FASTENING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SUCH A FASTENING DEVICE

Abstract

A method of producing a fastening device, and a fastening device, is provided. The method comprises the steps of forming a body elongating along a first axis by iteratively stacking layers, wherein the body comprises an at least partially open cavity elongating along the first axis. The method further comprises the step of forming a first and second chambers in the cavity, and forming an element, of which element a first portion projects into the first chamber and of which element a third portion projects from the cavity of the body in the first plane. The element is rotatably arranged, such that upon rotation of the element, the third portion of the element is configured to be releasably wedged within the chamber.

Claims

1. A fastening device, comprising a body elongating along a first axis perpendicular to a first plane, wherein the body comprises an at least partially open cavity elongating along the first axis, a first chamber and a second chamber arranged in the cavity and adjacent to each other in the first plane, and an element arranged in the cavity and elongating in the first plane, wherein the element comprises a first portion that projects into the first chamber, a second portion that is arranged in the second chamber, and a third portion that projects from the cavity of the body, wherein the element further is rotatably arranged around its second portion in the second chamber, such that the second portion serves as a fulcrum for the element, wherein at least one dimension of the third portion of the element is larger than a corresponding dimension of the first chamber, and wherein at least one of the third portion of the element and the first chamber is resilient in the at least one dimension, such that upon rotation of the element around the second portion, the third portion of the element is configured to be releasably wedged within the first chamber.

2. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the third portion comprises at least one resilient part extending in the first plane such that upon rotation of the element around the partition means, the at least one part is configured to come into abutting contact with at least a portion of the first chamber wall, whereby the at least one part is biased by the force of the at least one portion of the first chamber wall.

3. The fastening device of claim 2, wherein the at least one resilient part is configured to come into abutting contact with at least a portion of at least one side of the cavity at least partially defining the first chamber wall.

4. The fastening device of claim 2, wherein the at least one resilient part is configured to come into abutting contact with at least a portion of the base of the cavity of the body at least partially defining the first chamber wall.

5. The fastening device of claim 2, wherein the at least one resilient part comprises at least one spring element.

6. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the third portion of the element and a portion of the first chamber wall comprises a friction surface.

7. The fastening device of claim 1 wherein the element further is rotatably arranged around the first axis of the second portion.

8. The fastening device of claim 1 wherein the first portion of the element comprises a coupling arrangement for coupling the first portion to a lighting device.

9. A lighting arrangement, comprising a fastening device of claim 1 and a lighting device comprising at least one light source, wherein the lighting device is coupled to the first portion of the fastening device.

10. A method of producing a fastening device by a 3D-printing process, in which layers of printing material deposited in a first plane are iteratively stacked along a first axis perpendicular to the first plane, the method comprising the steps of: forming a body elongating along the first axis by iteratively stacking layers in the first plane, wherein the body comprises an at least partially open cavity elongating along the first axis, forming a first chamber and a second chamber in the cavity, wherein the first and second chambers are adjacent to each other in the first plane, forming an element, wherein element comprises a first portion that projects into the first chamber, a second portion that is arranged in the second chamber, and a third portion that projects from the cavity of the body in the first plane, wherein the element further is rotatably arranged around its second portion in the second chamber, such that the second portion serves as a fulcrum for the element, wherein at least one dimension in the first plane of the third portion of the element is larger than a corresponding dimension of the first chamber, and wherein at least one of the third portion of the element and the first chamber is resilient in the at least one dimension, such that upon rotation of the element around the second portion, the third portion of the element is configured to be releasably wedged within the first chamber.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of forming, on the first portion of the element, a coupling arrangement for coupling the first portion to a lighting device.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of forming, on the first portion of the element, a housing for a lighting device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the invention.

[0031] FIGS. 1a-c are schematic views of a method of producing a fastening device according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention,

[0032] FIGS. 2a-b, FIGS. 3a-b, FIGS. 4a-b and FIGS. 5a-b are schematic views of a fastening device according to exemplifying embodiments of the present invention,

[0033] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a lighting arrangement according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention, and

[0034] FIG. 7 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a method of producing a fastening device according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] FIGS. 1a-c are schematic views of a method 100 of producing a fastening device 110 by a 3D-printing process according to a second aspect of the present invention. It should be noted that 3D-printing processes are known to the skilled person, and details thereof are hereby omitted.

[0036] By the method 100 shown in FIG. la, layers of printing material deposited in a first plane (i.e. the x-y-plane) are iteratively stacked along a z-axis, perpendicular to the first plane. The method 100 comprises the step of forming a body 150, e.g. in the form of a cylinder having a U-shape in its cross-section. The body 150 may elongate along the z-axis by iteratively stacking layers (e.g. having a U-shape), such that the body 150 comprises an at least partially open cavity 160 elongating along the z-axis. Here, the base of the cavity 160 is provided in a vicinity of the center of the body 150.

[0037] The method 100 further comprises the step of forming a first chamber 170 and a second chamber 180 in the cavity, wherein the first chamber 170 and the second chamber 180 are arranged adjacent to each other in a direction parallel to the first plane, and they extend in parallel along the z-axis. The first chamber 170 is provided in a vicinity of the base of the U-shape of the body 150 in the first plane, whereas the second chamber 180 is provided in a vicinity of the orifice 190 of the U-shape of the body 150 in the first plane. The shapes of the first chamber 170 and the second chamber 180, in the first plane, are rectangular, but will be appreciated that the first 170 and second 180 chambers may take on substantially any shape.

[0038] The method 100 further comprises the step of forming an element 200. A first portion 210 of the element 200 projects into the first chamber 170, and has a T-shape. In this exemplifying embodiment, the first portion 210 further comprises a coupling arrangement 220 for coupling the first portion 210 to a lighting device. It will be appreciated that the dimensions of the first portion 210 are smaller than the dimensions of the first chamber 170 in the first plane.

[0039] Furthermore, a second portion 230 of the element 200 is arranged in the second chamber 180 of the fastening device 110. Moreover, a third portion 240 of the element 200 projects from the orifice 190 of the U-shape of the body 150 in the first plane. In this exemplifying embodiment, the third portion 240 comprises two flanges, such that the third portion 240 has the shape of a staple.

[0040] FIG. 1b shows a stage of the method 100 in which more layers of printing material have been deposited in the x-y-plane and have been stacked along the z-axis, compared to FIG. 1a. Here, the body 150 defines a space 300. The element 200 projects into the space 300 and is defined by a partition wall 320. The partition wall 320, in its turn, defines the first 170 and second 180 chambers of the fastening device 110.

[0041] FIG. 1c shows an example of a fastening device 110 produced by the method 100. Compared to FIGS. 1a-b, the edge of the body 150 of the fastening device 110 is relatively high, and the forming of the element 200 has been completed.

[0042] FIGS. 2a-b are schematic views of a fastening device 110 according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2a, the first portion 210 of the element 200 projects into the first chamber, and the third portion 240 of the element 200 projects from the orifice 190 of the cavity of the body. In this exemplifying embodiment, the third portion 240 comprises two flanges, such that the third portion 240 has the shape of a staple. In FIG. 2b, the element 200 has been rotated 180 around the y-axis and around the second portion of the fastening device 110 compared to the (non-rotated) state of the fastening device 110 in FIG. 2a. Hence, in FIG. 2b, the third portion 240 of the element 200 is releasably wedged within the first chamber, whereas the first portion 210 projects from the orifice of the cavity of the body.

[0043] FIG. 3a schematically shows a fastening device 110, e.g. for a lighting arrangement. The fastening device 110 comprises a body 150, here in the form of a cylinder having a U-shape in its cross section. The body elongates along a z-axis, wherein the body 150 comprises an at least partially open cavity 160 elongating along the z-axis. The fastening device 110 further comprises a first chamber 170 and a second chamber 180 arranged in the cavity 160. The first 170 and second 180 chambers extend in parallel along the z-axis and they are adjacently arranged in a direction perpendicular to the z-axis. The first chamber 170 is provided in a vicinity of the base of the U-shape of the body 150, and the second chamber 180 is provided in a vicinity of the orifice 190 of the U-shape of the body 150. An element 200 is arranged in the cavity 160, elongating along the x-axis. A T-shaped first portion 210 of the element 200 projects into the first chamber 170. Furthermore, a second portion 230 of the element 200 is arranged in the second chamber 180, and a third portion 240 projects from the orifice 190 of the U-shape of the body 150. Here, the third portion 240 comprises a cup-shape or (flange) elements 250a, 250b, projecting in the x-y-plane.

[0044] The second portion 230 may act as a fulcrum around which the element 200 is rotatably arranged. Hence, for the fastening device 110 as exemplified, the element 200 is rotatable around the y-axis. It will be appreciated that at least one dimension of the third portion 240 of the element 200 is larger than a corresponding dimension of the first chamber 170. Hence, in the exemplifying embodiment of the fastening device 110 in FIG. 3a, the elements 250a, 250b define a width w.sub.1 in the y-direction which is wider than a width w.sub.2 of the first chamber 170. However, at least one of the third portion 240 of the element 200 and the first chamber 170 is resilient in the at least one dimension. In FIG. 3a, this is exemplified by the elements 250a, 250b, being resilient in the y-direction.

[0045] FIG. 3b shows a 180 rotation, around the y-axis, of the element 200 around the second portion 230 of the fastening device 110. Here, the third portion 240 of the element 200 is releasably wedged within the first chamber 170. As the third portion 240, in virtue of its cup-shaped elements 250a, 250b, is wider in the y-direction than the first chamber 170, but, at the same time, resilient in the y-direction, the third portion 240 is clamped in the first chamber 170 such that the element 200 may be fixed in a desired position and/or orientation. It will be appreciated that the third portion 240 and/or a portion of the wall of the first chamber 170 may comprise a rugged surface, a surface comprising a saw-tooth profile, etc. Consequently, the friction between the third portion 240 and the wall of the first chamber 170 may be improved, thereby providing a more reliable wedging of the third portion 240 of the element in the first chamber 170.

[0046] FIG. 4a schematically shows a fastening device 110 for a lighting arrangement according to an exemplifying embodiment. It will be appreciated that several references have been omitted for reasons of simplicity, and it is referred to FIG. 3a. In FIG. 4a, the third portion 240 comprises a spring element 300 extending in the x-direction. In the exemplifying embodiment of the fastening device 110, the spring element 300 defines a length l.sub.1 in the x-direction which is longer than a length l.sub.2 of the first chamber 170.

[0047] FIG. 4b shows a 180 rotation, around the y-axis, of the element 200 around the second portion 230 of the fastening device 110. Upon rotation of the element 200 around the second portion 230, the spring element 300 is configured to come into abutting contact with at least a portion 310 of the wall of the first chamber 170. As the length l.sub.1 of the spring element 300 in the y-direction is longer than the length l.sub.2 of the first chamber 170, the resilient spring element 300 becomes biased by the force of the portion 310 of the first chamber wall.

[0048] FIG. 5a schematically shows a fastening device 110 for a lighting arrangement similar to that as exemplified in FIGS. 4a-b. In this exemplifying embodiment, the cross-section of the resilient part 500 is shaped as a pentagon, comprising side edges 501, 503 and top edge 502. The resilient part 500 defines a width w.sub.1 in the y-direction which is wider than a width w.sub.2 of the first chamber 170. Furthermore, the length l.sub.1 of the resilient part 500 in the x-direction is longer than the length l.sub.2 of the first chamber 170.

[0049] FIG. 5b shows a 180 rotation, around the y-axis, of the element 200 around the second portion 230 of the fastening device 110. Upon rotation of the element 200 around the second portion 230, the side edges 501, 503 of the resilient part 500 are configured to come into abutting contact with the respective sides of the body at least partially defining the first chamber wall. Furthermore, the top edge 502 of the resilient part 500 is configured to come into abutting contact with a portion of the base of the body at least partially defining the first chamber wall. As the length l.sub.1 of the resilient part 500 in the x-direction is longer than the length l.sub.2 of the first chamber 170, and as the width w.sub.1 of the resilient part 500 in the y-direction which is wider than a width w.sub.2 of the first chamber 170, the resilient part 500 becomes biased by the force from the first chamber wall.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a lighting arrangement 600 according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention. The lighting arrangement 600 comprises a fastening device 110 of any one of the preceding embodiments. The third portion 240 of the element 200 is releasably wedged within the first chamber 170, whereas the first portion 210 projects from the orifice of the cavity of the body. Furthermore, the lighting arrangement 600 comprises a lighting device 610, which in turn comprises at least one light source, e.g. one or more LEDs. The lighting device 610 is coupled to the first portion 210 of the fastening device 110.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a method 700 of producing a fastening device according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, the method 700 relates to a production of a fastening device by a 3D-printing process, in which layers of printing material deposited in a first plane are iteratively stacked along a first axis (e.g. the z-axis), perpendicular to the first plane. The method 700 comprises the step of forming 701 a (U-shaped) body elongating along the z-axis by iteratively stacking layers having a U-shape in the first plane, such that the body comprises an at least partially open cavity elongating along the z-axis. The method further comprises the step of forming 702 a first chamber and a second chamber in the cavity, wherein the first and second chambers extend in parallel along the z-axis and are arranged adjacent to each other in a direction perpendicular to the z-axis (i.e. in a direction parallel to the first plane). The first chamber is provided in a vicinity of the base of the U-shape of the body in the first plane, and the second chamber is provided in a vicinity of the orifice of the U-shape of the body in the first plane. The method further comprises the step of forming 703 an element, of which element a first portion projects into the first chamber, of which element a second portion is arranged in the second chamber, and of which element a third portion projects from the orifice of the U-shape of the body in the first plane. The element is rotatably arranged around its second portion in the second chamber, such that the second portion serves as a fulcrum for the element. Furthermore, at least one dimension in the first plane of the third portion of the element is larger than a corresponding dimension of the chamber, and at least one of the third portion of the element and the chamber is resilient in the at least one dimension, such that upon rotation of the element around the second portion, the third portion of the element is configured to be releasably wedged within the chamber.

[0052] Optionally, it will be appreciated that the method 700 may further comprise the step of forming 704, on the first portion of the element, a coupling arrangement for coupling the first portion to a lighting device and/or forming 705, on the first portion of the element, a housing for a lighting device.

[0053] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, it will be appreciated that the figures are merely schematic views of fastening devices according to embodiments of the present invention. Hence, any elements/components of the fastening device such as the element 200, the first chamber 170, the second chamber 180, etc., may have different dimensions, shapes and/or sizes than those depicted and/or described. For example, the mentioned elements/components may be larger or smaller than what is exemplified in the figures.