Apparatus for providing customisable electrical control units

Abstract

An apparatus 199 for providing customisable electrical control units comprising an electrical backbox adaptor 5 providing an electrical wire inlet 55 and a rigid electrical pin outlet 53, an electrica

Description

Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to apparatus for providing customisable electrical control units, in particular a means of easily updating and amending sockets, switches and the like. Background 10 In many societies across the world there is increasingly a tendency to electrify many aspects of daily life. This has resulted in a proliferation of electrical networks, rechargeable portable 15 devices and wiring requirements. In many cases some people are therefore increasingly interested in upgrading as well CM as improving aesthetics of increasingly important electrical sockets, outlets or CO switches. O 20 1— This may require costly and obtrusive specialist knowledge, and for example is often CM problematic in requiring suspension of electrical networks whilst modifications are in course. 25 Prior Art GB 2015 19 547 (SAI et al) discloses a modular socket panel comprising: a bottom layer adapted to be fixed to an embedded case in a wall and adapted to be electrically 30 connected to a power supply provided by the embedded case, and a surface layer adapted to be directly or indirectly connected to the bottom layer in a non-fastening manner, provides a power socket, which is electrically connected to the bottom layer, enables a user to mount a middle layer and the surface layer onto the bottom layer or remove the middle layer and surface layer from the bottom layer without any tool, 35 wherein preferably the middle layer comprises an environmental sensor (temperature, humidity etc.) or a network adapter (powerline, Ethernet, wireless access etc.) US 7 232 336 (EVANS) discloses a connection box comprising: a housing providing a space for receiving said function modules one at a time, first receiving means in said housing for applying electrical energy to a first one of said function modules when it is 5 placed in said receiving space, second receiving means in said housing for applying electrical energy to a second one of said function modules when it is placed in said receiving space, a plurality of contact means, said housing comprising a plurality of separate inner compartments each containing a corresponding one of said contact means, and securing means for securing each of said contact means in its 10 corresponding inner compartment; said first receiving means comprising a first one and a second one of said contact means each for engaging a corresponding contact of said first function module, said second receiving means comprising a third one of said contact means for engaging a corresponding contact of said second function module, one of said first and second contact means being arranged for engaging a 15 corresponding contact of said second function module, each contact means of said first and second receiving means comprising inner and outer clamping members having respective inner and outer clamping surfaces, and means for pressing said clamping members together to bring said clamping surfaces into clamping engagement with at least one electrical wire, and said housing further comprises a plurality of guide 20 passages of which at least one corresponds to each of said inner compartments and extends from an exterior surface of said housing to said corresponding inner compartment for feeding and guiding said at least one electrical wire from said exterior surface to between said clamping surfaces. 25 US 6 945 815 (MULLALLY) discloses apparatus for a quick connect electrical socket for use as part of a building electrical system and adapted for use with an electrical outlet, a power switch, or a fixture directly connected to an electrical appliance, comprising: a) an electrical box, said box being mounted on a wall of the building, said box being electrically connected to the electrical system of the building, said box having 30 a back wall having front and rear surfaces, four side walls and a forwardly facing opening; b) a plurality of female electrical connectors made up of apertures being disposed on said front surface of said back wall of said box; c) a plurality of incoming and outgoing terminals with set screws for the affixing of incoming and outgoing wiring mounted on the rear surface of said back wall, said female electrical connectors being 35 pre-wired to said incoming and outgoing terminals, so that said quick connect electrical socket is a unitary assembly; d) an electrical fixture being disposed in said electrical box through said forwardly facing opening, said electrical fixture having a front and rear side, said electrical fixture being one of either an electric outlet, a power switch, or a fixture directly connected to an electrical appliance; and, e) a plurality of male electrical connectors being disposed on said rear side of said electrical fixture, wherein said male 5 electrical connectors mate with said female electrical connectors so that said electrical fixture is electrically connected to the electrical system of the building. Summary of the Invention 10 According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for providing customisable electrical control units, comprising: an electrical backbox adaptor providing an electrical wire inlet and a rigid electrical pin outlet; an electrical control fascia providing an electrical pin inlet and at least one appliance outlet; and a 15 decorative faceplate; wherein the fascia comprises faceplate locating features, and the fascia is adapted by the backbox adaptor to fit into a backbox and connect to a power Xf supply. CM CO The fascia may be formed in use by a fascia adaptor, which may be envisaged to 20 provide a means of adapting the fascia to provide a socket for the rigid pins. Such 1— fascia adaptor may provide screw or spring terminal electrical connectors to connect CM to the wiring of the fascia outlets. In this way the apparatus may allow for a plurality of faceplates to be easily used and / or 25 a modular system of electrical socket provision and / or allow for easy and safe disconnection of the sockets for example when decorating or updating the socket appliance outlets, for example providing universal serial bus (USB) appliance outlets. It may be envisaged that the rigid electrical pin may comprise I EC connectors, so as 30 to allow for fast, safe and secure electrical and mechanical connection between the adaptor and fascia. In some embodiments of the apparatus the faceplate comprises fascia locating features, which match the faceplate locating features for secure modular physical 35 connection. In some embodiments of the apparatus the fascia locating features comprises tolerance fitting, wherein the faceplate may simply clip over the fascia allowing easy revision or amendment. 5 In some embodiments of the apparatus the fascia locating features comprise interference fitting. In some embodiments of the apparatus the backbox and adaptor are combined at retail. 10 CM 00 In some embodiments of the apparatus the backbox and adaptor are combined in use by a combination means, so as to allow for use of standard or known backboxes, and / or adaptation of existing backboxes or electrical installations. 15 In some such embodiments of the apparatus combination means comprises adhesive, for example, which may lead the adaptor to be stuck into the backbox. The adhesive for example may be a self-adhesive area on the adaptor, which may be provided with a removable and disposable paper cover or similar. 20 In some embodiments of the apparatus the combination means comprises interference fitting or friction or tolerance fitting, for example such that the adaptor is engaged mechanically by the backbox in use. This may include a resiliently deformable connector or similar. 25 In some embodiments of the apparatus the apparatus comprises a plurality of pins, wherein the pins may be envisaged to correspond to live, neutral and earth pins for example. In some embodiments of the apparatus the apparatus comprises a plurality of spring 30 electrical connectors so as to allow easy electrical connection. In some other embodiments of the apparatus the apparatus comprises a plurality of screw electrical connectors so as to allow secure electrical connection. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of 35 forming apparatus according to any of the previous claims. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a backbox for such a method. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an adaptor for 5 such a method. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a fascia for such a method. 10 According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a faceplate for such a method. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: 15 CM 00 Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows a reverse isometric exploded view of an embodiment of apparatus 20 according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows an isometric exploded view of the fascia and faceplate of the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; 25 Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figure 2; 30 Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the fascia adaptor of the embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figure 2; Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric view of the fascia adaptor of the embodiment of 35 the apparatus as shown in Figure 2; Figures 7a and 7b show isometric views of the backbox adaptor of the embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figure 2; Figures 8a and 8b show exploded isometric views of the fascia adaptor of the 5 embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figure 2; and Figures 9a and 9b shows reverse exploded isometric views of the fascia adaptor of the 10 embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figure 2. Detailed Description of Figures 15 With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of apparatus 199 for providing customisable electrical control units, comprising: an electrical backbox adaptor 5 providing an electrical wire inlet 55 and a rigid electrical pin outlet 53; an electrical control fascia 2 providing an electrical pin inlet 13 and at least one appliance outlet 26; and a decorative faceplate 3; wherein the fascia 2 comprises faceplate 20 locating features 24, and the fascia is adapted by the backbox adaptor to fit into a backbox and connect to a power supply. In particular reference to the first pictured embodiment the embodiment a faceplate 3 which comprises a wholly metallic part, in brass or stainless steel, adapted to fully 25 cover over a fascia, leaving access to a double outlet socket, and the switches. The embodiment further comprises two swich covers 4. The faceplate 3 is arranged to clip onto and over the fascia, wherein the locating feature further comprises the fascia lip, wherein the faceplate clips over and onto the 30 lip, being resiliently deformable. Additionally the pictured embodiment comprises the four locating features 24 on the fascia, spaced near the corners, being female receiving indentations for receiving resilient pins 34 from the rear of the faceplate 3. The fascia further includes screw 35 holes 21 for connection into the backbox (not shown). The faceplate comprises perimetric slots 33, for receiving a screw driver head or the like for prying the faceplate from the fascia. The faceplate includes holes 32 for passage of electric plucs. 5 The embodiment further comprises a fascia 2, having two switches 25, outlets 26 for two standard UK three pin plugs, and two USB (universal serial bus) outlets 23. It may be envisaged that the fascia comprises a standard part, common in the art. 10 The pictured embodiment of the apparatus comprises a fascia adaptor 1, which is used to adapt the fascia for the apparatus. The fascia adaptor comprises three wired terminals 15 which correspond to a female socket 12 providing and surrounding three rigid male pins 13. The socket 12 comprises 15 resilient clip tabs 14. The rigid;pins 13 transport electricity from the backbox adaptor to the outlets of the CM fascia. CO 20 The fascia adaptor comprises a clip over plate 11 to hold the adaptor over the rear T— electric housing of the fascia. CM The backbox comprises a standard plastic backbox as known in the art, and may comprise a metal backbox equally. 25 In the pictured embodiment the backbox adaptor 5 is located within the backbox in a corner thereof. The adaptor comprises a male plug 52 with three female sockets 53 adapted to receive 30 the three rigid pins 13, a right-angled plate connector 51, and a terminal block 55 for receipt of three wires. In this way an incoming electrical cable, from an electrical network, may be split into three wires, which are connected into the terminal block, wherein an electrical 35 connection is made through the plate to the socket. In use the three rigid pins 13 extend from the rear of the fascia such that the fascia may be plugged into the socket of the adaptor. In the pictured embodiment the adaptor is envisaged to be glued into the backbox 5 using an adhesive, which may be envisaged to be provided with the adaptor, such that in use a user will either apply the adhesive or remove a cover over the adhesive, and thereafter position the adaptor into the backbox, aligned with the fascia plug, and then push the adaptor into place such that the adhesive holds the adaptor in the backbox. 10 The rear of the fascia in the pictured embodiment comprises a female socket, containing three rigid pins, which socket receives the plug, and which rigid pins are inserted into the sockets of the plug so as to make an electrical connection. In use a user will: 15 Wire-up the backbox adaptor Assemble with back box CM Adhesive or clip fit into back box CO Wire-up the fascia adaptor 20 Insert fascia into backbox and make electrical and mechanical connection T— Place faceplate over fascia CM Apparatus 99 according to the present invention may be envisaged to be retailed as the fascia, fascia adaptor and faceplate, as shown in Figure 2, or in other combinations. 25 The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus for providing customisable electrical control units, comprising: an electrical backbox adaptor providing an electrical wire inlet and a rigid electrical5 pin outlet; an electrical control fascia providing an electrical pin inlet and at leastone appliance outlet; and a decorative faceplate; wherein the fascia comprises faceplate locating features, and the fascia is adapted by the backbox adaptor to fit into a backbox and connect to a power supply.10 2. Apparatus for providing customisable electrical control units according to claim1 comprising a fascia adaptor.15203. Apparatus for providing customisable electrical control units according to claim 1 or 2 comprising a faceplate comprises fascia locating features.

4. Apparatus for providing customisable electrical control units according to any preceding claim wherein the locating features are tolerance fitting.

5. Apparatus for providing customisable electrical control units according to any preceding claim wherein the locating features are interference fitting.

6. Apparatus for providing customisable electrical control units according to any preceding claim wherein backbox and adaptor are combined at retail.25 7. Apparatus for providing customisable electrical control units according to anypreceding claim wherein the backbox and adaptor are combined in use by a combination means.

8. Apparatus for providing customisable electrical control units according to any 30 preceding claim wherein the combination means comprises adhesive.

9. Apparatus for providing customisable electrical control units according to claim 7 wherein the combination means comprises interference fitting.35 10. Apparatus for providing customisable electrical control units according to claim7 wherein the combination means comprises tolerance fitting.

11. Apparatus for providing customisable electrical control units according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of pins.

12. Apparatus for providing customisable electrical control units according to any 5 preceding claim comprising a plurality of spring electrical connectors.

13. Apparatus for providing customisable electrical control units according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of screw electrical connectors.10 14. A method of forming apparatus according to any of the previous claims.

15. A backbox for a method according to claim 14.

16. An adaptor for a method according to claim 14.1517. A fascia for a method according to claim 14.

18. A faceplate for a method according to claim 14.xtC\l   20COCM 2530354011

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