EP0596103A1

EP0596103A1 - Device for mechanical and electrical coupling for low voltage equipment

Info

Publication number: EP0596103A1
Application number: EP93914486A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Max Hoffner
Original assignee: APPLICATIONS TECHNIQUES ET DECORATIVES DE L'ECLAIRAGE SA
Current assignee: APPLICATIONS TECHNIQUES ET DECORATIVES DE L'ECLAIRAGE SA
Priority date: 1992-01-06
Filing date: 1993-01-06
Publication date: 1994-05-11
Also published as: FR2685982A1; CA2105312A1; JPH07500696A; WO1993014346A1; FR2685982B1

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de couplage qui assure un raccordement mécanique et électrique entre deux éléments conducteurs d'une installation électrique à très basse tension, par exemple 12 volts. Le dispositif est agencé pour le raccordement de différents éléments tels que des câbles (2) ou des tiges (4), au moyen d'organes de fixation variés et permettant de maintenir les élements dans une orientation quelconque, tout en présentant une esthétique avantageuse. Le corps du dispositif (3) se compose de deux embouts cylindriques ou prismatiques (10 et 11), assemblés bout à bout et ayant chacun un moyen de fixation (17, 18) pour l'un des éléments (2 et 4) à raccorder. Un embout mâle (11) comporte une tige axiale de pivot qui est engagée dans l'élément femelle (10) et qui présente une rainure périphérique permettant de la bloquer dans une position de pivotement voulue, au moyen d'une vis pointeau. De préférence, l'extrémité de cette tige est en contact avec l'élément (2) fixé à l'embout femelle (10). Application aux installations électriques non gainées à très basse tension, notamment pour l'éclairage.The invention relates to a coupling device which provides a mechanical and electrical connection between two conductive elements of a very low voltage electrical installation, for example 12 volts. The device is arranged for the connection of different elements such as cables (2) or rods (4), by means of various fixing members and making it possible to maintain the elements in any orientation, while presenting an advantageous aesthetic. The body of the device (3) consists of two cylindrical or prismatic end pieces (10 and 11), assembled end to end and each having a fixing means (17, 18) for one of the elements (2 and 4) to be connected . A male end piece (11) comprises an axial pivot rod which is engaged in the female element (10) and which has a peripheral groove making it possible to block it in a desired pivoting position, by means of a needle screw. Preferably, the end of this rod is in contact with the element (2) fixed to the female end piece (10). Application to unsheathed electrical installations at very low voltage, in particular for lighting.

Description

MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL COUPLING DEVICE FOR A VERY LOW VOLTAGE INSTALLATION

The present invention relates to a mechanical and electrical coupling device for a very low voltage electrical distribution installation, in particular for supporting and supplying lamps by conductive elements devoid of insulating sheaths, the device comprising a substantially cylindrical or prismatic metal body provided with 'at least two fixing means to be fixed respectively to two conductive elements to connect them mechanically and electrically.

Very low voltage lighting installations, generally of 12 volts, are used in particular in commercial or artistic exhibitions and in dwellings, because of their flexibility of adaptation to ensure a well distributed lighting or to highlight objects by means of several halogen lamps of the "spot" type. The lamps can be easily placed and moved, to put them in selected positions along bipolar conductor rails or pairs of cables stretched between the appropriate supports, these rails or cables forming both a support device and a circuit power supply. Thanks to the very low voltage, the conductors do not need to be protected by an insulating sheath and can therefore directly carry coupling devices fulfilling the double function of supporting and powering lamps or other electrical devices, for example via a pair of metal rods for each device.

In such an installation, the coupling devices are invisible and must therefore have an aesthetic appearance. This aspect must be as uniform as possible for coupling devices with different fixing means. Furthermore, some of these devices must be orientable in order to allow the desired positioning of the devices, in particular "spot" lamps. Therefore, the known devices are generally in the form of an assortment of fairly disparate pieces from the point of view of their external appearance.

The present invention relates to a type of mechanical and electrical coupling device making it possible to produce a whole range of coupling devices provided with different fixing means and comprising orientable devices, but having a unit of external appearance which makes it possible to fill the aesthetic criteria sought in this kind of electrical installation.

To this end, the invention relates to the device of the type indicated above, characterized in that said body consists of two end pieces assembled end to end by means of an axial pivot capable of being locked, each end piece being provided with the 'one of the two fixing means.

Preferably, the device comprises a _male ferrule provided with an axial pivot pin having a peripheral groove, and a socket provided with an axial bore arranged to receive said pivot pin and a locking member capable of s 'engage in said groove.

In an advantageous form of the device, the means for fixing the female end piece comprises an axial slot extending over a part of the length of the end piece from its free end on the side opposite to the male end piece, to receive one of the conductive elements to be connected, a threaded bore which extends said axial bore in the region of the slot and up to said free end, and a clamping screw engaged in the threaded bore from the free end. Preferably, the axial slot extends near one end of the pivot rod when the latter is locked in the female end, so that the conductive element is pressed against the pivot rod by the screw. Tightening. Said locking member may be a needle screw engaged in a transverse threaded hole of the female end piece. In another embodiment, the means for fixing the female end piece or the male end piece is an axial stud having a diameter reduced by relative to the body and capable of being forced into one of the conductive elements to be connected.

The means for fixing the male end piece may comprise an axial slot extending over part of the length of the end piece from its free end on the side opposite to the female end piece, to receive one of the conductive elements to be connected, a threaded bore extending along the axis of the nozzle in the region of the slot from the free end, and a clamping screw engaged in the threaded bore from the free end.

In another embodiment, the means for fixing the male end piece may include a blind axial bore, arranged to receive a conductive support rod to be connected, and a needle screw engaged in a transverse hole, tapped opening into the blind bore.

In another embodiment, the means for fixing the male end piece may comprise a transverse housing - arranged to receive a retaining member for an insulating body in which the end piece is mounted, and an electrical connection terminal for a conductive wire mounted on said insulating body.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear in the following description of various exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a lamp connected to two support and very low voltage supply cables, by means of a pair of coupling devices according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the object of FIG. 1, in the direction of the cables,

- Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a female endpiece the coupling device illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a view in longitudinal section of a male end piece of the coupling device illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIGS. 5 and 6 represent two other possibilities of using the coupling device illustrated by FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 is an elevation view, partially cut away, showing another form of a coupling device according to the invention, for connecting metal rods to cables,

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and shows a lamp fitted with another type of coupling device,

FIG. 9 is a partial section view of a male end-piece of a coupling device shown in FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 shows in perspective a magnetic connector fitted with two coupling devices according to the invention, and designed to be fixed to a bipolar distribution rail, and

- Figure 11 shows a pair of metal junction elements, equipped with coupling devices according to the invention and arranged to be fixed to a bipolar distribution rail.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a halogen spot lamp 1 is supported and supplied by a pair of conductive cables 2 by means of a pair of coupling devices 3 which connect the respective cables 2 to a pair of transverse bars 4 attached to the lamp.

The rods 4 are fixed respectively to metal parts 5 secured by an insulating body 6 and playing the role of electrical input terminal of the very low voltage lamp, for example 12 volts. Lamps of this kind are well known and need not be described in detail here. Each device 3 consists of a female end piece 10 fixed to one of the cables 2 and a male end piece 11 fixed to the female end piece 10 and to one of the rods 4. The end pieces 10 and 11 have a shape cylindrical exterior and have the same diameter, so as to form together an element having the appearance of a cylinder 10. They are shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4.

With reference to FIG. 3, the female end piece 10 is presented as a cylindrical socket having a smooth axial bore 12 into which transversely opens a tapped hole 13 in which a screw is engaged

14 of the Imbus type, not exceeding the cylindrical outer surface of the nozzle. The cylindrical bore 12 is extended by a threaded bore 15 which opens at a free end 16 of the end piece. At this end also opens an axial slot 17, the depth of which is approximately the same as that of the threaded bore 15. This slot allows laterally fitting the end piece 10 on a conductive element such as one of the cables 2 or a metal rod. A locking screw 18 (FIG. 2) is engaged in the threaded bore 15 and makes it possible to block the conductive element at the bottom of the slot 17.

Referring also to FIG. 4, it is noted that the male end piece 11 is provided with a cylindrical pivot rod 20 arranged to engage in the bore 12 of the female end piece 10 and provided with a peripheral groove 21 in which the locking screw 14 can engage so as to positively retain the rod 20 in the bore 12. As it is a needle screw, it can bite at the bottom of the groove 21 and also prevent, relative pivoting between the ends, if desired. On the side opposite to the rod 20, the end piece 11 has a free end 22 which, in this example, is provided with the same fixing means as the female end piece 10, namely an axial slot 17, a threaded axial bore 15 and a locking screw 18 (Figure 2) engaged in this bore. The screw 18 makes it possible to clamp the corresponding bar 4 engaged in the slot 17 by tightening and to ensure good electrical contact between the end piece and this bar. Preferably, the slot 17 of the female end piece 10 is deep enough to come close to the end surface 23 of the pivot rod 20 when the latter is blocked in the female end piece by the screw 14. From this way, the tightening of the cable 2 by means of the screw 18 ensures direct electrical contact between the cable and the male end 11, which significantly reduces the electrical resistance of the coupling device. This is particularly advantageous in cases where the device is not blocked with respect to pivoting, that is to say that the blocking screw 14 is not strongly applied to the bottom of the groove 21.

Thus, it is noted that it is possible to orient the end piece 10 at will on the cable 2, if its screw 18 is slightly loosened. Similarly, loosening of the screw 18 of the two other end pieces 11 makes it possible to tilt the spot 1 by rotation of the rods 4 as indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 2. In addition, the lamp can be tilted laterally by pivoting on the parts 5 along the arrow B.

In the example of FIG. 5, a lamp, not shown, is supported and supplied by the bent ends 24 of two steel rods 25, each of which is fixed to a cable 2 in a position adjustable in inclination and lengthwise of the rod 25. The example of FIG. 6 is similar to that of FIG. 2, except that the rods 4 are replaced by curved rods 26 having a decorative effect. The coupling devices 3 are inclined and can also be offset longitudinally, if desired.

In the case of FIG. 7, these are bent rods 27 which support and supply a lamp. Each coupling device 3 connecting a rod 27 to a cable 2 has a female end piece 10 as described above, but its male end piece 28 receives the end of the rod 27 in an axial bore 29 where a lateral needle screw 30 penetrates. that blocks the rod.

The example of FIGS. 8 and 9 relates to a lamp 31 mounted between the two cables 2 thanks to two coupling devices 3 each consisting of a female end piece 10, as described above, and a male end piece 32 illustrated in FIG. 9 and mounted in an insulating body 33 forming the base of the lamp 31. The male end piece 32 has a cylindrical or prismatic barrel 34 provided with a through hole 35 or a lateral notch for a key or retaining screw in the body 33. So opposite end to the rod 20 is arranged in terminal connection 3 for an electric wire contained in the lamp, thanks to an axial hole 3 and a threaded transverse hole 38 for a screw blocking the wire.

FIG. 10 shows a magnetic connector 40 supporting and feeding a lamp fixed to two conductive rods 41, as in the examples of FIGS. 1 to 6. The connector has an insulating body 42 containing a magnet which retains it applied against a support rail and supply 43 comprising two steel bars separated by an insulating layer and supplied with very low voltage. The body 42 also contains two metallic contact parts 44 which are applied against the rail 43 and which each carry, outside the body, a coupling device 3 according to the invention. Each of these devices 3 consists of a female end-piece 10, where the bar 41 is fixed by the clamping screw 18, and a male end-piece 45 which is fixed to the contact piece 44 thanks to an axial stiffness pin 46 which it has the opposite of its rod (not shown) engaged in the female end piece 10. This stud is forcibly fitted into a hole in the part 44. As a variant, the stud 46 could be threaded.

In the case of FIG. 11, a coupling device 3 identical to that of FIG. 10 is fixed directly to a vertical face of a metallic junction element 48 which is locked on a conductive bar of the rail 43 by means of screws 49 A pair of these junction elements 48 makes it possible to safely support a relatively heavy lamp and to give it the desired orientation, by virtue of the pivots of the coupling devices 3.

Claims

claims

1. Mechanical and electrical coupling device for a very low voltage electrical distribution installation, in particular for supporting and supplying lamps with conductive elements devoid of insulating sheaths, the device comprising a substantially cylindrical or prismatic metal body provided with at least two fixing means to be fixed respectively to two conductive elements to connect them mechanically and electrically, characterized in that said body consists of two end pieces

(10,11,28,32,45) assembled end to end by means of an axial pivot (12,20) capable of being locked, each end piece being provided with one of the two fixing means (18,30 , 35.46).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a male end piece (11,28,32,45) provided with an axial pivot rod (20) having a peripheral groove (21), and a female end piece (10) provided with an axial bore (12) - arranged to receive said rod, pivot and a locking member (14) capable of engaging in said groove.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the means for fixing the female end piece (10) comprises an axial slot (17) s * extending over part of the length of the end piece from its free end (16) on the side opposite the male end, to receive one of the conductive elements (2,41) to be connected, a threaded bore (15) which extends said axial bore (12) in the region of the slot and up to 'at said free end, and a clamping screw (18) engaged in the threaded bore from the free end.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the axial slot (17) extends near one end (23) of the pivot rod (20) when the latter is blocked in the female end piece, so that the conductive element (2) is pressed against the pivot rod by the clamping screw (18).

5. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said blocking member is a screw (14) engaged in a transverse threaded hole of the female end piece.

6. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the means for fixing the female end piece or the male end piece is an axial stud (46) having a reduced diameter with respect to the body and capable of being forcibly engaged in one (44,48) of the conductive elements to be connected.

7. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the means for fixing the male end piece (11) comprises an axial slot (17) extending over part of the length of the end piece from its free end (22) on the side opposite to the female end piece, to receive one (4, 25, 26) of the conductive elements to be connected, a tapped bore (15) extending along the axis of the end in the area of the slot from the free end, and a clamping screw (18) engaged in the threaded bore from the free end.

8. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the means for fixing the male end piece (28) comprises a blind axial bore (29), arranged to receive a conductive support rod (27) at connect, and a needle screw (30) engaged in a threaded transverse hole opening into the blind bore.

9. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the means for fixing the male end piece (32) comprises a transverse housing (35) arranged to receive a retaining member for an insulating body (33 ) in which the end piece is mounted, and an electrical connection terminal (36) for a conductive wire mounted on said insulating body.