Profile arrangement for setting up exhibition stands or shop fittings

Abstract

The invention relates to a profile arrangement for setting up exhibition stands or shop fittings, having a support profile, wherein the support profile has at least one hollow chamber continuous in the longitudinal direction of the support profile, and at least two legs continuous in the longitudinal direction, having a cover profile, wherein the cover profile is made of light-permeable material, at least in sections, in particular is made entirely of translucent plastic, wherein the support profile has latching means at the free ends of each of its legs, which can interact with matching latching means on the cover profile, and having LED-lamps on an inner side of the support profile, so that during operation, the LED lamps emit light in a direction towards an inner side of the cover profile.

Description

[0001] Profile arrangement for erecting exhibition stands or shop fittings

[0002] The invention is intended to improve a profile arrangement for erecting exhibition stands or shop fittings.

[0003] According to the invention, a profile arrangement having the features of claim 1 is provided for this purpose. Advantageous further developments of the invention are mentioned in the subclaims.

[0004] A profile arrangement for erecting exhibition stands or shop fittings comprises a support profile, wherein the support profile has at least one hollow chamber extending in the longitudinal direction of the support profile and at least two longitudinally continuous legs. The profile arrangement further comprises a cover profile, wherein the cover profile is made at least in sections of translucent material, in particular made entirely of translucent plastic. The support profile has locking means at the free ends of its legs, which can interact with matching locking means on the cover profile. LED lamps are provided on an inner side of the support profile, such that the LED lamps emit light towards an inner side of the cover profile during operation.

[0005] The profile arrangement consists of a support profile and a cover profile. The support profile is made of extruded aluminum, for example, and is suitable for forming load-bearing components of an exhibition stand or shop fitting. When the support profile and cover profile are connected, the inside of the support profile faces the inside of the cover profile, and the support profile and cover profile form a closed cross-section. By providing LED lamps on the inside of the support profile, which are covered with a partially translucent cover profile, it is possible to incorporate lighting into the profile arrangement itself. This makes it possible to create exhibition stands or shop fittings in which vertical supports and / or horizontal frames are illuminated from the inside and thus radiate light outwards. This can create a completely new visual impression, especially in darkened rooms.For example, the supporting structure of an exhibition stand can be illuminated from the inside. This also opens up completely new possibilities for illuminating the exhibition stand or the shop fittings themselves. The profile arrangement has, for example, a square or rectangular cross-section and can radiate light outwards on two adjacent and perpendicular sides. However, it is also possible to provide only illuminated strips on one or more side surfaces of the profile arrangement. It is even possible to use the profile arrangement according to the invention to form a support or frame that has a square or rectangular cross-section and radiates light on all four sides. Of course, profile assemblies with a round or oval cross-section can also be provided, which emit light outwards either substantially over their entire circumference or only over part of their circumference.The support profile has at least one hollow chamber running longitudinally along the support profile. A turnbuckle is inserted into the front of this hollow chamber, which is then locked into the hollow chamber at the front and which, for example, has two locking hooks projecting beyond the front end of the support profile. These locking hooks can then be used to anchor the support profile in an undercut groove of another support profile by clamping the locking hooks against the undercut from the inside. Such a connection with turnbuckles and undercut grooves is common in trade fair construction profiles. However, the hollow chamber can also be used, for example, to arrange elements of a screw connection, such as nuts and bolts or the like.By appropriately matching the light transmission or diffusion effect of the cover profile with the beam angle and the number of LED lamps, a continuous and essentially uniform illumination of the cover profile from the inside can be provided across the entire surface of the cover profile. This creates the impression that the cover profile itself is illuminated, since no discrete light sources are visible through the cover profile. The LED lamps are advantageously arranged along the entire length of the support profile on an inner side of the support profile, so that the profile arrangement emits light along its entire length.

[0006] In a further development of the invention, the cover profile has exactly two legs, wherein the outer sides of the legs of the cover profile are arranged perpendicular to each other at least in the region of their free ends.

[0007] The cover profile can thus cover an angle of 90° and, for example, complement a supporting profile to create a rectangular or square profile arrangement. The profile arrangement can thus emit light over an angle of 90°. The two legs of the cover profile can meet perpendicularly at their connection point, but they can also be connected by a rounded section.

[0008] In a further development of the invention, the support profile has exactly two legs, wherein the outer sides of the at least two legs are arranged at right angles to one another and wherein the cover profile is provided with locking means on the free ends of the legs of the cover profile, which can interact with the locking means on the free ends of the legs of the support profile. The cover profile and the support profile thus form an elongated profile arrangement with a rectangular or square cross-section. For example, a diamond-shaped cross-section is also possible. By snapping the cover profile into the locking means on the support profile using its locking means, the cover profile can be attached to the support profile very easily, in particular without the need for tools.Advantageously, the locking means on the cover profile are designed as projections extending longitudinally along the cover profile, and the locking means on the support profile are designed as undercut grooves extending longitudinally along the support profile. This allows the cover profile to be securely attached to the support profile without the need for tools, and can also be removed from the support profile without damage.

[0009] In a further development of the invention, the two legs of the support profile are arranged at an angle of 90° to each other and the legs of the cover profile are arranged at an angle of 90° to each other.

[0010] In this way, the profile arrangement has a rectangular or square cross-section when the support profile and cover profile are connected.

[0011] In a further development of the invention, the LED lighting means have at least a first strip and a second strip with LEDs arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, wherein a light emission direction of the two strips is aligned substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0012] In this way, light can be emitted in two mutually perpendicular directions, for example towards a first leg of the cover profile and towards a second leg of the cover profile, with the two legs being arranged at a 90° angle to each other. In this way, very uniform illumination of the cover profile can be achieved. The light emission direction is considered to be a center line of the beam cones or beam angle. If several LEDs are arranged in alignment with one another to form an LED strip, the center lines of the beam cones of the LEDs arranged one behind the other are also aligned. This defines the light emission direction of the LED strip. Essentially perpendicular means an angle between 85° and 95°, in particular 90°.

[0013] In a further development of the invention, a third strip is provided with LEDs arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, wherein a light emission direction of the third strip is arranged at an angle of approximately 45°, in particular between 40° and 50°, to the light emission direction of the first strip and to the light emission direction of the second strip. In this way, an angular range of 90° or even slightly more than 90° can be uniformly illuminated. For example, a light emission direction of the first LED strip is aligned perpendicular to a first leg of the cover profile, a light emission direction of the second strip is aligned perpendicular to a second leg of the cover profile, and a light emission direction of the third strip is directed towards a connection between the first leg and the second leg of the cover profile.In this way, a very uniform illumination of the cover profile can be achieved and, in particular, when using a translucent cover profile, the impression can be created that the cover profile emits light over its entire surface, since no individual light sources can be seen from the outside of the profile arrangement.

[0014] In a further development of the invention, the plurality of strips with LEDs arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction are arranged on a common, flexible substrate.

[0015] In this way, not only the distance between individual LEDs in the longitudinal direction, but also the distance between the individual LEDs in the transverse direction can be precisely maintained, which considerably simplifies the assembly of the profile arrangement according to the invention. Because the substrate is designed to be flexible, the individual LED strips can be arranged at different angles to one another without there being any risk of the distance between the individual LEDs changing in the transverse direction over the length of the LED strip. The substrate is advantageously constructed in such a way that a modular design is provided and the substrate can be cut at predefined intervals, for example 4 cm, without compromising the electrical connection and thus the operability of the LEDs on the part that is not cut off.

[0016] In a further development of the invention, the support profile has fastening surfaces for LEDs, wherein the fastening surfaces are arranged at least partially at an angle to one another.

[0017] In a further development of the invention, the support profile has fastening surfaces for LEDs, which are arranged on a curved surface that is continuous in the longitudinal direction of the support profile.

[0018] In a further development of the invention, the legs of the support profile taper towards the free end.

[0019] In this way, very little shadowing can be achieved in the area of ​​the connection to the cover profile by the free ends of the legs of the support profile. Advantageously, the inner sides of the legs are designed so that the light incident on the inner side of the legs is reflected toward the inner side of the cover profile.

[0020] In a further development of the invention, the legs of the support profile are curved on the inside towards the free end.

[0021] Advantageously, the legs of the support profile are convexly curved on the inside, facing the inside of the cover profile. This allows the light incident on the legs of the support profile to be reflected toward the cover profile.

[0022] In a further development of the invention, the legs of the support profile are mirrored, polished or white on the inside.

[0023] This allows for very good reflection. If diffuse reflection is desired, a slightly rough, but still reflective, surface can be provided on the inside.

[0024] In a further development of the invention, the cover profile is formed in one piece from translucent polycarbonate.

[0025] Translucent polycarbonate is translucent to a certain degree, but objects cannot be seen through the translucent polycarbonate. As a result, a polycarbonate cover profile illuminated from the inside does not reveal the individual, discrete LEDs that provide the illumination, but rather creates the impression of being uniformly self-luminous across its entire surface. Polycarbonate is also easy to manufacture, for example, by extrusion or pultrusion, and is sufficiently strong, yet elastic and impact-resistant to be easily connected to a support profile, for example, using locking devices.

[0026] In a further development of the invention, a groove is provided at each of the free ends of the legs of the support profile, into which the free end of a leg of the cover profile can be engaged. Advantageously, the groove is undercut at the free ends of the legs of the support profile to ensure reliable engagement of the cover profile. For this purpose, the free end of the legs of the cover profile advantageously has a strip-shaped projection extending longitudinally along the cover profile, which is aligned with the undercut groove of the support profile.

[0027] In a further development of the invention, the continuous hollow chamber of the support profile has an octagonal cross-section.

[0028] A hollow chamber with an octagonal cross-section allows the insertion of a turnbuckle in at least two mutually perpendicular orientations, if necessary even in two mutually perpendicular positions and two positions each inclined by 45°.

[0029] In a further development of the invention, the outer sides of the legs of the support profile are each provided with at least one undercut groove.

[0030] Such undercut grooves serve to connect further profile arrangements perpendicular to the first profile arrangement, whereby a turnbuckle engages in the undercut groove and reliably connects the end face of the vertical profile arrangement to the first profile arrangement.

[0031] In a further development of the invention, the power supply and / or the control unit for the LED lamps are inserted into a hollow chamber of the support profile.

[0032] In this way, the power supply and / or the control unit can be housed within the profile assembly itself, so that, for example, only a thin cable needs to be routed from the profile assembly. Of course, it is also possible to install an energy storage unit within the profile assembly. However, such a design is generally only suitable for short-term operation of the LED lamps.

[0033] In a further development of the invention, the power supply and / or the control unit are arranged in a milled recess in the support profile. For example, a side surface of a longitudinally continuous hollow chamber in the support profile is milled out. This milled recess allows the power supply and / or the control unit to be very easily arranged and secured in the support profile. To replace the control unit and / or the power supply, the profile arrangement does not have to be accessible from its front side. In this way, the power supply and / or the control unit can be replaced even when the profile arrangement is installed. By simply removing the cover profile, it is possible to replace the control unit and / or the power supply.

[0034] In a further development of the invention, the profile arrangement has vertical supports and horizontal frames, wherein both the supports and the frames are each formed by means of a support profile and a cover profile.

[0035] In this way, for example, the entire supporting structure of an exhibition stand or shop fitting can be designed to be self-illuminating.

[0036] Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the claims and the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the drawings. Individual features of the various embodiments described in the description and illustrated in the drawings can be combined with one another in any way without exceeding the scope of the invention. This also applies to the combination of individual features without other individual features with which they are illustrated and / or described in connection. The drawings show:

[0037] Fig. 1 is a front view of a support profile for a profile arrangement according to the invention according to a first embodiment,

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a profile arrangement according to the embodiment of Fig. 1 with support profile and cover profile,

[0039] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a profile arrangement according to the embodiment of Fig. 1,

[0040] Fig. 4 is a first sectional view of the profile arrangement of Fig. 3,

[0041] Fig. 5 is a second sectional view of a different location in the longitudinal direction of the profile arrangement of Fig. 3,

[0042] Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a profile arrangement according to the invention with two horizontal frames and a vertical support, Fig. 7 shows several front views of profile arrangements according to the invention of different embodiments,

[0043] Fig. 8 is a front view of a support profile for a profile arrangement according to the invention according to a further embodiment, and

[0044] Fig. 9 the profile arrangement of Fig. 8 with cover profile and LED light source.

[0045] Fig. 1 shows a front view of a support profile 10 for a profile arrangement according to the invention. The support profile 10 has a first leg 12 and a second leg 14, wherein the outer sides of the two legs 12, 14, which are on the left and bottom in Fig. 1, respectively, are arranged perpendicular to one another. On the outer side of each leg, a groove 16 or 18, which is undercut on both sides, is arranged approximately centrally. The cross-section of the support profile 10 shown in Fig. 1 extends in the longitudinal direction of the support profile. The support profile 10 is provided with a hollow chamber 20 which is approximately octagonal in cross-section and extends in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile and in which a turnbuckle 22 is arranged. It can be seen in Fig. 1 that the turnbuckle 22 can be inserted into the hollow chamber 20 not only in the orientation shown in Fig. 1, but also in an orientation perpendicular thereto.The turnbuckle 22 has a locking hook 24 that projects beyond the end face of the turnbuckle. The hook 24 of another turnbuckle, which is inserted into a different support profile 100, can be seen in Fig. 1 in the groove 18. The hook 24 can be retracted by means of an eccentric arrangement. In order to fasten the support profile 100 vertically to the support profile 10, a turnbuckle is inserted into the hollow chamber of the support profile 100 and pushed against the outer side of the leg 14 of the support profile 10 until the hook 24 engages behind the undercut in the groove 18. The eccentric of the turnbuckle is then actuated and moved past a dead center. The hook 24 now securely holds the support profile 100 to the support profile 10. Such a possibility for fastening support profiles to one another using turnbuckles 22 is known.

[0046] The support profile 10 has further hollow chambers running through it in the longitudinal direction, which are provided either for static reasons or which, as will be explained later, serve for inserting or inserting a power supply and a control unit.

[0047] The support profile 10 has a central element 26 on its inner side, in which the hollow chamber 20, which is octagonal in cross-section, is arranged. At the transition from the central element 26 to the leg 12 and at the transition from the central element 26 to the leg 14, a groove 28 or 30, respectively, is provided with an undercut on one side. Turnbuckles or other functional parts can also be attached in these undercut grooves 28, 30; however, power cables, for example, can also be inserted into these grooves. The central element 26 connects the inner sides of the legs 12, 14 and thus ensures that the support profile 10 is highly mechanically resilient, so that even large exhibition stands, and support structures in general, can be erected.

[0048] An undercut groove 32 is provided at the free end of leg 12, and an undercut groove 34 is provided at the free end of leg 14. The grooves 32, 34 are continuous and identical to one another in the longitudinal direction of the support profile 10. The undercut of the grooves 32, 34 is designed to be smaller and has a rounded shape. The grooves 32, 34 are intended for the engagement of a cover profile (see Fig. 2).

[0049] The inner sides of the legs 12, 34 are each tapered in their end regions 36 and 38, respectively. The tapering is achieved by the inner sides of the legs extending convexly toward the end. The curvature is directed away from the outer side of the legs 12, 14. As will be explained below, this not only tapers the legs but also reflects the light impinging on the curved regions 36, 38 toward a cover profile (see Fig. 2).

[0050] Fig. 2 shows a profile arrangement 40 with the support profile 10 already explained with reference to Fig. 1 and a cover profile 50 placed on the support profile 10. The cover profile 50 has two legs 50 arranged perpendicular to one another and each flat on the outside. In the state shown in Fig. 2, in which the support profile 10 and the cover profile 50 are connected to one another, the profile arrangement 40 thus has a square, generally rectangular, cross-section. It can be seen from Fig. 2 that the free ends of the legs of the cover profile 50 rest on the free ends of the legs 12, 14 of the support profile 10. The cover profile 50 is made of translucent plastic, in particular translucent polycarbonate, and is illuminated from the inside. In Fig. 2, viewed from above and from the right, the entire upper side surface and the entire right side surface of the profile arrangement 40 appear self-luminous.

[0051] In order to illuminate the cover profile 50 from the inside, LED lighting means in the form of three LED strips 52, 54, 56 are arranged on an inner side of the support profile 10, which are arranged on a common, flexible substrate 58. Each of the LED strips 52, 56, 56 has several LEDs 60 arranged one behind the other, whereby in Fig. 2 only one LED 60 can be seen in the area of ​​the LED strips 52, 54, 56. On each of the LEDs 60, a light emission direction 62, 64 or 66 is shown with dashed lines. It can be seen that the light emission direction 62 of the first LED strip 52 is oriented perpendicular to the light emission direction 66 of the second LED strip 56. The light emission direction 62 of the first LED strip 60 is aligned perpendicular to one leg of the cover profile 50. Consequently, the light emission direction 62 strikes the inner side of the first leg of the cover profile 50, which is shown in Fig.2 is above.

[0052] The light emission direction 66 of the second LED strip 56 is oriented perpendicular to a second leg of the cover profile 50, which is located on the right in Fig. 2. Consequently, the light emission direction 66 of the second LED strip 56 strikes the inside of the second leg of the cover profile 50 perpendicularly. A beam angle is also indicated by dashed lines on each of the LEDs 60. The light emission directions 62, 64, 66 each form the angle bisector of the beam angle.

[0053] The light emission direction 64 of the third LED strip 54 is arranged at an angle of 45° to the light emission direction 62 of the first LED strip 52 and at an angle of 45° to the light emission direction 66 of the second LED strip 56. The light emission direction 64 of the third LED strip 54 is therefore at an angle of 45° to the first leg and the second leg of the cover profile 50.

[0054] It can be seen in Fig. 2 that the third LED strip is intended for illuminating the corner area of ​​the cover profile 50, the first LED strip 52 for illuminating the upper leg of the cover profile in Fig. 2 and the third LED strip 56 for illuminating the right-hand leg of the cover profile 50 in Fig. 2.

[0055] It can also be seen in Fig. 2 that only a very small area at the free end of the upper leg of the cover profile 50 in Fig. 2 is shaded by the curved section 36 at the free end of the first leg 12 of the support profile 10. Similarly, only a very small edge area of ​​the right-hand leg of the cover profile 50 in Fig. 2 is shaded by the curved section 38 at the free end of the second leg 14 of the support profile 10.

[0056] To attach the three LED strips 52, 54, 56, the flexible substrate 58 is placed on a curved or at least angled surface on the inside of the support profile 10 and secured, for example, by adhesive bonding. The LED strips 52, 54, 56 are thereby automatically aligned in the manner described. The curved mounting surface for the substrate 58, or the mounting surface for the substrate 58 provided with several sections arranged at an angle to one another, simultaneously forms part of the outer side of the octagonal hollow chamber 20 of the support profile 10.

[0057] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the profile arrangement 40 of Fig. 2. The support profile 10 is provided with the two legs 12, 14. The cover profile 50 is only shown in a short section. As indicated by an arrow, the cover profile 50 is placed onto the support profile 10 and then locked thereto, as can be seen in Fig. 2. The three LED strips 52, 54, 56 are arranged on the common substrate 58 and are attached to the inside of the support profile 10.

[0058] An electrical power supply 70 is provided to operate the LED lamps. A control unit 72 is provided to control the LED lamps. Connecting cables 74 are provided to supply the power supply 70 with electrical energy. The connecting cables 74 are, of course, connected to the power supply 70 during operation, although this is not shown for the sake of simplicity. The connecting cables can be connected, for example, to the electrical supply network or to a storage battery. Likewise, the LED light strips 52, 54, 56 are, of course, connected to the control unit 72 and the power supply 70 via conductor tracks on the shared substrate 58 and cables (not shown).

[0059] In order to be able to arrange the power supply 70 and the control unit 72 within the support profile 10, a rectangular milled recess 76 is provided on the inside of the support profile 10. With this milled recess 76, see also Fig. 5, two hollow chambers of the support profile 10 are opened over a certain length. As shown by arrows, the power supply 70 and the control unit 72 can thus be inserted into these hollow chambers of the support profile 10. The connecting cables 74 are led out at one end or both end sides of the support profile 10. U-shaped clips 78 are inserted into the respective end side of the support profile 10 and serve as cable protection if the connecting cables 74 have to be laid at an angle, for example, in order to be led into the next profile arrangement.

[0060] To hold the power supply 70 and the control unit 72 within the hollow chambers of the support profile 10, a locking profile 80 is provided. The locking profile 80 is matched in length and width to the recess 76. Slide latches 82 are provided at both ends of the locking profile 80, with which the locking profile 80 can be held in the intended position on the support profile 10. The locking profile 80 can therefore also securely hold the power supply 70 and the control unit 72 in the support profile 10. The control unit 72 serves, for example, to control the luminosity of the LED lamps or the color of the LED lamps 60. The control unit 72 can be controlled from outside the profile arrangement 40, for example, by means of a wireless remote control.

[0061] The control unit 72 can be designed in a suitable manner, for example, to automatically cause a change in the luminous intensity or color of the LED lamps.

[0062] The illustration in Fig. 4 shows a sectional view through the support profile 10 and the cover profile 50 of the profile arrangement 40 of Fig. 3 in the region of the end located at the bottom left in Fig. 3. In this area, milled recesses have been provided in the support profile 10 to guide the connecting cables 74 (see Fig. 3) out of the hollow chambers of the support profile 10.

[0063] Fig. 5 shows a further sectional view of the profile arrangement 40 in the area where the locking profile 80 has been placed on the cutout 76. The locking profile 80 is anchored to the support profile 10 by means of the sliding latches 82 and thereby holds the power supply unit 70 and the control unit 72 (not shown) in the support profile 10. The hollow chambers of the support profile are accessible from the side through the cutout 76.

[0064] In Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the locking projections on the free ends of the two legs of the cover profile 50 can also be clearly seen, which are locked into the undercut grooves on the free ends of the legs of the support profile 10.

[0065] In addition, the flexible substrate 58 with the three LED strips 52, 54, 56 can also be seen in Figs. 4 and 5.

[0066] Fig. 6 shows a diagram with three support profiles 10A, 10B, and 10Cc, each equipped with LED lighting. In the diagram in Fig. 6, only the support profiles 10A, 10B are each equipped with a cover profile 50A, 50B. Of course, a cover profile (not shown) can also be snapped onto the support profile 10B in Fig. 6.

[0067] The support profile 10B is arranged vertically and forms a section of a support. The two support profiles 10A and 10C are each arranged horizontally and each form part of a horizontal frame.

[0068] In each of the support profiles 10A, 10C, a turnbuckle 22 can be seen, which protrudes beyond the end face of the respective support profile 10A, 10C and serves to connect the support profiles 10A, 10C to the support profile 10B. For this purpose, the hooks of the turnbuckles 22 of the support profile 10A are inserted into the undercut groove 16 on the outside of the support profile 10B and locked there, and the hooks of the turnbuckle 22 of the support profile 10C are inserted into the undercut groove 18 on the outside of the other leg of the support profile 10B and locked there. The eccentrics of the turnbuckles 22 are operated through openings in the support profile from the rear-facing outside of the support profiles 10A, 10C.

[0069] The profile arrangement of Fig. 6 thus makes it possible to evenly illuminate two outer surfaces of the cover profile 50a, two outer surfaces of the cover profile 50c, and two outer surfaces of the cover profile (not shown) that is placed on the support profile 10B. This creates a spatial corner consisting of a vertical support and two horizontal frames that emits light.

[0070] The illustration in Fig. 6 also shows how the connecting cables 74 are led out of the support profiles 10A, 10B, 10C.

[0071] The illustration in Fig. 7 shows various embodiments of the profile arrangement according to the invention. Fig. 7a shows a support profile 102, which, with the exception of the missing undercut grooves 28, 30 (see Fig. 1), is identical to the support profile 10 and is provided with a cover profile 104 whose two perpendicularly arranged legs are connected by a rounded area 106.

[0072] Fig. 7b shows the profile arrangement 40 of Fig. 2.

[0073] Fig.7c shows a support profile 108 which is slightly different from the support profile 10.

[0074] Fig. 7d shows a support profile 110 which, in contrast to the support profile 108, is not provided with undercut grooves on its outer sides.

[0075] Fig. 7e shows a support profile 112, the internal structure of which is slightly different from that of the support profiles 108, 110 and which therefore has a curved or angled fastening surface for a flexible substrate for LED lamps.

[0076] Fig. 7f shows a support profile 114 that is star-shaped and has a total of four legs, each of which forms an angle of 90°. Two cover profiles 116 can be arranged at the free end of each leg. The four cover profiles 116 are all translucent, thus making it possible to create a profile arrangement that is illuminated from within on four sides.

[0077] Fig. 7g shows a support profile 118 provided with rectangular grooves at the free ends of its legs, which consequently have no undercut. A cover profile 120 is inserted into these grooves with the free ends of its legs.

[0078] Fig. 7h shows a support profile 122 to which a cover profile 124 is snapped. However, the cover profile 124 does not extend beyond the free ends of the legs of the support profile 122.

[0079] Fig. 8 shows another support profile 126. The support profile 126 has three closed outer sides, each of which contains an undercut groove. In its upper region in Fig. 8, the support profile 126 forms a U-shaped cross-section with two legs 128, 130. The two legs 128, 130 are each provided at their free ends with a strip-shaped projection that has a rounded outer contour and extends inward toward the opposite leg 128 or 130, respectively. A base of the U-shaped cross-section is flat and serves to arrange several LED lamps.

[0080] Fig. 9 shows a profile arrangement according to the invention with the support profile 126 and a cover profile 132 made of translucent polycarbonate placed on the support profile 126. The cover profile 132 is essentially plate-shaped, but has rounded grooves on its two longitudinal edges that are open to the respective sides and are matched to the projections on the free ends of the legs 128, 130. The cover profile 132 can thus be very easily locked to the support profile 126 by being pressed from above onto the free ends of the two legs 128, 130 in Fig. 9 until the inwardly projecting projections on the legs 128, 130 engage the respective groove on the longitudinal edges of the cover profile 132.

[0081] Based on the U-shaped cross-section of the support profile 126, a total of three LED strips 134, 136, 138 can be seen, each with several LEDs arranged one behind the other and in alignment with one another, arranged on a common base. The LED strips 134, 136, 138 can be used to evenly illuminate the inside of the cover profile 132, so that the outside of the cover profile 132 is also evenly illuminated, without the individual LEDs of the LED strips 134, 136, 138 being visible from the outside of the cover profile 132. The curved inner sides of the legs 128, 130 serve to reflect light onto the inside of the cover profile 132, thereby ensuring uniform illumination and preventing shadows.

[0082] Furthermore, the support profile 126 is also formed with hollow chambers and undercut grooves, which have already been explained with reference to the support profile 10 in Fig. 1.

Claims

Patent claims Profile arrangement (40) for erecting exhibition stands or shop fittings, with a support profile (10), wherein the support profile (10) has at least one hollow chamber (20) extending in the longitudinal direction of the support profile (10) and at least two legs (12, 14) extending in the longitudinal direction, with a cover profile (50), wherein the cover profile (50) consists at least in sections of light-permeable material, in particular consists entirely of translucent plastic, wherein the support profile (10) has locking means at the free ends of its legs (12, 14) which can interact with suitable locking means on the cover profile (50) and with LED lighting means on an inner side of the support profile (10), so that the LED lighting means emit light in the direction of an inner side of the cover profile (50) during operation.Profile arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover profile (50) has exactly two legs, wherein the outer sides of the legs of the cover profile (50) are arranged perpendicular to one another at least in the region of their free ends. Profile arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support profile (10) has exactly two legs (12, 14), wherein the outer sides of the two legs (12, 14) are arranged at right angles to one another, and in that the cover profile (50) is provided with locking means at the free ends of the legs (12, 14) of the cover profile (50), which can interact with the locking means at the free ends of the legs (12, 14) of the support profile (10). Profile arrangement according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the two legs (12, 14) of the support profile (10) are arranged at an angle of 90 degrees to each other and that the legs of the cover profile (50) are arranged at an angle of 90 degrees to each other.Profile arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support profile (10) and the cover profile (50) form a rectangular or square cross-section in a connected state in which the locking means on the support profile (10) interact with the locking means on the cover profile (50). Profile arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the LED lighting means comprise at least one first LED strip (52). and a second LED strip with LEDs (60) arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, wherein a light emission direction of the two strips is aligned substantially perpendicular to one another. Profile arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that a third LED strip with LEDs (60) arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction is provided, wherein a light emission direction of the third LED strip is arranged at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, in particular between 40 degrees and 50 degrees, to the light emission direction of the first LED strip and to the light emission direction of the second LED strip. Profile arrangement according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the plurality of LED strips with LEDs (60) arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction are arranged on a common, flexible substrate (58).Profile arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support profile (10) has fastening surfaces for LEDs (60), wherein the fastening surfaces are arranged at least partially at an angle to one another. Profile arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support profile (10) has fastening surfaces for LEDs (60) which are arranged on a curved surface that is continuous in the longitudinal direction of the support profile (10). Profile arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the legs (12, 14) of the support profile (10) each taper towards the free end. Profile arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the legs (12, 14) of the support profile (10) are curved on the inside towards the free end.Profile arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the legs (12, 14) of the support profile (10) are mirrored, polished, or white on the inside. Profile arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover profile (50) is formed in one piece from translucent polycarbonate. Profile arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a groove (32, 34) is provided at each of the free ends of the legs (12, 14) of the support profile (10). is provided, wherein a locking means at the free end of a leg (12, 14) of the cover profile (50) can be locked into the respective groove (32, 34). Profile arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the continuous hollow chamber (20) of the support profile (10) has an octagonal cross-section. Profile arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer sides of the legs (12, 14) of the support profile (10) are each provided with at least one undercut groove (16, 18). Profile arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a power supply (70) and / or a control unit (72) for the LED lighting means are arranged within the support profile (10). Profile arrangement according to claim 18, characterized in that the power supply (70) and / or the control unit (72) are inserted into a hollow chamber (20) of the support profile (10).Profile arrangement according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the power supply (70) and / or the control unit (72) are arranged in a recess in the support profile (10). Profile arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profile arrangement has vertical supports and horizontal frames, wherein both the supports and the frames are each formed by means of a support profile (10A, 10B, 10C) and a cover profile (50A, 50C).

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