AU2010246500B2

AU2010246500B2 - A Universal Power Socket

Info

Publication number: AU2010246500B2
Application number: AU2010246500A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kwok Kit Patrick Lee
Original assignee: Clipsal Asia Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Clipsal Asia Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2005-08-03
Filing date: 2010-11-29
Publication date: 2011-07-07
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-03
Also published as: AU2006274636B2; HK1111819A1; DE602006009528D1; ATE444581T1; EP1917701A2; AU2010246500A1; AU2006274636A1; GB2442426A; GB2442426B; NZ565679A; CN101317308A; WO2007015156A3; GB0802516D0; KR101128092B1; EP1917701B1; KR101260485B1; KR20110098011A; KR20080041680A; WO2007015156A2

Abstract

An electrical socket for receiving an electrical plug, the socket comprising at least one first socket region having a pair of base contact receptacles and a third contact receptacle located and being in relation to each other in an isosceles triangular arrangement with the base pair of contact receptacles disposed at the base vertices of the triangular arrangement. The first socket region being adapted for receiving electrical plugs of a first type. The electrical socket further comprising a movable protective member, which is movable between a closed position and a open position, io wherein when in the closed position the protective member obstructs insertion of a pair of base contact prongs of a second type of electrical plug, and when in the open position the protective member opens the pair of base contact receptacles of said first socket region.

Description

A UNIVERSAL POWER SOCKET FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to power connection means and, more particularly, to electrical power sockets and outlets. More specifically, the present invention relates to power sockets more commonly known as universal power sockets. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 Electrical power connection means is essential for power delivery between a power source and a load. In many power connection configurations, power coupling means, such as plugs and socket pairs, are widely used. For example, power outlets more commonly known as wall sockets are available in many buildings or structures at 15 distributed locations so that power can be more convenient coupled to electrical appliances using compatible plugs. However, it is well known that there are many different standards of plug and socket systems in the world which are typically defined by various national and/or international standards. To facilitate connection of plugs of different standards to a socket, connection means more commonly known as 20 universal sockets or adaptors are known. Such universal sockets and adaptors are, for example, described in US Patent Nos. 5,007,848, 5,836,777 and 6,010,347, which are incorporated herein by reference. Conventional universal-type sockets typically comprise a pair of base contact 25 receptacles and a third contact receptacle which are disposed at the vertices of an isosceles triangle. In particular, the pair of base contact receptacles is disposed at the base vertices of the isosceles triangle and the third contact receptacle is disposed at the top vertices of the isosceles triangle. Each of the contact receptacles and the associated metallic contacts are configured so that various types of electric plugs of 30 different prong sizes can be inserted into the corresponding contact receptacles for making electrical connections. However, conventional universal-type sockets are designed to fit as many varieties of plugs as possible which means some plugs may be very loosely received within the contact receptacles while other plugs may be too- 2 tightly received. For example, the circular prongs of the more commonly available standard plugs have a diameter between 3.7 - 5.1mm. Such a range, when translated into the design of a universal socket or adaptor, means that if a contact mechanism can tightly receive a 5mm circular prong and a prong with non-circular cross-section, 5 such as a base prong of a British BS1 363 13A plug, is tightly received, an electrical plug with a 3.7mm circular prong will be in loose contact and this may lead to overheating, fire or other hazards. 10 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, there is provided an electrical socket for receiving an electrical plug, said socket comprising: at least one socket region having a pair of base contact receptacles and a third contact receptacle located and being in relation 15 to each other in an isosceles triangular arrangement with the pair of base contact receptacles disposed at the base vertices of the isosceles triangular arrangement, said at least one socket region being adapted for receiving an electrical plug of a first type; a movable protective member which is movable between a closed position and a open position, wherein when in the closed position the protective member obstructs 20 insertion of a pair of base contact prongs of an electrical plug of a second type, and when in the open position the protective member opens the pair of base contact receptacles of said at least one socket region. Preferably, the moveable protective member is movable away from the obstruction 25 configuration upon insertion of a pair of base contact prongs of the electrical plug of the first type into said at least one socket region. Preferably, said moveable protective member is slidable between the open position for receiving contact prongs of the electrical plug of the first type and the closed 30 position for obstructing the insertion of the contact prongs of the electrical plug of the second type, said protection member is under spring bias to return to the closed position.

3 Preferably, said moveable protective member comprises a first protective member and a second protective member, said first protective member comprising means for closing the third contact receptacle of said at least one socket region, said second 5 protective member comprising means for closing the base contact receptacles of said at least one socket region, and is slidable relative to said first protective member when the first protective member is at a position at which the third contact receptacle of the at least one socket region is closed. 10 Preferably, each of said first and second protective members comprises an inclined surface which is below the contact receptacle it is covering, the inclined surfaces tapering away from the axis joining the base contact receptacles of said pair of base contact receptacles in a manner such that said first and second protective members are urged towards to the open position upon insertion of the electrical plug of the first 15 type. Preferably, said at least one socket region includes a first pair of base contact receptacles and a second pair of base contact receptacle, said first pair of base contact receptacles being adapted to receive a first pin arrangement of the electrical 20 plug of the first type and said second pair of contact receptacles being adapted to receive a second pin arrangement of the electrical plug of the first type, and wherein said second pair of base contact receptacles are positioned between said first pair of base contact receptacles; said first protective member further including a pair of bifurcated shutter members, wherein said bifurcated shutter 25 members close the first pair of base contact receptacles and said inclined surface of the second protective member close the second pair of base contact receptacles; wherein the first and second protective members arranged in a manner such that upon a prong of a plug of first pin arrangement being urged against the inclined surface of the first protective member and towards to the third contact receptacle, the 30 first and second protective member are urged towards the open position to allow insertion of the plug.

4 Preferably, the first protective member and the second protective member are under independent spring bias to move towards the closed position, wherein the first and second protective members are arranged in a manner such that upon the prongs of a 5 plug of the second pin arrangement being urged against the inclined surface of the second protective member and towards to the base contact receptacles, the second protective member is urged towards the open position independently of the first protective member to allow insertion of the plug. io Preferably, said contact prongs of the electrical plug of the first type are substantially rectangular in cross-section. Preferably, said contact prongs of the electrical plug of the second type are substantially circular in cross-section. Preferably, said second protective member is pivotally movable about an axis which is 15 substantially orthogonal to an axis joining the base contact receptacles of said at least one socket region and is arranged so as to pivot about said axis upon non symmetrical insertion of a pair of prongs into said pair of base contact receptacles and so as to prevent the second protective member from moving to the open position. 20 Preferably, the second protective member is pivotally moveable such that upon non symmetric insertion of prongs towards the base contact receptacle the protective member rotates so as to impede movement to the open position, wherein said second protective member pivots about an axis substantially parallel to the direction of insertion on an electrical plug into the socket. 25 Preferably, said socket further includes a second socket region for receiving the electrical plug of the second type. Preferably, the footprint of a pair of base contact prongs of the electrical plug of the first type falls within the foot-print of a pair of base contact receptacles of the second socket region, and the foot-print of the pair of base 30 contact prongs of the electrical plug of the second type exceeds the foot-print of the pair of base contact receptacles of said at least one socket region.

5 Preferably, upon non-symmetrical insertion of a pair of prongs into said pair of base contact receptacles the moveable protective member is prevented from moving to the 5 open position. Preferably, said moveable protective member is pivotally movable such that upon non-symmetric insertion of prongs into said pair of base contact receptacles the moveable protective member rotates so as to impede movement to the open position. 10 Preferably, said moveable protective member pivots about an axis substantially parallel to the direction of insertion of an electrical plug into the socket. Preferably, upon non-symmetrical insertion of a pair of prongs into said pair of base 15 contact receptacles the second protective member is prevented from moving to the open position. Preferably, said second protective member pivots about an axis substantially parallel to the direction of insertion of an electrical plug into the socket. 20 Preferably, said second protective member is pivotally movable such that upon non symmetric insertion of prongs into said pair of base contact receptacles the second protective member rotates so as to impede movement to the open position. 25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in further detail below by way of examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in 30 which:- 6 Fig. 1 is a front view of a socket of a first preferred embodiment of this invention, Fig. 1A shows the respective connection terminals of the contact receptacles of Fig. 1, 5 Fig. 2 shows a front view of a socket of a second preferred embodiment of this invention, Fig. 2A shows the respective connection terminals of the contact receptacles of io Fig. 2, Fig. 3 shows an exemplary application of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1 as a wall socket (110), 15 Fig. 4 shows an exemplary application of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 2 as a wall socket (210), Fig. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of a protective mechanism for use with a socket of this invention in a first operating mode, 20 Fig. 5A & 5B respectively shows the side and perspective views of the protective mechanism of Fig. 5, Fig. 6 shows the protective mechanism of Fig. 5 in a first operative mode, 25 Fig. 7 shows the protective mechanism of Fig. 5 in a second operative mode, Fig. 8A shows an end view of the mechanism of Fig. 8 along the viewing direction X of the protective mechanism of Figs. 5 and 6 when subject to a non- balanced 30 insertion force, Fig. 8B shows the protective mechanism of Fig. 8A when subject to a non- balanced force as illustrated in Fig. 8D, 7 Fig. 8C shows the plan view of the protective means of Fig. 8A, Fig. 8D illustrates the application of an unbalanced force on the protective means of 5 Fig. 8A, Fig. 9 illustrates the insertion of a pair of contact prong of an electrical plug of a first type into a second socket region of this invention when the protective mechanism is in the closed position, and 10 Fig. 9A shows the plane view of the protective mechanism showing the position of the pair of contact prongs of Fig. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 15 As mentioned above, an electrical socket which is adapted for receiving electrical plugs of different standards are more commonly referred to as a "universal socket" or an "international type socket". In this specification, the term "universal socket" is only used for convenience and is not meant to incorporate any specific technical meaning 20 for the avoidance of doubt. For the sake of clarity, a universal socket includes an international type socket which is for receiving plugs conforming to various national standards. Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a first preferred embodiment of a socket of this 25 invention. This socket 100 is adapted to receive electrical plugs of various national and international standards with some examples illustrated in Tables A and B below for convenience. The socket of Fig. 1 comprises first (1) and second (2) socket regions for receiving 30 electrical plugs of a first type and a second type. Two socket regions are provided in this invention to cater for electrical lugs of various prong sizes and configuration so that plugs will not be too loosely received in the contact receptacles to mitigate the risk of overheating and/or arcing which may cause fire hazards or personal injuries.

8 Each of the first socket region (1) and the second socket region (2) comprises a pair of base contact receptacles and a third contact receptacle, with the three contact receptacles forming the vertices of an isosceles triangle. Each contact receptacle 5 comprises a contact aperture and a contact mechanism which is directly underneath the contact aperture. The contact aperture defines the size and shape of an aperture which is accessible to a contact prong of an electrical plug upon insertion. The contact aperture is typically formed on a rigid front housing which is usually made of durable plastics so that the prong contact mechanisms and the underlying wiring connections io are insulated from the outside. The contact mechanism typically comprises metallic contacts which form a resilient bracket-type catch so that an appropriate prong of an electrical plug can be compressively held for good electrical contact. Such compressive contacts are known in the art and are incorporated herein by reference. Specifically, the pair of base contact receptacles (121, 122) (111, 112) is on the base 15 vertices of the isosceles triangle while the third contact receptacle (113, 123) is on the top vertice. The respective electrical connection of each of the individual contact receptacles of the first and second socket regions of this socket is more particularly illustrated in Fig. 1 using various standard nomenclatures for easy reference. For example, the pair of base receptacles is respectively connected to the N (neutral) and 20 L (live) terminals with the third contact receptacle (113, 123) is for connection to the E (earth) terminal. It can be seen from Fig. 1A that the contact receptacles are arranged so that contact receptacles of the first socket region and the second socket region on the same side of the third contact receptacles are for connection to the terminal of the same marking. For example, contact receptacles on the left side of the third contact 25 receptacles are connected to the "N" terminals while those on the right side are connected to the L terminals with the third contact receptacles for connection to the E terminals. Referring to Figs. 1-4 and Tables A and B, the second socket region (2) is adapted for 30 receiving electrical plugs of the second type (Type 2 sockets) as set out in Table B below for illustrative purposes. More particularly, the second type plugs include plugs conforming to the following standards, British standard BS1363 (250V, 13A), BS546 (250V, 5A), Chinese standard GB1002 (250V, 10A), Australian standard AS3112 9 (250V, 10A), IEC standard IEC60884-1 (250V, 16A). The second column on Table B illustrates how the various plugs are fitted into the second socket region and how the second socket region universally accommodates the various plugs. For example, the Chinese standard plug GB1002 comprises two parallel prongs of a substantially 5 rectangular cross-section with the longer sides of the pair of prongs parallel to each other. The portion of the contact aperture adapted for receiving the pair of parallel prongs of this GB1 002 plug is formed on the pair of base contact apertures proximal to each other. In addition, the portion of the pair of contact apertures closest to each other are also shaped to receive a pair of divergent prongs of the AS3112. In addition, io the third contact aperture on the second socket region is also formed and shaped to receive the third prong of the plugs where an electrical plug comprises a third prong. The IEC 60884-1 plug is similar to the configuration of GB1002 but with a third prong and the second socket region is provided with an appropriately shaped and configured third contact aperture. The BS1 363 plug comprises a pair of prongs having 15 a substantially rectangular cross-section with the longitudinal axis of the pair of prongs substantially co-linear. The third prong of the BS1363 plug has a substantially rectangular cross-section with the longitudinal axis substantially orthogonal to the line joining the pair of base prongs forming the base vertices of an isosceles triangle. To accommodate the pair of base prongs of a BS1 363 plug, the contact apertures of the 20 second socket region are dimensioned to receive the pair of base prongs as shown in row 13 of Table B. Similarly, the top contact aperture is also dimensioned to receive the top prong of this plug. Similarly, the BS546 plug comprises prongs of a substantially circular cross-section and the contact apertures are accordingly dimensioned to accommodate the three substantially circular prongs, preferably in a 25 closely-fitted manner. The first socket region is adapted for receiving various plugs which are collectively referred to as type-one plugs, examples of which are set out in column 1 of Table A. More particularly, the type-one plug comprises a pair of substantially parallel prongs 30 with a substantially circular cross-section. As a convenient example, the base contact apertures of this first socket region are dimensioned so that circular prongs with a diameter between 3.7mm and 5.1 mm can be received in a closely-fitted manner under compressive contact of the resilient metallic contacts underneath the contact 10 apertures. Of course, the range of diameter of the prongs to be receivable by the base apertures can be varied according to individual applications without loss of generality. Typical type-one plugs are shown in the second column of Fig. A and include electrical plugs conforming to European standard EN50075, Spanish standard 5 SEV1011 , Italian standard CE123-16, Scandinavian standard CEE7. To also cater for type-one plugs with a third circular prong, a pair of alternative circular apertures are provided intermediate the pair of base contact apertures as shown in the region one illustration. More particularly, the pair of alternative circular contact apertures comprises a first circular aperture co-linear with the pair of base contact apertures io and a second one which is offset from the line joining the two base apertures. The first alternative circular aperture which is in line with the pair of base apertures is provided to receive a third prong of a plug of a corresponding configuration such as the Italian CE123-16 plug with three contact prongs. Likewise, the offset middle contact aperture is for receiving the offset prong of Swiss plug/Spanish plug 15 SEV1011. Broadly speaking, the dimension of the base contact receptacle of the first socket region is adapted for receiving a plug with prongs of a circular cross- sectional shape and dimension, while a plug comprising a prong or prongs of non- circular cross-sectional shape is for the second socket region. By allocating the second socket region for plugs comprising a non-circular prong or non-circular prongs, the 20 varieties of prongs to be received by the pair of base receptacles of the second socket region are less and a safer contact mechanism with a tighter resilient grip on the prongs can be provided. Referring again to Figs. 1, 1 a and 3, the first socket region and the second socket 25 region are disposed so that the isosceles triangles formed by the corresponding contact apertures are in inverted relation to each other. Specifically, the vertices corresponding to the two pairs of base contact receptacles substantially forms the vertices of a trapezoid with the top vertices of the pair of isosceles triangles pointing towards each other. Fig. 3 illustrates the application of the Fig.1 configuration as a 30 wall socket with a front housing mounting plate made of durable plastics. In the configurations of Figs, 2, 2a and 4, the first and second socket regions are disposed so that the pairs of isosceles triangles formed by the respective contact 11 receptacles are also inverted relative to each other. In this configuration, the first socket region (comprising 211, 212 and 213) is completely disposed intermediate the pair of base contact receptacles (221, 222) and the third top receptacle (223) of the second socket region. Although the four vertices formed by the two pairs (221, 222, 5 211, 212) of base receptacles are still disposed on the vertices of a trapezoid, the size of the trapezoid is substantially reduced, resulting in a more compact design so that the effective area to be occupied by all the contact receptacles are substantially identical to the dimensions of a typical single-standard socket. Similarly, the configuration of the Figs. 2 and 2A universal socket is applied as an illustrative io example of a wall socket as shown in Fig. 4. Although the two socket regions are arranged as two pairs of inverted isosceles triangles, it will be appreciated that it is not necessary so and the two triangles can be arranged in a parallel configuration. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that a pair of base prongs of a type 15 one electrical plug can be inserted into the base contact receptacles (121, 122) of the second socket region due to their larger aperture dimensions. To mitigate the risk of insertion of an electrical plug of a wrong type into the second socket region, protective means is provided. Because the second socket region is 20 best catered for type-two plugs which comprise both two-pronged and three-pronged plugs, conventional shutter-gate type protective members comprising an insulated shutter gate which normally closes the three-contact apertures but will be opened when a rigid post is inserted into the third contact receptacle is inappropriate. 25 Referring to Figs. 5, 5A and 5B, the protective means comprises a first shutter-gate sub-assembly (320) and a second shutter-gate sub-assembly (340) which together form a shutter-gate assembly (300). The shutter-gate assembly (300) comprises a plurality of insulated shutter members which are movable between a closing position and an opening position. In the closing position, the insulating shutter members are 30 directly underneath the contact apertures while, at the opening position, the insulating shutter members are clear of the contact apertures so that the contact mechanisms underneath the contact aperture can be accessible from the outside. The shutter-gate assembly is under spring bias so that the shutter members are normally at the closing 12 position by spring urge. A plurality of coil springs (350) is used as example. The first shutter-gate sub- assembly (320) comprises a rigid body moulded of durable plastics with a pair of wing-like shutter members (322, 324) symmetrically formed about a central axis (326). The first shutter-gate sub-assembly is movable relative to the 5 second shutter-gate sub-assembly along the axial direction of the central axis (326) and between an opening position and a closing position. In the closing position, the pair of wing-like shutter members is directly underneath the base contact apertures of the second socket region and, at the opening position, the shutter members are cleared away from the pair of base contact apertures of the second socket region to io allow insertion of a pair of prongs of an electrical plug of the second type. Each of the wing-like shutter member of the first shutter-gate sub- assembly (320) is tapered along the axial direction of the central axis so that when a pair of prongs of an electrical plug with a projection falling on the shutter members is inserted towards the 15 shutter members (322, 324), the tapering will cause the shutter members to be urged in a direction along the axial direction of central axis (326), thereby opening the contact apertures. In this preferred embodiment, the tapering is towards the axial end of the shutter members which approaches the third contact receptacle of the second socket region, as is more clearly seen in Fig. 8D. A spring means is disposed at the 20 distal end (that is, the end which is away from the tapered end) so that when the shutter member is moved towards the distal end for opening the contact aperture, spring bias will be built-up to store energy to return the shutter members towards the closing position. 25 As shown in Fig. 5, a coil spring is installed and retained in position by an axial protrusion (328) formed at the distal end of the shutter member. The lateral dimension (that is, the width) of the wing-like shutter members are adapted so that the maximum lateral extent of the wing-like shutter members corresponds to the maximum extent of a pair of base contact-prongs of a two-pronged type-two electrical plugs. With this 30 configuration, because the lateral extent of type-one two-pronged electrical plugs will fall outside the maximum lateral extent of the pair of wing-like shutter members of this first shutter-gate sub-assembly, the two prongs of a type-one circular post will not act on the tapered region to push the shutter members towards the opening position. In 13 addition, the pair of wing-like shutter member are also shaped and dimensioned so that the two prongs of a type-one plug cannot act on the two tapered regions on the shutter members. As a result, the pair of shutter members cannot be opened by a type-one two- pronged plug. 5 As an additional safety measure, the first shutter-gate sub-assembly (320) further provides means to alleviate the risk of unbalanced insertion, for example, due to insertion of a single post into one of the base contact receptacles of the second socket region. This is achieved by supporting the first shutter assembly at the io longitudinal ends of the central axis (326) so that the pair of shutter members will be pivoted above the central axis (326) when subject to an unbalanced insertion force as more particularly depicted in Figs. 8A to 8D. In addition, this arrangement of the first shutter assembly also alleviates the risks of unsymmetrical or tilted insertion of the two prongs into the socket. Hence, in addition to relative axial movements relative to 15 the second shutter-gate sub- assembly, the first shutter-gate sub-assembly is also pivotable relative to the second shutter-gate sub-assembly and about a longitudinal axis substantially along the line "E" in Fig. 1A. The second shutter-gate sub-assembly comprises a fork-like member made also of durable plastics with a first shutter member (342) formed on one side of the fork-like body and a pair of bifurcated shutter 20 member (344, 346) formed at the other side and extending along an opposite direction to the first shutter member (342). Similar to the first shutter-gate sub assembly, the second shutter-gate sub-assembly is also movable between a close position and an opened position. The shutter members of this second shutter-gate sub- assembly are underneath the three contact apertures of the second socket 25 region under normal circumstances so that, in combination with the first shutter-gate sub- assembly, all the three contact apertures of the second socket region are closed unless and until an appropriate electrical plug is inserted. The first shutter member (342) of this second shutter-gate sub-assembly is accessible 30 through the third contact receptacle (the Earth Terminal) of the second socket region and the shutter member extends substantially axially away from the pair of fork-like shutter members. The first shutter member (342) is also tapered towards its free end, as more particularly shown in Figs. 5A and 5B. With this tapered arrangement, when 14 a third prong of a type-two electrical plug is inserted into the third contact aperture, the downward insertion of the third prong towards the tapered end will push the second shutter-gate sub-assembly towards the opening position, as more particularly shown in Fig. 6, thereby opening the entire sub-assembly to allow plug insertion. As 5 shown in Figs. 5, 5A and 5B, the first shutter- gate sub-assembly is embraced between the pair of fork-like members, the movement of the second shutter-gate sub assembly towards the opening position will also drive the first shutter-gate sub assembly towards the opening position, thereby opening all the three contact apertures against spring bias. Furthermore, since the pair of fork-like members are io not tapered, when a pair of circular prongs corresponding to the foot-print of the pair of fork-like members is inserted against the pair of fork-like shutter members, there will be no sliding movement unless there is a third post acting on the tapered first shutter member. 15 As shown in Fig. 7, when a pair of electrical plugs having a pair of base prongs corresponding to the type-two plugs are inserted, the pair of base prong members of the type-two two-pronged electrical plug will drive the first shutter- gate assembly towards the opening position while leaving the second shutter-gate sub-assembly unmoved. Figs. 8, 8A and 8B illustrate in various views the pivotal movement of the 20 first shutter-gate sub-assembly relative to the socket housing and the second shutter gate sub-assembly when subject to an unbalanced insertion force. Figs. 9 and 9A illustrate the situation when a pair of posts of a type-one two-pronged electrical plug is inserted into the second socket region. Because the foot-print of the 25 type-one prongs are outside the maximum lateral extent of the wing-like shutter members of the first shutter-gate sub-assembly, the pair of prongs will fall partially on the fork-like member and, in the absence of the driving of a tapered and of one of the shutter members, the shutter members will remain close. Although the protective means described above have been described with reference to a universal socket 30 comprising a first socket region and a second socket region, it will be appreciated that this protective means can be applied in a universal socket with only a second-socket region without loss of generality.

15 While the present invention has been explained by reference to the examples or preferred embodiments described above, it will be appreciated that those are examples to assist understanding of the present invention and are not meant to be restrictive. The scope of this invention should be determined and/or inferred from the 5 preferred embodiments described above and with reference to the Figures where appropriate or when the context requires. In particular, variations or modifications which are obvious or trivial to persons skilled in the art, as well as improvements made thereon, should be considered as falling within the scope and boundary of the present invention. 10 Furthermore, while the present invention has been explained by reference to wall sockets, it should be appreciated that the invention can apply, whether with or without modification, to other connection means such as adaptors without loss of generality. 15

Claims

1. An electrical socket for receiving an electrical plug, said socket comprising: at least one socket region having a pair of base contact receptacles and a third 5 contact receptacle located and being in relation to each other in an isosceles triangular arrangement with the pair of base contact receptacles disposed at the base vertices of the isosceles triangular arrangement, said at least one socket region being adapted for receiving an electrical plug of a first type; a movable protective member which is movable between a closed position and 1o a open position, wherein when in the closed position the protective member obstructs insertion of a pair of base contact prongs of an electrical plug of a second type, and when in the open position the protective member opens the pair of base contact receptacles of said at least one socket region. 15

2. An electrical socket according to claim 1, wherein the moveable protective member is movable away from the obstruction configuration upon insertion of a pair of base contact prongs of the electrical plug of the first type into said at least one socket region. 20

3. An electrical socket according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said moveable protective member is slidable between the open position for receiving contact prongs of the electrical plug of the first type and the closed position for obstructing the insertion of the contact prongs of the electrical plug of the second type, said protection member is under spring bias to return to the closed position. 25

4. An electrical socket according to claim any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said moveable protective member comprises a first protective member and a second protective member, said first protective member comprising means for closing the third contact receptacle of said at least one socket region, said second protective 30 member comprising means for closing the base contact receptacles of said at least one socket region, and is slidable relative to said first protective member when the first protective member is at a position at which the third contact receptacle of the at least one socket region is closed. 17

5. An electrical socket according to claim 4, wherein each of said first and second protective members comprises an inclined surface which is below the contact receptacle it is covering, the inclined surfaces tapering away from the axis joining the base contact receptacles of said pair of base contact receptacles in a manner such 5 that said first and second protective members are urged towards to the open position upon insertion of the electrical plug of the first type.

6. An electrical socket according to claim 5, wherein said at least one socket region includes a first pair of base contact receptacles and a second pair of base io contact receptacle, said first pair of base contact receptacles being adapted to receive a first pin arrangement of the electrical plug of the first type and said second pair of contact receptacles being adapted to receive a second pin arrangement of the electrical plug of the first type, and wherein said second pair of base contact receptacles are positioned between said first pair of base contact receptacles; 15 said first protective member further including a pair of bifurcated shutter members, wherein said bifurcated shutter members close the first pair of base contact receptacles and said inclined surface of the second protective member close the second pair of base contact receptacles; wherein the first and second protective members arranged in a manner such 20 that upon a prong of a plug of first pin arrangement being urged against the inclined surface of the first protective member and towards to the third contact receptacle, the first and second protective member are urged towards the open position to allow insertion of the plug. 25

7. A socket according to claim 6, wherein the first protective member and the second protective member are under independent spring bias to move towards the closed position, wherein the first and second protective members are arranged in a manner such that upon the prongs of a plug of the second pin arrangement being urged against the inclined surface of the second protective member and towards to 30 the base contact receptacles, the second protective member is urged towards the open position independently of the first protective member to allow insertion of the plug. 18

8. A socket according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein said contact prongs of the electrical plug of the first type are substantially rectangular in cross-section.

9. A socket accordingly to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein said contact prongs 5 of the electrical plug of the second type are substantially circular in cross-section.

10. An electrical socket according to any one of claims 4-9, wherein said second protective member is pivotally movable about an axis which is substantially orthogonal to an axis joining the base contact receptacles of said at least one socket io region and is arranged so as to pivot about said axis upon non-symmetrical insertion of a pair of prongs into said pair of base contact receptacles and so as to prevent the second protective member from moving to the open position.

11. A socket according to claim 10, wherein the second protective member is 15 pivotally moveable such that upon non-symmetric insertion of prongs towards the base contact receptacle the protective member rotates so as to impede movement to the open position, wherein said second protective member pivots about an axis substantially parallel to the direction of insertion on an electrical plug into the socket. 20

12. A socket according to any one of the preceding claims, further including a second socket region for receiving the electrical plug of the second type.

13. A socket according to claim 12, wherein the footprint of a pair of base contact prongs of the electrical plug of the first type falls within the foot-print of a pair of base 25 contact receptacles of the second socket region, and the foot-print of the pair of base contact prongs of the electrical plug of the second type exceeds the foot-print of the pair of base contact receptacles of said at least one socket region.

14. A socket according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein upon non-symmetrical 30 insertion of a pair of prongs into said pair of base contact receptacles the moveable protective member is prevented from moving to the open position. 19

15. A socket according to claims 14, wherein said moveable protective member is pivotally movable such that upon non-symmetric insertion of prongs into said pair of base contact receptacles the moveable protective member rotates so as to impede movement to the open position. 5

16. A socket according to claim 15, wherein said moveable protective member pivots about an axis substantially parallel to the direction of insertion of an electrical plug into the socket. 10

17. A socket according to any one of claims 4-13, wherein upon non-symmetrical insertion of a pair of prongs into said pair of base contact receptacles the second protective member is prevented from moving to the open position.

18. A socket according to claim 17, wherein said second protective member pivots 15 about an axis substantially parallel to the direction of insertion of an electrical plug into the socket.

19. A socket according to claims 18, wherein said second protective member is pivotally movable such that upon non-symmetric insertion of prongs into said pair of 20 base contact receptacles the second protective member rotates so as to impede movement to the open position.