Patent Application
20240353085
The invention relates to the field of lighting apparatuses, e.g. for lighting purposes in buildings. In this case, the invention relates in particular to the field of profile lights and/or profile or rail light systems. The invention relates to a mounting arrangement for mounting a light assembly in an elongated rail profile which is open on a longitudinal side, and relates to a lighting apparatus having a rail profile, a light assembly and such a mounting arrangement.
Profile lights and profile light systems have already been proposed. In the case of conventional profile lights or profile light systems, provision is frequently made e.g. that light insets are supplied permanently installed with a profile to a construction site where the assembly is to be effected. Such light insets are usually wired to a converter or operating unit which is installed in this profile or is located outside the profile. If the light insets are to be subsequently introduced into the profile on the construction site, the wiring procedure is also cumbersome in conventional construction methods.
Rail light systems having light insets which can be inserted into a rail are also already known.
Against this background, it is an object of the invention to make the assembly and disassembly of light insets or light assemblies in profiles, e.g. in order to produce a profile light or a lighting apparatus based on a profile or rail light system, more simple and more flexible.
In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved by a mounting arrangement comprising the features of claim 1 and/or by a lighting apparatus comprising the features of claim 19.
Accordingly, a mounting arrangement is proposed for mounting a light assembly in an elongated rail profile which is open on a longitudinal side.
In this case, the mounting arrangement has a latching device which is adapted to engage in a latching manner into the rail profile in order to hold the light assembly.
Furthermore, the mounting arrangement has a blocking arrangement which can be moved to a release configuration and to a blocking configuration. In the release configuration, the engagement of the latching device into the rail profile can be effected and released by overcoming an elastic force effect of the latching device. In the blocking configuration, the blocking arrangement prevents the engagement from being released against the elastic force effect. In particular, the blocking arrangement in the blocking configuration can also prevent the engagement of the latching device from being effected.
In this case, the blocking arrangement comprises an actuating element which can be actuated by an operator in a state in which the mounting arrangement holds the light assembly, which is inserted into the rail profile, therein, wherein the blocking arrangement can be moved to the release configuration and the blocking configuration in each case by means of actuation of the actuating element by pressing same.
Also proposed is a lighting apparatus comprising an elongated rail profile, which is open on a longitudinal side, a light assembly and at least one mounting arrangement in accordance with the invention. In this case, the light assembly is inserted into the rail profile and the latching device of the mounting arrangement engages in a latching manner into the rail profile in order to hold the light assembly.
One concept forming the basis of the invention resides in the fact that, in this manner, the light assembly in the manner of an inset can be inserted by the fitter quickly, easily and flexibly, in particular at any selectable point along an already installed rail profile. In particular, in a first assembly step, the light assembly can be introduced into the rail profile easily and in an uncomplicated manner and can even be mounted thereon by means of latching engagement of the latching device, without the operator or fitter having to perform any further hand movements in this first step. Therefore, assembly is greatly simplified, specifically e.g. in the case of relatively long light assemblies, especially since the light assembly already automatically holds itself in place after insertion. Final fixing is then effected by simple pressing onto the actuating element. Particularly when working in the ceiling region or above head height, it is very convenient to simply press in one or a plurality of actuating elements, which can be effected in a problem-free manner one after the other if there is a plurality of mounting arrangements on a light assembly. In a similar manner, the blocking arrangement can then be released easily and in a problem-free manner as required in order to remove the light assembly from the rail profile.
Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are apparent from the dependent claims and from the description with reference to the figures in the drawing.
In one embodiment, the actuating element, for actuation thereof by the operator, can be displaced along a direction, which is substantially in parallel with a depth direction of the rail profile, by exerting a pressure force onto the actuating element. Therefore, the actuation is possible in a simple and intuitive manner.
In particular, the actuating element can be actuated by the operator without the use of tools. Therefore, the actuation is possible in a particularly simple and comfortable manner.
In particular, during actuation, the actuating element can be displaced against an elastic force. In this manner, e.g. undesired actuation can be counteracted and the actuating element can always assume a defined position when not actuated.
In one development, the blocking arrangement can be transferred in an alternating manner to the release configuration and the blocking configuration by actuating the actuating element multiple times. This makes it easy and manageable for the operator or fitter to switch between release and blocking.
According to one embodiment, the mounting arrangement has a body. In this case, the latching device has latching elements which are arranged on the body and are adapted to engage in a latching manner in each case behind an edge extending along the rail profile or an undercut of the rail profile extending along the rail profile. In this manner, the light assembly can be held reliably on the rail profile, wherein, in particular, flexible positioning of the light assembly along the rail profile is also made possible.
In one embodiment, the latching elements can be pivoted preferably in an elastic manner in each case about a pivot axis which extends substantially in parallel with a longitudinal direction of the rail profile. This simplifies the production of the mounting arrangement still further.
In one embodiment, the latching elements are provided on opposite sides of the body, wherein by means of the latching elements on opposite sides of the rail profile, it is possible to engage behind edges or undercuts provided in the rail profile. In this case, in the blocking configuration of the blocking arrangement each of the latching elements is prevented in each case from being released from the edge or the undercut. In this manner, reliable mounting is achieved and moreover any undesired release of the latching elements can be reliably prevented. In particular, at least two latching elements can be provided in this case on the opposite sides of the body.
In one embodiment, the latching elements are each connected to the body in one piece in an elastically movable manner. This contributes to simple producibility of the mounting arrangement.
According to one development, the blocking arrangement has a displaceably guided blocking element. In this case, the blocking element in the release configuration is located in a first displacement position, in which the latching elements for effecting or releasing the engagement into the rail profile can each be moved against the elastic force effect. Furthermore, in this development the blocking element in the blocking configuration is located in a second displacement position, in which the blocking element prevents the movement of the latching elements for effecting or releasing the engagement into the rail profile in each case against the elastic force effect or limits a path of the movement of the latching elements. Therefore, a simple structure and at the same time a reliable blocking effect on the latching elements can be achieved.
In one embodiment, a protrusion is connected in each case to the latching elements and is provided on an inner side of the latching element facing an inner region of the body. In this case, the protrusions provided on the inner side of the latching elements face one another. In this case, the blocking element can be displaced such that the blocking element in the blocking configuration is arranged substantially between the protrusions. Therefore, by displacing the blocking element, e.g. two latching elements can be blocked together to prevent undesired movement against the clastic force effect or the movement of the latching elements can be sufficiently restricted in such a manner as to prevent the engagement into the rail profile from being effected or released. This can also help to further simplify the structure of the mounting arrangement and at the same time to achieve reliable mounting of the light assembly. Furthermore, this embodiment can contribute in providing effective protection of the blocking arrangement against external influence and to the mechanically stable configuration and blocking effect thereof.
In one development, the actuating element and the blocking element are arranged so as to be displaceable along a common displacement axis. In this case, the blocking arrangement also has a sleeve which can be displaced along the displacement axis by actuation of the actuating clement and can be rotated incrementally about the displacement axis, wherein the sleeve is arranged in the direction of the displacement axis in sections between surfaces of the actuating clement and the blocking element which are provided for contact with the sleeve. In this development, the sleeve is supported in the release configuration in a first position along the displacement axis relative to the body and is supported in the blocking configuration in a second position, different from the first position, along the displacement axis relative to the body. Therefore, with the aid of these two support and inoperative positions of the sleeve, two displacement positions of the blocking clement can be implemented for the release configuration and blocking configuration respectively. As in the case of a ballpoint pen, in this development the use of the incrementally rotatable sleeve enables the two inoperative positions to be reached alternately by pressing the actuating element multiple times in the same direction.
In particular, in one embodiment the actuating clement has a coupling portion which extends through an opening in the blocking clement and engages in sections behind the blocking element. In this manner, a form-fitting connection can be established for transmitting a force in one direction between blocking element and actuating element.
In particular, the coupling portion can extend through a hollow interior of the sleeve.
According to one embodiment, the actuating element has an end-face actuating surface and a circumferential surface portion adjacent to the actuating surface. In this case, the circumferential surface portion is concealed in the blocking configuration. In particular, the circumferential surface portion can be designed as a signal surface and/or having a warning colour. In this manner, the displacement position of the actuating element in the release configuration and blocking configuration can be advantageously used to inform the fitter or operator about whether the latching device can be released from the rail profile by overcoming the elastic force or whether the engagement can be effected during insertion, in other words whether the latching device is blocked or not. In an advantageous manner, this makes it even easier to prevent the actuation from being forgotten during assembly.
In one development, the mounting arrangement has a guide portion for the actuating element. In this case, the rail profile, in which the light assembly can be mounted by means of the mounting arrangement, can be closed, at least in regions, on the open longitudinal side by means of an insertable cover such that the cover conceals the guide portion on the visible side. Furthermore, provision is made in this development that the actuating element in the release configuration protrudes from the guide portion and/or the actuating element in the blocking configuration is substantially flush with a side of the guide portion facing the cover. Therefore, e.g. good actuation capability, an aesthetic appearance of the lighting apparatus and at the same time an effective warning function of the actuating element can be achieved by means of this protruding action. In particular, this prevents the cover from being attached before the blocking arrangement is moved to the blocking configuration and the light assembly is thus secured to prevent unintentional release.
According to another embodiment, provision is made that the actuating element in the release configuration protrudes on the outer side from a visible side of a housing or a reflector or a reflector arrangement of the light assembly and/or that the actuating element in the blocking configuration is substantially flush with a visible-side housing surface or a visible-side surface of a reflector component of the light assembly. In this way, a good signalling effect can again be achieved for the fitter or operator and they can be informed that the actuating element is to be actuated for final fixing of the light assembly. Again, the flush alignment in the blocking configuration permits a clean, aesthetic appearance of a lighting apparatus after final fixing of the light assembly.
According to one development, the mounting arrangement for the mechanical coupling to the light assembly is configured so as to be able to be latched thereto. Therefore, the mechanical coupling to the light assembly can be achieved in a simple, time-saving and reliable manner.
In particular, the mounting arrangement can be mechanically coupled, in particular latched, to a housing component or a profile-shaped carrier component and/or reflector component or a printed circuit board of the light assembly provided with LED devices. This can contribute to a simple structure of a lighting apparatus.
For example, provision can be made that the mounting arrangement is adapted to engage in a latching manner behind opposite longitudinal edges of the housing component or carrier component or reflector component or behind opposite longitudinal edges of the printed circuit board.
In one embodiment, the body of the mounting arrangement has a U-shaped cross-section at least in sections, wherein a portion of the light assembly can be received in an inner region of the U-shape. This advantageously allows stable and reliable reception of the light assembly and coupling thereto. Furthermore, the light assembly, during insertion into the rail profile, can thus be protected and guided by the shape of the body, and the orientation of the light assembly in the rail profile can be stabilised with the aid of the U-shape of the body.
According to one development, a housing or a reflector or a reflector arrangement of the light assembly is provided on a visible side with an opening, wherein the actuating element in the release configuration protrudes on the outer side through the opening. Therefore, the actuating element is easily accessible for actuation thereof.
In one embodiment of the lighting apparatus, the rail profile can be closed at least in regions, or is closed at least in regions, on the open longitudinal side by means of an insertable cover, wherein the inserted cover covers the actuating element. Therefore, an aesthetically appealing lighting apparatus can be achieved. The cover can also help to influence the light emission in the desired way, protect the light assembly from dirt and dust and prevent undesired access to the light assembly.
In particular, the cover can be designed as a piece which can be inserted separately into the rail profile, and can be partially or completely light-transmissive.
In a further embodiment of the lighting apparatus, two or more light assemblies are held in the rail profile, in particular on the end side and preferably adjacent to one another substantially without any intermediate space. Furthermore, in this embodiment the cover extends along a longitudinal direction of the rail profile over more than one of the light assemblies. This makes it possible to arrange a plurality of light assemblies as insets in a line together, in particular in a substantially seamless manner. The interior of the rail profile with the received insets can then be covered with a continuous light-transmissive cover and a continuous light band can thereby be produced. The light band produced can be e.g. several meters long.
In another embodiment, the light assembly can have a reflector or a reflector arrangement.
In yet another embodiment, the light assembly can have one or a plurality of emitters which can be oriented.
In one embodiment of the lighting apparatus, a conductor device for providing an electrical supply voltage and/or control signals is arranged on the rail profile, in particular in the region of a base thereof. In this embodiment, the light assembly is connected to two or more mounting arrangements to form a module, and the module is held in the rail profile by means of the mounting arrangements. In this case, at least one of the mounting arrangements is formed, together with a contacting device, as one unit and conductors of the conductor device are contacted by means of the contacting device. In this case, the light assembly can have in particular light-generating devices and an operating unit which is coupled to the contacting device in order to supply the light-generating devices. In an advantageous manner, such a lighting apparatus is simple and flexible to assemble and supply. For example, the rail profile can be assembled in advance and the module can then be inserted without any problems, particularly at any point along the rail profile. Position adjustment in the longitudinal direction of the rail profile can likewise be made possible and contributes to a flexible structure.
In an alternative embodiment, the contacting device can be provided separately from the mounting arrangements and in this case e.g. can be connected to the light assembly as an independent unit or can be designed together with the operating device as one unit.
The above embodiments and developments can be combined with each other in any manner if it is useful to do so. Further possible embodiments, developments and implementations of the invention also comprise non-explicitly-mentioned combinations of features of the invention which have been described or will be described hereinafter with reference to the exemplified embodiments. In particular, in this regard a person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or complements to the respective basic form of the present invention.
It is understood that the embodiments and developments described above in relation to the mounting arrangement can be applied in an analogous manner to the lighting apparatus, and vice versa.
The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with the aid of the exemplified embodiments shown in the figures of the drawings. In the drawings:
The attached drawings are intended to provide improved understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and are used in conjunction with the description to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of said advantages will be apparent in view of the drawings. The elements in the drawings are not necessarily illustrated to scale with respect to each other.
In the figures, like and functionally identical elements, features and components and elements, features and components acting in an identical manner are provided with the same reference signs, unless indicated otherwise.
The rail profile 3 has an open longitudinal side 10 which is arranged in an assembled state on a visible side of the apparatus 100. For example, the open longitudinal side 10 faces a space which is to be lit. The open longitudinal side 10 can be an underside of the assembled apparatus 100.
The profile 3 can be closed on the open longitudinal side 10 by means of the cover 50, wherein the cover 50 can be inserted separately into the rail profile 3 and is partially or preferably completely light-transmissive.
In the first exemplified embodiment, the cover 50 is provided on its inner side along the longitudinal edges of the cover 50 with rib-shaped protrusions which permit latching into the profile 3 in order to hold the cover 50.
A length of the cover 50 can correspond e.g. substantially to a length of the profile 3 along the direction 16 and so the open side 10 is closed substantially completely by means of the cover 50. Light which is provided by the light assembly 2 is output through the cover 50 in order to provide lighting. It is also conceivable to have a plurality of individual covers 50 which are arranged in a line together.
Whereas
In cross-section, the rail profile 3 is substantially U-shaped having side walls 3a, 3b and a midsection which connects said side walls. Arranged on a base of the rail profile 3, in the region of the midsection which couples the walls 3a, 3b, is a conductor device 60 having conductors 61 which are held by insulating carrier bodies. The conductors 61 are intended to provide an electrical supply voltage and control signals.
In the first exemplified embodiment, the light assembly 2 is designed as a unit comprising a printed circuit board 19, an operating unit 70 and a channel-like, profile-shaped carrier component 18 and is connected to two mounting arrangements 1 and la to form a module (“inset”). In variants of the exemplified embodiment, more than two mounting arrangements 1 can be provided, wherein, when the light assembly 2 is of a relatively short length, it is also conceivable to have a design with only one mounting arrangement 1 or la. The mounting arrangement la, shown in
The contacting device 62 is designed having contact elements 63 which, during insertion of the module with the light assembly 2 into the profile 3, comes in each case into electrically conductive contact with the conductors 61. In this case, each contact element 63 contacts one of the conductors 61, wherein, in the first exemplified embodiment, four conductors 61 and four contact elements 63 are intended to provide the supply voltage and a DALI signal. Specifically, in
Provided on the elongated printed circuit board 19 is a multiplicity of LED devices 20, see for instance
By means of the contacting device 62 (“feeder”), the DALI signals and the supply voltage, which can be e.g. mains voltage, for instance alternating voltage with a rated voltage between 100 volts and 240 volts, in particular between 220 V and 240 V, are tapped by the conductor device 60 and relayed to the operating unit 70,
The printed circuit board 19 is received in the channel-like component 18 which, in some examples, can also be designed as a reflector 18 for directing the light, which is emitted by the LED devices 20 during operation, in the direction of the open side 10. In particular, the component 18 can also be considered to be a type of housing component for receiving the printed circuit board 19.
The light assembly 2 comprising the printed circuit board 19, the operating unit 70 and the reflector 18 is held in the rail profile 3 by means of the mounting arrangements 1 and 1a. The mounting arrangements 1 and 1a of the lighting apparatus 100 are designed in a similar manner with regard to the devices for mechanically holding the light assembly 2 in the rail profile 3 and differ substantially in that the arrangement la is enlarged in comparison with the arrangement 1 for accommodating the contacting device 62, see for instance
During assembly of the apparatus 100, after attachment of the rail profile 3 e.g. in the ceiling region, the assembly 2 comprising the mounting arrangements 1, la arranged thereon is inserted from the open side 10 into the rail profile 3, whereby the conductors 61 are contacted by the contact elements 63. Once completely inserted, the light assembly 2 is already held automatically in the profile, as described hereinafter. Then, the light assembly 2 is finally fixed, as will be likewise explained hereinafter, and the cover 50 is inserted.
The mounting arrangements 1, 1a are mechanically coupled to the light assembly 2 by latching, see
The channel-like component 18 with the printed circuit board 19 received therein is overlapped on the rear side from a rear side region 5 of the light assembly 2 in a portion thereof along the longitudinal direction 16, see in particular
The overlapped portion of the light assembly 2, and in this case a longitudinal portion of the carrier component 18, is received in the inner region 44 of the body 4. The mechanical coupling of the body 4 to the component 18 is effected with the aid of four latching elements 46 which are arranged on the body 4 facing the inner region 44 and of which in each case two engage in a latching manner behind one of two opposite upper, outer longitudinal edges 47 of the carrier component 18.
The printed circuit board 19 is held at the edge in two opposite longitudinal grooves of the component 18, see
The mounting arrangement 1 has a latching device 17 with two elastically resilient latching elements 7 which are formed in one piece with the body 4 on opposite sides 11, 12 thereof. Each of the limbs 45 is designed having a longitudinally contiguous region 48, one longitudinal boundary of which forms a free edge of the limb 45 and the other longitudinal boundary of which is connected in one piece to the resiliently movable latching element 7 in a center region, as seen in the longitudinal direction 16 when the apparatus 100 is in the assembled state.
The latching elements 7 are adapted to engage in a latching manner in each case behind an edge 8 extending along the inside of the rail profile 3, or behind an undercut 8 of the rail profile 3 extending along the inside of the rail profile 3 and thereby to hold the light assembly 2 in the profile 3. In this case, the edges or undercuts 8, behind which the latching elements 7 engage, are provided on opposite sides of the profile 3 on the inner side on the opposite side walls 3a, 3b.
Furthermore,
The latching elements 7 of the latching device 17 which are formed in one piece with the body 4 are elastically pivotable in each case about a pivot axis 40, see
Pressing the latching elements 7 into the body 4 in the transverse direction 15 thus requires an elastic force effect to be overcome, said force being able to be suitably adapted in particular by selecting the material of the body 4 and the dimensioning of the connection of the latching elements 7 to the body 4.
The mounting arrangement 1 has a blocking arrangement 30 which can be moved by the operator to a release configuration and to a blocking configuration. For this purpose, the blocking arrangement 30 comprises an actuating element 9 which, in a state in which the mounting arrangement 1 together with the mounting arrangement 1a holds the light assembly 2—inserted into the rail profile 3—in the profile 3, can be actuated by the operator from the open side 10 if the cover 50 is not inserted or removed. The mounting arrangement 1a likewise has a latching device 17 and a blocking arrangement 30 which are designed and function in the manner of the mounting arrangement 1.
At the beginning of the assembly of the module, which is formed with the light assembly 2 and the mounting arrangements 1, 1a, in the rail profile 3, the blocking arrangements 30 of the arrangements 1 and 1a are each located in their release configuration. After insertion of this module into the rail profile 3, the latching device 17 engages into the rail profile 3, wherein the latching elements 7 latch behind the edges or undercuts 8. In this state, the module is already held automatically in the profile 3. Then, the operator actuates the actuating elements 9 of each of the arrangements 1, 1a e.g. one after the other manually and without the use of a tool, whereby each of the blocking arrangements 30 is moved to its blocking configuration.
Whereas, in the release configuration, the latching elements 7 can thus be brought into engagement with the edges or undercuts 8 by overcoming the elastic force effect, and the engagement can then also be released by simply pulling on the module in the direction opposite the depth direction 14, this is no longer possible in the blocking configuration. In the blocking configuration, a movement of the latching elements 7 against the elastic force effect is restricted or prevented at least to such an extent that engagement of the latching elements 7 in each case behind the edge or the undercut 8 cannot be effected, nor can such an existing engagement be released. Therefore, in the blocking configuration of the blocking arrangement 30, the module formed with the light assembly 2 is secured against being unintentionally released.
After actuation of the actuating elements 9, the cover 50 can be inserted into the rail profile 3, wherein the cover 50 then covers the actuating elements 9, see
The blocking arrangement 30 can be transferred to the blocking configuration and the release configuration in a convenient manner without tools by exerting a pressure force onto the actuating element 9 in parallel with the depth direction 14, e.g. using a finger. By press-actuating multiple times in this manner, the blocking arrangement 30 is switched in an alternating manner to the release configuration and the blocking configuration. The pressing is effected in this case against an elastic force which, as described hereinafter, is provided by spring elements, wherein the actuating element 9 is displaced against the clastic force.
Adjacent to the actuating surface 9a, the actuating element 9 has a circumferential surface portion 9b, see
In a second and third exemplified embodiment which are described hereinafter, a blocking arrangement 30′ is provided which differs from the blocking arrangement 30 merely in the design of the actuating element 9′. The structure of the blocking arrangement 30′ and its function and effect on the latching device 17 are described in more detail further below, wherein it is understood that the structure, function and mode of operation apply in the same manner to the blocking arrangement 30 apart from the difference in the shape of the actuating element.
In the lighting apparatus 100′ according to the second exemplified embodiment and illustrated in
In a similar manner to the carrier component 18 of the first exemplified embodiment, the carrier component 18′ is overlapped in a rear-side region 5′ of the light assembly 2′ by the body 4, 4a of two mounting arrangements 1′ and 1a′ and is latched to the body 4 and 4a in each case by means of latching elements 46. The positions of the mounting arrangements 1′, 1a′ are indicated in
A narrow elongate opening 85′ is formed between two adjacent reflector portions 81′. In the second exemplified embodiment, the opening 85′ is incorporated into a rib-shaped bead which is formed by the funnel shape of the two adjacent reflector portions 81′. In total, the lighting apparatus 100′ has two such openings 85′.
An actuating element 9′ of the blocking arrangement 30′ of the mounting arrangement 1′ protrudes on the outer side through one of the openings 85′ if the blocking arrangement 30′ of the arrangement 1′ is located in the release configuration, see
In the state shown in
In contrast, in the state shown in
A lighting apparatus 100″, see
Furthermore, the light assembly 2″ comprises an operating unit 70″ which is arranged in a rear-side region 5″ of the light assembly 2″, see
The housing 95″ has, on the visible side in the surface 95a″, two openings 96″, one of which is allocated to the actuating element 9′ of the mounting arrangement 1′ and the other of which is allocated to an actuating element 9′ of the mounting arrangement 1a′.
The mounting arrangements 1′, 1a′ and actuating elements 9′ correspond to those described above with respect to the second exemplified embodiment, wherein, in the third exemplified embodiment, the bodies 4, 4a of the mounting arrangements 1′, 1a′ are coupled mechanically by latching to a rear-side housing component 98″ of the housing 95″ by means of the latching elements 46.
In contrast, in the release configuration,
The mode of operation of the blocking arrangement 30′ will be described hereinafter by reference to
The actuating element 9′ is guided in the body 4 so as to be displaceable in the guide portion 31 along a displacement axis 13. Arranged along the displacement axis 13 are-see e.g.
The sleeve 27 is arranged between functional surfaces of the actuating element 9′ and the blocking element 26. In this case, the sleeve 27, the actuating element 9′ and the blocking element 26 are arranged coaxially to the axis 13. The sleeve 27 has an inner passage, through which a coupling portion 28 of the actuating element 9′ extends. The coupling portion 28 also extends through a central passage opening 26b of the blocking element 26 and engages with an end portion behind sections of the blocking element 26 in the area surrounding the central passage opening 26b, see
The guide portion 31 is formed on the body 4 as part thereof such that the guide portion 31 protrudes in the inner region 44 into the space between the contiguous regions 48 of the two limbs 45. The body 4 is closed, on a side thereof facing away from the free end 31a of the guide portion 31, by means of a separate cover element 49 which is latched to the body 4.
The blocking arrangement 30′ includes the actuating element 9′, the sleeve 27 and the blocking element 26, the inner geometry of the guide portion 31 and also first and second spring elements 32 and 33 which are designed as compression springs in the form of helical springs. The first spring clement is arranged along the axis 13 inside the inner passage of the sleeve 27 and surrounds the coupling portion 28. In this case, the first spring element 32 acts on the blocking element 26 and the actuating element 9′ and applies an elastic pressure force which pretensions the elements 26 and 9′ along the displacement axis away from one another. However, the spring element 32 does not act directly on the sleeve 27. The second spring element 33 is arranged along the axis 13 between the cover element 49 and the blocking element 26 and applies an elastic pressure force which pretensions the blocking element 26 away from the cover element 49.
In each case, a protrusion 25 which protrudes inwardly, towards the recess 22, is connected in one piece to each of the latching elements 7 on an inner side 24 of the latching element 7 facing the recess 22 of the inner region 44. The protrusion 25 is arranged on the latching element 7 in each case close to the free end thereof which has the latching surface 7a and the sliding ramp surface 7b. The protrusions 25 on the two latching elements 7 face one another.
In the release configuration, see
By pressing on the actuating surface 9a′, as indicated by arrow P, the actuating element 9′, the sleeve 27, on which the actuating element 9′ acts, and the blocking element 26 which abuts against the sleeve 27 are displaced against the pressure force of the spring element 33 along the displacement axis 13. The elements 9′, 27 and 26 are thereby moved to the configuration shown in
The two positions of the blocking element 26 shown in
At the beginning of the movement of the actuating element 9′ in the direction of the arrow P, see
After the element 9′ has been pressed in sufficiently in direction P, see
The parallel grooves 35a and 35b differ in that the groove 35a has a part which is recessed in the radial direction towards the sleeve 27 and in the direction towards the recess 22, whereas this is not the case with the groove 35b. A seat 38b is thus formed at the end of the groove 35b and is higher in the direction towards the recess 22 than a seat 38a formed in the groove 35a. The surface 36b is seated in sections on the seat 38a in the end-face region of the rib 34 if the sleeve 27 assumes a first position corresponding to the release configuration of the blocking arrangement 30′. In contrast, the surface 36b is seated in sections on the seat 38a if the sleeve 27 assumes a second position corresponding to the blocking configuration of the blocking arrangement 30′.
Pressing the actuating element 9′ once again causes the rib 34 to become disengaged from the wall 37b, a first partial rotation of the sleeve 27 by reason of two surfaces 36a and 36b sliding onto one another under the effect of the spring element 33, and when the pressure is removed, causes the active surface 36b to come into contact with a further inclined surface 37a adjacent to the wall 37b, see
The spring element 32 also ensures that the actuating element 9′ always protrudes as far out of the guide portion 31 towards the visible side or light-emitting side as the position of the blocking element 26 allows, unless said actuating element is pressed. Therefore, a clear and reliable warning effect of the surface portion 9b′ can be achieved.
The blocking arrangement 30 is actuated in the same way and functions in the same manner as set forth above for the blocking arrangement 30′, with the exception that in the arrangement 30 the actuating element 9 is significantly shorter on the visible side, as it is to be covered by the inserted cover 50. The mounting arrangements 1, 1a and 1′, 1a′ are each formed with blocking arrangements 30 and 30′ respectively, which are constructed and act in the same way. The bodies 4, 4a differ substantially in that the body 4a is longer in order to receive the contacting device 62. With regard to the latching and blocking mechanism, the bodies 4, 4a have the same design.
Provision can be made that in the state engaged by means of the latching elements 7, the light assembly 2, 2′ and/or 2″ can still be longitudinally displaced, at least to a certain extent, in the rail profile 3 in order to permit position corrections.
In the exemplified embodiments described above, the light assemblies 2, 2′, 2″ can thus be easily inserted on a building site by a fitter and at any point along an already installed/assembled track 3 and can then be removed just as easily and without tools. A plurality of insets 2, 2′ can be lined up virtually seamlessly or with only a small distance or gap. For example, continuous light bands which are several meters in length can be produced. Modules formed with the light assemblies 2, 2′, 2″ can be used in individual profile lights or can be combined in different combinations in a profile light system.
A light assembly 2 or 2′ can be e.g. up to about 3 meters long. However, other lengths are feasible.
In an advantageous manner, in the exemplified embodiments described above, the profile 3 can firstly be assembled separately and then the modules formed with the light assemblies 2, 2′ and/or 2″ can be inserted. During insertion, the light assemblies 2, 2′, 2″ in each case automatically hold onto the profile 3 in advance. For complete fixing, the actuating elements 9, 9′ are pressed in, in order to block the latching devices 17. The signal surfaces 9b, 9b′ advantageously help to ensure that this pressing-in is not forgotten. Light assemblies 2 can then be covered with the light-transmissive cover 50. During disassembly, all actuating elements 9 or 9′ can initially be pressed in order to release the latching devices 17. In the meantime, the light assemblies 2, 2′, 2″ are still held on the rail profile 3 and are removed by pulling. Cumbersome cabling is avoided and assembly and disassembly are simplified considerably.
While the rail profile 3 and the assemblies 2, 2′, 2″ of the exemplified embodiments described above by way of example are each designed in a linear manner, in variants of the exemplified embodiments the profile 3 and the assemblies 2, 2′, 2″ could have a curved shape, in particular a planar curved shape. In this case too, the mounting arrangements 1, 1a, 1′, 1a′ facilitate assembly.
In variants of the above exemplified embodiments, the operating unit 70 or 70″ could be installed together with the contacting device 62 and the mounting arrangement 1a or 1a′ in one unit.
Although the present invention has been described in full above with the aid of preferred exemplified embodiments, it is not limited thereto but can be modified in diverse ways.
Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The preceding preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.
In the foregoing and in the examples, all temperatures are set forth uncorrected in degrees Celsius and, all parts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise indicated.
The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited herein and of corresponding German application No. 02023110440.3, filed Apr. 24, 2023, are incorporated by reference herein.
The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/or operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding examples.
From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102023110440.3 | Apr 2023 | DE | national |
