Electrical connectors – With contact preventer or retractable cover part – Movably mounted
Patent
1989-02-21
1992-03-17
Bradley, Paula A.
Electrical connectors
With contact preventer or retractable cover part
Movably mounted
439137, H01R 13453, H01R 13447
Patent
active
050964321
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to an electric power socket. The invention is particularly concerned with the safety of electric power sockets. As a matter of convenience the invention will be hereinafter described with reference to three pin sockets of the kind used in domestic AC power circuits in Australia, but the invention has other applications.
Three pin sockets are commonly used in domestic establishments and other circumstances such as to present a danger in the event of careless use. Various attempts have been made to improve the safety of such devices. Australian patent 249,576 for example discloses a socket having a rotatable for spring biased cover plate, and Australian patent 162,217 discloses an electrical socket and plug arrangement in which the socket has a rotatable switch and the plug has a rotatable switch actuator. Such constructions have not been entirely satisfactory for a number of reasons.
Embodiments of the invention are of relatively simple construction and arranged such that there is relatively decreased danger of an active or live contact of the socket being engaged by a foreign object inserted into a contact pin opening of the socket. Embodiments of the invention are arranged to at least substantially guard the contact pins of a co-operable plug against inadvertant engagement external of the socket.
According to the present invention there is provided an electric power outlet socket comprising a structure supporting electrical contacts for connection to pins of an electric plug when inserted into the socket and a plug receptacle mounted for movement between a first position at which the contacts are covered to prevent access thereto and a second position at which the contacts are uncovered to permit making said connections thereto, and locking means normally preventing movement of the receptacle to the second position but being engagable by the pins of said plug when inserted into the receptacle to permit release thereof for permitting movement to said second position, wherein the receptacle further includes a pin guard, said pin guard having pin receiving openings therein and arranged to enclose the pins during movement of the plug to effect engagement between the pins and said contacts, said pin guard being mounted for movement with the plug whereby to enclose said pin during said plug movement.
The foregoing concept can be embodied in sockets of various forms, but it will be convenient to describe the invention with particular reference to three-pin sockets. Furthermore, the example three-pin socket hereinafter described is not the only three-pin socket to which the invention is applicable.
The invention is further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric socket constructed in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-section substantially on the line 2--2 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of components of the socket of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an underside view of a contact guard incorporated into the socket of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an underside of view of a pin guard incorporated into the socket of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 6 to 9 inclusive are enlarged cross-sectional diagrams illustrating the manner of unlatching of coupling between a backing plate and contact guard incorporated into the socket of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side view showing the position of a locking means included in the socket of FIG. 1 under a condition where the socket is in use;
FIGS. 11 and 12 are views, respectively, on the lines 11--11 and 12--12 in FIG. 2, under a condition where the socket is not in use;
FIGS. 13 and 14 are respectively views on the lines 11--11 and 12--12 in FIG. 2 but showing the socket in a condition where it is in use;
FIGS. 15 and 16 are axial cross-sections of portion of the socket of FIG. 1, showing the locations of certain component parts when a plug is inserted into the socket.
The socket 10 shown in the drawings includes a mounting structure 12, in this case of two part construction having a f
REFERENCES:
patent: 3668607 (1972-06-01), Farnworth
patent: 3930704 (1976-01-01), Dekanic
patent: 4707042 (1987-11-01), Haden
Baynes Bruce S.
Cullen John P.
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