GB2222322A - Device for obscuring electric socket switch - Google Patents

Abstract

A switch cover, for use in conjunction with an electric plug, comprises a web portion (1) of thin and substantially flat plastics material provided with holes (2, 3 and 4) for receiving the pins of a conventional wall plug, and a cover portion (5). When the pins of a plug are inserted through the holes (2, 3 and 4), and the plug is inserted into a socket, the cover portion (5) extends across the switch of the socket, preventing the switch from being turned off. Desirably the cover portion (5) extends on two sides of the web portion (1) so as to be effective in covering either a left-hand or a right-hand socket switch. The portion (5) may be of channel section and enclose current and/or temperature indicator lamps. The shape of the cover, which may be secured to the socket or the plug, is designed to make removal of the plug from the socket difficult. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: "Device for use with an electrical plug" Description of Invention With many items of electrical equipment there is a risk that the electrical supply to the equipment may inadvertently be switched off. In the case of a computer for example, this can result in the loss of data, and in the case of freezers this can result in damage to contents.

According to this invention there is provided a device for use in conjunction with an electrical plug, the device comprising attachment means whereby the device may be secured to the socket in a manner in which it extends partially at least over the socket switch.

If desired the attachment means may be afforded by an aperture by which the device may be secured to the socket utilising a screw by which the face plate of the socket is secured in position.

Alternatively if desired a clip may be utilised by which the device may releasably be secured to a plug, in a manner whereby, when the plug is inserted into the socket, the device will extend partially at least over the socket switch.

Preferably however said attachment means is afforded by an element adapted to be interposed between the socket and the plug on the insertion of the lug into the socket.

Thus whilst the plug remains in the socket, the device will be retained interposed therebetween, reducing the possibility of the switch inadvertently being operated.

Preferably the device comprises a web adapted to extend across the face of the socket, and a cover portion adapted when the device is in an operative position to extend over the socket switch.

The web may be provided with one or more apertures through which one or more pins of the plug extend, and the device may in use be retained in an operative position by frictional engagement between the plug and the socket.

If desired however the aperture or apertures provided in the web may be so located and so sized so as to afford position retaining means, whereby when the pins of the plug are inserted through said aperture or apertures, cooperation between the pin and the aperture or apertures holds the device in a desired orientation relative to the socket.

Thus the aperture of apertures may be arranged so as to permit passage through, and cooperation with, a number of differing pin profiles, but if desired the arrangement may be such as to cooperate primarily with the standard U.K. 13 amp square pin design.

Preferably the cover means extends in a manner such as to enable it to obscure a socket switch on either side of the plug, enabling the device to be used with a socket having a switch on the left-hand or on the right-hand side.

Preferably however the cover means extends in part at least around three sides of the plug.

Preferably the cover means provides a means by which removal of the plug from the socket is hampered. Thus, the cover means may extend generally flush with the plug, obscuring the plug formations provided to enable easy removal of the plug.

Preferably the cover means is of channel section, and is of a shape such that walls of the channel section engage the face of the socket, and enclose the switch, thereby preventing access to the switch.

If desired the cover means may be capable of cooperating with the plug to provide a means, or an additional means, of retaining the device in an operative position between the plug and the socket.

The channel section may be utilised to house an ancillary device or devices, and if desired to carry an output from such device, in the form of a display bulb.

Thus the ancillary device may be in the form of a current sensing device responsive to passage of current through the plug, and activation of the current sensing device may cause a bulb (such as a neon) to be illuminated.

Alternatively or in addition, the device may be a thermostat to measure the temperature of the device, and may be operative to illuminate a bulb in the event of the plug reaching an unduly high temperature.

According to this invention there is also provided a device for use in conjunction with an electrical plug, the device being adapted to be interposed between a socket and the plug on the insertion of the plug into the socket and to obscure the socket switch.

There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a device which is a preferred embodiment of this invention, having been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: FIGURE 1 is a front view of the preferred embodiment; FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a front view showing the device attached to an electic plug which is inserted into a double wall socket, and FIGURE 4 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 of a modified construction.

The device which is the preferred embodiment of this invention is an integral moulding of semi-rigid plastics material, comprising a thin and substantially flat web portion 1 of generally rectangular shape. The web is provided generally centrally thereof with three rectangular apertures 2, 3 and 4 for receiving the earth, neutral and live pins respectively of a conventional 13 amp electrical plug.

The top edge of the web portion 1 extends to a channel-section cover portion 5 of generally inverted U-shape in cross-section, comprising a cover portion 5a and two depending cover portions 5b, 5c. The cover portion 5 comprises an inner bottom wall 6 which projects perpendicularly from the top edge of the web portion 1 and two inner side walls 7, 8 which project perpendicularly from the upper end portions of the side edges of the web portion. The lower portions 7a, 8a of these side walls diverge in a downward direction and lead into respective outer bottom walls 9, 10. Two parallel outer side walls 11, 12 join the outer ends of the bottom walls 9 and 10 to a top wall 13 which lies parallel to the inner bottom wall 6.The forward edges of the walls 6 to 13 are all joined to a front wall 14 of inverted U-shape, which as shown in Figure 2, lies parallel to the web 1. The rear edges of the walls 6 to 13 all lie in the same plane as the rear surface of the web portion 1.

In use, the pins of an electrical plug P (Figure 3) which may be attached by an electrical cable C to electrical equipment such as a computer, are inserted through the holes 2, 3 and 4 from the front face of the web portion, so that the cross portion 5a of the cover portion lies above the plug and the depending portions 5b, Sc lie on each side of the plug as shown. The device is held on the plug by the pins being a tight interference fit in the apertures 2, 3 and 4.

When the plug is inserted into the right-hand side of a double switched wall socket W as shown in Figure 3, the depending portion 5b of the cover portion covers the appropriate switch 52 of the socket, thereby preventing it from being operated when the plug is in place. Similarly, if the device is inserted into the left-hand socket the other depending portion Sc will enclose the other switch S1.

When the preferred embodiment is in place, the front wall 14 of the cover portion may extend along the sides of the plug in such a manner as to make removal of the plug from the socket difficult.

Some switched wall sockets have a neon light indicator located above the plug, which will fall within the cross portion 5a of the cover portion.

Thus if desired the device maybe moulded of translucent plastics material, enabling the light to be visible through the cover portion. Alternatively a window may be provided in the central portion 5a, to provide visibility of the neon. Conveniently such a window may be afforded by a small knock-out portion.

The front wall of the cover portion 5 may carry a warning notice such as "do not switch off", which could be carried on an adhesive label secured to the cross portion 5a for example. However if desired, the cross portion 5a may be omitted so that the depending portions Sb, 5e form separate cover portions.

However if desired the channel section, in particular the central portion 5c, may be utilised to house an ancillary electrical device, and if desired may be utilised to carry an output for such ancillary device, in the form of a display bulb. Thus, the ancillary electrical device may be in the form of a current sensing device responsive to passage of current through the plug, and hence operation of the electrical equipment to which the plug is connected, and activation of the current sensing device may cause a neon on the central portion Sc to be illuminated.

Alternatively or in addition the device may be a thermostat to measure the temperature of the plug, and may be operative to illuminate a warning bulb in the event of an unduly high temperature being reached by the plug.

Figure 4 shows a modified construction of the preferred embodiment, in which similar numerals increased by 100 have been utilised to indicate similar parts, the modified construction being described hereinafter inasmuch as it differs from the preferred embodiment.

As will be seen in Figure 4, the web portion 101 is provided with a single generally central aperture 120, said aperture being defined by wall portions 202, 103 and 104 which correspond in position to the outer side edges of the apertures 1, 2 and 3 of the preferred embodiment. In this manner the pins of an electrical plug may still be interfitted with the aperture 120, and a similar tight sliding interference fit may be obtained. However by the use of the modified construction, plug having alternative pin profiles may be utilised.

In an alternative construction (not shown), the device may be attached semi-permanently to the switch by attachement means, conveniently afforded by a screw adapted to be inserted through a hole in the device, by which the device may be secured in position utilising the means by which the face plate of the socket is itself secured in position. Alternatively, a clip may be utilised, by which the device may releasably be secured to the plug, in a manner whereby the plug is inserted into the socket, the device will extend partially at least over the socket switch.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, 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 (20)

CLAIMS:

1. A device for obscuring the switch of an electric socket, the device comprising attachment means whereby it may be secured to the socket in a manner in which it extends partially at least over the socket switch.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the attachment means is afforded by an aperture by which the device may be secured to the socket utilising a screw by which the face plate of the socket is secured in position.

3. A device according to Claim 1 comprising a clip by which the device may releasably be secured to a plug, in a manner whereby when the plug is inserted into the socket, the device will extend partially at least over the socket switch.

4. A device according to Claim 1 wherein said attachment means is afforded by an element adapted to be interposed between the socket and the plug on the insertion of the plug into the socket.

5. A device according to Claim 4 wherein said elements is afforded by a web portion adapted to extend across part at least of the face of the socket, the device comprising a cover portion adapted when the device is in an operative position to extend over the socket switch.

6. A device according to Claim 5 wherein the web is provided with one or more apertures through which one or more pins of the plug may be inserted.

7. A device according to Claim 6 wherein, in use, the device is retained in an operative position by frictional engagement between the plug and the socket.

8. A device according to one of Claims 6 and 7 wherein the aperture or apertures provided in the web are so located as to afford position retaining means, whereby when the pins of the plug are inserted through said aperture or apertures, cooperation between the pins and the aperture or apertures holds the device in a desired orientation relative to the plug.

9. A device according to any one of Claims 6, 7 and 8 wherein the aperture or apertures are arranged so as to permit passage therethrough of differing pin profiles.

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover means extends in a manner such as to enable it to obscure a socket switch on either side of the plug,

11. A device according to Claim 10 wherein the cover means extends in part at least around three sides of the plug.

12. A device according to any preceding claims appendant to Claim 5 wherein the cover means of channel section.

13. A device according to Claim 12 wherein walls of the channel section engage the face of the socket and enclose the switch.

14. A device according to one of Claim 12 and 13 wherein the channel section is utilised to house an ancillary device.

15. A device according to Claim 14 wherein the ancillary device is a current sensing device.

16. A device according to Claim 14 wherein the ancillary device is a thermostat device.

17. A device according to any one of Claims 14, 15 and 16 wherein the cover means carries one or more indicator devices.

18. A device for use with an electrical plug, the device being adapted to be interposed between a socket and the plug on the insertion of the plug into the socket and to obscure the socket switch.

19. A device for use within an electric plug, constructed and arranged substantialy as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.