Multipurpose connection box for electrical modules
OwnerLarry Douglas Evansinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multipurpose connection box for connecting an electrical energy source to at least two different function modules having different electrical functions. Each function module has a different arrangement of male prongs and the connection box has corresponding terminals for receiving those prongs for plugging in either of the function modules one at a time. The terminals include serrated clamping jaws for penetrating insulated wires to provide electrical contact without removal of the insulation. The connection box may include features for mounting modules supporting ceiling fixtures.
Claims30
A multipurpose connection box for connecting an electrical energy source to at least two different function modules having different electrical functions, said connection box comprising:
- a housing providing a space for receiving said function modules one at a time,
- first receiving means in said housing for applying electrical energy to a first one of said function modules when it is placed in said receiving space,
- second receiving means in said housing for applying electrical energy to a second one of said function modules when it is placed in said receiving space,
- a plurality of contact means, said housing comprising a plurality of separate inner compartments each containing a corresponding one of said contact means, and
- securing means for securing each of said contact means in its corresponding inner compartment;
- said first receiving means comprising a first one and a second one of said contact means each for engaging a corresponding contact of said first function module,
- said second receiving means comprising a third one of said contact means for engaging a corresponding contact of said second function module,
- one of said first and second contact means being arranged for engaging a corresponding contact of said second function module,
- each contact means of said first and second receiving means comprising inner and outer clamping members having respective inner and outer clamping surfaces, and means for pressing said clamping members together to bring said clamping surfaces into clamping engagement with at least one electrical wire,
- and said housing further comprises a plurality of guide passages of which at least one corresponds to each of said inner compartments and extends from an exterior surface of said housing to said corresponding inner compartment for feeding and guiding said at least one electrical wire from said exterior surface to between said clamping surfaces.
A multipurpose connection box for connecting an electrical energy source to at least one function module having a desired electrical function, said connection box comprising:
- a housing having an outer compartment for receiving said function module,
- receiving means in said housing for applying electrical energy to said function module when it is placed in said outer compartment,
- a plurality of contact means each for engaging a corresponding contact of said function module, said housing comprising a plurality of separate inner compartments each arranged in said housing beneath said outer compartment and containing a corresponding one of said contact means, and
- securing means for securing each of said contact means in its corresponding inner compartment;
- each of said contact means comprising a pair of clamping members for clamping therebetween at least one electrical wire, and means for pressing said clamping members together in clamping engagement with said electrical wire,
- and said securing means comprising means for fixing an inner one of said clamping members between opposing walls of said inner compartment, said fixing means comprising opposing lips each projecting from one of said opposing compartment walls and arranged to engage an opposite portion of said inner clamping member with a snap locking action after being forced aside by a seating of said inner clamping member within said inner compartment.
A fixture mounting unit comprising a function module having means for supporting an electrical fixture and means for providing electrical energy to said fixture, and a connection box for connecting an electrical energy source to said function module, said connection box comprising:
- a housing having an outer compartment for receiving said function module,
- receiving means in said housing for applying electrical energy to said function module when it is placed in said outer compartment,
- a plurality of contact means each for engaging a corresponding contact of said function module, said housing comprising a plurality of separate inner compartments each arranged in said housing beneath said outer compartment and containing a corresponding one of said contact means, and
- securing means for securing each of said contact means in its corresponding inner compartment;
- wherein said housing further comprises one or more apertures or recesses arranged in one or more walls of said outer compartment for engaging one or more detents each projecting from a surface of said function module to detachably secure said module within said outer compartment, said one or more housing walls being sufficiently resilient to cause said projecting detent to snap into said aperture or recess when a portion of said wall is forced aside by a seating of said module within said outer compartment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.