GB2540671A

GB2540671A - Improved connector

Info

Publication number: GB2540671A
Application number: GB1610954.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mao Amanda
Original assignee: Aurora Ltd
Current assignee: Aurora Ltd
Priority date: 2015-06-26
Filing date: 2016-06-23
Publication date: 2017-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-23
Also published as: GB201610954D0; WO2016207822A1; AU2016285007A1; EP3314702A1; GB2540671B; EP3314702B1; GB201511269D0; ZA201800411B; CN205960323U; GB2539712A; AU2016285007B2

Abstract

A plug and socket connector comprises a first, male part and a second female part and a locking mechanism comprising two protrusions 19, 20, which engage with corresponding aperture(s) in the other part of the connector and which flex in substantially different planes. This makes for a more secure connection and also allows the connectors to be used with a variety of existing connectors. The protrusions may have a frangible portion (25, Fig 3) to allow one to be broken off if required for mating with a given counterpart. One protrusion may be longer than the other. The connectors may be used to connect lighting.

Description

IMPROVED CONNECTOR

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to plug and socket connectors. It is particularly applicable, but in no way limited, to plug and socket connectors which are suitable for joining lighting cables together, and in particular to connectors which facilitate connection with and between various types of known connectors available from a variety of different manufacturers.

Background to the Invention

Two part plug and socket connectors are known perse and are well known in the electrical trade and a wide variety are already commercially available. Three examples that have particular application in the lighting sector are the FASTFIX (RTM) Rapid Install System supplied by Aurora Limited, the CLICK (RTM) system supplied by Scolmore International Limited of Scolmore Park, Landsberg, Lichfield Road Industrial Estate, Tamworth, Staffordshire, United Kingdom, B79 7XB, and the WlELAND (RTM) connectors supplied by Wieland Electric GmbH of BrennerstraBe 10-14, 96052 Bamberg, Germany.

These versatile lock and release connectors allow for the safe installation and subsequent replacement of a variety of light fittings or luminaires or other electrical items such as fans. The terms “light fitting” and “luminaire” are considered to have the same meaning and will be used interchangeably in the context of this description.

In practice when installing a luminaire the mains wiring is connected to the primary or male section of a connector and the necessary testing is then carried out. The appropriate luminaire is connected to the secondary or female section of the connector, if the luminaire is not already supplied in this fashion by the manufacturer. The installation is completed by plugging the primary and secondary connectors together, ensuring that they are locked in combination, and finally positioning the luminaire in its desired position. Both 3 pole and 4 pole connectors of this type are available. The forth pin can be used for emergency units or any other application such as accommodating a loop cable.

It will be understood that in certain connector types the primary section could be the female portion and the secondary section the male portion. What these connectors have in common is that plastic shrouded metal pins associated with one section engage with metal lined plastic cylinders or sockets in the other section, making the required electrical connections.

It will be appreciated that as well as providing a safe and secure mains supply to the luminaire, these male/female connectors allow quick and easy replacement of a luminaire simply by the user operating the quick release locking/unlocking mechanism and pulling the two parts of the connector apart. No live wires or live connections are ever exposed and no tools are required to perform this operation. Nor is there any need for a qualified electrician. So long as the new luminaire comes with a secondary connector already attached it can simply be plugged in to the primary connector, again with no tools or qualified electrician required.

However, these known connectors suffer from a disadvantage that the components of one particular make of connector are generally not compatible with connectors of a different make from another manufacturer. For example, the initial wiring arrangement in a lighting system might have been installed to suit Scolmore (RTM) light fittings, using Scolmore CLICK (RTM) connectors. A problem arises if, at a later date, the owner of the lighting system wishes to swap an existing luminaire for one from another manufacturer, say Aurora Limited. The Aurora luminaire will come with a FASTFIX (RTM) female or secondary connector already attached to it. But this connector is currently not compatible with a CLICK (RTM) male connector. This therefore requires a qualified electrician to alter the wiring accordingly.

There is a further potential disadvantage in that known connectors have either one locking lug, or two lugs which flex in substantially the same plane in order to engage and disengage with and lock into the other part of the connector. This is not necessarily a very secure arrangement, and has the potential to become unlocked accidentally.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least mitigate some of the problems with prior art connectors described above.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a two part plug and socket connector according to Claim 1. Thus there is provided a plug and socket connector comprising a first, male part and a second female part and a locking mechanism adapted to retain the male and female parts together, said locking mechanism comprising two protrusions, said protrusions being adapted to engage with corresponding aperture(s) in the other part of the connector, characterised in that the protrusions are adapted to flex in substantially different planes in order to engage/disengage with their respective apertures. These protrusions act as deflectable securing means to secure the two parts of the connector together. This arrangement provides for a more secure locking mechanism than that found in known connectors.

It will be appreciated that, according to circumstances, the two parts of connector could be sold or supplied separately, and only one part may be supplied. For example, if a luminaire is supplied with a female portion already attached to it, and the wiring arrangement supplying power to the luminaire already has a male portion installed, then the male portion of a connector according to the present invention may not be used, or may not be supplied at all. Similarly, if the wiring arrangement is the other way round, with a female portion already installed on the wiring arrangement supplying power to the luminaire, then the female portion of a connector according to the present invention may not be used, or may not be supplied at all. It will also be understood that these connectors can be configured in a wiring arrangement with either the male or the female part attached to the luminaire, although the present convention is that the female portion is connected to the luminaire.

Preferably said protrusions are aligned substantially along a longitudinal axis of the connector, that is the axis along which the two connector parts approach each other in order to form a connection.

Preferably the protrusions flex in directions that are substantially at right angles or orthogonal to each other in order to engage/disengage with their respective apertures.

Preferably one of the protrusions is longer than the other.

In a particularly preferred embodiment one of the protrusions incorporates a breakable region, enabling some or all of that protrusion to be broken off if it is not required. This feature greatly facilitates the ability of connectors according to the present invention to couple with connector parts from other manufacturers.

Preferably the breakable region is incorporated into the longer of the two protrusions, since it is the longer protrusion that is most likely to interfere with the coupling process when a different type or make of connector makes up the other part.

Preferably the breakable region comprises a snappable region, and more preferably the snappable region comprises a region of reduced material thickness along the protrusion.

Preferably the breakable region is located substantially where the protrusion joins the body of that connector part. This results in substantially the whole of that protrusion being snapped off.

In summary there is provided a two part plug and socket connector comprising a first, male part and a second, female part and a locking mechanism adapted to retain the male and female parts together, said locking mechanism comprising at least two protrusions, said protrusions being adapted to engage with corresponding aperture(s) in the other part of the connector. Advantageously one of the protrusions may be longer than the other. By providing two different types of locking protrusion, the longer of the two protrusions may be broken off and removed if it is not required, for example if there is no aperture for it to lock into.

Preferably one of the protrusions incorporates a breakable region, enabling some or all of that protrusion to be broken off if it is not required. Various types of breakable regions can be employed as specified by the materials specialist.

Preferably the breakable region is incorporated into the longer of the two protrusions and more preferably the breakable region comprises a snappable region.

Preferably the snappable region comprises a region of reduced thickness along the protrusion.

Preferably the breakable region is located substantially where the protrusion joins the body of that connector part. This makes it easier to break off the protrusion when it is not required.

In a further preferred embodiment the locking mechanism comprises more than two protrusions, said protrusions being adapted to engage with corresponding aperture(s) in the other part of the connector. This gives increased locking security and also allows the connector to be used with a wider variety of known connectors of this type.

Preferably the locking mechanism comprises more than two apertures. Furthermore, two, or more, of these apertures can be connected together in the form of a slot. This can both simplify manufacture as well as enabling the connectors to couple with a wider range of connectors from other manufacturers.

The present invention also extends to a plug and socket connector as described herein further comprising a luminaire connected to one part of the connector by means of an electrical cable.

It will be appreciated that, according to circumstances, the two parts of the connector combination could be sold or supplied separately, and only one part may be supplied. For example, if a luminaire is supplied with a female portion already attached to it, and the wiring arrangement supplying power to the luminaire already has a male portion installed, then the male portion of a connector according to the present invention may not be used, or may not be supplied at all. Similarly, if the wiring arrangement is the other way round, with a female portion already installed on the wiring arrangement supplying power to the luminaire, then the female portion of a connector according to the present invention may not be used, or may not be supplied at all. Thus according to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector suitable for use in attaching to a complementary connector in a male/female type connector combination in order to join one or more electrical cables to another electrical cable, said connector comprising a locking mechanism adapted to retain the connector combination together, said locking mechanism comprising two protrusions, said protrusions being adapted to engage with corresponding aperture(s) in the other part of the connector, characterised in that the protrusions are resiliently deformable and adapted to flex in substantially different planes in order to engage/disengage with the respective apertures.

So the present invention is understood to cover just one part of a two part connector combination, that one part incorporating two protrusions, the two protrusions being adapted to flex in substantially different planes in order to engage/disengage with respective apertures in the other part of the connector. This one part of the two part connector combination therefore incorporates the key elements of a quick release locking mechanism.

In this aspect the protrusions are preferably aligned substantially along a longitudinal axis of the connector.

Preferably the protrusions flex in directions that are substantially at right angles to each other in order to engage/disengage with their respective apertures.

Preferably one of the protrusions is longer than the other.

Advantageously one of the protrusions incorporates a breakable region, enabling some or all of that protrusion to be broken off if it is not required, and preferably the breakable region is incorporated into the longer of the two protrusions.

Preferably the breakable region comprises a snappable region, and preferably the snappable region comprises a region of reduced material thickness along the protrusion.

Advantageously the breakable region is located substantially where the protrusion joins the body of the connector.

The locking mechanism may comprise more than two protrusions, said protrusions being adapted to engage with corresponding aperture(s) in the other connector.

Preferably the connector is a female connector. In an alternative preferred embodiment the connector is a male connector.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein :-Figure 1 shows two portions of a two part plug and socket connector according to the present invention where the two portions of the connector are engaged together; Figure 2 shows a view from above of upper parts of the two portions of the connector of Figure 1 where the two portions are separate;

Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the locking mechanism region of the connector of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the top parts of a plug and socket connector containing the locking mechanism, or lock and release mechanism, in a locked together configuration.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present invention provides a plug and socket connector with a releasable locking mechanism that is compatible with a range of known, existing plug and socket connectors of this type. Referring to Figure 1, this shows a plug and socket connector 10 having a first, male portion 12 and a second, female portion 11. The female portion of the connector 11 is formed in two parts, a top part 15 and a bottom part 13. The male portion of the connector 12 is also formed in two parts, a top part 16 and a bottom part 14. The top and bottom parts of each connector, which together form a housing, may be separated in order to form the necessary electrical connections inside the connector parts (not shown). The top and bottom parts of each portion of the connector may be held together by any suitable means, such as resilient engaging lugs or by screws, bolts or other suitable fixings.

In this example the top part of each connector portion incorporates the releasable locking mechanism. But it will be understood that the releasable locking mechanism could be incorporated into the bottom parts of the connector, or split between the top and bottom parts, as desired by the designer.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, these show the components of the releasable locking mechanism in more detail. This mechanism comprises two resiliently deformable protrusions 19, 20 extending from one portion of the connector, in this case the female portion. Protrusion or barbed stem 19 is a relatively long, thin substantially elongate or extended solid cylinder of plastics material with a substantially rectangular or square cross-section, extending from the body of the top part of the connector along a substantially longitudinal axis of the connector. This longitudinal axis extends along the length of the two parts of the connector and is substantially perpendicular to the gap between the two parts of the connector when the two parts are locked together.

The end of the protrusion furthest away from the body of the top part has at its tip a barb 21, a shoulder of which is adapted to engage with the inside of the body of the top part of the male connector portion, having passed through an aperture or slot in the male connector portion. The aperture can be any desired shape to be compatible with the item or items to latch inside it.

In order to unlatch this protrusion from the other portion of the connector, sideways pressure is applied towards the centre of protrusion 19 where it is exposed in the gap or space between the two connector portions. Because the body of the protrusion is relatively thin, and because it is preferably formed from a resiliently deformable plastics material, it can easily be forced into a position or configuration in which the barbed tip 21 of the protrusion will exit through the aperture in the male connector portion through which it originally entered. This flexing movement of the protrusion 19 takes place substantially in the horizontal plane of the connector housings.

Protrusion 19 represents at least one deflectable securing means integrally formed on the wall member of the female portion of the connector, adapted to engage with a corresponding aperture in the wall of the male portion of the connector.

Protrusion 20, which is shorter in length than protrusion 19, again extends away from the body of the top part of the female connector portion. The longitudinal axes of both protrusions are substantially parallel to each other but displaced from each other such that the two protrusions are substantially side by side. The protrusion 20 also has a barbed tip 22. In this case the tip 22 is adapted to engage with a latching bar 23 on the outside of the top part of the male portion of the connector. The latching bar 23 is sized, shaped and configured to leave a gap between the bar and the body of the connector large enough to accommodate the latching tip 22 of protrusion 20. It will be understood that in this context the term 'aperture' includes any structure capable of retaining the end of a protrusion, including the latching bar arrangement 23 shown in the Figures. A button 24 is provided on resiliently deformable protrusion 20 to facilitate pushing down the protrusion 20 in order to unlatch it from the latching bar 23. As with the other protrusion it is resiliently flexible enough for this to be any easy operation. The two parts of the connector housing are preferably constructed from any suitable plastics material as specified by the materials specialist. It will be understood that the flexing movement of protrusion 20 takes place in a direction substantially at right angles or perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the connector housings.

Examples of suitable plastics materials include polycarbonates, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon including nylon 66, PVC, other suitable thermoplastics, and mixtures thereof. Whatever material or materials are used to manufacture these components it is important that the materials are non-electrically conductive, for safety reasons.

It will therefore be appreciated that the two protrusions 19, 20 are adapted to flex in substantially different planes with respect to one another in order to engage/disengage with their respective apertures. This provides for increased security in order to avoid the two parts of the connector becoming detached accidentally. In use this type of connector is often hidden away in a confined space together with various other items that might accidentally press or impact upon it and cause accidental release of the locking mechanism.

In terms of compatibility with different makes/types of connector, if one part of the connector that includes the latch(es) or aperture(s) has only a latching bar, and no aperture through which protrusion tip 21 can pass, then protrusion 19 can simply be broken off, snapped off or snipped off and discarded. To facilitate the breaking off of protrusion 19 an area of weakness 25 can been created. This can be formed by creating a breakable region, such as a region with a reduced cross-section, as in this example, or by introducing a weakened region by some other means as determined by the materials specialist.

Once the longer of the two protrusions has been removed, then protrusion 20 can latch with latching bar 23, even in the absence of an aperture in the other portion to accommodate the longer protrusion 19.

The two protrusions have deliberately been designed to be different lengths, one being longer than the other. As a result, if a particular manufacturer's design of connector locking mechanism has provision for one, shorter latching protrusion then the longer of the two protrusions 19 on the present connector design can be removed and dispensed with. If on the other hand a connector design has provision for two longer protrusions, then the shorter protrusion 20 in the present connector design, designed to latch or engage with a latching bar external to the connector housing, will not get in the way of, or interfere with, the longer protrusion 19 latching into place.

It is possible the more than two protrusions can be provided as part of the releasable locking means, with the appropriate number of apertures or lugs on the other portion of the connector. Additional protrusions can provide additional flexibility and increased locking security. For example, an additional long protrusion similar to protrusion 19 could be provided on the opposite side of protrusion 20 (not shown). This would mimic the existing FASTFIX (RTM) connector design from Aurora Limited and give increased compatibility. As with the protrusion 19, this additional protrusion can be broken or cut off if not required.

Where more than one aperture is provided these could be joined together in the form of one long aperture or slot (not shown).

This new design therefore provides a good deal of flexibility and interchangeably with other types of connectors from different manufacturers, as well as increased locking security.

Claims

1. A plug and socket connector comprising a first, male part and a second female part and a locking mechanism adapted to retain the male and female parts together, said locking mechanism comprising two protrusions, said protrusions being adapted to engage with corresponding aperture(s) in the other part of the connector, characterised in that the protrusions are resiliently deformable and adapted to flex in substantially different planes in order to engage/disengage with their respective apertures.

2. A plug and socket connector according to Claim 1 wherein said protrusions are aligned substantially along a longitudinal axis of the connector.

3. A plug and socket connector according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the protrusions flex in directions that are substantially at right angles to each other in order to engage/disengage with their respective apertures.

4. A plug and socket connector according to any preceding claim wherein one of the protrusions is longer than the other.

5. A plug and socket connector according to any preceding claim wherein one of the protrusions incorporates a breakable region, enabling some or all of that protrusion to be broken off if it is not required.

6. A plug and socket connector as claimed in Claim 5 when dependent on Claim 4 wherein the breakable region is incorporated into the longer of the two protrusions.

7. A plug and socket connector according to Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein the breakable region comprises a snappable region.

8. A plug and socket connector according to Claim 7 wherein the snappable region comprises a region of reduced material thickness along the protrusion.

9. A plug and socket connector according to any of Claims 5 to 8 inclusive wherein the breakable region is located substantially where the protrusion joins the body of that connector part.

10. A plug and socket connector according to any preceding claim wherein locking mechanism comprises more than two protrusions, said protrusions being adapted to engage with corresponding aperture(s) in the other part of the connector.

11. A plug and socket connector according to any preceding claim wherein the locking mechanism comprises more than two apertures/latching bars.

12. A plug and socket connector according to any preceding claim wherein the protrusions associated with the locking mechanism are located on the second, female part of the plug and socket connector.

13. A plug and socket connector substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any combination of the accompanying drawings.

14. A plug and socket connector according to any preceding claim further comprising a luminaire connected to one part of the connector by means of a cable.

15. A connector suitable for use in attaching to a complementary connector in a male/female type connector combination in order to join one or more electrical cables to another electrical cable, said connector comprising a locking mechanism adapted to retain the connector combination together, said locking mechanism comprising two protrusions, said protrusions being adapted to engage with corresponding aperture(s) in the other part of the connector, characterised in that the protrusions are resiliently deformable and adapted to flex in substantially different planes in order to engage/disengage with the respective apertures.

16. A connector according to Claim 15 wherein said protrusions are aligned substantially along a longitudinal axis of the connector.

17. A connector according to Claim 15 or Claim 16 wherein the protrusions flex in directions that are substantially at right angles to each other in order to engage/disengage with their respective apertures.

18. A connector according to any of Claims 15 to 17 inclusive wherein one of the protrusions is longer than the other.

19. A connector according to any of Claims 15 to 18 inclusive wherein one of the protrusions incorporates a breakable region, enabling some or all of that protrusion to be broken off if it is not required.

20. A connector as claimed in Claim 19 when dependent on Claim 18 wherein the breakable region is incorporated into the longer of the two protrusions.

21. A connector according to Claim 19 or Claim 20 wherein the breakable region comprises a snappable region.

22. A connector according to Claim 21 wherein the snappable region comprises a region of reduced material thickness along the protrusion.

23. A connector according to any of Claims 19 to 22 inclusive wherein the breakable region is located substantially where the protrusion joins the body of the connector.

24. A connector according to any of Claims 15 to 23 inclusive wherein said locking mechanism comprises more than two protrusions, said protrusions being adapted to engage with corresponding aperture(s) in the other connector.

25. A connector according to any of Claims 15 to 24 inclusive wherein the connector is a female connector.

26. A connector suitable for use in attaching to a complementary connector in a male/female connector combination in order to join one or more electrical cables to another electrical cable, said connector including a locking mechanism comprising two resiliently deformable protrusions adapted to engage with corresponding aperture(s) in the complementary connector, the protrusions being adapted to flex in substantially different planes, substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any combination of the accompanying drawings.

27. A connector according to any of Claims 15 to 26 inclusive further comprising a luminaire connected to the connector by means of a cable.