AU701215B2 - Improvements in or relating to batten holders - Google Patents

Description

la- IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO BATTEN HOLDERS This invention relates to batten holders.

The electrical fitting identified as a batten holder is used on a surface, normally a ceiling, to provide an outlet socket normally for an electric light bulb. To wire such a batten holder the electrical supply wires must be connected to terminals in the fitting. This can sometimes be difficult with conventional batten holders where there are short protruding supply wires or confined spaces between the fitting surface and the back of the batten holder.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a batten holder which is more convenient for installation or which will at least provide a useful choice over other known types of batten holder.

Accordingly the invention may broadly be said to provide a batten holder including: a surface engaging portion at one end; 20 bulb contacts and associated electrical connection terminal assemblies; a skeletal body to support the bulb terminals and the electrical connection terminal o00.

assemblies, wherein the electrical connection terminal assemblies are accessible through .o•.oo the sides of the skeletal body; and a cover to substantially conceal the sides of the skeletal body.

One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a batten holder according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-section through a completed batten holder; Figure 3 is a plan view of the underside of the batten holder; Figure 4 is a top view of the batten holder with the cover removed; Figure 5 is a side view of the batten holder with the cover removed; Figure 6 is an underneath view of the batten holder with the cover removed and Figure 7 is a side view through 900 from figure The batten holder 1 comprises a body 2, a cover 3, a socket connector 4 and a socket surround 5. The socket 5 has a threaded section 6 arranged in use to engage with the thread 7 on the socket 4 in the normal manner.

14l i, ~i The body 2 has a skeletal form and is made up of a base section 8 and a socket and pin support section 9 separated from the base by a plurality of arms. Arms 10 are positioned opposite one another and two arm assemblies 11 provided at right angles thereto and opposite each other together providing a stable skeletal structure for the body.

The socket and pin support 9 has spring mounted connector pins 12 and an associated electrical connection terminals assembly 13 fixed in place by a screw 18 to allow an electrical connection to be completed to the terminals and provide a looping facility in the fitting should this be necessary. This type of assembly is typical for batten holders but in this instance the terminals 13 have the screw connectors 14 all facing so that they are accessible from one side of the skeletal body as is best illustrated in figure The base 8 has mounting apertures 15 shielded by the arm assemblies 11.

g The present invention allows electrical connection to the terminals 13 to be completed with access through the skeletal body thus facilitating electrical connection of the fitting and making for easier installation.

20 The cover 3 is a clip-on cover shaped to provide an aesthetic finish covering the body and S0: forming a neat joint with the supporting surface. This clip action is established by protuberances 16 on the lower periphery of the skirt engaging over protuberances 17 on the base 8 of the body 2.

The batten holder according to the present invention thus allows for easier installation.

An electrician would ordinarily complete the electrical connection with the terminals using where necessary or appropriate access through the skeletal body. Once the electrical connection has been completed the body can be mounted on the mounting surface with screws passing through the mounting aperture 15. The cover 3 can then be clipped in place and the surround 5 fitted to complete the installed batten holder.

Nt -3- THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A batten holder including: a surface engaging portion at one end; bulb contacts and associated electrical connection terminal assemblies; a skeletal body to support the bulb terminals and the electrical connection terminal assemblies, wherein the electrical connection terminal assemblies are accessible through the sides of the skeletal body; and a cover to substantially conceal the sides of the skeletal body.

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2. The batten holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the skeletal body includes ft. radially extending arms or walls.

3. The batten holder as claimed in claim 2 wherein the arms or walls are symmetrically arranged.

t f 4. The batten holder as claimed in claim 3 wherein there are at least four arms or walls, the arms or walls being arranged in a radially symmetric manner.

The batten holder as claimed in claim 1 further including a base portion defining the surface engaging portion, the base portion having mounting apertures formed therethrough, the mounting apertures each being shielded, at least in part, from the bulb contacts and associated electrical connection terminal assemblies by a part of the skeletal body.

6. The batten holder as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 further including a base portion defining the surface engaging portion, the base portion having mounting apertures formed therethrough, the mounting apertures each being shielded, at least in part, from the bulb contacts and associated electrical connection terminal assemblies by a pair of the radially extending arms or walls.

7. The batten holder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the electrical connection terminal assemblies include terminals and terminal connectors, the terminal connectors being accessible through the sides of the skeletal body.

J 8. The batten holder as claimed in claim 7 wherein each of the terminal connectors are accessible from a common side only of the skeletal body.

Claims (3)

1. 9. The batten holder as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein the terminals are accessible for electrical connection through said one end of the batten holder defined by the surface engaging portion.
2. 10. The batten holder as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the skeletal body includes a base portion, there being further provided a socket and pin support, the socket and pin support being separated from the base portion by the radially extending arms or walls.
3. 11. The batten holder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover is adapted to clip on to the skeletal body. o 12. A batten holder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures. DATED: 12 October 1998 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: PDL HOLDINGS LIMITED ABSTRACT A batten holder has a body of skeletal form which supports socket pins and associated electrical connection terminals The terminals (13) are accessible through the skeletal body to allow electrical connections to be made with the terminals (13). A cover engages the body and substantially conceals the body o 9 99 o 9.« 9* .9 t q 9. 99 9 9 9 Q 9. 9 9 999 .9 99 9 9 9