Connection between two mechanically and electrically releasably coupled parts, in particular for use with an illumination system

For a connection, in particular for use with an illumination system, two mechanically and electrically releasably coupled parts, in particular a magnetic holder (3) and a ball (4) which define a ball-and-socket joint, are provided, with said two parts (3) and (4) being interconnectable by means of magnetic force and contacting each other, the two parts (3, 4) establishing electrical contact for the lighting fixture (10) as a result of magnetic frictional contact.

DESCRIPTION 
The invention relates to a connection between two mechanically and 
electrically releasably coupled parts, in particular for use with an 
illumination system. 
In prior art illumination systems, in particular lamps, the parts to be 
connected have been mechanically coupled by means of screws, bolts and the 
like in order to establish a form-fit and frictional contact. As 
conductors live wires have heretofore been provided at the connection, for 
example a joint, either in a continuous manner or releasably attachable to 
the connections by means of luster terminals and the like. 
The invention is based on the object of providing a constructionally simple 
connection of the type mentioned above which is extremely versatile and 
may be established and separated extremely easily. 
According to the invention, this object is established in that the two 
parts are interconnectable by magnetic force and establish electrical 
contact through mutual contacting whenever magnetic frictional contact has 
been established. 
The subject matter of the present invention is therefore magnets, in 
particular permanent magnets, which establish electrical contact 
concomitant to achieving magnetic frictional contact. Due to the direct 
combination of frictional contact and electrical contact, various 
technical problems can be solved in a particularly easy manner. For 
example, it is not necessary to use a live wire within the area of the 
connection, which results in an extremely simple and wear resistant 
assembly, in particular when the parts are connected in a flexible manner, 
for example by means of a ball-and-socket joint. 
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the components of the connection 
may be a magnetic ball-and-socket joint of common construction, with the 
magnetic holder of the magnetic ball-and-socket joint preferably defining 
the basic part to which electrical power is supplied , and the ball, which 
is connected to the consumer via additional connecting members, being 
retained to the magnetic holder by frictional contact. 
Alternatively, the basic part may also be in the form of a magnetic rail. 
In this case, the other part may also be shaped, for example, as a ball or 
cylinder and attached along the rail by magnetic force at any position 
desired. 
According to an especially advantageous embodiment of the invention, one 
part of said two parts comprises two sections which are electrically 
separated from each other, and the other part comprises also two sections 
which are likewise electrically separated from each other, with the 
electrical separation of said individual sections being maintained when 
said parts are connected to one another. With the connection being 
arranged in this way, an electrical circuit may be closed using a single 
connection only, for example by means of a single magnetic joint, whereas 
otherwise two connections are required, which may, however, be of 
advantage for reasons of styling and lighting engineering. 
If the electrical connection exhibits two electrical poles insulated from 
each other, as mentioned above, and the connection comprises a magnetic 
holder and a ball retained thereto by magnetic force, another advantageous 
feature of the invention allows for the arrangement of the connection 
being designed, in detail, in such a way that the magnetic holder has 
magnetic and physical contact with the ball via an annular surface, that 
the ball is formed with an internally arranged contact pin which projects 
from the ball's circumference and is electrically insulated from the ball, 
and that inside of the magnetic holder a contact surface insulated from 
the latter is arranged and contacts exclusively the contact pin of the 
ball when the ball is inserted. 
According to further preferred embodiments of the invention, the contact 
surface appropriately exhibits a curved shape to match the shape of the 
ball and is formed with rest recesses for receiving the contact pin, which 
contact pin is preferrably spring-mounted in longitudinal direction 
between two extreme stops. Thus, specific preferred angle positions taken 
by the ball relative to the magnetic holder are defined in correspondence 
with the rest recesses in the contact surface. 
When using a rail as magnetic holding member and a bipolar electrical 
connection, the rail is provided, according to a further embodiment of the 
invention, with a contact rail extending along its centre line and 
electrically insulated therefrom. When the second part is inserted, this 
contact rail contacts a contact element fixed to said second part and 
electrically insulated therefrom. This second part may again be a ball or, 
for example, a cylindrical element, with the axis of said cylindrical 
element extending parallel to the rail. 
The connection of the invention is, inter alia, of particular advantage for 
use with an illumination system. If the connection is electrically 
unipolar, another embodiment of the invention is responsible for the 
illumination system being characterized by two basic connections, the 
electrical consumer being switched therebetween. 
In this case, preferrably, at least one of said basic connections is 
electrically connectable to a further connection, with an intermediate 
element being connected therebetween. Said further connection is 
electrically connected to the other basic connection, with the electrical 
consumer switched therebetween, or to another connection operatively 
connected to said other basic connection via an interconnection defined by 
an intermediate member. Such an arrangement which comprises a plurality of 
flexible connections will meet the specific technical and artistic 
requirements made in each case on the illumination system in a most simple 
way. 
If the connections are electrically bipolar, the illumination system may 
preferably be arranged in such a way that one basic connection is 
electrically connected via an intermediate member to a further connection, 
the latter being connected to the electrical consumer. When, for example, 
the connection is in the form of a magnetic ball-and-socket joint, this 
arrangement will result in an extremely flexible lamp due to the various 
degrees of freedom possible, which allows the lamp to be oriented in 
virtually any direction desired. 
The intermediate members between the basic connection and the further 
connection may be in the form of a rod, a tube or an electroconductive 
rope for use with both, electrically unipolar and electrically bipolar 
connections. It may be of particular advantage to provide a telescopic 
element as intermediate member, since the artistic and luminous 
flexibility of the illumination will thus be enhanced. 
According to another embodiment of the invention, it may be especially 
advantageous to provide a multitude of basic parts, in particular magnetic 
holders, and arrange them for graticule illumination, in particular on the 
ceiling and the like. When the magnetic holders, arranged for graticule 
illumination, are switched appropriately, a multitude of lamp 
configurations is rendered possible, and the lamps may be fixed to the 
ceiling at random positions in accordance with the specific array chosen 
for graticule illumination. 
An illumination system according to the invention can be easily installed 
and/or modified, since bolting together mechanical parts is rendered 
superfluous and no electrical connections have to be established 
separately. The individual components of the system are simply joined and 
held together by magnetic force, which, at the same time, results in an 
electrical contact being established.

According to FIG. 1, there are, for example, two holders 2, 2' secured to 
the ceiling 1 in spaced relationsship by means of appropriate fasteners, 
for example bolts, screws and dowels or adhesives. A magnetic holder 3 is 
adapted to be inserted and locked into holder 2. 
The end of magnetic holder 3 which is disposed away from holder 2 is formed 
with a hemispherical recess 3a for receiving a ball 4 made of a magnetic 
material. Magnetic holder 3 and ball 4 define a ball-and-socket joint as 
it is commercially available, for example from the company IBS-Magnet, 
Berlin. 
One end of an elongated intermediate member 5, for example, an 
electroconductive rod, is connected rigidly and electroconductively to 
ball 4 (or, for example, by means of a thread) and the opposed end of said 
intermediate member is connected in the same way to a further holder 12 
which is likewise adapted to receive a ball-and-socket joint consisting of 
magnetic holder 13 and ball 14. 
Magnetic holder 3', ball 4', intermediate member 5', another holder 12', 
magnetic holder 13', and ball 14' are attached to holder 2' in the same 
way as described above. 
All magnetic ball-and-socket joints shown in FIG. 1 are identical. 
A connecting member 9 supporting lighting fixture 10 is rigidly and 
electroconductively connected with its opposed ends to ball 14 and 14', 
respectively. 
Current flows from holder 2 and magnetic holder 3 via ball 4, intermediate 
member 5, said further holder 12, magnetic holder 13, ball 14, the left 
part of connecting member 9 to consumer 10 and from there back to magnetic 
holder 3' and holder 2' via the respective parts. 
The current path through the two magnetic ball-and-socket joints 3,4 and 
3',4' shown in FIG. 2 is indicated by the segmented line and the magnetic 
circuit by the dotted line. 
The magnetic holding element of FIG. 3 is a magnetic rail 23 or 23' which 
holds balls 4 at any position desired. As is in case of the magnetic 
holder of FIG. 1, the magnetic rail allows universal turns and swivels of 
the ball by 180.degree.. 
In the case of the embodiments described above, which use in each case two 
electrically unipolar magnetic joints that must contain sufficient 
conductive material in correspondence with the current load, each magnet 
is connected to one pole of an electrical circuit. Electrical contact is 
established as a result of frictional contact between a magnetic material 
(ball) and one of the two magnets (magnetic holders). When the magnetic 
material (ball) retained by the magnetic holder is connected to an 
electrical consumer and the other pole of the consumer and the second 
magnetic material (ball 4') are electroconductively connected, the 
electrical circuit closes as soon as the second magnetic holder is 
frictionally connected to this material. 
The embodiments of FIGS. 4 to 8, which will be described hereinafter allow 
an electrical circuit to be closed with use of a single connection only. 
Magnetic holder 33 of the magnetic ball-and-socket joint shown in FIGS. 4 
and 5 is split up into two electrical poles insulated from each other. The 
electrical separation is performed such as to not impede the magnetic 
effect. The magnetic material, i.e. the ball 34, also contains two 
electrically insulated poles, which establish electrical contact in case 
of magnetic frictional contact. 
It is inferrable from FIGS. 4 and 5 that magnetic holder 33 includes magnet 
35 which establishes a magnetic circuit via two ferropoles 36a, 36b when 
the ball 34 is inserted. Said two ferropoles 36a and 36b are kept 
electrically separated from one another at position 37 by means of a 
non-magnetic material (MS,V2A,A1). The inner surfaces of ferropoles 36a 
and 36b facing permanent magnet 35 define an annular contact surface 38, 
the shape of which matches that of ball 34 and via which ball 34 is 
retained to magnetic holder 33 by means of magnetic force. Within magnetic 
holder 33 and below contact surface 38 there is another contact surface 39 
which is electrically insulated from magnet 35 and ferropoles 36a and 36b 
by means of an appropriate insulation 40. 
Contact surface 39 is shaped to match the shape of ball 34. When ball 34 is 
inserted, there is a small space between contact surface 39 and the 
surface of ball 34 so as to avoid the surface of the ball contacting 
surface 39. 
Within ball 34 there is a contact pin 41 provided in center position, which 
pin is electrically insulated from the electroconductive ball by means of 
insulation 42. Contact pin 41 extends through ball 34 and along the 
longitudinal axis of intermediate member 45 which is attached to the ball, 
and is likewise insulated from said intermediate member 45 by means of 
insulation 42. The pin's end opposite to intermediate member 45 projects 
beyond the surface of ball 34 to such a degree that pin 41 abuts against 
contact surface 39 when ball 34 is attached to magnet holder 33, which 
results in an electrical contact being established between contact surface 
39 and pin 41. 
As a result, power is supplied, on the one hand, via ferropole 36a or 36b 
to ball 34 and outer tube 46 of intermediate member 45, and, on the other 
hand, via contact surface 39 to contact pin 41 of the ball or of the 
intermediate member. 
The arrangement of FIG. 6 corresponds substantially to that of FIG. 4, 
except that contact pin 41, as depicted, is arranged for axial movement 
and is forced towards contact surface 39 by spring 43. Spring 43 also 
serves as a contact spring for establishing an electrical contact between 
contact pin 41 and an electrical conductor 44 disposed inside of 
intermediate member 45. A stop pin 47 engages the oblong hole 48 of pin 
41, thus limiting the movements of contact pin 41. 
As indicated in FIG. 6, contact surface 39 of this embodiment exhibits a 
dot raster 47 consisting of recesses and prominences so that ball 34 may 
engage a range of stable positions at magnetic holder 33. 
FIGS. 7 and 8 show an electrically bipolar magnetic connection, with the 
magnetic holder being defined by a magnetic rail 53. Magnetic rail 53 
comprises a magnetic plate 55 extending along said rail and being 
laterally bordered by two plate-type ferropoles 56 and 57. In FIG. 7, a 
contact rail 59 with contact surface 60 is provided between magnetic poles 
56 and 57 and above magnet plate 55, which contact rail extends along rail 
53 and is insulated from all other parts of magnetic rail 53. Ball 54 with 
contact pin 61 is designed as described in the context of and represented 
in FIGS. 4 or 6 as well. With reference to its functioning, reference is 
made to the relevant explanations thereof. The swivelling range of ball 54 
received by the magnetic rail of FIGS. 7 and 8 ranges between a minium of 
about 90.degree. (in longitudinal direction of the magnetic rail) and a 
maximum of about 120.degree. (transversely to the magnetic rail). 
In order to enhance the magnetic holding force, ball 54, as outlined in 
FIG. 7, may be replaced by a corresponding cylindrical element, the axis 
of which runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rail. In this 
case, the cylindrical element and all parts attached thereto can be 
swivelled only transversly to the rail. 
In the following, several variations of this system are described with 
reference to individually replaceable components. 
FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate that holders 102a may be used instead of the 
holder 2 shown in FIG. 1. These holders are adapted to receive two 
magnetic holder 3 (see FIGS. 9a and 9b) or, in the case of holder 102b, 
three magnetic holders (see FIG. 9c) or, in the case of holder 102c, six 
magnetic holders (see FIG. 9d). 
FIGS. 13 to 15 illustrate that ball 4 of, for example, FIG. 1 may be 
replaced for instance by ball 104 which supports further magnetic holders 
103 via appropriately arranged rigid connecting members 106. FIG. 13 shows 
a two-armed version and FIGS. 14 and 15 represent a three-armed and 
six-armed version, respectively. 
FIGS. 16 to 19 show some possible preferred embodiments of intermediate 
members. The intermediate member 205 of FIG. 16 is a slack rope. In FIG. 
17 it is a rod or tube, in FIG. 18 a telescopic member and in FIG. 19 a 
non-conductive plastic plate furnished with an electroconductor 206. All 
intermediate members 205 may be of various and deliberate length depending 
on the application desired. The same variations are possible for holders 
and magnetic holders to be attached to the intermediate members. 
FIGS. 20 to 24 show some examples of lighting elements of most diverse 
design as may be inserted, for example, between the two magnetic holders 
13 and 13' according to FIG. 1.As is evident from FIG. 24, additional 
connecting elements may be used here as well. 
The lighting fixtures described above are fed with low-voltage, normally 12 
or 24 V. When line-powered, a transformer is required. FIG. 25 shows an 
appropriate circuit diagram and the connections possible for several 
lighting fixtures, be it via single point connections or via a connection 
using a magnetic rail. In FIG. 25 reference numeral 201 indicates the fuse 
on the primary side, reference numeral 202 the one on the secondary side, 
and reference numeral 203 the primary-sided transformer, reference 
numberal 204 the secondary-sided transformer and reference numeral 210 
indicates the individual lighting fixtures. On the right hand side of FIG. 
25 the circuit for a single lighting fixture has been outlined, further to 
the left the circuit for a line of single point connections or a rail with 
separate transformer, and next to it on the left, several lines of single 
point connections or rails. 
Light is turned on and off in conventional manner by means of a switch. An 
activation by means of a relay, a dimmer or--if appropriate, by means of 
remote control--renders the illumination system even more user-friendly. 
If several lighting fixtures are to be attached at different positions in a 
room, this may be realized by means of an array of magnetic holders 3,13 
or magnetic rails 23, 53. The upper section of FIG. 26 represents an array 
of magnetic holders 3 for graticule illumination, whereas the lower 
section of FIG. 26 represents an array of magnetic rails 23 for graticule 
illumination. FIG. 26 also illustrates how the individual positions of the 
array chosen for graticule illumination are supplied with electrical power 
via leads 211,212. Some of the possibilities of connecting lighting 
fixtures 10 are outlined in this Figure as well. 
FIG. 27 shows a diagonal power supply to the individual points of the 
graticule illumination array. This results in various possible connections 
for the lighting fixtures. 
Arranging the magnetic holders or rails for graticule illumination as 
described above, renders it possible to attach several lighting fixtures 
in a room at different positions as well as to suspend one or more 
lighting fixtures at different places in the room. 
All embodiments, features and advantages of the invention emerging from the 
description, the claims and the drawings, including details of design and 
spatial layout, both individually as well as in any combination, form 
vital ideas of the invention.