Assembly group for a lighting device, installation and maintenance kit, mounting method, lighting assembly and maintenance method

Abstract

An assembly group (1) for a lighting device (2) comprises : a primary coupling portion (11) comprising a support (14), a fastening element (15) and a power supply device (4); a secondary coupling portion (12) which may be constrained to the primary coupling portion (11) and comprises a lid (6) and an electrical connection device (4' ) which may be connected to the power supply device (4). The support (14) comprises a constraining portion (51) and the lid (6) comprises an attachment portion (52) removably engageable with the constraining portion (51). The fastening element (15) has a first coupling end (150) and the secondary coupling portion (12) has a second coupling end (160) connectable to the first coupling end (150). An installation and maintenance kit comprises an assembly group and a covering element (3). A lighting assembly comprises such a kit. A method for mounting the assembly and a method for maintaining said lighting assembly allow for mounting or maintenance of the group or of the assembly.

Description

"ASSEMBLY GROUP FOR A LIGHTING DEVICE , INSTALLATION ANDMAINTENANCE KIT , MOUNTING METHOD , LIGHTING ASSEMBLY AND MAINTENANCE METHOD” DESCRIPTIONField of application

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly group for a lighting device , preferably a ceiling or wall lighting device , an installation and maintenance kit , a related mounting method, a lighting assembly, and a maintenance method for such an assembly .

[0002] In the field of room lighting, various fixing systems are known to be provided for attaching a lighting device to a wall .

[0003] Typically, the most commonly used systems involve the use of wall plates that are suitable for being fixed to a wall and that are provided with seats for accommodating external fastening means that block a lighting element interposed between said fastening means and said seats .

[0004] For example , the lighting element is also provided with respective locations that are suitable for matching the seats obtained in the wall plate and being crossed by such fastening means .

[0005] Disadvantageously, these systems are inconvenient to use insofar as the lighting elements mustbe physically supported during assembly and / or require the aid of additional blocking means in order to support the illumination during the insertion and locking of the fastening means and, in the case of particularly heavy lighting elements , require the intervention of several operators .

[0006] Other known systems , especially for mounting and fastening ceiling lights or commonly lamps that are directly applied to the ceiling of a room, provide for the wall mounting, generally by means of wall plugs , of a supporting structure whereto a covering element is constrained, pre ferably using snap fittings or using further fastening means .

[0007] Also such systems are impractical and require expertise on the technicians insofar as they are not within the competence of a common user .

[0008] Even more complex is the assembly and fixing of suspended lighting, which is often implemented by means of the use of hooks and fasteners which are not very stable and which are complex to insert .

[0009] In addition, such known systems are disadvantageously impractical when there is a need to carry out maintenance operations , such as painting or staining, on the wall in the area surrounding the lighting .

[0010] In such situations, it is necessary to completely disassemble the light fitting, leaving the wiring exposed and dangerous, or to leave the lighting devices assembled but with the risk of staining or damaging them with paint, or even to cover over the lighting area with the consequent waste of material and working time.Solution of the invention

[0011] The re appears to be a significant need therefore to provide an assembly group that is capable of overcoming the drawbacks typical of the prior art.

[0012] In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide an assembly group that is quick and simple to implement, within the reach of the average user .

[0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide an assembly group having a small footprint and suitable for covering cables and power supplies, which are unsightly and dangerous for the user.

[0014] A still further object of the present invention is to render the maintenance of the power supply device simple and practical and to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the device, for example to allow the cleaning thereof or to carry out masonry works or paintings in the immediate vicinity thereof.

[0015] Finally, according to a further aspect , the obj ect of the present invention is to allow for the simple and safe replacement of the lighting device in the case of failure .

[0016] This requirement is satis fied by an assembly group for a lighting device assembly, an installation and maintenance kit , a related mounting method, a lighting assembly and a maintenance method according to the appended independent claims . The claims dependent thereon describe preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention, comprising further advantageous features . Description of the drawings

[0017] The features and advantages of the assembly group, of the kit , of the relative method, of the lighting assembly and the maintenance method will become apparent from the following description of a number of preferred embodiments , given by way of non-limiting example , with reference to the attached figures , wherein :- Figure 1 shows an exploded schematic view of an assembly group according to one embodiment of the invention;Figure 2 shows a schematic form of a covering element for an installation and maintenance kit according to one embodiment of the invention .Detailed description

[0018] With reference to the above figures an assembly group for a lighting device 2 has been indicated as a whole with the reference numeral 1.

[0019] The assembly group 1 comprises a primary coupling portion 11 and a secondary coupling portion 12. The secondary coupling portion 12 is suitable for being removably constrained to the primary coupling portion 11.

[0020] The primary coupling portion 11 comprises a support 14 suitable for being installed on a wall, preferably the ceiling, and to remain stably constrained thereto once fastened thereto.

[0021] The primary coupling portion 11 further comprises a fastening element 15 suitable for anchoring the support 14 to the wall.

[0022] In one embodiment, the support 14 comprises a seat 140 suitable for accommodating the fastening element 15. For example, the fastening element 15 is a pin or a hook and the seat 140 is a hole passing through the support 14.

[0023] In one embodiment, the support 14 is substantially cylindrical in shape and comprises at least one lower base 144 and one support side wall 146 extending about a central axis X.

[0024] Preferably, the seat 140 is a hole obtained in the lower base 144.

[0025] That is, advantageously, the support 14 is supported on the wall by the fastening element 15 without the need for external plates or fixing means such as screws or nails.

[0026] The fixed portion 11 further comprises a power supply device 4.

[0027] In one embodiment, a housing suitable for accommodating the power supply device 4 is obtained within the support.

[0028] Preferably, the power supply device 4 comprises a power supply connector 40.

[0029] In one advantageous embodiment, for example shown in Figure 1, the power supply device 4 is integrated into the support 14. In one embodiment, the power supply connector 40 is a female connector (a socket) , preferably integral with the support 14. Preferably, an opening is obtained in the lower base 144 of the support, which allows access to such power supply connector 40.

[0030] In other words, according to such an advantageous embodiment, the power supply connector 40 is contained in an inner volume delimited by the support 14 and does not protrude beyond the lower base 144.

[0031] In one embodiment, the power supply device 4 comprises electrical wires from the wall, installed in the power supply connector 40.

[0032] Advantageously, this embodiment allows the user to manage the components of the assembly group with one hand insofar as the electrical connection does not require the simultaneous manipulation of two power cables. This greatly facilitates assembly operations and also renders the area below the lower base 144 safer and cleaner insofar as there are no protruding cables.

[0033] According to the present invention, the secondary coupling portion 12 comprises a lid 6 engageable with the support 14.

[0034] In one embodiment, the lid 6 is substantially cylindrical in shape and comprises at least one lower surface 644 and one lid side wall 646.

[0035] According to the invention, the support 14 comprises a constraining portion 51 suitable for engaging with a respective attachment portion 52 of the lid 6.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the constraining portion 51 comprises an outer thread 500 obtained on the support side wall 146.

[0037] In one embodiment, the outer thread 500 extends at least partially, preferably in one completerevolution, about the central axis X on the support side wall 146.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the support side wall 146 defines an upper support edge 41 and the outer thread 500 is obtained near said upper support edge 41.

[0039] In one embodiment, the attachment portion 52 comprises an inner thread 520 obtained inside the lid side wall 646.

[0040] Preferably, the lid 6 is open at the top.

[0041] In one embodiment, the lid side wall 646 is delimited at the top by an upper edge 61.

[0042] In one embodiment of the invention, the inner thread 520 is obtained near said upper edge 61 of the lid 6.

[0043] In one embodiment, the inner thread 520 extends internally to the lid side wall 646 in one complete revolution about the axis X.

[0044] In an alternative embodiment, the constraining portion 51 is engageable to the attachment portion 52 by means of a bayonet or snap engagement.

[0045] The fastening element 15 may be inserted stably into the wall of the ceiling, for example by means of a wall plug 17, such as a Fischer type wall plug.

[0046] According to the invention, the fastening element 15 ends at the bottom i.e., beyond and belowthe lower base 144 of the support 14 - with a first coupling end 150.

[0047] It is clarified that with the present invention, the terms "lower" or "bottom" refer to portions of the components that, once assembled, face the opposite side with respect to the ceiling; in contrast the terms "upper" or "top" refer to portions of the components that, once assembled, face the ceiling.

[0048] Preferably, the first coupling end 150 is C- shaped, or hook-shaped.

[0049] In one embodiment, such coupling end 150 is such to support the weight of the support 14 and at the same time such to block the disengagement thereof from the fastening element 15 when the support 14 is fastened to the wall.

[0050] Preferably, the first coupling end 150 is suitable for abutting against the lower base 144, when the fastening element 15 is assembled in order to support the weight of the support 14 and to block the disengagement thereof from the fastening element 15.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the fastening element 15 simultaneously allows the support 14 to be fastened to the wall and the support of the lighting device 2 to be supported.

[0052] That is, the load-bearing function that supports the lighting device 2 is borne only by the fastening element 15 - and in particular by the first coupling end 150 - while the support 14 has no loadbearing function in relation to the lighting device 2.

[0053] The support 14 only has a load-bearing function for engagement with the lid 6.

[0054] According to the invention, the secondary coupling portion 12 comprises a second connection element 16 that ends at the top with a second coupling end 160.

[0055] Preferably, the second coupling end 160 is ring-shaped, i.e., it identifies a closed circumference.

[0056] Alternatively, the first coupling end 150 is ring-shaped and the second coupling end is C-shaped or hook-shaped .

[0057] The f irst coupling end 150 and the second coupling end 160 are removably connectable to each other.

[0058] According to the invention, the movable portion 12 comprises an electrical connection device 4' which is connectable to the power supply device 4 to electrically power a lighting device 2 that is preferably already connected to the electrical connection device 4 ' or alternatively connectable to the rear.

[0059] In one embodiment, a seat, preferably a duct, is obtained in the second connecting element 16, suitablefor housing the electrical connection device 4' for powering a lighting device 2.

[0060] Preferably, the electrical connection device 4' comprises a receiving connector 40' suitable for being connected to the power supply connector 40.

[0061] The electrical connection device 4' may be directly connected to the lighting device 2 or part of said lighting device 2.

[0062] According to the invention, when the connection portion 52 is engaged with the constraining portion 51, a chamber 7 is created between the lid 6 and the support 14, suitable for containing and hiding said first 150 and second 160 coupling ends and the electrical connection device 4' from the user's view.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the lid 6 extends in the direction of the axis X at a lid height H6 and the support 14 extends in the direction of the axis X at a support height H14 which is lower than the lid height H6.

[0064] Preferably, therefore, the chamber 7 extends in the direction of the axis X with a chamber height given by the difference in the height of the lid H6 and the support height H14.

[0065] The present invention also relates to an installation and maintenance kit comprising an assemblygroup 1 according to the invention and a covering element3.

[0066] The covering element 3 is removably engageable to the support 14 in place of the secondary coupling portion 12, i.e., when the secondary coupling portion 12 is separated from the primary coupling portion 11.

[0067] In particular, in a preferred embodiment, the covering element 3 is cylindrical in shape and comprises a side wall 346.

[0068] Preferably, the side wall 346 is delimited at the top by an upper annular edge 32 and has an inner thread 320 at such an upper annular edge 32.

[0069] In one embodiment, the covering element 3 has the same shape and dimensions as the lid 6.

[0070] In one embodiment, the covering element 3 is a cap which may be screwed onto the support 14.

[0071] In one embodiment, the covering element 3 comprises a bottom wall that is preferably flat and joined to the side wall 346 in such a way that when the covering element 3 is engaged with the support 14 a completely closed compartment is generated that houses the first coupling end 15.

[0072] One object of the present invention is also a mounting method of an assembly group according to thepresent invention. According to the invention, the mounting method comprises the following steps:

[0073] a) providing an assembly group 1 according to this invention and wall electrical wiring;

[0074] b) conveying the electrical wiring into the power supply device 4;

[0075] c) fastening the support 14 to the wall by means of the fastening element 15;

[0076] d) connecting the second coupling end 160 to the first coupling end 150;

[0077] e) connecting the electrical connection device 4' to the power supply device 4;

[0078] f) engaging the lid 6 with the support 14.

[0079] Preferably, in the fastening step c) , the fastening element 15 is stably inserted into a hole that has been previously obtained in the wall.

[0080] Preferably, step c) also provides for the step of inserting the fastening element 15 into a seat 140 of the support 14 and fastening said fastening element 15 to the wall.

[0081] It is clear that the described mounting method, when directed at a lighting assembly, also comprises the step of connecting the lighting device 2 to the electrical connection device 4 ' . Alternatively, theelectrical connection device 4' is already part of the lighting device 2.

[0082] The present invention also relates to a lighting assembly comprising an installation and maintenance kit according to the present invention and a lighting device.

[0083] The object of the present invention is also an assembly group maintenance method comprising the following steps: w) disengaging the lid 6 from the support 14 and disconnecting the electrical connection device 4' from the power supply device 4; x) uncoupling the second coupling end 160 from the first coupling end 150 to separate the lighting device and the movable portion 12 from the fixed portion 11; y) engaging, preferably by screwing, the covering element 3 with the support 14; z) performing the desired maintenance operations on the wall surrounding the covering element 3.

[0084] The maintenance method preferably further comprises, after step z) , the following steps:

[0085] zl) disengaging the covering element 3 from the support 14;

[0086] z2) reconnecting the movable portion 12 to the fixed portion 11 by reconnecting the first 150 and thesecond coupling end 160 , reconnecting the electrical connection device 4 ' to the power supply device , and engaging the lid 6 with the support 14 .

[0087] Innovatively, the present invention solves the typical drawbacks of the lighting device assembly systems of the prior art .

[0088] Advantageously, the assembly group according to the present invention is simple and compact .

[0089] According to a further advantage , the assembly group allows for easy assembly and disassembly of the lighting device components and prevents any escaping of cables and electrical connections that would be aesthetically unpleasant as well as dangerous for the user .

[0090] According to an even further advantage , the assembly group, in providing a covering element suitable for replacing the lid, it is possible to easily remove the light fitting but keep the wiring hidden during the steps of cleaning and painting the walls .

[0091] This allows wall painting and maintenance operations to be performed while avoiding dirtying or damaging the lighting device .

[0092] It is clear that , to the embodiments of the aforesaid assembly group and the aforesaid maintenance method, a person skilled in the art , in order to meetspeci fic needs , could make variations or substitutions of elements with functionally equivalent ones .

[0093] These variants are also contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims . Moreover, each variant described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be implemented independently of the other variants described .

Claims

CLAIMS1. An assembly group (1) for assembling a lighting device (2) to a wall, said assembly group (1) comprising:- a primary coupling portion (11) comprising a support (14) , a fastening element (15) suitable for anchoring said support (14) to the wall, and a power supply device (4) ;- a secondary coupling portion (12) comprising a lid (6) engageable to the support (14) and an electrical connection device (4' ) connectable to the power supply device (4) to electrically power a lighting device (2) ; wherein the fastening element (15) ends at the bottom with a first coupling end (150) and the secondary coupling portion (12) comprises a second connecting element (16) ending at the top with a second coupling end (160) removably connectable to the first coupling end (150) , wherein the support (14) comprises a constraining portion (51) and the lid (6) comprises an attachment portion (52) removably engageable with said constraining portion (51) so that, when the attachment portion (52) is engaged with said constraining portion (51) , a chamber (7) is created between the lid (6) and the support (14) , suitable for containing and hiding said first (150) and second (160) coupling ends and the electrical connection device (4' )from the user's view.

2. Assembly group (1) according to claim 1, wherein the support (14) is substantially cylindrical in shape and comprises a support side wall (146) extending about a central axis (X) and wherein the constraining portion (51) comprises an outer thread (500) obtained on said support side wall (146) , and wherein the lid (6) is also substantially cylindrical in shape and comprises a lid side wall (646) , wherein the attachment portion (52) comprises an inner thread (520) obtained inside the lid side wall (646) , so that the engagement between said constraining portion (51) and attachment portion (52) occurs by screwing the inner thread (520) onto the outer thread (500) .

3. Assembly group (1) according to claim 2, wherein the support side wall (146) defines an upper support edge (41) and the outer thread (500) is obtained in proximity to said upper support edge (41) and extends in one complete revolution about the central axis (X) on the support side wall (146) , and wherein the lid (6) is open at the top and the lid side wall (6) defines an upper lid edge (61) and the inner thread (520) is obtained close to said upper lid edge (61) and extends in one complete revolution about the central axis (X) onto the lid side wall (646) .

4. Assembly group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first coupling end (150) is C-shaped or hook-shaped and the second coupling end (160) is ring-shaped.

5. Assembly group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (14) comprises a lower base (144) and comprises a seat (140) suitable for accommodating the fastening element (15) , and wherein the first coupling end (150) is suitable for abutting against the lower base (144) , when the fastening element (15) is assembled, to support the weight of the support (14) and block the disengagement thereof from the fastening element ( 15) .

6. Assembly group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power supply device (4) comprises a power supply connector (40) and the electrical connection device (4' ) comprises a receiving connector (40' ) , and wherein the power supply connector (40) is a female connector contained in an inner volume delimited between the support (14) and the wall, and is accessible from the outside for the electrical connection with the receiving connector (40' ) .

7. Assembly group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the load-bearing function thatsupports the lighting device (2) is borne only by the fastening element (15) .

8. Assembly group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (6) extends in the direction of the axis (X) at a lid height (H6) and the support (14) extends in the direction of the axis (X) at a support height (H14) which is lower than the lid height (H6) , and wherein the chamber (7) extends in the direction of the axis (X) at a chamber height given by the difference in the height of the lid (H6) and the support height (H14) .

9. Assembly and maintenance kit for the assembly and maintenance of a lighting device, comprising an assembly group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, and comprising a covering element (3) removably fixable to the support (14) in replacement of the secondary coupling portion (12) when this is separated from the primary coupling portion (11) so that the first coupling end (15) remains enclosed between the covering element (3) and the support (14) so that it remains inaccessible and hidden from the user's view.

10. Assembly and maintenance kit according to claim 9, wherein the support (14) is substantially cylindrical in shape and comprises a support side wall (146) extendingabout a central axis (X) and wherein the constraining portion (51) comprises an outer thread (500) obtained on said support side wall (146) , and wherein the covering element (3) is substantially cylindrical in shape and comprises a side wall (346) which is delimited at the top by an upper annular edge(32) and which has an inner thread (320) at such an upper annular edge (32) , said inner covering thread (320) being screwable onto the outer thread (500) of the support (14) .

11. Assembly and maintenance kit according to claim 10, wherein the covering element (3) has the same shape and dimensions as the lid (6) .

12. Assembly and maintenance kit according to any one of the claims from 9 to 11, wherein the covering element (3) is a cap that is screwable onto the support (14) .

13. Assembly and maintenance kit according to any one of the claims from 9 to 12, wherein the covering element (3) comprises a bottom wall that is flat and joined to the side wall (346) .

14. A method for assembling an assembly group (1) according to one of the claims from 1 to 8, comprising the following steps: a) providing an assembly group (1) according to any one of the claims from 1 to 8 and wall electrical wiring;b) conveying the electrical wiring into the power supply device ( 4 ) ; c) fastening the support (14) to the wall by means of the fastening element (15) ; d) connecting the second coupling end (160) to the first coupling end (150) ; e) connecting the electrical connection device (4' ) to the power supply device (4) ; f) engaging the lid (6) with the support (14) .

15. A lighting assembly comprising a lighting device (2) and an assembly and maintenance kit according to any one of the claims from 9 to 13.

16. A method for maintaining a lighting assembly according to claim 15, previously assembled, comprising the following steps: w) disengaging the lid (6) from the support (14) and disconnecting the electrical connection device (4' ) from the power supply device (4) ; x) uncoupling the second coupling end (160) from the first coupling end (150) to separate the lighting device (2) and the movable portion (12) from the fixed portion (11) ; y) engaging the covering element (3) with the support (14) ;z) performing the desired maintenance operations on the wall surrounding the covering element (3) .

Images