WO2011148286A1

WO2011148286A1 - Magnetic multidirectional system for lighting elements

Info

Publication number: WO2011148286A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/051996
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alessia Vignola
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-27
Filing date: 2011-05-05
Publication date: 2011-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2012-11-27
Also published as: IT1400417B1; ITRM20100280A1

Abstract

A magnetic multidirectional orientation system for lighting elements (20) constituted by at least two elements (2,4) including a spherical or hemispherical central element (14), a front support element (22) for the lighting body (20) possibly joined to the central element (14) and a rear fixing element (25) such to be attracted by a magnetic force such to provide the suspension of the luminous body. Said elements are combined in a manner such to have the metallic and magnetic central spherical or hemispherical element (14) together with the front or rear metallic elements, or said elements both magnetic with the metallic spherical or hemispherical central element, or the rear metallic element is the central spherical element, incorporated in the front element, magnetic in their entirety. In a further embodiment thereof, the present invention provides for a plurality of metallic elements perforated in a manner so as to be crossed by at least one electrical wire or optical fiber (16).

Description

"Magnetic multidirectional system for lighting elements"

Description Field of the art

The present invention has as object a magnetic multidirectional system for any one lighting element constituted by at least two elements, of which at least one is magnetic.

A central, magnetic hemispherical or spherical element in several variants comprises the front support element for the lighting body and the rear fixing element.

The system presented in the present invention regards the field of lighting engineering even if it could also be deemed usable in any other field where it is necessary to have a multidirectional orientation system that also performs the fixing function.

Prior art

Since time immemorial, it is known that man has continuously sought new systems for producing artificial light. During the course of evolution, new lighting systems have been ideated, animal fat or oil lamps, candles, torches, and later, during the industrial revolution, oil lamps and finally gas lamps. Initially, these systems only served to light rooms during the night, but they did not allow aiming the lighting beam on a particular surface or in a desired point - until the advent of electrical lighting.

Since the 1850s, the electrical lamp has achieved great technological improvements.

Throughout the 1900s up to today, different types of lamps have been ideated having greater duration, efficiency and precision, while simultaneously also the sector of orientation systems for such light sources developed; the need arose to be able to direct a light beam in a desired direction, occupying the smallest space possible with maximum effectiveness.

Increasingly innovative, yet simple forms have been ideated; one need only recall the "spotlight" and the mechanisms for the orientation and fixing of the latter. Economical, basic but at the same time effective and durable over time. Directed lighting developed, which with respect to a light diffused randomly in all directions, allows creating personalized luminous settings with lit and shadow zones, making architectural details and display products stand out with considerable energy savings. In this manner, the light beam is not dispersed and the light is concentrated and used with a precise purpose.

In aimed lighting, the light is directed in order to emphasize profiles, dimensions, forms and lines in an exact and selective manner. In order to obtain this effect, orientable light sources are used, or rotatable optical groups are used, to be oriented with a precise direction and tilt. The possibilities of adjustment of the light point have become innumerable: light sources with flexible arm, with orientable light and projector, with brackets or joints. It is also possible to mount structures and profiles equipped with several spotlights, and each of which is moved in an independent manner.

In addition to the orientable body, spotlights can also mount oscillating optics which offer the possibility to vary not only the direction but also the amplitude and tilt of the light beam. Articulated spotlights and rotatable optical groups are also employed for projecting orientable lighting on a specific work area with clear advantages in terms of working precision and comfort, but with considerable use of fixing materials and disadvantages in economical terms.

Therefore, the present invention intends to solve the problem of multidirectional orientation of lighting elements together with the problem of fixing the latter, by describing a single, simple system that is quick to install and economically advantageous.

In addition to the aforesaid problems, it is intended to solve those connected to wear, and above all to the irremovable nature of the already known systems, by using a new system that allows a practical multidirectional orientation and also has the function of anchoring the lighting body to any one rear support element having at least one metallic element therein. Indeed, in technical systems for the orientation of lighting bodies and in fixing systems, these are already known; the first employ the principle of rotation and/or tilt on the axes, while the fixing systems mainly use screws or pins for anchoring to the solid substrate at the back.

For the orientation and the fixing of any one lighting body, in the prior art, two separate, independent systems are currently used.

The orientation systems, in particular, often employ two different mechanisms, one for the vertical orientation and one for the horizontal orientation, which can limit the tilt and the multidirectional orientation of the lighting body itself in their functioning.

Hence, since such movements of the lighting bodies are normally entrusted to different systems, they have different problems tied to the possible limitation of movement due to the malfunctioning of said systems and/or to the wear of one of these, until they negatively affect the perfect functioning thereof.

In addition to these aspects, we must consider the economical factor and the complexity due to the use of two independent and complex systems for the orientation and fixing.

Furthermore, it is also necessary to consider the aesthetic aspect. Recently it is noted that increasingly simple forms and systems tend to be formed, which use smooth and basic surfaces, in tune with the current "minimalist" school.

Recently, in fact, new types of light sources were introduced, including bundles of optical fibers also used for lighting small surfaces, or even more recently LED lamps. LED light is often used, also because it can be aimed directly on the products, since it does not heat or ruin fabrics and colors.

Indeed, aimed lighting allows drawing attention on products inside glass displays and caskets, emphasizing the most important details thereof.

In recent years, lighting engineering has rapidly developed, up to evolving a multidisciplinary science to the benefit of safety, efficiency and aesthetic style.

The present invention describes an orientation system for a lighting body in which the element containing the lighting body is both oriented and fixed by means of a simple integral magnetic sphere, or preferably perforated so as to house therein an electrical cable that supplies power or an optical fiber that transmits the light beam directly to the lighting element.

Said system for the multidirectional orientation of lighting elements represents an apparatus that is easy to use, durable over time, with a basic aesthetic aspect in step with the current trends and an extreme structural simplicity together with a reduced cost.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will be described in detail by making reference to the enclosed figures which illustrate several particular embodiments thereof (first embodiment, second embodiment, third embodiment and a preferred embodiment) which should be considered for mere illustrating purposes, and not limiting or binding with regard to the present patent application, in which:

FIGURE 1 : is a top perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention in which the central magnetic element 1 connects a front support element 6 comprising the lighting element 20 and a rear fixing element 4 .

FIGURE la: is an exploded and enlarged view of the multidirectional system of the first embodiment in which the central magnetic element 1 is not perforated and the passage of the wire 7 is outside both said element and part of the front element outside said element.

FIGURE lb: is an enlarged and perspective view of the concavity 10 of the rear face 18 of the front element 2 in which part of the central magnetic element 1 is received and in which a metallic element, such as a metallic washer 11 , and the lighting element 20 are shown.

FIGURE lc: is an enlarged and exploded perspective view of the front element 6 of the first embodiment of the invention, in which the front portion 2 and the frontal portion 3 are shown, in which the threaded rear end 9 of the frontal portion 3 is threaded with the threaded front end 8 of the front portion 2.

FIGURE 2: is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention in which the concavity 13 of the rear element 4 is depicted along with the spherical element 17, which in this case has an irregular surface.

FIGURE 3: is an exploded side perspective view of the third embodiment of the present invention in which the spherical element is a non-perforated, magnetic metallic hemisphere 23 and the rear element 26 has a regular flat surface with a hole 21 for the passage of the electrical wire 7 or optical fiber 16.

FIGURE 4: is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention, the fourth, in which the central, magnetic spherical element is a perforated sphere 14 and the rear element 25 has a plurality of fixing concavities 27.

FIGURE 4a: is an enlarged side perspective view of a detail of the fourth embodiment of the present invention in which the lighting element 20 is an optical fiber 16 that crosses through the rear element 25, the central magnetic element 14 and the front element 22.

FIGURE 4b: is an exploded view of a detail of the multidirectional system in which the central magnetic element 14 is perforated and crossed by a channel 28, and there is no passage of wires outside the system. Description of the invention

The lighting apparatus that is the object of the first embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 1) proposes a system for the orientation of lighting elements adapted to allow a multidirectional orientation of the light with the simultaneous function of fixing the lighting element 20 to a rear fixing element 4 provided with at least one metallic element.

Said apparatus is characterized by the fact that it gives rise to a multidirectional system for the lighting element 20 that is also capable constituting the fixing system, joining them in a single integrated apparatus.

Said integrated system is characterized by at least one central magnetic spherical element 1 adapted to reversibly connect two separate metallic portions 1 1 and 13, respectively stably connected to the front element 6, in turn connected to the lighting element 20, and to the rear fixing element 4, in turn connected to a solid substrate at the back.

In the present description of the invention, we will describe a first embodiment of the same characterized by being constituted by two perforated elements, the front element 6 and the rear element 4, whereas the spherical element 1 is integral, the passage of the wire 7 occurring outside element 1.

Also the second and the third embodiment will be described in the present description, which are variants of the first embodiment; they differ from the first with regard to several details of the magnetic spherical element, which will always be non-perforated like in the first embodiment.

In said embodiments, the front element 6 of said orientation system is adapted to support any lighting element 20 placed in the front portion 2 of said front element 6.

Said lighting element 20 can be constituted by light emitting diodes (LED), organic light emitting diodes (OLED), optical fibers, incandescent lamps, with transparent bulb, with diffusing bulb and with incorporated reflector, including those with filament under vacuum, with halogen cycle and by infrared ray quartz, discharge lamps including fluorescent lamps, mercury vapor lamps, halogen vapor lamps, mixed light lamps, sodium vapor lamps, xenon lamps, induction lamps, metal halide lamps, neon lamps and UV lamps.

Structurally, the multidirectional system, object of the present invention, is constituted by at least one magnetic spherical element 1, that is smooth or with an irregular surface 17, with minimum dimensions of at least 3 mm. It is clear to consider that the size of said spherical or hemispherical element will increase in proportion to the increase of the size and hence weight of the front lighting body.

Said spherical element can be perforated 14, constituting a channel 28 at its interior for the passage of at least one electrical wire 7 or optical fiber 16.

Said spherical element in the second embodiment (FIG. 2) can have an irregular surface 17 characterized by the presence of small linear projections 24 adapted to allow positioning the luminous body in a desired, fixed and predetermined position. Also in this second embodiment, the magnetic spherical element with irregular surface 17 is not perforated and the passage of the power supply wire 7 will occur outside such element.

Said spherical element of the third embodiment (FIG 3) is a non-perforated, magnetic metallic hemispherical element 23.

In this third embodiment, the rear element is a rear element 26 with a regular flat surface, having at least one hole 21 for the passage of an electrical wire 7 or an optical fiber 16.

Said metallic magnetic hemisphere 23 presents its flat surface 32 to said rear element 26. If we have a non-perforated, magnetic metallic hemispherical element, the hole 21 is laterally or centrally placed on the surface of the rear element 26, and the movement of the lighting body is constrained on the surface of the rear element 26 only as a function of the length of the wire 7 adapted to supply power to the lighting element 20.

The multidirectional orientation tied to the sliding of the front element 6 on the convex face 33 of the hemispherical element 23 is in any case ensured.

The wire 7 will be connected with the lighting element 20 by means of welding or more preferably by means of a common quick coupling.

According to the present third embodiment of the invention, said central, magnetic metallic hemispherical element can also be centrally perforated in order to allow the wire 7 to supply power or the optical fiber 16 to transmit the light beam to the front element without being visible.

In a variant of said third embodiment, the hemispherical element will be metallic, constituting a single unit with the front element, to which it will direct the flat surface 32; the convex surface 33 will be turned towards the rear fixing element 4 being placed in the concavity 5 containing at least one magnetic metallic element 13 adapted to attract the unit formed by the hemisphere and by the front element.

The other two elements, the front support element 6 for the lighting body 20 and the rear element 4 both have at least one metallic portion reported in figures 1 and 2 with the numbers 1 1 and 13, respectively; said metallic portion is adapted to be attracted by the magnetic sphere 1 or 14 and is sufficiently large to support, due only to the magnetic attraction produced by said spherical element, the entire system that is the object of the present invention.

Alternatively, in a further variant, said metallic portions 11 and 13 will be magnetic, in order to mutually attract the metallic sphere.

The front element 6 will have, on a rear surface 18 thereof, a concavity 10 adapted to have at its interior part of the magnetic spherical metallic element 1 , in a manner so as to render the entire front element 6 stable, reversible and directable.

Said front element 6 can be constituted by a front portion 2 and by a frontal portion 3 (FIG. 1).

The front portion 2 has frustoconical form, having, on the bottom section 18, the circular concavity 10 constituted by at least one metallic circular element 11 and capable of housing at least a portion of said magnetic spherical element 1.

On the lateral wall 15 of said front portion 2, at least one hole 19 is placed that is adapted to allow the passage of an electrical power supply wire 7 or an optical fiber 16 which transmits the light beam to said front element.

Said metallic circular element 1 1 serves to allow the magnetic attraction between said metallic ring 11 and said magnetic spherical element 1 : magnetic attraction which will support the entire front element 6.

Said front portion 2 is made of any metallic material or of natural or synthetic polymer, but must have the circular metallic element 11 placed in the concavity 10 of the rear face 18 of the front portion 2 of the front element 6, in a manner so as to be reversibly attracted by the magnetic force of the sphere 1.

The frontal portion 3, if present, is characterized by being an empty cylinder with a diameter slightly narrower at the front end 29 so as to be able to convey the light of the lighting element on the desired surface or object in the best manner, having a threaded rear end 9 which is connected with the front end, it too threaded 8 of the front portion 2. Said coupling can also be a simple fit coupling.

The rear element 4 is constituted by an element containing at least one metallic component. Said metallic component 13 is indispensible, since it exerts the magnetic attraction of the central metallic magnetic sphere 1.

Said rear element 4 has at least one concavity 5 or 31 adapted to contain a portion of the central metallic magnetic sphere 1.

Said concavity can be centrally perforated 31 (FIG 4b) to allow the passage through the hole 15 of at least one electrical wire 7 or optical fiber 16 in order to supply power or reach the front element 22.

Said concavity can also be integral 5 (FIG. la); in such case, the passage of the electrical wire 7 or optical fiber 16 will occur through a hole 21 placed to the side of the concavity 5 on the surface of the rear element 4.

The rear element 4 can have different forms, including those of a simple plate, metallic surface, track or column. It can substantially assume any desired shape.

According to the detailed description of the present invention, it is inferred that both the movement of the entire lighting body and its fixing are no longer entrusted to two separate systems, but are part of a single system which has the magnetic sphere or hemisphere as central element.

Such multidirectional system for lighting bodies is characterized by being unaffected by wear processes, unlike all other known systems that use pins, screws and axes.

In the system that is the object of the present invention, both the multidirectional orientation system for lighting bodies and the fixing function are closely tied to the action of just the magnetic force that acts between the central magnetic metallic sphere 1 and the two front 6 and rear 4 elements that are at least partly metallic, or between the metallic sphere and the front 6 and rear 4 elements containing at least one magnetic portion, or between the magnetic assembly constituted by the joining of the spherical or hemispherical element and the front element, constituting a single unit, and the metallic rear fixing element.

The orientation system is entrusted to the action of the sphere itself. Housed between the two coplanar concavities of the two front and rear elements, respectively 10 and 5, the sphere can carry out any type of movement, ensuring a multidirectional orientation of the luminous body.

This movement type, totally free of constraints, is also not affected by wear and is thus durable over time.

In addition to these aspects, one must also consider the economical aspect of the present invention, and finally the aesthetic aspect.

In relation to the economical aspect, it is clear that the use of a single orientation system which has the function of fixing the lighting body has a clear economical advantage over using two different systems, due to the savings in terms of material, components and simplicity of mounting and use for the final user.

In relation to the aesthetic aspect, the present invention complies with all of the trends of modern design, which is increasingly seeking simple and universal lines and systems. Indeed, the present invention proposes a system of very simple lines, which above all allows in its preferred embodiment to be even more unconstrained by fixed positions and which allows the multidirectional orientation of lighting bodies even with minimal size.

A further fourth embodiment of the present invention is reported below (FIG. 4).

In the fourth embodiment, the lighting element is represented by a set of optical fibers; overall, the system is instead constituted by three elements. Said elements are all perforated at the center in a manner so as to allow the passage of a bundle of fibers at their interior. The system in this particular embodiment is constituted by a front element of support for the lighting body 22, by a rear fixing element 25 and by a central, magnetic metallic spherical element 14. Said elements are all perforated at the center.

The front support element 22 in this embodiment is constituted by a single element made of synthetic polymer material, and concave at the front.

Said element will have, in its rear face 18, a perforated rear concavity having part of the magnetic metallic sphere 14, it too perforated. Said front element 22 will also have, in its rear face, a perforated metallic element 11, in order to attract said magnetic sphere 14.

Alternatively and more preferably, the metallic central sphere can be an integral part of the same front element 22, making it physically and structurally a part thereof in a manner so as to be magnetically anchored only at the rear fixing element 25.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the set constituted by the magnetic sphere 14 and by the front portion 22 is thus only articulated inside the seat(s) 27 of the rear fixing element 25.

The rear element 25 is instead constituted by a plate or column made of synthetic polymer material; said element will have, on its front face, at least one position 27 constituted by the perforated concavity 31 which can house the perforated magnetic metallic sphere 14.

Such concave positions 31 house a metallic element, it too perforated at point 15, such as a metallic washer 13; the termination of the bundle of optical fibers 16 is made to pass inside said hole 15; said termination will be anchored to the hole for the passage in the channel 28 inside the magnetic metallic sphere 14.

The magnetic metallic sphere 14 is perforated in order to allow the passage of the bundle of optical fibers 16.

Finally, with reference to all four previously described embodiments, mainly to the embodiment number 1, 2, 3 and 4, it is necessary to consider a further possible variant for each embodiment. According to said variant, the front support element 6 or 22 and/or the rear fixing element 4, 25 or 26 contain magnetic metallic portions adapted to reversibly but stably attract the metallic central sphere. Of course, the present invention must not be considered as limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but is extended to all those equivalent forms and combinations, or those deemed obvious for a man skilled in the art from a technical standpoint.

In addition, in the preceding description, several details may have been omitted that would however be evident for a man skilled in the art from the standpoint of the actual obtainment, and that therefore would not contribute to clarifying further essential and innovative aspects of the present invention.

In conclusion, even if only some materials and only some geometric forms were mentioned for the actual obtainment of certain components, this does not imply any actual limitation, it being intended that equivalent and compatible materials and/or geometric forms could be used with the requested geometric, physical requirements.

Reference symbol list

1 Non-perforated, central magnetic and/or metallic spherical element

6 Front element of the first, second and third embodiment in its entirety

2 Front portion of the front element 6

3 Frontal portion of the front element

10 Concavity on the rear face of the front element

4 Rear fixing element of the first and second embodiment,

5 Non-perforated concavity on the surface of the rear element 4.

21 Hole on the surface of the rear element 4 for the passage of the electrical wire and/or optical fiber 16.

7 Electrical wire passing outside the spherical element 1 and partly outside the lateral face 12 of the front portion 2.

8 Thread on the front face of the front portion

9 Thread on the rear face of the frontal portion.

18 Rear face of the front portion. Hole on the lateral wall of the front portion.

Lateral wall of the front portion 2.

Magnetic and/or metallic element placed on the rear face of the front portion.

Magnetic and/or metallic element placed in the concavity of the rear element.

Optical fiber or bundle of optical fibers.

Central magnetic and/or metallic spherical element, centrally perforated.

Central, magnetic metallic spherical element with irregular surface.

Linear projections on the central magnetic spherical element with irregular surface. Hole in the concavity 31 of the surface of the rear element of the fourth embodiment. Multiple positions on the rear element of the fourth embodiment.

Rear element of the fourth embodiment.

Front element of the fourth embodiment.

Non-perforated, magnetic metallic hemispherical element of the third embodiment. Rear element with regular surface of the third embodiment.

Lighting element.

Internal channel of the perforated sphere 14 for the passage of the electrical wire 7 or optical fiber 16.

Front end of the frontal portion 3

Perforated concavity on the surface of the rear element 25.

Convex front face of the hemispherical element 23

Flat rear face of the hemispherical element 23

Claims

1. A multidirectional system for lighting bodies (20) constituted by a plurality of metallic elements perforated in a manner such that they are crossed by at least one electrical wire (7) or at least one optical fiber (16), characterized in that they are constituted by at least one central magnetic spherical element (14), by a front support element (22) that is concave in its rear face (18) adapted to receive a portion of said central magnetic spherical element (14) and a rear fixing element (25) at least in part metallic adapted to receive, in the fixing concavity (31), a portion of said central magnetic sphere (14).

2. A multidirectional system for lighting bodies (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that said front element (22) and said rear element (25) are constituted by any one natural or synthetic polymer containing at least one metallic and/or magnetic element.

3. A multidirectional system for lighting bodies (20) according to the preceding claims characterized in that said front element (22) and said spherical element (14) are integrated into a single unit, comprising at least one magnetic element, which is articulated due to the spherical element (14) in a joint manner in the cavity of the rear metallic fixing element (25).

4. A multidirectional system for lighting bodies (20) according to the preceding claims characterized in that it is constituted by at least two elements (2) and (4) that are perforated in a manner such that the passage of the electrical wire (7) or optical fiber (16) occurs outside said sphere through a hole (21) on the surface of said rear element and a hole (19) placed on the lateral wall (12) of the front element (6).

5. A multidirectional system for lighting bodies (20) according to claim 3, wherein said central magnetic sphere is not perforated (1).

6. A multidirectional system for lighting bodies (20) according to the first two claims, characterized in that said rear element (25) has a plurality of positions (27) constituted by perforated concavities (31) with at least one hole (15) adapted to house the passage of said wire or optical fiber (16).

7. A multidirectional system for lighting bodies (20) according to the preceding claims wherein said wire is an optical fiber (16) or a set thereof.

8. A multidirectional system for lighting bodies (20) according to all the preceding claims wherein said spherical element is a magnetic hemisphere (23) with the flattened surface (32) turned towards said rear element (26).

9. A multidirectional system according to claim 8 wherein said metallic hemispherical element (23) integrated with the front element in a single unit directs the convex surface (33) towards the concavity (5) of the rear element (4) having at least one magnetic element.

10. A multidirectional system for lighting bodies according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that it has as spherical element a hemisphere (23) lacking holes.

11. A multidirectional system for lighting bodies according to all the preceding claims, wherein said magnetic spherical or hemispherical element has an irregular surface (17) with linear projections (24).

12. A multidirectional system for lighting bodies (20) according to all the preceding claims, wherein said non-perforated hemispherical element (23) is substantially free to be applied on any one point of the flat surface of the rear element (26), since it is supplied with a power supply wire (7) or optical fiber (16) outside said hemisphere (23).

13. A multidirectional system for lighting bodies (20) according to all the preceding claims wherein the front support portion and the rear fixing portion both contain at least one magnetic metallic element.

14. A multidirectional system for lighting bodies (20) according to claim 11 wherein said spherical or hemispherical element is metallic.