GB2201556A

GB2201556A - Dummy plug with plug support

Info

Publication number: GB2201556A
Application number: GB08724911A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Muir Thomson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-02-13
Filing date: 1987-10-23
Publication date: 1988-09-01
Also published as: GB8703442D0; GB8724911D0

Abstract

A dummy electric plug (10, 12, 24) attaches to the sheath of an electric flex (34) adjacent a mains plug (36) which terminates the flex, thereby to hold the mains plug in an accessible position adjacent the mains socket (38) when the dummy plug is inserted into the socket when the mains plug is not in use. The plug may be formed from a body (10) with a sliding cover (12) containing a resilient tongue (22) for holding the flex (fig. 2) or as a one piece body having a resilient clip (32, Fig. 4). <IMAGE>

Description

Dummy Electric Plug This invention relates to a dummy electric plug.

Unswitched mains electric wall sockets have been commonly installed in the past and are still being installed. In usage of these sockets, it is recommended for safety reasons that the mains plug connected to an appliance be removed from the socket when the appliance is not in use, and especially overnight and during all relatively long periods of non-use of the appliance. The loose mains plug-with attached electric flex is left lying on the floor, not within easy reach when the appliance is again to be used.

This problem is aggravated if the socket is located behind adjacent furniture or the like, and the matter of retrieving the loose plug can in any case present difficulty to infirm persons or persons with disabilities making it difficult to bend down. Moreover, the mains socket from which the plug has been removed is exposed for possible abuse by children, notwithstanding the safety curtain, associated with the earth pin, with which mains plugs are usually provided.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dummy electric plug which can provide a solution to the abovedescribed problems.

According to the invention, there is provided a dummy electric plug comprising a body portion carrying pins and adapted for insertion into an electric mains socket, but said pins not being equipped with means enabling electrical connection of electrically conducting leads thereto, wherein the body portion is formed to receive and grip the exterior sheath of an electric flex terminated with a conventional mains plug.

The invention thus provides a dummy plug which can be attached to an electric flex adjacent the mains plug connected to the end thereof. When the mains plug is removed, the dummy plug is inserted into the electric socket in place of said mains plug, which is held suspended adjacent the socket by an adjacent portion of the electric flex which is supported by said dummy plug.

The mains plug is thus easily reached when the connected appliance is again to be used. The dummy plug can be left attached to the flex when the mains plug is in use.

The invention has the further advantage that the mains socket is protected against abuse when the mains plug is removed.

A preferred dummy plug, preferably including the pins, is made of an electrically insulating material, for example being moulded of a plastics material such as polyethylene, polypropylene or nylon.

In one embodiment, the body portion of the plug is made of two parts which fit together, as by a sliding tongue and groove action, to receive and hold the electric flex between the two parts.

In another embodiment, a one-piece body portion is hollow and open on the underside, with a peripheral wall formed on opposite sides of the plug with slots, possibly undercut slots, in which the electric flex is received and held.

The interior of the hollow body of the dummy plug may, in addition, be provided with a resilient clip for gripping the electric flex.

Two practical embodiments of dummy plug in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 3 show one embodiment of dummy plug having two parts, respectively in side elevation when dis-assembled, in cross-sectional side view when assembled, and in front elevation when assembled; Figures 4 to 6 show a second embodiment, respectively in perspective underside view, side elevation and front elevation; and Figure 7 serves to show the manner of use of the second embodiment.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a dummy plug comprises two parts 10 and 12 moulded of insulating plastics material, the first part 10 having integral pins 14 and opposed wall portions formed with flex-receiving slots 16 (Figure 2).

The two parts of the dummy plug are formed slidingly to interengage with a tongue and groove keyway action, as indicated at 18.

In use, the two parts are interfitted after location of a portion of an electric flex, adjacently terminated with a mains plug, into the slots 16. These slots 16 are then closed when the second part 12 of the plug is slid over the first part, the dimensioning of the resulting apertures 20 (see Figure 3) in the assembled dummy plug preferably being such that said plug grips the sheath of the flex relatively tightly, i.e. so that the dummy plug does not readily slide along or turn around the flex. A resilient tongue 22 (see Figures 1 and 2), which is relatively wide, is provided on the second part 12 of the dummy plug and serves to bear on the flex during assembly of the two plug parts 10, 12 and also to provide an improved, stable grip on the flex in the assembled condition.

Cooperating pips and indentations (not shown) respectively formed on the two parts 10 and 12 of the dummy plug, may serve to lock the plug in the assembled condition.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 6, the dummy plug has a one piece body 24 with integral pins 26, and is again moulded of insulating plastics material. The body 24 is hollow, open on the underside, and has a peripheral wall 28 which on opposite sides of the plug is formed with flexreceiving slots 30. These may possibly be undercut, so that the flex has to be forced through necks of lesser dimension into the undercut regions. Within the hollow body, it is formed on the interior face of the top wall with a resilient clip 32 for gripping the sheath of the flex, which flex when pushed into position is also guided around the dummy earth pin 26. These combined measures ensure that the sheath of the flex is gripped relatively tightly.

In use (see Figure 7), the dummy plug 24 (or 10, 12) is attached to the sheath of a cable flex 34 adjacent the connected mains plug 36, i.e. adjacent the end remote from the other end of the flex to which an appliance is connected.

Either the mains plug 36 or the dummy plug 24 (or 10, 12) is insertable into the mains socket 38. In either case the plug not in use is supported by the flex 34 adjacent the socket. In particular, therefore, when the mains plug 36 is not in use, it is held supported adjacent the socket 38 ready for re-use of the appliance, in a convenient raised position where it can be reached without bending to the floor and at the same time possibly be required to grope behind adjacent furniture. The hazard of a trailing~flex and mains plug on the floor, accompanied by possible risk of damage thereto, is also substantially avoided. Moreover, the mains socket is protected by the dummy plug during the period for which the mains plug is removed.

It will be appreciated that the above-described and illustrated embodiments are by way of example only and that various modifications thereto are possible within the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. In the case of a two-part dummy plug, for example, it is clearly possible to devise other means for interfitting the two parts together to grip the flex between them, and in the case of a one piece dummy plug other forms of clip can be devised which will enable the plug to be attached to the flex without creating a protrusion beyond the plane of the underside of the plug which would interfere with the action of inserting the pins fully into the socket.

Claims

1. A dummy electric plug comprising a body portion carrying pins and adapted for insertion into an electric mains socket, but said pins not being equipped with means enabling electrical connection of electrically conducting leads thereto, wherein the body portion is formed to receive and grip the exterior sheath of an electric flex terminated with a conventional mains plug.

2. A dummy plug as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the body portion is made of electrically insulating material.

3. A dummy plug according to claim 2, wherein the pins are also made of electrically insulating material.

4. A dummy plug according to claim 3, wherein the entire plug is moulded of plastics material.

5. A dummy plug according to any of claims 1 to 4, formed in two parts which interfit together to grip the electric flex between them.

6. A dummy plug according to claim 5, wherein one part is formed with a resilient tongue for bearing on the flex.

7. A dummy plug according to any of claims 1 to 4, formed in one piece which is hollow, open on the underside, and has a slotted flex-receiving peripheral wall.

8. A dummy plug according to claim 7, having a resilient flex-gripping clip on the interior of its hollow body.

9. A dummy electric plug substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, Figures 4 to 6 or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.