Canopy with illumination device

Abstract

A canopy, particularly a pavilion, a pergola, a tent or an awning, having a roof, a support structure for the roof and an illumination device associated with the support structure, is characterized, with regard to the object of achieving reliable operation of the apparatus, a particularly appealing visual impression and the greatest possible protection for the illumination device, in that the illumination device is associated with the support structure essentially integrally.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a Continuation of International Application No. PCT / DE2006 / 000548, filed Mar. 28, 2006, and which designates the U.S. The disclosure of the referenced application is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a canopy, in particular a pavilion, a pergola, a tent or an awning, said canopy comprising a roof, a support structure for the roof, and an illumination device associated with the support structure.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The German Utility Model Patent Application DE 90 04 867 U1 discloses a low-voltage illumination device for pergola systems. The illumination device consists of low-voltage illumination elements disposed on the outer side of the support structure of the pergola.[0004]Furthermore, pavilion-like structures are known from the prior art, which structures also comprise a roof supported by the support structure. These canopy systems lik...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0035]In general, that embodiment of the invention is preferred in which the illumination device comprises one or more illumination elements. This usually helps the illumination cover a large surface area by illumination. A plurality of illumination elements can be distributed in a decentralized manner in the support structure of the canopy, thereby ensuring more uniform and extensive illumination. However, it is also possible to use a single illumination element as the illumination device.

[0036]The illumination elements can comprise filament bulbs, light bulbs, and / or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The advantage of filament bulbs or light bulbs is that they emit light that has particularly pleasant effects for the user. However, the power consumption of light bulbs or filament bulbs is known to be high as compared to the light output emitted. The advantage of light-emitting diodes is that they require only a very small volume inside the support structure of the apparatus. Moreover, the heat capacity of light-emitting diodes is very low since a large part of the power consumed is converted into light output. Therefore, light-emitting diodes generally consume very less power as compared to light bulbs. The small overall size of LEDs makes it possible to arrange many light-emitting diodes inside the support structure of the canopy according to the invention. Furthermore, the variably colored light-emitting diodes help achieve all kinds of light effects. The light output can be regulated by selectively switching on and off the light-emitting diodes. This also enables a reduction in the power consumption of the illumination device.

Problems solved by technology

However, these category-defining canopies suffer from shortcomings in several respects.

Firstly, the illumination device disposed on the outer side of the support structure is very susceptible to damage.

Such damages result almost inevitably when a canopy must or should be mounted and dismantled regularly.

In these cases, the illumination device, and the power supply usually associated therewith can sustain damage as a result of the user's carelessness or an unavoidable collision with other components of the canopy.

The possible breakage of glass poses an increased risk of injury.

Furthermore, another disadvantage of the category-defining canopies is that the illumination device disposed on the outer side of the support structure can pose an increased risk of injury during the operation of the illuminable canopy.

Thus, an unwary user or a child may accidentally touch the possibly very hot parts of the illumination device and sustain considerable injuries.

These insects get caught up in parts of the illumination device or perish on coming into contact with the hot parts of the illumination device, which in a short time stains the illumination device, and thus the entire canopy.

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