MX2007012590A - Foldable support for a domed illumination element - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable element support made from planar sheet of material that can be formed by folding into a support for positioning and securing a refractor lens to a luminaire housing. The foldable element support is a planar sheet that has a central base having a central opening, a plurality of foldable securing arms formed into the central base for attaching the support to a luminaire housing, and a plurality of peripherally-arranged support flanges for supporting and positioning the upper rim of the refractor lens in proximity to the luminaire housing. The folded support can be manipulated into the folded configuration by hand, with hand tools, or by a machine.

Description

FOLDING SUPPORT FOR AN ABOMBED LIGHTING ELEMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally corresponds to a lens holder for a luminaire. A typical luminaire includes a luminaire housing that includes a housing body, a lamp holder, typically a stabilizer, and electrical circuitry and connections to a power source, and a lighting element such as a reflector or refractive lens. to direct the light emitted from a lamp inserted in the lamp holder away from the luminaire and towards the illuminated area. The refractive lens typically has a domed shape, and has a top ring defining an opening, and a larger bottom aperture through which the emitted light passes. The refractive lens is placed and secured to the luminaire housing by a refractive lens holder, shown in Figure 10 and known in the art. The refractory lens holder of the prior art 100 typically has a circular flange 102 that can register with the inner surface of the upper support ring of the refractive lens, and a plurality of arms 104 extending upwardly from the circular flange that It can be secured to the housing of the luminaire. The refractive lens can be secured to the luminaire housing by placing the circular flange 102 of the refractory lens holder against the inner part of the refractory lens support ring. The refractory lens holder typically has one or more temporary positioning tabs 106 extending from the annular ring 108 which can be manipulated with a machine tool to engage the upper edge of the refractory lens support ring, to temporarily secure the lens holder refractor of the prior art 100 to the refractive lens. Once it has been temporarily fixed to the refractive lens, the support of the refractive lens of the prior art can be secured to the housing of the luminaire. The refractory lens holder of the prior art is typically pre-formed in a three-dimensional configuration by machining means well known in the art, with the circular flange twisted down from the annular ring to fit the curved inner surface of the ring refractory lens holder, and with the securing arms and temporary positioning tabs directed upwards to couple the luminaire housing and the upper edge of the support ring, respectively. However, there remains a need to provide a refractive lens or reflector support that is less expensive and more energy efficient, that can be manufactured and stored more easily and cost-effectively, and that does not require a substantial investment in its manufacture. for a production of low and high quantity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a support of the folded element made of a flat sheet of material that can be formed by bending into a support for positioning and securing a domed lighting element having an upper opening defined by a support ring and a lower opening light emitter, to a luminaire housing, the flat sheet comprises: 1) a central base having a central opening; 2) a plurality of flange members arranged peripherally, each flange member comprising a proximal end extending from the central base, the flange members being foldable towards a support flange configuration that the support ring of the lighting element is engaged; and 3) means for securing the central base to the luminaire housing. The present invention also relates to a support of the folded element for positioning and securing a domed lighting element having an upper opening defined by a support ring and a lower light-emitting aperture, to a luminaire housing, the element support folding being formed by folding a flat sheet of material, the folded support comprises; 1) a central base having a central opening; 2) a support flange comprising a plurality of peripherally arranged, folded flange members cooperating to engage the support ring of the illumination element; and 3) means for securing the central base to the luminaire housing. The present invention further relates to the luminaire assembly for securing it to the luminaire housing, comprising a) a domed illumination element having an upper aperture defined by means of a support ring and a lower emitting light aperture, and b) a support of the folded element for positioning and securing the domed element of illumination to the housing of the luminaire, the support of the folded element comprises: 1) a central base having a central opening; 2) a support flange comprising a plurality of flange members arranged in a peripheral manner, folded, cooperating to engage the support ring of the bulging lighting element; and 3) means for securing the central base to the luminaire housing. The present invention provides a refractive lens or a reflector support that is less expensive and more energy efficient, that can be manufactured and stored more easily and of practical cost, and that does not require a substantial investment to manufacture a production of low and high quantity BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a luminaire assembly using a support of the folded element of the present invention to secure it to the housing of the luminaire. Figure 2 is a plan view of a support of the folded element of the present invention. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a support of the folded element of the present invention formed on folding the support of the folded domed element of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a support of the folded element of Figure 3 placed inside the refracting lens. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a luminaire assembly of the present invention that includes the support of the folded element placed against and temporarily fixed to the refractory lens support ring. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the luminaire assembly of Figure 1 fixed to the luminaire housing. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the luminaire assembly of Figure 6 fixed and secured to the luminaire housing. Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the folded support, having openings to be secured to the luminaire housing. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the luminaire assembly having a separate component attached to the foldable support of Figure 8 to secure the luminaire assembly to the luminaire housing. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the refractor lens holder of the previous technique.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a less expensive and more simple manufacturing support for a domed lighting element that can be made by cutting or punching a folding pattern out of the flat sheet of material, typically metal. The folding element holder is manufactured in a flat sheet configuration for ease and efficiency of shipping and storage. At the place of manufacture or at the work site where the luminaire will be assembled, the support of the folding element can be manipulated in its folded configuration by hand or with a hand tool, to provide the position and securing of the domed element of illumination to the Luminaire housing. Figure 1 shows a typical luminaire that can employ the support of the folded element and the assembly of the luminaire of the present invention. The luminaire typically includes a luminaire housing 120 having a housing body 130 having a fixing surface 132, a regulating element 124, a lamp holder 126, and electrical circuitry and connections (not shown) to a power source electric A lighting assembly 60 of the present invention comprising a bulging illumination element 62 such as a reflector or a refractive lens for directing the light emitted from a lamp inserted in the lamp holder 126 towards the illuminated area, and the folded support 50 for placing and securing the domed lighting element 62 to the luminaire housing 120. The fixing surface 132 includes an opening 134 for passing the electrical wiring, and the latches 136 for fixing the housing body 130 to the ing or to another structure.

In a typical embodiment shown in Figure 1, the bulging lighting element 62 is a refractive lens having a bulged shape, with a top support ring 64 defining an upper opening 66 through which the lamp socket extends. 126, and a larger lower opening, through which passes the light that is emitted. The refractive lens is typically transparent or translucent to also refract the light emitted by the lamp. In an alternative embodiment, the domed lighting element comprises a reflector configured to reflect substantially all of the light emitted from the lamp outwardly through the lower aperture. Figure 2 shows the support of the folding element of the present invention. The support of the folding element 1 is formed from a flat sheet of material 2 of aluminum or other metal, typically by cutting or cutting a pattern in the metal. The cutting of the pattern, apertures and perforations, can be done by laser light, die cutting or other means known in the art to cut the shapes and perforations in a metal sheet. The foldable element holder 1 comprises a central base portion 4 having a central opening 6. The central opening 6 is sized sufficiently to accommodate at least the plug 126 (shown in figure 1) has internal threads that will subsequently allow the central base 4 for surrounding the plug of the lamp 126, to reflect the light emitted from the lamp outwardly from the refractor lens. A plurality of collapsible, peripherally disposable flange members 20 extend outwardly from the central base 4. Each flange member 20 is associated with the central base 4 together with its proximal edge 22, and extends outwardly to the distal edge 24 shown as a linear edge, through the distal edge that It can be curvilinear too. Each flange member has first and second sides 25 and 26, respectively, which are disposed next to and separated by spaces 32 from the second and first respective sides of the adjacent flange members 20. The flange member 20 typically comprises a line of pre-formed pleat formed along its proximal edge, which may be formed as a score line or print on the metal foil, or it may be a perforation line or series of perforations through the foil. Figure 3 shows the lens holder 1 after its components have been folded into pre-determined positions to form a support of a folded element 50. Each of the flange members 20 can be configured in the foldable configuration when bending ( by hand or with any hand or machine tool) the flange members 20 together with the proximal edge 22 in the same direction (denoted herein as "D" downward) normal to the plane of the central base 4. In the figure 2, the adjacent sides 25 and 26 of the adjacent flange members are shown in the confronting, adjacent position, which can provide cooperative lateral support to prevent any of the flange members 20 from further rotating beyond the illustrated configuration . In a typical embodiment, each lateral edge 25 and 26 may comprise a tongue in lateral position 28, which can engage the facing lateral edge of the adjacent flange member when manipulating the flange members 20, to hold the flange members in a secure position. peripheral support tab, unified. As shown in Figure 2, the tabs in lateral position 28 can be formed outside the side of the adjacent flange member. The folding element holder 1 also comprises a means for securing the foldable support to the luminaire housing. In the illustrated mode shown in Figures 2 and 3, the fixing means comprise a pair of recessed grooves 52 on the opposite sides of the central opening 6 where a complementary fixing of the housing of the luminaire 120 (shown in Figure 1 as shown in FIG. grooved assurance arm 140). The recess 52 is formed with a length and depth to accommodate the width and thickness of the central body 148 of the securing arm 140. The supports 54 and 56 at the opposite ends of the recess 52 fit into a pair of opposed slots 144 in the securing arm 140, and supports the tongues 145 extending outwardly from the central body 148. These two positions and the attachment of the luminaire assembly will be treated subsequently. The fastening means may also include a plurality of collapsible fastening clips 10 which are formed in the central base 4 by the forming process. Each fastening fastener 10 has a proximal end 12 by means of which the fastener 10 is attached to the central base 4, and a pair of sides 13 and 14 and a distal end 15 are independent of joining the central base. The proximal end of the fastener 10 can have a preformed fold line along its proximal end 12, which can be formed as a print or score line 16 on the metal foil, or it can be a perforation line or drilling series for the whole metallic sheet. Each of the fastening clips 10 can be configured within the foldable affixed position shown in Figure 3 when bending (by hand or with hand or machine tool) by the proximal edge 12 in the same normal upward direction (denoted in FIG. the present as "U" upwards) to the plane of the metal sheet. The folding of the fastener 10 moves them out of the recess 52 so that during the installation of the lighting assembly, the securing arm 140 can be manipulated in its affixed position shown in Figure 6. The folding element holder 1 can also comprise optionally a plurality of temporary fastening tabs 40. Figure 2 shows that the temporary fastening tabs 40 can be formed within the central base 4 by the forming process. Each temporary locking tab 40 has a proximal end 42 by means of which the tab 40 is attached to the central base 4, and to a pair of sides 44 and a distal end 45 that are independent of being joined to the central base. The proximal end 42 of the tongue 40 may have a preformed bending line 43 at its proximal end 42, which may be formed by imprinting or score line on the metal sheet, or it may be a perforation line or series of perforations on the metal sheet. all the metallic sheet. Each of the temporary locking tongues 40 can be configured in the foldable configuration shown in Figure 3, by folding (by hand or with hand or machine tool) the tabs 40 by the proximal edge 42 in an upward direction. The use of the support of the folded element to form a support of the folded element, and the use of the support of the formed element to place, secure and secure a lighting element to the luminaire housing will be illustrated. First, a folding element holder 1 is taken by a technician who will install the luminaire, and with the hands or a hand tool, the flange members will be folded all the way down the fold line preformed into a flange of the holder 50. Any optional affixed tongue or fastener are also bent out of the plane of the central base 4, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The formed support 50 is then placed against the inner surface of the upper support ring 64 of the refractive lens. 62 near its upper opening 66, with the preformed bending lines 30 of the flange members 20 are positioned by the outer edge 68 of the support ring 64. As shown in Figure 5, with the support of the folded element 50 placed in a generally centered position proximate the upper aperture of the refractive lens 62, the temporary fastening tabs 40 can be bent up and down against the edge 68 of the support ring 64 to temporarily secure the folded support 50 to the support ring 64 of the refractive lens 62, to form the lighting assembly 60. The lighting assembly 60 is positioned as shown in Figure 1 to secure the housing of the luminaire 120. The luminaire housing 120 has a pair of securing arms 140 which are configured to be coupled with the support of the folded element 50, for positioning, fixing and securing the lighting assembly 60 to the housing of the luminaire. Each securing arm 140 has numerous pairs of laterally disposed slots 144 formed along each edge length 142. A pair of laterally disposed slots is labeled 144a and 144b. The two securing arms 140 are typically formed from a resilient metal sheet, typically stainless steel. Referring to Figure 6, the distal ends 146 of the securing arms 140 are pressed inwardly with each other, to allow the distal ends 146 to pass downward through the central opening 6 of the collapsible support 50. With a selected pair of laterally disposed slots 144 aligned with the supports 54 and 56 of the central base 4, the securing arms 140 can be released to deflect outwardly, so that the supports 54 and 56 can pass through the pair of slots 144. portion of the central body 148 between the laterally disposed grooves 144 are disposed within the recessed slot 52 to secure the lighting assembly 60 to the housing of the luminaire 120. The pairs of grooves 144 along the length of the securing arms 140 provide the means for adjusting the axial position (up and down) of the refractive lens 62 with respect to the housing of the luminaire 120, and in rticular to plug 126, to accurately position a threaded lamp inside the refractor lens 62.

Referring to FIG. 7, the securing arms 140 can then be secured in position by folding the fastening clips 10 downward and inward behind the securing arms 140 to prevent removal of the securing arms 140 from the recesses 52. , so complete the installation of the lighting assembly. A preferred embodiment of the foldable support 1 comprises at least one highly reflective surface, on the underside facing surface of the sheet 2, which can improve the reflectance of the light emitted away from both the central base 4 and the members of tab 20 during use. The reflective surface can be obtained by using a metal foil having desired reflective properties, or by applying a reflective paint or a metallized layer to the surface. The highly reflective surface improves the electrical efficiency of the luminaire, and reduces the amount of heat and incidental damage to the acrylic or other plastic material along the eyebrow 64 of the refractor lens, due to the proximity of the lamp. A variety of fixation means known to those skilled in the art can be used with the present invention, and includes elements that can be integrally formed from the leaf of the central base, or can be separate components that can be conventionally fixed to the foldable support , with screws, bolts, adhesives, mechanical adjustment, and others. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an alternate embodiment of the collapsible support 50 may employ a separate component 74 as a fixing means that indirectly secures the fixing support 50 to the housing of the luminaire 120. The fixing means of the collapsible support 50 are shown as a plurality of openings 72 formed through the central base 4. The openings can be flat holes or threaded holes, through which a safety screw or bolt can be united. The collapsible support 50, when placed against the flange of the bracket 64 of the refractory domed lens 62, is then secured to a separate fixing support 74 as shown in Figure 9, using a plurality of fasteners 76 (as screws or bolts). ), for encasing and securing the upper support ring 64 between the fixing flange of the foldable support 50 (not shown) and the separate fixing support 74, to form the lighting assembly 60. The separate fixing bracket 74 typically has an opening 80, through which the lamp socket 126 of the luminaire housing can pass, and one or more means to secure and secure the lighting assembly 60 to the housing of the luminaire 120, which shows the securing arms 78. While the present invention has been illustrated by description of the embodiments that have been described in detail, the invention as claimed in the appended claims does not restrict or limits the focus of such detail.

Claims (15)

1. A support of the folding element made of a flat sheet of material that can be manipulated in a folded configuration by hand or with a hand tool to form a support, for use in positioning and securing a domed element of separate illumination having a top opening defined by a support ring and a lower light emitting aperture, to a separate housing of a luminaire, the planar sheet comprises: (a) a central base having a central opening; (b) a plurality of peripherally disposed flange members, each flange member comprising a proximal end fixed to and extended from the central base, a lateral distal end, and a first and second opposite lateral edges, the flange members are collapsible towards a fastening tab configuration that attaches to the support ring of the separate lighting element; and (c) means for securing the central base to the separate housing of the luminaire.

2. The folding element support according to claim 1, further characterized in that the flange member has a preformed fold line along the proximal end, preferably at least one linear hole through the material along the proximal end, and comprises a flange positioning tab disposed along the lateral edge.

The folding element support according to claim 11, further characterized in that at least one surface of the flat sheet of the material comprises a reflective coating.

4. The support of the folding element in accordance with the claim 1, further characterized in that the flat sheet further comprises a plurality of temporary locking tongues formed in the central base, having a proximal end secured to the central base and having opposite lateral edges and a loose distal end to be attached to the base central.

The support of the folding element according to claim 11, further characterized in that the fixing means comprise a pair of opposite recesses in the central base, for coupling the slots in a corresponding pair of securing arms, or a separate component that it is configured to be fastened to the central base of the folded element, and which comprises a means that can be fixed to the housing of the luminaire.

6. The folded element support for use in positioning and securing a separate lighting bulge having an upper aperture defined by a support ring and a lower light emitting aperture, to a separate housing of a luminaire, the element holder folding is formed by folding the flat sheet of material, the folded support characterized in that it comprises: 1) a central base having a central opening; 2) a support flange comprising a plurality of bent flange members extending from and circumferentially surrounding a central base, each flange member comprising a proximal side end, and a first and second opposite side edges extending from the central base to the proximal lateral end, and having a longitudinal dimension from the proximal side end towards the central base, wherein the support flange engages only the inner surface of the support ring of the bulging element of separate illumination; and 3) means for securing the central base to the separate housing of the luminaire.

7. The folded support according to claim 6, further characterized in that the flange members have a fold line preformed along the proximal end, wherein the support flange has a side edge and comprises a positioning tab disposed along the side edge, and wherein the fixing means comprise means for adjusting the position axially of the bulging element of separate illumination with respect to the separate housing of the luminaire.

8. The foldable support according to claim 6, further characterized in that the fixing means comprise a separate component that is configured to be fastened to the central base of the folded element, and which comprises a means that can be fixed to the housing of the luminaire, and where the flat sheet further comprises a plurality of temporary locking tongues formed in the central base, having a proximal end secured to the central base and having opposite lateral edges and a separate distal end for joining the central base.

9. The lighting assembly to be secured to a housing separate from the luminaire, comprising: a) a refractor lens having an upper aperture defined by a support ring and a lower light emitting aperture, and b) a folded element holder for positioning and securing the bulging lighting element to the luminaire housing, characterized in that the folded support comprises: 1) a central base having a central opening; 2) a support flange formed by manipulating by hand or with a hand tool a plurality of folded flange members disposed peripherally around the base central, wherein the support flange engages only on the inner surface of the support ring of the bulging refractory lens; and 3) means for securing the central base to the luminaire housing.

The lighting assembly according to claim 9, further characterized in that the securing means comprise means for adjusting the axial position of the refractive lens with respect to the housing of the luminaire, and wherein the support flange has an edge lateral and comprising a positioning tab disposed along the side edge. 1.

The support of the folding element according to claim 1, further characterized in that the flange members have a longitudinal dimension from the central base to the lateral distal end, and a width dimension from the first side to the second side opposite to along the lateral distal end, and where the width dimension is greater than the longitudinal dimension.

The support of the folding element according to claim 11, further characterized in that the bulging illumination element is a bulging refractive lens.

13. The support of the folding element according to claim 1, further characterized in that the central base has a flat dimension that is greater than the longitudinal dimension of the flange members.

A method for positioning and supporting a bulge of lighting for a luminaire housing, comprising the following steps: (1) providing a separate housing for a luminaire attached to the ceiling or other structure, and a domed element for separate lighting that has a ring of support defining a top opening and a lower light emitting opening; (2) provide a folding element support, made of a flat sheet of material that can be manipulated in a folded configuration by hand or with a hand tool to form a support element, the flat sheet comprising: a) a central base having a central opening; b) a plurality of peripher disposed flange members, each flange member comprising a proximal end fixed to and extending from the central base, a lateral distal end, and a first and second opposite lateral edges, flange members being foldable in the configuration of support flange which engage the inner surface of the support ring of the bulge element of separate illumination; and c) means for securing the central base to the separate housing of the luminaire; (3) folding the plurality of flange members peripher disposed on the flat sheet of the material on a folded element support, the support of the folded element comprises: a) the central base; b) a support flange comprising the plurality of collapsible, peripher disposed flange members extending from the central base; and d) means for securing the central base to the separate housing of the luminaire; (4) placing the folded element support against the inner surface of the upper support ring of the bulging lighting element; and (5) securing the central base of the folded support element to the separate housing of the luminaire.

15. The method according to claim 14, further characterized in that the foldable element holder further provided comprises a plurality of temporary fastening tabs formed within the central base, each tab having a proximal end attaching the temporary fastening tab to the base central, and a distal end independent of joining, and further comprising the passage, after step (4), of the temporary and collapsible locking tabs against the upper ring support to temporarily secure the support of the folded element to the domed element illumination.