Recessed track for installation on furniture or on an architectural element, and electric connector therefor

The recessed track system addresses power and control limitations in recessed lighting by using symmetrical rooms and connectors for continuous power and independent control, enhancing installation efficiency and aesthetic appeal.

WO2025194258A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-09-25EKLIPSE LUMINAIRE ARCHITECTURAL
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/CA2025/050369
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-03-18
Filing Date
2025-03-18
Publication Date
2025-09-25

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Current recessed lighting systems face limitations in power capacity, require additional hardware for power transfer between sections, and lack independent control of individual components, leading to installation challenges and aesthetic restrictions.

Method used

A recessed track system with symmetrical rooms and extrusions, featuring electric connectors and a PCB for power distribution, allowing for continuous power supply and independent control of components, and enabling seamless connections through articulated joints and spring-mounted connectors.

Benefits of technology

The system provides uninterrupted power supply and independent control of electric fixtures, exceeding power limits without additional hardware, while maintaining a sleek aesthetic by minimizing visible track presence.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

An interrupted recessed track assembly that is made of multiple recessed tracks that can be electrically coupled to each other. The recesses track assembly provides an extended electrically couplable surface over a plurality of components of the recessed track for mounting electric fixtures thereto without having to power individually each of the recessed tracks. The recessed tracks have connectors extending longitudinally that can be connected to a neighbor recessed track.
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Description

RECESSED TRACK FOR INSTALLATION ON FURNITURE OR ON AN ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENT, AND ELECTRIC CONNECTOR THEREFORCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to, or benefit from, US provisional application No. 63 / 566,645, filed March 18, 2024, the specification of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND(a) Field

[0002] The subject matter disclosed generally relates to lighting and other electric accessories. More particularly, the subject matter disclosed relates to recessed track and power management of recessed track designed to house and connect electric accessories.(b) Related Prior Art

[0003] With recess low-power lighting, there is a challenge in the limited power a recess lighting may provide as a load before having to duplicate electrical connections and other hardware. Therefore, a challenge arises to face the current standards limit track systems that is in the United States of 100 Watts without multiplication of hardware, increasing cost and labor associated.

[0004] Furthermore, with current recesses lightings, connecting multiple sections requires an electrical bridge piece to be placed in the track opening so that one section can transfer power to the next. Doing so creates restrictions in the placement of the track components, since the sections ends are occupied by the electric bridge.

[0005] Finally, with current recesses lightings, in a single conductor track, individual components cannot be addressed independently, meaning that all components within the same track are controlled as one, thus limiting the lighting and other connected products.

[0006] There is therefore a need for innovation and improvements in the field either providing more opportunities of use of electric accessories, simplifying the installation or control of electric accessories, or improving the esthetic following the installation of electric accessories.SUMMARY

[0007] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a recessed track for installing an electric fixtures therein, including: a longitudinally body including a first wall, a second wall, a third wall joining the first wall and the second wall, and an opening between the first wall and the second wall opposed to the third wall, wherein the body defines a first room bounded by the first wall and the third wall, a second room bounded by the second wall and the third wall, and a pair of extrusions extending longitudinally respectively within the first room and within the second room, the extrusions extending over a length defined between a first end and a second end of the extrusions, including an electric connector extending longitudinally over the length, wherein the recessed track is designed to receive an electric accessories to be mounted at least partially within the track connecting to the electric connectors.

[0008] In some aspects, the description herein relates to a recessed track for installing an electric fixture therein, the recessed track including: a longitudinally body having ends, the longitudinal body defining an enclosure accessible through an opening spanning between the ends, the enclosure including a first room, a second room and a clearance in-between the first room and the second room, the clearance being accessible through the opening; and a pair of electric connectors extending longitudinally respectively within the first room and the second room, the electric connectors neighboring the clearance, wherein the electric fixture is mountable to the recessed track, coupled to the electric connectors over a continuous range of locations.

[0009] In some aspects, the description herein relates to a recessed track, wherein the recess track includes a longitudinal plane extending across theclearance, with the first room and the second room being symmetrical relative to the longitudinal plane.

[0010] In some aspects, the description herein relates to a recessed track, further including a pair of wings extending sideways relative to the opening.

[0011] In some aspects, the description herein relates to a recessed track, wherein the wings have a front face and a rear face, the rear face being designed for abutting against a mounting surface, the recessed track having of a recessed height and a visible height relative to the rear face, wherein the visible height is smaller than the recessed face.

[0012] In some aspects, the description herein relates to a recessed track, wherein the recessed height is at least 8 times the visible height.

[0013] In some aspects, the description herein relates to a recessed track, wherein each of the first room and the clearance have a maximum width measured perpendicular to a central longitudinal plane extending across the clearance, wherein the maximum width of the clearance is less than 2 times the maximum width of the first room.

[0014] In some aspects, the description herein relates to a recessed track, further including a PCB coupled to the electric connectors.

[0015] In some aspects, the description herein relates to a recessed track, wherein the wings include openings for screws to be inserted into to mount the recessed track to a receiving surface.

[0016] In some aspects, the description herein relates to a recessed track, further including a magnetic band accessible through the clearance.

[0017] In some aspects, the description herein relates to a recessed track, wherein the body has a body width measured perpendicular to a central longitudinal plane extending across the clearance, the recessed track includingwings spanning perpendicular to the longitudinal plane over a wing width that is at least twice the body width.

[0018] In some aspects, the description herein relates to a recessed track, wherein the wings have a front face including longitudinal lumps.

[0019] In some aspects, the description herein relates to a recessed track, wherein the first room houses another electric connector.

[0020] In some aspects, the description herein relates to an uninterrupted recessed track assembly for mounting an electric fixture thereto, the uninterrupted recessed track assembly including: a first recessed track powered by a PCB, the first recessed track including: a first longitudinally body having ends, the first longitudinal body defining an enclosure accessible through an opening spanning between the ends, the enclosure including a first room, a second room and a clearance in-between the first room and the second room, the clearance being accessible through the opening; and a pair of electric connectors extending longitudinally respectively within the first room and the second room, each one of the electric connectors neighboring the clearance; a second recessed track similar to the first recessed track; and a joint including an electrical bridge electrically coupling the electrical connectors of corresponding rooms of the first and second recessed tracks, wherein the electric fixture is mountable to any of the first and the second recessed tracks, coupled to the corresponding electric connectors and powered by the PCB.

[0021] In some aspects, the description herein relates to an uninterrupted recessed track assembly, wherein the joint is articulated.

[0022] In some aspects, the description herein relates to an uninterrupted recessed track assembly, further including an end component mounted to a first one of the ends of the first recessed track, the end component closing the clearance at the first one of the ends.

[0023] In some aspects, the description herein relates to an uninterrupted recessed track assembly, wherein the recessed bodies further includes recessed faces facing away to the enclosure, the recessed track assembly further including a connection component mounted to the recessed faces of, the connection component coupling the first recessed track to the second recessed track.

[0024] In some aspects, the description herein relates to an uninterrupted recessed track assembly, wherein the connection component is articulated.

[0025] In some aspects, the description herein relates to an uninterrupted recessed track assembly, wherein the electric bridge includes spring-mounted connectors.

[0026] In some aspects, the description herein relates to an uninterrupted recessed track assembly, wherein the electric connectors of the recessed tracks feature a part that has a face facing towards the other one of the recessed track.

[0027] In some aspects, the description herein relates to an uninterrupted recessed track assembly, wherein the recessed bodies further includes recessed faces facing away to the enclosure, the recessed faces include grooves in which the joint is slidingly mounted.

[0028] Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

[0030] Fig. 1 is an elevation front cross-view of a recessed track in accordance with an embodiment;

[0031] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a recessed track assembly comprising recessed tracks, an end component and a joint component in accordance with an embodiment;

[0032] Fig. 3 is a perspective partially exploded view of the recessed track assembly of Fig. 2 with the joint component moved away from two recessed tracks in accordance with an embodiment;

[0033] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the recessed track assembly of Fig. 2 depicting the recessed portion of the recessed track assembly and the portion of the recessed track assembly to be mounted to the mounting surface in accordance with an embodiment;

[0034] Fig. 5 is a perspective exploded view of components of a recessed track assembly in accordance with an embodiment;

[0035] Fig. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a recessed track in accordance with an embodiment;

[0036] Fig. 7 is a perspective exploded view of a joint component of a recessed track assembly in accordance with an embodiment;

[0037] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a recessed track assembly featuring a direction change of 90 degrees over the plane formed by a mounting surface in accordance with an embodiment, with the mounting surface not depicted;

[0038] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a recessed track assembly featuring a direction change of 90 degrees over the plane formed by a fist mounting surface,and the recessed track continuing over a second mounting surface and a third mounting surface joining the first mounting surface and sloped relative to the first mounting surface in accordance with an embodiment, with the mounting surfaces not depicted;

[0039] Fig. 10 is a top view of an end portion of a recessed track showing connectors bent in accordance with an embodiment;

[0040] Fig. 11 is an elevation view of a portion of a recessed track depicting electrical connectors bent at their ends in accordance with an embodiment;

[0041] Fig. 12 is an elevation view of a portion of a recessed track depicting electrical connectors mounted to gutter-like components in accordance with an embodiment;

[0042] Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a joint with an electrical bridge comprising sleeves and pogo pins in accordance with an embodiment;

[0043] Fig. 14 is a cross-section view of a portion of a recessed track assembly comprising two recessed tracks and a joint component according to a longitudinal central plane perpendicular to a receiving surface, the cross-section view depicting electrical surfaces where a light fixture may be coupled to in accordance with an embodiment;

[0044] Fig. 15 is a perspective elevation view of a portion of a recessed track depicting a screw hole before a screw being inserted therein;

[0045] Fig. 16 is a perspective elevation view of the portion of the recessed track depicted in Fig. 15, the view depicting with a screw being inserted in the screw hole;

[0046] Fig. 17 is a perspective elevation view of the portion of the recessed track having a screw used to mount the recessed track as depicted in Fig. 16, the view depicting deformed flanges portion of the screw hole resulting from pressure exerted by the inserted screw with the screw hidden;

[0047] Fig. 18 is a perspective bottom view of the portion of the recessed track having a screw used to mount the recessed track as depicted in Fig. 16, the view depicting deformed flanges portions of the screw hole resulting from pressure exerted by the inserted screw with the screw hidden;

[0048] Fig. 19 is a perspective bottom view of the portion of a recessed track assembly comprising an articulated connection component slidingly mounted into grooves of two recessed tracks, wherein the articulated connection component is depicted partially folded;

[0049] Fig. 20 is a perspective bottom view of the portion of a recessed track assembly comprising an articulated connection component slidingly mounted into grooves of two recessed tracks, , wherein the articulated connection component is depicted unfolded;

[0050] Fig. 21 is a perspective top view of a portion of a recessed track with mounting holes according to another embodiment;

[0051] Fig. 22 is side elevation view of an exemplary screw for mounting a recessed track to a receiving surface;

[0052] Fig. 23 is a cross-section side view of an exemplary mounting of a recessed track to a receiving surface using mounting screws;

[0053] Fig. 24 is a perspective bottom view of a portion of a recessed track assembly in accordance with an embodiment;

[0054] Fig. 25 is a cross-section view of a compound recessed track in accordance with an embodiment;

[0055] Fig. 26 is a perspective view of an electric module of a recessed track in accordance with an embodiment;

[0056] Fig. 27 is a cross-section view of a recessed track with a first electric fixture mounted thereto in accordance with an embodiment;

[0057] Fig. 28 is a close-up partial cross-section view of the recessed track with the first electric first fixture mounted thereto depicted in Fig. 27; and

[0058] Fig. 29 is close-up partial cross section of a recessed track with a second electric fixture mounted thereto in accordance with an embodiment.

[0059] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] The realizations will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which realizations are illustrated. The foregoing may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated realizations set forth herein.

[0061] With respect to the present description, references to items in the singular should be understood to include items in the plural, and vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise or clear from the text. Grammatical conjunctions are intended to express any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations of conjoined clauses, sentences, words, and the like, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context. Thus, the term "or" should generally be understood to mean "and / or" and so forth.

[0062] Recitation of ranges of values and of values herein or on the drawings are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. The words “about”, “approximately”, or the like, when accompanying a numerical value, are to be construed as indicating a deviation as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art to operate satisfactorily for an intended purpose. Ranges of values and / or numeric values are provided herein as examples only, and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of the described realizations. The use of any and all examples, or exemplarylanguage (“e.g.,” “such as”, or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the exemplary realizations and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the realizations. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the realizations. The use of the term “substantially” is intended to mean “for the most part” or “essentially” depending on the context. It is to be construed as indicating that some deviation from the word it qualifies is acceptable as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art to operate satisfactorily for the intended purpose.

[0063] In the following description, it is understood that terms such as "first", "second", "top", "bottom", "above", "below", and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[0064] The terms "top", “up”, “upper”, "bottom", “lower”, “down”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “interior” and “exterior” and the like are intended to be construed in their normal meaning in relation with normal installation of the product, e.g., the opening of the recessed tracks facing downward.

[0065] It should further be noted that for purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature and / or such joining may allow for the flow of electricity, electrical signals, or other types of signals or communication between two members. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.

[0066] In realizations, there are disclosed recessed tracks and recessed track assemblies, wherein the recessed tracks can be installed in differentorientations, thereby having the opening of the recessed tracks typically facing downward, but being possible to face e.g., sideward.

[0067] Referring now to Fig. 1 , a recessed track 102 comprises, typically a longitudinal extrusion made of e.g., aluminum that has a length 114 (Fig. 6), a width 112 of a recessed portion, and an opening 122 extending sideways from a central longitudinal plane 105. The recessed track 102 features on both sides of the opening 122 a mounting wing 132, comprising a rear face 149 and a front face 148 delimiting a hidden recessed portion and a visible portion of the recessed track 102, wherein the height of the visible is smaller, less than 1 :8 relative to the height of the recessed portion. The mounting wings are for mounting the recessed track 102 to a receiving surface, e.g., a gypsum sheet 200, in which a groove 202 has been cut off to receive the recessed track 102. The recessed track 102 forms a first longitudinal room 142 and a second longitudinal room 144 extending from side walls 143, 145 to about the opening 122. An end wall 147, opposed to the opening 122, joins the side walls 143, 145.

[0068] Therefore, in other words, he recessed track 102 has an external wall 140 (comprising the walls 143, 145, 146) defining an enclosure 141 therein dividable into the first longitudinal room 142 and the second longitudinal room 144, and a mouth, aka opening 122 providing access to a central clearance 150 in the enclosure 141 with one room on one side and the other room on the opposite side of a clearance 150.

[0069] In a typical realization, installation of the recessed track 102 into the groove 202 of the gypsum sheet 200, with the mounting wings 132 extending over the space between the edge of the gypsum sheet 200 and the recessed track 102. The recessed track 102 is mounted with e.g., screws or double-sided tape, and mudding is set over the mounting wings 132 to keep almost only the opening 122 visible.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the span of the mounting wings 132 is at least twice the span of the opening 122. According to an embodiment, the transversal span of the clearance 150 is less than twice the maximum transversal span of the rooms 142, 144.

[0071] Mounted to the recessed track 102 are e.g., polymer, insulation extrusions 152 designed to fill up the rooms 142, 144. Electric connectors 156, e.g., copper threads, are co-extruded, extending longitudinally in the insulation extrusions 152 neighboring the clearance 150, for providing a number of electric circuits within the recessed track 102.

[0072] According to a basic embodiment, the number of electric circuits is one, with a single electric connector 156 extending on one side of the recessed track 102 and a single electric connectors 156 extending on the opposed side of the recessed track 102. With such basic embodiment, an electric fixture inserted therein have connectors extending on opposed sides and connecting to the electric connectors electric connectors 156 to thereby be powered. Furthermore, the electric fixture may be mounted within a continuous range of locations, at any location between the limits of the range of location.

[0073] A Printed Circuit Board, PCB 162, connected to a power source, is mounted in one realization on top of the recessed track 102 and at least partially, or alternatively having pins 164 extending through the end wall 147 or at one end of the recessed track 102 to connect to and power electric circuits housed in the recessed track 102. Accordingly, the PCB 162 is designed to power the electric connectors 156, thereby powering a number of one to, e.g., as depicted, four (4) electric circuits available to power electric accessories.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the recessed track 102 features about the end wall 147 a pair of grooves 136 facing the central longitudinal plane 105 of the recessed track 102 and each other. The grooves 136 are designed for a mounting component, e.g., a magnetic band 138 to be mounted thereto, with the,e.g., magnetism allowing to easily mount electric fixtures in the recessed track 102 with the electric accessories clinging to the magnetic band 138 and being designed to connect to electric connectors 156, to one electric connector 156 in the first longitudinal room 142 and to the corresponding connector 156 in the second longitudinal room 144. According to an embodiment, these rooms 142, 144 are symmetrical and symmetrically located within the enclosure.

[0075] It is worth mentioning that depending on regulations, maximum electric demand, aka load, is allowed and regulated for low-voltage electric circuits. For instance, the regulated maximum load is of a hundred (100) Watts and a current of five (5) Amperes. In the current practice in North America, desire to install electric accessories summing up to more than that maximum load requires to install additional e.g., recessed tracks, each necessitating electrical connections and other hardware requirements. With the present realization, the since the PCB 162 can power numeral circuits, the recessed track 102 may house electric accessories that have a sum up load that exceeds the regulated maximum power if the individual loads associated with each of the circuits are at most equal to the maximum regulated power.

[0076] Furthermore, as depicted hereinafter, since the recessed track 102 are combinable into an assembly of numerous recessed tracks 102 connected to each other, e.g., electric fixtures spread over a great length can be mounted to the same electric circuit while respected the regulated limits. Thus, assemblies of recessed tracks 102 can provide longer runs of uninterrupted power and electric accessories controls.

[0077] Referring to Fig. 2 where a perspective view of a portion of a recessed track assembly 190 comprising two recessed tracks 102, an end component 172 and a joint component 174 is depicted, the recessed track assembly 190 designed to be mounted as illustrated on Fig. 1 , with the end component 172 designed to close an end of the recessed track 102 to which it is coupled.

[0078] In the exemplary realization, the recessed tracks 102 are mounted, with the joint component 174 and the end component 172 e.g., clipped to the recessed tracks 102, before applying the mudding. Depicted are screw holes 134 present in the mounting wings 132, for screwing the recessed tracks 102 to e.g., a gypsum ceiling.

[0079] According to an embodiment depicted through Figs. 15 to 18, the screw holes 134 feature a central opening 192 and a series of channels 194 extending outwardly from the central opening 192. The channels 194 forms therebetween flange portions 196 that are deformable and that allow deformation of these flanges portions 196 rather than pushing the mounting wing 132 about the screw hole 134 in one direction when the mounting crew inserted in the screw hole 134 is eccentric from the screw hole 134.

[0080] According to an embodiment depicted through Fig. 21 , the screw hole 134 may have another shape, comprising two channels 133.

[0081] According to an embodiment, the screw holes 134 features at least 2 channels 194.

[0082] Central opening has a typical diameter of about 0.150 inches. Channels extend from the central opening to a concentric diameter of about at least 0.350 inches. According to an embodiment, channels have a length of about 0.100 inches. Accordingly, variations are available in sizes to accommodate many screws and materials of the mounting wings 132.

[0083] Referring now to Fig. 3, in the depicted example featuring a single electric circuit, aka a single length of electric connector per insulation extrusion, the end component 172 comprises wings 176 designed to extend between the mounting wings 132 of the neighboring recessed tracks 102, and connectors 178, 179 designed to extend the electric circuit by connecting the electric connectors 156 of a powered recessed track 102 to the electric connectors 156 of a recessed track 102 powered therethrough.

[0084] Distant to the surface, aka the mounting wings 132, are connection components 182, 183 designed to connect the recessed track 102 and provide a standard distance between the recessed tracks 102 of a recessed track assembly 190

[0085] Referring to Fig. 4, it is depicted a top perspective view of the portion of a recessed track assembly of Fig. 2. It is to be noted that the recessed tracks 102 are mounted to each other through the articulated connection components 182, 183 mounted to the outside surface of the recessed track 102 distant from the opening 122, also known as the back of the recessed track 102.

[0086] In a typical embodiment, one connection component 182 is a male connection component, and the other connection component 183 is a female connection component, designed to connect to each other. According to an embodiment, the connection components 182, 183 are slidably mounted to the back of the recessed track 102 through the external recesses 126 (Fig. 1 ).

[0087] According to a realization, the end component 172 is mounted to a first recessed track 102 in the same way.

[0088] Referring additionally to Fig. 5, it is depicted a perspective exploded view of the end component 172 designed to house the PCB 162 using a PCB holder 166, with a magnetic band 138 extending below. The end component 172 comprises hooks 173 extending longitudinally and designed to hook to the back of the recessed track 102 for the end component 172 to remain firmly attached thereto.

[0089] Referring to Fig. 6, it is depicted a perspective exploded view of a recessed track 102 comprising the body 108, the insulation extrusions 152 comprising electric connectors 156, a magnetic band 138 and a pair of caps 186.

[0090] Referring to Fig. 7, it is depicted a perspective exploded view of a joint component 174 to be connected to a recessed track 102 in accordance with an embodiment. The joint component 174 comprises a body 188 havingsubstantially the same shape as the recessed track 102, and a pair of connectors 178 mounted inside the joint component 174 and designed to extend e.g., one electric circuit.

[0091] Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 depict a recessed track assembly made of combination of recessed tracks that may take many shapes, including changes in directions in a general plane, and changes of planes associated with e.g., joining walls according to any one of a right angle, an obtuse angle or an acute angle.

[0092] Figs. 10 and 11 depicts a first embodiment of electric connectors consisting of bands of metallic material, e.g., copper bands that are curved to extend beyond the edges of the side walls to feature free edge surfaces facing towards a neighbor recessed track for electrical connections to the neighbor recessed track. According to an embodiment, the copper bands are mounted to mounting component electrically insulating the copper bands from the body.

[0093] Fig. 12 depicts an alternative embodiment wherein the electric connectors are made of thicker material, inserted in a gutter-like component each insulating the electric connector from the extrusion body.

[0094] Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 depict an embodiment of a joint component adapted to bridge electrically two neighbor recessed tracks. The joint component comprises an extrusion component and two sets of electrical bridges mounted inside the internal recess on each side. The electrical bridges according to an embodiment comprise spring-mounted pogo pins 181 mounted to sleeve 180, with the pogo pins 181 being able to adopt a more or less compressed, aka inserted, position in the sleeve 180 based on the relative position of the pogo pins 181 when pressed against the electric connector 156 of the recessed tracks 102. According to an embodiment, the extrusion component has a shape similar to the one of the recessed tracks. The recessed tracks 102 comprises hidden grooves 198 through which the recessed tracks 102 are adapted to slidingly insert in the connection component 183 (see Fig. 4, Fig. 19, Fig. 20 and Fig. 24). The sleeves furthercomprise a band extending between its ends, electrical coupled with the pogo pins, so has to provide an uninterrupted or almost uninterrupted surface in the track recess able to power an electric fixture, even in the joint component. Referring additionally to Fig. 7, it is reminded that other embodiments of electrical bridges made of more of less components, down to e.g., a single component having e.g., a compressible electrical contact wings, electrically coupling surface(s) and electrically insulating surface(s).

[0095] Fig. 15 and Fig. 16 depict a portion of a recessed track 102 before being mounted to a drywall, and after (drywall not depicted). Difference resides in a mounting screw 206 (with exemplary mounting screw 206 depicted in Fig. 22) being inserted in the screw hole 134.

[0096] Fig. 17 and Fig. 18 depicts the same portion of the recessed track 102 with the inserted screw hidden. The flange portions 210 are deformed, bent, by the pressure exerted by the screw thereon. Deformation of the flange portions may differ from one installation to another based on the screw being inserted concentric to the screw hole or not. The flange portions 196 are deformed toward the drywall, allowing great penetration of the screw head in the screw hole, thus a lesser portion of the screw head extending beyond the general surface of the mounting wing.

[0097] Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the mounting wing comprises lumps 216 extending longitudinally on both sides of the screw holes such that the screw head should extend above the local surface of the mounting wing but not beyond the top of the lumps, easing the covering of the screw head with mud when mudding the drywall after the installation of the recess track.

[0098] It is worth mentioning that preferred recessing thickness of the recess track, measured from the bottom face of the mounting wings to the bottommost part of the recess track (relative to the surface of the drywall the recess track is mounted thereto) is smaller or equal to the thickness of the material of thereceiving surface, e.g., drywall having a thickness of about 5 / 8 of an inch (about 1 ,60 cm). The recess track not extending deeper toward the mounting structure of the mounting surface, e.g., wall, allows the recess track to be oriented in any direction, not touching any structure behind the wall extending across the orientation of the wall structure. In other words, installing the recess track involves the same work regardless of the recess track being installed parallel or perpendicular to the wall structures.

[0099] Fig. 23 depicts an exemplary installation of a recessed track 102 in accordance with an embodiment. On the left of the depiction, the mounting screw 206 penetrates in the gypsum sheet 200 and a wood beam underneath. On the right side, the mounting screw 206 penetrates in the gypsum sheet 200 and a metallic beam underneath.

[0100] Referring to Fig. 25, there is depicted another embodiment of a recessed track being a compound recessed track 302 comprising a face component 304 comprising mounting wings 306, lips 308 extending rearwards and towards the central longitudinal plane 105, and lumps 310 closer to the central longitudinal plane 105. The compound recessed track 302 comprises an electric module 312 that is mounted to the rear of the face component 304, retained is place by the lips 308 and lumps 310. The electric module 312 comprises an enclosure 320 where two rooms 322, 324 neighbor a clearance 326 accessible through a longitudinal opening 328 present in the face component 304. The rooms 322, 324 have electric connectors 332 extending longitudinally therein.

[0101] Referring additionally to Fig. 26, there is depicted an embodiment of an electric module 312 prior to be coupled to a face component 304.

[0102] According to embodiments, the compound recessed track 302 and the recessed track 102 may share other features not described in relation with the compound recessed track 302.

[0103] According to embodiments, the electric module 312 is coupled to the face component 304 either when manufactured or prior to the installation.

[0104] Referring to Fig. 27, Fig. 28 and Fig. 29, two electric fixtures are depicted mounted to the recessed track 102: a visible electric fixture 222 and a mostly recessed electric fixture 224.

[0105] While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS:1 . A recessed track for installing an electric fixture therein, the recessed track comprising: a longitudinally body having ends, the longitudinal body defining an enclosure accessible through an opening spanning between the ends, the enclosure comprising a first room, a second room and a clearance in-between the first room and the second room, the clearance being accessible through the opening; and a pair of electric connectors extending longitudinally respectively within the first room and the second room, the electric connectors neighboring the clearance, wherein the electric fixture is mountable to the recessed track, coupled to the electric connectors over a continuous range of locations.

2. The recessed track of claim 1 , wherein the recess track comprises a longitudinal plane extending across the clearance, with the first room and the second room being symmetrical relative to the longitudinal plane.

3. The recessed track of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of wings extending sideways relative to the opening.

4. The recessed track of claim 3, wherein the wings have a front face and a rear face, the rear face being designed for abutting against a mounting surface, the recessed track having of a recessed height and a visible height relative to the rear face, wherein the visible height is smaller than the recessed face.

5. The recessed track of claim 4, wherein the recessed height is at least 8 times the visible height.

6. The recessed track of claim 1 , wherein each of the first room and the clearance have a maximum width measured perpendicular to a central longitudinalplane extending across the clearance, wherein the maximum width of the clearance is less than 2 times the maximum width of the first room.

7. The recessed track of claim 1 , further comprising a PCB coupled to the electric connectors.

8. The recessed track of claim 3, wherein the wings comprise openings for screws to be inserted into to mount the recessed track to a receiving surface.

9. The recessed track of claim 1 , further comprising a magnetic band accessible through the clearance.

10. The recessed track of claim 1 , wherein the body has a body width measured perpendicular to a central longitudinal plane extending across the clearance, the recessed track comprising wings spanning perpendicular to the longitudinal plane over a wing width that is at least twice the body width.11 . The recessed track of claim 10, wherein the wings have a front face comprising longitudinal lumps.

12. The recessed track of claim 1 , wherein the first room houses another electric connector.

13. An uninterrupted recessed track assembly for mounting an electric fixture thereto, the uninterrupted recessed track assembly comprising: a first recessed track powered by a PCB, the first recessed track comprising: a first longitudinally body having ends, the first longitudinal body defining an enclosure accessible through an opening spanning between the ends, the enclosure comprising a first room, a second room and a clearance in-betweenthe first room and the second room, the clearance being accessible through the opening; and a pair of electric connectors extending longitudinally respectively within the first room and the second room, each one of the electric connectors neighboring the clearance; a second recessed track similar to the first recessed track; and a joint comprising an electrical bridge electrically coupling the electrical connectors of corresponding rooms of the first and second recessed tracks, wherein the electric fixture is mountable to any of the first and the second recessed tracks, coupled to the corresponding electric connectors and powered by the PCB.

14. The uninterrupted recessed track assembly of claim 13, wherein the joint is articulated.

15. The uninterrupted recessed track assembly of claim 13, further comprising an end component mounted to a first one of the ends of the first recessed track, the end component closing the clearance at the first one of the ends.

16. The uninterrupted recessed track assembly of claim 13, wherein the recessed bodies further comprises recessed faces facing away to the enclosure, the recessed track assembly further comprising a connection component mounted to the recessed faces of, the connection component coupling the first recessed track to the second recessed track.

17. The uninterrupted recessed track assembly of claim 16, wherein the connection component is articulated.

18. The uninterrupted recessed track assembly of claim 13, wherein the electric bridge comprises spring-mounted connectors.

19. The uninterrupted recessed track assembly of claim 13, wherein the electric connectors of the recessed tracks feature a part that has a face facing towards the other one of the recessed track.

20. The uninterrupted recessed track assembly of claim 13, wherein the recessed bodies further comprises recessed faces facing away to the enclosure, the recessed faces comprise grooves in which the joint is slidingly mounted.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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