Patent Description:
In many industrial applications ingress protection is applied to improve robustness against water and particles, such as dust. Normally this causes increased cost and complexity, lower serviceability etc. When the protection is applied to rotational joints, the solution often includes special sealings and hydrophobic grease where the drawback is higher friction and noise. Ventilation holes are rarely applied due to the risk of ingress and soaking dust filters.

In entertainment and architectural lighting, light fixtures, such as moving head light fixtures, are often used outdoor with the risk of rain showers. Therefore, the product should either be placed safely under a roof or it should be ingress protected with IP class x5 or higher. IPx5 products are both expensive, heavy and complex to service compared to its IP20 indoor relatives. One of the most critical sections of a moving head light fixture is the rotationally joints between base and yoke and between yoke and head. The complexity of rain protecting these joints is increased due to the fact that there are substantially no limitations in relation to rigging orientation of such light fixtures.

Document <CIT> discloses a luminaire head with integrated swivel joint and defined torque by means of compensators in a circumferential divided two-sided labyrinth seal.

It is an object of embodiments of the disclosure to provide an improved light fixture. It is a further object of embodiments of the disclosure to provide a light fixture with an improved rain protection of a joint.

According to a first aspect, the disclosure provides a light fixture comprising a first element and a second element joined by cooperating first and second attachment structures as mentioned in claim <NUM>, wherein the first attachment structure is located in a first compartment in the first element and extends in a first direction towards the second element, wherein the second attachment structure forms part of the second element, wherein the first element comprises an outwardly projecting wall portion forming a first collar circumferentially around a first opening in the first element, the projecting wall portion extending in a second direction being transverse to the first direction and terminating in a first free edge outside the first compartment, wherein the second element comprises a groove configured to receive the first collar, the groove extending circumferentially around a centre axis of the second attachment structure, wherein the groove comprises a first outwardly extending surface portion and a second outwardly extending surface portion, each of the first and second outwardly extending surface portions extending towards the first element from an outer surface of the second element and terminating at an opposite end point, the first and second outwardly extending surface portions each extending circumferential around the centre axis of the second attachment structure.

The light fixture comprises at least a first element and a second element which are joined by cooperating first and second attachment structures. When the first attachment structure engages the second attachment structure, the first and second elements are jointed.

The first attachment structure is located in a first compartment in the first element and extends in a first direction which may preferably be towards the second element to facilitate engagement between the two attachment structures. The first attachment structure may be formed integrally with the first elements to thereby form a single element. Alternatively, the first attachment structure may be a separate element which is attached to an inner surface of the first element to thereby locate the first attachment structure in the first compartment. It should further be understood that the first attachment structure may be attached to the fist element via one or more additional elements. The first element may likewise be formed in one piece or may alternatively be formed by at least two shell parts which are subsequently joined to form the first element comprising the first compartment.

A first opening is formed in the first element to allow the first attachment structure to engage the second attachment structure which forms part of the second element. The second attachment structure may be formed integrally with the second elements to thereby form a single element. Alternatively, the second attachment structure may be a separate element which is attached to the second element.

The first and second elements being joined by cooperation first and second attachment structures may each comprise an outer surface part facing the other one of the first and second element. In one embodiment, these outer surface parts may be in contact with each other, when the first and second attachment structures engage each other. In an alternative embodiment, the first and second elements may only be in contact with each other via the first and second attachment structures engaging each other.

The first and/or second attachment structures may each be formed by a single element or may each alternatively be joined by a plurality of element which in an assembled configuration forms each of the first and/or second attachment structures.

In one embodiment, the first attachment structure may extend in the first direction out of the first opening to facilitate engagement between the first attachment structure and the second attachment structure. It should however be understood that the first and second attachments structures may also engage each other via the first opening in the first element in embodiments where the first attachment structure does not extend out of the first compartment via the first opening in the first element.

The first element comprises an outwardly projecting wall portion forming a first collar circumferentially around a first opening in the first element. The outwardly projecting wall portion may be formed integrally with a wall portion forming the compartment of the first element, e.g. by 3D printing. Alternatively, the outwardly projecting wall portion may be formed as a separately element which is subsequently attached to an outer surface of the first element.

The outwardly projecting wall portion extends in a second direction which is transverse to the first direction and terminates in a first free edge outside the first compartment, thereby forming a collar on the outer surface circumferential the first opening. When rain falls onto the light fixture, raindrops may stick to an outer surface to the first and/or second element due to surface adhesion forces in the water, and the raindrops may the follow the outer surface of the first and/or second element. By providing a collar circumferentially around the first opening, where the outwardly projecting wall portion extends in a second direction transverse to the first direction and terminates in a first free edge outside the first compartment, the raindrops may be guided away from the first opening and even ramped off to allow drainage of water away from the opening substantially independent of the orientation of the joint.

The second element comprises a groove configured to receive the first collar, where the groove extends circumferentially around a centre axis of the second attachment structure. The groove forms an opening configured to receive the first collar. When arranging the first collar in the groove, this may provide additional protection of the first opening and thereby the joint, as the groove provides additional guidance for the raindrops away from the first opening.

The collar may in one embodiment be substantially U-shaped; i.e. formed by two substantially parallel leg joined by an intermediate section forming the bottom part of the U-shape. The U-shape may be a sharp-edged U, where the two legs and the intermediate section are joined at corners being substantially <NUM> degrees. In this case, the first direction and the second direction may be substantially perpendicular to each other. Alternatively, the corners of the U-shape may be arch-shaped. In a further alternative, the two legs of the U-shape extending from opposite ends of the intermediate section may be non-parallel, e.g. by extending in opposite directions from the intermediate section, one leg may form a <NUM> degrees angle with the intermediate section, while the other leg may form above <NUM> degrees, such as an angle in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, or even higher, to the intermediate section. In a further alternative embodiment, the collar may be substantially V-shaped.

It should be understood, that both a U-shaped collar and a V-shaped collar may be formed by the outwardly projecting wall portion in cooperation with an outer surface of the first element, as a first leg may be formed by a part of the outer surface of the first element, whereas a second leg and an intermediate section may be formed by the outwardly protecting wall portion.

The groove may extend from an outer surface of the second element towards the first element. This may facilitate receipt of the outwardly projecting wall portion forming the first collar in the groove.

In one embodiment, the second element may comprise a second compartment with a second opening, where the second attachment structure may be arranged in the second compartment. In one embodiment, the second attachment structure may extend out of the second opening to facilitate engagement between the first attachment structure and the second attachment structure. It should however be understood that the first and second attachments structures may also engage each other via the second opening in the second element in embodiments where the second attachment structure does not extend out of the second compartment via the second opening in the second element.

The second attachment structure may extend substantially in the first direction as the first attachment structure to facilitate joining of the two elements by the first and second attachments structures.

By extending in the first direction, should be understood, that at first attachment structure at one end may be attached to an inner surface of the first compartment and at an opposite end may be configured to engage the second attachment structure. The direction from the attachment point in the first compartment towards the opposite end may thus be the first direction. The first direction may preferably be a direction toward the second element, such a towards the second attachment element.

A least one of the first and second compartments may be formed by two or more shell parts which may subsequently be assembled to form the compartment(s). The first and/or second attachment structure(s) may be formed integrally with a shell part or may be formed separately and subsequently attached to the one or mere shell parts. The first and second element may preferably be made of a thermoplastic material. In embodiment, the first and second attachment structures are made as separate element subsequently attached to the first and the second element, respectively, the first and second attachment structures may likewise be made of a thermoplastic material. It should however be understood, that other materials may also be applicable.

In one embodiment, at least one of the first opening and the second opening may be substantially circular. It should however be understood, that at least one of the openings may alternatively oval, elliptic, square-shaped, or otherwise shaped. In embodiments having a square-shaped opening, the corners of the openings may be arch-shaped.

The first attachment structure may be configured to movably engage the second attachment structure thereby forming a rotational joint between the first and second elements. In these embodiments, the joint between the first and second element may constrain motion of the two elements to substantially pure rotation along a common axis, where the common axis may extend in the first direction. In one embodiment, this may be achieved by a first attachment structure comprising a rod-like element and a second attachment structure forming an indentation of matching shape. It should be understood, that in an alternative embodiment, the first attachment structure may form the indentation, whereas the second attachment element may comprise a rod-like element configured to be received in the indentation having an inner shape matching the outer shape of the rod-like element. The first and/or second attachment structure may further comprise additional elements cooperating with the rod-like element and/or indentation to form the joint, such as bearings. It should further be understood that a rod-like element and a matching indentation is an example of an embodiment of a joint, and that other types of first and second attachments structures may also be applied when joining a first and second element of a light fixture.

The first and second attachment structure may each comprise a through hole extending from one outer surface of the attachment structure to an opposite other outer surface. The through holes may be substantially centrally arranged, whereby a common through hole may be provided when the first and second attachment structures engage. In one embodiment, the common through hole may provide a passage between the first and second compartment. The passage may as an example provide a path for a cable.

The groove formed at the second element comprises a first outwardly extending surface portion and a second outwardly extending surface portion, where each of the first and second outwardly extending surface portions extend substantially towards the first element from an outer surface of the second element and terminate at an opposite end point. The first and second outwardly extending surface portions each extend circumferentially around the centre axis of the second attachment structure.

Each of the first and second outwardly extending surface portions extend circumferentially around the centre axis of the second attachment structure and in embodiments where the second element comprises a second opening, each of the first and second outwardly extending surface portions may extend circumferentially around the second opening. It should be understood, that the shape of each of the first and second outwardly extending surface portions may be different that the shape of the second opening. As an example, the second opening may be a circular opening, whereas as the first outwardly extending surface portion may be oval, and second outwardly extending surface portion may be elliptic in a plane parallel to the second opening (a plane substantially perpendicular to the first direction). In one embodiment, each of the first and second outwardly extending surface portions and the second opening may be of the same shape in the plane of the opening, e.g. all three elements being circular.

Thus, the first and second outwardly extending surface portions may extend substantially parallel circumferentially around the centre axis of the second attachment structure.

The first and second outwardly extending surface portions may each have a height being a distance from the outer surface of the second element where they are attached to the end point. The first outwardly extending surface portion may be arranged closer to the centre axis of the second attachment structure than the second outwardly extending surface portion, whereby the second outwardly extending surface portion may extend circumferential around the first outwardly extending surface portion and the centre axis of the second attachment structure. The height of the first outwardly extending surface portion may be equal to or larger than the height of the second outwardly extending surface portion. By providing the first outwardly extending surface portion with a height being larger than the height of the second outwardly extending surface portion, drainage of water away from the compartment(s) and the first and second attachment structures may be facilitated.

Each of the first and second outwardly extending surface portions may in a cross-section transverse to the height be substantially uniform, whereby each of the first and second outwardly extending surface portions may be substantially plate-shaped elements extending circumferentially around the centre axis of the second attachment structure.

In an alternative embodiment, at least one of the first and second outwardly extending surface portions may have a width decreasing towards the end point of these elements.

The first and second outwardly extending surface portions may in one embodiment together form a substantially U-shape, where the first and second outwardly extending surface portions each forms a leg in the U-shape. The legs may be substantially parallel extending towards the first element. In an alternative embodiment, the first outwardly extending surface portion may extend towards the first element at an angle of substantially <NUM> degrees relative to the outer surface of the second element, whereas the second outwardly extending surface portion may extend away from the centre axis of the second attachment structure, thereby extending towards the first element at an angle above <NUM> degrees, such as in the range of <NUM>- <NUM> degrees.

The second element may comprise a third outwardly extending surface portion, where the third outwardly extending surface portion may extend circumferentially around the first outwardly extending surface portion, the second outwardly extending surface portion, and the centre axis of the second attachment structure. The height of the third outwardly extending surface portion may be smaller than the height of the first outwardly extending surface portion and smaller than or equal to the height of the second outwardly extending surface portion to thereby facilitate drainage of water away from the compartment(s) and the first and second attachment structures.

In one embodiment, at least one of the first, second, and third outwardly extending surface portions may extend circumferentially around the centre axis of the second attachment structure in a substantially circular shape.

In an alternative embodiment not claimed, the groove may comprise a second outwardly projecting wall portion forming a second collar circumferentially around the centre axis of the second attachment structure, where the second projecting wall portion extending in a third direction being transverse to the first direction and terminating in a second free edge outside the second element.

The second collar may be substantially U-shaped; i.e. formed by two substantially parallel leg joined by an intermediate section forming the bottom part of the U-shape. The U-shape may be a sharp-edged U, where the two legs and the intermediate section are joined at corners being substantially <NUM> degrees. In this case, the first direction and the third direction may be substantially perpendicular to each other. Alternatively, the corners of the U-shape may be arch-shaped. In a further alternative, the two legs of the U-shape extending from opposite ends of the intermediate section may be non-parallel or the collar may be substantially V-shaped, as described above in relation to the first collar.

It should be understood, that both a U-shaped second collar and a V-shaped second collar may be formed by the second outwardly projecting wall portion in cooperation with an outer surface of the second element, as a first leg may be formed by a part of the outer surface of the second element and as a second leg and an intermediate section may be formed by the second outwardly protecting wall portion.

To further facilitate drainage of water away from the compartment(s) and the first and second attachment structures, the first element and the second element may comprise at least one additional outwardly extending surface portion extending toward the other one of the first and second element circumferentially around the first opening/the centre axis of the second attachment structure.

The additional outwardly extending surface portions may extend substantially circumferentially around the first opening/the centre axis of the second attachment structure in a circular form, whereby the additional outwardly extending surface portion may extend parallel to a first opening being circular.

The additional outwardly extending surface portion may further extend circumferentially around the first collar.

The additional outwardly extending surface portion may in a cross-section transverse to the height be substantially uniform, whereby the additional outwardly extending surface portion may be a substantially plate-shaped element extending circumferentially around the first opening and the first collar/the centre axis of the second attachment structure.

In an alternative embodiment, the additional outwardly extending surface portion may have a width decreasing towards the end point hereof.

Embodiments of the disclosure will now be further described with reference to the drawings, in which:.

It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only.

<FIG> illustrates different rigging positions for a light fixture <NUM> in the form of a moving head light fixture. The light fixture <NUM> is in the illustrated embodiment positioned in a truck <NUM> illustrating transportation to an entertainment site. At the entertainment site (left part of the figure), the light fixture <NUM> is positioned on a stage <NUM> and hanging above the stage from a covering <NUM>. In the middle of the figure, a light fixture <NUM> is moved from the truck <NUM> to the stage <NUM> on a cart <NUM>. The light fixture <NUM> may be exposed to rain both during the movement from the truck <NUM> and while positioned on the stage <NUM> and while hanging from the covering <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a moving head light fixture <NUM> with two rotatable joints <NUM>, <NUM> for rotation around two axes. The light fixture <NUM> comprises a head <NUM>, a yoke <NUM>, and a base <NUM>. A fist joint <NUM> is arranged between the head <NUM> and the yoke <NUM>. A second joint <NUM> is arranged between the between base <NUM> and the yoke <NUM>. If the light fixture <NUM> is expose to rain, or has been exposed to rain, water may enter the joints <NUM>, <NUM> during use, e.g. when reorientation the light fixture <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically illustrate a section through two different embodiments of a joint <NUM>, <NUM> of a light fixture <NUM> where most of the element of the light fixture has been left out. Note that the embodiment of <FIG> does not form part of the claimed invention.

The light fixture <NUM> comprises a first element <NUM> and a second element <NUM> joined by cooperating first and second attachment structures <NUM>, <NUM>. The first attachment structure <NUM> is located in a first compartment <NUM> in the first element <NUM> and extends in a first direction towards the second element <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the second attachment structure <NUM> is located in a second compartment <NUM> and forms part of the second element <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically illustrates a 2D section through the unclaimed embodiment of the light fixture <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> in an un-assembled configuration. In <FIG>, the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> is illustrated in an assembled configuration. The figures schematically illustrate the first and second elements of the light fixture whereas most of the different elements of the light fixture itself have be left out.

In <FIG>, the first and second attachment structures <NUM>, <NUM> do not engage. In <FIG>, the first and second attachments structures <NUM>, <NUM> engage each other to form a rotational joint <NUM> between the first element <NUM> and the second element <NUM>.

The first element <NUM> comprises an outwardly projecting wall portion <NUM> forming a first collar circumferentially around a first opening <NUM> in the first element <NUM>. The projecting wall portion <NUM> extends in a second direction being transverse to the first direction and terminates in a first free edge 130A outside the first compartment <NUM>.

The first collar <NUM> is substantially U-shaped; i.e. formed by two substantially parallel legs joined by an intermediate section forming the bottom part of the U-shape. As illustrated, the U-shape may be a sharp-edged U, where the two legs and the intermediate section are joined at corners being substantially <NUM> degrees. As further illustrated by the dotted circles, the collar <NUM> may alternatively have another shape, such as substantially V-shaped, a U-shape where the two legs of the U-shape do not extending in parallel, or a U-shape with arch-shaped corners at the attachment points for the legs. In a further alternative, the collar may be of another shape.

In the illustrated embodiment, a second opening <NUM> is formed in the second element. The second element <NUM> comprises a groove <NUM> configured to receive the first collar <NUM> (see <FIG>). The groove <NUM> extends circumferentially around a centre axis of the second attachment structure <NUM> and the second opening <NUM>.

In the unclaimed embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the groove <NUM> comprises a second outwardly projecting wall portion forming a second collar circumferentially around the centre axis of the second attachment structure, where the second projecting wall portion extending in a third direction being transverse to the first direction and terminating in a second free edge 135A outside the second element <NUM>.

The second collar <NUM> may have another shape in an alternative embodiment, as described above in relation to the first collar <NUM>.

The second element <NUM> comprises an additional outwardly extending surface portion <NUM> extending toward the first element <NUM> circumferentially around the second opening <NUM> and the groove <NUM> in the form of a second collar.

<FIG> illustrates 2D sections through the unclaimed embodiment of <FIG>, <FIG> rotated <NUM> degrees around one axis in steps of <NUM> degrees. The rotation corresponds to possible rotations of the light fixture during use. It should be understood, that the light fixture may be rotated substantially stepless and thereby may also be stopped at positions in between the illustrated steps of <NUM> degrees. The first and second attachments structures (see <FIG>) engage each other to form a rotational joint <NUM> between the first element <NUM> and the second element <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the 2D sections of <FIG> where first and second attachments structures (see <FIG>) engage each other to form a rotational joint <NUM> between the first element <NUM> and the second element <NUM>. On each of the sections, one or two arrows illustrate how rain is drained away from the first and second attachments structures and the openings (see <FIG>).

<FIG> schematically illustrates a 2D section through the embodiment according to the invention of the light fixture <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> in an un-assembled configuration. In <FIG>, the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> is illustrated in an assembled configuration. The figures schematically illustrate the first and second elements of the light fixture whereas most of the different elements of the light fixture itself have be left out.

The first collar <NUM> may have another shape in an alternative embodiment, as described above in relation to the first collar <NUM> illustrated by the dotted circles.

In the illustrated embodiment, a second opening <NUM> is formed in the second element. The second element <NUM> comprises a groove 135B, 135C configured to receive the first collar <NUM> (see <FIG>). The groove <NUM> extends circumferentially around a centre axis of the second attachment structure <NUM> and the second opening <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the groove 135B, 135C comprises a first outwardly extending surface portion 135B and a second outwardly extending surface portion 135C, where each of the first and second outwardly extending surface portions 135B, 135C extends substantially towards the first element <NUM>.

The second element <NUM> comprises a third outwardly extending surface portion <NUM>. The third outwardly extending surface portion <NUM> extends circumferential around the groove formed by the first outwardly extending surface portion 135B and the second outwardly extending surface portion 135C, and the centre axis of the second attachment structure <NUM>.

The height of the first outwardly extending surface portion 135B is larger than the second outwardly extending surface portion 135C which again is higher than the third outwardly extending surface portion <NUM>, where the height is the distance from the outer surface of the second element <NUM> to the end point of each of the outwardly extending surface portions 135B, 135C, <NUM>. By providing the outwardly extending surface portions with a height being lowest for the element being furthest away from the centre axis, drainage of water away from the compartments <NUM>, <NUM> and the first and second attachment structures <NUM>, <NUM> can be facilitated.

Claim 1:
A light fixture (<NUM>) comprising a first element (<NUM>) and a second element (<NUM>) joined by cooperating first and second attachment structures (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the first attachment structure (<NUM>) is located in a first compartment (<NUM>) in the first element (<NUM>) and extends in a first direction towards the second element (<NUM>), wherein the second attachment structure (<NUM>) forms part of the second element (<NUM>), wherein the first element (<NUM>) comprises an outwardly projecting wall portion (<NUM>) forming a first collar circumferentially around a first opening (<NUM>) in the first element (<NUM>), the projecting wall portion (<NUM>) extending in a second direction being transverse to the first direction and terminating in a first free edge (130A) outside the first compartment (<NUM>), wherein the second element (<NUM>) comprises a groove (<NUM>) configured to receive the first collar, the groove (<NUM>) extending circumferentially around a centre axis of the second attachment structure (<NUM>), characterized in that the groove (<NUM>) comprises a first outwardly extending surface portion(135B) and a second outwardly extending surface portion (135C), each of the first and second outwardly extending surface portions (135B, 135C) extending towards the first element (<NUM>) from an outer surface of the second element (<NUM>) and terminating at an opposite end point, the first and second outwardly extending surface portions (135B, 135C) each extending circumferential around the centre axis of the second attachment structure (<NUM>).