AU2008207285B2

AU2008207285B2 - Switched arrangement

Info

Publication number: AU2008207285B2
Application number: AU2008207285A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Roderick John Sheppard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-01-18
Filing date: 2008-01-17
Publication date: 2013-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 2028-01-17
Also published as: CN201754455U; NZ579103A; WO2008086571A1; AU2008207285A1

Abstract

An electrical switching arrangement comprising a body incorporating a plug member which is adapted to be received into a general purpose electrical outlet, an outlet which corresponds to the general purpose outlet to which the device can be connected whereby an electrical appliance can be connected thereto, switching means which can be actuated at a distance therefrom and which controls the electrical connection between the plug and the outlet. The switching means my be connected by conductors to the arrangement and these conductors may carry the full power drawn by the unit or can operate an electronic or mechanical switch associated therewith.

Description

WO 2008/086571 PCT/AU2008/000052 -1 SWITCHED ARRANGEMENT Technical Area This invention relates to an electrical switched arrangement. specifically a switch/socket combination or general purpose outlet. Background to the Invention There are many applications where electrical appliances are connected to general purpose outlets (normally known as "three-pin sockets" in Australia), where because of the location of the outlet it is difficult or at least inconvenient for persons to operate the switch of the outlet if the power is to be turned off. It is being taught as good practice to turn many units off at the power source as they can use substantial power on stand-by, that is where the power is connected but the unit turned off at its own switch. However, this is generally not a serious problem where there is only a single appliance or the like connected as, generally, these have their own switches but it is most inconvenient where there are a number of appliances connected to the one outlet, such as, say, the components of a computer system.

WO 2008/086571 PCT/AU2008/000052 -2 Whilst these often have their own individual switches there are some which don't and even where they do it can be frustrating to have to switch off and later switch on the number of different components. It is an object of the invention to ameliorate or overcome this difficulty and to assist in saving energy. Outline of the Invention The invention includes an electrical switching arrangement comprising a body incorporating a plug member which is adapted to be received into a general purpose electrical outlet, an outlet which corresponds to the general purpose outlet to which the device can be connected whereby an electrical appliance can be connected thereto, switching means which can be actuated at a distance therefrom and which controls the electrical connection between the plug and the outlet. The switching means may be by means of a cable connected to the body and having at its free end a switch. The switch may be directly connected in circuit with the remainder of the circuit, it can operate a relay or the like Which relay is in the circuit or it can operate an electronic switch which causes the circuit to switch.

WO 2008/086571 PCT/AU2008/000052 -3 Also, if required, the remote switch could be in the form of an IR or RF device which can operate an appropriate receiver on the body of the unit. Description of an Embodiment of the Invention In order that the invention may be more readily understood there shall be described particular embodiment of this in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is a schematic view of a first form of switched arrangement of the invention. Fig 2 is a schematic view of a second form of switched arrangement; Fig 3 is a schematic view of a third form of switched arrangement; and Fig 4 is a schematic view of a fourth form of switched arrangement of the invention. Referring to Fig 1, The device has a body 10 which can be of injection moulded plastics material and which has on one side thereof extending pins 11 to co operate with a power outlet; in Australia normally these would be either two angled pins or two angled pins and a straight earth pin, depending upon an earthed or non-earthed arrangement as required. The form of pins for other countries would conform with the requirements of the country.

WO 2008/086571 PCT/AU2008/000052 -4 Also on the body, preferably on the side opposite the pins there can be a conventional outlet or socket 12 which would have a formation to be complimentary with that of the pins of the appliance. The outlet would preferably be on the side of the body opposite the plug but could be on an end of the body or, if required, two outlets could be provided on opposite ends of the body. The pins 11 and the socket 12 are electrically interconnected with an interposed switch means. The switch, which will be described can either be a single-pole switch in the active conductor or could be a double-pole switch switching both conductors. Thus, if the device is positioned in a general purpose outlet it provides a general purpose outlet which is switched, with the switch being operable remotely from the device. The switch may be of a number of types but in the simplest case there can be a flexible conductor 13 having two or four conducting members, depending upon the switching required, whether the switch is to be single or double pole, and these can terminate at a switch-box2l incorporating a switch mechanism and an extending switch rocker or the like 22 which can be located remotely from the WO 2008/086571 PCT/AU2008/000052 -5 body of the device at a distance equivalent to the length of the conductors 13. In the simplest form the switch-box can have a mechanical switch which can be a single pole or double-pole switch, depending upon the requirements and thus when the outlet 12 on the body is required to operate, it is only necessary to move the switch rocker 22 from an inoperative, open circuit, condition to an operative, closed circuit condition. Whilst in this specification, reference is made to a switch rocker 22, this terms is used in a generic sense to incorporate any form of means of operating a switch mechanism. As its required length of the conductor would normally only be 1-5 metres, this arrangement is of having a remote switch operating directly in the circuit is quite satisfactory. In its form of the arrangement the device is plugged into the outlet and the appliance, or appliances by way of a power-board or piggy-back plugs, are connected thereto. When it is then required to switch the appliance or appliances it is only necessary to operate the remote switch rocker 21. Thus, if the general purpose outlet is located in a position where it is difficult of access it becomes simple for a person to effectively switch the. outlet from the WO 2008/086571 PCT/AU2008/000052 -6 remote position. The embodiment of Fig 2 is generally similar in operation to that of Fig 1 except in this case the outlet 12 is located in an enclosure 30 which is separate from the plug 31 which carries the pins 11, the connection between the plug 31 and the socket 12 is by a conductor 32. In this case the switching mechanism, not shown, is located in the enclosure 21 and there is a rocker 22 or the like extending therethrough. The electrical operation is identical to the previous embodiment with the exception that the plug 31 and its pins 11 feed power to the outlet 12 by way of conductors 32. The embodiment of Fig 3 is similar to that of Fig 2 except that the conductors 13 from the switch 21 are connected into the plug 31 in which switching takes place and the power is connected to the outlet 12 by way of conductors 32 to the plug 30. The switch is thus connected close to the pins1 land the conductors 33 are switched. This differs from the second embodiment where the conductors 32 are not switched. In this embodiment, it is possible for the plug body 31 to be made of two components 31 a and 31 b which are cylindrical and co-axial and are arranged to WO 2008/086571 PCT/AU2008/000052 -7 be able to be relatively rotated. The pins and the switch conductors 13 are located in part 31 a and the conductor 32 sending the power to the outlets 12 are connected to part 31b. The two parts are provided with wiping contacts, which are known in the art which permit the power to be transferred to component 31 b from 31 a. This enables the outlet 30' to be located as desired relative to the power source. In the embodiments if Figs 1 and 2, there has been described an arrangement in which the outlet 12 is a single outlet. In Fig 3, there are shown a number of outlets 12 in a box 30 and It is to be understood that this such a multiple outlet could be used with the other embodiments. This would make the device particularly suitable for such applications as computers where there are normally three or more components connected to the power. Whilst there has been described herein particular forms of arrangements, it is quite possible to use more sophisticated forms. For example, if it is not wished to carry substantial currents through the conductors to the remote switch the switch could be used to operate a relay or an electronic switching circuit which themselves carry the load current of the device.

-8 It would also be possible, if required, to provide a remote switch which produces an RF or IF signal which can co-operate with a corresponding receiver in the body which receiver, in turn, causes the switch to operate. In a further embodiment, where there are two or more power outlets, there could be 5 a switch body of the invention associated with each outlet and a single switch could be used to switch appliances connected to each of the outlets at the same time. Whilst in this specification, there has been described a number of embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention can be associated with any form of outlet, whether with two three or even four conductors with any connection pin formation. 10 Also the device of the invention can have any of the features which are found in various power boards and outlets, for example surge protectors, conventional fusing, indicator light (or lights). Whilst there have been described herein several different embodiments of devices, they all have the same basic feature that a general purpose outlet can be effectively 15 operated remotely. Variations and modifications can be made in the particular arrangement and circuitry without departing the spirit and scope of the invention. Where the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprised" or "comprising" are used in this specification, they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated 20 features, integers, steps or components referred to, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components to be grouped therewith. 18/08/09,SAW1 02567 - revised pages.doc,8

Claims

1. An electrical switching arrangement including: a plug member which is adapted to be received into a general purpose electrical outlet; at least one outlet to which at least one electrical appliance can be connected thereto; and, interposed 5 switching means which controls the electrical connection between the plug member and the at least one outlet; wherein the switching means comprises a remote switch which is connected via a first flexible conductor to a switching portion in which switching takes place, and the at least one outlet is connected via a second flexible conductor to the switching portion. 10

2. The electrical switching arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the remote wired switch is a single-pole or a double-pole switch.

3. The electrical switching arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching means further includes an electrical switching circuit or relay that is controllable via the remote switch. 15

4. The electrical switching arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the electrical switching circuit or relay includes a relay device that opens/closes the electrical connection between the plug member and the at least one outlet in response to actuation of the remote wired switch. 20

5. The electrical switching arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the remote switch is a switch which controls the switching means through generating IR or RF signals.