WO2017098066A1 - Extension - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an extension comprising a body provided with at least two electrical outlets having housings for receiving connection pins, and comprising electrical connection means on the inside, as well as a cable for connection to the electrical power supply network, with a connection pin on the end, protruding from said body, the body consisting of at least two parts, each of the parts comprising at least one of said electrical outlets and the parts being connected by means for relative rotation between parts, in which the connection interface between two parts is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the electrical outlets of said two parts, the axis of relative rotation between parts being perpendicular to the plane of the connection interface.

Description

 PROLONGER

DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to devices whose purpose is to allow the connection of more than one apparatus to the power grid. In particular, the present invention is related to an extension which comprises more than one outlet, in which the sockets are rotatably connected to each other. The known extensions usually comprise a body formed by one or more pieces comprising the different sockets. Each outlet includes a housing for the plugs and receives power through a cable connected to the power supply network. These extensions are widely used, both in the domestic sector and in other applications, such as offices or workplaces of any kind.

There are extensions whose body is formed by several pieces joined together in a rotating way. For example, document US2014 / 0102870A1 discloses an extension consisting of several pieces comprising, each, an outlet and a housing that fits with the outlet of an adjacent piece. Around the outlet is provided a surface on which the housing of the adjacent piece is placed, defining a connection interface that is in a plane parallel to the plane of the outlet, that is to say in a plane parallel to the plane in which are the housings for the plugs. In this document, rotations between parts cause variations in the dimensions of the extension, that is, the length and width of the extension vary when there is a rotation between parts. However, although the configurations obtained by rotating parts give rise to different dimensions, such rotations do not allow the orientation of the sockets to be varied, so that the versatility of the extension is limited, in addition to the possibilities from the point of view design.

The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned drawbacks of known extensions.

In particular, the present invention discloses an extension, which has a body provided with at least two power sockets provided with housings for receiving connection plugs and which internally has means of electrical connection, and a connection cable to the power supply network. power supply with a connection plug at the end that comes out of said body, the body being formed by at least two pieces, each of the pieces comprising at least one of said power outlets and the pieces being connected with rotating means relative between pieces, characterized in that the connection interface between two pieces is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the sockets of said two pieces, the axis of relative rotation between pieces being perpendicular to the plane of the connection interface.

Thanks to the characteristics of the protractor object of the present invention, configurations with the sockets in different orientations can be achieved, so that the protractor It offers greater versatility for its use and for its design. Rotations between parts can cause variations in the dimensions of the extension, such variations may affect all dimensions of the extension, that is, length, height and width. Each piece of the extension is connected with a previous piece and a subsequent piece, following the path of the electric cable, except the end pieces. According to the invention, preferably, two adjacent pieces that are connected to each other have a single rotation interface between them. Preferably, the connection interface between two pieces comprises a groove in a first piece and a recess in a second piece, said recess of the second piece fitting into the groove of the first piece.

Even more preferably, said groove of the first piece comprises a stop and said recess of the second piece comprises a notch in which the stop is housed, said notch allowing the movement of the stop during the relative rotation between the first and the second piece.

Advantageously, the travel of the notch is 90 ^a circle arc plus the width of the stop, whereby the relative rotation between pieces is 90 ^a maximum. Therefore, it is not necessary that there is a special connection between the parts of the outlet since it is sufficient to use a cable with a length slightly longer than its travel between parts.

Optionally, each piece comprises a lower part and an upper part, each part of each piece comprising an inlet, the inlet of the upper part together with the inlet of the lower part defining an opening.

Advantageously, the aforementioned incoming are semicircular, and preferably the notch has a circular trapezoid shape. Advantageously, the connecting cable extends from piece to piece through said opening.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pieces are in the form of a parallelepiped and comprise the connection interface on one of their side faces. Preferably, the extension according to the present invention may comprise parts with connection interfaces on adjacent faces, or parts with connection interfaces on opposite faces. As a consequence, a wider range of configurations is possible, such as configurations in which some parts of the outlet are elevated without being in contact with the ground.

For better understanding, some drawings of an example of embodiment of the extension according to the present invention are attached by way of explanatory but not limiting example. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an extension according to the present invention comprising a body formed by four pieces and four sockets.

Figures 2 to 5 show perspective views of the embodiment of Figure 1, in which different 90 ° rotations of the body parts are schematized.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1, in which the exploded body parts appear and the wiring connection between parts is schematized. Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the third part of the body of Figure 1.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the second part of the body of Figure 1.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the fourth part of the body of Figure 1 exploded.

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the third part of the body of the exploded figure 1.

Figure 1 1 shows a perspective view of a detail of the upper parts of the first piece and the second piece.

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a detail of the connection between two parts of the body of Figure 1.

An embodiment of an extension -1 - according to the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1, comprising a cable -2- for connection to the power supply network and a body consisting of four parts -3-, -A-, -5-, -6- in the form of a parallelepiped that are connected to each other with means of relative rotation between them. Each of the parts -3-, -A-, -5-, -6- comprises an outlet -31 -, -41 -, -51 -, -61 - to receive connection plugs that it has inside electrical connection means. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the sockets -31 -, -41 -, -51 -, -61 - are arranged on the upper faces of the parts -3-, -A-, -5-, - 6-.

For reasons of clarity, from now on the pieces -3-, -A-, -5-, -6- will be called first piece -3-, second piece -A-, third piece -5- and fourth piece -6 -. Thanks to the fact that the connection interface between the parts -3-, -A-, -5-, -6- comprises means of relative rotation between them, the user can alter the configuration of the extension body -1 -. For example, Figure 2 shows the third and fourth blank 5 part 6 have been placed in a position perpendicular to that shown in Figure 1 by rotating the workpiece 90 ^to about -5- to the piece -A-. However, in the configuration of Figure 1, the four pieces -3-, -A-, -5-, -6- are arranged in square, with all the sockets -31 -, -41 -, -51 -, -61 - in the same orientation.

The connection interface between the parts -3-, -A-, -5-, -6- is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the sockets -31 -, -41 -, -51 -, -61 - , that is, in a plane perpendicular to the plane in the found the housings -31 '-, -41' - for the plugs. In the example shown, the connection interface is located on the lateral faces of the parallelepipeds of the pieces -3-, -4-, -5-, -6-, the lateral faces being found in planes perpendicular to the plane of the housings - 31 '-, -41' - for the plugs.

As you can see, the first piece -3- and the fourth piece -6- are not directly connected to each other, but the fourth piece -6- is linked exclusively to the third -5- and this to the second -4- . The configuration of Figure 2 is possible because the third piece -4- comprises connecting interfaces on adjacent faces: the face of the third piece -5- which is in contact with the fourth piece -6- is contiguous to the face of the third piece -5- which is in contact with the second piece -4-.

Other examples of possible configurations can be achieved by the relative rotation of the parts -3-, -4-, -5-, -6-. For example, the configuration of figure 3, which starts from the configuration of figure 2 and makes a rotation of 90 ^a of the first piece -3- with respect to the second piece -4-; configuration of Figure 4, that part of the configuration of Figure 3 and performs a rotation of 90 of the fourth part 6 relative to the third part -5-; or the configuration of Figure 5, part of the configuration of Figure 4 and performs a rotation of 90 ^to the third blank 5 relative to the second piece -4-. As can be seen, in each of the configurations shown, the extension -1 - has power outlets -31 -, -41 -, -51 -, -61 - arranged in different planes and the height of the extension varies depending on the Rotations between pieces.

Figure 6 shows the parts -3-, -4-, -5-, -6- that make up the body of the protractor -1 - separately and exploded. Each of the pieces -3-, -4-, -5-, -6-, comprises an upper part -32-, -42-, -52-, -62- fixed to a lower part -32'-, -42'-, -52'-, -62'-. The upper part -32-, -42-, -52-, -62- of each piece -3-, -4-, -5-, -6- comprises a recess -33-, -43-, -53- , -63- and the bottom -32'-, -42'-, -52'-, -62'- of each piece -3-, -4-, -5-, -6- comprises another recess -33 '-, -43'-, -53'-, -63'-. When the upper part -32-, -42-, -52-, -62- of a part is fixed to its corresponding lower part -32'-, -42'-, -52'-, -62'-, the starters -33-, -43-, -53-, -63- from the top -32-, -42-, -52-, -62-, together with the starters -33'-, -43'-, -53'-, -63'- from the bottom -32'-, -42'-, -52'-, -62'-, define an opening -81 -, -82- (see figures 7 and 8) which allows the passage of the connection cable -2- to the power supply network.

In the embodiment of the extension -1 -, according to the present invention, shown in Figure 6, it is observed how the cable -2- extends piece by piece from the fourth piece -6- to the first piece -3-. In this way each piece is connected to a previous piece and a back piece except the end pieces -3-, -6- and there is only one rotation interface between two connected adjacent pieces.

The cable -2- (see figure 6) passes over the recesses -34-, -54-, -64- of the lower parts -32'-, -42'-, -52'-, -62'- of the pieces -3-, -4-, -5-, -6-. When the upper parts -32-, -42-, -52-, -62- of the parts -3-, -4-, -5-, -6- join with the lower parts -32'-, -42 '-, -52'-, -62'-, the opening -81 -, -82- (see figures 7 and 8) allows the passage of the connecting cable -2- between the pieces. In the example of embodiment shown, the maximum relative angle of rotation between parts is 90 ^a , so no Special connection type so that rotation is possible. It is sufficient that the length of the cable -2- is slightly longer than the path that must be made between parts -3-, -A-, -5-, -6-.

The union between the pieces -3-, -A-, -5-, -6- of the protractor -1 - is carried out by fitting some pieces with others. Each of the parts of the connection are illustrated in Figures 7 and 8.

One of the parts of the connection is shown in Figure 7, which shows the third piece -5- with its upper part -52- and its lower part -52'- joined, leaving a joint -52 "- visible between both parts -52-, -52'- The recesses -53-, -54- define a circle-shaped opening -81- comprising a notch -55- with a circular trapezoid shape whose ends define limits -56 -, -56'-.

The second of the parts of the connection is shown in Figure 8, in which the second piece -A- with its upper part -42- and its lower part -42'- joined together, being a joint -42 "- visible between both parts -42-, -42'- The recesses -43-, -44- are identical and semicircular, giving rise to a circular opening -82- which is surrounded by a projection -45- which gives rise to a slot (see figure 1 1).

The third piece -5- and the fourth piece -6- are shown exploded in figures 9 and 10, in which it is observed that each of the pieces -5-, -6- comprises an outlet -51-, -61 - (see figure 1) which is formed by a female housing -51 '-, -61' - for the plugs that are arranged at the top -52-, -62- of the part -5-, -6 -, and electrical connection mechanisms -51 "-, -61" - on which a piece -51 "'-, -61"' is placed - which also contains electrical connections. The female housings -51 '-, -61' - are fixed by means of a screw -7- with an inviolable head.

The pieces -3-, -A-, -5-, -6- are joined together by the interaction between the two aforementioned types of openings -81 -, -82- (see figures 7 and 8). In order to make the union between parts -3-, -A-, -5-, -6-, these must have different opening types -81 -, -82-.

As shown in Figure 1 1, the projection -45- of the second piece -A- has a groove -46-. The connection between the upper parts -32-, -42- of the pieces -3-, -A- is carried out by fitting the recess -33- of the upper part -32- first piece -3- in the groove -46 - which defines the ledge -45-. The groove -46- comprises a stop -47- that is housed in the notch -35- in the shape of a circular trapezoid and can move along it until it meets any of its limits -36- (see references -56- and -56'- in figure 7). On the other hand, the union between the lower parts -32'-, -42'- of the parts -3-, -A- (not shown) is identical to that between the upper parts -32-, -42- of the pieces -3-, -A-, with the only difference that the groove -46- does not include any stop -47- in the lower part -32-.

Once the upper parts -32-, -42- and lower -32'-, -42'- are joined, the stop -47- can move between the limits -36- (the lower limit is not illustrated) of the notch -35-, allowing the rotation of one piece with respect to the other. Figure 12 shows how the assembly of the upper parts -52-, -62- of the third piece -5- and the fourth piece -6- on the lower parts -52'-, -62'- of the same, being the first piece -3- and the second piece -4- already joined. It is observed how the upper part -62- of the fourth piece -6- is positioned so that the stop -57- arranged in the groove of the upper part -52- of the third piece -5- is arranged inside the notch -65- shaped circular trapezoid. Again, the stop -57- can move through the notch -65-, offering the possibility that the piece -5- rotates with respect to the piece -6-. The rotation is limited by the path of the notch -65-, since the stop -57- contacts the limits -66- (see references -56- and -56'- in figure 7) of the notch -65-. The connection interface between parts is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the outlet, that is, perpendicular to the plane in which the housings for the plugs are located. In this way, the outlet of each piece can adopt different orientations.

Once the pieces are joined, the notch -65- of greater radius defines a path for the stop -57-, which can move along it between the limits -66- (only one illustrated) of the notch -65-. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in the figures, the path of the notch -65- of greater radius allows a rotation of 90 ^to one piece relative to the other. For this purpose, the notch -65- has a length of 90 ^a of arc of circle with the addition of the width of the stop -57- in one of the ends of the notch -65-.

Although the invention has been presented and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood that these are not limiting of the invention, so that multiple constructive or other details that could be evident to the technicians of the sector could be variable after Interpret the subject matter disclosed in the present description, claims and drawings. Thus, all variants and equivalents will be included within the scope of the present invention if they can be considered to be within the broadest scope of the following claims.

Claims

one . Protractor, which has a body provided with at least two power sockets equipped with housings for receiving connection plugs and internally equipped with electrical connection means, and a power supply network connection cable with a connection plug on the end leaving said body, the body being formed by at least two pieces, each of the pieces comprising at least one of said sockets and the pieces being joined with means of relative rotation between pieces, characterized in that the connection interface between two pieces it is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the sockets of said two pieces, the axis of relative rotation between pieces being perpendicular to the plane of the connection interface. 2. Extender, according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection interface between two pieces comprises a groove in a first piece and a recess in a second piece, said recess of the second piece fitting into the groove of the first piece. 3. Protractor according to claim 2, characterized in that said groove of the first piece comprises a stop and said recess of the second piece comprises a notch in which the stop is housed, said notch allowing the movement of the stop during the relative rotation between The first and the second piece. 4. Extender, according to claim 3, characterized in that the travel of the notch is 90 ^a circle arc plus the width of the stop. 5. Extender, according to claims 3 or 4, characterized in that each part comprises a lower part and an upper part, each part of each part comprising an inlet, the inlet of the upper part together with the inlet of the lower part defining an opening . 6. Prolongator, according to claim 5, characterized in that said incoming ones are semicircular. 7. Prolongator according to claim 6, characterized in that the notch is shaped like a circular trapezoid. 8. Extender, according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the connecting cable extends from piece to piece through said opening. 9. Protractor, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the parts are in the form of a parallelepiped and comprise the connection interface on one of its lateral faces. 10. Extender, according to claim 9, characterized by comprising parts with connecting interfaces on adjacent faces. eleven . Protractor, according to claim 9, characterized by comprising parts with connection interfaces on opposite faces.