GB2386768A

GB2386768A - Ceiling socket - replacement for ceiling rose

Info

Publication number: GB2386768A
Application number: GB0206407A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Reginald Bowman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-03-19
Filing date: 2002-03-19
Publication date: 2003-09-24
Also published as: GB0206407D0

Abstract

A ceiling socket comprises mains terminal connectors 3, 4, 5 and 6 to be concealed in the ceiling, a three pin socket 2 adapted to be fixed to the underside of the ceiling and a pre-wired, connecting shaft 1 between these whereby the whole allows connection to a light fitting to be made using a plug (Fig 5) which connects directly to the ceiling socket. The three pin socket 2 is circular in shape and has a screw thread 13 such that it can be fitted with an expansion ring (16, Fig 4).

Description

l Ceiling Socket - Replacement For Ceiline Rose The invention relates to a

device for connecting ceiling lights to the mains electricity supply. Ceiling lights, in new or refurbished domestic homes, are provided for by the fitting of ceiling roses and pendant light fittings. The 8cm diameter of the ceiling rose means that a large number of alternative ceiling lights necessitate the complete disconnection of the ceiling rose and the rewiring of the mains leads. This practice can be both lengthy and potentially fatal. Electric current is responsible for some 25 deaths and 2000 injuries requiring hospital treatment each year in the IJK alone. In addition to the electrical hazards involved, it is invariably necessary to use step-ladders in order to rewire the mains leads. Falls from stepladders account for even more fatalities and injuries, particularly when having to work with both hands above the head.

An object ofthis invention is to minimise both electrical and fall hazards by providing a simple and quick connection device.

Accordingly, this invention provides a ceiling socket which comprises mains terminal connectors concealed in the ceiling, a three pin socket fixed to the underside ofthe ceiling and a pre-wired, connecting shaft between these. The connection to a light fitting is made using a small plug which connects directly to the ceiling socket.

The preferred material for construction of the ceiling socket is plastic with all electrical connections being of suitable conducting metal and of the correct current rating. The preferred shape of the ceiling socket is circular and need only have a footprint a quarter that of an existing ceiling rose.

The ceiling socket can have a screw thread applied to its external circular surface such that it can optionally be fitted with an expansion ring. Such an expansion ring can then be used for the fitting of standard pendant light fittings.

The plug can be pre-connected to a lamp fitting at manufacture or any individual can connect the plug to a lamp fitting from the comfort of an armchair.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an oblique front view of a ceiling socket; Figure 2 shows an oblique reverse view of a ceiling socket; Figure 3 is a section of a ceiling socket showing the connection wiring; Figure 4 shows a ceiling socket with expansion ring fitted;

Figure 5 shows a plug for use with a ceiling socket.

As shown in Figure 1, the ceiling socket consists of a perpendicular terminal connection bar 1 with a socket element 2 positioned at the base and at 90 degrees to it in the horizontal plane. The socket element 2 is round in shape with a diameter of 4cm and depth of 1 5mnt It has a section cut out (Figure 2) which fully houses the plug (Figure 5) when connected. The upper end of the terminal connection bar 1 houses connectors 3, 4, 5 and 6 for the mains and switch wiring. There are three live loop terminals 3 (2 x mains and 1 x switch), two neutral terminals 4 (2 x mains), a single live terminal S (1 x switch) and three earth terminals 6 (2 x mains and 1 x switch). An appropriate sized aperture would be cut in the plasterboard ceiling adjacent to a joist.

The terminal connection bar 1 would be inserted through this from beneath such that the socket element 2 would remain below the plasterboard and directly beneath the joist. The socket element 2 would be secured to the joist using screws through the two fixing points 7. The recess in socket element 2 contains three pin receptors 8 which are set in a triangular formation to ensure that the plug can only be inserted the correct way round. Figure 3 shows the internal wiring 9, 10 and 1 1 of the ceiling socket which ensures the non-loop terminal connectors 4, 5 and 6 are connected to the correct pin receptors in the socket element 2. The mains and switch cable wires are connected to the appropriate-terminals 3, 4, 5 and 6.

The ceiling plug has three connecting pins 12 having a length of 1 Omm which protrude from the non-curved end of the plug (Figure S). The curved face incorporates a screw thread 13 which corresponds to the thread on the socket element 2. The plug comprises a base and a cover which is held in place with a single retaining screw 14.

There is also an aperture 15 in the plug cover through which the insulated wires should be fed prior to connecting to the plug terminals. Irrespective of the type of light fitting to be used, the electrical leads from the light are connected to the plug.

The plug is simply inserted into the socket to complete the circuit and the light fitting is connected to the ceiling joist as per manufacturers' instructions.

If a standard pendant fitting is to be connected, an expansion ring 16 can be screwed onto the socket element 2. The external edge ofthe expansion ring 16 incorporates a screw thread 17 for the fitting of a standard pendant type fitting.

Claims

! in. . l CLAIMS

1. A ceiling socket which comprises mains terminal connectors to be concealed in the ceiling, a three pin socket adapted to be fixed to the underside of the ceiling and a pre-wired, connecting shah between these whereby the whole allows connection to a light fitting to be made using a plug which connects directly to the ceiling socket.

2. A ceiling socket as claimed in Claim 1 in which the ceiling socket is plastic.

3. A ceiling socket as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the ceiling socket is circular.

.

4. A ceiling socket as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 which has a screw it; thread such that it can optionally be fitted with an expansion ring.

5. A ceiling socket substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.