# US 5,702,176 A · Modular connector device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,702,176 A - Document ID: US5702176A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/607,170 - Filed: 1996-02-26 - Granted: 1997-12-30 - Earliest claimed: 1994-12-12 - Assignees: JJI Lighting Group, Inc. - Inventors: Joseph D. Engle - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5702176A ## CPC - F21S 2/00: Systems of lighting devices, not provided for in main groups F21S4/00 - F21S10/00 or F21S19/00, e.g. of modular construction - F21S 4/20: with light sources held by or within elongate supports - F21V 15/015: Devices for covering joints between adjacent lighting devices; End coverings - F21V 23/06: the elements being coupling devices {, e.g. connectors} - F21V 33/0012: {Furniture (hospital beds F21V33/0072)} - F21V 33/0048: {Office articles, e.g. bookmarks, desk lamps with drawers, stands for books or music scores} - F21W 2131/405: for shop-windows or displays - F21Y 2103/00: Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes - 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 - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED ## Abstract A device for electrically connecting two modular light units respectively having free ends which include male and female double insulated connector plug means for electrically connecting the units together. The device includes an electrical cable having closed ends, male and female double insulated plug means respectively mounted on the opposite ends of the cable with the connector having a connector portion, a body portion rearward of the connector portion and being mounted on the cable end. The connector plug body includes a pair of laterally extending arms rearward of the connector portion. A removable cover is associated with each of the ends of the modular light units and at least two of the covers are associated with each of the connector plates. Those covers have removable knockout portions formed therein configured to define an opening in the cover generally complementary to the periphery of the body of the connector plug for receiving the body. The body is removably secured to its associated cover. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector device for electrically connecting at least two modular light units respectively having free ends including male and female double insulated electrical connector plug means mounted therein for electrically connecting said units directly together, said connector device comprising an electrical cable having opposed ends, male and female double insulated electrical connector plug means respectively mounted on the opposed ends of the cable, said connector plug means on the cable each having a connector portion, a body portion rearward of the connector portion and mounted on the cable end, and a pair of opposed laterally extending arms formed on the body portion rearward of said connector portion, a removable cover for the ends of said modular light units, including means for removably connecting the covers to the modular light units and said covers having knockout portions removably secured in the covers, said knockout portions being configured to define an opening in said cover for receiving one of the plug means on said cable, and means for removably securing the arms of the plug means to said cover. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for securing the arms of the plug means to the cover comprise at least one self-tapping screw in said arm of the plug means. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A connector device as defined in claim 1, wherein said removable cover includes means for snap fitting the cover on the ends of said modular light unit. ### Claim 4 A device for electrically connecting two modular light units respectively having free ends which include male and female double insulated electrical connector plug means for electrically connecting said units together; said device comprising an electrical cable having opposed ends, male and female double insulated electrical plug means respectively mounted on the opposed ends of the cable, said connector plug means on the cable each having a connector portion, a body portion rearward of the connector portion and mounted on the cable end, and a pair of laterally extending arms formed on the body portion rearward of said connector portion, a removable cover associated with each of the ends of the modular light units, at least two of said covers being associated with each of said connector plug means and having removable knockout portions formed therein configured to define an opening in the cover generally complementary to the periphery of the body of the connector plug means for receiving said body, and means for removably securing the body of said connector plug means to its associated cover. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A device as defined in claim 4, wherein said securing means includes snap means on said body portion for releasably engaging the periphery of the opening in its associated cover. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said securing means includes means for securing the arms of said connector plug means to said cover. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A connector as defined in claim 6, wherein said means for securing the arms of the plug means to the cover comprise at least one self-tapping screw in said arm of the plug means. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A connector device as defined in claim 7, wherein said removable cover includes means for snap fitting the cover on the ends of said modular light unit.