Low voltage lighting system replaceable bulb assembly

Abstract

The assembly includes a number of readily replaceable low voltage light bulbs; for example, of the <5 watt 24 VAC type, spaced along a pair of electrical conductors carried by an insulated strip located in a housing with a removable transparent cover. The bulbs are releasably connected to the conductors in parallel by suitable electrical contacts, with or without supporting bulb brackets so that the conductors, strip and housing can be transversely severed between adjacent bulbs to shorten the assembly. Conversely, a number of assemblies can be connected in tandem to form an elongated lighting system. The cover may have edges which clip into recesses performed in the housing for ease in closing and opening the assembly. The housing may be aluminum and the cover may be polycarbonate plastic. The assembly is simple, inexpensive, adaptable to a variety of decorative uses and is durable.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An improved low voltage lighting system replaceable bulb assembly, said assembly comprising, in combination: (a) a plurality of replaceable low voltage light bulbs;   (b) an elongated reflective non-conductive strip carrying a plurality of electrical conductors;   (c) a plurality of spaced electrical contacts releasably connecting said bulbs spaced along the length of said strip in parallel to said strip;   (d) an elongated housing retaining said strip and said bulbs; and,   (e) a removable transparent cover over said housing providing access to said bulbs for replacement thereof,   (f) wherein each of said bulbs has a plurality of said spaced electrical contacts secured thereto for releasable contact with said conductors.   
     
     
       2. The improved low voltage lighting system bulb assembly of claim 1 wherein said electrical contacts are springs which releasably hold said bulbs in electrical contact with said conductors by spring tension. 
     
     
       3. The improved low voltage lighting system bulb assembly of claim 1 wherein said strip, housing and cover are severable transversely at any point between adjacent ones of said bulbs to shorten said assembly. 
     
     
       4. The improved low voltage lighting system bulb assembly of claim 1 wherein said housing is made of aluminum, wherein said strip is made of an insulative material and wherein said cover comprises polycarbonate plastic. 
     
     
       5. The improved low voltage lighting system bulb assembly of claim 4 wherein said bulbs are <5 watt bulbs utilizing 24 VAC. 
     
     
       6. The improved lighting system bulb assembly of claim 5 wherein a plurality of said assemblies are electrically and mechanically interconnected. .[.7. An improved lighting system assembly comprising: (a) a plurality of electrically interconnected units,   (b) each of said units having, (1) a plurality of replaceable low voltage light bulbs,   (2) a plurality of electrical conductors,   (3) receptor means secured to said conductors, and adapted to be electrically and releasably connected to said light bulbs, and     (c) interconnection means disposed between each of said units to electrically and releasably interconnect the conductors on at least two of   
     
     
        said units..]. .Iadd.8.  An improved low voltage lighting system comprising: (a) an elongated housing including a generally rectangular elongated cavity having a floor;   (b) an elongated non-conductive strip having a lower surface;   (c) a plurality of conductors secured to said non-conductive strip;   (d) a plurality of replaceable low voltage light bulbs selectively connectable to said conductors;   (e) electrical contact means for connecting said light bulbs to said conductors and secured to said conductors such that said lower surface of said non-conductive strip is everywhere non-conductive; and   (f) a removable transparent cover over said housing retaining said non-conductive strip within said cavity with said lower surface of said non-conductive strip abutting said floor of said-cavity. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. The improved low voltage lighting system of claim 8 wherein said electrical contact means comprises a plurality of sockets and each of said light bulbs includes a plurality of electrical contacts insertable within said sockets. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. An improved low voltage lighting system replaceable bulb assembly, said assembly comprising, in combination:   (a) a plurality of replaceable low voltage light bulbs;   (b) an elongated non-conductive strip having a lower surface;   (c) a plurality of electrical conductors secured to said non-conductive strip;   (d) an elongated housing including a generally rectangular elongated cavity having a floor;   (e) a plurality of sockets for receiving said bulbs spaced along the length of said conductors and secured thereto such that said lower surface of said non-conductive strip is not penetrated;   (f) a removable transparent cover insertable within said cavity such that said non-conductive strip is retained with said lower surface thereof abutting said floor of said cavity. .Iaddend.