GB2277833A

GB2277833A - A lockable plug socket safety box

Info

Publication number: GB2277833A
Application number: GB9222721A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Edward Davies
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-10-29
Filing date: 1992-10-29
Publication date: 1994-11-09
Also published as: GB9222721D0

Abstract

A lockable plug socket safety box for covering an electrical plug in an electrical socket comprises two sections 1, 2 which are connected together by means of a hinge 3. The safety box may comprise switch operating device(s) 8 to switch those on the socket or the box may be shaped in such a way as to be able to give access to those switches found on a plug socket. The box also has flanges 5, 6 and brackets 7 by which it can be secured to a plug socket or wall, a locking mechanism 4, 16 for securing the box shut and a device(s) 15 for holding the electric cable(s) leading to the plug(s) in place. <IMAGE>

Description

A LOCKING ELECTRICAL PLUG SOCKET SAFETY BOX This invention relates to a locking electrical plug socket safety box Electrical plug sockets since their invention have been a potential source of danger , particularly to young children . There are available at this point in time a number of safety devices which I feel do not go far enough . I have therefore endeavoured to invent a product , which will I feel cover this shortfall and allow selected use of the potentially dangerous electrical plug sockets .

According to the present invention there is provided a box comprising 2 hinged front , an adjustable on/off switch/switches to match the position of those found on the conventional electrical plug socket , a device for assistance in preventing the chaffiny and or pulling out of the electric cable leading to the plug , a lock to secure the box shut and flanges and or brackets to secure the whole box to the wall using the outside edge of the electrical plug socket to clamp the box in place A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figurel shows the electrical socket safety box front view with hidden detail Figure 2 shows a side view of the electrical plug socket safety box with the box in the locked position with hidden detail showing the locking device and the adjustable on/off switch Figure 3 shows a side view of the electrical plug socket safety box in the open position enabling a clearer view of the grub screw/s which allow the switch to be adjusted Figure 4 shows a front view of the electrical plug socket safety box in the fully open position showing the cable clamps on the top and bottom edges of the box Figure 5 shows an isometric projection of the box with hidden detail showing the brackets for the extendible switch Figure 6 shows a birds eye view of the box with hidden detail showing the brackets for the extendible switch from this perspective Figure 7 shows an isometric projection of the same type of box as previously shown in figures 1 to 6 but of a size and nature to fit a single plug socket fitting Figure 8 shows an alternative switch device to fit the old style plug socket Figure 9 shows an alternative shaped box to negate the necessity for any extending switch device by giving access to those switches already provided with an electrical plug socket Figure 10 shows which part of the alternative shaped box opens Referring to the drawings the electrical plug socket safety box comprises two sections of the box parts 1 and 2 are joined together by a hinge or hinges 3 and are able to be secured by a locking device 4 & 16 . To open the box a key turns the locking mechanism device 4 releasing the front section 1 of the box thus giving access to the contents of rear section 2 of the box which could be an electrical plug socket or other applications not stated To fit this electrical plug socket safety box to a plug socket mounted on a wall you would need to isolate the electricity supply , unscrew the plug socket from the wall , tilt the plug socket back at an angle great enough for it to pass through the back of the opened safety box then tilt the plug socket forward so that the top and bottom edges fit flush upto flanges 5 & 6 then simply screw the plug socket back to the wall thereby holding the safety box securely in place brackets 7 & 8 could be used if it is found that they are needed As one of the options of this inventions I have incorporated an extendible switch device 8 positioned to connect with the ones found on the plug socket . As an alternative to this switch device figure eight shows a device 17 to operate the old type of electrical plug socket switch . As an alternative to both these options figure nine shows a locking plug box that is shaped in such a way as to remove the need for a switch device . switch device 8 comprises two hinged rods 9 & 10 these are hinged on both ends to allow movement of parts 8 & 11 from the off position to the on position and vice versa . On the face of part 11 there are two grub screws 13 & 14 these allow this part to extend its reach if needed This invention also includes a device/s 15 for holding the electric cables leading to the plugs in place , thus helping to prevent chaffing and tugging out of the cables .

Claims

1 A lockable electric plug socket safety box comprising a hinged box in two sections , with a means for securing the box shut , a switch device/s to connect with those found on an electric plug socket , an anti chaffing and tugging device/s , flanges and or brackets to secure the whole thing to an electrical plug socket 2 A lockable electric plug socket safety box as claimed in claim 1 wherein a means for extending the reach of the on/off switch device is included 3 A lockable electric plug socket safety box as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a means for securing the safety box to the plug socket and or the a wall is used 4 A lockable electric plug socket safety box as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein a means of operating the on/off switch from the external safety box is used 5 A lockable electric plug socket safety box as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 where the safety box is shaped in such a way as to negate the necessity for an external switch device by giving access to the switches found on the plug socket while still covering the plugs 6 A lockable electric plug socket safety box as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 that has a means for securing the safety box shut 7 A lockable electric plug socket safety box as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 6 as an item on its own or with an electric plug socket connected to or part of the whole box 8 A lockable electric plug socket safety box as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 6 or claim 7 that has a means of gaining access to the contents of the box be that a front or other section that is removable or connected to the section or bracket that holds the safety box to the plug socket or wall 9 A lockable electric plug socket safety box as claimed in any preceding claims that has at least a means for preventing the plugs being removed 10 A lockable electric plug socket safety box as claimed in claim 9 with a device for preventing the switching on of the electricity supply until the box is secured shut 11 A lockable electric plug socket safety box as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 that has a means of assisting the prevention of the chaffing of or the pulling out of the cables from the plugs 12 A lockable electric plug socket safety box substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings 13 A lockable electric plug socket safety box as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 or claim 11 or claim 12 with any variation or combination of the component parts of this device with reference to figures 1-10 .