GB2166303A

GB2166303A - An adaptor for connecting electrical connectors to electrical accessory outlet connectors

Info

Publication number: GB2166303A
Application number: GB08526069A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hugh Jonathon Gearing
Original assignee: Ranton & Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ranton & Co Ltd
Priority date: 1984-10-23
Filing date: 1985-10-22
Publication date: 1986-04-30
Also published as: GB8526069D0; GB8426748D0

Abstract

An adaptor (10) comprises supply connection pins (11a, 12a) for mating with an electrical connector, the supply pins being provided additionally or alternatively to screw-clamp wire connectors (not shown) of a plug (or socket not shown) for mating with an electrical accessory outlet connector. The supply pins (11a, 12a) may comprise integral extensions of pins (11) of the plug (or socket), and may be offset (Figure 4, not shown) for fitting into the screw-clamp wire connectors of the plug. Alternatively integral supply/plug pins may be embedded in an insulating plate (Figure 5, not shown). The supply pins (11a) of the adaptor may be received in screw-clamp wire connectors (14, 15) of a bayonet lampholder (20). A bolt (22) holds the lampholder and adaptor together. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical accessory connections The invention relates to electrical accessories and has particular reference to mains accessories utilising modular plug and/or socket units.

Our copending patent application no. 8411530 makes specific proposals for a latched plug-andsocket type mains distribution system where plug pins make electrical contact in the socket only after relative rectilinear movement of the plug and socket units. Such units are of particular value for lighting accessories as a safe connection practice compared with the general run of present accessories such as ceiling roses, etc. In principle, of course, the plug-and-socket system of the aforesaid application could serve for other distribution of electrical mains and not necessarily at lesser power ratings than the well-known flat 3-pin power ring mains. Moreover, it is feasible for modular plug and socket units, even of a latched type to have other than rectilinear latching action, though such could be more difficult to apply at least to narrow, say architrave-type, fittings.It is, however, particularly convenient to have standard modular plug and socket units that are then structurally incorporated into electrical accessories of various kinds, usually in a fixed outlet faceplate for the socket unit and as part of a removable accessory for the plug unit.

A general advantage is envisaged for each of modular plug and/or socket units to be of a very basic nature, typically affording just the interconnection pin or socket provisions at first faces and electrical wire connections of clamping screw type at other faces, say with wire access holes in faces opposite to the pinned and socketed faces and clamp screw access at end faces as in our copending application. We are particularly concerned herein to facilitate incorporation of such basic units into other fittings and accessories, especially where close association is advantageous with another component to which wire connection is possible, say batten lampholders as will be specifically described.

In a general aspect, this invention proposes that such basic plug and/or socket units have additionally or alternatively to the aforesaid electrical connection provisions, what are in effect supply connection pins for connection at least to live and neutral.

One aspect of the invention provides a mains electrical plug and/or socket unit affording interconnection pin means or socket provision at first faces and positions for electrical wire connections normally of clamping screw type at other faces and having additionally or alternatively to the aforesaid electrical wire connections, supply connection pins for connection at least to live and neutral.

Such supply connection pins may be provided in several different ways, including integral extensions from normal pins (for plug units) or contact components (for sockets) through the normal clamp screw connections or their positions, or securing preformed wire or strip components into screw clamp connectors to leave free end parts as the pins, or and generally particularly advantageously where space permits, an insulating block or plate carrying wire or strip components protruding to two sides and located so that they present pins at one side which register with connection to the basic unit and pins at the other side which register with some other desired connection, for example of lampholder parts required in a battentype lampholder accessory.

Whilst it is the case that protruding supply connection pins can facilitate crimped connections, it is, as foreshadowed above, envisaged that embodiments of this invention will make their main contribution by affording connections that, at least at final assembly of accessories and/or installation, avoid hand-wiring using short lengths of insulated wire. Then, of course, the projecting supply connection pins are preferably accurately located via their association with the basic plugs and/or socket unit concerned but relative to some other component of the accessory.

Another aspect of the invention provides a mains electrical connector unit in the form of an insulating block or plate having supply connection pins defined by wire or strip components protruding to two sides and located so that they present pins at one side for registration with connection to a basic plug or socket unit, and pins at the other side for registration with some other desired connection.

A connector block or plate is then particularly useful and can be readily further secured to the basic plug and/or socket unit by mutual screw fixing. At least then, the supply connection pins could be interference fits rather than screw-clamped relative to the association plug or socket unit concerned.

Specific implementation of this invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 7 is a part sectional side view of a batten lampholder; Figure 2 is an end view of what is shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an extended terminal pin of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows a side view of the pin of Figure 3; Figures 5 and 6 are sections at right angles through a supply connection block.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, a basic plug unit 10 is shown similar to that in our aforementioned application. It has two L-shaped pins 11 and 12 spaced laterally for live and neutral and two Tshaped projections 13, 14 spaced longitudinally one of which can conveniently serve as an earth pin. All project from one face, termed front, and the plug unit 10 normally has internal screw-clamp wire connections open to the back for wire and accessible from ends for screw driving. For the purposes of Figures 1 to 3, however, such screw clamp wire connectors are omitted at least for the live and neutral pins 11, 12 which are shown extended at 11a, 12a to project clear of the back of the plug unit, actually into screw-clamp connectors 14, 15 of a iampholder inner body 20 shown as having an outer body or skirt component of bayonet type.

In addition, there is a screw connection 22 through the plug unit 10 into a threaded hole 24 in the lampholder.

It will be appreciated that the extensions 11a, 12a are shown joggled as there is misalignment relative to the connectors 14, 15 of the lampholder 20. In fact, they could be straight if there was no such misalignment, or even be bent otherwise in order to feed into side-entrant wire connectors and/or rely on interference, fitting, whether for a lampholder, or some other component to be associated with the plug unit. Figure 4 shows a joggle at 30 to the extension 11a, as may be required depending on entrance to the lampholder 20 or other accessory units to be served.

Turning to Figure 5 and 6, a connector block 40 is shown with embedded connections pins 41,42 projected to each of opposite sides. The projections 41a, 42a will connect to the plug unit 10 and those 41b, 42b will be for another component such as the lampholder 20. Screw fixing provision for the block 40 to a basic unit hereof is indicated via a screw-threaded insert 44 in a hole 46, with a further through hole 48 for connection through to some other component such as a lampholder body.

It will be appreciated that free pins 41, 42 could be used, i.e. not embedded in a block such as 40, and same may well be inserted into the plug unit (or a socket unit) in a jog prior to or at the same time or attachment of another accessory unit.

The basic socket unit to be associated with the plug unit will have two longitudinally spaced keyhole shaped holes to take the T-shaped projections 13, 14 and two laterally spaced slots for the Lshaped pins 11, 12 with internal contacts beyond ends of the slots, all in or relative to one face or front of the socket unit. The opposite face of back will, like the plug unit 10 normally have wire entries to screw-clamp connector blocks whose screws can be driven from ends of the socket unit.

It will be apparent that such a socket unit can be treated in every way similarly to the plug unit 10 in terms of providing electrical connection pins from its back, say to connect to a standard form of ceiling rose.

Whether as an accessory component with a plug unit, or one with a socket unit, such units will normally be secured in a face plate and/or associated with (or further associated with) a cover.

Claims

1. A mains electrical plug and/or socket unit affording interconnection pin means or socket provisions at first faces and positions for electrical wire connections normally of clamping screw type at other faces and having additionally or alternatively to the aforesaid electrical wire connections, supply connection pins for connection at least to live and neutral.

2. A unit as claimed in claim 1 in which the supply connection pins comprise at the other faces integral extensions from normal pins (for plug units) or contact components (for sockets).

3. A unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, having access holes in faces opposite to the pinned and socketed faces and clamp screw access at end faces, the supply connection pins being through the normal clamp screw connections or their positions.

4. A unit as claimed in claim 3 in which the supply connection pins are formed by securing preformed wire or strip components via said access holes into screw clamp connectors to leave free end parts as the pins.

5. A unit as claimed in claim 1 in which the supply connection pins comprise wire or strip components protruding to two sides of an insulating block or plate so that they present pins at one side which register with access holes for connection to plug or socket unit, and pins at the other side which register with some other desired connection.

6. A mains electrical connector unit in the form of an insulating block or plate having supply connection pins defined by wire or strip components protruding to two sides and located so that they present pins at one side for registration with connection to a basic plug or socket unit, and pins at the other side for registration with some other desired connection.

7. A unit as claimed in claim 5 or 6 in which the insulating block or plate is further secured to the plug or socket unit by mutuai screw fixing.

8. A unit as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7 in which the plug or socket registration pins are an interference fit with the plug or socket unit.

9. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the supply connection pins are joggled such that their spacing differs from the spacing of the interconnection pin means or socket provisions of the plug and socket unit.

10. A mains electrical plug and/or socket unit constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 or 4 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A mains electrical connector unit constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.