GB2258954A

GB2258954A - Wallplate for electrical outlets.

Info

Publication number: GB2258954A
Application number: GB9118059A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rowland Spencer White
Original assignee: Mod Tap W Corp
Current assignee: Molex Premise Networks Inc
Priority date: 1991-08-21
Filing date: 1991-08-21
Publication date: 1993-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2011-08-21
Also published as: GB2258954B; GB9118059D0

Abstract

A wallplate has an aperture 14 for receiving a number of modular data or telephone connectors or blind plates. To prevent the connectors or plates rattling, sprung tabs 26 are provided along the short sides of the aperture. The tabs urge the connectors/plates against one another after they have been snap-fitted to aperture rails 18. <IMAGE>

Description

WALLPLATES This invention relates to wallplates such as are used with electrical outlets, for example, socket boxes for telecommunications or mains wiring.

In recent years a modular approach to communications wiring has been adopted by the applicant and others. This approach allows the user a great deal of flexibility.

In a modular system for telephone or data communications purposes a finish plate or wallplate is attached to a socket box or other outlet, for example a user outlet in a room to which a number of telephone or computer installations may be attached.

Typically, a wallplate comprises a square or rectangular plate which is screwed down onto the junction box. The plate has a central aperture of similar shape to the plate into which are inserted a number of modular connectors for connection into the wiring system. The connectors are typically the applicants EUROMOD (RTM) connector which provides a pair of data or telephone sockets on each connector. Blind plates may also be used if the number of outlets required is less than the capacity of the wall plate.

Thus the aperture is filled with a number (two or more) of modular connectors arranged side-by-side or one on top of the other.

Although this approach is very successful; it allows connectors to be added or changed with minimum of difficulty, problems have arisen with accumulated tolerances and clearances on the connector modules. The result of this is that the modules rattle in the wallplate after assembly or space themselves asymmetrically in the wallplate aperture.

The present invention aims to overcome the problem outlined above. Broadly, the invention provides a means on the wallplate which is biased to urge modular connectors located in the aperture towards one another. Such biasing is sufficient to eliminate the problems of rattle and asymmetric alignment.

More specifically, there is provided a wallplate having an aperture for receiving a plurality of snap-fit modules, comprising means for engaging snap teeth on the modules to retain the modules in position and means for biasing the engaged modules away from the aperture walls.

Preferably the biasing means comprises at least one sprung tab which urges the modules in the aperture against one another, thereby eliminating rattle and correcting misalignments.

The invention provides a simple, elegant and inexpensive solution to the problems of the prior art.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a top view of a wallplate; Figure 2 is a side view of a blind snap connector for insertion into the aperture of the wallplate of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 1 with four connectors of Figure 2 in position; Figure 4 is a rear view of the wallplate of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a section on the line V-V in Figure 4; and Figure 6 is an enlarged partial section on the line VI-VI in Figure 4.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 the wallplate comprises a body portion 10 provided with holes 12 at the top and bottom which receive screws for attaching the wallplate to a socket box. The wallplate 10 has a central aperture 14 which receives a number of modular connectors or modules 16. Although the modules shown in Figures 2 and 3 are blind plates it is to be understood that the wallplate is intended also to receive modular connectors such as the applicant's EUROMOD (RTM) modular connector which carries a pair of data or telephone sockets.

The wallplate is provided with a pair of rails 18 running along the length of the aperture. These rails retain the modular connectors or blind plates in position. Each connector has at each end a snap tooth 20 (Figure 2) arranged on a stem. As the plate is pressed into the wallplate aperture the sloped face 22 of each snap tooth is pushed inwards by the rails. The tooth then snaps into position under the rail with the undersurface 24 abutting the undersurface of the rails. The short edges of the plates then rest on the rails.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 6, the underside of the wall plate is provided with a pair of sprung tabs 26 at each of the two shorter sides of the aperture 12. The tabs are formed as part of the wallplate moulding and, as shown are extensions of one of the strengthening ribs 28 of the wallplate. As can be seen from Figure 6 the sprung tabs are angled towards the aperture and their natural bias is towards that aperture. In Figure 6 it can be seen that the spring tabs comprise a tapered portion which extends away from the rib into the aperture.

The effect of the sprung tabs is to exert a force on the connectors or blind plates located in the aperture, pushing them slightly away from the shorter ends of the aperture 14 in the wallplate. This force is sufficient to push the connectors together, so eliminating any rattle and correcting any asymmetric alignments.

The wallplate shown is rectangular but the invention is applicable to any apertured wallplate, for example a square wallplate with a corresponding square aperture. The sprung tabs should be arranged to act on those sides of the snap-fit connectors which do not rest on the rails 18 which receive the snap teeth.

Claims

1. A wallplate having an aperture for receiving a plurality of snap fit modules, comprising means for engaging snap teeth on the modules to retain the modules in position and means for biasing the engaged modules away from the aperture walls.

2. A wallplate according to Claim 1, wherein the biasing means comprise at least one sprung tab arranged on an edge of the aperture.

3. A wallplate according to Claim 2, wherein the aperture is rectangular the retaining means is arranged along two opposite edges of the aperture and the sprung tab is arranged along one of the remaining edges.

4. A wallplate according to Claim 3, comprising a plurality of sprung tabs arranged on the two edges of the aperture adjacent the rail carrying edges.

5. A wallplate according to any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the at least one tab is an extension of a strengthening rib.

6. A wallplate according to any of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the tab extends into the aperture.

7. A wallplate substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.