Electrical connectors – Uninterrupted support rail or uninterrupted contact – With means to join tandem rails or tandem contacts
Patent
1990-12-07
1991-11-26
Paumen, Gary F.
Electrical connectors
Uninterrupted support rail or uninterrupted contact
With means to join tandem rails or tandem contacts
439530, 439675, 439700, 362226, H01R 1704
Patent
active
050679066
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to electric current distribution apparatus, and is concerned especially, but not necessarily exclusively, with devices and equipment for a low voltage distribution track system and lighting installations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect the invention relates particularly to electric cables of rigid construction and finite length so that they take the form of stiff rods capable of providing firm support for an electrical device, such as a distribution track, appliance e.g. light fitting, or the like, to which the cable may also supply electric current. For convenience such cables are referred to herein as "cable rods", (electrical connectors), and the embodiments described in detail below are specifically adapted for low voltage electric current supply applications
In accordance with the first aspect of the invention there is provided the invention resides in a cable rod (electrical connector) comprising coaxial conductors and coupling means at each end thereof to enable the cable rod to be connected releasably but securely end-to-end with another substantially identical cable rod to form a rigid cable rod assembly, with electrical continuity of the inner and outer conductors being maintained over the length of the assembly, the inner conductor including a contact portion at one end retractable against a spring force exerted thereon to ensure firm axial abutment with the inner conductor of another cable rod coupled to said one end.
In one embodiment the contact portion is provided by a pin urged axially outwardly with respect to an axially fixed conductor rod by a spring interposed therebetween. According to another embodiment the inner conductor comprises a rod extending continuously from one end to the other end of the conductor, the contact portion being an end of the rod, and a spring being arranged to bias the rod longitudinally in the direction towards said end.
The invention also provides a coupling unit for use with the cable rods of the invention, the coupling unit comprising a body, coupling means of essentially the same or complementary form at either end of the body to enable the unit to be connected between two cable rods in axial alignment, a contact at each end of the unit for engaging the inner conductor of a cable rod attached to that end, spring means accommodated in the body and acting on the contacts to urge them away from each other. In a preferred construction the contacts are connected by a flexible conductor, e.g. a braided conductor, to ensure good electrical continuity therebetween, and the body is made in two relatively rotatable parts to enable rotational coupling unit relative to the cable rod secured to the opposite end of the coupling unit.
In accordance with another aspect the invention relates to an electrical coupling for an electric distribution track. The coupling of the invention is suitable for supplying electric current to a track and/or taking current off from the track, e.g. by a cable rod as aforementioned, for supply to an appliance or another track section.
Electric distribution tracks are well known and generally comprise elongate channels along which elongate conducts extend. A supply connector is fitted to the track channel, most frequently at one end of a track length, for connecting the track to a source of electric power. Other connectors, commonly known as "adaptors", can be engaged with the track at any position along its length for connecting electric appliances, usually but not necessarily light fittings, to the track. The adaptors are designed to provide mechanical support for the light fittings, so that they are supported by the track. The most common arrangement is for a track to be supported below a ceiling and for the light fittings to be suspended beneath the track, but other arrangements are possible. By tradition the supply connectors and adaptors tend to be of different constructions in view of their differing duties, although they do fit together with the sa
REFERENCES:
patent: 3416125 (1968-12-01), Theue
GTE Rotaflex Limited
Paumen Gary F.
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