GB2368198A - Rotatable adapter for power track - Google Patents

Rotatable adapter for power track Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2368198A
GB2368198A GB0025085A GB0025085A GB2368198A GB 2368198 A GB2368198 A GB 2368198A GB 0025085 A GB0025085 A GB 0025085A GB 0025085 A GB0025085 A GB 0025085A GB 2368198 A GB2368198 A GB 2368198A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
contact
support
pin
electrical
electrical outlet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0025085A
Other versions
GB0025085D0 (en
GB2368198B (en
Inventor
Mark Hawkins
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Illuma Lighting Ltd
Original Assignee
Illuma Lighting Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Illuma Lighting Ltd filed Critical Illuma Lighting Ltd
Priority to GB0025085A priority Critical patent/GB2368198B/en
Publication of GB0025085D0 publication Critical patent/GB0025085D0/en
Publication of GB2368198A publication Critical patent/GB2368198A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2368198B publication Critical patent/GB2368198B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/22—Contacts for co-operating by abutting
    • H01R13/24—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted
    • H01R13/2407—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted characterized by the resilient means
    • H01R13/2421—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted characterized by the resilient means using coil springs
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V21/00—Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips
    • F21V21/34—Supporting elements displaceable along a guiding element
    • F21V21/35—Supporting elements displaceable along a guiding element with direct electrical contact between the supporting element and electric conductors running along the guiding element
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
    • H01R25/14—Rails or bus-bars constructed so that the counterparts can be connected thereto at any point along their length
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
    • H01R25/14—Rails or bus-bars constructed so that the counterparts can be connected thereto at any point along their length
    • H01R25/142—Their counterparts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/44—Means for preventing access to live contacts

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)

Abstract

An adapter for connecting a light fitting to a power track has two inlet terminals connected to two outlet terminals 12, 13. One of the inlet terminals 15 is a generally cylindrical sleeve, such as a balloon spring, and the other (18, Fig 3) is a pin resiliently mounted coaxially within the sleeve. The pin is slidingly connected to its outlet, and the cylinder can be mounted in the track in a range of orientations, so the adapter can be rotated relative to the track without the light fitting having to move relative to the outlet terminals.

Description

POWER TRACK ADAPTOR CONTACT ASSEMBLY
The invention relates to track mounted light fittings and, in particular, to a contact assembly for an adaptor for connecting a light fitting such as a spotlight to a power track mounted on a ceiling or other suitable surface. Such adaptors provide both a mechanical and an electrical connection.
In a known adaptor, the electrical connection is provided by a contact assembly comprising a pair of electrical contacts mounted to an insulating support. The first contact is in the form of a pin which contacts a central elongate conductor in the track whilst the second contact is cylindrical and surrounds the first contact to contact a pair of elongate conductors on opposite sides of the track. This arrangement permits continuous rotation of the adaptor without loss of electrical contact. In the known arrangement, the insulating support is rigidly held in the adaptor and the first contact is resiliently mounted in the insulating support to provide a spring-loaded contact with the central conductor to ensure a good contact and allow for manufacturing tolerances. The resilient mounting of the first contact within the support is such that the spade connector formed on the opposite end of the first contact moves with the first contact. This movement may cause the wire attached to the spade contact to become detached. Also, the contact must be mounted in the insulating support in a manner which permits movement and is therefore not firmly gripped. According to the present invention, there is provided a contact assembly for an
adaptor for connecting a light fitting to a power track comprising : an insulating support carrying first and second electrical outlet contacts rigidly mounted to the support and extending therefrom for connection to the electrical conductor wires of a light fitting; a first electrical inlet contact in the form of a generally cylindrical contact sleeve mounted on the support and in electrical connection with the first electrical outlet contact; a second electrical inlet contact in the form of an elongate pin mounted coaxially within the sleeve and insulated therefrom, the pin being resiliently mounted on the support for limited axial movement; wherein the pin is electrically connected to the second electrical outlet contact through a sliding contact in which a contact surface formed on the pin slidingly engages a contact surface electrically connected to the second electrical outlet contact.
Embodiments of the invention are described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of an adaptor; Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an adaptor connected to a power track; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the components of a contact assembly; Figure 4 is a side view of a contact assembly; Figure 5 is an isometric view of a contact assembly; Figure 6 is an end view of a contact assembly; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a contact assembly taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 6; and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a contact assembly taken on line 8-8 of
Figure 6 with the contact sleeve removed.
The adaptor 1, as shown in the figures, comprises a cylindrical stem 2 which is adapted to be pivotally connected to a lamp housing (not shown) of a spotlight or similar light fitting in known manner. The stem is formed in two separable parts 3 and 4. A clamp 5 is mounted on the stem part 3 and carries two pairs of clamping arms 6. The stem part 3 also carries a latch 7 which is mounted for limited sliding movement axially along the stem between a forward position and a retracted position. When the latch is in the retracted position, the arms 6 lie parallel to one another in a closed position in which they allow insertion and removal of the clamp into and out of the opening in a power track 8. When the latch is in the forward position, engagement elements 9 engage between the clamping arms 6 to urge them into an open position in which they prevent removal of the clamp from the opening.
The electrical connection between the adaptor and the track is provided by means of a contact assembly 10 rigidly mounted within the adaptor.
The contact assembly comprises an insulating support 11 which is formed of two injection moulded halves 111, 112 which are welded together after assembly. The support carries first and second electrical outlet contacts 12,13 which are rigidly mounted to the support and extend therefrom for connection to the electrical conductor wires (not shown) of a light fitting mounted on the stem 2 of the adaptor.
The support 11 has a generally cylindrical portion 14 at one end and a first electrical inlet contact, in the form of a generally cylindrical contact sleeve 15 provided by a balloon spring, is mounted on the support to surround the portion 14. The first electrical outlet contact 12 is formed of a single strip of metal having a first end portion 16 extending from the support and a second end portion 17 located within and contacting the sleeve contact 15.
A second electrical inlet contact is provided in the form of a spring-loaded elongate pin 18 which is mounted coaxially within the sleeve and insulated therefrom. The pin 18 is mounted for limited axial movement on the support by means of a helical spring 19 which is housed in a cylindrical cavity 20 formed in the cylindrical portion 14 of the support.
The second electrical outlet contact 13 is also formed from a single strip of metal having a first end portion 21 extending from the support and a second end portion 22 having a contact surface 23. The elongate pin 18 is electrically connected to the second electrical outlet contact 13 through a sliding contact in which a contact surface 24 on the pin slidingly engages the contact surface 23 of the outlet contact 13. This arrangement enables electrical contact to be maintained during axial movement of the pin.
The second end portion 22 of the outlet contact 13 and that part of the pin 18 which carries the contact surface 24 are located within the helical spring 19. This arrangement is particularly compact and the spring acts to hold the two components in engagement to maintain electrical contact.
The other end 25 of the pin extends from the support for spring-loaded contact with a central conductor 30 in the power track whilst the sleeve 15 contacts a pair of conductors 31 on opposite sides of the track.
The assembly is rigidly mounted in the adaptor by means of a groove 26 and a flange 27 formed on a central part 28 of the support 11. The support is also formed with an elongate beam 29 located between the free ends of the outlet contacts to act as a barrier preventing contact between the wire conductors.

Claims (8)

1. A contact assembly for an adaptor for connecting a light fitting to a power track comprising: an insulating support carrying first and second electrical outlet contacts rigidly mounted to the support and extending therefrom for connection to the electrical conductor wires of a light fitting; a first electrical inlet contact in the form of a generally cylindrical contact sleeve mounted on the support and in electrical connection with the first electrical outlet contact; a second electrical inlet contact in the form of an elongate pin mounted coaxially within the sleeve and insulated therefrom, the pin being resiliently mounted on the support for limited axial movement; wherein the pin is electrically connected to the second electrical outlet contact through a sliding contact in which a contact surface formed on the pin slidingly engages a contact surface electrically connected to the second electrical outlet contact.
2. A contact assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the second electrical outlet contact is formed from a single strip of metal having a first end portion extending from the support for connection to an electrical conductor wire of a light fitting and a second end portion located within the support and providing the contact surface for engaging the contact surface of the pin.
3. A contact assembly according to Claim 2, wherein the pin is resiliently mounted on the support by means of a helical spring and wherein the second end portion of the second
electrical outlet contact and that part of the pin carrying its contact surface are located within the helical spring.
4. A contact assembly according to Claim 3, wherein the support is formed with a cylindrical cavity, the spring is housed within the cavity, and the contact sleeve surrounds the cavity.
5. A contact assembly according to Claim 4, wherein the first electrical outlet contact is formed from single strip of metal having a first end portion extending from the support for connection to an electrical conductor wire of a light fitting and a second end portion located within and contacting the contact sleeve.
6. A contact assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the support is formed of two injection moulded halves which are welded together after assembly of the contact assembly.
7. A contact assembly according to any preceding claim, rigidly mounted in an adaptor for releasable connection to a power track.
8. A contact assembly substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB0025085A 2000-10-13 2000-10-13 Power track adaptor contact assembly Expired - Fee Related GB2368198B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0025085A GB2368198B (en) 2000-10-13 2000-10-13 Power track adaptor contact assembly

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0025085A GB2368198B (en) 2000-10-13 2000-10-13 Power track adaptor contact assembly

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0025085D0 GB0025085D0 (en) 2000-11-29
GB2368198A true GB2368198A (en) 2002-04-24
GB2368198B GB2368198B (en) 2003-12-17

Family

ID=9901194

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0025085A Expired - Fee Related GB2368198B (en) 2000-10-13 2000-10-13 Power track adaptor contact assembly

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2368198B (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1460734A2 (en) * 2003-03-18 2004-09-22 ERCO Leuchten GmbH Conductor rail adapter
EP2330694A3 (en) * 2009-12-03 2013-01-23 Nordic Aluminium Oyj Power take-off adapter for conductor track
DE102013108157B4 (en) * 2013-07-30 2021-06-02 Appel-Elektronik Gmbh Pendant lamp with an LED light source

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3851741A1 (en) * 2020-01-17 2021-07-21 Tridonic GmbH & Co. KG Electronic device for operating a light source

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1542237A (en) * 1976-12-03 1979-03-14 Philips Nv Current collector for connecting to a current rail
WO1996033532A1 (en) * 1995-04-18 1996-10-24 Stichting Kennis Beheer Nederland Lighting system, as well as current conductor rail and current collectors to be used with it
US5890918A (en) * 1994-12-01 1999-04-06 Hierzer; Andreas Low voltage current supply device

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2359936B (en) * 2000-03-02 2003-06-18 Illuma Lighting Ltd Adaptor for connecting a light fitting to a power track

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1542237A (en) * 1976-12-03 1979-03-14 Philips Nv Current collector for connecting to a current rail
US5890918A (en) * 1994-12-01 1999-04-06 Hierzer; Andreas Low voltage current supply device
WO1996033532A1 (en) * 1995-04-18 1996-10-24 Stichting Kennis Beheer Nederland Lighting system, as well as current conductor rail and current collectors to be used with it

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1460734A2 (en) * 2003-03-18 2004-09-22 ERCO Leuchten GmbH Conductor rail adapter
EP1460734A3 (en) * 2003-03-18 2006-03-01 ERCO Leuchten GmbH Conductor rail adapter
EP2330694A3 (en) * 2009-12-03 2013-01-23 Nordic Aluminium Oyj Power take-off adapter for conductor track
DE102013108157B4 (en) * 2013-07-30 2021-06-02 Appel-Elektronik Gmbh Pendant lamp with an LED light source

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0025085D0 (en) 2000-11-29
GB2368198B (en) 2003-12-17

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20041013