WO2006085097A1 - Lighting units - Google Patents

Lighting units Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006085097A1
WO2006085097A1 PCT/GB2006/000476 GB2006000476W WO2006085097A1 WO 2006085097 A1 WO2006085097 A1 WO 2006085097A1 GB 2006000476 W GB2006000476 W GB 2006000476W WO 2006085097 A1 WO2006085097 A1 WO 2006085097A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
unit
lighting
base
cable
lighting unit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2006/000476
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Steven Orton
Julian Osborn
Original Assignee
Steven Orton
Julian Osborn
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Steven Orton, Julian Osborn filed Critical Steven Orton
Publication of WO2006085097A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006085097A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V21/00—Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips
    • F21V21/002—Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips making direct electrical contact, e.g. by piercing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R33/00—Coupling devices specially adapted for supporting apparatus and having one part acting as a holder providing support and electrical connection via a counterpart which is structurally associated with the apparatus, e.g. lamp holders; Separate parts thereof
    • H01R33/05—Two-pole devices
    • H01R33/06—Two-pole devices with two current-carrying pins, blades or analogous contacts, having their axes parallel to each other
    • H01R33/09—Two-pole devices with two current-carrying pins, blades or analogous contacts, having their axes parallel to each other for baseless lamp bulb
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/24—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands
    • H01R4/2404—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having teeth, prongs, pins or needles penetrating the insulation
    • H01R4/2406—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having teeth, prongs, pins or needles penetrating the insulation having needles or pins
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2121/00—Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
    • F21W2121/04—Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00 for Christmas trees
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
    • F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
    • H01R13/506—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces assembled by snap action of the parts

Definitions

  • the invention relates to lighting units suitable for decorative lighting effects both indoors and outdoors, such as on Christmas trees and positioned in or around ponds respectively.
  • the invention relates to lighting units that can be attached to an electrical cable in selected locations.
  • Lighting units are known, in which several bulbs or light emitting diodes (LEDs) are connected in series in an electrical circuit, for example in decorative lighting circuits such as Christmas tree lights. Such lighting units suffer from the disadvantage that if one of the bulbs or LEDs fail, no current flows and none of the bulbs or LEDs emits light. Such lighting units also suffer from the disadvantage that the position of the bulbs or LEDs on the electrical cable is fixed at the time of manufacture and cannot be moved afterwards into a more useful or more aesthetically pleasing position. Similarly, the number of bulbs or LEDs is fixed at the time of manufacture. There therefore exists a need to provide a lighting unit which overcomes these disadvantages and which at the same time provides a good electrical connection between the lighting unit and the electrical cable. There is also the requirement to make the use of the lighting unit as straightforward as possible.
  • LEDs light emitting diodes
  • the invention provides a lighting unit connectable around a two-core electrical cable having an outer sheath, the lighting unit comprising a base unit and a top unit containing a light emitter having two connector legs, wherein the top unit and the base unit are adapted to be connected together to define therebetween a cavity for receiving and firmly gripping the cable, so that when the top and base units are connected together each connector leg projects into the cavity and pierces the sheath of the cable, resulting in an electrical connection between one of the inner cores of the cable and one connector leg, and another electrical connection between the other of the cores of the cable and the other connector leg.
  • the cavity defined between the top and base unit may be shaped to receive the electrical cable.
  • the cavity may be provided in one or in both of the top and base units.
  • the light emitter contained within the top unit may be a light emitting diode (LED).
  • LEDs have two connector legs, one of which is a cathode and the other is an anode. An LED will only work correctly when connected to a power supply in the correct polarity. Therefore, to reduce the possibility of connecting the LED to the power supply incorrectly, a location recess may be provided on one of the top unit and the base unit, and a matching location protrusion may be provided on the other of the base unit and the top unit. The location recess will receive the location protrusion when the base unit and top unit are correctly aligned, and the location protrusion will prevent the units from being connected together in all other configurations.
  • the spacing of the connector legs of the light emitter tends to be fixed by the manufacturer.
  • the lighting unit may be used with a cable the cores of which are at a different spacing to the spacing of the connector legs. Therefore the spacing of the connector legs may be increased to match the cable used by providing a kink in at least one of the connector legs.
  • the kink may be on the part of a connector leg that is contained within the top unit. Enclosing the kink in the connector leg within the top unit may reduce the possibility of the leg bending during insertion of the connector leg into the cable sheath.
  • an adaptor for adapting the connector legs to the spacing of the cable may be provided.
  • replacement legs whose spacing matches the spacing of the cable may be provided to replace the original connector legs.
  • a screw hole may be provided within the base unit.
  • the lighting unit with a screw hole may further comprise a sealing means such as a plug or a bung or a sealing compound such as silicon sealand for sealing the screw hole against the ingress of fluid which would short circuit the electrical connections between connector legs and the cable.
  • the lighting unit may be provided with an adhesive layer where required on an underside of the base unit to fix the base unit to a surface.
  • an underside includes any side surface of the base unit which may be pushed against a substrate surface in use.
  • the top and base units may be removably connected together, so that the base unit and top unit can be connected around a cable in a desired location, and then later disconnected from the cable. This permits the number and position of lighting units to be readily varied as desired.
  • the connector legs may have a small cross sectional area, so that inserting the legs into the sheath of the cable only makes a small hole on one side of the sheath, which can then readily close up again when the connector legs are removed.
  • the top unit and base unit may be releasably connected together by two clips that extend from one of the base unit and top unit, and latch into matching recesses in the other of the base unit and top unit.
  • the unit from which the clips extend may be made of strong but flexible plastic to ensure that the clips continue to hold the top and base units together once connected.
  • the lighting unit may further comprise a sealing means for providing a seal between the base unit and the top unit.
  • the seal may be provided around abutting surfaces of the top and base units and around the cavity to form a fluid tight seal between the top and base units and between the top and base units and the cable.
  • the seal may be silicone grease, or a flexible or rubber ring.
  • the top unit may be made of high temperature resin or plastic to resist degradation, melting and / or deformation due to the heat emitted by the light emitter.
  • At least part of the top unit may be transparent or translucent, or optionally alternatively may include a covered aperture to allow light from the light emitter to pass out of the top unit.
  • the covered aperture may be a standard LED lens or magnified lens.
  • the light emitter may be hermetically sealed within the top unit.
  • top and base units may be permanently connected together, for example for use in a long term installation, or where the units must be tamper proof.
  • the top unit may be hingedly connected to the base unit, so that the top unit and base units are placed around a cable from one side, and then connected together on the other side of the cable so that the cable is gripped between the units.
  • the units By connecting the two units together with a hinge, the units can be more easily attached to a cable, and requires a lower degree of dexterity by the installer.
  • a desiccating agent may be provided around the connector legs to prevent short circuit if liquid does enter into the cavity between the top and base units.
  • a lighting kit comprising a plurality of lighting units and a two core electrical cable for use with the lighting units may be provided.
  • the lighting kit may further comprise a power controller connected to the electrical cable.
  • the power controller may control the power supplied to the circuit, so that, the level of lighting can be continuously or incrementally adjusted, or the timing of the current supplied adjusted so that the lighting units can flash on and off for example.
  • the power controller may be programmable.
  • the sheath of the electrical cable may be made of a resilient material which can be readily punctured by the connector legs, but will resume the original shape of the sheath and close up the small hole made by the connector legs when the legs are removed.
  • the invention thus provides the advantage that the lighting unit is substantially sealed against the ingress of fluid.
  • the lighting unit can thus be used in a range of environments, including inside and outside dwellings and paving. It is particularly suited for use in submerged environments.
  • Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a lighting unit according to the invention
  • Figure 2 shows a vertical section through an assembled lighting unit according to the invention
  • Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the base unit and light emitter of the lighting unit according to the invention
  • Figure 4 shows a side view of the top unit of the lighting unit according to the invention
  • Figure 5 shows a side view of the base unit of the lighting unit according to the invention.
  • Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the base unit of the lighting unit according to the invention.
  • Figure 1 shows a generally cuboid lighting unit 1 comprising a top unit 2 and a base unit 3 aligned with the top unit 2 directly over the base unit 3.
  • Part of a two-core electrical cable 14 is also shown in Figure 1, in position between the top unit 2 and the base unit 3.
  • the electrical cable has an outer PVC sheath 15 and two laterally separated copper cores 16.
  • a light emitter 4 ( Figure 3) is contained within the top unit 2 and has two connector legs 5 protruding from the side of the top unit 2 facing towards the base unit 3. hereafter called the lower side.
  • Each of the connector legs 5 has a kink 6, which widens the spacing of the connector legs 5 at their free ends.
  • the free ends of the connector legs 5 are positioned so that the tips of the free ends pierce the sheath 15 of the electrical cable 14 along a radial path with respect to the core of each cable, before coming into contact with the cores of the cable 16 as shown in Figure 2.
  • a translucent window 12 is provided in the top of the top unit 2 to allow light to shine out from the light emitter 4.
  • a location protrusion 8 is positioned on a corner of the lower side of the top unit 2.
  • a matching location recess 7 is positioned on a comer of the upper side of the base unit 3 facing towards the lower side of the top unit 2, hereafter called the upper side.
  • the dotted line shows how the location recess 7 and location protrusion interconnect when the top unit 2 is connected to the base unit 3.
  • the location protrusion 8 and recess 7 are substantially cylindrical.
  • the upper side of the base unit 3 has a generally concave portion 13 conforming to the general shape of the two-core electrical cable 14.
  • the concave portions in the top unit and the concave portion 13 in the base unit together form a cavity for receiving and gripping the electrical cable 14.
  • the concave portions ensure a good tight fit between the top unit and the base unit and the cable, which helps to prevent the ingress of fluid and additionally helps to grip the cable.
  • Serrations are provided on the concave portion to help grip the cable 14 and prevent longitudinal movement of the cable 14 relative to the top 2 and base unit 3.
  • the generally concave portion 13 may consist of two concave portions conforming to the shape of the cable 14.
  • a seal (not shown) is provided on the surfaces of the base unit that contact surfaces of the top unit when the top unit and base unit are connected together around the cable.
  • Another seal (also not shown) is provided around the peripheral edge of the concave portions in both the top unit and base unit, so as to provide a seal between the top unit and the cable and also provide a seal between the base unit and the cable.
  • the top unit 2 and base unit 3 are removably connected together by two clips 9, which extend away from the upper side of the base unit 3.
  • the clips are provided on opposing sides of the base unit 3, so that they straddle the generally concave portion in the base unit 3, giving the base unit 3 an overall U-shape in cross sectional profile (Figure 3 and Figure 5).
  • Flanges are provided at the ends of each clip 9, and latch into matching recesses 10 in the sides of the top unit 2.
  • a screw hole 11 is located at the centre of the generally concave portion 13 in the base unit 3, for receiving a screw (not shown) for fixing the base unit 3 to a suitable surface.
  • the connector legs 5 pierce the sheath 15 of the cable and contact the cores 16 of the cable.
  • the length of the connector legs 5 is such that the connector legs only pierce the upper side of the sheath 15 and stop when a good electrical connection is made between the tips of the legs 5 and the cores 16 of the cable.
  • the base unit 3 and the generally concave portion 13 can be seen more clearly.
  • the light emitter 4 is located directly over the screw hole 11. This is a design aid, and enables the end user to attach the base unit to a substrate and immediately know that the light emitter 4 will be directly over the screw hole .
  • FIG 4 it can be seen that the free ends of the connector legs 5 project from the lower side of the top unit 2 into the space formed by the two concave portions in the lower side of the top unit 2. The tips of the free ends of the connector legs 5 do not project beyond the lowermost point on the top unit 2.
  • the top unit 2 is generally rectangular, with a pyramidal structure at the top of the top unit 2, capped by the translucent window 12.
  • Figure 5 shows the cable 14 resting in the generally concave portion on the base unit 3.
  • the cable 14 is only partially contained within the generally concave portion 13; substantially half the cable projects above the generally concave portion 13 and will be received within the concave portions on the lower side of the top unit 2.
  • the screw hole 11 can also be seen, and has a countersunk portion adjacent the generally concave portion 13.
  • Figure 6 shows a base unit 3 similar to the base unit of Figure 5. However, the base unit of Figure 6 differs in that it does not have the fixing screw hole 11. The unit can be fixed to a surface using an adhesive.

Abstract

A lighting unit (1) connectable around a two-core electrical cable (14) having an outer sheath (15), the lighting unit (1) comprising a base unit (3) and a top unit (2) containing a light emitter (4) having two connector legs (6), wherein the top unit (2) and the base unit (3) are adapted to be connected together to define therebetween a cavity for receiving and firmly gripping the cable (14) , so that when the top (T) and base (3) units are connected together each connector leg (6) projects into the cavity and pierces the sheath (15) of the cable (14), resulting in an electrical connection between one of the cores (16) of the cable (14) and one connector leg (6), and another electrical connection between the other of the cores (16) of the cable (14) and the other connector leg (6). The position of the lighting units (1) on the cable (14) can be changed. The lighting unit (1) may be sealed against fluids.

Description

TITLE Lighting units
DESCRIPTION Field of the invention
The invention relates to lighting units suitable for decorative lighting effects both indoors and outdoors, such as on Christmas trees and positioned in or around ponds respectively. In particular but not exclusively, the invention relates to lighting units that can be attached to an electrical cable in selected locations.
Background art
Lighting units are known, in which several bulbs or light emitting diodes (LEDs) are connected in series in an electrical circuit, for example in decorative lighting circuits such as Christmas tree lights. Such lighting units suffer from the disadvantage that if one of the bulbs or LEDs fail, no current flows and none of the bulbs or LEDs emits light. Such lighting units also suffer from the disadvantage that the position of the bulbs or LEDs on the electrical cable is fixed at the time of manufacture and cannot be moved afterwards into a more useful or more aesthetically pleasing position. Similarly, the number of bulbs or LEDs is fixed at the time of manufacture. There therefore exists a need to provide a lighting unit which overcomes these disadvantages and which at the same time provides a good electrical connection between the lighting unit and the electrical cable. There is also the requirement to make the use of the lighting unit as straightforward as possible.
Summary of invention
The invention provides a lighting unit connectable around a two-core electrical cable having an outer sheath, the lighting unit comprising a base unit and a top unit containing a light emitter having two connector legs, wherein the top unit and the base unit are adapted to be connected together to define therebetween a cavity for receiving and firmly gripping the cable, so that when the top and base units are connected together each connector leg projects into the cavity and pierces the sheath of the cable, resulting in an electrical connection between one of the inner cores of the cable and one connector leg, and another electrical connection between the other of the cores of the cable and the other connector leg.
The cavity defined between the top and base unit may be shaped to receive the electrical cable. The cavity may be provided in one or in both of the top and base units.
The light emitter contained within the top unit may be a light emitting diode (LED). LEDs have two connector legs, one of which is a cathode and the other is an anode. An LED will only work correctly when connected to a power supply in the correct polarity. Therefore, to reduce the possibility of connecting the LED to the power supply incorrectly, a location recess may be provided on one of the top unit and the base unit, and a matching location protrusion may be provided on the other of the base unit and the top unit. The location recess will receive the location protrusion when the base unit and top unit are correctly aligned, and the location protrusion will prevent the units from being connected together in all other configurations.
The spacing of the connector legs of the light emitter tends to be fixed by the manufacturer. However, the lighting unit may be used with a cable the cores of which are at a different spacing to the spacing of the connector legs. Therefore the spacing of the connector legs may be increased to match the cable used by providing a kink in at least one of the connector legs. The kink may be on the part of a connector leg that is contained within the top unit. Enclosing the kink in the connector leg within the top unit may reduce the possibility of the leg bending during insertion of the connector leg into the cable sheath. Optionally alternatively, an adaptor for adapting the connector legs to the spacing of the cable may be provided. In another optional alternative, replacement legs whose spacing matches the spacing of the cable may be provided to replace the original connector legs.
In order to fix the base unit to a surface using a mechanical fixing, a screw hole may be provided within the base unit. The lighting unit with a screw hole may further comprise a sealing means such as a plug or a bung or a sealing compound such as silicon sealand for sealing the screw hole against the ingress of fluid which would short circuit the electrical connections between connector legs and the cable.
The lighting unit may be provided with an adhesive layer where required on an underside of the base unit to fix the base unit to a surface.
It will be understood that an underside includes any side surface of the base unit which may be pushed against a substrate surface in use.
The top and base units may be removably connected together, so that the base unit and top unit can be connected around a cable in a desired location, and then later disconnected from the cable. This permits the number and position of lighting units to be readily varied as desired. The connector legs may have a small cross sectional area, so that inserting the legs into the sheath of the cable only makes a small hole on one side of the sheath, which can then readily close up again when the connector legs are removed.
The top unit and base unit may be releasably connected together by two clips that extend from one of the base unit and top unit, and latch into matching recesses in the other of the base unit and top unit. The unit from which the clips extend may be made of strong but flexible plastic to ensure that the clips continue to hold the top and base units together once connected.
The lighting unit may further comprise a sealing means for providing a seal between the base unit and the top unit. The seal may be provided around abutting surfaces of the top and base units and around the cavity to form a fluid tight seal between the top and base units and between the top and base units and the cable. For example, the seal may be silicone grease, or a flexible or rubber ring. The top unit may be made of high temperature resin or plastic to resist degradation, melting and / or deformation due to the heat emitted by the light emitter.
At least part of the top unit may be transparent or translucent, or optionally alternatively may include a covered aperture to allow light from the light emitter to pass out of the top unit. The covered aperture may be a standard LED lens or magnified lens.
The light emitter may be hermetically sealed within the top unit.
The top and base units may be permanently connected together, for example for use in a long term installation, or where the units must be tamper proof.
The top unit may be hingedly connected to the base unit, so that the top unit and base units are placed around a cable from one side, and then connected together on the other side of the cable so that the cable is gripped between the units. By connecting the two units together with a hinge, the units can be more easily attached to a cable, and requires a lower degree of dexterity by the installer.
A desiccating agent may be provided around the connector legs to prevent short circuit if liquid does enter into the cavity between the top and base units.
A lighting kit comprising a plurality of lighting units and a two core electrical cable for use with the lighting units may be provided. The lighting kit may further comprise a power controller connected to the electrical cable. The power controller may control the power supplied to the circuit, so that, the level of lighting can be continuously or incrementally adjusted, or the timing of the current supplied adjusted so that the lighting units can flash on and off for example. The power controller may be programmable. The sheath of the electrical cable may be made of a resilient material which can be readily punctured by the connector legs, but will resume the original shape of the sheath and close up the small hole made by the connector legs when the legs are removed.
The invention thus provides the advantage that the lighting unit is substantially sealed against the ingress of fluid. The lighting unit can thus be used in a range of environments, including inside and outside dwellings and paving. It is particularly suited for use in submerged environments.
Drawings
Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a lighting unit according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows a vertical section through an assembled lighting unit according to the invention;
Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the base unit and light emitter of the lighting unit according to the invention; Figure 4 shows a side view of the top unit of the lighting unit according to the invention;
Figure 5 shows a side view of the base unit of the lighting unit according to the invention; and
Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the base unit of the lighting unit according to the invention.
Figure 1 shows a generally cuboid lighting unit 1 comprising a top unit 2 and a base unit 3 aligned with the top unit 2 directly over the base unit 3. Part of a two-core electrical cable 14 is also shown in Figure 1, in position between the top unit 2 and the base unit 3. The electrical cable has an outer PVC sheath 15 and two laterally separated copper cores 16.
A light emitter 4 (Figure 3) is contained within the top unit 2 and has two connector legs 5 protruding from the side of the top unit 2 facing towards the base unit 3. hereafter called the lower side. Each of the connector legs 5 has a kink 6, which widens the spacing of the connector legs 5 at their free ends. The free ends of the connector legs 5 are positioned so that the tips of the free ends pierce the sheath 15 of the electrical cable 14 along a radial path with respect to the core of each cable, before coming into contact with the cores of the cable 16 as shown in Figure 2. A translucent window 12 is provided in the top of the top unit 2 to allow light to shine out from the light emitter 4. A location protrusion 8 is positioned on a corner of the lower side of the top unit 2. A matching location recess 7 is positioned on a comer of the upper side of the base unit 3 facing towards the lower side of the top unit 2, hereafter called the upper side. The dotted line shows how the location recess 7 and location protrusion interconnect when the top unit 2 is connected to the base unit 3. The location protrusion 8 and recess 7 are substantially cylindrical.
Two concave portions conforming to the shape of the two-core electrical cable are provided in the lower side. The upper side of the base unit 3 has a generally concave portion 13 conforming to the general shape of the two-core electrical cable 14. When the top unit 2 and the base unit 3 are connected together, as shown in Figure 2, the concave portions in the top unit and the concave portion 13 in the base unit together form a cavity for receiving and gripping the electrical cable 14. The concave portions ensure a good tight fit between the top unit and the base unit and the cable, which helps to prevent the ingress of fluid and additionally helps to grip the cable. Serrations are provided on the concave portion to help grip the cable 14 and prevent longitudinal movement of the cable 14 relative to the top 2 and base unit 3. In another embodiment, not shown, the generally concave portion 13 may consist of two concave portions conforming to the shape of the cable 14.
A seal (not shown) is provided on the surfaces of the base unit that contact surfaces of the top unit when the top unit and base unit are connected together around the cable. Another seal (also not shown) is provided around the peripheral edge of the concave portions in both the top unit and base unit, so as to provide a seal between the top unit and the cable and also provide a seal between the base unit and the cable.
The top unit 2 and base unit 3 are removably connected together by two clips 9, which extend away from the upper side of the base unit 3. The clips are provided on opposing sides of the base unit 3, so that they straddle the generally concave portion in the base unit 3, giving the base unit 3 an overall U-shape in cross sectional profile (Figure 3 and Figure 5). Flanges are provided at the ends of each clip 9, and latch into matching recesses 10 in the sides of the top unit 2.
A screw hole 11 is located at the centre of the generally concave portion 13 in the base unit 3, for receiving a screw (not shown) for fixing the base unit 3 to a suitable surface.
As can be seen in Figure 2, when the top and base units are connected together, the connector legs 5 pierce the sheath 15 of the cable and contact the cores 16 of the cable. The length of the connector legs 5 is such that the connector legs only pierce the upper side of the sheath 15 and stop when a good electrical connection is made between the tips of the legs 5 and the cores 16 of the cable.
In Figure 3, the base unit 3 and the generally concave portion 13 can be seen more clearly. The light emitter 4 is located directly over the screw hole 11. This is a design aid, and enables the end user to attach the base unit to a substrate and immediately know that the light emitter 4 will be directly over the screw hole .
In Figure 4 it can be seen that the free ends of the connector legs 5 project from the lower side of the top unit 2 into the space formed by the two concave portions in the lower side of the top unit 2. The tips of the free ends of the connector legs 5 do not project beyond the lowermost point on the top unit 2. The top unit 2 is generally rectangular, with a pyramidal structure at the top of the top unit 2, capped by the translucent window 12.
Figure 5 shows the cable 14 resting in the generally concave portion on the base unit 3. The cable 14 is only partially contained within the generally concave portion 13; substantially half the cable projects above the generally concave portion 13 and will be received within the concave portions on the lower side of the top unit 2. The screw hole 11 can also be seen, and has a countersunk portion adjacent the generally concave portion 13.
Figure 6 shows a base unit 3 similar to the base unit of Figure 5. However, the base unit of Figure 6 differs in that it does not have the fixing screw hole 11. The unit can be fixed to a surface using an adhesive.

Claims

1. A lighting unit connectable around a two-core electrical cable having an outer sheath, the lighting unit comprising a base unit and a top unit containing a light emitter having two connector legs, wherein the top unit and the base unit are adapted to be connected together to define therebetween a cavity for receiving and firmly gripping the cable, so that when the top and base units are connected together each connector leg projects into the cavity and pierces the sheath of the cable, resulting in an electrical connection between one of the cores of the cable and one connector leg, and another electrical connection between the other of the cores of the cable and the other connector leg.
2. A lighting unit according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter is a light emitting diode.
3. A lighting unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the spacing of the connector legs is adapted to match the spacing between cable cores by providing a kink in at least one of the connector legs.
4. A lighting unit according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein a location recess is provided on one of the base unit and top unit, and a matching location protrusion is provided on the other of the base unit and the top unit, so that the base and top units can only be connected together one way round.
5. A lighting unit according to any preceding claim, wherein a screw hole is provided within the base unit so that the base unit can be fixed to a surface using a mechanical fixing.
6. A lighting unit according to claim 5, further comprising a sealing means for sealing the screw hole.
7. A lighting unit according to any preceding claim, wherein an adhesive layer is provided on the underside of the base unit to fix the base unit to a surface.
8. A lighting unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the top and base units are removably connected together.
9. A lighting unit according to claim 8, wherein two clips extend from one of the base unit and top unit, and latch into matching recesses in the other of the base unit and top unit to removably connect the two units together.
10. A lighting unit according to any preceding claim, further comprising a sealing means for providing a seal between the base unit and the top unit.
1 1. A lighting unit according to claim 10, wherein the seal is provided around the abutting surfaces of the top and base units and around the cavity to form a fluid tight seal.
12. A lighting unit according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein one of the base unit and the top unit from which the clips extend is made of strong but flexible plastic.
13. A lighting unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the top unit is made of high temperature resin or plastic.
14. A lighting unit according to any preceding claim, wherein at least part of the top unit is translucent.
15. A lighting unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the top unit includes a covered aperture to allow light from the emitter to be seen.
16. A lighting unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the light emitter is hermetically sealed within the top unit.
17. A lighting unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the top and base units are permanently connected together.
18. A lighting unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the top unit is hingedly connected to the base unit.
19. A lighting unit according to any preceding claim, wherein a desiccating agent is provided around the connector legs to prevent short circuit.
20. A lighting kit comprising a plurality of lighting units according to any preceding claim, and a two core electrical cable.
21. A lighting kit according to claim 20, further comprising a power controller connected to the electrical cable.
22. The lighting kit according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the electrical cable is made of a resilient material that will tend to close up small holes made in it.
PCT/GB2006/000476 2005-02-11 2006-02-13 Lighting units WO2006085097A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0502807.1 2005-02-11
GB0502807A GB2423196A (en) 2005-02-11 2005-02-11 Lighting unit with insulation piercing terminals

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006085097A1 true WO2006085097A1 (en) 2006-08-17

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WO (1) WO2006085097A1 (en)

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US7922541B2 (en) 2008-10-17 2011-04-12 Barco Nv Cable connector

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US7922541B2 (en) 2008-10-17 2011-04-12 Barco Nv Cable connector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2423196A (en) 2006-08-16
GB0502807D0 (en) 2005-03-16

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