WO2010109336A2

WO2010109336A2 - Surface-mounted electrical outlet for installation on a wall

Info

Publication number: WO2010109336A2
Application number: PCT/IB2010/001016
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mikael Bergman
Original assignee: Bemitec Ab; Bo Fastening Ab
Priority date: 2009-03-26
Filing date: 2010-03-11
Publication date: 2010-09-30
Also published as: WO2010109336A3

Abstract

A surface-mounted electrical outlet (101) for installation on a wall (100), which outlet comprises a plurality of outlet receptacles (102, 103) having an intended insertion direction (I) for a corresponding plug connector and being arranged in at least one outlet body (106), wherein the electrical outlet further comprises at least one integrated terminal block for a plurality of electrical conductors, a base member, and a cover member, and wherein the outlet receptacles comprises at least two Euro receptacles (102, 103) so arranged that the intended insertion direction (I) will end up extending substantially in parallel with the wall after the surface-mounted installation and so that said Euro receptacles are located at substantially the same distance from the wall.

Description

SURFACE-MOUNTED ELECTRICAL OUTLET FOR INSTALLATION ON A WALL

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a surface-mounted electrical outlet for installation on a wall, preferably in connection with a skirting board. The electrical outlet is particularly advantageously used together with a channel moulding which, after fitting, provides a channel for wiring installation behind its front side.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When furnishing rooms, it often happens that the positioning of furniture is determined by the position of the existing electrical outlets. The reason for this is that the previously known electrical outlets have a relatively large protruding thickness which prevents a piece of furniture from being positioned directly against or close to the wall also when it is desirable. This is particularly the case when a plug connector is plugged into the electrical outlet, since the plug connector with attached cord protrudes farther from the wall than the outlet.

A previously known method of achieving an electrical outlet having smaller protruding thickness is to make holes or recesses in the wall for recessing the electrical outlet. However, such hole-making is work intensive and time consuming, and a surface-mounted installation of the electrical outlet would therefore be more advantageous.

Due to the increasing use of consumer electronics such as computers and printers, and desires for a greater number of lighting points, the number of wall outlets or outlet receptacles is often regarded as insufficient. A greater number of outlet receptacles can be achieved with so-called multiple sockets, but these increase the thickness protruding from the wall even further. Another way of increasing the number of outlet receptacles is to use an extension cord with a multiple socket attached to it. However, extension cords can be perceived as impractical in connection with cleaning and, furthermore, run the risk of being damaged if they get pinched.

Systems using so-called channel mouldings, i.e. skirting boards, corner strips, ceiling trims and/or window/door trims being designed to provide a channel for wiring installation behind the front side of the mouldings after installation, are also previously known. Systems with channel mouldings greatly facilitate wiring installation and post-installation of components such as surface-mounted electrical outlets. However, the problems remain with the large protruding thickness of the existing surface-mounted electrical outlets and the work intensive and time consuming hole-making required for recessed electrical outlets.

Accordingly, there is a desire to be able to provide a greater number of stationary outlet receptacles in a room without making the furnishing and cleaning of the room more difficult or necessitating any hole-making for recessing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a surface- mounted electrical outlet for installation on a wall, said electrical outlet offering a solution to the above-mentioned problems.

This object is achieved by means of an electrical outlet according to claim 1, which comprises a plurality of outlet receptacles having an intended insertion direction for a corresponding plug connector and being arranged in at least one outlet body, wherein the electrical outlet further comprises at least one integrated terminal block for a plurality of electrical conductors, a base member, and a cover member, and wherein the outlet receptacles comprise at least two Euro receptacles being so arranged that the intended insertion direction will end up extending substantially in parallel with the wall after the surface-mounted installation and so that said Euro receptacles are located at substantially the same distance from the wall.

A second object of the invention is to provide a surface-mounted electrical outlet for installation on a wall, which outlet in a simple and aesthetically pleasing way can be integrated into a system with channel mouldings in order to facilitate wiring installation and post-installation of electrical components.

This object is achieved by means of an electrical outlet according to claim 9, in which the base member and the cover member, when assembled, form an opening for passing through electrical conductors, wherein the opening has a shape intended to fit together with a corresponding opening of a channel moulding. A third object of the invention is to provide a surface-mounted electrical outlet for installation on a wall, which outlet provides an improved flexibility both with regard to the positioning of furniture in front of it and the type of electrical appliances which can be plugged into the electrical outlet.

This object is achieved by means of an electrical outlet according to claim 10, which comprises at least one unique outlet port for receiving a mating special connector of an earthed extra outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, a number of embodiments of the invention will be described more closely, solely as examples and with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates schematically a surface-mounted wall outlet, according to one embodiment of the invention, which is installed on a wall in connection with a skirting board included in a system with a plurality of channel mouldings;

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an electrical outlet according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the electrical outlet of Figure 2, with the cover member detached from the base member;

Figure 4 shows another schematic perspective view of the electrical outlet of Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a surface-mounted electrical outlet according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, with a special connector of an earthed extra outlet fitted into a unique outlet port of the electrical outlet;

Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the electrical outlet of Figure 5, with the cover member removed;

Figure 7 shows a schematic detail view of the unique outlet port in the electrical outlet of Figures 5 and 6, without the earthed extra outlet; and Figure 8 shows a schematic detail view of the earthed extra outlet with its special connector, when the extra outlet has been disconnected from the unique outlet port in the electrical outlet of Figures 5-7.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 illustrates schematically a surface-mounted electrical outlet 101 according to one embodiment of the invention, which outlet is installed on a wall 100 in connection with a skirting board 112. The skirting board 112 is included in a system with a plurality of channel mouldings 112, 112'. The system with channel mouldings is practical and aesthetically pleasing, and greatly facilitates wiring installation and post-installation of different electrical components.

As is evident from Figures 2-4, according to a first embodiment of the invention, the electrical outlet 101 comprises a plurality of outlet receptacles 102, 103, 104, 105 having an intended insertion direction I for a corresponding plug connector (not shown in the Figures). In this context, "outlet receptacle" shall be understood as an outlet port with necessary components for establishing an electrical connection with a suitable plug connector which is inserted into the outlet port.

The outlet receptacles 102, 103, 104, 105 are arranged in at least one outlet body 106, 107. In this context, "outlet body" shall be understood as a part of the electrical outlet which forms a recess (cavity) of a suitable depth for the insertion of the plug connector in the insertion direction, and which is provided with, or located in connection to, suitable electrical contact means for interaction with corresponding contact means of the plug connector.

The electrical outlet 101 according to the invention further comprises at least one integrated terminal block 108 for a plurality of electrical conductors, as is shown schematically in Figure 3. Such terminal blocks are known per se in the technical field and will not be explained in detail here. It should also be pointed out that the electrical conductors and some of the electrical contact means being used in order to establish the necessary electrical connections in the electrical outlet according to the invention have been omitted in Figures 1-8, since suitable such components are well-known and available to the skilled person in the field. Furthermore, as is evident from Figures 3 and 4, the electrical outlet 101 comprises a base member 109 and a cover member 110. In this context "cover member" shall be understood as a removable hood or plate which will normally be facing outwards toward the room after the installation, whereas "base member" shall be understood as a base plate which will normally be attached to and face inwards toward the wall on which the electrical outlet is installed. The base member is preferably provided with means for facilitating the attachment to the wall, such as screw holes (not shown in Figures 3 and 4), but it is also conceivable with embodiments where the base member is fixed to the wall in another suitable way, e.g. through gluing or with a nail gun. The cover member and the base member are provided with suitable means for facilitating or bringing about coupling to or release from each other, such as suitably arranged screw holes and threads, respectively, for one or several mounting screws. It is also conceivable with embodiments where the cover member is coupled to the base member in another way, for example by means of suitable snap means.

According to the invention, the outlet receptacles of the electrical outlet 101 comprise at least two Euro receptacles 102, 103, 104, 105. Such Euro receptacles have lately become more and more common and are designed for receiving plug connectors according to the same standard, so-called Euro plug connectors.

The Euro receptacles 102, 103, 104, 105 in the surface-mounted electrical outlet according to the invention are so arranged that the intended insertion direction I, for the plug connector, will end up extending substantially in parallel with the wall 100 after the installation, and so that said Euro receptacles are located at substantially the same distance from the wall, as is evident from Figures 1 and 2 together. The expression "located at substantially the same distance from the wall" shall be understood as if the Euro receptacles in an installed electrical outlet according to the invention are situated adjacent to and/or above each other and not on top of and/or underneath each other when they are viewed perpendicularly to the plane of the wall. By means of providing the outlet receptacles in the form of so-called Euro receptacles and arranging them in the manner according to the invention, it becomes possible to achieve a surface-mounted electrical outlet which, after installation on a wall, has a substantially smaller protruding thickness than what has hitherto been possible. By means of arranging the outlet receptacles in the manner according to the invention, it is further achieved that a plug connector being inserted into one or any one of the Euro receptacles does not increase the total protruding thickness in the direction perpendicularly to the plane of the wall to any greater extent.

In a preferred embodiment of the electrical outlet 101 according to the invention, the geometrical design of said outlet body/bodies 106, 107, said base member 109 and said cover member 110, and the positioning of the Euro receptacles 102, 103, 104, 105 in said outlet body/bodies, gives the electrical outlet 101 a maximum thickness no greater than 35 mm in a direction perpendicularly to the wall 100 after the installation.

In an even more advantageous embodiment, the geometrical design of said outlet body/bodies, said base member and said cover member, and the positioning of the Euro receptacles in said outlet body/bodies, gives the electrical outlet 101 a maximum thickness no greater than 30 mm in a direction perpendicularly to the wall 100 after the installation.

Particularly advantageously, the geometrical design of said outlet body/bodies, said base member and said cover member, and the positioning of the Euro receptacles in said outlet body/bodies, gives the electrical outlet 101 a maximum thickness no greater than 25 mm in a direction perpendicularly to the wall 100 after the installation. Such a small thickness protruding from the wall has previously not been possible to achieve for surface-mounted electrical outlets and brings about that the electrical outlet according to the invention gets in the way of the furnishing of a room as little as possible.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electrical outlet comprises two Euro receptacles 102, 103 placed one next to another in one and the same outlet body 106. This embodiment is advantageous both for space and material saving reasons.

As is evident from Figures 3 and 6, the surface-mounted electrical outlet 101; 201 according to the invention comprises at least two outlet bodies 106, 107; 206, 207, each comprising at least two Euro receptacles 102, 103, 104, 105; 202, 203, 204, 205, wherein said outlet bodies and Euro receptacles are so positioned that all Euro receptacles end up in one and the same plane, extending substantially in parallel with the wall 100, after the installation. In this context, the expression "extending substantially in parallel with the wall" shall be understood as if the Euro receptacles are aligned so as to give as small a contribution as possible to the protruding thickness of the electrical outlet, but that the Euro receptacles, in such cases when it is seen as necessary, still can be slightly outwardly angled in order to facilitate the insertion of a plug connector or to ensure that the plug connector clears the wall during the insertion.

As is evident from Figures 3 and 6, the electrical outlet 101; 201 according to the invention comprises at least one integrated terminal block 108 for a plurality of electrical conductors (not shown in the Figures). The terminal block or blocks is/are preferably of a quick connecting type. This type of terminal blocks have become more and more common and are advantageous since they allow interconnection of the conductors without any tools (with the exception of any tools used for peeling off insulation).

As is indicated schematically in Figure 3, each terminal block preferably comprises at least three different connecting positions A, B, C, for electrical interconnection of at least two conductors in each connecting position. Such a terminal block is particularly advantageous, since it allows interconnection of zero, phase and ground conductors, respectively, so that separate electrical connections can be established for these three conductors in the entire system where the electrical outlet according to the invention is included and so that also grounded electrical outlets can be installed in a desired position in the system when this is necessary.

The electrical outlet 101; 201 according to the invention is preferably so designed that the base member 109; 209 and the cover member 110; 210, when assembled, form an opening 111; 211 for passing through electrical conductors, wherein the opening has a shape intended to fit together with a corresponding opening of a channel moulding 112. Such a design is both practical and aesthetically pleasing when the electrical outlet is used in a system with channel mouldings 112, 112'. However, it is also conceivable with embodiments of the invention where the electrical outlet is used in a system without any channel mouldings, such as in a system with surface-mounted cables. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, particularly illustrated by Figures 5-8, the surface-mounted electrical outlet 201 comprises at least one unique outlet port 213 for receiving a mating special connector 214 of an earthed extra outlet 215. The expression "unique outlet port" shall be understood as an outlet connector which, for safety reasons, only allows insertion of special connector, intended for this purpose and according to the same standard, when an electrical connection is to be established. Examples of advantageous designs of the unique outlet port and the special connector, respectively, are illustrated schematically in Figures 7 and 8, respectively. As long as legislative electrical safety requirements are met, many other designs than the ones shown in Figures 7 and 8, of the outlet port and the special connector, respectively, are conceivable within the scope of the invention. The electrical outlet 201 according to the alternative embodiment provides an advantageous flexibility, since an earthed extra outlet easily can be connected to the electrical outlet or removed, if e.g. a refurnishing of the room requires this. Within the scope of the invention, it is also conceivable with variants where the unique outlet port is designed for plugging in another type of extra outlet than the earthed extra outlet shown in the accompanying Figures, e.g. an outlet body with one or several Euro receptacles being provided with a special connector which fits into the unique outlet port of the electrical outlet according to the alternative embodiment of the invention.

Advantageously, the unique outlet port 213 comprises guide means 216, 216' for aligning corresponding guide means 217, 217' of the removable extra outlet 215. Such guide means ensure that the extra outlet can be plugged in and removed in a safe way.

Furthermore, the unique outlet port 213 preferably has a removable cover (not shown in the Figures) to allow the plug-in of the removable extra outlet 215. Such a cover protects the unique outlet port from unintended access, contamination and damages when it is not used, but can easily be removed when plugging in the extra outlet.

In one advantageous embodiment of the electrical outlet 101; 201 according to the invention, the outlet body/bodies 106, 107; 206, 207 is/are integrated into the base member 109; 209, as is shown in Figures 3 and 6. In another embodiment (not shown in the Figures), the outlet body/bodies is/are instead integrated into the cover member.

In the foregoing, a number of embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to the figures in the accompanying drawings. It must be understood that the described embodiments and the details in the Figures should only be seen as examples and that many other embodiments of the invention are possible within the scope of the following claims.

Accordingly, embodiments of the invention where the surface-mounted electrical outlet also comprises one or several signal or data transmission connectors are possible. Such a signal or data connector can be oriented laterally in a similar way as one of the Euro receptacles shown in Fig. 2, or be oriented upwardly from the surface-mounted electrical outlet (in an installed condition), at the position where the unique outlet port is located in Fig. 7. The signal or data connector is connected via suitable connecting means to a network for signal and data transmission, and of course not to the electrical grid. The signal or data connector is designed for interaction with a corresponding connector according to a suitable standard. Examples of such standards are RJ45, RJIl or coaxial connectors, but many other are conceivable.

Claims

1. A surface-mounted electrical outlet for installation on a wall (100), wherein said electrical outlet (101; 201) comprises a plurality of outlet receptacles (102,

103, 104, 105) having an intended insertion direction (I) for a corresponding plug connector and being arranged in at least one outlet body (106, 107), wherein the electrical outlet further comprises at least one integrated terminal block (108) for a plurality of electrical conductors, a base member (109), and a cover member (110), cha racterized i n that the outlet receptacles comprise at least two Euro receptacles (102, 103, 104, 105) so arranged that the intended insertion direction (I) will end up extending substantially in parallel with the wall (100) after the surface- mounted installation and so that said Euro receptacles are located at substantially the same distance from the wall.

2. The surface-mounted electrical outlet according to claim 1, ch a racterized i n that the geometrical design of said outlet body/bodies (106, 107), said base member (109) and said cover member (HO), and the positioning of the Euro receptacles (102, 103, 104, 105) in said outlet body/bodies, gives the electrical outlet (101) a maximum thickness no greater than 35 mm in a direction perpendicularly to the wall (100) after the installation.

3. The surface-mounted electrical outlet according to any one of the preceding claims, cha ra cterized i n that the geometrical design of said outlet body/bodies, said base member and said cover member, and the positioning of the Euro receptacles in said outlet body/bodies, gives the electrical outlet (101) a maximum thickness no greater than 30 mm in a direction perpendicularly to the wall (100) after the installation.

4. The surface-mounted electrical outlet according to any one of the preceding claims, cha ra cterized i n that the geometrical design of said outlet body/bodies, said base member and said cover member, and the positioning of the Euro receptacles in said outlet body/bodies, gives the electrical outlet (101) a maximum thickness no greater than 25 mm in a direction perpendicularly to the wall (100) after the installation.

5. The surface-mounted electrical outlet according to any one of the preceding claims, cha racterized in that the electrical outlet comprises two Euro receptacles (102, 103), placed one next to another in one and the same outlet body (106).

6. The surface-mounted electrical outlet according to any one of the preceding claims, cha ra cterized i n that the electrical outlet (101; 201) comprises at least two outlet bodies (106, 107; 206, 207), each comprising at least two Euro receptacles (102, 103, 104, 105; 202, 203, 204, 205), wherein said outlet bodies and Euro receptacles are so positioned that all Euro receptacles end up in one and the same plane, extending substantially in parallel with the wall (100), after the installation.

7. The surface-mounted electrical outlet according to any one of the preceding claims, ch a racterized i n that said terminal block(s) (108; 208) is/are of a quick connecting type.

8. The surface-mounted electrical outlet according to any one of the preceding claims, cha racterized i n that said terminal block/blocks comprises/comprise at least three different connecting positions (A, B, C) for electrical interconnection of at least two conductors in each connecting position.

9. The surface-mounted electrical outlet according to any one of the preceding claims, ch a ra cterized i n that the base member (109; 209) and the cover member (110; 210), when assembled, form an opening (111; 211) for passing through electrical conductors, wherein the opening has a shape intended to fit together with a corresponding opening of a channel moulding (112).

10. The surface-mounted electrical outlet according to any one of the preceding claims, cha racterized i n that the electrical outlet (201) comprises at least one unique outlet port (213) for receiving a mating special connector (215) of an earthed extra outlet (215).

11. The surface-mounted electrical outlet according to any one of the preceding claims, cha racterized i n that the electrical outlet (201) comprises at least one unique outlet port (213) with guide means (216, 216') for aligning corresponding guide means (217, 217') of a removable extra outlet (215).

12. The surface-mounted electrical outlet according to any one of the preceding claims, ch a racterized i n that the electrical outlet (201) comprises at least one unique outlet port (213) having a removable cover to allow plug-in of a removable extra outlet (215).

13. The surface-mounted electrical outlet according to any one of the claims 1- 12, ch a racterized i n that said outlet body/bodies (106, 107; 206, 207) is/are integrated into the base member (109; 209).

14. The surface-mounted electrical outlet according to any one of the claims 1- 12, ch a racterized i n that said outlet body/bodies is/are integrated into the cover member.