Locking clamp and luminaire comprising the same

Abstract

A locking clamp (1) is provided. The locking clamp (1) comprises a clamp seat (2) configured to be fixedly mounted on a first housing member (21) and a clamp jaw (3) movably mounted on the clamp seat (2), the clamp jaw (3) being configured to be moved to a locking position in which the clamp jaw (3) engages with a second housing member (22) so as to clamp the first housing member (21) and the second housing member (22) together by an elastic force of the clamp jaw (3). The locking clamp (1) comprises a blocking mechanism (12) configured to block movement of the clamp jaw (3) away from the locking position such that a blocking force has to be overcome in order to release the clamp jaw (3) from the locking position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technical field of this disclosure generally relates to locking mechanisms. In particular, this disclosure relates to a locking clamp and a lighting fixture including the locking clamp. Background Technology

[0002] Locking clamps are widely used as fastening devices. For example, locking clamps can be used to clamp the upper and lower housings of a luminaire together, especially to meet the luminaire's requirements for dustproof, waterproof, or impact-resistant performance.

[0003] When subjected to mechanical impact, luminaires with conventional clamps may lose their structural integrity or crack, especially since the conventional clamps may be unintentionally released under mechanical impact. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide locking clamps and luminaires that have improved fastening performance and reliability, especially under impact conditions.

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, according to the first aspect, a locking clamp is provided.

[0006] The locking clamp includes a clamping seat configured to be fixedly mounted on a first housing member or housing element, such as the lower housing of a luminaire.

[0007] The locking clamp also includes a clip movably mounted on the clamp seat, the clip being configured to move, in particular, relative to the clamp seat to a locked position, in which the clamp engages with the second housing member, thereby clamping the first and second housing members together by the elastic force of the clip.

[0008] Specifically, the clip may include an inherently elastic body and an engagement element configured to engage with a counter-engaging element of the second housing element. The clip may be further configured such that, in the locked position, it applies a defined elastic force to clamp the first and second housing elements together.

[0009] The locking clamp further includes a blocking mechanism configured to prevent the clamp from moving away from the locking position, so that the blocking force must be overcome in order to release the locking clamp from the locking position.

[0010] The blocking mechanism protects the clamping connection between the first and second housing members from impact.

[0011] Compared to conventional clamps that rely solely on the elastic force of the clamping plates for locking, the blocking mechanism of the locking clamp provides enhanced security for the clamping connection between the first housing member and the second housing member.

[0012] In particular, in order to release the locking clamp and open the housing, the blocking force and elastic force of the clamp must be overcome, thereby making the housing more stable against mechanical impact.

[0013] The clip is pivotally mounted on the clamp to perform essentially rotational movements about a pivot. Due to the pivotal mounting of the clip, a clearly defined and repeatable path of movement can be ensured, thereby allowing for the setting of defined elastic forces and defined blocking forces.

[0014] The clip and the blocking mechanism can be configured such that the blocking force of the blocking mechanism must first be overcome, and then the elastic force of the clip must be overcome, in order to release the clip from the locked position.

[0015] In this way, the unlocking and fastening process (which in the original design relied solely on the elasticity of the clips to complete in one step) is transformed into a two-step process: first, overcoming the resistance generated by the blocking structure, and then overcoming the elasticity of the clips to complete the unlocking and fastening.

[0016] The two-step process of unlocking and tightening the locking clamp improves its tightening ability and makes the clamping connection more secure, because random external impacts are unlikely to cause the clamp to pass through these two steps in succession.

[0017] The blocking mechanism may include a blocking structure configured to impede or hinder movement of the clip relative to the clamp. This blocking structure may be specifically configured to generate a well-defined blocking force to prevent movement of the clip from the locked position.

[0018] In some embodiments, the clamps and / or clamp seats each include structural members that can engage with the clamp seats and / or clamps. By adding structural members to the clamps and / or clamp seats, the blocking mechanism can be easily implemented in existing clamping devices.

[0019] In particular, the structural components can be integral parts of the clamps and / or the clamps. Therefore, the blocking mechanism can be easily implemented without additional mechanical parts or components.

[0020] In some implementations, the blocking mechanism is incorporated into the locking clamp, particularly as an add-on to a pre-manufactured or pre-existing locking clamp. Thus, a conventional locking clamp can be easily adjusted to form a two-step locking clamp, thereby providing improved security.

[0021] According to the second aspect, a lamp is provided.

[0022] The luminaire includes a housing having a first housing member (e.g., a lower housing) and a second housing member (e.g., an upper housing).

[0023] The luminaire also includes at least one locking clamp, particularly according to the first aspect described above. The clamp seat of the at least one locking clamp is fixedly mounted on the first housing member, and the clamping piece of the at least one locking clamp is configured to move to a locking position where the clamping piece engages with the second housing member, thereby clamping the first housing member and the second housing member by the elastic force of the clamping piece.

[0024] The locking clamp's blocking mechanism is configured to prevent the clamp piece from moving away from the locked position, so that the blocking force must be overcome in order to release the clamp piece from the locked position.

[0025] The following description provides details of embodiments of this specification. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments may be practiced without these details.

[0026] Some parts of the implementation have similar components. These similar components may have the same name or similar part names. Where appropriate, the description of one component is applied to another similar component by reference, thereby reducing textual redundancy without limiting disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a locking clamp according to one embodiment is shown. Figure 2 It shows according to Figure 1 Detailed diagram of the locking clamp in the implementation method. Figure 3 An example illustrates how to replace an existing fixture with one based on... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The locking clamp, and Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a lamp according to one embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a locking clamp according to one embodiment is shown.

[0029] Locking clamp 1 is configured to clamp the first housing member and the second housing member, where the first housing member and the second housing member are not in contact with each other. Figure 1 As shown in the image.

[0030] The locking clamp 1 includes a clamp 2 and a clamping piece 3 movably mounted on the clamp 2. The clamp 2 is configured to be fixedly mounted on a first housing member, and the clamping piece 3 is configured to engage with a second housing member.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the clip 3 has an essentially elongated rectangular shape, and its first longitudinal end 4 is configured to form a joint for pivotally mounting on the clamp 2, and the pivot 5 is formed by... Figure 1The dotted lines in the text represent...

[0032] The clip 3 also includes an engagement element 6 at its second longitudinal end 7, which is configured to engage with the anti-engagement element (not shown) of the second housing in the locked position of the clip 3.

[0033] The clip 3 includes a reinforcing structure 8 for providing the required elasticity of the clip 3.

[0034] The clamp 2 also includes a first end 9 and a second end 10, the first end being configured to form a connector for pivotally mounting the clamp 3, and the second end having a mounting head 11 for fixing the clamp 2 onto the first housing member.

[0035] The locking clamp 1 further includes a blocking mechanism 12 for blocking the movement of the clamp 3 away from its locked position, particularly towards the unlocked position.

[0036] In this embodiment, the blocking mechanism 12 includes a blocking structure 13 formed as a protrusion on the inner sidewall of the clip 3, which can engage with the outer edge 14 of the clamp 2 to prevent the clip 3 from moving away from its locked position.

[0037] In some embodiments, the clip 3 and / or the clamp 2 are made of sheet metal material, which is accordingly cut, bent, and / or embossed to form, for example, Figure 1 The structural elements of the locking clamp shown.

[0038] Figure 2 It shows according to Figure 1 Detailed diagram of the locking clamp according to the implementation method.

[0039] in particular, Figure 2 The area of ​​the locking clamp 1 with the blocking mechanism 12 is shown on the left, and an enlarged view of the blocking mechanism 12 is shown on the right.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, blocking mechanisms 12 are provided at both ends of the connector that defines the pivot 5.

[0041] exist Figure 2 As can be clearly seen in the enlarged view on the right, the blocking structure 13, which has a circular shape and is formed on the inner wall of the clip 3, extends beyond the lateral edge of the clamp 2. Therefore, the blocking structure 13 cannot pass through the side 14 of the clamp 2 without contacting it.

[0042] Due to the circular shape of the blocking structure 13 and the elasticity of the involved parts (especially the clamp 2, the clamp 3 and the blocking structure 13), the blocking structure 13 can still slide over the side 14 of the clamp 2.

[0043] This occurs when the applied force exceeds the blocking force of the blocking mechanism 12.

[0044] Therefore, once the unblocking force applied to the clamp 3 exceeds the blocking force, the blocking mechanism 12 is released, and in order to release the locking clamp 1, the elastic force of the clamp must be overcome.

[0045] It should be noted that the blocking force can be set by appropriately determining the size and / or positioning of the blocking structure, for example, by changing the offset or extension of the side 14 of the blocking structure 13 beyond the clamp 2, or by adjusting the distance between the blocking structure 13 and the pivot 5. When the clamp is opened (if necessary), this allows the required level of blocking to be ensured without placing unnecessary burden on the user.

[0046] Figure 3 An example illustrates how to replace an existing fixture with a... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The locking clamp.

[0047] in particular, Figure 3 The conventional clamp 1' is shown on the left, and the clamp according to the standard is shown on the right. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Locking clamp 1 is an embodiment of the above.

[0048] By comparing locking clamp 1 and conventional clamp 1', it can be seen that the two clamps are almost identical.

[0049] The main difference between them lies in the blocking mechanism 12, which is implemented only by forming a blocking structure 13 on the inner wall of the clip 3.

[0050] The raised blocking structure 13 can be easily implemented in existing conventional clamps, for example, through the sidewall of the embossed clamp 3.

[0051] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a lamp according to one embodiment is shown.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the lamp 20 includes a first housing member 21 or lower housing, a second housing member 22 or upper housing, and a locking clamp 1 according to the first aspect.

[0053] Locking clamp 1 is essentially similar to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The implementation method shown is configured.

[0054] The clamp 2 of the locking clamp 1 is fixedly attached to the first housing member 21, and the clamp piece engages with the second housing member 22.

[0055] The clamping piece 3 of the locking clamp 1 is in the locked position, so that the locking clamp 1 clamps the first housing member 21 and the second housing member 22 together.

[0056] In order to open the clamping connection between the first housing component 21 and the second housing component 22, a force that pulls the clip 3 out of the lamp housing should first be applied, which exceeds the blocking force of the blocking mechanism 12.

[0057] After the blocking mechanism is released, especially by applying a release force, the clamp can be released by applying a release force exceeding the elastic force of the clamping piece 3. Therefore, releasing the locking clamp requires overcoming two force thresholds to make the locking mechanism particularly stable when subjected to external impacts, preventing accidental release.

[0058] Therefore, the novel locking clamp structure proposed in this paper includes a blocking or obstructing structure 13 along the movement path of the clamp 3.

[0059] During the locking and unlocking process, it is necessary not only to overcome the elasticity of the clip 3, but also to pass through the obstacles created by the blocking mechanism 12.

[0060] Therefore, the locking reliability of the clamped fixture under impact conditions is improved.

[0061] Thanks to the new locking clamp 1, the unlocking process is changed from a one-step process of overcoming the elastic force of the clamp 3 or spring plate to a two-step process that requires overcoming the resistance of the blocking structure, thereby ensuring a more secure fastening.

[0062] Therefore, the locking capability of locking clamp 1 is significantly improved under impact conditions.

[0063] Furthermore, the structures of the blocking mechanism 12 and the locking clamp 1 are easy to manufacture because they do not require any additional components or parts.

[0064] In particular, locking fixtures can be manufactured by modifying existing structures, allowing the continued use of original production methods and processes.

[0065] While at least one exemplary implementation has been presented in the detailed description above, it should be understood that numerous variations exist. It should also be recognized that the one or more exemplary implementations are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of this disclosure in any way. Rather, the detailed description above will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing one or more exemplary implementations.

[0066] Figure labels and numbers 1. Locking clamp; 1. Traditional clamps; 2. Clamping seat; 3 clips; 4. The first end of the clip; 5. Pivot; 6. Engaging elements; 7. The second end of the clip; 8. Reinforce the structure; 9. The first end of the clamp; 10. The second end of the clamp; 11. Mounting head; 12. Blocking mechanism; 13. Barrier structure; 14. The outer edge of the clamp; 20. Lighting fixtures; 21 First shell component; 22 Second shell component.

Claims

1. A locking clamp, comprising: - A clamp (2), configured to be fixedly mounted on the first housing member (21), and - A clip (3), movably mounted on a clamp (2), is configured to move into a locked position, in which the clip (3) engages with a second housing member (22), thereby clamping the first housing member (21) and the second housing member (22) together by the elastic force of the clip (3). Its features are, The locking clamp (1) includes a blocking mechanism (12) configured to prevent the movement of the clamp (3) away from the locking position, so that the blocking force must be overcome in order to release the clamp (3) from the locking position.

2. The locking clamp according to claim 1, wherein the clamping piece (3) is pivotally mounted on the clamping seat (2) to perform a movement that is essentially rotational about a pivot (5).

3. The locking clamp according to claim 1, wherein the clamp (3) and the blocking mechanism (12) are configured such that the blocking force of the blocking mechanism (12) must be overcome first, and then the elastic force of the clamp (3) must be overcome in order to release the clamp (3).

4. The locking clamp according to claim 1, wherein the blocking mechanism (12) includes a blocking structure (13) configured to impede movement of the clamping piece (3) relative to the clamping seat (2).

5. The locking clamp according to claim 1, wherein the clamp seat (2) and / or the clamp piece (3) respectively include structural members that can engage with the clamp piece (3) and / or the clamp seat (2).

6. The locking clamp according to claim 5, wherein the structural components are respectively components of the clamping piece (3) and / or the clamping seat (2).

7. The locking clamp according to claim 1, wherein the blocking mechanism (12) is modified into the locking clamp (1).

8. A lighting fixture comprising: - A housing having a first housing member (21) and a second housing member (22). Its features are, The lighting fixture includes - At least one locking clamp (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp (2) of at least one locking clamp (1) is fixedly mounted on the first housing member (21), and the clamp (3) of at least one locking clamp (1) is configured to move to a locking position in which the clamp (3) engages with the second housing member (22), thereby clamping the first housing member (21) and the second housing member (22) by the elastic force of the clamp (3), and the blocking mechanism (12) of at least one locking clamp (1) is configured to prevent the clamp (3) from moving away from the locking position, such that the blocking force must be overcome in order to release the clamp (3) from the locking position.

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