GB2376136A

GB2376136A - Adaptor for wall socket outlet

Info

Publication number: GB2376136A
Application number: GB0113308A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew John Ekins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-01
Filing date: 2001-06-01
Publication date: 2002-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-01
Also published as: GB0113308D0; GB2376136B

Abstract

An adaptor 10 for a wall socket outlet comprises a housing 11 having a socket board 12 bearing one or more expansion sockets 18. Side walls 13,14,15,16 extend from the socket board 18 defining a cavity 17 within the housing 11. An active plug 19 is housed within the cavity 17, and is electrically connected to each expansion socket 18. When the adaptor 10 is in use, the power supply outlet is a least partially enclosed within the cavity 17 of the adaptor housing 11. The adaptor 10 may additionally comprise an adjustable dummy plug 21 moveable with the cavity 17.

Description

Electrical Adaptor The present invention relates to an adaptor for use in conjunction with an electric power supply outlet. In particular, it relates to an adaptor which attaches directly to an outlet, thus avoiding the need for electrical extension cables.

Electrical adaptors have been used for many years to increase the functionality of electric power supply outlets. Such adaptors may be characterised either as"expansion"adaptors, ie. those which provide a greater number of sockets in which the plugs of electrical appliances may be received, or"conversion"adaptors,/. e. those which enable a plug of one shape or standard to be used with a power supply outlet having a socket of a different shape or standard. Such conversion adaptors are commonly used e. g. when wishing to use a British standard plug with a foreign power supply outlet, or vice versa.

Whilst certain embodiments of the present invention may indeed be used as conversion adaptors, the invention has been primarily developed for use as an expansion adaptor, and will therefore be described herein with reference to this use. Furthermore, the present invention will be described herein with reference to British standard 3-pin plugs and sockets, although it is envisaged that it may find use in many more areas of the World, modified as necessary to suit the local standard. The basic electrical circuitry which enables such expansion adaptors to function is well known, and does not constitute part of the present invention. Consequently, it will not be described herein in detail.

The most commonly used types of expansion adaptor currently available in the United Kingdom are the so-called "multi-way" block type, and the"4-way"extension strip type. The former consists of a generally cubic block which plugs directly into a socket, and bears one expansion socket per face, on two or more of its faces. The 4-way strip, by contrast, comprises a socket board which in use is located remote from the power supply outlet socket, and is connected thereto by an electrical extension cable having a standard plug at its other end.

Despite the widespread use of these two main types of expansion adaptor, they both have their disadvantages. The multi-way block adaptor usually only allows a maximum of three plugs to be received therein, whilst its shape and bulk often result in it being unstably connected to the power supply outlet socket. The electrical connection of the power supply through the adaptor to an appliance can therefore be lost during use, whilst the ease with which the adaptor can be dislodged from the outlet socket can give rise to safety concerns.

The conventional 4-way extension strip does not suffer from these problems, and indeed is adequate for its purpose when it is desired to use an electrical appliance at a location significantly removed from the power supply outlet. However, increasingly users of electrical adaptors require only the provision of additional sockets, rather than means by which they may use their appliances at remote locations. Furthermore, the long extension leads are often a cause of irritation or inconvenience to the user.

For example, the recent growth in the use of personal computers

necessitates the use of at least three or four plug sockets in order to accommodate CPU, monitor, printer, scanner etc., whilst most domestic or office mains power supply outlets comprise only one or two sockets. The use of conventional 4-way strips in this type of situation is undesirable, as the trailing electrical extension cables are not aesthetically acceptable to many people, particularly where many other electrical wires and cables are already present, as in the use of personal computers or home entertainment systems. Furthermore, trailing cables may easily be tripped over and therefore pose an obvious safety hazard.

There is a need therefore for a safe, simple, and easy-to-use expansion adaptor which overcomes the instability problems of the multi-way block adaptor, whilst also eliminating the need for unsightly cables. This objective is now attained by means of the present invention.

According to the present invention there is provided an adaptor for an electric power supply outlet, which adaptor comprises a housing having a socket board bearing one or more expansion sockets, side walls extending from said socket board, thus defining a cavity within the housing, and an active plug mounted within the cavity, said active plug being electrically connected to each expansion socket, and also being receivable within a socket of the power supply outlet so as to establish a power supply path from the power supply outlet to each expansion socket, and wherein in use the power supply outlet is at least partially enclosed within the cavity of the adaptor housing.

The adaptor fits dir ! y over an existing power supply outlet, thus eliminating the need for cables. In preferred embodiments, the adaptor will fit over the power supply outlet such that the socket board is substantially parallel to the wall on which the power supply outlet is mounted. For domestic use, the housing of the adaptor may desirably be styled to give the appearance that the adaptor is integral with a wall on which the power supply outlet is mounted. In this way, an impression may be given that the adaptor is itself a standard outlet, whilst in reality the adaptor may easily be moved between different power supply outlets.

As noted above, most domestic power supply outlets comprise one or two sockets, and the adaptor of the present invention may conveniently be used with either of these types of outlet, or indeed with more unusual types which may comprise more than two sockets. However, when the adaptor of the present invention is mounted on a single socket outlet, the problems associated with the conventional multi-way adaptor are alleviated, but not entirely overcome. The enclosure of the power supply outlet within the cavity of the adaptor housing increases stability, but the fact that the adaptor is connected to the outlet by means of a single plug, can result in the adaptor being held less firmly on the power supply outlet than would be desired.

By far the most common domestic power supply outlets, particularly in modern houses, are those comprising two sockets. The construction of these double socket outlets provides a further opportunity to stabilize the mounting of the adaptor thereon, when compared to a single socket outlet.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is therefore intended primarily for use with an electric power supply outlet having two sockets. In this embodiment, the active plug of the adaptor is receivable within a first socket of the power supply outlet, and the adaptor additionally comprises a passive plug receivable within a second socket of the power supply outlet.

The added stability conferred by having a second plug also received within a socket of the power supply outlet enables the adaptor to be held firmly on the power supply outlet such that it cannot easily be dislodged, although the passive plug plays no part in the supply of power from the outlet to the expansion sockets.

However, despite the widespread use of double socket outlets in the United Kingdom, it is perhaps surprising that there is no standard uniform spacing between the two sockets thereof. Double socket power supply outlets made by one manufacturer may therefore have their sockets spaced apart at a different distance to those of another manufacturer, and further discrepancies arise when taking into account the difference between those outlets which have switches associated with each socket, and those which have no such switches. The separation distance between the two outlet sockets in double socket power supply outlets currently in use in the United Kingdom is believed to range from a minimum of about 60 mm up to a maximum of about 80 mm.

Therefore, in a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the passive plug is moveable within the housing cavity, relative to

the active plug, such that the adaptor may be adjusted for use with a range of power supply outlets having varying distances between the first and second sockets thereof.

The mechanism by which the passive plug moves may be of any suitable construction, but it is currently preferred that the passive plug should be mounted on a plate, which is slideable within a groove provided in a side wall of the adaptor housing.

Desirably, adjustment means are provided such that in use the movement of the passive plug may be controlled externally of the housing. In this way the active plug may be lined up with the first socket, and the passive plug brought into line with the second socket by using the adjustment means, prior to insertion of the plugs into their respective sockets.

The adjustment means may also be of any suitable construction, but it is preferred that it should comprise a screw-threaded rod extending laterally through the housing and engaging with a complementary threaded collar mounted on the slideable plate. The movement of the passive plug may thus be controlled by rotation of the threaded rod.

In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment means additionally comprises an adjusting knob or handle located externally on the housing, at one end of the threaded rod. In use this knob or handle may be rotated so as in turn to rotate the threaded rod, thus causing movement of the slideable plate and the passive plug mounted thereon.

The adjustment means may therefore be used to vary the position of the passive plug relative to the active plug prior to insertion of each plug into its respective socket of the power supply outlet, so that each plug may be lined up with its respective socket. Once inserted, the adjustment means is then used to urge the passive plug against the internal surface of its receiving socket, thus holding the adaptor firmly in place on the power supply outlet. In order that the electrical adaptor of the present invention may be used with substantially all types of double sockets currently in use in the United Kingdom, it is desirable that the adjustment means should enable the passive plug to move over a distance of substantially 25 mm. The resultant separation distance between the active and passive plugs may then be varied from a minimum separation of substantially 59 mm up to a maximum of substantially 84 mm.

The housing of the adaptor may be of any suitable construction, but is preferably of generally rectangular cross-section. In order that the cavity within the housing is of sufficient size so as to accommodate substantially all types of double socket outlets currently in use in the United Kingdom, it is preferred that the cavity should have a length of substantially 278 mm, and a height of substantially 97 mm.

The construction of double socket power supply outlets varies not only in the separation of the sockets, but also in the depth of the plate on which the sockets are located. In order that the adaptor may be used with all such double socket power supply outlets of varying size, it is currently preferred that the depth of the cavity should be substantially 25 mm. This depth is set

such that when the adaptor is mounted on an outlet having a plate of minimum depth, the housing abuts against the wall surrounding the power supply outlet. When the adaptor is to be mounted on an outlet having a plate of larger depth, a flexible gasket may be attached to the housing, in order to bridge any resultant gap between the housing and the wall.

In conjunction with its basic circuitry, the adaptor of the present invention may desirably comprise fuses, switches, power breakers, surge protectors, or other known electrical components, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

In order that the present invention may be better understood, one specific embodiment will now be described, though only by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above, of an electrical adaptor according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view from below, of the electrical adaptor of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a plan view from above, of the electrical adaptor of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows a side view of the electrical adaptor of Figures 1 to 3; and Figure 5 shows the electrical adaptor of Figures 1 to 4 ready for use in conjunction with a standard domestic power supply outlet.

Referring simultaneously to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown an electrical adaptor, generally indicated 10, having a housing 11. The housing 11

comprises a socket board 12 and side walls 13,14, 15,16, extending therefrom so as to define a cavity 17 within the housing 11.

The socket board 12 bears a plurality of expansion sockets 18, each of which is electrically connected to an active plug 19 housed within the cavity 17. Desirably, the electrical connection of the expansion sockets 18 to the active plug 19 may incorporate a switch 28 and a fuse 29 provided in the housing 11.

As is best shown in Figure 2, the cavity 17 also houses a passive plug 21 mounted on a plate 22. The plate 22 is slideable in a groove 23 provided on the inner surface of a side wall 13. An adjusting knob 24 is provided externally on an end wall 14 of the housing 11, which knob 24 communicates with the slideable plate 22 by means of a screw-threaded rod 25 extending laterally through a hole (not shown) in the end wall 14, and engaging with a threaded collar 26 mounted on the plate 22.

Rotation of the knob 24 causes the plate 22 to slide in the groove 23, thus varying the separation distance y between the active plug 19 and the passive plug 21. In order that the adaptor 10 may be used with substantially all types of double socket outlets currently in use in the United Kingdom, the separation distance y may be varied from a minimum separation distance of substantially 59 mm, up to a maximum separation distance of substantially 84 mm. A stop 27 is provided so as to abut against the plate 22 when the separation distance y, is at its minimum.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown the electrical adaptor 10, ready for use in conjunction with a standard domestic power supply outlet,

generally indicated 30. The power supply outlet 30 comprises a plate 31, secured to a wall, generally indicated 32, by fixing means 33. (Note: Figure 5 shows a view taken as if looking"through"the wall 32 and the reverse side of the plate 31).

The power supply outlet 30 comprises first and second outlet sockets 34,35, having a separation distance x between their respective centres. The electrical adaptor 10 is lined up with the power supply outlet 30 such that the active plug 19 is aligned with the first outlet socket 34, as indicated by dotted arrows C. The adjusting knob 24 is then rotated, as indicated by arrow A, thus causing the passive plug plate 22 to slide in the groove 23, as indicated by arrow B, until the separation distance y between the active plug 19 and the passive plug 21, is equal to the separation distance x between the two outlet sockets 34,35. The passive plug 21 will then be aligned with the second outlet socket 35, as indicated by dotted arrows D.

The electrical adaptor 10 may then be mounted on the power supply outlet 30 by simultaneously inserting the active plug 19 into the first outlet socket 34, and the passive plug 21 into the second outlet socket 35. A power supply path is thus established from the first outlet socket 34 via the active plug 19 to each of the expansion sockets 18. Note that the second outlet socket 35 and the passive plug 21 play no part in the supply of power to the expansion sockets 18.

After insertion of the active and passive plugs 19,21 into their respective outlet sockets 34,35, the adjusting knob 24 may be rotated again in either direction, so as to urge the pins 36 of the passive plug 21 against

the sides of their respective receptors 37 in the second outlet socket 35, thus holding the adaptor 10 more securely in place on the supply outlet 30.

Once the adaptor 10 is mounted on the power supply outlet 30, the plate 31 will be wholly contained within the cavity 17 in the adaptor housing 11, provided that the depth z of the plate 31 is sufficiently small. The ends of the cavity-defining side walls 13,14, 15,16 form a rim 38, which abuts against the wall 32 on which the power supply outlet 30 is mounted. Where the plate 31 has a larger depth z, a flexible gasket (not shown) may be attached to the rim 38, to bridge any resultant gap between the housing 11 and the wall 32.

Claims

Claims 1. An adaptor for an electric power supply outlet, which adaptor comprises a housing having a socket board bearing one or more expansion sockets, side walls extending from said socket board, thus defining a cavity within the housing, and an active plug housed within the cavity, said active plug being electrically connected to each expansion socket, and also being receivable within a socket of the power supply outlet so as to establish a power supply path from the power supply outlet to each expansion socket, and wherein in use the power supply outlet is at least partially enclosed within the cavity of the adaptor housing.
2. An adaptor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of expansion sockets present in the socket board is greater than the number of sockets present in the power supply outlet.
3. An adaptor as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, for use with an electric power supply outlet having two or more sockets, wherein the active plug of the adaptor is receivable within a first socket of the power supply outlet, and said adaptor additionally comprises a passive plug receivable within a second socket of the power supply outlet.
4. An adaptor as claimed in claim 3, wherein the passive plug is moveable within the cavity, relative to the active plug, such that the adaptor may be adjusted for use with a range of power supply outlets having varying distances between the first and second sockets thereof.
5. An adaptor as claimed in either of claims 3 or 4, wherein the passive plug is mounted on a plate, said plate being slideable within a groove

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provided in the side walls of the adaptor housing.
6. An adaptor as claimed in either of claims 4 or 5, additionally comprising adjustment means such that in use the movement of the passive plug may be controlled externally of the housing.
7. An adaptor as claimed in claim 6, wherein the adjustment means comprises a screw-threaded rod extending laterally through the housing and engaging with a complementary threaded collar mounted on the slideable plate, the movement of the passive plug thus being controlled by rotation of the threaded rod.
8. An adaptor as claimed in claim 7, wherein the threaded rod is provided at one end thereof with a knob or handle, located externally on the housing, which knob or handle in use may be rotated so as in turn to rotate the threaded rod, thus causing movement of the slideable plate and the passive plug mounted thereon.
9. An adaptor as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8, wherein in use the adjustment means may be used to vary the position of the passive plug relative to the active plug prior to insertion of each plug into its respective socket of the power supply outlet, and may also be used subsequently to urge the passive plug against the internal surface of its receiving socket, thus holding the adaptor firmly in place on the power supply outlet.
10. An adaptor as claimed in any of claims 4 to 9, wherein the passive plug is moveable over a distance of substantially 25 mm.
11. An adaptor as claimed in any of claims 4 to 10, wherein the separation distance between the active plug and the passive plug may be

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varied over a range of from 59 mm to 84 mm.
12. An adaptor as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the adaptor housing is of generally rectangular cross-section.
13. An adaptor as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing cavity has a length of substantially 278 mm, a width of substantially 97 mm, and a depth of substantially 25 mm.
14. An adaptor as claimed in any of the preceding claims, for use with a wall-mounted electric power supply outlet having two outlet sockets, wherein said adaptor has four expansion sockets.
15. An adaptor as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein in use the power supply outlet is wholly enclosed within the cavity of the adaptor housing, the side walls of the adaptor housing being in contact at their socket board distal ends, with a wall surrounding the power supply outlet.
16. An adaptor as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, wherein a flexible gasket is provided, which gasket is adapted to fit onto the side walls of the adaptor housing, at the socket board distal ends thereof, such that in use the gasket bridges any gap between the housing and a wall surrounding the power supply outlet.
17. An adaptor for an electric power supply outlet, and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.