Lighting system and method

• US 20070153550A1
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Lehman, Gregg Arthur, Bartlett, Paul James, Vann, Steen
• Granted Patent: US 7,520,762 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/648
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/35 with direct electrical contact between the supporting element and electric conductors running along the guiding element
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/142 Their counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/147 Low voltage devices, i.e. safe to touch live conductors

Abstract

Lighting systems and methods are described, including track lighting systems and methods.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing first and second lighting tracks; and

pivotally coupling the first and second lighting tracks.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein pivotally coupling the first and second lighting tracks comprises:

coupling a first lighting track to a first housing;

coupling a second lighting track to a second housing; and

pivotally coupling the first and second housings;

wherein an angle is defined between the first and second lighting tracks; and

wherein the method further comprises;

adjusting the angle; and

maintaining the angle.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second lighting tracks comprises a first pair of buss bars;

and

wherein the method further comprises;

transferring electrical power at a first voltage between the first pair of buss bars of the first lighting track and the first pair of buss bars of the second lighting track.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first lighting track comprises a first pair of buss bars and wherein the method further comprises:

transferring electrical power at a first voltage from a source of electrical power to the first pair of buss bars of the first lighting track.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

coupling a third lighting track to the first and second lighting tracks.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein each of the first, second and third lighting tracks comprises a first pair of buss bars and wherein the method further comprises:

transferring electrical power at a first voltage from the first pair of buss bars of one of the first, second and third lighting tracks to the first pair of buss bars of each of the others of the first, second and third lighting tracks.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein each of the first, second and third lighting tracks comprises a first pair of buss bars and wherein the method further comprises:

transferring electrical power at a first voltage from a source of electrical power to the first pair of buss bars of one of the first, second and third lighting tracks.

8. A method comprising:

providing first and second lighting tracks; and

pivotally coupling the first and second lighting tracks;

wherein pivotally coupling the first and second lighting tracks comprises;

coupling a first lighting track to a first housing;

coupling a second lighting track to a second housing; and

pivotally coupling the first and second housings;

wherein coupling the first lighting track to the first housing comprises guiding the first lighting track into the first housing; and

wherein coupling the second lighting track to the second housing comprises guiding the second lighting track into the second housing;

wherein the method further comprises;

locking the first lighting track to the first housing; and

locking the second lighting track to the second housing;

wherein an angle is defined between the first and second lighting tracks;

wherein the method further comprises;

adjusting the angle; and

maintaining the angle; and

wherein the angle is adjustable down to a predetermined angle.

9. A method comprising:

providing first and second lighting tracks; and

pivotally coupling the first and second lighting tracks;

wherein pivotally coupling the first and second lighting tracks comprises;

coupling a first lighting track to a first housing;

coupling a second lighting track to a second housing; and

pivotally coupling the first and second housings;

wherein coupling the first lighting track to the first housing comprises guiding the first lighting track into the first housing; and

wherein coupling the second lighting track to the second housing comprises guiding the second lighting track into the second housing;

wherein the method further comprises;

locking the first lighting track to the first housing; and

locking the second lighting track to the second housing;

wherein the method further comprises;

coupling the first and second housings to a support structure wherein coupling the first and second housings to a support structure comprises coupling a mounting assembly to the support structure and to the first and second housings; and

coupling a third lighting track to the first and second lighting tracks;

wherein a first angle is defined between the first and third lighting tracks and a second angle is defined between the first and second lighting tracks;

wherein the method further comprises;

adjusting the first and second angles, wherein the first angle is adjustable down to a first predetermined angle and the second angle is adjustable down to a second predetermined angle; and

maintaining the first and second angles.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a first side housing adapted to be coupled to a first lighting track;

a second side housing adapted to be coupled to a second lighting track;

a first connecting housing coupled to the first side housing; and

a second connecting housing coupled to the first connecting housing and the second side housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein an angle is defined between the first and second side housings;

and

wherein the angle is adjustable.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising:

a first pair of contact assemblies disposed in the first side housing;

a second pair of contact assemblies disposed in the second side housing; and

one or more wires extending between and coupled to one contact assembly in the first pair of contact assemblies and one contact assembly in the second pair of contact assemblies.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:

a terminal block assembly disposed in the first connecting housing;

a first contact assembly disposed in the first side housing;

a second contact assembly disposed in the second side housing; and

one or more wires extending between and coupled to the terminal block assembly and at least one of the first and second contact assemblies.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:

a tubular member coupled to the second connecting housing and adapted to be coupled to a third lighting track.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising:

a first contact assembly disposed in the first side housing;

a second contact assembly disposed in the second side housing; and

a third contact assembly disposed in the tubular member.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:

a support plate coupled to the second connecting housing; and

an eyelet engaged with the first connecting housing and the support plate;

wherein relative rotation between the support plate and the first connecting housing is permitted to adjust the angle;

wherein the apparatus further comprises;

a washer disposed between the first connecting housing and the support plate;

wherein the washer facilitates the relative rotation between the first connecting housing and the support plate; and

wherein the washer facilitates the maintenance of the angle.

17. An apparatus comprising:

a first side housing adapted to be coupled to a first lighting track;

a second side housing adapted to be coupled to a second lighting track;

a first connecting housing coupled to the first side housing; and

a second connecting housing coupled to the first connecting housing and the second side housing;

wherein an angle is defined between the first and second side housings.

wherein the angle is adjustable;

wherein the apparatus further comprises;

a first pair of contact assemblies disposed in the first side housing; and

a second pair of contact assemblies disposed in the second side housing;

one or more first tabs for capturing each of the contact assemblies in the first pair of contact assemblies within the first side housing;

one or more second tabs for capturing each of the contact assemblies in the second pair of contact assemblies within the second side housing;

one or more first protrusions for guiding the first lighting track into the first side housing;

one or more second protrusions for guiding the second lighting track into the second side housing;

a first locking mechanism for locking the first lighting track to the first side housing; and

a second locking mechanism for locking the second lighting track to the second side housing.

18. An apparatus comprising:

a first side housing adapted to be coupled to a first lighting track;

a second side housing adapted to be coupled to a second lighting track;

a first connecting housing coupled to the first side housing; and

a second connecting housing coupled to the first connecting housing and the second side housing;

wherein an angle is defined between the first and second side housings.

wherein the angle is adjustable;

wherein the apparatus further comprises;

a first pair of contact assemblies disposed in the first side housing; and

a second pair of contact assemblies disposed in the second side housing;

one or more first tabs for capturing each of the contact assemblies in the first pair of contact assemblies within the first side housing;

one or more second tabs for capturing each of the contact assemblies in the second pair of contact assemblies within the second side housing;

one or more first protrusions for guiding the first lighting track into the first side housing;

one or more second protrusions for guiding the second lighting track into the second side housing;

a first locking mechanism for locking the first lighting track to the first side housing; and

a second locking mechanism for locking the second lighting track to the second side housing;

a mounting assembly coupled to the first connecting housing and a support structure;

a support plate coupled to the second connecting housing;

an eyelet engaged with the first connecting housing and the support plate, wherein relative rotation between the support plate and the first connecting housing is permitted to adjust the angle;

a washer disposed between the first connecting housing and the support plate, wherein the washer facilitates the relative rotation between the first connecting housing and the support plate and wherein the washer facilitates the maintenance of the angle.

19. An apparatus comprising:

a side housing for receiving at least one lighting track;

a contact insulator disposed in the side housing;

a contact insulator spring coupled to the contact insulator; and

one or more tabs for capturing the contact insulator and the contact insulator spring within the side housing.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the side housing is adapted to receive another lighting track so that, when the side housing receives the at least one lighting track and the another lighting track, a straight coupling is formed between the at least one lighting track and the another lighting track.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:

a first connecting housing coupled to the side housing;

a second connecting housing coupled to the first connecting housing; and

another side housing coupled to the second connecting housing;

wherein an angle is defined between the side housings; and

wherein the angle is adjustable.

22. An apparatus comprising:

a side housing for receiving at least one lighting track;

a contact insulator disposed in the side housing;

a contact insulator spring coupled to the contact insulator;

a plate coupled to the side housing;

one or more contacts engaged with the contact insulator;

one or more tabs for capturing the contact insulator and the contact insulator spring within the side housing, comprising;

a first tab of the side housing; and

a second tab of the plate;

wherein the contact insulator is disposed between an inside wall of the side housing and the first and second tabs; and

wherein the contact insulator spring is disposed between the inside wall of the side housing and the contact insulator and applies a biasing force against the contact insulator;

wherein, in response to the application of the biasing force, the contact insulator engages the first and second tabs.

23. A system comprising:

first and second lighting tracks; and

means for pivotally coupling the first and second lighting tracks.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein means for pivotally coupling the first and second lighting tracks comprises:

means for coupling a first lighting track to a first housing;

means for coupling a second lighting track to a second housing; and

means for pivotally coupling the first and second housings;

wherein an angle is defined between the first and second lighting tracks; and

wherein the system further comprises;

means for adjusting the angle; and

means for maintaining the angle.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein each of the first and second lighting tracks comprises a first pair of buss bars;

and

wherein the system further comprises;

means for transferring electrical power at a first voltage between the first pair of buss bars of the first lighting track and the first pair of buss bars of the second lighting track.

26. The system of claim 23 wherein the first lighting track comprises a first pair of buss bars and wherein the system further comprises:

means for transferring electrical power at a first voltage from a source of electrical power to the first pair of buss bars of the first lighting track.

27. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

means for coupling a third lighting track to the first and second lighting tracks.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein each of the first, second and third lighting tracks comprises a first pair of buss bars and wherein the system further comprises:

means for transferring electrical power at a first voltage from the first pair of buss bars of one of the first, second and third lighting tracks to the first pair of buss bars of each of the others of the first, second and third lighting tracks.

29. The system of claim 27 wherein each of the first, second and third lighting tracks comprises a first pair of buss bars and wherein the system further comprises:

means for transferring electrical power at a first voltage from a source of electrical power to the first pair of buss bars of one of the first, second and third lighting tracks.

30. A system comprising:

first and second lighting tracks; and

means for pivotally coupling the first and second lighting tracks;

wherein means for pivotally coupling the first and second lighting tracks comprises;

means for coupling a first lighting track to a first housing;

means for coupling a second lighting track to a second housing; and

means for pivotally coupling the first and second housings;

wherein means for coupling the first lighting track to the first housing comprises means for guiding the first lighting track into the first housing; and

wherein means for coupling the second lighting track to the second housing comprises means for guiding the second lighting track into the second housing;

wherein the system further comprises;

means for locking the first lighting track to the first housing; and

means for locking the second lighting track to the second housing;

wherein an angle is defined between the first and second lighting tracks;

wherein the system further comprises;

means for adjusting the angle; and

means for maintaining the angle; and

wherein the angle is adjustable down to a predetermined angle.

31. A system comprising:

first and second lighting tracks; and

means for pivotally coupling the first and second lighting tracks;

wherein means for pivotally coupling the first and second lighting tracks comprises;

means for coupling a first lighting track to a first housing;

means for coupling a second lighting track to a second housing; and

means for pivotally coupling the first and second housings;

wherein means for coupling the first lighting track to the first housing comprises means for guiding the first lighting track into the first housing; and

wherein means for coupling the second lighting track to the second housing comprises means for guiding the second lighting track into the second housing;

wherein the system further comprises;

means for locking the first lighting track to the first housing; and

means for locking the second lighting track to the second housing;

wherein the system further comprises;

means for coupling the first and second housings to a support structure wherein means for coupling the first and second housings to a support structure comprises means for coupling a mounting assembly to the support structure and to the first and second housings; and

means for coupling a third lighting track to the first and second lighting tracks;

wherein a first angle is defined between the first and third lighting tracks and a second angle is defined between the first and second lighting tracks;

wherein the system further comprises;

means for adjusting the first and second angles, wherein the first angle is adjustable down to a first predetermined angle and the second angle is adjustable down to a second predetermined angle; and

means for maintaining the first and second angles.