Abstract:
A circuit selector assembly including an electrical conductor, an electrical contact, a first spring beam connected to the electrical contact and a second spring beam connected to the electrical contact. The second spring beam biases the electrical contact to a first position, the first spring beam being deflected when the electrical contact is in a second position, the second position being defined as when the electrical contact is contacting the electrical conductor.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/474,802, entitled “ELECTRICAL TRACK BUSS SYSTEM AND ACTUATION DEVICE”, filed May 29, 2003. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to an electrical distribution system, and, more particularly, to a circuit selector assembly in an electrical distribution system.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Electrical distribution systems are used in conjunction with modular office furniture and typically consist of a plurality of electrical distribution harnesses, which are respectively associated with wall panels, work surfaces, etc. The distribution harnesses include end connectors, which are coupled together using jumper cables. Each wiring harness also typically includes one or more output connectors, which are used for coupling with a modular electrical component, such as an electrical receptacle. Each output connector generally is in the form of a single row of terminals having ports, which are keyed to allow connection with only a particular type of electrical component. For example, a particular keying configuration for mating connectors ensures that only a particular one of multiple circuits within the wiring harness is connected therewith.  
           [0006]    Track type electrical distribution systems are known in which an extruded track has a housing with a plurality of slots extending therein. Each separate slot carries a single conductor bar. An electrical component, such as an electrical receptacle, includes multiple different projections, which are respectively received within the multiple slots. Each projection electrically couples with a corresponding conductor bar in a corresponding slot. Although such track type distribution systems effectively provide power to a modular electrical component, the multiple different slots and corresponding projections may be relatively complicated to manufacture. Further, with many track type distribution systems, there are no provisions to ensure that the modular electrical component is correctly coupled with the conductor bars, so as to prevent incorrect coupling, for example with reverse polarity.  
           [0007]    What is needed in the art is a system that is easy to manufacture and allows for reconfiguration of an entire track system in a simple manner.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention provides an electrical circuit selector method and apparatus for use in a track wiring system.  
           [0009]    The invention comprises, in one form thereof, an electrical circuit selector assembly including an electrical housing having at least one opening therein, the electrical housing having a first side and a second side. At least one electrical conductor is associated with the at least one opening on the first side and at least one circuit selector is positioned approximate to the at least one opening on the second side. The at least one circuit selector having a protrusion oriented to extend through the at least one opening and electrically contact at least one electrical conductor.  
           [0010]    The invention comprises, in another form thereof, a method of selecting a circuit including applying a force to a first spring beam of a circuit selector; deflecting a second spring beam of the circuit selector as a result of the applying step; contacting an electrical element with a portion of the circuit selector; and deflecting the first spring beam thereby placing a predetermined force on the electrical element.  
           [0011]    The present invention advantageously allows the installer to reconfigure a wiring harness associated with a track system.  
           [0012]    Another advantage is that the track system can be configured by engaging actuators that are associated with separate circuit elements. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    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 embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is perspective view of a circuit selector utilized in an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned view of multiple circuit selectors of FIG. 1 utilized in a circuit selection assembly;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 2 with a part of the assembly removed for the sake of clarity;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 3 showing the actuation of some circuit selector elements;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a single circuit selector element of FIG. 1;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned schematical view of the circuit selector assembly and circuit selector of FIGS. 1-5;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is another view of the assembly of FIG. 6 showing a circuit selector element actuated;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the circuit selector of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a partially sectioned schematic view of a circuit selector of FIG. 8; and  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a partially sectioned schematic view of the circuit selector of FIG. 9 in an engaged position. 
     
    
       [0024]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-5, there is shown a track wiring system  10  in the form of an electrical circuit selection assembly  10  including support structure  12 , a housing  14 , electrical conductors  16 , openings  18 , flexible selectors  20  and actuators  22 .  
         [0026]    Support structure  12  may be connected to housing  14  and it supplies positional support for selector  20 . Support structure  12  may be indexed so as to position circuit selector  20  so that it can extend into an opening  18  and contact electrical conductor  16 .  
         [0027]    Housing  14  is a non-conductive material that positions electrical conductors  16  in a generally parallel manner with each other. Housing  14  includes an opening  18  that is associated with each electrical conductor  16 . Openings  18  allow circuit selector  20  to electrically engage selected conductors  16  to thereby energize the electrical track system.  
         [0028]    Circuit selectors  20  include an actuator interface  24  also known as a first spring beam  24 , a contact protrusion  26 , also known as an electrical contact  26 , a mid-portion  28 , also known as a second spring beam  28 , a secured portion  30 , an indexing protrusion  32 , a crimp portion  34  and a wire  36  connected thereto.  
         [0029]    Actuator interface  24  co-acts as a spring beam  24  so that an actuator  22 , when encountering actuator interface  23 , causes circuit selector  20  to flex at mid-portion  28 . As circuit selector  20  engages electrical conductor  16  through opening  18  further insertion of actuator  22  causes actuator interface  24  to flex thereby applying a predetermined force to contact protrusion  26  against conductor  16  to thereby establish a reliable electrical contact. Contact protrusion  28  is shaped to easily clear the sides of opening  18  and to contact an electrical conductor  16  along a face of protrusion  26 . Secured portion  30  is connected to support structure  12  and utilizes indexing protrusion  32  to orient circuit selector  20  so that protrusion  26  is properly positioned to enter opening  18  and that actuator interface  24  is properly positioned to encounter a corresponding actuator  22 . Crimp portion  34  is crimped upon an electrical conductor  36  to thereby pass electrical current to or from electrical conductor  16  when circuit selector  20  is engaged with a corresponding electrical conductor  16 . Multiple circuit selectors  20  are arranged in a track wiring system so that individual electrical circuits may be connected to selected corresponding electrical conductors  16 .  
         [0030]    Now, referring additionally to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown the actuation of a circuit selector  20  with a conductor  16 . When actuators  22  are removed second spring beam  28  causes each circuit selector  20  to disengage from electrical conductors  16  thereby opening all electrical circuits that had been established. Actuators  22  are connected to plate  38  and are either adjustably positioned therein or can be simply removed by cutting or breaking them from plate  38 . The adjustability of an actuator  22  or the removal of an actuator  22  can be utilized to configure the electrical power supplied to the track wiring system. For example, if certain power selectors are to be engaged to the track wiring system, as well as particular grounds and power returns, those actuators are left intact with either the removal or the adjustment of actuators  22 , relative to plate  38 , so that once actuators  22  are configured they are then inserted to engage the selected circuit selectors  20 . This causes electrical power to be distributed within the electrical circuit selection assembly  10 .  
         [0031]    Actuator  22  applies an initial force against first spring beam  24 , which substantially causes second spring beam  28  to bend as protrusion  26  approaches electrical conductor  16 . Once protrusion  26  contacts conductor  16  further force directed against first spring beam  24  by actuator  22 , causes first spring beam  24  to deflect to thereby ensure that a predetermined force is placed against conductor  16  by contact protrusion  26 . The movement of plate  38  in direction A causes circuit selector  20  to move in direction B until the engagement of circuit selector  20  against a corresponding conductor  16 . The movement of plate  38  in a direction opposite of direction A removes force from actuator interface  24 , thereby allowing second spring beam  28  to return to its original position thereby disconnecting an electrical circuit.  
         [0032]    Now, additionally referring to FIGS. 8-10, there is shown another embodiment of electrical selection assembly  10  wherein actuator interface  24  is contacted by cam  40  having a shaft  42  with a Phillips type screw head. This arrangement allows engagement, by an installer, of a selected circuit by circuit selector  20 . The installer rotates shaft  42  with a Phillips screwdriver thereby causing cam  40  to impinge against a portion of actuator interface  24  and bending second spring beam  28  until contact protrusion  26  contacts conductor  16 . Cam  40  continues and places additional force on first spring beam  24  thereby causing it to flex and apply a predetermined force on contact protrusion  26  against conductor  16 .  
         [0033]    The system advantageously applies power to selected elements in electrical selection assembly  10  to thereby configure a track wiring system, which allows easy reconfiguration thereof.  
         [0034]    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.