Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02261200 2004-12-13
Description
Lighiing Device
The invention relates to a lightening 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.
It is the object of the invention to sped a lighting device that can be used
on the inside as
well as the outside and which is additionally protected.
This object can be solved according to one embodiment of the invention which
provides a
lighting device comprising a light holder positionable on a mounting support
and presenting an
outer light holder edge, the light holder including a light holder top
centrally located for fastening
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a light source that projects from the mounting support, and a light protector
detachably
fastened on the light holder and covering the light source and any holder
regions projecting
from the mounting support in such a way that essentially only the light
protector is visible,
wherein the light protector has a protector collar encircling the outer holder
edge and
defining a protector opening with a fitting ridge that is pointed inwardly
towards the
protector opening. 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
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CA 02261200 1998-12-30
state covers completely or at least nearly completely the lighting device
components, which proj ect
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 fibm 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
fiuther 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.
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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 along 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 play 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
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mounting surface is uneven. Since the structural height corresponding to this
mounting movement
play, which is possibly not covered, ...
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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
1 S 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
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lighting device is therefore particularly suitable for an elegant installation
in the landscape, e.g. in
public gardens, running/standing water or in pond systems. When using lighting
devices as floating
elements, the surface of the liquid serves as mounting support.
The light holder and the light protector are designed and assembled in such a
way that the
light holder and therein contained structural components, as well as the
possibly used auxiliary
mounting means, e.g. fastening screws, for mounting it on the mounting support
are not visible from
the outside once the lighting device is fully assembled. In this way, it is
essentially only the light
permeable light protector that is visible in the assembled state of the
lighting device. The fact that
the other structural components of the lighting device are not visible
provides an elegant appearance
in the assembled state.
Since only the light protector is necessary as protective covering, this
lighting device can be
used either on the inside or on the outside in closed accommodations and
requires little expenditure
for the assembly.
One preferred embodiment provides that the light holder can be inserted at
least partially into
the mounting support during the assembly of the lighting device. In this way,
the production and
shaping of the light protector remains independent of varied assembly
requirements and design
heights of the light holder. This penwits a universal use of one and the same
type of light protector
for light holders with varied dimensions. As a result of this, the assortment
of parts for the various
lighting devices as well as the costs can be kept advantageously low. The
light holder is inserted,
for example, into the earth, into a garden pond or other container with
liquid. The earth surface or
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the surface of the liquid in that case serve as mounting surface. . In those
cases, the mounting support
surrounding the light holder (e.g. earth, liquid) akeady provides a su~ciently
stable positioning and
fastening of the lighting device. The mounting support at the same time
provides an additional
protection against damage to the light holder and possibly therein contained
parts.
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The design height of the light holder is adapted to the varied installation
conditions. A
relatively low design height for fastening the light holder is used for a
solid mounting support (e.g.
a sidewalk,.a wall). In that case, several fastening screws penetrate the
light holder to connect it
securely to the mounting support. Given a relatively soft or lose mounting
support or underground
(e.g. earth, water) or if the mounting support contains a compartment for
receiving the light holder,
then a higher design for the light holder is desirable to allow for a stable
positioning of the light
holder in the mounting support. The greater part of this higher light holder
is inserted into the
background material in order to stabilize it, whereas the region of the light
holder that proj ects over
the mounting surface (e.g. earth, water level) is covered in the assembled
state by the light protector,
as described in the above. In the case of earth, water or filler material
surrounding this
comparatively high light holder design, this material replaces the fastening
screws. As a result of
the great design height of the light holder, its center of gravity is below
the mounting surface (_
inside of the mounting support), so that the light holder is positioned non-
tilting in the mounting
support, solely with the aid of the aforementioned earth or filler material.
The total aesthetic appearance of the lighting device can be improved through
a
corresponding design of the light protector. The light protector for one
preferred embodiment is
rotation symmetrical, e.g. it has a sphere-shaped or cylindrical design.
Furthermore, an eggshell-
shaped embodiment with rotation symmetrical light protector is also
conceivable. In particular the
sphere-shaped and the eggshell-shaped design of the light protector permit a
good elimination of the
forces effecting the light protector from the outside, thus providing
additional protection against
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damage to the lighting device.
The light protector of another preferred embodiment has a polygonal design.
Light protectors
with polygonal as well as rotation-symmetrical designs can have a comically
tapered shape in the
direction of the side facing away from its mounting surface, thus promoting an
interesting
appearance for the lighting device.
The light protector is made of a stable, sufficiently light-permeable
material, e.g. from a
plastic with stability of shape. The light protector can be manufactured
particularly cost-effectively
from an environment-friendly polyethylene (PE).
The light holder preferably is composed of a mechanically stable, electrically
insulating
plastic (e.g. PE). The low weight of the light holder made of plastic helps
with an easy positioning,
transport and assembly of the lighting device. This also provides excellent
protection for the supply
lines, extended through the light holder, as well as for the electrical
components for connecting an
electrical light source.
One advantageous embodiment provides that the light protector in the finished
state is
formed as one piece. At the start of the production, the light protector can
consist of several
individual pieces that are joined to form one piece, e.g. by welding them
together. In any case, the
parts subsequently form a one-piece light protector. The one-piece light
protector facilitates the
handling and assembly of the lighting device and avoids leaks in the
protection for the light holder
and the light source.
With respect to production technology, the light holder is essentially a
rotation-symmetrical
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WO 98/00671 ° PCT/EP97/03414
part with circular cross section. It. makes sense if the structural shape of
the light holder has a
cylinder-shaped or cone-shaped design. A cylinder-shaped outside casing of the
light holder serves
as a good means for securing and guiding the light protector when fitting it
onto the light holder.
A cone-shaped or truncated cone-shaped outside casing for the light holder
offers a particularly good
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stabilization when using the lighting device as a floating lighting device,
owing to the gyroscopically
favorable center of gravity. A rotation-symmetrical design of the light
protector, e.g. as a hollow
sphere, facilitates the assembly, as well as supports the stabilization
effect.
If the lighting device is used as a floating lighting device, its stable, non-
tilting position for
one advantageous embodiment is improved in that the cross section of a cone-
shaped or truncated
cone-shaped light holder is tapered in the direction of the side that faces
away from the light
protector in axis-longitudinal direction.
The sealing of the lighting device for one preferred embodiment is improved in
that the
protector collar form-fittingly encircles the light holder with ax least one
sealing element inserted in-
between.
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In one preferred embodiment, the seal for the lighting device is improved in
that the protector
collar encircles the holder edge in a form-loclting manner, with at least one
sealing element inserted
between them, thus resulting
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in a particularly effective sealing of the lighting device against moisture
and other effects caused by
weather conditions. Owing to its material qualities, the sealing element also
advantageously prevents
any undesirable position changes of the light protector after it is installed.
. The sealing element is
preferably formed as self contained part and is pre-secured either at the
light holder edge or the
protector collar. This results in an exact seating of the sealing element. A
multitude of
commercially available and therefore cheap ring seals can be used for example,
as sealing elements.
In order to further simplify the assembly of the light protector, a screw
connection is
provided for one preferred embodiment between the light protector and the
light holder. A thread
is arranged or formed onto the light holder for this, so that the light
protector with complementary
protector thread is simply screwed on. For this, the light protector is turned
in circumferential
direction. This screw connection permits a structurally simple and
simultaneously mechanically
stable connection between the light protector and the light holder. Prior to
screwing on the light
protector, the light holder thread is effective so-to-speak as centering aide
for an expert mounting
of the light protector and makes a correct assembly possible, even for an
inexperienced person. The
covering by the light protector is obtained automatically when screwing the
parts together.
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For the purpose of a space-saving design, it is advantageous if the thread on
the protector is arranged
on the inside of the light protectors. The thread on the protector is thus
well protected against
damage during transport and storage of the light protector. The handling of
the light protector is also
simplified by this.
Additional preferred embodiments provide for a bayonet catch, in particular a
push-and turn-
lock, a latch, or the like to establish a mechanically stable and at the same
time detachable
connection between the light protector and the light holder as alternative to
the aforementioned
screw-together seal. Sealing connections of this type are also easy to handle
with respect to
assembly technology.
The holder thread is preferably located in the center, meaning the region of
the center
longitudinal axis or the symmetry axis of the light holder, to make the screw-
in operation easier and
keep the design of the light protector and the light holder simple.
The holder thread preferably is an outside thread that operates jointly with a
complementary
inside thread of the light protector. As a result of the three-dimensional
shape of the light protector,
it is advantageous if the protector thread is an inside thread. In that case,
the protector thread can
be secured through suitable fastening means to the wall of a light protector
without this hindering
the screw-together operation. The fastening means, which are effective between
the light protector
wall and thread simultaneously allow for a mechanically stable fixing of the
protector thread.
In one advantageous embodiment, the holder thread is a component of a
cylindrical holder
top, which preferably extends past the holder edge, thus making it easier to
screw on the light
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protector. The cylindrical shape of the holder top makes it possible to use
either the outside surface
or the inside surface of a holder top casing, which is hollow-cylindrical in
this case,
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for forming on the holder thread, depending on the requirement. As a result of
this, the holder top
in this case becomes advantageously effective as additional assembly aide,
that is to say as a
centering mandrel for fitting on the light protector. The holder top in
particular is formed as one
piece together with the light holder, thereby promoting a secure positioning
of the light protector that
is screwed together with the holder top.
In order to attach the protector thread to the light protector, one
advantageous embodiment
provides for the use of a connecting crosspiece or several strut-like
connecting crosspieces, which
extends (extend) approximately crosswise to the circumferential direction of
the light protector and
connect the protector thread with the inside surface of the protector wall or
the protector collar, in
particular with its fitting ridge. It is preferable if the connecting
crosspiece is an integral component
of the light protector. The angled connecting region between the protector
collar and the connecting
crosspiece make it easier to discharge forces acting firm the outside onto the
light protector surface.
The protector collar and the connecting crosspiece therefore improve the
mechanical inherent
stability of the light protector and the total lighting device.
One advantageous embodiment provides that the protector thread is connected to
the
connecting crosspiece in the region of its thread end, which axially faces the
light holder, thereby
making it possible to reduce the required design height of the light
protector, if necessary, without
reducing its fimctionality. This connecting crosspiece arrangement furthermore
promotes a stable
positioning of the protector thread, designed as inside thread, during the
screw motion.
In order to improve the inherent stability of the connecting crosspiece, a
preferred
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embodiment of this crosspiece is designed to be self contained in
circumferential direction of the
light protector. Such a connecting crosspiece additionally supports the
inherent stability of the light
protector and a stable arrangement of the protector thread. Furthermore, this
connecting crosspiece
advantageously serves as mechanical and, if necessary, electrical protection
for structural
components that are arranged on the light holder,
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e.g. for electrical supply lines, electrical contact points etc.. In addition,
this connecting crosspiece
effects an optical screening in that the intended lighting effect of the light
protector is not reduced
by the light holder and the thereon arranged components. It is preferable if
the connecting crosspiece
is arranged at a distance to the light holder surface, so that a protected
receiving channel for the
aforementioned electrical connection elements and, if necessary, fiuther
structural components is
created between the connecting crosspiece and the light holder. The connecting
crosspiece can be
adapted to different volume requirements of the receiving channel by providing
it with a specific
geometric cross-sectional design, e.g. in the shape of a line or steps.
The lighting device in particular can be connected to an electrical energy
supply source, such
that the light source is an electrically operated component. Such light
sources, e.g. incandescent
lights, economy lights, and the like can be obtained cheaply on the market
owing to the fact that they
are mass-produced.
In order to make it easier technically to install the light source inside the
lighting device, the
light source is designed such that in order to make electrical contact, the
light source preferably
operates jointly with a contact socket that is attached to the light holder,
in particular it is screwed
together with a thread-type contact socket . Such contact sockets are also
commercially available,
are cheap and make it easy to provide the light holder with electricity via an
external cable
connection.
The contact socket for one advantageous embodiment is attached with suitable
means to the
holder top, is arranged centered to the holder thread that is formed onto the
casing surface and is
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effective as outside thread. This structural design creates a compact and
space-saving configuration
of the light holder and advantageously reduces the total volume of the
lighting device.
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The light holder for one advantageous embodiment has at least one receiving
channel for
accommodating an electrical line, serving as electrical connection between the
light source and the
external connecting cable. A detachable contacting connection (e.g. a luster
terminal) preferably
exists between the line and the connecting cable. The section-by-section
configuration of the
electrical connection makes it possible to replace individual components only
in case of a defect,
which raises the value for keeping this lighting device. The error detection
is furthermore made
easier in case of defects.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in further detail with
the aid of the
drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 Shows a diagrammatic side view of a first embodiment of a lighting
device mounted
on a stone wall;
Figure 2 Shows the schematic side view of the lighting device in a second
embodiment that
is inserted into the earth;
Figure 3 Shows the schematic side view of the lighting device in a third
embodiment, that is
as a light floating in a liquid;
Figure 4 Shows the sectional side view of the light holder according to Figure
1;
Figure 5 Shows the sectional side view of a lighting device that approximates
the embodiment
according to Figure 2;
Figure 6 Shows a partial view from above, along the line VI-VI in Figure 5;
Figure 7 Shows a sectional side view of the light holder according to Fig. 3;
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Figure 8 Shows a schematic, detailed view of the lighting device according to
Figure 1;
Figure 9 Shows a schematic detailed view of the lighting device according to
Figure 2;
Figures l0a - l Ok
Show various embodiments of the light holder in the assembled state,
respectively
in a view from the side and a view from above.
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In the embodiments shown, components that function in the same way and
structural
arrangements with identical fimction are provided with the same reference
numerals to avoid
repeating the description.
The lighting device 1 according to Figure 1 has a flat, cylinder-shaped light
holder 2, a
sphere-shaped light protector 3 and a light source 4 that is designed as
economy light. The holder
2 is positioned and fastened on the wall surface 5' of a stone wall 5, serving
as mounting support.
Several fastening screws 6, indicated by dash-dot lines, are used for the
fastening. Figure 1 shows
only two such fastening screws 6. Each fastening screw 6 extends through a
hole 7 (see Figure 4),
coordinated with it, in the outer radial region of light holder 2 and is then
secured in the stone wall
5. The wall .surface 5' can enclose either a pointed or right angle with the
horizontal line, in a
manner not shown in fiuther detail here. Thus, the mounting support 5 can, for
example, also be a
vertical building wall. The light protector 3 and the light holder 2
essentially have a rotation-
symmetrical design, relative to a symmetry axis 33 or a center longitudinal
axis, extending parallel
to the axial direction 31. The light protector 3 is fitted in axial direction
31 onto the light holder 2
and is then screwed together with the light holder 2 by turning the light
protector 3 in circumferential
direction crosswise to the axial direction 31. For this, a holder ton 8 is
arranged in the central region
of light holder 2. The . older to~8 that is arranged centered to the symmetry
axis 33, has a
cylindrical cross section and has a holder thread 9 in the form of an outside
thread on its cylinder-
shaped casing. The holder thread 9 cooperates with a complementary protector
thread 10 in the
form of an inside thread of light protector 3, so that after the light
protector 3 is fitted on, it can be
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screwed together with the light holder 2. The protector thread 10 is also
arranged centered to the
symmetry axis 33. The thread end of protector thread 10, which faces the light
holder 2 in axis-
longitudinal direction is connected in circumferential direction of light
holder 2 and with the aid of
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a ring-shaped, self contained connecting crosspiece 11 to the protector wall
32 of light protector 3
that is effective as a covering. A plurality of strut-like connecting
crosspieces can also be provided
in place of this connecting crosspiece 11.
A protector collar 12 (e.g. see Figure S), which is self contained and ring-
shaped in
circumferential direction of the light holder 2 and has an approximately wedge-
shad cross section
is formed at the connection and transition location between the radial outer
region of the connecting
crosspiece 11 and the protector wall 32. During the assembly of the light
protector 3, this protector
collar 12 accommodates the light holder 2, meaning the region of light holder
2 that is above the wall
surface 5', in an approximately form-locking manner and encircles it
completely, with the exception
of a slight movement of play between protector collar 12 and wall surface 5'.
While the light
protector 3 is screwed in, the protector collar 12 and the cylinder-shaped
casing for the light holder
2 serve as fixing and guide means for an operator-friendly assembly.
The protector collar 12 delimits a central, circular protector opening, the
opening edge 26 of
which has a slightly larger diameter than a holder edge 19 of light holder 2
that projects over the wall
surface .5'. The opening edge 26 also forms a type of wedge tip of protector
12. A fitting ridge 27
that is tangent to the outside casing of the holder edge 19, as well as the
region of protector wall 32
that is immediately adjacent to the opening edge 26 serve as wedge legs.
The protector collar 12 and the opening edge 26 of another embodiment are
designed such
that the fitting ridge 27 is connected to the protector wall 32 by means of a
web that extends
approximately 1 el to the mounting surface of a mounting support in the
assembled state. This
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is shown as example in Figures l0a - l Ok, with the aid of light protector 3
and the earth 16 that is
effective as mounting support.
The . fitting ridge 27 in the exemplary embodiments shown, which is connected
to the
protector wall 32 in the region of opening edge 16, always points toward the
inside space of light
protector 3.
The lighting device 1' shown in Figures 2 and 5 differs from the lighting
device 1 according
to Figure 1, above all by the axially higher design of light holder 2'. The
higher design height of
light holder 2' in Figures 2 and 5, as compared to the light holder 2
according to Figure 1, serves to
ensure a stable, non-tilting positioning of the lighting device 1' inside a
lose mounting support, e.g.
the earth 16 as mounting support. In Figure 2, the light holder 2' is fitted
into the earth 16 below the
surface 16' that defines the mounting surface. The earth 16 surrounding the
light holder 2' in the
assembled state, replaces the fastening screws 6 used for the light holder 2
(Figure 1 ) that is attached
to the fixed mounting support 5.
In the assembled state of the lighting device 1,1', the light protector 3
covers the light holder
2 or 2' in such a way that it is practically invisible. In that case, the
surface area of protector collar
12 that faces the mounting support 5 or 16, is tangent to the mounting surface
S' or 16'.
For the exemplary embodiment according to Figures 3 and 7, the lighting device
1" is
designed as a floating light. To be sure, the light holder 2" has a truncated
cone shape and is
designed for use under water or in another liquid 21. Nevertheless, the light
protector 3 previously
used for the lighting device 1 or 1' is also advantageously used here. With
respect to its diameter,
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the holder edge 19 of light holder 2" is adapted to the corresponding diameter
of holder edge 19 of
light holder 2, 2' according to Figures 1 and 2, so that the same light
protector 3 can be used for all
illustrated embodiments of the light holders 2, 2", 2". Owing to the fact that
the cone-shaped design
of the light holder 2" is aligned with the form of light protector 3, it leads
on the whole to a pear-
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shaped or drop-shaped form of the "floating light 1." This provides for a
particularly stable, non-
tilting positioning below a liquid surface 21' as mounting surface. Whereas
the holder edge 19 and
the protector collar 12 in the exemplary embodiment are located below the
liquid surface 21', the
holder top 8 projects over the liquid surface 21'. Thus, once the light
protector 3 is fitted on, the
holder region outside of the liquid 21 that is effective as mounting support
and the light source are
completely covered and not visible.
A previously manufactured electrical connecting line 13 for the light source 4
is integrated
into the holder top 8. The connecting line 13 is electrically connected to a
contacting socket 29.
The light source 4 is inserted into and then screwed together with the
contacting socket 29, thus
establishing electrical contact with the connecting line 13. The contacting
socket 29 is mechanically
secured in the central region of holder top 8 and projects over the holder top
8 in the direction of
light protector 3. By means of an electrical connector 14, e.g. a luster
terminal or other contacting
means, the connecting line 13 is connected to an external electrical supply
line 15, which extends
with one connection end into the light holder 2, 2', 2" One guide hole 17 or
several guide holes 17
penetrate the holder top 8 and/or the light holder 2, 2' for a good
arrangement of connecting line 13
and/or supply line 15. For the wiring of the lighting device, the connecting
line 13 and/or the
supply line 1 S can be guided through these guide holes 17 to avoid
uncontrolled wiring paths.
The contacting socket 29 is not shown in Figures 4, 5, 8 and 9 in order to
simplify the
drawings. Alternatively, other suitable structural elements that are not shown
here can be fastened
to the light holder 2, 2', 2" for the electrical contacting of light source 4.
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The supply line 15 can be connected via its external connection end to the
mains voltage or
to a low-voltage source, e.g. a 12 V battery.
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The electrical connector 14 as well as the line segments 13, 15 are fitted
into a ring-shaped
receiving channel 25 of light holder 2, 2', 2". This receiving channel 25 is
essentially limited by the
holder top 8, the connecting crosspiece 11 and the holder edge 19 and is thus
sealed tightly toward
the outside. Different cross sections of the receiving channel 25 are achieved
by using varied
connecting crosspieces 11. In Figures 1 - 3 and l0a - l Ok, the connecting
crosspiece 11 has a step
or staircase like design in the cross section, meaning crosswise to the
circumferential direction of
the light protector, whereas in Figures 5, 8, and 9 it has approximately the
shape of a line.
Figure 7 shows the truncated cone shape of the light holder 2" according to
Figure 3 in a side
section. On an outside casing that serves as wrench surface 28 for securing a
fork wrench, the light
holder 2" has a formed-on thread extension 23 on its feeding end 22,
positioned axis-longitudinally
opposite the holder edge 19. A threaded connector 24 (see Figure 3) that is
screwed to the inside
thread 30 of thread extension 23 compresses a seal, which is arranged in the
region of the thread
extension 23 and is not explicitly shown here. This seal serves to create a
water-tight screw-
connection and advantageously fimctions at the same time as pull relief for
the supply line 15.
According to Figure 7, the holder top 8 of light holder 2" in turn projects
over the holder
edge 19. As for the other embodiments of the lighting device, the receiving
channel 25 formed
between the holder edge 19 and the holder top 8 serves to receive and hold the
electrical connector
14. The electrical connector 14, as well as the lines 13, 15.'
' Note: This is not a complete sentence.
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The option of being able to combine one and the same light protector 3 with
various light
holders 2, 2', 2" that are respectively adapted to special installation
requirements is advantageous.
In this way, the production of the total lighting device 1, 1' and its
adaptation to different assembly
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requirements is possible at a low cost since a high degree of pre-production
can be achieved.
Making replacement parts available is also simplified. It is essential for
combining the light
protector 3 with different light holders 2, 2', 2" that the holder tops 8 and
if need be the holder
regions that are covered by the light protector 3 in the assembled state are
structurally identical or
S have an identical design. When designing the remaining holder regions, only
the special installation
requirements of the respective mounting support must be considered for a
simplification of the
production technology.
Another embodiment of the lighting device 1, 1' is protected against
penetrating moisture
(Figures 8, 9) to improve its operational safety. In the assembled state, the
lighting device 1, 1 has
a ring-shaped sealing element 18 of plastic, rubber or the like for this,
which in the cross section is
bent approximately in a semicircular shape and is inserted in circumferential
direction of the light
holder 2, 2' between the protector collar 12 and the light holder 2, 2'. The
sealing element 18 in this
case fits form-fittingly onto the holder edge 19. As a result of the special
shape of the sealing
element 18, the light protector 3 according to Figures 8 and 9 has a circular-
arc shaped protector
groove 20 that ends in the fitting ridge 27 and is designed to accommodate the
sealing element 18
in a form-locking manner and compress it. Of course, the lighting device 1"
that is used as floating
light can also be sealed by means of a sealing element, arranged between
holder edge 19 and
protector collar 12.
In the same way as one and the same light protector 3 can be used for
different types of light
holders 2, 2', 2", different types of light protectors 3, meaning different
structural shapes, can be used
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for one.and the same light holder. For this, only the region associated with
the light holder, that is
in particular the protector collar 12 and the protector thread 10, must be
dimensioned identically for
the various light protectors 3. This can be explained with the aid of Figures
l0a - l Ok, wherein the
light holder 2' is shown, but only as example for a light holder fitted into
the earth 16.
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Rotation-symmetrical light protectors 3 are shown in Figure l0a (cone-shaped),
in Figure l Oc (ball-
shaped), in Figure l Od (eggshell-shaped), in Figure l0e (cylindrical) and in
Figure l0i (truncated
cone-shaped). Light protectors 3 having a polygonal cross section are shown in
Figure lOb and
Figure lOk (respectively square), in Figure l Og (triangular) and in Figure
lOh (octagonal). Figure
lOf shows a truncated pyramid-shaped and Figure l Oj a pyramid-shaped light
protector 3.
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Reference Number List
1, 1', lighting device
1"
2, 2', light holder
2"
3 light protector
4 light source
stone wall
5' wall surface
6 fastening screw
'7 through hole
g holder top
9 holder thread
protector thread
11 connecting crosspiece
12 protector collar
13 connecting line
14 electrical connector
supply line
16 earth; ground
16' earth surface
17 guide hole
1 g sealing element
19 holder edge
protector groove
21 liquid
21' surface of the liquid
22 feeding end
23 thread extension
24 screw connection
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25 receiving channel
26 opening edge
2~ fitting ridge
2g wrench surface
29 contacting socket
30 inside thread
31 axial direction
32 protector wall
33 axis of symmetry
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