GB2415097A - Electrical socket capable of receiving polarised or non-polarised plug - Google Patents

Electrical socket capable of receiving polarised or non-polarised plug Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2415097A
GB2415097A GB0413126A GB0413126A GB2415097A GB 2415097 A GB2415097 A GB 2415097A GB 0413126 A GB0413126 A GB 0413126A GB 0413126 A GB0413126 A GB 0413126A GB 2415097 A GB2415097 A GB 2415097A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
plug
socket outlet
polarised
plugs
socket
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0413126A
Other versions
GB0413126D0 (en
Inventor
Quentin Cobham
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0413126A priority Critical patent/GB2415097A/en
Publication of GB0413126D0 publication Critical patent/GB0413126D0/en
Publication of GB2415097A publication Critical patent/GB2415097A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R27/00—Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
    • H01R27/02—Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
    • H01R13/6275—Latching arms not integral with the housing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/64—Means for preventing incorrect coupling
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/652—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding   with earth pin, blade or socket
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/73—Means for mounting coupling parts to apparatus or structures, e.g. to a wall
    • H01R13/74—Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel
    • H01R13/748—Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel using one or more screws
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
    • H01R24/28—Coupling parts carrying pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured only to wire or cable
    • H01R24/30—Coupling parts carrying pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured only to wire or cable with additional earth or shield contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
    • H01R24/76—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall
    • H01R24/78—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall with additional earth or shield contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
    • H01R25/006—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/58—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation characterised by the form or material of the contacting members
    • H01R4/64—Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2103/00—Two poles

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

An electrical socket comprises three holes 4-6, surrounded by a lip 2 formed with a rib 3. A corresponding plug comprises three contacts 7-9 and at least one keyway 11, which receives the rib 3 when the plug is inserted into the socket. The plug may have a single keyway (Fig. 3), forming a polarised plug which can only be inserted in only one orientation, or the plug may have plural keyways (Fig. 4), forming a non-polarised plug which can be inserted in more than one orientation. The plug may be provided with a push-button release (12, Fig. 6). The socket outlet may have fixing screws provided with earth continuity through a tensioned lever (15, Fig. 8).

Description

1 2415097 pESCRIPTION
SOCKET OUTLET AND CONNECTING PLUG
This invention relates to socket outlets and connecting plugs for use with single phase domestic electrical supplies, generally at voltages between 200-250V / 50 Hz.
Such socket outlets and connecting plugs are used daily in all aspects of life throughout Europe and the rest of the world.
Although many countries operate on a similar electrical supply, (ea. European countries at 230V / 50 Hz), there is no standard harmonised socket outlet and connecting plug design, which means that persons travelling between countries (ea.
tourism, business, personal travel etc.), cannot reliably use their electrical appliances without the use of travel adaptors. Such travel adaptors do not always guarantee earthing continuity, so in the event of fault current leakage, personal safety could be compromised. Many countries have their own independent plug and socket designs, some of these are non-shuttered, where inadvertent access to Live and Neutral terminals is possible, with its inherent safety risks. Safety standards are not always compatible, and a new international standard is sought.
An object of this invention, is to allow controlled use of polarised connecting plugs (fused for the UK), and non-polarised connecting plugs (typical for Europe), in a single standard socket outlet design.
The essential features of this socket outlet and connecting plug design are: 1. Space-saving in-line connecting pin layout, allowing additional socket outlet capacity with no increase in the socket outlet fascia size, ea. an existing double socket outlet can be directly replaced with a triple socket outlet.
2. Through use of a keyway construction, allowing both controlled safe connection of polarised fused plugs (constant fuse connection through Live terminal), and non-polarised plugs into the same socket outlet.
3. Optional plug design with push-button release feature allowing plug removal only when intended (ea. plug will not work loose through excessive appliance cable movement or be easily removed by a small child).
4. Socket outlet cover fixing screws have earthing continuity applied through a tensioned lever.
It is envisaged that the socket outlet and connecting plug would be manufactured using conventional materials and manufacturing production processes. Materials would include injection-moulded plastics such as polycarbonate for the socket outlet fascia, shutters, plug body and cover. Brass would be used for the plug connecting pins, and copper alloy components for electrical linkages and contacts.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE I - Shows a front view of the whole 3-gang socket outlet fascia.
FIGURE 2 - Shows front, end and sides views of the connecting plug.
FIGURES - Shows a view in direction of the connecting pins (of the polarised fused plug) where there is a single keyway.
FIGURE 4 - Shows a view in direction of the connecting pins (of the non polarised plug) where there are two keyways.
FIGURE 5 - Shows a view in direction of the connecting pins (of the non polarised plug) where there are two keyways and the push button release to the side.
FIGURE 6 - Shows a 3-dimensional view of the non-polarised connecting plug and push-button release.
FIGURE 7 - Shows the socket outlet plug support lip and seating ledge for the push-button release latch of the plug.
FIGURE 8 Shows a close-up front view on the socket outlet cover fixing hole, with the Earth connection tensioned lever.
FIGURE 9 - Shows a close-up rear view on the socket outlet cover fixing boss and the Earth connection tensioned lever.
As shown in Figure 1, the socket outlet fascia has two fixing holes, 1, situated one on each side. The plug support lip 2, provides stability and guidance for plug insertion.
It includes a single moulded rib 3, which permits only the fused polarised plug to enter in one position. The central hole for the Earth connection 4, is situated in the middle, between the Live connection hole 5, and the Neutral connection hole 6.
Figure 2 shows the connecting plug with the longer central Earth pin 7, and Live pin 8, and Neutral pin 9, situated above and below. The stepped surface 10, fits correspondingly into the socket outlet.
As shown in Figure 3, the polarised fused plug has a single keyway 11, which correspondingly engages with rib 3 of the socket outlet.
Figure 4, the non-polarised plug, has two keyways 11, and can be fitted in either of two positions about the central Earth pin 7, into the socket outlet.
Shown in Figure 5, is the front view of the non-polarised plug, in direction of the connecting pins, where the plug release button 12, can be seen.
Figure 6 shows the plug release button in 3-dimensional form, where the retaining latch 13, is illustrated.
Figure 7 shows a part-view of the socket outlet fascia where the retaining ledge 14, for the plug release latch] 3, is situated.
Figure 8 shows a close-up view of the socket outlet fascia fixing hole, where the tensioned lever 15, is located. The tensioned lever lightly clamps the fascia fixing screw 16, providing Earth continuity and screw retention. The tensioned lever can move into recess 17, during insertion of fascia fixing screw 16, if required.
Figure 9 shows a close-up view on the rear of the socket outlet fixing boss 18, where the tensioned lever 15, enters the boss through slot 19.

Claims (5)

1. A socket outlet and connecting plugs, which allows controlled use of polarised connecting plugs (fused for the UK), and non-polarised connecting plugs (typical for Europe), in a single standard socket outlet design.
2. A socket outlet and connecting plug, as claimed in claim 1, with space saving in-line contact layout, and compact narrowed plug design where an existing double socket outlet can be directly replaced with a triple socket outlet.
3. A socket outlet and connecting plug, as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, with use of a keyway construction, which allows controlled safe connection of polarised fused plugs and non-polarised plugs into the same socket outlet.
4. A socket outlet and connecting plug, as claimed in claim 3, combining an optional plug design with push-button release feature, allowing plug removal only when intended.
5. A socket outlet and connecting plug, as claimed in claim 4, with socket outlet cover fixing screws provided with Earth continuity through a tensioned lever.
GB0413126A 2004-06-12 2004-06-12 Electrical socket capable of receiving polarised or non-polarised plug Withdrawn GB2415097A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0413126A GB2415097A (en) 2004-06-12 2004-06-12 Electrical socket capable of receiving polarised or non-polarised plug

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0413126A GB2415097A (en) 2004-06-12 2004-06-12 Electrical socket capable of receiving polarised or non-polarised plug

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0413126D0 GB0413126D0 (en) 2004-07-14
GB2415097A true GB2415097A (en) 2005-12-14

Family

ID=32732378

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0413126A Withdrawn GB2415097A (en) 2004-06-12 2004-06-12 Electrical socket capable of receiving polarised or non-polarised plug

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2415097A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2587597A1 (en) * 2011-10-31 2013-05-01 Ampower Technology Co., Ltd. Socket and power adapter employing same
EP2371035B1 (en) * 2008-12-30 2018-04-25 Arçelik Anonim Sirketi A cooking device comprising cables which carry electricity

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5702259A (en) * 1996-08-12 1997-12-30 Lee; Chiu-Shan Safety socket and plug arrangement
GB2320983A (en) * 1996-04-27 1998-07-08 Board Tech Electric Co Ltd Electrical outlet device for connection with various types of plugs

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2320983A (en) * 1996-04-27 1998-07-08 Board Tech Electric Co Ltd Electrical outlet device for connection with various types of plugs
US5702259A (en) * 1996-08-12 1997-12-30 Lee; Chiu-Shan Safety socket and plug arrangement

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2371035B1 (en) * 2008-12-30 2018-04-25 Arçelik Anonim Sirketi A cooking device comprising cables which carry electricity
EP2587597A1 (en) * 2011-10-31 2013-05-01 Ampower Technology Co., Ltd. Socket and power adapter employing same
US8460016B2 (en) 2011-10-31 2013-06-11 Ampower Technology Co., Ltd. Socket and power adapter employing same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0413126D0 (en) 2004-07-14

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Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)