Light rope device for tensioning and anchoring awnings, tents, porches or the like

Abstract

Light rope device (100) for tensioning and anchoring awnings, tents, porches or the like, comprising at least a first light rope (1a) consisting of a rope and several light elements, a controller (3) and at least a first connecting element (2a) with at least a first connector of the first type (21a) and a connector of the second type (22a), wherein the at least first light rope (1a) and the controller (3) are detachably connected to each other via the connecting element (2a), wherein the at least one first light rope (1a) is detachably connected to the connector of the first type (21a) of the first connecting element (2a) and the controller (3) is detachably connected to the connector of the second type (22a), wherein the controller (3) is designed such that a power supply to the light elements can be controlled via the controller (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cable light device for tensioning and anchoring awnings, tents, porches or the like.

[0002] It's common to use string lights or rope lights for illumination. Especially outdoors, such as when camping, string lights and rope lights create a cozy atmosphere. They also offer great flexibility in terms of arrangement.

[0003] It is also known to procure light-up ropes for use as guy lines. These guy lines are used to secure awnings and their individual parts, tents, porches, and similar structures against storms by attaching them to fabrics or tarpaulins and tensioning them through anchoring (usually in the ground). This secures the fabrics or tarpaulins so they are not damaged in a storm. By using light-up ropes as guy lines, they combine the functions of storm protection and illumination.

[0004] To illuminate, the light ropes require a power supply. For this purpose, a cable is attached to the guy wires, usually at one end, leading to a power outlet or a battery. The light ropes also require a controller to manage the power supply to the lighting elements within the ropes. These controllers are also often connected to the light ropes via a cable.

[0005] Especially when camping, the ease of setting up, taking down, and storing equipment, including guy lines, is crucial. Guy lines made from light-up ropes are significantly longer than conventional guy lines due to the additional cables, making them prone to tangling. Furthermore, storing the cable and / or controller may require more care than the rope itself. Therefore, setting up, taking down, and storing such guy lines made from light-up ropes involves more effort.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide a cable light device for tensioning and anchoring awnings, tents, porches or the like, which can be easily set up, taken down and stored away.

[0007] This problem is solved by a cable-operated device for tensioning and anchoring awnings, tents, porches, or the like, according to the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] The invention comprises a cable light device for tensioning and anchoring awnings, tents, porches, or the like, comprising at least a first cable light consisting of a rope and several light elements, a controller, and at least a first connecting element with at least one first connector of the first type and one connector of the second type. The at least first cable light and the controller are detachably connected to each other via the first connecting element, wherein the at least first cable light is detachably connected to the connector of the first type of the first connecting element, and the controller is detachably (directly or indirectly) connected to the connector of the second type. The controller is designed such that the power supply to the light elements can be controlled via the controller. The cable light consists in particular of nylon ropes (Dyneema) which can withstand loads of up to 150 kg.These incorporate lighting elements, preferably LEDs.

[0009] Because the light string and controller are detachably connected to the connector, which usually consists of at least one cable, the light string system can be separated into several parts for disassembly. This prevents the individual parts from becoming tangled and allows them to be stored separately. During setup, the light string can be tensioned first and then connected to the connector. This simplifies the setup, dismantling, and storage of the light string system compared to similar systems without detachable connections.

[0010] Preferably, the first connecting element comprises at least one branching section, which is arranged at least once between the first connector of the first type and the connector of the second type. A second connector of the first type is arranged on each of the at least one branching section, with a second light cable consisting of a cable and several light elements connected to each second connector of the first type. The connecting element consists of one or more T-pieces and at least three cables with the respective connectors. One or more cross pieces are also conceivable. The branching sections allow two or more light cables to be connected to each other and, in particular, controlled with the same controller. Furthermore, the advantage remains that all components of the light cable device are detachable from one another.The two (or more) light strings are identical in construction, at least with regard to the connection they use to the type I connectors. The lengths of the light strings can be the same or different. The light elements in the light strings can be the same or different colors.

[0011] According to an advantageous aspect, a second connecting element with at least one first-type connector and one second-type connector is arranged between the second-type connector and the controller. The second-type connector of the first connecting element is detachably connected to the first-type connector of the second connecting element, and the controller is detachably connected to the second-type connector of the second connecting element. The second connecting element can be identical in construction to the first connecting element. This results in the first-type and second-type connectors being mating components. Consequently, there is a high degree of flexibility in assembling the light rope device, while the effort required for setup, dismantling, and storage remains unchanged.

[0012] According to a preferred aspect, the controller includes a third-type connector for a power source on the side opposite the connecting element. This third-type connector is a common type, such as USB-A or USB-C. This allows various devices or connections to be used as a power source. Suitable options include mobile phones (power banks, solar panels, portable power stations) or even (possibly with the use of an adapter) wall sockets.

[0013] A particularly preferred energy source is a portable electric battery, which includes a waterproof casing. The electric battery, especially a power bank, has one or more DC outputs with an output voltage of 5 V to 12 V and a capacity of 2000 mAh to 20000 mAh. It weighs between 100 g and 500 g, allowing it to be suspended solely by its connection to the third-party connector. The waterproof casing can be placed and secured around the portable electric battery and the third-party connector.

[0014] Advantageously, at least the first and second type connectors each include a screw element designed to be screwed onto a plug connection of the first and second type connectors. For example, the screw element is a movable sleeve with an inner thread arranged around one of the connectors. The corresponding outer thread is located on the other type of connector. Thus, when the first and second type connectors are plugged together, the sleeve can be screwed onto the outer thread. This secures the connection and also protects it against water.

[0015] Preferably, the controller includes a first button for brightening the lighting elements, a second button for dimming them, and / or a third button for turning the lighting elements on and off. The brightening and dimming are stepless. Furthermore, all connected light strings are controlled by this single controller.

[0016] According to an advantageous aspect, the light rope device comprises a remote control with a transmitter unit, the controller comprising a receiver unit. The transmitter unit and the receiver unit are connected via a wireless communication link such that commands to illuminate, dim, and / or switch the light elements on and off are transmitted from the transmitter unit to the receiver unit. This enables wireless remote control of the light elements. The remote control preferably also has a timer function.

[0017] Advantageously, an anchoring device is arranged on the end of the light rope opposite the type 1 connector. This allows the end of the light rope to be secured to the ground, trees, or similar objects. The light rope is designed to be slightly elastic. The end of the light rope advantageously consists of an end piece and a loop. A rope tensioner is located directly at the end. The ground stake is attached to the ground through the loop and then tightened using the guy line.

[0018] Another aspect of the invention comprises a set of at least two light ropes, each consisting of a rope and several lighting elements, at least one connecting element, and a controller. This is suitable as a light rope device for tensioning and anchoring awnings, tents, porches, or the like.

[0019] The invention will now be described and explained in more detail with reference to the examples shown in the drawings.

[0020] They show Fig. 1 a light rope device according to the invention with a connecting element; and Fig. 2 an alternative light rope device according to the invention with two connecting elements.

[0021] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a light rope device 100 for tensioning and anchoring awnings, tents, porches, or the like. For clarity, the individual components of the light rope device 100 are shown here (and also in Fig. 2) shown in an exploded view. The following description refers to the corresponding assembled light cable device 100. It comprises a first light cable 1a and a second light cable 1b consisting of a cable and several light elements, a controller 3, and a connecting element 2a with a first type 21a connector and a second type 22a connector. A branching section 23a in the form of a T-piece is arranged between the first type 21a connector and the second type 22a connector, and a second type 21a connector is arranged on the branching section.The first light cable 1a, the second light cable 1b, and the controller 3 are detachably connected to each other via the connecting element 2a, in that the first light cable 1a and the second light cable 1b are detachably connected to the type 1 connectors 21a of the connecting element 2a, and the controller 3 is detachably connected to the type 2 connector 22a. The controller 3 is designed such that the power supply to the lighting elements can be controlled via the controller 3.

[0022] The light ropes are between 2.5 m and 7 m long and are made of slightly elastic nylon (Dyneema), allowing them to support loads of at least 150 kg. Each meter of rope contains 3 to 10 light elements. These light elements can be various colors, particularly white or red.

[0023] The connecting element has a cable length between the two type 1 connectors ranging from 1.5 m to 5 m. The branching section 23a, i.e., the T-piece in this case, is positioned closer to one of the type 1 connectors 21a in the illustrated embodiment. The cable between the branching section 23a and the type 2 connector 22a has a length of 5 to 50 cm.

[0024] The type one and type two connectors 21a and 22a are counterparts to each other. Therefore, type two connectors are arranged at one end of the light cables 1a and 1b, which are identical to type two connector 22a of the connecting element 2a. These connectors connect the light cables 1a and 1b to the connecting element 2a. Similarly, the controller 3 includes a type one connector, which is identical to type one connector 21a of the connecting element 2a, and the controller 3 is connected to the connecting element 2a via this connector.

[0025] The connectors of the first and second type 21a and 22a each comprise a screw element designed to be screwed onto a plug connection of the connectors of the first and second type 21a and 22a, respectively. The screw element of the connector of the first type 21a is designed as an external thread, while that of the connector of the second type 22a is designed as a movable sleeve with an internal thread that matches the external thread. When the connectors of the first and second type 21a and 22a are plugged together, the sleeve is screwed onto the external thread, thus securing the connection and making it watertight.

[0026] An anchoring device 11 is arranged on the side of each of the light cables 1a, 1b opposite the connecting element. In the illustrated embodiment, this is a loop which can be anchored in the ground with a tent peg or attached to a tree or the like. The end of the light cable advantageously has an end cap. The tent peg is attached to the loop below the cable tensioner on the ground, and the light cable is tightened using the cable tensioner.

[0027] The controller 3 includes a third-type connector 31 for a power source 4 (not shown) on the side opposite the connector plug. In the embodiment shown, the third-type connector 31 is a USB-C connector.

[0028] The controller 3 also includes a first button 32 to brighten the lighting elements, a second button 33 to dim the lighting elements, and a third button 34 to turn the lighting elements on and off.

[0029] The components of the light rope device 100 shown, comprising the two light ropes 1a, 1b, the connecting element 2a and the controller 3, together form a set.

[0030] Fig. Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a light rope device 100 according to the invention. This comprises, like the embodiment shown in Figure 2, an alternative embodiment of a light rope device 100 according to the invention. Fig. 1. A first light cable 1a and a second light cable 1b are connected by a first connecting element 2a. In this embodiment, however, a second connecting element 2b, or rather its first-type connector 21b, is detachably connected to the second-type connector 22a. Analogous to the first connecting element 2a, the second connecting element 2b comprises a branch section 23b, a second first-type connector 21b, and a second-type connector 22b. A third light cable 1c, consisting of a cable and several light elements, is detachably connected to the second first-type connector 21b. The controller 3 is detachably connected to the second-type connector 22b of the second connecting element 2b. The second-type connectors 22a and 22b thus act as inputs, and the first-type connectors 21a and 21b as outputs for the control signal of the controller 3.

[0031] Here too, the controller 3 includes a third-type connector 31. Connected to this connector is the power source 4, which in this case is a mobile electrical battery in the form of a power bank. The mobile electrical battery is enclosed in a waterproof casing 41. This casing extends to the third-type connector 31, thus also providing it with waterproof protection. The casing 41 has an elastic band at its opening. Furthermore, the casing 41 is made of transparent plastic or at least includes a transparent window. Through this window, the battery level can be read from a display on the mobile electrical battery without having to remove the casing 41.

[0032] In this embodiment, the light cable device 100 comprises a remote control 5 with a transmitter 51, wherein the controller 3 comprises a receiver 35. The transmitter 51 and the receiver 35 are connected via a wireless communication link such that commands to illuminate, dim, and / or switch the light elements on and off are transmitted from the transmitter 51 to the receiver 35.

[0033] Starting from the light rope device 100 from Fig. 2. This can be adapted modularly as desired, depending on preferences or requirements.

[0034] The exploded view of both embodiments in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows which components the light rope devices 100 comprise and also into which components they can ultimately be divided in order to be able to be stored separately from each other.

Claims

[1] Light rope device (100) for tensioning and anchoring awnings, tents, porches or the like, comprising at least a first light rope (1a) consisting of a rope and several light elements, a controller (3) and at least a first connecting element (2a) with at least a first connector of the first type (21a) and a connector of the second type (22a), wherein the at least first light rope (1a) and the controller (3) are detachably connected to each other via the connecting element (2a), wherein the at least one first light rope (1a) is detachably connected to the connector of the first type (21a) of the first connecting element (2a) and the controller (3) is detachably connected to the connector of the second type (22a), wherein the controller (3) is designed such that a power supply to the light elements can be controlled via the controller (3). [2] Light rope device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting element (2a) comprises at least one branching section (23a) which is arranged at least one branching section (23a) between the first connector of the first type (21a) and the connector of the second type (22a) and on which at least one branching section (23a) a second connector of the first type (21a) is arranged, wherein a second light rope (1b) consisting of a rope and several light elements is connected to each second connector of the first type (21a). [3] Light rope device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a second connecting element (2b) with at least one first connecting plug of the first type (21b) and a connecting plug of the second type (22b) is arranged between the connecting plug of the second type (22a) and the controller (3), wherein the connecting plug of the second type (22a) of the first connecting element (2a) is detachably connected to the connecting plug of the first type (21b) of the second connecting element (2b) and the controller (3) is detachably connected to the connecting plug of the second type (22b) of the second connecting element (2b). [4] Light rope device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (3) comprises a third-type connector (31) for a power source (4) on the side opposite the connecting element (2a, 2b). [5] Light rope device (100) according to claim 4, wherein the energy source (4) is a mobile electric battery, which mobile electric battery comprises a waterproof casing (41). [6] Light rope device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the connector plugs of the first and second type (21a, 21b, 22a, 22b) each comprise a screw element which is designed in such a way that it can be screwed around a plug connection of the connector plug of the first and second type (21a, 21b, 22a, 22b). [7] Light rope device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (3) comprises a first button (32) for brightening the light elements and / or a second button (33) for dimming the light elements and / or a third button (34) for turning the light elements on and off. [8] Light rope device (100) according to one of the preceding claims further comprising a remote control (5) with a transmitter unit (51), wherein the controller (3) comprises a receiver unit (35), wherein the transmitter unit (51) and the receiver unit (35) are connected via a wireless communication link such that commands to illuminate, dim and / or turn on and off the light elements are transmitted from the transmitter unit (51) to the receiver unit (35). [9] Light rope device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an anchoring device (11) is arranged on a side of the light rope (1a, 1b, 1c) opposite the connector plug of the first type (21a, 21b). [10] Set of at least two light ropes (1a, 1b, 1c) consisting of a rope and several light elements, at least one connecting element (2a, 2b) and a controller (3).

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