US3910667A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical supply installations
Assignee: Rotaflex Great Britain Ltd
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Filing: 1973-07-13
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1993-07-13
Abstract
Abstract An adaptor for tapping current from an electrical supply track of the continuous outlet type has a nose portion insertable into the track channel, and a hook support which is engageable with the channel, so that the adaptor is engageable in the channel by a simple manipulation involving insertion of the nose portion accompanied by tilting of the adaptor about an axis parallel with the length of the track. Releasable latching means prevent inadvertent disengagement of the adaptor, once correctly inserted in the track. A novel supply connector is also described, comprised of two wedge like components for wedging engagement between the side walls of the track channel.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Heritage
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:53
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R25/00; H01R25/14; H01R25/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
An adaptor for use with an electrical supply, channel section track of the continuous outlet type, comprising an insulated body having a nose portion a plurality of contacts mounted in said nose portion and movable in a plane between inoperative retracted positions and operative extended positions in which said contact members project laterally of said nose portion, a laterally projecting hook portion on said nose portion adapted to engage a first co-operating support in said track channel by insertion of said nose portion into said channel section and concomitant tilting of said adaptor about an axis parallel with the length of said channel and parallel with said plane, and releasable latching means being movable into and out of co-operating engagement with a second co-operating support of said track channel offset from the first with respect to the axis about which the adaptor tilts, said latching means extending, in its position of co-operating engagement in a lateral direction opposite to the lateral direction of projection of said hook portion to prevent inadvertent tilting of said adaptor out of its engaged position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
An adaptor for use with an electrical supply, channel section track of the continuous outlet type, comprising an insulated body having a nose portion a plurality of contacts mounted in said nose portion and movable in a plane between inoperative retracted positions and operative extended positions in which said contact members project laterally of said nose portion, a laterally projecting hook portion on said nose portion adapted to engage a first co-operating support in said track channel by insertion of said nose portion into said channel section and concomitant tilting of said adaptor about an axis parallel with the length of said channel and parallel with said plane, and releasable latching means being movable into and out of co-operating engagement with a second co-operating support of said track channel offset from the first with respect to the axis about which the adaptor tilts, said latching means extending, in its position of co-operating engagement in a lateral direction opposite to the lateral direction of projection of said hook portion to prevent inadvertent tilting of said adaptor out of its engaged position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
An adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the said hook is located at the free end of said nose portion, so that, in use, it is positioned at a point remote from the mouth of said channel section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An adaptor according to claim 1 wherein said latching means is spring loaded and adapted to make latching engagement with the said track upon insertion of said nose portion into said track channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
An adaptor according to claim 1 wherein the adaptor has mechanical interlock means acting between said contacts and said latching means, to render release of said latching means dependent upon movement of said contacts to their inoperative positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
An adaptor according to claim 4, wherein said contact fingers are mounted on a carrier structure for pivotal movement about an axis parallel with the length of said track channel, and snap acting operating means are provided for moving said contacts between their respective operative and inoperative positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
An adaptor according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of contacts which are pivotal within said nose section about an axis extending transversely to a plane containing the mouth of said track channel, and rotary cam means parallel with the said axis controlling pivotal movement of said contacts between their respective operative and inoperative positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
An adaptor according to claim 6, wherein said rotary cam means comprises a respective cam for each contact, one said contact being moved to its operative position by rotation of said cam means to any one of a plurality of angularly displaced operative positions, and the remaining said contacts being moved into their respective operative positions by rotation of said cam means into different respective ones of said operative positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
An adaptor according to claim 6, wherein said rotary cam means includes a cam portion which constitutes said latching means, being movable into and out of co-operating engagement with a portion of said track member offset from the said hook portion with respect to the axis about which the adaptor tilts.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3718886A
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US3611252A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |