GB2320983A

GB2320983A - Electrical outlet device for connection with various types of plugs

Info

Publication number: GB2320983A
Application number: GB9700144A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Chien Hua Chen
Original assignee: Board Tech Electronic Co Ltd
Current assignee: Board Tech Electronic Co Ltd
Priority date: 1996-04-27
Filing date: 1997-01-06
Publication date: 1998-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 2017-01-06
Also published as: FR2759207A1; AU686077B3; GB9700144D0; GB2320983B; FR2759207B1; DE29704510U1

Abstract

A socket outlet may mate with any one of a series of different plugs and comprises: an earth contact structure 3 having three pairs of resilient contacts 31, 32, 33 and formed with notches 3100, 3300 in its front edge; and live and neutral contact structures 4, 5 each having a pair of resilient contacts 43, 53 and a further contact 42, 52 and formed with slots 4300, 4302, 440, 442, 5300, 5302, 540, 542 in its front edge. The slots allow smoother mating. The front edges of the contacts may also be chamfered.

Description

"ELECTRICAL OUTLET DEVICE FOR CONNECTION WITH VARIOUS TYPES OF PLUGS Th i s invention relates to elec tri cl outlet devices, and core particularly, to an electrical outlet device for connection with various types of plugs having round pins or flat pins.

A n el ec t r i c al ou t I e t device (commonly) called a I I e d S 0 C k e t or receptacle) is a contact device ror connection with a plug that then transfers the output electricity via a fiexible cord to various electrical appliances. In different countries, since the specifications of utility power are varied, the specifications of receptacles and plugs are also different. As a consequence of this, a person traveling to a different country may find, for exanple, the plug on his autonatic shaver unmatched to the receptacles in that country. One solution is to change the plug to a matching type, or use an adapter which connects between the unnatching plug and receptacle. But neither way is convenient.

A conventional type of receptacle which allows for connection with various types of plugs is shown in PIG . 1. This receptacle includes a () e r 1 having an opening 10' (which i ne I udes two adjoining C r:u I ar through holes) formed therein.

This opening 10 is used to allow grounding plug pin of a plug to pass therethrough. Further, the cover 1' is foried with a first hole 11', a second hole 12'. and a pair of substantially T-shaped slots 13 consisting of a lengthwise part 130 and a crosswise part 132' The receptacle further includes a base casing 2 whose inside is divided hy separators 200', 202' into two contact corapartraents 21', 22 and one ground compartment 23' . The ground compartment 23 is used to house a curved grounding conductive piece 3 which includes a first contact pair 31', a second contact pair 32, and a third contact pair 33 on the top. The contact cornpartraents 21', 22 are used to respectively to house a first contact conductive piece 4 and a second contact conductive piece 5'. These two conductive pieces 4', 5' are shaped symmetrically, including substantially U-shaped frames 40'. 50'.

reception conductive pieces 41, 51', and substantially L-shaped conductive pieces 42'. 52'.

The foregoing receptacle can be used for connection with various types of plugs. However, there are stilt several disadvantages. For example, when used for connection with plugs having large round plug pins, such as those used in German and South Africa, or plugs having wid flat plug pins, such as those used in British, these large-size plug pins will cause the two opposing parts 400' . 402 and 500' , 502' of the U -shaped frames 40'. 50' to be urged wide open. By contrast, the plugs used in Italy and Switzeriland have smaller sized plug pins that will urge the same to be less wide open. When the plugs having large-size plug pins are used trequently, the U-shaped frames 40', 50' woull be subjected to elastic fatigue. If the saxe receptacle is used for connection with the plugs having smal I-size plug pins, the fatigued U-shaped frames 40'. 50 night not able to hold the plugs securely in position. Electrical contact effect will also be poor, and the plug might easily get loosened away from the receptacle.

Furthermore, when the receptacle is used for connection with Australian type of plugs having slanted flat plug pins, the plug pins will come in contact with the U-shaped frames 40', 50' and the substantially L-shaped conductive pieces 42', 52 Since the substantially L-shaped conductive pieces 42'. 52 and the opposing parts 400', 402 and 500'. 502' of the U-shaped frames 40', 50' are arranged substantially in perpendicular with respect to each other, this usually causes the parts 402 and 502 of the U-shaped frames 40', 50 to be urged away from the other parts 402 and 502 of the sane when the plug is inserted in position in the receptacle. This night cause weakening to the U-shaped frames 40', 50'. Electrical contact effect will thus be poor, and the plug might easily get loosened away from the receptacle.

Moreover. the substantially L-shaped conductive pieces 42', 52 and the opposing parts 400', 402 and 500', 502' of the U-shaped frames 40'. 50' are not con-figured in such a way suitable for connection with Australian type of plugs having slanted flat plug pins. The insertion is usually not very smooth.

One further drawback to the receptacle of I I;. I is that, since the con tact conduc ti ve p i eces 4 ' , 5' d r e s y n a e t r i c a i I y formed, t h e y should be manufactured respectively. Two different parts are thus provided for assembly. This causes inconvenience not only in Jssembly but also in the component control.

Furthermore. when the receptacle is used for connection with a plug having round plug pins. the plug pins might only come in parallel with but not in tight electrical contact with the opposing parts 400', 402 and 500', 502 of the U-shaped frames 40', 50' and the third contact pair 33' on the grollnding conductive piece 3 since these parts are all flat-piece structures. Therefore, in the event of fatigue to these parts, electrical contact effect will not be assured. There exists, therefore. a need for an improvement on the receptacle.

It is therefore a primary objective of the present invention to provide an electrical outlet device for connection with various types of plugs whose electrical contact effect will not be degraded due to frequent connection with plugs of various plug pins.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide an electrical outlet device which can be used for connection with various types of plugs snoothly.

It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a n electrical outlet device for connection t d e V j C e f o r C 0 n n e c t i 0 with various types of pliiys in which only one modelI of contact conductive piece is provided e (I u C h that assembly an component (I C 0 p) control both convenient to t ) C a r r y out.

[n accordance with the foregoing and other objectives of the present invention. a new and improved electrical outlet device for connection with various types of plugs is provided. The electrical outlet device includes a base casing. a cover covering the base casing; a grounding conductive assembly including a base frame formed with at least a first clamping portion, a second clamping portion, dnd a third clamping portion thereon; and a e 0 n a n d a first contact conductive assembly and a second contact conductive assembly. each including a rib-like clamping portion composed of a pair of elastic pieces and a screen elastic piece.

in this electrical outlet device, the elastic pieces of the first and third clamping portions of the grounding conductive assembly each have a top edge formed with a notch; and each elastic piece of the first and third clamping portions of the grounding conductive assembly is bent toward each other into a curved shape. The elastic pieces of the rib-like clamping portion on the first and second contact conductive assenblies each have a top edge formed with a notch, and each elastic piece of the riblike clamping portion of the first and second conductive assemblies is also bent toward each other into a curved shape; further, the screen elastic piece of the first and second contact conductive assemblies each has a top edge formed with at least two notches. and two side portions of each screen elastic piece formed between the notch and the si(le edge of each screen elastic piece are bent away from the r i b I i k e C I ,t m p i n g p o r t 1 o n with r e p e C t L 0 the vertical axis of the plane of each screen elastic piece.

The cover is formed with a substantially T-shaped opening, in which a first Qrountl slot, a srtcond grounn slot, and a third ground s I ot. and a pa i r of receptac I e s Lo ts pos i t i oned symmetrically about the third ground slot are formed. The first ground slot includes a first portion which is substantially circular in shape, a second portion which is also substantially circular in shape. a third portion which connects the first and second portions, and a fourth portion which is substantially rectangular in shape. The second ground slot and the third ground slot are both circular in shape. These three slots can receive plugs having round and flat plug pins. Further, the receptacle slots each includes a first portion which is basically circular in shape, a second portion which is rectangular in shape and connected to one side of the first portion, a third portion connected in a slanted direction to the second portion. and a fourth portion which is also rectangular in shape and formed on the other side of the first portion. Among these portions. the third portion is specifically used to receive plugs having slanted flat plug pins.

The base casing has its inside divided by separating plates into several compartments including a ground compartment, a first contact compartment, and a second contact conpartment. The ground compartment is used to house the grounding conductive assembly, the first contact compartment is used to house the thirst contact conductive assembly, and the sec on rl c (, ntJct compartment is used to house the second c orl conductive ductive assembly P u r t h e r . t h e bot om wall f the base casing i S formed Wi th three screw holes that allow screws to be fastened therethrough to electrically connect the grounding conductive assembly and first and second contact conductive assemblies to connecting wires. Also, this allows an adapter to be attached to the bottom of the base caSt og, which is connected via conductive pacts to the grounding conductive assembly and first and second contact conductive assemblies.

In addition, the electrical outlet device of the invention can be used as an extension cord uni t having a pluraL i ty of receptacles.

The invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, with reference made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional electrical outlet device for connection with various types of plugs; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical outlet device for connection with various types of plugs according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a bottom view FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the device of FIG. 3 cutting through the line A-A; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the electrical outlet device when assembled: and FISC. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a number of receptacle configurations of the electrical outlet device according to the present invention for connection with a variety of plugs.

Referring together to F[Gs. 2 through 5, there are shown a preferred embodiment of the electrical outlet device according to the present invention. This electrical outlet device includes a base casing 1, a cover 2 covering the top of the base casing 1, a grounding conductive assembly 3, a first contact conductive assembly 4, and a second contact conductive assembly 5.

The base casing 1 has a bottom wall 10 and four side walls 11. A pair of separators 120. 122, and a pair of side plates 130, 132 having separating pieces 140 142 perpendicularly connected thereto, are used to divide the inside of the base casing 1 into several compartments. including a ground compartment 15 between the separators 120. 122, a first contact compartment 16 between the separator 120 and the side plate 130 within the separating pieces 140, and a second contact compartment 17 between the separator l22 and the side plate 132 within the separating pieces 142. The bottom wall 10 is formed with screw holes 180. 182, 184 and corr sPondingly the sicle walls 11 are formed with ma t h i n g slots 190, 192 and 194.

The cover 2 is formed with a substantially T-shaped opening, in which a first ground slot 20. a second ground slot 21. and a third ground slot 22 and a pair of receptacle slots 23 positioned symmetrically about the third ground slot 22 are wormed. The first ground slot 20 is basically an elongated slot including a first portion 201 which is substantially circular in shape. a second portion 202 which is also circular in shape. a third portion 203 which connects the first portion 20L and second portion 202. and a fourth portion 204 which is substantially rectangular in shape and connected to the first portion 20l. The second ground slot 21 and the third ground slot 22 are both circular in shape. These three slots 20, 21. 22 can receive plugs having round and flat plug pins. Further. the receptacle slots 23 each includes a first portion 231 which is basically circular in shape. a second portion 232 which is basically rectangular in shape and connected to one side of the first portion 231. a third portion 233 connected in a slanted direction to the second portion 232. and a fourth portion 234 which is also basically rectangular in shape and connected to the other side of the first portion 231. Among these portions. the third portion 233 is specifically used to receive plugs having slanted plug pins.

The grounding conductive assembly 3 includes a base frame 30 which is integrally formed with a first clamping portion 31. a secnd claRping portion 32, 32. and a thirfl clamping p i n g p 0 r t 33 thereon. The first lampi ng portion 31 i s c composed, 0 f f t i first pair of elastic pieces 310. 312: the second cI Lmp i n. p() r t i Jr 32 is composed of a second pair of elastic pieces 320. 322: and the thirds clamping portion 33 is composed of a third pair of elastic pieces 330. 332. Further. the first pair of elastic pieces 310.

312 and third pair of elastic pieces 330, 332 are formed with notches 3100, 3102 and 3300, 3302 which divide the top end of each of these elastic pieces into two wing pieces. respectivelY (3110. 3112). (3120, 3122), (3310. 3312). and (3320. 3322). These wing pieces are each bent into curved shape. The second pair of elastic pieces 320. 322 are formed with downward extending wing pieces 3200, 3202 which are first bent inwards toward each other and then bent outwards in the middle. Further, a fastening piece 34 having a screw hole 340 is integrally formed below the elastic pieces 312 near the bottom of the base frame 30.

The first and second contact conductive assemblies 4. 5 have the same configurations. The first contact conductive assembly 4 includes a base frame 40 having a side wall I formed thereon, a screen elastic piece 42 integrally formed on the top of the side wall 41, and a rib-like clamping portion 43 integrally formed on the base frame 40. Similarly, the second contact conductive assembly 5 includes a base frame 50 having a side wall 51 formed thereon, a screen elastic piece 52 integrally formed on the top of the side wall 51, and a rib-like clamping portion 53 integrally formed on the base frame 50. Further, notches 440. 442 and 540. 542 are formed on the top edges of the elastic pieces 42, 52. By design, side portions 450, 452 are thus respectively formed between the side edges of the screen elasti(: piete 42 and notches 440. 442 and are bent away from the nl.lnpinx portion 43.

Likewise, side portions 550, 552 are thus respectively formed between the side edges of the screen electric piece 52 and notches 540, 542 and are bent away from the clamping portion 53.

The clamping portion 43 is composed of a pair of elastic pieces 430, 432, and similarly the clamping portion 53 is composed of a pair of elastic pieces 530, 532. Notches 4300, 4302 and 5300, 5302 are formed on the top edges of these elastic pieces 430. 432 and 530. 532. Further, elastic pieces 430, 432 and 530, 532 are bent into curved shape and, the top edges of the elastic pieces 430. 432 and 530. 532 are further outwardly folded. In addition, the first and second contact conductive assemblies 4, 5 are provided with fastening pieces 46, 56 having screw holes 460, 560 for securing the first and second contact conductive assemblies 4, 5 to the base casing 1.

When assembling the electrical outlet device, screws 60.

62, 64 with washers 70, 72, 74 are screwed into the corresponding screw holes 340, 460. 560. Then the grounding conductive assembly 3 is securely oounted in the ground compartaent 15 in the base casing 1; and the first and second contact conductive assemblies 4, 5 are securely mounted respectively in the first and second contact compartments 16. 17. The cover 2 is then secured to the top of the base casing 1 by means of, for example, high-frequency soldering. a sealant, or screws. Further, wires 80. 82. 84 are inserted through the matching slots 190, 192. 194 in the side walls 11 into the inside of the base casing l. The ends of these wires 80. 82, 84 are respectively p I aced between the fastening pieces 34. 46. 56 and the washers 70. 72. 74, and then fastened between the sale by screws 60, 62. 64. It thus completes the assembly of the electrical outlet device. Further. since the heads 600. 602. 604 of the screws 60, 62, 64 are greater in diameter than the screw holes 180. 182. 184. the screws 60. 62.

64 can be prevented from falling out of the screw holes 180. 182.

184.

[n use. when a plug having large round plug pins is to be connected with the electrical outlet device of the invention, the plug pins will be clamped between the clamping portions 43, 53 in the first and second contact conductive assemblies 4. 5, as illustrated in FIG. 6E and FIG. 6F. Due to the provision of notches 430. 530 on the elastic pieces 430. 432 and 530, 532 of these clamping portions 43. 53, the flexibility of the elastic pieces 430. 432 and 530, 532 will be increased, such that the resistance against the blades by the clamping portions 43. 53 will be reduced. Therefore. after alternate uses between largepin and seall-pin plugs, the clamping portions 43, 53 would hardly be subjected to elastic fatigue that causes poor electrical contacts between the plug and the receptacle. This is the same for plugs having various sies of flat pins.

When using the Australian type of plugs having slanted plug pins, as shown in F[G. 60 and F[G. 6J, the bottom ends of the plug pins can be inserted into and snugly fitted in the third portion 233 in the receptacle slots 23. The problem of rubbing against the wall of the receptacle slot by the slallted plug pins as in the prior a r t is here eliuinatesl. Further, when the slanted p I II g p i n s a r e ri e e r t C (1 i 0 t i) t h e first and second contact conductive assemblies 4. 5, they will cone into a tight surface to-surface contact with the side portions 450. 452 and 550. 552 due to the angled arrangement of the side portions 450. 452 and 550, 552 with espect to the screen elastic pieces 42, 52. This solves the problem ot point-to-point contacts between the plug pins and the conductive pieces in the receptacle which causes poor electrical contact in the prior art.

Furthermore, the curved designs for the wing pieces 3120.

3122. 3310. 3312. 3320. 3322. the elastic pieces 430, 432 and 530, 532 allow the plugs having round plug pins to come in to a tight surface-to--surface contact therewith. The electrical contact is therefore good. [n addition, the bent shape of the wing pieces 3200. 3202 of the elastic pieces 320. 322 allow the plug to be unplugged from the receptacle without causing heavy abrasion by the wing pieces 3200, 3202 to the plug pins. The withdrawal is therefore smooth.

Since the first and second contact conductive assemblies 4.

5 are identical in structure, only one model is needed. The assembly and component control are therefore easier to carry out.

Claims

1. An electrical outlet device for connection with various types of plugs, conprising: a base casing; a cover Covering said base casing; a grounding conductive assembly including a base frame formed with at least a first clamping portion having a pair of elastic pieces. a second clamping portion having a pair of elastic pieces. and a third clamping portion having a pair of elastic pieces thereon; a first contact conductive assembly and a second contact conductive assembly, each including a rib-like clamping portion composed of a pair of elastic pieces and a screen elastic piece; wherein said elastic pieces of said first and third clamping portions of said grounding conductive assembly each have a top edge formed with a notch; and wherein said elastic pieces of said rib-like clamping portion on said first and second contact conductive assemblies each have a top edge formed with a notch.

said screen plastic piece being bent away from said rib-like clamping portion.

2. The electrical outlet device of claim ni wherein sa i d cover is forae(l with a substantially T -shaped opening in which a first ground slot, a a second ground slot, L third ground slot, and a pair of receptacle slots are formed. said receptacle slots having a circular portion specifically used to receive plugs having round plug pins.

3. The electrical outlet device of claim 1, where i n said first and second contact conductive assemblies are identical in structure.

4. The electrical outlet device of claim 1. wherein said elastic pieces of said first and third clamping portions of said grounding conductive assembly are bent toward each other into a curved shape.

5. The electrical outlet device of claim 1. wherein said elastic pieces of said rib-like clamping portions of said first and second contact conductive assemblies are bent toward each other into a curved shape.

6. The electrical outlet device of claim 1. wherein said elastic pieces of said second clamping portion each is connected with a wing piece which is bent in the middle outwards.

7. The electrical outlet device of claim 1. wherein said screen elastic piece is further formed on the top edge with at least two notches.