INSULATED ELECTRIC CORD

Abstract

An insulated electric cord (102) comprises an elongate covering arrangement (12) and at least two elongate electrical conductors (14, 16) held within the covering arrangement (12). The insulated electric cord (102) further comprises an elongate load bearing member (20) held within the covering arrangement (12). The insulated electric cord (102) further comprises an elongate flexible cutting member (22) held within the covering arrangement (12). The elongate electrical conductors (14, 16), the elongate load bearing member (20), and the elongate flexible cutting member (22) extend longitudinally through the covering arrangement (12). The elongate flexible cutting member (22) extends through the covering arrangement (12) adjacent the elongate load bearing member (20). The cutting member (22) is capable of cutting the covering arrangement (12), thereby allowing a portion of the load bearing member (20) to be extracted from the covering arrangement (12).

Claims

1. According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided an insulated electric cord comprising: an elongate insulating sheath; at least two elongate electrical conductors held within the insulating sheath, the elongate electrical conductors extending longitudinally through the insulating sheath; an elongate load bearing member held within the insulating sheath, the elongate load bearing member extending longitudinally through the insulating sheath; an elongate flexible cutting member held within the insulating sheath, the elongate flexible cutting member extending longitudinally through the insulating sheath adjacent the elongate load bearing member; wherein the cutting member is capable of cutting the insulating sheath, thereby allowing a portion of the load bearing member to be extracted from the insulating sheath.

2. An insulated electric cord according to claim 1, wherein the insulating sheath defines an elongate cavity extending longitudinally through the insulating sheath, the elongate electrical conductors extending through the elongate cavity.

3. An insulated electric cord according to claim 2, wherein the elongate cavity has a generally triangular end profile, each of the conductors being provided at a respective apex of the triangle, and wherein, the central axis may extend through the cavity.

4. An insulated electric cord according to claim 3, wherein each conductor comprises an elongate electrically conductive core, and an elongate insulator extending around the electrically conductive core.

5. An insulated electric cord according to claim 1, wherein the flexible cutting member extends through the insulating sheath adjacent the load bearing member.

6. An insulated electric cord according to claim 1, wherein the insulating sheath has a longitudinal central axis, the load bearing member extending through the insulating sheath offset from the central axis of the insulating sheath, and the flexible cutting member is provided between the load bearing member and the electrical conductors.

7. An insulated electric cord according to claim 1, wherein the flexible cutting member is provided between the load bearing member and the centre of the insulating sheath.

8. An electrical apparatus comprising: an insulated electric cord as claimed in claim 1; an electrical device having a first connector, and a carrying member having a second connector; the first and second elongate electrical conductors connecting the electrical device to wiring of a mains supply of electricity at the carrying member; the elongate load bearing member being connected at the first end portion thereof to the first connector of the device and said elongate load bearing member being connected at the second opposite end portion thereof to the second connector of the carrying member.

9. An electrical apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first connector comprises a clamping arrangement having a body defining a main passage in which one end portions of the load bearing member can be received, and the first connector further includes a clamping member in the body to clamp the load bearing member in the main passage, thereby securing the electric cord to the first connector.

10. An electrical apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the clamping member is screwed into a clamping passage in the body, the clamping passage communicating with the main passage, thereby allowing the clamping member to engage the load bearing member.

11. An electrical apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the clamping passage is threaded, and the clamping member comprises a screw that can be screwed into the clamping passage.

12. An electrical apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the body defines at least one conductor receiving passage for receiving the electrical conductors.

13. An electrical apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the body includes securing formations for securing the body to the electrical device, the securing formations being threads on which a nut can be threaded to secure the first connector to the electrical device.

14. An electrical apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second connector comprises a gripping arrangement, the gripping arrangement comprising: a main part defining a channel to receive one of the end portions of the load bearing member; a gripping member held within the channel; and an urging member for urging the gripping member to a gripping position in engagement with the load bearing member.

15. An electrical apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the second connector includes a plurality of gripping members capable of being urged by the urging member into the gripping position in which each gripping member engages the load bearing member.

16. An electrical apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the second connector comprises a release member for releasing the load bearing member from the second connector, the release member being depressible to release the, or each, gripping member from engagement with the load bearing member.

17. An electrical apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the release member being depressible to move the, or each, gripping member to a non-gripping position, whereby in the non-gripping position, the, or each, gripping member is released from engagement with the load bearing member.

18. An electrical apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the second connector comprises a holder for holding the, or each, gripping member, the release member being provided on the holder, the release member being depressible to move the holder, thereby moving the, or each, gripping member to the non-gripping position.

19. A method of installing an electrical device using an insulated electric cord as claimed in claim 1, said method comprising: providing a first connector for an electrical device; providing a carrying member; providing a second connector; cutting a portion of the insulating sheath at the first end portion of the load bearing member using the cutting member; extracting the first end portion of the load bearing member from the insulating sheath; and securing the first end portion of the load bearing member to the first connector; cutting a portion of the insulating sheath at the opposite second end portion of the load bearing member using the cutting member; extracting the second end portion of the load bearing member from the insulating sheath; securing the second end portion of the load bearing member to the second connector; and thereafter electrically connecting the first and second elongate electrical conductors to a supply of electricity at the carrying member.

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. A method according to claim 19, wherein the second connector comprises at least one gripping member, and the step of securing the load bearing member to the second connector comprises feeding the load bearing member into the second connector and allowing the, or each, gripping member to grip the load bearing member.

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

Description

[0071] An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0072] FIG. 1 is an end view of an insulated electric cord;

[0073] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an end region of the insulated electric cord;

[0074] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an opposite end region of the insulated electric cord;

[0075] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a first step in the connection of the insulated electric cord with a first connector;

[0076] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a second step in the connection of the insulated electric cord with a first connector;

[0077] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a third step in the connection of the insulated electric cord with a first connector;

[0078] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view showing the first connector about to be connected to an electrical device;

[0079] FIG. 8 is a bottom view showing the first connector connected to the electrical device;

[0080] FIG. 9 is a side view showing a carrying member and a second connector, in which the insulated electric cord is about to be connected to the second connector;

[0081] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the carrying member and the second connector, in which the insulated electric cord is connected to a second connector;

[0082] FIG. 11 is a side view, showing the second connector with the insulated electric cord secured thereto;

[0083] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the second connector view showing the insulated electric cord connected thereto;

[0084] FIG. 13 shows a first step in the installation of an electrical apparatus;

[0085] FIG. 14 shows a second step in the installation of an electrical apparatus;

[0086] FIG. 15 shows a third step in the installation of an electrical apparatus;

[0087] FIG. 16 shows a fourth step in the installation of an electrical apparatus;

[0088] FIG. 17 shows a fifth step in the installation of an electrical apparatus;

[0089] FIG. 18 is a side view of the insulated electric cord secured to a further first connector and to the second connector;

[0090] FIG. 19 is a perspective view from above of the further first connector secured to the insulated electric cord;

[0091] FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 of the further first connector showing a cap therefor;

[0092] FIG. 21 is a perspective view from below of the further first connector and the cap; and

[0093] FIG. 22 is a view from below of the further first connector.

[0094] The drawings show an electrical apparatus 100 comprising a flexible insulated electric cord 102, and a first connector 104 for connecting the insulated electric cord 102 to an electrical device 106. The electrical device disclosed in this specification is a lighting device, such as a lamp, but could be in the form of other electrical devices.

[0095] The electrical apparatus 100 further comprises a second connector 108 for connecting the insulated electric cord 102 to a carrying member 110 secured to a support 112 in the form of, for example, a ceiling or roof beam.

[0096] The flexible insulated electric cord 102 is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The insulated electric cord 102 comprises a flexible elongate covering arrangement in the form of an insulating sheath 12 formed of a suitable plastically deformable synthetic material, such as PVC.

[0097] The insulating electrical cord 102 further comprises three electrically insulating elongate conductors 14, 16, 18, respectively, a live wire, a neutral wire, and a ground wire. The three conductors 14, 16, 18 are embedded within the flexible insulating sheath 12.

[0098] The insulating electrical cord 102 also includes an elongate load bearing member 20, embedded within the insulating sheath 12. The conductors 14, 16, 18 and the load bearing member 20 extend longitudinally through the whole length of the insulating sheath 12.

[0099] The load bearing member 20 comprises a plurality of elongate strands of a load bearing material, such as steel. The elongate strands are wound around one another to form a wire.

[0100] The insulating sheath 12 has a central axis X, and defines an elongate longitudinally extending cavity 30 around the central axis X. The conductors 14, 16, 18 are provided within the elongate cavity 30. The elongate cavity 30 extends longitudinally through the whole length of the insulating sheath 12.

[0101] The elongate cavity 30 has a generally triangular cross-sectional end profile, and has part circular elongate recesses 32 at each apex of the triangle. The conductors 14, 16, 18 are held within a respective one of the recesses 32. The conductors 14, 16, 18 are arranged at the apexes of the cavity 30.

[0102] An elongate cutting member 22 is embedded within the insulating sheath 12 between the load bearing member 20 and the cavity 30.

[0103] The insulating electrical cord 102 is manufactured so that the opposite ends of the cutting member 22 extend from the opposite ends of the insulating sheath 12.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 2, one end of the cutting member 22 can be held by the user and pulled against the insulating sheath 12, thereby cutting through the insulating sheath 12 from the inside thereof. The cutting of the insulating sheath 12 in this way forms a slit 34 along the end region of the insulating sheath 12. A first end portion 20A of the load bearing member 20 can be extracted from within the insulating sheath 12 through the slit 34.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 3, the above discussed cutting of the insulating sheath 12 can then be repeated at the opposite end of the insulating sheath 12, thereby allowing the opposite second end portion 20B of the load bearing member 20 to be extracted from the insulating sheath 12.

[0106] The embodiment of the invention described herein provides the advantage that the load bearing member 20 does not curl up when extracted from the insulating sheath 12.

[0107] FIGS. 4 to 8 show the first connector 104 for connecting the insulated electric cord 102 to the electric device 106. The first connector 104 is in the form of a clamping arrangement.

[0108] The first connector 104 comprises a body 36 having a cylindrical outer surface 38 and an end face 40. The body 36 includes a radially outwardly extending flange portion 41 adjacent the end face 40, the cylindrical outer surface 38 extends from the flange portion 41 to the opposite end of the body 36.

[0109] The body 36 defines a main passage 42 having an opening 44 in the end face 40. The first end portion 20A of the load bearing member 20 can be received in the main passage 42 via the opening 44. The body 36 has an axially extending projection 43 that projects beyond the end face 40. The projection 43 is provided to mount a cap 120 on the body 36 (see below).

[0110] The body 36 defines a threaded clamping passage 46 extending at a right angle to the main passage 42, and communicating therewith. The clamping passage 46 extends to a side opening 48 in the cylindrical outer surface 38.

[0111] A clamping member 50, in the form of a grub screw, can be screwed into the clamping passage 46 via the side opening 48. The clamping member 50 is screwed into the clamping passage until it engages and clamps the first end portion 20A of the load bearing member 20 in the main passage 42, thereby securing the insulated electric cord 102 to the first connector 104.

[0112] The body 36 defines a conductor receiving passage 52 for receiving the electrical conductors 14, 16, 18 therethrough. The conductor receiving passage 52 extends through the body 36 so that the conductors 14, 16, 18 can be electrically connected to the electrical device 106.

[0113] A thread is provided around the cylindrical outer surface 38. The thread extends along the cylindrical outer surface 38 from the flange portion 41 to the opposite end of the body 36.

[0114] In order to secure the first connector 104 to the electrical device 106, the threaded region of the body 36 is inserted through an aperture 54 in an upper region of the electrical device 106 so that the flange portion 41 engages a region of the electrical device 106 around the aperture 54. A nut 56 can be screwed onto the cylindrical outer surface 38 and tightened against said region of the electrical device 106 around the aperture 54, thereby securing the first connector 104 to the electrical device 106.

[0115] FIGS. 9 to 11 show the second connector 108 for connecting the insulated electric cord 102 to the carrying member 110. The second connector 108 is in the form of a gripping arrangement comprising a main part 60. The main part 60 has a radially outwardly extending flange 62 at one end of the main part 60. The main part 60 has a cylindrical threaded region 64 extending from the flange 62 to the opposite end of the main part 60.

[0116] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a carrying member 110 attached to the support 112. The support 112 may comprise, for example, a ceiling of a building or a beam in a roof of a building.

[0117] The carrying member 110 is in the form of a bracket and comprises two recessed attaching portions 68 that engage the support 112. Each of the attaching portions 68 is in the form of a substantially planar member. The attaching portions 68 define respective apertures through which attaching members 72, in the form of screws, are inserted. The attaching members 72 are screwed into the support 112, thereby attaching the carrying member 110 to the support 112.

[0118] The carrying member 110 further includes a central securing portion 74 defining a central aperture 76 (see FIG. 11) through which the second connector 108 is received. The central securing portion 74 is in the form of a substantially planar member. The central securing portion 74 is spaced from the attaching portions 68, and thereby from the support 112, to allow the second connector 108 to be secured thereto.

[0119] A respective bridging portion 75 extends between each of the attaching portions 68 and the central securing portion 74. The bridging portions 75 are in the form of substantially planar members.

[0120] The carrying member 110 further includes an end member 77 at each opposite end thereof. A respective fastening member 78 is provided at each of the end members 77. The fastening members 78 are screws received in opposite holes defined by the carrying member.

[0121] The cylindrical threaded region 64 of the second connector 108 is received through the central aperture 76 of the carrying member 110 so that the flange 62 engages the region of the securing portion 74 around the central aperture 76. A nut 79 is screwed onto the threaded region 64 and tightened onto the region of the securing portion 74 around the central aperture 76, thereby securing the second connector 108 to the carrying member 110.

[0122] Referring to FIG. 11, in which a sectional view of the second connector 108 is shown, the main part 60 defines a channel 80 to receive the second end portion 20B of the load bearing member 20. The second connector 108 includes three gripping members 82 (only two of which are shown) held by a movable holder 84 within the channel 80. The second connector 108 further includes an urging member 86 for urging the holder 84 in the direction of the arrow A, thereby urging the gripping members 82 to a gripping position in engagement with the load bearing member 20.

[0123] The second connector 108 comprises a release member 88 in the form of a projecting portion of the holder 84. The release member 88 is for releasing the gripping members 82 from engagement with the load bearing member 20. When so released, of the position of the load bearing member 20 relative to the second connector 108 can be adjusted.

[0124] The release member 88 can be pressed by a user in the direction opposite to that shown by the arrow A to move the holder 84 in the same direction, thereby releasing the gripping members 82 from the load bearing member 20.

[0125] FIGS. 12 to 16 show the installation of the electrical apparatus 100. FIG. 12 shows the electrical apparatus 100 prior to installation. FIGS. 12, 15 and 16 show a canopy 90 that is arranged over the carrying member 110. The canopy 90 is described in more detail below.

[0126] Initially, the first and second end portions 20A, 20B of the load bearing member 20 are extracted from the insulating sheath 12 by cutting the end regions of the insulating sheath 12. The cut end regions of the insulating sheath 12 are then removed to expose the conductors 14, 16, 18 at each of the opposite ends of the insulated electric cord 102.

[0127] Referring to FIG. 13, the conductors 14, 16, 18 at the end of the insulated electric cord 102 at the support 112 are connected to a connecting block 98 in preparation for connection to the cables 99 from a supply of electricity. The conductors 14, 16, 18 at the end of the insulated electric cord 102 at the electrical device 106 are arranged for connection to the electric cables of the electrical device 106.

[0128] FIGS. 14 and 15 show the carrying member 110 being attached to the support 112. The attaching members 72 extend through the carrying member 110 and are screwed into the support 112 to attach the carrying member 110 to the support. Cables 99 from a supply of electricity extend from the support 112.

[0129] When the first and second end portions 20A, 20B are connected respectively to the first connector 104 and the second connector 108, the electrical device 106 can be suspended on the insulated electric cord 102. The weight of the electrical device 106 is thus supported by the load bearing member 20. The installer can, if necessary, adjust the position of the load bearing member 20 in the second connector 108 by operating the release member 88 until the electrical device is the desired distance from the support 112.

[0130] FIG. 16 shows the electrical apparatus 100 attached to the support 112, and the load bearing member 20 supporting the electrical device 106. The cables 99 are then connected to the connecting block 98, and the conductors 14, 16, 18 are electrically connected to the electric device 106.

[0131] The canopy 90 is then connected to the carrying member 110. The canopy 90 is in the form of a shallow cylinder having a cylindrical side wall 92 and a circular base member 94. The side wall 92 has opposite L-shaped recesses 94 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 16) that receive the fastening members 78. The fastening members 78 can then be tightened to fasten the canopy 90 to the carrying member 110.

[0132] The base member 94 defines an aperture through which the insulated electric cord 102 extends. A sealing member 96 is provided to provide a seal between the insulated electric cord 102 and the base member 94 in the aperture.

[0133] FIG. 17 shows the electrical apparatus 100 fully installed, in which the load bearing member 20 is connected to the first connector 104 and to the second connector 108, and the electric device 106 is electrically connected to the source of electricity.

[0134] There is thus disclosed an electrical apparatus 100 and an insulated electric cord 102 that suspends an electrical device 106 from a support 112 and allows access to a load bearing member 20 without the problem of the load bearing member 20 curling up. The insulated electric cord 102 also allows the electric device 106 to be suspended while it is electrically connected to a source of electricity.

[0135] Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0136] FIG. 18 shows the insulated electric cord 102 secured to a further first connector 114 and to the second connector 108. The insulated electric cord 102 shown in FIG. 18 has a larger diameter than the insulated electric cord 102 shown in the previous Figures, but is otherwise the same.

[0137] FIGS. 19 to 22 show the further first connector 114, which has many of the same features as the first connector 104 shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 and 13 to 17. These features have been designated in FIGS. 19 to 22 with the same reference numerals as the corresponding features in FIGS. 4 to 8 and 13 to 17.

[0138] The further first connector 114 differs from the first connector 102 in that the projection 43 provides an annular lip portion 116 extending radially outwardly. A gap 118 is defined between the lip portion 116 and the flange portion 41.

[0139] The further first connector 114 includes a cap 120 mounted on the body 26. The cap 120 has a frustoconical upper part 122 having an apex region 124. The apex region 124 defines an aperture 126 through which the insulated electric cord 102 extends, thereby allowing the cap to be mounted on the main part 36.

[0140] The cap 120 also has a skirt portion 128 extending downwardly from the upper part 122. The skirt portion 128 has an inner surface upon which are provided two fixing formations 130 to fix the cap 120 to the main body 36.

[0141] The fixing formations 130 are in the form of snap fits which can snap over the lip portion 116 of the main body, and be received in the gap 118 between the lip portion 116 and the flange portion 41.

[0142] The projection 43 defines an opening 132. The skirt portion 128 has a lower edge 134 defining a recess 136. A release member 138 is provided in the cap 120 extending inwardly from the recess 136. When the cap 120 is mounted on the body 36, the release member 138 is received in the opening 132.

[0143] In use, if it is desired to remove the cap 120, the user can insert his or her finger into the recess 136 to engage the release member 138. The user can then prise the release member 138 away from the body 36, thereby causing the fixing formations 130 to be released from the gap 118, and the cap 120 to be lifted off the main body 36.