The present invention relates to a low voltage light chain for external use. Light chains comprising a series of lights hung from cables are known. Currently light chains for external use commonly have a protection rating of IP44, i.e. are only able to withstand water sprayed for short periods of time and must be removed in case of rain. Protection against weather conditions becomes extremely difficult when electrical cables with a fabric coating are used, as by nature they do not coact effectively with gaskets and are subject to phenomena of capillarity.

Existing light chains have a geometry defined by the manufacturer and, moreover, the lights are fixed in predetermined points and are not modular according to requirements. Besides, the coating of the electrical cable is made of elastomeric material. There is the need to provide a light chain with a geometry that can be easily configured, and with lamps that can be fixed and configured in a simple and safe manner based on lighting requirements.

Besides, it is desirable not to have to remove the light chains due to bad weather. The document US5688138A discloses a low voltage light chain for external use having the features of the pre-characterising part of claim 1. In view of these objects, the present invention provides a low voltage light chain for external use, the essential feature of which is the subject- matter of claim 1. Further advantageous features of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

Features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of examples of embodiment provided below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show important details for the invention, and from the claims. The features illustrated here are not necessarily drawn to scale and are represented so that the distinctive features according to the invention are clearly highlighted.

The various features can be produced individually or in any combination with one another, as variants of the invention.

The aforesaid low voltage light chain for external use comprises:

- a first electrical cable comprising an external sheathing that can be perforated and is electrically connected to an electrical power supply network;

- at least one hollow and sealed container body comprising at least two half shells that can be opened if necessary, filled with insulating gel;

- electrical connection means to said first electrical cable.

It is characterised in that said at least one hollow and sealed container body envelops said first electrical cable, in that at least one corresponding portion of said first electrical cable and said connection means are housed in a sealed manner in said sealed container body, by means of said insulating gel which encloses them like a cast, in that said gel is configured to model its shape on said electrical cable and said electrical connection means in a reversible manner, in that said electrical connection means coact with said first electrical cable to form an electrical connection, by perforation of said sheathing, maintaining the electrical continuity of said first electrical cable, and in that the poles of said first electrical cable are parallel to each other.

Moreover, said light chain is characterised in that said first electrical cable is an insulated two-pole electrical cable with a fabric coating.

Further, said light chain is characterised in that said first electrical cable has a quadrangular section, or a circular section, or an elliptical section, in that said electrical connection means of said at least one hollow and sealed container body comprise a number of needles equal to that of said poles of said first electrical cable, in that said needles are configured to perforate said external sheathing of said first electrical cable to form an electrical connection mutually with each of said poles of said first electrical cable, and in that said electrical connection means comprise retention means configured to fix said needles to said first electrical cable.

The light chain is further characterised in that said at least one hollow and sealed container body comprises integrally an electrical and mechanical connection means of a light source. Said light source is light bulb with a sleeve, either with a socket, for example of G9 type, or with a bayonet coupling. Hereinafter, for simplicity, reference will be made to a light bulb with a sleeve, which may obviously have a socket coupling, for example of G9 type, or a bayonet coupling.

Moreover, the light chain is characterised in that said electrical and mechanical connection means is configured as a sleeve connector and comprises a gasket partially covering said connector and an externally threaded outer sleeve to engage a corresponding ring nut configured to support a light shade.

Besides, the light chain is characterised in that it comprises at least a second electrical cable electrically connected to said needles and in that at least one portion of said at least a second electrical cable is housed in a sealed manner by means of said insulating gel which encloses it like a cast, in said at least one sealed container.

Moreover, the light chain is characterised in that it comprises a second hollow body consisting of at least one part, configured to coact with said at least one sealed container overlapping it externally and configured to be fixed in a disconnectable manner on said at least one sealed container.

In the drawing:

- Fig.l is a perspective view of the light chain, according to a first example of embodiment of the invention;

- Fig.2 is an axial sectional view of the light chain of Fig.l;

- Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C are, respectively, axial sectional views of an outer sleeve, of a covering gasket and of a sleeve connector of the electrical and mechanical connection means of a light chain, according to a first example of embodiment of the invention;

- Fig.4 is a perspective view of the light chain, according to a second example of embodiment of the invention;

- Fig.5 is an axial sectional view of the light chain of Fig.4;

- Fig.6 is an exploded perspective view of electrical connection means to said first electrical cable, according to the example of embodiment of the invention of Fig.4;

- Fig.7 is a sectional and elevational view wherein a hollow and sealed container body, of the light chain, is illustrated open according to a third example of embodiment of the invention;

- Fig.8 is a perspective view of electrical connection means to a first electrical cable, according to the example of embodiment of the invention of Fig.7.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawing, the reference number 10 in Fig.l indicates a light chain wherein a first electrical cable A is two-pole and has a fabric coating. Said cable A has a rectangular section and the two poles P are parallel to each other. Said chain 10 comprises a hollow and sealed container body 11 made of moulded plastic material which externally envelops said first electrical cable A.

Said hollow and sealed container body 11 integrally comprises an electrical and mechanical connection means 14 of a light source, not illustrated. In the figure, said connection means is a sleeve connector 14, and comprises a gasket 14.2 made of rubber material partially covering it. Said connector 14 comprises an externally threaded outer sleeve 14.3 to engage a corresponding ring nut configured to support a light shade. Two metal needles 12.1 perforate said first electrical cable A to form an electrical connection mutually with each of the two poles P of said cable. The needles 12.1 and said cable A are mutually fixed by retention means 12.2 configured as plastic screw jumper bar. Said sealed container body 11 is filled with insulating gel G which is configured to model its shape on said first electrical cable A and said electrical connection means 12.1 in a reversible manner.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawing, the reference number 20 in Fig.4 indicates a light chain wherein a first electrical cable A' is two-pole and has a fabric coating. It has a rectangular section and the two poles P' are parallel to each other. A hollow and sealed container body 21 made of moulded plastic material envelops said first electrical cable A'.

Two metal needles 22.1 perforate said first electrical cable A' to form an electrical connection mutually with each of the two poles P' of said cable A' and are electrically connected to a second electrical cable 23. The needles 22.1 are fixed by the retention means 22.2 configured as plastic screw jumper bar. Said screw jumper bar 22.2 is fixed in a disconnectable manner by means of two screws on a terminal board 22.3. Said screws each engage a corresponding threaded seat of said terminal board 22.3.

Said sealed container body 21 is filled with insulating gel G' which is configured to model its shape on said first electrical cable A and said electrical connection means 22.1 in a reversible manner.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawing, the reference number 30 in Fig.7 indicates a light chain wherein said first electrical cable A" is two-pole and has a fabric coating.

Said hollow and sealed container body integrally comprises an electrical and mechanical connection means 34 of a light source L. In the figure, said connection means is a sleeve connector 34 and comprises a gasket 34.2 made of rubber material partially covering it.

Two metal needles 32.1 perforate said first electrical cable A" to form an electrical connection mutually with each of the two poles P" of said cable. The needles are fixed by the retention means 32.2 configured as plastic screw jumper bar. Said screw jumper bar 32.2 is fixed in a disconnectable manner by means of two screws on a terminal board 32.3, integral with said electrical and mechanical connection means 34. Said screws each engage a corresponding threaded seat of said terminal board 32.3.

Said sealed container body is filled with insulating gel G" which is configured to model its shape on said first electrical cable A" and said electrical connection means 32.1 in a reversible manner.

A variant of the invention, not illustrated, provides for a light chain in which said first electrical cable is three-pole. Said electrical cable has an elliptical section and the three poles are parallel to one another. A hollow and sealed container body made of moulded plastic material envelops said first electrical cable. Three metal needles perforate said first electrical cable to form an electrical contact mutually with each of the three poles of said cable and are electrically connected to a second electrical cable. The needles are fixed by retention means configured as a plastic screw jumper bar.

A further variant of the invention, not illustrated, provides for a light chain wherein said first electrical cable is four-pole. Said electrical cable has a circular section, the four poles contained therein are parallel to one another. Moreover, said first cable has a raised part on its external sheathing. A hollow and sealed container body made of moulded plastic material has an indent that coacts with said raised part of said first electrical cable, enveloping it externally. Four metal needles perforate said first electrical cable to form an electrical contact mutually with each of the four poles of said cable, and are electrically connected to a second electrical cable. The needles are fixed by the retention means configured as plastic screw jumper bar.

A further variant of the invention, not illustrated, provides for a light chain wherein said first electrical cable is two-pole. Said electrical cable has a rectangular section and the two poles are parallel to each other. A hollow and sealed cross-shaped container body made of moulded plastic material envelops said first electrical cable and an area of a second and of a third electrical cable. Two metal needles perforate said first electrical cable to form an electrical contact mutually with each of the two poles of said cable, and are electrically connected to said second electrical cable and said third electrical cable. The needles are fixed by first retention means configured as plastic screw jumper bar. Second retention means configured as screw jumper bar fix said second electrical cable to said cross-shaped container body. Third retention means configured as screw jumper bar fix said third electrical cable to said cross-shaped container body. A further variant of the invention, not illustrated, provides for a light chain comprising a second hollow body consisting, for example, of two coupled symmetrical parts made of plastic material, configured to coact with said at least one sealed container overlapping it externally and configured to be snap fitted in a disconnectable manner on said at least one sealed container body. This second hollow body has an aesthetical function and prevents photodegradation.

It can be noted that for improved weather resistance of the chain according to the invention, said sealed container body is filled with insulating gel which is configured to model its shape on said first electrical cable and said electrical connection means in a reversible manner, in particular according to a variant not illustrated, said insulating gel incorporates not only said electrical and mechanical connection means of the light source, but also a part of the light source proximal to said connection means. As can be seen from the foregoing, with the present invention it is possible to achieve the objects set forth in the introductory part of the present specification in a simple and effective manner.