Removable illuminated street furniture element

Abstract

The invention relates to a removable illuminated street furniture element. According to the invention, it comprises a one-piece chassis (1) formed from a thermoplastic material, a light source (2) powered by power supply means (3), said chassis (1) having means for retaining said light source (2).

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of street furniture.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a removable illuminated street furniture element manufactured from a thermoplastic material, this illuminated street furniture element being designed to be reusable and environmentally friendly.

[0003] The invention can, for example, be used in the context of the creation of permanent or temporary luminous decorations intended for use outdoors, such as those traditionally used for parties or other events. It can also be used in the context of store signs or the animation of commercial windows, or even in the field of advertising. State of the prior art

[0004] For many years, techniques have been known for creating outdoor street furniture, such as Christmas decorations or sets placed at funfairs, which involve creating a given shape or volume and adding a light source.

[0005] The volume is generally created from a support frame made up of a plurality of metal tubes that are welded or glued together. On this volume, and generally speaking, one or more light strings are fixed, most of the time formed by a succession of light-emitting diodes (or LEDs) or screwed-in bulbs, these LEDs or bulbs being of a predefined color so as to obtain a desired decoration or visual for the street furniture element. These different light sources can for example be glued directly onto the metal support frame, or tightened using cable ties. It is then sufficient to electrically power the light strings to give the desired effect to the decoration.

[0006] However, a disadvantage of such a technique is that the street furniture element is difficult to reuse because, for example, after a period spent outdoors, the support frame shows signs of wear or deterioration such as corrosion, traces due to pollution, or even traces of human degradation. After a period of use, the support frame is therefore difficult to reuse.

[0007] Furthermore, and if the street furniture item has to be modified for reuse, the numerous welds and bonding make it difficult or even impossible to modify without damaging the structure, or at least leaving visible traces of modification which could harm the use made of the street furniture item, which is also not satisfactory.

[0008] Another disadvantage of such street furniture is that it is bulky and heavy, which can make handling difficult and time-consuming for users. In addition, attaching the light sources to the support frame is also time-consuming.

[0009] There is therefore a need to improve what already exists, and in particular to implement an element of street furniture which is adaptable and reusable depending on the situations in which it is used, which is simple to use and produce, and which is also environmentally friendly while remaining inexpensive. Statement of the invention

[0010] The invention aims to remedy at least in part the drawbacks mentioned above relating to the techniques of the prior art.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to an illuminated street furniture element comprising a single-piece frame formed from a thermoplastic material, a light source powered by power supply means, said frame having means for holding said light source.

[0012] Thus, the invention proposes a new and inventive approach making it possible to at least partially resolve the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0013] In particular, such a solution makes it possible to implement an element of illuminated street furniture that is easily reusable due to the material from which it is made.

[0014] Indeed, because the thermoplastic material is recyclable and reusable, if the frame is too damaged from a visual point of view, it can be crushed and then reused after a light post-treatment (such as cleaning with water, sandblasting or other simple treatments) while limiting or even eliminating the loss of material.

[0015] In addition, having a single-piece frame allows for a piece of illuminated street furniture to be implemented without gluing or welding, which allows for simpler recycling and also removes any mechanical weaknesses that may exist at the level of the welds and gluing.

[0016] Finally, such an illuminated street furniture element according to the invention is relatively light due to the fact that it is made from a thermoplastic material, which makes handling easy for a user, for example when attaching or detaching this illuminated street furniture element.

[0017] According to one aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, the holding means comprise a groove in which said light source is held.

[0018] According to other variants, the holding means comprise fixing lugs integral with the chassis.

[0019] According to other variants, the holding means comprise sheaths, or pipes, into which the light source is slid.

[0020] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, said chassis has a heterogeneous material density, and comprises a first zone having a first material density and at least a second zone having a second material density, said first material density being lower than said second material density.

[0021] This makes it possible to make certain areas more solid if necessary, for example areas more exposed to stress (wind, attachment areas).

[0022] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, said frame has attachment means configured to allow said illuminated street furniture element to be attached to a surface.

[0023] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said second zone of said frame has attachment means configured to allow said illuminated street furniture element to be attached to a surface.

[0024] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, the light source comprises a light strip provided with a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

[0025] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, the chassis comprises a housing having a plurality of compartments, and the chassis comprises means for controlling said light source capable of varying a light intensity of said light source so as to create light effects, these control means being arranged inside a compartment of said housing.

[0026] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, the control means comprise means of communication by radio waves, Wifi or Bluetooth so as to be able to send and receive control information from or to an external terminal.

[0027] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, the control means comprise a memory capable of storing a plurality of predetermined light effects.

[0028] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, the power supply means comprise a photovoltaic module, a rechargeable battery, or means of connection to the electrical network.

[0029] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, the thermoplastic material comprises at least glycolized polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

[0030] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, the element is a luminous decoration.

[0031] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an illuminated street furniture element according to one of the aforementioned embodiments, from a recyclable thermoplastic material, characterized in that it comprises: a step of printing said single-piece chassis in three dimensions from a predefined quantity of material, according to a predefined shape; a step of blocking said light source by the means for holding said chassis. Presentation of figures

[0032] The invention, as well as the various advantages that it presents, will be more easily understood in the light of the following description of an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment thereof, and of the appended drawings among which: [ Fig. 1 ] is a perspective view from above of an element of illuminated street furniture according to a first embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] is a perspective view from above of a housing forming a housing for an element of illuminated street furniture according to a first embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. 3] is a top view of an element of illuminated street furniture according to a second embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. 4 ] is a perspective view from above of an element of illuminated street furniture according to a third embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. 5 ] is a perspective view from above of an element of illuminated street furniture according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. 6 ] is a perspective view from above of a part of an element of illuminated street furniture according to the fourth embodiment of the invention, and [ Fig. 7 ] is a side perspective view of means for fixing an illuminated street furniture element to an external surface. Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0033] The general principle of the invention is based on the implementation of an illuminated street furniture element comprising a single-piece frame formed from a thermoplastic material which is easily reusable due to the material from which it is made, which is implemented without gluing or welding which allows this reuse, and which proves to be relatively light.

[0034] A thermoplastic material is a material that softens when heated sufficiently, but which, upon cooling, becomes hard again. The advantage of such a material is that it reversibly retains its initial thermoplasticity, and is reusable and recyclable.

[0035] In the embodiment below, the thermoplastic material comprises PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol).

[0036] According to another embodiment, the thermoplastic material could also comprise polylactic acid.

[0037] According to another embodiment, the thermoplastic material could also comprise acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

[0038] Other thermoplastic materials with the same characteristics of reusability and environmental friendliness could also be envisaged.

[0039] Recycling illuminated street furniture can involve grinding the plastic shapes finely enough to be transformed into granules or filaments. The granules can be reused directly. For filaments, it is necessary to grind them first before heating them.

[0040] Thus, the material used for the manufacture of an illuminated street furniture element according to the invention may originate from a recycled source, which makes it possible to avoid consuming new material for a new illuminated street furniture element once recycling has been carried out.

[0041] This may eventually allow for a mix of new and recycled material, if a different quantity of material is required.

[0042] It should be noted that this piece of illuminated street furniture is removable so that it can be positioned in a predefined location and removed from this location, for example to be replaced or positioned in another predefined location.

[0043] We now present, in relation to the figures 1 to 7 , several embodiments of the invention.

[0044] As illustrated in these different figures, the illuminated street furniture element comprises a frame, which is here a single piece, and which is formed from a thermoplastic material.

[0045] Generally speaking, the removable illuminated street furniture element formed from a recyclable thermoplastic material is manufactured using a process comprising: a step of printing the three-dimensional single-piece frame from a predefined quantity of material, according to a predefined shape; a step of blocking the light source by the holding means.

[0046] In this embodiment, this removable illuminated street furniture element formed from a recyclable thermoplastic material is manufactured according to a method comprising: a step of printing the three-dimensional single-piece frame from a predefined quantity of material, according to a predefined shape; a step of integrating the light source into the groove formed in the frame.

[0047] This frame has a groove in which a light source 2 is held, supplied by supply means 3.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiments, the light source 2 comprises a light strip provided with a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

[0049] The power supply means 3 which supply this light source 2 may comprise a photovoltaic module, a rechargeable battery, or means of connection to the electrical network.

[0050] As visible, the illuminated street furniture element illustrated in figure 3is a luminous decoration, and more precisely a luminous decoration intended for the period of Pink October, comprising a frame 1' having a shape characteristic of this period. This frame 1' has a groove 10' housing and holding the light source, as well as attachment means 4' configured to allow this element of luminous street furniture to be attached to a surface.

[0051] The illuminated street furniture element illustrated in figure 4 is also a light decoration intended for the period of Pink October, comprising a 1" frame presenting a characteristic shape of this period, different from the shape of the 1' frame illustrated in figure 3 This 1" frame has a 10" groove housing and holding the light source, as well as 4" attachment means configured to allow this illuminated street furniture element to be attached to a surface.

[0052] As for the illuminated street furniture element illustrated in Figure 5 , it is a luminous sign, suitable for being placed for example at the level of a store front so as to increase the visibility of this store, comprising a frame 1 ‴ presenting a shape including, for example, the logo and name of the company. This chassis 1 ‴ has a 10" groove housing and holding the light source.

[0053] The illuminated street furniture element illustrated in figure 1 is a light decoration, and more specifically a light decoration intended for the Christmas period, comprising a frame 1 having a shape characteristic of this period. This frame 1 has a groove 10 housing and holding a light source making it possible to color the frame and thus give a visual appearance characteristic of the Christmas period.

[0054] This frame 1 further comprises attachment means 4 configured to allow this illuminated street furniture element to be attached to a surface.

[0055] As illustrated in figure 7 , the attachment means may for example comprise a body 91 having a rectangular profile and provided with an orifice 92 so that the body 91 can grip a surface.

[0056] This surface can, for example, be a lamppost, a wall, or any partition indoors or outdoors.

[0057] This chassis 1 has a heterogeneous material density, and comprises a first zone 11 having a first material density D1 and a second zone 12 having a second material density D2.

[0058] Here, the first material density D1 is lower than the second material density D2. In addition, and as visible in this figure, the second zone 12 of the frame 1 has the attachment means 4. In this way, this makes it possible to further stiffen and solidify the area of ​​the frame which will allow attachment to an exterior surface and therefore to improve the solidity and resistance of the illuminated street furniture element, in particular if it is placed in an exterior environment which may be subject to weather constraints.

[0059] It should be noted that, according to a variant of this embodiment, the chassis could have more than two zones, each having a specific density.

[0060] As illustrated in figure 2, the chassis comprises a housing 6. This housing 6 is formed of a bottom portion 60 and a cover 61. It is also provided with a fixing hole 62 allowing the bottom portion to be fixed to the cover by means of screws.

[0061] This housing 6 has a plurality of compartments with a first compartment which makes it possible to house the power supply means.

[0062] A second compartment can accommodate control means 5.

[0063] These means 5 for controlling the light source 2 may be capable of varying a light intensity of the light source 2 so as to create light effects.

[0064] To do this, these control means include means for generating a control signal for the light source.

[0065] This signal is generated here following control instructions which can be received by means of communication 50 by radio waves, Wifi or Bluetooth, from an external terminal such as a user's mobile phone or a computer.

[0066] These communication means 50 are implemented not only so as to be able to receive control information from an external terminal, but also to send control information to an external terminal.

[0067] These control means 5 further comprise a memory 51 capable of storing a plurality of predetermined light effects.

[0068] The memory 51 can also be provided to store preferential time slots for operating the decorations so as to authorize the switching on of the light source at predefined times.

[0069] For example, we could plan operating time slots to turn off illuminated street furniture in the middle of the night in order to save energy.

[0070] This plurality of predetermined lighting effects can, for example, allow the illuminated street furniture element to be used on different occasions.

Claims

1. Removable illuminated street furniture element characterized in that it comprises a single-piece frame (1, 1', 1", 1"') formed from a thermoplastic material, a light source (2) supplied by supply means (3), said frame (1) having holding means (10, 10', 10", 10 ‴) of said light source, said chassis (1) having a heterogeneous material density and comprising a first zone (11) having a first material density (D1) and at least one second zone (12) having a second material density (D2), said first material density (D1) being lower than said second material density (D2), said chassis (1) comprising a housing (6) having at least one compartment, and control means (5) of said light source (2) capable of varying a light intensity of said light source (2) so as to create light effects, these control means (5) being arranged inside the at least one compartment of said housing (6).the control means (5) comprising: - communication means (50) by radio waves, Wifi or Bluetooth so as to be able to send and receive control information from or to an external terminal; - a memory (51) capable of storing a plurality of predetermined light effects.

2. Removable illuminated street furniture element according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame (1) has attachment means (4, 4', 4") configured to allow said illuminated street furniture element to be attached to a surface.

3. Removable illuminated street furniture element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source (2) comprises a light strip provided with a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

4. Removable illuminated street furniture element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe power supply means (3) comprise a photovoltaic module, a rechargeable battery, or means of connection to the electrical network.

5. Removable illuminated street furniture element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thermoplastic material comprises at least polyethylene terephthalate glycol, polylactic acid, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

6. Removable illuminated street furniture element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the element is a light decoration.

7. Method for manufacturing a removable illuminated street furniture element according to one of claims 1 to 6, from a recyclable thermoplastic material, characterized in thatit comprises: - a step of printing said single-piece chassis (1) in three dimensions from a predefined quantity of material, according to a predefined shape; - a step of blocking said light source (2) by the means for holding said chassis (1).