CN210068659U

CN210068659U - Interlocking connector and interlocking assembly

Info

Publication number: CN210068659U
Application number: CN201920425584.5U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 柳忠政; 蒋利勇; 孙政
Original assignee: Martin Professional ApS
Current assignee: Harman Professional Denmark ApS
Priority date: 2019-03-29
Filing date: 2019-03-29
Publication date: 2020-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-29

Abstract

An interlocking connector and an interlocking assembly are disclosed. The interlocking connector includes: a housing comprising a body and at least one insert, the insert comprising a slot; at least one movable protrusion mounted in the inner space of the housing body, the movable protrusion having an extended position protruding from the notch and a retracted position retracted from the notch; a spring biasing the movable protrusion toward the extended position; and an actuator including an actuation surface, the actuator having a first position and a second position, the first position of the actuator allowing the movable protrusion to be in the extended position, the second position of the actuator pressing against the movable protrusion to hold the movable protrusion in the retracted position. The interlocking assembly includes a device having a slot and an aperture and an interlocking connector.

Description

Interlocking connector and interlocking assembly

Technical Field

The utility model relates to an interlocking-type connector and interlocking-type built-up member.

Background

Some devices, such as some lighting fixtures, require multiple assemblies to be assembled in an array prior to use for ease of use and disassembled after use for storage. There is therefore a need for an interlocking connector that will enable these devices to be quickly, easily and securely assembled together, and quickly and easily disassembled.

The existing interlocking connectors for assembling lighting fixtures and the like have the disadvantages of slow assembly, inconvenience, insecure connection and high manufacturing cost.

Therefore, there is a need for an interlocking connector that has the advantages of quick assembly, ease of assembly, robustness, and low manufacturing cost.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

An object of the utility model is to provide an interlocking type connector, it has the equipment fast, convenient firm and low in manufacturing cost's advantage.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interlocking type connector, including:

a housing including a body defining an interior space and a central axis and at least one insert including a slot in communication with the interior space;

at least one movable protrusion mounted in the interior space, the at least one movable protrusion having an extended position protruding from the slot and a retracted position retracted from the slot;

a spring engaged with the at least one movable projection, the spring biasing the movable projection toward the extended position; and

an actuator comprising an actuation surface configured to engage with the movable protrusion, the actuator having a first position that allows the movable protrusion to be in the extended position and a second position in which the actuation surface presses against the movable protrusion to hold the movable protrusion in the retracted position.

Optionally, the at least one movable protrusion member comprises two movable protrusion members and the at least one insert member comprises two insert plates, the two movable protrusion members being circumferentially spaced 180 degrees apart relative to the central axis and movable in a radial direction relative to the central axis to the extended position and the retracted position.

Optionally, the actuator comprises two of said actuating surfaces corresponding to said two movable protrusions, respectively, each of said actuating surfaces extending in a circumferential direction with respect to said central axis from a first end to a second end, said actuating surfaces being at progressively increasing distances from said central axis from said first end to said second end.

Optionally, each said movable projection comprises a post which engages with a respective actuation surface.

Optionally, the movable projection further comprises a collar rotatably fitted over the post.

Optionally, the housing has an opening at one axial end and the actuator has a handle portion extending from the opening.

Optionally, the interlocking connector further comprises a cover member having a central opening, the cover member being mounted on the axial end of the housing, the handle portion protruding from the central opening.

Optionally, the movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position is a rotation about the central axis.

Optionally, the first position is rotated 90 degrees relative to the second position.

Optionally, the thickness of the insert is tapered in the axial direction.

Optionally, the outer end of the movable projection has a chamfer.

Optionally, the interlocking connector is adapted to be connected to a device having a slot and an aperture, and in a connecting position of the interlocking connector to the device, an insert of the interlocking connector is inserted into the slot of the device and a movable protrusion of the interlocking connector is inserted into the aperture.

Optionally, the device is a lighting fixture.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interlocking assembly characterized by comprising a device having a slot and an opening into which an insert of the interlocking connector is inserted and an interlocking connector as described above into which a movable protrusion of the interlocking connector is inserted.

Optionally, the device is a lighting fixture.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an interlocking connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the interlocking connector of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the interlocking connector of fig. 1.

Fig. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of the interlocking connector of fig. 1, illustrating the operation between the actuator and the movable protrusion member therein.

Fig. 5A-5D illustrate the connection process of an interlocking connector with a lighting fixture according to the present invention.

Fig. 6A-6D illustrate the disassembly process of the interlocking connector from the lighting fixture according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 shows a view of a plurality of light fixtures assembled into an array by the interlocking connectors of the present invention.

Fig. 8 illustrates another view of a lighting fixture assembled with the interlocking connector of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar function throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are exemplary only for the purpose of explaining the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

Unless defined otherwise, technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", and the like, indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are used only for convenience of description and simplicity of description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element being referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore, should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

Fig. 1-3 illustrate an interlocking connector 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein fig. 1 is a perspective view of the interlocking connector 100; fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the interlocking connector 100; fig. 3 is an exploded view of the interlocking connector 100. As shown in fig. 1-3, the interlocking connector 100 includes a housing 110, two

movable protrusion members

120a, 120b, a spring 130, an actuator 140, a cover member 150, and a screw 160. The housing 110 has a generally cylindrical body 112, the body 112 having a central axis x. The housing 110 also has insert

plates

114a, 114b arranged on both sides of the cylindrical main body 112, substantially parallel to the central axis x. As shown, the

insert plates

114a, 114b are substantially parallel to the central axis x, and have a thickness that tapers from one end to the other in the axial direction. The housing 110 defines an interior space and includes two

slots

116a, 116b and an opening, the

slots

116a, 116b extending through the

respective insert plates

114a, 114b generally radially of the main body 112 and communicating with the interior space of the housing 110, the opening of the housing being disposed at an axial end of the main body 112 and communicating with the interior space of the housing 110. As best shown in fig. 2, the

movable protrusions

120a, 120b, the spring 130, and the actuator 140 are accommodated in the inner space of the main body 112. The

movable protrusions

120a, 120b extend generally in a radial direction of the main body 112 and are arranged to be movable in the radial direction within the housing 110. The

movable tabs

120a, 120b are aligned with the two

notches

116a, 116b, respectively, and are extendable from the

respective notches

116a, 116b under the action of the spring 130, and retractable from the

respective notches

116a, 116b under the action of the actuator 140. As shown in fig. 2, the radially inner ends of the movable protrusions 120a, 130b engage the spring 130 to protrude from the

respective notches

116a, 116b under the elastic force of the spring 140. The

movable projections

120a, 120b are also formed with generally axially extending

posts

122a, 122b adjacent their radially inner ends, the

posts

122a, 122b extending into the actuator 140 for interaction therewith, the

posts

122a,

122b having collars

124a, 124b respectively fitted thereon which are rotatable relative to the

posts

122a, 122 b. The radially outer ends of the

movable protrusions

120a, 120b are formed with

slopes

126a, 126b, respectively. The actuator 140 has a cylindrical body 142 to be rotatable in the inner space of the housing 110. One axial end of the actuator 140 is provided with an actuating portion to engage with the

posts

122a, 122b of the

movable protrusion members

120a, 120b (the specific operation is described below). The other axial end of the actuator 140 includes a handle portion 146 that projects axially from an opening in the housing 110. The interlocking connector 100 also includes a cap 150 and a screw 160. Screws 160 secure the cover 150 to the open end of the housing 110 through corresponding holes 154 in the cover 150 to confine the actuator 140, etc., within the interior space of the housing 110.

Fig. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views illustrating the interaction between the actuator 140 and the movable protrusions 120a, 120B. As shown, the actuation portion of the actuator 140 includes

actuation surfaces

144a, 144 b. The actuating surfaces 144a, 144b extend substantially in a circumferential direction with respect to the centre axis, with a gradually increasing distance from the centre axis x from one end to the other end thereof. In the position shown in fig. 4B, the movable projections 120a, 120B are in a radially outward position under the spring force of the spring 130 therebetween, such that their radially outer ends protrude from the notches 116a, 116B. Upon rotation of the actuator 140 about the central axis in a counterclockwise direction in fig. 4B, the posts 122a, 122B of the movable tabs 120a, 120B (and the collars 124A, 124B) move against the actuation surfaces 124A, 124B such that the actuation surfaces 124A, 124B move the movable tabs 120a, 120B in a radially inward direction such that the movable tabs 120a, 120B retract from the slots 116a, 116B, as shown in fig. 4A.

Fig. 5A-5D illustrate the process of connecting the interlocking connector 100 with the light fixture 200, where fig. 5A-5C illustrate the internal operation of the interlocking connector 100 during the connection process. As shown in fig. 5D, the light fixture 200 includes four connection portions 210 evenly spaced around its perimeter, the connection portions including slots adapted to receive the

insert plates

114a, 114b of the interlocking connector 100, and apertures 212 in the slots. The operation of connecting the interlocking connector 100 with the light fixture 200 is very simple, simply by inserting the insert plate of the interlocking connector 100 into the slot of the corresponding connecting portion 210 of the light fixture 200. Fig. 5A shows the state of the interlocking connector 100 before being inserted into the slot of the connection portion 210 of the light fixture 200. After the card board of the interlocking connector 100 is inserted into the socket, the socket bottom surface presses against the inclined surfaces 126a, 126B of the movable protrusion pieces 120a, 120B, causing the movable protrusion pieces 120a, 120B to retract from the notches 116a, 116B in the direction indicated by the arrows in fig. 5B. As the insert plate of the interlocking connector 100 is further inserted into the socket, the

movable tab members

120a, 120b are moved into alignment with the apertures 212 in the socket, at which point the

movable tab members

120a, 120b project from the

respective notches

116a, 116b into the apertures 212 due to the spring force of the spring 130, thereby securing the interlocking connector 100 and the light fixture 200 in position relative to each other.

Fig. 6A-6D illustrate the process of removing the interlocking connector 100 from the light fixture 200. Fig. 6A shows the interior of the interlocking connector 100 when the interlocking connector 100 and the light fixture 200 are connected together, with the insert plate of the interlocking connector 100 inserted into the slot of the light fixture 200 and the

movable tab members

120a, 120b protruding from the respective notches 116A, 116b into the aperture 212. Next, as shown in fig. 6B, the handle portion 146 of the actuator 140 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, causing the movable tabs 120a, 120B to retract from the slots 116a, 116B by interaction between the actuating surfaces 124a, 124B of the actuator 140 and the posts 122a, 122B of the movable tabs 120a, 120B (and the collars 124a, 124B), as shown in fig. 6B. At this point, the interlocking connector 100 may be removed from the light fixture 200 in the direction indicated by the arrow in fig. 6D, since the

movable tabs

120a, 120b have been retracted from the

notches

116a, 116b (and the aperture 212). After the insert plates of the interlocking connector 100 are withdrawn from the slots of the light fixture 200, the radially outer ends of the

movable protrusion members

120a, 120b are caused to protrude from the

notches

116a, 116b by the elastic force of the springs 130, as shown in fig. 6C.

As described above, the connection and the disconnection between the interlocking connector 100 and the lighting fixture 200 are very simple, wherein the firm connection between the interlocking connector 100 and the lighting fixture 200 can be achieved only by inserting the insert plate of the interlocking connector 100 into the slot of the lighting fixture 200. In addition, during the connection process, when the

movable protrusion pieces

120a, 120b of the interlocking connector 100 enter the opening 212 under the elastic force of the spring 130, the user can hear a sound such as a click, thereby clearly knowing that the interlocking connector 100 and the lighting fixture 200 have been interlocked together. When detaching the interlocking connector 100 from the lighting fixture 200, it is only necessary to rotate the handle portion 146 of the actuator 140 of the interlocking connector 100 by 90 degrees counterclockwise and then pull out the interlocking connector 100 from the socket of the lighting fixture 200. In addition, the interlocking connector 100 has a simple structure, includes a small number of components, and is low in manufacturing cost.

Fig. 7 and 8 show an assembly of a plurality of lighting fixtures 200 interlocked together using interlocking connectors 100.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the body 112 of the housing 110 is generally cylindrical, however the invention is not limited thereto and the body of the housing 110 may be other shapes, such as a square shape, etc. In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the

insert plates

114a, 114b are plates with gradually changing thickness along the axial direction, however, the present invention is not limited thereto, the present invention may be plates with unchanged thickness, and other insert members that are not plate-shaped may be used as long as the insert members can be properly inserted into the slots of the lighting fixture 200.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the interlocking connector 100 includes two movable protrusions circumferentially spaced 180 degrees from the central axis, however the invention is not limited thereto and may include only one movable protrusion or three movable protrusions circumferentially spaced 120 degrees from the central axis. Accordingly, the number of slots in the insert plate and the insert plate of the interlocking connection member is also one or three. The number of movable projection members and notches in the insert plate and insert plate may also be more than three, as desired.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the movable protrusions are in contact with the actuator actuating surface are

posts

122a, 122b and

collars

124a, 124b, however the invention is not limited thereto and in alternative embodiments, collars may not be included. In further alternative embodiments, rather than posts, any suitable protrusions may be used to contact the actuating surface of the actuator.

In the preferred embodiment as shown, the

actuating surfaces

144a, 144b of the actuator 140 are progressively more distant from the central axis x from one end to the other end thereof about the circumference of the central axis, and rotation of the actuator 140 about the central axis causes the

actuating surfaces

124a, 124b to move the

movable protrusions

120a, 120b in a radially inward direction. However, the invention is not limited thereto, in an alternative embodiment, the actuating surface of the actuator may be configured to gradually increase in distance from the central axis x in the axial direction from one end to the other end thereof, and to cooperate with the respective movable protrusion, such that an axial movement of the actuator along the central axis causes the actuating surface to move the movable protrusion in a radially inward direction.

In the preferred embodiment as shown, the interlocking connector 100 includes a cover 150 and a screw 160. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and in alternative embodiments, the cover member and the screw may not be included. In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, a coil spring is employed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and any suitable spring may be used.

In a preferred embodiment, the interlocking connector 100 is used to connect a light fixture 200. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the interlocking connection of the present invention may be used to connect any suitable device.

The above description is only for the purpose of illustrating exemplary embodiments of the principles of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and substance of the invention, and these modifications and improvements are also within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An interlocking connector, comprising:

2. The interlocking connector of claim 1, wherein said at least one movable tab member comprises two movable tab members and said at least one insert member comprises two insert plates, said two movable tab members being circumferentially spaced 180 degrees apart relative to said central axis and movable in a radial direction relative to said central axis to said extended position and said retracted position.

3. The interlocking connector of claim 2, wherein said actuator includes two said actuating surfaces corresponding to said two movable protrusions, respectively, each said actuating surface extending in a circumferential direction relative to said central axis from a first end to a second end, said actuating surfaces being progressively more distant from said central axis from said first end to said second end.

4. The interlocking connector of claim 3, wherein each of said movable tabs includes a post that engages a corresponding actuation surface.

5. The interlocking connector of claim 4, wherein said movable tab member further comprises a collar rotatably fitted over said post.

6. The interlocking connector of claim 1, wherein said housing has an opening at one axial end and said actuator has a handle portion extending from said opening.

7. The interlocking connector of claim 6, further comprising a cover member having a central opening, said cover member being mounted on said axial end of said housing, said handle portion extending from said central opening.

8. The interlocking connector of claim 1, wherein movement of said actuator from said first position to said second position is rotation about said central axis.

9. The interlocking connector of claim 8, wherein said first position is rotated 90 degrees relative to said second position.

10. The interlocking connector of claim 2, wherein the thickness of said insert is tapered in the axial direction.

11. The interlocking connector of claim 1, wherein said outer ends of said movable projection members have a chamfer.

12. The interlocking connector of claim 1, wherein said interlocking connector is adapted to be connected to a device having a slot and an opening, wherein in a connected position of said interlocking connector to said device, an insert of said interlocking connector is inserted into said slot of said device and a movable tab of said interlocking connector is inserted into said opening.

13. The interlocking connector of claim 12, wherein said device is a light fixture.

14. An interlocking assembly comprising a device having a slot and an aperture into which an insert of the interlocking connector is inserted and the interlocking connector of any of claims 1-13 into which a movable tab of the interlocking connector is inserted.

15. The interlocking assembly of claim 14, wherein the device is a light fixture.