US3638170A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical coupling mechanism
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-09-23
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Granted: 1972-01-25
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Expires: 1990-09-23
Abstract
Abstract An electrical coupling mechanism adapted removably to suspend a lighting fixture from a ceiling structure of a building room; wherein a mounting plate is supported by a utility box; and a lighting fixture hanger is manually rotatably insertable through an opening in said mounting plate thereby concurrently making electrical and mechanical supporting connection for said lighting fixture whereby said lighting fixture and said hanger may be readily removed mechanically and electrically disconnected relative to structure and electrical contacts on said mounting plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Clyde H Clement
- 👤 Leland B Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:05
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R33/00; H01R33/945; F; F21; F21V; F21V21/00; F21V21/02; F21V21/03; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/70; H01R13/71; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/18; H02G3/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
In an electrical coupling mechanism, the combination of: a mounting plate adapted to be secured to a utility box; said mounting plate having an elongated opening therein; first electrical contacts carried by said mounting plate in position laterally with respect to said elongated opening; a generally Tshaped hanger having a crossbar portion and a conduit portion; said crossbar portion having opposite ends extending in opposite directions away from said conduit portion; said opposite ends of said crossbar portion spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the breadth of said elongated opening; second electrical contacts located generally on said opposite ends of said crossbar portion, said crossbar portion and said second contacts disposed to be inserted through said elongated opening in said mounting plate, whereupon subsequent rotation of said T-shaped hanger about an axis, generally at right angles to said crossbar portion and relative to said mounting plate, may dispose said second contacts in engagement with said first contacts; and resilient means carried by said mounting plate tending to force said Crossbar portion toward said mounting plate and to maintain said second contacts engaged with said first contacts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
In an electrical coupling mechanism, the combination of: a mounting plate adapted to be secured to a utility box; said mounting plate having an elongated opening therein; first electrical contacts carried by said mounting plate in position laterally with respect to said elongated opening; a generally Tshaped hanger having a crossbar portion and a conduit portion; said crossbar portion having opposite ends extending in opposite directions away from said conduit portion; said opposite ends of said crossbar portion spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the breadth of said elongated opening; second electrical contacts located generally on said opposite ends of said crossbar portion, said crossbar portion and said second contacts disposed to be inserted through said elongated opening in said mounting plate, whereupon subsequent rotation of said T-shaped hanger about an axis, generally at right angles to said crossbar portion and relative to said mounting plate, may dispose said second contacts in engagement with said first contacts; and resilient means carried by said mounting plate tending to force said Crossbar portion toward said mounting plate and to maintain said second contacts engaged with said first contacts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein first and second electrical conductors are connected respectively to said first and second contacts; said second conductors extending through said conduit portion of said T-shaped hanger.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said ends of said crossbar portion carries two of said second contacts and the other of said ends carries another of said second contacts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting plate is provided with a generally U-shaped spring holder provided with an intermediate portion and a pair of leg portions extending therefrom; said leg portions secured to said mounting plate and straddling said opening in said mounting plate; said intermediate portion having a spring holding portion, said resilient means being a spring held by said spring holding portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said conduit portion of said T-shaped hanger is provided with a hollow bore portion adapted to contain electrical conductors; said hollow bore portion having an open terminus at said crossbar portion; said crossbar portion having a spring engaging portion disposed in spaced relation to said open terminus of said bore portion to permit conductors to extend from said bore portion to said second contacts, said spring engaging portion engageable with said spring when said T-shaped hanger is extending through said opening in said mounting plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting plate and said hanger are made of dielectric material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting plate is adapted to be secured in horizontal position in connection with said utility box in a building room ceiling structure; and a lighting fixture suspended from said hanger.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein a dielectric adapter is coupled to said mounting plate and adapted to be secured to said utility for suspending said mounting plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said conduit portion of said hanger is provided with an internally screw-threaded bore; and a suspension conduit having external screw threads screw threaded into said internally screw-threaded bore, said suspension conduit and said conduit portion of said hanger being hollow and adapted to contain electrical conductors extending from said second contacts to said lighting fixture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said mounting plate is provided with upper and lower sides; said first contacts on said upper side; said opposite ends of said crossbar portion of said T-shaped hanger being disposed apart a distance greater than lateral dimensions of said elongated opening in said mounting plate whereby said opposite ends of said crossbar overlie said upper side of said mounting plate when said hanger suspends said electrical fixture.
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) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |