Illumination – Light source and modifier – With sealing means or artificial atmosphere
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-04
2001-05-01
Cariaso, Alan (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Light source and modifier
With sealing means or artificial atmosphere
C362S368000, C362S375000, C362S378000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224241
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a lighting device, having a light holder for attaching a light source and a light protector that is fastened detachably thereon. Such a lighting device is known from the DE-AS 1 157 703.
A lighting device is furthermore known from the DE-U-8 911 879, the light protector of which contains several slits for allowing the light beams, emitted by the light source, to escape. Additional parts of the lighting device, which are accessible from the outside, are arranged in the region of these slits for the emerging light. These include, for example, optical lenses and fastening screws used to secure the light protector to the light holder. The disadvantage of this lighting device is that it requires an involved production technology to dimension the slits in the light protector through which the light emerges, so that the fastening means for the light protector are accessible for assembly. The structural design makes the lighting device susceptible to damage and the effects caused by weather conditions. An additional disadvantage is the complicated design of the individual parts, as concerns the structure and assembly technology.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the invention to specify a lighting device that can be used on the inside as well as the outside and which is additionally protected.
This object is solved with the combination of features described herein. In accordance with the invention, the holder regions of the lighting device, which project in the assembled state from the mounting support, and the light source that also projects from the mounting support, as well as additional parts arranged on the light holder, if necessary, are covered such that in the assembled state, essentially only the light protector or the surface of the protector wall that is effective as the actual covering is visible. In particular, the light protector when in the assembled state encases the state covers completely or at least nearly completely the lighting device components, which project from the mounting support.
The complete covering of the light holder regions projecting from the mounting support is realized in that the light protector encircles an outer light holder edge with a protector collar facing the mounting support, that is in the circumferential direction extending crosswise to its longitudinal axis. The edge of the light holder preferably projects over the mounting support and thus becomes effective as seal for the inside space of the lighting device. The protector collar limits a central opening in the light protector, designed to accommodate the light holder regions and the light source that project from the mounting support. It is preferable if the protector collar is formed as one piece with the finished light protector. The protector collar preferably encircles the light holder edge in a form-fitting manner or flush. In that case, the light holder edge becomes additionally effective as centering aide when fitting the light protector onto the light holder, thus further simplifying the expert mounting of the lighting device. This form-locking installation furthermore provides a sealing of the inside space of the lighting device, which is sufficient in many cases.
A complete sealing of the light holder region positioned outside of the mounting support is supported by a fitting ridge that is formed onto the protector collar, flanks the light holder edge, and in particular surrounds it form-fittingly or flush. The fitting ridge, which points toward the inside space of the light protector in the region of the protector opening, permits a good discharge of forces attacking the light protector, in particular its outside surface. The fitting ridge that is pointed toward the inside furthermore does not lead to a detraction of a desired three dimensional shape of the light protector in the assembled state, which is visible from the outside.
In this way, the light protector ensures, without requiring additional parts, a particularly effective protection for the individual components of the lighting device against mechanical damage, wear and tear, weather-related influences, as well as possible electrical danger sources, thereby promoting a long service life for the lighting device. Thus, means for locally securing the position of the lighting device on the mounting support, for example, are completely screened and are effectively protected against corrosion or other material wear and tear, as well as any undesirable dismantling. In any case, the light protector covers those regions of the light holder and the light source which are otherwise accessible from the outside against the outside, thereby resulting in a particularly good protection and sealing effect for the sensitive parts of the lighting device.
The wall areas of the light protector, which are effective as the actual covering, are normally free of perforations. It is preferable if the light protector is adapted structurally to the light holder in such a way that the light protector when assembled accommodates the lighting device components that must be covered through an opening in the protector and that the opening edge of the protector opening is tangent to the mounting surface of a mounting support. In this way, essentially only the light protector is visible. This is achieved, for example, in that the light protector or its opening edge in the assembled state fits flush against the mounting surface. In another embodiment, the light protector slightly penetrates the mounting support (e.g. with a liquid as mounting support). The invention also includes the option that in order to ensure a necessary movement allowance of the light protector, relative to the mounting surface, the opening edge is arranged at a slight distance tangent to the mounting surface, so that a non-damaging assembly of the light protector is possible and the light protector can be placed into the desired mounting position without interference, even if the mounting surface is uneven. Since the structural height corresponding to this mounting movement play, which is possibly not covered, . . . is ensured in these cases as well that essentially only the light protector is visible in the assembled state and that the remaining components of the lighting device are essentially covered completely. In addition, the covering effect of the light protector is supported by the mounting surface (e.g. grass, earth) itself, particularly if the mounting support is uneven, so that as a result of the aforementioned movement play for the light protector assembly, any regions that may be exposed are covered by these unevennesses that surround the light holder.
The mounting support is understood to include all those mounting units or mounting backgrounds, which permit a sufficiently stable positioning of the lighting device when in the assembled and operating state. The positioning of the lighting device here can be supported at the mounting support with additional fastening means. Suitable for this is a relatively solid mounting support, e.g. an exterior wall, a room ceiling, or an interior wall. The light holder can be inserted into this mounting support or fitted onto the surface of this mounting support, wherein the light source projecting over the mounting surface and any projecting holder regions are protected by the light protector. Other supports suitable for mounting are, for example, the earth or a liquid into which the light holder is placed as a floating element. Of course, the material for the light holder used as floating element must be selected such that its specific weight is less than the specific weight of the respective liquid. Furthermore, this “floating” lighting device is designed to be impervious to liquid by using suitable auxiliary means.
Since the visible portion of the lighting device in the assembled state is essentially reduced to the luminous surface only, meaning to the visible surface of the light protector, this type of lighting device is therefore particularly suitable for a
Cariaso Alan
DelGizzi Ronald E.
Kinberg Robert
Spencer George H.
Venable
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