GB2441952A

GB2441952A - A novel lamp

Info

Publication number: GB2441952A
Application number: GB0801427A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Liangju Wu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-26
Filing date: 2006-06-20
Publication date: 2008-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-20
Also published as: WO2007000101A1; GB2441952A8; GB0801427D0; GB2441952B; CN100483020C; CN1779320A

Abstract

A novel lamp comprises a casing, a lamp body and a lamp base receiving the lamp body. The lamp base is fastened inside the casing by means of a locking device. The locking device comprises a reset switch mechanism fastened inside the casing. When a propulsive thrust is exerted on some component of the reset switch mechanism or the lamp body, the lamp body and the lamp base can move with respect to the casing.

Description

DOWNLIGHT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the art of lighting fixtures, 5 and especially to a downlight allowing a light source to be installed and uninstalled easily.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Conventionally, the known downlight comprises a casing, a lamp and a lamp holder. The casing is mounted in the ceiling or wall, 10 while the lamp mounted on the lamp holder is fixed in the casing by locking means. The locking means comprises a convex ring in the casing, a supporting body coupled with the convex ring. A convex ring for seating the lamp and the lamp holder is provided inside the lamp, while the sidewall of the lamp is provided with a 15 protrusion, and a notch matching with the protrusion is provided on the convex ring of the casing. When the protrusion on the sidewall of the supporting body passes through the notch and then is blocked by the convex ring of the casing, the lamp and the lamp holder are fixed in the casing. Alternatively, the supporting body 20 may be substituted by abnormity spring, the abnormity spring has an outward protrusion in radial direction, and when the outward protrusion is blocked in the through hole on the sidewall of the casing, the lamp and the lamp holder is fixed in the casing. However, with the above structure, it is inconvenient to install the light 25 source, and especially in the case of small downlight, it is hard to uninstall a failed light source.

Accordingly, a downlight that solves the above problems is desired.

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a downlight, with which efficiency in installing or uninstalling the light source is highly improved.

To fulfill the above object, a downlight is provided according to the present invention. The downlight comprises a casing, a lamp and a lamp holder for mounting the lamp. The lamp holder is fixed in the casing by a locking means. The locking means comprises a reset switch mechanism mounted inside the casing. The lamp and the lamp holder moves with respect to the casing upon being pushed at a portion of the reset switch mechanism or the lamp.

Preferably, the reset switch mechanism comprises a tubular body, the wall of the tubular body is provided with a through hole connecting with the inner cavity, a moveable lever is mounted in the inner cavity, the moveable lever is provided with a groove allowing the hook head of a metal hook to swing clockwise or anticlockwise inside, the groove has a protrusion which cooperates with the groove to form a reversed V-shape; the hook head of metal hook enters into the tubular body via the through hole and touches the groove, the other end of the metal hook is connected to the end of the tubular body by active connection and extends into the fifth groove of the moveable lever, the moveable lever is surrounded by a compression spring which presses against the end of the tubular body and a block of the moveable lever as well as the turning of the metal hook, the lamp holder is mounted on the end of the moveable lever that extends outwards from the tubular body. When the moveable lever connected to the lamp holder is pressed until the moveable lever can not be further moved, free the hand, and the hook head of the metal hook leans against the tip portion of upper portion of the groove, the moveable lever is locked, while the lamp holder is now around the opening of the

casing, which facilitates the installing or uninstalling of the light source. If the hook head of the hook leans against the tip portion of the protrusion, the moveable lever is locked at another position, the lamp and the lamp holder are fixed in the casing. When the lamp is pressed again, the lamp holder can return to the opening, and thus it is convenient for installing or uninstalling the light source.

Alternatively, the reset switch mechanism may comprise a cylindrical body, an active sleeve that is movable with respect to the casing, and a revolved body. One end of the cylindrical body is fixed to the casing, the other end is provided with a plurality of arrowhead contact terminals. The active sleeve is provided with a block at the upper portion and a plurality of guide channels for receiving the arrowhead contact terminals. The guide channels comprise a first guide channel and a second guide channel which are arranged in interlacement, and the depth of the first guide channel is larger than the second guide channel. The revolved body is provided with a plurality of wedged contact terminals that protrudes from the sidewall. The wedged contact terminals can only slide within the first guide channel. The lower end of the revolved body is connected with an upright post. The lamp holder is mounted on the lower end of the upright post. A compression spring surrounds the upright post, and the two ends of the compression spring press against the revolved body and a supporting ring in the inner surface of the active sleeve. A protruding post between the first guide channel and the second guide channel is provided with a wedged end surface matching with the wedged contact terminal. The protruding post cooperates with the second guide channel to form a block for the wedged contact terminal. The active sleeve is pushed upwards, the cylindrical body moves downwards with respect to the active sleeve, and when the arrowhead contact terminal touches the wedged contact terminal and the wedged contact terminal has

slid out of the first guide channel, the revolved body is forced by the arrowhead contact terminal to rotate clockwise or anticlockwise and the wedged contact terminal slides into the block, meanwhile the lamp holder moves to the vicinity of the opening of the active sleeve, which facilitates the installing or uninstalling of the lamp. The active sleeve is further pushed upwards, the wedged contact terminal gets out from the block and slides into the first guide channel under the elastic force of the spring, when the revolved body is forced to rotate clockwise or anticlockwise during the arrowhead contact terminal being in contact with the wedged contact terminal, thus the installing or uninstalling of light source is finished.

Alternatively, the reset switch mechanism may comprise a base, a cavity inside the base, and an active bracket. The active bracket is provided with a groove in which an elastic piece is mounted. A active ball is provided on the elastic piece, and the ball can slide in a guide channel on the inner side of the base, the upper portion of the guide channel represents a V-shape, and the depth of the guide channel is larger than that of a guide channel connected to one side of the guide channel and equal to that of a guide channel connected to the other side of the guide channel, all the guide channels are connected with each other. The bottom turning of the upper guide channel is provided with a groove matching with the ball, the center of the groove departs from the tuning line of the turning and is closer to the lower guide channel having the same depth as the upper guide channel. A spring is connected between the active bracket and the upper wall of the cavity. The lower portion of the active bracket is provided with an elastic contact pin extending outwards from the cavity inside the base, and each of the free ends of the elastic contact pin is provided with a corresponding protrusion. A hook head adapted to enter into the cavity is provided on the lamp holder or the

supporting body for placing the lamp. During the installing of the light source, the lamp is installed on the lamp holder, and the hook head is pushed against the reset switch mechanism, then the hook head is locked inside the cavity of the reset switch 5 mechanism, thus the lamp is fixed in the casing. During the uninstalling of the light source, the lamp is pushed upwards, and the hook head gets out from the reset switch mechanism, then the lamp will slide out of the casing.

Accordingly, the downlight according to the present invention 10 facilitates the installing or uninstalling of the light source, due to the fact that: the locking means comprises the reset switch mechanism mounted in the casing, the lamp and the lamp holder moves with respect to the casing upon being pushed at a portion of the reset switch mechanism or the lamp, and when the lamp holder moves 15 to the vicinity of the opening of the casing, the light source can be easily installed or uninstalled; when the reset switch mechanism is pushed again, the lamp and the lamp holder are locked in the casing or other attachments.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

20 FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a first embodiment according to the present invention, wherein a lamp is mounted in the casing;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view showing the lamp shown in FIG. 1 being partially moved out of the casing;

25 FIG. 3 is a schematic partial sectional view of the downlight shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view of the metal hook in the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taking along the A-A line in FIG. 3;

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FIG. 6 is a schematic structural view of a second embodiment according to the present invention, wherein a lamp is mounted in the casing;

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural view showing the lamp shown in FIG. 5 is partially moved out of the casing;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the downlight shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural view of a third embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an illustrative view showing the lamp in FIG. 8 being mounted in the casing;

FIG. 11 is an illustrative view showing the reset switch mechanism of the third embodiment in the extended status;

FIG. 12 is an illustrative view showing the reset switch mechanism of the third embodiment in locking status;

FIG. 13 is a detailed view of the "A" section in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a schematic structural view of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a left view of FIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to the drawings to describe the invention in detail.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a downlight comprises a casing 1, a lamp 2 and a lamp holder for mounting the lamp 2. The lamp holder 2 is fixed in the casing 1 by a locking means. The locking means comprises a reset switch mechanism mounted inside the casing. The

reset switch mechanism comprises a tubular body 25, one end of the tubular body 25 is fixed to the upper end of the inner wall of the casing, the wall of the tubular body 25 is provided with a through hole 27 connecting with the inner cavity 26, an moveable 5 lever 28 is mounted inside the inner cavity 26, the moveable lever 28 is provided with a groove allowing the hook head 30 of a metal hook 29 to swing clockwise or anticlockwise inside, the groove is provided with a protrusion 31 which forms a reversed V-shape together with the groove; the hook head 30 of metal hook 29 enters 10 into the tubular body 25 through the through hole 27 and contacts with the groove, the other end of the metal hook 29 is connected to the end of the tubular body 25 by active connection and extends into the fifth groove 32 of the moveable lever 28, the moveable lever 28 is surrounded by a compression spring 33 which presses 15 against the end of the tubular body 25 and a block 60 of the moveable lever 28 as well as the turning 61 of the metal hook 29, the lamp holder 3 is mounted on the end of the moveable lever 28 that extends outwards from the tubular body 25. Through holes for the passing of electrical wire are provided inside the moveable lever 28 and 20 on the upper portion of the casing. When the lamp holder 3 is pressed until the moveable lever 28 can not be further moved, free the hand, the moveable lever 28 moves downwards under the pressure of the compression spring 33, and when the hook head 30 of the metal hook 29 slides along the groove and enters into the tip 25 portion 70, the hook head 30 of the metal hook 29 leans against the tip portion 70 of the groove 30, the moveable lever 28 is locked, while the lamp holder 3 is now around the opening of the casing

1, which facilitates the installing or uninstalling of the lamp

2. If the hook head 30 of the metal hook 29 slides along the groove 30 and enters into the tip portion 71, the hook head 30 of the metal hook 29 leans against the tip portion 71 of the groove 30, the moveable lever 28 is locked in another position, the lamp 2 and the lamp holder 3 are thus fixed in the casing 1. When the lamp

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2 is pressed again, the lamp holder 3 can return to the opening, and thus it is convenient for installing or uninstalling the lamp 2.

In order to increase the stability of the downlight of this embodiment, the protrusion 31 divides the groove into four grooves, that is, the first groove 34, the second groove 35, the third groove 36, and the fourth groove 37, which are connected together. The depth of the adjacent area 38 decreases suddenly along the clockwise direction. The depth of the first groove 34 is larger than that of the second groove, while the depth of the second groove is larger than that of the third groove 36, and the depth of the third groove 36 is larger than that of the fourth groove 37. The depth of the fourth groove 37 becomes smaller gradually from the adjacent area between the fourth groove 37 and the third groove 36, and the depth of the adjacent area between the first groove 34 and the fourth groove 37 is higher than that of the first groove 34. Alternatively, the depth of the adjacent area of the above grooves may decreases suddenly along the anticlockwise direction. Thus, it is ensured that the hook head of the metal hook can swing clockwise or anticlockwise smoothly along the groove and slides stably into the tip portion at the upper portion of the groove or the tip portion of the protrusion.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The reset switch mechanism comprises a cylindrical body 39, an active sleeve 40 that is movable with respect to the casing 1, and a revolved body 41. One end of the cylindrical body 39 is fixed to the casing 1, the other end is provided with a plurality of arrowhead contact terminals 42. The active sleeve 40 is provided with a block 66 at the upper portion and a plurality of guide channels for receiving the arrowhead contact terminals 42. The guide channels comprise a first guide channel 43 and a second guide channel 44 which are arranged in

interlacement, and the depth of the first guide channel 43 is larger than the second guide channel 44. The revolved body 41 is provided with a plurality of wedged contact terminals that protrudes from the sidewall. The wedged contact terminals 45 can only slide within the first guide channel 43. The lower end of the revolved body 41 is connected with an upright post 46. The lamp holder 3 is mounted on the lower end of the upright post 46. Holes for the passing of electrical wire are provided inside the upright post 46, the revolved body 41, the cylindrical body 39 and the upper portion of the casing 1. A compression spring 47 surrounds the upright post 46, and the two ends of the compression spring 47 press against the revolved body 41 and a supporting ring 48 in the inner surface of the active sleeve 40. A protruding post 49 between the first guide channel 43 and the second guiding 44 channel is provided with a wedged end surface 50 matching with the wedged contact terminal 45. All the wedged end surfaces are parallel with each other and have the same facing direction along circumference. The protruding post 49 cooperates with the second guide channel to form a block 51 for the wedged contact terminal 45. If the active sleeve 40 is pushed upwards, the cylindrical body 39 moves downwards with respect to the active sleeve 40, and when the arrowhead contact terminal 42 is in contact with the wedged contact terminal 45 and the wedged contact terminal 45 has slid out of the first guide channel 43, the revolved body 41 is forced by the arrowhead contact terminal 42 to rotate clockwise or anticlockwise and the wedged contact terminal 45 slides into the block 51, meanwhile the lamp holder 3 moves to the vicinity of the opening of the active sleeve 40, which facilitates the installing or uninstalling of the lamp 2. When the active sleeve 40 is further pushed upwards, and the arrowhead 42 and the wedged contact terminal 45 contacts with each other to force the revolved body 41 to rotate clockwise or anticlockwise again, the wedged contact terminal 45 gets out from the block 51and slides into the first

guide channel 43 under the elastic force of the spring 47, thus the installing or uninstalling of light source is finished. When the number of the first guide channels 43, the second guide channels 44 and the wedged contact terminals 45 is three, the umber of arrowhead contact terminal is six, and when the number of the first guide channels 43, the second guide channels 44 and the wedged contact terminals 45 is four, the umber of arrowhead contact terminal 42 is eight, on the analogy of this. It is acceptable that the number of the first guide channels 43, the second guide channels 44 and the wedged contact terminals 45 is two, while the umber of arrowhead contact terminals 42 is four.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 13, a third embodiment according to the present invention is shown. The reset switch mechanism comprises a base 7 fixed on the inner wall of the upper portion of the casing 1, a cavity 8 inside the base, and an active bracket 9. The active bracket 9 is provided with a groove 10 in which an elastic piece 11 is mounted. An active ball 12 is provided on the elastic piece 11, and the ball can slide in a guide channel 13 on the inner side of the base 7, the upper portion of the guide channel 13 represents a V-shape, and the depth of the guide channel 13 is larger than that of a guide channel 14 connected to one side of the guide channel 13 and equal to that of a guide channel 15 connected to the other side, all the guide channels are connected with each other. The bottom turning 16 of the upper guide channel 13 is provided with a groove 17 matching with the ball 12. The center 18of the groove 17 departs from the tuning line 19 of the turning 16 and is closer to the lower guide channel 15 having the same depth as the upper guide channel 13. A spring 20 is connected between the active bracket 9 and the upper wall of the cavity 8. The lower portion of the active bracket 9 is provided with elastic contact pins 21 extending outwards from the cavity 8 inside the base 7, and each of the free ends of the elastic contact pin 21

is provided with a corresponding protrusion 22. A hook head 5 matching with the reset switch mechanism is provided on the lamp holder 3 or the supporting body 6 for placing the lamp. During the installing of the light source, the hook head 5 is pushed against the reset switch mechanism, then the active bracket 9 moves upwards along the base 7while the ball 12 is driven to roll along the guide channel 17. When the ball 12 slides to the upper end of the guide channel, the active bracket 9 stops moving upwards, and then free the hand, the active bracket 9 will move downwards under the elastic force of the spring 20, meanwhile the ball 12 will slide towards and then run into the groove 17 due to the depth of the upper guide channel 13 being larger than that of the guide channel 14 connected to one side of the upper guide channel 13. Then, under the effect of the elastic piece 11, the ball 12 is locked between the groove 17 and the groove 10 of the active bracket 9, and the active bracket 9 stop moving, the elastic contact pin 21 enters into the cavity 8 of the base 7, the protrusions 22 clamps the hook head 5, whereby the installing of light source is finished. During the uninstalling of lamp, it is only necessary to push the lamp 2, the active bracket 9 will move upwards to force the ball 12 to depart from the groove 17. Because the center of the groove 17 departs from the tuning line 19 of the turning and is closer to the lower guide channel 15 having the equivalent depth as the upper guide channel 13, the ball 12 will then slides towards the upper end of the guide channel 15 having the equivalent depth as the upper guide channel 13, and when the active bracket 9 stops moving, free the hand, the active bracket 9 moves downwards under the elastic force, the ball 12 returns to the lowest end of the guide channel 14, the elastic contact pins 21 again extends out from the cavity 8 of the base 7, the protrusions 22 depart from the hook head 5, thus uninstalling of light source is finished. Accordingly, the present invention facilitates installing or uninstalling the light source, which greatly improves the

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efficiency in installing and uninstalling of light source by hand.

In order to facilitate the ball 12 to slide out from or into the groove 17, the groove 17 has a shape of spherical surface.

In order to facilitate the hook head 5 to align with the reset 5 switch mechanism, the supporting body 6 is provided with a guide plate 23, the active bracket 9 is provided with a contact terminal 24 between the elastic contact pins 21, the guide plate 23 is for ensuring the alignment of the hook head 5 and the contact terminal 24; when the contact terminal 24 is in contact with the hook head 10 5, the lamp 2 can be thus mounted in the casing 1 smoothly .

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention is shown, wherein the reset switch mechanism is arranged at the bottom of the sidewall of the casing 1, and the hook head 5 is provided at the edge of the bottom of 15 the supporting body 6.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiment thereof, many other variations and modifications will now become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the 20 invention.

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Claims

1. A downlight, comprising:

a casing (1) ;

a lamp (2) ;

a lamp holder (3) for mounting the lamp (2), the lamp holder being mounted inside the casing (1) by a locking means;

wherein the locking means comprises a reset switch mechanism mounted inside the casing (1), the lamp (2) and the lamp holder (3) moves with respect to the casing upon being pushed at a portion of the reset switch mechanism or the lamp.

2. The downlight of claim 1, wherein the reset switch mechanism comprises a tubular body (25), the wall of the tubular body (25) is provided with a through hole (27) connecting with the inner cavity (26), a moveable lever (26) is mounted in the inner cavity (26), the moveable lever (28) is provided with a groove allowing the hook head (30) of a metal hook (29) to swing clockwise or anticlockwise inside, the groove has a protrusion (31) which cooperates with the groove to form a reversed V-shape; the hook head (30) of metal hook (30) enters into the tubular body (25) via the through hole (27) and touches the groove, the other end of the metal hook (29) is connected to the end of the tubular body (25) by active connection and extends into the fifth groove (32) of the moveable lever (28), the moveable lever (28) is surrounded by a compression spring (33) which presses against the end of the tubular body (25) and a block of the moveable lever (28) as well as the turning (61)of the metal hook (29), the lamp holder (3) is mounted on the end of the moveable lever (28) that extends outwards from the tubular body.

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3. The downlight of claim 2, wherein the protrusion (31) divides the groove into a first groove (34) , a second groove (35) , a third groove (36), and a fourth groove (37), which are connected with each other, and the depth of the adjacent area (38) decreases suddenly along the clockwise or anticlockwise direction.

4. The downlight of claim 1, wherein the reset switch mechanism

(39) comprises a cylindrical body (39), an active sleeve (40) that is movable with respect to the casing (1), and a revolved body (41), one end of the cylindrical body (39) is fixed to the casing (1), the other end of the cylindrical body (39) is provided with a plurality of arrowhead contact terminals (42) , the active sleeve

(40) is provided with a block (66) at the upper portion and a plurality of guide channels for receiving the arrowhead contact terminals (42) on the inner side, the guide channels comprise a first guide channel (43) and a second guide channel (44) which are arranged in interlacement, and the depth of the first guide channel is larger than the second guide channel; the revolved body

(41) is provided with a plurality of wedged contact terminals (45) that protrudes from the sidewall, the wedged contact terminals

(45) can only slide within the first guide channel (41) , the lower end of the revolved body (41) is connected with an upright post

(46) , the lamp holder (3) is mounted on the lower end of the upright post (46), a compression spring (47) surrounds the upright post (46) , and the two ends of the compression spring (47) press against the revolved body (41) and a supporting ring (48) in the inner surface of the active sleeve (40); a protruding post (49) between the first guide channel (43)and the second guide channel (44) is provided with a wedged end surface (50) matching with the wedged contact terminal (45), and the protruding post (49) cooperates with the second guide channel (44) to form a block (51) for the wedged contact terminal (45).

5. The downlight of claim 1, wherein the reset switch mechanism comprises a base (7) , a cavity (8) inside the base (7) and an active bracket (9) inside the cavity (8), the active bracket (9) is provided with a groove (10) in which an elastic piece (11) is 5 mounted, an active ball (12) is provided on the elastic piece (11), and the ball (12) is adapted to slide in a guide channel (13) on the inner side of the base (7), the upper portion of the guide channel (13) represents a V-shape, and the depth of the guide channel (13) is larger than that of a guide channel (14) connected 10 to one side of the guide channel (13) and equal to that of a guide channel (15) connected to the other side of the guide channel (13) , and all the guide channels are connected with each other; the bottom turning (16) of the upper guide channel (13) is provided with a groove (17) matching with the ball (12) , the center of the groove 15 (17) departs from the tuning line (19) of the turning (16) and is closer to the lower guide channel (15) having the same depth as the upper guide channel.(13); a spring is connected between the active bracket (9) and the upper wall of the cavity (8), the lower portion of the active bracket (9) is provided with an elastic

20 contact pin (21) extending outwards from the cavity (8) inside the base (7), and each of the free ends of the elastic contact pin (21) is provided with a corresponding protrusion (22) ; a hook head (5) adapted to enter into the cavity is provided on the lamp holder (3) or the supporting body (6)for placing the lamp (2).

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6. The downlight of claim 5, wherein the groove (17) has a shape of spherical surface.

7. The downlight of claim 5, wherein the reset switch mechanism is mounted on the upper portion of the casing (1), the hook head (5) is provided on the upper portion of the lamp holder (2) or

30 the supporting body (6).

8. The downlight of claim 5, wherein the reset switch mechanism

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is mounted on the bottom of the sidewall of the casing (1), the hook head (5) is provided at the edge of the bottom of the supporting body (6).

9. The downlight of claim 5, wherein the supporting body (6) is 5 provided with a guide plate (23) on the bottom.

10. The downlight of claim 5, wherein the active bracket (9) is provided with a contact terminal (24 ) between the elastic contact pins (21).

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