CN105720412B

CN105720412B - Connection system and method for power outlets

Info

Publication number: CN105720412B
Application number: CN201510974787.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: G·德曼; M·路透
Original assignee: Schneider Electric Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Schneider Electric Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-12-22
Filing date: 2015-12-22
Publication date: 2020-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-22
Also published as: CN105720412A; CN105720700A; HK1220813A1; CN105720796A; HK1221337A1; HK1220816A1; CN105720796B; CN111384622A; CN111384622B; ZA201509303B; ZA201509299B

Abstract

Connection systems and methods for power outlets are provided. A base unit for connecting an electrical device or component to a network or mountable switch or outlet system is disclosed. The system provides for connecting an electrical device to a network or base unit through a sliding connector in use, engaging a non-deflectable retaining surface of the electrical device or component. The retaining surface may be integral with the recess or projection. The system provides for faster or more convenient connection and disconnection of electrical devices. Also disclosed are various embodiments of a sliding connector that can connect or disconnect multiple devices or components with a single sliding motion by a user.

Description

Connection system and method for power outlets

Cross Reference to Related Applications

In the present application reference is made to the following publications:

PCT/AU12014/000545, entitled "Electrical Connector, System and Method"

PCT/AU12014/000544 entitled "Batten Holder, Connector, System and Method"

PCT/AU12011/001675 entitled "Touch Switch"

PCT/AU2013/001274 entitled "General Power Outlet and Remote SwitchModule"

PCT application PCT/AU2011/001532 entitled "USB Electrical Outlet" published as WO2012/068635

Australian provisional patent application 2014905210 entitled "Electrical System, Apparatus and Method

Australian provisional patent application 2014905211 entitled "Inductive Power Transfer In an electric Outlet

Australian provisional patent application 2014905209 entitled "Switch Assembly, System and Method

Australian provisional patent application 2014905213 entitled Push Button Switch Assembly

Australian provisional patent application 2014905203 entitled "Switch Assembly with Rotatable operating Part

The entire contents of each of these documents is incorporated herein by reference.

Priority

This application claims priority from:

australian provisional patent application having application number 2014905210 entitled "Electrical System, Apparatus and Method

Australian provisional patent application No. 2014905212 entitled "Inductive Power Transfer In an electric Circuit Outlet

Australian provisional patent application No. 2014905211 entitled "Connection System and Method for Electrical Outlets

Australian provisional patent application having application number 2014905209, entitled "Switch Assembly, System and Method

Australian provisional patent application having application number 2014905213, entitled Push Button Switch Assembly

Australian provisional patent application No. 2014905203 entitled "Switch Assembly with Rotatable operating part

Chinese patent application with application number of 201410795485.8 and entitled Hybrid Switch Mechanism

Chinese patent application No. 201410795482.4 entitled "Switch Assembly With Rotatableoperational Part

Chinese patent application No. 201410795430.7 entitled Push-Button Switch Assembly and operating Part

Technical Field

The present application relates to electrical outlets and switch panels, and to electrical and/or mechanical assemblies connected to electrical outlets and switch panels.

Background

A typical power outlet or switch panel typically includes a grid for mounting to a surface, such as a wall, and a panel connected to the grid. The grid and the panel typically have at least one aperture behind which an assembly containing electrical and/or mechanical components can be fitted to allow access to the electrical and/or mechanical components through the aperture. An example of such an electrical and/or mechanical element is a switch.

Typical attachment means are used to attach the component to the grid via one or more deflectable clips or protrusions provided on one or more faces of the component, which are received in corresponding recesses of the assembly area of the grid. To make the connection, the assembler must align one or more protrusions of the assembly with corresponding one or more recesses of the mounting area and apply a force to the assembly to allow the protrusions to deflect or deform and then release into the corresponding recesses, thereby retaining the module in the mounting area.

One example of such a component is a switch mechanism, or switch mechanism, that houses a switch that is actuated by a user. Fig. 1 shows an example of such a switching mechanism.

In this figure, the switch mechanism 10 comprises a housing 11 having 4 faces. On the front side of the housing is an interface 12, which in this case is a toggle button of a switch. The interface 12 controls the internal components housed within the housing 11 of the switch mechanism 10.

On the front side of the switch mechanism is a series of deflectable tabs or clips 13 surrounding a toggle button 12. Fig. 2 shows a close-up view of deflectable tab or clip 13, showing front angled face 13a and back face 13 b. The space under the deflectable tab or clamp 13 allows the deflectable tab or clamp 13 to deflect in response to an applied external pressure as described below. By removing the external pressure, the deflectable tabs or clips return to their undeflected state due to the elasticity of the material from which they are made.

Fig. 3 shows an example of a mounting area 20, which may be placed on a switch panel 30 (see fig. 5) or an electrical outlet 40 (see fig. 6) or be part of a switch panel 30 (see fig. 5) or an electrical outlet 40 (see fig. 6). The mounting region 10 in such a device has a recess 22 for receiving the deflectable tab or clip 13.

The switch mechanism 10 is inserted into the mounting area 20 by means of the toggle button 12 protruding or entering through the hole 21 to connect the switch mechanism 10 to the mounting area 20. This places the inclined front face 13a of the deflectable tab or clip 13 in contact with the inclined face 22a of the recess 22, as shown in fig. 4. The force is then applied by the assembler by depressing the switch mechanism 10. This force causes the inclined front face 13a to deflect inwardly as it slides over the inclined face 22a until it passes the vertical face 22b, and then as the inward pressure from the vertical face 22b disappears, the deflectable tab or clip 13 returns to its undeflected state and is retained in the recess 22 by the rear face 13b engaging the horizontal face 22c, thereby retaining the switch mechanism 10 in the mounting region 20.

Fig. 5 shows the switch mechanism 10 thus connected to the switch panel 30, and fig. 6 shows the switch mechanism 40 connected to the power outlet 40. In this figure, it can be seen that the toggle button 12 is raised from the aperture 21.

Once assembled, it is necessary to individually extrude each tab or clip from the corresponding recess 22 and pull out the switch mechanism 10 if it is desired to remove or replace the switch mechanism 10. This can be difficult and time consuming and may also require a separate tool.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect, there is provided a housing for accommodating at least a portion of one component for connection to a mounting area of an electrical outlet or switch panel, the housing comprising: at least one wall; and at least one non-deflectable retaining surface on at least a portion of the at least one wall for engagement with the sliding connector.

According to a second aspect, there is provided an assembly comprising: the housing according to the first aspect; an assembly component at least partially housed in the housing; and an assembly interface for controlling at least one assembly component.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a system comprising: a power outlet or switch panel comprising a mounting area; and an assembly connected to the mounting area, the assembly comprising:

at least one wall;

at least one retaining surface on at least a portion of at least one wall;

a component interface disposed at one end of the component; and

an assembly component at least partially housed in the housing and controlled by the assembly interface; wherein

The component is attached to the mounting area by a sliding connector engaging the at least one retaining surface, thereby retaining the component in the mounting area.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided an electrical outlet or switch panel comprising a mounting region for receiving a component, the mounting region comprising at least one aperture or channel for receiving a sliding connector which engages with a retaining surface of the component, thereby retaining the component in the mounting region.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a method of connecting a component to an electrical outlet or switch panel, the method comprising:

the assembly is placed on a mounting area of the power receptacle or switch panel and the sliding connector is slid through a portion of the mounting area to engage the retention surface of the assembly, thereby retaining the assembly on the power receptacle or switch panel.

According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a method of disconnecting an assembly connected to an electrical outlet or switch panel, the method comprising sliding a sliding connector within the electrical outlet or switch panel to disengage from a retaining surface of the assembly; and removing the assembly from the power outlet or switch panel.

According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a method of connecting a plurality of components to a power outlet or switch panel, the method comprising placing the plurality of components on respective mounting areas of the power outlet or switch panel and sliding a sliding connector through a portion of the respective mounting areas to engage a retaining surface of a first one of the plurality of components and a retaining surface of a second one of the plurality of components to thereby retain the plurality of components on the power outlet or switch panel.

According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a method of disconnecting a plurality of components from an electrical outlet or a switch panel, the method comprising: the sliding connector is slid in the power outlet or the switch panel to disengage the retaining surface of the first one of the plurality of components and the retaining surface of the second one of the plurality of components, and then the plurality of components are removed from the power outlet or the switch panel.

According to a ninth aspect, there is provided an interface between an electrical outlet and a mounting region and a component, the interface comprising an aperture or channel in the mounting region having a sliding connector therein which engages a retaining surface of the component, thereby retaining the component in the mounting region.

According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a sliding connector comprising a tab (tab) and at least two legs extending generally perpendicularly from the tab.

Drawings

Embodiments of the various aspects will be described in detail herein with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1-shows a prior art assembly as a switching mechanism;

FIG. 2-shows a deflectable tab or clip of the switching mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3-shows a prior art power outlet or switch panel assembly area;

FIG. 4-shows a cross-sectional view of the recess of the assembly area of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5-shows the switch mechanism of FIG. 1 connected to a switch panel;

FIG. 6-shows an electrical outlet connected to the switching mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7A-shows one embodiment of a housing according to one aspect having a wall and a protrusion providing a retaining surface on a portion of the wall;

FIG. 7B-shows the housing of FIG. 7A with a retaining surface disposed along the entire wall;

FIG. 8A-shows another embodiment of the housing of FIG. 7A in which the retention surface is provided by a depression around the entire wall;

FIG. 8B-shows another embodiment of the housing of FIG. 8A in which the retention surface is provided by a recess extending along a portion of the wall;

FIG. 9A-shows another embodiment of a housing having three walls with a retention surface provided by a projection along a portion of at least one wall;

FIG. 9B-shows another embodiment of a housing having three walls with retention surfaces provided by projections along the entire length of all three walls;

FIG. 10A-shows another embodiment of a housing having three walls with retention surfaces provided by depressions along the entire length of all three walls;

FIG. 10B-shows another embodiment of a housing having three walls with a retention surface provided by a depression along a portion of at least one wall;

FIG. 11A-shows another embodiment of a housing having four walls with retention surfaces provided by a projection along a portion of at least one wall;

FIG. 11B-shows another embodiment of a housing having four walls with retention surfaces provided by projections along the entire length of all four walls;

FIG. 11C-shows another embodiment of a housing having four walls with retention surfaces provided by projections along the entire length of both walls;

FIG. 12A-shows another embodiment of a housing having four walls with retention surfaces provided by depressions along the entire length of all four walls;

FIG. 12B-shows another embodiment of a housing having four walls with a retention surface provided by a depression along a portion of at least one wall;

FIG. 12C-shows another embodiment of a housing having four walls with retention surfaces provided by depressions along two walls;

FIG. 13A-shows another embodiment of a housing having one wall and a retaining surface provided by two protrusions on two layers on the same side;

FIG. 13B-shows another embodiment of a housing having one face and a retention surface provided by two depressions on two layers on different sides;

FIG. 14A-shows another embodiment of a housing having four walls with retention surfaces provided by depressions along two walls of different layers;

FIG. 14B-shows another embodiment of a housing having four walls with retention surfaces provided by protrusions along two walls of different layers;

FIG. 15-shows another embodiment of a housing with four walls having retention surfaces provided by protrusions and depressions or combinations on four different layers;

FIG. 16A-shows one embodiment of an assembly of a switching mechanism having a retaining surface provided by a recess;

FIG. 16B-shows one embodiment of an assembly of a switch mechanism having a retention surface provided by a protrusion;

FIG. 17-shows one embodiment of the assembly area;

FIG. 18-shows one embodiment of a sliding connector;

FIG. 19-shows one embodiment of an assembly connected to a mounting area by a sliding connector;

FIG. 20A-shows a side cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 19, wherein the retention surface is provided by a depression;

FIG. 20B-shows a side cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 19, wherein the retention surface is provided by a protrusion;

FIG. 21A-shows one embodiment of a sliding connector slid directly into a component having a recess;

FIG. 21B-shows one embodiment of a sliding connector sliding directly into an assembly having projections;

FIG. 21C-shows a top view of one embodiment of the sliding connector slid into the component with the recess from the side;

FIG. 21D-shows a side view of the device of FIG. 21C;

FIG. 22-shows one embodiment of a mounting region or regions with individual channels;

FIG. 23-shows the assembly area of FIG. 22 to which the components are attached by two sliding connectors;

FIG. 24-shows another embodiment of the sliding connector with an expanded portion;

FIG. 25-shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 23 with two components;

FIG. 26-shows a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 25 in a plane parallel to the plane of the mounting area, showing the connection of the assembly with the sliding connector;

FIG. 27-shows a close-up view of the interface between the assembly area and the component;

FIG. 28-shows the embodiment of the device of FIG. 23 with six components;

FIG. 29-shows a close-up view of the interface between the component and the assembly area;

FIG. 30-shows the action of the extension on the sliding connector with the retention surface of the component effectively connecting and disconnecting the component from the mating area;

FIG. 31-shows another embodiment of a power outlet or switch panel having a mounting area;

FIG. 32-shows another embodiment of the assembly;

FIG. 33-shows another embodiment of a sliding connector for use with the assembly area of FIG. 31;

FIG. 34-shows the assembly of FIG. 32 attached to the assembly area of FIG. 31 using the sliding connector of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35-shows a front view of the device of FIG. 34 when the assembly is a switch mechanism to form a switch mechanism;

FIG. 36-shows another application of the sliding connector of FIG. 33;

figure 37-shows a further application of the sliding connector of figure 33;

FIG. 38-shows another embodiment of the sliding connector of FIG. 33 with four legs;

FIG. 39-shows the application of the sliding connector of FIG. 38 to a grid;

FIG. 40-shows another embodiment of the sliding connector of FIG. 33 with four legs of different lengths;

FIG. 41-shows the use of the sliding connector of FIG. 40 and the sliding connector of FIG. 33 to a grid;

FIG. 42-shows another application of the sliding connector of FIG. 38;

FIG. 43-shows another embodiment of a sliding connector with five legs and its application to a grid;

FIG. 44-shows a front view of an electrical outlet having two power jacks, two switches and a USB port;

FIG. 45A-shows one embodiment of a component that is a toggle button (dolly) switch mechanism;

FIG. 45B-shows one embodiment of a component that is a tactile switch mechanism;

FIG. 45C-shows one embodiment of a component that is a USB charger;

FIG. 45D-shows another embodiment of a component that is a USB charger;

FIG. 45E-shows one embodiment of a component that is a USB charger;

FIG. 45F-shows one embodiment of the assembly as a data port connector;

FIG. 45G-shows one embodiment of an assembly as a coaxial connector;

FIG. 45H-shows one embodiment of a component that is an audio banana mechanism;

FIG. 45I-shows one embodiment of a component that is an HDMI connector;

FIG. 45J-shows one embodiment of an assembly as a type F signal connector;

FIG. 45K-shows one embodiment of an assembly as a Cat (Cat)5 telephone connector;

FIG. 45L-shows one embodiment of a component that is a fan controller;

FIG. 45M-shows another embodiment of a component that is a USB charger;

FIG. 46-is a flow chart showing one method of attaching the assembly to the assembly area;

FIG. 47-is a flow chart showing one method of attaching a plurality of components to an assembly area;

FIG. 48-is a flow chart showing one method of disconnecting a component from an assembly area; and

FIG. 49-is a flow chart showing one method of disconnecting a plurality of components from an assembly area;

FIG. 50A-shows a top perspective view of another embodiment of a mounting region;

FIG. 50B-shows a perspective view of the underside of the assembly area of FIG. 50A;

figure 50C-shows a side view with a mounting area for holding a connector.

Detailed Description

According to a first aspect described herein, there is provided a housing for receiving at least a portion of a component connected to a mounting area of an electrical outlet or switch panel. Fig. 7A shows an example of the housing 110. In this regard, the housing 110 includes at least one wall 111, and at least one non-deflectable retaining surface 120 on at least a portion of the at least one wall 111 for engagement with a sliding connector, as will be described in greater detail below.

The housing 110 in use houses the assembly components to form the assembly 100, as will be described in more detail below.

In one embodiment, the housing 110 is provided by a cylindrical structure having a single wall 111. Extending from wall 111 is a projection 122 that provides a retention surface 120 for engagement with a sliding connector, as will be described in more detail below. In this embodiment, a retaining surface 120 is provided on a portion of the wall 111.

Fig. 7B shows another embodiment of the housing 110 in which the retaining surface 120 is provided by a protrusion 122 and extends along the entire wall 111.

Fig. 8B shows another embodiment in which the retaining surface 120 is provided by a recess 123 in the wall 111 of the housing 110. In the embodiment of fig. 8A, a retaining surface is provided around the entire wall 111. Fig. 8B shows another embodiment in which the retaining surface 120 provided by the recess 123 is provided only along a portion of the wall 111.

Fig. 9A shows another embodiment of a housing 110 having three walls, wherein the retention surface 120 is provided by a protrusion 122 on the wall 111 of the housing 110. In the embodiment of fig. 9A, the retaining surface is provided along only a portion of the wall 111. Fig. 9B shows another embodiment in which the retention surface 120 provided by the protrusion 122 is only along the entire length of all three walls 111.

Fig. 10A shows another embodiment in which the retaining surface 120 is provided by a recess 123 in the wall 111 of the housing 110. In the embodiment of fig. 10A, the retaining surface is provided around all three walls 111. Fig. 10B shows another embodiment in which the retaining surface 120 provided by the recess 123 is provided along only a portion of one of the walls 111.

Fig. 11A shows another embodiment of a housing 110 having four walls, wherein the retention surface 120 is provided by a protrusion 122 on the face 111 of the housing 110. In the embodiment of fig. 11A, the retaining surface is provided along only a portion of the wall 111. Fig. 11B shows another embodiment in which the retention surface 120 is provided by a protrusion 122, the protrusion 122 being along the entire length of all four walls 111.

Fig. 11C shows another embodiment in which the housing 110 has two retaining surfaces 120, one on each of the two opposing walls 111, provided by projections 122.

Fig. 12A shows another embodiment in which the retaining surface 120 is provided by a recess 123 in the wall 111 of the housing 110. In the embodiment of fig. 12A, the holding surface is provided around the entire length of all four walls 111. Fig. 12B shows another embodiment in which the retaining surface 120 provided by the recess 123 is provided only along a portion of the wall 111.

Fig. 12C shows another embodiment in which the housing 110 has two retaining surfaces 120, one on each of the two opposing walls 111, provided by the recess 123.

It is understood that the housing 110 may have any suitable configuration and any number of sides, including 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10-20, and more than 20 sides.

In another aspect, a housing as previously described is provided, wherein at least one non-deflectable retaining surface is provided on a first layer of the at least one wall, and a second non-deflectable retaining surface is provided on a second layer of the at least one face.

Fig. 13A shows an embodiment of this aspect, in which the housing 110 (which in this embodiment is cylindrical) has a retaining surface 120 provided by a protrusion 122 located on the first layer 105, and a second retaining surface 121 provided by a protrusion 122 on the second layer 106, which is different from the first layer. This arrangement allows the assembly 100 with the housing 110 to be connected to mounting areas of different heights, as will be described in more detail below.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 13A, the retention surface 120 and the second retention surface 121 are provided by a recess 123 and are disposed on the first layer 105 and the second layer 106 to provide the ability to accommodate the assembly height of the assembly 100 received by the housing 110 as previously described.

It is understood that other layers are possible, including a third layer, a fourth layer, a fifth layer, a sixth layer, a seventh layer, an eighth layer, a ninth layer, a tenth layer, and more than ten layers. Further, any combination of shell shapes and number of layers is possible, such as any combination of indentations and/or protrusions. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 15, the housing 110 has four retention surfaces 120 disposed in four

different layers

105, 106, 107, and 108, with one retention surface 120 provided by a depression 123 in the first layer 105, and three retention surfaces 120 provided by three protrusions 123 of the second layer 106, third layer 107, and fourth layer 108.

It will be appreciated that the recess 123 may be provided by any suitable means including molding, etching, scribing or exhausting material at the site in the housing to provide the recess 123. The projections may also be provided by any suitable means including molding, depositing or adhering a separate sheet to the housing. The protrusion may be formed of the same material as the housing or a different material.

According to another aspect, an assembly 100 is provided that includes a housing as previously described that at least partially houses assembly components that provide functionality to the assembly. A component interface is also provided that allows interaction with a user to operate and/or control the component 100.

The assembly 100 may be any assembly that attaches to and is used in an electrical outlet. One such example is a switch mechanism. Different types of switch mechanisms include rocker switches, where the interface may be a toggle button, a push button switch, where the interface may be a toggle button, a rotary switch, where the interface may be a rotary dial, a touch switch, where the interface may be a capacitive sensor for detecting a change in capacitance at a touch surface based on a user's contact, or toggle switches, where the interface is a lever switch.

Fig. 16A shows one example of an assembly 100 provided as a switch mechanism, in particular a toggle button switch mechanism. In this embodiment, assembly 100 includes four faces 111, an assembly interface 130 that serves as a toggle button 131A, and a retention surface 120 provided by a recess 123. In this embodiment, the holding surface 120 is provided along the entire length of each of the four walls 111.

Fig. 16B shows another example of an assembly 100 provided as a switch mechanism, in particular a toggle-button switch mechanism. In this example, the retaining surface 120 is provided by a protrusion 122, one protrusion being provided on each of the four walls in this embodiment.

In one application, it is desirable to attach the component 100 to the mounting area 220 (of the switch panel 300, for example) to allow the component interface 130 (toggle button 131A) to extend or enter the aperture 221. According to one aspect described herein, the mounting region 220 includes at least one channel 222 as shown in fig. 17, and a sliding connector (see fig. 18) can be slid into the at least one channel 222 to provide a connection means to engage the retention surface 120 of the component 100 in place. The embodiment shown in fig. 17 shows one channel 222, but in some embodiments, the mounting region 220 may have two or more channels 222.

Fig. 18 shows an example of an embodiment of a sliding connector 400, which in this embodiment is constructed from a thin strip of material such as plastic or metal. In one embodiment, the tabs 401 may be provided at one or both ends to provide a clamping area, but in other embodiments, such tabs are not provided.

Fig. 19 shows an example in which the component 100 is placed in the mounting area 220 and connected to the mounting area 220 by at least one sliding connector 400. In this embodiment, only one sliding connector 400 is used to connect the component 100 to the assembly area 220. In other embodiments where a second or plurality of channels 222 are provided, other sliding connectors 400 may be used, or it may be decided to use only one channel, even if other channels are provided.

Fig. 20A shows a cross-sectional view of the connection region of fig. 19. In this figure, the channel 222 is shown in the mounting area 220. In the channel 222, a sliding connector 400 is provided. It can be seen that a portion of sliding connector 400 extends out of channel 222 and fits into recess 123 to engage retaining surface 120 of component 100, thereby retaining component 100 to mounting area 220. In this figure, it can be seen that the toggle button 131A protruding through the aperture 221 is accessible to the user. However, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments where there is no component interface and must be manually accessed by a user and there is no hole 221 in the mounting area, no component of the component 100 protrudes through any portion of the mounting area 100. One example of such an embodiment is a touch switch, for example, where the assembly 100 is actuated solely by the proximity of a user's finger and no aperture is required, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Fig. 20B shows the device of fig. 20A, in this embodiment, the assembly 100 having a retaining surface 120 provided by the protrusion 122 shown in fig. 16B. In this embodiment, it will be appreciated that the assembly 100 is placed in the mounting region 220 such that the retention surface 120 is at or near the bottom of the channel 222 shown in this figure, and then the sliding connector 400 is slid into the channel 222. It can again be seen that a portion of the sliding connector 40 extends from the channel 222 to overlie and engage the retention surface 120 of the projection 122, thereby retaining the assembly 100 to the mounting region 220.

In another embodiment shown in fig. 21A and 21B, the sliding direction of the sliding connector 400 is directly into the assembly 100, rather than transverse as in the embodiment of fig. 17-20B. The embodiment of fig. 21A shows a sliding connector 400 having a recess 123 that slides into channel 222 and directly into component 100 to engage retaining surface 120 of recess 123. The embodiment of fig. 21B shows the sliding connector 400 having been slid into the channel 222 to sit on top of the protrusion 122 of the assembly 100 to engage the retaining surface 120 of the recess 122.

In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 21C and 21D, the sliding connector 400 may also slide into the recess 123 from the side, rather than longitudinally as in the previous examples. As shown in the top view of fig. 21C, the assembly 100 is in place in the mounting area 220 with one sliding connector 400 in place in the recess 123 (not visible in this view), and the other sliding connector 400' will slide into place in the other recess 123 on the other side of the assembly 100. Fig. 21D shows a side view of the device of fig. 21C with the component 100 in place in the mounting region 220, the sliding connector 400 slid into the recess 123 of the component 100 from the side along its length, and the sliding connector 400 'would be slid into place in the recess 123' from the side along its length through the channel 222 of the mounting region 220. In this embodiment, it can be seen that the assembly 100 has two layers of recesses to allow control of the depth of attachment of the assembly 100.

It will be appreciated that the same arrangement can be provided as shown in figures 21C and 21D, with the assembly 100 having the retaining surface 120 provided by a projection.

As previously described, the mounting area 220 may be provided on a power outlet or a switch panel, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, a plurality of mounting areas are provided. In some embodiments, the mounting area 220 is disposed on a grid plate of a power outlet or switch panel, and in other embodiments, the mounting area 220 is disposed on other components of the power outlet or switch panel.

Thus, in a broad sense, an interface between the mounting region 220 of the power receptacle 200 or switch panel 300 and the component 100 is provided, the interface including a channel 222 in the mounting region 220 having a sliding connector 400 therein that engages the retention surface 120 of the component 100, thereby retaining the component 100 on the mounting region 220.

Fig. 22 shows one embodiment of a grid 210 for a power outlet 200 or a switch panel 300. In this embodiment, there are six mounting areas 220 for receiving respective components 100, each having a respective aperture 221. Associated with each mounting area 220 is a channel 222 for receiving a corresponding sliding connector 400 as described above.

Fig. 23 shows the grid of fig. 22 with one component 100 received in the mounting area 220 and two sliding connectors 400 slid into corresponding channels 222, thereby holding the component 100 to the mounting area 220 and thus holding the component 100 to the power receptacle 200 or switch panel 300 when the grid 210 is connected to the power receptacle 200 or switch panel 300. In the embodiment shown in fig. 23, the sliding connector 400 also has tabs 401 to facilitate handling. These provide friction or gripping surfaces to allow the sliding connector to be more easily pulled out of channel 222 through, for example, a fingernail.

Fig. 24 shows one embodiment of a sliding connector 400. In this embodiment, the sliding connector 400 has a tab 401 at one end for ease of handling and also has a series of extensions 402 along its length. These extensions 402 allow for a retention function with less movement of the sliding connector, as will be described in more detail below.

Fig. 25 shows a cross-sectional view of two assemblies 100 connected to a grid 210. In this view, the sliding connector 400 can be seen to be received in the recess 123 of the assembly 100 to engage the corresponding retention surface 120 (not visible in this view).

Fig. 26 shows another view of the device of fig. 25, with sections taken along different lines, in particular in the plane of the grid 210. In particular, this view shows the bottom of the assembly 100 being loaded into its respective mounting area 220 by sliding connectors 400 that fit into respective channels 222. In this view, it can be seen that the extension 402 is received in the recess 123 of the component 100 to engage the retention surface 120 (not visible in this view), thereby retaining the component 100 in the mounting region 220.

Fig. 27 shows a close-up view of the interface between the mounting area 220 and the component 100. In particular, a sliding connector 400 is shown within channel 222 having an extension 402 received in recess 123 and engaging retention surface 120, thereby retaining assembly 100 to mounting area 220.

Fig. 28 shows five assemblies 100 connected to the grid 210 by sliding connectors 400. An assembly 100 ' is shown during placement into its mounting area 220 which, when in place, will align the recess 123 with the

extended slide connectors

400 and 400 ' which can then be slid into the corresponding channels 222 and 222 '. This sliding action causes the sliding

connectors

400 and 400 ' to be loaded into the corresponding recesses 123 (not visible in this view) and 123 ', and then holds the assembly 100 ' to the grid 210.

Fig. 29 shows a close-up of the interface between the assembly 100 and the mounting area 220 of the device of fig. 28. In particular, it can be seen that sliding connector 400 is in channel 222 of mounting area 220 and fits into recess 123 of component 100, thereby retaining component 100 to mounting area 220.

Fig. 30 shows another embodiment in which the assembly 100 has a retaining surface 120 provided by a protrusion 122. In this view, it can be seen that sliding connector 400 ' is fully inserted into channel 222 ', and in this position, expanded portion 402 ' of sliding connector 400 ' is disposed on retention surface 120 ' provided by protrusion 122 ', thereby engaging retention surface 120 ' to retain assembly 100 to mounting region 220. It can also be seen that where sliding connector 400 is not fully inserted into channel 222, extensions 402 are located on either side of protrusion 122 and do not overlie or engage retaining surface 120. Thus, the entire sliding connector 400 does not hold the assembly 100 to the mounting area 220.

Thus, it can be seen that the provision of the extension 402 at the sliding connector 400 allows for locking and unlocking, or retention and non-retention of the assembly 100 to the mounting area 220, by only a small movement of the sliding connector 400. In use, an indicator, such as a marking on sliding connector 400, may be provided to allow a user to know how far to insert or pull sliding connector 400 from how deep in channel 222 to release assembly 100.

Fig. 31 shows another embodiment for use with respect to the power receptacle 200 or the switch panel 300 using a different embodiment of the sliding connector 400 (see fig. 33). In this embodiment, the power receptacle 200 or the switch panel 300 includes a grid 210 having a mounting area 220. The mounting area 220 has two channels 222 disposed on the other side of the mounting area 220. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the channel 222 is provided by a space behind the channel aperture 223 of the mounting region 220. The sliding connector 400 fits into this space forming the channel 222. Thus, no physical surrounding or walls to the channel 222 are required. In one embodiment, a gap 226 having an end 226a is also provided. This function will be described in more detail below.

Also visible in fig. 31 is a recess 225, which is used in some embodiments to accommodate the protrusion 122 of the assembly 100. The shape of the recess 225 can take any suitable shape and can be used in conjunction with one or more protrusions 122 (e.g., at different layers) to form a subject device to prevent assembly 100 from being mismatched or incompatible with outlet 200.

For example, if the recess 200 is triangular in shape, the assembly 100 would need to have the protrusions 122 forming a triangle of the same size. This may be provided by an upper projection and a lower projection, the lower projection being wider than the upper projection.

Fig. 32 shows an embodiment of the assembly 100 with a retaining surface 120 disposed on each of four sides (only two sides are visible in this view) by respective projections 122.

Fig. 33 shows a different embodiment in the form of a sliding connector 400 with a tab 401 and a leg 403. In one embodiment, connector projections 404 are provided on one or more of the legs 403, the function of which will be described below.

Fig. 34 shows the assembled device with the component 100 placed in the mounting area 220, and then the legs 403 of the connector 400 are slid into the access holes 223 (see fig. 31) such that the legs 403 slide over the protrusions 122 of the component 100 to engage (i.e., cover) the corresponding retention surfaces 120. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the sliding connector need not be in constant contact with the retention surface 120 to engage the retention surface 120. In some embodiments, there may be a small space between the retention surface 120 and the sliding connector 400, allowing slight movement between the retention surface 120 and the sliding connector 400, but at some stage, as the assembly 100 is lifted, the retention surface 120 will come into contact with the sliding connector 400 to prevent further movement of the assembly 100.

The function of the connector projection 404 can be seen in the device. As described above, when the connector 400 is slid into place, the connector protrusion 404 is received in the slot 226. When connector 400 is pulled out of mating area 220 to release component 100 or a new component 100 is inserted, connector projection 404 slides along slot 226 until it contacts end 226 a. This stops the connector 400 and prevents further pull-out, and then holds the connector 400 within the mounting area 220 to prevent the connector 400 from becoming detached from the mounting area 220 and possibly becoming lost. This also facilitates and speeds up the connection and disconnection process, as the user does not need to fully re-engage the connector 400 to which the assembly 100 is to be connected each time, but simply needs to push the connector 400 back into the mating area 220.

In another embodiment of the connector 400, the corresponding recess of the recesses 225 in the mounting region 220 described above is provided in an interior wall (e.g., tab 401) of a segment of the connector 400. This allows the protrusion 122 that may be on the side of the assembly 100 to be received therein to allow for a flush mating of the connector 400. In another refinement, protrusion 122 may be split to two on the same layer to allow a screwdriver blade or other tool to be inserted between the arm of assembly 100 and the inner wall of connector 400 to facilitate pulling of connector 400 out of assembly 100 and mounting area 220.

The connector 400 can be fully released from the mounting area 200 by the bent legs 403 to disengage the connector projections from the slots 226.

Fig. 35 shows a front view of the device of fig. 34, in this case the assembly 100 being a switch mechanism with the assembly interface 130 being a toggle button. In this embodiment, the device forms a switch panel 300.

Fig. 36 shows another application of an embodiment of the sliding connector 400 as a clamp with two legs 403, in use, on a grid with two fitting areas 220. In this application, two clamps, one per assembly area, as described above, are used.

Fig. 37 shows the application of the sliding connector 400 as a clip applied to a grid 210 having four mounting areas 220.

Fig. 38 shows a modified form of the sliding connector 400 as a clamp, this time with four legs 403. This embodiment may be used to hold three components 100 in respective assembly areas as shown in fig. 39 (components not shown for clarity).

Fig. 40 shows another embodiment of the sliding connector as a clip, having four legs 403, but two of the four legs 403 have different length directions from the other two legs. This allows the connection of the component 100 at the mounting area 220 to be offset from the other mounting areas 220. Fig. 41 shows such an application. Fig. 41 also shows the possibility of combining different embodiments of the sliding connector 400. In this example, a sliding connector with four legs 403 is suitable for connecting the component 100 to three fitting areas 220, while two sliding connectors 400 with two legs 403 are used for connecting the component 100 to two fitting areas 220. It will be appreciated that any combination of sliding connectors 400 may be used as desired for a particular application.

In another embodiment, in which grid 210 has six mounting areas for connecting six components 100, two sliding connectors of the type shown and described with reference to FIG. 38 may be used as shown in FIG. 42. In another embodiment of the present application, a single sliding connector 400 having four legs 403 may be used in the present application, wherein the legs 403 of the sliding connector are longer to enable them to slide into the second level of the mounting area, thereby holding the assembly to all six mounting areas using a single sliding action.

Of course, it will be appreciated that the present embodiment also allows all six components to be disconnected from each of the mounting areas 220 in a single action of sliding out the sliding connector 400 using the tabs 401.

In other embodiments, sliding connector 400 has five legs 403 and may be used to connect four assemblies 100 in four respective mounting areas in a single action.

It will be appreciated that any other modification of the sliding connector 400 may be used, including having six legs, seven legs, eight legs, nine legs, ten legs, and more than ten legs. The legs may be the same length or, in other embodiments, may be different lengths depending on the application and the geometry of the components used.

Fig. 44 shows another embodiment in which an electrical outlet 200 is formed with a power supply assembly 224 for providing electrical power or supplying power to an electrical device and the assembly interface 130, in this embodiment provided by two toggle button switches 131A and a USB port 140A. In this embodiment, two or all three of the assemblies 100 providing

interfaces

131A and 140A may be connected to power outlet 200 by one or more embodiments described herein using sliding connector 400.

Thus, in a general aspect, a system is provided that includes an electrical outlet or switch panel 300 that includes a mounting area 220 and an assembly 100 connected to the mounting area 220. The assembly 100 includes at least one wall 111, at least one retaining surface 120 on at least a portion of the at least one wall 111, an assembly interface 130 disposed at one end of the assembly 100, and assembly components at least partially housed within the housing and controlled by the assembly interface 130, wherein the assembly 100 is connected to the mounting region 220 by a sliding connector 400 engaging the at least one retaining surface 120, thereby retaining the assembly 100 to the mounting region 220. It will be appreciated that in this regard, an assembly 100 having a deflectable retaining surface 120 may be used, provided that the force applied to the retaining surface 120 by the sliding connector 400 does not exceed the force deflecting the retaining surface 120 to release the assembly 100 from the connection when in use.

There is also broadly provided an electrical outlet 200 and a switch panel 300 comprising a mounting area 220 for receiving a component 100, the mounting area 220 comprising at least one access hole 223 or access 222 for receiving a sliding connector 400 for engaging a retaining surface 120 of the component 100, thereby retaining the component 100 to the mounting area 220. It will also be appreciated in this regard that an assembly 100 having a deflectable retaining surface 120 may be used, provided that in use, the force applied to the retaining surface 120 by the sliding connector 400 does not exceed the force deflecting the retaining surface 120, thereby releasing the assembly 100 from connection.

As previously described, the assembly 100 may be provided with any suitable desired device. Fig. 45A shows the assembly 100 provided with a switch as the assembly interface 130 of the toggle button 131A. In this embodiment, the retention surface 120 is provided by the back of the protrusion 122, which is visible in this view.

Fig. 45B shows the component 100 provided as a touch switch with a component interface 130 provided by a tactile sensor 131B. Suitable components for this application are described in the application entitled "Touch Switch" previously incorporated by reference as PCT/AU2011/001675 (published as WO 2012/083380). In this embodiment, a retaining surface 120 is provided on the back of the protrusion 122. In some embodiments, the projections are non-deflectable. In other embodiments, the projections are deflectable as previously described.

Fig. 45C shows the component 100 provided as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) charger with the component interface 130 provided by the USB port 140A. Fig. 45D also shows the assembly 100 provided as a different embodiment of a USB charger with a retention surface 120 provided on the back of the boss 122. Fig. 45E also shows the assembly 100 provided as a different embodiment of a USB charger with a retention surface 120 provided on the back of the boss 122. Examples of such USB chargers are described in PCT application No. PCT/AU2011/001532, published as WO2012/068635, entitled "USB Outlet Charger," previously incorporated by reference.

Fig. 45F shows an embodiment in which the assembly 100 is a Cat (Cat)6 data mechanism for providing data to an electrical device. Fig. 45G shows an embodiment in which the assembly 100 is a coaxial TV connector. Fig. 45H shows an embodiment in which the assembly 100 is an audio banana mechanism. Fig. 45I shows an embodiment in which the component 100 is an HDMI mechanism. Fig. 45J shows an embodiment in which the assembly 100 is an F-type signal connector. Fig. 45K shows an embodiment in which the assembly 100 is a Cat (Cat)5 telephone connector.

FIG. 45L shows an embodiment in which the assembly 100 is a fan controller. In this embodiment, the assembly 100 is comprised of a connector part 101 which, in use, is encased in a mounting area 220 (not shown in this view) and an electronic assembly 102 which is connected to the connector part 101 by a wire 103, which in this embodiment is a plurality of insulated wires. The connector part 101 provides a retention surface 120 (not visible in this view) by means of a recess 123. The electronic assembly 102 includes an assembly component 160 that is functional electronics, such as power control electronics. These component parts are then connected to the component interface 130 as a rotary switch 131D. The electronics assembly 102 may also be connected to a fan motor and/or a power source.

Fig. 45M shows the assembly 100 as a USB charger, distributed over several elements, but still constituting a separate assembly or module. In this embodiment, the assembly 100 consists of a connector part 101 which, in use, is housed in a mounting area 220 (not shown in this view) and an electronic assembly 102, which in this embodiment is an insulated conductor, is connected to the connector part 101 by a wire 103. The connector part 101 provides a retention surface 120 (not visible in this view) by means of a recess 123. The electronics package 102 includes a component part 160 that is a functional electronic such as a power conversion electronic. These component parts are then connected to the component interface 130 as a USB port 140A. In some embodiments, two USB ports 140A may be provided. The electronic assembly 102 may also be connected to a power source, which is then transformed to provide the desired output voltage and current at the USB port 140A.

In other embodiments, the component 100 is a data outlet and the component interface is a data port. An example of such an assembly is to RJ11, RJ14, RJ25, RJ48, RJ61, XLR connectors, XLD connectors, DIN connectors, BNC connectors.

In other embodiments, the component interface is provided by an analog signal connector, such as a TRS, TS, or TRRS connector type. Some of these connector types are also known as audio jacks and may be used to connect devices to provide electrical audio signals to the devices for playing music or other audio content.

According to another aspect, a method of connecting a component 100 to an electrical outlet 200 or a switch panel 300 is provided. As shown in fig. 46, one embodiment includes positioning the assembly 100 on or in a mounting area of the power receptacle 200 or switch panel 300 at step 600, and sliding the sliding connector 400 through a portion of the mounting area 220 to engage the retention surface 120 of the assembly 100 to thereby retain the assembly 100 to the power receptacle 200 or switch panel 300 at step 601.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises sliding the second sliding connector 400 to engage with the second retaining surface 120 to provide further retention. Other sliding connectors may also be used to engage more of the retaining surface 120.

In another aspect, a method of connecting a plurality of assemblies 100 to an electrical outlet 200 or a switch panel 300 is provided. In a general aspect, as shown in fig. 47, the method includes, in step 610, disposing a plurality of components 100 on respective mounting areas 220 of the power outlet 200 or the switch panel 300, and then, in step 611, sliding the sliding connector 400 through a portion of the respective mounting areas 220 to engage the retaining surface 120 of a first one of the plurality of components 100 and the retaining surface 120 of a second one of the plurality of components 100, thereby retaining the plurality of components 100 to the power outlet 200 or the switch panel 300. In this way, multiple assemblies 100 can be easily and quickly efficiently connected in a single step after placement.

It will be appreciated that in the embodiment shown in figure 28, for example, the sliding connector 400 slides in to engage the retaining surfaces 120 of both assemblies 100 from the long sides of the power receptacle 200 or switch panel 300, but in other embodiments the power receptacle 200 or switch panel 300 is considered to have a channel running longitudinally in a direction across the length of the outlet or switch panel. In this example, this would allow three components to connect to a single sliding connector 400 using a single action of sliding the sliding connector. It will be appreciated that any number of assemblies 100 may be connected in this single movement, including 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and more than 10 assemblies, provided that the sliding connector is sufficiently long.

According to another aspect, a method of disconnecting one or more components 100 from a power outlet 200 or a switch panel 300 is provided. The method of disconnecting to the power receptacle 200 or the switch panel 300 includes, in the embodiment shown in fig. 48, sliding the sliding connector 400 in the power receptacle 200 or the switch panel 300 to disengage from the retaining surface 120 of the assembly 100 and remove the assembly 100 from the power receptacle or the switch panel at step 620.

In this embodiment, it will be appreciated that the slip connector provides the only retention force, and once the slip connector 400 is removed, no additional retention force is applied to the assembly 100, which simply loads the connector from a position within the mounting area 220.

In embodiments where the assembly 100 is connected to the power receptacle 200 or the switch panel 300 by two or more sliding connectors, the method further comprises sliding out of the second or other sliding connector 400 to release the assembly.

According to another aspect, a method of disconnecting a plurality of assemblies 100 from an electrical outlet 200 or a switch panel 300 is provided. As shown in fig. 49, the method includes sliding the sliding connector 400 in the power outlet 200 and the switch panel 300 to disengage the retaining surface 120 of a first one of the plurality of components 100 at step 630, and then to disengage from the retaining surface 120 of a second one of the plurality of components 100, and then removing the plurality of components 100 from the power outlet 200 or the switch panel 300 at step 631.

As previously mentioned, the plurality of components may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more than 10. It will be appreciated that this provides a very convenient and quick way of disconnecting multiple components.

In a further embodiment as shown in fig. 50A, 50B and 50C, there is shown another embodiment of the outlet 200 or mesh plate in this embodiment, providing another improvement to the connector 400. In fig. 50A, 50B and 50C, a slot 226 as previously described is shown. In this embodiment, the slot 226 includes another slot 226B at one end. Specifically, when connector 400 is pushed toward that end, connector projection 404 will be caused to engage and be received by the other slot 226B and can be retained in the other slot 226B. This provides a "locking" function to more securely hold the connector 400. The connector projections 404 can be made to enter the other slot 226B by any suitable means, including biasing legs 403 so that they snap into the other slot 226B as they pass through the main slot 226.

In another embodiment, a small protrusion may be provided in the wall and into the slot 226 before the end of the slot 226, the slot 226 resiliently deflecting to deform the leg 403 until it presses past the protrusion to snap into the other slot 226B, in this embodiment the other slot 226B is formed by the small protrusion. This also provides a tactile and/or audible signal to the user that the connector has snapped into place. A similar additional recess may be provided at the other end of the slot 226 to provide a similar locking function and/or a tactile and/or audible signal to the user that the connector 400 has been sufficiently pulled out of the removed assembly 100. These protrusions are indicated in fig. 50C as

elements

226C and 226D.

In the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the terms "comprise" and "comprise," and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising," are to be understood as embracing the stated elements or groups of elements but not excluding any other elements or groups of elements.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular applications illustrated. The present invention is also not limited in its preferred embodiments to the specific elements and/or features described and/or depicted herein. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An electrical system, comprising:

a power outlet or switch panel including a mounting area; and

an assembly connected to the assembly area, the assembly comprising:

at least one wall;

at least one retaining surface on at least a portion of at least one wall;

a component interface disposed at one end of the component; and

Said component being attached to said mounting region by a sliding connector engaging said at least one retention surface, thereby retaining said component to said mounting region; wherein in use, the sliding connector slides into the fitting area in such a way that the sliding connector is not deflected by the component, and

wherein the sliding connector comprises at least one connector projection that is received in a slot of the mating region to limit removal of the sliding connector, and the connector projection is adapted to slide along the slot without separating from the mating region to allow release or insertion of the component.

2. An electrical outlet or switch panel comprising a mounting area for receiving a component, the mounting area comprising at least one hole or channel for receiving a sliding connector which engages with a retaining surface of the component, thereby retaining the component to the mounting area; wherein in use, the sliding connector slides into the at least one hole or channel in a manner that the sliding connector is not deflected by the assembly, and

wherein the mating region includes a slot for receiving a connector projection of the sliding connector, thereby restricting removal of the sliding connector from the mating region, and the connector projection is adapted to slide along the slot without separating from the mating region to allow release or insertion of the assembly.

3. A method of connecting an assembly to an electrical outlet or switch panel, the method comprising:

placing the component on a mounting area of the power outlet or the switch panel and sliding a sliding connector through a portion of the mounting area to engage a retaining surface of the component, thereby retaining the component on the power outlet or the switch panel; wherein the sliding connector slides into the fitting area in such a manner that the sliding connector is not deflected by the component, and

wherein the connector projection of the sliding connector is received in the slot of the fitting region to restrict the pull-out of the sliding connector, and the connector projection is adapted to slide along the slot without being separated from the fitting region to allow the release or insertion of the component.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: sliding a second sliding connector through a portion of the mounting region to engage a second retaining surface of the component.

5. A method of connecting a plurality of components to an electrical outlet or a switch panel, the method comprising placing the plurality of components on respective mounting areas of the electrical outlet or the switch panel and sliding a sliding connector through a portion of the respective mounting areas to engage a retaining surface of a first one of the plurality of components and to engage a retaining surface of a second one of the plurality of components, thereby retaining the plurality of components on the electrical outlet or the switch panel; wherein the sliding connector slides into the fitting area in such a manner that the sliding connector is not deflected by the component, and

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the number of components is two.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the number of components is three.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the number of components is four.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the number of components is six.

10. A method of disconnecting an assembly connected to an electrical outlet or a switch panel, the method comprising sliding a sliding connector within the electrical outlet or the switch panel in a manner that the sliding connector is not deflected by the assembly to disengage from a retaining surface of the assembly, and removing the assembly from the electrical outlet or the switch panel, and wherein sliding of the sliding connector is limited by a connector projection of the sliding connector, the connector projection being received within a slot of a mounting area of the electrical outlet or switch panel, and the connector projection being adapted to slide along the slot without separating from the mounting area to allow release or insertion of the assembly.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising sliding a second sliding connector in the power outlet or the switch panel to disengage from a second retaining surface of the component prior to removing the component from the power outlet or the switch panel.

12. A method of disconnecting a plurality of components from an electrical outlet or a switch panel, the method comprising: sliding a sliding connector in the power outlet or the switch panel in a manner that the sliding connector is not deflected by the components to disengage from a retaining surface of a first one of the plurality of components and disengage from a retaining surface of a second one of the plurality of components, and then removing the plurality of components from the power outlet or the switch panel,

wherein sliding of the sliding connector is limited by a connector projection that is received in a slot of a mounting area of the power outlet or switch panel and that is adapted to slide along the slot without separating from the mounting area to allow release or insertion of the assembly.

13. An interface between a mounting region of an electrical outlet and a component, the interface comprising an aperture or channel in the mounting region having a sliding connector therein which engages a retaining surface of the component, thereby retaining the component in the mounting region; wherein in use, the sliding connector slides into the aperture or channel in a manner that the sliding connector is not deflected by the assembly, and

14. A sliding connector comprising a tab and at least two legs extending substantially perpendicularly from the tab; wherein in use the sliding connector slides into the assembly area in such a way that the sliding connector is not deflected by the component, and

wherein a connector projection is provided on at least one of the at least two legs, the connector projection is received in a slot of the fitting region to restrict pull-out of the sliding connector, and the connector projection is adapted to slide along the slot without being separated from the fitting region to allow release or insertion of the component.

15. The sliding connector of claim 14, comprising three legs.

16. The sliding connector of claim 14, comprising four legs.

17. The sliding connector of claim 14, comprising 5 legs.

18. The sliding connector according to any one of claims 14-17, wherein the legs do not have the same length.