AU2018253464B2

AU2018253464B2 - A suspension electrical socket assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2018253464B2
Application number: AU2018253464A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Yun Qi LU
Original assignee: Sparkelec Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Sparkelec Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-23
Filing date: 2018-10-23
Publication date: 2022-07-21
Anticipated expiration: 2038-10-23
Also published as: AU2022100138A4; AU2022100138B4; AU2018253464A1; NZ749091A; AU2023100063A4

Abstract

There is provided a suspension electrical socket assembly for connecting with an electrical appliance. The suspension electrical socket assembly comprises a support part including a first end and a second end; a tubular portion for receiving an electrical cable, the tubular portion extending through the first end of the support part; an electrical socket positioned at the second end of the support part for connecting with the electrical appliance; a connection terminal secured to the support part between the first end and the second end and electrically connected to the electrical socket, wherein the connection terminal is spaced from the tubular portion at a predetermined distance; and a lid, the lid being configured to connect with the support part to form a housing to cover the connection terminal, wherein if the lid is disconnected from the support part, the predetermined distance is not changed and is visible. 1/8 1000 1100 1111 1220 1210 111 1160 1401412 1113 1151 1310 1300 1200 1110 1160 1410 1400 1412 1113 1150 1120 1121 Fig.lA

Description

1/8

1000

1100 1111 1220 1210 111 1160

1401412 1113 1151

1310 1300

1200

1110

1160 1410

1400 1412

1113 1150

1120 1121

Fig.lA

A SUSPENSION ELECTRICAL SOCKET ASSEMBLY

Field of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to an electrical socket assembly and in particular, to one that is suspended in use or is a hanging socket.

[2] The invention has been developed primarily for use in a suspended arrangement with appliances such as domestic or industrial electrical appliances and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Background of the Invention

[3] Suspension electrical socket assemblies or hanging sockets allow for the convenient connection of electrical appliances at different heights. A suspension electrical socket assembly is normally installed at a free end of an electrical cable that suspends at a certain height for power supply. Further, a suspension line may be separately provided to hang the suspension electrical socket assembly such that the electrical cable is not unnecessarily loaded. This is particularly useful in some facilities for example, kitchens, laboratories, workshops.

[4] Such a suspension electrical socket assembly typically includes a connection terminal to receive the electrical cable for power supply and an electrical socket to receive prongs of an electrical plug of the electrical appliance. The electrical connection between the connection terminal and the electrical socket enables electricity to be supplied from the electrical cable to the electrical socket in order to power the electrical appliance.

[5] The electrical cable described in the present disclosure typically includes an outer insulation layer and multiple (for example, two or three) wires wrapped in the outer insulation layer. Each of the wires also includes an inner insulation layer and a bare conductive wire wrapped in the inner insulation layer.

[6] In order to connect the suspension electrical socket assembly to the free end of the electrical cable, an electrician (also referred to as worker or user) needs to strip a certain length of the electrical cable, particularly, the outer insulation layer, from its free end to expose the wires wrapped in outer insulation layer. The electrician also needs to further strip a certain amount of the wires, particularly, the inner insulation layer, to expose the conductive bare wires. The electrician then inserts the wires into the suspension electrical socket assembly to connect the conductive bare wires to the connection terminal of the suspension electrical socket assembly.

[7] The safety standards in Australia do not allow the wires without the outer insulation layer (even if the wires are wrapped in the inner insulation layers) to be exposed outside the suspension electrical socket assembly after the wires are connected to the connection terminal. However, the suspension electrical socket assemblies currently available in markets do not enable the electrician to know the maximal length that can be stripped of the outer insulation layer of the electrical cable. Therefore, the electrician needs to roughly estimate the length to be stripped. As a result, it is quite common that the outer insulation layer of the electrical cable is stripped excessively and the electrician has to try many times in order to strip the outer insulation layer of the electrical cable properly for compliance with the safety standards. This reduces productivity of the electrician and cause waste of the electrical cable.

[8] The present invention seeks to provide a suspension electrical socket assembly, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[9] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention

[10] In an embodiment, there is provided a suspension electrical socket assembly for connecting with an electrical appliance, comprising:

a support part including a first end and a second end;

a tubular portion for receiving an electrical cable, the tubular portion extending through the first end of the support part;

an electrical socket positioned at the second end of the support part for connecting with the electrical appliance;

a connection terminal secured to the support part between the first end and the second end and electrically connected to the electrical socket, wherein the connection terminal is spaced from the tubular portion at a predetermined distance, and a lid, the lid being configured to connect with the support part to form a housing to cover the connection terminal, wherein if the lid is disconnected from the support part, the predetermined distance is not changed and is visible, and is measurable by placing the electrical cable into the support part through the tubular portion so as to determine a length of the electrical cable to be stripped.

[11] Using the present invention, as the predetermined distance is not changed and is visible when the lid is disconnected from the support part, the electrician is able to determine the maximal length of the electrical able that is to be stripped by placing the electrical cable into the support part through the tubular portion and measuring the length between the tubular portion and the connection terminal. The length is substantially the maximal length the electrician can strip the electrical cable. This way, the electrician is able to avoid the situation where the electrical cable is stripped excessively when the electrical cable needs to be connected to the connection terminal. As a result, the electrician does not need to try multiple times to strip the electrical cable properly. Therefore, the productivity of the electrician may be improved and the waste of the electrical cable can be avoided.

[12] The tubular portion may comprise a threaded portion extending from the first end of the support part.

[13] The suspension electrical socket assembly may further comprise a cap, the cap having an aperture for receiving the electrical cable.

[14] The cap may include an internal threaded portion for engaging with the threaded portion of the tubular portion.

[15] Upon receiving the electrical cable, the tubular portion, upon engagement with the cap, may be configured to grip the electrical cable.

[16] The tubular portion may further comprise a plurality of tapered fingers extending longitudinally from the threaded portion of the tubular portion and arranged circumferentially to define a first opening of the tubular portion to receive the electrical cable.

[17] The cap may include a curved internal profile such that threaded engagement of the cap with the tubular portion forces the plurality of tapered fingers from a first position into a second position, wherein in the second position the first opening of the tubular portion has a smaller diameter than in the first position.

[18] The suspension electrical socket assembly may further comprise a rubber spacer located inside the tubular portion and adjacent to the plurality of tapered fingers to support the plurality of tapered fingers.

[19] The second end of the support part may comprise openings for receiving prongs of an electrical plug of the electrical appliance.

[20] The connection terminal may include a plurality of openings for receiving and securing wires that are internal to the housing.

[21] The connection terminal may further comprise a switch to control power supply to the electrical socket.

[22] The lid may comprise a loop with an opening for engagement with a suspension line.

[23] The lid may include a plurality of protrusions, each protrusion having a foot for engaging with the support part.

[24] The support part may include a plurality of apertures for engaging with the lid via feet of the plurality of protrusions on the lid, to releasably attach the lid to the support part to form the housing.

[25] The electrical socket assembly may further comprise an LED light.

Each of the support part and the lid may be injection-molded.

[26] 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 of said parts, elements or features, and 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.

[27] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[28] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[29] Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a suspension electrical socket assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the lid removed for illustration purposes;

[30] Fig. 1B is a perspective view of the assembled suspension electrical socket assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[31] Fig. 2 is a front view of the suspension electrical socket assembly of Fig 1A/1B;

[32] Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the suspension electrical socket assembly of Fig. 1A/1B;

[33] Fig. 4 is a side view of the sub assembly of the suspension electrical socket assembly without the lid shown in Fig. 1A1B;

[34] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the tubular portion of the suspension electrical socket assembly shown in Fig. 1A/1B;

[35] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the cap of the suspension electrical socket assembly shown in Fig. 1A/1B;

[36] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the tubular portion with cap attached of the suspension electrical socket assembly shown in Fig. 1A/1B;

[37] Fig. 8 is a top view of the tubular portion with cap attached shown in Fig. 7;

[38] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the lid of the suspension electrical socket assembly shown in Fig. 1A/1B; and

[39] Fig. 10 is an alternate perspective view of the assembled suspension electrical socket assembly of Fig. 1A/1B.

Description of Embodiments

[40] Figure. 1A illustrates an example suspension electrical socket assembly 1000 for connecting with an electrical appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

[41] As shown in Figure 1A, the suspension electrical socket assembly 1000 includes a support part 1100, a tubular portion 1200 for receiving an electrical cable for power supply, and an electrical socket 1300 for connecting with the electrical appliance. The suspension electrical socket assembly 1000 also includes a connection terminal 1400 secured to the support part 1100, and a lid 1600 (shown in Figure 1B and Figure 9).

[42] As illustrated in Figure 1A, the support part 1100 has a first end 1110 and a second end 1120. The tubular portion 1200 extends through the first end 1110 of the support part 1100. The electrical socket 1300 is positioned at the second end 1120 of the support part 1120 and is suitable for connecting with the electrical appliance, particularly, the prongs of the electrical plug of the electrical appliance. The connection terminal 1400 is secured to the support part 1100 and is located between thefirstend 1110 and the second end 1120 of thesupport part 1100. The connection terminal 1400 is spaced from the tubular portion 1200 by a predetermined distance. There are internal conductive wires 1150, 1151 electrically connecting the connection terminal 1400 with the electrical socket 1300.

[43] The lid 1600 and the support part 1100 are each configured to connect with each other in order to form a housing (see Figure 10). This housing is configured to cover the connection terminal 1400, the electrical socket 1300 and the internal conductive wires 1510, 1511 connected therebetween.

[44] As the tubular portion 1100 extends from the support part 1100 and the connection terminal 1400 are secured to the support part 1100, the predetermined distance between the connection terminal 1400 and the tubular portion 1200 is not changed if the lid 1600 is removed or disconnected from the support part 1100, for example, when the electrician removes the lid 1600 from the support part 1100 in order to connect the electrical cable with the connection terminal 1400. The suspension electrical socket assembly1000 is further configured such that when the lid 1600 is disconnected from the support part 1100, the predetermined distance or the space between the tubular portion 1200 and the connection terminal 1400 is visible to the electrician. Using the present embodiment, the electrician can strip the electrical cable after the maximal length of electrical cable that needs to be stripped is determined by the electrician. For example, the electrician determines a length by placing the electrical cable into the support part 1100 through the tubular portion 1200 and measuring the length between the tubular portion 1200 and the connection terminal 1400. The length is substantially the maximal length the electrician can strip the electrical cable (particularly, the outer insulation layer) to expose the wires. This way, the electrician is able to avoid the situation where the electrical cable is stripped excessively and the wires without the outer insulation layer are exposed outside the suspension electrical socket assembly 1000 when the electrical cable is connected to the connection terminal 1400. As a result, the electrician does not need to try multiple times to strip the outer insulation layer properly. Therefore the productivity of the electrician may be improved and the waste of the electrical cable can be avoided.

[45] In the illustrated embodiment, the support part 1100 is substantially shaped as a shell of a rectangular prism. The support part 1100 has a thickness of approximately 3 mm extending substantially throughout the support part 1100. The support part 1100 is also substantially elongate.

[46] The support part 1100 comprises a top wall 1111 at the first end 1110 of the support part 1100. The top wall 1111 includes a front edge facing the lid 1600, a back edge opposite to the front edge, and two side edges. There is an opening extending through the top wall 1111 of the support part 1100 for receiving the electrical cable.

[47] The support part 1100 has two elongate side walls 1113 extending from side edges of the top wall 1111 towards the second end 1120 of the support part 1100. The support part 1100 also has an elongate front wall 1112 (as shown in Figures 1B and 2) extending from the front edge towards the second end 1120 of the support part 1100.

[48] The support part 1100 also includes an electrical switch (not shown in Figure 1A). The front wall 1112 of the support part 1100 (see Figure 2) also has an embedded tab 1130 for manually activating the electrical switch (not shown).

[49] As shown in Figure 1B, the elongate front wall 1112 also has two flanges 1140 extending from the two edges of the front wall 1112. The two flanges 1140 are configured to prop up the support part 1100 such that all components of the suspension electrical socket assembly 1000 are level and the support part 1100 is stable when placed horizontally on a flat surface. This makes it easier for the user to assemble and/or troubleshoot the suspension electrical socket assembly 1000.

[50] As shown in Figure 1B, the electrical socket 1300 includes an electrical socket structure 1121 and an electrical connector 1310. The electrical socket structure 1121 has an outer face with several openings (for example, three openings in Figure 1A) configured to receive the prongs of the electrical plug of the electrical appliance. The electrical connector 1310 is electrically contiguous with the electrical socket structure 1121 such that when the electrical plug of the electrical appliance is plugged into the electrical socket structure 1121, the electrical appliance can be powered. The top wall 1111, the elongate front wall 1112, the two side walls 1113 and the electrical socket structure 1121 define the boundaries of a cavity of the support part 1100.

[51] The connection terminal 1400 is located between the first end 1110 and the second end 1120 of the support part 1100 and is attached to the front wall 1112 within the cavity of the support part 1100. For example, the connection terminal 1400 can be glued to the support part 1100 adjacent to the location of the embedded tab 1130. The connection terminal 1400 is also electrically connected to the electrical switch (not shown).

[52] The connection terminal 1400 has at least two openings 1410 for receiving each of an active and a neutral wire of the electrical cable and another two openings 1412 for receiving the internal conductive wires 1150, 1151 in order to electrically connecting the connection terminal 1400 with the electrical socket 1300 via the internal conductive wires 1150, 1151.

[53] As shown in Figure 1B, the suspension electrical socket assembly 1000 further comprises an LED light 1700 embedded in the front wall 1112 of the support part 1100. The LED light 1700 is connected to an active and a neutral wire. The active wire of the LED light 1700 is connected in the same opening of the connection terminal 1400 as the active wire of the electrical connector 1310. The neutral wire of the LED light 1700 is connected in the same opening of the connection terminal 1400 as the neutral wire of the electrical connector 1310.

[54] The electrical switch (not shown) is activated or deactivated by the embedded tab 1130 shown in Figure 1B to control power supply to the electrical socket 1300. Therefore, when the electrical plug of the electrical appliance is connected to the electrical socket 1300, the electrical switch (not shown) controls whether power is supplied to the electrical appliance connected to the electrical socket 1300 of the suspension electrical socket assembly 1000. As shown in Figure 1A, as the LED light 1700 is connected to the same electrical points as the electrical socket 1300, the lit state of the LED light 1700 indicates whether the electrical socket 1300 is powered.

[55] As illustrated in Figure 1A, a second tubular portion 1114 extends from the top wall 1111 of the support part 1100 into the cavity of the support part 1100. The tubular portion 1200 is located concentrically with the second tubular portion 1114 of the support part 1100.

[56] As mentioned above, when the lid 1600 is connected with the support part 1100, the housing is formed to cover the connection terminal 1400. The support part 1100 and the lid 1600 are together configured such that when the lid 1600 is disconnected, the connection terminal 1400 is visible. When the lid 1600 is removed, the end of the second tubular portion 1114 and the cavity of the support part 1100 are exposed and visible. Advantageously, the associated visibility and accessibility allows the electrician to measure the maximal amount of electrical cable that is required to be stripped when connecting the wires in the electrical cable to the connection terminal 1400 of the suspension electrical socket assembly 1000.

[57] As can be seen in Figure 1A, the distances between the top wall 1111 and each of the respective two openings 1410 of the connection terminal 1400 are visible and readily measureable. Similarly, the distances between an end face of the second tubular portion 1114 and each of the two openings 1410 of the connection terminal 1400 are visible and readily measureable. These distances can be designed for accessibility during instalment of the suspension electrical socket assembly 1000 such that the user can comfortably access and manipulate the electrical cable.

[58] Additionally, there are two flanges 1140 extending from the two edges of the front wall 1112 to prop up the support part 1100. Thus, the support part 1100 can be laid flush with the surface of a table, front face down, such that the user can access the cavity to assemble the suspension electrical socket assembly 1000.

[59] As illustrated in Figure 5, the tubular portion 1200 has a threaded portion 1210 extending from the top wall 1111 at the first end 1110 of the support part 1100. The tubular portion1200 is in longitudinal alignment with the support part 1100. The tubular portion 1200 has a central longitudinal axis and is substantially cylindrical in shape.

[60] The tubular portion 1200 also has a plurality of tapered fingers 1220. Each finger 1220 extends longitudinally from the threaded portion 1210 of the tubular portion 1200 to a free end of the tapered finger 1220. Each finger 1220 tapers towards the central longitudinal axis of the tubular portion 1200, along its length. Hence, each free end of the tapered finger 1220 is closer to the central longitudinal axis than its non-free end. As illustrated in Figure 5, in the first position, the free ends of the plurality of tapered fingers 1220 are arranged circumferentially to define an opening 1230 of the tubular portion 1200. This opening 1230 is configured to receive the electrical cable.

[61] In the present embodiment, the diameter of the opening 1230 when the tapered fingers 1220 are in the first position is approximately 1 cm. However, it can be envisaged that the diameter of the opening when the tapered fingers 1220 are in the first position can be greater than 1 cm or, less than 1 cm but greater than the diameter of the electrical cable. The tubular portion 1200 is preferably made of resiliently flexible plastic.

[62] The suspension electrical socket assembly 1000 additionally comprises a rubber spacer (not shown) that is located concentrically inside the tubular portion 1200 adjacent to the plurality of tapered fingers 1220. Advantageously, the rubber spacer (not shown) resiliently supports the plurality of tapered fingers 1220 as the fingers move from the first position into a second position.

[63] Further, the rubber spacer has a contact surface. The contact surface of the rubber spacer has a relatively high co-efficient of friction and therefore, enhances the grip between the tubular portion 1200 and the insulated part of the electrical cable. However, it is envisaged that the rubber spacer can be omitted in other embodiments.

[64] As shown in Figure 6, the suspension electrical socket assembly 1000 further comprises a cap 1500 for engaging with the tubular portion 1200. The cap 1500 comprises a substantially semi-spherical shell head 1510 adjacent to a substantially cylindrical cap portion 1520. The semi-spherical shell head 1510 has a curved internal profile. The substantially cylindrical cap portion 1520 has an internal threaded portion configured to engage with the threaded portion 1210 of the tubular portion 1200.

[65] Upon gradual engagement of the internal threaded portion of the cylindrical cap portion 1520 of the cap 1500 with the threaded portion 1210 of the tubular portion 1200, the curved internal profile of the semi-spherical shell head 1510 is configured to force the plurality of tapered fingers 1220 to gradually move from the first position to the second position. The cap 1500 has an aperture 1530 extending through the thickness of the semi-spherical shell head 1510 for receiving the electrical cable. As the plurality of tapered fingers 1220 move from the first position into the second position, the diameter of the opening 1230 of the tubular portion 1200 reduces from the initial diameter to a smaller second diameter. Figure 5 shows the tubular portion 1200 when the plurality of tapered fingers 1220 are in the first position. Figures 7 and 8 show the cap 1500 secured onto the tubular portion 1200 and the plurality of tapered fingers 1220 in the second position.

[66] As the fingers 1220 are forced inwards, the rubber spacer (not shown), resiliently supporting the fingers 1220, is also forced to have a smaller diameter. The diameter of the opening 1230 when the fingers 1220 are in the second position is slightly smaller than the diameter of the cable to grip the electrical cable.

[67] The tubular portion 1200, upon threaded engagement with the cap 1500, is configured to grip the electrical cable after receiving the electrical cable through the cap 1500 and the tubular portion 1200. Advantageously, gripping the electrical cable where it is insulated will prevent the wires in the cavity of the support part 1100 from being exposed external to the housing if they come loose from the connection terminal 1400.

[68] As illustrated in Figure 9, the lid 1600 has a first end 1610 extending to a second end 1620. The lid 1600 comprises a loop 1630 at the first end 1610 of the lid 1600. The loop 1630 includes an opening 1650 for engagement with a suspension line. The opening 1650 of the loop 1630 and the loop 1630 are substantially triangular in shape. However, it is envisaged that in other embodiments the loop 1630 and/or the opening 1650 of the loop 1630 may be differently shaped.

[69] As illustrated in Figure 9, the second end 1620 of the lid 1600 comprises a lower edge 1621 of the lid 1600. The second end 1620 of the lid 1600 has a plurality of protrusions 1622 extending from the lower edge 1621. Each protrusion 1622 has a foot 1623 for engaging with the support part 1100 via corresponding apertures 1122 through the support part 1100.

[70] As illustrated in Figure 3, the support part 1100 has a plurality of apertures 1122 at the second end 1120 of the support part 1100 for engaging with the lid 1600 via feet 1623 of the plurality of protrusions 1622 on the lid 1600, to releasably attach the lid 1600 to the support part 1100 to form the housing.

[71] Both the lid 1600 and the support part 1100 can be injection-molded. In this way, large volumes of complex parts can be produced in a cost-effective manner.

[72] In the suspension electrical socket 1000, the connection terminal 1400 is secured in between the first end 1110 and the second end 1120 of the support part 1100. The connection terminal 1400 is connected to the electric switch (not shown) and in turn, to the embedded tab 1130 on the back side of the front wall 1112 of the support part 1100. The internal conductive wires 1150, 1151 are each connected between the electrical connector 1310 of the electrical socket 1300 and the connection terminal 1400. The respective wires of the LED 1700 are also connected to the connection terminal 1400, particularly, the openings 1412.

[73] In order for the electrician to connect the free end of the electrical cable to the connection terminal 1400 of the suspension electrical socket assembly 1000, the electrician removes the lid 1600 from the support part 1100. Further, if necessary, the electrician also rotates the cap 1500 to release the tapered fingers1220 from the second position to the first position where the diameter of the opening 1230 formed by the tampered fingers 1220 is slightly greater than the diameter of the electrical cable. This way, the electrician is able to insert the electrical cable into the cavity of the support part 1100 through the cap 1500, the tubular portion 1200 the second tubular portion 1114. When the free end of the electrical cable reaches the connection terminal 1400, the electrician can measure a length of the electrical cable to be stripped from the free end of the electrical cable and optionally, mark the electrical cable. The electrician then pulls the free end of the electrical cable out of the support part 1100 and strips the length of the electrical cable (i.e., the outer insulation layer) from the free end to expose the wires wrapped in the electrical cable. The electrician also strips the wires to expose a certain amount of the conductive bare wires. The length of the conductive bare wires is suitable for the conductive bare wires to be connected to the openings 1410 of the connection terminal 1400. The electrician then inserts the wires of the electrical cable into the cavity of the support part 1100 through the cap 1500, the tubular portion 1200 the second tubular portion 1114 and connects the bare wires to the openings 1410 of the connection terminals 1400.

[74] After the electrical cable (particularly, the conductive bare wires) is connected to the connection terminal 1400, the electrician can then rotates the cap 1500 to push the tapered fingers 1220 from the first position to the second position to grip an insulated section of electrical cable above the stripped portion of the electrical cable.

[75] The electrician further connects the lid 1600 to the support part 1100 to form the housing covering the cavity of the support part 1100 by fitting the protrusions 1622 (particularly, the feet 1623) of the lid 1600 into the corresponding apertures 1122 ofthe support part1100.

[76] The lid 1600 is then secured to the support part 1100 with screws resulting in the assembled electrical socket assembly 1000 shown in Figure 10. The lid 1600 comprises screw holes 1620 for receiving the screws. The support part 1110 comprises threaded holes 1160 (as shown in Figure 1) to receive and secure the bodies of the screws.

[77] A suspension line which is used to suspend the suspension electrical socket assembly 1000 is then attached to the loop 1630 in the lid 1600 and the suspension electrical socket assembly 1000 is rendered suspendable.

Interpretation

Embodiments:

[78] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[79] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[80] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

[81] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details

[82] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

[83] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[84] For the purposes of this specification, the term "plastic" shall be construed to mean a general term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic polymerization products, and generally consisting of a hydrocarbon-based polymer.

[85] As used herein the term "and/or' means "and" or "or", or both.

[86] As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

Comprising and Including

[87] 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" are used in an inclusive sense, 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.

[88] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

[89] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[90] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Industrial Applicability

[91] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the electrical industries.

Claims

Claims The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A suspension electrical socket assembly for connecting with an electrical appliance, comprising:

a support part including a first end and a second end;

a connection terminal secured to the support part between the first end and the second end and electrically connected to the electrical socket, wherein the connection terminal is spaced from the tubular portion at a predetermined distance, and

a lid, the lid being configured to connect with the support part to form a housing to cover the connection terminal,

wherein if the lid is disconnected from the support part, the predetermined distance is not changed and is visible, and is measurable by placing the electrical cable into the support part through the tubular portion so as to determine a length of the electrical cable to be stripped.

2. The suspension electrical socket assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubular portion comprises a threaded portion extending from the first end of the support part.

3. The suspension electrical socket assembly of claim 2, further comprising a cap, the cap having an aperture for receiving the electrical cable.

4. The suspension electrical socket assembly of claim 3, wherein the cap has an internal threaded portion for engaging with the threaded portion of the tubular portion.

5. The suspension electrical socket assembly of claim 4, wherein upon receiving the electrical cable, the tubular portion, upon engagement with the cap, is configured to grip the electrical cable.

6. The suspension electrical socket assembly of claim 5, wherein the tubular portion further comprises a plurality of tapered fingers extending longitudinally from the threaded portion of the tubular portion and arranged circumferentially to define a first opening of the tubular portion to receive the electrical cable.

7. The suspension electrical socket assembly of claim 6, wherein the cap has a curved internal profile such that threaded engagement of the cap with the tubular portion forces the plurality of tapered fingers from a first position into a second position, wherein in the second position the first opening of the tubular portion has a smaller diameter than in the first position.

8. The suspension electrical socket assembly of claim 6, further comprising a rubber spacer located inside the tubular portion and adjacent to the plurality of tapered fingers to support the plurality of tapered fingers.

9. The suspension electrical socket assembly of claim 1, wherein the second end of the support part comprises openings for receiving prongs of an electrical plug of the electrical appliance.

10. The suspension electrical socket assembly of claim 1, wherein the connection terminal has a plurality of openings for receiving and securing wires that are internal to the housing.

11. The suspension electrical socket assembly of claim 1, wherein the connection terminal further comprises a switch to control power supply to the electrical socket.

12. The suspension electrical socket assembly of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a loop with an opening for engagement with a suspension line.

13. The suspension electrical socket assembly of claim 1, wherein the lid has a plurality of protrusions, each protrusion having a foot for engaging with the support part.

14. The suspension electrical socket assembly of claim 13, wherein the support part has a plurality of apertures for engaging with the lid via feet of the plurality of protrusions on the lid, to releasably attach the lid to the support part to form the housing.

15. The suspension electrical socket assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical socket assembly further comprises an LED light.

16. The suspension electrical socket assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the support part and the lid are injection-molded.