GB2359674A

GB2359674A - Socket outlet connection

Info

Publication number: GB2359674A
Application number: GB0003994A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas David Cowling
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-02-22
Filing date: 2000-02-22
Publication date: 2001-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-22
Also published as: GB0003994D0; GB2359674B

Abstract

An electrical fitting for a domestic electrical circuit and which includes a facia plate 17 for mounting to a box 11 and a plurality of push-on/push off connectors 18,19,21 and 38,39 41 for connecting the fitting to the circuit. Pin connectors 18,19,21 locate in the fitting terminals and insulated female connectors are attached to the circuit wires.

Description

An Electrical Fittin 2359674

Field

This invention relates to electrical fittings such as wall sockets and light switches used with domestic and commercial electrical circu.1.ts.

Background of the Invention

Electrical wall fittings are generally connected to the wires of an electric wiring circuit at various locations where the wires are fed into a box which is mounted on or recessed into a wall. When the box is recessed into a wall the fitting has a facia plate which sits against the wall and if it is required to decorate the premises by either painting or papering walls in which electrical fittings are mounted, this can give rise to problems. In order to decorate to the highest standards it is necessary to remove the electrical fitting from its respective box in order to avoid painting the facia plate and/or to paint behind the facia plate. When wall papering the problems are more severe in that it is necessary to cut a slit in the paper in order to pass the electrical fitting through the paper whilst still connected to the circuit. This slit and any consequential tears must be invisible after the facia plate is remounted to the box and the slit paper is typically cut to fit the box. This may be dangerous especially if wall paper paste drops into the electrical fitting whilst it is live. Alternatively the-fitting must be disconnected from the circuit to remove it completely from the wall, and this may involve switching off the power supply which is time consuming and disruptive.

The present invention provides a light fitting which can be quickly and safely removed from a wall during decorating.

2 Statements of Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an electrical fitting for a domestic or commercial single phase electric circuit and which in use is mounted on a box, wherein the fitting includes a facia plate by which it is secured to the box and a plurality of push in/pull off electrical connector for connection to wiring of the circuit, each connector comprising a male connection secured to one of the fitting or wiring and a female connection connected to the other of said fitting and wiring.

Preferably each male connection is in the form of a cylindrical pin and is preferably secured to the fitting.

The end fitting may further comprise circular electrical terminals and the pins are secured in the terminals, preferably by clamping screws or spring means.

Alternatively, the respective fitting connections may be formed integrally with the end fitting.

Preferably, the female connections comprise resilient clamping means which grip the outer surface of the male connection. Each clamping means may be integrally connected to a terminal for connection to a wire. Each female connection may be individually encapsulated in an insulating housing or alternatively all the female connections may be held in a single insulating housing.

Also according to the invention there is provided a kit for conversion of an electrical fitting already in use with an electric circuit and which in use is mounted on a box, the fitting including a facia plate for attachment to the box and having electrical 3 terminals, wherein the kit comprises a plurality of electrical connectors each of which comprises a male connection for securing to a respective terminal and a female connection for attachment to a respective wire of said circuit.

Preferably, each female connection is provided in an individual isolating housing for attachment to a respective wire and is coloured according to the function of said wire.

Description of Drawings The invention will be described by way of Example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: is an exploded drawing of a first embodiment of the present invention, is an isometric view of the rear of fitting according to a second embodiment of the present invention, is a plan view of a insulating housing utilised with the fitting of Fig. 2, and is a side view of the fitting shown in Fig.2 with a plug shown in situ.

Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Detailed description of the Invention

With reference to Fig. 1 there is shown a box 11 for an electrical fitting and which in use is typically mounted on a wall or recessed into a wall to receive wires 12,13,14, of a single phase 220/240 volts electrical supply. Such supplies are typically used in domestic 30 premises and offices.

4 An electrical fitting 16, in this case a single electrical socket having a facia plate 17 is mounted to the box via the facia plate in the conventional manner. The fitting 16 has a plurality of electrical terminals 22,23,24 into each of which a respective end portion of a cylindrical pin 18,19, or 21 is secured, preferably by screw clamp or spring grip. The pins 18-21 provide earth, live and neutral male connections for the fitting 16.

The wires 12-14 are each individually connected to an individual female connection 38,39 & 41. Each female connection 38-41 comprises a resilient clamping device 26 in form of a split collar one side of which is integrally connected to an electrical terminal 27.

The clamping device and terminal are enclosed in a insulating plastic housing 28. The housings 28 can be coloured according to the electrical wire to which they are connected, for example they could be coloured red, black or green if connected respectively to live, neutral or earth wire of the electrical circuit.

Each housing 28 is provided with apertures 29, 31 and 32 for insertion of the respective male connection, for access by screw driver to a clamping screw 33 of a terminal 27, or a wire.

In order to convert an existing electrical fitting to a fitting according to the present invention there is at least three pins 18-19, 21 which can be provided a kit containing inserted into standard electrical socket or light switch terminals and at least three female connections 38,39 and 41. The pins are held in the end fitting terminals by the terminal clamping screws and the female connections are for attachment to respective wires of the electrical circuit.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs.2, - 3, & 4 in integrally with the electrical fitting. In yet another modification the female connections 53 are all enclosed in a single housing 52 which is provided with apertures 54,55, and 59 respectively for the wires, to facilitate access for the screw driver to the screw 33, and for insertion of the pins 48,49, & 51.

which the pins 48, 49, & 51 are formec The housing 52 is provided with side cut-outs 56 to accommodate the 10 screws used for mounting the electrical fitting to a box.

It will be appreciated that various feature from the two embodiments may be selectively used in combination.

6

Claims

1.

An electrical fitting phase electric circuit wherein the fitting in secured to the box and electrical connectors for connection to wiring of the circuit, each connector comprising a male connection secured to one of the fitting or wiring and a female connection connected to the other of said fitting and wiring.

for a domestic or commercial single and which in use is mounted on a box, cludes a facia plate by which it is a plurality of push on/pull off

2.

An electrical fitting as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each male connection comprises a cylindrical pin.

3. An electrical fitting as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein each male connection is secured to the fitting.

4.

An electrical fitting as claimed in claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the electrical fitting further comprises circular electrical terminals and the pins are secured in the terminals.

An electrical fitting as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the respective electrical fitting connections are formed integrally with the fitting.

6. An electrical fitting as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the female connections each comprise resilient clamping means which grip the outer surface of the male connection.

7. An electrical fitting as claimed in Claim 6, wherein each clamping means is formed integrally with a terminal for connection to an electrical wire.

f An electrical fitting as claimed in claim 7 wherein each female connection is housed within a respective insulating housing having openings at least for the male connection and wire.

An electrical fitting as claimed in claim 7 wherein all the female connections are housed in a single insulating housing.

10. A kit for an electrical fitting for an electric circuit and which in use is mounted on a box, the fitting including a facia panel for attachment to the box and having electrical terminals, wherein the kit comprises a plurality of electrical connectors each of which comprises a male connection for securing to a respective terminal and a female connection for attachment to a respective wire of said circuit.

11.

A kit as claimed in Claim 10, wherein each female connection is provided in an individual isolating housing for attachment to a respective wire and is coloured according to the function of said wire.