Connector system for lighting assembly

A support connector for maintaining an end of a linear LED lamp in an operative state on a support, the linear LED lamp having a body with a length between spaced first and second ends, a source of illumination comprising LED emitters on or within the body, and a first end cap assembly at the first end of the body comprising a housing having a sidewall extending in a direction generally parallel to the length of the body and having first and second conductive power pins and a conductive grounding pin disposed within the housing, at least one of the conductive power pins adapted to provide power to the lamp and the conductive grounding pin being connectable to a ground circuit, the pins each having an elongated engagement portion extending in a direction transverse to the length of the body and towards an opening in the sidewall, the support connector comprising:

• a nonconductive housing comprising a first portion including a mounting base at one end of the first portion configured to couple the support connector to the support;
• a second portion extending from the opposite end of the first portion and configured to be insertable within the opening of the first end cap assembly;
• the second portion having generally parallel first and second sides and a leading end wall extending transverse to the sides, the leading end wall defining first, second and third openings, and spaced first, second and third elongated receptacles extending generally parallel to each other through the second portion in communication with the openings;
• first and second power electrical terminals disposed within the first and second receptacles respectively in general alignment with a corresponding one of the first and second openings, and a grounding electrical terminal disposed within the third receptacle in general alignment with the third opening, the grounding electrical terminal electrically isolated from the first and second power terminals;
• the first and second power electrical terminals configured to mate with the engagement portion of a respective one of the first and second conductive power pins when the power pins are inserted into the first and second receptacles through the respective first and second openings, and the grounding electrical terminal configured to mate with the engagement portion of the conductive grounding pin when the grounding pin is inserted into the third receptacle through the third opening, as the first end cap assembly is moved relative to the support connector from a position fully separated from the support connector in a path that is transverse to the length of the body into an engaged position;
• the second portion having first and second parts on which respective second surfaces are defined, the second surfaces configured to engage corresponding first surfaces defined by the an inner surface of the sidewall of the first end cap assembly housing adjacent opposite ends of the opening so that the first and second surfaces are placed in confronting relationship to couple the first end cap assembly to the support connector with the body in the operative state in the engaged position.