GB2548792A

GB2548792A - An electrical outlet device

Info

Publication number: GB2548792A
Application number: GB1603544.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gavaghan Michael
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-03-01
Filing date: 2016-03-01
Publication date: 2017-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 2036-03-01
Also published as: GB2548792B; GB201603544D0

Abstract

An electrical outlet device comprising a fascia (1, figure 1a) for mounting on a wall or similar substructure, the fascia comprises: an outlet (3) and a connector (2), where the outlet provides a known outlet for electrical current having at least two electrical plug contacts 30, and the connector comprises a means of connecting wires 7. Preferably the connector comprises a transparent safety displaceable cover, figure 1a, to prevent access to the means of connecting wires. The connecting means may comprise a Henley block and provide power to a cooker or oven. The connecting means provides a means of hard wiring a device such as a hob, while also providing plug-in means via the outlet. Grub screws 13 of the Henley (RTM) block 7 mean that bare wires can be directly connected to the mains electrics without having to remove the wall socket to access the pattress.

Description

AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electrical outlet device, in particular a flush-mounted outlet such as a fascia plate; more particularly but not exclusively a device arranged for electrical power of a cooker or similar.

Background

Increasing awareness of health and safety requirements means that electrical safety is more important to many users in many societies.

Electrical appliances such as ovens, hobs or cookers typically require greater power than other electrical equipment, and so according to correct safety requirements require an isolated electrical supply.

Current cooker outlets only facilitate a hard wired or a plug-in oven/hob controlled by the power switch. Therefore power sockets need to be changed to suit different cookers.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

Granted United Kingdom patent GB 2 482 037 (MORGAN et al) discloses a cooker control plate comprises an insulated front mounting plate on whose rear are three connections for the live, neutral and earth conductors of a supply cable, three connections for the live, neutral and earth of a cooking appliance cable and three further connections for a second cooking appliance cable, of which a live connection is connected through a fuse carrier to the supply cable live conductor connection.. The fuse carrier can accommodate a suitably sized BS1362 fuse, such as 13A, and be accommodated in an aperture on the front of the plate. The plate can be fixed to a dual mounting box by screws. Copper conductors on the rear of the plate can be housed in an insulated enclosure having holes for the entry of cables and a galvanised steel bar can provide earth continuity between the unit and a steel back box. The cooker control plate allows the safe electrical connection of two electrical cooking appliances, such as separate ovens and hobs, requiring protection from different size overcurrent protection devices and fed from one source of electrical energy, such as a 30 amp cooker circuit. The cooker control plate can include two cable clamps to individually secure of two appliance cables which may be from 1.5mm2to 10mm2.

Granted United States patent US 6 979 205 (HOOPES et al) discloses a connection box for wall mounting comprising: a) a front face oriented outward, toward the interior of the room; b) a first cavity extending inward from said front face; c) a socket disposed at the bottom of said cavity for receiving a power plug connector having line, neutral and ground terminals from the interior of the room, said socket having corresponding input terminals for line, neutral and ground wire connections disposed outside of the cavity for connecting a power cable from the wall interior; d) an aperture in said front face for receiving at least one of a blanking plate and signal connection module; e) two or more walls connected to said front face disposed on opposing sides of the aperture, said walls extending inward from said front face; wherein at least one of said two or more walls is in electrical connection to a ground terminal of said socket.

Granted United Kingdom patent GB 2 374 737 (PATTON et al) discloses an electrical socket outlet unit of the UK standard pin type in which the front plate in addition to being provided with pin-receiving apertures, is arranged to locate one or more electrical accessory units, typically being in the form of power and/or signal handling or utilising unit(s) or one or more access points by means of which connection with signal handling links can be made. There is also provided shielding elements to prevent access to potentially live components.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an electrical outlet device comprising a fascia for mounting on a wall or similar substructure, said fascia comprising an outlet and a connector, which outlet provides a known outlet for electrical current having at least two electrical plug contacts; and which connector comprises a means of connecting wires.

The connector may comprise a means of connecting a plurality of wires. Such connector may comprise a plurality of separate or conjoined parts wherein the wires may be connected to an electrical circuit.

The connector may provide a connection means for wires, wherein the wires are connected into or onto the connector.

In some embodiments such connection means is formed by clip means. In some embodiments such connection means is formed by screw means. In some embodiments the connection means may be formed by bare wires.

In some embodiments the connector comprises a magnetic means, for example wherein the connector may secure into the device by magnetic means.

In some embodiments the device comprises a safety mechanism. Said safety mechanism may comprise a mechanical mechanism. Said safety mechanism may be arranged to prevent or limit access to the connectable means.

In some embodiments the mechanism may comprise a displaceable part, which part may be placed for use, and displaced or removed to access the connection means.

In some embodiments the safety mechanism may comprise a cover placed in use over the connection means.

In some embodiments said safety mechanism may comprise a physical block mechanism such that no unauthorised users may access or use the means. In some embodiments the mechanism may comprise a locking mechanism in addition or the alternative.

The mechanism may combine with the connection means such that the mechanism is customisable and/or collaborates with the connection means.

For example in some embodiments the mechanism comprises parts for customising the mechanism according to usage of the means. In some embodiments such parts may comprise knock out blanks, and/or areas of weakened material so as to allow for direction of wire travel away from the connector. In this way the mechanism is adjustable to suit circumstance.

In some embodiments the connector may comprise a failsafe, preventing use of the connection means when the mechanism is not engaged, for example when the mechanism part is displaced or the connector is otherwise arranged with access to the connection means.

For example in some embodiments the safety mechanism may comprise a cover, or part, wherein emplacement of said part completes the connection means or an electrical circuit and displacement of the part is necessary for access of the connection means.

In some embodiments the safety mechanism may comprise a wire grip, so as to mechanical limit disconnection of the connection means and electrical dangers.

In some embodiments the cover may be transparent so as to allow monitoring of the connection means, so as to permit the user to monitor safety and connection.

In some embodiments the device may include a switching plate. Said switching plate may comprise a part of the fascia, or may be comprised in a separate electrically connected but mechanically discrete fascia plate.

According to a second aspect therefore the present invention comprises apparatus for provision of a combined power outlet and connector comprising a single switch for both; wherein in some embodiments the switch is provided on a separate fascia.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1a shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention with cover in place, and Figure 1b shows a plan view of the embodiment with cover displaced;

Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1a;

Figures 3a and 3d show side views of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1b, and Figures 3b and 3c show side views of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1a;

Figures 4 show plan views of the embodiment shown in Figures 1a;

Figures 5 show exploded isometric views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1a;

Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1b;

Figure 7 shows a second isometric view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1b, with cover removed from the connector;

And

Figures 8 show isometric views from below of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1b.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device comprising a fascia plate 1, the fascia plate including two discrete connections for connection of an appliance to an electrical circuit.

The connections comprise a connector 2 and an outlet 3.

The outlet comprises a known electrical outlet for utilisation with a known appliance plug. The outlet in the pictured embodiment comprises a standard UK three pin plug, comprising live, neutral and earth apertures 30; however this is shown for convenience and any other arrangement may be envisaged. The outlet is shown with a blank back plate 9 for simplicity of representation. The device is secured in a cavity wall using screws 8, having shanks 5 that extend into a back box or similar.

The connector comprises a plurality of separate electrical connections comprised by a Henley block 7, wherein said connections are made in use with a bare cable, providing a plurality of wires and the block includes grub screws 13 to secure the wire to the conductive block. The block is included in a casing 6 of non-conductive material such as thermoplastics.

In use therefore the insulation on the wires of the cable are stripped back to allow for a secure connection, and inserted into the connector’s connection through a slot in a plastic back housing 12.

Precedent to the block the cable is secured against the fascia by a screw down clamp 10, and the wires thereafter by a resilient clip 14.

In the pictured embodiment the wires are secured into the connections by means of grub screws, however in further embodiments differing means of connection and securement may be envisaged, for example using resilient deformation or clip means.

The safety mechanism comprises a wholly displaceable part providing a cover 4 over the connector. The cover comprises a plurality of continuous sidewalls and a top, providing an open-faced tray for placement over the connector.

The cover is provided in thermoplastics, and comprises translucent or transparent material at least in part.

At least one of the sidewalls includes a weakened section (not shown), which section enables the user to knock out blanks so as to provide an entrance for the cable or wires.

In some embodiments at least one of the sidewalls may comprise a section arranged with displaceable, resiliently deformable or flexible material, for example rubber or silicone or elastomeric material arranged to seal the section but permit passage of wires or cable.

The cover of the safety mechanism is secured to the fascia plate by two screws 15, situated to the bottom corners of the cover in extending tabs 14. The cover further includes two catches 31 at the bottom edge of the top sidewall. The fascia plate includes a lip under which the catches fit and an indentation 19, comprising peripheral screw threaded apertures.

The indentation comprises the whole footprint of the connector, such that the parts of the connector do not protrude excessively from the fascia plate.

The block is held in place by a plate 17 which caps the indentation.

The bottom sidewall of the cover, or more particularly the indentation, is arranged along or at the bottom edge of the fascia plate, such that the cable or wire enters the connector at a lower height, in this way such that connection blocks may be outstanding from the fascia plate.

The connections comprise discrete perforated grub screws made of electrically conductive material or metal, which connect through the blocks so as to form the electrical connection. The block portion on the distal side of the blocks comprises perforated grub screws of electrically conductive material or metal arranged perpendicular to the grub screws on the top side of the blocks.

The device is arranged such that the cable enters the connector from below when in front of the fascia, and the electrical circuit continues behind the fascia and above. The Henley block consequently includes a perpendicular arrangement. In other embodiments other variations may be envisaged.

The outlet and connector are joined by conductive circuits 16.

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 from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An electrical outlet device comprising a fascia for mounting on a wall or similar substructure, said fascia comprising an outlet and a connector, which outlet provides a known outlet for electrical current having at least two electrical plug contacts; and which connector comprises a means of connecting wires.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the connector comprises a safety mechanism to prevent access to the means of connecting wires.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the safety mechanism comprises a displaceable cover over the connecting means.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the cover is translucent or transparent at least in part.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the connecting means comprises a plurality of discrete electrical connections.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the connecting means comprises a Henley block.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the connecting means comprises a Henley block.

8. A device substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.

9. A method of providing an electrical connection for an oven comprising a device according to any of the preceding claims and a separate switch.