EP1213533A1 - Enclosure containing a plate supporting lighting devices, in particular luminescent tubes - Google Patents

Abstract

The lamp enclosure is tubular, and has a lamp support plate (2) spanning its diameter. One end enclosure has an elastic support for the plate, and the other end an annular guide (9) with diametrically opposed lateral grooves (93d,93g). The plate edge is retained by tongues (95d,95g). By pushing upward on the plate, the tongues are released, and so the plate may be slid from the enclosure.

Description

The invention relates to an enclosure containing a removable plate, support for lighting components.

It applies more particularly to an enclosure containing a removable plate supporting one or more lamps (luminescent tubes, for example example of fluorescent type).

In the context of the invention, the term "enclosure" must be understood in its most general meaning. It concerns in particular, but not exclusively, tubular, glass, plastic or similar material enclosures, transparent or translucent. Such an enclosure is intended to contain a plate removable supporting one or more laps, for example of the tube type fluorescent above, and its usual accessories: electrical circuits, "starters", etc. More generally, the removable plate can also support other types of lighting devices, tubular or not.

Such a device is used in particular in buildings of commercial or industrial types. For this type of application, the enclosure is generally associated with sealing members, so that the circuits internal electrics do not present a danger to the external environment, especially in a humid atmosphere.

To fix ideas, without being limiting in any way of the scope of the invention, we will place ourselves in the following, unless otherwise stated, in the case of the preferred application of the invention, namely an enclosure removable luminescent for industrial type application.

In this context of applications, it should be noted that the length of these pregnant commonly reaches the meter or more, and they are fixed or hung in generally inaccessible places: high ceilings, high walls, etc. It follows that when we want to access these devices, more particularly to the removable internal plates, the personnel of maintenance must use ladders or similar devices, and that removal and insertion is not easy, due in particular to the size of the plates removable. Indeed, to extract the removable plate, it is necessary normally using both hands, one at one end, the other at the other extremity, which is difficult to say the least, even impossible for some configurations. In this case the only possibility is to drop the enclosure fully.

These operations must be carried out not only to carry out punctual repair operations, in the event of a breakdown, but also, such as it is well known, to perform scheduled maintenance, the change systematic luminescent tubes to be considered at intervals of regular times, which greatly increases the number of interventions.

The invention aims at the same time to overcome the drawbacks of the devices known art, some of which have just been recalled, and which meet the needs that are felt, namely in particular easy maintenance.

The invention sets itself the goal of an enclosure comprising a plate removable supporting lighting elements allowing sliding longitudinal of this removable plate and comprising means of locking / unlocking. These locking / unlocking means are arranged in such a way that the removable plate can be manipulated by a single hand of an operator to operate the sliding, in one direction or another, and locking or unlocking.

To do this, the removable plate is provided, at a first end, first guide means allowing longitudinal translation to the interior of the enclosure, advantageously constituted by a flat part whose external cut has a substantially dual shape of the wall section internal speaker. The second end of the enclosure and the end corresponding plate include means for locking / unlocking cooperating with each other. This second end of the enclosure further comprises, on its internal wall, second means for guiding the plate in its translational movement.

In a preferred embodiment, the enclosure being provided, in its first end, of at least one so-called bottom wall located opposite the first end of the removable plate, the means of locking / unlocking are constituted by shaped bodies complementary, clinging to each other, and cooperating with elastic means arranged at the first end of the removable plate. Still in a preferred embodiment, these elastic means are consist of a leaf spring exerting a longitudinal force of repulsion on the removable plate, by pressing on said bottom wall when the removable plate is fully inserted in the enclosure.

We arrange for the said second guide means to authorize a slight deflection substantially orthogonal to the direction of translation.

When the removable plate is fully inserted into the enclosure and locked, just push it towards said bottom wall and the move in said direction of travel. Elastic means continue to exert a force on the removable plate which pushes it towards the second end of the enclosure and authorizes both said unlocking and a subsequent longitudinal translation, until complete extraction.

In the opposite direction, once the removable plate is partially inserted in the enclosure, just push it towards the bottom of the latter. When the elastic means are brought into contact with the bottom wall, just exercise a support force in a longitudinal direction, which compresses the spring, then move the removable plate in said direction of travel and release the downforce. The removable plate is then pushed back, which allows re-engagement of the locking means.

In a further preferred variant, the enclosure is provided, on its two ends, of tight closing members. In particular, on the end in Regarding the locking / unlocking means, a cover is provided and fixing means, advantageously by screw, cooperating with means of additional fixing secured on the second end of the plate removable. When the latter is locked inside the enclosure, it is indeed possible to close the enclosure tightly using said means of fixation.

The main object of the invention is therefore an enclosure containing a removable plate, support for at least one lighting member, in particular of the type luminescent tube, and provided with a so-called bottom wall, said enclosure extending parallel to a so-called longitudinal axis and comprising an opening on the end opposite to said bottom wall, characterized in that it comprises first guide means subject to a first end of said support plate located opposite said bottom wall and the second guide means arranged on its second end, so as to allow a translational movement of said support plate along said axis longitudinal, in that it comprises elastic means, fixed to said first end of the support plate, exerting a repulsive force on it when it is fully inserted into said enclosure so that the said elastic means rest on said bottom wall, as it comprises first locking / unlocking means arranged at proximity of said opening cooperating with second means of locking / unlocking subject to a second end of the plate support, and in that these first and second means of locking / unlocking are arranged so that the unlocking takes place, from a so-called locked state, by exerting a push on said second end of the removable plate, in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis, of amplitude greater than said repulsion force, displacing it towards said bottom wall, followed by a movement in an orthogonal direction to said longitudinal axis, so as to decouple said first and second locking / unlocking means, and a release of said thrust so that said removable plate is again subjected to said force repulsion and driven towards said opening to allow its extraction complete, and so that the locking is effected by a chain reverse actions, after inserting said removable plate into said pregnant.

• la figure 1 illustre schématiquement un exemple de réalisation complet d'une enceinte selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 illustre schématiquement des moyens permettant la fixation de l'enceinte de la figure 1 à une paroi support ;
• la figure 3 est une figure de détail illustrant, en perspective partielle, un exemple de réalisation d'un premier organe de guidage d'une platine amovible insérée dans l'enceinte de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 illustre un organe élastique constitué par une lame ressort mis en oeuvre dans l'enceinte dé la figure 1 ;
• les figures 5A et 5B sont des figures de détail illustrant des seconds organes de guidage et des organes de verrouillage/déverrouillage mis en oeuvre dans l'enceinte de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 6 illustre, en perspective partielle, de façon plus détaillée, la platine amovible de la figure 1 et un couvercle de fermeture de l'enceinte et ses organes de fixation ; et
• les figures 7A et 7B illustrent schématiquement les états verrouillé et déverrouillé de la platine de la figure 1, et des positions intermédiaires.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which:

• Figure 1 schematically illustrates a complete embodiment of an enclosure according to the invention;
• Figure 2 schematically illustrates means for fixing the enclosure of Figure 1 to a support wall;
• Figure 3 is a detail figure illustrating, in partial perspective, an embodiment of a first guide member of a removable plate inserted in the enclosure of Figure 1;
• FIG. 4 illustrates an elastic member constituted by a spring leaf used in the enclosure of FIG. 1;
• FIGS. 5A and 5B are detailed figures illustrating second guide members and locking / unlocking members used in the enclosure of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 6 illustrates, in partial perspective, in more detail, the removable plate of FIG. 1 and a cover for closing the enclosure and its fixing members; and
• Figures 7A and 7B schematically illustrate the locked and unlocked states of the plate of Figure 1, and intermediate positions.

We will now describe, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7B, a example of enclosure containing a removable plate supporting organs lighting in a preferred embodiment, i.e. an enclosure intended for industrial applications containing one or more tube (s) fluorescent (s).

In these figures, identical elements have the same references and will only be re-described as necessary.

Figure 1 illustrates, in perspective, an enclosure 1 of cylindrical shape and with a longitudinal axis Δ. The main part is composed of a tube 10 in transparent, or at least translucent material, for example plastic or glass. Means 5 are provided for fixing the enclosure 1 to a ceiling or to any suitable wall (not shown in the figure). For example, these fixing means may consist of arches 50 comprising a trigger guard 51 allowing the actual attachment to any suitable surface: ceiling, wall, etc. In the example of Figure 1, there are shown two fixing means 5, arranged near the two ends of the enclosure 1.

Advantageously, these fixing means 5, one of which is shown in more detail in Figure 2 (in side view), can be removable. To do this, they can understand, in a conventional manner per se, a closure 53 provided with a loop 530 and a hook 531 movable around an axis parallel to the Δ axis. Thanks to the elastic properties of the component material the arch 50, for example of sheet steel, the latter strongly encloses the wall outside of enclosure 1 when hook 531 is in the closed position (shown in solid lines in Figure 2). In the open position of the hook 531, we can remove the loop 530 and release the hoops 50, which frees enclosure 1. Naturally, depending on the length of the latter, we can provide more than two fixing means 5.

There is a plate inside the tube 10 of the enclosure 1 removable 2. The latter extends over most of the length of the enclosure 1, parallel to the longitudinal axis Δ. The removable plate 2 includes a surface plane 20 intended to support one or more luminescent tubes, for example fluorescent tubes, as well as electrical circuits and components partners (not shown in Figure 1). In practical terms, the tube (s) fluorescent (s) t (s) disposed on one side of the removable plate 2, by example below in the case of Figure 1, and the other components are arranged on the other side (above in the example) so as not to interfere light emission.

It is assumed that the tube 10 forming the enclosure 1 is closed, a priori in a sealed manner, at its two ends, by covers, 3 and 4, respectively. To do this, provision is made for conventional sealing members (seals) not visible in FIG. 1. The cover 4 forms the bottom of the enclosure 1. It comprises a peripheral wall 40 and a substantially planar wall 41 or bottom wall . The cover 3 also comprises a peripheral wall 31 and a substantially planar wall 30. It is further provided with fixing means 32, for example with screws, intended to cooperate with complementary fixing means integral with the removable plate 2.

The electrical energy required to supply the tube (s) fluorescent (s) is brought by a cable 33 which can pass through the wall 30 (or the wall 40, in a variant not shown), via a sealed pass-through 34.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the removable plate 2 is provided, at its end opposite the bottom of the enclosure, a guide member 6, allowing this end to slide, by longitudinal translation, parallel to the axis Δ, inside the enclosure 1. Advantageously, it can be a simple flat piece 6 orthogonal to the plane 20 of the plate removable 2 and the cutting of which is dual or substantially dual in section internal of the tube 10, this section being in this case circular. The form exact will be specified below.

Figure 3 (in partial perspective) illustrates in more detail this arrangement. Also shown in this figure are two supports conventional 21 intended to receive the end pins of two tubes fluorescent 7 (in dotted lines).

According to another characteristic of the invention, elastic means 8 are provided which exert a repulsive force on the removable plate 2, as shown in more detail in FIG. 4 (in partial side view). In a preferred embodiment, these elastic means consist of a simple blade based on material with elastic properties, for example steel. This blade 8 is fixed by any conventional means 80, for example rivets or screws, to the wall of the flat part 6 or directly on the removable plate 2. When the removable plate 2 is fully inserted into the tube 10 of the enclosure 1, the blade 8 comes into contact with the bottom wall 40 of the cover 4 and is compressed. It then develops a repelling force F tending to push the removable plate 2 towards the opening of the enclosure 1.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the end is provided of the tube 10 facing the cover 3, on the one hand of the guide members additional removable plate 2, on the other hand locking / unlocking of the latter. As will be shown in with regard to FIGS. 5A and 5B, these two members can advantageously be combined or, more precisely, supported by the same device.

As shown in Figure 5A (in view which will be called arbitrarily from below), in a preferred embodiment, a room is provided ring 9, for example made of plastic, the dimensions of which are determined so that it can fit onto the end of the tube 10 of enclosure 1. To do this, it is possible to provide a circular groove 91, of thickness equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the wall of tube 1 of enclosure 1. On two sides, symmetrically and substantially on one diameter, two reinforcements are provided, which will be called arbitrarily straight 92d and left 92g. The ring 9 is fixed to the tube 10 of the enclosure 1, for example at using glue. It is naturally necessary to provide means of additional fixings (not shown), legs or others, allowing the screwing, in the absence of bonding.

These reinforcements, 92d and 92g, are in turn provided with two grooves 93d and 93g, respectively. The difference, ℓ, between the walls facing each groove, 93d and 93g, is chosen such that it allows the insertion of the removable plate 2 (in dotted lines in FIG. 5A). In reality, according to another characteristic of the invention, for reasons which will be explained below, this length ℓ is greater than the thickness e of the removable plate 2, so as to allow a movement of predetermined amplitude according to a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis Δ.

Likewise, the dimensions and the shape of the flat part 6 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) are such that they allow the insertion or extraction of the plate removable 2. They must in particular allow the passage of the end of this one between the reinforcements, 92 d and 92g, without having to dismantle the ring 9. From advantageously, the flat part 6 is given an oblong shape, so that it is in contact only on two ends, 60 and 61 (Figure 3), from and on the other side of the plane 20 of the removable plate 2. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the part 6 can be a truncated disc, because cut straight on its two sides, or a more complex set of parts with the same function. he it follows that it is in contact with the inert wall of the tube 10 on arcuate areas of circle, diametrically opposed.

The locking / unlocking members have also been shown, 95d and 95g, integral with the reinforcements, 92d and 92g, and therefore carried by the ring 9.

FIG. 5B is a detail view (in section AA of FIG. 5A and in partial side view) illustrating more particularly the reinforcement 92g, its throat guide 93g and the locking means 95g. This is basically formed a 950g strip arranged on the surface of one of the walls (lower on the Figure 5B) of the throat 93g. This tab 950g is separated from the aforementioned wall by an empty space 951g. The 950g tab is oriented towards the inside of enclosure 1. It should be understood that the locking means 95d is similar to organ 95g.

Figure 6 illustrates in more detail an exemplary embodiment concrete of removable plate 2. It comprises a flat surface 20 intended for support, on one or other of its faces, the different accessories lighting: fluorescent tubes, electrical circuits, etc. (see figure 3). This flat surface 20 is extended on the sides by first 90 ° folds (towards the bottom in the example of the figure) forming longitudinal vertical walls, 21 and 23 respectively. These vertical walls fold themselves 90 ° towards the interior, to form two longitudinal flat walls, 22 and 24 respectively.

The width of the side walls, 21 and 23, is equal to e , e being less than ℓ, as indicated above. Therefore, the end zones of the removable plate 2 can be introduced into the guide grooves 93d and 93g, which allows a translational movement of the removable plate 2 along the tube 10 of the enclosure 1. It must be remembered that the first end of this removable plate 2 is also guided by the flat part 6, which allows it to remain parallel to the axis Δ. On the other hand, the aforementioned inequality ℓ,> e allows a deflection orthogonal to the axis Δ.

We will now explain, with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the operations for locking and unlocking the removable plate 2 inside the tube 10 of the enclosure 1.

In the detail figure 7A (in partial perspective), there is shown the removable plate 2 fully inserted in the tube 10 (position also shown in Figure 1). In this state, the spring 8 (FIG. 4) is compressed and exerts a maximum thrust force F on the removable plate 2. The horizontal walls 22 and 24 are then introduced into the spaces, 950d and 950g, arranged under the tabs 951d and 951g of the locking devices 95d and 95g. In FIG. 7A, only the locking member 95d and the horizontal wall 24 are visible. The aforementioned walls 22 and 24 form of which locking members complementary to the locking members 95g and 95d respectively.

To unlock the removable plate 2, it suffices for an operator (not shown) to grasp it with one hand M and exerts a thrust of amplitude greater than the repulsion force F exerted by the leaf spring 8 (FIG. 4).

As shown in the detail figure 7B (in partial perspective), the operator then passes the opposite end of the removable plate 2 from position 0 (locked state) to position I (released state) . Then it suffices to push upwards (in the example of FIG. 7B) to move it to position II. This maneuver is made possible by the above provision ℓ,> e . If the operator releases the force exerted but keeps the removable plate 2 at the position reached II, the blade spring 8 pushes it back again. This then slides over the tongue 951d, to reach position III (in dotted lines). The same is true for the 951g tab. The leaf spring 8 is then fully relaxed (solid lines in Figure 4). To extract the removable plate 2, it then suffices to pull it out of the tube, still with one hand M , possibly with the help of the other hand to support the removable plate 2, in particular at the end of extraction.

Reassembly, insertion and locking can also be obtained simply by performing the same operations, but in reverse order.

According to a further aspect of the invention, although the plate removable 2 is removable in the manner just described, once locked (Figure 7A), it becomes integral with the enclosure 2. It is therefore possible to secure the cover 3 closing the corresponding end of the tube 20 of enclosure 2.

If we refer again to Figure 6, we see that the end of the removable plate 2, facing the cover 3, is provided with a fixing 25 complementary to the fixing member 32 associated with this cover 3.

The fixing member associated with the cover 3 is constituted by a simple screw 32, with hexagonal head, in the embodiment described. Always in this embodiment, the locking member is constituted by a block 25, of metal or plastic, the body of which is substantially rectangular parallelepiped. It is embedded at the end of the flat face 20 of the removable plate 2 and has two lateral wings allowing its attachment to this planar face 20, for example using screws 26. The block 25 has opposite before (that is to say facing the cover 3) a threaded hole 250 in which goes insert the end of screw 32.

If necessary, a peripheral seal can be provided 35 resting on the outer wall of the ring 9.

Although the representation of Figure 1 suggests implicitly that enclosure 1 is hung horizontally, for example on a ceiling, we must understand that it can be placed in any position of space: vertical, inclined. Whatever the position thereof, the locking or unlocking process, followed by extraction or insertion of the removable plate 2 remains completely similar to that which has just been described. The necessary operations also remain easy. In all cases, the actual locking and unlocking operations can be performed with one hand and only require access to one single end of the removable plate 2. Then, just slide the removable plate 2, in one direction or another depending on whether one wishes to introduce it in enclosure 1 or extract it. In no case is it necessary to deposit fully enclosure 1.

It is therefore seen, on reading the above, that the invention reaches well the goals she had set for herself.

It should be clear, however, that the invention is not limited to only examples of achievements explicitly described, in particular in relation to Figures 1 to 7B.

In particular, certain members can be replaced by others entirely equivalent, without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the spring leaf could be replaced by a "strand" type spring or by any elastic means secured to the end of the removable plate. In the same way although a circular section is particularly advantageous, the tube of the enclosure can be provided with a section a priori arbitrary.

Finally, although the process has been described in detail in the case an enclosure comprising a removable plate supporting fluorescent tubes, in an industrial type environment, the invention, as it was previously indicated, is in no way limited to this particular application. The invention can find advantageous application for any enclosure, whatever either the type of organs or other lighting arranged on the removable plate.

Likewise, the numerical values, the shapes and the materials used have only been specified to fix ideas. It is a technological choice, both scope of the skilled person, which essentially depends on the application precise target.

Claims (8)

Enclosure containing a removable plate, support for at least one lighting member, in particular of the luminescent tube type, and provided with a so-called bottom wall, said enclosure extending parallel to a so-called longitudinal axis and comprising an opening on the end opposite to said bottom wall, characterized in that it comprises first guide means (6) secured to a first end of said support plate (2) located opposite said bottom wall ( 41) and second guide means (93d, 93g) disposed at its second end, so as to allow a translational movement of said support plate (20) along said longitudinal axis (Δ), in that it comprises elastic means (8), fixed near said first end of the support plate (2), exerting on it a repulsive force ( F ) when it is fully inserted in said enclosure (1) so that the called elastic means ( 8) are supported on said bottom wall (41), in that it comprises first locking / unlocking means (95d, 95g) disposed near said opening cooperating with second locking / unlocking means (22, 24) subject to a second end of the support plate (2), and in that these first and second locking / unlocking means (95d, 95g, 22, 24) are arranged so that unlocking takes place from in a so-called locked state, by exerting a push on said second end of the removable plate (2), in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis (Δ), of amplitude greater than said repulsion force ( F ), displacing it (0-I) towards said bottom wall (41), followed by a movement (I-II) in a direction orthogonal to said longitudinal axis (Δ), so as to decouple the said first (95d, 95g) and second means of locking / unlocking (22, 24), and a rel chement of said thrust so that said removable plate (2) is again subjected to said repulsive force and driven towards said opening to allow its complete extraction, and so that the locking is effected by a sequence of 'actions in reverse, after insertion of said removable plate in said enclosure. Enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that said removable plate (2) having a flat face (20), support for said lighting elements (7) extending parallel to said longitudinal axis (Δ), said first means guide (93d, 93g) are constituted by a flat piece (6) substantially orthogonal to said flat wall (20), of such shape that it marries areas of the internal wall of said enclosure (1, 10) arranged on both sides 'other of said planar face (20), so as to guide said first end thereof during said translational movements. Enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with an annular part (9) fitted on said mouth end and integral with it, in that this annular part (9) has reinforcements (92d , 92g) in opposite zones and in that the said second guide means consist of grooves (93d, 93g) formed in these reinforcements (92d, 92g), comprising a bottom wall and two facing walls screws, these grooves being intended to receive between said two walls facing the lateral ends (21-22, 23-24) of said removable plate (2), so as to guide it during said translation movements , in cooperation with said first guide means (6). Enclosure according to Claim 3, characterized in that the said removable plate (2) having a determined thickness e, the said grooves (93d, 93g) have a determined width ℓ, such that the relation ℓ,> e is verified, so as to allow said movement of the removable plate (2) in a direction orthogonal to said longitudinal axis (Δ) during said unlocking or said locking. Enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that the said elastic means consist of an elastic material (8), which abuts against said bottom wall (41) and is compressed when said removable plate (2) is fully inserted in said enclosure (1, 10), so as to exert thereon said repulsive force ( F ) pushing it towards said opening end. Enclosure according to claim 3, characterized in that the said first locking / unlocking means (95d, 95g) are constituted by tongues (950d, 950g) secured to one of the walls opposite the said grooves (93d , 93g) of said annular piece (9) and leaving free spaces (951d, 951g) between themselves and said facing walls, said tabs (950d, 950g) being oriented towards said bottom wall (41), in that said removable plate (2) comprises a main plane face (20) extending along said longitudinal axis (Δ), folded laterally at 90 ° so as to form two first longitudinal side walls (21, 23 ), themselves folded in 90 ° inwards, so as to form two second longitudinal walls (22, 24), parallel to said main flat face (20), and in that said second locking / unlocking means are formed by the end of said second walls longitudinal (22, 24), said locking being effected by embedding of these ends in said free spaces (951d, 951g). Enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a cover (3) for closing said opening end and in that it comprises first fixing means (32), integral with said cover (3) and second fixing means (25), complementary to the first, integral with said second end of said removable plate (20). Enclosure according to Claim 7, characterized in that the said first fixing means comprise a screw (32) passing through the said cover (3) and the said second fixing means comprise a substantially rectangular block (25) screwed onto the said removable plate (20), and comprising, on a face opposite said cover (3), a threaded hole (250) into which the body of said screw (32) can be inserted.

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