SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT FOR ELONGATED ARMATURES

Abstract: Suspension attachment for elongated armatures, especially fluorescent tube armatures (2). By means of said suspension attachment a horizontal two-point suspension can be achieved notwithstanding an unsymmetrically located centre of gravity. The device can also be used for turning the armature for providing an obliquely directed lighting from the light source. The device comprises two plates (1), which are rotatably mounted to the armature (2) at a distance from each other. A suspension chain (3) is attached excentrically on each plate and the plate can be locked to the armature in a desired rotational position. A cross slot (13) extends axially through the plate close to the edge thereof. The cross slot is so designed that the links of the chain (3) can be passed through it. Adjacent to the side of the plate (1) facing the armature (2) the cross slot (13) is provided with an enlarged portion (14), in which a link of the chain can be received in a position parallel with the plate for locking the chain to the plate.

Description: Suspension attachment for elongated armatures Background of the invention The present invention refers to an arrangement for suspending elongated armatures, especially fluorescent tube armatures, from a ceiling, by means of two chains or similar, said arrangement comprising a pair of plates rotatably mounted to the armature at a distance from each'other and means for locking the plate to the armature in a desired rotational position. In fluorescent tube armatures means are arranged, which usually are placed close to one end of the armature at which the centre of gravity o.f the armature will not be located at the centre of the armature. In order to compensate this unsymmetrical location of the centre of gravity and having the armature to be suspended horizontally by means of a two-point suspension it has been necessary to place counterweights at the opposite end of the armature. It is of course also OMPI ^i i possible to achieve a horizontal suspension by means of a four-point suspension, which however means a complication. An exemple of a four-point suspension is showed in the French patent 991-504. Summary of the invention The object of the present invention is to provide a suspension attachment of the kind stated above, which is adjustable for compensating an unsymmetrical location of the centre of gravity of the fluorescent tube armature, at which it should be possible to achieve a horizontal two-point suspension of the armature. This adjustability can also be used for providing a desired angle of lighting from the source of light It is further desired that the suspension chains are attached and locked to the plates in- a simple way. This has according to the invention been achieved by the fact that excentrically on each plate there is arranged attachment means for a chain or similar for suspending the armature from the ceiling said attachment means comprising a slot having a cross-shaped cross-section and extending axially through the plate close to the edge thereof, said slot being so designed that the links of the chain can be passed through it substantially perpendicular to the plate, the slot at the end adjacent to the side of the plate facing the armature having an enlarged portion designed for receiving a link of the chain in a position substan¬ tially parallel with the plate for locking the chain to the plate. Description of the drawings Figure 1 is an exploded view of the suspension attachment according to the invention. Figure 2 shows the plate in an upside-down position compared to Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a fluorescent tube armature suspended by means of the device according to the inventio . Figure 4 shows on a larger scale a section through the device. Figure 5 is a bottom view of the plate. Figure 6 shows the device attached to a fluorescent tube armature, which by means of the device has been turned for providing an inclined directed lighting. Description of an embodiment The device comprises a pair of plates 1, which are attached to the fluorescent tube armature 2 at a distance from each other. To each plate 1 a chain 3 is connected which is mounted to the ceiling. The plate 1 is on one side (which is to be remote from the armature 2) provided with a diametrically extending ridge 4 and is at its opposite side (intended to be facing the armature 2) dish-shaped 5 with a circumferential border β . Λ hole 7 extends through the plate 1 at the centre thereof, said hole 7 having a portion 8 with a larger diameter adjacent to the side of the plate 1 remoted from the armature 2. In said ' hole 7 a nut 9 with a circular cross-section is received, said nut, having a collar 10 resting in the enlarged portion 8 of the hole. The plate 1 is fixed to the armature 2 by means of a screw 11 which is threaded into the nut 9 from below according to the Figures 1 and 4. A lock washer 12 is arranged between the screw 11 and the plate 1, the thickness of said lock washer 12 corresponding to the depth of the dish 5, i.e. the height of the border 6. The spring force of the lock washer 12 is such that the plate 1 can be rotated about the nut 8 when the screw 11 is tightened at which the ridge 4 facilitates the gripping of the plate 1. The armature 2 according to Figure 3 has on its upper side a central longitudinal groove 15, along which the screw 11 and the plate 1 can be displaced. A cross slot 13 extends through the plate 1 close to the edge thereof and through the ridge . The size of the -cross slot 13 is so chosen that the chain 3 can be passed through it. Adjacent to the underside of the plate 1, i.e. the side facing the armature 2, tlie cross slot 13 is provided with an enlarged portion 14, so designed that a link of the chain 3 can be* placed in said portion 41 in- a position substantiall parallel with the plate 1 for locking the chain 3 to the plate 1. This can be seen in Figs. 2,4 and 5 - The chain 3 is simply passed through the cross slot 13 until a desired length of the suspension part of the chain 3 is achieved, after which the chain is locked in the way described and the excess part of the chain can be cut off. If the ceiling is sloping chains 3 of different lengths are needed for achieving a horizontal suspension of the armature, which is simple to arrange with the device according to the invention. By the fact that the attachment points of the chain 3 are excentrically located on the plates 1 a compensation for an unsymmetrical location of the centre, of gravity of the armature 2 can be achieved, and by that a horizontal suspension of the armature 2, by rotating the plates 1 and perhaps displace the plates 1 along the groove 15. The rotatability of the plates 1 can also be used for providing an obliquely directed lighting from the light source, as is shown in Fig. 6, where the plates 1 are attached to ' the short sides of the armature 2 and not OMP S to the upper side thereof as according to Fig. 3. The angle of lighting can easily be adjusted by rotating the plates 1. It is of course also possible to achieve an obliquely directed lighting with the device according to Fig. 3 by rotating the plates 1 to proper positions. The invention is of course not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the drawings but a number of modifications are possible within the scope of the claims,

Claims: AMENDED CLAIMS (received by the International Bureau on 25 March 1980 (25.03.80) An arrangement for suspending elongated armatures, especia light fittings, from a ceiling, said arrangement comprisin a pair of plates (1) rotatably mounted to the armature (2) at a distance from each other and -means (11) for locking the plate to the armature in a desired rotational position, characterized in, that excentrically on each plate (1) there is arranged attachment means for a chain (3) for suspending the armature (2) from a ceiling, said attachment means comprising a slot (13) having a cross-shaped cross-section and extending axially through the plate, said slot being so designed that the links of the chain can be passed through it the slot (13) at the end adjacent to the side- of the plate (1) facing the armature (2) having an enlarge portion (14) designed for receiving a link of the chain in a position sustantially parallel with the plate for locking the next link which is located.in the slot from being withdrawn therefrom. 2-3 (Cancelled) OM /jLr_ WIP

Inventors: ANDERSSON K, HALLEN J
Applicants: ANDERSSON K, HALLEN J
Application year: 1979
Main classification: F21V21
IPC codes: F16G15, F21S8, F21V21