GB2145293A - Electrical socket device - Google Patents

Abstract

The electrical socket device is in the form of an adaptor for replacing a single electrical socket mounted in a single socket box (B). The device has two faces (16,16) inclined at an obtuse angle ( alpha ) to one another. Socket hole sets (20) are provided in each face (16) so that each face (16) can accept a plug. In this way, two plugs can be accommodated where before only one was possible. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical socket device The present invention relates to an electrical socket device and it is an aim of the present invention to provide an electrical socket device which can be accommodated in a standard single, power socket box and which will allow two standard electrical plugs (13A) to be connected thereto.

According to the invention, there is provided an electrical device for connection to a single, power socket box, the device includes a plate member to be fixed to the box by means, for example, of screws, the plate member having two planar surfaces subtending an obtuse angle with each other, each face including a set of holes to receive the pins of a respective one of two electrical power plugs. Conve nientlythe hole sets of the two faces are staggered in a direction lengthwise of the centre line separating the two faces.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of an electrical socket device according to the present invention and suitable for receiving two 13Athree pin electrical plugs, and Figure 2 is a plan view of the socket device of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the electrical socket device 10 is designed for connection to a standard single, power (13A) socket box B. The device includes a plate member 12 conveniently moulded from a suitable plastics material and having knock out holes 14 to receive screws for fixing to the socket box. The plate member 12 has two planar faces 16 subtending an obtuse angle cx with each other; preferably the angle = should lie in the range 110 to 1150; the faces 16 are separated by a central line or elongate region 18. Each face 16 includes a set of three holes 20 arranged to receive the pins of a respective one of two three pin 13A electrical plugs (not shown).

Conveniently the hole sets of the two faces 16 are staggered in a direction lengthwise of the centre line 18 to enable the overlap if necessary of the innermost pins of the two plugs when connected to the socket device.

It will be apparent that the above described socket device can be used to replace standard single socket devices found in domestic or industrial situations.

The replacement operation will be easy to carry out and will provide a double socket without the requirement for a double width socket box.

If required the socket device may include a neon "current on" indicator and/or on/off switches.

1. A device for connection to a single power socket, the device comprising a housing and means for fixing the housing to the box, the housing having two planar surfaces subtending an obtuse angle with each other, each surface including a set of socket holes to receive the pins of respective ones of two electrical plugss.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the hole sets of the two surfaces are staggered relative to one another in the direction of the line along which the two surfaces intersect.

3. An electrical socket adaptor for replacing a single electrical socket mounted on a single socket box, the adaptor comprising a socket member having at least two outer faces angularly inclined to one another, each face being provided with socket holes for accepting a corresponding electrical plug, and fixing means for fixing the adaptor to the single socket box.

4. An adaptor according to claim 3, wherein said two faces are inclined at an obtuse angle to one another.

5. An adaptor according to claim 4, wherein said obtuse angle lies in the range of from 1100 to 1150.

6. An adaptor according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said fixing means comprises a pair of spaced apertures, one in each said face, and a pair of screws for passing into said apertures to screwthreadedly engage said single socket box.

7. An electrical socket adaptor substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Electrical socket device The present invention relates to an electrical socket device and it is an aim of the present invention to provide an electrical socket device which can be accommodated in a standard single, power socket box and which will allow two standard electrical plugs (13A) to be connected thereto. According to the invention, there is provided an electrical device for connection to a single, power socket box, the device includes a plate member to be fixed to the box by means, for example, of screws, the plate member having two planar surfaces subtending an obtuse angle with each other, each face including a set of holes to receive the pins of a respective one of two electrical power plugs. Conve nientlythe hole sets of the two faces are staggered in a direction lengthwise of the centre line separating the two faces. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of an electrical socket device according to the present invention and suitable for receiving two 13Athree pin electrical plugs, and Figure 2 is a plan view of the socket device of Figure 1. Referring to the drawings, the electrical socket device 10 is designed for connection to a standard single, power (13A) socket box B. The device includes a plate member 12 conveniently moulded from a suitable plastics material and having knock out holes 14 to receive screws for fixing to the socket box. The plate member 12 has two planar faces 16 subtending an obtuse angle cx with each other; preferably the angle = should lie in the range 110 to 1150; the faces 16 are separated by a central line or elongate region 18. Each face 16 includes a set of three holes 20 arranged to receive the pins of a respective one of two three pin 13A electrical plugs (not shown). Conveniently the hole sets of the two faces 16 are staggered in a direction lengthwise of the centre line 18 to enable the overlap if necessary of the innermost pins of the two plugs when connected to the socket device. It will be apparent that the above described socket device can be used to replace standard single socket devices found in domestic or industrial situations. The replacement operation will be easy to carry out and will provide a double socket without the requirement for a double width socket box. If required the socket device may include a neon "current on" indicator and/or on/off switches. CLAIMS

1. A device for connection to a single power socket, the device comprising a housing and means for fixing the housing to the box, the housing having two planar surfaces subtending an obtuse angle with each other, each surface including a set of socket holes to receive the pins of respective ones of two electrical plugss.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the hole sets of the two surfaces are staggered relative to one another in the direction of the line along which the two surfaces intersect.

3. An electrical socket adaptor for replacing a single electrical socket mounted on a single socket box, the adaptor comprising a socket member having at least two outer faces angularly inclined to one another, each face being provided with socket holes for accepting a corresponding electrical plug, and fixing means for fixing the adaptor to the single socket box.

4. An adaptor according to claim 3, wherein said two faces are inclined at an obtuse angle to one another.

5. An adaptor according to claim 4, wherein said obtuse angle lies in the range of from 1100 to 1150.

6. An adaptor according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said fixing means comprises a pair of spaced apertures, one in each said face, and a pair of screws for passing into said apertures to screwthreadedly engage said single socket box.

7. An electrical socket adaptor substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.