Flexible connector for track lighting systems

• US 4,096,349 A
• Filed: 04/04/1977
• Issued: 06/20/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lightolier Incoporated (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Lightolier Incoporated (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Donato, Anthony C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kozma, Thomas J.
• Application Number:
  US05/784,136
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 174/68 R, 174/68 C, 174/86, 174/70 C, 174/72 C, 174/48, 339/4, 339/22 B
• US Class Current: 174/68.3
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0431 Wall trunking
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0608 Joints for connecting non cylindrical conduits, e.g. channels

Abstract

A flexible connector is disclosed for electrically and mechanically connecting the ends of diverging light tracks, the connector being characterized by its ability to be deformed or bent in any of a series of directions normal to the axis thereof and to maintain itself in said bent or deformed condition.

Claims

1. A flexible spanner junction for electrically connecting the distal ends of diverging current-carrying light track conduits, comprising first and second rigid spaced junction segments, each said junction segment including an outer end portion having a tap portion adapted to be mechanically and electrically connected to a distal end of a light track section, and an inner end portion, a bendable section interposed between said junction segments, said bendable section including spaced end portions, each said end portion of said bendable section being fixed to an inner end portion of one of such junction segments, said bendable section being formed of yieldable elastic insulating material and including an axially extending internal passage and at least two electrical conductor members disposed within said passage and electrically connecting said tap portions of said junction segments, said conductor members being formed of stiff, bendable conductive material whereby said bendable section may be bent to any of a series of desired configurations in directions normal to the longitudinal axis thereof and will be maintained in said orientation by said bent conductors.

2. A flexible spanner junction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bendable section is rectangular in cross section and includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced circumferential grooves extending about at least three faces of said section.

3. A light track assembly comprising first and second current-carrying light track members arrayed at an angular relation one to the other, in combination with a flexible spanner junction in accordance with claim 1, said junction electrically connecting the conductors of one said track member with the conductors of the other said member.