GB1332982A - Electrical lighting installations - Google Patents

Abstract

1332982 Electric couplings ROTAFLEX (GREAT BRITAIN) Ltd 29 March 1972 [29 March 1971] 8106/71 Heading H1N [Also in Division H2] An electric lighting supply installation comprises a metal elongate track member into which may be inserted an adapter, Fig. 3, which supports the electric appliance such that contact may be made at any position over the track length. The track member 10 comprises an open mouthed channel with inwardly projecting flanges 11 and 12 and ribs 15, Fig. 6, which frictionally engage insulating strips 20 which have partially embedded thereon conductors L1, L2, L3, L4, NX, and NY. The adapter, Fig. 3, is housed in an insulating body dimensioned to fit substantially wholly within the channel and is provided with a rotary operating member 42 which carries three contact fingers C3, C4, CX which are rotated on operation of member 42 in planes parallel to the mouth of the channel through slots in the housing to engage the conductors L1, L2 ... NY as in Fig. 6, the adapter being reversable in the track member channel such that, in the second position, the contact fingers C4, CX, C3 may engage conductors L3, L4, NX. Operating member 42 is provided with a handle 50 (not shown), which rotates from a position axially perpendicular to the track member before insertion, to a position longitudinally parallel with the track member such that its arcuate path may be interrupted, in the ON position, by switch 52 which in Fig. 3 is shown in the OFF position such that movable contact 49 connects with neither contact 47 or 48 which are in turn respectively connected to contact finger C3 via contact strip S3 and contact finger C4 via strip S4. Common switch contact 46 is connected to fuse assembly 44, 45 and thence via contact strip 43 to terminal T4. The central contact strip SX connects neutral contact finger CX to terminal TX. As a further feature to prevent premature extension of the contact fingers, an interlock mechanism comprising spring 58, locking member 57, operating member recess 58 (not shown), pin-like member 56, locks the operating member in position until the adapter is fully inserted into the track members whereupon flange 12 depresses locking member 57 via projections 59 such that pin 56 is removed from recess 58 (not shown) and operating member 42 may be rotated.