GB2613105A

GB2613105A - A safety device

Info

Publication number: GB2613105A
Application number: GB2302783.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mosudisa Neo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-06-04
Filing date: 2019-06-04
Publication date: 2023-05-24
Anticipated expiration: 2039-06-04
Also published as: GB202302783D0; GB2613105B

Abstract

A safety device 99 comprises a body 7 and a clamp 4,5,6. The body includes a lacuna which allows the body to be placed around an open fuse drawer 1000 of an electrical fitting 100. An aperture extends through the body to the lacuna. The clamp comprises an elongate locking bar 4 which traverses the lacuna and comprises first and second ends, a portion 6 of the second end having a greater diameter than the aperture. The locking bar moves axially through the aperture from a first (open) position in which the locking bar extends away from the lacuna to a second (closed) position in which the locking bar extends across the lacuna to close the body around the fuse drawer to prevent it from closing into the electrical fitting. In the closed position, the portion of the second end is disposed proximate the aperture. The locking bar may be spring biased. The second end may comprise an indentation (16, figure 2) for receiving part of a padlock when in the closed position. A portion of the body may comprise a hole 3 for receiving the padlock.

Description

A SAFETY DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a safety device, in particular a safety device for electrical outlets; more particularly but not exclusively a fascia plate for a spur.

Background

Increasing numbers of people in many societies are interested in updating electrical systems and appliances.

This is allied to stricter controls over appliance and system security and safety.

Often such users may be required to install spurs, which have fuses for safety of the integrity of the circuit controlled by the spur.

In order to work on outlets within the spur's circuit it is safe to close the spur electrical connection. This may be achieved by flipping the switch or with greater safety by 20 removing the fuse.

However in either case, there is a possibility that another party may be unaware of the need to keep the spur's circuit closed, and may inadvertently open the circuit again, which may be dangerous to the user.

Prior Art

GB 2017 05 620 (GUY) discloses a device and a system for preventing insertion of a fuse into a fuse holder, and methods for using the same. The device and the system comprise retaining elements that are adapted to engage with a fuse holder. When the device or system is engaged in a fuse holder, it is not possible to insert a fuse into the fuse holder. This allows for safe isolation of electric circuits.

CA 2 728 873 (WHITAKER et al) discloses a cover assembly structured for use with 35 an electrical switching apparatus and a movable locking element, the locking element being of any cross-sectional dimensions within a predetermined range of cross-sectional dimensions, the cover assembly comprising: a retention device being structured to be disposed on the electrical switching apparatus; a cover comprising an engagement element; one of the retention device and the cover being movable with respect to the other of the retention device and the cover between a first configuration of the cover assembly and a second configuration of the cover assembly and being structured to be engageable with the locking element to resist movement toward the second configuration of the cover assembly; at least a portion of the retention device and at least a portion of the engagement element in the first configuration of the cover assembly confronting one another to resist movement of at least a portion of the cover away from the electrical switching apparatus; and the at least portion of the retention device and the at least portion of the engagement element in the second configuration of the cover assembly being clear of one another to permit movement of at least a portion of the cover away from the electrical switching apparatus between the second configuration of the cover assembly and a third configuration of the cover assembly.

GB 2004 22 871 (CLEMENT et al) discloses a switch, comprising a toggle surrounded by a plate, incorporates a slider that can be moved relative to the toggle to hold the latter in a set position, e.g. in the 'off position. The slider is fitted with a lug to receive the hasp of a padlock that fixes the switch in the 'off position, e.g. to prevent it from being switched on while work is being carried out on an electrical circuit.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a safety device comprising a body and a clamp, wherein the clamp is arranged to move from a first position to allow placement of the body around a fuse drawer on an electrical fitting and a second position to close the body around the fuse drawer to prevent it closing into the electrical fitting.

In this way it may be envisaged that the fuse drawer may be prevented from closing and accordingly the fitting is not able to function and electricity is not capable of flowing 35 through any circuits within the fitting.

Therefore the device enables a safe mechanical cessation of the electricity within a fitting.

In particular reference to the fitting it may be envisaged that the fitting may comprise a 5 fascia, for example a fascia for an electrical spur, which may comprise a fuse drawer and one or more switch or outlet.

In this way the safety device of the present invention may be arranged to clamp around the fuse carrier part of an electrical spur switch unit so as to hold it in the "out" position.

When the device is in this position, it means that power will not be supplied to the appliance that it is connected, to make it safe.

In some embodiments the clamp may be provided with a lock mechanism in use. Such 15 lock mechanism may encompass the body, for example wherein the body may be arranged to fit tightly against the fuse drawer to ensure that it cannot be moved.

Such lock mechanism may be envisaged to lock the clamp in the second position. This locking mechanism may be a closure mechanism, or may comprise a key locking 20 mechanism.

The locking mechanism may thereby enable a user to lock the device from interference by unauthorised parties. For example the locking mechanism may comprise a padlock with key, or a combination lock. Such lock or padlock may comprise a separate, 25 separable and/or independently available part.

In this way the device may be held in place using a typical padlock, meaning that only the key-holder will be able to operate the appliance.

In preferred embodiments the device may be robust enough to prevent unauthorised removal.

In some embodiments the clamp comprises a locking bar, which is arranged to traverse a lacuna in the body. This lacuna is arranged to allow the body to be placed around 35 the fuse drawer.

In addition or the alternative the body may be arranged to locate against or onto the fuse drawer, whereby it may be envisaged that the body may comprise a projection arranged to locate behind the fuse drawer cover, so as to limit return movement of both the fuse drawer in a first axis, whereby the locking mechanism is arranged to limit return movement of the body in a second axis, which.

In some embodiments the clamp or locking bar may be spring loaded.

Advantageously the device of the present invention allows users to safely secure a fused spur unit in the "off" position in compliance with EIC 537.3.1.3 & 537.3.2.3 forming an improvement over the current industry practice of simply removing the fuse entirely which does not prevent another fuse being connected or another similarly conductive object returning power to the circuit.

In such embodiments the spring may hold the clamp open in its unlocked first position.

In some embodiments it may be envisaged that in order to lock the device and maintain the circuit closed the body may be slid around the fuse drawer or carrier and a locking part such as the bar pushed into place, and in a final stage a padlock may be envisaged 20 to be used to fix such part in place or prevent its return.

In some embodiments the locking part may be spring biased to stay in or leave the locking position-In some embodiments the locking part may comprise a pat arranged to accept or interact with or lock with the padlock, for example an indentation at an the end.

In other embodiments the spring may be biased to be held closed.

In this way even in cases of a lock or padlock failure the body will be held in place to prevent movement of the fuse drawer, thereby acting effectively to warn third parties, and prevent accidental return.

In other embodiments the device may have a block clamp, which clamp may be 35 slidable between positions.

For assembly and manufacturing this may solely comprise two custom plastic elements and can make use of standard springs and pins.

A locking mechanism or padlock may prevent the user sliding the block across and 5 opening the clamp.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in an open position; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the first embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, 20 in a closed position; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the first embodiment as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the device according to 25 the present invention in a closed position; Figures 6 shows side views of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 5, in open and closed positions respectively; Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the second embodiment of the device shown in Figure 5, in use in a closed position on an electrical outlet; And Figures 8 show front and sectional views of the embodiment of the device in use on a electrical outlet, as shown in Figure 7.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown embodiments of the device 99, 199 generally comprising a body 7 supporting a clamp arranged to move from a first position to allow placement of the body around a fuse drawer 1000 on an electrical fitting 100 to a second position to close the body 7,41 around the fuse drawer 1000 to prevent it closing into the electrical fitting 100.

The device provides a safety device that is arranged to clamp around the fuse carrier or drawer of an electrical spur, which can thereby lock the fuse drawer 1000 in an extended and the fuse in a displaced and exposed position, and thereby prevent power from passing through the spur.

With reference to the first embodiment the body 7 extends around the drawer, forming a C-shaped body.

A locking bar 4 is arranged in use to extend across the free ends of the body 7 and thereby the drawer 1000 in use and to either side thereof so as to prevent the drawer 20 closing.

The embodiment may be envisaged to be designed to be tough and resistant to tampering whilst still maintaining a small size.

The embodiment is arranged to be fixed in place using a standard padlock (not shown) which is passed through the hole 3 when the bar 4 is in the second position, and its end 6 is displaced so as to extend across the free ends of the body 7, in use with the fuse drawer opened or extended.

This padlock is thereby located to extend into the space previously occupied by the end Sand the bar 4, and thereby prevents the locking bar 4 from returning sliding out, thereby so as to allow the device to be removed.

The end 6 of the bar 4 comprises an indentation 16 arranged for receipt of the padlock The distal end of the bar is arranged to seat into a depression 9 in the top of the body 7, or more particularly a rearward tab 8.

In this way the embodiment ensures only the key holder will be able to operate the 5 appliance ensuring safety.

The bar 4 is provided with a compression spring 5, which acts to return the bar to an extended position.

The body 7 comprises a top lip 1, extending along the plane of the locking bar 4 orthogonally into the reverse facing tab 8.

Below the tab 8 the body provides a longitudinally arranged and chamfered block 2. This block may be envisaged to fit under the fuse drawer lid in use.

The embodiment may be used in two orientations, vertical and horizonal, as shown in Figure 8 with the fuse carrier in the vertical position as shown in Figures 8a the device slides underneath the lip of the carrier holding it outwards, with the locking bar fitting around the distal side of the carrier.

For the horizontal position as shown in Figures 8b, the locking bar has been arranged to fit through the fuse carrier itself.

A bold colour scheme is designed to be in keeping with other high vis safety tools and 25 equipment and the embodiment is made from high insulating plastics to ensure suitability for an electrical safety product.

With reference to the second embodiment the embodiment 199 is simplified to be only formed of four parts for ease of manufacture, comprising a U shaped body 41, which 30 has a hole 38 extending above the body 41. The body extends to a opposing arm 40.

Behind the body 41 is a clamp 43 provided on a spring 42. The clamp 43 comprises a hole 39 extending above it. When the clamp is out as shown in Figure 5 the holes 38,39 align to form a locking hole 61. In this way the padlock may be used through the 35 holes 38,39 to lock the clamp in an extended position. This in turn locks extends underneath the fuse drawer 1000 so as to prevent its return. The switch 110 is thereby rendered ineffective as no current may flow through the outlet 100.

Both embodiments are arranged so that they will effectively work with the vast majority 5 of different spur unit designs, such that typically access and ease of use has been considered to ensure that the embodiment will always be able to engage with the fuse carrying drawer.

In further embodiments of the device the orientation of the hole can be rotated 90 10 degrees should there be space concerns about fitting the padlock in its current configuration.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing 15 from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Clauses Various aspects of the invention will now be enumerated in the following clauses.

1 A safety device comprising a body and a clamp, wherein the clamp is arranged to move from a first position to allow placement of the body around a fuse drawer on an electrical fitting and a second position to close the body around the fuse drawer to prevent it closing into the electrical fitting.

2. A safety device according to clause 1 wherein the clamp comprises a bar displaceable with reference to the body.

3. A safety device according to clause 2 wherein the bar is arranged to extend across a U shaped body so as to substantially close the open arms of the U shape.

4. A safety device according to clauses 2 or 3 wherein the bar is spring biased.

5. A safety device according to clause 1 comprising a sliding block arranged to slide with reference to the body, sliding between positions.

6. A safety device according to any preceding clause comprising a hole for receipt of a padlock to maintain the device in the second position

Claims

Claims 1 A safety device for use with a padlock to prevent closing of a fuse drawer, the device comprising: a body including a lacuna arranged to allow the body to be placed around a fuser drawer of an electrical fitting and an aperture extending through the body to the lacuna; and a clamp comprising an elongate locking bar arranged to transverse the lacuna, the locking bar comprising a first end and a second end distal to the first end, and an elongate bar body extending between both ends, a portion of the second end having a diameter greater than the aperture; wherein the elongate bar body is arranged to move axially through the aperture from a first position in which the first end of the locking bar is disposed within the aperture with the elongate bar body extending away from the lacuna to allow placement of the body around the fuse drawer on the electrical fitting and a second position in which the elongate bar body extends across the lacuna to close the body around the fuse drawer to prevent it closing into the electrical fitting, wherein in the second position the portion of the second end having a diameter greater than the aperture is disposed to a side of the body opposite the lacuna and proximate the aperture.
2. A safety device according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the locking bar comprises an indentation for receiving part of the padlock when the locking bar is in the second position, wherein the indentation is disposed to the portion having a diameter greater than the aperture.
3. A safety device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first end of the locking bar is arranged to sit into a depression in a top of the body when the locking bar is in the second position.
4. A safety device according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking bar is spring biased.
5. A safety device according to claim 4, wherein the locking bar is biased to the second position.
6. A safety device according to claim 4, wherein the bar is biased to the first position.
7. A safety device according to any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises a projection for fitment under the fuse drawer in use.
8. A safety device according to claim 7, wherein the projection is a chamfered block.
9. A safety device according to any preceding claim, wherein a hole disposed in a portion of the body is provided for receipt of the padlock when the locking bar is in the second position to prevent axial movement of the locking bar to the first position.
10. A safety device according to claim 9, wherein the portion of the body extends away from the lacuna and positioned adjacent the locking bar in the first position.
11. A kit comprising a safety device according to any preceding claim and a separate padlock.