EP0683998A1 - Exhibition or display device with means for both attachment and power supply of light sources - Google Patents

Abstract

The display panels (2), which fit together, are made from hollow profiles of synthetic material. They may be placed against a wall or dividing panel (1), or against special supports, with the longitudinal edges of two panels (11, 12) fitting together. Longitudinal grooves (4) receiving accessories are formed in the panels at the edges where the panels are joined together. Within these grooves there may be electrical conductors (14, 15, 16, 17), so that the accessories may include the bases of light fittings. The light fittings derive their power from the embedded conductors. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to an exhibition or presentation device, of the type constituted by multiple justaposable blades, produced in the form of honeycombed profiles in synthetic material, these blades being able to be placed and fixed against a wall or another. flat wall, or against supports such as uprights designed for this purpose, the longitudinal edges of two consecutive blades fitting into each other, and longitudinal grooves, suitable for receiving accessories, being formed on the blades and / or at the junction of these blades.

Such a system of multiple juxtaposable blades is known from French Patent No. 1460705. As described in this document, each blade has on one of its edges a nailing or screwing lip, through which nails or screws can be driven fixing the blade to a wall; the nailing lip is covered by an edge of the next blade, which is fixed to the wall in the same way as the previous one by its opposite edge, and so on ... A similar system is also described in the US patent No. 4607753.

This system of juxtaposable blades is currently used as an exhibition or presentation device, in exhibition stands, sales stores, display cases ... In this application, purely "mechanical" accessories, such as pins, consoles or shelves, hang in longitudinal grooves formed on the blades and / or at the junction of these blades, said accessories making it possible to suspend or place the articles to be exhibited or to be presented, certain accessories being, by their specific shape, suitable for specific items such as clothing, shoes, audio-visual equipment, etc.

When such an exhibition or display device requires lighting, power is usually supplied by through sockets embedded in the middle of a specific blade, of special design. This complicates the structure of the device, by breaking the continuity of the sections constituting the blades. Above all, such electrical supply means are positioned in a punctual and invariable manner, and do not allow to have a possibility of electrical connection at any point, in unlimited number, freely chosen and possibly modifiable.

In addition, there are "rails" which make it possible to mount and supply electricity to accessories such as spotlights, the assembly including the fixing of which is specially designed to adapt to the profile of the rail. There are also known systems known as "electrostrips" which make it possible to position sockets on an electrical supply strip. These existing systems allow a free choice of mounting points or supply of electrical accessories, but they do not by themselves constitute exhibition or presentation devices, and do not allow the fixing and supply of standard accessories, without particular adaptation.

In US Patent No. 4,747,025 is described a full display panel or presentation, made in one piece, in which are dug parallel grooves for mounting electrical lighting means, supplied under low voltage by the through a step-down transformer. The mechanical fixing and the electrical supply of each lamp take place between two consecutive grooves of the panel, longitudinal electrical conductors being arranged externally, on the surface of the panel, at the edge of the grooves.

In such a known system, the electrical supply conductors are therefore directly accessible, and are not protected, which prohibits any use of the system under usual electrical voltages (i.e. 220 volts for France). Thus, this system is limited in its use to specific lighting devices, operating under low voltage and intended to illuminate objects. On the other hand, the system of US Pat. No. 4,747,025 is not at all suitable for the electrical supply of lamps operating under normal voltage, and thus this system cannot constitute a device for exposing or presenting apparatus lighting which, by themselves, would be of a common type.

The present invention aims to avoid the drawbacks of the various existing systems mentioned above, by providing an exhibition or presentation device with multiple juxtaposable blades, with means integrated into the blades for the electrical supply of lighting devices, these means allowing a free choice of the position of the lighting fixtures while providing extreme ease of use and ensuring satisfactory safety, by appropriate protection of the electrical conductors, to allow its use with lamps supplied with normal voltage .

To this end, the subject of the invention is essentially an exhibition or presentation device of the kind specified above with combined attachment and electrical supply means for lighting devices, in which electrical supply conductors, extending longitudinally, are housed in longitudinal grooves formed in the walls of the grooves formed on the blades and / or in the regions of the edges of these blades which delimit a groove when two consecutive blades are fitted, while provision is made for the mounting of lighting fixtures, removable base modules capable of being inserted and retained in said grooves, each base module comprising contacts electrical cooperating with the electrical conductors integrated in the blades, and a part provided for fixing any lighting fixture.

Thus, an exposure or presentation device is obtained integrating an electrical supply, consisting essentially of longitudinal electrical conductors incorporated in the sections constituting the blades. The production of these plastic profiles provides direct electrical insulation of said conductors. In addition, the housing of these conductors in the "internal" position inside grooves, in grooves advantageously having a "T" profile, provides the essential security, especially if said conductors are arranged in the regions of the two extreme points. symmetrical of the "T" profile of the grooves, invisible and not directly accessible. The proposed device thus meets safety standards, for use under normal voltage, in particular for the exhibition or presentation of commercial lighting fixtures, the commercial appeal of which is then reinforced by a presentation "in operation".

Advantageously, each basic module comprises a support plate for a lighting device, connected by a short central axis to a fixing lug provided with electrical contacts cooperating with the electrical conductors integrated in the blades, the fixing lug being able to be introduced into a "T" groove and, by a rotation of about a quarter of a turn, to be retained in the "T" groove, while bringing the electrical contacts under pressure on the corresponding conductors.

The basic modules, thus constituted and put in place, make it possible to instantly fix and supply any lighting fixture, without any other connection and with ease and security, whatever or the position of this lighting device on the panel formed by the juxtaposed slats. Moving a basic module from one position to another takes place quickly, and lighting is instantaneous at the new location chosen. The support plate of each base module can receive any type of lighting fixture, if necessary with the interposition of interchangeable adapter elements. The specific shape of this module possibly allows positioning to "hang" the lighting fixture, if the slats are installed horizontally in the ceiling.

Furthermore, the electrical conductors run through the blades longitudinally, over their entire length, and do not alter the character of profiles of indefinite length that these blades have. The manufacture of the device according to the invention therefore remains rational and economical.

It will also be noted that the electrical conductors concealed in the grooves, constituting an invisible electrical supply system, do not affect the aesthetics of the device, which is important for a device intended for the exhibition or presentation.

• Figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble, en perspective, d'un dispositif d'exposition ou de présentation conforme à la présente invention dans une première forme de réalisation, avec indication de plusieurs modules de base fixés sur les lames ;
• Figure 2 est une vue en perspective, avec partie arrachée, montrant le détail d'un module de base ;
• Figure 3 est une vue en coupe du dispositif de figure 1, avec indication du principe de montage des lames ;
• Figure 4 est une vue en coupe partielle d'une lame, à plus grande échelle, montrant le détail de ses conducteurs électriques ;
• Figure 5 est une vue partielle en perspective d'un dispositif d'exposition ou de présentation conforme à la présente invention, dans une deuxième forme de réalisation ;
• Figures 6 et 7 illustrent, à plus grande échelle, les détails de structure et le principe de montage des lames, dans la forme de réalisation selon la figure 5.

In any case, the invention will be better understood and other characteristics will be highlighted with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of examples, two embodiments of this display or display device with combined hanging and power supply means for lighting devices:

• Figure 1 is an overview, in perspective, of an exhibition or presentation device according to the present invention in a first embodiment, with indication of several basic modules fixed on the blades;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view, with part broken away, showing the detail of a basic module;
• Figure 3 is a sectional view of the device of Figure 1, with indication of the principle of mounting the blades;
• Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of a blade, on a larger scale, showing the detail of its electrical conductors;
• Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of an exhibition or presentation device according to the present invention, in a second embodiment;
• Figures 6 and 7 illustrate, on a larger scale, the structural details and the mounting principle of the blades, in the embodiment according to Figure 5.

• d'une part, de manière connue en soi et non représentée, des accessoires de support ou de suspension pour des articles à exposer ou à présenter ;
• d'autre part, selon la présente invention, des modules de base 5 amovibles utilisés pour l'accrochage et l'alimentation électrique d'appareils d'éclairage, tels qu'une lampe 6.

As shown in Figure 1, the device considered is fixed here against a wall 1, and it includes multiple juxtaposable blades 2, arranged horizontally against the wall 1, to which they are fixed by nailing or screwing as indicated in 3. On the blades 2, and at the junction of these blades 2, are formed horizontal grooves 4, which receive:

• on the one hand, in a manner known per se and not shown, support or suspension accessories for articles to be displayed or presented;
• on the other hand, according to the present invention, removable base modules 5 used for hanging and supplying power to lighting fixtures, such as a lamp 6.

Each strip 2 is constituted by a honeycomb profile in insulating synthetic material, clearly visible in FIG. 3, with a front wall 7, a rear wall 8 parallel to the front wall 7, and a certain number of internal partitions 9 which connect the walls anterior 7 and posterior 8 delimiting tubular cells 10.

On a longitudinal edge of the blade 2 (here the upper edge), the rear wall 8 is extended to form a nailing or screwing lip 11, intended to be crossed by the nails or screws 3 for fixing to the wall 1. The other edge of the blade 2 (here the lower edge) has a profile 12 complementary to that of the lip of nailing or screwing 11, so as to allow an interlocking of two consecutive blades 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates more precisely the method of fixing the blades 2. The lower blade 2 can be fitted by its lower edge onto a starting element 13, situated at the base of the panel to be produced. The upper edge of this first blade is fixed by nails or screws 3 to the wall 1, after which the second blade 2 is fitted onto the nailing or screwing lip 11, then fixed itself by nailing or screwing, and so after...

Each blade 2 has, grooved substantially along its longitudinal median axis, a groove 4 whose profile has a "T" shape, the groove 4 opening to the outside by a relatively narrow longitudinal slot. In addition, the profiles of the upper and lower edges of the blades 2 provide, at the junction of two consecutive blades 2 nested one inside the other, another groove 4 which has a "T" profile identical to the previous one.

• un conducteur neutre 14 est logé dans une première gorge, formée au point extrême le plus haut de la rainure 4 de profil en "T" ;
• un conducteur de phase 15 est logé dans une deuxième gorge, formée au point extrême le plus bas de la rainure 4 de profil en "T", donc au point extrême symétrique du précédent ;
• un conducteur de terre 16 est logé dans une troisième gorge, formée entre le conducteur neutre 14 et la fente formant le débouché de la rainure 4, en regard du fond de cette rainure ;
• un autre conducteur de terre 17 est logé dans une quatrième gorge, formée entre le conducteur de phase 15 et la fente formant le débouché de la rainure 4, en regard du fond de cette rainure.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 4, each groove 4 (located on a strip 2 or at the junction of two strips 2) receives four electrical conductors 14, 15, 16 and 17, in the form of metallic wires of circular or other cross section housed respectively in four longitudinal grooves of corresponding profile, formed in the wall of this groove 4:

• a neutral conductor 14 is housed in a first groove, formed at the highest end point of the groove 4 with a "T"profile;
• a phase conductor 15 is housed in a second groove, formed at the lowest end point of the groove 4 in profile in "T", therefore at the symmetrical end point of the previous one;
• an earth conductor 16 is housed in a third groove, formed between the neutral conductor 14 and the slot forming the outlet of the groove 4, facing the bottom of this groove;
• another earth conductor 17 is housed in a fourth groove, formed between the phase conductor 15 and the slot forming the outlet of the groove 4, facing the bottom of this groove.

The four grooves are open towards the inside of the groove 4, so that the corresponding electrical conductors 14 to 17 all have an open area, which can locally be brought into contact with other electrically conductive elements. The neutral conductors 14 and phase 15 are embedded so that only a suitable conductive element can come into contact with them, thus ensuring increased security. By cons, the ground conductors 16 and 17 are slightly projecting, to facilitate their contact with any metal object which would be introduced into the groove 4. Of course, these ground conductors 16 and 17 further enhance the safety of the device.

The basic module 5, notably visible in FIG. 2, comprises a support plate 18 and a fixing lug 19, connected to each other by a short central axis 20. The part formed by the fixing lug 19 and by the axis central link 20 reconstitutes the "T" profile of a groove 4.

The fixing lug 19, of elongated shape, has at one end a first contact 21 for neutral, and at its opposite end a contact 22 for phase. On its face turned towards the support plate 18, the fixing lug 19 is also provided, in the example shown, with two earth contacts 23 and 24, symmetrical to one another with respect to the central axis 20. The number of earth contacts can be reduced to a single contact, without affecting the safety of the device.

In the central axis 20 are embedded electrical conductors, connected on the side of the fixing lug 19 to the various contacts 21 to 24. These conductors include in particular a phase conductor 25 and a neutral conductor 26, the respective ends of which are located externally. terminals for the connection of a lighting fixture, fixed on the support plate 18. They can be supplemented by a conductor and an earth terminal 27 (see FIG. 2).

For the establishment of a basic module 5, the fixing lug 19 thereof is first engaged in the groove 4, parallel to the slot forming the outlet of this groove. Then, by a quarter-turn rotational movement of the entire base module 5, the fixing lug 19 is brought into a transverse position relative to the groove 4.

In this position, the lug 19 ensures on the one hand the mechanical fixing of the base module 5, the plate 18 forming the counterpart of this lug 19 to immobilize the module 5. On the other hand, said fixing lug 19 comes apply, by its electrical contacts 21, 22, 23 and 24, against the respective electrical conductors 14, 15, 16 and 17 incorporated in the wall of the groove 4. Thus, the basic module 5 simultaneously ensures mechanical attachment of the lighting device concerned on the blades 2, and the electrical supply of this lighting device, previously fixed on the plate 18 and correctly connected to the aforementioned terminals.

This basic module 5 can also be detached from the blades 2 by a simple rotation movement of a quarter turn, then replaced on the same blades, in any location, by a reverse movement, each new location thus chosen ensuring always the same on the one hand the mechanical fixing, on the other hand the electrical supply.

What has just been described by a single basic module 5 can be repeated identically for any number of basic modules. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a certain number of basic modules 5 can be arranged, according to any desired configuration, in the different grooves 4 formed on the blades 2 and at the junction of these blades 2, for attachment. and powering a plurality of lighting fixtures.

The general electrical supply of the device must, of course, bring the electric current to the conductors inserted in the different grooves 4. This general supply is made either on the front by a special module, adapted to this function, or by a specific lateral element, located at one end of the blades 2.

Figures 5 to 7 show another embodiment of the device, using blades 2 no longer nailed or screwed directly against a wall, but hung on a support structure comprising metal uprights 28, provided with hooks 29 arranged in a regular pitch and turned upwards. The uprights 28 are interconnected by horizontal stiffeners 30, between which can also be mounted intermediate uprights 31, also provided with hooks 29.

The blades 2 are all provided, on their rear wall 8, with two longitudinal hooking notches 32 allowing their direct fixing by interlocking on the hooks 29 of the uprights 28 and 31. After hooking a first blade 2, as illustrated in the figures 5 and 6, the next blade 2 is put in place by fitting into the previous one while clinging to the uprights 28, and so on ... A panel is thus formed consisting of blades 2 juxtaposed. As previously, each blade 2 has, hollowed out in its front wall 7, a "T" groove 4 provided with four electrical conductors 14, 15, 16 and 17, while similar grooves, also provided with conductors, are formed at the junction of two adjacent blades 2. All these grooves 4 can receive basic modules 5, supporting and supplying any lighting fixtures 6 themselves, this in a manner identical to the detailed description given above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

This latter embodiment allows the blades 2 to be put in place more quickly than in the case of nailed or screwed blades. In addition, it allows the presentation of articles not only against a wall, but also in the middle of a store for example, insofar as the supporting structure comprising the uprights 28 and 31 can be fixed not only against a wall, but still to any other fixed support, for example between the floor and the ceiling, or on shop furniture of the "gondola" type.

• en modifiant les formes de détail des lames avec conducteurs électriques intégrés, par exemple par une modification de la disposition des cloisons intérieures délimitant les alvéoles de ces lames, ou encore une modification du nombre des conducteurs électriques de chaque lame ;
• en réalisant le dispositif avec des lames orientées non pas horizontalement, mais selon une direction différente, et fixées contre un mur ou une autre paroi située dans un plan vertical, incliné ou horizontal, ainsi qu'en fixant les lames sur d'autres types de supports que ceux décrits ;
• en complétant ce dispositif par tous accessoires, venant notamment se monter sur les modules de base, ce qui est d'ailleurs avantageusement prévu pour l'exploitation aisée du dispositif au vu de la multiplicité des appareils d'éclairage pouvant être amenés à être présentés, y compris des accessoires tels que bornes de branchement ou prises de courant.

We would not depart from the scope of the invention:

• by modifying the forms of detail of the blades with integrated electrical conductors, for example by a modification of the arrangement of the internal partitions delimiting the cells of these blades, or even a modification of the number of electrical conductors of each blade;
• by making the device with blades oriented not horizontally, but in a different direction, and fixed against a wall or another wall located in a vertical, inclined or horizontal plane, as well as by fixing the blades on other types of supports than those described;
• by supplementing this device with any accessories, in particular coming to be mounted on the basic modules, which is moreover advantageously provided for easy operation of the device in view of the multiplicity of lighting fixtures that can be brought to be presented, including accessories such as connection terminals or sockets.

Claims (7)

Exhibition or presentation device, of the type constituted by multiple juxtaposable strips (2), produced in the form of honeycomb profiles in synthetic material, these strips (2) being able to be placed and fixed against a wall or a another flat wall (1), or against supports such as uprights (28,31) designed for this purpose, the longitudinal edges (11,12) of two consecutive blades fitting into each other, and longitudinal grooves (4), suitable for receiving accessories, being formed on the blades (2) and / or at the junction of these blades, characterized in that electrical supply conductors (14,15,16,17), extending longitudinally, are housed in longitudinal grooves formed in the walls of the grooves (4) formed on the blades (2) and / or in the regions of the edges (11,12) of these blades (2) which delimit a groove (4) when two consecutive blades are fitted, while provision is made, for r mounting of lighting fixtures (6), removable base modules (5) able to be inserted and retained in said grooves (4), each base module (5) comprising electrical contacts (21,22, 23,24) cooperating with the electrical conductors (14,15,16,17) integrated into the blades (2), and a part (18) provided for fixing any lighting device (6). Exhibition or presentation device with combined hooking and electrical supply means for lighting devices, according to claim 1, characterized in that the grooves (4) formed on the blades (2) and / or at the junction of these blades have a "T" profile, the electrical supply conductors (14,15,16,17) being housed internally in these grooves (4), invisibly and not directly accessible. Exhibition or presentation device with combined hanging and power supply means for lighting devices according to claim 2, characterized in that each basic module (5) comprises a support plate (18) for a lighting device (6), connected by a short central axis (20) to a fixing lug (19) provided with electrical contacts (21,22,23,24) cooperating with the electrical conductors (14,15,16,17) integrated into the blades (2), the fixing lug (19) being able to be introduced into a "T" groove (4) and, by a rotation of about a quarter of a turn, to be retained in the "T" groove (4) while bringing the electrical contacts (21,22,23 , 24) under pressure on the corresponding conductors (14,15,16,17). Display or presentation device with combined hooking and electrical supply means for lighting apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the electrical supply conductors (14,15,16,17) are arranged in the regions of the two symmetrical end points of the "T" profile of the grooves (4). Exhibition or presentation device with combined attachment and electrical supply means for lighting devices according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the electrical supply conductors, integrated into the strips (2 ), comprise for each groove (4) a neutral conductor (14), a phase conductor (15) and at least one earth conductor (16,17). Exhibition or presentation device with combined attachment and electrical supply means for lighting devices according to all of Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the electrical supply conductors, integrated into the strips (2) , include for each "T" groove (4): - a neutral conductor (14) housed at an end point of the "T" profile of the groove (4), - a phase conductor (15) housed at the extreme point of the symmetrical "T" profile of the previous one, an earth conductor (16) housed between the neutral conductor (14) and the slot forming the outlet of the groove (4), and - another earth conductor (17) housed between the phase conductor (15) and the slot forming the outlet of the groove (4). Exhibition or presentation device with combined hanging and power supply means for lighting devices according to all of Claims 3 and 6, characterized in that the fixing lug (19) of each basic module ( 5) includes: - at one end, a first electrical contact (21) for neutral, - at its opposite end, a contact (22) for phase, and - on its face facing the support plate (18), two earth contacts (23,24), symmetrical with respect to the central axis (20), or a single earth contact, while, on the side of the support plate (18) intended for the lighting device (6), are provided at least one terminal or a phase conductor (25), at least one terminal or a neutral conductor (26), as well as possibly a terminal or an earth conductor (27).

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