FR2638509A1 - Lamp with transparent tubular casing - Google Patents

Abstract

In this lamp, comprising a casing 2 of tubular shape, made of a transparent material, two flanges 3, at least one electric bulb 4, 5, 6 of cylindrical shape and a plate 11, 12, 13 of elongate shape, which supports the bulb and the associated electrics, the transparent tubular casing 2 is subdivided into a plurality of longitudinal transparent elements 2a-2d which extend from one flange 3 to the other and which are connected, in the region of their two longitudinal edges, with longitudinal members 14 whose ends are fixed rigidly to the two flanges in the region of their peripheral edge, at least one 2a; 2c of the transparent longitudinal elements 2a, 2d being connected to at least one of the two corresponding longitudinal members 14 by a detachable linkage 15a-15d in order to form a part 2a; 2c of the casing which can be removed in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the lamp.

Description

 The present invention relates to a luminaire of the type comprising a tubular envelope of transparent material, two flanges closing the ends of the envelope, at least one electric lamp and an elongate plate, which supports the lamp and the apparatus electrical y associated for its power supply, and which is supported at both ends by said flanges.

 Several models of elongated luminaires already exist in the market. Among these, those having a tubular envelope of a transparent material, have the advantage of allowing to obtain a light radiation uniformly distributed over 360- or only in one or more preferred angular sectors predetermined by electrical equipment provided inside the enclosure, that is to say according to the number of electric lamps and the absence or presence of reflectors and their number.By cons, when the luminaires of this type are used to create continuous or quasi-continuous luminous ramps. by having a large number of end-to-end luminaires, the maintenance of luminaires <replacing one or more elements such as lamp, primer, ballast, etc ...) is relatively complicated. Indeed, because the tubular casing transparent is usually made in one piece and that the luminaries are placed end to end, it is generally necessary to detach the luminaire from its support first, extract the entire luminaire from the luminous ramp, disassemble at least one of the flanges end, out of the envelope where the decks supporting the electrical equipment to be able to perform the checks and replacements possibly necessary, and then redo, in the reverse order, the operations indicated above to return the luminaire in place. It should be noted that luminaires are often installed in height and that at least some of the operations mentioned above must be carried out at the top of a ladder or stepladder, these operations being all the more perilous as the luminaire is longer and / or heavier.

 Other luminaire models are also known whose enclosure is constituted by a hollow body, of elongated shape, made of metal or an opaque plastic material, in which lamps and associated electrical equipment are mounted, and which has one or more elongate openings. According to the luminaire models of this type, the said opening or openings are left open or are closed by basins of a transparent or translucent material, detachably fixed to the body of the luminaire. The maintenance of these luminaires is generally relatively easy. In fact, it is generally sufficient to detach the transparent basin and to remove it or to spread it by pivoting to be able to access, through the opening thus released, the or lamps and electrical equipment associated therewith (initiator, ballast, etc.) and proceed to the replacement of the defective elements, without having to detach the luminaire completely from its support and, if necessary, without having to extract, from the luminous ramp in which it is installed.By cons, with the luminaires of this kind, it is not possible to obtain a light radiation distributed uniformly over 360 'and, from a determined envelope model the distribution of light radiation in space can not be changed substantially simply by changing the number of lamps and the number and / or shape of the reflectors associated therewith.

 The present invention therefore aims to provide a luminaire of the type indicated in the preamble, comprising a tubular envelope of a transparent material, which can be used alone or in a light bar and which, even in the latter case, is easy maintenance.

 In the alternative, the invention also aims to provide a luminaire that meets the objectives indicated above and is more waterproof.

 According to the invention, the first object is achieved by the fact that said transparent tubular envelope is subdivided into a plurality of longitudinal transparent elements, which extend from one flange to the other and which are connected, in the region of their longitudinal edges. longitudinal members whose ends are fixed rigidly to the two flanges in the region of their peripheral edge.

at least one of the transparent longitudinal elements being connected to at least one of the two corresponding longitudinal members by a detachable connection to form an envelope portion which is removable in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the luminaire.

 The second object of the present invention is achieved by providing, in known manner, an annular seal at each end of the tubular casing, between the latter and the flanges, and by the fact that a longitudinal seal is arranged between each of the two longitudinal edges of the removable portion of the casing and the corresponding spar, each longitudinal joint being partially engaged in a longitudinal groove of the spar and penetrating, CI its two ends, in notches which are formed in the peripheral surface of the flanges. respectively in correspondence with the ends of the longitudinal groove of the spar, the depth of each notch and the section of longitudinal joints having dimensions such that the end portions of said longitudinal joints engaged in said notches are partially projecting radially on the peripheral surface of flanges; each annular seal concentrically surrounds at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the corresponding flange by passing over said end portions of the longitudinal joints to compress them radially when the removable portion of the envelope is fixed to the corresponding longitudinal members.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a luminaire according to the present invention.

 FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, on a larger scale, of the luminaire of FIG. 1.

 FIG. 3 is a view in longitudinal section along line III-III of FIG. 2.

 FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of one of the lamp-holder plates of the luminaire of FIG. 1.

 FIG. 5 is a view from above of the plate of FIG. 4.

 FIG. 6 is a view showing the internal face of one of the two end plates of the luminaire of FIGS.

 Figure 7 is a sectional view along the line VII-VII of Figure 6.

 Figure 8 is a partial perspective view showing a detail of the luminaire.

 Figure 9 is a sectional view along the line IX-IX of Figure 8.

 FIG. 10 is a sectional view along the line X-X of FIG. 9.

 FIG. 11 is a view along the line F of FIG. 9.

 The luminaire 1 represents in FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises a transparent envelope 2, which is roughly tubular cylindrical in shape and which is closed at both ends by flanges 3 fun only flange is visible in Figures 1 and 2>. The envelope 2 may contain, for example, three tubular lamps 4,5 and 6, for example fluorescent tubes, which are supported, at their two ends, in bushes 7,8 and 1, themselves attached to support plates 11,12 and 13 (see also FIGS. 4 and 5). The plates 11, 12 and 13 also support, in a known manner, the electrical equipment choke 18 and ballast 19> necessary for the operation of each of the lamps 4,5 and 6, and they themselves are supported by the extremiWe flanges 3 of the casing 2 in a manner to be described in greater detail.

 When three lamps are provided, as is the case in the example described here and shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tubular casing 2 can be subdivided into four longitudinal elements 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d. The two elements 2a and 2c may advantageously have identical shapes and dimensions, as well as the other two parts 2b and 2d of the envelope 2, although this is not an absolute necessity in the most general case. elements 2a-2d are made of a transparent material, for example polyzarbonate. The elements 2b and 2d form fixed parts of the envelope 2, which are fixed rigidly to the flanges 3 and to the longitudinal members 14, for example by gluing, whereas the elements 2a and 2c constitute removable parts of the envelope 2, which, when removed, emit large apertures allowing respectively access to the associated lamp 4 or lamps 5 and 6 and electrical equipment for repair or replacement purposes.

 Each of the two removable parts 2a and 2c of the casing 2 is detachably attached to the longitudinal members 14 by two connecting devices 15a and 15b for the part 2a and 15c and 15d for the part 2c.

 Although, in the most general case, the links 15a-15d can be produced in the most diverse forms, it can be advantageous to carry out one of the two links 15a and 15b and one of the two links 15c and 15d. in the form of a latch and the remaining links among the aforementioned links in the form of hinges, or to realize each of the four links 15a and 15d in the form of a link forming both a latch and, in the position closed lock, a hinge.

 According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the links 15a to 15d can be made as described in a parallel patent application of the Applicant, filed on the same day as the present patent application, under the N, and entitled "Luminaire ".

 In short, each of the links 15a to 15d comprises one of the longitudinal members 14, which is in the form of a first profiled element having a female cylindrical portion 14a, a second section 16 which is integral with a longitudinal edge of the removable part 2a or 2c of the casing 2 and which has a mixed cylindrical part 16a being able to fit with the female part 14a of the first profiled element 14, and a third profiled element 17 which cooperates with the first and second profiled elements 14 and 16.The profiled element 17 can be placed in a first position in which the mixing parts 16a and 14a of the first and second profiled elements 14 and 16 are free to be nested one inside the other and dislocated one of them. the other by transverse movements relative to the longitudinal direction of the profiles, and a second position in which the third profiled element 17 holds said male and female parts nested together not in the other, while leaving them free to rotate relative to each other by a predetermined angle.

 As is more particularly visible in FIG. 1, the four connecting devices 1Sa-15d and the corresponding profiled elements extend over the entire length of the luminaire 1. The four connecting devices have identical structures.

 In the case where the parts 2a to 2d of the casing 2 are made by extrusion, the profiled elements 14 and 16 can be made by extrusion at the same time as the parts 2b and 2d or 2a and 2c, respectively, of the casing , so as to be an integral part thereof, as shown for example in connection with the profiles 16 and the parts 2a and 2c of the envelope in FIG. 2.If the parts 2a to 2d of the envelope are not made by extrusion, or if it is desired that the profiled elements 14 and 16 are made of a material different from that of the parts 2a to 2d of the envelope, for example made of aluminum or of aluminum alloy, the profiled elements 14 and 16 can then be constituted by separate sections, comprising a U-section portion, which is placed astride a longitudinal edge of the corresponding part of the casing and which is fixed to said edge by a suitable connecting means, for example by gluing , like this is shown in Figure 2 about the profiles or rails 14.

 Although in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, it is the profiled element 14 which comprises a female part 14a, and the profiled element 16 which has a mixed part 16a, it goes without saying that one could adopt a reverse provision.

 The luminaire 1 may advantageously be designed as a luminaire that is impermeable to water or moisture. In this case, an annular seal 21 is interposed in a known manner between the casing 2 and each of the flanges 3.

However, unlike the annular seals of tubular luminaires of the prior art, which are axially compressed between the tubular casing and the corresponding flange, in the luminaire 1 of the invention each annular seal 21 concentrically and closely surrounds at least a portion of the periphery 3a of the corresponding flange 3 being, for example, retained against any axial displacement towards the outside by a peripheral shoulder 22 of the flange 3, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 to 11. The annular seal 21 is itself closely surrounded and radially compressed by the various parts 2a-2d of the casing 2. In addition, a longitudinal seal 23 is disposed between each of the two longitudinal edges of each of the two removable parts 2a and 2c of the casing 2 and the corresponding spar 14, as shown in FIG. 2.Each longitudinal joint 23 is partially engaged in a longitudinal groove 24 of the spar 14 correspo Ndant and penetrates, at both ends, into notches 25 which are formed in the periphery 3a of the flanges 3, respectively in correspondence with the ends of the longitudinal groove 24 of the spar 14, as shown in Figures 8 to 11 (see also Figure 6>. The depth of each notch 25 and the section of the longitudinal seals 23 have dimensions such that the end portions of the longitudinal seals which are engaged in the notches 25 partially project radially on the peripheral surface 3a of the flanges 3.Each annular seal 21 passes over said end portions of the longitudinal seals 23 to compress them radially when the removable portion 2a or 2c of the casing 2 is fixed to the corresponding longitudinal members 14. Each notch 25, which is open in the direction of the groove 24, is preferably closed in the opposite direction, and the annular seals 21 have a dimension, measured in the longitudinal direction of the casing 2, larger than the dimension of the notches 25, measured in said longitudinal direction, to ensure perfect sealing.

 As shown in FIG. 2, the profile members or rails 14 may comprise one or more grooves such as 14b and 14c, intended to support or position one or more elements such as a reflector 26 to reflect upward the light. emitted by the lamp 4, or an opaque screen 27 to obscure, if desired, the light that could emerge from the envelope 2 through the portion 2d. At least one of the two grooves 14b and 14c has a circular cross section to be able to receive, at its ends, self-tapping screws such as those shown at 28 in Figure 2, for fixing the end flanges 3 to profiled elements or longitudinal members 14.

 Each of the three plates 11, 12 and 13. the lamp 4, 5 or 6, the starter 18 and the ballast 19 associated with the lamp form a subset such as that shown in Figures 4 and 5. Each of these three subassemblies can be easily and quickly put in place and removed from the envelope 2 after the removable portion 2a or 2c has been opened. For this purpose, each of the two flanges 3 comprises three pairs of elements or bosses 29 and 31, which project on its face 3b turned towards the inside of the envelope 2 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Each pair of bosses 29,31 defines a housing that can receive an end of one of the plates 11, 12 and 13 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In addition, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the three plates 11, 12 and 13 comprises, at at least one of its ends, a support member 32 which is slidably mounted in the longitudinal direction of the plate, between two longitudinal wings 11a thereof, and which is biased longitudinally towards the outside by a spring 33.

Thus, by engaging the support member 32 located at one end of the plate 11 for example in one of the housing forms by a pair of bosses 29,31 of one of the two flanges 3, and compressing the spring 33 by a longitudinal movement of the plate, its other end can be presented in front of another housing formed by a pair of bosses 29,31 of the other flange 3 and engaged in this other housing by allowing the spring 33 to relax.

 The support member 32 and the spring 33 may advantageously be made in one piece in the form of a spring steel wire 34 suitably folded. As shown in FIG. 5, the wire 34 is bent in a U-shape, the two branches 34a and 34b being guided respectively by the longitudinal wings 11a and 11b, in the case of the plate 11, and themselves being folded into 34c and 34d. . The branches 34c and 34d are in contact with the opposite sides of a tab 35, which can be, for example, either cut in the plate 11 and folded between the wings 11a and 11b, either constituted by a separate part fixed by gluing or platen welding 11. The branch 34c cooperates with the tab 35 to prevent the wire 34 from protruding longitudinally from the wings 11a and 11b. The branch 34d acts as a spring 33 and cooperates with the tab 35 to elastically push the limb 32 outward. At the junction of the branches 34b and 34d, the wire 34 may optionally form a loop to increase the spring effect.

 Each of the two flanges 3 may further comprise other elements or bosses 36 and 37 (FIGS. 6 and 7), which project on its face 3b and which define means of support and / or positioning for possible reflectors, as for example the reflector 38 (Figures 2 and 3).

 The two flanges 3, which are identical, can be made by molding, the various bosses 29, 31, 36, 37 then being integrally molded with the flanges 3.

However, the latter could also between made in pressed sheet metal and pushed back, but in the latter case.

said bosses will rather be formed by inserts, suitably attached to the sheet metal flanges.

 Although the luminaire 1 which has been described above has a cylindrical envelope 2, divided into four parts 2a-2d and containing three lamps 4, 5 and 6, it is understood that the present invention should not be limited to one such number of lamps or such a form or subdivision of the envelope. For example, the envelope 2 of the luminaire 1 could have a prismatic shape, the end plates then no longer have a circular contour, but a polygonal contour corresponding to the section of the prismatic envelope. Other arrangements of lamps and reflectors can also be provided in the envelope 2.

 It goes without saying that the embodiment of the invention which has been described above has been given by way of purely indicative and non-limiting example, and that many modifications can easily be made by the man of the invention. art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims (8)

 1 - Luminaire comprising a casing (2) of tubular form, of a transparent material, two flanges <3) closing the ends of the casing, at least one electric lamp <4,5,6) and a plate (11,12 , 13) of elongate shape, which supports the lamp and the electrical equipment (18, 19) associated therewith for its current supply, and which is supported at both ends by said flanges, characterized in that said transparent tubular envelope ( 2) is subdivided into several longitudinal transparent elements (2a-2d), which extend from one flange (3) to the other and which are connected in the region of their two longitudinal edges to longitudinal members  14> whose ends are fixed rigidly to the two flanges in the region of their peripheral edge, at least one (2a; 2c) of the longitudinal transparent elements (2a2d) being connected to at least one of the two corresponding longitudinal members (14 ) by a detachable connection (15a-15d) to form an envelope portion (2ai2c) which is removable in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the luminaire.  2 - Luminaire according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the two longitudinal edges of the removable portion (2a; 2c) of the casing (2) is connected to the corresponding spar <14) by a connection (15a; 15d). hinge, while the other longitudinal edge of the removable portion (2a; 2c) of the casing is connected to the corresponding spar (14> by a connection (15b; 15c) forming a latch.  3 - Luminaire according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the two longitudinal edges of the removable portion (2a; 2c) of the casing (2> is connected to the corresponding spar (14) by a connection (15a, 15b; 15c , 15d> forming both a lock and, in the closed position of the lock, a hinge.  4 - Luminaire according to claim 3, characterized in that each of the two longitudinal members (14> associated with the removable portion (2a; 2c) of the casing (2> is constituted by a first profiled element C14> having a male cylindrical portion or female (14a>, and in that said link (15a- 15d> comprises a second profiled element (16> which is integral with a longitudinal edge of the removable portion (2a ;; 2c> of the envelope and which has a cylindrical or female cylindrical portion (16a) engageable with the male or female portion (14a) of the first profiled element (14>, and a third profiled element (17> which cooperates with the first and second profiled elements (14 and 16) and which can be placed in a first position in which the male and female portions (14a and 16a) of the first and second profiled members (14 and 16> are free from interlocking into one another and disengaged from each other. one from the other by transverse movements in relation to the longitudinal direction of the profiles, and a second position in which the third profiled element (17> maintains said parts n and e (14a and 16a) nested one inside the other, while leaving them free to rotate one relative to each other by a predetermined angle.  5 - Luminaire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an annular seal <21> is disposed at each end of the tubular casing <2), between the latter and the flanges <3>, characterized in that a longitudinal seal (23) is disposed between each of the two longitudinal edges of the removable portion (2a ;; 2c) of the casing (2) and the corresponding spar (14), each longitudinal joint being partly engaged in a longitudinal groove (24> of the spar (14> and penetrating, at its two ends, in notches (25> which are formed in the peripheral surface (3a> of the flanges (3), respectively in correspondence with the ends of the longitudinal groove (24> of the spar, the depth of each notch (25> and the section of the longitudinal joints (23> having dimensions such that the end portions of said longitudinal joints engaged in said notches are partially radially projecting on the peripheral surface (3a> of the flanges, and in that each annular seal (21> concentrically surrounds at least a portion of the peripheral surface (3a) of the corresponding flange (3> passing over said portions of end of the longitudinal joints (23) to compress them radially when the removable portion (2a; 2c> of the casing (2> is fixed to the corresponding longitudinal members (14> ..  6 - Luminaire according to claim 5, characterized in that each notch (25> is open towards said groove (24>, but closed in the opposite direction, and in that the annular seals (21> have a dimension, measured in the longitudinal direction of the casing (2>, greater than the dimension of the notches (25), measured in said longitudinal direction.  7 - Luminaire according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each flange (3> comprises elements (29,31> which project on its face (3b> facing the inside of the tubular casing C2) and which define housings for receiving and supporting the ends of the plate (11jl2jl5), and in that said plate comprises, at at least one of its ends, a support member (32> which is mounted longitudinally sliding in the corresponding end of the plate and which is biased longitudinally outwardly by a spring (33>, the ends of the plate can be engaged in the respective housing formed in the flanges by compression of said spring.  8 - Luminaire according to any one of claims 1 & 7, characterized in that each flange (3) comprises elements (36,37> which project on its face (3b) rotated towards the inside of the envelope ( 2> and which define means of support and / or positioning for reflectors (38>.