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WO2006016119A2 - Power plug or adaptor with retractable/foldable pins - Google Patents

Power plug or adaptor with retractable/foldable pins Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2006016119A2
WO2006016119A2 PCT/GB2005/003029 GB2005003029W WO2006016119A2 WO 2006016119 A2 WO2006016119 A2 WO 2006016119A2 GB 2005003029 W GB2005003029 W GB 2005003029W WO 2006016119 A2 WO2006016119 A2 WO 2006016119A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
adaptor
power plug
body part
pin
lower body
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2005/003029
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2006016119A3 (en
Inventor
Allan John Gillis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
RIDINGS Ltd
Original Assignee
RIDINGS Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by RIDINGS Ltd filed Critical RIDINGS Ltd
Publication of WO2006016119A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006016119A2/en
Publication of WO2006016119A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006016119A3/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
    • H01R24/28—Coupling parts carrying pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured only to wire or cable
    • H01R24/30—Coupling parts carrying pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured only to wire or cable with additional earth or shield contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
    • H01R13/512—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces assembled by screw or screws
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/652—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding   with earth pin, blade or socket
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/665—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit
    • H01R13/6675—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit with built-in power supply
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/68—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in fuse
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/70—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch
    • H01R13/703—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling part
    • H01R13/7036—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling part the switch being in series with coupling part, e.g. dead coupling, explosion proof coupling
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/70—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch
    • H01R13/707—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch interlocked with contact members or counterpart
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R31/00—Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart
    • H01R31/06—Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter
    • H01R31/065—Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with built-in electric apparatus
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/10—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation
    • H01R4/18—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation by crimping
    • H01R4/183—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation by crimping for cylindrical elongated bodies, e.g. cables having circular cross-section
    • H01R4/184—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation by crimping for cylindrical elongated bodies, e.g. cables having circular cross-section comprising a U-shaped wire-receiving portion
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2103/00—Two poles

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a power plug, or adaptor, with retractable/foldable pins.
  • Retractable or foldable pin power plugs, or adaptors are known to enable a user to connect an item of electrical equipment, such as a hairdryer, to a power source in countries having different electrical standard power plugs and sockets e.g. the three pin UK standard, and the two pin US standard.
  • a basic object of the present invention is the provision of an improved power plug, or adaptor, with retractable/foldable pins.
  • a UK standard, electrical power plug for use with three core or two core cable or adaptor, comprising: (i) an upper body part;
  • the plug is provided with a fuse carrier. Also in a plug embodiment, the plug is provided with a cable clamp. In a plug embodiment, the plug is provided with a three core, or two core, power cable. The displacement of each pin with respect to the lower body part is by a pivot, whereby a folding movement is involved between active, and inactive, pin positions.
  • each pin with respect to the lower body part is by linear sliding movement along the longitudinal axis of the pin.
  • the upper and lower body parts retain the forces generated by the action of inserting the plug and removing the plug.
  • the pins are carried by a common chassis.
  • the manually operable button is provided with splines engageable with slots in the chassis, following partial rotation of the button.
  • inclined surfaces are provided to achieve partial rotation.
  • An earth wire and a neutral wire are crimped directly to corresponding spring contacts.
  • a live wire is crimped to a fuse clip, which in turn connects to a mains fuse, and the fuse then attaches to a spring contact.
  • the mains fuse mounted in the fuse carrier, is accessible from the outside.
  • the upper and lower body parts are secured together by tamper resistant security screws.
  • the upper and lower body parts are resiliently secured together using springs.
  • the plug, or adaptor incorporates an integral electrical transformer.
  • a plug, or adaptor, that includes an electrical transformer also has a low voltage two core or three core cable.
  • An interlock is provided between the earth pin deployment and the ability to connect the plug, or adaptor, to mains power.
  • a live contact is mounted on or acted upon by a sliding carriage which moves the live contact, against spring bias, from an inactive position to an active position when the earth pin is moved from its inactive position to its active position.
  • Figure 1 is a front elevation of a first embodiment of three pin plug in accordance with the invention with the pins in their inactive positions;
  • Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a side elevation of Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 is an enlarged, sectional view of Figure 3;
  • Figures 5, 6 and 7 correspond to Figures 1 , 2 and 3 but show the three pins after rotation to their active positions;
  • Figure 8 is an enlarged, sectional view of Figure 7;
  • Figure 9 is a sectional side view through a second embodiment of three pin plug in accordance with the invention with the pins in their inactive positions;
  • Figure 10 corresponds to Figure 9, but shows the pins in their active positions
  • Figures 11 and 12 detail the interlock feature in both active and inactive positions; and Figure 13 illustrates a sectional view through the resiliently mounted lower body part.
  • an upper body part 1 is secured to a lower body part 2 by screws 10.
  • Live, neutral and earth pins are indicated at 4, 5 and 6 whilst a cable strain relief extension is indicated at 9 and a fuse carrier at 11.
  • electrical spring contacts are indicated at 7 and a crimp plate at 8.
  • a manually displaceable movable part of a locking mechanism 3 has a blind circular bore 12 in which is located a coil compressor spring 18 engaged by an end of a plunger 13 extending from the upper body part 2.
  • a user- operable button 14 extends through an aperture 15 in sidewalls 16 of the upper and lower body parts 1 , 2, and is connected to the movable part of the locking mechanism 3 so that movement of button 14 axially displaces the movable part of the locking mechanism 3, as indicated by arrow 17, firstly to release the pin 6 from the inactive, storage position illustrated in Figures 1-4 to permit the pins 4, 5 and 6 to be rotated by the user to the deployed or active positions indicated in Figures 5 to 8, with the user then releasing the button 14 to permit the coil compressor spring 18 to displace the movable part of the locking mechanism 3 once again to its locking position in which it re-engages the pin 6, as shown in Figure 8.
  • the locking mechanism 3 has movable and static parts.
  • the static parts of the mechanism are those which are fixed directly or indirectly to the upper body part.
  • the movable parts of the mechanism are those parts that can be displaced relative to the upper body part and against a spring bias.
  • the movable part(s) has a first face 3A, and a second face 3B.
  • the user displaces button 14, as indicated by arrow 17, to raise the movable part of the locking mechanism 3 from its Figure 4 position, to permit the user to effect (anti-clockwise) rotation of the pin 6 to its Figure 8 position, at which time the user releases the button 14, so that the spring 18 may displace the movable part of the locking mechanism 3 downwardly and again into its locking position, this time with the first face 3A proximate face 6B of the pin 6, and the second face 3B engaging face 6C of the pin 6.
  • a “sliding pin” embodiment is illustrated in Figure 8 and 9.
  • all three pins 4, 5 and 6 are mounted on a common slide chassis 19, under the control of a user-operable release button 14A with the movable part of the locking mechanism 3A, capable, in this embodiment, of both axial and rotational movement as indicated by arrows 17, the rotational movement bringing a pair of 180° opposed splines 20 into slots 21 of the chassis 19.
  • buttons 14A To move the pins 4, 5, 6 from the active to inactive position, the user presses on an exposed end 26 of button 14A which end 26 projects through the aperture 15 in the upper body part 1 , so that under surfaces 27 of the movable part of the locking mechanism 3A move down and round circular, inclined surfaces 23 on the lower body part 2.
  • the resultant partial rotation of the button 14A aligns splines 20 of the movable part of the locking mechanism 3A with slots 21 and releases the pins 4, 5, 6 so that they can be pushed by the user in to the upper body part 1 and lower body part 2. Once the pins have been partially pressed inward, user pressure on the button 14A may be released.
  • the upper surfaces 27A of the movable part of the locking mechanism 14A cannot return to the original position until the pins 4, 5, 6 and chassis 19 are pressed fully inward by the user and the engagement of the splines 20 in the slots 21 is lost. Once the chassis 19 is pushed fully into the plug body, the chassis 19 will clear the splines 20, which will allow the locking plate 14A to ride up and round the inclined surfaces 23 and rotate out of alignment. By moving out of alignment with the slots 21 , the splines 20, together with the central spring 18, hold the chassis 19 and pins 4, 5, 6 in the closed position.
  • the movable part of the locking mechanism 3A cannot return to its original position until the pins 4, 5, 6 and chassis 19 are pulled fully outward by the user and the engagement of the splines 20 in the slots 21 is lost. Once the pins 4, 5, 6 and chassis 19 are pulled fully out of the plug body, the chassis 19 will clear the splines 20, which will allow the upper surface 27A of the movable part of the locking mechanism 14A to ride up and round inclined surfaces 23 and rotate out of alignment. Once the slots 21 and the splines 20 are out of alignment with each other, the movable part of the locking mechanism 14A, together with the upper body part 1 and coil spring 18, hold the pins 4, 5, 6 in the open position.
  • a coin slot 26 is provided in the button of the movable part of the locking mechanism. This allows the user to further rotate the movable part of the locking mechnism into a locked position. In this position, pressure on the button 14A does not cause it to rotate.
  • An optional safety feature of the pivoted pin embodiment is the inclusion of an interlock between the earth pin deployment 6 and the connection of the live pin 4 to the mains supply through the live contact 7A.
  • the live contact 7A is mounted on or acted upon by a sliding carriage 28.
  • the sliding carriage 28 moves in the direction shown by arrow 29 and displaces the live contact 7A, against its spring bias, from an inactive position to an active position when the earth pin 6 is moved from its inactive position to its active position.
  • the live contact 7A may touch the blade on the top of the live pin 4, when the live pin 4 is in its active position or is moved into its active position.
  • the sliding carriage 28 and the live contact 7A are moved back to their inactive position by the live contact spring bias.
  • the final example, shown in Figure 13, is where the lower body 2 and the pins (4, 5 and 6) comprise the movable part of the locking mechanism and the upper body 1 , contains the static parts of the locking mechanism 3B.
  • the lower body 2 is resiliency attached to and displaceable from the upper body 1 by inserting a compression spring 18 coaxially over fixing screws 10 between the upper body 1 and lower body 2, and trapping the springs between the screw head 10 and an underside of the lower body part 2.
  • the moveable part(s) of the locking mechanism 3 are displaced relative to the upper body 1 when the users manually moves button 14 in the direction of arrow 17, to displace the lower body 2 from the static parts 3B of the clamping mechanism which are fixed to the upper body 1.
  • This displacement unlocks the pins (4, 5 and 6) and allows them to be moved from the active to inactive position or vice versa, as desired by the user, with release of the lever or button 14 by the user permitting spring loaded displacement of the movable part(s) of the locking mechanism 3 until the latter re-engages and locks the pin(s) in its new position.
  • the static part(s) has a first face 3A, and a second face 3B. As shown in Figure13, in the active position of the pins 4 and 5, only the second engagement face 3B is employed, by abutting the movable part on the face portion 4B and 5B of the line and neutral pins 4 and 5.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Abstract

A UK standard, electrical power plug or adaptor comprises an upper body part (1); a lower body part (2) attached to the upper body part; live, neutral and earth pins (4, 5 and 6) housed in the lower body part (2) and displaceable from an inactive position in at least one lower body part, to a projecting, active position; spring contacts (7) for the three pins (4, 5 and 6); a spring loaded locking mechanism comprising movable parts) (3) and static parts) being fixed directly or indirectly to the upper body part (1); and a manually operas a lever or button (14) connected to the movable part of the locking mechanism (3) and extending outside the upper body part (1) and/or lower body past (2), so that manual movement of the lever or button (14) by the user in turn displaces the movable parts) of the locking mechanism (3) relative to the upper body part (1), to unlock the pins (4, 5 and 6) from, their inactive, or active positions, depending on the pin positions required by the user.

Description

Title of the Invention
Power plug or adaptor with retractable/foldable pins Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a power plug, or adaptor, with retractable/foldable pins. Background of the Invention
Retractable or foldable pin power plugs, or adaptors, are known to enable a user to connect an item of electrical equipment, such as a hairdryer, to a power source in countries having different electrical standard power plugs and sockets e.g. the three pin UK standard, and the two pin US standard. US 6419504, US 3958849, US 2002/0090848, or to provide a more compact plug or adaptor for transport, storage etc purposes. Object of the Invention
A basic object of the present invention is the provision of an improved power plug, or adaptor, with retractable/foldable pins. Summary of the Invention
According to the present invention there is provided a UK standard, electrical power plug, for use with three core or two core cable or adaptor, comprising: (i) an upper body part;
(ii) a lower body part attached to the upper body part; (iii) live, neutral and earth pins housed in the lower body part and displaceable from an inactive position in a recess in the lower body part, to a projecting, active position; (iv) spring contacts for the three pins; (v) a spring loaded locking mechanism comprising movable part(s) and static part(s) being fixed directly or indirectly to the upper body part: and (vi) a manually operable lever or button connected to the movable part(s) of the locking mechanism so that manual movement of the lever or button by the user displaces the movable part(s) of the locking mechanism relative to the upper body part to unlock the pins from, their inactive, or active positions, depending on the pin positions required by the user. Advantages of the Invention
The user operates the lever or button to displace the movable part(s) of the locking mechanism against its spring bias, to unlock or release the pin(s), thus permitting the user to move the pin(s) between active and inactive positions, as required, with release of the lever or button by the user permitting spring loaded displacement of the movable part(s) of the locking mechanism until the latter re¬ engages and locks the pin(s) in its new position. Preferred or Optional Features of the Invention
In a plug embodiment, the plug is provided with a fuse carrier. Also in a plug embodiment, the plug is provided with a cable clamp. In a plug embodiment, the plug is provided with a three core, or two core, power cable. The displacement of each pin with respect to the lower body part is by a pivot, whereby a folding movement is involved between active, and inactive, pin positions.
The displacement of each pin with respect to the lower body part is by linear sliding movement along the longitudinal axis of the pin. In the sliding pin embodiment, the upper and lower body parts retain the forces generated by the action of inserting the plug and removing the plug.
In the sliding pin embodiment, the pins are carried by a common chassis.
In the sliding pin embodiment, the manually operable button is provided with splines engageable with slots in the chassis, following partial rotation of the button.
In the sliding pin embodiment, inclined surfaces are provided to achieve partial rotation.
Electrical connection to a power mains supply cable is made when a pivotable pin is rotated or linearly slidable pin is displaced into active position and a blade mounted on the top of the pin touches a spring contact.
An earth wire and a neutral wire are crimped directly to corresponding spring contacts.
A live wire is crimped to a fuse clip, which in turn connects to a mains fuse, and the fuse then attaches to a spring contact. The mains fuse, mounted in the fuse carrier, is accessible from the outside.
This allows the fuse to be renewed without the need to detach the upper and lower body parts.
The upper and lower body parts are secured together by tamper resistant security screws. The upper and lower body parts are resiliently secured together using springs.
The plug, or adaptor, incorporates an integral electrical transformer.
A plug, or adaptor, that includes an electrical transformer also has a low voltage two core or three core cable. An interlock is provided between the earth pin deployment and the ability to connect the plug, or adaptor, to mains power.
A live contact is mounted on or acted upon by a sliding carriage which moves the live contact, against spring bias, from an inactive position to an active position when the earth pin is moved from its inactive position to its active position.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Examples of a plug in accordance with the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a first embodiment of three pin plug in accordance with the invention with the pins in their inactive positions;
Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is a side elevation of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an enlarged, sectional view of Figure 3;
Figures 5, 6 and 7 correspond to Figures 1 , 2 and 3 but show the three pins after rotation to their active positions;
Figure 8 is an enlarged, sectional view of Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a sectional side view through a second embodiment of three pin plug in accordance with the invention with the pins in their inactive positions;
Figure 10 corresponds to Figure 9, but shows the pins in their active positions;
Figures 11 and 12 detail the interlock feature in both active and inactive positions; and Figure 13 illustrates a sectional view through the resiliently mounted lower body part. Detailed Description of the Drawings
In all examples, like reference numerals are used for like components. In the drawings, an upper body part 1 is secured to a lower body part 2 by screws 10. Live, neutral and earth pins are indicated at 4, 5 and 6 whilst a cable strain relief extension is indicated at 9 and a fuse carrier at 11. As shown in Figures 4 and 8, electrical spring contacts are indicated at 7 and a crimp plate at 8.
Also as shown in Figure 4, a manually displaceable movable part of a locking mechanism 3 has a blind circular bore 12 in which is located a coil compressor spring 18 engaged by an end of a plunger 13 extending from the upper body part 2. A user- operable button 14 extends through an aperture 15 in sidewalls 16 of the upper and lower body parts 1 , 2, and is connected to the movable part of the locking mechanism 3 so that movement of button 14 axially displaces the movable part of the locking mechanism 3, as indicated by arrow 17, firstly to release the pin 6 from the inactive, storage position illustrated in Figures 1-4 to permit the pins 4, 5 and 6 to be rotated by the user to the deployed or active positions indicated in Figures 5 to 8, with the user then releasing the button 14 to permit the coil compressor spring 18 to displace the movable part of the locking mechanism 3 once again to its locking position in which it re-engages the pin 6, as shown in Figure 8.
Specifically, the locking mechanism 3 has movable and static parts. The static parts of the mechanism are those which are fixed directly or indirectly to the upper body part. The movable parts of the mechanism are those parts that can be displaced relative to the upper body part and against a spring bias. In this instance, the movable part(s) has a first face 3A, and a second face 3B. As shown in Figure 4, in the inactive position of the pins 4, 5 and 6, only the first engagement face 3A is employed, by abutting the static part on the face portion 6A of the earth pin 6 beyond its pivot 24. To deploy the pin 6, the user displaces button 14, as indicated by arrow 17, to raise the movable part of the locking mechanism 3 from its Figure 4 position, to permit the user to effect (anti-clockwise) rotation of the pin 6 to its Figure 8 position, at which time the user releases the button 14, so that the spring 18 may displace the movable part of the locking mechanism 3 downwardly and again into its locking position, this time with the first face 3A proximate face 6B of the pin 6, and the second face 3B engaging face 6C of the pin 6.
In contrast to the "pivoted pin" embodiment of Figures 1 to 8, a "sliding pin" embodiment is illustrated in Figure 8 and 9. Here, all three pins 4, 5 and 6 are mounted on a common slide chassis 19, under the control of a user-operable release button 14A with the movable part of the locking mechanism 3A, capable, in this embodiment, of both axial and rotational movement as indicated by arrows 17, the rotational movement bringing a pair of 180° opposed splines 20 into slots 21 of the chassis 19.
To move the pins 4, 5, 6 from the active to inactive position, the user presses on an exposed end 26 of button 14A which end 26 projects through the aperture 15 in the upper body part 1 , so that under surfaces 27 of the movable part of the locking mechanism 3A move down and round circular, inclined surfaces 23 on the lower body part 2. The resultant partial rotation of the button 14A aligns splines 20 of the movable part of the locking mechanism 3A with slots 21 and releases the pins 4, 5, 6 so that they can be pushed by the user in to the upper body part 1 and lower body part 2. Once the pins have been partially pressed inward, user pressure on the button 14A may be released. The upper surfaces 27A of the movable part of the locking mechanism 14A cannot return to the original position until the pins 4, 5, 6 and chassis 19 are pressed fully inward by the user and the engagement of the splines 20 in the slots 21 is lost. Once the chassis 19 is pushed fully into the plug body, the chassis 19 will clear the splines 20, which will allow the locking plate 14A to ride up and round the inclined surfaces 23 and rotate out of alignment. By moving out of alignment with the slots 21 , the splines 20, together with the central spring 18, hold the chassis 19 and pins 4, 5, 6 in the closed position.
To move the pins 4, 5, 6 from the inactive to active position, the user presses on the button 14A, so that the under surfaces 27 of the movable part of the locking mechanism 3A move down and round the circular, inclined surfaces 22. The resultant partial rotation of the movable part of the locking mechanism 3A aligns the splines 20 with the slots 21 and releases the pins 4, 5, 6 so that they move out of the plug body. Pin movement is initiated by a spring 25 mounted between the upper body part 1 and the chassis 19. Once this initial motion has occurred and ends of the pins 4, 5, 6 are accessible to the user, pressure on the button 14A may be released. The movable part of the locking mechanism 3A cannot return to its original position until the pins 4, 5, 6 and chassis 19 are pulled fully outward by the user and the engagement of the splines 20 in the slots 21 is lost. Once the pins 4, 5, 6 and chassis 19 are pulled fully out of the plug body, the chassis 19 will clear the splines 20, which will allow the upper surface 27A of the movable part of the locking mechanism 14A to ride up and round inclined surfaces 23 and rotate out of alignment. Once the slots 21 and the splines 20 are out of alignment with each other, the movable part of the locking mechanism 14A, together with the upper body part 1 and coil spring 18, hold the pins 4, 5, 6 in the open position.
In addition, to prevent the button 14A being accidentally pressed in when the pins are in the active position, a coin slot 26 is provided in the button of the movable part of the locking mechanism. This allows the user to further rotate the movable part of the locking mechnism into a locked position. In this position, pressure on the button 14A does not cause it to rotate.
An optional safety feature of the pivoted pin embodiment is the inclusion of an interlock between the earth pin deployment 6 and the connection of the live pin 4 to the mains supply through the live contact 7A. As shown in Figure 11 , the live contact 7A is mounted on or acted upon by a sliding carriage 28. The sliding carriage 28 moves in the direction shown by arrow 29 and displaces the live contact 7A, against its spring bias, from an inactive position to an active position when the earth pin 6 is moved from its inactive position to its active position. As shown in Fig 12, when the live contact 7A is thus moved into its active position, the live contact 7A may touch the blade on the top of the live pin 4, when the live pin 4 is in its active position or is moved into its active position. When the earth pin 6 is moved from its active position to its inactive position, as shown in Fig 11 , the sliding carriage 28 and the live contact 7A are moved back to their inactive position by the live contact spring bias. The final example, shown in Figure 13, is where the lower body 2 and the pins (4, 5 and 6) comprise the movable part of the locking mechanism and the upper body 1 , contains the static parts of the locking mechanism 3B. The lower body 2 is resiliency attached to and displaceable from the upper body 1 by inserting a compression spring 18 coaxially over fixing screws 10 between the upper body 1 and lower body 2, and trapping the springs between the screw head 10 and an underside of the lower body part 2. The moveable part(s) of the locking mechanism 3 are displaced relative to the upper body 1 when the users manually moves button 14 in the direction of arrow 17, to displace the lower body 2 from the static parts 3B of the clamping mechanism which are fixed to the upper body 1. This displacement unlocks the pins (4, 5 and 6) and allows them to be moved from the active to inactive position or vice versa, as desired by the user, with release of the lever or button 14 by the user permitting spring loaded displacement of the movable part(s) of the locking mechanism 3 until the latter re-engages and locks the pin(s) in its new position. In this instance the static part(s) has a first face 3A, and a second face 3B. As shown in Figure13, in the active position of the pins 4 and 5, only the second engagement face 3B is employed, by abutting the movable part on the face portion 4B and 5B of the line and neutral pins 4 and 5.

Claims

1. A UK standard, electrical power plug, or adaptor, comprising: (i) an upper body part;
(ii) a lower body part attached to the upper body part; (iii) live, neutral and earth pins housed in the lower body part and displaceable from an inactive position in a recess in the lower body part, to a projecting, active position; (iv) spring contacts for the three pins;
(v) a spring loaded locking mechanism comprising movable part(s) and static part(s) being fixed directly or indirectly to the upper body part: and (vi) a manually operable lever or button connected to the movable part(s) of the locking mechanism so that manual movement of the lever or button by the user displaces the movable part(s) of the locking mechanism relative to the upper body part to unlock the pins from, their inactive, or active positions, depending on the pin positions required by the user.
2. A power plug, as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the plug is provided with a fuse carrier.
3. A power plug, as claimed in Claim 2, the plug is provided with a cable clamp.
4. A power plug, as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the plug is provided with a three core, or two core, power cable.
5. A power plug, or adaptor, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the displacement of each pin with respect to the lower body part is by a pivot, whereby a folding movement is involved between active, and inactive, pin positions.
6. A power plug, or adaptor, as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the displacement of each pin with respect to the lower body part is by linear sliding movement along the longitudinal axis of the pin.
7. A power plug, or adaptor, as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the pins are carried by a common chassis.
8. A power plug, or adaptor, as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the manually operable button is provided with splines engageable with slots in the chassis, following partial rotation of the button.
9. A power plug, or adaptor, as claimed in Claim 8, wherein inclined surfaces are provided to achieve partial rotation.
10. A power plug, or adaptor, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein electrical connection to a power mains supply cable is made when a pivotable pin is rotated or linearly slidable pin is displaced into active position and a blade mounted on the top of the pin touches a spring contact.
11. A power plug, or adaptor, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an earth wire and a neutral wire are crimped directly to corresponding spring contacts.
12. A power plug, or adaptor, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a live wire is crimped to a fuse clip, which in turn connects to a mains fuse, and the fuse then attaches to a spring contact.
13. A power plug, as claimed in Claim 2, and any claim appendant thereto, wherein the mains fuse, mounted in the fuse carrier, is accessible from the outside.
14. A power plug, or adaptor, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the upper and lower body parts are secured together by tamper resistant security screws.
15. A power plug, or adaptor, as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the upper and lower body parts are resiliently secured together using springs.
16. A power plug or adaptor, as claimed in Claim 15 wherein resilient securing is effected by inserting a compression spring coaxially over fixing screws between the upper and lower body parts, and trapping the springs between the screw head and an underside of the lower body part.
17. A power plug, or adaptor, as claimed in any preceding claim, incorporating an integral electrical transformer.
18. A power plug, or adaptor as claimed in Claim 17, having a low voltage two core or three core cable.
19. A power plug, or adaptor, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an interlock is provided between the earth pin deployment and the ability to connect the plug, or adaptor, to mains power.
20. A power plug, or adaptor, as claimed in Claim 19, wherein a live contact is mounted on or acted upon by a sliding carriage which moves the live contact, against spring bias, from an inactive position to an active position when the earth pin is moved from its inactive position to its active position.
PCT/GB2005/003029 2004-08-13 2005-08-01 Power plug or adaptor with retractable/foldable pins Ceased WO2006016119A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0418065.9A GB0418065D0 (en) 2004-08-13 2004-08-13 Power plug or adaptor with retractable/foldable pins
GB0418065.9 2004-08-13

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006016119A2 true WO2006016119A2 (en) 2006-02-16
WO2006016119A3 WO2006016119A3 (en) 2006-04-20

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PCT/GB2005/003029 Ceased WO2006016119A2 (en) 2004-08-13 2005-08-01 Power plug or adaptor with retractable/foldable pins

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GB (2) GB0418065D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2006016119A2 (en)

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US8177565B2 (en) 2006-10-10 2012-05-15 Logicor Limited Electrical connection apparatus with movable parts
US8410752B2 (en) 2010-10-26 2013-04-02 Research In Motion Limited Charger device for a portable electronic device
US8638064B2 (en) 2010-10-26 2014-01-28 Blackberry Limited Charger device for a portable electronic device
CN108963626A (en) * 2018-07-17 2018-12-07 北京突破电气有限公司 A kind of self-locking plug adapter
US10938141B2 (en) 2019-05-21 2021-03-02 Tai Kien Charger safety cover
WO2021057385A1 (en) * 2019-09-24 2021-04-01 Oppo广东移动通信有限公司 Power adapter

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WO2007113541A2 (en) * 2006-04-03 2007-10-11 Thinplug Limited Electrical plug with a rotatable pin
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GB2458318B (en) * 2008-03-14 2012-04-18 Nigel Philip Valentine Fitzhugh Electrical plug with folding pins
CN102439800B (en) 2009-02-04 2015-09-16 思想创造有限公司 electric plug
TWI434464B (en) 2011-08-12 2014-04-11 Powertech Ind Co Ltd Expandable/juxtaposable plug, electronic device having an expandable/juxtaposable plug and retaining base thereof
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US9331441B2 (en) * 2014-06-17 2016-05-03 Apple Inc. Power adapter with retractable prongs

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Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8177565B2 (en) 2006-10-10 2012-05-15 Logicor Limited Electrical connection apparatus with movable parts
US8410752B2 (en) 2010-10-26 2013-04-02 Research In Motion Limited Charger device for a portable electronic device
US8624551B2 (en) 2010-10-26 2014-01-07 Blackberry Limited Electrical device for a portable electronic device
US8638064B2 (en) 2010-10-26 2014-01-28 Blackberry Limited Charger device for a portable electronic device
US9257775B2 (en) 2010-10-26 2016-02-09 Blackberry Limited Charger device for a portable electronic device
CN108963626A (en) * 2018-07-17 2018-12-07 北京突破电气有限公司 A kind of self-locking plug adapter
CN108963626B (en) * 2018-07-17 2024-02-09 北京突破电气有限公司 Self-locking plug
US10938141B2 (en) 2019-05-21 2021-03-02 Tai Kien Charger safety cover
WO2021057385A1 (en) * 2019-09-24 2021-04-01 Oppo广东移动通信有限公司 Power adapter

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0418065D0 (en) 2004-09-15
WO2006016119A3 (en) 2006-04-20
GB2417141A (en) 2006-02-15
GB0506948D0 (en) 2005-05-11
GB2417141B (en) 2006-08-23

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