Electrical plug with contact block suited to be positioned differently with respect to the body and to the cable direction

Abstract

The invention is a new electrical plug comprising a first covering half-shell (A), a second containment half-shell (B), a contact-holding block (C) with pins (Ca, Cb) that constitute the electrical contacts, wherein said first covering half-shell (A) and said second containment half-shell (B), when coupled in the position of use, have a reduced thickness. Said second containment half-shell (B) is provided with a hole (Bo) suited to allow the passage of said contact-holding block (C) and to house it, and wherein on the edge of or in proximity to said hole (Bo) there are elements or seats or projections (Be). Said contact-holding block (C), on its edge in a position opposite said pins (P1, P2), is provided with one or more projections (Ce1) directed laterally in a direction generically orthogonal to the axis of said contact-holding block (C). Said elements or seats or projections (Be) of said containment half-shell (B) and said projections (Ce1) of said contact-holding block (C) make it possible to couple said contact-holding block (C) and said second containment half-shell (B) in more than two different angular positions.

Description

[0001] ELECTRICAL PLUG WITH CONTACT BLOCK SUITED TO BE POSITIONED DIFFERENTLY WITH RESPECT TO THE BODY AND TO THE CABLE

[0002] DIRECTION

[0003] The present patent concerns electrical plugs and in particular it concerns space-saving electrical plugs. More specifically, the present patent concerns a new space-saving electrical plug in which the body holding the electrical contacts can be positioned differently with respect to the body or housing of the plug that can be held and contains the cable clamps.

[0004] Various types of electrical sockets are known, suitable for the insertion of corresponding types of electrical plugs.

[0005] Earthed plugs, of the French NF or German standard type, known as Schuko plugs on the market, configured for insertion into corresponding Schuko sockets are known, as well as earthed plugs of the British standard type also known as BS 1363 or Type G, configured for insertion into corresponding sockets.

[0006] Said French-type or German-type plugs, hereinafter referred to simply as Schuko plugs, have a substantially cylindrical body with two parallel cylindrical pin contacts arranged along one diameter and two contacts on the cylindrical side of the body, parallel to the axis of said body.

[0007] Said body of the Schuko plugs has, on the side opposite said parallel contacts, a part that can be held and guides the electrical cable.

[0008] The part of the Schuko plugs that can be held and guides the electrical cable is usually oriented so that it is generically coaxial to the cylindrical body or generically lateral to said cylindrical body and orthogonal to said two contacts.

[0009] Both the current Schuko plugs, die-cast at the end of an electrical cable, and the Schuko plugs that can be applied by the user at the end of an electrical cable, made as described above take up a lot of space, and when they are inserted into a suitable socket their part that can be held and guides the electrical cable protrudes significantly from the socket. The so-called space-saving Schuko plugs are known, of the type suited to be applied to the end of the electrical cable, whose part suited to be held and to guide the electrical cable is suited to protrude by approximately half a centimetre from the electrical socket when the plug is inserted therein.

[0010] Said space-saving Schuko plugs can be used even with sockets that are located behind furniture set against the wall, or in other situations in which the space available in front of the socket is extremely limited.

[0011] Both the Schuko plugs with standard dimensions and the space-saving Schuko plugs have their part suited to be held and to guide the electrical cable oriented so that it is orthogonal to the plane of the two parallel cylindrical pin contacts.

[0012] In any case, this arrangement makes it necessary to orient the first section of the electrical cable beyond the plug in the direction generically orthogonal to the plane of the two cylindrical pin contacts.

[0013] When the first section of the electrical cable beyond the plug is oriented in another direction, the cable is tightened and as a result exerts lateral forces and pressures on the plug, and the plug exerts lateral forces and pressures in the socket, damaging the socket and the plug and giving rise to the risk of electrocution.

[0014] In addition, if the cable is not long enough or if the cable needs to be hidden behind a piece of furniture or if it is necessary to avoid having pieces of furniture or other objects too close to the socket, it would be useful to orient the cable and the part of the plug suited to be held and to guide the electrical cable in a direction that is different from the direction orthogonal to the plane of the two cylindrical pin contacts.

[0015] Said plugs of the British type, also known as BS 1363 or Type G plugs, hereinafter simply referred to as Type G plugs, have a body with three rectangular- section contact pins arranged so as to form a triangle: two contact pins, live and neutral, are aligned with the longer side of their rectangular cross-section parallel to the alignment line of said two contacts, while the third earth contact pin is arranged on the other vertex of said triangular arrangement, with the longer side of its rectangular cross-section orthogonal to the alignment line of said other two contact pins.

[0016] The body of the Type G plugs is generically flat and parallelepiped-shaped with a generically trapezoidal base. The contact pins are arranged on one of the two trapezoidal faces, parallel to each other and orthogonal to said trapezoidal face. In the triangular arrangement of the three contact pins, the earth contact pin faces towards the short base of the trapezoidal face. The electrical connection cable protrudes from the side corresponding to the long base of the trapezoidal face.

[0017] Type G plugs can be inserted into the corresponding sockets in one and only one position.

[0018] The current multiple sockets for Type G plugs are such that they can house Type G plugs side-by-side all with the electrical cable pointing in the same direction, orthogonal to the side-by-side arrangement of the plugs.

[0019] This layout of contact pins and electrical cable makes it necessary in any case to orient the first section of the electrical cable beyond the plug in the direction generically orthogonal to the plane of the two neutral and live contacts.

[0020] When the first section of the electrical cable beyond the plug is oriented in another direction, the cable is tightened and as a result exerts lateral forces and pressures on the plug, and the plug exerts lateral forces and pressures in the socket, damaging the socket and the plug and giving rise to the risk of electrocution.

[0021] In addition, if the cable is not long enough or if the cable needs to be hidden behind a piece of furniture or if it is necessary to avoid having pieces of furniture or other objects too close to the socket, it would be useful to orient the cable and the part of the plug suited to be held and to guide the electrical cable in a direction that is different from the direction orthogonal to the plane of the two neutral and live contacts.

[0022] The subject of the present patent is a new electrical plug with a contact block suited to be positioned differently, of the Schuko or G type, whose contact block can be positioned in a different way with respect to the part that can be held and guides the electrical cable.

[0023] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new electrical plug whose part beyond the frame of the socket, into which it is inserted, has reduced dimensions.

[0024] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new electrical plug that allows the contacts to be positioned at different angles with respect to the part of the plug that can be held and guides the electrical cable.

[0025] These and other direct and complementary objects are achieved by the new electrical plug, which can be of the space-saving Schuko type or of the G type also known as British or BS 1363, having a contact pin holding block that can be positioned differently with respect to the body of the plug itself and with respect to the direction along which the cable exits from the plug body.

[0026] The characteristics of the new electrical plug are better clarified in the following description, making reference to the drawings which are attached hereto by way of nonlimiting example.

[0027] Figures from la to 4b show a first example of embodiment of the new plug in the standard Schuko configuration.

[0028] Figures la and lb respectively show a side view and an axonometric view of the new Plug.

[0029] Figure 2a shows the parts of the new plug separate from one another.

[0030] Figure 3b shows some parts of the new plug in detail.

[0031] The new electrical plug comprises, in its main parts: a first covering half-shell (A); a second containment half-shell (B); a contact-holding block (C).

[0032] Said contact-holding block (C) is substantially cylindrical in shape, with its external profile equal to the profile of a common Schuko plug.

[0033] On one round side of said contact-holding block (C) there are two cylindrical pins (Pl, P2), parallel to each other and parallel to the axis of said contact-holding block (C), which constitute the two electrical contacts of the new Schuko plug.

[0034] On the generically cylindrical surface (Cc) of said contact-holding block (C) there are the two electrical earth contacts (P3) in the standard positions.

[0035] Inside said contact-holding block (C) there are cable clamps, screws (Ml, M2, M3) or other mechanical means for the mechanical and electrical connection of the cable wires to the cylindrical pins (Pl, P2). On the edge of said contact-holding block (C), in a position opposite said cylindrical pins (Pl, P2), there are one or more projections (Cel, Ce2).

[0036] At least some of said projections (Cel) are oriented laterally in a direction generically orthogonal to said generically cylindrical surface (Cc).

[0037] At least some of said projections (Ce2) face in the opposite direction with respect to said cylindrical pins (Pl, P2) and are generically parallel to the axis of said contactholding block (C).

[0038] The second containment half-shell (B) is generically in the shape of a rectangular tray. In proximity to a shorter side (Ba) of said containment half-shell (B), the latter is provided with a housing (Bb) that is thicker than the rest of said second containment half-shell (B) and suited to accommodate a cable clamp (D).

[0039] In proximity to the opposite shorter side (Bd) of said second containment half-shell (B) there is a hole (Bo) suited to allow the passage of said contact-holding block (C) and to house it.

[0040] More specifically, said second containment half-shell (B) has, on the edge of said hole (Bo), elements or seats or projections (Be) suited to house and to be coupled with said laterally protruding projection or projections (Cel) of said contact-holding block (C). The first covering half-shell (A) is generically in the shape of a rectangular tray suited to be coupled with said second containment half-shell (B).

[0041] Said first covering half-shell (A) and said second containment half-shell (B) are provided with couplings, elements, projections or other equivalent parts (Af, Bf) suited to achieve a coupling and constraining connection between said first covering half-shell (A) and said second containment half-shell (B).

[0042] When the various parts of the new plug are joined together for normal use, the thickness of said first covering half-shell (A) joined to said second containment half-shell (B) is equal or comparable to the thickness of the known space-saving plugs.

[0043] Said first covering half-shell (A) and said second containment half-shell (B) are provided with holes (Bg) and seats (Ag) for connecting and closing said two half-shells (A, B) in a stable manner by means of screws (G) or equivalent fixing means. During normal use, the contact-holding block (C) is inserted into the hole (Bo) of said second containment half-shell (B) in such a way that said projections (Cel) of the contact-holding block (C) are coupled with said elements or seats or projections (Be) of said second containment half-shell (B), preventing the rotation of the contact-holding block (C) itself with respect to said second containment half-shell (B).

[0044] The first covering half-shell (A) is coupled and joined to said second containment halfshell (B) in such a way as to cover the cable clamp (Be).

[0045] If it is necessary to orient the electrical cable differently with respect to the cylindrical pins (Pl, P2) of the electric contacts, it is sufficient to separate the first covering halfshell (A) from the second containment half-shell (B), withdraw the contact-holding block (C) at least partially from the second containment half-shell (B), as can be seen in Figures 3b and 4a, and reinsert it in the desired position so that said projections (Cel) of the contact-holding block (C) are coupled with said elements or seats or projections (Be) of said second half-shell (B), as can be seen in Figures 3c and 4b.

[0046] Finally, said first covering half-shell (A) is joined and fixed again to the second containment half-shell (B).

[0047] Figures from 5 to 8d show a second example of embodiment of the new plug in the standard British or type G configuration.

[0048] Figure 5 shows an axonometric view of the various main parts of the new plug.

[0049] The new type G plug comprises, in its main parts: a first containment half-shell (B); a second covering half-shell (A); a block (C) holding the contact pins (Pl, P2, P3).

[0050] Figure 7 shows a detailed axonometric view of the block (C) holding the contact pins (Pl, P2, P3).

[0051] Said first containment half-shell (B) and covering half-shell (A) are such that, once they have been coupled and joined together, they form the body of the new type G plug.

[0052] Figure 6 shows another view of said two half-shells (A, B), in which it is possible to see holes (Bg) and seats (Ag) for the screws suited to tighten the two half-shells (A, B), as well as a projection (Af) that is located on the covering half-shell (A) and is suited to engage with a special seat (Bf) on the containment half-shell (B) so as to keep said two half-shells (A, B) closed together.

[0053] Said containment half-shell (B) is provided with an opening and seat (Bo) suited to accommodate and contain said block (C) holding the contact pins (Pl, P2, P3).

[0054] In particular, said opening and seat (Ae) has a square shape.

[0055] Figures 5 and 6 also show the cable clamp (D) and the openings (Am, Bm) provided on said half-shells (A, B) for the passage of the electrical cable.

[0056] Said block (C) holding the contact pins (Pl, P2, P3) is generically in the shape of a square tray, provided with projections (Cel) located on or in proximity to its edge (Bv) to prevent the passage of the block (C) holding the contact pins (Pl, P2, P3) beyond said opening and seat (Bo) on the containment half-shell (B).

[0057] Said contact pins (Pl, P2, P3) have a rectangular cross-section and are joined to said block (C) holding the pins (Pl, P2, P3) in a triangular arrangement.

[0058] Two contact pins (Pl, P2), live (Pl) and neutral (P2), have the longer side of their rectangular cross-section mutually aligned, while the third contact pin (P3), the earth contact pin, is arranged on the other vertex of said triangular arrangement with the longer side of its rectangular cross-section orthogonal to the alignment line of said other two contact pins (Pl, P2).

[0059] A cable clamp (Ml, M2, M3) for connecting the electrical cable of the new plug is associated and joined to each contact pin (Pl, P2, P3) inside the tray-shaped block (C ) holding the contact pins (Pl, P2, P3).

[0060] A contact pin (Pl), in particular the live contact pin, is electrically connected to the corresponding cable clamp (Ml) through a fuse holder (F).

[0061] In the example described, there is an interposed element (E), visible in Figure 5, suited to maintain said contact pins (Pl, P2, P3) correctly positioned in said block (C) holding the contact pins (Pl, P2, P3) and to increase the electrical insulation between said cable clamps (Ml, M2, M3).

[0062] Figures 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d show how said block (C) holding the contact pins (Pl, P2, P3) can be positioned in the opening and seat (Bo) of the containment half-shell (B) in such a way that the contact pins (Pl, P2, P3) are oriented differently with respect to the body of the new plug made up of said two half-shells (A, B) joined together and with respect to the direction (Am, Bm) of the electrical connection cable.

[0063] The new electrical plug made as described above has considerable advantages.

[0064] The new electrical plug, in the Schuko configuration, has reduced dimensions beyond the frame of the socket into which it is inserted.

[0065] The new electrical plug does not allow only one single predefined position of the cable with respect to the electrical contacts (Pl, P2, P3).

[0066] The new electrical plug allows the electrical contacts (Pl, P2, P3) to be positioned at different angles with respect to the part of the plug that can be held and guides the electrical cable (Af, Bf).

[0067] The new electrical plug, in the Schuko configuration, can also be used with sockets that are located behind pieces of furniture set against the wall, or in other situations where the space available in front of the socket is extremely limited.

[0068] The new plug, with the appropriate orientation of the connection pins (Pl, P2, P3), can also be used in sockets located close to pieces of furniture or other elements that would make it impossible to use a plug of the known type.

[0069] These are the schematic outlines that are sufficient for the expert in the art to carry out the invention, consequently, on practical application variants may be created that do not prejudice the substance of the innovative concept introduced herewith.

[0070] Therefore, with reference to the above description and the attached drawings, the following claims are made.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Electrical plug of the type comprising a first covering half-shell (A), a second containment half-shell (B), a contact-holding block (C) with pins (Pl, P2, P3) that constitute the electrical contacts, characterized in that said second containment half-shell (B) is provided with a hole (Bo) suited to allow the passage of said contact-holding block (C) and to house it, and wherein on the edge of or in proximity to said hole (Bo) there are elements or seats or projections (Be), said contact-holding block (C), on its edge in a position opposite said pins (Pl, P2), is provided with one or more projections (Cel) directed laterally in a direction generically orthogonal to the axis of said contact-holding block (C), and wherein said elements or seats or projections (Be) of said containment half-shell (B) and said projections (Cel) of said contact-holding block (C) allow said contactholding block (C) and said second containment half-shell (B) to be coupled with each other in more than two different angular positions, and wherein said two half-shells (A, B), when joined together, retain said block (C) holding the contact pins (Pl, P2, P3) in its position.

2. Electrical plug according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each contact pin (Pl, P2, P3), inside said block (C) holding the contact pins (Pl, P2, P3), is associated and joined to a corresponding cable clamp (Ml, M2, M3) for the connection of the electrical cable.

3. Electrical plug according to claim 1, characterized in that said second containment shell (B) has, in the position opposite said hole (Bo) housing said contact-holding block (C), a housing that is suited to accommodate a cable clamp (Be).

4. Space-saving electrical plug according to claim 1, characterized in that said first covering half-shell (A) can be separated from said second containment half-shell (B) in such a way as to allow said contact-holding-block (C) to be at least partially extracted from the second containment half-shell (B) and reintroduce it in thedesired position in such a way that said projections (Cel) of the block (C) holding the contacts (Pl, P2, P3) are coupled with other elements or seats or projections (Be) of said second half-shell (B), and wherein said first covering half-shell is joined and fixed again to the second containment half-shell (B).

5. Electrical plug according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one terminal (Ml) is electrically connected to the corresponding contact pin (Pl) through a fuse holder (F).

6. Electrical plug according to claim 1, characterized in that said contact-holding block (C), on its edge in a position opposite said pins (Pl, P2), is provided with one or more projections (Cel) facing the opposite direction with respect to said cylindrical pins (Pl, P2) and generically parallel to the axis of said contact-holding block (C).

7. Electrical plug according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said first covering half-shell (A) and said second containment half-shell (B) are provided with couplings, elements, projections or other equivalent parts (Af, Bf) suited to achieve a coupling and constraining connection between said first covering half-shell (A) and said second containment half-shell (B).

8. Electrical plug according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said block (C) holding the contacts (Pl, P2, P3) is substantially cylindrical in shape, with its external profile equal to that of a common Schuko plug, and wherein on a round side of said contact-holding block (C ) there are two cylindrical pins (Pl, P2), parallel to each other and parallel to the axis of said contact-holding block (C ), and wherein, on the generically cylindrical surface (Cc) of said contact-holding block (C ) there are, in the standard positions, the two earth electrical contacts (P3), and wherein said hole (Bo) present on said second containment half-shell (B) is substantially circular and suited to allow the passage of said contact-holding block (C ) and to house it.

9. Electrical plug according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, characterized in that said block (C) holding the contacts (Pl, P2, P3) is substantially in the shape of a square tray, and wherein said contact pins (Pl, P2, P3) have rectangular cross section and are joined to said block (C) holding the pins (Pl, P2, P3) according to a triangular arrangement.

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