GB2422056A

GB2422056A - Back box having terminals for cable connection

Info

Publication number: GB2422056A
Application number: GB0500471A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Winter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-11
Filing date: 2005-01-11
Publication date: 2006-07-12
Also published as: GB0500471D0

Abstract

An electrical socket includes a fixing unit 6, attached to a back box 1, into which a mains cable is connected. A front plate is plugged into the fixing unit 6 via metal pins (4, Figure 5).

Description

ELECTRICAL SOCKET

The general problem found when inexperienced people start wiring in electrical sockets embedded into masonry or plasterboard is the tangle of wires that occurs with having to bring the cables out of the back box into the face plate that is separate and then once wring to the face plate having to insert the whole entity back into the back box with the consequent risk of trapping or disconnection of fitted wires.

This invention avoids this cable clutter by terminating the wires directly in the back box where access is easy, the cables can be clearly seen and attached. It also does away for the need to run a fly earthing wire from face plate to the metal back box eliminating another issue that most inexperienced people forget to attach.

This invention can also be of use to experienced electricians as it allows easier wiring up than conventional sockets and neater appearance.

The important features are the fact that all cabling is done to the back box and none to the face plate, it also guarantees correct earthing of all socket components since this is done with one earth connection. Also preparing the cable is made easier since all wires are cut to the same length and stripped to the same length allowing cutting to be much easier and quicker.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 - Shows the back box which would be fixed into or onto a wall.

Figure 2- Shows the fixing unit in the back box in detail Figure 3 - Shows the front view of the face plate Figure 4 - Shows the rear view of the face plate Figure 5 - Shows the rear View of the face plate at a 45 projection As shown in Figure 1, thebák box (1) has an entry point for the mains cable/s (2), a cable strain relief (3), and face plate mounting screw holes (7) which have certain flexibility for up\down motion to allow the face plate to sit straight even if the back box is installed slightly twisted. The back box also has fixing holes for attachment to the wall (8) and finally the back box has the face plate attachment & wiring unit (6) which is made up of multiple components these being the cable wiring points (4) and the face plate female receptacles of reasonable depth allowing the males receptacles to either fully insert or partially insert whilst giving full electrical connectivity (5). Note these could be male if required and the face plate could have the female.

Figure 2 shows the face plate attaclunent & wiring unit (6) in more detail, here the Live, Earth & Neutral (UK wiring specification, other countries may omit or add extra wires) entry points (1) and their individual fixing devices (2) (Screws are currently used in other designs these could be push fit). There then consist of 3 females receptacles (4) which have flexible supports (3) to metal contacts (4) into which the male prongs from the front plate fit. The aim of the flexible supports is to allow sideways movement of the metal contacts so that the front plate can support limited sideways motion on installation. The plates are chosen as holes would restrict vertical movement of the front plate's prongs when entering the receptacles (4).

One receptacle (4) is connected to the earth wire via (1) & (2) and is also connected to the back box to provide correct earthing. The other two receptacles (4) are connected to the live and neutral wires respectively.

Figure 3 - Shows the front plate (1), with individual power switches (2) for each socket (3) and mounting holes to attach it to the back box (4) Figure 4- Shows the rear of the front plate (1) with the mounting holes reverse (2) shown as well as the face plate mating unit (3) with the male connections shown end on (4) Figure 5- Shows the rear of the front plate (1) with the mounting holes reverse (2) shown as well as the face plate mating unit (3) with the male connections shown in projection (4), showing that they are rectangular to offer the maximum surface area to the connection allowing maximum currently to flow without risk of overheating.

Rectangles are used as they can allow different distances from the front plate to back box to be accommodated by the amount of contact inserted into the back boxes receptacle (within limits), also their shape allows limited up down motion of the face plate allowing easy fitting.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An electrical fitting including a back box to which all wiring is made and a face plate which is fitted via its own integrated plug into the back boxes socket 2. A flexibility of fitting by providing ease of wiring to a single unit attached to the back box. 3. Ease of fitting of the face plate in my design methods to allow the depth of the back box to the face plate to vary (with in limits) and still allow good electrical connection by the use on receptacles that allow the pins to enter to shallow or full depth and still provide full electrical contact. 4. Allowance of the angle of the back box to the face plate to vary and still allow the face plate to be installed level by the features of receptacles and the use of pins which can mate with the receptacles. 5. Provision of correct earthing without need for earthing fly leads from the back box to the face plate by the use of the central earthing point provided by the earthing receptacle tied to the back box providing grounding to the face plate and the back box. L. Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS

1. An electrical fitting including a back box to which all wiring is made and a face plate which is fitted via its own integrated plug into the back boxes socket

2. A flexibility of fitting by providing ease of wiring to a single unit attached to the back box.

3. Ease of fitting of the face plate in my design method to allow the depth of the back box to the face plate to vary and the vertical movement to vary (within limits) and still allow for good electrical connection by the use of receptacles which allow the pins to enter between shallow and full depth and still provide full electrical contact.

4. The design allows for this vertical and horizontal movement in the mating of the pins due to the slot design of the entry pins and the sprung receptacle. This is a feature of this design where lateral movement is available with the movement of the sprung receptacles and vertical movement by the nature of the slot coupling.

5. Allowance of the angle of the back box to the face plate to vary and still allow the face plate to be installed level by the features of receptacles and the use of pins which can mate with the receptacles.

6. Provision of correct earthing without need for earthing fly leads from the back box to the face plate by the use of the central earthing point provided by the earthing receptacle tied to the back box providing grounding to the face plate and the back box.