EP0241318A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low voltage distribution system with two-conductor track
Assignee: Light Source Electrical Equipment Ltd
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Filing: 1987-04-13
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A low voltage distribution system comprises a two-conductor track (10, 70) of which one conductor is an outer conductor formed by its casing (12, 72) and the other conductor is an inner copper strip (14) held by insulation (16). An adaptor (20) can be fitted anywhere along the track and interlocked by closing pivoted members (30) so that portions (36) displace resilient arms (26) outwardly to interlock lips (28) of the adaptor with lips (19) of the track. A fully rotatable contact assembly (40) includes a centre contact (44) inside a sleeve contact (46) as well as a lamp bracket (56) which rotates as one with the contact assembly so that wires (60) to the lamp never get twisted. For ease of mounting, a fixing device (74) comprises a rotatable member (76) which can be mounted to a support by a centre screw (78) and having a slot or opening (88) to receive a connecting piece (80) which is slidably connected to the back of the track casing (12, 72) by undercut tongue (82) and groove (84).
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Hall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:20
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V21/00; F21V21/34; F21V21/35; H; H01; H01R; H01R25/00; H01R25/14; H01R25/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A low voltage distribution system comprising a two-conductor track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110) and an adaptor (20,20ʹ) which can be fitted thereto anywhere along the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110), the adaptor (20,20ʹ) comprising means (40) for making electrical contact with the two conductors (12,14,94) and means (26,30) for interlocking mechanically with the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110), including at least one movable member (30) for positively displacing at least one interlocking member (26) into interlocking engagement with the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110), the interlocking member (26) being resiliently biased out of said interlocking engagement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A low voltage distribution system comprising a two-conductor track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110) and an adaptor (20,20ʹ) which can be fitted thereto anywhere along the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110), the adaptor (20,20ʹ) comprising means (40) for making electrical contact with the two conductors (12,14,94) and means (26,30) for interlocking mechanically with the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110), including at least one movable member (30) for positively displacing at least one interlocking member (26) into interlocking engagement with the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110), the interlocking member (26) being resiliently biased out of said interlocking engagement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A distribution system as claimed in Claim 1 in which the or each movable member (30) is movable into and out of a space between a respective pair of said interlocking members (26) to move them apart from each other into the interlocking engagement with the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
110 words
A distribution system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the two-conductor track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110) comprises an outer metal casing (12,72,96,106,118) forming at least part of one of the conductors, an inner metal conductor (14) forming the other of the conductors and insulation (16) supporting the inner metal conductor (14) within the outer metal casing (12,72,96,106,118) and insulating the two conductors electrically from each other, said outer metal casing (12,72,96,106,118), inner metal conductor (14) and insulation (16) all extending continuously along the whole length of the track, both conductors being exposed for electrical contact therewith by an adaptor (20,20ʹ) applied to the track anywhere along the length of the track.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A distribution system as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the inner metal conductor (14) is a strip which is retained by two lips (18) of the insulation (16) and wherein two wing portions (17) of the insulation (16) are retained by two lips (19) of the outer metal casing (12).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein at least one member (94) of a different metal from the metal of the casing (96) is joined to and extends along the casing (96) for engagement by the electrical contact-making means (40) of the adaptor (20,20ʹ) with an exposed surface (98) of the last-mentioned member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
A distribution system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, the adaptor (20,20ʹ) comprising a support (22) which can be mechanically interlocked with the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110), and an electrical contact assembly (40) which is freely rotatably carried by the support (22), said contact assembly (40) comprising an electrical centre contact (44) and an electrical outer contact (46) adapted and arranged for respectively contacting the two conductors (12,14,94) of the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110) in any rotational position two terminals (48,50) connected electrically to the two contacts (44,46) respectively and rotatable as one therewith, and insulating support means for the contacts and terminals, said insulating support means also being rotatable as one therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A distribution system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 and further comprising a track power supply connector (122) for supplying electrical power to the track, the track power supply connector (122) incorporating cut-out means (124) for cutting off power supply from the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110) in response to an overload.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
A low voltage two-conductor track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110) comprising an outer metal casing (12,72,96,106,118) forming one of the conductors, an inner metal conductor (14) forming the other of the conductors and insulation (16) supporting the inner metal conductor (14) within the outer metal casing (12,72,96,106,118) and insulating the two conductors electrically from each other, said outer metal casing (12,72,96,106,118), inner metal conductor (14) and insulation (16) all extending continuously along the whole length of the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110), both conductors being exposed for electrical contact therewith by an adaptor (20,20ʹ) applied to the track anywhere along the length of the track.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
98 words
A low voltage two-conductor track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110) comprising an outer metal casing (12,72,96,106,118) forming one of the conductors, an inner metal conductor (14) forming the other of the conductors and insulation (16) supporting the inner metal conductor (14) within the outer metal casing (12,72,96,106,118) and insulating the two conductors electrically from each other, said outer metal casing (12,72,96,106,118), inner metal conductor (14) and insulation (16) all extending continuously along the whole length of the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110), both conductors being exposed for electrical contact therewith by an adaptor (20,20ʹ) applied to the track anywhere along the length of the track.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A track as claimed in claim 8 wherein the inner metal conductor (14) is a strip which is retained by two lips (18) of the insulation (16) and wherein two wing portions (17) of the insulation (16) are retained by two lips (19) of the outer metal casing (12).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A track as claimed in claim 8 or 9 wherein at least one member (94) of a different metal from the metal of the casing (96) is partly embedded in and extends along the casing (96) and has an exposed surface (98) for electrical contact-making engagement by the adaptor (20,20ʹ).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A plurality of co-extensive tracks (100-104,110-116), each being as claimed in Claim 8, 9 or 10, the track casings being integral, formed by a unitary casing member (106,118).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
123 words
A low voltage distribution system comprising a two-conductor track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110) and an adaptor (20,20ʹ) which can be fitted thereto anywhere along the track, the adaptor (20,20ʹ) comprising a support (22) which can be mechanically interlocked with the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110), and an electrical contact assembly (40) which is freely rotatably carried by the support (22), said contact assembly (40) comprising an electrical centre contact (44) and an electrical outer contact (46) adapted and arranged for respectively contacting the two conductors (12,14,94) of the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110) in any rotational position. two terminals (48,50) connected electrically to the two contacts (44,46) respectively and rotatable as one therewith, and insulating support means for the contacts and terminals, said insulating support means also being rotatable as one therewith.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
123 words
A low voltage distribution system comprising a two-conductor track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110) and an adaptor (20,20ʹ) which can be fitted thereto anywhere along the track, the adaptor (20,20ʹ) comprising a support (22) which can be mechanically interlocked with the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110), and an electrical contact assembly (40) which is freely rotatably carried by the support (22), said contact assembly (40) comprising an electrical centre contact (44) and an electrical outer contact (46) adapted and arranged for respectively contacting the two conductors (12,14,94) of the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110) in any rotational position. two terminals (48,50) connected electrically to the two contacts (44,46) respectively and rotatable as one therewith, and insulating support means for the contacts and terminals, said insulating support means also being rotatable as one therewith.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
105 words
A distribution system as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the two-conductor track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110) comprises an outer metal casing (12,72,96,106,118) forming one of the conductors, an inner metal conductor (14) forming the other of the conductors and insulation (16) supporting the inner metal conductor (14) within the outer metal casing (12,72,96,106,118) and insulating the two conductors electrically from each other, said outer metal casing (12,72,96,106,118), inner metal conductor (14) and insulation (16) all extending continuousIy along the whole length of the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110), both conductors being exposed for electrical contact therewith by an adaptor (20,20ʹ) applied to the track anywhere along the length of the track.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
A distribution system as claimed in Claim 13 wherein the inner metal conductor (14) is a strip which is retained by two lips (18) of the insulation (16) and wherein two wing portions (17) of the insulation (16) are retained by two lips (19) of the outer metal casing (12).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A distribution system as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the electrical outer contact (46) is of annular cross-section.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A distribution system as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the electrical outer contact (46) is a sleeve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A distribution system as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16 wherein the adaptor (20,20ʹ) comprises a rotatable bracket (56) which is keyed with the contact assembly (40) to rotate as one therewith.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
60 words
A distribution system as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 17 wherein at least one member (94) of a different metal from the metal of the casing (96) is joined to and extends along the casing (96) for engagement by the electrical contact assembly (40) of the adaptor (20,20ʹ) with an exposed surface (98) of said member (94).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
A distribution system as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 18 and further comprising a track power supply connector (122) for supplying electrical power to the track, the track power supply connector (122) incorporating cut-out means (124) for cutting off power supply from the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110) in response to an overload.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
90 words
A low voltage two-conductor track (70) in combination with a fixing device (74) for fixing the track (70) to a support, the fixing device comprising a mounting member (76) mounted or adapted to be mounted rotatably to the support and a connecting piece (80) slidingly connected or adapted to be slidingly connected to the track (70) by means of an undercut tongue (82) and groove (84), the mounting member (76) being adapted to receive the connecting piece (80) in one rotational position and to interlock therewith in another rotational position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
90 words
A low voltage two-conductor track (70) in combination with a fixing device (74) for fixing the track (70) to a support, the fixing device comprising a mounting member (76) mounted or adapted to be mounted rotatably to the support and a connecting piece (80) slidingly connected or adapted to be slidingly connected to the track (70) by means of an undercut tongue (82) and groove (84), the mounting member (76) being adapted to receive the connecting piece (80) in one rotational position and to interlock therewith in another rotational position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
104 words
The combination as claimed in claim 20 wherein the two-conductor track (70) comprises an outer metal casing (72) forming one of the conductors, an inner metal conductor (14) forming the other of the conductors and insulation (16) supporting the inner metal conductor (14) within the outer metal casing (72) and insulating the two conductors electrically from each other, said outer metal casing (72), inner metal conductor (14) and insulation (16) all extending continuously along the whole length of the track (70), both conductors being exposed for electrical contact therewith by an adaptor (20,20ʹ) applied to the track anywhere along the length of the track.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination as claimed in claim 21 wherein the inner metal conductor (14) is a strip which is retained by two lips (18) of the insulation (16) and wherein two wing portions (17) of the insulation (16) are retained by two lips (19) of the outer metal casing (12).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination as claimed in claim 21 or 22 wherein at least one member (94) of a different metal from the metal of the casing (96) is partly embedded in and extends along the casing (96) and has an exposed surface (98) extending along the casing (96).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
115 words
The combination as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 23 together with an adaptor (20,20ʹ), the adaptor comprising a support (22) which can be mechanically interlocked with the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110), and an electrical contact assembly (40) which is freely rotatably carried by the support (22), said contact assembly (40) comprising an electrical centre contact (44) and an electrical outer contact (46) adapted and arranged for respectively contacting the two conductors of the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110) in any rotational position, two terminals (48,50) connected electrically to the two contacts (44,46) respectively and rotatable as one therewith, and insulating support means for the contacts and terminals, said insulating support means also being rotatable as one therewith.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 24 and further comprising a track power supply connector (122) for supplying electrical power to the track, the track power supply connector (122) incorporating cut-out means (124) for cutting off power supply from the track (10,70,92,100,102,104,110) in response to an overload.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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