Abstract:
A connector for lamp bracket is provided. The connector includes a female connecting sleeve with a plughole; and a first shaft hole, defined in the female connecting sleeve, with the first shaft hole sharing a commonly shared predetermined space or communicated with the plughole. A camshaft rotatably disposed in the first shaft hole. The camshaft comprising a flange screwably disposed within the plughole.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to connecting devices, more particularly to a lamp connecting device incorporating connectors with integrated simplified configuration resulting in firm or secure connection.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     As known to those who are skilled in the art, a lamp typically comprises a lamp mount and a bent pipe. The lamp mount can be either a center mount or a wall mount with the mount supporting the lamp bracket, which has a bulb mounted thereon. The existing method for connecting the lamp mount and the lamp bracket employs a turnbuckle to fix a bent pipe to the lamp mount. However, this connecting method incurs a large package volume of the lamp and a high cost associated therewith. Besides, the lamp mount and the lamp bracket can also be connected by spring pressing. For example, a lamp connecting device and lamp bracket, disclosed in PRC Patent No. CN01232084.6, Publication No. CN2508106Y, can be detached and assembled quickly, and are convenient for users to install. However the lamp bracket may sway slightly.  
         [0003]     At present, the method for connecting wires between the lamp mount and the lamp bracket comprises connecting leads of each lamp bracket by two or more terminals which may be screw-in type (PE-type) terminals or closed-end (CE-type) terminals. The wire connecting method adopting terminals takes up a certain space, thus limiting the size of the lamp mount, and affecting an otherwise fine appearance.  
         [0004]     Accordingly, a lamp connecting device having improved and simplified configuration which overcomes the above-mentioned problems is desired.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention provides a lamp mount and a suitable lamp bracket as well as an assembling method thereof, thereby overcoming the shortcomings of the existing technology.  
         [0006]     Accordingly a compact lamp connecting device is provided.  
         [0007]     Accordingly a connector for lamp bracket is provided. The connector includes a female connecting sleeve with a plughole; and a first shaft hole, defined in the female connecting sleeve, with the first shaft hole sharing a commonly shared predetermined space or communicated with the plughole. A camshaft rotatably disposed in the first shaft hole. The camshaft comprising a flange screwably disposed within the plughole.  
         [0008]     Additionally, a lamp connecting device is provided. The lamp connecting device includes a female connecting sleeve with a plughole; a male connecting sleeve, comprising a terminal block inserted into the plughole of the female connecting sleeve together with the male connecting sleeve; a female rigid sleeve attaching mechanism, disposed on the female connecting sleeve; and a male sleeve rigid attaching mechanism, disposed on the male connecting sleeve and fastened with the female sleeve rigid attaching mechanism.  
         [0009]     In a preferred embodiment, as a female sleeve rigid clipping fastener catches a male sleeve rigid clipping fastener in a simple way, rapid detachment and assembly can be realized. In addition, the package volume is small, so it is convenient for transportation, thus reducing the cost. Also, a rigid connecting method is adopted, and the two parts are mated closely and fixedly connected with each other. As a pin or a camshaft catches a shaft hole or a groove, it is convenient to assemble. The present invention adopts a camshaft to locate the left and right, front and back positions, and an internal hexagonal screw to press against the upper surface of the male connection sleeve to locate the upper and lower positions, so as to tightly mate the bent pipe and the center socket. As an electrical wire is connected to the conductive terminals of the junction boxes, it is unnecessary to connect the junction boxes with helical or closed-end terminals, thereby saving the internal space of the lamp mount and reducing the size of the lamp mount.  
         [0010]     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the attached drawings, in which: 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the lamp connecting device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a housing, a cover, a connector, a female connecting sleeve, a camcraft, a positioning plate, a junction box, a male sleeve, conductive terminal, and at least one plastic member.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a spatial exploded view of the lamp mount according to the invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3   a  is a spatial view of the connector for lamp bracket according to the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3   b  is a spatial view of the female connection sleeve according to the invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3   c  is a front view of the female connection sleeve according to the invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4   a  is a spatial view of the camshaft.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4   b  is a front view of the camshaft.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4   c  is a top view of the camshaft.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5   a  is a spatial view of the positioning plate.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5   b  is a bottom view of the positioning plate.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5   c  is a sectional view along Line B-B of the positioning plate.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6   a  is a spatial exploded view of the junction box in a first state.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6   b  is a spatial exploded view of the junction box in a second state.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6   c  is a spatial view of the junction box.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7   a  is a spatial view of the electrical wire male sleeve.  
         [0026]      FIG. 7   b  is a rear view of the male sleeve for electrical wires.  
         [0027]      FIG. 7   c  is a front view of the male sleeve for electrical wires.  
         [0028]      FIG. 7   d  is a right view of the male sleeve for electrical wires.  
         [0029]      FIG. 7   e  is a partial sectional view of the conductive stab terminal.  
         [0030]      FIG. 8   a  is a spatial view of the plastic pressing tab.  
         [0031]      FIG. 8   b  is a half-sectional view of the plastic pressing tab.  
         [0032]      FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  are spatial views of the female sleeve for electrical wires from a first and a second view angle.  
         [0033]      FIG. 10  is a spatial view of a housing.  
         [0034]      FIG. 11  is a spatial view of a cover.  
         [0035]      FIG. 12  is a spatial exploded view of the structure of the lamp bracket.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 13   a  and  13   b  are spatial views of the male connection sleeve from a first and a second view angle.  
         [0037]      FIG. 13   c  is a sectional view of the male connection sleeve.  
         [0038]      FIG. 14  is a schematic view of assembling multiple connectors for lamp bracket in an electrical wire.  
         [0039]      FIG. 15  is a schematic view of joining the connector for lamp bracket, the junction box, and the male connection sleeve.  
         [0040]      FIG. 16  is a schematic view of assembling the lamp mount and the lamp bracket.  
         [0041]      FIG. 17  is a schematic view of the male connection sleeve catching the camshaft.  
         [0042]      FIG. 18   a  is a sectional view of the female connection sleeve according to the second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0043]      FIG. 18   b  is a spatial view of the male connection sleeve according to the second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0044]      FIG. 19   a  is a front view of the female connection sleeve according to the third embodiment of the invention.  
         [0045]      FIG. 19   b  is a sectional view of the female connection sleeve along Line C-C according to the third embodiment of the invention.  
         [0046]      FIG. 19   c  is a front view of the male connection sleeve according to the third embodiment of the invention.  
         [0047]      FIG. 19   d  is a sectional view of the male connection sleeve along Line D-D according to the third embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0048]      FIG. 20   a  is a perspective view of the male connection sleeve according to the fourth embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0049]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-20 , the present invention is described by various preferred embodiments.  
         [0050]     A lamp mount comprises a connector for lamp bracket  6 , a junction box  3 , and housings  4 ,  5  is provided. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the connector for lamp bracket  6  comprises a female connecting sleeve  11 , a camshaft  12 , a positioning plate  13 , an internal hexagonal screw, and a screw. The junction box comprises a male sleeve  31  for electrical wires, a plastic member  32 , conductive terminals  312 A,  312 B, and a female sleeve  33  for electrical wires.  
         [0051]     As shown in  FIGS. 3   a,    3   b,  and  3   c,  a sink  111  is formed at one side of the female connecting sleeve  11 . A positioning block  112 , a third fixing hole  117 , and a fourth fixing hole  118  are disposed at the top of the female connecting sleeve  11 , wherein the third and the fourth fixing holes  117 ,  118  are screw holes. As shown in  FIGS. 5   a,    5   b,  and  5   c , the shape of the abutted surface of the positioning plate  13  fits that of the female connecting sleeve  11 . The positioning plate  13  defines a camshaft positioning hole  132 , a second positioning hole  133 , and a fifth fixing hole  134 . There is a positioning groove  131  at the bottom of the positioning plate  13 . The positioning block  112  is embedded in the positioning groove  131 . The two screw holes  133 ,  134  are positioned in the positioning block  112 , wherein the third fixing hole  117  adjacent to the sink  111  is an internal hexagonal screw hole. An internal hexagonal screw (not shown) functions as a fixing leg inserted in the second positioning hole  133  in the positioning plate  13  and the internal hexagonal screw hole  133 . The internal hexagonal screw moves along the direction perpendicular to the plughole  113 , so as to be slightly or partially screwed into the plughole  113 . Thereby the internal hexagonal screw presses against the upper surface of the male connecting sleeve  722  for rigidly affixing the female connecting sleeve  11  and the male connecting sleeve  722  in the up and down direction. The camshaft  12  is put into the sink  111 . The sink  111  and the camshaft constitute a female sleeve rigid clipping fastener. After the camshaft  12  is put into the sink  111  of the female connecting sleeve  11 , a part of the arc bulge in the middle of the camshaft  12  is exposed, and the exposed arc bulge  121  is embedded in the camshaft positioning hole  132  in the positioning plate  13 . There are two screw holes  116  at the bottom of the female connecting sleeve  11 . Screws (not shown) pass through the screw holes  116  to fix the female connecting sleeve  11  onto the housing  4 . A screw (also not shown) goes through the fifth fixing hole  134  in the positioning plate  13  and the fourth fixing hole in the female connecting sleeve  11  to lock the positioning plate  13  onto the female connecting sleeve  11 . The middle part of the female connecting sleeve  11  defines a plughole, i.e., a square hole  113 , and the male connecting sleeve  722  is inserted into the square hole  113 . A first boss  114  protrudes from the square hole at the back of the female connecting sleeve  11 , and is embedded in a side hole of the housing  4 . As shown in  FIGS. 4   a,    4   b,  and  4   c , there is an arc bulge  121  in the middle of the camshaft  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the bulge  121  catches the slot of the male connecting sleeve  722  for suitable positioning. Shaft necks are disposed at the top and the bottom of the camshaft  12 , wherein an internal hexagonal hole is in the middle part of one of the shaft necks. An internal hexagonal spanner (not shown) can be inserted into the shaft neck with the internal hexagonal hole, and is rotated to screw the arc bulge  121  of the camshaft  12  in the slot of the male connecting sleeve  722 , so as to tightly fasten the female connecting sleeve  11  and the male connecting sleeve  722  in the front and back, left and right directions.  
         [0052]     In the above embodiment, a female rigid sleeve attaching mechanism comprises at least one positioning plate (see  FIGS. 5   a - 5   c ), at least one sink  111 , at least one camshaft  12 , and at least one internal hexagonal screw  9 .  
         [0053]     As shown in  FIGS. 6   a - 6   c , the junction box  3  comprises a male sleeve  31  for electrical wires, a plastic member  32 , conductive terminals  312 A,  312 B, a lead  316 , and a female sleeve  33  for electrical wires. As shown in  FIGS. 7   a,    7   d,  and  7   e,  the male sleeve  31  for electrical wires comprises a second boss  311  with two holes. The second boss  311  has a groove in the front end, and a second fixing shaft  314 A and a sixth fixing hole  315 A are disposed in the groove. A wiring slot  317  protrudes from the pointed conductive terminal, and the bare wires of the leads are fixed in the wiring slot  317 . Stabs protrude upward from the sidewall of the wiring slot  317 , thus constituting a stab end  319  for piercing the isolation layer of the electrical wire. Wiring terminals  320  further protrude from the conductive terminals  312 A,  312 B, wherein the wiring terminals  320  are hollow columns respectively fixed in two holes in the second boss  311 . The two conductive terminals  312 A,  312 B are spaced apart by a predetermined distance, so as to prevent the conductive terminals from piercing the electrical wire, thereby causing a short circuit. For convenience of piercing, the horizontal distance between the two conductive terminals is approximately equal to the center distance of the lead. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the bare wires in the terminal blocks are disposed in a hollow column or inner space. The wiring terminals  320  are electrically connected to the terminal blocks. A plastic member  32  comprises a third fixing shaft  315 B and a seventh fixing hole  314 B. The second fixing shaft  314 A and the third fixing shaft  315 B are respectively inserted into the seventh fixing hole  314 B and the sixth fixing hole  315 A, for pressing the plastic member  32  in the groove of the male sleeve for electrical wires  31 . The stab ends  319  protrude from the aperture between the pressing tab and the male sleeve for electrical wires. As shown in  FIGS. 7   b  and  7   c,  an opening with a beveled end  318  is disposed at the back of the male sleeve for electrical wires  31 . a terminal block  721  is inserted into a corresponding hole. The beveled end  318  is used to position the positive and negative electrodes of the electrical wire. As shown in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b,  the female sleeve for electrical wires is a hollow housing, matching and covering the male sleeve for electrical wires.  
         [0054]     As shown in  FIG. 6   c,  a spacing hole  313  is disposed in the junction box. As shown in  FIG. 6   b,  wire channels are formed at the junction of the male connecting sleeve and the female connecting sleeve. A spacing hole  313  is defined by closing the wire channels. The lead is fixed in the spacing hole.  
         [0055]     As shown in  FIG. 14 , multiple junction boxes are engaged with a wirehaving leads being respectively connected respectively to the wiring slots  317  in the junction boxes.  
         [0056]     As shown in  FIG. 10 , side holes  41  are disposed in the sidewall of the housing  4 , wherein the first boss  114  of the female connecting sleeve  11  is embedded into a side hole  41 . The third positioning holes  42  are uniformly defined at or distributed among the periphery of the bottom of the housing  4  corresponding to the screw holes at the bottom of the female connecting sleeve  11 . A fourth positioning hole (not shown) is defined in the middle of the housing  4 , having the end portion of the electrical wire passes through the fourth positioning hole. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the fifth positioning holes  515  are uniformly defined at distributed among the periphery of the housing  5 , corresponding to the positions of the sink and the internal hexagonal screw hole of the female connecting sleeve  11 . A sixth positioning hole  52  is defined in the middle of the housing  5 , and the electrical outgoing line goes through the sixth positioning hole  52 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 16 , the housings  4  and  5  are locked via connecting elements, such as screws, nipples, internal tooth lock washers, and at least one bonding post. The camshaft  12  and the top of the internal hexagonal screw  9  extend out of the fifth positioning hole  51  of the housing  5 , and the electrical outgoing line extends out of the sixth positioning hole  52  of the housing  5 .  
         [0057]     As shown in  FIG. 12 , a lamp bracket comprises a bent pipe  71 , a terminal block  721 , and a male connecting sleeve  722 . As shown in  FIGS. 13   a,    13   b,  and  13   c,  an arc slot is formed at one sidewall of the male connecting sleeve  722 , and the arc slot is a male sleeve rigidly attaching mechanism. The front end of the male connecting sleeve  722  may be a hollow rectangular hole, while the back end thereof may be a hollow cylindrical hole. The terminal block  721  is inserted through the rectangular hole and the cylindrical hole of the male connecting sleeve  722 . The male connecting sleeve  722  is tightly connected to the bent pipe  71  via a hollow nipple. The electrical wire of the terminal block  721  goes through the male connecting sleeve  722 , and the hollow nipple, then into the bent pipe  71 , so as to electrically connect the bulb on the bent pipe.  
         [0058]     As shown in  FIGS. 18   a  and  18   b,  different from the other embodiments, in the second embodiment of the invention, the connector for lamp bracket  6  comprises a female connecting sleeve  11  and a screw. A first shaft hole is provided in the direction perpendicular to the plughole of the female connecting sleeve, i.e. a screw hole  81 . The sidewall of the male connecting sleeve  722  is not provided with a slot thereon, but with a second shaft hole  82 . When the male connecting sleeve is inserted into the plughole of the female connecting sleeve  11 , the screw hole in the female connecting sleeve corresponds to the second shaft hole in the male connecting sleeve. The screw is a plug-in member inserted into the second shaft hole  82  in the male connecting sleeve and screwed in the screw hole  81  in the female connecting sleeve tightly, for the purpose of fastening the female connecting sleeve and the male connecting sleeve together.  
         [0059]     In the above mentioned embodiments, the screw and the first shaft hole fixed on the female connecting sleeve constitute the female sleeve rigid attaching mechanism. The male sleeve rigid attaching mechanism comprises a second shaft hole and a screw inserted therein.  
         [0060]     As shown in  FIGS. 19   a,    19   b,  and  19   c,  different from the other embodiments, in the third embodiment of the invention, the connector for lamp bracket comprises a female connecting sleeve. The plughole comprises a cylindrical hole. A guide slot  92  and a slot  91  are defined on the sidewall of the plughole of the female connecting sleeve. The guide slot  92  extends from the insert end of the plughole into the slot along the axial direction. As shown in  FIG. 19   d,  the end of the male connecting sleeve is of a cylindrical shape. Clipping tabs  93  are distributed symmetrically along the external circumference of the cylinder. When the male connecting sleeve is inserted into the plughole of the female connecting sleeve  11 , the clipping tabs  93  on the male connecting sleeve are inserted into the plughole of the female connecting sleeve along the guide slot  92 . When the clipping tabs  93  are moved to the slot  91 , the female connecting sleeve and the male connecting sleeve are rotated relatively, thereby making the male connecting sleeve and the female connecting sleeve tightly fastened together.  
         [0061]     The guide slot and the slot defined on the female connecting sleeve constitute the female sleeve rigid attaching mechanism, and the clipping tabs on the male connecting sleeve constitute the male sleeve rigid attaching mechanism.  
         [0062]     As shown in  FIG. 20   a,  different from the other embodiments, in the fourth embodiment of the invention, the connector for lamp bracket comprises a female connecting sleeve. The plughole in the female connecting sleeve is a cylindrical hole, and clipping tabs are disposed on the inner sidewall of the plughole (not shown). There is a guide slot  102  and a slot  103  disposed in the male connecting sleeve, and the guide slot axially extends from the insert end to the annular slot  103 .  
         [0063]     The clipping tabs on the female connecting sleeve constitute the female sleeve rigid attaching mechanism. The guide slot  102  and the slot  103  on the male connecting sleeve constitute the male sleeve rigid attaching mechanism.  
         [0064]     While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the preferred embodiments thereof, and while the preferred embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described