The disclosure relates to a system and method for securely connecting suspended electrical fixtures without tools, and in particular, by a connection including a push-button mechanism which does not interfere with centrally mounted fixtures.
Traditional techniques for installing electrical fixtures and appliances, such as lighting fixtures and fans on walls or ceilings usually require the assistance of a qualified electrician, and the use of a variety of tools and specialized hardware. The procedure for installing or uninstalling such fixtures can also be relatively time consuming, even when carried out by an experienced installer. In addition to the need for hand-wiring the necessary electrical connections between the fixture and electrical power supply wiring, the installer must make separate mechanical connections for supporting or suspending the fixture in place.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, a plug useable with an affixed electrical socket having a body forming a plurality of concentric ring shaped openings terminating in electrical contacts, comprises a body; a plurality of electrically conductive concentric rings insertable within the plurality of concentric ring shaped openings of the socket to thereby form electrical connections with the electrical contacts of the socket; a hollow post extending from the body at the center of the concentric rings, the post having an aperture extending therethrough and being transverse to a longitudinal axis of the post; a rod slideably having a portion extending within the hollow post, and an end extending outside the post, the rod including a narrowed portion, the rod slideable between a release position in which the narrowed portion is adjacent the aperture and a latched position in which the narrowed portion is away from the aperture; a spring connected to the rod and the body to bias the rod towards the latched position; an elongate cross-brace connected to the rod end at a rod connection location and having opposed brace ends positioned away from the rod connection location; two elongate pins, each connected to an opposed brace end to extend away from the cross-brace, whereby when the elongate pins are moved, the cross-brace is caused to move, whereby the rod is slideably moved within the post, against the bias of the spring, from the latched position to the release position.
In variations thereof, the pins extend from the body to form button shapes which are pressable by a user of the plug; the device further includes balls positioned within the aperture, whereby when the rod is in the latched position, the balls are pushed within the apertures to extend at least partially beyond an outer circumference of the post, and when the rod is in the release position, the balls are pushable to be positioned entirely within the outer circumference of the post and partially within the narrowed portion of the rod; the device further includes a second aperture positioned away from the aperture and extending through the post and being transverse to a longitudinal axis of the post; and/or the immediately foregoing variation, wherein the second aperture is radially offset 90 degrees from the aperture.
In further variations thereof, the device further includes a base positioned between the rod and the cross-brace; the cross-brace further includes an aperture formed into each of the opposed ends of the cross-brace, each sized to receive a portion of a pin; the body includes a central aperture axially aligned with the rod and forming a pathway dimensioned for passage of an electrical cable when an electrical cable is inserted into the central aperture; and/or the central aperture includes a bend at a location away from the central aperture, the bend sized for passage of the electrical cable, when an electrical cable is inserted through the central aperture and bend.
In additional variations thereof, the post is connected to a body having a round threaded portion, the threaded portion including a flattened side portion; and/or the pins having opposed ends not connected to the cross-brace, the opposed ends mutually connected by a loop, the loop pushable to simultaneously push both pins.
A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and that the systems and methods described below can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present subject matter in virtually any appropriately detailed structure and function. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the concepts.
The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as “connected,” although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
Previous disclosures of the inventor, cited above, describe a flexible socket which admits a plug for conducting electric power to a light, fan or other suspended fixture. The plug mechanically supports the weight of the fixture, in a desired orientation, to that the fixture can also receive power from the plug. A central releasable latching mechanism allows partial or total withdrawal of the plug. Partial withdrawal is used to support the weight of the fixture while a change is made to the rotational orientation of the fixture. Total withdrawal is used to transfer the fixture to another location.
A “quick connect device” for installing electrical fixtures comprises the combination of a plug and mating socket. The plug and mating socket of the device function to both establish an electrical connection between an electrical fixture and electrical supply wiring, and mechanically support the fixture on a surface or base, typically a wall, ceiling or floor surface. As used herein, the term “fixture” or “electrical fixture” means any fixture or appliance such as a lighting fixture, ceiling fan, television camera, security device or any other device which is powered by electricity supplied by electrical wiring, and which requires a mechanical connection to support or suspend the fixture. The plug is fixedly secured to an electrical fixture, while the socket is secured to either the surface (e.g., wall, ceiling or floor) on which the fixture is to be mounted, or to an electrical junction box. The structure, function, and operation of the plug and mating socket have already been detailed in, for example, the patents and application incorporated by reference herein, and reference may be had thereto for details regarding the quick release fixture generally, as well as to variations thereof which can all be used in combination with the disclosure.
Referring generally to
With reference to
More particularly, pins 106 slidably extend through body 26 or through a pin aperture 214 within a fixture attachment element 212 (
A spring 76 (shown in
In
In
Device 100 including plug 30 provides an instant plug-and-play platform for light fixtures and ceiling fans. Device 100 can be integrated into lighting or other electrical fixtures during the manufacturing process. Device 100 includes two push-buttons (pins 106) that are pushed to enable locking a fixture in place while simultaneously forming electrical contacts to provide the fixture with power. Pins 106 can be pushed again to enable releasing of the fixture while safely disconnecting the electrical connections. By providing two pins 106 which flank a centrally disposed opening 104, many fixtures which require or benefit from a central mounting point and electrical connection can be easily connected and disconnected.
As such, consumers can safely install and replace electrical fixtures with a simple push and click. Socket 20 is installed into a standard lighting junction box and provides both power and mechanical support to any fixture equipped with device 100. Socket 20 is installed by inserting electrical wires of the facility into wire traps, and then further securing the wires with screw clamps. Where socket 20 is provided with an appropriate bracket, the bracket is then secured into the junction box with two screws. A simple and attractive cover plate is connected to socket 20 to cover any wall box and unfinished surfaces, completing the final installation and providing a tidy appearance. The receptacle thus configured is safe to touch, even when the power is on, and avoids a risk of electrical shock.
Referring now to
In
All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. There are many different features to the present disclosure and it is contemplated that these features may be used together or separately. Thus, the disclosure should not be limited to any particular combination of features or to a particular application of the disclosure. Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure might occur to those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains. Accordingly, all expedient modifications readily attainable by one versed in the art from the disclosure set forth herein that are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure are to be included as further embodiments of the present disclosure.
This disclosure relates to PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/US2016/032170 filed May 12, 2016 (published as WO 2016/183354 A1); U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,462,066 filed March 20, 2007; 7,192,303 filed Dec. 2, 2004; and 6,962,498 filed Dec. 12, 2001; and to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0280673 filed Dec. 2, 2005; U.S. Provisional Applications 62/160,585 filed May 12, 2015; 62/308,718, filed Mar. 15, 2016; 62/467,176 filed Mar. 5, 2017; and 62,470,170 filed Mar. 10, 2017; the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, in their entirety.
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