Patent Description:
Currently known conductor rail systems comprise at least one mounting rail, whereby the system offers the flexibility of connecting electrical devices to the at least one mounting rail. Those electrical devices, which are mainly luminaires, can then be flexibly arranged along the mounting rail. However, current conductor rail systems usually do not have a cover on their open side, allowing dust, moisture and humidity to enter, and when a cover is provided, it is rigidly adapted to the selected position of the electrical device, for example, by cutting an appropriate cover. Therefore, the rigidly fitted cover prevents the electrical device from being flexibly positioned along the conductor rail system.

The <CIT> describes a socket strip with plug contacts movable along an axis, wherein a rubber folding sheet is arranged between the edge of the socket strip and between each of the plug contacts. The rubber folding sheet prevents engagement with the interior of the socket strip and thus prevents a user from coming into contact with power-carrying busbars.

The invention is concerned with the task of providing a conductor rail system with a movable cover for a more flexible positioning of the electrical device connected to the conductor rail system.

This task is solved by a conductor rail system according to independent claim <NUM>. Particular embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

According to the invention a conductor rail system for connecting an electrical device, especially a luminaire, is provided, whereby the conductor rail system comprises at least one longitudinal mounting rail with a longitudinal axis, with two side walls and a bottom wall, whereby preferably the mounting rail has a U-shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Moreover, the conductor rail system comprises an electroconductor profile held by said mounting rail, whereby the electroconductor profile comprises wires for an electric power supply and/or for transmission of control and/or data signals, and whereby the electroconductor profile is preferably arranged on the inside of the mounting rail. Furthermore, the conductor rail system includes a gear tray, whereby the gear tray is moveable along the longitudinal direction of the electroconductor profile and thus the mounting rail, and a connecting element connecting the gear tray and the electrical device. Adding to that, according to the invention, the conductor rail system has an elongated and flexible cover which is held between the two side walls of the mounting rail, whereby the cover is mounted movably along the longitudinal direction of the mounting rail, and whereby the cover is connected with the connecting element and is further configured to move along with a movement of the electrical device, and whereby the cover covers at least a determined part of the mounting rail in any position of the gear tray and thus of the electrical device.

The so provided conductor rail system allows a flexible relocation of an electrical device connected thereto, furthermore the cover follows the relocation of the electrical device and thus provides optimized protection to the conductor rail system and in particular to the components arranged inside the conductor rail system respectively the mounting rail.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cover has a hole for receiving the connecting element forming the connection between the cover and the connecting element. With such an embodiment, the components cover and connecting element are coupled to each other toolless, so that a movement of the connecting element along the longitudinal direction, for example by moving the electrical device, leads directly to a movement of the so coupled cover.

Furthermore, preferably the electroconductor profile is provided with grooves which can be accessed from a contact side and which run in a longitudinal manner along the mounting rail, said grooves having the wires for an electric power supply and/or for transmission of control and/or data signals. With this configuration, the mounting rail and its electroconductor profile is optimized concerning safety and aesthetics, as the grooves prohibit direct contact for a person grabbing inside the conductor rail system, and further prevents a direct view of the wire.

According to a further embodiment, the gear tray is formed to couple electrically and preferably mechanically with the electroconductor profile of the mounting rail by electrical taps. With this form of coupling of the gear tray and the electroconductor profile, a stable but movable contacting is provided, so that there is constant contact with the corresponding wires in different positions of the gear tray along the electroconductor profile and thus the mounting rail.

Preferably the cover comprises a flat cover surface and lateral sealing lips, wherein in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mounting rail the sealing lips protrude from the plane of the cover surface, and in particular are perpendicular to the cover surface in an approximation, whereby the sealing lips engage in a sealing manner in corresponding notches of the side walls, and whereby preferably the cover surface contacts the side walls, and whereby preferably the cover is of a bendable and/or translucent material. With this implementation it is ensured, that the cover seals the mounting rail and protects the inside of the mounting rail especially preferred against dust, humidity and moisture. Moreover with the flat cover surface the conductor rail system respectively the mounting rail is aesthetically closed, whereby it is further ensured by the side walls and their notches that the cover is positioned correctly, such that the cover easily is moveable along the mounting rail while continuously providing that the sealing is maintained.

According to the invention, the cover has end pieces at its ends, whereby these end pieces are connected by an end piece connection element, such that the cover, the end pieces and the end piece connection element form a loop, and whereby preferably the end piece connection element is formed by a wire or string and a hook or other means of connection. This embodiment facilitates moving the cover, since the ends of the cover are now connected to each other and thus a pushing and pulling movement is simultaneously exerted on the two ends of the cover by moving the electrical device and thus also the gear tray and the cover connected to it. Moreover, in this loop-like embodiment of the cover, it is provided that the cover continuously covers at least a determined part of the mounting rail in a sealing manner.

According to the invention, the mounting rail comprises a guide element in each of its two end face areas, whereby the guide element supports the movement of the cover, and whereby the cover is at least partially bent around the guide element, whereby preferably the guide element is formed by a wheel element or a cam element. With this embodiment the movement of the cover is further facilitated, which also eases the positioning of the gear tray and the connected electrical device. Moreover, the guide element supports the covering of at least a determined part of the mounting rail, as it holds the cover in place, while additionally assisting in the loop-movement of the cover.

In another embodiment the guide element gives haptic feedback to a user, such as that a change in acceleration of the movement of the cover results in a changed resistance of motion, preventing unwanted movements of the cover and thus of the electrical device. For example a change of acceleration could be from standstill to movement or movement to standstill, whereby in those states of changed acceleration the resistance of motion could be increased, ensuring that the executed movement is intended, whereby preferably a constant movement without a change in acceleration is not influenced, ensuring an easy and precise repositioning of the cover and thus the electrical device.

According to another embodiment the mounting rail comprises end caps, which are arranged at the two end faces of the mounting rail, and wherein the end caps preferably comprise at least one sealing element which is arranged to abut against the cover sealing the mounting rail at the end faces towards the cover. These end caps provide additional safety and aesthetics to the conductor rail system. In an preferred embodiment where the elongated and flexible cover covers one whole side of the mounting rail, all sides of the mounting rail are covered with the additional end caps. Moreover, the at least one sealing element provides additional sealing, whereby by contacting the cover at the end portions and end face areas of the mounting rail, the inside of the mounting rail and thus the inside of the conductor rail system is preferably protected against unintentional contact, moisture, humidity and dust.

Preferably parts of the cover which are not used to cover the mounting rail are arranged inside of the mounting rail and are thus covered by the parts of the cover that are used for covering the mounting rail. Thus, the conductor rail system is formed particularly simple, aesthetic and functional.

In a further embodiment the cover provides a dust, humidity and/or moisture protection of the inside of the mounting rail, especially according to an IP protection class, in particular according to IP <NUM> or higher. This enables the functionality of the conductor rail system in various situations, whereby the conductor rail system can be used flexibly, especially in outdoor and indoor areas, as well as in wet rooms or similar.

According to another embodiment the conductor rail system is characterized in that the gear tray has a casing, which consists of three casing elements, and one handle which is placed inside of the three casing elements, wherein the handle is connected to the connecting element, preferably connected by means of a snap-in and twist-proof snap-in mounting. With this configuration, the setup of the conductor rail system is simplified, coupling the gear tray and the connecting element.

Preferably the handle comprises the electrical taps, wherein in an assembly state the electrical taps are disposed inside the casing of the gear tray, and wherein the handle is configured such that the electrical taps extend out of the housing to an operating state upon rotation of the connecting element, wherein in the operating state the electrical taps are electrically contacted and mechanically coupled with the electroconductor profile. The gear tray formed in this way with the handle makes it particularly easy and flexible to connect to the mounting rail both electrically and mechanically, so that the gear tray together with the electrical device connected via the connecting element is coupled to the system. Furthermore, the cover connected to the gear tray ensures that the gear tray and the electrical taps as well as the contact area with the electroconductor profile are protected.

Further preferably the electrical device is movable rotationally around the connecting element, and moveable in a longitudinal direction along the mounting rail by the mechanical connection of the electrical device, the connecting element and the gear tray. Therefore, the electrical device is flexible in its positioning and orientation. For rotating the electrical device a rotation of the connecting element is preferably not required or intended, such that the electrical and mechanical connection to the electroconductor profile is maintained.

In a further preferred embodiment the conductor rail system has a second luminaire, whereby the cover functions as a light emitting surface of the second luminaire, whereby preferably the second luminaire comprises light sources, such as LEDs, which are arranged at the gear tray or at end caps of the mounting rail. With this embodiment the electrical device has some sort of background lighting, improving the usability and aesthetics of the conductor rail system. With the cover being a light emitting surface on itself, the whole length of the mounting rail is effectively used. Further preferably, the cover has light influencing elements to improve the light output via the cover and to adapt it to individual situations.

Furthermore in another embodiment the gear tray comprises a power supply unit for the electrical device, as well as other components such as preferably communication devices for control commands or data, whereby the gear tray is electronically connected to the electrical device. A such designed gear tray would be particularly flexible in use, whereby furthermore a wide variety of electrical devices can be coupled with such a gear tray. For example, the electrical device could be a luminaire, a spotlight, another light source, one or more audio speakers, sensors, a camera, or other electrical devices. This allows the conductor rail system to be particularly compact in design, as these components are located inside the mounting rail of the conductor rail system.

According to a further embodiment, the conductor rail system comprises multiple gear trays and thereto connected connecting elements for connection with an electrical device, whereby the gear trays are arranged in series along the longitudinal axis of the mounting rail, and whereby each of the gear trays and connecting elements is connected to the cover of the conductor rail system. Therefore, multiple and different electrical devices can be linked to one conductor rail system via the respective connecting elements and gear trays, whereby these electrical devices can be moved together along the longitudinal axis of the mounting rail.

Moreover it can be preferably provided, that the conductor rail system consists of multiple mounting rails, whereby in the areas of connection of two mounting rails the two respective covers and the mounting rail are sealed by at least one sealing element. With the multiple mounting rails in one conductor rail system, multiple electrical devices could be connected to the conductor rail system via individual connecting elements, whereby the different electrical devices could be moved individually, as long as the concerned electrical devices are coupled to different covers of the conductor rail system.

The invention is explained in detail below with reference to examples of embodiments and with reference to the drawing. The figures show:.

<FIG> shows an angled view of an embodiment of a conductor rail system <NUM> according to the invention and an electrical device <NUM> connected with the conductor rail system <NUM>, whereby in the displayed embodiment of the conductor rail system <NUM> the electrical device <NUM> is a luminaire <NUM>. Herby the conductor rail system <NUM> comprises a longitudinal mounting rail <NUM> with a longitudinal axis L, respectively with a longitudinal direction L, whereby the mounting rail <NUM> is at least approximately U-shaped in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. As indicated in <FIG> the longitudinal direction L of the mounting rail <NUM> is along the x-axis.

The mounting rail <NUM> comprises a bottom wall <NUM> and two side walls <NUM> protruding from the plane of the bottom wall <NUM>. Moreover the mounting rail <NUM> is covered by an elongated and flexible cover <NUM>, which is held between the two side walls <NUM> of the mounting rail <NUM>. The cover <NUM> is mounted movably along the longitudinal direction L of the mounting rail <NUM>.

Inside the mounting rail <NUM> a gear tray <NUM> is arranged, which is displayed in detail in <FIG>, as well as in the exploded view of the conductor rail system <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Also not shown in <FIG> but in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> is the electroconductor profile <NUM> which is held by the mounting rail <NUM>, whereby the electroconductor profile <NUM> comprises wires <NUM> for an electric power supply and/or for transmission of control and/or data signals. As shown in <FIG> the electroconductor profile <NUM> is preferably arranged on the inside of the mounting rail <NUM>.

The gear tray <NUM> is moveable along the longitudinal direction L of the electroconductor profile <NUM> and thus the mounting rail <NUM>. In the <FIG> the gear tray <NUM> is shown in detail, whereby <FIG> illustrates the assembled gear tray <NUM>, while <FIG> presents an exploded view of the gear tray <NUM>, with its casing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, which consists of three casing elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and one handle <NUM> which is placed inside of the three casing elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The handle <NUM> is hereby connected to a connecting element <NUM> - whereby in the presented figures the connecting element <NUM> is a connecting bolt <NUM> - preferably connected by means of a snap-in and twist-proof snap-in mounting <NUM>. In the shown embodiment the handle <NUM> comprises electrical taps <NUM>, which are used for contacting the wires <NUM> of the electroconductor profile <NUM>. The gear tray <NUM> is formed to couple electrically and preferably mechanically with the electroconductor profile <NUM> of the mounting rail <NUM> by these electrical taps <NUM> in an operating state, wherein in an assembly state the electrical taps <NUM> are disposed inside the casing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the gear tray <NUM>. The three casing elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are put together by fastening means as for example integral built fastening means, such as snap in elements, or screws, glue or others.

The two side cover parts <NUM>, <NUM> together form a nipple <NUM>, <NUM> at their bottom surface, which serves to hold the handle <NUM> centrally in position. Moreover, the two side cover parts <NUM>, <NUM> each comprise channels <NUM>, <NUM> which allow the electrical taps <NUM> to be moved out of the gear tray <NUM>, preferably by a rotational movement of the handle <NUM>, to contact the electroconductor profile <NUM> in the operating state. In the displayed embodiment, the side cover parts <NUM>, <NUM> each have three channels <NUM>, <NUM>, whereby this number can be increased or decreased dependent on the number of electrical taps <NUM> of the handle <NUM>, and the respective number of wires <NUM> of the electroconductor profile <NUM>.

The top cover <NUM> of the gear tray <NUM> has a hole <NUM> for receiving the connecting element <NUM>, such that the connecting element <NUM> is connected to the handle <NUM> inside the gear tray <NUM>, whereby preferably the connecting element <NUM> is a connecting bolt <NUM>. However other forms of implementation of the connecting element <NUM> are also possible.

The connecting bolt <NUM> then connects the gear tray <NUM> with the electrical device <NUM>, such that the electrical device <NUM> is movable along the longitudinal axis L of the mounting rail <NUM> together with the gear tray <NUM>, whereby the electrical device <NUM> is movable rotationally around the connecting bolt <NUM>, in particular rotational around the z-axis as shown in <FIG>. The handle <NUM> of the gear tray <NUM> is hereby configured such that the electrical taps <NUM> extend out of the housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to an operating state upon rotation of the connecting bolt <NUM>, wherein in the operating state the electrical taps <NUM> are electrically contacted and mechanically coupled with the electroconductor profile <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> the cover <NUM> is connected with the connecting bolt <NUM> and is further configured to move along with a movement of the electrical device <NUM>, whereby the cover <NUM> covers at least a determined part of the mounting rail <NUM> in any position of the gear tray <NUM> and thus of the electrical device <NUM>. In the embodiment of <FIG> the cover <NUM> covers the whole mounting rail <NUM>, whereby at the end faces of the mounting rail <NUM> end caps <NUM> are placed, which comprise sealing elements <NUM> to further seal the mounting rail <NUM>. Hereby, the sealing elements <NUM> are arranged to abut against the cover <NUM> sealing the mounting rail <NUM> at the end faces towards the cover <NUM>. Preferably the cover <NUM> and/or the end caps <NUM> and/or the sealing elements <NUM> provide a dust, humidity and/or moisture protection of the inside of the mounting rail <NUM>, especially according to an IP protection class, in particular according to IP <NUM> or higher.

In a further embodiment the gear tray <NUM> comprises a power supply unit for the electrical device <NUM>, as well as other components such as preferably communication devices for control commands or data, whereby the gear tray <NUM> is electronically connected to the electrical device <NUM>. Therefore, the type of electrical device <NUM> can be flexibly and individually adapted to corresponding situations or needs of the user, so that different functions can be fulfilled by the electrical device <NUM>. In particular, it is possible that the electrical device <NUM> is a luminaire <NUM>, a spotlight, loudspeakers, sensors, a camera, a display or other devices. In the embodiments shown in the figures the electrical device <NUM> is displayed as a luminaire <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an exploded view of the embodiment of a conductor rail system known from <FIG>, whereby the components former covered by the cover <NUM> are displayed. In particular the electroconductor profile <NUM> is shown, whereby in this embodiment the electroconductor profile <NUM> is provided with grooves <NUM> which can be accessed from a contact side and which run in a longitudinal manner parallel to the longitudinal axis L along the mounting rail <NUM>, said grooves <NUM> having the wires <NUM> for an electric power supply and/or for transmission of control and/or data signals. The gear tray <NUM> is positioned in between the two side walls of the electroconductor profile <NUM> and thus between the two side walls <NUM> of the mounting rail <NUM>, whereby the electrical taps <NUM> are designed to contact the wires <NUM> in an operating state.

Moreover, in <FIG> an embodiment of the cover <NUM> is shown, whereby the cover <NUM> is of a bendable and/or translucent material and has a cover hole <NUM> for receiving the connecting bolt <NUM> forming the connection between the cover <NUM> and the connecting bolt <NUM>. The cover <NUM> comprises a flat cover surface <NUM> and lateral sealing lips <NUM>, wherein in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the mounting rail <NUM> the sealing lips <NUM> protrude from the plane of the cover surface <NUM>, and in particular are perpendicular to the cover surface <NUM> in an approximation, as shown in <FIG>. Hereby the sealing lips <NUM> engage in a sealing manner in corresponding notches <NUM> of the side walls <NUM>, whereby the cover surface <NUM> contacts the side walls <NUM>. In the end portions and end face areas of the mounting rail <NUM> the cover <NUM> is bent whereby preferably the sealing element <NUM> sealingly contacts the cover <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> has end pieces <NUM> at its ends, whereby these end pieces <NUM> are connected by end piece connection elements <NUM>, <NUM>, such that the cover <NUM>, the end pieces <NUM> and the end piece connection element <NUM>, <NUM> form a loop. Preferably the end piece connection element <NUM>, <NUM> is formed by a wire <NUM> or a string <NUM>, and a hook <NUM> or other means of connection.

In the displayed embodiment of <FIG> the end pieces <NUM> are interconnected via a wire <NUM> with a hook <NUM> at each of its respective ends. Parts of the cover <NUM> which are not used to cover the mounting rail <NUM> are arranged inside of the mounting rail <NUM> and are thus covered by the parts of the cover <NUM> that are used for covering the mounting rail <NUM>. When the cover <NUM> is moved sections of the parts of the cover <NUM> which former were not used to cover the mounting rail <NUM> are then used for covering, whereby likewise parts of the cover <NUM> which were former used to cover the mounting rail <NUM> are then not used anymore. Hereby the guide element <NUM>, which is positioned in each of the two end face areas of the mounting rail <NUM>, supports the movement of the cover <NUM>, especially in bending the cover <NUM>. The end pieces <NUM> are preferably always parts of the cover <NUM> which are not used to cover the mounting rail <NUM>, so that the cover <NUM> ideally is long enough for allowing any movement of the connecting bolt <NUM> along the longitudinal direction L of the mounting rail <NUM>. Preferably the end pieces <NUM> contain a stop element which prevents the cover <NUM> to be moved beyond a point, where the end pieces <NUM> would surpass the guide element <NUM> and thus becoming a part of the cover which would be used for covering the mounting rail <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis L of an embodiment of a conductor rail system <NUM> with its internal components. The middle section of <FIG> shows a gear tray <NUM> which is held inside the mounting rail <NUM>, while being electrically connected to the electroconductor profile <NUM> via the electrical taps <NUM> and the wires <NUM> positioned in the grooves <NUM> of the electroconductor profile <NUM>. Hereby the gear tray <NUM> is moveable along the longitudinal direction L respectively along the longitudinal axis L of the conductor rail system <NUM>, while being also mechanically connected to the mounting rail <NUM> via the electroconductor profile <NUM>. The <FIG> also shows the coupling between the gear tray <NUM> and the connecting bolt <NUM> whereby the connecting bolt <NUM> is twist-proof connected to the handle <NUM> of the gear tray <NUM>, such that a rotational movement of the connecting bolt <NUM> results in a corresponding rotational movement of the handle <NUM>. The electrical device <NUM>, which is not shown in <FIG>, is movable rotationally around the connecting bolt <NUM>, such that the connecting bolt <NUM> is not rotated when changing direction of the electrical device <NUM>. Therefore, the electrical device <NUM> which is connected to the gear tray <NUM> is movable along the longitudinal axis L of the conductor rail system <NUM> and is further movable rotationally around the connecting bolt <NUM> providing a flexible and individually changeable positioning of the electrical device <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> is designed to always cover at least a determined part of the mounting rail <NUM>, whereby in the shown embodiment the cover <NUM> covers the whole mounting rail <NUM>, irrespective of the positioning of the gear tray <NUM> connected to the cover <NUM> via the connecting bolt <NUM>. The connection of the gear tray <NUM>, the electrical device <NUM> and the connecting bolt <NUM> to the cover <NUM> is hereby formed via the cover hole <NUM>, which holds the connecting bolt <NUM>. Other forms of connection between these components are also possible.

The two lateral image sections show the end portions of a conductor rail system <NUM>, hereby these end portions are not necessarily of one and the same mounting rail <NUM>, but can also be different mounting rails <NUM> in another embodiment where the conductor rail system <NUM> consists of multiple mounting rails <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG> the two end portions of the conductor rail system <NUM> are provided with end caps <NUM> closing, preferably in a sealed manner, the mounting rail <NUM> at the respective end face, whereby a sealing element <NUM> may be attached to at least one end cap <NUM> pressing against the cover <NUM>, in particular against the flat cover surface <NUM>, sealing the conductor rail system <NUM>.

Moreover, in the shown embodiment each end portion of the conductor rail system <NUM> has a guide element <NUM>, which guides the cover <NUM> when moved, facilitating the movement and the bending of the cover <NUM>, while simultaneous ensuring that the sealing lips <NUM> of the cover <NUM> are correctly arranged inside the respective notches <NUM> of the side walls <NUM>. The guide element <NUM> is hereby connected with the side walls <NUM> of the mounting rail <NUM>, such that it is freely rotatable around its own axis.

The shown cover <NUM> is preferably formed by extrusion, and is further preferred bendable and translucent. Most preferred the cover <NUM> is made of plastic. To ensure an easy and flexible positioning of the electrical device <NUM>, respectively of the gear tray <NUM> while still covering the mounting rail <NUM>, the ends of the cover <NUM> are connected to each other, forming a loop. Hereby it is possible, that the ends of the cover <NUM> are simply glued together, whereby other forms of connection are also thinkable. Hereby in the shown embodiment the cover <NUM> has end pieces <NUM> at its ends, whereby these end pieces <NUM> are connected to each other by an end piece connection element <NUM>, <NUM>, such that the cover <NUM>, the end pieces <NUM> and the end piece connection element <NUM>, <NUM> form a loop. Preferably the end piece connection element <NUM>, <NUM> is formed by a wire <NUM> or string <NUM> and a hook <NUM> or other means of connection, as this facilitates the assembly of the conductor rail system <NUM>, while ensuring a tight connection of the cover ends. Preferably the end pieces <NUM> are connected to the cover <NUM> via a snap-on mechanism. The end pieces <NUM> and end piece connection elements <NUM>, <NUM> together with the guide elements <NUM> put the cover <NUM> under tension, which additionally supports the sealing of the mounting rail <NUM>.

In an other embodiment of the conductor rail system <NUM> shown in <FIG> it is also possible that the gear tray <NUM> with its connected connecting bolt <NUM> are not the only gear tray <NUM> and connecting bolt <NUM> in the conductor rail system <NUM>, such that multiple electrical devices <NUM> are connected to the conductor rail system <NUM> via multiple gear trays <NUM> and connecting bolts <NUM>. Hereby these multiple electrical devices <NUM> and thus the respective gear trays <NUM> are arranged in series along the longitudinal axis L of the mounting rail <NUM>, whereby each of the electrical devices <NUM> is coupled by its respective connecting bolt <NUM> to its respective gear tray <NUM> and to the cover <NUM> of the conductor rail system <NUM>.

Moreover in a further embodiment it is possible, that the conductor rail system <NUM> comprises multiple covers <NUM>, whereby preferably in between two respective covers <NUM> some sort of an additional sealing element is placed, further ensuring that the inside of the conductor rail system <NUM> is sealed and protected against dust, humidity, moisture and/or unwanted contact.

Furthermore in another embodiment the conductor rail system <NUM> consists of multiple mounting rails <NUM>. Hereby, it is possible that one cover <NUM> covers the multiple mounting rails <NUM>, or at least a determined part of these mounting rails <NUM>. In an embodiment with multiple mounting rails <NUM> and multiple covers <NUM> in the areas of connection of two mounting rails <NUM> the two respective covers <NUM> and the mounting rail <NUM> are preferably sealed by at least one sealing element <NUM>.

In <FIG> a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a conductor rail system <NUM> along the sectional axis A-A indicated in <FIG>, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the conductor rail system <NUM>, is shown. The cross-section goes through a gear tray <NUM> such that the accommodation of the gear tray <NUM> inside the mounting rail <NUM> is presented. The electroconductor profile <NUM> is connected via a snap-in connection to the mounting rail <NUM>, whereby both the mounting rail <NUM> and the electroconductor profile <NUM> have respective snap-in elements. The electroconductor profile <NUM> is further provided with grooves <NUM> on both of its side walls, whereby in these grooves wires <NUM> are positioned. Hereby it is possible that not every groove <NUM> is used to hold a wire <NUM>. The side walls <NUM> of the mounting rail <NUM> are provided with notches <NUM> in an upper region of the side walls <NUM>, for a sealing connection between the mounting rail <NUM> and the cover <NUM>, whereby the sealing lips <NUM> of the cover <NUM> interact with the notches <NUM>. The sealing lips <NUM> are hereby shaped like a hook, pressing against the walls of the notches <NUM>, and further forming different contact areas with the walls of the notch <NUM> for an effective sealing. Preferably the shape of the sealing lips <NUM> enables a spring loaded snapping into the respective notch <NUM>. Furthermore, the cover surface <NUM> is in contact with the side walls <NUM> of the mounting rail <NUM>, forming an other sealing connection, such that the cover <NUM> provides a maze-like connection further improving the sealing. In an approximation in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L the cover <NUM> has a π-shape.

Through the channels <NUM>, <NUM> of the gear tray <NUM> the electrical taps <NUM> can connect to the wires <NUM> of the electroconductor profile <NUM>, while providing a mechanical and electrical connection thereto, enabling the gear tray <NUM> to move along the longitudinal axis L of the electroconductor profile <NUM> in a rail-like manner. The two side cover parts <NUM>, <NUM> together form the nipple <NUM>, <NUM> at their bottom surface, which holds the handle <NUM> centrally in position, such that the connecting bolt <NUM> being inserted in the gear tray <NUM> from above through a hole <NUM> in the top cover <NUM>, whereby the connecting bolt <NUM> is connected via a latching connection <NUM> with the handle <NUM>, such that the handle <NUM> and the connecting bolt <NUM> are preferably connected by means of a snap-in and twist-proof snap-in mounting <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a zoomed view of an end region of an embodiment of a conductor rail system <NUM> with its components, whereby the interaction between the mounting rail <NUM>, the end caps <NUM>, the sealing element <NUM>, the cover <NUM> and guide element <NUM> is illustrated. Hereby the guide element <NUM> supports the movement of the cover <NUM>, as the cover <NUM> is bent around the guide element <NUM>. In <FIG> the guide element <NUM> is formed by a wheel element, whereby an embodiment with a cam element as the guide element <NUM> is also possible. Of course, other shapes of the guide element are also imaginable. The guide element <NUM> facilitates the movement of the cover <NUM>, whereby furthermore the correct positioning of the sealing lips <NUM> is supported by the guide element <NUM>. The sealing element <NUM> protects the inside of the mounting rail <NUM> in the area of the end caps <NUM>.

In a further embodiment the conductor rail system has a second luminaire, whereby the cover <NUM> functions as a light emitting surface of the second luminaire. Hereby this second luminaire preferably comprises light sources, such as LEDs, which are preferably arranged at the gear tray <NUM> and/or at the end caps <NUM> of the mounting rail <NUM> for light coupling into the cover <NUM>. In this embodiment the cover <NUM> preferably is configured to guide the light and to extract the light in a determined area of the cover <NUM>. Moreover the light sources of the second luminaire could be positioned on the bottom wall <NUM> of the mounting rail <NUM>.

With such an embodiment the conductor rail system <NUM> has some sort of background lighting, improving the usability and aesthetics of the conductor rail system <NUM>. With the cover <NUM> being a light emitting surface on itself, preferably the whole length of the mounting rail <NUM> is effectively used as a luminaire. Further preferably, the cover has light influencing elements to improve the light output via the cover and to adapt it to individual situations. Such a conductor rail system <NUM> suits for multiple applications at once, as the electrical device <NUM> is still individually and flexibly selectable while providing the additional function of a lamp with the second luminaire. In particular the second luminaire could function as an emergency lightning or a daylight illumination.

Claim 1:
Conductor rail system (<NUM>) for connecting an electrical device (<NUM>), especially a luminaire (<NUM>), whereby the conductor rail system (<NUM>) comprises:
• at least one longitudinal mounting rail (<NUM>) with a longitudinal axis (L), with two side walls (<NUM>) and a bottom wall (<NUM>),
whereby preferably the mounting rail (<NUM>) has a U-shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L);
• an electroconductor profile (<NUM>) held by said mounting rail (<NUM>),
whereby the electroconductor profile (<NUM>) comprises wires (<NUM>) for an electric power supply and/or for transmission of control and/or data signals,
and whereby the electroconductor profile (<NUM>) is preferably arranged on the inside of the mounting rail (<NUM>);
• a gear tray (<NUM>), whereby the gear tray (<NUM>) is moveable along the longitudinal direction (L) of the electroconductor profile (<NUM>) and thus the mounting rail (<NUM>);
• a connecting element (<NUM>) connecting the gear tray (<NUM>) and the electrical device (<NUM>);
• an elongated and flexible cover (<NUM>), which is held between the two side walls (<NUM>) of the mounting rail (<NUM>),
whereby the cover (<NUM>) is mounted movably along the longitudinal direction (L) of the mounting rail (<NUM>),
and whereby the cover (<NUM>) is connected with the connecting element (<NUM>) and is further configured to move along with a movement of the electrical device (<NUM>),
and whereby the cover (<NUM>) covers at least a determined part of the mounting rail (<NUM>) in any position of the gear tray (<NUM>) and thus of the electrical device (<NUM>),
characterized in that,
the cover (<NUM>) has end pieces (<NUM>) at its ends,
whereby these end pieces (<NUM>) are connected by an end piece connection element (<NUM>, <NUM>), such that the cover (<NUM>), the end pieces (<NUM>) and the end piece connection element (<NUM>, <NUM>) form a loop,
whereby the mounting rail (<NUM>) comprises a guide element (<NUM>) in each of its two end face areas,
whereby the guide element (<NUM>) supports the movement of the cover (<NUM>),
and whereby the cover (<NUM>) is at least partially bent around the guide element (<NUM>).