Quick connect device for mounting a suspended electrical...

Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Coupling part with relatively pivotable concentric...

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C439S892000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06325654

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to the general field of suspended electrical fixtures and, more particularly, to devices that make easier the tasks of mounting a suspended electrical fixture to an overhead support and connecting the fixture to an electrical supply.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The installation of a suspended electrical fixture to an overhead support can be a difficult task for a single installer. For example, to install a conventional ceiling fan, the fan is lifted to just below the electrical junction box and held there while connecting the fan wires to the electrical supply wires. After the electrical connection is finished, the fan is lifted further to place the fan bell over the junction box and held in that position while the fan is attached to the box or a ceiling hanger in some manner, typically with screws or bolts. The combined operation takes several minutes and usually requires two persons, one to lift and hold and the other to make the wire and screw connections.
Installing a suspended electrical fixture can also pose a risk of electrical shock to the installer and/or short-circuiting the electrical supply circuit. Some installers, particularly do-it-yourself homeowners, are prone to either forget or neglect to shut off the supply of electricity to the circuit they are installing the fixture in. Most conventional fixtures have bare-ended wires meant to be spliced to supply wires located in an overhead junction box. An installer who fails to shut off the electricity and splices live wires is destined to receive an electrical shock. Even if the fixture were supplied with a conventional electrical plug, an installer could get an electrical shock by touching one of the plug's prongs when the plug is partially inserted into a live receptacle. If the installer were to touch two of the partially inserted prongs simultaneously with a finger, tool or other conductive object, the supply circuit would also be short-circuited.
Some electrical fixture installations are subject to water infiltration, particularly those having junction boxes mounted in a ceiling adjacent a leaking roof, adjacent the underside of a roof on which condensation forms, under a bathroom or other area having leaking plumbing or the like. The infiltrating water can cause an electrical short, which could start a fire.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a mounting device for hanging an electrical fixture from an overhead support and connecting the fixture to an electrical supply. The mounting device includes a mount, a coupler, an electrical plug and an electrical receptacle. The mount is attachable to an electrical junction box and the coupler is attachable to an electrical fixture and engageable with the mount.
The electrical plug includes a plug base, a skirt and a plurality of elongated electrical conductors. The skirt is attached to and extends away from the plug base. The skirt has an inner surface and an inner periphery. The inner surface of the skirt and a portion of the plug base encompassed by the skirt define a cavity. The conductors engage the plug base and extend away from the plug base into the cavity.
The electrical receptacle includes a receptacle base and a receiver attached to the receptacle base. The receiver has an outer periphery and a plurality of sockets extending into the receiver. The outer periphery of the receiver is adapted to slidably engage the inner surface of the skirt of the plug. Each socket receives one of the conductors of the plug.
The plug is secured to either the mount or the coupler and the receptacle is secured to the other. The conductors and skirt of the plug engage the sockets and receiver, respectively, of the receptacle when the plug is engaged with the receptacle.


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