Luminaire having a carrier element or luminaire housing and cover which can be fastened to it

Abstract

The present invention relates to a luminaire (10) having an elongate carrier element (15) for holding a lighting means (18) and having a likewise elongate cover (20) which is configured with an approximately U-shaped cross section, is designed to be at least partially translucent and can be connected to the carrier element (15) in such a way that the cover (20), together with the carrier element (15), encloses an elongate luminaire interior which is closed off by end caps (25, 45) at the two end sides, and that each of the two end caps (25, 45) is of two-part design, having a first part (30, 50), which is connected to the carrier element (15), and a second part (35, 55), which is connected to the cover (20), wherein the two parts (30, 50, 35, 55) can be latched to one another without tools in order to connect the cover (20) to the carrier element (15).

Description

[0001] Luminaire with support element or luminaire housing and cover that can be attached to it

[0002] Description:

[0003] The present invention relates to a luminaire comprising a support element or a housing for holding a light source and, if appropriate, other electronic components, wherein the support element or luminaire housing can be coupled to a translucent cover. In particular, the present invention relates to a luminaire in which the support element or the housing of the luminaire is intended to be attached to a wall or ceiling.

[0004] For luminaires of the type described above, the installation typically involves first attaching the support element or luminaire housing to the wall or ceiling of the room to be illuminated, and then connecting the luminaire to external power lines. Only in a final step is the cover responsible for the light output attached to the support element or housing to complete the installation.

[0005] Figures 18 and 19 show two solutions known from the prior art, each depicting elongated luminaires 200 which have an elongated support element 210 to be attached to a ceiling. This support element 210 is formed, for example, by a corresponding sheet metal part on which, among other things, an operating device 215, visible in Figure 19, is arranged, the task of which is to convert the externally provided supply voltage into a suitable voltage for operating the illuminants (not shown in detail). In luminaires of the type shown, the illuminant will generally be an elongated arrangement of LEDs, which are then supplied with a correspondingly suitable voltage by the operating device 215.

[0006] For both luminaires 200 shown, the support element 210 is first attached to the ceiling of the room to be illuminated, as explained above. In this case, the electronic components, in particular the control gear 215, are freely accessible from the bottom, and the corresponding assembly work for connecting the control gear 215 to the power supply can be carried out without any problems.

[0007] After completing this work, a suitable cover 220 or 230 is then attached to the support element 210. This cover, together with the support element 210, then encloses the interior of the luminaire, in which the operating device 215 and the other light sources are located. Various solutions are known from the prior art for the final attachment of the cover 220 or 230, generally using mechanical snap-in connections. The luminaires closed in this way can then be secured with screws, which, on the one hand, ensure reliable attachment to the support element 210 and, on the other hand, prevent unauthorized persons from removing the covers 220 or 230 without excessive effort.

[0008] In the solution shown in Figure 18, the cover, which is approximately U-shaped in cross-section, is provided with end pieces 225, each of which has two openings 226 at its upper end. These then allow the insertion of screws 227, with the aid of which the cover 220 is fixed to the support element 210.

[0009] A comparable solution is provided for the luminaire according to Figure 19. Here, the cover 230 is attached to the support element 210 by means of a mechanically locking mechanism secured by a total of two screws 237, which in this case are guided perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the luminaire 200 from the underside through a corresponding opening 236 in an end part 235 of the cover 230 and then screwed to an end part 217 provided on the support element.

[0010] These state-of-the-art solutions are fraught with several problems.

[0011] Firstly, due to the length of such a luminaire 200, it is often difficult to hold the cover 220 or 230 in a suitable position and then fix it to the support element 210 using the screws 227, 237. In particular, such work often requires two people, which significantly increases the assembly effort. Secondly, while the screw connections offer a certain degree of security in that the covers 220, 230 cannot be removed by unauthorized persons without considerable effort, the externally visible screws 227, 237 generally have a negative effect on the appearance of the luminaire 200.

[0012] A similar problem also exists with luminaires where the cover, and usually also the luminaire housing, are rotationally symmetrical. Here, too, the cover is only attached after the luminaire housing has been fixed to the ceiling of a room, and this is done either using screw connections or a bayonet lock. With regard to the screw connection, the same disadvantages arise as those already explained above in connection with the luminaires in Figures 18 and 19. The bayonet lock, on the other hand, is problematic with regard to the supply of the external power supply cables and the design of the luminaire housing. With such rotationally symmetric luminaires, it is usually desired that the luminaire housing extends at the edge all the way to the ceiling in order to create a clean finish.Furthermore, surface-mounted installation of the supply cable is often desired, which is incompatible with the above criteria for a bayonet lock. If the aforementioned bayonet lock is used for the cover, either a cover must be subsequently attached, which then extends all the way to the ceiling of the room, or the cover can be omitted. However, retrofitting the cover increases installation costs and may also impair the appearance of the luminaire. Omitting the cover, in turn, leads to the problem that the luminaire can be more easily grabbed by unauthorized persons and possibly forcibly removed from the ceiling.

[0013] The present invention is therefore based on the object of offering improved solutions which, on the one hand, lead to an improved appearance of the luminaire and, on the other hand, ensure that opening the luminaire, i.e. removing the cover from the support element or the luminaire housing, cannot be carried out with little effort.

[0014] This object is achieved by luminaires having the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0015] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a luminaire is proposed with an elongate support element for holding a light source and a cover which is also elongate and has a U-shaped cross-section, which is at least partially translucent and can be connected to the support element in such a way that the cover, together with the support element, encloses an elongate interior of the luminaire which is closed off at both end faces by end caps, wherein, according to the invention, each of the two end caps is designed in two parts, with a first part which is connected to the support element and a second part which is connected to the cover.

[0016] The two parts for connecting the cover to the support element can be snapped together without the need for tools. According to the present invention, a screw connection for attaching the cover to the support element of the luminaire is therefore dispensed with. Instead, a snap-in connection is used, whereby the cover is not snapped directly to the support element, but instead the end caps are each divided into two parts, which are then each connected to a component (support element or cover). Joining the two end cap parts together automatically leads to the desired connection of the cover to the support element of the luminaire. On the one hand, this solution can reduce the effort required to assemble the luminaire, and on the other hand, there are no screw connections that negatively affect the appearance of the luminaire.Furthermore, the locking connection between the two end cap parts can be particularly advantageously designed such that it can be released again only with the aid of a tool, so that, in the same way as with screw connections known from the prior art, there is at least a certain obstacle for unauthorized persons to remove the cover from the support element without the use of appropriate tools and thus open the luminaire. These additional measures are then the subject of dependent claims.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first part of an end cap is essentially plate-like, and the second part forms an approximately U-shaped frame that laterally encloses the first part when connected. This measure, in turn, facilitates the assembly of the luminaire, since the first part of the end cap is guided through the second part during the assembly process when the connection between the support element and the cover is established.

[0018] The locking connection provided according to the invention can be realized, for example, in that the first part has a locking projection facing the second part, which interacts with a locking hook provided on the second part. The locking projection can preferably be approximately S- or Z-shaped. In this case, the second part can then have a recess in the region of the locking hook, which allows the insertion of a narrow tool, e.g., a screwdriver, to deflect the locking projection in order to release the locking connection between the first part and the second part of the end cap.

[0019] A slightly modified form for implementing the locking connection can consist of the second part having an outward-facing locking hook, which, when locked, engages behind projections provided on a wall area of ​​the first part. In this case, the second part can have a recess in the area of ​​the locking hook, which in turn allows the insertion of a narrow tool for deflecting the locking hook in order to release the locking connection between the first part and the second part of the end cap. In both variants, it is thus ensured that the locking connection can only be released to open the light with the help of a suitable tool.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a luminaire with a luminaire housing in which lighting means are arranged is further proposed, wherein the luminaire housing forms a light emission opening and wherein the luminaire further comprises a cover which closes the light emission opening and which is designed to be at least partially translucent, wherein the cover can be latched to the luminaire housing without tools, such that the latching can be released again only with the aid of a tool.

[0021] In this case, too, a screw connection between the luminaire housing and the cover is omitted, and the luminaire can be closed easily without tools by simply placing the cover on the luminaire housing and locking it into place. Releasing the locking mechanism, however, is only possible with the aid of a tool, thus improving the appearance of the luminaire and simultaneously providing sufficient protection against unauthorized opening.

[0022] In particular, it can be provided that the cover—and particularly preferably also the luminaire housing—is rotationally symmetrical and has a circumferential edge region that engages in a corresponding channel of the luminaire housing, wherein cooperating locking means are formed on the edge region of the cover and on the side walls of the channel of the luminaire housing. In particular, the edge region of the cover can have outwardly or inwardly pointing locking projections, wherein the side wall of the channel of the luminaire housing facing the locking projections then has corresponding openings or recesses into which the locking projections engage when the cover is fastened to the luminaire housing.Alternatively, it can also be provided that the side wall of the channel of the luminaire housing facing the locking projections has a circumferential groove or recess into which the locking projections engage when the cover is fastened to the luminaire housing. In both cases, when the cover is fastened to the luminaire housing, the actual locking connection is not or hardly visible from the outside and can only be released by inserting a narrow tool, e.g. a screwdriver, into the channel in order to press the locking projections of the cover out of the associated groove or recess. A seal can be arranged in the base area of ​​the channel of the luminaire housing, with the edge area of ​​the cover immersing in the seal when locked to the luminaire housing. This protects the interior of the luminaire at least to a certain extent from external influences, e.g.protected from the ingress of dust, insects or other dirt particles.

[0023] Another advantage of the solution according to the invention is that the luminaire housing can be easily designed such that the edge region of the housing adjacent to the channel forms a cover that extends essentially closed to a plane defined by the rear of the luminaire housing. When the luminaire housing is mounted on the ceiling of a room, the cover extends all the way to the ceiling, thus avoiding the problem described above of people easily grabbing the luminaire housing and forcibly tearing it off the ceiling.

[0024] The solutions according to the invention thus lead to an improved appearance of the corresponding luminaires while simultaneously facilitating their installation. Despite this, the luminaires are at least somewhat protected against vandalism.

[0025] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0026] Figure i shows the front region of a first embodiment of an elongated lamp designed according to the invention, in which the end cap is formed by two parts which can be locked together;

[0027] Figure 2 shows a partial section of the end region of the luminaire of Figure 1;

[0028] Figure 2a shows the locking mechanism between the two end cap parts;

[0029] Figure 3 is a front view of the lamp of Figure 1;

[0030] Figures 4 and 5 are views of a second embodiment of an elongated lamp designed according to the invention,

[0031] Figure 6 is a sectional view of the lamp of Figures 4 and 5; Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a part of Figure 6;

[0032] Figure 8 shows a third embodiment of an end cap designed according to the invention for an elongated lamp;

[0033] Figure 9 shows the back of the end cap according to the third embodiment;

[0034] Figure io shows the first end cap part of the third embodiment;

[0035] Figure ii shows the second end cap part of the third embodiment;

[0036] Figures 12 and 13 show the process of joining the two end cap parts according to the third embodiment;

[0037] Figure 14 shows a partial section of a rotationally symmetrical luminaire designed according to the invention;

[0038] Figures 15a and 15b schematically show the process of assembling the luminaire housing with the cover in the embodiment according to Figure 14;

[0039] Figure 16 shows the rear side of the luminaire housing of the embodiment according to Figure 14;

[0040] Figure 17 shows the front of the lamp according to the fourth embodiment and

[0041] Figures 18 and 19 show elongated luminaires known from the prior art.

[0042] As a first exemplary embodiment of a luminaire according to the invention, Figures 1 to 3 each show the end view of an elongated luminaire 10 which, in terms of its basic structure, is very similar to the luminaires in Figures 18 and 19. The luminaire according to the invention also initially has a support element 15, which can be seen in Figure 2, which is to be mounted in a first step on the ceiling of a room to be illuminated and which carries the essential electronic components of the luminaire 10. This can, in particular, be appropriately designed lighting means and operating means for operating the lighting means. The support element 15, which extends along the longitudinal axis L of the luminaire, is formed, for example, by a correspondingly punched and shaped sheet metal part which has suitable measures for fastening the luminaire 10 to the ceiling.For example, a keyhole-like opening 16, as shown in Figure 2, can be provided, with the aid of which a screw fastening of the support element 10 is made possible.

[0043] The corresponding electronic components, in particular connection terminals and operating devices, are not shown in the figures. It is important that they are positioned on the support element 15 in such a way that, once it has been fastened to the ceiling, assembly work for connecting these components to an external power supply can be carried out easily. As a light source, an elongated LED board is then generally used, which is positioned at a distance from the plane of the support element 15 using appropriate measures. Sufficient space is then available between the support element 15 and the board to accommodate the other components, or, if necessary, the LED board and other components are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction.

[0044] The actual light emission of the luminaire 10 occurs via a dome-like cover 20 with an approximately U-shaped cross-section, which is made partially or completely of a translucent material, depending on the type of light emission desired. Depending on the desired light emission properties, the material of the cover 20 can be diffusely scattering in the area intended for light emission or can be clear and appropriately structured in order to influence the light emission in the desired manner. Together with the support element 15, the cover 20 then encloses the interior of the luminaire, in which all essential components of the luminaire 10 are accommodated. This interior is closed off at each of the longitudinal ends of the luminaire 10 by end caps 25, so that the interior of the luminaire is protected from the ingress of dust or dirt particles or insects.

[0045] According to the invention, the end caps 25 are designed in two parts, wherein the two end cap parts designated 30 and 35 can be releasably locked together. The first end cap part 30 is fastened to the support element 15—for example, via a screw connection—or is firmly connected thereto, while the second end cap part 35 is connected to the cover 20. As can be seen in Figure 2, the second end cap part 35 can have a partially ring-like receptacle 36 facing the cover 20, into which the end region of the cover 20 is inserted in a form-fitting manner. This achieves the required fastening of the second end cap part 35 to the cover 20.

[0046] Joining the two end cap parts 30 and 35 ultimately results in the cover 20 being attached to the support element 15, which obviously leads to a very simple assembly of the luminaire 10 as a whole, since the provided locking mechanism eliminates the need for additional screw connections. Furthermore, this solution also has a positive effect on the appearance of the luminaire 10, since, in contrast to the solutions in Figures 18 and 19, no screws are visible from the outside, which might have to be subsequently covered by appropriate covers.

[0047] However, the solution according to the invention not only leads to simplified assembly and a better appearance of the luminaire 10, but also ensures, due to the special design of the snap-in connection between the two end cap parts 30 and 35, explained in more detail below, that this connection can only be released again with the aid of a suitable tool. This prevents unauthorized persons from easily opening the luminaire 10 without hindrance.

[0048] For this purpose, the first end cap part 30, which, as already mentioned, is fixed to the support element 15, is designed approximately plate-like and has, at least from the outside of the luminaire 10, an approximately rectangular configuration with slightly rounded corners. The second end cap part 35, on the other hand, forms an approximately U-shaped frame when viewed from the front, which, when the end cap 25 is assembled, completely encloses the first end cap part 30 with the exception of the side facing the ceiling. The second end cap part 35 can be double-walled or designed in a similar manner on its sides facing the first end cap part 30, such that a certain degree of guidance is achieved when the second end cap part 35 is placed on the first end cap part 30 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2.

[0049] In the fully assembled state, the desired locking connection between the first end cap part 30 and the second end cap part 35 then takes place, with a locking projection 31 provided on the inside of the first end cap part 30, as can be seen in Figure 2 - as well as in the sectional view in Figure 2a. This locking projection 31, which is approximately S- or Z-shaped, extends centrally on the top side of the first end cap part 30 towards the interior of the luminaire, and in the fully assembled state it then interacts with a downwardly projecting locking hook 38 provided on the second end cap part 35. As already mentioned, the engagement only takes place when both end cap parts 30 and 35 are fully assembled, thus creating a defined connection between the two components and thus a reliable attachment of the cover 20 to the support element 15 of the luminaire 10.Ultimately, all that is required for the final assembly of the luminaire is to attach the cover 20 with the attached second end cap parts 35 to the first end cap parts 30 and then push them together perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the luminaire 10 until the above-described locking action between the two end cap parts 30 and 35 occurs. In this state, the cover 20 is reliably and precisely attached to the support element 15.

[0050] This locking mechanism can also be released again simply with the aid of a suitable tool. For this purpose, a narrow slot 39 is formed on the edge region of the second end cap part 35 in the region of the locking projection 31 of the first end cap part 30. The end region of a suitable tool, for example a screwdriver, can be inserted into this slot 39. With the aid of this tool, the locking projection 31 can then be slightly pressed downwards or the locking hook 38 can be deflected backwards (i.e. to the right in Figure 2a) in order to release the locking mechanism between the two end cap parts 30 and 35. In two consecutive steps, the locking mechanism at both ends of the light 10 can be released, so that the cover 20 can then be easily removed from the support element 10 and the light 10 can thus be opened.

[0051] The above-described design of the two end cap parts 30 and 35, which can be formed, for example, by appropriately suitable plastic parts, thus leads to a simple, in particular tool-free final assembly of the luminaire 10, although the opening of the luminaire 10 must again be carried out using an appropriately suitable tool.

[0052] Figures 4 to 7 show a luminaire 10 according to a second embodiment, which is very similar to the variant of Figures 1 to 3. Identical elements are accordingly provided with the same reference numerals.

[0053] This luminaire 10 also initially has a support element 15 extending along the longitudinal axis L, which is to be mounted on a wall or ceiling and serves to hold, in particular, an operating device 17 and the light source (here represented by the LED board 18 extending along the luminaire 10). The luminaire interior is enclosed by the support element 15 together with the dome-shaped cover 20, wherein the support element 15 on the one hand and the cover 20 on the other hand are each connected to associated end cap parts 30 and 35, respectively, which in combination each form one of the two end caps 25 provided at the longitudinal ends of the luminaire 10. The cover 20 is attached to the second end cap part 35 in an analogous manner by inserting the end region of the cover 20 into a corresponding channel 36 of the end cap part 35.

[0054] The difference between the first and the second embodiment lies primarily in the design of the components responsible for locking the two end cap parts 30 and 35, which in the case of the second embodiment are designed slightly differently and whose shape can be seen in particular in the enlarged illustration of Figure 7.

[0055] Thus, the locking element 38 provided on the second end cap part 35 now has a vertical web 38a, which widens in its end region to form a locking lug 38b, which forms a corresponding projection. The wall of the first end cap part 30 is formed at the end region facing the cover 20 with an angled projection 31, which in turn is S- or Z-shaped and, in particular, forms a corresponding projection that can lock with the locking element 38 of the second end cap part 35.

[0056] Figure 7 shows both locking components 31 and 38 shortly before they lock together, i.e., before the second end cap part 35 with the cover 20 is pressed toward the support element (not shown) until it finally stops, in the direction of the arrow shown. Only in this state do the two locking elements 31, 38 engage with each other in a suitable manner to connect both end cap parts 30 and 35, and thus the support element 15 and the cover 20, analogous to the previously described procedure.

[0057] To release this connection, the previously mentioned recess 39 is provided in the end area of ​​the second end cap part 35. A screwdriver, for example, can be inserted into this recess to deflect the locking element 38 of the second end cap part 35 laterally (to the right in the illustration) and thereby release the locking mechanism. Once this has been done, the cover at this end area of ​​the light can be pulled off the support element.

[0058] The third embodiment of the present invention, which is shown in Figures 8 to 13, is very similar to the first two embodiments and differs primarily with regard to the question of how the locking of the two end cap parts to one another takes place.

[0059] Accordingly, only one end cap 45 is shown, which in turn is formed from two end cap parts 50 and 55, which are connected on the one hand to the support element of the luminaire and on the other hand to the cover of the luminaire, whereby this can be done in the same way as was explained with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Again, the first end cap part 50 is approximately plate-shaped and, in the assembled state, is enclosed in a frame-like manner by the second end cap part 55.

[0060] The locking between the two end cap parts 50 and 55 is now primarily carried out by means of a locking hook 57, which can be seen in Figures 11 to 13 and is arranged centrally on the upper transverse leg 56 of the second end cap part 55.

[0061] The first end cap part 50 has an opening 52 (see Figure 10) in the circumferential edge region at the corresponding upper end, which is delimited by two small projections 53 on its side facing the wall of the end cap part 50. In this case, if the second end cap part 55, with the cover attached thereto, is pushed onto the first end cap part 50, the locking hook 57 first engages the opening 52 of the first end cap part 50 and is then deflected until it snaps over these two projections 53.

[0062] This priority is evident in Figures 12 and 13, which show the two end cap parts 50 and 55 shortly before final locking (Figure 12) and in the locked state (Figure 13) (it should be noted that in this case, a wall provided on the second end cap part 55 was removed to clarify the interaction of the components responsible for locking). The locking hook 47, reinforced on the rear with a vertical web, thus engages over the two projections 53 in the final assembled state, thus again achieving a reliable connection between the two end cap parts 50 and 55 and thus ultimately between the cover and the luminaire housing.

[0063] This locking mechanism is released using a suitable tool, which can be inserted into an opening 59 provided on the second end cap part 55 in such a way that the locking hook 57 is deflected slightly toward the rear. In this case, the second end cap part 55 can then be pulled off the first end cap part 50, thus removing the cover.

[0064] This results in the same advantages with regard to the appearance and assembly of the luminaire as were explained in connection with the first embodiment.

[0065] A fourth exemplary embodiment according to the invention is shown in Figures 14 to 17. This is again a ceiling-mounted luminaire 60, which, however, is now not elongated, but circular or rotationally symmetrical, although the rotational shape is not absolutely necessary. Analogous to the exemplary embodiments explained so far, the luminaire 60 is formed by a component carrying the electronic components and a light source, here the rotationally symmetrical luminaire housing 70, which is basically pot-shaped and thus forms a radiation opening that is closed by an at least partially translucent cover 80. The same applies to the cover 80 as was explained in connection with the previous exemplary embodiments.It is therefore an element which enables the light emission of the luminaire 60 and, depending on the desired light emission characteristics, can be made of a scattering material and / or can have a certain structuring.

[0066] This additional luminaire 60 is also characterized by the special procedure for attaching the cover 80 to the luminaire housing 70, which again requires no tools and, in particular, does not involve a screw connection. Instead, analogous to the previous embodiments, the cover 80 is now directly locked to the luminaire housing 70, as can be seen particularly in Figures 15a and 15b.

[0067] Figure 15a shows a sectional view of a receiving channel 75 that extends in a ring-like manner, in this case a circular ring, in the outer region of the luminaire housing 70 and is intended to receive a corresponding edge region 85 of the cover 80. As can be seen in Figure 14, the approximately dome-shaped cover 80 is enclosed at the edge by a circumferential web 85 that extends approximately perpendicular to the mounting plane of the luminaire 60 in the direction of the luminaire housing 70.

[0068] Distributed at several points, this web 85 has outwardly pointing locking projections 86, wherein openings or recesses 77 are provided in the associated side wall 76 of the channel 75 of the luminaire housing 70, which allow the engagement of this locking projection 86.

[0069] Ideally, a number of openings or recesses 77 corresponding to the number of locking projections 86 is provided, the circular extent of which slightly exceeds the extent of the projections 86. Markings provided on the luminaire housing 70 can serve to facilitate alignment of the projections 86 with respect to the recesses 77, so that the cover 80 can be easily oriented in the required orientation for locking to the housing 70.

[0070] In principle, it would also be conceivable to implement a circumferential recess or groove instead of individual recesses 77, although this would involve increased manufacturing costs. The preferably provided openings 77 are, in comparison, easier to produce in terms of manufacturing technology, but nevertheless do not impair the sealing of the luminaire 60, since these openings 77 are ideally formed in the side wall 76 of the channel 75 facing away from the interior of the luminaire housing 70.

[0071] To close the luminaire housing 70 with the cover 80, the cover must be placed on the luminaire housing 70 in the desired orientation and then pressed onto it, whereby the bevels 87 provided on the underside of the projections 86 result in the edge region 85 of the cover 80 being able to be inserted into the channel until the locking projections 86 can snap into the recesses 77. In this state, the lower end of the web 85 then dips into a seal 79 provided in the bottom region of the channel 75, so that a satisfactory seal is achieved for the present luminaire 60.

[0072] Once again, the luminaire housing can be closed in a simple manner, particularly without tools, by locking the cover 80 to the housing 70. Releasing the locking mechanism, however, is only possible with the aid of a suitable tool, which, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 15b, is inserted into the channel 75 in such a way that the corresponding side wall 76 and / or the web 85 are deflected such that the locking mechanism between the projection 86 and the recess 77 is correspondingly released. The cover can then be separated from the housing 70 in this area of ​​the outer circumference, whereby after releasing all corresponding locking mechanisms, the cover 80 can be removed as a whole. The number of individual locking mechanisms used should therefore not be too high, with a value between 3 and 5 - depending on the dimensions of the luminaire 60 - having proven ideal.

[0073] Again, the same advantages arise as explained in connection with the previously discussed embodiments. A further advantage of the solution according to the invention lies in the fact that - as can be seen particularly in Figure 14 - the luminaire housing 70 can be extended outwards adjacent to the receiving channel 75, so that it forms a circumferential cover 78 which extends essentially closed to the level of the rear of the luminaire housing 70. When the luminaire housing 70 is attached to a ceiling, this cover 78 also extends to the ceiling, thereby preventing the housing 70 from being easily grasped and forcibly removed from the ceiling by unauthorized persons.This cover 78, the implementation of which is made possible by the inventive solution, not only improves the appearance of the luminaire 60 but also protects it from unauthorized access. Overall, the inventive solutions provide luminaires that are positively distinguished in terms of their appearance and the ease of installation of the respective luminaire.

Claims

Claims:

1. Luminaire (io) with an elongate support element (15) for holding a light source (18), and a cover (20) which is also elongate and has an approximately U-shaped cross-section, which is at least partially translucent and can be connected to the support element (15) in such a way that the cover (20) together with the support element (15) encloses an elongate interior of the luminaire which is closed off at both end faces by end caps (25, 45), characterized in that each of the two end caps (25, 45) is designed in two parts, with a first part (30, 50) which is connected to the support element (15), and a second part (35, 55) which is connected to the cover (20), wherein the two parts (30, 50, 35, 55) can be locked together without tools to connect the cover (20) to the support element (15).

2. Luminaire according to claim 1, characterized in that the first end cap part (30, 50) is substantially plate-like and the second end cap part (35, 55) forms an approximately U-shaped frame which at least partially encloses the first end cap part (30, 50) in the connected state.

3. Luminaire according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the end cap part (30) has a locking projection (31) facing the second end cap part (35) which cooperates with a locking hook (38) provided on the second end cap part (35).

4. Luminaire according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking projection (31) is approximately S- or Z-shaped.

5. Lamp according to claim 4, characterized in that the second end cap part (35) has a recess (39) in the region of the locking hook (38) which allows the insertion of a narrow tool for deflecting the locking projection (31) or locking hook (38) to release the locking between the first end cap part (30) and the second end cap part (35).

6. Luminaire according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second end cap part (55) has an outwardly facing locking hook (57) which, in the locked state, engages behind projections (53) provided on a wall region of the first end cap part (50).

7. Luminaire according to claim 6, characterized in that the second end cap part (55) has a recess (59) in the region of the locking hook (57) which enables the insertion of a narrow tool for deflecting the locking hook (57) in order to release the locking between the first end cap part (50) and the second end cap part (55).

8. Lamp (60) with • a lamp housing (70) in which lighting means are arranged, wherein the lamp housing (70) forms a light emission opening, and • a cover (80) which closes the light emission openings and is designed to be at least partially translucent, wherein the cover (80) can be locked to the lamp housing (70) without tools, such that the locking can only be released with the aid of a tool.

9. Luminaire according to claim 8, characterized in that the cover (80) has a circumferential edge region (85) which engages in a corresponding channel (75) of the luminaire housing (70), wherein cooperating locking means are formed on the edge region (85) of the cover (80) and on side walls (76) of the channel (75) of the luminaire housing (70).

10. Luminaire according to claim 9, characterized in that the edge region (85) of the cover (80) has outwardly or inwardly pointing locking projections (86).

11. Luminaire according to claim 10, characterized in that the side wall (76) of the channel (75) of the luminaire housing (70) facing the locking projections (86) has openings (77) or recesses into which the locking projections (86) engage when the cover (80) is fastened to the luminaire housing (70).

12. Luminaire according to claim 10, characterized in that the side wall (76) of the channel (75) of the luminaire housing (70) facing the locking projections (86) has a circumferential groove or recess into which the locking projections (86) engage when the cover (80) is fastened to the luminaire housing (70).

13. Luminaire according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that a seal (79) is arranged in the bottom region of the channel (75) of the luminaire housing (70), wherein the edge region (85) of the cover (80) dips into the seal (79) when rusted to the luminaire housing (70).

14. Luminaire according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the luminaire housing (70) has a cover (78) in the edge region adjacent to the channel (75), which extends essentially closed to a plane defined by the rear side of the luminaire housing (70).

15. Luminaire according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the luminaire housing (70) and the cover (80) are circular.

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