GB2619010A - An electrical fitting - Google Patents
An electrical fitting Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2619010A GB2619010A GB2207356.3A GB202207356A GB2619010A GB 2619010 A GB2619010 A GB 2619010A GB 202207356 A GB202207356 A GB 202207356A GB 2619010 A GB2619010 A GB 2619010A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- backplate
- faceplate
- wall
- electrical fitting
- planar surface
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 210000002105 tongue Anatomy 0.000 claims description 28
- 238000003754 machining Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009429 electrical wiring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
- H05K7/14—Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
- H05K7/1438—Back panels or connecting means therefor; Terminals; Coding means to avoid wrong insertion
- H05K7/1452—Mounting of connectors; Switching; Reinforcing of back panels
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
- H02G3/02—Details
- H02G3/08—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
- H02G3/14—Fastening of cover or lid to box
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
- H02G3/02—Details
- H02G3/08—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
- H02G3/12—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes for flush mounting
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
- H01R24/76—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02B—BOARDS, SUBSTATIONS OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02B1/00—Frameworks, boards, panels, desks, casings; Details of substations or switching arrangements
- H02B1/26—Casings; Parts thereof or accessories therefor
- H02B1/40—Wall-mounted casings; Parts thereof or accessories therefor
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
- H02G3/02—Details
- H02G3/08—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
- H05K7/14—Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
- H05K7/1438—Back panels or connecting means therefor; Terminals; Coding means to avoid wrong insertion
- H05K7/1447—External wirings; Wiring ducts; Laying cables
- H05K7/1449—External wirings; Wiring ducts; Laying cables with connections to the back board
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
Abstract
An electrical fitting 1 comprises a backplate 2 to which a switch and/or socket is attachable for connection to a power supply, the backplate 2 being mountable to a pattress box located within a cavity in an outer surface of a wall. The backplate 2 comprises at least one tongue 10 configured to abut the outer surface of the wall when the backplate 2 is mounted to the pattress box such that the backplate 2 is retained in a fixed position relative to the outer surface of the wall. The electrical fitting 1 further comprises a faceplate 13 that attaches to and extends across the backplate 2, wherein the faceplate 13 comprises a planar surface (figure 2, 15) facing the backplate 2. The faceplate 13 is configured so that the planar surface (figure 2, 15) lies in contact with the outer surface of the wall when the faceplate 13 is attached to the backplate 2. The faceplate 13 may comprise recesses (figure 2, 16) which correspond with the position of each tongue 10. The recesses (figure 2, 16) may be sized and shaped to receive each corresponding tongue 10 of the backplate 2.
Description
An. Electrical Fitting The present invention relates to an electrical fitting such as a power outlet socket or a light switch.
Electrical fittings such as power outlets and light switches are well known. Mains electricity is a general-purpose alternating current electric power supply that is supplied to homes and businesses. Access to mains electricity to power lights and various other electrical appliances is obtained via electrical fittings such as wall io mounted sockets and light switches. Various different types of electrical fittings exist.
Conventional electrical fittings have a backplate to which the switch and or socket components are attached. The switch and socket components include electrical terminals for connection to the mains power supply which is routed to the switch or socket via electrical wiring. The backplate is usually received in a pattress box or wall socket which may be mounted on the surface of, or mounted flush within, the wall. The backplate is covered by a decorative finishing panel or faceplate which is the part that a user sees in normal use. In conventional designs, the faceplate is a pressed or stamped plate which sits proud of the wail and may be screwed to the backplate and/or pattress box via a plurality of screws.
According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an electrical fitting comprising: a backplate to which a switch and/or socket is attachable for connection to a power supply, the backplate being mountable to a pattress box located within a cavity in an outer surface of a wall and comprising at least one tongue configured to abut the outer surface of the wall when the backplate is mounted to the pattress box such that the backplate, to which a switch and/or socket is attached, is retained in a fixed position relative to the outer surface of the wall; and a faceplate that attaches to and extends across the backplate, wherein the faceplate comprises a planar surface facing the backplate, the faceplate being configured so that said planar surface lies in contact with the outer surface of the wall when the faceplate is attached to the backplate.
The faceplate may comprise recesses in said planar surface, each recess may be positioned so as to correspond with the position of a corresponding tongue of the backplate.
Each recess may be sized and shaped to receive a corresponding tongue of the backplate.
Each recess maybe shaped relative to a corresponding tongue so that the faceplate is positioned in a desired position as a result of the tongues being received in their corresponding recesses.
The electrical fitting may comprise clips extending from the planar surface of the faceplate that engage in holes in the backplate to couple the faceplate to the backplate With t he tongues received in their recesses.
The faceplate may be a flat sheet, LI planar surface niay be a rear surface of the flat sheet facing the backplate.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front isometric exploded view of an electrical fitting according to am embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 is a rear isometric exploded view of an ciectrical fitting according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a front and rear isometric exploded view respectively of an electrical fitting according to an embodiment of the invention, The electrical fitting is a wall-mounted dual gang switched power outlet. Although the invention is being described with reference to a wall-mounted dual gang switched power outlet, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention are also applicable to, for example, a single gang switched power outlet and, to a wall-mounted light switch as well as other types of electrical sockets and switches incorporating a faceplate.
The electrical fitting 1 comprises a backplate 2 which is mountable to a pattress box (not shown) located within a cavity in an outer surface of a wall. As shown in Figure 2, a switch and/or socket 3 (commonly referred to as a "grid") is mounted to a rear surface of the backplate 2 and includes live and neutral terminals 4, 5 for connection to a mains power supply. The construction and operation of -the switch and/or socket 3 is conventional and so it will not be described in any further detail here.
The backplate 2 has openings 6 so that the sockets and/or switches, are accessible therethrough from a front surface 7 of the backplate 2. Additionally, the backplate 2 has holes 8 to allow screws 9 to be inserted therethrough and threadingly engaged with a patiress or wall box which conceals the switch and/or socket 2 within the pattress or wall box. The backplate 2 comprises at least one tongue 10. The at least one tongue 10 is configured to abut the outer surface of the wall, when the backplate 2 is mounted to the pattress box, and to retain the backplate 2 in a fixed positon relative to the outer surface of the wall. As seen in Figures land 2, the backplate 2 comprises a plurality of tongues 10 around its perimeter. A portion of a rear surface 11 of each tongue 10 lies in contact with the outer surface of the wall to secure the backplate 2 in a fixed position. The tongues 10 are substantially quadrilateral in shape and extend beyond an outer edge 12 of the backplate 2. It is to be appreciated that the tongues /0 can be any shape whilst still performing the same function such as triangular, circular or diamond shaped.
To provide a decorative or attractive appearance, a faceplate 13 is attached to the backplate 2, said faceplate 13 extends across the backplate 2 to cover and conceal it. The fao,eplate 13 includes openings 14 to enable access to the sockets and/or switches to be obtained. Additionally, the faceplate 13 comprises a planar surface 15 facing the backplate 2 %Olen the faceplate 13 is mounted to the backplate 2. As seen in Figures.' and 2, the faceplate 13 is a fiat sheet, the planar surface 15, visible in Figure 2, being a rear surface of the fiat sheet facing the bookplate 2. The faceplate 13 is configured so that the planar surface 15 lies in contact with the outer surface of the wall when the faceplate 13 is attached to the backplate 2. This provides the electrical fitting i with an aesthetically pleasing structure since when fully assembled, the faceplate 13, or at least the rear planar surface is of the faceplate 13, is substantially flat against the outer surface of the wall around the periphery of the cavity in which the backplate 2 and switch/socket is received.
As seen in Figure 2, the faceplate 2 comprises recesses 16 in the planar surface 15. Each recess 16 is positioned so as to correspond with the position of a corresponding tongue 10 of the backplate 2. The depth of each recess 16 is at least the same as, or deeper than, the thickness of the tongues la As the tongues 10 are received in the recesses, the faceplate 13 will lie fiat against the outer surface of the wall. Each recess 16 can be sized and shaped to receive a corresponding tongue 10 of the backplate 2. Each tongue 10 can be a loose fit in its corresponding recess 16. Alternatively, each tongue can be an -4 -interference fit in its corresponding recess 16 to assist in holding the faceplate uj in position. The corresponding shape of the recesses 16 and tongues to allows the faceplate 13 to be easily positioned in a desired position as a result of the tongues 10 being received in their corresponding recess 16. In conventional designs, faceplates are often machined such that they comprises one large recess in a rear surface of the faceplate or they have a pressed structure. In the present invention, only a few relatively small recesses 16 are machined into the planar surface 15 of the faceplate 13. The reduction of the amount of machining processes being performed on the faceplate reduces the internal stresses present in the faceplate and therefore reduces the chance of the faceplate bowing in response to application of pressure by a user. In other words, only machining relatively small recesses 16 in the faceplate /3 as opposed to machining one large recess increases the rigidity of the faceplate 13.
Additionally, as seen in Figure 2, the electrical fitting / further comprises resiliently Is deformable clips 17 extending from the planar surface 15 of the faceplate 13. The clips 17 are configured to engage in, or snap into, holes 18 in the backplate 2 to couple the faceplate 13 to the backplate 2 when with the tongues 10 are received in their corresponding recesses 16.
In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) maybe practiced arid provides an improved electrical fitting. The embodiments are described by way of example only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive, and other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the attached claims.
Claims (7)
- Claims 1. An electrical fitting comprising: a backplate to which a switch and/or socket is attachable for connection to a power supply, the backplate being mountable to a pattress box located within a cavity in an outer surface of a wall and comprising at least one tongue configured to abut the outer surface of the wail when the backplate is mounted to the pattress box such that the backplate, to which a switch and/or socket is attached, is retained in a fixed position relative to the outer surface of the wall; and a faceplate that attaches to and extends across the backplate, the faceplate comprises a planar surface facing the backplate, the faceplate being configured so that said planar surface lies in contact with the outer surface of the wall when the faceplate is attached to the backplate.
- 2, An electrical -fitting according to claim 1, wherein the faceplate comprises recesses in said planar surface, each recess being positioned so as to correspond with the position of a corresponding tongue of the backplate.
- 3. An electrical fitting according to claim 2, wherein each recess is sized and shaped to receive a corresponding tongue of the backplate.
- 4. An electrical fitting according to claim 3, wherein each recess is shaped relative to a corresponding tongue so that the faceplate is positioned in a desired position as a result of the tongues being received in their corresponding recesses.
- 5. An electrical fitting according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the depth of each recess is at least equal to or greater than the thickness of the tongues.
- 6. An electrical fitting according to claim 4, comprising resiliently deformable clips extending from the planar surface of the faceplate that engage in holes in the backplate to couple the faceplate to the backplate with the tongues received in their recesses.
- 7. An electrical fitting according to any preceding claim, wherein the faceplate is a flat sheet, the planar surface being a rear surface of the flat sheet facing the backplate.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB2207356.3A GB2619010A (en) | 2022-05-19 | 2022-05-19 | An electrical fitting |
CN202310540133.7A CN117098349A (en) | 2022-05-19 | 2023-05-12 | Electrical fitting |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB2207356.3A GB2619010A (en) | 2022-05-19 | 2022-05-19 | An electrical fitting |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB202207356D0 GB202207356D0 (en) | 2022-07-06 |
GB2619010A true GB2619010A (en) | 2023-11-29 |
Family
ID=82220483
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB2207356.3A Pending GB2619010A (en) | 2022-05-19 | 2022-05-19 | An electrical fitting |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
CN (1) | CN117098349A (en) |
GB (1) | GB2619010A (en) |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5073681A (en) * | 1990-08-16 | 1991-12-17 | Pass & Seymour, Inc. | Two-piece wall plate for electrical device |
US5723817A (en) * | 1994-01-14 | 1998-03-03 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Snap-on wallplate system |
US20040018779A1 (en) * | 2001-10-10 | 2004-01-29 | Kidman Brent L. | Quick assembling electrical connection box apparatus and method |
WO2005115111A2 (en) * | 2004-05-25 | 2005-12-08 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Opening adapter |
US20100133000A1 (en) * | 2008-11-28 | 2010-06-03 | Trolese Lorenzo | Cover plate and kit of parts, including said plate, for wall mounting of an electrical apparatus |
US20150200061A1 (en) * | 2014-01-13 | 2015-07-16 | Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc. | Cover assembly for an electrical switch |
-
2022
- 2022-05-19 GB GB2207356.3A patent/GB2619010A/en active Pending
-
2023
- 2023-05-12 CN CN202310540133.7A patent/CN117098349A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5073681A (en) * | 1990-08-16 | 1991-12-17 | Pass & Seymour, Inc. | Two-piece wall plate for electrical device |
US5723817A (en) * | 1994-01-14 | 1998-03-03 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Snap-on wallplate system |
US20040018779A1 (en) * | 2001-10-10 | 2004-01-29 | Kidman Brent L. | Quick assembling electrical connection box apparatus and method |
WO2005115111A2 (en) * | 2004-05-25 | 2005-12-08 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Opening adapter |
US20100133000A1 (en) * | 2008-11-28 | 2010-06-03 | Trolese Lorenzo | Cover plate and kit of parts, including said plate, for wall mounting of an electrical apparatus |
US20150200061A1 (en) * | 2014-01-13 | 2015-07-16 | Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc. | Cover assembly for an electrical switch |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN117098349A (en) | 2023-11-21 |
GB202207356D0 (en) | 2022-07-06 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8237064B2 (en) | Cover plate and kit of parts, including said plate, for wall mounting of an electrical apparatus | |
RU2357340C2 (en) | Support device for electrical or electronic elements, flush-mounted into walls | |
US7425681B2 (en) | Decorative switch assembly | |
US6761582B1 (en) | Receptacle-mounted cover plate to hide electrical socket face | |
US4583799A (en) | Multiple outlet receptacle | |
US6188022B1 (en) | Electrical box mounting system having removable rings | |
US6051785A (en) | Electrical wiring switch and receptacle leveling/protector plate | |
GB2427020A (en) | Lamp mounted in wall recessed electrical junction box | |
US20120268901A1 (en) | Electrical installation unit | |
US9281139B2 (en) | Cover assembly for an electrical switch | |
EA011702B1 (en) | Auxiliary support case for at least one piece of electrical equipment | |
US20240251517A1 (en) | Material Removal from Inner Surface to Preserve Perception of Outer Surface Aesthetics | |
US20180375311A1 (en) | Wall-mounted electrical device cover plate assembly | |
EP0788676B1 (en) | A modular structure for the wall-mounting of electrical equipment | |
GB2619010A (en) | An electrical fitting | |
US6215066B1 (en) | Outlet covering plate | |
US20210281057A1 (en) | Modular Light Switch and Electric Receptacle Faceplate System | |
GB2570148A (en) | An electrical fitting | |
AU2018306532B2 (en) | Cover plate and group of parts for wall-mounting modular electric apparatuses | |
US20200106250A1 (en) | Wall plate system with screwless cover | |
US20120090867A1 (en) | Convertible switch plate | |
GB2589586A (en) | Electrical socket | |
GB2286298A (en) | An electrical switch or socket mounting assembly | |
WO2018103835A1 (en) | Electrical connecting device for use in an electrical household appliance | |
CA2840685A1 (en) | Wall mounted electrical device cover plate assembly technical field |