System for the modular mounting of reflector elements

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for the modular mounting of reflector elements (2) for influencing the lighting conditions in a spatial display area (3), wherein the system (1) comprises the following: - a first number of reflector elements (2), each reflector element (2) having a front side (2Z) provided with a reflective surface (2a) and a rear side (2ZZ) opposite the front side (2Z), - and a second number of connection elements (4), which are designed to be mechanically connected to the reflector element (2) in order to enable a manually adjustable mechanical further connection to a similarly designed reflector element (2) or a reflector holder (5).

Description

[0001] SYSTEM FOR MODULAR MOUNTING OF REFLECTOR ELEMENTS

[0002] The invention relates to a system for the modular mounting of reflector elements for influencing the lighting conditions in a spatial display area.

[0003] Lighting, incidence of light, and perspective play a significant role in art forms in which objects and / or actors are perceived visually. Both light sources and reflectors are often used to influence the lighting conditions in a representational area in which the objects and / or actors act. Examples of such art forms include photography and film production.

[0004] Different types of reflectors of varying sizes have become known from the state of the art. These are usually mounted on stands or other supports and optimized for a specific application. For this reason, the optimal representation of different situations, locations or actors often required the use of a large number of light sources and reflectors. This leads to increased costs for transport and acquisition as well as for the installation of the technology used, which may, for example, comprise a large number of reflectors, or to disadvantageous compromises if the use of technology optimized for the specific application is foregone. In addition, conventional production methods only allow reflectors to be produced economically in certain sizes. This means that the selection of available reflector models and sizes is limited.

[0005] An object of the invention is therefore to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages. This object is achieved with a system of the type mentioned above, wherein the system according to the invention comprises the following: A first number of reflector elements, wherein each reflector element has a front side provided with a reflective surface and a rear side opposite the front side, wherein each reflector element has an edge region that spatially delimits the front side and the rear side of the reflector element, wherein the reflective surface on the front side extends up to the edge region, wherein the edge region has a shape essentially delimited by straight sides, wherein the shape is designed such thatthat by arranging individual reflector elements of the same geometric shape side by side and / or one above the other, an arbitrarily expandable, essentially form-fitting, area-filling arrangement of reflector elements within a plane can be achieved, wherein each reflector element has a connecting element receptacle on its rear side or in its edge region, which is prepared for mechanical connection to a connecting element, as well as a second number of connecting elements which are designed to be mechanically connected to the reflector element by engaging in the connecting element receptacle in order to enable a manually set-up further mechanical connection to a similarly designed reflector element or a reflector holder.

[0006] In this way, a system is created that can be expanded as desired by using two or more reflector elements. The geometric shape of the reflectors allows for a largely seamless arrangement of adjacent reflector elements. The term "largely seamless" means that the shape is selected such that the distances between the adjacent reflector elements are less than 15% of their side length, preferably less than 10% of their side length, particularly preferably less than 5% of their side length (e.g., the shortest side). A rectangular shape, particularly a square shape, is frequently used. The corners of reflector elements can be, but do not have to be, rounded. In principle, any geometric shape can be provided that enables a form-filling arrangement. Examples include rectangles, parallelograms, equilateral hexagons, etc.

[0007] The number of reflector elements is preferably at least two and can be increased by any desired number, for example four, eight, sixteen, etc. In principle, however, a single reflector element with the properties mentioned is sufficient, since any extension with additional reflector elements can be made at any time. Such extensions can also be reversed. The number of connecting elements can differ from the number of reflector elements. Typically, the number of connecting elements in the assembled state of the system according to the invention is at least the number of reflector elements minus 1. Of course, more connecting elements can also be provided. It can even be provided that one connecting element is provided for each side of a reflector element.In particular, it can be provided that the reflective surface of each reflector element is formed by a layer of aluminum held on a rigid supporting layer. The thickness of this aluminum layer can be, for example, between 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm, preferably approximately 0.4 mm.

[0008] Furthermore, the supporting layer can be made of an aluminum composite panel comprising at least two aluminum layers, which are mechanically connected to one another via a plastic core arranged between the aluminum layers. Such a construction is characterized by a particularly homogeneous surface, which can be maintained even under strong temperature fluctuations, which can occur, for example, due to illumination using light sources. Thermal expansion occurs evenly with this material mix, thus preventing heat-induced deformations, in particular bending of the reflective surface. This also prevents the formation of waves, orange peel, dents, or other distortions.

[0009] In particular, it can be provided that a reflective surface is also attached to the back of a reflector element, which differs from the reflective surface on the front with regard to the extent of diffuse light scattering. The extent of diffuse light scattering is understood to mean that incident light is diffusely scattered, whereby both the proportion of light to be diffusely scattered and the scattering range within the diffuse light scattering can be varied. In a first extreme case, no light scattering takes place - this is then a specular reflector. The extent of light scattering would then be zero. In the other extreme case, light from a point light source arranged opposite the reflector, which is directed flatly onto the reflector orThe light radiating from the reflector element is reflected by the reflector in such a way that, after reflection, it is no longer recognizable as a point source, and a uniform, diffuse light emission occurs. The reflector elements are preferably optimized for the reflection of visible light.

[0010] Furthermore, it can be provided that the number of reflector elements includes at least two types of reflector elements, wherein the at least two types differ from one another in the extent of diffuse light scattering of the reflective surfaces. Of course, two or more reflector elements with similarly designed reflective surfaces can also be used, or several reflector elements can be provided per type.

[0011] In particular, the system can be provided with between four and ten types of reflector elements, with each type of reflector element exhibiting a degree of diffuse light scattering that differs from the remaining types, in that the surface structure of the reflective surfaces of the reflector elements of different types differs from one another. In this way, by combining several reflector elements with very different reflection properties, reflector arrangements can be created that are particularly individually variable in size and local light pattern.

[0012] Furthermore, it can be provided that the edge region of each reflector element is formed by a metallic frame, wherein the metallic frame has straight sides that connect the corner regions of the reflector element to one another, wherein each side has a mechanically reinforced region with a said connecting element receptacle. In this way, efficient fastening is possible while avoiding mechanical deformation of the reflector elements. In addition, the use of the metal frame makes handling the reflectors easier, which can be particularly advantageous for reflectors that are larger than 50 cm x 50 cm, in particular in the order of lm x lm. Such reflectors are considerable in weight and benefit from the stiffening provided by the frame. In addition, the frame protects against unwanted fingerprints on the reflective surface in the edge region of the reflector. The frame can also have edge protection orhave plastic corner protectors. This can be provided for all variants of reflector elements.

[0013] In particular, it can be provided that the connecting element receptacle has a screw opening provided with an internal thread, wherein the connecting element is designed to receive a screw and to be firmly connected to the connecting element receptacle by screwing into the screw opening of the connecting element receptacle.

[0014] Furthermore, it can be provided that each connecting element receptacle is arranged centrally along a respective longitudinal extension of the respective side and has a guide section oriented parallel to the respective side, which is preferably designed in the form of an elongate protrusion or an elongate hedging.

[0015] In particular, it can be provided that a connecting element is provided for engagement in the guide section of the connecting element receptacle, which has an engagement profile corresponding to the guide section and extending within a plane.

[0016] Furthermore, it can be provided that the connecting element and / or the connecting element receptacle has a resilient locking means, wherein the position of the locking means is selected such that, in the locked state, it defines a desired position of the connecting element on the connecting element receptacle.

[0017] In particular, it can be provided that the connecting element has a pin that protrudes perpendicularly from a longitudinal extension of the engagement profile and also extends perpendicularly to the plane of the engagement profile. The pin is essentially cylindrical and preferably has a taper at its end. This type of extension makes it possible to rotate the reflector around the pin, especially when the pins are arranged along a common axis on opposite sides of the reflector.

[0018] Preferably, the connecting element comprises an L-shaped bracket formed by two legs, wherein a first leg engages the engagement profile and extends perpendicular to the longitudinal extent but within the plane of the engagement profile, wherein a second leg extends perpendicular to the plane of the engagement profile along the rear of the respective reflector element, wherein a screw opening is provided on the second leg for connection to an external clamping means. This ensures that the connection to the external clamping means or the reflector holder is made opposite the rear of the reflector element. This has the advantage that the fastening does not shade the reflector and the individual reflector elements can be moved particularly close to one another.For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned at this point that a property that a reflector element can have according to this description or according to the claims can of course also apply to two, more or all reflector elements.

[0019] Furthermore, it can be provided that a reflector element has a rectangular shape delimited by the straight sides, wherein the connecting element has a U-shaped bracket formed by three legs for partially encompassing the rectangular shape of the reflector element, wherein a central leg is connected to two outer legs, wherein the outer legs are oriented parallel to each other and normal to the central leg, wherein in a state in which the bracket encompasses the reflector element, there is a distance of at least 3 cm between the outer legs and the opposite sides of the reflector element and an engagement profile is arranged on each of the outer legs, with which the connecting element can be pushed onto two connecting element receptacles arranged on the sides of the reflector element, wherein the engagement profiles each have an opening in which a screw is inserted,The bracket can be secured by manually screwing the screw through the engagement profile into a screw opening in the connecting element receptacles, by screwing the screw in the direction of the reflector element, so that the reflector element is clamped between the two outer legs. Preferably, a pin extending parallel to the outer legs is provided on the central leg for mounting the bracket to an external fixture. The pin can, for example, be cylindrical and have a diameter of 28 mm.

[0020] In particular, it can be provided that the screw is movably mounted in the connecting element and a spring element is arranged in the connecting element, which presses the screw into a rest position in which the screw does not protrude into the engagement profile, wherein the screw can be moved into the engagement profile for engagement in the screw opening of the connecting element receptacle by manually exerting force against the force of the spring element. In this way, assembly of the connecting element on the connecting element receptacle is made significantly easier, since blocking the insertion of the connecting element into the connecting element receptacle due to any protrusion of the screw is prevented. Furthermore, it can be provided that a connecting element receptacle in the form of a guide profile applied flatly thereto is arranged on the back of the reflector element, which extends along the back parallel to the latter.

[0021] In particular, it can be provided that the guide profile is designed as part of a clamping system that can be attached to the front and rear of the reflector element. The clamping system has at least two clamping elements, namely a first clamping element that can be attached to the rear side and a second clamping element that can be attached to the front side. The clamping elements have corresponding clamping means with which the two clamping elements can be clamped together so that a reflector element is held between the clamping elements. In this way, different reflector elements can be clamped, or the clamping systems can be used for different reflector elements that have the same geometric shape.

[0022] Furthermore, it can be provided that the guide profile is designed in the form of guide rails on the first clamping element, wherein each straight side of the reflector element is assigned a guide rail, wherein each guide rail extends from a central region of the respective straight side of the reflector element towards the center of the reflector element, wherein at least some connecting elements are designed in the form of rail engagement elements which are designed for simultaneous engagement in the two adjacently arranged guide rails of two similar reflector elements.

[0023] In particular, it can be provided that the rail engagement element has a locking means which is designed for locking engagement in a corresponding locking means receptacle of the respective guide rail, so that a locking means inserted into a guide rail can be locked in a desired position.

[0024] Furthermore, it can be provided that each rail engagement element has a centrally arranged screw opening, and a clamping means is provided which is supported on the rear side of the first clamping element and which is designed to engage in the screw opening of the rail engagement element, so that the rail engagement element can be clamped by tightening the clamping means. The invention further relates to a reflector arrangement comprising a system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reflector arrangement has a number of reflector elements and a number of connecting elements, wherein at least individual reflector elements are mechanically connected to the connecting elements.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, which are illustrated in the figures.

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system according to the invention,

[0027] Figure 2a shows a more detailed representation of a reflector element according to Fig. 1,

[0028] Figure 2b shows a detailed representation of a connecting element holder of a reflector element,

[0029] Figure 2c is a sectional view of a reflector element,

[0030] Figure 3a is a perspective view of a connecting element,

[0031] Figure 3b is a sectional view of the connecting element according to Fig. 3a with the screw reset,

[0032] Figure 3c shows a sectional view of the connecting element according to Fig. 3a with a protruding screw,

[0033] Figure 3d shows a representation in which a connecting element is pushed onto a connecting element holder,

[0034] Figure 3e is a representation in which a connecting element on the

[0035] The connecting element holder is screwed tight using a tool,

[0036] Figure 4a is a perspective view of an alternative variant of a

[0037] Connecting element, Figure 4b is a sectional view of the alternative variant of the connecting element according to Fig. 4a,

[0038] Figure 4c is a representation of a reflector element on which connecting elements according to Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b are arranged,

[0039] Figure 4d shows an arrangement of several reflector elements which are held on a reflector holder by means of the connecting elements,

[0040] Figure 5 shows a representation of a further arrangement of several reflector elements which are held on a reflector holder by means of the connecting elements,

[0041] Figure 6a is a perspective view of a further variant of a connecting element and a reflector element held thereby,

[0042] Figure 6b shows the connecting element according to Fig. 6a without reflector element,

[0043] Figure 6c is a sectional view of individual components of the connecting element according to Fig. 6a and 6b,

[0044] Figure 6d is a perspective view of the components according to Fig. 6c,

[0045] Figure 7a is a perspective exploded view of another variant for attaching reflector elements,

[0046] Figure 7b is a view of a rear side of a connecting element holder according to the variant of Fig. 7a,

[0047] Figures 7c and 7d are views of a connecting element from above and below,

[0048] Figure 7e is a perspective view of a connecting element with a clamping device, and

[0049] Figure 7f shows a view of a rear side of reflector elements connected to one another by means of the connection system according to Figures 7a to 7e. In the following figures, unless otherwise indicated, identical reference numerals denote identical features.

[0050] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system 1 according to the invention for the modular mounting of reflector elements 2 for influencing the lighting conditions in a spatial display area 3. The display area 3 is shown encircled by a dashed line for example and can, of course, be freely selected. Light beams, for example L1 and L2, can be reflected into the display area by the reflector elements 2. The light beams or light beams can originate from natural ambient light and / or from artificial light, point light sources, planar spotlights, etc.

[0051] According to the invention, the system 1 comprises a first number of reflector elements 2 (two are shown as an example in Fig. 1, but the number can vary in any way), wherein each reflector element 2 has a front side 2' provided with a reflective surface 2a and a rear side 2" opposite the front side 2' (see Fig. 2c). Each reflector element 2 has an edge region 2r which spatially delimits the front side 2' and the rear side 2" of the reflector element 2, wherein the reflective surface 2a on the front side 2' extends up to the edge region 2r. The edge region 2r has a shape (in the present case, for example, square) delimited essentially by straight sides 2sl, 2s2, 2s3, 2s4.

[0052] The shape is designed in such a way that by arranging individual reflector elements 2 of the same geometric shape side by side and / or one above the other, an arbitrarily expandable, essentially form-fitting (apart from slight distances between the corners and / or the sides of the reflectors) area-filling arrangement of reflector elements 2 within a plane can be achieved, wherein each reflector element 2 has on its rear side 2" or in its edge region 2r a connecting element receptacle 2c1, 2c2, 2c3, 2c4, which is prepared for mechanical connection to a connecting element 4. For better clarity, the reference numerals for the connecting element receptacles 2c1 to 2c4 are shown in the reflector element 2 shown on the right. The two reflector elements 2 are of the same design in this example.

[0053] According to the invention, the system 1 additionally comprises a second number (in principle, this can be any number, although it is not equal to zero) of connecting elements 4, which are designed to be mechanically connected to the reflector element 2 by engaging in the connecting element receptacle 2c1, 2c2, 2c3, 2c4 in order to enable a manually adjustable further mechanical connection to a similarly designed reflector element 2 or a reflector holder 5. It should be noted that the holder 5 is only an example and that there are currently at least 15 different standard parts that fit the connecting element. The high compatibility of the connecting elements 4 is a major advantage. In the present case, for example, two connecting elements 4 are attached to each reflector element 2.

[0054] The number of reflector elements 2 can, for example, include at least two types G1, G2 of reflector elements 2, wherein the at least two types G1, G2 differ from one another in the extent of diffuse light scattering of the reflecting surfaces. This means that the reflectors exhibit different reflection behavior, allowing targeted adjustments to desired lighting conditions by combining different reflectors. If a light beam LI were to strike the right reflector element 2 at the same angle, it would be reflected differently than by the left reflector element 2.

[0055] Preferably, the system 1 comprises between four and ten types of reflector elements 2, wherein each type of reflector elements 2 has a degree of diffuse light scattering that differs from the remaining types in that the surface structure of the reflective surfaces of the reflector elements 2 of different types differs from one another.

[0056] Figure 2a shows a more detailed representation of a reflector element 2 according to Fig. 1. The straight sides of the reflector element 2 can merge into rounded edge areas, e.g. in the form of edge protectors made of plastic. With regard to Fig. 2c, which shows a sectional view of a reflector element 2 without a frame, it should be briefly mentioned that the reflective surface 2a of each reflector element 2 can be formed by a layer of aluminum 2a', which is held on a rigid supporting layer 2b. The supporting layer 2b is preferably constructed from an aluminum composite panel having at least two aluminum layers 2b', which are mechanically connected to one another via a plastic core 2b" arranged between the aluminum layers 2b'. The core can in particular be polyethylene. Such a core is resistant to UV radiation, moisture and temperature fluctuations. This is provided with two aluminum layers 2b' with a thickness of e.g.0.3 mm and firmly bonded to them. Furthermore, it can be provided that a reflective surface is also attached to the rear side 2" of a reflector element 2, which differs from the reflective surface 2a of the front side with regard to the extent of diffuse light scattering.

[0057] With reference to Fig. 2a, it should be noted that the edge region 2r of each reflector element 2 is formed by a metallic frame 2c. The metallic frame 2c has straight sides 2sl, 2s2, 2s3, 2s4 that connect the corner regions 2e1, 2e2, 2e3, 2e4 of the reflector element 2. Each side 2sl, 2s2, 2s3, 2s4 has a mechanically reinforced region with a said connecting element receptacle 2c1, 2c2, 2c3, 2c4. These corner regions can be formed by plastic connectors or covers to serve as edge protection.

[0058] Figure 2b shows a detailed representation of a connecting element receptacle 2c4 of a reflector element 2. The connecting element receptacle 2c4 has a screw opening 2c' provided with an internal thread. A connecting element 4 (see, for example, Fig. 3a to 3c) can preferably be designed to receive a screw 6 (see, for example, Fig. 3b) and to be firmly connected to the connecting element receptacle 2c4 (or another connecting element receptacle) by screwing it into the screw opening 2c' of the connecting element receptacle 2c4.

[0059] Preferably, each connecting element receptacle 2c1, 2c2, 2c3, 2c4 is arranged centrally along a respective longitudinal extension of the respective side 2sl, 2s2, 2s3, 2s4. It each has a guide section 2c4' oriented parallel to the respective side 2sl, 2s2, 2s3, 2s4 (all connecting element receptacles can be designed identically), which in the present case is in the form of an elongated protrusion in the form of a rail. Of course, other forms of guide are also possible, e.g., in the form of an elongated recess. With regard to Fig. 3a, it should be mentioned that a connecting element 4, which was also already shown in Fig. 1, is provided for engagement in the guide section 2c4' of the connecting element receptacle 2c4. The connecting element 4 has an engagement profile 4a corresponding to the guide section 2c4', which extends within or along a plane E spanned by two axes x and y. In Fig.3b it can be seen that the already mentioned screw 6 is held in the connecting element 4.

[0060] The screw 6 is movably mounted in the connecting element 4, and a spring element 4e (not shown in more detail) is arranged in the connecting element 4, which spring element presses the screw 6 into a rest position in which the screw 6 does not protrude into the engagement profile 4a, wherein the screw 6 can be moved into the engagement profile 4a by manually exerting force against the force of the spring element 4e to engage the screw opening 2c' of the connecting element receptacle 2c1, 2c2, 2c3, 2c4. Fig. 3c shows a state in which the screw 6 - e.g. by means of a tool - is pushed downwards into the engagement profile 4a, so that it can engage a screw opening 2c' and be screwed into it.

[0061] In the illustration according to Fig. 3b, a spring-loaded locking means 4b is indicated, which the connecting element 4 also has. This locking means 4b can, for example, be designed as a ball element spring-mounted within a hollow worm screw, wherein the position of the locking means 4b is selected such that, in the locked state, it defines a desired position of the connecting element 4 on the connecting element receptacle 2c4. For this purpose, the connecting element receptacle, see, for example, 2c4 according to Fig. 2b, has recesses 2f into which the balls can engage. In this way, the connecting element 4 can be precisely pre-positioned to facilitate subsequent screwing in of the screw 6 and also to minimize the risk of incorrectly screwed connections.

[0062] With regard to Fig. 3a, it should be mentioned that the connecting element 4 has a pin 4cl which projects normally from a longitudinal extension of the engagement profile 4a and which also extends normally to the plane E of the engagement profile 4a, the pin 4cl being essentially cylindrical and preferably having a taper 4cl' before its end. This type of extension makes it possible to rotate the reflector about the pin 4cl, especially when the pins are arranged along a common axis on opposite sides of the reflector. Figure 3d shows a representation in which a connecting element 4 is pushed onto a connecting element receptacle 2c4. Figure 3e shows a representation in which a connecting element 4 is screwed onto the connecting element receptacle 2c4 by means of a tool 10 by tightening the screw 6 (not shown in this figure).The connecting element 4 is designed to be connected to an external component, for example, allowing clamping to a pipe. The taper 4cl' of the pin 4cl has a diameter of 16 mm, for example, allowing the use of existing and partially standardized clamping systems / clamping means or reflector mounts 5, which are shown schematically in Fig. 1, for example.

[0063] Figure 4a shows a perspective view of an alternative variant of a connecting element 4. This again includes an engagement profile 4a, which also has an opening for receiving a screw 6 (see Fig. 4b) and has resilient locking means 4b between them in the sense of the aforementioned variant of the connecting element 4. Figure 4b shows a sectional view of the alternative variant of the connecting element 4 according to Fig. 4a. A clamping means or a reflector holder 5 is screwed onto the connecting element 4. The clamping means or the reflector holder 5 are connected to tubes or can enclose them.

[0064] In this variant, the connecting element 4 has an L-shaped bracket 4c2 formed by two legs 4c21, 4c22. A first leg 4c21 engages the engagement profile 4a and extends from it perpendicular to the longitudinal extent (which runs along the axis x) but within the plane E of the engagement profile 4a. A second leg 4c22 extends from the first leg 4c21 perpendicular to the plane E along the rear side 2" of the respective reflector element 2, wherein a screw opening 11 is provided on the second leg 4c22 for connection to an external clamping means or an external reflector holder 5.

[0065] Figure 4c shows a representation of a reflector element 2 on which connecting elements 4 with clamping means / a reflector holder 5 are arranged according to Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b. Figure 4d shows an arrangement of reflector elements 2 in rows and columns, namely in two rows and two columns, with the reflector elements 2 being held together by the reflector holder 5, which comprises holding tubes. Of course, the number of rows and columns can be freely selected by the person skilled in the art.

[0066] Figure 5 shows a representation of a further arrangement of several reflector elements 2, which are held on a reflector holder 5 by means of the connecting elements 4.

[0067] Figure 6a shows a perspective view of another variant of a connecting element 4 and a reflector element 2 held thereby. The connecting element 4 inserted therein is more clearly visible in Fig. 6b. The connecting element receptacle is fundamentally designed in the same way as in the previously described variants, which is why it will not be discussed in more detail below.

[0068] The reflector element 2 has a rectangular shape delimited by the previously referenced straight sides 2sl, 2s2, 2s3, 2s4, wherein the connecting element 4 has a U-shaped bracket 4d2 formed by three legs 4d21, 4d22, 4d23 for partially encompassing the rectangular shape of the reflector element 2.The central leg 4d21 is connected to two outer legs 4d22, 4d23, wherein the outer legs 4d22, 4d23 are oriented parallel to one another and normal to the central leg 4d21, wherein in a state in which the bracket 4d2 engages around the reflector element 2, there is a distance of at least 3 cm between the outer legs 4d22, 4d23 and the opposite sides 2s2, 2s4 of the reflector element 2 and an engagement profile 4a, already mentioned in the previously described variants, is arranged on each of the outer legs 4d22, 4d23, with which engagement profile the connecting element 4 can be pushed onto two connecting element receptacles 2c2, 2c4 (corresponding to Fig. 2b) arranged on the sides 2s2, 2s4 of the reflector element 2.

[0069] The engagement profiles 4a each have an opening 4a' (see Fig. 6c), in each of which a screw 6 is inserted. The screw 6 can be fixed by manually screwing it through the engagement profile 4 into a screw opening 2c' of the connecting element receptacles 2c2, 2c4. The screw 6 (see Fig. 6c) is screwed in the direction of the reflector element 2, so that the reflector element 2 is clamped between the two outer legs 4d22, 4d23. The screw 6 can be tightened using a bracket 6a, which allows manual operation. As already described above, a spring element 4e and a spring-loaded locking means 4b with the functionality corresponding to the variant according to Fig. 3b can also be provided in this variant. In addition, the central bracket 4d21 has a pin which projects from the central bracket 4d21 parallel to the outer brackets 4d22 and 4d23, in a direction away from the outer brackets.This pin preferably has a diameter of 28mm in the area of ​​its taper.

[0070] Figure 7a shows a perspective exploded view of another variant for fastening reflector elements 2. Therein, a reflector element 2 and a clamping system 7 are disclosed. The clamping system 7 is two-part and consists of a first clamping element 7a, which can be attached to the rear side 2" of the reflector element 2, and a second clamping element 7b, which can be attached to the front side 2'. The clamping elements 7a, 7b have corresponding clamping means 7a', 7b', with which the two clamping elements 7a, 7b can be clamped together, so that the reflector element 2 can be held between the clamping elements 7a, 7b. The first clamping element 7a forms a guide profile 2c" with connecting element receptacles 2c1, 2c2, which, when attached to the rear side of a reflector element 2, extends along the rear side 2" parallel to the latter. The clamping system 7 can be made of plastic, in particular injection-molded, or of metal.

[0071] Figure 7b shows a view of a rear side of the first clamping element 7a with the guide profile 2c" and the connecting element receptacles formed therein. The guide profile 2c" is designed in the form of guide rails 2csl, 2cs2, 2cs3, 2cs4 on the first clamping element 7a, wherein each side 2sl, 2s2, 2s3, 2s4 (analogous to Fig. 2a) of the reflector element 2 is assigned a guide rail 2csl, 2cs2, 2cs3, 2cs4, wherein each guide rail 2csl, 2cs2, 2cs3, 2cs4 extends from a central region of the respective straight side 2sl, 2s2, 2s3, 2s4 of the reflector element 2 towards the center of the reflector element 2.

[0072] Figures 7c and 7d show views of a connecting element 4 from oblique top and oblique bottom, which is compatible with these guide rails 2csl, 2cs2, 2cs3, 2cs4. This is a rail engagement element 4f, which can also be referred to as a sliding block, wherein this rail engagement element 4f is designed for simultaneous engagement with the two adjacent guide rails 2csl, 2cs2, 2cs3, 2cs4 of two similar reflector elements 2. The rail engagement element 4f has locking means 4f' which are designed for locking engagement in corresponding locking means receptacles 4a" of the respective guide rail 2csl, 2cs2, 2cs3, 2cs4, so that a locking means 4f' inserted into a guide rail 2csl, 2cs2, 2cs3, 2cs4 can be locked in a desired position.

[0073] Each rail engagement element 4f has a centrally arranged screw opening 4f", and a clamping means 8 (see Fig. 7e) is provided, which is supported on the rear side 2" of the first clamping element 7a and which is designed to engage in the screw opening 4f" of the rail engagement element 4f, so that the rail engagement element 4f can be clamped by tightening the clamping means 8. This clamping means 8 can be seen in Fig. 7e, which is designed such that by turning the rotary wheel, the sliding block is pressed with its lateral profile against the rail, so that it is firmly fixed in its position relative to the rail by correspondingly tightening the clamping means 8. If the position of the sliding block 4f is selected such that it engages in the rails of two adjacent reflector elements 2 simultaneously, this enables a connection of adjacent reflector elements 2.In this way, reflector elements 2 can be securely connected to one another in rows and columns. The detachability of the clamping device 8 and the clamping system 7 allows reflector elements 2 to be easily replaced without having to discard the clamping device or the clamping system 7.

[0074] Figure 7f shows a view of a rear side of reflector elements 2, which are connected to each other by means of the connection system according to Figures 7a to 7e.

[0075] The invention also relates to a reflector arrangement 9, shown for example in Fig. 1, comprising a system 1 according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reflector arrangement 9 has a number of reflector elements 2 and a number of connecting elements 4, wherein at least individual reflector elements 2 are mechanically connected to the connecting elements 4.

[0076] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but is defined by the entire scope of the claims. Individual aspects of the invention or the embodiments may also be taken up and combined with one another. Any reference symbols in the claims are exemplary and serve only to facilitate the readability of the claims, without limiting them.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. System (1) for the modular mounting of reflector elements (2) for influencing the lighting conditions in a spatial display area (3), the system (1) comprising: - a first number of reflector elements (2), each reflector element (2) having a front side (2') provided with a reflective surface (2a) and a rear side (2") opposite the front side (2'), each reflector element (2) having an edge region (2r) that spatially delimits the front side (2') and the rear side (2") of the reflector element (2), the reflective surface (2a) on the front side (2') extending as far as the edge region (2r), the edge region (2r) having a shape essentially delimited by straight sides (2sl, 2s2, 2s3, 2s4), the shape being designed such that an arbitrarily expandable, essentially form-fitting, area-filling arrangement of reflector elements (2) within a plane can be achieved by flatly arranging individual reflector elements (2) of the same geometric shape next to and / or one above the other,wherein each reflector element (2) has on its rear side (2") or in its edge region (2r) a connecting element receptacle (2cl, 2c2, 2c3, 2c4) which is prepared for mechanical connection to a connecting element (4), - and a second number of connecting elements (4) which are designed to be mechanically connected to the reflector element (2) by engagement in the connecting element receptacle (2c1, 2c2, 2c3, 2c4) in order to enable a manually adjustable further mechanical connection to a similarly designed reflector element (2) or a reflector holder (5).

2. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein the reflective surface (2a) of each reflector element (2) is formed by a layer of aluminum (2a') held on a rigid supporting layer (2b).

3. System (1) according to claim 2, wherein the supporting layer (2b) consists of an aluminum composite plate comprising at least two aluminum layers (2b') which are connected via a plastic cores (2b") arranged between the aluminum layers (2b') are mechanically connected to one another.

4. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a reflective surface is also attached to the rear side (2") of a reflector element (2), which differs from the reflective surface (2a) of the front side with regard to the extent of diffuse light scattering.

5. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the number of reflector elements (2) includes at least two types (Gl, G2) of reflector elements (2), wherein the at least two types (Gl, G2) differ from one another in the extent of diffuse light scattering of the reflecting surfaces.

6. System (1) according to claim 5, wherein the system (1) comprises between four and ten types of reflector elements (2), wherein each type of reflector elements (2) has a degree of diffuse light scattering that differs from the remaining types in that the surface structure of the reflective surfaces of the reflector elements (2) of different types differs from one another.

7. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the edge region (2r) of each reflector element (2) is formed by a metallic frame (2c), wherein the metallic frame (2c) has the straight sides (2sl, 2s2, 2s3, 2s4) which connect the corner regions (2el, 2e2, 2e3, 2e4) of the reflector element (2) to one another, wherein each side (2sl, 2s2, 2s3, 2s4) has a mechanically reinforced region with a said connecting element receptacle (2cl, 2c2, 2c3, 2c4).

8. System (1) according to claim 7, wherein the connecting element receptacle (2cl, 2c2, 2c3, 2c4) has a screw opening (2c') provided with an internal thread, wherein the connecting element (4) is adapted to receive a screw (6) and to be firmly connected to the connecting element receptacle (2cl, 2c2, 2c3, 2c4) by screwing into the screw opening (2c') of the connecting element receptacle (2cl, 2c2, 2c3, 2c4).

9. System (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each connecting element receptacle (2cl, 2c2, 2c3, 2c4) is arranged centrally along a respective longitudinal extent of the respective side (2sl, 2s2, 2s3, 2s4) is arranged and has a guide section (2c4'j) oriented parallel to the respective side (2sl, 2s2, 2s3, 2s4), which is preferably designed in the form of an elongated protrusion or an elongated recess.

10. System (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein a connecting element (4) is provided for engagement in the guide section (2c4'j) of the connecting element receptacle (2c1, 2c2, 2c3, 2c4), which has an engagement profile (4a) corresponding to the guide section (2c4'j) and extending within a plane (E).

11. System (1) according to claim 10, wherein the connecting element (4) and / or the connecting element receptacle (2cl, 2c2, 2c3, 2c4) has a resilient locking means (4b), wherein the position of the locking means (4b) is selected such that, in the locked state, it defines a desired position of the connecting element (4) on the connecting element receptacle (2cl, 2c2, 2c3, 2c4).

12. System (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the connecting element (4) has a pin (4cl) projecting normally from a longitudinal extension of the engagement profile (4a), which pin also extends normally to the plane (E) of the engagement profile (4a), the pin (4cl) being substantially cylindrical and preferably having a taper (4cl') in front of its end.

13. System (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the connecting element (4) has an L-shaped bracket (4c2) formed by two legs (4c21, 4c22), wherein a first leg (4c21) engages the engagement profile (4a) and extends from thereon normal to the longitudinal extent but within the plane (E) of the engagement profile (4a), wherein a second leg (4c22) extends from the first leg (4c21) normal to the plane (E) of the engagement profile (4a) along the rear side (2") of the respective reflector element (2), wherein a screw opening (11) for connection to a reflector holder (5) is provided on the second leg (4c22).

14. System (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein a reflector element (2) has a rectangular shape delimited by the straight sides (2sl, 2s2, 2s3, 2s4), wherein the connecting element (4) has an egg-shaped bracket (4d2) formed by three legs (4d21, 4d22, 4d23) for partially encompassing the rectangular shape of the reflector element (2), wherein a central leg (4d21) is connected to two outer legs (4d22, 4d23), wherein the outer legs (4d22, 4d23) are oriented parallel to each other and normal to the central leg (4d21), wherein in a state in which the bracket (4d2) engages around the reflector element (2), there is a distance of at least 3 cm between the outer legs (4d22, 4d23) and the opposite sides (2s2, 2s4) of the reflector element (2) and an engagement profile (4a) is arranged on each of the outer legs (4d22, 4d23), with which engagement profile the connecting element (4) can be pushed onto two connecting element receptacles (2c2, 2c4) arranged on the sides (2s2, 2s4) of the reflector element (2), wherein the Engagement profiles (4a) each have an opening (4a') in which a screw (6) is inserted, wherein by manually screwing the screw (6) through the engagement profile (4) into a screw opening (2c') of the connecting element receptacles (2c2,2c4) can be fixed by screwing the screw (6) in the direction of the reflector element (2) so that the reflector element (2) is clamped between the two outer legs (4d22, 4d23).

15. System (1) according to one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the screw (6) is movably mounted in the connecting element (4) and a spring element (4e) is arranged in the connecting element (4), which spring element presses the screw (6) into a rest position in which the screw (6) does not protrude into the engagement profile (4a), wherein the screw (6) can be moved by manually exerting force against the force of the spring element (4e) into the engagement profile (4a) for engagement in the screw opening (2c') of the connecting element receptacle (2c1, 2c2, 2c3, 2c4).

16. System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a connecting element receptacle (2c1, 2c2, 2c3, 2c4) in the form of a guide profile (2c) applied flatly thereto is arranged on the rear side (2") of the reflector element (2), which extends along the rear side (2") parallel to the latter.

17. System (1) according to claim 16, wherein the guide profile (2c") is designed as part of a clamping system (7) which can be attached to the front and rear of the reflector element (2), wherein the clamping system (7) has at least two clamping elements (7a, 7b), namely a first clamping element (7a) which can be attached to the rear side (2") and a second clamping element (7b) which can be attached to the front side (2'), wherein the clamping elements (7a, 7b) have mutually corresponding clamping means (7a', 7b') with which the two clamping elements (7a, 7b) can be clamped together so that a reflector element (2) is held between the clamping elements (7a, 7b).

18. System (1) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the guide profile (4a) is designed in the form of guide rails (2csl, 2cs2, 2cs3, 2cs4) on the first clamping element (7), wherein each straight side (2sl, 2s2, 2s3, 2s4) of the reflector element (2) is assigned a guide rail (2csl, 2cs2, 2cs3, 2cs4), wherein each guide rail (2csl, 2cs2, 2cs3, 2cs4) extends from a central region of the respective straight side (2sl, 2s2, 2s3, 2s4) of the reflector element (2) towards the center of the reflector element (2), wherein at least some connecting elements (4) are designed in the form of rail engagement elements (4f) which are for simultaneous engagement in the two adjacent guide rails (2csl, 2cs2, 2cs3, 2cs4) of two similar reflector elements (2).

19. System (1) according to claim 18, wherein the rail engagement element (4f) has a locking means (4f ) which is designed for locking engagement in a corresponding locking means receptacle (4a") of the respective guide rail (2csl, 2cs2, 2cs3, 2cs4), so that a locking means (4f ) inserted into a guide rail (2csl, 2cs2, 2cs3, 2cs4) can be locked in a desired position.

20. System (1) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein each rail engagement element (4f) has a centrally arranged screw opening (4f"), and a clamping means (8) is provided which is supported on the rear side (2") of the first clamping element (7a) and which is designed to engage in the screw opening (4f") of the rail engagement element (4f), so that the rail engagement element (4f) can be clamped by tightening the clamping means (8).

21. Reflector arrangement (9) comprising a system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reflector arrangement (9) has a number of reflector elements (2) and a number of connecting elements (4), wherein at least individual reflector elements (2) are mechanically connected to the connecting elements (4).

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