Patent Description:
With the development of lighting technology, various lighting fixtures have been applied more and more widely in people's lives.

A lighting fixture usually includes a lighting tube and a light source assembly assembled in the lighting tube. Moreover, when applied, a lighting fixture in the art is usually used alone, and forms of application of the lighting fixture are relatively poor. From <CIT> and <CIT>, lighting fixtures are known with the features according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. <CIT> discloses a housing for a flourescent tube wherein the end caps are formed to interengage the end caps of an adjacent housing, wherein the interengaging end caps comprise a fastener material in the form of a hook and loop material to enable a connection between the end caps and the formation of a variable length display panel.

In order to enrich the forms of application of the lighting fixture, the present invention provides a lighting fixture.

The lighting fixture comprises a lighting tube and a light source assembly assembled in the lighting tube. The lighting fixture further comprises an end cover, an amount of the end cover is two, the two end covers seal and block two ends of the lighting tube, respectively, and each of the two end covers is electrically connected with the light source assembly and is connectable with an external element. Each of the two end covers comprises a first connecting part and a second connecting part, the first connecting part is configured for achieving an electrical connection with the light source assembly and the external element, the second connecting part is sleeved outside the lighting tube and the first connecting part along a circumferential direction of the lighting tube, a periphery of the second connecting part is provided with a plurality of engaging parts, and the plurality of engaging parts are configured for achieving a mechanical connection with other lighting fixtures.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the plurality of engaging parts of the same second connecting part comprises a plurality of groove portions and a plurality of convex portions, and the groove portions of each of the lighting fixtures can be engaged with the convex portions of other lighting fixtures in a clamped-in manner.

Furthermore, the groove portion is depressed along a radial direction of the lighting tube and extends along an axial direction of the lighting tube, and the convex portion is protruded along the radial direction of the lighting tube and extends along the axial direction of the lighting tube.

Furthermore, the same second connecting part has a plurality of groove portions and a plurality of convex portions, the plurality of groove portions and the plurality of convex portions are spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the second connecting part.

Furthermore, the same second connecting part at least has: one groove portion and one convex portion opposite to each other, or one pair of groove portions opposite to each other, or one pair of convex portions opposite to each other.

Furthermore, a cross section of the groove portion taken from a portion near a center of the end cover to a portion away from the center of the end cover along the radial direction of the lighting tube has an inversed "T" shape, a cross section of the convex portion taken from a portion near the center of the end cover to a portion away from the center of the end cover along the radial direction of the lighting tube has an upright "T" shape.

Furthermore, the lighting fixture further comprises a fixing part, the fixing part is sleeved at an outer surface of the lighting tube.

Furthermore, the fixing part comprises a connecting portion and a fixing portion connected with the connecting portion, the connecting portion is movably sleeved at the outer surface of the lighting tube.

Furthermore, the fixing portion is provided with a fixing hole.

Furthermore, an amount of the fixing part is two, and each of the two fixing parts is provided with one fixing hole.

Furthermore, the first connecting part at one end of the lighting tube is a female connecting part, the female connecting part comprises a plug-in slot and a female terminal, the plug-in slot is formed by depressing from an end face of the corresponding end cover facing away from the lighting tube towards the corresponding lighting tube along an axial direction of the lighting tube, the female terminal extends from a slot wall of the plug-in slot along the axial direction of the lighting tube and is exposed, the first connecting part at the other end of the lighting tube is a male connecting part, the male connecting part comprises a plug-in head and a male terminal, the plug-in head is formed by protruding from an end face of the corresponding end cover facing away from the lighting tube along the axial direction of the lighting tube in a direction facing away from the lighting tube, the plug-in head is provided with a terminal slot which is depressed from a surface of the plug-in head facing away from the lighting tube towards the corresponding lighting tube along the axial direction of the lighting tube; the male terminal is disposed in the terminal slot, the plug-in slot and the plug-in head can be matched with each other in a plugged-in manner, and when the plug-in slot and the plug-in head are connected with each other in the plugged-in manner, the female terminal and the male terminal are in contact with each other and are electrically connected with each other.

Furthermore, the first connecting part comprises a first insulating body and a conductive terminal disposed on the first insulating body, the second connecting part and the first insulating body are separate structures.

Furthermore, the first insulating body and the second connecting part are connected in a snap-fit manner.

Compared with the prior art, in the lighting fixture provided by the present invention, the end cover includes a first connecting part and a second connecting part. A periphery of the second connecting part is provided with a plurality of engaging parts, the engaging parts are configured for achieving a mechanical connection with other lighting fixtures so that a plurality of lighting fixtures can be engaged with each other by the engaging parts disposed at the periphery of the second connecting part, thereby enriching the forms of application of the lighting fixture.

The drawings described here are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and the description thereof are used to explain the present invention, and do not constitute an improper limitation to the present invention, in the drawings:.

In order to make objects, technical solutions, and advantages of embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the present invention will be described in a clearly and fully understandable way in connection with the specific embodiments of the present invention and corresponding drawings. It is apparent that the described embodiments are just a part but not all of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, one of ordinary skill in the art can obtain other embodiment(s), without any creative work, which all shall be within the scope of the present invention.

The technical solutions provided by the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in <FIG>, an embodiment of the present invention provides a lighting fixture, which includes a lighting tube <NUM>, a light source assembly <NUM> assembled in the lighting tube <NUM>, and an end cover <NUM> sealing and blocking both ends of the lighting tube <NUM>.

The lighting tube <NUM> in the embodiment of the present invention can be a T8 circular tube; of course, the model number and the shape of the lighting tube <NUM> can also be others, the present invention does not limit them. Referring to <FIG>, the light source assembly <NUM> includes a light source substrate <NUM> and a light-emitting unit <NUM> mounted on the light source substrate <NUM>. The light-emitting unit <NUM> can adopt a LED light source, and can also adopt a light source of other types, of course.

The end cover <NUM> seals and blocks both ends of the lighting tube <NUM> and is electrically connected with the light source assembly <NUM> and an external element (e.g., an electrical connector for connecting to the mains supply or other lighting fixture(s)). At the same time, each end cover <NUM> includes a first connecting part <NUM> and a second connecting part <NUM>. The first connecting part <NUM> includes a first insulating body <NUM> and a conductive terminal (not labelled) disposed on the first insulating body <NUM>, so that the first connecting part <NUM> can achieve an electrical connection with the external element by the conductive terminal. The second connecting part <NUM> is sleeved outside the lighting tube <NUM> and the first connecting part <NUM> along a circumferential direction of the lighting tube <NUM>. A periphery of the second connecting part <NUM> is provided with a plurality of engaging parts (not labeled), each of the engaging parts is configured for achieving a mechanical connection with another lighting fixture.

Each of the end covers of the lighting fixture of the present invention includes a first connecting part <NUM> and a second connecting part <NUM>. A periphery of the second connecting part <NUM> is provided with a plurality of engaging parts, each of the engaging parts is configured for achieving a mechanical connection with another lighting fixture, so that a plurality of lighting fixtures can be engaged with each other by the engaging parts disposed at the periphery of the second connecting part, which allows the present invention to utilize a single lighting fixture alone and to splice a plurality of lighting fixtures together conveniently in various ways for use, thereby enriching the forms of application of the lighting fixture.

On the basis of splicing the lighting fixtures by the engaging parts at the periphery of the second connecting part <NUM>, in order to further allow the plurality of lighting fixtures to be spliced together and hence be connected in series along an axial direction of the lighting tube <NUM> and to expand an illumination zone of the lighting fixture assembly, in the lighting fixture of an embodiment of the present invention, preferably, the first connecting parts <NUM> of the end covers <NUM> at two ends of the lighting tube <NUM> include connecting structures which can be engaged and connected with each other.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the first connecting part <NUM> at one end of the lighting tube <NUM> is a female connecting part 3a1, the female connecting part 3a1 includes a plug-in slot 3a11 (i.e., the connecting structure of the female connecting part 3a1) and a female terminal 3a12 (i.e., the conductive terminal of the female connecting part 3a1). The plug-in slot 3a11 is formed by depressing from an end face of the corresponding end cover <NUM> facing away from the lighting tube <NUM> towards the corresponding lighting tube <NUM> along the axial direction of the lighting tube <NUM>. The plug-in slot 3a11 is formed by enclosing a slot wall (partial structure of the end cover <NUM>). The female terminal 3a12 extends from the slot wall of the plug-in slot 3a11 along the axial direction of the lighting tube <NUM> and is exposed.

As shown in <FIG>, the first connecting part <NUM> at the other end of the lighting tube <NUM> is a male connecting part 3a2, the male connecting part 3a2 includes a plug-in head 3a21 (i.e., the connecting structure of the male connecting part 3a2) and a male terminal 3a22 (referring to <FIG>, the male terminal 3a22 is the conductive terminal of the male connecting part 3a2). The plug-in head 3a21 is formed by protruding from an end face of the corresponding end cover <NUM> facing away from the lighting tube <NUM> along the axial direction of the lighting tube <NUM> in a direction facing away from the lighting tube <NUM>. The plug-in head 3a21 is provided with a terminal slot 3a23 (referring to <FIG>) which is depressed from a surface of the plug-in head 3a21 facing away from the lighting tube <NUM> towards the corresponding lighting tube <NUM> along the axial direction of the lighting tube <NUM>; the male terminal 3a22 is plugged in the terminal slot 3a23.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the plug-in slot 3a11 and the plug-in head 3a21 can be matched and connected with each other in a plug-in manner, so that a plurality of lighting fixtures can be spliced together along the axial direction of the lighting tube <NUM> by an engagement between the plug-in slot 3a11 and the plug-in head 3a21 respectively on adjacent lighting fixtures. At the same time, when the plug-in slot 3a11 and the plug-in head 3a21 are connected in a plug-in manner, the corresponding female terminal 3a12 and male terminal 3a22 are in contact with each other and electrically connected with each other. Specifically, the female terminal 3a12 can be plugged in the male terminal 3a22, so that two lighting fixtures adjacent in the axial direction can be electrically connected.

In addition to the first connecting part <NUM>, the end covers <NUM> of the embodiment of the present invention each further includes a second connecting part <NUM> which is sleeved outside the first connecting part <NUM> along the axial direction of the lighting tube <NUM>. The engaging part of the same second connecting part <NUM> can include a groove portion <NUM> and/or a convex portion <NUM>. Alternatively, the engaging part of the same second connecting part <NUM> can only include a concave portion <NUM>. Alternatively, the engaging part of the same second connecting part <NUM> can only include a convex portion <NUM>. The groove portion <NUM> and the convex portion <NUM> can be engaged with each other in a clamped-in manner, so that two lighting fixtures can also be connected with each other by the second connecting parts <NUM> thereof.

In order to allow a plurality of lighting fixtures to be spliced regularly and orderly, in the present invention, preferably, the groove portion <NUM> is depressed along a radial direction of the lighting tube <NUM> and extends along an axial direction of the lighting tube <NUM>, and the convex portion <NUM> is protruded along the radial direction of the lighting tube <NUM> and extends along the axial direction of the lighting tube <NUM>, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Of course, the shape of the second connecting part <NUM> in the present invention is not limited either, and it can be a quasi-cylindrical shape and can also be a quasi-cube shape or the like.

In order to allow the groove portion <NUM> and the convex portion <NUM> to be engaged with each other in a clamped-in manner conveniently, a cross section of each of the groove portion <NUM> and the convex portion <NUM> along the radial direction of the lighting tube <NUM> can be configured to have a "T" shape (the "T" shape here can be an irregular "T" shape, for example, the left side and the right side of the "T" shape are not necessarily symmetrical). A cross section of the groove portion <NUM> taken from a portion near the center of the end cover <NUM> to a portion away from the center of the end cover <NUM> along the radial direction of the lighting tube <NUM> has an inversed "T" shape, and a cross section of the convex portion <NUM> taken from a portion near the center of the end cover <NUM> to a portion away from the center of the end cover <NUM> along the radial direction of the lighting tube <NUM> has an upright "T" shape.

Regarding the specific splicing manner, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in another embodiment of the present invention, the same second connecting part <NUM> has a plurality of groove portions <NUM> and a plurality of convex portions <NUM>; the plurality of groove portions <NUM> and the plurality of convex portions <NUM> are spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the second connecting part <NUM>, so that a plurality of lighting fixtures can be spliced with each other to constitute a circular ring with an attractive appearance.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in yet another embodiment of the present invention, the same second connecting part <NUM> can also include, at least, one groove portion <NUM> and one convex portion <NUM> opposite to each other, so that a plurality of lighting fixtures can be spliced together along the radial direction of the lighting tube <NUM>. Alternatively, the same second connecting part <NUM> can also include, at least, one pair of groove portions <NUM>, and the two groove portions <NUM> are opposite to each other. Alternatively, the same second connecting part <NUM> can also include, at least, one pair of convex portions <NUM>, and the two convex portions <NUM> are opposite to each other.

In the embodiment of the present invention, by providing a plurality of groove portions <NUM> and a plurality of convex portions <NUM> on the second connecting part <NUM> of each of the lighting fixtures, the groove portions <NUM> of each of the lighting fixtures are engaged with the convex portions <NUM> of other lighting fixtures, respectively, so that a plurality of lighting fixtures can be spliced together in various ways depending on the demands to constitute a lighting fixture assembly in various shapes, which can enrich the forms of application of the lighting fixture.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the second connecting part <NUM> and the first insulating body <NUM> of the first connecting part <NUM> can be separate structures so that the forming process is relatively simpler and easier to perform. At the same time, in order to allow the second connecting part <NUM> and the first connecting part <NUM> to be assembled together conveniently and quickly, in the present embodiment, the first insulating body <NUM> and the second connecting part <NUM> are connected with each other in a snap-fit manner. Specifically, referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the first insulating body <NUM> of the first connecting part <NUM> is formed with a first fixing block <NUM> thereon, the first fixing block <NUM> is provided with a buckle, the second connecting part <NUM> is formed with a second fixing block <NUM>, and the first fixing block <NUM> and the second fixing block <NUM> are connected with each other in a snap-fit manner by the buckle, so that the first insulating body <NUM> and the first connecting part <NUM> are connected in a snap-fit manner. Of course, in the embodiment of the present invention, the second connecting part <NUM> and the first insulating body <NUM> can also be formed integrally.

The lighting fixture can further include a fixing part <NUM>, the fixing part <NUM> is sleeved at an outer surface of the lighting tube <NUM>. The lighting fixture is fixed to a mounting base (e.g., a wall surface) by the fixing part <NUM>. An embodiment of the present invention recommends that the fixing part <NUM> is a fixing snap spring. Of course, the fixing part can also have other forms. The fixing part <NUM> includes a connecting portion <NUM> and a fixing portion <NUM> connected with the connecting portion <NUM>. The connecting portion <NUM> can be movably sleeved at the outer surface of the lighting tube <NUM>, so that the fixing part <NUM> can be assembled with and detached from the lighting tube <NUM> conveniently. The fixing portion <NUM> is formed with a fixing hole <NUM> therein, and the fixing hole <NUM> is configured to be cooperated with a connecting piece (not shown) so that the lighting fixture is stably and fixedly mounted at the mounting base.

Before a conventional lighting fixture is mounted, it needs to prepare a holder matched with the lighting tube <NUM>, and a fixing hole would be formed at a position on the holder near an end of the holder. When the lighting fixture is mounting, firstly, the mounting base is punched to form two mounting holes corresponding to two fixing holes, then a connecting piece, such as screws, are passed through the two fixing holes and the corresponding two mounting holes respectively to mount the holder on the mounting base, finally the lighting fixture is clamped into the holder so that the lighting fixture is mounted on the mounting base. In the mounting manner described above, the fixing holes are located at two fixing positions of the holder and a distance between the two fixing holes is fixed, as a result, when the mounting base is punched to form the two mounting holes corresponding to the two fixing holes, it needs to precisely measure a relative position, which makes the mounting process complicated. In the lighting fixture of the embodiment of the present invention, in order to mount the lighting fixture on the mounting base more firmly, it's also possible to provide two fixing holes <NUM>. The specific arrangement manner can be as follows: two fixing parts <NUM> are provided, and each of the two fixing parts <NUM> is provided with one fixing hole <NUM>. Because the connecting portion of the fixing part <NUM> is sleeved at the outer surface of the lighting tube <NUM>, relative positions of the two fixing parts <NUM> can be properly adjusted conveniently, that is, a distance between the two fixing holes <NUM> can be properly adjusted conveniently, so that when the mounting base is punched, the requirements on the precision of the positions of the two mounting holes corresponding to the two fixing holes <NUM> can be considerably reduced, thereby effectively improving the mounting efficiency of the lighting fixture.

To sum up, in the lighting fixture provided by the present invention, the end cover includes a first connecting part and a second connecting part. A periphery of the second connecting part is provided with a plurality of engaging parts, the engaging parts are configured for achieving a mechanical connection with other lighting fixtures so that a plurality of lighting fixtures can be engaged with each other by the engaging parts disposed at the periphery of the second connecting part, thereby enriching the forms of application of the lighting fixture.

Claim 1:
A lighting fixture, comprising a lighting tube (<NUM>), a light source assembly (<NUM>) assembled in the lighting tube (<NUM>)and an end cover (<NUM>), an amount of the end cover (<NUM>) is two, the two end covers (<NUM>) seal and block two ends of the lighting tube (<NUM>), respectively, and each of the two end covers (<NUM>) is electrically connected with the light source assembly (<NUM>) and is connectable with an external element,
each of the two end covers (<NUM>) comprises: a first connecting part (<NUM>) and a second connecting part (<NUM>), the first connecting part (<NUM>) is configured for achieving an electrical connection with the light source assembly (<NUM>) and the external element, the second connecting part (<NUM>) is sleeved outside the lighting tube (<NUM>) and the first connecting part (<NUM>) along a circumferential direction of the lighting tube (<NUM>),
characterized in that
a periphery of the second connecting part (<NUM>) is provided with a plurality of engaging parts, and
the plurality of engaging parts are configured for achieving a mechanical connection with other lighting fixtures and in that the plurality of engaging parts of the same second connecting part (<NUM>) comprise a plurality of groove portions (<NUM>) and a plurality of convex portions (<NUM>), and the groove portions (<NUM>) of each of the lighting fixtures can be engaged with the the convex portions (<NUM>) of other lighting fixtures in a clamped-in manner.