GB2575880A

GB2575880A - Support

Info

Publication number: GB2575880A
Application number: GB1812317.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leck Alexander
Original assignee: John Cullen Lighting Ltd
Current assignee: John Cullen Lighting Ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-27
Filing date: 2018-07-27
Publication date: 2020-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 2038-07-27
Also published as: GB201812317D0; GB2575880B

Abstract

The support 100 for mounting a light 101 has a first component 300 and a second component 301. The first component has a protrusion 305 biased in a direction lateral to its circumference. The second component 301 has a formation 400 defining a ledge 401 extending along its circumference and depressions 403 located around the circumference. The first and second components are rotatable relative to one another about a common axis A. In an assembly orientation a part of the first component coincides with a gap 402 in the ledge so the part can move through the gap, and when the first and second components are relatively rotated away from the assembly orientation the part radially overlaps the ledge to prevent the first component being removed. A plurality of indexing orientations are provided at which the protrusion is received by a different one of the plurality of depressions such that the protrusion is displaced out of the depression when the first and second components are relatively rotated away from the respective indexing orientation. The first component may have a plurality of protrusions. The part may comprise a plurality of tabs located non rotationally symmetrically around the circumference.

Description

Support

Field of the disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a support and to a corresponding method for using a support. In particular, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to an apparatus for mounting a light, the apparatus comprising the support.

Background

Various supports are available for securing devices, such as lights, to external surfaces. Despite the commonality of this requirement, current supports often have similar design flaws. By way of example, a range of tools is often needed to insert or remove a device from the support. Supports also often contain a number of components that are either easily broken or undesirably are expensive to manufacture.

Summary of the disclosure

Aspects of the present disclosure are set out in the appended claims.

In one example there is provided a support comprising: a first component having a protrusion biased in a direction lateral to a circumference of the first component; and a second component having a formation defining a ledge extending along a circumference of the second component and a plurality of depressions located around the circumference of the second component, wherein the first component and the second component cooperate so as to be rotatable relative to one another about a common axis between a plurality of orientations, which orientations include: an assembly orientation at which a part of the first component coincides with a gap in the ledge such that when the first component is moved along the common axis towards the second component to an assembled position the part moves through the gap, and such that when the first component and the second component in the assembled position are rotated around the common axis relative to one another away from the assembly orientation the part of the first component radially overlaps the ledge so as to prevent the first component being removed along the common axis from the second component; and a plurality of indexing orientations at which the protrusion is received by a different one of the plurality of depressions such that the protrusion is displaced out of the depression against the biasing when the first and second components are rotated around the common axis relative to one another away from the respective indexing orientation.

A method is also provided, the method comprising: providing a first component having a protrusion biased in a direction lateral to a circumference of the first component; providing a second component having a formation defining a ridge extending along a circumference of the second component and a plurality of depressions at different

-2locations around the circumference of the second component; rotating the first component and the second component relative to one another about a common axis to an assembly orientation at which a part of the first component coincides with a gap in the ridge; moving the first component along the common axis towards the second component to an assembled position by moving the part through the gap, in which assembled position, when the first component and the second component are rotated around the common axis relative to one another away from the assembly orientation, the part of the first component radially overlaps the ridge so as to prevent the first component being removed along the common axis from the second component; and rotating the first component and the second component relative to one another about the common axis between a plurality of indexing orientations at which the protrusion is received by a different one of the depressions, by displacing the protrusion out of the depression against the biasing.

The part of the first component may comprise a plurality of tabs extending in directions radial to the circumference of the first component. In the assembly orientation, each tab may coincide with a respective gap in the ledge such that when the first component is moved along the common axis towards the second component to the assembled position each tab moves through the respective gap.

The plurality of tabs may be located around the circumference of the first component in an arrangement that is not rotationally symmetric. In one example, the tabs are located around the circumference of the first component such that adjacent tabs are separated by an angle about the common axis of less than 180 degrees. For example, the part of the first component may comprise five tabs and the ledge may have five corresponding gaps.

The first component may have a plurality of protrusions each biased in a direction lateral to the circumference of the first component. The plurality of indexing orientations may include indexing orientations at which at least one of the plurality of protrusions is received by one of the plurality of depressions. Indeed, the plurality of indexing orientations may include indexing orientations at which at least two of the plurality of protrusions are received by a respective one of the plurality of depressions.

In one example, the first component comprises four protrusions.

The protrusions may each comprise a spring loaded ball bearing.

Each of the plurality of depressions may have a curved surface for urging the respective protrusion out of the depression against the biasing when the first and second components are rotated around the common axis relative to one another away from the respective indexing orientation.

-3The ledge may be provided by a ridge, and optionally the depressions may be provided on the ridge.

Any two of the plurality of depressions may be separated from one another along the circumference of the second component by a separation distance that is an integer multiple of a minimum separation distance between adjacent depressions.

The protrusions and the depressions may be arranged such that the indexing orientations are evenly distributed about the common axis.

The support may have a securing mechanism arranged to secure the first component and the second component together. The securing mechanism may be arranged to secure the first component and the second component together by overlapping the part of the first component in at least one of the gaps. The securing mechanism may be releasable. In one example, the securing mechanism is a screw.

Preferably, in the assembled position, the first component may extend inside the second component. Each protrusion may extend radially outward with respect the circumference of the first component. The part of the first component may extend radially outward with respect the circumference of the first component and the ledge may extend radially inward with respect to the circumference of the second component.

The support may further comprise a mounting arrangement for securing the support to a surface. It is also possible that the first component and the second component are arranged to fit together such that they form a seal therebetween.

The support may further comprise an electrical coupling. The electrical coupling may comprise a first electrically conductive contact on the first component and a second electrically conductive contact on the second component. The electrical coupling may be arranged such that the first electrically conductive contact and the second electrically conductive contact remain in contact with one another at all orientations of the first component and the second component. For example, the first electrically conductive contact and the second electrically conductive contact may slidably engage with one another in order to achieve this.

The disclosure extends to a light comprising the support.

The disclosure also extends to any novel aspects or features described and/or illustrated herein. Further features of the disclosure are characterised by the other independent and dependent claims

-4Any feature in one aspect of the disclosure may be applied to other aspects of the disclosure, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to apparatus aspects, and vice versa.

Any apparatus feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure.

It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

Preferred embodiments are described below, by way of example only, with references to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is an illustration of a light mounted to a wall using a support, with the light oriented at a first orientation.

Figure 2 is an illustration of the light mounted to the wall using the support, with the light oriented at a second orientation.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the support with a first component and a second component separated from one another.

Figure 4 is a different perspective view of the support illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the first component of the support.

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the second component of the support.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the support showing the first component being moved towards the second component during assembly.

Figure 8 is a cut away view of the support with the first component and the second component oriented at an assembly orientation.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the support with the first component and the second component oriented at the assembly orientation.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the support with the first component and the second component oriented at an indexing orientation.

Figure 11 is a cut away view of the support with the first component and the second component oriented at the indexing orientation.

-5Figure 12 is an exploded view of a first component of an alternative embodiment of the support.

Figure 13 is an exploded view of a second component of the alternative embodiment of the support.

Figure 14 is a cut away view of the alternative embodiment of the support with the first component and the second component oriented at an assembly orientation.

Figure 15 is a cut away view of the alternative embodiment of the support with the first component and the second component oriented at the indexing orientation.

Detailed description

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, a support 100 is usable to mount a light 101 to a wall 102, such that the light 101 is rotatable in a plane parallel to a surface of the wall 102 to which it is mounted. Figure 1 shows the light 101 oriented at a first orientation in the plane, in which first orientation the light 101 may be described as facing downwards in the sense of the drawing. Figure 2 shows the light 101 oriented at a second orientation in the plane, in which second orientation the light 101 may be described as facing downwards and to the rear in the sense of the drawing.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the support has a pivot 302 via which the light 101 is mounted to the support 100. The pivot 302 comprises two elements 303 extending from a surface of a second component 301 of the support 100. A hole 304 is provided in each of the elements 303 at the ends of the elements 303 distal to the surface of the second component 301. The holes 304 of the elements 303 are coaxial perpendicular to a common axis A of the support 100. This common axis A is coaxial with a main axis of the second component 301 and is the axis of rotation of the light 101 in the plane parallel to the surface of the wall 102.

A recess 103 is provided in the light 101 for accommodating the pivot 302. A hole 104 is provided on each side of the recess 103. The holes 104 of the light 101 are coaxial. The holes 104 of the light 101 are also of similar dimensions to the holes 304 of the elements 303 of the pivot 302. With the elements 303 of the pivot 302 accommodated in the recess 103, the holes 104 of the light 101 and the holes 304 of the elements 303 of the pivot 302 can be aligned with one another and a pin 105 is insertable through the holes 104 of the light 101 and the holes 304 of the elements 303 of the pivot 302 to secure the light 101 to the support 100. Secured to the support 100 in this way, the light 101 is rotatable about the pivot 302, e.g. around the axis of the holes 304 of the elements 303 of the pivot 302. This rotation is additional to the rotation of the light 101 in the plane

-6parallel to the surface of the wall 102 to which the support 100 is mounted, and may be described as allowing the light 101 to tilt as well as to rotate.

A first component 300 of the support 100 is mountable to the second component 301 of the support 100. In this embodiment, the first component 300 extends inside the second component 301 when it is mounted to the second component 301. Indeed, in the illustrated embodiment, the first component 300 has a radial extent smaller than a radial extent of a void defined by the second component 301 such that the first component 300 fits inside the void. The second component 301 may therefore be described as a housing and the first component 300 may be described as an insert. The housing and insert can be dimensioned to fit together to provide a seal therebetween, to protect the internal parts, e.g. from the ingress of a liquid.

The first component 300 has one or more protrusions 305 located around a circumference of the first component 300. In the illustrated embodiment, the first component 300 has four protrusions 305. The protrusions 305 are arranged to extend laterally from the circumference. In this embodiment, the protrusions 305 extend radially outward from the circumference. The protrusions 305 are biased in the direction that they extend away from the circumference. That is, they extend resiliently such that they can be deflected back towards the circumference against the biasing force. In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusions 305 can be deflected inwardly, that is towards the main axis of the first component 300.

In the illustrated embodiment, each protrusion 305 comprises a ball bearing 306 mounted in a housing 307. The housing 307 is a cylinder closed at one end and open at the other end. The open end of the cylinder has an inwardly protruding lip (not shown). The ball bearing 306 is located in the cylinder and can protrude from the open end, but is prevented from escaping from the cylinder by the lip. A helical compression spring (not shown) is located in the housing 307 between the ball bearing 306 and the closed end of the cylinder. The helical compression spring urges the ball bearing 306 towards the open end of the cylinder such that the ball bearing 306 protrudes from the open end. As such, it will be understood that the ball bearing 306 is resiliently biased by the helical compression spring outward from the housing 307.

The housing 307 of each protrusion 305 is mounted in a protrusion hole 308 in the first component 300. Each protrusion hole 308 is a cylinder corresponding to the outer shape and size of the housings 307 of the protrusions 305, and is located with a central axis lying in a radial direction with respect to the circumference of the first component 300. In the illustrated embodiment, four protrusion holes 308 are provided around the circumference of the first component 300, one for accommodating each of the four protrusions 305.

-Ί The first component 300 also has a part comprising a plurality of tabs 309. The tabs 309 each extend in directions radial to the circumference of the first component 300. In this embodiment, the tabs 309 extend radially outward.

There are five tabs 309 located at positions around the circumference of the first component 301, but this number of tabs 309 is not essential. It is sufficient that the part of the first component 300 comprises only one tab 309, but there is some advantage to there being more than one tab 309. For example, multiple tabs 309 may be provided with adjacent tabs 309 separated by an angle of no more than 180° about the central axis of the first component 301. Because the tabs 309 cooperate with the second component 301 to retain the first component 300 and the second component 301 together, by having multiple tabs 309 located at different circumferential positions the tabs 309 can resist twisting motion between the first component 300 and the second component 301 outside of the plane of rotation of the light 101 around the common axis A.

As shown in Figure 4, the second component 301 has a formation 400 that extends along the circumference of the second component 301. The formation 400 comprises a ledge 401 that extends around the circumference and protrudes radially from a surface of the second component 301. In this embodiment, the ledge 401 is in the form of a ridge. The ledge 401 also protrudes radially inward. That is, in the illustrated embodiment at least, the ledge 401 protrudes into the void defined by the second component 301.

The ledge 401 defines a ring with a minimum radius smaller than a distance in a radial direction from the main axis of the first component 300 to the outer extent of the tabs 309. The ledge 401 has gaps 402 along its length. The gaps 402 are located at positions around the circumference of the first component 300 that correspond with the positions of the tabs 309 around the circumference of the second component 301. More specifically, when the first component 300 and the second component 301 are aligned coaxially, that is with the main axis of the respective circumferences lying on the common axis A of the support 100, there is an assembly orientation at which the first component 300 and the second component 301 are oriented relative to one another around the main axis A such that the tabs 309 align with the gaps 402. The tabs 309 and gaps 402 are arranged such that, in this assembly orientation, the first component 300 and the second component 301 can be moved axially towards one another with the tabs 309 passing through the gaps 402. Outside of the assembly orientation, one or more of the tabs 309 prevents the first component 300 and the second component 301 being moved axially towards one another by the tabs 309 abutting the ledge 401. Moreover, with the first component 300 and the second component 301 already moved axially towards one another to an assembled position, and with the tabs 309 having passed through the gaps 402, when the first component 300 and the second component are rotated relative to one another to

-8an orientation outside of the assembly orientation one or more of the tabs 309 prevents the first component 300 and the second component 301 being moved axially away from one another by the tabs 309 abutting the ledge 401. In other words, the tabs 309 and the ledge 401 are arranged to retain the first component 300 and the second component 301 together.

The formation 400 of the second component 301 also has a plurality of depressions 403 located along the circumference of the second component 301. The depressions 403 are arranged to accommodate the protrusions 305. In particular, the depressions 403 each have a shape and size that corresponds with the shape and size of one of the protrusions 305 sufficiently to receive at least an end of the protrusion 305. In the illustrated embodiment this means that the depressions 403 are each approximately as wide as the diameter of the ball bearings of the protrusions 305.

The depressions 403 are arranged such that, with the first component 300 mounted to the second component 301, the depressions 403 and the protrusions 305 face towards one another. In the illustrated embodiment, this means that the depressions 403 face radially inwards.

The formation 400 defines a ring with a minimum radius smaller than a distance in a radial direction from the main axis of the first component 300 to the outer extent of the protrusions 305. This requirement is similar to the requirements of the ring defined by the ledge 401 with respect to the tabs 309. Indeed, in the illustrated embodiment, it will be appreciated that the minimum radius of the two rings is the same. The formation 400 is such that the ledge 401 is in the form of a ridge and the depressions 403 are provided on the ridge.

With the first component 300 mounted to the second component 301, the depressions 403 cooperate with the protrusions 305 to define a plurality of indexing orientations. At each indexing orientation, the first component 300 and the second component 301 are rotated with respect to one another around the common axis such that at least one of the protrusions 305 coincides with one of the depressions 403. Where one of the protrusions 305 coincides with one of the depressions 403, the protrusion 305 extends into the depression 403. Where one of the protrusions 305 does not coincide with one of the depressions 403, the protrusion 305 is urged inwardly by the formation 400 against the biasing force.

When the first component 300 and the second component 301 are rotated with respect to one another around the common axis A away from any of the indexing orientations, the protrusion(s) 305 coinciding with the depression(s) 403 are urged inwardly by the formation 400 against the biasing. In this way, the first component 300 and the second

-9component 301 resist rotation away from the indexing orientations. This allows the support 100 to hold the light 101 at a number of discrete orientations in the plane of rotation around the common axis A of the support 100.

The depressions 403 are arranged to have a contour along the circumference of the second component 301 that is a curve. The steepness of the curve on each side of a respective depression 403 defines the rate at which a protrusion 305 coinciding with the depression 403 is urged inwardly as the first component 300 is rotated with respect to the second component 301. This steepness, along with the strength of the biasing force, therefore influences the amount of force required to rotate the first component 300 and the second component 301 with respect to one another away from the respective indexing orientation.

The support 100 is arranged to prevent or reduce relative translational movement of the first component 300 and the second component 301 in a plane perpendicular to the common axis A, e.g. so that the housings 307 of the protrusions 305 cannot move radially away from the formation 400. In some embodiments, this is achieved by an axle or spindle on one of the first or the second components 300, 301 cooperating with a bearing or hub on the other of first or the second components 300, 301 so as to secure the first and second components 300, 301 on the common axis A. However, in the illustrated embodiment a rim 315 of the first component 300 cooperates with a lip 316 of the second component 301 so that, once the first component 300 is positioned in the void of the second component 301, the rim 315 is in close proximity to, or abuts, the lip 316 of the second component 301. The degree of proximity between the rim 315 and the lip 316 is selected based upon an acceptable amount of translational movement, or friction. Friction between the rim 315 and the lip 316 generally increases with the proximity of fit and the prevention or reduction of relative translational movement is generally improved with a closer proximity of fit. The proximity of the rim 315 and the lip 316 is usually chosen as the minimum dimensions that prevent significant relative movement of the first component 300 and the second component 301.

The rim 315 is also dimensioned to have a radius that corresponds to the maximum radius of the formation so that when the first component 300 and the second component 301 are aligned coaxially, with the main axis of each of the first and second components 300, 301 coincident with the common axis A, the rim 315 radially overlaps the formation 400. When the first component 300 is moved along the common axis A towards the second component 301, the rim 316 abuts the formation 400 to prevent movement along the common axis A once the first component 300 is located in the assembled position. To achieve this, the distance of axial separation between the rim 315 and the tabs 309 corresponds to the axial thickness of the formation 400. This means that when the first

- 10and second components 300, 301 are in the assembled position and rotated away from the assembly orientation, the rim 315 and the tabs 309 sandwich the formation 400. Indeed, when the first and second components 300, 301 are in the assembly position and rotated away from the assembly orientation, the tabs 309 abut the formation 400 to prevent relative axial movement along the common axis A in one direction and the rim 315 abuts the formation 400 to prevent relative axial movement in the opposite direction. Moreover, the rim 315 is dimensioned to abut the formation 400 to prevent movement in this direction even when the first and second components 300, 301 are oriented in the assembly orientation.

Also, the protrusion housings 307, or the circumference of the first component 301 around which the protrusion holes 308 are located, are dimensioned such that the radius of the first component 300 corresponds to the minimum radius of the formation 400. More specifically, the circumference of the first component 300 is dimensioned such that it is in close proximity with, or abuts, the formation 400 when the first component 300 is located inside the second component 301. To facilitate this close proximity fit, the housings 307 are sized so that they do not extend substantially beyond the circumference of the first component 301, e.g. the housings 307 are sized to fit in substantially their entirety within the protrusion holes 308. As with the rim 315 interacting with the lip 316, this interaction between the formation 400 and the circumference of the first component 300 prevents relative translation movement of the first and second components 300, 301 in the plane perpendicular to the common axis A.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the depressions 403 and protrusions 305 are arranged such that the indexing locations are distributed evenly around the common axis A of the support. In this embodiment, this is achieved by the depressions 403 being spaced from one another around the main axis of the second component 301 by an integer multiple of a minimum angular separation angle a between adjacent depressions 403. That is, an angle β around the main axis between any two of the depressions 403 is equal to Na, where N is an integer greater than 1. In the illustrated embodiment, a is equal to 15°.

There are embodiments in which there is only one protrusion 305. However, in embodiments where there is more than one protrusion 305, such as the illustrated embodiment, it is advantageous for the protrusions also to be separated around the main axis of the first component 300 by angles that complement the angular separation of the depressions 403, so that in at least some indexing orientations more than one protrusion 305 coincides with a respective depression 403. In the illustrated embodiment, an angle γ around the main axis between any two of the protrusions 305 is also equal to Na, where N is an integer greater than 1. Indeed, in the illustrated embodiment, N is equal to 3 or more.

- 11 It can be appreciated from Figures 5 and 6 that, since the depressions 403 are provided on the ridge that forms the ledge 401, there are no depressions 403 at the gaps 402 in the ledge 401. Indeed, the gaps 402 each span an angle of 2a at which no depressions are provided. This means that, in the illustrated embodiment, there is some advantage to arranging the gaps 402, depressions 403 and protrusions 305 such that at least one protrusion 305 coincides with a respective depression 403 even when one or more of the protrusions coincides with one of the gaps 402. Alternatively, it is possible for one or more of the gaps 402 to act as a depression 403, e.g. for there to be an indexing orientation at which the protrusion(s) 305 coincide(s) with (a) respective gap(s).

The support 100 has a securing mechanism arranged to secure the first component 300 and the second component 301 together in the assembly orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing mechanism comprises a screw 310 arranged to be inserted into a hole 311 in a side wall of the second component 301. In this embodiment the screw 310 is a grub screw or a lug. The hole 311 is positioned to coincide with one of the gaps 402 in the ledge 401. The screw 310 is insertable into the hole 311 so as to block the gap 402 in the ledge 401 and prevent the tab 309 of the first component 300 coinciding with the gap 402 from passing through the gap 402. With the first component

300 mounted to the second component 301, preventing the tab 309 of the first component 300 from passing through the gap 402 of the ledge 401 of the second component 301 in this way prevents the first component 300 and the second component

301 being parted from one another along a direction parallel with the common axis A of the support 100, despite the first component 300 and the second component 301 being oriented in the assembly orientation.

The support 100 also has a mounting arrangement that allows the support 100 to be secured to the wall 102. The mounting arrangement comprises one or more holes in the first component 300. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting arrangement comprises a first hole 404 and a second hole 405. The second hole 405 is a slot. The first and second holes 404, 405 are arranged to receive mounting screws 312 that can be screwed into the wall to secure the first component 300 to the wall 102. The second component 301 is arranged to fit together with the first component 300 to form the support 100 and thereby provide a support for the light 101, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

For the sake of clarity, electrical parts have not been described in detail. However, in some embodiments, the support 100 can be provided with holes that allow electrical wires or cables to pass between the light 101 and the wall 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the support 100 is provided with an electrical coupling arranged to couple the light 101 to a supply of electricity located in the wall 102 without inhibiting relative rotation of the first component 300 and the second component 301. The electrical

- 12coupling comprises one or more first electrically conductive strips 313 arranged on the first component 300 and one or more second electrically conductive strips 314 arranged on the second component 301. The first electrically conductive strip(s) 313 extend(s) circumferentially around the common axis A in the form of a closed loop, which in this embodiment is circular. The second electrically conductive strip(s) 314 are located so as to be in contact with the first electrically conductive strip(s) 313 when the support 100 is assembled. In this embodiment, the second electrically conductive strip(s) 314 also extend(s) circumferentially around the common axis A in the form of a closed loop, which in this embodiment is circular, similarly to the first electrically conductive strips 314. However, it will be appreciated that it is possible for either or both of the first electrically conductive strip(s) 313 or the second electrically conductive strip(s) 314 to be located along just a part of the circumferential extent provided the first electrically conductive strip(s) 313 and second electrically conductive strip(s) 314 remain in contact with each other at each orientation of the first component 300 and the second component 301 and electricity can be supplied to the light 101 via the electrical coupling at any orientation. As the first electrically conductive strip(s) 313 and second electrically conductive strip(s) 314 simply slide over one another as the first component 300 and the second component 301 are rotated relative to one another, the relative rotation of the first component 300 and the second component 301 is not inhibited by the electrical coupling.

Assembly and use of the support 100 can be usefully described with reference to Figures 7 to 11. In a first step, the first component 300 of the support 100 is secured to the wall 104 using the provided mounting arrangement. More specifically, the first component 300 is positioned against the wall, with a side of the first component 300 on which the arrangement of the protrusions 305 and the tabs 309 is provided facing away from the wall 102. The mounting screws 312 are then inserted into the first hole 404 and the second hole 405 of the first component and screwed into the wall 102.

The second component 301 is rotated relative to the first component 300 to an assembly orientation at which the tabs 309 of the first component 300 line up with the gaps 402 in the ledge 401 of the formation 400 of the second component 301. In this orientation, the second component 301 is moved in a direction along the common axis A, as illustrated by arrow B in Figure 7, towards the first component 300. As the second component 301 comes together with the first component 300, the tabs 309 of the first component 300 pass through the gaps 402 in the ledge 401 of the formation 400 of the second component 301.

Figure 8 shows a sectional cut away view of the support 100 towards the wall 102, as indicated by arrows D in Figure 9. From this drawing it can be seen that each of the tabs 309 coincides with a respective one of the gaps 402 in the ridge 401 of the formation 400.

- 13In a next step, the second component 301 is rotated relative to the first component 300 around the common axis A. This is illustrated by arrow C in Figure 9. At each orientation other than the assembly orientation, the tabs 309 overlap, e.g. radially intersect, the ledge 401 such that the second component 301 cannot be removed along the common axis A. In a further step, the screw 310 of the securing mechanism is inserted into the hole 311 in the side wall of the second component 301. This blocks one of the gaps 402, as shown most clearly in Figure 11, and prevents the second component 301 being removed from the first component along the common axis A even when the first component 300 and the second component 301 are rotated relative to one another back to the assembly orientation.

The light 101 is mounted on the second component 301 of the support 100 by inserting the elements 303 of the pivot 302 into the recess 103 of the light, aligning holes 304 of the elements 303 of the pivot 302 with the holes 104 of the light 101, and inserting the pin 105 through all of the holes 104, 304. The light 101 may be mounted in this way after the first component 300 and the second component 301 have been secured together, or beforehand.

The second component 301 and the light 101 can be rotated through a plurality of indexing orientations. These indexing orientations are those where the protrusions 305 of the first component 300 are received by the depressions 403 of the second component 301. One such indexing orientation is shown in Figure 11, from which it can be seen that all four of the protrusions 305 are accommodated by a respective depression 403. It can also been seen that whilst two of the tabs 309 coincide with a gap 402 in the ledge 401, three of the tabs 402 overlap with the ledge 401, e.g. are located behind the ledge 401 in the sense of the drawing, and that one of the gaps 402 is blocked by the screw 310 of the securing mechanism.

It will be appreciated by the skilled person that the preferred embodiments described above are illustrative and not exhaustive. Various modifications will be apparent to the skilled person.

By way of example, there may be provided a first component with protrusions and a second component having a formation with gaps wherein the first component and the second component are arranged to fit together at a plurality of indexing orientations and wherein at each of these indexing orientations at least two of the protrusions interact with at least two of the depressions of the formation.

Referring to Figures 12 and 13, there are shown exploded views of the first component 1200 and the second component 1201 of an alternative embodiment of the support 1000.

- 14Figures 14 and 15 show the assembly orientation and an indexing orientation of this embodiment of the support 1000.

The first component 1200 comprises four tabs 1209 and the second component 1201 comprises four gaps 1302. The tabs 1209 and gaps 1302 are arranged so that there is a single assembly orientation at which the two components 1200, 1201 may be moved towards each other along a common axis without the tabs 1209 abutting the ledge 1301.

Once the components 1200, 1201 are fit together at this assembly orientation, the first component 1200 may be rotated relative to the second component 1201 through a plurality of indexing orientations. In this embodiment the protrusions 1205, and gaps 1302 are arranged respectively around the circumferences of the first component 1200 and the second component 1201 such that at each one of these indexing orientations, for example at the orientation shown in Figure 15, at least two of the protrusions 1305 are received by at least two respective depressions 1303 of the formation 1300. This leads to a consistent rotation force being required, provides redundancy, and reduces translational movement between the components.

As another example of a possible modification, although the support 100 is described above with reference to mounting a light 102 to a wall 104, the support 100 can be used to support other devices and to mount them to other objects. For example, instead of a light 102, the support 100 may support an object such as a camera, loudspeaker, picture, mirror, or sign. The object may be mounted to a wall, ceiling, door or panel, or to another object such as a vehicle.

In another example, elements of the first component 300 of the support 100 may be exchanged with elements of the second component 301 of the support 100. In particular, the formation 400 of the second component 301 may be provided on the first component 300 and the protrusions 305 and tabs 309 of the first component 300 may be provided on the second component 301. It will be appreciated that this would mean that the ledge 401 of the formation 400 would likely extend radially inward and the protrusions 305 and tabs 309 would extend radially outward. However, it is also possible for the first component 300 to be modified to define the void and the second component 301 to be modified to extend inside the void when the first component 300 and the second component 301 are fitted together. This allows the formation 310, protrusions 305 and tabs 309 to remain extending in the directions of the illustrated embodiment.

In yet other embodiments, the depressions 403 of the formation 400 are arranged in planes, e.g. not facing parallel to the radial direction, but instead at some other orientation, including parallel to the common axis A, with the protrusions 305 angled correspondingly. As an example, the depressions 403 may be located along a side of the

- 15formation 400 facing the wall 102 in use, so that the protrusions 305 are deformed in an axial direction as the first component 300 and the second component 301 are rotated.

In other embodiments, the first component 300 does not have any tabs 309. Instead, the part of the first component 300 that coincides with the gap(s) 402 in the ledge 401 in the assembly orientation is the protrusions 305. In other words, the protrusions 305 may overlap with a differently formed ledge defined by the formation 400. Such an embodiment may involve the cylinders 307 of the protrusions extending beyond the circumference of the first component 300 and radially intersecting the formation 400. The ledge 401 might be adapted to be located on a side of the protrusions 305 towards the first component 300 in use.

It will be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above purely by way of example, and many modifications can be made whilst remaining within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Reference numerals appearing in the claims are by way of illustration only and shall have no limiting effect on the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A support comprising:

a first component having a protrusion biased in a direction lateral to a circumference of the first component; and a second component having a formation defining a ledge extending along a circumference of the second component and a plurality of depressions located around the circumference of the second component, wherein the first component and the second component cooperate so as to be rotatable relative to one another about a common axis between a plurality of orientations, which orientations include:

an assembly orientation at which a part of the first component coincides with a gap in the ledge such that when the first component is moved along the common axis towards the second component to an assembled position the part moves through the gap, and such that when the first component and the second component in the assembled position are rotated around the common axis relative to one another away from the assembly orientation the part of the first component radially overlaps the ledge so as to prevent the first component being removed along the common axis from the second component, and a plurality of indexing orientations at which the protrusion is received by a different one of the plurality of depressions such that the protrusion is displaced out of the depression against the biasing when the first and second components are rotated around the common axis relative to one another away from the respective indexing orientation.

2. The support of claim 1, wherein the part of the first component comprises a plurality of tabs extending in directions radial to the circumference of the first component, and wherein, in the assembly orientation, each tab coincides with a respective gap in the ledge such that when the first component is moved along the common axis towards the second component to the assembled position each tab moves through the respective gap.

3. The support of claim 2, wherein the plurality of tabs are located around the circumference of the first component in an arrangement that is not rotationally symmetric.

4. The support of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the plurality of tabs are located around the circumference of the first component such that adjacent tabs are separated by an angle about the common axis of less than 180 degrees.

5. The support of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the part of the first component comprises five tabs and the ledge has five corresponding gaps.

6. The support of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first component has a plurality of protrusions each biased in a direction lateral to the circumference of the first component.

7. The support of claim 6, wherein the plurality of indexing orientations includes indexing orientations at which at least one of the plurality of protrusions is received by one of the plurality of depressions.

8. The support of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the plurality of indexing orientations includes indexing orientations at which at least two of the plurality of protrusions are received by a respective one of the plurality of depressions.

9. The support of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first component comprises four protrusions.

10. The support of any one of the preceding claims, where (each of) the protrusion(s) comprises a spring loaded ball bearing.

11. The support of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of depressions has a curved surface for urging the respective protrusion out of the depression against the biasing when the first and second components are rotated around the common axis relative to one another away from the respective indexing orientation.

12. The support of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ledge is provided by a ridge, and optionally wherein the depressions are provided on the ridge.

13. The support of any one of the preceding claims, wherein any two of the plurality of depressions are separated from one another along the circumference of the second component by a separation distance that is an integer multiple of a minimum separation distance between adjacent depressions.

14. The support of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protrusion(s) and the depressions are arranged such that the indexing orientations are evenly distributed about the common axis.

15. The support of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a securing mechanism arranged to secure the first component and the second component together.

16. The support of claim 15, wherein the securing mechanism is arranged to secure the first component and the second component together by overlapping the part of the first component in (at least one of) the gap(s).

17. The support of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the securing mechanism is releasable.

18. The support of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the securing mechanism is a screw.

19. The support of any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the assembled position, the first component extends inside the second component.

20. The support of any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the/each protrusion extends radially outward with respect the circumference of the first component.

21. The support of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the part of the first component extends radially outward with respect the circumference of the first component and the ledge extends radially inward with respect to the circumference of the second component.

22. The support of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a mounting arrangement for securing the support to a surface.

23. The support of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first component and the second component are arranged to fit together such that they form a seal therebetween.

24. An apparatus for mounting a light comprising the support of any one of the preceding claims.

25. A method comprising:

providing a first component having a protrusion biased in a direction lateral to a circumference of the first component;

providing a second component having a formation defining a ridge extending along a circumference of the second component and a plurality of depressions at different locations around the circumference of the second component;

rotating the first component and the second component relative to one another about a common axis to an assembly orientation at which a part of the first component coincides with a gap in the ridge;

moving the first component along the common axis towards the second component to an assembled position by moving the part through the gap, in which assembled position, when the first component and the second component are rotated around the common axis relative to one another away from the assembly orientation, the part of the first component radially overlaps the ridge so as to prevent the first component being removed along the common axis from the second component; and rotating the first component and the second component relative to one another about the common axis through a plurality of indexing orientations at which the protrusion is received by a different one of the depressions, by displacing the protrusion out of the depression against the biasing.

25. A method comprising:

moving the first component along the common axis towards the second component to an assembled position by moving the part through the gap, in which assembled position, when the first component and the second component are rotated around the common axis relative to one another away from the assembly orientation, the part of the first component radially overlaps the ridge so as to prevent the first component being removed along the common axis from the second component; and rotating the first component and the second component relative to one another about the common axis between a plurality of indexing orientations at which the protrusion is received by a different one of the depressions, by displacing the protrusion out of the depression against the biasing.

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Amendment to Claims have been filed as follows

Claims

1. A support for mounting a light comprising:

an assembly orientation at which a part of the first component coincides with a gap in the ledge such that when the first component is moved along the common axis towards the second component to an assembled position the part moves through the gap, and such that when the first component and the second component in the assembled position are rotated around the common axis relative to one another away from the assembly orientation:

the part of the first component radially overlaps the ledge so as to prevent the first component being removed along the common axis from the second component, and the first component and the second component rotate through the plurality of indexing orientations; and a plurality of indexing orientations at which the protrusion is received by a different one of the plurality of depressions such that the protrusion is displaced out of the depression against the biasing when the first and second components are rotated around the common axis relative to one another away from the respective indexing orientation.

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7. The support of claim 6, wherein the plurality of indexing orientations includes indexing orientations at which at least two of the plurality of protrusions are received by a respective one of the plurality of depressions.

8. The support of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first component comprises four protrusions.

9. The support of any one of the preceding claims, where (each of) the protrusion(s) comprises a spring loaded ball bearing.

10. The support of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of depressions has a curved surface for urging the respective protrusion out of the depression against the biasing when the first and second components are rotated around the common axis relative to one another away from the respective indexing orientation.

11. The support of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ledge is provided by a ridge.

12. The support of claim 11, wherein the depressions are provided on the ridge.

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