GB2525367A

GB2525367A - Warning device for switched electrical socket

Info

Publication number: GB2525367A
Application number: GB1403545.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Barnham
Original assignee: DESIGNWISER Ltd
Current assignee: DESIGNWISER Ltd
Priority date: 2014-02-28
Filing date: 2014-02-28
Publication date: 2015-10-28
Also published as: GB201403545D0; GB201615937D0; GB2539833A

Abstract

A warning device 1 for a switched electrical socket 39 comprises an electrically non-conductive planar plate 3 having apertures 5,7,9 aligned with the apertures of a socket 39 and for receiving the pins of a plug 37, wherein the plate 3 extends beyond the periphery of the plug to be visible by a user when in use and further comprises a switch cover 23 arranged to obstruct access to the socket switch when the device 1 is sandwiched between the plug and socket. The plate 3 is generally square and has a recessed area 21 formed between the apertures 5,7,9 and its top edge 11 for supporting a warning notice. The switch cover 23 comprises a planar panel parallel to said plate 3 and spaced therefrom to define a recess for receiving the switch of an electrical socket. The switch cover 23 may be resiliently displaceable and/or including a through-hole 33 for receiving a tool to allow the socket switch to be turned on and off. The apertures 5,7,9 may be larger in at least one dimension than the pins of the plug with which the device is to be used.

Description

WARNING DEVICE FOR SWITCHED ELECTRICAL SOCKET

Field

This invention relates to warning devices for switched electrical sockets, particularly but not exclusively switched mains electrical sockets.

Background

Most electrical devices are plugged into electrical sockets as and when a user wishes to make use of them. Other electrical devices, in contrast, are designed to be left powered on, generally continuously. For example, refrigerators and freezers are designed to be left plugged into a live electrical socket and continuously powered, only being unplugged when the device in question needs to be maintained or defrosted.

Similarly, it is commonplace for critical computer equipment, such as a network server or router, to be left plugged into a powered socket on a continuous basis.

As will be appreciated, problems can arise if such equipment is accidentally switched off For example, one often cited example concerns a hospital where critical medical equipment was unplugged by cleaning staff looking for a socket into which they could plug their cleaning equipment.

There have been prior attempts to discourage users from unplugging devices that are intended to remain switched on. One illustrative device is depicted in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This device, known as the Surestrand Universal Socket Switch Protector is intended to be sandwiched between an electrical socket and an electrical plug of a device that the user wants to remain switch on. The device comprised a plate 100 with apertures 103, 105 through which two pins of a standard UK plug project. A hollow switch cover 107 extends from one side of the plate, so that the switch of a switched mains outlet is covered by the switch cover (and hence cannot be switched ofo when the plate is sandwiched between a plug and a socket. This device has actually been withdrawn from sale on the grounds that as plug will be spaced from the socket by the plate, a gap will exist between the socket and the plug, and access may be had via this gap to the live electrical pin of the plug. A further problem with this device is that it would not be possible to switch off the socket before the plug is withdrawn, thereby creating a risk of sparking.

Another previously proposed product is the so-called "Power Protection Seal" (Product code FF511) sold by Reece Safety Products Ltd (see: I.QLLY:ff (:EcfiYrfQ Lr1 1 S11cM'L.N!.rO. This device comprises a back plate that is adhered to a socket outlet, and a cover that snap-fits to the back plate so as to enclose an electrical plug that has been plugged into the socket through the back plate and the switch of the socket. The cover has a ring pull and a user can remove the cover by pulling downwards on the ring pull, whereupon the cover fractures and access can be had to the plug. Whist this product is an effective means to discourage users from removing sockets, it is a relatively expensive option -especially when one considers the fact that the product must be destroyed to access the plug.

Other attempts at discouraging users from switch off critical appliances have provided a label that can be sandwiched between a plug and a socket. One illustrative example of such an arrangement is the Plugtab (Product code RPLG1) sold by Reece Safety Products Ltd (see: http:/iwww.reecesafetyco.uc'Pftja%2OLabelshtm). In this arrangement the label identifies the appliance that is plugged into the socket -the hope being that someone will not switch off an appliance that needs to be left on. As will be apparent, whilst this arrangement can inform users which device is plugged into a given socket and optionally that it should not be turned off, a user is still free to ignore that instruction and turn the socket off.

The present invention has been devised with the foregoing problems in mind.

S urn mary In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a warning device for a switched electrical socket, said socket being configured to interface with a plug having a plurality of pins, the socket including a plurality of apertures configured and arranged to mate with said pins when said plug is plugged into said socket, the warning device comprising: an electrically non-conductive generally planar plate having a plurality of apertures formed therein, said apertures being alignable with the apertures in the socket with which the warning device is to be used so that each of the pins of the plug configured for use with that socket can pass through said warning device apertures and into a corresponding aperture in said socket to sandwich the warning device between the plug and the socket, wherein said plate is configured to extend beyond the periphery of the plug so that the warning device is visible to a user when the warning device is in use; and the warning device further comprises a switch cover coupled to said plate, the switch cover being configured and arranged to obstruct access to a switch associated with the socket when the warning device is sandwiched between the plug and the socket in use.

Preferably said switch cover co-operates with said plate to define a recess into which said switch can be received.

Preferably said switch cover is configured to resist operation of the switch by a user when the warning device is sandwiched between the plug and the socket in use.

Preferably said switch cover is resiliently displaceable towards said plate to toggle said switch between on and off positions.

Preferably said switch cover includes a through-hole, and said switch can be toggled between on and off positions by means of a tool inserted through said through-hole.

Preferably said switch cover comprises a planar paned that is generally parallel to and spaced from said plate.

Preferably said plate includes an area for supporting a warning for a user.

Preferably said warning comprises a textual message and/or a graphical message.

Preferably the device is of a plastics material.

Preferably the apertures in said plate are larger in at least one dimension than the pins of the plug with which the device is to be used.

Another envisaged implementation provides a warning device comprising: a generally square and planar plate having top and bottom edges and left and right edges; a plurality of apertures formed in said plate and through each of which a pin of an electrical plug can pass, said plate being configured to extend beyond the periphery of the plug; a recessed area formed in said plate between said apertures and said top edge for supporting a warning notice; and a switch cover coupled to said plate in the vicinity of each of said left and right edges, said switch cover comprising a planar panel that is generally parallel to said plate, each said panel being spaced from the plate to define a recess in which a switch of a switched electrical socket may be received when the warning device is in use.

Other features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be

apparent from the following detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various aspects of the teachings of the present invention, and arrangements embodying those teachings, will hereafter be described by way of illustrative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the previously proposed Surestrand Universal Socket Protector; Fig. 2 is a schematic front elevation of a warning device that implements the teachings of the invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic left side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a switched socket outlet, a device that implements the teachings of the invention, and a plug; and Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the warning device in use.

S Detailed Description

One illustrative warning device that is intended for use with UK-style three pin plugs will now be described in detail. It will be readily apparent, however, that warning devices for use with other types of plugs could readily be provided. As such, the following detailed description should not be read as limiting the scope of the present invention in any way.

With the above proviso in mind, reference will now be made to Fig 2 of the accompanying drawings. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a warning device 1 that implements the teachings of the invention. The warning device 1 comprises a generally planar plate 3 with, in this particular example, three apertures through it -a first aperture 5 being configured to accept the earth pin of a UK style 13 amp plug, and second and third apertures 7, 9 being configured to accept the live and neutral pins, respectively, of the aforementioned UK style plug. As will be appreciated, for compatibility with plugs having a greater or fewer number of pins (as compared with a standard UK plug) the warning device may have a greater or fewer number of apertures. The plate has a top edge 11, a bottom edge 13, and left and right side edges 15, 17. In one implementation the warning device is generally square, and each of the aforementioned sides is about 7- 8 cm long, and in the order of 1-2 mm in thickness. In other implementations the warning device merely extends beyond the periphery of the plug with which the warning device is used, thereby enabling the warning device to be seen by a user.

In a particularly preferred implementation of the warning device, the first, second and third apertures are all sized so as to be slightly is larger (in at least one dimension, and preferably in both dimensions) than the corresponding pins of a standard 13A UK style plug. The reason for this is that the applicant has appreciated that whilst the ground, live and neutral apertures in a socket are a predefined distance apart, the distance between the socket apertures and the associated socket switch varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. By providing apertures in the plate that are larger than the pins of the plug the position of the warning device relative to the plug and the socket can be adjusted as needed.

The warning device includes a first recessed area 19 surrounding the apertures 5, 7 and 9 against which the underside of a plug (not shown) bears when the warning device is in use. As shown in Fig. 2, the first recessed area opens to a part of the bottom edge 13. A second recessed area 21 is spaced from the first recessed area 19 and is located between the first recessed area 19 and the top edge II. In one envisaged arrangement, the second recessed area is shaped to accommodate a sticker, for example a sticker that indicates the type of appliance that the warning device is being used with (for example: "refrigerator", "freezer", server" etc.). In other implementations the warning device could simply be suitably coloured so as to warn the user that the socket with which the warning device is used should not be switched off In this embodiment of the invention, the warning device further comprises first and second switch covers 23 that are raised, relative to the remainder of the warning device, so that a recess 25 (Fig. 3) is formed under each switch cover 23-the recess being configured to accommodate the switch of a switched socket. It is preferred for the warning device to include two such switch covers (so that the warning device can be used with the left or right socket of a twin socket outlet, but in another envisaged implementation the warning device may comprise a single switch cover.

Fig. 3 is a left side elevation of the warning device 1. As shown, the switch cover 23 comprises a planar panel 27 that is coupled to the plate 3 by means of first and second curved walls 29, 31 that extend outwardly from the plane of the plate 3. In general terms, the curved walls 29, 31 space the planar panel 27 by about 0.5 to 0.7 cm from the planar plate 3.

In a preferred embodiment the switch cover 23 is configured, once sufficient pressure has been applied to the planar panel 27, to be capable of resiliently flexing towards the plate 3. This allows a user to switch off a socket with which the warning device is being used, even though the warning device is sandwiched between the socket and a plug that is plugged into it. An advantage of this arrangement is that the spark risk that might occur if a plug were to be withdrawn without the socket being switched off can be avoided. The flexible nature of the switch cover 23 can be implemented in a number of different ways. The panel 27 and/or curved walls 29, 31 could be thinner than the remainder of the warning device 3, or could be of a different material. In a preferred implementation the warning device 3 is of a plastics material, and at least part of the switch cover 23 is thinner (and hence easier to flex) than the remainder of the warning device.

As will be appreciated, in this embodiment of the invention the switch cover 23 does not actually prevent a user from switching off a socket, it merely obstructs the user from inadvertently switching off the socket -the degree of obstruction depending on the flexibility of the switch cover 23.

In related implementations the resilient flexibility of the switch cover 23 may be provided solely by the curved walls 29, 31 that couple the planar panel 27 to the remainder of the warning device 3, solely by the planar panel 27 or jointly by the curved walls 29, 31 and the planar panel 27. In another implementation, the curved walls 29, 31 and planar panel 27 may be rigid so that the user is prevented from switching off the S socket until the warning device has been removed.

In another envisaged implementation, the switch cover 23 could be rigid but provided (as illustrated in Fig. 2) with one or more through-holes 33 so that a user can poke a tool through the hole to switch off the socket before removing the warning device.

Reference will now be made to Figs. 4 and S of the drawings. As mentioned above, Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a double switched socket outlet 35, a warning device 1 that implements the teachings of the invention, and a plug 37; and Fig. is a schematic perspective view of the warning device 1 in use.

The double switched socket outlet 35 is of the type that is usually connected to a mains electrical supply, but it will be appreciated that this need not be the case. In this instance the socket outlet 35 includes two sockets 39, each of which can be switched on or off (independently of the other) by means of an associated switch 41.

To use the warning device 1, a user holds the warning device up against the socket 35 so that the apertures in the warning device align with the apertures in the socket. A plug can then be plugged into the socket to clamp the warning device against the socket in a position where the switch cover obstructs access to the switch 41 associated with that socket. As mentioned above, the warning device apertures are preferably larger than the pins of the plug so that the position of the warning device relative to the plug and socket can be adjusted until the switch cover fits over the switch.

As shown in Fig. 5, when the warning device is use the switch 41 associated with the socket 39 that the plug 37 is plugged into is obscured (at least partially) by the switch cover 23 of the warning device 3. This obstructs a user from inadvertently switching off the socket 39.

It will be appreciated that whilst various aspects and embodiments of the present invention have heretofore been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular arrangements set out herein and instead extends to encompass all arrangements, and modifications and alterations thereto, which fall within the scope of the appended claims. For example, whilst the warning device shown herein is designed for use with switched socket outlets, it could still be used with socket outlets that are not switched. It is also envisaged to provide a warning device 3 that is without a switch cover for use with such unswitched socket outlets. Whilst it is preferred for the warning device 3 of the present invention to be manufactured from a plastics material, it will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternative materials may be suitable. The only limitation, insofar as materials is concerned, is that the material chosen should be electrically non-conductive.

Lastly, it should also be noted that whilst the accompanying claims set out particular combinations of features described herein, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular combinations hereafter claimed, but instead extends to encompass any combination of features herein disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A warning device for a switched electrical socket, said socket being configured to interface with a plug having a plurality of pins, the socket including a plurality of apertures configured and arranged to mate with said pins when said plug is plugged into said socket, the warning device comprising: an electrically non-conductive generally planar plate having a plurality of apertures formed therein, said apertures being alignable with the apertures in the socket with which the warning device is to be used so that each of the pins of the plug configured for use with that socket can pass through said warning device apertures and into a corresponding aperture in said socket to sandwich the warning device between the plug and the socket, wherein said plate is configured to extend beyond the periphery of the plug so that the warning device is visible to a user when the warning device is in use; and the warning device further comprises a switch cover coupled to said plate, the switch cover being configured and arranged to obstruct access to a switch associated with the socket when the warning device is sandwiched between the plug and the socket in use.
2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein said switch cover co-operates with said plate to define a recess into which said switch can be received.
3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said switch cover is configured to resist operation of the switch by a user when the warning device is sandwiched between the plug and the socket in use.
4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein said switch cover is resiliently displaceable towards said plate to toggle said switch between on and off positions.
5. A device according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein said switch cover includes a through-hole, and said switch can be toggled between on and off positions by means of a tool inserted through said through-hole.
6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said switch cover comprises a planar paned that is generally parallel to and spaced from said plate.
7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said plate includes an area for supporting a warning for a user.
8. A device according to Claim 7, wherein said warning comprises a textual message and/or a graphical message.
9. A device according to any preceding claim,, wherein the device is of a plastics material.
10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the apertures in said plate are larger in at least one dimension than the pins of the plug with which the device is to be used.
11. Awarning device comprising: a generally square and planar plate having top and bottom edges and left and right edges, a plurality of apertures formed in said plate and through each of which a pin of an electrical plug can pass, said plate being configured to extend beyond the periphery of the plug; a recessed area formed in said plate between said apertures and said top edge for supporting a warning notice; and a switch cover coupled to said plate in the vicinity of each of said left and right edges, said switch cover comprising a planar panel that is generally parallel to said plate, each said panel being spaced from the plate to define a recess in which a switch of a switched electrical socket may be received when the warning device is in use.
12. A warning device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.