Quick connect device for electrical fixtures
First Claim
1. A device for connecting an electrical fixture with electrical power supply wiring, and for mounting the fixture on a support, comprising:
- a socket including a socket body having at least one internal cavity therein;
an electrically conductive contact terminal disposed within the cavity for establishing an electrical connection between the electrical power supply wiring and the socket, the contact terminal having a portion thereof captured between internal surfaces of the socket body to hold the contact terminal in a fixed position without the need for fasteners;
a plug rigidly fixed to the fixture and insertable into the socket, the plug having at least one male connector electrically connected to the fixture and engageable with the contact terminal within the socket to establish a circuit between the electrical fixture and the electrical power wiring; and
,a releasable latch carried on the combination of the plug and the socket for releasably mounting the fixture on the support, the releasable latch including a pin centrally positioned through the plug and socket.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for connecting and supporting electrical fixtures includes a male electrical plug, a mating female electrical socket and a releasable latch assembly for both holding the plug in the socket and mechanically mounting the fixture on a supporting surface or an electrical box. The plug is provided with concentric, ring shaped male connectors that are matingly received within similarly shaped female recesses in the socket to allow the fixture to be rotated to any of a plurality or mounting orientations. The releasable latch assembly is controlled by the stroke of a simple push rod operated by a user'"'"'s thumb or finger. A cover may be used for covering the socket when a plug is not installed.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A device for connecting an electrical fixture with electrical power supply wiring, and for mounting the fixture on a support, comprising:
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a socket including a socket body having at least one internal cavity therein; an electrically conductive contact terminal disposed within the cavity for establishing an electrical connection between the electrical power supply wiring and the socket, the contact terminal having a portion thereof captured between internal surfaces of the socket body to hold the contact terminal in a fixed position without the need for fasteners; a plug rigidly fixed to the fixture and insertable into the socket, the plug having at least one male connector electrically connected to the fixture and engageable with the contact terminal within the socket to establish a circuit between the electrical fixture and the electrical power wiring; and
,a releasable latch carried on the combination of the plug and the socket for releasably mounting the fixture on the support, the releasable latch including a pin centrally positioned through the plug and socket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A device for connecting an electrical fixture with electrical power supply wiring, and for mounting the fixture on a support, comprising:
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a socket including a socket body having at least one internal cavity therein; an electrically conductive contact terminal disposed within the cavity for establishing an electrical connection between the electrical power supply wiring and the socket, the contact terminal having a portion thereof captured between internal surfaces of the socket body to hold the contact terminal in a fixed position without the need for fasteners; a plug rigidly fixed to the fixture and insertable into the socket, the plug having at least one male connector electrically connected to the fixture and engageable with the contact terminal within the socket to establish a circuit between the electrical fixture and the electrical power wiring; a spring member seated within the cavity for biasing the contact terminal toward the male connector to assure positive electrical contact with the male connector and, a releasable latch carried on the combination of the plug and the socket for releasably mounting the fixture on the support, wherein the socket includes a cover on the socket body overlying the cavity, and the spring is a compression spring captured between one end of the contact terminal and the cover.
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12. A device for connecting an electrical fixture with electrical power supply wiring, and for mounting the fixture on a support, comprising:
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a socket including a socket body having a plurality of separated concentric circular internal cavities therein; a plurality of electrically conductive contact terminals respectively disposed within the cavities for establishing electrical connections between the power supply wiring and the socket, the contact terminals each having a flexible contact portion; a plug rigidly fixed to the fixture and insertable into the socket, the plug having a plurality of male connectors electrically connected to the fixture and respectively engageable with the contact terminals within the socket to establish a circuit between the electrical fixture and the electrical power supply wiring; a plurality of spring members respectively mounted within the socket body cavities for biasing the flexible contact portions into engagement with the corresponding male connectors, and, a releasable latch carried on the combination of the plug and the socket for releasably mounting the fixture on the support, the releasable latch including a pin centrally positioned through the plug and socket. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A device for connecting an electrical fixture with electrical power suppy wiring, and for mounting the fixture on a support, comprising:
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a socket including a socket body having at least one internal cavity therein, and having first and second ends connected by a side wall; an electrically conductive contact terminal disposed within the cavity for establishing an electrical connection between the power supply wiring and the socket; a plug rigidly fixed to the fixture and insertable into second end of the socket, the plug having at least one male connector electrically connected to the fixture and engageable with the contact terminal within the socket to establish a circuit between the electrical fixture and the electrical power supply wiring; at least one access opening in the first end of the socket communicating with the cavity, the access opening allowing the power supply wiring to be inserted threrethrouh into the cavity and connected with the contact terminal; at least a second access opening in the sidewall of the socket body for allowing the power supply wiring to be inserted threrethrough into the cavity and connected with the contact terminal; and a releasable latch carried on the combination of the plug and the socket for releasably mounting the fixture on the support. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A device for connecting an electrical fixture with electrical power supply wiring, and for mounting the fixture on a support, comprising:
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a socket; an electrically conductive contact terminal disposed within the socket for establishing an electrical connection between the power supply wiring and the socket, the contact terminal having first and second angularly offset slots therein for receiving and gripping an end of the power supply wiring, the first and second slots providing choices for inserting the power supply wiring into the socket from either of two different locations on the socket; a plug rigidly fixed to the fixture and insertable into the socket, the plug having at least one male connector electrically connected to the fixture and engageable with the contact terminal within the socket to establish a circuit between the electrical fixture and the electrical power supply wiring; and
,a releasable latch carried on the combination of the plug and the socket for releasably mounting the fixture on the support. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. Apparatus for providing an electrical fixture connection on a flat surface such as a wall or ceiling, comprising:
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a socket having a cylindrically shaped body and including a plurality of separated concentric circular internal cavities therein, the socket being recessed into the surface; and a cover for covering the socket when a fixture is not installed on the socket, the cover including a ring shaped portion which may be sleeved over the cylindrical outside wall of the socket and in tight frictional engagement therewith so as to removably mount the cover on the socket, the cover extending laterally from the socket and visually covering the socket from view. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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34. A device for connecting an electrical fixture with electrical power supply wiring, and for mounting the fixture on a flat wall or ceiling, comprising:
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a cylindrical socket having first and second ends connected by a cylindrical sidewall; electrically conductive contact terminals within the socket for establishing an electrical connection between the power supply wiring and the socket; a plug rigidly fixed to the fixture and insertable into the socket, the plug having male connectors electrically connected to the fixture and engageable with the contact terminals within the socket to establish a circuit between the electrical fixture and the electrical supply wiring; a releasable latch carried on the combination of the plug and the socket for releasably mounting the fixture on the support, the releasable latch including a centrally positioned through the plug and socket; and
,an assembly for mounting the socket on wall or ceiling, including a flat plate secured to the first side of the socket, and a fastener passing through the plate for fastening the socket to the wall or ceiling, the plate being essentially completely concealed behind the socket and hidden from view when the socket is mounted on the wall or ceiling. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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36. A device for connecting an electrical fixture with electrical power supply wiring, and for mounting the fixture on a support, comprising:
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a socket connected with the power supply wiring; a plug rigidly fixed to the fixture and insertable into the socket, the plug having a male connector for establishing an electrical connection between the fixture and the socket; a releasable latch centrally located on the combination of the plug and the socket for releasably mounting the fixture on the support, the latch including a central push rod for latching and releasing the latch; and
,an actuator assembly for controlling the operation of the push rod from location laterally spaced from the central axis of the push rod. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
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Specification