Power supply with mechanical connections

• US 9,146,029 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2013
• Issued: 09/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Nicieja, Robert, Breslow, David S., Swafford, John W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TRUC T
• Application Number:
  US13/924,948
• Publication Number:
  US 20130335983A1
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 439/111
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/35 with direct electrical contact between the supporting element and electric conductors running along the guiding element
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/405 for shop-windows or displays
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6271 Latching means integral with the housing H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/147 Low voltage devices, i.e. safe to touch live conductors

Abstract

A power assembly may comprise a track that includes one or more conductive plates and one or more mechanical connection plates, wherein the track is powered from a power source; and a power connector assembly that connects to the track, wherein the one or more conductive plates connect to the power assembly providing a power connection, and further wherein the one or more mechanical connection plates connect to the power assembly providing a mechanical connection. The power connector assembly may be configured to provide low voltage power through the track to a low voltage power device. The power assembly may include a configuration of mechanical connections and conductive material arranged in such a way as to provide power and/or signal distribution to a mating device, such as to a set of LED modules, other lighting sources, or powered track devices for use with a merchandise display system.

Claims

1. A low voltage power assembly comprising:

a track that includes a first end that is powered and a second end that is non-powered opposite the first end, wherein the track is powered from a low voltage power source, wherein the first end provides the low voltage power source to the track through one or more track power contacts;

a power connector assembly that connects to the track through a mechanical connection, a magnetic connection, and a low voltage power connection, wherein the power connector assembly includes one or more power connector contacts that are electrically connected to one or more power connector jacks, and further wherein the mechanical connection and the magnetic connection allow the power connector assembly the ability to be moved along the entire length of the track while maintaining the low voltage power connection,

wherein the power connector assembly provides low voltage power through the track to a low voltage power device.

2. The low voltage power assembly of claim 1, wherein the tract includes one or more conductive plates that connect to the power connector assembly providing the low voltage power connection.

3. The low voltage power assembly of claim 2, wherein the one or more conductive plates are bus bars.

4. The low voltage power assembly of claim 2, wherein the one or more conductive plates are made of brass.

5. The low voltage power assembly of claim 1, wherein the mechanical connection is a snap-fit connection.

6. The low voltage power assembly of claim 5, wherein the snap-fit connection is a cylindrical-type snap fit connection.

7. The low voltage power assembly of claim 1, wherein the low voltage power device is a LED fighting system for a merchandise display system.

8. A power assembly comprising:

a track that includes one or more mechanical connection plates and one or more conductive plates adjacent to one another, wherein the track is powered from a power source;

a power connector assembly that includes a printed circuit board that connects to the track through a mechanical connection, a magnetic connection, and a power connection, wherein the power connector assembly includes one or more power connector contacts that are electrically connected to one or more power connector jacks, and further wherein the mechanical connection and the magnetic connection allow the power connector assembly the ability to be moved along the entire length of the track while maintaining the low voltage power connection,

wherein the printed circuit board provides power through the track to a power device.

9. The power assembly of claim 8, wherein the one or more conductive plates are made of brass.

10. The power assembly of claim 8, wherein the printed circuit board includes one or more mechanical connectors that connect to the one or more mechanical connection plates on the track providing the mechanical connection.

11. The power assembly of claim 10, wherein the one or more mechanical connectors and the one or more mechanical connection plates cooperate together to form a snap-fit connection.

12. The power assembly of claim 11, wherein the snap-fit connection is a cylindrical-type snap fit connection.

13. The power assembly of claim 8, wherein the power device is a LED lighting system for a merchandise display system.

14. A low voltage power assembly comprising:

a track that includes one or more conductive plates, one or more mechanical connection plates, and one or more metal plates, wherein the track is powered from a low voltage power source;

a power connector assembly that connects to the track through a mechanical connection, a magnetic connection, and a power connection, wherein the power connector assembly includes a first power connector that connects to the track and a second power connector that connects to the tack, wherein the mechanical connection and the magnetic connection allow the power connector assembly the ability to be moved along the entire length of the track while maintaining the low voltage power connection,

wherein the one or more conductive plates connect to the first power connector providing a low voltage power connection, and further wherein the one or more metal plates connect to the first power assembly providing a magnetic connection, and

wherein the one or more conductive plates connect to the second power connector providing a low voltage power connection, and further wherein the one or more mechanical connection plates connect to the second power assembly providing a mechanical connection,

wherein the first power connector and the second power connector provide low voltage power through the track to one or more low voltage power devices.

15. The low voltage power assembly of claim 14, wherein the one or more conductive plates are bus bars.

16. The low voltage power assembly of claim 14, wherein the one or more metal plates are made of ferrous metals.

17. The low voltage power assembly of claim 14, wherein the second power connector and the one or more mechanical connection plates cooperate together to form a snap-fit connection.

18. The low voltage power assembly of claim 14, wherein the low voltage power device is a LED lighting system for a merchandise display system.