GB2208048A

GB2208048A - Safety cover for plug/socket combination

Info

Publication number: GB2208048A
Application number: GB08718266A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Brearley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-08-01
Filing date: 1987-08-01
Publication date: 1989-02-15
Also published as: GB8718266D0

Abstract

An electrical safety device (10) comprises a cover (12) in the form of a box formed on, or mountable on, a domestic type electrical mains outlet socket (14), the cover (12) comprising a movable flap (16) providing a front wall of the box and which in an inoperative position permits access to apertures of the socket, to permit an electrical plug to be inserted into or withdrawn from the socket, but which in an operative position prevents or hinders access to apertures of the socket and/or (with the plug inserted in the socket) encloses the plug in a manner to prevent the plug from being removed from the socket, the flap (16) when in the operative position being releasably retained in the operative position by child resistant latch means (32,34) comprising snap-engaging cam formations on side walls of the box and side edges of the flap, requiring inward pressing of the side walls (20) to be released. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: "Electrical Safety Device" Description of Invention This invention relates to an electrical safety device intended primarily, although not exclusively, for use in or in conjunction with an electrical mains outlet socket.

Conventionally, a domestic-type electrical mains outlet socket is mounted on a wall or the like and comprises a plurality of apertures into which the respective pins on an electrical plug ore inserted in order to supply the plug with electricity from the socket.

Such conventional sockets suffer from the disadvantages that: (i) The plug, when so inserted, is retained simply by friction between said pins and parts of the socket, such that (by design) the plug may easily be withdrawn from the socket by manual pulling thereof away from the socket. Consequently there is a danger that the plug may work loose, or be unintentionally pulled loose, which apart from causing the inconvenience of loss of power, is particularly dangerous if for example a child is involved, whose fingers can all too easily reach between the body of the plug and the socket, to touch electrically conductive parts with potentially fatal results;; (ii) Where the socket is provided in a room in which water, dampness or condensation are present, there is a danger that water which drops or condenses on the socket will trickle down between the socket and the body of a plug, so as to come into electrical contact with conductive components, so producing risk of electric short circuit or, where a person touches a moist area of the socket, electrical shock. This is a particular problem in kitchens, whether they be in homes, industry, hospitals or elsewhere.

It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved electrical safety device.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an electrical safety device comprising a cover formed on, or mountable on, an electrical outlet socket, for example an electrical mains outlet socket which may be generally of domestic type, the cover comprising a flap which in an inoperative position permits an electrical plug to be inserted into or withdrawn from the socket, but which in an operative position ,with the plug inserted in the socket, encloses the plug in a manner to prevent the plug from being removed from the socket.

In this manner, substantial loosening or removal of the plug from the socket by mere pulling of the plug, or pulling of a cable connected to the plug, may be prevented, so overcoming some of the aforementioned disadvantages, and affording increased safety.

Preferably the cover, with the flap in its operative position, is capable of preventing or hindering access to potentially electrified apertures of the socket even when there is no plug in the socket.

In this manner, the likelihood that a child may succeed in inserting foreign bodies into such potentially electrified apertures is at least substantially reduced, thereby affording increased safety.

Preferably the safety device is in the form of a box formed on, or mountable on, the socket, the box comprising a top wall, side walls and said flap, which flap is mounted on at least one of the walls, so as to provide a front wall of the box.

Preferably the flap, in its operative position, cooperates with the walls in a manner which resists ingress of water/moisture into the box.

In this manner, the other aforementioned disadvantages are overcome, or in extreme situations, substantially reduced.

Preferably the flop is pivotally mounted on at least one of said walls, for example about a generally horizontal axis along or near a top edge portion of the flap, for movement between said positions.

Preferably the flap is hingedly mounted.

Preferably the hinge is resistant to ingress of water therethrough.

Advantageously, the hinge is afforded by a continuous "crease hinge" such as may be provided when the box is produced by plastics moulding, whereby maximum resistance to ingress of water by way of the hinge may be achieved.

Advantageously, the flap also affords a lower wall of the box, which lower wall may for example comprise open-ended cut-outs to accommodate any cable connected to a plug.

Preferably, in the operative position of the flap, the flap cooperates with said walls via latch means which operates automatically on closing movement of the flap but which requires some action other than, or in addition to, outward urging of the flap in order to be released.

Preferably said release action is a pushing action, whereby safety may be increased particularly where young children are concerned (who have a tendency only to pull rather than push.) Thus, for example, the latch may comprise cam formations on the flap (e.g. side edges) and walls of the box (e.g. side walls) respectively which resiliently deflect so as to slide past each other on closing movement, on completion of which steps on the cams snap into engagement with each other to hold the flap captive until such time as (for example) walls of the box are pressed inwards to release the catch.

Where the device is formed on an electrical outlet socket, then advantageously a rear wall of the device is afforded by a panel comprising pin-receiving apertures in some conventional arrangement (e.g. single threepin socket or double three-pin socket.) Where the device is mountable on a conventional outlet socket, which may for example be a single three-pin socket or a double three-pin socket, then advantageously the device has a generally open rear wall, save for means by which the device may be mounted on the socket. Said means may comprise bolt holes whereby the device may be bolted to the socket via such mounting means (e.g. bolts) as are conventionally provided for mounting a front panel of a socket, or may comprise an inwardly directed flange which may be sandwiched between a front panel of the socket and a wall or rear portion of the socket.

Preferably the device is formed by moulding thereof from plastics material.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an electrical safety device comprising a cover formed on, or mountable on, an electrical outlet socket, for example an electrical mains outlet socket which may be generally of domestic type, the cover comprising a flap which in an inoperative position permits access to apertures of the socket, but which in an operative position prevents or hinders access to apertures of the socket, the flap when in the operative position being releasably retained in the operative position by latch means which is at least child resistant.

Preferably the device is in accordance with both aspects of the invention.

One embodiment of the device will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURES I to 3 are respectively a front elevational view, a plan view from above, and a plan view from below, of an electrical safety device in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 4 is a side view of the device, in use; and FIGURE 5 is a partly cross-sectional view of one side of the device, on the line V-V of Figure 4, illustrating a latch means of the device.

The features and disadvantages of conventional electrical outlet sockets are described in the introductory paragraphs of this specification, to which reference is expressly directed.

Referring to the drawings, an electrical safety device 10 in accordance with the invention comprises a cover 12 which is mountable on an electrical mains outlet socket, the cover 12 being illustrated in use in Figure 4 in which it is mounted on a domestic-type three-pin outlet socket 14.

The cover 12 comprises a flap 16.

The cover 12 is in the form of a box comprising a top wall 18 and opposite side walls 20 integrally formed therewith, and the flap 16 is pivotally mounted on the top wall 18 for pivotal movement of the flap about a generally horizontal axis along (or alternatively near) the top edge portion of the flap 16.

The parts of the cover are moulded from plastics material, and the flap 16 is integrally formed with the top wall 18 and connected thereto by a continuous integrally formed "crease hinge" 22 which affords said pivotal mounting.

The flap 16 is pivotable, about said hinge, between a raised inoperative position (not shown) wherein it may lie generally horizontally and permit access to the interior of the cover, and a lowered operative position (illustrated) wherein it closes the cover 12 and affords a front wall of the box.

The flap also affords a lower wall 24 of the box when in its lowered position, the wall 24 comprising open-ended cut-outs 26.

The cover 12 has a generally open rear "wall" save for an inwardly directed flange 28 which projects from rear edges of the top and side walls.

In mounting the device on a socket, such as the double three-pin socket illustrated, mounting screws (not shown) which retain the front panel of the socket are loosened, and the device is slid downwards so that the flange 28 is received behind top and side edge portions of the panel, and the screws are then re-tightened to retain the flange in sandwich manner between the panel and a wall 30 on which the socket is provided, so mounting the cover 12 on the socket.

Starting with the flap 16 in a raised inoperative position, in order to insert a plug in the socket, it is merely necessary to urge the plug manually so that pins of the plug are received in conventional manner by respective apertures in the front panel of the socket.

The flap 16 is then lowered, whereupon inclined cam formations 32 (of latch means of the device) on flap 16 slidingly engage other cam formations 34 of said latch means provided on the side walls 20, to deflect the cams 34 and side walls 20 inwards (which is permitted due to resilience thereof) until, on completion of closing movement of the flap, stepped formations of the cams automatically snap into engagement with each other (see Figure 5) so as to hold the flap captive and prevent reverse outward movement thereof in response to mere outward pulling of the flap. A cable/flex 36 connected to the plug is positioned, during closing, so as to be accommodated in one of the cut-outs 26.

Thus, the flap, when in this operative position, encloses the plug so as to prevent the plug from being removed from the socket. There is insufficient clearance between the plug and closed flap for the plug to be removed without raising the flap, which raising is prevented by the latch.

Additionally, even if the plug is pulled (via the flex) so as to lie partly out of the socket, entry of e.g. children's fingers is prevented through provision of said lower wall.

Thus the plug is held more safely in the socket through use of the device 10, with little or no possibility of unintentional loosening or removal of the plug.

Furthermore, the cover 12, in particular the continous integral nature of the top wall 18, hinge 22 and flap 16, and close fit of other edges of the flap 16 with the remainder of the cover, resist ingress of water/moisture into the box, thereby again increasing safety especiolly in environments such as kitchens for example. As indicated above, mere outward pulling of flap 16 is insufficient to release it and, in fact, it is necessary to push both sides 20 inwards, to move the stepped cam formations out of each others path, and at the same time pull the flap outwards, in order to release the flap and so enable it to be moved from its lowered closed position to its raised inoperative position wherein the plug may then be removed simply by manual pulling of the plug in conventional manner.

This required pushing action on the sides, together with the relatively large separation of the sides 20, particularly for the double three-pin outlet shown, and the need for simultaneous pulling of the flap, are major safety features for preventing release of the flap by young children, who have a tendency only to pull objects rather than push them.

It will be appreciated that although the cover 12 is described above in relation to retention of a plug in a socket, the cover 12 importantly also serves a useful purpose even when there is no plug in the socket, since the closed flap will prevent or severely hinder access of (say) a young child to any potentially electrified apertures in the front panel of the socket, and in particular will prevent or severely hinder insertion, by a child, of a foreign body such as an electrically conductive foreign body into said potentially electified apertures.

(It is to be appreciated that an alternative device which is capable of hindering or preventing such insertion, but which is not capable of enclosing the plug when its flap is in its operative position, will remain within the scope of the invention.) The cover 12 may be of any appropriate size to suit the outlet and/or number of outlets provided on the socket.

Although mounting via the flange 28 is described, an alternative in which the rear wall comprises means e.g. through-holes, through which securing screws may be passed to mount the device on a socket via formations provided for the aforesaid panel mounting screws, will remain within the scope of the invention.

Also, alternative constructions in which the cover has a rear wall in the form of a front panel of a socket, so as, in use, to be an integral part of the socket, will remain within the scope of the invention.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

I. An electrical safety device comprising a cover formed on, or mountable on, an electrical outlet socket, the cover comprising a flap which in an inoperative position permits an electrical plug to be inserted into or withdrawn from the socket, but which in an operative position, with the plug inserted in the socket, encloses the plug in a manner to prevent the plug from being removed from the socket.
2. A device according to Claim I wherein said electrical outlet socket is an electrical mains outlet socket.
3. A device according to Claim 2 wherein said electrical mains outlet socket is generally of domestic type.
4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover, with the flap in its operative position, is capable of preventing or hindering access to potentially electrified apertures of the socket even when there is no plug in the socket.
5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims which is in the form of a box formed on, or mountable on, the socket, the box comprising a top wall, side walls and said flap, which flap is mounted on at least one of the walls, so as to provide a front wall of the box.
6. A device according to Claim 5 wherein the flap, in its operative position, cooperates with the walls in a manner which resists ingress of water/moisture into the box.
7. A device according to Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein the flap is pivotally mounted on at least one of said walls, for movement between said positions.
8. A device according to Claim 7 wherein the flap is pivotally mounted about a generally horizontal axis along or near a top edge portion of the flap.
9. A device according to Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein the flap is hingedly mounted.
10. A device according to Claim 9 wherein the hinge is resistant to ingress of water therethrough.
I I. A device according to Claim 10 wherein the hinge is afforded by a continuous "crease hinge".
12. A device according to Claim 5 or according to any one of Claims 6 to where directly or indirectly dependent upon Claim 5 wherein the flap also affords a lower wall of the box.
13. A device according to Claim 12 wherein said lower wall comprises open-ended cut-outs to accommodate any cable connected to a plug.
14. A device according to Claim 5 or Claim 12 or Claim 13, or any one of Claims 6 to 11 where directly or indirectly dependent upon Claim 5, wherein, in the operative position of the flap, the flap cooperates with said walls via latch means which operates automatically on closing movement of the flap but which requires some action other than, or in addition to, outward urging of the flap in order to be released.
15. A device according to Claim 14 wherein said release action is a pushing act ion.
16. A device according to Claim 15 wherein the latch comprises cam formations on the flap and walls of the box respectively which resiliently deflect so as to slide past each other on closing movement, on completion of which steps on the cams snap into engagement with each other to hold the flap captive.
17. A device according to Claim 16 wherein the flap is held captive until such time as walls of the box are pressed inwards to release the catch.
18. A device according to Claim 16 or Claim 17 wherein said cam formations are on side edges of the flap and side walls of the box, respectively.
19. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, which is formed on an electrical outlet socket, a rear wall of the device being afforded by a panel comprising pin-receiving apertures in some conventional arrongement.
20. A device according to any one of Claims I to 18 wherein the device is mountable on a conventional outlet socket, the device having a generally open rear wall, save for means by which the device may be mounted on the socket.
21. A device according to Claim 20 wherein said means comprises bolt holes whereby the device may be bolted to the socket via such mounting means as are conventionally provided for mounting a front panel of a socket.
22. A device according to Claim 21 wherein such mounting means are bolts.
23. A device according to Claim 21 wherein said mounting means comprises an inwardly directed flange which may be sandwiched between a front panel of the socket and a wall or rear portion of the socket.
24. A device according to any one of Claims 20 to 23 wherein the socket is a single three-pin socket.
25. A device according to any one of Claims 20 to 23 wherein the socket is a double three-pin socket.
26. A device according to any one of the preceding claims which is formed by moulding thereof from plastics material.
27. An electrical safety device comprising a cover formed on, or mountable on, an electrical outlet socket, the cover comprising a flap which in an inoperative position permits access to apertures of the socket, but which in an operative position prevents or hinders access to apertures of the socket, the flap when in the operative position being releasably retained in the operative position by latch means which is at least child resistant.
28. A device according to Claim 27 wherein said socket is an electrical mains outlet socket.
29. A device according to Claim 28 wherein said socket is generally of domestic type.
30. A device according to any one of Claims 27 to 29 which is also in accordance with any one of Claims I to 26.
31. An electrical safety device substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
32. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.