GB2462336A

GB2462336A - Pattress box containing electrical terminals

Info

Publication number: GB2462336A
Application number: GB0904211A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Malone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-08-06
Filing date: 2009-03-11
Publication date: 2010-02-10
Also published as: GB0904211D0; WO2010015830A1

Abstract

A light switch comprises a face plate associated with a pattress or pattress box. The pattress or pattress box 10 is provided with a terminal block 9 such that a switched cable 4 to the light, loop in cable 7 and loop out cable 8 can be connected within the pattress or pattress box. This avoids the need for a separate junction box, and makes the wiring more accessible than if it were in the ceiling rose or above the ceiling. The terminal block may be integral with the pattress or may be removable.

Description

AN ELECTRICAL FITTING

The present invention relates to an electrical fitting. In particular, the present invention relates to a light switch. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pattress or pattress box which is to be used, or associated, with a light switch.

A pattress or pattress box is a container for housing electrical fittings such as a light switch. They are usually made of plastic or metal or any other suitable material. They can either be surface mounted on a wall or embedded within the wall or wall cavity; the latter being preferred for aesthetic purposes.

Pattress boxes are usually provided with embedded bushings for the fixing of the front plate containing the switch. A conventional pattress (1) box is illustrated in Figure 1. As can be seen, the pattress box (1) is provided with at least one aperture in its perimeter wall, thereby allowing connection between the switch and a mains supply via a switch cable (2). In the on position, the switch completes the circuit between the switch cable and the mains supply such that the lighting device or installation associated with the switch will light up.

S S..'

*..: As will be appreciated, conventional lighting circuits are based on the so-called "loop-in-loop-out" system in which a switch cable goes from each light installation, for example, a ceiling light, to its respective light switch. As will be appreciated, on using the "loop-in-loop-out" system there will always be three cables that need to be connected to the light installation, namely, the mains cable, the switch cable and the "loop out" cable; the latter connecting the mains to another lighting installation and its associated circuit to the mains supply. The connection between the mains cable, switch cable and the "loop out" cable to the light installation's feed cable is effected by way of a terminal connector (also referred to as a junction box" or "junction terminal") sometimes in the form of a loop-in-loop-out" terminal connector.

As stated by the BS767IIEE wiring regulations, all junction boxes or terminals must be accessible for inspection and testing purposes. However, in the case of conventional lighting circuits based on the "loop-in-loop-out" system this can prove difficult as terminal connectors are pushed up into the roof space or floor space, depending on which floor of a dwelling you are on, which is only accessible by either lifting the floor boards from above, or attempting to gain access into the roof space from the ceiling. As will be appreciated, this makes it difficult to correctly test, inspect or find a fault in a circuit. It will also be appreciated that it is not uncommon practice for such terminal connectors to be stuffed into the ceiling space without proper insulation thereby posing a fire risk.

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light switch comprising a face plate associated with a pattress or pattress box, characterised in that the pattress or pattress box is further provided with a * terminal connector such that the switch cable, mains cable and loop out cable can be connected within the pattress or pattress box.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a S*.

pattress or pattress box, which, in use, is associated with a light switch, *:*. characterised in that the pattress box is further provided with a terminal connector such that the switch cable, mains cable and loop out cable can be connected within the pattress or pattress box.

There is also provided the use of a pattress or pattress box further comprising a terminal connector which is connectable to a switch cable, mains cable and loop out cable to connect a switch to a light installation.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a pattress box further comprising a terminal connector which is connectable to a switch cable, mains cable and loop out cable.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pattress box, which, in use, is connectable to a lighting circuit and which houses at least one light switch characterised in that the pattress further comprises a terminal connector which is connectable to a cable, a mains cable and a loop out cable.

By providing a pattress or pattress box with a terminal connector addresses the problems identified above. In particular, the terminal connector is readily accessible, which means it can be tested or inspected without having to gain access to the floor or roof space. It also enhances safety in that it will dispense with the practice of stuffing" the terminal connector into the confines of a roof or floor space, and moreover, assists with health and safety requirements in that the use of a ladder can be dispensed with to gain access to the terminal connector. * S * * S 555*

Preferred features for use with the light switch and/or pattress or pattress box of the present invention, including the use thereof, are as follows: Advantageously, the terminal connector is configured as a connecting *S** block, which preferably has seven connectors each connector being *..: connectable to a single wire.

Preferably, the terminal connector is an integral part of the pattress box or pattress. To this end, it is preferable that the terminal connector is integrally associated with a surface of the pattress' perimeter wall or a surface of the pattress' backplate.

Further preferably, the terminal connector is housed within the confines of the pattress box or pattress.

Advantageously, the terminal connector is releasably connectable to the pattress box. Preferably, the terminal connector is releasably connectable to a surface of the pattress' perimeter wall or a surface of the pattress' backplate.

A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of reference to Figures 3 and 4, with Figures 1 and 2 being provided for information purposes only: Figure 1: is a perspective view of a known pattress box or pattress; Figure 2: illustrates the number of cables that require connection to a terminal connector such as a "loop-in-loop-out" terminal box; Figure 3: is a perspective view of a pattress box or pattress in accordance

S * S *

with the present invention; and S...

S.'.". Figure 4: illustrates the number of cables that need to be connected to the :::: light installation by using the pattress box of the present invention.

As stated above, and with further reference to Figure 1, a known S. : ("conventional") pattress box or pattress (1) comprises a back plate (3) and a perimeter wall (2). The perimeter wall (2) is further provided with at east one aperture (5) and bushings (6); the latter enabling the pattess (1) to be connected to the face plate of a switch (not illustrated).

With further reference to Figure 1, a conventional pattress box (1) only receives a switch cable (4) having 3 wires, earth (4a), live (4b) and neutral (4c). Such wire is wired in a conventional manner to the switch installation within the confines of the patress box, which, and as touched upon above, can either be wall mounted or embedded within a wall.

As illustrated in Figure 2, in order to connect a switch to a light installation such as a decorative luminary or down light an electrician will need to effect connection between a switch cable (4), a mains cable (7) and a loop out cable (8); and the light installation, usually by way of the light installation's feed cable. Such a connection is usually effected by way of a terminal connector within the confines of a ceiling or floor space. Due to the number of cables and respective wires involved, it will be appreciated that to effect such a connection will be cumbersome, not least because the whole task will usually need to be carried out up a set of ladders.

With reference to Figure 3, a pattress box or pattress (10) in accordance with the present invention is provided. As can be seen, same includes a terminal connector (9) in the form of a connector block, which is integrally associated with a surface of the pattress' perimeter wall. As illustrated, the terminal connector (9) enables the connection between the switch cable (4), mains cable (7) and loop out cable (8) to be effected within * * * the pattress box (10). This dispenses with the need for, and disadvantages *** S associated with, effecting such connection within the confines of the roof or ceiling space. As will be appreciated, the switch cable (4) will be connected to the switch installation in a conventional manner.

** When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A light switch comprising a face plate associated with a pattress or pattress box, characterised in that the pattress or pattress box is further provided with a terminal connector such that a switch cable, mains cable and loop out cable can be connected within the pattress or pattress box.
2. The light switch of claim 1, wherein the terminal connector is configured as a connecting block.
3. The light switch of claim 2, wherein the connecting block has seven connectors each connector being connectable to a single wire.
4. The light switch of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal connector is an integral part of the pattress box or pattress.
5. The light switch of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the terminal connector is housed within the confines of the pattress box or pattress. S.
6. The light switch of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the terminal . .: connector is releasably connectable to the pattress box.
7. The light switch of claim 6, wherein the terminal connector is releasably connectable to a surface of the pattress' perimeter wall.
8. The light switch of claim 6, wherein the terminal connector is relasably connectable to a surface of the pattress' backplate.
9. A pattress box, which, in use, is connectable to a lighting circuit and which houses at least one light switch characterised in that the pattress further comprises a terminal connector which is connectable to a switch cable, a mains cable and a loop out cable.
10. A pattress or pattress box, which, in use, is associated with a light switch, characterised in that the pattress box is further provided with a terminal connector such that a switch cable, mains cable and loop out cable can be connected within the pattress or pattress box.
11. A pattress box further comprising a terminal connector which is connectable to a switch cable, mains cable and loop out cable and switch installation.
12. The pattress of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the terminal connector is configured as a connecting block.
13. The pattress or pattress box of claim 12, wherein the connecting block * . * * has seven connectors each connector being connectable to a single wire. ** * * *.�
14. The pattress of any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the terminal connector is an integral part of the pattress box or pattress. *S*S

:
15. The pattress of any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the terminal *..: connector is housed within the confines of the pattress box or pattress.
16. The pattress of any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the terminal connector is releasably connectable to the pattress box.
17. The pattress of claim 17, wherein the terminal connector is releasably connectable to a surface of the pattress' perimeter wall.
18. The pattress of claim 17, wherein the terminal connector is releasably connectable to a surface of the pattress' backplate.
19. The use of a pattress or pattress box further comprising a terminal connector which is connectable to a switch cable, mains cable and loop out cable to connect a light switch to a light installation.
20. The use of claim 19, wherein the terminal connector is configured as a connecting block.
21. The use of claim 20, wherein the connecting block has seven connectors each connector being connectable to a single wire.
22. The use of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the terminal connector is an integral part of the pattress box or pattress.
23. The use of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the terminal connector *.S* : is housed within the confines of the pattress box or pattress. *** II I,S
24. The use of any one of claims 19 to 21 wherein the terminal connector * * * is releasably connectable to the pattress box. **II
25. The use of claim 24, wherein the terminal connector is releasably connectable to a surface of the pattress' perimeter wall.
26. The use of claim 24, wherein the terminal connector is releasably connectable to a surface of the pattress' backplate.
27. A method of wiring a light installation to a light switch, the method comprising the step of effecting connection of a switch cable, mains cable and loop out cable within a pattress box or pattress associated with the light switch.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of effecting connection of the switch cable, mains cable and loop out cable is effected by utilising a pattress box or pattress as claimed by any one of claims 9 to 18.
29. A light switch substantially as hereinbefore described by way of reference to Figures 3 and 4.
30. A pattress box or pattress substantially as hereinbefore described by way of reference to Figures 3 and 4.
31. The use of a pattress box or pattress substantially as hereinbefore described by way of reference to Figures 3 and 4.
32. A light switch substantially as hereinbefore described and claimed.S * * S ** S *.SI30. A pattress box or pattress substantially as hereinbefore described and claimed. * * S ** *31. The use of a pattress box or pattress substantially as hereinbefore e.S* *..: described and claimed. * * * * S.