GB2396487A

GB2396487A - Demountable electrical fittings

Info

Publication number: GB2396487A
Application number: GB0226211A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Baines
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-11-09
Filing date: 2002-11-09
Publication date: 2004-06-23
Also published as: GB0226211D0

Abstract

An electrical outlet socket or switch fitting includes an inner wiring bracket and an outer outlet socket or switch assembly, all configured for mounting in standard electrical wall boxes. The inner wiring bracket is fitted with wiring terminals to receive external electrical supply wires and socket slots to provide electrical power to the outlet socket or switch assembly. The wiring bracket mounts directly into the electrical wall box utilising the screws which are supplied with the box and is provided with an adjustment capability to ensure correct alignment of the fitting. The outlet socket or switch assembly includes a designer wall cover plate and outlet or switch device and attaches to the wiring bracket electrically by means of prongs and physically by means of a screw or screws. The cover plate size is greater than the size of the electrical wall box to compensate for any intolerance in the electrical box installation.

Description

DESIGNER DE-MOUNTABLE ELECTRICAL SWITCHES & OUTLET SOCKETS

FOR RECESSED WALL FITTINGS Pagel INTRODUCTION

The typical standard wall mounted electrical switch or outlet socket currently available in the UK consists of a one piece operating unit of utilitarian appearance which is attached with screws to a fixed standard recessed box in the wall. To install such a switch or outlet unit requires that it first be connected to the electrical wires protruding out of the recessed box and then the whole assembly of wires and unit pushed back until the screws can be engaged in the threaded holes provided in the box. By tightening the screws, the assembly is then drawn into the box until the cover plate becomes flush with the wall.

This system suffers from a number of significant disadvantages: 1. In the case of cavity walls, although wall boxes are held in place by a number of different methods, in all cases the unit mounting screws also serve as the means by which the box is clamped to the wall. If they are released, such as when there is a desire to replace the switch or outlet or even just to pull it away from the wall to facilitate painting or wall papering, then the box frequently becomes loose and remounting the unit can be quite difficult. This acts as a deterrent to what otherwise ought to be a routine minor job and in consequence it is rarely carried out during decorating work with detrimental impact on the quality of the work performed. 2. No provision is made in existing products for aligning the cover plate. Correct aligornent can be achieved only if the underlying box is installed absolutely correctly or "square" in the first place.

3. With all the wiring connections being behmd the cover plate which, after installation, completely covers the receptacle, the physical act of wiring a currently available product, then manoeuvring it into place and finally engaging the securing screws in the holes m the receptacle is a tricky and often time consuming operation, especially for DIY enthusiasts.

4. The size of currently produced cover plates is the same as the box onto which it is to be mounted. There is, therefore, no tolerance for error in the size or shape of the wall opening resulting in the need to have to do unsightly patch up work around the box prior to installing the unit.

5. There is a very limited range of cover plate colours and styles available.

PURPOSE Of THIS INVENTION The purpose of this invention is to overcome all the above disadvantages by providing aesthetically appealing easily installed and de-mountable wall mounted switches and sockets which utilse standard wall boxes. Included in the design of the invention is the means to adjust for level during installation and the cover plates will be sized to address the tolerance problems associated with units currently available. It Is intended to manufacture the visible portions of the units in a range of styles and colours to overcome the limited range currently available.

Page2 DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The invention consists of two basic components: - An inner wiring bracket which Is mounted in a standard box utilising the normal screws - A switch or socket assembly complete with cover plate which attaches to the wiring bracket by a screw or screws and fitted with prongs for connecting electrically to it.

The components would be marketed are as follows: - As complete packages consisting of a wiring bracket and a switch or socket assembly which would be aimed at the new home market or for replacing the current units.

- Recognising that owners of homes that are already fitted with the new devices will want to change their decor from time to time, the switch and socket assemblies would be available without the wiring bracket.

THE WIRING BRACKET

The wiring bracket is connected to the supply wires from behind in the conventional way but, being smaller than the wall box, it will be much easier to do the wiring work and for the same reason it will be much easier to push the bracket mto the box and secure it in place. It Is secured by the standard wall box screws screws but due to the improved visibility, there will be mimmal problems getting the screws to engage One of the holes in the attachment lugs on the bracket is slotted so that the bracket can be adjusted so as to achieve the correct alignment before final tightening of the screws. Once installed, the bracket can be considered permanent (although it is readily removable whenever so desired).

In the front of the bracket there are three slots which match three prongs on the back of the switch or socket assembly. These slots are internally connected to the wiring points on the back of the bracket thus acting as the electrical supply sources for the switch or socket. Also in the front of the bracket there is a threaded hole or holes for receiving the cover plate assembly securing screw or screws. For safety reasons, the wiring bracket is supplied with slot protectors for use whenever the switch or socket assembly is removed.

THE SWITCH OR SOCKET ASSEMBLY

The switch or socket assembly consists of a cover plate with attached switch or socket unit. It is fitted with prongs on the back which connects it electrically to the wiring bracket.

Attachment screw holes are provided in the cover plate which line up with the corresponding threaded holes in the wiring bracket. The cover plate is sized to overcome a reasonable amount of Intolerance or lack of fit in the wall box Installation.

Mounting the assembly is a very simple and straight forward operation being equivalent to plugging in an electrical appliance. This is accomphshed by pushing the assembly into the

Page3 wall box and engaging the prongs in the slots in the wiring fixture and then engaging and .,1 gmenlug me secunng screw or screws.

The assembly can be de-mounted in a matter of moments at any time and without the need to isolate the electrical supply. In the case of switches, once removed, the switch component can be detached from the cover plate by unfastening two screws located behind and then temporarily reinstalled into the slots if it is desired to continue using it.

DRAWINGS

The enclosed preliminary Drawings SA - AS - 001 and SA - AS 002 depict the concept for a typical double socket outlet. The dimensions shown are indicative only and would be finalized at the time of the involvement of a prospective manufacturer. Other devices such as single and double switches and single socket outlets would utilse the same principles.

Note that although the drawing shows a cavity wall installation, these devices are compatible with any standard recessed box such as metal ones as used in masonry walls FORWARD VISION

The intent of this invention is to introduce a whole new approach to the provision of switch and outlet socket cover plates. The market is enormous in that these devices occur in every room in ever, home in the country. The double attraction of their enhanced appearance and ease of fitting applies to both the existing and new home markets. The product range will slot into the premium end of the market aimed at home owners who are willing to spend a little extra on designer cover plates that match their Individual decor objectives, which can be correctly aligned and which are sized to cover up unsightly blemishes left behind by the builder. At the same time the ease with which these plates can be removed and replaced will be seen as a significant advantage by homeowners when it Is time to redecorate What is needed is to find an electrical components manufacturer or a major DIY store chain with the vision to appreciate the marketing possibilities of this invention.

4. DtSCRIPTION COMPONENT A DOUBLE SOCKET OUTLET WALL PLATE UNIT (WITH OR

WITHOUT SWITCHES AS REQUIRED) WITH REAR

MOUNTED LIVE AND NEUTRAL PRONGS

ONE SECURING SCREW

COMPONENT e E3RAKCET FITTED WITH SOCKETED WIRING BLOCK.

TWO MOUNTING SCREWS

pROCEDURE 1. TURN ELECTRIC POWER OFF

2 FOR NEW INSTALLATIONS CUT REQlJIRED OPENING IN Pl ASTERBOARD AND PULL WIRES THROUGH. INSTALL NEW WALL BOX ACTIVATE WALLBOARD ANCHORS OR SECURE 30X

TO MASONRY ACCORDING TO SITUATION

3 WIRE UP THE WIRING BLOCK ON THE BRACKET (COMPONEliT B) 4 MOUNT BRACKET TO BOX, ADJUST TO HORIZONTAL USING SLOTTED

HOLE PROVIDED TIGHTEN MOUNTING SCREWS SO THAT BRACKET

ENGAGES FIRMLY AGAINST THE WALL

5 ASSEMBLE OUTLET (COMPONENT A) TO BRACKET, ENGAGING REAR

PRONGS IN THE SOCKETS PRESS WALL PLATE UNIT IN

UNfIL COVER PLATE IS FLUSH WITH THE WALL, AND THE N SECURE WITH CENTRAL SCREW

6 TURN ELECTRIC POWER ON

ADVANTAGES

1 USES S FANDARD WALL BOXES

2 EASIER TO WIRE UP DUE TO BET lER ACCESS 3 HORIZONTAL ADUSTMENT PROVIDED

4 WALL PLATE UNIT EASILY REMOVED AND REINSTALLED WITHOUT

DISTURBING WIRING. THIS ALLOWS FOR WALL PAPERING

AND PAINTING BEl1IND THE PLATE, OR EXCHANGING OUTLETS TO MATCH COLOUR SCHEMES AND DECOR

5 LARGER WALL. PLATE CONCEALS ANY OVERCUT IN THE WALL OPENING

OTHER APPLICATIONS

US [NG THE SAME PRINCIPLE

- SINGLE SOCKET OUTLET

- SINGLE WALL MOUNTED LIGHT SWITCH

- DOUBLE WALL MOUNTED LIGHT SWITCH

Claims

l. An inner wiring bracket which is mountable in a standard socket outlet or switch wall box utilising the standard screws supplied with the box.
2. A wiring bracket as claimed in Claim I fitted with two attachment lugs one of which

is provided with a slotted hole so that the wiring bracket can be correctly aligned when it is installed in the socket outlet or switch wall box.
3. A bracket as claimed in Claim 1 fitted with wiring terminals on the back to which external electrical supply wires can be attached.
4. A bracket as claimed in Claim 1 fitted with slots on the front which are electrically connected to the wiring terminals as claimed in Claim 3.
5. A bracket as claimed in Claim 1 fitted with threaded hole or holes.
6. An outer switch or outlet socket assembly including a cover plate and switch or outlet socket, and attachment screw or screws.
7. An outer switch or outlet socket assembly as claimed in Claim 6 fitted with a designer cover plate that is greater in size than the wall switch box.
8. An outlet socket as claimed in Claim 6 fitted with outlet slots capable of receiving the prongs of electrical plugs.
9. Outlet slots as claimed in Claim 8 connected electrically to prongs on the back of the outlet socket assembly claimed in Claim 6.
10. Prongs as claimed in Claim 9 positioned so that they engage both physically and electrically in the slots in the wiring bracket claimed in Claim 4.
11. A switch or switches as claimed in Claim 6 connected electrically to prongs on the back of the switch assembly claimed in Claim 6.
12. Prongs as claimed in Claim 11 positioned so that they engage both physically and electrically in the slots in the wiring bracket claimed in Claim 4.
13. Attachment screw or screws as claimed in Claim 6 engage in the threaded hole or holes claimed in Claim 5.
14. An inner wiring bracket and an outer outlet socket or switch assembly claimed in any proceeding claim which are made from metal, plastic or ceramic material or from a combination of these materials.
15. An inner wiring assembly and an outer outlet socket assembly as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

15. An inner wiring assembly and an outer outlet socket assembly as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. An inner wiring bracket which is mountable in a standard socket outlet or switch wall box utilising standard installation screws.

2. A wiring bracket as claimed in Claim 1 fitted with two attachment lugs one of which is provided with a slotted hole so that the wiring bracket can be correctly aligned when it is installed in the socket outlet or switch wall box.

3. A bracket as claimed in Claim 1 fitted with wiring terminals to which external electrical supply wires can be attached.

4. A bracket as claimed in Claim 1 fitted with slots on the front which are electrically connected to the wiring terminals as claimed in Claim 3.

5. A bracket as claimed in Claim 1 fitted with threaded hole or holes.

6. An outer switch or outlet socket assembly including a cover plate and switch or outlet socket, and attachment screw or screws.

7. An outer switch or outlet socket assembly as claimed in Claim 6 fitted with a designer cover plate that is greater in size than the wall switch box.

&. An outlet socket as claimed in Claim 6 fitted with outlet slots capable of receiving the prongs of electrical plugs.

9. Outlet slots as claimed In Claim connected electrically to prongs on the back of the outlet socket assembly claimed in Claim 6.

10. Prongs as claimed in Claim 9 positioned so that they engage both physically and electrically in the slots in the wiring bracket claimed in Claim 4.

A switch or switches as claimed in Claim 6 connected electrically to prongs on the back of the switch assembly claimed in Claim 6.

12. Prongs as claimed in Claim 1 I positioned so that they engage both physically and electrically in the slots in the wiring bracket claimed in Claim 4.

13. Attachment screw or screws as claimed in Claim 6 engage in the threaded hole or holes claimed in Claim 5.

14. An mner wiring bracket and an outer outlet socket or switch assembly claimed in any proceeding claim which are made from metal, plastic or ceramic material or from a combination of these materials.