The present invention relates generally to devices for attaching safety wire to lighting fixtures, such the fixture will not accidently fall down, i.e. due to failure of its primary securing means.

Background

Lighting fixtures are typically used in industrial facilities to hold a lamp and reflect light from the Samp. A common example is lighting fixtures provided with fluorescent lamps and attached to the ceiling of warehouse facilities.

Lighting fixtures are often fastened using screw and bolt connection, directly to the ceiling, or using an intermediate console or rail suspended at a distance from the ceiling. When using rails, cables are often suspended in the rails, wherein multiple lighting fixtures are provided at a distance from each other along said rail with cable running between the fboures. in some industries, such as offshore industry, there are regulations affecting the design and attachment of lighting fixtures, and the manner in which cable is routed and connected to the fixtures. In the offshore industry it is common that the lighting fixtures are water sealed. It is also common in the offshore industry that the lighting fixtures have to be secured by a safety wire, such that the fixtures cannot move to far or fall down, in the event of strong forces acting on the fixture. For example, strong forces may be introduced by earthquakes, or accidental impact by cranes or objects being moved onboard the offshore vessels. Displacement of the lighting fixtures risk leading to displacement of the electrical connections and subsequent electrification of metal structures surrounding the lighting fixture affected. Further, direct human impact of material damage may arise from falling lighting fixtures. Also, lighting fixtures would risk blocking escape paths if they fall down or move away too far from their intended moutt ting positi on.

To secure the safety wire to the lighting fixture, the wire is typically wrapped around the installed lighting fixture to form a loop, wherein a wire lock or metal clamp locks the loop. If the loop is loosely arranged around the lighting fixture, the fixture may slide out of the loop. On the other hand, if the loop is tightly arranged around, the lighting fixture, it may prevent remo val of cover glass protecting the lamp, and may also prevent removal and change of the light source or lamp, Thus, he wire typically has to he loosened prior to maintenance work, effectively introducing an increased risk of the lighting fixture being inadvertently displaced or dropped. There is also a risk that that the wire is not properly secured hack in place alter maintenance work on the lighting fixture.

Summary

it is an object of the present invention to provide an attachment device for securing a lighting fixture to a wire, said device enabling improved aesthetics, easy and quick installation, easy and quick maintenance, and secure connection between lighting fixture and wire.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for securing a lighting fixture to a wire. The device comprises a wire connection means configured to enable connection of the wire. The device further comprises a locking protrusion configured to be insertable into, and iockmgiy engageable with a cable entry recess of the lighting fixture.

The wire connection means may comprise a protrusion provided with a central through recess.

The locking protrusion may be adapted to a standard dimension for cable entry recesses of lighting fixtures. Dimensioning the locking protrusion such that it fits with a standard dimension for cable entry recesses, makes it possible to use a fixed geometry locking protrusion, which reduces risk of losing parts during assembly, and winch also improves durability.

The locking protrusion may be provided with an external thread configured to be engageable with the cable entry recess of the lighting fixture. The locking protrusion may be provided with a central through recess. The recess enables a cable to be routed through the attachment device. Thus, the cable entry recess may be used for connection of the lighting fixture to the wire, whilst at the same time allowing a cable to enter the lighting fixture. This is of great advantage when the number of cable entry recesses in a lighting fixture is limited, and all of them are needed for connection of cables to the lighting fixture. The present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing an embodiment of the invention.

Description of figures

Fig. 1 is a side view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention.

F ig. 2 is a top view of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device shown in Figs. 1 -2,

Fig. 4 is a side view of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a top view of the device shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the device shown in Figs. 4-5.

Fig. 7 is a side view of a device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the device shown in Fig. 7,

Fig, 9 is a perspective view showing a Iigliting fixture before installation of tire device shown in Figs. 1 -3.

Fig. S O is a perspective view showing the device also shown in Figs. 1 -3, installed on the Iigliting fixture also shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 1 1 is a perspective view showing the lighting fixture also shown in Figs. 9-10, however without the securing device.

Detailed description

Fig, 1 shows a device 1 according to a first embodiment of the irweniion, for securing a lighting fixture 2 to a wire 3. The device 1 comprises a locking protrusion 4 configured to be insertable into, and lockingly engageable with a cable entry recess 5 of the Iigliting fixture 2. An external thread 8 on the outside of the locking protrusion 4 is configured to be engageable with the cable entry recess 5 of the lighting fixture 2, to thereby lockingly engage the securing device 1 to the lighting fixture 2.

Further, the securing device 1 comprises an ear-like protrusion, or flange, 6 with a central through recess 7 for receiving the wire 3, When securing the Iigliting fixture 2 to an object, the wire 3 is connected to the securing device 1 via said ear 6, either by inserting the wire 3 through the recess 7 of the ear 6, or by using an intermediate snap hook 1 1 (as shown in Fig. 7). The securing device 1 further comprises a bolt shaped gripping portion 9, by which a wrench or pliers may be used to rotate the securing device 1 . In this embodiment, the securing device 1 is provided with an optional gasket 30 surrounding the locking protrusion for sealing engagement with the lighting fixture 2. The gasket 10 thus prevents water and moisture from entering the Iigliting fixture 2 through the cable entry recess 5 where the securing device 1 is installed. The ear-like protrusion, or flange, 6 could in other embodiments be replaced by any other means configured to enable connection of the wire, such as any type of mechanical connector suitable for this purpose. However, the ear-iike protrusion is advantageous, since it allows the securing device to be turned by hand for screwing it in and out of the lighting fixture 2.

The locking protrusion 4 is adapted to a standard dimension for cable entry recesses of lighting fixtures, with a thread dimension of M20. Other standard dimensions are possible within the scope of the invention.

The securing device 1 is made from brass, except for the gasket 10 which is made of any suitable type of gasket material known in the art.

In other embodiments, the locking protrusion may be provided with other means providing for insertion into, and !oekingly engagement with the cable entry recess of the lighting fixture. Two such alternative embodiments are set forth below.

A securing device 101 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 4-6. It differs from the first embodiment in that the locking protrusion 102 comprises a substantially cylindrical rubber element 103. The rubber element 103 is deforrnabie between a relaxed position, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, and a compressed position, as shown in Fig. 5, Deforrnabie rubber plugs are known in the art of construction and the same principle is here used in conjunction with the present invention to lockingly engage the securing device 101 to the cable entry recess 5 of the lighting fixture 2. However, an interesting feature of this embodiment, is that the rubber element 103 comprises a sealing flange extending radially out from the central axis of the rubber element, such as to seal between an outer surface of the lighting fixture 2 and the gripping portion 9.

A. securing device 201 according to a third embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. It. differs from the first embodiment in that the locking protrusion 202 comprises a cylindrical central body 203 provided around its circumference with flexible wings 204. The wings 204 are elastica!iy deforrnabie between a relaxed outer state and a deformed inner state. In the outer state (Fig. 8), the wings 104 act as hooks for preventing the securing device 301 to be pulled out of engagement with the ligliting fixture 2, In the inner state (not shown), the wings are folded around the circumference of the central cylindrical body of the locking protrusion, such that the locking protrusion may be inserted into the cable entry recess of the lighting fixture.

Fig, 9 shows the lighting fixture 2 when secured to a rail 12 by the securing device 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention. The rail 12 is suspended at a distance from the ceiling. The wire 3 is wrapped around the rail 12 and connected to the securing device 1 by means of the snap hook 1 1 , or similar. No cable enters this end portion of the lighting fixture 2, but another cable entry recess is provided at the opposite end (not shown) of the lighting fixture 2.

Fig. 10 shows and end portion of the lighting iixture 2 prior to engagement of the securing device 1. The end portion is provided with two cable entry recesses 5. An electrical cable enters one of the cable entry recesses 5, and a metal blind plug 13 is screwed into the other recess 5, such that both recesses 5 are sealed,

When the lighting fixture 2 is o be secured to an object, the blind plug 13 is replaced by the securing device 1. Depending on the embodiment of choice, the securing device 1 is either screwed into the cable entry recess 5 where the blind plug 13 was positioned, or engaged to the lighting iixture 2 by rotating the securing device 1 such that the elastic body deforms within the cable entry recess 5.

The securing device of the invention, is also a good means for securing a lighting fixture 2 during installation of the lighting fixture by a primary means of attachment, such as screw and bolt connection to a rail. The risk of accidently dropping the fixture is relatively high during installation.