Electrical receptacle for photoelectric controller

• US 5,593,318 A
• Filed: 07/10/1995
• Issued: 01/14/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Wedell, Mark T., Bilson, Edward B., Zimmerman, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, P. Austin
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, TULSIDAS C
• Application Number:
  US08/500,385
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 439/573, 439/362, 439/364, 439/541, 439/542, 439/543, 439/565
• US Class Current: 439/573
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/00 Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/508
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/945 Holders with built-in electrical component

Abstract

An electrical receptacle assembly for attachment to a luminaire housing comprises a housing defining a plurality of contact seating channels extending therethrough along axes parallel to a contact member insertion axis, electrical contact members being seated in the housing channels individually along the axes parallel to the contact member insertion axis. A clamp member is joined to the housing by a threaded fastener. The housing defines an anti-rotation member resident in the clamp member which prevents the clamp member from rotational movement relative to the housing upon tightening the threaded fastener.

Claims

1. A photoelectric control receptacle assembly for attachment to a luminaire housing, the receptacle assembly comprising:

an insulative body having a plurality of contact seating channels extending therethrough along axes parallel to a contact member insertion axis,

said body defining a projecting anti-rotation member extending rearwardly from a bottom surface thereof and parallel to the contact member insertion axis;

a plurality of electrical contact members seated in said housing channels individually along said axes parallel to said contact member insertion axis;

a clamp member for securing said receptacle assembly to the luminaire housing, said clamp member having means in engagement with said body anti-rotation member; and

,

a fastener for joining said body and said clamp member, said clamp member being prevented from rotational movement relative to said body as a result of said engagement between said clamp surface and said body anti-rotational member.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said clamp member comprises a generally U-shaped member having a pair of opposed, parallel upstanding legs, the distal ends of which are adapted to engage said luminaire housing.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein said clamp member comprises a base from which said legs extend, said base comprising said surface in engagement with said anti-rotation member.

4. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein said base has a first opening for secured receipt of said fastener therein.

5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein said base has a second opening for receipt of said housing anti-rotation member therein.

6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein said housing further defines a stop surface in engagement with said clamp member base to prevent over-deformation of said clamp member upon activation of said fastener.

7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein said fastener comprises self-tapping threads for insertion into said bore first opening.

8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein said distal ends of said upstanding legs comprise serrated teeth.

9. A receptacle for use with a photoelectric controller, comprising:

an integral insulative housing formed of one-piece plastic having a plurality of contact seating channels extending therethrough along axes parallel to a contact member insertion axis, said housing having a central bore therethrough for receipt of a fastener therein, said housing defining a projecting anti-rotation member extending rearwardly from a bottom surface thereof and parallel to the contact member insertion axis, a clamp member having means in engagement with the housing anti-rotation member to prevent relative rotation between said clamp member and said housing, and a stop surface for engagement with said clamp member to prevent deformation of said clamp member upon joinder with said fastener; and

a plurality of electrical contact members seated in said housing channels individually along said axes parallel to said contact member insertion axis.

10. A receptacle according to claim 9, wherein said housing is generally cylindrical.

11. A receptacle according to claim 10, wherein said housing comprises an upper surface including indicia thereon for orienting said housing in a predetermined direction.

12. A receptacle according to claim 11, wherein said stop surface communicates with said central bore and lies substantially perpendicular thereto, said stop surface being spaced from said upper surface and lying generally parallel thereto.

13. A receptacle according to claim 12, wherein said anti-rotation member projects outwardly beyond said stop surface in a direction generally parallel of said central bore and offset relative thereto.

14. A photoelectric control receptacle assembly for attachment to a luminaire housing, the receptacle assembly comprising:

an insulative body having a plurality of contact seating channels extending therethrough along axes parallel to a contact member insertion axis,

said body defining a projecting anti-rotation member extending rearwardly from a bottom surface thereof and parallel to the contact member insertion axis;

a plurality of electrical contact members seated in said housing channels individually along said axes parallel to said contact member insertion axis;

a clamp member for securing said receptacle assembly to the luminaire housing, said clamp member having means in engagement with said body anti-rotation member; and

,

a fastener for joining said body and said clamp member, said clamp member being prevented from rotational movement relative to said body as a result of said engagement between said clamp surface and said body anti-rotational member, said clamp member further including anti-rotational means thereon for engagement with said luminaire housing, the clamp member anti-rotational means preventing rotational movement of said clamp member relative to said luminaire housing.

15. An assembly according to claim 14, wherein said clamp member anti-rotational means comprises locking teeth which engage the luminaire housing.