Coupling device and lamp apparatus having the same

A coupling device includes a plurality of frames, each of which includes a base wall, and two spaced-apart side walls that cooperate with the base wall to define an accommodation space. The frames are arranged such that the accommodation spaces of the frames communicate with each other. At least one coupling unit is disposed in the accommodation spaces of two adjacent ones of the frames and applies a force to the side walls of the two adjacent ones of the frames so as to couple together the two adjacent ones of the frames.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 103144328, filed on Dec. 18, 2014.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a coupling device, and more particularly to a lamp apparatus and a coupling device therefor.

BACKGROUND

As shown inFIG. 1, a conventional lamp apparatus includes two substantially inverted truncated V-shaped frames11(only one is shown) connected horizontally to each other and cooperatively defining a mounting space110, a lamp holder12mounted in the mounting space110, a clamping member13clamped outside one of the frames11, and a screw14penetrating the clamping member13and having an end abutting against one of the frames11. Each of the frames11includes a base wall111, and two clamping grooves112that are respectively formed in opposite sides of the base wall111and that open outward. The clamping member13includes a flat portion131extending horizontally, a screw hole132formed in the flat portion131, and two clamping portions133extending respectively and obliquely from opposite ends of the flat portion131and respectively have ends134that are bent inward to form hooks. The ends134of the clamping portions133respectively engage the clamping grooves112in the frames11.

Since the clamping member13clamps to the clamping grooves112of the frames11through the ends134of the clamping portion133merely, the ends134of the clamping portions133tend to come loose from constant deformation due to long-term or repeated use which may lead to falling of the frames11from the ceiling and cause accidents. In addition, because the clamping member13is disposed between the lamp holder12and the ceiling, adjustment and handling of the clamping member13by a user who is below the lamp holder12are complicated.

SUMMARY

Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a coupling device that has a simple structure and that occupies a small space.

Another object of the disclosure is to provide a lamp apparatus that has the aforesaid coupling device.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a coupling device includes a plurality of frames and at least one coupling unit. Each of the frames includes a base wall, and two spaced-apart side walls that cooperate with the base wall to define an accommodation space. The frames are arranged such that the accommodation spaces of the frames communicate with each other. The at least one coupling unit is disposed in the accommodation spaces of two adjacent ones of the frames and applies a force to the side walls of the two adjacent ones of the frames so as to couple together the two adjacent ones of the frames.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a lamp apparatus includes a coupling device as described above and at least one light source disposed in the accommodation spaces of the frames.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, a first embodiment of a coupling device2according to the disclosure includes a plurality of frames3and a plurality of coupling units4. Each of the coupling units4interconnects two adjacent ones of the frames3. In order to facilitate the explanation, the following texts and drawings are based on two adjacent frames3and a coupling unit4coupling the frames3.

Each of the frames3includes a base wall31, two side walls32extending respectively and transversely from two opposite ends of the base wall31and cooperating with the base wall31to define an accommodation space34, and two limiting portions33respectively provided on the side walls32within the accommodation space34. The base wall31cooperates with the side walls32to form a substantially U-shaped structure surrounding the accommodation space34. The frames3are arranged such that the base walls31are flush with one another, the sides walls32are also flush with one another, and the accommodation spaces34of the frames3communicate with each other. Each of the limiting portions33has a first fixed segment331disposed on and extending along a horizontal length of a corresponding one of the side walls32, and a second fixed segment332disposed on and extending along the horizontal length of the corresponding side wall32and inclined to the first fixed segment331. As shown inFIG. 3, the first and second fixed segments331,332form an angle therebetween, preferably, the angle is a sharp angle.

The coupling unit4includes a resilient member41disposed in the accommodation spaces34of the two adjacent frames3, and two spaced-apart adjusting members42. The resilient member41has a main body portion411, and two engaging portions412extending obliquely and respectively from two opposite ends of the main body portion411. Each of the engaging portions412abuts against the first and second fixed segments331,332of a respective one of the limiting portions33of each frame3. Specifically, each of the engaging portions412is received in the area formed between the first and second fixed segments331,332of the respective limiting portion33. In this embodiment, each of the adjusting members42is a screw, and the main body portion411is formed with two screw holes (B) (only one is shown inFIG. 3) for threaded engagement with the respective screw or adjusting member42. Each of the adjusting members42passes through a respective one of the screw holes (B) in the main body portion411of the resilient member41, and has an end abutting against the base wall31of the corresponding frame3. When one of the adjusting members42is rotated, since the end of the adjusting member42abuts against the base wall31(seeFIG. 3) and the adjusting member42is threadedly engaged to the main body portion411of the resilient member41, the main body portion411of the resilient member41is caused to deform and a central part thereof moves away from the base wall31, as shown in phantom lines inFIG. 3, and generates a force that is directed away from the base wall31and that drives the main body portion411to deform. The components of the force of the resilient member41are illustrated inFIG. 4. When the main body portion411deforms, the engaging portions412simultaneously apply outward forces to the side walls32of the two adjacent frames3so as to couple them together and achieve a goal of coupling effect. Thus, the resilient member41is deformed by rotating the adjusting member42and generates an outward force that pushes the engaging portions412to respectively abut against the limiting portions33of each frame bracket3, thereby connecting the two adjacent frames3together. Rotation of the different adjusting members42can adjust the degree of deformation of the corresponding part of the main body portion411of the resilient member41so as to change the force acting on the corresponding frame3and the distance between the main body portion411and the corresponding frame3.

Referring toFIG. 5, a second embodiment of the coupling device2according to the disclosure differs from the first embodiment in that the base wall31of each of the frames3is formed with a screw hole (C), and each screw or adjusting member42passes through the screw hole (C) in the base wall31of the respective frame3, and has an end abutting against the main body portion411of the resilient member41. When one of the adjusting members42is rotated, the adjusting member42moves relative to the base wall31of the respective frame3to push the main body portion411of the resilient member41away from the base wall31, thereby deforming the main body portion411. The components of the force of the resilient member41are shown inFIG. 4. In response to the deformation of the main body portion411, the engaging portions412generate and apply outward forces to the side walls32of the frames3so as to couple them together. The second embodiment provides an alternate configuration for the coupling device2for increasing its versatility.

Referring toFIG. 6, a third embodiment of the coupling device2according to the disclosure differs from the first embodiment in that each of the frames3further includes a partition wall35that is disposed in the accommodation space34, that is spaced apart from the base wall31, and that interconnects the sides walls32. The base wall31, the partition wall35and the side walls32cooperate to define a region36. The resilient member41of the coupling unit4is disposed in the regions36of the two adjacent ones of the frames3. Each of the limiting portions33is formed obliquely in the region36to form an angle between the limiting portion33and the base wall31, and abuts against a corresponding one of the engaging portions412of the resilient member41. Each partition wall35is formed with a screw hole (D). Each screw or adjusting member penetrates through the screw hole (D) in the partition wall35of the respective frame3, and has an end that abuts against the main body portion411of the resilient member41. When one of the adjusting members42is rotated, the adjusting member42moves relative to the partition wall35to push and deform the main body portion411toward the base wall31. The components of the force of the resilient member41are shown inFIG. 7. Thus, in response to the deformation of the main body portion411, the engaging portions412generate and apply outward forces (seeFIG. 7) to the limiting portions33of the frames3so as to couple them together. The third embodiment provides another alternate configuration for the coupling device2for increasing its versatility.

FIGS. 8 to 10illustrate a lamp apparatus5incorporating a fourth embodiment of the coupling device2according to the disclosure. The lamp apparatus5further includes a plurality of light sources51(only one is visible inFIG. 9) disposed in the accommodation spaces34of the frames3. To assemble the lamp apparatus5, the coupling unit4is first coupled to one of the frames3, as shown inFIG. 9, and then coupled to the other one of the frames3. At this time, the resilient member41is disposed in the accommodation spaces34of the two frames3, as shown inFIG. 10, and the adjusting members42are operated to cause the resilient member41to deform and subsequently couple the frames3. The length of the lamp apparatus5may be extendable/lengthened according to requirements by virtue of the aforesaid coupling method/structure. The structure of the lamp apparatus5is simple so that it is suitable for modular production, can be easily assembled and disassembled, and can be easily replaced or repaired.

In sum, the coupling unit4couples two adjacent frames3through a simple and streamlined structure, which does not take up much space, is suitable for different types of frames3, and is highly versatile. Therefore, the purpose of the disclosure is served.