Patent Publication Number: US-11381029-B2

Title: Easy mount lighting fixture and electrical receptacle system

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/986,855, filed on Mar. 9, 2020. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to electrical fixtures such as lighting and electrical receptacles required to connect electrical power devices to a source of electricity in a residential or commercial application. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Prior art devices of this type can be seen in adapted plug-in light fixtures, for example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,614,163, 1,629,568 and 1,595,972. 
     Standard power outlet receptacles as having a plug-in configuration where a wall receptacle has multiple plug receiving apertures, each corresponding to a hot “positive” and correspondingly “negative” common side of an electrical circuit with an independent ground. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An electrical receptacle and mounting fixture system for electrical connections of fixed fixtures and receptacle plugs adapted for electrical equipment and the like. The connector system uses a power distribution connector block with opposing positive and neutral contact surfaces thereon. An integrated safety and support cover defines fixture and plug engagement release orientation for connective support with resilient use activation release lock in plug adapted configurations. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of the receptacle plug adapter of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view thereof. 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of a work box plate showing the fixture mounting and connection elements of the system. 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial rear elevational view of an electrical fixture example with interlocking mounting and release connector adapters of the system. 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevation composite view of the electrical fixture adaptor engaging the adaptor plate. 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged bottom elevational view on lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an electrical adapter plug of the system. 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view thereof. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial front elevational view of an electrical adapter plug engaged on a receptacle with portions in broken and solid lines. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3  of the drawings, a primary electrical receptacle adapter fitting  10  can be seen having a main support body  12  with equilateral top surfaces  13 A, bottom surfaces  13 B and respective spaced parallel side surfaces  14 A and  14 B. In this example chosen for illustration, a pair of spaced standard electrical plugs  15  and  16  found in the majority of domestic electrical supply systems extend from a rear surface  17  of the body member  12 . The plugs  15  and  16  are adaptable for engagement into a power wall receptacle, not shown, as is well understood and common within the art. 
     The standard electrical plugs  15  and  16  have a hot H and neutral N prongs and in this example a ground plug G. 
     Each of the electrical plugs  15  and  16  are in electrical communication with respective power transfer blocks  18  and  19  of the invention on the front surface  20  of the body member  12 . Each of the power transfer blocks  18  and  19  are of a raised rectangular configuration having a flat front surface  21  with electrical conductive metal side surface strips  18 A and  18 B and  19 A and  19 B respectively which are preferably made of brass and are in direct electrical contact with their corresponding electrical plug assemblies  15  and  16 . 
     Each of the respective raised power transfer blocks  18  and  19  have an overlapping cover  23  thereon which is of a foreshortened flat triangular configuration, best seen in  FIG. 1  of the drawings. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5  of the drawings, a surface electrical fixture mounting adapter plate  24  of the invention can be seen for use with an existing in the wall junction mounting box, not shown. 
     The fixture mounting adapter plate  24  has, in this example, a circular configuration but could be of any shape, such as square, not shown, which will match the appropriate mounting box so used. 
     The adapter plate  24  has a flat annular surface  24 A with a pair of screw holes S for attaching to an existing wall box. A central raised upstanding power transfer block  25  is provided that extends from the front plate surface  24 A and has a pair of electrical and attachment connectors  26  securing it to the plate and providing attachment screws for connecting to power wires in the mounting box, in this example, as will be well understood by those skilled in the art. 
     The power transfer block  25  is rectangular having a pair of power transfer strips  27 A and  27 B on respective spaced side surfaces thereof in communication with the afore referred to power connections  26 . A ground wire connector  27 C is positioned on the upper end surface of the power transfer block  25 . 
     An overlapping safety and engagement support cover  28  identical to that described in the receptacle adapter fitting  10  is provided and is, as noted, of a foreshortened triangular shape. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6  of the drawings, a universal fixture power connector and attachment support fitting  29  can be seen with a female fitting  30  that has a contoured recess  31  with an opening slot  32  and corresponding pair of resilient metal power contact wires  32 A and  32 B thereon, and a ground contact screw assembly  32 C there between. 
     The power contact wires  32 A and  32 B extend from and are secured by power connector screws  33  respectively in each of the wires  32 A and  32 B have a return free end bent at  34  that extends marginally into the defined opening  32  for selective resilient engagement with the hereinbefore described power transfer strips  27 A and  27 B on the power transfer block  25  when slidably engaged therein as illustrated in  FIG. 7  of the drawings. Each of the contact wires  32 A and  32 B have an area of reduced axial dimension at  32 C to act as a fusable link that will provide circuit protection under high electrical load induced by a short, for example, as known in the art. 
     It will be seen that the contoured recess  31  conforms to the tapered sides of the overlapping safety and engagement support cover  28  so as to provide an interlocking interface frictional fit there between as it progresses in engagement indicated by directional arrows in  FIG. 7  and in broken lines in  FIG. 8  of drawings. The opening  32  has a tapered base  35  to afford ease of alignment mount for receiving the power transfer block  25  on the electrical receptor adapter fitting  10 . The interlocking fixture fitting will provide a one-step power connection and fixture support accordingly. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8, 9 and 10  of the drawings, a plug  36  of the invention can be seen having an electrical cord W end fitting with a female receiving opening  37  within and oppositely disposed electrical contact metal strips  37 A and  37 B. 
     A spring S urged retainment lock element button  38  is used to retract a resiliently advanced retainment element  39  on the bottom of the plug  36  so as to engage and hold the plug-in locked position once slidably engaged over the receptacle adapter fitting  10  as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3  of the drawings. 
     It will be seen that the plug  36  has the foreshortened triangular receiving opening slot at  37  into which the receptacle cover  28  is received allowing the power transfer block  25  to be slidably received therein and connect with the plug&#39;s contact metal strips  40 A and  40 B transferring power thereto and locking the plug-in place. 
     To remove the plug  36 , the lock button  38  is user engaged releasing the plug  36  allowing it to slide up and off the receptacle, in this example. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7  of the drawings, a modified support fitting outdoor extension is illustrated of a hood element  39  shown in broken lines which will allow for use outdoors as so illustrated. 
     It will thus be seen that a new and novel electrical receptacle and fixture system has been illustrated and described that provides a simple one step fixture and support engagement and electrical connection through the use of a unique power transfer block and integrated safety cover support element unique and novel within the industry. 
     It will therefore be evident that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore,