GB2366090A

GB2366090A - Branched electrical appliance lead

Info

Publication number: GB2366090A
Application number: GB0113732A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John James Waterworth
Original assignee: Earlex Ltd
Current assignee: Earlex Ltd
Priority date: 2000-07-31
Filing date: 2001-06-05
Publication date: 2002-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-05
Also published as: GB2366090B; GB0018792D0; GB0113732D0

Abstract

A branched lead to adapt an existing IEC connector terminated lead into a Y-splitter, comprising two lengths of cable 1,2; female IEC connectors 5,6 at the distal ends of each length of cable; and a male IEC connector 16 to which both lengths of cable 1,2 are connected at their proximal ends. The cables 1,2 are of 500 mm long with a core cross-section of 0.75 mm<SP>2</SP>. The proximal ends of the cables 1,2 have the ends of their cores 11 connected in pair by live neural and earth crimp connections 12 to male pins 14.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> BRANCHEDLEAD The present invention relates to an electrical appliance lead.

For computers for instance, there is often a requirement to be able to power electrically two appliances adjacent each other. This requirement can be met by providing a Y configuration lead, known as a Y-splitter. The foot end of the lead is provided with a standard male power connector and the arm ends are each provided with a standard IEC female connector. These leads are of a conventional overall length, that is to say the length from male to female connector is that of a single conventional lead. As such, their cable weight is IMM2 cross-section. The junction at the branch of the Y is a non-standard fitting. Thus although these leads are more economic than using a pair of conventional leads, they are nevertheless not as efficient as they might be.

The present invention is born of the realisation that most users of Y-splitter leads already own a single conventional lead. Therefore a Y-splitter lead is a false economy, in being in fact more expensive than an additional single lead.

The object of the present invention is to provide a branched lead able to adapt an existing JEC connector terminated lead into a Y-splitter.

According to the invention there is provided a branched lead comprising: two lengths of cable; a female IEC connector at the distal end of each length of cable; and a male IEC connector to which both lengths of cable are connected at their proximal ends.

By providing that the lengths of cable are of the order of 500mm long, they can be of 0.75 MM2 core cross-section keeping the overall cost economic. However cables of any other lengths or any other core cross-section may be used. In particular the cable lengths need not be identical.

The connectors preferably have over-moulded outer portions, the female connectors being conventional, but the male connector having its outer moulding adapted for the two cable lengths to extend from it.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a branched lead of the invention, including end views of its three connectors and Figure 2 is a scrap view similar to Figure I of the male end of the lead prior to over-moulding.

The branched lead shown in the drawing comprises two 500mm lengths 1,2 of 2 0.75 Min three core cable. The distal ends 3,4 of the cables have conventional female IEC connectors 5,6, including outer over-mouldings 7,8.

The proximal ends 9, 10 of the cables have the ends of their cores 11 connected in pairs by live, neutral and earth crimp connections 12 to male pins 14. The male connector has a conventional body moulding 15 - including a skirt surrounding the pins - and an over-moulding 16. This is adapted to terminate both cables.

The branched lead has the advantage of being able to be used with a conventional IEC connector lead to power two adjacent appliances such as a personal computer and its screen or a screen and a printer peripheral to a laptop computer. In an alternative use, the male end of the branched lead can be plugged into the power output socket of a personal computer with the female ends being connected to for instance a screen and a printer peripheral to the computer, for powering the two. This use cannot be performed with a conventional Y-splitter equipped with a conventional male power connector such as a British 13 amp connector. Further, where further peripherals are required, such as a scanner, a further branched lead can be provided at one of the female ends of the first. This branching can be repeated, substantially saving on power leads where many peripherals are involved.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A branched lead comprising: two lengths of cable; a female IEC connector at the distal end of each length of cable; and a male IEC connector to which both lengths of cable are connected at their proximal ends.
2. A branched lead as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lengths of cable are of the 2 order of 500mm long, and having a core cross-section of 0.75 mm .
3. A branched lead as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lengths of cable are not identical.
4. A branched lead as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein the connectors have over-moulded outer portions.
5. A branched lead as claimed in claim 4, wherein the outer moulding of the male connector is adapted for the two cable lengths to extend from it.
6. A branched lead as claimed in claim 5, wherein the two cables have the ends of their cores connected in pairs by live, neutral and earth crimp connections to male pins.
7. A branched lead substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures I & 2 of the accompanying drawing.