Busbar element, mounting rail system, transportation arrangement and packaging arrangement

Abstract

The present invention relates to a busbar element (1), having a busbar profile (2) extending in an elongate fashion along a longitudinal axis (X) for arrangement in an elongate mounting rail profile (11), and having at least one retaining structure (3) for supportingly receiving a portion of a further mounting rail profile (11) equipped with an identical further busbar element (1). The busbar profile (2) has contact-making grooves (4) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) for each receiving an electrical conductor (L1) in order to be electrically contactable by a contact-making side (K) of the busbar profile (2) via the respective contact-making groove (4). The retaining structure (3) for its part has: a spacer web (30), which projects away from the busbar profile (2) on the contact-making side (K) and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (X), and, on the contact-making side (K), a positioning web (31), which projects away from the busbar profile (2), on both sides of the spacer web (30) with respect to the longitudinal axis (X), the positioning webs each extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) and, with the spacer web (30), each forming a receiving groove (32) for receiving the portion of the further mounting rail profile (11) in each case. The present invention further relates to a mounting rail system (10) for a lamp mounting rail system comprising the busbar element (1) and a mounting rail profile (11) receiving the busbar element. The present invention also relates to a transportation arrangement having a plurality of mounting rail systems arranged in two rows and interleaved with each other, and also to a packaging arrangement having a plurality of transportation arrangements stacked one above the other.

Description

[0001] Busbar element, support rail system, transport arrangement and packaging arrangement

[0002] Description:

[0003] The present invention relates to a busbar element for a support rail system for a luminaire support rail system, a support rail system equipped with the busbar element, a transport arrangement having a plurality of support rail systems and a packaging arrangement having a plurality of stacked transport arrangements.

[0004] Luminaire support rail systems (e.g., the applicant's TECTON luminaire support rail system) are generally known. These comprise one or more elongated support rail systems that can be combined to form a lighting arrangement of any length and / or branching. The support rail system, in turn, typically comprises an elongated support rail profile in which an elongated busbar element is arranged, carrying electrical conductors for electrical contact. Electrical and / or electronic components of the luminaire support rail system, such as luminaires (row lights, spotlights, emergency lights, escape sign lights, etc.), sensors (light sensors, motion sensors, presence sensors, etc.), cameras, loudspeakers, and the like, can then be attached to the support rail profile.In addition to the mechanical fastening, the electrical / electronic components are also electrically connected to the electrical conductors of the busbar element by means of an electrical contacting part. This allows the electrical or electronic component to be supplied with power and / or data for operation and control.

[0005] The trunking systems of such a luminaire trunking system are often very long and are therefore difficult to transport. In order to protect the trunking systems on the one hand and to secure them safely during transport on the other, they are usually packaged individually or in pairs in cardboard and / or protective film. The trunking systems packaged in this way are then stacked on a special pallet and secured multiple times with plastic straps. Stacking them multiple times on pallets in this way creates the problem that the containers can shift during transport. Opening the plastic straps or any tensioning belts in this case often leads to uncontrolled movement or even to the transported components falling apart in an uncontrolled manner. This can be counteracted by using appropriate transport containers, e.g.Sturdy wooden crates have to be custom-made, which is both time-consuming and labor-intensive, costly, and resource-intensive. In any case, the transport of any support rail systems generates a comparatively large amount of packaging material, which often cannot be recycled or is only partially recycled after transport and is disposed of.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a busbar element, a support rail system equipped therewith, a transport arrangement comprising a plurality of such support rail systems and a packaging arrangement comprising a plurality of stacked transport arrangements, which enable simple and safe packaging and transport with little packaging material - and thus resource-saving.

[0007] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims develop the central idea of ​​the present invention in a particularly advantageous manner.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to an (elongated) busbar element. The busbar element has a busbar profile extending longitudinally along a longitudinal axis for arrangement in an elongated support rail profile. In addition, the busbar element has at least one holding structure for supporting a part of a further support rail profile equipped with a similar further busbar element. The busbar profile has contacting grooves extending parallel to the longitudinal axis for receiving a respective electrical conductor in order to be able to make electrical contact from a contacting side of the busbar profile via the respective contacting groove. The holding structure has a spacer web which projects away from the busbar profile on the contacting side and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the holding structure has on the contacting side, with respect tothe longitudinal axis on both sides of the spacer web, each have a positioning web protruding away from the busbar profile, which positioning webs each extend parallel to the longitudinal axis, and which positioning webs each form a receiving groove with the spacer web (i.e. two adjacent and parallel receiving grooves) each for receiving the part of the further support rail profile (the two receiving grooves can therefore each receive one of the parts or sections to be received from two support rail profiles).

[0009] By integrating or providing a support structure into the busbar element itself, the busbar element itself can serve as a supporting fixture for adjacent support rail profiles. Since the busbar element itself provides the support structures, they are also precisely positioned and enable intuitive and secure relative positioning or connection of multiple support rail profiles with appropriately equipped busbar elements for storage, packaging, and / or transport purposes. Since each support structure provides two receiving grooves, corresponding parts of two adjacent support rail profiles can be accommodated in the support structure, enabling a particularly compact arrangement.By providing the spacer web between the receiving grooves, the mounting rail profiles thus received can be accommodated in the holding structure at a distance from one another, thus optimally preventing damage to the mounting rails. Transversely or orthogonally to the longitudinal axis, the width of the spacer web between the receiving grooves can be, for example, 0.5-5.0 mm, preferably 1.0-4.0 mm, more preferably 2.0 mm. Since each of the mounting rail profiles generally has a corresponding busbar element, it is preferably possible to package an unlimited number of corresponding mounting rail profiles in a type of interlinking, one inside the other and with each other. In this way, packaging material between mounting rail profiles to be packaged together can be largely dispensed with, or at least significantly reduced compared to the conventional packaging methods described.This also reduces the total weight of the corresponding containers.

[0010] The busbar element or the holding structure can further comprise at least one transverse web protruding less far from the busbar profile on the contacting side than the spacer web and the positioning webs. The transverse web extends transversely (preferably orthogonally) to the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the transverse web overlaps, in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis, with a region of the receiving grooves facing the busbar profile. By means of the transverse web, a defined and resource-saving support surface can be provided for a support rail profile to be inserted into the corresponding receiving groove. This makes it possible to achieve defined and secure positioning of corresponding support rail profiles. Furthermore, the support of the support rail profile can preferably be concentrated in the region of the transverse webs in order to absorb the load there in a targeted manner.

[0011] The busbar element can preferably have at least two crossbars per support structure. These crossbars are then provided axially on both sides of the support structure and preferably delimit the support structure axially on both sides. This makes it possible to securely accommodate a support rail profile, part of which has been accommodated in the receiving groove, on both sides of the support structure. This ensures secure positioning, while at the same time the weight force can be distributed (preferably evenly) into the busbar element. If the crossbars delimit the support structure on both sides, the function of the crossbar is focused on the support structure or its receiving groove, thus enabling compact and effective accommodation of corresponding support rail profiles.

[0012] At least one or both of the positioning webs can preferably extend outwardly away from the spacer web at their respective protruding distal ends, curved outwardly. This allows for easy insertion of a corresponding part of a mounting rail profile to be inserted into the receiving groove, e.g., in the form of an insertion bevel. This can simplify the packaging of mounting rail profiles equipped with the busbar element.

[0013] The corresponding positioning web, preferably with its bent-away distal end, together with the busbar profile, can define a retaining groove extending parallel to the longitudinal axis for receiving an axially extending conductor. Since busbar elements sometimes come with cable holders, this function can be combined in the retaining structure, so that the busbar element can essentially be provided with a comparable amount of material and in comparable dimensions to conventional busbar elements. Thus, in addition to its pure function of resource-efficient packaging of support rail profiles equipped with the busbar element, the retaining structure can also assume a function in the operation of a support rail profile equipped with it. In this way, two functions are combined in the positioning web, so that the busbar element as a whole can be designed to be particularly compact.

[0014] The busbar profile can be formed by two opposing side sections and a cross section connecting the side sections, which together define a contact space toward which the contact side is directed. The busbar element can thus have a compact yet effective overall structure. Since mounting rail profiles often have a similar cross-section, the busbar element can be arranged spatially effectively. Furthermore, a corresponding busbar profile structure is generally quite stable.

[0015] The at least one holding structure can preferably be provided on the transverse section and consequently protrudes into the contacting space. The holding structure can thus be provided in a stable region of the busbar element. Thus, for the purposes of packaging, storage and / or transport, corresponding support rail profiles to be supported via the holding structure can be easily fed into the busbar element - flanked by the side sections - onto the transverse section and received there by the holding structure and thus carried over the transverse section. The holding structure is preferably provided centrally between the two side sections, so that a symmetrical arrangement and thus even weight distribution of support rail profiles carried via the holding structure and thus packaged together can preferably be achieved.

[0016] At least one or both of the side sections can each have the contacting groove. In the latter case, the contacting grooves can, for example, be directed toward the contacting space and toward each other. If the side section(s) have the contacting groove, a corresponding contacting element (in the case of the TECTON system, for example, a so-called rotary knob) of an electrical / electronic component that is to be connected to a mounting rail profile equipped with the busbar element can be easily electrically contacted on one or both sides.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, the cross section can also have the contacting groove. If it also has this, the tapping options of a mounting rail profile equipped with the busbar element can be increased. If only the cross section has the contacting groove, then, for example, a corresponding contacting element of an electrical / electronic component that is to be coupled to a mounting rail profile equipped with the busbar element can simply be inserted vertically into the contacting space and then inserted into the contacting groove on the back of the cross section, thus making electrical contact. The busbar profile preferably has an egg-shaped cross section viewed in the direction of its longitudinal axis. This U-shaped cross section can preferably be formed by the side sections and the cross section connecting them.In this way, the aforementioned advantages of the busbar profile can be provided in a particularly simple manner, as compactly and effectively as possible. In principle, it is also conceivable for the busbar profile to have a different cross-section, viewed along the longitudinal axis. For example, the busbar profile can simply extend in one plane and be provided, for example, in the form of a profiled plate. This can then, for example, only have the transverse section without the previously described side sections.

[0018] The busbar element can have the contacting groove and the support structure both spatially separated (e.g., distributed between the side sections on the one hand and the cross section on the other) or spatially adjacent (e.g., in the same section of the busbar element, such as the cross section or the profiled plate). In the latter case, for example, the contacting grooves can be provided on both sides of the support structure, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis. It is also conceivable that (at least) one contacting groove is simultaneously formed or accessible via one or both of the receiving grooves of the support structure.

[0019] The busbar element—in particular its busbar profile and / or its holding structure—can preferably be made of plastic. Plastic is a common material for corresponding busbar elements, which simultaneously provides a corresponding electrical insulation function for the electrical conductors inserted into the contacting groove. If the busbar element is made of plastic, it simultaneously enables a mechanical protection function for the support rail profiles, which are usually made of metal, when these are received or carried by the holding structure. In this way, metal-to-metal contact between the packaged support rail profiles can be avoided during storage and / or transport, so that the support rail profiles or their parts accommodated in the corresponding busbar element are reliably protected.In this way, additional protective material in the packaging can be saved. Depending on requirements, the busbar element can preferably be manufactured by (plastic) injection molding or (plastic) extrusion. Depending on requirements, common methods for manufacturing the busbar element can thus be used. The busbar profile and the holding structure can preferably be formed integrally and more preferably in one piece. This can simplify the handling of a corresponding busbar element overall. With a one-piece design, the production of such a busbar element is simplified on the one hand, and the stability of the holding structure is improved on the other.

[0020] The busbar element preferably has a plurality of support structures, which are distributed along the longitudinal axis and preferably arranged in alignment with one another when viewed in the axial direction. In this way, distributed support and carrying areas can be provided by the distributed support structures in order to ensure a secure, defined, effective, and preferably uniform reception of support rail profiles with the busbar element for storage or transport. For example, two to ten (or even more) support structures can be provided per meter of busbar element; preferably four support structures per meter of busbar element. In principle, it is also conceivable for the support structures to extend axially along the longitudinal axis over at least part of the length or even over the entire length of the busbar element or the busbar profile. A support structure designed in this way is particularly easy to manufacture.However, if the busbar element has several of the support structures distributed along the longitudinal axis, material can be saved compared to the previously described variant.

[0021] At least some of the contacting grooves are preferably arranged adjacent to one another. This creates defined and (slightly) offset tapping points, via which, for example, an electrical contacting element (such as the rotary knob described above) can easily tap electrically at different levels; for example, for tapping electrical current and / or data.

[0022] The busbar profile preferably has additional contacting grooves extending parallel to the longitudinal axis for receiving an electrical conductor in each case, so that electrical contact can be made from an outer side of the busbar profile facing away from the contacting side via the respective additional contacting groove. Thus, the additional contacting grooves are accessible from the outside with respect to the busbar element or the busbar profile or its contacting side. Thus, additional tapping options can be provided with the busbar element, which further increases the functionality of a support rail profile equipped with the busbar element and creates the possibility of a more compact design. The busbar element can preferably have at least one electrical conductor received in one of the contacting grooves.Accordingly, an electrical conductor can preferably be accommodated in at least one of the additional contacting grooves. The busbar element can thus be equipped with the corresponding electrical conductors, via which current or data can be conducted, which is then available for tapping via the (additional) contacting groove.

[0023] According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to an (elongated) support rail system for a luminaire support rail system. A luminaire support rail system to be produced therewith then preferably comprises at least one or more of the support rail systems as well as electrical / electronic components to be connected or connected thereto.

[0024] The (elongated) support rail system itself comprises, on the one hand, a busbar element according to the present invention and as already described above. On the other hand, the support rail system further comprises an elongated support rail profile extending along a longitudinal axis, as already mentioned above. The support rail profile preferably has two opposing side walls which, with adjacent longitudinal end edge sections, laterally delimit a receiving opening. The support rail profile furthermore has a transverse wall connecting the side walls on a side of the side walls opposite the receiving opening, which transverse wall together with the side walls delimit a receiving space. The support rail profile can preferably have a substantially U-shaped cross-section viewed in the direction of its longitudinal axis.The busbar element is arranged or anodized in the receiving space with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support rail profile such that the holding structure projects into the receiving space with its receiving grooves directed towards the receiving opening in order to receive a longitudinal end edge section from a further support rail system of the same type and rotated by 180° around the longitudinal axis of the support rail profile, for each receiving groove.

[0025] The advantages previously described for the busbar element can thus be transferred to a support rail profile equipped with it, so that the support rail system thus formed can be packaged easily, safely, and with little packaging material. The holding structure is preferably arranged in the receiving space on the side of the transverse wall and more preferably adjacent to the transverse wall. The holding structure can thus be arranged in an easily accessible area for receiving additional support rail profiles or their corresponding parts to be accommodated. Since the holding structure is preferably provided in an area that is low in relation to the receiving space, corresponding support rail systems can be assembled particularly compactly for the purposes of packaging, storage, and / or transport.

[0026] The transverse section can preferably be arranged adjacent to the transverse wall, and the side sections can preferably each be arranged adjacent to a different one of the two side walls. This allows a correspondingly designed busbar element to be securely received in the support rail profile. On the other hand, the busbar element can be securely supported in the support rail profile. The transverse wall preferably supports the transverse section so that support rail systems nested for packaging purposes are securely supported against one another. The side sections are preferably supported by the side walls so that contacting elements of electrical / electronic components introduced via the receiving space or the contacting space for operation can be easily and securely inserted via the contacting groove and thus electrically contacted with electrical conductors arranged therein.

[0027] The present invention further relates to a transport arrangement which has a plurality of support rail systems. The support rail systems are arranged in at least two rows, all with their longitudinal axes - more precisely with the longitudinal axes of their support rail profiles - aligned parallel to one another. Each row has at least one support rail system, but preferably at least two support rail systems. The support rail systems of the same row all have the same orientation, so that the side walls of adjacent support rail systems of the same row - provided the corresponding row has a plurality of support rail systems - lie next to one another facing one another. The support rail systems of one of the rows are each aligned parallel to the support rail systems of the other rows.their longitudinal axis - more precisely the longitudinal axes of their support rail profiles - are arranged rotated by 180°, so that at least some of the side walls of the support rail systems of one row engage at least with their longitudinal end edge sections forward in one of the receiving spaces of an opposite support rail system of the other row, and vice versa, so that the corresponding longitudinal end edge section is received in a supporting manner in one of the receiving grooves of the holding structure projecting into the respective opposite receiving space.

[0028] In this way, the support rail systems can be arranged or connected in a particularly compact manner and, preferably without the use of additional packaging material, safely and stably for storage or transport.

[0029] The receiving groove and the corresponding longitudinal end edge sections can preferably be matched to one another in such a way that they enter into or form a force connection (e.g. in the form of a press fit) when the support rail systems are plugged together.

[0030] The transport arrangement can preferably further comprise outer packaging that surrounds all support rail systems on the outside – preferably at least partially or completely. This allows the compactly arranged and mutually supporting support rail systems to be protected externally as well. Likewise, outer packaging offers the possibility of handling the thus packaged support rail systems in a particularly simple and effective manner. Furthermore, such outer packaging offers a simple way of clearly visibly providing information on the manufacturer, the contents, and / or the sender / recipient, and the like. The outer packaging can be made, for example, from cardboard or wood (e.g., as a box or crate), and the like.

[0031] The transport arrangement can preferably further comprise a fixing element, such as preferably a tensioning belt and / or the outer packaging. The fixing element can then preferably surround at least some or all of the support rail systems and brace them against one another. This makes it easy to connect the support rail systems, which are already securely and precisely supported by the defined busbar element, particularly securely for storage and / or transport and to position them fixedly relative to one another in the packaging situation. A tensioning belt can be a simple and known aid which is, on the one hand, easy to provide and, on the other hand, easy to handle. The outer packaging for the purpose of a fixing element can combine the functions of external protection and of fixing the support rail systems accommodated therein. According to a further aspect, the present invention further relates to a packaging arrangement orA collective packaging. This comprises several of the transport arrangements stacked one above the other. In this way, numerous support rail systems – which offer the advantages already described – can be safely arranged, stored, and transported in a particularly compact manner, even in large numbers.

[0032] The longitudinal axes of the support rail systems—more precisely, the longitudinal axes of their support rail profiles—of adjacent transport arrangements are preferably oriented parallel or transversely, preferably orthogonally, to each other. If these are oriented parallel to each other, any number of support rail systems can be arranged side by side or one above the other. If they are oriented transversely to each other, a particularly stable overall structure of the packaging arrangement or collective packaging can be achieved.

[0033] A separating insert, such as a cardboard insert, can preferably be arranged between adjacent transport arrangements. This allows the overlapping sides of adjacent support rail profiles to be protected from damage, if necessary, with minimal use of packaging material.

[0034] The packaging arrangement or collective packaging can preferably further comprise an outer packaging, or also the aforementioned outer packaging, which externally surrounds all transport arrangements. Thus, even in a multi-layer collective packaging, the support rail systems packaged in this way can all be protected and handled in a particularly simple and effective manner. Furthermore, the same advantages apply as for the outer packaging already described above. This outer packaging can also preferably be made of cardboard or wood (e.g., as a box or crate).

[0035] The packaging arrangement or collective packaging can preferably further comprise one or the previously described fixing element, such as a tensioning belt and / or the outer packaging, which surrounds at least some or all of the transport arrangements and / or the support rail systems and braces them against one another. Thus, even in a multi-layer collective packaging, the support rail systems, each of which is already securely and precisely supported by the respective defined busbar element for each transport arrangement, can be connected particularly securely for storage and / or transport and fixedly positioned relative to one another in the packaging situation. Furthermore, the same advantages apply as for the previously described fixing element.

[0036] Further advantages and embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0037] Fig. 1 is a front view of a support rail system according to the invention according to an embodiment of the present invention with a busbar element according to the invention according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0038] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the support rail system according to the invention with the busbar element according to the invention according to Fig. 1,

[0039] Fig. 3 is a front view of a transport arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention with three support rail systems according to Fig. 1,

[0040] Fig. 4 is a schematic end view of a transport arrangement according to the invention according to a further embodiment of the present invention comparable to that in Fig. 3 (with a total of thirteen of the support rail systems according to the invention) as well as an outer packaging surrounding the transport arrangement, and

[0041] Fig. 5 is a schematic end view of a packaging arrangement according to the invention in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, here with four transport arrangements stacked one above the other, comparable to those in Fig. 4 (with a total of fifty-two of the support rail systems according to the invention), each with a separating insert separating the transport arrangements from one another, as well as an outer packaging surrounding all of them.

[0042] The figures show different views of an (elongated) busbar element 1 according to the invention and of an (elongated) support rail system 10 equipped therewith. The following describes first the busbar element 1, which forms an independent part of the present invention. The busbar element 1 has a busbar profile 2 extending longitudinally along a longitudinal axis X for arrangement in an elongated support rail profile 11, as shown, for example, in Figures 1-3.

[0043] The busbar element 1 further comprises at least one holding structure 3 for supporting a part (here, for example, a longitudinal end edge section 13; see Fig. 3) of a further support rail profile 11 equipped with a similar further busbar element 1, as is also shown by way of example in Figs. 1-3.

[0044] The busbar element 1, and in particular its busbar profile 2 and / or its support structure 3, can be made of plastic; preferably by injection molding or extrusion. As can be seen in particular from Figs. 1-3, the busbar profile 2 and the support structure 3 can preferably be formed integrally and more preferably in one piece with each other.

[0045] The busbar profile 2 has contacting grooves 4 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis X for receiving one electrical conductor Li each (two of the electrical conductors are shown as examples in Fig. 1 purely for illustrative purposes) in order to be electrically contactable from a contacting side K of the busbar profile 2 via the respective contacting groove 4. Accordingly, the busbar element 1 can preferably have at least one or more electrical conductors Li, each of which is or are received in one of the contacting grooves 4, as is shown, as already mentioned, by way of example in Fig. 1 for two electrical conductors Li.

[0046] At least some of the contacting grooves 4 are preferably arranged next to one another, as can be seen in particular in Fig. 1 on the left and right side of the busbar profile 2.

[0047] The busbar profile 2 can preferably have a further contacting groove 40 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis X for receiving a (further) electrical conductor L2 in order to be able to be electrically contacted from an outer side A of the busbar profile 2 facing away from the contacting side K via the respective further contacting groove 40. As is shown by way of example in Fig. 1, an electrical conductor L2 can preferably be received in at least one, several or all of the further contacting grooves 40 (in each case). The holding structure 3 has a spacer web 30 which projects away from the busbar profile 2 on the contacting side K and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X. This can preferably be seen from the perspective view in Fig. 2. The holding structure 3 furthermore has on the contacting side K, with respect tothe longitudinal axis X on both sides of the spacer web 30, each have a positioning web 31 projecting away from the busbar profile 2, which positioning webs 31 each extend parallel to the longitudinal axis X, and which positioning webs 31 each form a receiving groove 32 with the spacer web 30 for receiving the part of the further support rail profile 11, as can be seen in Fig. 2 and in particular in Figs. 1 and 3.

[0048] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, the corresponding busbar element 1 has a holding structure 3. However, it is also conceivable for the busbar element 1 to have a plurality of the holding structures 3, which are then preferably distributed (preferably uniformly) along the longitudinal axis X and, more preferably, arranged in alignment with one another in the axial direction.

[0049] The busbar element 1 or the holding structure 3 preferably further comprises at least one transverse web 5 which, on the contacting side K, projects less far away from the busbar profile 2 than the spacer web 30 and the positioning webs 31, as is shown by way of example in Figs. 1-3 and in particular in Fig. 2. The transverse web 5 extends transversely (preferably orthogonally) to the longitudinal axis X. In addition, the transverse web 5 partially overlaps, viewed in the axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis X, with a region 33 of the receiving groove 32 facing the busbar profile 2, as can be seen in particular from the combination of Figs. 1 and 2.

[0050] The busbar element 1 preferably has (at least) two of the transverse webs 5 per support structure 3, as shown by way of example in Fig. 2. The (at least) two transverse webs 5 are preferably provided axially on both sides of the support structure 3 and particularly preferably delimit the support structure 3 axially on both sides, as can also be seen by way of example in Fig. 2.

[0051] At least one or both of the positioning webs 31 preferably extend outwardly away from the spacer web 30 at their respective projecting distal end 34 or are bent away (this is shown, for example, in Figs. 1 and 3 for both of the positioning webs 31). The respective or corresponding positioning web 31, with its outwardly extending or bent-away distal end 34, can preferably delimit, together with the busbar profile 2, a retaining groove 6 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis X for receiving an axially extending conductor. This can be seen, for example, in Figs. 1-3.

[0052] The busbar profile 2 can preferably be formed by two opposing side sections 7, 8 and a transverse section 9 connecting the side sections 7, 8, as can be seen in particular from the views of Figs. 1-3. The side sections 7, 8 together with the transverse section 9 preferably delimit a contacting space R, toward which the contacting side K is directed. As can be seen in particular from Figs. 1 and 3, the busbar profile 2 can have a U-shaped cross-section when viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis X. This is preferably formed by the previously described side sections 7, 8 and the transverse section 9 connecting them.

[0053] The at least one holding structure 3 is preferably provided on the transverse section 9, as can also be seen in Figs. 1-3. The holding structure 3 thus protrudes into the contacting space K. The holding structure 3 is preferably provided centrally between the two side sections 7, 8, as can also preferably be seen in the illustration in Fig. 1.

[0054] At least one of the side sections 7, 8 or both side sections 7, 8 preferably each have the contacting groove 4. With reference to Figs. 1-3, for example, both side sections 7, 8 each have the contacting groove 4.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the transverse section 9 has the contacting groove 4.

[0056] The busbar element 1 or its busbar profile 2 can preferably have outwardly projecting support structures 70, 80, 90 on its outer side A facing away from the contacting side K in order to be supported axially with respect to the longitudinal axis X relative to the support rail profile 11 receiving the busbar element 1. These support structures 70, 80, 90 can, for example, be assigned to the transverse section 9 and / or one or both of the side sections 7, 8, as required (see, for example, Fig. 1-3). The busbar element 1 or its busbar profile 2 can preferably further have coupling structures C with which the busbar element 1 can be mechanically coupled to the support rail profile 11 receiving the busbar element 1; for example, by means of positive locking and / or frictional locking (see, for example, Fig. 1-3).

[0057] In particular, Figs. 1-3 show the (elongated) support rail system 10 according to the invention for a luminaire support rail system. In addition to at least one of the busbar elements 1 according to the invention, as already described above, the support rail system 10 further comprises an elongated support rail profile 11 extending along a longitudinal axis Y.

[0058] The support rail profile 11 has two opposing side walls 17, 18, which laterally delimit a receiving opening 12 with adjacent longitudinal end edge sections 13. Furthermore, the support rail profile 11 has a transverse wall 19 connecting the side walls 17, 18 on a side of the side walls 17, 18 opposite the receiving opening 12, which, together with the side walls 17, 18, delimit a receiving space S.

[0059] The busbar element 1 is then, as can be seen in particular from Figs. 1-3, arranged in the receiving space S with its longitudinal axis X aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis Y of the support rail profile 11, so that the holding structure 3 protrudes or points into the receiving space S with its receiving grooves 32 directed towards the receiving opening 12 in order to receive a longitudinal end edge section 13 for each receiving groove 32 from a further support rail system 10 which is the same and rotated by 180° about the longitudinal axis Y of the support rail profile 11, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3 but can also be seen in Figs. 4 and 5.

[0060] Preferably, the support rail profile 11 can have further coupling structures 14, which interact with the coupling structures C of the busbar element 1 such that the busbar element 1 is securely held in the support rail profile 11; for example, by means of positive locking and / or frictional locking.

[0061] The holding structure 3 is preferably arranged in the receiving space S on sides and preferably adjacent to the transverse wall 19, as can be seen in particular from Figs. 1 and 3. The transverse section 9 is preferably arranged adjacent to the transverse wall 19, and the side sections 7, 8 are preferably each arranged adjacent to a different one of the two side walls 17, 18, as can also be clearly seen from Fig. 1. In this case, the support structures 70, 80, 90 can preferably be arranged between the busbar profile 2 and the support rail profile 11 such that the busbar profile 2 can be supported preferably axially with respect to the longitudinal axis X or Y relative to the support rail profile 11.For example, in the embodiment shown, the transverse section 9 has external support structures 90 which are supported against the transverse wall 19, and the side sections 7, 8 each have external support structures 70, 80 which are each supported against the side wall 17, 18 assigned to them, as shown by way of example in Figs. 1-3.

[0062] Transport arrangements 20 according to the invention are shown in Figs. 3-5. These arrangements comprise a plurality of support rail systems 10, which are all aligned parallel to one another in at least two rows Ri, R2 with their longitudinal axes Y—or with the longitudinal axes Y of their support rail profiles 11.

[0063] The support rail systems 10 of the same row Ri, R2 all have the same orientation, so that the side walls 17, 18 of adjacent support rail systems 10 of the same row Ri, R2 lie next to each other facing each other, as can be seen in Fig. 3 with regard to the upper row Ri and in Figs. 4 and 5 applies equally to both rows Ri, R2 for each transport arrangement 20.

[0064] The support rail systems 10 of one of the rows Ri, R2 with respect to the support rail systems 10 of the other of the rows R2, Ri are preferably each rotated by 180° with respect to their longitudinal axis Y - or with respect to the longitudinal axis Y of their support rail profiles 11 - so that at least some of the side walls 17, 18 of the support rail systems 10 of one row Ri, R2 engage at least with their longitudinal end edge sections 13 in one of the receiving spaces S of an opposite support rail system 10 of the other row R2, Ri, and vice versa, so that the corresponding longitudinal end edge section 13 is received in a supporting manner - and preferably furthermore in a force-fitting manner (e.g. by means of a press fit) - in one of the receiving grooves 32 of the holding structure 3 projecting into the respective opposite receiving space S. This can be seen, for example, in the illustration in Fig. 3.The transport arrangement 20 can preferably further comprise an outer packaging U which surrounds all support rail systems 10 on the outside, as shown, for example, in Fig. 4.

[0065] The transport arrangement 20 may further preferably comprise a fixing element, such as a tensioning belt and / or the outer packaging U. The fixing element may then surround at least some or—as shown here—all of the support rail systems 10 and clamp them against one another.

[0066] With reference to Fig. 5, the present invention is further directed to a packaging arrangement 100 comprising a plurality of transport assemblies 20, which are in turn arranged stacked one above the other. The longitudinal axes Y of the support rail systems 10 or their support rail profiles 11 of adjacent transport assemblies 20 can be oriented or aligned parallel (see Fig. 5) or transversely (preferably orthogonally) to one another.

[0067] A separating insert T can preferably be arranged between adjacent transport arrangements 20. The separating insert T can be, for example, a cardboard insert or another type of separating element. This is shown schematically in Fig. 5, for example.

[0068] The packaging arrangement 100 may preferably further comprise an outer packaging U or the previously described outer packaging U, which surrounds all transport arrangements 20 on the outside, as shown by way of example in Fig. 5.

[0069] The packaging arrangement 100 can preferably further comprise one or the previously described fixing element, such as preferably a tensioning belt and / or one or the outer packaging U. The fixing element then preferably surrounds at least some or all of the transport arrangements 20 and / or the support rail systems 10 and braces them against one another.

[0070] The present invention is not limited by the embodiments described above, as long as it is encompassed by the subject matter of the following claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. Busbar element (1), comprising: • a busbar profile (2) extending longitudinally along a longitudinal axis (X) for arrangement in an elongated support rail profile (11), and • at least one holding structure (3) for supporting a part of a further support rail profile (11) equipped with a similar further busbar element (1), wherein the busbar profile (2) has contacting grooves (4) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) for receiving an electrical conductor (Li) in order to be electrically contactable from a contacting side (K) of the busbar profile (2) via the respective contacting groove (4), wherein the holding structure (3) has: • a spacer web (30) projecting away from the busbar profile (2) on the contact side (K), which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (X), and • on the contacting side (K), with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) on both sides of the spacer web (30), a positioning web (31) projecting away from the busbar profile (2), which each extend parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) and which each form a receiving groove (32) with the spacer web (30) for receiving the part of the further support rail profile (11).

2. Busbar element (1) according to the preceding claim, further comprising at least one transverse web (5) which, on the contacting side (K), projects less far away from the busbar profile (2) than the spacer web (30) and the positioning webs (31), which transverse web extends transversely to the longitudinal axis (X) and, viewed in the axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (X), partially overlaps with a region (33) of the receiving grooves (32) facing the busbar profile (2).

3. Busbar element (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising, per holding structure (3), two of the transverse webs (5), which are provided axially on both sides of the holding structure (3) and preferably delimit the holding structure (3) axially on both sides. 4- Busbar element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one or both of the positioning webs (31) extend bent outwards away from the spacer web (30) at their respective projecting distal end (34).

5. Busbar element (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the corresponding positioning web (31) with its bent-away distal end (34) together with the busbar profile (2) delimits a holding groove (6) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) for receiving an axially extending conductor.

6. Busbar element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the busbar profile (2) is formed by two opposite side sections (7, 8) and a transverse section (9) connecting the side sections (7, 8), which delimit a contacting space (R) towards which the contacting side (K) is directed.

7. Busbar element (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one holding structure (3) is provided on the transverse section (9), preferably centrally between the two side sections (7, 8).

8. Busbar element (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein at least one of the side sections (7, 8) or both side sections (7, 8) each has the contacting groove (4), and / or wherein the transverse section (9) has the contacting groove (4).

9. Busbar element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the busbar profile (2) has a U-shaped cross-section when viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis (X), which cross-section is preferably formed by the side sections (7, 8) and the transverse section (9) connecting them.

10. Busbar element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the busbar element (1), in particular its busbar profile (2) and / or its holding structure (3), is made of plastic, preferably by means of injection molding or extrusion.

11. Busbar element (i) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the busbar profile (2) and the holding structure (3) are formed integrally and preferably in one piece with one another.

12. Busbar element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of the holding structures (3) which are distributed along the longitudinal axis (X) and arranged in alignment with one another as seen in the axial direction.

13. Busbar element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the contacting grooves (4) are arranged side by side.

14. Busbar element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the busbar profile (2) has a further contacting groove (40) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) for receiving a respective electrical conductor (L2) in order to be able to be electrically contacted from an outer side (A) of the busbar profile (2) facing away from the contacting side (K) via the respective further contacting groove (40), wherein an electrical conductor (L2) is preferably received in at least one of the further contacting grooves (40).

15. Busbar element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one electrical conductor (Li) which is received in one of the contacting grooves (4).

16. A support rail system (10) for a luminaire support rail system, comprising: a busbar element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, and an elongated support rail profile (n) extending along a longitudinal axis (Y), wherein the support rail profile (11) comprises: • two opposing side walls (17, 18) which laterally delimit a receiving opening (12) with adjacent longitudinal end edge sections (13), and • a transverse wall (19) connecting the side walls (17, 18) on a side of the side walls (17, 18) opposite the receiving opening (12), which together with the side walls (17, 18) delimit a receiving space (S), wherein the busbar element (i) is arranged in the receiving space (S) with its longitudinal axis (X) aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis (Y) of the support rail profile (n) such that the holding structure (3) projects into the receiving space (S) with its receiving grooves (32) directed towards the receiving opening (12) in order to receive a longitudinal end edge section (13) for each receiving groove (32) from a further support rail system (10) which is the same and rotated by 180° about the longitudinal axis (Y) of the support rail profile (11).

17. Support rail system (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the holding structure (3) is arranged in the receiving space (S) on sides and preferably adjacent to the transverse wall (19).

18. Support rail system (10) according to the preceding claim with a busbar element (1) according to claim 6, wherein the transverse section (9) is arranged adjacent to the transverse wall (19), and the side sections (7, 8) are each arranged adjacent to another of the two side walls (17, 18).

19. Transport arrangement (20) comprising: a plurality of the support rail systems (10), which are arranged in at least two rows (Ri, R2) all with the longitudinal axes (Y) of their support rail profiles (11) aligned parallel to one another, wherein the support rail systems (10) of the same row (Ri, R2) all have the same orientation, so that the side walls (17, 18) of adjacent support rail systems (10) of the same row (Ri, R2) lie next to one another facing one another, wherein the support rail systems (10) of one of the rows (Ri, R2) are arranged rotated by 180° with respect to the support rail systems (10) of the other of the rows (R2, Ri) with respect to the longitudinal axis (Y) of their support rail profiles (11), so that at least some of the side walls (17, 18) of the support rail systems (10) of the one row (Ri, R2) are inserted at least with their longitudinal end edge sections (13) forward into one of the receiving spaces (S) of an opposite Support rail system (10) of the other row (R2, Ri) engages in such a way thatand vice versa, so that the corresponding longitudinal end edge section (13) is supported in one of the receiving grooves (32) of the holding structure (3) projecting into the respective opposite receiving space (S).

20. Transport arrangement (20) according to the preceding claim, further comprising an outer packaging (U) which surrounds all support rail systems (10) on the outside.

21. Transport arrangement (20) according to one of the two preceding claims, further comprising a fixing element, such as preferably a tensioning belt and / or the outer packaging (U), which surrounds at least some or all of the support rail systems (10) and braces them against one another.

22. Packaging arrangement (100) comprising: a plurality of the transport arrangements (20) which are arranged stacked one above the other.

23. Packaging arrangement (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the longitudinal axes (Y) of the support rail profiles (11) of the support rail systems (10) of respectively adjacent transport arrangements (20) are oriented parallel or transversely, preferably orthogonally, to one another.

24. Packaging arrangement (100) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein a separating insert (T), such as a cardboard insert, is arranged between each adjacent transport arrangement (20).

25. Packaging arrangement (100) according to one of the three preceding claims, further comprising an outer packaging (U) which surrounds all transport arrangements (20) on the outside.

26. Packaging arrangement (100) according to one of the four preceding claims, further comprising a or the fixing element, such as preferably a tensioning belt and / or the outer packaging (U), which surrounds at least some or all of the transport arrangements (20) and / or the support rail systems (10) and braces them against one another.

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