GB2208047A - Plug rack - Google Patents

Abstract

A plug rack includes a surface (31) having a hole for receiving a pin of mains plug thereby to support the plug. The rack may be attached to a vertical surface, or rest on a horizontal surface. Several shapes and sizes of racks are disclosed for supporting the standard mains plugs of various nationalities. The hole may be surrounded by a depression for guiding the plug pin. A rack may include several holes for several plugs. <IMAGE>

Description

"SALFE" PLUG RACK (OR STORE).

THIS INVENTION RELATES TO A "SERIES" OF SAFE PLUG RACK DESIGNS.

The generally accepted British Standard' 3in Electric Plug, when in use is placed in the Standard Socket, There is at present ne provision for a plug & lead when not in use. iet- Where do you put a plug when it is removed from the socket? The following novel designs allow the plug to-gether-with itls lead to be 'Parked' or stored safely, using the Earth-Fin for support in the Angled Slot', or 'Angled $lot Holder'as shewn.

In addition to a "Rack" for the British Standard Plug use in the United Kingdom,versions are included for international use outside the U.K.... ist - accepting the International two-pin plug as used in Europe, to-gether with the Australian/new-Zealand plug ; & the Umited States of America Standard three-pin plugs, in the same way, all at 'Angle' on a combined Three-Way Rack; or individually applicable "Racks" for each of the geographical/political states & areas in the zones named above.

These above mentioned "Racks" are affixed to a vertical or other surface by known methods, ie : - double-sided adhesive pads, other adhesive methods, & or wood-screws, sorews & plugs.

Another version is designed for portable/mobile use & can be manufactured produced with limited resources & by handicapped people- The addition of a depression around the slot makes for instant positive engagement by handicapped people.

Multiple versions of the designed racks can be produced as required.

Selection of Examples of "Safe" Plug Racks., & references to drawins.

Sheet 5 Fig:- I. Basic Plug Rack, to accept British Standard Three Pin Plug.

Fig:- 2. Mark 2 Plug Rack, to accept British Standard Three Pin Plug.

Fig:- 3. Mark 3 Plug Rack to accept American/Australian/New Zealand, Type Standard Plugs.

Fig:- 4. Simplified Version Plug Rack, accepts British Standard Three Pin Plugs.

Sheet 6 Views looking at Face's of Plug Racks,providing "Slots at an Angle" to receive relevant Standard Earth-Pins of British,American,Australian, New Zealand Electric Three Pin Plugs, & Continental European Power Pins.

Fig:- 5 United Kingdom, Accents Standard Earth-Pin.

Fig:- 6 American,Australian/New Zealand,Accepts both respective Standard -Earth-Pins.

Fig;- 7 International Version,Accepts American & Australian/New Zealand Standard Earth-Pins,also Continental Europe Power-Pins.

Fig:- 8 Euro-American, Accepts 5mg.Dia.Earth-Pin, & 2 4mm. Dia.Powe-Pins.

Fig:- 9 Antipodean,Accepts 6mm.x 2mm. Earth-Pin as used in Australia & BR< New-Zealand.

Sheet 7 Views; Showing above selection of Faces, & indicating the inclusion of a depression around the slot to assist in positive engagement,by handicapped users of Safe Plug Racks.

Fig;- 5a U.K. Accepts Standard Earth Pin.

Fig:- 6a American/Australian/New Zealand,Accepts both respective Standard -Earth-Pins.

Fig:- 7a International version,Accepts American/Australian/New Zealand Standard Earth-Pins,also Continental Power-Pins.

Fig:- 8a Euro-American Accepts 5mm.Earth-Pin, & 2 @ 4mm.Power-Pins.

Fig:- 9a Antipodean,Accepts Earth-Pin as use in Australia A New-Zealand.

Sheet 8 Fig:- IO Mobile/Portable Version for use on flat work-surfaces, Cast 3/I Cement-Granite dust moulding,with Foam Rub-zer insert at base,Accepts 2(two) Plugs.

Sheets 9/10/11/12.

Views, Showing typical "safe" plug racks in use.

Fig:- II Basic Plug Rack.Extruded PVC.construction.

30.Doubled-Sidad Adhesive Pad. 31. Extruded PVC.

Fig;- I2 Mark 2 Plug Rack. Makrolon Sheet. or Acrylic fabrication.

30.Double-Sided Adhesive Pads. 32.Acrylic sheet. 40. Lead.

Fig:- 13.Simplified Version Plug Rack.Makrolon or Acrylic fabrication.

30.Double-sided Adhesive pads. 32. Acrylic sheet.40.Leåd.

Fig:- I4.Australian/Nelv-Zealand/American,Version.Acrylic fabrication.

3O.1)ouble-sided Adhesive pads. 32. Acrylic sheet.40.Lead.

Fig:- I5.Mobile/Portable Version. Cast 3/I Cement/Granite Dst moulding.

35. Cement/granite duste cast, 36. Foam-Rubber Insert.40.Lead.

Sheet 13.

16. Basic Plug Rack. Working Drawing(RSD.IOI).

Fig I6a. TO-Double-sided Adhesive Pad. 31. Extruded PVC.3 Sheet IA.

Fig : - 17. Mark 2 Plug Rack. Working Drawing(RS). 102).

Fig:- I7a O.Double-sided Adhesive Paris, 32.Acrylic Sheet.

Fig:- 17b

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS.

   The racks as shewn provide a safe convenient store for standard electrio plugs when not in use,and can be placed adjacent to the socket outlet, or to the appliance itself.

   In --In- some instances they can be attached to the appliance thereby provid ing positive storage for the plug with it's lead.

   They will also be a boon to the blind, poorly-sighted, or confased people ; with the plug always being stored at/or with an angle,they will be aware that it is not associated with a 'Live' socket; also by providing a convenient store for Television-Set plugs when removed over-night,2 thereby reducing the weli known Fire Hazard.

   This together with the proliferation of Electrical items & Aids in use in households & workshops,prevents mechanical & or electrical over -loading of multi-outlet sockets,also preventing damage to plugs by being knocked or dropped to the floor, often frequently occuring at present, with-subsequent-dangerens states of insulation.

   Other electrical accidents would be avoided,where in the past plugs have been left in live sockets with often tragic results.

   Can be made in an colour to match existing decors,...

   Ca re-inforce safety association by inoluding Green & Yellow colouring in finish.

   The inclusion of a small depression surrounding the receiving slot makes for a positive & immediate acceptance of the introduced plug giving assistance to handicapped people, even if they mise the slot initially.

   By allowing the plug together with it's lead to be stored at an higher level than normal when not in use, means that leais can be kept clear of inquisative toddlers fingers reducing the number of horrendous scalding accidents occuring regularly at prsent,from Electric Kettles & BR< other appliances.

   Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows I. A Plug Rack for the safe storage of Standard British Electric Plugs, when not in use. The rack provides an angled face,with a slot designed to accept the Earth-Fin of a Standard Plug, see Figs : -1,2,4,5,5a.11.12.13, A slight depression around the Earth-Pin slot may be provided for positive acceptance of the plug when placed in the rack.The rack can be manufactured as a single unit,or as a block to accept several plugs.These single Units or blocks maybemffixed adjacent to socket outlets,attached to any Domestic/Commercial or Industrial appliance,or placed in a position deemed necessary for safety requirements,a portable/mobile rack provides for storage of Standard Electric pligs on a Work-Surface.
2. 2. A Pl'ig Rack as claimed in Claim I.may be manufactured from a number materials, namely including woods, plastics, Metals, forged, cast, extruded, moulded, formed, precices metals ; artificial-stone, (Cement-Granite dust), glass, pottery-ware.
3. 3. A Plug Rack as claimed in claims I. & 2. may be finthed to match contemp orary colour schemers, decoration3,finishes include Anodieed, acrylic, impregnated mixed,intregated colours, metallie finishes.
4. 4. A Plug Rack as claimed in Claims 1,2,3, may be labelled to specific requirements, & may be labelled in Braille.
5. 5. A Plug Rack as claimed in Claims 1,2,3,4, may provide a accepts the Standard Earth-Pin, of the Standard Electric Plug, will support the same at a range angles from the vertical surface,from where the body of the Plug willnot foul the vertical surface,at the highest angle,to a point where the earth-pin does not fol the vertical surface at the lowest angle.
6. 6. A Plug Rack as claimed in Claims 1,2,3,4,5, can be affixed to surfaces by known methods:-eg.Double-Sided adhesive pads,other adhesive methods, wood-screws,Wood-screws @ plugs,Mechanical fasteners.
7. 7. A Plug Rack as claimedin Claims 1,2,3,4,5,6, may by inclusion of a small depression around the receiving slot make for a positime, 35 immediate acceptance & engagement of the introduced plug, even if it missed initially.
8. 8.A Pl:ig Rack as claimed in any preceding clain may be attached to,or produced as part of the appliance itself,where often leads are sunplied the the pull is left danglin.

   Claims. Con.
9. 9.A Plug Rack as claimed in any preceding Claim may be produced in a 'number of forms' in addition to the specific example given in Claim I, these are depicted in Figs:- 2.3*, 4, 10,12,13,15, all of these forms can accept British Standard Electric Plus;; Fig. 3, whilst shewing a slot to accept the American/Australian/Nes Zealand PluCs,can also be produced with a slot to accent the British Standard Plu.*
10. IO.A Plug Rack as claimed in any preceding Claim,and modified to accept other recognised National Standard Pluas,or suitable for commercial, industrial, & domestic plugs,attached to appliances,2 supported at a range of angles as in Claim 5,may be produced accordingly,by providing an aperture which can accept these other recognised National Standard Plugs,ie:- American United States/Canada,Australian/New Zealand, & BR< Continental Europe ; Figs: - 3,6, 6a, 7, 7a, 8, 8a, 9, 9a, 14.
11. II.A Plug Rack as claimed in any preceding Claim, & modified to accept both the Standard Earth Pins of USA/Canada-Ausralia/New Zealand, together with the two Power-Pins of the Continertal European Plug & able to support either of these plugs at or within a range of angles as claimed in Claim 5,by providing the apertures which accept the pins applicable to the systems in the named area's; 'Faces' depicted in Figs:- 7,7a,B,8a,.
12. I2.A Plug Rack as claimed in any preceding Claim & modified to accept EACH/OR either of the combinations of Standard Plugs as claimed in Claim II: by providing apertures to accept required combination of Plugs,may be produced accordingly.Selection of 'Faces' depicted in Figs:- 6,6a,7,7a,8,8a,9,9a.
13. 13. A Plug-Rack as claimed in any preceding Claim & modified to accept the Standard Industrial Electric Plug,by providing an aperture to accept the Earth-Pin of the Standard Industrial Electric Plug,at range of angles,as Claimed in claim 5.