The invention concerns a cable suspension arrangement for hanging luminaires comprising a holder for a cable which is vertical in the position of installation for suspending a luminaire at a cable holder point and a fixing region for fixing the luminaire to the suspension arrangement, wherein the fixing region has a center, wherein there are provided means for displacement of the cable holder point laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction in which the cable extends, relative to the center of the fixing region for the luminaire, or means for displacement of the center of gravity of the luminaire, laterally with respect to the longitudinal extent of an associated luminaire, relative to the cable holder point of the luminaire housing.
The invention further concerns a luminaire having a cable suspension arrangement.
In order to hang up luminaires in many cases the luminaire housing is suspended by way of two or four cables from a ceiling or another horizontal carrier, the cables engaging the body of the luminaire in mutually spaced relationship. The associated cable holder points are mostly arranged in the region of the ends of the luminaire housing so that they are at the greatest possible spacing from each other. In that case the cable holder point is the substantially punctiform region of the cable at which the load of the luminaire housing is transmitted to the cable, that is to say the point at which the luminaire housing including the cable suspension arrangement engage the respective cable for transmission of the load involved. The cable suspension arrangement itself in that case is connected to the luminaire with an associated fixing region having a center which is defined by virtue of the fact that, in the case of a symmetrical, that is to say ideal, distribution of weight on both sides of the housing which are defined by the connecting line of the cable holder points of the luminaire, the center of gravity of the luminaire is on the connecting line of the cable holder points and therefore the luminaire is suspended exactly horizontally. The center of the fixing region of the suspension arrangement is thus arranged in the central plane of the housing.
The term cable suspension arrangement of that kind, in accordance with the invention, is used to denote cable suspension arrangements which are generally suspended by a strand-shaped elongate suspension element, this term also being used in accordance with the invention to denote wires or the like. In addition, the cable can be of differing diameters in different transverse directions relative to the direction of the longitudinal extent thereof and can be for example in the manner of a band, in which case then the holder point is on the longitudinal center line of the band.
Suspension arrangements of that kind for hanging luminaires sometimes give rise to the problem that different distributions of weight on both sides of the luminaire cause the suspended luminaire to adopt an inclined position, which is unwanted. Asymmetrical distributions of weight of that kind may occur for example due to tolerances in the respective material thicknesses of the individual components, due to asymmetrical installation parts and/or due to assembly tolerances. Problems of that kind occur in particular in the case of dual-wing luminaires in which light means are arranged on both sides of a device carrier provided with cable suspension arrangements, so that luminaires of that kind are of a comparatively great width.
Such inclined positioning of the luminaire bodies can be avoided by balancing weights to be fixed separately to the luminaire, but determining the reference positions and the required weights for the balancing weights in order to provide that the luminaire is arranged horizontally is a comparatively laborious procedure.
Therefore the object of the present invention is to provide a luminaire or an arrangement of a luminaire, by means of which the luminaire can be easily oriented horizontally even in the case of an asymmetrical weight distribution causing the hanging luminaire to adopt an inclined position, wherein the device can be easily integrated in the luminaire and can be easily manufactured.
That object is attained in that the lateral displacement means includes an eccentric element, the rotation of which causes lateral displacement of the cable holder point and the center of the luminaire fixing region relative to each other or of the cable holder point and the center of gravity of an associated luminaire housing relative to each other.
In addition the object of the invention is attained by a luminaire housing.
By virtue of the lateral displacement of the cable holder point relative to the fixing region of the luminaire it is possible to compensate for irregular weight distributions of the luminaire so that the center of gravity of the luminaire again coincides with the connecting line of the cable holder points which are spaced in the longitudinal direction of the luminaire. The fact that weight equalization is effected by the configuration of the cable suspension arrangement according to the invention means that there is no need to arrange further luminaire accessory components such as balancing weights or the like as only the luminaire housing overall can be displaced laterally with respect to the cable suspension arrangement, which is particularly preferred. The displacement is thus accordingly effected at least with a component transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the luminaire, in which respect the displacement can be effected linearly, preferably perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the luminaire, or with another, for example curved, path of displacement.
It is however also possible, optionally independently of the cable suspension arrangement, to provide means for displacement, with respect to the longitudinal extent of the luminaire, of the center of gravity of the luminaire in a transverse direction relative to the cable holder point of the luminaire. Those means are preferably arranged, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the luminaire, at least at approximately or precisely at the level of the cable suspension arrangement, without that always being absolutely necessary. For adjustment of the horizontal position of the luminaire it is possible to provide for example displaceable balancing weights which are integrated into the housing, and components which are already present, in particular those of comparatively high weights such as transformers, housing components or the like, can also be transversely displaceable with respect to the transverse direction of the housing. Advantageously however the housing overall is displaceable in the transverse direction with respect to the cable suspension means, for example by virtue of a suitable design configuration of the luminaire suspension arrangement itself, as the high overall weight of the housing means that only comparatively short displacement distances are necessary to provide the balancing effect.
In that respect, for most situations of use, lateral displacement of the fixing region of the cable suspension arrangement relative to the cable holder point of between about 0.5 and about 5 mm, preferably in the range of between 1 and 3 mm, has proven to be adequate.
The lateral displacement means can act on an associated luminaire housing, with lateral displacement thereof relative to the longitudinal direction of the housing which is defined by the connecting line of spaced cable holder points. The displacement means can thus act on the luminaire housing directly or possibly also with the interposition of a transmission mechanism. In that way the displacement means can be of a particularly simple and robust structure and can thus also be used for hanging luminaires of comparatively weight.
Preferably the cable holder is in the form of a cable ducting means which extends through the lateral displacement means. The cable ducting means can be closed on all sides. As a result, the cable suspension arrangement can be of a particularly compact structure.
In particular the cable holder can be arranged at the center of the suspension arrangement or on the longitudinal axis thereof, which extends parallel to the longitudinal direction in which the cable extends, wherein the lateral displacement means can be such that the cable holder point is invariable in position by actuation of the displacement means in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the luminaire. A balancing effect is thus not afforded by way of a change in position of the cable holder point. For that purpose for example the cable holder point can be arranged at the level of the rotary axis upon actuation of the displacement means by a rotary movement.
Alternatively or supplemental thereto the lateral displacement means can act on the cable holder or can directly engage the cable holder so that, with lateral displacement of the cable holder relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing or a central plane of the housing, the associated luminaire housing can be oriented substantially or exactly horizontally. In that case the longitudinal axis of the housing is defined by the connecting line joining the cable suspension points.
Preferably a lateral displacement means according to the invention is associated with each cable suspension means of the luminaire.
Particularly simple access to the lateral displacement means is afforded if an actuating member for lateral displacement of the light fixing region and the cable holder relative to each other or generally of the center of gravity of the cable suspension is arranged at the end of the cable suspension arrangement, which is the upper end in the position of installation. The displacement means is thereby easily accessible, irrespective of the side of the luminaire from which the respective operator actuates the displacement means. For that purpose the actuating member may have an engagement region for a tool which is arranged at the end of the cable suspension arrangement, which is the upper end in the position of installation. The actuating member however may possibly also be arranged laterally on the housing of the luminaire.
The actuating member may be such that the position of the lateral displacement means and therewith at least qualitatively the displacement of the cable suspension and the luminaire fixing region relative to each other can be read off at the actuating member. For that purpose for example in the case of a displacement means in the form of an eccentric which is further described hereinafter, the actuating member may have a marking which can also be in the form of an engagement region for a tool such as for example in the form of a slot, in which respect the marking can indicate the eccentric axis, for example by the slot-form marking extending in parallel relationship with the eccentric axis.
In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment the lateral displacement means includes an eccentric element, wherein lateral displacement of the cable suspension point relative to the center of the luminaire fixing region is implemented by rotation of the eccentric element. In that case the plane of the eccentric is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the cable extends. The eccentric element provides that it is possible to produce high levels of torque and/or forces for displacement of the luminaire relative to the cable suspension configuration, with the cable suspension arrangement being of a compact structure. Preferably the displacement means only consists of an eccentric element acting directly on the housing and an actuating member acting directly on the eccentric element, which element and member can be integrally connected together or can be of a multi-part nature. In that case the eccentric element can be actuated by direct actuation of the component provided with the eccentric, or the eccentric element can also be actuated by a control member. Optionally, a force transmission means such as for example in the form of a linkage or the like can also be provided between the eccentric element and the cable holder or the region of the luminaire housing on which the eccentric element acts.
A cable suspension arrangement which can be particularly easily fixed to the luminaire housing is afforded if, in the position of installation, it includes an upper and a lower suspension member which can be fixed to each other, wherein at least the lower suspension member has a cable holder and a fixing region for the luminaire housing. In that way the cable suspension arrangement can be particularly easily secured to a fixing region of the housing which for example is in the form of a through opening which partially or completely surrounds the cable suspension arrangement. The fixing of the upper and lower suspension members can be effected releasably or permanently or non-releasably. In particular the fixing can be effected by a screw connection, with the longitudinal axis of the screw extending in parallel relationship with the axis of rotation of the eccentric. In that case the eccentric can be provided with a bore having a female screwthread. For non-loosably fixing the upper and lower suspension members, a screw securing means or another suitable securing element can be provided so that the upper and the lower suspension members are always moved synchronously with each other. Optionally the contact region of the cable suspension arrangement for the luminaire housing, to which optionally predominantly only a holding or support function can be attributed, can also be variable in position, for example rotatable, with respect to the eccentric element. In that respect the cable holder can be in the form of a cable ducting means which is closed partially or on all sides.
For the purposes of fixing the luminaire housing, a lateral cross-sectional constriction such a laterally open groove can be arranged in the connecting region of the upper and lower suspension members, for receiving a fixing region of the luminaire housing, wherein the groove can be in the form of a peripheral groove. Preferably the lateral displacement means which in particular can be in the form of an eccentric element is arranged on the upper suspension member or engages it, so that the component provided with the eccentric element can be actuated directly itself under the effect of the lateral displacement. Optionally however the displacement means may also engage the lower suspension member.
In addition preferably the lower suspension member has a fixing region which engages into the upper suspension member, in particular in the form of a screwthreaded pin, wherein provided on the lower suspension member preferably in concentric relationship with the screwthreaded pin is a cable holder, for example in the form of a blind bore which extends in the longitudinal direction of the pin so that a cable end provided with a clamp or the like can be arranged in the recess and the cable can be passed through the screwthreaded pin.
In accordance with an alternative embodiment the lateral displacement means can include a setting means or can be in the form of a setting means which is displaceable in a direction transversely with respect to the reference position of the cable or transversely, in particular perpendicularly, with respect to a cable ducting means of the cable suspension arrangement, with a relative change in position of the cable suspension point with respect to the center of the luminaire fixing region. A setting means of that kind can be in the form of a setting screw which is provided on the cable suspension arrangement or a luminaire housing region which is displaceable relative to the cable suspension arrangement. The displacement means can also be for example in the form of a slider member which is displaceable by a setting screw transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction in which the cable extends. For that purpose the slider member can be mounted on a suitable carriage or a carriage-like region of the housing. The suspension member arranged on the cable for the luminaire housing, like a clamp at the end, can also serve as the slider member. The setting means or the slider in that case can be movable linearly transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction in which the cable extends. In that respect the actuating element for the slider can be actuable from a direction transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction in which the cable extends, possibly the slider can be actuable also from a vertical direction, for example from the top side of the luminaire, with the interposition of a force direction-changing means.
The invention further concerns a luminaire housing with a cable suspension arrangement according to the invention. In that case the luminaire housing may surround the cable suspension arrangement in two vertically spaced planes, for which purpose the housing has a fixing region for the cable suspension arrangement, which region in the position of installation is arranged in a first vertical height, wherein it is possible to provide above same a cover through which the lateral displacement means can be actuated, for example by the insertion of a tool into a recess in the cover, in which respect this includes the displacement means terminating approximately at the height of the cover. For greater ease of actuation the displacement means can also project upwardly or laterally from the housing.
In particular the cable suspension means can be fixed to a device carrier of the luminaire, wherein the device carrier accommodates further electrical devices or connections of the luminaire for operation of the respective light means, such as for example electrical connections, transformers or the like. The invention however is not restricted to such a configuration of the light suspension arrangement on the luminaire housing.
A particularly stable construction is afforded if the fixing region of the housing is in the form of a U-shaped region which for example can also represent a partial region of another profile. The configuration in the form of a U-profile however affords a comparatively low weight with a high level of stiffness of the housing region. In this case the U-profile is provided with at least one receiving means for a cable suspension arrangement. The U-profile is held to the inside wall of a box profile or is integrally connected thereto, wherein the box profile has a top, preferably removable cover. The U-profile can however possibly also be composed of a plurality of profiles, for example by means of two L-shaped profiles. In that case the box profile preferably forms a peripherally substantially closed profile. The box profile can be of a substantially rectangular or square cross-section without being restricted thereto. In this case the U-profile preferably lies flat against the inside walls of the box profile and therefore preferably substantially matches the cross-sectional shape of the box profile without that always being absolutely necessary. That affords a simple way of fixing the cable suspension arrangement while involving a high level of stiffness for the luminaire housing region or the device carrier. The U-profile can extend substantially over the longitudinal extent of the respective part of the housing, such as for example a device carrier, the U-profile can optionally also be associated with only one respective cable suspension.
The respective luminaire housing according to the invention can be suspended by two, three or four cable suspension arrangements without being restricted thereto.
The invention is described hereinafter by way of example and illustrated by way of example with reference to the Figures in which:
The cable suspension arrangement 1 defines a cable holder point 7 which is defined by the cable center point in the region of the cable fixing. In this case cable fixing is effected in such a way that provided at the end of the cable that is towards the luminaire is a cross-sectional enlargement in the form of clamp 8 fitted thereon, the clamp being accommodated completely by the recess 9 of the cable suspension arrangement, although it can optionally also project partially or completely from the cable suspension arrangement in a vertical direction.
In this case the longitudinal direction of the luminaire is defined by the connecting line joining the two cable suspension means or the fixing regions associated therewith, which are mostly arranged at the end regions of the luminaire housing. It will be appreciated that the width of the wing-like bodies 5 may optionally exceed the length of the luminaire or that the luminaire may involve other irregular luminaire geometries.
For the purposes of fixing the luminaire to the cable suspension arrangement the latter has a lateral cross-sectional constriction which here is in the form of a laterally open peripheral groove 10 (
The center 14 of the fixing region of the cable suspension arrangement, the boundary of which is shown in broken line in
In order to compensate for irregular weight distributions of the luminaire, which would result in inclined positioning of the hanging luminaire which is only suspended at two suspension points, there are provided means for displacement of the center of gravity of the luminaire relative to the cable holder point of the respective suspension arrangement, in the form of an eccentric element 13. For that purpose the fixing region 12 of the cable suspension arrangement is of an eccentric nature (see also
In accordance with the illustrated embodiment the device carrier is provided with a cover 15 through which the cable suspension arrangement projects in a vertical direction. By virtue of the lateral displacement of the luminaire with respect to the cable suspension point the through opening 16 of the cover is of a somewhat diameter than the through opening provided in the fixing region 11 in order to be able to compensate for the eccentric movement of the cable suspension arrangement relative to the luminaire, having regard to the diameter of the cable suspension means (see
In this respect, the luminaire shown in
In order to be able to fix the cable suspension arrangement securely to the luminaire housing, the cable suspension arrangement has a lower suspension member 20 (see
The upper suspension member has a tool engagement means 33 in the form of a slot which at the same time serves as a marking for the position of the respective lateral displacement means or the eccentric 13. As shown in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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203 07 903 U | May 2003 | DE | national |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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2465857 | Erling | Mar 1949 | A |
5845037 | Miekis | Dec 1998 | A |
6518500 | Huang | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6653560 | Wu | Nov 2003 | B1 |
6870100 | Corwin | Mar 2005 | B1 |
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18 28 179 | Mar 1961 | DE |
78 38 482 | Jul 1979 | DE |
86 22 319 | Dec 1986 | DE |
40 104 16 | Oct 1990 | DE |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20050051673 A1 | Mar 2005 | US |