A linear structural member having a drawn section and having weight-reducing slots

Abstract: In a linear structural member for the formation of reticulated structures intended to bear lighting means and the like, to form furnishing and for other uses, possessing two mutually spaced longitudinal expanded parts and a connecting part between the latter, said member comprises a single continuous section possessing, as a connecting part, a continuous laminar connecting baffle (5,209) between the said two expanded parts (1,203; 3,103,205,207).

Description: The invention relates to a unit for bearing lighting means, including a rail in form of a hollow section with an open duct. Such a unit is known from DE-U-8030672. In order to produce reticulated structures such as those mentioned above, and for other uses, linear structural members have been provided which comprise two mutually spaced longitudinal components and reticulated components of thin section which are fixed to the longitudinal components by welding or the like. In particular, it is possible to provide structural members comprising two bars and uprights or thinner bars which are bent and welded to these longitudinal components. One of the longitudinal components can also be a drawn rail for the fitting of lighting fixtures which are slidable and can be used in variable positions. These structural members give rise to high production costs. From DE-U-8030672 a unit is known which comprises a rail suspended from a ceiling by means of a set of rods. In order to suspend the rail of remarkable length at a certain distance from the ceiling, several suspension rods must be lined up and carefully adjusted. From US-A-3,343,309 a structure made of T-shaped beams is known, on which lighting means are supported on two parallel beams, which extend longitudinally along the lighting means. From EP-A-129325 is known a low voltage track lighting system which has a track and a lamp fitting . The track is a plastics material extrusion with conducting rails on either side. The fitting has a pair of contacts cam driven in the direction of arrows A for low ohmic loss contact with the rails . The sandwich arrangement of the rails on either side of a central web of the extrusion allows the compressed sandwich to resist the caming action. The contacts have a shape complementary to that of the rails . Starting from this prior art, the object of the invention is to provide a unit with a rail for mounting lighting means which can be used to form a reticulated structure, which overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art. According to the invention, the unit is characterized in that it includes a linear structural member extending longitudinally parallel to the rail, which comprises a first upper expanded part and a second lower expanded part spaced apart from each other and connected to each other by a continuous laminar web; the lower expanded part engages the upped duct of the rail to form a demountable mechanical connection between said structural member and said duct. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims. More particularly, the said continuous laminar connecting web may possess extended cut-out weight-reducing slots. These slots can be developed to maintain continuous ribs along the expanded parts. Contiguous, abutting segments of the said structural members can be connected by means of splice plates placed side by side and fixed to the ends of laminar webs which are not affected by slots. The plates can ensure both a mechanical as well as an electrical connection between abutting members. In a practical embodiment, the portion for engaging in the electrified rail possesses end enlargements. The drawing shows a possible embodiment of the invention, and in particular: Figs. 1 and 2 show two transverse sections of a linear member having shaped portions for engaging with an electrified rail, which are mutually equivalent; Fig. 3 shows a transverse section of the linear member engaged in a rail; and Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the connected linear member and rail. According to what is shown in the attached drawings, a linear structural member - to be used in isolation or in combination with others - comprises a section which is usually drawn from a suitable material especially a metallic material when it is also to serve as a current conductor, which offers continuity of structure with advantages of strength and also of esthetic character, and which can be produced with a high degree of economy, practicality and precision of working. According to what is shown in Figs. 1 to 4, a linear structural member indicated generically by 201 comprises an expanded part 203 (the upper part in the drawing) running longitudinally along the said member, and a portion 205, 207 extending longitudinally along the edge of the linear member 201 opposite the expansion 203. The parts 203 and 205, 207 can be extruded integrally with the central portion 209 of the linear member 201 forming a connection between the portions 203 and 205, 207. As is shown in Fig. 1, the portion 205 possesses, in section, an arcuate zone 211 ending in two enlargements 213 suitable for engaging within a duct 217 formed within a rail, generically indicated by 219, suitable for bearing electrical wiring and/or lighting apparatus and the like. In Fig. 2 the end portion of the linear member 201 opposite the expanded part 203 is indicated by 207 and is produced in a similar manner to that shown in Fig. 1, except for the different design of the end enlargements of the arcuate zone 211, which in this case have a more complex section in order to adapt to a different design of a corresponding receiving duct produced in the rail 219, and are indicated by 221. Fig. 4 shows the linear element 201 connected to a rail 219, in a perspective view. The rail 219 possesses a diaphragm 223 which joins two cylindrical shell portions 225 and defines (at the top in the drawing) the duct 217 for receiving the portions 205 and 207 respectively of the linear member, and at the bottom a duct 227 into which is introduced an extruded section, for example made from synthetic resin, bearing the contacts, running along the rail and providing the seatings in which are engaged the lighting apparatuses (adapters) to be fitted to the said rail 219. The linear member 201 may possess, in its central connecting portion, slots 229 to reduce the weight of the structure. Electrical wiring and the like may be fitted along the rail 219 and/or along the linear member 201, without the need for suitable seatings running along the rail, entailing high production costs. With the element according to the solution shown in Figs. 1 to 4, it is possible to produce separately the linear member 201 and the rail 219 to be linked thereto, resulting in a reduction in the final bulk of the units, which can be packaged, packed and hence marketed separately with a great reduction in bulk.

Claims: A unit for bearing lighting means, including a rail (219) in form of a hollow section with an open upper duct (217) and an open lower duct (227), the unit further including a linear structural member (201) extending longitudinally parallel to the rail (219), which comprises a first upper expanded part (203) and a second lower expanded part (205; 207) spaced apart from each other and connected to each other by a continuous laminar web (209); and the lower expanded part (205; 207) engaging the open upper duct (217) of the rail to form a demountable mechanical connection between said structural member (201) and said duct (217). Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that said structural member (201) is an extruded member. Unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said second expanded part (205; 207) engaging the rail (219) has end enlargements (213, 221). Unit according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the web (209) has cut-out weight-reducing slots (229). Unit according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the second expanded part has in section an arcuate zone (211) ending with end enlargments (213; 221) engaging the duct (217) of said rail (219).

Inventors: TARGETTI GIAMPAOLO, TARGETTI, GIAMPAOLO
Applicants: TARGETTI GIAMPAOLO, TARGETTI, GIAMPAOLO
Application year: 1988
Main classification: H01R25
IPC codes: H01R25