FR2518831A1 - Multiple connection plug with anti-electrocution security units - has earthed metallic bar with openings for female connector access through perpendicularly extending pins - Google Patents

Abstract

The multiple connection plug has a case containing a metal bar along its mid longitudinal axis which is connected to the earth wire of a cable. Suitably isolated openings in this bar allow access to female connectors situated under the bar. The earth connection pins are electrically connected perpendicular to the bar but offset w.r.t. the openings. The junction connectors are bent and folded abut in one part to the female connectors and the other part to the two phase wires of the exterior cable. The junction connectors pass precisely underneath the metal bar which remains perfectly isolated. The plug also has a cover which is fixed to the case and has recesses to receive the individual pins, the recesses co-operating with the apparent face of the metallic bar to delimit a housing and guiding element.

Description

 There were already multiple plug plugs made up essentially: - on the one hand of a shoemaker or base containing the female connections, the earth pins, and the conductive connections to the three wires of an external power-up cable , - and on the other hand, a cover coming from 9 ′ to be fitted on this housing, in which the receiving cells of the various individual sockets are provided, which are plugged in by their male connections into said female connections, through openings provided in the bottom of the cells.

 The conductive connections housed in this case are generally metal bars or rods suitably fixed in or on insulating supports integral with the case. Appropriate connections bring the current from each of the target phases to each female connection.

 These multiple outlet plugs may also include female connections for a single outlet without a ground pin.

 The internal connections are more or less complicated (or require more or less manpower to manufacture and to assemble) and so far the arrangement of these connections has not made it possible to achieve simultaneously-a double result, however highly desirable, to be able to plug in several individual angled sockets, parallel to each other, and be able to accommodate anti-electrocution safety devices between the boot and the cover.

 It is precisely the arrangement, unique so far, of the internal connections to the shoemaker, adopted according to the present invention, which effectively and simultaneously achieves these two results.

 The novelty resides in the constitution and orientation of the pinouts and connections, and in the structure of the batte uniting the earth plugs, as well as in their respective alignment and / or offset.

It also resides in the particular arrangement of the connections between them of the female connections with respect to the bar uniting the earth plugs.

 The novelty also lies in the construction and arrangement of the safety devices taken between the boot and the cover, cooperating in a particular way with the said connections and bar.

 Finally, the novelty lies in the adoption of the same safety devices for plugging outlets that do not have a ground pin.

 A multiple-socket plug conforming to is essentially characterized in that it comprises a box provided in its longitudinal median axis and at least in part of its length with a metal strip connected to the grounding wire,. appropriately insulated openings in this bar, aligned along its axis, to allow access to female connections located under the bar, earth pins connected perpendicular and electrically to the bar, aligned with one another but offset transversely with respect to said median axis and to said openings, and connection connections suitably bent and bent, leading on the one hand to said female connections, and on the other hand respectively to the two phase wires of the outer cable, said connection connections ending in said connections females, passing precisely under the bar from which they remain perfectly isolated.

 According to a variant of the invention applicable in the case where the plug with multiple sockets also makes it possible to receive individual sockets without an earth terminal, the connection links are bent and then extended in one of the ends of the housing to result in (or constitute ) female connections capable of receiving individual male sockets without an earth terminal, said female connections being advantageously, but not necessarily, arranged on either side of the center axis of the housing.

 A multiple socket plug in accordance with the invention is simultaneously characterized by the fact that it comprises a cover which is connected and fixed to said housing, provided with receptacles for receiving individual sockets, the internal face of said receptacles cooperating with the visible face of the previously defined middle bar, to delimit a housing and constitute guide members, for anti-electrocution safety elements interposed on the passage of the pins of the individual sockets, said safety elements being capable of moving elastically and parallel to the cover connection plane -bottle, either to unlock said passage, or on the contrary to lock it.

According to a feature of this embodiment, each security element is a planar insulating element, constituted so as to be able to move either parallel to itself (unlocking) along its axis of symmetry, or angularly (or in rotation) with respect to itself (locking), under the effect respectively of the simultaneous insertion of the two male pins of the individual socket (unlocking) or of the unilateral and unipolar accidental insertion of any rod (worm rusting), this last case rotating the security element to block and prevent access to the other pole
According to an advantageous embodiment, each safety plane element can move elastically against alum, or two springs, (axial, or lateral), said element being guided in rotation by a central pin or pin between two parallel walls. integral with the internal face of the cell bottom, said walls allowing either the displacement of the safety element parallel to itself (unlocking) or the transverse blocking after rotation, of the safety element (locking).

 The displacement of the safety element parallel to itself is ensured by the symmetrical support of the ends of the male pins of the individual socket, in two grooves with a fleeting bottom, the guidelines of which are convergent, the insertion of the male pins symmetrically causing a propelling pinch effect.

 On the other hand, the transverse displacement to itself of the security element is caused by the unilateral pushing of a foreign body accidentally introduced into a single opening, the support of this body in only one of the grooves with a leaky bottom having the effect of to lower the security element laterally and by its blocking, to prohibit access to both of these two poles of the female connections.

 In the case of individual sockets without earth pin, the safety elements are formed according to the same principle but the common guidance to the safety elements is ensured by an axial plate playing the role of slide.

Other features and advantages will appear on reading the description and the claims which follow, which are made with reference to the appended drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a plug with multiple sockets (3 sockets) with earth plug.

 Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the various constituent elements 4u bottom casing of the plug of FIG. 1.

 Fig. 3 is a top view of the shoemaker of FIG. 2, all the component elements being assembled and connected.

 FIG. 4 is a plan view of the internal face of the upper cover of the plug with multiple sockets in FIG. 1, this plan view more specifically showing two incorporated security elements of different types.

 Figs. 5 and 6 show in elevation and in section, along VI-VI of FIG. 4, the guide and retaining pin of each safety element.

 Fig. 7 is a plan view of a single-piece safety element with a single spring seen from the side by which it is pressed into the plug of FIG. 1, the two parallel pins of a bipolar socket.

 Fig. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 of a variant of a safety element with two springs, placed between its two lateral guide or blocking walls.

 Fig. 9 is a side view in section along IX-IX of FIG. 8.

 Fig. 10 shows the safety element of fig 8 tilted in the safety locking position when accidentally only one pin is inserted, or rod foreign to a socket.

 Fig. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but in this case the security element translates parallel to itself, thanks to the symmetrical insertion of the two pins dtune socket.

 Fig. 12 is a schematic perspective view of a variant of the plug of FIG. 1, this variant representing a plug which can receive two sockets with earth connection and four sockets without earth terminal.

 Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the base unit of the plug in FIG. 12, showing its various constituent elements.

 Fig. 14 shows, seen in plan, the box of FIG. 13 with its various constituent elements in place.

 Fig. 15 is a plan view of the internal face of the cover of the plug in FIG. 12, showing the incorporated safety elements, mounted on the one hand opposite the bottom of the receptacle sockets with sockets with earth terminal, and mounted on the other hand opposite the bottoms of the sockets receiving the sockets without earth terminal.

 In the embodiment of the multiple outlet plug shown in Figures 1 to 11, we see in 1 the base shoemaker, in 2 the cover, in 3 the connection target and in 4, 5 and 6, the cells receiving respectively three sockets not shown of the type comprising an earth socket which is plugged into the earth pins 7, 8 and 9.

 The housing 1 shown in FIG. 2 is molded in a single piece and it comprises, coming from molding, a plurality of partitions and walls interspersed with grooves intended to receive, guided and blocked, the connections and connection bars, which will be described below. Some of these molded parts internal to the shoemaker also constitute, in a manner known per se, walls or stops against which will come to rest and center the corresponding walls and stops provided projecting from the internal face of the cover shown in FIG. 4. I1 is not useful due to extend on the description of the means of centering, blocking and support of the shoemaker with respect to the cover} these means- not constituting the invention as well and being also found under in one form or another in the sheets of the prior art. Likewise, it is known that the ground pins 7, 8 and 9, implanted in the case, protrude through the cells 4, 5, 6 so as to participate centering of the cover assembly on the case.

 In the median axis of the housing I-and resting on aligned shoulders such as 10a and 10b is fixed by elements such as 11 introduced into openings such as 12, an insulating plate 13 pierced with openings 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b-through which will pass the three pairs of male pins of the individual sockets which will come into place in the three cells 4, 5, 6 of the plug according to the invention.

 The three fastening elements 11 (only the central element is shown) pass through small openings 11a, 11b, island formed in a metal bar 17 whose role is essential in the present invention. This bar 17 has openings 18a, 18b, 19a, 19b, 20a, 20b coaxial with the insulating openings 14, 15, 16 whose protruding rim serves as their centering. Small transverse plates 21, 22, and 23 pierced with openings 21a, 22a and 23a receive the grounding pins such as 7. The bases 7a of the pins 7, are freely inserted into the openings 24, 25, 26 molded cylindrical parts projecting from the bottom of the housing 1. The end of the bar 17 is curved at 17a and comprises an opening for receiving the attachment of the part 27 in which the end of the general grip wire is blocked of earth 28 which constitutes one of the three elements of the target 29. This is how the three pins 7 (only one of them is shown) are connected to the earth with the bar 17.

 It has thus just been brought to light that the openings 18, 19 and 20 are aligned along the median axis of the housing, while the pins 7, fixed in the plates 21, are slightly offset all three laterally with respect to this bar.

 As we have already understood, the combination of the openings 14-18, 15-19, 16-20, will allow the passage of the male pins of the three plugs to be plugged in, which, when said openings, will enter the elastic contacts 30a -30b, 31a-31b, 32a-32b. These female contacts, produced in a manner known per se, by the combination of conductive metal plates such as 33 and 34, suitably folded and bent, result from the cylindrical deformation of said plates precisely in line with said female contacts 31 and 32. Double plates thus assembled are introduced and fixed, in a manner known per se, in the grooves and grooves made in the plane walls molded into the bottom of the housing. For example, the assembly of the two plates 35 is introduced into the groove 36 and their straight extension is introduced into the grooves 37, 38 and 39.

The parts 40, 41 and 42 on the other hand, are introduced respectively into the grooves 40a, 41a and 42a, so that during the assembly the female connection 32b is coaxial with the openings 16b and 20b, the connection 32a coaxial with 16a, 20a, the connection 31b coaxial with 15b, l9b, the connection 31a with 15a, l9a, the connection 30b, with 14b, 18b and the connection 30a with 14a, 18a. However, it has been clearly understood that during assembly the connections 30, 31 and 32 will be aligned in the axis of the bar 17.

The connection dice fixed in the openings 43a and 44a are shown at 43 and 44, each receiving a phase wire 45 or 46 which completes the bipolar constitution of the connection cable 29
The connection plates 40, 41 and 42, perpendicular to the central axis of the shoemaker, and fully engaged as said, respectively in the notches 40a, 41a and 42a, pass under the insulating strip 13 which thus constitutes a insulator between the metal strip 17 (earth connection) and the female connections 30> 31 and 32.

 We find in fig. 3, seen in plan, iensemble of the mounted elements described in FIG. 2, and under the same references.

 Referring now to FIG. 4, it can be seen that on the inner face of the cover 2, the circular walls 4a, 5a, 5a protrude from the bottom of the cells 4, 5, 6.

 We see at 47, 48 and 49 the passage and centering openings of the earth pins 7. At 50-and 51, the threaded openings are shown - in which the cover and housing assembly screws are screwed. . On the walls 4a, 5a and 6a protrude support pins 52, 53, 54, and 55, the ends of which are located in the contact plane of the internal faces, cover and case. The openings 56 and 57 constitute the two passages aligned in the median axis, male pins belonging to the sockets (not shown) respectively introduced into the cells 4, 5, 6. The projecting elements 58, 59, 60, 61 are small guide walls arranged transversely to the median axis of the device. When the cover and the housing are assembled, the visible face of the metal strip 17 comes to bear on the edge of the plates 58 and 59, such so that there is thus provided a relatively thin space, in which is housed each security element.

 We see in 62, a safety element with two springs, and in 63 a safety element with a single spring. Each element is an insulating monobloc comprising. Of solid parts 64 and 65, closing -in normal position the passage holes 56 and 57. The head of each element comprises an oblong opening 66, guided and retained by a hollow cylindrical pin 67, with retention flange 68. Each safety element can move parallel to itself and elastically, but always parallel to the cover-housing connection plane, against the resistance of a single spring 69 or two springs 70 and 71. The free end of the springs comprises a small plate 72 or 73, immobilized with respect to the vertical wall of the cover, by recessed grooving. The elastic monoblock (or) springs, coming from molding, with the plastic material constituting the security element, could moreover be replaced by one or two small metal springs.

 It will be noted that the lateral shoulders 73 and 74 are inclined and form between them a certain angle alpha (fig. 7). The tip of the widest part of the shoulders is in contact with the small vertical walls 58 and 59.

 On the face of the security elements, opposite to that seen in the fIg. 4, that is to say, the one seen in FIG. 7, it has been provided, by molding, two recessed bottom grooves 75 and 76, the guidelines of which converge, at an angle alpha, advantageously equal to that previously described. When the male pins of the plug-in sockets are introduced into the openings such as 56 and 57, these free ends will therefore come into contact simultaneously and symmetrically in the grooves 75 and 76. We see in FIG. 9 such a pin 77 coming into contact with the bottom of the groove 75.

 If we now refer to figs. 8 to 11, it is understood that if one simultaneously and symmetrically introduces the two pins 77a and 77b into the grooves 75 and 76, the safety element will move parallel to itself in the direction of the arrows 78 and the safety element sliding parallel between the walls 58 and .59 can clear the passage to the female connections 30, 31 or 32.

 If, on the other hand, and in an accidental manner, a child for example, introduces a nail 79 while coming to bear in the bottom of the throat 75, without at the same time a same vertical thrust being exerted in the bottom of the throat 76, then the safety head element will pivot through its opening 66 around the pin 67 and the security element will pivot in the direction of the arrow 80, which will bring the shoulder 74 into contact with the wall 58, thus making a blocking by friction of the safety element which will not allow simultaneous access to the live female connections-located in the housing.

 The security element will thus have played its role.

 In the variant described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15, we will find in a similar manner the same principle pes of realization as those that Ï1on described with reference to Figs. 1 to 11.

In fig. 12, the cover 2 has only two cylindrical cells 81 and 82, with earth terminals 83 and 84, but it also has four cells for receiving bipolar sockets, without earth connection, aligned and parallel cells 85, 86, 87 and 88. Referring to fig. 13, we find in the right part, the bipolar female connections 32, similar to those of FIG. 2, the insulating plate 13 and the metal strip 17 - already described. But here, of course, you can only plug in two sockets, not three. The conductive plates 33, 34 and 35 are extended to the left by parts 89 and 90 which form, between them, four sets of female connections 91, 92, 93 and 94. These last four connections are then, as shown in FIG . 14, arranged on either side of the median axis of the device
We see in fig. 15, three security elements (out of four) represented at 95, 96 and 97. These security elements are in all respects similar to those which have been described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 11. But in this case, these security elements no longer move. transfer dirty to the median axis of the device but parallel to this axis. To do this, four sets of springs 98 allow each safety element to move parallel to itself in the best of cases to ensure the passage to the female connections, or to the opposite in rotation in the worst case, as explained opposite in fig. 10, to prohibit access to these female connections. It is then necessary, to ensure the movement of each safety element in its plane, to constitute a corridor of small thickness by interposition of a place that insulating 99 (fig. 13) simultaneously playing the role of guiding the springs 98, the plate 99 being blocked between the visible internal faces of the most prominent tarties of the housing on the one hand and of the cover on the other hand. We can say in fact that the wafer 99 in this case plays the role of a slide.

 It goes without saying that one can, without departing from the scope of the present invention, make any modification to the embodiments which have just been described.

 In particular, the system of security elements incorporated in a complex card allowing the reception of several sockets has been described, but it goes without saying that one could also have such a security element in simple cards, intended to receive a seule outlet, whether or not it has a grounding plug.

Claims (8)

 1 - Plug with multiple sockets, with incorporated safety elements essentially characterized by the fact that it comprises a box 1 provided in its mid-longitudinal axis and at least in part of its length with a metal strip 17 connected to the wire earth plug 28, openings 18, 19, 20 suitably insulated in this strip, aligned along its axis, - to allow access to female connections 30, 31, 32 located under the strip, plug pins earth connected perpendicularly and electrically to the bar 17, aligned with one another but offset transversely with respect to said median axis and to said openings and connection links 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42 suitably bent and folded, leading to on the one hand to said female connections 30, 31, 32, and on the other hand. respectively to the two phase wires 45, 46 of the outer cable 29, said connection links ending in said female connections, passing precisely under the bar 17 from which they remain perfectly isolated.  2 - Plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection links 33, 34, --35 are bent and then extended 89-90 in one of the ends of the housing to result in (or constitute) female connections 91 -92-93-94 capable of receiving individual male sockets without an earth terminal, said female connections being advantageously, but not necessarily, arranged on either side of the center axis of the housing.  3 - Sheet according to one of claims l or 2, characterized in that it comprises a cover 2 coming to be connected and fixed on said housing 1, provided with cells for receiving individual sockets, -the internal face of said cooperating cells with the visible face of the central bar 17 previously defined, to delimit a housing and constitute guide members, for anti-electrocution security elements 63 interposed on the passage of the pins of the individual sockets, said security elements being capable of being move elastically and parallel to the cover-box connection plane, either to unlock said passage, or on the contrary to lock it.  4 - Sheet according to claim 3, characterized in that each safety element 63 is a planar insulating element, constituted so as to be able to move either parallel to itself (unlocking) along its axis of symmetry, or angularly (or in rotation) with respect to itself (locking), under the respective effect of the simultaneous sinking of the two male pins 77 of the individual socket (unlocking) or of the deeply unilateral and 'nipolar accidentally damaged lsen of any rod 79 ( locking), the latter case rotating the security element to achieve a blocking and prohibiting access to the other  5 - Sheet according to claim 4, characterized in that each safety element 63 can move elastically against a 69, or two springs 70-71> (axial, or lateral), said element being guided in rotation by a dowel or central pin 67 between two parallel walls v8-59 integral with 1 internal face 6a of the dial bottom 6, said walls allowing either the parallel movement to itself of the safety element (unlocking) or the transverse blocking after security element (locking).  6 - Sheet according to claim 5, characterized in that the displacement parallel to itself of the safety element, is provided by the symmetrical support of the ends of the male pins 77 of the individual socket, in two grooves 75- 76 with a leaky bottom, the guide symbols of which converge, the sinking of the male pins symmetrically causing a propelling pinch effect.  7 - Sheet according to claim 5, characterized in that the transverse displacement to itself of the security element is caused by the unilateral thrust of a foreign body 79 accidentally introduced into a single opening, the support of this body in a single groove 75 with a leaking bottom having the effect of chasing the security element laterally and by its blocking, preventing access to both the two pale female connections.  8 - Sheet according to claim 5, characterized in that in the case of individual sockets without earth pin, the security elements are formed according to the same principle but the common guide to the security elements is provided by an axial plate 99 voula the role of slide.