Current conducting system

• US 5,207,589 A
• Filed: 10/23/1991
• Issued: 05/04/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Horst Lettenmayer
• Original Assignee: Horst Lettenmayer
• Inventors: Lettenmayer, Horst
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US07/780,831
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 191/22 DM, 191/29 DM, 191/33 PM, 238/10 A, 403/312, 439/110, 439/111, 439/112, 439/115, 439/120, 439/121, 439/122
• US Class Current: 439/112
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/147 Low voltage devices, i.e. safe to touch live conductors

Abstract

The current conductor arrangement, more especially for illuminating systems of all types, comprises a current conductor rod whose mutually insulated metallic current conductors make up at least 50% of the cross sectional area of the current conductor rod. It is in this manner that more especially when the current conductor arrangement is used for low voltage applications it is possible to conduct high amperages. Preferably the current conductor rod is round so that the retainer clamps on it, which carry the electrical loads such as lamps, fans and the line, may be swiveled. Advantageous developments of the holders make it possible for them to be additionally swiveled so that the user is practically given a free choice as regards the arrangement and alignment of the electrical load.

Claims

1. A support and current conductor for an electrical appliance in the form of a current conductor rod, comprising at least two metallic current conductors, the conductors being freely accessible for contacting, and insulated with an insulating material, at least 50% of the cross sectional area of the rod being material of the current conductors, the insulating material and the material of the current conductors forming a surface of the current conductor rod of a uniform circular cross section, the current conductors having freely accessible peripheral surfaces each subtending a peripheral angle which is smaller than a respective peripheral angle of the insulating peripheral surfaces, and at least one retainer clamp for applying an electrical appliance to the current conductor, the retainer clamp having internal contact surfaces for both establishing electrical contact with the current conductors of the rod and for mechanically securing said retainer clamp to said conductor rod and preventing the electrical appliance from moving relative to the rod.

2. The current conductor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least 80% of the cross sectional area of the current conductor rod comprises the material of the current conductors.

3. The current conductor arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein the freely accessible current conductor peripheral surfaces and the peripheral surfaces of the insulating material alternate about the periphery of the current conductor rod.

4. The current conductor arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the current conductor rod comprises segments of current conducting and insulating material alternating about the circular periphery.

6. The current conductor arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the current conductor rod is bent and the metallic current conductors are arranged at the inner and outer radius of curvature of the rod.

7. The current conductor arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the material of the current conductors is joined to the insulating material by pressing.

8. The current conductor arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the current conductor rod is in the form of a simultaneously supporting and conducting element for one of a current supply and illuminating system, shelving, transfer lines, support rails, lamp support rails, electroplating systems, exhibition and stand systems for use in a lab or industrial plant.

9. The current conductor arrangement as claimed in claim 1 including connecting means for mechanically and electrically connecting together two current conductor rods each having two current conductors.

10. The current conductor rod as claimed in claim 9 wherein the connecting means respectively comprise first and second electrically conducting elements adapted to be screwed to one current conductor, the elements being spaced so as not to be in contact with each other.

11. The current conductor arrangement as claimed in claim 10 wherein the electrically conducting elements are semi-circular segments of cylinders whose outer radius of curvature subtend an angle less than 180°

and whose inner radius of curvature are generally equal to the radius of the current conductor rods.

12. The current conductor arrangement as claimed in claim 10 wherein the electrically conducting elements are angular connecting elements having limbs to be connected with the current conductors in the form of a semi-circular segment of a cylinder with an outer radius of curvature that subtends an angle less than 180°

and with an inner radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of the current conductor rod.

5. The current conductor arrangement as claimed in 2 wherein two metallic current conductors are provided whose freely accessible peripheral surfaces subtend a peripheral angle of 80°

, and wherein the insulating peripheral surfaces subtend a peripheral angle of 100°

respectively.