GB2149230A

GB2149230A - Electrical track distribution system

Info

Publication number: GB2149230A
Application number: GB08426175A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Ivor Hankin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-10-17
Filing date: 1984-10-17
Publication date: 1985-06-05
Also published as: GB8426175D0; GB2149230B

Abstract

The distribution track comprises an elongate panel of box section, with a longitudinal aperture (4) in one side. The edges of the aperture define lips (12) of differing thickness, with electrical conductors (6, 10) on the inwardly facing surface of the lips. An earth conductor (8) is also located on the back inner surface (36) of the panel. The plug (28) has a spring loaded center earth contact (32) and two lateral protrusions bearing contacts (30, 34) thereon. The plug is inserted into the aperture and rotated through 90 DEG to bring the contacts into electrical contact (30, 32, 34) with the respective conductors (6, 8, 10). A cam formation (36) on the plug prevents it from being rotated more than 90 DEG , and the differing thickness of the lips and corresponding difference in the thickness of the contact-bearing protrusions prevents incorrect orientation of the plug. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical distribution BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION THIS Invention relates to electrical power dis tribution.

THIS invention is particularlyerelated to domestic power distribution and provide a method and means for distribution power in a room of a house for example. The invention may however be applied to power distribution in a factory or the like. In domestic situations especially when several appliances are used in a particular room they often must be plugged in on each occasion of use to one or more multi-connectors used at a convenient mains outlet socket. This creates inconvenienqe and unsightliness respectively and tends to reduce safety for the user of the appliances.

It is an object of the invention to reduce these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, there is provided a combination of an electrical plug and a distribution means in which the distribution means comprises an elongate panel of box section with a longitudinal aperture in one side, the width of the aperture being less than the width of the side and the edges of the aperture defining lips of different thickness on either side of the aperture, and electrical conductors extending along the inwardly facing surfaces of the lips so that the conductors are not directly accessible through the aperture; the plug comprising a body having a longitudinal axis with protrusions extending transverse to the axis adjacent one end of the body supporting electrical contacts thereon and a forward protruding spring loaded contact on the axis, the protrusions being arranged to enter the aperture and to be rotated behind the lips so that the electrical contacts thereon respectively come into contact with the electrical conductors on the inwardly facing surfaces; and a formation on the outer surface of the body which engages the sides of the aperture to prevent further rotation of the body.

The panel may be provided with a mains plug adapted to be inserted into a mains socket.

The panel may have at one end a male formation and at the other end a complementary female formation for engagement with the male formation, the formations being provided with a plurality of complementary electrical contacts connected to the respective conductors of the distribution means, such that a plurality of distribution means may be joined end to end with electrical continuity being maintained from one distribution means to the next.

Preferably the panel is made of plastics material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred 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 elevation of an electrical distribution panel according to the invention: Figure 2 is an end elevation in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1: Figure 3 is a section of the panel shown in Fig. 1: Figures 4 and 5 are a front elevation and plan respectively of a mains plug module for the panel: Figure 6 is an elevation of a plug for use in conjunction with the panel: Figure 7 is a plan of the plug of Fig. 6; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the panel.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODI MENT Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 show a front elevation and an end elevation of a plastics electrical distribution panel 2 according to the invention. The front face of the panel 2 has a narrow longitudinal aperture 4, through which access to the internal conductors is gained, with a lip 1 2 on either side.

The embodiment shown has three conductors 6, 8 and 10 which are provided in the form of copper strips. One conductor, 8 is provided centrally on the inside rear face of the panel-and is visible through the opening 4.

This is used as an earth connection. The remaining two conductors, 6 and 10, are provided on the inner surfaces of the lips 12, disposed longitudinally. This placement, together with the narrowness of the gaps behind the lips 12, greatly reduces the possibility of accidental contact with the conductors 6 and 10. The conductors 6 and 10 are not in any event directly accessible through the aperture 4 so that the live conductor 6 or 10 as the case may be, cannot normally be accidentally contacted.

The panel 2 is provided at one end with three pins 14, 1 6 and 18, which are connected to the internal conductors 6, 8 and 1 2. At the other end of the panel 2, is a complementary socket 20. This enables two or more panels 2 to be plugged together to provide a distribution panel of increased length. One of the pins, 14, is larger than the others to pevent incorrect connection of two panels. Alternatively, the pins may be spaced so as to prevent incorrect orientation when connecting the panels together.

In an alternative embodiment, (Fig. 8), the panel 2 has at one end a male engaging formation 40 and at the other end a complementary female engaging formation 42. The formation 40 and 42 have corresponding electrical contacts 44, 46 and 48 and 50, 52 and 54 respectively. When the formations 40 and 42 of two panels are engaged, the respective contacts meet and the respective conductors of the panels 2 are electrically connected. Three apertures 56 are provided adjacent the female formation 42 and three apertures 58 are provided adjacent the make formation 40 to enable the panels 2 to be screwed or bolted together in use.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, a mains plug module 22 has pins which fit a standard outlet socket. Each pin is connected to a contact in a socket 24 similar to that at the end of each panel 2. In use, the pins 14, 16 and 1 8 of a panel 2 are plugged into the socket 24 on the plug module. A switch 26 is provided on the panel 2 to control electrical apparatus connected to the panel 2. In an alternative embodiment, the mains plug can be directly attached to the panel 2, or can be connected to the panel 2 by means of a cable.

Figure 6 shows a plug 28 which has three contacts 30, 32 and 34 at one end which are arranged to make contact with the conductors 6, 8 and 10 on the panel 2. The contacts 30 and 34 on the plug are of differing thickness, corresponding to the differing distances between the conductors on the inside surfaces of the lips 1 2 and the back 36 of the panel 2.

This arrangement ensures that the plug 28 can be rotated in only one orientation. This is of importance where, say, the live and neutral leads to an apparatus must be distinguished from one another. Also, if the panel is used to distribute direct current, the arrangement ensures that the polarity of the supply to an appliance is not reversed.

The plug 28 is arranged to locate slideably in the opening 4 of the panel 2. In use the plug 28 is rotated so that the contacts 30, 32 and 34 are aligned longitudinally and inserted into the aperture 4. The plug 28 is then rotated through 90 to seat it firmly in the panel. The shape of the contacts 30 and 34, and two cam surfaces 36 provided on the plug 28, which engage the aperture 4 on the panel 2, prevent the plug from being turned through more than 90 , while the asymmetric profile of the interior of the panel 2 and the corresponding shape of the contacts 30 and 34 prevent the plug 28 from being turned in the wrong direction. A collar 38 on the plug 28 helps to locate the plug 28 longitudinally in the panel 2 when the plug 28 is inserted.

The plug 28 can then be slid in the panel 2 to a convenient position.

Clip-on plastic cover sections can be used to cover the aperture 4 when the position(s) of the plug(s) 28 have been decided upon. The cover sections are then simply cut to length and pressed on to the panel 2, engaging the opening 4 or alternatively fitting over the edges of the panel 2. The cover prevents the ingress of dust and other contaminants and is a further safety feature.

In addition to the switch 26 provided on the panel 2, a fuse may be incorporated either in the panel 2 or in the mains plug module 22.

The plug 29 is provided at one end with a cable 38 to which an electrical apparatus is connected. Alternatively, the plug 28 may incorporate a light fitting such as a socket, or another electrical device.

It has been explained that a plug fits into the panel and can rotate in only one direction.

The same can be achieved by positioning the aperture 4 non-centrally and providing a nonsymmetrical plug with one contact 30 or 34 longer than the other contact.

The plug 28 may be in the form of a light fitting to which a light bulb can be directly connected.

Claims

1. A combination of an electrical plug and a distribution means in which the distribution means comprises an elongate panel of box section with a longitudinal aperture in one side, the width of the aperture being less than the width of the side and the edges of the aperture defining lips of different thickness on either side of the aperture, and electrical conductors extending along the inwardly facing surfaces of the lips so that the conductors are not directly accessible through the aperture; the plug comprising a body having a longitudinal axis with protrusions extending transverse to the axis adjacent one end of the body supporting electrical contacts thereon and a forward protruding spring loaded contact on the axis, the protrusions being arranged to enter the aperture and to be rotated behind the lips so that the electrical contacts thereon respectively come into contact with the electrical conductors on the inwardly facing surfaces; and a formation on the outer surface of the body which engages the sides of the aperture to prevent further rotation of the body.

2. A combination of an electrical plug and distribution means according to claim 1, in which the electrical conductors are mounted such that their inwardly facing surfaces are recessed with respect to the inwardly facing surfaces of the lips.

3. A combination of an electrical plug and distribution means according to claim 1, in which the distribution means has at one end a male formation and at the other end a complementary female formation for engagement with the male formation, the formations being provided with a plurality of complementary electrical contact connected to the respective conductors of the distribution means, such that a plurality of distribution means may be joined end to end with electrical continuity being maintained from one distribution means to the next.

4. A combination of an electrical plug and distribution means according to claim 3 in which the male formation comprises a plurality of electrically conductive pins; and the female formation comprises a complementary socket for receiving the pins.

5. A combination of an electrical plug and distribution means according to claim 1, in which a conductor is provided on an inner surface of the distribution means for engagement with the spring loaded contact of the plug.

6. An electrical plug for use with the combination of claim 1, the plug comprising a body having a longitudinal axis with protrusions extending transverse to the axis adjacent one end of the body supporting electrical contacts thereon and a forward protruding spring loaded contact on the axis, the protrusions being arranged to enter the aperture and to be rotated behind the lips so that the electrical contacts thereon respectively come into contact with the electrical conductors on the inwardly facing surfaces; and a formation on the outer surface of the body which engages the sides of the aperture to prevent further rotation of the body.

7. An electrical plug according to claim 6, having attached thereto a light fitting.

8. An electrical distribution means for use with the combination of claim 1, the distribution means comprising an elongated panel of box section with a longitudinal aperture in one side, the width of the aperture being less than the width of the side and the edges of the aperture defining lips of different thickness on either side of the aperture; and electrical conductors extending along the inwardly facing surfaces of the lips so that the conductors are not directly accessible through the aperture.

9. An electrical distribution means according to claim 8, in which the electrical conductors are mounted such that their inwardly facing surfaces are recessed with respect to the inwardly facing surfaces of the lips.

10. A combination of an electrical plug and a distributing means substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

11. An electrical plug substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

1 2. An electrical distribution means substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.