Patent Description:
When lighting merchandise on display, for example, in a store, the need is particularly felt to direct the light radiation so that no light beams are present in the direction of observation of an external user. Otherwise, the light beams may dazzle the external user and make the viewing of the merchandise on display difficult, with a consequent impact on sales.

Furthermore, in the context of the lighting of merchandise displayed in a store, a further requirement lies in the uniform lighting of the merchandise displayed at different heights, for example, on a shelf display, so that all the merchandise displayed is completely visible in an even manner, regardless of the vertical and lateral position on the front, for example of a display. In other words, the need is felt to illuminate, in a diffused, uniform and shadowless manner, vertical surfaces on which products for sale are displayed at different heights from the ground, so as to reduce, if not to eliminate, the formation of more or less illuminated areas, which would make some products stand out more than others in an undesirable manner.

Document <CIT> describes a LED lamp which illuminates a service area, in the example a filling station, asymmetrically orienting the light radiation so as not to dazzle a user entering the service area. Such lamp comprises an extruded converging lens having a plane of symmetry inclined with respect to a vertical plane. Below the extruded lens a linear array of LEDs is positioned at a predefined distance from the axis of symmetry of the lens on the side of the axis of symmetry where the lens is closest to the part of the lamp from which the light radiation is emitted. Thereby the light radiation illuminates the service area with an angle of incidence in the service area inlet direction of less than <NUM>° with respect to the vertical axis, thus allowing to reduce the dazzling of users approaching.

However, in the context of the lighting of products on display, such type of lamp is not very suitable, since, although partially solving the issue of reducing the dazzling of approaching users, it emits directed light radiation having a large opening angle which may create undesired gray areas and unevenly illuminate the products on display and consequently decrease the visibility of some products compared to others in an uncontrolled manner. Other solutions are known from documents <CIT>, <CIT> and D3.

Therefore, the need remains strongly felt to have a light beam which may be oriented so as to reduce dazzling and, at the same time, which allows to obtain an even illumination of objects displayed at different heights on a vertical surface with an illumination as uniform as possible, minimizing the formation of areas in shade and areas more illuminated with respect to others. In other words, the need remains felt to reach two contrasting effects, namely the concentration of the light beam, so as to illuminate the products on display, avoiding to annoy the sight of those approaching such objects, and at the same time the uniform diffusion of the light beams, so as to make each object displayed stand out evenly and limit the formation of areas in shade, which would reduce the three-dimensional perception of the object and of the features thereof.

The issue underlying the present invention is therefore that of designing a device for distributing light which has structural and functional features such as to satisfy the aforementioned requirements and, at the same time, to overcome the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the background art.

The present invention aims to provide a device for distributing light capable of reducing the occurrence of areas of greater and lesser illumination on products on display, while at the same time avoiding dazzling users approaching the products to be purchased.

This and other objects and advantages are achieved by a lens for distributing light radiation according to claim <NUM>, as well as a lamp according to claim <NUM>, as well as a lamp holder assembly according to claim <NUM>, as well as a merchandise display according to claim <NUM>.

Some advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The analysis of this solution has shown how the proposed solution allows to obtain a uniform distribution of the light radiation in a better manner with respect to the solutions of the background art, therefore a reduction of under-illuminated areas which overshadow some products with respect to others.

Furthermore, the proposed solution maintains an orientation of the light radiation which does not disturb the sight of users approaching the products on display both frontally and laterally.

Further features and advantages of the lens, the lamp, the lamp holder assembly and the merchandise display will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:.

As it may be seen from the Figures, in accordance with a general embodiment, an extruded lens for distributing the light radiation emitted by a plurality of LEDs <NUM> is identified with reference numeral <NUM>.

Said extruded lens <NUM> defines a longitudinal extension lens axis X-X.

In accordance with an embodiment, said longitudinal extension lens axis X-X is straight.

In accordance with a further embodiment, said longitudinal extension lens axis X-X coincides with the extrusion axis of the extruded lens <NUM>.

Said extruded lens <NUM> comprises an inlet surface <NUM> of the radiation which can face said plurality of LEDs <NUM>.

In particular, said inlet surface <NUM> of the radiation is defined by the active refraction surface through which the light radiation emitted by said plurality of LEDs <NUM> undergoes a first refraction.

Said extruded lens <NUM> comprises an outlet surface <NUM> of the radiation from said extruded lens <NUM>.

In particular, said outlet surface <NUM> is defined by the active refraction surface through which the light radiation emitted by said plurality of LEDs <NUM> undergoes a further refraction following the first refraction of the inlet surface <NUM> coming out of said extruded lens <NUM>.

Said extruded lens <NUM> comprises a transverse lens section <NUM>.

In particular, said transverse lens section <NUM> is transverse to said longitudinal extension lens axis X-X.

Preferably, said transverse lens section <NUM> is orthogonal to said axis X-X.

With further detail, said transverse lens section <NUM> is a section with an asymmetrical shape.

Said transverse lens section <NUM> comprises a radiation inlet edge <NUM>.

In particular, said radiation inlet edge <NUM> is a concave edge.

Said transverse lens section <NUM> comprises a radiation outlet edge <NUM>.

In particular, said radiation outlet edge <NUM> is a convex edge.

Said radiation inlet edge <NUM> comprises at least one plurality of first rectilinear portions, a part of which is indicated in the Figures with reference numerals <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Said radiation outlet edge <NUM> comprises at least one first arc of circumference <NUM> and at least one second rectilinear portion <NUM>.

Said first arc of circumference <NUM> is adjacent to said at least one second rectilinear portion <NUM>.

It should be noted that an extrusion of said radiation inlet edge <NUM> and of said radiation outlet edge <NUM> along the length of said longitudinal extension lens axis X-X respectively defines said radiation inlet surface <NUM> and said radiation outlet surface <NUM> of said extruded lens <NUM>.

In accordance with the invention, said radiation outlet edge <NUM> comprises a second arc of circumference <NUM>.

Said second arc of circumference <NUM> is adjacent to said first arc of circumference <NUM>.

Therefore, according to this disclosure, said radiation outlet edge seamlessly comprises, in sequence, said second rectilinear portion <NUM>, said first arc of circumference <NUM> and said second arc of circumference <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment, said first arc of circumference <NUM> has an extension greater than the sum of the extension of the second rectilinear portion <NUM> and the extension of the second arc of circumference <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment, said second arc of circumference <NUM> has a construction radius between three and four times greater than the size of the construction radius of said first arc of circumference <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment, said radiation inlet edge <NUM> exclusively comprises said plurality of first rectilinear portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in a predefined number.

In accordance with an embodiment, two first rectilinear portions of said at least one plurality of first rectilinear portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> positioned adjacent to each other have extensions which are different from each other.

In accordance with an embodiment, two rectilinear portions of said at least one plurality of first rectilinear portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> positioned adjacent to each other have each an inclination variation ranging from <NUM>° to <NUM>° with respect to one another.

In accordance with an embodiment, the first rectilinear portion of said at least one plurality of first rectilinear portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the last rectilinear portion of said at least one plurality of first rectilinear portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> have each an inclination variation ranging from <NUM>° to <NUM>° with respect to one another.

It should be noted that the extruded lens <NUM> lacks both a geometric axis as well an optical axis.

By virtue of the fact that the radiation inlet edge <NUM> and the radiation outlet edge <NUM> have different shapes made with a sequence of different geometric elements, the light radiation which crosses the extruded lens <NUM> has an asymmetrical spatial distribution, as shown, for example, in <FIG> and in <FIG>.

The light radiation which crosses the extruded lens <NUM> is directed along a prevailing lighting direction and the light beam has an opening angle ranging from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees, by virtue of the synergy between the refraction of the light radiation crossing the radiation inlet edge <NUM> and the refraction of the light radiation crossing the radiation outlet edge <NUM>, in which the plurality of first rectilinear portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the radiation inlet edge <NUM> distribute the light radiation asymmetrically on the radiation outlet edge <NUM>, in which the first arc of circumference <NUM> centrally forms the largest extension of the radiation outlet edge <NUM> and defines said prevalent illumination direction, while the second rectilinear portion <NUM> and the second arc of circumference <NUM> attenuate the angular opening of the exiting light beam.

In accordance with an embodiment, said extruded lens <NUM> comprises a matted outer layer <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, it should be noted that said matted outer layer <NUM> allows a more even diffusion of the light radiation which crosses the extruded lens <NUM> and a slight opening of the light beam, with respect to an extruded lens <NUM> without said matted outer layer <NUM>, as it may be observed by comparing <FIG> and <FIG>.

In accordance with the invention, said extruded lens <NUM> is obtained by co-extruding materials different from each other.

Said extruded lens <NUM> comprises a co-extruded matted outer layer <NUM> for diffusing the light radiation.

Said co-extruded matted outer layer <NUM> at least partially forms said outlet surface <NUM>.

In particular, said co-extruded matted layer <NUM> forms at least said second rectilinear portion <NUM> and said first arc of circumference <NUM> of said radiation outlet edge <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment, said co-extruded matted layer <NUM> forms said radiation outlet edge <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment, said co-extruded matted outer layer <NUM> forms at least said outlet surface <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment, said co-extruded matted outer layer <NUM> acts as the center of diffusion of the light radiation exiting the extruded lens <NUM> and softens the light beam directed towards the plane to be illuminated.

In accordance with an embodiment, the plane to be illuminated is a vertical plane.

In accordance with the invention, said co-extruded matted outer layer <NUM> seamlessly extends to form at least one inlet surface portion <NUM> of said inlet surface <NUM>.

In particular, said inlet surface portion <NUM> is the portion of said inlet surface <NUM> which is closest to said plurality of LEDs <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment, said inlet surface portion <NUM> includes the orthogonal projection of said second rectilinear portion <NUM> on said radiation inlet edge <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment, said co-extruded matted outer layer <NUM> also acts as the center of diffusion for a radiation portion entering the extruded lens <NUM>. Thereby, the light radiation is softened at the inlet to the extruded lens <NUM> itself.

By virtue of the synergy between the diffusion, given by the co-extruded matted outer layer <NUM>, and the refraction of the radiation crossing said inlet surface <NUM> and said outlet surface <NUM>, obtained according to the geometries described above, the light radiation crossing said extruded lens <NUM>, on the one hand, is sufficiently directed on a vertical plane to illuminate so as to avoid unwanted dazzling, and, on the other, is sufficiently deep, diffused and uniform so as to limit the formation of areas more illuminated with respect to others on objects arranged in different positions on said plane to be illuminated.

Preferably, said co-extruded matted outer layer <NUM> has a thickness ranging from a minimum of <NUM> to a maximum of <NUM>.

More preferably, said co-extruded matted outer layer <NUM> has a thickness ranging from a minimum of <NUM> to a maximum of <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment, the extruded lens <NUM> is made of polycarbonate having a first molecular weight and said co-extruded matted outer layer <NUM> is made of polycarbonate having a second molecular weight.

In accordance with an embodiment, the extruded lens <NUM> made of polycarbonate shields any ultraviolet radiation emitted by the plurality of LEDs <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment, the extruded lens <NUM> is made of PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) or PETG (Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified).

In accordance with an embodiment, said extruded lens <NUM> comprises a hinging portion <NUM> and a coupling portion <NUM>.

Said hinging portion <NUM> and said coupling portion <NUM> are connected to said inlet surface <NUM> and to said outlet surface <NUM>. In other words, the hinging portion <NUM> and the coupling portion <NUM> form the portions of the extruded lens <NUM>, which are lateral with respect to the inlet surface <NUM> and the outlet surface <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said hinging portion <NUM> and said coupling portion <NUM>, <NUM> are not active refraction parts of the light radiation emitted by said plurality of LEDs <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, with reference to the traverse lens section <NUM>, said hinging portion <NUM> comprises an elongated flap <NUM> which connects said radiation inlet edge <NUM> and said radiation outlet edge <NUM>.

In particular, according to an embodiment, said elongated flap <NUM> is defined as an extension of said second portion of arc of circumference <NUM> connected to said radiation inlet edge <NUM> with a connecting segment substantially transverse to a rope underlying said plurality of first rectilinear portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, with reference to the transverse lens section <NUM>, said coupling portion <NUM> comprises a step flap <NUM> which connects said radiation inlet edge <NUM> and said radiation outlet edge <NUM>.

In particular, according to an embodiment, said step flap <NUM> is defined as an extension of said plurality of rectilinear portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> connected with a step to said second rectilinear portion <NUM>.

The present invention also relates to a lamp <NUM> comprising said extruded lens <NUM>.

Said lamp <NUM> comprises a support body <NUM> having snap-coupling means <NUM>.

Said lamp <NUM> comprises a plurality of LEDs <NUM> connected to said support body <NUM>.

In particular, the LEDs of said plurality of LEDs <NUM> are arranged in a row along an axis parallel to the longitudinal extension lens axis X-X.

Said extruded lens <NUM> is coupled to said snap-coupling means <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said support body <NUM> has a longitudinal development axis parallel to the longitudinal extension lens axis X-X.

According to an embodiment, said support body <NUM> has a section transverse to said longitudinal development axis comprising a first segment <NUM> and a second segment <NUM> connected to each other.

According to an embodiment, said first segment <NUM> has an extension less than said second segment <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said transverse section of said support body <NUM> has an L-shape.

According to an embodiment, said first segment <NUM> externally has a fastening groove <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said snap-coupling means <NUM> comprise a hinging element 22a connected to a free end of said first segment <NUM>, and a snap-coupling element 22b connected to a free end of said second segment <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said hinging element 22a has a receiving seat <NUM> to receive said hinging portion <NUM> of said extruded lens <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said snap-coupling element 22b comprises an undercut <NUM> for snap-coupling said coupling portion <NUM> of said extruded lens <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said elongated flap <NUM> of said extruded lens <NUM> is positioned in said receiving seat <NUM> and said step flap <NUM> of said extruded lens <NUM> is snap-coupled onto said undercut <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said elongated flap <NUM> of said extruded lens <NUM> has sufficient elasticity to elastically deform, to allow said step flap <NUM> to snap-couple onto said undercut <NUM>.

Therefore, said extruded lens <NUM> is coupled to said support body <NUM> in a position inclined with respect to said first and to said second segment, in which the inclination is defined by the relative position of said receiving seat <NUM> and said undercut <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said snap-coupling means <NUM> are made in one piece with said support body <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said support body <NUM> is an extruded support body.

According to an embodiment, said support body <NUM> is made of aluminum.

According to an embodiment, said plurality of LEDs <NUM> are connected to said support body <NUM> near said snap-coupling element 22b. In other words, with reference to the transverse section of the support body <NUM>, the plurality of LEDs <NUM> is connected to said second segment <NUM> near said snap-coupling means 22b.

According to an embodiment, with reference to the transverse section of the support body <NUM> and to the transverse section of the lens <NUM>, said plurality of LEDs <NUM> is connected to the support body <NUM> on the segment <NUM>, <NUM> closest to the second rectilinear portion <NUM> of the radiation outlet edge <NUM> of the extruded lens <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, with reference to the transverse section of the support body <NUM> and to the transverse lens section <NUM>, said plurality of LEDs <NUM> is connected to the first segment <NUM> in a position underlying the orthogonal projection of said second rectilinear portion <NUM> on said radiation inlet edge <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment, each LED of said plurality of LEDs <NUM> is a Chip On Board (COB) LED.

According to an embodiment, said lamp <NUM> comprises a control and power supply unit <NUM> of said plurality of LEDs <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said plurality of LEDs <NUM> is a LED strip.

In accordance with an embodiment, said plurality of LEDs <NUM> is a Chip On Board (COB) LED strip.

The present invention also relates to a lamp holder assembly <NUM> comprising said lamp <NUM>.

Said lamp holder assembly <NUM> comprises at least one coupling body <NUM> connected to said lamp <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said coupling body <NUM> has a main development direction parallel to said longitudinal extension lens axis X-X and is coupled to said support body <NUM> of said lamp <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said coupling body <NUM> comprises a central plate <NUM> facing said second segment <NUM> connected to a first arm <NUM> in abutment against said free end of the second segment <NUM> and to a second arm <NUM> in abutment against said first segment <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said second arm <NUM> comprises a coupling tab <NUM> fitted in said fastening groove <NUM> of said support body <NUM> of said lamp <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said fastening tab is snap-fitted or inserted laterally into said fastening groove <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said central plate <NUM> has at least one hole <NUM> for a fastening element <NUM> for fastening said coupling body <NUM> to a coupling surface <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said fastening element <NUM> is a screw.

According to an embodiment, said coupling body is a C-folded metal sheet.

The present invention also relates to a merchandise display <NUM> comprising at least one previously described lamp holder assembly <NUM>.

Said merchandise display <NUM> comprises at least one upright <NUM>, at least one displaying shelf <NUM> and/or at least one crosspiece <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said lamp holder assembly <NUM> is coupled to said merchandise display <NUM> so that said plurality of LEDs <NUM> is in the closest possible position with respect to the vertical plane to be illuminated and in the farthest possible position with respect to an external user.

According to an embodiment, said lamp holder assembly <NUM> is coupled to said merchandise display <NUM> so that the first segment <NUM> of said support body <NUM> of said lamp is positioned on the opposite side with respect to the plane to be illuminated.

According to an embodiment, said lamp holder assembly <NUM> is coupled to said merchandise display <NUM> so that the second segment <NUM> is parallel to a coupling surface of said merchandise display <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said lamp holder assembly <NUM> is coupled to said crosspiece <NUM> so that said lamp <NUM> is positioned with the longitudinal extension lens axis X-X thereof horizontally, to uniformly illuminate from above a plurality of displaying shelves <NUM> underlying said crosspiece <NUM>, thus avoiding dazzling users approaching said merchandise display <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said merchandise display <NUM> comprises a plurality of uprights <NUM> and a plurality of shelves <NUM> and said lamp holder assembly <NUM> is coupled to at least one upright of said plurality of uprights <NUM> so that said lamp holder assembly <NUM> is positioned with the longitudinal extension lens axis X-X in a vertical position, to laterally, uniformly illuminate the front part of said plurality of displaying shelves <NUM>, in other words, the vertical plane defined by the front part of said plurality of displaying shelves <NUM>, without dazzling users approaching said merchandise display <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, said merchandise display <NUM> comprises a plurality of uprights <NUM>, a plurality of shelves <NUM> and a plurality of lamp holder assemblies <NUM>. Each lamp holder assembly <NUM> is coupled to a corresponding front upright of said plurality of uprights <NUM> so that, for each pair of facing front uprights, two lamp holder assemblies <NUM> are placed in a vertical position and are symmetrically oriented to uniformly illuminate said plurality of displaying shelves <NUM> laterally, in other words, to illuminate as evenly as possible the vertical plane defined by the front part of said plurality of displaying shelves <NUM>.

Said merchandise display <NUM> is, for example, a horizontal and vertical refrigerated counter, either a plug-in version or with a remote or connected motor.

A person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy contingent needs, may modify and adapt the embodiments of the devices described above, without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claim 1:
An extruded lens (<NUM>) for distributing the radiation emitted by a plurality of LEDs (<NUM>), wherein
said extruded lens (<NUM>) defines a longitudinal extension lens axis (X-X), and wherein said extruded lens (<NUM>) comprises:
an inlet surface (<NUM>) of the radiation which can face said plurality of LEDs (<NUM>);
an outlet surface (<NUM>) of the radiation from said extruded lens (<NUM>); a transverse lens section (<NUM>), transverse to said longitudinal extension lens axis (X-X); wherein said transverse lens section (<NUM>) is a section with an asymmetrical shape;
said transverse lens section (<NUM>) comprises a radiation inlet edge (<NUM>);
said radiation inlet edge (<NUM>) comprises at least one plurality of first rectilinear portions (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
said radiation inlet edge (<NUM>) is a concave edge;
said transverse lens section (<NUM>) comprises a radiation outlet edge (<NUM>);
said radiation outlet edge (<NUM>) comprises at least one first arc of circumference (<NUM>) and at least one second rectilinear portion (<NUM>) [par.<NUM>] and
said radiation outlet edge (<NUM>) comprises a second arc of circumference (<NUM>) [par.<NUM>] and
said second arc of circumference (<NUM>) is adjacent to said first arc of circumference (<NUM>)
characterized in that
said radiation outlet edge (<NUM>) is a convex edge, and in that said extruded lens (<NUM>) is obtained by co-extruding two different materials; and wherein
said extruded lens (<NUM>) comprises a co-extruded matted outer layer (<NUM>) for diffusing the light radiation at least partially forming said outlet surface (<NUM>),
wherein said co-extruded matted outer layer (<NUM>) seamlessly extends to form at least one inlet surface portion (<NUM>) of said inlet surface (<NUM>).