GB2422731A

GB2422731A - Connector cover for mains inlet

Info

Publication number: GB2422731A
Application number: GB0606667A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Duncan
Original assignee: Earlex Ltd
Current assignee: Earlex Ltd
Priority date: 2005-08-18
Filing date: 2006-04-03
Publication date: 2006-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-03
Also published as: FR2889890A3; GB0606667D0; DE202006007103U1; WO2007020367A1; GB0516907D0; GB2422731B; FR2889890B3; CN101243586A; EP1915803A1

Abstract

An electrical inlet - for example an IEC inlet for a steam wallpaper stripper - has a shroud 5. The shroud comprises a barrel 11 enclosing the inlet, with an end plate 12 partially closing the barrel, a female receptacle 14 for the counterpart connector C extending outwardly (and optionally inwardly too) of the end plate, and a cover 19 pivoted to the end plate or the receptacle which closes off an orifice of the receptacle. The cover may have top 21 and side (22, Fig 3) flanges, but may be rounded at the bottom so as to embrace the connector. A further flange (23, Fig 1) may stand up from the top flange to protect the top of the receptacle when the cover is open. The cover may be biased shut by a spring. The shroud may have drain holes (29, 31, Fig 3) to allow water to run out.

Description

CONNECTOR COVER

The present invention relates to a cover for an electrical connector, particularly, though not exclusively, for a steam wall paper stripper.

It is known to provide a pivoted, sprung closed cover for an electrical connector. In particular such covers are known for sockets permanently connected to the mains.

There is a requirement for certain appliances which are connected to the electrical mains via a lead and IEC male/female connectors to be protected against water ingress.

For the avoidance of doubt, an IEC connector having male pins and adapted to be used on an appliance to be powered from a lead having female contacts is here : ** referred to as an "IEC inlet". Normally such an inlet will be a hot connector, i.e. one I..

intended for elevated temperature, high amperage use as in a kettle. Such an inlet has a central protrusion to block connection of an otherwise complementary female lead *..: connector. No distinction is drawn herein between hot and cold connectors.

The object of the present invention is to provide an IEC inlet which is protected against water ingress. ***. S...

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a shroud for an JEC inlet having male pins supported in a mounting, the shroud comprising: * a barrel for enclosing the IEC inlet, * an end plate partially closing the barrel and * a female receptacle for a lead connector, the receptacle extending at least outwards of the end plate; the shroud also having: * a cover pivoted to the end plate and/or the female receptacle for closing an orifice of the female receptacle.

Preferably, the receptacle extends both inwards of the end plate as well as outwards of it. Also it will normally have a cross web at the inner end of the receptacle and having apertures for protrusion of the male pins into the receptacle.

Normally, the pivot will be provided with a spring for biasing the cover to its closed position.

Preferably the pivot is provided at the side the receptacle which is uppermost in use and is set back from the orifice of the female receptacle. Further the cover preferably has flanges extending on its top and/or side edges, extending outside the female receptacle and back towards the end plate, when the cover is closed. Another preferable feature is an upstand from the inner edge of the top flange of the cover, to protect the top receptacle connector interface when the cover is open.

In accordance with a particular feature of the invention, the barrel has a drain.

* ** Preferably this is at the bottom of its inner end, where a seal is provided in use between the barrel and the mounting plate of the inlet. Additionally, the female receptacle preferably has at least one drain, conveniently at its junction with the end plate of the barrel. I..

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will * . : * now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying * *** * *.. drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of an IEC inlet shroud enclosing the inlet and fitted to an appliance; Figure 2 is a similar side view, with a lead connector connected to the inlet; Figure 3 is an underneath view ofthe shroud shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view of the shroud; Figure 5 is an inside end view of the shroud; and Figure 6 is an outside end view of the shroud.

Referring to the drawings, an fEC inlet 1 with connection pins 2 supported in a mounting 3 is fitted to an appliance A with an interposed sealing washer 4. A shroud is fitted over the inlet and secured via a screw 6 engaging in a peg 7 extending amongst the pins, the screw reacting on a tab 8 integral with the shroud.

The shroud has a barrel portion 11 with an end plate 12 at its outer end opposite from the washer 4. Extending both outwards and inwards of the end plate is a female receptacle 14 which is shaped complementarily to a lead connector C, i.e. it is of generally rectangular cross-section with chamfered corners. It is down from a top wall 15 of the receptacle that the tab 8 extends. Two trunnions 16 with a cross pin 17 extend up in the corner between the end plate 12 and the top wall 15, both of which the truimions are integrally moulded. The cross pin engages in two further, outer trunnions 18. These are integrally moulded with a cover 19, which in its Figure 1 position extends across the mouth or orifice 20 of the receptacle 14. The cover has top and side flanges 2 1,22, which extend back towards the end plate 12. Another flange 23 stands up from an inner edge of the top flange. The further trunnions 18 extend between the top flange 21 and the upstand 23. They, with the cross pin 17 * ** provide the pivot for the cover. A spring 24 on the cross pin between the inner trunnions 16, acting between the top wall 15 of the receptacle and the cover, biases * the cover to close the mouth of the receptacle.

S

For opening the cover, it has a lug 25. When open, as shown in Figure 2, the lead connector can be inserted into the receptacle, engaging the connection pins 2.

* . : * The side flanges 22 have curved free ends 26, which are spaced slightly more tightly S...

* .. 27 than the internal width 28 of the receptacle to engage outside the connector C when fitted.

The cover protects the interface of the connector and the shroud from ingress of water. Should any water find its way inside the shroud, it can escape from the receptacle via drains 29, in the bottom wall 30 of the receptacle where this meets the end plate 12. To allow water to escape from within the barrel 11, a further drain is provided in the form a notch 31 at the bottom of the end of the barrel in contact with the sealing washer 4.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A shroud for an IEC inlet having male pins supported in a

mounting, the shroud comprising: * a barrel for enclosing the IEC inlet, * an end plate partially closing the barrel and * a female receptacle for a lead connector, the receptacle extending at least outwards of the end plate; the shroud also having: * a cover pivoted to the end plate and/or the female receptacle for closing an orifice of the female receptacle.
2. A shroud as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receptacle extends both inwards of the end plate as well as outwards of it.
3. A shroud as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, including a cross web at the inner end of the receptacle and having apertures for protrusion of the male pins into the receptacle.
4. A shroud as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the pivot is provided with a spring for biasing the cover to its closed position.
5. A shroud as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pivot is provided at the side the receptacle which is uppermost in use and is set back from the orifice of the female receptacle towards the end plate.
6. A shroud as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pivot is provided in two trunnions extend up in the corner between the end plate and a top wall of the female receptacle, the cover has two further trunnions interdigitated with the first trunnions and a cross or pivot pin engages in all of the trunnions.
7. A shroud as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover has flanges extending from its top and/or its side edges, outside the female receptacle and back towards the end plate, when the cover is closed.
8. A shroud as claimed in claim 7, wherein the side flanges have curved free ends 26, which are spaced to engage outside the lead connector when fitted.
9. A shroud as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, including an upstand from the inner edge of the top flange of the cover, to protect the top receptacle connector interface when the cover is open.
10. A shroud as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the barrel has a drain.

10. A shroud as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the barrel has a drain.

11. A shroud as claimed in claim 10, wherein the drain is at the bottom of the inner end of the barrel.

12. A shroud as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the female receptacle has at least one drain.

s 13. A shroud as claimed in claim 12, wherein the or each drain in the female receptacle is at the junction of the receptacle with the end plate of the barrel.

14. An JEC inlet having male pins supported in a mounting in combination with a shroud as claimed in any preceding claim.

15. A shroud substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. An JEC inlet in combination with a shroud substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. p. * b c I., p S...

S 5* 0

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S IS $5.

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Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS: I. A shroud for an JEC inlet having male pins supported in a mounting, the shroud comprising: * a barrel for enclosing the IEC inlet, * an end plate partially closing the barrel and * a female receptacle for a lead connector, the receptacle extending at least outwards of the end plate; the shroud also having: * a cover pivoted to the end plate and/or the female receptacle for closing an orifice of the female receptacle.

2. A shroud as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receptacle extends both inwards of the end plate as well as outwards of it.

3. A shroud as claimed in claim I or claim 2, including a cross web at the inner end of the receptacle and having apertures for protrusion of the male pins into the receptacle.

4. A shroud as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the pivot is provided with a spring for biasing the cover to its closed position.

5. A shroud as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pivot is provided at the side of the receptacle which is uppermost in use and is set back from the orifice of the female receptacle towards the end plate.

6. A shroud as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pivot is provided in two trunnions extending up in the corner between the end plate and a top wall of the female receptacle, the cover has two further trunnions interdigitated with the first trunnions and a cross or pivot pin engages in all of the trunnions.

7. A shroud as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover has flanges extending from its top and/or its side edges, these cover flanges being outside the female receptacle and extending back towards the end plate when the cover is closed.

8. A shroud as claimed in claim 7, wherein the side ones of the cover flanges have curved free ends, which are spaced to engage outside the lead connector when fitted.

9. A shroud as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, including an upstand from the inner edge of the top cover flange, to protect the top receptacle connector interface when the cover is open.