Power socket

Abstract

A power outlet (10) comprising a plate (12) into which first and second outlets (14a, 14b) are mounted, each of the outlets comprising a cylindrical body (22) mounted to rotate relative to the plate (12). A plurality of electrically conductive rings (36) are provided around each of the sockets (14a, 14b), and a connection unit (16) between the first and second sockets (14a, 14b). The connection unit (16) comprises one or more elastic connection members (46), each of which comprises first and second side portions (52a, 52b) for elastically mating with a corresponding conductive ring (36). Each of the connecting members (46) includes a spring (70) extending between the first and second side portions (52a, 52b).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a power socket. Background Art

[0002] When an electrical plug is inserted into an electrical outlet, the position of the plug may cause problems. For example, where the pins extend from a transformer housing, the transformer housing may be in an awkward position, making it difficult or impossible to insert the pins into the holes in the outlet.

[0003] Various electrical outlets have been proposed in which the orientation and / or position of the outlet holes can be changed. The present invention relates to an electrical outlet of this type having a plurality of rotatable outlets to allow the position of the outlets to be adjusted. The electrical outlet includes improved structure to provide an efficient and safe connection within the electrical outlet. Summary of the invention

[0004] In one aspect, the present invention provides a power socket, comprising: a plate having a first socket and a second socket mounted therein, each of said sockets comprising a cylindrical body mounted for rotation relative to said plate; a plurality of conductive rings disposed about said body of each said socket; and a connection unit located between the first and second sockets; Wherein, the connection unit comprises one or more elastic connection members, each of the elastic connection members comprises a first and a second side portion for elastically cooperating with a corresponding conductive ring, and each of the connection members comprises a spring extending between the first and the second side portions.

[0005] Preferably, each said connecting member is U-shaped comprising an interconnecting portion extending between said side portions.

[0006] Preferably, lugs are provided on inner surfaces of the first and second side portions of the connecting member, and ends of the spring are fitted on the lugs.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the connection unit includes a housing having openings in opposing side walls, such that ends of the connection member extend outwardly through the openings to mate with the conductive ring on the socket.

[0008] Preferably, the side wall of the housing is convex, with a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the adjacent side of the socket.

[0009] Preferably, one of said conductive rings on each said socket is connected to a ground connection of said power socket.

[0010] Preferably, one conductive ring on each said socket is connected to the neutral connection of the power socket.

[0011] Preferably, the connecting member is connected to a connecting block for connecting external wires, and the connecting block includes a plurality of cable connectors.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the cable connector is arranged in a recess provided in a top wall of the housing.

[0013] Preferably, each of the sockets comprises one or more spacer rings, each of the spacer rings being located outside between an adjacent pair of conductive rings.

[0014] Preferably, a further connection member is arranged for connection to one of said conductive rings, said further connection member comprising an elongated conductive member having arms at opposite ends, said arms being positioned to cooperate with said conductive rings of the first and second actively connected sockets connected to said power socket.

[0015] Preferably, the arm is separate from the elongated member and has a first end that cooperates with the conductive ring of the socket, and a second end that can move between an open position and a closed position, in which the second end cooperates with the elongated member and in which the second end is disengaged from the elongated member.

[0016] Preferably, a switch is arranged to move the second end of the arm between open and closed positions.

[0017] Preferably, the elongate member includes a tab between its ends for fitting into the connection block. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following specific embodiments and drawings: Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a power socket according to the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of the electrical outlet shown; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 a top perspective view of the socket and connection unit of the illustrated power outlet; Figure 4 yes Figure 1 an exploded view of one of the sockets of the illustrated electrical outlet; Figure 5 yes Figure 1 a side cutaway view of the illustrated electrical outlet; Figure 6 is a top perspective view of an electrical outlet showing the first plug connected to one of the outlets; Figure 7 is a top perspective view of an electrical outlet and two plugs connected to the outlet; Figure 8 is a top perspective view of an electrical outlet showing rotation of a first plug to allow connection of a second plug; Fig. 9 is an exploded view of a connection unit of a power socket; Fig.10a is a side view of a power outlet; and Fig.10b yes Fig.10a A side cross-sectional view of the power socket along AA is shown. Specific embodiments

[0019] Referring to the drawings, a power outlet 10 is shown, which generally includes a plate 12 and a plurality of sockets 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the plate 12 includes a standard wall plate and is provided with first and second sockets 14a and 14b. The plate 12 can be attached to a surface such as a wall by suitable fasteners (such as screws) and includes a cover plate 20. It should be understood that although the power outlet 10 is shown as part of a wall plate, the power outlet 10 can be provided in other devices, such as a portable power strip.

[0020] Each of the sockets 14 comprises a cylindrical body 22 having a circular front end 24 and a rear end 25, and a cylindrical side surface 26. The front end 24 comprises a plurality of holes 28 for receiving the pins 11 of the plug 13.

[0021] The socket 14 is housed in a bracket 30 fixed to the rear of the plate 12. The socket 14 is housed in the bracket 30 so that the front end 24 is supported in a hole 32 provided in the plate 12 and so that the socket 14 can be rotated about its longitudinal axis, which passes centrally through the front end 24 and the rear end 25. Thus, the socket 14 can be thereby rotated to change the position of the hole 28 so as to receive the plug 13 in the most suitable orientation.

[0022] like Figure 4 As shown, the rear end 25 of the body 22 of each socket 14 includes a removable rear plate 34. The rear plate 34 is removable to provide access to the interior of the body 22 of the socket 14.

[0023] The socket 14 also includes a plurality of conductive rings 36. Each conductive ring 36 includes a ring formed of a conductive material that is received around the side 26 of the socket 14. A non-conductive spacer ring 38 is disposed between each pair of adjacent conductive rings 36. In the illustrated embodiment, first, second, and third conductive rings 36 are provided corresponding to each hole 38 in the socket 14 for receiving the active, neutral, and ground pins 11 of the plug 13.

[0024] Each of the conductive rings 36 includes a pin connection member 40 connected to its inner side. The pin connection members 40 extend through slots 42 in the side 26 of the socket 14 so that each of the pin connection members 40 is located behind one of the holes 28 to receive one end of a corresponding pin 11.

[0025] The power socket 10 is provided with a connection unit 16. The connection unit 16 is located between the first socket 14a and the second socket 14b, and is configured to be connected between the conductive ring 36 and a connection block 18 for connecting external wires. The connection block 18 includes three cable connectors 19. Each of the cable connectors 19 is configured to each receive one of the input active wires, neutral wires or ground wires attached to the power socket 10. The cable connectors 19 are respectively received in corresponding recesses 68 in the top wall of the housing 44 of the connection unit 16.

[0026] The connection unit 16 includes a housing 44 and a plurality of elastic connection members 46. The housing 44 includes a front wall 48 and a rear wall 49 and a first side wall 50 and a second side wall 51. The orientation of the front wall 48 and the rear wall 49 is generally parallel to the front end 24 and the rear end 25 of the socket 14. The first side wall 50 is located beside the side 26 of the first socket 14a, and the second side wall 51 is located beside the side 26 of the second socket 14b. Each of the first side wall 50 and the second side wall 51 is convex to correspond to the curvature of the adjacent side 26 of the socket 14.

[0027] The connection members 46 are arranged inside the connection unit 16. Each of the connection members 46 comprises a resilient conductive member connected to one of the cable connectors 19 of the connection block 18. In the embodiment shown, two such connection members 46 are provided for connecting to the conductive rings 36 corresponding to the ground and neutral connections of the power socket 10.

[0028] Each of the connecting members 46 comprises a U-shaped member having a first side portion 52a and a second side portion 52b and an interconnecting portion 54. The side portions 52a and 52b extend outwardly through openings 56 in the side walls 50 and 51 of the connecting unit 16. The U-shaped member is resilient so that when the connecting unit 16 is inserted between adjacent sockets 14, the side portions 52 can bend inwardly so that the resiliency of the connecting member 46 then maintains the side portions 52 in engagement with the conductive ring 36. Therefore, when the socket 14 is rotated, the connection between the conductive ring 36 and the connecting member 46 is maintained.

[0029] Each of the connecting members 46 includes a corresponding spring 70. Each side 52 of the connecting member 46 includes a lug 72 on its inner side. The ends of the springs 70 are received on the lugs 72 on the side 52. The springs 70 extend between the side 52 of the connecting member 46 to bias the side 52 outwardly away from each other. The use of the springs 70 and the elastic properties of the connecting member 46 itself provide two actions to push the side 52 away from each other to engage with the conductive ring 36. This arrangement provides additional protection against potential failure of the connection, which is very important, especially with respect to the ground connection of the power outlet 10.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, another connecting member 58 is provided for connection between the conductive ring 36 and the active wires of the power socket 10. The other connecting member 58 includes an elongated conductive member 60 having arms 62 at opposite ends, the arms 62 being positioned to engage the conductive rings 36 of the first and second sockets 14a and 14b for active connection in the sockets 14a and 14b. The other connecting member 58 includes a tab 64 located between its ends for fitting into the connection block 18.

[0031] The arms 62 are separated from the long member 60, and each of the arms 62 has a first end and a second end thereof. The first end of the arm 62 is matched with the corresponding conductive ring 36, and the second end thereof can be moved by the operation of switches 66a and 66b. The switch 66a can be moved from an off position to an on position, in which the second end of the arm 62 is separated from the end of the long member 60, and in the on position, the second end of the arm 62 is moved to match the adjacent end of the long member 60, so that electricity flows to the socket 14a or 14b through another connecting member 58.

[0032] In use, the power socket 10 can be fixed to a suitable surface, such as a wall, and can be used to accommodate two plugs 13. Figures 6 to 8 As shown, if the shape of the plug 13 is such that insertion into one of the sockets 14 will block the other socket (such as Figure 6 As shown), the socket 14 can be rotated to a position where another socket 14 is not blocked (as shown Figure 8 as shown).

[0033] It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements may be made to the above-described embodiments in addition to those already described without departing from the basic inventive concept of the invention.

Claims

1. A power socket, comprising: a plate having a first socket and a second socket mounted therein, each of said sockets comprising a cylindrical body mounted for rotation relative to said plate; a plurality of conductive rings disposed around the body of each of the sockets; and a connection unit located between the first and second sockets; Wherein, the connection unit comprises one or more elastic connection members, each of the elastic connection members comprises a first and a second side portion for elastically cooperating with a corresponding conductive ring, and each of the connection members comprises a spring extending between the first and the second side portions.

2. The power socket according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the connecting members is U-shaped and includes an interconnecting portion extending between the side portions.

3. The power socket according to claim 3, characterized in that: Lugs are provided on the inner surfaces of the first and second side portions of the connecting member, and the ends of the spring are fitted on the lugs.

4. The power socket according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connection unit includes a housing having openings in opposing side walls such that ends of the connection member extend outwardly through the openings to mate with the conductive ring on the socket.

5. The power socket according to claim 4, characterized in that: The side wall of the housing is convex, with a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the side adjacent to the socket.

6. The power socket according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: One of the conductive rings on each of the sockets is connected to a ground connection of the power socket.

7. The power socket according to claim 6, characterized in that: A conductive ring on each of the sockets is connected to the neutral connection of the power socket.

8. The power socket according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The connection member is connected to a connection block for connecting external wires, and the connection block includes a plurality of cable connectors.

9. The power socket according to claim 8, characterized in that: The cable connector is disposed in a recess disposed in a top wall of the housing.

10. The power socket according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: Each of the sockets includes one or more spacer rings, each of which is located outside between an adjacent pair of conductive rings.

11. The power socket according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: Another connecting member is arranged for connection to one of the conductive rings, the other connecting member comprising an electrically conductive elongated member having arms at opposite ends, the arms being positioned to mate with the conductive rings of the first and second actively connected sockets connected to the power socket.

12. The power socket according to claim 11, characterized in that: The arm is separate from the elongated member and has a first end that engages with the conductive ring of the socket and a second end that is movable between an open position and a closed position, in which the second end engages with the elongated member and in which the second end is disengaged from the elongated member.

13. The power socket according to claim 12, characterized in that: A switch is provided for moving the second end of the arm between open and closed positions.

14. The power socket according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that: The elongated member includes a tab between ends thereof for fitting into the connecting block.

Images