GB1597268A - Electrical distribution device - Google Patents

Description

(54) ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION DEVICE (71) We, TATTON GENERATOR CONTROLS LIMITED, a British company of 501 Staines Road West, Ashford, Middlesex, TW15 2AB do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to an electrical distribution device enabling an electricity source to be fed to a plurality of sub-circuits.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electrical distribution device comprising a box, an electrical inlet thereto, a plurality of output sockets mounted thereon each being provided with a spring loaded hinged cover therefor, and a distribution circuit housed within said box and connecting said input to at least one of said output sockets, said box including a lid providing access to said distribution circuit, and means disposed between said box and said lid for sealing said box against the ingress of moisture.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure I is a perspective view of an electrical distribution device in the closed position; Figure 2 is a view of the device of Figure 1 showing the device open; Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of the device of Figures 1 and 2; Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate an alternative embodiment.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the electrical distribution device comprises a box-form housing 1 having a lid 2 hinged thereto. A key operated lock 3 is mounted on the lid 2 having a locking bar 4 which, in the locked position, engages under a lip 5 of the housing 1. Leading from the housing 2 are three heavy duty sockets 6, 7 and 8 disposed along the front face of the housing and provided with respective spring loaded hinged cover plates 9, 10 and 11. The box 1 and lid 2 are made of a light and strong material such as metal or synthetic plastics material.

The lid has a sealing strip 12 extending around its inner edge so that when the lid is closed the lid and box define a watertight enclosure. The box 2 has a stand 13 extending from the bottom thereof so that when the box is in use it may be displaced from the floor on which it stands. This stand 13 also acts as a handle and a former around which cable may be wound. A current input point 14 is disposed at the rear of the box.

Circuitry enabling current fed to the input point 14 from a main supply (normally 240V AC) to be distributed to each of the three outlets 6, 7 and 8 is contained within the box 2.

This circuitry, Figure 3, comprises leads leading from the input point 14 through an 80 amp capacity earth leakage circuit breaker 20 and three parallelled 40 amp capacity overload mains circuit breakers 21, 22 and 23 to respective output sockets 7, 8 and 9. A readily removable 20 amp cartridge fuse 24 is disposed in each of the live leads to the circuit breakers 21, 22 and 23. A green indicator lamp 25 shows that the mains are live and three red indicator lamps 26, 27 and 28 show that the three output sockets 7, 8 and 9 are live. All the earth leads of the output sockets are connected to the earth lead of the input point 14 and to the box 1.

All the components of the circuitry are mounted on an insulated base board disposed in the box 1. A clear perspex sheet 30 Figure 2, is mounted above the components and acts as a protective cover. The sheet is mounted in corner metal sections 31 which act as adjustable slide supports for it and has cut outs to provide for access to components such as fuses and switches. A bulb for illuminating the components under the sheet is provided and a cut out is associated with it.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although three output sockets have been shown two or more than three may be provided. Two or more distribution devices may be connected in series with the input of one device being connected to one of the output sockets of the next preceding device.

If desired the device closest to the mains may be of heavier duty design than the device or devices connected to it. Also, if desired, an earth leakage circuit breaker may be provided for each output, such an arrangement is illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6.

Whilst the distribution box as herein proposed is of use in a variety of contexts, its primary application is seen to be in the field of film and television lighting equipment.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An electrical distribution device comprising a box, an electrical inlet thereto, a plurality of output sockets mounted thereon each being provided with a spring loaded hinged cover therefor, and a distribution circuit housed within said box and connecting said input to at least one of said output sockets, said box including a lid providing access to said distribution circuit and means disposed between said base and said lid for sealing said box against the ingress of moisture.

2. An electrical distribution device as claimed in claim 1, in which the means for sealing the box includes said lid having an internal seal arranged therein.

3. An electrical distribution device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which an earth leakage circuit breaker is disposed in the box in the line leading from the electrical input to said distribution circuit.

4. An electrical distribution device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which an over current circuit breaker is disposed in each line to an electrical output socket from said distribution circuit.

5. An electrical distribution device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a visual indicator is provided to indicate that the input is live.

6. An electrical distribution device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a respective visual indicator is provided to indicate that an output socket is live.

7. An electrical distribution device as claimed in claim 5 or 6, in which the or each visual indicator is a lamp.

8. An electrical distribution device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a sheet covers the distribution circuit in the box.

9. An electrical distribution device as claimed in claim 8, in which the sheet is transparent and defines cut-outs giving access to one or more specific component parts of the circuit.

10. An electrical distribution device as claimed in claim 8 or 9, in which the sheet is of perspex.

11. An electrical distribution device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 or Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (11)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. cut outs to provide for access to components such as fuses and switches. A bulb for illuminating the components under the sheet is provided and a cut out is associated with it. It will be appreciated that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although three output sockets have been shown two or more than three may be provided. Two or more distribution devices may be connected in series with the input of one device being connected to one of the output sockets of the next preceding device. If desired the device closest to the mains may be of heavier duty design than the device or devices connected to it. Also, if desired, an earth leakage circuit breaker may be provided for each output, such an arrangement is illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6. Whilst the distribution box as herein proposed is of use in a variety of contexts, its primary application is seen to be in the field of film and television lighting equipment. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An electrical distribution device comprising a box, an electrical inlet thereto, a plurality of output sockets mounted thereon each being provided with a spring loaded hinged cover therefor, and a distribution circuit housed within said box and connecting said input to at least one of said output sockets, said box including a lid providing access to said distribution circuit and means disposed between said base and said lid for sealing said box against the ingress of moisture.

2. An electrical distribution device as claimed in claim 1, in which the means for sealing the box includes said lid having an internal seal arranged therein.

3. An electrical distribution device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which an earth leakage circuit breaker is disposed in the box in the line leading from the electrical input to said distribution circuit.

4. An electrical distribution device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which an over current circuit breaker is disposed in each line to an electrical output socket from said distribution circuit.

5. An electrical distribution device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a visual indicator is provided to indicate that the input is live.

6. An electrical distribution device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a respective visual indicator is provided to indicate that an output socket is live.

7. An electrical distribution device as claimed in claim 5 or 6, in which the or each visual indicator is a lamp.

8. An electrical distribution device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a sheet covers the distribution circuit in the box.

9. An electrical distribution device as claimed in claim 8, in which the sheet is transparent and defines cut-outs giving access to one or more specific component parts of the circuit.

10. An electrical distribution device as claimed in claim 8 or 9, in which the sheet is of perspex.

11. An electrical distribution device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 or Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.