US3760133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical lighting installations
Assignee: Rotaflex Ltd
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Filing: 1972-03-27
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Granted: 1973-09-18
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Expires: 1992-03-27
Abstract
Abstract An appliance feeding and supporting adaptor for continuous outlet current supply installations, has retractable contacts controlled by a rotary, manual operating member arranged transversely to the mouth of the track channel of the installation, so that the adaptor housing can fit substantially wholly within the channel. Mechanical interlocks prevent the contacts being moved to conductor engaging positions unless the adaptor housing is properly inserted in the track channel and an isolating switch is in its neutral (open contact) condition.
Inventors
- 👤 J Howard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:18
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R25/00; H01R25/14; H01R25/142; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/70; H01R13/713
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
An adaptor for use in combination with an electric lighting supply installation of the continuous outlet type, the adaptor being arranged to support an appliance and to connect it electrically to the conductors of a track member and comprising an insulated housing dimensioned to fit substantially wholly within the track member through the open mouth of the channel, said housing having a plurality of apertures in its side wall, mechanical fixing means for securing the housing in position on a track member, a manually rotatable operating member mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis transverse to a plane containing the mouth of the channel, said operating member having a plurality of radial slots, a plurality of movable contact fingers each movably mounted in an associated radial slot in said operating member and capable of radial movement through the associated slot, terminal means within the housing associated respectively with each of said contact fingers, spring contact means extending generally longitudinally of said operating member, each contact means being respectively connected with a terminal inside said housing associated respectively with said contact finger, said spring contact means respectively engaging one end of the associated contact finger to urge the same outwardly of the housing to project laterally through said apertures in the side wall of the housing in one operating position of the operating member for engagement with the track conductors, said contact fingers in a second operating position of said operating member being retracted through said apertures and the ends of each contact finger are moved clear of the associated spring contacts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
263 words
An adaptor for use in combination with an electric lighting supply installation of the continuous outlet type, the adaptor being arranged to support an appliance and to connect it electrically to the conductors of a track member and comprising an insulated housing dimensioned to fit substantially wholly within the track member through the open mouth of the channel, said housing having a plurality of apertures in its side wall, mechanical fixing means for securing the housing in position on a track member, a manually rotatable operating member mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis transverse to a plane containing the mouth of the channel, said operating member having a plurality of radial slots, a plurality of movable contact fingers each movably mounted in an associated radial slot in said operating member and capable of radial movement through the associated slot, terminal means within the housing associated respectively with each of said contact fingers, spring contact means extending generally longitudinally of said operating member, each contact means being respectively connected with a terminal inside said housing associated respectively with said contact finger, said spring contact means respectively engaging one end of the associated contact finger to urge the same outwardly of the housing to project laterally through said apertures in the side wall of the housing in one operating position of the operating member for engagement with the track conductors, said contact fingers in a second operating position of said operating member being retracted through said apertures and the ends of each contact finger are moved clear of the associated spring contacts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An adaptor according to claim 1, wherein said mechanical fixing means comprises radially extending locking lugs rigid with said operating member and engageable in respective recesses in opposite sides of the track channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
An adaptor according to claim 1, further comprising latching means for obstructing movement of the operating member from its second position to its first position, siad latching means being mounted on said housing in such a position that said means is engaged and rendered inoperative by the track member only when said housing is fully inserted therein, whereby to prevent incorrect connection of said contact fingers with the track conductors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
An adaptor according to claim 3, wherein said latching means comprises a spring loaded locking member resiliently biassed into locking engagement with the operating member to prevent rotation thereof between its first and second operative positions, said locking member being mounted within the housing but having a portion thereof projecting from said housing for engagement by the track member upon insertion of said housing into the track channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
134 words
An adaptor according to claim 1 in which said operating member has an elongated handle extending generally radially from its outer end, outside said housing, said adaptor comprising a switch assembly for connecting and disconnecting the terminal means and contact fingers, respectively, said switch assembly having switch contacts and an actuatiNg member extending outwardly through said housing at the outer face thereof in the path of arcuate travel of said handle between the first and second positions of the operating member, said actuating member having an operating position in which it obstructs movement of said operating member into or away from its first position, and an inoperative position in which said switch contacts are open and in which said switch actuating member permits movement of said operating member from one position to the other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-17 | 1977-03-19 | 1977-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-17 | 1981-03-19 | 1981-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-17 | 1985-03-19 | 1985-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |