Quick connect device for electrical fixtures

• US 7,462,066 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2007
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SKYX Platforms Corp.
• Original Assignee: Ran Kohen
• Inventors: Kohen, Ran
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams; Neil
• Application Number:
  US11/688,473
• Publication Number:
  US 20070167072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 439/537, 439/348, 439/313, 439/334, 439/21, 439/675, 439/953, 362/147, 362/404, 362657-659
• US Class Current: 439/537
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/03 Ceiling bases, e.g. ceiling roses F21V21/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6276 comprising one or more balls engaging in a hole or a groove
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/20 Ceiling roses or other lighting sets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/953 with latch rod to be retainingly received by opening of mating connector

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.

Claims

1. A device for connecting an electrical fixture with an electrical power supply, and for mounting the electrical fixture on a support, comprising:

a socket affixable to the support and the power supply;

a plug connectable to the electrical fixture and removably insertable into the socket, the plug having a male connector electrically connectably to the fixture for establishing an electrical connection between the socket and the plug;

a releasable latch centrally located on the combination of the plug and the socket for releasably mounting the plug to the socket, the releasable latch including a push rod centrally positioned through the plug and the socket; and

an actuator assembly for controlling the operation of the push rod from location laterally spaced from the central axis of the push rod,

wherein the actuator assembly includes;

an extension lever secured to and extending laterally from the push rod, and

a mounting assembly for mounting the extension lever on the combination of the latch and the plug.

2. The device of claim 1, including:

a plurality of spaced apart cavities in the socket body,

a plurality of contact terminals respectively associated with and fixed within the plurality cavities without the need for fasteners, and,

a plurality of male connectors on the plug for respectively engaging and making electrical contact with the plurality contact terminals.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly includes:

a laterally extending support member carried on the combination of the latch and the plug,

a spacer for spacing the extension lever from the support member, and,

an extension rod secured to and extending outwardly from one end of the extension lever,

wherein displacement of the extension rod moves the extension lever to shift the push rod between latching and released positions.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the extension lever is flexible about its other end.