Elongate Electrical Conductor That is Adapted for Electrically Connecting With an Electrical Contact

Abstract

An elongate electrical conductor ( 2 ) that is adapted for electrically connecting with an electrical contact, the conductor ( 2 ) includes a longitudinally extending elongate body ( 61 ) for defining a first contact surface ( 62 ); and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart ribs ( 66 ) that extend from the body ( 61 ) to respective free ends ( 67 ) that are spaced apart from the first contact surface ( 62 ) for allowing the contact to be progressed between the body ( 61 ) and one or more of the ribs ( 66 ), each rib ( 66 ) including a respective second contact surface ( 68 ) that is opposed with the first surface ( 62 ) wherein, upon progression of the contact between the body ( 61 ) and the one or more ribs ( 66 ), the first surface ( 62 ) and the respective one or more second surfaces ( 68 ) are resiliently biased into engagement with the contact.

1 . A power distribution component including:
 a plurality of conductors that are each adapted for electrically connecting with a respective electrical contact provided by a common electrical contact assembly, each conductor having a generally “R”-shaped cross section, thereby to define a first body having a planar contact surface at the left hand side of the “R” and a second body having a curved contact surface at the middle convergent region of the right hand side of the “R”, wherein the first and second bodies are connected only at the top of the “R” and wherein the first and second bodies are spaced apart at the middle convergent region of the “R” thereby to allow insertion of an electrical contact between the first and second bodies; and   a housing that provides a plurality of longitudinally extending and transversely spaced apart channels disposed within the housing, each for captivity retaining a respective one of the conductors, each channel including a respective like facing open end for receiving a respective electrical contact;   such that, upon receipt of a contact through one of the open ends and insertion of that contact between the first and second bodies of the respective conductor, the first and second bodies provide resiliently biased electrical contact between the conductor and the contact.   
     
     
         2 . A power distribution component according to  claim 1  wherein the open ends and conductors are configured for interaction with a contact assembly that rotates to bring a plurality of contacts into and out of resiliently biased electrical contact between with respective ones of the conductors. 
     
     
         3 . A power distribution component according to  claim 1  wherein each conductor is integrally formed from a bent metallic substrate. 
     
     
         4 . A power distribution component according to  claim 1  wherein at least two of the channels are vertically spaced apart. 
     
     
         5 . A power distribution component according to  claim 4  wherein there are three channels, and wherein two of the channels are vertically matched and the third channel is vertically spaced apart from the other two. 
     
     
         6 . A power distribution component according to  claim 1  wherein the housing includes a common longitudinally extending opening that allows insertion of a plurality of planar contacts in a direction normal to the plane of the contacts. 
     
     
         7 . A power distribution component according to  claim 1  wherein the vertically bottom part of the “R” defines, on the second body, an engagement face that is inclined away from the first body for guiding the progression of the contact between the first and second bodies. 
     
     
         8 . A power distribution component according to  claim 7  in which the engagement face is continuous. 
     
     
         9 . An elongate electrical conductor for use in a power distribution component wherein, in use, the power distribution component includes a longitudinally housing for captivity retaining a plurality of the conductors and a longitudinally extending opening that allows insertion and rotation of a contact assembly that includes a plurality of contacts thereby to bring the contacts into electrical connection with the conductors, the conductor comprising:
 a generally “R”-shaped cross section, thereby to define a first body having a planar contact surface at the left hand side of the “R” and a second body having a curved contact surface at the middle convergent region of the right hand side of the “R”, wherein the first and second bodies are connected only at the top of the “R” and wherein the first and second bodies are spaced apart at the middle convergent region of the “R” thereby to allow insertion of an electrical contact between the first and second bodies;   such that in use, upon rotation of the contact assembly, a contact is inserted between the first and second bodies the conductor, and the first and second bodies provide resiliently biased electrical contact between the conductor and the contact.   
     
     
         10 . A power distribution component according to  claim 9  wherein each conductor is integrally formed from a bent metallic substrate. 
     
     
         11 . A power distribution component according to  claim 9  wherein the vertically bottom part of the “R” defines, on the second body, an engagement face inclined away from the first body for guiding the progression of the contact between the first and second bodies. 
     
     
         12 . A power distribution component according to  claim 11  in which the engagement face is continuous. 
     
     
         13 . A power distribution component according to  claim 9  wherein the housing provides a plurality of longitudinally extending and transversely spaced apart channels disposed within the housing, each for captivity retaining a respective one of the conductors, each channel including a respective like facing open end for receiving a respective electrical contact. 
     
     
         14 . A method for providing distributed power to a room, the method including:
 providing a plurality of power distribution components according to  claim 1 ;   mounting the components to horizontally along one or more walls in the room;   serially electrically connecting the plurality of components such that corresponding conductors are electrically connected, thereby to define a track extending between a first end and a second end;   electrically connecting the conductors at the first and second ends to an electrical power source, thereby to complete a circuit such that electrical power is able to be supplied via the conductors along the track.