AND LIGHT DISPERSION PATTERN

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the technical field of lighting devices and illumination in general. More specifically, the present invention relates to a ceiling light which allows adjustment of the dispersion of light from a light source as well as alteration of the visual appearance of the lighting device.

Prior Art

Lighting devices for indoor lighting are often provided by manufacturers as preassembled units, which allows little or no room for in a simple manner adjusting the visual appearance of the lighting device. In the case of lamps that uses lampshades, the lampshades may be replaced to alter the appearance of the lamp. But this naturally entails having to find a new lamp shade, providing that such are still provided by the manufacturer. However, there is an increasing demand for lamps that allows modification not only of the appearance of the lamp but also of the light dispersion thereof. And while most lamps are sold preassembled, there is nevertheless a trend that lighting devices are increasingly common being sold as products that require some assembly by the costumer. This is a natural step in the process of lamp manufacturers to reduce the environmental impact of their products, as well as an important part of streamlining the manufacturing process. The main environmental benefit is that it allows a reduction in the physical size of each product, and/or the packaging thereof, during distribution and storing. However, it does add an additional complexity when it comes to developing lighting devices that comprises moveable parts. Consequently, it is desired to provide a lighting device which may be provided as a unit that can be assembled by the costumer to some extent, and which allows altering of the appearance and/or the light dispersion thereof. Related prior art can be found in WO 2014/194937 Al. Summary

It is therefore an object of the invention to at least partly overcome one or more of the above-identified limitations of the prior art. In particular, it is an object to provide a lighting device which in a simple way can manipulated in order to alter the visual appearance thereof and/or the light dispersion therefrom. In a first aspect, a lighting device is provided. The lighting device comprises a hub and a plurality of arms attachable to the hub, each arm at each distal end thereof comprises at least one blade connector onto which at least one blade is attachable. Control means are arranged to control the position of each blade connector in relation to each arm. The angle of the blades in relation to the arms, and thus to the hub and the light source thereof can thereby by altered, providing a simple and convenient way to alter the exterior of the lighting device. The light emitted from the light source may also be dimmed/dispersed depending on the position of the blades. Such a control means may for instance be a wire connected to the blade connectors, an electric actuator such as a linear motor, an electromagnet actuator etc. In one embodiment, control means are arranged in each arm, being separately controllable to control the position of the blade connectors on each arm individually.

The control means may be arranged at the hub and comprise a base portion and an actuating member. The position of each blade connector in relation to each arm may be controlled by a movement of the actuating member in relation to the base portion.

Furthermore, each arm may comprise a moveable member attachable to the actuating member, and a main portion attachable to the base portion. The configuration of the arms allows them to be removed from the hub during distribution and storing while the assembly is kept simple and straightforward.

At least one wire connected to the moveable member may control the movement of each blade connector.

Each blade connector may further be connected to the arm by at least two connections.

A first connection may be a hinge joint defining a pivot point and a second connection may be a sliding connection.

Each arm at each distal end thereof may comprise a distal moveable member, the movement of the distal moveable member being controlled by the moveable member. Each blade connector may be connected to a finger on the main portion and to a finger on the distal moveable member.

Furthermore, on each arm may at least one wire connect the moveable member with each distal moveable member. The wire transfers the force from the actuating member to the distal moveable member, and is sufficiently strong to provide a pushing force to the distal moveable member. The first connection may be between a blade connector and a finger on the main portion and the second connection may be between the blade connector and a corresponding finger on the distal moveable member.

The first connection may be radially outside of the second connection in relation to the movement axis of the distal moveable member.

Each arm may comprise an upper distal end and a lower distal end protruding angularly offset from each other in a vertical plane when the arm is mounted on the hub. Each distal end having a plurality of blade connectors, preferably five blade connectors, and wherein one blade is connectable to each blade connector.

The lighting device may comprise two types of arms, the distal ends on a first arm being angularly offset from the distal ends on a second arm. The distal ends can thus be brought closer together, which allows a greater dimming effect by the blades.

The angular offset between the first arm and the second arm may further be such that when six arms are arranged alternatingly around the circumference of the hub will the distal ends be arranged according to the vertices in a regular icosahedron or a spherical polyhedral, or a stellated dodecahedron or a regular dodecahedron. Such a pattern provides a sufficient dimming capability by the blades, as well as a symmetric appearance to lighting device.

The hub may comprise a plurality of first connectors and a plurality of second connectors. The first and second connectors are arranged alternatingly around the circumference of the hub, and each arm type is only attachable to either the first connector or the second connector. Hence is assembly of the lighting device facilitated, as the arms cannot be attached in an incorrect position on the hub.

The base portion of the hub may comprise a leadscrew, the leadscrew being rotatable in relation to the base portion of the hub, and the actuating member is a threaded ring axially moveable by rotation of the leadscrew.

The leadscrew may furthermore be rotatable by means of at least one string, the at least one string comprises two ends and a pulling force exerted on a first end causes axial movement of the threaded ring in one direction, and a pulling force exerted on a second end causes axial movement of the ring in the opposite direction. The appearance and light dispersion of the lighting device can thereby be altered in a convenient and reliable fashion.

The position of the actuating member may be controlled by an electric motor, allowing the lighting device to be altered automatically without having to physically touch the lighting device. The electric motor may further be in driving connection with the leadscrew.

Each blade may be attachable to a blade connector by means of a blade holder. The blade holder comprises a first part and a second part being configured to be arranged on opposite sides of the blade and being connectable to each other through at least one hole in the blade. The first part is arranged on the side of the blade facing the hub, said first part being attachable to the blade connector. The blade holder facilitates assembly of the lighting device, as well as distribution thereof. It further facilitates replacement of the blades, so that new blades can be fitted to, for instance, change the appearance of the lighting device.

The lighting device may be a pendant ceiling lamp.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will be described further below by way of example and with reference to the enclosed drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a lighting device according to one embodiment,

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a lighting device according to one embodiment,

Fig. 3 shows a detail view of a hub of a lighting device according to one embodiment,

Figs 4 and 5 show detail views of a hub of a lighting device with the actuating member in its two axial end positions according to one embodiment,

Figs 6 and 7 show a distal end according to one embodiment with the blades in a position corresponding to an actuating member position shown in Fig. 4,

Figs 8 and 9 show a distal end according to one embodiment with the blades in a position corresponding to an actuating member position shown in Fig. 5,

Fig. 10 shows a detail view of a distal end according to one embodiment,

Fig. 11 shows a lighting device according to one embodiment, and

Fig. 12 shows a distal end and an associated blade according to one

embodiment.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

The disclosed embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Fig. 1 shows a lighting device 1 according to one embodiment. The lighting device 1 shown is a pendant ceiling lamp 1, but it could just as well be embodied as a table lamp or any other type of lamp. As shown, the lighting device 1 comprises a hub 2, forming the central support structure onto which all other components of the lighting device 1 are attached. The hub 2 comprises an optional cover 33, which hides some of the interior components of the hub 2 from view and provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The cover 33 further protects the internals of the hub 2 from dust and/or dirt, which may otherwise compromise the function of the lighting device 1. It may also provide some protection to components that are susceptible to corrosion. To the hub 2 are a number of arms 5, 6 attached. The arms 5, 6 are releasable, and may be provided as separate parts that require assembly and mounting to the hub 2 by the customer.

Each arm 5, 6 further comprises at least one distal end 7, 8 (distal in relation to the hub 2), shown here as an upper distal end 7 and a lower distal end 8. Each distal end 7, 8 comprises a number of blades 9, in the shown embodiment it is five blades 9 but naturally may also fewer or more blades 9 be provided. The blades 9 disperses and directs the light emitted by at least one light source, shown as a light bulb, at the hub 2. The distal ends 7, 8 on each arm 5, 6 are arranged or protrudes with equal vertical angular offset such that the distal ends 7, 8 on each arm 5, 6 are equally spaced in the vertical direction. What is also shown in Fig. 1 is that the lighting device 1 is provided with two different types of arms 5, 6. A first arm type 5 has distal ends 7, 8 that are angularly offset vertically from the distal ends 7, 8 of a second arm type 6. The arm types 5, 6 are further alternatingly arranged around the hub 2, which results in a pattern of how the distal ends 7, 8 are arranged which essentially coincides with the vertices of a regular icosahedral, or a spherical polyhedral, or a stellated dodecahedron or a regular dodecahedron. Other shapes are also possible, such as for instance a cubical or cuboid shape.

Each blade 9 is attached to the respective distal ends 7, 8 by means of a blade connector 10 (shown in Figs 7-11) which forms a part of the distal ends 7, 8. In order to change the dispersion of light from the lighting device 1 and the visual appearance thereof, each blade connector 10 is moveable in relation to the arms 5, 6. The blade connectors 10 are controlled by control means 40. The control means 40 may for instance be a wire connected to the blade connectors 10, an electric actuator such as an electric motor, a linear motor, and/or an electromagnet actuator etc. A control means 40, such as an electric actuator, may furthermore be arranged in each arm 5, 6, and be separately controllable to control the position of the blade connectors 10 on each arm 5, 6 individually, or as a unit. The control means 40 may be controlled remotely by a suitable wireless signal such as optical signals or RF signals such as WIFI, Bluetooth® etc.

In the embodiment shown in Figs 1 to 5, the control means 40 for controlling the movement of the blade connectors 10 comprises a base portion 3 and an actuating member 4 arranged at the hub 2, which will be described in further detail below. The blade connector and hence the blade positions can consequently be altered from that shown in Fig. 1, to that shown in Fig. 2, and preferably in a step-less manner that allows the blades 9 to attain any position between those shown as well. In Fig. 2, the lighting device 1 is shown with the blades 9 in a position providing more light

dispersion/dimming than in that of Fig. 1, and which gives the lighting device 1 an almost round appearance, or appearance of a spherical polyhedral, or a stellated dodecahedron.

In Fig. 3, the hub 2 of the lighting device 1 is shown with the cover 33 removed and only one arm 5, 6 attached. The lighting device, as mentioned, comprises control means 40, shown as an actuating member 4 that is moveable in relation to the base portion 3. The control means 40 may thus form a part of the hub 2. The arm 5, 6 is attached to the hub 2 such that a moveable member 16 of the arm 5, 6 is attached to the actuating member 4 of the hub 2. Furthermore, a main portion 15 of the arm 5, 6 is attached to the base portion 3 of the hub 2. The main portion 15 is the stationary part of the arms 5, 6 and functions as the supporting structure of the distal ends 7, 8.

Preferably are snap-lock connectors used for simple attachment of the arms 5,

6 to the hub 2. Further simplifying the assembly of the lighting device 1, the hub 2 is provided with two different connectors 24, 25, which are alternated around the circumference of the base portion 3. These will facilitate that the correct arm type 5, 6 is attached to the correct position on the hub 2, as the different arm types 5, 6 will only be attachable to the positions with the correct corresponding connector 24, 25. As can be seen, a first connector 24 has a round shape and will thus only be attachable to the main portion 15 of an arm 5, 6 with a corresponding round opening into which the first connector 24 will fit. A second connector 25 has a rectangular shape, and will thus consequently only be attachable to an arm 5, 6 with a corresponding rectangular opening.

The alternating connectors 24, 25 are shown being arranged on the base portion 3, with the actuating member 4 being provided with snap-lock connectors 37 that are all essentially identical. However, it is also conceivable that alternating connectors 24, 25 also are arranged on the actuating member 4, or that the alternating connectors 24, 25 are only arranged on the actuating member 4 with identical snap-lock connectors 37 being arranged on the base portion 3.

It is also to be noted that the connectors 24, 25, 37 are all accessible when the arms 5, 6 are mounted, which is required for a user to able manipulate the snap-lock connectors 24, 25, 37 to remove the arms 5, 6 from the hub 2, once the lighting device 1 has been assembled.

The moveable member 16 of each arm 5, 6 is moveable in relation to the main portion 15. The moveable member 16 is connected to the blade connectors 10 via wires 11, 12. The wires 11, 12 are arranged largely hidden inside the main portion 15 of the arms 5, 6 and preferably is one wire 11, 12 per distal end 7, 8 provided. The wires 11,

12 are preferably metal wires due to the beneficial durability and strength thereof; however, elongated plastic wires/threads may just as well be used.

Turning now to the hub 2, of which the base portion 3 is configured to be stationary. The base portion 3 comprises pillars 31, preferably three but fewer or more pillars 31 may also be used. The pillars 31 connects the lower part of the base portion 3 with the upper part. The actuating member 4 is preferably a threaded ring 4, axially moveable by the rotation of a leadscrew 19. The leadscrew 19 is rotatably arranged between the upper and lower part of the base portion 3. During the axial motion of the actuating member 4, the pillars 31, which extends through openings the actuating member 4, will ensure that the actuating member 4 does not rotate with the leadscrew 19. The leadscrew 19 is preferably in self-locking engagement with the ring 4, such that an axial force on the ring 4 will not cause rotation of the leadscrew 19.

The leadscrew 19 is to be taken as a preferred alternative for achieving the axial motion of the actuating member 4. However, it is also possible that other types of linear actuators can be used for achieving this movement. For instance may a linear motor be used, or a pinion gear/gear rack arrangement.

In one embodiment, the leadscrew 19 is driven by an electric motor. The control of the electric motor may in one embodiment be achieved remotely by a suitable wireless signal such as optical signals or RF signals such as WIFI, Bluetooth® etc.

The leadscrew 19 may also be manually actuated and be provided with at least one string 20 as an alternative to the electric motor or in combination therewith. The at least one string 20 is wound around the leadscrew 19 with a first end 21 and a second end 22 hanging below the hub 2. The first end 21 connects via a wheel 34 essentially tangentially to the leadscrew 19, while the second end 22 connects to the leadscrew 19 via a wheel 34 similarly to the first end but in the opposite tangential direction to that of the first end 21. As follows will a pulling force exerted on the first end 21 and the second end 22 respectively cause opposite rotational directions of the leadscrew 19 and thus also oppositely directed axial movements of the actuating member 4. The at least one string 20 may be a single string 20 wound around the leadscrew 19 or two separate strings 20.

In Figs 4 and 5 is the actuating member 4 shown in its two axial end positions. Fig. 4 shows the actuating member 4 in its uppermost axial position, in which the wires 11, 12 are as extracted from the main portion 15 of the arms 5, 6 as possible. This position of the actuating member 4 corresponds to the blade connector lO/blade 9 positions shown in Figs 8 and 9.

In Fig. 5, the actuating member 4 is instead arranged in the lowermost axial position where the wires 11, 12 as a result are arranged almost entirely inserted into the main portion 15. This position of the actuating member 4 corresponds to the blade connector lO/blade 9 positions shown in Figs 6 and 7.

Figs 6 and 7 shows a distal end 7, 8 of an arm 5, 6. Each distal end 7, 8 comprises a plurality of blades 9, preferably 5 blades, and each blade 9 is connected to a blade connector 10. The blade connector 10 in turn is connected to a distal moveable member 23 and to the main portion 15, or more specifically to fingers 17, 18 on the respective parts. The distal moveable member 23 is via one of the wires 11, 12 connected to the actuating member 4, which thus controls the movement thereof in relation to the main portion 15. The blade connector 10 therefore comprises a first connection 13 and a second connection 14, where the first connection 13 is defined as the connection between each connector 10 and a corresponding finger 18 on the main portion 15. The second connection 14 is defined as the connection 14 between each connector 10 and the distal moveable member 23, preferably a finger 17 thereof.

The distal moveable member 23 and the main portion 15 comprises the same amount of fingers 17, 18, which corresponds to the number of blade connectors 10 on each distal end 7, 8. The fingers 18 on the main portion 15 are arranged radially outside of the fingers 17 on the axially moveable member 23, and thus is the first connection 13 arranged radially outside of the second connection 14. The radial direction being defined by the movement axis of the distal moveable member 23. Preferably are five fingers 17, 18 arranged on the main portion 15 and the distal moveable member 23.

The first connection 13 is preferably a hinge connection, forming a pivot point around which the blade connector 10 (and hence the blade 9) pivots. The second connection 14 is preferably a sliding connection, as each blade connector 10 comprises a slot 38 in which a pin 39 on the corresponding finger 17 slides. Having the pivot point of the connector 10 on the fingers 18 of the main portion 15 is beneficial as it allows positioning of each distal end 7, 8 closer to the adjacent one. However, it is also possible that the sliding connection is arranged between each blade connector 10 and a corresponding finger 18 on the main portion 15, with the pivot point of the distal moveable member 23. For assembly purposes, the slot 38 may comprise an expansion or opening that allows insertion of the pin 39 into the slot 38. The expansion is preferably arranged in a position of the slot 38 that is unreachable by the pin 39 during normal use of the lighting device 1, to avoid that the pin 39 unintentionally falls out of engagement from the slot 38.

Each distal moveable member 23 further comprises a rod 35 that is reciprocally moveable in the base portion 15 and to which one of the wires 11, 12 is attached. The rod 35 guides the motion of the distally moveable member 23, and is preferably configured such that rotational movement of the distally moveable member 23 in relation to the main portion 15 is prevented.

Generally, the distal moveable members 23 generates little resistance during their reciprocal movement, and the pushing force from the wires 11, 12 being forced into the main portion 15 by the actuating member 4 is thus sufficient for attaining the positions shown in Figs 6 and 7. However, in one embodiment, a spring may be provided which provides a biasing force on each distal moveable member 23 towards the position shown in Figs 6 and 7 and which thus reduces the pushing force required by each wire 11, 12.

Figs 8 and 9 show a distal end 7, 8 where the blade connectors 10 and the blades 9 are arranged in the position corresponding to the actuating member 4 position shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 shows a detail view of a blade connector 10. The finger 18 on the main portion 15 as well as the finger 17 on the distal moveable member 23 are shown and the respective connections 13, 14 to the blade connector 10. As can also be seen, the blade connector 10 connects to a blade holder 30, the blade holder 30 in turn holds the blade 9. The slot 38 into which the pin 39 on the finger 17 of the distally moveable member 23 is arranged is also visible.

Fig. 11 shows how the at least one string 20 of the lighting device 1 is directed from the hub 2 and downwards past the light source. A horizontal support ring 32 is also shown, to which each of the arms 5, 6 is attachable and which provides stability to arms 5, 6 of the lighting device 1.

Underneath the ring 32 is a U-shaped frame 33 attached to the underside of the ring 32 such that it extends below the light source from one side of the ring 32 to the other opposite side. The two ends 21, 22 of the at least one string is then threaded through respective oppositely arranged holes in the ring 32 and then through a respective side of the hollow U-shaped member 33. Both ends 21, 22 exits and extends through a central opening in the U-shaped member 33 and hangs freely therefrom below the lighting device 1, such that they may be easily reached in order to alter the appearance and light dispersion of the lighting device 1.

Turning now to Fig. 12, which shows how a blade 9 is connected to the blade connector 10. Each blade 9 is attached to a blade holder 30. The blade holder 30 comprises a first part 26 and a second part 27 that are configured to be arranged on opposite sides of the blade 9 and which are connectable to each other through at least one hole 28, 29 in the blade 9. Preferably, two holes 28, 29 are arranged on each blade 9. The first part 26 and the second part 27 are preferably releasable from each other once connected, so that the blades 9 can be replaced or switched when desired. The blade holders 30 are also releasable from the blade connectors 10, which facilitates replacement of the blades 9. As can be seen, the first part 26, which is arranged on the side of the blade 9 facing the hub 2, comprises a protrusion 36 that is configured to be received by the blade connector 10 and thus attaches the blade holder 30 with the blade 9 to the blade connector 10.

It should be mentioned that the inventive concept is by no means limited to the embodiments described herein, and several modifications are feasible without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, the term“comprises/comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly

advantageously be combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. The terms“a”,“an”,“first”,“second” etc. do not preclude a plurality. Reference signs in the claims are provided merely as a clarifying example and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any way.