BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a single-body reflecting construction, particularly for illuminating or lighting devices.

The single-body reflecting construction according to the present invention may also be used in the solar field and for decorative applications.

As it is known in illumination engineering, to achieve a maximum efficiency of the light source, devices made of a highly reflecting material are preferably used.

For this purpose aluminium has been used for a long time, since it is a metal suitable for a number of machining applications not only owing to its corrosion resistance, malleability and operating flexibility, but also due to its very good light reflecting capabilities.

However, machining operations necessary for making light reflectors may deteriorate their reflecting surface, with a consequent reduction of their operating performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to provide a light reflecting construction, particularly for lighting devices, which may be easily fabricated to any desired shapes and configurations, without deteriorating its light reflecting surface.

Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the invention is to provide such a light reflecting construction which may be easily and quickly made by an efficient machining method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a light reflecting construction which is very flexible in operation and may be fitted to differ- ent types of illuminating devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a light reflecting construction made of easily commercially available elements and materials and which, moreover, is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a light reflecting construction which is very reliable and safe in operation.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as further objects which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a light reflecting construction for illuminating devices, characterized in that said light reflecting construction comprises a light reflecting concave or convex body formed of a plurality of body sectors.

Said reflecting body is an integral body made by shearing and bending a plate of aluminium or an alloy thereof, so as to provide said body with a target concave or convex configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of the invention which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the light reflecting single or integral body construction according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the light reflecting construction shown in Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the die-cut plate providing, upon bending, the light reflecting body of the inventive light reflecting construction. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the light reflecting construction for illuminating or lighting devices or fittings, according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 1 , comprises a light reflecting body 10 having either a concave or a convex configuration, including by a plurality of body sectors 2 preferably having a trapezoidal shape.

The light reflecting body 10 is a single or integral body made by shearing and bending a plate element 100, of an aluminium or aluminium alloy material, providing, in cooperation with the trapezoidal sectors 2, a desired concave shape.

Advantageously, the light reflecting side of the aluminium plate element 100 may be arranged either in the concave or in the convex portion of the light reflecting body.

The shape and size of the light reflecting body may be changed depending on requirements, by modifying the size of the starting plate element 100 and the shape and size of the trapezoidal body sectors 2.

As shown in the drawings, the trapezoidal sectors 2 define a plurality of discrete cone sectors, providing the light reflecting body with a required geometrical configuration, depending on the lighting characteristics of the device the reflecting construction is applied to.

Advantageously, each sector 2 comprises a sector lobe 3 for engaging in a corresponding hole 4 formed through a circular ring element 5 for clamping the outer edge or rim portion of the light reflecting body 10 as the latter has the desired concave or convex configuration.

Advantageously, the ring element 5 is made in a single body with the reflector, from the same aluminium plate 100, as shown in Figure 3.

It has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

In fact, the invention has provided a light reflecting construction adapted to properly exploit the light reflecting characteristics of aluminium, or any other like materials, and having any desired configurations and shapes, while preventing the light reflecting properties of the reflector active surface from being deteriorated.

In practicing the invention, the used materials as well as the contingent size and shapes may be any, depending on requirements.