Abstract:
The present disclosure is related to the field of mechanical engineering. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the field of connection mechanisms. As compared with the conventional mechanisms, the connection mechanism of the present disclosure reduces the effort associated with the mounting of lighting fixtures, and does not cause undesired twisting of cables. The principle use of the connection mechanism disclosed in the present disclosure is to provide secure and easy connection between two elements.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to the field of mechanical engineering. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the field of connection mechanisms. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Conventional connection mechanisms utilized in mounting of lighting fixtures involve the use of threaded connections. A lighting fixture for hazardous applications, typically including an LED matrix, is a heavy piece of equipment. One conventional connection mechanism includes an adaptor mounted on the lighting fixture and configured to be threadably received by a hood configured on a mounting pole. The threadable reception of the adaptor into the hood is a difficult task since it involves rotating the entire lighting fixture. The lighting fixture, typically, weighs around 35 pounds. Rotating such a heavy piece of equipment, generally eight to ten times until a secure fitment is established between the adaptor and the hood, is extremely difficult for a human operator. Furthermore, if the adaptor and the hood are not aligned properly, cross-threading may occur which can damage the threads. Furthermore, the rotation of the adaptor relative to the hood can also cause undesired twisting of the cables contained therewithin. 
         [0003]    Hence, in order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there is a need for a connection mechanism which significantly reduces the effort involved in mounting of lighting fixtures, and that does not cause undesired twisting of the cables contained therewithin, or damage to the threads of a threaded connection. 
       OBJECTS 
       [0004]    Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows. 
         [0005]    It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative. 
         [0006]    An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connection mechanism that reduces the effort associated with the mounting of lighting fixtures as compared with the conventional connection mechanisms. 
         [0007]    Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a connection mechanism that does not cause undesired twisting of cables, or damage to the threads of a threaded connection. 
         [0008]    Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The present disclosure envisages a connection mechanism for connecting a first element to a second element. The connection mechanism comprises a plurality of bayonet tabs configured on one of the first element and the second element, and a plurality of bayonet slots engageable with the plurality of bayonet tabs. The plurality of bayonet slots is configured on remaining one of the first element and the second element, wherein the plurality of bayonet tabs is aligned with the plurality of bayonet slots, subsequent to which, the one of the first element and the second element is partially rotated with respect to the remaining one of the first element and the second element to facilitate the reception of the plurality of bayonet tabs within the plurality of slots, thereby providing a connection between the first element and the second element. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment, the plurality of bayonet tabs has a first portion having a partly tapered profile. A second portion extends from the first portion and has a rectangular profile. A third portion extends from the second portion and has a rectangular profile, wherein the width of the third portion is greater than the width of the second portion. The partly tapered profile of the first portion is defined by an inclined portion and a stepped portion extending from the inclined portion. The stepped portion provides a locking feature to one of the first element and the second element, on which the plurality of tabs is configured. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, an angle by which the one of the first element and the second element is partially rotated with respect to the remaining one of the first element and the second element ranges from 25° to 50°. In a preferred embodiment, the angle by which the one of the first element and the second element is partially rotated with respect to the remaining one of the first element and the second element is 40°. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, an angle of taper of the first portion with respect to a longitudinal axis of the plurality of bayonet tabs ranges from 5° to 30°. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of taper of the first portion with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tab is 20°. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the first element is an adaptor coupled to a LED matrix housing and extending therefrom. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, the second element is a hood configured on an operative end of a mounting conduit, the hood configured to receive the adaptor, thereby facilitating connection between the LED matrix housing and the mounting conduit. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, an operative top edge of the adaptor is provided with a chamfer, wherein an angle of chamfer of the chamfer ranges from 53° to 58°, the chamfer facilitates a reception of a gasket on the operative top edge operatively between the adaptor and the hood. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING 
         [0016]    A connection mechanism of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the non-limiting accompanying drawing, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  illustrate different views of a conventional connection mechanism for a lighting fixture; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  illustrate different views of another conventional connection mechanism for a lighting fixture; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates an isometric view of a lighting fixture which employs a connection mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates an isometric view of the connection mechanism seen in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  illustrate partially cut isometric views of the connection mechanism of  FIG. 4 , wherein a hood of the connection mechanism is partially cut; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  illustrate isometric views of a tab of the connection mechanism of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  illustrates a sectional view of the connection mechanism of  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of an adaptor of the connection mechanism of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]      FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  illustrate different views of a conventional connection mechanism for a lighting fixture  106 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the conventional connection mechanism  100  (also referred to as conventional mechanism  100 ) includes a hood  102  and an adaptor  104  that extends from the lighting fixture  106 . Typically, the hood  102  is configured at an operative end of a mounting pole/conduit (not seen in figures). The hood  102  and the adaptor  104  are typically configured for threadable connection. For establishing a secure threaded connection between the hood  102  and the adaptor  104 , it is required to rotate the adaptor  104  along with the lighting fixture  106 , at least eight to ten times, depending upon the number of thread formations configured on the adaptor  104  and the hood  102 . A lighting fixture typically for hazardous applications involving a usage of an LED matrix generally weighs in the range of thirty to forty pounds. Rotating such a heavy piece of equipment is an extremely difficult task for the human operators. Furthermore, the rotation of the adaptor  104  with respect to the hood can also cause undesired twisting of the cables  108 , or damage to the threads of the threaded connection. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  illustrate different views of another conventional connection mechanism  200  (also referred to as conventional mechanism  200 ) for lighting fixtures. The conventional mechanism  200  is a very simple mechanism which includes a mounting conduit  202  having threaded formations configured on an operative end thereof. A lighting fixture housing  204  has a threaded connector portion  206  configured thereon. The threaded connector portion  206  is configured to be threadably received onto the operative end of the mounting conduit  202 . The threadable reception of the threaded connector portion  206  over the mounting conduit  202  involves the rotation of the entire lighting fixture housing  204 , which is a cumbersome task. Furthermore, the rotation of the lighting fixture housing  204  can also cause an undesired twisting of the cables  208 , or damage to the threads of the threaded connection. 
         [0027]    The present disclosure envisages a connection mechanism that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks associated with the conventional mechanisms  100 ,  200 . The connection mechanism of the present disclosure significantly reduces the effort associated with the mounting of lighting fixtures. Furthermore, the connection mechanism of the present disclosure is configured so as to prevent unwanted twisting of the cables of the lighting fixture, and does not include a threaded connection. As such, any damage to threads of a threaded connection is eliminated. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates an isometric view of a lighting fixture  300  which employs a connection mechanism  400 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 4  illustrates an isometric view of the connection mechanism  400 . Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the lighting fixture  300  includes a mounting conduit pipe  302  and a LED matrix housing  304 . The LED matrix housing  304  is coupled to the mounting conduit pipe  302  via the connection mechanism  400 . The connection mechanism  400  comprises an adaptor  402  (also referred to as first element  402 ) that is received within a hood  404  (also referred to as second element  404 ). As seen in  FIG. 3 , the adaptor  402  is configured on the LED matrix housing  304 , while the hood  404  is configured on an operative end of the mounting conduit pipe  302 . The connection of the adaptor  402  with the hood  404  facilitates the mounting of the LED matrix housing  304  onto the mounting conduit pipe  302 . 
         [0029]    In an embodiment, the adaptor  402  is fastened to the LED matrix housing  304  via screws  406 . In another embodiment, the adaptor  402  can be integral with the LED matrix housing  304 . 
         [0030]    In an embodiment, the hood  404  is fastened to the mounting conduit pipe  302  via screw  408 . In another embodiment, the hood  404  can be integral with the mounting conduit pipe  302 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  illustrate partially cut isometric views of the connection mechanism  400 . The operative configuration involved in achieving the connection between the adaptor  402  and the hood  404  is now explained with reference to  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B . The connection mechanism  400  comprises a plurality of bayonet tabs  410  configured on the first element  402 . A plurality of bayonet slots  412 , engageable with the plurality of bayonet tabs  410 , are configured on the second element  404 , wherein the plurality of bayonet tabs  410  are aligned with the plurality of bayonet slots  412 , subsequent to which, the first element  402  is partially rotated with respect to the second element  404  to facilitate the reception of the plurality of bayonet tabs  410  within the plurality of bayonet slots  412 , thereby providing a connection between the first element  402  and the second element  404 . 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, the plurality of bayonet slots  412  can be configured on the first element  402 , and the plurality of bayonet tabs  410  can be configured on the second element  404 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B , the plurality of bayonet tabs  410  has a first portion  410 A having a partly tapered profile. A second portion  410 B extends from the first portion  410 A and has a rectangular profile. A third portion  410 C extends from the second portion  410 B and has a rectangular profile, wherein the width of the third portion  410 C is greater than the width of the second portion  410 B so as to provide a stopper feature to the tab. The stopper feature optimally blocks the rotation of the adaptor with respect to the hood once a desired fitment is achieved between the tabs and the slots. In another embodiment, only one tab of plurality of bayonet tabs  410  has a third portion  410 C, while the remaining tabs of the plurality of bayonet tabs  410  have only the first portion  410 A and the second portion  410 B. 
         [0034]    The partly tapered profile of the first portion  410 A is defined by an inclined portion  410 A- 1  and a stepped portion  410 A- 2  extending from the inclined portion  410 A- 1 . The stepped portion  410 A- 2  provides a locking feature to the first element  402  which prevents the anti-rotation of the first element  402  (adaptor) due to vibrations, thereby ensuring the safety of the lighting fixture after installation. The locking feature provided by the stepped portion  410 A- 2  is better understood with reference to  FIG. 6B . 
         [0035]    In another embodiment, an angle by which one of the first element  402  and the second element  404  is partially rotated with respect to the remaining one of the first element and the second element ranges from 25° to 50°. In a preferred embodiment, this angle is 40°. The partial rotation of 40° replaces the threaded connection of the conventional mechanisms  100 ,  200 . More specifically, a human operator is required to rotate the LED matrix housing  304  (seen in  FIG. 3 ) by 40° instead of rotating the LED matrix housing  304  by 360° eight to ten times. As such, the effort associated with the mounting of the LED matrix housing  304  onto the mounting conduit pipe  302  is significantly reduced. Furthermore, such partial rotation of the adaptor  402  with respect to the hood  404  also reduces the probability of twisting of cables as compared to that in the conventional mechanism  100 ,  200 . 
         [0036]    In another embodiment, an angle taper of the first portion  410 A with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tab ranges from 5° to 30°. In a preferred embodiment, this angle is 20°. 
         [0037]    In another embodiment, the first element  402  is the adaptor coupled to the LED matrix housing  304  and extending therefrom. 
         [0038]    In another embodiment, the second element  404  is the hood configured on an operative end of the mounting conduit pipe  302  (seen in  FIG. 3 ), wherein the hood is configured to receive the adaptor, thereby facilitating connection between the LED matrix housing and the mounting conduit. 
         [0039]    Reference is now given to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . As seen in  FIG. 7 , the connection mechanism  400  further includes a gasket  414  disposed operatively between the hood  404  and the adaptor  402 . The gasket  414  is of silicone based rubber. In another embodiment, the gasket  414  can be of neoprene or latex. In order to accommodate the gasket  414  between the adaptor  402  and the hood  404 , the operative top edge of the adaptor  402  is chamfered. In an embodiment, the angle of chamfer “X” ranges from 53° to 58°. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of chamfer “X” is 57.8° and a width “Y” is 0.170 inch. 
         [0040]    Although the connection mechanism  400  of the present disclosure has been described as a means to provide a connection between the mounting conduit pipe  302  and the LED matrix housing  304 , the application of the connection mechanism  400  is not limited to the mounting of lighting fixtures. The connection mechanism  400  of the present disclosure can be used to replace a threaded connection in various applications. 
       TECHNICAL ADVANCES 
       [0041]    The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a connection mechanism that:
       reduces the effort associated with the mounting of lighting fixtures as compared with the conventional connection mechanisms; and   does not cause undesired twisting of cables.       
 
         [0044]    The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein. 
         [0045]    The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein. 
         [0046]    Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. 
         [0047]    The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results. 
         [0048]    Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application. 
         [0049]    The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary. 
         [0050]    While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.