EP2792935A1 - A lamp assembly - Google Patents
A lamp assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2792935A1 EP2792935A1 EP14165264.4A EP14165264A EP2792935A1 EP 2792935 A1 EP2792935 A1 EP 2792935A1 EP 14165264 A EP14165264 A EP 14165264A EP 2792935 A1 EP2792935 A1 EP 2792935A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- lamp assembly
- opening
- ring
- lamp
- clamp arms
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21S8/00—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation
- F21S8/02—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters
- F21S8/026—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters intended to be recessed in a ceiling or like overhead structure, e.g. suspended ceiling
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V21/00—Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips
- F21V21/02—Wall, ceiling, or floor bases; Fixing pendants or arms to the bases
- F21V21/04—Recessed bases
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21S8/00—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation
- F21S8/02—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V21/00—Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips
- F21V21/02—Wall, ceiling, or floor bases; Fixing pendants or arms to the bases
- F21V21/04—Recessed bases
- F21V21/047—Mounting arrangements with fastening means engaging the inner surface of a hole in a ceiling or wall, e.g. for solid walls or for blind holes
Definitions
- This invention relates to a lamp assembly.
- the invention is particularly concerned with lamps such as downlights for mounting in an opening in a ceiling panel.
- Such downlights essentially comprise a lamp body having a flanged outer end and spring-loaded clamp arms on the lamp body which engage an inside face of the ceiling panel to clamp the flanged outer end against an outer face of the ceiling panel, thus securing the downlight on the ceiling panel.
- a typical downlight of this type is disclosed in GB 2486498 . When fitting such downlights on the ceiling panel, the spring-loaded clamp arms have to be folded into a stored position and held there as the downlight is inserted through the opening in the ceiling panel.
- EP 2463578 discloses a lighting fixture having means for securing the lighting fixture in an opening in a panel.
- the securing means comprises a pair of elastic members at opposite sides of the lighting fixture which deform to allow insertion of the lighting fixture into the opening in the panel and when fully inserted retain the lighting fixture in the opening on the panel.
- the present invention is directed towards overcoming the above-mentioned problems.
- a lamp assembly for mounting in an associated opening in a cladding panel, the lamp assembly including:
- the retaining means holds the clamp arms in the disengaged position facilitating single-handed fitting of the lamp assembly on the cladding panel and as the lamp housing is inserted into the opening in the cladding panel, the retaining ring will disengage from the clamp arms to allow the clamp arms to secure the lamp assembly on the cladding panel.
- the retaining means comprises a single retaining element which is engagable with all the clamp arms.
- the retaining means is slidably engagable with the clamp arms.
- the retaining means is engagable about an exterior of the lamp housing.
- the retaining means may be slidably engagable with the exterior of the lamp housing.
- the retaining means is a ring.
- the ring has a plurality of slots at an inner edge of the ring for reception of the clamp arms.
- each clamp arm is U-shaped having a pair of side members interconnected at their outer ends by a cross-member, an associated pair of slots being provided at an inner edge of the ring for each clamp arm, said slots for reception of the side members with a tongue between said slots engaging with the cross-member to hold the ring in engagement with an outer end of the clamp arms.
- the ring comprises a flat annular flange having an inner opening sized to receive the lamp housing which is movable through said inner opening, at least a portion of an outer periphery of the flange being wider than the opening in the cladding panel.
- a number of spaced-apart clamp arm receiving slots are provided at a periphery of said inner opening to receive the clamp arms.
- two or more pairs of associated clamp arm receiving slots are provided in which the spacing between clamp arm engaging portions of associated clamp arm receiving slots in each pair of clamp arm receiving slots is different.
- the ring is a stainless steel ring having a thickness in the range 0.4 - 0.8 mm, and preferably is about 0.5 mm thick.
- the ring has an inner diameter of between 58 mm and 62 mm and an outer diameter of between 85 mm and 90 mm, and preferably the outer diameter is about 89mm.
- the invention provides a retaining ring for the lamp assembly of the type herein described.
- the retaining ring comprising a flat annular flange having an inner opening sized to receive the lamp housing which is movable through said inner opening, at least a portion of an outer periphery of the flange being wider than the opening in the cladding panel in which the lamp housing is to be mounted.
- a number of spaced-apart clamp arm receiving slots are provided at a periphery of said inner opening to receive the clamp arms.
- the retaining ring is an annular stainless steel ring of 0.5mm thickness and having an inner diameter of between 58mm and 62mm and an outer diameter of 89mm.
- the lamp assembly 1 has a lamp housing 2 with a flanged outer end 3. Any suitable lamp 4, such as an LED lamp may be mounted within the lamp housing 2 for projection of light outwardly at the flanged outer end 3 of the lamp housing 2.
- Two clamp arms 5 are mounted on opposite sides of the lamp housing 2. Each clamp arm 5 is pivotally movable on the lamp housing 2 between a disengaged position alongside the lamp housing 2 as shown in Fig. 1 and an outwardly extending engaged position, as shown in Fig. 5 , for mounting the lamp assembly 1 in an associated opening 7 in a ceiling panel 8.
- the lamp assembly 1 includes a retaining ring 10 which is engagable with the clamp arms 5 as shown in Fig. 1 to retain the clamp arms 5 in a folded disengaged position alongside the lamp housing 2 to facilitate single handed insertion of the lamp housing 2 into the opening 7 in the ceiling panel 8.
- the retaining ring 10 engages an outer periphery 12 of the opening 7 at an outer face 13 of the ceiling panel 8 and as the lamp housing 2 is inserted the retaining ring 10 is pushed downwardly on the lamp housing 2 until it nests against an inside face 11 of the flanged outer end 3, thus releasing the clamp arms 5 which pivot outwardly and downwardly to engage against an inner face 14 of the ceiling panel 8 keeping the flanged outer end 3 securely clamped against the outer face 13 of the ceiling panel 8 and mounting the lamp assembly 1 on the ceiling panel 8, retaining the periphery 12 of the opening 7 in the ceiling panel 8, that is the portion of the ceiling panel 8 surrounding the opening 7, between the clamp arms 5 and the flanged outer end 3 of the lamp housing 2.
- the retaining ring 10 comprises a flat annular flange 15 having an inner opening 16 sized to receive the lamp housing 2 which is movable through said inner opening 16.
- Two clamp arm receiving slots 17 are provided at opposite sides of a periphery of the inner opening 16 to receive the clamp arms 5. It will be noted that the outside diameter of the flange 15 is greater than the diameter of the opening 7 through which the lamp assembly 1 is inserted. Additional slots 18 may be provided at the periphery of the inner opening 16 to accommodate and fit around fittings on an exterior of the lamp housing 2.
- the distance between clamp arm engaging portions 19 of the associated pair of clamp arm engaging slots 17 may be varied to apply different restraining forces to the springs 9, for example to avoid over tensioning of the springs 9 associated with the clamp arms 5 when the lamp assembly 1, 30 requires a longer storage duration prior to installation.
- two or more spaced-apart pairs of clamp arm receiving slots 17 may be provided at the periphery of the inner opening 16. It may in some cases be desirable to have different spacings between associated clamp engaging portions 19 of different associated pairs of clamp arm receiving slots 17, for example to accommodate different lamp constructions or in order to permit selective application of different restraining forces to the springs as mentioned above.
- the lamp assembly 1 In use, typically the lamp assembly 1 is supplied with the retaining ring 10 in the position shown in Fig. 1 retaining the clamp arms 5 in the retracted folded position.
- the retaining ring could be fitted just prior to insertion of the lamp into the ceiling panel 8.
- the retaining ring 10 will engage the periphery 12 of the opening 7 on the outer face 13 of the ceiling panel 8 as the lamp housing 2 is pushed upwardly through the opening 7.
- FIG. 30 there is shown another lamp assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 30. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals.
- the clamp arms 5 project upwardly of the lamp housing 2 when in the folded disengaged position shown in Fig. 6 .
- the clamp arm receiving slots at a periphery of the inner opening 16 in this case are provided by a pair of notches 31 associated with each clamp arm 5. Side elements 32, 33 of each arm 5 engage with the notches 31.
- a tongue 34 between each pair of notches 31 projects inwardly under a cross-member forming a looped outer end 35 of the side elements 32, 33 to secure the retaining ring 10 at the outer ends of the clamp arms 5 prior to insertion of the lamp assembly 30 into the opening 7 in the ceiling panel 8.
- the lamp assembly 30 is fitted to the ceiling panel 8 in similar fashion to the lamp assembly previously described.
- the fitting sequence is shown in Figs. 8 to 10 .
- a periphery 12 of the opening 7 at the outer face 13 of the ceiling panel 8 engages the retaining ring 10 and slides it downwardly over the clamp arms 5 and about the lamp body 2 until it reaches the inner face 11 of the flanged lower end 3 of the lamp body 2.
- the clamp arms 5 are released for outward movement under the action of the spring 9 to engage the inner face 14 of the ceiling panel 8 and clamp the lower flanged end 3 against the outer face 13 of the ceiling panel 8.
- a stainless steel annular retaining ring 10 of inner diameter 59 mm and outer diameter 89 mm, and of thickness 0.5 mm was made by means of laser cutting of a 316 stainless steel plate.
- the retaining ring 10 was made from stainless steel so that it would survive the temperatures encountered during a typical fire, for up to 90 minutes as required to maintain the integrity of ceilings with a 90 minute fire rating duration.
- This retaining ring 10 was fitted over the clamp arms 5 of a ROBUS TRILED RF9 type downlight housing 2 supplied by LED Group (Western Retail Park, Nangor Road, Dublin 12, Ireland), and the downlight housing 2 was inserted into a 60 mm clearance aperture 7 cut-out in a ceiling 8.
- the retaining ring 10 dropped onto the bezel 3 of the downlight housing 2, releasing the clamp arms 5 which under the action of the springs 9 pulled the downlight housing 2 upward into the ceiling aperture 7 until the stainless steel annular retaining ring 10 contacted the ceiling 8 and the bezel 3 of the downlight housing 2, anchoring the downlight housing 2 securely in place.
- the insertion and securing of the downlight housing 2 in the ceiling aperture 7 was completed within 2 seconds.
- the retaining ring 10 may have an inner diameter of between 58 mm and 60 mm and an outer diameter of between 85mm and 90 mm.
- retaining rings 10 of different inner diameters between 61 mm and 85 mm were fabricated with an outer diameter of 89 mm to apply different restraining forces to the springs 9, to avoid over tensioning of the springs 9 when the product requires a longer storage duration prior to installation.
- the retaining ring 10 may be of any suitable material provided it meets the functional and regulatory requirements.
- the retaining ring 10 will be metal, and in this regard steel is preferred.
- Stainless steel is particularly preferred as it aids the fire rating of the light fitting and is resistant to corrosion and oxidation. Galvanised steel could alternatively be used and would be cheaper to produce.
- the retaining ring 10 should be as thin as possible to ensure the light fitting does not protrude too far from the ceiling so that the retaining ring 10 is hidden and essentially not visible.
- a retaining ring thickness of about 0.5mm has been found to be particularly suitable.
- the inner and outer diameters of the annular flange 15 forming the retaining ring 10 will generally be determined by the particular light fitting it is to be used with, and in particular the diameter of the lamp housing 2, the diameter of the flanged outer end 3 and the diameter of the opening 7 in the ceiling panel 8 into which the lamp assembly is to be inserted. What is essential is that the inner diameter, or inner opening 16, is such that the retaining ring 10 will slide over the lamp housing 2 and the outer diameter, or at least a portion of an outer edge of the retaining ring 10, is such that the retaining ring 10 will engage against a periphery of the opening 7 in the ceiling 8 upon insertion of the lamp housing 2 into the opening 7 to release the clamp arms 5.
- the outer diameter of the retaining ring 10 is slightly less (say 1-2 mm) than the diameter of the flanged outer end 3 of the lamp housing 2 so the retaining ring 10 is hidden from view when the lamp assembly 1, 30 is mounted on the ceiling panel 8.
- the inner diameter of the retaining ring 10 may be varied depending upon the desirable tension to be applied to the springs 9, and in this regard may be somewhat larger than the diameter of the lamp housing 2 to tension the springs 9 less in order to have a longer shelf life without unacceptably adversely affecting the spring 9 performance before use.
- the depth of the clamp arm receiving slots 17 may be varied for the same purpose.
- the lamp assembly of the invention is described as being fitted on a ceiling panel, it will be appreciated that it could be fitted to other cladding panels, such as wall panels, or even floor panels if desired, in a similar fashion.
- the retaining ring secures the clamp arms in a collapsed stored position until the lamp assembly is inserted into the opening in the cladding panel. As already stated, this facilitates single-handed insertion of the lamp assembly into the cladding panel.
- the fitting of the lamp assembly to a cladding panel is made easier, quicker and safer.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Fastening Of Light Sources Or Lamp Holders (AREA)
- Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
A Lamp assembly for mounting in an associated opening in a ceiling panel has a lamp housing (2) with a flanged outer end (3). A pair of spring loaded clamp arms (5) are mounted on the housing (2). The clamp arms (5) are movable between a folded disengaged position against the lamp housing (2) and an outwardly extended engaged position to retain the lamp assembly (1) on the ceiling panel. Springs (9) on each clamp arm (5) urge the clamp arms (5) towards the engaged position. A retaining ring (10) fits about the clamp arms (5) to hold them in the folded position to facilitate insertion of the lamp assembly (1) into the opening of the ceiling panel, this retaining ring (10) being engagable with the periphery of the opening as the lamp assembly (1) is inserted into the opening to disengage the retaining ring (10), sliding the retaining ring (10) downwardly off the clamp arms (5) thus releasing the clamp arms (5) which can then move into the engaged position under spring bias.
Description
- This invention relates to a lamp assembly.
- The invention is particularly concerned with lamps such as downlights for mounting in an opening in a ceiling panel. Such downlights essentially comprise a lamp body having a flanged outer end and spring-loaded clamp arms on the lamp body which engage an inside face of the ceiling panel to clamp the flanged outer end against an outer face of the ceiling panel, thus securing the downlight on the ceiling panel. A typical downlight of this type is disclosed in
GB 2486498 EP 2463578 discloses a lighting fixture having means for securing the lighting fixture in an opening in a panel. The securing means comprises a pair of elastic members at opposite sides of the lighting fixture which deform to allow insertion of the lighting fixture into the opening in the panel and when fully inserted retain the lighting fixture in the opening on the panel. - The present invention is directed towards overcoming the above-mentioned problems.
- According to the invention, there is provided a lamp assembly for mounting in an associated opening in a cladding panel, the lamp assembly including:
- a lamp housing with a flanged outer end;
- two or more clamp arms mounted on the lamp housing;
- each clamp arm being movable on the lamp housing between a disengaged position alongside the lamp housing and an outwardly extended engaged position to retain a periphery of the opening in the cladding panel between said clamp arm and said flanged outer end of the lamp housing;
- bias means to urge each clamp arm towards the engaged position;
- characterised in that there is provided retaining means which is engagable with the clamp arms to retain the clamp arms in the disengaged position;
- said retaining means being engagable with the periphery of the opening in the cladding panel upon insertion of the lamp housing through said opening for disengagement of the retaining means from the clamp arms.
- Conveniently the retaining means holds the clamp arms in the disengaged position facilitating single-handed fitting of the lamp assembly on the cladding panel and as the lamp housing is inserted into the opening in the cladding panel, the retaining ring will disengage from the clamp arms to allow the clamp arms to secure the lamp assembly on the cladding panel.
- In another embodiment of the invention, the retaining means comprises a single retaining element which is engagable with all the clamp arms.
- In a further embodiment the retaining means is slidably engagable with the clamp arms.
- In a further embodiment the retaining means is engagable about an exterior of the lamp housing. The retaining means may be slidably engagable with the exterior of the lamp housing.
- In another embodiment the retaining means is a ring.
- In another embodiment the ring has a plurality of slots at an inner edge of the ring for reception of the clamp arms.
- In another embodiment each clamp arm is U-shaped having a pair of side members interconnected at their outer ends by a cross-member, an associated pair of slots being provided at an inner edge of the ring for each clamp arm, said slots for reception of the side members with a tongue between said slots engaging with the cross-member to hold the ring in engagement with an outer end of the clamp arms.
- In a further embodiment the ring comprises a flat annular flange having an inner opening sized to receive the lamp housing which is movable through said inner opening, at least a portion of an outer periphery of the flange being wider than the opening in the cladding panel.
- In another embodiment a number of spaced-apart clamp arm receiving slots are provided at a periphery of said inner opening to receive the clamp arms.
- In another embodiment two or more pairs of associated clamp arm receiving slots are provided in which the spacing between clamp arm engaging portions of associated clamp arm receiving slots in each pair of clamp arm receiving slots is different.
- In another embodiment the ring is a stainless steel ring having a thickness in the range 0.4 - 0.8 mm, and preferably is about 0.5 mm thick.
- In another embodiment the ring has an inner diameter of between 58 mm and 62 mm and an outer diameter of between 85 mm and 90 mm, and preferably the outer diameter is about 89mm.
- In another aspect the invention provides a retaining ring for the lamp assembly of the type herein described. Preferably the retaining ring comprising a flat annular flange having an inner opening sized to receive the lamp housing which is movable through said inner opening, at least a portion of an outer periphery of the flange being wider than the opening in the cladding panel in which the lamp housing is to be mounted.
- In another embodiment a number of spaced-apart clamp arm receiving slots are provided at a periphery of said inner opening to receive the clamp arms.
- In another embodiment the retaining ring is an annular stainless steel ring of 0.5mm thickness and having an inner diameter of between 58mm and 62mm and an outer diameter of 89mm.
- The invention will be more clearly understood by the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
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Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lamp assembly according to the invention; -
Fig. 2 is a plan view of a retaining ring of the lamp assembly; -
Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the lamp assembly positioned immediately below an opening in a ceiling panel to which the lamp assembly is to be mounted; -
Fig. 4 is a view similar toFig. 3 showing the lamp assembly partially engaged with the opening in the ceiling panel; -
Fig. 5 is a perspective view similar toFig. 3 showing the lamp assembly fully engaged in the opening of the ceiling panel; -
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another lamp assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention; -
Fig. 7 is a plan view of a retaining ring of the lamp assembly ofFig. 6 ; and -
Figs. 8 to 10 are perspective views illustrating the mounting of the lamp assembly ofFig. 6 in a ceiling opening. - Referring to the drawings and initially to
Figs. 1 to 5 thereof, there is illustrated a lamp assembly according to the invention indicated generally by thereference numeral 1. Thelamp assembly 1 has alamp housing 2 with a flangedouter end 3. Anysuitable lamp 4, such as an LED lamp may be mounted within thelamp housing 2 for projection of light outwardly at the flangedouter end 3 of thelamp housing 2. Twoclamp arms 5 are mounted on opposite sides of thelamp housing 2. Eachclamp arm 5 is pivotally movable on thelamp housing 2 between a disengaged position alongside thelamp housing 2 as shown inFig. 1 and an outwardly extending engaged position, as shown inFig. 5 , for mounting thelamp assembly 1 in an associatedopening 7 in aceiling panel 8. Aspring 9 at an inner end of eachclamp arm 5 urges theclamp arm 5 towards the engaged position. Lamps of this type are well known and need no further description. In accordance with the present invention, thelamp assembly 1 includes aretaining ring 10 which is engagable with theclamp arms 5 as shown inFig. 1 to retain theclamp arms 5 in a folded disengaged position alongside thelamp housing 2 to facilitate single handed insertion of thelamp housing 2 into the opening 7 in theceiling panel 8. - As shown in the sequence of
Figs. 3 to 5 , upon insertion of thelamp housing 2 into theopening 7, theretaining ring 10 engages anouter periphery 12 of theopening 7 at anouter face 13 of theceiling panel 8 and as thelamp housing 2 is inserted theretaining ring 10 is pushed downwardly on thelamp housing 2 until it nests against aninside face 11 of the flangedouter end 3, thus releasing theclamp arms 5 which pivot outwardly and downwardly to engage against aninner face 14 of theceiling panel 8 keeping the flangedouter end 3 securely clamped against theouter face 13 of theceiling panel 8 and mounting thelamp assembly 1 on theceiling panel 8, retaining theperiphery 12 of theopening 7 in theceiling panel 8, that is the portion of theceiling panel 8 surrounding theopening 7, between theclamp arms 5 and the flangedouter end 3 of thelamp housing 2. - The
retaining ring 10 comprises a flatannular flange 15 having aninner opening 16 sized to receive thelamp housing 2 which is movable through saidinner opening 16. Two clamparm receiving slots 17 are provided at opposite sides of a periphery of theinner opening 16 to receive theclamp arms 5. It will be noted that the outside diameter of theflange 15 is greater than the diameter of theopening 7 through which thelamp assembly 1 is inserted.Additional slots 18 may be provided at the periphery of theinner opening 16 to accommodate and fit around fittings on an exterior of thelamp housing 2. - The distance between clamp
arm engaging portions 19 of the associated pair of clamp armengaging slots 17 may be varied to apply different restraining forces to thesprings 9, for example to avoid over tensioning of thesprings 9 associated with theclamp arms 5 when thelamp assembly - It is also envisaged that two or more spaced-apart pairs of clamp
arm receiving slots 17 may be provided at the periphery of theinner opening 16. It may in some cases be desirable to have different spacings between associatedclamp engaging portions 19 of different associated pairs of clamparm receiving slots 17, for example to accommodate different lamp constructions or in order to permit selective application of different restraining forces to the springs as mentioned above. - In use, typically the
lamp assembly 1 is supplied with theretaining ring 10 in the position shown inFig. 1 retaining theclamp arms 5 in the retracted folded position. Alternatively, the retaining ring could be fitted just prior to insertion of the lamp into theceiling panel 8. To fit thelamp assembly 1 into theopening 7 in theceiling panel 8, it is only necessary to position thelamp housing 2 at theopening 7 and push thelamp housing 2 upwardly through theopening 7 as shown in the sequence ofFigs. 3 to 5 . The retainingring 10 will engage theperiphery 12 of theopening 7 on theouter face 13 of theceiling panel 8 as thelamp housing 2 is pushed upwardly through theopening 7. This slides the retainingring 10 downwardly on thelamp housing 2 and clamparms 5, releasing theclamp arms 5 which pivot outwardly under the action of thesprings 9 until they engage theinner face 14 of theceiling panel 8 as shown inFig. 5 to securely clamp the flangedlower end 3 of thelamp assembly 1 against theouter face 13 of theceiling panel 8. - Referring now to
Figs. 6 to 10 , there is shown another lamp assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention indicated generally by thereference numeral 30. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case theclamp arms 5 project upwardly of thelamp housing 2 when in the folded disengaged position shown inFig. 6 . The clamp arm receiving slots at a periphery of theinner opening 16 in this case are provided by a pair ofnotches 31 associated with eachclamp arm 5.Side elements arm 5 engage with thenotches 31. Atongue 34 between each pair ofnotches 31 projects inwardly under a cross-member forming a loopedouter end 35 of theside elements ring 10 at the outer ends of theclamp arms 5 prior to insertion of thelamp assembly 30 into theopening 7 in theceiling panel 8. - In use, the
lamp assembly 30 is fitted to theceiling panel 8 in similar fashion to the lamp assembly previously described. The fitting sequence is shown inFigs. 8 to 10 . As thelamp assembly 30 is inserted into theopening 7, aperiphery 12 of theopening 7 at theouter face 13 of theceiling panel 8 engages the retainingring 10 and slides it downwardly over theclamp arms 5 and about thelamp body 2 until it reaches theinner face 11 of the flangedlower end 3 of thelamp body 2. As the retainingring 10 moves downwardly, theclamp arms 5 are released for outward movement under the action of thespring 9 to engage theinner face 14 of theceiling panel 8 and clamp the lowerflanged end 3 against theouter face 13 of theceiling panel 8. - In an example of the invention, a stainless steel annular retaining
ring 10 of inner diameter 59 mm and outer diameter 89 mm, and of thickness 0.5 mm, was made by means of laser cutting of a 316 stainless steel plate. The retainingring 10 was made from stainless steel so that it would survive the temperatures encountered during a typical fire, for up to 90 minutes as required to maintain the integrity of ceilings with a 90 minute fire rating duration. - This retaining
ring 10 was fitted over theclamp arms 5 of a ROBUS TRILED RF9type downlight housing 2 supplied by LED Group (Western Retail Park, Nangor Road,Dublin 12, Ireland), and thedownlight housing 2 was inserted into a 60mm clearance aperture 7 cut-out in aceiling 8. On contact with theceiling 8, the retainingring 10 dropped onto thebezel 3 of thedownlight housing 2, releasing theclamp arms 5 which under the action of thesprings 9 pulled thedownlight housing 2 upward into theceiling aperture 7 until the stainless steel annular retainingring 10 contacted theceiling 8 and thebezel 3 of thedownlight housing 2, anchoring thedownlight housing 2 securely in place. The insertion and securing of thedownlight housing 2 in theceiling aperture 7 was completed within 2 seconds. - If the retaining
ring 10 is used with a downlight fitting having an enclosure orhousing 2 of diameter 57.5 mm and aflange 3 of outer diameter 90 mm the retainingring 10 may have an inner diameter of between 58 mm and 60 mm and an outer diameter of between 85mm and 90 mm. - In other examples of the invention, retaining rings 10 of different inner diameters between 61 mm and 85 mm were fabricated with an outer diameter of 89 mm to apply different restraining forces to the
springs 9, to avoid over tensioning of thesprings 9 when the product requires a longer storage duration prior to installation. - The retaining
ring 10 may be of any suitable material provided it meets the functional and regulatory requirements. Typically, the retainingring 10 will be metal, and in this regard steel is preferred. Stainless steel is particularly preferred as it aids the fire rating of the light fitting and is resistant to corrosion and oxidation. Galvanised steel could alternatively be used and would be cheaper to produce. - Ideally, the retaining
ring 10 should be as thin as possible to ensure the light fitting does not protrude too far from the ceiling so that the retainingring 10 is hidden and essentially not visible. In this regard, a retaining ring thickness of about 0.5mm has been found to be particularly suitable. - The inner and outer diameters of the
annular flange 15 forming the retainingring 10 will generally be determined by the particular light fitting it is to be used with, and in particular the diameter of thelamp housing 2, the diameter of the flangedouter end 3 and the diameter of theopening 7 in theceiling panel 8 into which the lamp assembly is to be inserted. What is essential is that the inner diameter, orinner opening 16, is such that the retainingring 10 will slide over thelamp housing 2 and the outer diameter, or at least a portion of an outer edge of the retainingring 10, is such that the retainingring 10 will engage against a periphery of theopening 7 in theceiling 8 upon insertion of thelamp housing 2 into theopening 7 to release theclamp arms 5. Preferably the outer diameter of the retainingring 10 is slightly less (say 1-2 mm) than the diameter of the flangedouter end 3 of thelamp housing 2 so the retainingring 10 is hidden from view when thelamp assembly ceiling panel 8. - The inner diameter of the retaining
ring 10 may be varied depending upon the desirable tension to be applied to thesprings 9, and in this regard may be somewhat larger than the diameter of thelamp housing 2 to tension thesprings 9 less in order to have a longer shelf life without unacceptably adversely affecting thespring 9 performance before use. Alternatively, where clamp arm receivingslots 17 are provided the depth of the clamparm receiving slots 17 may be varied for the same purpose. - While the lamp assembly of the invention is described as being fitted on a ceiling panel, it will be appreciated that it could be fitted to other cladding panels, such as wall panels, or even floor panels if desired, in a similar fashion. The retaining ring secures the clamp arms in a collapsed stored position until the lamp assembly is inserted into the opening in the cladding panel. As already stated, this facilitates single-handed insertion of the lamp assembly into the cladding panel. Thus, the fitting of the lamp assembly to a cladding panel is made easier, quicker and safer.
- In this specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" or any variation thereof and the terms "include, includes, included and including" or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation.
- The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail with the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (15)
- A lamp assembly (1, 30) for mounting in an associated opening (7) in a cladding panel (8), the lamp assembly (1, 30) including:a lamp housing (2) with a flanged outer end (3);two or more clamp arms (5) mounted on the lamp housing (2);each clamp arm (5) being movable on the lamp housing (2) between a disengaged position alongside the lamp housing (2) and an outwardly extended engaged position to retain a periphery (12) of the opening (7) in the cladding panel (8) between said clamp arm (5) and said flanged outer end (3) of the lamp housing (2);bias means (9) to urge each clamp arm (5) towards the engaged position;characterised in that there is provided retaining means (10) which is engagable with the clamp arms (5) to retain the clamp arms (5) in the disengaged position;said retaining means (10) being engagable with the periphery (12) of the opening (7) in the cladding panel (8) upon insertion of the lamp housing (2) through said opening (7) for disengagement of the retaining means (10) from the clamp arms (5).
- The lamp assembly (1, 30) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the retaining means (10) comprises a single retaining element which is engagable with all the clamp arms (5).
- The lamp assembly (1, 30) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the retaining means (10) is slidably engagable with the clamp arms (5).
- The lamp assembly (1, 30) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the retaining means is engagable about an exterior of the lamp housing (2).
- The lamp assembly (1, 30) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the retaining means is a ring (10).
- The lamp assembly (1, 30) as claimed in claim 5 wherein the ring (10) has a plurality of slots (17) at an inner edge of the ring (10) for reception of the clamp arms (5).
- The lamp assembly (1, 30) as claimed in claim 6 wherein each clamp arm (5) is U-shaped having a pair of side members (32, 33) interconnected at their outer ends by a cross-member (35), an associated pair of slots (31) being provided at an inner edge of the ring (10) for each clamp arm (5), said slots (31) for reception of the side members (32, 33) with a tongue (34) between said slots (31) engaging with the cross-member (35) to hold the ring (10) in engagement with an outer end of the clamp arms (5).
- The lamp assembly (1, 30) as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the ring (10) comprises a flat annular flange (15) having an inner opening (16) sized to receive the lamp housing (2) which is movable through said inner opening (16), at least a portion of an outer periphery of the flange (15) being wider than the opening (7) in the cladding panel (8).
- The lamp assembly (1, 30) as claimed in claim 8 wherein a number of spaced-apart clamp arm receiving slots (17) are provided at a periphery of said inner opening (16) to receive the clamp arms (5).
- The lamp assembly (1, 30) as claimed in claim 9 where two or more pairs of associated clamp arm receiving slots (17) are provided in which the spacing between clamp arm engaging portions (19) of associated clamp arm receiving slots (17) in each pair of clamp arm receiving slots (17) is different.
- The lamp assembly (1, 30) as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 10 wherein the ring (10) is a stainless steel ring of 0.5 mm thickness.
- The lamp assembly (1, 30) as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 11 wherein the ring (10) has an inner diameter of between 58 mm and 62 mm and an outer diameter of 89 mm.
- A retaining ring (10) for the lamp assembly (1, 30) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising a flat annular flange (15) having an inner opening (16) sized to receive the lamp housing (2) which is movable through said inner opening (16), at least a portion of an outer periphery of the flange (15) being wider than the opening (7) in the cladding panel (8) in which the lamp housing (2) is to be mounted.
- A retaining ring (10) as claimed in claim 13, wherein a number of spaced-apart clamp arm receiving slots (17) are provided at a periphery of said inner opening (16) to receive the clamp arms (5).
- A retaining ring (10) as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the retaining ring (10) is an annular stainless steel ring of 0.5mm thickness and having an inner diameter of between 58mm and 62mm and an outer diameter of 89mm.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1307137.8A GB2513191B (en) | 2013-04-19 | 2013-04-19 | A lamp assembly |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2792935A1 true EP2792935A1 (en) | 2014-10-22 |
Family
ID=48537520
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP14165264.4A Withdrawn EP2792935A1 (en) | 2013-04-19 | 2014-04-17 | A lamp assembly |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2792935A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2014202178A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2513191B (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN108870242A (en) * | 2018-03-21 | 2018-11-23 | 张素平 | A kind of mounting device for lighting apparatus |
JP2019160574A (en) * | 2018-03-13 | 2019-09-19 | コイズミ照明株式会社 | Lighting fixture |
WO2021156496A1 (en) * | 2020-02-06 | 2021-08-12 | Danny Smith | A collar for a recessed fixture |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN106287594A (en) * | 2016-08-31 | 2017-01-04 | 周兰兰 | A kind of LED lamp fixing device |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH07296623A (en) * | 1994-04-25 | 1995-11-10 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Recessed luminaire |
WO2010135928A1 (en) * | 2009-05-27 | 2010-12-02 | Wu Liangju | Automatic mounting mechanism for recessed lamp |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4154809B2 (en) * | 1999-07-27 | 2008-09-24 | 松下電工株式会社 | Recessed lighting fixture |
ES2487536T3 (en) * | 2010-12-09 | 2014-08-21 | Antares Iluminación S.A. | Device for attaching accessories |
GB2486498A (en) * | 2010-12-17 | 2012-06-20 | Aurora Ltd | Insulation distancing ventilation cover for a down light casing |
-
2013
- 2013-04-19 GB GB1307137.8A patent/GB2513191B/en active Active
-
2014
- 2014-04-17 EP EP14165264.4A patent/EP2792935A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2014-04-22 AU AU2014202178A patent/AU2014202178A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH07296623A (en) * | 1994-04-25 | 1995-11-10 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Recessed luminaire |
WO2010135928A1 (en) * | 2009-05-27 | 2010-12-02 | Wu Liangju | Automatic mounting mechanism for recessed lamp |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2019160574A (en) * | 2018-03-13 | 2019-09-19 | コイズミ照明株式会社 | Lighting fixture |
JP7005395B2 (en) | 2018-03-13 | 2022-01-21 | コイズミ照明株式会社 | lighting equipment |
CN108870242A (en) * | 2018-03-21 | 2018-11-23 | 张素平 | A kind of mounting device for lighting apparatus |
CN108870242B (en) * | 2018-03-21 | 2020-10-30 | 于浩 | Mounting device for lighting equipment |
WO2021156496A1 (en) * | 2020-02-06 | 2021-08-12 | Danny Smith | A collar for a recessed fixture |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2513191B (en) | 2019-03-20 |
AU2014202178A1 (en) | 2014-11-06 |
GB201307137D0 (en) | 2013-05-29 |
GB2513191A (en) | 2014-10-22 |
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