System for mounting a component to be suspended

Abstract

System for mounting a component to be suspended, for example a luminaire, comprising: an upper connector to be connected to a mount, a lower connector to be connected to the component, wherein said upper and lower connectors are provided with a passage for receiving a line, such as a cable (C), extending between the mount and the component, wherein one of said upper and lower connector is a female connector (100) and the other one is a male connector (200), said male connector (200) being provided with at least one shaft portion (210) and said female connector (100) being provided with at least one corresponding receiving portion (110) configured for removably receiving said at least one shaft portion (210) and for allowing said at least one shaft portion (210) to pivot (R1) in said at least one receiving portion (110) so as to allow said component to be positioned correctly.

Description

[0001] SYSTEM FOR MOUNTING A COMPONENT TO BE SUSPENDED

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] The field of the invention relates to a system for mounting a component to be suspended, such as a luminaire, an upper connector of said system intended to be attached to a mount, a lower connector of said system intended to be attached to the component, a luminaire arrangement comprising a luminaire and such a mounting system and a method for mounting a component.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Conventional mechanisms that allow suspended luminaires to be mounted often utilize threaded connections. Such threaded connections for connecting a luminaire to a mount typically involve rotating the luminaire, which may be difficult, especially when the luminaire is heavy. In addition, several rotations are usually needed, such that the cables bringing power to the luminaire may be twisted, kinked and / or damaged. Other conventional connectors may also involve screwing the suspended luminaire to a connector part. Also screwing may be difficult, especially when the luminaire is heavy and is not yet attached.

[0006] For these reasons, multiple operators are often needed for the mounting of such luminaires, and mounting may be unsafe depending on the conditions of the mounting.

[0007] In addition, in streets where multiple suspended luminaires are present, it is desirable to align the luminaires. Indeed, slight misalignments of one particular luminaire in comparison to the others may be very noticeable to the human eye, especially when looking in a direction along the street and the misalignment is orthogonal to that direction. Such misalignments may not be corrected with conventional systems, or may require dismounting the luminaire, change the connectors and / or correct the mount of the suspended luminaire.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] An object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a connector system that solves the above- mentioned problems, i.e. to provide a more efficient, faster and safer system to mount a suspended component, such as a luminaire, a sensor, a hanging planter, etc., which allows reducing or avoiding misalignment of the component. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for mounting a component to be suspended, such as an electrical component, for example a luminaire or a sensor, or a hanging planter. The system comprises an upper connector intended to be connected to a mount and a lower connector intended to be connected to the component to be suspended. The upper and lower connectors are each provided with a passage configured for receiving a line, such as a tube or a cable extending between the mount and the component. One of the upper and lower connector is a female connector and the other one is a male connector. The male connector is provided with at least one shaft portion. The female connector is provided with at least one corresponding receiving portion configured for removably receiving the at least one shaft portion. The receiving portion is also configured for allowing the at least one shaft portion to pivot in the at least one receiving portion so as to allow said component to be positioned correctly.

[0010] In other words, the system is for connecting a component that is intended to be suspended, to a mount, for example a luminaire or a sensor such as a camera, or a hanging planter, intended to be suspended to a pole or bracket. The system comprises two connectors, an upper one that is intended to be connected to the mount, e.g., to the end portion of the supporting pole or bracket, and a lower one that is intended to be connected to the suspended component, e.g., to the suspended luminaire or sensor or hanging planter. Both connectors are provided with a passage in which a line may be received, e.g., a cable extending from the pole or bracket to the luminaire or sensor, that delivers electric signals to power the luminaire or sensor or a tube such as a garden hose that delivers water for the watering of the plants of the planter. The connectors are a male connector and a female connector that can be removably connected by introducing the at least one shaft portion of the male connector in the at least one corresponding receiving portion of the female connector. In this way the lower connector can be coupled to the upper connector so that the component is supported in a fast and easy manner, and an installer no longer has to support the component to finish the mounting. This is a significant advantage compared to systems where the component needs to be supported by an installer during rotating.

[0011] In this way, a convenient connector system is provided. Such system does not require significant rotations of the lower connector relative to the upper connector, e.g. in comparison to connectors configured to be screwed using a screw thread, and hence of the component to which it is connected, such that torsions and / or kinks of the line are limited if not avoided during the mounting.

[0012] In addition, the receiving portion is configured for allowing the at least one shaft portion to pivot in the at least one receiving portion so as to allow said component to be positioned correctly, e.g. aligned along a vertical axis. As mentioned above, in streets where it is desirable to align multiple components, such as luminaires, slight misalignments of a component, such as a luminaire, in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the street may be very noticeable to the human eye. Since the receiving portion is configured to allow some pivoting of the male connector, the positioning of the component may be corrected in a convenient manner.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one shaft portion is configured to pivot freely with a predetermined range, preferably a range of at least + / -3° with respect to a substantially vertical direction, e.g. ±5°, so as to allow the component to be positioned by gravitational force. In this way, the correction of the alignment may be achieved in a convenient way, i.e. merely through the use of the gravitational force acting on the suspended component. Indeed, by allowing the shaft portion to pivot freely, the component will automatically align itself along a vertical axis.

[0014] Preferably, the at least one shaft portion and the at least one corresponding receiving portion are configured such that the upper connector can carry and support the component when the at least one shaft portion is arranged in the at least one receiving portion.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the female connector has a female hollow body with a central axis intended to be oriented substantially vertically. The at least one receiving portion is arranged in said female body. In an even more preferred embodiment, the at least one receiving portion may comprise a slit comprising a first slit part and a second slit part. The first slit part extends away from a coupling edge of said body, e.g. substantially vertically or at an angle, and the second slit part communicates with said first slit part and extends substantially horizontally or towards the coupling edge. The slit may be dimensioned to receive a respective shaft portion through the first and second slit parts and to support the shaft portion in the second slit part. Optionally, the second slit part may comprise a recess.

[0016] In this way, the connection of the male and female connectors can be done in two steps. For example, in a first step, the male connector, e.g. the lower connector, is effectively introduced in the female body, e.g. the upper connector, such that the shaft portion is introduced in the first slit part along a relative upward motion, i.e. away from the coupling edge of the female connector. In a second step, the male connector may be moved such that the shaft portion is arranged in the second slit part, i.e. the part of the slit extending horizontally or towards the coupling edge of the female connector. For example, the male connector is rotated within the female connector such that the shaft portion moves in the second slit part. In other words, the female connector may resemble the receiving part of a bayonet mount, where the slit has an inverted L shape.

[0017] Because these movements are rather limited, in comparison for example to connectors configured to be screwed using a screw thread, torsions and / or kinks of the line are avoided during the connection. In addition, due to the relative simplicity of the movement, the connection may be carried out by only one operator, thereby improving the effectiveness of the connection and decreasing the amount of time needed for this operation.

[0018] In addition, once the shaft portion is arranged in the second slit part, e.g. during and after the second step of coupling the male connector to the female connector, the shaft portion is supported in the second slit part. Thus, the male and female connectors remain attached by the mere action of gravity alone. The weight of the component and the lower connector to which it is attached is therefore autosupported by the upper connector. Additional movement, e.g. a rotation, is needed to disconnect the two connectors. The optional recess of the second slit part, e.g. situated at end part of the second slit part, may avoid that such rotation is inadvertently performed.

[0019] It should be noted that while in the embodiment above, the male connector has been considered as the lower connector and the connector that is moved during connection, a person skilled in the art will understand that other configurations, such as an inverted configuration where the male connector is the upper connector and / or where the connector that is moved during the connection is the female connector, are also possible.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the male connector has a male hollow body with a central axis intended to be oriented vertically. The at least one shaft portion protrudes out of the male body and is oriented perpendicular to said central axis. In an even more preferred embodiment, the at least one shaft portion extends radially outwardly.

[0021] In other words, the at least one shaft portion of the male connector may resemble the at least one bayonet pin in a bayonet mount. In this way, the rotation allowing to correctly position the component may be carried out around an axis perpendicular to the central axis of the male connector.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the male connector is provided with two shaft portions extending along a same first axis and arranged at opposite sides of the male connector. Additionally or alternatively, the female connector is provided with two receiving portions arranged at opposite sides thereof. In addition, the female connector is configured for receiving the two shaft portions. In this way, a better stability of the connection may be achieved.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the two receiving portions each comprise a slit, such as a substantially L-shaped slit. The slit has a first slit part extending away from a coupling edge of the female body and a second slit part communicating with said first slit part and extending substantially horizontally or towards the coupling edge of the female body. Optionally, the second slit part may comprise a recess.

[0024] In other words, the female connector may resemble the receiving part of a bayonet mount, where the slits have an inverted L shape. In this way, the connection of the male and female connectors may be done in two steps. For example, in a first step, the male connector, e.g. the lower connector, is effectively introduced in the female body, e.g. the upper connector, such that the two shaft portions are introduced in the corresponding first slit parts of the corresponding receiving portions along a relative upward motion, i.e. away from the coupling edge of the female connector. In a second step, the male connector may be moved such that the shaft portions are arranged in the corresponding second slit parts, i.e. the part of the slits extending horizontally or towards the coupling edge of the female body. For example, the male connector is rotated within the female connector such that the shaft portions move in the second slit parts.

[0025] Because these movements are rather limited, in comparison for example to connectors configured to be screwed using a screw thread, torsions and / or kinks of the line are avoided during the connection. In addition, due to the relative simplicity of the movement, the connection may be carried out by only one operator, thereby improving the effectiveness of the connection and decreasing the amount of time required for the operation.

[0026] In addition, once the shaft portions are arranged in the second slit parts, e.g. during and after the second step of moving the male connector within the female connector, the shaft portions are supported in the second slit parts. The male and female connectors may therefore be coupled by the mere action of gravity alone. The weight of the lower connector and the component to which it is attached is therefore auto-supported within the upper connector. Additional movement, e.g. a rotation, is needed to disconnect the two connectors. The optional recess of the second slit part, e.g. situated at end part of the second slit part, may avoid that such rotation is inadvertently performed.

[0027] It should be noted that while above, the male connector has been considered as the lower connector and the connector that is moved during connection, a person skilled in the art will understand that other configurations, such as an inverted configuration where the male connector is the upper connector and / or where the connector that is moved during the connection is the female connector, are also possible.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the system further comprises a blocking and / or locking means configured to block the removal of the at least one shaft portion from the at least one receiving portion and / or to lock the position of the male connector with respect to the female connector. In an even more preferred embodiment, the blocking and / or locking means comprises at least one rod-like element, such as a bolt or screw or pin. The at least one rod-like element is arranged through said female connector so as to block the removal of the at least one shaft portion from the at least one receiving portion.

[0029] In this way, the undesired removal of the at least one shaft portion may be avoided, for example by inserting the at least one rod-like element through the female connector, thereby improving security and safety during the connection operations. Other alternatives for the blocking and / or locking means than rod-like elements are also possible, such as clamps arranged around the connectors and / or elements, such as L-shaped elements, that correspond to the shape of the at least one receiving portion of the female connector, e.g. the L-shape slits, and may be introduced in said at least one receiving portion.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one rod-like element extends between the coupling edge and the second slit part. In an even more preferred embodiment, the at least one rod-like element extends at least partially through the first slit part of the at least one receiving portion.

[0031] In this way, a shaft portion that is received and supported in the second slit part of the slit may not be removed from the slit by accident. Indeed, even if rotation is applied to the male connector, which causes the at least one shaft portion to end up in the first slit part and therefore to no longer being supported, the blocking means may avoid that the male connector is disconnected from the female connector, e.g. through the action of gravity, by blocking the at least one shaft portion from “falling through” the first slit part.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the female body is provided with at least one pair of through-holes extending along a same second axis. The pair of through-holes are configured for receiving said at least one rod-like element. In this way, a convenient way of obtaining the blocking effect is achieved. Because the introduction of the rod-like elements in the holes is simple to achieve by a single operator, it may be achieved with only one hand. Because the male and female connectors may be connected in a simple manner, e.g. with a single hand, the subsequent blocking of the removal of these connectors may be achieved by a single operator. For example, with one hand, the operator may hold the component or the male connector once the shaft portion is received in the receiving portion and with another hand, may introduce the blocking rod-like elements in the holes. In this way, an improvement of the effectiveness, the mounting time and the safety of the connection operations is achieved.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one rod-like element comprises two rod-like elements configured to block the removal of the two shaft portions.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the blocking and / or locking means comprises at least one nut configured to cooperate with the at least one rod-like element so as to clamp the female connector against the male connector. In this way, the position of the suspended component may be locked once the right alignment is achieved, for example by blocking the rotation of the at least one shaft portion in the at least one receiving portion through the mechanical pressure applied by the nut, which prevents the male connector from further moving.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the upper connector comprises at an upper end thereof a mount attachment portion. In this way, the upper connector may be attached to the mount.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the lower connector comprises at a lower end thereof a component attachment portion. In this way, the lower connector may be attached to the component.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one receiving portion and the at least one shaft portion are shaped and dimensioned so that after insertion of the at least one shaft portion in the at least one receiving portion, the male connector can be rotated around a vertical axis over an angle between 60 and 120°, preferably between 80 and 100°.

[0038] In this way, because the rotation angle is rather limited, especially in comparison for example to connectors configured to be screwed using a screw thread, torsions and / or kinks of the line are avoided during the connection. In addition, due to the relative simplicity of the movement, the connection may be carried out by only one operator, e.g. with only one hand, thereby improving the effectiveness of the connection operation and decreasing the amount of time required to perform said operation. In a preferred embodiment, the blocking and / or locking means is configured to block the rotation of the male connector around the vertical axis. In this way, the rotation of the male connector may be blocked, and therefore the possibility that the shaft portions may rotate in the receiving portion, e.g. moving from the second slit part to the first slit part, may be avoided. For example, the blocking means may comprise a bolt or screw or pin that, through mechanical pressure, may prevent the male connector from further moving.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the male body comprises at least one recess configured to receive a portion of the at least one rod-like element. In this way, the blocking of the rotation of the male connector in the female connector may be achieved in a convenient way, without the need for additional tools, and safety of the connection operation may be improved in an additional manner. For example, the holes and the through-holes and the at least one recess may be arranged such that the rod-like elements pass through the recess once inserted.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the lower connector comprises a mark containing information related to an orientation of the component to be suspended. Alternatively or additionally, the upper connector comprises a mark containing information related to an orientation of the mount.

[0041] As mentioned above, in streets where multiple components, such as luminaires may be aligned, slight misalignments of a component, such as a luminaire in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the street may be very noticeable to the human eye. Since the receiving portion is configured to allow some rotation of the male connector, the positioning of the component may be corrected. In addition, thanks to the mark on the lower and / or upper connector, the connectors themselves may be placed in a correct position with respect to the street direction such that the rotation takes place along the right axis.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, a section of one of the shaft portions may have a first diameter that is larger than a second diameter of a section of the other one of the two shaft portions. Correspondingly, one of the two receiving portions may correspond to the first diameter while the other of the two receiving portions may correspond to the second diameter.

[0043] In other words, a first shaft portion of the two shaft portions may be thicker than a second shaft portion. Correspondingly, a first receiving portion of the two receiving portions may be dimensioned with a larger opening, such that the male connector may only be inserted in the female connector in a predetermined way, i.e. by inserting the thicker shaft portion in the receiving portion with the larger opening. In this way, a mistake -proof connection operation is achieved.

[0044] Preferably, the male and female connector are configured for allowing said at least one shaft portion to pivot in said at least one receiving portion around an axis substantially orthogonal to a central axis of the female and male connector.

[0045] Preferably, the male and female connector are configured for allowing the at least one shaft portion to pivot in the at least one receiving portion within a predetermined range, preferably a range of at least + / - 2°, more preferably at least +1-3° with respect to an axis of the female connector.

[0046] Preferably, the male body has a rounded collar portion, and the female connector has a socket for receiving said rounded collar portion, said rounded collar portion and said socket being shaped for functioning as a joint which is configured for allowing the pivoting of the male connector relative to the female connector.

[0047] Preferably, the at least one shaft portion protrudes out of the rounded collar portion.

[0048] Preferably, the male body, seen along a central axis thereof, has a first hollow section received in the female connector and a second hollow section intended to be located outside of the female connector, said second hollow section having larger lateral dimensions, measured perpendicular on the central axis, than said first hollow section.

[0049] Preferably, the first hollow section comprises a neck section and the rounded collar portion forms a collar protruding laterally outward relative to the neck section.

[0050] According to a further aspect, there is provided a male connector for use in a system of any one of the above described embodiments, more in particular a male connector having any one of the features described above.

[0051] According to a further aspect, there is provided a female connector for use in a system of any one of the above described embodiments, more in particular a female connector having any one of the features described above.

[0052] A further object of the embodiments of the invention is to provide a luminaire arrangement comprising a luminaire and a system comprising upper and lower connectors as described above. The luminaire is attached to the lower connector and a cable extends from the luminaire through the lower and upper connectors to be connected to a power source.

[0053] The skilled person will understand that the technical effects and advantages of the embodiments discussed above are also applicable here. They will hence not be repeated.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the lower connector is attached to the luminaire according to the information contained in the mark of the upper connector and / or the mark of the lower connector. In this way, the luminaire may benefit from the alignment correction effect when mounted.

[0055] Preferred embodiments relate to a luminaire arrangement for use as an outdoor luminaire. By outdoor luminaire, it is meant luminaires which are installed on roads, tunnels, industrial plants, stadiums, airports, harbors, rail stations, campuses, parks, cycle paths, pedestrian paths or in pedestrian zones, for example, and which can be used notably for the lighting of an outdoor area such as roads and residential areas in the public domain, private parking areas and access roads to private building infrastructures, etc.

[0056] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method for mounting a component to be suspended, such as an electrical component, for example a luminaire. The method comprises: providing an upper connector to a mount; providing a lower connector to the component to be suspended, wherein said upper and lower connectors may be embodied according to any one of the embodiments described above; passing a line, such as a cable or a tube, through a passage of the upper and lower connectors so that the line extends between the mount and the component, said passing being done before, in between or after said providing steps, arranging said at least one shaft portion in said at least one receiving portion so as to allow said at least one shaft portion to pivot in order to position said component correctly.

[0057] Preferably, the at least one receiving portion comprises a slit comprising a first slit part extending away from a coupling edge of the female hollow body and a second slit part communicating with said first slit part and extending substantially horizontally or towards the coupling edge, wherein a respective shaft portion is arranged through said first slit part in said second slit part. Preferably, the method further comprises blocking the removal of the at least one shaft portion from the at least one receiving portion and / or locking the position of the male connector with respect to the female connector.

[0058] The blocking and / or locking may comprise arranging at least one rod-like element, such as a bolt or screw or pin, through said female connector so as to block the removal of the at least one shaft portion from the at least one receiving portion. In addition or alternatively, the blocking and / or locking may comprise clamping the female connector against the male connector.

[0059] Optionally, the blocking and / or locking may comprise blocking the rotation of the male connector around a vertical axis.

[0060] Optionally, the lower connector comprises a mark containing information related to an orientation of the component to be suspended and / or the upper connector comprises a mark containing information related to an orientation of the mount, and the component is suspended according to the information contained in the mark of the upper connector and / or the mark of the lower connector.

[0061] The skilled person will understand that the hereinabove described technical considerations and advantages for the system embodiments of the previous aspects also apply to the corresponding method embodiments, mutatis mutandis.

[0062] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0063] This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Like numbers refer to like features throughout the drawings.

[0064] Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a luminaire arrangement comprising an upper connector attached to a mount and a lower connector attached to a luminaire component. On the left, there is shown a view where connectors are connected, and on the right, a view where the connectors are disconnected.

[0065] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a female connector provided with two receiving portions. Figs. 2b, 2c, 2d and 2e are a left side view, a front view, a right side view and a rear view of the embodiment of Fig. 2a, respectively. Fig. 3a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a male connector provided with two shaft portions. Figs. 3b, 3c, 3d and 3e are a left side view, a front view, a right side view and a rear view of the embodiment of Fig. 3a, respectively.

[0066] Fig. 4a is the same front view as in Fig. 2c and illustrates an embodiment of a female connector provided with two receiving portions. Figs. 4b and 4c illustrate a cross section along IVb-IVb and along IVc-IVc in Fig. 4a, respectively.

[0067] Figs. 5a, 5b and 5c illustrate the steps for connecting of the male and female connectors.

[0068] Figs. 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d and 6e illustrate cross section views of connected male and female connectors.

[0069] Figs. 7a, 7b and 7c are perspective views illustrating different embodiments of mount attachment portions and component attachment portions.

[0070] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a connector system illustrating a male and female connector with one shaft portion and one corresponding receiving portion, respectively.

[0071] DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0072] The embodiments below relate to a connector system with a lower connector intended to be connected to a luminaire. However, the skilled person will understand that other types of components, such as a display, a light projecting means such as a projector, a laser device, a light emitting device such as an ultraviolet (UV) light or an infrared (IR) light or a light for light fidelity (Li-Fi) communication, an antenna, an environmental sensor, an optical sensor such as a photodetector or an image sensing means such as a camera, a visibility sensor, a sound sensor such as a microphone, a radar such as a Doppler effect radar, a LIDAR, a humidity sensor, a pollution sensor such as a detector of CO2, NOx, smoke, etc., a temperature sensor, a motion sensor, an RF sensor, a vibration sensor, a human interface device (HID), e.g. a loudspeaker, an alarm device (e.g. a push button which a user can push in the event of an alarming situation), a button. Other examples of components are a repeater, e.g. a WiFi repeater, a sign, a publicity banner, a shower head, a sprinkler, a water sprayer, a spraying / sanitizing device, a hanging planter, etc. In such embodiments, the line going through the passage may be a cable or a tube (e.g. a water tube) or any other means for connecting the component. Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a luminaire arrangement comprising an upper connector 100 attached to a mount P, e.g. the end of a pole or bracket, and a lower connector 200 attached to a component, here a luminaire L. On the left, there is shown a view where the connectors 100, 200 are connected and the luminaire L is suspended from the mount P, and on the right, a view where the connectors 100, 200 are disconnected. A cable C extends from the luminaire L through the lower and upper connectors 100, 200 to be connected to a power source (not shown).

[0073] In the system illustrated in Fig. 1 the upper connector is a female connector 100 attached to the mount P and the lower connector is a male connector 200 attached to the luminaire component L. However, in other arrangements (not shown), the upper connector could be the male connector and the lower connector the female connector. The male connector 200 and female connector 100 are each provided with a passage configured for receiving the cable C extending between the mount P, e.g. the end of the pole or bracket, and the component L, e.g. the luminaire. The male connector 200 is provided with at least one shaft portion 210, here two shaft portions 210. Correspondingly, the female connector 100 is provided with at least one corresponding receiving portion 110, here two receiving portions 110, configured for removably receiving the shaft portions 210.

[0074] In streets where multiple luminaires may be aligned, slight misalignments of a luminaire in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the street may be noticeable to the human eye. The receiving portions 110 are configured for allowing the shaft portions 210 to pivot, see arrow Rl, e.g. around an axis A3, in the receiving portions 110 so at to allow said component L to be positioned correctly, e.g. aligned along a vertical axis VA. The positioning of the component may therefore be corrected. Additionally, the at least one shaft portion 210 may be configured to pivot freely with a predetermined range so as to allow the component to be positioned by gravitational force. Such correction may therefore be achieved in a convenient way, merely through the use of the gravitational force on the suspended component L, such that said component L is aligned along the vertical axis VA.

[0075] The upper connector 100 may be attached to the mount P according to information contained in one or more marks on the upper connector 100. Similarly, the lower connector 200 may be attached to the luminaire L according to information contained in one or more marks on the lower connector 200. In this way, the luminaire L may benefit from the alignment correction effect when mounted. These marks are not illustrated in Fig. 1 but will be discussed below in relation to embodiments of Figs. 2-8. It should be noted that in the following embodiments illustrated in Figs. 2-7, the lower connector intended to be attached to a component will be embodied by a male connector and the upper connector intended to be attached to a mount will be embodied by a female connector. The person skilled in the art will understand however that the converse is also possible and that all descriptions of movements and / or rotations and / or directions are relative.

[0076] Fig. 2a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a female connector 100, similar to the one of Fig. 1, provided with two receiving portions 110a, 110b. Figs. 2b, 2c, 2d and 2e are a left side view, a front view, a right side view and a rear view of the embodiment of Fig. 2a, respectively. Fig. 3a is a perspective view of a corresponding embodiment of a male connector 200, similar to the one of Fig. 1, provided with two corresponding shaft portions 210a, 210b. Figs. 3b, 3c, 3d and 3e are a left side view, a front view, a right side view and a rear view of the embodiment of Fig. 3a, respectively.

[0077] The female connector 100 has female hollow body 120 with a central axis Al intended to be oriented substantially vertically. The two receiving portions 110a and 110b are arranged in the female hollow body 120. As may be seen from the left and right side views in Figs. 2b, 2d, the two receiving portions 110a and 110b of the female connector 100 may be arranged at opposite sides of the female connector 100. The two receiving portions 110a, 110b each comprise a slit. The slit has a first slit part 111 extending upwardly from a coupling edge 121 of the female body 120 and a second slit part 112 communicating with said first slit part 111 and extending substantially horizontally. In other words, the slit has substantially an L-shape. Although not the case here, the second slit part 112 may also extend downwardly so as to position the respective shaft portions 210a, 210b in the lowest position of the second slit part 112. Optionally, the second slit part 112 may also comprise a recess configured to receive the respective shaft portions 210a, 210b.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 3a, the male connector 200 has a male hollow body 220 with a central axis A2 intended to be oriented substantially vertically. The shaft portions 210a, 210b protrude out of the male body 220 and are oriented perpendicular on said central axis A2. The shaft portions 210a, 210b extends radially outwardly, e.g. along an axis A3. As illustrated in Figs. 3a-3e and correspondingly to the female connector 100, the male connector 200 is provided with two shaft portions 210a, 210b, which correspond to the receiving portions 110a and 110b of the female connector 100. As may be seen from the left and right side views in Figs. 3b, 3d, and in correspondence to the female connector 100 of Figs. 2a-2e, the two shaft portions 210a, 210b extend along a same first axis A3 and are arranged at opposite sides of the male connector 200. Seen along a central axis A2, the male body 220 has a first hollow section 230 configured to be received in the female connector 100 and a second hollow section 240 intended to be located outside of the female connector 100, see also Fig. 5a and Fig. 6a, 6d and 6e. The second hollow section 240 has larger lateral dimensions, measured perpendicular on the central axis A2, than the first hollow section 230. The male body 220, and in particular the first hollow section 230, has at its end a rounded collar portion 232, and the female connector 100 has a socket 132 for receiving said rounded collar portion 232, see Fig. 6a. The rounded collar portion 232 and the socket 132 are shaped for functioning as a joint which is configured for allowing the pivoting of the male connector 200 relative to the female connector 100. The second hollow section 240 has a circumferential edge 241 opposite the coupling edge 121 of the female connector 100, and there is a gap in between these edges so as to allow the pivoting. The shaft portions 210a, 210b protrude radially out of the rounded collar portion 232. The first hollow section 230 comprises a neck section 233 and the rounded collar portion 232 forms a collar protruding laterally outward relative to the neck section 233. The rounded collar portion 232 may have a shape similar to the shape of a rounded collar of a wine bottle. The rounded collar portion 232 may have a top edge 231 which is located at a distance of an inner surface of the socket 132 and a portion which rotates in contact with an inner surface of the socket 132.

[0079] The slits of the female connector are dimensioned to receive a respective shaft portion 210 through the first 111 and second 112 slit parts and to support the shaft portion 210 in the second slit part 112. The receiving portions 110 and the shaft portions 210 are shaped and dimensioned so that after insertion of the shaft portions 210 in the receiving portions 110, the male connector 200 can be rotated, see arrow R2, around a vertical axis A2 over an angle between 60 and 120°, preferably between 80 and 100°.

[0080] Although not represented here, a first shaft portion of the two shaft portions 210a, 210b may be thicker than a second shaft portion, i.e. a first diameter of the section of the first shaft portion may be larger than a second diameter of the section of the second shaft portion. The slits of the female connector may be dimensioned correspondingly, i.e. a first receiving portion of the two receiving portions 110a, 110b may be dimensioned with a larger opening, such that the male connector 200 may only be inserted in the female connector 100 in a predetermined way, i.e. by inserting the thicker shaft portion in the receiving portion with the larger opening. In this way, a mistake-proof connection operation is achieved.

[0081] In other words, the female connector 100 and the male connector 200 of Figs. 2 and 3 may resemble a bayonet mount system, with L-shape slits. The female connector 100 comprises at an upper end thereof a mount attachment portion 150, such that it may be attached to the mount, if the female connector 100 is the upper connector, or to the component if the female connector 100 is the lower connector. Similarly, the male connector 200 comprises at a lower end thereof a component attachment portion 250 such that it may be attached to the component, if the male connector 200 is the lower connector, or to the mount if the male connector 200 is the upper connector.

[0082] The male connector 200 comprises one or several marks 260 containing information related to an orientation of the component to be suspended. In the example of Figs. 3a-3e, the mark has the shape of a car, which figuratively indicates the direction of the street. Similarly, the female connector 100 comprises one or several marks 160 containing information related to an orientation of the mount. In the example of Figs. 2a-2e, the marks are arrows, that may indicate the direction of the street.

[0083] The female connector 100 may comprise at least one flat portion 170 on an exterior surface of the female body 120 configured to cooperate with a tool. Similarly, the male connector 200 may comprise at least one flat portion 270 on an exterior surface of the male body 220 configured to cooperate with a tool. In this way, the rotation of the connectors relative to one another and / or their attaching to the component and / or to the mount may be more convenient.

[0084] The male body 220 also comprises a recess 280, configured to receive at least one blocking and / or locking means described in later figures.

[0085] The female body 120 is provided with two pairs of through-holes 301a and 301 ’a on the one hand and 301b and 301’b on the other hand, extending along a same second axis A4 on the one hand and A4’ on the other hand. The pairs of through-holes are configured for receiving blocking and / or locking means described in later figures.

[0086] Fig. 4a illustrates an embodiment of a female connector 100 provided with two receiving portions 110a, 110b and corresponds to the front view illustrated in Fig. 2b. Figs. 4b and 4c illustrate cross section views of this embodiment and the use of blocking and / or locking means 300. Figs. 4b and 4c correspond to the cross section obtained according to the cuts illustrated in Fig. 4a.

[0087] The female body 120is provided with two pairs of through-holes 301a and 301 ’a on the one hand and 301b and 301’b on the other hand, extending along a same second axis A4 on the one hand and A4’ on the other hand. The pairs of through-holes 301a, 301’a, 301b, 301’b are configured for receiving the rod-like elements, i.e. the bolts 3001a and 3001b. The blocking and / or locking means 300 is configured to block the removal of the shaft portions 210a, 201b from the receiving portions 110a, 110b and / or to lock the position of the male connector 200 with respect to the female connector 100. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4c, the blocking and / or locking means comprises two rod-like elements, such as bolts 3001a and 3001b. The two bolts 3001a and 3001b are arranged in the two pairs of through-holes 301a and 301’a for bolt 3001a and 301b and 301’b for bolt 3001b. The bolts 3001a, 3001b therefore extend between the coupling edge 121 and the second slit part 112 and extend through the first slit parts 111 of the receiving portions 110a, 110b. In this way, the bolts 3001a and 3001b remove the possibility that the shaft portions 210a, 210b pass through the first slit part 111 and therefore avoid any removal of the shaft portions 210a, 210b from the receiving portions 110a, 110b.

[0088] In this way, the shaft portions 210a, 210b that are received and supported in the second slit part 112 of the slit may not be removed from the slit by accident. Indeed, once the male 200 and female 100 connectors are connected and the blocking and / or locking means 300, i.e. the bolts 3001a, 3001b, are inserted in the pair of through-holes 301a, 301’a, 301b, 301’b, even if counter -rotation, opposite to R2 is applied to the male connector 200 such that the rotation causes the shaft portions 210a, 210b to end up in the first slit parts 111 and therefore to no longer be supported, the blocking and / or locking means 300 may avoid that the male connector 200 is disconnected from the female connector 100, e.g. through the action of gravity, by blocking the shaft portions 210a, 210b from “falling through” the first slit parts 111.

[0089] The blocking and / or locking means 300 may comprise nuts 3002a, 3002b configured to cooperate with the rod-like elements 3001a, 3001b so as to clamp the female connector 100 against the male connector 200. The blocking and / or locking means 300 may then block the rotation R1 of the shaft portions 210a, 210b in the receiving portion 110a, 110b and / or the rotation R2 of the male connector 200 in the female connector 100 through mechanical pressure exerted by the nuts, such as to prevent the male connector 200 from further moving.

[0090] Figs. 5a, 5b and 5c illustrate the steps for the connecting of the male and female connectors 200, 100 according to the embodiments of Figs. 2-4. In this embodiment, the female connector 100 is the upper connector while the male connector 200 is the lower one.

[0091] The mounting of the component to the mount, and therefore the connection of the male 200 and female 100 connectors may be achieved according to the following steps. Prior to the connection operation between the connectors 100, 200, the cable may be introduced in the passage of both connectors. In addition, the information contained in the mark 160 of the female connector 100 may be used to correctly orient the female connector 100 with respect to the mount. Once a correct position of the female connector 100 has been achieved, e.g. once the arrows 160 point at the street surface, the female connector 100 may be secured on the mount thanks to the mount attachment portion 150. Similarly, the information contained in the mark 260 of the male connector 200 may be used to correctly orient the male connector 200 with respect to the component. Once a correct position of the male connector 200 has been achieved, e.g. once the portion of the component that needs to be oriented towards the street is placed accordingly to the car sign 260, the male connector 200 may be secured on the component thanks to the component attachment portion 250 (not illustrated here).

[0092] The attaching of the male 200 and female 100 connectors to the component and the mount, respectively, may be facilitated through the use of the flat shaft portions 170, 270 of the female 100 and male 200 connectors, respectively.

[0093] Although here, the male 200 and female 100 connectors are described as being two connectors separate from the mount and component that need to be attached to their respective mount and component prior to the connection operation, the skilled person will understand that the connection operation is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the upper connector, e.g. the female connector 100, may already be attached to the mount and / or may be provided as an integral part of the mount and / or the lower connector, e.g. the male connector 200, may already be attached to the component and / or may be provided as an integral part of the component.

[0094] In a first step of the connection operation, the male connector 200 is effectively introduced in the female body 120. Here again, information contained in the mark 260 of the male connector 200 may be used to correctly introduce the male connector 200 in the receiving portions 110a, 110b. The male connector 200 is introduced such that the two shaft portions 210a, 210b are introduced in the corresponding first slit part 111 of the corresponding receiving portions 110a, 110b along a relative upward motion.

[0095] In a second step, once the two shaft portions 210a, 210b have reached the second slit part 112, the male connector 200 may be rotated R2, e.g. the male connector 200 may be rotated R2 around axis A2 over an angle between 60 and 120°, preferably between 80 and 100°, such that the shaft portions 210a, 210b are arranged in the corresponding second slit part 112, i.e. the horizontal (or downward) part of the slits. At this point already, the male 200 and female 100 connectors are therefore coupled by the mere action of gravity alone. The male connector 200 is therefore auto-supported within the second slit part 112 of the female connector 100 such that no force is needed by the operator to counter-balance the force of gravity exerted by the weight of the component. Once rotation R2 is complete, the male 200 and female 100 connectors are connected. As mentioned above, the second slit part 112 may also comprise a recess. The rotation R2 may be considered as complete when the two shaft portions are arranged in the recess of the second slit part 112.

[0096] After the connection is achieved, bolts 3001a, 3001b may be inserted in the through holes 301a, 301’a, 301b, 301’b, such that the removal of the shaft portions 210a, 201b from the receiving portions 110a, 110b is avoided. In this way, safety for the operator is improved.

[0097] It should be noted that as of now, the introduction of the male connector 200 in the female connector 100 only requires an upward motion and then a rotation R2 motion of small amplitude, i.e. over an angle between 60 and 120°, preferably between 80 and 100°. The connection is therefore easy to achieve by a single operator, and may be achieved with only one hand, especially since no additional force is needed by the operator to counter-balance the force of gravity exerted by the weight of the component once the shaft portions 210a, 210b are arranged in the second slit part 112. Furthermore, the introduction of the rod-like elements, i.e. the bolts 3001a, 3001b, in the through holes 301a, 301 ’a, 301b, 301 ’b, is also simple to achieve by a single operator, such that it may also be achieved with only one hand. A single operator may therefore achieve, the connection, very effectively, fast and safely, by holding the component or the male connector 200 with one hand, by performing the upward motion and then the rotation R2 motion with the same hand, and then by introducing the bolts 3001a, 3001b in the through holes 301a, 301’a, 301b, 301’b with the other hand to block any undesired removal.

[0098] After the connection operation, the male connector 200 and its two shaft portions 210a, 210b are still allowed to pivot R1 in the receiving portions 110a, 110b, i.e. around axis A3. The component attached to the male connector 200 may therefore be positioned correctly, e.g. aligned along a vertical axis, i.e. Al or A2, such that misalignments are avoided. The shaft portions 210a, 210b may be configured to pivot freely with a predetermined range so as to allow the component to be positioned by gravitational force, such that e.g. a substantially vertical alignment is achieved.

[0099] Once a correct positioning of the component, and thus the male connector 200 is obtained, nuts 3002a and 3002b may cooperate with the bolts 3001a and 3001b in the through holes 301a, 301’a, 301b, 301’b and may clamp the female connector 100 against the male connector 200. In this way, mechanical pressure may be applied, such as to avoid any further rotation R1 of the shaft portions 210a, 210b in the receiving portion 110a, 110b but also any further rotation R2 of the male connector

[0100] 200. In this way, the position of the suspended component may be blocked once achieved.

[0101] Figs. 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d and 6e illustrate cross section views of the male 200 and female 100 connectors as illustrated in Fig. 5c, once they are connected and rotation R2 is complete.

[0102] The male body 220 of the male connector 200 comprises two recesses 280 configured to receive the blocking means 300, e.g. the bolts 3001a and 3001b. In this way, in addition to preventing the accidental removal of the shaft portions 210a, 201b from the receiving portions 110a, 110b, the bolts 3001a and 3001b also block the rotation R2 of the male connector 200 in the female connector 100. In this way, even if counter-rotation is applied to the male connector 200 (which would cause the shaft portions 210a, 201b to reach the first slit parts 111 in a situation where bolts 3001a and 3001b are not inserted), the shaft portions 210a, 201b may not be able to reach the first slit parts 111 such that they cannot be removed from the receiving portions 110a, 110b. Without the need for any additional tools or additional parts, the safety of the connection operation is therefore further improved.

[0103] Figs. 6d and 6e illustrate cross section views of the male connector 200 and female connector 100 once they are connected and rotation R2 is complete and the bolts 3001a and 3001b have been received, but before the bolts are fastened to clamp the female connector 100 against the male connector 200.

[0104] In particular, Figs. 6d and 6e illustrate that the male body 220 may have a rounded collar portion 232, for example a collar with a shape that is similar to the shape of a rounded collar of a wine bottle. The female connector 100 is shaped with a corresponding socket 132 configured for receiving the rounded collar portion, so as to form a joint allowing the pivoting R1 of the male connector 200 around axis A3. Indeed, since the top portion of the collar 232 and the bottom portion of the collar 232 are rounded, the male connector 200 may pivot around the axis A3 until a portion of the male connector abuts against a portion of the female connector 100 and a maximum pivoting limit is reached. This abutment may for example take place between the coupling edge 121 and an opposite edge 141 of the female connector. In another embodiment there could be an abutment within the socket, for example between the collar 232 and an internal surface of the female body 120. By designing the collar 232 and socket 132 as a joint, the outer surface of the collar 232 may remain in contact with an internal surface of the female body 120 and therefore provide with an improved stability. It is also visible from Figs. 6d and 6e that the recess 280 created by the neck section 233 below the collar 232, may also improve the angular range of the pivoting Rl. In this way, the component attached to the male connector 200 may be positioned correctly, e.g. aligned along a vertical axis, i.e. VA in Fig. 1, such that misalignments are avoided. For example, the male body 220 and the female body 120 may be configured to pivot with a predetermined range, e.g. the pivot angle 0 may preferably be comprised in a range of at least + / -1°, preferably at least + / - 2°, more preferably at least +1-3°, and even more preferably at least + / -4° with respect to a substantially vertical direction, so as to allow the component to be positioned correctly. In a preferred embodiment, the male body 220 and the female body 120 may be configured to pivot freely within this predetermined range by gravitational force, such that e.g. a substantially vertical alignment is achieved.

[0105] Figs. 7a, 7b and 7c illustrate different embodiments of mount attachment portions and component attachment portions.

[0106] Fig. 7a illustrates a first embodiment of mount attachment portion 150. In this first embodiment, the mount attachment portion 150 has the form of a hole, configured to receive a bolt or a screw, such that the female connector 100 is attached to the mount, e.g. an end of a mounting pole P, by screwing a bolt or a screw through a corresponding hole of the mount.

[0107] Fig. 7b illustrates a second embodiment of mount attachment portion 150. In this second embodiment, the mount attachment portion 150 comprises a screw thread, configured to correspond to a screw thread of the mount, e.g. an end of a mounting pole P’. The female connector 100 is therefore attached by screwing the female connector 100 to the mount.

[0108] Fig. 7c illustrates three embodiments of mount attachment portions 150 of the female connector 100 (top) and two embodiments of component attachment portions 250 of the male connector 200 (bottom). The first one on the left is similar to the second embodiment of Fig. 7b while the second one in the center is similar to the first embodiment of Fig. 7a. The third one on the right is an embodiment of a mount attachment portion 150 that is attached to the mount by soldering or that may be provided as an integral part of the mount. On the left an embodiment similar to the embodiment of Fig. 7a is illustrated, where the attaching is achieved by screwing a bolt or a screw. On the right, a second embodiment with a screw thread is illustrated. Also, the lower connector could be integrated with the component. Similarly, the upper connector could be an integral part of the mount.

[0109] The skilled person will understand that any combination of these types of attachment portions may be used. In addition, one mount attachment portion 150 or one component attachment portion 250 may combine several different types of attachments. For example, the component attachment portion 250 may be provided with a screw thread and a hole (bottom left) such that the male connector 200 is first screwed to the mount and then a bolt is inserted in the hole such that further rotation of the male connector 200 is blocked. In another example, the component attachment portion 250 may be provided with a screw thread portion and a flat shaft portion (bottom right), such that the male connector 200 is first screwed to the mount and then a bolt is inserted in a hole of the component such that further rotation of the male connector 200 is blocked by the flat shaft portion. Similar examples may be derived for the female connector 100. And further combinations may also be derived.

[0110] Fig. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a connector system wherein the male and female connectors are provided with one shaft portion and one corresponding receiving portion, respectively.

[0111] The system illustrated in Fig. 8 is similar to the systems of Figs. 1-7 except in that the male connector 200 is provided with only one shaft portion 210 and the female connector 100 is provided with only one corresponding receiving portion 110. It should be noted that in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8, the lower connector is the female connector 100 and the upper connector is the male connector 200. In the female connector 100, the first slit part 111 therefore extends downwardly from the coupling edge 121 of the female body 120. The skilled person will however understand that the relative movements to achieve a connection of the male 200 and female 100 connectors are similar to what has been described above in relation to Figs. 1-7.

[0112] The skilled person will also understand that the technical effects and advantages of the embodiments discussed above in relation to Figs. 1-7 are also applicable here. They will hence not be repeated.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for mounting a component to be suspended, such as an electrical component, for example a luminaire, comprising: an upper connector intended to be connected to a mount, a lower connector intended to be connected to the component to be suspended, and wherein said upper and lower connectors are each provided with a passage configured for receiving a line, such as a tube or a cable (C), extending between the mount and the component, wherein one of said upper and lower connector is a female connector (100) and the other one is a male connector (200), said male connector (200) being provided with at least one shaft portion (210) and said female connector (100) being provided with at least one corresponding receiving portion (110) configured for removably receiving said at least one shaft portion (210) and for allowing said at least one shaft portion (210) to pivot (Rl) in said at least one receiving portion (110) so as to allow said component to be positioned correctly.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one shaft portion (210) is configured to pivot freely with a predetermined range so as to allow the component to be positioned by gravitational force.

3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the female connector (100) has a female hollow body (120) with a central axis (Al) intended to be oriented vertically, and wherein the at least one receiving portion (110) is arranged in said body.

4. The system of the previous claim, wherein said at least one receiving portion (110) comprises a slit comprising a first slit part (111) extending away from a coupling edge (121) of the female hollow body (120) and a second slit part (112) communicating with said first slit part (111) and extending substantially horizontally or towards the coupling edge, said slit being dimensioned to receive a respective shaft portion (210) through said first and second slit part (111, 112) and to support said shaft portion (210) in said second slit part (112), wherein the second slit part (112) optionally comprises a recess.

5. The system of anyone of the previous claims, wherein the male connector has a male hollow body (220) with a central axis (A2) intended to be oriented vertically, and wherein the at least shaft portion (210) protrudes out of said male body (220) and is oriented perpendicular to said central axis.

6. The system of the previous claim, wherein the at least one shaft portion (210) extends radially outwardly.

7. The system of any one of the previous claims, wherein the male connector (200) is provided with two shaft portions (210a, 210b) extending along a same axis (A3) and arranged at opposite sides of the male connector (200).

8. The system of the previous claim, wherein the female connector (100) is provided with two receiving portions (110a, 110b) arranged at opposite sides thereof and configured for receiving said two shaft portions (210a, 210b).

9. The system of claim 3 and 8, wherein said two receiving portions (110a, 110b) each comprise a slit, such as a substantially L-shaped slit, having a first slit part (111) extending away from a coupling edge of the female body (120) and a second slit part (112) communicating with said first slit part (111) and extending substantially horizontally or towards the coupling edge of the female body (120), wherein the second slit part (112) optionally comprises a recess.

10. The system of any one of the previous claims, further comprising a blocking and / or locking means (300) configured to block the removal of the at least one shaft portion (210) from the at least one receiving portion (110) and / or to lock the position of the male connector (200) with respect to the female connector (100).

11. The system of the previous claim, wherein the blocking and / or locking means (300) comprises at least one rod-like element (3001), such as a bolt or screw or pin, said at least one rod-like element (3001) being arranged through said female connector (100) so as to block the removal of the at least one shaft portion (210) from the at least one receiving portion (110).

12. The system of claim 4 and 11, wherein the at least one rod-like element (3001) extends between the coupling edge (121) and the second slit part (112).

13. The system of the previous claim, wherein the at least one rod-like element (3001) extends at least partially through the first slit part (111) of the at least one receiving portion (110).

14. The system of claim 12 or 13, wherein the female body (120) is provided with at least one pair of through-holes (301, 301’) extending along a same axis (A4, A4’) and configured for receiving said at least one rod-like element (3001).

15. The system of any one of the claims 11-14 and claim 8, wherein the at least one rod-like element (3001) comprises two rod-like elements (3001a; 3001b) configured to block the removal of the two shaft portions (210a, 210b).

16. The system of any one of the claims 11-15, wherein the blocking and / or locking means (300) comprises at least one nut (3002) configured to cooperate with the at least one rod-like element (3001) so as to clamp the female connector (100) against the male connector (200).

17. The system of any one of the previous claims, wherein the upper connector comprises at an upper end thereof a mount attachment portion (150).

18. The system of any one of the previous claims, wherein the lower connector comprises at a lower end thereof a component attachment portion (250).

19. The system of any one of the previous claims, wherein the at least one receiving portion (110) and the at least one shaft portion (210) are shaped and dimensioned so that after insertion of the at least one shaft portion (210) in the at least one receiving portion (110), the male connector (200) can be rotated (R2) around a vertical axis over an angle between 60 and 120°, preferably between 80 and 100°.

20. The system of the previous claim and any one of the claims 10-18, wherein the blocking and / or locking means (300) is configured to block the rotation (R2) of the male connector (200) around said vertical axis.

21. The system of any one of the claims 11-20, wherein the male connector (200) comprises at least one recess (280) configured to receive a portion of the at least one rod-like element (3001).

22. The system of any one of the previous claims, wherein the lower connector comprises a mark (260) containing information related to an orientation of the component to be suspended.

23. The system of any one of the previous claims, wherein the upper connector (100) comprises a mark (160) containing information related to an orientation of the mount.

24. The system of claims 7 and 8 and any one of the previous claims, wherein a first diameter of a section of one of the two shaft portions (210a, 210b) is larger than a second diameter of a section of the other one of the two shaft portions (210b, 210a) and wherein one of the two receiving portions (110a, 110b) corresponds to the first diameter and the other of the two receiving portions (110b, 110a) corresponds to the second diameter.

25. A male connector (200) for use in a system of any one of the previous claims.

26. A female connector (100) for use in a system of any one of the claims 1-24.

27. A luminaire arrangement comprising a luminaire (L) and a system of any one of the claims 1-24, said luminaire being attached to said lower connector and a cable (C) extending from said luminaire through said lower and upper connector to be connected to a power source.

28. The luminaire arrangement of claim 27 comprising a system of claim 22 or 23, wherein the luminaire is suspended according to the information contained in the mark (160) of the upper connector and / or the mark (260) of the lower connector.

29. A method for mounting a component to be suspended, such as an electrical component, for example a luminaire, comprising: providing an upper connector to a mount; providing a lower connector to the component to be suspended, wherein said upper and lower connectors are each provided with a passage and wherein one of said upper and lower connector is a female connector (100) and the other one is a male connector (200), said male connector (200) being provided with at least one shaft portion (210) and said female connector (100) being provided with at least one corresponding receiving portion (110); passing a line, such as a tube or a cable, through the passage of the upper and lower connectors so that the line extends between the mount and the component, said passing being done before, in between or after said providing steps, arranging said at least one shaft portion (210) in said at least one receiving portion (110) so as to allow said at least one shaft portion (210) to pivot (Rl) in order to position said component correctly.

30. The method of the previous claim, wherein the upper and the lower connector form a system of any one of the claims 1-24.

31. The method of claim 29 or 30, wherein said at least one receiving portion (110) comprises a slit comprising a first slit part (111) extending away from a coupling edge (121) of the female body (120) and a second slit part (112) communicating with said first slit part (111) and extending substantially horizontally or towards the coupling edge, wherein a respective shaft portion (210) is arranged through said first slit part in said second slit part (111, 112).

32. The method of any one of the claims 29-31, further comprising blocking the removal of the at least one shaft portion (210) from the at least one receiving portion (110) and / or locking the position of the male connector (200) with respect to the female connector (100).

33. The method of the previous claim, wherein the blocking and / or locking comprises arranging at least one rod-like element (3001), such as a bolt or screw or pin, through said female connector (100) so as to block the removal of the at least one shaft portion (210) from the at least one receiving portion (110).

34. The method of claim 32 or 33, wherein the blocking and / or locking comprises clamping the female connector (100) against the male connector (200).

35. The method of any one of the claims 32-34, wherein the blocking and / or locking comprises blocking the rotation (R2) of the male connector (200) around a vertical axis.

36. The method of any one of the claims 29-35, wherein the lower connector comprises a mark (260) containing information related to an orientation of the component to be suspended and / or wherein the upper connector (100) comprises a mark (160) containing information related to an orientation of the mount, wherein the component is suspended according to the information contained in the mark (160) of the upper connector and / or the mark (260) of the lower connector.

37. The system of any one of the claims 1-24, wherein the male and female connector are configured for allowing said at least one shaft portion (210) to pivot (Rl) in said at least one receiving portion (110) around an axis (A3) substantially orthogonal to a central axis (Al, A2) of the female and male connector (100, 200).

38. The system of any one of the claims 1-24, 37, wherein the male and female connector are configured for allowing the at least one shaft portion (210) to pivot (Rl) in the at least one receiving portion (110) within a predetermined range, preferably a range of at least + / - 2°, more preferably at least + / -3° with respect to a central axis of the female connector.

39. The system of any one of the claims 1-24, 37-38, wherein the male connector (200) has a rounded collar portion (232), and the female connector has a socket (132) for receiving said rounded collar portion, said rounded collar portion and said socket being shaped for functioning as a joint which is configured for allowing the pivoting of the male connector relative to the female connector.

40. The system of the previous claim, wherein the at least one shaft portion (210) protrudes out of the rounded collar portion.

41. The system of any one of the claims 1-24, 37-38, wherein the male body, seen along a central axis (A2) thereof, has a first hollow section (230) received in the female connector and a second hollow section (240) intended to be located outside of the female connector, said second hollow section having larger lateral dimensions, measured perpendicular on the central axis, than said first hollow section.

42. The system of claim 39 and 41, wherein the first hollow section comprises a neck section (233) and the rounded collar portion forms a collar protruding laterally outward relative to the neck section.

Images