Electrically conductive ball joints and lighting fixtures using the joints
US8602612B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 11, 2012 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/32737
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrically conductive ball joint and lighting fixtures using the joint are disclosed. The joint has a ball with a first portion connected to a first electrical signal and a second portion connected to a second electrical signal. The first and second portions are electrically isolated from one another by a nonconductive bushing. A socket receives the ball and has a first set of electrical contacts adapted to make contact with the first portion of the ball and a second set of electrical contacts adapted to make contact with the second portion of the ball. The two portions of the ball are unequal, with one portion being larger than the other. The lighting fixtures generally comprise a base and two or more arms connected to the base. The arms are connected to one another electrically and structurally with the electrically conductive ball joints, and may be counterweighted.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.