DE20205511U1 - Track system for lights - Google Patents

Description

Oipl.-Chem. E.L. FRITZ Dr. Dipl.-Phys. R. BASFELD Patent attorneys

M.HOFFMANN

B. HEIN Lawyers

Ostentor 9 59757 Arnsberg GM 02/037 08.04.2002/BA/We

Briloner Leuchten GmbH Im Kissen 2

59929 Brilon

"Busbar system for luminaires"

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The present invention relates to a busbar system for lights, in particular a high-voltage busbar system, comprising at least one elastic busbar that has supply lines that are surrounded by an elastic, strip-shaped insulating material, wherein the busbar system further comprises at least one adapter unit that has contact elements that reach through the strip-shaped insulating material for the electrically conductive contacting of the supply lines and a connection area for the connection to at least one light. The present invention further relates to such a busbar system that according to the preamble of claim 2 does not comprise any strip-shaped insulating material.

Busbar systems of the type mentioned above are particularly well known in outdoor areas. The elastic busbars used are usually made of a plastic material that is molded around two supply lines. Due to their material properties, the elastic busbars from the state of the art have a very unattractive, mostly even porous surface. For this reason, the busbar systems of the type mentioned above have so far only been used outdoors, for example at garden parties or the like, draped in bushes or trees.

The problem underlying the present invention is to create a busbar system of the type mentioned above, which offers a more visually appealing appearance and is flexible.

This is achieved according to the invention in that the busbar system further comprises a preferably flexible laminating device which covers the strip-shaped insulating material and/or the supply lines at least in sections

• ■ ····

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By using such a covering device, the visually unattractive exterior of the strip-shaped insulating material or the supply lines can be concealed, so that the busbar is significantly improved in terms of its appearance.

In the embodiment without strip-shaped insulating material, molded receiving grooves for the supply lines can be provided on the inside of the laminating device. These receiving grooves enable a simple and effective

Possibility of connection between supply lines and laminating device created.

In this case, the strip-shaped insulating material can be essentially completely surrounded by the covering device. This measure means that the aesthetic impression of the busbar system is determined only by the covering device and the adapter unit and the lights attached to it, but not by the strip-shaped insulating material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the laminating device can be coated on its outside, in particular with a metallic coating. Such a coating can be used to imitate any material. In particular, appropriate coatings can be used to create brass-like, chrome-like or titanium-like surfaces that visually enhance the exterior of the busbar system.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the laminating device can be removed from the strip-shaped insulating material and/or the supply lines and can be folded into a flat, spread-out form

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can be transferred. The possibility of removing the laminating device means that laminating devices can be easily exchanged so that the external impression created by the busbar system can be adapted to market requirements as required.

In particular, the laminating device can be rolled up when removed. In this way, the laminating device can be stored in the smallest of spaces. This has the particular advantage that the entire busbar system, which consists of the strip-shaped insulating material and/or the supply lines, the adapter units and the lights as well as the laminating device, can be placed in very small, easily transportable and also easily presentable packaging units.

According to an alternative embodiment, the laminating device can be designed as a rod material that is bendable at least in sections.

Preferably, the covering device can be closed from the flat state by folding around a hinge, in particular a film hinge around the strip-shaped insulating material and/or around the supply lines. Alternatively, the covering device can consist of two halves that can be connected to one another around the strip-shaped insulating material and/or the supply lines. In both cases, the user can assemble the busbar system very easily on site.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, access openings for the contact elements are provided on the outside of the laminating device. These access openings enable contacting of the

supply lines without damaging the laminating device.

The contact elements are advantageously surrounded by insulating rings that can engage in the through-openings in such a way that the contact elements can be guided through the through-openings in an electrically insulated manner to the laminating device. The insulation of the contact elements from the laminating device prevents the individual contact elements from being electrically connected to one another, for example by a metallic coating on the laminating device, which would then pose the risk of a short circuit.

According to the invention, it can be provided that the adapter unit has a body with a recess into which the busbar can be introduced, wherein the contact elements protrude from the body into this recess. In this case, the adapter unit can comprise a cover, by attaching and securing it to the body, a secure contact can be ensured with a busbar introduced into the recess.

This measure allows the supply lines to be contacted by the contact elements by simply inserting the busbar into the recess and, for example, pressing and locking the cover accordingly.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the adapter unit comprises a body with two halves that can be connected to one another, between which the recess can be formed. In this way, too, a simple and secure attachment and contacting of a busbar introduced into the recess can be ensured.

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Preferably, the adapter unit can comprise a cover plate with slots for the contact elements to pass through. This cover plate can serve both to stabilize and to protect the contact elements.

According to the invention, it is also possible to provide concealing elements that can conceal individual parts of the busbar system. The concealing elements can be adapter concealments that can conceal adapters. The concealing elements can also be used to conceal ceiling supports or feeds. These concealing elements can be provided with different decorations, so that the visual impression of the parts to be concealed can be changed in a simple manner.

It is possible to clip the concealing elements onto the parts of the busbar system that are to be concealed or to lock them into place. This makes it possible to change the appearance of various parts of the busbar system in a very short space of time using the simplest of means.

According to the invention, the busbar system can comprise at least one end piece that can be attached to one end of the busbar, in particular screwed to it. A decorative cap can be pushed onto the end piece. The end piece ensures that the supply lines carrying a voltage of 230 V are protected from accidental access by the user. The decorative cap can be used to decoratively cover this functional end piece in accordance with the selected design of the busbar.

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Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a busbar system according to the invention;

Fig. 2a is a perspective view of a band-shaped element surrounded by a laminating device.

Insulating material with supply lines housed therein;

Fig. 2b is a view corresponding to Fig. 2a with the concealing device unfolded;

Fig. 2c is a view corresponding to Fig. 2a with the laminating device removed;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a luminaire with

Adapter unit for a busbar system according to the invention;

Fig. 4a is a schematic sectional view through a first embodiment of a

Laminating device with strip-shaped insulating material and supply lines housed therein;

Fig. 4b is a view corresponding to Fig. 4a of a second embodiment of a

Laminating device with strip-shaped insulating material and supply lines;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a laminating device according to the invention with strip-shaped insulating material, supply lines and an end piece;

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the laminating device according to Figure 5 with a ceiling mount;

&iacgr;&ogr; Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of another

Embodiment of an adapter unit for the laminating device according to Figure 5;

Fig. 8a is a perspective view of another embodiment of a device according to the invention

Laminating device with supply lines;

Fig. 8b shows a cross section through the laminating device according to Figure 8a;

Fig. 8c is a perspective view of the laminating device with supply lines according to Figure 8a in the unfolded state.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, a busbar system according to the invention comprises supply lines 1 which are surrounded by a strip-shaped insulating material 2, which in turn is surrounded by a covering device 3. The busbar system according to the invention further comprises adapter units 4 which can contact the supply lines 1 through the covering device 3 and the strip-shaped insulating material 2 using means to be described in more detail below. Lights 5 are attached to the adapter units 4, for example in the form of a

Spotlights are attached. From Fig. 1 it is also clear that the busbar consisting of the supply lines 1, the strip-shaped insulating material 2 and the covering device 3 can be attached to the ceiling of a room by means of a ceiling support 6 that surrounds this busbar. Furthermore, from Fig. 1 a feed 7 can be seen schematically, which essentially comprises a power supply cable and an adapter unit that, like the adapter unit 4, can reach around the covering device 3 and electrically contact the supply line 1.

The structure of the busbar is clearly visible from Fig. 2a to Fig. 2c. The two supply lines 1 are surrounded by the strip-shaped insulating material 2. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the strip-shaped insulating material has a substantially rectangular cross-section. The strip-shaped insulating material 2 is designed to be elastic in particular, so that the busbar can be bent as desired. It can be seen from Fig. 2a that in the state of use the covering device 3 completely surrounds the strip-shaped insulating material 2. For this reason, the covering device 3 shown in Fig. 2a also has a substantially rectangular outline.

From Fig. 2b and Fig. 2c it is clear that the laminating device 3 can be folded out so that the laminating device 3 can be spread out flat. In this state, the laminating device 3 can advantageously be rolled up in its longitudinal direction.

The laminating device 3 can have any desired external surface. In particular, the laminating device 3 can also be coated with foils. These could also be metallic foils. Furthermore, the laminating device 3 can be provided with different color coatings.

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Two different laminating devices 3, 8 can be seen in Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b, which can be removed from the strip-shaped insulating material 2 in different ways. The laminating device 3 shown in Fig. 4a can

can be opened and closed with the aid of a film hinge 9. With the aid of locking elements 10, which are attached to the sides of the laminating device 3 facing away from the film hinge 9, the laminating device 3 can be clipped around the band-shaped insulating material 2 ×.

The laminating device 8 shown in Fig. 4b consists of two separable halves 11, 12. These can be clipped together around the strip-shaped insulating material 2 by means of locking elements 10 facing each other.

From Fig. 2a it is also clear that the laminating device 3 has access openings 13. The laminating device 8 also has such access openings 13, although this is not clear from Fig. 4b. In the embodiment shown, groups of access openings are

13, each of these groups having four access openings arranged in the corners of a square. Furthermore, the access openings 13 are formed on both sides of the laminating device 3, 8.

Fig. 3 shows an adapter unit 4 which is connected to a lamp 5 designed as a spotlight. The adapter opening comprises a body 14 to which a cover 15 is attached in a foldable manner. Instead of the connection between the body 14 and the cover 15 which can be folded by means of a hinge, a connection is also conceivable in which the cover 15 is inserted into corresponding suspension means of the body

14 can be hung. The body 14 has a

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essentially rectangular recess 16 into which the busbar consisting of the covering device 3, 8, strip-shaped insulating material 2 and supply lines 1 can be introduced (see also Fig. 1 as an example). After the busbar has been introduced into the recess 16, the cover 15 is folded onto the body 14 and secured to the body 14, for example by means of a screw 17.

By folding or moving the cover 15 towards the body 14, the supply lines 1 of the busbar

This is done by means of mandrel-shaped contact elements 18 which protrude from the body 14 into the recess 16. In the embodiment shown, four contact elements 18 are provided which are arranged in the corners of a square. Each of the contact elements 18 is surrounded by an insulating ring 19 which also protrudes into the recess 16, so that only the tips of the contact elements protrude forward from the ring.

The busbar is inserted into the recess 16 in such a way that the insulating rings 19 extend into and through the access openings 13. By pressing the cover 15 onto the body 14, the busbar is pressed against the mandrel-shaped contact elements 18 in such a way that their tips penetrate through the strip-shaped insulating material into the supply lines 1 and contact a conductive wire made of copper, for example.

The contact elements 18 are connected via suitable connecting lines in the adapter unit 4 via a connection area of the adapter unit 4 to the spotlight holder 20 of the lamp 5 designed as a spotlight. The insulating rings 19 protruding into the access openings 13 ensure that even in the event of a

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Coating of the laminating device 3, 8 no electrically conductive connection occurs between the individual contact elements 18.

The busbar system according to the invention can in particular be a high-voltage busbar system.

Figures 5 and 6 show a further embodiment of a laminating device 21. In contrast to the laminating devices 3, 8, the laminating device 21 shown therein has a rounded cross-section rather than a rectangular one. Figure 5 also shows an end piece 22 which can be plugged onto the end of the busbar formed by the laminating device 21, the insulating material 20, the insulating material 2 and the supply lines 1. After the end piece 22 has been attached to the laminating device 21, a decorative cap 23 can also be pushed onto the end piece 22. The end piece 22 can be attached to the laminating device 21 using a screw 24 which can be screwed into the laminating device 21 through a hole 25 in the end piece 22.

From Figure 5 it is also clear that the concealing device 21 also has access openings 26, which, however, unlike the access openings 13, do not have a circular cross-section but rather a slot-shaped cross-section. The function of the slot-like access openings 26 is explained below with reference to Figure 7.

In addition to the busbar formed from the covering device 21, the insulating material 2 and the supply lines 1, Figure 6 shows a ceiling support 27 which differs from the ceiling support 6 at least in terms of its appearance.

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In particular, the ceiling support 27 has a receiving part 28 with an eyelet-like receiving opening 29. The eyelet-like receiving opening 29 corresponds in terms of its dimensions and shape to the cross section of the laminating device 21 such that the laminating device 21 fits from the receiving opening 29

can be accommodated. The receiving part 28 can thus be moved in the longitudinal direction of the conductor rail. The receiving part 28 and thus the ceiling support 27 can be fixed to the conductor rail by means of a grub screw 30 which can pass through a threaded hole 31 in the receiving part 28.

The ceiling support 27 further comprises a vertical support 32, which can also be connected, for example, by means of a grub screw to a ceiling fastening 33, which can be screwed to the ceiling of a room.

Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of an adapter unit 34, which can also be used to hold a spotlight. The adapter unit 34 comprises a body which consists of two halves 35, 36, which can be connected to one another, for example, by means of screws 37. In the embodiment shown, the beginning of a spotlight holder 20 is attached to half 35, which can hold a lamp 5 designed as a spotlight, corresponding to the adapter unit 4 according to Figure 3.

The half 35 can accommodate an installation means with contact elements 38, which, unlike the contact elements 18 shown in Figure 3, are not surrounded by an annular insulation. Instead, a cover plate 39 can be placed on the contact elements 38, which has slots 40 through which the contact elements 38 can protrude. The cover plate 39 can rest against the outside of the lamination device 21 in such a way that the

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Contact elements 38 protrude through the access openings 26. The cover plate 39 serves to stabilize and protect the contact elements 38.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the

Busbar, which is formed by the covering device 21, the insulating material 2 and the supply lines 1, can be accommodated in a recess 16 which remains in the assembled state of the adapter unit 34 between the two halves 35, 36 of the body. In particular,

the busbar rests on the cover plate 39 on one side and on the half 36 on the other side.

Figure 7 also shows clip-on adapter covers 41, the shape of which is adapted to the halves 35, 36 of the body of the adapter unit 34. The adapter covers 41 can be provided with different decorations, so that the visual impression of the adapter unit can be changed in a simple manner.

It is certainly possible to use such adapter laminations for the feeds 7 as well. It is possible to construct the feeds 7 in accordance with the adapter unit. It is also possible to provide the receiving part 28 of the ceiling support 27 with such laminations.

Figure 8a to Figure 8c show a further embodiment of a laminating device 43. In this embodiment, the busbar is formed only from the laminating device 43 and by supply lines 1, which can be introduced into receiving grooves 44 formed on the inside of the laminating device 43. In this embodiment, the band-shaped

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Insulating material 2 is omitted. Similar to the laminating device 3 according to Figure 2a to Figure 2c, the laminating device 43 can be designed to be collapsible and clippable.

In all embodiments, it is possible for the busbars formed from the covering devices 3, 8, 21, 43 to be bent in directions perpendicular to their longitudinal extension. In particular, an upright busbar extending horizontally under the ceiling of a room, as can be seen in Figure 1, for example, can be bent over a corresponding radius in such a way that it runs vertically downwards in the area of a wall, for example. Depending on the material of the covering device 3, 8, 21, 43, the radius that surrounds the right angle of the two sections of the busbar that are perpendicular to one another must be selected to be larger or smaller.

Claims (21)

1. Busbar system for lights, in particular a high-voltage busbar system, comprising at least one elastic busbar which has supply lines ( 1 ) which are surrounded by an elastic, strip-shaped insulating material ( 2 ), wherein the busbar system further comprises at least one adapter unit ( 4 , 34 ) which has contact elements ( 18 , 38 ) which reach through the strip-shaped insulating material ( 2 ) for the electrically conductive contacting of the supply lines ( 1 ) and a connection region for the connection to at least one light ( 5 ), characterized in that the busbar system further comprises a preferably flexible laminating device ( 3 , 8 , 21 ) which surrounds the strip-shaped insulating material ( 2 ) at least in sections. 2. Busbar system for lights, in particular a high-voltage busbar system, comprising at least one elastic busbar which has supply lines ( 1 ), wherein the busbar system further comprises at least one adapter unit ( 4 , 34 ) which has contact elements ( 18 , 38 ) for the electrically conductive contacting of the supply lines ( 1 ) and a connection area for the connection to at least one light ( 5 ), characterized in that the busbar system further comprises a preferably flexible concealing device ( 43 ) which surrounds the supply lines ( 1 ) at least in sections. 3. Busbar system according to claim 2, characterized in that receiving grooves ( 44 ), preferably formed thereon, for the supply lines ( 1 ) are provided on the inside of the covering device ( 43 ). 4. Busbar system according to claim 1, characterized in that the strip-shaped insulating material ( 2 ) is substantially completely surrounded by the laminating device ( 3 , 8 , 21 ). 5. Busbar system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the laminating device ( 3 , 8 , 21 , 43 ) is coated on its outside, in particular with a metallic coating. 6. Busbar system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the laminating device ( 3 , 8 , 21 , 43 ) can be removed from the strip-shaped insulating material ( 2 ) and/or the supply lines ( 1 ) and can be converted into a flat, spread-out form. 7. Busbar system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the concealing device (3, 8, 21 43) can be rolled up in the removed state. 8. Busbar system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the covering device ( 3 , 21 , 43 ) can be closed from the flat state by folding around a hinge, in particular a film hinge ( 9 ), around the strip-shaped insulating material ( 2 ) and/or the supply lines ( 1 ). 9. Busbar system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the covering device ( 8 ) consists of two halves ( 11 , 12 ) which can be connected to one another around the strip-shaped insulating material ( 2 ) and/or the supply lines ( 1 ). 10. Busbar system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that on the outside of the covering device ( 3 , 8 , 21 , 43 ) through openings ( 13 , 26 ) for the contact elements ( 18 , 38 ) are provided. 11. Busbar system according to claim 10, characterized in that the contact elements ( 18 ) are surrounded by insulating rings ( 19 ) which can engage in the through-openings ( 13 ) in such a way that the contact elements ( 18 ) can be guided through the through-openings ( 13 ) in an electrically insulated manner to the covering device ( 3 , 8 ). 12. Busbar system according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the adapter unit ( 4 , 34 ) has a body ( 14 ) with a recess ( 16 ) into which the busbar can be introduced, wherein the contact elements ( 18 ) protrude from the body ( 14 ) into this recess ( 16 ). 13. Busbar system according to claim 12, characterized in that the adapter unit ( 4 ) comprises a cover ( 15 ), by attaching and securing the cover to the body ( 14 ) a secure contacting of a busbar introduced into the recess ( 16 ) can be ensured. 14. Busbar system according to claim 12, characterized in that the adapter unit ( 34 ) comprises a body with two halves ( 35 , 36 ) that can be connected to one another and between which the recess ( 16 ) can be formed. 15. Busbar system according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the adapter unit ( 34 ) comprises a cover plate ( 39 ) which has slots ( 40 ) for the passage of the contact elements ( 38 ). 16. Busbar system according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that lamination elements (adapter laminations 41 , 42 ) are provided which can conceal individual parts of the busbar system. 17. Busbar system according to claim 16, characterized in that the concealing elements are designed as adapter concealments ( 41 , 42 ) which can conceal the adapters ( 4 , 34 ). 18. Busbar system according to claim 16, characterized in that the concealing elements serve to conceal ceiling supports ( 6 , 27 ) or feeds ( 7 ). 19. Busbar system according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the concealing elements can be clipped onto the parts of the busbar system to be concealed or can be locked into place therewith. 20. Busbar system according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the busbar system comprises at least one end piece ( 22 ) which can be applied to one end of the busbar, in particular can be screwed to this. 21. Busbar system according to claim 20, characterized in that a decorative cap ( 23 ) can be pushed onto the end piece ( 22 ).