Patent Description:
In the current state of the art, LED lamps for the lighting of interiors, and more particularly the lamp whose LEDs are installed by means of the surface mount technique (SMD LED), are substantially made up of a substrate whereon a printed circuit board is attached whereon, in turn, a plurality of LEDs are mounted. The known LED lamps comprise, moreover, at least one component or connector, apt to receive electrical current from the outside for the supply of the printed circuit and, therefore, of the LEDs themselves. In the patent application <CIT> a LED lamp is described comprising a load-bearing structure, four LED modules and a single connector for all modules. These ones are fixed in a reversible manner on the load-bearing structure and consist in a printed circuit with LEDs. <CIT> discloses a table lighting apparatus comprising a two-dimensional LED lamp consisting of a single LED module. Finally, also <CIT> describes a table lighting apparatus and a pendant lighting apparatus, each including a two-dimensional LED lamp consisting of a single LED module. In recent years LED lamps have become increasingly commonly used in that they have various advantages, including greater energy efficiency and longer duration. LED lamps, if compared to halogen or fluorescent lamps, allow a reduction in the annual energy consumption, with consequent reduction in the emissions of CO<NUM>. Nonetheless, it is sufficient for one single LED to break down for the entire lamp to become no longer usable and to be therefore discarded. LED lamps being composed primarily of electronic components such as, in fact, printed circuit boards, diodes and, therefore, semiconductor metals, they have to be collected and disposed of as "electronic" waste or waste in the WEEE (waste of electrical and electronic equipment) class. The main problems linked to the disposal of this type of waste are linked to the presence, in the component materials of the equipment, of substances hazardous to health and/or to the environment such as copper, iron, aluminium, glass, silver, gold, lead and mercury. Considering that, already for some years now, the annual production of electronic waste has reached <NUM> million tonnes of waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), it is clear how it is becoming increasingly urgent to find solutions which allow a reduction in the quantity of this waste, taking into account that, at the same time, the use of electronic components is practically now necessary in every field of the art. In the specific case of LED lamps, considering that they often comprise a number of LEDs of the order of tens, it is easy to see which is the waste generated by throwing away tens of LEDs which could still be useful, together with the components associated therewith, due to the breakdown of one single LED. <CIT> discloses a LED comprising LED printed circuit boards mounted on multiple exterior surfaces of a single heat sink with internal fins, that can be cut to different lengths to accommodate different numbers of printed circuit boards with a parallel connector mounted symmetrically for symmetrical lighting distributions or asymmetrically for asymmetrical lighting distributions. The LED lamp disclosed in <CIT> is configured to be connected to an end of a stem of a lighting apparatus by means of a connection assembly but the connectors of the LED printed circuit boards are coupled to two terminal blocks which are part of the LED lamp and are not configured to be coupled to the connectors of the connection assembly to allow the supply of the LED modules. For this reason, even in the lamp disclosed D6, it has to replace the entire three-dimensional bulb when a single LED, or a small part of the set of LEDs fails. Instead, in order to effectively reduce the production of electronic waste derived from the discarding of non-functioning LED lamps, it would be to replace only one part of the lamp, maintaining all the rest.

The object of the present invention is, therefore, that of providing a LED lamp which allows the disadvantages of the prior art described above to be overcome, and that is, in particular, that allows a reduction in the production of electronic waste derived from the discarding of non-functioning LED lamps.

This object is achieved by a LED lamp wherein the LED modules which compose it are independent one from the other and can be replaced singly. In this way, when a single LED of a single module has a fault, it will be sufficient to replace the single module with all the LEDs mounted thereon, but not the entire lamp and the other LEDs mounted on the other modules. To this end, the lamp that forms the object of the present invention comprises:.

The LED modules are attached in a reversible manner on the load-bearing structure by mechanical attachment means and each LED module comprises at least one connector in order to receive electrical current from the outside. The connectors of each LED module and, in particular, the at least one connector of the first LED module and the at least one connector of the second LED module are placed in proximity of the same end of the load-bearing structure.

The mechanical attachment elements comprise at least one screw, preferably two screws, for each of the at least two LED modules. Each LED module comprises at least one hole internally threaded and configured to accommodate a screw. The load-bearing structure, in turn, also comprises at least two holes (at least one per module) threaded internally and configured to each accommodate at least one screw.

The load-bearing structure, moreover, can have two different geometric configurations. In a first configuration the load-bearing structure is given by the difference between a solid parallelepiped and a hollow cylinder, which projects outside of said parallelepiped, at the second end of said structure. In the second configuration, instead, the load-bearing structure is given by a hollow parallelepiped, the base surface of said parallelepiped being formed by the surface comprised between two concentric squares.

The object of the present invention is also an apparatus for the lighting of interiors, comprising:.

According to the geometric configuration of the load-bearing structure of the LED lamp, the second end of the stem of the apparatus can in turn take on two different configurations. More particularly, when the load-bearing structure has the configuration indicated above as first configuration, the second end of the stem comprises:.

Each connector of the second end of the stem is configured in order to be coupled with the connector of each of the LED modules, allowing the supply thereof.

When instead the load-bearing structure has the configuration indicated above as second configuration, the second end of the stem comprises an element in the shape of a parallelepiped configured for the insertion in the load-bearing structure and at least one connector for each LED module of the lamp. In this case too, each connector of the second end of the stem is configured in order to be coupled with the connector of each of the LED modules, allowing the supply thereof. Finally, the object of the present application is also a kit, comprising:.

The kit of the present invention can, moreover, also comprise a lamp according to the present invention.

The mechanical attachment means can be made up of:.

These and other objects of the present invention will be made clearer by the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the present invention, to be understood by way of a non-limiting example of the more general concepts claimed.

The following description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a first embodiment of the LED lamp (<NUM>) of the present invention comprises:.

The fourteen LEDs (<NUM>, <NUM>,' <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>') are organised into two independent circuits, each of said circuits comprising seven LEDs (<NUM>, <NUM>,' <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>'). In this way a possible breakdown of one single LED does not jeopardise the functioning of the entire board but only of half thereof.

Each of the LED modules (<NUM>, <NUM>') is attached in a reversible manner on the load-bearing structure (<NUM>) by means of two socket head screws (<NUM>, <NUM>'). Each LED (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprises, moreover, a connector (<NUM>, <NUM>') in order to receive electrical current from the outside. The LED modules (<NUM>, <NUM>') are positioned on the load-bearing structure (<NUM>) in such a way that the connectors (<NUM>, <NUM>') of each LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') are placed in proximity of the same end (<NUM>') of the load-bearing structure (<NUM>). Each LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprises two internally threaded holes (<NUM>, <NUM>'), each of said holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') being configured to each accommodate a screw (<NUM>, <NUM>'). The load-bearing structure (<NUM>) comprises, in turn, two holes for each LED module, for a total of eight holes (<NUM>, <NUM>'). These holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') are also internally threaded and are configured to each accommodate a screw (<NUM>, <NUM>'). Superimposing each LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') on the load-bearing structure (<NUM>), in such a way that the holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') correspond to the holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the load-bearing structure (<NUM>) and screwing a socket head screw (<NUM>, <NUM>') in said holes (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>'), in such a way that the latter traverses with continuity the holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') first and the holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the load-bearing structure (<NUM>') later, the single LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') is attached reversibly onto the load-bearing structure (<NUM>). In the first embodiment of the present invention, the load-bearing structure (<NUM>) of the LED lamp (<NUM>) is given by the difference between a solid parallelepiped and a hollow cylinder (<NUM>'), said hollow cylinder (<NUM>') projecting outside of said parallelepiped, at the second end (<NUM>').

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a second embodiment of the LED lamp (<NUM>') of the present invention comprises:.

The fourteen LEDs (<NUM>, <NUM>,' <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>') are organised into two independent circuits, each of said circuits comprising seven LEDs (<NUM>, <NUM>,' <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>').

Each of the LED modules (<NUM>, <NUM>') is attached in a reversible manner on the load-bearing structure (<NUM>) by means of two thumb screws (<NUM>, <NUM>'), which can be unscrewed by hand. Each LED (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprises, moreover, a connector (<NUM>, <NUM>') in order to receive electrical current from the outside. The LED modules (<NUM>, <NUM>') are positioned on the load-bearing structure (<NUM>) in such a way that the connectors (<NUM>, <NUM>') of each LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') are placed in proximity of the same end (<NUM>') of the load-bearing structure (<NUM>). Each module (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprises two internally threaded holes (<NUM>, <NUM>'), each of said holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') being configured to each accommodate a screw (<NUM>, <NUM>'). The load-bearing structure (<NUM>) comprises, in turn, two holes for each LED module, for a total of eight holes (<NUM>, <NUM>'). These holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') are also internally threaded and are configured to each accommodate a screw (<NUM>, <NUM>'). Superimposing each LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') on the load-bearing structure (<NUM>), in such a way that the holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') correspond to the holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the load-bearing structure (<NUM>) and screwing manually a thumb screw (<NUM>, <NUM>') in said holes (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>'), in such a way that the latter traverses with continuity the holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') first and the holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the load-bearing structure (<NUM>) later, the single LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') is attached reversibly onto the load-bearing structure (<NUM>). In the second embodiment of the present invention, the load-bearing structure (<NUM>) of the LED lamp (<NUM>') is given by the difference between a solid parallelepiped and a hollow cylinder (<NUM>'), said hollow cylinder (<NUM>') projecting outside of said parallelepiped, at the second end (<NUM>').

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a third embodiment of the LED lamp (<NUM>) of the present invention comprises:.

Each of the LED modules (<NUM>, <NUM>') is attached in a reversible manner on the load-bearing structure (<NUM>') by means of two socket head screws (<NUM>, <NUM>'). Each LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprises, moreover, a connector (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>') in order to receive electrical current from the outside. The LED modules (<NUM>, <NUM>') are positioned on the load-bearing structure (<NUM>') in such a way that the connectors (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>') of each LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') are placed in proximity of the same end (<NUM>') of the load-bearing structure (<NUM>'). Each LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprises two internally threaded holes (<NUM>, <NUM>'), each of said holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') being configured to each accommodate a screw (<NUM>, <NUM>'). The load-bearing structure (<NUM>') comprises, in turn, two holes for each LED module, for a total of eight holes (<NUM>, <NUM>'). These holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') are also internally threaded and are configured to each accommodate a screw (<NUM>, <NUM>'). Superimposing each LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') on the load-bearing structure (<NUM>'), in such a way that the holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') correspond to the holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the load-bearing structure (<NUM>') and screwing a socket head screw (<NUM>,<NUM>') in said holes (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>'), in such a way that the latter traverses with continuity the holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') first and the holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the load-bearing structure (<NUM>') later, the single LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') is attached reversibly onto the load-bearing structure (<NUM>). In the third embodiment of the present invention, the load-bearing structure (<NUM>') of the LED lamp (<NUM>) is a hollow parallelepiped, the base surface of said parallelepiped being formed by the surface comprised between two concentric squares.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a fourth embodiment of the LED lamp (<NUM>') of the present invention comprises:.

Each of the LED modules (<NUM>, <NUM>') is attached in a reversible manner on the load-bearing structure (<NUM>') by means of two thumb screws (<NUM>, <NUM>'), which can be unscrewed by hand. Each LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprises, moreover, a connector (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>') in order to receive electrical current from the outside. The LED modules (<NUM>, <NUM>') are positioned on the load-bearing structure (<NUM>') in such a way that the connectors (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>') of each LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') are placed in proximity of the same end (<NUM>') of the load-bearing structure (<NUM>'). Each LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprises two internally threaded holes (<NUM>, <NUM>'), each of said holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') being configured to each accommodate a screw (<NUM>, <NUM>'). The load-bearing structure (<NUM>') comprises, in turn, two holes for each LED module, for a total of eight holes (<NUM>, <NUM>'). These holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') are also internally threaded and are configured to each accommodate a screw (<NUM>, <NUM>'). Superimposing each LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') on the load-bearing structure (<NUM>'), in such a way that the holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') correspond to the holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the load-bearing structure (<NUM>') and screwing manually a thumb screw (<NUM>, <NUM>') in said holes (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>'), in such a way that the latter traverses with continuity the holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') first and the holes (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the load-bearing structure (<NUM>') later, the single LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') is attached reversibly onto the load-bearing structure (<NUM>'). In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the load-bearing structure (<NUM>') of the LED lamp (<NUM>') is a hollow parallelepiped, the base surface of said parallelepiped being formed by the surface comprised between two concentric squares.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a first embodiment of the apparatus (<NUM>) for the lighting of rooms of the present invention comprises:.

The lampshade blocking element (<NUM>) is provided with a threaded ring nut to which to screw the lampshade (<NUM>). The second end (<NUM>") of the stem (<NUM>) is connected structurally and electrically to said lamp (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>) by means of a connection assembly (<NUM>), said assembly (<NUM>) comprising: a circular hole (<NUM>) configured for the insertion of the hollow cylinder (<NUM>') and four connectors (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>'), one for each LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the lamp (<NUM>, <NUM>'), said connectors being configured in order to be coupled with the connectors (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>') of the LED modules (<NUM>, <NUM>') allowing the supply thereof. Referring to 8c and <NUM>, the connection assembly (<NUM>) is mounted on the heat sink (<NUM>) contained on the second end (<NUM>") of the stem.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a second embodiment of the apparatus (<NUM>) for the lighting of rooms of the present invention comprises:.

The lampshade blocking element (<NUM>) is provided with a threaded ring nut to which to screw the lampshade (<NUM>). The second end (<NUM>") of the stem (<NUM>) is connected structurally and electrically to said lamp (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>) by means of a connection assembly (<NUM>'), said assembly (<NUM>') comprising: a parallelepiped-shaped element (<NUM>') configured for the insertion in the load-bearing structure (<NUM>') and four connectors (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>') for each LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the lamp (<NUM>, <NUM>'), said connectors being configured in order to be coupled with the connectors (<NUM>, <NUM>') of each of the LED modules (<NUM>, <NUM>') allowing the supply thereof.

Referring to 8c and <NUM>, the connection assembly (<NUM>') is mounted on the heat sink (<NUM>) contained on the second end (<NUM>") of the stem.

Referring to <FIG>, a third embodiment of the apparatus (<NUM>) of the present invention comprises:.

The lampshade blocking element (<NUM>) is provided with a threaded ring nut to which to screw the lampshade (<NUM>). The second end (<NUM>") of the stem (<NUM>) is connected structurally and electrically to said lamp (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>) by means of a connection assembly (<NUM>), said assembly (<NUM>) comprising: a circular hole (<NUM>) configured for the insertion of the hollow cylinder (<NUM>') and at least one connector (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>') for each LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the lamp (<NUM>, <NUM>'), said connectors being configured in order to be coupled with the connectors (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>') of the LED modules (<NUM>, <NUM>') allowing the supply thereof. Referring to 8c and <NUM>, the connection assembly (<NUM>) is mounted on the heat sink (<NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, a fourth embodiment of the apparatus (<NUM>) of the present invention comprises:.

The lampshade blocking element (<NUM>) is provided with a threaded ring nut to which to screw the lampshade (<NUM>). The second end (<NUM>") of the stem (<NUM>) is connected structurally and electrically to said lamp (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>) by means of a connection assembly (<NUM>'), said assembly (<NUM>') comprising: a parallelepiped-shaped element (<NUM>') configured for the insertion in the load-bearing structure (<NUM>') and four connectors (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>') for each LED module (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the lamp (<NUM>, <NUM>'), said connectors being configured in order to be coupled with the connectors (<NUM>, <NUM>') of each of the LED modules (<NUM>, <NUM>') allowing the supply thereof. Referring to 8c and <NUM>, the connection assembly (<NUM>') is mounted on the heat sink (<NUM>).

In all the embodiments of the apparatus described above, the connection assembly (<NUM>') is mounted on the heat sink (<NUM>) contained on the second end (<NUM>") of the stem.

Considering what is described above, for the purposes of the present description, the term "stem" is intended to be used in its more general meaning, valid both for so-called "table lamps" and for "floor lamps" and, finally, for the so-called "suspension lamps". In the case of "table lamps" and "floor lamps", the term "stem" is understood to be that element which allows the lamp to be connected with a base configured for the resting on a horizontal plane such as the floor or a table. In the case of "suspension lamps", the term "stem" is understood to be, instead, that element which allows the lamp to be connected with a base configured in order to be attached to or hanging from a ceiling.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, a first embodiment of the kit that is the object of the present invention comprises:.

The first embodiment of the kit can, also, comprise:.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, a second embodiment of the kit that is the object of the present invention comprises:.

The second embodiment of the kit can, also, comprise:.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, a third embodiment of the kit that is the object of the present invention comprises:.

The third embodiment of the kit can, also, comprise:.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, a fourth embodiment of the kit that is the object of the present invention comprises:.

The fourth embodiment of the kit can, also, comprise:.

Claim 1:
LED lamp (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>') configured to be connected to an end (<NUM>") of a stem (<NUM>) of a lighting apparatus by means of a connection assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>'), configured to be mounted on a heat sink (<NUM>) contained in said end (<NUM>"), said connection assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprising:
- a circular hole (<NUM>) configured for the insertion of a load-bearing structure (<NUM>'); or
- a parallelepiped-shaped element (<NUM>') configured for the insertion in a load-bearing structure (<NUM>');
said LED lamp (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>') comprising:
- the load-bearing structure (<NUM>, <NUM>') provided with a first (<NUM>) and with a second end (<NUM>', <NUM>'); and
- at least one first LED module (<NUM>) attached in a reversible manner on said load-bearing structure (<NUM>, <NUM>') by means of mechanical attachment means (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>"), said at least one first LED module (<NUM>) comprising:
• a printed circuit board; and
• at least one LED (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>') mounted on the printed circuit board; and
- at least one second LED module (<NUM>'), attached in a reversible manner on said load-bearing structure (<NUM>, <NUM>') by means of mechanical attachment means, said at least second one LED module (<NUM>') comprising:
• a printed circuit board; and
• at least one LED mounted on the printed circuit board;
said LED lamp (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>') being characterised in that:
- the first LED module (<NUM>) comprises at least one connector (<NUM>, <NUM>') in order to receive electrical current from the outside, said connection assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprising a first connector (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>') configured to be coupled with the connector (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the first LED module (<NUM>) allowing the supply thereof; and
the second LED module (<NUM>') comprises at least one connector (<NUM>, <NUM>') in order to receive electrical current from the outside, said connection assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprising a second connector (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>') configured to be coupled with the connector (<NUM>, <NUM>') of the second LED module (<NUM>') allowing the supply thereof.