CONNECTOR FOR MECHANICALLY AND ELECTRICALLY CONNECTING A CHANDELIER TO A CEILING ELECTRIC BOX

CONNECTEUR SERVANT A REALISER UNE CONNEXION MECANIQUE ET ELECTRIQUE D'UN CHANDELIER A UN BOITIER ELECTRIQUE AU PLAFOND

English Abstract

A connector for mechanically and electrically connecting a luminaire to a ceiling electric box.comprises a first connector member and a second connector member wherein the first connector member is mechanically connected to the ceiling electric box using mechanical fasteners passing through openings, and the first connector member is electrically connected by way of line wires. A second connector member is used, along with a loop member, for mechanically and electrically connecting a luminaire. The loop member has a hollow bolt member to allow for electric wires coming from the luminaire to pass through and electrically connect to pins located inside the second connector member.

French Abstract

Un connecteur pour raccorder mécaniquement et électriquement un luminaire à un boîtier électrique de plafond comprend un premier et un second élément connecteur, le premier élément connecteur étant relié mécaniquement au boîtier électrique de plafond au moyen déléments de fixation mécaniques passant à travers les ouvertures, et le premier élément connecteur est raccordé électriquement par lintermédiaire de fils de ligne. Un second élément connecteur est utilisé, ainsi quun élément de boucle, pour raccorder mécaniquement et électriquement un luminaire. Lélément de boucle comprend un élément de boulon creux pour permettre aux fils électriques provenant du luminaire de passer à travers des broches, et de sy raccorder électriquement, situées à lintérieur du second élément connecteur.

Claims

CLAIMS
1. A connector for mechanically and electrically connecting or removing
a luminaire to a ceiling electric box has a first connector member and a
second connector member; said first connector member being
mechanically connected to said ceiling electric box using mechanical
fasteners passing through openings, and said first connector member
being electrically connected by way of line wires; said second
connector member is used, along with a loop member, for mechanically
and electrically connecting said luminaire; said loop member having a
hollow bolt member to allow for electric wires coming from said
luminaire to pass through and electrically connect to a plurality of pins
located inside said second connector member; said second connector
member being mechanically connected to said first connector member
by being slid into said first connector member following a path formed
by channels, forming an integral part of said first connector member
and cooperating with guide tracks, forming an integral part of said
second connector member; sliding being done until said channels
electrically connect said plurality of pins into a corresponding number of
electrical connection clips; said plurality of clips electrically connect
with said line wires; securing covers, located on each side of said guide
tracks, clip and hold said second connector member securely onto said
first connector member.
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2. The connector for mechanically and electrically connecting a
luminaire of claim 1 wherein push-in snap clips secure said securing
covers in place.
3. The connector for mechanically and electrically connecting a
luminaire of claim 1 wherein said electrical connection clips being
resiliently deformable so as to provide a secure electro-mechanical
connection onto said pins.
4. The connector for mechanically and electrically connecting a
luminaire of claim 1 wherein said plurality of pins and said clips being
formed of metal selected from the group consisting of copper,
aluminum and steel.
5. The connector for mechanically and electrically connecting a
luminaire of claim 1 wherein said first connector member and said
second connector member body being made from non-conductive
material.
6. The connector for mechanically and electrically connecting a
luminaire of claim 1 wherein said first connector member and said
second connector member body are made by injection moulding and
having reinforcement ribs.
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7. The connector for mechanically and electrically connecting a
luminaire of claim 1 wherein a nut and washer combination
mechanically connects the loop member to said second connector
member.
8. The connector for mechanically and electrically connecting a
luminaire of claim 1 wherein said sliding motion being done parallel to
a ceiling.

Description

Connector for mechanically and electrically connecting
a chandelier to a ceiling electric box
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
5[001] The present invention relates generally to to electrical devices but
more
particularly to a connector for mechanically and electrically connecting a
chandelier or luminaire to a ceiling electric box.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Some types of luminaires are big and heavy and that makes it a difficult
process to install them onto a ceiling electrical box. It often requires two
people, one to hold the luminaire and one to do the electrical and then
the mechanical connections between the electrical box and the face
plate of the luminaire. There has to be a better way for doing that.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
15[003] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices
now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and
advantages which are:
[004] To provide for an easy way for one person to install and remove a
luminaire.
[005] In order to do so, the invention comprises a first connector member and
a second connector member wherein the first connector member is
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mechanically connected to the ceiling electric box using mechanical
fasteners passing through openings, and the first connector member is
electrically connected by way of line wires. A second connector member
is used, along with a loop member, for mechanically and electrically
connecting a luminaire. The loop member has a hollow bolt member to
allow for electric wires coming from the luminaire to pass through and
electrically connect to pins located inside the second connector member.
[006] The second connector member is mechanically connected to the first
connector member by being slid into the first connector member
following a path formed by channels,.forming an integral part of the first
connector member and cooperating with guide tracks, forming an integral
part of the second connector member. Sliding is done until the channels
electrically connect a plurality of pins into a corresponding number of
electrical connection clips; the plurality of clips electrically connect with
the line wires.
[007] Securing covers, located on each side of the guide tracks, clip and hold
the second connector member securely onto the first connector member.
[008] Push-in snap clips secure the securing covers in place.
[009] The electrical connection clips being resiliently deformable so as to
provide a secure electro-mechanical connection onto the pins.
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[0010] Pins and clips being formed of metal selected from the group consisting
of copper, aluminum and steel.
[0011] The first connector members and the second connector member being
made from non-conductive material.
5[0012] The first connector members and the second connector member are
made by injection moulding and having reinforcement ribs.
[0013] A nut and washer combination mechanically connects the loop member
to the second connector member.
[0014] The sliding motion being done parallel to a ceiling.
10[0015] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof
that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional
features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will
15 form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
[0016] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements
of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in
20 the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
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being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0017] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,
upon
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that
the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0018] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the
various
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference
should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter
which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Fig. 1 Exploded view of the invention.
[0020] Fig. 2 Cutaway side view.
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[0021] Fig. 3 Top view with line wires.
[0022] Fig. 4 Top view without line wires.
[0023] Fig. 5 Isometric view favoring the top.
[0024] Fig. 6 Isometric view favoring the top connected to electric box.
5[0025] Fig. 7 Isometric view favoring the bottom.
[0026] Figs. 8A-F Views of all 6 faces.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] A connector (10) for mechanically and electrically connecting a
luminaire
(not shown) to a ceiling electric box (12) has a first connector member
(14) and a second connector member (16). The first connector member
(14) is mechanically connected to the ceiling electric box (12) using
mechanical fasteners (11) passing through openings (13), and is
electrically connected by way of line wires (28) in a manner that is similar
to the way light fixtures are electrically and mechanically connected in
the prior art, and need not be further described herein.
[0028] In a separate operation, a luminaire (not shown) is mechanically and
electrically connected to the second connector member (16) by way of a
loop member (18) which allows electrical wires (20) running up from the
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luminaire (not shown) to pass through a hollow bolt member (23) and
electrically connect to the second connector member (16) by way of pins
(24). A nut and washer combination (25) mechanically connect the loop
member (18) to the second connector member (16).
5[0029] When this is done, the second connector member (16) is mechanically
connected to the first connector member (14) by sliding it into the first
connector member (14) following path indicated by arrow (19). Channels
(21), forming an integral part of the first connector member (14), slide
into guide tracks (22), forming an integral part of the second connector
member (16). This sliding motion is done parallel to a ceiling (17), in
other words, generally in a horizontal fashion so that no lifting is required,
which further facilitates the operation.
[0030] The sliding motion is done until the channels (21) electrically connect
the
pins (24) into the corresponding electrical connection clips (26). The
three clips (26) are what line wires (28) are connected to in the first step
described hereinabove. Securing covers (30), on each side of the guide
tracks (22), clip and hold the second connector member (16) securely.
[0031] To remove the second connector member (16), one only needs to push-
in both clips (30), and slide out the second connector member (16).
20[0032] Push-in snap clips (32) snap into the securing covers (30) to lock it
in
place so that it can lock the second connector member (16) in place.
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[0033] The electrical connection clips (26) are resiliently deformable so as
to
provide a secure electro-mechanical connection onto the pins (24). They
use the same metal as commonly used in electrical equipment such as
copper or aluminum. The first and second connector members (14, 16)
are made of non-conductive material, generally plastic and use injection
moulding to be fabricated. They feature reinforcement ribs (34) for
structural integrity.
[0034] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that
the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner
of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and
obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
15[0035] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to
limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents
may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
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Representative Drawing