GB2059189A - An electrically conductive plug pin - Google Patents

An electrically conductive plug pin Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2059189A
GB2059189A GB8030843A GB8030843A GB2059189A GB 2059189 A GB2059189 A GB 2059189A GB 8030843 A GB8030843 A GB 8030843A GB 8030843 A GB8030843 A GB 8030843A GB 2059189 A GB2059189 A GB 2059189A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
pin
terminal
hollow
electrically conductive
aperture
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB8030843A
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GB2059189B (en
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BICC Burndy Ltd
Original Assignee
BICC Burndy Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by BICC Burndy Ltd filed Critical BICC Burndy Ltd
Priority to GB8030843A priority Critical patent/GB2059189B/en
Publication of GB2059189A publication Critical patent/GB2059189A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2059189B publication Critical patent/GB2059189B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/04—Pins or blades for co-operation with sockets
    • H01R13/05—Resilient pins or blades
    • H01R13/055—Resilient pins or blades co-operating with sockets having a rectangular transverse section

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Abstract

An electrically conductive plug pin suitable for use as the live pin of a three-pin electric plug is formed from sheet metal or metal alloy which has been folded or otherwise shaped to form a hollow pin 1. The pin includes integral means for effecting electrical connection to a terminal of a cartridge fuse, comprising a pair of oppositely disposed resilient lugs 2 or, alternatively, an aperture 12 in one or each major side wall of the pin. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An electrically conductive plug pin This invention relates to electrically conductive plug pins and is especially, but not exclusively, concerned with electrically conductive plug pins for use in electric plugs of the kind used in domestic and similar wiring systems.
In electric plugs used in domestic and similar wiring systems, for example the "13 amp" plugs of the kind to which British Standard Specification No.
1363 relates, it is now the general practice to provide in the plug, interconnected between the live pin and the associated terminal to which the live conductor of an electric cable is electrically connected, a cartridge fuse of a rating appropriate to the electrical appliance to which the plug is connected. The means for electrically connecting a cartridge fuse between the live pin and its associated conductor terminal are usually of such a form that a cartridge fuse can be readily changed by an unskilled user of the plug.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive electrically conductive plug pin which is particularly suitable for use as the live pin of an electric plug.
According to the present invention, the improved electrically conductive plug pin is formed from sheet metal or metal alloy which has been folded or otherwise shaped to form a hollow pin and has, integral with the pin, means for effecting electrical connection to a terminal of a cartridge fuse.
Preferably, the means for effecting electrical connection to a terminal of a cartridge fuse comprises a pair of oppositely disposed resilient lugs which are integral with opposite side walls of the hollow pin and which define between them an opening into which a terminal of a cartridge fuse can make a snap fit. Each resilient lug is preferably of substantially arcuate shape with its radius of curvature approximating to that of a terminal of a cartridge fuse and at its free end is preferably folded outwardly to facilitate insertion of a fuse terminal between the lugs.
Alternatively, the means for effecting electrical connection to a terminal of a cartridge fuse may take the form of an aperture in one or each major side wall of the hollow pin, which aperture is of the shape and size of a terminal of a cartridge fuse. Where, as is usually the case, each terminal of a cartridge fuse is of substantially circular cross-section, preferably the aperture in the or each major side wall of the hollow pin is of approximately circular shape and is of such a diameter that a fuse terminal will be resiliently gripped in the aperture or apertures. Preferably, to provide a degree of resilience to the edges of the sheet of metal or metal alloy bounding the or each aperture, at least the part of the sheet extending between the or each aperture and the adjacent end of the pin is slotted.
It will be appreciated that, since the means for effecting electrical connection to a terminal of the cartridge fuse is integral with the sheet metal or metal alloy from which the hollow pin is formed, the connecting means can be readily formed during formation of the hollow pin.
The invention also includes an electric plug having a live pin substantially as herein before described.
The invention is further illustrated by a description,-by way of example, of two preferred forms of hollow live pin for use in a 13 amp plug, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I is a perspective view of the first form of hollow live pin, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the second form of hollow live pin.
The hollow live pin 1 shown in Figure 1 is formed from a preform of folded sheet brass. At the end of the pin 1 which will be positioned within the body of an electric plug, a pair of oppositely disposed resilient lugs 2 are integral with opposite minor side walls of the pin and define between them an opening into which a terminal of a cartridge fuse can make a snap fit. Each resilient lug 2 at its free end is folded outwardly at 3 to facilitate insertion of a fuse terminal between the lugs. The second form of hollow live pin 11 shown in Figure 2 is formed by folding a preform of sheet brass and has in one major side wall of the pin adjacent that end of the pin which will be positioned in the body of an electric plug, a circular aperture 12 of such a size that a terminal of a cartridge fuse will be resiliently gripped in the aperture.To provide the necessary degree of resilience to the edges of the brass sheet bounding the aperture 12, a slot 13 is provided in the part of the sheet extending between the aperture and the adjacent end of the pin; a blind slot 14 is also provided diametrically opposite the slot 13 for the same purpose.
1. For use in an electric plug, an electrically conductive hollow pin which is formed from sheet metal or metal alloy folded or otherwise shaped into hollow form and which has, integral with the pin, means for affecting electrical connection to a terminal of a cartridge fuse.
2. For use in an electric plug, an electrically conductive hollow pin which is formed from sheet metal or metal alloy folded or otherwise shaped into hollow form and which has, integral with opposite side walls of the hollow pin, a pair of oppositely disposed resilient lugs which define between them an opening into which a terminal of a cartridge fuse can make a snap fit.
3. An electrically conductive hollow pin as claimed in Claim 2, wherein each resilient lug is of substantially arcuate shape with its radius of curvature approximating to that of a terminal of a cartridge fuse.
4. An electrically conductive hollow pin as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein each resilient lug, at its free end, is folded outwardly to facilitate insertion of a fuse terminal between the lugs.
5. For use in an electric plug, an electrically conductive hollow pin which is formed from sheet metal or metal alloy folded or otherwise shaped into hollow form and which has, in one or each major side wall of the hollow pin, an aperture of the shape and size of a terminal of a cartridge fuse.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION An electrically conductive plug pin This invention relates to electrically conductive plug pins and is especially, but not exclusively, concerned with electrically conductive plug pins for use in electric plugs of the kind used in domestic and similar wiring systems. In electric plugs used in domestic and similar wiring systems, for example the "13 amp" plugs of the kind to which British Standard Specification No. 1363 relates, it is now the general practice to provide in the plug, interconnected between the live pin and the associated terminal to which the live conductor of an electric cable is electrically connected, a cartridge fuse of a rating appropriate to the electrical appliance to which the plug is connected. The means for electrically connecting a cartridge fuse between the live pin and its associated conductor terminal are usually of such a form that a cartridge fuse can be readily changed by an unskilled user of the plug. It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive electrically conductive plug pin which is particularly suitable for use as the live pin of an electric plug. According to the present invention, the improved electrically conductive plug pin is formed from sheet metal or metal alloy which has been folded or otherwise shaped to form a hollow pin and has, integral with the pin, means for effecting electrical connection to a terminal of a cartridge fuse. Preferably, the means for effecting electrical connection to a terminal of a cartridge fuse comprises a pair of oppositely disposed resilient lugs which are integral with opposite side walls of the hollow pin and which define between them an opening into which a terminal of a cartridge fuse can make a snap fit. Each resilient lug is preferably of substantially arcuate shape with its radius of curvature approximating to that of a terminal of a cartridge fuse and at its free end is preferably folded outwardly to facilitate insertion of a fuse terminal between the lugs. Alternatively, the means for effecting electrical connection to a terminal of a cartridge fuse may take the form of an aperture in one or each major side wall of the hollow pin, which aperture is of the shape and size of a terminal of a cartridge fuse. Where, as is usually the case, each terminal of a cartridge fuse is of substantially circular cross-section, preferably the aperture in the or each major side wall of the hollow pin is of approximately circular shape and is of such a diameter that a fuse terminal will be resiliently gripped in the aperture or apertures. Preferably, to provide a degree of resilience to the edges of the sheet of metal or metal alloy bounding the or each aperture, at least the part of the sheet extending between the or each aperture and the adjacent end of the pin is slotted. It will be appreciated that, since the means for effecting electrical connection to a terminal of the cartridge fuse is integral with the sheet metal or metal alloy from which the hollow pin is formed, the connecting means can be readily formed during formation of the hollow pin. The invention also includes an electric plug having a live pin substantially as herein before described. The invention is further illustrated by a description,-by way of example, of two preferred forms of hollow live pin for use in a 13 amp plug, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I is a perspective view of the first form of hollow live pin, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the second form of hollow live pin. The hollow live pin 1 shown in Figure 1 is formed from a preform of folded sheet brass. At the end of the pin 1 which will be positioned within the body of an electric plug, a pair of oppositely disposed resilient lugs 2 are integral with opposite minor side walls of the pin and define between them an opening into which a terminal of a cartridge fuse can make a snap fit. Each resilient lug 2 at its free end is folded outwardly at 3 to facilitate insertion of a fuse terminal between the lugs. The second form of hollow live pin 11 shown in Figure 2 is formed by folding a preform of sheet brass and has in one major side wall of the pin adjacent that end of the pin which will be positioned in the body of an electric plug, a circular aperture 12 of such a size that a terminal of a cartridge fuse will be resiliently gripped in the aperture.To provide the necessary degree of resilience to the edges of the brass sheet bounding the aperture 12, a slot 13 is provided in the part of the sheet extending between the aperture and the adjacent end of the pin; a blind slot 14 is also provided diametrically opposite the slot 13 for the same purpose. CLAIMS
1. For use in an electric plug, an electrically conductive hollow pin which is formed from sheet metal or metal alloy folded or otherwise shaped into hollow form and which has, integral with the pin, means for affecting electrical connection to a terminal of a cartridge fuse.
2. For use in an electric plug, an electrically conductive hollow pin which is formed from sheet metal or metal alloy folded or otherwise shaped into hollow form and which has, integral with opposite side walls of the hollow pin, a pair of oppositely disposed resilient lugs which define between them an opening into which a terminal of a cartridge fuse can make a snap fit.
3. An electrically conductive hollow pin as claimed in Claim 2, wherein each resilient lug is of substantially arcuate shape with its radius of curvature approximating to that of a terminal of a cartridge fuse.
4. An electrically conductive hollow pin as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein each resilient lug, at its free end, is folded outwardly to facilitate insertion of a fuse terminal between the lugs.
5. For use in an electric plug, an electrically conductive hollow pin which is formed from sheet metal or metal alloy folded or otherwise shaped into hollow form and which has, in one or each major side wall of the hollow pin, an aperture of the shape and size of a terminal of a cartridge fuse.
6. An electrically conductive hollow pin as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the aperture in the or each major side wall of the hollow pin is of approximately circular shape and is of such a diameter that a fuse terminal will be resiliently gripped in the aperture or apertures.
7. An electrically conductive hollow pin as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein at least the part of the sheet extending between the or each aperture and the adjacent end of the pin is slotted.
8. For use in an electric plug, an electrically conductive hollow pin substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing.
9. For use in an electric plug, an electrically conductive hollow pin substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing.
10. An electric plug having an electrically conductive hollow pin as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims.
GB8030843A 1979-09-26 1980-09-24 Electrically conductive plug pin Expired GB2059189B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8030843A GB2059189B (en) 1979-09-26 1980-09-24 Electrically conductive plug pin

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7933349 1979-09-26
GB8030843A GB2059189B (en) 1979-09-26 1980-09-24 Electrically conductive plug pin

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2059189A true GB2059189A (en) 1981-04-15
GB2059189B GB2059189B (en) 1983-09-14

Family

ID=26273005

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8030843A Expired GB2059189B (en) 1979-09-26 1980-09-24 Electrically conductive plug pin

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2059189B (en)

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2059189B (en) 1983-09-14

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732 Registration of transactions, instruments or events in the register (sect. 32/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee