US3739319A

US3739319A - Mechanical and electrical disconnect

Info

Publication number: US3739319A
Application number: US00133962A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Garnett
Original assignee: Emerson Electric Co
Current assignee: Thomas Industries Inc
Priority date: 1971-04-14
Filing date: 1971-04-14
Publication date: 1973-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-12
Also published as: GB1372747A; DE2215888A1; ZA721524B; DE2215888C3; CA986485A; DE2215888B2

Abstract

A high intensity gaseous discharge luminaire has a selfcontained power connection. A supporting assembly has a tubular wire guide portion with a slide insert mounted on it. The luminaire housing enclosure has a slide insert track along a top and one side wall. The luminaire housing is movable from a disengaged, open position to an engaged, closed position defined by union of the housing and slide insert. The luminaire housing and slide insert each have electrical quick connects positioned to interlock in the closed position. When so interlocked, the tubular wire guide and slide insert support the entire weight of the luminaire housing.

Description

United States Patent [191 Garnett [111 3,739,319 June 12, 1973 MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL DISCONNECT [75] Inventor: Willard R. Garnett, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Mo.

[73] Assignee: Emerson Electric Co., St. Louis, Mo.

[22] Filed: Apr. 14, 1971 [21] Appl. N0.: 133,962

Primary Examiner-Joseph H. McGlynn Att0mey-Polster & Polster [57] ABSTRACT A high intensity gaseous discharge luminaire has a selfcontained power connection. A supporting assembly has a tubular wire guide portion with a slide insert mounted on it. The luminaire housing enclosure has a slide insert track along a top and one side wall. The luminaire housing is movable from a disengaged, open position to an engaged, closed position defined by union of the housing and slide insert. The luminaire housing and slide insert each have electrical quick connects positioned to interlock in the closed position. When so interlocked, the tubular wire guide and slide insert support the entire weight of the luminaire housmg.

6 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure Patented June 12, 1973 3,739,319

INVENTOI? I W/LLQRD Q. @QRAJETT ATTORNEYS MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL DISCONNECT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to connection techniques and in particular to luminaires and their power connections. While the invention is described in detail hereinafter with specific application in a high intensity discharge luminaire, those skilled in the art will recognize the wide applicability of my invention to other luminaire structures.

High intensity discharge luminaires, as generally utilized in industrial applications, commonly are supported and connected to an electrical energy source by devices conventionally known in the art as power hooks. Commercial power hooks are cast iron devices which thread on a conduit. The conduit is suspended from the ceiling in use. The device incorporates an actual hook configuration, which, as the name implies, hooks onto and supports the lighting fixture. The body of the power hook also contains the female receptacle where the fixture is electrically joined to a power source by means of a male plug.

While these prior art power hooks work well for their intended purposes, they possess several inherent disadvantages. High intensity discharge luminaires include not only the bulb proper and any associated reflector, but a housing containing the required ballasting or starting circuit necessitated by the peculiarities of high intensity discharge lamp operation. Use of present art power hooks adds approximately eight inches to the overallluminaire height. Fixture height is important in many applications. For example, reducing the space required by luminaires in a factory crane bay will increase the clear vertical space above the crane. In new construction, this clearance increase enables design of reduced crane bay area heights. In factory remodeling or updating, clearance increase may allow installation of crane equipment theretofore unfeasible because of the restricted crane bay area height.

Fixture maintenance also plagues prior art installations. Common practice and practicality require removal of the luminaire whenever work on the ballasting components is necessary. Industrial luminaires are relatively large, heavy and bulky, being approximately two feet in axial height. Prior art power hooks do not lend themselves to easy fixture removal, as the fixture must be maneuvered to disengage it. In addition, the external plug and receptacle power connect commonly are of a safety type which is held in position by a rotating lock ring carried about the plug. The lock ring tightens onto the receptacle. The lock feature is exposed to the luminaire environment and has a tendency to deteriorate and freeze in the locked position under certain environmental conditions. In these situations, exemplified by common industrial processes where the luminaire is surrounded by dirty, oily or chemically saturated air, fixture removal nearly becomes impossible without cutting the power cord between the plug and light housing. Such procedure, in turn, greatly increases maintenance time and cost. My invention reduces the effect of these factors in an embodiment that is substantially lower in cost, of both the manufacturing and installation varieties, than conventional power hooks.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a luminaire and power source combination having a reduced overall axial height.

Another object of this invention is to provide a luminaire having internal electrical connections to a power source.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a luminaire that is removed and disconnected easily from an associated power source.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a low cost high intensity gaseous discharge luminaire.

Other objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the following description and accompanying drawing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, generally stated, a novel luminaire is presented having quick disconnect means between the luminaire and its associated power source.

In the preferred embodiment, the luminaire housing encloses a starting circuit for a high intensity discharge lamp and has a slide insert track in it. A supporting assembly includes a tubular wire guide and a slide insert. The supporting assembly assumes the weight of the luminaire once the slide insert is placed in the slide insert track. The luminaire housing and slide insert have interlocking electrical connections which mate as the slide insert reaches the end of the slide insert track.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The drawing is an exploded view in perspective, partly broken away, of the supporting assembly and luminaire housing of the preferred embodiment of disconnect of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawing, reference numeral 1 indicates a supporting assembly, including a tubular wire guide 2 and a slide insert 3. Wire guide 2 is acylindrical tube having a longitudinal opening 4 therethrough. A free end 5 of wire guide 2 is threaded and a second end (not shown) is adapted'to be ceiling mounted. Wire guide 2 may be constructed from any suitable material. Common steel pipe conduit works well.

Slide insert 3 is L-shaped. A long leg-6 of insert 3 has a top surface 7, a bottom surface 8, side edges 9 and 10 and a leading edge 11. A short leg 12 of slide 3 has a front 13 and a back 14. Leg 12 has an access opening 15 from and through front 13 and back 14. A cover plate 16 closes opening 15 in normal operation and is removably mounted to front 13 by any convenient method. In'the embodiment illustrated, plate 16 carries nameplate data. However, it also allows easy visual inspection of the internal electrical connections of my invention.

Leg 6 has an opening 17 in it, from andthrough surfaces 7 and 8. Opening 17 is threaded for intermounting slide 3 on end 5 of wire guide 2.

Each edge 9 and 10 of slide 3 has a rabbet 18- cut in it along a portion of the axial length of leg 6.'Rabbet 18 is important as it serves as a lead-in for slide 3. It provides mounting ease for the luminaire and engages supporting assembly 1 to assume luminaire weight early in the mounting procedure, as explained fully hereinafter. However, other means for removably mounting the two parts are satisfactory, for example, a hinge and clasp between assembly 1 and the luminaire.

A bracket 19 is mounted to surface 8 near leading edge 11 by any convenient method. While bracket 19 is fabricated separately in the embodiment illustrated, it may be formed integrally with slide 3 if desired. Bracket 19 has an opening in it (not shown), adapted to receive a connector 20. Connector 20 is a conventional female electrical receptacle connector electrically connected to a source of electrical energy not shown by conventional wiring. Connector 20 may be wired by feeding the wire through opening 4 in wire guide 2.

A luminaire housing 21 includes a top section 22 and a bottom section 23. Bottom section 23 is conventional and may assume a variety of design shapes. The embodiment shown has

side walls

24, 25, 26, 27, a bottom wall 28 and an open top. The walls are arranged in the form of a frustrum. Bottom wall 28 has a plurality of cast legs 29 to which a reflector 30 may be mounted. A lamp socket 31 houses a lamp holder 32. Lamp holder 32 is conventional. It holds and electrically connects a high intensity discharge lamp not shown to the lamp electrical starting circuit and insulates housing 31 from harmful electrical charge.

Top section 22 likewise is frustrum shaped, having

sides

34, 35, 36, 37, a top 38, and an open bottom. In use, top 22 and bottom 23 are interconnected by common screws through a plurality of connection points 39 positioned along the sides of luminaire housing 21. Other conventional attaching means are acceptable. When so interconnected, top 22 and bottom 23 delimit an internal chamber 33. Chamber 33 houses some of the ballast components utilized in starting the lamp.

The embodiment shown has a plurality of cooling fins 40 in

sides

35 and 37. Fins aid in removing heat generated in the ballast circuit during lamp operation. Top 22 preferably is provided with a fuse holder surface 41 along side 36. Surface 41 is adapted to receive a conventional fuse holder and fuse (not shown) and electrical connections to place that fuse in the lamp electrical circuit.

Top 38 and side 34 have a continuous opening 42 in them, the outline of which conforms to the silhouette of slide 3. Opening 42 has

edges

43, 44 and a stop 45 in top wall 38; and edges 46, 47, and 48 in side walls 34.

A bracket 49 is mounted to a lower surface 50 of top wall 38, preferably near fuse holder surface 41, by any convenient method. Bracket 49 has a male electrical connector 51 mounted on it. Connector 51 is electrically connected to the lamp starting circuit and is fused when a fuse holder and fuse are electrically connected to the lamp electrical circuit.

Edges

43 and 44 are adapted to ride atop rabbet 18 as slide 3 is inserted in opening 42. When so inserted, the entire weight of luminaire housing 21 is borne by supporting assembly 1.

Opening 42 and slide 3 are arranged so that slide 3 completely encloses opening 22 in the closed, inserted position of the slide. As slide 3 approaches that position, edge 11 rides up on stop 45, resulting in several advantages. First, stop 45 defines the end of lateral movement between housing 21 and slide 3. Second, it positions edge 11 correctly, so that

connectors

51 and 20 mate properly.

Simple operation is provided. Wire guide 2 is installed in the course of building construction or renovation. Slide assembly 3 and luminaire housing 21 are packaged as an integral unit. Thereafter, slide assembly 3 is removed and mounted on wire guide 2. Electrical connections are made to connector 20. Once completed, support assembly 1 is prepared to receive luminaire housing 21. Housing 21 slides along rabbet 18 in a free friction fit and

connectors

20 and 51 mate as slide 3 and housing 21 are joined. No external electrical connections are necessary and the connections provided are protected by the lamp housing.

When lamp maintenance requires, housing 21 simply is slid from slide 3, automatically disconnecting the lamp circuit. Housing 21 may be replaced after maintenance or a second compatible housing 21 may be installed immediately. The latter is the preferred course where extensive repairs are contemplated, or where periodic maintenance involves a number of luminaires in the installation area.

Numerous variations within the scope of the appended claims will occur to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description and accompanying drawing. Thus, luminaire housing 21 may be varied aes-' thetically. Various materials may be used for supporting assembly 1 or luminaire housing 21. While I prefer a cast aluminum luminaire housing because of its light weight and heat dissipation characteristics, other materials or metals are satisfactory. Mounting means between assembly 1 and fixture 21 may vary. For example, insert 3 may be a flat assembly which enters a slot in top 38 of section 22 without utilizing either an L- shape design or a rabbet edge. Likewise, wire guide 2 and insert 3 may be integrally constructed, if desired. The axial height of wire guide 2 may vary or certain applications may eliminate the guide entirely. For example, insert 3 may be attached directly to electrical raceways along a ceiling, thereby attaining minimum luminaire height. Insert 3 may be provided with safety means for fixing it to housing 21. Thus, a threaded hole in leg 6 may be utilized to receive a screw not shown. The screw may tighten directly into a corresponding hole in top section 22 or it may be provided with a wing tip that locks onto that section. These variations are merely illustrative.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A luminaire comprising: a housing defining a chamber, said housing including a top wall and four side walls, said top wall and one of said side walls having a continuous opening in them to said chamber, said opening having at least one edge defining a stop, said housing having a plurality of fins formed on an outer surface thereof; a first electrical connector mounted to said housing,

in said chamber; removable part adapted for closing said opening, said removable part being L-shaped in side elevation, having at least one rabbetted edge, said removable part substantially conforming to the contours'of an outer surface of said top wall and one of said side walls; and second electrical connector mounted to said removable part, adapted to interconnect with said first electrical connector whenever said removable part closes said opening, said stop limiting move ment in a first direction between said movable part and said housing. 2. The luminaire of claim 1 wherein said four side walls form first and second pairs of oppositely opposed walls, a first pair of said side walls having said fins formed on them, a second pair of said side including a first wall having a part of said opening formed in it and a second wall having a fuse holder formed on it, said fuse holder being electrically connected to said first electrical connection.

3. The luminaire of claim 2 wherein said housing includes a bottom wall, said bottom wall having a light reflector mounted to it and extending downwardly therefrom.

4. In an electrical fixture adapted for use with a mercury arc lamp including a reflector surrounding said lamp and an upper housing having a top wall, a side wall, and a bottom wall, said reflector extending downwardly from said bottom wall, the improvement comprising a removable part insertable in said top wall and forming a part thereof, said insertable part having a rabbetted edge which supports said housing when said removable part is inserted in said housing, said removable part being flush fitting with said housing so as to conform to the silhouette of said housing when said removable part is inserted in said housing, a first electrical connecting part carried by said upper housing and a second electrical connecting part carried by said removable part adapted for electrical interconnection with said first electrical connecting part whenever said removable part forms a part of said top wall.

5. A luminaire comprising:

a housing, said housing including a first and a second part which define a chamber when joined, said first part including a top wall and a side wall, said housing having an opening in it at least along said top wall;

a first electrical connector mounted to said housing within said chamber;

a removable part insertable in said top wall opening, said removable part having an edge which supports said housing, permitting said housing to depend therefrom, said removable part being flush fitting with said housing so as to conform to the silhouette of said housing when said removable part is inserted into said top wall opening; and

a second electrical connector mounted on said removable part adapted for electrical interconnection with said first electrical connector whenever said removable part is flush fitting with said housmg.

6. The luminaire of claim 5 wherein said side wall of said first part has a plurality of cooling fins formed in

Claims

1. A luminaire comprising: a housing defining a chamber, said housing including a top wall and four side walls, said top wall and one of said side walls having a continuous opening in them to said chamber, said opening having at least one edge defining a stop, said housing having a plurality of fins formed on an outer surface thereof; a first electrical connector mounted to said housing, in said chamber; a removable part adapted for closing said opening, said removable part being L-shaped in side elevation, having at least one rabbetted edge, said removable part substantially conforming to the contours of an outer surface of said top wall and one of said side walls; and a second electrical connector mounted to said removable part, adapted to interconnect with said first electrical connector whenever said removable part closes said opening, said stop limiting movement in a first direction between said movable part and said housing.

2. The luminaire of claim 1 wherein said four side walls form first and second pairs of oppositely opposed walls, a first pair of said side walls having said fins formed on them, a second pair of said side including a first wall having a part of said opening formed in it and a second wall having a fuse holder formed on it, said fuse holder being electrically connected to said first electrical connection.

5. A luminaire comprising: a housing, said housing including a first and a second part which define a chamber when joined, said first part including a top wall and a side wall, said housing having an opening in it at least along said top wall; a first electrical connector mounted to said housing within said chamber; a removable part insertable in said top wall opening, said removable part having an edge which supports said housing, permitting said housing to depend therefrom, said removable part being flush fitting with said housing so as to conform to the silhouette of said housing when said removable part is inserted into said top wall opening; and a second electrical connector mounted on said removable part adapted for electrical interconnection with said first electrical connector whenever said removable part is flush fitting with said housing.

6. The luminaire of claim 5 wherein said side wall of said first part has a plurality of cooling fins formed in it.