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Title:
IMPROVED ELECTRICAL SOCKET AND PLUG
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2000/051207
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
An improved electrical socket includes a plurality of socket apertures to receive the pins of plugs. The socket apertures can receive pins of plugs of various designs from many countries of the world. There is a plastic cover to prevent access to the internal electrical contacts when the plug is not inserted, and the plastic cover holds the plug in position when it is inserted. The electrical socket comprises a face plate connected to a socket bracket. The socket bracket has a 3-poles connector to receive wiring from the mains supply, and the face plate has corresponding 3-pole pins for mating connection with the 3-pole connector when the face plate is attached to the socket bracket for easy change of the face plate. A circuit breaker on the electrical socket prevents damage to an appliance attached to the socket due to current leakage or shock current, and the user is warned when there is a heat overload. An improved electrical plug is also described.

Inventors:
KOH CHWEE GUAN (SG)
Application Number:
PCT/SG2000/000027
Publication Date:
August 31, 2000
Filing Date:
February 16, 2000
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
NNB ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY PTE (SG)
KOH CHWEE GUAN (SG)
International Classes:
H01R13/453; H01R13/502; H01R13/52; H01R13/633; H01R13/64; H01R13/707; H01R13/713; H01R25/00; H01R27/02; H01R31/06; (IPC1-7): H01R13/453; H01R13/707; H01R25/00; H01R13/713; H01R13/633
Foreign References:
GB2165710A1986-04-16
GB1475170A1977-06-01
US4867693A1989-09-19
US3716651A1973-02-13
GB2313240A1997-11-19
GB2234402A1991-01-30
GB2068651A1981-08-12
US5590010A1996-12-31
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Drew, And Napier (#17-00 Ocean Towers, Singapore 0, SG)
Download PDF:
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Claims:
CLAIMS:
1. An electrical socket (1) for a plug having a plurality of pins (35), comprising a socket face plate (2) having at least one set of apertures (16) therein for receiving respective ones of the pins (35) of the plug, and having means for preventing withdrawal of the pins (35) from the face plate (2) when the pins (35) have been received in the apertures (16).
2. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means for preventing withdrawal of the pins (35) comprises a formation of the socket face plate (2) which is adapted to engage a cooperating formation (36) provided on at least one of the pins (35).
3. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 2, wherein the means for preventing withdrawal further comprises a screen (37) having a plurality of apertures (38) therein for receiving the pins (35) of the plug, and wherein the screen (37) is movable between a first position in which at least one of the screen apertures (38) are out of alignment with the socket plate apertures (16), and a second position in which the screen apertures (37) are in alignment with the socket plate apertures (16).
4. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 3, wherein the screen (37) is movable from the first position to the second position under the pressure of the plug pins (35) when the plug is inserted into the socket (1).
5. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the screen (37) is provided with an operating member (5) for manually moving the screen (37) from the first position to the second position.
6. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 3,4, or 5, wherein the screen (37) is biased towards the first position so that said screen formations are biased into engagement with said pin formations (36) when the plug is received in the socket (1).
7. An electrical socket (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the face plate (2) is provided with at least two of said sets of apertures (16).
8. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 7, wherein the size and/or configuration of one of said sets of apertures (16) is different from the size and/or configuration of another of the sets of apertures (16), whereby the face plate (2) is adapted to receive at least two different types of plug.
9. An electrical socket (1) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a socket support (3) having at least live and neutral connectors (20,22) which are adapted to be electrically connected to a mains electrical supply, and securing means to releasably secure the face plate (2) to the support (3), and wherein the socket face plate (2) has at least live and neutral connectors, whereby the pins (35) on the plug are brought into electrical connection with respective ones of the live and neutral connectors of the face plate (2) when the plug pins (35) are received in the set of apertures (16), the arrangement being such that when the face plate (2) is secured to the support (3) by the securing means, the live and neutral electrical connectors on the face plate (2) are brought into electrical connection respectively with the live and neutral connectors (20,22) on the support (3).
10. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 9, wherein the support (3) is further provided with an earth connection (21) which is adapted to be connected to a mains electrical supply.
11. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 10, wherein the face plate (2) is further provided with an earth connection which is brought into contact with the earth connection (21) of the support (3) when the face plate (2) is secured to the support (3), whereby an earth pin of the plug can be bought into electrical contact with the earth connection of the face plate (2) through a respective one of the set of apertures (16) in the face plate (2).
12. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the electrical connectors on the face plate (2) each comprises a projection, and the electrical connectors (20,22) on the support (3) each comprise a recess, each projection being received in a respective recess when the face plate (2) is secured to the support (3).
13. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the electrical connectors (20,22) on the support (3) each comprises a projection, and the electrical connectors on the face plate (2) each comprise a recess, each projection being received in a respective recess when the face plate (2) is secured to the support (3).
14. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the securing means comprises a snapfit connection provided between the support (3) and the face plate (2).
15. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, further comprising a circuit breaker for disconnecting the electrical connection between the mains supply and any plug received in the or each set of apertures (16) in response to a current leak or current overload.
16. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the circuit breaker includes a thermostat (28) for establishing a connection to an indication means (11) to indicate that there is a heat overload or for disconnecting the electrical connection between the mains supply and any plug received in the or each set of apertures (16) in response to a temperature in excess of a predetermined level.
17. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising reset means (8) for manually reconnecting the electrical connection between che mains supply and the plug.
18. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 17, wherein the reset means (8) comprises a reset button.
19. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the reset means is provided in the face plate (2).
20. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 19, wherein a cover (24) is provided for the socket support (3), the cover (24) being releasably securable to the support (3) when the socket face plate (2) has been released from the support (2), the cover (24) serving to prevent access to the electrical connections (20,22) of the support (3).
21. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 20, wherein the socket support (3) further comprises a housing (19) within which the electrical connectors (20,22) are disposed, and the securing means secures the face plate (2) to the housing (19).
22. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 21, when dependent upon claim 15 or 16, wherein the circuit breaker is carried on the face plate (2) in such a way that it is received within the support housing (19) when the face plate (2) is secured to the support (19).
23. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 22, wherein the socket support is adapted to be fixed to a structure, and the electrical connections of the socket support are adapted to be directly connected to the mains wires installed in the structure.
24. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of ciaims 9 to 22,'wherein the electrical socket further comprises an electrical connector lead, and a plug, the electrical connector lead being secured at one end to the electrical connections of the socket support, and being secured at the other end to the plug.
25. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 24, wherein the electrical connectors on the support (3) are provided in the form of a female connector (39) and the electrical connectors on the face plate (2) are provided in the form of a male connector (25).
26. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 24, wherein the electrical connectors on the support (3) are provided in the form of a male connector and the electrical connectors on the face plate (2) are provided in the form of a female connector.
27. An electrical socket (1) comprising: a socket support (3) having at least live and neutral connectors (20,22) which are adapted to be electrically connected to a mains electrical supply; a socket face plate (2) having at least live and neutral connectors, the face plate (2) having at least one set of apertures (16) adapted to receive corresponding pins (35) on a plug, whereby the pins (35) on the plug are brought into electrical connection with respective ones of the live and neutral connectors of the face plate (2) when the plug pins (35) are received in the set of apertures (16); and securing means to releasably secure the face plate (2) to the support (3), the arrangement being such that when the face plate (2) is secured to the support (3) by the securing means, the live and neutral electrical connectors on the face plate (2) are brought into electrical connection respectively with the live and neutral connectors (20,22) on the support (3).
28. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 27, wherein the support (3) is further provided with an earth connection (21) which is adapted to be connected to a mains electrical supply.
29. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 27, wherein the face plate (2) is further provided with an earth connection which is brought into contact with the earth connection (21) of the support (3) when the face plate (2) is secured to the support (3), whereby an earth pin of the plug can be brought into electrical contact with the earth connection of the face plate (2) through a respective one of the set of apertures (16) in the face plate (2).
30. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 27,28 or 29, wherein the face plate (2) is provided with at least two of said sets of apertures (16).
31. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 30, wherein the size and/or configuration of one of said sets of apertures (16) is different from the size and/or configuration of another of the sets of apertures (16), whereby the face plate (2) is adapted to receive at least two different types of plug.
32. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 27 to 31, wherein the electrical connectors on the face plate (2) each comprises a projection, and the electrical connectors (20,22) on the support (3) each comprise a recess, each projection being received in a respective recess when the face plate (2) is secured to the support (3).
33. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 27 to 31, wherein the electrical connectors (20,22) on the support (3) each comprises a projection, and the electrical connectors on the face plate (2) each comprise a recess, each projection being received in a respective recess when the face plate (2) is secured to the support (3).
34. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 27 to 33, wherein the securing means comprises a snapfit connection provided between the support (3) and the face plate (2).
35. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 27to 34, further comprising a circuit breaker for disconnecting the electrical connection between the mains supply and any plug received in the or each set of apertures (16) in response to a current leak or current overload.
36. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 27 to 35, wherein the circuit breaker includes a thermostat (28) for establishing a connection to an indication means (11) to indicate that there is a heat overload or for disconnecting the electrical connection between the mains supply and any plug received in the or each set of apertures (16) in response to a temperature in excess of a predetermined level.
37. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 35 or 36, further comprising reset means (8) for manually reconnecting the electrical connection between the mains supply and the plug.
38. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 37, wherein the reset means (8) comprises a reset button (8).
39. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 37 or 38, wherein the reset means is provided in the face plate (2).
40. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 27 to 39, wherein a cover (24) is provided for the socket support (3), the cover (24) being releasably securable to the support (3) when the socket face plate (2) has been released from the support (2), the cover (24) serving to prevent access to the electrical connections (20,22) of the support (3).
41. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 27 to 40, wherein the socket support (3) further comprises a housing (19) within which the electrical connectors (20,22) are disposed, and the securing means secures the face plate (2) to the housing (19).
42. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 41, when dependent upon claim 35 or 36, wherein the circuit breaker is carried on the face plate (2) in such a way that it is received within the support housing (19) when the face plate (2) is secured to the support (19).
43. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 24 to 42, wherein the socket support is adapted to be fixed to a structure, and the electrical connections of the socket support are adapted to be directly connected to the mains wires installed in the structure.
44. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 24 to 42, wherein the electrical socket further comprises an electrical connector lead, and a plug, the electrical connector lead being secured at one end to the electrical connections of the socket support, and being secured at the other end to the plug.
45. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 24 to 44, wherein the electrical connectors on the support (3) are provided in the form of a female connector (39) and the electrical connectors on the face plate (2) are provided in the form of a male connector (25).
46. An electrical socket (1) according to any one of claims 24 to 44, wherein the electrical connectors on the support (3) are provided in the form of a male connector and the electrical connectors on the face plate (2) are provided in the form of a female connector.
47. An electrical socket (1) according to any of claims 24 to 46, which includes an electrical shock absorption means (7) to absorb electricity from the earth connection of the electrical appliance attached to the electrical socket (1) in the event of current leakage or electrical overload to prevent damage to the electrical appliance.
48. A electrical socket (1) for a plug having plurality of pins (35), the socket (1) comprising: a socket face plate (2) having at least one set of apertures (16) therein for receiving respective ones of the pins (35) of the plug; a circuit breaker adapted to cut off any current supply to the plug in the event of current leakage or electrical overload ; and reset means (8) for manually resetting the current supply to the plug after activation of the circuit breaker, wherein: (i) the electrical socket is adapted to be fixed to a structure, and the socket (1) has electrical connections which are adapted to be directly connected to mains wires installed in the structure; or (ii) the electrical socket further comprises an electrical connector lead, and a plug, the electrical connector lead being secured at one end to electrical connections in the socket (1), and being secured at the other end to the plug.
49. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 48, wherein the reset means (8) comprises a reset switch (8).
50. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 48 or 49, wherein the circuit breaker includes a thermostat (28) for establishing a connection to an indication means (11) to indicate that there is a heat overload or for cutting of the current supply to the plug if the temperature in the socket (1) exceeds a predetermined level.
51. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 48,49 or 50, further comprising a socket support (3) which is adapted to be connected to the fixed structure, and wherein the socket face plate (2) is removably secured to the support (3).
52. An electrical socket (1) according to claim 48,49 or 50, further comprising a socket support to which the electrical connector lead is adapted to be connected, and wherein the socket face plate is removably secured to the support.
53. An electrical socket comprising an electrical socket (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the support (3) includes pins for a plug (13) for electrical connection of the electrical socket (1) to a mains or other power supply with corresponding apertures to receive the same.
54. An electrical socket and plug combination comprising a electrical socket (1) according to any preceding claim in combination with a plug comprising a plug housing having plurality of pins (35) extending therefrom, the pins (35) being receivable in respective ones of the apertures (16) of the face plate (2).
55. An electrical plug comprising a plug housing having a plurality of pins (35) extending therefrom the pins (35) being adapted to be received in respective ones of a plurality of apertures (16) provided in an electrical socket, wherein the pins (35) are adapted to interact with the socket (1), when received in the apertures (16) in such a way that removal of the pins (35) from the apertures (16) is prevented.
56. An electrical plug according to claim 55, wherein the pins are provided with formations adapted to interengage with cooperating formations in the socket (1), in order to prevent removal of the pins (35) from the apertures (16).
57. An electrical plug of the type having two or more pins adapted to be received in a socket, the plug further comprising: a release mechanism provided in the plug for releasing the plug from the socket, the mechanism including a first portion that protrudes from a side of the plug and which is designed to be pressed by a user to activate the release mechanism, and a second portion that is pushed against the socket when the first portion is pressed whereby, in use, the withdrawal of the two or more pins of the plug from the socket is assisted by the action of the release mechanism when activated.
58. An electrical plug according to claim 57, wherein the activation of the release mechanism is sufficient to cause withdrawal of the plug without additional effort from the user.
59. An electrical plug according to claim 57 or 58, wherein means are provided to enable the second portion of the release mechanism to be pushed against the socket by means of a lever action when the first portion is pressed by the user.
60. An electrical plug according to claim 59, wherein the release mechanism includes a lever member pivotally mounted in the plug, and the first and second portions of the release mechanism are formed integral with the lever member.
61. An electrical plug according to claim 60, wherein the lever member is movable from a first position in which the second portion is retracted and does not substantially protrude from a front face of the plug, and a second position in which the second portion does protrude from the front face of the plug to push against the socket.
62. An electrical plug according to claim 61, wherein the lever arm is biased towards the first position.
63. An electrical plug according to claim 62, wherein the lever member is biased by a torsion spring which is mounted on a pivot pin on which said lever member is pivotally mounted.
64. An electrical plug according to claim 61,62 or 63, wherein the plug is a threepin plug and in said second position of the lever member said second portion protrudes from the front face of the plug in a space provided between an earth pin and the two other pins of the plug.
65. An electrical plug according to any preceding claim, comprising two of said release mechanisms.
66. An electrical plug of the type having two or more pins adapted to be received in a socket, the plug further comprising: an electrical terminal clip for connecting a wire to one of the pins at a terminal provided within the plug, the clip having first and second surfaces resiliently biased towards each other and between which the wire is received and gripped to provide an electrical connection to the terminal.
67. An electrical plug according to claim 66, wherein the clip is formed from a single piece of metal having first and second arms upon which said first and second surfaces are provided.
68. An electrical plug according to claim 67, wherein said first and second arms are connected by a bridging portion that acts to bias said first and second arms towards each other.
69. An electrical plug according to any one of claims 66 to 68, further comprising a plug housing which houses an end of said pins, wherein said end of said pins is provided with a recess adapted to receive a respective one of said clips therein in a tight friction fit.
70. An electrical plug according to claim 69, wherein the clips are removable from the pin recesses.
Description:
INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT InternationalApplicationNo P%-/SG00/00027 C.(Continuation) DOCUMENTS CONSIDEREDTOBERELEVANT Category'Citabonofdocument,withindication,whereappropriate,o fthe relevant passages RelevanttociaimNo. Y US3716651A(WERNERA)9,21,23, 13February1973(1973-02-13)25 thewholedocument XGB2313240A(BRODIEJAMESSTUART)1,2,55, 19November1997(1997-11-19)56 abstract;figures2,9 XGB2234402A(HILLMANNEWBYLTD)1,55, 30January1991(1991-01-30)56 abstract;figures1-6 AGB2068651A(MKELECTRICLTD)3-6 12August1981(1981-08-12) abstract;figures1,2,7 page2,line91-page3,line11 AUS5590010A(CEOLAGIACOMOETAL)16 31December1996(1996-12-31) abstract;figures1,6 l-=matjonalapplicationNo. INTERNATiONALSEARCHREPORTPCT/SG00/00027 Box ! Observationswherecertainclaimswerefoundunsearchable(Continua tionofitem1offirstsheet) ThisInternationalSearchReporthasnotbeenestablishedinrespecto fcertainclaimsunderArticle17(2)(a)forthefollowingreasons: 1.Claims Nos.: becausetheyrelatetosubjectmatternotrequiredtobesearchedbythi sAuthority,namely: 2.Claims Nos.: becausetheyrelatetopartsoftheInternationalApplicationthatdon otcomplywiththeprescribedrequirementstosuch anextentthatnomeaningfulInternationalSearchcanbecarriedout,s pecifically: 3.CtaimsNos: becausetheyaredependentclaimsandarenotdraftedinaccordancewit hthesecondandthirdsentencesofRule6.4(a). Box11Observationswhereunityofinventionislacking(Continuation ofitem2offirstsheet) ThisInternationalSearchingAuthorityfoundmultipleinventionsin thisinternationalapplication,asfollows: seeadditionalsheet(s) 1.! ! As att required additionalsearchfeesweretimelypaidbytheapplicant,thisInterna tionalSearchReportcoversall searchable claims. 2.As aitsearchableclaimscouldbesearchedwithouteffortjustifyingana dditionalfee,thisAuthoritydidnotinvitepayment ofanyadditionalfee. 3.Asonlysomeoftherequiredadditionalsearchfeesweretimelypaidb ytheapplicant,thisInternationalSearchReport coversonlythoseclaimsforwhichfeeswerepaid,specificallyclaims Nos.: 4.Norequiredadditionalsearchfeesweretimelypaidbytheapplicant .Consequently,thisInternationalSearchReportis restrictedtotheinventionfirstmentionedintheclaims;itiscovere dbyclaimsNos.: 1-26,53-56 RemarkonProtestg Theadditionalsearchfeeswereaccompaniedbytheapplicant'sprotes t. No protest accompanied the payment of additional search fees. nNoprotestaccompaniedthepaymentofadditionalsearchfees. u FURTHERINFORMATION CONTINUEDFROMPCTIISA/210 1.Claims:1-26,53-56 Electricalsocketcomprisingafaceplatewithasetof aperturesandmeansforpreventingwithdrawaloftheplug pins.Plugadaptedtobereceivedinthedescribedsocketis alsoincluded. 2.Claims:27-47 Electricalsocketwithafaceplateandsecuringmeansto releasablysecurethefaceplatetoasupportandgetthe electricalconnection. 3.Claims:48-52 Electricalsockethavingasocketfaceplateandacircuit breakeradaptedtocutoffanycurrentsupplytoaplugin theeventofcurrentleakageorelectricaloverloadanda resetmeans. 4.Claims:57-65 Electricalplugcomprisingareleasemechanismtoassistby thewithdrawaloftheplugfromthesocket. 5.Claims:66-70 Electricalplugcomprisinganelectricalterminalclipfor connectingawiretooneofthepinsprovidedwithinthe plug. INTERNATIONALSEARCHREPORT InternationalApplicationNo informationon patent tamily memt>ers PatentdocumentPublicationPatentfamilyPublication citedinsearchreportdatemember(s)date GB2165710A16-04-1986NONE GB1475170A01-06-1977HK24580A16-05-1980 US4867693A19-09-1989NONE US3716651A13-02-1973NONE GB2313240A19-11-1997NONE GB2234402A30-01-1991NONE GB2068651A12-08-1981NONE US5590010A31-12-1996US5742464A21-04-1998 US5930097A27-07-1999



 
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