US5562341A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular electrical fixture
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-06-02
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Granted: 1996-10-08
•
Expires: 2015-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A modular system is provided that has a fixture that will accept substantially any electrical device and can be plugged into any one of a plurality of fixture supports, and similarly unplugged, to permit removal, replacement, and/or reorientation with relative ease to obtain any desired configuration of electrical devices without the need for repeated rewiring.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary J. Strauss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:24
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V3/00; F21V3/04; F21V15/00; F21V15/01; F21V19/00; F21V21/00; F21V21/08; F21V21/0824; F21V29/00; F21V29/15; F21V21/14; F21V21/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A modular system for mounting an electrical device having mounting means operable for engagement for securing said device in a predetermined location comprising: a modular fixture member having a first base at one end and a first head at the other end, said first head being configured to engage said mounting means; and a fixture support member having a second base at one end and a second head at the other end, said second head configured for removable engagement with said first base; and first electrical plug means provided on base of said fixture member and operable for engagement with an electrical source to operate said electrical device; and second electrical plug means provided on said fixture support member for engaging said first electrical plug means when said modular fixture member engages said fixture support member, said second electrical plug means being operable for being connected to an electrical power source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A modular system for mounting an electrical device having mounting means operable for engagement for securing said device in a predetermined location comprising: a modular fixture member having a first base at one end and a first head at the other end, said first head being configured to engage said mounting means; and a fixture support member having a second base at one end and a second head at the other end, said second head configured for removable engagement with said first base; and first electrical plug means provided on base of said fixture member and operable for engagement with an electrical source to operate said electrical device; and second electrical plug means provided on said fixture support member for engaging said first electrical plug means when said modular fixture member engages said fixture support member, said second electrical plug means being operable for being connected to an electrical power source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The mounting system of claim 1 wherein said first head has an outlet cover mounted thereon, said outlet cover configured for receiving and securing one or more electrical devices.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
156 words
A modular system for mounting electrical devices comprising: a modular fixture having a tubular body with a base at one end and a head at the other end, said head configured to securely receive one or more electrical devices; and a fixture support having a tubular body with a base at one end and a head at the other end, said tubular body having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of said fixture member and of a dimension, at the head of the fixture support member, sufficient to receive the base of fixture member for removable engagement therewith; and electrical plug means provided on base of said fixture member, corresponding electrical plug means provided upon a corresponding surface of said fixture support member for electrically interconnecting fixture member with fixture support member while fixture member is engaged therewith; and means for electrically connecting electrical devices to said fixture member and providing electrical energy thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
156 words
A modular system for mounting electrical devices comprising: a modular fixture having a tubular body with a base at one end and a head at the other end, said head configured to securely receive one or more electrical devices; and a fixture support having a tubular body with a base at one end and a head at the other end, said tubular body having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of said fixture member and of a dimension, at the head of the fixture support member, sufficient to receive the base of fixture member for removable engagement therewith; and electrical plug means provided on base of said fixture member, corresponding electrical plug means provided upon a corresponding surface of said fixture support member for electrically interconnecting fixture member with fixture support member while fixture member is engaged therewith; and means for electrically connecting electrical devices to said fixture member and providing electrical energy thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The mounting system of claim 3 wherein a flange is provided at the head of said fixture member; and a flange is provided at the head of said fixture support member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The mounting system of claim 4 wherein one or more posts attached to one flange are aligned to pass through portions of the other flange defining a hole, during engagement of said fixture and fixture support members, to facilitate alignment of said members with respect to one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mounting system of claim 5 wherein said posts are further adapted to receive fasteners, to secure said fixture member while engaged with said fixture support member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mounting system of claim 4 wherein said flanges have disposed, on the surfaces thereof, an insulative, resilient material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mounting system of claim 4 wherein said flange provided on said fixture support member has at least one hole provided therein to receive fasteners therethrough to permit mounting of the fixture support member in a wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
The mounting system of claim 3 wherein the outer surface of the tubular body of said fixture member has provided therein at least one groove extending along the length of the fixture; and a corresponding number of guide pins is provided on the inner surface of the tubular body of said fixture support member, said pin(s) positioned to follow said groove and prevent rotation of fixture relative to fixture support during engagement thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The mounting system of claim 3 wherein a cap is provided at the base of said fixture member and at the base of said fixture support member to provide a rigid mounting surface respectively for said electrical plug means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mounting system of claim 3 further comprising means for supporting said fixture support member in the ground.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The mounting system of claim 11 wherein said support means comprises a stake having a first end, disposed in the ground, and a second end adapted to securely receive base of said fixture support member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mounting system of claim 3 further comprising a control means for regulating flow of electrical energy to said electrical devices.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mounting system of claim 3 wherein body of said fixture member and said fixture support member are formed of polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The mounting system of claim 3 wherein head of said fixture member has an outlet cover mounted thereon, said outlet cover configured for receiving and securing one or more electrical devices.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1376712A
Cited
US1636278A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-08 | 2000-04-08 | 2000-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-08 | 2004-04-08 | 2004-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-08 | 2008-04-08 | 2008-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |