Profile arrangement for setting up exhibition stands or shop fittings

Abstract

A profile arrangement for setting up exhibition stands or shop fittings, including a supporting profile having at least one hollow chamber extending continuously in the longitudinal direction of the supporting profile, at least two legs extending continuously in the longitudinal direction, and a covering profile. The covering profile is constructed at least partly of light-transmissive material or is constructed completely of translucent plastic. The supporting profile respectively has at free ends of the two legs snap-fitting devices interacting with matching snap-fitting devices on the covering profile. LED lighting is provided on an inner side of the supporting profile, so that during operation the LED lighting radiates light in the direction of an inner side of the covering profile.

Claims

1. A profile arrangement for setting up exhibition stands or shop fittings, including a supporting profile, the supporting profile having at least one hollow chamber extending continuously in a longitudinal direction of the supporting profile, and at least two legs extending continuously in the longitudinal direction, the profile arrangement further including a covering profile, the covering profile being constructed at least partly of light-transmissive material or being completely constructed of translucent plastic, the supporting profile respectively having at free ends of the two legs snap-fitting means, which can interact with matching snap-fitting means on the covering profile, and LED lighting means on an inner side of the supporting profile, so that during operation the LED lighting means radiate light in a direction of an inner side of the covering profile.

2. The profile arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the covering profile has exactly two legs, outer sides of the legs of the covering profile being arranged perpendicularly to one another, at least in the region of their free ends.

3. The profile arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the supporting profile (10) has exactly two legs, outer sides of the two legs being arranged at right angles to one another, and the covering profile is provided with snap-fitting means at the free ends of the legs of the covering profile, which can interact with the snap-fitting means at the free ends of the legs of the supporting profile.

4. The profile arrangement according claim 2, wherein the two legs of the supporting profile are arranged at an angle of 90 degrees to one another and the legs of the covering profile are arranged at an angle of 90 degrees to one another.

5. The profile arrangement according to claim 1, wherein, a state in which the supporting profile and the covering profile are connected to one another with the snap-fitting means on the supporting profile interacting with the snap-fitting means on the covering profile, the supporting profile and the covering profile form a rectangular or square cross-section.

6. The profile arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the LED lighting means comprises at least a first LED strip and a second LED strip with LEDs arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, a light radiating direction of the two strips being aligned substantially perpendicularly to one another.

7. The profile arrangement according to claim 6, further including a third LED strip with LEDs arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, a light radiating direction of the third LED strip being arranged at an angle of approximately 45 degrees or between 40 degrees and 50 degrees, to the light radiating direction of the first LED strip and to the light radiating direction of the second LED strip.

8. The profile arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the multiple LED strips with LEDs arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction are arranged on a common, flexible substrate.

9. The profile arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the supporting profile has fastening areas for LEDs, the fastening areas being arranged at least partially at an angle to one another.

10. The profile arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the supporting profile has fastening areas for LEDs arranged on a surface area that is curved and continuous in the longitudinal direction of the supporting profile.

11. The profile arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the legs of the supporting profile are in each case tapered towards the free end.

12. The profile arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the legs of the supporting profile extend on an inner side in a curved form towards the free end.

13. The profile arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the legs of the supporting profile are mirrored, polished or white on an inner side.

14. The profile arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the covering profile is formed in one piece from translucent polycarbonate.

15. The profile arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a groove is respectively provided at the free ends of the legs of the supporting profile, a snap-fitting means at free end of a leg of the covering profile being snap-fitted into the respective groove.

16. The profile arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the hollow chamber of the supporting profile has an octagonal cross-section.

17. The profile arrangement according to claim 1, wherein outer sides of the legs of the supporting profile are respectively provided with at least one undercut groove.

18. The profile arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a voltage supply and/or a control unit for the LED lighting means are arranged inside the supporting profile.

19. The profile arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the voltage supply and/or the control unit have been pushed into a hollow chamber of the supporting profile.

20. The profile arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the voltage supply and/or the control unit are arranged in a milled cut-out in the supporting profile.

21. The profile arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the profile arrangement has vertical supports and horizontal frames, both the supports and the frames respectively being formed by a supporting profile and a covering profile.

22. The profile arrangement according to claim 1, wherein that the covering profile forms at least one complete side face of the profile arrangement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a supporting profile for a profile arrangement according to the invention according to a first embodiment,

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a profile arrangement according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a supporting profile and a covering profile,

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a pulled-apart representation of a profile arrangement according to the embodiment of FIG. 1,

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a first sectional view of the profile arrangement of FIG. 3,

[0043] FIG. 5 shows a second sectional view of the profile arrangement of FIG. 3, cut at a different position as seen in the longitudinal direction,

[0044] FIG. 6 shows a partial representation of a profile arrangement according to the invention with two horizontal frames and a vertical support,

[0045] FIGS. 7A-7H show a number of front views of profile arrangements according to the invention of different embodiments, in which:

[0046] FIG. 7A shows an embodiment of a supporting profile similar to that of FIG. 1,

[0047] FIG. 7B shows the profile arrangement of FIG. 2,

[0048] FIG. 7C shows a further embodiment of a supporting profile similar to that of FIG. 1,

[0049] FIG. 7D shows yet a further embodiment of a supporting profile without undercut grooves on its outer sides,

[0050] FIG. 7E shows another embodiment of a supporting profile with a curved or angled fastening area,

[0051] FIG. 7F shows a further embodiment of a supporting profile,

[0052] FIG. 7G shows yet another embodiment of a supporting profile with rectangular grooves,

[0053] FIG. 7H shows a further embodiment of a supporting profile,

[0054] FIG. 8 shows a front view of a supporting profile for a profile arrangement according to the invention according to a further embodiment, and

[0055] FIG. 9 shows the profile arrangement of FIG. 8 with a covering profile and LED lighting means.

[0056] FIG. 1 shows a supporting profile 10 for a profile arrangement according to the invention in a front view. The supporting profile 10 has a first leg 12 and a second leg 14, the outer sides of the two legs 12, 14, which lie on the left and at the bottom in FIG. 1, being arranged perpendicularly to one another. Arranged approximately centrally on the outer side of each leg and undercut on both sides is a groove 16 and 18. The cross section of the supporting profile 10 that can be seen in FIG. 1 extends continuously in the longitudinal direction of the supporting profile. The supporting profile 10 is provided with a hollow chamber 20 which has a cross section, which is approximately octagonal, which extends continuously in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile and in which a turnbuckle 22 is arranged. It can be seen in FIG. 1 that the turnbuckle 22 can be inserted into the hollow chamber 20 not only in the alignment shown in FIG. 1 but also in alignments perpendicular thereto. The turnbuckle 22 has an arresting hook 24, which protrudes beyond the end face of the turnbuckle. The hook 24 of another turnbuckle, which has been inserted into another supporting profile 100, can be seen in the groove 18 in FIG. 1. By means of an eccentric arrangement, the hook 24 can be drawn back. In order to fasten the supporting profile 100 perpendicularly on the supporting profile 10, a turnbuckle is inserted into the hollow chamber of the supporting profile 100 and pushed against the outer side of the leg 14 of the supporting profile 10 until the hook 24 engages behind the undercut in the groove 18. Then, the eccentric of the turnbuckle is actuated and moved beyond a dead centre. The hook 24 then keeps the supporting profile 100 securely on the supporting profile 10. Such a possibility of fastening supporting profiles on one another by means of turnbuckles 22 is known.

[0057] The supporting profile 10 has further hollow chambers extending continuously in the longitudinal direction, which are either provided for static reasons or, as still to be explained, serve for pushing in or inserting a voltage supply and a control unit.

[0058] The supporting profile 10 has on its inner side a central element 26, in which the cross-sectionally octagonal hollow chamber 20 is arranged. Respectively provided at the transition of the central element 26 to the leg 12 and at the transition from the central element 26 to the leg 14 and undercut on one side is a groove 28 and 30. Turnbuckles or other functional parts may also be fastened in these undercut grooves 28, 30, but power cables for example may also be placed into these grooves. The central element 26 connects the inner sides of the legs 12, 14 and ensures that the supporting profile 10 can withstand high mechanical forces, so that even large exhibition stands, generally supporting structures, can be set up.

[0059] Provided at the free end of the leg 12 is an undercut groove 32 and provided at the free end of the leg 14 is an undercut groove 34, the grooves 32, 34 being formed continuously in the longitudinal direction of the supporting profile 10 and identically to one another. The undercut of the grooves 32, 34 is less pronounced and has a rounded shape. The grooves 32, 34 are provided for the snap-fitting of a covering profile, see FIG. 2.

[0060] The inner sides of the legs 12, 34 are in each case formed as tapered in their end region 36 and 38. The tapering is achieved by the inner sides of the legs extending in a convexly curved form towards the end. The curvature is in this case respectively directed away from the outer side of the legs 12, 14. As still to be explained, as a result not only a tapering of the legs is achieved but also a reflection of the light impinging on the curved regions 36, 38 in the direction of a covering profile, cf. FIG. 2.

[0061] FIG. 2 shows a profile arrangement 40 with the supporting profile 10 already explained on the basis of FIG. 1 and a covering profile 50 placed onto the supporting profile 10. The covering profile 50 has two legs, arranged perpendicularly to one another and in each case formed flat on the outer side. In the state shown in FIG. 2, in which the supporting profile 10 and the covering profile 50 are connected to one another, the profile arrangement 40 consequently has a square, generally rectangular, cross section. It can be seen from FIG. 2 that the free ends of the legs of the covering profile 50 lie on the free ends of the legs 12, 14 of the supporting profile 10. The covering profile 50 is produced from translucent plastic, in particular translucent polycarbonate, and is illuminated from the inner side. Seen from above and seen from the right in FIG. 2, the entire upper side face and the entire right side face of the profile arrangement 40 appears to be self-illuminating as a result.

[0062] In order to illuminate the covering profile 50 from the inner side, LED lighting means in the form of three LED strips 52, 54, 56, which are arranged on a common, flexible substrate 58, are arranged on an inner side of the supporting profile 10. Each of the LED strips 52, 54, 56 has in this case multiple LEDs 60 arranged one behind the other, only one LED 60 respectively in the region of the LED strips 52, 54, 56 being able to be seen in FIG. 2.

[0063] A light radiating direction 62, 64 and 66 is depicted by dashed-dotted lines on each of the LEDs 60. It can be seen that the light radiating direction 62 of the first LED strip 52 is aligned perpendicularly to the light radiating direction 66 of the second LED strip 56. The light radiating direction 62 of the first LED strip 60 is in this case aligned perpendicularly to a leg of the covering profile 50. The light radiating direction 62 consequently impinges perpendicularly on the inner side of the first leg of the covering profile 50, which lies at the top in FIG. 2.

[0064] The light radiating direction 66 of the second LED strip 56 is aligned perpendicularly to a second leg of the covering profile 50, which is arranged on the right in FIG. 2. The light radiating direction 66 of the second LED strip 56 consequently impinges perpendicularly on the inner side of the second leg of the covering profile 50. A radiating angle is also respectively indicated by dashed lines on the LEDs 60. The light radiating directions 62, 64, 66 in each case form the angle bisector of the radiating angle.

[0065] The light radiating direction 64 of the third LED strip 54 is arranged at an angle of 45 to the light radiating direction 62 of the first LED strip 52 and at an angle of 45 to the radiating direction 66 of the second LED strip 56. The light radiating direction 64 of the third LED strip 54 consequently lies at an angle of 45 to the first leg and to the second leg of the covering profile 50.

[0066] It can be seen in FIG. 2 that the third LED strip is provided for the illumination of the corner region of the covering profile 50, the first LED strip 52 for the illumination of the leg of the covering profile lying at the top in FIG. 2 and the third LED strip 56 for the illumination of the leg of the covering profile 50 lying on the right in FIG. 2.

[0067] It can also be seen in FIG. 2 that only a very small region at the free end of the leg of the covering profile 50 lying at the top in FIG. 2 is shaded by the curved portion 36 at the free end of the first leg 12 of the supporting profile 10. In the same way, only a very small peripheral region of the leg of the covering profile 50 lying on the right in FIG. 2 is shaded by the curved portion 38 at the free end of the second leg 14 of the supporting profile 10.

[0068] For fastening the three LED strips 52, 54, 56, the flexible substrate 58 is placed onto a curved or at least angled surface on the inner side of the supporting profile 10 and fastened, for example adhesively fixed. As a result, the LED strips 52, 54, 56 are automatically aligned in the described way. The curved fastening area for the substrate 58 or the fastening area for the substrate 58 provided with multiple portions arranged at an angle to one another forms at the same time part of the outer side of the octagonal hollow chamber 20 of the supporting profile 10.

[0069] FIG. 3 shows a pulled-apart representation of the profile arrangement 40 of FIG. 2. The supporting profile 10 is provided with the two legs 12, 14. The covering profile 50 is only shown with a short portion. As indicated by an arrow, the covering profile 50 is placed onto the supporting profile 10 and then snap-fitted onto it, as can be seen in FIG. 2. The three LED strips 52, 54, 56 are arranged on the common substrate 58 and are fastened on the inner side of the supporting profile 10.

[0070] For operating the LED lighting means, an electrical energy supply 70 is provided. For controlling the LED lighting means, a control unit 72 is provided. In order to supply the energy supply 70 with electrical energy, connection cables 74 are provided. It goes without saying that during operation the connection cables 74 are connected to the energy supply 70, which for the sake of simplicity is not shown. The connection cables may for example be connected to the electrical supply grid or else to a storage battery. In the same way, it goes without saying that the LED lighting strips 52, 54, 56 are connected to the control unit 72 and the energy supply 70 by way of conductor tracks on the common substrate 58 and cables that are not shown.

[0071] In order to be able to arrange the energy supply 70 and the control unit 72 inside the supporting profile 10, a rectangular milled cut-out 76 is provided on the inner side of the supporting profile 10. With this milled cut-out 76, also see FIG. 5, two hollow chambers of the supporting profile 10 are opened over a certain length. As shown by arrows, as a result the energy supply 70 and the control unit 72 can be inserted into these hollow chambers of the supporting profile 10. The connection cables 74 are led out at one end face or else at both end faces of the supporting profile 10. U-shaped clips 78 are inserted into the respective end face of the supporting profile 10 and serve as cable protection, if for example the connection cables 74 have to be laid in an angled manner in order to be led into the next profile arrangement.

[0072] In order to keep the energy supply 70 and the control unit 72 inside the hollow chambers of the supporting profile 10, a closure profile 80 is provided. The closure profile 80 is made to match the milled cut-out 76 in length and width. Provided at both ends of the closure profile 80 are sliding bolts 82, with which the closure profile 80 can be kept in the intended position on the supporting profile 10. As a result, the energy supply 70 and the control unit 72 can also be kept securely in the supporting profile 10 by the closure profile 80. The control unit 72 serves for example for controlling a luminosity of the LED lighting means or a colour of the LED lighting means 60. The control unit 72 can be activated from outside the profile arrangement 40 for example by means of a wireless remote control.

[0073] The control unit 72 may be formed in a suitable way, in order for example also to automatically bring about a change in luminosity or change in colour of the LED lighting means.

[0074] The representation of FIG. 4 shows a sectional view through the supporting profile 10 and the covering profile 50 of the profile arrangement 40 of FIG. 3 in the region of the end arranged at the bottom left in FIG. 3. In this region, milled cut-outs are provided in the supporting profile 10 in order to lead the connection cables 74 out of the hollow chambers of the supporting profile 10, see FIG. 3.

[0075] FIG. 5 shows a further sectional view of the profile arrangement 40 in the region in which the closure profile 80 has been placed onto the milled cut-out 76. The closure profile 80 is anchored on the supporting profile 10 by means of the sliding bolts 82 and as a result keeps the energy supply unit 70 and the control unit 72 (not shown) in the supporting profile 10. The hollow chambers of the supporting profile are accessible from the side through the milled cut-out 76.

[0076] In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the snap-fitting projections at the free ends of the two legs of the covering profile 50, which have been snapped-fitted into the undercut grooves at the free ends of the legs of the supporting profile 10, can also be seen well.

[0077] In addition, the flexible substrate 58 with the three LED strips 52, 54, 56 can also be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0078] FIG. 6 shows a representation with three supporting profiles 10A, 10B and 10C, which are each provided with LED lighting means. In the representation of FIG. 6, only the supporting profiles 10A, 10C are respectively provided with a covering profile 50A, 50B. It goes without saying that a covering profile (not shown) can also be snap-fitted onto the supporting profile 10B in FIG. 6.

[0079] The supporting profile 10B is vertically arranged and forms a portion of a support. The two supporting profiles 10A, 10C are each horizontally arranged and respectively form part of a horizontal frame.

[0080] In each of the supporting profiles 10A, 10C there can be seen a turnbuckle 22, which protrudes beyond the end face of the respective supporting profile 10A, 10C and serves for connecting the supporting profiles 10A, 10C to the supporting profile 10B. For this purpose, the hooks of the turnbuckles 22 of the supporting profile 10A are introduced into the undercut groove 16 on the outer side of the supporting profile 10B and snap-fitted there and the hooks of the turnbuckle 22 of the supporting profile 10C are introduced into the undercut groove 18 on the outer side of the other leg of the supporting profile 10B and snap-fitted there. The eccentrics of the turnbuckles 22 are in this case operated through openings in the supporting profile, from the respectively rearwardly aligned outer side of the supporting profiles 10A, 10C.

[0081] The profile arrangement of FIG. 6 consequently makes it possible to illuminate uniformly two outer surfaces of the covering profile 50a, two outer surfaces of the covering profile 50c and two outer surfaces of the covering profile (not shown) that is placed onto the supporting profile 10B. As a result, a spatial corner that radiates light is created from a vertical support and two horizontal frames.

[0082] It can also be seen in the representation of FIG. 6 how the connection cables 74 are led out of the supporting profiles 10A, 10B, 10C.

[0083] FIGS. 7A-7H illustrate various embodiments of the profile arrangement according to the invention. In the case of all the embodiments, at least one side face of the profile arrangements can be completely illuminated. Seen in cross section, the edge length of the covering profile corresponds substantially to the edge length of the supporting profile. FIG. 7A in this case shows a supporting profile 102, which with the exception of the absent undercut grooves 28, 30, cf. FIG. 1, is designed identically to the supporting profile 10 and is provided with a covering profile 104, the two legs of which, arranged perpendicularly to one another, are connected by means of a rounded region 106.

[0084] FIG. 7B shows the profile arrangement 40 of FIG. 2.

[0085] FIG. 7C shows a supporting profile 108, which is formed slightly differently than the supporting profile 10.

[0086] FIG. 7D shows a supporting profile 110, which as a difference from the supporting profile 108 is not provided with undercut grooves on its outer sides.

[0087] FIG. 7E shows a supporting profile 112, the internal structure of which is formed slightly differently than in the case of the supporting profiles 108, 110 and which as a result has however a curved or angled fastening area for a flexible substrate for LED lighting means.

[0088] FIG. 7F shows a supporting profile 114, which is formed in the shape of a star and has altogether four legs, which between each of them form an angle of 90. Two covering profiles 116 may be respectively arranged at the free end of the legs. The altogether four covering profiles 116 are all translucently formed and as a result make it possible to create a profile arrangement which is illuminated from inside on four sides.

[0089] FIG. 7G shows a supporting profile 118, which is provided at the free ends of its legs with cross-sectionally rectangular grooves, which consequently do not have an undercut. A covering profile 120 is inserted into these grooves by the free ends of its legs.

[0090] FIG. 7H shows a supporting profile 122, on which a covering profile 124 has been snap-fitted. The covering profile 124 does not however extend beyond the free ends of the legs of the supporting profile 122.

[0091] FIG. 8 shows a further supporting profile 126. The supporting profile 126 has three closed outer sides, in each of which an undercut groove is arranged. In its region at the top in FIG. 8, the supporting profile 126 forms a U-like cross section with two legs 128, 130. The two legs 128, 130 are each provided at their free ends with a strip-shaped projection, which has a rounded outer contour and respectively extends inwards, towards the opposite leg 128 or 130. A base of the U-like cross section is designed as flat and serves for the arrangement of multiple LED lighting means.

[0092] FIG. 9 shows a profile arrangement according to the invention with the supporting profile 126 and a covering profile 132 of translucent polycarbonate placed onto the supporting profile 126. The covering profile 132 is of a substantially plate-shaped form, but has on both of its longitudinal edges grooves which are rounded and open towards the respective side and are made to match the projections at the free ends of the legs 128, 130. As a result, the covering profile 132 can be snap-fitted on the supporting profile 126 in a very easy way, in that it is pressed from above in FIG. 9 onto the free ends of the two legs 128, 130, until the inwardly protruding projections on the legs 128, 130 snap-fit into the respective groove on the longitudinal edges of the covering profile 132.

[0093] On the basis of the U-shaped cross section of the supporting profile 126, altogether three LED strips 134, 136, 138 can be seen, with in each case multiple LEDs arranged one behind the other and in line with one another and arranged on a common base. By means of the LED lighting strips 134, 136, 138, the inner side of the covering profile 132 can be uniformly illuminated, so that the outer side of the covering profile 132 is also uniformly illuminated, without the individual LEDs of the LED strips 134, 136, 138 being perceptible from outside the covering profile 132. The curved inner sides of the legs 128, 130 serve in this case for reflecting light onto the inner side of the covering profile 132 and as a result ensuring uniform illumination and avoiding shading.

[0094] Otherwise, the supporting profile 126 is likewise formed with hollow chambers and undercut grooves, which have already been explained on the basis of the supporting profile 10 of FIG. 1.