Abstract:
A connector assembly includes a rail having a plurality of apertures therethrough, and two electrical connectors including a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector, the first electrical connector detachably mateable to the second electrical connector, the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector removably connected to the rail, at least one of the two electrical connectors being routed through at least one of the plurality of apertures.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an electrical connector system, and, more particularly, to a rail electrical connector system. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Suspended ceilings are common place in commercial buildings allowing heating, plumbing and mechanical systems in commercial buildings to be hidden from view in an inexpensive manner. Suspended ceilings include metal rails that are suspended by wires from the structural ceiling and ceiling tile to lay on the metal rails. Light fixtures are often used in the place of certain tiles to provide illumination to the room. 
     Since a suspended ceiling is essentially a large overhead plenum, heating/cooling designers often will use the space above the suspended ceiling as one part of their air handling ductwork, thereby saving money. To accommodate the installation of lighting fixtures to the suspended ceiling, rails with apertures are often utilized to facilitate the attachment of the lighting fixture thereto with a retaining mechanism. 
     Power distribution from above a suspended ceiling is accomplished by cutting portions from ceiling tiles to accommodate the running of conduit or power risers therethrough. The electrical wiring is then connected from a distribution source above the suspended ceiling to a lighting fixture, electrical receptacles, an electrical load or a distribution system in the commercial space. A problem with this manner of distributing power is that a remodeling of the commercial space requires the disconnection of the wiring back to the distribution&#39;source above the suspended ceiling. 
     Another problem with power distribution as just described is that it causes the ceiling tiles, which are cut, not to be reusable. 
     Yet another problem with the current manner of power distribution is that the aesthetic look of the ceiling suffers from having conduit and/or power risers going through ceiling tile. 
     What is needed in the art is an apparatus which provides for the distribution of electrical power that need not be routed through ceiling tiles and which would not require disconnection of electrical power at a distribution source when commercial space is remodeled. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an electrical connector system which provides for the distribution of electrical power through a suspended ceiling system. 
     The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a connector assembly including a rail having a plurality of apertures therethrough, and two electrical connectors including a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector, the first electrical connector detachably mateable to the second electrical connector, the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector removably connected to the rail, at least one of the two electrical connectors being routed through at least one of the plurality of apertures. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that electrical power can be connected and disconnected at the suspended ceiling rather than at a point of distribution. 
     Another advantage is that power distribution is accomplished through the rails, thereby leaving the ceiling tiles uncut. 
     Yet another advantage is that the suspended ceiling retains a more aesthetic appearance. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a rail connector system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the rail connector system of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectioned side view of the rail connector system of FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a view of a male connector which is a part of the rail connector system of FIGS. 1-3; 
     FIG. 5 is another view of the male connector of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned view of a female connector which is a part of the rail connector system of FIGS. 1-3; 
     FIG. 7 is another view of the female connector of FIG.  6 . 
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a rail electrical connector system  10  which generally includes a rail  12 , a first electrical connector  14  and a second electrical connector  16 . 
     Rail  12  is an elongated member having a generally ‘I’ shaped cross-section, including a closed channel  18 , an open channel  20 , a slot  22 , a connecting member  24 , an open channel aperture  26  and connecting member aperture  28 . Rail  12  allows first electrical connector  14  and second electrical connector  16  to interconnect through rail  12  and to detachably attach to rail  12 . Rail  12  may be formed from a folded piece of sheet metal or rail  12  may be an extrusion of plastic or metal. Rail  12  may be a structural member of some other system such as a suspended ceiling. 
     Closed channel  18  has a generally rectangular cross-section. Closed channel  18  provides strength to rail  12  and the shape allows first electrical connector  14  to attach thereto. 
     Open channel  20  has a generally rectangular cross-section with slot  22  along one side. On a side opposite slot  22  open channel apertures  26  are positioned to accommodate the passage of second electrical connector  16 . Slot  22  and open channel apertures  26  also allow the connection of lighting fixtures to rail  12  as a part of a suspended ceiling system. 
     Slot  22  extends the full length of rail  12  allowing not only the passage of air and the attachment of lighting fixtures, but allowing second electrical connector  16  to pass therethrough. Connecting member  24  interconnects closed channel  18  and open channel  20 . Connecting member apertures  28  extend through connecting member  24 . Open channel apertures  26  extend through open channel  20  and are arranged in conjunction with connecting member apertures  28 . Connecting member aperture  28  extend through connecting member  24  and are arranged in conjunction with open channel apertures  26 . One skilled in the art will recognize how rail  12  can be formed from flat metal stock with apertures  26  and  28  punched therethrough. 
     Now, additionally referring to FIGS. 3,  6  and  7 , there is depicted first electrical connector  14  including an outer shell  30 , electrical conductors  32 , female terminals  34  and an inner shell  36 . Outer shell  30  has a generally rectangular cross-section and includes notch  38  and spring clip  40 . Outer shell  30  provides protection to the portions of electrical connector  14  lying within. Notch  38  is shaped to accommodate the surface of closed channel  18  of rail  12  when installed thereto. Spring clip  40  provides a detachable connection to rail  12  by first electrical connector  14 . Spring clip  40  is shaped to allow first electrical connector  14  to be pushed onto rail  12  and to be detached therefrom without the need for tools. 
     Electrical conductors  32  are in electrical connection with female terminals  34  and a power source (not shown). Electrical conductors  32  are electrically insulated and for power circuits will usually be three in number, one power, one return and one safety ground. Electrical conductors  32  can be contained in a conduit or be otherwise protected. Alternatively, electrical conductors  32  may provide for the transmission of data or telecommunications connections. 
     Female terminals  34  are in electrical connection with electrical conductors  32  and are disposed within inner shell  36  in a manner so as to engage corresponding male connectors from second electrical connector  16 . 
     Inner shell  36  is positioned substantially within outer shell  30  and is made of nonconductive material. Inner shell  36  is shaped to accommodate the entry and securing of second electrical connector  16 . 
     Now, additionally referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is depicted second electrical connector  16  including electrical conductors  42 , a housing  44 , male terminals  46  and protrusions  48 . Second electrical connector  16  is offset to accommodate passage through slot  22 , open channel aperture  26  and connecting member aperture  28 , and to electrically connect to first electrical connector  14 . 
     Electrical conductors  42  are in electrical connection with male terminals  46  and an electrical load or distribution system (not shown). Electrical conductors  42  are electrically insulated and for power circuits will usually be three in number, one power, one return and one safety ground. Electrical conductors  42  can be contained in a conduit or be otherwise protected. Alternatively, electrical conductors  42  may provide for the transmission of data or telecommunications connections. 
     Housing  44  is made of a molded nonconductive material such as plastic. Housing  44  is shaped with an offsetting bend to accommodate routing through slot  22 , open channel aperture  26  and connecting member aperture  28 . Housing  44  electrically isolates male terminals  46  from each other. 
     Male terminals  46  are in electrical connection with electrical conductors  42  and are disposed within housing  44  in a manner so as to engage corresponding female terminals  34  in first electrical connector  14 . Male terminals  46  project from an end of housing  44 . 
     Protrusions  48  extend from a side of housing  44  engaging a side of closed channel  18  when second electrical connector  16  is fully engaged in first electrical connector  14 . Protrusions  48  provide detachable engagement for second electrical connector  16  with rail  12 . 
     During installation of a rail electrical connector system, rail  12  is installed as a rail of a suspended ceiling system, a purpose of which is to provide support to ceiling tile. Electrical conductors  32  of first electrical connector  14  are terminated at a switched power source, a constant power source, a data line or a telecommunication line. Electrical conductors  42  of second electrical connector  16  are terminated at a lighting fixture, a power receptacle, a data receptacle or a telecommunication receptacle. First electrical connector  14  is attached to closed channel  18  of rail  12  by pushing first electrical connector  14  thereon. Second electrical connector  16  is inserted through slot  22 , open channel aperture  26  and connecting member aperture  28  and thereby routing second electrical connector  16  proximate to first electrical connector  14 . First electrical connector  14  and second electrical connector  16  are pushed together thereby electrically engaging the two connectors and causing second electrical connector  16  to become attached to rail  12 . 
     While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.