Patent US4996636A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4996636A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Low voltage light fixture
Assignee: NITEGARD Inc
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Filing: 1990-03-01
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Granted: 1991-02-26
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Expires: 2010-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A low voltage light fixture for use with a multi-conductor wire, includes a base, a lens supported by the base, a pair of electrical conductors supported by the base which form a light bulb receptacle at their upper ends and wire engaging prongs at their lower ends, and a stake or post for supporting the base. A twist lock connector mechanism connects together the base, the stake and the wire.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H. Lovett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:45
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V21/00; F21V21/08; F21V21/0824; F21S; F21S8/00; F21S8/08; F21S8/081; F21V19/00; F21V19/0005; F21V21/002; F21V21/10; F21V21/116; F21V23/00; F21V23/06; F21W; F21W2131/00; F21W2131/10; F21W2131/109
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
In a low voltage light fixture for use with a multi-conductor wire, having a base, a lens supported by the base, a pair of electrical conductors supported by the base and forming a light bulb receptacle at upper ends and wire engaging prongs at lower ends, and having a support for supporting the base, the improvement comprising: a first twist lock connector attached to a bottom surface of the base which includes a first pair of spaced connector elements, the first connector elements defining a first channel between them in which the wire is received and held and in which the prongs extend, and being positioned diagonally with respect to the first channel; and a second twist lock connector attached to the upper end of the stake which includes a second pair of connector elements, the second pair of elements defining a second channel between them and positioned diagonally with respect to the second channel, wherein (a) the second pair of spaced connector elements engage the first pair of spaced connector elements, (b) a passage, through which the wire extends, is formed by the first and second channels and maintained, and (c) the prongs electrically engage the wire, when the stake and base are rotated relative to one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
In a low voltage light fixture for use with a multi-conductor wire, having a base, a lens supported by the base, a pair of electrical conductors supported by the base and forming a light bulb receptacle at upper ends and wire engaging prongs at lower ends, and having a support for supporting the base, the improvement comprising: a first twist lock connector attached to a bottom surface of the base which includes a first pair of spaced connector elements, the first connector elements defining a first channel between them in which the wire is received and held and in which the prongs extend, and being positioned diagonally with respect to the first channel; and a second twist lock connector attached to the upper end of the stake which includes a second pair of connector elements, the second pair of elements defining a second channel between them and positioned diagonally with respect to the second channel, wherein (a) the second pair of spaced connector elements engage the first pair of spaced connector elements, (b) a passage, through which the wire extends, is formed by the first and second channels and maintained, and (c) the prongs electrically engage the wire, when the stake and base are rotated relative to one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fixture of claim 1 wherein the first pair of connector elements are L-shaped legs having a flange portion extending outwardly and a support portion with a inwardly facing surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fixture of claim 1 wherein the second pair of connector elements are L-shaped legs having a flange portion extending inwardly and a support portion with a outwardly facing surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fixture of claim 1 wherein frictional engagement of the second twist lock connector with the first twist lock connector and against the wire produces an expansive force which tends to hold the first and second twist lock connectors in a locked position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fixture of claim 1 wherein a skirt is attached to the base and extends at least partially around the first twist lock connector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fixture of claim 1 wherein the second twist lock connector includes first and second connector elements separated diagonally across the second channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fixture of claim 6 wherein the upper end of the stake includes notches positioned to receive the wire.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The fixture of claim 1 and further comprising a sleeve positionable over an upper portion of the support to cover and protect portions of the wire leading to and from the first and second twist lock connectors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
A low voltage light fixture for use with a multiconductor wire, the light fixture comprising: a light fixture head having a first pair of twist lock connector elements which define a first wire receiving channel and having wire engaging conductors which extend into the first wire receiving channel; and a support for supporting the light fixture, the support having a second pair of twist lock connector elements which define a second channel and which engage the first pair of twist lock connector elements to connect together the light fixture head and the support.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
A low voltage light fixture for use with a multiconductor wire, the light fixture comprising: a light fixture head having a first pair of twist lock connector elements which define a first wire receiving channel and having wire engaging conductors which extend into the first wire receiving channel; and a support for supporting the light fixture, the support having a second pair of twist lock connector elements which define a second channel and which engage the first pair of twist lock connector elements to connect together the light fixture head and the support.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The fixture of claim 9 wherein the first and second pair of twist lock connector elements connect the base to an upper end of the support when rotated with respect to one another from a first position to a second position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fixture of claim 10 wherein the first and second positions are less than approximately 90° apart.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fixture of claim 9 wherein the first pair of connector elements are L-shaped legs having a flange portion extending outwardly and a support portion with a inwardly facing surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fixture of claim 9 wherein the second pair of connector elements are L-shaped legs having a flange portion extending inwardly and a support portion with a outwardly facing surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The fixture of claim 9 wherein the first pair of twist lock connector elements and the second pair of twist lock connector elements mate in a bayonet mount fashion forming a wire passage and lock by frictional engagement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fixture of claim 9 wherein a skirt is attached to the base and extends at least partially around the first pair of twist lock connector elements.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fixture of claim 9 wherein the second pair of twist lock connector elements are separated diagonally across the second channel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fixture of claim 16 wherein the support has an upper end with notches, positioned to receive the wire.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fixture of claim 9 wherein the support has a plurality of blades which form a X-shaped cross section.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The fixture of claim 13 wherein at least two blades of the support project outward near an upper portion of the support forming a shoulder, and all the blades project outward near a median of the support and taper to a point at a lower end.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The fixture of claim 19 and further comprising a sleeve positionable on the shoulder of the support to cover and protect portions of the wire leading to and from the first and second twist lock connectors.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
10 words
The fixture in claim 20 wherein the sleeve is tapered.
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) | 1994-02-25 | 1994-08-27 | 1995-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-25 | 1998-08-27 | 1999-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-25 | 2002-08-27 | 2003-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |