GB2385987A

GB2385987A - Socket safety device

Info

Publication number: GB2385987A
Application number: GB0204519A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michelle Blaiberg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-27
Filing date: 2002-02-27
Publication date: 2003-09-03
Also published as: GB0204519D0

Abstract

A safety device for use with a switchable electrical socket 16 comprises an insulating sheet 10 having at least one hole 12 for aligning with the pins 22 of an electrical plug 18, wherein the sheet extends so as to cover the switch 20, thereby impairing access to the switch. The sheet may be transparent, translucent or opaque.

Description

Socket Safety Device This invention relates to electrical socket safety devices.

It is widely known that young children, specifically toddlers like to play with electrical sockets, potentially electrocuting themselves. For this reason insulating blanking plugs are available, which block the sockets and hence prevent children from inserting sharp objects into the socket. These blanking plugs render the sockets unusable.

When in use, the switch on the socket enables a child to easily switch on and off appliances plugged into the socket. Irresponsible use of the switch can lead to current surges within the appliance, which are detrimental to the internal components as well as being potentially hazardous.

As well as the safety aspect, it is often an irritation when young children switch off appliances whilst an adult is trying to accomplish a task such as vacuum cleaning.

The present invention seeks to provide a way of allowing a socket to remain usable whilst preventing a young child from turning it on and off.

According to the present invention there is provided a safety device for use with a switchable electrical socket, comprising an insulating sheet having at least one hole for aligning with the pins of an electrical plug, wherein the sheet extends so as to cover the switch, thereby impairing access to the switch.

The invention will now be described further by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

Figure 1 shows an end view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment, Figure 3 shows the view of figure 2, further showing the interaction between the embodiment, the plug, and plug socket, and Figure 4 shows an end view of the preferred embodiment, plug and socket when the plug is installed in the socket trapping the preferred embodiment.

The preferred embodiment is principally a flat sheet 10 of resilient material such as a high density plastics material, the length of which being similar to that of the height of a wall mounted pug socket.

This embodiment includes fold lines 14 to allow the sheet to be folded over, as shown in all the figures. In particular the folding creates a channel, shown clearly in figure 4, which is intended to cover over a switch 20.

The sheet 10 includes holes 12 intended to align with the holes of an electrical wall socket 16 for receiving the 22 pins of an electrical plug 18. This enables the plug 18 to be inserted through the holes 12 in the sheet 10. The plug may then be inserted into electrical socket 16, sandwiching the sheet 10 in the process, as shown clearly in figure 4.

The operation of the socket is unaffected, but by securing the sheet in this way, the channel formed by the folds in the sheet 10 envelopes the switch 20, making access to it, more laborious. Should an adult need access to the switch 20, the sheet 10 is sufficiently flexible to be bent out of the way, allowing access, but the resilience of the material will cause it to re-cover the switch afterwards.

This is advantageous as it means the socket 16 may be

switched off when the plug 18 is inserted and then switched on after contact is made. This avoids the potential of improper contacts causing a spark.

All the figures clearly show the provision of two channels, the reason for this being due to the diversity of the design of plug sockets it would be advantageous to be accommodate the switch regardless of whether it is located to the left or the right of the socket.

Another embodiment cold use an entirely flat piece of resilient plastic, such that the obstruction of the switch itself, causes the sheet to bend over it.

Depending on preference, the sheet can translucent or transparent to indicate the position of the switch, or opaque so as to prevent it from being at all visible to a child.

A further embodiment may consist of a rigid sheet, formed for example by pressing or injection moulding a plastics material to create channels for receiving the switch in the same way as the embodiment drawn. Such an embodiment may simply be inserted directly over the socket in exactly the same way as described. It would not however be possible for an adult to operate the switch without first removing the plug from the socket.

Claims

1. A safety device for use with a switchable electrical socket 16, comprising an insulating sheet 10 having at least one hole 12 for aligning with the pins 22 of an electrical plug 18, wherein the sheet extends so as to cover the switch 20, thereby impairing access to the switch.

2. A safety device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insulating sheet includes at least one channel which straddles the switch.

3. A safety device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the insulating sheet is made of a rigid material.

4. A safety device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the insulating sheet is made of a resilient material of sufficient stiffness to prevent a young child from bending it clear of the switch.

5. A safety device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the insulating sheet is opaque.

6. A safety device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, where in the insulating sheet is translucent.

7. A safety device constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.