GB2387976A

GB2387976A - A two part light fitting

Info

Publication number: GB2387976A
Application number: GB0209708A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Brian Boston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-27
Filing date: 2002-04-27
Publication date: 2003-10-29
Also published as: GB0209708D0

Abstract

The light fitting, comprising two sections 1,2 joined together by a plug and socket electrical connection and a bayonet mechanical connection. The first part is secured to the fabric of the building e.g. wall or ceiling. The electrical connectors can be mushroom shaped which when connected fit into 'V' shaped terminals.

Description

Page 1 The CCJ.Box', Light Fitting (Wall or Ceiling mounted) (I)esigned by

John Brian Boston - November 2001) This invention relates to a new Two Part interchangeable wall or ceiling mounted light fitting using a Plug and Socket design Introduction

The installation of light fittings is, at times, a difficult operation, due to the fact that, often, a third hand is required to aid the installer, particularly where heavy or awkward fittings are involved.

The "J.Box" light fitting is designed not only to simplitr the installation procedure for a single person, but also to make it a very easy task to change the secondary part ofthe light fitting by anyone even without any electrical knowledge.

The first part of the unit, which is a permanent fixture, containing the live, mains fed, electrical wiring, and female (socket) part of the electrical connection system, is secured to the surface (wall or ceiling) by two screws, with the recommendation that it be installed only by a qualified persom The secondary part consists of the remaining three (or four - see details on option) components, which when assembled, form the interchangeable section ofthe finished item, containing the male (plug) part of the electrical connection system The complete assembled unit comes in FOUR basic components - with a fifth provided as an option PERMANENT FIXTURE

"Part 1" - is the ceiling (or wall) mounted component which is a permanent fixture and needs to be installed by a competent electrician.

INTERCHANGEABLE SECTION

"Part 2- is attached to the actual light fitting, and connected to "Partl" by a "Plug and Twist" operation (bayonet fitting) - similar to the action at present used when installing a new bulb into a lamp-holder.

Page 2.

"Part 3"- is a component which screws on to "Part 2" and through which the wire to the lamp-holder passes. It is designed to both protect the cables and complete the appearance of the unit.

"Part 3" will be supplied with a "Knockout" feature, thus providing the option of two different styles of fitting: One - being the conventional lamp hanging from the ceiling on a pre-

deteranned length of cable.

The second - being a ceiling mounted version with no cable on display.

(See illustration for further details).

"Part 4 and 4a" - this is a standard lamp holder with cover.

"Part 5" - This optional unit is a metal ring with three hooks, for fixing chains, to support lamp fittings requiring this form of suspension.

Due to the simplicity offitting "Part 1" to "Part 2" any work involved on the Interchangeable Section" (Parts 2,3,4 and 5) can be done at ground level, by one person. This arrangement also means, that in future, if a person wishes to move light fittings between rooms, it can be done very simply, in the same way that one at the present time changes a bulb.

This also simplifies the purchase of new fittings, as one envisages the fittings being manufactured comprising "Parts 2,3, and 4" (also "5" if required) already attached.

This will have a two-fold benefit: 1) In the Retail Showrooms, lights may be displayed (in the illuminated mode) within seconds, thus enabling the potential purchaser to see them under ideal conditions.

2) The purchaser on taking them away, can immediately install, without having to employ an electrician, (swing on overall costs). Not only that, but they can then try the fitting in different rooms very easily until they are satisfied where the display is most suited.

ELECTRICL\NS - 1TL\L INSTALL

On new buildings or as a retrofit, "Part 1" fittings would be installed as standard.

"Parts 2,3 and 4&4a" with a standard light bulb may also be added if required.

Thereafter the type of light fitting may be installed by the owner without reference to an electrician A fifth (Optional) component may be added, this being a circular metal ring containing three hooks ("Part S") which is fitted between "Parts 2 and 3", when the weight of a light fitting requires to be held by means ofthree chains, due to the design, or when the normal wire would not have sufficient strength

Page 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIVE COMPONENTS

(Please read in conjunction with the 3 pages of diagrams) PERMANENT FIXTURE (SOCKET)

"Part 1" 1.1. This is a circular unit the size of a standard ceiling rose but slightly deeper.

The construction being a lightweight metal design (possibly alurninium) encapsulated in Bakelite or some other fonn of non- - conducting plastic material.

The purpose ofthe encapsulated metal is to provide strength, which may be needed for the hanging of heavier types of wall or ceiling mounted lamp fittings (see note on "Part S" component).

1.2. The encapsulated metal to be shaped to provide support, for the fixing screws and the Bayonet fitting features, which together will bear the weight of any fitting.

1.3. The screw fixing holes to be through pillars moulded into the encapsulating material and the distance between centres - ofthe flung screws - will be the same as that used at present on all similar devices, thus allowing the unit to be used with all existing back-boxes.

1.4. The depth ofthe unit to be slightly deeper than existing designs to accommodate -

(on the upper side - nearest the wall or ceiling) - a terminal block, brass central earthilocation guide and electrical contacts - and on the lower side for the insertion of "Part 2".

1.5. The installation ofthis unit will be extremely easy as you will only need to fix the mams cable(s) to the terminal block in the top of"Part 1" component, and then screw this to the wall or ceiling.

1.6. The design of the actual electrical connections between "Parts 1 & 2" is completely new, in that the upper centre of "Part 1" will have a Brass Terminal block with a hole m the centre (in addition to a hole on the side where the Earth wire is terminated). This accepts a protruding pin from Part "2" which acts as both a guide location pin and EARTH contact, when fitting the two parts together.

1.7. This pin, together with the Bayonet fittings, will precisely position the two electrical connections, so that the two "Mushroom" shaped terminals on "Part 2" slip into elongated "V" shaped holes in "Part "1". This together with the slight twist that is needed to fix the bayonet fitting will provide the electrical contact between the two units.

1.8. From the two contacts, flying leads are soldered, which are to be wired to the terminal block.

Page 4 1.9. As mentioned above, this unit is a completely new design to cater for the features listed in the explanation.

1.10. The lower side of"-Part 1" will be recessed, to accept the top of"Part 2" (that being the section containing the bayonet fixture device, and electrical contact section) thus concealing the actual Bayonet fixing device within its cover. (This is purely for appearance sake).

INSTALLATION NOTE

1.11. When fitted to a wall it is considered preferable to secure this unit vertically - i.e. that "Part 1" is to be fitted with the Screw Holes and Bayonet Fitting location positions all one above the other in a VERTICAL plane. The reason is to provide a more secure fixing on a wall. For ceiling mounting there is no such concern as the load will be borne equally by all components. (It follows therefore that one "J.Box" unit will cater for both Wall and Ceiling situations).

1.12. Instructions to be provided with "Part 1" to indicate the correct plane for Wall Fitting. 1.13. It follows therefore, that any manufacturer, when making wall lights which use this equipment, must take this point into consideration when designing the lamp units to 'Hart 2".

INTERCHANGEABLE SECTION (PLUG)

"PART 2"

2.1. Once again a lightweight metal frame, to support the bayonet fixing projections and the hooks (to which the cable will be attached), to be encapsulated withy the plastic casing. (See illustrations for details).

2.2. This component is the part to which the lamp is to be attached, either by a cable or through a manufactured unit, which combines all the components into one unit.

2.3. The side, which fits into "Part 1," will be flat at the top, with the two electrical contacts and the Ear/Location Pin protruding. Two pins will protrude extemaLt on the edge to provide the bayonet fitting facility.

2.4. The central (Earth) contact will be a Brass Pin, which will protrude approx 5 to 10n (actual length to be determined), and will act as both the Earth Connection and also Guide Location pim 2.5. On each side of this pin will be ONE mushroom shaped electrical contact, being equidistant between the centre pin and the edge ofthe unit. (The length ofthese contacts will be less than the Earn Pin)

Page 5.

2.6. In addition to providing good electrical connection, contacts shaped like this assist in the weight-carng feature ofthe complete unit.

(Note - the dome shaped - mushroom style contacts referred to, can be seen in a smaller form on a fluorescent starter unit.).

2.7. The Bayonet fitting devices - the mushroom contacts - and the earth pin, are to be in one horizontal line - this is to provide the ability to join the two components together very easily, this applies equally when wall mounting.

However, when wall mounting, it will be required to install, so that all these items are in the same vertical plane.

2.8. The depth of this unit will be such that the top part is concealed by "Part 1" (when fitted together), and the lower part, (which will be threaded on the outside - to accept "Part 3") is long enough to accept both "Part3" (and "Part 5" if required).

(Please Note that - if used - "Part 5" - the optional metal ring - would be fitted over the lower section of"Part 2" prior to fitting of"Part 3") 2.9. On the underside (lower) of "Part 2", a terminal block to be located, to which the central earth pin and two "Mushroom" shaped contacts are adjoining - and it is to these terminals that the cable for the lamp is connected. Two small hooks are to be provided on each side of the terminal block for the purpose of securing the cable prior to fixing "Part 3".

NOTE: 2.10. Two Knockout holes will be located in the plastic framework of"Part 2", which are in line with the fixing screws in Part"1". The purpose of these Knockouts holes is simply to provide access to the screws in an emergency - and for no other purpose.

"PART 3"

3.1. This component will be semi spherical in shape, with the top inside sections threaded for the purpose of screwing on to "Part 2". (Not forgetting you may wish to use the optional metal ring - "Part 5").

3.2. The bottom of this unit will have a hole through which the cable will pass to the lamp holder.

3.3. There will be occasions when a ceiling mounted light will be required with no visible cable. To cater for this, there will be a "Knockout" section around the hole to allow a lamp-holder to be fitted into it.(See diagram Sheet 3) 3.4. Therefore ONE unit (with a Knockout feature) will cater for either requirement.

Page 6.

PART 4"

4.1. This is a standard lamp holder "Part 4a" 4.2. This is the standard screw on cover which fits on to the lamp holder "PART S"

5.1. This is a sale wire ring with THREE hooks, each 120degrees apart around the ring, designed for hanging chains, where the lamp fitting calls for it.

This would be fitted over the thread of'Tart 2" prior to fitting "Part 3".

(This descupffon amended 25/04/2002)

Claims

for "The "J.Box" Light Fitting" (Please read in conjunction with the diagram s supplied.) 1 A light fitting to cater for both wall or ceiling mounted applications being in two major sections Part 1 being secured to the fabric of the building and the removable section being Part
2 together with its additional components Parts 3, 4 and 5 where required. 2 A light fitting as claimed in Claim 1 will accept heavier than normal lights due

to its construction and by use ofthe various components.
3 A light fitting as claimed in Claims 1 and Claim 2 whose major sections are joined together by a simple "Push and Twist" assembly comprising an electrical 'Plug and Socket' together with a mechanical bayonet fitting.
4 A light fitting as claimed in Claim 1 Claim 2 and Claim 3 where the electrical connections are mushroom shaped contacts for the Live and Neutral on Part 2 which fit into 'V' shaped slots of Part 1 making a secure electrical connection and adding strength to the weight carrying capacity ofthe overall unit.
5 A light fitting as claimed in Claim 1 Claim 2 Claim 3 and Claim 4 where the plug and socket arrangement comprise mushroom shaped contacts plus a centrally located brass pin which in addition to providing the earth terminal also acts as a location guide when joining the two sections of Parts 1 and 2 together.
6 A light fitting as claind in Claim I Claim 2 Claim 3 Claim 4 and Claim 5 where the screw on cover Part 3 is provided with a circular 'Knock-Out' section in the area around the hole to cater for two different applications when intact it is used where the cable needs to be visible and when removed for a situation where no cable is showing and the lampholder fits directly into it.
7 A light fitting as claimed in Claim 1 CLaim 2 Claim 3 Claim 4 Claim 5 and Claim 6 with a circular metal ring Part 5 with three hooks for hanging chains on and to fit around Part 2 and between Parts 1 3 to cater for this type of light design..

Patent Application Number- 0209708.7 27-Aplil 2002