Field of the Invention

[1 ] The present invention relates to a plug termination arrangement and in particular to a plug termination arrangement for eliminating plugs on industrial machines.

[2] The invention has been developed primarily for use in/with industrial machine plugs and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Background of the Invention

[3] Machines that are in industrial use may be subject to a wide variety of conditions, including dust, moisture, dirt, or the like. Further, when these machines are not required for production, there may be put into storage until such time as they are required. When the storage, the plugs may lie around on the floor, and may be damaged by vehicles or nearby machines. In addition, the plugs of the machines in storage may also be subject to water ingress, which may present a danger when the plug is next plugged into a voltage source.

[4] The present invention seeks to provide a plug termination arrangement, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[5] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

S ummary of the Invention

[6] According to a first as pect, the present invention may be said to consist in a plug termination arrangement for termination of an electrical plug, the electrical plug defining a plug interface for engagement with a complementary plug interface, the plug termination arrangement comprising:

a. a terminal body; and

b. an engaging formation configured for sealingly engaging with the plug interface of the electrical plug in use, to thereby prevent fluid ingress through the plug termination arrangement into the plug interface.

[7] In one embodiment, the engaging formation is configured for sealingly engaging with an outer periphery of the plug interface in use.

[8] In one embodiment, the terminal body is configured for preventing fluid movement through the terminal body. [9] In one embodiment, the engaging formation is configured for preventing fluid movement through the engaging formation and inside the periphery of the plug interface.

[10] In one embodiment, the terminal body and engaging formation are integrally formed.

[1 1] In one embodiment, the terminal body and engaging formation are connectable by a connecting arrangement.

[12] In one embodiment, the terminal body and engaging formation are sealingly connected to each other.

[13] In one embodiment, the terminal body and engaging formation are removably connectable.

[14] In one embodiment, the connecting arrangement includes one or more selected from a. a snap fit connecting arrangement,

b. a threaded connecting arrangement;

c. a bayonet fit connecting arrangement;

d. a press fit connecting arrangement.

[15] In one embodiment, the plug termination arrangement includes a threaded connector formation for connection with a complementary formation on the electrica l plug.

[16] In one embodiment, the plug termination arrangement includes a seal member for sealing engagement with the electrical plug.

[17] In one embodiment, the electrical plug includes a plug skirt formation that extends substantially around the periphery of the plug interface, and the plug termination arrangement is configured for receiving at least part of the skirt formation.

[18] In one embodiment, the seal member is configured for sealing engagement with the plug skirt formation of the electrical plug.

[19] In one embodiment, the plug termination arrangement includes at least one or more attaching formations for engaging with an external structure.

[20] In one embodiment, the attaching formation is a hook formation configured for hooking onto an external structure.

[21] In one embodiment the attaching formation is configured for engaging with a complementary engaging formation.

[22] In one embodiment the attaching formation is a slot formation.

[23] In one embodiment the slot formation is a T-shaped slot formation. [24] In one embodiment, the attaching formation is configured for attaching to a n accessory.

[25] In one embodiment, the plug termination arrangement includes a magnet for magnetica lly engaging with a magnetic external structure.

[26] In one embodiment, the magnet is associated with a magnet surface.

[27] In one embodiment, the magnet surface is substantially planar.

[28] In one embodiment, the plug termination arrangement includes a cable holding formation configured for holding loops of cable.

[29] In one embodiment, the accessory is a cable holding formation configured for holding loops of ca ble.

[30] In one embodiment, the ca ble holding formation includes a spring-loaded gate.

[31 ] In one embodiment, the plug termination arrangement includes a skirt formation configured for at least partly receiving a n electrical plug.

[32] In one embodiment, the skirt formation is cylindrically shaped.

[33] In one embodiment, the plug termination arra ngement includes an interface support formation configured for supporting the prongs of the electrical plug in use to prevent them bending.

[34] In one embodiment, the interface support formation is a n interface wall extending between the skirt formation.

[35] In one embodiment, the electrical plug includes at least one or more prongs, and the interface wa ll includes at least one or more complimentary apertures and/or recesses for receiving the prongs.

[36] In one embodiment, the seal member is received into at least one recess in the interface wall.

[37] In one embodiment, the recess in the interface wall is an a nnular s lot.

[38] In one embodiment, the threaded connector formation extends outwardly of the skirt formation.

[39] In one embodiment, the plug termination arrangement is integra lly formed.

[40] In one embodiment, the plug termination a rra ngement includes electrical connectors for electrically connecting to the prongs of the electrica l plug.

[41 ] In one embodiment, the electrical connectors are electrica lly connected to each other. [42] In one embodiment, the electrical connectors are electrically connected to a contact formation that is accessible externally of the plug termination arrangement.

[43] In one embodiment, the contact formation is configured for connection to a plug or plug socket.

[44] In one embodiment, the engaging formation includes a flange.

[45] In one embodiment, the flange extends transversely of the cylindrical skirt.

[46] In one embodiment, the flange extends outwardly of the cylindrical skirt.

[47] In one embodiment, the body includes a body skirt formation.

[48] In one embodiment, the body and the engaging formation engage with each other at an interface.

[49] In one embodiment, the plug termination arrangement includes a sealing arrangement configured for sealing the interface between the body and the engaging formation.

[50] This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[51] To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

[52] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[53] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[54] Figure 1 shows a front right top perspective view of a first embodiment of a plug termination arrangement;

[55] Figure 2 shows a bottom rear perspective view of the plug termination arrangement of figure 1 ; [56] Figure 3 shows a bottom rear perspective view of the plug termination arrangement of figure 1 ;

[57] Figure 4 shows a right side view of the plug termination arrangement of figure 1 ;

[58] Figure 5 shows a cutaway cross-sectional right side view of the plug termination arrangement of figure 1 ;

[59] Figure 6 shows a right side view of a second embodiment of a plug termination arrangement, including cable holding formations;

[60] Figure 7 shows a right side view of a third embodiment of a plug termination arrangement, including a magnet (shown in broken lines) associated with a planar magnet surface;

[61] Figure 8 shows a bottom rearview of the plug termination arrangement of figure 7;

[62] Figure 9 shows a bottom left rear perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a plug termination arrangement, including an annular seal member;

[63] Figure 10 shows a cross sectional cutaway schematic view of a fifth embodiment of a plug termination arrangement engaged with an electrical plug, showing a seal member recess into an annular slot;

[64] Figure 1 1 shows a cross sectional cutaway schematic view of a sixth embodiment of a plug termination arrangement engaged with an electrical plug, showing a seal member recessed into an annular slot;

[65] Figure 12 shows a cross sectional cutaway schematic view of a seventh embodiment of a plug termination arrangement engaged with an electrical plug, showing the terminal body and engaging formation being connectable by a snap fit connector arrangement;

[66] Figure 13 shows a cross sectional cutaway schematic view of an eighth embodiment of a plug termination arrangement engaged with an electrical plug, showing electrical connectors making electrical contact with the prongs of the electric plug;

[67] Figure 14 shows a cross sectional cutaway schematic view of a ninth embodiment of a plug termination arrangement engaged with an electrical plug, showing a sealing arrangement sealing an interface between the engaging formation and the body;

[68] Figure 15 shows a bottom rear right perspective view of a tenth embodiment of a plug termination arrangement;

[69] Figure 16 shows a top view of the plug termination arrangement shown in figure 15; [70] F igu re 17 shows a left side view of the plug termination arrangement shown in figure 15;

[71 ] F igu re 18 shows a top left perspective exploded view of the plug termination arra ngement shown in figure 15;

[72] F igu re 19 shows a top right rear perspective view of the plug termination arrangement shown in figure 15; and

[73] F igu re 20 shows a bottom view of the plug termination a rra ngement s hown in figure 15.

Description of E mbodiments

[74] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numera ls in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[75] A plug termination arrangement according to a first aspect of the invention is genera lly indicated by the numeral 1000. An electrica l plug is generally indicated by the numeral 2000.

[76] In one embodiment now described, there is provided a plug termination arra ngement 1000 forte rminating a n electrical plug 2000 when the electrica l plug is not in use. T he electrical plug 2000 typica lly defines a plug interface 2100 including a set of electrical prongs 2200 for engagement with a complementary plug interface (not shown). T he electrical plug 2000 further typically can include a cylindrica l plug skirt formation 2300 that extends outwa rdly of the plug interface 2100, and a threaded connector formation 2400 that is rotatable substa ntially a bout the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical skirt formation 2300 of the electrical plug 2000, by which the electrica l plug can be securely connected to the complimentary plug interface in use.

[77] T he plug termination arrangement 1000 includes a terminal body 1 100 that is configured for preventing further movement through the terminal body 1 100, a nd a n engaging formation 1200. T he terminal body 1 100 is preferably integrally formed of a waterproof material such as plastic in a moulding process, such as blow moulding, rota ry moulding or injection moulding. T he terminal body 1 100 further preferably at least partly enclose a cavity 1 1 10.

[78] T he engaging formation 1200 is configured for engaging with a n outer periphery of the plug interface 2100 in a sea ling ma nner, to thereby prevent liquids such as water or the like from entering into the electrical plug 2000 via the plug interface 2100. To this end, the engaging formation 1200 prefera bly includes a seal member 1300 as s hown i n figures 9 and 10. The seal member 1300 is preferably made of rubber, soft plastic, other resilient material to facilitate sealing of the plug termination arrangement around the periphery of the plug interface 2100. [79] T he engaging formation 1200 includes a cylindrica l skirt formation 1400 and a fla nge 1430 that extends outwardly and tra nsversely to the cylindrical skirt formation 1400. T he plug interface 2100 is preferably received within the cylindrical skirt formation 1400 in use. A preferably pla nar interface wa ll 1 500 extends inwa rdly of a nd between the wa lls of the cylindrical skirt formation 1400.

[80] T he engaging formation prefera bly includes an interface support formation, in the form of an interface wa ll 1 500, that is configured for supporting the prongs 2200 of the electrical plug 2000 to prevent them bending T he planar interface wall 1 500 preferably includes complementa ry s haped apertures 1510 for receiving the prongs 2200 of the electrica l plug 2000 in use. T he provision of such complementary sha ped a pertures 1510 is preferable for receiving the prongs as these will a llow the pla nar interface wall 1 502 support the prongs in their proper position to prevent them being bent. However, in the embodiments s hown in figu res 10 and 1 1 , the pla nar interface wa ll 1500 is not provided with a pertures, and instead the dista l ends of the prongs 2200 terminate before reaching the pla nar interface wall 1500.

[81 ] In the embodiment s hown in figure 9, the seal member 1300 is in the form of an annula r ring that is located inwardly of the skirt formation 1400, and in abutment with the pla nar interface wa ll 1500. However, in the embodiment shown in figure 10, the seal member 1300 is received within a n annular recess 1520 in the plana r interface wall 1500.

[82] As in the embodiment s hown in figure 10, the plug termination arra ngement 1000 further includes a threaded connector formation 1600 disposed on an outer wa ll of the cylindrical skirt formation 1400, for engaging with complementa ry threaded formations 2400 on the electrica l plug 2000. In this way, the plug termination arra ngement 1000 can be securely connected to the electrical plug 2000.

[83] In use, as the threaded formations 2400 of the electrical plug 2000 are engaged with and turned onto the complimenta ry threaded connector formation 1600, this will result in the distal end 2310 of the plug skirt formation 2300 moving into sealing engagement with the seal member 1300. T his will prevent water (or other fluid) ingress into the plug interface 2100 through the gap (s hown as arrow G in figures 10 and 1 1 ) between the plug skirt formation 2300 and the skirt formation 1400.

[84] In an a lternative embodiment, as s hown in figure 1 1 , it is envisaged that the seal member 1300 can be in the form of an O-ring received into a n annula r slot 1420 on an inner face 1410 of the skirt formation 1400. When the dista l end of the plug skirt formation 2300 is received within the skirt formation 1400, the seal member 1300 will seal the gap G between the plug skirt formation 2300 and the skirt formation 1400. [85] In a preferred embodiment, the plug termination arrangement 1000 includes attaching formations 1700 forengaging with an external structure. A wide variety of attaching formations are envisaged. In the embodiments shown in figures 1, 6 and 7, an engaging formation 1700 in the form of a hook formation 1710 is provided, to allow the plug termination arrangement 1000 to be hooked to an external structure. Further, as shown in figure 1, and attaching formation in the form of a hanging aperture 1725 is provided, for example for hanging the plug termination arrangement 1000 on a hook or nail.

[86] In the embodiments shown in figures 2, 3 and 8, the terminal body 1100 is provided with an attaching formation in the form of a T-shaped slot 1720. It is envisaged that the T- shaped slot can be used for engagement to other accessory formations, which may in turn be used to attach the plug termination arrangement to a general or predetermined external structure.

[87] The embodiment shown in figures 7 and 8, the plug termination arrangement 1000 is provided with a magnetic attaching formation 1730. The magnetic attaching formation 1730 includes a magnet 1732. The magnet 1732 is securely received within a recess 1734 in the terminal body 1100 to secure the magnet 1732 to the terminal body 1100. In this embodiment, the terminal body 1100 includes a substantially planar face 1120 that allows the magnet 1732 to be placed in abutment with an external magnetic surface. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), it is envisaged that the magnet 1732 could be received within the cavity 1110 within the terminal body 1100.

[88] Alternatively, the engaging formations can be used for engagement to accessories that can provide a wide variety of functionality. In one embodiment as shown in figure 6, the T- shaped slot 1720 can be engaged by a cable holding formation 1800. The cable holding formation 1800 is preferably provided with a spring-loaded pivoting gate 1810, pivotable about axis A that allows cable loops (not shown) to be pushed through it like a carabinerclip. In this way, cable that is associated with the electrical plug 2000 can be tidied up and stored out of the way together with the electrical plug.

[89] In alternative embodiments, and as shown in figure 12, the terminal body 1100 and the engaging formation 1200 are not integrally formed, and are provided as separate components. In this embodiment, the terminal body 1100 defines a mouth (not shown) that leads into a cavity 1110. The engaging formation 1200 and the terminal body 1100 are connectable to each other by a connecting arrangement 1900. In the embodiment shown in figure 12, the connecting arrangement is a snap-fit type connecting arrangement, with the engaging formation 1200 including resilient lugs 1910 extending from the planar interface wall 1500. The resilient lugs 1910 include barb formations 1912 at their distal ends, that are received into complementary recesses 1914 on an innerface of the terminal body 1100.

[90] In this way, the engaging formation 1200 can be engaged with the terminal body by inserting the resilient lugs 1910 through the mouth into the cavity 1110 of the terminal body 1100, until the barb formations 1912 engage with the complementary recesses 1914. It is further envisaged that the terminal body 1100 and the engaging formation 1200 can be removably connectable.

[91] A wide variety of connecting arrangements can be provided by which the terminal body 1100 and the engaging formation 1200 may be permanently or removably connectable. Some examples of such connecting arrangements include snap-fit type connecting arrangements, bayonet-fit type connecting arrangements, press-fit or friction-fit type connecting arrangements, threaded connecting arrangements, or the like.

[92] By providing an engaging formation 1200 and terminal body 1100 thatare connectable to each other, a single terminal body can be manufactured, and a range of engaging formations 1200 can be provided to account for different plug configurations (for example having different prong shapes or configurations, or different plug-in that shapes). In this way, manufacturing costs and manufacturing setup costs can be reduced.

[93] However, it will be appreciated that if the engaging formation 1200 and terminal body 1100 are provided as separate components, then, in order to ensure that there is no liquid ingress through the plug termination arrangement, then the engaging formation 1200 must be sealed (i.e. not include apertures 1510 through the planar interface wall 1500).

[94] Alternately, in another embodiment shown in figure 14 it is envisaged thatthe terminal body 1100 can be configured for preventing fluid movement through the terminal body, and the terminal body and the engaging formation are sealingly engaged. In the embodiment shown in figure 14, a sealing arrangement 1140 is provided to seal a gap between the body 1100 and the engaging formation 1200. The sealing arrangement 1114 includes an O-ring 1144 located in a channel 1142 located on an innerface 1150 of the body 1100. The O-ring 1144 is squeezed between the between the terminal body and the engaging formation, thereby sealing the interface.

[95] It is further envisaged that in an alternative embodiment as shown in figure 13, the plug termination arrangement 1000 can include electrical connectors 1530 configured for electrically connecting the prongs of an electrical plug to an external structure in use. E lectrical connectors 1530 may be provided that are configured for receiving prongs of the electrical plug and making an electrical connection with the prongs. The electrical connectors extend from their connection with the prongs of the electrical plug in use, to an externally accessible contact formation 1 540 that can be placed in contact with a grounded externa l structure. In addition, the electrica l connectors 1530 are electrically connected to each other, as s hown in figu re 13 (although this need not necessa rily be the case). In this way, any static build-up in a machine that may be da maging to sensitive electronics on that machine can be grounded to the ea rth wire on that machine, or to an external earth, via the plug termination a rra ngement 1000. T he contact formation 1 540 could in a n a lternative embodiment extend from the termina l body as a prong formation for engagement with a plug.

[96] A further embodiment of a plug termination arra ngement 1000 is s hown in figu res 1 5 - 20. In this embodiment, the body 1 100 is detachable from the engaging formation 1200, as s hown in the exploded view i n figu re 18. In this embodiment, the body 1 100 a nd the engaging formation 1200 connected to each other in a press -fit type connector arrangement 1900, including a connecting formation in the form of a peripheral wa ll 1210 extending from the engaging formation 1200, the periphera l wa ll being configured to fit into the complementary shaped mouth of the cavity of the body 1 100 with a small a mount of interference fit. In an alternative embodiment, it is envisaged that the engaging formation a nd the body could be bonded to each other, for example by adhesives or the like.

[97] T he body 1 100 is provided with stiffening formations in the form of a pertures 1 160 through the body 1 100, the apertures being surrounded by stiffening walls 1 162.

Interpretation

Markus h G roups

[98] In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Ma rkush groups, those skilled in the art will recognise that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. In addition, the news of Markush groups is intended to be inclusive of additiona l features, and not limited to only those listed features.

C hronological sequence

[99] For the purpose of this specification, where method steps are described in sequence, the sequence does not necessarily mea n that the steps a re to be carried out in chronological order in that sequence, unless there is no other logica l manner of interpreting the sequence.

E mbodiments:

[100] Reference throughout this specification to“one embodiment” or“an embodiment” means that a pa rticula r feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. T hus, appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment” or“in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable ma nner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[101 ] S imilarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of exa mple embodiments of the invention, va rious features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure a nd aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. T his method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than a ll features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. T hus, the claims following the Detailed Description of S pecific E mbodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of S pecific E mbodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[102] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are mea nt to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the a rt. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in a ny combination.

Different Instances of Objects

[103] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives“first”, “second”,“third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects a re being referred to, a nd a re not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

S pecific Details

[104] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. Flowever, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other insta nces, well-known methods, structures a nd techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure a n understanding of this description.

T erminology

[105] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. Flowever, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes a ll technica l equiva lents which operate in a similar ma nner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forwa rd", "rea rward", "radia lly", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[106] For the purposes of this specification, the term“plastic” shall be construed to mean a general term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic polymerization products, and generally consisting of a hydrocarbon-based polymer.

[107] As used herein the term“and/or” means“and” or“or”, or both.

[108] As used herein“(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

C omprising and Including

[109] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word“comprise” or variations such as“comprises” or“comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[1 10] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

S cope of Invention

[1 11 ] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[1 12] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Industrial Applicability

[1 13] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the storage and/or electrical industries.