MODULAR DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to electrical articles and in particular to devices suitable for mains power distribution in domestic environments. PRIOR ART

As is known to all, multiple sockets are widely used where there is the need to connect various electrical appliances to a single socket for mains power distribution.

The methods of interconnection normally chosen in these cases provide connections with precarious stability which utilize several multi-way sockets connected directly to one another or utilizing multiple socket strips, composed of an elongated body bearing a plurality of sockets and connected by means of an electrical cable and a plug to the available electrical socket.

However, both these solutions present various drawbacks; in fact, the former is easily subject to disconnections between the various sockets and also presents obvious problems of safety; the latter is bulky, often unnecessarily, if the number of connections required decreases, and moreover, due to the rigidity of the structure, cannot be easily adapted to specific spaces, such as corners, small cavities, etc.. Naturally, it is therefore of interest to develop devices capable of satisfying the user's requirements and also of solving the aforesaid drawbacks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention. Fig. 2 (a - b) shows a preferred embodiment of an auxiliary module of the device according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 (a-e) shows some particular embodiments of auxiliary modules according to the invention.

Fig. 4 shows a particular embodiment of an auxiliary module and assembly thereof;

Fig. 5 shows a support base for the connection and auxiliary modules;

Fig. 6 shows a particular embodiment of the connection between a module and the mains power supply;

Fig. 7 shows a particular embodiment of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is described a modular device which allows distribution of electrical power by means of mutual interconnection of elements provided with reciprocal engaging means and equipped with optional accessory functions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention allows the aforesaid problem to be solved, through a modular device comprising one or more elements provided with means that allow reciprocal engagement and easy release thereof and means for connection to domestic sockets supplied by mains electricity.

With reference to Fig. 1 , this shows a particular embodiment of the device according to the present invention and, as can be seen, the device comprises a first module (hereinafter also called "connection module") and at least one auxiliary module (the figure shows in particular three of these auxiliary modules composed of sockets).

The connection module comprises: a main body 10 provided with means for connection to domestic sockets supplied by mains electricity, preferably composed of an electrical cable 11 and an electrical plug, and a socket suitable to receive an electrical plug of approved type such as a standard ten or sixteen Ampere or universal socket.

Said main body 10 can also advantageously be provided with a switch 12, optionally remote controlled, suitable to disconnect said socket from said means for connection to domestic sockets supplied by mains electricity.

Moreover, the body 10 preferably comprises a fuse, connected to a pilot light 13 which indicates, preferably with a graduated colour scale, any overloads or voltage surges. The fuse allows automatic interruption of the flow of current in the case of need. The current can then be restored using the specific reset button 13'. The body 10 is also provided with appropriate mechanical interconnection means, preferably comprising at least one appropriate seat produced in said main body 10

and suitable to reversibly engage with specific mechanical counterparts, in the same manner as described and illustrated below for the auxiliary modules. Fig. 2 (a -b) shows an auxiliary module according to the invention. Said auxiliary module comprises a main body 20, at least one plug 21 and at least one socket 22 and further mechanical interconnection means preferably comprising at least a first seat 23 produced in said main body 20, at least one mechanical connector 24 suitable to engage with said first seat 23 and at least a second seat 25 suitable to receive said mechanical connector 24 in an idle position. Advantageously, said main body 20 comprises one or more further elements chosen from the group comprising: a universal socket 26 positioned on the top of said main body 20, a socket 27 positioned in a direction substantially orthogonal with respect to said at least one plug 21 and at least one socket 22, an emergency light 28, optionally removable, a battery charger 29, preferably for AA and AAA type batteries, a wattmeter module provided with display 30, a remote controlled sensor 31 , optionally removable, telephone or internet connection sockets 32 (see fig. 3 (a-e)).

Moreover, if preferred, the aforesaid modules (connection and auxiliary) can present on the lower surface thereof appropriate cavities 41 (see fig. 6) capable of engaging with engaging means positioned on a support base as described below. If required, the connection module and the auxiliary modules can advantageously be provided with fixing holes optionally provided with screws or similar fixing means and optional means to retain said screws or similar fixing means in said fixing holes. Fig. 4 shows a particular embodiment of secondary module, wherein the secondary module is composed of a main body 33 in turn comprising four sides, opposed two by two, comprising a plug and three sockets and suitable to connect to said first connection module and to said at least one auxiliary module so as to extend the resulting structure in four orthogonal directions, two by two (the figure only shows two). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and with reference to the appended Fig. 2 (a-b), said at least one auxiliary module comprises means to rotate said at least one plug 21 through approximately 90°.

Moreover, the invention also relates to a base comprising modular modules capable of engaging with said primary or auxiliary modules. As can be seen in Fig. 5, said base is formed of modules 35 mutually connectable along the edges thereof with common engagement means, for example snap-fit or bayonet or the like.

Said modules 35 are essentially composed of a thin hollow plate (for example 0.5 to 3 cm thick) and with a polygonal plan, preferably essentially square, which presents on the upper surface thereof engaging means 36 (such as teeth) suitable to engage with corresponding receiving seats 41 present on the bottom of said connection or auxiliary modules.

Said engaging means 36, if preferred, can be movable presenting release means (not shown in the figure), the mechanism of which is contained in the hollow part of the plate, controlled, for example, by a lateral push button 37. Moreover, according to a further particular version of the invention (see Fig. 5), the modules 35 present, on the surface thereof, an electrical socket 38, to which the power supply cable is directly connected, said cable then running through a duct 39 connected to one edge of these plates 35.

According to this embodiment, the connection module no longer requires the presence of the cable 11 and relative plug (as previously described) but will instead present a plug 40 (see Fig. 6) positioned on the lower surface thereof and capable of engaging with said socket 38; the auxiliary modules will then receive power from the connection module through the plug/socket contacts according to the description above. Naturally, the modules 35 can also be provided with fixing holes 34 as previously described for the connection and auxiliary modules.

If preferred, the cables present can be covered with a cable cover 42 (see Fig. 7). The cable cover 42 can be connected to the modules 35 through a support plate 43 provided on the surface thereof with holes capable of engaging with the teeth 36 and having the edges bent so as to form a groove 44 in which a similar groove 45, present on the edges of the plate 43, can run.

The modular device according to the present invention can advantageously be made of plastic material of the type approved for electrical applications and

capable of offering the required degree of protection. Preferably, said plastic material will be of the type suitable to be moulded using customary industrial moulding processes.