# US 5,353,209 A · Electrical distribution and/or lighting system with continuous connection point

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- Number: US 5,353,209 A
- Document ID: US5353209A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/925,109
- Filed: 1992-08-06
- Granted: 1994-10-04
- Earliest claimed: 1991-08-09
- Inventors: Roberto Foottit
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5353209A

## CPC

- H01R 25/14: Rails or bus-bars constructed so that the counterparts can be connected thereto at any point along their length (supporting elements for lighting devices, displaceable along guiding elements and making electrical contact with conductors running along the guiding elements F21V21/35)
- F21S 4/20: with light sources held by or within elongate supports
- F21V 19/0085: {at least one conductive element acting as a support means, e.g. resilient contact blades, piston-like contact}
- F21V 21/002: making direct electrical contact, e.g. by piercing (F21V21/35 takes precedence)
- F21V 21/35: with direct electrical contact between the supporting element and electric conductors running along the guiding element
- F21W 2131/304: for pictures
- H01R 4/2406: having needles or pins
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21W: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS

## Abstract

An electrical distribution system is provided with an elongated supporting channel which is U-shaped, an electric conductor which rests on the bottom of the elongated supporting channel, and a movable connecting supporting mechanism. The electric conductor has an insulating material and two electric cores embedded within the insulating material. The electric cores extend parallel to one another. Each electric core is formed from two distinct adjacent conductive elements which are electrically interconnected. The movable connecting and supporting mechanism includes a seat engagable with the elongated supporting channel. The seat has a first face with at least two electric conductive prongs projecting therefrom. Each prong has a perforating free end adapted to perforate the insulating material so that the prong can fit between the two conductive elements. The movable connecting and supporting means has an electrical connector connected to the seat. An electrical connecting mechanism electrically connects the prongs with the electrical connector. The movable connecting and supporting mechanism may also have a locking mechanism to lock the seat at a particular position in the supporting channel by engaging with a notch in the U-shaped channel.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An electrical distribution system with a variable connection point, comprising:
an elongated supporting channel having a U-shaped cross section defining first and second branches and a bottom, the first and second branches being substantially vertical when the channel is substantially horizontal, said first branch being longer than the second branch and being adapted for fastening with a wall, said second branch having a free edge;
an electric conductor arranged in said channel along the length thereof and lying on the bottom of said channel, said electric conductor including a perforable insulating material and at least two conductive cores encased within said insulating material; and
movable connecting and supporting means comprising:
a seat engagable with said channel between said channel branches, said seat having a first face adapted to face said electric conductor when engaged in said channel, said seat being provided with at least two electrically conductive prongs projecting from said first face, each prong having a perforating free end adapted to perforate the insulating material of the electric conductor;
an electrical connector mechanically connected to said seat;
electrical connecting means for connecting said electrical connector and said prongs; and
locking means connected to said seat and including a manually operable locking member movable between a first position wherein said seat can be readily engaged within said channel and a second position wherein said locking member is applied against said channel, to provide mechanical locking of said seat within said channel and to cause said prongs to perforate the insulating material, whereby an electrical contact is established between said prongs and the cores of the electric conductor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The electrical distribution system of claim 1, wherein said electrical connecting means includes a rod which is substantially vertical when said seat is engaged in said channel and said channel is substantially horizontal, said seat being connected with a first end of said rod, said electrical distribution system further comprising a light source connected to and stationary with the electrical.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The electrical distribution system of claim 2, further comprising clamping means for supporting an object, said clamping means being attached to said rod.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The electrical distribution system of claim 1, wherein each conductive core is comprised of two distinct adjacent conductive elements adapted to receive an end of one prong, the prong being inserted between the two conductive elements forming the core, the prong being received when said seat is locked to said channel.

### Claim 5

An electrical distribution system with a variable connection point comprising:
an elongated supporting channel for extending horizontally, the channel having U-shaped cross section defining first and second substantially vertical branches and bottom;
an electric conductor arranged in said channel along a length thereof and resting on the bottom of said channel, said electric conductor comprising:
a perforable insulating material; and
at least two electrical cores embedded within said insulating material and extending substantially parallel one with the other, each electrical core comprising two distinct conductive elements adjacent to each other and electrically interconnected; and
movable connecting and supporting means comprising:
a seat engagable with said channel, said seat having a first face adapted to face said electric conductor, said seat being provided with at least two electrically conductive prongs projecting from said first face, each prong having a perforating free end adapted to perforate said insulating material and to be inserted between the distinct conductive elements forming the electrical core to establish an electrical contact between said prong and said two distinct conductive elements of the electrical core;
an electrical connector mechanically connected to said seat; and
electrical connecting means for connecting said prongs with said electrical connector.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The electrical distribution system of claim 5, wherein each conductive element is comprised of a single rigid electrical conductor.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The electrical distribution system of claim 6, wherein each pairs of distinct conductive elements forming one core are surrounded by an insulating sheath.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The electrical distribution system of claim 5, wherein each conductive element is comprised of a plurality of conductive strands.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The electrical distribution system of claim 5, wherein each prong comprises a sharp end for piercing said insulating material and a reduced diameter portion adapted to be housed between the two distinct conductive elements.

### Claim 10

An electrical distribution system with a variable connection point, comprising:
an elongated supporting channel having a U-shaped cross section defining first and second branches and a bottom, the first and second branches being substantially vertical when the channel is substantially horizontal, said first branch being longer than the second branch, being adapted for fastening with a wall and having a projecting rim, said second branch having a free edge;
an electric conductor arranged in said channel along the length thereof and lying on the bottom of said channel, said electric conductor including a perforable insulating material and at least two conductive cores encased within said insulating material; and
movable connecting and supporting means comprising:
a seat engagable with said channel between said channel branches, said seat having a first face adapted to face said electric conductor when engaged in said channel, said seat being provided with at least two electrically conductive prongs projecting from said first face, each prong having a perforating free end adapted to perforate the insulating material of the electric conductor;
an electrical connector mechanically connected to said seat;
electrical connecting means for connecting said electrical connector and said prongs; and
locking means connected to said seat and including a manually operable locking member movable between a first position wherein said seat can be freely engaged within said channel and a second position to apply said locking means against said channel, to provide mechanical locking of said seat within said channel and to perforate the insulating material by said prongs whereby an electrical contact is established between said prongs and the cores of the electric conductor, said locking means comprising:
a retaining clip;
a shaft mounted so as to pivot in said seat, said shaft having a first end to which the retaining clip is attached and a second end which forms an actuating head, said shaft and retaining clip functioning as the movable locking member with the retaining clip cooperating with the rim when the movable locking member is in the second position.