GB2097600A - Apparatus for housing a kettle adaptor - Google Patents

Abstract

A housing for electrically shrouding a kettle adaptor (16) when the latter is not in use comprises a cylindrical shroud (14) of non conductive material. The shroud (14) may be mounted on a back plate (10) for mounting on a fixture, and comprise connector pins (18) in circuit with a visible indicator (22). Alternatively, the adaptor may be parked in an apertured housing. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for housing electrical equipment adaptors This invention relates to apparatus for housing electrical equipment adaptors, i.e. adaptors which are located on the ends of electrical leads and plug into equipment such as electric kettles. Hereinafter, for ease of description, the invention will be described in relation to adaptors for electric kettles but is not to be considered as being so restricted.

Electric kettles are now commonly used in kitchens and the electricaml leads with the adaptors for such kettles are often mis-used and are inherently dangerous to the user. It is apparent that the user of an electric kettle will often remove the adaptor from the kettle without switching off the electrical supply to the adaptor, due principally to present designs of electric kettles which have an automatic switch for removing the supply to the kettle heater when the water begins to boil. On both using the water from the kettle and refilling the kettle, the adaptor is often withdrawn from the kettle, such that the adaptor is then left in an electrically live and therefore dangerous state.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for housing an adaptor which can connect an electrical supply to an electric kettle, said apparatus being adapted to be mounted on a fixture, and comprising means for shrouding a kettle adaptor, the shrouding means having an entry aperture through which the kettle adaptor can be passed when removed from a kettle, such that electrical connections in the adaptor face inwardly of the aperture to retain the adaptor in an electrically shrouded condition.

Preferably, the apparatus has mounting means comprising an electrically insulating member, and mounted thereon to extend within the shrouding means are a pair of connector pins adapted to electrically connect with the connections in the adaptor when the latter enters the shrouding means, indicating means being in electrical circuit with the connector pins so as to be illuminated when electrical connection is made between the connector pins and the adaptor. The illuminating means may be visible through a window provided in the shrouding means, and may comprise a neon lamp or a light emitting diode.

Alternatively, the entry aperture in the shrouding means may have a substantially key-shaped form such that, after entry of the adaptor within the shrouding means through a main part of the entry aperture, the adaptor can move out of alignment with said main part and the electrical lead connected with the adaptor can be received within the other part of the entry aperture so as to prevent inadvertent removal of the adaptor from the shrouding means.

In either embodiment, the shrouding means comprises through holes which are arranged lowermost in an in-use position of the apparatus, so as to drain any liquid which may be present within the shroud ing means.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 3 is a section on A-A of Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention comprises a mounting plate 10 formed of an electrically insulating material and of substantially rectangular configuration. A pair of countersunk holes 12 are provided in the plate 10 for mounting the latter on a fixture such as a vertical wall by means of screws or the like (not shown). Mounted substantially centrally on the plate 10 is a shroud 14 of substantially cylindrical form and dimensioned to locate a cylindrical adaptor 16 for an electric kettle in a sliding fit. The shroud 14 is open at the end remote from the plate 10 for passage of the adaptor 16 through the open end into the shroud 14.

Within the shroud 14 on the plate 10, there are provided a pair of connector pins 18, preferably of copper, which are so positioned as to locate in connectors 20 within the adaptor 16 when the latter is inserted into the shrould 14. The pins 18 are electrically connected together through a circuit comprising an illuminating device such as a neon indicator 22 and dropper resistors 24 therefor. The neon indicator 22 may be arranged to be of the flashing type and is visible through a window 26 in the wall of the shroud 14. A plurality of through holes 28 are provided in the wall of the shroud 14 at a location substantially diametrically opposite that of the window 26.

It is proposed that all non-conductive parts may be formed of a moulded plastics material or a ceramic material to conform to British standards. The position of the pins 18 are arranged to conform to British standards for kettle adaptors or to suit any other standards as necessary.

In use, the plate 10 is mounted on an upright wall and is so orientated that the window 26 faces upwardly while the holes 28 are in the lower-most position to enable draining of any water or moisture from the shroud 14. When the adaptor 16 is introduced to the shroud 14, the adaptor 16 is so guided that the pins 18 enter the connections 20 in the adaptor 16 and the neon lamp 22 is illuminated to be visible through the window 26. It will be appreciated that the apparatus is used when the adaptor with the electrical lead is removed from the kettle for any reason, such that the electrical connections in the adaptor are then safely shrouded.

In a further embodiment as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the apparatus comprises a housing 30 which is open at one end 32 and tapers from the end 32 towards the opposite end 34 wherein is provided an aperture 36 of key-like shape having a main circular part 38 communicating with a slot 40. The housing 30 is arranged to be mounted on a fixture such as a wall by means of screws or the like (not shown) extending through bores 42 provided at opposed locations on the wall of the housing 30.

When mounted on an upright wall, the housing is preferably arranged such that the aperture part 38 is vertically above the slot 40. When a kettle adaptor 44 is removed from a kettle it can be housed or parked within the housing 30 by passing the adaptor through the aperture part 38. The latter has such a diameter as to receive the adaptor 44 with minimum clearance. When the adaptor 44 passes through the aperture part 38, the adaptor 44 can be lowered out of alignment with the aperture part 38, with the electrical lead 46 from the adaptor 44 being received within the slot 40. Thus the adaptor is captured within the housing 30 and cannot be withdrawn therefrom inadvertently.

The housing 30 is preferably formed of an electrically insulating material and drain holes 48 are provided in the wall of the housing 30 at locations arranged to be lowermost in use so as to drain any water or moisture from the housing 30.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the configuration of the shroud of the first embodiment and the housing of the second embodiment may differ from that shown, it only being necessary that the adaptor can be positioned such that its electrical connections are safely shrouded from the user. Also it will be obvious that the mounting plate of the first embodiment can be of any suitable configuration and for example may be in the form of a ceramic tile which can befitted within a tiled area in a wall of a kitchen.

Further the bores forthe fixing screws in the second embodiment may be defined by key-hole type bores in a back plate to enable the fixing screws to be mounted on the wall and the back plate then to be located on the screws which are subsequently tightened. The back plate may have a roughened surface to allow for adhesive fixing.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing Specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

CLAIMS (filed 15/4/82) 1. Apparatus for housing an adaptor which can connect on electrical supply to an electric kettle, said apparatus being adapted to be positioned on a fixture, and comprising electrically non-conductive means for retaining and shrouding a kettle adaptor, the retaining means having an entry aperture through which the kettle adaptor can be passed when removed from a kettle, such that electrical connections in the adaptor face inwardly of the aperture to retain the adaptor in an electrically shrouded condition.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, including means for mounting the retaining means on a fixture comprising an electrically insulated member, a pair of connector pins being located on the mounting means to extend within the retaining means so as to electrically connect with the connections in the adaptor when the latter enters the retaining means, and indicating means being in electrical circuit with the connector pins so as to be illuminated when electrical connection is made between the connector pins and the adaptor.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the illuminating means is visible through a window provided in the retaining means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the illuminating means comprises a neon lamp.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the illuminating means comprises a light emitting diode.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining means is of substantially cylindrical form and is dimensioned to locate the adaptor in a siiding fit.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining means is formed of a moulded plastics material.

8. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the retaining means is formed of a ceramic material.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, including means for fixing the apparatus to a fixture.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the entry aperture has a substantially key-shaped form such that, after entry of the adaptor within the retaining means through a main part of the entry aperture, the adaptor can move out of alignment with said main part and an electrical lead connected with the adaptor can be received within the other part of the entry aperture so as to prevent inadvertent removal of the adaptor from the retaining means.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the retaining means has an open end opposite the end in which the entry aperture is provided.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein bores are provided at locations on a peripheral wall of the retaining means for locating members for fixing the apparatus to a fixture.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, including a back plate adapted to be fixed to a fixture and on which the retaining means is adapted to be mounted by location of the bores over the fixing members which are used with the back plate.

14. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, including a back plate adapted to be fixed to a fixture and further adapted to mount the retaining means.

15. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining means comprises a plurality of through holes arranged to be lowermost in an in-use position of the apparatus so as to drain any liquid which may be present within the retaining means.

16. Apparatus for housing an adaptor which can connect on electrical supply to an electric kettle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (16)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. When mounted on an upright wall, the housing is preferably arranged such that the aperture part 38 is vertically above the slot 40. When a kettle adaptor 44 is removed from a kettle it can be housed or parked within the housing 30 by passing the adaptor through the aperture part 38. The latter has such a diameter as to receive the adaptor 44 with minimum clearance. When the adaptor 44 passes through the aperture part 38, the adaptor 44 can be lowered out of alignment with the aperture part 38, with the electrical lead 46 from the adaptor 44 being received within the slot 40. Thus the adaptor is captured within the housing 30 and cannot be withdrawn therefrom inadvertently. The housing 30 is preferably formed of an electrically insulating material and drain holes 48 are provided in the wall of the housing 30 at locations arranged to be lowermost in use so as to drain any water or moisture from the housing 30. Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the configuration of the shroud of the first embodiment and the housing of the second embodiment may differ from that shown, it only being necessary that the adaptor can be positioned such that its electrical connections are safely shrouded from the user. Also it will be obvious that the mounting plate of the first embodiment can be of any suitable configuration and for example may be in the form of a ceramic tile which can befitted within a tiled area in a wall of a kitchen. Further the bores forthe fixing screws in the second embodiment may be defined by key-hole type bores in a back plate to enable the fixing screws to be mounted on the wall and the back plate then to be located on the screws which are subsequently tightened. The back plate may have a roughened surface to allow for adhesive fixing. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing Specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon. CLAIMS (filed 15/4/82)

1. Apparatus for housing an adaptor which can connect on electrical supply to an electric kettle, said apparatus being adapted to be positioned on a fixture, and comprising electrically non-conductive means for retaining and shrouding a kettle adaptor, the retaining means having an entry aperture through which the kettle adaptor can be passed when removed from a kettle, such that electrical connections in the adaptor face inwardly of the aperture to retain the adaptor in an electrically shrouded condition.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, including means for mounting the retaining means on a fixture comprising an electrically insulated member, a pair of connector pins being located on the mounting means to extend within the retaining means so as to electrically connect with the connections in the adaptor when the latter enters the retaining means, and indicating means being in electrical circuit with the connector pins so as to be illuminated when electrical connection is made between the connector pins and the adaptor.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the illuminating means is visible through a window provided in the retaining means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the illuminating means comprises a neon lamp.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the illuminating means comprises a light emitting diode.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining means is of substantially cylindrical form and is dimensioned to locate the adaptor in a siiding fit.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining means is formed of a moulded plastics material.

8. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the retaining means is formed of a ceramic material.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, including means for fixing the apparatus to a fixture.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the entry aperture has a substantially key-shaped form such that, after entry of the adaptor within the retaining means through a main part of the entry aperture, the adaptor can move out of alignment with said main part and an electrical lead connected with the adaptor can be received within the other part of the entry aperture so as to prevent inadvertent removal of the adaptor from the retaining means.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the retaining means has an open end opposite the end in which the entry aperture is provided.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein bores are provided at locations on a peripheral wall of the retaining means for locating members for fixing the apparatus to a fixture.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, including a back plate adapted to be fixed to a fixture and on which the retaining means is adapted to be mounted by location of the bores over the fixing members which are used with the back plate.

14. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, including a back plate adapted to be fixed to a fixture and further adapted to mount the retaining means.

15. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining means comprises a plurality of through holes arranged to be lowermost in an in-use position of the apparatus so as to drain any liquid which may be present within the retaining means.

16. Apparatus for housing an adaptor which can connect on electrical supply to an electric kettle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.