GB2278966A

GB2278966A - Light fitting

Info

Publication number: GB2278966A
Application number: GB9311908A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Taylor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-06-09
Filing date: 1993-06-09
Publication date: 1994-12-14
Anticipated expiration: 2013-06-09
Also published as: GB2278966B; GB9311908D0

Abstract

A light fitting comprising a ceiling or wall mounted receptacle 1 and a corresponding adaptor 7 forming part of a typical light fitting that can be fastened together mechanically and electrically by means of screwing the adaptor to the receptacle. When the light fitting adaptor is fully mounted on the receptacle, electrical contact is automatically made via two sets of concentric metal ferrules, one set 2 of which is connected to the available power supply and the other set 6 of which is connected to the light fitting bulb(s). The light fitting can be easily removed by unscrewing the adaptor from the ceiling or wall mounted receptacle. <IMAGE>

Description

LIGHT FITTING This invention relates to light fittings.

Electrical light fittings that are commonly used in homes, offices or hotels are typically attached to walls or ceilings using screws for mechanical attachment and by the joining of wires typically via a junction box for electrical connection.

Initial fitting or subsequent changing of such light fittings currently involves tedious disconnection or re-connection of electrical wiring and wall or ceiling securing screws.

The object of this invention is to provide a means of attaching and removing light fittings without the need to resort to tedious disconnection or re-connection of electrical wiring and wall or ceiling securing screws.

According to the present invention a light fitting includes a receptacle adapted for attachment to a wall or ceiling and for electrical connection to an adjacent electrical power supply, having a plurality of insulatedly spaced electrical conductors extending therethrough and mounting means for receiving and demountably retaining a light fitting adaptor, the adaptor including attachment means for co-operating with the mounting means of the receptacle, a corresponding plurality of correspondingly spaced electrical conductors arranged to contact the electrical conductors of the receptacle when the attachment means and mounting means are co-operatingly engaged, and a light bulb receiving means.

The mounting means and the attachment means may be male and female threads or female and male threads.

The plurality of spaced electrical conductors in both receptacle and adaptor may comprise concentric metallic cylinders separated by insulating material.

It should be noted that the adaptor could also be attached to the receptacle by a means other than screwing and the method of screwing is described only as an example with this invention.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIG 1 shows a side elevation in cross-section of a receptacle.

FIG 2 shows a side elevation in cross-section of a light fitting attachment.

Referring to Figure 1, a receptacle 1 has a flange or flanges for attachment to a wall or ceiling where it is connected to the available power supply. Once attached, power is available via three concentric metal ferrules 2 connected to LIVE, NEUTRAL and EARTH. The ferrules are separated by a suitable electrical insulating material 3. The ferrules and insulation are housed in a threaded section of the receptacle, shown here as a male threaded section 4.

In Figure 2 a light fitting adaptor 7 comprises a corresponding threaded section 8, shown here as a female threaded section, and three further concentric metal ferrules 6 separated by a suitable electrical insulating material 5.

The ferrules 6 extend through the material 5 and into a light-bulb receiving space 9 adapted in a conventional manner to receive and make electrical contact with removable standard light bulbs of, for example, the bayonet or screw fitting type.

The sets of concentric metal ferrules 2,6 of receptacle 1 and light fitting adaptor 7 respectively are on common diameters such that the inner ferrules make contact with each other, the middle ferrules make contact with each other and the outer ferrules make contact with each other when the adaptor is screwed on to the receptacle. In this way it is impossible for any other combination of ferrules to come into contact.

Therefore, when the light fitting adaptor portion is screwed on to the receptacle, electrical contact is made via the two sets of concentric ferrules coming into contact. Contact of the ferrules is ensured by utilising the resilience of the insulation 3,5 separating the ferrules to obviate the effects of any small misalignment between the two sets of ferrules.

The light fitting adaptor ferrules are electrically connected to the light bulb(s).

Fitment of the light fitting adaptor as well as ferrule alignment is achieved by screwing on to the receptacle.

Removal of the light fitting adaptor is achieved by unscrewing from the receptacle.

Adaptors having a variety of light bulb connectors e.g. screw type, bayonet type or multi-bulb sockets, may be made and interchanged rapidly, without the need to disconnect and reconnect wires, using the same receptacle each time.

Claims

1A light fitting including a receptacle adapted for attachment to a wall or ceiling and for electrical connection to an adjacent electrical power supply, having a plurality of insulatedly spaced electrical conductors extending therethrough and mounting means for receiving and demountably retaining a light fitting adaptor, the adaptor including attachment means for co-operating with the mounting means of the receptacle, a corresponding plurality of correspondingly spaced electrical conductors arranged to contact the electrical conductors of the receptacle when the attachment means and mounting means are co-operatingly engaged, and a light bulb receiving recess.

2 A light fitting as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the mounting means and the attachment means are male and female threads or female and male threads.

3 A light fitting as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 and wherein the plurality of spaced electrical conductors in both receptacle and adaptor comprise concentric metallic cylinders separated by insulating material.

4 A light fitting substantially as described herein with reference to Figs 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1 A light fitting including a receptacle adapted for attachment to a wall or ceiling and for electrical connection to an adjacent electrical power supply via three electrical concentric ferrules, whereas the receptacle has a plurality of insulatedly spaced electrical concentric ferrule conductors extending therethrough and mounting means for receiving and demountably retaining a light fitting adapter, an adapter including attachment means for co-operating with the mounting means of the receptacle, a corresponding plurality of correspondingly spaced electrical concentric ferrule conductors arranged to contact the electrical concentric ferrules of the receptacle, when the attachment means and mounting means are co-operatively engaged, and connect to electrical cable within the electrical cable receiving recess.

2. A light fitting as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of the spaced electrical conductors in both receptacle and adapter comprise three concentric metallic cylinders which are of common diameters of the respective identical ferrules, such that the inner ferrules work collectively, the middle ferrules work collectively and outer ferrules work collectively.

claims con't 3. A light fitting as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2 and wherein the electrical concentric ferrules are cylindrically surrounded by electrical insulating material and whereas the aforementioned ferrules protrude upwards and downwards beyond the top and lower sides of the insulating material for connection to a subsequent electricity supply - to work collectively and for the attachment of electrical cable.

4. A light fitting as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 and claim 3 and wherein the mounting means and the attachment means are male and female threads or female and male threads.

5. A light fitting substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.