Fixture lowering assembly

Details Fixture lowering assembly Fixture lowering assembly

1999-06-11

2001-07-17

Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

Including handle or distinct manipulating means

For attachment of connector to overhead conductor

Reexamination Certificate

active

06261122

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to assemblies for lowering an electrical fixture from elevated locations and more particularly to a fixture lowering assembly adapted for lowering suspended fixtures, such as security and surveillance cameras, that require connection and disconnection of multiple complex electrical contacts.
Fixture lowering assemblies for devices such as mast-supported street lights or other lighting devices positioned at a high elevation are well known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,245 discloses such a lowering assembly for lowering a light fixture for servicing. The device includes a standard three-prong electrical plug that must be connected and disconnected when lowering the light fixture.
Many of such prior art devices are not suitable for providing a connection for more complicated electrical fixtures, such as cameras, video recorders and the like. This is because such complex electrical devices require many more electrical contacts for providing power to the device and permitting transmission of signals from the device, such as a camera, back to a receiving or viewing station. The complexity of the electrical connection can hinder the disconnecting or connecting process and can also cause damage to the fixture if there is ununiform disconnection or connection of only some of the electrical contacts.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,602 discloses a suspension connector assembly designed for use with more complex electrical devices such as cameras that require multiple pin and barrel-type socket electrical connectors. However, the pins
55
of the electrical connection project outwardly from a rubber base
7
with no mechanism provided on the base
7
for guiding the pins
55
into the sockets on the other half of the connector. The pins
55
may therefore encounter difficulty in finding the corresponding sockets and could potentially be damaged during attempted insertion into the sockets. The base
7
of the pins
55
is also rigidly fixed and therefore cannot compensate for any variation in the connection process. This rigid fixation of the pins, while an upward force is being applied, further enhances the possibly of misalignment, bad connection, or damage to the pins
55
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide an improved fixture lowering assembly for use with, for example, security or surveillance cameras that have multiple contact positions required to form an adequate electrical connection. For example, in an embodiment, the fixture lowering assembly can provide up to twenty-nine contact positions for use with a variety of different security and surveillance cameras for disconnecting and connecting the power and signal wires so that the camera may be lowered for maintenance. However, it will be understood that the fixture lowering assembly of the present invention can be used with a variety of electrical fixtures requiring varying types of electrical connections.
The fixture lowering assembly of the present invention provides an improved electrical connection by providing first and second connectors, each respectively provided with pins and sockets, that both have a biased mounting that permits both the first and second connector to float. The first and second connectors are preferably mounted on respective sets of upper and lower guide posts with springs mounted therein for providing a floating effect to the first and second connector. By providing a spring mounting and permitting both the first and second connectors to float, the first and second connectors can adequately compensate for variations in alignment and force during the connection process in order to facilitate an effective connection between the pins and the sockets.
The fixture lowering assembly of the present invention is also designed to protect the pins provided on the connector during the connection process. This is accomplished by providing on the ends of the guide posts that hold the first and second connectors with a respective set of alignment posts and receptacles that cooperate to engage and align the first connector with the second connector. The alignment posts and receptacles preferably come into contact before the pins and sockets in order to ensure a proper alignment.
To further facilitate accurate correction, the contact pins are provided in a recess or recess on the connector so if the pins are in a protective environment in order to prevent an pertinent damage, such as bending of the pins. The opposite connector includes projections (which house the electrical sockets) that fit into the recess on the other connector prior to engagement of the pins with the sockets to further ensure proper alignment with the pins and the sockets.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved fixture lowering assembly that can be used with a variety of electrical connections, such as for security and surveillance cameras, video cameras, etc. This is accomplished by providing the first and second connectors with mounting bodies that are capable of receiving a variety of electrical contact plates. The electrical contact plates can be selected for the particular intended fixture and easily placed within the mounting bodies of the first and second connectors.
In an embodiment, the fixture lowering assembly of the present invention comprises a fixed housing mounted above ground level and a movable fixture housing connected to a fixture. A connect unit is used to secure the fixed housing to the movable housing and includes an upper portion mounted on the fixed housing and the lower portion mounted on the movable housing. A latching assembly is provided on the upper and lower halves of the connect unit for permitting selective connection and disconnection of the two halves of the connect unit as well as the fixed and movable housings.
The upper portion of the connect unit includes a first electrical connector and the lower portion of the connect unit and includes a second electrical connector. A first spring assembly resiliently mounts the first connector on the upper portion of the connect unit and a second spring assembly resiliently mounts the second connector on the lower portion of the connect unit. The first and second connector each include electrical contacts for forming the electrical connection required for the fixture.
The first and second connectors are preferably comprised on a mounting body and a selected electrical contact plate provided in the mounting body. The electrical contact plates can be easily removed from the mounting bodies and replaced in order to adapt to the circuitry required for a variety of different features. In order to accommodate a wide variety of fixtures, the mounting bodies preferably include up to 29 positions for receiving electrical contacts.
In most instances, the electrical contact plates can be provided with electrical contacts in the form of a plurality of pins and barrel-type sockets. One of the electrical contact plates preferably includes an outer surface and recesses with electrical contact pins being provided in the recesses and not projecting outwardly beyond the outer surface of the electrical contact plate. This construction prevents inadvertent damage to the pins since they are shielded by the recesses.
The opposite electrical contact plate includes a plurality of projections, each including an electrical socket, for receipt in the corresponding recess in the other electrical contact plate. In an embodiment, one of the electrical contact plates includes a box recess, a plurality of cylindrical recesses, and a plurality of pins provided in the box recess and in the cylindrical recesses. The other electrical contact plate is then provided with a corresponding box projection, a plurality of post projections and a plurality of electrical sockets provided in the box and post projections.
The fixture lowering assembly also includes other components for aligning the first and second electrical connectors. In an embodiment, first and second spring assemblies resiliently mount the fi

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