AU2012216389A1 - An electrical fitting plate and system - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract An electrical fitting plate comprising a plate body having a plurality of edges; and an aligning arrangement s configured to facilitate alignment in edge to edge relation of the plate with another said plate in at least one direction. 3607931_1 (GHMatiers) P84944 AU.I

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): Legrand Australia Pty Ltd Invention Title: AN ELECTRICAL FITTING PLATE AND SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: - 2 AN ELECTRICAL FITTING PLATE AND SYSTEM Field of the invention 5 The disclosure relates to an electrical fitting plate system, in particular an electrical fitting plate and a plurality of plates forming an electrical fitting system. Background of the disclosure 10 Electrical fittings such as switch and socket fittings for domestic and commercial use have commonly comprise an electrical fitting plate to which a switch or socket or any other such fittings is fixed or attached. The fitting is plate generally serves as a border to enclose and contain the electrical switch, socket and other such fittings. Such electrical fittings can be positioned on the wall or on the floor. The fittings may comprise a single or 20 multiple switch or socket fittings within the plate. Commonly the electrical fitting is formed as one single component for installation. Alternatively the electrical fitting may include a modular configuration which retains one or more modules along with a cover such as a fascia 25 plate. Summary of the disclosure According to a first aspect of the invention there is 30 provided an electrical fitting comprising: a plate body having a plurality of edges; and 3607931_1 (GHManters) P84944 AU.I -3 an aligning arrangement configured to facilitate alignment in edge to edge relation of the plate with another said plate in at least one direction. s In another embodiment the aligning arrangement is configured to facilitate alignment in edge to edge relation of the plate with another plate in two directions. 10 In a further embodiment the directions are substantially perpendicular to one another. In a further embodiment the plate body includes a first set of opposite edges and the aligning arrangement 15 includes first and second parts disposed on respective ones of the edges of the first set of opposite edges, wherein the first and second parts are complementary so that the first part of one plate is able to cooperate with the second part of another plate to facilitate alignment 20 of the plates. In a further embodiment the plate body includes a second set of opposite edges and the aligning arrangement includes third and fourth parts disposed on respective one 25 of the edges of the second set of opposite edges. In a further embodiment the parts of the alignment arrangement comprise at least one interfitting projection and recess. 30 In a further embodiment the aligning arrangement is configured to facilitate alignment with the respective plate edges abutting one another. 3607931_1 (GHMatters) P84944.AU.I -4 In a further embodiment the aligning arrangement is configured to facilitate alignment with the respective plate edges in spaced relation from one another. 5 In a further embodiment the electrical fitting plate assembly further comprising a spacer, wherein the spacer is arranged to cooperate with the alignment arrangement so as to align the plate with another said plate in spaced 10 edge to edge relation. In a particular arrangement, the spacer is arranged to cooperate with respective parts of the aligning arrangement. According to a second aspect of the invention there is 15 provided a method of installing a plurality of electrical fitting plates comprising aligning at least two plates in an edge to edge relation in at least one direction, whereby parts on the respective plates are arranged to cooperate in the edge to edge alignment. 20 In a further embodiment the method further comprises aligning the plates in an edge to edge relation in two directions, wherein the two directions are perpendicular to each other, and parts of the respective plates are 25 arranged to cooperate to facilitate edge to edge alignment in the two directions. In a further embodiment the method comprises the further step of inter-fitting a first part on one plate with a 30 second part of the other plate. In a further embodiment the method comprising the further step of aligning a plurality of plates in spaced edge to 3607931_ (GHMatters) P84944.AU I -5 edge relationship and locating a spacer in between the plates. Brief description of the figures 5 In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the present invention embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: 10 Fig. 1 is a rear view of two electrical plates aligned in an edge to edge relationship in one direction; Fig. 2 is a top view of two electrical plates aligned in a is spaced edge to edge relationship in a second direction, with a spacer in between the plates; Fig. 3 is a perspective rear view of one form of an electrical fitting plate; 20 Fig. 4 is a perspective rear view of another form of an electrical fitting plate; Fig. 5a is a detailed view of a first part of the 25 alignment arrangement; Fig. 5b is a detailed view of a second part of the alignment arrangement; 30 Fig. 5c is a view showing a view of the first and second part interfitted together to facilitate the plates in an edge to edge relation; 3607931_1 (GHMatters) P84944.AU I - 6 Fig. 6 is a detailed view of the third and fourth parts of the alignment arrangement; and Fig. 7 is a sectional view of two plates in a spaced edge 5 to edge relationship with a spacer cooperating with the third part of the alignment arrangement. Detailed description 10 In the following detailed description is made to the accompanying drawings which form part of the detailed description. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, depicted in the drawings and defined in the claims, are not intended to be limiting. Other 15 embodiments may be utilised and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged, 20 substituted, combined, separated and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated. A common problem associated with electrical fittings is 25 the limitation of size. This is generally because electrical fitting plates are made of a particular size. Hence the size of an electrical fitting is limited due to the size of the electrical plate used to form the electrical fitting. There is often no easy way of 30 adjusting the size of electrical fitting plate to allow it to incorporate additional electrical fittings or to increase the size of the electrical fitting plates to create a larger electrical fitting. 360793_1 (GHMatters) P84944.AU.1 - 7 Modular electrical fitting plates can be used as one solution to the problem of adjusting the size of an electrical fitting. In particular modular plate systems 5 can be used to create electrical fittings of various sizes by aligning multiple plates with each other or by affixing a plurality of plates together to create electrical fitting plates of varying sizes. 10 Figs 1 and 2 show a modular electrical plate system 1, comprising a plurality of electrical fitting plates 30 aligned in an edge to edge relationship in a first direction. Fig 2 shows the fitting plates 30 aligned along a second edge, in an edge to edge relationship in a 15 second direction. As illustrated in Fig. 3 the electrical plate 30 includes a plate body 31. The plate body 31 may be any suitable shape. Fig. 3 shows the plate body 31 having a rectangular 20 shape. Alternatively the plate may be a octagon, hexagon, square or any other suitable shape. The plate 30 includes a longitudinal axis A and a transverse axis B. The plate 30 comprises a plurality of peripheral edges forming a first and second set of opposite edges being longitudinal 25 edge set 32 and transverse edge set 33. The plate 30 further includes an aperture 34 positioned centrally within the plate 30, for receiving at least one socket fitting or electrical fitting. The plate 30 further includes at least one, but preferably a plurality, of 30 fixing apertures 35. The plate may be fitted onto the wall or the floor to by using a suitable fastener through the fixing apertures 35. 3607931_1 (GHMatters) P84944.AU.1 - 8 Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of the plate 30 being in the form of a grid. The grid shown in Fig. 4 still includes a body 31 and fixing apertures 35 as described earlier. The grid includes a plurality of apertures 40 5 preferably positioned substantially in the centre of the plate. Alternatively the apertures 40 can be positioned in any suitable arrangement such as a staggered pattern. The plate 30 may include any number of apertures 40 for receiving electrical fittings and socket fittings. The 10 apertures 40 are used to house individual plugs or other electrical fittings. The electrical fittings or sockets can be press-fitted, friction fitted or clipped into the plate (i.e. into the frame or grid). is The electrical fitting plate 30 in both forms shown in Figs 3 or 4 comprise an alignment arrangement 50 in the form of one or more sets of interfitting parts 51 and 52. The alignment arrangement may facilitate alignment of two plates in an edge to edge relationship with each other. 20 In one form, the alignment arrangement 50 of plate may comprise at least two but preferably up to eight or ten sets of interfitting parts 51, 52 positioned around the plate. 25 In an embodiment the plate 30 comprises opposite edges, being transverse edges 33 and the longitudinal edges 32. In one embodiment the alignment arrangement first and second parts (51, 52) are disposed along the longitudinal edges. In an alternate embodiment the first and second 30 parts (51, 52) are disposed on the transverse edges 33 of the plate 30. In one arrangement the first and second parts are on both the longitudinal and transverse edges. 360793_1 (GHMatters) P84944.AU I - 9 The first and second parts (51, 52) are complementary to each other so that the first part 51 of one plate is able to cooperate with the second part 52 of another plate to facilitate alignment. 5 Figs. 5a - 5c show the first part 51 and second part 52. In one embodiment the first part 51 is a protrusion or tang extending out of one of the edges of the plate. The second part 52 may be arranged such that it is 10 complementary to the first part 51. The second part 52 may be a recess, groove, slot or indent that can receive the first part 51 to facilitate alignment of the plates. The first 51 and second 52 parts may be arranged such that they fit together to affix the plates. In one form the 15 first and second parts 51, 52 may lock together, when engaged with each other. In another form the first and second parts 51, 52 are held together by a friction fit when the first and second parts 51, 52 are engaged or interfitted with one another. 20 In a further embodiment the plate may comprise an alignment arrangement 50 that includes only a first part 51 disposed along one of the sets of opposite edges of the plate and the second part is disposed on the other one of 25 the set of opposite edges. In one form, each edge includes both the first and second parts, but in alternate arrangement so that they align when one plate is aligned with another plate. 30 In a further embodiment the alignment arrangement 50 may be configured to facilitate alignment of two plates, and the respective plate edges in a spaced relation to one another. 3607931 _I (GHMatters) P84944.AU. I - 10 In this alternate embodiment two plates may be positioned in a spaced relationship to each other, while the alignment arrangement 50 of the plates aligns the edges of 5 the plates in at least one direction. In this alternate embodiment the first part 51 may be substantially elongate and extend outward from a first plate. The first part 51 being able to cooperate with a complementary second part 52 of a second plate 30. The first part 51 may be long 10 enough such that when it is received or fitted into the second part 52 of the second plate, the first and second parts align the two plates in a spaced relationship from one another. 15 Figs. 6 and 7 show a further embodiment of the alignment arrangement 60. This embodiment of the alignment arrangement 50 is arranged to align two plates in a spaced relationship from one another, while still aligning the plates in an edge to edge relationship with one another in 20 at least one direction. The alignment arrangement 60 may be disposed on a second set of opposite edges, wherein the alignment arrangement 50 is disposed on the first set of opposite edges. 25 Fig. 6 shows a detailed close up view of the alignment arrangement 60 which includes third and fourth parts (61, 62 respectively) disposed on respective ones of a set of opposite edges (in the illustrated form being the transverse edges 32). Fig. 7 shows the alignment 30 arrangement 60 on plate 30. In the illustrated form, the third and fourth parts (61, 62) are identical to each other. The third and forth parts are arranged to cooperate with a spacer 70 so as to align the plate with 3607931 I (GHMauers) P84944.AU.I - 11 another plate in a spaced edge to edge relationship. The third and fourth parts 61 of the alignment arrangement 60 may be a recess, notch, groove or slot. Alternatively the third and fourth parts 61 may include a longitudinal 5 section of the plate that is arranged to cooperate with a spacer 70 or a first part 51. In one form the spacer 70 may cooperate with the third part 61 of an alignment arrangement on a first plate and the fourth part 61 of an alignment arrangement on a second plate. 10 The spacer 70 comprises a body 71. The body 71 can be any suitable shape such as rectangular, square, oval or any other suitable shape. The body includes at least one or more alignment projections 72, 73 that extend from the 15 body 71. The alignment projections 72, 73 extend in opposite directions to each other. The alignment projections 72, 73 are suitably shaped to cooperate with the alignment arrangement, 60 of the plates. The spacer 70 also includes alignment extensions 74, 75. The 20 alignment extensions 74, 75 contact the plates when the spacer 70 cooperates with alignment arrangement on the plates. The extensions 74, 75 may be any suitable length and contact the plates on the opposite sides of the plate to where the projections 72, 73 contact the plate. The 25 alignment extensions 74, 75 are arranged to stabilise the plates as the spacer 70 cooperates with the plates 30 to align the plates in a spaced edge to edge relation. The spacer 70 can be made from any suitable material such as PVC, polyethene or any other suitably rigid material. The 30 spacer 70 is rigid so as to hold two plates 30 in a spaced edge to edge relation. 3607931_1 (GHMatters) P84944.AU-1 - 12 The electrical plate 30 can be manufactured from any suitable material and by any suitable process. In one form the electrical plate is made of plastic such as PVC, polyethene or any other suitable plastic that has s electrical and heat insulating properties. The electrical plates can be formed by processes such as moulding, vacuum forming, extruding, machining or casting. Any other suitable manufacturing process can be used to form the electrical plates 30. 10 A fascia (not illustrated) may be positioned over the electrical fitting plate 30 to cover the electrical fitting plate 30 for aesthetic and/or module retention purposes. The electrical fitting plate 30 is covered and 15 concealed by the fascia. A large fascia or multiple fascia can be used to cover the electrical fitting system that comprises a plurality of electrical fitting plates to conceal the electrical fitting plates and/or the spacer. 20 A plurality of electrical fitting plates 30 can be fitted together. A method of installing a plurality of plates comprises the steps of aligning at least two plates in an edge to edge relation in at least one direction, using parts of one an aligning arrangement on the plates. 25 The method can include the further steps of arranging the plates such that the plates are aligned in an edge to edge relation in two directions, wherein the two directions are perpendicular to each other and inter-fitting a first part 30 of an aligning arrangement on one plate with a second part of an aligning arrangement of the other plate. Once the first and second parts 51, 52 are interfitted with each other the two plates 30 are held in an edge to edge 3607931_1 (GHMatters) P84944.AU.1 - 13 relation, as shown in Fig. 1. The first and second parts 51, 52 may be interfitted and held together by a friction fit. The first part 51 can be removed from the second part 52 easily by pulling the plated apart. This is 5 advantageous because the plates can be easily aligned together and can also be easily disengaged from each other. In another embodiment the plates 30 may be aligned in a 10 spaced edge to edge relationship. In this arrangement the method of installing the plates includes fitting a plurality of plates together comprises the steps of aligning at least two plates in spaced edge to edge relation and positioning a spacer 70 in between the space 15 of the two plates. The alignment projections 72, 73 of the spacer are interfitted with the third part of the alignment arrangement, to allow the spacer to be positioned in between the two plates 30. The alignment projections 72, 73 may be friction fitted with third 20 and/or fourth parts 61 of the alignment arrangement 60. The spacer can be pushed in between the two plates 30, the spacer can be fitted with one plate first and then fitted with the second plate 30. The spacer 70 maintains the plates at a predetermined distance to one another. The 25 spacer may be any size and multiple different sized spacers can be used to create different sized spacing between the plates 30. The electrical plate described is a modular component that 30 can be used to form an electrical fitting system of any size by positioning multiple electrical plates 30 adjacent to each other such that they are aligned in an edge to edge relation in at least one or two directions. These 360793 1_1 (GHMUTrs) P84944.AU I - 14 modular electrical plates are useful in large scale operations where multiple switches are required. These fittings can be created by attaching plurality of electrical fitting plates in a suitable orientation to s create an electrical fitting system that can house electrical modules such as switches or plugs. The electrical fitting plate 30 is advantageous because a plurality of plates 30 can be quickly and easily assembled and if required disassembled. This is because the 10 electrical fitting plate has simple mechanisms for attaching a plurality of electrical fitting plates together, the attaching features such as first and second parts that interfit together, or the third part that cooperates with a spacer, are intuitive to use and make 15 fitting plurality of plates together very simple for a user. The plates can easily be disengaged from each other since the alignment arrangements do not involve complex locking features. The plates 30 can be easily aligned in an edge to edge relationship to create a variety of 20 different size and shapes and configurations. This is advantageous because the plates are modular and a user can easily fit together a plurality of plates to create an electrical fitting of desired size. 25 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" is used in an inclusive sense, 30 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. 3607931_1 (GJHMatters) P84944AU I

Claims (16)

1. An electrical fitting plate comprising: a plate body having a plurality of edges; and s an aligning arrangement configured to facilitate alignment in edge to edge relation of the plate with another said plate in at least one direction.

2. An electrical fitting plate according to claim 1, 10 wherein the aligning arrangement is configured to facilitate alignment in edge to edge relation of the plate with another plate in two directions.

3. An electrical fitting plate according to claim 2, 15 wherein the directions are substantially perpendicular to one another.

4. An electrical fitting plate according to any preceding claim, wherein the plate body includes a first 20 set of opposite edges and the aligning arrangement includes first and second parts disposed on respective ones of the edges of the first set of opposite edges, wherein the first and second parts are complementary so that the first part of one plate is able to cooperate with 25 the second part of another plate to facilitate alignment of the plates.

5. An electrical fitting plate according to any preceding claim, wherein the plate body includes a second 30 set of opposite edges and the aligning arrangement includes third and fourth parts disposed on respective one of the edges of the second set of opposite edges. 360793 1 (GHMatters) P84944.AU.I - 16

6. An electrical fitting plate according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the alignment arrangement parts comprise at least one interfitting projection and recess. 5

7. An electrical fitting plate according to any preceding claim, wherein the aligning arrangement is configured to facilitate alignment with the respective plate edges abutting one another. 10

8. An electrical fitting plate according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the aligning arrangement is configured to facilitate alignment with the respective plate edges in spaced relation from one another. 15

9. An electrical fitting plate assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a spacer, wherein the spacer is arranged to cooperate with the alignment arrangement so as to align the plate with another said plate in spaced edge to edge relation. 20

10. An electrical fitting plate assembly according to claim 9, wherein the spacer is arranged to locate between the aligned plates. 25

11. A method of installing a plurality of electrical fitting plates comprising: aligning at least two plates in an edge to edge relation in at least one direction, whereby parts of the respective plates are arranged to cooperate to facilitate the edge to 30 edge alignment.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the method further comprises aligning the plates in an edge to edge 3607931_1 (GHMatners) P84944.AU.I - 17 relation in two directions, the two directions being perpendicular to each other and parts of the respective plates are arranged to cooperate to facilitate the edge to edge alignment in the two directions. 5

13. The method according to any one of claims 11 or 12 wherein the method comprises the further step of inter fitting a first part on one plate with a second part of another plate. 10

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13 comprising the further step of aligning a plurality of plates in a spaced edge to edge relationship and locating a spacer in between the plates. 15

15. The method as per any one of claims 11 to 14 wherein the electrical fitting plate is the electrical fitting plate as per any one of claims 1 to 10. 20

16. An electrical fitting plate as herein described and with respect to any one of the drawings. 3607931_1 (GHMatters) P84944 AU I