Connector system for lighting assembly

• US 10,302,292 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2017
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DVA Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Michael W. May
• Inventors: May, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Breval, Elmito
• Application Number:
  US15/401,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20170198896A1
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/272 Details of end parts, i.e. the parts that connect the light source to a fitting; Arrangement of components within end parts F21K9/278 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/278 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/66 Details of globes or covers forming part of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/015 Devices for covering joints between adjacent lighting devices; End coverings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0085 at least one conductive element acting as a support means, e.g. resilient contact blades, piston-like contact
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/002 making direct electrical contact, e.g. by piercing F21V21/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/001 the elements being electrical wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/89 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6273 comprising two latching arms
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/0845 with axially resilient member

Abstract

An elongate tubular lighting assembly having a body with a length between spaced first and second ends. The tubular lighting assembly has an elongate heat sink and a light source comprising LED emitters and first and second connectors respectively at the first and second body ends for securing the lighting assembly to a light fixture. The first connector has cooperating first and second parts having first and second surfaces. The first and second connector parts are configured so that the first and second surfaces are placed in confronting relationship to prevent separation of the first and second connector parts with the body in an operative state as an incident of the first connector part moving relative to the second connector part from a position fully separated from the second connector part in a substantially straight path that is transverse to the length of the body into an engaged position. The first connector part has conductive power and ground pins and the second connector part has conductive power and ground terminals for connecting with an external power supply and providing a grounding path for components of the lamp. The power and ground pins of the first connector part are configured to engage the power and ground terminals of the second connector part as an incident of the first connector part moving relative to the second connector part into the engaged position. A sleeve connector is also provided for mounting a non-power end of a linear LED lamp to a light fixture.

Claims

1. A system comprising a linear LED lamp and first and second support connectors for maintaining the LED lamp in an operative state in the light fixture;

the linear LED lamp comprising;

a body with a length between spaced first and second ends;

a source of illumination comprising LED emitters on or within the body;

an elongate heat sink in thermal communication with the LED emitters;

a first end cap assembly at the first end of the body comprising internal first and second conductive power pins and an internal conductive grounding pin, at least one of the conductive power pins adapted to provide power to the lamp and the conductive grounding pin electrically isolated from the conductive power pins and being connectable to a ground circuit, the pins each having an engagement portion extending in a direction traverse to the length of the body and towards an opening defined in a sidewall of the first end cap assembly without extending through the opening; and

a second end cap assembly at the second end of the body, the second end cap assembly having a sidewall defining an opening configured to receive a leading end portion of a second support connector mounted on the light fixture;

the first support connector comprising;

a nonconductive housing comprising a first portion including a mounting base configured to couple the first support connector to a support of the light fixture and a second portion extending from the first portion and configured to be insertable within the opening of the first end cap assembly;

the second portion having sidewalls and a leading end wall extending traverse to the sidewalls, the leading end wall defining first, second and third openings;

first and second power electrical terminals and a grounding electrical terminal each disposed within the second portion in general alignment with a corresponding one of the openings;

the first and second power electrical terminals configured to mate with the engagement portion of a respective one of the first and second conductive power pins of the lamp when the power pins are inserted through the respective first and second openings and the grounding electrical terminal configured to mate with the engagement portion of the conductive grounding pin when the grounding pin is inserted through the third opening as the end cap assembly is moved relative to the first support connector from a position fully separated from the support connector in a path that is transverse to the length of the body into an engaged position;

the second portion having first and second parts on which respective second surfaces are defined, the second surfaces configured to engage corresponding first surfaces defined by the wall inner surface adjacent opposite ends of the opening of the first end cap assembly so that the first and second surfaces are placed in confronting relationship to prevent separation of the end cap assembly and the first support connector with the body in the operative state in the engaged position;

the second support connector comprising;

a mounting base configured to couple the second support connector to a support of the light fixture and a second portion extending from the first portion and configured to be insertable within the opening of the second end cap assembly, the second support connector configured to engage and mechanically connect to the second support connector as an incident of the second end cap assembly moving relative to the second support connector from a position fully separated from the second support connector in a path that is transverse to the length of the body into an engaged position.

2. A system comprising a linear LED lamp, a first support connector and second sleeve connector for maintaining the LED lamp in an operative state in the light fixture;

the linear LED lamp comprising;

a body with a length between spaced first and second ends;

a source of illumination comprising LED emitters on or within the body;

an elongate heat sink in thermal communication with the LED emitters;

a first end cap assembly at the first end of the body comprising internal first and second conductive power pins and an internal conductive grounding pin, at least one of the conductive power pins adapted to provide power to the lamp and the conductive grounding pin electrically isolated from the conductive power pins and being connectable to a ground circuit, the pins each having an engagement portion extending in a direction traverse to the length of the body and towards an opening defined in a sidewall of the first end cap assembly without extending through the opening; and

a second end cap assembly at the second end of the body;

the first support connector comprising;

a nonconductive housing comprising a first portion including a mounting base configured to couple the first support connector to a support of the light fixture and a second portion extending from the first portion and configured to be insertable within the opening of the first end cap assembly;

the second portion having sidewalls and a leading end wall extending traverse to the sidewalls, the leading end wall defining first, second and third openings;

first and second power electrical terminals and a grounding electrical terminal each disposed within the second portion in general alignment with a corresponding one of the openings;

the first and second power electrical terminals configured to mate with the engagement portion of a respective one of the first and second conductive power pins of the lamp when the power pins are inserted through the respective first and second openings and the grounding electrical terminal configured to mate with the engagement portion of the conductive grounding pin when the grounding pin is inserted through the third opening as the end cap assembly is moved relative to the first support connector from a position fully separated from the support connector in a path that is transverse to the length of the body into an engaged position;

the second portion having first and second parts on which respective second surfaces are defined, the second surfaces configured to engage corresponding first surfaces defined by the wall inner surface adjacent opposite ends of the opening of the first end cap assembly so that the first and second surfaces are placed in confronting relationship to prevent separation of the end cap assembly and the first support connector with the body in the operative state in the engaged position;

the sleeve connector comprising;

a housing comprising a mounting base configured to couple the sleeve connector to a support of the light fixture and a sleeve portion extending along a length of the light fixture, the sleeve portion having outer wall portions defining a receptacle configured to receive a portion of the second end cap assembly as the second end of the body is moved towards the connector in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the body into an engaged position with the sleeve connector whereby the sleeve connector secures the second end of the lamp body to the light fixture.