The present invention relates to a lighting device.

In greater detail, the present invention relates to a modular luminous signage system, which finds particular application in the context of advertising as signage/installation, or in the domestic environment as complement of furniture.

As is known, lighting devices can have various shapes and sizes, as a function of their use and their application scope. For example, home lamps having particular shape and colour are known, to be used both as a light source and as a design product having a particular aesthetic value.

Still, also known are luminous signage elements in the shape of letters, words, numbers, figures, designed to communicate a message in writing or by image.

These luminous signage elements may be used in a domestic environment, always as a design object, or more frequently to advertise/convey messages of any type, such as for example the name of a product, of a business or, in general, to inform the user.

Not least, light sources in the form of letters or symbols may have application also in the arts, in order to carry out works or installations.

Such lighting devices are generally constituted by box-like structures that determine the shape of the symbol or letter, made of transparent or translucent materials to allow the passage of light. Inside the box-like structure one or more light sources (such as incandescent lamps or LED) are arranged, suitably connected to the distribution network by means of electrical cables passing through the box-like structure. If necessary, electronic circuits for current management, adapted to confer special effect, such as flashing and/or colour effects, may be provided.

As mentioned above, the light sources are powered by fixed cables mounted on the lighting device, which connect the same light source(s) to the electrical distribution network. Therefore, each lighting device is provided with the respective power cable. Such signage devices, however, have important drawbacks, mostly related to the presence of the fixed power cables and therefore to the need of a fixed/stable connection of the light sources.

It is known in fact that, in the case of luminous messages consisting of a series of letters or symbols which make up the word, it is necessary to connect the light source of each letter to the distribution network or to a common power cable.

Consequently, the installation of this type of light devices becomes time- consuming, precisely for the need to implement every single electrical connection in a fixed manner.

Furthermore, the power supply cables protruding to the outside of the lighting devices are hidden (for both aesthetic and safety reasons) within the walls or other supporting structures, with the consequent disadvantage in terms of convenience of installation.

It is also to be noted that the use of such lighting devices is also particularly limiting as it does not allow to replace individual letters/words conveniently and quickly.

This drawback is particularly felt when a series of different light messages must be created (for example, as used in advertising), which therefore require a frequent replacement of the luminous letters/images that make up individual words. In this situation, the replacement of the letters would imply a specialized intervention to remove the device from the wall, and then disconnect it from the electrical network and then re-install a new lighting device.

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a lighting device that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting device which is mainly versatile, usable in any field and adaptable to the various application needs.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a modular type of lighting device, allowing to compose any kind of written or image message, without having to provide for fixed installations.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device which is constructively simple, easy to use and of low cost.

The mentioned technical task and the stated objects are substantially achieved by a lighting device comprising the technical features set out in one or more of the appended claims.

The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of an exemplary, but not exclusive, and therefore non-limiting, preferred embodiment of a lighting device, as illustrated in the appended figures, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a lighting device, according to the present invention and in a respective non-operating condition;

- Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of a structural detail of the device of Figure 1 :

- Figure 3 shows a side and cross-sectional perspective view of the lighting device of Figure 1 in a respective operating condition;

- Figure 4 shows a top plan view of a lighting system obtained with a plurality of devices of the type illustrated in Figures 1 to 3;

- Figures 5 and 6 show a schematic view, with some dotted parts to better illustrate others, of a second embodiment of the lighting device according to the present invention;

- Figures 7a and 8a show respective elevational front views of a third embodiment of the lighting device according to the present invention;

- Figures 7b and 8b show respective elevational side views of the third embodiment of the lighting device illustrated in the corresponding Figures 7a and 8a;

- Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a lighting device according to a fourth embodiment and in a respective non-operating condition; and - Figure 10 shows a perspective and schematic view of a lighting device according to a fifth embodiment and in a respective operating condition. With reference to the appended figures, reference number 1 generally indicates a lighting device according to the present invention.

In particular, the device 1 comprises at least one light source 2, which can be of any type depending on the light radiation to be emitted and the various applications of the device itself. For example, the source 2 can be made of LED lights or incandescent lamps.

The accompanying drawings illustrate by way of preferred, but not limiting example, a light source 2 made of a series of LED lights, preferably of the RGB type. Alternatively, for each device 1 , a plurality of different LEDs can be provided in order to confer a series of lighting types, differing both in brightness level and in colour.

The light source 2 is advantageously arranged inside a respective containment body 3, made at least partially transparent to light radiations. In particular, the containment body can have any shape and size depending on its application. In the accompanying drawings, a containment body 3 in the shape of a letter is illustrated by way of example. This shape of the body 3 enables a use of the device 1 to convey messages composed by one or more devices 1 .

However, as specified above, the shape, sizes and materials used for the construction of the body 3 may be of any type depending on the use to be made of the device 1 .

Still, the containment body 3 may be made entirely of material transparent to light radiations, or it may be provided that only one area/surface of the body 3 is transparent to light radiations to allow the passage of light.

The accompanying figures illustrate containment bodies 3 in which an active surface 4 transparent to light radiations has been removed, to better illustrate the compartment containing the light source 2. In this situation, all other surfaces of the body 3 opposite and transverse to the active surface

4 are made of material opaque to light radiations. The device 1 also comprises means of electromechanical connection 5 for supplying said light source 2. The connection means 5 consist of at least one primary electrical connector 6 associated in a fixed manner to an electric distribution network (not illustrated in the appended figures) and at least one secondary electrical connector 7 associated in a fixed manner to the light source 2.

Advantageously, connection means 5 are switchable between an operating configuration in which said electrical connectors 6, 7 are engaged with each other in a reversible manner (Figures 3 to 6 and Figure 10) to define an electrical connection, and a non-operating configuration in which said connectors 6, 7 are disengaged (Figures 1 , 2 and Figures 7 to 9) to not distribute electric current.

Advantageously, the primary electrical connector 6 comprises a first transfer element 6a for transferring electrical energy, associable to said electric distribution network; and a first coupling element 6b.

Similarly, also the secondary electrical connector 7 comprises a second transfer element 7a for transferring electrical energy, associable to the respective light source 2, and a second coupling element 7b.

In accordance with a first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the transfer elements 6a, 7a are constituted by respective electromagnetic induction bodies 8. Preferably, the electromagnetic induction bodies 8 comprise coils, illustrated schematically in Figures 1 , 2 and 3, wound around a same axis of development. It is also to be noted that the coil of the primary electric connector 6 is electrically connected, by means of appropriate electrical cables "C", to an electric distribution network (not shown). The electric distribution network can be constituted, for example, by a home supply network or by an independent and rechargeable battery/generator.

As illustrated in Figure 1 , the cable "C" can also be connected to an electronic management unit "U", not shown and described in detail. The coil of the secondary electrical connector 7 is instead connected to the light source 2 by means of electrical cables "C" passing through a through hole formed in said containment body 3 (Figures 1 and 2).

The electromagnetic induction bodies 8, when approached to each other (Figure 3), define the operational configuration of the distribution means 5 in which electrical energy is transferred from the primary connector 6 to the secondary connector 7. In other words, in this situation, the first transfer element 6a, connected in a stable manner to the electric distribution network, transfers by electromagnetic induction the electric current to the second transfer element connected to the light source 2. Consequently, as a function of the mutual distance between the transfer elements 6a and 7b, a current flow between the electric network and the source 2 is established, in order to determine the operating configuration of the light source 2 being turned on (Figure 3) or the non-operating configuration of the source 2 being turned off (Figure 1 ).

In this solution, the coupling elements 6b, 7b are made up of mutually coupling magnetic bodies 9.

Advantageously, when the magnetic bodies 9 of the first and second coupling elements 6b, 7b are approached to each other, they are attracted by magnetic effect (Figure 3) to define the operational configuration of the connection means 5. In this case, the primary connector 6 and the secondary connector 7 are engaged with each other in a reversible manner. The manual removal of the secondary connector 7 from the primary connector 6 allows to detach the magnetic bodies from each other and to remove the induction bodies 8, defining the non-operating configuration.

In this regard, it must be considered that the light intensity generated by the source 2, being dependent on the distance between the induction bodies 8, can be determined by suitable dimensioning and spacers which determine a minimum approach distance of the induction bodies 8.

Preferably, the primary electrical connector 6 also comprises a backing base 10, that can be mounted in a fixed manner, and having at least one surface 1 1 for housing the transfer element 6a and the coupling element 6b.

In the attached figures, a base 10 having a flat parallelepiped configuration with a square base is shown by way of mere example. It should however be specified that the shape and the size ratios of the base 10 can be of any type. The base 10 can be advantageously mounted fixed to a wall or to any other type of support that allows to stably support the base. The housing surface 1 1 has a substantially planar extension, in which an annular seat for housing the induction body 8, a housing of the electronic module "U" and of the mentioned electrical cables "C", and a plurality of blind holes for housing the magnetic bodies 9 are formed.

Preferably, the magnetic bodies 9 are arranged around the electromagnetic induction body 8, appropriately spaced from each other and along a substantially circumferential path. A central magnetic body 9 is also provided, arranged inside the induction body 9 and coaxial to it as well as to the aforementioned circumferential path. As an alternative to the magnetic body 9, a central ferrite cylinder may also be provided, without magnetic properties but able to increase the efficiency of the coil. In other words, the ferrite cylinder increases the magnetic field produced by the coil.

With particular reference to Figure 2, it is to be noted that the secondary electrical connector 7 comprises a support element 12 associated to the containment body 3 of an opposite surface with respect to the active surface 4. The support element 12 has a substantially elliptical development and has at least one surface 13 for housing the transfer element 7a and the coupling element 7b.

In particular, an annular housing seat of the coil and a plurality of blind holes for housing the magnetic bodies 9 are formed on the surface 13. Furthermore, a through hole for the passage of cables "C" connecting the coil to the light source 2 is formed on the support element 12.

Preferably, there are two housing blind holes of two respective magnetic bodies 9 arranged around and on opposite sides of the induction body 8, and a magnetic body 9 arranged inside the induction body 8 in a substantially coaxial to the development area of the coil.

In this way, as shown in Figure 3, the housing surfaces 1 1 , 13 of the backing base 10 and of the support element 12 can be abutted against each other to define said operating configuration of the connection means 5.

It is to be noted that, in the operating configuration, the magnetic bodies 9 arranged in the centre of the coils are associated with each other by magnetic attraction. Similarly, the magnetic bodies 9 arranged in the primary electrical connector 6 arranged around the coil are joined by magnetic attraction to the magnetic bodies 9 arranged around the coil of the secondary electrical connector 7. The presence of a plurality of magnetic bodies 9 around the coils and arranged along circumferential coaxial paths between them allows a relative rotation between the containment body 3 and the backing base 10 for guiding the body 3 itself according to the configuration and the arrangement to be obtained.

Again, the backing base 10 can be equipped with a cover layer 102 (shown only in Figure 4) made of paper or other dielectric material, adapted to cover both the first transfer element 6a for transferring the electrical energy and the first coupling element 6b.

Similarly, also the surface 13 of the support element 12 can be coated by the layer 102, adapted to hide the coil and the magnetic bodies 9 from sight.

Figure 4 illustrates by way of example a lighting system 100 provided with a plurality of lighting devices 1 of the type described above. In this solution, the backing bases 10 are associated with a single panel 101 that can be of any type, such as a masonry wall or a wooden structure.

It is also to be noted that the bases 10 are equipped with the mentioned cover layers 102 to impart a valuable aesthetic effect to the same bases even without the presence of the respective containment bodies 3. The bases 10 are arranged one beside the other in parallel rows to enable the attachment of a number of containment bodies 3, each of which corresponds to a respective luminous letter. In this way, composition of written messages is thus allowed.

In Figures 5 and 6, a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.

In this embodiment, the first transfer element 6a for transferring the electrical energy comprises at least one conductive body 14a with positive polarity and at least one conductive body 14b with negative polarity. In this situation, the second transfer element 7a for transferring the electrical energy comprises at least a first and at least a second contact 16a, 16b, each of which is associated to a respective conductive body 14a, 14b to define said operating configuration of the connection means 5.

In particular, the conductive bodies with positive and negative polarity 14a, 14b are constituted by a plurality of plates 15 arranged in at least one row R, G, B, W. In this situation, the plates 15 defining the positive polarity bodies 14a are alternated to the plates 15 defining the negative polarity bodies 14b.

In accordance with the second embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the first transfer element 6a for transferring the electrical energy includes three conductive bodies 14a with positive polarity and three conductive bodies 14b with negative polarity. Each positive and negative polarity conductive body 14a, 14b comprises a plurality of plates arranged in at least three parallel rows R, G, B, each of which being representative of a colour emitted by the light source. In this case, the rows R, G, B are respectively representative of the emission of red, green and blue light.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, the first transfer element 6a for transferring the electrical energy includes four conductive bodies 14a with positive polarity and four conductive bodies 14b with negative polarity. Each positive and negative polarity conductive bodies 14a, 14b comprise a plurality of plates arranged in at least four parallel rows R, G, B, W each of which being representative of a colour emitted by the light source. In this case, the rows R, G, B, W are respectively representative of the emission of red, green, blue and white light.

Each row therefore represents a respective colour R, G, B and W and is electrically connected to a controller 17 for the management and setting of the colour that is emitted from the light source 2. The controller 17, which is not described and illustrated since it is of known type, allows to determine the colour of the light radiation emitted by the source 2 as a function of the position of the second transfer element 7a for transferring the electrical energy with respect to the plates 15. As shown schematically in Figures 4 and 5, the controller 17 is interposed between the distribution network and each row R, G, B and W.

Advantageously, the conductive bodies 14a and 14b, in the form of rectangular plates, are arranged on a panel 103 which can be installed fixed to a wall or other structure.

Even in this case, a cover sheet can be provided, preferably made of paper, adapted to hide from sight and cover the conductive bodies 14a, 14b and the respective electrical connections.

In accordance with the embodiment of Figure 5, the second transfer element 7a for transferring the electrical energy comprises at least three first contacts 16a arranged on a line, and at least three second contacts 16b arranged on another parallel line. In this situation, each group of first contacts 16a and second contacts 16b is disposed on the respective plates 15 of parallel rows R, G, B.

In accordance with the embodiment of Figure 6, the second transfer element 7a for transferring the electrical energy comprises at least four first contacts 16a arranged on a line, and at least four second contacts 16b. Even in this case, each group of first contacts 16a and second contacts 16b is disposed on the respective plates 15 of parallel rows R, G, B and W.

The electrical contacts 16a and 16b are preferably mounted fixed on a support element 18 coupled to the containment body 3 from the opposite side and/or transversely with respect to a respective active surface 4 of the passage of light radiations. The accompanying figures show schematically the containment body 3 in dotted lines to better illustrate the structure of the mentioned support element 18.

Note that the support element is defined by a central portion for coupling to the containment body 3 from which the respective contacts 16a and 16b extend, parallel and equidistant to each other.

Still, for the correct coupling and passage of current from the plates 15 to contacts 16a and 16b, there is a rectifier module 19 interposed between the contacts 16a, 16b and the light source 2. The rectifier module 19 allows to power the light source 2 regardless of the disposition of the contacts 16a, 16b with respect to the positive polarity conductive bodies 14a and the negative polarity conductive bodies 14b. In this way, the contacts 16a and 16b can be mutually associated to positive or negative electrically conductive bodies to allow any provision of the containment body 3 on 15 plates.

Also, to allow a reversible mechanical coupling, the first coupling element 6a is defined by each same plate which, for this purpose, is made of metallic material. Advantageously, the second coupling element 7b is constituted by at least one magnet 20 associated to the support element 18.

Even in this case, a series of magnets 20 may be provided, arranged on the central portion of the support element 18 to ensure a stable coupling and to allow to hook and unhook the support element and thus the entire containment body 3 to the plates 15.

Advantageously, this embodiment also allows to compose a sentence/message by placing the containment bodies 3 of the appropriate shape on the panel 103. It is to be noted that the conductive bodies may be arranged on a same row RGB or RGBW to obtain, for each row of containment bodies 3, the emission of a single default colour by the controller 17. In this case, in fact, the contacts 16a and 16b of the containment bodies 3 are coupled to the plates 15 of a same row.

Instead, in the case in which the contacts 16a and 16b of two or more containment bodies 3 are arranged in staggered rows, the colour emitted for each source 2 is changed.

Figures 7a and 7b illustrate a further embodiment in which, compared to the previously described solution, the conductive body 14a with positive polarity is constituted by at least one bar. Also the negative polarity conductive body 14b is constituted by a bar parallel to the bar of the positive polarity conductive body 14a.

Figures 8a and 8b show that the positive polarity conductive body 14a includes a plurality of bars, parallel to each other and each of which is representative of a colour that should be emitted by the light source 2. For example, the conductive body 14a with positive polarity may be constituted by three bars R, G, B respectively representing the red, green and blue colour. By way of example, Figure 8a and 8b illustrate a conductive body 14a with positive polarity having four bars R, G, B and W corresponding to the colours red, green, blue and white.

Even in this case, a controller 17 is preferably provided for management and setting of the colour that is emitted from the light source 2.

In this situation, a number of first contacts 16a, equal to the number of bars defining the positive polarity conductive body 14b, and a second contact 16b for defining the bar of the negative polarity conductive body 14b, are arranged. Also in this case, contacts 16a and 16b are arranged on a line transverse to the longitudinal development of the bars.

In greater detail, each contact 16a and 16b is constituted by elastically deformable grippers for reversibly engaging the respective bar in the operating configuration of the contact means 5.

Each gripper, made of an elastic and electrically conductive material, is associated with an opposite and/or transverse containment body with respect to the respective active surface 4 for light radiation passage. In this situation, the first coupling element 6b is defined by each bar and of the second coupling element 7b is defined by each gripper.

To compose the luminous message, bars are then pushed inside the grippers by mechanical interlocking. Such interlocking defines a connection fixable by means of manual pulling action of the body 3 from the bars. Furthermore, the interlocking of the grippers allows the passage of current from the bars to the light source 2.

Note that the containment bodies 3 can be coupled and suitably spaced between themselves on the same bars depending on the type of luminous message and the size of the containment bodies 3. Even in the embodiment of Figure 8a and 8b, it is therefore possible to predefine the colour that should be emitted from the light sources 2 of each body 3, by the action on the controller 17.

According to the embodiment of Figure 9, the first transfer element 6a for transferring electrical energy comprises an internally hollow cylindrical body 21 , and the second transfer element 7a for transferring electrical energy comprise a pin 22 insertable in said cylindrical body 21 to define said operating configuration of the distribution means 5 in which the electric energy is transferred from the primary connector 6 to the secondary connector 7.

In this configuration, the cylindrical body 21 defines the first coupling element 6b and the pin 22 defines the second coupling element 7b.

Note in fact that the pin 22 has appropriate external annular grooves of mechanical interlocking with ribs arranged inside the cylindrical body (not shown since of known type). Even in this case, a reversible connection is thus defined by manual action of the operator on the containment body 3. Also in this situation, as for the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the primary electric connector 6 comprises a backing base 10 that can be mounted in a fixed manner and having at least one surface 1 1 for housing the cylindrical body 21 .

Furthermore, the pin 22 is associated to the support element 12 disposed in the containment body 3 in correspondence with an opposite and/or transverse surface with respect to the active surface 4 of the passage of light radiation.

Finally, in accordance with Figure 10, an application of the device 1 , described above in the various embodiments, is shown.

In this situation, the containment body 3 comprises a base surface 23 lies on a plane of development substantially parallel to the ground and at least one active surface 4 opposite to the transparent and/or light radiation transverse to the base surface 23. By way of example, Figure 10 illustrates a containment body 3 in the shape of a three-dimensional letter in which the active surface 4 is formed in a front face of the body 3.

The secondary electrical connector 7 is disposed on the base surface 23 of the body 3.

Also that the base surface 23 is associated with a pedestal 24 resting on the ground, adapted to contain the primary electrical connector 6 on a respective top surface 25. In particular, a series of primary electrical connectors 6 are arranged on the pedestal 24, properly spaced to allow the connection to the secondary electrical connector 7.

Advantageously, in this application, the containment body 3 emerges from the pedestal 24 to define the operating condition of the connection means

5. In this case, a series of pedestals 24 may also be provided, spaced between each other to compose any type of luminous message emerging from the respective top surfaces 25.

The present invention has important advantages and achieves the intended technical aims.

In fact, the lighting device 1 turns out to be particularly versatile, usable in any field and adaptable to the various application needs. This advantage is achieved by the structure of the connecting means 5, which allow a reversible engagement and at the same time ensure the passage of current. Each containment body 3 is thus easily removed and applied by means of the connection between the primary and secondary electrical connector 6, 7 to define any composition of luminous messages.

It is also to be noted that the device 1 is modular and of easy installation without having to necessarily provide for fixed installations of the entire device.

Finally, the device 1 is constructionally simple, easy to use and of low cost.