WO2007079505A1

WO2007079505A1 - Light fitting

Info

Publication number: WO2007079505A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2007/000003
Authority: WO
Inventors: Doron Netter; Gideon Smith Coetzee
Original assignee: Doron Netter; Gideon Smith Coetzee
Priority date: 2006-01-06
Filing date: 2007-01-05
Publication date: 2007-07-12
Also published as: ZA200805229B

Abstract

A light fitting (10) for fluorescent tubes comprises a base (18) carrying a ballast (24) and connector means (22) which may serve to connect the power cable to the ballast as well as various wire connectors. The base (18) also has an opening through which power cables may be introduced to be connected to the ballast. There is a cover (20) for the covering the base (18) and the ballast (24) and the aforesaid opening. The cover has a window (54) through which the connector means and opening are accessible. A covering unit (56) is provided which in the operative position closes the window opening. The covering unit may be clipped on to the cover or may be slidable relative thereto.

Description

LIGHT FITTING [0001] This invention relates to light fittings.

[0002] The invention is concerned with a light fitting of the kind adapted to carry a pair of fluorescent lighting tubes and comprising an elongated base carrying a ballast and connector means which are connected to the ballast and are adapted to be connected to a power cable, the base further having (i) means, normally being openings through which attachment means such as fixing screws can pass, whereby it may be attached to a construction part such as a ceiling, and (ii) a cable opening through which a power cable may pass from the construction part to be connected to the connector means. Such a light fitting is hereinafter referred to as "a light fitting of the kind set forth".

[0003] In known light fittings of the kind set forth, the base is a flat plate normally surrounded by a four walls, the side walls being bent up from the base and the end walls being joined or fixed, normally spot welded or clipped, thereto. Wire connectors lead from the ballast to lamp holders for the fluorescent lighting tubes. In light fittings, having the ballast, the connector means, the power cable and the various wires connecting the parts exposed is unacceptable and unaesthetic. A cover is normally provided so that these parts will not be visible. In practice an electrician will attach the base to the construction part and will then connect the power cables to the connector means. Thereafter the electrician will have to retrieve the cover and apply it to the base to cover the ballast and other parts. The cover may have to be secured to the base by screws which is an additional installation step. Furthermore I have found that in use the covers can be mislaid or mis-positioned so that they are not used by the electrician leaving an unsatisfactorily mounted light fitting. [0004] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a light fitting of the kind set forth comprising a base carrying a ballast and connector means which are connected to the ballast and which are adapted to be connected to a power cable, the base further having means whereby it may be attached to a construction part, and an opening through which a power cable may pass to be connected to the connector device, and a cover for trie base, characterised in that the cover has a window opening through which the connector means and opening are accessible, there preferably being a covering unit provided which in the operative position closes the window opening.

[0005] The covering unit may be removable from the cover to open the window opening. Alternatively the covering unit may be slidable relative to the cover from the operative position to an open position.

[0006] A preferred cover comprises a generally "W" shaped member secured to the base. This cover preferably comprises a central box portion, sidewalls and two outer sections wherein the window is formed though the box portion. Preferably die central box portion comprises a horizontal bottom wall and the sidewalls extend at right angles or substantially at right angles thereto. Conveniently connector pieces connect the adjacent ends of the sidewalls to the outer sections. The covering unit is preferably in the form of a channel having a web and side arms and conveniently clips on to the box portion to cover the window opening. Dimples are preferably provided on inside of the side arms to engage in openings in the side walls to hold the covering unit in position. Alternatively where the covering unit is slidable as mentioned above, guide means are conveniently provided on the base and the covering unit has engaging means engaging the guide means to hold it, the covering unit, in position.

[0007] The cover is preferably connected to the base by a plurality of connector devices which each consists of a body portion having at one end an outer flange and at the other end an end flange, the flanges being arranged to engage the surfaces of the base and the cover which are remote from one another. In one arrangement, the connector device comprises two parts each consisting of a flange and a cylindrical part which threadedly engage to form the body portion. In another arrangement, the outer flange is non-circular, preferably oval in shape. An inner flange is located in spaced relation to the outer flange, the spacing being such that a part of the base can be received between the inner and outer flanges. With the latter arrangement, the cover may have an opening through which the spaced outer and inner flanges, but not the larger flange, can pass and the base has a non-circular, preferably oval opening through which the outer flange can pass when in an appropriate position and wherein the said outer flange cannot pass there through when in a holding position at right angles to the said appropriate position.

[0008] An axial passage preferably passes through the connector device, the passage having a main portion and an end part which is of smaller diameter and which is separated from the main portion by a shoulder, the arrangement being such that a fixing screw can pass through the end part to engage a construction part such as a ceiling with the head of the fixing screw engaging the shoulder so as to attach the light fitting to the construction part. [0009] An axial passage conveniently passes through the connector member, the passage having a main portion and an end part of smaller diameter being separated from the main portion by a shoulder, the arrangement being such mat a fixing screw can pass through the end part to engage a construction part with the head of the fixing screw engaging the shoulder so as to attach the light fitting to the construction part. The main portion of the passage preferably has an end portion of non-circular, preferably hexagonal, section that can be engaged by a correspondingly shaped tool to rotate the connector member.

[00010] The light fitting preferably has a diffuser through which light from the fluorescent lamps pass. The outer members of the cover conveniently have inwardly directed rims which are slidably engaged by the diffuser to hold the diffuser to the cover. Removable end caps are preferably provided fitting on the end of the cover to retain the diffuser in the appropriate position relative thereto.

[0011] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: —

Figure 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a light fitting of the invention,

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are respectively a side view, a bottom view and a top view

(Figure 3 having the diffuser partially broken away for the purpose of illustration) of the light fitting of Figure 1), Figure 5 is a transverse section through the light fitting, Figure 6 is a perspective view from the underside of the base, Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the window in the cover and the covering unit, Figure 8 is an under plan view of a detail showing the window and the parts accessible therethrough, Figure 9 is a perspective view partially in section showing a connector device connecting the cover to the base,

Figure 10 is a side view of the connector device connecting the cover to the base, Figures 11, 12 and 13 are respectively sections on lines 11-11, 12-12 amd 13-13 of

Figure 10, Figure 14 is a detail axial section through a connector device with a fixing screw in position, Figure 15 is an exploded view of the end of the light fitting with the end cap shown in section,

Figure 16 is an inside view of the end cap, Figure 17 is a detail view of the cover of a modified light fitting of the invention showing the window opening and the covering unit in the open position, Figure 18 is a view similar to Figure 17 with the covering unit in the closed position, Figure 19 is a detail of the base with the covering unit attached thereto, and Figure 20 is an axial section through another connector device.

[0012] Referring now to Figures 1 to 5, there is shown a light fitting 10 of the invention. The light fitting 10 comprises an elongated base unit 12 carrying a diffuser 14 and end caps 16 at the end of the base unit 12 to prevent axial movement of the diffuser 14.

[0013] The base unit 12 consists of two elongated powder coated sheet steel members constituting a base 18 and a cover 20 extending the entire length of the light fitting. [0014] The base 18 (best shown in Figure 6) is flat and narrow. It carries an elongated parallipipedal ballast 24 and a connector unit 22. Wire Connectors (not shown) extend from the connector unit 22 to the ballast 24. The connector unit 22 further has receptors 26 to which, in use, the domestic power cables 28 (see Figure 7) are connected to provide power to the light fitting. A circular cable opening 30 through the base 18 is provided near the connector unit 22 through which the power cables 28 may pass. Near to the ends of the base 18 are respectively two oval openings 32 arranged with their main axes aligned. These openings 32 serve the purpose which will be described below.

[0015] The cover 20, which also serves as a reflector for the light fitting, has been cranked into a complex, substantially inverted "W" shape (best shown in Figure 5). The shape consists of two upwardly and inwardly inclined outer sections 34, a centre box portion 36 having a bottom horizontal wall 38 and two vertical side walls 40 leading thereto. A pair of connector portions 42 join the outer sections 34 to the vertical side walls 40. The connector portions 42 extend inwardly and downwardly over a shallow angle. Thus above the cover 20 there is a central, substantially rectangular space 44 which, at its edges, has two triangular extensions 46.

[0016] The width of the base 18 is slightly less than the distance between the connections 48 between the outer sections 34 and the connector portions 42. These connections 48 are at the highest points of the base unit 12.

[0017] At the ends of the outer sections 34 are short, inwardly and downwardly extending rims 44 for the purpose which will be described below. [0018] A lamp holder 50 is mounted on each connector portion 42, so that when the fluorescent tubes 52 are carried in the lamp holders 50, they lie in the inverted valley defined by the outer sections 34, the vertical walls 40 and the connector portions 42. Wires 53 (two of which are shown in Figure 8) connect the ballast 24 to the lamp holders 50.

[0019] It will be seen that the base 18 and cover 20 form a housing for the ballast and connector unit 22. The housing is bound by the base 18, the connector portions 48, the vertical walls 40, and the bottom wall 38.

[0020] At the location opposite to the connector unit 22, a portion of the bottom wall 38 and a small part of the adjacent vertical walls 40 are cut away to form a window opening 54 (see Figures 7 and 8) through which the receptors 26 of the connector unit 22 and the cable opening 30 are visible. The ballast 24 is not visible through the window opening 54 nor are the connecting wires (except for those beside the connector unit and the cable opening 30). A plastic channel shaped covering unit 56 clips over sufficient of the box portion 36 to cover the window opening 54. The unit 56 has a web 57 that butts against the wall 38 and side arms 58 of the covering unit 56 are inwardly sprung to grip the box portion 36. A low dimple 60 is provided on the inner surface of each side arm 58 near its ends. These dimples 60 engage in openings 62 formed in the vertical side walls 40 so that the covering unit 56 is firmly but releasably connected to the box portion 30.

[0021] Near each end of the bottom wall 38, and in register with the oval openings 32, are a pair of identically shaped oval apertures 64. A moulded plastic connecter device 66 extends between each opening 32 and aligned aperture 64. The connector device 66 (best shown in Figures 9 and 10) comprises a cylindrical body portion 68 having a circular flange 70 (hwereinafter called "the end flange") at its lower portion and a pair of inner and outer flanges 72 and 74 at its upper end. The flanges 72 and 74 are oval and correspondingly shaped to and slightly smaller than the apertures 64 and the openings 32. A pair of shallow circular section domed recesses 73 are provided in the surface of the flange 74 facing flange 72. A pair of dimples 75 are provided at correspondingly shaped positions on the base 18 adjacent the openings 32. (The recesss and dimples are not shown in Figure 10). A circular peripheral groove 76 is provided in the body portion 68 above the flanges 72 and 74. The diameter of the body portion 64 is less than the dimension across the aperture 64 on the minor axis A while the diameter of the end flange 70 is larger than the dimension across the oval aperture 64 on the major axis B.

[0022] A passage 78 passes axially through the connector device 66. This passage 78 has a main portion consisting of an introduction part 80 of hexagonal cross-section at the lower part of the device 66, and a circular section mid-portion 82. The mid-portion 82 ends in a smaller diameter end part 84. A radial shoulder 86 separates the circular section portion 82 and end part 84.

[0023] Each connector members 66 is used as follows: the flanges 72 and 74 are aligned with an aperture 64 and then passed through the aperture 64. The connector device 66 is moved until the outer flange 74, being in the appropriate position, passes through the opening 32 and the space 88 between the flanges 72 and 74 are aligned with the base 18. The connector device 66 is now rotated through 90° so that the material of the base 18 adjacent to the minor axis A of the opening 32 is contained in die space 88 between the flanges 72 and 74 at their major axis B. The dimples 75 are now received in the recesses 73 to hold the connector device 66 firmly but releasably against rotational movement. In this way, the base 18 and cover 20 are connected together, with the cover 20 being carried by the two circular flange 70.

[0024] Should it prove difficult to rotate the device 66 as aforesaid, an Allen Key may be used to engage in the hexagonal section 80 and to apply the appropriate torque to the connector device 66 to rotate it.

[0025] It will be seen that the connector members 66 hold the base 18 and cover between the end flange 70 on the one hand and the flanges 72 and 74 on the other. Thus die bottom wall 38 and base 18 are spaced a predetermined distance apart.

[0026] Fixing screws 90 (see Figures 5 and 14) are provided for engaging into a construction part on which the light fitting is suspended, such as a ceiling part (not shown). The fixing screws 90 are inserted into the passage 78 passing through the end part 84 and engaging the construction part with the screw head 92 engaging the shoulder 86. It will be seen that the force applied to the fixing screws 90 acts on the base 18 only. Thus die base 18 and cover 20 are not subject to any force by the fixing screws 90 closing them together.

[0027] The two connector members 66 constitute the sole connection between the base 18 and the cover 20. This connection is effected in the factory. Because of this arrangement there is no welding together of the parts of the light fitting 10 which may thus be powder coated before assembly. [0028] The diffuser 14 comprises transparent polycarbonate. It is arcuate in shape having longitudinal striatums 96 on its inner surface. The length of the chord at the ends of the diffuser 14 is slightly less than the distance apart of the outer ends of the outer sections 34. Thus the ends of the diffuser can fit under the rims 44 to be held to the cover 20 (as shown in Figure 5).

[0029] Each end cap 16 comprises an inwardly directed flange portion 98 having an arcuate part 100 that can fit over the diffuser 14 and a top part, including two arms 102, that can fit over the base unit 12. An end wall 104 is provided at the end of the flange portion 98. A dimple 106 is provided on the inner side of each arm 102. A small opening 108 is formed near the end of each outer member 34 to be engaged by the dimple 106 so that the end caps 16 will be firmly, although releasably, held on the ends of the base unit 12. The end caps 16 hold the diffuser 14 in position against axial movement relative to the base unit 12 so that the diffuser 14 is held in position by the rims 44 and the end caps 16.

[0030] The light fitting 10 is fixed to the construction part as follows:

The covering unit 56 is removed from the box portion 36 exposing the window opening 54. The domestic cables 28 are passed through the cable opening 30. The light fitting 10 is aligned as desired. The electrician then attaches the base unit 12 to the construction part by means of the fixing screws 90. The electrician can now connect the domestic cables 28 to the receptors 26. The covering unit 56 is clipped in position. The fluorescent lamps 52 are inserted into the lamp holders 50. The diffuser 14 is slid into position under the rims 44 and the end caps 16 are applied to the ends of the base unit 12. [0031] It will be seen that the diffuser 14 can easily be removed from the light fitting to replace fluorescent lamps 52 by merely removing one end cap 16 and sliding the diffuser 14 out of the light fitting 10. Further it will be noted that as the shoulder 86 is close to the end of the connector device 66, short screws 90 can be used to attach the light fitting to the construction part, a feature which I have found is preferred by electricians.

[0032] A light fitting 110 comprising a second embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 16 to 18. The light fitting 110 is identical to the light fitting 10 save as will be described hereinbelow and identical parts will be given the same reference numeral. A covering unit 112 is provided for the window opening 54. This covering unit 112 fits snugly within the box portion 36, and is slidable between a closed position (as shown in Figure 18) in which it closes the window opening 54 and an open position (as shown in Figure 17) wherein the receptors 26 of the connector unit 22 and the cable opening 30 are accessible. A handle 114 is provided on the web 116 of the covering unit 112 to facilitate movement thereof.

[0033] At the ends of the arms 118 of the covering part 112 are short outwardly directed flanges 120. A guide member 122 is welded to the base 18. This guide member 122 has "Z" shaped guides 124 at its sides. The flanges 120 are received within the guides 124 to hold the covering unit 112 to the base 18 while permitting axial movement thereof. A large opening 126 registering with the cable opening 30 is provided in the guide member 122 for the ingress of the power cables 28.

[0034] This light fitting 110 has the advantage that all its parts, apart from the diffuser 14, end caps 16 and fluorescent tubes 52, will be held together so that nothing will be mislaid during transport and fixing of the light fitting to the construction part. It will be appreciated however that the guide member 102 would have to be welded to the base 18 before this member 102 is powder coated. As the guide member 102 is flat against the base, the item to be powder coated is not unduly bulky.

[0035] A modified connector device 120 is shown in Figure 19. This device 120 comprises hollow male and female members 122 and 124 formed with an axial through passage 126. The members 122 and 124 have respectively cylindrical body parts 128 and 130 with flanges 130 (herein called "the outer falnge") and 132 (herein called "the end flange") at their ends. The male member 122 also has an inwardly directed flange 136 which defines a reduced diameten end part 138 for the passage 126. The inner surface 140 of the flange 136 forms a snjoulder theat separates the main part of the passage 126 from the end part 138. When this connector device 120 is to be used, circular openings 142 and 144 are provided in the base 18 and wall 38 respectively.

[0036] The light fitting is assembled in the factory as follows:- the body parts 128 and 130 are inserted respectively through the openings 142 and 144 and then threadedly engaged one to the other. The parts are screwed an appropriate amount together unit the end of the body part 130 clamps the base 18 against the outer flange 130. The distance between the base 18 and the end wall 38 is correct.

[0037] In use a screw 90 can be inserted into the hollow part of the members 122 and 124 to engage in the construction part with the head 92 engaging the shoulder constituted by upper surface 140 of the inwardly directed flange 134. [0038] The flanges 130 and 132 may be circular or may be non-circular, e.g. hexagonal in plan so that they may be gripped by tools to rotate them into the position mentioned above.

[0039] The invention is not limited to the precise constructional details, hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings. For example the light fitting may be an open light fitting having no diffuser or end caps. The inner flange 72 may be larger than the opening 32, and may be of a circular section, provided that it can pass through the aperture 64. The connector means may be embodied in the ballast means rather than being a separate unit. The slidable covering unit may be guided solely by the box portion so that the guide member may be omitted. The flanges 72 and 74 may be of any other convenient non-circular section with the openings appropriately shaped to permit the relevant flanges to pass therethrough. An additional inner flange may be provided at the lower end suitably spaced from the large flange 70 to hold the cover between this additional flange and the large flange 70. Other connector devices may be used.

Claims

1 A light fitting comprising a base (18) carrying a ballast and connector means (22) which is connected to the ballast and which is adapted to be connected to a power cable, the base further having means whereby it may be attached to a construction part, and a cable opening (30) through which power cable may pass to be connected to the connector device, and a cover (20) for the base (18), characterised in that the cover (20) has a window opening (54) through which the connector means (22) and cable opening (30) are accessible.

2 A light fitting as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that a covering unit (56, 112) is provided which in the operative position closes the window opening (54).

3 A light fitting as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the covering unit (56) is removable from the cover (18).

4 A light fitting as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the covering unit (112) is slidable relative to the cover (20).

5 A light fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the cover (20) comprises a generally "W" shaped member secured to the base (18). 6 A light fitting as claimed in claim 5 characterised in that the cover (20) comprises a central box portion (30), sidewalls (40) and two outer sections (34) and in that the window opening (54) is formed though the box portion (30).

7 A light fitting as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the central box portion (30) comprises a horizontal bottom wall (38) and in that the sidewalls (40) extend at right angles or substantially at right angles thereto.

8 A light fitting as claimed in claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the connector pieces (42) connect the adjacent ends of the sidewalls (40) to the outer sections (34).

9 A light fitting as claimed hi claim 6, 7 or 8 when dependant upon claim 3 characterised in that the covering unit (56) is hi the form of a channel having a web (57) and side arms (58) and clips on to the box portion (30) to cover the window opening (54).

10 A light fitting as claimed in claim 9 characterised in that dimples (60) are provided on the inside of the side arms (58) to engage in openings (62) in the side walls (40) to hold the covering unit (56) in position.

11 A light fitting as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8 characterised in that the covering unit (112) is slidable relative to the box portion (30) between an open position in which the window opening (54) is open and a closed position in which the window opening (54) is closed. 12 A light fitting as claimed in claim 11 characterised in that guide means (122) are provided on the base (18) and the covering unit (112) has engaging means (120) engaging the guide means (122) to hold it (the covering unit) in position.

13 A light fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the cover (20) is connected to the base (18) by a plurality of connector devices (66, 120) which each consists of a body portion (68, 128 and 130) having at one end an outer flange (74) and at the other end an end flange (70), the flanges (68 and 70) being arranged to engage the surfaces of the base (18) and the cover (20) which are remote from one another.

14 A lighting fitting as claimed in claim 13 characterised in that the connector device (120) comprises two parts each consisting of a flange (74 and 70) and a cylindrical part (128 and 130) which threadedly engage to form the body portion.

15 A lighting fitting as claimed in claim 14 characterised in that the outer flange (74) is non-circular, preferably oval in shape.

16 A light fitting as claimed in claim 15 characterised in that an inner flange (72) is located in spaced relation to the outer flange (74), the spacing being such that a part of the base (18) can be received between the inner and outer flanges.

17 A light fitting as claimed in claim 16 characterised in that the cover (20) has an opening (64) through which the spaced outer and inner flanges (72 and 74), but not the larger flange (70), can pass and in that the base (18) has a non-circular, preferably oval opening (32), through which the outer flange (74) can pass when in an appropriate position and wherein the said outer flange (74) cannot pass there through when in a holding position at right angles to the said appropriate position. 18 A light fitting as claimed in claim 17 characterised in that a dimple and a corresponding recess (73) are formed in one of the pair of facing surfaces of the base and the inner surfaces of the inner and outer flanges (72 and 74), the arrangement being such that when the said outer flange (74) is in said holding position, the dimple (75) will engage in the recess (73) to hold the connector device (66) firmly to the base.

19 A light fitting as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 18 characterised in that an axial passage (78, 126) passes through the connector device (66, 120), the passage having a main portion (79) and an end part (84, 138) which is of smaller diameter and which is separated from the main portion (79) by a shoulder (86, 140), the arrangement being such that a fixing screw (90) can pass through the end part (84, 138) to engage a construction part with the head (92) of the fixing screw (90) engaging the shoulder (86, 140) so as to attach the light fitting to the construction part.

20 A light fitting as claimed in claim 19 characterised in that the main portion (79) of the passage (78) has an end portion (80) of non-circular, preferably hexagonal, section that can be engaged by a correspondingly shaped tool to rotate the connector device (66).

21 A light fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that it further comprises a diffuser (14).

22 A light fitting as claimed in claim 21 when dependant directly or indirectly upon claim 6 characterised in that the outer members (34) have inwardly directed rims (44) which are slidably engaged by the diffuser (14) to hold the diffuser to the cover (20).

23 A light fitting is claimed in claim 22 characterised by removable end caps (16) fitting on the end of the cover (20) to retain the diffuser (14) in the appropriate position relative thereto. 24 A light fitting as claimed in claim 23 characterised in that each end cap (16) has a flange (98) which engages the cover (20) and has a dimple (100) on the inner side and in that the cover (20) has an opening (18) into which the dimple (100) engages so as to hold the end cap (16) firmly but releasably on the cover.