SPACERS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spacer for arrangement between a cavity wall and an insulation above an electrical consumer, in particular a recessed light, behind an installation opening in the cavity wall.

[0002] Spacers are known from the prior art that provide a receiving space for an electrical device and protect the electrical device located therein from, among other things, insulation material located in the cavity wall. The insulation material can, on the one hand, press against the back of the electrical device and, on the other hand, impair the functionality of the electrical device. For example, insulation material that fits too tightly against the electrical device can lead to heat buildup in the device.

[0003] DE102013112303, published in 2015 in the name of the same applicant, for example, shows a spacer consisting of several spring-elastic arms forming a dome-like cage, which are joined and connected to one another at one end. In an assembly position, the arms can be compressed against their spring force, allowing the spacer and arms to be inserted through the installation opening. In the final assembly position, they are sprung open, so that the free ends of the arms, behind the installation opening, rest on the surface containing the installation opening and / or engage with components on the hole bearing.

[0004] EP2031723, published in 2009 in the name of Elprothom GmbH and Co KG, also shows a spacer with two arms that protrude in the same direction from a spine plate. At least one support surface protrudes radially outward from each arm. Each arm has at least one predetermined breaking point and a radially outward-facing pin. This allows the relevant sections of the arms to be made significantly longer than the thickness of a panel to which the spacer is to be mounted, allowing a user to hold and guide the ends of the arms while placing the spacer. The predetermined breaking points serve to remove the ends of the arms that protrude beyond the outside of the panel after the spacer has been placed.

[0005] EP2620701, published in 2013 in the name of Hellermanntyton, discloses a spacer for installation in a ceiling, comprising a plurality of arms articulated relative to one another, such that the arms can be rotated from a pre-covering position to a lamp-covering position. Furthermore, EP2546564, also published in 2013 in the name of Hellermanntyton, discloses a spacer for a ceiling lamp, comprising a plurality of arms and latching means for attaching at least one of the arms to the rest of the spacer. The fastening design of these spacers is intended to allow easy storage and transport of the uninstalled spacer.

[0006] A disadvantage of these state-of-the-art spacers is their lack of flexibility when used for electrical appliances or recessed luminaires of different sizes. Another disadvantage of these state-of-the-art spacers is their lack of inherent stability under load, which often requires installation on and in the installation opening.

[0007] EP 2 541 125 B1 discloses a spacer according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0008] One object of the invention is to provide a spacer that can be used for various applications, such as different electrical loads, space constraints, or installation openings. The invention is defined by a spacer according to claim 1. Further preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0009] In a preferred variant of the invention, the spacer comprises a plurality of arms which enclose a receiving space for accommodating an electrical load, in particular a recessed light. The arms are advantageously arranged around a central axis of the spacer. In a non-deformed state of the spacer, the central axis is perpendicular to a support surface for supporting the spacer on the hollow wall. For supporting the spacer on the hollow wall, the spacer can have at least one support foot. Advantageously, however, the spacer comprises one support foot per arm. The arms are operatively connected to one another at their rear ends via at least one deformable joint area. During assembly, in particular when pushing the spacer through the installation opening in the hollow wall in order to position it behind it, the spacer can be brought into a deformed state.The deformed state is generally not an intrinsically stable state. This means that when no force is applied to the spacer, the spacer returns to its original position (the undeformed state). In the deformed state, the at least one deformable joint area, as well as any other areas, are elastically deformed. In this deformed state, the spacer can be inserted through the installation opening into the cavity wall. In the deformed state, the arms can be deflected (elastically) around the at least one deformable joint area in the direction of the central axis. In this deformed state, the arms, together with any support feet arranged thereon, can be tilted towards one another accordingly. In the deformed state, the spacer is advantageously arranged within a first circular contour with the diameter D1 in the direction of the central axis. The diameter D1 is generally smaller than a diameter of the installation opening.In a non-deformed state, however, the front ends of the arms and / or the support feet opposite the rear ends are advantageously arranged outside the first circular contour. In this way, the arms and / or the support feet can be easily supported on a rear side of the cavity wall next to the installation opening. The deformable joint region is advantageously arranged in the direction of the central axis within a second circular contour with the diameter D2. The diameter D2 is smaller than the diameter D1. The deformable joint region can, for example, be arranged in a ring shape, in particular in a ring shape around the central axis. The deformable joint region can also have at least one thinning of the material. Alternatively or additionally, the deformable joint region can comprise a snap hinge or another type of evertable structure. This means that, depending on the design, the deformable joint region can have two stable positions.

[0010] Depending on the design of the spacer, it can include a rear base. In an assembled position, this can be arranged opposite the installation opening. The base can be plate-shaped and / or curved. The central axis is advantageously centered on the base. The base is advantageously aligned substantially perpendicular to the central axis. There can also be several deformable joint regions, which are each operatively connected to one another via the base (or another part of the spacer). However, alternatively or additionally, the at least one deformable joint region can also be arranged at least partially in the base. The annular deformable joint region can, for example, be an outer annular region of the base. Furthermore, the at least one deformable joint region can also include several notches. The notches can have a positive influence on the deformation.The notches can, for example, be arranged on the floor between the arms in the direction of the central axis.

[0011] Advantageously, the arms are not affected, or only slightly affected, by the deformation. Stiffer arms improve the inherent stability of the receiving space under load, such as when the spacer is loaded from the rear by insulating material. The stiffness of the arms can be further enhanced if the arms have at least one stiffening rib and / or bead. These can be arranged, for example, along the longitudinal direction of the respective arm. For stable support and positioning behind the installation opening, it can be advantageous if the spacer has three or four arms arranged evenly distributed around the central axis. The arms can be divided into a rear transition area and an adjoining front area, which can in particular be shortened. The front area of the arms can extend essentially in the direction of the central axis.Preferably, however, the arm extends at a slight angle away from the center axis in the front area. This means that the cross-section of the receiving space (normal to the center axis) increases from the floor to the support surface. This has the advantage that the spacer can better support itself against the cavity wall under load. For good force transmission along the arms, the transition area can be aligned at an angle to the front area and the floor.

[0012] According to the invention, the arms can be shortened in length. Arms that can be shortened in length allow for an adjustable spacer or adjustable receiving space. In this way, the receiving space can be reduced in volume. This enables space-saving installation and / or individual adaptation of the receiving space to the required size of the electrical consumer to be mounted. The front region of the arms can advantageously be shortened. This can be achieved by designing the respective arms so that they can be severed along at least one separation point, so that when the arm is severed, a shortened end of the arm is formed, which is attached via the rear end to the at least one deformable joint region. The at least one separation point is advantageously arranged in the front region (here also the shortenable region) of the arms.The at least one separation point can be a thin section of the arm. However, the at least one separation point can have additional connecting webs that can extend beyond the separation point at least once. Depending on the design of the separation point, it can be severed by hand and / or with a tool designed for this purpose.

[0013] For resting and supporting on the cavity wall, in particular on a rear surface of the cavity wall, the spacer can have at least one support foot. Advantageously, however, the spacer comprises one support foot per arm. The support foot can rest against a surface of the cavity wall when the spacer is mounted in the cavity wall. A rigid design of the arms has the advantage that they do not have to be fixed in the installation opening, as is known from prior art spacers. Instead, the arms can be supported via the support feet arranged on the rear of a surface of the cavity wall and next to the installation opening. This means that the spacer is advantageously inherently stable in the undeformed state (and in particular in the mounted state). In this way, the installation opening remains free, which can facilitate the subsequent installation of the electrical consumer through it.Depending on the design, the support foot can be designed separately and can be operatively connected to the respective (unabridged) front end or the shortened end of the arm. Alternatively, it is also possible for the arms to be integrally formed on the support foot in the unabridged state. If there is only one separation point per arm, when one separation point is severed, a shortened end of the arm is formed, which is connected to the at least one joint area, as well as a free end arranged on the support foot. However, the free end advantageously does not influence the operative connection of the support foot with the shortened end of the arm. In an operatively connected state, the free end and the shortened end can extend side by side. With only one separation point, the arm can be adjustable to two different lengths.The respective height of the spacer is defined by the distance of the first separation point to the support foot.

[0014] Advantageously, however, the arms each have at least two separation points. If there are several separation points, a detachable section of the arm can be removed between two separation points. If there are multiple separation points, the length of this section can be individually adjusted. Depending on the design, one of the at least two separation points can be arranged in the area of the front end of the arm. Advantageously, one of the at least two separation points is arranged in the direction of the central axis at the height of the support foot. It is also conceivable for a separation point to be arranged between the support foot and the arm. However, in principle, any two separation points can be selected for shortening. Preferably, a length scale along the longitudinal direction of the arm is provided on at least one of the arms to facilitate separation to a specific height of the spacer.

[0015] Depending on the design, the support foot can comprise a receiving element and possibly also a support element. The receiving element of the support foot can serve to receive the shortened end of the arm. The receiving element can, for example, be a recess into which the shortened end can be inserted. The recess can be surrounded by a wall. Also conceivable is, for example, a tubular or clamp-shaped design of the receiving element for at least partially encompassing the arm. For stable support on the hollow wall, the respective support feet can additionally comprise a support element. Advantageously, the at least one support element extends with a thin wall along the support surface for support on the hollow wall. In this case, the support element can comprise two protruding, advantageously also thin-walled, wings. The wings can serve to attach the spacer.For example, the wings of brackets of a built-in electrical appliance, in particular a recessed light, can be clamped and thus position the spacer at the installation opening. In the assembled state, a bracket can extend between two arms and clamp one wing of each of these arms. The support surface of the respective support element can be crescent-shaped. The support surface can extend, for example, over the two wings and a rear side of the receiving element. The crescent-shaped support surfaces can be aligned towards the central axis of the spacer. Moreover, when the spacer is mounted on the cavity wall, the central axis is advantageously essentially central to the installation opening in the cavity wall. However, minor shifts from the central axis of the spacer to the central axis of the installation opening are generally possible. The receiving element can be arranged on the support element.For example, the wall of the receiving element can protrude from the support element.

[0016] Depending on the application, the arms can each have a locking element at their shortened end. The locking element serves to form an undercut with the support foot in the receiving element when the shortened end of the arm is assembled. If there are several possible separation points or shortened ends, several locking elements can be arranged along the arm. A recess can be provided in the receiving element for the (at least one) locking element, which receives the locking element in the assembled state and forms an undercut with it. Alternatively or additionally, at least one clamping means can be arranged in the receiving element, which clamps the shortened end of the arm in the receiving element when assembled. The clamping element can be a rib along an inner side of the wall. The rib advantageously extends in the same direction as the wall.Advantageously, the clamping elements are arranged in pairs opposite one another in the receiving element or in the recess.

[0017] Depending on the application, the spacer can comprise at least one retaining clip for holding and, if necessary, relieving strain on a cable in a holding area. The cable can be inserted into the holding area via a lateral cable entry opening. The retaining clip can be spiral or C-shaped, for example. Depending on the application, the retaining clip can be elastically deformable, at least in some areas. Advantageously, the at least one retaining clip has a tab. By deflecting the tab, e.g. by pressing on it with a finger in the direction of the central axis, the applied force leads to an (elastic) deformation of the retaining clip. When the at least one retaining clip is deformed, the cable entry opening in the holding area of the cable is enlarged. This simplifies the installation of the cables. Advantageously, the at least one retaining clip is arranged between two rear ends of two arms.The at least one retaining clip can be integrally formed on an arm and / or on the base. Advantageously, the at least one retaining clip (in the non-deformed state) is arranged within a rotationally symmetrical contour of the arms around the central axis.

[0018] Aspects of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures and the associated description. They show: Fig. 1A variant of a spacer according to the invention in a perspective view; Fig. 2The spacer according to Figure 1 in a front view; Fig. 3The spacer according to Figure 1 with shortened arm in a perspective view; Fig. 4The support foot of the spacer according to Figure 3 in a top view.

[0019] Figure 1 to Figure 3show a variant of a spacer 1 according to the invention. The variant shown comprises a total of four arms 2, which are operatively connected at their rear ends 6 via at least one deformable joint region 3. The at least one joint region 3 is arranged at least partially in a base 26 of the spacer 1. In the case shown, the deformable joint region 3 is annular. However, other designs are also possible. From the at least one deformable joint region 3, the arms 2 each extend to a front end 27 of the arms 2. A receiving space 5 for receiving an electrical consumer is enclosed by the arms 2. The arms 2 can be divided into a bent transition region 23 near the joint region 3 and an adjoining, essentially straight, shortenable region 24.To ensure good stability of the arms 2, they can have a stiffening rib and / or bead 22 along their longitudinal direction. In an unshortened state, the arms 2 are each operatively connected to support feet 4, which serve to support the hollow wall. Retaining clips 20 for holding a cable in a holding area 29 are arranged between the arms 2. The cable can be inserted into the holding area 29 via a lateral cable insertion opening 30. By deflecting a tab 28, the retaining clip 20 deforms, and the cable insertion opening 30 is enlarged.

[0020] In Figure 1different diameters D1, D2 can be seen. These diameters relate to a deformed state (not shown) and the undeformed state (as illustrated). In the deformed state, the at least one deformable joint region 3 is elastically deformed and the arms 2 with the support feet 4 are inclined in the direction of the central axis 25. In the deformed state, the spacer 1 is advantageously arranged within a first circular contour with the diameter D1 in the direction of the central axis 25. In a non-deformed state, however, the support feet 4 are advantageously arranged outside the first circular contour. The at least one deformable joint region 3 is advantageously arranged (in the deformed and the non-deformed state) in the direction of the central axis 25 within a second circular contour with the diameter D2. The diameter D1 is greater than D2.

[0021] The arms 2 can be shortened in length. In the present case, the shortenable region 24 of the arms 2 can be designed to be cut to length. For this purpose, at least one (first) separation point 9 can be arranged in this region. In the case shown, however, several (first) separation points 9 are arranged at a uniform distance along the arm 2. For quick and correct cutting to length, a length scale 21 is also arranged next to the separation points 9 (see Figure 2 ). A (second) separation point 10 is arranged at the level of the upper end of the support foot 4. Along a first and the second separation points 9, 10, a detachable area 7 of the arm can be removed (see Figure 3 ).However, an area between two other separation points 9, 10 can also be separated. This creates a shortened (front) end 8 of the arm 2. The shortened end 8 can now be operatively connected to the support foot 4. After separation, the shortened end 8 can be operatively connected to a receiving element 11 of the support foot 4. In the case shown, the shortened end 8 is received in a recess 14 of the receiving element 11. The recess 14 is formed by a wall 13, which protrudes from a support element 12 (see Figure 4 ).The support element 12 is thin-walled and comprises a support surface 15 for resting on the hollow wall. The support element 12 comprises two thin-walled wings 16 which protrude from the receiving element 11. The wings 16 together form the support surface 15, which in the case shown is crescent-shaped. The crescent shape is directed towards a central axis 25 of the spacer 1. Moreover, when the spacer 1 is mounted on the hollow wall, the central axis 25 is advantageously located essentially centrally to the installation opening in the hollow wall. However, minor displacements from the central axis 25 of the spacer 1 to the central axis of the installation opening are generally possible. The receiving element 11 is advantageously arranged centrally on the support surface 15, or rather the crescent-shaped support surface 15, as shown.For a good hold of the shortened end 8 of the arm 2, a locking element 17 can be arranged in the area of the shortened end 8 next to the first separation point 9 (see . Figure 2 ). When the shortened end 8 is mounted on the receiving element 11, it engages with the receiving element 11. In the illustrated case, a recess 18 is provided in the wall 13, into which the locking element 17 engages, forming an undercut. In addition, further clamping means 19 are arranged in the recess 14, which serve to clamp the shortened end 8 of the respective arm 2 in the receiving element 11. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0022] 1 Spacer 2 Arms 3 Joint area 4 Support foot 5 Mounting space 6 Rear end 7 Detachable area 8 Shortened end 9 First separation point 10 Second separation point 11 Mounting element 12 Support element 13 Wall 14 Recess 15 Support surface 16 Wing 17 Locking element 18 Cutout 19 Clamping element 20 Retaining clip 21 Length scale 22 Bead 23 Transition area 24 Shortenable area 25 Central axis 26 Base 27 Front end 28 Tab 29 Holding area 30 Cable entry opening

Claims

1. Spacer (1) for arrangement between a hollow wall and an insulation above an electrical load, in particular a built-in light, behind a mounting opening of the hollow wall, the spacer (1) comprising a. a plurality of arms (2) for support against the hollow wall, which are interconnected via their respective rear side ends (6) via at least one deformable joint region (3) such that the spacer (1) is insertable through the mounting opening into the hollow wall in a deformed state; b. a receiving space (5) for the electrical load enclosed by the arms (2), characterized in that c. the arms (2) are shortenable in their length along at least one separating point (9, 10), such that the volume of the receiving space is reducible.

2. Spacer (1) according to patent claim 1, wherein the spacer (1) comprises a support foot (4) per arm (2).

3. Spacer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the arms (2) are elastically deflectable in the direction of a central axis (25) of the spacer (1) during deformation.

4. Spacer (1) according to one of the preceding patent claims, wherein the arms (2) are shortenable such that in a shortened state a shortened end (8) of the arm (2) opposite the rear side end (6) is formed.

5. Spacer (1) according to patent claims 2 and 4, wherein the shortened end (8) of the arm (2) is interconnectable with the respective support foot (4).

6. Spacer (1) according to patent claim 5, wherein the support feet (4) each have a receiving element (11) which is used for receiving the shortened end (8) of the arm (2).

7. Spacer (1) according to patent claim 6, wherein the shortened end (8) is latchable in the receiving element (11) via a latching element (17).

8. Spacer (1) according to patent claim 6 or 7, wherein at least one clamping means (19) for clamping the shortened end (8) is arranged in the respective receiving element (11).

9. Spacer (1) according to claim 2, wherein in an unshortened state the arms (2) are each interconnected with the support foot (4).

10. Spacer (1) according to claim 2 or 9, wherein the support feet (4) each comprise at least one support element (12) for support on a surface of the hollow wall.

11. Spacer (1) according to patent claim 10, characterized in that the support element (12) comprises two wings (16) opposite each other with respect to the respective arm (2).

12. Spacer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer (1) comprises at least one retaining clip (20) for retaining a cable.

13. Spacer (1) according to one of the preceding patent claims, wherein at least one of the plurality of arms (2) has a length scale (21) along its longitudinal direction.

14. Spacer (1) according to one of the preceding patent claims, wherein the arms (2) have a stiffening rib and / or bead (22) along their longitudinal direction.