sheet of transparent or translucent polycarbonate material. The lens 26 curves outwardly into the room (see Fig. 4) and the curvature helps to diffuse light over a wide area.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, the perimeter portion 28 forms an attachment arrangement including an annular fixing part 30, separated from a radially outer edge of the lens 26 by a step part 32. The fixing part 30 in use lies flush with the ceiling 22. The fixing part includes four evenly spaced holes 34 for receiving first attachment means such as screws, to secure the fixing part 30, and therefore the diffuser member 24, to the ceiling 22.

The step part 32 is cylindrical in shape and perpendicular to the fixing part. The step part is able to locate inside an end of the internally reflective pipe 12.

The perimeter portion 28 further includes an edge flange 36 located at a radially outer part of the perimeter portion. The edge flange is annular and lies parallel to the fixing part 30 but is separated from the fixing part 30 by a further step part 38, which is cylindrical and coaxial with the step part 32.

Referring to Fig. 3, there is illustrated a trim member 40 which also forms part of the diffuser apparatus. The trim member 40 may also be seen in section in Fig. 4. The trim member 40 includes generally cylindrical inner and outer walls 42 and 44 respectively and an annular base 46, the base and the walls together defining an annular channel 48.

Indentations 50 are present at the top of the outer wall 44 at six equally spaced intervals around the trim member 40. The indentations 50 form radially inwardly directed projections 52.

The trim member is made of a plastics material with some flexibility.

In use, the step part 32 of the perimeter portion of the diffuser member 24 is located within an end of the reflective piping 12. The fixing part 30 of the perimeter portion 28 is then attached to the ceiling 22 by screws 54, which pass through the screw holes 34, thus attaching the diffuser member to the ceiling 22. At this stage the screws 54 are visible from the room being illuminated and they can be unsightly.

The width of the channel 48 of the trim member 40 is just greater than the width of the perimeter portion 28 of the diffuser member 24. The trim member 40 is made of a plastics material which is sufficiently flexible to allow the outer wall 44 to be bent slightly as manual pressure is applied to it. This allows the perimeter portion 28 of the diffuser apparatus 20 to enter the channel 48 past the projections 52. An outer lower corner 60 of the edge flange 36 is slightly rounded to allow the outer wall 44 to be bent radially outwardly when pressure is applied by pushing the trim member 40 upwards as viewed in Fig. 4.

Once the perimeter portion 28 of the diffuser member 24 is located in the channel 48, the outer wall 44 of the trim member 40 returns to its original position and prevents the trim member detaching from the diffuser member 24. Until manual pressure is applied to bend the outer wall, 44 and bring the projections 52 away from the edge flange 36, the trim member 40 remains securely attached to the perimeter portion 28 of the diffuser member 24.

Figs. 5 to 7 illustrate various components of a diffuser apparatus 120 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The diffuser apparatus 120 includes a diffuser member 124 which is similar to the diffuser member 24 of the first embodiment of the invention. The diffuser member 124 includes a central portion in the form of a circular ceiling lens 126 and perimeter portion 128, separated by a step part 132 (see Fig. 5). In this embodiment, it can be seen from Fig. 7 that the perimeter portion 128 does not lie quite flush with the ceiling 122.

The step part 132 is able to locate inside an end of an internally reflective pipe 112 as seen in Fig. 7.

Fig. 6 shows a trim member 140 which also forms part of the diffuser apparatus 120. The trim member 140 includes generally cylindrical inner and outer walls 142,144 respectively and an annular base 146, the base and the walls together defining an annular channel 148.

Radially inwardly directed projections 152 are provided at six equally spaced intervals around the trim member 140 at the top of the outer wall 144. At one end of each projection 152 there is provided a stop means in the form of a barrier 153. Although six projections are illustrated, fewer or more could be present.

Referring to Fig. 7 the diffuser apparatus 120 further includes an attachment arrangement including a locating ring 160. The locating ring 160 includes a generally annular body 130 which lies generally against the ceiling 122 in use, and an upturned part 166 extending upwardly in use from a radially inner edge of the body 130. The upturned part 166 is generally cylindrical and lies adjacent the internally reflective pipe 112 in use.

The body 130 of the locating ring includes radially inner and outer portions each lying against the ceiling in use, separated by a ridge 164 which extends away from the ceiling. The radially outer portion of the body 130 is provided with screw holes 134, for receiving screws 154.

A lip 162 extends around an outer perimeter of the body 130, the lip being spaced slightly from the ceiling 122, so as to leave a small channel between the lip and the ceiling. Although the lip 162 extends generally around the entire perimeter of the body, at six equally spaced locations around the lip's circumference, gaps (not visible in the drawings) are provided in the lip. The function of the gaps is described in more detail hereinafter.

In use, the locating ring 160 is attached to the ceiling 122 by first attachment means in the form of screws 154 which pass through the screw holes 134. The step part 132 of the diffuser member 124 is then located within an end of the reflective pipe 112 as seen in Fig. 7. The outer end of the diffuser member 124 locates against the ridge 164 of the locating ring 160. At this stage the screws 154 are visible from the room being illuminated and they can be unsightly.

The projections 152 of the trim member 140 are pushed up into the gaps in the lip 162, so that the projections 152 are adjacent the ceiling 122. The trim member is then rotated, the inwardly turned projections 152 moving through the channel defined between the ceiling 122 and the lip 162. This movement is halted when the barrier 153, previously in a gap of the lip 162, comes into contact with the lip 162. In this position the trim member 140 remains securely attached to the locating ring 160.

There is thus provided a diffuser apparatus which is simple to attach to a ceiling, and which is neat and attractive when viewed from the room to be lit.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, attachment means other than screws, e. g. nails, may be used to fix the diffuser apparatus to the ceiling. The trim member may also be attached to the lens by alternative attachment means, and the shapes of the various components may be altered.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. A diffuser apparatus for use with a lighting apparatus including an internally reflective pipe for conveying light to a room, the diffuser apparatus including a diffuser member and a trim member, wherein an attachment arrangement including first attachment means is provided for attaching the diffuser apparatus to a ceiling of the room and wherein second attachment means is provided for attaching the trim member to the diffuser member and/or the attachment arrangement, the trim member covering the first attachment means from view when so attached.
2. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the diffuser member includes a central portion and a perimeter portion, the central portion being transparent or translucent, for diffusing light conveyed by the internally reflective pipe into the room.
3. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the central portion is generally circular, and is convex in shape, curving outwardly towards the room in use.
4. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein a mid part of the central portion extends into the room beyond the level of the ceiling.
5. A diffuser apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the central portion is made substantially of polycarbonate material.
6. A diffuser apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the perimeter portion of the diffuser member extends from a radially outer edge of the central portion.
7. A diffuser apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 6, wherein the attachment arrangement includes a fixing part which is generally annular and which in use lies flush with the ceiling.
8. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the first attachment means includes means for securing the fixing part to the ceiling.
9. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein the fixing part is provided with a plurality of holes, for receiving screws for attaching the fixing part to the ceiling.
10. A diffuser apparatus according to any of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the fixing part forms part of the perimeter portion.
11. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein the perimeter portion of the diffuser member further includes a step part which extends from the radially outer edge of the central portion and outwardly of the pipe.
12. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein the step part extends to the fixing part and is generally tubular and oriented perpendicularly to the fixing part.
13. A diffuser apparatus according to any of Claims 10 to 12, wherein in use, the diffuser member is positioned such that the central portion partly enters an end of the internally reflective pipe, the step part lying internally of and adjacent to the end of the pipe.
14. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein the step part forms a seal with the end of the pipe, the seal minimising the passage of dust and debris from the pipe to the room.
15. A diffuser apparatus according to any of Claims 10 to 14, wherein the perimeter portion includes an edge flange, the edge flange is generally annular, lying parallel to but spaced from the fixing part and from the ceiling in use.
16. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein the edge flange is connected to the fixing part by a further step part which is generally tubular and perpendicular to the edge flange and to the fixing part.
17. A diffuser apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the attachment arrangement includes a ring member formed separately from the diffuser member.
18. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 17, wherein the ring member includes a ridge against which an outer edge of the diffuser member abuts in use.
19. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 17 or Claim 18, wherein the ring member includes a cylindrical upstanding wall adjacent the pipe in use.
20. A diffuser apparatus according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein a radially outer edge of the ring member includes a lip which is spaced from the ceiling.
21. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 20, wherein the lip is generally disc shaped having gaps at spaced locations.
22. A diffuser apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the trim member is shaped to cover the attachment arrangement.
23. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 22, wherein the trim member is generally annular.
24. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 23, wherein the trim member includes a base portion which in use lies generally parallel to the ceiling and radially inner and outer walls, the base and the walls defining a generally annular channel.
25. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 24, wherein the radial width of the channel is slightly greater than the radial width of the attachment arrangement, and wherein in use the walls of the trim member embrace the attachment arrangement.
26. A diffuser apparatus according to claim 22 when appended to Claim 10, herein in use the radially inner wall of the trim member lies parallel to and closely adjacent to the step part of the perimeter portion and the radially outer wall of the trim member contacts the edge flange of the perimeter portion.
27. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 22 when appended to Claim 17, wherein the outer wall of the trim member contacts an outer edge of the locating ring.
28. A diffuser apparatus according to any of Claims 25 to 27, wherein the second attachment means includes means for retaining the radially outer wall of the trim member in engagement with the attachment arrangement.
29. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 28, wherein this means includes radially inwardly protruding projections provided at a distal edge of the outer wall of the trim member.
30. A diffuser apparatus according to Claims 29, wherein the projections are elongate, each having a stop means towards one end to define, in use, a channel closed at one end.
31. A diffuser apparatus according to Claim 30, wherein in use, the channel is capable of being aligned with the lip of the ring member such that the lip may pass into the channel upon rotation of the trim member relative to the lip, thereby retaining the outer wall of the trim member in engagement with the locating ring.
32. A diffuser apparatus according to any of Claims 29 to 31, wherein the outer wall is capable of flexing outwardly to allow the projections to pass the edge flange of the perimeter portion, thereby retaining the outer wall in engagement with the edge flange.
33. A diffuser apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the trim member is made of a plastics material which is flexible.
34. A diffuser apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.
35. A diffuser apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 5 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.
36. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.