WO2004048846A1

WO2004048846A1 - Rapid-assembly base

Info

Publication number: WO2004048846A1
Application number: PCT/EP2003/013067
Authority: WO
Inventors: Uwe Kinkel
Original assignee: Uwe Kinkel
Priority date: 2002-11-28
Filing date: 2003-11-21
Publication date: 2004-06-10
Also published as: DE10255397A1; AU2003292064A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a rapid-assembly base for fixing lights to ceilings of buildings, said base consisting of a support plate (1) with slits (2) around the periphery, in addition to lugs (3) that bend radially outwards from the support plate (1), exposing a cavity between them for the passage of a cable to the light. Said base comprises opposing surfaces (5) that interact with the corresponding lugs (3), the opposing surfaces (5) being clamped by rotation between the support plate (1) and the lugs (3). The support plate (1) comprises fixing elements for relieving the strain on the light cable.

Description

SchneU mounting canopy

The present invention relates to a quick-mounting canopy for simple, quick and safe mounting of lighting canopies on building ceilings.

Conventional canopies are either screwed with a lamp cable or with brackets that are attached to a building ceiling. The disadvantage here is a very cumbersome assembly of the base or support plate on the building ceiling, since the holes for the fasteners (screws) must be made very precisely, since subsequent alignment is not possible. However, it is often not possible to drill the holes precisely because any reinforcing bars in concrete ceilings prevent this. Furthermore, the attachment of the canopy itself is disadvantageous because it can protrude from the ceiling of the building, which leads to undesirable gaps. Due to the cumbersome assembly, damage to the canopies often occurs, which can lead to their complete uselessness if this work is not carried out by specialist personnel. In some cases, specialists are also unable to carry out proper assembly work, as the tools required are often not part of the assembly work.

In addition, the canopy attachments are not compatible with each other, a support plate only fits one specific canopy, so that a corresponding range of parts must be kept.

From US 27 53445 a shape-matched canopy adapted to a support plate is known, all parts of which are positively adapted to one another, so that it is precisely fixed to the building ceiling via the fastening holes (12, FIG. 1) and thus incorrect bores cannot be compensated for. Likewise, the canopy is of course unchanged in terms of shape and size. definable, ie a smaller or wider canopy cannot be used.

The canopy is attached to the support plate using a bayonet lock, i. H. the canopy is screwed into it up to an end stop, so there is no play here either.

In DE 4 004 648 C2 a bayonet lock between the carrier and the canopy is also used, i. H. here, too, it is turned against an end stop. Compensation for incorrect assembly on the ceiling is not possible.

In both cases, unevenness in the ceiling can also not be compensated for, since the canopy rests on the support from below due to the design, and thus in these cases a gap between the ceiling and support remains even after the canopy has been attached. According to the invention, this should be avoided.

The present invention therefore has for its object to provide a fastening system that is very easy to assemble; can be compensated for with the incorrect holes in the ceiling, the canopies of which lie against the ceiling without gaps even when uneven and which allows an almost unlimited number of canopy variants with a single support plate corresponding to the basic size.

The basic sizes of the support plates depend on the mounting situation and the basic idea that different canopy sizes and weights have to be taken into account. Furthermore, the option of installing in standard boxes, as are common for light switches etc., must also be available. Therefore, a definition of several basic parameters, similar to a series of standards, aspired to avoid the above-mentioned stocking of a large range of parts.

The task is solved with a quick-assembly canopy for attaching lights to building ceilings, consisting of a support plate with concentrically arranged slots on the edges for ceiling attachment as well as tabs radially clicked out of the support plate to receive the counter-tabs of the canopy. There is a free space between the slots and tabs to allow cables to pass through the support plate.

A bridge construction in the center of the support plate can accommodate the tensile load of the lamp. Fastenings that are not centrally arranged (e.g. clamps) can, however, be constructed at any time. The only requirement for such attachments is that the suspension means can be attached centrally to the support plate.

The canopy is then installed by attaching the canopy to the support plate and then rotating it, as a result of which the counter-tabs of the canopy engage in the prestressed tabs of the support plate and clamp them.

As a result, the canopy remains a non-load-bearing element, since all relevant forces are introduced into the support plate.

An inclined suspension of lights is also possible if the support plate is designed accordingly for such a case.

The particular advantage of such a solution is that the support plate with its free space for the implementation of the power cable very quickly and easily on the building ceiling z. B. can be screwed with dowels, the screw can be selected within wide limits and the canopy with its support plate can be fastened by a simple rotary movement through a design angle. The current-carrying cables reach through the free space and a z. B. central, opening the canopy.

This solution allows a variety of canopy shapes with z. B. triangular, square, square or round floor plans for only one support plate. The tabs and counter surfaces can have a large, radial play, so that alignment of the canopy remains possible within relatively wide limits even if the holding plate is incorrectly installed. The edge slots can show different shapes, i. H. be radially rounded, straight or inclined to be able to screw the support plate in relatively free limits with the pre-assembled dowels.

The canopy is preferably designed so that the rounded outer edges of the brackets of the support plate are provided with little play (1 to 2 mm) on the side walls below the counter surfaces after the canopy has been screwed in, in order to ensure perfect interlocking without inhibition.

In particular, the canopy has a rim with a slightly protruding edge, which fits snugly against the building ceiling after insertion of the canopy and is pressed against the support plate by the spring action of the tabs, so that a completely gap-free closure is achieved.

In order to facilitate the bayonet-type insertion of the counter surfaces into the space between the underside of the support plate and the bent-out tabs projecting downwards, it is also proposed to incline at least the end regions of the tabs, so that the counter surfaces are pressed up during insertion. The support plate and the canopy can be made of thin sheet metal, or else of plastic. Since thin support plates can deform when screwing onto the building ceiling, it is proposed to distribute the forces acting on the material of the support plate through the screw head over a wide area. For this purpose, shim washers or shim plates are provided which have support surfaces adjoining the bore and a countersink on one side. These distribute the surface pressure towards the inner area of the support plate and prevent the deformation.

The lamps can be attached using screw hooks attached to the ceiling, but a fastener is preferred which is connected to the support plate. To accommodate this fastener z. B. the bridge construction shown below. Known or self-constructed clamping constructions can be used for height adjustment. In principle, depending on the design of the support plate, all conceivable clamp fastenings are possible.

Basically, the tabs and the counter-tabs of the canopy do not have any end stops or the like, since these surfaces can be made very large so that there is no fear of overturning or, except for circular canopies, the alignment is predetermined by the canopy geometry.

However, in order to indicate the engagement of the surfaces, it is easily possible to provide tabs and counter surfaces with a grid (locking lugs).

In order to guide the canopy on the support plate in a more defined manner, the invention further proposes to provide on the periphery of the support plate between the tabs bent noses which bear against and on the inner edge of the canopy which it slides when turning. Here too, a certain excess of the elements of the canopy engaging in the support plate is possible. This solution is particularly advantageous for sloping ceilings or those with larger bumps.

Ultimately, it is proposed to provide the tabs with inner, cylindrical-section-shaped contact surfaces with circular-arc-shaped inner edges, which ensure a clean circuit without jamming when the canopy is screwed in with little play (approx. 1 to 2 mm). The above Play also serves as a compensation tolerance for parts production.

In contrast to the prior art, according to the invention, no bayonet locks and also no threads are used to connect the carrier and the canopy, but rather resilient tabs. The canopy overlaps the beam and is pressed flat against the building ceiling by the resilient tabs regardless of the position of the beam.

These tabs, together with the counter surfaces of the canopy, can have an oversize in a wide area, so that the canopy can also be clamped to the support with great horizontal play. At the same time, the size and shape of the canopy are not fixed, ie variants of the canopy are to be assigned to a carrier, which is not possible and is not provided in the prior art. Furthermore, the canopy according to the invention can have any contours; only inward-facing counter-surfaces of a suitable size are to be provided, which are not visible from the outside, and it is much simpler in construction and also easier to manufacture. The present invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Show:

FIG. 1 shows the support plate in top view,

FIG. 2 shows this in a side view,

FIG. 3 shows the assembled canopy unit,

Figure 4 is a detailed view

Figure 5 + 6 the serving plates and

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the support plate with guide lugs

FIG. 7 shows an example with guide lugs 18.

In Figure 1, the entire support plate 1 is shown. In the present case, this is designed as a disk, other outlines are possible in principle.

The (in the present case radially rounded) slits 2 are used for fastening with a dowel screw connection or in wood (for example wooden ceilings), between which lie the tabs 3 bent downwards from the building ceiling, which preferably have radially rounded inner edges 11. The end pieces 12, 14 of the tabs 3 are additionally pulled down to facilitate the insertion of the counter surfaces of the canopy (Figure 3; 4). Alternatively, the tabs can have an overall slope.

In the support plate there is a free space 12 (shown here in the center), which in the present case is overlapped by a bridge 9. This bridge carries a tacked nut 13 (but also a thread or only a hole; depending on the manufacturer's choice) for screwing a fastener for a carrying cable carrying the lamp. The live cables can be routed through the space provided. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the bent-out tabs 3 and the nut 13 lying deeper. In detail, the tab 3 and the base area of the support plate 1 can be seen, as is the bent end region 14 of the tabs 3.

In order to increase the spring action and to facilitate the insertion of the counter surfaces, the tab 3 is arranged at a radially increasing angle with respect to the support plate 1.

Figures 3 and 4 show the fully assembled unit from the base of the support plate 1 and canopy 6, wherein Figure 4 illustrates in detail the engagement of the counter surfaces 5 of the canopy in the space between the tab 3 and the support plate 1 or the recesses 15 lying above the tabs 3 ,

A protruding edge 7 adjoins the outer lateral surface 16 of the canopy, which is inserted by rotary movement, above the counter surface 5.

This has a slight oversize, so that after the canopy is screwed in, the tabs 3 of the support plate 1 are pressed down, or that they press the edge 7 of the canopy 6 upwards onto the building ceiling, so that a gap-free closure of the canopy is always guaranteed is.

Figures 5 and 6 show the serving plates 7 in plan view and sectional view. The countersunk bore 18 for the screw is adjoined by the support surfaces 8 which, when screwed tight, point radially inwards and relieve the slots 2 (FIG. 1) or their edge areas.

The lowering of the shims serves to accommodate screws with countersunk heads, which are preferably used for wood and Spax screws. However, should screws with a flat support be used, the template be turned and thus continues to fulfill the intended effect.

FIG. 7 shows an example with guide lugs 18.

These are arranged on the periphery of the support plate 1 and lie opposite one another between the tabs 3, and guide the ring 19 shown below on its outer edge 20, which therefore has a correspondingly small outer diameter.

This ring 19 has relatively large counter surfaces 5 which lie in the gap 21 (and are sprung up by them) and thus allow very large angles of rotation. This ring 19 is part of an arbitrarily shaped canopy, the z. B. engages on the counter surfaces 5 in the illustration from below, the support plate 1 protrudes outside and is pressed with its edge by the resilient tabs 3 against the building ceiling and thus bumps gently against these even with unevenness.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 support plate

2 slots

3 tabs

4 fasteners

5 counter surfaces

6 canopy

7 edge

8 support surfaces

9 bridge

10 contact surfaces

11 inner edges

12 free space

13 mother

14 end region

15 recesses

16 lateral surface

17 serving plates

18 guide lugs

19 ring

20 outer edge

21 gap

Claims

claims

1.Quick-mounting canopy for attaching lamps to building ceilings consisting of a support plate (1) with edge slots (2), as well as radial tabs (3) bent out from the support plate (1), between which there is a free space for cable routing to the lamp is, the support plate has tabs (3) and the canopy cooperating with them counter surfaces (5) and these can be clamped by rotation between the support plate (1) and the tabs (3) and the support plate (1) fastening means (4) for the inclusion of the suspension means as well as the strain relief of the lamp cables and the canopy (6) has an edge (7) projecting from the counter surfaces (5) which bears against the building ceiling, the excess of the edge (7) being dimensioned such that the Spring up tabs (3) to create a clamping effect on the closure.

2. Quick-assembly canopy according to claim 1, characterized in that the tabs (3) are inclined relative to the support plate or the counter surfaces (5) relative to the canopy (6) and / or have bent / beveled end regions.

3. quick-assembly canopy according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the screwing to the ceiling of the building with the help of washers or shear plates (17) is formed on the support surfaces (8) which are directed radially inwards the support plate (1) can be aligned.

, Quick-mounting canopy according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the support plate (1) has a downwardly projecting bridge (9) which carries the attachment or the attachment means for the suspension means.

5. quick-assembly canopy according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the tabs (3) and the counter surfaces (5) have interlocking lugs.

6. quick-assembly canopy according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the tabs (3) have inner cylindrical section-shaped contact surfaces (10) and the counter surfaces circular arc-shaped inner edges (11).