WO2006027419A1

WO2006027419A1 - Light fitting

Info

Publication number: WO2006027419A1
Application number: PCT/FI2005/050303
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aki Jormanainen
Original assignee: Abloy Oy
Priority date: 2004-09-06
Filing date: 2005-08-30
Publication date: 2006-03-16
Also published as: FI20041154A0; FI116314B

Abstract

The invention relates to light fittings. The invention particularly relates to sign light fittings, escape route light fittings and emergency light fittings. The invention utilises a door closer (1) installed on a door or the frame or edge of the doorway for the installation of a light fitting. The outer (22) case of the light fitting is integrated into the door closer casing. The electrical connector (210), lamp or lamps (28), and any other electric parts of the light fitting are attached to a separate body unit (21) that can be installed on top of the door closer. When installed, the outer case of the light fitting covers both the body unit and the door closer.

Description

Light fitting

Field of technology

[1] The invention relates to light fittings. The invention particularly relates to sign light fittings, escape route light fittings and emergency light fittings. Furthermore, the invention relates to other similar means intended to indicate something.

Prior art

[2] The installation of a sign light fitting, escape route light fitting or emergency light fitting on a wall or ceiling is well known. These light fittings are usually installed above a door or similar access route in order to indicate and illuminate the route. An escape route light fitting refers to a light fitting illuminating the vicinity of a door or similar. A sign light fitting has an illuminated sign that may indicate the direction of an escape route out of the building, for example. An emergency light fitting is intended for interruptions of distribution of electricity that prevent the operation of normal lighting. Said types of light fittings can also be combined, allowing one single light fitting to operate as a sign light fitting and emergency light fitting, for example.

[3] Said light fittings are often installed quite high above the top edge of the doorway, which means that their location is not the most preferable with regard to perceptivity. The most preferable location would be right at the top edge of the door. On the other hand, this location may be more difficult with regard to installation, because power supply wiring can generally be implemented easier and with less effort closer to the ceiling. Such an installation method is economically advantageous and has become es¬ tablished practice.

[4] The purpose of the invention is to provide a solution that is alternative to present light fittings, taking economic aspects into consideration as well. The intention is that a light fitting according to the invention be located at the immediate vicinity of the top edge of a door. These objectives will be achieved as described in Claim 1. The other claims present more details of different embodiments for achieving the objectives.

[5]

Short description of invention

[6] The idea of the invention is to utilise a door closer mounted on a door or the frame or edge of the doorway for the installation of a light fitting. The outer case of the light fitting is integrated with the door closer casing. The electrical connector, lamp or lamps, and any other electric parts of the light fitting are attached to a separate body unit that can be installed onto the door closer. When installed, the outer case of the light fitting covers both the body unit and the door closer.

[7] When the light fitting is installed in connection with a door closer, the mounting of the door closer on the door or the doorway/door frame can be utilised. In this case, the body unit of the light fitting can be attached to the same mounting base with the door closer, or directly to the door closer. It is also possible to attach the body unit directly to the door/frame on top of the door closer. Because the outer case of the light fitting is integral with the door closer casing, it will always be mounted in connection with the door closer. If the door closer uses electric boosting, no separate power supply is necessary for the light fitting.

[8]

List of figures

[9] In the following, the invention is described in more detail by reference to the enclosed drawings, where

[10] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a prior art door closer and its casing,

[11] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a light fitting according to the invention,

[12] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a light fitting according to the invention viewed from the top, as well as its installation in connection with a door closer,

[13] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a light fitting according to the invention installed in connection with a door closer,

[14] Figure 5 illustrates an example of the outer case of a light fitting according to the invention viewed from the front,

[15] Figure 6 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the body unit of a light fitting according to the invention viewed from the top,

[16] Figure 7 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the outer case of a light fitting according to the invention viewed in cross-section,

[17] Figure 8 illustrates an example of another embodiment of the outer case of a light fitting according to the invention viewed in cross-section,

[18] Figure 9 illustrates an example of a third embodiment of the outer case of a light fitting according to the invention viewed in cross-section,

[19] Figure 10 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the body unit of a light fitting according to the invention viewed in cross-section, and

[20] Figure 11 illustrates an example of another embodiment of the body unit of a light fitting according to the invention viewed in cross-section.

Description of the invention

[21] Figure 1 illustrates a prior art door closer 1 and its case 2. The case is open in the back, allowing it to be mounted 7 onto the door closer. The back edge 3 of the door closer includes mounting claws or other mounting means for attaching the case 3 onto the door closer 1. The mounting claws can attach into notches 4 at the ends of the door closer body, for example. The case protects the door closer, for example, from dust and covers the door closer adjustment screws 6. The door closer is attached on the mounting base by screws or other attachment means using holes 5 at the ends of the door closer body.

[22] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a light fitting according to the invention. The light fitting comprises an outer case 22 integrated with the door closer casing 2, and a body unit 21 that can be mounted onto the door closer 1. The body unit comprises at least one LED lamp 28 and an electrical connector 210 for connecting electrical supply to the light fitting. The LED lamps are connected to the electrical connector by wires 29. The outer case 22 of the light fitting covers the body unit 21 and door closer 1 when installed.

[23] The front surface of the outer case 22 includes an opening 211 covered by translucent plexiglass 212. The plexiglass lets the light radiated by the LED lamps out of the light fitting and can include a guide (such as a picture, symbol or text) if the intention is to use the light fitting as a sign light fitting as illustrated in Figure 5. Plexiglass currently refers to quite many kinds of surfaces and structures. For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that the opening 211 can also be covered by some other translucent material.

[24] The body unit 21 comprises a front section 24. Said LED lamp or lamps, as well as the side sections 25, are attached to the front section. The side sections are essentially transverse to the front section 24. Thus when the body unit is installed onto the door closer 1, the front section 24 settles onto the door closer in its longitudinal direction and the side sections 25 settle at the ends of the door closer. The side sections should preferably be placed at the ends of the front section 24. In this case, the longitudinal edge 23 of the front section remains clear and the body unit does not impose any hindrance to the operation of the door closer. The side sections should preferably comprise transverse mounting surfaces 26 with holes 27 for installing the body unit on the mounting base.

[25] Figure 3 illustrates an example of installing the light fitting in connection with a door closer. The body unit 21 of the light fitting is mounted 34 onto the door closer and attached to the mounting base through holes in the mounting surfaces 26. The electrical connector 210 is connected to the electrical supply connector. The outer case 22 is mounted 35 on top of both the body unit 21 and the door closer 1. The embodiment in Figure 3 includes claws 36 at the ends of the outer case for engaging with notches 4 at the ends of the door closer.

[26] In the embodiment of Figure 3, the body unit 21 also comprises a battery 33, a transformer 32 and an electronic unit 31 for the battery and transformer. The body unit may also comprise just a battery without a transformer or just a transformer without a battery. In this case the electronic unit is intended only for the battery or transformer as applicable. It is preferable that the electronic unit is an integrated entity but it can also be divided into two separate units, one for the battery and one for the transformer. A battery is required if the light fitting needs to operate stand-alone also during in¬ terruptions of distribution of electricity, independent of external electrical systems. A transformer is required if the operating voltage of the LED lamps and/or battery is different from the power supply voltage.

[27] Figure 4 illustrates a light fitting according to the embodiment of Figure 3 installed in connection with a door closer. Both the door closer 1 and the body unit 21 of the light fitting are attached to the mounting base 41 by screws, for example. The mounting base should also preferably have an electrical supply connector 42 for connecting the electrical connector 210 of the light fitting. It should be noted that when the door closer is mounted on a door, the electrical supply may be low- voltage due to applicable electrical safety regulations.

[28] Figure 5 illustrates the outer case 22 of the light fitting viewed from the front. The opening 211 on the front surface is fitted with translucent plexiglass 51 containing a guide. The guide may consist of text, a symbol or a figure. In the Figure, the guide indicates an exit route but it may also indicate the purpose of the room behind the door, such as the text WC. The plexiglass does not necessarily have any guide. The plexiglass should preferably be fitted into the opening 211 from the inside of the outer case as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The attachment can be permanent or allow the plexiglass to be replaced, in which case the guide on the light fitting can be changed. The attachment elements can be, for example, claws on the inside of the outer case on which the plexiglass is installed.

[29] Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment 61 of the light fitting body unit with sufficient length allowing the mounting surfaces 62 of the side sections to be mounted inde¬ pendently on the mounting base without leaving the end 63 of the body unit of the door closer 1 in between, as is the case in the embodiment in Figure 4.

[30] Figures 10 and 11 illustrate cross-sections of other embodiments of the light fitting body unit. In the embodiment of Figure 10, the front section 101 of the body unit is bent down so that when installed, the bent section 102 settles below the door closer. In a preferred case, the lower front section 102 only covers a part of the door closer when viewed from below (in some embodiments it may cover the door closer completely), because sufficient free space must be left for door closer operation, in other words the pulling device of the door closer, if the connection between the lever arm and the door closer is on the bottom. The lower front section comprises some of the LED lamps 28, allowing light to be directed more easily below the light fitting as well. Alternatively, the lower front section 102 may completely replace the front section 101 directed to the front. In this case, the front section of the body unit entirely consists of the lower front section that settles below the door closer. Thus the front section of the body unit can be constructed so that it can be mounted on any longitudinal side of the door closer, either in the front, below or even above. Combinations are also possible, such as said combination of a front section on the front of the door closer and a lower front section below the door closer. In other words, the different variations of the body unit can be mounted onto the door closer.

[31] Figure 11 illustrates an embodiment in which the side sections 113, 112 of the body unit are attached to the front section 111 of the body unit so that when installed, they will settle above and below the door closer. The ends of the side sections include attachment claws 114, 115, for attaching the body unit onto the door closer. In this embodiment, the lower side section 112 is also the lower front section on which the LED lamps are attached. There are no LED lamps attached on the front section 111. In case of embodiments of the body unit employing upper and lower side sections 112, 113, attention should be paid to the fact that these sections do not block the pulling device of the door closer, in other words they do not completely cover the top and/or bottom side of the door closer.

[32] In yet another embodiment of the body unit, in which the side sections 25 are attached to the ends of the front section 24 similarly to Figure 2, the side sections do not have any transverse mounting surfaces 26. Instead, the actual side section 25 includes holes or claws for attaching the body unit on the door closer 1.

[33] Figure 7 illustrates a cross-section of the outer case 22 of a light fitting according to Figure 2. Its front surface 71 includes an opening 211 covered by translucent plexiglass 212. Other embodiments of the outer case exist as well, as illustrated by Figures 8 and 9. In the embodiment in Figure 8, the bottom surface 84 of the outer case 81 includes at least one light opening of translucent material 85. The front surface 82 and top surface 83 of the outer case are uniform opaque material. In connection with such an outer case, it is preferable to use a body unit such as the one according to Figure 10 that comprises a lower front section. Figure 9 illustrates the embodiment 91 that is a combination of the embodiments in Figures 7 and 8. In this case, the front surface 92 of the outer case includes an opening covered by plexiglass and the bottom surface has at least one light opening of translucent material 85.

[34] There are many different embodiments of the outer case and body unit, and different combinations of these can be made. This allows the creation of a light fitting of the desired type. For example, if a central battery system is going to be used in the building, the body unit of the light fitting does not need to contain a battery. If there is no central battery system, it is preferable that the light fittings have their own batteries. It is preferable to use LED lamps in the body unit, as they take up little space and have a low energy consumption. Furthermore, their service life is long. However, another type of lamp can also be used.

[35] It is also possible to use a light fitting according to the invention for normal lighting, in which case it is preferred that the outer case is completely or partially made of translucent material. The operating connections of such a light fitting are arranged similarly to normal lighting. It is also possible that the light fitting according to the invention corresponds to other means intended for indicating something, such as ad¬ vertisement sign operation, reserved indicator lamp operation, etc. This means that in this text, the term light fitting also refers to these other means intended for indicating something.

[36] A light fitting according to the invention can be utilised at locations where door closers have been installed or are going to be installed. If the door closers are of an electrically operated model, the power supply for the door closer can also be used to supply the light fitting. Installation is quicker and more economical than the in¬ stallation of a separate light fitting, as the light fitting constitutes an integral entity with the door closer when installed. The same fasteners can be used for both the door closer and the light fitting. The installation location of a door closer is also excellent in terms of light fitting visibility. The combined door closer and light fitting takes up little space and is therefore a compact solution also with regard to architecture.

[37] It is evident from the examples presented above that a light fitting according to the invention can be created using a variety of different solutions. It is clear that the invention is not limited to the examples mentioned in this text but can be implemented in many other different embodiments within the scope of the inventive idea.

Claims

[I] L A light fitting, characterised in that it comprises an outer case (22) integrated with a door closer casing (2), and a body unit (21) that can be mounted onto a door closer (1), comprising an electrical connector (210) and at least one LED lamp (28) or another type of lamp, the outer case (22) of the light fitting covering the body unit (21) and the door closer (1) when installed.

[2] 2. A light fitting according to Claim 1, characterised in that the front surface

(24) of the outer case (22) includes an opening (211) covered by translucent plexiglass (212) or other translucent material.

[3] 3. A light fitting according to Claim 2, characterised in that the plexiglass (212) or other translucent material comprises a guide.

[4] 4. A light fitting according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the bottom surface (84) of the outer case (22) includes at least one light opening (211) of translucent material (85).

[5] 5. A light fitting according to Claim 4, characterised in that the installation of plexiglass (212) or other translucent material allows the plexiglass or material to be replaced.

[6] 6. A light fitting according to Claim 1, characterised in that the outer case (22) is completely or partially made of translucent material.

[7] 7. A light fitting according to any of the Claims from 1 to 6, characterised in that the body unit (21) comprises a front section (24) onto which said lamp or lamps are attached and onto which side sections (25) are attached, the side sections being essentially transverse to the front section (24), so that when the body unit is mounted onto the door closer (1) the front section (24) settles onto the door closer in the longitudinal direction of the door closer and the side sections (25) settle either at the ends of the door closer or above and below the door closer.

[8] 8. A light fitting according to Claim 7, characterised in that the side sections

(25) include holes or claws for attaching the body unit (21) onto the door closer

(1). [9] 9. A light fitting according to Claim 7, characterised in that the side sections

(25) that can be mounted at the ends of the door closer (1) comprise transverse mounting surfaces (26) with holes (27) for attaching the body unit on the mounting base. [10] 10. A light fitting according to any of the Claims 7, 8 or 9, characterised in that the front section (24) settles in the front of the door closer.

[II] IL A light fitting according to any of the Claims 7, 8 or 9, characterised in that the front section (24) settles in the front of the door closer and below the door closer, and the section settling below the door closer comprises some of the lamps. [12] 12. A light fitting according to any of the Claims 7, 8 or 9, characterised in that the front section (24) settles below the door closer, so that it will cover at least part of the door closer when viewed from below. [13] 13. A light fitting according to any of the Claims from 1 to 12, characterised in that the body unit (21) comprises a battery (33) and an electronic unit (31) for the battery. [14] 14. A light fitting according to any of the Claims from 1 to 13, characterised in that the body unit (21) comprises a transformer (32) and an electronic unit (31) for the transformer.