GB2173649A - Branching adapter with plug and socket outlets - Google Patents

Abstract

An adaptor comprises: a cover (11) having socket openings (17,18,19) and closing two of three socket openings (not shown) in one side wall of the body (10) of the adaptor; connector pins (120,121,122) projecting from the base of the body opposite to the cover; two integral side walls (21,22) separating an earth conductor (55,56) from live and neutral conductors (41,63); and ribs (30,31) housing screws (32,33) which retain the cover. The arrangement simplifies manufacture. Each socket outlet may have a sliding shutter. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to electrical accessories This invention relates to electrical accessories and more specifically concerns adaptors which enable a plurality of plugs to be used from a single socket.

In the specification of our application No. 8432283 we have described such an adaptor which has proved to be very satisfactory. However, the object of the present invention is still further to improve the adaptor particularly concerning facility and cheapness of manufacture.

A constructional form of the improved adaptor will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a top view of an adaptor made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a front view; Figure 3 shows a front view of the adaptor housing with the cover and conductive elements omitted; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but with the conductive elements inserted; Figure 5 is an interior view of the cover; Figure 6 is a detail of the shutter; Figure 7 is a detail of the earth conductor; and Figure 8 is a detail of one of the two other conductors.

The adaptor comprises a two part housing in the form of a body 10 and a cover 11 made of plastics material and held together by screws 13. The body 10 includes an aperture 14to receive the earth conductor pin of a U.K. style mains plug and the cover 11 has two slots 15, 15 completed by the adjacent straight edge of the body to form apertures 15, 16 which receive the other two conductor pins of said plug.

The cover 11 also has three apertures 17,18, to receive the pins of another similar plug.

Pins 120, 121, 122 extend from the body 10 to engage with a socket of standard design. These pins pass through apertures 27,37,38 in that wall of the body that is opposite to the cover 11.

Within the body there are an integral central web 20, walls 21,22 and two sets of ribs 24,28 which act as guides to locate and enclose the earth connector pin.

Transverse ribs 30, 31 include apertures 32, 33 which provide passage for the screws 12, 13.

Locating pins 34,35 are arranged to engage holes 46,64 in parts connected to the pins 121, 122.

The earth pin 120 is pre-connected to twin armed resilient conductors 50, 51 by rivet 52. Winged portions 55, 56 take up positions on either side of aperture 17.

The pins 121, 122 with their conductive attachments are of identical construction. As shown in Figure 8 the pin 22 has an L-shaped portion 60 fixed to the pin by rivet 61. A U-shaped socket portion 65 is provided at the end of the limb 63 of the L-shaped portion 60 and is on the side of limb 63 remote from the pin 122. An additional U-shaped socket 62 is fixed to the portion 60 by rivet 66.

The rectangular apertures provide a snug fit for the pins and prevent passage of the shoulder 47 of pin 121, shoulder 57 of pin 120 and shoulder 67 of pin 122.

A shutter 70 has wings 71,72 which cover the apertures 15, 16 and a cam extension 73 which extends across the aperture 14. The shutter is mounted on a spring 76 which is located on a nipple 77 on the lid 11. The shutter extends through an opening 78 in the body that is parallel to the earth pin and is deflected by bending of the spring when a plug is inserted into the apertures 14,15,16.

Another similar spring mounted shutter may cover the apertures 17,18,19.

1. An electrical plug and socket comprising (a) a box like body having one end open (b) a cover on said open end and attached by screws to the body (c) connector pins (earth, positive and neutral) projecting from the body on that side which is opposite to the pins (d) socket openings in the cover (e) socket openings in a side wall of the body two of which are closed by the cover (f) two integral walls within the body at right angles to the body wall having the openings (e) (g) earth pin connector passing between said integral walls (h) an integral rib on the inside of two opposite body walls adjacent to the body wall having the openings (e) said ribs having openings therethrough containing said screws; and (i) two L-shaped conductors for the live and neutral pins, one shorter limb of each of which is parallel to the open end of the body and carries two U-shaped socket portions extending at right angles to each other.

2. An electrical plug and socket as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ribs are connected by exten sionsthereofwhich are provided with projections (34,35) which enter holes in the said parallel shorter limbs.

3. An electrical plug and socket as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the L-shaped conductor comprise a long limb and said shorter limb, the long limb being riveted to a plug pin, and having one of said U-shaped socket portions rivetted to it, the other U-shaped socket portion being formed integrablly on the free end of the shorter limb.

4. An electrical plug and socket as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 having two shutters one in the body and one in the cover, each of which closes live and neutral apertures and which shutter has an extension aligned with the'third aperture which extension serves as a cam to move the shutter to an open position.

5. An electrical plug and socket as claimed in claim 1 substantially as described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to electrical accessories This invention relates to electrical accessories and more specifically concerns adaptors which enable a plurality of plugs to be used from a single socket. In the specification of our application No. 8432283 we have described such an adaptor which has proved to be very satisfactory. However, the object of the present invention is still further to improve the adaptor particularly concerning facility and cheapness of manufacture. A constructional form of the improved adaptor will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a top view of an adaptor made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a front view; Figure 3 shows a front view of the adaptor housing with the cover and conductive elements omitted; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but with the conductive elements inserted; Figure 5 is an interior view of the cover; Figure 6 is a detail of the shutter; Figure 7 is a detail of the earth conductor; and Figure 8 is a detail of one of the two other conductors. The adaptor comprises a two part housing in the form of a body 10 and a cover 11 made of plastics material and held together by screws 13. The body 10 includes an aperture 14to receive the earth conductor pin of a U.K. style mains plug and the cover 11 has two slots 15, 15 completed by the adjacent straight edge of the body to form apertures 15, 16 which receive the other two conductor pins of said plug. The cover 11 also has three apertures 17,18, to receive the pins of another similar plug. Pins 120, 121, 122 extend from the body 10 to engage with a socket of standard design. These pins pass through apertures 27,37,38 in that wall of the body that is opposite to the cover 11. Within the body there are an integral central web 20, walls 21,22 and two sets of ribs 24,28 which act as guides to locate and enclose the earth connector pin. Transverse ribs 30, 31 include apertures 32, 33 which provide passage for the screws 12, 13. Locating pins 34,35 are arranged to engage holes 46,64 in parts connected to the pins 121, 122. The earth pin 120 is pre-connected to twin armed resilient conductors 50, 51 by rivet 52. Winged portions 55, 56 take up positions on either side of aperture 17. The pins 121, 122 with their conductive attachments are of identical construction. As shown in Figure 8 the pin 22 has an L-shaped portion 60 fixed to the pin by rivet 61. A U-shaped socket portion 65 is provided at the end of the limb 63 of the L-shaped portion 60 and is on the side of limb 63 remote from the pin 122. An additional U-shaped socket 62 is fixed to the portion 60 by rivet 66. The rectangular apertures provide a snug fit for the pins and prevent passage of the shoulder 47 of pin 121, shoulder 57 of pin 120 and shoulder 67 of pin 122. A shutter 70 has wings 71,72 which cover the apertures 15, 16 and a cam extension 73 which extends across the aperture 14. The shutter is mounted on a spring 76 which is located on a nipple 77 on the lid 11. The shutter extends through an opening 78 in the body that is parallel to the earth pin and is deflected by bending of the spring when a plug is inserted into the apertures 14,15,16. Another similar spring mounted shutter may cover the apertures 17,18,19. CLAIMS

1. An electrical plug and socket comprising (a) a box like body having one end open (b) a cover on said open end and attached by screws to the body (c) connector pins (earth, positive and neutral) projecting from the body on that side which is opposite to the pins (d) socket openings in the cover (e) socket openings in a side wall of the body two of which are closed by the cover (f) two integral walls within the body at right angles to the body wall having the openings (e) (g) earth pin connector passing between said integral walls (h) an integral rib on the inside of two opposite body walls adjacent to the body wall having the openings (e) said ribs having openings therethrough containing said screws; and (i) two L-shaped conductors for the live and neutral pins, one shorter limb of each of which is parallel to the open end of the body and carries two U-shaped socket portions extending at right angles to each other.

2. An electrical plug and socket as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ribs are connected by exten sionsthereofwhich are provided with projections (34,35) which enter holes in the said parallel shorter limbs.

3. An electrical plug and socket as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the L-shaped conductor comprise a long limb and said shorter limb, the long limb being riveted to a plug pin, and having one of said U-shaped socket portions rivetted to it, the other U-shaped socket portion being formed integrablly on the free end of the shorter limb.

4. An electrical plug and socket as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 having two shutters one in the body and one in the cover, each of which closes live and neutral apertures and which shutter has an extension aligned with the'third aperture which extension serves as a cam to move the shutter to an open position.

5. An electrical plug and socket as claimed in claim 1 substantially as described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.