United States Patent 15
`Lai
`
`US00a
`5272611A
`(11) Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,272,611
`Dec. 21, 1993
`
`[54]
`
`ELECTRICAL CORD ASSEMBLY FOR
`ILLUMINATION-ADJUSTABLE LIGHTING
`FIXTURE
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor:
`
`Shih-Wang Lai, P.O. Box 55-1670,
`Taipei, Taiwan
`
`[21]
`
`[22]
`
`[51]
`[52]
`
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`Appl. No.: 967,738
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct, 28, 1992
`
`Tint. CLS on...cesecsssctsscsesseceseectsseceseesees F21V 29/00
`US. CL. cecesccscesessesesessetenenenesseess 362/373; 369/249,
`369/251; 369/11; 174/50
`Field of Search.........0......... 362/373, 3, 6, 10, 11,
`362/85, 95, 251, 250, 249; 174/50, 50.54, 52.1,
`65-R, 6558
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Primary Examiner—Larry Jones
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`An electrical cord assembly for lighting fixture in-
`cludes: a main cord connected to a power source, an
`illumination adjusting switch box connected with the
`main cord secured on a supporting stand,at least a lamp
`cord branched from the main cord through the switch
`box and connected to at least a lamp secured on the
`stand through a lamp adapter, wherein the switch boxis
`formed by integrally molding an outer jacket on an
`inner box for ensuring a water proof property for the
`power connection, and the inner box havinga plurality
`of fins protruding outwardly from the jacket, and the
`lamp adapter is also well shielded for water proof pur-
`pose, thereby forming an electrical cord system easily
`assembled for saving assembly labor cost and for pro-
`viding a lighting fixture for a quicker lighting service,
`and for effectively dissipating heat in the box for en-
`hancingelectrical safety.
`3,725,695_4/1973 Eversberg et al... 362/394
`4,780,799 10/1988 GrOh .....essseseees
`a
`
`4,937,717 6/1990 Betzvog, Jr.
`....ccsesseseees 362/373 X
`
`6 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 1 of 10
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 1 of 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 21, 1993
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`5,272,611
`
`
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 2 of 10
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 2 of 10
`
`

`

`USS. Patent
`
`Dec. 21, 1993
`
`5,272,611
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 3 of 10
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 3 of 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 21, 1993
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`5,272,611
`
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`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 4 of 10
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 4 of 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 21, 1993
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`5,272,611
`
`
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 5 of 10
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 5 of 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 21, 1993
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`5,272,611
`
`29°9145
`
`
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 6 of 10
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 6 of 10
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 21, 1993
`
`5,272,611
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 7 of 10
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 7 of 10
`
`

`

`1
`
`3,272,611
`
`ELECTRICAL CORD ASSEMBLY FOR
`ILLUMINATION-ADJUSTABLE LIGHTING
`FIXTURE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`A conventional lighting fixture for mounting a plural-
`ity of lamps or lights on a stand is provided with an
`electrical cord system which may include a main cord
`connected with several branched cords for powering
`the lamps. Each lamp is connected with a branched
`cord powered from the main cord by meansof a switch
`box having a regulating switch provided on each switch
`box for switching on or off the lamp and for adjusting
`the illumination of each lamp. However,for connecting
`the cords in such a conventional lighting fixture, it re-
`quires complex procedures for connecting the cordsfor
`their power supply, causing inconvenience for a light-
`ing engineering. Meanwhile, the lighting fixture pro-
`vided for exterior activities outside a room may be
`subjected to rain or moisture attack and the conven-
`tional switch boxes ofthe lighting fixture are always not
`waterproof, thereby being vulnerable to be damaged by
`rainy water or moisture or possibly causing electrical
`shock accident when the electrically connecting parts
`ofthe lightingfixture is moistened and contacted by any
`persons who touch such a wet lighting fixture. Such a
`conventional switch box is also not provided with effi-
`cient heat-radiating device so that the electric heat ac-
`cumulated in the switch box may influencethe electri-
`cal safety.
`It is therefore expected to disclose an electrical cord
`system having water-proof property, heat: dissipation
`effect and easier assembly to be installed on a lighting
`fixture.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`The object of the present invention is to provide an
`electrical cord assemblyforlighting fixture including: a
`main cord connected to a powersource,an illumination
`adjusting switch box connected with the main cord
`secured on a supporting stand, at least a lamp cord
`branched from the main cord through the switch box
`and connected to at least a lamp secured on the stand
`through a lamp adapter, wherein the switch box is
`formed by integrally molding an outer jacket on an
`inner box for ensuring a water proof property for the
`power connection having a plurality of radiating fins
`protruding outwardly from the innerboxfor dissipating
`heat outwardly, and the lamp adapter is also well
`shielded for water proof purpose, thereby forming an
`electrical cord system easily assembled for saving as-
`sembly labor cost, for providing a lightingfixture for a
`quickerlighting service, and for preventing heat accu-
`mulation in the switch box ensuring electrical safety.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG.1 is a perspective view of the present invention
`when assembled.
`FIG.2 is an exploded view showing an inner box and
`its cover of the switch box of the present invention.
`FIG.3 is a rear view of the inner box when viewed
`from 3—3 direction of FIG. 2.
`FIG.4 showsa sectional drawing ofthe switch box in
`accordance with the present invention.
`FIG.4A showsthe inner box integrally formed with
`an outer jacket of the present invention.
`
`2
`oh
`FIG. 5 showsan exploded view of the lamp adapter
`of the present invention.
`FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C showthestepsfor assembling
`each lamp adapter on each lamp in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG. 7 shows another preferred embodiment of the
`lamp adapter of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the present invention com-
`prises: a main cord 1, an illumination adjusting switch
`box 2, at least a lamp cord 3 each lamp cord 3 connected
`between the switch box 2 and a lamp 6 by a lamp
`adapter 4, and a supporting stand 5 for securing the
`switch box 2 and the lamp 6 on thestand 5.
`The illumination adjusting switch box 2 includes: an
`inner box 21 having a first lower semi-circular hole 210
`recessed in a lug 210a formed in a lower portion of the
`inner box, andat least a first upper semi-circular hole
`211 recessed in an extension 211¢. formed in an upper
`portionof the box,at least a screw base 212 formed in an
`inner surface of the inner box 21, and a plurality of
`radiating fins 213 protruding rearwardly outwardly for
`dissipating heat, which may be integrally formed by
`aluminum casting process or the like; a box cover 22
`having a second lower semi-circular hole 220 recessed
`in a lug recess 220a formed in a lower portion of the
`cover 22 combinably fastening the main cord 1 with the
`first lower semi-circular hole 210 formed in the box 24
`by engaging the lug 210c with the lug recess 220g, at
`least a second upper semi-circular hole 221 recessed in
`an extension socket 221¢ recessed in an upper portion of
`the cover 22 combinably fastening a lamp cord 3 with
`the first upper semi-circular hole 211 formed in the box
`21 by engaging the extension 211a with the socket 221g,
`and a switch chamber 222 formed in the cover 22 for
`storing at least one illumination adjusting switch 32 in
`the chamber 222 having a switch hole 222c for rotatably °
`mounting a knob shaft 320 of the switch 32 which is
`connected between the main cord 1 and the lamp cord
`3 in the switch chamber 222; and an outer jacket 23
`integrally formed by plastic molding process for coat-
`ing, sealing and encasing the inner box 21 and the box
`cover 22 within the outer jacket 23 except a knob por-
`tion 321 secured to the knob shaft 320 andthe fins 213
`protruding through a rear surface 23a of the outer
`jacket 23, with each switch 32 protruding outwardly
`the knob portion 321, through a switch hole 222¢ which
`is formed in the box cover 22 communicating the switch ‘-
`chamber 222, to be rotatably sealed in a knob adapter
`233 of the jacket 23 generally cylindrical shaped. The
`outer jacket 23 is formed with a bracket 234 having a
`bolt hole 2342 formed in the bracket 234 engageable
`with a fixing bolt 24 for securing the switch box 2 on the
`supporting stand 5 or on a branchlever 51 of the stand
`by engaging the bolt 24 into the bolt hole 234¢ of the
`bracket 234 and a bolt hole 511 formedin the stand 5 as
`shown in FIG.2.
`Eachsaid semi-circular hole 211, 221, 210, 220 in the
`inner box 21 and in the box cover 22 may be formed
`with a plurality of corrugated threads in the semi-circu-
`lar hole for firmly fastening the cord 1 or 3 therein.
`There are twosets of the lamps 6 and the lamp cords
`3 respectively as shown in the drawing figures, but not
`limited in this invention.
`The outer jacket 23 includes a lower reinforcing
`sleeve 231 encasing a connection or junction portion of
`the main cord 1 with the switch box 2, and at least an
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`35
`
`65
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 8 of 10
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 8 of 10
`
`

`

`3,272,611
`
`3
`upper reinforcing sleeve 232 encasing a connection or
`junction portion of the lamp cord 3 with the switch box
`2 for reinforcing the cords 1, 3 and for water proof
`purpose therefor as shown in FIG. 4A,
`Each lampcord 3 has its input terminal 31 connected
`with the main cord 1 through the switch 32 formed in
`the switch box 2, and has an output terminal 33 of the
`lamp cord 3 connected to each lamp 6 secured on the
`branch lever 51 of the supporting stand 5 by a lamp
`adapter4.
`Each lamp adapter, as shownin FIGS. 5 and 6A-6C,
`includes: a connectorbase 41 having a central reinfore-
`ing sleeve 411 for sealably encasing the outputterminal
`33 of the lamp cord 3 and two screw holes 412 in the
`base 41; a shielding cover 42 having a central sleeve
`fastener 421 for fastening the central reinforcing sleeve
`411 of the connector base 41 and two screw holes 422 in
`the cover 42; and a heat-resistant packing member 43
`preferably made ofsilicon rubberhaving a central cord
`hole 431 for passing through the lamp cord 3 therein for
`connecting the lamp cord 3 with the lamp 6, and two
`screw holes 432 in the packing member 43, whereby
`upon an insertion of two screws through all the screw
`holes 422, 412, 432 in the cover 42, base 41 and packing
`member 43, the lamp adapter 4 can be secured to the
`lamp 6 suchas a rear portion of a lamp shade as shown
`in FIG.1.
`As shownin FIG.7, the lamp adapter 4 may be modi-
`fied to include: a connector base 41 havinga plurality of
`plug pins 410 in the base 41 connected with an output
`terminal 33 of the lamp cord3 anda reinforcingsleeve
`411 disposing aroundthe pins 410; a shielding cover 42
`having a plurality of pin sockets 420 recessed in the
`cover 42 engageable with the pins 410 in the base 41 and
`electrically connected to the lamp cord 3 and having a
`sleeve fastener 421 disposing around the pin sockets 420
`engageable with the reinforcing sleeve 411 of the base
`41 for coupling the cover 42 with the base 41; and a
`packing member 43 preferably madeofsilicon rubber
`for heat resistant purpose retained between the base 41
`and the lamp 6 whensecuring the base 41 and the cover
`42 with the lamp 6.
`The present invention is superior to an electrical cord
`system of a conventional lighting fixture with the fol-
`lowing advantages:
`1. The illumination-adjusting switch box 2 includes an
`integrally formed outer jacket 23 encasing the inner box
`21 for ensuring a water-proof of the electrical cord
`system for safety purpose.
`2. Easier assembly of the power supply system for a
`lighting fixture can be achieved by this invention for
`reducing laborcost, and for a convenient assembly and
`better maintenance for an electrical cord system espe-
`cially beneficial for an exterior lighting use.
`3. The radiating fins 213 provided on the switch box
`2 mayefficiently dissipate the heat in the box 2 out-
`wardly for enhancing an electrical safety.
`I claim:
`1. An electrical cord assembly for lighting fixture
`comprising:
`a supporting stand;
`a main cord connected with a powersupply;
`an illumination adjusting switch box secured on said
`supporting stand including an inner box for storing
`at least an illumination adjusting switch in said box,
`a box cover shielding the inner box for fastening
`the main cord in between the inner box and said
`box cover,and anouter jacket integrally formed on
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`4
`said inner box and said box cover to encase said
`inner box and said box cover in said outer jacket,
`said inner box having a plurality of radiating fins
`protruding rearwardly through said outer jacket
`for heat dissipating use;
`at least a lamp cord having its input terminal con-
`nected with said main cord through said illumina-
`tion adjusting switch in said switch box and having
`an Output terminal of the lamp cord connected to a
`lamp secured on said supporting stand by a lamp
`adapter;
`said illumination adjusting switch box including: said
`inner box having a first lower semi-circular hole
`formed in a lower portion of the inner box, and at
`least a first upper semi-circular hole formed in an
`upperportion of the box; said box cover having a
`second lower semi-circular hole formed in a lower
`portion of the cover combinably fastening the main
`cord with the first lower semi-circular hole formed
`in the box, at least a second upper semi-circular
`hole formed in an upperportion of the cover com-
`binably fastening the lamp cord withthefirst upper
`semi-circular hole formed in the box, and a switch
`chamber formed in the box for storing at least one
`said illumination adjusting switch connected be-
`tween the main cord and the lamp cord in the
`switch chamber; and said outer jacket integrally
`formed by plastic molding process for coating,
`sealing and encasing the inner box and the box
`cover within the outer jacket, each said illumina-
`tion adjusting switch having a knob shaft protrud-
`ing outwardly through a switch hole formed in the
`box cover communicating the switch chamber to
`be connected with a knob portion which is rotat-
`ably sealed in a knob adapter of said outer jacket.
`2. An electrical cord assembly according to claim 1,
`wherein each said first semi-circular hole of the inner
`boxis recessed in an extension or lug formedin the inner
`box engageable with an extension socket or lug recess
`which is recessed in said box cover and is further re-
`cessed to form said semi-circular hole in the box cover
`for a firm coupling ofthe first and second semi-circular
`holes for combining the inner box and the box cover.
`3. An electrical cord assembly according to claim 1,
`wherein each said semi-circular hole in the inner box
`and in the box coveris formed with a plurality of corru-
`gated threadsin the semi-circular hole for firmly fasten-
`ing the main and lamp cordstherein.
`4. An electrical cord assembly according to claim 1,
`wherein said outer jacket includes a lower reinforcing
`sleeve encasing a connection portion of the main cord
`with the switch box, and at least an upper reinforcing
`sleeve encasing a connection portion of the lamp cord
`with the switch box for reinforcing the main and lamp
`cords and for water proof purpose.
`5. An electrical cord assembly according to claim 1,
`wherein each said lamp adapter includes: a connector
`base having a central reinforcing sleeve for sealably
`encasing the output terminalof the lamp cord and two
`screw holes in the base; a shielding cover having a
`central sleeve fastener for fastening the central reinforc-
`ing sleeve of the connector base and two screw holesin
`the cover; and a heat-resistant packing member having
`a central cord hole for passing through the lamp cord
`therein for connecting the lamp cord with the lamp,and
`two screw holes in the packing member, whereby upon
`an insertion of two screws through the screw holes
`respectively formed in the cover, the base and the pack-
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 9 of 10
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 9 of 10
`
`

`

`3,272,611
`
`5
`6
`ing member, the lamp adapter can be secured to the
`having a plurality of pin sockets recessed in the cover
`lamp.
`engageable with the pins in the base and electrically
`6. An electrical cord assembly according to claim.1,
`connectedto the lamp cord and havingasleeve fastener
`wherein the lamp adapter includes: a connector base
`disposing around the pin sockets engageable with the
`having a plurality of plug pins in the base connected
`reinforcing sleeve of the base for coupling the cover
`with an output terminal of the lamp cordand a reinfore-
`with the base to be secured to the lamp.
`*
`*
`* &
`ing sleeve disposing around the pins; a shielding cover
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`355
`
`65
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 10 of 10
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1027 - Page 10 of 10
`
`