Apparatus, system and method for connecting linear light fixtures

A method of interconnecting linear light fixtures at an installation site comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a top cover assembly including, a top cover having a central opening generally positioned at a midpoint of the top cover on a top surface and along a horizontal plane of the top cover, fastening means aligned along a perimeter of the top cover on a side surface of the top cover substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the top cover, a plurality of apertures positioned on the top surface of the top cover, at least two female connectors, a connector bracket for receiving the at least two female connectors, a watertight gasket intermediate to the connector bracket and top cover for providing a watertight seal between the connector bracket and top cover and fastening means for mounting the connector bracket to the top cover, a gasket positioned over and around the central opening of the top cover, a watertight conduit intermediate to the gasket and fastening, means for securing the watertight conduit to the top cover to form a watertight mechanical joint,
• (b) connecting the top cover assembly to a power source within a building structure and electrically coupling wiring from the power source to the at least two female connectors;
• (c) providing a light fixture assembly including a housing structure having a threaded stud protruding from a side wall of the housing, fastening means aligned along a perimeter of the housing structure, positioned substantially at a perpendicular to a bottom surface of the housing structure and wherein the fastening means of the housing structure are positioned to engage at least one of the fastening means aligned along the perimeter of the top cover to achieve a snap fit interlocking engagement therewith;
• a male connector positioned within the housing structure for mating engagement and electrical coupling with a female connector of the top cover assembly and fastening means for mounting the male connector to a support means within the housing structure a light fixture having an aperture for receiving the threaded stud of the side wall of the housing and wherein wiring within the light fixture is electrically coupled to the male connector;
• and
• (d) connecting the male connector to the female connector.

A method of using a light fixture installation kit, the method comprising the step of procuring a plurality of light fixtures and a light fixture installation kit capable of allowing the plurality of light fixtures to be installed in parallel to a junction box and requiring only a single manual electrical connection to be made-up at an installation location of the junction box, the light fixture installation kit comprising:

• a) a plurality of housing attachments, each of the plurality of housing attachments capable of attaching to a light fixture, a male connector housed within each of the plurality of housing attachments, a connector bracket attachable to each of the housing attachments, a plurality of female connectors attachable to an interior of the connector bracket, wherein the male connector housed within each of the plurality of housing attachments is mechanically and electrically connectable to the plurality of female connectors, the male connector housed within each of the plurality of light fixture housing attachments capable of being electrically connected to a light fixture,
• b) each of the plurality of housing attachments having a stud protruding from a side portion of each housing attachment, a light fixture capable of being installed on each stud, a gasket and a nut installed on each stud, each gasket and nut capable of securely retaining each light fixture on each stud and each stud, nut and gasket forming a watertight mechanical joint,
• c) a top cover mountable to an upper portion of the connector bracket, a gasket forming a watertight seal between the connector bracket and top cover,
• d) the top cover including snap clips on an exterior side of the top cover, each of the plurality of housing attachments including snap clips on an exterior side of housing attachments, the snap clips of the top cover engagable to the snap clips on each of the plurality of housing attachments,
• a mechanical joint including a conduit lock nut capable of being installed under the top cover and a gasket, a watertight conduit and conduit nut capable of being installed above the top cover, the mechanical joint mechanically connecting the top cover to a top cover of a junction box, the top cover of a junction box capable of being connected to the junction box at the installation location, and
• f) a canopy attachable to the top cover and connector bracket and rotatably engagable to the top cover of the junction box.

A lighting fixture installation system comprising:

• first and second housings, each of the first and second housings enclosing first and second male connectors,
• the first and second male connectors are capable of being electrically connected to first and second lighting systems,
• first and second female connectors, the first and second male connectors capable of being connected to the first and second female connectors,
• the female connectors are capable of being electrically connected to a power source,
• each of the first and second male connectors are capable of being electrically connected to one of a first and second light fixture,
• whereby the first and second male connectors connectable to the first and second female connectors form a first and second mechanical and electrical joint, whereby a line passing through an axis of symmetry of each of the first and second mechanical and electrical joints is oriented in a vertical direction when each of the first and second mechanical and electrical joints are made-up.