GB2414604A

GB2414604A - Electric plug

Info

Publication number: GB2414604A
Application number: GB0411937A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Suzanne Rosamond Gianella
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-05-28
Filing date: 2004-05-28
Publication date: 2005-11-30
Also published as: GB0411937D0

Abstract

An electric plug 9 having a front from which pins of the plug project and a back 9a on which there is mechanically held a placard by a placard holding apparatus. This apparatus may comprise a holder, having a frame 2 and a transparent cover panel 4, and a placard panel that incorporates a design in the way of a graphic image 6. The placard holding apparatus may include a means for preventing interruption to the power supply to the plug 9, the placard holder being shaped as to have a part (14, fig.11) which protects beyond the edge of an electric plug 9, covering a switch thereby preventing operation. The placard holder may be integral with the back 9a of the plug 9 or may be formed separately and attached to the back 9a of the plug 9 by clips, glue or double-sided adhesive tape. The placard may be removably held in the holder by a sliding or snap-fit mechanism.

Description

24 1 4604 Electric Plug This invention relates to electric plugs.

A common problem associated with the use of standard electric plugs is that lt can be difficult to ascertain which plug Is associated with which electrical appliarice. lbls problem IS especially acute when the plug and sockets are remote from the appliances, the flex between the appliance and plug cannot be easily traced and/or more than one socket is in close proximity (such as when multi-socket adaptors are used). This difficulty can result in potentially dangerous, expensive or annoying power interruption when cln appliance is accidentally switched off at the plug socket or unplugged due to confusion over which plug relates to which appliance.

A further problem with standard electric plugs is that they can be unsightly. Increasingly, plug sockets are being produced which are designed to be sympathetic with the decor of a room.

For example, plug sockets in a modern kitchen may have a brushed chrome appearance or plug sockets for a period style reception room may be of polished brass appearance. However, standard electric plugs are often of white or black plastic and therefore do not match the decor of the room and/or the plug socket.

Using adhesive Labels to identify the appliance to which the plug is connected would enable identification of the plug, but would not provide as aesthetically pleasing solution.

The current invention seeks to mitigate one or more of the abovementioned problems associated with standard electric plugs.

The present invention provides electric plug having a front from which pins of the plug project and a back on which there IS mechanically held a placard by a placard holder. Therefore, the plug comprises an apparatus for displaying a placard, having a placard and a placard holder. The placard may be In the form of any article that conveys information visually or textually and/or provides decoration.

Advantageously, the placard is removably held by the placard holder. Preferably tile placard holder and placard are to-tether adapted such that the placard is removably held by the placard holder. The placard may be reversibly removable from tile placard holder. The placard may be held in the holder mechanically by clips or a snap-fit engagement. The placard and holder may be adapted such that the placard engages W1 th the holder by a snap fit mechanism. The placard and holder may be adapted SUCtl that the placard slidingly engages with the holder. In addition to the mechanical means, the placard may be removably held In the holder by non- mechanical means such as a low-tack adhesive.

Advantageously, the placard holder comprises a cover panel that is capable of covering at least a part of a placard. Preferably, the placard holder comprises a transparent cover panel, the placard being placed between the cover panel and the back of the plug. The placard may be situated beneath, and/or held in the holder by, a cover panel. The placard holder may be integrally formed with the portion of the plug that defines the back of the plug. Alternatively, the holder may be formed separately from, and be attached to, the back of the plug. Advantageously, the placard holder comprises a frame that frames the placard. The frame may be in the form of a recess in a surface or any other arrangement that Is capable of framing a placard. The holder may be adapted such that a cover panel engages with a frame by a snap-fit mechanism. Alternatively, the holder may be adapted such that a cover slidingly engages with the frame.

Advantageously there is provided a means for reducing the likelihood of power interruption to the appliance to which the plug relates. The means may mitigate against power Interruption through providing information about the appliance and/or the power requirements thereof, enabling ldentlficaLlon of the appliance or plug, and/or physically guarding against the power supplied through the plug to the appliance from being interrupted (for example, by making accidental interruption to the power supply more difficult). Advantageously, at least a part of the placard and/or placard holder Is adapted to guard agalost operation of a switch associated with a socket In Which the pins of the plug are able to be inserted. Said at least a part of the placard holder, such as any frame or cover panel, and/or the placard, may be shaped so as to guard against operation of a switch of an electric power socket into which the electric plug is inserted or may be arranged to alert a user that the switch should not be turned off, thereby providing a means for reducing the chance of the switch being inadvertently turned off.

Preferably a part of the apparatus projects out from the main body of the plug over the switch that relates to the socket in which the plug is inserted, thereby at least partly covering the switch and guarding against the switch from being operated (in particular, mitigating against the switch from being turned to the "off" position). A particular advantage of plugs comprising placard holders and/or placards which are so shaped, is that when the plug is relocated to another power socket the means for preventing power interruption to the appliance to which the plug relates is also relocated with the plug. The projecting part may be a triangular projection, a rounded projection or any other shaped projection that is capable of covering at least a part of the switch. A further advantage of providing a placard holding apparatus that is so shaped is that it enables the switch relating to the individual socket to be masked. This is a particular advantage when sockets are provided next to each other, in a strip plug socket for example, as certain switches relating to the plugs for certain appliances can be selectively - 4 masked leaving others free to be switched off where applicable.

The projecting part may project either to the left or to the right of the plug. Alternatively, two such projecting parts may be provided, one projecting to the left and the other projecting to the right.

The placard ls advantageously adapted to display information about the appliance to which the plug redates or to provide decoration. Advantageously, at least a portion of the placard IS adapted to be written on, thereby enabling the information or design provided by the placard to be altered. The placard may be made from any of card, paper, or plastic.

The invention further provides a method of conveying information or providing decoration on the back of an electric plug by attaching a placard to a placard holder which is mounted on, or integral with, the cover of the electric plug. The invention further provides a method of conveying information in respect of an electric plug including a step of providing an electric plug as described herein and providing such information on the placard held on the plug by the placard holder. The invention yet further provides a method of decorating at least part of the exterior of an electric plug including a step of providing an electric plug described herein wherein the placard is decorative. The invention yet further provides a method of reducing the likelihood of interruption of power supplied throuc3h an electric plug including the step of providing an electric plug as described herein, wherein at least a part of the placard and/or placard holder is adapted to guard against operation of a switch associated with a socket in which the pins of the plug are able to be inserted. The method of preventing power interrupt or may comprise the step of providing a part of the placard holder and/or placard In the form of one or more projections as described above.

The invention further provides a kit of parts for attaching a placard to the back of an electric plug, the kit comprising a placard holder in accordance with the placard holder of the electric plug as described herein. Advantageously, the kit of parts furt}ler comprises at least one placard where a plurality of placards are provided, thereby enabling the user Lo select an appropriate placard to be <displayed on a particular plug. The kit of parts may further comprise an electric plug.

The placard holder may be attached to an electric plug by fixing means such as clips, glue or preferably double-sided adhesive tape. Alternatively, the placard holder may be integrated into the electric plug. The plug cover may for example be manufactured to incorporate the placard holder for holding a placard. Advantageously, at least a portion of the apparatus is made of clear plastic. The placard holder may incorporate at least a window of clear material; especially clear colourless material, suitable materials being, for example, plastic or Perspex thereby enabling the placard to be seen through the window. In embodiments in which the plug comprises a cover panel, the cover panel is preferably made of clear colourless plastic. Advantageously, at least a part of the apparatus is textured and preferably, at least a part of the placard, frame or cover panel (when used) is textured thereby enabling different plugs to be identified by their texture.

Preferably, the texture is provided by embossing. The texture may convey information. Advantageously the placard holder and/or the placard is moulded to provide information in Braille. The placards and placard holders may be provided in more than one texture.

A kit of part according to the invention may provide at least one placard holder and at least one placard. A kit of parts comprising a plurality of placard holders and/or a - 6 plurality of placards enables the user to apply different placard holders and/or different placards to different plugs. A kit of parts comprising a plurality of placard holders and/or a plurality of placards in a plurality of textures enables the user to identify different plugs through the Lextures of the placard holders and/or placards. A kit of parts according Lo the invention may comprise a placard holder having a frame adapted to mechanically hold a cover panel and additionally/or alternatively hold a placard. The kit may advantageously provide more cover panels and/or placards than frames enabling the cover panel and/or placard relating to a particular appliance to be selected by the user from those provided in the kit of parts. The kit of parts may provide a plurality of interchangeable cover panels and/or placards thereby enabling the user to change the appearance, shape and/or texture of the plug by replacing the cover panel and/or the placard.

In one embodiment of the invention, the plug comprises a placard panel, which is a thin piece of material, and a cover panel, which is adapted to fit in a frame of the placard holder to hold the placard panel in the frame. The cover panel is made of clear material and more preferably clear colourless material.

Suitable materials for the cover panel include, for example, clear plastic or Perspex. Alternatively, the clear cover panel may be coloured to convey information or to distinguish the plug from others. Advantageously, the cover panel is interchangeable with others. A kit of parts according to the invention may provide a plurality of cover panels that are adapted to be held by a frame, enabling a user to change the cover panel of a placard holder.

The placard panel may be made of material selected from paper, plastic, metal, foil, wood, cardboard, laminated material or cloth. The surface of the placard panel may be printed on or - 7 written upon, coloured, painted or dyed. Advantageously, the placard panel displays an Image, graphic, symbol, writing or code (all examples of designs able to be displayed by the placard) generated by the manufacturer or by the user to convey informatiori or provide decoration. The placard design may convey information concerning the identity of the appliance, for example by displaying pictures, words or code (such as colour coding) relating to the appliance. The placard design may additionally or alternatively display safety information relating to the appliance and/or safety warnings. Additionally or alternatively, the placard design may be decorative to reflect the decor of a room, to camouflage an electric plug, or otherwise make the appearance of a plug more attractive. The design on the placard may be pre-printed by the manufacturer. The placard design may be in the form of any graphic image such as text, symbols, colours, patterns or the like. The placard may be provided In a variety of different shapes and may include a projection to guard against operation of a switch of an electric power socket when the placard is held on a plug that is inserted in the socket.

Advantageously, the placard can have information added or removed by the user, for example, by handwriting on the placard or adding or removing stickers, thus enabling the placard to be adapted by the user. The placard panels may be interchangeable.

Alternatively, the placards may not be interchanged, for example, so that important safety Information cannot be removed.

The placard may be adapted to be held in the placard holder without the need for a separate cover panel. The texture to be displayed on the plug can be formed on the placard. For example, a placard made of brushed chrome can be inserted into a recess adapted to hold placards in a plug or frame attached to a plug W1 trout requiring a separate cover panel.

The placard displayed on a plug is advantageously able to identify at the power source the appliance to which the plug relates. IdenLiflGation may be provided through the texture of the holder (especially the cover panel of the holder) or the placard, this IS particularly advantageous for idenLlLying a ply by Louch in the dark, when the plug is in a location that cannot be seen such as behind an appliance, or by those who are visually impaired. In particular, information may be conveyed through the shape and/or texture of a cover panel or placard, for example, through an embossed picture, symbol or language (such as Braille), which enables identification of the plug by touch.

Identification may alternatively or additionally be provided pictorially, for example, by displaying a picture of the appliance. Identification may be alternatively or additionally provided in words describing the appliance.

The apparatus on a plug is advantageously able to convey information relating to the appliance to which the plug is connected. The information may be conveyed in words, pictures, colours, code, symbols, texture or any other means or combinations thereof. For example, the placard may convey information in words such as "Do not switch off" or "Do not remove plug". The placard may convey information in code such as red for "never switch off", amber for "switch off at night only" and green for "switch off when not in use". The placard may display information in symbols such as warning symbols. The placard may allow information to be added or deleted by printing, handwriting or otherwise. For example, the date of the last safety check could be added to the placard or the years remaining on a guarantee could be deleted. The user may add their own information or description to the placard which may have a blank portion, be entirely blank or have a specially adapted region suitable for printing or writing on. This enables users to - 9 - choose their own label to apply to the plug for example, to identify a non-standard appliance such as scier-tiflc equipment or to convey the name of the owner of the appliance or otherwise identify the plug in a non-standard manner.

the plug according to invention may enable the appliance to which a plug is related to be identified by the placard and/or cover panel of the holder in more than one way simultaneously.

For example, information concerning the appliance can be provided by the design or Lexture of the placard by any combination of lO words, pictures, textures and/or colours. The designs on the placards of the plugs can be related in order to associate the plugs relating to a group of appliances together with one another.

In one embodiment of the invention, the type of the appliance to which the plug relates can be conveyed by a picture, the identity of which particular appliance of that type the plug relates can be conveyed by words and further information can be conveyed by colour coding of the placard. Furthermore, a cover panel may provide the same information through Braille embossed on its surface. Such an embodiment is particularly beneficial where several electrical appliances work in conjunction.

For example, in an office using fax, telephone, printer, computer etc. the plug for each type of appliance can be distinguished by a picture of the appliance applied to placard on their respective plugs at the power source. Furthermore, applying a common word to the placards of all the related plugs can identify the plugs relating to the appliances on a single desk.

Furthermore, information as to whether the plugs should be switched off can be conveyed by colour coding the placards or cover panels.

Similarly lo the kitchen, laboratory, workshop or hospital the plugs relating to appliances can be identified In more than - 10 one manner by the placards applied to the plugs. This not only enables appliances to be identified but allows information to be conveyed about the appliance and/or their respective power requirements. For example, those appliances requiring continuous power (such as refrigeration units, appliances with time-keeplnq electronics, or appliances with electronic data storage) can be easily identified by the colour of the placard so they are not inadvertently switched off. For example, all appliances that should not be switched off could have placards, which are coloured red and printed with words and/or pictures describing the appliance to Welch a plug relates. Furthermore, the cover panels may include a projection that at least partially covers the switch of the power sockets in which the plugs are inserted, thereby guarding against the power supply to those appliances being inadvertently interrupted by turning off the swlLch.

A further advantage of a plug according to the invention is that it can enable plugs to be provided with decorative placards.

The placard may incorporate a decorative design, be made from a decorative material or have a decorative texture. For example, a placard having a chrome effect may be employed to match a socket and the decor of a room. The placard may be the same colour as a wall or include a wallpaper pattern to disguise the plug. The placard may incorporate a graphic image (such as a cartoon character or a manufacturers' logo) for decoration.

Some preferred embodiments of the holder will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1: shows an exploded view of an apparatus comprising a placard and a holder adapted for use with an electric plug according to a first embodiment of the invention in which the holder for attachloq a placard is applied to a plug cover with double- slded adhesive tape; Figure 2: shows a view of the rear portion of the apparatus adapted for use with an electric plug according to a first embodiment) Figure 3: shows a perspective view of the Lront of the apparatus adapted for use with an electric plug according to a first embodiment when assembled; Figure 4: shows a perspective view of an electrical plug that may be adapted in accordance W1 th the invention; Figure 5: shows a perspective view of an electric plug according to the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 6: shows a side view of an apparatus adapted for use with an electric plug according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 7: shows a perspective view of a round electric plug according to the second embodiment of the invention; Figure 8: shows an exploded view of a third embodiment of the invention in which an apparatus for attaching a placard is an integrated part of a cover of an electric plug; Flqure 9: shows an exploded view of an apparatus adapted for use with an electric plug according to a fourth embodiment of the Invention; Elqure 10: shows a perspective view of the front of the apparatus adapted for use with an electric plug according Lo a fifth embodiment when assembled; and Figure 11: shows a perspective view of an electric plug according to the fifth embodiment of the invention and an electric plug socket.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a placard holding apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 1 is adapted for use with an electric plug and comprises a holder, having a frame 2 and a cover panel 4, and a placard panel 3. The frame 2 of the placard holder has a recess portion 5, which is shaped to receive the placard panel 3 and the cover panel 4 that is made of clear colourless plastic. The placard panel 3 incorporates a design in the way of a graphic image of a refrigerator appliance represented schematically by 6. When assembled, the placard panel 3 Is inserted in the recess portion S of the placard holder against the lower surface 5a so the image 6 is facing out of the recess 5. The cover panel 4 IS then snap- fitted into the recess portion 5 of the placard holder to hold the placard panel 3 in the frame 2. The upper surface 4a of the cover panel 4 Is flush with the upper surface 2a of the frame 2 as can be seen in Figure 3. As the cover panel 4 is made of clear colourless plastic, the image 6 can be seen through the top surface 4a the cover panel 9 when tile placard holding apparatus 1 IS assembled. - 13

On the rear of the apparatus 1 is a section of double-sided adhesive tape 7. A first side (not shown) of the tape 7 is affixed to the rear surface 2b of the frame 2 of the apparatus 1.

The exposed side of the double-sided tape 7 IS covered by a pGalable, removable, protective layer 8. When attaching the apparatus 1 to a plug, the surface layer 8 c-an be removed from the tape 1 to reveal a second side 7a of the tape which is adhesive. Thus the second side 7a of the tape 7 can be applied to the back surface 9a of a cover of a plug 9 (as shown in Flqure 4) to attach the apparatus 1 to the back of the plug 9.

Figure 4 shows an electric plug 9 that may be adapted according to the invention to hold a placard. The plug 9 has a front, from which pins 13 project, and a back with a back cover surface 9a. Figure 5 shows an electric plug 9 including a placard holding apparatus according to the first embodiment applied to the back cover surface 9a of the body of the plug 9. The deslg 6 on the placard panel 3 can be seen through the cover panel 4 of the apparatus 1.

Figure 6 shows a placard holding apparatus 21 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 21 is adapted to attach a placard to an electric plug 9a and is similar to that of the first embodiment expect that the outer surface 4a of the cover panel 4 is not flush with the upper surface 2a of the frame 2 of the holder 1. In this embodiment the cover panel 4 fits In the recess 5 of the frame 2 of the placard holder with a portly of the cover panel 4 projecting beyond the upper surface 2a of the frame 2. The outer surface 4a of the cover panel 4 is textured having a raised letter "a" (for ''fringe'') so that the plug can be identified as relating to the refrqerator appliance by touch. Otherwise, the placard holding apparatus 1 of the second embodiment as shown in Flqure 6 is identical to that of the first embodiment. The cover panel 4 is moulded of clear - 14 plastic so that the placard design 6 can be seen through the front of the apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 has double-sided adhesive tape 7 on the rear of the holder 2 to enable the apparatus 1 to be attached to the back of a plug 9.

F: gurG 7 shows an electric plug 10 Including a placard holding apparatus 21 according to the second embodiment of the invention attached to the back cover surface 10a of the body of an electric pluck 10. It will be noted that the plugs 9, 10 illustrated in Ligs 7 and 5 are different. (It will be understood however that the placard holding apparatus 1 of the first embodiment could be used on the plug lO shown In Fig. 7 and that the placard holding apparatus 21 of the second embodiment could be used on the plug 9 shown in Fig. 5.) Figure 8 shows a third embodiment of the invention, In which the back of an electric plug 11 comprises a integral frame 2.

The apparatus 1 comprises a frame 2 with a recessed portion 5, which Is formed in the back surface lla of the cover of the plug 11 and a cover panel 4. The placard 3 and cover panel 4 are adapted to fit within the frame recess 5 so that the design 6 on the placard 3 is visible through the clear colourless plastic of the cover panel 4. Thereby, the recess portion 5 and the cover panel 4 in the back of the plug 11 provide a placard holder for attaching a placard.

In the embodiments described above, the apparatus comprises a cover panel 4, which snap-fits into a recess portion 5 in the frame 2 and a separate placard panel 3. However, other means of holding a placard are envisaged. One such alternative being a cover panel that is slldingly engaged with a recess In a frame, another being an adhesive that fixes the placard to the holder.

The placard holding apparatus 41 shown In Flqure 9 is adapted for use with an electric plug according to tile fourth embodiment, in which the placard 12 Is adapted to be held in the - 15 - . holder 22, in contrast to the first to third embodiments described above wherein the plug comprises a placard panel 3 and a separate cover panel 4 that engages with a frame ?. The placard 12 has a design 6 formed on the outer surface 4a. The placard 12 is adapted to snap-fit into the recess portion 5 In the holder 22.

The placard holding apparatus 51 shown in Figure 10 lo adapted for use with an electric plug according to a flfLh embodiment of the invention. The apparatus includes a means for preventing interruption to the power supply to the plug. The placard holder is shaped as to have a part 14, which protects beyond the edge of an electric plug 9 when the apparatus 51 is fixed to the back of the plug 9 as shown in Figure 11. When the pins 13 of the plug 9 to which the placard holding apparatus 51 Is attached are inserted into the holes 16 In a plug socket 1/, the projecting part 14 covers the switch 15 thereby preventing operation of the switch 15.

It is envisaged that almost any type of electrical plug can be adapted to an electric plug according to the invention comprising an apparatus for holding placards as described herein.

Flat backed plugs of any size or shape such as British 13 amp plugs that comply with British Standards BS1363/A, BS1363, KM5773, flat-backed twopin plugs suitable for use in continental Europe or any other flat-back plugs can be adapted to plugs according to the invention by affixing an apparatus for holding placards to the back surfaces thereof. Other shaped plug covers such as rounded covers are envisaged as being adapted to form electric plugs according to the invention by attaching an apparatus for holding placards shaped to fit the profile of the plug cover. It will be appreciated that an apparatus to hold placards, the apparatus befog formed as an integral part of an r can be made for most, if not all, designs of electric plug cove, electric plug. - 17 1alms

Claims

1. An electric plug having a front from which pins of the plug project and

a back on which there is mechanically held a placard by a placard holder.

2. An electric plug as claimed lo claim 1, wherein the placard is removably held by the placard holder.

3. An electric plug as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the placard and holder are adapted such that the placard engages with the holder by a snap-fit mechanism.

4. An electric plug as claimed In claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the placard and holder are adapted such Chat the placard slidingly engages with the holder.

5. An electric plug as claimed in any one of claims 1 Lo 4, wherein the placard holder is integrally formed with the portion of the plug that defines the back of the plug.

6. An electric plug as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the placard holder is formed separately from, and 1S attached to, the back of the plug.

7. An electric plug as claimed In any preceding claim wherein the placard holder comprises a frame that frames the placard.

8. An electric plug as claimed In any preceding claim, wherein Lee placard holder comprises a transparent cover panel, Che placard being placed between the cover panel and the back of the plug. - 18

9. An electric plug as claimed in claim 8 when dependent on claim 1, wherein the holder is adapted such that the cover panel engages with the frame by a snap-ft mechanism.

To. An electric plug as claimed In claim 8 widen dependent on claim 7, wherein the holder is adapted such that the cover slldingly engages with the frame.

11. An electric plug as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of the placard is adapted to be written on.

12. An electric plug as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least a part of the placard and/or the placard holder is adapted to guard against operation of a switch associated with a socket in which the pins of the plug are able to be inserted.

13. A method of conveying information in respect of an electric plug including a step of providing an electric plug as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12 and providing such information on the placard held on the plug by the placard holder.

14. A method of decorating at least part of the exterior of an electric plug including a seep of providing an electric p Lug as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the placard is decorative.

15. A method of reducing the likelihood of interruption of power supplied through an electric plug Including the step of providing 3() an electric plug as claimed in claim 12. - 19

16. A kit of parts for attaching a placard to the back of an electric plug, the kit comprising at least one placard holder in accordance with the placard holder of the electric plug as claimed in any of claims I to 12.

1/. A kit of parts according to claim 16, further comprising least one placard.

18. A kit of parts according to claim 16 or claim 17, further comprising an electric plug.

19. A kit of parts according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein at least a part of the at least one placard holder is adapted to be attached to the back of an electric plug.

20. A kit of parts according to claim 19, wherein said part of the at least one placard holder includes a fixing means enabling the placard holder to be attached to the back of the electric plug.

21. An electric plug comprising a placard holder, substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any of Figs. 1 to 3 and 5 to 11.

22. A placard holder for holdlog a placard on the back of an electric plug, the placard holder being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any of Figs. 1 to 3 and 5 to 11.