GB2580448A

GB2580448A - Wall connectors and switches

Info

Publication number: GB2580448A
Application number: GB1908747.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rosen Neil
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-09-30
Filing date: 2019-06-18
Publication date: 2020-07-22
Also published as: GB201900686D0; GB201908747D0; WO2020065629A1; GB2577760A

Abstract

A wall connector front-panel 14 includes timing means 30 to limit how long power is supplied, and may include multiple buttons (32, Fig 4) for selecting respective different time periods and lights (34, Fig 4) indicating which button is selected and progress through the selected period. The timing means and an on-off-control (301, Fig 4) may be remotely-operable. The front-panel may comprise, at the free end of one or more retractable cables, a plurality of disconnectable-connection means for respective external devices, e.g, a multiport USB hub (164, Fig 5) or two or more retractable cables (Fig 6). The front-panel may comprise a PLC-adapter, microphone, speaker, CCTV-camera, light-detector, movement-detector, control-signal-receiver and non-terminal connecting means for connecting it through the patress to a power source. A support member fixed to the patress carries terminal means for wiring entering the patress and non-terminal connection means to connect to the front-panel. A wall-switch patress front-panel comprises non-terminal connecting means. A system comprises a wall-connector patress and multiple different interchangeable front-panels for the patress. A room, building or ship comprises multiple wall-connectors each comprising a patress with a replaceable front-panel, the front-panels being different from one another.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GII1908747.7 Rum Date:7 August 2019 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document:

SONOS MESH HDMI

Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo -1 -TITLE: WALL CONNECTORS AND SWITCHES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to wall sockets and like connectors and wall switches. BACKGROUND The whole content of the specifications of the present inventor's prior UK patent applications GB 1900686.5 and GB 1815980.6, as first lodged, or as amended up to the date of lodging the present application, is hereby imported into the present specification.

THE INVENTION

The inventor is concerned with the convenience and safety of the user; also, by incorporating many special features into embodiments, to enable the user to be able to tidy up and greatly reduce the amount of loose (and in his view, unnecessary) wiring which might otherwise be needed for the special features. The provision of interchangeable front panels for a patress of a wall connector or wall-switch allows a user to select those features which they particularly want, e.g. for this purpose.

One aspect of the invention provides a system comprising a wall socket or like connector comprising at least one patress and a plurality of different interchangeable front panels for the C\I patress. (This may be in the form of a kit of interchangeable parts, e.g. such parts being said front panels.) Preferably, this is a modular system in which the front panels are modules which O have a standard size to fit to the patress which is sized so that it can be fronted by 1, 2, 3 or more of the modules. The different front panels may simply be coloured and/or patterned differently (to suit different decors, and to be replaceable or exchanged e.g. to suit a change of decor) and/or comprise different configurations of plug-in sockets or other disconnectable connections for an external device. The disconnectable connections may be for supplying respectively different e.g. voltages, e.g. mains voltage and USB voltage and/or an information connection to an external device. A single front panel may comprise a plurality of different such disconnectable connections.

Another aspect of the invention provides a room, building, ship or other structure comprising a plurality of wall sockets or like connectors each comprising a patress and a replaceable front panel for the patress, the front panels being different from one another.

Preferably, e.g. for the safety and convenience of a person wanting to fit or exchange a front panel on a patress and not being a skilled electrician, each said front panel comprises non-terminal connecting means to enable it to be connected through the patress to a power source.

All of these possibilities have been exemplified in the prior specifications.

Sometimes, e.g. for safety, e.g. to the relevant equipment, and/or for reducing the likelihood of 35 fire, it is desirable to limit the time, or the maximum time, that power can be supplied through one or more (e.g. selected) disconnectable connections of a front panel. -2 -

According to another aspect of the invention, a front panel for a patress comprises a disconnectable connection for an external device and time-limiting means to limit how long power can be supplied to the disconnectable connection. Such means may be made responsive to the state of charge of the external device to switch off the power, e.g. being responsive to the power demand reducing below a predetermined or settable threshold. Again, such means can be preset to provide a limited time period for supplying the power, e.g. the front panel comprising means to select the length of the time period, and perhaps means to indicate how far this has progressed, and/or indeed means to indicate the progress toward said threshold. Preferably, for simplicity, the front panel has a plurality of buttons for selecting different said time periods, preferably respective different time periods, i.e. one time period to each button, e.g. 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours, which makes it very easy to select. Each button may be flush or substantially flush with the surface; and may be a touch-sensitive area rather than a physically moving button. The front panel may comprise indicating means to indicate which button has been selected and/or progress through the selected period. The button selected by pressing it may provide an indication that this one has been selected; e.g. it may then light up. Said indicating means may comprise a lightable ring around, or an area on, each button, which lights up or goes dark progressively around the ring to indicate progress through the selected period, o and incidentally also indicates which button has been selected.

C\I The time-limiting means may be connected or otherwise arranged to control, either co 20 simultaneously or selectively, more than one disconnectable connection on a single front panel.

The time-limiting means (and/or an on-off control) may be arranged to be remotely controlled, e.g. via Wi-Fi and/or a mobile or other app.

These features are particularly applicable to use of such a disconnectable connection for charging an external device, e.g. a handheld device, e.g. when such a disconnectable connection 25 is a USB socket.

Additionally to the disclosure in the aforesaid prior specifications of a retractable cable/wander lead as a said disconnectable connection means of a front panel, this may comprise a multiport USB hub at its free end. As said disconnectable connection means, a front panel may comprise two or more spools for respective retractable cables and/or a retractable cable may have two or more connection means on respective cable portions at its free end. Thus, the front panel may comprise, at the free end of one or more retractable cables, a plurality of disconnectable connection means for respective external devices, such means comprising any one or more of the group comprising: a multiport USB hub; two or more retractable cables; two or more such connection means on respective cable portions at the free end of a retractable cable. Ethernet over Power or other PLC (Power Line Communication) adapters may be built into the front panel. The front panels may also comprise MESH networking nodes, such as for the PLC. Such a front panel may also comprise a multiple communication channel device, e.g. HDIVII, e.g. for PLC. In a particular application, incoming TV signals, e.g. via cable or satellite, are fed to a first-incoming box, fixed in position, e.g. near the fusebox in a building, e.g. home, which is connected to the power wiring to provide PLC of the incoming TV signals to one or more -3 -TV sets around the building, which may be in use simultaneously or may be a single TV set that can be moved around to any PLC-connected front panel. Similarly, the PLC can provide a multi-position, e.g. multi-room, audio system of speakers built into front panels, e.g. a SONOS Inc system. Controls for built-in devices, e.g. a loudspeaker, and/or external devices, e.g. such as TV or powered speaker, can then be provided by e.g. a wireless signal, and/or from a mobile phone.

It is further possible to include in the front panel a microphone and/or speaker to enable, e.g. proactive control, voice-activated control, 'listening-in' (e.g. for remotely minding people, e.g. elderly relatives, babies and/or pets) which may be programmed to filter incoming sounds to provide a (usually remote) alarm in response to predetermined sounds, e.g. simply above a threshold volume or (e.g. by incorporating more sophisticated filtering or even an Al element) having other parameters, and/or 'drop-in', e.g. to allow a person in one room, or one building, from time to time to ask another person in another room or building whether everything is OK. The 'listening-in' function may be enhanced or replaced by CCTV with a built-in camera in a front panel. The front panel may comprise a light, e.g. behind a transparent portion, face or face portion, of the front panel; this may operate under remote control, e.g. via the PLC, or under the control of a light-sensor in the front panel, e.g. to switch the light on upon 'detecting' darkness. It may also then switch the light in timed or random on-off cycles as a burglar C\I deterrent. The light can also serve as a 'comfort' night-light, e.g. for a baby or a person of co 20 nervous disposition. The front panel may include a security device, e.g. linked to, e.g. o connected via the PLC to, a (usually remote) alarm. Such a device may include a movement-sensor and/or means to sense if a window is broken (or opened, e.g. at an unacceptable time, which can be programmed into the device, e.g. night-time); such a window-opening sensor can be activated by a beam of e.g. invisible light, or inaudible sound, from a source included in the 25 front panel, provided there is a clear path from the source to the window, and sufficient light or sound signal can return to the sensor, which would be activated upon a change in the intensity of the returned signal; possibly, the sensor could have a sound-frequency facility to detect an, e.g. Doppler, frequency change to indicate movement (or breaking) of a window.

All of these can be remotely controlled, e.g, by a mobile or other app, e.g, with a cooperating 30 wireless (or audio) or PLC control signal receiver in the front panel. Likewise, any alarms or communications can be remotely given or received in any such manner.

It is to be noted that only a selection of the aforementioned features would be included in any one front panel; which is one reason why different front panels having different such features are available for choice by each user.

All of the foregoing described with reference to a wall connector may be applied similarly (subject to the "Limitation" given next) to a wall-switch comprising a patress and a front panel for the patress, the front panel comprising a switch (which term is to be understood in its widest sense). A wall-switch, e.g. a light-switch, differs from a switched wall socket (or like) connector in that the wall-switch interposes a switch into a wall circuit (i.e. a circuit in a wall), 50 bridging a break in the wall circuit in order to switch the wall circuit (e.g. to make or break -4 -the circuit at that point), whereas a switch of a switched wall connector (having connection means for disconnectably connecting thereto an external device) interposes between a wall circuit (e.g. a power supply in a wall) and the disconnectable connection means (e.g. a socket, plug and/or induction means) of the connector, and in turn an external device when this is disconnectably connected to the connection means. A wall-switch has two sides (electrically), of which each connects to a respective electrical side of the wall circuit break, so that said switch can make or break electrical connection between these sides of the break.

Limitation. In relation to a wall-switch, references in the foregoing, including the said specifications, relating to the supply of power to disconnectable external devices will normally be limited to the use of low-voltage supplies (e.g. less than 50 V, 30 V, 25 V, 12 V, or suitable for charging handheld devices or laptop computers, or for transmission through a USB connection all of which are substantially lower voltage than mains voltage of 110 V or 240 V, e.g. being suitable for use with a wall light-switch) that can be incorporated in (e.g. the front panel of) a wall-switch, e.g. a light-switch, e.g. with a USB disconnectable connection and/or a retractable cable connection. Thus, although the item may have a power supply function it will usually be primarily a wall-switch.

O Similarly to what is disclosed in the prior specifications, it is preferable, e.g. for the safety and convenience of a person wanting to fit or exchange a front panel on such a wall-switch and not C\I being a skilled electrician, that the front panel comprises non-terminal connecting means to CO 20 connect the two sides of the said switch to the respective sides of the break in the wall circuit.

CD According to another aspect of the invention, a front panel for a patress of a wall-switch comprises a switch and non-terminal connecting means suitable to connect two sides of the said switch through the patress to respective sides of a break in a wall circuit.

Various aspects of the invention and features of embodiments of the invention may be as listed 25 in the accompanying claims.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS RELATING TO THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings: Figures 1 to 9 are schematic diagrams of embodiments of the invention, in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a wall connector and a selection of different front panels; 30 showing many features that may be applied to a wall-switch embodiment; Figure 2 shows a selection of different modular configurations of a patress; Figure 3 is a view of a room with a plurality of wall connectors; Figures 4 to 7 are front views of wall connectors; Figure 8 is an external view of a house; and Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a wall-switch and Figure 10 is a photo of an embodiment with three wall connectors having the timing buttons referred to in the particular description. -5 -

Referring to the drawings, identical references refer to the same item in the same Figure or different Figures or items that are identical or similar or have similar functions, and references with the same first two digits refer to items that are identical or similar or have similar or related functions.

A system 20, Figure 1 comprising a wall socket or like connector 10 comprises at least one patress 12 and a plurality of different interchangeable front panels 14 for the patress 12. This is a modular system 20 in which the front panels 14 are modules 14 which have a standard size to fit to the patress 12 which is sized so that it can be fronted by 1, 2, 3 or more of the modules 14 (as seen by patress 121, 122, 123 or 124 in Figure 2). The different front panels 14 may simply be coloured and/or patterned differently (to suit different decors, and to be replaceable or exchanged e.g. to suit a change of decor) and/or comprise different configurations of plug-in sockets 16 or other disconnectable connections 16 for an external device 18. The disconnectable connections 16 may be for supplying respectively different e.g. voltages, e.g. mains voltage and USB voltage and/or an information connection to an external device 18. A single front panel 14 may comprise a plurality of different such disconnectable connections 16, 161, 162, see Figure 1.

o In one embodiment, a room, building, ship or other structure 22, Figure 3, comprises a plurality C\I of wall sockets or like connectors 10 each comprising a patress 12 and a replaceable front panel 14 for the patress 12, the front panels 14 being different from one another.

0 20 Each said front panel 14 comprises non-terminal connecting means 24 to enable it to be connected through the patress 14 to a power source 26 in the wall 28. "11-

Sometimes, e.g. for safety, e.g. to the relevant equipment, and/or for reducing the likelihood of fire, it is desirable to limit the time, or the maximum time, that power can be supplied through one or more (e.g. selected) disconnectable connections 16 of a front panel 14.

In an embodiment, a front panel 14 for a patress 12 comprises a disconnectable connection 24 for an external device 18 and time-limiting means 30, Figure 4, to limit how long power can be supplied to the disconnectable connection 24. Such means 30 may be made responsive to the state of charge of the external device 18 (disconnectably connected to disconnectable connection 16) to switch off the power, e.g. being responsive to the power demand reducing below a predetermined or settable threshold. In another embodiment, such means 30 can be preset to provide a limited time period for supplying the power, the front panel 14 comprising means 32 to select the length of the time period, and means 34 to indicate how far this has progressed. In the previous embodiment, means 34 serve to indicate the progress toward said threshold. For simplicity of operation, the front panel 14 has a plurality of buttons 32 for selecting different said time periods, preferably respective different time periods, i.e. one time period to each button, e.g. 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours, which makes it very easy to select. Each button 32 is be flush or substantially flush with the surface; and may be a touch-sensitive area 32 rather than a physically moving button 32. The front panel 14 may comprise indicating means 34 to indicate which button 32 has been selected and/or the progress that has been made through the selected period. The button 32 selected by pressing it may provide an indication -6 -that this one has been selected; e.g. it may then light up. Said indicating means 34 may comprise a lightable ring 34 around, or an area on, each button 32, which lights up or goes dark progressively around the ring to indicate progress through the selected period, and incidentally also indicates which button 32 has been selected.

The time-limiting means 30 may be (not shown) connected or otherwise arranged to control, either simultaneously or selectively, more than one disconnectable connection 16 on a single front panel 14.

The time-limiting means 30 (and possibly an on-off control 301) may be arranged to be remotely controlled, e.g. via Wi-Fi and/or a mobile or other app via a signal receiver 302.

These features are particularly applicable to use of such a disconnectable connection for charging an external device 18, e.g. a handheld device 18, e.g. when such a disconnectable connection 16 is a USB connector 16.

Additionally to the disclosure in the aforesaid prior specifications of a retractable cable/wander lead 163 as a said disconnectable connection means 16 of a front panel 14, this may comprise a multiport USB hub 164, Figure 5, at its free end. As said disconnectable connection means 16, a front panel 14 may comprise two or more spools 36 for respective retractable cables 1631, 1632, Figure 6. Again, a retractable cable 163 may have two or more connection means 1643, C\I 1644 on respective cable portions 1633, 1634 at its free end. Thus, the front panel 14 comprises, at the free end of one or more retractable cables 16, a plurality of disconnectable 0 20 connection means 164, 1643, 1644 for respective external devices 18, such means comprising any one or more of the group comprising: a multiport USB hub 164; two or more retractable cables 1631, 1632; two or more such connection means 1643, 1644 on respective cable portions 1633, 1634 at the free end of a retractable cable 163. Ethernet over Power or other PLC (Power Line Communication) adapters 38 may be built into the front panel 14. The front panels may also comprise MESH networking nodes 38, such as for PLC. Such a front panel 14 may also comprise a multiple communication channel device 38, e.g. liDMI, e.g. for PLC. In a particular application, incoming TV signals, e.g. via cable or satellite, are fed to a first-incoming box 40, Figure 8, fixed in position, e.g. near the fusebox in a building 42, e.g. home 42, which is connected to the power wiring 26 to provide PLC of the incoming TV signals to one or more TV sets 401 around the building, which may be in use simultaneously or may be a single TV set 401 that can be moved around to any PLC-connected front panel 14. Similarly, the PLC can provide a multi-position, e.g. multi-room, audio system of speakers 402, Figure 1, built into front panels 14, e.g. a SONOS Inc system. Controls for built-in devices, e.g. a loudspeaker 403, and/or external devices 18, e.g. such as TV or powered speaker 18, can then be provided by e.g. a wireless signal, and/or from a mobile phone.

It is further possible to include in the front panel 14 a microphone 404 and/or speaker 402 to enable, e.g. proactive control, voice-activated control, 'listening-in' (e.g. for remotely minding people, e.g. elderly relatives, babies and/or pets) which may be programmed to filter incoming sounds to provide a (usually remote) alarm in response to predetermined sounds, e.g. simply above a threshold volume or (e.g. by incorporating more sophisticated filtering or even an Al -7 -element) having other parameters, and/or 'drop-in', e.g. to allow a person in one room 421, or one building 42, from time to time to ask another person in another room 422 or building (not shown) whether everything is OK. The 'listening-in' function may be enhanced or replaced by CCTV with a built-in camera 405 in a front panel 14. The front panel 14 may comprise a light 406, e.g. behind a transparent portion, face or face portion, of the front panel 14; this may operate under remote control, e.g. via the PLC, or under the control of a light-sensor in the front panel 407, e.g. to switch the light on upon 'detecting' darkness. It may also then switch the light in timed or random on-off cycles as a burglar deterrent. The light can also serve as a 'comfort' night-light, e.g. for a baby or a person of nervous disposition. The front panel 14 may include a security device 408, e.g. linked to, e.g. connected via the PLC to, a (usually remote) alarm. Such a device may include a movement-sensor 408 and/or means 408 to sense if a window 423 is broken (or opened, e.g, at an unacceptable time, which can be programmed into the device, e.g, night-time); such a window-opening sensor 408 can be activated by a beam of e.g. invisible light, or inaudible sound, from a source included in the front panel 408, provided there is a clear path from the source 408 to the window 23, and sufficient light or sound signal can return to the sensor 408, which would be activated upon a change in the intensity of the returned signal; possibly, the sensor 408 could have a sound-frequency facility to detect an, e.g. Doppler, o frequency change to indicate movement (or breaking) of a window 23.

C\I All of these can be remotely controlled, e.g. by a mobile or other app, e.g. with a cooperating up 20 wireless (or audio) or PLC control signal receiver 302 in the front panel. Likewise, any alarms o or communications can be remotely given or received in any such manner.

All of the foregoing described with reference to a wall connector 10 may be applied similarly (subject to the "Limitation" given next) to a wall-switch 100, Figure 9, comprising a patress 12 and a front panel 14 for the patress 12, the front panel 14 comprising a switch 50 (which term is to be understood in its widest sense). A wall-switch 100, e.g. a light-switch 100, differs from a switched wall socket (or like) connector 10 in that the wall-switch 100 interposes a switch 50 into a wall circuit 52 (i.e. a circuit in a wall), so bridging a break 520 in the wall circuit 52 in order to switch the wall circuit 52 (e.g. to make or break the circuit at that point), whereas a switch 141, Figure 1, of a switched wall connector 10 (having connection means 16 for disconnectably connecting thereto an external device 18) interposes between a wall circuit 26 (e.g. a power supply 26 in a wall 28) and the disconnectable connection means 16 (e.g. a socket, plug and/or induction means) of the connector 10, and in turn an external device 18 when this is disconnectably connected to the connection means 16. A wall-switch 100 has two sides 54 (electrically), of which each connects to a respective electrical side 521, 521 of the wall circuit break 520, so that said switch 50 can make or break electrical connection between these sides 521 of the break 520.

Limitation. In relation to a wall-switch, references in the foregoing, including the said specifications, relating to the supply of power to disconnectable external devices 18 will normally be limited to the use of low-voltage power supplies 26 (e.g. less than 50 V, 30 V, 25 V, 12 V, or suitable for charging handheld devices 18 or laptop computers 18, or for transmission through a USB connection 162 etc all of which are substantially lower voltage -8 -than mains voltage of 110 V or 240 V, e.g. being suitable for use with a wall light-switch 100) that can be incorporated in (e.g. the front panel 14 of) a wall-switch 100, e.g. a light-switch 100, e.g. with a USB disconnectable connection 16 and/or a retractable cable connection 163. Thus, although the item 100 may have a power supply function it will usually be primarily a wall-switch 100.

Similarly to what is disclosed in the prior specifications, it is preferable, e.g. for the safety and convenience of a person wanting to fit or exchange a front panel on such a wall-switch and not being a skilled electrician, that the front panel comprises non-terminal connecting means 56, 56 to connect the two sides 54, 54 of the said switch 50 to the respective sides 521, 521 of the break 520 in the wall circuit 52 The front panel 14, Figure 9, for a patress 12 of a wall-switch 100 comprises a switch 50 and non-terminal connecting means 56, 56 suitable to connect two sides 54, 54 of the said switch 50 through the patress 12 to respective sides 521, 521 of a break 520 in a wall circuit 52.

A cage or other support member 125, Figures 1 and 9, is adapted to be fixed to the patress 12 of 15 a wall connector 10 or wall-switch 100, and said member 125 carries terminal means 127 for connection thereto of wiring 261, Figure 1, 5211, Figure 9, entering the patress 12 and non- CD terminal connection means 241, Figure 1, 242, Figure 9, adapted to cooperate with non- (\,J terminal connection means 24, Figure 1, 56, Figure 9, carried by front panel 14.

Clearly, many features of the wall connectors can be incorporated in a wall-switch 100, with or 0 20 without the wall-switch 100 comprising a wall connector feature, i.e. a feature of being able to connect a power supply 26 through the front panel 14 to an external device 18.

Various aspects of the invention and features of embodiments of the invention may be as listed in the accompanying claims.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, that features of the different embodiments disclosed herein (which term includes the accompanying claims and the earlier said specifications and their accompanying claims) may be omitted, selected, combined or exchanged and the invention is considered to extend to any new and inventive combination thus formed, taking into account the following. Where a preference or particularisation is stated, there is implied the possibility of its negative, i.e. a case in which that preference or particularisation is absent.

Many variations of the invention and embodiments hereinbefore described will be apparent to people skilled in the art and all such variations are to be considered as falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSA front panel for a patress of a wall connector, characterised in that the front panel comprises a disconnectable connection for an external device and time-limiting means to limit how long power can be supplied to the disconnectable connection.
2. A front panel as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the time-limiting means have presetting means to provide a limited time period for supplying power to the disconnectable connection.
3. A front panel as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the presetting means comprise a plurality of buttons for selecting respective different said time periods.
4. A front panel as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that it comprises indicating means to indicate which button has been selected and/or progress through the selected period.
5. A front panel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the time-limiting means are arranged to control more than one said disconnectable connection.
6. A front panel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the time-limiting means and/or an on-off control are arranged to be remotely operable.
7. A front panel for a patress of a wall connector, characterised in that the front panel comprises, at the free end of one or more retractable cables, a plurality of disconnectable connection means for respective external devices, such means comprising any one or more of the group comprising: a multiport USB hub; two or more retractable cables; two or more such connection means on respective cable portions at the free end of a retractable cable.
8. A front panel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that it comprises a PLC adapter
9. A front panel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that it comprises a microphone and/or speaker and/or CCTV camera and/or light and/or movement detector and/or 25 control signal receiver.
10. A front panel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that it comprises non-terminal connecting means to enable it to be connected through the patress to a power source.
11. A cage or other support member adapted to be fixed to a patress of a wall connector, characterised in that said member carries terminal means for connection thereto of wiring entering the patress and non-terminal connection means adapted to cooperate with non-terminal connection means carried by a front panel as claimed in any preceding claim for the patress.
12. A wall connector characterised in that it comprises a front panel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 and/or a member as claimed in claim 11.
13. A front panel for a patress of a wall-switch, characterised in that the front panel comprises a switch and non-terminal connecting means suitable to connect two sides of the said switch through the patress to respective sides of a break in a wall circuit.
14. A front panel as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that it comprises means to connect a wall power supply to an external device.
15. A front panel as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that it comprises the said characterising features of any one of claims 1 to 10.
16. A cage or other support member adapted to be fixed to a patress of a wall-switch, characterised in that said member carries terminal means for connection thereto of wiring entering the patress and non-terminal connection means adapted to cooperate with non-terminal connection means carried by front panel as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15.
17. A wall-switch, characterised in that it comprises a front panel as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 and/or a member as claimed in claim 16.
18. A system comprising a wall socket or like connector, characterised in that it comprises at least one patress and a plurality of different interchangeable front panels for the patress.
19. A room, building, ship or other structure, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of wall sockets or like connectors each comprising a patress and a replaceable front panel for the patress, the front panels being different from one another.
20. A structure as claimed in claim 19, characterised in that each said front panel comprises non-terminal connecting means to enable it to be connected through the patress to a power source.