Remote controlled track lighting system

• US 5,072,216 A
• Filed: 12/07/1989
• Issued: 12/10/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Robert Grange
• Inventors: Grange, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Ashok
• Application Number:
  US07/447,566
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: 340/310 R, 340/310 A, 340/825.52, 340/825.56, 340/825.06, 340/825.07, 340/310 CP, 315/292, 315/293, 315/361, 315/312-316, 362/147, 362/233, 362/802
• US Class Current: 362/233
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00009 using pulsed signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/14 Calling by using pulses
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/00 Circuit arrangements or apparatus for operating incandescent light sources structurally associated with the incandescent lamps H01K1/62
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A track lighting system is provided including a power track electrically connected to electrical power lines in a building. A plurality of track lighting units are selectively engageable with the power track. Each track lighting unit includes a signal responsive switch that responds to signals transmitted over the power lines of a building. The track lighting system further includes a transmitter that is selectively engageable with the power circuitry to transmit signals to control the operation of the signal responsive switches and the track lighting units to which the switches are operatively connected.

Claims

1. In a track lighting system having at least one single circuit power track defining a channel with a pair of parallel conductors adjacent to the channel, said conductors of said power track being electrically connected to electrical power lines in a building, said track lighting assembly further including a plurality of track lighting units, each said track lighting unit including a plug with a pair of terminals engageable and disengageable with the respective conductors in the power track, a signal transmitter engageable with the electric power lines of the building, said signal transmitter being operative to generate address signals receivable by a selected signal responsive switch and switching signals receivable by the selected signal responsive switch, wherein the improvement comprises:

at least one signal responsive adapter for the track lighting system, said adapter having a housing with opposed top and bottom walls, a signal responsive switch disposed in the housing between the top and bottom walls, said signal responsive switch including adjustable address means for defining a selected address for said signal responsive switch and switching means operatively connected to the adjustable address means for performing switching functions in response to received signals, the adjustable address means being accessible through the housing for permitting adjustments of the address through the housing, a plug extending from the top wall of the housing and being operatively connected to the signal responsive switch, the plug including a pair of terminals engageable and disengageable with the pair of parallel conductors in the single circuit power track, a socket extending into the bottom wall of the housing of the adapter and including a pair of terminals electrically connected to the signal responsive switch and engageable and disengageable with the terminals of one of said track lighting units, whereby the adapter is engaged with the single circuit power track such that the terminals of the plug of the adapter are electrically connected to the parallel conductors in the channel of the power track, and whereby the plug of a selected one of the track lighting units is engaged in the socket of the adapter such that the signal transmitter can be operated to control the track lighting unit engaged with the adapter.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said address means is recessed in the top wall of the adapter for preventing mechanical interference with the power track and for substantially obscuring the address means in use.

3. A system as in claim 1 wherein the adapter further comprises a metallic heat dissipation plate in contact with said signal responsive switch for dissipating heat therefrom.