BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Presently available fittings for e g fluorescent tubes consist of a cap comprising electronics (control unit), fluorescent tube contact and connections. The electronic unit is arranged on or in the cap, the connectors in the cap and the connections are guided into the electronic unit, or between the electronic unit and the connectors. A reflector is also arranged, e g made of sheet metal, between the fluorescent tube and the inner of the cap.

The disadvantage of these fittings is that they can only be delivered in fixed lengths, essentially with all parts (except for fluorescent tube) preassembled, which makes the mounting more difficult and they also become expensive since the entire fitting must be purchased. Moreover, these are not flexible, e g when changing the fluorescent tube type almost the entire fitting has to be changed and so on.

PRIOR ART Several modular fittings are known, e g through DE-A1-44 16 110, DE-Al-196 23 401, DE 25 26 491 and EP-A2-82 69 19. In particular DE 25 26 491 describes a system where rails are attached to the roof on which the entire fitting comprised of a profiled is attached. According to DE-A1-44 16 110 a supporting member is inserted into a profiled piece by means of spaces provided in the piece which enables play between the supporting member and the piece, after which the supporting member is suspended from attachment surfaces intended for this purpose.

Common for all these is that the fittings are complicated, consist of expensive parts and do not give the desired simplicity and flexibility.

A Danish utility model document nr. 9600190 describes a universal reflector for use in new and old fittings comprising fluorescent tubes. The new with this invention is that the reflector is manufactured of a metallized plastic film which improves light reflection. The document neither shows, describes or hints use of an insert part according to the present invention since the only purpose of the document is the exchange of the reflector.

THE OBJECTS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a fitting system which facilitates mounting and installation of, e g fittings for fluorescent tubes or the like.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a cost-effective and flexible fitting system, which can be used for different types of light sources and/or electronic equipments and when necessary parts can be exchanged in a simple way.

A third object of the present invention is to allow a simple exchange of the reflector part in a light fitting, according to the invention.

Yet another object with the present invention is to allow utilization of several different light sources in one and the same fitting without major modification of the system.

These tasks have been solved by means of the initially described insert, which is intended to at least on one side carry the electronic equipment, and that the cap is arranged as an oblong piece, essentially covering the entire insert, which consists of a base part and shanks, mainly for resilient cooperation with and reception of the insert.

Preferably the end section of at least one of the shanks is provided with a contact section for carrying the insert. Several types of cap designs are possible, e. g. the cap in one embodiment is essentially U-shaped, U-shaped, V-shaped or essentially curved. The insert can also be given different forms, e g curved.

Preferably, one reflective part is detachably arranged in the insert. It is an advantage if the reflective part consists of a card board coated with a reflective surface. The reflective part is provided to essentially be formed manually to reflect and/or direct the light in a desired way.

The fitting according to the invention can also comprise a detachable louvre. The cap can be designed as a channel for conductors.

In a preferred embodiment the cap can consist of a magnetic material for suspension by means of magnets. In one embodiment magnets or magnetic material can be fastened to the cap while the roof is provided with magnetic material or magnets for attachment/suspension of the cap.

Advantageously, the cap is provided with other electronic equipment on a second side facing the insert.

In one embodiment a rod is arranged for mounting of two or more fittings side by side.

Advantageously, the insert is snapped into the cap.

In one embodiment the ends of the shanks are connected to each other providing an essentially tubular construction and the cap is at least partly translucent. The cap can also be hermetically closed. The insert can be rotatably arranged in the cap and is pushed into the cap from the side.

In one embodiment the fitting is provided with at least one connector for electric coupling of two or more fittings. Preferably, the coupling is made by means of a cable provided with connector elements.

In a preferred embodiment the fitting is arranged to receive a carrier for receiving of one or more light types. The carrier can be arranged in combination with a fluorescent tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages of the invention will be apparent by the following description with reference to embodiments shown in the attached drawings, in which: Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a first embodiment, Fig. 2 schematically shows a section through the embodiment shown in fig. 1, Fig. 3 schematically shows a section through the embodiment in fig. 2 in an assembled state, Fig. 4 schematically shows a second embodiment, according to the invention, Fig. 5 schematically shows a third embodiment, according to the invention, provided with channels, Fig. 6 schematically shows a fourth embodiment, according to the invention, provided with channels, Fig. 7 schematically shows yet another embodiment according to the invention, Fig. 8 schematically shows still another embodiment according to the invention with shanks connected to each other, Fig. 9 schematically shows an embodiment of coupled fittings, according to the invention, Fig. 10 schematically shows yet another embodiment of coupled fittings, according to the invention, Fig. 11 schematically shows still another embodiment of a fitting, according to the invention, and Fig. 12 schematically shows an embodiment of fittings, according to the invention, provided with an external carrier.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a fitting 10, according to the invention is shown in perspective in fig. 1 and in cross section in fig. 2. The fitting 10 consists of an essentially U-shaped cap 11 and a supporting member or insert 12. The ends 15 and 16 of the shanks of the U 13 and 14 are bent inwards and form a hook section. The shanks 13 and 14 are joined in an essentially flat base section 17.

The insert is also designed essentially U-shaped, consisting of substantially elastic shanks 18 and 19 connected by an essentially flat base section 20. The insert 12 is provided to receive the electronics, which in this case comprises fluorescent tube connectors 21 and electrical control unit 22 as well as duser (not shown) if it is needed. The core of the invention is that the main parts that need to be exchanged or varied are provided on the insert.

The cap can be produced in different lengths and forms of sheet metal, plastics, light metal or the like. Preferably, the cap is made of sheet metal that is easily bent. Advantageously, the cap can consist of a magnetic material, which allows it to be suspended by means of magnets provided at the ends of e g chains or the like, which has not been possible earlier. The cap can also be produced in very long lengths, which are cut to desired lengths during the assembly.

Thanks to that the electronic part is separated from the cap, the cap can be mounted in its place e g by a building worker, who does not need to have any special electric qualification. The mounting of the insert with the electronics is later done by qualified staff.

The cap is fastened from the roof, e. g. by means of screws through the holes 34. Afterwards, the insert is snapped to its place in the cap during the electric installation, e g by an electrician.

During mounting the insert can be hung from one of the hook sections in the cap while the electronics is connected to the electric supply network. The insert is fastened by being pushed into the cap against the base section of the cap. The shanks of the insert then press the shanks of the cap outwards until the shanks of the insert have passed the hooks. Then when the insert is released the ends of its shanks will rest inside the hooks.

Since the cap is cheap to produce it can be preassambled in desired lengths in large spaces, e g storerooms, while the insert can be mounted later into the caps as need for extra or different light arise or the use of the rooms are changed. This applies even to open plan offices, where the light setting in a simple way can be varied when the division of the open plan is changed. Furthermore the invention is suitable in all places where a quick mounting and dismounting of light can be needed, e g garages, tunnels, arenas, houses and so on.

In the following parts with the same function are denoted with same reference numbers.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-section through a completely assembled fitting 10, according to fig. 2. The fitting is also provided with a detachable louvre or diffusor 24, which is arranged to be snapped into the cap after the insert. The louvre 24 can however be used to cover the cap when no insert is mounted.

The fitting according to the invention is also arranged to be provided with a replaceble reflector 23, shown with a line of dots and dashes. Even if at least the inner surface of the insert 12 can be reflective it is suitable if the reflective surface is replaceble because of its endurance, which is influenced by heat, outer environment and so on. The changeable reflector 23 can be arranged essentially covering the entire inner surface or be arranged in sections. The reflector is preferably manufactured of a card board coated with a reflective surface or film (e. g. of aluminum or the like). The card board can be cut out in desired sizes/lengths and is formed to direct/reflect the light in desired direction/amount.

Both the cap and the insert can be designed in different forms. Some examples are shown in the figures 4 to 8.

According to fig. 4 the shanks 13 and 14, respectively, are arranged essentially perpendicular to each other and meet in the base section 17. The end 15 of the shank 13 is provided with a bent surface 15', which end is arranged as the hook section. However, this part does not need to be arranged and is only shown for aesthetic reasons. The insert 12 is curved and provided with the electronics 21/22 and snapped into the cap. By changing the design of the curve, the light can be directed in different ways. This embodiment is suitable for mounting in corner, e. g. between the roof and wall.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the shanks 13 and 14 are connected to a base section 17, which is essentially U-formed with a space 25. The space 25 can be used as a channel for cable installation or other purposes, such as a channel for air intake/outlet, air cooling channel and so on. The insert 12 which is essentially curved is provided to be snapped into the space 25 between the ends of the shanks which are slightly elongated in the space 25. The other ends 16 and 15 of the respective shanks 13 and 14 are arranged with notches bent outwards, onto which an essentially curved visor 24 can be snapped.

The embodiment shown in fig. 6 of the fitting 10'is provided with curved shanks 13 and 14, connected to a base part 17. The ends of the shanks are bent as notches 15,16. In this example the insert 12 is arranged to carry lamp sockets 26 complete with lamps 27. The base section 17 of the

cap 11 is also provided with a channel 25 in which electric cables 28 runs. From these cables connections 29 to the sockets can be drawn out. The sockets can of course be replaced by other connector elements. Eventually, other cables or optical fibers, e g for a computer network or the like, can be arranged in the cap 11 while the sockets and the connectors are placed on the insert 12.

In one embodiment, which is shown in fig. 7, the fitting 10 can be turned up and down whereby the lower base section 17 is provided with, e g directable spotlights or halogen lights 30 while the inside of the insert is arranged with a fluorescent tube 21a (up-light). In this case, the shanks of the insert 12 are in essentially resilient contact with the shanks of the cap 11 instead of with the hooks. The electronics 22 for both light types is arranged on the insert 12. The entire fitting can be suspended from the roof by means of suspension devices 31 from the shanks or the end of the fitting.

In yet another embodiment, which is shown in fig. 8 the shanks of the cap 11 are connected to each other and forms a tube. The cap 11 can consist of a translucent (plastics) material that receives the insert 12 by pushing it into the cap from the side. The shanks of the insert are in resilient contact with the inner of the tube and can be rotated to direct the light. The cap can be provided with sections 32 which are not lightpreamble or is colored and so on. In this case the fitting 10 can be provided with suspension device, e. g. from the end. The entire tube can be hermetically closed (against dust) and air can be evacuated to obtain vacuum if required for certain types of light.

Through the flexible construction of the invention, it can be arranged in different ways, of which one embodiment is shown in fig 9. Every other fitting 10 is arranged upwards and downwards, respectively. The fittings can be connected to each other by means of rods 33. Thanks to the flexibility of the shanks they can be assembled so that the fitting forms an arch and the like, as shown in fig. 10.

Fig. 11 also shows a new method to connect the fittings, which further can be arranged in existing fittings of known type. In the fittings 10, e g the ends 35 (or some other suitable place) are provided with connetor elements 36, preferably of a quick and lockable type. Now several fittings can be coupled together by means of connection cables 37 in suitable lengths. The connectors are connected to the electronic units on the insert and supplies it with current. The advantage of this construction is that no major electric installation work will be needed. One simply connects the first fitting in the chain to an operating power and yhen connects the rest of the fittings by means of cables in each end provided with connector elements. In one embodiment, the fittings can be provided with male and female connectors respectively and be connected directly without cables.

In still another embodiment the insert part 12, according to fig. 12, can be provided with special connectors 38 for connection of a rail 39 for receiving of one or more types of lamps 40a, searchlight 40b, spotlight 40c and so on. Such a rail is described in e g WO 95/21352, of the same inventor. The rail 39 can of course be combined with a fluorescent tube 21a, another rail or be arranged alone.

While we have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention, it can be realized that several variations, combinations and modifications within the scope of the succeeding claims can occur. The caps can e g be arranged to be telescopically moved in each other and be drawn out if needed; mixed electronic equipment and devices (e g fire alarms, movement detectors and so on) can be arranged on the insert; in one embodiment caps with different sizes can be mounted in each other, e g to provide channels; caps can also be cut in shorter sections and be used as suspension devices; either the cap or the insert and/or only one of the shanks can be resiliently arranged while the other one is rigid; the hook sections can be arranged in sections and be bent outwards or inwards, e g to receive different components and so on.

REFERENCE NUMERALS <BR> <BR> 10 fitting<BR> 11 cap 12 insert 13,14 shank 15,16 hook 17 base section 18,19 shank 20 base section 21 connector 22 electrical unit 23 reflector 24 louvre 25 channel 26 socket 27 lamp 28 cable 29 connection 30 spotlight 31suspension 32 shader <BR> <BR> 33 rod<BR> 34 hole 35 fitting end 36 connector element 37 cable 38 connector 39 rail 40a-40b lamps