Flexible connector assembly for track lighting system

• US 4,245,874 A
• Filed: 03/05/1979
• Issued: 01/20/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Mcgraw-Edison Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Bishop, Walter F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lake, Roy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jones, DeWalden W.
• Application Number:
  US06/017,177
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 339/14, 339/4, 339/22 B, 339/23, 174/68, 174/70, 174/72, 174/186, 52/220, 403/291
• US Class Current: 439/94
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/02 Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/54 Flexible member is joint component

Abstract

A flexible connector assembly for coupling, both mechanically and electrically, sections of electrical distribution track in a track lighting system includes first and second connector segments each having at a first end, a plug-in type tapping mechanism for joining the segments mechanically and electrically to sections of electrical distribution track. A flexible and expandible member formed of a pair of conductive, coiled, wire elements concentrically wrapped in opposite directions with respect to each other, is joined at opposite ends at the second ends, respectively, of the connector segments. The coiled wire elements define a tubular passageway for electrical conductors coupling the connector segments electrically and the member itself provides a ground connection between the connector segments and corresponding track sections. The construction of the flexible member permits the positioning of joined track sections at a variety of angles with respect to each other and protects the electrical conductors passing therethrough between the connector segments.

Claims

1. In a flexible connector assembly for electrically and mechanically coupling first and second track sections of a power distribution track for a track lighting system, comprising:

first and second rigid connector segments, each having first and second ends with means at said first ends thereof for connecting said segments, both electrically and mechanically to one of said first and second track sections and a central flexible member for joining said connector segments at said second ends for positioning said track sections at a variety of angles with respect to each other and providing a passageway for electrical conductor means coupling said connector elements electrically, the improvement wherein said central flexible member includes electrically conductive wire means wound helically to form said tubular passageway through which said electrical conductor means pass between said connector segments, said wire means being attached at opposite ends thereof at said second ends, respectively, of said connector segments, to couple said connector segments mechanically and to connect said connector segments electrically at ground potential.

2. A flexible connector assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said conductive wire means includes first and second coiled wire elements wound concentrically in opposite directions to form said tubular passageway for said electrical conductor means, thereby minimizing entry between said helically wound first and second coiled wire elements into said passageway.

3. A flexible connector assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second coiled wire element has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of said first coiled wire element.

4. A flexible connector assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said second wire element is wound inside said first coiled wire element.

5. A flexible connector assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said second end of said rigid connector segments includes an end wall defining an aperture, the shape of which is similar to the cross sectional shape of said flexible member and is dimensioned for receipt of a free end of said member therein, wherein each said rigid connector segment includes ground terminal means for connection to ground potential, and wherein the free ends of said conductive wire means are adapted for connection to said ground terminal means for connecting said segments at ground potential.

6. A flexible connector assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein each of said ground terminal means of said connector segments comprises a screw mounted in a threaded portion of a conductor terminal and wherein the free end of said conductive wire means includes a looped portion for receipt of said screw, thereby to connect said conductive wire means, both mechanically and electrically to said connector segments.

7. A flexible connector assembly for electrically and mechanically coupling first and second track sections of a power distribution track for a track lighting system, said flexible connector assembly including in combination:

first and second rigid connector segments, each having at a first end thereof tapping means for coupling said segments mechanically and electrically, to a respective one of said first and second track sections, and a central flexible member joining said segments at second ends thereof, said flexible member comprising first and second conductive wire elements, helically wound, concentrically to define a tubular passageway having a pre-determined cross-sectional dimension, through which said electrical conductors coupling said connector segments electrically, pass, said wire elements being attached at opposite ends thereof to said connector segments to couple said segments mechanically and to connect said connector segments electrically at ground potential.

8. A flexible connector assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first and second conductive wire elements are wound in opposing directions with respect to each other to minimize entry of said member into said tubular passageway.

9. A flexible connector assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first wire element of said flexible member is wound within said second wire element and said first wire element has a diameter slightly smaller than that of said second wire element.

10. A flexible connector assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the second end of each said connector segment defines an aperture dimensioned complementarily to the cross-sectional dimension of said flexible member for receipt of a corresponding end portion thereof.

11. A flexible connector assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein said free ends of said first and second wire elements are coupled together and include connecting means for coupling both mechanically and electrically to said connector segments.

12. A flexible connector assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein each said connector segment includes ground terminal means and wherein said connecting means of said flexible member are coupled thereto, thereby to connect said connector segments at ground potential and to join said connector segments mechanically.