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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described herein concern a connection apparatus comprising an electrified support body and at least one connection device that can be electrically connected to said support body to supply electrical energy to components associated with the connection device, such as by way of example only, lighting devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the lighting sector, lighting apparatuses are known comprising an electrified profile to which spotlights or other lighting devices can be connected on each occasion, and in a desired position.

The known electrified profile is provided with a rigid support body, usually made of aluminum or plastic, with an oblong cavity in which electrical conductors are housed. At least a portion of the electrical conductors is kept in view inside the oblong cavity to allow the connection with a connector. The oblong cavity has a shape and sizes suitable to prevent access with the fingers of a user.

The lighting devices are provided with connectors which are attached to the section bar by inserting them in the oblong cavity of the latter. The connectors during use contact the electrical conductors to allow the transfer of electricity.

These apparatuses allow on the one hand the lighting of environments with several areas of interest but with few power supply points, and on the other they allow to modify in a specific way the position, or possibly the orientation, of the lighting devices according to needs.

These known solutions, however, are complex to use, and make the installation operations particularly complex.

Furthermore, these known solutions have rather limited and not always satisfactory fields of application with regard to the installation zone or to the aesthetic aspect to be obtained.

Electrical connection solutions are also known which are defined by rubber sheaths inside which electric cables are incorporated one adjacent to the other. To allow the connection of the lighting devices it is necessary to cut the sheath to reach the cables, and finally to connect them, by means of clamps, to the lighting devices to define the electric connection.

A disadvantage of these known solutions is the fact that, in addition to being laborious, they do not allow to move the lighting devices along the electric cables in the desired manner. In fact, after the removal of a previously installed lighting device, a portion cut and removed in correspondence with the exposed electric cables remains in the sheath. This entails on the one hand an unpleasant aesthetic aspect of the lighting apparatus and, on the other hand, possible safety problems for users.

Document DE-U-203 16 466 describes a cable system for lighting devices, comprising a cable provided with two electrical conductors and a support cable surrounded by an insulating material and an adapter unit connectable to a lighting device and attached to the cable, which comprises contact elements that penetrate the insulating material and come into contact with the electrical conductors. The adapter unit comprises two shaped portions, each provided with at least one contact element made of conductive material, which are positioned on opposite sides of the cable and connected to each other by same-shape coupling in a non- removable manner. This solution is therefore not very flexible and versatile, since the positioning of the adapter unit along the cable cannot be easily and quickly changed.

Document EP-A-0.734.108 describes a lighting system comprising a plurality of lighting devices supported by a flat flexible cable made of insulating material, inside which two or more electrical conductors and a reinforcement element are incorporated. Each lighting device comprises a lamp-holder connectable to the cable, comprising two arms hinged to one another, each provided with at least one contact element, which can be located on one side of the cable and on the other, and attached together by means of a screw to bring the contact elements into contact with the electrical conductors. This solution is also not very versatile, as the cable can be oriented in a single position in order to attach the lighting devices to it.

Document US-A-2009/0147509 describes a lighting system and method comprising a flexible conductive strip and a plurality of light source modules which can be coupled to the flexible conductive strip. Also in this solution the light source modules comprise two portions which are disposed on opposite sides of the flexible conductive strip and are connected to each other with coupling means, and furthermore do not allow to modify the position or orientation of the cable.

Document US-A-3,033,916 describes an electrical conductor comprising a cable in non-conductive material inside which two electrical conductors and a central reinforcement element are disposed, and a connector device provided with two parts, each provided with a contact element suitable to contact the conductor cables. The two parts of the connector device can be positioned on opposite sides of the cable, and can be connected to one another by means of clamping elements. This solution allows a single mode of use of the cable.

One purpose of the present invention is to provide an electric connection apparatus which allows to connect a plurality of connection devices using a single power supply point, and to modify in a desired manner the position of the connection devices according to the requirements without safety problems.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a connection apparatus which allows to move the connection devices along a support body without requiring the use of tools.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a connection apparatus which allows to move the connection devices along a support body also while it is electrified.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a connection apparatus which also allows a non-expert user to modify in a simple manner the position of the connection device along a support body.

Another purpose is to provide a connection apparatus which allows to modify the position of the support body according to requirements.

Another purpose is to provide a connection apparatus which allows to position and lay in a stable manner the support body according to a desired angle.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a connection apparatus which allows to obtain different lighting configurations.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, an electric connection apparatus according to the present invention comprises a support body with an oblong development, and provided with at least two electrical conductors associated with the support body along its oblong development, and at least a connection device selectively attachable to the support body, in any position whatsoever along the oblong development of the latter, and provided with contact terminals configured to generate an electric connection with said conductors.

According to one aspect of the invention, the support body is defined by a sheath made of flexible and electrically insulating material.

According to another aspect of the invention, the conductors are completely incorporated in the thickness of the sheath and extend for the entire oblong development of the support body.

According to some embodiments, the connection device comprises a housing cavity with a shape at least partially mating with the cross-section of the sheath and in which, during use, the latter is positioned.

According to a further aspect, the contact terminals are defined by pins configured to pierce at least the sheath and to each contact one of the conductors. These pins are advantageously disposed in such a way as to protrude from a bottom wall of the housing cavity located, during use, in contact with a base portion of the sheath.

The coupling between the connection device and the support body therefore takes place by means of same-shape coupling due to the interference that occurs between the housing seating and the support body, and by means of the pins that pierce the sheath.

The electrical connection device in particular can be connected to the support body by applying a simple pressure force, sufficient for the pins to pierce the sheath.

To remove the connection devices from the support body, it is sufficient to apply a traction force sufficient to remove the pins from the sheath. Furthermore, as the sheath is made of a flexible and easily deformable material, the holes generated by the pins close and no visible holes remain.

Since the sheath is made of electrically insulating material, it is possible to connect the connection devices to the support body also while it is connected to a power source, without safety problems for the users.

According to some embodiments, the sheath has a C-shaped shape comprising a base portion and two lateral walls which extend from opposite ends of the base, defining a housing cavity.

The housing cavity allows on one side to position a light strip inside it, or to attach the support body to a wall, giving great versatility of use.

According to this embodiment, the conductors can be positioned side by side inside the base portion.

Embodiments described herein also concern a support body for an electric connection apparatus with an oblong development, and provided with at least two electrical conductors associated with the support body along its oblong development, wherein the support body is defined by a sheath made of flexible and electrically insulating material, and the conductors are completely incorporated in the thickness of the sheath and extend for the entire oblong development of the support body.

Embodiments described herein also concern a connection device selectively attachable in any position whatsoever along the oblong development of a support body according to the invention, and provided with contact terminals configured to generate an electric connection with the conductors of the support body, wherein the contact terminals are defined by pins configured to pierce at least the sheath and each contact one of the conductors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a lateral view of an electric connection apparatus according to embodiments of the invention;

- fig. la is a partial section view of a detail of fig. 1 ;

- fig. lb is a schematic perspective view of the detail of fig. 1 a; - fig. 2 is a perspective view of an electric connection apparatus according to embodiments of the invention;

- fig. 3 is a perspective view of a part of an electric connection apparatus according to embodiments described here;

- fig. 4 is a section view along the line IV-IV of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 5 is a section view of a component of the electric connection apparatus according to the present invention;

- fig. 6 is a section view along the line VI-VI of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 7 is a section view along the line VII- VII of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 8 is a section view of an electric connection apparatus according to variant embodiments of the present invention;

- fig. 9 is a section view of an electric connection apparatus according to further variant embodiments of the present invention.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

Embodiments described here concern an electric connection apparatus 10 comprising a support body 12 and at least one connection device 14 which can be attached to the support body 12.

According to some embodiments, the connection devices 14 can for example be associated with lighting devices 60 of any kind.

With the term“associated” we mean that the connection devices 14 can be connected to the lighting devices 60, for example by means of an electric cable 61 , or that they can directly integrate a light source inside them, defining themselves part of the lighting device 60, or again that the connection devices 14 can be used to connect to the support body 12 a light source 62 disposed between them and the support body 12.

According to possible variants, it can be provided that the connection devices 14 are associated with other electrical components, for example detection or signaling devices, alarm devices, recharging devices, or suchlike.

According to some embodiments, the support body 12 has an oblong development, that is it has a main development along a main development axis and has reduced cross-sectional sizes with respect to the main development.

According to some embodiments, the support body 12 is provided with at least two electrical conductors 15, which can be selectively connected to an electric power source, for example an electricity network of a building.

The conductors 15 can act, for example, one as a positive conductor and one as a negative conductor and can be connected to an electrical supply device 52. The supply device 52 can comprise an electrical transformer configured to supply electric energy with desired parameters.

The power supply devices 52 can in turn be connected to the electricity network.

According to possible variant embodiments, the supply devices 52 can be defined by the electricity network itself.

The supply device 52 can be configured to supply continuous electric energy to the two conductors 15. By way of example only, a potential difference of 12V or 24V can be generated between the two conductors 15.

According to some embodiments, the support body 12 comprises a sheath 16 made of flexible and electrically insulating material.

According to possible embodiments, the sheath 16 can be made of rubber or other plastic material.

According to some embodiments, the conductors 15 are completely incorporated in the thickness of the sheath 16.

With the expression“completely incorporated” we mean that the entire cross- section of the conductors 15 is included inside the thickness of the sheath 16 and that no portion of them protrudes outside it. In other words, in order to access the conductors 15 it is necessary to pass through the sheath 16.

According to some embodiments, the shape of the sheath 16 substantially defines the shape of the support body 12 itself.

According to some embodiments, the conductors 15 extend for the entire oblong development of the support body 12.

According to a possible variant embodiment, the conductors 15 can be externally coated with a coating layer, for example electrically insulating.

In this way, during use, the support body 12 is electrified for its entire length and the connection devices 14 can be connected to the support body 12 and contact the conductors 15 in any position whatsoever along the oblong development of the support body 12.

According to some embodiments the conductors 15 are located parallel to each other.

According to some embodiments, for example described with reference to fig. 4, the sheath 16 has a C-shaped or U-shaped shape defined by a base 16a and two lateral arms 16b which extend from opposite ends of the base 16a.

According to some embodiments, the conductors 15 are disposed inside the base portion 16a, adjacent to each other along the width thereof in a direction transverse to the longitudinal development.

According to some embodiments, the connection device 14 is provided with contact terminals 18 configured to generate an electric connection with the conductors 15.

According to some embodiments, the connection device 14 is made in a single body, and couples by interference with the support body 12.

According to some embodiments, the contact terminals 18 are defined by pins 19 configured to pierce the sheath 16 and each contact one of the conductors 15.

According to some embodiments, the pins 19 are made of electrically conductive material.

In this way, it is possible to install the connection device 14 in any position whatsoever along the length of the support body 12 solely by piercing the sheath 16 with the pins 19 so as to generate the electrical contact between the pins 19 and the conductors 15.

Since the sheath 16 is made of a flexible material, that is easily deformable, it is possible to easily pierce the sheath 16. Furthermore, when the connection device 14 is removed, the holes generated by the pins 19 automatically close thanks to the elastic return of the material with which the sheath 16 is made.

This advantage is particularly accentuated, for example, if the sheath 16 is made of rubber.

According to some embodiments, the pins 19 extend parallel to each other at a reciprocal distance equal to the distance between the conductors 15. This ensures that in whatever position the connection device 14 is connected to the sheath 16, there is always electric contact between the pins 19 and conductors 15.

According to variant embodiments, for example described with reference to fig. 5, the connection device 14 can comprise a plurality of pairs of pins 19, in this case three pairs, disposed in succession aligned with each other, and each of which connected to a respective light source 62, or all three suitable to provide power to a single light source 62.

According to possible solutions, the pins 19 are pin-shaped, and each is provided with a pointed end 19a suitable to pierce the sheath 16 and possible coatings of the conductors 15.

According to some embodiments, the pins 19 provide both an electric connection between the connection device 14 and the conductors 15, and a structural connection between the connection device 14 and the support body 12.

The adhesion on the pins 19 generated by the material with which the sheath

16 is made, in fact, generates a retaining action of the connection device 14 to the sheath 16.

According to some embodiments, the pins 19 preferably have a cylindrical shape.

The pins 19 can have a cross-section size comprised between 0.5mm and 2mm. This allows that, when the connecting device 14 is removed from the sheath 16, the latter can return to its original shape or, at least, no holes remain visible therein.

According to further embodiments, for example described with reference to figs. 5-6 and 8-9, the connection device 14 can be provided with a housing cavity

17 with a shape at least partially mating with the cross-section of the sheath 16 and in which the latter, during use, is positioned. Furthermore, the pins 19 are positioned in the housing cavity 17. This allows to define a precise and predefined reciprocal positioning of the connection device 14 with respect to the sheath 16, in order to ensure the certain contact of the pins

19 with the conductors 15.

According to some embodiments, the housing cavity 17 is defined by a bottom wall 17a and by two lateral walls 17b opposite each other with respect to the bottom wall 17a.

According to possible embodiments, the pins 19 are attached to the bottom wall 17a and extend protruding in the housing cavity 17 to pierce, during use, the sheath 16 and contact the conductors 15.

According to further embodiments, anchoring elements 21 can be provided in the housing cavity 17 (see for example fig. 8), configured to generate an anchorage between the connection device 14 and the support body 12.

According to possible solutions, the anchoring elements 21 can comprise knurled portions, or in general an alternation of recesses and protrusions made, for example, on the lateral walls 17b of the housing cavity 17.

According to some embodiments, the support body 12 comprises at least one cable 20, distinct from the conductors 15 and also completely incorporated in the thickness of the sheath 16.

According to some embodiments, the cable 20 extends for the entire oblong development of the support body 12.

According to some embodiments, the cable 20 can be made of metal material, for example steel, or other material suitable to give it flexibility and mechanical resistance.

According to variant embodiments, the cable 20 can be made of polymeric or other types of fibers.

The cable 20 in particular allows to attach the support body 12 by attaching its opposite ends to respective walls 50 so that the sheath 16 is suspended.

According to some embodiments, the support body 12 comprises two cables

20 disposed parallel to each other and both integrated in the thickness of the sheath 16. This allows to define a precise positioning of the sheath 12 avoiding possible rotations on itself.

According to some embodiments, the conductors 15 are interposed between the two cables 20.

According to some embodiments, the cables 20 and the conductors 15 are located in a symmetrical position with respect to a longitudinal median axis of the support body 12.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus 10 comprises attachment members 22 selectively attachable to at least one wall 50 and connected, during use, to the support body 12 to support it.

According to possible solutions, for example described with reference to figs. 1-3, the attachment members 22 can be selectively attached to respective ends of the support body 12, and can be configured to support the latter between two walls 50 or opposite surfaces, so that it is suspended.

According to some embodiments, for example described with reference to fig. 2, the attachment members 22 allow to attach the support body 12 both between walls 50 parallel to each other, positioning it at 90° with respect thereto, and also inclined along a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal direction, with respect to at least one wall 50. The inclination in one or in the other direction can be comprised, for example, between 45° and 90°.

According to some embodiments, the attachment members 22 can comprise an attachment bracket 24 suitable to be attached by means of known attachment elements, for example screws, not shown, to a wall 50.

According to some embodiments, at least one of the attachment members 22 can also comprise a tensioning element 26 connected to the cable 20 and configured to tension it in a desired manner.

According to possible solutions, the tensioning element 26 can be associated with the attachment bracket 24.

According to some embodiments described with reference to fig. 1 a, it can be provided that the attachment brackets 24 are provided with through holes 25 for the conductors 15 to connect them to the supply device 52.

According to variant embodiments, the attachment bracket 24 can be provided with electrical connectors which can be connected to the supply device 52.

According to some embodiments described with reference to fig. lb, the attachment members 22 comprise a bracket 24, a pair of tensioning elements 26, each connected with one end to a respective cable 20, and with the other end by screwing to an intermediate connection member 43.

The intermediate coupling member 43 comprises two threaded holes adjacent to each other so as to keep the two tensioning elements 26 distanced from and parallel to each other.

The attachment member 22 also comprises a tensioning member 44 with a ball 45 at one end, suitable to rotatably constrain the tensioning element 44 to the bracket 24, allowing to orientate as desired the support body 12 with respect to the bracket 24 and therefore to the wall 50 on which it is attached.

During use, the tensioning member 44 is positioned through a through hole 46 of the bracket 24, with the end opposite the ball 45 screwed into a third threaded hole of the intermediate connection element 43.

The cooperation between the tensioning elements 26 and the tensioning member 44, and between the latter and the bracket 24 allows to orientate the support body 12 as desired, guaranteeing in any case the correct tensioning thereof, without unwanted stresses on the conductors 15.

According to other embodiments, the apparatus 10 can comprise covering sleeves 28 disposed in correspondence with each end of the support body 12, and suitable to cover the connection zone of said ends with the respective attachment brackets 24.

The covering sleeves 28 can have a first end 28a provided with a first aperture 29 mating in size with the cross-section of the sheath 16, and a second end 28b, opposite to the first end, provided with a second aperture 30 mating in shape with the cross-section of the attachment bracket 24, to be able to couple with it by means of same-shape or snap-in coupling.

According to possible variant embodiments, for example described with reference to figs. 8 and 9, the attachment members 22 can comprise a section bar 32 with an oblong development, selectively attachable to a wall 50 and on which the support body 12 can be attached.

According to possible solutions, the section bar 32 and the sheath 16 can be connected and attached to each other by same-shape coupling.

According to some embodiments, the section bar 32 and the sheath 16 are provided with an attachment seating 34, and respectively with an attachment portion 36, or vice versa. According to some embodiments, the attachment seating 34 and the attachment portion 36 are mating in shape.

According to some embodiments, the attachment seating 34 is defined by the base wall 16a and by the lateral walls 16b of the sheath 16.

For example, it can be provided that the attachment seating 34 has a dovetail sectional shape, that is with a bottom wall 34a and respective lateral walls 34b which extend from the bottom wall 34b in directions converging one with the other, defining a passage aperture 35 with a width smaller than the width of the bottom wall 34a

By way of example, in figs. 8 and 9, the attachment seating 34 is provided in the sheath 16 while the attachment portion 36 is provided on the section bar 32. According to these embodiments, it can be provided that the flexible sheath 16 slightly deforms during the application of a pressure force to let the attachment portion 36 enter the attachment seating 34, and then return to its resting state, ensuring a stable connection between the support body 12 and the section bar 32.

According to some embodiments, the section bar 32 can be directly connected to the wall 50, and define as a whole the attachment portion 36 as shown, for example, in fig. 8.

According to variant embodiments, the section bar 32 can have a C-shaped or U-shaped cross-section defining a housing seating 38 in which the attachment portion 36 is disposed, protruding toward the inside thereof.

According to some embodiments, the housing seating 38 can be configured to house both the sheath 16 and also a connection device 14 attached thereto, so that they are completely recessed in the wall 50.

According to some embodiments, interference elements 40 can be provided in the housing seating 38, suitable to cooperate, during use, with the connection device 14 inserted therein, to further increase the stability of the attachment of the latter, the sheath 16 and the section bar 32.

According to further embodiments, for example described with reference to figs. 1 and 3, if the sheath 16 is provided with the attachment seating 34, it can be provided to install a light source 62 therein, for example an LED strip 64, comprising a plurality of LED light sources 62.

According to these solutions, the connection device 14 can be disposed above the LED strip 64, so that the pins 19, to contact the two conductors 15, pass both through the LED strip 64, and also through the sheath 16, generating the electric contact between the LED strip 64 and the conductors 15.

According to some embodiments, if the support body 12 is used with an LED strip, it can be orientated as desired according to the direction in which the light is to be diffused, for example with the base wall 16a of the sheath 16 facing downwards to diffuse the light upwards, with the base wall 16b facing upwards to diffuse the light downwards, or again with the base wall 16a facing in a lateral direction to diffuse the light in a horizontal direction.

According to further variant embodiments, the apparatus 10 can comprise a clamping element 42 configured to provide a further reciprocal clamping action between the connection device 14 and the support body 12.

According to possible embodiments, for example described with reference to fig. 6, the clamping element 42 can be defined by an elastic metal foil substantially C-shaped or U-shaped, and suitable to couple with the opposite lateral walls 17b of the connection device 14, to constrain the support body 12 in the housing cavity 17.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the electric connection apparatus 10, to the support body 12 and to the connection device 14 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

By way of example only, it can be provided that a plurality of pairs of conductors 15, each distanced from the other and each of which can be supplied with a different supply device 52, are incorporated in the support body 12. This allows to selectively supply electric power to a specific electrical component connected to a given pair of conductors 15, and to leave the electrical components connected to the other conductors 15 deactivated.

Alternatively, it can be provided that each pair of conductors 15 is connected to a specific supply device 52 provided to supply a predefined electric energy, different from that supplied by the other supply devices 52. By way of example only, it can be provided to supply a first pair of conductors 15 at 12V while a second pair of conductors 15 at 24V.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of connection apparatus 10, support body 12 and connection device 14, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.