GB1351482A - Electrical connectors - Google Patents

Abstract

1351482 Two-part couplings McGRAW EDISON CO 19 July 1971 33768/71 Heading H2E A connector 36 for use with a distribution track 20 comprises a pair of laterally extending opposed support flanges 55, 56 and contact members (64) adapted to engage track flanges 28 and track conductors 33 respectively, and a resiliently biased latch member (80) having a portion 82 extending outwardly of the housing; in use, the connector being positioned with its supporting flanges between the track flanges and rotated until the supporting flanges bear upon the track flanges and the extending portion 82 engages between the track flange to prevent further rotation and withdrawal of the connector until the portion 82 is manually retracted. The connector 36 comprises a metallic housing 37 with a one-piece insulating closure member 46 having a slot 48 through which the latching portion 82 slidably extends. Integral with the closure member 46 is a body member 54 comprising a nose 57, the support flanges 55, 56 and a recess 54a in which is seated a metal clip 75 to provide an earth connection between the housing and a track flange 28. The contact members 64 are carried in spaced bores 71 of a retaining member 66 seated in the closure member 46 by means of end portions 70, and extend through a bore (60) in the closure member where they are bent to form fingers 74 which engage the conductors 33; within the bores 71 the contact members are connected to the conductors of a lead 43. The track flanges 28 define a narrow channel 24 and a wide channel 25 into which the support flanges fit, the support flange 56 being too wide to enter the channel 24, thus ensuring correct polarity. The latch member (80), of plastics material, comprises a spring (79) mounted plate part of which forms the portion 82 and which also has a finger knob 84 extending through the housing. A manually operated switch 90 is provided and the lead 43 emerges from the housing via a sleeve 42 and a nut 45 which secures a rotatable yoke 44 to which a lamp may be attached. In use the connector is presented to the track with the support flanges 55, 56 and the nose 57 between the track flanges 28 and the latching portion 82 bearing against the flange 28, the connector is rotated through. 90 degrees so that the support flanges enter the channels 24, 25 and the latching portion is urged outwardly transversely of and between the channels 24, 25. Release of the connector is effected by manually depressing the knob 84 to retract the latching portion to permit rotation and withdrawal of the connector.