GB2429122A

GB2429122A - Modular faceplate for electrical or telecommunications sockets

Info

Publication number: GB2429122A
Application number: GB0516359A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sze Ho Au; Hanbin Yu; Xiaohuan Xu
Original assignee: PICOTECH COMM Pte Ltd
Current assignee: PICOTECH COMM Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2005-08-09
Filing date: 2005-08-09
Publication date: 2007-02-14
Also published as: GB0516359D0

Abstract

An electrical or telecommunications outlet comprises a faceplate 1 and one or more modules 5 bearing a socket (6, Fig 3). The faceplate has an opening (14, Fig 1) to receive a module from the front, lips 2, 3 on two opposite sides of this opening, and one or more slots or holes (4, Fig 1) in the lips at one end. The module has a front face 17, a bottom surface, one or a pair of pins 7 at one end parallel to the front face and one or a pair of sprung legs 8 at the other end normal to the face. The pins 7 go into the holes and the sprung leg snap fits against the back of the lip 2. Thus an outlet with sockets for two different providers can readily be assembled, which is robust in use.

Description

ELECTRICAL AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS MODULAR FACEPLATE

AND SOCKETS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

ilie present invention relates to electrical and telecommunication faceplates that have modular insertable sockets, in particular to electrical and telecommunication faceplates that have modular insertable sockets for the telecommunications industry.

iü BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of electrical faceplates or plates having a variety of electrical and telecommunication modules or sockets are available. In some cases the faceplates are manufactured with the modules attached to the faceplate as part of the manufacturing process. In other cases the modules may be changed by a user or by an electrical or telecommunications contractor.

In the case of faceplates manufactured with integral modules, because of the variety of modules that may be needed there can be a large number of products needed. In the telecommunications industry where different providers may have different specification telecommunication sockets and where users may have multiple providers a large number of faceplates to meet all the different combinations would be required. For example if there are five providers and a faceplate has two sockets, if a user has two telecommunication providers then there are ten possible faceplates that a contractor would need to carry. The ten excludes single provider faceplates, which would also be necessary.

In the case of modular type faceplates, most of the available faceplates load the modules from the rear of the faceplate. This means that if sufficient pressure is applied to the () front of the faceplate the module may be pushed through the faceplate. This push through of the modules is at the very least unsightly, but may also be unsafe. One solution to the problem is the use of screws to hold the modules in place on the faceplates. Such screws however increase the time to change the modules, and given that most faceplates are made of plastic there is a chance of over tightening a screw so that the screw no longer grips to the faceplate. Other rear mounted solutions use a variety of clips to hold the modules in place. Such solutions have not always been successful at preventing push through of the modules or providing for easy removal of an existing module, when it is desired to replace the module.

One front-loading modular faceplate solution is described in GB2199446 to Cook.

GB2 199446 describes a faceplate having one or a plurality of opening(s) to receive a module. The modules described have compressible legs, which hold the module in place, however modules from such a faceplate are not easily removed without the use of a special tool. Nor are the modules easily moved on a faceplate designed to hold multiple modules without disconnecting the wires attached to the modules.

1S SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of at least one embodiment of the invention is to provide a faceplate that overcomes the above disadvantages or at least provides the public or industry with a useful choice.

Accordingly in a first embodiment the present invention consists in an electrical andlor telecommunications faceplate and module assembly comprising: a flush mountable faceplate having: an opening to receive from the front face of said faceplate one or a 2 plurality of module(s); lips on two opposite sides of said opening, said lips projecting into said opening; and a number of slots or holes in said lips at a first end, one or a plurality of module(s) housing an electrical or telecommunications socket, switch or device, each said module having: a front face; a bottom surface at the periphery of two ends of said module; one or a pair of pins at a first end of said each said module, said pins being substantially parallel to said front face of said module; and one or a plurality of sprung leg(s) substantially at the opposite second end of said module, said leg being normal to the front surface of said module, said leg being compressible to allow the insertion of said module into a hole in a faceplate, and wherein when assembled: the bottom surface of the periphery of each said module rests on said lips of said faceplate: JO said pins of said module are in said slots or holes in said first end of said opening; and said sprung leg secure said second end of said module to the lip at the second side.

is Preferably said slots in said lips at said first end form a continuous channel.

Preferably each said sprung leg of said one or a plurality of module(s) further has a head for engagement under the lip at said second side.

Preferably the number of modules in said assembly is two and said modules house

different specification telecommunication sockets.

Accordingly in a second embodiment the present invention consists in a flush mountable electrical and/or telecommunications faceplate for one or a plurality of module(s) having: an opening to receive from the front face of said faceplate one or a plurality of module(s); lips on two opposite sides of said opening, said lips projecting into said opening; and a number of slots or holes in said lips at a first end.

Pretrably said slots in said lips at said first end form a continuous channel.

Accordingly in a third embodiment the present invention consists in an electrical andlor telecommunications module assembly housing an electrical or telecommunications socket, switch or device, each said module having: a front face; a bottom surface at the periphery of two ends of said module; one or a pair of pins at a first end of said each said module, said pins being substantially parallel to said front face of said module; and one or a plurality of sprung leg(s) substantially at the opposite second end of said module, said leg being normal to the front surface of said module, said leg being compressible to allow the insertion of said module into a hole in a faceplate.

Pre!rably each said sprung leg of said one or a plurality of module(s) further has an engaging head.

Preferably different modules house different specification telecommunication sockets.

The invention may further be said to consist in any alternative combination of parts or features mentioned herein or shown in the accompanying drawings. Known equivalents of these parts or features which are not expressly set out are nevertheless deemed to be included.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

2 Disclosed embodiments and methods of utilising the invention will be further described, with reference to the accompanying figures, by way of example only and without intending to be limiting, wherein; Figure 1 shows a front view of the electrical and telecommunications faceplate according to the disclosed embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 shows a side view of the electrical and telecommunications faceplate according to the disclosed embodiment of the invention, Figure 3 shows a front view of an electrical and telecommunications module for the faceplate of Figure 1 according to the disclosed embodiment of the invention, Figure 4 shows a side view of an electrical and telecommunications module for the faceplate of Figure 1 according to the disclosed embodiment of the invention, Jo Figure 5 shows a cross-section electrical and telecommunications faceplate with an inserted module according to the disclosed embodiment of the invention, Figure 6 shows a front view of the electrical and telecommunications faceplate according to an alternate embodiment of the invention, and Figure 7 shows a three-dimentional view of the electrical and telecommunications faceplate according to an alternate embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures it will be appreciated that the invention may be implemented in various forms and modes. The following description of the disclosed embodiment of the invention is given by way of example only.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the faceplate I of the present invention is shown. The faceplate I is sized according to the standard for the country in which it is to be used.

In the case of the United Kingdom and Hong Kong the faceplate is 85mm x 85mm x 8mm and is designed to attach to standard electrical boxes or housings. The electrical boxes may either he flush mount or surface mount depending on the requirements of the installation.

The faceplate I and housing are typically moulded from a suitable grade of plastic. The faceplate 1 includes two screw holes 15 for mounting the faceplate I to the housing.

The two screw holes are normally plugged with a suitable plastic plug after the faceplate I is screwed to the housing. Such plugs are known in the art.

An opening 14 in the faceplate 1 allows for a number of modules to be attached to the faceplate 1. While the illustrated embodiment is designed for the attachment of two modules a faceplate 1 may have an opening allowing one module to be inserted or may provide for the insertion of three or more modules. I ()

An example module 5 is shown in Figures 3 and 4, the module 5 has a module plate 9 having a lop surface 1 7 and a telecommunications connector 6.

Below the lop face 16 of the faceplate I on two opposite sides of the opening 14, lips 2 i and 3 protrude into the opening. The lips 2 and 3 are at a level below the top surface 16 so that when a module 5 is inserted into the faceplate 1 the top surface 17 of the module plate 9 is flush with the top surface 16 of the faceplate I while the bottom surface 18 of the module plate 9 sits on the lips 2 and 3 at both sides of the opening 14.

One of the lips 3 has slots or holes 4 to assist in mounting the modules 5. In the example illustrated the lip 3 has four such slots or holes 4. The other lip 2 in the preferred embodiment runs the entire length of one side of the opening 14.

Referring more particularly to Figures 3 and 4 the modules 5 have pins 7 which when a module 5 is inserted into the faceplate I the pins 7 are located in the slots or holes 4 in the faceplate 1. The insertion of the pins 7 secures one end 21 of the module plate 9 to the faceplate 1. While described with two pins a module 5 may have one or more pins.

For example while the illustrated faceplate I is designed to accept two of the illustrated modules 5, a single module may be designed to take up the entire opening 14 and could 3() thLls have four pins 7.

In addition to preventing one end of the module plate 9 being withdrawn from the front of the faceplate 1, when the module 5 is installed, the pins 7 locate the module 5 within the opening 14 and prevent movement of the module 5.

The pills 7 as can be seen in Figure 4 are located near the bottom 18 of the module plate 9 so that when the module 5 is inserted within the faceplate opening 14 the pins 7 cannot he seen when looking at the front face 16 of the faceplate 1.

In an alternative embodiment the faceplate shown in Figures 6 and 7 instead of having a lip 3 with a number of slots or holes 4 a channel 30 runs the length of the side. The pins 7 locate in the channel 30. The channel 30 is located so that when the pins 7 are within the channel 30 the face 17 of the module plate 9 is flush with the face 16 of the faceplate 1. The location of the pins 7 within the channel 30 would prevent movement of the module plate 5 normal to the surface 16 of the faceplate 1. Is

The opposite end 20 of the module plate 9 is secured to the faceplate by sprung arms or legs 8 having a securing head 25. In the illustrated embodiment one sprung leg 8 is used hut one or more sprung legs may be used to hold a single module 5.

With either a channel 30 or holes 4 insertion of a module 5 to the faceplate is carried out as follows. To insert the module 5 into the opening 14 the pins 7 are located in the channel 30 or holes 4 and the other end 20 of the module plate 9 is pushed towards the faceplate surface 1 6. The sprung leg 8 bends allowing the head 25 to be pushed under lip 2. When the module 5 is fully inserted, head 25 springs back behind the rear 10 of 2s the lip 2. The head 25 secure against the rear 10 of the lip 2 holds the module 5 securely in place. While not essential the sprung leg 8 may exert some force on the head 25 to secure it against the underside of the lip 2.

Reftrring to Figure 5 a cross section of a faceplate 1 showing an inserted module 5 is 3o illustrated. The front surface 16 of the faceplate I and the front surface 17 of the module plate 9 are flush. The rear of the ends 20 and 21 of the module plate 9 are against the lips 2 and 3 of the faceplate I. The pins 7 are within the holes 4 or channel in the lip 3. The head 25 of the sprung leg 8 is behind the rear 10 of the lip 2 securing the module 5 to the faceplate 1.

The present invention also allows for various size of modules 5 and for various number of modules 5 to be accommodated within the opening 14 in the faceplate I. Advantages over existing implementations include the ability to easily remove modules 5 without the need for special tools. Further in relation to the telecommunications industry and the problem of different providers the number of different combinations that a contractor would have to carry is substantially reduced because any given combination io can be easily made up using the modules 5 for the providers who are providing service.

This results in a significant cost saving for all parties involved.

Other advantages of this improvement include the ability to replace only the broken module should one module 5 stop working or be damaged.

As previously mentioned the modules 5 may be any electrical or telecommunications socket, switch or other device. A blank module, not shown may also be used to blank off all or part of the opening 14. The modules 5 are manufactured separately from the faceplates I. It is anticipated that modules 5 and faceplates 1 will be sold both separately and together.

The foregoing describes the invention with reference to the disclosed embodiment.

Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to he incorporated within the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying 2 clainis.

Claims

An electrical and/or telecommunications faceplate and module assembly comprising: a flush mountable faceplate having: an opening to receive from the front face of said faceplate one or a plurality of module(s); lips on two opposite sides of said opening, said lips projecting into said opening; and a number of slots or holes in said lips at a first end, one or a plurality of module(s) housing an electrical or telecommunications socket, switch or device, each said module having: a front face; a bottom surface at the periphery of two ends of said module; one or a pair of pins at a first end of said each said module, said pins being substantially parallel to said front face of said module; and one or a plurality of sprung leg(s) substantially at the opposite second end of said module, said leg being normal to the front surface of said module, said leg being compressible to allow the insertion of said module into a hole in a faceplate, and wherein when assembled: the bottom surface of the periphery of each said module rests on said lips of said faceplate; said pins of said module are in said slots or holes in said first end of said opening; and said sprung leg secure said second end of said module to the lip at the second side.
2. An electrical andlor telecommunications faceplate and module assembly as claimed in claim I wherein said slots in said lips at said first end form a Continuous channel.
3. An electrical andlor telecommunications faceplate and module assembly as claimed in claim I or claim 2 wherein each said sprung leg of said one or a plurality of module(s) further has a head for engagement under the lip at said second side.
4. An electrical and/or telecommunications faceplate and module assembly as claimed in any one of claims I to 3 wherein the number of modules in said assembly is two and said modules house different specification telecommunication sockets.
5. A flush mountable electrical and/or telecommunications faceplate for one or a plurality of module(s) having: an opening to receive from the front face of said faceplate one or a plurality of module(s); lips on two opposite sides of said opening, said lips projecting into said opening; and a number of slots or holes in said lips at a first end.
6. A flush mountable electrical and/or telecommunications faceplate for one or a plurality of module(s) as claimed in claim 5 wherein said slots in said lips at said first end form a continuous channel.
7. An electrical and/or telecommunications module assembly housing an electrical or telecommunications socket, switch or device, each said module having: a front face; a bottom surface at the periphery of two ends of said module; one or a pair of pins at a first end of said each said module, said pins being substantially parallel to said front face of said module; and one or a plurality of sprung leg(s) substantially at the opposite second end of said module, said leg being normal to the front surface of said module, said leg being compressible to allow the insertion of said module into a hole in a faceplate. -Il-
8. An electrical and/or telecommunications module assembly housing an electrical or telecommunications socket, switch or device as claimed in claim 7 wherein each said sprung leg of said one or a plurality of module(s) further has an engaging head.
9. An electrical and/or telecommunications module assembly housing an electrical or telecommunications socket, switch or device as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein different modules house different specification telecommunication sockets.
1 0. An electrical and/or telecommunications faceplate and module assembly as JO substantially herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
I I. A flush mountable electrical and/or telecommunications faceplate for one or a plurality of module(s) as substantially herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. An electrical and/or telecommunications module assembly as substantially herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.