Smart quick connect device for electrical fixtures

A device for coupling with a socket for connecting an electrical fixture with electrical power supply wiring, and for mounting the fixture on a support, comprising:

• a housing;
• at least one plug connected to the housing and electrically connected to the fixture and engageable with a contact terminal within the socket to establish a circuit between the electrical fixture and the electrical power wiring;
• a releasable latch carried on the combination of the plug and the socket when the plug is connected to the socket, for releasably mounting the fixture on the support;
• and a sensing unit connected to the housing for sensing a condition in the environment of the device, and electrically wirelessly communicating the sensed condition away from the device using a digital communication protocol;
• the fixture replaceable together with the plug using the releasable latch to associate the sensing unit and plug with a different socket.

A device for connecting an electrical fixture to a socket connected to an electrical supply, comprising:

• a housing;
• a first electrical plug connected to the housing and mateable with the socket connected to an electrical supply, and including:
• (a) a plug body;
• (b) a plurality of conductors connected to the body;
• (c) a latch including (i) a cylindrical post extending along an axis defined by the concentric rings, the post including an axially extending channel and at least one radially extending shaft housing a retaining ball;
• and (ii) a plunger movable within the axially extending channel and having a radial profile which pushes the retaining ball to protrude from the axially extending channel in a first position, and which enables the retaining ball to retract into the channel to not protrude in a second position;
• at least one sensor connected to the housing for sensing a condition in the environment of the device, and electrically wirelessly communicating the sensed condition away from the device using a digital communication protocol;
• an electrical wire having a plurality of conductors, the wire defining proximal and distal opposing ends, a conductor electrically connected to at least one of the electrical conductors of the plug at the proximal end;
• and a socket electrically connected to the distal end of the conductor, the socket mateable with a second electrical plug as defined with respect to the first electrical plug, when a second electrical plug is inserted into the socket, the socket including:
• (a) a channel sized to receive the cylindrical post of the second electrical plug, the channel defining a portion having a radius less than a radius defined by the post and a protruding retaining ball, the channel defining a portion have a radius that is not less than a radius defined by the post and a protruding retaining ball;
• (b) a plurality of concentric channels containing a plurality of electrical terminals at least one of the electrical terminals connected to a conductor of the electrical wire;
• the housing replaceable together with the plug, socket, and at least one sensor to associate the plug, socket, and at least one sensor with a different socket connected to an electrical supply.