AU2006202334B2

AU2006202334B2 - An Electric Fitting

Info

Publication number: AU2006202334B2
Application number: AU2006202334A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ian Richardson
Original assignee: Schneider Electric New Zealand Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Schneider Electric NZ Ltd
Priority date: 2005-06-01
Filing date: 2006-06-01
Publication date: 2010-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-01
Also published as: NZ540477A; AU2006202334A1; ZA200604496B; MY147931A

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT, 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC NEW ZEALAND HOLDINGS LIMITED Actual Inventor: Ian Richardson Address for service in Australia: A J Park, Level 11, 60 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra, ACT 2601 Invention Title: An Electric Fitting The following statement is a full description of this invention. including the best method of performing it known to mc/us -2 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an electrical fitting such as a single or multi-gang switch or socket fitting. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Electrical switch or socket fittings 'or domestic or commercial use have for many years comprised a wall plate to which is fixed a switch or socket or vice versa. Single or multi gang switch or socket and combined switch and socket fittings are commonplace. More recently such fittings have removable or interchangeable housings, wall or fascia plates and/or switch or socket or other modules. Available modules may provide a rocker switch, a push-button switch, a single or multiple socket, and other devices. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved or at least alternative electrical fitting of this type. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In broad terms the invention comprises an electrical fitting including a grid component having a front side and which surrounds and defines at least one aperture through the grid component from said front side and a module insertable into a said aperture from the front side of the grid component to be retained by the grid component, the grid component comprising one or more flexible locking elements within the aperture in the grid component facing the entry to the aperture in the grid component, which engage the module when the module is inserted into the grid component from the front side thereof to lock the module in the grid component, the grid component and module also comprising inter-engaging backstop parts which engage on locking of the module in the grid component to prevent over insertion of the module in the grid component. The module may be a socket or switch module, a multiple socket or switch module, a module comprising an indicator LED and lens, or any other electrical device, or a combination. The grid component surrounds and defines the aperture in the grid component in which the module is inserted. Typically the grid component is fixed to a wall or other surface (or switchbox) by screws or other fasteners through the grid component into the wall. A separate fascia component may fit over the grid component, or alternatively the exposed surface of the grid component may provide the finished fascia of the fitting. Preferably the flexible locking element(s) is/are an integrally formed part or parts of the grid component, by moulding from a plastics material for example. Preferably the or each flexible locking element comprises a bayonet-style locking element which extends towards the entry to the aperture in the grid component and tcrminatcs in a tooth end including an angled forward face which is initially contacted by the module on insertion. Preferably the module includes a recess or recesses in a side thereof into which the tooth end of the locking element engages to lock the module in the grid component. Preferably the inter-engaging backstop parts include one or more faces or abutments within the aperture in the grid component which align with and abut one or more corresponding faces or abutments of the module when the module is inserted fully home in the aperture in the grid component to prevent over-insertion of the module. Preferably other inter-engaging apertures within the grid component and on the module are provided for correctly aligning the module in the grid component on insertion of the module and grid component. The term 'comprising' as used in this specification means 'consisting at least in part of', that is to say when interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. 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 said parts, elements or features. 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.

-4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred forms of the fitting of the invention are now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure I shows a perspective view from the front of an assembled 2-gang switch fitting; Figure 2 shows a perspective view from the front of an assembled double socket outlet fitting; Figure 3 shows a cross-section view of a module on insertion into a grid component of the fitting of either Figure 1 or 2 (with the internal components of the module not shown); Figure 4 shows a cross-section view similar to that of Figure 3, of the module after insertion into the grid component; Figure 5 shows a detailed cross-section view of area B in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a cross-section view illustrating removal of the module from the grid component of Figures 1 to 5; Figure 7 shows a cross-section view of the module and grid component similar to Figure 4 showing the inter-engagement backstop parts of the module and grid component; Figure 8 shows a detailed cross-section view of area D in Figure 7; Figure 9 shows a cross-section view similar to Figure 4, also showing a fascia plate fitted in place; Figure 10 shows a detailed cross-section view of area E in Figure 9; Figure 11 shows a view from behind one end of the grid component, showing alignment extensions; and Figure 12 shows a detailed view of area F in Figure 11. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED FORMS The electrical fitting shown in Figure 1 is a 2 -gang switch 10. The switch 10 includes a grid component, which is shown covered by a fascia plate 12, and switch module 14 that has been inserted into the grid component. In the embodiment shown the switch module 14 provides a 2-gang switch. Alternatively the switch module may provide a single switch -5 or a three or four gang switch for example. Alternatively again the grid component may support multiple modules of the same standard size which insert into multiple apertures in the grid component, each module providing a switch or other device. A variety of other switch modules may be used. A switch module may provide a rocker switch as shown, an illuminating switch having an indicator LED and lens, a tactile switch, or a push-button switch, for example. Figure 2 shows a socket electrical fitting 20. The fitting 20 includes a fascia plate 22 and socket module 20 which in this embodiment is a double vertical integrally-switched socket outlet 24. A variety of other socket modules may be used and non-limiting examples include communication sockets (coaxial, BNC or RCA for example), blank sockets, and outlet jacks. A cross-section of the fittings of Figures 1 and 2 is shown in Figure 3. A module is generically indicated at 30 and the grid component at 32. The exterior shell only of the module 32 is shown representatively and not the inner parts of a switch or socket. The grid component is rectangular (or alternatively square) in shape and the module 30 fits into an aperture in the grid component 32. The fascia plate 12 then clip fits over the grid component 32 (see Figure 9). Alternatively in another form the front surface of the grid component 32 which is exposed when the switch or socket is fixed to for example a wall may provide the finished front face of the fitting (apart from the inserted module(s)). In use the grid component 32 is secured to a wall or other surface to which the fitting is mounted, over a hole in the wall through which wiring passes to the fitting usually from within a wall cavity. Typically the grid component 32 comprises holes through the grid component through which fasteners such as screws pass to fix the grid component to the surface, commonly by screwing into a switch box mounted in the wall cavity behind wallboard providing a wall surface, in a domestic or commercial application. As shown in Figure 3, the module 30 is inserted from the front side of the grid component 32, and is retained in the aperture of the grid component 32. The fitting is designed so that the grid component may be fxed to the wall so that the aperture in the grid component aligns with the hole in the wall behind the electrical fitting.

-6 During installation wires may be pulled gently from the wall cavity through the hole in the wall and through the aperture in the grid 32 fixed to the wall, to enable the installer to connect the wires to the one or more modules 30. Subsequently the module or modules 30 may then be inserted into one or more apertures in the grid and pushed fully home. Thus it is not necessary for the module(s) first to be inserted in the grid and then for the wiring to be connected to the module(s) and subsequently the grid fixed to the wall. To retain the module 30 in place, the grid component 32 includes flexible locking elements 34 which are preferably formed integrally as part of a moulded plastics grid component 32. The clips 34 extend towards the front of the grid and preferably are bayonet flexible locking elements comprising a tooth end including an angled forward face as shown. The peripheral edges of the module housing which engage the clips 33 as the module is inserted into the grid component may also be provided with angled leading faces 35 as shown particularly at Detail A in Figure 3. To fit a module 30 to the grid component 32, the module is inserted into the or an aperture of the grid component 32 from the normally exposed, front side thereof, and is pushed home in the direction shown by the arrow P in Figure 3. The clips 34 flex outwardly as the module 30 is pushed into the grid component. When the module 30 is fully home in the grid 32 the ends of the one or more clips 34 snap fit into one or more recesses 36 in the side of the module housing 30 to lock the module 30 in the grid 32 as shown in Figures 4 and 5. To remove the module from the grid component, an ejector tool may be used. Figure 6 shows removal of the module 30 using an ejector tool 66. The tip of the ejector tool 66 is inserted between the tooth ends of the clips 34 and the module 30 to disengage the ends of the clips 34 away from the module 30, so that the module can be removed. Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the module 30 and grid component 32 are provided with inter-engaging backstop parts that prevent the module 30 from being over-inserted into the grid component 32. A step 73 is mouldcd in the grid component shown generally as 73 and a similar rear facing step 71 is moulded in the side of the module housing, which abut at 75 when the module is inserted fully home into the grid component. Other arrangements -7 of one or more faces and/or abutments which engage when the module is fully home in the grid component to function as an inter-engaging backstop are possible. Figures 9 and 10 show the fascia 12 fitted in place over the grid component 32. The fascia comprises a central aperture enabling the fascia 12 locking elements 100 that extend to be fitted onto the grid, with one or more locking elements 100 that extend rearwardly from the edge of the aperture in the fascia, into the aperture of the grid component to wedge behind the tooth ends of the clips 34 to prevent clips 34 from flexing outwardly once the fascia component 12 is installed. Thus in the preferred form, fitting of the fascia 12 also locks the module(s) in place in the grid, until the fascia is removed to enable the module(s) to be subsequently removed. To ensure proper alignment of the module as it is inserted in the grid component, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, extensions 120 may project from the sides of the aperture in the grid component 32 which will engage in corresponding slots in the sides of the module housing as the module is inserted into the grid component. Figure 11 shows one end of the grid component 32 from the rear. In the preferred form extensions 120 from the sides of the aperture of the grid component are T-shaped in cross-section as shown. Alternatively, extensions from the sides of the module housing may engage in the slots in the sides of the aperture in the grid 32. The foregoing describes the invention including preferred forms thereof. Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope hereof as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An electrical fitting including a grid component having a front side and which surrounds and defines at least one aperture through the grid component from said front side and a module insertable into a said aperture from the front side of the grid component to be retained by the grid component, the grid component comprising one or more flexible locking elements within the aperture in the grid component facing the entry to the aperture in the grid component, which engage the module when the module is inserted into the grid component from the front side thereof to lock the module in the grid component, the grid component and module also comprising inter-engaging backstop parts which engage on locking of the module in the grid component to prevent over insertion of the module in the grid component.

2. An electrical fitting according to claim I wherein the flexible locking element(s) is/are an integrally fonned part or parts of the grid component.

3. An electrical fitting according to either one of claims I and 2 wherein the flexible locking element(s) extend(s) towards the entry to the aperture in the grid component and terminate(s) in a tooth end including an angled face which is contacted by a side of the module on insertion of the module into the grid component.

4. An electrical fitting according to claim 3 wherein the module includes a recess or recesses in a side thereof into which the tooth end of a locking element or elements engage(s) when the module is fully home in the grid component to lock the module in the grid component.

5. An electrical fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the inter engaging backstop parts comprise one or more faces within the aperture in the grid component and on a side or sides of the module which align and abut when the module is fully home in the grid component. -9

6. An electrical fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 5 also comprising one or more slots in a side or sides of the aperture in the grid component or the module and one or more protrusions on a side or sides of the module or the grid component, which slots and protrusions inter-engage on insertion of the module into the grid component for correct alignment of the module in the grid component.

7. An electrical fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 6 including a fascia component to fit over the grid component.

8. An electrical fitting according to claim 7 wherein the fascia component comprises one or more parts which extend rearwardly from a peripheral edge of the aperture in the fascia component and which engage one or more of said flexible locking element(s) of the grid component when the fascia is fitted to the grid component after insertion of the module into the grid component, to lock said flexible locking element(s) in engagement with the module and prevent removal of the module from the grid component until the fascia has first been removed from the grid component.

9. An electrical fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the grid component comprises apertures for fixing fasteners through the grid component into a wall or other surface to fix the grid component to the wall or other surface.

10. An electrical fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the module is a socket module or a switch module.

11, An electrical switch or socket outlet fitting including a grid component having a front side adapted for fixing to a wall or other surface and which surrounds and defines at least one aperture through the grid component from said front side and at least one switch or socket module insertable into a said aperture from the front side of the grid component to be retained by the grid component, the grid component comprising flexible locking elements within the aperture in the grid component which engage the module when the module is inserted into the grid component from the front side thereof to lock the module in the grid component, the grid component at the sides of the aperture and the module both comprising inter- - 10 engaging backstop parts which engage on locking of the module in the grid component to prevent over insertion of the module in the grid component.

12. An electrical switch or socket outlet fitting according to claim 11 including a fascia component which fits over the grid component and which comprises one or more parts which extend rearwardly from a peripheral edge of the aperture in the fascia component which engage one or more of the flexible locking elements of the grid component when the fascia is fitted to the grid component after insertion of the module into the grid component, to lock said flexible locking element(s) in engagement with the module.

13. An electrical switch or socket outlet fitting according to either one of claims 11 and 12 wherein the grid component comprises apertures for fixing fasteners through the grid component into a wall or other surface to fix the grid component to the wall or other surface.

14. An electrical switch or socket outlet fitting including a grid component having a front side adapted for fixing to a wall or other surface and which surrounds and defines at least one aperture through the grid component from said front side and at least one switch or socket module insertable into a said aperture from the front side of the grid component to be retained by the grid component by flexible locking elements engaging the module within the aperture in the grid component when the module is inserted into the grid component from the front side thereof to lock the module in the grid component, the grid component at the sides of the aperture and the module both comprising inter-engaging backstop parts which engage on locking of the module in the grid component to prevent over insertion of the module in the grid component.

15. An electrical switch or socket outlet fitting according to claim 14 including a fascia component which fits over the grid component and which comprises one or more parts which extend rearwardly from a peripheral edge of the aperture in the fascia component which engage one or more of the flexible locking elements of the grid component when the fascia is fitted to the grid component after insertion of the -11 module into the grid component, to lock said flexible locking element(s) in engagement with the module.

16. An electrical switch or socket outlet fitting according to either one of claims 14 and 15 wherein the grid component comprises apertures for fixing fasteners through the grid component into a wall or other surface to fix the grid component to the wall or other surface.

17. An electrical switch or socket fitting substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.