Supporting device for a lighting appliance

• US 7,281,697 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2005
• Issued: 10/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reggiani S.p.A. Illuminazione
• Original Assignee: Reggiani S.p.A. Illuminazione
• Inventors: Reggiani, Fabio
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman; Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): EPPS, TODD MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US11/077,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20050207146A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 248/323, 248/324, 248/317, 248/343, 248/221.11, 248/222.11, 248/222.52, 362/364, 362/362, 362/365, 362/366, 362/368, 362/370, 362/371, 362/374, 362/150
• US Class Current: 248/323
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/04 Recessed bases

Abstract

Supporting device (10) for a lighting appliance comprising a frame (11) in turn comprising a tubular portion (12) which can be at least partially inserted in a housing or opening (17) of a false ceiling or wall (18). According to the invention, the device (10) comprises supporting means (20) comprising at least two levers (30) associated with the frame (11) and capable of passing, by rotation, by means of two corresponding unidirectional couplings (34, 52) from a disengagement operating position, in which they do not protrude from said tubular portion (12), to an engagement operating position in which they protrude from said frame (11) becoming coupled with said wall (18) to support the device (10).

Claims

1. A supporting device (10) for a lighting appliance comprising a frame (11) in turn comprising a tubular portion (12) which can be at least partially inserted in a housing or opening (17) of a false ceiling or wall (18), characterized in that it comprises supporting means (20) comprising at least two levers (30) associated with the frame (11) and capable of passing, by rotation, by means of two corresponding unidirectional couplings (34, 52) from a disengagement operating position, in which they do not protrude from said tubular portion (12), to an engagement operating position in which they protrude from said frame (11) becoming coupled with said wall (18) to support the device (10), the supporting device further characterized in that the at least two unidirectional couplings (34, 52) allow the corresponding lever (30) to only pass from the disengagement position to the engagement position through a rotational movement, but not vice versa, said at least two unidirectional couplings (34, 52) further comprised in that the unidirectional couplings comprise at least one knurled portion (52) and at least one overhanging portion (34) said lever (30) is further characterized in that it is at least partially constructed out of a flexible resilient material.

2. The supporting device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said supporting means (20) comprise at least two pins (50) fixed to a first base end (15) of said tubular portion (12).

3. The supporting device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that each lever of said at least two levers (30) is associated with said tubular portion (12) of said frame (11) by means of a pin of said at least two pins (50) respectively.

4. The supporting device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that each pin (50) comprises two ends (51) inserted in corresponding housings or holes (33) situated in the corresponding lever (30).

5. The supporting device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that each pin (50) comprises a hole (53) for the insertion of a screw (54).

6. The supporting device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least one knurled portion (52) is situated on a side surface of each pin (50) and in that said at least one overhanging portion (34) is situated on a corresponding lever of said at least two levers (30).

7. The supporting device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that each unidirectional coupling of said at least two unidirectional couplings (34, 52) comprises at least one cavity (35) for the disengagement of said at least two levers (30).

8. The supporting device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that said at least one cavity (35) is situated on each overhanging portion (34) of each lever (30).

9. The supporting device (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that said at least one cavity (35) is a rear portion of each overhanging portion (34) to allow the disengagement of each lever (30).

10. The supporting device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that each lever (30) comprises a base portion (31) and two side portions (32), opposite each other with respect to said base portion (31), said base portion (31) having at least one flexibly resilient area (Z).

11. The supporting device (10) according to claim 10, wherein said lever (30) has two holes (33), characterized in that said holes (33) are situated in each of said two side portions (32) respectively.

12. The supporting device (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that said overhanging portion (34) is tilted with respect to said base portion (31).

13. The supporting device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least two levers (30) axe fixed in diametrically opposite positions on a first base end (15) of said tubular portion (12) of the frame (11).

14. The supporting device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame (11) comprises at least two housings (14) situated on a first base end (15) of the tubular portion (12).

15. The supporting device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame (11) comprises a flanged portion (13) which extends radially from a second base end of the tubular portion (12) to cover said opening (17).

16. The supporting device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that each lever (30) is at least partially constructed out of a flexible resilient material.

17. The supporting device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that a maneuvering lever (L) extends from said overhanging portion (34).