Current-rail adapter
View Patent ↗An insert part can fit into the slot of a power track. A shaft extending into the insert part is pivotal about a shaft axis in the housing between a use position and a nonuse position. A one-piece conductive contact element rotationally fixed to the shaft has a contact projecting radially from the shaft and engageable with one of the power-track conductors when the insert part is fitted to the slot and the shaft is in the use position, and a one-piece plug-type terminal extending generally parallel to the axis. Formations unitarily formed with the contact element and the shaft axially and rotationally fix the contact element on the shaft. A hookup wire provided with another plug-type terminal mates with the terminal of the contact element.
1. In combination with a power track having a slot in which are exposed electrical conductors, an adapter comprising:
a housing having an insert part fittable into the slot;
a shaft extending into the insert part and pivotal about a shaft axis in the housing between a use position and a nonuse position;
a one-piece conductive contact element rotationally fixed to the shaft, having a contact projecting radially from the shaft and engageable with one of the power-track conductors when the insert part is fitted to the slot and the shaft is in the use position, and having a one-piece plug-type terminal extending generally parallel to the axis;
means including formations unitarily formed with the contact element and the shaft for axially and rotationally fixing the contact element on the shaft; and
a hookup wire provided with another plug-type terminal mated with the terminal of the contact element.
2. The power-track adapter defined in claim 1 , further comprising
a second shaft separate from the first-mentioned shaft, extending into the insert part, and pivotal about a second shaft axis in the housing between a use Position and a nonuse position;
a second conductive contact element separate from the first-mentioned contact element, rotationally fixed to the second shaft, having a contact projecting radially from the second shaft, and engageable with another of the power-track conductors when the insert part is fitted to the slot and the second shaft is in the use position, and having a one-piece plug-type terminal extending generally parallel to the axis of the second shaft; and
a second hookup wire separate from the first-mentioned hookup wire and provided with a plug-type terminal mated with the terminal of the second contact element.
3. The power-track adapter defined in claim 1 wherein the plug-type terminal of the hookup wire is displaceable axially in the housing for connection with and disconnection from the terminal of the contact element.
4. The power-track adapter defined in claim 1 wherein the contact is unitarily formed with the contact element.
5. The power-track adapter defined in claim 4 wherein the contact element is formed as a spring urging the contact radially outward.
6. The power-track adapter defined in claim 1 wherein the control shaft is at least partially hollow.
7. The power-track adapter defined in claim 6 wherein the control shaft is formed with a throughgoing passage, the adapter further comprising
another feed wire extending through the passage.
8. In combination with a power track having a slot in which are exposed electrical conductors, an adapter comprising:
a housing having an insert part fittable into the slot;
a shaft extending into the insert part and pivotal about a shaft axis in the housing between a use position and a nonuse position;
a conductive contact element rotationally and axially fixed to the shaft, having a contact projecting radially from the shaft and engageable with one of the power-track conductors when the insert part is fitted to the slot and the shaft is in the use position, and having a one-piece plug-type terminal extending generally parallel to the axis; and
a hookup wire provided with another plug-type terminal mated with the terminal of the contact element and displaceable generally parallel to the axis between a position interfitting with and electrically coupled to the terminal of the contact element and a position disconnected therefrom.
9. In combination with a power track having a slot in which are exposed electrical conductors, an adapter comprising:
a housing having an insert part fittable into the slot;
a one-piece shaft extending into the insert part and pivotal about a shaft axis in the housing between a use position and a nonuse position;
a conductive contact element rotationally fixed to the shaft, having a contact projecting radially from the shaft and engageable with one of the power-track conductors when the insert part is fitted to the slot and the shaft is in the use position, and having a one-piece tongue-shaped plug-type terminal extending generally parallel to the axis; and
a hookup wire provided with a plug-type terminal mated with the terminal of the contact element.