GB2535977A

GB2535977A - An electrical device

Info

Publication number: GB2535977A
Application number: GB1501862.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Hill Marcus
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-02-04
Filing date: 2015-02-04
Publication date: 2016-09-07
Also published as: GB201501862D0

Abstract

A mechanical blocker for a switch 3 on the faceplate 1 of an electrical outlet 2, the blocking device having a displaceable portion 5 to allow or deny movement of the switch. The electrical device faceplate has a plurality of entry points for a plug. The switch may be a rocker switch or similar, and is configured to move to open or close an electrical circuit. The mechanical blocker displaceable portion may be on the faceplate or on the switch itself, and may be configured to slide into the body of the switch to prevent movement. The displaceable blocker preferable has a bias to the blocking position, requiring a deliberate action to disengage the blocker and actuate the switch. The bias is preferably provided by a compression spring or other resiliently deformable member. An independent claim is for a mechanical blocker for a switch, not limited to a plug socket faceplate.

Description

AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electrical device, in particular a safety switch for an electrical device; more particularly but not exclusively a socket or similar having a switch to prevent unauthorised use.

Background

Increasing proliferation of electricity and electrical equipment across the world is seen unanimously as a good thing.

Electric current powers many of the items of equipment in a majority of homes and 15 businesses in many countries of the world, and with increases in energy efficiency and energy production, this is likely to increase exponentially.

Electric current can however be a dangerous thing when uncontrolled, and in many homes and business the presence of electric current is something that all vulnerable 20 users, such as children, need to be wary of.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve 25 the problem or similar, including the following: Granted United States patent US 6 472 619 (HALPHIDE) discloses a relatively long, relatively wide, and a relatively thin unitary one-piece continuous control lock for a toggle switch having a projecting lever capable of moving from a first position to a second position and capable of moving from said second position to said first position and comprising:a. a first opening for receiving said projecting lever; b. said first opening having a first end and a second end; and c. said first opening being of sufficient length to allow said control lock to be positioned at different positions with respect to said projecting lever to allow said projecting lever to be moved between said first position and said second position and also to allow said projecting lever to be moved between said second position and said first position and also to have one end of said first end and said second end juxtaposifioned to said projecting lever to restrict the movement of said projecting lever.

Granted United States patent US 6 255 606 (THIELMAN) discloses a switch cover for releasably restricting a switch-toggle, said switch cover removably attachable to a conventional wall-mounted electrical switch having said switch-toggle rotatably positionable to one of a current-on switch position and a current-off switch position across a switch arc volume in a toggle movement, said switch cover comprising: an attachment for removably securing the switch cover to the electrical switch; a movable flange for impeding toggle movement of the switch-toggle, wherein said movable flange has a passive position and a forced position; a spring for holding said movable flange in said passive position, said spring connected with said movable flange so that said spring and said movable flange can move cooperatively; and a release for controllably retracting said spring, wherein said movable flange is moved to said forced position if a force is applied so as to allow the switch-toggle to be positioned from a first position to a second position, said first position and second position being one of either the current-on position to the current-off position, wherein said first position differs from said second position.

Granted United States patent US 8 668 512 (CHANG et al) discloses a safety socket, comprising: a housing, having an upper surface, the housing being formed with at least a group of socket holes, the group of socket holes comprising plural socket holes, the group of socket holes being adapted for a corresponding plug to insert therein, the plug having at least two conductive pins each of which is able to insert into one of the socket holes; at least a lock mechanism, disposed beneath the upper surface, the lock mechanism being arranged with one of the socket holes, the lock mechanism being adapted for switching between a lock position and a release position, the lock mechanism engaging the conductive pin which inserts into the socket hole corresponding to the lock mechanism when the lock mechanism is located at the lock position, so that the plug is unable to be removed from the socket holes, the plug being able to insert into and escape from the socket holes arbitrarily when the lock mechanism is located at the release position; at least a release mechanism, mofionably disposed on the housing, the release mechanism and the lock mechanism achieving an operational relationship, so that the release mechanism is able to drive the lock mechanism toward the release position, the release mechanism having a button, the button protruding upon the upper surface, the button being arranged at one side of the group of socket holes.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an electrical device comprising a face plate with a plurality of entry points for a plug, and a switch configured to move from a closed position, to an open position to open an electrical circuit; wherein the device comprises a displaceable portion, wherein said portion is displaceable to allow movement of the switch from at least one of the positions.

According to further aspects the device may be embodied in a plurality of contexts, for example standalone electrical devices, wall sockets or any embodiment including an electrical switch.

In some embodiments the displaceable portion is on the switch. In some embodiments the displaceable portion is on the faceplate. In all embodiments the displaceable portion prevents movement of the switch with respect to the faceplate.

The portion is displaced from a first terminal where the portion is in the way of switch movement and in so being prevents its movement away from the closed position; advantageously thereby preventing electrical activity at the device.

The portion therefore acts as a mechanical block for the switch wherein the switch 25 may comprise a rocker switch or switch having two ends and intermediate body, the ends pivoting on an axis or about a pivot point; and the portion when at rest blocks such pivoting In preferred embodiments the displaceable portion is located on the switch, such that 30 the portion mechanically prevents movement of the switch locally, in particular movement away from a closed position.

In yet further embodiments the displaceable portion may be displaced within or on the switch, from a first end to prevent movement of the switch from a first position, to 35 a second end to prevent movement from a second position. The portion may be accordingly configured to slide within or without the switch.

The portion is typically therefore sited at or adjacent an end of the switch such that the end is prevented from movement and pivoting is consequently impossible without displacement.

Advantageously a second terminal is provided with reference to the second position of the switch wherein the portion locates into or reaches the terminal at the second position. The terminal may be envisaged to comprise a movement block or variation to the switch, or the switch may function as per a known electrical socket switch wherein the terminal consolidates, reflects or is provided by attainment of the position.

In preferred embodiments the displaceable portion comprises a bias, wherein the portion is biased to remain in place, and deliberate effort is required to displace the portion and open the circuit. Preferably the displacement requires either substantial force or substantial dexterity; such that in order that the switch is effectively childproofed.

In some embodiments the bias is additionally liable to move the switch towards positions. Advantageously such bias is liable to move the portion towards terminals, accordingly such that a user is required to physically move the portion as s/he moves the switch, or in order to move the switch. This advantageously provides a tamperproof device, wherein unauthorised or accidental activation of the circuit is prevented.

This also advantageously provides a definitive and secure mechanism to the device.

Typically the bias is provided by a compression spring or other resiliently deformable member, pushing the portion into the terminal; which member is deformed to permit movement of the portion away from the terminals and first terminal in particular.

Preferably the portion remains or is maintained displaced during movement of the switch between positions, such that the bias is not in effect intermediate terminals. In this way the displacement is required for movement from a position only, and easier movement of the switch is permitted.

For example in some preferred embodiments the portion is configured to place under the bias into the terminals only when the switch is in the positions, and between the positions the bias is prevented from acting on the portion by a bridge.

Such bridge typically provides a shorter distance of travel for the member.

In some embodiments the second terminal has a slanted or chamfered interaction with the bridge, such that the portion is held in the terminal by the bias but movement of the switch alone is sufficient to displace the portion from the second terminal.

The second terminal advantageously correlates to the second position and the switch being on, in order that it remains relatively easy to switch off the socket and prevent current flowing through it.

In some embodiments the second terminal refers solely to a terminus of movement namely the second position of the switch, without differing in physical characteristics from the bridge.

In some embodiments the switch is available for fitting to existing sockets. In other 20 embodiments the device is supplied as a whole unit at retail.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred first embodiment of the device in 25 use; Figure 2 shows a rear view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a front view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 4 show side views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 5 show end views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a rear isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 shows a sketch detail view of a switch for use according to the present invention; Figure 8 shows a first exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 shows a second isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; and Figure 10 shows a sketch view of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown a double socket 1 incorporating the device according to the present invention.

In the first embodiment the socket includes a two electrical outlets 2, and two switches 3, and the faceplate has two holes 4 for cross-head screws.

The switches have a displaceable portion 5 that comprises a nub, that displaces into the switch in order to permit the switch to rock open. The nub is displaced against a compression spring 6 manually during the displacement of the switch, for example by the user's thumb, which displacement is so that the switch can be opened.

The displaceable portion in the pictured embodiment prevents rocking of the switch in a first direction, namely to turn on the electrical outlet. In further embodiments the displaceable portion acts to prevent rocking of the switch in an opposing second direction, namely to turn off the electrical outlet. This may be advantageous for electrical items that must be left on, for example refrigeration units. In some embodiments the different embodiments are available at manufacture and retail, or in other embodiments the switch may be displaced and inverted before use by the user.

The nub will subsequently remain under the switches' lower section 7, wherein the 35 angle the nub extends at is not liable to act to move the switch unliaterally, such that the nub extends along an axis parallel to that defined by the switch surface 8.

The switch is able to rock closed as the nub is shaped with a curvature 9 to its leading edge, such that pressure on the upper section of the switch rocks the switch and pulls the nub out from compression beneath the switch. In this way there is no 5 need to manually or independently displace the portion.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. An electrical device comprising a face plate with a plurality of entry points for a plug, and a switch configured to move from a closed position, to an open position to open an electrical circuit; wherein the device comprises a displaceable portion, wherein said portion is displaceable to allow movement of the switch from at least one of the positions.
2. An electrical device according to claim 1 wherein the displaceable portion is on the switch.
3. An electrical device according to claim 1 wherein the displaceable portion is on the face plate.
4. An electrical device according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the portion is sited at or adjacent an end of the switch.
5. An electrical device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the portion mechanically prevents movement of the switch locally, in particular movement away from a closed position.
6. An electrical device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the portion is configured to slide within or without the switch.
7. An electrical device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the displaceable portion comprises a resiliently deformable part providing a bias.
8. An electrical device according to claim 7 wherein the bias is to close the switch.
9. An electrical device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the portion must be displaced to move to either position.
10. An electrical device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the portion must be displaced to move from one position only.
11. An electrical device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the portion is automatically held displaced intermediate positions.
12. An electrical device substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.
13. A method of providing a device for child-safety, according to any of the preceding claims.
14. An electrical device comprising a switch configured to move from a closed position, to an open position to open an electrical circuit; wherein the device comprises a displaceable portion, wherein said portion is displaceable to allow movement of the switch from at least one of the positions.
15. An electrical device according to claim 14 wherein the switch may be displaced and inverted by a user.
16. An electrical device according to claim 14 or 15 wherein the portion is active at at least one switch end.
17. An electrical device according to claim 14, 15 or 16 wherein the portion has a bias.