Structural electric power distribution system

• US 9,899,813 B1
• Filed: 02/20/2017
• Issued: 02/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christmas Northeast Inc.
• Original Assignee: Christmas Northeast Inc.
• Inventors: Gibboney, Jr., James W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Riyami, Abdullah
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kratt, Justin
• Application Number:
  US15/437,106
• Time in Patent Office: 365 Days
• Field of Search: 439731, 439906, 439367
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/30 End pieces held in contact by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2421 using coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/516 Means for holding or embracing insulating body, e.g. casing , hoods
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/02 Intermediate parts for distributing energy to two or more circuits in parallel, e.g. splitter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/92
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/16 Fastening of connecting parts to base or case; Insulating connecting parts from base or case
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/223 Insulating enclosures for terminals for switches H01H9/0264
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0418 Covers or lids; Their fastenings
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0437 Channels
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0487 with a non-circular cross-section H02G3/0468, H02G3/0475 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/06 Joints for connecting lengths of protective tubing or channels, to each other or to casings, e.g. to distribution boxes; Ensuring electrical continuity in the joint

Abstract

An electrical power distribution system for use in providing power for personal, commercial, and industrial uses. The electrical power distribution system may be incorporated in products such as safety barriers, velvet ropes for events, office furniture and home interior trim. The basic component is a conduit section that holds identical electrical connectors at each ends and which interconnect and interlock automatically when rotated to the correct orientation, at which point they have the correct polarity.

Claims

1. An electrical power distribution system, comprising:

a first electrical connector having a movable terminal containing a first magnet and a non-movable terminal containing a first ferromagnet;

a second electrical connector having a movable terminal containing a second magnet and a non-movable terminal containing a second ferromagnet, said movable terminal of said first electrical connector being movable with respect to said first electrical connector, and said movable terminal of said second electrical connector being movable with respect to said second electrical connector;

electrical wiring running from said movable terminal and said non-movable terminal of said first electrical connector to said movable terminal and said non-movable terminal of said second electrical connector; and

a conduit section containing said first electrical connector, said second electrical connector, and said electrical wiring.

2. The electrical power distribution system of claim 1, wherein said conduit section has a first end and a second end and a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being expanded with respect to said second portion thereby defining a step inside said conduit section, and wherein said first end begins said first portion and said second end begins said second portion and said first portion and said second portion meet at said step, and wherein said first electrical connector is inserted into said first end and seated in said second portion flush with said step and said second electrical connector is inserted in said second end and seated flush with said second end.

3. The electrical power distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a coupler operable to join said conduit section to a second conduit section.

4. The electrical power distribution system of claim 1, wherein said conduit section has a cylindrical inside and a non-cylindrical outside.

5. The electrical power distribution system of claim 1, wherein said conduit section has a cylindrical inside and an ornamental outside.

6. The electrical power distribution system of claim 1, wherein said conduit section is flexible.

7. The electrical power distribution system of claim 1, wherein said conduit section is made of steel.

8. The electrical power distribution system of claim 1, wherein said conduit section is bent.

9. The electrical power distribution system of claim 1, wherein said conduit section is a universal conduit section having

a housing having an interior and including a cover and a base, said cover and said base being rotatable with respect to each other;

a shaft running inside said housing and fixed with respect to said base and extending through a hole in said cover;

a lower pipe in communication with said interior of said housing;

an upper pipe in communication with said interior of said housing;

said first electrical connector being in said lower pipe;

said second electrical connector being in said upper pipe;

said electrical wiring running from said first electrical connector in said lower pipe into said interior of said housing, around said shaft and out said upper pipe to said second electrical connector; and

means for attaching said cover to said base.

10. The electrical power distribution system of claim 9, wherein said base includes a groove formed therein and further comprising a gasket fitted in said groove.

11. The electrical power distribution system of claim 10, wherein said gasket is tapered.

12. The electrical power distribution system of claim 1, wherein said first electrical connector carried a first pin that is electrically conductive and said second electrical connector carries a second pin that is electrically conductive, and further comprising wires running from said first pin to said second pin.

13. The electrical power distribution system of claim 12, wherein said wires carry a direct current voltage.

14. The electrical power distribution system of claim 12, wherein said wires carry digital data.

15. An electrical power distribution system, comprising:

(a) a first conduit having a first end and a second end;

(b) a second conduit having a first end and a second end, said second end of said first conduit joined to said first end of said second conduit;

(c) a first electrical connector in said second end of said first conduit;

(d) a second electrical connector in said first end of said second conduit;

(e) a first movable terminal in said first electrical connector, said first movable terminal carrying a first magnet;

(f) a first non-movable terminal in said first electrical connector, said first non-movable terminal carrying a first ferromagnet;

(g) a second movable terminal in said second electrical connector, said second movable terminal carrying a second magnet, wherein said second movable terminal moves into electrical contact with said first non-movable terminal of said first electrical connector by attraction of said second magnet of said second movable terminal to said first ferromagnet of said first non-movable terminal; and

(h) a second non-movable terminal in said second electrical connector, said second non-movable terminal carrying a ferromagnet, wherein said first movable terminal of said first electrical connector moves into electrical contact with said second non-movable terminal of said second electrical connector by attraction of said first magnet of said first movable terminal to said second ferromagnet of said second non-movable terminal.

16. The electrical power distribution system of claim 15, wherein said first end of said second conduit has a larger inner diameter than an outer diameter of said second end of said first conduit, and wherein said first end of said second conduit is inserted into said second end of said first conduit.

17. The electrical power distribution system of claim 15, wherein said second end of said second conduit has a third electrical connector with a third movable terminal and a third non-movable terminal.

18. The electrical power distribution system of claim 17, further comprising a first electrical conductor running from said second movable terminal to said third non-movable terminal and a second electrical conductor running from said second non-movable terminal to said third movable terminal.

19. The electrical power distribution system of claim 15, wherein said second end of said second conduit has a larger inner diameter than an outer diameter of said first end of said third conduit, and wherein said first end of said third conduit is inserted into said second end of said second conduit.