GB2266811A - Switched socket outlet. - Google Patents

Abstract

Two parts (10, 12) of a casing of a socket outlet locate conductors within them and a switch (72) is associated with the casing; the switch being releasably connected, for example by a two-part connection (60, 76), within the casing. The socket outlet may comprise two sockets, each having a further casing part (22a, 22b) locating conductors within the casing. <IMAGE>

Description

AN ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLY This invention relates to an electrical assembly and particularly, though not exclusively an assembly of the kind where electrical elements such as power outlets and switches are provided on a support either for attachment to the substance of a building or alternatively of the kind which are not secured but are provided with a long length of flex for use in temporary installations.

The assembly of electrical assemblies of the known kind has required somewhat involved manufacturing techniques such as riveting, welding, soldering or other fabrication processes which, or some of which, it would be desirable to avoid if possible, and which render repair of such assemblies difficult.

The present invention provides an electrical assembly comprising a housing having at least two parts securable together to define a hollow casing within which are operably received conductors providing at least one socket arranged to receive in use a complementary plug, the assembly mounting at least one switch module arranged to control in use the supply of electrical energy to said socket or at least one said socket, said switch module being releasably connected in use to said assembly within said housing.

Preferably the switch module is connected in use to said assembly by means of a plug and socket connection within said casing.

One or more parts of the housing will contain apertures as required for example to allow plugs to be inserted into the housing for operative connection to the electrical connections therein, or to allow the operative parts of switches to be accessible from outside the housing.

Apertures are also provided to allow wires or other similar conductors to pass through a wall or walls of the housing for connection with the said connections.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.l is a perspective view of an electrical assembly according to the invention mounting a pair of three-pin switched outlet sockets.

Fig.2 is a plan view of the electrical assembly shown in Fig.l with cover parts removed to reveal the elements of the assembly.

Fig.3 is an 'exploded' view of the electrical assembly of Figs. 1 and 2 with a cover part shown partly broken away.

The assembly shown in the figures comprises a housing composed of a base part 10, a first cover part 12 and a second cover part 14.

Lugs 13 are provided on first and second cover parts so that in operative position they are intergaged with one another (shown in Fig.3 on second cover part 14 only). The parts are made of plastics material of high electrical insulation property securable together by means of screws 15 in self tapping manner in tubular portions 16 provided on the base part 10. Further screws (not shown) also secure the first cover part 12 to the base part 10 from below, the further screws having shanks passing through tubular portions 18 and being secured in self tapping manner in tubular portions 20.

The tubular portions 18 also act as guides for receiving a pair of mounting elements 22a, 22b also made from insulating plastics material. It will be observed in Fig.3 that one of the mounting elements 22a is shown lifted from the assembly whilst the other one of the mounting elements 22b is shown in operative position. These mounting elements are identical and each moulded in a complex shape to receive various conductors. One of these conductors is provided by an earth bar 24 having at one end a screw terminal 26 by which a wire conductor (shown in broken line as 28 in Fig.2) may be electrically connected in use.Other conductors are provided by a line bar 30 having a screw terminal 32 for connection in use to a wire conductor 34 (shown in broken line Fig.2), and a neutral bar 36 having a screw terminal 38 for connection in use to a wire conductor 40 (shown in broken line in Fig 2).

The earth bar 24 is formed from brass with U-shaped spring tongues 42 at two spaced locations, said tongues being receiveable through an appropriate aperture 44 in each mounting element 22.

The neutral bar 36 is formed with fingers 46 and in operative position lies in a preformed channel 48 provided in each mounting element 22a, 22b with a finger 46 being received in a respective first socket 50 on each mounting element. Received in each first socket 50 is a U-shaped clip 52 of brass, and a finger 46 is received within the U of each clip 52 the finger lying up against one limb of the U-shaped clip.

The line bar 30 intersects a respective second socket 54 provided on each of the mounting elements 22a, 22b, each second socket 54 bearing a U-shaped clip 56 of brass, the line bar 30 being disposed so as to lie against one limb of the U of the clip 56. Each mounting element bears a third socket 58 receiving a respective further U-shaped clip 60 which receives a limb 62 of a respective conductor bar 64. Each of the latter has a finger 66 which is received in a respective U shaped clip 68 of a fourth socket'70 provided on each mounting.

A single pole, single throw switch module 72 is provided on each mounting element 22a, 22b and comprises a rocker switch 74 operable between 'on' and 'off' positions and having brass connecting pins 76.

Respective pins 76 of the latter are operably received in second and third sockets on respective mounting elements 22a, 22b and are dimensioned such that when so received the pins 76 displace the limbs 62 and bar 30 into contact with clips 56 and 60 respectively.

Thus a conducting bridge is formed between the line bar 30 and the clip 68 via switch module 72 (when in the 'on' position), and conductor bar 64.

The clips 42, 52, and 68 are dimensioned to receive respective 'earth', 'neutral' and 'line' conducting pins of a standard three pin plug.

The embodiment shown in the drawings also features neon bulbs 78 provided in a pocket 80 on each mounting element 22a, 22b. One conductor 82 of each neon bulb 78 is disposed to lie in preformed channel 48 so as to be overlaid by the neutral bar 36. Another conductor 84 of each neon bulb 78 is connected to a resistor 86 whose other connector 88 lies on a portion of a respective mounting element 22a, 22b beneath a respective conductor bar 64. Thus when conductor bar 64 is electrically energised via switch module 72 the respective neon is energised.

The base part 10 mounts a flex grip 90 comprising two obliquely inclined fingers 92 disposed so as to resist unintentional accidental removal of a flex 94 from the electrical assembly by misuse or otherwise.

The second cover part 14 bears a panel 96 for electrical supply data and other relevant usage information, and translucant red panels 98 through which the neon bulbs 78 can be seen from the exterior of the housing when illuminated. It will be noted that the mounting element 22a, 22b and the conducting components (except switch module 72) are all 'loose-laid' on the base part 10 in proper configuration (the neon bulbs and respective resistors are connected together beforehand).

Projections 100 are provided on the underside of first cover part 12 and these are dimensioned so as to bear on the various conductors such that when the first cover part 12 and base part 10 are operatively secured together, the various conductors are held in electrical contact with one another. The first cover part 12 is also provided in known manner with apertures 102, 104, 106 into which a plug may be inserted for operative connection of its pins with clips 42, 52, 68, and with apertures through which operative rocker switch parts of switch modules 72 protrude. Shoulders 108 on the switch modules 72 prevent the switch modules 72 being removed from the assembly when the first cover part 12 is secured to base part 10.

The first cover part 12 is also provided in known manner with shutters (not shown) which deny access to the line and neutral clips 68, 52, unless an earth pin is inserted in aperture 104 to move a respective shutter aside.

It will be apparent that worn or damaged switch parts of the assembly can be quickly and simply replaced by removing the first and second cover parts (with the electric supply cut off) and lifting out the appropriate switch and replacing it with a new part. Thus materials are conserved.

Also, the assembly can be made in single, triple or numerous - gang formats simply by making the casing larger and adding more mounting elements. The bars 24, 30 and 36 will be made longer or shorter as appropriate. The first, second, third and fourth clips are all identical and conductor bar 64 can be used in single or multiple arrangements.

The neon bulbs may be omitted, an alternative first cover part 12 with no transluscent panels 98 being provided. One switch may be omitted in which case an alternative conductor bar 64 modified in shape so as to contact the line bar 30 will be provided. The line bar 30 may in this latter instance be provided with horizontal fingers for large surface area direct contact with the alternative conductor bar 64.

Whilst in the embodiment described herein and shown in the drawings the switch module was a single pole, single throw switch, it is to be understood that other switch arrangements such as multiple throw and/or in particular multiple pole switches may be provided within the scope of the invention.

It will be readily apparent that the disposition of the conductors may be arranged such that a two pole single throw switch controlling both the live and neutral supplies may be utilised. If necessary conductors may overlie one another via the agency of strips of insulating material arranged to separate them.

It will be apparent that in the present embodiment the second cover part 14 is accessible by removing two screws from the top (as viewed in the figures) of the assembly whereas the first cover part 12 is removable only by unscrewing screws from the top and bottom of the assembly.

Any convenient means of securing housing parts 10, 12 and 14 may be used provided that the conductors are held in operative contact.

Whilst the described embodiment has been designed with a view to satisfying the need for three square pin (British) type plug and socket connections, the invention may be applied to any similar application for plugs and sockets with pins of other shapes and in other numbers.

Whilst in the embodiment the sockets are shown to be in linear format, other shapes and configurations will be apparent and within the scope of the invention. A single switch controlling the or all of the sockets may be provided.

Claims (6)

Claims:

1. An electrical assembly comprising a housing having at least two parts securable together to define a hollow casing within which are operably received conductors providing at least one socket arranged to receive in use a complementary plug, the assembly mounting at least one switch module arranged to control in use the supply of electrical energy to said socket or at least one said socket, said switch module being releasably connected in use to said assembly within said housing.

2. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the switch module is releasably connected in use to said assembly by means of a plug and socket connection within said casing.

3. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the switch module is provided with shoulder portions which abut the periphery of an aperture in one part of said housing through which an operating part of the switch is accessible and such that the switch module is retained within said housing.

4. An electrical assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the switch module incorporates a single pole single throw switch arranged to control a flow of electrical energy in a line conductor.

5. An electrical assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which there is provided a plurality of sockets each controlled by a respective switch module.

6. An electrical assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.